“Jesus said to them, ‘When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.’” [1]
The conscience of Jesus stayed on course with the will of His Father. His conscience was held captive to the will of God. How amazing!
As a young person, I imagined that if the Church would adopt the music and the fashion styles of the times, many young people would come. But what’s better, full halls or a small group of missionaries who seek to save the lost?
I see in Jesus the mindset to please His Heavenly Father no matter what a thousand people around Him expected Him to say or do. God was His director. He followed God’s script. Jesus shows us that the power to make a difference in this world is to defiantly obey the will of God no matter how popular culture responds. By obeying the leading of His Father, He saved one adulteress from being stoned by an angry crowd. He considered her worth running the risk of being stoned Himself. [2]
“Then, they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.” [3]
“Lord Jesus, please help us by Your Spirit to have wills held captive to Father’s will for Your glory and for the salvation of others. In Your Name Jesus, we pray. Amen.”
[1] John 8:28-29
[2] John 8:3-11
[3] John 8:59
“He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.” [1]
We need the Author of the Bible to help us understand the Bible. Next time you read the Bible, ask the Holy Spirit, who breathed its words into the hearts and minds of its writers, to reveal to you the meaning and purpose of the Bible. Keep in mind that Scripture points to Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” [2]
The Bible was written to help us know Christ... so there is a bigger picture than just a selfie involved... “Then He [Jesus] said to them, ‘Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.’” [3]
[1] Luke 24:45
[2] Luke 24:44
[3] Luke 24:46-47
“Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’” [1]
Jesus had said previously, “Indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.” [2] The thief hanging next to Jesus on the cross was stereotyped by the world as a “last,” but he entered paradise that day with Jesus as a “first.” He placed all his hope for heaven in Jesus and became a “first.” So, it is for all who place 100% faith in Jesus for salvation, and 0% faith in themselves.
“Not the labors of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s commands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.” [3]
[1] Luke 23:42-43
[2] Luke 13:30
[3] Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me, Augustus M. Toplady
Some who listened to Jesus, doubted that people resurrect from the dead. So, Jesus used a title for God that appears in the-burning-bush-narrative to boost their faith. God told Moses that He is “the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” From this passage, Jesus declared to the doubters that these three men are alive, “Those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. Even Moses showed in the burning bush passage that the dead are raised, when he called the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him.” [1]
Jesus told one woman, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” [2]
There is life beyond this life, and according to the Bible and Jesus, it is a better life, “There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” [3]
And God gave us this great salvation as gift at the cost of His own Son’s sacrifice, “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.” [4]
[1] Luke 20:35-38
[2] John 11:25
[3] Revelation 21:4
[4] John 3:16
“He [the Lord] brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord.” [1]
Humanism, rationalism, and syncretism are horrible pits and miry clay. Jesus is the rock of salvation. He puts better and happier songs in our hearts than humanism, rationalism, and syncretism. Praise the Lord!
When all the false narratives are blown away like dust in the wind, the Word of God will still be standing. The Kingdom of God will neither be silenced nor obscured.
God is omnipresent and omnipotent. Thanks to His Son Jesus Christ, we have a new song... a song of “saved by grace” to sing.
Humanism is an outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to humans rather than divine or supernatural matters. Humanist beliefs stress the potential value and goodness of human beings, emphasize common human needs, and seek solely rational ways of solving human problems.
Rationalism is a belief or theory that opinions and actions should be based on reason and knowledge rather than on religious belief or emotional response. The practice of treating reason as the ultimate authority in religion.
Syncretism is the amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought.
Jesus declared that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. [2] He proved His ability to overcome death and bring forth new life by rising from the dead and by ascending into heaven. Only Jesus can do this kind of miracle for people.
[1] Psalm 40:2-3
[2] John 14:6
