If life keeps delivering challenges, as it always seems too.  I trust you will find some encouragement here. 

May 31, 2025 – Since Life Keeps Coming At You, Find Power in Weakness, and A Recipe for Peace In The Midst of Storms.

It has been a week!  I will not go into detail but to say it has been a bit stressful and tiring and involved some trauma.  And… share the reminder that if there is one thing I have learned in my 72 years, it is that life just keeps coming at you. I am sure you have experienced the same kind of days and weeks.

When I first became a believer in my senior year in high school at the beginning of the Jesus Movement, everyone said “it is a fad and he will get over it”.  I never did get over it. I also heard often that Christianity was “just a crutch”. As though it was for the weak or the somehow handicapped. 

My answer to that is I just don’t care! If it is, then I am happy to be weak and handicapped, because when I am weak he is strong. In fact. His strength/power is perfected when I am at my weakest, and, in fact, like a dead man, unable to respond to anything in my own strength.

[2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NASB95] 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

That power of Christ is resurrection power, the power that overcame death and brought life, and not just life, but eternal life.    So, when life just keep bringing challenges, stress, and trauma, we have a hope and can indeed press on in him

[Philippians  3:10-12 NASB95] 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained [it] or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.

Having been a believer walking through challenges, stress, trauma… life…. with this “crutch” of faith and knowing Him and trying to follow after Him, I frankly don’t know how anyone faces a day without it/Him. 

I find myself blessed even in the midst of life coming at me hard.  No, I don’t always have all the answers.  But, I am rarely afraid, and I always have a hope. 

Paul instructed and encouraged the Philippians who were under persecution with this:

[Philippians 4:4-7 NASB95] 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle [spirit] be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Consider what I underlined here. In this is the recipe for finding peace beyond all comprehension in the midst of all life comes at you with. (When I say recipe, please don’t misunderstand.  We don’t work God by recipe. What I mean, is that there is a way in Him to find hope and peace… Paul knew it in all he suffered,  and he knew that Jesus knew it in all He suffered, and the apostle instructed the church at Philippi, and us, with these steps from the his suffering and the example of Christ Jesus and others)

Rejoice in the Lord always. No matter what the situation or circumstance you can find joy in the depth of His love and purpose.

Let your gentle [spirit] be known.  Do not let anger or emotion run away with you. A gentle, humble, meek spirit and a soft answer goes a long way in turning away the wrath of evil men and  advocating for you and Him before them.

The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing.  I have combined two phrases because one is dependent upon the other. Remember God, the LORD, is not far away. He is in the midst of this with you. He never leaves nor forsakes you. He is an ever present help in time of trouble. If we can, keep that one thing in mind. Anxiety is removed. Fear and Anxiety are not to have a great place in the life of a believer. We always have a hope (even beyond death and the grave) and our help is near, even present. Consider the psalmist plea in all of Psalm 42 when it seemed God was faraway, (here is  a taste of it…[Psalm 42:5 NASB95] 5 Why are you in despair, O my soul? And [why] have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him [For] the help of His presence.)

in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Pray, make supplication to Him and let your need be known to Him.  He already knows it, but cry out to Him anyway! And… don’t forget the added instruction here, to mix in THANKSGIVING with your supplication. Remember you enter into His gates with thanksgiving (Psalm 100) and  into His courts with praise. If you want to draw nearer/closer to  Him who is always near you… thanksgiving is key. He hears, and He will save and deliver.  He will bring peace in the storm

The result outlined here is peace. But do consider it is not just any peace; it is the peace of God,… a peace that is supernatural beyond our understanding, a peace  which surpasses all comprehension.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

So, whatever life brings, embrace it in Him and find rest and peace being yoked to Him and His purpose.

[Matthew 11:28-30 NASB95] 28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30 “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Perhaps we should be spiritually inspired beyond patriotically inspired. 

Paul sometimes calls his co-workers fellow soldiers.    He instructed Timothy as a soldier to be strong!

[2Timoyhy 2:1-4 NASB95] 1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 Suffer hardship with [me,] as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

[1Timothy 1:18-19 NASB95] 18 This command I entrust to you, Timothy, [my] son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, 19 keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.

[1Timothy 6:12-21 NASB95] 12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which He will bring about at the proper time–He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him [be] honor and eternal dominion! Amen. 17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 [Instruct them] to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. 20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly [and] empty chatter [and] the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”— 21 which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.Note: 

Staying in the fray evidently is a sure way to keep from “going astray” or seeing “suffer(ing) shipwreck in regard to (your) faith.) Strong instruction and charge to fight the battle and keep fighting.  Jesus did not say it would be easy. Paul does not either. It is a battle and yet, we  serve a conquering King. 

 
Ambasador in Chains – Steve Camp  (click link listen)I started on a lonely road

I was blinded by the light
Something touched my heart and soul
I began to see with different eyes
Now I carry on His message
Taking it to the hearts of every man
I know it’s a rough and narrow passage
And I do not fear what man can do
‘Cause where I go, my God goes too
Mending broken hearts in this troubled land

I’ve been beaten and stoned
I’ve been chained to prison cells
And everywhere I went to Him
I spoke until my throat was raw
And my dry tongue swelled
Carry on, all of my children
There is no greater joy known to man
Than to be arrows of his quiver
And as you’ve launched into the dawn
You will go where I could not have gone
Mending broken hearts with the Savior’s hand
You can be mending broken hearts
With the Savior’s hand

I fought a good fight and I’ve kept the faith
I’ve listened to my Lord and done what is right
And now I’m ready for my grave
Carry on, Timothy, my brother
Be my mouthpiece when I’m gone
Constantly show His love to another
And don’t walk shy because you’re young
You’ll grow strong in the righteous one
Mending broken hearts with the Savior’s hand
You can be mending broken hearts
(You can be mending)
You can be mending broken hearts
(You can be mending)
And you can be mending broken hearts
With the Savior’s hand
You can be mending broken hearts, ow!
With the Savior’s hand

(You can be mending, mending broken hearts)
(You can be mending)
(You can be mending, mending broken hearts)
(You can be mending)
(You can be mending, mending broken hearts)
(You can be mending)
(You can be mending, mending broken hearts)
(You can be mending…)

Attachments area

Preview YouTube video Steve Camp – Ambassador in ChainsPreview YouTube video Steve Camp – Ambassador in Chains

I shared for years that a part of the reason we have always begun with a meal in the fellowship that gathers at my home was because of the example of Act 2:42- 47, a passage directly recorded by Luke after the preaching of Peter on Pentecost, which specifically mentions twice “breaking bread” (and taking their meals together a they met from house to house:

[Acts 2:42-47 NASB95] 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they [began] selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Coupled together with other passages, including the treatment of the Lord’s Supper in I Corinthians 11:23-26 and following, I have had some sense and understanding for years that gathering at table to remember His death and the benefits of salvation and deliverance… and much more … delivered to us by it, and His glorious resurrection, was central to our gathering. And, for me,  gathering has been approached as celebrating Passover every week as the opportunity not just to remember Him and His death (and that deliverance and salvation) until He comes, but to meet with Him manifested in His Body, the church. It is where I can remember His death and its benefits, but also experience the living and resurrected Christ moving in, and through us, just as He did at the Last Supper recorded in scripture.

What follows here is something I shared over a year ago at Passover time, that pretty well, goes over what I shared last Sunday as we gathered:

The centrality of the cross AND the resurrection are well established, let us remember Him and be focused on Him as often as we come together.  

[1Corinthians11:26 NASB95] 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

Let us gather remembering His death, but not forgetting “until He comes”, for it is in the hope of His coming we find life in His resurrection and remember that He conquered death. Yes, remember His death and all He brought to us by and through it.  But let us remember Him resurrected as well, as often as we come together. That, I think, is the meaning of “This do in remembrance of Me.”

Yes! Let us celebrate Him today/ (IE:) Sunday/Easter/Resurrection Sunday. But let us celebrate Him every time we gather.

In the Luke description of the Last Supper, the Last Passover, he records Jesus’ earnest desire to share the Passover in that hour, but even more so in the Kingdom He was establishing.  And, I think, that Kingdom into which we have been transferred and now live!

[Luke 22:14-20 NASB95] 14 When the hour had come, He reclined [at the table,] and the apostles with Him. 15 And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And when He had taken a cup [and] given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; 18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And when He had taken [some] bread [and] given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 And in the same way [He took] the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.

[Colossians 1:13 NASB95] 13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, (highly recommend considering  Paul’s exhortation here  in Colossians 1:13-23)

Those that know me well know that I see our weekly gatherings as Passover celebrated every week!  It is the reason we start with sharing a meal.  And, then I/we look to hear from Him,  and fellowship with Him, in our midst and central among us.

May I encourage you to read Matthew 26:17-56, Luke 22:7-46, where the events of the Passover “Last Supper” are treated in brief, and then look at the events of that night in much greater depth in John 13:1 – 18:2. (John often includes what the others left out in his gospel. Here it seems they left out much, that he decided, under inspiration, to include for our edification.)

In these scriptures you will find all the rich types and foreshadows the Jewish Passover held for Jews, the disciples, and for us. But you will also see Jesus institute new elements and a New Covenant with those that would follow Him.  (note; in His Passover celebration remembering the deliverance from Egypt, and salvation, that came by God through the blood of a Passover Lamb, He now institutes a new covenant and points to eating the body and, this time, drinking the blood (where the life is)  of a new Passover Lamb. Himself)

You will also see Jesus wash feet, deal with those of His followers in deep sin, deal with those that were struggling with betrayal – strong in their word of commitment, but weak of heart to stand for Him -, speak of Himself and His provision, speak of His followers future and His purpose and plans in them, point them to the Holy Spirit as comforter and their source of power, and take those He loved into an intimate Garden of suffering to pray and stand with Him.

He did all this on that Last Passover night! And, He is still doing it!  For that Passover to happen there had to be preparations made, and those that came had certain expectations of some rituals and practices that would take place. But, they came primarily with intent to fellowship with Him, to hear Him, and do what He was doing.

Again, I see our weekly gatherings as Passover celebrated every week!  It is the reason we start with sharing a meal, our approach to the Lord’s Supper, although recently  in our fellowship, we also observe a more traditional communion at least once a month as well.

Although we enjoy “reclining at table”  (Matthew 26:20, Luke 22:14, John 13:12)  and may come with some expectations, our intent is to remember Him  and His death and provision to us. But it is also to meet with Him, resurrected, live and well in, and with, us!  I have often said, we don’t want to leave a gathering together talking about having met with each other.  Not that that is bad. But, we want to leave having seen, heard, had fellowship with Him, as we are His body, the fullness of Him that fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:22-23) We want to see Him manifest and present in us.

People often ask me why I am committed to meeting with saints regularly. It is not because I am under any compulsion or rote rule of religion to do so.  I am committed to it because Jesus said according to 1^st Corinthians 11 and the gospels “do this in remembrance of Me”  (I won’t go into detail here), and for me it is Passover every week.  You see, every time we gather I want to remember, celebrate, and fellowship Him.  Just as that first Passover (Last Supper) required some preparations (Matthew 26:17-19, Luke 22:7-13)… so do our gatherings. And, just as those who came then, came with some expectations of fellowship, fun, food,… and some religious stuff, so do many of us come with the same.  And, again, although we enjoy the meal and fellowship, and even some ritual, our intent must be to meet with and hear Him. 

I love meeting with you. I do.

But the only opportunity I have to see Him…

Wash Feet (John 13:5-10)

Deal With Sin (betrayal and weakness in the camp and at the table – (Matthew 26:21, Luke 22:21-27, John 13:18-30)

Strengthen Those Who May Be Struggling With Doubt or Denial   (Matthew 26:31-35, Luke 22:31-34, John 13:37-38)

Hear Him Speak of His Provision, Salvation, Deliverance and more  ( I’ll dispense with vs by vs, but see John chapters14-15 -16)

Hear Him Speak of His Purpose For The Future In Us His Disciples   (John  chapters 14 -15-16)

Hear Him Encourage Us Regarding The Work Of The Holy Spirit In Us ( John chapter 14  & 16)

Have Him Invite Me To Join Him in The Place of Intimate Suffering and Prayer   (Matthew 26:36-46, John chapter 15 & 16)

And, witness His Fullness Manifested  (John 17)

is in gathering with you.

It is Passover every week!  He is still doing what He did that Passover in and through His body, the church, the fullness of Him that fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:22-23)

So, as I have said for years now… “pray now about how the Holy Spirit may use us, and your participation as a functioning member of the Body of Christ, to minister to the Lord and to others.” (end of older post)

If interested, here is another post I read online sometime back by one Edgar Torres that I thought was insightful regarding the relationship of the Lord’s Supper and Passover. I do not know the man, Edgar Torres, personally, and have had no personal correspondence or conversations with him. So, I cannot make any endorsement of him here, other than to say I found this an interesting perspective and worth sharing.

The following scriptures are placed here for understanding a foundation for his post.

[John 6:48-71 NASB95] 48 “I am the bread of life. 49 “Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 “This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 “I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.” 52 Then the Jews [began] to argue with one another, saying, “How can this man give us [His] flesh to eat?” 53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. 54 “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 “For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. 56 “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57 “As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also will live because of Me. 58 “This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever.” 59 These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum. 60 Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard [this] said, “This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, conscious that His disciples grumbled at this, said to them, “Does this cause you to stumble? 62 “[What] then if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before? 63 “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. 64 “But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. 65 And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.” 66 As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” 68 Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. 69 “We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and [yet] one of you is a devil?” 71 Now He meant Judas [the son] of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him.

([Galatians 2:20 NASB95] 20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the [life] which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.)

Edgar Torres wrote _

In the declaration of Galatians 2:20, we encounter the essence of divine union: the self crucified, no longer reigning in isolation, but yielding to the indwelling One who animates our every breath with His own eternal life. This exchanged existence, where it is no longer I but He who lives, finds its roots in the startling words of the Master Himself, words that pierced the hearts of many and revealed the divide between mere followers and those who would embrace the mystery in faith.

Consider the scene in John 6:60-66, where the crowd, having witnessed miracles, recoils at the invitation to eat His flesh and drink His blood a teaching so hard, so visceral, that it sifts the superficial from the sincere. “This is an hard saying; who can hear it?” they murmur, and many turn back, unwilling to grapple with the depth it demands. Yet Jesus is not telling a mere metaphor for distant admiration; it calls for an intimate partaking, a consumption that merges the eater with the eaten, foreshadowing the union where His life becomes our sustenance, not through effort but through belief in the One sent from above.

This hard truth echoes forward to the intimacy of the Last Supper, where He breaks bread and offers the cup, declaring, “This is my body… this is my blood.” Here, in the quiet of that upper room, the invitation intensifies: to eat and drink not as ritual, but as entry into covenant union.

Just as the bread nourishes and the wine invigorates, so does partaking of Him dissolve the barriers of separation, infusing our being with His. This is the very union of Galatians 2:20 made tangible.

His crucified body and shed blood not observed from afar, but ingested, absorbed, becoming the vital force that displaces self-striving with His finished victory.

No longer do we labor to achieve righteousness; we feed on the One who is righteousness itself, entering rest through this sacred meal that binds us eternally.

Trace this thread backward to the shadows of the old covenant, where the Israelites, on the eve of exodus, smear the lamb’s blood on their doorposts a shield against the wrath of judgment, the destroyer passing over those marked by substitutionary death. 
But the protection does not end there; they eat the same lamb, roasted and whole, its flesh strengthening them for the wilderness journey ahead. This dual act blood for redemption, flesh for provision mirrors the completeness of the gospel: shielded from condemnation by His blood, and empowered for the path by consuming His life. And in the desert, manna falls daily from heaven, a gracious provision that teaches dependence, not hoarding or self-reliance, but gathering fresh each morning lest it spoil, a rhythm of trust in the Provider’s faithfulness.

Now, in the fullness of revelation, He declares Himself the true bread from heaven, the living manna that satisfies eternally. No longer flakes on the ground, but the indwelling presence, renewing us day by day without fail. This is the union unveiled: as the Israelites ate the lamb and manna to sustain their exodus from bondage, so we partake of Him not through fleshly works or legalistic observance, but by faith in His once-for-all offering.

Trials become not burdens to bear alone, but opportunities to draw from the inner wellspring, where His life flows unceasingly, turning wilderness wanderings into pathways of rest.

The hard teaching, once stumbling block to many, becomes the gateway to glory: abide in this feeding, cease from labor, and let His faithfulness carry you, for in this divine exchange, wrath is averted, the journey empowered, and every dawn brings fresh provision from the One who lives within.

Armor on. Shield up.

End- Edward Torres post quotation. 

[Matthew 28:18-20 NASB95] 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

So, just what is the great commission, and what is our part in it or response to it?  Each of the gospels has some form of this sending out .

[Mark16:14-20 NASB95] 14 Afterward He appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining [at the table;] and He reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. 17 “These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly [poison,] it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 19 So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.] [[And they promptly reported all these instructions to Peter and his companions after that, Jesus Himself sent out through them from east to west the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation.](Note: there were signs following belief. The signs were not said to accompany those that preached, but those who have believed. Something changed.)

[Luke 24:36-41, 44-49 NASB95] 36 While they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be to you.” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit. 38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 “See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41 While they still could not believe [it] because of their joy and amazement, He said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” … 44 Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 “You are witnesses of these things. 49 “And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

[John 20:19-23, 27-31 NASB95] 19 So when it was evening on that day, the first [day] of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace [be] with you.” 20 And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace [be] with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 “If you forgive the sins of any, [their sins] have been forgiven them; if you retain the [sins] of any, they have been retained.” … (days later He appears again) 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed [are] they who did not see, and [yet] believed.” 30 Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

[Acts 1:6-8 NASB95]6 So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

We have traditionally been taught that herein lies our responsibility to evangelize through the preaching of the gospel of salvation in Christ.  And, that may well be, at least, a part of what is indicated.   But,  that is not the specific instruction of the version of the so-called Great Commission given at His ascension  in Matthew.

(repeating) [Matthew 28:18-20 NASB95] 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Jesus begins, there, by sharing the result of His death, burial, and resurrection saying  “All authority has been given to me in heaven and earth.”  His LORDSHIP over all has been firmly established, by His victory over the last enemy death. 

He then gives an apostolic command.  Because all authority is mine,  GO THEREFORE.  He is sending His followers out.

Where? To All nations.  Jews and Gentiles. 
 
To do what?  MAKE DISCIPLES. Not converts, not decisions, not numbers of confessions unto salvation.  But, disciples. Literally, a pupil, a learner, one who would follow His teachings and precepts.

Mark them as disciples with Baptism. The ceremonial and symbolic cleansing from sin, by their own death, burial, and resurrection. But not just a religious act or ceremony, but in the name of  the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The understanding is that they were being baptized “into”,  hidden inside of, entering into, entering among or into fellowship with, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.   Much more than just a religious service or act. This baptism was an outward proclamation of the pupil, learner, follower,  voluntarily losing and laying down their life, to be found inside of God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.

Then, if they made such disciples, those that would make such a commitment, they would need to teach them all that they had been taught and commanded by Jesus.    They would need to hold didactic discourse with them for the purpose of instruction.  Again, the indication is not just preaching salvation unto them. But, giving training the way they had been given it.  Yes, in sharing the word, scripture, and traditional teaching of wisdom (by preaching). But also  training by sharing life and conducting oneself as example, trainer, teacher. 

And, let us consider that a command is not simply informational. A command requires action and obedience.

 
He did not say “teaching them all the great information I transferred to you,”  He said teaching them “all that I commanded you”.  Again the inference is all I commanded you to do, ordered and enjoined you to be actively part of. it was not simple salvation information and pie in the sky when we die, nor knowledge of religious doctrine.

If we look at Jesus, Paul, or Barnabus. Their process for disciples included three basic elements.  A call. Practical training. Sending out after instruction/modeling, equipping, and giving authority.

This seems to be the pattern of discipleship Jesus talked about, and then was that modeled by others in the early church

You can’t really call and train someone to lay down their life, unless you are willing to do so, and are doing so yourself, for them. And you can’t give or transfer authority you have not exhibited among, or with, those you would give it to.

We do not need to look at the commission to make disciples and see it as impossible. It isn’t! Because as it was for the disciples then, so is it now for us. Its foundation is laid in the authority of our Lord Jesus. “All authority has been given to me in heaven and in earth! Go therefore, and make disciples..”  And, He is with us and has empowered us with the Holy Spirit. We co-labor with Him.

But, neither do we need to cheapen or dilute the call to discipleship to be less than laying down your life to take up His life under His Lordship, and His authority! 

It is not simply a fire escape message. It is, however, a decision regarding life, eternal life, and death. It is, as it was from the beginning, a decision to feed from the tree of life, Jesus, or to feed from the knowledge of good and evil and self made religion and die.

Jesus did not dilute it.

Luke 14:25-33 Now large crowds were going along with Him; and He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me, and does not  hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.

There is a cost to discipleship. It is all you have and and all that you are, to gain all He is.  But there is also a great reward. The fullness of life now in feeding from and knowing Him, and eternal life in Him.

If we consider the mission of Jesus it is evident that His love first for the Father,  and His love for us, moved Him to lay down the effluence of glory that had been His from eternity past, humble Himself to become a man and die an ignoble death.  (See Philippians 2). In doing so, motivated by love, He would deliver unto the Father His inheritance in the us, the saints (see Ephesians 1:18). And, deliver unto us the restoration of the way to the Tree of Life and eternal life in Him. 

This consideration requires us, as the redeemed and His body, to see in His great commission of Matthew 28, what is our mission in making disciples.  Is it any less than His being sent from the Father was.  To lay down our lives in love for Him, and for the love of others. And, to call, train, and send others to do likewise in God’s eternal purpose.

To call people to be His disciples, and to lay down their lives, taking up their cross to follow Him, may sound like a message that “will not preach” in our  time.  But it was the message of Jesus,  the one modeled by Him, and by His disciples.

Can it stand up in our times?   I think it can, if we understand and model its foundations in the Love of God in Christ, and if we are not  afraid to live it and share it.

We each have opportunities in contacts we have with neighbors, social contacts in friends and through avocations and organizations. Then, there are those we share interests with in church or associations, and our vocational workplaces. Then, there are family relationships. And, then, there are opportunities that come our way to serve the sick, the poor, widows, orphans, the needy.

These opportunities are many, but tend to be highly surface and superficial. They are often based on what people know of my position, power, wealth, education, or admired attributes – like  looks, personality, talent, or the like.  As such they may give me some ground for influence, but probably are not  going to allow me to call people into a deep commitment like discipleship to Jesus. At least, not without a good deal of development and deeper knowledge of one another.  But you have to start someplace, and this is a foothold position.

Deeper influence, or what some have termed transformational influence, generally comes from people seeing service and sacrifice toward them or others.  If seen as doing something to only gain access to them on a deeper level it will not work, but will be seen as manipulative. Too much of what the church has done is often seen in this light.  However, if truly done without any strings of obligation attached, and when it brings you no visible honor, glory, or position, it is likely to be received and seen as an outworking of something in your character that makes you different and out of the ordinary.

Have you noticed how much news, information, and advertising there is in our culture and the world we live in?  Perhaps, at no other time in history, has the competition for a place in the minds of people been so cluttered with input. In our day, most people can’t even look up from their phone long enough to listen or consider what someone else may be saying.  Words alone will rarely get their attention. Words are necessary in sharing good news, but your entry into actively invading the space of people will be more requiring of us in terms of love and service.

Although we carry the most important news of the ages regarding Jesus, and God’s love and eternal purpose, gaining people’s attention is difficult in our time.  Plus many, if not most, believe they have heard it all before, making it even more difficult to gain their interest. The truth is they haven’t! They have been exposed only to a “come and get” gospel, not the call to life changing, and life giving, discipleship.

Better advertising (like seeker friendly churches have tried) and word of mouth alone will not make much impact, nor put us in the place of transformational influence.  An approach to serving, and loving, in humility and without drawing attention to or for ourselves, as Jesus did and modeled, probably will. To sacrifice your time, energy, labor, resources, without seeking fame or accolades or expectation of return is unusual.  There are few who do that.  It will often prompt people to wonder what makes you different.

And, do keep in mind you are not called to do this alone. We are called and commissioned, as the church, His body, the fullness of Him that fills all in all (Ephesians 1:22-23). Your influence is simply a part of our multiplied influence if we are each one functioning in this way.  Your relationships with other believers is important as we corporately find ways to influence the world and the communities we are a part of. You will not be a lone voice when the opportunity comes to explain what has made you different and why.  You hopefully, probably, will not be the only one claiming to know Jesus and to have found peace and purpose in living for and in Him as His disciple.  Even if you are, the opportunity to introduce potential disciples to the true disciples you know and fellowship with will provide the needed modeling and training opportunities.

Let us be prayerfully looking for the opportunities, as individuals and corporately, where we have some foothold of relationship to, under His direction and Lordship, turn our influence transformational by love and service as well as words in sharing the call to discipleship.  To love and encourage one another as disciples and to call others to discipleship is not optional. 

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  John 13:35


This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.  The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. 1 John 3:23-24a


1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life– 2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us– 3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. [1 John 1:1-3 NASB]


 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.
 For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous. Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 1 John 3:10-16


Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining. The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 1 John 2:7-10


Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL,YOU SHALL NOT COVET,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:8-10


He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, what then has happened that You are going to disclose Yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. John 14 21-23

My attitude has too often been,  as noted radio teacher J. Vernon McGee once said.  “You may disagree with me on this….it is your perogotive to be wrong.” He probably said that tongue in cheek.  Someone wiser, I don’t remember who, once said “There is no mistake so great as thinking you are always right.”  Wisdom I can quote, but have rarely heeded until too late.

This of course does not mean there is not absolute truth that is worth defending.  There is! And, we as believers in He that is The Truth and Whom reveals all Truth are charged with being apologist for Him/It. But our manner of defense does matter. 

Paul wrote his disciple Timothy and in a few short strokes of his pen outlined the foolishness of wrangling in words to the point of quarrels and being perceived as quarrelsome.

[2Timotthy 2:14-16, 22-26 NASB95] 14 Remind [them] of these things, and solemnly charge [them] in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless [and leads] to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid worldly [and] empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,

 … 22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love [and] peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. 24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses [and escape] from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

In these few short verse the apostle warns his brother regarding quarrels and debate.

1) not to wrangle about words… saying it is useless and ruins any hearing. Therefore it is ineffective communication.

2) avoid worldly empty chatter… saying it leads to ungodliness instead of producing any good fruit.

3) refuse foolish and ignorant speculation…. saying they will produce quarrels.

4) a bond-servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome saying… kindness, patience, gentleness in sharing, teaching and correction is used of God to produce knowledge and understanding of truth and frees hearers from the snare of the devil.

Pretty strong instruction and admonishment from one who was extremely well educated and knew the arts of religious argument and persuasion. 

We most often hear this passage to Timothy quoted regarding being able to teach and handling the scriptures accurately. While I have no strong real strong issue with that. Let us note that the workman 1) is not proving himself right, nor approved to others – men, but proving himself approved to God. I take that to truly mean as one fit to be a vessel for revealing truth in His hands. And also note, 2) that the workman is accurately handling the word of truth, not specifically teaching the scriptures, but handling the word of truth.

The word for accurately handling her literally means to cut a straight path, a straight course,…to be direct, clear, straightforward.  The word for word here is logos which is generally understood as a written mandate or order, but is really simply what someone has said. The sayings or precepts of God in this case. And, the word for truth here is what is truly true, certain, reality. Free from falsehood, deceit, personal affection or interpretation.  So, let us make truth, that which is of Him and from Him, clear and straightforward.  

And, as indicated, the Lords bond-servant( read that as: approved workman used of Him in revealing truth to those snared by the evil one) must do so not looking to just win arguments, or just be right for the sake of being right alone and in and of that itself.  But, he must be focused on what God is doing and His interest: giving understanding that leads to repentance and knowledge and understanding of the truth of the fullness of His love in Christ and His eternal Purpose for man in Jesus. Winning a quarrel or an argument may be self satisfying, but it will not necessarily free one from the snare of untruth and the lie. The instruction here is clearly that doing that will require apologia/defense from, and based in, kindness, love, patience, gentleness in correction and teaching.

By the way, you may be thinking I am talking about sharing truth with unbelievers. Yes, but unfortunately, I am mostly speaking to myself/us about arguments and quarrels within our ranks, among brothers. Even in the context of 2 Timothy 2 is an argument with others regarding the resurrection with some who had gone astray.  We will need to handle the word of truth well, direct and straightforward, with kindness, gentleness, love and patience if we are to guard and keep our brothers or, if need be, used to deliver them unto repentance and leading to understanding the truth once again. 

Winning debate and argument are “fun” for some of us. But winning arguments will not bring release from the snare, and peace to hearts.  Our own hearts, or the hearts of those we perceive to be ensnared in various forms of, or doctrines of, that which is not truth.  May our desire be far from just winning an argument and “being right”,  but turned to being vessels of honor in His hands (workmen approved to God- ie: sanctified/set apart unto His service) to hold and reveal truth and His glory.  For the apostle also instructs Timothy in this passage:

[2Timothy 2:20-22 NASB95]  20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these [things,] he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. 

And…

22 Now flee from youthful lust and pursue righteousness, faith, love [and] peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

This final instruction in verse 22 is the heart of what I think Paul wanted to communicate to his charge, Timothy, and is what is on my heart to communicate here.

Forget and flee your own desire  (youthful or not in my/our case) to have or be lifted up or be right.  Instead… 

Pursue 

1)righteousness which is a gift of God in Christ Jesus,  

2) faith which is also a gift of God that comes from an intimate relationship with the LORD of heaven and earth and is initiated as He speaks to you, l

3)love and peace which are the bonds and fruit of active service to and koinonia/fellowship of others in relationships He purposes for us have and grow in as His Body, 

4)with those who call Him Lord, and call on Him as Lord with a pure heart which means not  seeking manipulate anything from Him or others, but simply drawing life from Him and and living corporately in Him.

Let us together, not just alone or as lone rangers,  pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace in Jesus our Lord. Our God is a God of relationships. He is rarely found in the quarrel He is often found in the peace.  In fact it is there he commands the blessing:

[Psalm 133:1-3 NASB95] 1 A Song of Ascents, of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard, [Even] Aaron’s beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes. 3 It is like the dew of Hermon Coming down upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing–life forever.

[Philippians 2:12-15 NASB95] 12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for [His] good pleasure. 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15 sothat you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,

Paul, who had faced many trials and persecutions and troubles is writing this church at Philippi, a church also under persecution and encouraging them.  Much is made of the phrase “work out your salvation with fear and trembling”   That is so because it generally is applied to our eternal salvation and deliverance from sin.  

I submit that is not consistent with the scriptures indicating salvation is a gift by grace through faith, nor is it consistent with the context.  I believe Paul is speaking of their salvation from persecution, the ongoing jailing, and being burned as torches in Nero’s gardens. Paul was writing, himself, from house imprisonment chained to guards. Our eternal salvation is secure and requires no fear and trembling. But our current challenges and circumstances often do require us to move through, work out, our fears and anxieties in them. Paul’s instruction is to turn us toward God. A God who is at work in us, even through our experiences to display His nature and accomplish His will and His work for His good pleasure or purpose.  As he would say to the Romans (8:21) “If God is/be for us, Who is/can be against us?

Then the apostle gives instruction regarding behaviors that will result in them shining as
lights in the world even among a dark and perverse generation.

Peter shares the same kind of encouragement:

[1Peter 4:16-17, 19 NASB95] 16 but if [anyone suffers] as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. 17 For[it is] time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if [it] [begins] with us first, what [will be] the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? … 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

The point of this reminder that God is at work in us, is to encourage us all to keep a Kingdom perspective. A viewpoint and paradigm that  there is a King, a Lord, with whom we have to do that is Sovereign God. He is in control, He is doing what is right even when we may think differently. Seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness involves entrusting ourselves to Him, and comprehending that He is working in the world today, and much, if not most, of what He is doing, He is doing through you and me as the corporate expression of the Body of Christ in the earth. It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for [His] good pleasure.

Last week I mentioned a proverb that indicates that the hearts of kings are like water channeled through His (God’s) fingers as He turns them wherever He wants them to go. ( [Proverbs 21:1 NASB95] 1 The king’s heart is [like] channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes. 

A Kingdom perspective involves recognizing a King is ruling in His domain. His place of dominion.  And, being in that domain, believers are under His authority, as citizens and ambassadors of the Kingdom of God. As such, we express the present reality of that Kingdom and our King, the Lord Jesus and who is one (echad/inseparable) with the Father/God.

[Colossians 2:6-10 NASB95]6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, [so] walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted [and now] being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, [and] overflowing with gratitude. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. 9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; 

His Lordship over all things is established, for He is God, the fullness of God dwelling in Him in bodily form.   Capture that if you can. Imagine it, meditate on it, let it sink in.    Then consider that you have been made, by the power of rebirth in Him, complete. In Him you are without lacking, finished. And you may rest, as a part of His body, the fullness of Him that fills all in all (Ephesians 1:22-23) in His complete and sovereign rule and authority. He has been given first as Head over His body, the church.

Obviously, there is some deep theology here.  And, just as obvious, is the reality of our daily experiences which often include challenges and dealing sometimes, if not often, with suffering and pain, and sometimes persecution, and even death. These “in the world” but “not of it” experiences may cause you/us to question the present reality of the Kingdom we are citizens of and ambassadors for. 

But the reality of our King and His Kingdom is nevertheless present.  Jesus saw it so, and we have need of comprehending it, and seeing ourselves as representatives of His Kingdom,  as He did in the face of judgment, pain, suffering, and persecution.

[John 18:36-37 NASB95] 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of (literally – not derived from) this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” 37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say [correctly] that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”.

Jesus spoke of His Kingdom as a reality calling it “My kingdom”  and explaining My Kingdom is not of this realm (literally – “not from here”).  Pilate takes from this that He is proclaiming Himself a king.  And without any hesitation or backing up Jesus says “You say correctly I am a king.”  Then emphasizes that He, in fact, was born for that purpose and came into the world to establish that truth. He is King, He is the Truth. He is King in the kingdom of truth. Note that everyone who is “of the truth” hears Him. 

In a side note here. In Daniel 4 and 5 the prophet is announcing a judgment on Nebuchadnezzar and 4 times mentions that  “the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind”, and that the judgment , being turned into a beast to graze the fields like a wild donkey, is to prove to him and all others this fact. 

[Daniel 4:17, 25 NASB95] 17 “This sentence is by the decree of the [angelic] watchers And the decision is a command of the holy ones, In order that the living may know That the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, And bestows it on whom He wishes And sets over it the lowliest of men.” … 

25 that you be driven away from mankind and your dwelling place be with the beasts of the field, and you be given grass to eat like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven; and seven periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes. [ see also Daniel 4:32 and 5:21 ] 

Jesus spoke of, and moved in, the present reality of the Kingdom and poured it out upon the earth even in His state of humility having taken on the form of a man.  And not just a man, but that of a bondservant serving us, and the eternal purpose of the Father, even unto the ignoble death of a criminal on the cross. (see Philippians 2:7-8)   He would also pray for us and speak of His disciples in terms of being in the world, but not of it.  And, of them making He and the Father, and the fullness of the Father’s love and truth, known in the world

[John 17:9-18 NASB95]9 “I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours; 10 and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them. 11 “I am no longer in the world; and [yet] they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, [the name] which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We [are.] 12 “While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled. 13 “But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. 14 “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil [one.] 16 “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18 “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. … 

Without great exposition here this so-called High Priestly Prayer of Jesus makes it clear we, in Him, have purpose in the world, in our experiences (even suffering, persecution, etc)  just as He did.  So, our experiences should find us looking for, seeking, His Kingdom and seeing it in our experiences rather than questioning its present reality.  May the Holy Spirit give us revelation of all that is ours, and all that is purposed through us, in Him.

[John 16:13-15 NASB95] 13 “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14 “He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose [it] to you. 15 “All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose [it] to you.

As we move through our daily lives, the joys and the challenges, may we comprehend that we are in Jesus, that we are where He is, and may we seek to co-labor with Him in what He is doing. And may we pray as He did that the world may see that we know Him, and that we have been sent by Him. May the world see us as ambassadors from another Kingdom. And, may we make the King’s name known,  and manifest the fullness of Him and the fullness of the Fathers love for Him, and His love for us in Hm. We have purpose in the world even if we are not of it  

[John 17:9-18, 24-26 NASB95]24 “Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 “O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; 26 and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

May we keep in mind..

It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for [His] good pleasure.

And through our testimony in Jesus …

 the living may know That the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind

And that is just the point! If after all the writing, speaking, energy expended  (books, podcast, films, prophecy, voicing concern, and railing and ranting) on the issues of our time; have the warnings to the culture been heard? Has much been changed?

Many believers have acted as if the Eternal Purpose of God and the Kingdom is in jeopardy.  May I encourage you today, It Is Not!

Our God still has an eternal purpose for us, and for man, in the earth. May I suggest, as in all things and particularly the building and manifestation of the Kingdom, we can easily be distracted (by principalities and powers) to run to the wrong battle, fight the wrong fights, resulting in wasting time and resources.  We must remember, as Israel coming into the promised land had proven to them many times, that the battle is the LORD’s.  We get our orders from Him. If we battle on our own abilities, and from our understanding, we will be discouraged and defeated.  You see, we co-labor WITH Him in the building and defense of the Kingdom and restoring the temple. We don’t labor FOR HIM. To do that is to displace, replace, usurp Him.  We do not force Him to do anything by our labor or even our prayer based on our desire or sense of justice. Even if we most passionately and sincerely call on Him to do so.  He has a plan and a blueprint that is His and He will not divert to ours.

As we look at 250 years as the American nation, it is obvious God has favored us, and made us a great and powerful nation. Our history, despite some darker moments and positions that have been and continue to be worked on, is that of a glorious past and His hand upon us.

That being said, it is important that we believers, here in the USA, not get too proud of accomplishments by “our” nation, nor too discouraged by what many, if not most, see as its current decline. The future and destiny of our nation beyond 250 years, not to mention that of the Kingdom of God, is in God’s hands and is permanently secure there. Much, much, much more so than if it were our hands and control.  You see, it is not about us,…  Republicans or Democrats, who is President, Muslims and Jews, Israel or Ukraine, fossil fuel or green energy, etc.  They all matter in our present state, but they are not prime determining factors apart from being tools in His hands and for His purpose.  God uses all nations and rulers according to His eternal purpose and plan. In His omniscience He is not surprised. In His sovereignty He is in control. He uses nations and their leaders as He will. ( [Proverbs 21:1 NASB95] 1 The king’s heart is [like] channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes. ) And we, as the church, His (Jesus) body, the fullness of Him that fills all in all (Ephesians 1:22-23) are the prime determining factor on the face of the planet today. What He is doing, and will do, He will do through us as a primary tool.

As the church/believers in the midst of a great nation we have a responsibility as ambassadors of the Kingdom to represent our King and stay focused on His purposes, even as we are living in “our” earthly nation and surrounded by distraction.

[Philippians 3:20 NASB95] 20For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

I sometimes think the Lord chastises us, and the nation in particular, through various leaders and political situations hoping to bring our attention and hope back to Him. Our nation was founded on the principle of God given rights and liberty. We constructed, a bit after the declaration, a constitution and government that  severely limited government and protected individual rights. It has been a blessing to us among all nations on earth.  But, over the last 50 – 70 years (post WWII)  we have seen that liberty move more and more toward an occasion to the flesh, if you will.

Independence and rugged individualism, trusting our intellect and technologies and our wealth and money has led us far from the idea of dependence on the LORD/Jesus, and more into depending on ourselves.  As I indicated, I think we often leave the Father no choice but to break our willfulness, but not our spirit and commitment to liberty, through chastising us to bring us back to understanding His eternal purpose in us as the church and Kingdom…as well as our earthly nation. 

Self sufficiency and the pride of reaching Him in our own way results in Babylon and of needs must be humbled.  

[Genesis 11:4 NASB95] 4 They said, “Come, let us build for ourselves a city, and a tower whose top [will reach] into heaven, and let us make for ourselves a name, otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”

Many years ago the political mantra of one campaign was “Yes! We Can”.  It would have fit in well in Babylon as the people sought to reach heaven on their own terms and to make a name for themselves.  That attitude is far removed from Jesus’ instruction, which we as His body have charge to manifest,… apart from me you can do nothing!

[John 15:4-6 NASB95] 4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither [can] you unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.

It is obvious nothing really matters for us but abiding in, being in, Him.  

Trump, Newsom, Netanyahu, Putin, Zelenskyy all join a long line of others Pharoah, Caesar, Herod, Pilate who held position in nations, and in His hand, but were only like channels of water through His hand for His purpose, and held next to no effect on Jesus nor the Father’s eternal purpose in Him. 

We must not confuse the Kingdom of God and His eternal purpose with the temporal. Some believer’s make this mistake and give our nation, albeit a great nation, too much weight equating it with eternal purpose and even the Kingdom of God. Yes, He loves us and has used us, has bestowed favor upon us, and has blessed other nations and peoples through us. And, He has  blessed us above all nations in many ways.  But, we must remember His heart is for all His creation and man, and they will all one day be required to come before Him, and bow the knee before Jesus and confess that Jesus is LORD to the glory of the Father ( Philippians 2:11). Jesus alone is central to His eternal purpose.

As the church/ekklesia, manifesting the fullness of Christ Jesus and His Kingdom, as His body and as His peculiar people may we be the kind of salt and light that calls our nation, as we celebrate 250 years of Declaring our Independence and liberty, to dependence on and abiding in Jesus in God’s eternal purpose. Let us call all to Him and recognize Him as LORD now.

[1Peter 2:4-5, 9-10 NASB95] 4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

… 9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE , A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR [God’s] OWN POSSESSION (KJV- peculiar people), so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

Let us consider that our God will not share His glory with those captive in Babylon, trying to reach heaven/Him in their own way, through their own plans, building with bricks (instead of stone, God’s preferred building material), and mostly…. trying to make a name for themselves.  Let us call ourselves and others unto Him, laying down our idols of material wealth, technology, and more…  tearing down the high places where the culture has called our youth and others to sacrifice before idols of – sex -drugs -“my truth” – and more.  The end of worship of these idols of our own making on these high places is being deluded and disillusioned by gods of our on making.   

May we give an example of commitment to the one true King and His Kingdom in our love for Him and each other, and in trusting nothing but Him. Jesus.  In that, may we issue a call to radical repentance and  joining us in co-laboring WITH Him in building, manifesting, and establishing the first fruits of the Kingdom.  

You see, I think with all our (American) resources, God still has purpose in the church…  in America… for effecting the world He so loved that He gave Jesus. Let us turn away from Babylon –  self made religion and the making a name of ourselves through self made success… even in “our church/fellowship” and a god made in our likeness –  and turn to Him that has called us to Himself for an eternal purpose. Let us press on and and into that for which He laid hold of us.

[Philippians 3:12-14 NASB95] 12 Not that I have already obtained [it] or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of [it] yet; but one thing [I do:] forgetting what [lies] behind and reaching forward to what [lies] ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

May this be so for us, and for us as believers (the church/ekklesia)… and,  for our part in our nation as we look back at 250 years and having the liberty to press on to His call for what is yet ahead.

As I shared in a weekly gathering announcement recently, I have found in 50+ years serving in fellowships of all kinds, there are often two attitudes found in fellowships, as well as ministers that teach in them.  One is the “Family of God mentality”.  The second is the “Army of God mentality”.  One pushes forward a “people orientation” with exhortation to love and care and compassion.  The other pushes forward a “doctrine and purpose orientation” with a call to commitment, service, and mission beyond compassion.   Neither is necessarily wrong in a given moment and situation.   The truth is we need both lines of thinking in the ekklesia/church, the people of God. And, we probably should try to find the balance between being a part of the family of God and being a part of the army of God.

As we have looked at encouragement over a few posts.  I believe we can see Barnabas was a “Family of God” guy.  As we look at Paul here, I think we may find, at least in the beginning, he was an “Army of God” guy.  But, he made a transition to understanding the place of the “Family of God” mentality as well.  Again, we may do best in an understanding of being both the Family of God AND The Army of God.

For now, let’s consider Paul’s exhortation to the church at Thessalonica:

[1Thessalonians 2:5-12 NASB95] 5 For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed–God is witness– 6 nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority. 7 But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing [mother] tenderly cares for her own children. 8 Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. 9 For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, [how] working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and [so is] God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; 11 just as you know how we [were] exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father [would] his own children, 12 so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

We find him speaking of gentleness as a nursing mother, having fond affection, of how dear they were to him, of giving his life to and for them… not just a message. And, He is encouraging, exhorting, and imploring them to walk with Jesus.   Could this be written by the same man who once was a persecutor of the church. And by one who would take such a hard line against John Mark with Barnabas, whom he had received such grace and support from, that in Acts 15 that they would split from one another and go in different directions?  

Remember, as we go forward, everyone needs, and I dare say wants, encouragement. And encouragement it is a primary reason for our getting together regularly, whether in fellowship gatherings, one on one, for dinner, or through social media.  We are equipped by the Holy Spirit, THE ENCOURGER/One called alongside to help.

In Acts 11:26 Barnabas went down to Tarsus to retrieve Paul and bring him to Antioch.  At Antioch, Paul brings Paul out in calling, training/discipling him as they served the church there for a year or so.  During that time Barnabas was giving opportunity for Paul to come into his calling for ministry to the Gentiles, and preparing him for, and supporting him in it.

[Acts13:2-3 NASB95] 2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Here we see the Holy Spirit has special purpose for Barnabas and Saul and wants them set apart and sent out to minister together. The Holy Spirit meant for them to travel together and minister to the Gentiles. Through about Acts 15 Barnabas apparently has the preeminent position as Luke references “Barnabas and Saul” several times. In acts 14 Barnabas is referred to a Zeus… the chief pagan God, and Paul as Hermes…the chief speaker for Zeus…. Paul was chief speaker/preacher/orator for Barnabas.   And in Acts 15 onward a shift takes place where reference becomes consistently “Saul or Paul and Barnabas”. Paul moving forward as Barnabas has given him support and encouragement in his calling and recognizing Paul’s powerful gifting to preach.

Also in Acts 15:36-39 as they were planning return visits to the fellowships they had established, they had a disagreement over Mark, a young disciple, and split from one another.

[Acts15:38-40 NASB95] 38 But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him (Mark) along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.

It appears that Paul had learned very little from Barnabas. Paul held Mark’s failure in their first journey against him. Barnabas wanted to extend grace and bring him along (in more ways than one). Paul would not have it.  Paul would not act or do toward Mark the way Barnabas had done toward Saul in this situation.  But, I do believe Barnabas had left an imprint on Paul.

Paul had been an insensitive murderous zealot for the Jews and persecutor of the Church, holding the coats of those that stoned Stephen and getting papers of authority to track down believers and bring them to “justice” and stop the Jesus heresy.

Where Barnabas was people oriented. Paul was doctrine and purpose oriented. His early life as a zealot for Judaism had made him so, laying that doctrine foundation. He was doctrine oriented. He had had the scriptures/word placed in him and he believed in handling it, the law, accurately. He brought those foundations with him, as many of us do as believers. And, then over time we are changed.

This doctrine orientation served him well, and Barnabas supported him in it as Paul preaches boldly from the prophets in Acts 13 and 14. Paul (and Barnabas) is even persecuted for his preaching. Paul is a man of the word holding it up high and preaching Christ from it. He committed to it no matter the cost to himself or others.

Barnabas was family of God oriented. Paul was doctrine oriented initially valuing commitment beyond compassion with Mark.  But, Paul, like all of us, was in the process of becoming like Christ.   I think the split with Barnabas and Mark, may have made Paul do some serious thinking about Barnabas. That’s why in Acts 16 we see him take a chance on Timothy, a Greek, laying his reputation on the line by doing so. He wanted to bring this young disciple along, giving opportunity to learn and minister, nurture him in the faith, bring out his calling. I think he learned something by the split with Barnabas and had thought of his example. He is exemplifying the way Barnabas worked with him in the way he now treats this Greek convert//disciple Timothy.  (Side note: Paul and Mark must have reconciled because Paul would later write to bring Mark to him for he was profitable in the work  2Timothy 4:11)

[Acts 16:1-3 NASB95] 1 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, 2 and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

I can’t help but believe, Paul was impacted by Barnabas and made the transition to balancing doctrine and compassion.  You can’t write 1 Corinthians 13 without that compassion. Love is patient, kind, not jealous or arrogant, keeps no score of wrongs, bears, hopes, believes, and endures all things.  I wonder if he wasn’t thinking about Barnabas and Mark when he wrote those words.

Paul developed an ability to be an encourager. And, I think he saw unselfishness, as in Barnabas, as the foundation of encouragement.

In Acts 17 we read of a visit to Thessalonica that was not pleasant. Angry mobs and threats. At Thessalonica they had to leave under cover of darkness to Berea, and then be escorted under safety to Athens.  This brings us to the scripture referenced at the beginning of this article; 1^st Thessalonians 2: 5-12.  This passage at first glance does not appear to be saying much about encouragement. But it does, and particularly from the “family of god” perspective.

[1Thessalonian 2:7-12 NASB95] 7 But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing [mother] tenderly cares for her own children. 8 Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. 9 For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, [how] working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and [so is] God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; 11 just as you know how we [were] exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father [would] his own children, 12 so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

The underlined segments in verse 7 and 10-11 make it clear the “family of God” has moved into Paul’s heart. Verse 8 reveals a people orientation has become a focus as he commits his life to them… not just the gospel message. Compassion and commitment have found balance in pure motives in the face of even hardship in verse 9. And he references upright and blameless behavior…. Christlikeness if you will… or perhaps… Barnabas like behavior in verse 10.  And, in verse 11 “each one” indicates a one on one people orientation in their exhorting and encouragement. This is intimate and personal ministry to those in the “family”.

Paul had discovered the balance between doctrine and people orientation. The Army of God and The Family of God.  He understood people want to see Christianity (Christ) not just hear (about) it, Him or His message.

The practical application is that we must be encouragers… treating one another with gentleness and compassion. Proverbs 1 indicates gentleness diffuses anger.  I learned as a parent teaching my oldest girl to ride a bike, as a child at age 5, my impatience and impatient prodding did not bring her along. It encouraged her to give up. But, my loving standing alongside, picking up from falls, and positive encouragement yielded the fruit of balance and forward motion.

In encouragement we are required to be self-giving. Self-centeredness is central to the humanism and existentialism that pervades our culture and times, not Christianity. As Barnabas proves, where there is self-centeredness there can be no encouragement. 

The Golden rule would seem to make more sense if it were negatively stated “Do NOT do to others what you would NOT want done to you.” But Jesus turns that around, making sacrifice the measure of giving others what you would like to receive. It is a paradox. Selfish desire yielded to unselfish giving what you yourself want.  But what it does is puts the focus on actively giving of self and encouraging others in the way, and with that which, you would desire. As such you can’t just pay lip service to it, but actively and consciously give yourself to a focus on others… a people orientation.

Love is active. Romans 15 and Philippians 2

[Romans 15:1-2 NASB95] 1 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not [just] please ourselves. 2 Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.

 [Philippians2:1-4 NASB95] 1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not [merely] look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Love in the gospel and in Christlikeness is active. Romans 15 and Philippians 2 are strong exhortation from Paul regarding love, edification and encouragement in the family of God.  Put others before yourself, edify and build up your neighbor, encourage one another, all in the precepts taught and lived out by Jesus.

While we can encourage and build up one another in active service. Let us not discount the word of encouragement or comfort.  By a word, message, e-mail, call, you can lift a brother up. (See Proverbs 12:25, 16:24, 15:4, 25:11, 1^st Thessalonians 4:18, and 5:1-11,)

We live in times when lawlessness is rampant. Media and the culture have encouraged us to embrace “if it feels good….Do it “ since the 60’s. 

Jesus spoke of a time when, as lawlessness increases, the love of many would grow cold ([Matthew 24:12 NASB95] 12 “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.”)   Sometimes I think rather than face the persecutions that Paul and first century believers faced, we Western culture believers now face a more subtle form of persecution. The adversary doesn’t need to kill us by stoning, but simply lead us into death by distraction. Our persecution, rendering us as ineffective as death, comes through enticement to spiritual laziness.

We are so distracted by everything in the world around us that we can’t give ourselves to ministry/works He has called us to and beforehand ordained that we should walk in, in Jesus. Even something, made so simple by our current technology, like encouragement. Distracted by TV, entertainment, sports, social media, etc. that we can’t give ourselves to one another. Remember Hebrews 3:13 where we began looking at encouragement said “encourage one another day after day …. so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”  Distraction creeps and sneaks in and deceives. Remember the only treasure you can lay up in heaven is people. Nothing else goes to the other side.

Acts 11 Barnabas began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;

Acts 14 Barnabas and Paul were strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith,…

In Paul’s letter to Corinth he speaks of the importance and place of encouragement.  I will not go into detail fleshing out this passage, Perhaps another time.  But just know every place here you see the word “comfort”… it could have also been translated as “encouragement”.

[2Corinthians 1:3-7 NASB95] 3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. 6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; 7 and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are [sharers] of our comfort.

Paul’s clear point is that he always sees Purpose in Problems. Whatever he has gone through has been so that he may encourage others who are likewise afflicted in problems. It’s an eternal and God centered perspective. One he saw in Jesus. Because that is exactly what Jesus did when He left the effluence of Glory that was His in the heavenlies in eternity past and took on the form or a man and became a servant even to the point of death (Philippians 2). 

Let us encourage one another, even as He encouraged,  and encourages us still!  Call, write, message, get together with… serve practically… one another.

RESURRECTION SUNDAY THIS WEEK.  HE IS RISEN…. RISEN INDEED!

[Matthew 28:1-8 NASB95] 1 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first [day] of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. 2 And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. 3 And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. 6 “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. 7 “Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.” 8 And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples.

Reposting with some edits and updates ,,,  for it is foundational to our faith:

Easter,  another traditional holiday on the calendar marking the reality of the historicity of Jesus.  Most calendars, however, mark it as Easter Sunday, a name that harkens to its roots as a substitute for pagan celebrations of Spring fertility in the goddess of fertility Ashtar/Ishtar.

But, for us that know Him,  we are reminded of Jesus and who He is, and was… our passover Lamb Who was slain and Whose blood has delivered us from sin. But, as much, or more, we are reminded and celebrate resurrection. We celebrate the Good News they ran to share,  from the passage above, that Jesus is now risen again from the dead.  He IS Risen! Risen Indeed!

In the Great Exchange “God made Him (Jesus) Who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him”  (2nd Corinthians 5:21)

But, as Paul made quite clear in his first letter to Corinth, that “exchange” would, and could, not have been complete outside of the resurrection.  [1Corinthians 15:13-14, 16-17 NASB95] “13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. … 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.”

Make no mistake, the resurrection of Jesus is central to our  faith, for His victory over sin was to complete His victory over the final adversary, death. The two are inextricably linked. Sin had to be paid for, and rendered powerless, so victory could be established over death rendering it powerless as well.

[1Corinthians 15:55-57 NASB95] 55 “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

[Romans 5:12,17,21 NASB95] 12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned– 

17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. … 

21 so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

[Romans 6:6-10 NASB95] 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with [Him,] in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.

[Romans 8:2 NASB95] 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

[James 1:15 NASB95] 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

[1Corinthians 15:24-26 NASB95] 24 then [comes] the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death.

It is for this reason Jesus could boldly proclaim that faith in Him, believing in Him as “the resurrection and the life “was prerequisite to being lifted out of judgement we are already under, and gaining eternal life.  Life forever!

[John 11:25-26 NASB95] 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

[John 3:16-18 NASB95] 16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Yes, as Martha responded in John 11 when asked the questions above; He is the messiah and savior, even the son of God. (“Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.”) The historicity all lines up with the prophets.  But He is so much more, and our faith is in Him risen as conquering King over death.  

Giving mental assent to the historicity of Jesus as a great teacher, or that He lived and even was crucified, or was even possibly the Jewish messiah, is not faith. As I shared last week, we have need of knowing Him, not just about Him. 

His resurrection makes Him Lord, King, Conqueror like none other. Suffering lamb slain in humility, is now Risen and Enthroned King with glory and dominion forever.

[Hebrews 2:9-11, 14-15 NASB95] 9 But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, [namely,] Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one [Father;] for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, … 14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.

[Philippians 2:8-11 NASB95] 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

[Colossians 2:9-15 NASB95] 9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; 11 and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; 12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

God disarmed powers and principalities through Jesus tasting death,…and He triumphed over them through the public display of Jesus’ resurrection conquering sin and death.  We were gloriously “raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him (Jesus) from the dead.”  We now manifest His glory and His victory to principalities and powers/rulers and authorities as His body, the church, the fullness of Him that fills all in all.

[Ephesians 3:10-12, 21 NASB95] 10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly [places.] 11 [This was] in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. … 21to Him [be] the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

[Ephesians 1:19b-23 NASB95] 19b ….[These are] in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly [places,] 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion,and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body,the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

HE IS ALIVE!  HE IS RISEN!  RISEN INDEED! And we have the honor and responsibility of having Him be exhibited as such through us to one another, the world around us, and to principalities and powers above us. 

Let us remember His sacrifice in our passover/communion. 

But, let us celebrate His resurrection as the Lamb of glory and King (Revelation 5:6-13).

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PALM SUNDAY THIS WEEK.  

This week before resurrection Sunday I am reminded of Jesus and my need to know Him not only as savior and redeemer and Lamb of God, but as LORD, King, God, source of Life. 

Let us note from the scriptures that large crowds were coming to see Him.  And by their proclamation, “BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, even the King of Israel”, it may be that they thought Him to be the Messiah.  However, it’s also possible they may have just thought Him to be a prophet/teacher, a healer of some kind, because the text makes it clear that many came because they had heard the testimony of the risen Lazarus, and wanted to see Lazarus as well.  In fact, enough attention was on Lazarus, the chief priest wanted him killed as well because many were believing in Jesus because of him.  Either way Jesus was pointing forward to the power of life, resurrection life, being in Him.   I must also say, it is possible that some, perhaps many, misunderstanding Who He was as Messiah Son of God, wanted to make a nationalistic or political king of Him. 

[John 12:9-18 NASB95] 9 The large crowd of the Jews then learned that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also; 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus. 12 On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and [began] to shout, “Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, even the King of Israel.” 14 Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written, 15 “FEAR NOT, DAUGHTER OF ZION; BEHOLD, YOUR KING IS COMING, SEATED ON A DONKEY’S COLT.” 16 These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him. 17 So the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead, continued to testify [about Him.] 18 For this reason also the people went and met Him, because they heard that He had performed this sign.

The sad commentary here is that it is often easy to look past Jesus as the Christ, Messiah, Son of God, the Redeemer and Savior. Easy to simply seek Him based on information about Him, and for what we think  He can deliver to us only. And even more easy to fail to seek Him, to seek to know Him, personally and intimately as LORD! …  and as the source of LIFE, and give Him the preeminence as God, and that is His in God’s eternal purpose. 

You may not have realized it, but there is another palm waving celebration coming, and it comes out of those that have found Him as the center and giver of LIFE even in the midst of great tribulation…and recognize Him as Lamb on the throne, King and Lord/Shepherd. 

[Revelation 7:9-17 NASB95] 9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and [all] tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches [were] in their hands;10 and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and [around] the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, [be] to our God forever and ever. Amen.” 13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?” 14 I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 “For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. 16 “They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; 17for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

I am not sure I understand the full importance of this in John’s Revelation of Jesus. But I do know that I do not want to seek Him from only that which I may know about Him or for what He can do or provide for me.  

I desire to know Him and serve Him as Lamb (redeemer/savior) and LORD (King and God).  He who alone can shepherd me intimately, guiding me to springs of water of life, even out of great challenge or suffering. 

[Philippians 3:8-12 NASB95] 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from [the] Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which [comes] from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained [it] or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.

Very rich stuff here from Paul in the light of knowing Him as Lord, the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His suffering, being conformed to His death to attain resurrection from death.  And, after salvation and deliverance from death, pressing on to be completely given to His purpose in making me His.  

Let us consider it as we celebrate His triumphant entry into the City of God, laying palm branches before Him and shouting “BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, even the King of Israel”,

{Side Note the feast of booths implemented the cutting of branches for celebrating deliverance from Egypt/the world.

[Leviticus 23:40-43 NASB95] 40 ‘Now on the first day you shall take for yourselves the foliage of beautiful trees, palm branches and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. 41 ‘You shall thus celebrate it [as] a feast to the LORD for seven days in the year. It [shall be] a perpetual statute throughout your generations; you shall celebrate it in the seventh month. 42 ‘You shall live in booths for seven days; all the native-born in Israel shall live in booths, 43 so that your generations may know that I had the sons of Israel live in booths when I brought them out from the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.'”

And the feast was restored  as they returned from Babylon celebrating deliverance from captivity in Babylon/man made religion when they were rebuilding Jerusalem.

[Nehemiah 8:14-18 NASB95] 14 They found written in the law how the LORD had commanded through Moses that the sons of Israel should live in booths during the feast of the seventh month. 15 So they proclaimed and circulated a proclamation in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the hills, and bring olive branches and wild olive branches, myrtle branches, palm branches and branches of [other] leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.” 16 So the people went out and brought [them] and made booths for themselves, each on his roof, and in their courts and in the courts of the house of God, and in the square at the Water Gate and in the square at the Gate of Ephraim. 17 The entire assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in them. The sons of Israel had indeed not done so from the days of Joshua the son of Nun to that day. And there was great rejoicing. 18 He read from the book of the law of God daily, from the first day to the last day. And they celebrated the feast seven days, and on the eighth day [there was] a solemn assembly according to the ordinance.

Palm branches also became a sign of Hebrew nationalistic pride according to historians and books  (Maccabees) that indicate they were used in celebration at the rededication of the temple and celebrating independence, and are said to have been minted on some Judean coins as such. Chances are good that at the time of the Palm Sunday of Jesus entry, the people were seeing, and seeking, Jesus as more of a nationalistic and political entity type of deliverer, than as a spiritual Savior and Deliverer.  Misunderstanding His the Kingship/Lordship}