Go And Tell The Whole World

Matthew 28:16-20 - Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.  When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.  Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

A large stone blocked the details of what happened inside that tomb. I like to think that He rose much sooner than the morning the women went out to visit where they saw Him be placed. I like to think that He conquered death immediately … His perfect spirit splitting hell wide open….His transfigured body… glowing from spending time in the presence of God the father. The angel came down to simply reveal the empty tomb and begin a conversation about His resurrection.

 

The angel told the women to not be afraid…to go and tell the disciples….and they ran to comply with a mixture of joy and fear of what they had seen.  Jesus even allowed them to see Him….appearing to them as they ran to tell the good news….falling to their knees in worship….fear fading completely from their hearts.

 

Jesus met with His followers one last time on a mountain many theologians believe to be the one they had visited before…when they saw the transfigured bodies of Moses and Elijah. He gave them what men have titled the ‘Great Commission’ …telling them to share the story of what had happened to everyone...all over the world. Then He promised to be with them forever…until the end of the world.

 

As the dates I celebrate the three days that form the basis for my faith….I am glad that God allowed me to be one of the ones His story was shared with. He allowed some of the men who witnessed all of this to write down every word so that years later I could read and hear the wonderful story of Christ myself. I am sure that Matthew had no clue that His words would cause so much reflection and touch so many hearts.

 

Father…thank you for the reminder that your sacrifice did not end in death…but that you are very alive….sitting on the right hand of the Father…interceding for all of us as you promised those disciples long ago.  Forgive me for taking for granted your great sacrifice so many times…and letting my selfish desires keep me from following the last directions you gave to anyone who chooses to follow you. Help me to embrace those words…and find new ways to share with more people the wonderful story of how you provided salvation and eternal life for all. Amen.

Jesus Was Crucified For My Sin

Matthew 27:24-26 - When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”  Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

 

Jesus had been help all night and taken to Pilate…the Highest Roman official available….the next morning. He questioned Him…but Jesus would answer none of the accusations except to validate He was the Messiah. Pilate was sure in His heart that Jesus was innocent of anything…he wanted to set Him free. His wife even warned him to not take part in Jesus’ death because of a dream she had.

 

He tried to set Jesus free….using the custom of releasing a prisoner at Passover…but that only released another man…guilty of everything that they tried to accuse Jesus. The great crowds that followed Jesus to listen to His teaching and beg for healing were nowhere to be found.  They had been replaced with an angry mob shouting out for His crucifixion. So Pilate gave in…called for a basin of water…and literally washed his hands of any responsibility the Jesus’ death. The crowd took full responsibility…even burdening their children in the words they shouted out. Jesus was flogged and the road to Golgotha began.

 

Truth is that we are all responsible for the sin that Jesus sacrificed His life for on that cross. He bore the weight of every sin that had been committed and every sin to be committed in the future. He quietly allowed man to beat….mock….spit upon…and be nailed to a cross …so that He could provide a way for all of us to repent of our sin and join him in the reward of Heaven…even though we deserved to die in His place. He willingly took the cup of suffering and death that God had sent Him to partake…and gave His life for all sinners. It was their sin…and it was my sin…that Jesus died for on that cross.

 

No greater sacrifice has ever been made for me personally. It should motivate me to do whatever God asks when I think of it...but I admit that my flesh wins more times than Jesus’ sacrifice motivates me to sacrifice the way He did. Perhaps if I woke each morning with the vivid picture of the suffering He endured just for me….I would stay stronger and develop a stronger faith.  

 

Father…thank you for the reminder that your son Jesus loved me so much that He sacrificed His very life to make a way for me to share in salvation. I thank you Jesus for that….and ask that you forgive me for forgetting how very great that present was. Forgive me for not thanking you for  your sacrifice every morning…and letting the vision of your love power me to be more like you each day. Help me to overcome the influences of the world that try to turn me into a person who doesn’t care about others more that I care about myself.  Amen.

Talk Is Cheap

Matthew 26:31-35 - Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. ’But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”  “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”  But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

 

It was one of the longest days for Jesus. He had been anointed for His death with some expensive perfume….felt the sting of betrayal as Judas sold Him out for 30 pieces of silver…reclined at a humble table of Passover fixings….all the while emotionally struggling with the approaching task of sacrificing His perfect life for all on the cross. The thing that weighed heaviest on His heart in this moment…was that the closest twelve people He had come to love and trust the most…would all abandon Him and scatter before daybreak.

 

They were brave and bold when Jesus was right next to them…denying that they could ever feel so far and distant from their teacher….but as soon as he was removed from them they fell apart and became weaker than they ever expected in their own minds. Oh how Jesus must have hurt from the knowledge that no one would stay with Him to support Him as He finished the hard task His father gave Him to do.

 

Jesus left that dinner and went straight to pray to His father. He took a few of the twelve with Him to pray…but they were so focused on themselves that they fell asleep. He had told them many times what was about to happen…He had even let them know the amazing fact that He was going to be resurrected ad return to them. But they were still in human mode…and saw only the possibility of an Earthly Kingdom…Jesus the ruler of the Jews and they as His assistants….ears…heart…and minds closed to any other option.

 

It is a reminder that talk is cheap… words mean nothing if they are not backed up with actions. It is a reminder that apart from Christ we have no power in our selves…it is His power that gives us the strength to carry out even the hardest tasks He gives us to do. It is a reminder that above all I must work to somehow stay connected to the source of all power…for without Him…I would fall apart just like these twelve men.

 

Father…thank you for the reminder that I am weakest when I rely on my own human instincts and resources.  Forgive me for limiting myself with my own thoughts and actions. Help me to stay connected to you so that I will always have the best back up plan available….so that I will always have your power and strength to help me. Amen.

God Calls Us To Share....With No Thought Of Any Return

Matthew 25:37-40 -  “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’  “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

 

Jesus took every opportunity to teach valuable lessons to anyone that was listening. This day He combined three stories into a mini lesson of how to live a rich Christian life. He used bridesmaids to illustrate how we all need to be responsible for our own spiritually….ready at a moment’s notice for His return.  He used an owner’s money to illustrate the need to use the resources He gives us to increase the number of people that know Him.  Then He finished up with a story of how sheep and goats are separated to help us understand that servitude is a huge part of how He expects us to live for Him each day.

 

If you combine all three you will be ready to use what you have been given to help others …every time God allows someone in need to cross your path. Jesus said that we are not just helping them…you are helping Christ. I admit that it is hard to think about helping every person that crosses your path.  I sure don’t have millions stored away in the bank to help every person that might ask….but I hear that scripture resounding in my head from Luke 6…29-3. It goes like this… "Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either.  "Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.  "Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.…

 

Let’s expand that thought to include more than just the people we know. There’s this scripture from Hebrews 13:2…. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. That tells me that angels do appear on Earth for reasons unexplained.  And let’s not forget the wonderful experience that the two disciples had on the Emmaus road. They were some of the first to talk with Jesus after His resurrection.

 

There is one more reason to share…it is a powerful tool to heal the hurt or pain you have encountered in your own life.  Listen to Isaiah 58:7-9 ….which by the way resembles Jesus’ words here in Matthew quite closely…. “Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.” That is powerful stuff right there.

 

Father…thank you for the reminder that my commitment to you transfers to others in every way.  Forgive me for the times that I have shirked off the chance to help someone…and disappointed an angel or even you with my selfishness. Help me to discern every opportunity to help someone else…to bless them with what you have given me….not just in material things…but in love and compassion as well. Amen.

The Love Of Most Will Grow Cold

Matthew 24:12-14 -  Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.  And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

 

Jesus had told the disciples that the earthly Temple they walked through that very morning would be completely destroyed….till no stone was left on its original place. Now they were sitting around Him as He taught on the Mount of Olives…asking Him what He meant.  His words reminded them of the prophecies from Daniel and Zechariah about the end of all time…the point when God would conquer the evil in this world for good….and set up His Earthly kingdom to reign in peace and love forever.

 

It is so hard to wrap your mind and heart around the words that Jesus spoke.  Many of the signs He called birth pains have been happening for years and years.  Scholars of the writings and prophecies say we are very close to the end…and even as I write there is an urgency in my spirit that tells me they are more right than wrong.  But the thing that weighs heaviest this morning is not that we may be close to the end…but that we are obviously not all ready and prepared as Jesus warned.

 

His words told us to preach the truth of the Kingdom of God to all people. All will have a chance to hear His name before he comes. Everyone will have a chance to understand their choice to love Him or reject Him.  Many false Gods will slow the work of God…proclaiming things that will confuse even those that love Him.

 

He also told us to guard the flame of love He planted in our hearts….to know in advance that many who call on His name will let their love for Him grow cold. We need to keep the fire inside our spirits burning brightly with daily prayer and Bible study. We need to share our fire with others in service to anyone who may benefit from what God has blessed us with. We need to ask for discernment so we can recognize those false teachers and let God help us to overcome the persecution and evil that will affect our lives toward the end.

 

I admit that it is easy to become tempted to say…the end is far away…and even if it’s not….those things will never happen in my lifetime…or in my country…or in my town.  Rationalizing the truth we just read as to far distant in the future…or not affecting us personally...is the first step in letting our faith and wisdom take a vacation. God wants desperately for the whole world to accept and love Him…but he knows in advance that that is not the way it will happen. If I am to endure with my faith and love for Him intact…I have to believe that He could come…even as I write my next word…as a flash of lightening…no warning.  That folks is how you keep the fire He placed inside you so strong you can’t help but heat up the ones He placed around you as you grow in His love and truth.

 

Father…thank you for the reminder that you are coming back as you said. It’s not important that I know when or how or even what will happen to me when you come…I just need to be watching and prepared to worship you and call you Lord forever.  Forgive me once again for letting the world cool my heart even the slightest bit…and missing opportunities to witness and testify to the great things you have brought me through and the promises that you made to give me hope in any situation.  Help me to work harder to fan the flame you placed inside me as bright and intense as I can…so I can reach more of the world with your light.  Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

Practice What You Preach

Matthew 23:1-4 - Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:  “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.  So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.  They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

 

Jesus took every opportunity to teach to anyone that was listening. The crowds that had gathered included many of the leaders of the Jewish Church…the Pharisees and Sadducees that had filled Moses’ role as law enforcers. Jesus was careful to tell the people that the laws were important…to keep them and do what the leaders told them. He was also very clear about the fact the keeping a law was not just talk.  We need to practice what we preach.

 

Even though the leaders had got off track with their interpretations of some of the laws…making them more about man than worshipping God…the base laws were good and needed to be enforced. The problem that Jesus had with these leaders is that their walk did not match their talk. Jesus was calling them out on all the things they did simply for show…he could see the heart underneath those extended robes and large prayer boxes they wore on their arms….they never used the prayers inside the boxes to enlarge the heart.

 

I admit that it is hard to always do the right thing…to always practice what we preach. But when we realize that we share this character trait with the leaders who plotted against Jesus…it should motivate us to stay away from this kind of Christianity.  It is our hearts that God wants fully transformed into His likeness….for us to join the ranks of people like Moses…and David….and Paul…who let God have all of their hearts and resources to use for His glory.

 

Father...thank you for the reminder that I need to practice what I write each day. If I claim to know what to do …and I do not do it…I become one of the blind hypocrites that Jesus called the leaders of His day.  Forgive me for the times that I have justified not following your will exactly because of the many excuses I can dream up.  Help me to use what you have taught me to make the right choices….choices based on your word alone.  Amen.

God Calls us To Dual Citizenship

Matthew 22: 20-22 - And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?”  They said to Him, “Caesar’s.  And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” ²² When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way.

 

The religious leaders were desperate to trap Jesus and stop the huge following that threatened their control of the Jewish laws. The Pharisees thought they had Jesus…no matter what He answered on the subject of money and taxes.  If he said Caesar….He would be breaking Jewish laws.  If he said God…then the Roman government would have Him on heresy.  

 

Jesus amazed them and shut them up for a while with His reply that government loyalties should be kept as well as God’s laws. He introduced the concept of dual citizenship…supporting the rules of a government as well as the rules of God. Jesus had already taken a step further to prove He meant what He said. He had already sent Peter to the shore of the sea to fetch a fish with a coin in Matthew 17:21 to pay their taxes with.

 

I will admit that it causes me more than a bit of sorrow in my heart when I have voted against a law or rule that I feel God would not be happy with. I am sure the people of that day struggled with the same thing.  They had asked God for a king to rule and help provide order to their world. They forgot to ask God to always make sure the king was a godly man who would always make sure the laws of God were considered when any government rule or laws were made.  They forgot that God will not completely do away with evil governments until the last days…and that some people would be oppressed by these less than godly countries.

 

I will admit that I do not support every item that my taxes go to fund….but I still pay them each year.  At least my coins and dollar bills still have ‘In God We Trust’ printed on them.  I know in my heart that God will use all things…even the ones that I see as hurtful and against His commands.  In His timing all things will work to the good of those that love Him…that is the promise of Romans 8:28.

 

Father…thank you for the reminder that dual citizenship is a concept that you ordained to give authority to an earthly leader.  Your intent was to provide order and structure to a world full of chaos and evil. Even though the world has twisted the concept to meet their own needs…you can still use it to bless and provide some routine to a world that would otherwise be purely evil. Forgive me for the times that I have complained and tried to find a way out of a law…instead of embracing it simply because you ask us to support our leaders. Help me to find ways to be involved in changing the laws that can be changed to be more godly in your sight.  Amen.