Jesus Rocked

What Did Jesus Do?

...come to Him, a living stone...
1Peter 2.4

Several months ago I lent a hand in building a retaining wall at a Boy Scout camp. Don't worry, the work was supervised by people who knew what they were doing, I was just a beast of burden. As the wall was being constructed I noted that, unlike other walls I have helped to build, these blocks needed no mortar to hold them together. When cut and shaped just right, rocks will rest securely, interlocked and solid. It takes know-how to build without mortar. Though I know it is popular to credit Jesus with being a carpenter, I believe he might have been a stonemason, because when Jesus built His Church, well, He rocked!

The Lord certainly knew about how important the right foundation is. When you build to last, you start with rock (Matthew 7.24-27). So it is hardly surprising that Christ chose Peter (From the Greek Petra, “rock”) to be the foundation stone upon which His Church would be constructed. With the right foundation your structure can stand up to rains and floods and winds and not fall. But even the mightiest-walled fortress will fall if it is built on sand. When Jesus began to build His Church, He rocked.

Of course, the right foundation is just the first step. If you want your structure to be solid and squared you need just the right block to begin your walls. This starting block is so important it has a name—the cornerstone. The proper cornerstone assures that the walls will be plumb and straight. Jesus didn't identify himself as a joist or a stud, but as the cornerstone (Matthew 21.42). Christ's church was built on rock, and began with the Lord himself the cornerstone. Jesus may have been a carpenter, but I tell you, there has never been a stonemason like Him. The Lord died on a cross of wood, but He lives in His Church made of stone.

It takes more than the right foundation and a perfect cornerstone if you are going to build something that will endure through the ages. Amazingly, this is where we come in. While Peter is the rock upon whom Christ chose to build, and Jesus himself is the Cornerstone, it turns out that we are the building blocks! More precisely, the Bible calls us “living stones” that are being built up into a “spiritual house”--the Church. (1Peter 2.5) Jesus rocked!

If you look closely, you will notice that there is no mortar holding the Church together. Rather, the Holy Spirit, who is the one who makes the stones come to life by faith in Jesus, is the power within the Church that holds everything together. If you have ever seen or experienced a church coming apart, and sadly many of us have, I believe an inspection would reveal a decided absence of the Holy Spirit in the “stones.” What stones need to do to remain alive is come daily to Him, the Living Stone who was “rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,” (1 Peter 2.4), otherwise the Holy Spirit will not long remain, and things will start to come apart. If your congregation is showing signs of the “stones” slipping and falling away, it is a sign of dying, and it is time to call upon the Spirit to start rocking to bring the Life back into stones. That's what Jesus did.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministrie.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4

Jesus Buried Treasure

What Did Jesus Do?

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field...
Matthew 13.44

Indiana Jones was always hunting for “fortune and glory.” Intrepid explorers sailed West to find the riches of the East. Pirates and others killed in order to get their hands on maps where, against all odds, X did mark the spot where chests full of doubloons were waiting to be dug up. Today, speculators are investing in hopes of making a “killing” in the market. There are not many people who aren't at least a little bit tempted by wealth, and willing to search and take considerable risks to find it. Would you believe that immeasurable riches await those who discover that Jesus buried treasure? I'm not at all suggesting that one's bank account will swell, that you will soon own 2-3 homes, or even that you'll have a luxurious and idle retirement. But for those who are willing to surrender all the world offers in exchange for what Christ promises, well, there are riches indeed.

Galilean fishermen gave up everything to follow Jesus, and they received the kingdom. Tax collectors walked away from their profitable, albeit dishonest, lifestyles, and an imperishable inheritance was set aside for them. A leader of a synagogue traded all for the treasure of believing in Jesus and received his darling little girl back from the dead. A Roman Centurion discovered the riches of bowing before the Lord and was given back his beloved servant who had been near death. A thief about to die on a cross forsook his wicked ways to seek forgiveness from Jesus, and that very day entered paradise. Hunting for treasure? Pursuing wealth? Wanting riches? Believe me, you need what Jesus alone can give.

Now, you may challenge the suggestion that Jesus hid or buried anything, but ask yourself, did the apostles receive all Jesus had to offer right away, or was there much about Him and the kingdom that took some digging, some persistence, some perseverance in faith, to uncover? For that matter, were not and are not the treasures of the kingdom hidden from those who “hear but never understand” and “see but never perceive” (Matthew 13.14)? I would suggest that the parables of Jesus are in fact hidden treasures, uncovered for believers by the action of the Holy Spirit.

The Gospel is certainly a treasure to receive here and now, but it is also something of a treasure map that leads those who follow it for a lifetime to the greatest riches of all, eternal life and the glory unending joy of worshiping God forever. Those who seek after the treasures of this world discover that they all rust and fade away. Imperishable riches are to be found by following the Lord, who said, “I am the way...” (John 14.6). That's what Jesus did.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4

Jesus Harvested

What Did Jesus Do?

“Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.”
John 4.35


It's fine to sow, if nothing is sown noting can be reaped. But even if good seed and good soil combine to yield thirty, sixty, a hundredfold, the fruit will rot on the plant if it is not harvested. When you look at a field and see its lush green is turning to white, well, you better get busy, because the crop is drying out and will soon die right there in the field if you don't harvest it. Having established that Jesus was a sower (See WDJD 8/24), we need to know that He finished the job. Jesus sowed, yes, but also, Jesus harvested.

It would be, I believe, a mistake for us to too quickly jump to the conclusion that all whom Jesus healed were saved. Sure, the blind celebrated their sight, the deaf were excited that they could hear, and the lame leaped about and danced on legs miraculously strengthened. But think about the time ten lepers were healed. How many actually returned to acknowledge and thank the Lord? One. (See Luke 17.11-19) While I believe it is pretty safe to say that that particular Samaritan was saved, I am not sure we can automatically come to the same conclusion about the other nine. But, surely, Jesus harvested that Samaritan for the kingdom of God.

And there were definitely others. There was Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector from Jericho with the bad reputation. His entire household was harvested for the kingdom of God the day Jesus declared that He needed to stay at the home of Zacchaeus,


“Today salvation has come to this house...”
Luke 19.9


Even when He was dying on the cross, the Lord continued to labor, harvesting souls for the kingdom of God. Remember the two thieves? One mocked and taunted the Lord (Luke 23.39), and his fate is uncertain, though the Lord had already pleaded for all who that day acted in complete ignorance of the truth (Luke 23.34). But Christ's harvesting of the other thief is certain,

“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Luke 23.43

On the cross Christ was completing His work, but the harvesting would continue. But is sowing and harvesting all there is to salvation and the building up of the kingdom? It would be nice to think that all it takes is the planting of the seed of the Word and the immediate response of a brief prayer, but then where is the maturing and the ripening, where is the fruit? In between the sowing and the harvesting is there no work, and hard work at that, that must be done? Is there no growth that must take place?

Jesus most certainly sowed. And, thanks be to God, we can be sure that Jesus also harvested. But between the sowing and the harvesting the Lord continued to work out in the field, so to speak, cultivating and watering, continually feeding the faith of His disciples, that they would grow strong and healthy and, in time, produce a great harvest for the kingdom. Being sowers is important, and Jesus wants us to sow every day. And the Lord would have us be ready for harvesting as well when it is time. But Christ also needs us to be working for the kingdom in between the sowing and the harvesting, helping the field to ripen, for it is to be a great harvest. Sow. Work. Harvest. That's what Jesus did.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4

Jesus Sowed

What Did Jesus Do?

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea...
And he told them many things in parables...
Matthew 13.1,3


Everyone knows Jesus was a carpenter. Or was He? I don't recall ever reading anything in the Bible about anything that Jesus built, do you? Joseph was a carpenter, and most of us make the assumption that Jesus learned the trade at Joseph's side and then went into the family business. But I'm not so sure. In fact, rather than a carpenter, I believe Jesus might have been a farmer. The Lord sure knew a lot about agriculture. And, even more, He was always sowing.

Take that time recorded in Matthew 13, when Jesus who had merely gone out to sit beside the sea, and ended up having to climb into a boat because of the crowd that gathered around Him on the beach. Matthew 13.3 says the Lord spoke to them in parables, but what Jesus was really doing was sowing. Oh, the people, even His disciples, didn't understand what was happening, but Jesus was sowing while He told a parable about a sower.

You see, Jesus didn't tell parables for amusement, though they were entertaining stories in their own way. The purpose of the parables was the building up of the kingdom of God through the sowing of the Word in the hearts of those who heard them. Every parable was a seed Jesus himself scattered on the soil of hearts. And, just as in the parable itself, those “seeds” landed on some hearts that were hard and barren, and some landed on hearts that were kind of shallow, other “seed” landed on hearts that were very open and receptive but unfortunately burdened with many worldly distractions and cares, and still other “seed” landed on hearts that were very fertile indeed.

Of course, even the best seed in the best soil needs some care and attention if it is going to grow and produce abundantly. For instance, there was Simon Peter. Peter responded quickly enough to the Word, but it took more than hearing a few parables to produce the apostle who would stand up on Pentecost and preach one powerful message. Jesus sowed the Word in Peter. And then, like a good farmer, He tended to the growth of Peter's faith, and the development of Peter's understanding throughout their time together. Like a farmer, Jesus had confidence in the seed He was sowing, and faith in the soil He sowed in, and ultimately the Lord entrusted the fullness of the harvest that would be His Church to Peter. Oddly, the harvest would spring from a “rock.” (See Matthew 16.13-20)

Now, a sower knows that much of the seed that is scattered will never yield anything for harvesting. But sowers also know the incredible potential of good seed in good soil—yields of thirty, sixty, even a hundredfold! On that memorable Pentecost Peter would exceed the expectations of the parable and produce, not a mere hundredfold, but three thousand souls! (Acts 2.41) Even if you are not willing to concede that Jesus was a farmer, you have to admit, He sure did know how and where to sow.

While it is widely accepted that Jesus recruited fishermen to make them fishers of men (Matthew 4.18-22), it might be just as accurate to say that the Lord was a farmer who was looking for sowers. The kingdom of God is a great harvest in need of workers (Matthew 9.37), but before there can be any harvesting there has to be a great deal of sowing. That's what Jesus did.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4

Jesus Rendered

What Did Jesus Do?

“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's,
and to God the things that are God's.”
Mark 12.17


The struggle to keep the boundaries between church and state has confronted nations long before the drafting of the United States Constitution. Actually, many nations and many leaders through the ages have attempted to usurp divine rights and privileges for themselves. It took the founders of our nation to express eloquently the truth that the divine rights kings had claimed for themselves were in fact intended by the Creator to be endowed to all nations and peoples, and to all men, women, and children.

In His day, Jesus had to deal with a pagan nation which at the time occupied His homeland, which was in fact the one kingdom ever to exist as a theocracy by virtue of God's own choosing. Moreover, the Lord had to deal with the leaders of that theocracy who operated their nation much along the same lines of all the other nations, which is to say they had failed miserably as God's people. So, when the trick question was raised about the lawfulness of paying taxes to a pagan government, Jesus had no trouble rendering pagan coins, with the image of Caesar, a self-proclaimed deity, to Caesar. The truth was, God had no interest in such pagan coins. Israel, and its leaders, should have known better, and all along should have been rendering to God what belonged to God. Trouble was, they, like all the other nations, were rendering to false gods and man that which belonged to God.

As for America today, I'm not completely sure how the Father feels about the coins and currency of this nation, which proclaim trust in him; nor am I certain how the Son would reply to a question about what is lawful to do with that currency and those coins. I am certain that He would still direct us properly render to “Caesar” (the State), that which belongs to it, and to God that which belongs to him.

But it's not a simple thing, figuring out how to render properly in a republic that claims to be “one nation under God,” while doing all it can to give up the one true God for, well, as many or more idols than the Romans themselves had. Christians certainly must avoid making the State/Caesar into a god, and rendering to the State/Caesar, that which belongs to God. Perhaps this is where the Church in America, not unlike the leaders of Israel at the time of Christ, has failed. Our leaders and our people no longer know God well enough to render to him properly, and, as a consequence, there is a whole lot more rendering to Caesar than is proper, and much less rendering to God of what is properly his.

We cannot, as Americans, claim any special divine rights or privileges due us as Americans. The Declaration of Independence did indeed mean “all,” and not just those residing in the thirteen colonies, are created equal. The Father loves all people throughout the world, throughout the ages, and sent his Son as Savior for all, that all who receive Christ as Lord should not die but have eternal life. Yet, as Americans and Christians, we can, we must, acknowledge that our land and our government, our very lives are gifts from God, not to do with as we please, but so to render humbly to the Father that he is glorified, and not this nation, and certainly not we ourselves. In dying on the cross Christ rendered the complete and perfect sacrifice that was due unto God on behalf of Israel, and all peoples. That's what Jesus did.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4

HIS People

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
Psalm 33.12


Religion and politics don't mix, even ancient Israel couldn't get it straight. So, when I wrote the other day about whether or not it is time to fight to restore the United States, I may have caused some confusion as to the distinction between faith allegiance and political allegiance. Let me be clear, a Christian's faith is supremely placed in the Lord Jesus Christ; and loyalty to a nation, even the United States, is subordinate to our devotion to the Lord. Nonetheless, I am convinced that Christians are not supposed to be apolitical, much less to sit idly by while this country is dismantled and removed from the map.


Truly, the one and only theocracy God has established is the ancient kingdom of Israel. The LORD chose Jacob as his heritage. They were the people called by his name, the people of Yah (Judah, those who praise Yahweh). Psalm 147 opens with an injunction to “praise the LORD” (Praise Yahweh), declaring “It is good to sing praises to our God” (PS 147.1). The psalm goes on to note that the LORD only declared his word, his statutes and rules to Israel, “He has not dealt thus with any other nation...” (PS 147.19-20). Ancient Israel was unique, even to the point of making the necessary distinction between it and the modern secular state of Israel. God made an everlasting covenant with the ancient Israelites, with the descendants of Abraham, but he has also made a new covenant with those who are Abraham's spiritual descendants, specifically with the followers of Christ (People called by the name that is above all names!), who come from many different nations and peoples, including the Jews (not all Jews, but Messianic, that is, Christian, Jews). Graciously, God has enlarged his heritage so that it now includes all who believe that Jesus is his Son, and who receive Christ as their Savior and Lord.


It so happened that the people who founded this nation did so with a distinctly Christian world view. The keel of our ship of state, if you will, was Christian. Though the framers of the Constitution were careful not to establish a state religion—they understood religion and politics to be two distinct estates—they also accepted that for the idea of this nation to succeed its politics, its government, needed to be informed by faith,


“Our constitution was written for a moral and religious people, it can govern no other.”
John Adams


The point I attempted to make the other day was, if those Americans who are called by the name of Christ, and they are hardly a majority any more, don't humble themselves, pray, and seek God's face, we can hardly expect anything but destruction for our land. This is not to say the United States is, or ever was, or ever will be, a theocracy. But there was a time when it was a godly republic, when faith informed decisions of government. For that matter, there was a time when faith informed the decisions of many families, schools, and businesses in this country, and I believe we were the better for it. We don't need to preach the Gospel at every town meeting, every political debate, every sitting of every legislature on up to Washington. But, everything that we do say in any public forum should be informed, guided by, and reflect the influence of the Gospel in every aspect of our lives. The problem in America isn't our constitution, it's we, the people. And shame on us Christians most of all.


In truth, I don't think we can blame our politicians for the state of the nation. I think the blame rests more with the preachers of this land. So few politicians get to sit under godly preaching anymore. How can we expect them to be godly leaders? For that matter, since so few of the electorate sit under godly preaching, how can we expect them to elect godly statesmen and stateswomen? Worst of all, so few people who sit in pews week after week sit under godly preaching. I believe the problem, and remember I am a preacher, is in America's pulpits. Not all of them, certainly, but in the majority. I think, maybe, that if the folks who stand up to preach on Sunday mornings actually started to heed the words of 2Chronicles 7.14, God might just begin to heal this land. I am afraid there are perniciously wicked ways that a whole lot of us pastors, and a whole lot of our churches, need to turn from. I don't know if anything less than such a turning can ever turn the ship of this State around.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4

Is It Time?

Is it time to fight to "save" America? Well, frankly, I believe we've already lost most of our heritage: Christian, Constitutional, Economic. The question is, is it time to fight win win back America? And, if not now, when will it be time? This is NOT a condemnation of President Obama, he is who he is. The ones who I'm condemning are those who put him in the White House.

Now, if the fight I am suggesting were to begin, it would mean some VERY hard times for most all of us. But don't you think George Washington's troops and the signers of the Declaration of Independence went through hard times to secure our independence? Don't you think the soldiers who fought in Blue and Gray, and the civilians who lived in Atlanta and Gettysburg and Richmond and Vicksburg went through hard times? Don't you think the doughboys in the trenches in France went through hard times? And the marines on Guadalcanal? Don't you think the servicemen and women in Afghanistan are going through hard times today? Don't you think our children and grandchildren will go through worse times if we don't fight to win back America for them now?

And by "fight" I am not suggesting we all take up arms, though, God forbid, that day may come. Rather, this fight, like the one which achieved our independence in the first place, must begin with vocal patriotism and bold and eloquent statesmanship. The United states was formed because of the weight of moral and political virtues, the "self-evident truths," that were worth fighting for. Arms were the last, sadly necessary, recourse. So, now is not the time to take up arms, but let us again take up the timeless ideals and self-evident truths upon which this nation was established.

I don't know, maybe a mosque at "ground zero" in lower Manhattan is a fitting tribute to the Islamic "heroes" who died that day crashing those planes into the World Trade Towers and the Pentagon. Personally I prefer the monument to another downed plane, a monument in a nondescript field in Pennsylvania, a monument remembering the American heroes who it was time to fight, and die if necessary, to keep 9/11 from being worse than it was.

Enough from me. If you believe it's not time to fight to restore America, click "delete" now. If you are not sure, or if you think the time has come, well, then read on.





In
1952
President Truman
established one day a year as a
"National Day of Prayer."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In
1988
President Reagan
designated the
First Thursday in May of each year as
the National Day of Prayer.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In June
2007
(then)
Presidential
Candidate Barack Obama
declared that the USA
"Was no longer a
Christian nation."
---------------------------------------------------------------
This year
President Obama
canceled the
21st annual National Day
of Prayer ceremony
at the White
House under the ruse
Of "not wanting to offend anyone"

------------------------------------------------------------------------

BUT... on September 25, 2009
from 4 AM until 7 PM,
a National Day of Prayer
FOR THE MUSLIM RELIGION
was Held on Capitol Hill,
Beside the White House.
There were over 50,000 Muslims
in D.C. that day and,
HE PRAYED WITH THE MUSLIMS!

I guess it Doesn't matter
if "Christians"
Were offended by this event -
We obviously
Don't count as
"anyone" anymore.

The direction this country is headed
should strike fear in the heart of every Christian,
especially knowing that the
Muslim religion believes that if Christians cannot be
converted, they should be annihilated.

This is not a Rumor –
Go to the website
To confirm this info:
( http://www.islamoncapitolhill.com/ )

Pay particular attention to the very bottom of the page:
"OUR TIME HAS COME"
I hope that this information will stir your spirit.

The words of 2 Chronicles 7:14
"If my people, Who are called by my Name,
Will humble themselves And pray,
And seek my face, and Turn from their Wicked ways,
Then will I hear from Heaven
And will forgive their Sin and will heal Their land."

We must pray for Our nation, our communities,
Our families, and especially our children.
They are the ones who are going to suffer the most.
.
If we don't PRAY
May God have Mercy.
IN GOD WE TRUST.

Time For God


Read only if you have
time for God
Let me tell you, make sure you read
all the way to the bottom.
I almost deleted this but I was blessed when I got to the end




God,
when I read this I thought...


I don't have time for this...
And, this is really
inappropriate during work.



Then, I realized that this kind
of thinking is.... Exactly, what
has caused a lot of the problems
in our world today.




We try to keep God in
church on Sunday morning....





Maybe,
Sunday night...


And, the unlikely event
of a midweek
service.


We do like to have Him
around during sickness....



And, of course,
at funerals.


However, we don't have
time, or room, for Him
during work or play...


Because.. That's the part of
our lives we think... We can,
and should, handle
on our own.


May God forgive me
for ever thinking...



That... There is a time
or place where..


HE is not to be
FIRST
in my life.


We should always
have time to remember
all HE has
done for us.




If, You aren't
ashamed to
do this...



Please follow the
directions.


Jesus said, 'If you are
ashamed of me, I will be
ashamed of you
before my Father.'


Not
ashamed?


Pass this on ONLY
IF YOU
MEAN IT!!



Yes, .....

I DO
Love God.



HE is my source of
existence
and Savior.



He keeps me functioning
each and every day.
Without Him, I will be
nothing.
But, with Christ,
HE strengthens me.
(Phil 4:13)

This is the
simplest test.

If You Love God...
And, are not ashamed of
all the marvelous things
HE has done for you...


Send this to ten people
and the person who
sent it to you!

Now do you have the
time to pass it on?

Make sure that you
scroll
through to the end.


Easy vs. Hard

Why is it so hard to tell
the truth but Yet so
easy to tell a lie?

Why are we so sleepy
in church but Right when
the sermon is over we
suddenly wake up?

Why is it so easy to
delete a Godly e-mail,
but yet we forward
all of the nasty ones?


Of all the free gifts
we may receive,
Prayer
is the very best one.....

There are no costs,
but wonderful rewards...

GOD BLESS!

Notes: Isn't it funny how
simple it is for people
to trash God and then
wonder why the
world's going to hell.

Isn't it funny how
someone can say
'I believe in God'
but still follow Satan
(who, by the way,
also 'believes'
in God).

Isn't it funny how you
can send a thousand
jokes through e-mail
and they spread like
wildfire, but when
you start sending
messages regarding
the Lord,
people think twice
about sharing?


Isn't it funny how
when you go to forward
this message, you
will not send it to many
on your address list
because you're not
sure what they believe,
or what they will think
of you for sending
it to them

Isn't it funny how I can
be more worried
about what other
people think of me
than what God
thinks of me..



I pray, for everyone
who sends this to
their entire address
book, they will be blessed
by God
in a way special for them.


And send it back to the
person who sent it,
to let them know that
indeed, it was sent
out to many more.


Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.com
Marion, NC
PS 37.4

Jesus Unpacked

What Did Jesus Do?

“Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road,
while he opened to us the Scriptures?”
Luke 24.32


Jesus was the world's greatest exegete. If you are unfamiliar with what exegetes do, well, they unpack. Specifically, exegetes unpack, that is they open up, explain, and interpret, Scripture. From a very young age, throughout His ministry, and even after the Resurrection, Jesus unpacked the Word of God.

By the age of twelve Jesus was already amazing people with the breadth of His knowledge and understanding of Scripture, and with the depth of His answers (Luke 2.46-47). It really isn't surprising, after all, the Lord is the Word Incarnate, the flesh and blood unpacking of the Word of God. Jesus unpacked.

Take the time the Lord was in the wilderness being tempted by the devil (Luke 4.1-13). Though Satan was familiar enough with the Scriptures to throw proof-texts at Jesus, Christ rebuffed the devil by unpacking deeper and fuller meanings of the Word than Lucifer could ever understand.

Then there were the times when the Son exegeted, unpacked, the truths of the Father's Word for the people by employing the “You have heard...But I say to you...” technique. In particular this helps us to understand the Law without falling into legalism, by unpacking the real intent of the Law-giver, and not relying solely on the letter of the Law. (See Matthew 5.21-48)

Jesus warned that it is vain to search the Scriptures while refusing to come to Him, the One who unpacks their truths (John 5.39). Reading Scripture while rejecting Jesus is to look upon the Word with closed eyes, leaving its lessons, its comfort, its power locked away. We might as well never open our Bibles if we are unwilling to let Jesus unpack its meaning for us.

Of course, there is some “heartburn” involved when Christ unpacks the Word. Just ask the two despairing disciples on the road to Emmaus. Confused, disillusioned, grieving, they could not work through the horror of the crucifixion or make sense out of the reports of the women who said they had seen the risen Lord. But when a man fell in with them, and took the time to unpack all the Scriptures concerning the Christ, the cold, dead hearts of the mournful disciples were fanned into passionate flame. (See Luke 24.13-35) The fuel that nurtures the fire of faith was revealed when Jesus unpacked.

It is a good idea, whenever we open the Bible, for personal study, and certainly when sharing it with others, to pray for Jesus to come and unpack its Truth. There is salvation and eternal life in the Word when it is unpacked. That's what Jesus did.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4

Jesus Evidenced

What Did Jesus Do?

“Unless I see in his hands the mark...and place my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
“Put your finger here...and put out your hand...Do not disbelieve, but believe.”
John 20.25, 27

They say seeing is believing, though the Bible instructs us that, “faith comes by hearing” (Romans 10.17). I don't know if it is all that important that the evidence be visual or auditory, but it seems, well, evident, that faith is not something we are born with, but rather acquire/receive based on our accepting some kind of testimony as reliable. To the end that the world might believe, Jesus evidenced in word and in works.

Thomas, who hardly deserves to be known as “the Doubter,” unless we are all willing to accept the label, apparently was a visual learner; the reports Thomas heard from the other apostles were not enough to convince him that Christ had risen, he needed some hard evidence, a hearsay Savior just wouldn't do. Jesus, as we know from the passage in John 20, obliged Thomas, who, upon seeing the Lord, and the unmistakable marks of His crucifixion, believed without actually having to put his finger and hand in the scars. The truth is, Jesus had in fact been evidencing for quite some time before His death.

Take the time some of the disciples of John the Baptist came on behalf of their master to inquire if Jesus was “the one who is to come, or shall we look for another” (Luke 7.19). The Lord responded by telling them to go and report to John the evidence of what they had seen Him do: the blind received their sight, the lame walked, lepers were cleansed, the deaf were made to hear, the dead were raised, and the poor heard the preaching of the good news (Luke 7.22). For the disciples of John seeing was believing, but for John himself, faith would come by hearing the testimony of his disciples. Either way, Jesus evidenced.

When the testimony of Jesus incited, rather than convinced, a group of Jews who were in Jerusalem for the Feast of Dedication, He said to them,

“If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me;
but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works,”
John 10.37-38


Though His words may have offended them, they had the evidence of their own eyes, which witnessed the works Jesus had performed, and gave unmistakable testimony that He was the Son of Man. Even if they didn't like what they heard, the Jews would have a hard time refuting what their eyes had seen. Jesus evidenced.

Some sought entertainment, rather than evidence that Jesus was the Messiah; Herod for instance. The puppet ruler of Galilee was ecstatic when he learned that Pilate was sending Jesus to him to interrogate. Herod had heard a lot about the rabbi from Nazareth, but what he really wanted was to see some sign performed. (Luke 23.6-11) But Jesus did no sign for Herod, for the signs Jesus did were not a matter of satisfying anyone's curiosity, but rather He performed the works of the Father. Jesus didn't entertain, He eveidenced.

With Christ risen, and now ascended into heaven how does Jesus evidence today? Through His body, the Church. The thing of it is, though faith comes by hearing, seeing is still believing. Which is to say, we can talk to people about Jesus from now until the cows come home, but if they never see Christ in us, they will likely dismiss our testimony for lack of evidence of Jesus. Works without faith are no more than the kind of entertainment Herod sought from Jesus; but faith without works, without tangible evidence, well it's quite dead and useless, as James cautioned (James 2.17). Real evidence involves the Word being living and active, working in the world to accomplish the will of the Father. That's what Jesus, the Word of God Incarnate, did.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4

Jesus Conferred

What Did Jesus Do?

And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah,
who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure
which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
Luke 9.30-31

How many times have you seen a football team work the clock to take advantage of the Two-Minute Warning, and seen the quarterback trot over to the sideline to confer with the coaches about how to reach the goal line? It makes good sense, when everything is on the line, to have a meeting of the minds to make sure everything goes according to plan for the end game. When the “clock” was running out on His life, and the Lord neared the “goal line” (Jerusalem and the Cross), Jesus took a “time out” to speak with Moses and Elijah about how He was going to achieve the victory. Jesus conferred.

It is of particular interest who the Lord conferred with. You see, His life was all about fulfillment: the fulfillment of the Law (As signified by the presence of Moses), and the fulfillment of the Prophets (As signified by the presence of Elijah). The Law and the Prophets represented the two major parts of the Hebrew Scriptures, the record of God's covenant. Christ had come, not to abolish anything, but to fulfill all things, especially His Father's Word.

And so there were Jesus and His disciples, well on the road to Jerusalem, when the Lord headed off, not to the sideline but to a high mountain, bringing Peter, James, and John with Him. Now, the conference between Moses, Elijah, and Jesus was not overheard by the three apostles, so they were not in on all the details of the game plan. However, the three distinctly heard the voice of God compelling them to do whatever their “quarterback” told them to do,

“This is my Son, my Chosen One, listen to him!”
Luke 9.35

These instructions from God were going to be very important, because the end game was not going to be at all what any of the apostles expected; listening and obeying Jesus had always been a challenge, but none of the apostles could ever have imagined what was about to happen to their Teacher. But now they had seen Jesus confer with the two monumental figures from their Scriptures and they had heard God's injunction to listen to his Son, it was time to head down the mountain and get back in the “game.”

While this, the Transfiguration, might be the most notable conference between the Father and the Son, and the only one where figures from the Old Testament were present, the truth is that Jesus conferred regularly with His Father through prayer. Though we might expect that Jesus knew what God's plan was for His life, He never presumed to act on His own, but kept in close contact with the Father.

If Jesus took time to confer about how He was to fulfill His Father's will, do you imagine any of us need not take a “time out” to make sure we are following God's game plan for our lives? While we might not have a face to face conference with Moses and Elijah, we have the full record of the Law and Prophets available to us in the Old Testament. And, though we do not have the same privilege as the Apostles of personally listening to the Lord, we have the teaching and the words of Jesus available to us in the New Testament. And we have the direct access to God which the Lord promised—we have prayer which connects us to the Father, not just at a “two-minute warning” but 24/7. In fact, it is critical that we never assume we know God's will sufficiently to ever go it alone, but that we confer with him without ceasing. That's what Jesus did.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4

Jesus Offered

What Did Jesus Do?

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11.28

In The Godfather, Don Corleone had a way of convincing reluctant people to do whatever he wanted by making them an offer they could not refuse. This meant, “Do what the Don asks, or risk having you kneecaps broken, or worse.” It wasn't surprising how many people chose to accept the “offers” made by Corleone. In contrast, Jesus Christ came making the most attractive promises, only to have many refuse Him. Nevertheless, freely Jesus offered.

To the weary and burdened the Lord offered rest, as captioned above from Matthew 11.28. Lessons in humility were also made available (v. 29). Christ even extended an invitation for sinners to trade the crushing burden of their transgressions for the opportunity to bear with Him the incredibly light yoke of His righteousness (v. 30). Jesus offered.

And there were many other offers. Those who thirsted were offered living water (John 4.10-14). To the hungry the Lord offered the Bread of Life, though many refused because they would not believe (John 6.25-59). Light was available for those who were lost and walking in darkness (John 8.12). For those who would abide in the Word, release and freedom in the truth were available (John 8.31-32). Resurrection and eternal life were even promised to all who believed (John 11.25-26). Jesus offered.

Yet many refused, and many refuse still, to accept and receive all that Christ graciously offers. But there's the difference between Don Corleone and the Lord. The Don made “offers” that contained thinly veiled threats of pain and death, and very few refused him; the gracious promises of Jesus are offered without any coercion or threat, and millions choose to reject Him. But Christ's promises are still open to all who would receive them. Jesus offered, and He offers still.

I don't mean to disparage anyone's efforts to proclaim the Gospel, but I sometimes wonder if preachers whose messages always seem to include a lot of shouting and yelling, and dire threats of hellfire and eternal damnation, aren't trying to frighten people into the kingdom of God with Corleone-style “offers.” Somehow the Gospel, and the offers of Jesus, sound so much more winsome in the Bible than in some pulpits. Oh, I grant you that those who reject Christ will ultimately experience torments far worse than any Don Corleone could ever inflict, but if the Gospel offer of eternal life isn't a sweet enough “carrot” to induce us to come to the Lord, I don't think there is a stick big enough to motivate us. Jesus didn't threaten, Jesus offered.

The commission to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28.19) is a command to take the gracious offers of Jesus to the ends of the earth until the earth ends, for every one of Christ's promises is as sure today as they were when He first made them. Whether people accept or not is not our responsibility, our call is to graciously keep making the offers no matter how many times we are rejected. That's what Jesus did.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4

Jesus Longed

What Did Jesus Do?

I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.
Luke 22.15

Poor Ol' Charlie Brown and his eternal longing for the “Little red-haired girl.” How many years has Chuck been longing to go up and say “Hi” and been too nervous and shy to act? Apparently Charlie Brown's desiring isn't quite earnest enough for him to have the courage to actually do more than burden Linus with all his unfulfilled dreams and wishes. I confess I have earnestly desired to return to Israel, having made an absolutely stunning visit in 2000. Fortunately for me, I know my longing will be fulfilled, even if I never again travel to Palestine. Since God has declared Zion his resting place forever, the dwelling he has desired and longed-for (See Psalm 132), and, since we are promised an eternity with him (See Revelation 21.1-7), the “new Jerusalem” will be my forwarding address when I die. Earnest desires, longings, are something we all have experienced, even Jesus longed.

Luke recorded an occasion which revealed an early longing of the Lord. When He was just twelve-years-old the Son's earnest desire to be about His Father's will already evident (Luke 2.41-49). It was a desire that would only grow keener over the years. Jesus longed to serve His Father.

When the time came for Him to undertake His ministry, the Lord's earnest desire was to preach the good news of the kingdom of God in the many villages and towns of not only Galilee, but throughout Judea (Luke 4.43-44). Jesus longed to preach the gospel.

The Good Shepherd, Jesus had an earnest desire to call sheep not of the fold of Israel to come to Him, and He knew they would listen to His voice (John 10.16). Jesus longed for His flock, both Jew and Gentile, to be one.

When, on the night before He would be crucified, the Lord prayed what is known as His “high priestly prayer,” the Son expressed to the Father His earnest desire for His disciples to be with Him in His glory (John 17.24) Jesus longed for His followers' eternal life with Him.

That same night, the Lord's earnest desire was to eat not just the Passover meal with His disciples, but a new Passover. It was a meal Christ will not again eat until the fulfillment of kingdom of God, but which His followers celebrate regularly in remembrance of Him (Luke 22.14-20). Jesus longed for the Passover which inaugurated a new covenant, though it required the sacrifice of His own body and blood for our sake.

All of us have earnest desires. Some long for health. Some long for a new home. Some long for food and drink that will satisfy their hunger and thirst. Some long for peace. The simple truth is, Jesus alone is the fulfillment of our longings, the “joy of our desiring” (see J.S. Bach's cantata Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben). Christ's most earnest desire was to be our longing, and He lived, died, and rose again that it would be so. That's what Jesus did.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4

Jesus Salted

What Did Jesus Do?

You are the salt of the earth...
Matthew 5.13

I had a minor procedure done at the doctor's office the other day, and they gave me instructions to apply some anti-biotic ointment daily to prevent any infection until the wound healed. From iodine to Bactine to Neosporene, we've all had bumps and scrapes, and sometimes bigger wounds, treated with some agent or another to keep the would clean and the flesh healthy while healing took place. In the ancient world there was no corner drugstore, and there were precious few medicines available. But there was an abundance of salt, and salt was known to be a preservative, effective at forestalling the corruption of flesh. The sad thing was, Israel, whom God had chosen to be his salt in the ancient world, had all but lost its saltiness. So the Father sent the Son, and the Lord observed a world full of mortally wounded people, people suffering from the corruption of the flesh, who would die in their sins if something wasn't done about it. So Jesus salted.

Now, rubbing salt into a wound might not be the most pleasant thing, but when the choice is between the sting of the salt and the loss of a limb or a life, it makes sense to apply the salt, however painful the application might be. Jesus plainly told His disciples that they were to be the salt He would apply to the wounds of the world. The Church is to be made up of salty saints.

The thing about salt is, like medicine past its date of expiration, there can come a time when it doesn't do the job anymore. Fortunately, there is an easy way to tell if your salt is still good for combating corruption, taste it. If your salt is still salty it's good for treating wounds, but if it's lost its saltiness, well, it's good for nothing.

It makes sense, doesn't it? I mean, if we were talking about salt's other use, as a flavoring, it would have no value whatsoever if it had no taste. If the soup needs salt, and the salt has lost its flavor, the soup will still not taste very good, no matter how much savor-less salt we add. Jesus warned His salty saints about what happens to salt when it has lost its saltiness:

“It is thrown out and trampled under people's feet.”
Matthew 5.13

I'm not sure what your take is on the condition of the Church these days, but my assessment is that many congregations have pretty much lost their saltiness, which means the saints themselves aren't being salted with the Word of God. This being the case, it isn't all that surprising that many folks decide that they have no use for church. When the Church is hard to distinguish from the world, well, there's not much saltines in it, is there? And if there's little or no saltiness in the Church, it isn't going to be of much use combating corruption, and the wounds of the world will grow worse, and the suffering of the wounded will increase. And the application of more and more unsalty salt will do no good.

Imagine that, the Church is not supposed to blend in, it's to stand out! Saints are not supposed to be indistinguishable from the world, they are to be world changers by virtue of their counteracting the process of corruption and death at work in the world.

Well, I don't believe that there is no hope for saints who have lost their saltiness. I am convinced that the Lord will salt those who both want to be salted, and who promise to go and be salt where salt is needed, even in the midst of God's people! That's what Jesus did.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4

Jesus Fished

What Did Jesus Do?

Passing along the Sea of Galilee, Jesus said to them,
“Follow me...”
Mark 1.16-17

I watched a program the other evening about a “sportsman” who had call all kinds of fish, but never a Black Marlin. So, being wealthy, he headed out to sea off the Australian coast in his boat that cost more than my house and, this being television, the cameras naturally captured his landing of a record twelve-foot 735 pound Black Marlin. Amazing! Me, I'm not much of a fisherman. When I drop a line in the water I never had any idea what I might hook, though experience has shown that it is more like to be an old boot than a fish. The Bible records that Jesus would go trolling, or at times cast a net; although it was apostles and disciples, and lost sinners, that the Lord was after rather than Black Marlins and such. But there is no doubt, Jesus fished.

At times the Lord was searching for a very specific catch; His calling of Simon and Andrew, and of James and John, was not at all by accident. There would have been dozens of fishermen along the shore of Galilee, but Jesus, like that sportsman on television, knew what, or rather who, He was going after. The line He cast to “pick up” and land His first disciples wasn't anything fancy, just a compelling “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men” and the four were “hooked” for good. Jesus fished.

It wasn't long after that when Jesus cast the same line before Levi, the tax collector—“Follow me”--and immediately apostle number four had been landed. Jesus fished, and He generally caught whoever He was after.

But, like any fisherman, Jesus knew the disappointment of “the big one that got away.” For instance, there was a rich young man who rose to the “bait” of the Kingdom. The Lord worked the man up to the “boat” and, after enjoining him to give away all he owned, for the young many had great possession, Jesus issued the familiar, “Follow me” Unfortunately, this time the “fish” wasn't landed, as the man shook off the Kingdom rather than give up his riches. (See Mark 10.17-22) He didn't always catch everyone, but, determined to haul in all He could, Jesus fished on.

There were occasions when the Lord employed a different technique, casting a wide net, so to speak, to haul in many at once. Take the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). A great crowd followed the Lord up on a mountain, and Jesus cast out a broad net made of many sayings and lessons about the Kingdom of God. And, like the apostles who had been hauled in by line (“Follow me”), the “net” of Christ's authoritative teaching carried the crowd. (Mathew 7.28-29) Jesus fished.

Now, as the Lord said to His first disciples, His desire is for us all to “go and fish for men.” We're not supposed to spend a fortune on landing record Marlins, but we are to commit our talent, our time, and our treasure to bringing others into the Kingdom. Like the Lord, sometimes we may have a particular person, a family member, friend, or perhaps a coworker or neighbor, who we want to go after. Ultimately, we look for the opportunity to use the line, “Follow Him,” even as Jesus once called to each of us, “Follow me.”

Other times our fishing might involve casting a broader net, when we share our testimony with a group, or perhaps speak or preach at a larger gathering. What matters is that, like Jesus, we speak as one with authority, with first-hand knowledge and experience of the glory of the Kingdom and the love of the Father. Will we land every “fish” in the sea, no. But if you are going to land any, you have to keep fishing. That's what Jesus did.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4

Jesus Guested

What Did Jesus Do?

...for I must stay at you house today.
Luke 19.5

Some of people like to entertain, to use their gift of hospitality to host a few friends, or a big crowd, at every opportunity; they are always excited to receive guests. Sometimes, of course, the tables are turned, so to speak, and we are the ones receiving the invitation, and instead of hosting we have an opportunity to be guesting. We have already established that Jesus was a most gracious host (See the dE-votion for 8/10/10); today we are going to look at the Lord when He guested.

You may recall that the first miracle of Jesus recorded in the Bible was performed, though somewhat reluctantly, when the Lord and His disciples and His mother were guests at a wedding in Cana. (John 2.1-11) Though the newlyweds probably never learned of it, their guest from Nazareth saved their wedding reception from being a disaster when the wine was about to run out way too early, by seeing to it that the wine flowed, well, like water. It's a pity more people don't invite Jesus to their gatherings, things turned out so well when Jesus guested.

When the Lord stopped by for dinner at the house of Levi many people of less than spotless reputation were blessed to be among the gathering. Though the scribes of the Pharisees wagged their heads, and their tongues, Jesus made it clear that He sought the company of sinners, for it was they who were most in need of the Great Physician. (Mark 2.15-17) One doctor who definitely makes house calls, everyone at the table can be blessed when Jesus is a guest.

You will note that I said “everyone can be blessed” not “everyone will be blessed.” All too often people refuse to accept Jesus for who He is. Take Simon the Pharisee and some of his colleagues. First, Simon was not the most conscientious of hosts, neglecting to provide water for the Lord to clean His dusty feet. And Simon's reception of the Lord was less than cordial by the customs of the day, the Pharisee omitting to greet Jesus with a kiss. When Jesus welcomed the effusive tears of woman who was a notable sinner in that village, and received her lavish gift of expensive ointment to anoint His feet, all Simon could do was mutter under his breath about how clueless Jesus was. As it turned out, it was Simon and the other Pharisees who didn't get it—their guest was not merely a prophet, He was the One who alone could forgive sins. Everyone can be blessed when they receive Jesus, not just as guest, but as Lord and Savior.

There was that “wee little” chief tax collector from Jericho. Quite unexpectedly Zacchaeus, not the most popular guy in town, learned that, of all the homes in Jericho, Jesus had chosen his to come and stay at—the Lord would be his guest! The spontaneous act of contrition and promise of excessive restitution made by Zacchaeus supply perhaps the best example of how complete and sudden a transformation occurs when we welcome Jesus into our homes, even more when we welcome Him into our heart. (Luke 19.1-10) For unlike other guests, who we quickly enough hope will depart, Jesus is one guest who we invite to stay forever.

So, whenever you receive an invitation it is a great idea to bring Jesus along with us, you never know who He might bless at someone's party, because someone was always blessed when Jesus guested. That's what Jesus did.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4

Jesus Hosted

What Did Jesus Do?

Come and have breakfast.
John 21.12

Last Saturday we visited the Moses Cone Estate on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Centerpiece of the estate is the house Cone built overlooking Blowing Rock, North Carolina, with captivating views of some of the best landscape in God's kingdom. We learned from a U. S. Park Ranger/Interpreter the the Cones were renowned hosts; invitations to visit their summer home there in the mountains were highly prized. Clearly, the Cones employed some of their wealth to express the gift of hospitality. But you don't have to wealthy to be a gracious host.

Consider the Lord. Jesus and His apostles found themselves in the midst of a wilderness along with a huge throng. The disciples, despairing of what to do with such a crowd, urged Jesus to send the people away to scrounge for themselves. But the Lord, well, He wasn't about to miss such an opportunity to host a multitude like that. So right there on the spot Jesus hosted such a memorable gathering that preachers regularly deliver sermons on the time Jesus hosted five thousand. (See Luke 9.10-17)

A lot of us, if we ever could manage to successfully host five thousand, would probably never try to take on such a challenge again. But hosting was something that Jesus did willingly, so when a somewhat smaller gathering of four thousand similarly were faced with privation after having attended to the Lord's teaching for three days, Jesus again memorably hosted a crowd. (Mark 8.1-9)

Now, don't get the wrong impression, the Lord did not exclusively host these huge, comparatively impersonal events. Jesus was equally adept at hosting small, intimate gatherings. Two examples come particularly to mind. The first was a meal so special that it is still celebrated some two thousand years later. And it is just as intimately personal a meal today, with Jesus still hosting, and His disciples still receiving His personal invitation to “Take, eat; this is my body” and to “Drink, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (See Matthew 26.26-29) And the great thing is, unlike the hospitality of Moses and Bertha Cone, which was reserved for the few who in their eyes merited an invitation, the Lord welcomes all who would by faith receive His invitation. In fact, the Lord specializes in hosting those who clearly do not deserve His grace, but rather desperately need it.

The final gathering I want to mention is the one cited above, an impromptu breakfast the risen Lord served up for Peter and six others of the disciples after they had spent a frustrating night trying to fish on the Sea of Tiberias (Galilee). Jesus had a charcoal fire and some fish ready for the weary boatmen, along with a catch so great they could hardly haul it in. After the men wrestled the catch ashore Jesus served them the fish He had prepared on the fire, along with some bread. I'm sure none of the apostles ever forgot the Last Supper with the Lord, but this far less celebrated “last breakfast” had to have been equally memorable for the seven. Whenever Jesus hosted it was an unforgettable occasion. (See John 21.1-10)

Well, the gift of hospitality hardly gets the attention that healing, or speaking in tongues receive. But I don't know that Jesus expects all of us to be healers, or to speak in tongues. And there is a good chance that many of us will never have the opportunity to exercise either of those more celebrated of gifts. But there is not one of us who doesn't have countless opportunities to honor Christ through the use of the gift of hospitality. It doesn't matter if we have a crowd to entertain, or just a small circle of family or friends, we can always be gracious hosts, even with but the most modest of means. That's what Jesus did.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4

Jesus Contested

What Did Jesus Do?

Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me.
Mark 14.49

The Pirate's Bill Mazeroski, not any one of the many all-time greats on the Yankees, is the hero of the 1960 World Series. Michael Jordan drains a buzzer-beater in game seven to win another championship. Lord Stanley's Cup returns to Broadway after a fifty-year absence. You can't beat “Best of” series for drama. Super Bowls can be exciting, but championships determined over several days or a week in a best of five or best of seven series, well they become the stuff of legend. Actually the real “world championship” is not a legend at all, but an historical fact. It involved a confrontation over the course of an unforgettable week in Jerusalem a long time ago. The home team had a stacked roster of heavyweight Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, and rulers; the opponent was a bush leaguer from the little Galilean village of Nazareth, who had attracted such a vocal following that the entire city was stirred up when He arrived. (Matthew 21.10) And, during that week that changed the world forever, Jesus contested.

In truth, Jesus wasn't exactly an unknown. In fact it wasn't His first appearance with the religious “All-stars” in David's City; when He was only twelve Jesus had amazed the “scouts” with the quality of His hardball questions, before returning to Nazareth where He grew up well approved before God and man. (Luke 2.41-52) Even at a young age, Jesus contested.

Some twenty years later, when Jesus came to Jerusalem for the final showdown, He did not start off cautiously, but boldly threw everyone off balance by cleaning up the “playing field” of the Temple, running out the vendors and overturning the tables of the money-changers. Though they had been the undisputed champions for centuries, and were the heavy favorites, the chief priests and scribes were, honestly, afraid, for the crowds were all turning to the Galilean challenger. Jesus contested.

The next day, and the next, Jesus returned to the temple, and He took on them all—Pharisees, scribes, chief priests, Sadducees—it didn't matter who tired to best Him, trap Him, trick Him, Jesus was at the top of His game. Desperately the champs tried to hold on. Fearlessly, Jesus contested.

When they realized there was no way they could best Jesus, the chief priests and scribes decided, “If you can't beat Him, kill him.” (Luke 22.2) As it turned out, a confused and disillusioned member of the Lord's own entourage had recently been turned by Satan, so it took no more than some silver coins to arrange to remove Jesus from the arena once and for all. (Luke 22.3-6) Knowing that the critical time in the series was approaching, Jesus paused to have one final, epically meaningful, meal with His disciples. (Luke 22.7-20) Then the Lord arose and made His way out to a garden to prepare for the climactic end. Jesus prayerfully readied himself, and then He contested one last time.

Without going into the details, which are there for you to read in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, I will simply say that the religious champions literally lifted Jesus off His feet and laid Him low with a right cross, a right big cross. And so the challenger was down and out, dead and buried in a borrowed tomb and, at least the Pharisees hoped, soon to be forgotten. Well, down He may have been, but Jesus was definitely not out. In fact, He took the fight to hell itself, and there wrestled free from Satan captives who had long awaited the Savior. (Ephesians 4.8-10) Jesus contested, and was crucified, dead, and buried, and descended into hell. Then, on the third day, He triumphantly arose. Jesus contested, and He bested, everyone and everything challenging His Lordship, sin and death being the final foes to fall before Him.

I tell you, there has never been, nor will there ever be, a “best of series” like that one in Jerusalem all those years ago. For the One who contested was the Son, himself the “best of” the Father. And when the Father sent his best it really was no contest. That's what Jesus did.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4

Jesus Lamented

What Did Jesus Do?

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem...How often would I have gathered
your children together as hen gathers her brood under her wings,
and you would not!
Matthew 23.37

How do you handle rejection? Do you get upset or angry? Or do you get depressed, even weepy? We all have to deal with rejection at some time. A rebuffed prom invitation. A manuscript turned down by a publisher. Not being hired after a job interview. We've all been there. Even Jesus. In fact, I think it is safe to say that the Lord is the most rejected man who ever lived. At the very moment when His life itself was seemingly in the balance a crowd rejected Him and chose Barabbas. (I say “seemingly” because it was the Father who held the Son's life in his hands, the crowd only operated within the context of God's sovereign will.) Tragically millions still turn their backs on Him every day. How did Jesus deal with rejection? Jesus Lamented.

Take the communities of Chorazin and Bethsaida and Capernaum. These three communities were singled out by the Lord because as a whole they rejected the Gospel call to repent and believe. For all the souls thus doomed Jesus lamented. (Luke 10.13-16) Even in His hometown of Nazareth Jesus had to shake His head at the disbelief which rejected His teaching and denied His power. (Mark 6.1-6) Jesus lamented.

Of course, the choice to receive or to reject Christ comes down to the individual. And each rejection weighed heavy on the Lord's heart. For example, there was the rich young ruler who turned and walked away from Jesus, causing the Lord to look upon the retreating soul with great sadness. (Luke 18.18-24) Jesus lamented.

Perhaps Christ's most moving lamentation was uttered for all our sakes from the cross, “Father, forgive them...” (Luke 23.34) His heart breaking, the weight of sorrow for perishing humanity crushing the life out of Him, the Lord could not help by cry out for the lost. Jesus lamented.

And, you can be sure, He laments still. Even as the angels in heaven rejoice at a sinner's repentance, I am certain Jesus laments each time a man, woman, or child rejects Him and turns away from the kingdom. Now, if Jesus laments still for those who reject Him, how do you think we should react? For the Lord did not and does not lift His voice in a hopeless plaint to an unfeeling and impersonal cosmos, but to the gracious and loving Father. Every time someone ignores, rejects, shrugs off,or belittles our sharing the Gospel we should not feel discouraged, angry, or least of all, apathetic, but rather we should let our tears flow, and our lament rise up to the Father. That's what Jesus did.

S.D.G.

Jim
wwwjimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4

Jesus, Not Doctrine, Divided

What Did Jesus Do?

Do you think I have come to give peace on earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.
Luke 12.51

“Doctrine divides!” well, at least perhaps among those to whom doctrine matters. Among liberal Christians, who are really liberal something-other-than-Christians, doctrine doesn’t matter all that much, so it is hardly divisive; they proudly proclaim a “Big Tent” which welcomes all manner of pluralistic and syncretistic belief. Not surprisingly, the liberal non-simply can’t understand why Christians make such a big deal about doctrine. But, in fairness to the liberals, it is not doctrine that divides.

What really separates the Christian from the liberal something-other-than-Christian is really Jesus himself, who is the great “Divider.” Folks who agree on essential tenets of who Jesus is, and what He did, find plenty of common doctrinal ground. But a great gulf separates Christians from liberals, a breach as great as the divide between Heaven and Hell.

The thing is, Jesus came to divide; so we shouldn’t be surprised that He causes division. And if Jesus came to divide, then those who seek to faithfully follow Him are, as a consequence, dividers. Oh, we pursue, we long for, unity in the Body of Christ. And we are solemnly commissioned by the Lord himself to go and seek to make disciples of all nations. The problem with liberals is that while they may be disciples, they are only part-time followers of Christ at best, being careful to give equal (Actually more than equal) time to other lords, and any disciples they make will be disciples of pretty much anyone/thing than Jesus.

The question of where people stand on the question of Jesus is hardly knew. Public opinion on the Lord was sharply divided from the beginning. There were those of the opinion that Jesus was a lunatic. (Mark 3.21) Others were convinced Jesus was possessed at the very least (If not a demon himself!). (John 8.52) Then there were the Jews who tried to disown Jesus by accusing Him of being one of the despised Samaritans! (John 8.48) Some, like the woman of Samaria and others, believed Jesus to be a prophet. (See John 4.19 and Matthew 16.14) Others, seeing in Jesus a greater resemblance to particular men, argued that He was John the Baptist, or Elijah, or Jeremiah.

It was Peter, of course it would be brash, outspoken Peter, who opened up the “great divide” about Jesus by declaring of the Lord, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16.16) Peter did not come by this knowledge of who Jesus was by reading any books, hearing any sermons, or any other means employed by flesh and blood to obtain knowledge. Rather, Peter’s belief was imparted directly by revelation from the Father. There has never been, nor will there ever be, a Christian who comes to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and the only Savior and Lord, by any route other than the gracious revelation of the Father and the activity of the Holy Spirit. (See 1Corinthians 12.3)

I’ll tell it to you plainly, there is no peace apart from peace in Jesus; there is no unity other than in Christ. One is either on board with the Lord, or cast away and cut off completely; which is why the Father sent the Son to rescue those utterly lost without Him. So it is that three will be against two and two against three, father will be against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law. (Luke 12.52-53) The bottom line is that Jesus came to divide His from the world, and this alone is enough to make the world hate us (John 15.19)

To be sure, we are not to be aggressive or offensive about our faith. Our proclamation of the Gospel should be gracious and winsome. In truth, the Gospel itself is offensive enough to the world, no matter how irenic our words. The only “sword” we need is to profess our faith in God the Father and Jesus Christ his Son; that is more than enough to divide Christians from the world. That’s what Jesus did.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenminstries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4

Jesus Thanked The Father

What Did Jesus Do?

I thank you, Father...
that you have revealed these things to little children.
Luke 10.21

Do you remember the story of the Emperor's new clothes? Some con-men schnookered a foolish emperor, and his entire kingdom of wise and understanding (But foolish and sycophantic) subjects, into believing the emperor was robed in splendor when in truth he didn't have a stitch on. The only one in the entire kingdom who really saw the truth was a young child. Hans Christian Andersen's story really isn't as silly as it sounds, because the world is full of “wise and understanding” people who cannot, or will not, see the truth. There were plenty of wise and understanding folks in Jesus' time who did not see what the Father revealed to the “little children” (Disciples) who followed the Lord. Jesus thanked His Father for the revelation given to His disciples, but hidden from the wise fools. If the truth of God's Word has been revealed to you, then you have very good reason to be thankful as well.

I don't know about you, but whenever someone tells me how wise and understanding they are after all their many years in ministry I know I am about to hear from someone who hasn't a clue about the truth. There was the minister with 30 years of experience who condescendingly tried to point out my error in believing that Jesus actually meant He was the only way to the Father in John 14.6. Then there was the pastor who told me that certainty is the enemy of truth for people of faith. How silly of me to believe that God's Word is the absolute revealed truth! I'll tell you what, after every encounter with such “wise and understanding” doctors of the Church I give thanks to the Father that he has made me a little child.

Jesus knew that eyes and ears that see and hear the Truth receive a gift from the Father that many prophets and kings longed for without ever seeing or hearing. (Luke 10.24) Of course, it is hard to see when one looks with blind eyes, and to hear when one listens with deaf ears. Sadly, the world is still full of “wise and understanding” people who are blind and deaf to the Truth. (See Matthew 13.10-17) It seems that the more “wisdom and understanding” one has, the less one perceives the Truth.

Now, don't get me wrong. I don't want to come off sounding like that Pharisee who stood before God giving thanks that he wasn't like all the poor sinners around him. The only reason I am not blind and deaf to the Truth is that, unworthy as I am, the Father nonetheless is pleased to give me eyes to see and ears to hear his Word and believe. Thank you, Father, for your Son, through whom I have become your child! The Son's thankfulness in Luke 10 wasn't just for the “little children” gathered around Him beside the sea of Galilee, He thanked the Father for all the children, like you and me, who would receive the revelation of the Truth from the Father.

There is so much we can and should be thankful for, but at the top of the list must come thanks for the revelation of the Truth of God's Word in Christ. Give thanks for being a believing child of the Father, rather than being a wise and understanding fool. That's what Jesus did.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4

Jesus Waited Upon the Father

What Did Jesus Do?

My hour has not yet come.
John 2.4

An old proverb (Are there such things as “new” proverbs?) cautions, “You can't push the river.” A theologian might say that providentially all things happen according to God's design and desire at the kairos moment appointed for them. Truly, waiting upon the LORD brings better results than taking matters into our own hands. (Isaiah 40.31) If there is a season for everything, and a time for every purpose under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3.1), then surely the Son knew better than anyone the wisdom of waiting upon the Father.

The sisters of Lazarus fully expected that their brother's dear friend would respond immediately to their summons to come and help him as he lay dying. But Jesus waited upon the Father. (John 11.6)

Herod was anxious to get the Lord in his hands, but the Son knew His fate was in the Father's hands alone, so He faithfully finished His course. Jesus waited upon the Father. (Luke 13.31-32)

His birth occurred in “the fullness of time” (Galatians 4.4); His His arrest and crucifixion had to coincide with the Paschal feast (Mark 14.12). Jesus waited upon the Father.

Anxious as they were for the coming of the kingdom, Jesus told His disciples to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit, and then take up the work of witnessing to the world. (Acts 1.4-8) Waiting upon the kingdom is not inactivity, but acting in the Spirit under the authority of the Father who has appointed all times and seasons. As the Lord waited upon His Father, so too His disciples.

Waiting was obviously not an easy thing to do in the ancient world, Jesus had to urge His anxious disciples to be patient and wait upon the Father. Today, when we expect meals to be microwaved in minutes, if not seconds, when we demand faster and faster transmission of data along the information highway, when instant gratification has all but become a right people demand, waiting is intolerable for many people. Why scrimp and save for months, much less years, when you can buy on credit today? Why spend weeks, if not months, exercising and eating right to lose a few pounds when you can pop a pill today? Purveyors of the so-called “Prosperity Gospel” even spur us on: Why wait upon the coming of the kingdom for your reward from heaven, claim your riches here and now!

Thankfully, Jesus waited. If the Lord had been impatient, or unwilling to submit to His Father's will and timing, there would never have been a Crucifixion, and with no Crucifixion there would be no Resurrection, and with no Resurrection there would be no promise of eternal life for any of us. But, waiting on the Father's timing, and acting in the Father's will, the Lord fulfilled all righteousness, that we should be accounted righteous in Him. Indeed, those who wait upon the LORD shall be lifted up. That's what Jesus did.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4

Jesus Envisioned

What Did Jesus Do?

Where there is no vision, the people perish...
Proverbs 29.18

Having a compass is essential for wilderness survival; but even the best compass can't help you if you don't know where you are going. Boy Scouts love to hike, but hiking is not wandering without purpose or direction, there is always a clear destination in mind. A lot of people go through life with lots of good tools, but since they don't have a clear sense of where their life is ultimately heading they are aimless, lost. Jesus recognized that all of us are like sheep without a shepherd (Mark 6.34), so He came to provide lost sheep with direction. Jesus envisioned.

It's like this, Jesus could see who a person could become. He envisioned the bind able to see, the deaf able to hear, the lame able to walk. The Lord spoke these visions to the afflicted, and their belief in the visions became the reality. Jesus envisioned.

All Simon, the brother of Andrew, could see in the mirror when he first met the Lord was that he was a hopeless sinner (Luke 5.8). But Jesus envisioned Peter, the rock on whom his Church would be built (Matthew 16.18), and so the fisherman became a fisher of men. Jesus envisioned.

Everyone knew the Pharisee from Tarsus who was the ruthless persecutor of the early Church (Acts 8.1-3). But the risen Lord Jesus envisioned the apostle who would be the Church's most ardent defender, its most vigorous missionary, its most tireless evangelist, and the New Testament's most prolific writer. And so Saul became Paul. Jesus envisioned.

While His disciples marveled at the splendor of Herod's Temple in Jerusalem, the Lord envisioned the day when not one of the great stones would remain on another (Matthew 24.2). But the risen Christ also revealed to John a vision of a far more splendid Jerusalem, a new Jerusalem, a heavenly Jerusalem (Revelation 21.1-4), the very place where God will dwell with man for eternity. Jesus envisioned.

Recalling the words from Proverbs 29.18, and putting a New Testament “spin” on them, apart from Christ's vision of who we are in Him we shall surely perish. The challenge of the Gospel is to bring people to the place where they can see themselves in Christ, a new creation (2Corinthians 5.17). It's not like the ridiculously popular “reality” makeover shows, which are just about cosmetic changes. What Jesus envisions is nothing short of our total transformation, the old self passing away and someone completely new being created in Him. We can hardly begin to imagine who we shall be in Christ, but we can be confident that when He appears we shall be like Him (1John 3.2), for the Lord envisioned us being with Him forever. That's what Jesus did.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4

Jesus Eliminated

What Did Jesus Do?

No One Comes to the Father except through me.
John 14.6

On “To Tell The Truth,” a game show back in the 1960s, three people would come on stage and say, “I'm _____________,”all claiming to be the same person, who usually had accomplished some amusing or remarkable feat, like climbing Mt. Everest on a pogo stick. A panel of celebrity judges would ask questions to try and eliminate the two imposters and guess who was the real McCoy, as they say. Doesn't sound like much of a premise for a program, but it was on television for years. Often the imposters succeeded in convincing the judges that one of them was the genuine article. I am pretty sure the producers of the program had no deep moral purpose in mind for the show, but at an early age I began to realize that convincing fakes could mislead many people.

Long ago God revealed his name to Moses, making it clear that, in a world full of countless counterfeit deities, he alone was the one true God—Yahweh, the great “I am”; The One who is, as opposed to all the lifeless idols and images of gods who were, and are, well, not. The first commandment which Yahweh gave to Moses made it quite clear: there are to be no other gods but God; all others are imposters, pretenders, fakes.

The ancient world was not impressed by Israel and its God, and continued to put faith in idols and images. Actually, Israel itself did a pretty poor job of loving Yahweh with all its heart and soul and might (See the instruction of Deuteronomy 6.5), so the ongoing proliferation of false gods was not surprising.

But a time came when the Father sent the Son “to tell the truth,” if you will. In fact, bearing witness to the truth was the reason the Son was born of flesh (See John 18.37); to put it plainly, He is the Truth (John 14.6). Jesus came to eliminate all the pretenders, to remove all confusion about who is the only true God, and who is his Messiah, the Christ. Ever since the time of Jesus everyone who is “of the truth,” who hears His voice, believes. Everyone else, well, they are still being misled by one or more of the many idols still in the world pretending to be gods.

It is tragically true that the religious pluralists of today, who populate many pews and, worse, who speak from many pulpits, refuse to accept the elimination of any faith from the modern pantheon of gods, even believing it is their responsibility as Christians to celebrate and honor all the make-believe deities of the so-called “great religions” of the world. This summer I witnessed some of what happens when “Christians” don't accept that Jesus eliminated the competition.

At the Scout camp where I worked there were some sincere, but unfortunately sincerely wrong, Presbyterian lay preachers who came and spoke to the campers each week. They began by pointing with great pride to the front of the stone pulpit where the name “Allah” was inscribed in Arabic, and informed us that today there are more Islamic Scouts in the world than of any other faith. If they had been intending to point out how false gods continue to lead many astray it would have been one thing, but they wanted to encourage us to affirm and embrace what they consider one of the so-called kindred “Abrahamic” faiths. The Christians at camp were instead disturbed and offended.

After all the celebration of Allah, which consequently meant the denial and diminution of Christ, a “campfire story,” taken from Matthew 25.31-46 was read each week. Sadly, the story amounted to such a watered down Gospel, in the words of a Scouter, that its truth was diluted to the point of being indiscernible. The effect of the nice sounding, but empty, story, was to eliminate Jesus, the Truth, from the picture.

The gateways to destruction are many and easy, any liar can show you the way, and many take the false, but easy, path. The one gate to salvation is narrow and hard, the few who take it do so because they are of the Truth and hear the voice of Jesus. The power of the Gospel is the power of the Word of God Incarnate to eliminate all pretenders, all liars, all false gods. That's what Jesus did.

S.D.G.

Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4