LookingtoJesus

February 13

Bible Reading: Mark 3

Mark 3:20-21, “Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat.  And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, ‘He is out of his mind.’”

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association, is widely used by psychiatrists to diagnose mental illnesses.  The latest version catalogs some 365 different maladies.  Generally speaking, a person is deemed mentally ill if their thinking or behavior lies distinctively outside the “norm.”  And especially if there is concern that they might cause harm to self or others.

Jesus’ family had no DSM-IV manual to consult, but they heard of the way Jesus was behaving and they deemed Him to be “out of His mind” (Mark 3:21).  What led them to arrive at that conclusion?  A great multitude, from all the surrounding regions, was following after Jesus (Mark 3:7-9).  They had heard of all that Jesus was doing (Mark 3:8).  Some had experienced His healing power (Mark 3:10).  The crowds grew so large that He and His disciples could not “even eat a meal” (Mark 3:20)!  His family heard of what was taking place.  They went to take custody of Him, for they were saying he was “out of His mind” (Mark 3:21).  At this point in Jesus’ ministry, His family members were not believing (John 7:5).  But not only were they not believing, they deemed Him crazy.  His thoughts, deeds, and words were so out of step with the norm that those who knew Him best thought Him to be mad.  They cared about Him.  He seemingly had no concern for His own welfare and spent all His time and energy in concern for others.

It should be noted that there is a sense in which we are all mentally ill.  Sin is at the root.  Sin is an insanity.  That we, God’s created, should live in a state of rebellion against our all glorious and benevolent Creator is insane.  That we, despite all the evidence to the contrary, should deny His existence is sheer madness (Psalm 14:1).  That we would enslave ourselves to damning and harmful vices that inflict harm on ourselves and others is crazy (Romans 6:21; 1 Peter 1:18).  That we would “give approval to those who practice” such damning behaviors speaks to the depth of our sin-rooted folly (Romans 1:32).  The world is a mental ward, and every sinner is condemned to it lest God intervene to affect one’s release.

Jesus is the answer to the question: “What would happen if God Himself were to come into this world to dwell among us?”  Being empty of sin and full of righteousness, His manner of life was utterly distinct from anyone born before or since.  He was untouched by sin’s insanity.  He refused to partake of the banquet fare of worldly delights but was a glutton when it came to doing the Father’s will (John 4:34).  This world has been ever-filled with sin-selfish souls greedily longing for more.  But He came not to take but to give.  He emptied Himself of all but love and gave all that He had.  When He had nothing left to give, He gave Himself (Philippians 2:5-8).  He proposed to do so to save sin-infected souls (Mark 10:45).  His family may have thought Him crazy, but God was well pleased with His Son (Matthew 17:6).  When it comes to determining who is normal and who is nuts, it is God’s opinion that matters.

Amongst the various mental illnesses listed in the DSM-IV manual, you will not find any associated with Jesus’ condition.  It is a condition so foreign to the world’s way of thinking that it defies human diagnosis or comprehension.  By the Spirit alone is a man born again and enabled to understand the things of God (1 Corinthians 2:14).  Sin’s insanity can only be cured through the mind-renewing work of the Spirit (Romans 12:2).  “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).  Don’t be surprised if the world deems you “out of your mind” for the choices you make in serving Jesus (Matthew 10:25). 

It is a good thing to be “out of one’s mind” if it means having “the mind of Christ.”

May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By his love and pow’r controlling
All I do and say.

May we run the race before us,
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As we onward go.

February 10

Bible Reading: Mark 2

Mark 2:12, “And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We never saw anything like this!’”

It is the nature of faith to take risks and overcome obstacles.  Faith finds a way when there isn’t any way apparent.  Such was the case with the paralyzed man we read about in Mark Chapter 2:1-12.

We are not told how long the man had been paralyzed. It had likely been for many years.  It would be difficult for most of us to relate to the severity of his need. Legs were made to walk, arms to do many things—but his were immovable and worthless to him.  He depended on others for all things, and that was, no doubt, the hardest part of his experience.  One would suppose that he had long ago abandoned any hope of regaining his mobility.

But he and his friends had heard about Jesus and the healings He had performed.  And he thought—they thought—that maybe Jesus could heal him, too.  But everyone else had heard about Jesus also, such that “people were coming to Him from every quarter” (Mark 1:45).  And though Jesus had come to town, there was no way “to get near Him” (Mark 2:4).  The multitudes were there.  “Pharisees and teachers… from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem” were there (Luke 5:17). The home was filled, and so was the doorway.  It would be hard enough for a man by himself to make his way through such a crowd, let alone a group of friends carrying a paralyzed man.

But true faith finds a way when there isn’t any way.  It deems its object trustworthy.  It looks past the obstacles and fixes its gaze on its object.  Someone came up with the plan. It could have been one of the friends or the paralyzed man himself—but no matter whose idea it was—they all concurred.  “What if we let him down through the roof?” they thought.  But there were still difficulties.  To carry their friend on his bed, to bring the bed onto the roof, and then let him down—it would not be easy! 

His friends cautiously made their way to the roof, then “let him down through the tiles with his stretcher, right in the center, in front of Jesus” (Luke 5:19).  “Seeing their faith, (Jesus) said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven” (Luke 5:20).  A debate then ensued between the religious leaders and Jesus regarding that matter, but the end result for the man was the same.  “He said to the paralytic — ‘I say to you, rise, and take up your stretcher and go home” (Luke 5:24).  “And at once he rose up before them, and took up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God” (Luke 5:25).

They had believed that if they could make their way to Jesus, their friend would be made well. Their faith devised an elaborate plan and propelled their laborious efforts.  “Their faith” (Luke 5:20) was rewarded and their friend was healed, body and soul.  Immobile hands and feet were given new life and steps were taken and all was changed.  The crowds “were all amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We never saw anything like this’ (Mark 2:12).”

To problems great and small, Jesus is the answer.  Sometimes Goliath sized fears and mountain sized obstacles work to immobilize us.  “Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, threaten the soul with infinite loss.”  But faith says: “He is Able!” 

Sin works a spiritual paralysis in us.  Who hasn’t experienced discouragement or defeat?  But Jesus is able to forgive and restore!   Good friends direct and encourage friends to look to Him (Romans 1:12).  Sometimes as burden bearers, sometimes as burdens borne (Galatians 6:2).  In either case, let us be careful to make our way by faith in the One who is alone able to heal and forgive (Hebrews 4:16).

Faith finds a way when there isn’t any way apparent. It deems Jesus trustworthy.  It looks past the obstacles and fixes its gaze on Him. 

Simply trusting every day,
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him whate’er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

February 9

Bible Reading: Mark 1

Mark 1:1, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

It has been well noted that Mark’s gospel uniquely sets forth Jesus as the perfect servant.  It contains no genealogy of his heritage and no mention of His birth.  His works are emphasized, not His words.  Mark 10:45 is a key verse: “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

But Mark began his gospel by asserting an essential and glorious truth—that this perfect servant is none other than the divine Son of God: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1).  These two truths—the divinity and servanthood of Christ—are wonderfully coalesced in His person and gloriously revealed in His work.  Both majesty and meekness serve as fitting descriptions of our Lord Jesus.

The many works of the servant Jesus recorded in this gospel account are indeed the works of a servant, but no ordinary servant.  He is the Divine Son of God, the creator of all things (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-16; Hebrews 1:1-4).  That He would come in human flesh to dwell among men testifies to the love of God (John 3:16; 1 John 3:16).  That He would die for our sins speaks to the extent of His amazing love, grace and mercy (Ephesians 2:4; 3:18-19).

Amongst other things, Mark chapter 1 recounts a day in the life of the Servant Jesus (Mark 1:21-34).  The events recorded all happened on one day in the town of Capernaum. 

Jesus preached in a synagogue.  We are not given the details of His message, though we know from Mark 1:15 something of the spirit of His teaching.  The people were astonished at his teaching “for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes” (Mark 1:22).

There was a man in the synagogue, who having an unclean spirit, cried out to Jesus.  With a word Jesus rebuked the spirit and it came out of the man.  Again, the people were amazed.  “They questioned among themselves, saying, ‘What is this?  A new teaching with authority!  He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him’ (Mark 1:27-28).”

On that same day, he left the synagogue for the home of Simon and Andrew.  Simon’s mother-in-law was ill.  Jesus was told about her condition.  “And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them” (Mark 1:31).

On that same day, but after sunset, Jesus’ long day of ministry came to a close in remarkable fashion.  According to Jewish reckoning, the Sabbath day ended at sundown.  That being the case, the people could now bring, without violating the Sabbath, their sick and demon-possessed to him.  So, they came.  “The whole city gathered together at the door” (Mark 1:33).  “He healed many” and “cast out many demons” (Mark 1:34).  It was a long day indeed.  A long day in the life of the Servant Jesus.  One would suppose that His life on earth was filled with many such days.  He came to serve (Mark 10:45).  Wherever you look in Jesus’ life that is what you find.  How glorious and unexpected is the servant-minded life of Jesus.  The King of Glory stepped down from heaven to earth and dressed down for the occasion.  He was amongst us as “one who serves” (Luke 22:27).   

As you read in this gospel of His servantminded ways, keep in mind that we are likewise exhorted to have the mind of Christ in putting the needs of others ahead of our own (Philippians 2:3).  He has called us to follow in His servant-minded steps.

This is our God, the Servant King,
He calls us now to follow Him;
To bring our lives as a daily offering,
Of worship to the Servant King

February 8

Bible Reading: Matthew 28

Matthew 28:2, “And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.”

It was an enormous stone!  According to Mark’s gospel, “it was extremely large” (Mark 16:4).  In his book, Who Moved the Stone, Frank Morison called the stone at Jesus’ tomb “the one silent and infallible witness in the whole episode—and there are certain facts about this stone which call for very careful study and investigation.”  He went on to say: “Let us consider first its size and probable character… no doubt the stone was large and consequently very heavy.  This fact is asserted and implied by all the writers who refer to it.  Mark says it was ‘exceeding great.’ Matthew speaks of it as a ‘great stone.’ Peter says, ‘for the stone was great.’ Additional testimony on this point is furnished by the reported anxiety of the women as to how they should move it (Mark 16:3).  If the stone had not been of considerable weight the combined strength of three women should have been capable of moving it.  We receive, therefore, a very definite impression that is was at least too weighty for the women to move unaided.”  (Frank Morison, Who Moved the Stone?, London: Faber and Faber, 1967).

Some suggest that the stone weighed somewhere between 3000 and 4000 lbs and was of sufficient size and weight such that “twenty men could not roll away.”  The stone was just one of the security measures Pilate had put in place.  He sent a guard (16 soldiers) to secure the tomb, instructing them to “make it as secure as (they knew) how” (Matthew 27:65).  Those Roman soldiers were proud and capable—they failed in a given task under penalty of death.  The guard set a “seal on the stone.”  A. T. Robertson commented that the method of sealing was “probably by a cord stretched across the stone and sealed at each end as in Daniel 6:17… The sealing was done in the presence of the Roman guards who were left in charge to protect the stamp of Roman authority and power.”

The soldiers, the seal, and the stone were set in place.  They had done everything they could to make the grave secure—but how can you lock up the Creator in a cave?  “It was impossible for Him to be held in (death’s) power” (Acts 2:24).  The entire Roman army would not have been able to keep Jesus tomb bound.  The Devil himself could have sealed the tomb with titanium bands and it would have done him no good.  Mountain atop mountain would not have kept entombed He “who is the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).

The stone was rolled away not to let Jesus out (the Creator is not bound by such things), but to let the witnesses in.  They came to the tomb and found “an angel of the Lord (who had) descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it” (Matthew 28:2).  They entered the tomb and saw for themselves, “He has risen, just as He said” (Matthew 28:6).  The Roman soldiers witnessed the security breach.  They went to the leaders, who then bribed them to lie (Matthew 28:11-15).

He rose from the dead.  He presented Himself alive to the apostles (and others) “by many convincing proofs” (Acts 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8).  They, having been commissioned by the Risen Lord, went forth boldly proclaiming His death and resurrection (Acts 2:23-24; 3:15; 4:10; 4:33; 5:30; 10:39-40; 13:39-40).  Most of them suffered martyrdom for the gospel message that they faithfully and zealously preached.

There are many in our day who, in their effort to “suppress the truth” (Romans 1:18), foolhardily believe that they can somehow shove Jesus back into the tomb.  The problem is—He is the risen Lord!  And He’s coming again!  And no manipulation of man—no matter how clever or strong—can erase that truth.  He lives inside the heart of the believer (2 Corinthians 13:5).  The “surpassing greatness of His power” is at work in their lives (Ephesians 1:19).  No grave will hold them either—when Christ comes for His own (1 Corinthians 15:22-23).

Because of an empty tomb and a Risen Lord, a living hope is availed in this dying world to those who believe.  

Satan’s forces crumbled
Like a mighty wall
The stone that held Him
In was rolled aside
The Prince of Life in glory
Was lifted over all
Now earth and heaven echoes with the cry

He is Lord He is Lord
He is risen from the dead
And He is Lord
Ev’ry knee shall bow
Ev’ry tongue confess
That Jesus Christ is Lord

February 7

Bible Reading: Matthew 27

Matthew 27:54, “When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!’”

The eternally praised Son of God stepped way down from Heaven’s glory when He became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14).  He who had heard nothing but angelic praise was subjected to a dissonant song in His earthly ministry.  In response to His mission of mercy, praise and thanksgiving were the exception, not the rule.

We were created to glorify God.  He is altogether worthy of our praise and adoration (Isaiah 6:1-4).  But sin has worked to bedeviled our hearts and mouths.  We are by nature a “people of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5).  Lips made to praise are prone instead to sing a disharmonious tune.

The gravity and extent of man’s sin problem were vividly demonstrated at Calvary.  Given the choice between freeing Barabbas, a notorious prisoner (Matthew 27:16-21), or Jesus—the multitudes chose Barabbas.  Having been thus persuaded by the chief priests and elders, they called for His death.  “Let Him be crucified!” they all said (Matthew 26:22).  Pilate asked, “Why, what evil has He done?”  But they kept shouting all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”  (Matthew 27:23).  In a cataclysmic act of injustice, the jury of rebels demanded that their Maker die.

A growing chorus of voices joined in the malignant and abusive song.  The soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorian, where He was surrounded by an entire Roman battalion.  They stripped Him, put a scarlet robe and crown of thorns on Him, and placed a reed in His right hand.  “They kneeled down before Him and mocked Him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ (Matthew 27:29).  “And they spat on Him and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head.  And after they mocked Him, they took His robe off and put His garments on Him, and led Him away to be crucified” (Matthew 27:31).

As He hung there on that cross, “those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads, and saying, ‘You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself!  If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross” (Matthew 27:39-40).  “In the same way, the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him, and saying, ‘He saved others; He cannot save Himself.  He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we shall believe in Him’” (Matthew 27:41).  “And the robbers also who had been crucified with Him were casting the same insult at Him” (Matthew 27:44).

At Calvary, the full measure of the man’s alienation in sin was made evident in that cacophony of rebellious scorn.  In response, Jesus spoke as He had walked.  And through His willing sacrifice, the glory of God was likewise vividly displayed.  He who never sinned did not sin in His words (1 Peter 2:22-23).  Instead, He expressed both concern and forgiveness for others (Luke 23:34; John 19:26-27).  His final words, “It is finished,” being the most precious of them all.  For in His work “He Himself bore our sins in His body… that we should die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed” (1 Peter 2:24).  Because of His work, by faith in Him, rebellious hearts are changed and mocking tongues are Spirit-led to sing a better song.

Rebel sinners still sing that mocking tune.  It is His name they curse (1 Corinthians 12:3), His cross they count as foolish (1 Corinthians 1:23), and His return they mock (2 Peter 3:3).  But a marvelous transformation takes place when a person is born-again—rebel sinners are transformed into worshippers (1 Corinthians 12:3).

There will come a day when “every tongue (will) confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:11).  A multitudinous choir of the redeemed will sing a song of heart-felt adoration: “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever” (Revelation 5:8-14).  In Heaven, no mocking voices will be heard, only praise.

Man’s desperate need and God’s glorious provision were both vividly demonstrated in Jesus’ death on the cross!

Man of sorrows what a name
for the Son of God, who came
ruined sinners to reclaim:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
in my place condemned he stood,
sealed my pardon with his blood:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

February 6

Bible Reading: Matthew 26

Matthew 26:3-4, “Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him.”

Matthew 26:12-13, “In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial.  Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

The older I get, the better I understand the depth of the truth of what John the Apostle wrote, “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19).  Of course, it’s been that way in this world ever since the pandemic of sin was unleashed in the fall of man.  If he’s honest with himself, any good student of history or reader of today’s news is aware of such things.  Such truths might lead us to cynicism and despair, were it not for that sad truth’s triumphant counterpart, declared by Jesus Himself, “But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

This chapter speaks to the particulars of the epic good-vs-evil work of Christ in defeating sin at the cross.  It’s important to note that none of the events that happen here-in the events leading up to Jesus’ death—happen by accident.  All is, as Peter would henceforth proclaim, “according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:23).  Jesus was aware of the conspiracy against Him and repeatedly acknowledged His submission to God’s plan and the corresponding need for the Scriptures to be fulfilled in all (Matthew 26:1-2, 12, 26-29, 36-46, 54-56, 63).

There are plenty of villains to read about in this chapter.  Failures too, even amongst Jesus’ beloved friends.  In this evil world, it’s not so hard to garner support for an evil cause.  In the palace of the high priest, the religious leaders gathered to plot together how to arrest and kill Jesus.  One of Jesus’ own disciples, Judas, was devil-led to betray Jesus in making a deal with them.  Jesus shared a last supper with His disciples, the shared bread and wine symbolic of His body and His blood.  Incredibly, a dispute then arose amongst those very same disciples “as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest” (Luke 22:24).  Then Jesus warned His disciples of their pending desertion and denial.  Later, while Jesus prayed, the disciples slept.  When He was done praying, they came to arrest Him.

Amidst all this despicable and tragic plotting of evil men and regrettable failure of Jesus’s own disciples, we read in the chapter of the surprising and dare we say, ‘heroic,” actions of Jesus’ friend, Mary (Matthew 26:6-13).  John 12:1-8 likewise speaks of what happened there.  They are at Simon the Leper’s house, and while we don’t know for sure the identity of this particular Simon (Simon was a common name), we do know he had been a leper.  Undoubtedly, he had been healed by Jesus.  Also there, according to John’s gospel, were Mary and Lazarus.  Mary, who had previously “sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching” (Luke 10:39).  The same Mary who had confidently argued to Jesus how He could have prevented her brother, Lazarus, from dying (John 11:32).  But then Jesus miraculously raised him from the dead.  These folks were all witnesses of Jesus’ miracles.  They loved Him.

At that dinner, Mary did the most astounding thing!  And it would have taken some gumption to do what she did in front of all those men.  She took an “alabaster flask of very expensive ointment and she poured it on his head” (Matthew 26:7).  According to John’s gospel, she also “anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair” (John 12:3).  “The whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume” (John 12:3).  The perfume was incredibly expensive, worth a year’s worth of wages!  The disciples, especially Judas, were indignant, “Why was this ointment not sold for 300 denarii and given to the poor?” (John 12:5).  But Jesus explained her actions this way: “In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial.  Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her” (Matthew 26:12). 

Jesus also said, “She has done a beautiful thing to me” (Matthew 26:10).  Against the backdrop of conspiracy and betrayal and abandonment and denial, Mary’s act of loving devotion stands out like a beautiful flower in an arid desert.  It’d not be possible for us to ascertain the extent to which Mary understood the what’s and why’s of what would soon happen to Jesus.  But by faith, she understood the truth about His identity and by faith she loved Him.  Her loving act won her a global and undying memorial.

Amidst the evil doings we read about in this chapter, don’t miss the beauty of the loving devotion that rises above it.  The loving devotion of the Savior who willingly and fully submitted Himself to the Father’s plan and, in so doing, provided a way of salvation for us.  And the loving devotion of a woman who, having some foresight, poured out her sacrifice even as Jesus was preparing to pour out His life.

In this dying world, acts of love done in Jesus’ name are as an aroma of life, instructing and reminding us of the life and beauty of Jesus and His loving sacrifice for our sins.

Broken and spilled out just for love of You, Jesus.
My most precious treasure, lavished on Thee;
Broken and spilled out and poured at Your feet.
In sweet abandon, let me be spilled out and used up for Thee..

Lyrics: Gloria Gaither; Music: Bill George
Copyright ©1984 Gaither Music Company and New Spring Publishing/ Yellow House
Music (admin. by BMG Music Publishing, Inc.). All rights reserved.

February 3

Bible Reading: Matthew 25

Matthew 25:37=40, “Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?  And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?  And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’  And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me’.”

I remember listening many times to a song by Keith Green based on this passage.  There is something about this story that strikes home with us.  Maybe because of the sharp contrast that it draws between the two groups in responding to familiar needs.  The passage (Matthew 25:31-46) has been subjected to much varied interpretations.  It has been misused by some to proclaim a “social gospel” and by others to suggest that salvation can be won by good works.  Much of the confusion occurs because the passage is stolen from its context.

John Walvoord addressed this matter: “A further distinction must be observed in that the Scriptures clearly indicate that God has a separate judgment for the nation Israel (Ezekiel 20:34-38) and in this case the judgment would include Gentiles rather than the Jewish nation.  As will be seen in the exposition this gives a reasonable interpretation of the term ‘brethren’ as in contrast both to the sheep and the goats.  Accordingly, on a strict exegesis of this passage, the judgment deals with those on earth among the Gentiles who have survived the tribulation and now await judgment in relation to entrance into the millennial kingdom.  It is accordingly not a general judgment, not a judgment of the church which has been raptured earlier, nor is it a judgment of the dead as in Revelation 20:11-15.”

So, this passage represents neither the judgment seat of Christ (a judgment of believers regarding their rewards) nor the Great White Throne judgment (the judgment of the dead regarding their destiny).  It is a judgment—to take place at the end of the tribulation—of the nations with regards to the treatment of “His brethren” (Matthew 25:40).

Another important and oft-neglected aspect of this judgment has to do with the significance of the deeds that were commended.  The things spoken of are indeed things that every child of God should do—in any age.  But understanding the context helps to better appreciate the importance of these deeds.  The tribulation will be a time of great persecution of the Jews — “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7).  The persecution will be so severe that two-thirds of the Jews in the land will die (Zechariah 13:8).  It will be marked by a satanic hatred of the Jewish people (much as exists in this age but to a higher degree).  Satan will once again attempt to exterminate them as he has done before on previous occasions.  Those faithful Jews who refuse to worship the world ruler will face a death sentence.  It is in that context that these deeds take place.  These will be deeds done at great risk to those performing them.  They will be done by faith and in love for Jesus’ brethren (Matthew 25:40).

In Hitler’s Germany, there was a great persecution of the Jews.  Jews were despised, thrown out of their businesses, ostracized, and ultimately led off to slaughter.  There were some believers in Christ who stood against the tide of that growing hatred and persecution.  They spoke out, they intervened, they hid, fed, clothed, visited, and showed love towards the Jews in that day—knowing full well that their benevolent intervention would threaten their own lives and/or livelihood.  Some were sent to the prison camps where they suffered the same fate as those they cared for.

At the end of the tribulation, “all the nations will be gathered before Him” (Matthew 25:32).  The long-standing promise — “I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse” (Genesis 12:3)—will once again find fulfillment.  We should indeed do the things spoken of in this passage—care for the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the unclothed, the imprisoned—true faith in God is revealed in so doing (1 John 3:16-17; James 2:14-17).  But to show love to God’s people in His name when great risk is involved—that’s a glorious thing indeed.  That kind of sacrificial love is even now being demonstrated by believers towards their persecuted brethren in various parts of the world.

As believers in Christ, we will not be at this particular judgment, but we will “appear before the judgment seat of Christ.”  We will then “be recompensed for (our) deeds in the body, according to what (we) have done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).  Those deeds done with His love, by His grace, through the Spirit, in obedience—will alone pass the test.  The gold, silver, precious stone-like deeds built on the good foundation of a genuine relationship with Christ will remain.  All else will be burned up (1 Corinthians 3:10-15).  Let us be careful then to show love to others and especially to those being persecuted for their faith (Galatians 6:10; Hebrews 10:34, 13:3).  God is well pleased with such sacrifices (Hebrews 13:15-16).

To act in kindness in Jesus’ name to meet the needs of others is always commendable before God.  But especially so when it involves great risk or sacrifice.  Such acts of love are in accordance with the heart and example of Jesus Himself, who gave His life to save our souls.

Out in the highways and byways of life,
Many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.

Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing.
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray.
Make me a blessing to someone today.

February 2

Bible Reading: Matthew 24

Matthew 24:1-2, “Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, ‘You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down’.”

By all accounts, Herod’s temple was a glorious structure.  It had taken a year and a half to build the temple proper and eight years to finish the courts.  Other additions continued over time such that the entire undertaking was not finished until decades later.  The temple transversed an area of some 750 feet and was easily visible from any part of the city.  Some stones used in its construction were of massive proportion (over 60X9X7 feet).  The disciples and Jesus were there at the temple.  “Some were talking about the temple, that it was adorned with beautiful stones and votive gifts.”  He said, “As for these things which you are looking at, the days will come in which there will not be left one stone upon another which will not be torn down.” (Luke 21:5-6; Matthew 24:1-2).

Jewish life revolved around the temple, the priesthood, and the sacrifices.  The temple was a beautiful edifice and of the highest importance to the Jews—the centerpiece of their Jewish identity.  No doubt thousands had walked by, day-after-day, admiring those beautiful stones.  But Jesus saw things from a different perspective.  He spoke of a day when it would all be torn down.  That day would not be long in coming.

The Jewish historian, Josephus, was an eyewitness of the 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem and wrote of it: “Now as soon as the army had no more people to slay or to plunder, because there remained none to be the objects of their fury (for they would not have spared any, had there remained any other work to be done), Titus gave orders that they should now demolish the entire city and Temple…it was so thoroughly laid even with the ground by those that dug it up to the foundation, that there was left nothing to make those that came thither believe it (Jerusalem) had ever been inhabited.  This was the end which Jerusalem came to by the madness of those that were for innovations; a city otherwise of great magnificence, and of mighty fame among all mankind.”

As with all other warnings—given by God to man—Jesus’ prediction was fulfilled to the letter.  The glorious temple came crashing down.  Jesus’ prophecy gave rise to the disciple’s questions: “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age” (Matthew 24:3).  Matthew Chapters 24-25 (aka, “the Olivet Discourse”) record Jesus’ response.  As with much of prophecy, this passage has its interpretative challenges.  Those, like me, who are of a dispensational persuasion, understand the passage to be speaking primarily of future events: 1) Verses 4-8—the present church age; 2) Verses 9-26—the future tribulation; 3) Verses 27-51—the future second advent and exhortation to watchfulness; and 4) 25:1-46—future judgment on Israel and the nations.  The rapture, later revealed to (and through) the Apostle Paul, is not referenced in these chapters.

But, regardless of one’s particular interpretation, there can be no doubt that judgment is coming (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; 2 Peter 3:3-13; Jude 14-16).  These prophecies will likewise be fulfilled to the letter.  The temple was indeed torn down, but refuge is to be had in another.  Jesus had spoken on a previous occasion of the destruction of that temple: “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19).  That statement was later used to falsely accuse Him (Matthew 26:61).  But He had been speaking of His body: “When therefore He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture, and the word which Jesus had spoken” (John 2:22).

Judgment is indeed coming.  Far more than a temple will be destroyed (2 Peter 3:10).  How shall anyone escape?  The “glorious gospel of the blessed God” is the power of God to save (1 Timothy 1:11; Romans 1:16).  “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures… He was buried… and He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3).  It is the destruction of His temple (His body) and His subsequent resurrection that serves as the basis for one’s salvation.  He’s even now building a temple that will stand for all eternity (Ephesians 2:19-22).

Judgment is indeed coming.  Far more than a temple will be destroyed.  How shall anyone escape?  Jesus alone has the power to save.

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.

Though they are slighting Him, still He is waiting,
Waiting the penitent child to receive;
Plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently;
He will forgive if they only believe.
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.

February 1

Bible Reading: Matthew 23

Matthew 23:1-3, “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice’.”

Remember that scene in “The Wizard of Oz?”  Dorothy and her friends overcame many obstacles in making their way to the Wizard—assuming that he could somehow help them.  They entered his chamber and were confronted by an awesome and frightening display.  His voice loudly bellowed out from a super-sized face.  Flashes of flame ushered forth around them.  They shrank back in fear.  But then Toto (the dog) started barking at something behind a curtain.  So, they pulled it back, only to find a small man pulling levers.  The Wizard was not who he appeared to be—he was not a great and awesome wizard—he was a little man putting on a show.

The Lord Jesus pulled back the curtain and unveiled the truth regarding the Pharisees.  No stronger words of condemnation would pass from His lips.  Eight “woes” were declared unto them.  The word was a warning of pending doom.  The omniscient and righteous Lord saw through their religious veneer—they had been “weighed on the scales and found deficient” (Daniel 5:27).  Their doom was assured (Matthew 23:33).

They were hypocrites.  Seven times that word appears.  The word was used in that day to describe an “actor, stage player, or pretender.”  They were making a good show of religion, but it was all for show.  They did not do as they taught (23:3-4).  They were false shepherds who cared not for the sheep (23:4).  Their deeds were done, not for God, but to be noticed by men (23:5).  They loved places of honor and prestigious titles (23:23:6-10).  They had no capacity to serve and reveled in pride (23:11-12).  They were caretakers of the broad path that leads to destruction (23:13).  They took advantage of widows, while pretending to care (23:14).  They would travel far to make converts to their false religion (23:15).  They were dishonest (23:16-22).  They carefully observed countless traditions but neglected “the weightier provisions of the law” (23:23-24).  They observed various external “washings,” but their hearts were full of “robbery and self-indulgence” (23:25-26).  They were “whitewashed tombs…full of dead men’s bones” (23:27-28).  They feigned honor for the prophets of old but would mistreat future ones (23:29-36).  They epitomized a “righteousness which is in the Law” (Philippians 3:6).  Others esteemed them.  Measured by that standard, they might have gotten away with it.  But the standard is not man (2 Corinthians 10:12), but God (Hebrews 4:13).

The contrast between Jesus and the Pharisees could not be greater.  Jesus did as He taught.  He did not do to please men, but His Father (John 4:34).  He came not to lay burdens, but to give rest (Matthew 11:28).  They were false shepherds; He is the Good shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep (John 10:1-11).  They loved places of honor, He laid aside His divine privileges and became poor that we might be made rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).  They had no capacity or desire to serve, He came to serve and give His life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).  They were caretakers of the broad way; He is the narrow (Matthew 7:13-14).  They took advantage of the unfortunate, He cared for sick, the blind, the demon-possessed, the widows, the children (Matthew 19:13-14; 21:14).  They elevated their traditions, He perfectly fulfilled God’s law (Matthew 5:17-19).  They were whitewashed tombs, “in Him was life” (John 1:4).

We do this text a disservice if we merely apply it to people long ago in a place far away.  The mind of Jesus is revealed to us in His strong rebuke.  What did Jesus think of the Pharisaic cult?  We know from His words.  What does Jesus think of religious hypocrisy?  Can any “self-made religion” (Colossians 2:23) substitute for that which God requires?  The righteousness that is bound up in Christ is alone acceptable before God.  No amount of religious activity can substitute for that.  We are all full of dead men’s bones (Ephesians 2:1), apart from God’s intervention.  We are all whitewashed tombs unless we have been called forth like Lazarus from our graves (John 11:43; Ephesians 2:5).  The sins of the Pharisees are common amongst men.  Pride, hypocrisy, self-indulgence, taking advantage of others—these sins are not reserved for the cultists alone.  Any religion that invests heavily in self-effort is inevitably hypocritical because heart-change is Christ’s doing, not ours.  In Christ alone, we receive forgiveness and transformation.  Are you fully invested in Christ and His finished work on the cross?  Are you born again?  That’s the question. 

Having begun by faith in Jesus, is your walk now characterized by “purity and simplicity of devotion” to Him (2 Corinthians 11:3)?  Anything less or else is bad religion.

I have one deep, supreme desire,
that I may be like Jesus.
To this I fervently aspire,
that I may be like Jesus.
I want my heart His throne to be,
so that a watching world may see
His likeness shining forth in me.
I want to be like Jesus.

January 31

Bible Reading: Matthew 22

Matthew 22:22, “And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son’.”

In Jesus’ day, a wedding was cause for grand celebration accompanied by joyous festivities.  Relatives and friends would sometimes travel great distances to take part.  Neighbors would join in.  Many marriages were deliberately planned for the fall, after harvest, to ensure greater attendance.  The celebration would go on for days.  People would dance, sing, and play musical instruments.  Food and wine were served in abundance.  It was something you would want to go to.

In the third of the “rejection” parables (Matthew 21:28-32; 33-44; 22:1-14) Jesus compared the Jews to those invited to a wedding feast.  The King, God Himself, was to give a wedding feast.  The feast was to honor the Son (Make note of this for it is essential to a correct understanding of the parable).  He sent out His slaves to call those who had been invited.  The slaves represent John the Baptist and the disciples.  They were commissioned to go to the Jews and publicly proclaim the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 3:2; 10:5-7).  The invitation was made.  But the people were unwilling to come.  They refused to accept their Messiah (John 1:11).

Another invitation was made.  The dinner was prepared, and everything was made ready.  This invitation took place post-resurrection.  Christ had died for sins and had risen from the dead.  Salvation from sin was freely offered, and some believed.  But most did not.  New Testament “slaves” took the invitation (the gospel message) first to the Jews (Acts 13:46).  Their message was directed to God’s chosen people.  But, for the most part, they paid no attention.  Some busied themselves at “the farm” and the “business” (Matthew 22:5).  The rest seized the slaves and mistreated and killed them.  And so, it happened in the early church.  The invitation went out, but the couriers were ill-received.  Starting with Stephen, many were martyred.  Saul himself was a party to the murderous response — ‘til God saved him.

So, the King was naturally enraged.  He sent armies and destroyed their city.  The parable/prophecy was fulfilled in AD 70 when the Romans attacked and ransacked Jerusalem.  Thousands upon thousands were killed.  Others were taken off into captivity.  The temple itself was destroyed and burned.

So, the invitation was directed to others.  The King sent out slaves into the main highways and streets.  Both “evil and good” were invited.  Through the Jewish rejection, the gospel message has been extended to others (Acts 13:46; Romans 11:11, 25), indeed people from “every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Revelation 4:9).  “And the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests” (Matthew 22:10).  But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw there a man not dressed for the occasion (Matthew 22:12).  When asked how he had entered, the man was “speechless.”  In the presence of the king, he had nothing to say.  The man was bound and cast into “the outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 22:13).  The man was a mere professor and not a possessor, a tare amongst the wheat (Matthew 7:15-23; 13:24-30).  Lacking Christ’s imputed righteousness, any such man will be left “speechless” before God and dispatched to a godless eternity (2 Thessalonians 1:9).  “Many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14).

The Son of the King is worthy of all glory, honor, and praise.  To refuse Him is to suffer grave consequence (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).  It is not enough to mingle with other invitees.  We must worship in the right attire.  A fig leaf covering will be proven inadequate (Genesis 3:7).  No filthy garments of our own making will do (Zechariah 3:4; Philippians 3:9).  To be properly dressed, one must be dressed by God (Genesis 3:21), with a robe of His making (Revelation 3:5; Philippians 3:9).  Such garments are adorned by grace through faith alone.  They are worn with pride in the One who has provided them (Philippians 3:3; Galatians 6:14).

You are invited to a huge celebration.  Others have rejected the invitation and are rejecting it still.  The party will be to celebrate and honor the Son.  He is altogether worthy of a quick and ready response.  Make sure you are properly attired!  Nothing less than being clothed with His righteousness will do.  “Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness, My beauty are, my glorious dress!”

The dress code for heaven requires nothing less than to be clothed with the righteousness of Jesus.

Come, ye sinners, poor and needy
Weak and wounded, sick and sore
Jesus ready, stands to save you
Full of pity, love and power

I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms