10-20-2024         Why Jesus waited to go home

      

I started seeing posts from a man, who lives in Australia, on ‘Quora’ a few years ago.  It seems that his goal in life is to be to discredit the bible.  He uses ‘scientific’ concepts and human rationale to prove his points.  But, as I said, all to discredit the bible.

Occasionally, his posts pop on the ‘Quora’, posts that come into my email, but anymore I don’t read them unless I ‘get a feeling’ to see how he is debunking the bible now. Occasionally he starts off sounding well but then tapers off into his usual spiel.  This happened a couple of times over the past six months.  On Aug. 16^th he posted something that I felt I needed to see what he was up to and see exactly how he explained it.

He focused on Luke 12:47-54.  The first two verses correlate how a servant’s punishment is administered according to his knowledge of his lord’s will.  Then in verses 51-53 Luke talks about how Jesus will divide a house, two against three, etc., even parents, siblings, children, etc..  A comment on the last verse:  One must also look at Matt. 10:31-40.  Here Jesus says what Luke says in chapter 12 but expands it out for understanding.  Matthew explains that a man’s foes shall be in his own household.  Then Matthew Goes on to explain that our love for Jesus should be total and absolute.  That is, as we live for God, nothing should come before God and, whosoever receives Jesus also receives the Father (Matt. 10:40).  You shall have no other gods before Me (Exod. 20:3).

Often, when we accept Jesus into our heart, those who oppose us the most are members of our own family – mother, father, siblings, spouse, children and we are not to consider any of them ahead of Jesus for then we are not worthy of Him.  In fact, when we don’t take up our own cross and follow Him, we are not worthy of Him (Matt. 10:36-38).  Our own cross?  That is to live our lives according the will and love of God.  However, we discover, that as we grow in Christ, we haven’t actually rejected family.  Instead, we discover Father provides ways to bring even family into God’s eternal kingdom mending their lives and in so doing, we discover those broken relationships will also mend.

The man also says that Jesus contradicts himself by being declared the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6, 2 Thess. 3:16) yet He declares to bring division to families.  Now, I have a personal experience that a God-led divisions can and does bring unity.  After about ten years of marriage, my wife and I were separated for almost a year.  My bullheadedness, not hers.  After much individual prayer and some counselling, we came back together for about another twenty-three years, that is until she went home to be with the Lord.  What our issues were is not the point.  The point is that after assuring Jesus Christ was truly first in our lives (and keeping Him there), our marriage became stronger and survived twice as long as before the situation.

Now, because of the post, I checked some commentaries on the Luke passage, especially verses 49 - 50.  I found it interesting that both the man and the commentaries, that I had available to me, just sort of passed over these two  verses focusing more on Jesus’s suffering and how He would bring division, even into households.  In those verses, Jesus says in Luke “I am come to send a fire upon the earth and what will I (do), if it be already kindled?  But I have a baptism to be baptized with (us) and how am I straitened (determined) until it is accomplished!

Look at what Jesus is saying here.  There are divisions because the world is at odds with God, therefore it is at odds with Jesus and therefore with us as Christians because we follow Jesus. 

The Word was in the beginning and was with God and was God (John 1:1).  That’s why Jesus said “He who receives Me, receives Him who sent Me (Matt. 10:40).  Father and Son and with the Holy Ghost in the Godhead (Col. 2:8-9) are ONE.  Father IS, Father spoke words (Jesus) and the breath of God carried those Words into action (Gen. 1:1-2).  Think, how many of us have ‘friends’ who no longer wanted to hang with us because we have accepted Jesus?  world at odds with us? 

But look further into this passage (49-50).  Jesus says that He has come to set a fire (in us).  Jesus asks His disciples to receive the Holy Ghost (John 20:22).  Yet, He tells them later, just before He ascends into heaven, “Wait for the promise of the Father which you have heard from Me.  John truly baptized with water, but not many days from now, you shall be baptized in the Holy Ghost” (Acts 1:4-5).  Then He told them “But you shall receive power, after the Holy Ghost is come upon you. And you shall be witnesses …” (Acts 1:8). This is dunamis power, explosive power, the power to get the job done!  The same power Jesus abided in!  And just how did the disciples receive the Holy Ghost?  A sound, like a mighty, rushing wind filled the house in which they sat and what looked like cloven tongues of fire sat upon each one of them and they were all filled with the Holy ghost …(Acts 2:1-4).  What did John say about his baptism and Jesus’ baptism?  I baptize with water for the remission of sin, He (Jesus) shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire (Matt. 3:11)!  The fire IS the Holy Ghost.      

Is it mere coincidence that Jesus said He would send a fire upon the earth and that’s exactly what appeared as cloven tongues of fire baptized each of the apostles and disciples (all 120 souls)? 

Go back to verse 49, if the fire is already kindled (Luke 12).  At that moment or later, as in John when Jesus tells the disciples to receive the Holy Ghost and breathed upon them (John 20:22), His full task then would already be filled and nothing would’ve restrained Him from going home at that moment.  He had already endured the cross.  But He had not yet baptized us with fire (the Holy Ghost) as He still spent some time with His disciples before ‘going home’.  His ministry included not just the Word He brought, but the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension) as well.  Returning to the Father His mission on earth would then be fully completed.  After His ascension, He was free to give ‘us’ the Holy Ghost. 

When Jesus breathed on the disciples and told them to receive the Holy Ghost (John 2:22), it was a command which wouldn’t be realized until the upper room (Acts 2:1-4). 

Again, why did Jesus wait to give ‘us’ the Holy Ghost?  To give us the Holy Ghost, Jesus needed the fullness of the Holy Ghost in His life to finalize His final hours on planet earth – the arrest in the garden, humiliation before the priests & romans, the scourging, physical death, shedding His blood on the cross, cleansing us from our sin, His resurrection from the grave and finally His ascension back unto the Father.

So, why did Jesus wait to go home?  He had to complete His mission, here on earth, so we could learn to totally put our trust in Him.  To realize that through His life, ministry and death, He is our gateway into eternity.  Then through His resurrection and ascension, we have the power to walk through that gateway.  Glory to God!

Amen

Luke 12:47-54 (paraphrased)

The servant who knew his Lord’s will but did not study and do it, shall be beaten with  many stripes.  But the man who didn’t know his Lord’s will and did contrary shall receive only a few (in comparison).  To whom much is given, much shall be required (expected) and because he has accepted greater responsibility, more shall be required of him.  I’m sent to set a fire upon the earth and what can I do if it is already kindled?  I have a baptism (for you) which I am bound to accomplish.  Do you suppose I’ve come to bring peace upon the earth?  No!  Rather division!  From now on, every household shall be divided, two against three and three against two.  The family will no longer be in unity but split.  You can see a cloud rise up out of the west and say “It will rain”, and so sit will.  Hypocrites!  You can discern the face of skies but you cannot understand the times you are in.   

Last comment for clarity:  Once we’ve been exposed to God’s will and don’t continue with Him than to turn back to our old ways we’re like the dog that returns to his vomit (2Peter 2:21-22).  Satan is the prince and power of the air (Eph. 2:2).  God is above he air and everything else (Heb. 1:1-14). We follow whom we love (Matt. 6:24).  The world and God are always against each other (2 Corinth. 6:14-18).  Who do we follow?

Jesus fully completed His mission here on earth so that we might live in His love for ever!

 10-5-2024           Living for Jesus Romans 12:1-21

               

                            Whose reflection do others see in us?          

Throughout the Old Testament in the bible, we see the ups and downs of Israel.  They love God, they become discouraged and stray away from God.  Even as we look at world history, where most cultures have believed in a god (of some sort), man has strayed from his religious beliefs and come back.  Yes, conquest does play a role in some of this yet as conquest forces itself upon others true faith should be a free choice. 

As a rule, man has a revolving door relationship with any deity. Wanting to do ‘his own thing’ does play a huge factor in this situation.  Point, this situation is not just in Judeo-Christian culture, but a human condition.  Where rules are enforced through power, those rules are generally obeyed for fear of retaliation.  Yet our God, Yaweh, the Great I AM, gives us the freedom to make our own choices in life – right or wrong and there are consequences, good or bad, to our choices. 

As with all religions, our heavenly Father does give us a set of rules to follow, but His rule is actually one, two-fold rule.  To love!   Two fold because He asks us to love Him in a similar fashion as He loves us, with all our heart.   And the second is to love our fellow man in the same manner.  This means not having to  follow a set of rules, but desiring to obey them – with all our heart.  We have to make decisions to do the ‘right’ thing!  According to the rules.

In the civil law, we break even one statute and are caught, we pay the penalty.  As it is with man, Father is not asking us to figure out how we can avoid the penalty but rather not break the statute to begin with.  And, Father carries that action one step farther – not to even consider going against His Law!

We are entering our fall season, the old season is passing away to make way for a new season in the spring.  We can collect and enjoy the good fruits of our labors over the past year. This is also a time we can reevaluate the ‘old man’.  The number ten (October) represents ‘divine order’.  So this is also a time (fall and winter) when Father is helping us to reorganize our lives to prepare for that which lies ahead, bursting forth in new energies and new life in the coming spring. 

Let’s take a look at how Paul describes man’s situation.

1          I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Simple, we live our lives to please God and in order to do that, we have to discover exactly what does please God.  Our discovery is based upon reading our ‘guide book’ (the bible) and communing (talking) with our heavenly Father.  The Holy Ghost will lead us into all truth (John 16:13-15).  This we do with all our heart and to the best of our ability.  Our attempts and successes are what are pleasing to Father.

2          And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Again, I say, we have to know what pleases God in order to please Him.  We know that the ways

of the world don’t please Him so we renew our minds through reading His Word (the bible) and

communing with Him (prayer).

3          For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

We shouldn’t get wrapped up in our own egos but remember who God is, our relationship with

Him and that all of ‘man’ are our brothers and sisters and to treat them accordingly and Father

gives us the ability to do so.

4          For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

5          So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

6          Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

We are all members of humanity and as Christians, we are baptized into one body in Christ.  Yet, being many members we all have our own gift, talent or ability.  And these gifts all work together to edify (benefit) the body of Christ.  Therefore, we exercise our gifts by allowing Father to mold us into all that for which He has intended.  After all He did know us, even before we were conceived (Jer. 1:5).

7          Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

8          Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Let us serve, in our gift, in a simple way that all can understand and benefit.  The word ‘wait’ is

the Greek word apekdechomai (G553).  It does mean wait but it carries the connotation of

expecting or perhaps to even search for.  Our gift may not ‘just fall’ into our laps!

9          Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

God loves us not regarding who we are or our position or status in this life.  He loves (meets) us where we are and then helps us to grow considering those things which are pleasing to Him and shedding things which are not.  Shouldn’t we do the same?

10        Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Set our own ego aside and do what is best for others.  What can we do for others to help them

grow?

11        Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

No matter what our occupation (job) is in this world, we do perform our tasks to the best of our ability.  We truly don’t work for whomever or ‘boss’ may be, but we work for our Lord Jesus and He will help us to accomplish our tasks.  Our human bosses just benefit from our diligence on the job.  And Father will bless us for our efforts.  (Ask me about my time with FDA)

12        Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Always rejoice in the Lord (Phil. 4:4) no matter what situation we find ourselves in continually seeking Father’s direction for resolution.

13        Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Abraham and Lot are examples for us as to how we should treat everyone but especially our brothers and sisters in the Lord (Gen. 18:11-8, Gen. 19:1-3).

14        Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

When someone ‘does us wrong’, attacks in any form or fashion, is our first response “Oh, yeah!  Well, take this!”?  If Father reacted to us in this fashion, no one would ever have access to eternal life.  Thank God that He is gracious and longsuffering – even for all those times, after we have received Jesus – for those times we have thrown mud back in God’s face.  Paul tells us to follow his example as he follows Christ Jesus (1 Corinth. 11:1).  

15        Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Many years ago, when my son was not yet two, I found a friend of mine kneeling on the front walk with my son.  They both were crying.  My friend told me he wanted my son to know that someone else felt his pain.  I don’t know what started it all, but soon, the both stopped crying.  As I’m jotting this down, Father is reminding of the poor woman who found her lost coin, her friends rejoiced with her (Luke 15:8-10).

16        Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

In case you missed this one, treat others as you desire to be treated.  We are no better than

anyone else, nor are we any worse than anyone else.  Without Jesus, we all would be doomed

to the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10-15).  But in Jesus, we can rise to a higher level and treat everyone

with dignity and respect.

17        Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

What did we say earlier?  If someone slaps us, our ‘knee jerk’ response is to slap them back, but we should deal honestly and in love with all people.  No, it ain’t always easy, but how do you think God feels when we act contrary to how He has taught us? 

18        f it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Father knows that this isn’t easy, but we are called, first, to be peacemakers for that is the way of God’ (Matt. 5:9).  That means even if we have to grit our teeth to keep the peace.  It is better to walk away than to be a part of a most intense confrontation.  In short, don’t stand and argue!

19        Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give no place unto wrath for it is written Vengeance is mine; I will repay saith the lord.

Whoa!  This is the third time this has been said!  Maybe we should pay close attention

concerning vengeance and showing Father’s love?

20        Therefore if thine enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21        Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

So what should we do? Give our enemy what he needs!  I didn’t say ‘wants’ but ‘needs’.  When an enemy means evil towards us we repay him with kindness and love.  Why?  A – He may not understand what is actually stirring up his actions (negative powers or principalities Eph. 6:12) and B -He has no idea what Father will do when someone picks on one of His kids (us - Matt. 18:6, Jesus is the first of many brothers Rom. 8:29).

So, Romans chapter twelve gives us qualities and characteristics of the Christian life.  Father never said it would be easy.  Paul mentions the afflictions he has suffered ‘walking the walk’.  Yet, he tells us to persevere (1 Corinth. 9:24-26) in God’s love, for it is our salvation and wisdom (2 Tim. 3:10-17). 

In the end?  God’s obedient children (us) we win!

Amen