[And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins](Matt. 1:21).
[He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest,][who is to be born will be called the Son of God,][Jesus Christ: He is Lord of all](Luke 1:32,35,Acts 10:36).
[Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace good will toward men](Luke 2:14).
The Son of God is called [the Messiah] in Hebrew (John 1:41),and in Greek, [the Christ](John 4:25), which is translated into our language [The Anointed](Acts 4:27) or The Commissioned. Therefore the Bible writes of Him, [Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed](Acts 4:27). [The Son of God][whom the Father sanctified, and sent into the world](John 10:36).
The precious meaning of the prayer, "In the name of Jesus Christ I pray" implies "My heavenly Father I pray to You, trusting in the name of Your holy Son Jesus, my God and Savior, whom You have sent with a commission to save a sinner like me."
Jesus said, [You will ask in my name](John 16:26).
God our Father bestows upon us the salvation of the world and [every good and perfect gift] only through the name of Jesus Christ His Son whom He has commissioned and sent to us(James 1:17).
He also said,[I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me](John 14:6). Therefore, [whoever calls on the name of the Lord (Jesus Christ) shall be saved,][for there is no other name under heaven given among men, by which we be saved](Joel 2:32, Acts 4:12).
[But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God](John 1:12) [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 ... that the world through Him might be saved](John 3:16,17).
[In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness and the did not comprehend it ... That was the true Light which gives light to every man who comes into the world.][in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge](John 1:4,5,9, Col. 2:3).
Jesus again said, [I am the light of world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life](John 8:2).
[I am the bread of life ... which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever](John 6:48,50,51).
[I will give ... the water of life;][whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life](Rev. 21:6, John 4:14).
[I am the way, the truth, and the life,] whoever you may be, [without Me you can do nothing](John 14:6, 15:5).
[You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me](John 5:39).
[This is eternal life that they might know ... Jesus Christ] whom the only true God has sent to the world(John 17:3).
When man knows Jesus Christ aright and accepts whom God has chosen in order to commit the work of redemption for the world, he obtains eternal life. Only in Jesus Christ is found the precious blood to cleanse the sinner, the true light to enlighten this world of darkness, immortal life, and the only way that leads to heaven. All the treasures of truth, knowledge and wisdom of the universe are found only in Him, only through Him are they imparted. He is the center of all power and might of the universe; He is the Chief Superintendent of the universe. None but He has the power to perfectly transform sinners and to bring all children who follow Him to the Father's kingdom on the last day.
We are powerless and helpless in freeing ourselves from the pit of sin where we have fallen by our own transgressions. Only by putting our whole trust into the mighty arms of Jesus our Savior can we be freed from this deep pit of death. He is the one and only "Crane" that our heavenly Father has provided for this earth into its original orbit.
Only His hands can perfectly repair and restore the broken, impaired lost and twisted parts and various breakdowns in the heart of man.
[Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? No one!](John 14:4).
[Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, no indeed can be](Rom. 8:7). Yes, education, culture, the exercise of the will, human effort, all have their proper sphere, but they are powerless in changing the heart from within. They may produce an outward correctness of behavior, but they cannot change the heart nor purify the springs of life.
There must be a power working from within, a new life from above before men can be changed from sin to holiness. This power is Christ. His grace alone can quicken the lifeless faculties of the soul, attract it to God and to holiness of Apostle Paul, though he was a man of the highest worth, education and culture, exclaimed in the bitterness of his anguished soul and despair,[I am carnal, sold under sin](Rom. 7:14). He longed for the purity and the righteousness to which he himself was powerless to attain, crying, [O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?](Rom. 7:24). Such is the cry that has up from burdened hearts in all lands and in all ages. To all there is but one answer, [Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!](John 1:29). In this way, a sinner comes to Christ and is freed from all the burdens of sin which are heavy and toilsome. He is freed from his burdens of life and begins to live a life of union with Christ, a life of rest with heavenly peace and joy in his soul(Matt. 11:28,29).
Upon deceiving Esau and his father Isaac, Jacob fled from his father's home weighed down with a sense of guilt. Lonely and outcast as he was, the one thought above all others that pressed down his soul was the fear that his sin had cut him off from God. In sadness he lay down to rest on the bare earth with the lonely hills surrounding him and above the heavens bright with stars. As he slept, a strange light broke upon his vision, and lo, from the plain on which he lay, vast shadowy stairs seemed to lead upward to the very gates of heaven, and upon them angels of God were passing up and down(Gen. 28:2). And from the glory above, a divine voice was heard in a message of comfort and hope. Thus was made known to Jacob that which met the need and longing of his soul - a Savior. With joy and gratitude he saw revealed a way by which he, a sinner, could be restored to communion with God. The mystical ladder of his dream represented Jesus, the only medium of communication between God and man.
This is the same figure to which Christ referred to in His conversation with Nathanael when He said, [You shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man](John 1:51).
Earth was cut off from heaven by sin. There could be no communion across the gulf that lay between the two, But by His merits, Christ has bridged the gulf which sin had made so that the ministering angels can hold communion with man. Christ connects fallen man in his weakness and helplessness to the Father who is the Source of infinite power - with His humanity holding man, and with His divinity the throne of God. The only way to God is Christ. He is the one and only Savior to man. He says,[I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.][Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest] and lead you to heaven(John 14:6, Matt. 11:28).
Behold. the cross of Calvary standing between heaven and earth! It is the ladder of our holy Lord Jesus strongly connecting earthly sinners with God forever. Through it, heaven and earth are brought into perfect reunion and restoration.
Glory and praise, thanks and reverence to our only Savior and Lord Jesus Christ forever and ever! Praise the Lord!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
5. Jesus Christ, a Friend of Sinners
[After these things He (Jesus)went out, and saw a tax collector, named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, 'Follow Me,' And he left all, rose up, and followed Him.] [Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi's house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples](Luke 5:27 Mark 2:15). [But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against His disciples, saying, 'Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?'] {Look, [Jesus is] a friend of tax collectors and sinners](Luke 5:30, Matt. 11:19).
But when Jesus heard this, He said to them,[Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance](Matt. 9:12,13).
The infinitely merciful and compassionate Majesty of heaven who [a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench](Isa. 42:3), did not refuse the kind and warm hospitality of tax collectors and sinners but rather gladly accepted it, pleased to sit with them at their table and converse with them while eating. He was aware of the strict criticism and reproach from jealous, hypocritical people, but regardless of their criticism, His heart was drawn to these tax collectors and sinners who were thirsting for the water of life, He was not concerned with the outward, superficial appearances, but rather with the precious souls of those who would willingly repent of their sins when pointed out, to them who would return to God and obey Him.
Today, He is also looking for such people, drawing them to have fellowship with them. He is not concerned with nationality, race position, wealth poverty, or status level. All the children of men upon the earth are equally His precious children and friends.
To all who depart from sin and gladly choose to obey God He says, [Here are My mother and My brothers!](Matt.12:49). [And I say to you My friends,] [No longer do I call you servants... but friends,] My friends (Luke 12:4 John 15:15). And He adds, for you alone have I shed My blood and given up My life.
What a great number of Christians today are deceiving themselves, as the Pharisees of old, by the spirit of self-righteousness and hypocrisy Although they do not admit anything publicly, in the sight of God their actions say, [God, I thank You that I am not like other men - extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess](Luke 18:11,12). And these hypocrites say to those souls who, without the knowledge of God and the Savior, indulge in drinking, amusement, robbery, and murder, crying out for salvation in weariness and helplessness, trying to escape from the darkness - to these souls for whom Jesus has the greatest pity and seeks to save. [Keep to yourself do not come near me; for I am holier Than you!] Jesus declares that He will pour upon them His wraths, saying, [These are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all the day](Isa. 65:5).
He says, [There was a certain creditor who had two debtors, One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more? Simon, answered and said 'I suppose the other one whom he forgave more.' And He said to Him, You have rightly judged'](Luke 7:41-43).
He who committed ten times greater sin and was forgiven will love Him and be loyal to Him more than the one who committed a little sin and was forgiven. Someday in the near future, great multitude of the redeemed will stand around the throne of Jesus and praise Him who cleansed and saved them with His blood and those to stand closest to Him will be the prostitutes, thieves, and murderers who committed th greatest sins and were pointed at most contemptuously by their neighbors on earth. Jesus has not forsaken or given up even one soul as hopeless, however contemptuously he may have been shunned by society. Whether they tumbled about in the bottom of a cesspool of iniquity or in a den of licentiousness, He says, "What though the whole head is sick and the whole heart faint? What though from the sole of the foot even unto the crown of the head there is no soundness but wounds and bruises, and putrefying sores? He who has been walking in the way of his heart might find healing by turning to the Lord." [I have seen his ways, and will heal him ... Peace peace to him who is far off and to him who is near, says the Lord, and I will heal him](Isa. 57:8,19). The heart of Jesus overflowing with love, who abandoned all of heaven to save sinners, yearns after those who feel powerless to free themselves from the snares of Satan. He graciously offers to strengthen them so that they might live for Him.
[Fear not, (Jesus bids them) I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right had.][Fear not, you worm of Jacob, you men of Israel! I will help you, says the Lord and your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel](Isa. 41:10,14). In search of you alone have I forsaken heaven and come to this world of darkness.
It is not because He is reluctant to forgive a sinner but because the sinner persistently refuses to avail himself of the abundant provision of His grace. This is why He turns from the sinner and cannot save him from his sin.[Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear;] and because you have [forsaken Me the fountain of living waters] and persistently refused to come to Me(Isa. 59:1-2, Jer. 2: 13).
When many people are wounded or become critically injured simultaneously due to a sudden traffic accident, they are all quickly taken to the hospital. If there are only a few doctors available to care for the patients, and they all need the doctor's care, whose injuries should the doctors first treat? Obviously, it must be th one who is most seriously injured and in critical condition. Likewise, our great Physician Jesus has the greatest pity on sinners most wounded and bruised by transgression among all sinner patients from the railroad-catastrophe of this earth-train, who are most alienated from society and receive the coldest treatment from people.
But many people hesitate to come to Him, saying, "I have committed too many great sins to be forgiven." They are like those patients who are in critical condition and bleeding profusely due to an unfortunate traffic accident, who say, "Will the doctor not be displeased with me? will he not scold me for so many serious wounds?" and indeed lose their lives because of such foolish, useless anxiety.
Today Jesus is still calling to all sinful children who are coldly treated and ridiculed by people, [Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.] [I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins.] I am your Physician, your lovely Friend, your Savior who abandoned heaven and came down to this world of darkness in order to blot out your sins, to heal your body and soul, and to take you to heaven. Whoever comes to Me, [I will by no means cast out.] [I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners](Matt. 11:28, Isa. 43:25., John 6:37, Matt. 9:13).
Praise the Lord! [He has not observed iniquity in Jacob, nor has He seen wickedness in Israel. The Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a King is among them.] Therefore [blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile](Num. 23:21, Ps. 32:1,2).
[I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord ' and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You in a time when You may be found; surely in a flood of great waters they shall not come near him. You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; you shall surround me with songs of deliverance](Ps. 32:5-7).
Behold, Jesus is [a Friend of tax collectors and sinners](Matt. 11:19). He is most pleased and delighted with those sinners who are like a bruised reed or dimly burning wick, who accept His invitation and come to Him. From then on, He becomes their unique Friend and Savior, like a tender mother who will [gird (herself) and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them](Luke 12:37). And He says to them, [You are 'Our Friends'; (John 11:11). My Friends](Luke 12:4); true[friends loves at all times] [and whatever you ask in My name, that I will do ... (Whatever) you ask anything in My name, I will do it](Pro.17:17, John 14:13,14. Our amiable and lovely friend Jesus who is the same yesterday, today and forever,] who was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God,] is now waiting for our position, saying, [All thing that the Father has are Mine,] ask Me for anything(Heb. 13:8, Mark 16:19, John 16:15).
Praise the Lord! Glory and praise to Jesus, my everlasting friend who in order to be a friend of sinners, forsook heaven, and was taken up to heaven as a Friend of sinners, who is now sitting at the right hand of God as my everlasting Friend! Praise the Lord!
But when Jesus heard this, He said to them,[Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance](Matt. 9:12,13).
The infinitely merciful and compassionate Majesty of heaven who [a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench](Isa. 42:3), did not refuse the kind and warm hospitality of tax collectors and sinners but rather gladly accepted it, pleased to sit with them at their table and converse with them while eating. He was aware of the strict criticism and reproach from jealous, hypocritical people, but regardless of their criticism, His heart was drawn to these tax collectors and sinners who were thirsting for the water of life, He was not concerned with the outward, superficial appearances, but rather with the precious souls of those who would willingly repent of their sins when pointed out, to them who would return to God and obey Him.
Today, He is also looking for such people, drawing them to have fellowship with them. He is not concerned with nationality, race position, wealth poverty, or status level. All the children of men upon the earth are equally His precious children and friends.
To all who depart from sin and gladly choose to obey God He says, [Here are My mother and My brothers!](Matt.12:49). [And I say to you My friends,] [No longer do I call you servants... but friends,] My friends (Luke 12:4 John 15:15). And He adds, for you alone have I shed My blood and given up My life.
What a great number of Christians today are deceiving themselves, as the Pharisees of old, by the spirit of self-righteousness and hypocrisy Although they do not admit anything publicly, in the sight of God their actions say, [God, I thank You that I am not like other men - extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess](Luke 18:11,12). And these hypocrites say to those souls who, without the knowledge of God and the Savior, indulge in drinking, amusement, robbery, and murder, crying out for salvation in weariness and helplessness, trying to escape from the darkness - to these souls for whom Jesus has the greatest pity and seeks to save. [Keep to yourself do not come near me; for I am holier Than you!] Jesus declares that He will pour upon them His wraths, saying, [These are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all the day](Isa. 65:5).
He says, [There was a certain creditor who had two debtors, One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more? Simon, answered and said 'I suppose the other one whom he forgave more.' And He said to Him, You have rightly judged'](Luke 7:41-43).
He who committed ten times greater sin and was forgiven will love Him and be loyal to Him more than the one who committed a little sin and was forgiven. Someday in the near future, great multitude of the redeemed will stand around the throne of Jesus and praise Him who cleansed and saved them with His blood and those to stand closest to Him will be the prostitutes, thieves, and murderers who committed th greatest sins and were pointed at most contemptuously by their neighbors on earth. Jesus has not forsaken or given up even one soul as hopeless, however contemptuously he may have been shunned by society. Whether they tumbled about in the bottom of a cesspool of iniquity or in a den of licentiousness, He says, "What though the whole head is sick and the whole heart faint? What though from the sole of the foot even unto the crown of the head there is no soundness but wounds and bruises, and putrefying sores? He who has been walking in the way of his heart might find healing by turning to the Lord." [I have seen his ways, and will heal him ... Peace peace to him who is far off and to him who is near, says the Lord, and I will heal him](Isa. 57:8,19). The heart of Jesus overflowing with love, who abandoned all of heaven to save sinners, yearns after those who feel powerless to free themselves from the snares of Satan. He graciously offers to strengthen them so that they might live for Him.
[Fear not, (Jesus bids them) I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right had.][Fear not, you worm of Jacob, you men of Israel! I will help you, says the Lord and your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel](Isa. 41:10,14). In search of you alone have I forsaken heaven and come to this world of darkness.
It is not because He is reluctant to forgive a sinner but because the sinner persistently refuses to avail himself of the abundant provision of His grace. This is why He turns from the sinner and cannot save him from his sin.[Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear;] and because you have [forsaken Me the fountain of living waters] and persistently refused to come to Me(Isa. 59:1-2, Jer. 2: 13).
When many people are wounded or become critically injured simultaneously due to a sudden traffic accident, they are all quickly taken to the hospital. If there are only a few doctors available to care for the patients, and they all need the doctor's care, whose injuries should the doctors first treat? Obviously, it must be th one who is most seriously injured and in critical condition. Likewise, our great Physician Jesus has the greatest pity on sinners most wounded and bruised by transgression among all sinner patients from the railroad-catastrophe of this earth-train, who are most alienated from society and receive the coldest treatment from people.
But many people hesitate to come to Him, saying, "I have committed too many great sins to be forgiven." They are like those patients who are in critical condition and bleeding profusely due to an unfortunate traffic accident, who say, "Will the doctor not be displeased with me? will he not scold me for so many serious wounds?" and indeed lose their lives because of such foolish, useless anxiety.
Today Jesus is still calling to all sinful children who are coldly treated and ridiculed by people, [Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.] [I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins.] I am your Physician, your lovely Friend, your Savior who abandoned heaven and came down to this world of darkness in order to blot out your sins, to heal your body and soul, and to take you to heaven. Whoever comes to Me, [I will by no means cast out.] [I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners](Matt. 11:28, Isa. 43:25., John 6:37, Matt. 9:13).
Praise the Lord! [He has not observed iniquity in Jacob, nor has He seen wickedness in Israel. The Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a King is among them.] Therefore [blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile](Num. 23:21, Ps. 32:1,2).
[I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord ' and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You in a time when You may be found; surely in a flood of great waters they shall not come near him. You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; you shall surround me with songs of deliverance](Ps. 32:5-7).
Behold, Jesus is [a Friend of tax collectors and sinners](Matt. 11:19). He is most pleased and delighted with those sinners who are like a bruised reed or dimly burning wick, who accept His invitation and come to Him. From then on, He becomes their unique Friend and Savior, like a tender mother who will [gird (herself) and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them](Luke 12:37). And He says to them, [You are 'Our Friends'; (John 11:11). My Friends](Luke 12:4); true[friends loves at all times] [and whatever you ask in My name, that I will do ... (Whatever) you ask anything in My name, I will do it](Pro.17:17, John 14:13,14. Our amiable and lovely friend Jesus who is the same yesterday, today and forever,] who was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God,] is now waiting for our position, saying, [All thing that the Father has are Mine,] ask Me for anything(Heb. 13:8, Mark 16:19, John 16:15).
Praise the Lord! Glory and praise to Jesus, my everlasting friend who in order to be a friend of sinners, forsook heaven, and was taken up to heaven as a Friend of sinners, who is now sitting at the right hand of God as my everlasting Friend! Praise the Lord!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
6. Jesus Christ, a Servant of Mankind
[The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His Life a ransom for many](Matt. 20:28).
He [rose from supper, and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.] He [loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end](John 13:4,5,1).
Jesus the Majesty of heaven came to this earth as a servant of man, and served man his lifetime, carrying their burden of sin and eventually was slain on the cross. This was the whole of His life.
[We see Jesus ... crowned with ... honor for the suffering of death... that He might taste death for everyone](Heb. 2:9). [He poured out His soul unto death and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession fo the transgressors](Isa. 53:2).
Christ, the Servant of man said, [Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life, that I may take it again](John 10:17). He again said to those who would follow Him, [If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow me](Matt. 16:24). [If anyone comes to Me and does not hate ... his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be my disciple](Luke 14:26,27). [If anyone serve Me, let him follow Me](John 12:26).
[Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.] [For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.] [If I then, you Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet (as a servant) you also ought to wash one another's feet] being servants yourselves(John 13:16,7,15,4).
As neither a disciple is greater than his master nor a servant greater than his lord, they are to be content and happy. The Lord served man as if He had been their servant, and if the servant of the lord want to be served by men, how then can the humble Lord gladly accept such arrogant servants? The humble Lord might say, [Cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness](Matt.25:30).
Only those who live the life of Jesus are His disciples, His followers are to follow the very path that He passed before hand. It is only by doing so that they can meet their Master who already passed before them.
Jesus made it plain how we are to live in this world. [And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field,'Come at ones and sit down to eat?' But will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, ad afterward you will eat and drink?' Does he thank the servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise you when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do'](Luke 17:7-10). This is the sort of life we ought to live on earth as Jesus taught us. This was also the life of our Lord God. Although we give our best service for the sake of our neighbors and the whole human race as He did, we are not to expect any acknowledgment or reward. On the contrary, we are to serve man as servants even at the expense of sacrificing our lives, only to say, "We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty." And we must not forget that there is prepared for servants no reward no recompense, however great the works they may have accomplished, but rather only scolding, rebuke, and whipping are due for them.
Even the Majesty of heaven our Lord, when He was on earth, girded Himself, became His disciples' servant and washed their dirty feet, also serving and healing all sorts of miserably sick people whom no one else was willing to approach. He even prepared a table for the hungry multitude in the desert with the help of His disciples. But sadly enough, He only received ridicule abuse reproof, the whip, and death on a cross with which he finished His life, to say nothing of gratitude, honor, and praise. This was His life and the treatment. He received from the world. Now He is speaking to you and me who follow Him today,[If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will also be](John 12:26).
Jesus' followers are to be on strict guard against self-pity. We should never indulge in the feeling that we are not esteemed as we should be, that our efforts are not appreciated. that our work is too difficult. We should let the memory of what Christ has endured for us silence every such murmuring thought. However lightly we may treated, we are treated better than was our Lord.
Sin originated from self-seeking. Self-respect belongs to Satan's kingdom.
From the manger to the cross the life of Jesus was a call to self-surrender and a fellowship in suffering.
The Lord has no place in His work for those who have a greater desire to win the crown than to bear the cross. He wants men who are more intent upon doing their duty rather than upon receiving rewards - men who are more solicitous for principle than for promotion.
Those who are humble and do their work for God may not make as great a show as those who are full of bustle and self-important, but their work counts for more. The work of those who make a great parade, who only call attention to themselves, interposing between the people and God, often fail.
The Christians with the most elevated heart are they who have the power to gain victory as humble followers of Christ; for their humility is the evidence of their communion with the heavenly court. [Though the Lord is on high, yet He regards the lowly](Ps. 138:6). Those who reveal Christ's meekness and humility shall obtain mercy from God. Although they are despised in the world, they are of great value in God's sight.
Neither to the wise, the great, the charitable, nor to the ardent, tireless, and diligent worker is a pass to the heavenly court given. It is solely given to the poor in spirit who long to dwell with Christ, and to do the will of God. These are the ones who will join the ranks of those who have washed their garments and made themselves white through the blood of the Lamb.
The Lord's disciples should not cease to manifest the meekness of Christ who is their holy Example, though they may be brought to the verge of loss, and even death. And by their works, the Lord is glorified and exalted before governors and people. Men of Christ shall say to their neighbor, [He must increase, but I must decrease](John 3:30), and serve all mankind as a servant serves his lord. They shall live in the world having the spirit of Jesus as He spoke,[The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many](Matt. 20:28).
May the glory of Jesus be with His last disciples who are to live His life by following His steps while on this earth! Praise the Lord!
He [rose from supper, and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.] He [loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end](John 13:4,5,1).
Jesus the Majesty of heaven came to this earth as a servant of man, and served man his lifetime, carrying their burden of sin and eventually was slain on the cross. This was the whole of His life.
[We see Jesus ... crowned with ... honor for the suffering of death... that He might taste death for everyone](Heb. 2:9). [He poured out His soul unto death and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession fo the transgressors](Isa. 53:2).
Christ, the Servant of man said, [Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life, that I may take it again](John 10:17). He again said to those who would follow Him, [If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow me](Matt. 16:24). [If anyone comes to Me and does not hate ... his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be my disciple](Luke 14:26,27). [If anyone serve Me, let him follow Me](John 12:26).
[Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.] [For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.] [If I then, you Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet (as a servant) you also ought to wash one another's feet] being servants yourselves(John 13:16,7,15,4).
As neither a disciple is greater than his master nor a servant greater than his lord, they are to be content and happy. The Lord served man as if He had been their servant, and if the servant of the lord want to be served by men, how then can the humble Lord gladly accept such arrogant servants? The humble Lord might say, [Cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness](Matt.25:30).
Only those who live the life of Jesus are His disciples, His followers are to follow the very path that He passed before hand. It is only by doing so that they can meet their Master who already passed before them.
Jesus made it plain how we are to live in this world. [And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field,'Come at ones and sit down to eat?' But will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, ad afterward you will eat and drink?' Does he thank the servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise you when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do'](Luke 17:7-10). This is the sort of life we ought to live on earth as Jesus taught us. This was also the life of our Lord God. Although we give our best service for the sake of our neighbors and the whole human race as He did, we are not to expect any acknowledgment or reward. On the contrary, we are to serve man as servants even at the expense of sacrificing our lives, only to say, "We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty." And we must not forget that there is prepared for servants no reward no recompense, however great the works they may have accomplished, but rather only scolding, rebuke, and whipping are due for them.
Even the Majesty of heaven our Lord, when He was on earth, girded Himself, became His disciples' servant and washed their dirty feet, also serving and healing all sorts of miserably sick people whom no one else was willing to approach. He even prepared a table for the hungry multitude in the desert with the help of His disciples. But sadly enough, He only received ridicule abuse reproof, the whip, and death on a cross with which he finished His life, to say nothing of gratitude, honor, and praise. This was His life and the treatment. He received from the world. Now He is speaking to you and me who follow Him today,[If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will also be](John 12:26).
Jesus' followers are to be on strict guard against self-pity. We should never indulge in the feeling that we are not esteemed as we should be, that our efforts are not appreciated. that our work is too difficult. We should let the memory of what Christ has endured for us silence every such murmuring thought. However lightly we may treated, we are treated better than was our Lord.
Sin originated from self-seeking. Self-respect belongs to Satan's kingdom.
From the manger to the cross the life of Jesus was a call to self-surrender and a fellowship in suffering.
The Lord has no place in His work for those who have a greater desire to win the crown than to bear the cross. He wants men who are more intent upon doing their duty rather than upon receiving rewards - men who are more solicitous for principle than for promotion.
Those who are humble and do their work for God may not make as great a show as those who are full of bustle and self-important, but their work counts for more. The work of those who make a great parade, who only call attention to themselves, interposing between the people and God, often fail.
The Christians with the most elevated heart are they who have the power to gain victory as humble followers of Christ; for their humility is the evidence of their communion with the heavenly court. [Though the Lord is on high, yet He regards the lowly](Ps. 138:6). Those who reveal Christ's meekness and humility shall obtain mercy from God. Although they are despised in the world, they are of great value in God's sight.
Neither to the wise, the great, the charitable, nor to the ardent, tireless, and diligent worker is a pass to the heavenly court given. It is solely given to the poor in spirit who long to dwell with Christ, and to do the will of God. These are the ones who will join the ranks of those who have washed their garments and made themselves white through the blood of the Lamb.
The Lord's disciples should not cease to manifest the meekness of Christ who is their holy Example, though they may be brought to the verge of loss, and even death. And by their works, the Lord is glorified and exalted before governors and people. Men of Christ shall say to their neighbor, [He must increase, but I must decrease](John 3:30), and serve all mankind as a servant serves his lord. They shall live in the world having the spirit of Jesus as He spoke,[The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many](Matt. 20:28).
May the glory of Jesus be with His last disciples who are to live His life by following His steps while on this earth! Praise the Lord!
7. Jesus Christ, a Man of Sorrow
(1) A Man Betrayed by His Numerous Disciples
A great multitude pressed up to the Lord, everyone swearing to be His Disciple. And the time came for our Father’s mighty hand to winnow them, to separate the wheat from the chaff. Now Jesus began His winnowing with His word, gathering His wheat into the granary and separating it from the chaff (Matt. 3:12)
He Began by saying [most assuredly, I say to you… I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which is come down from heaven that one may eat of it, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world] (John 6:47-51}. The chaff that was blown away by this first winnowing were the Jews. [The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, ‘How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?’] And they departed (John6:52).
But He did not cease here and continued His winnowing all the more forcibly on those who remained.
Jesus said to them, [Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in Him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven – not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever] (John 6:58). And [from that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.](John 6: 66).
And so, that great multitude professing to be His disciples all rejected Him and departed from Him; and the wheat that remained was shabby twelve. These twelve disciples were also sitting restlessly, disputing among themselves,[This is hard saying] (John 6:60).
And Jesus asked them a sad question, [Do you also want to go away?](John6:67). And Simon Peter answered Him, [Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God](John 6:68,69).
But in the eyes of the Holy Son was seen more chaff to be blown away among the shabby twelve. [Jesus answered them, ‘Did I not choose you, the twelve and one of you a devil?’ He spoke of Judas Iscariot, t5he son of Simon] (Jon 6:70,71).
With a yearning eat, Jesus saw those who had once been His disciples departing from Him who is the Life and the light of men. The consciousness that His compassion was unappreciated, His love unrecognized, His mercy slighted, His salvation rejected, filled Him with inexpressible sorrow, It was such hardships as these that made Him a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief. Without attempting to hinder those who were leaving Him, Jesus turned to the twelve and said, “Will you also go away?” This was the result of His work for which He had labored day and night, not sparing His energy, toil, sacrifice and service. Therefore, the Bible speaks of Him, [I have labored in vain I have spent My strength for nothing and in vain](Isa.49:4)/
Oh! Who can comfort our Lord’s exceedingly deep sorrow? [No one knows the Son except the Father [(Matt.11:27).
When Jesus was winnowing the multitude, He told them to eat His flesh and drink His blood. By this He meant that His blood was his sin-atoning blood, and the Holy Spirit gushing out from Him unceasingly as [the river of living water] (John 7:38, 39). His flesh was the bread of the word that proceeded out of His mouth which was bread of life to human souls (Matt.4:4). This interpretation is sure and right, for He Himself made it plain in the sixth chapter of John.
[When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples murmured about this, He said to them, ’Does this offend you?] I will tell you the real meaning. [It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh {My flesh and blood) profits nothing. The words that I speak to you (the living waters of the holy Spirit that is My blood and the bread of My word that is my flesh, they are spirit, and they are life](John 6:61,63). [But there are some of you who do not believe] (John 6:64).
(2) A man of Loneliness Within His Family Circle
Once He was teaching a great number of people in a house, [then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him] (Mark 3:31), [for they said,’ He is out of mind… He has an unclean spirit’](Mark 3:21,30). Therefore, [when His own people (family) heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him](Mark 3:21).
What a dismaying scene it was! How could they go so far In failing to understand Him? Had they not lived with Him for thirty years under one roof and eaten at one table together? What is more, had Mary His mother not received an angel’s direct message and vision several times when she had conceived Him? Then how is it that, listening to the voice of the Jews and scribes who had been stirred by Satan the enemy, they say, [He is out of His mind … and … has Beelzebub (devil)(Mark 3:2, 22), making such a commotion and sending for Him in order to confine Him at home for recovery? Who in this world can understand our Lord’s soul-anguish and loneliness? What a heart-aching, saddening fact it is that His own family, who were to surround Him with the warmest comfort, encouragement, and profound understanding, did not understand Him in the least but rather disturbed His work!
[And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, Look ‘Your mother and Your bothers are outside seeking You’](Mark 3:32). And He replied, [Who is My mother, or My brothers? And He looked around at the circle of those who sat about Him, and said, ‘Here are My mother and My brothers! Whoever does the will of God are My brother and My sister and mother.] “My mother and brothers who are calling Me now outside without knowing the will of God, saying , ‘He is out of His mind, He has Beelzebub,’ may perhaps be called My mother and brothers physically, but according to heaven’s standards of a family relationship, they are not My mother and brothers” (Mark 3:33-35)
Sorrowed by an inconsiderate lack of understanding at home, He often sought comfort elsewhere. There was a home He was frequently pleased to visit, the home of Lazaruz, Mary and Martha. He found peace at heart in the atmosphere of confidence and love in their home. However there was no one on earth who knew and understood His sacred mission and the weighty burden He was to carry for the human race. His only true comfort was in pouring out His heart before the heavenly Father in communion with Him.
And so My wish is that all my brothers and sisters who are following our Lord today, will not be discouraged and displeased because of family, friends or fellow believers who do not understand us, but press forward until we get to heaven, remembering Him and keeping our eyes only upon our Lord.
(3) A Man Rejected By the Religious World
[When morning came, all the chef priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put Him to death. And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor](Matt. 27:1, 2).
The religious leaders who had been teaching the Scriptures to the people, who should have rejoiced most at the coming of the Savior (Messiah) and most enthusiastically welcomed and received Him, paradoxically did not receive Him but hated and rejected Him most fiercely. They were the first to be stirred up hating Him and finally putting Him to death. In reality, theirs was a religion of formalism and hypocrisy. What is more, since ancient days, these blind religious leaders who go up and down from the pulpit like theatrical actors constitute the miserable and deplorable world of religion even today.
What a great, painstaking effort Jesus put forth two thousand years ago to arouse them and call them back! But having been persistently rejected by them, He left for Golgotha wailing aloud, [O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! (Matt. 23:37).
This Jesus who wept and lamented over Jerusalem two thousand years ago is now weeping and wailing over the earth today. He draws near the earth and weeps over it, saying, [If you had known, even you, especially in this (your) day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes}(Luke 19:41, 42).
[He (or a church) who has an ear, let him hear] Jesus weeping over the earth (Rev. 2:11)!
[Most assuredly, I say to you, [the churches that] hear the voice of the Son of God (and repent) will live] at the day of the world’s destruction (John 5:25).
Jesus, the Savior of man sent from heaven has been betrayed and rejected by the religious world and its leaders both yesterday and today. That is why He cannot have close access to His beloved children but is always wandering around them weeping and wailing. Ah! We need religious leaders and a world who will receive Jesus, today! This earth needs them!
(4) Our Jesus Betrayed By Judas His Disciple
Our Lord had not called nor chosen Judas, but He earnestly endeavored to turn him back and lead him to repentance especially so because he was more attached to riches than were the other disciples. And so, He entrusted him with the money bag, giving him an opportunity to help the poor and needy, so that his selfishness could be removed, cultivating a spirit of charity and sympathy. But ignoring his Teacher’s earnest wish toward him, he helped himself to what was put into the money bag. He was declared before God as [a thief, and had the money box; he used to take what was put into it](John 12:6).
He once loved the Great Teacher and felt a desire to have his harsh character and life changed; however, he did not cooperate with his Teacher in His labor to mold his character by surrendering himself to Him. On the contrary, he began to walk the path of a straggler, cherishing worldly ambitions of fame, position, the love of money, and nurturing a spirit of criticism and accusation toward others. Always comparing himself with the other disciples, he flattered himself that the church would often be brought to perplexity and embarrassment, and the work of God meets great difficulty were it not for him. In this way, while other disciples were striving to empty their hearts for the transformation of character, Judas was providing a good, advantageous ground for the enemy by always exalting himself. Even when he returned after having made a pledge to sell his holy Teacher for thirty coins of silver, the price of a slave, Jesus persistently and earnestly endeavored to the end to turn to repentance. As He was washing Judas’ feet yearningly, the obstinate heart of Judas moved violently like the waves of the rolling sea. For an instant, by the influence of the Holy Spirit, he finally lost his last golden opportunity.
And a few minutes later, he walked out on the feet that his Teacher had just lovingly washed, to accomplish his purpose of betraying his Teacher. He acted as an agent and guide to lead wicked men carrying weapons, cudgels and clubs to capture Jesus. And in front of His beloved disciple, Jesus was bound and led away. This was the treatment that our Lord received from Judas until the end.
(5) Our Jesus Betrayed by Peter His Disciple
[But Peter denied it before them all, saying, ‘I do not know what you are saying’](Matt. 26:70).
Had not Jesus poured upon Peter the greatest love and affection, treating him as the greatest disciple? And now he is denying his Teacher before all people, saying, “I do not even know what it means when you say I am one of His disciples.” How do you think our Lord felt in His heart upon hearing these words from His beloved disciples?
Again, Peter’s lips were spoken more positive words of betrayal, [But again he denied with an oath, ‘I do not know the Man’](Matt. 26: 72).
Oh! Peter did you not, just a few days ago, confess to Him with your own lips that He was the Christ, the Son of the living God, the Second Person of the triune God in heaven (Matt. 16:16). And now, how is it that you degrade “the Christ” to “a Man” and deny Him with an oath saying, “I do not know the Man? What made you so stingy as to refuse giving Him the proper treatment even as a human Teacher? And what could break the intimate relationship between you and your Teacher? Who could make you so lightly forsake your teacher’s love that has been thicker than the blood and stronger than the death for you? Is this all that you can render to your
Teacher, your God who has forsaken heaven and come down to find you?
After a little while, a louder and more blunt answer came out from Peter’s mouth. [Then he began to curse and swear saying, ‘I do not know the Man!’](Matt. 26:74).
Oh how can it be! Was it not you, Simon Peter, who swore with such big words just a while ago, saying, [Even if all are made to stumble because of you, I will never be made to stumble] (Matt.26:33). Did the Lord not choose you to have the privilege of seeing the Father’s glory on the Mount of Transfiguration with the holy men, Moses and Elijah? Did He not put special confidence in you and ask you to pray for Him in the Garden of Gethsemane? And this is your recompense for His love and grace? Oh you wretched disciple! Wretched Peter!
This is all that our Lord Jesus received from the world and from His disciples until His last hour.
(6) Our Jesus Betrayed by the Whole World
[He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him, He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.] [They all said to Him, ‘Let Him be crucified’] (John 1: 10, 11; Matt. 27: 22, 23).
[And all the people answered and said, ‘Hs blood be on us, and on our children’ … (And so Jesus) was delivered to be crucified] (Matt. 27:25, 26).
This was the treatment that Jesus received from the world, He who had loved the world so much, abandoning heaven’s ivory palace to come down and save it … He [loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end,] and praying for them who crucified Him, He said, [Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.] [And having said this, He breathed His last] (John13:1, Luke 23:34, 46).
This was His last hour upon the earth, and this was the treatment He received from a world that did not love Him though He loved them so completely to the end.
When He came as a baby in order to save the world, He had to borrow a stall, for the world did not provide Him a room. And soon after, He became a fugitive escaping the sword of the wicked King Herod. In His childhood, growing up in an unfortunate family, He did not have one carefree day of rest. He was always busy making money in order to pay the living expenses of His family even while receiving all kinds of harsh scornful treatment and hatred from His step-brothers. But He never spoke a word of complaint about His step-brothers, nor did He ever murmur a word about His toilsome daily tasks. As a child, Jesus lived a life of loneliness, receiving constant misunderstanding and contempt from His family. After He began His ministry, He had to go through the constant pain of rejection and betrayal even by his professed disciples. In the end, He was ostracized on a cross. Indeed His life was a succession of insult and contempt, loneliness, sorrow, and persecution. The world indeed had no place for Him as He said [Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no-where to lay His head] (Matt. 8:20).
We have so far learned the life of Jesus in six phases, paths that we, His disciples of today, must follow.
Praise the Lord! May peace and joy be with all His disciples who clearly know their Lord’s way and follow Him!
Praise the Lord!
A great multitude pressed up to the Lord, everyone swearing to be His Disciple. And the time came for our Father’s mighty hand to winnow them, to separate the wheat from the chaff. Now Jesus began His winnowing with His word, gathering His wheat into the granary and separating it from the chaff (Matt. 3:12)
He Began by saying [most assuredly, I say to you… I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which is come down from heaven that one may eat of it, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world] (John 6:47-51}. The chaff that was blown away by this first winnowing were the Jews. [The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, ‘How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?’] And they departed (John6:52).
But He did not cease here and continued His winnowing all the more forcibly on those who remained.
Jesus said to them, [Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in Him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven – not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever] (John 6:58). And [from that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.](John 6: 66).
And so, that great multitude professing to be His disciples all rejected Him and departed from Him; and the wheat that remained was shabby twelve. These twelve disciples were also sitting restlessly, disputing among themselves,[This is hard saying] (John 6:60).
And Jesus asked them a sad question, [Do you also want to go away?](John6:67). And Simon Peter answered Him, [Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God](John 6:68,69).
But in the eyes of the Holy Son was seen more chaff to be blown away among the shabby twelve. [Jesus answered them, ‘Did I not choose you, the twelve and one of you a devil?’ He spoke of Judas Iscariot, t5he son of Simon] (Jon 6:70,71).
With a yearning eat, Jesus saw those who had once been His disciples departing from Him who is the Life and the light of men. The consciousness that His compassion was unappreciated, His love unrecognized, His mercy slighted, His salvation rejected, filled Him with inexpressible sorrow, It was such hardships as these that made Him a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief. Without attempting to hinder those who were leaving Him, Jesus turned to the twelve and said, “Will you also go away?” This was the result of His work for which He had labored day and night, not sparing His energy, toil, sacrifice and service. Therefore, the Bible speaks of Him, [I have labored in vain I have spent My strength for nothing and in vain](Isa.49:4)/
Oh! Who can comfort our Lord’s exceedingly deep sorrow? [No one knows the Son except the Father [(Matt.11:27).
When Jesus was winnowing the multitude, He told them to eat His flesh and drink His blood. By this He meant that His blood was his sin-atoning blood, and the Holy Spirit gushing out from Him unceasingly as [the river of living water] (John 7:38, 39). His flesh was the bread of the word that proceeded out of His mouth which was bread of life to human souls (Matt.4:4). This interpretation is sure and right, for He Himself made it plain in the sixth chapter of John.
[When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples murmured about this, He said to them, ’Does this offend you?] I will tell you the real meaning. [It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh {My flesh and blood) profits nothing. The words that I speak to you (the living waters of the holy Spirit that is My blood and the bread of My word that is my flesh, they are spirit, and they are life](John 6:61,63). [But there are some of you who do not believe] (John 6:64).
(2) A man of Loneliness Within His Family Circle
Once He was teaching a great number of people in a house, [then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him] (Mark 3:31), [for they said,’ He is out of mind… He has an unclean spirit’](Mark 3:21,30). Therefore, [when His own people (family) heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him](Mark 3:21).
What a dismaying scene it was! How could they go so far In failing to understand Him? Had they not lived with Him for thirty years under one roof and eaten at one table together? What is more, had Mary His mother not received an angel’s direct message and vision several times when she had conceived Him? Then how is it that, listening to the voice of the Jews and scribes who had been stirred by Satan the enemy, they say, [He is out of His mind … and … has Beelzebub (devil)(Mark 3:2, 22), making such a commotion and sending for Him in order to confine Him at home for recovery? Who in this world can understand our Lord’s soul-anguish and loneliness? What a heart-aching, saddening fact it is that His own family, who were to surround Him with the warmest comfort, encouragement, and profound understanding, did not understand Him in the least but rather disturbed His work!
[And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, Look ‘Your mother and Your bothers are outside seeking You’](Mark 3:32). And He replied, [Who is My mother, or My brothers? And He looked around at the circle of those who sat about Him, and said, ‘Here are My mother and My brothers! Whoever does the will of God are My brother and My sister and mother.] “My mother and brothers who are calling Me now outside without knowing the will of God, saying , ‘He is out of His mind, He has Beelzebub,’ may perhaps be called My mother and brothers physically, but according to heaven’s standards of a family relationship, they are not My mother and brothers” (Mark 3:33-35)
Sorrowed by an inconsiderate lack of understanding at home, He often sought comfort elsewhere. There was a home He was frequently pleased to visit, the home of Lazaruz, Mary and Martha. He found peace at heart in the atmosphere of confidence and love in their home. However there was no one on earth who knew and understood His sacred mission and the weighty burden He was to carry for the human race. His only true comfort was in pouring out His heart before the heavenly Father in communion with Him.
And so My wish is that all my brothers and sisters who are following our Lord today, will not be discouraged and displeased because of family, friends or fellow believers who do not understand us, but press forward until we get to heaven, remembering Him and keeping our eyes only upon our Lord.
(3) A Man Rejected By the Religious World
[When morning came, all the chef priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put Him to death. And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor](Matt. 27:1, 2).
The religious leaders who had been teaching the Scriptures to the people, who should have rejoiced most at the coming of the Savior (Messiah) and most enthusiastically welcomed and received Him, paradoxically did not receive Him but hated and rejected Him most fiercely. They were the first to be stirred up hating Him and finally putting Him to death. In reality, theirs was a religion of formalism and hypocrisy. What is more, since ancient days, these blind religious leaders who go up and down from the pulpit like theatrical actors constitute the miserable and deplorable world of religion even today.
What a great, painstaking effort Jesus put forth two thousand years ago to arouse them and call them back! But having been persistently rejected by them, He left for Golgotha wailing aloud, [O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! (Matt. 23:37).
This Jesus who wept and lamented over Jerusalem two thousand years ago is now weeping and wailing over the earth today. He draws near the earth and weeps over it, saying, [If you had known, even you, especially in this (your) day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes}(Luke 19:41, 42).
[He (or a church) who has an ear, let him hear] Jesus weeping over the earth (Rev. 2:11)!
[Most assuredly, I say to you, [the churches that] hear the voice of the Son of God (and repent) will live] at the day of the world’s destruction (John 5:25).
Jesus, the Savior of man sent from heaven has been betrayed and rejected by the religious world and its leaders both yesterday and today. That is why He cannot have close access to His beloved children but is always wandering around them weeping and wailing. Ah! We need religious leaders and a world who will receive Jesus, today! This earth needs them!
(4) Our Jesus Betrayed By Judas His Disciple
Our Lord had not called nor chosen Judas, but He earnestly endeavored to turn him back and lead him to repentance especially so because he was more attached to riches than were the other disciples. And so, He entrusted him with the money bag, giving him an opportunity to help the poor and needy, so that his selfishness could be removed, cultivating a spirit of charity and sympathy. But ignoring his Teacher’s earnest wish toward him, he helped himself to what was put into the money bag. He was declared before God as [a thief, and had the money box; he used to take what was put into it](John 12:6).
He once loved the Great Teacher and felt a desire to have his harsh character and life changed; however, he did not cooperate with his Teacher in His labor to mold his character by surrendering himself to Him. On the contrary, he began to walk the path of a straggler, cherishing worldly ambitions of fame, position, the love of money, and nurturing a spirit of criticism and accusation toward others. Always comparing himself with the other disciples, he flattered himself that the church would often be brought to perplexity and embarrassment, and the work of God meets great difficulty were it not for him. In this way, while other disciples were striving to empty their hearts for the transformation of character, Judas was providing a good, advantageous ground for the enemy by always exalting himself. Even when he returned after having made a pledge to sell his holy Teacher for thirty coins of silver, the price of a slave, Jesus persistently and earnestly endeavored to the end to turn to repentance. As He was washing Judas’ feet yearningly, the obstinate heart of Judas moved violently like the waves of the rolling sea. For an instant, by the influence of the Holy Spirit, he finally lost his last golden opportunity.
And a few minutes later, he walked out on the feet that his Teacher had just lovingly washed, to accomplish his purpose of betraying his Teacher. He acted as an agent and guide to lead wicked men carrying weapons, cudgels and clubs to capture Jesus. And in front of His beloved disciple, Jesus was bound and led away. This was the treatment that our Lord received from Judas until the end.
(5) Our Jesus Betrayed by Peter His Disciple
[But Peter denied it before them all, saying, ‘I do not know what you are saying’](Matt. 26:70).
Had not Jesus poured upon Peter the greatest love and affection, treating him as the greatest disciple? And now he is denying his Teacher before all people, saying, “I do not even know what it means when you say I am one of His disciples.” How do you think our Lord felt in His heart upon hearing these words from His beloved disciples?
Again, Peter’s lips were spoken more positive words of betrayal, [But again he denied with an oath, ‘I do not know the Man’](Matt. 26: 72).
Oh! Peter did you not, just a few days ago, confess to Him with your own lips that He was the Christ, the Son of the living God, the Second Person of the triune God in heaven (Matt. 16:16). And now, how is it that you degrade “the Christ” to “a Man” and deny Him with an oath saying, “I do not know the Man? What made you so stingy as to refuse giving Him the proper treatment even as a human Teacher? And what could break the intimate relationship between you and your Teacher? Who could make you so lightly forsake your teacher’s love that has been thicker than the blood and stronger than the death for you? Is this all that you can render to your
Teacher, your God who has forsaken heaven and come down to find you?
After a little while, a louder and more blunt answer came out from Peter’s mouth. [Then he began to curse and swear saying, ‘I do not know the Man!’](Matt. 26:74).
Oh how can it be! Was it not you, Simon Peter, who swore with such big words just a while ago, saying, [Even if all are made to stumble because of you, I will never be made to stumble] (Matt.26:33). Did the Lord not choose you to have the privilege of seeing the Father’s glory on the Mount of Transfiguration with the holy men, Moses and Elijah? Did He not put special confidence in you and ask you to pray for Him in the Garden of Gethsemane? And this is your recompense for His love and grace? Oh you wretched disciple! Wretched Peter!
This is all that our Lord Jesus received from the world and from His disciples until His last hour.
(6) Our Jesus Betrayed by the Whole World
[He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him, He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.] [They all said to Him, ‘Let Him be crucified’] (John 1: 10, 11; Matt. 27: 22, 23).
[And all the people answered and said, ‘Hs blood be on us, and on our children’ … (And so Jesus) was delivered to be crucified] (Matt. 27:25, 26).
This was the treatment that Jesus received from the world, He who had loved the world so much, abandoning heaven’s ivory palace to come down and save it … He [loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end,] and praying for them who crucified Him, He said, [Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.] [And having said this, He breathed His last] (John13:1, Luke 23:34, 46).
This was His last hour upon the earth, and this was the treatment He received from a world that did not love Him though He loved them so completely to the end.
When He came as a baby in order to save the world, He had to borrow a stall, for the world did not provide Him a room. And soon after, He became a fugitive escaping the sword of the wicked King Herod. In His childhood, growing up in an unfortunate family, He did not have one carefree day of rest. He was always busy making money in order to pay the living expenses of His family even while receiving all kinds of harsh scornful treatment and hatred from His step-brothers. But He never spoke a word of complaint about His step-brothers, nor did He ever murmur a word about His toilsome daily tasks. As a child, Jesus lived a life of loneliness, receiving constant misunderstanding and contempt from His family. After He began His ministry, He had to go through the constant pain of rejection and betrayal even by his professed disciples. In the end, He was ostracized on a cross. Indeed His life was a succession of insult and contempt, loneliness, sorrow, and persecution. The world indeed had no place for Him as He said [Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no-where to lay His head] (Matt. 8:20).
We have so far learned the life of Jesus in six phases, paths that we, His disciples of today, must follow.
Praise the Lord! May peace and joy be with all His disciples who clearly know their Lord’s way and follow Him!
Praise the Lord!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
8. Poverty and Wealth of Jesus on Earth
(1)Poverty of Jesus
Jesus, whose dominion extended over all the universe, came to this earth and wandered about without His own nation. [Jesus answered ‘My kingdom is not of this world’] (John 18:36).
Our Savior whose home used to be the whole universe, who had the entire heaven as His dwelling place, had nowhere to lay His head when He came to this earth, wandering from place to place. He said,[Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head] (Matt. 8:20).
Being the Owner of all the treasures of the universe, [The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine] (Hag.2:8), He live a life of extreme poverty, without even a penny in His pocket when He came to this earth. He said, [Go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you] (Matt. 17:27). Though He was the Lord of heaven who [gives all men everything] (Acts 17:25), He was scarce of bread and frequently went hungry, sometimes even skipping both breakfast and supper. One day, after skipping His breakfast [in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it (to find some figs to relieve His hunger) and found nothing on it but leaves] (Matt. 21:18, 19). And one evening as He was walking across the grain fields with His disciples, having skipped supper, they plucked heads of grain to relieve their extreme hunger. [Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat] (Matt. 12:1). But Jesus did not even eat the grain. And during His earthly ministry for His children, He had not ridden a horse or a donkey once. Regardless of the distance, with the exception of only one occasion when He, on His last journey, rode on a borrowed ass in order to fulfill the Scriptures. He always traveled on foot and was often [wearied from His journey] (John 4:6). [Jesus therefore being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman of Samaria came to draw water,] and He met her (John 4:6,7).
She was a woman cast out from the world, worthless in the sight of men, given in marriage five times and now living with someone else’s husband subject to her adverse fortune. Insignificant and rejected as she was by the world, in order to reclaim this one afflicted and lost sheep of His, our Lord walked about thirty-two kilometers (some twenty miles) and was very thirsty and hungry. But when He found His one lost sheep, He was filled with joy and gladness, forgetting His thirst and hunger. And His disciples brought Him food and said, [Rabbi, eat,” But He said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” Therefore the disciples said to one another, ‘Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?] But there was no one who had given Him food (John 4:31,32).
Besides these, we know well that He once starved for forty days in the wilderness for the sake of His children who had fallen by the power of appetite. By these facts, we can see that His life was a succession of poverty and hunger. But He never prayed nor spoke a word of care concerning His own poverty, lack of food, clothing or shelter. He never prayed, thought or shed tears for himself, only for others.
[You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich] (2cor. 8:9).
What is more, He was always persecuted and despised. [If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you] (John 15:20).
When He was led with the heavy cross upon His shoulders, to be slain under false accusation, [a great multitude of people followed Him and women also mourned and lamented for Him. But Jesus (loved them exceedingly and) turning to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children’] (Luke 23:27, 28) and went on. Even then, He had gone without food on an empty stomach for many days. He [loved His own who were in the world. He loved them to the end] (John13:1). And after all this, He died in hunger. [Father, into Your hands I commend My Spirit!] And He breathed His last (Luke 23:46).
Though He was the richest in the universe, yet for His children’s sake, He became the poorest, so that by His poverty they might become rich (2Cor. 8:9).
By His poverty we became rich.
By His hunger we became satisfied.
By His misery we became happy.
By His chastisement we have found peace.
By His bruises we are healed.
By His wounds we have received health.
By His sorrow we have found joy.
By His tears we can smile.
By His wailing we can sing praises.
By His captivity we have been made free.
By His humiliation we have become noble.
By His exceeding lowliness we have been brought up to God’s throne.
By His insult we are glorified.
By His death we have found eternal life.
Because He went down to the grave, we are privileged to see the glorious morning of resurrection.
Oh, immeasurable is the grace of our Lord Jesus!
Beyond all comparison with the heavens, with the sea, with the firmament!
Not by pen, nor by word, nor by anything can it be described!
[They are higher than the heaven – what can you do? Deeper than Sheol (grave) – what can you know?] (Job 11:8 N.I.V.). What can I do but give Him ceaseless thanks while wiping away the tears pouring forth from my eyes…
(2) Wealth of Jesus
* He was rich in love. [I and My Father are one,] and [God is love] (John 10:30, 1John 4:8). [By this we know love because He laid down His life for us] (John 3:16).
* He was rich in mercy. [I am the good shepherd… I lay down My life for the sheep] (John 10:14, 15). [But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.] [He was moved with compassion for them… so He began to teach them many things] (Matt. 9:36, Mark 6:34).
* He was rich in humility. He [who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.] (Phil. 2:6-8).
* He was rich in faith. [Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these will I do he will do also; and to him who believes] (John 14:2 Mark 9:23).
* He was rich in the Holy Spirit. [God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit … (He) went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil] (Acts 10:38).
* He was rich in power. [God anointed Jesus of Nazareth … with power.] (Jesus (perceived) in Himself that power had gone out of Him] (Acts 10:38, Mark 5:30).
* He was rich in authority. [All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.] [I give you authority … over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you] (Matt. 28:18, Luke 10:19).
* He was rich in living water. [If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me … out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.] [But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will … become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life] (John 7:37, 4:14).
* He was rich in the light of life. [I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk I darkness, but have the light of life] (John 8:12).
* He was rich in the bread (food) of life.[Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you] (John 6:27). [I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger] (John 6:35).
* He was rich in all things in the universe. [All things that the Father has are Mine.] [Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it] (John 16:15, 14:13,14).
In conclusion, our Lord Jesus was the poorest in the world of sin, and richest before God in the universe.
He said, [If any one serves Me, let him follow Me] (John 12:26). A servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.] [Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not I him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world] John 13:16, 1, 1John 2:15,16).
[Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me] (Mark 8:34). [If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife, and children, brothers and sisters yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple] (Luke 14:26,33).
Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come everlasting life.]
[Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the Gospel’s who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time – houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions – and in the age to come, eternal life] (Luke 18:29, 30 Mark 10:29,30 Reference: Mark 12:50, Luke 22:35, Num. 11:23, 2Cor. 9:8,9).
[He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life](John 12:25).
[Most assuredly I say to you,] [a disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master.] [If you know these things, happy are you if you do them] (John 13:16, Matt. 10:24,25, John 13:17).
[If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor] (John 12:26).
Praise the Lord! May eternal riches and glory be with the followers of Jesus! Amen. Praise the Lord!
Jesus, whose dominion extended over all the universe, came to this earth and wandered about without His own nation. [Jesus answered ‘My kingdom is not of this world’] (John 18:36).
Our Savior whose home used to be the whole universe, who had the entire heaven as His dwelling place, had nowhere to lay His head when He came to this earth, wandering from place to place. He said,[Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head] (Matt. 8:20).
Being the Owner of all the treasures of the universe, [The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine] (Hag.2:8), He live a life of extreme poverty, without even a penny in His pocket when He came to this earth. He said, [Go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you] (Matt. 17:27). Though He was the Lord of heaven who [gives all men everything] (Acts 17:25), He was scarce of bread and frequently went hungry, sometimes even skipping both breakfast and supper. One day, after skipping His breakfast [in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it (to find some figs to relieve His hunger) and found nothing on it but leaves] (Matt. 21:18, 19). And one evening as He was walking across the grain fields with His disciples, having skipped supper, they plucked heads of grain to relieve their extreme hunger. [Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat] (Matt. 12:1). But Jesus did not even eat the grain. And during His earthly ministry for His children, He had not ridden a horse or a donkey once. Regardless of the distance, with the exception of only one occasion when He, on His last journey, rode on a borrowed ass in order to fulfill the Scriptures. He always traveled on foot and was often [wearied from His journey] (John 4:6). [Jesus therefore being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman of Samaria came to draw water,] and He met her (John 4:6,7).
She was a woman cast out from the world, worthless in the sight of men, given in marriage five times and now living with someone else’s husband subject to her adverse fortune. Insignificant and rejected as she was by the world, in order to reclaim this one afflicted and lost sheep of His, our Lord walked about thirty-two kilometers (some twenty miles) and was very thirsty and hungry. But when He found His one lost sheep, He was filled with joy and gladness, forgetting His thirst and hunger. And His disciples brought Him food and said, [Rabbi, eat,” But He said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” Therefore the disciples said to one another, ‘Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?] But there was no one who had given Him food (John 4:31,32).
Besides these, we know well that He once starved for forty days in the wilderness for the sake of His children who had fallen by the power of appetite. By these facts, we can see that His life was a succession of poverty and hunger. But He never prayed nor spoke a word of care concerning His own poverty, lack of food, clothing or shelter. He never prayed, thought or shed tears for himself, only for others.
[You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich] (2cor. 8:9).
What is more, He was always persecuted and despised. [If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you] (John 15:20).
When He was led with the heavy cross upon His shoulders, to be slain under false accusation, [a great multitude of people followed Him and women also mourned and lamented for Him. But Jesus (loved them exceedingly and) turning to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children’] (Luke 23:27, 28) and went on. Even then, He had gone without food on an empty stomach for many days. He [loved His own who were in the world. He loved them to the end] (John13:1). And after all this, He died in hunger. [Father, into Your hands I commend My Spirit!] And He breathed His last (Luke 23:46).
Though He was the richest in the universe, yet for His children’s sake, He became the poorest, so that by His poverty they might become rich (2Cor. 8:9).
By His poverty we became rich.
By His hunger we became satisfied.
By His misery we became happy.
By His chastisement we have found peace.
By His bruises we are healed.
By His wounds we have received health.
By His sorrow we have found joy.
By His tears we can smile.
By His wailing we can sing praises.
By His captivity we have been made free.
By His humiliation we have become noble.
By His exceeding lowliness we have been brought up to God’s throne.
By His insult we are glorified.
By His death we have found eternal life.
Because He went down to the grave, we are privileged to see the glorious morning of resurrection.
Oh, immeasurable is the grace of our Lord Jesus!
Beyond all comparison with the heavens, with the sea, with the firmament!
Not by pen, nor by word, nor by anything can it be described!
[They are higher than the heaven – what can you do? Deeper than Sheol (grave) – what can you know?] (Job 11:8 N.I.V.). What can I do but give Him ceaseless thanks while wiping away the tears pouring forth from my eyes…
(2) Wealth of Jesus
* He was rich in love. [I and My Father are one,] and [God is love] (John 10:30, 1John 4:8). [By this we know love because He laid down His life for us] (John 3:16).
* He was rich in mercy. [I am the good shepherd… I lay down My life for the sheep] (John 10:14, 15). [But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.] [He was moved with compassion for them… so He began to teach them many things] (Matt. 9:36, Mark 6:34).
* He was rich in humility. He [who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.] (Phil. 2:6-8).
* He was rich in faith. [Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these will I do he will do also; and to him who believes] (John 14:2 Mark 9:23).
* He was rich in the Holy Spirit. [God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit … (He) went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil] (Acts 10:38).
* He was rich in power. [God anointed Jesus of Nazareth … with power.] (Jesus (perceived) in Himself that power had gone out of Him] (Acts 10:38, Mark 5:30).
* He was rich in authority. [All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.] [I give you authority … over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you] (Matt. 28:18, Luke 10:19).
* He was rich in living water. [If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me … out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.] [But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will … become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life] (John 7:37, 4:14).
* He was rich in the light of life. [I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk I darkness, but have the light of life] (John 8:12).
* He was rich in the bread (food) of life.[Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you] (John 6:27). [I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger] (John 6:35).
* He was rich in all things in the universe. [All things that the Father has are Mine.] [Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it] (John 16:15, 14:13,14).
In conclusion, our Lord Jesus was the poorest in the world of sin, and richest before God in the universe.
He said, [If any one serves Me, let him follow Me] (John 12:26). A servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.] [Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not I him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world] John 13:16, 1, 1John 2:15,16).
[Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me] (Mark 8:34). [If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife, and children, brothers and sisters yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple] (Luke 14:26,33).
Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come everlasting life.]
[Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the Gospel’s who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time – houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions – and in the age to come, eternal life] (Luke 18:29, 30 Mark 10:29,30 Reference: Mark 12:50, Luke 22:35, Num. 11:23, 2Cor. 9:8,9).
[He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life](John 12:25).
[Most assuredly I say to you,] [a disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master.] [If you know these things, happy are you if you do them] (John 13:16, Matt. 10:24,25, John 13:17).
[If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor] (John 12:26).
Praise the Lord! May eternal riches and glory be with the followers of Jesus! Amen. Praise the Lord!
Friday, December 26, 2008
9. Jesus the Nazarite, A Faithful Servant of God
He [was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house](Heb. 3:2)
It is written concerning Moses in the Bible, [But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord know face to face, in all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, before Pharaoh, before all his servants and in all his land, and by all that mighty power and all great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel](Deut. 34:10-11). [Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth](Num. 12:3). [So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face as a man speaks to his friend] Exo.33:11).
Among all the prophets and servants of God who have arisen down through the ages since the beginning, there has not been one like Moses who talked with God face to face, working such great miracles, except for Jesus. As Jesus having been baptized came out of the water, God proclaimed, [This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased](Matt. 3:17). He sent Moses and Elijah down to meet Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, declaring, [This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!]Matt 17:5). Then His face shone like the sun as Moses' face had shone after his contact with God on Mt Sinai(Matt17:2). And as Moses experienced a face to face communion with God as a friend before going to Egypt in order to work great miracles there, Jesus also communed with His Father at dawn every morning before He went out to work great miracles and wonders in the world.
Therefore, the Bible bears testimony of Him, saying He [was faithful in all His house](Heb. 3:2). However, being the greatest prophet as he was, Moses cannot be compared with Jesus. [(Jesus) has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses in as much as He who built the house has more honor than the house](Heb. 3:3).
If Moses were to be accounted as a house , then Jesus would be the Master who who built the house because Moses was a creature created by Jesus, while Jesus is the Creator God who had endowed him his body and life. And [Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant ... but Christ as a Son over His own house](Heb. 3:5,6).
While Moses had been a servant of God who served Him for a time, Jesus was equal with God, [who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, ]and sitting at the right hand of the Majesty of heaven. Jesus was the unique partner and Son of God, to discuss all sorts of matters together, such as making the plan of man's redemption and administering the affairs of all the universe(Heb. 1:3,2).
For this reason Satan cherished dissatisfaction and rose in rebellion. As he saw God and Jesus having council and conversing with each other in regard to all the affairs of the universe, he desired to join Them. He said in his heart, [I will ascend into heaven; I will set my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation {of God) on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds. I will be like the Most High](Isa. 14:13,14). But the Bible says, [shall the axe boast itself against him who chops with it? Or shall the saw magnify itself against him who saws with it? As if a rod could wield itself against those who lift it up, or as if a staff could lift it up, as if it were not wood!](Isa. 10:15) [Woe to him who strives with his Maker Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him who forms it, 'What are you making?' Or shall your handiwork say, 'He has no hands?'](Isa. 45:9). This is a comment directed at the unreasonableness of Satan's act in cherishing envy over Jesus who was his Creator harboring a grudge and making complaints about the way God handles His affairs, thus rising in rebellion against Him.
Though he, by persisting in his course, has been [brought down to sheol (the grave), to the lowest depths of the Pit](Isa. 14:15), he continues on his wicked course even today, striving to implant presumptuous evil ideas into the minds of men. We are to be on strict guard against him. Envy, covetousness, slandering, self-exaltation, criticism and reproach upon others are not to take the least part of our hearts or pass our lips; for those who do these things are servants of Satan and are his possessions.
Now back to the story of Jesus, the Son of God. Our lofty Jesus stands in exact contrast with Satan. On his throne in heaven or on earth alike, He was always meek and humble in heart, never displaying Himself as the son of God nor as the God nor as a Prince who consults with God about all the affairs of the universe. Rather, He took pleasure in doing God's will as a little Son in God's house, or even as a man of Nazareth. Jesus calmly says,[I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me](John 6:38). He never spoke a word or did anything of his own will but in a perfect accordance with what God who had sent Him told Him to do.[For I have not spoken my own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say, and what I should speak... Whatever I speak, just ask the Father has told Me, so I speak](John 12:49, 50). [When you lift up the Son of Man,then you will know that ... I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things](John 8:28).
When Jesus, the Son of God, the Nazarite saw and heard the deeds and words of man,He did not draw a conclusion or judge them on His own, God spoke of Him, [Who is blind but My Servant? ... Seeing many things but (does) not observe, opening the ears, but (He) does not hear](Isa. 42:19,19).
The Nazarite always chose the wisest, safest way; He said,[I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of the Father who sent Me](John 5:30).
What a wise and thoughtful course Jesus the Nazarite chose For this reason, He did not make a single mistake or commit one sin. He put all His trust in His perfect and omniscience Father, believing, concluding and judging all things in perfect accordance with the Father. So there was no way that He could be led thoughtlessly into a situation liable to cause Him to make a mistake or commit sin. In this way, Jesus became the sinless Savior by being the first and the only sinless person since the beginning of time.
If we also as His followers decide not to live according to our ideas, thoughts or judgments but choose to trust wholly in God, acting and judging according to what He says to us, then we can also live[apart from sin] (Heb 9:28)
Because Jesus the Nazarite was [one]with God(John 10:30). living hidden under the wings of His power, all the evil forces of Satan could not touch Him.[He who sent Me is with Me] John 8:29), said He who was surrounded by the safe fortress of God.
He who followed such a wise course in life also lived solely for the glory of God, becoming a person who, most please and glorified Him on this earth. He could say, [The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please him](John 8:29). Truly, Jesus the Nazarite was the Son of God, who was indeed worthy of hearing, the voice from heaven [This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.](Matt. 17:5). We are to follow His example in living a life of wisdom at any cost, for this is the only way to live a sinless life, leading us to God](John14:6)
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling ... consider Jesus,][who in the days of his flesh ... though He was a Son, yet he learn obedience... and having been perfected. He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him](Heb 3:1,5 5-9).
Praise the Lord! Glory, praise and thanksgiving to our Lord Jesus who taught us the only way for salvation through His personal example of obedience! Praise the Lord!
It is written concerning Moses in the Bible, [But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord know face to face, in all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, before Pharaoh, before all his servants and in all his land, and by all that mighty power and all great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel](Deut. 34:10-11). [Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth](Num. 12:3). [So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face as a man speaks to his friend] Exo.33:11).
Among all the prophets and servants of God who have arisen down through the ages since the beginning, there has not been one like Moses who talked with God face to face, working such great miracles, except for Jesus. As Jesus having been baptized came out of the water, God proclaimed, [This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased](Matt. 3:17). He sent Moses and Elijah down to meet Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, declaring, [This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!]Matt 17:5). Then His face shone like the sun as Moses' face had shone after his contact with God on Mt Sinai(Matt17:2). And as Moses experienced a face to face communion with God as a friend before going to Egypt in order to work great miracles there, Jesus also communed with His Father at dawn every morning before He went out to work great miracles and wonders in the world.
Therefore, the Bible bears testimony of Him, saying He [was faithful in all His house](Heb. 3:2). However, being the greatest prophet as he was, Moses cannot be compared with Jesus. [(Jesus) has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses in as much as He who built the house has more honor than the house](Heb. 3:3).
If Moses were to be accounted as a house , then Jesus would be the Master who who built the house because Moses was a creature created by Jesus, while Jesus is the Creator God who had endowed him his body and life. And [Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant ... but Christ as a Son over His own house](Heb. 3:5,6).
While Moses had been a servant of God who served Him for a time, Jesus was equal with God, [who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, ]and sitting at the right hand of the Majesty of heaven. Jesus was the unique partner and Son of God, to discuss all sorts of matters together, such as making the plan of man's redemption and administering the affairs of all the universe(Heb. 1:3,2).
For this reason Satan cherished dissatisfaction and rose in rebellion. As he saw God and Jesus having council and conversing with each other in regard to all the affairs of the universe, he desired to join Them. He said in his heart, [I will ascend into heaven; I will set my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation {of God) on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds. I will be like the Most High](Isa. 14:13,14). But the Bible says, [shall the axe boast itself against him who chops with it? Or shall the saw magnify itself against him who saws with it? As if a rod could wield itself against those who lift it up, or as if a staff could lift it up, as if it were not wood!](Isa. 10:15) [Woe to him who strives with his Maker Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him who forms it, 'What are you making?' Or shall your handiwork say, 'He has no hands?'](Isa. 45:9). This is a comment directed at the unreasonableness of Satan's act in cherishing envy over Jesus who was his Creator harboring a grudge and making complaints about the way God handles His affairs, thus rising in rebellion against Him.
Though he, by persisting in his course, has been [brought down to sheol (the grave), to the lowest depths of the Pit](Isa. 14:15), he continues on his wicked course even today, striving to implant presumptuous evil ideas into the minds of men. We are to be on strict guard against him. Envy, covetousness, slandering, self-exaltation, criticism and reproach upon others are not to take the least part of our hearts or pass our lips; for those who do these things are servants of Satan and are his possessions.
Now back to the story of Jesus, the Son of God. Our lofty Jesus stands in exact contrast with Satan. On his throne in heaven or on earth alike, He was always meek and humble in heart, never displaying Himself as the son of God nor as the God nor as a Prince who consults with God about all the affairs of the universe. Rather, He took pleasure in doing God's will as a little Son in God's house, or even as a man of Nazareth. Jesus calmly says,[I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me](John 6:38). He never spoke a word or did anything of his own will but in a perfect accordance with what God who had sent Him told Him to do.[For I have not spoken my own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say, and what I should speak... Whatever I speak, just ask the Father has told Me, so I speak](John 12:49, 50). [When you lift up the Son of Man,then you will know that ... I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things](John 8:28).
When Jesus, the Son of God, the Nazarite saw and heard the deeds and words of man,He did not draw a conclusion or judge them on His own, God spoke of Him, [Who is blind but My Servant? ... Seeing many things but (does) not observe, opening the ears, but (He) does not hear](Isa. 42:19,19).
The Nazarite always chose the wisest, safest way; He said,[I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of the Father who sent Me](John 5:30).
What a wise and thoughtful course Jesus the Nazarite chose For this reason, He did not make a single mistake or commit one sin. He put all His trust in His perfect and omniscience Father, believing, concluding and judging all things in perfect accordance with the Father. So there was no way that He could be led thoughtlessly into a situation liable to cause Him to make a mistake or commit sin. In this way, Jesus became the sinless Savior by being the first and the only sinless person since the beginning of time.
If we also as His followers decide not to live according to our ideas, thoughts or judgments but choose to trust wholly in God, acting and judging according to what He says to us, then we can also live[apart from sin] (Heb 9:28)
Because Jesus the Nazarite was [one]with God(John 10:30). living hidden under the wings of His power, all the evil forces of Satan could not touch Him.[He who sent Me is with Me] John 8:29), said He who was surrounded by the safe fortress of God.
He who followed such a wise course in life also lived solely for the glory of God, becoming a person who, most please and glorified Him on this earth. He could say, [The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please him](John 8:29). Truly, Jesus the Nazarite was the Son of God, who was indeed worthy of hearing, the voice from heaven [This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.](Matt. 17:5). We are to follow His example in living a life of wisdom at any cost, for this is the only way to live a sinless life, leading us to God](John14:6)
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling ... consider Jesus,][who in the days of his flesh ... though He was a Son, yet he learn obedience... and having been perfected. He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him](Heb 3:1,5 5-9).
Praise the Lord! Glory, praise and thanksgiving to our Lord Jesus who taught us the only way for salvation through His personal example of obedience! Praise the Lord!
Friday, December 12, 2008
10. Jesus Christ, a Man of Prayer
[In the days of His flesh, (Jesus) offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears](Heb. 5:7). When He took human nature, He was as helpless a man of Nazareth as we are. He was indeed a man , Jesus of Nazareth was, just as we are, subject to hunger when starved, pain when beaten, weariness when He walk excessively, exhaustion when overworked, pain when injured shedding blood, and death if any one should kill Him. That is why He became an unwearied suppliant who offer petition to God night after night in order to receive a new supply of power. In order to come forth braced for duty to save the world and overcome trials brought by Satan’s ceaseless challenges. He had to receive fresh supplies of strength and power from His Father. Therefore, every morning He spent hours with His Father to receive the fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit, that He might impart the bread of life and light to men. He held unceasing communion with His Father through unceasing prayer. Prayer was to the Nazarite the source of His strength and the key to the mysterious power that flowed out from Him. [In the days of His flesh, (Jesus) offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear](Heb. 5:7).
If He had neglected prayer, He could not have become the savior of the world or the conqueror over the power of Satan. Without prayer, He could have ended up as an eternal loser. It was His prayer that made the man of Nazareth the powerful Conqueror and glorious Savior.
• While He prayed, the heavens were opened. [When Jesus … was baptized and while He prayed, the heavens were opened.](Luke 3:21).
• While He prayed, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him. [While He prayed … the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form, like a dove upon Him](Luke 3:21,22).
• While He prayed, the voice of God was heard. [While He prayed … a voice came from heaven which said, ‘You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased’](Luke 3:21,22)
• As He prayed, His appearance was altered. [As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered … and became white and glistening] (Luke 9:29).
• By prayer He received power to cast out the devil. [Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out, and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed … And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons](Mark 1:35,39).
Every morning hours of prayer was of the greatest importance to Jesus. During these extremely important early morning hours, He held communion with His Father, receiving full strength, power and light. After these hours of prayer, He went about casting out demons and setting free all who had been oppressed by Satan. However, His disciples were different. During early mornings, they would usually be in deep sleep, waking up late in the morning. When they chanced to pray on some early mornings, they would mutter a few words and simply give up, contrary to their Teacher. And yet they desired to possess their Teacher’s power in casting out demons, but they could not. Once they came to Jesus and [asked Him privately, ‘Why could we not cast him out?] (Mark 9:28). And He said to them, [This kind can come out only by prayer] (Mark 9:29). In other words, “As long as you keep snoring at dawn every morning, such powers cannot come forth from you. And you cannot drive out demons.” This was a solemn rebuke to His disciples who so neglected prayer.
Yet He spoke again, [Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father](John 14:12). To say again, truly I say to you, if you are as fervent in prayer as I am, the power that comes out from Me will come out from you. And ‘greater works than these,’ that is, you will be able to cover greater regions than I did in exercising power by traveling to the uttermost parts of the earth. Later, after His ascension, they found out that the source of their Teacher’s power had been in His prayers, the ceaseless prayers He had offered up every night, every dawn and always. And so they [continued with one accord in prayer](Acts:14) until at last, they became second Jesuses as their Teacher had said (John 14:12). They went out into the world to set free all who had been oppressed by the devil and to heal all the sick. [Many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.] [And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord worked with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs] (Acts 2:43, Mark 16:20).
* As He prayed, great miracles followed Him. [And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on a mountain by Himself to pray. And when evening had come, He was alone there. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea] (Matt. 14:23,25).
* By fasting and prayer He overcame Satan. [Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness … And when He had fasted (and prayed) forty days and forty nights] (Matt. 4:1,2). [The tempter came to Him ](Matt. 4:2, 3). But He defeated him completely in the threefold challenge (Matt.4:3-10). [Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him] (Matt. 4:11).
* By His prayer the disciples were saved. [Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he might sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith should not fail] (Luke 22:31, 32).
* By His prayer the world was saved. In the Garden of Gethsemane, [being in an agony He prayed more earnestly. And His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground] (Luke 22:44). [Then Jesus (on the cross) said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do’] (Luke 23:34).
* After praying all night, He chose His disciples. [He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day He called His disciples to Him and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles] (Luke 5:12, 13).
* He finished His daily work in prayer. [And when he sent the multitudes away, He went up on a mountain by Himself to pray ](Matt. 14:23).
* Prayer-hours of greater importance than multitudes (hearers). [The report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed] (Luke 5:15,16).
* His habitual life of prayer. [He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed … When He came to the place … He knelt down and prayed] (Luke 22:39-41).
Indeed, prayer was to Jesus the Nazarite, the only source of His strength, channel of power, secret of victory and communion with God. It was prayer that made Him victorious, great, and the glorious Savior.
Now if the Savior of men, the Son of God, felt the need of prayer, how much more should feeble, sinful mortals feel the necessity of fervent constant prayer?
A life of fervent and diligent prayer is one of the most indispensable duties of God’s children. If we are to follow Him, we have no other way than to follow the path Jesus took before us by praying. In order to overcome as Jesus did, we are to pray as He prayed. Prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven’s storehouse where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence. It enables us to draw from its heaven’s riches, power, wisdom, strength, and God (the Holy Spirit).
Without prayer we can receive nothing from God and He cannot give anything to those who desire nothing. [Ask, and it will be given you … For every one who asks receives](Matt.7:7, 8).
To those who prayed today just as Jesus the Nazarite prayed, heaven will be opened, the Holy Spirit will be given, and the voice of God will be heard from heaven. Their appearance and character will be transformed into the image of God and shine brightly. Great powers and miracles of God will accompany them; and by them all sinners of the world will be saved. Yet, they will not be satisfied here but press closer to God, enjoying hours of being together with Him, hours which no one can interrupt. They will hold joyful communion with Him at dawn every morning and every night be embraced in His bosom. And keeping in close, ceaseless connection with Him in their daily duties of life, they will walk with Him as Enoch did. As they at times fast and pray through the night, He will answer their earnest petitions with the fullness of His grace and abundant gifts of love.
But those who offer formal, lifeless prayers occasionally will be in danger of skepticism, unbelief, and inviting darkness into their souls. Prayer is to be fervent and earnest with firm assurance persisting until it is answered from heaven. Such prayers will surely increase the prayer’s faith, joy, happiness and rewards more and more, enabling him to enter heaven sufficiently.
He who prays is a man of power,
He who prays is a man of happiness,
He who prays is a man who meets God,
He who prays is a witness for God,
He who prays is a man walking with God,
He who prays is a man like Christ,
He who prays is a man who will live forever in the house of God.
He who does not pray is a man with no power,
He who does not pray is a man of misery,
He who does not pray is a man who cannot glorify God,
He who does not pray is a man who denies God,
He who does not pray is a man who worries God,
He who does not pray is a man separated from God.
He who does not pray is a man who cannot be sanctified ever,
He who does not pray will not enter the house of God.
Glory, praise and thanksgiving to our Lord Jesus who has shown us the only way(John 14:6) to heaven through the example of prayer! Praise the Lord!
If He had neglected prayer, He could not have become the savior of the world or the conqueror over the power of Satan. Without prayer, He could have ended up as an eternal loser. It was His prayer that made the man of Nazareth the powerful Conqueror and glorious Savior.
• While He prayed, the heavens were opened. [When Jesus … was baptized and while He prayed, the heavens were opened.](Luke 3:21).
• While He prayed, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him. [While He prayed … the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form, like a dove upon Him](Luke 3:21,22).
• While He prayed, the voice of God was heard. [While He prayed … a voice came from heaven which said, ‘You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased’](Luke 3:21,22)
• As He prayed, His appearance was altered. [As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered … and became white and glistening] (Luke 9:29).
• By prayer He received power to cast out the devil. [Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out, and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed … And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons](Mark 1:35,39).
Every morning hours of prayer was of the greatest importance to Jesus. During these extremely important early morning hours, He held communion with His Father, receiving full strength, power and light. After these hours of prayer, He went about casting out demons and setting free all who had been oppressed by Satan. However, His disciples were different. During early mornings, they would usually be in deep sleep, waking up late in the morning. When they chanced to pray on some early mornings, they would mutter a few words and simply give up, contrary to their Teacher. And yet they desired to possess their Teacher’s power in casting out demons, but they could not. Once they came to Jesus and [asked Him privately, ‘Why could we not cast him out?] (Mark 9:28). And He said to them, [This kind can come out only by prayer] (Mark 9:29). In other words, “As long as you keep snoring at dawn every morning, such powers cannot come forth from you. And you cannot drive out demons.” This was a solemn rebuke to His disciples who so neglected prayer.
Yet He spoke again, [Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father](John 14:12). To say again, truly I say to you, if you are as fervent in prayer as I am, the power that comes out from Me will come out from you. And ‘greater works than these,’ that is, you will be able to cover greater regions than I did in exercising power by traveling to the uttermost parts of the earth. Later, after His ascension, they found out that the source of their Teacher’s power had been in His prayers, the ceaseless prayers He had offered up every night, every dawn and always. And so they [continued with one accord in prayer](Acts:14) until at last, they became second Jesuses as their Teacher had said (John 14:12). They went out into the world to set free all who had been oppressed by the devil and to heal all the sick. [Many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.] [And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord worked with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs] (Acts 2:43, Mark 16:20).
* As He prayed, great miracles followed Him. [And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on a mountain by Himself to pray. And when evening had come, He was alone there. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea] (Matt. 14:23,25).
* By fasting and prayer He overcame Satan. [Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness … And when He had fasted (and prayed) forty days and forty nights] (Matt. 4:1,2). [The tempter came to Him ](Matt. 4:2, 3). But He defeated him completely in the threefold challenge (Matt.4:3-10). [Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him] (Matt. 4:11).
* By His prayer the disciples were saved. [Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he might sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith should not fail] (Luke 22:31, 32).
* By His prayer the world was saved. In the Garden of Gethsemane, [being in an agony He prayed more earnestly. And His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground] (Luke 22:44). [Then Jesus (on the cross) said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do’] (Luke 23:34).
* After praying all night, He chose His disciples. [He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day He called His disciples to Him and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles] (Luke 5:12, 13).
* He finished His daily work in prayer. [And when he sent the multitudes away, He went up on a mountain by Himself to pray ](Matt. 14:23).
* Prayer-hours of greater importance than multitudes (hearers). [The report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed] (Luke 5:15,16).
* His habitual life of prayer. [He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed … When He came to the place … He knelt down and prayed] (Luke 22:39-41).
Indeed, prayer was to Jesus the Nazarite, the only source of His strength, channel of power, secret of victory and communion with God. It was prayer that made Him victorious, great, and the glorious Savior.
Now if the Savior of men, the Son of God, felt the need of prayer, how much more should feeble, sinful mortals feel the necessity of fervent constant prayer?
A life of fervent and diligent prayer is one of the most indispensable duties of God’s children. If we are to follow Him, we have no other way than to follow the path Jesus took before us by praying. In order to overcome as Jesus did, we are to pray as He prayed. Prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven’s storehouse where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence. It enables us to draw from its heaven’s riches, power, wisdom, strength, and God (the Holy Spirit).
Without prayer we can receive nothing from God and He cannot give anything to those who desire nothing. [Ask, and it will be given you … For every one who asks receives](Matt.7:7, 8).
To those who prayed today just as Jesus the Nazarite prayed, heaven will be opened, the Holy Spirit will be given, and the voice of God will be heard from heaven. Their appearance and character will be transformed into the image of God and shine brightly. Great powers and miracles of God will accompany them; and by them all sinners of the world will be saved. Yet, they will not be satisfied here but press closer to God, enjoying hours of being together with Him, hours which no one can interrupt. They will hold joyful communion with Him at dawn every morning and every night be embraced in His bosom. And keeping in close, ceaseless connection with Him in their daily duties of life, they will walk with Him as Enoch did. As they at times fast and pray through the night, He will answer their earnest petitions with the fullness of His grace and abundant gifts of love.
But those who offer formal, lifeless prayers occasionally will be in danger of skepticism, unbelief, and inviting darkness into their souls. Prayer is to be fervent and earnest with firm assurance persisting until it is answered from heaven. Such prayers will surely increase the prayer’s faith, joy, happiness and rewards more and more, enabling him to enter heaven sufficiently.
He who prays is a man of power,
He who prays is a man of happiness,
He who prays is a man who meets God,
He who prays is a witness for God,
He who prays is a man walking with God,
He who prays is a man like Christ,
He who prays is a man who will live forever in the house of God.
He who does not pray is a man with no power,
He who does not pray is a man of misery,
He who does not pray is a man who cannot glorify God,
He who does not pray is a man who denies God,
He who does not pray is a man who worries God,
He who does not pray is a man separated from God.
He who does not pray is a man who cannot be sanctified ever,
He who does not pray will not enter the house of God.
Glory, praise and thanksgiving to our Lord Jesus who has shown us the only way(John 14:6) to heaven through the example of prayer! Praise the Lord!
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