Saving Power for Our Nation

“But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples were saying to him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.’” New American Standard Bible: John 20:24–25.

“It was the doubt of a sad man, whose sadness was due to this, that the event whereof he doubted was one of which he would most gladly be assured. Nothing could give Thomas greater delight than to be certified that his Master was indeed risen. This is evident from the joy he manifested when he was at length satisfied. ‘My Lord and my God!’” The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, pp. 508.

In the process of his grieving, we see Thomas is not present at the time when Jesus appears to the disciples in His resurrected body. It is not known why he was not there. Perhaps he like many of us was in quiet mourning; conditions many of us find ourselves when someone very close to us dies. We choose to be alone and consumed by our emotions. Perhaps even when he heard of the resurrected Jesus one of the reasons he did not believe was his feelings got in the way of his thoughts based upon the truths Jesus taught all the disciples.

This last week produced some major tragedies with the shootings which left many dead. We often as Christians see the world as there is no longer any hope, as many have. There are talks about how to restore trust in each other. There are marches to express feelings about these senseless tragedies. I don’t think these are the answers folks.

The answer lies in the saving power and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. You see even if we could fix the world through better communication, more complete families, lack of hatred, I still don’t see a world changing without the Lord being in each family and leading the world to peace. You see, just because you have a family doesn’t mean the value system is intact with good morals. Believe me; I’ve seen my share of dysfunctional families who have never had someone show them the way. Some have stumbled their entire lifetime. As a result their dysfunctional lifestyle it is passed down to their children who inadvertently pass it along to their children in a further diminished state. And that pattern continues to get worse each generation. This is where America is today. We have fallen from our directed path.

When Thomas discovered Jesus was gone, he was consumed by emotion at the loss of his dear Friend. He even acted irrationally when confronted with the resurrection. It took seeing the Savior face to face before he truly understood. When he did, he was able to declare, “My Lord and my God!”

This is where the world needs to be today. Face to face with our Savior. When our nation is faced day in, day-out in the face of our Savior our country will change. When our nation begins to see Jesus face to face, they will see the love and teaching He is willing to share with them. When all this culminates our nation will change; for the best! It will change into something our founding fathers saw and deeply believed upon. Then we will act out of our thoughts which are honoring to our Lord, rather than emotions which carry us in a wave each time another tragedy hits. Pray for our nation’s salvation and direction from the only One who can lead us!

Expect the Unexpected

And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. (NASB, Luke 24:13–16)

Another story like this one is where the disciples are in a room and Jesus appears. They are frightened and think they had seen a ghost of Christ. Jesus took the time to authenticate and convince the men of His real presence.

“Both sorts of evidence are necessary to a perfect faith, just as both sorts of vision, the outward and the inward, were necessary to make the disciples thorough believers in the fact of the resurrection. But some begin with the one, some with the other. Some are convinced first that the gospel story is true and then perhaps long after waken up to a sense of the importance and preciousness of the things which it relates.” The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, pp. 501.

In the story of the two men on the road to Emmaus, the two men commented about how their hearts burned within themselves when Jesus spoke to them about the Scriptures. This started a little light which began to pour into their souls of the hope; and now that hope was made manifest to the eleven in the upper room…

How far had the men on the road come to have their eyes opened to the Scriptures of the past to reveal the Son of God! If only men in this era could see this, would their lives be transformed into something wonderful! You see, it’s a totally wonderful thing to see the God of the Bible expositing His truths each day, But what would it be like to see the God of the Bible in your very presence? Do think that would elevate your view of Jesus?

For each of us every day and week, Jesus is waiting to manifest Himself in our lives. The sad part is most of us missing Him when He really shows up. We can become very good students of the Bible (which is awesome and inspiring); however, would it not be simply life transforming to see the risen Savior show up in your little world today? I believe this is possibly for every person who has trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. So how do we see Him?

Let’s try by inviting Him... Then expect He will manifest Himself! Then let’s pray for unexpected things which according to His will are possible. Let’s ask Him to do the hardest things we never could have expected!

If we don’t, we may be like to the two men on the road not even recognizing the risen Savior, because let’s face it; in their minds He was dead. They needed time to mourn their loss and they didn’t have time for interruptions! We may also be like the eleven in the room; surprised and scared at the same time because a ghost had appeared!

Do the unexpected today. Expect Jesus to show up today!

Misunderstandings about the Resurrection

"And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered..." Luke 24:41 (K.J.V.)

"The disciples were not less true to the memory of their Lord. They were like a 'widow indeed,' who remains faithful to her deceased husband, and dotes on his virtues, though his reputation be at zero in the general esteem of the world. Call Him a deceiver who might, they could not believe that Jesus had been a deceiver. Mistaken He as well as they might have been, but an imposter- never! Therefore, though He is dead and their hope gone, they still act as men who cherish the fondest attachment to their Master whom they have lost." The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, pp. 491.

This time of loss for the disciples is one of despair and grief. They are like a family who has gathered for the loss of a loved one, with the deep introversion that is experienced after a funeral. Only those who remain in the family remain together to cope with the grief of a loved one dying. 

There is one difference though. This family of disciples has the threat of the Jews lurking around them as they grieve. Not only do they experience the grief of loss, but the disappointment of the ones who heard the gospel and yet chose not to believe when Jesus shared. Even yet, the disciples remained faithful to their Lord; only now He was dead. Throughout the women's visit to prepare the body for burial and return testimony to the resurrection, the disciples still had a hard time with the second thing Jesus told them; that he would rise from the dead. In fact John and Peter ran to the tomb not with the belief that He had resurrected, but to find out what happened to the stolen body!

Even today, many of us don't think about the day when Jesus has promised to either come and get us by way of the Rapture, or our death and arrival in heaven. We seem to somewhat go around in our daily lives busy with the things that occupy our thoughts for each day. It is very real in the human nature to deal with what is in front of us each day and not consider tomorrow. But I was thinking the today about something that might help each of us think about that day to come...

When I get close to a time where we are about to go on vacation, I find myself looking forward to that date long before it comes. I'm a planner by nature. I plan the flight or drive, carefully look at the route, see what is in the area I'm headed, check out the accommodations of my stay, and dream of the day we leave! What if though? What if I were to look forward to the day that I might see Jesus face to face like that? In order to be ready though I need to plan how to arrive safely (establishing my salvation), studying the Word of God to find out what it will look like, and finally dream of the day as if it draws closer each day! Just imagine how exciting that day can be and dreaming about a day when your vacation is not even close to the paradise resort you will be arriving! Here's a picture of some of it. No traffic to deal with, no check in lines at the airport, no security checks, no finding your luggage and carrying it around, no needing the rest from the jet-lag of travel. All these things are in the past. You will arrive safe, sound, rested, and rejoicing with praise when we see Him in His ultimate paradise!

The Returning Shepherd

"When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful." NASB: Mt 28:17.

"The black day of the crucifixion is past; the succeeding day, the Jewish Sabbath, when the Weary One slept in His rock-hewn tomb, is also past; the first day of a new week and of a new era has dawned, and the Lord is risen from the dead. The Shepherd has returned to gather His scattered sheep. Surely a happy day for the hapless disciples! What rapturous joy must have thrilled their hearts at the thought of a reunion with their beloved Lord! With what ardent hope must they have looked forward to that resurrection morn!" The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, pp.488.

But it wasn't...

The actual state of the disciples' mind was much like those who heard from the Babylonian captivity they could return to their native land. They had dreamed for the day when they could return to their land, and prayed for that day to come in their lifetime; but it seemed to too good to be true. "Grief was calm and hope was dead." Bruce, pp. 488. But this was the same attitude of the disciples of Jesus. They thought to themselves, "This was the man who could deliver this nation and now He is dead." The resurrection totally caught them off guard because they were not expecting it. In fact in the Gospel of Mark, when Mary came and told of the resurrection, "They refused to believe it." (Mark 16:11, NASB) Luke records a graphic response to the women who announced the resurrection; "But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them." (Luke 24:11, NASB) In fact, Jesus even presented Himself in the disciples midst and yet they feared He was a ghost and were terrified. It finally took Jesus showing them His hands and feet and encouraging them to touch his body that they finally believed.

How real is Jesus to you today? Is He simply someone who brought good teachings and then died; or is He the Man-God who resurrects Himself from the power of death and gives eternal life to those who believe on His name? Each one of us would say, “Well of course He is God!" However, do each of us live as if this is true each day in our lives? What I mean is simply, "Do we really acknowledge that He is alive today and willing to prove Himself to us each day? Or do we use the Doubting Thomas Syndrome questioning His life as to whether it can be proven by physically seeing and touching Him?

This is where a lot of people are today. They would gladly trust in Jesus for everything provided that they could see and touch Him. They need living proof to believe.

I have good news for each of you true believers in Jesus Christ. You are that proof He is alive! Be His hands for someone today. Show others He is alive by sharing what He has done in your life just like Mary did to the unbelieving disciples! Then they won't simply respect His teachings; they will know He is alive because of what He is doing within you today! Tell the world of His great love and remind them He is coming again; not as a dead man walking but a living breathing Savior and Deliverer!

Peter and John: Two Different Personalities

And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not. And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself. (John 18:15-18, K J V)

 "Though all the disciples, without exception, forsook Jesus at the moment of His apprehension, two of them soon recovered their courage sufficiently to return from flight, and follow after their Master as He was being led away to judgment. One of these was Simon Peter, ever original both in good and evil, who, we are told, followed Jesus "afar off unto the high priests palace, to see, the end. The other, according to general, and we think correct, opinion of interpreters, was John." The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, pp. 480.

The two disciples, who are very different in character seemed to have a good relationship with each other. One was very loving and compassionate (John), the other less than compassionate and quick to rise to violence (Peter). In many passages throughout the New Testament, we find the two with each other. When Jesus announced the traitor at the table, Peter asked for a sign of who it was. Three separate times from this, we see them interlocked together; They ran together to the tomb on resurrection morning, they talked together about who the stranger was at the seaside when they were out fishing early one morning, and both followed Jesus; one by command (Peter) and the other by love (John). Finally, the two entered in to the temple at the time of prayer to heal a man, and later were indicted by the tribunal, only to be released again. 


Somehow, through all this the two remained friends. But the two were fitted together for God's purpose. The two were compliments of each other; Peter was masculine in attitude, while John feminine in temperament; Peter was a man of action sometimes never even thinking, John a man of though and feelings. Peter was a born leader, John a servant. Peter was the typical hero; John the admirer of the hero (Bruce, pp. 482). 

Today, has God fitted someone into your life who is a compliment to yours? I ask you to consider who it might be who is fitted into your life for God's compliment. Each one of us has someone we can either draw our strengths from, while others like me can use a little wisdom in the process. Which one are you today? Are you a Peter or a John?

In my life, God has sent me a John. He is my best friend Roselle. He is the compliment I need for balance. Without his input, at times I would be willing to take on everything without considering the big picture. Don't get me wrong, he can physically work circles around me and anyone around him, but he has that quite loving spirit that I have never had. He sets a pace and sticks to it. Me; I'm a blowing torch, sometime only to blow out too early...

He is my source of encouragement when I get things wrong and regret them. He is the source of perspective when I need it. He is also the one who shows me the love of God when I've blown it much like Peter when he blew it and walked away feeling as if he would never be forgiven. He felt humiliated, but his Lord restored him. That's what my best friend does. He lets me know that God can and will restore me when I ask for forgiveness and use me again for His Kingdom!

Do you see the value of people in your life which God puts there? I am. And I am grateful...

Breaking Us Down So We Can Be Better

Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Lk 22:31–32.

"Jesus regards the crisis about to be gone through by His disciples as now which shall not only end happily, but result in spiritual benefit to themselves, and qualify them for being helpful to others." The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, pp. 476.

Over time, the disciples will become stronger and able to help those around them, but their weaknesses have to be revealed. The strongest of them (Peter) will become stronger, the weakest (Judas) will become weaker and ultimately fail. Note the difference in the end results of the two. Jesus tells them that there is no cause for despair though; sin can be forgiven, but it also can be used for good for our self and others, as Bruce observes:

Falls, rightly improved, may become stepping stones to Christian virtue, and a training for the office of the comforter and guide. How healing such a view to the troubled conscience? Men who have erred, and who take a serious thought of their sin, are apt to consume their hearts and waste their time in bitter reflections on their past misconduct. Christ gives them more profitable work to do. 'When thou are converted,' He says to them, 'strengthen thy brethren:' cease from idle regrets over the irrevocable past, and devote thyself heart and soul to labours of love; and let it help thee to forgive thyself, that from thy very faults and follies thou mayest learn the meekness, patience, compassion, and wisdom necessary for carrying on such labours with success." pp. 477

If anything good ever comes from our lives, it will be many times through the crucible of error. I can't count the many times I have made mistakes in my life. How about you? As the years plug on, I realize how many remain through the evidences of my life which have been ingrained over tens of years. Sometimes, I note things which were  thought to be long gone suddenly pop up when I least expected them. 

I can't  tell you how much these words mean to me from Bruce: "If the good ever come, it will come through the strait gate of repentance. You can become wise, gracious, meek, sympathetic, a burden-bearer to the weak, only going out first and weeping bitterly." pp. 477.

This has often been the thought of my mind over the last few years. You see, for many years I really didn't care about what people thought of me. As the years clicked by, I began to mature in my faith and began to start evaluating what I will leave behind. If I never left anything of value, "What was my life worth to Jesus Kingdom?" Now I realize what Bruce says is so true. The only way I can ever become better in my life is to bring those things before the Lord and allow Him to forgive me; then I can forgive myself first. Then the true act of repentance allows me to turn from that old way and move forward to something positive in my own life. I no longer need to brood the things of the past, but to put forth acts of love in strengthening my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. But things don't change unless I enter the Strait Gate; Jesus way!

In the disciples lives, they too had made quite a few mistakes. Then they realized they couldn't be better for the kingdom until their point of view had changed; and mistakes they made! But in their defense, they turned from their ways and turned their lives over to the full control of Jesus Christ. Then they turned all their efforts into acts of love toward all, and as a result they changed the world we now live in to the glory of God!

The Sifting Process Part II

Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Lk 22:31–32.

"The disciples did not understand their Lord's meaning. They put a stupid, prosaic interpretation upon this part, as upon so many other parts, of His farewell discourse. So with ridiculous seriousness, they said: 'Lord, behold, here are two swords...'The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, pp. 466.

When the sifting process begins, the disciples again come to the point of trying to control the situation as if they could. Their faith was again tested and again they failed. Jesus would have replied to them, "What are two swords for twelve men, and against a hundred weapons coming against us?" How can you expect to win? This was an absurd answer!

You see as Bruce puts it; "He gave himself up to death, that there might be a gospel to preach; He desired the safety of the disciples, that there might be men to preach it." pp. 467.

So where did the fault lie in the disciples lives at this point? It was in their faith. They didn't believe that all would go well without their direct involvement in the process. Furthermore, they didn't believe that God would provide for them and Jesus; for their safety and for God's plan in Jesus Christ. This would be accomplished whether they had any involvement in the process or not. And remember, in the end, they still deserted Jesus in His time of need support from them. They all scattered like sheep without a shepherd.

How many times have we tried to further our own expectations of what Christ is to us in our own lives as well? How many times have we tried to make the gospel fit our own agenda? How many times in America do we try to Americanise Jesus as if His narrative can be explained in our culture's norms?

Even though these men fled from his presence physically, they had long fled from him in their state of mind. Their minds were flooded by unbelief and despair in which all they had believed and invested in their lives had now all been blasted away as if the entire cause of Christ had been lost, and whom God had abandoned His plan for mankind.

These men, who had been walking with Jesus were now on the road to the battle ahead and they didn't even know it. They knew He was the Messiah, but misunderstood the finality of the mission He set out on. They misunderstood His mission and career which led Him to the cross. They heard the teachings of Jesus taking on a cross in their minds but missed the actual event when it began to unfold.

Still the ringing in their ears caused them to ask the question, "How could we have been so wrong about the One who claimed He would redeem this nation?" "Why is He marching off to death, rather than the crown?"

Many people still today miss the big picture of Jesus Christ. It's not about what we want the gospel narrative to say in our lives, it is about what God deemed necessary for the cause of humanity. How is your faith affected by what you expect from Jesus Christ today? Do you also sometimes misunderstand Jesus and His mission?

I would sadly say this is true for most Christians today. If it were not, then I expect we would be about His business more today in at least one area; sharing our faith!