Daily Bible Devotionals

“Now that same day, two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem.  Together they were discussing everything that had taken place.  And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus Himself came near and began to walk along with them.  But they were prevented from recognizing Him.”  Luke 24:13-16 (HCSB)

There has been much speculation about Jesus’ appearance to the two gentlemen on the road to Emmaus.  Among the questions raised are: Who were these men, and what does the town of Emmaus have to do with their story?

The battle of Emmaus was the turning point in the Jewish revolt against the Seleucid Greeks in 166 B.C.  This was several generations before Jesus’ birth.  The war began when the Greek King, Antiochus IV  (Who called himself “Epiphanes,” meaning “manifestation of god”), issued decrees that forbade Jewish religious practices.

A young zealot named Judah Maccabee led a small band of Jewish rebels who drove out a much larger and better-trained Greek army.  Towards the end of the war, Antiochus Epiphanes sought to defile the Temple in Jerusalem, erecting a statue of Zeus.  Legend says Antiochus sacrificed a pig on the altar, but scholars debate that.  

After driving out the Greeks, Judah Maccabee, whose name means “Hammer of Judah,” purified the defiled Temple in Jerusalem, rebuilding the altar defiled by Antiochus.  The re-consecration of the Temple is the backdrop for the Jewish holiday, Hanukkah.

So, what does Hanukkah have to do with Jesus’ appearance to the Emmaus road disciples?

Quite possibly, the Emmaus road disciples were hoping Messiah would have been a military leader who would redeem Israel by force.  Their testimony to Jesus indicates such.  (Luke 24:21) After Jesus’ resurrection, they were, perhaps, traveling to Emmaus, assuming Jesus would appear there, the location of the turning point in the last Jewish war against foreign oppressors…to gather His army.  Regardless of the motive of their journey and their willingness to fight and die for God & Country, their understanding of the Messiah’s role was wrong and thus evil.  Seeking God’s will through Worldly counsel always leads you down a path away from God’s will.

“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.”  Psalm 1:1-2 (NKJV)

Jesus encountered these men who were walking away from Jerusalem and offered HIS counsel.  They listened to and received His instruction.  They sat at a table with Him as He served them a meal identical to communion.  In response to His revelation, they were restored to Jerusalem by reversing the steps of Psalm 1:1.

“It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three, because the sun’s light failed.  The curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle.  And Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into Your hands I entrust My spirit.’  Saying this, He breathed His last.”  Luke 23:44-46 (HCSB)

The natural phenomena accompanying Jesus’ crucifixion were predicted several centuries prior to His birth.  The prophet Amos, in particular, gives a graphic account as if he were an eyewitness.

“The Lord has sworn by the Pride of Jacob: I will never forget all their deeds.  Because of this, won’t the land quake and all who dwell in it mourn?  All of it will rise like the Nile; it will surge and subside like the Nile in Egypt.  And in that day – this is the declaration of the Lord God – I will make the sun go down at noon; I will darken the land in the daytime.  I will turn your feasts into mourning and all your songs into lamentation; I will cause everyone to wear sackcloth and every head to be shaved.  I will make that grief like mourning for an only son and its outcome like a bitter day.”  Amos 8:7-10 (HCSB)

Jesus died at three in the afternoon, precisely when the Passover lamb would have been slain in the Temple.  From the spot where many historians agree was Golgotha, the temple mount is clearly seen.  An idea put forth is that from where His cross was positioned, Jesus could literally see the whole Passover sacrifice being conducted at the Temple.  Is it possible He was watching and waiting until that precise moment, the slaughter of Passover lamb, to give up His Spirit?  

King David recorded another account of Jesus’ redemptive work.  

“Incline Your ear to me, rescue me quickly; Be to me a rock of strength, A stronghold to save me.  For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name's sake You will lead me and guide me.  You will pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, For You are my strength.  Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have ransomed me, O LORD, God of truth.”  Psalm 31:2-5 (NASB)

While Jesus was giving Himself to redeem the world, He trusted that the Father would esteem His act of sacrifice and redeem Him.  With this, we face a potential problem: 1) Jesus is about to take the world’s sin upon Himself.  2) God is the Righteous Judge, who will by no means clear the guilty.  So, how can a holy God adequately judge sin and still pardon His Son who bore that guilt?  He can do so because, while bearing the sin guilt of the World, Jesus, Himself remained sinless.  2 Corinthians 5:21 says of Jesus, “He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to become sin for us.”  But the idea conveyed is literally “become the ‘sin offering’ for us,” not that Jesus became sin, Himself, for He, remained sinless.  There is no personal sin in a ram or a bull, offered as a sin offering, yet the sin of a nation is imputed to the animal during the ceremony, so Jesus remained personally sinless while bearing the sin of the world.

There is also an interesting observation concerning the Holy Spirit, whose ministry is to reveal the truth.  At Jesus’ death, He entrusted His Spirit to the Father, and the Spirit bore witness on Jesus’ behalf.  I believe Jesus’ last statement from the cross acts as an affirmation & testimony concerning the Trinity…with all three “Persons” present, working in harmony to accomplish both righteous judgment AND redemption for us all.

“He went into the temple complex and began to throw out those who were selling, and He said, ‘It is written, My house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves!’” Luke 19:45 (HCSB)

The day Jesus cleared the Temple was a day that was announced hundreds of years earlier.  Even in the days of prophets like Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Zephaniah, the nation of Israel took the “patience” of the Lord to mean He was either disengaged or impotent to judge their sin.  Even though the prophets would announce God’s judgment, the people kept on sinning.

“On that day, I will punish all who skip over the threshold, who fill their master’s house with violence and deceit.  On that day – this is the Lord’s declaration – there will be an outcry from the Fish Gate, a wailing from the Second District, and a loud crashing from the hills.  Wail, you residents of the Hollow, for all the merchants will be silenced; all those loaded with silver will be cut off.  And at that time, I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish the men who settle down comfortably, who say to themselves: The Lord will not do good or evil.” Zephaniah 1:19-12 (HCSB)

As is the case with many in the Church today, the people of Israel had abandoned God’s Word to the point that they felt more at home in the world than with the Lord.

“Do you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known?  Then, do you come and stand before Me in this house that bears my name and say, ‘We are rescued, so we can continue doing all these detestable acts’?  Has this house, which bears my name, become a den of robbers in your view?  Yes, I too have seen it.” Jeremiah 7:9-11 (CSB)

Some people wrongly believe that Israel’s rejection of Jesus triggered God’s rejection of Israel and signaled His favor of the Gentiles.  This is not so.  Read Romans 11.  

Contrary to popular Christian understanding, it has always been God’s desire for men of all nations to worship Him.  The death and resurrection of Jesus brought understanding to the apostles, namely Paul, of what God’s intent and desire for the nations had always been.  

“Also the sons of the foreigner Who join themselves to the LORD, to serve Him, And to love the name of the LORD, to be His servants— Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, And holds fast My covenant— Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer.  Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.  The Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, ‘Yet I will gather to him Others besides those who are gathered to him.’” Isaiah 56:6-8 (NKJV)

“He looked up and saw the rich dropping their offerings into the temple treasury.  He also saw a poor widow dropping in two tiny coins.  ‘I tell you the truth,’ He said.  ‘This poor widow has put in more than all of them.  For all these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she has to live on.’” Luke 21:1-4 (HCSB)

On my first visit to Israel, I bought my wife a silver ring.  At the center of the ring is a small copper coin called a “widow’s mite.” The coin is about the size of a child’s pinky fingernail.  It is ludicrous to believe it carried any value.  It is made of the least valuable metal and is so tiny.  Still, Jesus considered this widow’s offering of most significant value.

Times have not changed much since Jesus’ day.  We still live in a culture that values quantity.  The more expensive stuff we have, the wealthier we are considered to be.  

But God values quality over quantity.  In other words, the one who gives the “most” is the one who sacrifices the most.  If you have a million dollars to spare, yet you only give $1,000, then, by Heavenly accounting, the person who only had ten dollars to spare, yet they gave it all, gave the most.  

Sometimes, it is easier to write a check than to roll up your sleeves and join in the work, especially if everyone applauds your donation’s size and envies your lifestyle.

It is not for us to judge another person’s level of sacrifice.  That is the Lord’s role.  God weighs the hearts of men.  Judging the intent of a rich person’s offering is as bad as judging the value of a poor person’s gift.  Giving is a matter of the heart more than a matter of the wallet.  Only the Lord can judge the innermost parts of the heart.

We give to the extent that we trust Him.

What if God required everything from us?  That’s precisely what we owe Jesus.  Everything.  That’s exactly what the widow faithfully gave.  

To quote the old hymn, “Jesus paid it all.  All to Him I owe.”

“‘Lord,’ he told Him, ‘I’m ready to go with You both to prison and to death!’  ‘I tell you, Peter,’ He said, ‘the rooster will not crow today until you deny three times that you know Me.’”  Luke 22:33-34 (HCSB)

The Jewish calendar has three major festivals, collectively known as the “Shalosh Regalim.”  Shalosh means “three,” and Regalim means “feet”…therefore, Shalosh Regalim translates as “Three On Foot.”  Jewish people were required to make pilgrimages to Jerusalem on foot during these three festivals.

The common Jewish reference for “Shalosh Regalim” was “The Three Times.”  

It is essential to know the significance of these festivals because when Jesus told Peter he would deny Him “Three Times,” He was quite possibly referring to Israel’s rejection of the essence of Shalosh Regalim.  So, what are the three festivals, and what do they communicate to the Hebrew mindset?

Pesach:  The Exodus from Egypt and slavery, commonly known as Passover.

Shavuot:  The giving of the Ten Commandments, also known as Pentecost.

Sukkot:  The 40 years when the Israelites wandered in the Sinai Desert, living in temporary shelters.

Each event marks a time of harvest in Israel.  Each symbolically expresses fundamental religious and ethical ideas/values in Judaism and continues with the Church.

Pesach:  God’s miraculous deliverance of the Hebrews from Egyptian slavery proves His power to deliver and keep His Word.  Similarly, believers are delivered from the bondage of this world, and we await His promise of ultimate deliverance on the Last Day.

Shavuot:  The giving of the law/God’s revelation.  On Shavuot (Pentecost), God gave the Holy Spirit to those who believed and committed to following Messiah.

Sukkot:  The Hebrews’ miraculous 40-year survival in the desert proves Divine guidance and abiding presence.  God guides believers in Jesus as we trust in Him, leaning not on our understanding but acknowledging Him in all our ways.  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

In essence, Jesus’ message to Peter is also His message to Israel as a nation: “You say you will follow me anywhere.  In actuality, you deny Me by denying the spiritual intent of the “Three Times.”  You will deny My power to deliver, My revelation, and My divine presence & guidance…all before your “new beginning.”  (The rooster is a Hebrew symbol of new beginnings because he heralds the dawn of the new day.)

To embark on a new beginning...to be “saved,” WE must 1) Recognize God’s power and desire to deliver us, 2) Admit we fall short of His standard, revealed to us in the Bible, made clear to us by the work of the Holy Spirit.  3) Trust Jesus’ atonement and promise to abide with us, forever, in this life and for all eternity in the Kingdom to come, resurrecting & gathering His own to Himself.

“He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else: ‘Two men went up to the temple complex to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee took his stand and was praying like this: “God, I thank you that I’m not like other people - greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.”  But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even raise his eyes to heaven but kept striking his chest and saying, “God turn your wrath from me – a sinner!” I tell you, this one went down to his house justified rather than the other; because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.’”  Luke 18:9-14 (HCSB)

Today’s passage teaches a sobering message: Our righteousness is not based on how well we fare against other men.  Rather, how well we measure up to God’s standard.

I understand why the self-righteous prefer to justify themselves against the righteous efforts of other men because when we gaze into the mirror of God’s standard, we despise our reflections!  When we come closer to the holiness of God, our egos shrink and shiver.

But there is good news in the midst of this dilemma.  Jesus has fulfilled the Torah’s (the Law) requirements on our behalf!  

“What the law could not do because it was limited by the flesh, God did.  He condemned sin in the flesh by sending His own Son in flesh like ours under sin’s domain, and as a sin offering, in order that the law’s requirement would be accomplished in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”  Romans 8:3-4 (HCSB)

Righteousness is only obtained by meeting the Law’s requirements which is impossible for us by our effort.  THAT is the great human dilemma.  We need the impossible.  Enter Messiah.  Jesus accomplished for us that which is impossible for men.  He fulfilled the Torah requirements on our behalf.  By His grace, He offers that atonement, free of charge, if we would, by faith, turn from our sin and receive Him.

“For by grace that we are saved through faith, and that not of ourselves; but it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV)

The great mystery of the Old Testament is that salvation has ALWAYS been by grace, through faith.  Never through works.  Why was the tax collector justified in the Lord’s sight and the Pharisee shown as an object of rebuke?  Because the tax collector humbled himself, confessed his sin, and believed that God, by His grace, would forgive him.

A humble attitude of worship is what the Lord requires of us.  Salvation is a function of God’s grace so that when the object of our faith is Messiah Jesus and His righteous atoning work, God considers our faith in Jesus’ righteousness as if we were righteous.

“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith.’  ‘If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,’ the Lord said, ‘you can say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea.” and it will obey you.’”  Luke 17:5-6 (HCSB)

Depending on your Bible translation, the tree that was thrown into the sea (in today’s passage) is either a mulberry, sycamore, or fig tree.  It may be confusing to some why the translators would choose different trees.  Sycamore & mulberry trees are types of fig trees.  The scholars obviously didn’t consider that most of us in the 21st century wouldn’t know much about trees!

All that being said, Jesus is once again using the mustard seed image as a metaphor for His Kingdom.  The mustard seed generally only grows into a bushy shrub.  But in Matthew 13:32, Jesus described a miracle of prophetic nature, wherein a mustard seed grows into a large tree where the birds of the air nest.  In that chapter, the mustard seed was set in contrast to the cursed fig tree, which represented Israel’s spiritual decline, leading to its unproductivity.  

In today’s passage, Jesus is reminding His disciples of the previous “mustard seed” image, which, again, is in contrast to the fig tree, which represented the decline of Temple worship.  In essence, He said that, although Temple worship seemed like it would last forever, unless its leaders embraced Jesus as Messiah, it would be uprooted, treated as apostasy by the Lord, and replaced with the greater Messianic community (the Church).  His words proved true.  Although the community of believers (at that time) was as small as a “mustard seed” and not expected to grow much bigger than a small sect, it flourished and expanded worldwide.  In contrast, the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70AD and still has not been rebuilt.

In Matthew 24, Jesus predicted the destruction of the Temple.  He also cursed the fig tree in Mark 11, which was a direct fulfillment of prophecy.  

“Woe is me!  For I am like the fruit pickers, like the grape gatherers.  There is not a cluster of grapes to eat, or an early fig, which I crave.  Micah 7:1 (NASB)

In the Bible, whenever someone or something is thrown into the sea, it denotes judgment, the direct result of sin.  

“Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has cast into the sea; and the choicest of his officers are drowned in the Red Sea.”  Exodus 15:4 (NASB)

“Then they picked up Jonah and they threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging.”  Jonah 1:15 (CSB)

So, what is our takeaway?  Jesus tells His disciples that the only way to break bad tradition is by changing their ways and beliefs and putting their faith into action.  When God’s people live according to His Word, a distinction between right and wrong is clearly seen.  Based on the testimony of surrendered lives-in-action, bad tradition is identified as sin and discarded.  Is the Lord telling you to break with bad “tradition” and to draw nearer to Jesus, Messiah, and Lord of your life?  By all means, do it now!

“So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly.  For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.  And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home” Luke 16:8-9 (NKJV)

One of the most enigmatic passages in the New Testament is the parable of the dishonest manager.  Was Jesus teaching His followers to be dishonest?  He was not!  People cannot earn favor in Heaven by being dishonest on earth.  While verse one of chapter 16 indicates that Jesus is teaching His “followers,” it is obvious He also had a lesson intended for the Pharisees listening in.

The parable speaks of a WORLDLY master/servant relationship, not a RIGHTEOUS one.  The World may praise shrewdness that compensates for losses, but the Lord praises faithfulness.  Jesus exposes the connection between the Pharisees’ love of money and their REAL master.  (John 8:44) While claiming to speak on behalf of God, the Pharisees’ love of money had shifted their focus to serving Worldly pursuits.

“The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and scoffing at Him.  And He told them, ‘You are the ones who justify yourselves in the sight of others, but God knows your hearts.  For what is highly admired by people is revolting in God’s sight.’” Luke 16:14-15 (CSB)

The greater message for Jesus’ critics is: Do not assume that your Worldly success, gained by dishonest & spiritually adulterous means, will be met with Godly approval.  

Jesus uses the same parable to exhort His followers.  He points out how Worldly people and institutions are more creative and relentless at working towards their aims than believers often are.  That’s not to say that believers should become more Worldly to reach the World with the Gospel.  We cannot compete against the World by its rules.  The Church will never do “the World” as well as the World does “the World.” Our music, art, film & television are seldom as popular or have competitive appeal.  We simply cannot appeal to the flesh to such a worldly extent.  

The World cannot do “Church,” as well as God designed the Church to operate.  The World promises community based on “freedom without accountability.” However, if you hang out in a casino bar after midnight, you’ll learn the “Worldly community” falls apart when the money, drugs, and liquor run out.  This is not so with Christians.  Our community is based on joy, which comes from Jesus’ grace & mercy, and never runs dry!

When Jesus speaks of using “worldly wealth to make friends,” He says we should wisely invest our money in His Kingdom.  This is accomplished when you give your tithes and offerings.  It’s an excellent investment because when that money is wisely invested, we will have many new believers in God’s Kingdom to welcome us!  

With this command, we are compelled to move beyond being mere recipients of the Gospel.  We are also “Stewards of the Gospel.”  And if we are, then we are also accountable for wise management of it.  If God called for an accounting of your management of His Gospel today, would you show a profit or a loss?

“All the tax collectors and sinners were approaching to listen to Him.  And the Pharisees and Scribes were complaining, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them!’” Luke 15:1-2 (HCSB)

The idea that sinners can be restored to the Lord as if their sin had never happened is not an entirely New Testament concept.  In 1178, a rabbi named Maimonides published a compilation of Judaism’s ancient requirements.  He wrote:

“Let not the Jew who repents and returns to Judaism suppose that because of the iniquities and sins he has committed, he is kept at a distance from the level attained by righteous men.  It isn’t so.  He is loved as tenderly by the Creator as if he never sinned.”

To clarify: I am NOT suggesting that people can be saved by returning to rabbinic Judaism and following its requirements.  The Bible is clear that we are saved by God’s grace when we repent from our sin and place our faith in Messiah, Jesus, alone.  Ephesians 2: 8-9.  I am merely saying that in the days of Jesus, the Jewish understanding of the “concept” of God’s great love towards repentant sinners was consistent with Jesus’ message.  

The rabbis’ rejection of Jesus’ approach to the “lost sheep of Israel” proved they were not practicing what they were preaching.  Jesus’ response to their criticism was to tell three parables.  The symbols He uses become more valuable with each consecutive parable.  One parable concerned a sheep; the other dealt with a lost coin.

Finally, Jesus describes a father with two sons.  One brother left home and squandered his inheritance, while the other stayed.  But the greater lesson for the Pharisees did not concern the prodigal.  It involved the response of the brother who stayed at home.   Filled with self-righteousness, he refused to rejoice over his brother’s return.

Levites were the tribe of priests whose inheritance/birthright was not in possession of land.  Their inheritance was to serve the Lord and minister to Him on behalf of others.  When your inheritance is “The Lord” (and you choose to receive it), nobody’s actions or any circumstance can diminish the value of your inheritance.  Yet, these Pharisees & Scribes (in Jesus’ day) were working so hard for God’s approval that they became envious of anyone who might receive God’s love by His grace.  They looked down upon others who “squandered” their lives…even when they turned back to the Lord!  For these Pharisees, the title of “prodigal” would never be removed and replaced with “son” or “daughter,” or just plain “justified.”  

Jesus has called us ALL to a holy priesthood.  So let’s put all envy and strife aside and rejoice with one another when our lost “prodigal” brothers & sisters come home…just as the angels in Heaven rejoiced when we came home!

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10 (NKJV)

“Now great crowds were traveling with Him.  So He turned and said to them: ‘If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters – yes, and even his own life – he cannot be My disciple.  Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.’”  Luke 14:25-26 (HCSB)

I have been in the music business for almost two decades.  In that time, I have traveled worldwide and performed over 1000 concerts in all 50 of the United States.  From this unique vantage point, I have observed many different types of “Christian” congregations and their perceived requirements for salvation.  Some feel that a person must simply believe, while others require believers to be baptized.  Still, others demand a follower speak in strange tongues.  And the list goes on.

I have never seen a congregation that required its members to take up a literal cross as a sign of authentic faith.  But this is precisely what Jesus is saying is a non-negotiable, pertaining to true salvation.  He says, “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”  If most “mega-churches” emphasized this teaching, they would be destined to become “micro churches” overnight!

So, what was Jesus getting at?

He wasn’t telling people to become suicidal, sadistic, unloving, ungrateful, or ungracious.  He was teaching those following Him around the cost of discipleship.  Nothing, not even love for a father, mother, or even one’s own life, is to take precedence over loyalty to God.  We must reprioritize all that we have, acknowledging that if God is to be foremost in our lives, then possessions and even social relationships must be secondary to Him.

Jesus’ challenge would not be foreign to the average religious Jew.  Remember what happened on the day the law was given by Moses.  In response to Israel’s worship of the golden calf, Moses saw that the people were out of control.

“And Moses stood at the camp’s entrance and said, ‘Whoever is for the Lord, come to me.’  And all the Levites gathered around him.  He told them, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says, ‘Every Man fasten his sword to his side; go back and forth through the camp from entrance to entrance, and each of you kill his brother, his friend, and his neighbor.’”  Exodus 32:26-27 (HCSB)

The Levites obeyed the command, and 3000 men fell dead that day.  Because of their selfless faith, the Lord chose the Levites to be His priests throughout the generations.  He chose them because they chose Him.  Jesus is not commanding His followers to kill people!!  Rather, He emphasizes how important it is that they follow Him above all other relationships.  Are you willing to choose to follow Him completely?  Because that is the type of person, He is looking for to labor in His Kingdom.

“When He left there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to oppose Him fiercely and to cross-examine Him about many things; they were lying in wait for Him to trap Him in something He said.  In these circumstances, a crowd of many thousands came together, so that they were trampling on one another.  He began to say to His disciples first: ‘Be on guard against the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.  There is nothing covered that won’t be uncovered, nothing hidden that won’t be made known.  Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and whatever you have whispered in an ear in private rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.’”  Luke 11:53-54, 12:1-3 (HCSB)

Many of you know I have four children.  It is hard to keep kids in line these days.  Growing up, I thought my parents had eyes in the back of our heads, cameras everywhere, and spies all over town.  I was always in trouble!  Eventually, I gave up my sneaky ways.  I don’t know how they did it, but I began to believe the myth that my parents had ESP!

God doesn’t need ESP…He has Omniscience, Omnipresence, Omnipotence, and an unchanging character.  If you are willfully sinning against the Lord, don’t take His silence as a signal that He doesn’t know, care or have the power to rebuke you.

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”  2 Peter 3:9 (NASB)

Things were starting to heat up in the days prior to Jesus’ crucifixion.  In the Galilean countryside, it was more difficult for Jesus’ disciples to be taken aside and personally tempted by the politically savvy Pharisees.  In the close quarters of jam-packed Jerusalem, during the days leading up to Passover, Jesus knew his crew was about to be bombarded.

While all 12 disciples were undoubtedly tempted, we know at least two of Jesus’ close followers caved into the pressure: Peter and Judas Iscariot.  Jesus’ predictions were spot-on.  At least, these are the two offenders whom the Lord immortalized in Scripture.

In the moments before sunrise, Peter denied he knew Jesus three times.  Then, the rooster crowed a second time, signaling the dawn of a new day.  What was hidden was uncovered, and what was said in darkness was heard in the light.

In Luke 22, we learn how Judas was taken aside by the chief priests and paid a sum of money to betray Jesus.  What was whispered in private rooms was declared on the housetops.

There is no secret sin.  The Lord knows everything, and we will have to stand before Him, giving account for our lives.  If you are consciously sinning against the Lord, repent!  Seek forgiveness, denying Satan the pleasure of compounding temptation with overwhelming (possibly life-threatening) guilt.

“He was praying in a certain place and when He was finished, one of his disciples said to Him ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.’ He said to them, ‘Whenever you pray, say:  Father, Your name be honored as holy.  Your Kingdom come.  Give us each day our daily bread.  And forgive us our sin, for we ourselves also forgive everyone in debt to us.  And do not lead us into temptation.’” Luke 11:1-4 (HCSB - See also Matthew 6:9-13)

It is a natural human compulsion to pray because God created us to communicate with Him.

Prayer is an interesting phenomenon in our culture.  Preachers, rock stars, athletes, politicians, professionals, and blue-collar workers…everyone prays, sometimes.  I have been on airline trips with people who claimed to be atheists, yet when we hit severe turbulence, they always cry out, “Oh God!”

An essential component of evangelism is life’s “turbulence,” shaking the unbeliever’s perceived security.  Difficulty makes people cry out for answers and meaning in life.  The evangelist should always be prepared to give reason and hope in the midst of life’s turbulence.

MC Hammer once sang, “We’ve got to pray just to make it today.” I agree with that sentiment, but it is not enough to shout vain prayers into the air.  If you want your prayers to be heard and be effective, there is 1) a proper way to pray, 2) a specific God to pray to, and 3) a Spirit-leading, which is essential in determining when and for what to pray.

Often, people feel unable to pray, and they assume the ability to pray is natural to some folks yet lacking in others.  The disciples were on the right track when they believed 1) Jesus could teach them to pray and 2) He would be willing to do so.

Throughout Scripture, Jesus taught us to pray in five parts:

1) Who to pray to

2) What to pray for

3) The importance of persistence

4) The certainty that He will answer rightly because of God’s love & goodness

5) The Holy Spirit (given to ALL believers) is the source of power & wisdom for all proper prayer

While all prayer may be sincere, to some extent, much of the prayer in this World is misdirected and improperly motivated.  Hence, it is possible to be sincere yet sincerely wrong.  Let’s continue seeking God’s Word so that we may love the things He loves and hate the things He hates.  Ask that His Spirit will guide you to pray according to God’s will, as He requires of us.

“When you enter any town, and they welcome you, eat the things set before you.  Heal the sick who are there, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God has come near you.’  When you enter any town, and they don’t welcome you, go out into the streets and say, ‘We are wiping off as a witness against you even the dust of your town that clings to our feet.  Know this for certain: The Kingdom of God has come near.’  I tell you, on that day, it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town.”  Luke 10:8-12 (HCSB)

Today’s passage is a message tailor-fit for today.  

First, it never ceases to amaze me how unaccommodating some “believers” are regarding personal evangelism.  When Jesus sent out “the 70”, He directed them not only to heal and preach but also to be socially gracious.  In an age when the rules of kosher dominated the behavior of the average Jew, Jesus instructed His “missionaries” to eat whatever was set before them.

The point?  It is possible to be so Heavenly-minded that you are no earthly good!  Jesus is not commanding His followers to break God’s law.  He is righting a particular traditional rabbinical interpretation of God’s law.  Winning souls is of utmost importance to God, and people are more important than man-made rules.  True, most of the rabbinic rules were developed to keep others from breaking God’s Law.  But whenever men make rules, those rules are either more CONSERVATIVE than God demands or more LIBERAL that He allows.  Jesus corrected the traditional misunderstanding of God’s Word.

Second, it also amazes me how timid some churches are.  It is as if they are afraid to simply share the Gospel for fear of offending people.  Here is a rule: If no one ever rejects your Gospel, you’re probably not sharing it as God intended it to be articulated.  If you’re not sharing it, you might want to check whether you ever received it!

In short: We can be so Worldly-minded that we are no Heavenly good.  Do not allow people’s opinions to override God’s command.  It is God whom we should be in fear of offending, not men.

Jesus was telling the “70” that the message of the truth is to be proclaimed, whether it is welcomed or not.  Why should people who are presently uninterested or unreceptive to the Gospel be evangelized?  Because the message itself is powerful!  Since it comes from God and is empowered by His Spirit, it may lead unbelievers to change their minds.  Note that Jesus’ disciples were not merely commanded to cease communing with those who rejected the Gospel, but they also condemned that rejection in a dramatic way.

Part of our effective witness includes our going the “extra distance” to clarify the Gospel with all to whom He sends us.  We are commanded to make sure that people fully understand what they will (hopefully) accept or (sadly) reject.  Take courage and share!

“When the days were coming to a close for Him to be taken up, He determined to journey to Jerusalem.  He sent messengers ahead of Him, and on the way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make preparations for Him.  But they did not welcome Him, because He determined to journey to Jerusalem.  When the disciples James and John saw this, they said, ‘Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?  But He turned and rebuked them, and they went to another village.” Luke 9:51-56 (HCSB)

A Samaritan, in Jesus’ day, was a person of mixed (Jewish/Gentile) descent.  In ancient history, Israel was divided nationally and spiritually.  Ten tribes formed what was known as “Israel” (aka The Northern Kingdom), while the remaining two tribes, Judah & Benjamin, formed what was known as “Judea” or the “Southern Kingdom.” Judea worshipped in Jerusalem, and Israel worshipped in Samaria.

In Samaria, Israel’s great evil was idolatry.  Their rejection of worship in Jerusalem and their acceptance of pagan deities grew to where they were intermarrying with Gentiles.  The presence of these “half-breeds” in Israel (in Jesus’ day) was a reminder of its historic national sin.  It was also the focus of prejudice for the average-to-religious Jew.  Note James & John’s attitude.  They wanted the judgment of Sodom & Gomorrah to fall on the Samaritans.  

So, why wouldn’t Samaria want Jesus to go to Jerusalem?  The answer may be found in John 4 in the story of  “The Woman at the Well.”.  Before the events of today’s passage, Jesus had engaged in a conversation with a Samaritan woman of ill reputation.  The setting was “Jacob’s Well,” located in Samaria.  The symbolism is that Jacob was the father of Israel’s 12 tribal patriarchs.  Jesus is speaking with a woman who symbolizes the spiritual character of a “kind-of” Jewish person and those who are dark reminders of Israel’s not-so-faithful history.  

By the way, modern Judaism considers Jewish believers in Jesus in the same light as their forefathers did the Samaritans of Jesus’ day: Partly Jewish + partly Gentile = Apostate.

Jesus’ offering of “living water” (different from Jacob’s well water) to this Samaritan woman was culturally and spiritually revolutionary.  Remembering that He came to “the Jew first,” we must deduct that Jesus was officially recognizing the Samaritans’ “Jewishness” while still holding to the Biblical standard for true belief and salvation.

In response, the woman ran and told the Samaritan men, who came to hear Jesus.  They, too, believed and told the woman, “… ‘we no longer believe because of what you said, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this really is the Savior of the world.’” John 4:42 (HCSB)

So, why did the Samaritans in Luke 9 not welcome Jesus on His way to Jerusalem?  I believe it’s because they loved Him and knew what the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem would do to Him.  Yet, they were wrong because they were actually hindering His mission while trying to protect Jesus.  

Let’s not commit the same offense!  We don’t need to protect Jesus or His “image.” We must simply believe in Him, pray, and seek His Word.  And we must trust His Word when we share the gospel, not adding to or withholding from it.  We must share the whole gospel, letting Jesus complete the work He intends to accomplish in the lives of those with whom we share the gospel.

“No one, after lighting a lamp, covers it with a basket or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand so that those who come in may see the light.  For nothing is concealed that won’t be revealed, and nothing hidden that won’t be made known and come into light.  Therefore take care how you listen.  For whoever has, more will be given to him; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away.”  Luke 8:16-18 (HCSB)

When I was five years old, my brother and I decided to play with fire, passing our hands quickly through a candle flame.  I don’t remember how many candles we went through that day, but eventually, we got bored and started challenging one another to go slower with each pass.  As the saying goes: Play with fire, and you’ll get burned.

Today’s passage reminded me of the impracticality of putting a candle in a basket or under a bed.  Not only will these practices keep light from shining (which is the purpose of lighting a lamp), but they will also burn down your house!

Jesus told His disciples that one of the signs of a believer is their desire to share the gospel with others.  

Desire and boldness are two different ideas.  We can have the desire to share our faith, but we may not act upon that desire if we are seized with fear.  Jesus is saying, “Go for it!  Be bold!”  

Believers should resist the flesh’s natural bent towards self-preservation with respect to evangelism.  Furthermore, Jesus conveys that it is IMPOSSIBLE for real followers to hide their relationship with Him long-term.  Just as a lit candle in a basket (or under a bed) will eventually ignite its container and spread its fire, a true believer’s relationship with Jesus cannot be hidden for long.

If you are successful in hiding your “lamp,” perhaps you should check and see if there is any flame on the wick!

I have attended several “memorial” events where everyone was given a candle.  Somewhere in the service, one candle is lit.  Then, its flame is shared with the next person, and so on, until everyone’s candle is illuminated.  This concept is the idea Jesus is communicating when He talks about how those “who have” are given more.

Suppose someone tries to recreate the candle lighting ceremony at another congregation across the street, but they never light their “starter” candle.  Instead of a room full of lit candles, there is only darkness.  Eventually, everyone would go across the street, where true illumination would replace the image of it.  “Even what he thinks he has will be taken away.”

Share your light if you’ve got it.   If you don’t have it, please allow me to share my light with you: Jesus is the ONLY Way, and if you turn to Him, you WILL be saved!

“The dead man sat up and began to speak and Jesus gave him to his mother.  Then fear came over everyone, and they glorified God, saying, ‘A great prophet has risen among us,’ and ‘God has visited His people.’  This report about Him went throughout Judea and all the vicinity.  Then John’s (the “Baptist”) disciples told him about all these things.  So John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord, asking, ‘Are You the One who is to come, or should we look for someone else?”  Luke 7:15-19

Jesus was immersed in the Jordan River by John (the “Baptist”).  The apostle John’s gospel informs us that the next day, John (the “Baptist”) told two of his disciples, “Look!  The Lamb of God!” John 1:32-42 One of those disciples was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.

After Jesus was tempted in the wilderness for 40 days, He heard John (the “Baptist”) had been arrested.  At this time, Jesus went to the Galilee region and began His public ministry.  Mark 1:14, Matthew 4:12  

In prison, John (the “Baptist”) began second-guessing his message…the primary reason for his chains.  Faith is easy, in theory.  In reality, faith requires whole-self devotion.  No doubt, John (the “Baptist”) was coming to grips with the reality that he would die in prison because of his faith.  News that Jesus had raised someone from the dead must have given John hope.

The concept that a prophet could raise people from the dead was very familiar.  Both Elijah and Elisha had done this.  The people, whom a prophet raises to life, will eventually die of some other circumstance.  When Messiah raises the dead, it has eternal implications.  In essence, John (the “Baptist”) wanted to know: “If my life is required of me, will Jesus raise me up?”  More importantly, “Will He raise me up into eternity?”  

John (the “Baptist”) was created to herald Messiah.  But now, it seems he questioned whether he truly believed his own testimony concerning Jesus.  Perhaps he doubted the Holy Spirit’s testimony in exchange for human reasoning.  That was sin of the worst kind.  Nobody knows if John ever repented and fully believed in Jesus.  Jesus’ opinion on John’s faith, at that moment, was clear: “The least in the kingdom is greater than he.”  Luke 7:28.

This scenario is important to us in light of Jesus’ “Beatitudes” message.  If we seek to follow Jesus to the extent that He calls us, we must take on a prophet’s mission.  If a prophet’s mission we are called to, then a prophet’s wages we will most likely receive: Poverty, Hunger, Weeping, Insults & Slanders because of the Son of Man.  John 6:20-23

But if you lay down your life in order to follow Jesus, even unto death at the hands of men, will you not receive much more than you gave up on earth, in Heaven?  John 6:38

Is serving God becoming uncomfortable?  Rejoice!  Sow a mortal life on earth; reap eternal life in Heaven.

“As the crowd was pressing in on Jesus to hear God’s Word, He was standing by Lake Gennesaret.  He saw two of the boats at the edge of the lake; the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets.  He got into one of the boats, which belonged to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from the land.  Then He sat down and was teaching the crowds from the boat.” Luke 5:1-4 (HCSB)*

Many believe that when Jesus called His disciples, He simply said, “Follow me,” and they left everything.  It’s like they were zombies or something.  In Luke 5, we are given insight into five types of “tests” Messiah gave His followers before calling them.

The first test is the “Bias For Action Test.” Jesus had a need, and Simon Peter was naturally inclined to solve problems.  Peter had a bias for action.

“When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’  ‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we’ve worked hard all night long and caught nothing!  But at Your word, I’ll let down the nets.’” Luke 5:4-5

The second test is the “Because You Say So, I Will Test.” Even though Peter was the so-called expert, he submitted to the Lord’s direction.

“When they did this, they caught a great number of fish, and their nets began to tear.  So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them; they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.  When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, ‘Go away from me, because I am a sinful man, Lord!’” Luke 5:6-8

The third test was the “Who Deserves the Credit Test.” While Peter was a master fisherman, he knew only the Lord could have provided such a haul!

“‘Don’t be afraid,’ Jesus told Simon, ‘From now on, you’ll be catching people!’” Luke 5:10b

The fourth test was the “Grander Vision Test.” Jesus was replacing their Worldly goals with Kingdom ones.

“Then they brought the boats to land, left everything, and followed Him.” Luke 5:11

The fifth test was the “Will you Leave It Test.” Based on all they had experienced with Jesus, they believed in the grander vision and left everything to follow Him.

So, how do you rate regarding Jesus’ job interview?

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*All verses are HCSB

“He also said, ‘I assure you: No prophet is accepted in his hometown.  But I say to you, there were certainly many widows in Israel in Elijah’s days, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months while a great famine came over all the land.  Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them – but to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon.  And in the prophet Elijah’s time, there were many in Israel who had serious skin diseases, yet not one of them was healed – only Naaman the Syrian.’  When they heard this, everyone in the synagogue was enraged.”  Luke 4:24-28 (HCSB)

Many Christians believe it was Jesus’ Messianic claim that enraged the members of His hometown synagogue.  Although the people of Nazareth did reject Jesus as Messiah, their rage mainly was in response to Jesus’ reminder that, in days past, God blessed faithful Gentiles over unfaithful Israelites.

Jesus cites two familiar instances from Israel’s prophetic heroes.  The first was the story of the widow of Zarephath in 1 Kings 17.  In response to Israel’s king Ahab and his queen Jezebel’s idolatry, Elijah pronounced a 3 & 1/2 year drought.  Since the drought brought famine to the entire nation of Israel and surrounding regions, it signified that the vast majority of Israel’s citizens had followed Ahab & Jezebel into idolatry.

With famine comes death, and with death, widows & orphans.  Instead of hearing Israel’s pleas for mercy, God sent Elijah to a Gentile widow and her son.  The Lord provided miraculously for them because their faith surpassed that of Israel.  Meanwhile, Israel suffered in unbelief.

The story of “Naaman the Syrian” is found in 2 Kings, chapter 5.  Naaman was the Syrian army commander.  At the time, Syria was Israel’s most-dreaded enemy.  Naaman was a powerful man of war, but he had leprosy.  To an Israelite, the only thing worse than a Syrian would have been a Syrian with leprosy!  

Naaman’s Jewish slave girl told him that the Lord could heal him.  This led Naaman to Elisha’s front door.  Because of the Gentile’s faith, he was healed.  Meanwhile, Israel’s king had responded in fear, doubting that God would heal Naaman, symbolic of Israel’s unbelief.  While the Gentile was cured, no Israelite was healed.  

With His statement in His hometown synagogue, Jesus revealed the Jewish prejudice against the Gentiles.  By invoking these images from Israel’s history, He essentially said that Israel’s present Roman oppression was due to Israel’s sin.  Jesus was also exhorting that until the people repented from their sin, God would continue to overlook their unrepentant stance in favor of Gentiles who, by faith, would believe.  

Even today, by His grace, God has chosen to save Gentiles who put their faith in Messiah, Jesus, to provoke Israel to jealousy so that they would, by faith, believe in Him and receive salvation.  Romans 10:19.

“[John] went into all the vicinity of the Jordan, preaching an immersion of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:  ‘A voice of one crying out.  In the wilderness, prepare the way for the Lord; make His paths straight!  Every valley will be filled and every mountain and hill will be made low; the crooked will become straight, the rough ways smooth, and everyone will see the salvation of God.’ Then he said to the crowds who came out to be immersed by him, ‘Brood of vipers!  Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?’”  Luke 3:3-7 (HCSB)

The content of today’s passage could be the source of many books.  I would like to focus on just a few observations and parallel scriptures from the Psalms and the Prophets.

First off, John was not preaching “salvation by Baptism.”  He was simply stating the obvious: If you humbly turn from your sin, the Lord will forgive you.  John chose immersion as a way for people to demonstrate the internal externally and publically.  In Jewish culture, immersion has two purposes: 1) when Gentiles convert to Judaism and 2) to make oneself ritually clean for worship.  John’s immersion was an entirely new concept, although, in a sense, an amalgamation of the two.

While John is fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy directly, the concept of repentance coming before Messiah is also mentioned in the Psalms.

“Righteousness will go before Him to prepare the way for His steps.” Psalm 85:13 (HCSB)

It makes the Shepherd’s job so much easier when the sheep are willing to follow!  I recommend you read Psalm 85 in its entirety.  Its Messianic message is so profound.

The whole idea of the “Brood of vipers!” has always intrigued me.  When I read through Jeremiah, I recalled a section of Chapter 8 titled “God’s People Unrepentant.”   It immediately made me think of John the “Baptist’s” message of repentance.  At the end of the passage was this statement:

“Indeed, I am about to send snakes among you, poisonous vipers that cannot be charmed.  They will bite you.  This is the Lord’s declaration.”  Jeremiah 8:17 (HCSB)

In the short term, Jeremiah was speaking of a conquering enemy.  But in the greater prophetic reach, the combination of repentance and vipers is uncanny.

What strikes me (no pun intended) is how well-documented are the Lord’s fulfillment of His prophecies, but so few people heed His prophecies yet to be fulfilled.

“In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock.  Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people: Today a savior who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.” Luke 2:8-11 (HCSB)

On the night Jesus was born, the Lord chose shepherds to be His first visitors.  And what a celebration it was, complete with an angel chorus!  The shepherds found Jesus in the city of David.  If you think about it, the city of “David” was the perfect place for a first viewing of the One who would “shepherd” Israel; perhaps, the safest place for the Lamb of God to be delivered.

Have you ever wondered why the angels first appeared to the lowly shepherds?  If Messiah would atone for sin, shouldn’t the religious leaders have been alerted first?  If the government was to be placed upon His shoulders, shouldn’t the politicians have been invited?

It is safe to say there were two kinds of shepherds in Israel at that time: Good and Bad.

Those who held the “Office of Shepherd” had become compromised by either worldliness or legalism.  That is, the religious leaders were so Heavenly minded that they were no earthly good.  At the same time, the politicians were so Worldly-minded that they were no Heavenly good.  Either way, the sheep (people) were being led astray.

The only honest shepherds left in Israel were the actual ones.  They were in the field, faithfully minding the flocks just as David was when his father called for him and Samuel anointed him king.

“‘Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!’ This is the Lord’s declaration.  ‘Therefore, this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who shepherd my people: You have scattered My flock, banished them, and have not attended to them.  I will attend to you because of your evil acts’ – this is the Lord’s declaration.  ‘I will gather the remnant of My flock from the lands where I have banished them, and I will return them to their grazing land.  They will become fruitful and numerous.  I will raise up shepherds over them.  They will no longer be afraid or dismayed, nor will any be missing.’ This is the Lord’s declaration.  ‘The days are coming’ – this is the Lord’s declaration –‘when I will raise up a righteous Branch of David.’” Jeremiah 23:1-5 (HCSB)

No one is worthy of holding the “Office of Shepherd” unless they are willing to do a shepherd’s work: to honestly protect the sheep owner’s assets and personally care for the well-being of each individual sheep.

“Many have undertaken to compile a narrative about the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us.  It also seemed good to me, since I have carefully investigated everything from the very first, to write to you in orderly sequence, most honorable Theophilus, so that you know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.”  Luke 1:1-4 (HCSB)

The person, Theophilos, addressed in verse 3 as “most honorable” (or in other translations, “Your Excellence” or “most excellent”) was, by most accounts, an upper-classed Greek man.  Luke also penned the book of Acts to the same, Theophilos.  Luke’s purpose for recording these accounts is revealed in verse 4, “so that you will know the certainty of the things about which you have been instructed.”

There is another opinion as to Theophilos’ identity: The generic disciple.  Some theologians hold that Luke was not writing specifically to anyone but rather to ALL believers.  The reason they give is in the Greek meaning of “Theophilos.”  “Theo” means “God.”  “Philo” means “Love.”

When you combine the two words, “Theophilos” means “Lover of God.”

Whether written to a specific person or all believers, Luke’s letter comes from a sincere desire to communicate the Gospel accurately and clearly.  

In Luke’s passion, we are challenged.  Is there a person you are convinced needs to know God but will never darken the doorway of a congregational service?  God wants YOU to share the Gospel with them from your first-hand perspective.  

You are an eyewitness to what Jesus has done in your life.  You are the expert on His involvement in your personal transformation.   No matter what the World says about God, Jesus, or the Bible, they cannot refute your personal experience.  That is why the personal testimony is the most powerful weapon in a new believer’s spiritual arsenal.  It refutes all arguments.

“But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.” Acts 4:14 (ESV)

Eventually, followers of Jesus should gain knowledge of the Scriptures as they pursue them daily.  But initially, the “testimony” is more than enough witness and has been proven to be a powerful tool of evangelism…even moments after one’s salvation.

How much time have you spent carefully working out how orderly you can articulate the Gospel to a friend?  You don’t have to be a scholar or even greatly intelligent.  You simply have to care, be passionate about seeing souls saved and share your testimony!

“Later, He appeared to the Eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table. He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who saw Him after He had been resurrected. Then He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is immersed will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.’” Mark 16:14-16 (HCSB)

A pastor friend of mine recounted this experience at the national convention of his church’s denomination. The convention was held in Las Vegas, and at the beginning of the week, the city’s mayor came to welcome the pastors. The president of the convention asked the mayor if the city had a need the pastors could lift up in prayer.

The pastor answered, “Well, as you know, Las Vegas is in the desert. We sure could use some rain.”

The pastors prayed for rain and thanked the mayor as he waved & left.

The next morning, when the keynote speaker was introduced, he laid an umbrella on the pulpit. All the pastors chuckled because there was not a cloud in the sky.

“Pastors,” he began, “You should be ashamed! Yesterday we prayed for rain, and not a single one of you brought an umbrella today.”

Similarly, the disciples had heard Jesus predict His suffering and rising from the grave; but none believed the reports of His resurrection.

When Jesus appeared to the remaining eleven disciples (Judas had hung himself), the first thing He did was rebuke their unbelief. Ask yourself, if Jesus was to visit you today, how well do you think He would rate your faith? It’s a little scary to think about, huh?

What I love about today’s passage is how Gracious Jesus was. He didn’t continue rebuking and shaming them once they had gotten His point. Instead, He encouraged them to face the same type of challenge they had each failed.

Take Peter, for instance. After denying Jesus three times, Peter repented and preached the Gospel boldly, even unto death. And Peter wasn’t alone in his martyrdom.

Are you heeding Jesus’ “Great Commission”? I hope so! But if you have fallen short of His challenge, take courage!! Let’s stand back up, repent, dust ourselves off, and get back to sharing the truth He reveals as we commit ourselves to read & live out His Word!

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Mark 15. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“While Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the high priest’s servants came. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, ‘You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus!’ But he denied it: ‘I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about!’ Then he went out to the entryway, and a rooster crowed.” Mark 14:66-68 (HCSB)

In Hebrew, the word for rooster is “gever,” which is similar to “gevura,” meaning constriction or restraint. In Jewish tradition, the rooster is also a symbol of new beginnings. Early in the morning, it is the rooster’s call that serves as the alarm clock, arousing man from his peaceful sleep, bidding him to begin his day’s work.

When Peter denies Jesus, the first crow of the rooster can be taken to symbolize his turning away from the Lord but not necessarily his disbelief. It is a stark contrast to Peter’s earlier statements of faith! Peter’s betrayal was in response to Satan’s vicious attack against his flesh.

“And the Lord said, ‘Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Luke 22:31-32 (NKJV)

Jesus knew that Peter would turn away, but He also knew the effectiveness of His prayers to the Father! Jesus was sure Peter would learn his lesson, and having done so, Peter would become the most effective Kingdom-builder among the original disciples.

Those who are reckless with their faith generally sin impetuously. Peter allowed himself to be constricted/restrained by the enemy’s pressure to the point where he acted against his personal beliefs. Self-preservation overrode faithful conviction. As a boa snake restrains its prey by constricting it, Satan squeezes Peter for the kill.

“Then he started to curse himself and swear with an oath, ‘I don’t know the man you’re talking about!’ Immediately a rooster crowed a second time, and Peter remembered when Jesus had spoken the word to him, ‘Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.’ When he thought about it, he began to weep.” Mark 14:71-72 (HCSB)

The second crowing of the rooster denotes a New Beginning for Peter. It is where he became profoundly aware of the gravity of his sin. With the rooster’s second crow, Peter’s heart changes from a mode of self-preservation to deep remorse over his self-absorption. Sadly, with morning came the end of the Sanhedrin’s search for testimonial evidence. Peter had lost his opportunity to defend Jesus at His trial.

Let’s consider today’s passage as an exhortation: Never be afraid to share your faith, regardless of social, economic, or personal consequences. Every day is a new beginning and presents us with myriads of opportunities to debunk the World’s testimony against the Messiah! Also, remember we serve a Messiah who knows our shortcomings. He sees sin before it happens, intercedes for us, and is faithful and just to forgive us and use us again.