Sharing Bread John 12:26

SHARING BREAD

26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.


John 12:26 (NIV)


One command, two promises – how like Jesus: “Follow me” – “where I am, my servant also will be” – “My Father will honor the one who serves me.” In taking a servant it was customary in the beginning to settle both the work and the wages and Christ here sets forth both.

Just as the scholar follows the teacher; just as the sheep follows the Shepherd; just as the soldier follows the commanding officer, so too, the professing believer in Christ follows the Lord Jesus. There is a constant command in Scripture - given by Jesus to His disciples – both then and now - for believers to follow Him. Matthew tells us:

19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Matt 4:19 (NIV)



24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Matt 16:24 (NIV)


“Obedience to Jesus’ command, Follow Me, is the key issue in every Christian’s life. As Jesus followed the Father’s will, so His disciples should follow their Lord whether the path leads to a cross or to some other difficult experience.” Bible Knowledge Commentary

Interestingly, the word “follow” carries with it a rich meaning. It is from the Greek word “Akoloutheo” meaning: “To be an attendant, accompany, go with or follow; distinguished from the occasional and temporary following of Jesus by the crowds or individuals in general; the individual calling to follow Jesus involved abiding fellowship with Him, not only for the sake of learning as a student from his teacher but also for the sake of the salvation known or looked for, which presented itself in this fellowship; the first thing involved in following Jesus is a cleaving to Him in believing trust and obedience, those cleaving to Him also following His leading and acting according to His example.” Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible - New Testament Lexical Aids.

Believing what Christ says and striving to do what He commands – even with the smallest amounts of knowledge and perhaps great infirmities; with little grace and dim hope – weak as we may be - Jesus declares these followers are His. It begins in the heart and fleshes out to the hands. To serve Christ in name alone is rather easy work – the woods are full of those proclaiming faith while all the while living debased and depraved lives with no remorse. Costing little and satisfying most people, this claim to faith lacks power because it is not grounded in Truth. Jesus shunned those who spoke of tritely following Him in name alone – those who were unwilling to follow when the cost became great. It is Jesus’ desire to wean us from this world by setting before us another world. Our world deems those who follow Jesus with whole-hearted devotion and a willing mind foolish and often rewards them with ridicule, laughter or opposition. Yet as believers we are not to seek the praise of man, rather God. Jesus tells us earlier in John:

44 How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God? John 5:44 (NIV)


As believers we are called to do the things that Christ has said, walk as He walked, go where He leads and in the way that He leads. The recompense promised the servant far exceeds the services and suffering. Those who follow Him are with Him now, those who follow Him will be with Him throughout eternity. Secondly, God honors the servant who serves His Son. God will make amends for worldly pain and loss by conferring an honor on them far beyond we should expect to receive.

“The reward is honour, true lasting honour, the highest honour; it is the honour that comes from God. Those who wait on Christ, God will honour. Those who serve Christ must humble themselves, and are commonly vilified by the world, in recompense of both which they shall be exalted in due time.” Matthew Henry

Christ and His servants shall never be parted – they shall be with Christ wherever He is – in paradise, and in His glorious kingdom. Whatever the Master has, the servant shall have also. This is why the apostle Paul could so boldly state:

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 (NIV)




Remember, Paul was not carried to heaven on a bed of down. Indeed, it is hard to even read what this servant endured as he walked on this earth. A quick read of 2 Corinthians 11 confirms that. He also tells us earlier in that same book that he desires for us not to be uninformed regarding his sufferings rather to be informed on Whom he relied and on Whom he set his hope. This sets forth for us a wonderful example of a follower of Jesus:



8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope 2 Cor 1:8-10 (NIV)




“If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.” C. T. Studd

"Barbara, the world needs to see Jesus….As long as all they can see is you, they will never see Me." Barbara Barker


"We are changed by beholding." Hudson Taylor


6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 (NIV)




What I glean from this:



• I am to follow Jesus – God will be my recompense for all my earthly pain and loss – there is no outgiving Him.


• Just as God told Abraham He tells me - "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. " Gen 15:1 (NIV)


• I must flesh Jesus out in my life for others to see – I may be the only gospel they read.

Sharing Bread John 12:25

SHARING BREAD

25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.


John 12:25 (NIV)


I find it extremely interesting how often we gloss over the “prickly” verses of Scripture choosing rather to saturate ourselves only with Its glorious promises - distorting our views of what it means to be a true follower of Jesus. Sometimes verses seem difficult to comprehend and harder still to flesh out yet we are not to pick and choose what we are to follow or believe. Scripture tells us that Its entirety is God-breathed and profitable for us:

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16-17 (NIV)

"The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others. Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian." A.W. Tozer

Our verse for today is one such “prickly” verse. Whenever we find a verse or concept repeated in Scripture, it is always done so to red flag us to the importance of it. We find the Truth of this verse repeated at least six other times in God’s Word:

39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matt 10:39 (NIV)




25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. Matt 16:25 (NIV)




35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. Mark 8:35 (NIV)



24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. Luke 9:24 (NIV)





26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26 (NIV)




33 Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. Luke 17:33 (NIV)




“We may be certain that whatever God has made prominent in His Word, He intended to be conspicuous in our lives.” Charles Spurgeon




In all these verses, Jesus is referring to our priorities. He is referring to our focus. He is to be First. He is to be our constant gaze. We get so caught up in our own lives - our problems, our wills, and our ways. Satan uses these as a great distraction from profitable and eternal kingdom works. We begin to love the world in our silken days - giving more credence to ourselves rather than our Savior yet our faith in Jesus is to be our reality and our love for Him our vehement flame. The love of the world and self taking priority over the love of the Savior is nothing new. It is an easy pattern to fall into. We must never dispense our watchfulness regarding this as it is incredibly easy to fall in this area. John gives us the following admonition regarding this:



15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)



Paul gives us the antidote for this wrong way of thinking and it concerns the focus of our hearts and minds. Our thoughts and desires are to be heavenly minded which always affects our earthly good. Indeed, we can be no earthly good in regard to eternal purposes if we are not heavenly minded. Like Jesus, who was always about His Father’s eternal work, His followers are to be likewise. We find the following in Colossians:



1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Col 3:1-4 (NIV)




Remember Jesus’ Words on the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew regarding our lives and our inordinate worries over it:



33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matt 6:33-34 (NIV)



“Remember Whose you are and Whom you serve.” Oswald Chambers



What I glean from this:



• I have a tendency to sit on the glorious promises of Scripture rather than focusing on those that deal with changing my poor behavioral patterns. Change means death to something else – crucifixion is always difficult and a choice.


• All of Scripture is profitable for me.


• I am to set my heart and mind on things above – not on earthly things.

Sharing Bread John 12:23-24

SHARING BREAD

23 Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.


John 12:23-24 (NIV)

Jesus presents to us a precious kingdom Truth today and one of which I pray I am able to do a glimmer of justice: in the spiritual realm, glorification follows death – the crown follows the cross. In Christ, death is the means of entry into glory. Jesus fleshed this Truth out and as His followers we are directed to flesh out the same high calling.

“Calvary is God’s great proof that suffering in the will of God always leads to glory.” Warren Wiersbe

What is actually meant by these confusing statements? Seriously, are we to die to be glorified? Are we to be looking for a tree for our crucifixion? Figuratively, the answer is yes. Remember, Christ went to the cross before going to the throne. Paul clearly spells out in Philippians the order and humility of Christ’s life and beckons us to the same high calling:

5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil 2:5-11 (NIV)

In His incarnation, Christ willingly surrendered His right to manifest Himself visibly as the God of all splendor and glory. This set an example for us of humility before honor. Flesh fights this. There is something about humility and meekness that we perceive as weak. Nothing could be further from the Truth. Christ-like humility and meekness exemplify great strength and power under control – a willing relinquishing of rights for a higher purpose. It is no wonder that Jesus repeatedly told His disciples:

23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? Luke 9:23-25 (NIV)

When we selflessly and lovingly obey our Lord Jesus, the overflow of the Holy Spirit will flow through our lives into the lives of others around us – oftentimes without our being aware - because behind the deed of obedience is the reality of Almighty God. It is first being then doing. This is the whole point in denying self – our actions point to the power of Jesus. The daily crosses we are called to bear should be considered for the harvest they will bring about. The thought process our Lord had was to consider the joy His actions would produce – in His case, bringing many to glory:

9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. Heb 2:9-11 (NIV)

This whole order of things was just as shocking to His disciples then as it is to His followers now. They were expecting an earthly kingdom set up and led by Jesus. Excited by both His triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the desire of strangers - like the Greeks - to have an audience with their Master all appeared to fuel their spark of desire for an earthly kingdom into a full blaze. Jesus was well aware that they were expecting a glorious kingdom to be immediately set up in which they would have high places of authority and power. Believers today still have trouble realizing that it is not all about us – our ease, our comfort, our wants, etc. – rather it is all about Jesus and our following after Him. Our verses for today rectify the conceptions of those hearing Jesus and serve as a reminder to what He had repeatedly told them – they do so for us as well.

“Before we can pray ‘Thy kingdom come,’ we must be willing to pray, ‘My kingdom go.’” Alan Redpath

The focus of the believer in Jesus Christ is to be on Him – willingly emptying ourselves of selfish ambitions and vain conceits – crucifying the flesh with its passions and desires - in order that the fullness of the Holy Spirit may be made manifest in us. Scripture states there is no Law against these things: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. As we begin to manifest the Spiritual Fruit in a disciplined, ever increasing measure, it will certainly call for denial of self yet Scripture tells us this action will produce a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

What I glean from this:

• The crown follows the cross.


• My attitude is to be the same as that of Christ Jesus.


• My life is to manifest the fruit of the Spirit in ever increasing measure.

Sharing Bread John 12:20-22

SHARING BREAD

20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.


John 12:20-22 (NIV)


No one who truly seeks Jesus with an unfeigned heart comes away disappointed. From the wise men of the East who sought to bring Jesus honor at His birth to the women who sought to saturate His body with spices at His death – and everyone in between - no one came away from a sincere encounter with Him, wanting. The prophet Jeremiah tells us:

13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jer 29:13 (NIV)




The writer of Hebrews tells us:



6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Heb 11:6 (NIV)



These Greeks sought out Jesus at the very time the Jews sought to take His life. Who could have imagined that foreigners from a distant land would come forth asking for an audience with our Lord. These Greeks were devout worshippers of the One true God though strangers to the commonwealth of Israel. Uncircumcised, they would not have been permitted to partake in the Passover meal yet all the while they were present in order to worship fully at the Feast. They took advantage of the privileges they did have. Having a desire to see Christ, they were both industrious and proper in their approach. They made the most of the opportunities availed them. Paul tells us in Ephesians:



15 Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Eph 5:15-17 (NIV)



Perhaps these Greeks were influenced by curiosity; perhaps they surmised – as did the Magi - that Jesus was the promised King of the Jews whom the Eastern world anticipated. Whatever the reason, to their credit, they certainly displayed a more earnest interest in our Lord than their Jewish religious counterparts. Respectfully coming to one of our Lord’s number, perhaps from near their own area, these Greeks appear both persistent and genuine in their seeking. The great desire of every soul should be to see Jesus. Indeed, the privileges are extraordinary for those who diligently seek Him.

Consider Nicodemus – a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council. He pays a visit to our Lord in the darkness of night. Perhaps he did not want to draw attention to his visit, perhaps it was the only time he had available, or perhaps it was just the normal time for visitations – whatever the reason, his visit with Jesus came cloaked in darkness. Clearly, Nicodemus was earnestly seeking to understand the achieving power Christ had demonstrated. John tells us:

He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." John 3:2 (NIV)


Christ sets forth His mission and His doctrine albeit Nicodemus seemed a bit befuddled in the conversation yet later we find him defending Jesus to the Pharisees and even later accompanying Joseph of Arimathea asking for our Lord’s body in order to prepare it for burial with a mixture of myrrh and aloes. Nicodemus was privileged to hear with his own ears - through the lips of our Lord - the summary of the entire gospel and the motivating force behind it – love – and he came away a changed man:

16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. John 3:16-18 (NIV)

Like Nicodemus, our growth in Christ is progressive – He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion. We are to be persistently pressing on towards the goal of Christlikeness. Spiritual maturity is a desire to go on with Christ. This is seen here in the life of Nicodemus. I am reminded of Paul’s words to the Church at Philippi regarding our growth in Jesus:

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Phil 3:12-16 (NIV)

12 Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you. Hosea 10:12 (NIV)



What I glean from this:



• I will never be disappointed when I seek Jesus with an unfeigned heart – I will never come away wanting.


• God rewards those who earnestly seek Him – the very great reward is more of Him. He is my great Reward – just as He told Abraham, He tells me: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." Gen 15:1 (NIV)


• God’s motivating factor towards me is love.

Sharing Bread John 12:19

SHARING BREAD

19 So the Pharisees said to one another, "See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!"


John 12:19 (NIV)


It never ceases to amaze me the lengths flesh will go to rid itself of Jesus. The Pharisees’ ploy to slyly arrest and kill our Lord appeared for a time not plausible due to His present popularity - leaving these Pharisees a bit perplexed and perhaps discouraged. They appear baffled and angry and at their wits end to see their plans so stymied. Their fear of an uprising of the crowds prevented them from seizing Him openly. Any attempt to use violence against our Lord would have certainly caused tumult and probably would have endangered their own lives as well - they surely did not want to go there! God caused them to wait for His “fullness of time” before their evil deed was accomplished. We find the following in Mark:

1 Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him. 2 "But not during the Feast," they said, "or the people may riot." Mark 14:1-2 (NIV)


The Pharisees order to denounce Jesus and have Him apprehended - for the time being - proved useless and unprofitable. God is certainly able to foil the plans of man is He not? It was God’s desire to draw the attention of the crowds towards Jesus in order to make His approaching sacrifice on the cross as public an event as possible. Unfortunately for these religious leaders, this was only a slight pause - a mere comma - in their depraved actions ultimately culminating in the crucifixion. Ironically, these leaders were crucifying the very One who was dying to save them.

On mission from heaven, sent to deal with humanities gravest problem – sin – Christ became the perfect sacrifice to take away the sins of the world. At the very core of all of humanities problems we will discover this one issue – sin – and only the cross of Christ can effectively deal with this grave problem. Sin is the impetus behind every action of death. When sin entered the world through the choice of our first mother and father – death entered the world. God tells Adam:

15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." Gen 2:15-17 (NIV)



“Sin is the dare of God’s justice, the rape of His mercy, the jeer of His patience, the slight of His power, and the contempt of His love.” John Bunyan

People throughout history have offered a myriad of ideas for cures of humanities problems all grossly falling short of the mark. Humans constantly seek to handle the problem their way in lieu of God’s Way.

“Politicians, diplomats, scientists, and educators talk about the symptoms but they do everything possible to avoid dealing with the core of the problem – sinful humanity. The Bible makes it very clear. Sin stains our thinking. Sin colors our decision making. Sin impacts our words, our actions, and our emotions, and it affects our will. Sin cannot be eradicated by diplomacy, politics, education, or science – great as they may be. Only the Cross of Jesus Christ can truly deal with the core of humanity’s problem. The Cross of Jesus Christ is the true answer to humanity’s desperate need. The Cross gives hope to the hopeless. The Cross eradicates darkness. The Cross strengthens the weak. Only the Cross of Jesus Christ offers relief from the pain of sin and cleanses a guilty conscience. The Cross brings joy to the desperate. The Cross overcomes evil with good. The Cross alone leads us from death to life.” Michael Youssef

It is no wonder this was why the apostle Paul constantly preached the power of the cross. We find in 1 Corinthians:

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate." 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength. 1 Cor 1:17-25 (NIV)



23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 (NIV)

What I glean from this:

• Flesh often goes to all lengths to rid itself of Jesus.


• My times are in God’s hands.


• The Cross alone leads from death to life.

Sharing Bread John 12:17-18

SHARING BREAD

17 Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18 Many people, because they had heard that he had given this miraculous sign, went out to meet him.


John 12:17-18 (NIV)

The crowds began to swell. It was a great day of popular acclaim for our Lord though sadly many had no spiritual perception of the happenings they had either viewed or heard about. Eyewitnesses and hearers of the miracle alike clamored to see our Lord as the city no doubt rang with the report. The crowd who had stood by when Jesus had simply called Lazarus out of His grave had spread the word – unanimously and beyond dispute or contradiction. The truth of the miracle was evidenced by incontestable proofs. Therefore, the news of the miraculous sign He performed spread like wildfire causing a great surge of people to come and meet this Jesus. Luke tells us:

37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38 "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" Luke 19:37-38 (NIV)


Matthew also states the following in his gospel regarding the event:

10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" 11 The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee." Matt 21:10-11 (NIV)



Since Jesus had normally avoided Jerusalem, many of the inhabitants did not know or recognize Him. Yet interestingly, this event marked the official presentation of Jesus Christ to the nation of Israel as the rightful Son of King David. Perhaps this is why we find Jesus lamenting over Jerusalem in Luke’s gospel as they did not recognize the time of our Lord’s coming:




41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you." Luke 19:41-44 (NIV)



Jesus rejected Jerusalem because Jerusalem rejected Him. He weeps over the inhabitants of the city because they did not comprehend the significance of what was going on in their day – they did not recognize the time of God’s coming to them. They received God’s grace in vain. This begs the question for us as well. Have we recognized the time of God’s coming to us? Have we embraced the Prince of Peace? The time of opportunity is upon us now. Paul tells us quite succinctly in 2 Corinthians:



20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. 2 For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Cor 5:20-6:2 (NIV)




In an impassioned plea Paul here addresses the world on Christ’s behalf. The sins of the world were placed on the Sinless Savior so that in turn His righteousness could be placed on those who would trust in Him. Righteousness is obtainable by faith alone through Christ alone and Paul warns us in this passage that we are not to receive God’s grace in vain. We have a most willing and loving Savior delighting to do His Father’s will to make a way for the lost and guilty man to draw near to God in peace. He loved the poor sinful world that He came to save:



16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. John 3:16-18 (NIV)




“The grace of God does not find men fit for salvation, but makes them so.” Augustine

The Lord Jesus was a most willing sacrifice on the cross and He remains a most willing Savior at the right hand of God. He is just as willing to receive sinners who come to Him now for salvation and peace as He was to die for sinners when He held back is omnipotent hand and willingly suffered on Calvary. Not only is Christ our peace, He also came and preached peace to all men on the basis of what He would accomplish. Paul states this in Ephesians:



17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. Eph 2:17 (NIV)

Costly grace is the Gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son. “Ye were bought at a price,” and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the incarnation of God. Dietrich Bonheoffer


What I glean from this:

• It is of utmost importance that I have recognized the time of Christ’s coming to me – embracing the Prince of Peace.


• As a believer, I am to be a faithful ambassador of Christ Jesus – my words and actions pointing to Him.


• God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son.

Sharing Bread John 12:16

SHARING BREAD

16 At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.


John 12:16 (NIV)


Hindsight is always 20/20 is it not? I love what Jesus states in Matthew regarding His works and Words as well as those of John the Baptist’s – when all is tallied and the results are in, the wisdom of the approach of both Jesus and the Baptist will be proved right:

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners."' But wisdom is proved right by her actions." Matt 11:18-19 (NIV)




“God means what He says and will do all He has promised.” Hudson Taylor




Indeed, the disciples stayed confused – for some macabre reason that makes me feel better! It was only after His death, resurrection and glorification that it became clear to them as it was then they received the Counselor – the precious Holy Spirit. We find clarification of this earlier in John’s gospel:



37 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. John 7:37-39 (NIV)



This certainly was not the only time the disciples had difficulty understanding what was going on around them. We find in Mark our Lord teaching His disciples yet they remained dull to His Words:



30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise." 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. Mark 9:30-32 (NIV)




I am reminded of the Words of our Lord to two of His disciples on the Road to Emmaus after His crucifixion and resurrection. His identity was veiled from their eyes and they were despondent over His death. He begins by giving them a Bible study lesson they would never forget – chastising them for not engaging their minds and failing to think through the implications of what had recently occurred:



25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. Luke 24:25-27 (NIV)


"God is at work in response to our prayers, whether we see something happening or not. If we are truly praying, 'Thy will be done,' forces are at work beyond our comprehension--and often, beyond our vision. But they are working just the same." David Jeremiah

It is interesting to me that those closest to our Lord as He walked this earth, who were also no doubt very familiar with prophecy, could have had such imperfect knowledge of both Jesus’ Person and work as well as the fulfillment of Scripture that was going on around them. Raised with notions of a glorious temporal Messiah, the disciples remained clueless and unaware of many of our Lord’s doings. Is it not difficult to change a made up mindset? They evidently remained oblivious to the fact that they were performing the ceremony of the inauguration of Zion’s king. That which was once so dark and clouded afterwards is so pristinely clear. I am reminded of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians:

12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Cor 13:12 (NIV)



"Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe." St Augustine

“The disciples found, long after the triumphant entry into Jerusalem, that they had been unconscious actors in a mighty accomplishment of Scripture. This is a thought for us all. We have not the least idea, during the greater part of our lives, how much of God’s great purposes on earth are being carried on through us and by us, without our being conscious of it. The full extent to which they are carried on we shall never know till we wake up in another world. We shall then discern with wonder and amazement the full meaning of many a thing in which we were unconscious agents during our lives.” J. C. Ryle



What I glean from this:



• Wisdom is proved right by her actions.


• I can be blinded by old wives tales, myths or a made up mindset and totally miss the Truth.


• I see poorly now but one day I will discern with wonder and amazement the full meaning of things.

Sharing Bread John 12:14-15

SHARING BREAD

14 Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written,


15 "Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt."


John 12:14-15 (NIV)


Here we see how minutely the prophecies concerning Christ’s first coming were fulfilled – every step of the triumphal progress prearranged. Predicted by Zechariah five hundred years prior, our Lord enters Jerusalem riding on the colt of a donkey – coming in righteousness and having salvation. Jesus’ earthly career was predicted and written down with precise accuracy. Our Lord slowly but steadily enters Jerusalem - surely with such expressions of graciousness and gentleness as to greatly woo and encourage His subjects, coming as the “Prince of Peace”. In the ancient Near East, if a king entered in peace he would ride upon a donkey instead of a war stallion. The prophet Zechariah tells us:

9 Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zech 9:9 (NIV)

Interestingly, in the above prophecy they are told to “rejoice greatly” and in our verses for today, the “Daughter of Zion” – representing the whole nation of Israel - are told “Do not be afraid” rather they were to gaze upon her King. Unbelieving fear is a sure enemy of spiritual joys if it is not dealt with and conquered. Fear sets our hearts trembling and our knees knocking. It is cured by constantly fixing our eyes on Jesus.

“The only fear a Christian should entertain is the fear of sin. All other fears are from Satan sent to confuse and weaken us. How often the Lord reiterated to His disciples, ‘Be not afraid!’” Isobel Kuhn

Over and over Scripture tells us where our gaze should remain. Man does not possess achieving power apart from God. I am reminded in Scripture where all of King David’s men had turned on him due to a devastatingly worldly loss. In their deep desperation, they even desired to stone David yet he chose to strengthen himself with proper focus:

3 When David and his men came to Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. 4 So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. 5 David's two wives had been captured--Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God. 1 Sam 30:3-6 (NIV)

King David also writes in Psalm 141 his secret to overcoming fear in his life:

8 But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign LORD; in you I take refuge--do not give me over to death. Psalms 141:8 (NIV)

In like manner, the writer of Hebrews encourages us with the following words regarding the direction of our gaze so as to keep us from losing heart:

2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Heb 12:2-3 (NIV)


“If I could hear Christ praying for me….I would not fear a million enemies.” Anonymous

I am reminded of Peter’s experience of walking (then sinking) on water. When he saw Jesus standing on the waters, Peter desired to get out of the boat and join Him. Jesus invited him to come. As long as his eye was fixed on the Lord, Peter was above the water yet when his gaze dropped to his circumstances – the wind and waves – he became afraid and began to sink:

25 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." 28 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." 29 "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" Matt 14:25-31 (NIV)

Fear is great at paralyzing (and sinking) us and Satan is very much aware of that. Our Lord desires for us not to be anxious about anything – constantly turning everything over in trust to Him. Paul tells us in Philippians:

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7 (NIV)


“Want of trust is at the root of almost all our sins and all our weaknesses, and how shall we escape it but by looking to Him and observing His faithfulness. The man who holds God’s faithfulness will not be foolhardy or reckless, but will be ready for every emergency.” Hudson Taylor




What I glean from this:

• Every detail of the prophecies concerning Christ’s first coming were fulfilled.


• My unbelieving fear is a sure enemy of my spiritual joy.


• I am to be anxious for nothing.

Sharing Bread John 12:12-13

SHARING BREAD

12 The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,





"Hosanna!"



"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"



"Blessed is the King of Israel!"


John 12:12-13 (NIV)


I have to believe the chief priests were standing aghast at the sight of our Lord being honored in the way portrayed by our verses for today. Having already a fixed mindset to have Jesus put to death, they now see Him exalted by the crowds. The events portrayed here would have been a very unusual sight in the ministry of Jesus. Prior to this time He had never allowed the limelight to shine on Himself or His ministry. He always withdrew from public notice and the accolades of man, retiring rather to the wilderness when the crowds desired to elevate Him and make Him an earthly king. We find earlier in John:

15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. John 6:15 (NIV)

Yet here we see Him making a very public entrance into Jerusalem with a great throng of people waving palm branches and shouting “Hosanna”. The explanation is rather simple - the time of our Savior’s departure had now fully come – He was the Lamb that was to be slain – the true High Priest for all mankind. He was to procure a transaction that would be very public on Calvary, at a time when all the tribes would have been assembled at Jerusalem and He had caused the eyes of Israel to be fixed on this event – just as He wants ours to be.

Interestingly, the men honoring our Lord were obviously not the religious leaders of the day or the great and prominent men of high standing rather the common people. Those who were paying their respect were not the inhabitants of Jerusalem but those of the countryside. Christ is often honored by the multitudes rather than the magnificence of His followers as He values men by their hearts and souls rather than their names or titles. I am reminded of the words in 1 Samuel regarding this:

7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Sam 16:7 (NIV)




Indeed, throughout the gospels the throngs that followed our Lord were often the infirmed, the diseased, the demon-possessed and the lame. Prior to the Sermon on the Mount we find:



23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him. Matt 4:23-25 (NIV)



It is no wonder then that it should be the likes of these that are bringing our Lord honor. He had even stated that He came not for the healthy but for the sick – which by the way includes us all through sin even though some yet remain blind to their illness. The first step in coming to the Lord is to realize that we all have a desperate need. Jesus tells us in Matthew:



12 On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Matt 9:12-13 (NIV)




Waving palm branches as a symbol of victory and triumph and shouting “Hosanna” meaning salvation, they acknowledge our Lord to be King over Israel. Unbeknownst to them, Christ, by His death, was about to conquer and disarm the powers and principalities of the dark world – enabling them to become free from their bondage to sin and death. Paul tells us in Colossians:



13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Col 2:13-15 (NIV)



Yes, even if these throngs had not proclaimed our Lord’s majesty at this time of His-story, the earth would have stepped up to the plate by honoring Him in crying out. All of history had pointed toward this spectacular event when the Messiah would publically present Himself and God desired this fact to be acknowledged.



39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" 40 "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." Luke 19:39-40 (NIV)




What I glean from this:



• The Lord does not consider my outward appearance rather He searches my heart.


• It is not the healthy that need a doctor, but the sick – which would include us all.


• Jesus disarmed the powers and authorities by the cross - freeing me from the bondage of sin and death.

Sharing Bread John 12:10-11

SHARING BREAD

10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.


John 12:10-11 (NIV)

There are few things so little understood as the depravity which lies within the depth of man’s heart – so few things as little realized as the true extent of the fall of man.

“Only two things have ever changed the human soul: the fall and grace, the power of Satan and the power of God. And God is infinitely more powerful. Nothing is stronger than grace. Satan doesn’t have any. God is defined by it.” Larry Crabb

In our verses for today we have solid proof of the hardness and wickedness that can be found in a heart. It is no wonder that Scripture states through the pen of the prophet Jeremiah:

9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Jer 17:9 (NIV)

Only God knows the innermost thoughts and motives of an individual’s mind and heart. While we might deceive others and perhaps even ourselves regarding our true character, we do not deceive God. We all live “coram Deo” – before the face of God - whether we choose to believe this or not. He knows our thoughts; He knows the motives behind our actions; He even knows the word before it is on our tongues. The prophet Jeremiah goes on to state:

10 "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." Jer 17:10 (NIV)




19 great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to all the ways of men; you reward everyone according to his conduct and as his deeds deserve. Jer 32:19 (NIV)




King David gives us further insight into God’s omniscience in Psalm 139:



1 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. Psalms 139:1-4 (NIV)




The chief priests could not deny the fact that Lazarus was very much alive – there was simply no explaining it away. After being in the grave four days, he was now living and moving around, eating and drinking – all within two miles of Jerusalem! Lazarus stood as a giant witness pointing to the truth that Jesus was the Messiah and these religious leaders had a great problem with that. Many of the Jews were turning to our Lord as Lazarus’ resurrection put life into their faith. These chief priests had no way of silencing Lazarus’ witness as his testimony against their unbelief was simply overwhelming. Therefore in their rebellion they decided it better to commit murder than to admit they were wrong – showing they had neither fear of God nor regard of man. Their actions bring to life David’s words in the Psalms:



5 All day long they twist my words; they are always plotting to harm me. 6 They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, eager to take my life. Psalms 56:5-6 (NIV)





2 Deliver me from evildoers and save me from bloodthirsty men. 3 See how they lie in wait for me! Fierce men conspire against me for no offense or sin of mine, O LORD. Psalms 59:2-3 (NIV)



6 They plot injustice and say, “We have devised a perfect plan!" Surely the mind and heart of man are cunning. Psalms 64:6 (NIV)




Encouraging each other with their plans of injustice, these religious leaders seek to silence Truth through slaughter. Yet of this we can be sure – it is the Lord’s to avenge, it is the Lords’ to repay. Do not be deceived, a man reaps what he sows – God will not be mocked. Each sower decides what his harvest will be. Paul tells us in Galatians:



7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Gal 6:7-8 (NIV)



I am once again reminded of God’s response to the deeds of evil men found in Psalm 37 of David:



12 The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; 13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming. 14 The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. 15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. Psalms 37:12-15 (NIV)




What I glean from this:



• There is a depth of depravity in man’s heart that I know not the extent.


• God’s grace is greater than all my sin.


• It is God’s to avenge; it is His to repay.

Sharing Bread John 12:9

SHARING BREAD

9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.


John 12:9 (NIV)

One almost gets a circus like feeling from our verse for today as we read that multitudes flocked to see both the miracle Worker (Jesus) and the evidence of the miracle (Lazarus). Curiosity is one of the most common and powerful motives in man as we love to see the sensational and to gape at things out of the ordinary. It would therefore have been a very inviting sight to curious flesh to have both Jesus and Lazarus under the same roof. News had spread of the raising of Lazarus from the dead and the people were out to gratify their curiosity with a sight of him. It appears as if Lazarus was on display with a command performance – whether he wanted to be or not!

Certainly the miracle had pointed to the power of God in Christ Jesus yet we get the feeling that many were out to gratify their curiosity rather than grow their faith. I am reminded of the words in Luke between the dead rich man and Abraham. The rich man wanted Abraham to send Lazarus to tell his brothers how terrible the place of torment was and to warn them to change their ways so that they would not have to go there as well. Abraham’s response is fleshed out in our verse today through the multitudes coming to gawk at Lazarus:

31 "He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'" Luke 16:31 (NIV)




“Miracles are the great bell of the universe, which draws men to God’s sermon.” John Foster

While miraculous signs and wonders are given to point us to God, sadly, this oftentimes is not the case. Man has a way of excusing away what he does not understand or want to believe.

“I keep trying to find a life, on my own apart from You. I am the king of excuses, I’ve got one for every selfish thing I do. What’s going on inside of me? I despise my own behavior. This only serves to confirm my suspicions that I’m still a man in need of a savior.…..O Lord be my Light and my Salvation. The disease of the self runs through my blood, like cancer fatal to the soul. Every attempt on my behalf has failed, to keep the sickness under control…Lord be my Light and be my salvation.” Charlie Peacock


Throughout Scripture God sought to get the attention of mankind through His Word and His works. He still does. He sent prophets to proclaim and even donkeys to speak yet man continued to reject – choosing rather to hold on to worldly wisdom rather than the wisdom of God which is found in Jesus. Our Lord stated to the religious leaders earlier in John:

39 You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life. John 5:39-40 (NIV)




“When it comes to hearing from God, I firmly believe the Bible is our source and authority. God's Word is like a megaphone to His people. Throughout Scripture God speaks through kings and queens, princes and prophets, poets and pilgrims. He speaks through weather patterns, barnyard animals and even the stars in the sky. God is not only creative, but He is persistent in getting our attention and communicating with us.” The Sacred Echo by Margaret Feinberg

The prophet Jeremiah states:

8 "'How can you say, "We are wise, for we have the law of the LORD," when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely? 9 The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what kind of wisdom do they have? Jer 8:8-9 (NIV)




Paul gives us the following Truth in Colossians – wisdom is found in Christ:



2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. Col 2:2-4 (NIV)




What I glean from this:

• Sensationalism sells – the curiosity of mankind is both a common and powerful force inviting me to gape at the miraculous.


• The miraculous is given to point me to Jesus.


• In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Sharing Bread John 12:7-8

SHARING BREAD

7 "Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "[It was intended] that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."


John 12:7-8 (NIV)


Having freely received from her Master, Mary now freely gives. And while she suffered rebuke from the onlookers, our Lord marveled at her heart and defended her cause against the naysayers. Jesus knew her actions flowed from a heart full of love and gratitude. She had found peace for her conscience and pardon for her sins at the feet of our Lord and she thought nothing too great to bestow on such a Savior. Sadly, many still find it difficult to contemplate zeal of any sort for the honor of Christ. Shame on us! The plain albeit sad truth is that those who feel no debt to Christ will neither do much for Christ.

“Our task as laymen is to live our personal communion with Christ with such intensity as to make it contagious.” Paul Tournier


We are never to be lacking in zeal rather we are to keep our spiritual fervor in serving and praising the Lord even in the midst of worldly criticism. Jesus tells us that we are blessed – meaning fully satisfied – when we do. I am reminded of our Lord’s Word to us in Matthew:

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matt 5:10-12 (NIV)

Jesus’ Word appears as an encouragement to those who choose to take a stand for Him in this world. Scripture tells us that we as Christians can be assured of persecution – we should not be surprised by it - as we are not above our Master. Remember, Jesus was hated from His birth on as even as a babe Herod sought to kill Him. Our Lord alerts us to the fact of the world’s hatred later in John:

18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.” John 15:18-21 (NIV)

I love the way our Lord defends Mary’s actions in our verses for today. He demonstrates His faithfulness in never leaving or forsaking us. That truth we can be confidently assured of. The writer of Hebrews tells us:

Because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." 6 So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Heb 13:5-6 (NIV)


“On Him then reckon, to Him look, on Him depend: and be assured that if you walk with Him, look to Him and expect help from Him, He will never fail you. An older brother, who has known the Lord for forty-four years, who writes this, says for your encouragement that He has never failed him. In the greatest difficulties, in the heaviest trials, in the deepest poverty and necessities, He has never failed me; but because I was enabled by His grace to trust in Him, He has always appeared for my help. I delight in speaking well of His Name.” George Mueller



Paul spoke of Jesus’ aid during his trials as he walked this earth - fleshing out the Truth presented to us in the Hebrew passage above:



16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 2 Tim 4:16-18 (NIV)



The secret of Paul’s ministry was his total dependence on the power and strength of God. Despite every evil attack he rested secure in the fact that God would bring him safely home to His heavenly kingdom. With this mindset, Paul was able to keep the “sacrifice of praise” continually on his lips and in his heart:



20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Eph 3:20-21 (NIV)




What I glean from this:

• My life is to demonstrate my personal communion with and commitment to Jesus with such intensity as to make it contagious. I am never to be lacking in zeal.


• Jesus states I am blessed when I am persecuted for His sake.


• Jesus will never leave me or forsake me.

Sharing Bread John 12:4-6

SHARING BREAD

4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.


John 12:4-6 (NIV)

Is it not interesting how far wicked men will go to diminish or belittle a worthy action? Critical and constantly nattering spirits drain the life, not to mention the good or profitable deed, out of both the hearer and the doer. In an effort to cover up their own gross inadequacies and insecurities, not to mention their evil thoughts and ways, bullies seek to belittle and embarrass those in their presence who are seeking to do the right thing. Those who have fixed their focus to follow the Lord Jesus – doing the works that He would do – must be prepared to find their actions mocked and their motives depreciated. Their words are as shards of cold judgments upon warm hearts to be sure. Yet, if we do nothing until everyone is in praise of our actions, we will accomplish very little if any good in this world. It is a great snare to worry about what others may think. I love what John writes earlier regarding Jesus’ thought on man’s opinion:

23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. 25 He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man. John 2:23-25 (NIV)




In our verses for today, Judas, being one of their number but certainly not one of their natures, was quick to find a feigned fault with Mary’s sacrificial actions. The pretence with which he covered his dislike was care for the poor, passing judgment on her pious zeal with his worldly wisdom. Judas makes charity to the poor a cloak for his covetousness. He did not care about the poor rather his interest lay in serving his own greedy ends. He wanted the money and as keeper of the money bag, he dipped into it whenever he desired. He had a reigning love in his heart for money and it became his downfall. We are to beware of anything that reigns in our hearts besides the Lord Jesus. His words on the Sermon on the Mount come to mind:



24 "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Matt 6:24 (NIV)



The word translated “money” in the above verse is from the Greek word “Mamonas” and is defined as “the comprehensive word for every kind of valuable or material good”. Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible, New Testament Lexical Aids. The object of devotion – the material good or money or whatever, is not intrinsically bad it is the love (or lust) of it that is. The priority it takes in one’s life. It is the number one place we allow it in our hearts that is to be despised. Paul tells us:



10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Tim 6:10 (NIV)



Judas was a thief and his job played right into his weakness. He began by betraying the trust of the group which eventually succumbed to betraying the Master. Oh the insidiousness of sin in a life! It seems to grow and multiply faster and more silently than a cancer cell. We must be constantly aware that where any man has fallen – turning back to loving the created rather than the Creator – going back to wallowing in the mud so to speak - there is a possibility for any of us to fall.



"Always remain alert to the fact that where one man has gone back is exactly where anyone may go back." Oswald Chambers



Purity and holiness in a life is never automatic – it must be a constant pursuit. We are not to become soft spiritually – letting our guards down of self control will open up the door for every sort of temptation towards evil. None of us are above it. Scripture tells us we are to train ourselves to be Godly:



7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Tim 4:7-8 (NIV)




Holiness is not a feeling – it is the end product of obedience. Purity is not a gift – it is the result of repentance and serious pursuit of God. Frances J. Roberts



What I glean from this:



• Evil men oftentimes belittle the worthy actions of others. Caring too much about what man thinks of me will stymie good works in my life. It is freeing to be living for God rather than to be burdened and controlled by the opinions of man.


• I cannot serve two masters.


• I am to pursue holiness.