And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! (Luke 18:24; Mark 10:23; Matthew 19:23)
In the previous lesson, we studied that ...a certain ruler came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (see THE GOSPEL: Put God Above Everything Else - 1) After Jesus analized his spiritual condition, He revealed the fact that the rich ruler obeyed most of the commandments, mainly the ones dealing with our relationship with eachother; but he had a problem with the most important commandment, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ [Deuteronomy 6:5] This is the first and great commandment." (Matthew 22:37-38; see THE GOSPEL: God and His Kingdom First)
Jesus revealed to the man his problem by saying, Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (Mark 10:21-22; *Matthew 19:21-22; Luke 18:22) But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. (Luke 18:23; see ) Not that God wants us to get rid of all He's blessed us with, but we have to realize Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God, also the earth with ALL that is in it. (Genesis 10:14) That's why Jesus said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!"
And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:24-26; Matthew 19:24-25; Luke 18:25-26) The problem isn't just having riches, but trusting in riches! Job expressed the problem of trusting in wealth by saying, “If I have made gold my hope [and trust], Or said to fine gold, ‘You are my confidence’; If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, And because my hand had gained much; ... This also would be an iniquity deserving of judgment, For I would have denied God who is above. (Job 31:24-25, 28; see Trust!)
And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” (Mark 10:26-27; Matthew 19:25-26; Luke 18:26-27) He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage. (Proverbs 11:28) The Apostle Paul explains how with God all things are possible: Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11-13; see PHILIPPIANS: Christ is All We Need) Only by the power of God, through faith in Christ Jesus, can we enter the kingdom of God!
Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.” So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall 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.” (Mark 10:28-31; Matthew 19:27-30; Luke 18:28-30)
Yet again, we have to go to Job to understand what Jesus is saying. Job didn't leave all he had for God, but he did lose all he had; but In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong. (Job 1:13-22) Then after all was said and done, Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; ... After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations. So Job died, old and full of days. (Job 42:12-17) Job receive a hundredfold now in this time, because he did not put his hope and trust in his wealth, which was great, but in God! As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. (I Timothy 6:17)
Why put God before and above all of the things of this world? Because one day, all of this will come to and end, and then the age to come, eternal life. For the one's of us who choose the things of this world over obeying God and putting our faith in Christ Jesus, Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them on the day of the wrath of the Lord. In the fire of his jealousy, all the earth shall be consumed; for a full and sudden end he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth. (Zephaniah 1:18; see THE GOSPEL: The Rich Man and Lazarus; Life After Death) But, if we ...seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33) AMEN
Friday, May 31, 2013
Thursday, May 30, 2013
THE GOSPEL: Put God Above Everything Else - 1 of 2!
Now as He was going out on the road, one [*a certain ruler] came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. (Mark 10:17-18; *Luke 18:18-19; Matthew 19:16-17)
Only One is good, that is, God! The original Greek word translated "good" means intrinsic, belonging naturally, belonging to the essential nature or constitution of a thing. God is naturally Good! He is the only One Who ever has been or ever will be naturally Good. O Lord,... You are good, and do good; Teach me Your statutes. (Psalm 119:68) Previously Jesus had been called Rabbi, meaning a teacher of Jewish law, by His disciples; and at that time He responded by saying, "But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren." (Matthew 23:8; see THE GOSPEL: One Teacher, Many Ministers) One of the disciples, Nathanael confirmed that by saying, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” (John 1:49) Therefore, Christ Jesus is The Good Teacher! For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. (John 3:34)
So, this certain ruler came to Jesus to ask Him a question, "...what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to Him, “Which ones?” (Matthew 19:17-18) You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’” And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” (Mark 10:19-20; Luke 18:20-21; Matthew 19:18-20) What do I still lack?” (Matthew 19:20; see Christ Fulfills the Commandments)
Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: [*If you want to be perfect] Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (Mark 10:21-22; *Matthew 19:21-22; Luke 18:22) But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. (Luke 18:23; see THE GOSPEL: Importance of the Commandments) Jesus got to the heart of this man's problem, which is the same problem for many of us. We agree with certain parts of God's Word, but we don't agree with all of it. It's easy to follow and obey some of God's instructions, but not all.
We want to treat the Word of God like a buffet, pick and choose what we want, but ...whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. (James 2:8-10) The man, just like many of us had no problem obeying the "horizontal" relationship of the law, "And the second [commandment] is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ [Leviticus 19:18] (Matthew 22:39) His, and many of us have the same problem, obeying the "vertical" relationship of the law, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ [Deuteronomy 6:5] This is the first and great commandment." (Matthew 22:37-38; see Only Two Commandments, Two Rules)
Understand, God does not have a problem with us having great possessions or being very rich. “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth,..." (Deuteronomy 8:18) The problem is many people who achieve wealth become obsessed with attaining more, and God no longer becomes important or even a consideration, but their possessions become their god. And God spoke all these words, saying: “I am the Lord your God, ... “You shall have no other gods before Me.(Exodus 20:1-3) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (I Timothy 6:10)
Notice, the rich ruler came asking, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” The answer in summary was and still is, "Observe and obey all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God." (Deuteronomy 12:28) This lead the rich ruler to become sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Why is this his and many of our response to The Word of God? Jesus will explain in the next lesson...
Only One is good, that is, God! The original Greek word translated "good" means intrinsic, belonging naturally, belonging to the essential nature or constitution of a thing. God is naturally Good! He is the only One Who ever has been or ever will be naturally Good. O Lord,... You are good, and do good; Teach me Your statutes. (Psalm 119:68) Previously Jesus had been called Rabbi, meaning a teacher of Jewish law, by His disciples; and at that time He responded by saying, "But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren." (Matthew 23:8; see THE GOSPEL: One Teacher, Many Ministers) One of the disciples, Nathanael confirmed that by saying, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” (John 1:49) Therefore, Christ Jesus is The Good Teacher! For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. (John 3:34)
So, this certain ruler came to Jesus to ask Him a question, "...what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to Him, “Which ones?” (Matthew 19:17-18) You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’” And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” (Mark 10:19-20; Luke 18:20-21; Matthew 19:18-20) What do I still lack?” (Matthew 19:20; see Christ Fulfills the Commandments)
Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: [*If you want to be perfect] Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (Mark 10:21-22; *Matthew 19:21-22; Luke 18:22) But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. (Luke 18:23; see THE GOSPEL: Importance of the Commandments) Jesus got to the heart of this man's problem, which is the same problem for many of us. We agree with certain parts of God's Word, but we don't agree with all of it. It's easy to follow and obey some of God's instructions, but not all.
We want to treat the Word of God like a buffet, pick and choose what we want, but ...whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. (James 2:8-10) The man, just like many of us had no problem obeying the "horizontal" relationship of the law, "And the second [commandment] is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ [Leviticus 19:18] (Matthew 22:39) His, and many of us have the same problem, obeying the "vertical" relationship of the law, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ [Deuteronomy 6:5] This is the first and great commandment." (Matthew 22:37-38; see Only Two Commandments, Two Rules)
Understand, God does not have a problem with us having great possessions or being very rich. “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth,..." (Deuteronomy 8:18) The problem is many people who achieve wealth become obsessed with attaining more, and God no longer becomes important or even a consideration, but their possessions become their god. And God spoke all these words, saying: “I am the Lord your God, ... “You shall have no other gods before Me.(Exodus 20:1-3) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (I Timothy 6:10)
Notice, the rich ruler came asking, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” The answer in summary was and still is, "Observe and obey all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God." (Deuteronomy 12:28) This lead the rich ruler to become sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Why is this his and many of our response to The Word of God? Jesus will explain in the next lesson...
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
THE GOSPEL: Be Like a Child, and Lead a Child!
Then they also brought infants [*little children] to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” (Luke 18:15-17; *Matthew 19:13-14; *Mark 10:13-15) And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them. (Mark 10:16; Matthew 19:15)
Jesus had made a similar comparison previously, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. (Matthew 18:3-5; Mark 9:36-37; Luke 9:48; see THE GOSPEL: Believe God and Leave the Consequences to Him)
Why do we have to take on the character of a little child to receive the kingdom of God and to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Because that's how we prove that we are the people of God. Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. (I Peter 2:1-3) Dear brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind. (I Corinthians 14:20 NLT)
Children are so innocent and they believe so completely what someone tells them and what they're taught. That's why we have to be so careful to teach them The Truth from the very beginning. Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6) How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? (Romans 10:14-15)
Adults, we are the first "preachers" the children of this world will ever "hear". We first have to make sure we know The Truth. Then, we have a responsibility to lead the children to Christ; Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them! Not only will He lay His hands on them, and bless them, but He will do the same for us also. If any of us have not accepted Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior, don't wait any longer. Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13)
Prayer: Lord, my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, or with things too profound for me. Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me. (Psalm 131:1-2) Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. (Psalm 86:11; Psalm 119) AMEN
Jesus had made a similar comparison previously, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. (Matthew 18:3-5; Mark 9:36-37; Luke 9:48; see THE GOSPEL: Believe God and Leave the Consequences to Him)
Why do we have to take on the character of a little child to receive the kingdom of God and to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Because that's how we prove that we are the people of God. Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. (I Peter 2:1-3) Dear brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind. (I Corinthians 14:20 NLT)
Children are so innocent and they believe so completely what someone tells them and what they're taught. That's why we have to be so careful to teach them The Truth from the very beginning. Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6) How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? (Romans 10:14-15)
Adults, we are the first "preachers" the children of this world will ever "hear". We first have to make sure we know The Truth. Then, we have a responsibility to lead the children to Christ; Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them! Not only will He lay His hands on them, and bless them, but He will do the same for us also. If any of us have not accepted Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior, don't wait any longer. Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13)
Prayer: Lord, my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, or with things too profound for me. Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me. (Psalm 131:1-2) Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. (Psalm 86:11; Psalm 119) AMEN
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
THE GOSPEL: Persistent, Sincere Prayers Get Answered!
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’” (Luke 18:1-5)
Jesus had taught about being persistent in our prayer lives previously. (Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 11:5-13; see THE GOSPEL: Don't Judge; Be An Example) The KJV translation says ...that men out always to pray, and not to faint. If any of us have ever exerted a lot of energy participating in a physical activity, we understand how tired we can get, to the point that we feel we're going to pass out; but because of our determination to accomplish our goal, we keep going until we finish. That's the same attitude and determination we should have in our prayer lives. Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:6-8)
Notice the judge in the parable is not a believer of or in God, yet because this widow troubles him he will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary him. If an unbeliever will do that for someone he doesn't even know, how much more will God answer the prayers of us who believe in Him, through faith in His Son, Christ Jesus. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth? “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” [Habakkuk 2:3-4] But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:37-39) If we are saved, we don't give up and we don't doubt God! We may have questions, that God is more than willing to answer, if we continue to pray without ceasing,... (I Timothy 5:17)
We must remain faithful to the end, even if our lives on this earth end before Christ's return; knowing this first: that scoffers 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.” For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.(II Peter 3:3-9)
Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ (Luke 18:9-12) Yet again, Jesus is using the religious leaders as an example of what not to do. It's very sad but true that some people get so caught up in their religion they forget about God, an inconceivable hypocrisy. It get's so bad that when they pray, they're not even praying to God; The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself...
And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:13-14) The Pharisee was a religious man who didn't know he was a sinner, but the tax collector was a sinner who knew he was a sinner. God didn't hear the prayers of the religious hypocrite, but He heard and answered the prayers of the repentant sinner.
God just wants us to come to Him as we are, with a sincere desire to change; And I said: “O my God, I am too ashamed and humiliated to lift up my face to You, my God; for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has grown up to the heavens. (Ezra 9:6) God will always respond, “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18) For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more. [Jeremiah 31:31-34]” (Hebrews 8:12) Thank You, God!
Jesus had taught about being persistent in our prayer lives previously. (Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 11:5-13; see THE GOSPEL: Don't Judge; Be An Example) The KJV translation says ...that men out always to pray, and not to faint. If any of us have ever exerted a lot of energy participating in a physical activity, we understand how tired we can get, to the point that we feel we're going to pass out; but because of our determination to accomplish our goal, we keep going until we finish. That's the same attitude and determination we should have in our prayer lives. Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:6-8)
Notice the judge in the parable is not a believer of or in God, yet because this widow troubles him he will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary him. If an unbeliever will do that for someone he doesn't even know, how much more will God answer the prayers of us who believe in Him, through faith in His Son, Christ Jesus. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth? “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” [Habakkuk 2:3-4] But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:37-39) If we are saved, we don't give up and we don't doubt God! We may have questions, that God is more than willing to answer, if we continue to pray without ceasing,... (I Timothy 5:17)
We must remain faithful to the end, even if our lives on this earth end before Christ's return; knowing this first: that scoffers 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.” For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.(II Peter 3:3-9)
Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ (Luke 18:9-12) Yet again, Jesus is using the religious leaders as an example of what not to do. It's very sad but true that some people get so caught up in their religion they forget about God, an inconceivable hypocrisy. It get's so bad that when they pray, they're not even praying to God; The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself...
And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:13-14) The Pharisee was a religious man who didn't know he was a sinner, but the tax collector was a sinner who knew he was a sinner. God didn't hear the prayers of the religious hypocrite, but He heard and answered the prayers of the repentant sinner.
God just wants us to come to Him as we are, with a sincere desire to change; And I said: “O my God, I am too ashamed and humiliated to lift up my face to You, my God; for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has grown up to the heavens. (Ezra 9:6) God will always respond, “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18) For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more. [Jeremiah 31:31-34]” (Hebrews 8:12) Thank You, God!
Monday, May 27, 2013
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY, 5/27/13!
ALWAYS REMEMBER TO DO GOOD!
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!” And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. (Acts 10:1-4)
Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (Hebrews 13:15-15)
Friday, May 24, 2013
THE GOSPEL: Kingdom of God is Within Us, Who Believe!
Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21)
The Pharisees asked Jesus a legitimate question, when? When will all these things Jesus proclaimed would come to pass? Understand, the Jews are in Roman captivity, and they are desperate to be freed. They knew the prophecy of God through Micah, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.” (Micah 5:2) Well, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, He proclaimed to be the Son of God, sent by God, so when was He going to Ruler in Israel? Jesus wasn't fulfilling the prophecy in the way they interpreted nor in the time they desired. Then He said to the disciples, “The days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. And they will say to you, ‘Look here!’ or ‘Look there!’ Do not go after them or follow them. For as the lightning that flashes out of one part under heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so also the Son of Man will be in His day. (Luke 17:22-24)
Jesus is warning the disciples and others listening, including us today, not to expect His day, or The Day of The Lord to come in a way that we can know when it's coming. “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming." (Matthew 25:13) But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. [Genesis 6-7] Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. [Genesis 18:16-33; 19] Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. (Luke 17:25-30)
Jesus is still preparing the disciples for all of the things He will suffer, including being rejected by this generation, and many generations after, even up to now and many more to come, before His day comes. He described the world so perfectly back then, and it's the same way now. But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. (I Thessalonians 5:1-3) We get so comfortable and think things are fine the way they are, but when trouble comes we start panicking. God warned the children of Israel, and the same warning applies to us, that we should not get too comfortable with the blessings He provides while we're in this world, ...when you have eaten and are full— then beware, lest you forget the Lord... You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are all around you (for the Lord your God is a jealous God among you), lest the anger of the Lord your God be aroused against you and destroy you from the face of the earth. (Deuteronomy 6:11-12, 14-15)
“In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife. [Genesis 19:26] Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.” And they answered and said to Him, “Where, Lord?” So He said to them, “Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.” (Luke 17:31-37) We can't know when The Day of The Lord is coming, but we can live prepared for when that day comes. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (I Timothy 6:7)
Even though the Jews were under Roman captivity, and many are us are in "captivity" today, we don't have to look for a day to come that God will deliver us. Jesus said, "For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” ...for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. (Romans 14:17-18) If we are saved, have accepted Christ Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we are filled with the Holy Spirit, and we have ALL we need to live, until His day comes! And we won't have to live in fear and worry or panic every time something happens in this world or in our lives. For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. (I Corinthians 4:20) "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. ... Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Revelations 2:10) AMEN
The Pharisees asked Jesus a legitimate question, when? When will all these things Jesus proclaimed would come to pass? Understand, the Jews are in Roman captivity, and they are desperate to be freed. They knew the prophecy of God through Micah, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.” (Micah 5:2) Well, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, He proclaimed to be the Son of God, sent by God, so when was He going to Ruler in Israel? Jesus wasn't fulfilling the prophecy in the way they interpreted nor in the time they desired. Then He said to the disciples, “The days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. And they will say to you, ‘Look here!’ or ‘Look there!’ Do not go after them or follow them. For as the lightning that flashes out of one part under heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so also the Son of Man will be in His day. (Luke 17:22-24)
Jesus is warning the disciples and others listening, including us today, not to expect His day, or The Day of The Lord to come in a way that we can know when it's coming. “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming." (Matthew 25:13) But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. [Genesis 6-7] Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. [Genesis 18:16-33; 19] Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. (Luke 17:25-30)
Jesus is still preparing the disciples for all of the things He will suffer, including being rejected by this generation, and many generations after, even up to now and many more to come, before His day comes. He described the world so perfectly back then, and it's the same way now. But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. (I Thessalonians 5:1-3) We get so comfortable and think things are fine the way they are, but when trouble comes we start panicking. God warned the children of Israel, and the same warning applies to us, that we should not get too comfortable with the blessings He provides while we're in this world, ...when you have eaten and are full— then beware, lest you forget the Lord... You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are all around you (for the Lord your God is a jealous God among you), lest the anger of the Lord your God be aroused against you and destroy you from the face of the earth. (Deuteronomy 6:11-12, 14-15)
“In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife. [Genesis 19:26] Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.” And they answered and said to Him, “Where, Lord?” So He said to them, “Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.” (Luke 17:31-37) We can't know when The Day of The Lord is coming, but we can live prepared for when that day comes. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (I Timothy 6:7)
Even though the Jews were under Roman captivity, and many are us are in "captivity" today, we don't have to look for a day to come that God will deliver us. Jesus said, "For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” ...for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. (Romans 14:17-18) If we are saved, have accepted Christ Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we are filled with the Holy Spirit, and we have ALL we need to live, until His day comes! And we won't have to live in fear and worry or panic every time something happens in this world or in our lives. For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. (I Corinthians 4:20) "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. ... Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Revelations 2:10) AMEN
Thursday, May 23, 2013
THE GOSPEL: Don't Take the Blessings for Granted, but Give Thanks!
Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” (Luke 17:11-13)
Leprosy is a disease that has been known since biblical times. It causes skin sores, nerve damage, and muscle weakness that gets worse over time. One of Jesus' earlier miracles was healing a man with leprosy. (see THE GOSPEL: Compassion for Others) Now He's asked by ten lepers, who stood afar off. In the book of Leviticus, God dedicates a lot of time explaining how to deal with leprosy and lepers. And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: “When a man has on the skin of his body a swelling, a scab, or a bright spot, and it becomes on the skin of his body like a leprous sore, then he shall be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons the priests. The priest shall examine the sore on the skin of the body; and if the hair on the sore has turned white, and the sore appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is a leprous sore. Then the priest shall examine him, and pronounce him unclean. “Now the leper on whom the sore is, his clothes shall be torn and his head bare; and he shall cover his mustache, and cry, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ He shall be unclean. All the days he has the sore he shall be unclean. He is unclean, and he shall dwell alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp. (Leviticus 13:1-3, 45-46)
Levitical law commanded that anyone with leprosy had to live alone, away from all the people; and if for any reason someone happened to be coming near where they were, the had to yell ‘Unclean! Unclean!’, to warn the person not to come near them. What a sad way to live! So when these ten lepers saw Jesus coming, they didn't run to Him like most people did, but stood afar off. And notice, Jesus didn't go to them either. So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. (Luke 17:14) Yet again, Jesus commands them to obey Levitical law. Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “This shall be the law of the leper for the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought to the priest. (Leviticus 14:1-2) They had to go to the priest for him to pronounce them clean and to make the required sacrifices to God, to show thanks for their healing.
Jesus just spoke The Word, and they were healed. He didn't touch them, as He had touched the leper He healed before (Matthew 8:1-4), nor tell them to go bath in a river (II Kings 5:1-19). As prejudice as the Jews were to other races, all lepers were treated alike and therefore regardless of race, lepers would stay together. In this group of ten lepers were Jews and Non-Jews. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:15-18)
He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:11-13) The other lepers were probably Jews, and therefore didn't feel a need to return and give Jesus thanks for their healing. After all, they were going to the priest as the Levitical law commanded. They were probably thinking, Jesus had only done what He should have done for them, since they were Jews. But this Samaritan was not bound by tradition. (John 4:9) Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2:8-10)
We should all do the things that are required, for Jesus even said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill." (Matthew 5:17) But the key thing to understand and accept is that He fulfilled the law, and He is the head of all principality and power. Not our nationality, not our genealogy, not our rituals and traditions, but what we believe and Who we have our faith in is what saves us! Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the [Non-Jews]? Yes, of the [Non-Jews] also, ... Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law. (Romans 3:27-31) Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:17) The other nine lepers were doing the works that were required, but just like this Samaritan leper, we all should take time to give God thanks for all He does for us, through our faith in His Son, Christ Jesus. We should not get so caught up in the blessings that we forget to thank the Blessor! And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:19)
Leprosy is a disease that has been known since biblical times. It causes skin sores, nerve damage, and muscle weakness that gets worse over time. One of Jesus' earlier miracles was healing a man with leprosy. (see THE GOSPEL: Compassion for Others) Now He's asked by ten lepers, who stood afar off. In the book of Leviticus, God dedicates a lot of time explaining how to deal with leprosy and lepers. And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: “When a man has on the skin of his body a swelling, a scab, or a bright spot, and it becomes on the skin of his body like a leprous sore, then he shall be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons the priests. The priest shall examine the sore on the skin of the body; and if the hair on the sore has turned white, and the sore appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is a leprous sore. Then the priest shall examine him, and pronounce him unclean. “Now the leper on whom the sore is, his clothes shall be torn and his head bare; and he shall cover his mustache, and cry, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ He shall be unclean. All the days he has the sore he shall be unclean. He is unclean, and he shall dwell alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp. (Leviticus 13:1-3, 45-46)
Levitical law commanded that anyone with leprosy had to live alone, away from all the people; and if for any reason someone happened to be coming near where they were, the had to yell ‘Unclean! Unclean!’, to warn the person not to come near them. What a sad way to live! So when these ten lepers saw Jesus coming, they didn't run to Him like most people did, but stood afar off. And notice, Jesus didn't go to them either. So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. (Luke 17:14) Yet again, Jesus commands them to obey Levitical law. Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “This shall be the law of the leper for the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought to the priest. (Leviticus 14:1-2) They had to go to the priest for him to pronounce them clean and to make the required sacrifices to God, to show thanks for their healing.
Jesus just spoke The Word, and they were healed. He didn't touch them, as He had touched the leper He healed before (Matthew 8:1-4), nor tell them to go bath in a river (II Kings 5:1-19). As prejudice as the Jews were to other races, all lepers were treated alike and therefore regardless of race, lepers would stay together. In this group of ten lepers were Jews and Non-Jews. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:15-18)
He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:11-13) The other lepers were probably Jews, and therefore didn't feel a need to return and give Jesus thanks for their healing. After all, they were going to the priest as the Levitical law commanded. They were probably thinking, Jesus had only done what He should have done for them, since they were Jews. But this Samaritan was not bound by tradition. (John 4:9) Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2:8-10)
We should all do the things that are required, for Jesus even said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill." (Matthew 5:17) But the key thing to understand and accept is that He fulfilled the law, and He is the head of all principality and power. Not our nationality, not our genealogy, not our rituals and traditions, but what we believe and Who we have our faith in is what saves us! Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the [Non-Jews]? Yes, of the [Non-Jews] also, ... Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law. (Romans 3:27-31) Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:17) The other nine lepers were doing the works that were required, but just like this Samaritan leper, we all should take time to give God thanks for all He does for us, through our faith in His Son, Christ Jesus. We should not get so caught up in the blessings that we forget to thank the Blessor! And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:19)
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
THE GOSPEL: Jesus is The Resurrection and The Life - 3 of 3!
Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:38-40)
In the prior lessons, we studied that when Jesus got word of Lazarus' sickness, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. (John 11:6; see THE GOSPEL: Jesus is The Resurrection and The Life - 1) When He finally arrived near Bethany, Martha came to meet Him and said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." (John 11:21; see THE GOSPEL: Jesus is The Resurrection and The Life - 2) Jesus asked her the same question He repeated here, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” Obviously she still had doubts. But our doubts or unbelief won't stop God from being God, and they won't stop God from doing what He purposes to do! Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” (John 11:38-44)
Jewish tradition was to anoint the corpse with some kind of fragrance or oil, like myrrh and to have bottles of perfume in the tomb with the dead body, in an attempt to mask the smell as the body decayed. Then they would wrap or mummy the body in a linen shroud or linen garment. (read "Sweet Spices in the Tomb") But no matter how dead we may be, we're never too dead nor are we dead for too long, that God can't bring us back to life! “Death is swallowed up in victory. [Isaiah 25:8]” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? [Hosea 13:14]” Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, just by speaking The Word, "...because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. (John 10:2-3)
Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.” (John 11:45-48) Many believed in Him, but some did not. Jesus just raised a man from the dead, who had been dead for four days! That's proof that no matter what God does or says, those who will believe, will believe, and those who won't, won't! Just like Jesus spoke in a previous parable, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ (Luke 16:31) That's why we are not to get upset or try to argue the point when someone rejects The Truth, The Word of God. It's not us they are rejecting, but God Himself. "He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.” (Luke 10:16) Some people can't think beyond this life, but are more concerned with keeping both our place and nation, all of which are temporary, but life through faith in Christ Jesus is eternal.
And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.” Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death. Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there remained with His disciples. (John 11:49-54) Caiaphas was one of the priest plotting against Jesus, but being high priest that year, God still used him to prophecy the purpose of Christ Jesus coming, Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. No matter what man does or the devil does through man, God's Will will still be done! ...even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:15-16)
In the prior lessons, we studied that when Jesus got word of Lazarus' sickness, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. (John 11:6; see THE GOSPEL: Jesus is The Resurrection and The Life - 1) When He finally arrived near Bethany, Martha came to meet Him and said, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." (John 11:21; see THE GOSPEL: Jesus is The Resurrection and The Life - 2) Jesus asked her the same question He repeated here, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” Obviously she still had doubts. But our doubts or unbelief won't stop God from being God, and they won't stop God from doing what He purposes to do! Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” (John 11:38-44)
Jewish tradition was to anoint the corpse with some kind of fragrance or oil, like myrrh and to have bottles of perfume in the tomb with the dead body, in an attempt to mask the smell as the body decayed. Then they would wrap or mummy the body in a linen shroud or linen garment. (read "Sweet Spices in the Tomb") But no matter how dead we may be, we're never too dead nor are we dead for too long, that God can't bring us back to life! “Death is swallowed up in victory. [Isaiah 25:8]” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? [Hosea 13:14]” Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, just by speaking The Word, "...because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. (John 10:2-3)
Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.” (John 11:45-48) Many believed in Him, but some did not. Jesus just raised a man from the dead, who had been dead for four days! That's proof that no matter what God does or says, those who will believe, will believe, and those who won't, won't! Just like Jesus spoke in a previous parable, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ (Luke 16:31) That's why we are not to get upset or try to argue the point when someone rejects The Truth, The Word of God. It's not us they are rejecting, but God Himself. "He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.” (Luke 10:16) Some people can't think beyond this life, but are more concerned with keeping both our place and nation, all of which are temporary, but life through faith in Christ Jesus is eternal.
And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.” Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death. Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there remained with His disciples. (John 11:49-54) Caiaphas was one of the priest plotting against Jesus, but being high priest that year, God still used him to prophecy the purpose of Christ Jesus coming, Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. No matter what man does or the devil does through man, God's Will will still be done! ...even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:15-16)
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
THE GOSPEL: Jesus is The Resurrection and The Life - 2 of 3!
So when Jesus came, He found that he [Lazarus] had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. (John 11:17-20)
The last time we read about Martha and Mary, Jesus stayed with them during one of his "missionary" trips. The sisters were pretty much behaving true to their character as before. Martha was the busy body, but Mary was still. (see THE GOSPEL: Work with the Right Motivation) It was customary during this time for mourners to stay with the family who was grieving the loss of a loved one, and the family members would not leave the house for a specified number of days. But Martha couldn't be still, and as soon as she heard that Jesus was on His way, she went and met Him. Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” (John 11:21-27)
At first, we may be tempted to believe that Martha agreed with Jesus, but that's not how she answered His question. She answered by plainly stating the fact of Who He is, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” However, Jesus is even more than that. “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." Jesus explained this in even more details to the Jews in Jerusalem, after he healed the blind man. (see THE GOSPEL: Indisputable Witnesses) “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. 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. (John 5:24-30)
And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.” Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:28-32) Interestingly, both sisters made the same comment to Jesus, but they had completely different attitudes. Martha was more "in His face", as if being confrontational. Mary, however was more humble, yet again falling at His feet, as she always did. (Luke 7:38; Luke 10:39)
Jesus had already told the disciples prior to their arrival, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it. ...“Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.” (John 11:4, 14-15) Jesus knew He was going to bring Lazarus back to life, but Mary's grief touched Him. Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” JESUS WEPT! Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?” (John 11:33-37)
Jesus reaches people's hearts by meeting them where they are, spiritually and emotionally! Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. ...associate with the humble. (Romans 12:15-16) We who profess and call ourselves Christians have to be the same way. We have to genuinely and sincerely feel for each other. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. (I Corinthians 12:24-27) We are a part of Jesus body, of His family and when we hurt, He hurts, and He'll move in a mighty way to help us during our time of need, just like He did for Mary and Martha, because He is the resurrection and the life...
The last time we read about Martha and Mary, Jesus stayed with them during one of his "missionary" trips. The sisters were pretty much behaving true to their character as before. Martha was the busy body, but Mary was still. (see THE GOSPEL: Work with the Right Motivation) It was customary during this time for mourners to stay with the family who was grieving the loss of a loved one, and the family members would not leave the house for a specified number of days. But Martha couldn't be still, and as soon as she heard that Jesus was on His way, she went and met Him. Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” (John 11:21-27)
At first, we may be tempted to believe that Martha agreed with Jesus, but that's not how she answered His question. She answered by plainly stating the fact of Who He is, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” However, Jesus is even more than that. “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." Jesus explained this in even more details to the Jews in Jerusalem, after he healed the blind man. (see THE GOSPEL: Indisputable Witnesses) “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. 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. (John 5:24-30)
And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.” Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:28-32) Interestingly, both sisters made the same comment to Jesus, but they had completely different attitudes. Martha was more "in His face", as if being confrontational. Mary, however was more humble, yet again falling at His feet, as she always did. (Luke 7:38; Luke 10:39)
Jesus had already told the disciples prior to their arrival, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it. ...“Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.” (John 11:4, 14-15) Jesus knew He was going to bring Lazarus back to life, but Mary's grief touched Him. Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” JESUS WEPT! Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?” (John 11:33-37)
Jesus reaches people's hearts by meeting them where they are, spiritually and emotionally! Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. ...associate with the humble. (Romans 12:15-16) We who profess and call ourselves Christians have to be the same way. We have to genuinely and sincerely feel for each other. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. (I Corinthians 12:24-27) We are a part of Jesus body, of His family and when we hurt, He hurts, and He'll move in a mighty way to help us during our time of need, just like He did for Mary and Martha, because He is the resurrection and the life...
Monday, May 20, 2013
THE GOSPEL: Jesus is The Ressurection and The Life - 1 of 3!
Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. [Luke 10:38-42] It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, [Luke 7:36-50] whose brother Lazarus was sick. Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” (John 11:1-3)
Jesus wasn't just some deity in human form, but He has feelings, just like we do. He had relationships with people, whom He loved. Now, one of those friends is sick to the point of death. How does Jesus respond? When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” (John 11:4-7)
Not the response most of us would give upon hearing of the terminal illness of a loved one, but Christ Jesus is the Son of God. But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men. The dead do not praise the Lord, Nor any who go down into silence. But we will bless the Lord From this time forth and forevermore. Praise the Lord! (Psalm 115:3, 16-18) And that's exactly what would happen through Lazarus sickness; “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You [John 10:31-33], and are You going there again?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” (John 11:8-10) Night vs. Day! Basically Jesus is saying, "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:4-5) We all who have accept Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior have the light of the world in us, therefore ...you will walk safely in your way, And your foot will not stumble. (Proverbs 3:23) ...the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble. (Proverbs 4:18-19)
These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.” Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.” However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.” Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” (John 11:11-16)
Jesus finally spoke plainly that Lazarus is dead, but one of the disciples, Thomas is still worried that Jesus will be killed if they go back, saying, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” Even though the twelve disciples had been with Jesus for most of His three years ministry, they still didn't quite understand or even believe everything He told them. This should encourage each of us not to feel bad or doubt our belief in God, just because we may have some questions or doubts. We just need to pray, as a father did in the scripture, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Matthew 9:24)
Jesus had said to the disciples previously, Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem. (Luke 13:33) When the time would come for Jesus to die, it would be in Jerusalem, not in Bethany, where Lazarus was, therefore the disciples should not have worried about Jesus dying there. That's why Jesus went on to say, "And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.”
Jesus had performed the miracle of raising people from the dead before (Luke 7:11-17; Matthew 9:18-26), but those miracles occurred soon after the person had died. People could have easily gone back and "rewritten history" and said that the person really wasn't dead yet. But there would be no doubt in anyone's mind that Lazarus was really dead by the time Jesus arrived...
Jesus wasn't just some deity in human form, but He has feelings, just like we do. He had relationships with people, whom He loved. Now, one of those friends is sick to the point of death. How does Jesus respond? When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” (John 11:4-7)
Not the response most of us would give upon hearing of the terminal illness of a loved one, but Christ Jesus is the Son of God. But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men. The dead do not praise the Lord, Nor any who go down into silence. But we will bless the Lord From this time forth and forevermore. Praise the Lord! (Psalm 115:3, 16-18) And that's exactly what would happen through Lazarus sickness; “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You [John 10:31-33], and are You going there again?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” (John 11:8-10) Night vs. Day! Basically Jesus is saying, "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:4-5) We all who have accept Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior have the light of the world in us, therefore ...you will walk safely in your way, And your foot will not stumble. (Proverbs 3:23) ...the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble. (Proverbs 4:18-19)
These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.” Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.” However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.” Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” (John 11:11-16)
Jesus finally spoke plainly that Lazarus is dead, but one of the disciples, Thomas is still worried that Jesus will be killed if they go back, saying, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” Even though the twelve disciples had been with Jesus for most of His three years ministry, they still didn't quite understand or even believe everything He told them. This should encourage each of us not to feel bad or doubt our belief in God, just because we may have some questions or doubts. We just need to pray, as a father did in the scripture, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Matthew 9:24)
Jesus had said to the disciples previously, Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem. (Luke 13:33) When the time would come for Jesus to die, it would be in Jerusalem, not in Bethany, where Lazarus was, therefore the disciples should not have worried about Jesus dying there. That's why Jesus went on to say, "And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.”
Jesus had performed the miracle of raising people from the dead before (Luke 7:11-17; Matthew 9:18-26), but those miracles occurred soon after the person had died. People could have easily gone back and "rewritten history" and said that the person really wasn't dead yet. But there would be no doubt in anyone's mind that Lazarus was really dead by the time Jesus arrived...
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