DID JESUS GET DISCOURAGED?

This question came to my mind while reading Luke 9.

Rather than test your recall, let me review some of the events in this chapter:

Ø Vs.12-17

After a period of teaching a crowd of over 5,000, Jesus suggests releasing them so that they can find shelter and food. His apostles respond: “We’re out in the middle of nowhere” [v.12  All quotes from The Message Bible unless otherwise noted].  Jesus responds: “You feed them.” They report that all they could round up was five loaves of bread and a couple of fish.  You know the rest of the story!  Do you suppose that Jesus was a bit disappointed in His apostles? 

Ø V.22

For the first time, Jesus tells His apostles: “It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the religious leaders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and on the third day be raised up alive”  CRICKETS!  No questions! No shock!  Do you suppose that Jesus was a bit disappointed in His apostles?

Ø Vs.28-36

Jesus took Peter, James and John up to the top of a mountain. As Jesus prayed, “the appearance of His face changed and His clothes became blinding white.” Then Moses and Elijah appeared and spoke with Jesus about what was soon going to happen in Jerusalem!  During this conversation, the apostles were asleep – probably a trancelike state – but as they came to, “they saw Jesus in His glory and the two men standing with Him.” Impulsive Peter immediately spoke up: “Master, this is a great moment! Let’s build three memorials: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”  Do you suppose that Jesus was a bit disappointed with His apostles?

Ø Vs.37-43

“When they came down off the mountain the next day, a big crowd was there to meet them.”  A man had brought his demon-possessed son to be delivered, but the apostles had been unable to care for him. Jesus is CLEARLY disappointed with His apostles!  The emboldened demon created a fuss through the boy, but Jesus delivered him instantly! 

Ø V. 44

Jesus again speaks of His impending future: The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into human hands.” But, “They didn’t get what He was saying.”  Do you suppose that Jesus was a bit disappointed with His apostles?

Ø V.46

In the next verse we learn that “They started arguing over which of them would be most famous. Do you suppose that Jesus was a bit disappointed with His apostles?

Ø Vs.49-50

Immediately after this, “John spoke up, ‘Master, we saw a man using Your name to expel demons and we stopped him because he wasn’t of our group.’ Jesus said, ‘Don’t stop him. If he’s not an enemy, he’s an ally.’” Do you suppose that Jesus was a bit disappointed with His apostles?

Ø Vs.51-56

As they continued their journey toward Jerusalem – through Samaria – the locals refused them any measure of hospitality. “When the disciples James and John learned of it, they said, ‘Master, do You want us to call a bolt of lightning down out of the sky and incinerate them?’ Jesus turned on them: ‘Of course not!’”  Do you suppose that Jesus was a bit disappointed with His apostles?

Ø Vs.57-62

Along their trip to Jerusalem, three men approached Jesus at different times.

o   The first volunteered to go along with them wherever they went. Jesus informed him that they did not travel in luxury!

o   The next man that came along received the same call that Peter, Andrew, James and John had received: [Jesus speaking] “Follow Me.” But when the man asked for a few days to go and bury his father, Jesus responded: “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God” [v.60 NASB].

o   The third man stepped forward and said: “I’m ready to follow You, Master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home.”  [NASB]: “But Jesus said to him, No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”  Do you suppose that Jesus was a bit disappointed with His apostles?

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This was clearly a rough day for Jesus filled with lots of disappointments!

Yet, in the very next chapter, the Master selected seventy and sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he intended to go [10:1].

He gave them instructions:

ü Pray!

ü Be careful!

ü Travel light!

ü Don’t loiter!

ü Grant peace to those who offer you lodging!

ü Eat what they set before you!

ü Heal anyone who is sick!

ü If a town rejects you – move on!

ü Don’t be discouraged!  “The one who rejects you, rejects me” [v.16].

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Scholars and leaders who sought to encapsulate our purpose under God, stated clearly in The Westminster Shorter Catechism that MAN’S CHIEF END IS TO GLORIFY GOD AND ENJOY HIM FOREVER!

We did not come into being on our own!

And we are NOT simply the progeny of our parents!

God set all things in motion and observes each of us being formed in our mother’s wombs! 

Does God have a purpose for each of our lives?

Yes! God has a purpose for each life. The Bible teaches that every person is uniquely designed for a reason, and God’s purpose is not limited to a career or ministry but includes spiritual growth, relationships, and personal impact.

Jeremiah 1:5 [GW] states:

“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I set you apart.”

Ephesians 2:10 [NIV]

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

GOD’S PURPOSE IS TO CONFORM US TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST, AND TO FULFILL HIS WILL IN OUR LIVES!

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How are you doing at this? 

Do you suppose that Jesus has been disappointed in you?

Are you diligent about pursuing God’s purpose for your life?

Are you consulting with Him daily about how He might like to direct your path?

Are you taking advantage of the situations He may be placing you in to extend His purposes into another person’s life?

Let’s face it! We could all do better. Let’s pray about it:

King of the Universe: Father, Son and Holy Spirit:

I easily forget that You formed me in my mother’s womb!

I wander frequently, thinking that I’m a free agent who controls my own destiny!

But my freedom is to be directed by You!

I do have a free will, but I also have surrendered my life into Your hands!

I want to be of service to You!

Your path is the best path for me to take!

Honoring You will lead me to the deepest satisfaction and joy!

 

You are the Potter.

I am the clay!

My life is in Your hands!

 

You will:

Make me lie down in green pastures,

lead me beside the still waters,

restore my soul,

guide me in paths of righteousness,

always be with me,

comfort me,

prepare a table before me -  even in the presence of my enemies,

anoint my head with oil,

cause my cup to overflow,

characterize my life by goodness and unfailing kindness,

AND

You will welcome me ultimately into the house of the Lord FOREVER!

 

Because of ALL THIS,

I once again surrender myself to You and Your purposes!

Have Your own way, Lord!

Amen.

THE NOT-SO-SUBTLE POWER OF CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH!

There had never been a war between the Argentine and Chile, but in 1899 there was a frontier dispute which had highly explosive possibilities. By Easter 1900, the two armies were poised to strike and war seemed inevitable.

During Holy Week, Monsignor Benavente preached in Buenos Aires on Easter Day a sermon which was a passionate appeal for peace. News of the sermon carried to Chile and a bishop in Chile took up the message. Both these bishops set out on a preaching campaign for peace. At first little seemed to be happening and then, bit by bit, the whole country in both nations was caught up in a great movement for peace. In the end, the two governments were forced by the will of the people to submit the frontier dispute to the arbitration of King Edward VII of Britain.

A treaty was entered into which promised in the future to submit all matters of dispute to arbitration, and then a wonderful thing happened. The guns of the frontier fortresses were now useless and irrelevant. They were taken to the arsenal in Buenos Aires and melted down and out of them there was cast a great bronze figure of Jesus. The right hand is stretched out in blessing; the left holds a cross.

It was decided to carry this great statue 13,000 feet up the mountains to the frontier. It was taken as far as the railway went; it was then taken on gun carriages drawn by mules; and for the final steep rise to the top of the mountain it was dragged up with ropes by soldiers and sailors. On March 13, 1904, it was at last erected and unveiled, and there it stands.

Beneath it are these words: “These mountains themselves shall fall and crumble to dust before the people of Chile and the Argentine Republic forget their solemn covenant sworn at the feet of Christ.” On the other side is inscribed the text: “He is our peace who hath made both one” [Ephesians 2:14].

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The message of this story needs to be brought to bear in our world in 2026!

I realize that there are evil forces at work in this world and that they must be dealt with. For over three years many of us have been in anguish over the war between Russia and Ukraine! Hamas’ uncalled for violence in Israel shocked and dismayed us! And now the need to curtail Iran’s potential for massive damage if allowed to have nuclear capability is a daily concern to many!

If I’m brutally honest, I will also admit that I’ve only prayed about the Iranian War several times since the bombing began. Two of those times were when I watched the arrival of the bodies of our seven dead patriots. I don’t recall it being mentioned in the prayer time at church on Sunday [although with my hearing challenges, it may have been].

The above report reminds us that “if My people pray” God will bring about a remarkable demonstration of His peace and unifying presence!

In essence, we have the power to change these hot-spots in our world!

Do we have the desire to do so?

Will we have leaders who will call us to pray?

Will we believe that our prayers might actually make a difference?

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Gracious God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

Call us to prayer about the longstanding tensions that continue to exist internationally in our world!

Help us – as Your followers – to believe Your Word:

“He shall judge between the nations,

and rebuke many people:

They shall beat their swords into plowshares,

and their spears into pruning hooks;

Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,

neither shall they learn war anymore.”

[Isaiah 2:4 NKJV]

Remind Your Church that we have the ability to change the hostile and disrupting events in our world  -  if we will just unite in prayer!

 For Your Kingdom’s sake.

Amen.

AND THEY ALL FELL DOWN!

We know from reading the Gospels of the gut-wrenching agony that Jesus went through in the Garden of Gethsemane. Add to the turmoil of His surrender to His Father's will the fact that His closest followers grossly disappointed Him by repeatedly falling asleep instead of praying.

Jesus prayed that night - all night - in a way that is difficult for us to imagine. The scripture tells us that He prayed so earnestly that He was sweating! Luke reports that "Sweat, wrung from Him like drops of blood, poured off His face" [Luke 22: 44 All quotes from The Message Bible unless otherwise noted].

Yet, what is most important for us to realize is that by the time "Judas led the way to the garden, and the Roman soldiers and police sent by the high priests and Pharisees followed - carrying lanterns, torches and swords" [John 18:3] - Jesus had it all settled and was completely calm!
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When I was young, we would occasionally hear older believers talk about "praying through". This phrase was used to describe a pressing situation where they clearly needed a deep assurance from God! The use of the phrase indicated that the person had prayed much and fervently until God had given them a sense of assurance that He had all things under His control! [I haven't heard that phrase used in many decades!]
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Jesus had clearly prayed through that evening and had the settled assurance He needed from His Father! He had surrendered: "Not My will but Yours be done" [Luke 22:42].

As a result, He was filled with peace and calm! Let's pick up the dialogue from the point when Judas arrives:

"Jesus, knowing by now everything that was coming down on him, went out and met them. He said, 'Who are you after?'

They answered, 'Jesus the Nazarene.'

He said, 'That's me.' [TM]

...when He said to them, 'I am He,' they drew back and fell to the ground." [NASB]

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Isn't it interesting that when we read passages like this - IF we read them - we simply roll over these words and fail to catch the impact of what we have read?

Roman soldiers and the temple guards who accompanied them FELL TO THE GROUND AS THOUGH THEY HAD BEEN PUSHED BY AN UNSEEN FORCE!

All at the simple words spoken by Jesus: "I AM He!"

Don't miss the irony of those words: "I AM!" Sound familiar?

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Matthew describes the next moments that John omits:

"Then they came on Him - grabbed Him and roughed Him up. One of those with Jesus pulled his sword and, taking a swing at the Chief Priest's servant, cut off his ear.

Jesus said, 'Put your sword back where it belongs. All who use swords are destroyed by swords. Don't you realize that I am able right now to call my Father, and twelve companies...of fighting angels would be here, battle ready" [Matthew 26:50-53]?

By the way, Luke - the consummate researcher and also physician - reports in his Gospel that Jesus then turned to the man who had lost his ear AND HEALED HIM!

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Don't you want to live this way?

Don't you want to sustain an intimate relationship with the Sovereign God of the Universe?

Don't you want to have a relationship with Him that calms you in the midst of anxiety and storms?

Don't you want to maintain a spirit of peace when everyone around you is losing it?

Don't you want to heal and help, rather than do harm?

YOU CAN HAVE ALL THIS BY LETTING JESUS BE THE LORD OF YOUR LIFE AND COMMITTING YOURSELF TO KNOWING HIM THROUGH THE SPIRIT AND THROUGH HIS WORD!

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If you have 4 1/2 minutes to spare, maybe you'd like to listen to the following recording by John Michael Talbot: "Humble Thyself In the Sight of the Lord"?

John Michael Talbot is an American Catholic musician, author, and founder of the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, renowned as a pioneer of contemporary Christian music. A multi-platinum, Grammy and Dove Award-winning artist with over 50 albums, his contemplative, Scripture-based songs have influenced Catholic and ecumenical worship worldwide. 

ALL THE DISCIPLES CUT AND RAN!

In John 13-16, we find Jesus giving His final teaching message to His apostles (minus Judas). Much of what He shares in this late evening session is new information that He has not mentioned before! There seems to be an urgency in His delivery as He recognizes that this is His final lesson before His crucifixion!

He concludes this teaching time by emphasizing the fact that He came into this world directly from His Father! We celebrated that a little over two months ago! Now, however, Jesus wants them to understand that He will soon be returning to His Father!

Here are His words: [John 16:28 All quotes from The Message Bible unless otherwise noted]

"First, I left the Father and arrived in the world; now I leave the world and travel to the Father."

The response of the eleven is noteworthy:

"His disciples said, 'Finally! You're giving it to us straight, in plain talk - no more figures of speech. Now we know that you know everything - it all comes together in you. You won't have to put up with our questions anymore. We're convinced you came from God.'"
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Words are easily spoken! As we read this, we breathe a sigh of relief! "Ahhh, they finally GET IT!"

And then Jesus continues to speak and our assurance wilts:

"Do you finally believe?"

"In fact, you're about to make a run for it - saving your own skins and abandoning me." [vs. 31-32]

Jesus knows that in a very short time, He will be arrested in the very garden where they are talking. He also knows that in that moment, His followers will flee into the darkness to save their lives - LEAVING JESUS TO BE ARRESTED!!!

But before this happens, Jesus prays very specifically for the apostles. It's an intimate prayer! It's opening words are:

"Father, it's time."

Jesus surrenders Himself to His Father! His heart breaks with compassion! He prays for His followers, even "those also who believe in Me through their word" - THAT'S US!
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John does not tell us about the apostles fleeing into the darkness that night - perhaps he was too ashamed to admit it?

Matthew, however, does admit it [26:56]: "Then all the disciples cut and ran."

So does another younger man who has apparently been quietly following them - eavesdropping on these precious teaching moments. We can deduce that his name was John Mark - who later associated closely with Peter and gave us the Gospel of Mark [probably the first gospel to be written].

Without identifying himself, he tells his story in his own gospel account: [Mark 14:50-52]

"All the disciples cut and ran. A young man was following along. All he had on was a bedsheet. Some of the men grabbed him but he got away, running off naked, leaving them holding the sheet."

JESUS KNEW ALL ALONG THAT THEY WOULD ABANDON HIM! And yet, He loved them and prayed for them!
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That's grace! Amazing grace!

Thank Him today for His patience with you!

We have all denied Him at one point or another!

We have all failed Him or refused to obey His commandments.

We have all chosen sin over obedience!

And yet - HE LOVES US STILL!

Thanks be to God, our gracious Lord, and the Holy Spirit! Amen!

JESUS’ LAST EVENING WITH HIS FOLLOWERS

I’m currently inscribing a Bible for my granddaughter, Rylie. I spend a few hours every morning on this project while thinking of her and asking God to bless her throughout the years of her life.

This morning’s reading included John 13 [I jumped from II Samuel to John to allow me to focus on the Lenten Season.]  Occasionally, I run into passages that make me wish I had more margin-space to write in. 🙂  This is one of those chapters! 

It opens with Jesus observing the Passover Feast with His apostles. Remarkably, John does not choose to tell us about the point in this meal when Jesus passes the cup and the bread around the table for each to partake. It seems odd to me that he makes no mention of this; but fortunately the other gospel-writers give us plenty of details.

There is a point to observe, however, that I find quite remarkable. It’s a simple observation: Jesus served the bread and wine at a time that included Judas!  I find that to be fascinating!  However, the passage is clear to inform us that The Devil by now had Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, firmly in his grip, all set for the betrayal  [v.2].  [All quotes from The Message Bible unless otherwise noted].

We can’t specifically determine the order of the evening, but apparently in the midst of this meal [whether it was before or after the bread and wine we’re not certain],

Jesus got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron [vs.4-5].

It is clear that Jesus chose to wash the feet of Judas as well!

With the meal largely behind them, Jesus addresses the fact that one of those at the table with Him will betray Him.

We need to refer to other Gospel accounts for a few details to give us the full picture of this very special evening when Jesus was feeling the full weight of what was about to happen!

Matthew 26:23 implies that Judas was seated next to Jesus [along with John on the other side] at this table!  After Jesus’ report of betrayal,

…they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, ‘Lord, is it I?’ And He answered and said, ‘He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me.’…Then Judas who was betraying Him, answered and said, ‘Rabbi, is it I?’ Jesus said to him, ‘You have said it’             [vs. 22,23,25  NKJV].  

It is clear that Judas had a seat of honor at the table being close to Jesus!  His response to Jesus also makes it clear that Judas viewed Jesus as a rabbi, but not as his Lord – distinguishing himself from every other person at the table!

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I’m well aware that Judas is described as the ‘son of perdition’ – which is a term that typically needs to be defined. In the original Greek, the term meant ‘son of destruction’ or ‘son of ruin’. Jesus Himself uses this term referring to Judas as He prays in John 17:12,

“While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”

 

NOTE: Jesus prayed this prayer MUCH LATER in the night after they left the upper room and went to the garden to pray!

We are given the impression in John 13, that Jesus is intentionally reaching out to Judas and trying to “keep” him in the fold!

ü Judas is given a seat in close proximity to Jesus at the Passover Feast.

ü Judas is included when Jesus passes the bread and wine around the table!

ü Jesus washed Judas’ feet along with the other eleven!

[My vivid imagination wonders about the dynamics of these moments. Was Jesus weeping as He washed Judas’ feet? How was Judas handling these few moments as he knew he was about to betray Jesus?]

ü What was going on when he felt the pressure to join the others in asking if he was the betrayer?

Surely, Judas had experienced the love of Jesus! He had heard the messages and seen the miracles! He had travelled with Jesus much of the last two years! He had become friends with the other eleven! Was he torn?

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I’m well aware that I’m skirting a huge discussion between two theological perspectives: Calvinism and Wesleyan Arminianism

Calvinism is a branch of Protestant theology developed by John Calvin in the 16^th century. It emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture and the necessity of grace through faith. Calvinism is characterized by its doctrines of predestination and the belief that Christ’s atonement is specifically intended for the elect.

Wesleyan Arminianism is a theological tradition emphasizing God’s universal grace, human free will and the pursuit of holiness rooted in the teachings of John Wesley and Jacobus Arminius.

Essentially, Calvinist bodies believe that Judas was predestined to be the “son of perdition” or betrayer.

Wesleyan Arminian bodies believe that Judas had a choice and used his free will to betray Jesus – but that he could have chosen to honor and serve Christ.

I attended two seminaries that represented each of these perspectives. I have good friends from both camps. I worship regularly with people who wholeheartedly embrace Calvinist theology! I love them and am very comfortable in their presence – even though I hold to a significantly different opinion theologically. It rarely becomes an uncomfortable place for me to be!

I’d like to share a story from very early in my ministry to close this article.

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I served as pastor of the Oakland Free Methodist Church in East Liverpool, Ohio for thirteen years. I became deeply invested in the local ministerial group and in the community! I regularly participated in providing radio devotionals that were heard on the local radio station.

One year – as we debated how to lead our community through the Lenten season – someone suggested that we have a radio debate about Judas’ role in Jesus’ betrayal with a representative from each of the above mentioned theological perspectives.

I was asked to present the Wesleyan Arminian view. A good friend - pastor of one of the local Presbyterian churches – was drafted to represent the Calvinist perspective.

A few days before the debate, my friend called and asked essentially what I was going to say.  I told him that I would teach what I have always believed:

Judas was called by Jesus to be one of His apostles. He responded by following Jesus for at least two years. But Judas had a dark side and likely had an expectation that Jesus would eventually lead a revolt against the Roman Empire.  He was likely disappointed when this didn’t develop.  However, Jesus persistently reached out to Judas throughout their time together – hoping to see him change his heart. But, Judas had free will! He eventually rejected Jesus’ attempts to call him to faith and ended up choosing to betray Jesus! I do NOT believe that he was predestined to betray Jesus because the Word of God says that,

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance              [II Peter 3:9  NKJV]. 

This is also clearly implied in the well-known and much-loved John 3:16,

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

When I got this far, my friend said, “Hal, that’s exactly what I believe! But I know that I’m expected to present the Calvinist perspective. I’m going to have to do some homework and be prepared to present the predestination perspective. 

[The day of the debate, he was a nervous wreck, but dutifully represented his perspective.]

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A quick word of reconciliation:

We are free to hold various opinions on many things taught in the Bible! Why else would we have so much diversity in our land? Generally speaking, there are three major categories of Christianity in America:

·        Mainline Protestantism

·        Evangelical Protestantism

·        Roman Catholicism

These three groups all subscribe to the tenants of the Apostle’s Creed which comes to us as a historical treatise from the fourth century!

We have managed to fracture our Christian witness into over 2,000 denominations – which many consider a travesty since the Bible refers to us as “the body of Christ’ [I Corinthians 12:27  NKJV] who embrace “One Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” [Ephesians 4:5-6 NKJV].

We need to learn to look for the things that we can agree on and let love, grace and kindness govern the areas where we may have differing views!

DON’T YOU RECOGNIZE MY VOICE?

Some voices are easily recognizable. 

Think James Earl Jones, or Arnold Schwartzenegger, or Sean Connery, or Tom Hanks or even Wanda Sykes. We know their identity in an instant. 

People have often told me that they know I’m in a room when they hear my laugh! Apparently, it’s easily recognizable!

I was reading in John’s gospel today and noticed something for the first time. Isn’t it amazing how each time we read in the Bible, the Holy Spirit speaks to us in new and freshly relevant ways?

Chapter nine tells the lengthy story about a man who was born blind but gained his sight when he crossed paths with Jesus.

This simple healing – which, by-the-way, occurred on a Sabbath day – turned into a complicated controversy between Jesus and the Jews. Even the man’s parents were called in to verify that their son had indeed been born blind.

Interestingly, Jesus used an odd format to heal this man. After spitting on the ground, Jesus made some clay and placed it on the blind man’s eyes. He then told him to go and wash the clay off in a nearby pool.

Consequently, when the man regained his sight, Jesus had already moved on.

That’s when the brouhaha really began to fester. The Jews called the man – and his parents – in for questioning. After a significant period of repetitive grilling, the man boldly replied to the Jews:

This is amazing! You claim to know nothing about him [Jesus] , but the fact is, he opened my eyes! It’s well known that God isn’t at the beck and call of sinners, but listens carefully to anyone who lives in reverence and does his will. That someone opened the eyes of a man born blind has never been heard of – ever. If this man didn’t come from God, he wouldn’t be able to do anything  [John 9:30-33  All quotes from The Message Bible unless otherwise noted].

After this, the Jews threw him out into the street!

When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, He went and found him. Jesus asked him,

“Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

“The man said, ‘Point him out to me, sir, so that I can believe in him.’

Jesus said, ‘You’re looking right at him. Don’t you recognize my voice?’

‘Master, I believe,’ the man said, and worshipped him” [vs.35-38].

I just programmed my new iPhone to recognize my face. Surprisingly, now when I open my phone, it is immediately functional! I no longer have to put in my code numbers! The phone apparently automatically scans my face – recognizes me, and opens my phone for immediate use! Wow! Amazing!

In this passage, Jesus appeals to the man’s memory by asking, “Don’t you recognize my voice?”  

That jog was all it took! The man immediately knew that he was in the presence of the one who had put the clay over his eyes! His instant response was to worship Jesus!

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This – in itself – is a remarkable vignette!

But as I read on, I was mesmerized to find these words repeated three more times as they apply TO US – HIS FOLLOWERS!

“The gatekeeper opens the gate to [the shepherd] and the sheep recognize his voice” [John 10:3].

 

[Jesus teaching] “You need to know that I have other sheep in addition to those in this pen. I need to gather and bring them, too. They’ll also recognize my voice”  [John 10:16].

 

[Jesus teaching] “My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them real and eternal life. They are protected from the Destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of my hand.”  [John 10:27-28].

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So, in essence, Jesus is asking you the same question that He asked the man who had been blind:

DON’T YOU RECOGNIZE MY VOICE?

The voice of YOUR LORD!

The voice of the One who died on the cross in payment for YOUR SINS?

The voice of the One who waits to hear from you daily.

The voice of the One who has ways that He’d like to open for you!

The voice of the One who wants to lead you into an abundant life!

The voice of the One who wants to guide you and make you a fruitful branch!

The voice of the One who desires to protect you and those you love!

 

WHY NOT STOP RIGHT NOW AND PROMISE HIM THAT YOU WANT TO COME TO RECOGNIZE HIS VOICE IN YOUR DAY-TO-DAY WALK WITH HIM!

THE THRONE OF YOUR LIFE

Ego is a powerful thing! Self-discovery begins so early! Have you watched an infant discover his/her toes – even fingers? At that stage, it seems that everything new gets the ‘taste-test’ – it goes right to the mouth!  😂  Almost everything is new to this new-born! S/he is on a journey of discovery and self-identification that will continue unabated throughout life!

I’ve been seeing a series of ‘reels’ lately where a tiny little girl stands nose-to-nose with a huge, furry, friendly dog. She screams in his face as she scolds him. He could easily shove her to the side with his powerful front legs, but he just stands there and submits to her supposed authority with an occasional ‘woof!’ of response.  I laugh when I see it because of this little girl’s early audacity to think that she is the lord of this massive family pet!  Such is the ego of young children who are still learning and growing.

As we grow, we increasingly come to think that the world revolves around ‘us’! This is because we are the center of our experience!

As childhood emerges into the adolescence years the process continues as the young person begins to distinguish him/herself through the self-identification process. With a fully developed personality by age seven, this child continues to grow, learn, explore as they approach adulthood and the realization of accepting responsibility for the direction of their life! It can be an awesome experience; it can also be terrifying.

BUT THIS IS NOT A PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATISE, BUT A THEOLOGICAL ONE!

If somewhere along this child’s path they are introduced to the love of a divine Savior, they may begin a whole new process with a completely different foundation!  If they embrace the reality of a God-directed life, then they – like so many of us – begin to explore the meaning of a totally different way of being!

Many have anchored their thinking – after serious reflection on the words of the Apostle Paul – found in Galatians 2:19-21 [TM]:

^{[Paul writing]} What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn’t work. So I quit being a “law man” so that I could be God’s man. Christ’s life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that.

Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God’s grace.

It has been pictured as follows: 

Through a growing understanding of the Word of God and the Spirit-directed life, the young person [or person of any age] begins to desire to live a life that is totally pleasing to God and consequently brings the deepest satisfaction and joy!

The process of sustaining this last lifestyle is a growing process that will require our full attention throughout our life! It is a sanctifying process that involves repentance, forgiveness, prayer, immersion in the Word, and a desire to grow spiritually into a fruitful follower of Christ. It is a process that is highly defined by the depth and availability of God’s amazing grace!

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Today, I discovered a good biblical picture of this process in the life of King David in II Samuel’s closing chapters.

David is old! He’s living in the latter days of his life. His kingdom has just survived an attempted coo by his son, Absalom!  As David resettles into the palace and the routines of being king over a massive accrual of subordinate nations, David falls prey to his own pride.

The beauty of all biblical characters is the fact that they are all one-hundred percent human – just like us! The great, highly admired King David falters – just like we often do!

He sits one day and wonders how many fighting soldiers he has between Israel and Judah? “Hmmm. I’ll bet it’s a pretty high number!  I think I’ll have them counted!” [he muses].

David orders Joab – his army commander – to take others and move throughout Israel and Judah to count those men. Joab sees the foolishness of the task and resists the order, but ultimately submits.  After nearly ten months, 

“…they canvassed the whole country and…arrived back in Jerusalem. Joab gave the results of the census to the king: 800,000 able-bodied fighting men in Israel; in Judah 500,000…But when it was all done, David was overwhelmed with guilt because he had counted the people, replacing trust with statistics. And David prayed to God, ‘I have sinned badly in what I have just done. But now God forgive my guilt—I’ve been really stupid’” [II Samuel 24:9,10].

 

David’s pride got the best of him!

It happens. To all of us from time-to-time.

Unfortunately for David, this error cost the lives of seventy thousand of his people who died from an epidemic initiated by God as punishment for David’s audacity! A horrible reality that caused David terrible grief and pain! It's also a reminder that leadership has increased responsibility!

Even in the midst of this punishment, David is careful to keep himself pure! He is told by Gad the prophet to 

“Go and build an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.”  

When David attempts to buy this threshing floor from Araunah, he tries to donate it to King David as a gift! But David is wise and responds: “I’ve got to buy it from you for a good price; I’m not going to offer GOD, my God, sacrifices that are no sacrifice…GOD was moved by the prayers and that was the end of the disaster” [vs.24-25].

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We must be vigilant in keeping Christ on the throne of our lives and NOT assuming that role on our own! This is why we call Him LORD!