In our previous study, we looked at several highlights from Mark 10:1-12. They were confrontation, concession, and clarification. We didn’t get to finish teaching on the final highlight, so I hope you can join me as we complete this study today. 

Mark 9:42-50

“You’re a radical!” No one wants to be called that. It’s a word that makes us uncomfortable. It suggests extremes in viewpoints, habits, beliefs, lifestyles, or institutions. Radicals are people you want to stay away from! Most people find their comfort zone somewhere in the middle rather than the extremes.

In the United States, the 1960s was known as the radical decade. I know; I lived through it. Long-held traditions and social mores (mor-ayz) were vilified and cast aside. It was the decade that introduced “free love,” public nudity, hallucinogenic drugs, college campus anti-war riots, Woodstock, the modern “green” movement, the removal of the Bible from public education, the JFK assassination, and more.

While a few positive things resulted from this time, like the Civil Rights movement, most changes were negative. Widespread use of birth control, cohabitation, out-of-wedlock births, and a skyrocketing divorce rate all severely damaged the social, moral, spiritual, and physical health of the people and the nation. Unfortunately, much of the radicalism and its resulting ills have been exported to other parts of the world through industry and entertainment.

Many of these things are no longer considered radical; they have become part of the mainstream of culture and, sadly, the church. Today, those who make a sincere attempt to follow Jesus’ teachings and live them out are considered radical.

The English word radical comes from the Latin radix, which means root. It was initially applied in the 1800s as a political label. Later, it came to mean anybody whose opinions went to the roots and was steadfast in their commitment. As we learned last time, our core values or roots determine our lifestyle choices.

So, the radicals of the 1960s went to their roots. They were disciples of Satan, of the kingdom of darkness, and they lived out of those roots, his core values. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to live out his core values: anonymity, humility, and inclusivity. That’s radical discipleship. That’s my teaching subject from Mark 9:42-50, “Radical Discipleship.” Please follow carefully as I read Mark 9:42-50. This is God’s Word to us.

In these verses, Jesus teaches us the several essential QUALITIES of radical discipleship that identify us as His genuine followers.

As we begin our study, we must look back at what preceded the verses of our text. We do that to avoid wrong conclusions. Context plays a vital part in proper interpretation.

Verse 42 begins with the word but. It carries a warning about offending “one of these little ones.” That connects with verse 37. Jesus said, “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.”

The First QUALITY (of radical discipleship) is,

Radical Love

Think carefully about the meaning of what I just read a moment ago. By loving one of these “little children,” we love Jesus; if we love Jesus, we love God. In this context, Jesus showed the disciples how to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. It was the opposite of what they thought and expected!

How do we get radical love from this? First, remember that “little children” isn’t confined to actual children. In John’s epistles, he repeatedly refers to Believers as “my little children.” It’s a term of endearment and is also used for the spiritually immature. Remember, too, that Jesus said, “Unless (except) you are converted and become (like) little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” We pass this off too casually; it’s serious.

Jesus told the disciples, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.” Jesus is zealous for our righteousness and the corporate righteousness of His church. Since Jesus lives in every believer, how we treat them is how we treat Christ, and how we treat Christ is how we treat God. When Saul was struck down on the road to Damascus, Jesus didn’t demand, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting the believers?” He said, “Why are you persecuting me?”                          

For many years, I read this verse and thought that the millstone around the neck was punishment for leading one of these little ones into sin. But I was wrong! It’s not punishment, it’s prevention. In other words, it would be better to take a large millstone (the kind that an animal turned), hang it around your neck, and cast yourself into the sea rather than risk offending one of these and jeopardizing your salvation! I believe Jesus’s statements are the basis for Paul’s teaching in First Corinthians 13. Sandwiched between chapters 12 and 14, the point is that you and I can have the most extraordinary gifts, yet if love is neglected, it is all for nothing. In First John 3, the apostle spends most of the chapter spelling out what radical love looks like. Paul wrote to the Galatians, “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” We will refuse to lead others into sin if we genuinely love them.

In First Corinthians 8:13, after discussing meat offered to idols, Paul says, “Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.” Must I voluntarily limit my freedom so another person doesn’t stumble? What a radical idea! What’s the alternative? Again, Paul wrote, “And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?” Am I willing to risk someone’s eternal loss so I can indulge in my desires? Wow, that hits hard! Maybe my choices aren’t so harmless after all.

Radical love focuses not on what I want but on what benefits the other person. In our previous study, I highlighted Jesus’ humility as described in chapter two of Philippians. However, His love is evident there, too. He laid aside His divine prerogatives and loved you and me to the point of death! That’s radical love, the example we are called to follow.  

Another QUALITY (of radical discipleship) is,

Radical Purity

Here, the focus shifts from my actions causing others to sin to the things that cause me to sin. Jesus’ use of the hand, the foot, and the eye emphasize that our battle against sin includes all aspects of our lives. What we do, where we go, and what we look at tremendously impact our spiritual health. We too often fail to understand the seriousness of what we might call minor sins or slight offenses. We don’t comprehend how our sin offends God’s holiness. No other attribute of God is stressed like “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of Hosts.”

It is important to note that the verb, causes, in each of these verses is in the present tense. We could translate it as “If your hand is causing you to sin…” That means this is an ongoing struggle against temptation and sin.

What is the remedy? It is radical. Jesus said that if our hand, foot, or eye is causing us to sin, we need to amputate them! Some might say Jesus was speaking metaphorically. If you take that path, the first command about drowning must also be metaphorical. I’d be very cautious in going down that road. I admit these commands can be applied to amputating things other than body parts, but there is no way to soften them, and we are not free to disregard them. Jesus calls us to take radical, severe action against anything that hinders our pursuit of holiness, righteousness, and purity throughout our Christian life.

I acknowledge that cutting off part of your body will not completely solve the problem of temptation or sin. Some misguided ascetics of centuries past foolishly assumed the way to victory was self-mutilation. But they discovered that sin remained in their hearts after that painful process. Our minds and the desires of our physical bodies control our hands, feet, and eyes. As Jesus said in Mark 7:23, all evil things proceed from within a man and cause him to be defiled.

Our problem is that we want to soften the call to radical purity that Jesus demands here. We don’t like it; it’s too extreme. We want to be “middle of the road” Christ-followers. However, Jesus said it is better to enter into life with a damaged body than to suffer eternal punishment.

If we refuse the command, and in the original, the commands for amputation are imperatives, what is the result? Jesus said we will “be cast into hell where the worm does not die and the fire is not extinguished.”

Our English word hell is translated from the Greek Gehenna and refers to the Valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem. The Old Testament prophets called it Tophet. Scholars define Tophet as coming from the Hebrew toph, “a drum,” because the noise of such an instrument drowned the cries of children sacrificed by the priests of Moloch.

Judah’s wicked king, Manasseh, “caused his sons to pass through the fire in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom; he practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft and sorcery, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord to provoke Him to anger.” 

It is significant that of the twelve times Gehenna appears in the New Testament, all but one are used by Jesus. They all refer to the eternal hell, the lake of fire, never to the place of the dead in general, identified by the word hades.   

Because the Valley of Hinnom had been desecrated by the sacrifice of children to Moloch, it was an accursed place; it was used as the city garbage dump, where worms gnawed and fires burned. Thus, it is a vivid picture of eternal punishment.

The fire is unquenchable in this place of torment, and the worm doesn’t die. The worm is just what you might think: maggots or worms that prey explicitly on dead bodies. It’s a revolting picture. The word also carries the ideas of gnawing and anguish. If this is a literal worm, it eats without consuming its prey. Could the torment include the gnawing of the conscious mind that knows this fate could have been avoided?

As bad as these word pictures are, they cannot equal the dread reality of what Jesus describes. The prophet Isaiah wrote these words. “And they shall go forth and look upon the corpses of the men who have transgressed against Me. For their worm does not die, and their fire is not quenched. They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh,” Isaiah 66:24.  

Hopefully, now you understand why radical purity is necessary for the followers of Jesus.

The Final QUALITY (of radical discipleship) is,

Radical Obedience

The meaning of verse 49 is cryptic. We gain some insight if we examine the portions of Scripture where salt and fire are mentioned together. Salt and fire are connected with the Old Testament sacrifices. Salt, a preservative, was added to the sacrifices when burned as a symbol of God’s enduring covenant.

Leviticus 2:13 reads, “And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings, you shall offer salt.”

The grain offering was a consecration offering. It symbolized total devotion to the Lord, which is most likely why Jesus used it as an illustration in His teaching on radical discipleship. According to the Levitical Law, no one is fit to offer himself or any other sacrifice unless it has been appropriately salted, a symbol of incorruption.  

Jesus said, “Salt is good.” Homer called it “divine,” and Plato called it “a substance dear to the gods.” In ancient times, special salt rations were sometimes given to Roman soldiers as “Solarium Argentums,” the forerunner of the English word “salary.”

But what happens if the salt loses its ability to season or preserve? Jesus asked, “If the salt becomes unsalty, who will make it salty again?”

Chemically, salt is very stable and doesn’t degrade quickly. But not all salt is of the same quality. Around the Dead Sea, some salt is contaminated with gypsum. If it isn’t processed correctly, it can lose its effectiveness. Once that happens, Jesus said in Luke 14:35 that it is unfit for the soil or the manure pile. Tasteless salt is like an exploded shell, a burnt-out crater, a spent force. In other words, it is worthless.

Then Jesus added, “Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”  The command to have salt in yourselves is a call to radical obedience, to a holy life preserved by righteousness. Immediately, Jesus practically applied what a salty life looks like. He said, “Be at peace with one another.” The context tells us why Jesus made this statement. Before this, the Twelve argued about who would be the greatest.

In Matthew 5:13, Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”  “Salt of the earth” today describes “an individual or group considered representative of the best or noblest elements of society.” That is what all Christ-followers should be.

Unfortunately, too many of us have allowed the impurities of the world and its systems to corrupt the purity of our salt. Thus, we lose our ability to preserve the culture around us. As believers, we should bring positive, transformative, and preserving influences on the world, making it a better place through our actions, attitudes, and values. This underscores the idea that followers of Jesus should be a source of positive change and impact in the societies they inhabit.

How do preservation and positive change occur? When, by the grace of God and the enabling of the Holy Spirit, we practice radical love, radical purity, and radical obedience.

Jesus said, “By this, all will know that you are my disciples if you love each other.” The love Jesus was speaking about wasn’t a warm, fuzzy feeling. It wasn’t “I love you, and you love me, and we’ll get along quite famously.” No, it is a love that invests in others, sometimes at a significant personal cost. It is the kind of love that motivated Jesus to go to the cross for us to purchase our redemption and to pay the penalty for our sins. That is radical love.

Radical purity calls us to remove from our lives those things that would lead us into temptation and sin. It makes no sense for a Christ-follower struggling with pornography addiction to carry a smartphone or subscribe to a streaming service that pumps filth into their home. As a typical, red-blooded male, I refuse to go to a beach crowded with nearly nude bodies. I refuse to watch R and X-rated movies. Maybe I’m just weak, but I don’t need the temptation those things bring with them. You, too, would be wise to discover your weaknesses and protect yourself. Most failures among those professing to follow Jesus begin with little compromises.

The activities we choose for us and our family, the places we go, and the things we prefer to watch or look at all prove that our purity isn’t as radical as we think.

And finally, radical obedience. If you’re a Christian, does the world know that by observing how you live? Or are you like them? Do they see your love for your fellow believers and wish they could experience it, too?  Do you bring positive, transformative, and preserving influences to your community and your sphere of influence? Is your salt still salty?

If you’re feeling uncomfortable or convicted, good, I am, too. Let’s commit to radical discipleship to express our love for Jesus and gratitude for all He’s done for us!

We are in the time of year when we pause to reflect on our blessings. Canadians have already celebrated their national Thanksgiving Day in October, and soon, it will be our turn in the US. If you’re like me, you sometimes struggle to be thankful. We have so much, yet we are so prone to complain.

Today we’ll explore cultivating a genuine spirit of thankfulness for all the blessings God has given us. This program will be different. I’ve combined selected Scripture portions with uplifting music. I pray that the next half hour will inspire you to a deeper level of personal gratitude to God.

Mark 9:14-29

Robert and Mary Moffat were missionaries in Bechuanland (Bek-u-An-aland), now Botswana, in the early 1800s. They demonstrated unwavering faith and perseverance. Despite not a single soul embracing their message, they served the Tswana people for a decade. Even the leaders of their mission board questioned the prudence of their mission, but the thought of abandoning their post filled them with profound sorrow. Their perseverance, rooted in the belief that God was guiding their efforts and that they would witness the conversion of souls in His perfect time, is a powerful lesson for us all. It reminds us of the importance of trusting God’s plan, even when it seems complex or uncertain.

They stayed, and for two more years, darkness reigned. Then, one day, a friend in England told the Moffats he wanted to mail them a gift and asked what they would like. Believing that the Lord would bless their work, Mrs. Moffat replied, “Send us a communion set; I am sure it will soon be needed.”

God’s power and faithfulness are evident in the Moffats’ story. The Holy Spirit moved upon the villagers’ hearts, and soon, a small group of six converts united to form the first Christian congregation in that land. The delayed arrival of the communion set from England, just a day before the first commemoration of the Lord’s supper in Botswana, is a clear sign of God’s perfect timing and His response to their faith. This should reassure us that God’s timing is ideal, and we should trust in His plan for our lives.

As recorded in the Gospels, one prominent theme of Jesus’ earthly ministry is His invitation to people to place their faith in Him. Mark’s Gospel is no exception, as we’ve seen in our study thus far. The text for today is Mark 9:14-29, a dramatic illustration of faith coupled with the power of God. The testimony of a distraught father resonates with us, especially when our faith, too, seems weak. Our study is titled “Lord, I Believe.” This dramatic illustration will be a powerful guide for understanding and strengthening our faith.

Listen carefully as I read our text, Mark 9:14-29.

This record of Jesus casting out a demon reveals several KINDS of faith. We will observe how these kinds of faith are present in our journey and how we can grow in faith.

In our previous two episodes, we saw Peter, James, and John progress from the glorious mountaintop experience of the Transfiguration to the valley of the shadow of death. Seeing Jesus in His unveiled glory, followed by His immediate predictions of His impending death, and the tragic scene of the demon-possessed boy left them confused and questioning. In this context, the following kinds of faith are demonstrated.

The First KIND of Faith is,

            Weak Faith

As Jesus and the three disciples descended from the mountain, they intended to rejoin the other disciples. They noticed a huge crowd gathered around the nine disciples as they approached them and that the Jewish scribes were arguing about something.

What a contrast between the glorious and holy scenes on the mountain and the dark, ominous, grief-filled scenes they now faced. In many ways, this mirrors our experience as Christ-followers. The daily reality of life is the continuing struggle between good and evil, between the flesh and the spirit, and our mountaintop experiences are the exception rather than the rule.  

When the people in the crowd saw Jesus coming, they were exceedingly amazed and ran to greet Him. We’ll learn the reasons for their amazement in a moment. Turning to the scribes, Jesus asked them, “What are you arguing about with My disciples?” He must have noticed the nine disciples’ embarrassment and shame and immediately took over.  

A desperate father steps out from the crowd and speaks to Jesus at this precise moment. “Teacher, I have brought my son to You; he has a mute spirit. Whenever and wherever the spirit seizes him, it convulses and throws him down. He foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to cast out the spirit, but they couldn’t.”

Why couldn’t the disciples cast out the demon? We read in Mark chapter six that they cast out many demons before this experience. So, what is happening here?

Notice what Jesus says next. “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you?” Jesus’ disciples were most likely the focus of these questions of reproof. His use of the word oh shows Jesus’ disappointment in them. He prefaced other laments with this word in different places in the Gospels. They were not faithless in the sense of treacherous, as we often use the word today, but their faith was weak. It was inadequate to meet the needs in front of them.

We can rephrase Jesus’ question in today’s language. “How long must I be with you and ‘put up with’ your lack of faith?” Do you sense exasperation in Jesus’ words? They had witnessed Him perform all kinds of miracles, yet they still struggled to believe in His person and power.

Would Jesus have similar questions for you and me? We, too, have seen Jesus’s power demonstrated many times in our lives and the lives of others. Yet, we often lack faith in His ability and willingness. I fear our prayers are frequently too tentative. We’re invited to come confidently to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16) and persist in our asking (Luke 18). However, we often fail to ask, or we ask for the wrong things or reasons, according to James 4:2 and 3.

            Praise God, there is a remedy for weak faith. Like the characters in our text, we can grow into the following kind of faith.  

Another KIND of Faith is,

            Seeking Faith

            After rebuking His disciples, Jesus says, “Bring the boy to me.” Interesting! Why didn’t Jesus go to him? This calls forth faith on the part of the observers. The text is vague, saying, “Then they brought him to Jesus.” Who are “they”? I assume it was the father and some other men in the crowd. Despite their disappointment in the disciples’ failure, they exercised faith and obeyed Jesus’ command.

            When the evil spirit in the boy saw Jesus, he immediately experienced the symptoms the father listed earlier: convulsions, foaming at the mouth, and grinding his teeth. The glorious power of Christ seen on the mountain now clashes head-on with the powers of darkness.  

Jesus addressed the history of this boy’s case just as a doctor would. “How long has this been happening?” The father told Jesus that the affliction began in childhood. The demon often cast the boy into the fire or water, attempting to destroy him. What a tragic situation!

            Try to imagine the emotion in these scenes. See the father’s distress and hear his cry for help. “If you can do ANYTHING, have compassion on us and help us (immediately)!” The word for help is boetheo in verse 22. The word comes from boe, a cry, and theo, to run = to run at a cry for help. This is a vivid picture of the father’s plight.

Can you hear the pathos in his voice? He is at his wit’s end and begging Jesus to do anything. In this case, the Greek idiom is lost in translation. Jesus repeats the father’s words, “If you can…” to him: “If you can believe, all things are possible for the one who has faith.” He is challenging the father’s faith.

            I love the father’s response! “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” This father had faith but confessed it was weak and craved more faith. There are also essential details in the grammar here. In verse 22, the father cries for instantaneous help – “help us now.” In verse 24, his plea is, “Keep on helping my unbelief.” Through Jesus, we don’t need perfect personal righteousness, just repentant helplessness, to access the power of God.

While I’ve never experienced the trauma of a demon-possessed child, I want God to strengthen my faith continually. Is that a desire you have, too? Have you witnessed the power of godly faith in your life? How often has your weak faith been changed to a seeking faith? This will only happen when you and I come to the end of ourselves and realize that Jesus is our only hope.

The faith of the men who brought the boy to Jesus (v. 20) and the seeking faith of the distraught father (v. 24) resulted in the following kind of faith.  

The Next KIND of Faith is,

            Healing Faith

            When Jesus saw the crowd quickly gathering, he rebuked the unclean spirit by saying, “Deaf and mute spirit, I command you to come out of him and never enter him again!” Notice that Jesus addressed the demon as separate from the boy. This makes it difficult to believe that Jesus was merely indulging popular belief in a superstition. Today, many would diagnose such a person as having a mental illness. While there are legitimate diagnoses of mental disease, many cases are rooted in deep spiritual needs.

In this case, Jesus regards the demon as the cause of the boy’s misfortune and issues a direct command. After crying out and convulsing the boy violently, the evil spirit came out of him, leaving him as lifeless-looking as a dead person. Many of the observers said, “He is dead!” But Jesus took him by the hand, lifted him up, and he arose.

            Again, imagine the level of emotions experienced by this father and son. Instead of the tortured relationship between them because of the demon’s power and their inability to communicate with each other, there is now joy and laughter, speech and hearing, and mutual love and acceptance. We don’t know how old the boy was, but this was a long-term condition that was reversed. We can hardly identify with the magnitude of this change without having had a similar experience.

            Yet, in a measure, this is the experience of every genuinely born-again Believer. Before our rescue by Christ, we were all under the control of Satan. He had us bound in sin with our evil thoughts and wrong actions. Even though we may have wanted to change, we were powerless to accomplish it alone. Then, as it were, someone metaphorically stepped out of the crowd and took us to Jesus. When we met Him, sin’s shackles were broken, and we were set free!

            However, that isn’t the end of the struggle. Paul writes in Ephesians 6:12 that “…we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” He continues in verse 18, advising us to “[pray] always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”

            This dramatic demonstration of Jesus’ power in healing this boy made the nine disciples question their failure. Their question leads us to the final kind of faith.

The Final KIND of Faith is,

            Misplaced Faith

            After this fantastic event concluded and Jesus was alone with the Twelve, they asked Him, “Why were we unable to cast out the demon?” Jesus responded, “This kind of demon cannot come out except by prayer and fasting.” Their earlier success in casting out demons may have encouraged them to think they could accomplish it at any time or place of their choosing. That was a mistake.

            There is controversy over whether the original manuscripts of verse 29 include fasting with the qualification of prayer. Regardless of where you come out on that, prayer and fasting are often coupled throughout the Scriptures. Fasting helps clear our minds and centers our thoughts on God and His power. It also indicates our understanding of our powerlessness and dependence on God.

The disciples failed to understand their need for a continual connection to Jesus’s power. Their neglect of prayer caused a loss of power. Their faith was misplaced. They had too much faith in themselves and too little faith in Christ. This was a valuable lesson for them, which they probably remembered as long as they lived.

How much we are like them! How easily we underestimate the power of evil in our world and ourselves. How easily we forget that “without [Him} we can do nothing.” The things we learn from painful experiences stay in our memories far longer than what we only hear with our ears. Like the disciples, we do not like to be reminded that we can do nothing without Christ.

            The difficulty of miracles isn’t the lack of God’s power but the difficulty of our belief. The challenges of believing in God in our age are undeniably significant. Doubt seems to be in the very air we breathe. Academia is charged with currents of distrust in anything supernatural, and physical science discards anything that cannot be proven by experimentation and demonstration.

            The moral and spiritual characteristics of our age are not conducive to faith. Our wealth, comfort, and luxury do not promote healthy soil for faith to grow. All these and more concentrate our thoughts on the material rather than eternal realities.

            Yet, as we learn from this account, as great as these difficulties are, they are far from impossible. All things are possible with God and to us if we dwell upon what is eternal, infinite, and invisible and are thoroughly infused with the Spirit of God.

            Have you confessed, along with the desperate father in this narrative, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief?” If you have, then you are exercising a kind of faith that God can bless and honor. That doesn’t mean all your desires will be met, but you can trust God to move you from weak faith to seeking faith to healing faith and a renewed awareness of your complete dependence on Him. He will provide you with everything you need. I trust you will find it so in your life.

Mark 9:9-13

Do you remember the biblical account of Elijah confronting the children of Israel on Mount Carmel? It’s recorded in First Kings chapters 18 and 19. He asked them, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” One true prophet of God faced off with 450 prophets of Baal.

Elijah proposed a test. The prophets of Baal would prepare a sacrifice for their God, and Elijah would prepare a sacrifice for the true God, Jehovah. Neither one was permitted to put fire under the sacrifice. The god who answered by fire would be the true God.

As you may recall, after nearly a whole day of futilely calling on Baal, the sacrifice on the altar of the false prophets remained untouched. Then, Elijah called the people near and repaired the Lord’s altar. He prepared his sacrifice to God and repeatedly doused it with water until the altar and ground were thoroughly soaked. The Lord answered by fire when he called upon the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. “When everyone saw this, they fell on their faces and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”

            Immediately, Elijah commanded the people to kill all the prophets of Baal. He said, “Don’t let one of them escape.” So, they took them down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered every one of them. However, when Jezebel learned what Elijah had done, she threatened revenge. What did Elijah do? He fled for his life, first to the land of Beersheba and then on to Mount Horeb. He was so discouraged he wanted to die.

            Many of us know from our life experiences that the aftermath of a “mountaintop experience” is often a journey into the valley, which can be filled with questions and uncertainty.  

In the previous episode of our study from Mark’s Gospel, chapter nine, we encountered the unveiled Christ in the Transfiguration. What a fantastic mountaintop experience! It was something those who viewed it could never forget. However, that incredible experience cast some lengthening shadows.

            Our study today centers on verses 9 to 13. These verses tell us about Jesus and His three disciples descending to the valley below, which was both literal and figurative. I’ve titled our study “Shadows of Suffering.”  Listen carefully as I read our text, Mark 9:9 to 13.

In this text, Jesus addresses SHADOWS falling across the glorious scenes the disciples had just witnessed. These shadows reveal how glory and suffering are closely related.

The First SHADOW is,

            The Prohibition

            The text opens with the disciples and Jesus descending from the mountain. What had they seen? They had seen the unveiled glory of God in the person of Jesus as He was transfigured before their eyes! I imagine they were bursting with excitement and couldn’t wait to tell the other nine disciples what they had seen and heard. But Jesus said, “No. You’re not allowed to recount what you saw to anyone – until – until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.”

            What was the reason behind the prohibition? It was the shadow of unbelief. Could it be, at least in part, Jesus’ response to the Pharisees in Mark 8:11 and 12? “Then the Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Him, seeking a sign from heaven, testing Him. But He sighed deeply in His spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.”

What Peter, James, and John had just witnessed indeed qualifies as a sign from heaven. Jesus had performed many signs that proved the nearness of the kingdom. The Pharisees refused to believe those signs, and Jesus knew one more wouldn’t make a difference. So, He said, “You can’t talk about this until after the Son of Man is risen from the dead.”

Why was it important that the disciples wait until after the resurrection to share their experience on the mountain? In Romans 1:1-4 Paul writes that the resurrection declares Jesus as the Son of God. Listen, “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead would banish any shadow of doubt about who He was. The unbelieving Jewish leaders conspired with Pilate and his soldiers to spread the myth that Jesus’ disciples came and stole His body at night. That was ridiculous, and they only made themselves look foolish. Later, they tried to stop the apostles from preaching the resurrection.

Peter, James, and John obeyed Jesus’ command. Verse 10 says, “So, they kept this word to themselves.” This is the same language Luke used of Mary; “Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” But there was something else going on here. They discussed what He meant by “rising from the dead.” Not long before this, in Mark 8:31, Jesus had told them “that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.” This must have escaped their notice.

At any rate, their submission to Jesus’ command was so complete that they dared not ask Him about the mystery. Rising from the dead meant that a death had occurred. Here is a shadow cast across their messianic expectations. How could death be associated with the glory they had just witnessed and the glorious kingdom they expected? It didn’t make sense.

Peter, James, and John had a blind spot. They couldn’t see any connection between the glory they had just witnessed and the suffering Jesus predicted He would experience. The Pharisees were blind, too, but theirs was intentional blindness; they refused to believe despite the facts. In both cases, the kingdom’s nearness escaped their minds. For the three disciples, it would be temporary. For many of the Pharisees, it would be permanent.

Today, Jesus has risen from the dead, and we can proclaim Him for who He truly is without apology. However, we are warned to avoid casting our pearls before swine and engaging with those scoffers who actively suppress the truth of Scripture.

The shadow of the cross still reminds us of the truth that suffering precedes glory.  

The Next SHADOW is,

            The Question

            To say that the three disciples suffered from sensory overload is probably an understatement. After what they had seen and heard, they were naturally confused. They still hadn’t accepted the necessity of Christ’s suffering and death. However, I believe their experience on the mountain led to the firm conviction that Jesus was the Messiah.

            They asked Jesus, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” Their thoughts turned in that direction since they had just seen Elijah on the mountain with Jesus and Moses. If Elijah was coming first, who was to follow him?

            If you recall my earlier teaching from Mark, those living in the ancient Near East were familiar with the meaning of the word gospel. It was the good news proclaimed by a herald or messenger. He would precede the coming of the monarch to ensure all the preparations were made for his arrival. Isaiah described a forerunner like this in chapter forty of his book.

The disciples were familiar with this teaching that Elijah would precede the coming of Messiah. Malachi 3:1 predicted, “Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming, says the Lord of hosts.” So, if Jesus was the Messiah, Elijah had already come, and they must have missed him. There was a shadow for which they had no answer.

In addition, the conversation between Jesus, Moses, and Elijah indicated a vastly different outcome than what the religious leaders taught. Moses and Elijah were talking with Jesus about His coming death. The Jewish people expected a Messiah who would deliver them from Roman rule, not a suffering servant, so that piece of the puzzle didn’t fit either. Even after Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples still expected Him to set up an earthly kingdom (Acts 1:6).

            When Elijah came, the Jewish religious leaders expected and taught three things. First, his appearance would predict the kingdom’s nearness. Second, he would lead the people in a spirit of repentance. Finally, he would personally anoint the Messiah. Have you made the connection with Mark chapter one? John the Baptist fulfilled all these expectations, and Jesus’ explanation reveals the final shadow.

The Final SHADOW is,

            The Explanation

            Jesus tells the disciples, “You are correct. Elijah does come first and restores all things to their former state.” Again, this is one of the biblical prophecies with more than one fulfillment. Malachi 4:5 and 6 read, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.” This coming great and dreadful day is associated with the second coming of Christ, not His first coming.

            Jesus continued, “And how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt?” To be treated with contempt means to be despised as nothing! That echoes the words of the prophet Isaiah, who said, “He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him,” Isaiah 53:3.

Again, this is relatively new information for the disciples. They had just seen Elijah on the mountain, but Jesus had come before this experience. They were trying to sort this conflicting information in their minds. Jesus further explains this in verse thirteen.

            Jesus said, “Elijah has also come, and they did to him whatever they wished, as it is written of him.” That statement must have left them more confused than ever. When the religious leaders asked John if he was Elijah, he said, “No” John 1:21. More shadows. Elijah had not come, but according to Luke 1:17, John the Baptist came “in the spirit and power of Elijah.”

In Matthew’s record, we read, “Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things.But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise, the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands. Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.”

            The suffering and death of John the Baptist were signs that the fulfillment of Messiah’s sufferings was coming. In Matthew 11:13 to 15, Jesus commented on this. “For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” If they had received John the Baptist, everything would have been restored as promised.

            And if they had received John as Elijah, they would have received Christ. Jesus said in Matthew 23:37 to 39, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!See! Your house is left to you desolate;for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

            So, the three expectations the Jews had of Elijah were fulfilled in John the Baptist. His appearance signaled that the kingdom was imminent. John said, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.” 

            Further, John’s message was, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” He also insisted that genuine repentance would be evident through changed behavior. Finally, he would anoint the Messiah. Symbolically, that’s what John did when he baptized Jesus, and the witness of all Heaven approved.

            All this happened according to the Scriptures. But there was and is a caveat. Let’s look again at the closing verses of Malachi’s prophecy. “Behold, I will send you Elijah, the prophet,
before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.” Another dark shadow falls.

            The caveat was that if Elijah were rejected, severe consequences would result. Jesus’ words tell us that John was not accepted by the religious establishment even though he came in the spirit and power of Elijah. Consequently, Jesus was also rejected, and the land and people of Israel were smitten with a curse. This is the same word used for Aachen’s sin in Joshua chapter seven when he took some of Jericho’s “accursed” goods. Those goods were things God had devoted to destruction.

            Less than 40 years passed from the crucifixion of Jesus until the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. I am told that even today, devout Jews repeat Malachi 4:5 rather than acknowledge the terrible threat of verse six. From that awful time when the Son of Man was despised and treated as less than nothing, the Jewish people have suffered from that curse. They were driven out of their own country and scattered, as it were, to the four corners of the earth.  

            However, as I understand the Scripture, the ultimate fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy is still in the future. Perhaps the final Elijah is one of the two witnesses in Revelation chapter eleven. The powers ascribed to him there fit the record in the books of the Kings. After a brief ministry of three and a half years, he will be killed. The whole world will rejoice over his demise. However, he will be resurrected and taken to heaven after being dead for three and one-half days. These events will result in a significant judgment of the earth and its inhabitants. After additional torments, the King of Kings will return and usher in the final kingdom.

            The disciples were waiting for the glorious kingdom of Messiah to come. Jesus told them it was very near, and it had already come. But because the king and kingdom were rejected, they did not come in fullness. Today, the shadows are lengthening; the kingdom’s fullness is closer than ever. Don’t make the same mistake the Jewish leaders made.    

Are you ready for the shadows to be dispelled and the kingdom of God and Christ to come in full? If not, today is the day of salvation. Please don’t put it off!

Mark 9:1-8

On February 12, 2018, the officially commissioned portraits of former President Obama and First Lady Michele were unveiled at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. The portraits now hang in the Smithsonian-operated Museum, where a complete collection of previous presidential portraits also hangs.

Imagine the anticipation in the room as two large portraits, shrouded in black cloth, stand at the front. A crowd of dignitaries, their eyes fixed on the platform, awaits the moment. After a brief speech by the master of ceremonies, the cloth is pulled away from the portraits, revealing the paintings to the public for the first time. The subjects of the portraits are then invited to address the attendees, adding a personal touch to the unveiling. This personal touch, this connection, is what we will experience as we delve into the unveiling of Christ. It’s not just a distant event but a moment that invites us to be part of it, to feel the connection with Christ.

Commemorative plaques in churches and other public buildings are often unveiled similarly. Sometimes, when a new business is opened, the Grand Opening includes unveiling the company logo or signage.

Unveilings are more than just a modern tradition. They have a deep-rooted significance in the Scriptures. God unveiled His glory to Moses on Mount Sinai and Elijah on Mount Horeb. Jacob experienced an “unveiling” when he discovered that the wife he thought was Rachel was her sister, Leah. However, perhaps the most dramatic biblical unveiling was the rending of the Temple veil at Jesus’ death, a moment that changed the course of history.

Our text for today, Mark 9:1-8, records a scene I’ve titled “The Unveiled Christ.” In this moment, the curtain of mystery was briefly drawn aside, revealing Christ in all His glory. Like a fleeting glimpse of a shooting star, this transformative unveiling left an indelible mark on the disciples and continues to inspire us as His disciples now.

This unveiling was not just a moment in history but a catalyst for transformation, inspiring us to follow in the footsteps of the unveiled Christ. We will explore the profound impact this brief unveiling had on Jesus’ disciples then and us as His disciples now and how it can inspire and transform us today, igniting a fire of faith and devotion within us. The power of this unveiling is not just in the past, but it continues to inspire and transform us, igniting a fire of faith and devotion within us.

It is crucial that you, as His disciple, follow along and listen carefully as I read the Holy Scripture, Mark 9:1-8. Your understanding and engagement with the text are not just important; they are critical to our collective learning and growth. Your insights and reflections are integral to our journey.  

In this text, we see several PARTICULARS related to the unveiling of Christ. Observe them with me; each detail holds significant meaning and contributes to our understanding of this pivotal event.

The First PARTICULAR is,

            His Announcement

            If we go back to the final verses of Mark chapter eight, we find these words: “When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

            First, notice who Jesus speaks to: the people with His disciples. This is not just the Twelve. The wording of verse 38 clarifies that Jesus is talking about His Second Coming. When He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels, it will be to establish His eternal rule over all the kingdoms of this world.

In verse one of our text, He introduces a different idea. “And He said to them, Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God [having come] with power.” Notice that I changed the wording a bit near the end of the sentence. I did that to reflect the original grammar better. The event Jesus speaks about in verse one must differ from the event in chapter 8, verse 38. He is informing the people about one of two things: the Transfiguration (just a few days later) or Pentecost (about eight months later) – perhaps both.

We must also consider the larger context of this passage. Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ in 8:29 is like the hinge of Mark’s Gospel. Everything before the confession leads up to it; everything after it flows from it. Peter’s confession of Jesus as Messiah was accurate, but his knowledge of what that meant was not. As we’ll see in future studies, Jesus repeatedly tries to break through the Jewish people’s stereotypical understanding of the Messiah.

So, the announcement of verse one sets the stage for the particular recorded next.

The Next PARTICULAR is,

            His Appearance

            Here is a blank of six days in the narrative. What happened during those days? In light of the last verses of chapter eight, we can assume that Jesus instructed His disciples on the necessity of His suffering and death. In that quiet, semi-Gentile area around Caesarea Philippi, free from the biting criticism and interruption of the Pharisees, Jesus could best teach, and the disciples best learn, the terrible mystery of His suffering. It was a lesson they were hesitant to embrace.  

            After six days (Alfred Edersheim suggests it was the evening after the Sabbath), Jesus chose Peter, James, and John to accompany Him “into a high mountain apart by themselves.” Luke adds that Jesus went there to pray. Most Bible scholars identify the location as one of the ridges of the snow-capped Mount Hermon, close to the region of Caesarea Philippi.

            In that remote setting, Jesus was transfigured before the three disciples. The original word is metamorphoo, and it is used only four times in the New Testament: twice in our text and once each in Romans 12:2 and Second Corinthians 3:18. We get our English word metamorphosis from it, meaning transformation from one thing to another.

Jesus’ clothing became radiant and intensely white like lightning, more than any launderer could bleach it. This was the Shekinah glory, a visible manifestation of God in the natural world. Here, the deity of Jesus briefly broke through the limitations of His humanity.

In this cloud of glory, Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Jesus. Moses and Elijah represent the Law and the Prophets, pointing to Jesus as the fulfillment of both. What were they talking about? Luke tells us that they were talking about Jesus’ coming exodus or departure, which would be accomplished in Jerusalem. This was a clear reminder that suffering precedes glory. We don’t have any indication that Peter and the others knew what Jesus, Moses, and Elijah were discussing.

Jesus’ death would achieve “the exodus” in its fullness, which Moses only achieved in type when he led the people out of Egypt. Jesus would bring deliverance from bondage, which would not be physical but spiritual. His life, death, resurrection, and ascension would fulfill the Law and the Prophets and provide inner power by the Holy Spirit to live above the Law.

After observing the three men talking together, Peter speaks up. (Mark omits the details about Peter, James, and John sleeping!) “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here, and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Peter and the others were afraid, very afraid. They didn’t know what to say, but Peter spoke anyway. Fear can lead us to say things that don’t make sense.

Why would you build booths here? Is this another attempt by Satan to tempt Jesus to evade the cross? “Let’s not go anywhere, Jesus; let’s stay right here!” Now it’s true, the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was soon to be celebrated. Why is that significant, and how do Peter’s words relate to that feast?

            God commanded the Feast of Booths in Leviticus chapter 23 to remind the children of Israel of their wanderings in the wilderness after the exodus from Egypt and how God provided daily manna for their food. God prevented their clothes and shoes from wearing out, and He dwelt in the Tabernacle among His people. The pillar of cloud by day and fire by night assured the people of His presence.

            Peter was looking back; Jesus was looking ahead. The Feast of Tabernacles was about to be fulfilled. Moses and Elijah were talking with Jesus about His exodus. Jesus was about to fulfill the types contained in the Feast of Tabernacles. In contrast to the manna of the wilderness, Jesus would provide Himself as the Living Bread, which came down from Heaven.

            Furthermore, He was about to give all true believers a robe of righteousness that would never grow old or wear out. Jesus promised in the Sermon on the Mount that He would care for our physical needs, but they were not and are not His primary focus. The robe of righteousness provided by His sacrifice would allow every individual, not just the High Priest, to enter the very presence of God Himself at any time. It would enable God to tabernacle within us by His Holy Spirit. Peter couldn’t see this possibility. Even today, we only grasp its reality through faith.

            The Feast of Tabernacles also looks forward to the 1000-year Messianic Kingdom when Jesus dwells in and rules from Jerusalem.  It will be a time when all the nations learn of the great things that happen when people follow the ways of the God of Israel.  Consequently, shalom (peace) will spread out from Jerusalem, the Great City, and eventually encompass the world. All these facts confirmed the infallibility and reliability of the Scriptures. Peter, John, and James were given a glimpse of the kingdom of God. They saw the glory promised to those who would lay down their lives to follow Christ and proclaim His message.

            The glimpse of glory that these three disciples saw was fleeting. It was only for a few moments and only for a few select people. However, today, every child of God can experience that glory, as Paul writes in Second Corinthians 3:16-18. ^“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

            In other words, you and I are being transformed into the image of Christ as we behold God’s glory! The more we gaze on God’s greatness and Jesus’s majesty, the greater our transformation into His likeness.

            And Jesus prayed that you and I would experience that glory. Here are His words from John 17:20-23. “I do not pray for these alone (His current disciples), but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.”

            Have you seen Jesus in His glory? Is that possible? Yes, it is most likely not identical to the scene described here. How do we behold His glory today? The Psalmist wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.” Take time to sit quietly and observe a sunrise or sunset, the rushing of a waterfall, or the quietness of field and forest. Soak in the beauty and glory of the Creator, God.

            Further, read the Scriptures and especially the Gospels. Take time to ponder the miracles and the teachings of Jesus. Take to heart His invitation in John 14:23, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” If Jesus and His Father make their home in you, you will see His glory – and so will those who see you. The appearance of the unveiled Christ will transform you from the inside out.

The Final PARTICULAR is,

            His Affirmation

            Amid all this excitement and Peter’s confused ramblings, the Shekinah glory cloud overshadows them. This same word is used of the Holy Spirit, “overshadowing” Mary and leading to the conception of Jesus.

            And out of this bright cloud, a voice speaks, “This is My Son, the Beloved; hear Him!” What affirmation and confirmation. Affirmation = this is my Son! Confirmation = the Beloved One; listen to Him! It’s like God was telling Peter, “Be quiet and listen!” How often have you and I spoken thoughtlessly when we should’ve been quiet?

            Then, suddenly, as Peter, James, and John looked around, they no longer saw anyone, only Jesus with them. Imagine what was going through their minds, trying to process what they had just seen and heard. It was incredible!

            Would you have liked to have been there on the mountain? I would have! And yet, we have the testimony of one present at that event that there is a greater witness to the unveiled Christ. Here is what he wrote in his second epistle.

            “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And we heard this voice from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. (our text)

And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as the Holy Spirit moved them.”

Has Christ been unveiled to you? Do you know Him personally? Do you believe His announcement that the kingdom has come and is coming? Yes, that is possible. The Incarnation unveiled Christ and the introduction of His kingdom. His kingdom is here, but not in its fullness. That awaits the future.

Have you seen the appearance of His glory – in nature, in the face of another human being, in the pages of Holy Scripture? Have you been thrilled at the realization that He lives within you in the person of His Holy Spirit? It’s true, at the moment, “…we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I am known.”

Are you listening to the command of the Father, “This is My Son, the Beloved, hear Him.” Jesus prayed for you and me in John 17; “Sanctifythem by Your truth. Your word is truth.” As you and I grow in our love for and obedience to our Heavenly Father, we will receive a clearer picture of the unveiled Christ! I pray that is your heart’s desire and mine!

Mark 8:34-38

This is the second part of my teaching on this text. In the previous episode, I stated that you and I must take several ACTIONS to accept the costs associated with discipleship.

The first action was to “give up your identity.” We delved into the profound act of surrendering to Christ, choosing to follow His plans rather than our own, a necessary step in our journey of discipleship.

The following action was “take up your cross.” We looked at the extreme physical suffering experienced by those who died on crosses in Jesus’ day and made the parallel application to how painful it is for us to put our bodily appetites and desires to death.

The Second ACTION is:

Take Up Your Cross

Why did Jesus use this terminology? This was the death He was facing. From his struggle in the garden, we know that his flesh recoiled from it. It seems Jesus wanted to impress upon the disciples that this excruciating method of death would be to the physical body what death to self would be to the spiritual and emotional parts of our being. Our flesh dies hard; it hangs on tenaciously to life. We want to retain control. But Jesus says, “Count the cost; if you are not willing to take up the cross and die the kind of death I will die, you can’t be one of my disciples.”

Jesus urged them to take up this voluntary cross. No one is compelled to be a disciple of Christ. Who in their right mind would voluntarily submit to such suffering and death? To answer that question, we must look at the alternatives.

Notice that in verse 36, Jesus used the terms of commerce, profit, and loss. He said, “Whoever protects his physical life, whoever cares more for his body than for the Lord’s commands, will lose his spiritual life; he will lose his soul.” That doesn’t mean we neglect our bodies; they are the temple of the Holy Spirit. There are other Scriptures dealing with that subject. What is in view here is the focus on sacrificing the spiritual to protect the physical.

I once heard the story of a couple who felt called by God to serve on a foreign mission field. I don’t know the story’s origins, but I will share it as I recall it. They accepted that call and went to share the Gospel with tribal people in the jungle. The Lord began to bless them with a family in their years of service there. They had four sons.

One of the dangers they faced in the jungle environment was dangerous snakes. As the boys grew older, their father became concerned about them entering the jungle. He feared they would fall prey to one of these snakes. His fear became so acute that he finally decided to move his family back home to the United States, even though he knew God had called his family to minister to these tribal people.

Being missionaries, they arrived back in the United States without much in the way of finances. Some friends in the Deep South offered to let them live in a camper on the edge of their property, so they moved in. One day, the three oldest boys played outside and decided to explore under the camper. There, they got into a nest of rattlesnakes and were bitten repeatedly.

The father heard their cries and, by their broken and confused stories, realized what had happened. He grabbed all three of the boys, hustled them into the pickup truck, and, while shouting to his wife, rushed off for the distant hospital. In panic, he failed to see the youngest boy who had come out of the house.

Just as his wife came out of the house to see what all the commotion was about, she saw the pickup truck back over the youngest boy. She sat down on the steps, had a heart attack, and died right there. That father lost his entire family because he feared snakes. He lost the very thing he tried so hard to protect. That’s a tragic story, but I believe it illustrates Jesus’s point here. We must be willing to follow Him even to death.

However, let’s not assume that because this happened to one family, the result will always be the same. This story reminds us of the weight of our decisions and the importance of careful consideration regarding the cost of discipleship.

As I said earlier, this commitment is voluntary. There is no coercion here. If you want to be a disciple of Christ, you must take up the cross. You must take up your responsibility to actively crucify the flesh, and it is something that must be done every day.You might think all this talk about denying self and crucifying the flesh is depressing. But it’s reality—a reality we don’t hear much about in today’s version of what it means to be a Christian. We honor athletes who practice radical physical disciplines to pursue momentary glory in the spotlight. But we ridicule Christians who practice self-discipline as narrow or legalistic. I believe we do that because their example puts us to shame.

Are you and I willing to surrender the glory of the Son of Man, the glory of the Father, and the glory of the holy angels for the temporary applause and approval of men? That’s not a worthwhile trade in my book!

For the true disciple of Jesus, suffering is a reality. And the source of that suffering won’t just be the world. Much of it will come from ‘religious’ people, just like it did for Jesus and the disciples. The message of the cross is offensive; it causes people to react against it. But Jesus said if we take up the cross daily and follow Him, we are assured of eternal life.

The glory yet to come will far outstrip any earthly glory the world has ever seen. Jesus said whoever is willing to lose their life for the gospel’s sake will gain eternal life and the approval of the Father.

When Mark recorded these words of Jesus to “take up [your] cross,” he used grammar, which means – take it up right now! That is my counsel to you. If you have never taken up the cross, don’t wait; do it now. Or maybe, in the past, you’ve taken up your cross, that instrument of death, and vowed to cling to it until all of self is crucified? But as you analyze your life, you realize you’ve laid it down and returned to your way. As I prepared this teaching, I realized my need for repentance and renewal – to embrace the Cross again.

You can make any claim you want to about being a Christian, but remember, unless you are willing to deny yourself and take up your cross daily, you cannot be His disciple. This is the second action we take in embracing the cost of discipleship.

The Third ACTION is:

Follow Up Your Commitment

After you’ve given up your identity and taken up your cross, you must follow up on your commitment. Jesus told his hearers, “Follow me.” This is simple, direct, and explicit instruction in the present tense, signifying that it begins now and continues.

It’s important to begin well, but it’s not enough. Some people expect to get to heaven based on a decision they made years ago. Maybe you’re one of them? I’m not denying that your decision was valid, but how are you following it now? What impact does your initial decision have on your choices and walk with the Lord today? The direction of your life is much more important than where you’ve come from.

I’m reminded of the word of the Lord to the prophet Ezekiel in chapter 18 of his prophecy. “But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? All the righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them, he shall die.

 Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not fair.’ Hear now, O house of Israel, is it not My way which is fair, and your ways which are not fair?When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies in it, it is because of the iniquity which he has done that he dies. Again, when a wicked man turns away from the wickedness which he committed and does what is lawful and right, he preserves himself alive. Because he considers and turns away from all the transgressions which he committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die.”

For years, Joyce and I had a poster on our bedroom door that showed a set of train tracks vanishing into the distant sunset. Underneath that picture were the words, “With you for the long run.” It reminded us to follow up on the commitments we made to each other many years before. Our marriage is only as good as our honoring of those commitments. In that light, the words of Jesus in John 8:31 and 32 are instructive. He said, “If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” If you follow me [an ongoing process], you are indeed my disciples.

Following up on your commitment will make you different. Your primary desire will be to please Jesus, not others, not yourself. That will affect your choices—all of them. It will make you different from unsaved friends, family members, and many church members. Many today want the benefits and rewards of being a Christian without making the sacrifices Jesus demands.

Terry Laughlin makes this observation. “The world will tolerate a church that conducts its meetings and has its programs, but a church that vibrantly loves Jesus Christ, teaches His Word, and reaches out in love to address the sins that are destroying our nation, our families, and people’s relationship with the Lord will not be popular. When abortion, greed, drunkenness, divorce, premarital sex, and sodomy are handled in a true Biblical manner, there will be complaints against and criticisms of that church Body.”

If you’re committed to following Jesus, plan on it; you will face rejection and ridicule. Some will call you narrow-minded, old-fashioned, and so on. Others will say you take the Bible too literally. They’ll say, “Do you really think God expects us to follow that part of His Word today? The world has changed.” Or “You don’t have to do all that stuff.” 

They’re right; you don’t have to do all that stuff; there’s no force. But you’ll want to obey the commands of Christ because you love Jesus, and you’re grateful that He rescued you from a life of sin and eternal torment. The apostle Paul said it well in Romans 12. “I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

In verse 38, when the Son of Man comes, He will not be ashamed to call you one of His. Instead of losing your soul, as Jesus speaks about in verse 36, you will be welcomed into the glorious presence of the Father, the Son, and all the holy angels.

My friend, Jesus, is not sadistic; he doesn’t derive satisfaction from our pain. But He values the results of that pain when we bring it to Him as part of our cross-bearing. The sacrifices he asks us to make are made with our best in mind. 

The reverses you and I face are not the hand of blind fate; they have purpose and meaning. God has promised that He orders our steps and that everything works together for our good. But we so often focus on the immediate, what feels good now. Jesus wants our focus to be like His in the long term. He wants us to say with Him, “I do only those things which please the Father.” He wants us to follow faithfully until the end.

The reward is eternal life. Seventy or eighty years, or even a hundred, here on earth seems like a long time because our minds can’t grasp the concept of something that never ends. But those brief years are just preparation for eternal life and eternal glory in the presence of God the Father. No more sorrow, no more pain, no more broken relationships, no more sickness. That is the payoff for following the Lord.

Have you counted the cost of being his disciple? Have you given up your identity and accepted the identity Jesus has for you? Have you laid down your plans and goals for the ones he has for you? Have you found the joy of a life fully surrendered to Jesus?

Have you taken up the cross of death to self? Do you continue to carry it, or have you laid it down somewhere along the way? Have you given up the acclaim and approval of men to gain that greater glory Christ offers? Are you dying to self daily so Christ can live his life through you? Is that life being reproduced in others?

Finally, are you following up on the commitments you’ve made? You started well; are you still in the race, or have you dropped out? Do you understand that the cost of discipleship is more than offset by the eternal rewards?

At the end of life, will you hear those words of commendation from the Father, “Well done, good and faithful disciple, enter into the joy of the Lord?” Or will you hear the opposite, “Depart from me, you who work iniquity; I never knew you.” Today, you can still choose.

Mark 8:34-38

When I shop for an item I need, one of the first things I do is look at the price. I have an idea of how much I’m prepared to spend. I sometimes think about how long it took me to earn the money. Is what I want to buy worth the effort needed to purchase it? If the item I want costs more than I want to pay, it stays in the store. That’s counting the cost.

We need to count the cost in spiritual matters, too. The Scriptures teach us that every person must realize their need for a Savior. The Gospel message is simple, but accepting it is not easy. Unfortunately, many today have embraced what Dietrich Bonhoeffer called “cheap grace.” This concept of ‘cheap grace’ is urgent and needs to be addressed.

Bonhoeffer wrote, “Cheap Grace is the deadly enemy of our church. It is grace without price: grace without cost! … Cheap grace means grace as a doctrine … an intellectual assent … Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner … Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession … Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.” (Part I, Chapter 1)

People are often given the impression that if they accept Jesus as Savior, all their troubles will be over. They’re not informed of His lordship or that discipleship and cross-bearing are part of what it means to be a follower of Christ. They were counting on adding Jesus to their lives and going on in their way. Then, they find out that Jesus demands total surrender! Is it any wonder they become disillusioned?

Professor Robbie Castleman writes, “The message of cheap grace is flourishing in many churches today. Salvation is sold as fire insurance, Jesus is reduced to correct propositional formulas, and worship is all about us and how we like it, no matter how many times we sing, ‘It’s all about you, Jesus’.

Cheap grace substitutes the fear of the Lord for a fear of the world. Cheap grace hides our light under wonderfully pious lampshades, and cheap grace renders the salt of the earth as just so much tasteless landfill.” He concludes by adding, “Every semester, I tell 36 wonderful students in this class: ‘Salvation is a free gift of God’s grace earned by the work of Jesus Christ alone. And this gift will cost you everything.’”[1]

Jesus told his disciples in Luke 14 about a man who wanted to build a tower. He didn’t want to start and not finish because people would mock him for his poor planning. So, he sat down and carefully figured out what it would cost to complete the project. We, too, need to seriously consider any project we take on, especially when considering “The Cost of Discipleship.”

In our text, Mark 8:34 to 38, Jesus informs His disciples about the cost of following Him. Listen now as I read the Word of God.

In this text, Jesus explains the several ACTIONS you and I must take to accept “The Cost of Discipleship.”

The First ACTION is:

Give Up Your Identity

Every person born into the world has an identity. We identify by name, nationality, race, or physical characteristics. We cannot change most of these things; God decides for us.

As we grow into adulthood, our identity is partly established by what we do. I can say a name to you, for example, Osama bin Laden, and immediately, your mind goes back to the destruction of the World Trade Center towers on September 11, 2001. A completely different picture comes to mind if I say William Carey or D. L. Moody. Like it or not, our identity is established, at least in part, by the choices we make.

In verse 34, Jesus said that the first factor you must consider when you consciously decide to follow me is the cost of giving up your identity. His words are, “Let him deny himself” (a-par-NAY-omai). This word is used 11 times in the New Testament in one of two contexts: Peter’s denial of Jesus after His arrest or Jesus’ teaching about the cost of following Him. Aparneomai means to deny utterly or disown completely.

            I think you and I often misunderstand this concept of denying self. It is not primarily about denying ourselves certain things, although it can express itself that way. Following a particularly ascetic lifestyle can become a point of pride. That belongs to our old identity. Instead, denying self involves forsaking our will to fulfill the will of God. It means making conscious choices to live for His sake rather than our own. This will often include ridicule, rejection, and loss.

But something important must happen before we can give up our identity. We must first accept it. Let me illustrate it this way. Picture a sixteen-year-old girl who is unmarried and pregnant. She has already decided that abortion is not an option, and she has made the decision to give the baby up for adoption. But then the question arises: should she see the baby before giving it up? One might think it would be less stressful to have the baby and leave the hospital without seeing him and avoid the trauma of separation. That may seem logical, but would she have faced the reality of the situation?

Did you ever try to give away something you never had? Without seeing the baby, the situation has a sense of unreality. Of course, she’s carried the baby in her womb, but there’s a difference between that and holding the baby and accepting him. If the young mother holds the baby and loves him for a day or so and then gives him to the adoptive parents, the reality hits with full force. Then it’s possible to go through the grief process, the separation anxiety, or whatever sense of loss the mother experiences.

Regarding our humanly achieved identity, we must ask, “Have I accepted my ‘baby,’ or is there still a sense of unreality about my identity?” To accept our new identity in Jesus Christ, we must first define our fleshly, human identity and look it squarely in the eye to understand what we must lose if we are to live out of our true identity in Christ. If you and I want to know the joy and blessing of our new identity as accepted and dearly loved children of God in Christ, we must “lose our baby.” For some, that identity has been in the formation stage for a lifetime. It will not be easily surrendered.

Have you “accepted your baby”? Have you understood your identity based on positive performance-based acceptance, pleasing others, and using your wit, talent, or skills to impress others? For a disciple of Jesus, that is a part of your past identity. But you have to accept it before you can give it up and receive the identity of Jesus Christ.

At Heralds of Hope, we receive letters from former Muslims who have come to know Christ as Savior. Do you know what happens to many of them when they do that? Their families disown them. They say, “You are no longer my son or daughter!” Threats of death often reinforce the reality of this separation. The oldest son is charged with clearing the family name from disgrace by killing the infidel who has converted to Christ. That is the idea Jesus uses here in our denying self, disowning self. It completely rejects my will, my way, and my wants.

I recall a story from my mentor, Dr. J. Otis Yoder. He was a professor at Eastern Mennonite Seminary (now University) for over twenty years and told me about a change he observed while teaching in the college and seminary.

In the early years of his career, students would seek God’s direction for their lives and then come and train to fulfill their calling. Later, the emphasis shifted. Students now selected their chosen career path and tried to discover how they might serve God in that field. It is, perhaps, a subtle but significant difference.

I believe Jesus is highlighting the importance of our choices. He said, “Whoever will,” that’s a conscious decision. Follow in my way, let him reject what pleases him, and choose what pleases me. We must consciously decide to disown or renounce ourselves and subjugate all our works, interests, and enjoyments for the sake of Christ.

I struggle to accept that message. How about you? Our culture surrounds us with the idea that we deserve certain things. Advertisers appeal to that instinct within us. Yet God’s Word says we deserve to die for our sins. The world says, “Pamper yourself; take it easy.” The Word commands us to exercise spiritual discipline. The world says look out for number One. God says, “Don’t have any other gods before me.”

So much of what you and I do is based on what we want, what makes us feel good. Christian homes break up because husbands and wives focus on their desires instead of denying themselves and honoring their commitment to love unconditionally. Teenagers rebel against their parents instead of denying themselves and heeding God’s command to honor and obey. Church members leave because they claim they’re not getting fed instead of denying themselves and recognizing that you only get out of the worship service what you put into it. It’s this mentality of ME first that Jesus says we must disown completely.

If you and I want to be Jesus’ disciples, we must understand it’s not about us but HIM. The only thing that matters is what He wants. I admit that’s painful and wouldn’t say I like it. You will find it to be the same for you. But we have no other option. If you and I want to be disciples of Jesus, we must DIE to ourselves, and it needs to happen daily!

The patriarch Abraham modeled this truth beautifully in his willingness to offer Isaac on the altar. All the promises God made to Abraham were wrapped up in this young man. And God said, “I want you to offer him to me.” God was testing Abraham to see if his trust was in the promise God had made or actually in the God who made it!

There was no way Abraham could obey that command until he first died to himself. He had to give up his plans, hopes, future, and identity. The deed was done in Abraham’s mind, will, and emotions. He had died to Isaac emotionally. His identity was lost, gone.

It is the same with us. Everything that makes up our identity must be laid on the altar. We must disown them. We must give up our identity. This is the first action we must take as we embrace the cost of discipleship.  

The Second ACTION is:

Take Up Your Cross

Have you ever heard anyone talk about a grumpy neighbor, an ungrateful spouse, or a co-worker who is a real pain and then say, “I guess that’s just my cross to bear?” Or maybe it’s an illness or a physical limitation referred to as a cross. Is that what Jesus is talking about?

Unfortunately, we have trivialized the cross in many ways, removing its rough edges. Modern-day Christianity and the world have generally turned the cross into a decoration or a piece of harmless, shiny, and pretty jewelry.

Today, the Biblical symbolism of the cross is debased by women wearing low-cut blouses with a cross hanging on the exposed flesh. Or how about young people wearing the cross on body piercings, tattoos, or clothing while living lives that scream the immorality and self-possession of this world? And what about all the ways of making merchandise out of the cross? These are not the things the disciples pictured when Jesus spoke of the cross.

Jesus and the Twelve lived under the Roman occupation of Israel. The Jews were a subjugated people. As you may recall from history, Rome was reasonably tolerant of those nations and people who submitted themselves to its governance. But for those who rebelled, as the Jews often did, they were merciless. Their primary form of capital punishment was crucifixion. The people of Jesus’ day had seen hundreds and even thousands of crosses. And they hated the Romans for it.

The condemned were flogged almost to the point of death and then compelled to carry the crossbeam of their cross to the place of execution. That crossbeam could weigh anywhere between 75 to 125 pounds. Once at the crucifixion site, they were stripped completely naked and either tied by cords or nailed to the crossbeam. Artists have tried to protect our sensibilities and lessen victims’ humiliation by adding clothing to their paintings.

Then, the crossbeam was hoisted into place in a notch on the upright and secured. The victim’s feet could then be nailed, one on either side of the upright. The crosses held the victim’s feet just a few inches off the ground, not high in the air like we often see in pictures. This exposed him to humiliation by those who passed by mocking, taunting, and spitting.

Death was slow but usually came within 36 hours. The pain of infected wounds, the weight of the body compressing the lungs, and dehydration all added to the torment. Often, the bodies were left to decay and be devoured by scavengers. When Jesus mentioned the cross, the disciples saw this in their minds. It was an instrument of the cruelest form of death. They knew that those who “took up” the cross never returned!

Why did Jesus use this terminology? First, this was the death He was facing. From his struggle in the garden, we know that his flesh recoiled from it. It seems Jesus wanted to impress upon the disciples that this excruciating method of death would be to the physical body what death to self would be to the spiritual and emotional parts of our being. Our flesh dies hard; it hangs on tenaciously to life. We want to retain control. But Jesus says, “Count the cost; if you are not willing to take up the cross and die the kind of death I will die, you cannot be one of my disciples.”

[1] Robbie F Castleman, The Skim-milk Gospel of Cheap Grace, Themelios, Vol. 30, Issue 1

Mark 8:27-33

Throughout history, a diverse array of perceptions about Jesus has emerged. From His birth to the present, people have attempted to shape a Jesus that resonates with them. A blog post by Kevin DeYoung provides some thought-provoking examples. He writes:

“There’s the Republican Jesus—who is against tax increases and activist judges and for family values and owning firearms.

“There’s Democrat Jesus—who is against [Main Street and small business] and for reducing our carbon footprint and printing money.

“There’s Starbucks Jesus—who drinks fair trade coffee, loves spiritual conversations, drives a hybrid, and goes to film festivals.

“There’s Therapist Jesus—who helps us cope with life’s problems, heals our past, tells us how valuable we are and not to be so hard on ourselves.

“There’s Open-minded Jesus—who loves everyone all the time no matter what (except for people who are not as open-minded as you).

“There’s Spirituality Jesus—who hates religion, churches, pastors, priests, and doctrine, and would rather have people out in nature, finding ‘the god within’ while listening to ambiguously spiritual music.

There are more examples, but you get the idea. While these examples may have kernels of truth, there is much projection; we project onto Jesus the qualities we want Him to have.

Today, we are no different from those who lived during Jesus’s time with their varying ideas about who He was. As we continue our study in Mark’s Gospel, we face this most important question from Jesus; “Who Do YOU Say I Am?” The question is just as relevant to us as it was when Jesus laid it before His disciples. It is critical because the answer determines your eternal destiny and mine.

“Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” To misconstrue who He was and is carries profound, eternal implications. Our study is designed to bring you face-to-face with the authentic Jesus. Our text is Mark 8:27 to 33, and understanding Jesus’ true identity is not just a matter of academic interest but a question that carries the weight of our beliefs and eternal destiny. It is a question that we cannot afford to overlook. (Read the text).

The characters’ RESPONSES in this text answer the question, “Who Do YOU Say I Am?”

The First RESPONSE is,

            The People’s Confusion

            Our text tells us that Jesus traveled north with His disciples to the foothills of Mount Hermon and the villages around Caesarea Philippi. This region was approximately 15 miles north of the Sea of Galilee and was ruled by Herod Philip.

Why did Jesus go here? He was removed from Herod Antipas’s annoyance, who had executed John the Baptist and was also out of the reach of the Pharisees. Perhaps He is still seeking needed rest and the opportunity to teach the 12 without distraction, especially in light of His approaching death. This is approximately six months before His crucifixion.

As they travel, Jesus asks them, “Who do men say I am?” Jesus already knew what the masses thought of Him, but He wanted the Twelve to appreciate the difference between perception and reality. Jesus’ disciples also knew what people were saying about Him, and their answers seemed to come without hesitation. However, this was a leading question. Jesus was setting the stage for a more significant inquiry.

They first mentioned John the Baptist. You may recall that in chapter six, when Herod first heard about Jesus, he said, “John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him. Later, his guilty conscience led him to conclude, “This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!” We can be sure that Herod wasn’t the only one with that opinion.

Other people said of Jesus, “He is Elijah.” In the last book of the Old Testament, the book of Malachi, we read, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.” Further, if you compare the messages and miracles of both men, there are many similarities. So, this was not just a random guess but a logical conclusion for them to draw.

Still, others said that Jesus was “one of the prophets.” The Jews of that time had a tradition that Jeremiah would return with the Ark of the Covenant when Messiah established His kingdom. Some saw Jesus as just another in a long line of prophetic messengers. But Jesus was more than “one of the prophets.” Despite all His miracles, all the displays of Divine power, and explicit teaching about the kingdom, people still refused to accept Him as Messiah. Their highest hope was to have a military deliverer who would free them from Rome’s tyranny and reestablish the monarchy’s glory days of David and Solomon.

People today are still confused about who Jesus is. I would guess there are more varied opinions about who Jesus is today than when Jesus first asked the question. I opened my teaching with some of those opinions. Many of those opinions result from trying to bring Jesus down to the level of our human understanding. We want a Jesus who makes us comfortable where we are and makes few or no demands on us. But that is an emasculated Jesus, a Jesus deprived of His strength and vigor, not the Jesus of Scripture.

More importantly, people’s confused opinions about who Jesus is don’t change the facts. Many will realize too late that there is only one correct response to the question, “Who do you say I am?” (That leads us to the subsequent response).

The Next RESPONSE is,

            Peter’s Confession

            The religious leaders were bitterly hostile to Jesus. The crowds were looking for bread and a political Messiah. Jesus wanted to probe the disciples’ understanding of who He was and their faith and loyalty to Him. So, He raises the crucial question, “Who do YOU say I am?” Did the Twelve still believe He was the Messiah after all the defections and opposition they had seen?

            Luke’s account stresses the contrast between Jesus’ questions to the Twelve. The first question was, “Who do THE people say I am?” The contrasting question is, “But you, who do YOU say that I am?” The emphasis is on the “you.”

            And bless God, Peter, reckless, impulsive Peter, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, blurts out a truth beyond his own comprehension: “You are the Christ.” Peter was not only one of the Twelve but also one of the inner circle of three and a spokesman for both groups.

            Let’s compare Mark’s record with Matthew’s and Luke’s regarding Peter’s confession. Matthew records Peter’s response: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Luke has Peter saying, “[You are] the Christ of God.” Not surprisingly, Mark’s record is the shortest.

            Let’s examine Peter’s statement, “You are the Christ.” He was making a clear statement that Jesus was the Messiah. In John 1:41, Andrew tells Peter, “We have found the Messiah, which means Christ.” Messiah finds its meaning anointed in the Old Testament Hebrew; Christ finds its sense of the same in the New Testament Greek (and the Septuagint). So, these terms were and are synonymous. We know the disciples only fully understood Peter’s confession after the resurrection. Still, his confession marks a growing embrace of the Messianic office of Jesus.

            Most Jews of that time believed that the Messiah would be a descendant of David who would sit on a physical throne in Jerusalem after freeing them from the Romans’ oppression. They did not subscribe to the idea that the Messiah would be God in the flesh.

            Peter’s confession was in direct opposition to the Pharisees’ and religious leaders’ pronouncement that “Jesus was NOT the Messiah.” Because Jesus refused to perform the signs they requested and fit Himself into their religious system, they rejected Him. Matthew’s Gospel records this rejection after feeding the 5,000 before Peter’s confession.

            How could Peter make such a bold confession? Only by the Spirit of God! Matthew records Jesus as saying to Peter, “Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonas, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father which is in heaven.” In First Corinthians 12:3, Paul reminds us, “Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.”

            Mark omits all the praise of Peter that is recorded in Matthew’s account. That’s not surprising if you remember that Peter was the source of Mark’s information.

            There is one other detail that Mark doesn’t include that I want to explore because it adds meaning to this whole narrative. If you recall the opening verse of the text, verse 27, Jesus went with His disciples to the towns around Caesarea Philippi.

            Caesarea Philippi is mentioned only in the gospels of Matthew and Mark, both recording the same incident. In March of 2023, Joyce and I had the privilege of visiting Israel and this site. The natural spring near Caesarea Philippi is the largest source of the Jordan River. Caesarea Philippi was the setting for Jesus’ famous statement to Peter, “On this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18). This passage contains the very first use of the word church in the New Testament.

            At the site, water flows from an underground cavern, which is the primary source of the Jordan River. The pagan people of the day referred to this opening as “the gates of Hades,” or the opening to the underworld, ruled by the god Pan. He was a fertility god whose image was half man and half goat. In the face of the rock cliff above the cave are chiseled niches that once contained images or statues. There are also the ruins of a pagan temple there.

It’s not too hard to imagine Jesus making this statement to the disciples with this site in the background. It was like putting an exclamation point on what He was telling His disciples and drawing a line in the sand for the powers of darkness.

Immediately following Peter’s confession, Jesus forbade the disciples from spreading that news abroad. Why? According to John 6:15, Jesus feared the people would forcibly crown Him as King. The purpose of His coming was not to primarily preside over an earthly kingdom but to reveal and establish the kingdom of God. The people’s plans would have hindered God’s, and Jesus was fully committed to following His Father’s will. And then, to explain the rationale behind His prohibition, He tells the disciples of His impending suffering, death, and resurrection. This reality was foreign to their concept of a Messiah.  

How do you answer Jesus’ question, “Who do YOU say I am?” Do you agree with Peter’s statement, “You are the Christ?” If so, what does that mean to you? How does that confession affect your daily life? Confessing that Jesus is the Anointed One of God has significant implications. One cannot make that confession and live as one chooses because, as the Son of God, He is also a Lord and Master.

            The perceptions of Jesus that I mentioned in my introduction are the creations of people who want a Jesus that they can control. However, the Scriptures don’t give us that option. We either surrender to Christ’s lordship or continue in our sins. Peter had to learn this the hard way.

The Final RESPONSE is,

            Jesus’ Censure

            Censure is an expression of strong disapproval, a formal reprimand. Immediately following Peter’s confession, Jesus spoke openly with the Twelve about His impending death. He told them “that the Son of Man MUST suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.” 

            As He shared these future events with them, Peter took Him aside and rebuked Him sharply. Even though Peter attempted to rebuke Him privately, Jesus turned toward the other disciples and issued a severe rebuke to Peter. “Get behind me, Satan, for you are not thinking after the mind of God, but the minds of men.” Wow!

            Why such strong language? The temptation offered to Jesus in the wilderness by Satan is now being suggested by Peter – glory without the cross. Satan was using Peter as a mouthpiece. Peter’s thoughts were not the thoughts of God; this was part of “the leaven of the Pharisees.” Peter was a leader, and his influence was substantial, so the rebuke was necessary. Later, Paul wrote to Timothy about leaders, “Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.” This is a command that is too often neglected in our day.

            For Jesus to forego the cross would have meant no salvation for humankind. That’s why Jesus said these things MUST happen. He had to be, in the words of the apostle Paul, “…delivered up because of our offenses, and raised because of our justification.”

It’s not hard for us to understand Peter’s sentiments. None of us would want someone we love to go through the things Jesus predicted. Peter wanted to control what happened to Jesus, to protect Him, and, in the process, became an unwitting tool of Satan. He was zealous in His love for Jesus, but his zeal was not according to knowledge of God’s plan.

Did the other disciples share Peter’s views and were watching for Jesus’ response? If so, Jesus’ answer was shockingly clear! Contrast Peter’s leadership in his confession of Christ with him now playing the part of Satan and being ordered to the rear! F. F. Bruce wrote, “None are more formidable instruments of temptation than well-meaning friends, who care more for our comfort than our character.”

The facts of this passage should teach us a lesson in humility. We see how short the step between making a good confession and becoming a tool in Satan’s hands is. Even though Jesus censured Peter, He didn’t cast him away because of this incident, and we must be patient with each other as we sometimes err in our zeal for the Lord Jesus.

Again, I remind you of Jesus’ question, “Who do you say I am?” Are you confused, like the people of Jesus’ day, thinking He was John the Baptist, Elijah, or some other prophet? Or do you confess that He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God?

If you confess that He is the Christ, what difference is that making in your life today?

Mark 8:11-26

Many of us played “Blind Man’s Bluff ” as children. It works like this if you have never played it: One group member is blindfolded, and the other players disperse. Then, the blindfolded one must go and find the other players. In some versions, the first person tagged becomes “it.” In other versions, the tagged players are eliminated from the game until all are found.

            This game dates back to ancient Greece. The original name was “Blind Man’s Buff.” The buff was a little push given to the person who was “it” to start them in the direction of one of the other players. The account of Jesus healing the blind man in Mark chapter eight brought the game of ‘Blind Man’s Bluff’ to mind. Just as in the game, we humans can often be ‘blindfolded’ to the truth, and we sometimes need a push or nudge to get us headed in the right direction to find it.

            The text for our study today is Mark 8:11-26. The healing of the blind man occurs at the end of this account, but to me, it seems clear that the man’s healing is an object lesson for what is happening in the earlier part of the text. My teaching is titled “Can’t You See?”  

            Listen carefully as I read this portion of Scripture. See if you can trace the unique stages of healing in the blind man and how they correlate with the overall narrative. Even though I’ve read this account many times, I saw some things I had never seen before in this text. See if you, too, can gain some new insight as I read. That’s Mark 8, beginning with verse 11.

The various stages of Jesus’ healing of the blind man are not just physical but also connect with our spiritual vision, serving as a metaphor for our own spiritual growth.

The First STAGE of Spiritual Vision is,

            Total Blindness

            Our text opens with a confrontation between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders. Mark mentions only the Pharisees and the Herodians, but Matthew includes the Sadducees. These groups hated each other, but their mutual hatred for Jesus fulfilled the saying, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” They found common ground in their hatred for the Light.

Having just returned from effective ministry among the Gentiles, Jesus is immediately confronted by the hostile religious leaders. Their menacing attitude was in stark contrast to the open-hearted welcome Jesus received from the Gentiles. Mark says, “They found Him and began disputing with Him.” They began at once and kept it up!

            They were asking Jesus for a sign from Heaven. Mark says they were testing Him, and the KJV says, “They were tempting Him.” The difference between a test and a temptation is found in the tester’s motivations and expectations; the devil tempts the believer to fail God’s standards of faith and so sin; God tests that he might determine and sharpen true character, with no focus on making the believer fail. So, tempting seems to be the better word choice here.

            Notice, too, that the sign they asked for was from Heaven. It pointed to something beyond itself, a mark of the doer’s power, grace, or connection with the supernatural world. The Rabbis assumed that some of Jesus’ miracles had a natural explanation, and they even accused Him of using the power of Beelzebub. So, they specifically asked for “a sign from heaven.” Most likely, they hoped He would try and fail, and they could discredit Him. Knowing what we know, they would not have believed even if Jesus had fulfilled their request. Skeptics are like that.

            In response, Jesus groaned deeply in His spirit, anastanadzo. This word is used in no other place in the New Testament. It is a compound word whose prefix, ana, intensifies its meaning. The Lord’s human spirit was stirred to its depths. It seemed to come, as we say, from the bottom of His heart. The root word, stanadzo, is used in Mark 7 during the healing of the deaf man.

The depth of Jesus’ compassion is genuinely remarkable. His groaning brings to mind His poignant words from Matthew 23:37-39 and His weeping over Jerusalem in Luke 19:41-44.  

               After they requested a sign, Jesus said, “Why are you asking for a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.” The word generation refers to the people living while Jesus was on earth.

Matthew’s Gospel states, “An evil and adulterous generation craves a sign. Yet no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah because just as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment and condemn the people living today, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah. But look—someone greater than Jonah is here!The queen of the south will stand up and condemn the people living today because she came from so far away to hear the wisdom of Solomon. But look! Someone greater than Solomon is here!”

These people, despite their knowledge of the Scriptures and the most minor details of the Mosaic Law, were spiritually blind. They revered the Temple and its sacrifices, tithed scrupulously on the smallest garden herbs, and even knew the prophecies about the coming Messiah. Yet, they failed to recognize Jesus as the fulfillment of these prophecies. Their spiritual blindness is a cautionary tale, urging us to seek spiritual insight lest we fall into the same condition.

First, they refused to accept Scripture that didn’t fit their preconceptions. Oh wow! That error is so prevalent today. Many professing Christians today decide how they want to live and then try to conform God’s Word to their lifestyle instead of allowing the Word of God to shape and mold their lifestyle. If God’s commands bring discomfort in any given area, they reject the teaching as outdated or culturally irrelevant or twist the apparent meaning to suit their ends.

Second, the religious leaders responded to additional light with more intense rejection. You can trace this progression through the Gospel accounts. Like the Pharaoh of Exodus, they hardened their hearts more with each revelation of divine power. Second Corinthians 4:4 reminds us that the god of this age, Satan, blinds the minds of those who don’t believe. Their rejection of truth only leads to deeper darkness.  

Further, the guidelines they established to help them obey God’s commands became more important than the commands themselves. They developed a religious system that gradually became devoid of a relationship with the true God. They also compromised the truth to retain their position with the political movements of the day. Even as they cooperated with pagan governments, they longed for autonomy and expected their Messiah to free them from the tyranny of Rome. As a result, they rejected Isaiah’s prophecies of a suffering Messiah.

After this interchange, Jesus left the Pharisees, got into a ship, and sailed to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus leaving them is a sobering picture. It indicates that He abandoned them to their self-righteous delusion. Because they refused the light that had been revealed to them in the Scriptures and by Jesus, they became totally blind. And the saddest part of that blindness was that they did not know it!

All humans begin life in a state of total blindness to the things of God. Many, like the Pharisees, persist in that blindness because it serves their selfish goals. They may even adopt an outwardly religious appearance, but darkness still controls their hearts. Let’s ensure we don’t remain in this stage of spiritual blindness.

The Next STAGE of Spiritual Vision is,

            Partial Blindness

             Now, the focus shifts from the Pharisees to Jesus’s disciples. When embarking on the boat, the disciples had forgotten to take bread, except for one loaf. There was only one loaf to share between the 13 of them, and one loaf wouldn’t be enough for all of them. Bread seems to have a central place in Mark’s narrative; he only records this detail.

            As they sail across the Sea of Galilee, Jesus repeatedly admonishes them to “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” Watch out for the adverse effects of this influence! The disciples grew up in a Pharisaic atmosphere and had just met it again in Dalmanutha. The pseudo-spirituality and religious pride were insidious. Jesus combines the leaven of the Pharisees with the leaven of Herod—lousy theology and bad politics combined! In Luke’s account, he identifies the leaven of the Pharisees as hypocrisy.

            At any rate, the disciples were discussing Jesus’ warning. They concluded that Jesus spoke this warning because they had forgotten to bring bread for the journey. They had already forgotten the previous interaction with the Pharisees.

            I imagine Jesus listening to their discussion with growing dismay. They were missing the point entirely, so He asked them a series of probing questions—six to be exact. First, “Why are you discussing that we have no bread?” Like them, our primary concerns also center around our physical needs. They were wondering where their next meal would come from.

            Then, Jesus appeals to their intellect: “Don’t you yet perceive or understand? Don’t you realize I’m not talking about physical bread?” Jesus warns them about the insidious influence of the Pharisees’ teaching; like yeast spreading through the dough, it affects the whole batch.

            Next, He appeals to their hearts or spirits by asking, “Is your heart still hardened?” In our earlier teaching from Mark chapter six, we read about the feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus’ walking on the water. At the conclusion, we read, “And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled, for they had not understood about the loaves because their heart was hardened.” Jesus is wondering if anything has changed in their hearts.

            He continues, “Do you have eyes that cannot see and ears that cannot hear?” Had their senses failed them? They had witnessed many miracles and heard Him teach so often, yet it all seemed forgotten. “Don’t you remember my miraculous provision for the multitudes?” They had witnessed these events even to the point of participating in distributing the bread and fish. Yet here they were, concerned about where they might find bread.

            Jesus follows up these six questions with a few more questions about feeding these two large groups of people. “When I broke the loaves for the 5,000, how many handbaskets of fragments were left over?” They answered Him, “Twelve.” “And when I broke the seven loaves for the 4,000, how many large baskets of fragments did you gather up?” They answered, “Seven.”

            Jesus returns to the second question of verse 17: “How is it that you don’t understand?” After all this rebuke and explanation, the greatest of all teachers with the greatest of all classes struck a snag here. These questions reveal Jesus’ disappointment at His disciples’ intellectual and spiritual dullness. They could see, but they couldn’t see clearly. Their focus on the physical obstructed their intellectual and spiritual sight. Jesus’s patience is admirable!

            How much we are like Jesus’ disciples today. We are so preoccupied with the physical aspect of our existence that we lose sight of what really matters. How often do we allow heavenly realities to be crowded out of our lives because we focus on the material? Consider the words of Jesus. “Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

            Let’s learn from the disciples’ mistakes and ensure our vision is clear and unobstructed.   

The Final STAGE of Spiritual Vision is,

            Perfect Sight

            Jesus caps this teaching section by giving the Twelve an object lesson they will never forget. As their boat lands at Bethsaida, immediately, a blind man is brought to Jesus by his friends. They begged Jesus to touch him and restore his sight. Remember, Bethsaida is not far from where Jesus fed the 5,000. (The wheel has made a full circle).

            Jesus takes the man by the hand and leads him out of the town, away from the crowd. Remember that Jesus is in that season of His ministry where he is retiring from the public eye. This event marks His fourth withdrawal from Galilee.

            Once Jesus and the blind man were alone, Jesus moistened his eyes with saliva and laid His hands on him. Then He asked, “Do you see anything?” The man responded, “I see men, like trees, walking.” This is the only miracle that Jesus performed gradually, in stages. The formerly blind man could tell that what he saw were men because they were walking, but evidently, they were quite blurred.

            So, Jesus put His hands on the man’s eyes again. This time, his sight was fully restored, and he could see everything clearly. His blindness and blurred vision were gone! His healing was complete, and he kept seeing everything clearly, whether near or far away. The grammar assures us that his healing was permanent.

            Jesus sent Him away to his home after the healing was completed. Try to imagine the joyful event that was. For reasons we learned earlier in our study of Mark, he was forbidden to enter the village and create excitement, and Jesus also forbade him to spread the news of his miraculous healing.  

            The blind man mirrors the progression of sight in this text. He went from entirely blind = Pharisees, to partial sight = disciples, to seeing everything clearly. His healing illustrates the clarity of sight Jesus wants to give everyone.

            Would Jesus ask these same questions of you and me today? At what stage is your spiritual vision? Are you still willfully blind to the truth like the Pharisees? Are you hiding behind a cloak of religion?

Is your vision distorted or blurry because of your focus on the temporary things of this life? Ask Jesus to touch you and clarify your sight so you can focus on what is eternal.

Or has your sight been completely and gloriously restored by the touch of the Master’s hand? If so, praise God and tell others how they, too, can have their sight restored.

            If you are spiritually blind or can’t see clearly, today is the day to accept Jesus’ touch and gain your perfect vision!

Mark 8:1-10

            I read a story about a first-grade class where some students were recent refugees from other countries. The topic being taught in class was simple fractions.

            The teacher defined halves and quarters and then asked the children to write down whether they would prefer a half or a quarter of a candy bar. As she walked around the room, she noticed some students had written that they would rather have a quarter of a candy bar.

            The teacher thought she would have to re-teach the lesson because the children didn’t seem to understand that a half was bigger than a quarter. So, she asked the students why they would rather have a quarter of the candy bar. One little girl replied, “If I only have a quarter, more people could have a piece of candy.”

            Compassion for others should come naturally to Believers because we are empowered to be like Jesus. We see Jesus’ profound compassion on display in our text today, Mark 8:1- 10, which is the account of Jesus feeding 4,000 people.

            Those who want to find fault with the Scriptures are quick to point out that Mark has either made an error in duplicating one of Jesus’ miracles or invented this story to convey the point that Jesus provides for the needs of both Jews and Gentiles. Do these critics have a point?

Follow along as I read the text and listen for similarities or differences between the two accounts.

Read Mark 8:1-10

            While these two events share numerous similarities, they also have significant differences. I will focus on the differences because they prove that feeding the 4,000 is a different incident than feeding the 5,000.  

            The most compelling proof is that Jesus verifies them in the conversation surrounding the event in Matthew and Mark. Another proof is they took place in two completely different geographic areas, one near Bethsaida on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee and the other in Decapolis on the southeast coast.  Jesus fed the 5,000 after they had been with Him for one day and the 4,000 after they had listened to His teaching for three days. The first group was primarily Jewish, and the second group was mainly Gentile.

            The time of year was different, too, because the 5,000 sat down on the “green grass” while the 4,000 sat on the bare ground. Furthermore, all four Gospel writers include feeding the 5,000, while Matthew and Mark specifically note feeding the 4,000. Finally, they had various amounts of food to begin with and different amounts left over after everyone had eaten.

Let’s turn to the text and see how the ACTIONS of Jesus validate Him as the benevolent provider.

The First ACTION is,

            He Cares for All People

            One who is benevolent genuinely wishes other people welland finds joy in doing good. Jesus was that kind of person. Crowds gathered to hear Him teach and witness His miracles wherever He went. This foray into Gentile territory was no exception. He had previously been in the region of Tyre and Sidon, modern-day Lebanon. Taking a circuitous route, He left Tyre, went north to Sidon, made His way east, came back south, and then back up to the Sea of Galilee in Decapolis, modern-day Jordan. This trip moved in the shape of a horseshoe and took 120 miles.

            By meeting the needs of the Gentiles, Jesus verified God’s promise to Abraham and the message of the Old Testament prophets. Jesus cared about human needs wherever He found them and was ready to meet them. In the Sermon on the Mount, He said of His Father, “He makes His sun rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the just and the unjust.”

            The Gospel writers recorded many times that Jesus felt compassion toward people. Only here in our text and Matthew’s account of this same event did Jesus, speaking in the first person, declare this about Himself. The verb translated “feel compassion” means “to be moved in one’s bowels.” The ancients considered the bowels to be the seat of emotions. The English word compassion conveys feelings of deep sympathy, pity, and kindness toward the hurting ones.

            This crowd had been listening to Jesus teach for three days but had not adequately prepared for this marathon teaching session. Jesus, in His infinite patience, knew that many in this crowd were following Him out of idle curiosity. Yet, He says explicitly, “I have compassion on them. Some will faint if I send them away to their homes because they have traveled a long way.”

            These words reveal how our benevolent provider cares for everyone. However, as He told the Syro-Phoenician woman whose daughter He healed, these were not “His” people. Still, He is always ready to show compassion, even to the graceless, the faithless, and the followers of this world. He will receive them graciously and pardon them freely if they only believe in Him.

            If you are a Christ-follower, you have experienced Jesus’ care in a multitude of ways. Are you willing to show His compassion to others, especially those outside the people in your “group,” whatever that is? While you and I cannot miraculously provide food for someone in need, we can use our resources in a kind and compassionate way. Those resources aren’t always physical. Sometimes, it’s a listening ear, a sincere prayer, or an encouraging word.

            Let’s ask God to help us mirror the actions of Jesus in His care for all people.

Another ACTION is,

            He Confronts Doubt

            Immediately, someone will say, “How does confronting doubt validate Jesus as a benevolent provider?” Remember, one who is benevolent genuinely wishes other people welland finds joy in doing good. Do warm, fuzzy feelings always accompany joy and doing good? No. Wishing others well sometimes calls for kind and gentle confrontation.

            The disciples doubt enough bread can be found in “this wilderness” to feed such a large crowd. After all they have witnessed Jesus do, they feel as helpless as they did when confronted with the needs of the 5,000. Why? Did they assume that Jesus wouldn’t miraculously feed this crowd because they were Gentiles? Perhaps. After all, it was forbidden for Jews to eat with unclean Gentiles. To their credit, they didn’t suggest to Jesus that He send the multitude away, as they had earlier with the predominately Jewish crowd.

             It is easy for us in our position to judge the disciples. We don’t know how much time elapsed between these two events, but it could have been weeks or months. Did they forget so soon? Or was it that during this time, their wants had been supplied in an ordinary way? How often have you and I doubted God’s ability to provide in a seemingly impossible situation after He graciously provided for our daily needs for months without interruption?

            After all, if the miraculous becomes commonplace, then it ceases to be miraculous, correct? Remember, at this point, they did not yet fully realize Him as God incarnate. That only happened after Pentecost. We see His power as inherent and, therefore, permanent. They saw His power as intermittent rather than constant. Through their doubts and Jesus’ responses, their faith in Him gradually increases.

            Jesus doesn’t scold His disciples for their doubt. Instead, as He did feeding the 5,000, He involved them in solving the problem. He could have miraculously caused the bread and fish to appear in the hands of the expectant multitude, but He didn’t do that. He allowed the disciples to participate in this miracle of divine compassion.  

            There are many examples in Scripture of God or Jesus using the doubters to change the situation. When the children of Israel faced the Red Sea, and Pharaoh was behind them, God said, “Go forward.” They had to exercise faith in the face of doubt. They had to move first. A similar thing happened many years later at the crossing of the Jordan River.

            On this occasion, they had seven loaves of bread and a few small fish instead of five loaves and two fish. After giving thanks, Jesus began breaking the loaves and giving the pieces to the disciples to distribute. The grammar implies that the miracle took place in Jesus’ hands. He kept breaking the loaves until there was enough for everyone.

            While this picture is fresh, imagine the scene as spiritual rather than physical. Shortly after feeding the 5,000, Jesus said in John 6:35, “I am the bread of life.” Later, after breaking the bread at the final Passover meal, Jesus said, “Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.” There is no limit to the supply of Living Bread. As many come to Jesus in faith, they eat from that life-giving supply.  

            Do you remember Jesus’ interaction with Thomas after the Resurrection? Thomas said, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” How did Jesus respond, with criticism, with rebuke? No, with an invitation. “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

            We all experience doubts, just like the disciples. How has Jesus confronted doubt in your life? By inviting you to trust Him, correct? By giving you the gift of faith to take the next step. By asking you to invest in the process even though you can’t see how it will turn out.

            Through these actions, Jesus shows us how to care for others genuinely and to gently confront their doubts.

A Final ACTION is,

            He Cultivates Faith

            Let’s back up in the story for a moment. Did the crowd overhear the discussion between Jesus and the disciples? I don’t know. However, I picture the crowd milling around, uncertain about what will happen next. So, Jesus commanded the people to sit on the ground. Their obedience demonstrated faith. I don’t know about you, but if I had been there, that would have created an expectation on my part. It would have been a signal that something was going to happen. It created an expectancy in the people and the disciples.

            In response to the crowd’s obedience and the disciples’ cooperation, Jesus performed this notable miracle. He was proving to them that He could be trusted and that they could confidently put their faith in Him. We see this process play out over and over again in Scripture. Even for those whose faith is weak, Jesus cultivates it to make it grow. He never mocks a trusting soul.

            After everyone had eaten to the full, the fragments were gathered up just as they were in the feeding of the 5,000. In that case, there were 12 baskets of fragments. Can we suggest one basket for each disciple? Interestingly, the original word for baskets in these two miracles is different. In feeding the 5,000, they are “handbaskets,” the kind one could carry easily. In this case, they are large baskets generally used for storage. This was the same kind of basket used when Paul escaped the city of Damascus after his conversion. One can easily miss these details in a cursory reading of the accounts.

            By providing enough for everyone to eat and more besides, Jesus cultivated faith in the participants. According to Matthew’s account, about 4,000 men, plus women and children, partook in this miraculous meal.

            As noted earlier, the composition of these groups was different. The first group was predominantly Jewish, while this one was predominantly Gentile. The way Jesus dismissed the groups was also different. After feeding the 5,000, He first sent His disciples away and then dismissed the crowd. He did that because they were ready to proclaim Him as King and Messiah. However, we know this euphoria was only temporary. Later, Jesus reproved this Jewish crowd for following Him for a free meal (John 6:26). In this account, Jesus sent the multitude away after the meal.

            After three days of intense ministry culminating in this supernatural meal, Jesus enters a ship and heads back to Jewish territory. Even though the location is uncertain, the following verse introduces Jesus interacting with the Pharisees.

            What did the disciples learn about faith during this extended stay in Gentile territory? First, they were exposed to Jesus’ divinity. They witnessed His power over demons, deafness, and disease. They experienced the miraculous multiplication of food. They began to understand that only God could be the source of such power.

            Next, they learned that the ultimate priority in life is worship. They saw Jesus’ interaction with the Samaritan woman and the worship given to Jesus by the woman from Syro-Phoenicia. According to Matthew 15:31, it was the Gentile crowd that glorified the God of Israel. The Jewish religious leaders refused to worship Him.

            Further, through these experiences, the disciples began to understand the divine resources available to them. They could not heal or feed crowds of hungry people, but they knew someone who did. They struggled with doubt even as Jesus cultivated their faith.

            Finally, by including them in the food distribution in these events, He demonstrated His benevolent provision for all people, regardless of religion or ethnicity. This was a significant paradigm shift, but the disciples needed to learn the value of all people.

            Have you experienced Jesus as the benevolent provider in your life in both mundane and supernatural ways? Do you thank Him daily for His care and provision? You should do that for many reasons, primarily because He is worthy of thanks and thankful people are joyful.

            Has Jesus confronted doubt in your life by inviting you to trust Him? By giving you the gift of faith to take the next step. By asking you to invest in the process even though you can’t see how it will turn out? Make sure you extend that same grace to others who are struggling.

            How is God cultivating your faith? How does He include you in His care for all people? What are you learning in your faith journey? We’d love to hear how Jesus uses you to demonstrate His benevolent provision to all people, believers and unbelievers alike.

Mark 7:31-37

Have you heard the saying, “He has the Midas touch?” The saying refers to the mythical King of Phrygia, an ancient kingdom in Asia Minor, now modern-day Türkiye.

            One day, peasants in Midas’s kingdom found a foreigner asleep on the land; they bound him and brought him before their king. Midas recognized this foreigner, Silenus, as a follower of the god Dionysus. So, he treated his guest well and traveled with him when he re-joined Dionysus. In thanks to Midas for returning Silenus to him, Dionysus offered to grant King Midas any wish.

            Like most kings, Midas desired wealth beyond measure. He was greedy. He wished that everything he touched would turn to gold. Dionysus, true to his word, granted Midas his wish.

            However, the King soon regretted his request. When he reached for his food, it turned to gold, making it inedible. Midas raised his cup to his lips, and even the wine turned to gold, a bitter reminder of his foolishness.

            Realizing his mistake, Midas begged Dionysus to undo his wish, but the gods could not readily recall their gifts. Finally, Dionysus told Midas to go and wash in the spring at the source of the river Pactolus. Supposedly, Midas was cured of his plight when he did as he was told.

            So, when someone “has the Midas’ touch,” everything the person touches is successful. I had a friend like that in my teen years. He excelled in whatever he attempted to do. It was amazing. Yet, as successful as he was, I couldn’t say, “He does all things well.”

            There’s only one person of whom that can be said. It is the Lord Jesus, and those words are part of the text for our study today, Mark, chapter seven, verses 31 to 37. I’ve taken that phrase for the title of my teaching, “He Does All Things Well.” His abilities are unique and unparalleled; witnessing them is a humbling and reverent experience that fills us with awe.

These closing verses of Mark chapter seven show us the WAYS Jesus does all things well.

The First WAY (Jesus does all things well) is,

            He Responds to Faith

            In our previous episode, we read about Jesus leaving Israel and traveling to Tyre in ancient Phoenicia. Mark describes Jesus’ itinerary this way. He left Tyre, went north to Sidon, made His way east, came back south, and then back up to the Sea of Galilee. This trip moved in the shape of a horseshoe and took 120 miles from Tyre back across, down, and around, up into the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Today, it would be like someone leaving Washington, DC, to go to Richmond, Virginia, but they would go by way of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

            Why did Jesus do this? One possibility is that he wanted to avoid the territory of Herod Antipas, who, you remember, had executed John the Baptist. You may also recall from our studies that Jesus has been seeking time for rest and uninterrupted teaching with His disciples. At every turn, He has been hampered by the overwhelming needs of the people. So, by “taking the long way around,” He could have that time with them.

            One critical detail is that He went from one Gentile area to another. He had honored the faith of the Gentile woman of Syro-Phoenicia by exorcising the demon in her daughter. Now, He has moved to the Decapolis, a group of Greek cities in modern-day Jordan.

            The text informs us that this man, who was deaf and had a speech impediment, was brought to Jesus, presumably by friends or family. This reminds me of the paralyzed man in Mark 2:3-5 who was brought to Jesus by his friends. This deaf man had some ability to speak but not in an easily understood way. His friends begged Jesus to lay His hands on the man and heal him.

            Mark’s description of the disorder afflicting this man doesn’t come across as powerfully in English as in the original language. Mark says he was deaf and had a speech impediment. He had severe difficulty speaking clearly or in a way that people could discern his words.

            Since Mark is the only Gospel writer who records this incident, we may rightly ask, “What is the reason?” There is a clue in the Greek New Testament’s original wording. The word Mark chose, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is mogilalos (mo’-gee-la’-las). It is used only in one other place in the Bible, Isaiah 35:5. It says, “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf (mogilalos) shall be unstopped.”     

            You may ask, “What’s so significant about that?” As you’ve heard me say many times, context is critical. If we took time to read Isaiah chapter 34, we would see a very graphic picture of God’s judgment on Israel because of their sin. Its streams would be turned into pitch (or tar) and its dust into brimstone. God’s judgment would make the land utterly desolate, inhabited only by wild animals.

            Then, Isaiah begins chapter 35 with a dramatic message of hope. All of this desolation would not be permanent! Isaiah promises the supernatural restoration of the land and the rejuvenation of the people in the Messianic age. While that time did not come in its fullness during Jesus’ earthly life, there were glimpses of that glory in His ministry. This healing of the deaf man is one of them.   

            If you were to read the entire chapter of Isaiah 35, you would recognize a familiar concept of Scripture: salvation is of the Jews. Ah, that’s what Jesus told the Syro-Phoenician woman. But Isaiah, among others, makes it clear that while salvation comes through the Jewish Messiah, it is available to all who exercise faith in Him. That is the message Mark is communicating to us. Jesus responds to those who exercise faith in Him! Indeed, He does all things well.

Another WAY (Jesus does all things well) is,

            He Respects Feelings

            Jesus took the man away from the crowd. As humans, we are sensitive to our weaknesses and disabilities. We try, if we can, to hide them from others. This man’s disability was such that he couldn’t hide it. So, rather than make a public spectacle of him, Jesus drew him aside privately.

            Remember, this man is deaf, so Jesus uses a kind of sign language to show him what He’s going to do. He first put His fingers into the man’s ears. By touching this Gentile man, Jesus immediately became unclean according to Jewish law. The discussion of uncleanness at the beginning of this chapter is the context of this miracle. But Jesus doesn’t look down on anyone who exercises faith in Him; He honors that faith regardless of what others may think.  

            Then, He spit on His hands and transferred that spittle by touching the deaf man’s tongue. While this sounds gross, Jewish biblical scholar Alfred Edersheim tells us that the Rabbis universally recognized the use of saliva in cures! This use of Jesus’ bodily fluid in physical healing may foreshadow a more significant spiritual healing through the shedding of His blood.

            Looking up toward heaven, Jesus groans audibly and says, “Ephphatha.” This is an Aramaic term, so Mark translates it for his Gentile audience: “Be unbarred.” Why did Jesus groan? Was it grief over the effects of sin? In Romans, Paul writes, “For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.” Was Jesus thinking ahead to that time when everything would be made perfect?

            At any rate, the result was that immediately, this man could hear perfectly. From complete deafness to perfect hearing in an instant! His speech impediment vanished, and he spoke plainly. I like the old English of the KJV. It says, “The string of his tongue was loosed.” He was no longer tongue-tied! Imagine the weight of shame lifted from this man at that moment.

            I have experienced enough hearing loss to wear hearing aids for several years. I know how frustrating it is to miss spoken details and struggle to communicate well. It’s embarrassing to interject something into a conversation only to realize you’re on a different subject than the rest of the group. Sometimes, when I tell people I wear hearing aids, they jokingly say, “What?” To me, this feels more like mockery than joking.

            I imagine the people who tried to understand this man before his healing often gave up in exasperation. I suppose he, too, was frustrated by his inability to communicate clearly. His previous disability was so obvious there was no possible way to hide it. But now it was gone!

            But there’s a more significant healing in this story. This man exercised faith in Jesus and was physically and spiritually healed. How can I say that? Jesus’ ministry was holistic. He came to minister to the whole range of human needs, not just the physical. And I am sure this man was among those who eagerly proclaimed what had happened to anyone who would listen. Not only was the shame of his disability removed, but the shame of his sin was removed, too.

            In a real sense, this is what has happened, and does happen, to every Christian. Before the Holy Spirit opens us to the things of God, we are as deaf to the Word of God as this poor man was deaf to all verbal communication. Until the Holy Spirit cleanses our hearts and regenerates our souls, what we have in our mouths is mere filth, the poison of asps is under our lips, and our tongue utters blasphemy and poison until it is made free from the chains of sin.

            Yes, Jesus respects your feelings and mine. He cares. Jesus didn’t have any disabilities, but He knows what shame is. He hung naked and exposed on the Cross of Calvary, bearing the guilt and shame of our sin. Like this man, we can be set free from the shame of our spiritual disability!

            Indeed, He does all things well!

Another WAY (Jesus does all things well) is,

            He Requests Anonymity

            Mark closes this account by writing, “Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it.”

            He commanded them, “Don’t tell anyone.” But the more He commanded them, the more they told everyone everywhere. Human nature is a peculiar thing. The command not to tell provoked these people to say it all the more, just as the leper did in Mark 1:44.

            Why did Jesus issue this command? When you reflect on the ministry of Jesus, you get the impression that He didn’t seek the limelight. This takes me back to what I identified as the key verse in the first teaching episode from Mark’s Gospel. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

            A servant is a person who shuns publicity. He performs his duties in a way that makes his master look good, yet rarely receives public recognition for his service. He doesn’t expect a compliment or special favors when he does what is required. John the Baptist modeled this same spirit when he said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

            In Luke chapter 17, Jesus told a story to His disciples that illustrated this point. “And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise, when you have done everything you are commanded, you say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’”

            This is generally not how we operate. We want people to notice what we’ve done and hope they’ll compliment us on our excellent work. We sometimes wait to fulfill a task to make sure someone will see it as it happens. This is one reason I believe God rarely bestows the gifts of miracles and healing to people today. The temptation to pride and undeserved credit is enormous and is often too much for people to overcome.

            A few years ago, I read Costi Hinn and Anthony Wood’s book, “Defining Deception.” In it, they lovingly yet sternly expose the mystical miracle fraud in the Word-Faith Movement and hope that Christians will unite against those who have turned Jesus into a divine vending machine. Behind a veil of showbiz, many self-proclaimed pastors mask their spiritual abuse with claims of extraordinary power from the Holy Spirit. “Defining Deception pulls back the curtain to reveal the truth behind this money-making industry. It is a sad commentary on the state of the church and people’s gullibility today.

            The closing verse of our text says, “And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

            We may misread this as a momentary expression of wonder at what Jesus had done. However, that would be misreading the text. The grammar clarifies that these statements came from people who had arrived at a settled conviction. Gentile people living in what was considered a pagan land became outspoken followers and supporters of Jesus. They were fully convinced He does all things well.

            Does your life experience and testimony confirm that Jesus does everything well? I know it doesn’t always feel like it when we’re in a difficult situation. However, in those times, Jesus responds to our faith in Him. He has promised that He will NEVER leave us or forsake us. That is a fantastic promise.

            And Jesus respects our feelings, too. Feelings sometimes get a bad rap. But the writer of Hebrews states, “For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Jesus respected the feelings of this deaf man, and he respects your feelings, too.

            From our vantage point in history, Jesus no longer requests anonymity as He did in this account. But He calls us as His servants to serve Him in ways that cause people to focus on Him rather than on us. Jesus’ goal throughout His earthly ministry was to glorify His Father. Our goal should be the same. May our lives reflect Him so clearly that even unbelievers will confess of Jesus, “He does all things well.”

Mark 7:14-23

You have probably heard the saying, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” Some people think it’s a quotation from the Bible! You know that God gave specific commands for hygiene in the Old Testament Law. He wanted His people to enjoy good health, and cleanliness was part of it. These commands are not just rules but divine wisdom that reinforces the importance of cleanliness.

            However, like any good practice or habit, cleanliness can be taken to the extreme. Some people’s concern about cleanliness becomes extreme, leading to compulsive ritualized behavior. Obsessive fear of germs or dirt and the compulsion to wash their hands repeatedly are common manifestations of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It’s important to remember that balance in cleanliness is vital to our overall well-being.

            Earlier this year, I was on a several-hour international flight. Across the aisle from me was a man wearing an N95 surgical mask. Of course, he had to remove the mask when a meal was served. When the meal was finished, instead of putting the mask back on, he reached into his carry-on and got a new mask, which was sealed in plastic.  

            Before he opened the pack, he took an antibacterial wipe and washed his thumb and forefinger on both hands. Then, he carefully opened the bag with them and placed the mask on his face. The used mask was tucked carefully in the now empty package and stowed in his carry-on luggage.

            I am not criticizing him. I don’t know his circumstances or the health issues he may have. I’m just telling you what I observed. It was apparent that he was VERY concerned about germs.

            Recently, I read an article from the New York Times titled “Too Clean for Our Children’s Own Good?” The article’s thesis was that our excessive cleanliness might harm our children’s immune systems in our overzealous attempts to shield them from disease and sickness. The article cited various studies supporting this possibility and noted that fear often fuels this fixation on cleanliness.

            Our previous study taught us that the Pharisees were fastidious about washing. Fastidious, that’s a big word. It means being extremely or excessively careful about something. So, they found fault with Jesus’ disciples, who, according to their standards, were eating without adequately washing their hands. However, Jesus rebuked them because they were more concerned about being clean on the outside than inside. He emphasized the importance of inner purity, which should enlighten our spiritual journey.

            Our text today is Mark 7:14 to 23. In these verses, Jesus clarifies to everyone that we must be more concerned about the inside than the outside dirt. So, I’ve titled my teaching “The Dirt is on the Inside.” Listen now as I read Mark 7:14 to 23.

In these verses, Jesus reveals the source of defilement. Understand, defile, and cleanse are keywords in this text.

The First Revelation is,

            Flawed Understanding

I hope you noticed the emphasis on understanding as I read. Twice, Jesus invites His disciples to understand, and once, he rebukes the Twelve for their lack of understanding. Their perspective of cleanliness was defective and flawed. 

Our text opens with Jesus inviting the crowd to gather around Him. He said, “Hear Me, all of you, and understand.” He issued a pointed appeal to the people to see through the deception of their religious leaders. They had bought into their rabbis’ false teachings, which affected their understanding of truth.

The Pharisees taught that defilement came from the outside. If you touch a dead body or another unclean person, or if you don’t wash your hands properly, you are impure. If you are not clean, then God will not accept you or your worship. However, Jesus contradicted their manmade regulations.

He said, “There is nothing that enters a man from outside that can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.” What do you think of that? Nothing from the outside can defile a person—hmm. We’ll come back to that.

            Being defiled is a serious matter. God commands us as His people to be holy. Psalm 24 tells us that only holy, sanctified people can have fellowship with the Lord. Synonyms of the word, defile, are profane or common. This is the same word (koinoo-o) Peter used when he had his vision in Acts 10. You remember the sheet let down from heaven with all kinds of animals in it. A voice said, “Rise, Peter, kill and eat.” Peter said, “I won’t do it because I have never eaten anything common, koinoo.  

            Peter understood that eating something designated as unclean would defile him. But the Lord told him, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” Peter is most likely the source of Mark’s Gospel, and yet, even after the death and resurrection of Jesus, he was still struggling to come to grips with Jesus’ teaching. I have some sympathy for Peter and the other disciples of Jesus. They had been trained in Judaism, in which the distinction between clean and unclean is ingrained, and could not understand a statement nullifying this.

            Jesus ended His teaching by saying, “If anyone is predisposed to hearing, let him listen and understand.” In other words, “Let my teaching change your understanding and behavior.”  

            From our vantage point, it’s easy for us to criticize the disciples. However, let’s be careful. You and I may have a flawed understanding of defilement, too. Do we put too much emphasis on outward ceremony or rules and regulations? Do we appear righteous outwardly and neglect inner holiness? If we do, Jesus invites us to reconsider and understand the source of defilement.

Another Revelation is,

            Faulty Application

            So, Jesus and the disciples left the crowd and entered a house, most likely Peter’s. The disciples asked Him about the parable’s meaning, and Jesus rebuked them; the grammar makes that clear. “Are you also void of understanding? Despite all my teaching, are you like the Pharisees without spiritual insight? Are you unable to comprehend that whatever enters a man from the outside cannot defile Him?”

            The Pharisees and religious leaders of the day taught the people that defilement came from the outside. Given that flawed understanding, it’s only logical that their applications were flawed. Wrong beliefs lead to bad practices, which is just as accurate today as in our text.

            In case the disciples didn’t understand, Jesus explained it in a way they couldn’t miss. Food cannot make a man unclean because it enters only his stomach, not his heart. The digestive system “purges” (kataridzo) all foods; what remains is expelled as waste. Returning to Peter’s vision in Acts 10, the Lord said, “Whatever I have cleansed (kataridzo), don’t call it common or unclean.” Some manuscripts add, “As a result (of this teaching), He made all foods clean.”

            Immediately, I imagine someone hearing this saying, “Great; then I can eat or drink anything I want or use mind-altering drugs or whatever.” Is that really what Jesus was teaching? Your understanding is as faulty as the disciples’ if you believe that. You can reach that conclusion only if you take this teaching out of its context.  

            Jesus is speaking about foods the Jews considered to be clean or unclean. The Scriptures are clear that those who practice things like gluttony, drunkenness, and drug abuse will not enter the kingdom of God. So, this is not a blanket approval of everything we can put into our bodies.

            The apostle Paul, writing to Timothy, expanded on Jesus’ teaching. “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons…commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” That’s First Timothy 4:1-4.

            Let me add this: While we, as New Covenant believers, are not bound by Old Covenant dietary laws, that doesn’t mean they have no value. They do not impact our standing with God but may affect our health.

            Thus far, we’ve learned that flawed understanding leads to faulty application. If we believe uncleanness comes from the outside, we will set up guidelines, like the Pharisees, to guard against that uncleanness. In doing that, we may miss the whole point of Jesus’ teaching.

The Final Revelation is,

            Factual Explanation

            In contrast to the opinions and teachings of the religious leaders, Jesus made a simple statement. “What comes out of a man defiles a man.” He then proceeds to support His argument by saying, “From within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.” In other words, the dirt is on the inside!

            The fact is, whether good or bad, EVERY ACTION BEGINS WITH A THOUGHT! Thoughts include reasonings, purpose, and more. All the evil actions Jesus mentioned begin in our mind, what the Scriptures call our heart. We are not sinners because we sin; we sin because we are sinners. Without Christ, we are powerless not to sin. It is the core of who we are.

            Our minds were corrupt before salvation. “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). “The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; they have done abominable works, and There is none who does good,” Psalm 14:1.

            “As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands;
There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one” Romans 3:10-12. This is just a tiny sampling of Scriptures that highlight our depravity.

Jesus spent significant time early in His ministry, emphasizing this point in The Sermon on the Mount. He said that lustful thoughts were the source of adultery and fornication. Uncontrolled anger and bitterness will lead to murder. Divorce results from a lustful eye and unchecked thoughts of covetousness, leading to the theft of someone else’s spouse.

            We must understand that our hearts are the source of our defilement. The monastic movement that began after Constantine nationalized the Church eventually failed because this fact of inner depravity wasn’t adequately understood or addressed. The monks attempted to separate themselves from the world and its evil practices but discovered the evil was in their hearts. Under these circumstances, all kinds of evil were practiced and covered up, particularly during the Middle Ages.

            More recently, we have the Hillsong mega-church scandals. An article in the March 29, 2022, issue of the New York Times stated, “The streaming service Discovery+ released a three-part documentary, “Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed.” The documentary depicts the megachurch as a toxic institution obsessed with image, control, and growth at all costs. It features interviews with critics, former employees and members, and a woman who has said she had a monthslong affair with the celebrity lead pastor of Hillsong’s East Coast branches at the time.”

            Sadly, this pattern of behavior isn’t limited to any group or denomination. It has occurred within the Anabaptist circles in which I move. The emails I receive weekly from the non-profit Ministry Watch prove that the emphasis on outward appearances is a cover for all kinds of evil practices. It doesn’t matter how pious or holy someone may seem on the outside; if the power of Christ does not transform the heart, they are capable of the vilest sins.

We know that was true of the Pharisees and is still true today. Jesus wanted His followers to understand the deception of this flawed understanding of holiness then and now.

He also wanted them to know how this flawed understanding resulted in faulty application. The Pharisees majored in minors. They tithed on the smallest seeds yet omitted judgment, mercy, and faith. They were conscientious about clean hands but negligent in cleansing their hearts. These dangers are still with us today.

I remind us that EVERY ACTION BEGINS WITH A THOUGHT! This is where the battle is won or lost – in the mind. If the heart and mind are defiled by sin, the results will be evident. Conversely, if the heart and mind are cleansed by the blood of Christ and controlled by the Holy Spirit, those results will be apparent, too. Who are you on the inside?

I close with the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:15-20. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a corrupt tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a corrupt tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits, you will know them.”

Mark 7:1-13

Fiddler on the Roof, a timeless classic first released in 1964, held the record for the longest-running Broadway musical for almost a decade. The story centers on the weight of choices as Tevye, a milkman in the village of Anatevka, grapples with preserving his Jewish religious and cultural traditions in the face of changing times.

One of the most well-known songs in Fiddler on the Roof is “Tradition.” Tevye, the father, sings, “Here in Anatevka, we have traditions for everything…how to eat, how to sleep, even how to wear clothes. For instance, we always keep our heads covered and always wear a little prayer shawl… This shows our constant devotion to God. You may ask, how did this tradition start? I’ll tell you – I don’t know. But it’s a tradition… Because of our traditions, Everyone knows who he is and what God expects him to do.”

Traditions, as old as humanity itself, are crucial in maintaining cultural continuity. Through traditions, we pass down information, beliefs, and customs from one generation to another. As Tevye’s song in Fiddler on the Roof suggests, traditions uphold social attitudes, customs, and institutions, ensuring that a culture’s essence endures. However, it’s essential to understand the origins of traditions, as when they are lost with time, their practice can become empty and almost meaningless.

In our study of Mark’s Gospel, we come to the opening verses of chapter seven. Mark records an interaction between Jesus and the scribes and Pharisees. The discussion centers around the importance of traditions. Traditions often arise out of sincere attempts to please God. However, if they are not handled carefully, they can lead to hypocrisy. I hope you can stay with me for my teaching, “The Trouble with Tradition,” from Mark 7:1 to 13.

Jesus’ interaction with the religious leaders reveals the dangers of relying solely on tradition to guide our beliefs and practices. It underscores the need for a balanced approach, where tradition is respected but not mindlessly followed.

Tradition can be manipulated for selfish ends.

            Our text tells us that a group of religious leaders from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus. By this time, His fame had spread across the region, and the religious leaders weren’t happy about it. So, they watched Jesus and His disciples with a critical eye, desperate to prove that He couldn’t possibly be the Messiah, as some rumors suggested.

            It didn’t take them long to find something to criticize. They observed Jesus’ disciples eating bread without first washing their hands, which is proper for sanitary reasons. However, the religious leaders’ objection wasn’t practical but rather ceremonial.

            Mark explains, “For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they specially wash their hands, holding the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.”

            The Pharisees would not eat without first washing their hands, including the wrists, as prescribed by the elders’ traditions. This washing was an elaborate ritual, which we can discern from John chapter two, where Jesus turned water into wine. Verse six tells us, “Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece.” That’s a lot of water! So, when Jesus’ disciples violated this tradition, the Pharisees questioned why.

This practice was more about control than cleanliness. It was a way to classify people. Those who practiced the Pharisees’ traditions were accepted as righteous and were socially approved. Those who ignored their traditions were considered unclean and ignorant sinners whom God would reject. Do you suppose the thousands who ate the miraculous meal the previous day had adequately washed their hands?

Previously, the Pharisees had accused Jesus’ miraculous powers of originating in Satan, Matthew 12:24. Another accusation against Him was, “He is a sinner” John 9:16. Since He allowed His followers to eat without washing their hands, He was a law-breaker. He was one of those unclean, ignorant sinners. In their minds, these proofs should put to rest any claims that He could be the Promised One.

Though traditions often begin as something positive and valuable, they can, over time, become a tool to approve or sanction people, much like the Pharisees did. They can become an outward form, having lost the original meaning they were meant to convey. The practice of the tradition becomes more important than the principle it is intended to uphold. God commands us as His people to be holy, clean, and separated from the defilement of sin. However, the Pharisees manipulated that command to achieve their selfish ends. They became the final arbiters of who was clean or unclean. Unfortunately, some leaders still succumb to this temptation today.

Tradition can be elevated to the level of Scripture.

            The misuse of tradition to achieve selfish ends is terrible enough. However, elevating tradition to the level of Scripture, or above it, is a greater sin! The rabbinic writings specified that no Scriptural ordinance required confirmation and that no Halakhah (traditional law) could contradict Scripture. Here, Jesus pronounced judgment on the Pharisees for violating the teachings of their own Talmud.

            For those who may not know, the Talmud contains several things. The oral traditions that pervaded the Judaism of Jesus’ day were eventually written down in the Mishnah around the end of the second century AD. These and additional rabbinic commentary called Gemara make up the Talmud. This collection of Jewish traditions in printed form contains thousands of pages of extrabiblical material. Many Orthodox Jews today study these writings instead of the Scriptures themselves.

            Jesus’ words drip with sarcasm. “In a fine way, Isaiah prophesied about you hypocrites, ‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. In vain, they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men, the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.” Jesus called them hypocrites because they appeared to honor Him with their words, but their hearts were far removed from Him.

            The Pharisees neglected and dismissed God’s commandments by elevating their traditions. They gave greater weight to the scribes’ oral teachings than to the written Word of God. Regarding this tradition of washing hands, the Talmud says that neglecting it is to be guilty of “gross carnal defilement.” Its omission could lead to destruction or, at least, to poverty. One rabbi who held this tradition in contempt was buried in excommunication!

            The Pharisees were focused on outward cleanliness rather than inward holiness. That is why Jesus took such a dramatic stand on this issue. Almost the entire chapter of Matthew 23 is devoted to Jesus’ condemnation of the Pharisees for this error.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you, cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside, they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisees first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish so that the outside may also be clean. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so, you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside, you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”

If I were to distill Jesus’s words into one sentence, I would say, “He rebuked the Pharisees for paying more attention to appearance than to substance.” That happens when traditions are elevated to the same level as Scripture.

Tradition can be twisted to violate biblical commands.

            After rebuking the Pharisees for elevating their traditions above the Scriptures, He administered the coup de gras, giving them a contemporary illustration of their duplicity. He sarcastically tells them, “You are clever at setting aside the command of God to follow your tradition.” Imagine how this cut them to the heart and multiplied their hatred for Him.

            The fifth of the Ten Commandments is “Honor your father and mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” Jesus reminded them of Moses’ command to reverence and respect their father and mother and stated that whoever curses their parents should be put to death. Part of that honor and respect is caring for the parents later in life.

            However, in their contrived religiosity, the Pharisees found a way to avoid keeping this command. Wisdom dictates that one responsible for caring for aging parents should set aside a portion of his income in preparation for that task. Jesus outlines the scenario as follows.

            A person responsible for the care of his parents designates a certain amount of money for that need. However, if he says to his parents, “The money set aside for your care is a ‘gift to God’” (korban), he is removed from the obligation of spending it on their care.

Korban is a Hebrew term that means “devoted to God.” It referred to offerings of money or material goods promised to God. In Israel’s history, a tradition arose that allowed people to declare their possessions as korban. This meant they were promising to use those resources for sacred purposes. We’re told that the rabbis permitted the mere saying of the word korban to prevent using the needed money for the parents’ support.

            So, the Pharisees justified the son’s trickery and held that he was prohibited from ever using it to care for his parents. However, get this: He could use it for himself! By their traditions, the religious leaders invalidated or nullified God’s command. Jesus further stated that they did many other things with similar results.

            The Judaism of the scribes and Pharisees was an unbiblical religion that invalidated God’s Word. The true faith of the Hebrew Scriptures had been lost, obscured by layers of rabbinic traditions.

From Israel’s beginning, God’s desire for genuine worship was clear. In Deuteronomy 10:12 and 13, we read, “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good?

Further, we have the shmah in Deuteronomy 6:4 and 5. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” God’s emphasis on worship and righteousness has always been on the heart!

While Jesus detested the traditions of apostate Judaism, tradition itself isn’t inherently evil. All of us practice traditions in one form or another. We have traditions surrounding our observance of the Lord’s Table. For example, the only commands associated with the Lord’s Table are to partake in a worthy manner of the bread and the cup, thus remembering the Lord’s death until He returns. Whether you use unleavened bread or not, whether you use wine or grape juice, these are matters of preference and tradition.

            Trouble arises when traditions are manipulated for selfish ends or used to classify or control people. Often, this happens when the original purpose of the tradition is forgotten, leading to an empty form.

            Tradition should never be elevated to the level of Scripture. Genuine Believers will joyfully obey God’s commands, even if it means breaking with tradition. They embrace Jesus’s words in John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

            Finally, tradition should never be twisted to violate biblical commands. That is hypocrisy! Hypocrisy isn’t limited to ancient Israel. It is still pervasive in Christendom today. It thrives in empty ceremonies, indifferent prayers, superficial worship, false doctrines, and moralism. It looks good on the outside but is corrupt on the inside.

The solution for hypocrisy is the same as for any other sin: repentance. Every hypocritical, self-righteous religious person must realize that, before God, his works are like filthy, disgusting rags (Isaiah 64:6). True righteousness is only available through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. All who embrace Him in saving faith will be cleansed and transformed from the inside out. They will become true worshippers. Are you one of those true worshippers?

Luke 12:22-34

There once was a king who had all this world could afford. But the thing he loved most was to laugh. Once while he was being entertained, a jester came along. He wanted to join in the festival and perform for the king. His opportunity came and he put on the best comical show he’d ever done, and the king laughed harder than he’d ever laughed before.

            Once the festival was over, the king wanted to hire this man to be his personal jester. After he was hired the king laughingly handed him a small stick and said, “You are the most foolish man alive. When you find someone more foolish than you, give them this stick,” and the king laughed heartily at his own wit.

            Many years later the king lay on his death bed. He called for his jester, because he wanted to laugh one more time before he died. When the jester’s performance was through, he asked to speak to the king alone.

            When they were alone the jester asked, “King where are you going?” The king responded, “On a far journey.” The jester asked, “and how do you plan to get there?” The king said, “I don’t know.” At those words the jester pulled the stick from one his pockets and handed it to the king. The king was stunned and asked the jester why he had given him the stick. The jester replied, “King, today I have found a more foolish man than I. For you see, I only trifled with the things of life, but you have trifled with things of eternity!”

            The king was much like the rich fool Jesus spoke about in Luke 12. He had accomplished a lot of great things. He had accumulated all kinds of wealth – but – he wasn’t prepared to die. 

            In Luke 12:13 to 21 we learn about the dangers of covetousness. Covetousness damages relationships, it distorts reality, and it determines rewards. It is important for us to remember this – because the first verse of our text is, therefore. We’ll see the significance of that more clearly as we examine the text. I’ve titled the message “Seeking the Kingdom of God.”

            Right now, I will read Luke 12:22 to 34 and then show you the rewards of obeying Christ’s commands related to seeking the kingdom of God. 

            The commands Jesus gives in this text present several REWARDS that come to those who are truly “Seeking the Kingdom of God.”

The First REWARD (for seeking the kingdom of God) is,

            It Reduces Anxiety

            In the parable of the rich fool, just prior to our text, the wealthy farmer gave a lot of thought and attention to his newfound wealth. He wasn’t just concerned about what he needed for the day, but what he thought he needed for the rest of his life. And he planned accordingly.

            But Jesus called him a fool because he planned for a future he would never see. And he failed to plan for a future he couldn’t escape! He trifled with the things of eternity.

            He learned the truth of Ecclesiastes 5:11; “When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes?” But he forgot the truth of Psalm 62:10; “…if riches increase, set not your heart on them.” And Proverbs 23:5; “For riches suddenly sprout wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.” Jesus ended that earlier section of teaching by warning the crowd that this is the condition of every person who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.

            The foolishness of the rich farmer is the backdrop for Jesus’ teaching about the kingdom. The rich farmer made a terrible mistake; one from which he didn’t recover. He had expended all his energy on his present circumstances, his physical life. And he ended up with nothing to show for it. After giving this example to the multitude, Jesus now turns specifically to the Twelve.

            In light of the grave error the rich farmer made, Jesus counsels the Twelve not to be anxious, distracted, or worried about their physical needs. The grammar indicates that this command can take on the positive “do not be anxious” or the negative “stop being anxious.”

            Some people have taken the wording of the King James Version “take no thought” as a reckless disregard for the future. But that’s not how the original readers would’ve understood it. Shakespeare and other writers of the time clearly use the word with the meaning of anxiety. Jesus used the same word in Luke 10:41 in His rebuke of Martha. He said “Martha, Martha, you are careful (anxious) and troubled about many things…” Jesus told her she had allowed herself to be distracted by things of lesser importance.

            In verses 22 to 28 of our text Jesus speaks primarily about our need for food and clothing. His first statement in verse 23 sets the tone for what follows. “Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.” One would be hard-pressed to reach that conclusion in our modern’ consumer-oriented culture. Huge amounts of time, energy, and finances are expended on these two things: far beyond the scope of our needs. Albert Barnes asks this question; “Shall not He who has conferred the greater blessing (life), be willing to confer the less (food/clothing)?”

            Along with acknowledging our needs Jesus issues several commands. The first is “consider the ravens.” What can we learn from them? To consider is more than just giving something a passing glance. The word speaks of observation and understanding. Jesus said the ravens don’t store up provisions in a pantry or a barn; yet God makes sure they always have something to eat. But neither do they sit on a tree branch and wait for their food to come to them!

            Jesus reminds the disciples they are of much more value than the ravens. Earlier in this chapter Jesus mentioned the Father’s care for the sparrows; how He notices when one falls to the ground. When you take time to observe and understand what Jesus is saying and the comparison He’s making, then our anxieties about our needs seem somewhat irrational, don’t they? And a renewed focus on seeking God’s kingdom will reduce our level of anxiety.

            In verse 24 Jesus continues this theme by asking “Which of you, by anxious worry, can add even an hour to your length of life?” Now I know the KJV says “…can add to his stature (or his height) one cubit?” But the Greek word used here can refer to either height or length of time. And Jesus is talking about food and clothing which relate to sustaining or prolonging life. I believe verse 26 helps us clarify the meaning.

            There Jesus asked, “If you are not able to do what is least, or very small, why do you worry about bigger things?” Now, is adding 18 inches to your height a very small thing? Hardly! That would be a major accomplishment. But how about adding an hour to a lifetime of 70 years? That’s not such a big deal, right? So here again, the Word of God is its own best commentary. The context helps us understand the meaning.

             The second command Jesus gives that will help to reduce anxiety is – consider the wildflowers of the field. No one plants them; they don’t work, and they don’t weave cloth. But even Solomon, in all his extravagant royal finery, was not dressed in such exquisite beauty! Seeking God’s kingdom reduces the level of anxiety in our lives about our material needs. It gives us a greater ability to appreciate the beauty God has placed all around us.

            Not only that but think about the lifespan of a wildflower. Even though it lasts a very short time in comparison to a human life, yet God creates it with great care and beauty. Will He not much more care for you and me as His children? And the grass of the field grows at God’s command without cultivation; it exists today, tomorrow it is cut down and used for fuel in the oven. If God invests time and energy in something as simple as the grass of the field, how much more will He care for you and me? O how weak and small our faith is!

            In light of God’s care for the lower orders of His creation, the command of verse 23 takes on greater clarity. “Do not be anxious or worried about your life, what you will eat; nor for your body, what you will wear.”

            We live in a world filled with uncertainty. Governments and economies teeter on the brink of collapse. Violence abounds and injustice increases. Yet we need not fear. God has promised to supply our needs as we seek His kingdom. And when we follow His commands, the reward is reduced anxiety and increased faith.

The Second REWARD is,

            It Reorients Activity

            In verses 29 to 32 the commands of Jesus reveal this second reward. Notice again He begins with an imperative; “And YOU, do not seek (or stop seeking) what you are to eat and what you are to drink…” Jesus’ use of the word YOU is emphatic – you yourself stop seeking! From the context we understand that the seeking Jesus is talking about is more than just looking for something. The word contains the idea of striving to secure or obtain something.

            He further says that we are not to be anxious for our daily necessities. We must not attempt to buoy up our minds with false hope. By false hope I mean the idea that if I can just earn a little bit more, if I can just store up a little bit more, then I’ll be secure. That’s what the rich farmer thought, and you know how that worked out for him!

            According to verse 30, anxiety for daily necessities is what preoccupies the peoples of the world. Albert Barnes says, “Those destitute of the true doctrines of religion, and unacquainted with proper dependence on Divine Providence, make it their chief anxiety to seek food and [clothing].” Many people see this life as the sum of human existence and we understand why they would strive for these things. But for you and me, who know what true life is, why do we struggle so much, especially when we have so many promises from God to supply our needs?

            Jesus shows us clearly that seeking the kingdom of God will reorient our activity. We turn from striving after the supply of our daily needs and turn to striving for His kingdom.

            I want you to think with me about this idea of reorientation. The people of the world have their minds oriented to the present and to the near future, their lifetime. Because their focus is on gaining maximum pleasure in life, they make choices like the rich farmer. You probably know friends or neighbors or even family members who have made generous provision for this life but failed to make any provision for eternity. That’s because their lives are oriented or directed by the desires of human existence.

            So, when a person becomes a disciple of Jesus, his mind, will, and emotions need to be reoriented. The focus of life changes from seeking the world’s material goods to seeking the spiritual realities of the kingdom of God. Remember, Jesus is speaking to the Twelve when He says “Stop worrying about what you are going to eat and drink…” He was challenging them to reorient their lives to a new paradigm. That same challenge is for you and me today.

            The question that immediately comes to mind is, “How do we do this; how do we become reoriented to the reality of the kingdom of God?” Think about a compass, a simple instrument used to determine direction. A compass is basically a magnetized needle that reacts to the magnetic field that surrounds our earth. But the earth’s magnetic field is weak. So, if you inadvertently place a stronger magnet near the compass, the compass will give you a false directional reading. The compass will reorient itself to the stronger magnetic field.

            When God created you and me in His likeness and image we were born with an orientation toward Him. But because we are born with a sin nature, there is a competing orientation. As children grow and develop, the orientation toward sin and self becomes stronger; if left unchecked it becomes predominate.

            If a person is not exposed to the truth of the Gospel, or if they reject it, they continue following the orientation toward self. Their needs, their wants, their desires become the controlling force in their lives. Their internal compass deceives them because the “magnetic pull” of self is stronger than the orientation toward God. They think they’re headed in the right direction but in reality, they are headed for destruction.

            In contrast, a follower of Jesus is oriented toward the kingdom of God. What is the kingdom of God? (If you want a fuller explanation of the kingdom of God, I can send you a printed or audio copy of my teaching from Luke 4:32 to 44. It is titled “Preaching the Kingdom of God.”) What does it mean to be oriented toward the kingdom of God? Let me share with you a response from a radio listener in India who reoriented his life toward the kingdom of God. He is now a regular listener to our Hindi language broadcasts.

            Here’s what he said. “For the last 8 or 9 months I went to another state in search of a job. In this period, I could not listen your radio program or any Christian program. My prayer life became disturbed due to my busy timetable of work. Even I had no time to spend a few minutes with the Lord. I have seen that there was no blessing in all my earning. I spent more than I earned. All these things made me think about my spiritual life. And one day I decided to come back to my village and restart my agriculture business in my father’s field.

            Today, here in my house, I feel real peace because I have been continually listening to your program for three weeks. The Lord has restored my spiritual strength through His Holy Spirit. Your messages and prayers bring many spiritual blessings into my life. Sometimes Satan attacks me, but I believe that through your prayers he will be defeated. Please pray for me so that I may completely commit my life in the hands of the Lord.”

            Can you see how this brother in the Lord has reoriented his life toward the kingdom of God? His original thought was – he could make more money in another state. But he discovered, like many of us have, that the more you make the more you spend. And tragically, it was detrimental to his spiritual life. By reorienting his life toward the kingdom of God he now is experiencing peace and spiritual blessing.

            In verse 32 Jesus puts His finger on an emotion that is often the driver of our activity. It is fear. People have all kinds of fears. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of loss of health, reputation, or finances. These fears become the motivation for all kinds of activity. People try to insure against failure. They try to accumulate financial resources to provide for their security.

            But Jesus said, “Stop being afraid, little follower of Christ; it is your Father’s will and His delight to give you the kingdom.” Wow! Jesus wants to give us the kingdom of God and we’re worried about food and clothing? That makes no sense! Jesus is teaching us that when we release our hold on earthly things, we can have the assurance that He will provide for our needs, for the remainder of our physical life and on into heaven.

            I fear we too often have a disoriented understanding of what it means to seek God’s kingdom. This command is not just for a few special followers of the Lord; it is for everyone who claims Christ as Savior and Lord. So, it applies equally to those in what we call “full time Christian service” just as it does to the business owner or the employee.

            Seeking the kingdom of God is the vocation and calling of every true believer. What you do to earn a living and provide for yourself, or your family, is not your vocation. It is only your job. If you’re a business owner, your business exists primarily for the growth of God’s kingdom. If you’re an employee, your work should be done primarily for the glory of God. If you’re a mom or a dad your role should be to expand the kingdom of God by preparing your children to be a part of it.

            Now maybe you wonder “How can I know if I am seeking the kingdom of God?” Remember, I said seeking the kingdom of God will reorient your activity. Think about what you do; the activities you choose and the people you associate with. Do your choices focus primarily on things or on relationships? Do you see people as interruptions or opportunities? See, the kingdom of God is about relationships. If your business or other pursuits keep you too busy to have time for those in need, you’re probably giving too much attention to material pursuits and not enough attention to spiritual things.

            Some time ago, I was sitting in the office of a businessman who is very much involved in ministry to others. My assistant was with me and we were sharing with this brother about Heralds of Hope’s Bible distribution program and how he and his community could be involved. As we talked and he asked questions the visit got longer. Being conscious of his time, we suggested at least once that we should be going. But he indicated that what we were discussing was more important than business. Based on comments from those who know this businessman and from our visit, I came away convinced that he has a kingdom focus.

            I’m grateful to my parents, and especially my dad, for helping orient our family toward spiritual things. One of the ways he demonstrated that orientation was his support for our local church. When there was a scheduled gathering of the believers we were there. If that meant that the hay in the field got rained on, so be it. If that meant the corn got planted later than all the neighbors, that’s the way it was. His actions showed us the importance of orienting our lives toward God, His Word, and His people. It is a lesson that has paid huge dividends in my life. And now I have the joy of seeing my own children orient their choices toward God’s kingdom.

            What about you, my friend? Do your activities give proof that you are seeking the kingdom of God? It is good for us to take time periodically to evaluate where we are and where we’re going. That’s what the listener from India did with respect to his employment. And when he began to seek the kingdom of God it reoriented his activity.

            A person who is in an unfamiliar wilderness area doesn’t just look at his compass once and then put it away. No, he keeps it handy so every now and then he can look at it and confirm that he’s still headed in the right direction. If he has gotten off-track, he can make course corrections. That’s what we need to do as we walk this journey we call life. If you and I are truly seeking the kingdom of God, it will reorient our activity.

The Final REWARD is,

            It Revives Generosity

            The final two verses of our text focus on this reward. Generosity is a blessing. Don’t you like it when people are generous with you or toward you? I do! Have you ever been generous with someone and felt the blessing of the Lord? I have. Jesus said if we seek the kingdom of God, it will revive our generosity. But yet I’m not totally sure I want this reward!

            I have to admit, I don’t like these verses; they make me uncomfortable. And I know many other professing followers of Jesus who share my discomfort.

            Jesus said “Sell what you have and give to the poor; provide storage bags that do not wear out, unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief can get near it and no moth can corrupt it. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” He didn’t make any exclusions or qualifiers; He just gave a simple, straightforward command! What is it about this that makes me nervous?

            First, let’s look at what Jesus didn’t say. He did not say, like He did to the rich, young ruler “…sell all that you have.” Is it possible that Jesus would ask you or me to sell all we have? Certainly! He knows us completely; knows our motivations, the things that prevent us from being totally committed to Him. So, He could ask that of us but in this text He doesn’t.

            OK. So how does that help us decide how much to sell or how much to keep? Are you ready for the answer? The answer is…. I don’t know; that is, I don’t know specific amounts or percentages. That may be different for you than for me. What Jesus is after here is that we use what we have to seek the kingdom of God. My problem is – I use what I have to try to build my little kingdom! And I have to admit, I’ve sometimes failed to share in the needs of others because of that selfish motivation. And motivation is the key.

            Do you remember what Jesus said it will cost us to be His disciple? Let me remind you. Here are Jesus’ words from Luke 9:23 and 24. “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.” If we have and are denying ourselves, and are taking up His cross daily, shouldn’t generosity be a natural result?

            Our struggle in this area reveals we aren’t as surrendered to Christ as we think. If we’ve truly given all to Him, then He controls everything. If He says give it away, we give it away. If He says keep it, we keep it. But the reality I find in my own life is this; I give God a portion of my money or possessions and then I retain the right to say how the remainder will be used. No matter how you define it, that’s not the full surrender Jesus demands.

            Jesus invites you and me to exchange perishable wallets, purses, or bank accounts for ones that will not perish. He promises treasure in Heaven that will not fail. That promise doesn’t apply to earthly treasure. As we noted earlier, it can fly away as though it had wings! Many people today have discovered their life savings are being eaten up by inflation. Governments print more and more currency, so the value of their savings decreases. Instead of gaining on their savings, they’re actually losing. And most earthly possessions decrease in value over time.

            There is additional security in Heaven’s investments. Jesus said no thief can break into the storage vault and moths can’t get in to lay their eggs and hatch their destructive larvae. No matter what our “earthly treasure” is, there are always ways for it to be lost, stolen, or ruined.

            Now here is Jesus’ concluding statement; “Because where your treasure resides, there your heart will reside also.” Your heart follows your treasure. This statement binds this whole section of teaching together! If your treasure is here on earth, that’s where your focus will be. If your treasure is being stored in heaven, then your focus will be there. And the conclusion is clear that if you are truly seeking the kingdom of God, your treasure will be in Heaven.      

            I began this section by saying one of the rewards of seeking the kingdom of God is – it revives generosity. The testimony of R. G. LeTourneau is a graphic illustration of this truth. His life verse was Matthew 6:33, the parallel to verse 31 of our text. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things (daily needs) will be provided for you.”

            As a successful entrepreneur and inventor of major earth-moving equipment, he became a multi-millionaire, even though he only had a 7^th grade education.  To this day he is considered “to have been the world’s greatest inventor of earthmoving and materials handling equipment.” He gave away 90 percent of the profits from his business and kept just 10 percent for himself. He was fond of saying “I shovel it out, and God shovels it back in; but God has a bigger shovel.” Countless lives were impacted by the Gospel because of his generosity.

            Most of us have the idea that if we had more, like R. G. LeTourneau, we’d give more. But, you know, that’s probably not true. Most of us discover that as our income increases our lifestyle increases too. Our list of “needs” gets bigger. That because we’re focused on the kingdom of this earth more than on the kingdom of God.

            One time I was in a meeting with some men and one of them said to me “If I had a million dollars I’d give it to Heralds of Hope for ministry.” One of the other men spoke up and said to him, “But what about the twenty dollars in your wallet?” 

            Jesus wants you and me to experience the joy of generosity. Think about it; can you name anyone with more generosity than God? He gives physical life to all people and provides the sunshine and rain even for those who hate Him. Even greater generosity is evidenced in that “He loved the world so much that He gave His one and only begotten Son that whoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

             And when you think of the generosity of God in the sacrifice of His Son, what enabled Jesus to go through that terrible suffering? Hebrews 12:2 gives us the answer. “… who for the JOY that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” It was the joy of generosity that enabled Jesus to endure the cross!

            As you reflect on your life, are you filled with joy? Or is life a burden to endure? No matter what circumstances you and I face, seeking the kingdom of God will revive a spirit of generosity in our hearts and bring to us the joy of blessing others. And we will discover in the process that our treasures are found in relationships rather than in things.

            So, as you think about seeking the kingdom of God and you evaluate your life by the criteria Jesus gave us in this text, are you experiencing these rewards?

            Are you anxious or fearful about the future? As I think about my country, the United States, with trillions of dollars in debt, and trillions more in unfunded liabilities, I believe that an eventual collapse of our economy is certain. I don’t see how it can be avoided. But I am not afraid. Seeking the kingdom of God has reduced my level of anxiety.

            Reflect on the activities you pursue in life. What is the primary focus of those activities; is it for this life or the life to come? One of the rewards of seeking the kingdom of God is it will reorient your activities toward heavenly treasure. The cheap pleasures of the world will lose their appeal as you reorient your activity toward God’s frame of reference. You will place a higher value on people and relationships, and a lesser value on things.

            And finally, you will experience a revival of generosity. You will experience the reality of Acts 20:35; “It is a greater blessing to give than to receive.” Along with that revival comes a sense of increased joy and security. As you see your resources being used to meet practical needs and to share the love of Jesus with others, your natural tendency toward selfishness will decrease. You will experience the principle that your reaping is in proportion to your sowing. Your treasure will be in heaven so that’s where your focus will be.

            I urge you to join me in experiencing these rewards that result from seeking the kingdom of God. 

Mark 6:45-56

Early in human history, people learned that sailing the oceans and seas of planet Earth was costly and dangerous. Countless lives were lost as storms, hidden shoals, and other catastrophes awaited the unsuspecting sailors. Yet despite the risks, many persisted because of the advantages of travel and the movement of goods from one place to another.

In the United States, in the early 1800s, along the coast of Cape Cod in the state of Massachusetts, men were appointed as “surfmen.” When a storm approached, these volunteer lifesavers patrolled the beaches of Cape Cod.

In 1806 the Massachusetts Humane Society paid a Nantucket shipwright to design and build a small lifesaving boat, 30 feet long and lined with cork. Volunteer lifesaving crews launched the surfboats into the turbulent waters and rowed to grounded vessels to rescue the survivors. These brave men were sent into the teeth of furious storms because they valued human life.

These “surfmen” eventually adopted the motto, “You have to go out, but you don’t have to come back.” Or as one of them said, “When I see a man clinging to a wreck, I see nothing else in the world, and I never think of family and friends until I have saved him.”

All of us face storms in life. They come in the form of illness or disease, broken relationships, crises of faith, the death of a loved one, and so on. These storms can destroy our faith or make it stronger. Much depends on our response.

As we continue our journey through Mark’s Gospel, we’ve come to the end of chapter six. At first glance, the most memorable part of this section is Jesus’ walking on the water. Isn’t that amazing? However, when you put this event in its larger context, this scene takes on a greater significance in how we understand the life and ministry of Jesus. It also speaks to our lack of spiritual understanding and how slow we are to recognize Jesus for who He truly is.

I’ve titled today’s teaching, “Sent Into the Storm.” Our text is Mark 6:45-56.

This text shows us how God sends storms into our lives to reveal His person and power. There are three examples of being alone in this narrative; let’s examine each of them.

The First Example is,

            Jesus Alone

            You may wonder where I came up with this idea about Jesus being in a storm. Here is where the context sets the stage for this example.

            When I think of a storm, especially a storm at sea, I picture turbulence and chaos, things are out of control! We have the biblical storms experienced by the prophet, Jonah, or the apostle Paul. In both cases, the sailors called upon their gods for deliverance. Sailors of those days were very superstitious. They believed that the spirits of the underworld troubled the waters and were responsible for the violent thrashing of the waves.

            The Bible uses the troubled sea as an analogy for the evil that exists in our world (Isaiah 57:20). It was in this storm of violence and evil that Jesus was sent to rescue us sinners. In the previous section of verses Jesus viewed the masses of people as “sheep without a shepherd.” They were fainting and didn’t know where to find help and hope.

            So, Jesus cared for them. He taught them the principles of His kingdom and invited them into a relationship with Him and His Father. He healed their crippled and diseased bodies and provided the food they needed. He poured Himself out to the point of exhaustion, not having time to rest or even eat. His disciples saw these things, yet doubted who He was.

            Immediately after the miraculous feeding of this crowd of thousands, Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and set sail for the western side of the sea. After they’re gone, He supervises the dismissal of the crowd. Is there significance in this sequence of events? Absolutely! Jesus is left alone.

            John’s narrative of this event tells us why Jesus did this. The crowds had become so excited by Jesus’ miracles that they were ready to revolt against Rome and proclaim Him king! Sending the disciples away removed them from this atmosphere of an overwrought political concept of the Messianic kingdom. They too had similar misconceptions about the makeup and purpose of the kingdom.

Fame and the praise of men are powerful stimulants. They have been the downfall of many. (Remember Herod)? A mere man would’ve been swept along in the winds of this euphoria, but Jesus realized this was an attempt by Satan to short-circuit the plan of His Father. This was His storm, a conflict between human desires and God’s plans. How can I say that? The Scriptures are clear, Jesus was tempted in every way we are, yet He did not sin, Hebrews 4:15.

Numerous times the Scriptures tell us that Jesus spent time in prayer. However, only a few of them give us details. In Luke chapter six, before choosing His disciples, Jesus spent all night in prayer. We also have the details of His wrestling alone in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, just before His crucifixion.

Here, Jesus left the crowd and went to a mountain nearby to commune with His Heavenly Father. We know from the text that He was on the mountain for several hours. He needed that time to refocus, to reorient His life around His purpose and calling. I imagine Him dealing with the temptation to accept praise and acclaim from men. Anyone who is involved in ministry and has high public visibility will experience this same kind of storm.

Jesus was sent by His Father into the storm of sinful humanity. He didn’t come to eliminate the storm but to provide peace for us during the storm. However, to do that He had to experience storms Himself. Those experiences qualified Him, by experience, to be our Savior.                

The Next Example is,

            The Disciples Alone

            Verse 47 shifts our focus onto the disciples. “Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land.” Here is our “second” evening. The sun had set, and darkness was falling. In the twilight, the ship was in the middle of the lake. Jesus had come down from the mountain and was once again by the sea. He remained on the shore for several hours.

He saw the disciples straining at the oars because the wind was stubbornly against them. They were rowing like madmen but making no headway. They should have reached their destination long before this. Our English word, straining, comes from the original, bazanizo. It is translated in other places as “torment.” In Jesus’ interaction with the Gadarene demoniac, the man said to Him, “Swear to God that you will not torment (bazanizo) me.” These men in the boat were in deep trouble.

About the fourth watch of the night, sometime between 3 am and 6 am, Jesus approached that beleaguered boat with its exhausted crew. And the text says something astounding to me; “he intended to pass by them.” What? Jesus loves these men deeply and has committed Himself to be their teacher and He’s going to pass right on by them? In our minds, there’s something wrong with this picture.

This phrase may, at first, seem insignificant, but I believe otherwise. Why would Jesus intentionally pass by these men in their struggle? Furthermore, why does God seem to pass us by in some of our struggles in life?

Go with me for a few moments back to the book of Exodus, chapter 33. Here, God is commanding Moses to lead the children of Israel away from Mount Sinai and onto the Promised Land. Moses wants to make sure that God will go with them on this journey, so He says “Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.”

God reassures Moses of His presence which leads Moses to respond, “Please, show me Your glory.” Now I want you to pay close attention to what God says next. And the Lord said, “Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen.”

I believe that Jesus’ purpose in “passing by” the disciples was to show them His glory. Think about this with me. Jesus had just performed a notable miracle in the feeding of the multitude, a miracle the disciples participated in. However, despite all the things they saw Jesus do, they were blind to who He was.

Earlier in chapter 4, we have the account of Jesus stilling the storm. There, He was in the boat with them. In this scene, Jesus seems to be walking on the sea much like you and I might take a stroll along the shore. And He intends to pass by them as they labor at the oars. However, they all saw Him, and they shrieked in terror because they thought they were seeing a ghost. They had never seen anyone walk on water before and they didn’t recognize Him in the darkness.

Jesus knew they were struggling, and He left them to struggle for several hours. He didn’t immediately come to their rescue like He did in the previous experience in the storm. Why? There was something they needed to learn. What they needed to learn is that He is God.

Have you ever been in a storm where it seemed God was nowhere to be found? You cried out to Him, but He seemed to be silent. You needed His help, but He seemed not to care. In those times, you can be sure that God has something He wants you to learn.

The Final Example is,

            God Alone

            Notice with me how Jesus responds to their cries of terror. “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” There is something very interesting and very important in Jesus’ statement. In the Greek language, two different words express the quality of being or existence. They are ego (from which we get our English word, ego), and eimi. Most places only use one form. However, in this text, both are used.

You’re wondering what is significant about that, aren’t you? Do you remember when God met Moses at the burning bush? In his conversation with God, Moses asked, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” And God said to Moses, here’s what you tell them; “I AM WHO I AM.”

That is what Jesus is saying to the terror-stricken disciples. “Take courage, the I AM is here. There’s no need to be afraid.” What other conclusion could they have come to? They knew that no human being could walk on water. That was the sole domain of Yahweh; Job 9:8, “He alone spreads out the heavens, and treads on the waves of the sea.” The disciples knew this.

Picture the scene. The sea is boisterous, Jesus is standing there on the boiling waves talking with the disciples. Then He climbs into the boat and immediately the wind stops. “And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.” God is here.

Why did Jesus respond to the disciples in this way? We don’t have to wonder because the very next verse gives us the answer. “For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.” Mark implies that they were excessively amazed because they failed to comprehend the full significance of the miracle of the loaves and fish. Their reasoning process was calloused. Who else could take a few loaves and fish and feed a multitude of thousands? Instead of seeing the presence of God Almighty, they reduced Him to a leader who could deliver them from the power of Rome. Who else could walk on water? Who else was “ego eimi?”

It would be easy for us to criticize the disciples for their lack of belief, but perhaps we would benefit from a look in the mirror. Jeremiah reminds us “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; Who can know it?” When people don’t accept the identity of Jesus, it’s not because they’re stupid or unintelligent. It’s because their hearts are hardened.

Finally, the wind-driven boat arrived on the plain of Gennesaret, several miles south of their original destination. There, they tied up the boat. As they disembarked, the people recognized Jesus and they ran excitedly through the whole region and began to carry on mats those who were sick to the place where He was. And there, the whole illustration of who Jesus was began to be repeated.

I am so grateful today that Jesus was sent alone into the storm of our sinful humanity. I am thankful for these glimpses in the Scripture of His humanity and the recognition of His need for time alone with His Father. It is encouraging to see Him wrestle with the same temptations that I face. Because He was victorious, I can be too.

I’m glad Mark gave us the details of this account of the disciples being left alone in their boat to struggle in the storm. And while I never like the storms that come to me in life, I am grateful for the work that God does in my heart through them. I pray that my heart won’t be hardened like the disciples by my focus on earthly things.

Finally, I’m thankful that God alone can meet our needs in every situation. And when we know His presence, we stop straining at the oars. We are removed from our torment, and we are left in a state of awe and reverence before Him.

I don’t know what storms in life you’re facing at the moment, but Jesus does. He’s been through them before you. He is praying to His Father for you to endure and be faithful. He is saying to you, “Take courage, the I AM is here.” So, don’t fear the storm, hold onto the hand of the One who walks on the water.

Mark 6:30-44

Reverend Frank Graeff was a pastor in Philadelphia in the late 1800s. He had a radiant personality and an ever-present smile. Because of his cheerful outlook on life and simple faith, he was nicknamed, “The Sunshine Minister.” Although Reverend Graeff’s nickname indicated a life filled with joy, he also knew heartache and spiritual trials. At one point in his life, he struggled with deep depression. The man recognized by many for his cheerful countenance found himself crumbling under overwhelming burdens. 

During this time of severe testing, he found comfort and encouragement in the familiar hymn, “What A Friend We Have in Jesus.” Reflecting on the words of that song led him to I Peter 5:7 in his Bible. There, he read: “Casting all your care upon him; for He cares for you.” God’s Word strengthened his heart, and Reverend Graeff was inspired to write his own song to proclaim the Lord’s care even in difficult times. The hymn “Does Jesus Care?” was the result. It resounds with assurance of Jesus’ sensitivity to our trials.

Here is the Altar of Praise Chorale to sing that song for us.

            Praise God, Jesus is not callous or uncaring! His knowledge and understanding are infinite. He is sensitive to your needs and mine.

            I’m sure that when Jesus walked on this earth, people raised that same question; “Does Jesus Care?” That’s the title for our study today from Mark 6:30-44. I urge you to listen carefully as I read our text.

Jesus’ PROVISIONS for the needs highlighted in our text show us that He really does care!

The First PROVISION that shows Jesus’ care is,

            Rest for the Workers

            Our text opens with the Twelve returning from their first missionary assignment without Jesus physically present with them. Naturally, they wanted to share all their experiences with Jesus. Jesus, as their teacher and mentor wanted to hear what they had done and taught.

After a time of strenuous ministry, Jesus knew the Twelve were tired and needed refreshment. They had experienced the discouragement of rejection and persecution as well as the joy of miraculous healing and seeing transformed lives. Their emotions may have been stretched to the limit. Adding to their fatigue was the sorrowful news of the death of John the Baptist. So, He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to some deserted place and rest awhile.” The literal meaning of Jesus’ words is “rest up.”

That wasn’t possible in their current location because the crowds of people with overwhelming needs were constantly coming and going. They were so busy they didn’t even have time to eat. So, Jesus invited them to join Him in a secluded place. They immediately and gratefully accepted His invitation and their boat sailed for an undisclosed destination.

            The area Jesus chose for their retreat was around Bethsaida (Beth-sah-eeda). This town was built by Philip, the brother of Herod Antipas, and was on the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, outside the reach of Herod Antipas who had recently beheaded John the Baptist. The area was used for the grazing of flocks and became the setting for the feeding of the 5,000.

            Rest is something we all need and yet something that can be difficult to find. In our frenzied pace of life in the 21^st century we find rest to be elusive. In the area of the world where I live, people seem to be obsessed with going, going, going! Well-known 20^th Century revivalist, Vance Havner, used to say, “If we don’t come apart and rest, we’ll just come apart.” Jesus knew that and He didn’t want that to happen to His disciples. And Jesus doesn’t want that to happen to you and me either.  

            Do you find your ministry to be tiring? I do. Dealing with people and their needs takes something out of you. We were meant to be channels that God’s power and love can flow through. We are not a well with an endless supply of water. We need times of rest, rejuvenation, and refilling. However, we can’t always get those things while maintaining our daily schedule. We need to step away from normal tasks and find a place of solitude.  

            Is your lifestyle hectic? Are you constantly running here and there? My observation is that for most people, busyness isn’t related to ministry, rather it’s business and pleasure. People rush from one thing to the next trying to find satisfaction and fulfilment. If that describes you, you need rest but the reason for your need is different. Jesus has rest for His workers.   

Another PROVISION that shows Jesus’ care is,

            Direction for the Wandering

            As Jesus and His disciples were leaving in the boat, some of the people recognized Jesus. So, they spread the news that He was in the community and people came out from all the surrounding towns. They ran along the shore of the lake and got to the landing place before Jesus and the disciples even got there! I can imagine them tracking the position of Jesus’ boat as it crossed the waters of the lake. From their observation, they guessed where the boat would land.

            When Jesus arrived at the designated landing place, instead of the promised rest for Him and the Twelve, a multitude had already gathered. The only respite they had was the short sail across the lake.

Jesus could have been resentful of this crowd, after all, they were interfering with plans for much-needed rest. However, Jesus isn’t like that. As He looked on this great multitude He was moved with (or by) compassion. The original word means to “be moved in one’s bowels.” Today, we use the term “gut-wrenching.” The ancients considered the bowels to be the seat of the deepest feelings. In other words, Jesus was deeply moved by the condition of the people. This term is used numerous times as Jesus’ response to the needs of the people.

And what was the condition that moved Jesus so deeply? It wasn’t primarily their physical needs, though Jesus didn’t ignore them. What moved Him was their spiritual need. He saw them as sheep without a shepherd. In ancient Israel, sheep were a mainstay of agricultural life. Sheep are not very intelligent and are fairly helpless. They need someone to lead and protect them, someone to extricate them from their troubles. Without a shepherd, the sheep will wander and become vulnerable to danger and destruction. That’s how Jesus viewed this multitude.

These people had plenty of official leaders or shepherds, they had rabbis and religious leaders. However, as Jesus lamented at one point, most of them were “blind leaders of the blind.” They were hirelings who didn’t care for the sheep. They cared more for their reputation and the financial rewards of their positions. They liked the power and perks of their positions and the cozy relationships they had with political leaders.

Unfortunately, there are many leaders like them across the religious spectrum today. Hardly a week goes by without the revelation of some well-known leader accused of sexual abuse, financial fraud, abuse of authority, marital infidelity, and more.

Jesus warned about this in Matthew 24. As we approach the end of the age false prophets and deceivers will proliferate and many gullible people will be deceived. The sheep today are being “fleeced,” however, Jesus knows and He’s keeping the record. I believe Jesus experiences the same gut-wrenching feelings of compassion today when He sees the needs of the sheep.

So, Jesus had come to this location for rest, but His heart was touched by the spiritual needs of the multitude. In response, He begins to teach them many things. The literal meaning of the text is, “He kept on teaching them.” This detail sets the stage for what happens next.    

The Final PROVISION that shows Jesus’ care is,

            Bread for the Wanting

            So far, the provisions that show Jesus cares are rest for the workers and direction for the wandering. Now, He will provide bread for the wanting.

Imagine the crowd, in this beautiful rural setting, captivated by the authoritative teaching of Jesus, oblivious to the passing of time. Several times, the Gospel writers tell us that the people were astonished at Jesus’ teaching because He taught with authority and not like the religious leaders. Caught up in the moment, the crowd seems unaware of the passing of time.

            As the afternoon shadows begin to lengthen, the disciples become nervous. Notice, in our text there are two evenings. The first evening, reckoned by Jewish time, was around 3 PM, our mid-afternoon. Verse 47 isn’t part of our text for today, but there we have the coming of the second evening, which is sunset.

            So, it’s 3 PM. and the disciples propose their idea of caring for the multitude. They advise Jesus; “This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat.” These are logical conclusions, but Jesus already has a solution to the problem. In response to their advice, He simply says, “You give them something to eat.”

            Imagine yourself in their shoes! They are shocked as we can tell from their response. Only Mark’s Gospel records their next question and Jesus’ response. They ask with incredulity, “Shall we go and buy 200 denarii worth of bread so everyone can eat?” The combined daily wages of 200 men wouldn’t buy enough bread for everyone! To their question, Jesus calmly replied, “Go and see how many loaves are available.”

            After an inventory they returned with the answer; five loaves and two fish. What they had on hand was totally inadequate for the need. Barley loaves were the food of the poor and if one young boy had 5 of them, according to John 6:8, they couldn’t have been very large. In John’s telling of this account, the disciples ask, “What are [these] among so many?”

            Interestingly, the crowd following Jesus at this time was almost exclusively Jewish. They would have been aware that one of Elisha’s miracles was multiplying twenty small barley loaves to feed a crowd of 100 men, with food left over (2 Kings 4:42–44). Jesus is about to perform a miracle even more dramatic than that by feeding thousands with even less. This will mark Jesus as one greater than the prophet Elisha, and eventually inspire the crowd to proclaim Him the long-awaited Prophet.

            Jesus commanded the disciples to instruct the multitude to recline in companies upon the green grass (another detail only given by Mark). It was near Passover time and the afternoon sun shone down on the orderly groups of people. This order made the distribution of food easier.

The grass is not green in Israel much of the year, mainly at Passover time. It is still about one year before the last Passover when Jesus was crucified.

            Have you ever tried to visualize how all this food was distributed? How did they handle all that bread? Is that what the 12 large baskets (v. 43) were used for? After blessing the loaves and breaking them, He gave the pieces to His disciples to distribute to the crowd. The fish were additional to the twelve baskets of bread!

There wasn’t just enough food to take the “edge” off their hunger as we sometimes say. It wasn’t a snack. Everyone ate until they were satisfied. This same word in other places is translated as “well-fed” and even “gorged.” Everyone ate as much as they wanted.

After everyone was satisfied, the remnants filled 12 baskets! And there were leftovers of fish too. One basket of leftovers for each of the 12 disciples. What a demonstration of Jesus’ care for the people and His miraculous power.

Our copies of the Scripture often place this miracle under the heading, “the feeding of the 5,000.” But that’s not accurate, is it? It easily could have been 15,000 or more. There were 5,000 men, but only God knows how many women and children! This was the high point of Jesus’ Galilean ministry. It was a miracle that caused many to follow Him, sadly, for the wrong reasons.

How would you answer the question, “Does Jesus Care?” Can you testify personally of His care for you? I can. I have experienced His provision of rest for workers. There have been times that I’ve wanted to leave the ministry and just go be a cabinetmaker again. It would be so much easier not having to deal with so many people and their needs. Inanimate wood and hardware don’t criticize you or question your motives. Those thoughts have been few and fleeting.

And direction for the wandering; have you experienced that? Do you know what it feels like to be lost, unsure of what you’re doing or where you’re going? But I’m so glad that God has given us His Word. It provides answers to our questions. It is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. The teachings of Jesus provide hope and healing in a world full of pain and hurt.

The greatest demonstration of Jesus’ care is the giving of His life for our salvation! That is truly, direction for the wandering. We are all like sheep, we have all gone astray, and we all turned to our own way. But God laid on Jesus our iniquity so we could be rescued from our wandering and brought safely into His fold as His sheep. We demonstrate our care for others when we share with them this most important provision of Jesus’ care.  

Finally, have you experienced Jesus’ care in your need for physical food? No, I’ve never been fed miraculously like this crowd, but Jesus provides for my daily bread every day. If Jesus didn’t provide health, strength, and soundness of mind to me every day, I couldn’t work to provide for my needs and the needs of my family. You couldn’t either.

I trust you can say with Reverend Graeff, “Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares. His heart is touched with my grief. Though the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I KNOW my Savior cares!”

Mark 6:14-29

As a young person, I was an avid reader. Because of that, I enjoyed the literature classes I had in school. Back then, we were assigned to read different types of classic literature. One author I remember was Edgar Allen Poe.

            I read one of his short stories titled “The Tell-tale Heart.” Itis rather ghastly but carries an important lesson. I’ll spare you the gory details, but here’s the plot line. A younger man is convinced that his elderly neighbor has an “evil eye.” To rid himself of this perceived threat, he murders the old man and places his body under the floorboards of his house.

            After the older man’s disappearance, the police came to question the murderer. He invited them in and seated them right over the spot on the floor where the victim’s body was concealed. The murderer’s manner is easy and calm, and the police suspect nothing.

            However, the perpetrator begins to feel uncomfortable and notices a sound in his ears. He concludes that the old man’s heartbeat comes from under the floorboards. The sound grows louder and louder in his mind, though the officers don’t hear it. Terrified by the violent beating of the heart and convinced that the officers are aware of not only the heartbeat but also of his guilt, the perpetrator breaks down and confesses his crime.

            What led to the revelation of the crime? It was the conscience of the perpetrator. Even though no sound existed, his guilty conscience heard the beating of the tell-tale heart and tormented him until he confessed to the crime.

            As we resume our journey through Mark’s Gospel, we’ve arrived at the account of John the Baptist’s death. This record is inserted in the narrative following Jesus’ rejection in Nazareth and the sending of the twelve on their mission. There is a theme of rejection throughout these verses. First, Jesus was rejected in Nazareth; then he instructed the Twelve about handling rejection in their ministry, and finally, John’s rejection and death.

The disciples’ mission tour of Galilee awakened the whole region to Jesus’ name and powers. This awakening brought Jesus to Herod Antipas’s attention and led to his mistaken conclusion that John the Baptist had risen from the dead. As we’ll see, Herod’s conscience is awakened by this news, and the narrative provides a flashback of the events that led to John the Baptist’s death.

I’ve titled our study “The Lord’s Messenger.” Now, let’s read the text, Mark 6:14-29.

This text reveals the QUALITIES that must be present in the lives of all who would be the Lord’s messenger.

The First QUALITY of the Lord’s messenger is,

            Develop a Godly Reputation

            As I said, the disciples’ mission tour of Galilee awakened the whole region to Jesus’ name and power. People were speculating about His identity. Some said he was John the Baptist. Others said he was Elijah, while others said he was like one of the prophets of ancient times. However, when Herod heard about the miraculous happenings, he immediately said, “This is John the Baptist, the man whom I beheaded. He is risen from the dead!”  

            Herod’s conclusion was the result of a guilty conscience. Like the murderer in Edgar Allen Poe’s “Tell-tale Heart,” Herod knew he had unjustly murdered an innocent man. Verse 20 says, “Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things and heard him gladly.”

            John’s character and reputation impressed Herod. He realized that this was no ordinary man. He described him as being “just and holy.” The phrase in verse 20, “[Herod] did many things…” is rendered in other translations as “he was greatly perplexed…” John’s godly character and message stirred something deep within Herod, and he couldn’t quite figure out what it was or how he should respond. This quality of character is one that every genuine messenger of the Lord should strive to develop.  

Herod had arrested John and put him in prison, and he did it for the sake of his adulterous partner, his sister-in-law, the wife of his brother, Philip. Herodias was her name, and she would have immediately killed John. However, Herod protected him, at least temporarily, from her murderous designs.  

            How would people describe you? Would they use the terms just and holy? What impression have your interactions with others left on them or those watching? John the Baptist wasn’t what we would call a cultured man; he was more of a rustic man, in the mold of the Old Testament prophets, of which he was the last. However, according to our text and other portions of the Gospels, his reputation for godliness, humility, and justice were unquestioned. As the Lord’s messengers, you and I must also develop a godly reputation. It may motivate appreciation, or it may motivate opposition, as we’ll see shortly.

The Next QUALITY of the Lord’s messenger is,

            Deliver a Grating Message

            Early in our text, in verse sixteen, we learn why John was imprisoned. Philip was the brother of Herod Antipas, and Philip’s wife was Herodias. Herod entered into an adulterous relationship with Herodias while she was still married to his brother. John rebuked Herod and told him, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” It wasn’t a popular message then, and it isn’t a popular message today.

As messengers of the Lord, you and I must be prepared to stand upon the truth of God’s Word. The truth will grate on the ears and consciences of those it convicts, even when spoken in a spirit of love. They will not want to hear it. Today, even many who profess to follow the Lord don’t want to listen to His Word.

Paul warned Timothy about this very thing. “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” Like all faithful messengers of the Lord, John the Baptist endured afflictions and fulfilled his ministry.

John’s grating message aroused Herod’s fear. Mark describes that fear in verse 20 using the imperfect tense, which means Herod was in a continuing state of fear. His fears tormented him. He feared John because he knew he was an innocent, holy, and righteous man. He feared Herodias because she was a vengeful woman. He knew what was right, but he was hopelessly entangled and conflicted in his relationship with Herodias. His passions and feelings overcame his better judgment.

John’s message also grated on Herodias. The text says she “held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not.” To say she “had it in for John” is an accurate translation. She wanted to kill him, but she couldn’t because Herod protected him. So, nursing her grudge, she waited for an opportune time to strike. What is written about her in our text reminds me of the saying, “Hell has no fury like an [ungodly] woman scorned.”

Herodias’ response reminds me of Jesus’ words in John 3, during His conversation with Nicodemus about being born again. He said, “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and [people] loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” Herodias loved darkness, and John’s message grated harshly on her ears.

As the Lord’s messengers, you and I must be willing to deliver a grating message. We must “speak the truth in love,” as Paul writes in Ephesians chapter four. And yes, we must remember our sinful past, our susceptibility to sin, and our tendencies toward self-righteousness. However, we cannot allow those things to muzzle us and keep us from proclaiming the truth of God and His Word. Today, more than ever, we need to stand boldly and confidently on the Word of God regardless of the cost.

The Final QUALITY of the Lord’s messenger is,

            Die a Grievous Death

            I don’t suppose many of us will find ourselves in circumstances similar to John the Baptist’s, where proclaiming the truth will cost us our heads. However, the willingness to endure suffering, persecution, or even death for holding to the truth is fundamental to our faith. John was willing to speak the truth and let the chips fall where they would.

            As I mentioned earlier, Herodias was a conniving woman. She waited patiently for the right opportunity. She planned to use Herod’s birthday party to spring the trap! All the elite and glitterati of Herod’s court and the region of Galilee would be there, and she would have her vengeance! She knew what happened at these orgies, and she sensed an opportunity.

           After much feasting and drinking, Herodias sent her daughter, Salome, to dance before the king and his fellow revelers. It was unprecedented for a woman of rank to dance in a setting like this. However, Herodias was willing to degrade her own daughter like a common harlot to carry out her scheme. She would use any means necessary to rid herself of this pestilent prophet who condemned her relationship with Herod.

            The maudlin group lounging on elegant couches was pleased by the licentious dancing of this exploited princess. In his alcohol-induced stupor, Herod’s inhibitions disappeared, and his better judgment deserted him. He rashly promised the princess anything she would ask, even as much as half of his kingdom. The drunken Tetrarch had been caught in the net of Herodias. It was a public promise. The trap had been sprung!

            The princess, not knowing what to ask for, sought her mother’s counsel. Her question implies that she was thinking about what she should ask for herself. She was probably unprepared for her mother’s ghastly reply.

            Notice how her request, actually her mother’s request, and the subsequent execution were carried out – in haste. Everything had to be done while the king was still under the influence of the wine and the dancing princess.

            As coarse and ungodly as Herod was, he was probably shocked by the request for John the Baptist’s head on a platter! He realized, too, that he was trapped. Herod didn’t want to execute John. We learned earlier in the text that he was protecting him. But for the sake of his oath and his “honor,” he would not deny the princess’ request. He was caught once again between his conscience and his environment. Like many since his day, the environment stifled his conscience.

            So, Herod sent an executioner to perform the gruesome task. He soon returned, bringing the head to the princess, who, receiving it before the whole crowd, took it to her mother. This miserable Tetrarch, the slave of his passion for Herodias, now became the slave of his fears. The ghost of John haunts him, and he shudders at the reports of the work of Jesus.

            The text closes with John’s disciples taking his body and giving him a proper burial. As a messenger of the Lord, he was faithful, even unto death.

            As children of God by faith in Jesus Christ, you and I are the Lord’s messengers. Whether we believe we have a special calling or not, we are all messengers of Jesus by our redemption. Confessing Jesus with our mouth is an integral part of our salvation according to Romans 10:9. When you and I realize what we have been saved from and what we have been saved for, how can we not proclaim the truth that has set us free?

            Let’s strive to develop a godly reputation, by God’s grace and the enabling of the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist had that. He was held in high regard by the people and even by Herod. Was he perfect? No. However, he was committed to fulfilling God’s calling on his life to be the messenger [lower case m] of Jesus, the Messenger [upper case M] of the Covenant. His whole life was spent in preparation for a few short years of service.

            Further, we must be willing to deliver what is sometimes a grating message. Refusing to confront sin because we fear reaction or rejection is not love; it is the opposite. John cared for Herod’s soul and his eternal destiny. As John discovered, speaking the truth publicly, especially regarding powerful and influential people, can be very dangerous. Some will hear the message and acknowledge, at least tacitly, that it is true. Others, like Herodias, will react viciously and scheme to liquidate the messenger.

              Finally, we must be willing to die to defend and proclaim the truth. Many of our brothers and sisters around the world can teach us how to do this with grace and dignity. Here in the West, our lifestyles may be more akin to Herod’s than John the Baptist’s. Our comforts make it hard for us even to consider the thought of dying for the sake of Christ. However, Jesus said that we cannot be His messengers unless we are willing to lose our lives for His sake and the Gospel.

            So, let’s continue striving to develop a godly reputation for the glory of God. Let’s be faithful to deliver a grating message when that is necessary. And let’s be willing to die a grievous death in defense of the truth if we come to that point. May Jesus’ testimony of us be similar to His testimony of John the Baptist when He said, “He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light.”

Join us today for a special discussion on the future of HOH with Anthony, Arlin, and J. Mark!

Thank you for joining us today. Did you catch last week’s special episode for Father’s Day? Anthony and J. Mark hosted a discussion on fatherhood.

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Mark 6:7-13

One significant difference between the setting in Luke 9 and today is hospitality. In biblical culture, hospitality was a requirement! The widow in Zarephath took her last food and gave it to the prophet Elijah. She had no idea God would use her obedience to sustain her and her son, yet she showed hospitality. If you read the Scriptures carefully, you’ll repeatedly see this display of costly, self-sacrificing hospitality. It was this kind of hospitality the disciples were to rely on.

            Even today, hospitality in the eastern part of the world is given much more readily than in the West. In the Southeast Asian countries I’ve visited, I’ve experienced this kind of hospitality. People have so little compared to what most of us in the West enjoy, yet they gladly sacrifice their best to entertain a stranger! It’s a humbling experience.

            A widow who hosted us killed one of her laying hens to provide a meal for us Bible teachers. She lived next door to the venue of the classes, and I saw her catch the chicken around noon. Later that evening, she served that chicken to us as part of the meal in her home. We gathered in a bedroom, sat on the beds, and had wonderful fellowship together around that meal. Killing that chicken was a sacrifice for her; it meant no more eggs from that one.  

            Another part of this command was where they were to stay as they proclaimed the Gospel. Jesus told them to go to one house and, once they were received there, to stay as long as they were in that town. How would you like that kind of visitor?

            So, if Jesus does not expect you and me to follow this delineated simplicity literally, should we ignore it and move on? That is not why the Holy Spirit moved Mark to record this teaching. Once again, there are broader principles here.

            Did you ever think about how much more quickly the Gospel could be spread if we all learned to live with less? Some of you think I left off preaching and have gone to meddling! But Jesus does not ask His disciples, then or now, to do things He was unwilling to do. Jesus stated in His teaching that food and clothing are the two necessities of our human existence. We often add a third one – I think, legitimately – shelter. But my possessions go way beyond those necessities, and I assume yours do, too.

            It’s not hard to see how our failure to live simply affects our ability to proclaim the Gospel, whether we serve in our local community or halfway around the world.

            Most people who feel called to missions need training to prepare for the field. They take time to be mentored or discipled by those with mission experience. Sometimes, that training saddles them with financial debts. (I don’t think that’s God’s plan, but it happens.) So, they must work for a few years to pay off that debt. Then, once that’s done, they need to raise support to go to the field of their calling. Some of them will spend many months raising finances to afford a standard of living similar to what they enjoyed at home. When they get to the field, that difference in their living standard creates barriers to the Gospel.

            There are, however, a growing number of people who are pursuing a different path. They understand the need for training in missions, and they are getting that training. But once the training is finished, they head for their particular field of service, trusting God to provide for their needs. Family, friends, and even local church congregations support them, but they do not ask for funds. When they have needs, they pray and ask God to supply them. If others ask about their work or if they have needs, they freely and honestly answer the questions. However, they do not require a certain level of funding before they leave for the field. Their way of doing it seems closer to the model Jesus introduces here.

            Many stay at home in their local communities and enjoy a familiar environment. They maintain employment, build up their savings or retirement accounts, and purchase a vacation home somewhere. Late-model vehicles with lots of options and remodeling projects on their houses consume more resources. They have the latest ‘toys’ and electronic gadgets that the world uses as symbols of status.

            They know their resources should enable them to share the Gospel freely, but their lifestyle requires increasing finances. Some even give generously to missions to support those who have gone to a foreign field. But from all appearances, their goal seems to be accumulation rather than gospel proclamation. And that accumulation process can also prevent them from sharing the gospel with their neighbors.

            I admit that this principle of delineated simplicity is difficult in a culture that measures success by the amount of things we have. We really should not be looking for the approval of our culture but for the approval of God on our lives and our lifestyle. The gospel is countercultural!

            If you and I plan to obey this principle, and we must, it will take intentional effort. We must make conscious choices to reject a materialistic worldview. Under the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we can forego certain things, so more resources are available to proclaim the Gospel. This self-denial does not earn us salvation or favor with God. It is simply a matter of discipleship, voluntarily limiting myself so that others may learn of God’s love for them through Jesus.

            I tend to look at others, especially those who have more than I do, and find fault with their lifestyle. But I must ask God how well I’m doing in delineated simplicity. Are there changes I need to make to obey this principle of delineated simplicity? I’m sure there are. I believe God wants you to examine your lifestyle, too!

            The Scriptures teach that we, followers of Jesus, will one day need to give an account of our stewardship. I’m not sure what will be included in that reckoning and how the Lord will handle that process, but wouldn’t it be tragic if He revealed to us that because of our lavish lifestyle, people missed Heaven because they never heard the Gospel?

            And here’s another question for you to ponder. “Does our failure to live simply affect the first principle, the flow of delegated authority through our lives? Will God entrust you and me with His authority if we fail to embrace this second principle?” Serious reflection on those questions will likely call for changes in our lives.

            If you and I will effectively fulfill our commission to proclaim the Gospel, we cannot ignore this principle of delineated simplicity.

The Final PRINCIPLE is,

            Demarcated Responsibility

            To demarcate something means to set boundaries. Jesus set clear boundaries for the Twelve, outlining their responsibility. They were fully equipped to carry out their responsibilities, but they were not responsible for those accepting or rejecting their message.

            Jesus told the disciples to be selective in finding a base of operations for their ministry. He told them to inquire about a suitable place in the town. If they found the advice accurate, they would stay there as long as they were active in the area. They weren’t to move from house to house in the quest for better accommodations. When they left that home, the peace they had brought, authorized by the Master, would rest in that household.

            There was one final possibility – outright rejection. If they came to a house and were rejected out of hand, when they left town, they were to shake off the dust of their feet as a witness of condemnation against the house or city that refused them.

            Rejecting these ambassadors of Christ was a serious matter. Matthew and Mark both record Jesus, saying that more mercy would be shown to Sodom and Gomorrah on the Day of Judgment than to those cities that refused the disciples’ witness. Knowing the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah, we may wonder how this can be.

            Here is part of the reason: Jesus’ authority sent out the Twelve. Those who rejected them were not simply rejecting the disciples—they were rejecting Jesus. The punishment for rejecting Jesus’ disciples was severe. Sodom and Gomorrah also rejected their heavenly messengers and look at their punishment.

            This warning recalls the words of Jesus in Luke 12:47 and 48; “ And that servant, which knew his Lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who knew not and did commit things worthy of stripes shall be beaten with a few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”

            In the final verse of our text, we read that after receiving instructions, the disciples went through the towns, casting out demons, anointing the sick with oil and healing everywhere. They took their commission seriously and exercised the authority Jesus granted them.

            Today, we, like them, have a demarcated responsibility. We have been given what we call “The Great Commission.” It is a mandate to take the gospel of Christ to the whole world. In that commission, we are commanded to make disciples of every people group. Part of that process is teaching them to keep, obey, and guard all things that Jesus commanded (that includes the entire New Testament). If we do that, we are promised the presence of Jesus as long as the world stands. Our mission, our responsibility, is clearly defined.

            Also, like the Twelve, we are not responsible for what people do with the message. God will hold them accountable for their response. However, we should not do things that will hinder people’s response to the message. Our character, our conduct, and our lifestyle should be things that point people to Christ, not turn them away.

            If you follow Christ, I urge you to reflect on the commission you have to proclaim the gospel. Do you understand that your authority as a disciple has been delegated to you? The power and authority to proclaim the Gospel is not inherent in you; it is something you have received. You must never forget that!

            And how are you fleshing out the principle of delineated simplicity? Have you thought about how much more quickly the Gospel could be spread, how many more people could hear the Good News if you and I learned to live with less? It’s not too hard to see how our failure to live simply affects our ability to proclaim the Gospel, whether we serve in our local community or halfway around the world.

            Finally, have you accepted the principle of demarcated responsibility? Do you know what God expects of you as one of His children? What role are you filling in the command to make disciples of all nations? As one who has received a disciple’s commission, how well do you understand these principles, and are they a part of your daily life?

            Gracious Heavenly Father, we come to you in Jesus’ name, confessing our need for you. We find it so easy to forget about or ignore the commission we all have to proclaim the gospel. We find it easy to be overcome by the cares of this life and the deceitfulness of riches. Oh God, forgive us and open our eyes to the needs of those around us.

            Thank you, Father, for the opportunity and privilege of looking into your Word with my listening friend. Thank you for speaking to our hearts through your Holy Spirit and calling us to a deeper understanding and practice of these essential principles. May our lives be changed as a result of our study and your Spirit’s working in us. May the lives of those around us be changed as we share the gospel with them. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Mark 6:7-13

            When I was in junior high school, one of the classes we boys had to take was woodshop. The teacher was eccentric, but I learned some fundamentals of woodworking in that class. Of course, the best part was using essential hand tools to build simple projects. Because of that positive experience, I took woodshop as an elective in my sophomore year in high school. After that, I became hooked and spent many years in the woodworking industry. To this day, I enjoy it as a hobby.

            One of my experiences was working with custom cabinetry. In the shop where I worked, an older man, an experienced cabinetmaker, taught me most of the things I eventually learned about the trade. I was not in any formal apprenticeship, but I enjoyed that kind of role with him, and we got along very well.

            Something that always amazed me about him was his ability to fix other people’s mistakes. We worked in a shop with about a dozen employees, and inevitably, somewhere in the process, from building the cabinets to shipping them out the door, mistakes were made, or the product was damaged. When that happened, where did they bring them to be fixed? To this older man I worked with. Very seldom was a piece beyond his ability to repair. I will be grateful for the opportunity to work with and learn from him as long as I live.

            Today, we hear much about mentoring as though it were something new. It’s not; it’s just another word for being an apprentice. Or there’s an even older term – a disciple. Whenever I hear the word, disciple, I think of the twelve – the disciples of Jesus.

            Working through Mark’s gospel, we see how the twelve accompanied Jesus. They listened to His teaching. They watched Him respond to the needs of the people He met. They saw Him cleanse the lepers, restore sight to the blind, heal the crippled, and even raise the dead to life. They heard His teaching, which was so different from the other rabbis of His day. And they saw Him live out what He taught.

            In all of this, they were learning what it meant to be His followers. But in every relationship like theirs, the time comes when the disciple or apprentice needs some hands-on experience. That’s what we see in Mark chapter six. Jesus commissions His disciples and sends them out to preach the gospel of the kingdom, to put into practice what they had learned.

            Today, every person who repents of their sin and accepts by faith the sacrifice of Christ as the only acceptable payment for their sin is forgiven and becomes a disciple of His. As disciples, you and I are called to proclaim the Gospel. It is important for all disciples to be part of a local church fellowship. It is in that context that newly converted disciples can be mentored by older, more experienced followers of Jesus. Paul’s epistles give clear teaching on how this process should work. Paul’s letter to Titus, especially chapter two, is a good example for us.

            Much of what is recorded in the gospels is historical, especially in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It is narrative that shows how Jesus began to establish the kingdom of God on earth. Not everything that Jesus and the twelve did is commanded to be done today. However, we can learn many things by observing the underlying principles of the historical narrative.

            Our text for today illustrates this fact. In Mark 6:7-13, we see Jesus giving specific instructions about how the disciples were to carry out the assignment He was giving them. Jesus probably would give us different specifics today than He did back then, but there are still important principles we can learn as we study this text.

            To begin, let me read Mark 6:7-13. I’ve titled our study “A Disciple’s Commission.”

This text notes several important PRINCIPLES that should be understood by all who receive “A Disciple’s Commission.”

The First PRINCIPLE is,

            Delegated Authority

            In the opening of our text Jesus called the Twelve together for a meeting. He is sending them out, in groups of two, as His ambassadors, His apostles, to preach the kingdom of God, cast out demons, and heal the sick, according to verse 13. These six pairs would be able to cover more places in Galilee than if they all were together. But they weren’t going to do ministry on their strength! Jesus equips them with what they need.

            Verse 7 says that He gave them power over unclean spirits. The English word, power is translated from the Greek word exousi’a. It is often translated as authority. By giving the disciples authority, Jesus gave them the right to act in His name. He was giving them jurisdiction or control over unclean spirits. Incidentally, the word gave for us is past tense. However, the original word is in the imperfect tense which means that Jesus kept on giving them power throughout the duration of their ministry. His presence and power accompanied them the whole time!

            This same word, exousia, is used in John 1:12, where John states, “But as many as received [Jesus], to them He gave power [authority] to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” Numerous other translations substitute the word “right” for authority. Those who receive Jesus have the legal right to become the sons of God.

            Here, we see the delegated authority principle in those commissioned to proclaim the Gospel. Jesus gave the Twelve the “might and the right” to carry out their commission. This principle still applies today to every disciple of Jesus. We have delegated authority that comes to us by virtue of our relationship with Christ. The power and authority to proclaim the Gospel are not inherent in us; they are something we have received. We must never forget that!

            As Jesus’ disciples, you and I are called to proclaim the kingdom of God. Don’t let the word preach (verse 12), scare you off or make you think you’re exempt from the command. Kerusso means to herald, proclaim, or publish. We can all do that in one way or another. God has given me the tool of media to use in proclamation; He’s most likely given you different tools. But we all work together toward the same goal – making Christ known!

            This authority over demons; is that for us today or is that era past? I believe we have that authority today. The Scripture tells us that Satan is the “…prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the sons of disobedience.” He actively opposes God’s plan and accuses us before the Father. But you and I, through the power of the name of Jesus and the power of His blood, shed on the cross, have access to a power that is greater than any demonic force.

            One of the powerful ways we can help fulfill this commission to proclaim the Gospel is to access the power of prayer. Speaking about the unsaved in Second Corinthians 4:4, Paul says, “…the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

So, you and I can use the delegated authority we have to ask the Father, in the name of Jesus and through the power of His blood, to bind the Satanic forces (the god of this world) and to open the blinded eyes of the unsaved. John says we can confidently overcome these anti-Christ spirits “…because greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world,” I John 4:4. 

            Numerous times in my work at Heralds of Hope, I have felt demonic opposition. Calling on the name of Jesus and the power of His blood and asking Him to rebuke those spirits led to visible results and increased faith. I encourage you to use the delegated authority God has given you in Jesus!

            Today, demonic activity is out in the open! The preoccupation in our culture with immorality and violence proves that Satan is having his way in the lives of many people. Unfortunately, many who profess to follow Jesus are opening themselves to the power of demonic spirits. Their music, the movies they watch, the video games they play, and their entertainment make them vulnerable to the influence of evil. We must understand our authority in Christ and how to deal with these challenges.

            Now, you may ask, “What about the healing of the sick?” Remember, I said at the beginning that we are commanded to do only some things that Jesus and the twelve did. Does that mean the gift of healing is obsolete or nonexistent? By no means! You probably know people who were healed miraculously and instantaneously. To say that any of the gifts given by the Holy Spirit are nonexistent today is putting a limit on God and His purposes. However, we do not see the exercise of this gift of healing nearly as much today as in the beginning of the Gospel age.

            But there is another point I’d like to make here. Look at verse 13. It says that the disciples healed many who were sick. The word healed is therapeu’o. In addition to the idea of curing disease, it means to care for, to wait upon, and to relieve.

            Those words express compassion for the suffering and a willingness to serve them. That kind of compassion is essential to proclaiming the kingdom of God. While you and I may not be able to heal the way the disciples did, we can show compassion for those in need. As we observe the life of Jesus, the alleviation of human suffering accompanied by the proclamation of the Gospel is a powerful force in advancing the kingdom of God. Historically, Christians, motivated by the love of Christ, have built more schools, hospitals, and other humanitarian facilities than any other major religious group.

            In all of this, it is important for us to remember Jesus’ words in John 15:5: “…without me, you can do nothing.” Failure to remember this important principle will lead to pride, arrogance, and spiritual ruin. The first principle of a disciple’s commission is the realization that we serve with delegated authority.

The Second PRINCIPLE is,

            Delineated Simplicity

            To delineate means to describe something in detail. That is just what Jesus did! In verses 8 and 9, He gave the Twelve detailed commands about how to carry out their mission. Those commands present a delineated simplicity.

            First, take nothing for your journey except a staff. Wow! Is that all? That is exactly what Jesus said. So, there would be no confusion, He delineated the specifics.

            Don’t take a bag; in that day they were used for carrying food. Don’t take bread. That makes sense since they weren’t supposed to carry a bag. Don’t carry coins in your money belt. And finally, do not take two coats. The word here is chiton and refers to a close-fitting inner garment. That is the equivalent of leaving your clean underwear at home on a trip. Imagine that!

            What is the point of these specific instructions? I believe Jesus was sending the disciples out like this for a reason. He wanted them to rely on Him and Him only. They were being sent out with His authority. He wanted them to understand that He could protect and provide for their every need. Having no resources to fall back on, they would fully put their faith and trust in Him. We humans often want a fallback position, an out, in case things don’t go how we think they should. Jesus gave the disciples no fallback position except for their lodging.

            These restrictions and the unfolding context of Mark chapter 6 suggest that they had a fairly short time to carry out their mission.

            Are Jesus’s commands to the Twelve still the model for missions? I have only met one or two persons in my lifetime who came anywhere close to following these specific commands, and they seemed to me to be somewhat mentally and spiritually unstable. I’m not saying that someone who does this is crazy; I’m just relating my own experience.

            One significant difference between the setting in Luke 9 and today is hospitality. In biblical culture, hospitality was a requirement! The widow in Zarephath took her last food and gave it to the prophet Elijah. She had no idea God would use her obedience to sustain her and her son, yet she showed hospitality. If you read the Scriptures carefully, you’ll repeatedly see this display of costly, self-sacrificing hospitality. It was this kind of hospitality the disciples were to rely on.

Mark 6:1-6

            I once heard a story about the first automobiles in the rural United States. An older gentleman and his grandsons sat on the porch enjoying a lazy summer afternoon. He was reading a newspaper, and they were watching the swallows dipping and swooping through the humid air.

            Suddenly, a strange sound caught their attention. In the distance, the boys spied a cloud of dust. To their great delight, one of those new-fangled horseless carriages was coming down the road. They jumped up from their seats and began to exclaim, “Grandpa, Grandpa, look, look. Here comes a carriage with no horses pulling it!” Keeping his head buried behind his newspaper, the grandpa said gruffly, “I don’t believe it, I won’t believe it!”

            The grandpa’s response reminds me of the line of a song from my youth: ” There is none so blind as he who will not see.” His refusal to believe wasn’t because of poor eyesight or hearing or a lack of evidence; it was an act of his will. We may smile at his foolishness and unwillingness to accept the truth, but he isn’t alone. Many today do the same thing.

            In the 1990s, Paul Krugman wrote, “The growth of the Internet will slow drastically, as the flaw in “Metcalfe’s law” becomes apparent. By 2005, it will become clear that the Internet’s impact on the economy has been no greater than the fax machines.” That hasn’t aged well!

            However, there is something much more severe than this kind of blindness; it’s blindness to truth as it’s revealed to us in God’s Word and His world. Highly educated and intelligent people who design complex systems and procedures for many applications accept the theory of evolution as valid without question. The evidence for a Creator is right in front of their eyes and under their microscopes every day, but like the old grandpa and the automobile, they close their minds to the evidence and refuse to believe it.

            This rejection of truth is almost as old as the human race. There are countless examples of unbelief in the Old Testament and plenty in the New Testament. One of those examples shows up in our text for today, Mark 6:1-6. Listen as I read that text, and then we’ll look at this example of “Amazing Unbelief.”   

In this text, we see the EFFECTS of unbelief on the lives of those who reject Jesus as Messiah.

The First EFFECT of Unbelief is,

            A Surprising Reaction

            Immediately after the healing of Jairus’ daughter, Jesus leaves Capernaum and returns with His disciples to His hometown. This visit was not meant to be private. Bringing His disciples with Him demonstrated His position as a Rabbi; He had a following. Perhaps Jesus wanted to reassure His family that He valued them and hadn’t lost His rationality as they supposed. Remember, at the end of chapter three, they came to rescue Him from the rigors of His ministry.

            Luke also records a visit by Jesus to His hometown. That visit took place very early in Jesus’ ministry and almost led to His premature death. We have no record of Jesus revisiting Nazareth until this incident in Mark’s Gospel. Despite the rejection He faced there, He most likely wanted the people of His hometown to have a second chance. It was natural for Him to care about them. The setting for both of these incidents was the local synagogue.

            During His visit, the Sabbath arrives, and, as usual, Jesus attends and is asked to teach. I wonder if they forgot what happened previously or if His popularity motivated them to reconsider their conclusions.

            As Jesus began to teach in the synagogue the people were astonished. Later in this text, we’ll see the word amazed. I was curious about the difference of meaning in these two words. To be astonished suggests shock or disbelief. To be amazed is to be filled with wonder, to be awed, in either a positive or negative way.

            The people who heard Jesus teach expressed their shock by saying, “Whence these things to this fellow?” This question was curt and caustic; it was designed to sting! Calling Jesus “this fellow” was a derogatory way to address Him. They didn’t even have the common courtesy to use His name. Today, we’d say, “Who does this guy think he is?” They were skeptical.

            Remember, the town of Nazareth didn’t have a stellar reputation. In John chapter one, when Philip told Nathaniel that they had found the Messiah and that he was from Nazareth, Nathaniel’s retort was, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” That may account for some of the animosity toward Jesus. He was getting the attention that no one else was getting.

            Notice that the people questioned both His wisdom and works. In their minds, He’s one of them, so they can’t figure out how He could be so different from them. They knew Jesus had never studied in the rabbinical schools. Where did He learn to teach like this? And how are such mighty deeds done through His hands? Isn’t He the carpenter, the builder, whose work we’ve seen? Isn’t He the son of Mary? Don’t we know His brothers and sisters?

            Our text refers to Jesus as “the carpenter.” The original is tekton, from which we get our English word, technician. What was probably meant as a slur unintentionally glorified Jesus as the Master Workman. His work-worn hands were strong in overthrowing the tables of the moneychangers in the Temple yet gentle in healing the sick and blessing the children.

The local people knew His family and His trade and discounted what they now saw with their eyes and heard with their ears. Their unbelief obscured what should have been obvious. He was no ordinary Nazarene. Their astonishing unbelief blinded their hearts and minds.

            Some of us have “grown up” with Jesus. We think we know Him; we have a box for Him, just like in our text. We have a set of assumptions about how He should work in different situations. However, He does things we need help understanding. He does things outside the box we created. We need clarification and find it hard to reconcile our perceptions of Him with His works. At this point, some people give up and walk away. Others become openly antagonistic.

He shows His power more openly in other places than with us. He heals and saves people we think are beyond saving. He surprises us. His teaching makes us uncomfortable as He exposes our prejudices and our pride. When He does this, we have a choice, just as the people of Nazareth. They chose unbelief; what will we choose?

Their surprising reaction demonstrates the first effect of their unbelief.

The Next EFFECT of Unbelief is,

            A Scandalous Rejection

            Do you wonder at the word scandalous? Look at the end of verse three. It says, “And they were offended at Him.” The English word offended is translated from the original word, skandalizo. That’s where we get our word: scandalous. It means to ensnare or trap like a wild animal. According to Thayer’s Greek lexicon, it means “to see in another what I disapprove of and what hinders me from acknowledging his authority.” 

Jesus’ fellow villagers were bound by their prejudices and failure to appreciate who He was. Perhaps they were trapped by their low self-esteem. After all, Nazareth didn’t have a good reputation. Ridiculing those who rise above their circumstances is often an attempt at self-protection. In their anger and resentment, they could only see Him as one of them, so they rejected Him. They may have considered Him lower than them. Calling Him “the son of Mary” could be a veiled reference to what they saw as His illegitimate birth.

Jesus responds to them with a well-known proverb: “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his relatives, and in his own house.” Today, we have a saying with a similar meaning: ” Familiarity breeds contempt.” He drew great crowds all over the region and was proclaimed and honored as a prophet, but not at home.

In this proverb, Jesus used a progression of social circles to make His point. He moved from the wider to the narrower. The lack of honor was first demonstrated by His countrymen (sad), then among His relatives (sadder), and finally, in His immediate family (saddest).  

So, Jesus makes a definite claim to be a prophet! We know He was a prophet and much more than that. He is the Messiah, the Son of Man, the Son of God, Emmanuel. Jesus said in Matthew 10:41, “Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward…” The reverse is implied; those who do not welcome Him will face judgment.

In his first epistle, Peter wrote, “Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense (skandalizo).” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.”

The people in Jesus’ town didn’t like His message, so they did what many people do today when they hear the truth they don’t like – they attacked the messenger. They tried to demean and besmirch His character. His holiness and purity made them look bad in their own eyes and the eyes of their peers. People are no different today.  

Do your preconceived ideas about Jesus trap you? Do you feel like you’re not worthy of His love and attention? There’s a sense in which that’s true. None of us are worthy! We’re all sinners, and we deserve death. When we don’t feel worthy, it’s easy to transfer those feelings onto others. However, Jesus considered us worthy enough of His love, and He was willing to give His life on the cross for our redemption. That’s amazing, love!

Don’t be offended by Jesus because He makes you feel uncomfortable. Don’t allow yourself to be trapped by your preconceived ideas about Him. Don’t attack the messenger because you don’t like the message. Instead, come to Him in humility, acknowledge your need, and He will do mighty work for you.

The surprising reaction and the scandalous rejection demonstrate the effects of unbelief.   

The Final EFFECT of Unbelief is,

            A Suppressed Result

            It’s easy for us to miss the pathos in the statement of verse 5. “Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.” What a disappointment that must have been to Jesus. These were His people. I’m sure there were many needy people in Nazareth, just like everywhere else. However, they missed out on the life-transforming power of Jesus because of their unbelief.

            Jesus had the power to perform miracles in his hometown. But there was no reason for Him to do so because the miracles were designed to authenticate His message and reveal Him as Lord and Messiah. Because the people of Nazareth were settled in their rejection of Him in those roles, miracles were not necessary.

            Only two times in the New Testament is Jesus said to be “amazed.” One was positive, and the other negative. In Luke 7, He was surprised by the faith of the Roman centurion who said, “Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” Here, He is amazed by the unbelief of His fellow Nazarenes. He is stunned by the lack of faith in a people and place where He had the right to expect it. The Hebrew Scriptures identified this suffering servant, this savior, who would come and fulfill the Messianic prophecies.

            Jesus’ decision to limit His work in Nazareth has an element of mercy. If he had done mighty works there, it would have only increased the depth of their unbelief and resulted in more significant judgment. Jesus singled out the towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for harsher judgment than other places because of the mighty works done in those unrepentant cities. He said Sodom and Gomorrah would fare better in the final judgment than those who witnessed His ministry and still reject Him.

            However, there is also the element of judgment in Jesus’ decision. The purpose of miracles was never to entertain the hardhearted. Instead, it was to move those open to the Gospel toward saving faith. His miracles were of no spiritual benefit to the unbelieving, and He had no interest in indulging ungodly curiosity.

            The deep-rooted faithlessness and open hostility He encountered in Nazareth jarred Jesus. For all of His earthly life, He had been the most amazing person they had ever met. They didn’t know why He was so different, but surely, they could not have missed the evidence of His divine perfection. How could those who said they knew Him so well stubbornly refuse to acknowledge the only reasonable explanation for His unique position as the Son of God? Theirs was an amazing unbelief.

            What effects does the life and ministry of Jesus have on you? Do you believe He is who He says He is, the Son of God? Or is He just a good teacher or a prophet to you? Do you treat Him with the respect and honor He deserves? Does He surprise you with the people He ministers to and the places where He goes? We didn’t grow up with Him like the people in Nazareth, but many of us have known about Him from our earliest recollections. We must be careful not to allow our familiarity with Him to lead to contempt.

            Does Jesus’ message offend you? Does His presence make you feel uncomfortable? Why? Are you disappointed when He doesn’t stay inside the box you’ve created for Him? Do you not like His message, so you attack the character of the messenger? The solution to these problems isn’t to reject Him. Instead, open your heart to Him. Confess that you don’t understand Him and ask Him to show you how He wants you to live.

            You won’t experience His miraculous power if you refuse to exercise faith. You’ll have access to the things He gives freely to everyone: the sunshine, the rain, the seasons, and the other laws of nature. However, you won’t know the life-changing power of His love and mercy. If you want to experience all the good things that Jesus has for you, there is a requirement. That requirement is faith.

            The writer of Hebrews stated it this way: “But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.” Don’t let amazing unbelief rob you of the rewards God wants to give to you!

Don’t Be Afraid, Just Believe

Mark 5:21-43 

              Charlotte Elliott was a sickly English woman who developed a long history of refusing to do things she was asked to do because of her illness. Her brother was a pastor, and he was particularly persistent in trying to get her to do something positive. But Charlotte always refused. She’d say things like; “I’m not feeling up to it; I’m an invalid, you know; I just don’t think I can.”

              Charlotte’s brother was trying to raise funds for a school for young women. Once more he asked Charlotte to help … just to go to the event and do something, anything. But again, she refused; she was too tired and too sick. And so, the family went off and left her home alone.

              That night, Charlotte began to think about how her sickness was taking over her life. She began to feel ashamed because she would not risk anything for the Kingdom. She realized that that her illness had become the most important thing, maybe the only thing, in her life. And that night Charlotte heard the call of God.

              Out of her restlessness, out of her self-disgust, she wrote, “Just as I am, without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me, and that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come. Just as I am, and waiting not… just as I am, with many a conflict, many a doubt. Yes, just as I am, poor, wretched, blind… just as I am, I come.” Yes Lord, I’m a mess, but I’m coming.

              In her extremity, Charlotte Elliott was learning a very valuable lesson; that brokenness and the exercise of faith are crucial steps on the way to wholeness.

              As we resume our study in Mark’s Gospel, we come to the account of Jairus’ daughter being raised from death to life and the healing of the woman who had a chronic hemorrhage. There are valuable lessons about faith and fear we can learn as we meditate on this Scripture. From the last several scenes in Mark’s Gospel we’ve seen these themes of fear and faith in Jesus’ control over nature, over demons, and now, over sickness and death. 

              Listen carefully now as I read Mark 5:21 to 43.

              In this text the comparison of faith and fear is clearly illustrated. As we examine these illustrations, we will better understand Jesus’ words, “Don’t be Afraid, Just Believe.” 

The First ILLUSTRATION (of the comparison between faith and fear) is,

              A Devoted Father

              Mark and Luke identify Jairus (JY-RUS) as a ruler of the synagogue. His position surely would have acquainted him with Jesus. The Gospel records tell us that Jesus taught in many of the synagogues of Galilee. Jesus may have spoken more than once in the very synagogue where Jairus was the leader.

              Jairus filled an honorable position. He was most likely prosperous and well respected in the community. But not everything about his life was ideal. Luke implies that his “only daughter” was his only child. Mark adds the endearing term, “little.” For a Jewish man to have no sons was a great misfortune. This misfortune may have made his daughter more precious to him.

              So, his precious little girl is struck with illness and, according to verse 23, her life was slipping away. She was dying. Jairus sought out Jesus as his only hope. Jesus had returned to the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, and as was usual, a dense crowd gathered around Jesus. Jairus had to push his way through that crowd to get to Jesus. This is his first visible expression of faith; he believed Jesus could help.

              Notice Jairus’ attitude and his request. He came to Jesus and fell down at His feet. This is an act of worship, of surrender. It is an act of acknowledging one’s inferiority in the presence of one who is superior. This is highly unusual from a religious leader among the Jews. As he prostrates himself before Jesus, he begs Him to come to his house and heal his daughter. He must have heard many reports of the miracles Jesus had performed for others, perhaps he even saw some of them. But now his need is personal.

              I said earlier that brokenness and the exercise of faith are crucial steps on the way to wholeness. Think about how Jairus could have responded. He could have been angry and resentful that God would allow his daughter to suffer. After all, wasn’t he the leader of the synagogue and a righteous man? What had he done to deserve something like this? It is a question people still ask today. Maybe you’ve asked it.

              The common thinking of the day was that sickness was directly related to personal sin. Jesus himself had to disabuse the disciples of that notion more than once.

              By virtue of his position and wealth, Jairus could have summoned the best physician in the area. But the practice of medicine in that time was not very far advanced and its value was somewhat questionable. Plus, we learned that this little girl’s life was slipping away rapidly. She needed help and she needed it NOW! So, in response to Jairus’ request, Jesus immediately turns His footsteps toward Jairus’ house.

              The response of Jairus is an illustration of faith that eventually brings wholeness. As we follow the narrative, we see fear enter the picture and his faith begins to waver.

              As Jesus heads toward Jairus’ house, verse 24, He is thronged by the multitude. They were pressing in on every side. The crowd was so dense that it was hard for Jesus to move, even to breathe! That detail leads us to the next illustration of the relationship of faith and fear.

The Next ILLUSTRATION is,

              A Desperate Woman

              A simple reading of the text reveals to us a woman who has a great physical need. She has battled a chronic hemorrhage for 12 long years. Her attempts to find a cure have been fruitless. She has spent all her resources on doctors and none of them can heal her. That alone could have brought her to the point of desperation. Mark tells us that not only did she not get better, but she only got worse!

              But there is more to this picture. According to the Levitical law, her constant discharge made her unclean. She could not live a normal life. One of the interesting contrasts in this whole account is between the two principle characters. The one was the leader of the synagogue; a holy, righteous man. The other was this woman who, in her current condition, could never enter that place of worship and fellowship because of her uncleanness.

              She could not live in a house with family or other people because everything she touched or used in daily life became unclean. Through no fault of her own, as far as we can tell, she was relegated to a life of suffering: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Ostracized from the community. But she too, had heard of Jesus and His miracles and she was in the crowd that day.

              Matthew and Mark tell us she believed that if she could only touch Jesus’ garments she would be healed. And in the crowd, she saw her chance. Her plan was a desperate one. She really should not have been in that crowd. I can only imagine her fear at being discovered. If she were found out, she would certainly have been subjected to shame and ridicule. But her faith in Jesus’ power to heal her overcame her fear and propelled her forward in that crowd.

              From the confines of that densely packed crowd, she reaches out and touches the border of Jesus’ garment. And immediately her hemorrhaging stopped! Her faith had healed her.

              What she did was unnoticed by the crowd, but not by Jesus. He immediately asked, “Who touched my clothes?” In response, the disciples spoke up. “Master, the crowd is so dense around you, how can you ask, “Who touched me?” Here, Mark uses the same word that he used back in verse 24 to describe the density of the crowd. In that jostling crowd He was rubbing shoulders with people constantly.

              But Jesus knew this woman’s touch was different. He knew that power had been released through Him. It wasn’t that someone had bumped into Jesus or jostled Him in the crowd. The wording of the original tells us that the touch and the flow of power occurred simultaneously. Jesus knew that the touch was intentional, and He knew who touched Him! He stopped and looked over the crowd to identify the one who had touched Him.

              When the woman realized that Jesus knew, she came forward, trembling in fear, and fell at His feet. And then she did something very courageous. In front of that whole multitude, she humbled herself and stated plainly the reason why she had touched Jesus and how she was instantly healed. What would the crowd say, what would they do to her for her impudence?  

              But I believe her healing was not complete until Jesus uttered the words of verse 34. Oh, her body was healed, her bleeding had stopped; but like you and me, she was more than body, she was soul and spirit too. And Jesus wanted her to be completely healed – physically, spiritually, and emotionally. So, He said, “Daughter, your faith has made you whole; go into peace and be healed of your affliction.” I believe that if she had been able to slink away in the crowd without being confronted by Jesus she would have missed out on this wholeness. But Jesus pronounced His blessing on her – “go into peace.”

              This woman pushed past her fear, believed in the power of Jesus, and was rewarded with complete healing.

The Final ILLUSTRATION is,

              A Doubting Father

              While Jesus is still speaking to the woman, someone from Jairus’ house came and whispered to him, “Your daughter is now dead. Do not disturb the Master anymore.” Imagine the impact of those words. His hopes, so high at finding Jesus so quickly, are now dashed. Imagine his thoughts. It’s too late! If only the crowd wouldn’t have been so dense, and Jesus could have moved faster; if only the delay caused by the woman could have been avoided. If only, if only…

              But Jesus overheard the messenger, and He speaks to Jairus words of comfort. “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she shall be made whole.”Here again is the contrast of faith and fear. In spite of what now seems to be a hopeless situation, Jesus invites Jairus to exercise faith in Him. “Just trust me and your daughter will be completely restored.” Even as Jairus’ faith wavers he continues on with Jesus toward the house.

              That Jairus’ faith was weak is evidenced by his passivity in the face of this message from home. And when he got home, he did nothing to interfere with the mourners, nor did he come to Jesus’ defense when that same group scornfully ridiculed Him. It seems that his fear paralyzed him. In his mind, all was lost; his little daughter was dead.

              A significant amount of time must have passed from the time Jairus left home until he finally returned with Jesus. When he left, his daughter was evidently close to death, and now already the house was filled with relatives, hired mourners, and musicians. Whether Jesus delayed intentionally, as He did in the case of Lazarus, we do not know. What we do know is that whatever He does, it is done for a purpose.

              As they arrive at the crowded house, Jesus, the girl’s father and mother, and Jesus inner circle are the only ones permitted to enter with Him. In the midst of this grieving, weeping crowd, Jesus offers the mourners the opportunity to exercise faith. “Why are you weeping; she is not dead but is sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him scornfully. Anyone could see that the girl was dead. As I see it, there is a positive aspect of their scorn. It assures us that the young girl was not sleeping as we understand it, but truly dead.

              Putting everyone else outside the room where the girl was lying (except for the three disciples and the parents), Jesus took her by the hand and said, “Little girl, arise.” At His command her spirit returned to her body, and she got up from the bed where she had been lying.

              Presenting the girl to her astonished parents He told them to give her something to eat – and forbade them to tell anyone else what happened in that inner room. This command seems so absurd – how could this news be kept silent? But Jesus knew the hearts of people; they may have immediately proclaimed Him the Messiah. That could not happen without the Cross.

              What about you? Have you discovered the freedom that comes from replacing fear with faith? No, not faith in yourself or faith in your faith. True faith begins with your acceptance of Christ’s sacrifice as the only adequate payment for your sin. That’s the first step of faith – agreeing with God about your sin and His singular provision for your salvation. Without that first step you’ll never be whole, and you’ll never be free from fear.

              Have you realized the hand of God in your life and your circumstances? Maybe you entered a difficult period of life with great faith in the power of Jesus to change your situation. But like Jairus, it’s not turning out the way you expected. Are you beginning to doubt God’s promises and question His love for you? Are you fearful of the future?

              Jesus knew the delay in visiting Jairus’ house would result in the girl’s death; but for Jesus, raising her from her deathbed was just as easy as raising her from her sickbed. And Jesus knows what will bring the most glory to Him through your situation. Jesus’ desire for you and me is complete wholeness. That will not happen fully until we are in His eternal presence, but surely, we can have a foretaste of it here if we will trust and obey Him. Jesus can make you and me whole even if the situation we’re in isn’t resolved in the way we prefer.

              So let me urge you today, whatever situation you find yourself in, to surrender to the loving hands of Jesus and accept His invitation, “Don’t be afraid, just believe.”  

Going to the Dark Side: Part 2

Mark 5:1-20

At the insistence of the demons, Jesus permitted them. By His power, Jesus could have sent them anywhere, even back to the abyss. That fact that He didn’t do that tells us He had a larger purpose to fulfill in this interaction with the demons and the residents. John MacArthur wrote, “By granting permission for these demons to go into the herd of pigs, Jesus was allowing them to put on display the true magnitude of their destructive and deadly force. In so doing, He also highlighted the glorious superiority of His own power.” [1]

              What happened next stunned the bystanders! The entire herd of 2,000 pigs went berserk and stampeded down a steep slope and into the Sea of Galilee to their deaths. This was undeniable proof that the demons had left the man and entered the pigs. It also illustrated the damaging power of the demons on a massive scale. Most importantly, it demonstrated Jesus’ absolute authority over them. They had no choice by to comply with His sovereign command!

              We have many warnings in Scripture that evil will increase as we approach the end of the age. Jesus and the apostles spoke about how evil behaviors will “come out of the closet” and into the mainstream of culture as Satan realizes that his time for deception is growing short. I have witnessed this in my short lifetime.

              For those who follow Christ, confronting evil in society today is much more costly than in the past. But we must not shrink in fear. Instead, we need to “put on the full armor of God so we can stand against the devil’s schemes.” We are not struggling against human beings, but against spiritual forces of evil in this world of darkness working through human beings. We must not retreat in the face of opposition but go boldly forward to confront evil in our time.

              Going to the dark side requires us to cross barriers and confront evil.

Another STEP (in going to the dark side) is,

              Choosing Sides

              Not all demonstrations of Jesus’ power are as dramatic as this one. But one thing is sure; when Jesus shows up you can’t be neutral. You can either accept Him or reject Him, but you can’t ignore Him!

              Those who cared for the pigs and witnessed their dramatic destruction didn’t wait around to see what would happen next. They took to their heels in fear and told everyone they saw about what had happened to the herd of pigs. The text isn’t clear about whether they had seen the transformation in the former demoniac. The news spread like wildfire across the whole region. When people heard about what happened they wanted to see it with their own eyes.

              So, they came to see if what they’d been told was true. And sure enough, the pigs were floating in the water. Even more astounding was the man who had been possessed by many demons sitting with Jesus. He was fully clothed, and his mind was completely restored. He and Jesus were conversing together. And they were afraid. This was the same kind of fear the disciples experienced after Jesus stilled the storm on the Sea of Galilee. It was the realization that they were in the presence of the Holy One.  

              Imagine those who had witnessed these dramatic events retelling them to the curious crowd that had gathered. I see them imitating the behavior of the demoniac, the calm composure of Jesus, and the violent reaction of the herd of pigs. I picture them pointing to the bodies of all those dead pigs floating in the water. It was almost more than one could comprehend.

              And the response? The people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. Why? Was it the loss of the 2,000 pigs? Possibly. This would have been a major shock to the local economy. Those pigs could still be butchered, and the meat used, although it may have glutted the market and caused the price to fall.

              Were these people content to remain in the kingdom of darkness to protect their possessions and the things that were familiar to them? Were they more concerned about their livelihood than the deliverance of this tormented man? Or were they bothered by the fact that they had witnessed a demonstration of power that left them feeling very uncomfortable?

              Remember what I said earlier? “When Jesus shows up you can’t be neutral. You can either accept Him or reject Him, but you can’t ignore Him!”

              Jesus warned His followers it would be this way. In Luke 12:51 to 53 Jesus said, “Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

               These people decided they didn’t want Jesus in their community. You can make the same decision today; you have that freedom. But you can’t choose the consequences of your choice. They are built into your decision.

              Just like the people of Gadara, the behavior of most unbelievers today isn’t as extreme as the demoniac. But regardless of their behavior, every human being is a sinner. I suppose there were lots of “good people” in that community, people who took pride in their culture, their heritage, and their citizenship. But when they rejected Jesus, they chose the temporary over the eternal. Jesus wanted to give them freedom from sin just like He had given to the demoniac.

              Going to the dark side requires us to cross barriers and confront evil. It also requires us to choose sides. Today, you have the opportunity to choose sides. Which side will you choose?

The Final STEP (in going to the dark side) is,

              Commissioning Witnesses

              In response to the request of the crowd there on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus prepares to leave the area. As He is getting into the boat, the formerly demon-possessed man keeps begging Him, “Let me go with you.” We can surely sympathize with his desire. Jesus had delivered him from a life of misery and degradation. Gone was the constant torment of a deranged mind and the pain of his mutilated body. In many ways, his existence was worse than that of an animal. Out of gratitude, he was ready to follow Jesus anywhere.

              But Jesus denied this man’s pleading. Instead, He said to him, “Go to your home, to your own people, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and that He had mercy on you.” Maybe that seems harsh to us. Shouldn’t he have had the opportunity to be with Jesus for a while to grow in his faith and understanding? How was he going to survive as the only Believer in this pagan community?

              We can take comfort in the fact that Jesus knows all things. He knew this man and how he would respond to Jesus’ command. Jesus gave him the hardest assignment possible – go home to your family and friends and be My witness there. That was his commission.

              So, the man went off as Jesus commanded. He shared his story throughout that whole region of Decapolis, telling anyone and everyone who would listen to all that Jesus had done for him. What happened after that? We don’t know, that’s the end of the story for us.

              But we can be assured of at least two things. First, this promise was given by God to the prophet Isaiah. “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there,
but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void (empty), but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Everyone who heard his story was amazed, and I’m sure some of them were transformed too.

              Second, we can also be assured that as this man recounted the story of his miraculous deliverance over and over again, his love for Jesus and his gratefulness for His mercy grew deeper and deeper. Jesus said, “To whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” The reverse is just as true. The one who is forgiven much, the same loves much.

              The challenge many of us face is to realize just how much we’ve been forgiven. We tend, like the crowds there on the seashore that day, to compare ourselves to others whom we consider the worst of sinners. We’re not nearly as bad as the demoniac! We see our behavior as respectable, and we don’t engage in many of the sinful practices that are prevalent all around us.

              But when we open our hearts before the holy presence of Jesus, we gain a deeper understanding of our own depravity. Our pride, our self-righteousness, our refusal to forgive others, our bitterness toward those who have wronged us, our insistence on our rights, and a host of other things show us just how much we need the mercy and grace of Jesus. Jesus came over to the dark side to save you and me too.

              You will recall that some of Jesus’ final instructions to the disciples just before His ascension to Heaven were – “But you shall receive power… and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Jesus’ command to them was similar to the command He gave the former demoniac; your witness begins at home.  

              And Jesus has given you and me that same commission. Maybe you think your story isn’t dramatic or compelling. Not many people have a story like the demoniac. But every born-again child of God has a redemption story to tell.

              You and I can testify of the peace we have in our hearts knowing that our sins are forgiven. We can tell others how God has given us a purpose for living that goes beyond ourselves and beyond our time here on earth. We can share with them how He has given us victory over habits that are harmful to our bodies and our relationships with other people. And the list goes on. In all of this, we need to assure them that these things are true, not because we’re good people, but because Jesus has set us free from the power of sin.

              Going to the dark side isn’t easy and it isn’t comfortable, but Jesus hasn’t called us to an easy and comfortable life. He has called us to cross the barriers, to go places we don’t want to go. He has given us the power through His Holy Spirit to confront evil and to call people to choose which side they will be on. And He has commissioned us as His witnesses; first at home and then into the wider world.

              All the while, we must remember, that Jesus left the glorious light and glory of Heaven to come over to the dark side to rescue us. May God give us the courage to follow His example.

[1] MacArthur, John New Testament Commentary p. 246

Going to the Dark Side: Part 1

Mark 5:1-20

              What was the purpose of Jesus’ coming to earth? Hint: there’s more than one right answer. In First John 3:8, John answers this question very clearly. In this context, John is writing about the relationship between sin and the child of God. He wrote, “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”

              So, the Son of God was revealed so that He might destroy the works of Satan. It seems that John is simply reminding us of what God promised Eve in Genesis 3:15. “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” Some versions read that the seed of the woman, Jesus, will “crush” the head of the serpent.

              In the Gospels, we see Jesus doing this very thing. Before He began His public ministry He endured a time of temptation in the wilderness. There, Jesus convincingly demonstrated His power over Satan, specifically, by using the written Word of God. In Mark chapter one, on the Sabbath and in the synagogue, Jesus delivers a man from a demonic spirit showing His mastery over the powers of darkness.

              That brings us to our text for this study, Mark 5:1 to 20. Matthew and Luke also record the details of this amazing event. In the biblical record, not since God cast Satan and his angels out of heaven, have so many demons been simultaneously displaced by one divine command!  

              But before we get to our text, let’s consider the larger context. What was happening just before the events of this chapter? In Mark chapter 4, Jesus was teaching His disciples about the characteristics of the kingdom of God. He compared it to the mystery of a growing plant. The farmer plants the seed, but he can’t make it grow nor can he fully explain how it grows. Furthermore, He implied that the kingdom would start as a very small seed, yet it would grow into a large tree so the birds could come and nest in its shade.

              Then, at the very end of chapter four, we have the account of Jesus sleeping during a wild storm on the Sea of Galilee. He was exhausted from a couple of days of nonstop ministry. They had been so busy that they didn’t even have time to eat! So, immediately, after they leave the crowds behind, He falls asleep in the stern of the boat. When the violent storm erupts, He keeps right on sleeping.

              The disciples are struggling to control the ship and their fear is growing. They are facing the reality that this voyage isn’t going to end well, so they awaken Jesus with a cry of despair; “Don’t you care that we are perishing?” Jesus miraculously stills the wind and the waves and then the disciples are even more terrified. “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

              That question is left hanging, as it were, in the air. In their understanding, only God, the creator of earth and sea can control such things. And that brings us to our text, Mark 5:1 to 20. Listen to Mark’s record of these amazing events.   

              If the disciples were out of their comfort zone during the storm and with Jesus’ response to the storm, the narrative we just read must have compounded their uneasiness. The unpredictability of nature is one thing, the darkness of the demonic world is quite another! I’ve titled my teaching, “Going to the Dark Side.”

              This incident shows us the STEPS we must be willing to take in going to the dark side.

The First STEP (in going to the dark side) is,

              Crossing Barriers

              Jesus’ teaching about the kingdom of God in chapter three implied that it wouldn’t be restricted to the Jewish people. This was consistent with Old Testament teaching that saw God’s concern for all peoples and nations, but those who lived in Jesus’ day were convinced that “salvation is of the Jews.” They were God’s chosen people. That was and is true. Yet here is Jesus purposely crossing the Sea of Galilee to Gadara, a place largely inhabited by non-Jews. Do you think the disciples would have set out on this journey if they had known what would happen?

              Gadara was one of the cities of the Decapolis. This area on the eastern shore of the lake was populated by pagans and was a place the Jews avoided lest they become “unclean.” It was an “other side of the tracks” kind of place. The Greek inhabitants of the area were never on good terms with the Jews, and the herd of pigs we read about may indicate their contempt for what they saw as Jewish prejudice. But Jesus had intentionally set sail with His disciples for this place!

              The text says that, after the storm was stilled, they went to the other side of the lake. Was it still nighttime when they arrived? If so, that adds to the eerie surroundings of these events and the theme of darkness. Was the storm a metaphor for the chaos that existed in the life of the demoniac? Was the storm an attempt by Satan to dissuade Jesus from His ministry in Gadara? I don’t have a definite answer to those questions, but they are worth considering.  

              I see some similarities with Jonah’s experience. He was sent to preach deliverance to a group of people whom he despised! Satan didn’t want the Ninevites to experience the love and mercy of God and neither did Jonah. He chose to disobey God (that’s listening to Satan) and run the other way! In his case, God sent the storm to convince His reluctant prophet that obedience was the best path to follow.

              What causes barriers between people in the first place? Isn’t it often fear? We fear what we don’t understand. So, if people are different in their religion, culture, or practices, we tend to avoid contact with them. We know they’re in spiritual darkness and need to hear about Jesus, but we fear that they may misunderstand our motives and react negatively to us.

              What’s on the other side of your sea of Galilee? Are there areas in your community that you consider “the dark side?” Are there people you avoid so you don’t become contaminated by sin? Is Satan putting roadblocks in your way to keep you from reaching out to people who make you uncomfortable? These questions are valid and deserve fair consideration.

              So, Jesus took the first step in going to the dark side; He crossed to the eastern shore of Galilee, a place largely inhabited by people living in spiritual darkness.

Another STEP (in going to the dark side) is,

              Confronting Evil

              Some resource material I read suggested that Jesus was the only one who got out of the boat when it landed on the shore of Gadara. It’s possible but given the length of time it takes for these scenes to unfold, I’m not so sure about that. However, it would fit with the disciples’ concern about being contaminated by association with pagans.

              I mentioned in my previous teaching from the end of Mark chapter four that the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee was less populous than the west side. After several days of intense ministry, I’m sure the disciples were looking forward to some respite from the crowds. But I also mentioned that Jesus had a divine appointment at the end of this voyage. So, the rest they were longing for wasn’t going to happen.

              As Jesus steps out of the boat onto the shore, He is immediately met by a raging lunatic, a man possessed by demons. We can only imagine his frightening appearance.

              He didn’t live in a house like a normal person. Instead, he lived in the tombs. Close to the place where Jesus and the disciples had come ashore, there were tombs carved into the rocky hillside. This was the normal practice for the burial of the dead at that time, but it wasn’t normal for people to live in them. These places were considered unclean, and people usually avoided them. That assured this man was, for the most part, left alone. But not totally.

              He must have been a terror to the community because the residents, according to verse four, had often bound him hand and foot with shackles and chains. But he pulled the chains apart and broke the shackles in pieces. Perhaps there were broken fragments of those previous attempts to bind him lying on the ground as this scene unfolds.

              No one was strong enough to successfully restrain him, and they certainly couldn’t tame him. I’m sure this man was somewhat of a legend, known far and wide across Decapolis and the people avoided him as much as they could.

              Not only did he live in the tombs, but he also practiced self-mutilation. Night and day he roamed the mountains and the tombs, shrieking hideously and gashing himself with sharp stones. I imagine his body was covered with oozing wounds and many scars from previous bouts of demonic frenzy.

              Biblically, these kinds of behaviors are always associated with idol worship and the demonic world. Even today in Shia Islam there is a holiday of Ashura (Ash-or-ah) where devotees flagellate themselves in demonic frenzy until the blood flows freely. The widespread practices of tattooing, piercing, cutting, sadomasochism, transgenderism, and more in our day are all evidence of the powers of darkness! They strike at the heart of what and who God created us to be. The goal of demon possession is to distort and destroy the image of God in mankind.

It causes me sadness and a great disappointment to see professing Christ-followers practice tattooing, piercing, and mutilation of their bodies. These things should have no place among the people of God. If they were done before a person’s new birth in Christ, that’s different. I’ve met people who, after they were converted, regretted practicing some of these things. If you’re engaged in this kind of behavior, Jesus died for your forgiveness and deliverance, and you are not beyond the reach of His grace. He wants to redeem, save, and restore you!

              When Jesus stepped out of the boat, this demoniac saw Him from a distance and came running toward Him. How would you have felt in that situation? I imagine this naked, yelling maniac must have tested the newly recovered confidence of Jesus’ disciples. As I said earlier, one step in going to the dark side is confronting evil. That isn’t going to be easy and most likely it won’t be pleasant either.

              Was the man going to attack Jesus? What was he planning to do? Imagine their surprise when he falls prostrate before Jesus! Even as he falls at Jesus’ feet he is crying out in terror, “What do you have to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you will not torture me!” Here is a graphic example of what James tells us in his letter; “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” Demons get uncontrolled shivers when confronted by Jesus. They recognize they are powerless before Him.  

              Why was this man crying out like this? Verse eight tells us. It was because Jesus had been repeatedly commanding the demons to come out of him. So, the two actions were occurring simultaneously. Jesus’ repeated commands for exorcism were frightening the demons and causing their frenzied reactions. It was a scene the disciples wouldn’t soon forget!

              Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” His reply was, “Legion” because he was possessed by many demons. At the time, a Roman legion was comprised of up to 6,000 soldiers! I don’t necessarily think that means this man had 6,000 demons, but it meant there were many of them. I believe we can safely assume at least 2,000 because that’s how many pigs died as a result of this exchange.

              The goal of the Roman legions was to enforce the will of the Emperor; his word was law. You disobeyed at the risk of your life! The goal of these evil spirits was to carry out the devil’s will of bringing pain, destruction, and chaos into the life of this man. For them to fail in their mission and be sent prematurely to the abyss would incur Satan’s wrath.

              Even though demons are spirit beings it seems they’re uncomfortable being disembodied. Why else would they ask Jesus to let them go into the pigs? Their horror at being sent to the abyss prematurely caused their frenzied request. Perhaps they thought they could temporarily inhabit the pigs until Jesus left and then find new hosts in this pagan community.

              Jesus warned us about this possibility in Luke 11:24 to 26. “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”

              This request also tells me that Satan and his demons are not omniscient, that is, they don’t know everything. Would they have kept begging Jesus to send them into the pigs if they had known the pigs would all drown in the sea? I don’t think so because they ended up being without a body to host them.

——————————————— Part 2

              At the insistence of the demons, Jesus permitted them. By His power, Jesus could have sent them anywhere, even back to the abyss. That fact that He didn’t do that tells us He had a larger purpose to fulfill in this interaction with the demons and the residents. John MacArthur wrote, “By granting permission for these demons to go into the herd of pigs, Jesus was allowing them to put on display the true magnitude of their destructive and deadly force. In so doing, He also highlighted the glorious superiority of His own power.” [1]

              What happened next stunned the bystanders! The entire herd of 2,000 pigs went berserk and stampeded down a steep slope and into the Sea of Galilee to their deaths. This was undeniable proof that the demons had left the man and entered the pigs. It also illustrated the damaging power of the demons on a massive scale. Most importantly, it demonstrated Jesus’ absolute authority over them. They had no choice by to comply with His sovereign command!

              We have many warnings in Scripture that evil will increase as we approach the end of the age. Jesus and the apostles spoke about how evil behaviors will “come out of the closet” and into the mainstream of culture as Satan realizes that his time for deception is growing short. I have witnessed this in my short lifetime.

              For those who follow Christ, confronting evil in society today is much more costly than in the past. But we must not shrink in fear. Instead, we need to “put on the full armor of God so we can stand against the devil’s schemes.” We are not struggling against human beings, but against spiritual forces of evil in this world of darkness working through human beings. We must not retreat in the face of opposition but go boldly forward to confront evil in our time.

              Going to the dark side requires us to cross barriers and confront evil.

Another STEP (in going to the dark side) is,

              Choosing Sides

              Not all demonstrations of Jesus’ power are as dramatic as this one. But one thing is sure; when Jesus shows up you can’t be neutral. You can either accept Him or reject Him, but you can’t ignore Him!

              Those who cared for the pigs and witnessed their dramatic destruction didn’t wait around to see what would happen next. They took to their heels in fear and told everyone they saw about what had happened to the herd of pigs. The text isn’t clear about whether they had seen the transformation in the former demoniac. The news spread like wildfire across the whole region. When people heard about what happened they wanted to see it with their own eyes.

              So, they came to see if what they’d been told was true. And sure enough, the pigs were floating in the water. Even more astounding was the man who had been possessed by many demons sitting with Jesus. He was fully clothed, and his mind was completely restored. He and Jesus were conversing together. And they were afraid. This was the same kind of fear the disciples experienced after Jesus stilled the storm on the Sea of Galilee. It was the realization that they were in the presence of the Holy One.  

              Imagine those who had witnessed these dramatic events retelling them to the curious crowd that had gathered. I see them imitating the behavior of the demoniac, the calm composure of Jesus, and the violent reaction of the herd of pigs. I picture them pointing to the bodies of all those dead pigs floating in the water. It was almost more than one could comprehend.

              And the response? The people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. Why? Was it the loss of the 2,000 pigs? Possibly. This would have been a major shock to the local economy. Those pigs could still be butchered, and the meat used, although it may have glutted the market and caused the price to fall.

              Were these people content to remain in the kingdom of darkness to protect their possessions and the things that were familiar to them? Were they more concerned about their livelihood than the deliverance of this tormented man? Or were they bothered by the fact that they had witnessed a demonstration of power that left them feeling very uncomfortable?

              Remember what I said earlier? “When Jesus shows up you can’t be neutral. You can either accept Him or reject Him, but you can’t ignore Him!”

              Jesus warned His followers it would be this way. In Luke 12:51 to 53 Jesus said, “Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

               These people decided they didn’t want Jesus in their community. You can make the same decision today; you have that freedom. But you can’t choose the consequences of your choice. They are built into your decision.

              Just like the people of Gadara, the behavior of most unbelievers today isn’t as extreme as the demoniac. But regardless of their behavior, every human being is a sinner. I suppose there were lots of “good people” in that community, people who took pride in their culture, their heritage, and their citizenship. But when they rejected Jesus, they chose the temporary over the eternal. Jesus wanted to give them freedom from sin just like He had given to the demoniac.

              Going to the dark side requires us to cross barriers and confront evil. It also requires us to choose sides. Today, you have the opportunity to choose sides. Which side will you choose?

The Final STEP (in going to the dark side) is,

              Commissioning Witnesses

              In response to the request of the crowd there on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus prepares to leave the area. As He is getting into the boat, the formerly demon-possessed man keeps begging Him, “Let me go with you.” We can surely sympathize with his desire. Jesus had delivered him from a life of misery and degradation. Gone was the constant torment of a deranged mind and the pain of his mutilated body. In many ways, his existence was worse than that of an animal. Out of gratitude, he was ready to follow Jesus anywhere.

              But Jesus denied this man’s pleading. Instead, He said to him, “Go to your home, to your own people, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and that He had mercy on you.” Maybe that seems harsh to us. Shouldn’t he have had the opportunity to be with Jesus for a while to grow in his faith and understanding? How was he going to survive as the only Believer in this pagan community?

              We can take comfort in the fact that Jesus knows all things. He knew this man and how he would respond to Jesus’ command. Jesus gave him the hardest assignment possible – go home to your family and friends and be My witness there. That was his commission.

              So, the man went off as Jesus commanded. He shared his story throughout that whole region of Decapolis, telling anyone and everyone who would listen to all that Jesus had done for him. What happened after that? We don’t know, that’s the end of the story for us.

              But we can be assured of at least two things. First, this promise was given by God to the prophet Isaiah. “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there,
but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void (empty), but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Everyone who heard his story was amazed, and I’m sure some of them were transformed too.

              Second, we can also be assured that as this man recounted the story of his miraculous deliverance over and over again, his love for Jesus and his gratefulness for His mercy grew deeper and deeper. Jesus said, “To whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” The reverse is just as true. The one who is forgiven much, the same loves much.

              The challenge many of us face is to realize just how much we’ve been forgiven. We tend, like the crowds there on the seashore that day, to compare ourselves to others whom we consider the worst of sinners. We’re not nearly as bad as the demoniac! We see our behavior as respectable, and we don’t engage in many of the sinful practices that are prevalent all around us.

              But when we open our hearts before the holy presence of Jesus, we gain a deeper understanding of our own depravity. Our pride, our self-righteousness, our refusal to forgive others, our bitterness toward those who have wronged us, our insistence on our rights, and a host of other things show us just how much we need the mercy and grace of Jesus. Jesus came over to the dark side to save you and me too.

              You will recall that some of Jesus’ final instructions to the disciples just before His ascension to Heaven were – “But you shall receive power… and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Jesus’ command to them was similar to the command He gave the former demoniac; your witness begins at home.  

              And Jesus has given you and me that same commission. Maybe you think your story isn’t dramatic or compelling. Not many people have a story like the demoniac. But every born-again child of God has a redemption story to tell.

              You and I can testify of the peace we have in our hearts knowing that our sins are forgiven. We can tell others how God has given us a purpose for living that goes beyond ourselves and beyond our time here on earth. We can share with them how He has given us victory over habits that are harmful to our bodies and our relationships with other people. And the list goes on. In all of this, we need to assure them that these things are true, not because we’re good people, but because Jesus has set us free from the power of sin.

              Going to the dark side isn’t easy and it isn’t comfortable, but Jesus hasn’t called us to an easy and comfortable life. He has called us to cross the barriers, to go places we don’t want to go. He has given us the power through His Holy Spirit to confront evil and to call people to choose which side they will be on. And He has commissioned us as His witnesses; first at home and then into the wider world.

              All the while, we must remember, that Jesus left the glorious light and glory of Heaven to come over to the dark side to rescue us. May God give us the courage to follow His example.

[1] MacArthur, John New Testament Commentary p. 246

Is Jesus in Your Boat?

Mark 4:35-41

            Few ships in the world are more famous than the Titanic. She began her maiden voyage on April 10, 1912, from Southampton, England, to New York City. On April 14, the Titanic struck an iceberg and in a few short hours broke apart and sank. More than 1500 people lost their lives in the icy waters of the North Atlantic.

            On the Sunday after the Titanic sank, Belfast, Ireland, was in shock. The Titanic was built by one of the premier shipbuilding firms in the city, and it was considered virtually unsinkable. As you can imagine, the townspeople were devastated. Men met on the city’s streets, grasped each other’s hands, burst into tears, and parted without saying a word. One church lost 16 of its male members to the icy waters; they were all mechanics on the Titanic. And on that dark Sunday, the pastor in that congregation read Mark 4:35 to 41.

            As we continue our study of the Gospel of Mark, we come to this text. It is the dramatic account of Jesus and His disciples on the Sea of Galilee amid a horrendous storm. The title of this study is a question, “Is Jesus in Your Boat?” I hope you can stay with me. Listen now as I read Mark 4:35 to 41.

             As we look at the interaction of Jesus and the disciples in this text, we’ll see that the only unsinkable vessel in history was the little boat occupied by the sleeping Savior. How you answer the question, “Is Jesus in your boat?” will have far-reaching and eternal consequences.  

Consider the Humanity of Jesus

            As I read and meditated on this short text, I was impressed by how few words are spoken. There are several short commands and questions, but they are loaded with so much meaning.

            Jesus makes the first statement; “Let’s cross over to the other side.” It is the evening of what has been a hectic day. The events included the blasphemous accusation by the Pharisees, the visit of the family to rescue Him from the crowds, leaving the crowded house for the sea, teaching parables from a boat, and more parables in the house, and back to the sea again. Now, they are preparing to cross the sea!

            Here is evidence of the humanity of Jesus. He was physically tired, and it was time to find some relief from the pressing demands of the constant crowds. He had been so busy there hadn’t even been time to eat, according to Mark 3:20. Think of the emotional drain that constant ministry put on Him. The needs were endless.

            They were on the west side of the lake and a voyage to the eastern side in the evening would be a delightful and refreshing change for the weary Jesus. Furthermore, the eastern side of the lake was much less populated, making it a good place to rest. But as is often the case with Jesus, there’s more to the story. He has a divine appointment on the other side of Galilee.

            So, they started their voyage. They took Jesus with them in the boat, the one He had been teaching from. Mark is the only one who mentions other little boats with them. People must have gathered around Jesus’ boat to be closer to Him and to hear His teaching.

            It reminds me of our trip to Israel in March 2023. When our tour group visited a site, there were always those who were taking pictures or looking for a place to sit. I tried not to be obnoxious or pushy, but I often tried to get as close to our guide as possible. He was a walking encyclopedia of historical and biblical information and I wanted to hear and learn all that I could. I believe that’s what it was like to hear Jesus teach.

            We know Jesus was exhausted because He immediately fell asleep in the back of the boat on the pillow. “The pillow” was a cushion where the person steering the boat would sit. Jesus must have been exhausted to sleep in such cramped quarters. He also must have had implicit trust in the men who were sailing the boat. I don’t sleep in a car if I don’t trust the driver.   

            Isn’t it comforting to know that Jesus experienced physical exhaustion just like we do? Serving others by meeting their physical and emotional needs is hard work. It drains something out of you. Although Jesus was God in the flesh, He voluntarily laid aside His divine rights so He could identify with us in our weakness. Let’s remember this critical fact.  

Consider the Anxiety of the Disciples

            Most of us are like the disciples. It is easy to exercise faith in the little, everyday experiences. As long as the situation is familiar to us and we are comfortable in the routines of life, we don’t think too much about the need for faith.

When you leave your house to drive to the grocery store or your job, you don’t usually think about all the things that could happen to you, do you? If you do, you trust that God will bring you safely back home again – as He’s done countless times before.

            But what happens when those routines are upset? How do we respond when things begin to spiral out of control? These questions lead us to consider the anxiety of the disciples.

            As they sailed across the lake, a great windstorm arose. Luke says, “It came down on the lake.” In northern Israel, Mount Hermon rises 9,200 feet above sea level. The Sea of Galilee sits 700 feet below sea level. When the warm air rising from the Jordan Valley collides with the colder air coming down from Mount Hermon it can trigger violent storms.

            So, a violent storm came from Mount Hermon into the Jordan Valley and struck the Sea of Galilee with tremendous force. The Greek word translated as windstorm means a hurricane or a whirlwind. The Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, uses this same word in Job 38:1 where God speaks out of the whirlwind, and Jonah 1:4, where He raised a violent storm to confront His wayward prophet.

            Most of the men in this boat were seasoned sailors. They knew the unpredictable nature of this lake. They had been through many storms and tempests. They didn’t scare easily, but this storm was different. The waves were mountainous, and water was pouring over the sides of the boat. The disciples bailed as fast as they could, but it was a losing battle. The boat was rapidly filling with water. They were in imminent danger of being swamped and going to the bottom! Luke says, “They were in jeopardy.”

             In all this commotion, activity, and noise, Jesus was sleeping! So, the disciples “awake” Him (Mark uses the graphic present tense). In their fear, they cried out, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” It was a rebuke to Jesus. Imagine sleeping through such a storm!

            You and I have been there, haven’t we? We trusted Jesus and we went with Him for a pleasant sail through life, as it were. All of a sudden, a storm, seemingly out of nowhere burst upon us. A terminal illness, a tragic accident, an untimely death, a broken relationship, or a shattered dream destroyed our calm. We were in danger of sinking in confusion and despair and Jesus seemed oblivious to our plight. He was nowhere to be found. And we cried out “Lord, where are You, don’t you care about us?”  

Consider the Authority of Jesus

            Mark’s narrative is understated. He wrote, “Then He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still.’” Jesus’ simple commands were, “be silent” and “be muzzled.” It makes me wonder if Jesus even raised His voice.

            Immediately, the wind ceased, kopadzo. It means to cease through extreme fatigue or being worn out with labor. The sea sank to rest as though it were exhausted from its beating. As suddenly as the storm had burst upon them, just as suddenly it vanished. That was astounding to the disciples, but what was more astounding was the immediate “great calm” that ensued.

            The surface of the lake went from an angry boiling pot to a sea of glass. Not a ripple broke the surface. Anyone who knows anything about how storms affect water knows that after the wind dies, the waves take hours, sometimes days, to subside. In some ways, the glassy waters were a greater miracle than the sudden cessation of the wind.

            As the disciples continued bailing water out of the boat, their thoughts were racing. They were trying to wrap their minds around what they were experiencing. And then Jesus broke the silence. “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

            Can you imagine the disciples processing these questions? “Why were we afraid? We were afraid we were about to drown. We were afraid you didn’t love or care for us because if you did these things wouldn’t happen to us!”

            “Why are you afraid? I am here with you. “Where is your faith in Me? Don’t you understand that I am the Lord of nature? You are safe with me anywhere and everywhere.” These men had accepted Jesus as the Messiah, but they hadn’t yet realized all the ramifications of that truth. How often would Jesus ask us these same questions?

Consider the Perplexity of the Disciples

            The disciples were afraid before Jesus calmed the storm, but now they’re terrified! Now that the immediate danger was past, I imagine them looking at each other dumbfounded and speaking in hushed voices, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the waves obey Him?”

            They knew Jesus had power. They had seen Him heal the sick, restore sight to the blind, cast out demons, and even raise the dead. But this was something else; power to control nature?

            The disciples were growing in their apprehension and comprehension of who Jesus was. Apprehension refers to the act of understanding something in a way that is fearful or anxious.  They were terrified. They were overawed by what they had just experienced. This is what happens whenever sinful mankind realizes he is in the presence of the Holy God.

            Comprehension refers to the act of understanding something in a way that is clear and complete. Slowly but surely these men were gaining a better understanding of who Jesus was. He was no ordinary Rabbi! His teaching and lifestyle were completely different than the religious teachers of the day. He cared about the needs of others more than His own needs. He entered into other people’s pain instead of standing proudly aloof.  

            We mustn’t be too critical of the disciples. We have an advantage over them. We have the Holy Spirit living inside us and yet we still struggle with our fears. We still wrestle with trusting God in the storms of life. We’re perplexed as to why God allows such traumatic experiences in our lives. We too are on a journey of apprehending and comprehending who God is. When we understand how much Jesus loves us, we can remain calm amid the most violent storms.

            It is interesting to compare this account of the life of Jesus with the account of Jonah. I’m indebted to the late Tim Keller for his insights on this text.

            Both Jesus and Jonah were in a boat. Both boats were overtaken by a violent storm and both Jonah and Jesus were sleeping through the storms. In both accounts, the sailors said, “We’re going to die!” In both cases, there was divine intervention, and the sea miraculously became calm. After the sea became calm, the sailors were even more terrified.

            We have two almost identical stories but with one critical difference. In Jonah’s experience, he said, “Throw me overboard. If I die, you will live.” So, they threw Him into the sea. In Mark’s account, that doesn’t happen, or does it? Is Mark implying that the stories aren’t that much different? In Matthew 12:38 to 42 Jesus tells the crowd, “I’m the real Jonah.”

            “He meant this: Someday I’m going to calm all the storms and still all the waves. I’m going to destroy destruction, break brokenness, and kill death. How can He do that? He can do it only because when He was on the cross, he was thrown – willingly, like Jonah – into the ultimate storm, under the ultimate waves, the waves of sin and death. Jesus was thrown into the only storm that can actually sink us – the storm of eternal justice, of what we owe for our wrongdoing. That storm wasn’t calmed – not until it swept Him away.

            If the sight of Jesus bowing His head into that ultimate storm is burned into the core of your being, you will never say, ‘God, don’t you care?’ And if you know that He did not abandon you in that ultimate storm, what makes you think He will abandon you in the much smaller storms you are experiencing right now?” [1]

            Someday, Jesus will come and still all storms for all eternity. If you and I allow that truth to penetrate to the core of our being, we will be assured of His love. We will be absolutely convinced of His love for us, and we will respond to the storms of life with the calm assurance that His hand is on the tiller of our boat.

            Is Jesus in your boat? If not, why not invite Him into it today? You won’t be truly safe until He is in your boat.

[1] Timothy Keller, Jesus the King, pp.61-62

The Mystery of the Kingdom

Mark 4:21-34

            In Ephesians 5, in the context of his teaching about marriage oneness, Paul wrote, “This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” 

            In First Corinthians 15, he wrote, “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.” 

            Then in Second Thessalonians 2:7, in the context of the second coming of Christ, Paul wrote,“For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.” 

            In Ephesians, Paul says the marriage relationship and our union with Christ IS a great mystery. Can you fully explain how the marriage relationship mirrors Christ’s relationship with the Church? I didn’t think so. Then, in Thessalonians, he says the mystery of lawlessness IS already working. Again, the spirit of the antichrist is working in our world, but we don’t fully understand how it will manifest itself just before the coming of Christ.

            However, in First Corinthians 15, Paul informs us that he is SHOWING us (literally, telling us) a mystery. In other words, he is revealing something that wasn’t known before. That’s the biblical definition of a mystery; it’s the revelation of what was previously unknown.

            In Mark 4:11, Jesus said to His disciples, “To you, it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables…”

            The portion of Scripture for our study this time follows immediately after the parable of the soils and is directly related to it. I’ve titled my teaching, “The Mystery of the Kingdom,” and our text is Mark 4:21 to 34. So, listen carefully as I read this text and see if you can pick out the steps that reveal to us the mystery of the kingdom. 

In this text, we observe the several STEPS that reveal to us the mystery of the kingdom.

Before we get into our study, I point out to you Jesus’ emphasis on hearing! In verse 9 of this chapter, He says, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Then, in verse 23, He says, “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” And verse 24, “Take heed what you hear.” Let’s keep this emphasis in mind as we work our way through this text.

The First STEP (that reveals the mystery of the kingdom) is,

            Its Proclamation

            Jesus continues directly from “the parable of the soils” into additional teaching about the kingdom of God. He moves from the field to the house and uses a common item to illustrate His teaching – a lamp.

            Every household in Jesus’ day had these small clay lamps. A small lump of clay was formed into a shallow bowl that would hold a couple of teaspoons of oil, and then one side was pinched into a crude spout.  A wick was laid in that little bowl of oil and out over the spout. After the wick was saturated, you lit the exposed end, and there was your lamp. In the house, these were usually placed on a small shelf or a stone that was left protruding from the wall for that purpose.

            Interestingly, Mark invests the lamp with motion. He asks, “Does the lamp come to be put under the basket or the couch? Doesn’t it come to be set on the lampstand?” Is Jesus referring to Himself and/or His teaching as the lamp? In John 8:12, He said, “I am the Light of the world.” Furthermore, His teaching was also designed to illuminate the truth of Scripture.

            Jesus’ question is rhetorical; the expected answer is No. Putting the lamp under a basket or under the couch where people recline to eat is ridiculous; it defeats the whole purpose of lighting it in the first place! What’s the point?

            Jesus didn’t come to obscure the truth but to proclaim it. Notice verse 22. “For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.” Jesus admits that some things are presently hidden at the time He is speaking. However, the time would come, and it wasn’t too far distant, that those previously hidden things, those mysteries, would be revealed.

            Early in His ministry, Jesus forbade people and demons to speak publicly about who He was. In Matthew 16, when Peter confessed Jesus as the Messiah, Jesus “gave His disciples strict orders that they were to tell no one that He was the Christ.” But in Matthew 10:27, Jesus told them, “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.” Peter and the other apostles did that after Pentecost when they boldly taught in the Temple courts!

The point of Jesus’ coming to earth was to proclaim the Truth, to illuminate the teachings of the Old Testament, and to show how those Scriptures spoke of Him. Do you remember what Philip said to Nathaniel? He said, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

And then, again, Jesus calls attention to the importance of hearing. “If anyone has ears to hear let him hear.” He follows that up immediately by saying, “Pay attention to what you hear, With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

Isn’t that interesting? Jesus used this principle of multiplication in relationship to giving and to how we use our abilities to serve Him. Those who give generously are entrusted with more. Those who use their talents to serve the Lord are rewarded with more opportunities. But here, He uses it about hearing, that is, to the level of our obedience to what we hear.

As we hear the teaching of Jesus and obediently put it into practice we understand more, and that understanding opens further revelation to us. If we refuse to hear and obediently practice what we’ve been given, our understanding decreases and we have less revelation. 

            So, what is Jesus teaching us here? First, remember the context. He was teaching them kingdom concepts that were meant to be shared with others – not hidden under a basket or a dining couch. Today, we know our job is proclamation; it is no longer a mystery.  

In addition, this revelation of the mystery was progressive. What Jesus told this small group of disciples privately was ultimately to be shared openly. Are you and I guilty of “hiding” the light of the Gospel under a basket or the table? Or do we boldly hold it high so that it gives light to everyone around us? Do we understand how to lead people from the milk of Scripture into the solid food that it offers? We’ll explore this more in just a few moments.

Furthermore, understanding the mystery would depend on how well the hearers heard. How well they heard would be proven by the change that took place in their lives. Are you proclaiming the mystery of the kingdom by your words and by the life you live? Jesus is counting on you and me to take this first step in revealing the mystery of the kingdom.         

The Next STEP (that reveals the mystery of the kingdom) is,

            Its Progression

            In this context of the parable of the soils, Jesus reveals another aspect of the kingdom of God. He said it is like a man who scatters seed in his field. But instead of focusing on the seed or the types of soil, Jesus highlights the miracle of growth.

            The farmer sows the seed and then goes on with normal life. He sleeps, rises in the morning, works all day, eats his evening meal, and sleeps again. All the while, the seed is growing, but how it happens is a mystery to him. The soil seemingly produces a crop all by itself.

            The soil produces the crop, but the secret of growth is in the seed. First, the stalk emerges as a tiny shoot. As the stalk develops, it forms the head, and eventually, that head fills out with mature grain. This is the law and order of nature, but it is also the order of grace in the kingdom of God. This reality is what makes it worthwhile to preach and teach about this kingdom.

             When Jesus was here on earth, He sowed the seeds of the kingdom. When He left, he charged His followers, including you and me, with the responsibility of continuing that process. This law of growth and fruitfulness created the confidence that Jesus showed in the ultimate establishment of His kingdom despite the obstacles which will try to obstruct its progress.

            Ultimately, this sowing of the seed results in a harvest, verse 29. “But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle because the harvest has come.” The phrase is literally, “he sends in (apostello) the sickle.” The apostles were the initial “sickle,” as it were. They were the first to begin gathering the harvest in the kingdom of God. Now, we have that privilege.

So, we learn that the kingdom of God is self-propagating; it has life in itself. Even though the sower doesn’t understand how or why the seed grows, he does his part by scattering it. The seed grows and matures according to the laws of nature, and so does the kingdom of God.

            In the natural world, the sower gets to participate in the harvest, but in the kingdom of God, one sows, others water, and others reap the harvest. In John 4:38, Jesus told His disciples, “I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”

            Today, the kingdom of God is growing. In some places, that growth is dramatic. An organization we partner with in Bible distribution works primarily in West Africa in a disciple-making ministry. They disciple new converts to Christ and then train them to become disciple-makers. Those trained then pass that training on to others, repeating the cycle. Churches are being planted in villages where child sacrifice is regularly practiced! People are being delivered from the power of Satan. The kingdom is progressing!

            This progression will continue until the kingdom of God comes to its fullness. Our part isn’t to figure out when that time arrives. Our part is to faithfully sow the seed of the kingdom with confidence that God will bring about the harvest in His own good time. As you hear and obey the mysteries of the kingdom of God, is spiritual progression taking place in your life? Are you experiencing the joy of being part of the reaping process?   

The Final STEP (that reveals the mystery of the kingdom) is,

            Its Potential

            In verse 30, Jesus asks His listeners to help define the kingdom of God. He asks, “To what can we compare the kingdom of God or what parable can we use to describe it?”

            He chooses the mustard seed to illustrate the potential of the kingdom. I imagine that when you held a mustard seed in your hand it didn’t look like it could amount to much of anything. But Jesus said that this seed, despite its size, grows and becomes larger than all the garden plants. It puts out large branches so birds can nest in its shade.

            How is that like the kingdom of God? Think about the power of the religious establishment, backed by the imperial power of Rome, compared with Jesus and His disciples. Jesus didn’t have an army. He didn’t have access to the Temple treasury. He didn’t control the levers of power in religion or government. From the world’s perspective, He and His followers were a tiny, annoying minority; they were first ignored and later supposedly stamped out.

            Remember how the religious authorities and the Roman soldiers mocked Him at His crucifixion? This man is no threat; look at Him, He can’t even save Himself!

            But what would those same people say if they came back today? The Roman Empire is long gone. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day have long been forgotten. But where is the kingdom of God, that tiny, insignificant mustard seed? It has grown and become a large tree and people from all over the globe have accepted its mysteries and have come to rest in its shade.

            Initially, those finding shade were mostly Jewish believers in Jesus. But it wasn’t long until Gentiles were welcomed into the shade of that tree too. Through the witness of the disciples and the apostle Paul, people from Africa, Asia Minor, Europe, and Asia found rest in the shade of the tree. Today, that tree continues to grow until Jesus finally ushers in the kingdom in its fullness.

            Why did Jesus speak to the crowds in parables? The text says He taught them as they were able to understand. The mysteries of the kingdom couldn’t be grasped all at once, especially in that current environment. Progressive revelation was the only possible way it could be done. That progression could only move at the speed with which His disciples grasped the kingdom’s concepts and incorporated them into their lives. Privately, Jesus explained the parables in detail to His inner circle but even then, they failed to grasp much of what He told them.   

            From our vantage point, we now understand many former mysteries of the kingdom of God. Jesus no longer speaks to us in parables. Many things that Jesus spoke of cryptically we now understand clearly. Our obedience to His commands and our understanding of the kingdom of God are proven or disproven by our lifestyle choices.

            Do you understand the mystery of the kingdom? Are you engaged in its proclamation? Are you holding your lamp high so others can see the light?

Are you participating in the kingdom’s progression? As you hear and obey the mysteries of the kingdom of God, is spiritual progression taking place in your life?

And do you understand the kingdom’s potential? If you do, your life will give evidence of your understanding. That understanding will result in action and you will use your resources to help fuel that growth. Let’s ask God to help us better understand the mystery of the kingdom.

Resurrection Celebration 2024

Selected Texts

We Shall Assemble/There is a Redeemer

Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him…

Stricken, Smitten, Afflicted

Surely, he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement for our peace was upon him; and by his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, everyone, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

O Sacred Head Now Wounded                     

Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb and departed.

Then Came the Morning                                

Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Awake, Awake O Earth                     

Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty, and your faith is also empty. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

Lift Your Glad Voices                         

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,

What A Friend We Have in Jesus                  

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also, there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.

We Shall Assemble/There is a Redeemer

Don’t Miss Your Moment

Luke 19:28-48

            Some of you are familiar with Leo Tolstoy’s famous Christmas story where the main character is Martin, an old cobbler. One night as Martin sat reading from the Gospels, he thought he heard someone calling him. He listened and heard clearly: “Martin, look out into the street tomorrow for I will come to visit you.” He looked around the tiny room, and since he couldn’t see anyone, he reckoned it must be the Lord who had spoken to him.

            All that next day, Martin worked with a sense of excitement and anticipation. After helping several needy people throughout the day, he reluctantly closed up the shop, disappointed that the Lord hadn’t come.

After supper he read from the Gospels for a while, and then put down the book. In a flash of inspiration, the words of the Lord came to him: “I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was naked and you clothed me.” The words thrilled Martin. The Lord HAD visited him, and he hadn’t missed the opportunity to serve Him!

            Have you ever missed an important moment in your life because you were expecting something different than what actually happened? The people of Jesus’ day were no different; because they were looking for something different, they missed out on being part of His kingdom. Missing their moment had tragic consequences.

            Our text today reveals several responses you and I must have to Jesus or we, too, will miss our moment. So, listen to the words of Holy Scripture from Luke 19:28 to 48.

This text reveals the RESPONSES necessary for you if you don’t want to miss your moment to enter the kingdom of Heaven.

The First RESPONSE is,

            Proclaim the King’s Worth

            Jesus is continuing His final ascent to Jerusalem. In a few days He will go to the cross. But there are prophecies that need to be fulfilled before that takes place. One is Zechariah 9:9. “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.”

            So, Jesus sends two of the disciples into a nearby village with unusual instructions. “When you get into the village, you’ll find a donkey colt tied; a donkey colt that’s never been ridden. Untie him and bring him to me. If anyone questions you, just say ‘The Lord has need of him.’”

            The scene unfolds just like Jesus predicted. When the owners asked why they were untying the colt the two disciples simply said, “The Lord needs him.” Suppose for a moment they’d said “Hey, you can’t have the colt; it’s ours.” That would have been their right under the law. But they would’ve missed their moment.

            The owners of the colt allowed it to be taken for Jesus’ use. If they hadn’t given permission, I’m sure Jesus would’ve found another donkey. But the question is – am I willing to proclaim Jesus’ worth by allowing Him to use my resources?

            So now the disciples have the colt. When they get back to Jesus, they take off some of their outer garments and put them on the back of the donkey. Then they seat Jesus on the colt and continue their ascent toward Jerusalem. Jesus was allowing Himself to be treated as a king.

            As the donkey moves forward more people took off their outer garments and spread them on the ground. They didn’t just throw them down on the ground and leave them there. Instead, picture them laying the garments down, the donkey walks over them; then they retrieve the garments and repeat the process.

            In verse 37 the crowds gets their first glimpse of Jerusalem. This vantage point yields a view of the southeastern corner, the angle of the western walls, and Herod’s castle. At this moment the worshippers burst into loud Messianic praise for all the mighty works they’ve seen – Lazarus, Bartimaeus, Zacchaeus, and more. Their hearts are ablaze with the immediate fulfillment of the kingdom, and they cry out “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

            If you compare the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and John all add details to this scene we call the Triumphal Entry. Matthew and Mark include the word, “Hosanna,” that is, “Save now.” These words of Ps 118:25 were understood to refer to Messiah; and they add, “to the Son of David, blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord (Ps 118:26), Hosanna in the highest.” This was the very loftiest style in which Jesus could be saluted as the promised Deliverer. 

            But the Pharisees called on Jesus to rebuke His disciples; to silence them. They thought He’d agree that the people were going too far with this adoration and acclamation.

            Jesus’ reply was quick. “If these who shout my praise would be silenced, immediately the stones would cry out!” Jesus’ response is remarkable because prior to this He’d discouraged all public demonstrations in His favor. He seems to regard it as a necessary part of the regal dignity in which as Messiah He for this last time will enter the city. If this praise were not offered by the multitude, it would have been wrung out of the stones.

            We know how fickle the people’s praise was. But at least for the moment, they joyfully and enthusiastically responded to the ministry of Jesus by proclaiming His worth and acknowledging Him as Messiah. They didn’t let their moment slip by.

            Have you acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah in a personal way? Are you proclaiming His worth as King of Kings? To do that means you understand that His position entitles Him to rule over you! All you have is His and He’s free to use what is His however He wants, your time, your money, your possessions, and even your donkey colt. 

            Can others see your proclamation of His worth? Do they know what Jesus has done for you? Acknowledging Jesus for who He is, and praising Him as the same, is a moment you must not miss. To miss your moment will have tragic results.

The Second RESPONSE is,

            Perceive the Kingdom’s Peace

            After this interruption by the Pharisees the procession moves forward again. Now the whole city bursts into view; the Temple mount with its towering height, and the city seeming to rise miraculously out of the Kidron and Hinnom valleys. At the sight of it, Jesus bursts into tears of sorrow and remorse. “If only you had known, even you, at least in your day (at this moment) the things which belong to your peace; but now they are hidden from your eyes.” Luke is the only gospel writer to include this scene of Jesus weeping over Jerusalem.

             As Jesus looked over the city of Jerusalem, He saw the masses of humanity and realized the emptiness of their lives. They hadn’t perceived the message of peace. They didn’t understand the purpose of His coming. His grief over their blindness was heartbreaking.

            In the custom of His people Jesus’ weeping was most likely expressed in loud and deep lamentation. Here we see the beautiful, tender humanity of Jesus. Just moments ago, He was basking in the profound joy of the people’s praise; now He’s weeping. He yielded Himself freely to both emotions. Tears are an indication of deep feeling.

            “If you had known…if only you had known the things that would bring peace to you and to your city. But you have killed my prophets and rejected my offers of peace.”

            The crowd Jesus was addressing was looking for peace. They wanted a Messiah to free them from oppressive Roman rule; to restore the kingdom to Israel. They wanted political peace; they wanted prosperity and to be recognized by other nations of the world. But Jesus was offering a different kind of kingdom; a kingdom that began in the heart and provided personal peace.

            How different are you and I today? Are we more interested in how to preserve political freedoms and financial prosperity than godliness and cross-bearing? Is our focus on outward peace, the absence of conflict? Jesus wants us to know the things that make for peace. Personal peace can only be found in a relationship with the Prince of Peace.

            And then, Jesus made a sobering pronouncement about their future; the result of their failure to perceive the kingdom’s peace. He said, “For the days are coming when your enemies will surround you with a trench (palisade) of siege leading to unparalleled horrors in the city; and will beat down the city like a threshing floor, not leaving one stone on top of another.” Why? Because you did not know (v. 42) the time of your visitation.  

            The word visitation carries the idea of inspection, or investigation. It is the act whereby God searches out the character of men and judges them according to what He finds. In our text Jesus was present among His own people. He was offering them the opportunity to embrace His kingdom and escape judgment; but they missed the moment! As a result, they experienced the destruction of their beloved city a few short decades later.

            We may ask, “how could they have been so blind; how could they have missed Jesus’ offer?” But let’s step back a minute and reflect on our own responses.

            Today, many people profess to have embraced the Prince of Peace. But how much peace have you seen among them? Marriages and families are broken by pornography, adultery, divorce, and selfishness. Children and teens become collateral damage, filled with resentment, feelings of rejection, and violent anger. Many churches are wracked by strife and division. Bitterness, envy, and a spirit of competition control many.

            Too often we pursue what the world offers. Our actions prove we don’t perceive, we don’t understand, the peace Jesus offers. How much of what Jesus has for us is “hidden from our eyes” because of our failure to grasp true peace? What destruction are we experiencing in our homes, our churches, and our culture? The destruction of Jerusalem was literal; it was razed to the ground. The destruction we face is more likely spiritual, emotional, and social. And I believe Jesus weeps over our failure to perceive the kingdom’s peace.

The Final RESPONSE is,

            Prayer, the Teacher’s Passion

            Finally arriving in the city, Jesus visits the Temple. We can only imagine the grief in His heart as he saw the way in which God’s house was being debased. Recall with me that Jesus’ first visit to the Temple, after the inauguration of His ministry, was the occasion for a similar experience. It’s recorded for us in John 2:13 to 17. There, Jesus accused the religious leaders of making God’s house a “house of merchandise.”

            Now, on His last earthly visit to the Temple, the attitudes of the religious leaders have hardened against Jesus, and so have His words against them. They’ve turned the house of prayer for all nations into a “den of thieves.” They were guilty of robbing God and their fellowmen. The majesty and glory of God’s house had been defiled by their greed and duplicity.

            Here was a moment of truth. Those whose businesses were upset could’ve said “You know what; He’s right. We need to repent and change our ways.” Instead, they hardened their hearts and became even more determined to get rid of Jesus. They missed the moment of repentance; and they would reap the consequences.

            What would Jesus say about us, the Church, today? Is your congregation a place of prayer for all who wish to pray? How well is your regularly scheduled prayer meeting attended?

            If you’re a leader, I challenge you to consider the importance of prayer and to make it a priority in your congregation. Your example can challenge your people to see the necessity and the value of prayer. If you’re a lay person, encourage your fellow believers to significant times of prayer; and respectfully challenge your leaders in that too. We have a moment now, let’s not miss it; repentance is possible. Let’s not reject the messenger and continue on to destruction. 

            Finally, Jesus continued teaching daily in the temple; even as the Pharisees and leaders kept trying every day to figure out how they might destroy Him. But they were stymied in their attempts because all the people (save the leaders-verse 47), were hanging upon the words of Jesus as if in suspense. Their rapt attention angered these same leaders.

            Jesus showed us by His example that prayer and the teaching of the Word go together. When these are neglected, the church will be biblically ignorant and spiritually powerless. If you are part of a congregation where these are missing, you really need to find a different fellowship. This is especially true if you have young children or teenagers.

            Let’s review the responses you and I need to make sure we don’t miss our moment to secure the kingdom of heaven. First, we need to proclaim the king’s worth. To make that confession is to admit that He is the only one who can provide salvation for us.

            Next, perceive the kingdom’s peace; the inward peace of the soul and spirit that comes to us through Jesus. It is a peace we desire others to have, so much so that we will weep over their rejection of that peace. 

            And our final response is to realize the Teacher’s passion for prayer and to align ourselves with that passion. I believe proclaiming His worth and perceiving His peace will give us a greater desire for prayer because we will value the things God values.

            Let’s not be like the people of Jesus’ day and miss our moment of opportunity. Let’s embrace His praise, His peace, and His prayer…and enter the kingdom of heaven. 

A Fruitful Life : Part 2

Mark 4:10-20

            This text reveals several key INGREDIENTS necessary for producing “A Fruitful Life.”

In the previous episode of The Voice of Hope we began studying Mark 4:1-20, Jesus’ parable of the soils. We looked at the skill of the sower, the quality of the seed, and the first two kinds of soil. They were the hard-packed soil of the footpath and the thin soil with underlying bedrock. Today, we’ll look at two more types of soil and also the yields of good productive soil.

Listen now as I read a shortened version of our text, Mark 4:10-20.

                And then Jesus moves on to the third soil type; the thorny soil. Once again, the question arises; “Why sow precious seed among thorns?” I think Luke’s record of this provides the answer. He wrote, “Some [seed] fell among thorns, and the thorns SPRANG UP WITH IT and choked it.”

            Many varieties of thorny vines are rhizomes; that is, their root systems spread beneath the soil. In the winter, the old growth dies and deteriorates. In the spring, new growth will emerge from those root systems under the ground.

            So, it is possible that depending on how the soil was prepared to receive the seed, the sower would not see any evidence of the thorns. That area of the soil may look just as good as all the other areas. It is only after the seed is sown and both the grain and the thorns begin to grow together that the problem is discovered.

            In verses 18 and 19 of our text, Jesus explains the characteristics of the thorny soil. As the young stalks of grain and the young thorns grow together, literally becoming intertwined, the thorns overtake the grain and choke out its life. And the Greek word means to choke something until it is dead! Death precludes any possibility of bringing fruit to maturity.

            Let me pause here to note something I think is important. Except for the very first soil, the hard-packed path, each of the other soils probably appeared on the surface to be suitable for sowing the seed. But it was what lay beneath the surface that was important in determining whether or not a crop was produced.

            Now, let’s look at Jesus’ description of the thorny soil. Jesus said the thorny soil represents those who, as they are going forth, are “strangled” with the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. As a result, they bring no fruit to perfection or maturity. Let’s take some time to examine the things Jesus specifically mentioned that strangle these fruitless plants.

            First, Jesus mentions cares. What are the cares that prevent fruit? Matthew and Mark refer to “cares of the world.” In Philippians 4:6 Paul writes “Be care-full [or anxious] for nothing…” In Second Corinthians 11:28, he writes about all the care or anxiety he experienced as the leader of the churches. And in I Peter 5:7, we read, “Cast all your cares [anxieties] on Him, because He cares for you.”

            Jesus is talking about a preoccupation with the affairs of this life. It is investing my time and energy in things that may not be wrong in themselves, but they take me away from what is most important. My thought processes are patterned after the ways of the world rather than after the ways of God. Many people claim they want to follow Christ and be fruitful in His kingdom, but they can’t find time in their busy schedule to make it happen.

            An older friend of mine told me how he subscribed to the morning edition of his local newspaper. Every morning, the paper was there on his doorstep. It was the first thing he read as he began his day. But one day, he realized that his time with the morning paper was displacing his time in the Word. It was hindering his desire to be a Christ-follower. How would you have responded to that revelation? My friend canceled his subscription to the morning paper and spent time in the Scriptures. He told me how the change of focus in the morning changed his focus for the whole day! He wanted to be fruitful, so he took steps to facilitate the process.

            Next, Jesus mentions riches. Now before you say you’re not rich, just think a little bit. Compared to 90% of the world’s population, you’re rich. Not only that, but the Scriptures also warn us that it is “those who have a desire to be rich that fall into a snare and many foolish and hurtful desires.” I’ve found that preoccupation with ‘stuff’ can easily strangle my relationship with Jesus. I feel obligated to maintain a certain standard of living and that means I must work long hours to finance my lifestyle. Relationships take a backseat to productivity.

            Both Matthew and Mark use the phrase “the deceitfulness of riches.” Another way of saying this would be the delusion of riches. What is deceitful or delusory about riches? First, they promise what they cannot deliver. They promise relaxation but bring tension. They promise happiness but bring sorrow. They promise security but promote worry. They promise power but bring slavery. They promise status but bring insecurity. I could expand on each of those statements, but you can do that yourself.

            If you’re like me, you probably know what it’s like to finally purchase something that you’ve needed or wanted – after a long wait. And you have this expectation that owning this particular item is going to bring you some additional happiness or comfort or some other positive feeling. But, lo and behold, when you finally get it that feeling you anticipated either doesn’t materialize or it lasts just a very short time. That’s the deceitfulness of riches.

            Finally, in Luke’s record, Jesus mentions pleasures. The Greek word is hedone’. Does that word sound familiar? It is the root of the English word, hedonism. Hedonism is the doctrine or belief that the chief goal in life is pleasure or happiness. If that is not a description of most people’s reason for living, I’m not sure what is!

            One of the interesting things I learned about the use of this word in the New Testament is that it always refers to physical pleasures. And a focus on physical pleasures leads to the neglect of essential disciplines. Proverbs 20:4 tells us “The sluggard will not plow when it is cold; therefore, he will beg in the harvest and have nothing.” Anything that brings physical discomfort will be rejected. We see the evidence of this all through our society today!

            We must remember that in this text, Jesus is talking to potential disciples. Many people today claim they want to follow Christ; but only if it is fun. Plan a picnic or a ballgame and you’ll get lots of people. Plan a prayer meeting or a time of fasting in your church and see what you get for attendance. Tell someone else about almost any event you’ve participated in and what will they ask? “Did you have fun?” or “Did you have a good time?” Pleasure has become the ultimate measure of value. 

            What then is the outcome of this thorny soil? Sadly, it brings no fruit to maturity. The prophet Jeremiah wrote to the people of Israel in this way. “For thus says the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.” That’s Jeremiah 4:3, written in the context of idolatrous and pleasure-seeking people.

            When you and I stand before the Judge of all the earth to give an account of what we’ve done for Him, what will He say? Will the things we’ve accomplished in life be, in His judgment, considered wood, hay, and stubble; things that will be burned up? Do you and I want to enter into His presence with no eternal rewards? If we allow the cares of life, the deceitfulness of riches, and the pursuit of pleasure to determine our life choices, that is where we will find ourselves. No fruit to offer the Master; how tragic!

            The final soil quality Jesus identifies is the good soil. This is the soil type I want for my life. How about you?

            Luke describes the good soil as those followers of Christ who have an honest and good heart. Matthew describes them as hearing and understanding the Word. As you meditate on both of these descriptions and examine the words Jesus used, you discover a key concept, obedience. Jesus had spoken of this in the final verses of Luke chapter six, with the illustration of the wise man and the foolish man. The wise man was the one who heard the word of God and obeyed it. As a result, his house endured; he had lasting fruit.

            Mark says that the good soil is represented by those who hear the Word of God and keep it. That means they hold it fast, they embrace it, they make it a part of their daily living. They see the embrace of truth as essential to fruit-bearing, not incidental to it.

            They understand that good soil doesn’t just happen. Good soil must be cultivated; stones must be removed, and weeds must be rooted out. Soil health must be maintained through fertilization and crop rotation. There is a need for conservation, so the soil is not eroded or depleted of valuable nutrients. Maintaining good soil is HARD WORK!

            They also understand that fruit-bearing is a process. James reminds us that the farmer has “long patience” as he waits for the precious fruit of the earth. How much more should we have patient endurance as we wait for eternal fruit to be produced in our lives? In John 6:66, after Jesus gave teaching about the need to be spiritually identified with Him, the text says, “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked no more with Him.” In their minds, the cost of following Christ was too great, and they would never bring any fruit to maturity.

            What are you doing to maintain healthy, productive soil? It won’t just happen on its own, it will take diligent effort on your part. In your pursuit of bringing fruit to maturity, you will probably miss out on some things that others find pleasure in. But their enjoyment is only temporary. The fruit produced by a godly life will bring its reward now and in eternity. Good soil will bring a reward for faithfulness!

The Final INGREDIENT (necessary for a fruitful life) is,         

            The Quantity in the Storehouse

            In verse 8 of our text, Jesus states that the good soil brought forth thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold. Not all good soil is identically productive. A hundredfold means the seed produced one hundred times more than what was originally sown.

            This is what you and I can expect if we cooperate with God in maintaining good soil in our hearts. We must begin by having the disposition to hear. That must be followed by a willingness to have the bedrock of our pride and self-righteousness smashed; broken to bits by the power of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit. Add to that the rejection of worldly priorities and pleasures, and the pursuit of riches. It includes an honest and good heart that embraces the Word in every area of life, even when it causes us to be in the minority of professing Christ-followers. But Jesus promises that a life of fruitfulness will follow those who understand these factors.

            Having delivered the parable, Jesus cries out; “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” That is, let him hear with a heart inclined to obedience. Will you and I hear what Jesus is saying?

            Do you want lasting fruit from your life? I do. For that to happen we need to understand the critical INGREDIENTS necessary for a fruitful life.  

            First, we must understand the skill of the Sower. His skill is unmatched, and He scatters the seed liberally everywhere in the hope that even the least productive ground will yield some fruit. And, if ever there was a person who sowed perfectly, it was Jesus.

            Second, we must understand that the seed of God’s Word is of the highest quality. There is nothing that can compare to it in purity and potential.         

            Third, we must understand the condition of the soil, and make it our goal to allow the Word of God in the hands of the Spirit of God to plow deeply in our hearts. The more we submit to God’s Word the less the things of earth will attract us. We will be able to concentrate on what matters, bearing fruit to God’s honor and glory.

            And finally, we must understand the quantity in the storehouse. Our rewards will be based on our faithfulness to the Master and how we have ministered to His needs. Jesus said we minister to Him by serving others. What is in your storehouse today? What will be in your storehouse for eternity? Are you living a fruitful life?

A Fruitful Life: Part 1

Mark 4:1-20

            As we continue our study of Mark’s Gospel, we come to the record of Jesus’ teaching that’s often called “The Parable of the Sower.” You’ll notice as we read Mark 8:1-20 that the sower is only mentioned twice, once in verse 3 and again in verse 14. The main thrust of the parable seems to be the types of soil on which the seed falls. We could more accurately call this “The Parable of the Soils.”

            When we study parables in the Bible, we need to remember they usually contain one primary message. In this parable of the soils, Jesus concentrates on the types of soil and how each responds to the sowing of the Word of God. How those soils, which represent people, respond, determines whether or not they will understand the mysteries of the Kingdom and the resulting fruitful life.

            Jesus’ teaching in this text speaks to us right where we are, in the daily decisions of living. Let’s read this text from Mark 4:1 to 20; and as we do, you will see that Jesus is teaching us how to have “A Fruitful Life.” 

            This text reveals several key INGREDIENTS necessary for producing “A Fruitful Life.”

The First INGREDIENT is,

            The Skill of the Sower

            As I mentioned earlier, this parable is often called “The Parable of the Sower.” But of all the ingredients necessary for producing a fruitful life, the sower is given the shortest space in the text. It’s not that He’s unimportant. In fact, without Him, there is no possibility of fruit being produced. He must do his job well for a crop to be produced. While the main focus of this parable is on the types of soil, we must look at the character of the sower.

            I find it interesting that Jesus begins by saying, “Listen, behold…” I remember years ago an evangelist who would periodically ask during his preaching, “Are you listening?” Jesus said to His listeners, hear! And He followed that up with “behold.” These are both words that command attention. They cut through the distractions we’re so often surrounded by. You and I should cultivate the discipline of becoming good listeners.

            We see quickly from the context that the sower is Jesus. And He is not just ‘a’ sower. Some Bible versions neglect the Greek use of the definite article, but the New American Standard has it correctly translated as “The Sower went out to sow His seed…” Everything we see in Jesus’ life and ministry, from His introduction by John the Baptist to this section of teaching, is a picture of Him sowing the seeds of truth about the Kingdom of God. And, if ever there was a person who was skillful in sowing, it was Jesus.

            When the Divine Sower walked the earth, sowing was done by hand. A quantity of seed was carried in a sack or a fold of cloth over the left shoulder. The cupped, right hand was thrust into the loose grain and then swung in a smooth arc to distribute the grains evenly across the ground. I have done this myself in my home garden, sowing a cover crop. It’s not as easy as it sounds or looks. It takes practice to get an even distribution of the seed.

            As we observe Jesus’ life and ministry, He didn’t always scatter the seed the same way in every setting. But He always knew how to sow the seed for the greatest potential harvest!

            Before our text, Jesus spoke plainly to the people. Now, He begins to speak in parables. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record this change. Why did Jesus do this? Did He want to hide the truth from some and reveal it only to a few? You know better than that! The Good News is for all people. So, what gives?

            The key is in verses 10 through 12. “But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable. And He said to them, “To you, it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, so that ‘Seeing they may see and not perceive, And hearing they may hear and not understand; Lest they should turn, And their sins be forgiven them.’” A.T. Robertson writes “The parables are a condemnation on the willfully blind and hostile, while a guide and blessing to the enlightened.”

            Jesus’ audience was divided into two classes: those who heard Him gladly and exercised the will to believe, and those who were hostile toward Him with a spirit of skepticism and unbelief. The reason for the parables was so that the unbelieving would continue in their unbelief. In the Old Testament, we see a similar progression in the life of Pharaoh. After he repeatedly hardened his heart, God began to accelerate and assist the process.

            The skill of the sower is the first necessary ingredient in “A Fruitful Life.” Jesus wants to sow His truth in your life, and that leads us logically to the next ingredient.  

Another INGREDIENT is,        

            The Quality of the Seed

            Everyone with a basic understanding of the laws of nature knows the importance of planting good seeds. I know the great frustration of going through the hard work of preparing a good seedbed, carefully planting, and covering the seed, only to discover that most of those seeds never germinate. All that work – for nothing! Nobody knowingly plants defective seeds.

            One of the blessings of this parable is that Jesus explained it to the disciples in such great detail and the gospel writers recorded that teaching! In verse 14 Jesus states clearly that “The sower sows the Word.” Immediately, that assures us that the lack of harvest we see later in the parable isn’t the result of poor seed quality!

            One of the reasons for a less-than-abundant harvest in today’s world may be the contamination of that seed by human reasoning. That is, many Bible teachers today compromise the clear teaching of Scripture. They try to make the Good News less offensive to potential Christ followers. But the Gospel, by nature, is offensive because it confronts our sin and offers us only ONE solution: the blood of Jesus Christ.

            True Believers insist that there’s only one way to God through the blood of Christ. That provokes an instinctive and often violent reaction in many people. I know because of some of the responses to the Bible teaching we present! “Do you mean to tell me that you know the only way to God? What makes you think your understanding of truth is better than mine? Do you mean that you actually take the Bible literally for what it says?”  

            Just recently, Pope Francis gave his blessing to a document that permits Catholic clergy to bless same-sex relationships. Many Protestant denominations have already gone down that road. But no matter what human leaders may say or do, the truth of God’s Word and its authority in the life of a genuine Believer do not change! The original “seed” is uncontaminated by any human reasoning of us mortal creatures.  

            Jesus made it clear many times in His ministry that He wasn’t going to sacrifice seed quality to make Himself more likable or popular. All who claim to speak for Christ today need to take the same approach to handling God’s Word! We have neither the right nor the authority to tamper with the Word of God.

            The quality of the seed is an important factor in producing lasting fruit, and the seed we’ve been given is of unsurpassed quality.

The Next FACTOR is,

            The Condition of the Soil

            Now we come to the heart of Jesus’ teaching. The sower is Jesus; there is no one better equipped than He. The seed is the Word of God; there is none of purer quality. So then, all things being equal, the harvest is dependent on the type of soil that receives the seed!

            As I mentioned earlier, this is the point in Jesus’ ministry where we begin to see the attitudes of His listeners begin to gel; that is, thought patterns are being solidified about who Jesus is. Some see Him as the Promised One and hear Him gladly. Others see Him as an impostor and are becoming rigid in their opposition. These patterns, in varying degrees, produce the types of soil Jesus now defines for us.

            The first soil type is the soil by the wayside or on the footpath. It is clear from the details Jesus gave that this soil never truly received the seed. Because the ground was packed hard by many passing feet, the seed lay exposed to the birds that came quickly and snatched it up.

            In the explanation of this soil in verse 15, Jesus clearly states that Satan comes and takes away the Word before it can penetrate their hearts. The apostle Paul echoes this reality in Second Corinthians 4:4. “…the god of this world [Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” This is why prayer is such an important prelude to sowing the seed! Only the Holy Spirit of God can operate on the hearts of men and women to remove that blindness and break up that hard-packed soil of their hearts. 

            The benevolence of the Sower leads Him to scatter the seed generously everywhere in hopes that even a few grains will find sufficient soil along the path to take root and produce fruit. The Sower desires that “…all people [will] be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” That’s First Timothy 2:4.

            But what causes this compaction of the soil, making it unreceptive to the seed? I thought of how Paul speaks of the beauty of the feet of those who preach the Gospel of peace in Romans 10:15. And I thought of Jesus’ instructions to the Twelve when He sent them on their first mission. He told them to shake off the dust of their feet as a witness against those who would not welcome them or their message.

            Reflecting on these Scriptures and my own experience leads me to believe that one reason for the “hard-packed” soil of the path is a prolonged exposure to the Gospel with no accompanying response. As a result, the soil of the heart becomes hard and impenetrable. Does this soil type illustrate your spiritual condition?

            This soil typifies those whom Jesus spoke about when he said in verses 11 and 12; “Unto you, it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.” Jesus was quoting Isaiah 6:9 about Isaiah’s commission to preach repentance to an unresponsive and hard-hearted people.

            From now on, Jesus would speak in parables to those who opposed Him. Because they had decided to reject Him and harden their hearts, they would not be able to understand the unfolding revelation of God’s plan for His people. How tragic!

            The second kind of soil is the rocky soil. Luke and Matthew’s account of this teaching helps our understanding by describing this kind of soil as “stony places” or “stony ground.” In other words, the soil depth was shallow, and underneath was bedrock.

            Some of you already know that this kind of soil will absorb the sun’s warmth more quickly than soil that has greater depth. So, it’s no surprise that the seed would sprout quickly and spring up in this type of soil. But the same shallowness that allows rapid warming also means it’s going to dry out faster.

            There were those in the crowd who came out to hear Jesus because it was “the place to be.” There was a certain excitement about this itinerant preacher who was passing through the land. Many had heard and seen how He could heal illnesses and physical disabilities with just a touch, or even a word. He could command evil spirits to leave the oppressed and they dared not defy Him. What a great man He was and what a joy to be alive to see His ministry.

            But we know that later on when the crowds turned against Him and called for His death, some of those same people were there. John 9:22 tells us the religious leaders threatened the common people that if anyone confessed that He was Christ they would be “put out of the synagogue.” So that was the end of their identification with Jesus. Their response proved what Jesus said about them not having any roots. When they were persecuted because of the Living Word, they turned away from Him. They were easily swayed by the pressure of others.

            There are many people today who respond to the Gospel at a large crusade or rally. They get caught up in the emotion of the moment and they’re surrounded by thousands of others who are praising the Lord and praying. With all that emotional and vocal support, they commit to “accept Jesus Christ as Savior,” but many make that choice without thinking through the ramifications of their decision. They forget, or haven’t been told, that becoming a Christ-follower involves discipleship; there’s a cost involved.

            When they face ridicule from friends or family, it catches them off-guard, and many give up. When the Holy Spirit asks them to break off ungodly relationships or get rid of their porn collection, or empty the liquor cabinet, that’s farther than they want to go.

            How about you; is this the type of soil your life represents? Are you with Jesus until there is a personal cost involved; until the Holy Spirit asks you to make changes in your lifestyle? Are you with Jesus when it’s popular, but silent or absent when He’s unpopular? The Scriptures call that being double-minded and being double-minded leads to instability. Eventually, that instability leads to a total departure from the faith.

            In the natural world most farmers who have areas where the soil is thin, where bedrock lies just a few inches below the surface, will abandon those areas. They are unsuitable for raising crops and there’s not much they can do about it.

            But in the spiritual application, that underlying bedrock can be broken up. The prophet Jeremiah speaks of this reality by saying; “Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” If you and I allow the Spirit of God to take the Word of God and penetrate our hardened hearts, that brokenness can lead us to productive soil that will bring forth fruit. But I warn you, that breaking may be very painful and come at great personal cost. That’s why Jesus said that His followers must be prepared to give up EVERYTHING.  

A Model for Leaders

Mark 3:7-19

            When I was a boy, models of classic cars were a big thing. They came in a box unassembled, and you had to glue all the plastic parts together and then paint the model whatever color you wanted. In my memory, I can still smell the glue we used to assemble them. They accurately represented real cars, and the details were pretty amazing.

In the spring of 2023, my wife and I had the privilege to visit Israel. Among the many attractions we visited was the model of the city of Jerusalem during the time of Herod the Great. The model shows what the city looked like in AD 66, about 30 years after the crucifixion of Jesus. It was fascinating to see a detailed model of what the city looked like during that time. The model covers about 4,000 square meters, almost an acre.

Other models serve as patterns to be followed. Jesus gave His disciples a model prayer in Matthew chapter six. It’s not so much that we repeat that prayer verbatim but that we use the ideas in it as a pattern to help us pray effectively.

In our continuing study of Mark’s Gospel, we’ve come to chapter three, verses seven to nineteen. This is the continuing narrative of the life and ministry of Jesus. Sometimes, when we teach from narrative portions of the Scripture, it can be challenging to apply it to our lives. But as I studied and prayed, the Holy Spirit showed me in these verses: “A Model for Leaders.”   

            Now, don’t let that title scare you away! If you’re not in a formal leadership position, you can still benefit from this teaching. The actions we’ll observe Jesus taking to model leadership apply to everyone to some degree. Action is a defining characteristic of Mark’s Gospel.

            Follow along now as I read our text, Mark 3:7 to 19, and see if you can pick out some of the actions of Jesus that model leadership.

In this narrative, we find several ACTIONS taken by Jesus that can be used as a model for leaders.

            Before we begin exploring this text, don’t forget what happened in the preceding verses. Context is very important. Jesus had healed a man in the synagogue on the Sabbath day. As a result, the Pharisees and the followers of Herod began exploring ways to put Jesus to death. That sets the stage for our text.

The First ACTION is,

            Exercise Prudence

            Our text opens with Jesus withdrawing from the synagogue and going to a remote area somewhere along the shore of the Sea of Galilee with His disciples. Luke’s narrative adds that Jesus went to this remote region to pray.

Do you think Jesus was fearful of the threats of His enemies? I don’t think I ever considered that possibility before. I hope you don’t think that’s blasphemous. After all, what does the writer of Hebrews mean when he wrote that “…we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin”? Being tempted in EVERY way certainly includes fear.

One thing we know for sure is that Jesus knew that His time to die hadn’t yet come. So, He exercised prudence or caution. He wasn’t going to needlessly antagonize the opposition. Proverbs 27:12 says, “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; the simple pass on and are punished.” Jesus foresaw the outcome of the opposition and prudently removed Himself to the open countryside around the Sea of Galilee.

To be sure, Jesus didn’t run away and hide, abandoning His ministry and purpose. But He set an example for us on how to exercise prudence. Knowing when to do this calls for wisdom. Sometimes, we must take a bold stand for truth, and Jesus did that many times. But at other times, we can step back, like He did here, and let the opposition cool down for the long-term health of our position and relationships. We see this pattern in the life of the apostle Paul.

All of us face conflict, regardless of our position in life. From Jesus, we learn how to exercise prudence and how to choose our battles carefully to ensure the greatest effectiveness. Are you facing a tense situation? Withdrawal is often a good first option; it gives time for our emotions to cool and allows us to process things in a more relaxed atmosphere. Take note of Jesus’ example and learn to exercise prudence.   

Another ACTION is,

            Evaluate Pressure

            Even as Jesus is withdrawing from the pressure of the religious leaders, He is followed by a great multitude. These words are used twice in verses 7 and 8. But the interesting thing to me is, in the original language, their order is reversed – great multitude vs. multitude great. Verse 7 emphasizes the greatness of the multitude, and verse 8 emphasizes the mass of people itself.

            This double use of the word great most likely indicates thousands or even tens of thousands of people. And that shouldn’t surprise us because look at where they came from. Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, east of the Jordan, and from Tyre and Sidon. In other words, people came from all over the country and beyond. It’s no wonder that Mark highlighted the size of the crowd. Some of them must have traveled for days to reach Jesus.

            So, how did Jesus respond? What did He do? He evaluated the pressure. He realized a crowd this size could be dangerous. Crowds can be unpredictable. Every year, people are trampled to death or injured in crowds. So, He told His disciples to prepare a small boat for Him and to keep it in readiness in case He needed it. He feared the multitude would crush Him. That’s what the text says. Paul uses this same word in Second Corinthians 4:8, “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed…”

            This crowd wasn’t hostile; they were just intensely eager to have their case attended to by Jesus. Verse 10, “For He healed many, so that as many as had afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him.” The word pressed means “to throw oneself upon” something or someone. They wanted to be healed from their diseases and the afflictions of their bodies and minds. We know from the other Gospels that Jesus sometimes used a boat to separate Himself from the crowd so He could teach them.

            Again, we all face pressures in life, but some pressures are unique to leaders. Leaders have authority, and they have power. People seek them out for answers to their questions or help with problems. Wise leaders evaluate that pressure and take steps to ensure that it doesn’t overwhelm them. Parents and business leaders face similar situations. Jesus modeled for us how to evaluate pressures and prepare to deal with them.

As we exercise prudence and evaluate pressure, there is another action in this model for leaders.

Another ACTION is,

            Eschew Popularity

I realize the word eschew isn’t one that we often use. It’s old English. It means to avoid something habitually, especially for moral or practical reasons. Another word would be shun. Why do leaders need to eschew popularity? What temptation often comes with popularity?

You may recall that in chapter one, Jesus healed a man with leprosy and specifically warned him not to tell anyone. In his exuberant joy, the man disobeyed Jesus’ command and began to publicly announce what Jesus had done for him. I’m sure his intentions were good, but they had negative consequences for Jesus. He could no longer openly enter the towns and preach the Gospel because the people thronged Him for physical healing.

            In our text, not only did you have the crowds with physical ailments, but you had people who were tormented by demonic spirits. When the demonic spirits saw Jesus, they kept falling at His feet and crying out, “You are the Son of God, or You are the Messiah!” And He warned them repeatedly not to make Him known. Jesus didn’t want their testimony!

            Do you think Jesus ever struggled with the temptation of pride? If He didn’t, then He wouldn’t be tempted in every way like we are. Since I accept the Bible as truth, I must also submit that Jesus, in His humanity, had to deal with pride. And pride is a very real temptation for leaders.

            Whenever someone is given a position of authority and responsibility, there is always the temptation to become proud. As I said earlier, people seek them out for answers to their questions or help with problems. Because of their leadership roles, they are more visible; they’re “in the public eye,” we say. Leaders need to understand how subtle and pervasive this temptation is and find others to hold them accountable for how they’re doing.

            Authority and responsibility must be joined with accountability. A common thread in the spiritual and moral failures of well-known leaders is the lack of accountability. They felt that their popularity and their position elevated them above the rules they had set for others. The testimony of Jesus was that He did only those things which pleased His Father. He was accountable to Him. As mere humans, we need other people to help us be accountable to God and the commands of His Word.

            In the time of Jesus, uttering the words, “You are the Messiah,” was explosive. The time came when Jesus accepted that acclaim, but not now and not from demons. If Jesus had fallen to the temptation of pride, it would have destroyed His entire ministry. Thankfully, He was tempted in every way like we are – YET WITHOUT SIN!

            As we exercise prudence, evaluate pressure, and eschew popularity, there is a final action in this model for leaders.

A Final ACTION is,

            Execute Preparation

            Wise leaders prepare for the future. That’s what Jesus did in choosing His twelve disciples. He knew His time on earth was limited, so He prepared based on that reality. Every one of us has limited time to be here, and Jesus models for us how to prepare for the future.

            Jesus withdrew from the seaside and went up into a mountain. Luke adds that He went there to pray. That is certainly an important part of the preparation, perhaps the most important part.

            Evidently, Jesus took a select group with Him to the mountain. The original text emphasizes that “He Himself selected” this subgroup and they went off with Him into the mountain. Out of that select group, gathered from the large crowd, He chose the Twelve. There were no self-appointed “volunteers” in Jesus’ inner circle. The Twelve were specifically called by Him.

            These twelve were appointed “that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons…”   

            Those details are important. They were not ready to be sent forth until after they had been with Him for a significant period of time. In this case, approximately three years. There was a lot that Jesus needed to train into these men and a lot He needed to train out of them. The same is true for us today. There are new things for us to learn and old things for us to unlearn as disciples of Jesus. Before anyone can become an effective leader, they need to learn how to follow well.

            I suppose it would be profitable to spend some time looking at the names and personalities of the Twelve. But I don’t plan to do that other than mention that Judas Iscariot, Jesus’ betrayer, was the only one of the Twelve not from the region of Galilee. The important thing is that Jesus modeled for us as leaders how to execute preparations for the future.

            Let’s recap Jesus’ actions that provide a model for us to follow. First, He exercised prudence. He evaluated the situation and took appropriate action. When you face conflict, do you exercise prudence in your responses? Do you step away to avoid a rash response?

            How well do you evaluate pressure? What are the stress points in your life? Do you have contingency plans like Jesus did? Do you shun popularity, knowing that it contains great temptations to become proud? Jesus warned His followers, “Beware when all people speak well of you.” It is a warning we should take seriously.

            And finally, what preparations are you making for the future? Are you willing to face your mortality? Are you willing to train and equip others to carry on the work you have begun?

            If you and I are willing to take these actions that Jesus modeled for us and integrate them into our lives, I believe we can bring Him glory now and into the future through the lives of those we disciple. Will you join me in pursuit of that goal?

Lord of the Sabbath : Part 2

Mark 3:1- 6

Missed Part 1? Catch it here!

His Argument from Human Predicament

              The second incident recorded in our text occurs on another Sabbath day, here at the beginning of chapter three. Jesus is teaching in the synagogue. Nothing new with that, it was something He did regularly.

              In the congregation that day was a man with a withered or shrunken hand. The same word is used to describe the fig tree that Jesus cursed in Matthew chapter twenty-one. So, his hand was useless. Luke records that it was the man’s right hand. For most people, the right hand is the predominant one, the one that enables them to work and earn a living. Marvin Vincent writes: “The [Greek] participle indicates that the withering was not congenital, but the result of accident or disease.” So, this man was not born with a deformity.

              Now, notice verse two. The scribes and the Pharisees were watching Jesus to see whether or not He would heal someone on the Sabbath day. They are watching Him, not just out of curiosity or interest, now there’s animosity. They are watching to see what he will do so they can accuse Him of breaking the Law. That would tarnish His reputation in the eyes of the people and give them an excuse to bring Him before the Sanhedrin. But because of His deity, Jesus always had the upper hand. All along He knew what they were thinking!

              Again, Jesus seems to intentionally raise the tension level in the situation. He commands the man with the withered hand to stand up and move into the middle of the room! Now Jesus has everyone’s attention. As everyone is looking at Him, He asks the question; “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days or to do evil; to save life, or to kill?” In my mind, this is a rhetorical question; the answer is self-evident. I’m fairly certain Jesus intended it to be so.

              After asking the question, Jesus paused to give them time to reflect on His question. As they’re thinking about what He said, He takes time to look over the entire audience slowly and deliberately. Mark says He looked around about Him with anger because he was grieved at the hardness of their hearts. The original grammar of the sentence tells us that His anger was momentary and fleeting, but the grief was continuing.

              The heart and attitude of these religious men were in a state of moral ossification like hardened hands or feet. Poros was used to describe a particular kind of stone, marble, and also of the callus on fractured bones. The Pharisees were hardened against this new truth by their previous conceptions of how it should be applied.

Then He says to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” The man obeyed and immediately his hand was restored to wholeness like his uninjured one.

              How would you have responded if you’d been there? Would you have been glad for the man who was healed? For myself, I would quickly say, “Yes, I would be glad for him.” But what if that healing made me look foolish in the eyes of my peers? After all, what if the roles had been reversed? What if I were the one with the withered hand?

              Think of what this meant to him, not only physically, but also spiritually and emotionally! If he were a day laborer, he would be much more likely to be hired now because he was a whole man. He could once again provide for himself and his family if he had one. He would no longer replay over and over in his mind the circumstances that led to his disability. Instead, he would relive the miraculous moment when his hand was restored and along with it his life was restored! He could now hold his head high and walk with confidence.

              Oh, but notice the response of the Pharisees. Our text says, “The Pharisees went forth and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.”

              Who were the Herodians? They were a political party that wanted to restore Herod to the throne of Judea. They opposed the Pharisees because they wanted a descendant of David on that same throne. So, they were political enemies. Yet because of their hatred for Jesus, they worked together to destroy Him. “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

              This incident reminds me of one that’s recorded in Luke’s Gospel. It’s in chapter 13, verses 14 to 17 where Jesus healed a woman on the Sabbath. “And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day. 

                The Lord then answered him, and said, You hypocrite, do not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?   And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?   And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.”  

              There is a time and place for anger, for righteous indignation. When we see the helpless and innocent being exploited by the powerful, we should be angry. When we see children abused and abandoned by those who brought them into this world we should be upset enough to act.

              But that wasn’t the kind of anger the Pharisees had. No, they had a blind and senseless rage; a violent reaction to someone who made them look bad in the presence of their peers. It was pure hatred for a truly holy person! I’ve never seen that kind of rage that will lead to murder like theirs eventually did. But I have seen the rage of people when their hypocrisy has been exposed; it leads them to bitterness and character assassination.

              Their hatred was so sad because, in their desire to obey God’s law and keep the Sabbath, they had come to the place where they missed the basic reason why God created the Sabbath.

              God didn’t create the Sabbath because He was tired and needed a rest. No; He created the Sabbath for the benefit of His creation. It is interesting to note that man was created just as (what we might call) God’s ‘weekend’ was beginning. Had God’s plan proceeded as it should have, the whole of human history would have been spent in the joyous ‘Sabbath rest for the people of God’ Hebrews 4:9. But sin entered the picture, and our days are now spent in wearisome toil.

              After the sin of our first parents, the seventh day, or the Sabbath is not mentioned again until the celebration of the Passover in Exodus. When the children of Israel were in the wilderness, before receiving the Law at Mt. Sinai, they were forbidden to gather manna on the seventh day. And of course, the command to keep the Sabbath is part of the Decalogue.

              John Stott writes, “The Sabbath day became a very important feature of Jewish religion, and when their vision was clearest the Jews understood that the weekly day of rest was a ‘ritual anticipation of the advent of the messianic age’- a kind of picture, in the form of a religious observance, of what the whole of life would once again be like when God’s Messiah came into the world to set things right—and therefore a thing of delight.

              But as we see in this text, that truth is easily obscured, and the promise can become just a lifeless form. It’s obvious to me that Jesus was not denigrating Sabbath observance, He was objecting to the rigid rules of the Pharisees that made the day a joyless drudgery. The Sabbath, or Lord’s Day, or Sunday, or whatever day of the week you use as a day of rest and reflection on God’s good gifts should be a time of joy and blessing – for you and others.

              One implication of the Genesis story is that a Sabbath day’s rest, one day in seven, is a pattern that has been built into creation and the rhythm of human life from the start. It is not merely a Jewish or a Christian observance; whatever a man’s religion, his constitution as a human being needs a rest of this kind.

              In my opening illustration to this teaching, I mentioned the pack animals and their improved performance with a rest period of one day in seven. Studies have shown that even inanimate machinery functions better and lasts longer if it has one day of rest per week.

       I’m told that specialist Dr. Haegler, of Basil, Switzerland, shows by an ingenious chart that the night’s rest does not balance the day’s work. A workman, for example, breathes thirty ounces of oxygen during Monday’s work but uses thirty-one. At the close of the day, he is one ounce short—has a tired body and is that much in debt to nature. He goes to sleep and breathes more oxygen than he uses so that in the morning he has gotten back five-sixths. The night’s rest does not balance the day’s work.

       On Sunday morning he is six-sixths of an ounce in debt to nature, a whole ounce short, a whole day behind so that he must rest a whole day to get a square ledger balance with nature. Thus, week by week he is restored. But if he neglects to take this weekly rest, he “runs down” and dies before his time. And so, it seems clear that God gave man a day of rest to the benefit of all creation!

       So, what conclusions can we draw from Mark’s record? First, the Old Testament, even though its laws are no longer binding, has much to teach us if we’re willing to examine the spirit of it. Even when examining the Law with its many prohibitions, we must understand that these were all given by God for the protection and blessing of His people. They were never intended to make life joyless and dreary.

       As those who live today under New Testament grace, we must also realize that the requirements of godliness are much greater than under the Law. Now, our thoughts, attitudes, and motivations are under the searchlight of the Word and the Holy Spirit, not just our actions. According to Hebrews 12:14 purity of heart and holiness of life are requirements for those who desire to see God – at work in their lives today, and ultimately in His eternal presence.

       We should also learn to exercise patience and forbearance with those with a different view of the Day of Rest than we do. As human beings, we all lack understanding; we all see through a glass darkly. Let’s encourage one another to focus on why we’re here and on our eternal reward. Let’s “Not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is but exhort one another: and so much the more, as we see the day approaching.” 

       Let’s use wisely the wonderful gift of a day of rest we have. It is meant for our good and the edification of others. The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath; therefore, the Sabbath was never intended to be a day of drudgery! It was meant to be a day that honors God and blesses and refreshes His people. When you truly embrace the Lord of the Sabbath, you will find it to be so in your life and experience.   

Lord of the Sabbath : Part 1

Mark 2:23-28

      Lord Shaftesbury was a member of Parliament in London in the late 1700s. He was a devout Christ follower and a tireless advocate for the poor and the mentally ill. Because he worked closely with the poor, he was well respected among them, and his interactions generated some unique insights and improved some of their lives.

In one instance, the London fruit and vegetable peddlers told him that their donkeys, if they were rested one day in seven, could carry their loads 30 miles per day. But if the peddlers worked the donkeys seven days a week, those same donkeys could only travel 15 miles a day.

      The livelihood of these peddlers depended on their animals, and they discovered that they lost 75 miles of travel each week by working the donkey every day; not only that, but they also had a sick, shabby-looking donkey. If they used the donkey just six days per week, they gained 3,900 miles of travel in a year and had a sleek, nice-looking donkey.

Do donkeys benefit from the Ten Commandments? Here’s Deuteronomy 5:14. “The seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter or your male servant or your female servant, or your ox or your donkey or any of your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates, that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you. 

      God made men and donkeys. He knew what was good for them and put both into the commandments. An unbeliever who ignores God’s law doesn’t know enough to run a donkey without killing it. In Paris, France, there was no Sabbath observance during this time (the time of the French Revolution), and there were more suicides in proportion to the population than in any other city in Christendom.

      In our continuing study of Mark’s Gospel, we move into the end of chapter two. We’ve learned that the common people flocked to hear His teachings and to experience His healing and the Pharisees had begun to openly oppose Him.

            The analogies that we looked at last time were an indication of the growing differences between Jesus and the Pharisees. His teaching, when compared with traditional Jewish belief, was like a new garment that will replace an old one or like new wine that will burst old wineskins. And so, at the end of this chapter, rather than try to placate the opposition, Jesus seems to “throw down the gauntlet.” He confronts them with the statement that HE is the One who is qualified to decide what constitutes keeping the Sabbath, not them!

            Several words from His statement become the title for our study; “Lord of the Sabbath.” Now, I will read our text, Mark:2:23-3:6.

            As we reflect on the words “Lord of the Sabbath,” we learn several things. First, the word, Lord, establishes authority. And the word, Sabbath, establishes the sphere or area in which He exercises that authority as Lord. As we study, we want to see how Jesus, in His position of authority, understood and defined the original intent of the Sabbath.

In this text, Jesus supports His claim to the lordship of the Sabbath by posing two arguments.

His Argument from Scriptural Precedent

            The scene Mark creates for us in the opening verse of our text must’ve been quite common at that time. According to Deuteronomy 23:25, if you were passing by a grain field, olive grove, or vineyard, you could pick and eat what you needed to satisfy your hunger. But you couldn’t put any in your basket to carry home.

            Picture Jesus and His disciples walking beside a field of standing grain. As they walk, the disciples strip the heads of grain from the stalk and rub the kernels together in their hands to remove the outer husks. I remember doing that on the small farm where I spent my childhood. You can strip the head off the stalk of wheat or barley in one smooth motion. Then, rub the kernels together in your hand to remove the husks, blow gently so those husks float away, and you have a ready-made snack – not very tasty, but nutritious!

            What the disciples were doing was satisfying their hunger. The Pharisees immediately accused them of doing something that was not lawful for the Sabbath. How so? To the Pharisees, there were three simultaneous violations of the law: reaping, threshing, and preparing food!

The Pharisees had come up with 39 specific kinds of activities that were prohibited on the Sabbath. I think the simple act of walking took more work than the process of eating a few kernels of grain. And the Pharisees had figured out how far you could walk on the Sabbath, too.

            Who said that the actions of the disciples violated the Law? It was the Pharisees. They saw themselves as the final arbiters of the Law. But Jesus had something to say about that.

            Now, before I look at Jesus’ response, I want to say a bit about the Pharisees. First, while Jesus was sharply critical of them, He also realized that theirs’ was a sincere attempt to obey the law. If that weren’t the case, then why did He say things like, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat:   All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not after their works: for they say, and do not.” That’s Matthew 23:2-3.

            The Jewish historian Josephus says, “[in the time of Jesus] …the Pharisees comprised only about five percent of the nation and numbered just over 6,000 full-fledged members. They were regarded as the most accurate interpreters of the Law and were held in such esteem that all Jewish prayers and religious services were brought into conformity with what the Pharisees taught. Even the Sadducees made some concessions to Pharisaic practices.”

            Jesus didn’t fault them for their study and application of the Law. He faulted them for giving their interpretations equal weight with the Scripture. In fact, at one point, Jesus said to them in Mark 7:9, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!” So, because Jesus and His disciples did not keep the law exactly the way the Pharisees thought it should be kept, they were guilty of violating the law.

            Jesus responded by appealing to the Scriptures. Two things stand out: first, God’s Word is authoritative. It gives direction for living. Second, the Pharisees accepted and studied the complete Old Testament, not just the Torah, as the Sadducees did. So, they should have been familiar with the fact that, in some cases, personal needs preempt the law.

            Jesus takes them back to the experience of David in First Samuel 21. There, David was fleeing from Saul and came to the town of Nob. This was the location of the Tabernacle during the reign of Saul. David was hungry, so he asked Ahimelech, the priest, for five loaves of bread or whatever was available. Ahimelech told him the only thing he had on hand was showbread, the hallowed bread, The Bread of the Presence.

            Mark says it was when Abiathar was the high priest. Luke says Ahimelech gave him the bread. Is this a contradiction? Ahimelech was the father of Abiathar, and after Doeg, the Edomite, slaughtered all the priests at Nob, Abiathar was the only one left, and he became the high priest. It would be a little like saying, “King David was born in Bethlehem.” David wasn’t king when he was born, but this is a common way of speaking. So, there is no contradiction here.

The Bread of the Presence was 12 loaves, one loaf for each tribe of Israel. And these loaves were not small either. Each one was made from two-tenths of an ephah, about 4 liters or a gallon. Jewish sources say each loaf weighed about 5 kilograms or 11 pounds!

This bread was a symbol of God’s desire for fellowship and communion with His people. The loaves were placed on a golden table in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle and remained there for one week. It was unleavened bread, or it would’ve spoiled in that amount of time. Then, they were removed, and fresh loaves were put in their place.

The bread that had reached its expiration date was the only bread Ahimelech had on hand. That hallowed bread, according to Leviticus 24:9, was to be eaten by the priests. Leviticus doesn’t state that this bread was forbidden to others. Jesus says it was “for the priests alone.”

            So, what was Jesus getting at? First, there does seem to be a bit of a ‘dig’ at the Pharisees, a rebuke by Jesus. Most English translations don’t communicate it very well. The closest we can come is something like, “…have you not read even this…? After all, these men were scholars and had a high regard for the Hebrew Scriptures; they should’ve been familiar with what happened.

            Jesus makes it clear by this illustration that human need trumps the letter of the law. Now, that statement can be taken by some as a license to do whatever they want. But that violates the spirit of what Jesus is teaching. The key is human NEED. This illustration isn’t about convenience; it’s about need.  

      Today, within Christendom, there’s considerable debate about how this principle of ‘one-day-in-seven’ should be observed: Sabbath or Sunday, or if it should be observed at all! Those who argue for a Saturday observance point back to Genesis 2:2-3. These verses record how God rested on the seventh day of Creation and set that day apart as a day of rest. They make a valid point. Our brothers and sisters in the country of Nepal worship on Saturday for a very pragmatic reason: it’s the day when government offices and businesses are closed.

      Those who advocate for Sunday observance point to the Resurrection of Christ and the fact that the early church met for times of worship and fellowship on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7 and First Corinthians 16:2). They, too, have valid points for their practice.

      Then another group says there’s no need for any one day of the week to be set aside as a worship day. They argue that every day should be a day of worship. They point out that the observance of the Sabbath and feast days were only shadows of things to come, and when Jesus died, rose again, and ascended to heaven, those shadows and types contained in the law were all fulfilled. So now, no one particular day of the week is more holy than the others. They quote Galatians 4:10 and similar verses. Their argument has some valid points, too.

      So, what do we make of these different ideas and Jesus’ teaching? One thing seems clear: don’t reject out of hand those who see things differently than you do! At the same time, remember that there are biblical commands like those in Hebrews 10:23-25. “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)   And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:   Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” 

      I believe that those who use the argument that no one particular day is to be set aside for worship, fellowship, and inspiration are at the greatest risk of becoming self-absorbed in their business and pleasure. There is something valuable about structure and discipline in our lives.

      But then there’s also the risk of becoming what we call “a Sunday-Christian.” You go to church and observe the day of rest, but the rest of the week, those who don’t know you went to Sunday service could never tell that you are a follower of Christ. So, in reality, this whole issue becomes a matter of what’s in your heart.

      One of the blessings of my childhood was my parents’ view of the importance of regular worship and fellowship with other Believers. My parents had a very simple guiding principle: when there was a meeting in our church, we were there! That wasn’t always convenient, but to them, it was a commitment. 

      I never felt like my parents made that commitment to look good in the eyes of other people or to appear as being more spiritual than others. They simply made a good-faith attempt to live out biblical principles in a practical way.

      As a result of that commitment, certain activities were off-limits for us on Sunday. I didn’t necessarily agree with them in all those areas. But I still see great value in keeping one day a week as a special day unto the Lord. But that special day should be a blessing, not a burden.

      I remember, in the aftermath of Hurricane Agnes in 1972, going to a nearby town on a Sunday afternoon to help with the cleanup after that massive storm. It was hard, dirty, exhausting work shoveling several feet of mud and muck out of basements. Yet we worked that Sunday as an expression of our love for the Lord and our neighbors.

      I believe that is, at least in part, what Jesus was trying to teach the Pharisees. Their rigid enforcement of rules and regulations turned what should have been a delight into drudgery; not only for them, but for those who looked up to them as spiritual guides. We talked about that in a previous study about fasting when the bridegroom is present.

If only they had truly understood the words of Isaiah 58, they would’ve known that God intended the Sabbath to be a time of great joy, a time of blessing and rich fellowship. The focus of Isaiah 58 is on God first and then on blessing others. 

      There are many professing Christians today who see God’s commands as drudgery. They think God is out to spoil their fun and to make their lives monotonous. They feel this way because they focus on themselves and what they want and enjoy. But Jesus said that joy in life comes by learning to serve others.

            As God in the flesh, Jesus perfectly understood the needs of His followers. He still understands today. And so, He said to the Pharisees, “I’m the Master of the Sabbath. I helped write these laws; I’ll show you how to interpret them.” Here, we have the Living Word appealing to a precedent in the written Word to establish His authority to interpret the Law!

Part 2 of this message is now available!

The Offense of Grace

Mark 2:13-17

              Most religions of the world have some things in common. One is the belief in a higher power that can impact life in either a positive or negative way. Religions also share practices like worship, kindness, compassion, and community. But what is the goal of these practices?

The fundamental goal of all religions is to enable worshipers to connect with the object of their worship. To reach that goal, they must find a way to be acceptable to the god or gods they worship. Subjectively, they concern sin and the sinner. Objectively, they seek forgiveness of sin and welcome to the sinner.

Granted, not all religions have a concept of sin. But most of them operate on the premise that the worshiper must DO something to make him or herself acceptable to the one being worshiped. The Rabbinical traditions of Judaism in Jesus’ day followed this premise. All of their cumbersome observances were only an attempted answer to the question, “How can a person be just with God?”

Judaism, as practiced in the time of Christ, stood silent and powerless regarding the forgiveness of sins. It had no word of welcome or help for the sinner. The very title, “Pharisee,” meant “separated one,” and it implied that sinners were excluded. We see this mindset and its effects repeatedly in the Gospels. Pharisees believed that the unlearned or ignorant in the Law could neither be right with God nor live righteously. Contact with such people made one unclean.

Understanding this concept is critical to the proper interpretation of the healing of the paralytic (which we looked at last time) and the text before us today. In the minds of the religious leaders, one needed to clean up their life before coming to God. Once that happened, God would accept them. So, when Jesus welcomed sinners and offered them grace, the scribes and Pharisees were offended because it was contrary to their whole belief system. I’ve titled my teaching “The Offense of Grace.”

That Jesus introduces this concept of grace so early in His ministry is instructive. His miracles of curing human sickness and curing the sickness of the soul showcased His power as the Great Physician.

So, follow along now as I read Mark 2:13 to 17. Follow the sequence of events and the varied reactions to the grace of Jesus.

The sequence of ACTIONS in this text shows us how grace is restorative to the sinner but offensive to the self-righteous. The actions are the call to a sinner, the community of sinners, the contempt of the scribes, and the correction of the Savior.

The First ACTION is,

              The Call to a Sinner

              Levi was a tax collector for the hated Roman government. Jesus met him, in the words of our text, “…sitting at the tax office.” Sitting at, is literally sitting on the elevated platform or bench, which was the principal feature of the toll office. This customs office was at Capernaum, the landing place for the many ships which traversed the lake or coasted from town to town. It wasn’t only for those who had business in Capernaum but for those who would connect there with the great road of eastern commerce that ran from Damascus to the harbors of the West.

              Of the two kinds of tax collectors in Jesus’ day, Levi was among the group that was most hated, the Mokhsa. They were responsible for collecting duty on all imports and exports, harbor dues, town dues, and many other nuisance taxes. These they collected at their discretion. These men were known for their greed and for their partiality. They would show favor to the wealthy, including the religious leaders, but take advantage of the poor and the defenseless. Such a man was Levi, probably very wealthy, but deeply despised!

              This word, Mokhsa, seems to be associated with the ideas of oppression and injustice. Because of this, the rabbis forbade tax collectors from serving either as judges or witnesses. In some cases, they were barred from the local synagogue. They also said that repentance was especially difficult for tax gatherers and customs-house officers. That statement has a direct bearing on our text and shows us how Jesus was not bound by rabbinic interpretations of the law!

              In light of all this, you can imagine the astonishment of Jesus’ disciples when He says to Levi, “Follow me.” Jesus didn’t hesitate to break cultural taboos and go against prevailing religious sentiments even though it offended the religious leaders. He had the ability to see beyond the exterior of a person and to look into their soul. So, Jesus offers Levi a simple call, “Follow me.” He was inviting Levi to walk with Him, to become one of His disciples.

              From his tollbooth near the seaside in Capernaum, Levi must have heard Jesus as he taught the crowds on the shore of Lake Galilee. From his elevated seat, he could observe the eager multitudes that thronged Jesus, the white sails of boats crisscrossing the lake, and the crowds following Him from place to place. He saw the long lines of people with all kinds of illnesses and diseases graciously welcomed and sent away completely whole. And like others, Levi most likely “wondered at the gracious words that proceeded out of Jesus’ mouth.”

              To this man, whose repentance the rabbis proclaimed extremely difficult, Jesus offered His simple call; “Follow me.” In the Greek text, Levi’s response is only four words. But those four words show the totality of Levi’s acceptance. “He rose up and followed Jesus.”

              Jesus is still issuing His call of grace to sinners today. It doesn’t matter what your nationality, your family background, your occupation, or your socio-economic status is! Have you, like Levi, heard Jesus’ call? Do you understand His grace? What is your response?

The Next ACTION is,

              The Community of Sinners

              Luke’s Gospel tells us that Levi gave Jesus a great feast in his house. Mark just says that Jesus reclined at the table in Levi’s house.

              In response to Jesus’ call to follow Him, Levi invites Jesus to his house for a meal. Reclining with Him at the table were many tax collectors and other assorted sinners. This isn’t too surprising. “Birds of a feather flock together.” Most of us like to associate with those of similar backgrounds, employment, and lifestyle. This man, so long the subject of hatred and suspicion, has found genuine love and acceptance in the presence of Jesus. Surely, he would want his friends to experience the presence of Jesus, to know his love and acceptance too!

              As human beings, our greatest need is the forgiveness of sin. When that need is met, it brings visible results. For the paralyzed man, whose healing we looked at earlier, forgiveness of sin caused him to “take up his bed and walk.” While he didn’t become one of Jesus’ inner circle, he certainly was a disciple. Levi’s forgiveness motivated him to share his resources and Jesus’ friendship with his fellow tax collectors. 

              Levi evidently was a man with a big heart. He had just walked away from a very lucrative and secure way of making a living. As long as there was commerce, there were taxes! While he most likely was a wealthy man with accumulated property, he had no certainty of future income. I believe his generosity gives evidence of the new life he was living. Before, he was cold, calculating, and greedy; now, he freely shared what he had without thought of expense.

              Levi’s example illustrates an important effect of salvation: grace is restorative; it makes a difference in the focus of our lives and our relationships with other people. Following Jesus calls for a focus on the things He wants rather than what I want. Following Jesus calls me to use my resources for His honor and glory and for the blessing of others. Following Jesus will enable me to do both of those joyfully. How does your life, and mine, measure up to those important truths? Am I willing to share what I’ve found with people like me, my community of sinners?

The Next ACTION is,

              The Contempt of the Scribes

              “The scribes of the Pharisees…” considered themselves to be among the few who were worthy of God’s attention. After all, they knew the law and had worked out a strict code of rules and regulations to make sure they didn’t violate it. The common people were beneath them; their very ignorance made them unclean in the sight of these “holy ones.” So, for Jesus to meet with these sinners offended them and opened Him up to their criticism.

              The common people of the day had a certain respect and fear of the Pharisees. Some saw their outward piety and concluded that they were actually holy men. Other’s respect was more self-serving. They knew that most of these men were wealthy and wielded significant power in their communities. They had the ability to make your life miserable if they wanted to. So, it was best to at least act like you respected them. 

              The religious leaders really didn’t understand the divine realities of grace, mercy, and forgiveness. That’s evident from their question to Jesus’ disciples. “If your teacher is holy, why is he associating with those who are unclean?” They were offended that Jesus would offer grace to these they looked down upon with contempt.

              I find it interesting that they complained to the disciples rather than to Jesus. They most likely hadn’t forgotten how Jesus so thoroughly confounded them in the healing of the paralyzed man. Inspired by Satan, they wanted to drive a wedge between Jesus and His followers. The followers of Jesus were yet in their spiritual infancy; they were not settled in their minds on many questions of faith and righteousness.

              Are there people that you and I know whom we feel are worthy of contempt? Of course, we’d say, “No.” But what do our actions show? Don’t we often try to avoid messy situations where people are deeply entangled in sinful behaviors? Are we sometimes fearful of what others may say about us if they see us in the company of people burdened with sin? If we’re honest, we’ll have to admit that we have some of the same attitudes the Pharisees did.

              Let’s face it: the Gospel is offensive to people because it exposes their sin. It shows them they can’t be good enough to earn God’s approval. It is also offensive to the self-righteous when Jesus freely offers His grace to those they consider undeserving.  

The Final ACTION is,

              The Correction of the Savior

              Evidently, Jesus overheard them asking the question because He spoke directly to their criticism. “Those who are healthy do not need a doctor; only those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Jesus was calling sinners to repentance, but He was also calling them to much more than that! He was calling them to Himself and to become His disciples.

Michael Yaconelli, author of the book, “Messy Spirituality,” shares insight into our need for a physician. He tells how there was a period of time when he and his wife employed a housekeeper. She would come once a week to dust, vacuum, and clean every little corner of their house. He dreaded the day she came because he and his wife would spend all morning cleaning the house for the housekeeper! They didn’t want the house to be dirty, or what would the housekeeper think?

He went on to say that we act the same way with God. We talk our way out of the spiritual life by refusing to come to God as we are. Instead, we decide to wait until we are ready to come to God as we aren’t. We decide that the way we lived yesterday, last week, or last year makes us “damaged goods,” and until we start “living right,” we’re not “God material.”

Some of us actually believe that until we choose the correct way to live, we’re not worthy of being chosen, that until we clean up the mess, Jesus won’t have anything to do with us. The opposite is true. Until we admit we’re a mess, Jesus won’t have anything to do with us. Once we admit how unlovely we are and how lost we are, Jesus shows up and changes us from the inside out.

The New Testament shows us that Jesus is attracted to the unattractive. He prefers the lost ones over the ninety-nine found ones, the losers over the winners, the broken instead of the whole, the messy instead of the non-messy, the crippled instead of the noncrippled.

Have you accepted Jesus’ call to be one of His followers? The call He gave to Levi is still extended today. He’s saying, “Follow me.” He is inviting you to leave behind your sin, rise up from the ashes of your sinful past, and follow Him. What freedom and joy you can experience, just like Levi did.

              And then you will want to tell your friends how Jesus has set you free! You will want them to experience the incredible blessings you’ve received as a follower of Jesus. You will invite them to listen and learn, to have fellowship with Him.

              But in doing this, you will also surely invite criticism. Not everyone will appreciate your new-found freedom. Your newly cleansed life will make some of your former friends feel the guilt of their sin. They will accuse you of being a do-gooder, a “holier-than-thou” kind of person. And they may refuse to associate with you. That, too, is part of the offense of grace.

              But remember, Jesus is calling sinners. The self-righteous don’t see their need for Him. In their minds, they do well enough on their own. So, don’t be offended by God’s grace; reach out, accept it, and let your life and the lives of those around you be transformed.

Jesus Forgives and Heals

Mark 2:1-12

              Most of us who have lived more than twenty or thirty years can look back on life and see the results of some of our decisions. Some decisions were good and brought blessings, others were not so good and brought us trouble and pain. This is our experience as human beings.

              Like you, I’ve made decisions in the past that have brought me great joy and blessings. I’ve made others that I’d like to go back to and change. But I can’t, it’s impossible. That’s not the way life works. I’ve also met people who continually beat themselves up over poor decisions they made in the past.

              I’ve seen people whose childhood was turbulent, even traumatic, put that behind them and become well-adjusted adults. I’ve seen others who’ve experienced far less turbulence get stuck in the trap of constantly looking back and reliving the past. Some of them become bitter, reactionary, and emotionally unstable, always blaming others for their troubles. It’s really sad to watch, especially when it can be different.

              Jesus has the ability to redeem and restore what has been broken, the power to forgive and to heal. That’s the focus of our study from Mark 2:1 to 12. Jesus uses the healing of a paralyzed man to show us how our decisions impact our lives and our relationship with Him.

              So, follow along now as I read the Scripture. As I read, see if you can pick out the decisions that were made and how they impacted those who made them. Here is Mark 2:1 to 12.

              Before we get into our study, let me give a bit of context. At the end of the previous chapter, Jesus was teaching in the synagogues throughout the cities of Galilee and casting out demons. In the course of His ministry, He was approached by a leper who asked Him for cleansing. Jesus healed the man, then sent him off to the priest for his cleansing and warned him not to tell anyone what happened to him. The former leper disregarded Jesus’ command and the resulting attention prevented Jesus from openly entering the towns of the area.

In this account of the healing of a paralytic, the text shows us how our DECISIONS impact our life and our relationship with Him. The three decisions we observe in this text are an act of faith, a question of unbelief, and a demonstration of authority.

The First DECISION we see (that impacts our life) is,

              An Act of Faith

              The opening of our text has Jesus returning home to Capernaum from the other parts of Galilee. When the word got out that Jesus was back home in Capernaum, a crowd gathered. The crowd grew so large that there was no room in the house, no room even in the doorway. The Greek uses a double-negative to intensify the meaning. This house was packed full, and the street outside was full too! “There was not no more room for anyone.”

Now, keep that scene in your mind and add what happens next. Several men are bringing a paralyzed man to see Jesus. Four of them are carrying him on some kind of bed, maybe just a sleeping mat held by the four corners. They evidently believed that Jesus could heal their friend. Their carrying him to Jesus was an act of faith.

Picture them turning the last corner into the street where the house was. Maybe an audible groan escaped one of them and their shoulders sagged a bit in disappointment as they saw the crowd. Coming closer, they realized there was no way they were going to be able to penetrate that dense throng of people. If you had been them, what would you have done?

To their credit, they didn’t give up. I don’t know how far they had already carried this man, but they weren’t going to let a crowd stymie their plans. Knowing the town, they most likely took a back alley or side street to the rear of the house. Houses of that era often had an outside stairway to the roof where people often enjoyed the cool of the morning or evening.

So, up they went. And they must’ve been familiar with the layout of the place too. Because they knew just where to uncover the roof in order to let their friend down in front of Jesus.

But to uncover the roof wasn’t a matter of just removing some thatch. These roofs were often made of small logs laid across the outside walls of the house. Smaller branches and grass or reeds were the next layer. On top of that was a layer of clay tramped down over everything and hardened by the heat of the sun. It must have taken considerable effort to make an opening large enough to let their friend down without dumping him off his pallet!

Now, imagine Jesus teaching in the house jammed full of people, with the religious leaders close beside him and the crowd overflowing into the street. All of a sudden little bits of dust and debris start falling from the ceiling above His head. And then bigger pieces of dirt and debris begin to fall, and daylight appears above Him as the men enlarge an opening in the roof.

              Now, the hole is quite large, and several heads are silhouetted against the sky. Suddenly, the light disappears for a few moments as the hole is filled with a bed. As the crowd watches in stunned silence the bed slowly descends to the point where they see a man lying on it. His friends continue to lower him until the bed rests on the ground, right in front of Jesus.

              The decision these men made was an act of faith and it had incredible results. Jesus knew the effort it took to place this man before Him. And He responded to their faith by saying, “My son, your sins are forgiven.” I believe, that all five of the men involved in this were stunned by Jesus’ statement. They had brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus for physical healing, but Jesus pronounced him forgiven of his sins! However, at this point, he was still lying on his bed.

              Let’s just leave further discussion of Jesus’ statement until later in our study. What I want us to be sure to catch is the decision to act in faith and how it impacted their lives.

              There are circumstances we face in life that can cause discouragement. We know that from experience. We had expectations about how God would meet our needs, and lo and behold it turned out very differently. Do we push through and persist like these men did or do we give up?

Sometimes people discourage us too. They say, “Things will never change, just forget it.” But we don’t have to listen to them. It’s much better to listen to the promises God has given to us, like Hebrews 11:6. “…without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” God rewards those who come to him in faith as these men did. What circumstances are you facing right now that calls for an act of faith on your part? Will you believe or will you give up?

But there were spoilers in the crowd. And that leads us to the next decision and its impact.

The Next DECISION we see is,

              A Question of Unbelief

              There were “scribes” in this crowd. Who were these men and why were they there? Their primary duty was to know and preserve the law and lead the people. They were responsible for teaching and interpreting the law. They also handled all kinds of legal matters.

              Sadly, by Jesus’ time, they had added a multitude of extra traditions to their teachings. Their man-made rules hindered the people from truly knowing God—sometimes going against the commands of Scripture. They were threatened by Jesus’ popularity and their loss of prestige. Remember, the people said that Jesus taught with authority, not like the scribes. So, they were there to find fault with Jesus’s teaching. His popularity had aroused their jealousy.

              When Jesus pronounced forgiveness of sins for the paralytic, immediately they began to judge Jesus. “Why does this man speak like that? It’s blasphemy! No one can forgive sins but God.” They didn’t give voice to their thoughts, but their faces must’ve indicated what they were thinking. Jesus instantly recognized their thoughts in His own spirit.

              These men were rejecting Jesus as the Son of God. They knew the law and the prophets. They knew that when Messiah came, He would exercise these kinds of powers. But because He came in a way that was different than they expected and because He didn’t try to fit into their system, they rejected Him.

              Today, many reject Jesus because He doesn’t fit their preconceived ideas. Or maybe He doesn’t fit their plans or their lifestyle. Everyone is free to make their own decision about Jesus but think about the impact it will have on your life, present and future. If you reject Him, like these scribes did, it will not end well for you.

              So far, we have looked at two differing decisions, an act of faith and a question of unbelief. Those lead us to the final decision…

The Final DECISION we see is,

              A Demonstration of Authority

              Immediately, Jesus fully perceived in His spirit what they were thinking. So, He asked, “Why do you reason this way in your hearts? Which is easier to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, pick up your mat, and walk?”

              Do you see what Jesus was doing here? If someone’s sins are forgiven, you can’t immediately see the evidence of that. It is something that happens to you on the inside first. But for this man to get up, pick up his mat, and walk away was undeniable evidence that a miracle had taken place. No ordinary man could make either one of them happen. This was a demonstration of Jesus’ authority.

              In fact, He spells it out for them. You question what I am doing, “But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” – He said to the paralytic,“I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” In essence, Jesus was saying to the scribes, I have power to heal physically, and I have the power to forgive sins. The fact that I can heal this man physically demonstrates my power to forgive his sins.  

              At Jesus’ command, the paralytic got up, picked up his mat, and went out in full view of everyone in the crowd. I can imagine the crowd was stunned, and perhaps momentarily silent, parting to let him make his way to the door and out into the street. I also imagine that the silence didn’t last long because the text says they were all amazed and began to praise God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

              Jesus made the decision to demonstrate His authority and He is still the same today as He was back then. He is ready and willing to forgive and heal. He has the authority to do both. But remember, the healing of this man’s body, though it was a great miracle, was only temporary. Eventually, his body would wear out and he would die. In contrast, the forgiveness of his sins was of eternal impact. His choices to exercise faith and obedience to Jesus’ command changed his life, and I assume, the lives of his friends, forever.

              Conversely, the decision of unbelief by the scribes impacted them forever too. Unless they changed their minds and embraced Jesus as Messiah, and some of them did, their near future and eternal future would be negatively impacted.

              Have you allowed Jesus to demonstrate His authority in your life? Are you acting in faith or unbelief? I can’t guarantee that Jesus will heal your physical disability, but I can guarantee you that if you come to Him in faith, He will forgive your sins and make you completely whole.

HOPE for the New Year

Selected Texts

Bold titles are song titles.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling.” 

            “Roll, Roll, Billows Roll                     

            Thank you, men, for that testimony of confidence that God is our refuge and strength; we don’t need to fear. And thank you for tuning in to this New Year’s edition of The Voice of Hope. I’m J. Mark Horst, your host, and I’m delighted to have you join me.

            Well, here we are, just about ready to turn the calendar page to the year 2024. Looking around at the conditions in our world could lead us to have a fearful, pessimistic view of the future. There are numerous wars going on around the world and crime and violence are on the rise in our country. But let’s not forget – God is in control.

            The Psalmist asked, “Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying ^“Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure: “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.”

                        “Thine is the Kingdom”                    

            Isn’t it comforting to know that the Almighty, Sovereign God is in control of events in our world? It is to me. But do you know something? He’s in control of the events of your life, too! Now maybe you have no problem believing that God controls the events in your world, but you do have a problem believing that God controls the events of your life.

            In fact, you may not want Him to have that control. Instead, you want to have control, you want to make those choices yourself! You’re afraid that if you let God choose for you, He’ll ask you do something or serve Him in some way that you don’t want to.

            But listen to what God has to say in Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. [That verse is familiar and is often quoted by itself. But listen to what follows]. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”If you trust God with the details of your life, if you seek Him with all your heart, then this will be your testimony.

            “The Lord is My Strength and My Song”                 

            Now, it’s true, trusting God with your life will not guarantee that things will always be easy or go the way you plan. But because God is the All-wise, All-knowing, loving Heavenly Father, He will not allow anything into your life that is not for your good and His glory. God doesn’t allow trouble and heartache just to make your life difficult. No, He always has a purpose He wants to accomplish. That purpose is to make you more like Jesus, and to demonstrate His power through you to those who are watching your life.

            Are you willing to give God that kind of freedom in your life as we enter the New Year?

                        “Prince of Peace”                  

            Just a few short days ago, we celebrated Christmas. As you recall, one of the primary messages of the angelic host was the peace that Christ came to bring. When you and I allow God to be in control of our lives then we receive His gift of peace. Colossians 3:14 and 15 tell us to “…put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”

                        “Wonderful Peace”              

            The peace of God is such a precious possession that once you have experienced it your soul will overflow with praise and thanks to God. And do you know something else? That peace will affect your relationships with other people. Yes, it will! And you will have sweet fellowship with God and with God’s children.

                        “Sweet Fellowship”              

            Ah yes, sweet fellowship. And you know friend, that sweet fellowship we can have with God and with our brothers and sisters in Christ is only a foretaste of that fellowship we will have when at last we are in the presence of Jesus. It is a reality we can only remotely fathom here in this life. In First Corinthians 2:9 Paul wrote, “But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared those who love him.” Yes, the past will seem like a distant dream when we are at home in

                        “Jerusalem the Golden”                   

            As I think about that future home of the redeemed my greatest concern is for you. Do you have a place reserved there? As we face the beginning of a new year it is very possible that Jesus could return during these next weeks and months. Are you ready?

                        “The Lord is Coming”                                   

            I hope this program has encouraged you as you contemplate the New Year. If so, we’d love to hear from you. The easiest way to connect with us is by using our e-mail address, hope@heraldsofhope.org, or call us toll free at 866-960-0292. Or by mail, The Voice of Hope, Box 3, Breezewood, Pennsylvania 15533.

           If you’d like to help support this ministry financially, you can include a gift with your letter, or donate securely online. Truly, it is God’s grace, accompanied by your fervent prayers and your generous financial support that will enable THE VOICE OF HOPE to be on the air until Jesus comes in the air.

            I hope you’ll join me next week for The Voice of Hope. Lord willing, we’ll turn once again to our study in the Gospel of Mark. I hope you can tune in for that teaching, “The Ministry of the Servant.” So, we’ll look forward to being with you next time, and until we meet again, reflect on the power of this name.

                                    “Jehovah”                  

Following Jesus

Mark 1:16-20

            I’m a lover of history, so I’ve read a lot of books and watched numerous films, especially relating to World War II. I remember one film where a group of soldiers needed to cross a minefield in order to advance. Before they began to cross, their leader reminded them to walk very carefully, placing their feet directly in his footsteps to avoid the mines and certain death.

            Unfortunately, one of the men lost his balance and stumbled. Not only did that soldier lose his life, but the explosion also gave away their position to their enemies and put the lives of the whole squad in jeopardy. One man’s failure affected the whole group.

            Learning how to follow well is a skill we all need to develop, especially leaders. But because we’re born with a sin nature, our greatest motivation is to follow self, to pursue what we want. If that motivation is left unchecked, it will ultimately destroy us.

               As we continue our study in Mark’s Gospel, we come to the account of Jesus calling the first several of His disciples. In keeping with his style, Mark’s record is very short and very concise, but it provides a very clear picture for us of what following Jesus involves. So, my title is short and concise too, “Following Jesus.” The text for our consideration is Mark 1:16-20. Listen carefully and see if you can pick out the steps that put us on the path to following Jesus.

In this text, Jesus walks us through a series of STEPS to put us on the path to follow Him. Those steps are the call, the commission, and the commitment. We will examine each of these carefully.

The First STEP (on the path to following Jesus) is,

            The Call

            In our study last time, we learned that after Jesus had overcome all of Satan’s temptations in the wilderness of Judea, He made His way back to Galilee. As our text opens, Jesus is walking along the Sea of Galilee. Now we know enough about Jesus to realize that this wasn’t just a random walk. He had a purpose in mind. Jesus said in John 5:30, “I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.” So, His walk had a purpose, He was there by divine appointment.

As he walks by the Sea of Galilee He observes Simon, and Andrew, two brothers, casting their net into the sea because they were fishermen. That’s all the information Mark gives us about them as he introduces us to them.

As they’re going about their work, Jesus says to them, “Come, follow Me.” Come can be a word of invitation or a word of command. In John’s Gospel, chapter one, he records that two men who heard John the Baptist’s proclamation of Jesus as the Lamb of God started following Jesus. Jesus turned around and asked them what they wanted. They said, “Teacher, where are you staying?” Jesus’ response was “Come and see.” He was inviting them into His life—into His experience. He was saying, “Follow me and see where I’m going.” They accepted His offer.

You and I are not Jewish, we’re not fishermen, we don’t live in Galilee, and we live in a very different era of time. But this first step along the path to following Jesus is the same for us as it was for those first disciples long ago. It is the call or the invitation, “Come, follow Me.” Just a few verses later, this same invitation is extended to James and John, the sons of Zebedee.

Notice that the call to discipleship, the invitation to follow in this text is initiated by Jesus. No one becomes a disciple of Jesus on his or her own ambition. Jesus said in John 6:44, “No one can come to Me except the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.” The invitation to “come, follow me,” originates with God and Jesus, all you and I can do is respond with a yes or a no. In this way, we’re no different than these four men.

Like these men, we too have our daily work, our responsibility of making a living. Like them, we’ve been invited to follow Jesus. If you haven’t heard Jesus’ invitation, it still is valid today. Like these men, we must decide how we’ll respond to the call of discipleship. Like them, we don’t know where this call may lead us. We must, like them, consider the cost. And ultimately, we too can become “fishers of men.”

Have you responded to Jesus’ call to discipleship? A disciple is a follower. In the setting of our text, these men revered Jesus as a Rabbi, a Teacher. In that day, the students became followers. The teacher didn’t just impart facts, he taught by example. The apostle Paul wrote, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” We could just as accurately translate that as “imitate me as I imitate Christ.” So, Jesus’ invitation, His call for these men to follow Him, was a call to pattern their lives after His. That call is still the same after all these years. Have you heard His call? What is your response?

The Next STEP (on the path to following Jesus) is,

            The Commission

            A commission is a charge, a granting of authority. So, Jesus said, “If you follow Me, I will make you become fishers of men.” They were already fishers of fish. They were seasoned fishermen who knew their business. We know that because later on when Jesus gave them specific instructions about how to fish, they did it only because it was Jesus telling them what to do. Veterans don’t like taking advice from rookies.

            Do you ever wonder what may have gone through the minds of these men when Jesus spoke these words, “fishers of men?” They knew a lot about catching fish. First, you need to know the habits of the fish, how they respond to changing conditions, and where they’re likely to be at any given time. In the Sea of Galilee, the fishing was mostly done at night. Then you need the right equipment, boat, nets, and so on. But as any fisherman can tell you, you can have all those things and still catch nothing.

            One of our challenges in reading the Scriptures is that we have an inherent cultural bias. That is, we interpret Scripture through the lens of our own experiences. So, when we talk about fishing (in the Western world), we automatically think about a rod and reel, hook, and bait. But these men, according to the text, were casting a net. That’s a different way of fishing.

Our way of fishing capitalizes on deception and singling out an individual fish. Sadly, that’s how some people approach evangelism. I knew a man many years ago who had some folks come to his door to share the Gospel. I have no problem with that method. But after they shared what they had, they kept pressing him, in their words, “to pray the sinner’s prayer.” By the way, I’ve never found that prayer in my copy of the Scripture.

He refused repeatedly to do what they asked. But finally, he realized they weren’t going to leave, so he just repeated the words after them. He told me it meant nothing to him. But those folks could go back to their church and report that they had “caught a fish.” That’s not a good example of “catching” men. I had the opportunity to apologize to him for that bad experience.

Others deceptively offer Jesus as a panacea for all your troubles. “Just come to Jesus and you’ll be healthy, wealthy, and wise.” But Jesus said that following Him involves pain, trials, and temptations. You’ll face rejection from those you love, maybe even abuse. Unbelievers will hate you because they hate Him and His commands. Those are the things He suffered, and He assured us that as His followers we will face the same. Any other message is dishonest.

In contrast, fishing with a net, like they did in our text, implies more of a group mentality. You approach the fish in their natural habitat and gently gather them into the net. I think there are interesting concepts here for how we design our evangelistic efforts.

It’s interesting that this commission to “catch” men appears very near the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. And He echoes the same commission in a different form just before He ascended to the Father after His resurrection. There, He said, “Go and make disciples of all peoples…” So, evidently, fishing for men or making disciples was the primary reason for Jesus’ ministry.

            Some people believe that evangelism is the main work of the church. I think I understand what they mean, but I don’t necessarily agree. I think the goal of the Great Commission and the goal of the church is the same—to make disciples, not just converts. Statistically, the majority of people who make an initial commitment to Christ never become disciples. That’s because, especially in the Western world, we tend to shy away from difficult things, from suffering, from hardship, from self-denial. Jesus said the path of discipleship is narrow, it’s hard, and only a few will stick with it to the end. Those who do will be amply rewarded.    

            So far on this path of following Jesus, we’ve looked at the first two steps: the call and the commission.

The Last STEP (on the path to following Jesus) is,

            The Commitment

            The call or invitation has been given. The commission has been spelled out; this is what will happen if you accept the call. Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John now faced a decision. What would they do, and how would they respond?

            Mark says, “Immediately they left what they were doing and followed Jesus.” Simon Peter and Andrew were working, going about their daily tasks, minding their own business. When they followed Jesus, they were leaving behind the security of their occupation, their source of income. They were leaving behind the familiarity of daily routines. They were setting out on a journey that had an unknown destination.  

            In the case of James and John, they were working with their father and the hired men on mending their nets. These two were leaving behind the same things as Peter and Andrew but Mark makes an additional point of commitment. They were leaving behind relationships with family and business associates to follow (at this point) a largely unknown Rabbi.

            Again, the individualism that pervades our Western mindset sees this as “no big deal.” But it was a big deal! In a culture where the approval of the family and community carries much more weight than the opinions or wishes of the individual, you don’t make snap decisions like that.

If any of these men were the oldest sons in their families, they had responsibilities to their parents and siblings that were clearly spelled out in the Law of Moses. So, this step they were taking was against cultural norms and their religious practice. Jesus later taught them that following Him was paramount. Some of their previous understandings needed to be changed. Following Him would cost them family relationships, financial security, and religious acceptance.

            These men followed Jesus. Because we have the whole record of the Gospels, we know their initial commitment was tested. We know they didn’t understand some of Jesus’ choices, that they were shocked by some of His interactions with people, especially those considered to be ceremonially unclean and even the “dogs” of the Gentiles.

We know these men struggled with their own prejudices, and their own selfishness, their own desires for prominence. They went from riding the crest of waves of popularity to the depths of rejection and hiding in fear. But through all the ups and downs they stuck with Jesus – all of them except Judas. And Jesus remained committed to them.

I am so grateful that Jesus is the same today. You and I are no different than these four men we’ve met in our text today, nor the other eight who joined them later. We struggle with our prejudices, and our selfishness, our desires for prominence. We feel like our decision to follow Jesus should give us certain privileges or exempt us from certain hardships. But hopefully, through all the ups and downs we stick with Jesus. We are assured that Jesus remains committed to us.

What a tremendous blessing and encouragement it is to know that “He who has begun a good work in [us] will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ.” To know that “for those who love God all things [DO] work together for good,for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Later, Simon Peter said to Jesus, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel,who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” These are just a few of the many promises in the Scripture for those who follow Jesus.

Where are you on this path to following Jesus? Have you heard His call, His invitation to follow Him? If not, I am offering it to you right now. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” To believe is to follow, it is to make the same choices Jesus would make.

Maybe you’ve already accepted the call and you understand the commission. But maybe life has turned out differently than you expected and you’re somewhat disillusioned with it all. It turned out to be harder than you expected to keep following.

And then, what about your commitment? Maybe you’ve picked up some of the things you initially left behind to follow Jesus—care the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, or unscriptural relationships. You can lay those things down again and follow Him with renewed zeal. This has been my experience. You don’t need to be perfect; you just need to be committed!

To these men, Jesus was an unknown Rabbi. But there was something about Him that commanded their attention and their response. You and I have the revelation of Jesus in a much fuller way than they did. So, we are more responsible. How are you following Jesus?

On Your Mark

Mark 1:1

            For the past couple of years, in the month of April, Heralds of Hope has sponsored a 5-kilometer race as a fundraiser for the ministry. My wife and I aren’t runners, but we joined in to show our support. We’ve served as the “sweepers” a couple of times now; we make sure that all the runners have cleared the course and we pick up any trash that’s left behind. That means we always finish last, but that’s ok, we still get some exercise, and we get to encourage the runners.

            Like most races, this one begins with the familiar words, “On your mark, get set, GO!” This sentence has been used to start races since the 1800s. The mark is the starting line. All runners start from the same place. This prevents any runner from having an unfair advantage. Getting set means being prepared because the beginning of the race is imminent. The command to “Go” is usually signaled by a shout, a shot from a starting pistol, a whistle, or some other loud noise.

            As I promised you last week, on this episode of The Voice of Hope we’re beginning a study of the Gospel of Mark. That’s why I’ve titled today’s teaching, “On Your Mark.”

            If you’re a regular listener, then you know by now how much I stress the importance of understanding the background and context of the Scripture. Many errors and much false teachings result from a careless handling of the Bible. One of the challenges we face in our understanding is that the Bible was written in a culture that’s significantly different from our own.

            That doesn’t mean it’s irrelevant because the Bible is universal. It just means we need to work harder to understand what the writer meant to communicate to his original audience. Once we understand the message, then, we can make applications to our time and place. So, this episode will explore some of the background material that will help to enhance our understanding of Mark’s Gospel.

            If you’re a Bible reader, you know that Mark’s version of the gospel story is very different from the accounts of Matthew and Luke. These three are referred to as the Synoptic Gospels. In the word, synoptic, syn, means together, and optic means seeing. Seeing the gospels together. Laying these different accounts side-by-side and comparing them highlights their differences, but it also shows many points of agreement. It’s like interviewing witnesses to the same event; depending on their perspective or vantage point, they highlight different observations.

            Aside from the apostle John, we know more about Mark than any other of the gospel writers. We know that he was sometimes referred to as John Mark or just John, as in Acts 13:5. He was the son of Mary, a woman who must’ve had significant wealth because she hosted the budding Jerusalem church in her house. Some scholars believe this was the location of the Last Supper. You may recall that when Peter was miraculously released from prison by an angel he went to Mary’s house (Acts 12). The church was gathered there praying for Peter’s deliverance.

            We learn from that same account that one of the servants recognized Peter’s voice in the darkness when he showed up at the gate. Evidently, Peter was well known in Mark’s house and it’s very possible that Mark was converted under Peter’s preaching. Later, in his first epistle, Peter refers to Mark as “my son.” This close connection suggests that Peter was the source of much of what Mark wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It also seems like Mark was present at the arrest of Jesus. He makes a rather cryptic reference to this in Mark 15:51, 52.

            According to Acts 13, John Mark accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. For some unknown reason, John Mark didn’t finish this journey but returned to Jerusalem. Later, this incident caused a division between Paul and Barnabas when Paul refused to have John Mark on his mission team because he thought him to be unreliable. So, Paul chose Silas for his second journey and Barnabas chose Mark according to Acts 15. We do know that over time, this rift was healed because Paul wrote highly of John Mark in his final letter to Timothy.   

            The consensus of the early church fathers was that Mark wrote the gospel that bears his name. Justin Martyr referred to the Gospel of Mark as “the memoirs of Peter” and early church tradition accepted Rome as the place of writing. In chapter 15, Mark mentions that Simon of Cyrene was the father of Rufus and according to Romans 16:13, Rufus was a prominent member of the church in Rome.

Mark’s writing was designed primarily for a Gentile audience, so he doesn’t quote the Old Testament nearly as much as Matthew and Luke and there’s no record of Jesus’ genealogy. In some places, Mark used Latin terms rather than Greek equivalents and when he used Aramaic terms, he translated them for his readers. He also reckoned time according to the Roman system and carefully explained Jewish customs that may have been unfamiliar to his readers.

            It’s hard to pin down a definitive date for the time of writing, but it was most surely written before the destruction of the Temple in AD70. This difficulty doesn’t affect the legitimacy of the text or its place in the biblical canon.

            Another distinctive of Mark’s Gospel is its style. The word immediately, or straightway, depending on the version you use, along with its synonyms, is found about 40 times in this book! Mark’s goal seems to be conciseness and brevity. He omits the long discourses found in the other Gospels. He also highlights more of what Jesus did than what He taught and also expresses more clearly the humanity of Christ, His emotions, and the limitations of His physical body.  

            Matthew’s Gospel presents Jesus as the King, but Mark reveals Him as “Jesus, the Suffering Servant.” That is the title I’ve chosen for this series of teaching. In Mark 10:45 we have what I believe is the key verse of the entire book. There, Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Over a third of the book, chapters 11 to 16 deal with a small fraction of Jesus’ earthly life: the last week.

            Three times in three consecutive chapters – 8, 9, and 10 – Mark pictured Jesus informing His disciples of His great sacrifice and ultimate victory. His disciples either rejected the teaching altogether or they showed themselves concerned with other matters. As Jesus prepared to perform the greatest service in the history of the human race, His disciples could only think about themselves – their position or safety.

            Because we too are human, we find ourselves struggling with the same things they did. We are more focused on self-preservation and comfort than sacrificial service. The challenge Jesus presents to us in the book of Mark is to break out of those patterns of self-absorption and to give ourselves in service and love to others.

            Mark records many miracles that Jesus performed to illustrate both His power and His compassion. In a case of supreme irony, that power and compassion culminated in His suffering, death, and resurrection. What looked like total defeat from a human perspective became the pathway to eternal life for all who place their faith in Him.

            By God’s grace and the enabling of the Holy Spirit, my goal in this series of studies will be to bring us face-to-face with our own reactions to Jesus and His ministry. I believe Jesus calls you and me as His followers to break out of our patterns of self-centeredness and to give ourselves in love and service to those around us. Let’s yield ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit as He conforms us more fully to the image of Christ.  

Living Hope

I Peter 1:3-9

Jim Springer and Jim Lewis were twin sons born to a fourteen-year-old girl in a small town in Ohio. After they were born, she immediately disappeared. These two boys were adopted into two different loving families and for 39 years they never met each other. But their adoptive families eventually told them they had a twin sibling somewhere.

Jim Lewis had always had a strong hope that he would someday find his twin brother. One lived in Lima, Ohio and the other in Dayton. Through the probate court, they found each other.

Try to imagine the scene. Jim Lewis drove to Dayton to meet his brother for the first time. He found the address, but he was so nervous he drove around the block three times. Finally, he stopped, walked up to the house, and knocked on the door. When Jim Springer met Jim Lewis for the first time, they just stood there staring at each other, speechless. They said it was like looking in a mirror. They looked alike, they talked alike, they discovered that they even thought and acted alike. They had never seen each other, yet they were so much alike. It was uncanny. Jim Lewis’ hope had been finally realized.

Would it sustain your hope and preserve your faith to know that after the trials of this life when you see Jesus you will have a surprising resemblance to Him? If you knew that the trials and hard things you experience could actually make you wiser, more peaceful, and more joyful, would that affect your response to those experiences? Do your responses to life’s troubles cause those watching you to have an improved opinion of Jesus? If they do, it’s because living hope produces that kind of joy and faith.

It’s this message of living hope through Jesus Christ that we proclaim at Heralds of Hope. It’s this living hope that anchors our vision to use media to make disciples of Jesus Christ to accomplish the Great Commission in our lifetime.

Turn in your copies of the Scripture to the book of First Peter and let’s think together about several ASPECTS of this living hope from First Peter 1:3 to 9.

The First ASPECT is,

The resurrection of Jesus is the source of our living hope. How important is hope in your life? We have a saying, “as long as there’s life, there’s hope.” The founder of Heralds of Hope, J. Otis Yoder, told me about a time when he was visiting Israel. He was have a conversation with a Jewish man and he mentioned this saying about hope. In response, the Jewish man said, “we Jews turn that saying around. We say, ‘as long as there’s hope, there’s life.’” I think he’s on to something. Without hope, life isn’t worth living! And this hope you and I have isn’t a “hope so” hope. No, according to Romans 5:5, it’s a settled assurance. It’s a hope that will not disappoint us in the long run! The writers of Scripture talk about this hope as though it has already been realized! It’s that sure; you can count on it.

Remember what the apostle Paul said in First Corinthians 15 in the context of his teaching about the resurrection? “Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable [the most miserable].” He went on to say, “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

What’s the reason for all the darkness and despair in our world, why are people so miserable? They have no hope! Why over 100,000 deaths in the US in 2022 from fentanyl overdoses? No hope! Why all the gender dysphoria, eating disorders, self-harm, tattooing and disfiguring of bodies? No hope!

A Mayo Clinic study finds that nearly 70 percent of Americans are taking at least one medication, with antibiotics, antidepressants, and opioids topping the list. One in every four persons in the US are taking antidepressants. Why? At least in part because people have no hope! Obviously, there are some legitimate reasons for antidepressants, but at this rate? And many of those psychotropic drugs have horrible side effects.

Think about all the people in the world who have no real hope. If you ask them, Muslims will tell you they have no assurance of eternal life. They just hope, without any guarantee, that when they get to the end of life their good deeds will outweigh the bad and they can enter their version of paradise. Hindus believe in karma. If you have enough good deeds in your current life, you’ll be reincarnated as something or someone good. If your deeds are bad, you might come back as a mouse or a rat! Every religion that rejects Jesus as the Son of God and the Savior of the world is based on works and they have no real hope. 

What the world needs is Jesus! He’s the only one who can provide living hope. And even though we know Him, you and I still have to battle with discouragement. Every day we exercise our faith and hope in Him by trusting in His promises. That living hope sustains us, it carries us through the tough times. Every day we should thank God for His abundant mercy that has transformed our lives and given us this living hope. 

The Next ASPECT is,

An indestructible inheritance is the seal of our living hope. Paul wrote that our inheritance is incorruptible; it isn’t subject to decay. That’s amazing, isn’t it? The second law of thermodynamics states that, “as one goes forward in time, the net entropy (degree of disorder) of any isolated or closed system will always increase (or at least stay the same).” I can simplify that by saying, “things move from a state of order to disorder.” We observe that everything and everyone around us is in a continual process of aging, deterioration, and decay.

Furthermore, this inheritance is undefiled, that is, there’s no part of it that’s tainted by sin. And it doesn’t fade away; it is eternal. Eternal, this is something hard for us to imagine. Everything that we’re familiar with has a beginning and an end. Everything we know and experience occurs in the realm of time. So, eternal is a concept we must embrace by faith.

When my dad passed away, each of his children received a small financial inheritance. My portion is gone! I spent it either to pay bills or to buy things our family needed. But my dad gave to my siblings and me something so much more valuable than money, his living hope in Jesus Christ. He had an unshakeable faith in God that carried him through the many storms and trials of his life. I have memories of the many times I saw him kneeling in prayer, morning and evening, in our living room. That spiritual inheritance will never be spent, it will never end. It is a continual source of hope and blessing.

The Holy Spirit is also part of this seal, this guarantee, of our indestructible living hope. Paul wrote about this in Ephesians 1:13 and 14. “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Now, as you think about earthly inheritances, they’re not guaranteed, are they? I have heard of people who were either disinherited by their parents or threatened with disinheritance. In one of our trips to Asia I learned of a young man from a Hindu family who embraced Jesus as his Savior and Lord. His father was high caste, a wealthy landowner in western Nepal, and the son was his heir. The son was in line to receive everything his father owned.

But when this son became a follower of Christ, his father disowned him. He completely cut off the relationship and all communication with his son. The son came to Kathmandu, the capital city, in hopes of finding work. The testimony of the son was, “I’m willing to give up all that wealth, prestige, and comfort to follow Jesus.” So, an earthly inheritance isn’t a sure thing until you have it in your hands or your bank account.

In contrast, your heavenly, eternal inheritance is guaranteed, but it does have a condition. Did you know that? Look at verse 5. “[we] are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” Somehow, I grew up with the idea that I was saved by grace through faith, that’s biblical. But somewhere I got this idea that I was kept saved by doing what is right, that’s not biblical because works can save no one. The Scripture is clear on that point. What I now understand is that the same faith that you and I exercised for our initial salvation must continue to be exercised to keep us saved.

As long as you and I continue to walk by faith our inheritance is secure, it’s guaranteed. And how do we prove that we walk by faith? We have the whole epistle of James to remind us of the truth that faith without corresponding action, or obedience, is lifeless, it’s a corpse.

The Final ASPECT is,

Our sufferings develop the reality of our living hope. Suffering reminds us that life here on earth is temporary. In less than two months I will be 65 years old, and I can tell you that this living hope is more real to me than it was 20 years ago! I’ve most likely lived more than two-thirds of my life here on earth. Maybe more than that because I have no promise of tomorrow.

I understand better what Paul wrote to the Corinthian Believers, “Though our outer man is wasting away, our inner man is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” That’s I Corinthians 4:16-18.

Peter compares our sufferings to the process of refining precious metals. I’ve never worked with silver and gold, but when I was a boy, we made our own lead fishing weights. We collected wheel weights that we found along the road and other lead scraps. Then we’d melt them in an iron pot and watch the impurities come to the top. We’d skim that off and repeat the process. When the lead was pure enough, we’d pour it into a mold to make those fishing weights.

Peter says that our faith is so much more precious than gold. That’s precious because right now, you’ll need to pay about two-thousand dollars to buy just one ounce of gold. But that gold will eventually perish too. When God destroys the earth by fire in the final judgment, nothing physical will endure that fire!

For years, in our home we’ve received newsletters from Open Doors (now Global Christian Relief), Voice of the Martyrs, and other ministries that work with the persecuted church around the world. Time and time again our suffering brothers and sisters testify to their awareness of this aspect of our living hope. They don’t ask us in the free world to pray that God would restore their property, or overthrow their government, or that opposition to the Gospel would end. What do they ask us to pray? They ask us to pray that they will be FAITHFUL!!

            They embrace the promise of Romans 8:39 that, “[nothing] shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” They have a LIVING HOPE that no one and nothing can take away from them! And they are so confident in that hope that they are willing to give everything, even life itself, to secure that eternal inheritance. Nothing can separate them from the love of God in Christ. 

Do you have a living hope like that? Is the source of your living hope in the resurrection of Jesus? Have you accepted your indestructible inheritance as the seal of your living hope? And are the struggles and sufferings of life increasing the reality of your living hope?

Let’s ask God to help us better understand and embrace these aspects of our living hope.

The Glorious Kingdom

Joel 3:18-21

All of us look forward to certain events or milestones in our lives. As children, most of us had a strong desire to get older faster. We knew that our older siblings got to do more things than we did, they had more privileges. What we didn’t realizes was that with those privileges came greater responsibility. It’s a lesson many young people aren’t being taught today.

            As a young teenager I remember anticipating getting my driver’s license. After that it was graduation from high school. Then it was a job, dating, and marriage. At every step there was a sense of anticipation. Someone once said, “anticipation is half the fun.” There’s some truth to that. Even the Scriptures use anticipation to encourage us to be faithful.

            In Luke 21, Jesus was talking about the events leading up to the Day of the Lord. After telling His followers about the destruction of the Temple, about the terrible suffering they would endure, and about the violence and wars that were coming in the future, here’s what He said.

“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

Did you see the idea of anticipation in those words? One is negative and, one is positive. The negative is men’s hearts failing them for fear; they anticipate the terrors that are coming upon the earth. The positive is for Believers to look up and lift up your heads because your redemption is coming closer. That sounds like anticipation to me.

In our study of the book of Joel, we’ve come to the final verses. Our study today will be taken from Joel 3:18-21. The title of my teaching is, “The Glorious Kingdom.” As I’ve said before in my teaching, I believe in a literal Millennial reign of Christ. The prophets seem quite clear that this will be a 1,000-year time of unprecedented peace and prosperity when Jesus will rule over the earth from His throne in Jerusalem. Truly that will be a glorious kingdom and a glorious time for all who follow Christ.  

So, as we begin our study on these final verses, I will read our text, Joel 3:18 to 21. I invite you to follow along as I read these words from the Lord through the prophet, Joel.

From these words of the Lord through the prophet, Joel, we learn several important DETAILS about this coming glorious kingdom.

The First DETAIL is,

            The Renewed Land

            Verse 18 begins, “And it will come to pass in that day…” In that final Day of the Lord, when God delivers Israel once and for all, the land of Israel will overflow with blessing. The description of these blessings is very picturesque, very poetic.

            “The mountains will [drop] drip new wine and the hills will flow with milk…” This expression is similar to what God told Moses about the Promised Land, the land of Canaan. In Exodus 3:17, God said, “And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into the land of the Canaanites—a land flowing with milk and honey.”

It seems like the Lord will supernaturally intervene to remove the Adamic curse from the earth so that it will regenerate rapidly after this time of great destruction. Remember, during the Great Tribulation, much of the earth’s vegetation and water will be destroyed. But here, Joel says the hills will be covered with vineyards and the flocks and herds that produce milk will be in great abundance. These are word pictures of peace and prosperity that are used often by the prophets to signify God’s favor and blessing on His obedient people.

Even the arid desert, the “Valley of Shittim,” the valley of acacia trees, would become a well-watered and productive plain. Instead of the wadis that only held water a few times of the year, the streams would now overflow their banks. And where was that water coming from? God said it will come from Judah and from “the house of the Lord.”

In Genesis 2:10 we read about the river that flowed out of Eden. It watered the garden and then separated into four different major rivers. Zechariah and Ezekiel both wrote about a river of water flowing out of Jerusalem, out of the millennial Temple. And Revelation 22 records, “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” 

We know from other portions of Scripture that those waters flowing from Jerusalem will cause trees to grow in what once was desert and even heal the waters of the Dead Sea so that it will teem with fish. I’ve seen the date palm groves in that region and every one of them must be irrigated. I’ve waded into the Dead Sea and there is nothing living there. But that will all change with the renewal of the land.

While I believe that this prophecy will be fulfilled literally for Israel and the people of God, it is also a wonderful picture of what Jesus does in our lives when we accept Him as our Lord and Master. He takes a life wasted by sin and gives it a new purpose and meaning. He brings fruitfulness to a life that was barren and empty. What a blessing to experience His power of renewal and restoration, even today.

Another DETAIL (about this coming, glorious kingdom) is,

            The Revenge of the Lord

            Egypt and Edom are singled out by the Lord for His revenge. Both of these people groups had a visceral hatred for the Jews. When the people of Israel were in Egypt, the Egyptians practiced infanticide in an attempt to reduce their numbers so they wouldn’t join Egypt’s enemies and overpower their masters. Edom, the descendants of Esau, Jacob’s brother, killed their blood brothers or else stood by while Israel was ravaged by her enemies. Josephus records that Edomites helped to destroy the Temple in 70 AD.

            Where are those nations today? Edom was completely erased by the Romans in 70 AD in the aftermath of the destruction of Jerusalem. Egypt has been a struggling, poverty-stricken nation for centuries. Over and over again, the prophets pronounce judgment on these two peoples. The book of Obadiah is exclusively devoted to the pronouncement of God’s judgment on Edom. It would seem to me that God is using these two peoples as representative of what will happen to any and all who fight against God and against Israel.

            God will, once again, take vengeance on these two people groups to “fill up” the debt He owes them for their mistreatment of His people. During this climax of human history, the peoples of the world will learn, the hard way, that it is foolish and futile to fight against God. There is a lesson here we must not miss. For us to reject God or fight against Him today is just as futile and will result in our eternal punishment. You don’t want to experience the revenge God will take on those who are His enemies!

Amid these extraordinary manifestations of wrath in the destruction of the wicked, Israel will be saved and learn in a new way that Jehovah is their God and King.

Another DETAIL (about this coming, glorious kingdom) is,

            The Residents of the Land

In contrast to the destruction of the wicked, Judah and Jerusalem will be inhabited forever, or for all generations. The prophets Amos and Zechariah also write on this theme, but I want you to hear what the prophet Ezekiel has to say on this prophecy.

“‘My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd. They will follow my laws and be careful to keep my decrees. They will live in the land I gave to my servant Jacob, the land where your ancestors lived. They and their children and their children’s children will live there forever, and David my servant will be their prince forever. I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and increase their numbers, and I will put my sanctuary among them forever. My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people. Then the nations will know that I the Lord make Israel holy, when my sanctuary is among them forever.’” That’s Ezekiel 37:24 to 28.

Remember, God gave this land to Israel as an everlasting possession in an unconditional, eternal covenant with Abraham in Genesis 17. The land promised to Israel in this future time will be much larger than the tiny nation of today. It will stretch from the River of Egypt to the Euphrates to the Mediterranean. And according to Ezekiel 48, God will redistribute the land among the redeemed of Israel.

The Final DETAIL (about this coming, glorious kingdom) is,

            The Reign of the Lord

            The prophecy of Joel ends with these words, “For the Lord dwells in Zion.” The Psalmist foresaw this day when he wrote, “Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us.’ He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure: ‘Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.’”

            Messiah’s reign will be global, the nations will be His inheritance. His reign will be absolute in power and authority; He will rule over the nations with a rod of iron, Revelation 12:5. His reign will be completely righteous and just; Isaiah 11:3 and 4. His reign will be characterized by peace; Isaiah 2:3 and 4.

            The prophet, Daniel, also predicted this time as follows: “I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed.”

            Though these prophecies were given many, many years ago, we’re still waiting for their fulfilment. The apostle Peter warns us about “…scoffers [who] will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” What they fail to realize is that it is God’s mercy that lengthens (from our perspective) the age of grace.

            Make no mistake about it, God is a faithful, covenant keeping God! What He has promised He will fulfill. I know, we don’t understand everything about this future time and how it will all play out. But if God doesn’t keep His promises to His ancient, chosen, earthly people, the Jews, then where does that leave us as Gentile Believers?

            I trust that this study of the book of Joel has blessed you, and perhaps it has given you a desire to dig deeper into the book. I hope our study has encouraged you as we have seen again and again God’s proclamation of faithfulness to His ancient covenant people.

            I close our study with these words from the apostle Paul in Romans 11:25 to 33. “For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so, all Israel will be saved, as it is written:

“The Deliverer will come out of Zion,
And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;
For this is My covenant with them,
When I take away their sins.”

Concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all. Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” The Day of the Lord is coming! The glorious kingdom will arrive in God’s perfect timing! Are you ready?

Missed Part 1? Catch it here!

The Valley of Decision : Part 2

Joel 3:9-17

The Next STEP (laid out for us regarding the events of the last days) is,

            The Presentation

            In verse 14, Joel raises the loud and prolonged cry, “Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision.” Now, I want you to understand right away that these multitudes are not being called to this valley of judgment to make a decision. No, they’ve already made their decision to oppose God Almighty. The hordes that gather in this valley are there to receive the announcement of God’s decision against them! God is making the presentation of His decision and it is unmistakable. I think you’ll see that clearly as we move forward in the text.

            The word multitude is hamonim. It is a picture of a confused, turbulent, noisy mob. Isaiah 9:5 uses similar imagery as he introduces the coming Prince of Peace. He talks about confusion, noise, and garments rolled in blood. Certainly, an army of this size will generate a lot of noise and dust and confusion. And remember, in Hebrew, the repetition of the word, multitudes, strengthens the intensity of the meaning.

            Notice once again the appeal to agricultural scenes in verse 13. The winepress is full, and the vats are overflowing during the time of grape harvest. The picture of abundance portrays the great wickedness of the nations. God’s mighty ones (verse 11) are commanded to “put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe.” The apostle John saw a similar picture in Revelation 14:17 to 20.

“Then another angel came out of the temple, which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.” So, the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.”

            At that place “outside the city,” in the Valley of Jehoshaphat, in this valley of decision, there will be a great slaughter. There, the blood will be running so deep that it will come up to the bridle of a horse. The word translated decision can also be translated as “trench” which could refer to the place where the blood will flow so deeply.

            When I think about these scenes, my mind goes to Genesis 6. “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intentof the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually… The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So, God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.” You know what happened after that, the flood of Noah’s day.

But after the flood was over, we read these sobering words in Genesis 8:21, “Then the LORD said in His heart, “I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done.” Did you notice what God said? Even after He cleansed the earth by way of the worldwide flood, man’s heart is still evil from his birth.

So, if indeed, this battle of Armageddon is taking place at the end of the Tribulation period, and if the Holy Spirit (called the Restrainer in II Thessalonians 2:7), is no longer functioning in the role He now has, then we can surely understand why God would say that the time was ripe for His judgment to fall on unbelieving humanity. There will be nothing to check the unbridled evil that is raging in men’s hearts.  

Further, these events will lead to cosmic disturbances. The sun and the moon will grow dark, and the brightness of the stars will diminish. This is a reaffirmation of the prediction in chapter two, verse 10. Jesus said in Matthew 24:29 and 30, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” 

At this point in time, it will be too late for those who have rejected Messiah and His rule over their lives. These multitudes will be presented with God’s decision against them, and their destruction will be complete.

So, we have the steps of preparation for the event and the presentation of the verdict against unbelieving mankind. These lead us to the final step…

The Final STEP (laid out for us regarding the events of the last days) is,

            The Preservation

            Here, in verse 16, the scene changes. The focus shifts from what God will do to His enemies, to what He will do for His people, Israel.

The Lord will roar like a mighty lion from Zion and utter His voice in Jerusalem. Zion is His dwelling place and Jerusalem is His city. Numerous Scriptures in both the Psalms and the prophets refer to the Lord dwelling in Zion. In Daniel 9:19, the prophet cries out, “O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”

When the Lord roars from Zion, His voice will shake the earth. The writer of Hebrews concurs with the prophet. “See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.” (Hebrews 12:26-27)

Yet, all of this noise and tumult won’t threaten God’s people. Instead, He will be a refuge for them. His redeemed ones will remain because they cannot be shaken. The verb root of “refuge” basically means to hide oneself. It signifies that the people of God will confidently seek security in Him rather than fleeing from the enemy in desperation.

He will be a stronghold for His people, a place of protection inaccessible to His and their enemies. In Second Samuel 5 we read these words describing King David. “And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, “You shall not come in here; but the blind and the lame will repel you,” thinking, “David cannot come in here.” Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David).” Through the centuries, Jerusalem has changed hands numerous times, but when the King of Kings comes, He will become the stronghold for His people. He will never be displaced!

And what is the point of all this? God says, “when all of this takes place, then you will know that I AM the Lord your God.” The pronoun, I, is emphatic. God is emphasizing His covenant relationship with His people. Isaiah speaks of this time like this; “Break forth into joy, sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem! For the Lord has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has made bare His holy arm In the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.”

Never again will Jerusalem be “trodden under the feet of the Gentiles,” because their time has been fulfilled as Jesus predicted in Luke 21:24. The fulfilment of this promise was what Jesus’ disciples, the Twelve, were hoping for at His first coming. During the time after Jesus rose from the dead until His ascension to the Father the disciples were still hoping for this. They asked Him in Acts 1:6, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” Jesus didn’t rebuke them for their question of their anticipation of this event. He just told them that the timing was in the hands of His Father. In this text, that time has finally come.

As I understand Scripture, this victory over the Antichrist and his demonic forces at the end of the Great Tribulation will usher in the millennial reign of Christ predicted in Revelation chapters 19 and 20. Satan will be cast by God into the bottomless pit and kept there until the thousand years are finished. He will then be released for one final attempt to deceive the nations.

“And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.” (Revelation 19:19-21)

God promised that after all this, Jerusalem would once more be a holy city, no aliens shall ever pass through her again. Everything that could possibly defile the city will be removed. Listen to the words of the prophet, Zechariah. “In that day “HOLINESS TO THE LORD” shall be engraved on the bells of the horses. The pots in the Lord’s house shall be like the bowls before the altar. Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be [ engraved with] ‘Holiness to the Lord of Hosts.’ Everyone who sacrifices shall come and take them and cook in them. In that day there shall no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the Lord of hosts.”

The full scope of the covenant God made with Abraham, way back near the beginning of recorded human history, will finally be completely fulfilled. Contrary to the teaching of many today, God is not finished with the Jewish people. The church hasn’t replaced them in God’s plan. As Paul so clearly points out in Romans chapters 9, 10, and 11, they have merely been set aside until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled.

“For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so, all Israel will besaved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.”

So, what are we to make of all this? What impact does it have on our lives today?

First, we see that God has been and will be faithful to fulfill His promises. He made an inviolable covenant with Abraham that was based solely on God’s name and His character. He promised blessing to the whole world through Abraham’s descendants. Likewise, He pronounced a curse on those who cursed Israel and dealt treacherously with them. If God does not keep His covenant promises to Abraham and His descendants, what guarantee do we have that He will keep His promises to us who are Abraham’s descendants by faith?

We also learn that, eventually, the day of grace will come to an end. There is a limit to God’s patience. The preparations are being laid for this fateful day. When it comes, the presentation of judgment will be given and there will be no escape. God will pour out His fury on the peoples of the world who have rejected His rule in their lives. At the same time, He will renew His covenant relationship with all those among Israel who embrace Messiah and He will preserve His people.

If you are a follower of Christ, this portion of Scripture should stir your heart to pray as Jesus taught us; “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” If you’re not a follower of Jesus, I urge you to make that decision today, while there’s still time.

Missed Part 1? Listen here!

A Plea For Repentance : Part 2

Joel 2:12-17

The Next STEP (in responding to God’s plea for genuine repentance) is,

            Gather the People

            These next two verses are very similar to chapter one, verse 14. “Sound the shofar in Zion! Sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather all the people.” This was the work of the priests; they were to lead by example. Here, Joel goes through a list of specific people who should be there. No age group is excluded, and nothing should be allowed to interfere with this gathering, not even previous exceptions in the law of Moses; like the one exempting newly married couples from certain duties for their first year together (Deuteronomy 24:5).

            Notice with me how this plea for repentance is set in the context of the community of God’s people. Our culture, western culture is a “me” culture instead of a “we” culture. The emphasis in our culture is on the individual. Our wants, our desires, our rights take precedence over everything else. That isn’t the biblical pattern, although we have tried to adapt the Scripture to fit our culture. I’m not suggesting that individual repentance isn’t necessary, it is, but individual repentance does have ramifications for the larger community.

            If you look at examples of repentance in Hebrew culture, the emphasis is on the group rather than the individual. Nehemiah prayed, “please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned.” Daniel’s prayer in chapter nine of his book is very similar. Both godly men include themselves in the prayers of repentance.

            Joshua 7 records the defeat of Israel’s army at Ai that resulted from the sin of Achan. After the defeat, Joshua tore his clothes and cried out to God. What did God say? He said, “Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them.” Did you catch that? One man sinned, Achan, but his sin affected the whole group. In the New Testament, in the closing verses of First Corinthians eleven, Paul tells us that those who participate in the Lord’s Table in an unworthy manner cause disease and death in the body, the church.

            Joel called on the religious leaders of Judah to consecrate a fast. The Hebrew word is kadhesh. It means “to be set apart” or “to be holy.” To consecrate something is to set it apart for a special purpose. So, the people of Judah were commanded to set apart time and resources for a period of fasting. Fasting involves crying out to God and asking Him to reveal His will. Fasting can sharpen mental alertness and spiritual perception. The process often leads to purification, as God through the Holy Spirit reveals sin that we were previously unaware of.

            The priests were instructed to gather the people for a sacred assembly. A sacred assembly was a special time of corporate worship. It was a time when no regular work was done. Israel as a nation had regular festivals that included gatherings like this one, but this was an “emergency” meeting. Just as Joel instructed them to consecrate a fast, he now tells the priests to sanctify or consecrate (they’re both the same Hebrew word) the congregation. If they were going to hear from God and make an appeal to Him, it was imperative that take care of any sin among them.

            As the crowd is gathered the priests are to lead them in repentance. They are instructed to “weep between the porch and the altar.” When there is sin in the Body of Christ, leaders need to set the example of repentance.

            I remember so well, as a young man, attending a large gathering of Believers representing many different local congregations. It was customary in that gathering for ordained leaders to sit on the large platform behind those who were leading the meeting. I don’t remember the name of the man who spoke at that meeting, but I do remember him making a passionate appeal from the Scriptures for a spirit of repentance and godliness among leaders of the church.

            At the end of his message, he gave an invitation to those in attendance who were leaders in their local congregations. Among the dozens of leaders present, not one responded. I was stunned. I thought to myself, “is there no one among this large group of leaders who is in need of repentance, of forgiveness, of cleansing?” And then I understood why there was so little repentance in their churches. As leaders, they should have set an example for their people. They had gathered the people, but they failed to lead.

            The first step in responding to God’s plea for genuine repentance is, “turn to Me.” The next step is to gather the people of God into the presence of God in sacred assembly.

The Final STEP (in responding to God’s plea for genuine repentance) is,

            Pray to the Lord

            The priests were to “weep between the porch and the altar.” The area between the porch and the altar most likely referred to the porch of the temple entrance and the altar in front of the temple, where sacrifices would have been offered.

            Think about it, the picture that Joel gives us earlier in verse 14 is that the grain and the drink offerings would be cut of when God judged their sin. The stripping of the land by the locust plague would leave them with nothing to offer. They are to lament between the porch and the altar. The altar has no sacred fire on it because no sacrifices or offerings are available. No sacrifices mean no atonement for sin, no access to God or fellowship with Him. It is like a table spread without any sacred food!

            The area between the porch and the altar was a place of limited access. Not everyone could go there. Only the priestshad a reason to go beyond the altar toward the temple. This was where the priests usually stood to intercede for the people through sacrifices and prayers. Joel called them to “weep between the porch and the altar,” which is the entrance hall to the temple (Ezekiel 8:16). This way, the priests would lead the congregation in repentance.

            So, instead of praying for and blessing the people as was the custom, instead of the joyful music that normally accompanied their worship, the priests were on their faces weeping and wailing in repentance. The prophet Amos, Joel’s contemporary, speaking for the Lord, stated, “Take away from Me the noise of your songs, for I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments. But let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream.” I wonder, does God have a similar message for the Church in our day?

            And then, God so graciously provides them with a script for their prayer in verse 17. Try to imagine the weeping of this multitude punctuated with loud cries of “Spare Your people, O Lord, And do not give Your heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”

            Do you see God’s heart in this prayer? As Joel stated in verse 13, God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness. He is longing to bless His people if only they will love and obey Him. The focus of the prayer is on God, Your people, Your heritage. God is jealous for His name and His glory. If Judah was destroyed God’s reputation would suffer. The surrounding nations would scoff, “where is their God?” Many of the prayers in the Old Testament have this focus on God’s name and God’s glory.

            After rehearsing the many rebellious acts of the children of Israel on their journeys through the wilderness, Moses said in Deuteronomy 9, “‘O Lord God, do not destroy Your people and Your inheritance whom You have redeemed through Your greatness, whom You have brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Remember Your servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; do not look on the stubbornness of this people, or on their wickedness or their sin, lest the land from which You brought us should say, “Because the Lord was not able to bring them to the land which He promised them, and because He hated them, He has brought them out to kill them in the wilderness.”  Yet they are Your people and Your inheritance, whom You brought out by Your mighty power and by Your outstretched arm.’”

            I believe that the message God had for Judah through the prophet, Joel, is a message He has for the church today, especially the church in the western world. In Deuteronomy 32, after outlining the many gifts God gave to Israel, He offers this assessment.

            “But Jeshurun (this was a term of endearment God used for Israel) grew fat and kicked; You grew fat, you grew thick, You are obese! Then he forsook God who made him, And scornfully esteemed the Rock of his salvation. They provoked Him to jealousy with foreign gods; with abominations they provoked Him to anger. They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they did not know, to new gods, new arrivals that your fathers did not fear. Of the Rock who begot you, you are unmindful, and have forgotten the God who fathered you.”

            Earlier in this message I quoted Psalm 51:17, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart. These, O God, You will not despise.” How will you respond to this plea for repentance? How will you go about getting a broken heart? The first step is to ask God to grant it to you. Paul wrote in Second Timothy 2:24 to 26, “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”

            Another important aspect of attaining a broken heart is to realize the relational aspect of our sin. Why do I say that? Often, we view our sin as a failure of performance rather than a failure of intimacy. The grief we experience is disappointment in our inability to do what is right, and not that we have “despised” the living God.

            When we sin, we play the part of an adulterer who looks for satisfaction in another, rather than the only One who can satisfy. That is why David said to the Lord, “against you, you only, have I sinned,” Psalm 51:4. David rightly saw his failures in terms of relationship, and as a result his heart was grieved as it can be only when we have sinned against the One we love so much.

            Finally, true repentance comes to us not merely by understanding the relational aspect of sin, but by understanding the nature of the One with whom we are in a relationship. The more we see God as glorious and holy, the more we will see sin as something to weep over. Repentance is less about feeling bad over behavior, and more about feeling awe and delight towards God. The more glimpses we have of the glory of God, the more we mourn for scorning that glory.

            I believe there are many unsaved people around us today asking the question, “Where is their God?” They see our affluence, our focus on the material, our lack of concern for the poor, the way we respond to adversity, the moral failures of church leaders, and a multitude of other choices. And they reach the conclusion, “these people really aren’t any different from us aside from the fact that they’re religious.” Can you and I prove them wrong?

            God said to the people of Judah, “turn to me with all your heart.” Today, He is inviting us to turn to Him in genuine repentance, repentance that changes the direction of our lives. He doesn’t want religion; He wants a relationship. He wants to be the supreme love of our lives.

            Perhaps it’s time to gather the people, to call a solemn assembly to humble ourselves before the Lord with fasting, and prayer, and tears of repentance. Perhaps it’s time to ask God to forgive us for the way our choices have caused unbelieves to disregard God and His name. And perhaps it is time for us to pray “Spare Your people, O Lord, And do not give Your heritage to reproach…”

            Remember, “…[God] is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm. Who knows if He will turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind Him…” Do you want God’s blessing? If so, these are the necessary steps of action we must take in responding to God’s plea for genuine repentance.

Listen to Part 1 here: A Plea for Repentance : Part 1 – Heralds of Hope

Missed Part 1? Listen here!

An Approved Worker

II Timothy 2:15-19

During the 1970s, Keith Hernandez was one of baseball’s top players with a lifetime batting average of .300. He won numerous Gold Glove awards for his excellent fielding. He won a batting championship for the highest average, the MVP award in his league, and two World Series titles. Yet with all his accomplishments, he missed out on something important to him ‑‑ his father’s acceptance and recognition that what he accomplished was valuable.

Here’s what Keith had to say in a candid interview about his relationship with his father: “One day I said, ‘Dad, I have a lifetime .300 batting average; what more do you want?’ His father replied, ‘Someday you’re going to look back and say, “I could have done more.'”

What a sad story! Within the human psyche, there is a deeply rooted desire for acceptance and approval. Yet with all the fame and fortune that went with his baseball career, Keith couldn’t buy what he wanted most, the acceptance and approval of his dad.

It’s sad, this insight into Keith’s life is closer to being the rule than the exception. With the breakdown of family, divorce, and the pursuit of pleasure and possessions, many young people are not receiving the acceptance and approval they so desperately seek, especially from their fathers. So, they turn to all kinds of bizarre activities and behavior to fill that aching void in their lives; to try to find acceptance and approval among their peers. This should fill us with sadness because the loss of something so valuable has ongoing consequences in many areas of life.

This lack of parental approval and acceptance is sad, even tragic. But even more tragic in the lives of many people is the lack of approval and acceptance with God. While God loves and cares for every human being, the Bible makes it clear that the only way to acceptance with God is through Jesus Christ. The only way to bridge the gap that separates sinful humanity from an absolutely holy God is through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. Paul’s letters to Timothy highlight this truth. 

Acceptance with God comes through our salvation, our new birth. In writing to the Ephesians Paul reminds his readers that they have been “accepted in the beloved,” accepted in God’s family, “[by] redemption through [Jesus’] blood,” Ephesians 1:6 and 7. This is the ONLY way you and I can be accepted by God. The Scriptures make it very clear that no amount of good works on our part can make us acceptable with God; only the blood of Christ can do that.

Understand, however, that acceptance and approval are two different concepts. Our approval from God is based on our works that are motivated by His indwelling presence. Remember what God said at Jesus’ baptism? “This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Jesus was approved because He was submitting Himself to the Father’s will. Likewise, our obedience secures for us the approval of our Heavenly Father.

Think about it this way. My children always have my acceptance; at least at a certain level because they are part of me, they are family. Though I may disown them (God forbid) I cannot change the fact that they are part of me. However, they do not always have my approval. I’m not always pleased with what they do. So, while I accept them for who they are, I withhold approval for their wrong behavior or foolish choices. And I extend approval when they do what is praiseworthy, right, and good.

Let’s turn now to our text, Second Timothy 2:15 to 19 to learn how you and I can become “An Approved Worker” of Jesus Christ. This is the Word of God to us. II Timothy 2:15-19

Paul’s instructions to Timothy outline several essential QUALITIES that will aid us in our quest to be an approved worker.

The First QUALITY is,

He is Diligent

The KJV opens our text with the word study, so diligence is probably not the firstidea that comes to your mind. The Greek word is spoudazo (spoo-dad-zo).  It means to make haste, to exert oneself, to endeavor, to exercise diligence. In secular Greek usage, it contained the ideas of being anxious, hurrying, doing your best, and carefulness. 

And what is the reason for this command to be diligent? It is to present or demonstrate the quality of being approved by God. This is where I got the title of our study. Paul is urging Timothy to exercise diligence in presenting himself as approved by God.

As I mentioned earlier, the concept of approval is different than that of acceptance.  Timothy is not trying to earn God’s acceptance. He has that through Jesus Christ. But God’s approval, according to our text, is connected to Timothy’s choices, and his behavior. Wuest says, “A workman approved is a workman who has been put to the test, and meeting the specifications, has won the approval of the one who has subjected him to the test.”

Years ago, when I was serving the Lord as a cabinetmaker, my boss wanted me to move into the specials department of the company. This department was responsible for making specialty items that couldn’t go through regular production. When I joined that department, I wasn’t immediately given the most difficult units to build. Instead, I was given the simpler items to help develop my skill set. As I passed each test, I was given more challenging and difficult projects to work on. I became an approved workman for my employer. 

In our text, Paul earnestly wishes Timothy to pass the test! In doing so he will have no reason to be ashamed. His work will stand the scrutiny of the one who is testing him. Now you know as well as I do that if you are careless in your work, you’d prefer not to have it tested or scrutinized. You know that if your work is of inferior quality, you will be ashamed; especially if you know you could have done better! So, diligence is a vital part of being an approved workman.

Now, let’s look at the focus of Paul’s command. The reason for this diligence, this testing, and this approval that precludes shame is Timothy’s handling of the Scripture. This attention to his personal life and to God’s desire for him will lead to the careful handling of the Word of God. The idea of rightly dividing is expressed in the words, “cutting it straight.”

The imagery evoked here is interesting. Paul was a tentmaker. A tentmaker had to know how to cut a straight line when making the parts for his tents. Knowing what we do about Paul, I assume his tents were among the best available. I’m sure that he was attentive to each detail in order to produce a quality product. 

A farmer must know how to plow a straight furrow, and a mason must know how to dress stones properly, so they fit together to make a lasting structure. Those in the construction trades know the importance of accuracy. Careless or sloppy work is a cause for shame when it’s exposed.

So how does this relate to the handling of the Scripture? Sophocles, a Greek writer expressed the concept this way, “to expound soundly.” There are certain practices and procedures that lead to a quality product for the tentmaker, the farmer, or the mason. In a similar way, there are processes that must be used by the teacher of the Word if he is to expound the Word of God accurately. Our text makes it clear that Paul placed a high priority on these processes and urged Timothy to follow them diligently. You can’t get the desired result if you don’t take the proper steps.

I find it interesting that some people who are so meticulous in the way they handle the details of their daily work can be so sloppy in the way they handle God’s Word. Most tasks we perform have a better outcome if we follow proven steps of action. In the kitchen, recipes tell you ladies to add certain ingredients and perform certain tasks at specific places, so the finished product is edible.  Earlier, I mentioned my cabinet-making employment. Sometimes, when I was learning how to build a unit I’d never built before, I’d get the steps out of order. That made extra work for me and sometimes affected the quality of the finished product. 

When we talk about principles of interpretation in Bible study, we’re talking about the methodology we use in order to reach a proper understanding of the text. This discipline is called hermeneutics. It is easily proven that you can make the Bible say just about anything you want if you isolate verses from their context or change the common meaning of words! II Peter 3:16 talks about those who distort the Scriptures to their own (spiritual) destruction. This is how many cults (false religions) get started. It’s also how false teaching gets into the church.

Dr. J. Otis Yoder was the founder and first president of Heralds of Hope. He was the Bible teacher on our radio programs for more than 30 years. One of the statements he made about biblical interpretation was this one; “a text without a context is a pretext.” It was part of the reason why he argued for a systematic approach to biblical exposition instead of a topical approach. The topical approach, by its nature, was more likely to result in faulty interpretation. In the years we served together he repeatedly urged me to be faithful to the careful exposition of the Word. Today, I am still grateful for his commitment and his encouragement.

There was a lot of error floating around in the Ephesian church. These errors were the more dangerous because they were being taught and promoted by those inside the fellowship; by leaders who were trusted by the people. Paul reminded Timothy repeatedly of the importance of diligently staying close to the Word of God and the teachings of the apostles. Those reminders are even more necessary today.

If it’s your goal to be an approved worker, you will need to exercise and develop the quality of diligence. You must learn how to rightly divide the Word of truth.

The Second QUALITY is,

He is Discerning

Not only must the approved worker be diligent in the pursuit of truth, but he must also be discerning so he can detect and reject errors. Certain things need to be embraced and held on to at all costs, while other things need to be seen for their falseness and be rejected. It takes discernment to know the difference. Verse sixteen begins with the word, but. This sets up a contrast between the commands of verse fifteen and the instruction Paul is about to give.

He urges Timothy to shun profane and vain babbling. The Greek word translated into the English word shun, is periistemi. It means, “to turn oneself about, as for the purpose of avoiding something.” Expositor’s Greek Testament translates it this way; “Give them a wide berth.” In the pursuit of excellence, of being an approved workman who correctly interprets and applies the truth of God’s Word, the error must be shunned by giving it a wide berth. The New Testament warns us to avoid false doctrine and avoid fellowship with those who promote it.

The goal of these false teachers was not to draw people to Christ. Rather, it was to gain a following they could control for their own personal gain. In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he warned him about those who equated personal and financial gain with godliness. There are many like them today. There is a continual need for the exercise of a discerning spirit. Otherwise, you and I will be led away by the errors of the false teachers. This exhortation is just as needful today as it was when Paul wrote it to Timothy. In fact, with our modern digital communication, error can be disseminated more widely, more convincingly, and more quickly than ever before! 

Have you ever had a conversation with someone whose goal seemed to be to waste your time? I have. They’re not interested in the truth; they’re only interested in a good argument! Timothy had more important things to do than spend time chasing down silly stories and worthless myths that were pointless in the quest to be an approved worker. Paul warned Timothy that paying attention to these empty words would only lead to more ungodliness.

Paul’s reference to empty words is kenophonia. It is a compound word made up of phone (voice) and kenos (empty or hollow). Wuest says, “Empty words are not merely empty, but because they are empty, [become] evil words. As nature will not endure a vacuum, so empty words become filled with evil and thus become words of evil content and purpose.” With this understanding, it is easy to see how these kinds of words only lead to more ungodliness, a state of irreverence for God and His Word. 

Paul further states that the words of the false teachers will spread like gangrene. Medical writers of Paul’s day used this term, gangraina [gang-grah-ee-nah], to describe a sore that eats into the flesh. It is accompanied by obvious discoloring of the affected area and a horrid smell.  Gangrene is a decay of tissue in a part of the body when the blood supply is obstructed by injury, disease, or some other cause. 

Hymenaeus and Philetus are put forth as two prominent examples of those who lack discernment. They exemplify the effects of flawed character and erroneous teaching. Yet they may have maintained a very agreeable public persona. Philetus’ name means “beloved or amiable.” He may have been the consummate nice guy. Most false teachers don’t appear as ogres. We do well to remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:15; “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep=s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”  

Hymenaeus and Philetus were teaching that the resurrection of the righteous dead had already passed. By their proclamation of this false teaching, the faith of some weaker individuals was being overthrown. Philip Towner comments on this; “That such a mistake could be made [believing the resurrection was already past] may seem strange to us. But the fervency of the first-generation church’s hope of Christ’s return and certain carry-overs from the pagan religions out of which believers came . . . could have led some to the conclusion that all of salvation’s blessings were to be experienced now. A modern parallel is what we might describe as Christian triumphalism (or the “health and wealth” gospel), which presents the Christian message as a quick solution to all of life’s problems. The same basic mistake seems to be involved.”       

Perhaps you know some whose faith has been destroyed by the health and wealth gospel; those who want the blessings of the kingdom age without the sufferings of the present time. It is important for us to be aware that those who have untreated spiritual and emotional needs or wounds may be more susceptible to being taken in by these false teachers.

There are many hurting people in our churches and in our communities who need someone to walk beside them in the path of discipleship. They need the support of a loving, caring, faith community as they experience the trials and struggles of life. They need to understand that the adversities of life are the tools God uses to help us realize and admit our own helplessness and to perfect the character of Christ in us. Some of them will reject our help because they are looking for a quick fix. Those with that mentality are the most susceptible to false teachers.

Error abounds today, and according to God’s Word, it will only get worse as we near the return of Christ. In fact, it will get so bad, Jesus said, that if it were possible, even the elect would be deceived! To be an approved workman, there will be an increasing need to exercise the quality of discernment.

The Final QUALITY is,

He is Disciplined

I chose to identify this last quality as disciplined for this reason; it speaks primarily of those who are disciples of Christ. A disciple, any disciple, follows the disciplines, the set of beliefs, or teachings set forth by the one whom he is following. He builds his thought processes and his actions around those core disciplines put forth by his teacher. To be an approved worker by God calls for a disciplined life. We will see this quality expanded in this final verse of the text.

The final verse of our text begins with the word, nevertheless. Just as Paul uses the word, but [in verse 16] to set the contrast between the diligent, approved worker and the false teachers, this word, nevertheless, sets the contrast between the false teachers and the unshakeable foundation of God. What an encouraging word! In spite of the false teachers and the destruction they sow within the body of Christ, the firm foundation of God is immovable.

The text states the firm foundation stands sure. The word, stands, is a verb in the present tense meaning, it has stood, with the present result that it stands permanently. Add to this the testimony of the Lord Jesus Himself; “…upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” Matthew 16:18.  

The Church of Jesus Christ has an ideal integrity, a cohesiveness, that is unaffected by some [false teachers] who belong to it. The apostle John references these false ones in his epistle by saying, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.” Their departure exposes them for who they are, but it doesn’t diminish the stature of the Church one bit.

As I was meditating on this unshakeable foundation I thought of these words from Hebrews. “See that you do not refuse him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape, if we turn away from Him who speaks from Heaven: whose voice then shook the earth: but now he has promised, saying, yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. Now this,’ yet once more’, indicates the removal of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire,” Hebrews 12:25 to 29. When the shaking takes place, will you be one of those who remain?

Next, Paul mentions a seal. In the time of Paul and Timothy, a seal could be a wax seal bearing an impressed stamp, or an embossed figure on paper, with the purpose of authenticating a document. The term can also mean any device for making such impressions or embossments, essentially being a mold that has the mirror image of the figure in counter‑relief, such as those mounted on rings that were called signet rings. 

It seems at this point in verse nineteen that Paul moves from viewing the church collectively, as an unshakeable body, to view the individual members who bear the imprint or seal of the Master. The seal is a mark of identity, of authority, of ownership.  And notice the seal bears two inscriptions.

The first inscription on the seal is the Lord knows those who belong to Him. This inscription testifies to the security of the Believer. It may well be that in writing these words the apostle is remembering the confrontation between Moses and Aaron, and Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, recorded in Numbers chapter sixteen. As you may recall, these men accused Moses and Aaron of taking too much authority over them. Their argument was, “Since all the members of the congregation are holy why do you two presume to be the only leaders?”  Here is how God, through Moses, responded to these usurpers. “Tomorrow morning the Lord will show who are His, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near to Him: that one whom He chooses will He cause to come near to Him.” You Bible readers know the outcome of that event. Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and all who joined their rebellion, perished.  The ground opened up and swallowed them. God knew those who belonged to Him and He identified them unmistakably! That’s security.

In writing to the Corinthians Paul says, “Now he who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, is God; Who has also sealed us, and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee,” Second Corinthians 1:22. And He also states, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God,” Romans 8:16. The Lord knows those who belong to Him and He identifies them by giving them the presence and power of His Spirit. 

Then there is the second inscription on the seal; “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” This inscription testifies to the purity of the Believer. The words of the prophet Isaiah come to mind. “Depart! Depart! Go out from there, touch no unclean thing; go out from the midst of her; be clean, you who bear the vessels of the Lord.” Today, you and I are not those who bear the vessels of the Lord, we ARE the vessels of the Lord! His presence lives within us. And as such our purity must be maintained.

Those who name the name of the Lord are those who, when they speak His name acknowledge and appropriate what His name involves. Naming the name of the Lord is not simply saying, “I believe.” It is a declaration, a confession, of faith and allegiance. It is an embrace of the truth that leads to obedience and loyalty. Jesus warned us about those who say, “Lord, Lord, and do not obey His commands” in Luke 6:46 and other places too. We don’t want to be in that group.

The command is to, “depart from iniquity.” The Greek word is aphis-temi, and means to cause to withdraw or to instigate revolt. To revolt against something is to resist, seeking to overthrow its power or authority. Sadly, today, many professing Christians revolt against the wrong thing! They’re revolting against the principles of God’s Word rather than revolting against iniquity. They’re revolting against God-ordained authority in the home and in the church. They’re following the inclinations and passions of their flesh rather than following the commandments of the Lord. They are the kind of persons Paul was warning Timothy about.

There is something definitely wrong with our understanding of being a disciple of Christ when survey after survey reveals that in morality, entertainment, recreation, and other lifestyle choices, professing Christians show little or no difference from those who make no profession of faith! Yet in Second Corinthians 6:14-18, Paul writes, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? for you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore, come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord, do not touch what is unclean; and I will receive you. I will be a Father unto you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

God desires a pure church, a pure bride, for His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul speaks of this in Ephesians five; “…Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” What a need there is in the Church today for a holy, disciplined, godly living! 

Finally, think with me about the relationship between these two inscriptions of the seal: security and purity. These concepts go together. The purity of the individual and the church is necessaryfor their security in Christ. And their security in Christ provides both the desire and the power for them to live lives of purity. 

The apostle John reinforces the link between purity and security in chapter three of his first epistle. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.  And every man who has this hope in Him purifies himself, even as He is pure.”

I want to be an approved workman of the Lord Jesus. And I believe that you’re listening to this teaching because you have the same desire, the same goal. If you do, then I must ask you; How would you evaluate these qualities in your life? Or, more importantly, how would God evaluate these qualities in your life? Are you an approved worker measured by His criteria?

Are you diligent in your pursuit of the truth? Are you handling the word of God properly and applying it to your life in such a way that you have no cause for shame before Him? 

Are you exercising discernment in a world that is awash in false philosophies where the prevailing idea is that every person’s path to God is a valid one for them? Are you searching the Scriptures to make sure that what you’re hearing is actually the truth of God?

And as a disciple of Jesus Christ are you living a disciplined life that sets you apart for the false teachers and from the unbelieving world? Do you have the security that comes from being sealed by the Holy Spirit of God? And are you endeavoring by the grace of God and the power of His Spirit to live a holy life? 

Remember what I said at the beginning of this message? The text begins in verse fifteen with the command to be diligent. In light of that fact, I close this teaching with these words from the apostle Peter; they are so appropriate.

“…but also, for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither ^[e]barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things, you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Gospel Theology: Why is Correct Theology Important for Salvation?”

II Timothy 3:10 – 4:5

            A number of years ago, a strange situation developed on a farm in New Zealand. Without warning, a farmer’s cows began to get sick and die. The illness was a mystery. The farmer had never experienced anything like it before, so he called in the health inspectors. They tested the farm’s water supply and conducted other environmental tests. During the testing, even more cows got sick and died. Soon almost his entire herd of 100 cows was sick.

            When the test results came back from the lab, the lead readings were off the chart. An autopsy of one of the dead cows revealed the cause. The cows had lead poisoning and the remainder of the herd was slaughtered! The farmer was baffled.

            A rifle range was next to the farm. Over time, hundreds of stray bullets had landed in the adjacent farmland. They inadvertently got mixed in with the grass that was made into hay, which was then fed to the cows. The tiny pieces of lead, some too small to see with the naked eye, had poisoned the cows.

            False teaching can have a similar impact on a believer that lead poisoning had on that herd of cows. Over time, exposure to wrong teaching produces wrong thoughts about the character of God and His relationship with His people. This produces carelessness in our understanding of who He is and what He expects of us as His followers. That ultimately leads to spiritual death, which is alienation from Jesus Christ.

For this reason, all Christ-followers should pay careful attention to what we are being fed. If we don’t know God’s Word ourselves, we won’t be able to discern if fragments of poison are part of our regular spiritual and intellectual intake.

            The importance of teaching sound theology and doctrine can’t be overstated. This is particularly important for those involved in Bible teaching or missionary work. Too many professing Christians today think that being politically correct is more important than standing up for truth, even the truth of God’s Word.

            You’ve heard the old saying, “You are what you eat.” If it’s true that what we put into our bodies affects our health and well-being, how much more important is it that we are careful about what we “consume” intellectually and spiritually?

            Jesus said in Luke 6:45 “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” You and I don’t live out of what we say we believe; we live out of what we actually believe! The things we believe about God affect the choices we make in life. And Scripture makes it clear that choices determine destiny. Wrong beliefs result in wrong choices. That’s why correct belief is so important! 

            As part of our introduction, we need at least a brief look at the terms we’re using in our title, “Gospel Theology; Why is Correct Theology Important for Salvation?” What is the Gospel? You might answer “the Good News.” OK, but the good news about what? That I can have a better life if I accept Jesus; that I can have a personal relationship with Him; or I get to go to heaven when I die? Those things are true, but they aren’t the heart of the Gospel.

            The gospel is called the ‘good news’ because it addresses the most serious problem that you and I have as human beings. Here’s the problem: God is holy, just, and He’s perfect, and I’m not. Paul defined the Gospel succinctly in I Timothy 1:15. “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” Prior to conversion, every person is a sinner in need of salvation.

            What is theology? The etymology shows that it comes from the Greek, theos = God, and logos = word. So, we can simply say “Theology is a word about God.” The word of man about God is founded on the Word of God from God. In other words, man speaks because God has spoken; spoken both in His Son – the living Word – and in the Scriptures – the written Word. So, Gospel theology is based on what God has said in His Word about Himself and about humanity.

            Let me also comment on a related word, doctrine. It appears 56 times in Scripture (4 times in our text) and is simply defined as something that is taught. Paul uses the words, teaching, and doctrine interchangeably. His particular concern, and ours, is the teaching of “sound” or healthy doctrine.

            If you can, turn with me in your copies of the Holy Scripture to II Timothy 3. I’ll begin reading with verse 10 and continue on through chapter 4 and verse 5.

            As we examine this text, we will discover several essential CONCEPTS that will help us answer the question, “Why is correct theology important for salvation?”

The First CONCEPT is,

            Gospel Theology Embraces Suffering (10 – 13)

            Oh my; what a place to start! If people sat in on the weekly services at your church, would they conclude from being there that your understanding of the Gospel embraces suffering? If those same people followed you to your home and lived with you for a couple of weeks would your lifestyle choices convince them that gospel theology embraces suffering?

            In verse 12, Paul makes a very clear, emphatic statement. “All who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus shall suffer.” Or, put it this way, “all [that] are bent on living a godly life will suffer.” The apostle Peter agrees with Paul’s words, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you: But rejoice, because in this you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings…” That’s First Peter 4:12 and 13.

            What’s the relationship of Christ’s sufferings to our salvation? In Matthew 16:21 we read “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” Isaiah 52 and 53 give a graphic picture of Christ’s sufferings and the glorious results – our justification! Gospel theology is clear; without Christ’s suffering, there is NO salvation.

            Praise God we don’t need to suffer the penalty of our sins; Jesus took that upon Himself on the cross. But if we’re genuinely saved, we’ll experience suffering. Acts chapter 5 records the experience of the apostles before the Sanhedrin. Verse 45 says “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.” Why did they do that? Because they understood the greatness of the gift of salvation! The love of Christ, expressed in His suffering, motivated them to love Him in return. It should motivate us too.

            Paul wrote that Timothy knew about his suffering. And why did he suffer? Because of his commitment to Christ and the qualities mentioned in verse 10. In his mind and experience, there was a direct cause and effect between salvation and suffering.

            Today, many Christians insist that salvation and discipleship are two separate concepts. But Jesus and the writers of the New Testament taught them as inextricably linked together. Jesus never looked for converts; He called disciples. When He did speak of conversion it meant “a turning around.” You’re going one way, following one master (self and Satan); then you turn around and follow a different Master (Jesus).

            In Luke 9:23 Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me.” A genuine understanding of salvation includes discipleship, and discipleship means cross-bearing. Cross-bearing is suffering, but like Jesus, we can face it with joy. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that “…Jesus…who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

            After Jesus told Nicodemus to be “born again,” He said the effects of that experience would be visible – like the wind in the trees. Genuine salvation results in discipleship. Genuine discipleship results in visible lifestyle changes. Genuine discipleship is possible only to those who’ve received a new nature, the nature of Christ.

            How much foundation must we lay in order to bring people to a proper understanding of the Gospel and salvation? Since the suffering of Christ is the basis of our salvation, and our suffering is a result of embracing that salvation, we must be sure people understand the cost of their redemption. This concept of suffering, I believe, is one that’s often ignored or minimized in many evangelistic efforts.

The Second CONCEPT is,

            Gospel Theology Embraces Scripture (14 – 4:1)

            It really doesn’t matter what you and I think the Gospel is. Does that statement shock you? It’s true! The Scriptures tell us what the Gospel is and we’re not at liberty to change it. It is fixed, unmovable, and objective. It’s not influenced by our personal feelings, our interpretations, or our prejudice. It’s based on facts as God has revealed them to us. Like Timothy, we need to embrace those facts and continue in them.  

            Paul tells Timothy in chapter 3 verse 15 that “it is the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation that is in Christ Jesus.” So, in order for a person to experience salvation he or she must have exposure to the Scripture; personally, and corporately. This is one of the essentials of a healthy spiritual life and a healthy church!

            Paul Hattaway tells us about the importance of the Scripture in China. He tells how “Asia is full of bizarre religious beliefs. Numerous cults flood the continent, and it’s a constant battle for Christian leaders just to keep the most dangerous heresies from infiltrating and destroying their flocks. In China, the Eastern Lightning cult is also known as “The Church of Almighty God.” It continues to ravage churches throughout the country. At the core of the strange movement is the belief that Jesus has been reincarnated as a woman and is living in central China, waiting for the right time for her identity to be revealed to the world.”

            Paul Hattaway goes on. “Now you may think, ‘That’s ridiculous! No Christian would ever believe such nonsense.’ That’s true, but in China, the availability of Bibles has been severely limited. This is a deliberate attempt to strangle the massive house church movement. Believers with only a shallow knowledge of the Bible have been easy pickings for this cult.”

            In my introduction, I quoted I Timothy 1:15. “…that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…” No one can come to an understanding of salvation without first understanding their lostness. Paul says in Romans 3:20 that it’s through the law that we come to the knowledge of sin. He further states in Romans 10:17 that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that “without faith it is impossible to please God.” All of these things are foundational, and a person can’t be truly born again without understanding them.

            Verse 15 tells us that our faith in Christ Jesus is based on the foundation of the Holy Scriptures. In other words, the Word of God lays out the requirements of salvation. When we, by faith, agree with God’s conditions, we can then access salvation. Peter made this clear in Acts 4:11 and 12 “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

            Paul reminds Timothy that this embrace of the Word comes to us in the same way as our initial conversion experience – by faith. Faith believes what God’s Word says is true, even if it seems foolish, impractical, or impossible. Jesus said, “Whoever will smite you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Doesn’t that sound foolish, impractical, and impossible? From the standpoint of our human reasoning, absolutely! But faith believes and acts on the command knowing that God promises to bless those who obey Him in faith.  

            It was Augustine who said, “Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore, seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand.” The embrace of the Word will lead us to believe first, and then our obedience will lead to deeper understanding.

            While we’re thinking about the role of faith in salvation, I remind us of something very important. Scripture tells us plainly we are saved by grace, through faith. Faith is the channel of relying on Christ for our salvation and grace is the power that enables it. So, we are saved by grace, an act of God, through our faith, which is enabled by God. That removes from the realm of human possibility any attempt to make ourselves acceptable in God’s sight.

            OK. Now we’re saved; what keeps us saved? Listen to I Peter 1:3-5. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

            Our salvation is NOT maintained by our good works! Don’t minimize good works; they’re an important part of discipleship. But if we think our good works maintain our salvation – we’ve reduced the Gospel to moralism! We “are kept by the power of God through faith” – and not faith in ourselves.

            One theological concept critical to understanding our need for salvation is our bent, our natural inclination, to sin. We see it expressed in our text in the actions of the false teachers. Genesis chapter 3 records the sin of our first parents; the resulting sinful nature has been passed down to us today. Paul talks about this in I Corinthians 15:21 and 22.

            The description of humanity outside of Christ is painfully graphic in vivid scenes from the Old Testament and in shocking words from the New Testament. Worthless, corrupt, defiled, open graves, like poisonous snakes, cursing and bitterness, murderers, evil men, seducers, ruin, and misery are all words describing our lostness. Outside of Christ, we are without hope and without God in the world; doomed to destruction, Paul says in Ephesians 2:12.

            But many professing Christians today recoil from this concept. We’ve been influenced by humanism; the idea that man is basically good, he just needs to be educated or reformed. Thus, the Gospel is reduced to moralism – to improvements in behavior. But Scripture is clear; the Gospel is transformation, not reformation.

            Far too many believers and churches succumb to the logic of moralism and reduce the Gospel to a message of moral improvement. We communicate to lost persons the message that what God desires for them and demands of them is to get their lives straightened out so they can live their best life now. I fear our churches contain people who live morally and look right but are headed for eternal punishment.

            Another theological concept necessary for our understanding of salvation is the sovereignty of God. Some carry this to the extreme, saying you and I have no choice in the matter of our salvation. I remember Bro. J. Otis Yoder told me about discussing this concept with one of his fellow students in seminary. Bro. J. Otis was arguing that as human beings we have free will, we choose to respond to the call of God. To this, his fellow student said, “Yoder, your God’s a peanut. If my God wants to save a man; He saves him!”

            We rightly reject the idea that man has no choice in the matter of his salvation. We embrace the reality of God’s sovereignty but realize He doesn’t force Himself on anyone. In His foreknowledge, He’s aware of who will accept and who will reject the invitation to salvation. While the invitation is open to all, according to Romans 10:13, we must respond to the personal call of God’s Spirit. In John 6:44 Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.”

            We should also be aware that we cannot respond to the message of salvation solely on our time schedule. We must respond when the Spirit of God, speaking through the Word of God, is inviting us to respond. That’s why we have warnings about “hardening our hearts” and “quenching the Spirit.” Strictly speaking, a person cannot repent when he chooses, repentance and faith are gifts from God.

             Another theological concept necessary for our understanding of salvation is the certainty of the Judgment. We see this in verse 1 of chapter 4. If there’s no final judgment, or if that judgment ends our existence, there’s no need for the Gospel of salvation. Paul says God will judge the living and the dead on that final day. From other Scripture portions, we know our earthly life is only a brief preparation for eternity.

            At the end of life, you and I are going to stand before a just and holy God to be judged. We’ll be judged either on the basis of our own righteousness – or lack of it – or the righteousness of another. The good news of the gospel is – Jesus lived a life of perfect righteousness, of perfect obedience to God, not for His own wellbeing but for His people. He’s done for you and me what we couldn’t possibly do for ourselves. Not only has He lived that life of perfect obedience, but He also offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice to satisfy the justice and the righteousness of God.

            Forgiveness is a very costly matter. It cost God the sacrifice of His own perfect Son. God pronounced the value of Jesus’ sacrifice by raising Him from the dead – so that Christ died for us, He was raised for our justification. So, the gospel is something objective. It is the message of who Jesus is and what He did.

            And it also has a subjective dimension. How are the benefits of Jesus subjectively appropriated to us? How do you and I get them? As I said earlier, the Bible makes it clear that we are justified not by our works, not by our efforts, not by our deeds, but by faith–and by faith alone. The only way you can receive the benefit of Christ’s life and death is by putting your trust in Him–and in Him alone. If you do that, you’re declared just by God, you’re adopted into His family, you’re forgiven of all of your sins, and your eternity is secure in Him.

The Final CONCEPT is,

            Gospel Theology Embraces Service (4:1- 5)

            Why did God provide for your salvation? Just so you could escape divine retribution? Definitely! So you could spend eternity in heaven with Him? For sure! So you could have a good life? Maybe, but not so much, depending on what you mean by that. I believe Paul’s teaching here points to something very important; we are saved to serve.

            Notice what Paul says to Timothy here in chapter four, verse one.  “I charge you before God…” In I Timothy 6:13, Paul speaks of this same charge. The English translation is a bit different, but the original word is the same. It means “one who is in sight.” It’s used to describe a person who does or says something in the presence of someone else and is consciously aware that he is being both thought of and observed. So, Paul says I charge you before or in the sight of, God.  

            Timothy, like every Christ follower, would face difficult situations in life. Timothy would also face hard situations in the church. Paul reminded him that his embrace of the Scriptures by faith would enable him to persevere in these situations. Surrounded by false teachers and unfaithful men, Timothy would need to keep his focus in the right place; we need that too. 

            And that focus was on “our God, even Christ Jesus.” Again, we get a glimpse of Paul’s attitude toward the deity of Jesus. In these final words to Timothy, Paul is striving to make an indelible impression, a lasting impression, on his beloved son in the faith. The deity of Jesus Christ must have a basic and prominent place in all Christian teaching and preaching!

            The service Paul charges Timothy to embrace is to preach the Word! What does it mean to preach the Word? No doubt, when you hear the word, preach, you picture a pastor/teacher standing behind a pulpit; hopefully proclaiming the Word of God. But the word Paul used here, kerruso, is much different.

            Into Timothy’s mind came a mental picture of a royal messenger riding or walking into the local town square. This kerruso, was an imperial herald, a spokesman for the emperor. He didn’t bring his own message. He proclaimed the message he had been given. In him was vested all the power and authority of the sovereign and to ignore the message he gave was to imperil your own well-being.

            Paul goes on to list three important aspects of embracing our service. First, it must become a lifestyle. As those who are truly saved, we are called to be ready to serve at any time, whether it’s convenient or inconvenient, whether it makes us comfortable or uncomfortable.

            Now I’ll go from preaching to meddling. What circumstances does it take for you to skip Sunday School, the preaching service, prayer meeting, or an opportunity to serve someone else – convenience, comfort? How about a sports event, a day on the lake, or hours in the deer stand? We’re able and willing to endure inconvenience and discomfort for the things that are important to us. I stand convicted!

            Second, our embrace of service must be rooted in our commitment to the Scriptures. Our own salvation moves us to obey God’s command to take the Gospel to all people; to share the Good News with them. We are also commanded as brothers and sisters in the Lord to bear each other’s burdens. There’s room for everyone’s gifts and abilities in this task, and EVERYONE has something to offer.  

            In addition, our service must be accompanied by longsuffering. We need to be uncompromising in proclaiming the truth, but harshness adds nothing of value to that proclamation. Instead, it detracts from the truth. Harshness puts the focus on the messenger more than the message. As those who have embraced the Gospel, we must be even-tempered, not easily crushed by suffering, slow to anger, and slow to retaliate.

            And finally, Paul mentions the importance of doctrine or teaching. It’s interesting isn’t it, that our text begins and ends with doctrine? Four times he mentions it in 13 verses. So often we hear things like “doctrine divides; love unites.” But it’s not biblical teaching that divides Christians; it’s their response to biblical teaching. When you and I embrace the teaching of God’s Word and act upon it – that draws us together! It enables us to serve together, to live out our salvation in practical ways multiplying its effects.

            However, Paul warns us that we will need to be diligent in embracing our service. Why? Because many people will reject the message that motivates it, and we will suffer for our faithfulness to the Word.

            Today, there is much wrong theology (words about God) being disseminated across the globe. There is much erroneous doctrine (teaching about God) being promoted. This is why it’s critical that we have sound, biblical preaching in our churches. We must be people of the Book.

            Theology and doctrine wrongly presented can appear to be cold, factual knowledge about some distant deity who’s not really involved in our daily lives. But to those who, by faith, have embraced the saving grace of Jesus Christ, the study of God’s character and attributes leaves us in awe and wonder. How can a God so holy, so powerful, and so glorious dwell in our hearts by faith? Miraculous! When we grasp the magnitude of what we’ve received we will embrace Scriptural theology and sound doctrine as a way to lovingly respond to such a great salvation!

            Suffering, Scripture, and Service; what’s your Gospel theology?

The Ministry of the Holy Spirit

John 16:7-15

At Heralds of Hope, Inc, we get lots of mail from people around the world. Some who write have questions about the Bible, and about living the Christian life. Some of the most frequent questions we receive are questions about the role and function of the Holy Spirit.

Because this subject is so large, there’s no way we can do justice to it in one brief message. But I want to give you some principles to help you discern the proper function of the Holy Spirit. Principles to help you answer the specific questions that arise about the Holy Spirit’s role and ministry in the church today.

Our text is John 16:7-15. Here, Jesus is instructing His disciples about the coming of the Comforter. The setting of this text is just prior to the crucifixion. It gives the most detailed information about the ministry of the Holy Spirit prior to Pentecost. Because He knows the coming events will be painful for the disciples, Jesus assures them His going away is necessary for the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit’s coming would be the key to their doing greater works than He did.

Read John 16:1-15

Notice in verse seven, Jesus tells the disciples that it’s necessary for Him to go away. It is to their advantage that He go away, because, if he stays, the Holy Spirit cannot come. If He goes, He promises to send the Comforter, the intercessor, the consoler, to them. I’ve titled the message, “The Ministry of the Holy Spirit.”

In our text, we observe theministry of the Holy Spirit to Christians and non-Christians. In each of these relationships, we’re given three specific FUNCTIONS of the Spirit. I make the assumption that many of you listening today are Christians, so we will spend most of our time looking at the Holy Spirit’s ministry to the redeemed. But we do want to look briefly at His ministry to unbelievers as we begin.

1. The First Relationship is,

To Unbelievers (vv.8-11)

Notice the beginning of verse eight, “And when he is come, he will reprove the world…” Jesus had just finished warning the disciples about some of the things the “world” would do to them, in verse two. These are the ungodly, those who are part of the world’s system of doing things. All of us were part of the world. All of us were separated from God by our sin. We needed the Holy Spirit to bring us to a consciousness of our sin. This is the primary ministry of the Holy Spirit to unbelievers.

Let’s look at the three ways Jesus said the Holy Spirit would bring about that conviction.

A. Convince the world of sin

Jesus said the Holy Spirit will reprove, convict, or rebuke the world for their sin. What sin? Specifically, the sin of unbelief, according to verse 9. People refuse to acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God. That’s the sin of unbelief. In the immediate context of these verses, Jesus is referring to the Jews, but we also know this is true for the world at large; and especially for those who have heard and understood the Gospel. The Holy Spirit will convince unbelievers of the sins they’ve committed and of the guilt and condemnation that result from those sins.

B. Convince the world of righteousness

Jesus further stated that the Holy Spirit will reprove the world of His righteousness because He was going back to the Father. What do we make of this? The coming of the Holy Spirit validated the teachings of Christ and the claims He made as the Savior of mankind. Jesus was not an impostor, a magician, a lunatic, or a destroyer of the law as the Jews labeled Him. He was the Son of God. The coming of the Holy Spirit was dynamic proof that this sinless Son of God was put to death unjustly.

At Pentecost, many unbelievers came under the conviction of the Holy Spirit and repented of their former attitudes and actions. More than anything else, this dramatic change in the hearts of men testified to the righteousness of Christ. It proved that He was who He claimed to be. Today, those who follow Christ are a constant reproof to unbelievers. The ministry and witness of the Holy Spirit in your life is visible proof of the reality of Christ’s righteousness.

C. Convince the world of judgment

Last, but not least, we have the promise of judgment on the unbelieving. Those who reject Jesus as the only hope of salvation, those who reject the proof of His claims by divine revelation and the witness of transformed lives, will suffer eternal punishment.

This fact was spoken of by the apostles in their preaching after Pentecost. They spoke of the coming judgment; a judgment that could only be escaped by trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation. Part of this judgment will be the destruction of Satan’s power.

The coming of the Holy Spirit dealt a crippling blow to Satan. People no longer needed to depend on external controls to maintain holy living. Now, the Holy Spirit transforms the heart and lives there. He gives ongoing victory to all who would walk in obedience to His voice. The life of a victorious Christian is a constant reminder that Satan’s power has been broken.

Because all of us were at one time part of the world of unbelievers, we’ve experienced these aspects of the Spirit’s ministry. But now we are redeemed. And the Holy Spirit has a different ministry to those who are the children of God.

II. The Second Relationship is;

To Believers

Verse twelve introduces the shift in focus. Jesus told the disciples He had many things He wanted to tell them before His crucifixion. But, He said, you are not able to bear them now; you’re not able to understand them now. However, when the Holy Spirit comes, He will open your understanding. And He gives three specific ways in which the Spirit will do this.

A. Guide You into All Truth

What is the purpose of a guide? To show the way. The picture is of a father taking his child by the hand and leading the way. Jesus said the Holy Spirit will show the way, and guide us into all truth. That implies that we can’t find the truth by ourselves. We should know that from experience. Our sinfulness so affects our way of thinking that to pursue truth on our own will lead us away from God. But Jesus said the Holy Spirit will be a faithful guide. This guidance demonstrates to us that truth is knowable, not abstract. It’s objective rather than subjective.

There are two ways He will accomplish this task. First, “He will not speak of Himself.” Ignoring this truth has caused many to go astray. Some have elevated the ministry of the Holy Spirit at the expense of Jesus. That is directly contrary to what Jesus states here. The Spirit does not have a ministry that is independent of Jesus. Everything that He does or says is designed to validate the words of Jesus. To suggest or practice otherwise is to discredit the worth and value of Christ.

Mark it down, if someone says, “the Holy Spirit told me to do this,” and it is contrary to the truth revealed in the Bible, that person is deceived. The ministry of the Holy Spirit will never contradict the Word; the written Word or Jesus the living Word.

Once I was listening to a popular, Christian, call-in radio program, and a lady called in to talk about her boyfriend who she had caught viewing pornography on the internet. One of the first questions I would have asked her was, “does your boyfriend make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ?” If he didn’t, then the issue was not his behavior, but the fact she, as a Christian, had no business dating him! But you know, the host and his guest never asked that question! They gave her some advice, but I don’t remember what it was because I was thinking, how can the Spirit guide us if we have closed our eyes to the obvious teaching of the Word?

Our desire to have our own way often leads us to reject the clear teachings of Scripture even as we attempt to seek God’s will for a specific need in our lives. Perhaps you’ve experienced this. You’re praying for God’s direction about some detail of your life. The Holy Spirit reminds you that there is an area of need He’s been attempting to address, but you aren’t willing to obey. So what will you do? If you humble yourself and admit your pride and rebellion, and repent, you’ll experience the blessing of the Lord. I must admit I’ve been there.

Secondly, verse thirteen tells us the Holy Spirit will speak the things He hears. So, he will not speak of Himself, and, he will speak only what He hears from the Father and the Son. He does not have his own message; He does not have His own agenda. In John 14:26 Jesus said the Spirit will “bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” Jesus further stated in John 15:26, the Spirit “shall testify of me.” I cannot emphasize too strongly how important this truth is in our age of “spiritual experience.” So much of Christianity today is experience-oriented. Experience is good, but only if it is informed by biblical truth.

Are you experiencing the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life? Are you living in obedience to the revealed will of God? If you are, then you have the promise of God that you will be led by the Holy Spirit into an ever-deepening relationship with Him.

B. Show You Things to Come

According to our text, another function of the Holy Spirit is, to reveal the future things to us. In this context, we must understand that Jesus was at least referring to Pentecost and the signs and wonders that would accompany it. This was all new to the apostles. They did not have the benefit of hindsight as we do. They were in a transition period between the old covenant and the new. But I believe the truth goes beyond that limited scope.

It is interesting to note that Peter, in his Pentecost sermon, quoted from the prophet Joel, Acts 2:16 to 21. “But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Notice, some of these things apply to Pentecost, but some do not. Those conditions mentioned in verses nineteen and twenty are for a future time. And we have prophetic books like Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, and Revelation that outline how these things will come to pass. And we can only begin to understand them as the Holy Spirit enlightens our minds.

The apostles, Peter and Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, unveil some things about the coming day of the Lord in their writings. But let it suffice to say, that unless the Holy Spirit opens our understanding of things to come, we don’t have the foggiest idea about how it will come about.

I believe there’s another facet to this idea of the Spirit showing us things to come. How many of you have ever made a decision, and later, as you experience the consequences of that decision, you wish you’d made a different choice? I believe the Holy Spirit can help us see the consequences of our decisions before we make them. He can give the wisdom to look ahead and visualize the outcome. In this way, He guides us into truth even as He shows us things to come. But that will only happen if we are open to hearing His voice and following His leading.

C. He Will Glorify Me

Here, Jesus states that the Holy Spirit will glorify Him by receiving His truth and announcing it to mankind. Again, we must remember, the ministry of the Holy Spirit is not to glorify Himself, but rather to lift up Jesus. The Spirit is the One who reveals the truth to us.

Jesus reminds the disciples, and us, that the things the Holy Spirit will reveal, belong to the Father. The Father and the Son are in full agreement and the Holy Spirit is in full agreement too. He will do nothing that is contrary to the Word or will of both Father and Son. This is another way we can discern whether or not the direction we perceive is truly from the Holy Spirit; does it bring glory to Christ or does it bring glory to me? It is God’s design that our lives glorify him, Ephesians 1:12 and 14. The Holy Spirit’s ministry is to help us fulfill that design.

If we commit ourselves to obey the Holy Spirit’s prompting in our lives, He will bring about changes in us that will glorify Christ. As those changes take place other Christians will be encouraged. Unbelievers will be convinced of the reality of our relationship with Jesus. And all will be drawn to Christ.

As we bring this message to a close let’s review the specific functions of the Holy Spirit relating to Believers.

First, “He will guide you into all truth.” Are you experiencing that guidance on a daily basis? Are you walking in obedience to those things you know are the will of God? If you are, then be assured, the Holy Spirit will guide you. But if there is an area where you are suppressing the Spirit, you cannot expect Him to guide you. Obedience is the key.

Second, “He will show you things to come.” Do you know what the future holds for you? Not necessarily the details, but the direction? Have you discovered God’s purpose for your life and are you fulfilling that purpose? Do you have the confidence that your future is secure?

Finally, “He will glorify me.” Is the ministry of the Spirit in your life bringing glory to the Father? Are your brothers and sisters in the body of Christ being encouraged as they observe His working in you? Are unbelievers convinced of the reality of Christ by what they observe in your life? I urge you today to live out the reality of “The Ministry of the Holy Spirit.”

This was recorded live at our Strategic Partner Breakfast in Dayton, Virginia, on March 7, 2023.

The Coming Kingdom

Luke 19:11-28

            There’s an old Yiddish tale that relates how “Once upon a time, Truth went about the streets as naked as the day he was born. As a result, no one would let him into their homes. Whenever people caught sight of him, they turned away and fled. One day when Truth was sadly wandering about, he came upon Parable. Parable was dressed in splendid clothes of beautiful colors. And Parable, seeing Truth, said, “Tell me, neighbor, what makes you look so sad?” Truth replied bitterly, “Ah, brother, things are bad — very bad. I’m old — very old, and no one wants to acknowledge me. No one wants anything to do with me.”

            Hearing that, Parable said, “People don’t run away from you because you’re old. I’m old too — very old. But the older I get, the better people like me. I’ll tell you a secret: Everyone likes things disguised and prettied up a bit. Let me lend you some splendid clothes like mine, and you’ll see that the very people who ran away from you will invite you into their homes and be glad of your company.” Truth took Parable’s advice and put on the borrowed clothes. And from that time on, Truth and Parable have gone hand in hand. They make a happy pair.”

            As you and I read the gospels we notice that Jesus told many parables. He rarely (maybe never) began teaching with scripture among the common people. It was only in the synagogue, among the scholars that he did so. Most of the time, Jesus told stories about everyday things in order to bring His message in a way that would keep His listeners attention!

            And that’s what we find in our text today from Luke 19:11 to 28. Like some of the other parables recorded in Luke’s Gospel, we’re alerted to the reason for the parable before it’s given. This makes both interpretation and application simpler.

            This parable relates to “The Coming Kingdom” of Christ. So let’s read our text, Luke 19:11 to 28, and then see what Jesus wants us to learn about “The Coming Kingdom.”

            In this text, Jesus spells out several crucial DETAILS of His coming kingdom.

The First DETAIL (of the coming kingdom) is,

            Its Chronology

            Every kingdom has a chronology, a timeline; either a history or a future or both. The kingdom of Jesus is no different. And our text states right up front that Jesus’ audience didn’t understand the timeline, the chronology, of His kingdom.

            Verse 11 tells us He was near Jerusalem. If Jesus was born as “king of the Jews” (according to the magi in Matthew 2), it was only logical that he would inaugurate His kingdom in Jerusalem, right? And because of His nearness to the city and the events taking place, the people assumed He would set up His kingdom without delay. They saw the kingdom as imminent, near at hand. And because they were children of Abraham by birth they assumed they automatically had a place in that coming kingdom. But they were mistaken, and Jesus told this parable to challenge their assumptions.

            The first thing we learn from the parable about the chronology of Jesus’ kingdom is that it will only be established in its fullness after He goes to the Father and then returns back to earth. Clearly, the nobleman represents Jesus, the far country is the presence of the Father, and the return is the second coming of Christ.

            Let’s unpack this a bit more. Jesus had been telling the disciples about his impending suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension. But because it didn’t fit their narrative about the kingdom, they couldn’t understand. In the previous chapter, after Jesus told them about His imminent suffering and death, we read “But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken.” It didn’t compute!  

            The parable makes it clear that Jesus, the nobleman, must go away for a time. And where does He go? He goes to a far country to be invested with royalty. This reminds me of Psalm 110:1. “The LORD (Jehovah) said to my Lord (Messiah), sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footrest.” Notice, Jesus is told to sit at the right hand of His Father UNTIL His enemies are subdued. There’s a length of time indicated by the word until. You and I, today, are still in that time; the kingdom is not here in its fullness yet!

            After receiving the kingdom, Jesus said the nobleman would return; that is, return with the authority of the kingdom invested in him. At that time he will have the authority to pronounce judgment. Paul mentions this in Acts 17, addressing the philosophers in Athens. He said, “[God] has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man (Jesus) whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” Paul’s point is; the resurrection is proof that Jesus will exercise the role of the judge when His kingdom finally comes.  

            The chronology of the kingdom is this; Jesus would not immediately establish His kingdom but would go to heaven to receive the kingdom from His Father. He is there now at the right hand of the Father interceding for us according to Romans 8:34. At the time specified by the Father He will return and receive His kingdom.

The Second DETAIL (of the coming kingdom) is,

            Its Constitution

            A constitution is a governing document. It sets forth key principles of belief and specific guidelines for those functioning under that constitution. The actions of the citizens of the kingdom are prescribed by the details of the constitution. In our text, Jesus spells out some of the details of the constitution of His kingdom. Part of the constitution is the responsibility of the citizens, and what they are to do.

            It’s important for us to notice the two groups of people mentioned in this parable; slaves and citizens. Both have obligations under the constitution.

            As the nobleman (Jesus) prepares to leave for the far country He entrusts His slaves with responsibility in His absence. He calls ten of the slaves and gives each a fixed amount of money – a mina; about 3 month’s wages for a rural laborer. The nobleman’s instructions were short and succinct; “Beginning right now, trade with what I’ve given you while I am going and coming.” It’s understood that the goal of trading was to increase the original investment.

            The role of the slave was to be faithful in using what He was given to gain more. You and I are voluntary slaves of Christ. After experiencing the love of our Master we have voluntarily committed ourselves to a covenant relationship with Jesus until the day of our death. He entrusts us with His resources and gives us the privilege of increasing them for His glory. At some point in the future, we will give an account of our stewardship. How are we doing?

            Notice with me verse 14. “But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.” This can only be a reference to the unbelieving Jews of Jesus’ day. Do you remember what the mob said to Pilate during Jesus’ trial? “They cried out, ‘Away with him, away with him, crucify him!’ Pilate said to them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but Caesar.’” Their rejection of Jesus couldn’t have been clearer, could it?

            As Jesus told this parable, most likely, the minds of the people immediately went to their own history. Archelaus, a son of Herod the Great, experienced the very things Jesus mentioned. Following an uprising in Judea in 4 A.D. where he slaughtered 3,000 people during Passover, Archelaus traveled to Rome to be crowned by the emperor Augustus as ruler over Judea and Samaria. But his rule was so despotic and so chaotic that the Jews and the Samaritans made a united appeal for his removal. In essence, saying “We won’t have this man rule over us.” So the citizens or subjects, the ones who should’ve been loyal to him rejected his rule.

            Today, these citizens may be represented by those who are part of organized religion but who’ve never surrendered their lives to the Lordship of Christ. They think they’re going to be citizens of that heavenly kingdom, but like the people of Jesus’ day, they are adamant; “We will not have this man rule over us.” We’ll see in a few minutes the end result of their choices.

The Final DETAIL (of the coming kingdom) is,

            Its Consummation

            In verse 15 the time has elapsed for the nobleman. He has received his authority and his kingdom and is returning. At his return he calls his slaves to appear before him; to see how well they’ve followed his commands and how much they’d gained in trading. It is a time for reckoning and a time for rewards.

            The first slave reported that the original mina he’d received had gained ten more! I’d say that was pretty good, wouldn’t you? He started with one and now he has eleven. So the king commended him and said, “Because you have been faithful in a very little, I give you authority over 10 cities.” This is the reward for faithful service. Isn’t it interesting that the reward for faithfulness is not rest? It is a greater opportunity for service!

            Can you imagine Zacchaeus standing there listening to Jesus present this teaching? How was he feeling? He had just promised to give half of his possessions to the poor and to reimburse anyone he had defrauded four-fold (v. 8). Jesus’ teaching here would have encouraged him to follow through on his commitment. He would have a great reward, much treasure in heaven if he so served the Master faithfully.

            The second slave reported that his mina had gained an additional five. Not as good as the first, but not bad. Again, the king commended him for his faithfulness and rewarded him with rule over 5 cities.

            Jesus’ story then skips over the other slaves to highlight the last one. This one said, “Lord, here is your mina which I’ve kept wrapped up in a napkin while you were gone.” Interesting that the word translated napkin is really a cloth for wiping away sweat. This slave’s lack of activity meant he didn’t need the sweat cloth for its intended purpose, so he used it to cover his lord’s mina. Why did he do this?

            Look at verse 21. He said “I was afraid of you because you have a harsh disposition. You gather up what you didn’t lay down and you harvest where you did not plant.” Did this slave really believe this or was it just an excuse? I believe it was just an excuse for unfaithfulness!

            His master confronted him with his own words dripping with sarcasm. “You wicked slave. If you truly believed what you said about me, why didn’t you at least put my money in the bank where I could retrieve the principal and any accrued interest?”

            Why was this slave described as wicked? First, he was negligent with what was entrusted to him; he didn’t use the resources to his best ability. He accepted the Master’s resources with no intention to use them. Second, he placed the blame for his negligence on his master; he unjustly accused him of being harsh and greedy. He refused to take responsibility for his own actions. His judgment would be severe.

            Jesus said to those who were standing by “take from him the mina and give it to the one with ten minas.” Notice that verse 25 is a parenthetical aside. Those in the crowd who were listening (intently) interrupted Jesus to remind him that the first man already had 10 minas! Their sense of justice was offended. This wasn’t fair! But I remind you, Jesus doesn’t deal in fairness; at least as we humans understand fairness. He deals with everyone justly.

            Jesus went on to tell them that “everyone who is already being faithful will be given more. But to those who are being (present tense) unfaithful, even the little bit that they have will be stripped away.” Remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:21. “Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father.”

            I said earlier that you and I as followers of Jesus are His voluntary slaves. How well are we using the resources He’s given us in His absence? Each of us has time, gifts, abilities, skills, or finances we can invest for His glory and the benefit of others. Like the slaves in this parable, we will be called to account for how we use them.

            Finally, Jesus addresses those who claimed to be citizens of His kingdom but rejected His rule. He said, “…bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.”

            Like many prophetic utterances, this one has more than one fulfillment. Most likely Jesus was thinking about the coming destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The word, slay, in verse 27, is a particularly harsh word meaning, to slaughter, to butcher, or to cut down violently! That’s exactly what happened when Roman forces under Titus pierced the final wall around the Temple complex. Goaded by the fierce opposition to the very end, the Roman soldiers rampaged through the area sparing no one and burning the Temple.

            But there’s also a reference here to a coming event; that Day of Judgment when all who are found in open rebellion against Christ will perish, consumed by the Word out of His mouth. That will be the consummation of the kingdom!

            This parable clarifies that while salvation and entrance into the kingdom come by faith in Jesus, rewards for service rest on the believer’s works. Both salvation and rewards come as a result of God’s grace. Salvation does not depend on working for God but on resting in what Jesus Christ has done. Rewards do not depend on resting in what Jesus Christ has done but on working for God. It is a misunderstanding of Scriptural revelation to conclude that because God has saved us by His grace we need do nothing but lie back and wait for heaven. Such behavior constitutes irresponsible stewardship that Jesus Christ will punish by withholding a reward. In view of what lies ahead for us, we need to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that our labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58).

            My friend, the kingdom is coming; it is in process. Right now we, as slaves of Christ, are called to exercise faithfulness. We have been entrusted with resources to use for His glory and the blessing of others. Our rewards will be based on our faithfulness. How are you doing?

            And if you’re an “enemy” of Christ, I urge you to change that today – before it’s too late!

This was recorded live at our Strategic Partner Breakfast in Chambersburg, PA, on February 23, 2023.

Are You in the Faith?

II Corinthians 13:1-14

            May I ask you a question? Are you in good health? How do you know? What standard do you use to make that determination? Good health is a tremendous blessing. When you have it, it can easily be taken for granted. In many ways, it is a gift from God, but our lifestyle choices also have a significant impact on our health.

When I was a boy, my parents and siblings rarely went to the doctor. As very young children, I know we had periodic wellness checks with our family doctor, and we got our required immunizations to attend public school. But we weren’t taken to the doctor for colds, chicken pox, sore throats, upset stomachs, and fevers. We appreciated doctors, but we only used them when we absolutely needed them.

            How things have changed! Now even minor discomfort causes people to head to the medicine cabinet, urgent care, or even the emergency room. For some people, physical health has become an obsession and the medical profession has obliged them by becoming a very profitable business. I’ve discovered that even having blood work done can be quite pricey.

I’m now in my sixth decade of life and am constantly told I should have this test, and that screening, and on and on. Like the rest of you, I value my health, so I recently scheduled an appointment to have a screening for the risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease, and more. I don’t have a family history of those things but thought it might be good to get checked out.

            But you know, as important as physical health is, spiritual health is so much more important. Our physical life is limited to the realm of time, but our spirits will live on forever. Some people are uncomfortable with my casual approach to doctors and medical screenings, but those same people totally ignore their spiritual health. That’s very unwise.   

            Did you know that just as there are tests for your physical health there are tests you can take to evaluate your spiritual health? There are, and we want to look at them in this study from the final chapter of Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians.

            The church at Corinth had some real spiritual ailments and Paul closes this second letter by asking them a question. The question he asked them is just as applicable to you and me today. It is “Are You in the Faith? Paul shows us how to find the answer to that question.

            I invite you to listen and follow along if you can, as I read Second Corinthians 13.

            In the closing portion of this letter, Paul proposes several TESTS we can use to prove whether or not we are in the faith.

The First TEST we can use (to prove whether or not we are in the faith) is,

            Examine the Source of Your Power

             There are a couple of phrases I want us to notice in this first section of verses, one through five. They are “mighty in you” and “by the power of God.” This second phrase, by the power of God, is mentioned twice. First, Christ lives by the power of God, that is, even though from a human viewpoint His death seemed an obvious indication of weakness, He was resurrected by the life-giving power of God. Because of that fact, we as Christ-followers live with Him by the power of Christ toward us.  

            That calls to mind Paul’s words in his letter to the Romans. “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” That’s Romans 8:9 to 11.

            Paul’s conclusion is very clear in this process of determining whether or not you are in the faith. If you do not have the Spirit of Christ in you, you do NOT belong to Him and you are NOT in the faith. Maybe you think it’s not that simple, but it is! And that’s what Paul was wanting those in Corinth, who professed to be Believers, to understand.

Paul was calling his readers to examine themselves, to test themselves, to determine whether or not they were (still) in the faith. His use of the word yourselves is emphatic. He was specifically addressing those in Corinth who were opposing the purity of the Gospel. Earlier, in his first letter, he challenged them to examine themselves in the context of participating in the observance of the Lord’s Table.

            What is “the faith.” When I was working on the manuscript for this teaching, Microsoft Word didn’t like the words “the faith.” It kept wanting to eliminate the word “the.” But Paul is referring specifically to biblical faith, which is a believing attitude toward Jesus Christ. It’s not just any faith, faith in myself, faith in a creed, or faith in a system, but belief and trust in a person.   

            When you and I, by faith, accept the sacrifice of Jesus as the only acceptable payment for our sin, we become partakers of that same power that raised Christ from the dead. Our sins are forgiven and, according to Second Corinthians 5:17, “…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 

            When Paul calls us as Believers to test ourselves that implies a deliberate attempt to ascertain or measure our spiritual condition. And proving is the result that comes out of the testing. If Jesus Christ is “mighty in you,” as Paul said, you will pass the test.

            You know, there are only two sources of power in the world; one is God and the other is Satan. Satan exercises his power in the hearts of those who are unredeemed, and unsaved. Their focus is on themselves, and their pleasure, their benefit. It doesn’t take any power to live like that, you just follow your natural inclinations.

            God exercises His power in the hearts of those who have trusted Him for their salvation. Their focus is on bringing glory to Him by loving and serving others. They submit to His will and allow His power to flow through them to others.

            Testing the source of power in your life will answer the question, “are you in the faith?”  

The Next TEST we can use (to prove whether or not we are in the faith) is,

            Examine the Motivation for Your Choices

Do you know how to find out whether or not the Spirit of Christ is in you? Here’s a simple test. Just look at the choices you make every day. If someone makes an offensive comment about you or your reputation, how do you respond? If you respond in the Spirit, by the power of God, you will forgive them and even try to return good for that evil. If you respond out of your flesh you will be angry, maybe bitter, and seek revenge.

            When someone sins against us our immediate reaction is usually out of our flesh, our old nature, the unredeemed part of us. That’s definitely how unbelievers expect us to respond. If we don’t respond like that, those who don’t know Christ see us as weak. But that’s not true. It takes a strength much greater than our own to respond in the way that Jesus would.

            In this context, Paul is asking them to test the motives for their actions, not so he would look good, but so they would learn to do what was right. He had warned them that when he came to Corinth the next time, he would exercise discipline as needed, even severe discipline.

            He didn’t really want to do that. He wasn’t looking forward to that with some kind of perverse delight. He wasn’t hoping to make himself look better at their expense. Paul would much rather be seen as “weak” in order that the Corinthians would be strong in doing what was right. He reassured them that any discipline would be for their edification not for their destruction. Many church leaders today could learn from Paul’s example.

            While Paul was dealing with their motives there’s another aspect to this. Motivation, to some degree, gives evidence of maturity or the lack of it. Paul wanted the Corinthian Believers to become mature in their faith. This is a common theme in this letter. Mature Believers don’t need the threat of discipline hanging over them to make the right choices. They do right because they know it’s right. The power of the Holy Spirit in them guides their choices.

            When was the last time you made a deliberate decision to evaluate your spiritual condition? When was the last time your life choices proved that you were living under the control of the Holy Spirit whom you received in response to exercising your faith in Christ? Those lifestyle choices DO NOT save you, let’s be clear about that. But they do indicate whether or not you are truly in the faith, truly a new creature in Christ.

            As you examine the motivation for your choices in life, are you in the faith?

The Final TEST we can use (to prove whether or not we are in the faith) is,

            Examine the Level of Your Love

            Paul had written a long letter to the Corinthians, and he’d addressed a lot of issues. Now he’s coming to the end of it. In closing, he gives them several ways to test the level of their love for God and each other. First, he writes “be perfected.” What an admonition for such a conflicted congregation! The grammar indicates continuous action and I understand this word was used by ancient physicians to speak of a joint being put back into its proper place after a dislocation. A dislocated joint is painful, it causes weakness, and we’re not able to perform at the level we should. Dislocations in relationships have the same effect; they cause pain and dysfunction.

            And then, “take courage.” This is the same word that is used repeatedly in the New Testament to describe the Holy Spirit as the Comforter. Paul encourages the Corinthians to receive admonition that would bring comfort to them. It would call them to put their arm around a brother or sister in mutual love and respect and it would accept the same love in return.

            He goes on, “be of one mind and live in peace.” The church in Corinth was notorious for its dissension and conflict. Paul encourages them to reject that practice and cultivate a peaceful disposition. Don’t be the person that’s known to have a short fuse or a hair-trigger temperament. Hebrews 12:14 gives us good advice on this. “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord…” When you pursue something, you’re intentional about it. You intend to catch it and hold on to it. Let’s be that way about living in peace.  

            There are many people today who loudly and publicly proclaim their love for God, but the evidence of their love for their brothers and sisters in Christ is almost nonexistent. In fact, some even state openly that they have no need for the local church. But call to mind the words of the apostle John. “If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God MUST love his brother also.”  

            Paul closes his instruction by urging them to demonstrate that love to their brothers and sisters in a tangible way, a kiss of love. Historically, it was practiced at the celebration of the Eucharist or what many of us today call Communion. A minority of churches still practice it today.

            When was the last time you evaluated your love for your brothers and sisters? Think of your most recent interactions with those who are part of your local fellowship. How did you respond to their questions, their opinions, and their choices? Were you willing to truly hear what they were saying or were you more concerned about your own agenda?

Were you willing to see them, or were their ideas preferred over yours? Were you “… tenderhearted, courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this…” These are all ways to test the level of your love for the brotherhood, and they are vital in determining whether or not you are still in the faith.

            The final verse of Second Corinthians contains the most complete benediction in all of Paul’s letters. Here, he invokes the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit upon each of them and upon the whole group.

            I encourage you to take some time to meditate on that benediction and see how these three expressions of God’s person align with the three tests we’ve looked at in this teaching.

            Are you in the faith? Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Scripture, these three tests will enable you to discern the answer to that all-important question.  

A Fool for God’s Glory

II Corinthians 11:16-33

You may have heard this quote: “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.” No one is quite sure of the origin of this statement, but it makes a sharp point, and it agrees with many of Solomon’s observations in the Book of Proverbs.

No one likes to be considered a fool, much less have someone call you that to your face! Jesus Himself warned us to be careful about calling someone a fool. We want people to at least think we’re intelligent, understanding, and wise. But if we make the choice to follow Christ and to live according to the teaching of the Bible, those who don’t follow Jesus consider us fools. They see the life of a Christ-follower as dull, boring, and joyless. And God have mercy on us if we give that impression by the way we live!

In our continuing study from Second Corinthians, we come to the closing verses of chapter eleven. Here, Paul continues responding to the accusations of the false teachers in Corinth. We see his extreme discomfort as he feels forced to defend his calling and ministry. In fact, he uses the terms fool and foolishly several times in this text. Sometimes he applies it to himself and sometimes to his critics. But his conclusion seems to be that he is willing to be “A Fool for God’s Glory.” That’s the title for our study today from Second Corinthians 11:16 to 33. Here now are the God-breathed words of the apostle.

As we reflect on Paul’s words to the Corinthians, we observe the several STAGES that describe being a fool for God’s glory. These stages are applicable in our lives too.

The First STAGE (of being a fool for God’s glory) is,

            Speaking as a Fool

As I said earlier, Paul acknowledges that boasting about one’s accomplishments isn’t from the Lord; it comes from the flesh. But because of the situation in Corinth and the accusations of his critics he feels compelled to “boast” of what he’s done in service for the Lord. He said, in effect, “since the false teachers are boasting according to the flesh I will do the same.” He wanted the church to understand that he was in no way inferior to these false apostles.

As we’ve seen before in this letter, Paul uses sarcasm to make some of his points. Verse 19 is clearly one of these instances. He writes, “Since you are so wise, you gladly entertain fools. You tolerate tyranny, extortion, craftiness, arrogance, violence, and insult.”  

In verse 20 he specifically mentions them allowing the false teachers to “strike them in the face.” In that culture, being struck in the face was a grievous insult. Perhaps this is why the qualifications for overseers in his first letter to Timothy included “not a striker” or a violent person. Recall too how Jesus was struck in the face during his sham trial before the Sanhedrin.

Paul reminds them that they were tolerating this kind of treatment at the hands of the false teachers. He was appalled that they were allowing their leaders to abuse them physically and spiritually. Paul had never asked the church members to tolerate such behavior from him. While he had been firm in dealing with their sins, he had been gentle and meek among them. His whole ministry was about building people up, not tearing them down.

Not so the Judaizers. They were trying to enslave the Believers to the practice of the Law. This included the confiscation of their property, preying on the weak, and spiritual arrogance and insult. They were demanding, greedy, and deceptive. How unlike our Savior, the model for all ministry and leadership!

In verse 22 he lays out what we might call, his pedigree as a devout Jew. I want you to notice the arrangement of the names. Hebrew represents nationality. Paul was an ethnic Jew. Israelite represents the covenant people of God. Paul was a participant in that covenant. And the seed of Abraham represents the messianic privilege. Though Paul at first had rejected this privilege, he now wholeheartedly embraced it.

If you’re a leader like I am, we are not apostles in the sense that Paul was. But we can certainly see the kinds of leadership today that were being promoted by these false teachers. Leaders who exercise power without accountability. Leaders who use their authority to threaten those who disagree with them. Leaders who are deceitful in their dealings with people and issues that arise in the church. Leaders who use their position as cudgels to enforce submission. These kinds of behavior we must never entertain.

Like the apostle Paul, we must warn those who have fallen under the sway of false teachers. We must, in humility, remind them of our care for them and how we want for them the things that build them up rather than destroy them. And, like Christ, we must be willing to suffer abuse for our kindness and gentleness. We may be perceived as fools, even as Jesus was when He didn’t respond to the threats and abuse of His accusers with malice and vengeance.

Paul possessed every qualification claimed by the false teachers, but he is ashamed of his boasting about those qualifications. Let’s have that same hesitancy in our self-defense.

The Next STAGE (of being a fool for God’s glory) is,

            Suffering as a Fool

In this next section of our text Paul moves from asserting his equality with the false teachers to asserting his superiority to them! He says, “are they servants of Christ, I speak as a crazy person, I am more!” To back up his claim, he gives a long list of things he suffered for the cause of Christ. The list isn’t exhaustive, but it is extensive. Notice his emphasis on both the quantity and severity of his troubles compared with the false teachers.

If you read over this list and take time to process what Paul is saying, it seems incredible that one man could endure so much suffering. He talks about how back-breaking labor, trouble and toil were his constant companions. He was severely beaten 5 times with 39 lashes with a leather whip and 3 times he was beaten with a rod. A beating by either of those could be fatal, yet Paul survived them 8 times combined!  

Clement of Rome tells us that Paul was imprisoned seven times; we know of only five. He was frequently in danger of physical death. He was stoned and left for dead at Lystra. He was shipwrecked 3 times and was adrift on the water far from land for 24 hours. We know nothing of these because they are all prior to his shipwreck in Acts 27 which occurred much later.

He also faced a multitude of dangers from raging rivers and tribal bandits in Asia Minor. He faced danger from his own countrymen, fellow Jews who bitterly resented his embrace of Jesus as Messiah. He faced danger from Gentiles, like the mob in Ephesus that rioted in support of the silversmiths who thought their livelihood was being threatened. He faced danger in the wilderness, in the sea, and among those who pretended to be his brothers in the faith.

He experienced much weariness of the flesh and spirit, much physical pain, and many sleepless nights. Hunger and thirst were constant companions because food and water were often scarce. His times of fasting were both voluntary and involuntary. He was often cold because he lacked adequate clothing to protect him against the elements. All of this suffering, pain, and hardship must have taken their toll on his physical and mental health. But there was something even more concerning to him.

He tells us what it is in verse 28. “…besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.” Our English translations don’t capture the intensity here. The word-picture is that his deep concern for the church was like of a mob of hostile rioters rushing upon him. Certainly, he knew what that was like in a physical sense, the sense of helplessness and suffocating fear. Here, he is using it in an emotional sense. We know from chapter 2, verse 4, that he suffered attacks of anxiety as he reflected on the challenges facing his people. Paul’s shepherd’s heart is on display for us in this verse.

Paul felt keenly the struggles of those whom he had led to Christ and he suffered with them. With the weak, he became as weak. When a brother or sister was made to stumble Paul was inflamed with grief. This helps us understand his intense feelings against the false teachers. He cared deeply for those under his spiritual care. And he was willing to endure all of this suffering to see Christ formed in them, to see them come to spiritual maturity.

Now, what about you and me? Are we willing to suffer as fools for Christ? Are we willing to endure even just the smallest part of the suffering Paul endured? I remind you that this letter is largely Paul’s defense of his apostolic ministry. As leaders this letter applies specifically to us.

While we may not suffer physically like Paul did, how deep is our love and concern for those God has placed under our spiritual care? Do their successes bring us joy? Do their failures bring grief to our hearts? Are we willing to stand in the gap for our people and protect them from false teachers? Are we willing to take notes and name names? Do we uphold the weak and support those who are stumbling? Are we willing to give of our time and energy to serve our people? Can we endure sleepless nights and long seasons of prayer?

To the world looking on, it seems pointless to live this way. But as Christ’s followers, we must be willing to suffer as fools for His glory.

The Final STAGE (of being a fool for God’s glory) is,

            Boasting as a Fool

Paul closes this section of his letter in a unique way. When you and I are tempted to boast, what do we boast about? We magnify our strengths and minimize our weaknesses, don’t we? We highlight our skill set, our successes, or what we’ve accomplished. But Paul doesn’t go that route. He says, “If I must boast, then I will boast about the things that display my weakness.” Who wants to do that, it’s ridiculous. No wonder Paul said he was boasting like a fool.

The list of things Paul suffered seems so outlandish and foolish that he takes a solemn oath that it is completely true. Paul understood that the proof of his apostleship was in the power of Christ who sustained him through great litany of trials and suffering. It wasn’t his personal strength or his greatness that made his ministry so successful.

His opponents boasted about their position, their accomplishments, the multitude of their followers, and their financial success. To them, Paul’s sufferings made him seem contemptible. In their eyes, he was a loser. But Paul understood that the kingdom he was part of operates on different principles. We must understand that too!

In the final verses of our text, Paul mentions his humiliating experience in Damascus. Acts chapter 9 records what happened there. Remember, Paul, acting under the authority of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, was on his way to Damascus to destroy the followers of Jesus whom he greatly despised. He would show them who was the boss, who had the power. But what happened? He met Jesus personally and his life was transformed.  

The one who envisioned entering the city in triumph with letters from the high priest ended up fleeing the city several weeks later at night, being left down by the wall in a basket. In essence, he was like the proverbial dog running away with his “tail tucked between his legs.” This experience moved Paul from the ranks of the persecutors to the ranks of the persecuted. It was an indication of the sufferings that would come to him in his service for Christ. And it is in those sufferings that Paul determined he would boast.

Are you willing, like the apostle Paul, to be a fool for God’s glory? We all want people to like us, to think well of us, to hold us in high regard, to think we’re wise. But the teaching of Jesus and the apostles makes it clear that if we follow their example, we’ll most likely be considered foolish. In fact, Paul writes in First Corinthians “that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are…”

The only way we can truly live as a fool for God’s glory is if we, like Paul, believe the Gospel and act upon the eternal rewards promised to us. If we choose the acclaim and approval of the world, we will suffer eternal loss. But if we embrace the foolishness of the cross, we will experience eternal bliss in the presence of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Will you choose to be a fool for God’s glory?

The Reality of the Resurrection

Matthew 28:1-10

When God worked out His plan to bring us hope and peace, at the right time, He sent His Son, Jesus, into the world. Jesus lived a holy life as a man and then died on the cross shedding His blood for our salvation. In that way, God can now forgive our sins because God said without the shedding of blood there is no remission or no forgiveness of sin. So, when Jesus shed His blood on the cross for our sins God can now forgive us when we believe in Jesus.

Believing in Jesus means we acknowledge that His sacrifice is the only acceptable payment for our sins and we confess that truth publicly. In that process, we become a new creation in Christ. No, we don’t get a new physical body, but we are, as it were, reborn in our spirit. Our old human nature which was controlled by sin is exchanged for a new nature, the nature of God. Through His Holy Spirit our souls and spirit are transformed into His likeness. That changes the way we think and the way we live!

After Jesus died on the cross, He was buried by Joseph of Arimathea in a tomb that Joseph had prepared for himself just outside the city of Jerusalem. It was a tomb hewn out of solid rock. There, with help from his friend, Nicodemus, they buried the body of Jesus according to the customs of their time. But Jesus arose from the dead three days later. Now He is alive.

There is no doubt about it, no one else has risen from the dead as Jesus did. When He was here living among men, He raised several people from the dead, but nobody arose as Jesus did. He arose by His own power! He said to His followers one time, “My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.” And He did just that.

His resurrection is a fact of history. We can read about it; we can study it. We can even go to Israel and see that empty tomb. Those in His time knew it was true. They had no doubt or question about it. They knew that He rose from the dead.

And yet, ever since that event, people have tried to spread doubts about the resurrection of Jesus. The reality of the resurrection is the foundation of saving faith. The Bible records His resurrection just like it happened in Matthew 28:1-10. I hope you can follow along in your Bible as I read this portion of Scripture.

1.  In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week came Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary to see the tomb.

2.  And behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it.

3.  His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

4.  And for fear of him the keepers shook and became like dead men.

5.  And the angel answered and said unto the women, Do not fear: for I know that you seek Jesus, which was crucified.

6.  He is not here; for he is risen as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

7.  And go quickly and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there shall you see him: lo, I have told you.

8.  And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy; and ran to tell his disciples.

9.  And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet and worshipped him.

10. Then said Jesus unto them, do not be afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

In this account written by Matthew, we see the unmistakable EVIDENCES of the reality of the resurrection.

THE OPEN TOMB is the physical evidence of the reality of Christ’s resurrection.

Notice how it all came about. The Bible tells us there was a great earthquake. And the angel of the Lord came down and rolled away the stone. Matthew 27:60 tells us that when Joseph of Arimathea put the body of Jesus into the tomb, he rolled a large stone across the door of that tomb. And then, Pilate sent his officers and soldiers to seal the tomb and to keep a strict watch. Anyone who tampered with that seal would be severely punished. But I believe God used the earthquake to break that seal. It showed how powerless men are in the face of God’s power.

So, now there is an earthquake, and the angel of the Lord comes down and rolls away the stone. The tomb was opened. And by the way, the tomb wasn’t opened so Jesus could get out. The tomb was opened so everyone could see that it was empty!

Look how the Bible describes that angel. His face, his appearance, was like lightning and his clothing as white as snow. There were guards standing there, keeping watch over the tomb. When they saw the angel, they were seized with fear and became like dead men. They were paralyzed by fear, overcome by their fear. I guess so; I think I would’ve been too!

So, the first evidence of the reality of the resurrection is the open tomb, physical evi­dence to the women who came and to those who came after them. The tomb was opened by the act of the angel. And when the angel came down there was a great earthquake.

THE ANGEL’S MESSAGE was the audible evidence that Jesus’ resurrection is real.

Listen to what the angel said: “I know who you’re looking for.” The angel iden­tified that one by describing the one they were seeking. He said, “I know you’re looking for Jesus who was crucified.” There is no question why the women had come to the tomb. They had come to see Jesus. They had come to find Him. They wanted to make sure that He had a proper burial. They wanted to see that His body was treated with proper respect.  

Try to imagine their surprise when the angel said, “He is not here.” Jesus is not here; He is risen as He said. Even the elders and the chief priests when they came to Pilate knew that Jesus had said, “After three days I will rise.” Now the angel is bearing witness to that. He said “Come and see where He lay. He is risen as He said.” You can see where He was, but He is not here anymore. All the things they had brought with them for His proper burial were now useless. They didn’t need them anymore.

Then He said, “Go quickly, tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee, there you will see Him. Behold I have told you.”

The angel’s message is the second evidence of the reality of the resurrection. Some angels, evil angels, angels that serve Satan, lie. But the angels from heaven, God’s messengers do not lie. The Bible tells us that this was an angel of the Lord that descended from heaven. So, what that angel said is true. The second evidence, then, is the angel’s message, it was audible evidence.

THE SAVIOUR’S GREETING was joyful evidence of the reality of His resurrection.

So, after the women heard the words of the angel, they went away quickly. They immediately left the tomb with fear and great joy to tell the disciples what they had learned. On their way to tell the disciples the good news, Jesus met them and greeted them.

He greeted them in the Greek, “kerita” translated into English, rejoice, hail, wonderful. He greeted them and they worshipped Him. The Bible tells us they came and held Him by the feet and worshipped Him. They knew it was Jesus! And no wonder they held onto Him. They had lost Him once; they had watched Him die on the cross. They didn’t want to lose Him again.

The Savior’s greeting must have been a joyous moment for these women. Then He said something else to them: “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee and there they will see me.” Isn’t it interesting that the angel appeared to the women and not the eleven?

The Savior’s greeting is evidence of the reality of the resurrection. These women saw Him, they felt Him, they held Him by the feet, they heard Him speak and they worshipped Him. Now that is strong evidence. This was not a dream, and He was not a ghost. The Savior was therein His resurrected body with His greeting to them.

These evidences should settle for us the reality of the resurrection: the open tomb, the angel’s message, and the Savior’s greeting. He is alive. Praise God!

What Do You Boast In?

II Corinthians 10:7-18

              In Philippians 2:5 to 8 we read, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider [His equality with God something to be held on to], but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

              None of us can fully imagine what it meant for Jesus to humble Himself. He exchanged His state of heavenly perfection with its divine privileges for the form of a human being and took on the characteristics of an obedient servant. He did it willingly, motivated by His love for you and me. It’s this mindset that we’re to adopt in our relationships with each other.

              As I’m sure you know, the mindset of humility is not natural. No, we are all infected with the same sin that got Satan kicked out of heaven – pride. God hates it, He resists it, and he will judge those who embrace it! Why, because, at its root, pride is an attempt to place ourselves on the throne instead of God.

              The Scriptures inform us that pride often leads to boasting. Boasting is “a statement expressing excessive pride in ourselves, praising ourselves extravagantly in speech.” James cautions us not to boast about what we hope to achieve because our human existence is so tenuous that it’s compared to water vapor! We must admit we don’t know what tomorrow will bring and we don’t even have a promise that we’ll be here tomorrow.

              So, is all boasting wrong? Stay with me because we will answer that question from our Scripture text today. The text is Second Corinthians 10:7 to 18. This is the Word of God to us.   

           As we read Paul’s writings, they reveal to us a godly man with a humble spirit. Repeatedly he urges followers of Christ to protect, promote, and pursue a spirit of humility. But in this section of verses I just read, Paul uses the word, boast, 13 times. It seems clear that he felt compelled to defend his apostolic authority to his critics. He does so with the greatest reluctance.

            To answer the question, “what do you boast in” we will look at three STANDARDS of judging that Paul highlights in this text.

The First STANDARD of Judging is,

            By Appearance

            We’ve all used this standard and we know how inaccurate it can be. Most of us have at one time or another made a judgment about a person or situation based solely on appearances, and later come to regret that decision. To my shame, I’ve done it too often.  

            The opening phrase of verse seven can be taken two possible ways; “are you looking only at appearances?” Or “you are looking only at appearances.” The unstated implication is that they should be looking deeper, looking beneath just the surface. As we work through this text, we’ll see how the rebellious faction at Corinth was guilty of judging by appearances.

            I find it interesting, and also in character, that Paul doesn’t question his opponent’s claim to belong to Christ. He restricts himself to his own calling. He didn’t say, “if you were genuine followers of Christ, you wouldn’t be speaking this way about me.” He didn’t go there. Remember, back in verse one of this chapter Paul implores his readers with the meekness and gentleness of Christ. His response is an important example for us as we deal with difficult situations.

            The Judaizers at Corinth had persuaded themselves that they belonged to Christ by virtue of their appearance. If they had paid closer attention to their own Hebrew Scriptures, they would’ve recalled First Samuel 16:7, where God told Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

            Their criticism of Paul was that his physical appearance is weak and his rhetoric amounts to nothing. In a sense, Paul had already admitted this when he wrote in his first letter, “my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” Paul was human, he had feelings, so this criticism must have stung. No one likes to have their physical appearance or intellect denigrated publicly.

            As I reflected on verse 10, I saw similarities between the Corinthians’ description of Paul and the description of Christ in Isaiah 53:2, “He has no [stately] form or splendor; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. Earlier, in chapter 42:2, Isaiah wrote of Jesus’ speech, “He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street.” For both Jesus and Paul, the power of their words wasn’t in their physical appearance, their rhetoric, or their oratory skills – it was in the authority with which they spoke.

            And yet, Paul didn’t use his apostolic authority as a cudgel to beat people into submission. Look at verse 8. Paul writes “even if I should boast about belonging to Christ and about the authority He has given to me, I will do it for your edification and not for your destruction. I will never be ashamed of my boast in Christ.” If Paul were to focus on appearances, as his critics did, he would’ve responded much differently to them.

            In fact, he could have had harsh words for the ringleader in Corinth, but he refuses to name him and shame him. And Paul reassures his critics that when he was with them, his acts were precisely the same as the recommendations and commands in his letters. When someone judges by appearances, the outcome is often character assassination. Paul wasn’t going there.

            But he also wants to avoid the trap that is being set for him. Look at verse 12. There is both wordplay and sarcasm in this verse. First, Paul says “we dare not classify ourselves…” The idea here is “to judge among, to judge one as worthy to be numbered among [the group]. He continues, “we dare not compare ourselves with those who commend themselves…” The meaning of this second phrase is to combine or decide, or to “pair and compare.”

            Paul sarcastically implies that the Judaizers set themselves up as the standard of orthodoxy and then boasted of the same. They measured themselves by [or within] themselves. Naturally, they always measured up to the standard, while Paul never does. They had a mutual admiration society! Paul says that people who function in this way are without understanding. In other words, they are oblivious to the picture their lives present to those watching them.

            If you and I are honest with ourselves, we must admit to the same tendency to judge by appearances. I believe this tendency is universal to humanity. We often think that our beliefs and practices are the standards by which all other people should be measured. But is that really the case? If we refuse to look outside of our “group,” and learn from other genuine Believers, then we too are without understanding as Paul writes.

            The bottom line is if you want to boast about something, don’t boast in appearances. God has a higher standard of judgment than that.  

The Next STANDARD of Judging is,

            By Achievement

            Most of us have used this standard too. We hesitate to admit to boasting, but we do try to make sure people notice our accomplishments or our skill set. Achievements in business, sports, academia and even ministry often become the basis for prideful boasting. Many of these entities I mentioned have associations that make achievements and excellence a high priority; public recognition and acclaim are part of the reward.

            Don’t misunderstand me, I’m not opposed to excellence and achievement in our service to the Lord. But I do oppose using pride as motivation. As humans, we’re very susceptible to pride and if we indulge in it, it will destroy us. As Believers, we are called to excel and achieve because we serve Christ. Any good that results from what we do is because He is working in us.  

            Paul says in verse 13, “we will not boast about the things in which we have no experience. We will confine ourselves to the sphere of influence God has apportioned to us, a sphere that reaches even to you.” Paul and his team were the first to bring the Gospel to Macedonia and Achaia. So, he was not going outside of his jurisdiction by shepherding the church at Corinth.

            The same can’t be said for the Judaizers. These teachers were from Jerusalem and had invaded Paul’s sphere of service. They were attempting to occupy the ground that he had won successfully for the Lord and the church. I don’t think Paul would’ve objected if these men had come behind him with supporting counsel and confirming testimony. Instead, they were trying to undermine what he had done.

            In these verses, Paul speaks of territory as being marked out with a “measuring rod.” The imagery is that of surveying a district and assigning different parcels of ground to different people. He saw how God “allotted” a certain region to him and he was content to function in that place. In much of our world today, the goal of many people is to strive always for bigger and better. We see this in the mega-church movement with its celebrity leaders. In their minds, size proves success and achievement. Paul had the desire to see the Gospel go everywhere but he understood the importance of God’s boundaries. So, his boasting of his labor in Corinth was not boasting beyond measure.  

            In this text, there is one achievement I see that Paul greatly longed to see become reality. It’s in verse 15. He wanted the Corinthian Believers to reach a level of maturity in Christ that would demand less of his time and attention. He wanted them to grow spiritually to the point where they could address and solve their own internal issues with the power of the Holy Spirit. In turn, that would give him greater freedom to preach in areas where the Gospel hadn’t yet gone. And they would have been able, legitimately, to boast about what the Lord was doing among them. As a minister of the Gospel that’s an achievement I long to see as well.  

The Final STANDARD of Judging is,

            By Assignment

            Paul wanted to preach the Gospel in regions beyond Corinth, even to Rome, but he wouldn’t intrude into the sphere of someone else’s ministry. “…another man’s line of things” is the same as the word previously translated as rule. He would, as we might say, “stay in his own lane.” Paul wasn’t going to boast about the work already done on another person’s territory.

            And then in verse 17, Paul escapes the oppressive, negative subject of the earlier verses and moves into the freeing, positive subject of standing, ultimately, in God’s presence. He quotes Jeremiah chapter nine; “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches;but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me…”

            Why is this so important? Well, look at the final verse. “For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.” Self-promotion and self-approval are meaningless in the long run. True servants of God present the facts as they are and then allow God to sort out the details and the rewards. And Jesus said, “not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.”

            If you are a Christ-follower, then you have an assignment from the Lord. While we proclaim the same message, your assignment isn’t the same as mine, nor is mine the same as yours. But both of them are equally important. I don’t want to waste my time trying to take your assignment because I’m probably not qualified for it.

            When you and I stand before our King, whether we were tall or short, handsome, homely, slim, or stout, outward appearances like that won’t mean a thing. No matter how we try to put ourselves in a good light, to cultivate a culturally acceptable appearance, it won’t matter. He knows who we really are because He knows what’s in our hearts.

            The same is true for our fleshly achievements. We can have trophies, we can have accolades, we can have the honor of our peers, and we can have the praise of men, but those things will all pass away. What I want, and I trust you do too, is the approval and commendation of my King. His approval is worth more than anything the world can offer to you and me now.  

            And finally, like Paul, I want to understand what my assignment is and then do it, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to the best of my ability.

            So, I end with the same question I asked at the beginning, “What do you boast in?”

Missed Part 1 of “Who Is Jesus?” Find it here!

Who Is Jesus? : Part 2

Isaiah 9:6-7

The Next CHARACTERISTIC (that helps us understand who Jesus is) is,

His Empathy – Wonderful Counselor

In this section of our text, the prophet gives several names to this child who is to be born.  The first is Wonderful Counselor. The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament has this to say about the word, wonderful, as used in our text. “[Most commonly, the word – wonderful] refers to the acts of God, designating either cosmic wonders or historical achievements on behalf of Israel. [It] refers to things that are unusual, beyond human capabilities… a miracle so abnormal as to be unexplainable except as showing God’s care or retribution.” We could therefore call Jesus, Miraculous Counselor.

Every counselor needs to have a source of counsel, a reservoir of wisdom to draw from when he or she counsels others. What wellspring of wisdom and experience does the Wonderful Counselor draw from? First, He draws from His omniscience as God the Son. He knows all things! But He also draws from His intimate knowledge of having walked this earth in human flesh! He knows what you’re going through because He’s already experienced it. Physical pain, he’s been there. Social injustice, he’s been there too. Rejection and ridicule, He’s familiar with that. False accusations, same story? Yet unlike human counselors, His counsel is always right.  

When you’re going through a trial and it seems like everyone has forsaken you, where do you turn? I hope it is to the Lord Jesus, to that counselor whose understanding and empathy far surpass anything your fellow men can offer. That’s how the Psalmist David saw God again and again; as the only one who could comfort him in his sorrow, sustain him in his suffering, and empower him in his weakness.

I’m not suggesting human counselors are never needed. But I’m suggesting that too often we seek counsel from others when God’s Word has the counsel we need. Too often we don’t like the counsel we receive from the Bible. We want relief from our struggles, but only on our terms. I’ve heard some Christian counselors, in specific situations, give counsel contrary to the Word of God; how tragic! I assure you, there will be no positive, lasting results from that kind of counsel.

But Jesus isn’t like that. His counsel is always just what’s needed and never contradicts His Word or His character. He always has His glory and our best interest as motivation. He’ll never steer us in a direction that will lead us away from Him. Even when we experience discipline from Him it is given in love and compassion. As the Son of God and the Son of Man He is uniquely qualified and equipped to be our Wonderful Counselor.

The Next CHARACTERISTIC is,

His Sovereignty – Mighty God

In Jesus, according to Colossians 2:9 and 10 “…dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And [we] are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power…” This verse, and many others, clearly reveal the oneness that exists between God and Jesus. In His own testimony, Jesus said, “I and my Father are one.”  It doesn’t get any clearer than that!

Paul, writing in Colossians chapter one, reminds us that “For by him [Jesus] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things [hold together].”

If I create something I have the right of ownership. Since nothing exists that wasn’t created by Jesus, He has the divine right of ownership and control. Every other power, in heaven or on earth, is subject to Him. Even demonic powers are limited by his authority.

Jesus demonstrated His sovereignty numerous times during His earthly ministry. He calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee; He healed the lepers, gave sight to the blind, enabled the dumb to speak, healed the cripples, cast out demons, and restored the dead to life. No situation was beyond the realm and power of His control. He reminded Pilate that he could exercise no more power than what was permitted by God. He told the disciples that He could have called twelve legions of angels to deliver Him from suffering and death, but He didn’t. He chose to submit to the will of His Father.

Because of His obedience, “God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father,” that’s Philippians 2:9 and 10.

Notice the multiple uses of the word every in these verses. His name is above every name, none can match it. Every knee will ultimately bow in recognition of His sovereignty; either now or later. Every tongue, willing or unwilling, will sooner or later confess that He is Master. There are no exceptions!

What a privilege God gives to all who receive His Son, the Mighty God. John reminds us that “as many as believed on Him, to them he gave the right, to become the sons of God.” And the resources of that Mighty God are available to you and me!

The Next CHARACTERISTIC is,

His Eternality – Everlasting Father

This characteristic is extremely difficult for us to grasp; all our knowledge is directly related to time. All we can say about eternity is that it’s endless.  But by using the word, endless, we’ve introduced a time/space concept. The word, end, proposes the idea of measurement. Yet there cannot be only one end. If one end exists, there has to be another end somewhere. So, it is impossible to define eternity in a simple way that satisfies our intellect.

But our difficulty in understanding the concept doesn’t take away from its reality. Here, I quote my mentor, Dr. J. Otis Yoder. “Our basic difficulty lies in the fact that eternal is outside of our existence, bound as we are by time and our mortality. Once we are released from our mortality, we will experience the reality of the eternal. Therefore, within our present frame of time, the best we can do is to accept the concept of eternal–by faith.”

The apostle John highlights the eternality of Christ in the opening verses of his Gospel.  His words, “in the beginning…” do not refer to the beginning of Christ, but rather the beginning of time marked by the creation of the material universe. You see, “in the beginning, the Word was…”, that is, He pre-existed. John is declaring the eternal pre-existence of Christ [the Word]. John further states that Christ was with God, and in reality, He was God!

The second idea contained in this name is, Father. I don’t know what images the word father evokes in your mind. Some of that depends on your personal experiences with your earthly father. Sadly, many young people today, growing up in single-parent households headed by a mother, have no concept of fatherhood. We fathers have a tremendous responsibility to model for our children the character of our Heavenly Father, even in our imperfections.    

In my experience, the word, father, immediately awakens certain memories of my childhood. Memories of my dad kneeling in prayer each day; playing softball with us in the farm pasture; memories of how hard he worked to provide for our needs; memories of how, twice, he rescued me from almost certain death. And though I know he needed to discipline me numerous times, there is only one time that I can actually recall the circumstances. My experiences gave me a concept of the fatherhood of God that included things like authority, responsibility, love, security, discipline, provision, commitment, and acceptance.

My dad has departed this world. I miss him, but I have the wonderful consolation of Jesus as my everlasting father, one who can never be taken away from me. And even if you did not have an earthly father worthy of emulation, you can have an everlasting father who will love you and care for you. His name is Jesus. He will never fail you, disappoint you, or walk out of your life. He is faithful, true, and steadfast! But He will also call you to account for your disobedience and discipline you as His child.

The Final CHARACTERISTIC is,

His Tranquility – Prince of Peace

It seems to me this name is purposely reserved until the end of the list. It is the crowning characteristic of all the others. Prince of peace–what do you picture in your mind as you repeat those words–prince of peace? I think of royalty, a prince is next in line for the throne. Yet prince can also mean the head person or one who is at the top of his profession–like Charles Spurgeon was referred to as “the prince of preachers.” 

And then there’s the word, peace. The Hebrew word is, shalom. It is a word rich and full of meaning. It speaks of provision, safety, happiness, health, of favor, and more. Jesus is certainly the provider of all those things. But when I think of peace in the context of Jesus’ ministry, I think of the peace of mind and spirit that comes from knowing that my sins are forgiven; there’s nothing in my life that hinders fellowship with Him or others.

I recall my childhood and the early prompting of the Holy Spirit to abandon my sinful ways and surrender my will to Jesus. I remember my struggle with a load of guilt. I wanted relief, but I also wanted to run my own life, and be free to make my own decisions. I well remember the tremendous peace that flooded over me when I finally surrendered my will to His will. 

And you know, that’s not the last time I’ve experienced that peace. As a follower of Christ, I can always tell when I’ve sinned. I lose that peace of knowing I’m in His will and favor. Many times, when that happens, I humble myself immediately, repent of my sin, claim the forgiveness Jesus offers, and the peace is restored. But other times, to my shame, I’ve resisted conviction, ignored the prompting of the Spirit, and carried the guilt for days, weeks, and even months. But oh, the relief when I finally humble myself and find cleansing, forgiveness, and – – peace!

The world you and I live in is filled with turmoil. What a glorious reality to have the assurance of peace, regardless of our circumstances. Just before Jesus went to the cross, he spoke about this peace to His disciples. In John 14:27, He said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Praise God! Jesus, the Prince of Peace, provides us a peace that goes far beyond what the world gives. To the world, peace is simply the absence of strife. But the peace that Christ gives is a peace that surpasses our human intellect. The peace Jesus offers is not dependent on our circumstances. It is the settled assurance that God is in control of my life, and He is working out His plan through my circumstances. And because of that, I can be at peace. I can rest in the assurance that what He is doing in my life will eventually bring me to a better understanding of what peace really is.

So, who is Jesus? He is God incarnate in human flesh whose kingdom exists in the hearts of all who receive Him by faith. He is the Wonderful Counselor who can fully empathize with us in our struggles because He was tempted in every way just like we are. He is the Mighty God, the one who controls all things by the word of His power, and the one who limits all other powers.

He is the Everlasting Father, existing in eternity past and on into eternity future. He is a father who will never leave or forsake His children. And, He is the Prince of Peace, the one who will ultimately usher in a worldwide peace that will restore creation to its original state where mankind and the animals will live in peaceful coexistence. But that will only happen after God has punished the rebellious, the unbelieving, and the wicked during the Great Tribulation!

You can be a part of Jesus’ reign of peace, now and in the future time. But you must prepare today. You must acknowledge Jesus as God’s Son NOW. Contrary to the Jesus portrayed in the He Gets Us campaign, He is not just a good moral example for us to follow. He is the only One who can forgive sin and make us acceptable in the sight of His Father.

Because of that you must voluntarily bow before Him in surrender and worship NOW. If you refuse, someday you will be forced to do it against your will; but then, it will be too late. Instead of an eternity of peace and tranquility, you will have an eternity of torment and regret. I have shown you from the Scripture the answer to this question; “Who Is Jesus?” Now I urge you to receive the Son of God as your Savior and Lord – TODAY!

Find Part 2 here!

Who Is Jesus?

Isaiah 9:6-7

He began His ministry by being hungry, yet He is the Bread of Life.

He ended His earthly ministry by being thirsty, yet He is the Living Water.

He was weary, yet He is our rest. He paid tribute, yet He is the King.

He was accused of having a demon, yet He cast out demons.

He wept, yet He wipes away our tears.

He was sold for thirty pieces of silver, yet He redeemed the world.

He was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is the Good Shepherd.

He died, yet by His death He destroyed the power of death.

Gregory of Nazianzus, 381 AD

What a wonderful synopsis of the life and ministry of Jesus. Those words were penned by Gregory of Nazianzus in the year 381 AD. Evangelist Billy Sunday said, “There are two hundred and fifty‑six names given in the Bible for the Lord Jesus Christ, and I suppose this was because He was infinitely beyond all that any one name could express.”

How true! The names given to Jesus in the pages of the Holy Scripture reveal various facets of His character and ministry, and that’s why there’s great value in studying those names.

Today, there is increasing confusion about who Jesus is. Jesus warned us that as we approach the end of the age, deception will increase, and many false Christs will arise. The Chosen is a popular TV drama series supposedly depicting Jesus in a new and fresh way. In the words of Dallas Jenkins, the creator of the series, “When you read the scriptures, you don’t get the emotional connection, the backstory, you don’t get the historical and cultural context quite as much, and you don’t get the human context.”

He goes on, “You should read the scriptures, 100 percent, no question about it. But when that’s all you do, sometimes you can miss out on the perspective of the cultural and historical surroundings of who Jesus was and what He was doing. And then you kind of miss out on the identification with those who knew Him. You can’t fully identify with Jesus…”. He is saying Christ cannot be fully known from reading the Bible. You really need theatrically artistic renderings to bypass your mind to get to your heart. This is a terrifyingly high view of the media and an insultingly low view of Divine revelation. In addition, Jenkins has stated publicly that Mormons and Christians worship the same Jesus. That is deeply troubling and inaccurate.  

In addition, you may have heard of the 100-million-dollar ad campaign that launched this year across the United States with the title He Gets Us. Its stated goal is “[to help] rescue Jesus’ reputation from the “damage” done by His followers. While I certainly agree that some who profess to be followers of Christ have damaged His reputation, the remedy isn’t in presenting a Jesus who is biblically unrecognizable. The Jesus of this campaign, He Gets Us, is nothing more than an inspiring human who relates to our problems and cares a whole lot about a culturally palatable version of social justice.

In light of all this, where can we turn to find the answer to our question, “Who is Jesus? Today, we turn to one of the prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures, the prophet Isaiah. In chapter nine of his book, Isaiah received a pre-incarnation description of Jesus from God the Father. Verses six and seven will be the focus of our study, but I’ll begin reading verse one. Listen as I read Isaiah 9:1-7.

The historical setting of this prophecy is found in Second Kings 15:27-31. If we condense those verses into one sentence we could say, “The region of Galilee, which suffered tremendously during the initial Assyrian invasion of 743 BC, would become a glorious place because it would become the center of Jesus’ earthly ministry.”

In this prophecy, God revealed to Isaiah numerous CHARACTERISTICS of the coming Christ. We examine these characteristics to answer the question, “Who is Jesus?”

The First CHARACTERISTIC is,

His Humanity – A Child

Verse six begins, “for unto us a child is born…” This establishes the characteristic of His humanity. Without this, He wouldn’t have been able to identify with us. Hebrews 4:15 reminds us we have a high priest who is able to be “touched with the feeling of our infirmities…” because He was tempted in every way like we are, yet He did not sin.

In Isaiah 7:14, we have the promise that Jesus would be born of THE virgin. The Hebrew word, almah is preceded by the definite article. This indicates a specific virgin selected by God in His foreknowledge, the Virgin Mary. Jesus’ birth by Mary affirms his humanity. Her miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit affirms His deity. The fact that He was a historical person can hardly be denied by anyone willing to honestly evaluate the evidence.

Dr. Ron Rhodes reminds us that “by becoming a man, Jesus did not cease being God. The incarnation of Christ did not involve the subtraction of deity, but the addition of humanity. He had two natures (divine and human) conjoined in one person.”

Philippians 2:6 to 8 remind us that, “though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (English Standard Version)

John reminds us that “the Word became flesh and dwelled among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.” What a wonderful reality that “…we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” In His humanity, He tasted death so that we might experience eternal life.

The coming of the Son of Man would fulfill the promise God made to Eve, way back in the Garden of Eden. He promised that the seed of the woman, that’s a physical descendant, would bruise or crush the head of the serpent. Jesus was and is the seed of the woman. 

He came as a helpless infant, the baby of a humble, godly woman, Mary. Joseph was His adoptive father. His earthly beginning went largely unnoticed in the halls of power, but his birth would change the course of history. Truly, He was and is, Immanuel, God with us.

The Second CHARACTERISTIC is,

His Identity – A Son

“…unto us a Son is given.” Being a son gives identity and privilege. My sons have an identity and privileges that belong to no one else. Jesus, as the only begotten Son of God, has a unique identity and privilege. The angel informed Mary that, among other names, Jesus would be called the Son of the Highest and the Son of God. 

In Jewish culture, the firstborn son became the principal heir. He received the inheritance; but he was responsible to be a spiritual leader, to carry on the faith in the family line. Jesus was unique as a son in that He was Mary’s firstborn, AND the only begotten Son of God. In that regard, the Hebrew writer says that God “Has in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds…”

As the Son of God, Jesus most often referred to Himself as the Son of Man. He used this title in the context of His Jewish culture. According to Dr. Brad Young, “…the people listening to him already knew something about this mysterious figure from Jewish apocalyptic teachings. Jesus employed the most powerful designation for the future deliverer which could have been used by any teacher. When the church fathers thought that the expression ‘Son of man’ referred to the humanity of Jesus, they missed the deeper significance of the designation in ancient Jewish apocalyptic writings. The term was an elevated way of referring to the messianic task. Jesus used this expression when He spoke about the final judgment.”

By referring to Himself as the Son of Man, Jesus was stating not only His humanity but also His deity. This fact becomes clear when we see the vitriolic reaction of the Pharisees to this term. Recall too, how at the trial of Jesus, the High Priest, Caiaphas, responded to Jesus’ statement; “Hereafter you shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven.” This was a clear reference to Daniel 7:13. “I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven!” And by this statement, He was condemned to death!

As the Son of Man Jesus has made it possible for us to become the sons of God! The writer of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus is not ashamed to call us his brothers. Hallelujah!

The Next CHARACTERISTIC is,

His Regency – A Government

“…the government shall be upon his shoulder…” Here is the announcement of kingship and a kingdom. What government is God revealing to the prophet, Isaiah? Remember the angel, Gabriel, told Mary that the Lord God would give to her son, Jesus, “the throne of his father, David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever…” He was a physical descendant of David’s royal family line. God had promised David in II Samuel 7 that there would always be one of his descendants to sit on the throne. The throne and the kingdom were established forever by the decree of God Almighty!

We must remember that Jesus, our Messiah, was born into the Jewish race. The promise is that He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. That promise has never been rescinded!  We know that Jesus came to His own people, but the majority did NOT receive Him because they were looking for a political king, someone to free them from bondage to the Romans.  Because of this rejection, the kingdom was expanded and we as Gentiles were grafted in; we were given the opportunity to become the spiritual children of Israel by faith.

The Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day were not wrong in believing that the Messiah would one day set up an earthly kingdom, their timing was just wrong. At His first coming, the government Jesus came to set up was not an earthly one, but rather a kingdom that rules and functions in the hearts of all who receive Him. He will indeed, one day, rule over all the kingdoms of the earth, but that is for a time yet to come.

In prophetic scriptures, there are often events that have multiple fulfillments. We see this here in our text. The prophets prophesied what God revealed to them, but they generally couldn’t see the time gap between Christ’s first advent and the time when He will usher in the peaceable kingdom described in Isaiah chapters 11 and 65. We have a different vantage point than they did!

Isaiah states the government will be upon His shoulder. The shoulder is a place of strength where a load or burden is carried. It is used as a symbol of authority. But the shoulder is also a place of refuge. Where does a frightened or crying child put their face? On the parent’s shoulder! It is a place of comfort and security. Jesus exercises both facets in His government; authority and compassion.

Today, the government established by Jesus is peopled by those who voluntarily meet its requirements for citizenship and salvation through faith in His atoning blood. But a time is coming when ALL mankind will bow before Him, and every tongue will confess Him as Lord. You can choose today when you will bow to his regency; now or later.

Join me next time for the conclusion of this teaching.  Listen to Part 2 here!

Engaging in Spiritual Warfare

II Corinthians 10:1-6

A pastor friend of mine and his wife were visiting the country of Nigeria. They had gone to bed for the night and were sound asleep. All of a sudden, his wife cried out; someone or something was shaking her bed. So, they turned on the lights to see if they could see what was happening. But there was nothing under the bed and nothing attached to it that could make it shake. So, they went back to bed.

But it wasn’t long before the same thing happened again! This time, my friend said he thought about the possibility of an attack by a demonic spirit. So, taking his very frightened wife in his arms he prayed and asked God to rebuke the evil spirits in the name of Jesus and through the power of His shed blood. After the prayer, there was no unusual manifestation or anything like that. So, they went back to bed and slept peacefully for the remainder of the night.

Spiritual warfare is a controversial subject within Christendom today. There are generally two main responses to the topic. One is under-emphasis, and the other is over-emphasis.

Some people don’t believe there’s anything to it. “It’s all a figment of your imagination,” they say. So, they ignore it, even though the Scriptures plainly talk about it. There are others who blame every sin, every conflict, every problem, and every sickness on demons. And they’re convinced those demons need to be cast out. What is really needed is some biblical balance.

We know from the Gospels that Jesus cast out demons. But those events don’t make up the majority of the record. He healed many people of sicknesses, opened blind eyes, and cured leprosy. In most of those cases, there’s no mention at all of demons or evil spirits. Many of the ailments Jesus cured were simply the effects of living in a world affected by sin.

But spiritual warfare isn’t only about the things I’ve already mentioned. It’s dealing with wrong thoughts and words, whether our own or the ones others speak about us. It’s about dealing with temptations that arise out of our fleshly desires. It’s about controlling our thought processes. It’s about learning how to handle criticism in a Christ-like way.  

In our study of Second Corinthians, we’ve come to chapter ten. In the first six verses of this chapter, Paul writes about engaging in spiritual warfare. However, we must note the context of this teaching. As I mentioned near the beginning of this study, this second letter to the Corinthians is largely Paul’s personal defense of the legitimacy of his ministry and his apostolic authority. There are several chapters in the middle, which we’ve covered, where he addresses other subjects. But here in chapter ten, he returns to the main subject, the defense of his ministry.

Remember, there was a stubborn minority of Judaizers in Corinth who opposed Paul. They resisted his authority. They constantly criticized him and tried to sway other people to join their faction. So, Paul, reluctantly, but forcefully calls them to account. This is a vital portion of Scripture for those in leadership, especially those who lead in the church. With that background in mind, let’s read the text, Second Corinthians 10:1 to 6.  

Engaging in spiritual warfare is a demanding task. In this text, we learn several REQUIREMENTS for success in that struggle.

The First REQUIREMENT (for engaging in spiritual warfare) is,

Know Your Position

Paul’s critics in Corinth, mainly the Judaizers, accused him of being a hypocrite, of being two-faced. They said, “You’re really bold in your letters, but when you’re here in person you lack courage.” It’s like they were saying, “you seem like two different people; will the real Paul please stand up.” In verse two they questioned his motives and accused him of walking after the flesh. Of course, they would do that because Paul didn’t focus on keeping the Mosaic law as they did.

But Paul knew who he was and what his position was in Christ. He knew what he had been, and he knew what God had called him to be. And even though they attacked him unjustly, look how he responded. He said, “I entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ.” This is so important! Leaders are always targets for criticism. Some of it is deserved, but much of it isn’t. But it is critical that leaders learn how to respond in the meekness and gentleness of Christ. We can only do that if we know what our position is in Christ.

Now, remember that meekness isn’t the same as weakness. Paul’s response to these false accusations was calm and controlled, but it was also forceful. Meekness is not laying down and allowing people to walk all over you. Jesus characterized Himself as meek, but he leveled some blistering rebukes at the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and religious leaders of His day.

Verse two in our English translations is difficult. Here is what I understand it to mean. “I pray that you may not make it necessary for me to show when I am present, that official authoritativeness, (in this case, apostolic) which I am minded to show against those who charge me with unworthy motives.” What is the official authority Paul is talking about? We find it in the opening verse of this second letter to the Corinthians. He wrote that “he was an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God…” He wasn’t self-appointed or even appointed by other men. That gave him unique authority in the church. So, Paul knew his position was established by God and he wasn’t going to back down.

As ministers of the Gospel, many of us, like the apostle Paul, know what it’s like to be attacked unjustly. And no, we’re not apostles. But if we’re convinced that God has called us and put us in the ministry, then we can endure the accusations of our critics just like Paul did. And we stand on the authority of the Word of God and the elders who ordained us.

Knowing who we are in Christ is a requirement if we engage in spiritual warfare.

Another REQUIREMENT (for engaging in spiritual warfare) is,

Know Your Weapons

As I mentioned earlier, Paul’s critics accused him of walking according to the flesh, which is living in a way that pleases natural desires. Paul kind of brushes that accusation aside and says, “yes, it’s true, we do walk in the flesh.” In other words, we live in a physical body in a material environment, a world made up of matter. But there’s a huge difference between walking in the flesh and walking according to the flesh. One is natural life, the other is allowing our flesh, our body, and its desires, to control our choices and our actions.

Paul admits we are in a war but reminds us that we do not fight according to the flesh or in the same ways that wars are fought on a physical battlefield. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, which means “of the flesh.” They are not the weapons of the unregenerate, those who don’t know Christ. Sadly, I fear we too often try to use those kinds of weapons in our battles with our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Instead of approaching with meekness and gentleness, we come with a sword and overwhelming force. It would’ve done Paul no good to go to Corinth and start knocking heads together!

So, our weapons are spiritual rather than physical. And Paul says they are mighty, that is, they are empowered by God, for the pulling down of strongholds. There are some unique words used in this phrase. First, “pulling down.” We compare it with its usage in Luke 1:52. This is in the Magnificat, or the song of Mary, during her visit with Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. In response to her being chosen to bear the Christ child, she said, “He has pulled down the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly.”

The other word is strongholds. This is the only place in the New Testament where this word is used. It may be that Paul was picturing the rock forts on the coast of his native Cilicia. Though they seemed impregnable, they were pulled down by the Romans in their attacks on the Cilician pirates. The strongholds Paul is addressing in this text also need to be torn down.

If the weapons of our warfare are not physical, then the strongholds Paul is talking about aren’t physical either. Look at verse five. “We tear down arguments of human reasoning and every lofty idea that is raised against the knowledge of God.” So, the strongholds that need to be torn down are in our minds and hearts. The false reasonings and imaginations of man’s mind are to be treated as forts to be conquered. And there are plenty of them nowadays!

What are these false reasonings and imaginations of man’s mind? They are ideas that run counter to the truth of God as revealed to us in His Word. In this context, these are particularly false teaching found among those who profess to know God. The false teachers at Corinth were trying to persuade the majority that their way was best.

Their false reasonings included requirements other than faith in Christ for salvation. They taught that “yes, you need Jesus, but you also need to keep the law.” I recently heard a pastor say we are saved by grace through faith, but we keep our salvation by obedience to God’s commands. That statement is not biblically accurate. First Peter 1:5 clearly states that we are “kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” So, we are saved by faith, and we are kept by faith. Our obedience to the commands of Christ is in loving appreciation of the gift of our salvation, and according to John 14:23, it results in a deeper level of intimacy with Jesus and God. “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. “

Further, “we take captive every thought to make it obey Christ.” Paul continues the military metaphor; leading away of captives after storming the stronghold. There are two possible meanings here. One is that we bring our thought processes completely under the control of Christ. We subject our reasonings to God’s truth and decide on that basis whether we are right or wrong. That is a valid understanding and an important one too.

But, given the context, I think what Paul is saying is that his goal is to bring the false teachers to the place their strongholds of human reasoning will be torn down and their minds will be captivated by their obedience to Christ. Paul’s desire is that the false teachers will leave the ruined strongholds of human reasoning and by their obedience to Christ be led captive into the new stronghold of proper belief and practice. This is the essence of intellectual liberty and freedom in Christ.

As Christ-followers our greatest weapon is the truth, but truth is somewhat abstract. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:17 and 18 that the tangible and practical weapons in this war are the Word of God and prayer. I would also add Peter’s words in his first epistle, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.” Our testimony is a weapon in this spiritual battle.

Brothers and sisters, if we don’t know our position, if we don’t know what our weapons are, or if we aren’t skilled in using them, we are not prepared to engage in spiritual warfare!

The Final REQUIREMENT (for engaging in spiritual warfare) is,

Know Your Enemy

Sun Tzu was a well-known Chinese general and military strategist who lived several centuries before Christ. He wrote a military manual, The Art of War, that is still studied by military leaders around the world. While the principles or maxims he wrote to deal with physical warfare, many of them can be applied to spiritual warfare too. Like this one.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

How does that fit in the context of Paul’s teaching here? He writes, “We are ready to avenge every act of disobedience when your obedience becomes complete.” It seems to me that Paul is continuing the military metaphor. After most of the rebels in Corinth have surrendered as proof of their obedience to Paul’s teaching, the rebels who remain will be punished.

Paul knew who his enemies were in Corinth. Remember, before his conversion he would have used very similar arguments to try to persuade his opponents. So, this terrain, to use a military term, wasn’t unfamiliar to him. He knew both himself and his enemy and this final verse of our text expresses his confidence in what the final outcome would be.

There are other portions of Scripture that detail for us some of the characteristics and tactics of our enemy, Satan. We should be familiar with those, but not become fixated on understanding every facet of the kingdom of darkness. In fact, we should be more familiar with the tactics used by false teachers to lead people astray so we can refute and defeat them.

One final point in this requirement of knowing your enemy; people are not the enemy, Satan is. He uses people as his tools. Remember when Jesus told the disciples of His impending suffering and death, Peter spoke up and said, “Lord this will never happen to you!” And Jesus said, “’Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.’” While it’s important for us to know our enemy, you and I also need to be very careful that we don’t allow ourselves to become tools of the enemy.

In closing, let’s review one more time the requirements for engaging in spiritual warfare. Know your position, who you are in Christ, and what or whom you are responsible for. Know your weapons, become familiar with the Word of God, and prayer. And finally, know your enemy well enough that his tactics won’t surprise you. Above all conduct yourself with the meekness and gentleness of Christ.

The Graces of Giving

II Corinthians 9:1-15

Our Scripture portion today addresses an important subject for every follower of Jesus. It is the subject of Christian stewardship. When Jesus was on earth, He had a lot to say about money and possessions. But statistics reveal that not many churches provide regular or systematic teaching on the subject of stewardship.

Why this lack of teaching? It may be because pastors don’t want to be seen as self-serving. Or it may be because unchurched people have used the worn-out excuse for not attending, “they’re always asking for money.” Or maybe, the members show by their lifestyle choices that their wants come first and if there’s anything left over, they’ll give that to God. And so, many pastors shy away from teaching stewardship. That leaves it up to para-church ministries to fill in the gap on this vital subject.

Ministries that provide biblical, financial counseling give us some interesting glimpses into the finances of Christians. Statistically, 20 percent of church members do 80 percent of the giving. Of those 20 percent, only about 2 or 3 percent actually give a tithe or 10 percent of their income. It seems obvious that there’s a need today for teaching on this subject.

Let us turn to II Corinthians 9:1-15 for our Scripture reading. Here is God’s Word to us.

Here we discover three GRACES of giving that should be every Christian’s experience.

One of the interesting things about this text is, the graces are laid out in verses six and seven, then they’re expanded in the remaining verses. Our title is, “The Graces of Giving.”

The First Grace is,

Give Generously

Paul begins this section of teaching with a very simple analogy, the law of sowing and reaping.  In Paul’s day, the seed was scattered by hand, today’s farmers use modern equipment to plant the seeds in the field, but the principle is still the same. The harvest is in direct proportion to the number of seeds planted.

The word translated sparingly in our English Bibles carries the meaning of stingy. If you are stingy when you plant your seed, you will have a poor harvest. But if you sow generously, you will have a bountiful harvest. If you know anything about planting, you know that if the plants are too far apart, the weeds take advantage of that. They’ll grow and choke out the good plants, reducing the harvest. If plants are closer together, as they grow, they’ll shade out the weeds.

Verses eight to eleven of our text expand on this idea of sowing generously. One of the first questions you may ask is how do I know if I’m giving generously? That is a fair question. A basic starting point is a tithe or 10 percent of my income.

Some of you may protest, “that’s the law and we’re no longer under the law.” Let me remind you of something. In Genesis chapter fourteen, Abraham paid tithes long before the law was given! And think about this; under the law, the tithe was an obligation, it was required. Shouldn’t we, under grace, be able to do above what the law required? Jesus Himself taught that principle in the Sermon on the Mount. Grace was given so we could live by a higher standard than simply what the law required!

We could focus our entire message on the principle of the tithe. But for the sake of time, let’s agree that the minimum tithe is ten percent. So, “how do I know if I’m giving generously?” If the tithe is ten percent, giving generously must go beyond that minimum.

I want you to notice verse eight. God is our example of giving. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work…” Can you see the generosity of God toward you? Notice the words, all, and abound. Did God give ten percent, fifteen percent, or 20 percent? God is ABLE to make ALL grace abound. The key word is able. But whether He does or not depends on us. Too often, we don’t give Him the chance to demonstrate His super-abounding grace! One reason we fail to give generously is that we do not understand the generosity of God toward us.

Some people have the mistaken idea that the tithe is God’s, and the rest is mine! But I believe the tithe is to remind us that all we have belongs to God. Paul reminds us in First Corinthians 4:7 that we don’t have anything, except what we’ve received from God. I know that’s a difficult concept for those of us who live in the western world. We take pride in our self-sufficiency, and our ability to take care of ourselves, thank you. I worked hard for it, it’s mine, and no one is going to take it from me!

The Israelites were commanded to tithe in order that, “that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always.” That’s Deuteronomy 14:23. The fear of the Lord is something every Christian needs to understand. When we don’t recognize His lordship, then we put our own interests and ideas ahead of His. This leads to a focus on the material, and like the Israelites of old, we fall into idolatry. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” A willingness to give generously demonstrates that you and I understand – everything we have belongs to God.

God is no cheat! He rewards those who serve Him with a pure heart. Jesus Himself gave us the principle in Mark 4:24. The measure we use to give to others, that same measure will be used to give to us. If we want God to bless us, then we need to be generous with others.

There is no law or rule to guide generosity. Rules are for those who want to do the bare minimum. Generosity requires an understanding that God is able to meet my basic needs if I obey Him.  Verse ten of our text refers to that. Generosity requires a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. He will guide each Christian to do what He wants.

Let me close our discussion of this first grace of giving by reading the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:19-21. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  My level of generosity, your level of generosity shows where our hearts really are.

Let us strive to develop this grace of giving generously.

The Second Grace is,

Give Purposefully

“Everyone should give as he purposes in his heart.” As believers, our hearts, and our decision-making capabilities, are guided by the Holy Spirit. Purpose shows intention, it demonstrates discipline. Giving haphazardly can lead us to the point where we say, “if we give OK if we don’t give, that’s OK too.” Purpose shows we’ve given careful thought to our giving. And well we should since it is required of us stewards that we be found faithful.

How do we develop this grace of giving purposefully? Notice verse twelve. Paul says the “administration of this gift” supplies the need of the saints. The word administration is diakonia. We get our English word, deacon, from this. The service of this gift supplies a specific need. I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed this or not, but the more information people have about a specific need, the more likely they are to give generously. And that’s the way it should be. We can’t give purposefully if we don’t know what the needs are. Experience shows that a structured plan for giving provides the best results. That’s not to say that spontaneous giving is never suitable, but we must be careful about appeals designed primarily to move our emotions.

Suppose your congregation takes a mission offering for one or more ministries inside or outside the local church. Each time that offering is posted in the bulletin, there are many who contribute; hopefully, many who give their tithe. Now suppose that the week before that offering is received, you have a bulletin insert or some kind of digital announcement explaining some specific needs relating to that ministry. If that is done, I can guarantee you the giving will increase according to the knowledge of specific needs.

People like to give to specific needs. Why? One reason is the results are tangible. They can see the difference their gifts have made. It helps them to connect with the recipient. And it also gives them specific items for which they can praise the Lord! Paul says your purposeful giving motivates many thanksgivings to God! I find it a great joy to know that God has used me to meet a specific need in someone else’s life.

Another aspect of Paul’s command to give purposefully simply acknowledges we have many choices. If you’re like me, your mailbox brings you many appeals for gifts. How do we decide which organizations or ministries to support? What is the purpose of your giving, and what do you want it to accomplish? I believe the Bible outlines some specific purposes for giving.

God established the tithe in the Old Testament for three basic purposes. Those purposes have  continuing significance and application for us. First, the tithe was to support the priests and the Levites. The New Testament clearly teaches us that those who “preach the gospel should live of the gospel,” First Corinthians 9:15. That is, they should be supported by the local church to perform the work of the church.  This can include the pastor, staff, missionaries, and evangelists.

Second, the tithe was gathered to feed the widows and orphans of the Hebrew society.  Paul makes it clear in Galatians 6:10 that we are to do good, especially to those who are part of the household of faith; to care for our own people first. Finally, the tithe was given to feed the non-Jewish poor living in the Hebrew community. The first half of Galatians 6:10 says we are to do good to all mankind. That would be those in the local community, but outside the church.

The biblical principle is–our tithe belongs to our local church. Giving to other ministries should be offerings above that. I also believe we should be extremely careful about donating to secular groups or causes. I have learned the hard way about this. At one time I donated to the National Wildlife Federation and purchased some of their products. That was until I discovered that they supported China’s one-child, forced abortion policy. Many environmental groups, whether focused on animals, wilderness, or whatever, see humans as the problem so they support population control. We need to be careful and do our homework well.

The second grace of giving is, to give purposefully. Be systematic, be disciplined, and be careful.

The Final Grace is,

Give Cheerfully

Paul says in verse seven, each one is to give, not out of distress or sorrowfulness, not by compulsion. Instead, he says, “give cheerfully.” The Greek word for cheerfully is, hilarous! If you go to your dictionary and look up our English word, hilarious, you’ll discover it comes from this Greek word. So, we are to give hilariously!

I realize the word hilarious may bring images of silliness or foolishness. But the Greek word does not convey those ideas. It means to be agreeable toward someone. It means boisterous merriment. It is exuberant, forceful, and contagious like laughter is contagious. When you’re around people who are laughing, if that laughter is appropriate, it’s contagious. That is the way our attitude toward giving should be.

In verses thirteen and fourteen Paul speaks of the effects of cheerful giving. First, God is glorified because this kind of giving can only come from a heart that has been redeemed! Liberality is a characteristic of God. We humans are by nature selfish, and miserly. So giving cheerfully is a mark of transformation at the core of who we are.

According to verse fourteen, cheerful giving motivates prayer and develops relationships. Look at what Paul said. The recipients of your gift pray for you and “long after you.” Those words express an intense desire. Those who receive the gift want you to understand how much they appreciate, not just the gift, but you yourself! When my wife gives me a gift, I appreciate it. But I appreciate her much more than the gift. The gift itself is simply a tangible expression of something intangible; her love for me!

Paul closes this text by saying, “Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.” I believe Paul is referring to the graces of giving as “God’s unspeakable gift.” I quote Adam Clarke. “I conclude, therefore, that it is the work of Christ in the soul, and not Christ himself, that the apostle terms the super-abounding or exceeding great grace, and the unspeakable gift; and Dr. Whitby’s paraphrase may be safely admitted as giving the true sense of the passage. “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift: i.e. this admirable charity (proceeding from the work of Christ in the soul) by which God is so much glorified, the Gospel receives such credit, others are so much benefitted, and you will be by God so plentifully rewarded.”  Amen!

Yes, learning the graces of giving will bring unspeakable joy into your life. Let’s ask the Lord to teach us these graces of giving; to give generously, purposefully, and cheerfully. As we obey the Holy Spirit’s direction for our giving we will be laying up treasure in Heaven.

Guidelines for Group Giving

II Corinthians 8:16-24

The Bible is a very practical book, it teaches us how to live well. Reading through its pages we find specific teaching on a wide variety of subjects. That’s not to say that the Bible addresses every possible subject, but it does give us principles that can be applied to every situation you and I face in life.

For example, the Bible doesn’t give us a command, “Thou shalt not play the lottery.” But Proverbs 13:11 warns, “Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” And First Timothy 6:9 says, “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.” To me, those verses speak clearly about whether or not I should “play the lottery.”  

Deuteronomy 22:8 commanded the children of Israel “When you build a new house, then you shall make a parapet for your roof, that you may not bring guilt of bloodshed on your household if anyone falls from it.”

Immediately, someone will say, “that’s Old Testament, we don’t need to follow that anymore.” Not so fast! It’s true that Jesus came to fulfill the Law and we don’t need to build railings around the roof of our house; unless, of course, it’s a flat roof we use as part of our living space. But there’s a larger principle here; it is to show proper care for those around you.

We follow this principle by removing hazards on our property, covering a ditch, or cutting down a dead tree. Most of us carry liability insurance to cover any injuries that someone might incur on our property. We’re concerned about the welfare of others, so we take steps to lessen their risks when they are on our property.

For the past few weeks on The Voice of Hope, we’ve been learning about giving from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians. Today’s text is II Corinthians 8:16 to 24. These verses provide details of a gift that was being gathered by the Believers in Asia Minor for the poor and persecuted saints in Jerusalem.  

These verses also provide practical guidelines on how a gift of this type should be managed. While this teaching may not seem so practical to our daily lives as Christ-followers, there are important things we can learn as we attempt to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us. I believe these final verses of this chapter apply especially to the recipients of financial gifts, like churches, evangelistic ministries, missionaries, Christian schools, and other Christian organizations.

I’ve titled our study, “Guidelines for Group Giving.” Listen carefully as I read our text, Second Corinthians 8:8 to 16. This is God’s Word to us.

This text gives several important DIRECTIVES that will help us use best practices in group giving.

The First DIRECTIVE is,

Engage Trusted Stewards

When Titus heard from Paul about the needs of the church in Jerusalem, he immediately set out to remind the Corinthians of that need and to receive a gift from them. The last chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians informed them of the need, but they hadn’t done anything yet. Because of his zeal, Titus took it upon himself to go to Corinth to collect their gift.

Titus was accompanied by another brother who was well-known among the churches of that day. We don’t know who that person was, perhaps Luke. But when we get down to verse 22, we discover that another faithful brother has been added to this team. Here is a key principle; administration of a gift like this needs to engage trusted stewards. Having multiple people responsible for the gift is a safety mechanism that protects everyone involved.

Look at some of the words that are used to describe the men on this team: earnest, willing, approved by the churches, gifted administrators, diligent, cooperative, and Christ-glorifying. Those seem like men who could easily gain my confidence. I would call them trusted stewards. But let’s also think about some words that aren’t used to describe them: thrifty, polished, business-minded, or focused on the bottom line. Do you see the difference? These don’t necessarily need to be mutually exclusive, but they often tend to be so.

Too often today, when a church or organization is raising funds for a particular need, they focus on men with this second group of characteristics when the character qualities of the first group should be of greatest priority. Character really does matter.

I think it’s important to notice that, with the exception of Titus, these men weren’t chosen by Paul. They were chosen by the churches. The churches had a vested interest in this process. They chose men who had a track record, who had proven their integrity, men who could be trusted to handle a gift of this size. I’m amazed sometimes at the confidence people place in those they don’t really know. They forget that money tends to have a very corrupting influence.

Paul has no reservations about the character of these messengers. He actually refers to them as apostolos. Now, granted, that is “apostles” in the general sense of “ones being sent,” not those who had seen the Lord face to face. These men were being sent by the churches and were given responsibility for the proper accounting of the funds involved in this project. And they were committed to doing it for the glory of God (verse 23). What a good example for us to follow!

The Next DIRECTIVE (that will help us use best practices in group giving) is,

Avoid the Appearance of Impropriety

This is so important in our day. Notice that Paul had requested the gift for the Jerusalem church, but he had nothing to do with the administration of it. No one would be able to accuse Paul of favoritism, mismanagement, or lining his own pockets. I believe this is a good pattern for us to follow. Pastors of churches shouldn’t have anything to do with the handling of finances in their congregations! That’s the work of deacons or elders. When I see a pastor who handles the church finances, immediately the red flags go up in my mind.

I receive a regular email from an organization called Ministry Watch. They’re a non-profit whose mission is “to restore transparency, accountability, and credibility to the evangelical church, to the end that the world might glorify the God we serve.” Almost every week their emails report on pastors involved in the mismanagement or theft of finances. It’s a blot on the name of Christ and His church! It gives unchurched people a reason to justify their refusal to attend and participate. Jesus said, and I paraphrase Luke 16:11, “those who are unfaithful in handling finances are not to be trusted with the Gospel either.”  

One of the reasons for having multiple people involved in a giving project like this is to avoid the appearance of impropriety. This isn’t a matter of not trusting people, it is a matter of protecting them from accusations of unfaithfulness. If you are given responsibility for a project like this, you should immediately insist that others be appointed to help you. They may catch some innocent mistakes you make in the process and spare you from accusations of mismanagement or even the loss of your reputation.  

I know of a situation where a church treasurer had almost exclusive control of the church finances. When some questions were raised about the status of funds and the suggestion was made to have an audit of the finances, he became very upset and defensive. He accused the questioners of not trusting him. His defensiveness only aroused greater suspicion and the situation didn’t end well. Oversight of finances is never threatening to someone who is honest.

In the matter of giving, you and I need to avoid the appearance of impropriety at all costs.  

The Final DIRECTIVE (that will help us use best practices in group giving) is,

Encourage Generosity

Evidently, the men who were in charge of carrying this gift to Jerusalem were also charged with soliciting in the churches along the way. According to verse 24, they were to be welcomed by the local congregations and to be given the opportunity to share in the need. I know from personal experience that some churches can be very jealous of their finances. Paul was encouraging the churches of Asia Minor to share generously with their needy brothers and sisters in Jerusalem.

In the group of churches that I’m part of we have a procedure for helping individual congregations with financial needs that are bigger than their ability to handle. It involves several steps of vetting and accountability. When those requirements are met, the need is then sent out to all the pastors and deacons who are part of this larger group of churches. Some give out of the church benevolence fund or take a special offering for the need. Others choose not to participate. But our people are encouraged to be generous. Finally, a report of how the need was met is to be submitted by the local church where the need originates.

Many of us know what it’s like to have large medical bills, the losses caused by a house fire, or some other financial burden. What a blessing it is to have the church, the body of Christ, come alongside and help to lift that burden! After you experience something like this, you know what it feels like, and it makes you more willing to share in the needs of others. Because, as Paul stated in the earlier verses of this chapter, the circumstances could easily be reversed someday and the ones in need now will be the givers then.

In the last verse of this chapter, Paul writes, “Therefore show to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf.” The word picture Paul creates here is of a great host watching how the Corinthians will receive and respond to these trusted stewards chosen by the churches to oversee the collection and distribution of this gift. You may already know this, but generosity begets generosity. Paul is using positive peer pressure to motivate generous participation.

As I said at the beginning of this teaching, I believe the directives in this text apply beyond the church, especially in the world of Christian non-profits. But please be aware that the definition of Christian varies widely, so make sure you know what is meant when the organization uses that term.

Do you know how the finances are being used by the charities you support? You should. And that information should be readily available whenever you request it. If you get stonewalled or are given the runaround when you seek information from an organization, that should raise your suspicions. A healthy organization will be eager to answer your questions and provide additional information without delay

Has the organization been a trusted steward of the money donated by others? Do they, or the people who staff them, have a track record of trustworthiness? Do they avoid the appearance of impropriety? What’s the lifestyle of the administration and staff? What do their headquarters look like? Those are all valid questions and concerns.

Once these questions are answered satisfactorily and you believe in the mission of the organization, be generous. And remember, generosity begets generosity. May God bless you as you understand and apply these directives to your giving.

Achieving Excellence in Giving

II Corinthians 8:8-15

Not long ago at Heralds of Hope, we were discussing the importance of our core values as an organization. We currently have seven core values that guide us but it’s hard to remember all of them. So, our Executive Director, Tony High, worked to condense them into just three main items. Then the rest were added as subpoints to those three.

One of our core values is organizational excellence. Under that heading are things like integrity, transparency, and this – “do it well and on time.” Do you find excellence and punctuality a challenge in your personal life? I do. Why is that? These two things are affected by my sense of value. The more important or more valuable something is to me, the more likely I am to strive for excellence and to complete the task on time.

In business, sports, the arts, and other fields many people pursue excellence. In most cases, they do it for financial rewards or public acclaim. As for punctuality, in those circles, if you don’t show up on time you’ll soon be looking elsewhere for work. Other people depend on you to fill your assigned role or place so the whole group can achieve excellence.

When I was a child, my siblings and I would sometimes do a task hurriedly just to check it off our list of chores. My parents would remind us that any job worth doing is worth doing right. They wanted us to learn to do our work well for two reasons. First, we serve the Lord through our work. And second, we find personal satisfaction and fulfillment in a job well done.

Is God satisfied with mediocrity, with our performing a task or rendering service just to say it’s done? No! Under the old covenant, God demanded the best animals as sacrifices and offerings and the finest materials for the Tabernacle construction. In Colossians chapter three, in the new covenant, after listing character qualities we Believers are to put on, Paul twice says, and I paraphrase, “whatever you do in speech or action, do it in the name of Jesus and do it with excellence.” As a Christ-follower no area of my life is exempt from this command.

Last week in our time together, we began a study from Second Corinthians chapters eight and nine on the subject of giving. My teaching from the first seven verses of chapter eight was titled The Heart of Giving. Today’s teaching is taken from the same chapter, but verses eight through fifteen. I’ve titled it, Achieving Excellence in Giving. So, listen as I read our text, Second Corinthians 8:8 to 15. Here is the Word of God to us.

Paul’s instruction provides the STEPS you and I can take to achieve excellence in giving.

The First STEP (in achieving excellence in giving) is,

Find the Pattern

Think about it; if you want to pursue excellence in any field of study or service or production of a product, where do you begin? You begin by finding a pattern to follow. That can be a plan like a blueprint, or it can be a person who is skilled in their field. Solomon wrote that “there is nothing new under the sun.” Very few things today are created from a brand-new idea. Usually, newer things are improvements on items or skills we already have.