A Passion for Jesus – Part 3

“Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her” – Mark 14:9

In the opening part of this series we defined passion as a driving force, a deep emotion in the heart, a fire in the belly, a heart aflame. People have a passion for many things, but how many have a passion for Jesus? We also said that passion for Jesus based on popularity, politics, provision, self-promotion, or pride will not stand the test of time; it will only be a Palm Sunday passion.

 

In the second part of the series we saw that a passion for Jesus begins with falling at His feet in recognition of our depth and debt of sin and that through faith in Jesus we can be forgiven. In our next part we will see that a passion for Jesus involves a passion for the hope we have in Jesus. The point of this part is that a passion for Jesus falls at His feet aware of His living hope (power over death.) Our passion for Jesus is based in part on the living hope we have in Him. To make this point we will be looking expositionally at John 12:1-11. Let’s dig in.

     Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead.

This event took place at the house of Lazarus who Jesus had raised from the dead (cf. John 11). Mary saw that with Jesus there is always hope. Peter came to refer to it as “living hope” (1 Peter1:3-4). Lazarus sitting at the table with Jesus was living proof of His living hope.

It was six days before the passion of Jesus on the cross.

² There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. ³ Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

Again we see the passion of Jesus exemplified by a humble act of a woman toward Jesus. Mary knew the Lord and had a saving relationship with Him. She too brought valuable perfume and anointed Jesus feet. Our faithful devotion should not stop once we are saved and forgiven of our sins.

Mary followed suit with the previous notoriously sinful woman in Luke 7. She wiped Jesus feet with her hair and the costly spikenard. Her act of worship filled the house with a beautiful fragrance. In the old testament fragrant aroma is connected with sacrifice, worship (Exodus 29:18, 25, 41; Lev. 1:9, 13, 17)  and prayer (Exodus 30; Rev. 8:3-4) to God. God loves the aroma of a fellowship meal as well as the sweet smell of worshipful incense or perfume All of this was no doubt fueled in connection with Jesus’ raising Lazarus, Mary’s brother, from the dead. She had a passion for Jesus that was connected with His power over death.

Keith Green, a Christian musician and minister who died too soon once commented, “If your heart takes more pleasure in reading novels, or watching TV, or going to the movies, or talking to friends, rather than just sitting alone with God and embracing Him, sharing His cares and His burdens, weeping and rejoicing with Him, then how are you going to handle forever and ever in His presence...? You'd be bored to tears in heaven, if you're not ecstatic about God now!” 

Mary wanted more of Jesus. She wanted to do more, give more to Jesus. That’s the sign of the beginnings of revival. Someone has said, “And, here is something that you will find in the lives of all the great saints of God in the Church throughout the ages, and particularly in men on whom God lays his hand in this matter of revival and of intercession. The first thing that happens to them is that they themselves feel this desire for a deeper knowledge of God. Of course, they are good men, they are orthodox men. They believe in God, they know they are saved, they have assurance of salvation – they may have had it for years, - but now they begin to feel a hunger and a thirst for something bigger and something deeper. They read their Bibles, and they feel that here there is some deeper and some fuller knowledge of God, and God’s love, and that is what they want. They are no longer content with what I may call the ordinary condition of the Church. They want something extraordinary, something unusual.” ^[1] Do you want more of Jesus? Would you worship Jesus in such a way? What aroma does your worship of Jesus produce? How’s your passion for Jesus?

⁴ But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, ⁵ “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” ⁶ This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.

There are enough differences between this incident and the one in Mark 14 to justify seeing them as two separate incidents. Judas was worried about losing out on some of the funds he was pilfering. Those who are concerned about enriching themselves always look down on deep extravagant worship. What is your opinion about what Mary did to Jesus?

⁷ But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. ⁸ For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”

Remember what Jesus said, “Leave her alone.” The Lord will stick up for you in such situations too. Just remember nothing done for Jesus is ever a waste in any way. The Lord is looking for those whose hearts are loyal to Him (2 Chron. 16:9b). He is looking for those who will worship Him in Spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). Mary was in the Spirit. The Spirit was ministering to her heart as she ministered in worship to Jesus. That is a pattern in the New Testament (cf. Acts 13).

Notice too that Jesus connects this act of passion with His burial and future cross work. Apparently Mary had received insight from the Spirit about Jesus sacrifice; something the disciples had not yet understood. God often speaks to us as we worship Him.

⁹ Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. ¹⁰ But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, ¹¹ because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.

It may be that the other gospels omitted the names of those involved in this incident so as to not provide evidence to persecutors who would harm Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.

The point here is that with Jesus there is always hope. Lazarus was dead and entombed four days. But Jesus was able to raise Him from the dead. Remember that, nothing is ever hopeless with Jesus. Praise Him. Worship Him. Be attentive to the Spirit and let that truth enflame your passion for Him.

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[1] Martin Lloyd Jones, Revival, (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 1987) pgs. 177

 

A Passion for Jesus – Part 2

“Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her” – Mark 14:9

In the opening part of this series we defined passion as a driving force, a deep emotion in the heart, a fire in the belly, a heart aflame. People have a passion for many things, but how many have a passion for Jesus? We also said that passion for Jesus based on popularity, politics, provision, self-promotion, or pride will not stand the test of time; it will only be a Palm Sunday passion.

But where does a persevering passion for Jesus start? It starts when we fall at the feet of Jesus aware of our depth and debt of sin and receive His deeper forgiveness by faith. This is exemplified in the account of a notoriously sinful woman who came to Jesus one day. The account is given in Luke 7:36-50.  Let’s look at this passage verse by verse.

 ³⁶ Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat.

Jesus was willing to eat with just about anyone. He didn’t see it as an endorsement of that person’s lifestyle or doctrine. Something to note here (and that Jesus will bring to the Pharisee’s attention later) is that Jesus received none of the normal acts of hospitality to be expected by a guest. The Pharisee had no servant wash Jesus’ feet upon entering the home.  People wore sandals which opened the feet to the debris and refuse on the dirt roads. It was culturally acceptable and expected that a hose would make provisions to wash a guest’s feet. The Pharisee offered Jesus no kiss of welcome. It was customary for a host to kiss both checks of their guest as a sign of welcome. The Pharisee offered no anointing oil poured on his guests head to refresh his guest and welcome him. This was a rude host.

³⁷ And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner,

The woman’s identity is anonymous and unknown. In a later part of this series we will consider a possible identity for this woman of the night. She was well known though, and not for good.

The word “sinner” here implies this woman was a notorious sinner, one known for her sin in the community, likely a prostitute. Pastor Chuck Smith states in his note in the Word for Today Bible, “The Greek language indicates that this woman was a prostitute. The Pharisees were scandalized that Jesus would allow such a woman to even touch Him. But Jesus’ message to her was, ‘Your sins are forgiven . . . Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.’ And that is His message for any sinner who will come to Him, no matter how vile.”

when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil,

Here is the first evidence of her faith. She was more concerned with being in Jesus’ presence than what religious people thought of her. Second, she brought something to Jesus that was valuable. Recognize that this is God working in her heart and life. She could not come to Jesus without the Holy Spirit convicting her of her sin and drawing her (cp. John 6:44; 16:8-11).

³⁸ and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.

Further evidence of her faith is seen in her humility. She was humble and passionate enough about Jesus to weep at His feet, wipe His feet with her tear soaked hair, and kiss his feet while anointing them with the fragrant oil. This was an act of humble worship; an expression of her faith.  Would you worship Jesus like this?

I propose that this sinful woman was at a place where we all need to go. Oswald Chambers once wrote, “It is not a question of our equipment, but of our poverty; not what we bring with us, but what He puts in us; not our natural virtues, our strength of character, our knowledge, our experience; all that is of no avail. . . . God can do nothing with people who think they will be of use to him.”  Certainly this woman thought she was less than nothing. The missionary David Brainerd who literally burned himself out for the Lord at a very young age wrote in his diary, "It is sweet to be nothing and less than nothing that Christ may be all in all." That seems contrary to message from the church we often hear in our day. Charles Finney, the great revivalist of the 19^th century said, “Revival is a renewed conviction of sin and repentance, followed by an intense desire to live in obedience to God. It is giving up one's will to God in deep humility.” If we are ever to experience revival, we need some humility and heart conviction, brokenness like this woman had.

I would contend that the Spirit was moving in this house as the woman wept at Jesus feet. This brokenness of the woman is a product of the conviction of the Spirit. This is the stuff of revival. Martyn Lloyd Jones makes this connection when he writes, “What is the test of a Christian? It is the presence of a grief and a sorrow in the heart, because of the way in which men are not glorifying God. . . . To what extent do we feel a longing and a desire for the manifestation of God in his glory?  . . . Is it God-centered, is it grief for God’s sake, is it a desire that he may manifest his glory again? That is what always appears in times of revival. Not that the Church may be benefitted, not even that the people may come crowding into the Church. No, the primary thing is that God and his glory may be made known. That is the primary concern.”^[1] This woman cared more about the glory of Jesus than this religious Pharisee did!

³⁹ Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”

The religious Pharisee preferred to keep his distance from such a vile sinner. Under the law, to touch a sinner made one unclean; defiled. Religion distances the minister from the sinner. Jesus allowed the sinner to minister to Him and have contact with Him. How will sinners get saved if we fear touching them where they are? (cf. Romans 10:14-17).

⁴⁰ And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” ⁴¹ “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. ⁴² And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” ⁴³ Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.”

Jesus is teaching the righteously indignant Pharisee a lesson about himself. The point here is that this woman knows she is a sinner and has come to Jesus in humility. She will find forgiveness. The “righteous” Pharisee is too proud and hard to humble himself before Jesus and will find only rebuke. He was repulsed by this public display. He was t proud for anything like that. How about you? Are you too proud to even raise your hand in church to admit your sinfulness and need of a Savior?

And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” ⁴⁴ Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. ⁴⁵ You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. ⁴⁶ You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. ⁴⁷ Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”

A passion for Jesus begins in faith produced humility at the feet of Jesus. This is really the only way to come to Jesus – humbly. She humbled herself before Jesus and ministered to Him. The Pharisee did nothing for Jesus. This woman knew she was a sinner and was humbled by it. The Pharisee proudly thought he was better than her, had no true understanding of his own sinfulness, and gave nothing of significance to Jesus. In reality this religious prelate blasphemed God by rejecting the Spirit’s conviction of sin. The Pharisee was hardened against the Spirit. He was further from God than this woman was. She had great love because she was forgiven much. The Pharisee had no love because he didn’t experience the forgiveness of God. Which of these person’s best describes you? Are you passionate for Jesus? Or are you passionless toward Jesus?

⁴⁸ Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

The woman found forgiveness. The Pharisee was still in his sin.

⁴⁹ And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” ⁵⁰ Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Here and in Luke 18:42 are the only places where we find the words, “Your faith has saved you.” There is something extremely important to understand here. We are not saved by passion or emotion. We are saved from and forgiven our sins BY FAITH. Luke was a companion of Paul who emphasized the importance of salvation as a gift of God’s grace received by faith (e.g. Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7). Now I mention that not to insinuate that Luke inserted something into Jesus’ mouth that He did not actually say, but to show that Luke would have been particularly tuned into such words of Jesus and their significance. “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” We receive forgiveness for our sins by faith. And that places us in a peaceful relationship with God in Christ (cf. Romans 5:1ff.).

The woman’s faith was the driving force in all her humility and coming to Jesus. What was the nature of her faith that saved her?

Her faith was in Jesus alone. Her entire focus was on Jesus. She came to see Him. She wept behind Him, at His feet. She washed His feet with her tear soaked hair. She anointed His feet with oil. She looked for Jesus and Jesus only.

Her faith brought her close to Jesus. She came up behind Jesus; close to Him.

Her faith was humble with a sense of unworthiness. She stood behind Jesus; unworthy to come face to face with Him. She came on His terms, not her own.

Her faith was courageous, overcoming opposition. She had to know, that as a notorious sinner (a prostitute) that she was unwelcome in the Pharisee’s home. But she came to Jesus anyway.

Her faith was demonstrated in a loving act of devotion to Him. Washing His feet with her tears and anointing Jesus with costly oil were expressions of her faith produce loving devotion to Jesus. She was laying her life down before Him. She was making a life altering decision.

Her faith spoke not a word. Actions speak louder than words. There are some who verbally claim Jesus as their Savior and Lord but their life actions speak otherwise; there is no spiritual fruit.  Sometimes we insist a person say the “Four Spiritual Laws,” or the ABCs of salvation in a prayer. But salvation takes place in the heart (Rom. 10:9-10). Sometimes what goes on in the heart defies verbal expression. Don’t fear or resist this.  What counts and is most important is that a person surrenders in heart to Jesus and receive God’s gospel of grace. This woman didn’t have to say a word; her actions spoke for her. Her actions revealed her heart toward Jesus.

Her faith in Jesus saved her. Jesus told her she was saved by faith. His words “Go in peace” were a promise of a new life. This woman left with forgiveness of her sins and peace. The Pharisee was left with nothing.

This woman had a faith-full passion for Jesus that exalted Him at all costs. She didn’t care about anything except Jesus. Jesus was first and foremost to her. She cared more about Jesus than what others thought about her. She was humbled in His presence. All she wanted was to pour herself out at Jesus’ feet. That is what having a passion for Jesus is all about. That is where a passion for Jesus begins. Does that describe your passion for Jesus?

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[1] Martin Lloyd Jones, Revival, (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 1987) p. 89

A Passion for Jesus – Part 1

“Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her” – Mark 14:9

 

Passion, what is it? The kind of passion we are talking about here is, “an intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction; a strong desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept.”  Passion is a driving force. Passion is a deep emotion in the heart. Passion is a fire in the belly; a heart aflame.

 

Some people express their passion as a fan of some school, sport or team. Some are passionate about their job or career. Some are passionate about a hobby or activity. And some are passionate about people and the things related to people. We are all passionate about something. But how many people have a passion for Jesus?

 

In Mark 14:9 Jesus says, “Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” That’s a pretty powerful statement. What was it that led Jesus to say this? What did this woman do that could and would be connected with the gospel? She responded to Jesus with a passion. There is something about the passion of this woman toward Jesus that is linked to the gospel.

 

Adam Clarke, a 19^th century theologian stated, “He who has a religion that costs him nothing, has a religion that is worth nothing: nor will any man esteem the ordinances of God, if those ordinances cost him nothing."

 

Vance Havner, a past Senate chaplain, once said, “We are not going to move this world by criticism of it, nor conformity to it, but only by the combustion within it of lives ignited by the Spirit of God.”  He’s right about that. What we need is a heart aflame with a passion for Jesus in the power of the Spirit.

Andrew A. Bonar stated, “Revivals begin with God's own people; the Holy Spirit touches their heart anew, and gives them new fervor and compassion, and zeal, new light and life, and when He has thus come to you, He next goes forth to the valley of dry bones…Oh, what responsibility this lays on the Church of God! If you grieve Him away from yourselves, or hinder His visit, then the poor perishing world suffers sorely!” 

Do you have a passion for Jesus? How do you know? What about Jesus sets your heart aflame with passion? That is what we will look at this Holy Week. There are four particular incidents when people, (interestingly they were particularly women), fell at the feet of Jesus in an expression of devotion to Him.

 

When was the last time you fell at Jesus’ feet to express your passion to Him? Are you too reserved for anything like that? When was the last time you shed a tear in connection with Jesus? We aren’t to let our emotions run wild. But we aren’t to be emotionless either. God gave us emotions. Emotion is part of our human makeup. Passion involves emotion.

 

But passion is not only emotion. It is also full surrender. It is worship. It is clinging to the Lord.

 

There are four incidents in scripture that we will consider this Holy Week which give us insight into having A Passion for Jesus. My prayer is that the Spirit would use these passages to fan to a flame a passion for Jesus. Join me in that prayer.

 

Does Your Passion for Jesus have Staying Power? Passion week in Jesus life, as we celebrate it, begins with the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. This itself is a fulfillment of Daniel’s 483 year old prophecy to the day, of when Messiah would come to the Holy City of Jerusalem (cf. Daniel 9:24-27). This is where we see the height of public passion for Jesus.

 

Mark 11:7-11 - ⁷ Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. ⁸ And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. ⁹ Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:  “Hosanna!  ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ¹⁰     Blessed is the kingdom of our father David That comes in the name of the Lord!  Hosanna in the highest!” ¹¹ And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.

 

“Hosanna” means “save now.” These verses depict the fame and popularity Jesus was met with upon entering Jerusalem this Passover Week. People were throwing their clothes on the donkey for Jesus to sit on. People were spreading their clothes out on the road for Jesus. Others cut palms branches and laid them out in front of Jesus so that their “King” would not soil his feet on the bare ground. (Hence the title of the day Palm Sunday.)

 

During the Triumphal Entry, it was obvious these people had a passion for Jesus. They were cheering and shouting praises toward Him. And yet, a few short days from this day, they would be shouting something quite different than Hosanna toward Jesus. They would be shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” (Mark 15:13-14). Their passion for Jesus had no staying power, how come? Does your passion for Jesus have staying power? Will it last? Is it waning? Why did the people go so quickly from shouts of “Hosanna!” to shouts of “Crucify!”

 

First, their passion for Jesus was based on popularity. Many were simply going along with the crowd. They had no personal relationship with Jesus. They simply went along with the crowd, with the popular flavor of the day in popular figures. A passion built on prestige and popularity will never last. Humanity is fickle; the crowd changes its mind frequently and easily. Is your passion for Jesus based on how popular He is or you are in association with Him?

 

Second, their passion for Jesus was based on political deliverance. They were looking for someone to save them from the oppression of the Romans, not someone to save them from their sins and bring them closer to God. When Jesus was under arrest and headed toward crucifixion it was clear He was not going to save them from the Romans. So they turned on Him in anger and bitter resentment for not meeting their needs. Is your passion for Jesus based on what He might free you from politically?

 

Third, their passion for Jesus was based on material provision. They were attracted to the power of Jesus to meet their needs (e.g. feed 4 and 5,000 of them). At one point in His ministry Jesus commented, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled” (John 6:26). Is your passion for Jesus based only on what you might get from Him?

 

Fourth, their passion for Jesus was based on self-promotion. The disciples frequently argued with each other about their position in Jesus kingdom (e.g. Mark 9:33-34; Luke 9:46-50). The path of Jesus leads to the cross. If your passion for Jesus is based on how you might be promoted, your passion will go up in smoke. Is your passion for Jesus based on how it might promote you?

 

Fifth, their passion for Jesus was based on pride. It must have been pretty nice to be in the inner circle of followers for a Person as popular as Jesus was at that time. He was the Miracle worker, the great Teacher, the Amazing One who could walk on water. Think of what it must have been like to be a follower of Jesus at first. Think of what it must have felt like to be the inner 12, the inner three! James and John, accompanied by their Mom, asked to sit on either side of Jesus in His kingdom. He responded that they didn’t know what they were asking for. They didn’t understand that authority came through selfless service; through the cross (Mark 10:35-45; Mat. 20:20-28). They wanted the position without the passion.

 

Is your passion for Jesus based only on the me-myself-and I of pride? So I ask again, does your passion for Jesus have staying power? Or is your passion for Jesus only a Palm Sunday passion?

What is your passion for Jesus based on? None of these reasons for having a passion for Jesus will give you a passion that will last and stand the test. If our passion is going to last there are four ingredients we must include. That is what we will look at in this series, A Passion for Jesus.

 

Is it of God?

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God;

because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” – 1 John 4:1

 

How do we determine if something is of God or not? This is an important question because we are in a spiritual war in which our adversary the devil is a master liar, deceiver and destroyer. The apostle John was inspired to warn his readers to “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). He wrote this in love.

 

The Last Days will be characterized by “deceiving spirits,” “doctrines of demons,” and lies spoken by psychopathic hypocrites (1 Timothy 4:1-2). Satan’s aim is to murder you spiritually and physically (John 8:44). His main tactic is appearing as something good and luring people into evil. Therefore, if we ignore or take this question lightly we risk being victimized by the enemy or worse, being manipulated into a position where we give the enemies of the Lord reason to blaspheme God (2 Samuel 12:14). Because of this God has given us clear precautions in His word to help us discern what is of Him and what is not of Him.

 

There are many scriptures in the Bible which help us discern whether or not something is of the Lord. Below we list these scriptures with questions we ought to be asking when we are seeking to discern whether or not something is of the Lord.

 

Is it scriptural? Just because someone uses scriptures does not mean they are of the Lord? Satan used scriptures (out of context) against Jesus in the wilderness temptation (Matthew 4:1-11). Cults use scriptures, as do false teachers. How can we know if scripture is being used in the right way?

 

We need to see if the interpretation is correct based on the context, or the way it was used in the letter or book in which it is found. Usually you can determine this by reading before and after the scripture to see the proper interpretation of the verses. You may have to read the entire letter or book in which the verses are found. You should also ask whether or not the interpretation in question contradicts other parts of the Bible. God’s word does not contradict itself. We need to determine God’s truth based on the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).

 

Does it bring me closer to God? You should ask if this use of scripture or thing in question is drawing you closer to or pushing you further away from God. The Bible tells us to draw near to God and move away from the devil (James 4:7-8). This is a question that can be tricky because our hearts are deceitful and we can’t know them on our own (Jeremiah 17:9-10). We need to ask God to search our hearts and see the truth in us (Psalm 139:23-24). And the way we do this is to bring our hearts and thoughts prayerfully to the altar of God’s word (Hebrews 4:12).

 

There is an interesting scripture in this regard and it states,   “If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, ² and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’—which you have not known—‘and let us serve them,’ ³ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. ⁴ You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him. ⁵ But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has spoken in order to turn you away from the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of bondage, to entice you from the way in which the Lord your God commanded you to walk. So you shall put away the evil from your midst” (Deuteronomy 13:1-5).

 

Notice it is not the sign or wonder or impressiveness of something that determines whether or not it is of God. It is whether or not something draws us closer to God and moves us to love Him more and more that determines whether or not something is of God. Jesus said eternal life is to know the One true God and Him (John 17:3). That in a nutshell is the prime reason Jesus came to be with us (John 17:4). We should be asking, “Is what I’m doing bringing me closer to the Lord? Is it making me more spiritually sensitive to His voice? Is it helping me to know Him better? Can I see Jesus involved with what I’m doing?”

 

Is it causing me to worship the Lord? God is looking for true worshipers who will worship Him in spirit and truth. Those who are trying to determine if the music they listen to is of God should be asking themselves, “Is this causing me to love God more? Is it causing me to worship the Lord in spirit and truth?”(John 4:23-24). Does the music put me in awe of the Lord and cause me to fall at His feet in worship?

 

Does it bring pleasure to God? Contrary to the popular philosophy of the day, we do not exist for our own pleasure. Humanity was created for the Lord and His pleasure! (Colossians 1:16; Revelation 4:11 KJV). Christians have been purchased by God and redeemed from their sin by the precious blood of Jesus on the cross (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Christians should especially be asking questions like, “Is what I’m doing pleasing to God? Is it selfish? Does it risk displeasing God in some way?”

 

Is it really worth it? Is what I’m doing really worth the time? If I’m being tempted to do something that is questionable, is it worth risking my walk with the Lord in any way? Nothing is worth risking a single drop of closeness to the Lord.  Greg Laurie once shared some questions we could ask to help us make good sound spiritual decisions. When you come to something that is questionable or really in any situation you should ask yourself five evaluative questions. First, “Will it build me up spiritually?” We have great freedom in Christ, but we should use our freedom judiciously and wisely to assure what we do is edifying. It’s very easy to get entangled in things that will fuel the flesh rather than support the spirit (1 Corinthians 10:23; Galatians 5:13; Hebrews 12:1-2).

 

Second, we should ask, “Will it bring me under its power?” We have to guard against indulging things that will bring us into slavery. Jesus said he who sins is a slave to sin and that the truth of His word can free us (John 8:31-36). Again, are the things you do lead to sins’ dominion in your life? It should not be so! (1 Corinthians 6:12; Romans 6:14).

 

Third, “Do I have an uneasy feeling about it?” Whatever is not from faith is sin (Romans 14:23). We have an anointing from the Spirit to help us in discerning truth from falsehood (1 John 2:27). If you have an uneasy feeling about something or someone, it just may be the Spirit warning you.

 

Fourth, “Will it cause someone else to stumble?” We should always hold a person’s spiritual welfare as a top priority. We should be others oriented. We should restrict our own freedoms for the eternal welfare of others. This is what love is all about (Romans 14:15; 15:1).

 

Fifth and lastly, “Will it bring glory to God?” This is the bottom line and most important question to ask. Can you say that what you intend to do brings glory to the Lord? Would you be embarrassed to bring Him with you where you are thinking of going? Would you be embarrassed and ashamed if He were to return and find you doing what you are doing? (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17,23).

Satan is a brilliant enemy who is the master of deception. He disguises himself as something good when he is really the worst of the worst. Those he uses practice the same deception (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Satan does not usually try to sidetrack or victimize people with what is blatantly bad. No. His tactic is to rob people of God’s best by tempting them with what is second best. Unfortunately too many Christians have passed up God’s best because they were impatient and settled for something good, but not God’s best. The choice is not necessarily between good and bad as much as it is between God’s best and an alternative.  That tactic is as old as the Garden of Eden, but it is no less effective today (Genesis 3).  So beware, pray to the Lord and ask Him for help to discern. Go to God’s word and let His peace be your guide (Colossians 3:15-16). But above all, care whether or not something is or is not of God.

 

“But Satan hindered us”

Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us”

 – 1 Thessalonians 2:18

 

This verse communicated to the Thessalonians reveals we have an adversary who is hell bent on separating brethren from each other and thwarting God’s plans. We should never forget we have an adversary. He was behind the persecution in Thessalonica that led to Paul’s being sent away for his own safety (Acts 17:10). Satan incites opposition to the cause of Christ. Those who have yet to surrender to Jesus are described as the instruments of the devil. They are “dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others” (Eph. 2:1-3). If you have yet to receive Jesus as Savior, whether your realize it or not, you are under the influence of Satan!

 

Paul says, “but Satan hindered us.” The term “hindered” (ἐγκόπτω ĕgkŏptō, eng-kop´-to) means to impede, to detain, or prevented. Satan can hinder and prevent our plans from coming to pass. He can impede our path. How does Satan impede our path? What are his tactics?  Looking back at Acts 17 where Paul was separated from the Thessalonians in the first place, we see what many of his tactics are.

 

First he often works through the religious who aren’t persuaded by the gospel of grace (Acts 17:5a). If you read through Gospels and Acts it is usually those who are the most religious who are the source of opposition to the gospel. Salvation frees us from the “aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,” through the “precious blood of Christ” (cf. 1 Peter 1:18-19). Jesus didn’t come to make us religious. He came to introduce us to the way of knowing God personally as Savior and Lord. He came to introduce Himself to us. “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You sent” (John 17:3).

 

Second, Satan uses envy (ζηλόω zēlŏō, dzay-lŏ´-o or ζηλεύω zēlĕuō dzay-loo´-o^[1]) covetousness or jealousy mixed with emotion to stir up opposition. Envy is at the root of much evil perpetrated against people. People like the limelight. When Paul preached the gospel in the power of the Spirit and people began to respond, the powerless religious leaders were jealous. Watch out for those whose motivation for “ministry” is getting people to their group rather than getting people to God for His glory. When you see that know that Satan is at work. When people are more concerned with and preach the name of their church or group instead of the Name above all names, the enemy is at work. Watch that.

 

Third, he works through “evil” men (πονηρός pŏnērŏs, pon-ay-ros´) or people. This is a very descriptive word which speaks of those who are characterized by being hurtful, evil, degenerate, calamitous, spiritually diseased, derelict, vicious, malicious, wicked, lewd and devilish. God calls His people to holiness (e.g. 1 Peter 1:15-16; 1 Thess. 4:3, 7). Satan is diametrically opposed to holy hearts and holy living. Wherever “evil” is present you can be sure Satan has a hand in what is happening.

 

Fourth, Satan uses mob tactics; he stirs up a riot. Whereas God is orderly (e.g. 1 Co. 14:33, 40), Satan is chaotic and loves a riot. Satan loves anarchy and he uses it to oppose God’s people. Ever try to share the gospel at an abortion clinic or Gay Pride parade or event? If you have, you know that it isn’t long before you’ll be accosted by an angry mob followed by a riot. Why does this inevitably happen? Why does such opposition try to shout down those who speak for the Lord? Because the enemy is behind it. Satan and his message of sin is no match for the powerful gospel. He knows that. So if he can’t reasonably oppose the gospel, he incites others to shout down in an effort to shut up people preaching the gospel or ministering God’s truth in His love. Remember that next time you are mobbed and don’t be surprised or fearful. Just stand strong in the Lord’s power and might.

 

Fifth, Satan uses violence as when he stirred up the mob to attack Jason and drag him before the rulers of the city (Acts 17:5b-6). When those preaching the gospel or ministering don’t run away from the mob, the enemy is not averse to ratcheting up the volume and even resorting to physical violence. When violence ensues the enemy is at work. Look at the apostles; they were stoned; beaten with rods; scourged; imprisoned and treated in harsh unmentionable ways. Why did that happen? Because of evil people but understand Satan was behind it all. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood. It’s against Satan and his minions (Eph. 6:12).

 

Sixth, Satan uses lying accusations as in the accusation that the apostle’s proclamation of Jesus was contrary to Caesar and the Roman government (Acts 17:7). Wherever untruths, half-truths, deception, false witness and false accusations are present, so is the influence of the enemy. When we speak in half-truths we open the door for the enemy to enter in. God’s way and standard is to speak His truth in His love (Eph. 4:15). Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with truth (Rom. 12:21). Don’t lie, be truthful!

 

Seventh, Satan stirs up opposition as when they “troubled” (ταράσσω tarassō, tar-as´-so) or agitated the crowd and rulers. Satan uses strife and conflict to get his way. Why is it turmoil is so prevalent when we’re preparing to go to church? Why do we persist in silly and superficial spats and disagreements? Part of it is our flesh and sinful nature rearing its angry head. But Satan is the one pouring fuel on the fire of our flesh! These are all things we should be aware of. The fruit of the Spirit is a love that is peaceful (Gal. 5:22-24). “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God ; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled” (Heb. 12:14-15).

 

The next time you are envious or jealous, opposed by people with evil intent, have a group with a “mob” mentality confront you, are physically attacked or falsely accused, just keep in mind your enemy is probably at work. Then rely on God’s power, put on His armor. Use the weapons God has given you for this battle. Use His truth to hold you together. Keep your heart protected with His righteousness. Go with the powerful gospel of peace. Use faith and truth as your shield against Satan’s accusations. Keep your mind protected with the helmet of salvation and don’t forget the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. And above all pray. Do that, and you’ll win the day (cf. Eph. 6:10-18).

 

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^[1]Strong, James: The New Strong's Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1996, S. H8674

“She has done a good work for Me”

Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me” – Mark 14:6

 

What have you done for the Lord lately? Do you feel His prodding, His urging, His call and are hesitating, resisting or holding back? Do you fear or have you been told that ministry or giving to ministry in some way is a waste of time? Perhaps you’re considering college; Bible college; or seminary. Maybe you have your entire life in front of you and are wondering, What should I do? Maybe you’ve lived most of your life for yourself. Maybe you’re coming to terms with how the Lord would have you live out the remaining portion of breath He has blessed you with. Maybe you’ve considered giving your life in ministry but are being discouraged to do so because others would prefer you spend your life in “making a living,” “making money,” or “making a name for yourself.” Maybe you’re concerned with a pension; with retirement? Are you hearing comments like, “Ministry, really? Can’t you come up with something better than that? “Or, “Ministry? You’re not going into ministry are you? What a waste of time!” Or, “You’re giving to what, ministry?!” Let me tell you something, nothing that is done or given for Jesus is ever a waste in any way.

Jesus was in “Bethany at the house of Simon the leper” on the night He was to be betrayed. In a few short hours He would be brutalized and crucified for the redemption of humanity. John’s gospel account tells us it was Mary the sister of Martha and Lazarus who “came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard” and “broke the flask and poured it on His head” (John 12:3; Mark 14:3). It was Lazarus who had been raised from the dead by Jesus (John 11). "Simon the leper" was probably also healed by Jesus (cf. Mark 1:40). What memories; what incredible miraculous blessings from God. And all of it was percolating in Mary. And what was happening inside led to a lavish act by Mary. The oil was worth 300 denarii or a year’s wages (Mark 14:5; John 12:6). A year’s wages! A year’s salary poured out on Jesus’ feet! Would you do that?

The disciples, led by Judas, felt at least the oil could have been sold and the proceeds given to the poor (Mark 14:5; John 13:29). Logical. Reasonable. Pragmatic. Someone who is a good steward, or thrifty, would think like that. They were indignant, angry. Of course we know Judas was really concerned with pilfering the proceeds. But the other disciples may very well have had a legitimate concern (cf. John 12:6).  What would you have thought? What did Jesus think?

Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. Assuredly, I say to you. Wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her” (Mark 14:6-9).

There’s a lot to learn in this passage. There’s something vital to take away from this account. Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” That means that she did something worth taking note of, worth repeating; worth copying and doing ourselves. What she did left us an example. What was her memorial? What is it we should remember and also do?

“She has done a good work for Me.” What is the nature of this good work she did? It was costly; valuable. It cost her a year’s wages. It was total. It was impractical, unreasonable, and not to logical as far as the male disciples were concerned. Maybe they were thinking, Just like a woman. But look deeper. It is likely this oil was something that was very precious to her. Precious oil was often purchased as a kind of investment for the future; it was a valued commodity; a precious currency. It may have been her dowry; something to be given her husband upon their marriage. If she were to die before marrying it may have been poured out on her own body in burial. By pouring it out on Jesus it was as though she was saying, “I give my future, my family, my happiness, my hopes and dreams, my life; I pour it all out to You Jesus.” Pouring out this costly oil was an act of supreme, deep and total devotion to Jesus. Have you poured yourself out to Jesus like that? Who holds your future? Or are you like the disciples, too practical and reserved for something like that?

This good work was exorbitant. When was the last time you did something lavish, exorbitant for Jesus? When was the last time you went all the way for Jesus? When was the last time your worship of Jesus took priority over your future plans? When was the last time you gave something to Jesus or for His glory that actually cost you something? Some say “I can’t afford to give.” Looking at Mary and her good work seems to tell us, “You can’t afford not to give.” At some point she came to realize, “I must give.” Jesus said, “She has done what she could.” She could not have done anything less. How about you?

But what about the poor? Don’t mistake what Jesus was saying. He isn’t minimizing ministry to the poor. He was maximizing our worship and commitment to Him. The poor and caring for them is extremely important. But it pales in comparison to how we spend our time with Jesus. In fact, if you don’t lavish worship on Jesus you probably won’t have too much to offer the poor or anyone else. Are you a Mary or a disciple?

Notice how Jesus attached the good work of Mary to the preaching of the gospel. How are they connected? They are connected at the heart. What Mary did is an example of how everyone should come to Jesus. She symbolized in a very worshipful and real way that she was giving her all to Jesus. That’s really what God is looking for when the gospel is preached. I received Jesus as my Savior over 35 years ago with the words that can be summed up as “Jesus, I’m Yours.”  My wife likes to say of people who struggle with their relationship with Jesus, “They just have to fall in love with Jesus.” That’s what Mary’s lavish act of worship communicated. She was totally in love with her Lord Jesus. She was wholly holy to Him. Are you?

What does your life speak to Jesus? Are you more like the disciples who scorned and looked down on lavish expressions of love to Jesus? Are you very practical; so practical that you’d never think of condoning such a lavish expenditure of funds, not even on Jesus? Remember, “You are not your own . . . For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Remember, “you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your sinless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19). Maybe as Mary and the disciples prepared to eat the Passover meal together that fateful night, it all came together for her. Maybe she realized what Jesus said of her act – “She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial” (Mark 14:8).

This season of the crucifixion and resurrection why not pray about a lavish expression of your live for Jesus? Ask the Lord how you could show your love for Him in a costly lavish way like Mary did. Ask Him how you can follow in her steps and do a similar good work. Ask Him.

 

 

Is There a Fly in the Ointment?

“Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment” – Ecclesiastes 10:1a

Are you comfortable with sin in your life? I ask that because sometimes people reason and rationalize that a certain amount of sin is acceptable. They use phrases like “grace covers it all,” or, “God will understand.” They say those phrases in a kind of casual even flippant sort of way. Yes, we are forgiven by God on the basis of His grace. The blood of Jesus does cleanse from all our sin. But when a casual view of sin is adopted we become like those who, “trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which He was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace” (Hebrews 10:29). We should never be complacent toward sin.

Sin, in all its forms and circumstances, separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). It hinders our communication with God (Psalm 66:18). Sin is so harmful to His precious creation that God finds it hard to even look on evil and wickedness (Habakkuk 1:13). Jesus finds sins such as lukewarmness repulsive; it turns His stomach sick (Revelation 3:16). The apostle John didn’t mince words, he said it was children of the devil who sin (1 John 3:7-9). So I ask, how much sin is allowable?

Purity and holiness are important to God. He doesn’t want us to allow sin that will cloud our spiritual receptivity with Him. He wants our channel clear, uncluttered by the static of sin. Incense is a type of prayer in the Bible. In the Old Testament when God gave instructions about how the incense used in His Tabernacle was to be made He said, “You shall make of these an incense, a compound according to the art of the perfumer, salted, pure, and holy. And you shall beat some of it very fine, and put some of it before the Testimony in the tabernacle of meeting where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you” (Exodus 30:35-36). Our prayer life should be precious to us. It is precious to the Lord. And because of that we should make sure we take sin seriously. Our prayers should be salted, pure and holy with the word of God in the power of the Spirit. We need to beat our prayer life very fine.  We need to pay attention to detail and beat out every sin that threatens to entangle us.

The Holy anointing oil of the Old Testament was a symbol of the anointing of the Spirit on those who served the Lord. “And you shall make from these a holy anointing oil, an ointment compounded according to the art of the perfumer. It shall be a holy anointing oil. . . . And you shall speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘This shall be a holy anointing oil to Me throughout your generations. It shall not be poured on man’s flesh; nor shall you make any other like it, according to its composition. It is holy, and it shall be holy to you. Whoever compounds any like it, or whoever puts any of it on an outsider, shall be cut off from his people” (Exodus 30:25, 31-33). The anointing of the Holy Spirit is for holy living. It is not to be casually combined with the fleshliness of those who have a casual view of sin. The word holy means separate, distinct. Something that is holy is separate from the world and devoted to God. Sin wrecks all of that. You can’t have a casual view of sin and be empowered with the anointing of the Spirit. You can’t use grace as an excuse for sin. God’s grace and the Holy Spirit do not bring us to a place where we are free to sin, but to a place where we are free from sin. There are those today who have fallen into the delusion that we can sin boldly before the Lord. That’s hogwash; literally. That is an abuse of God’s grace.

Jesus cleansed the Temple of thieves and said His Father’s house was meant to be a place of prayer (Matthew 21; Mark 11; John 2). We are the “temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor. 6:19). If we have surrendered to God and been forgiven our sins, we no longer belong to ourselves; we belong to God (1 Cor. 6:20). Is there any sin in us or on us His Temple, that He wants to or needs to cleanse? Are we a place of prayer or impurity?

The story is told of a family whose children constantly nagged their parents to lower the standard to allow them to watch some less than holy TV programs. The parents didn’t feel the programs were something their children should watch. The children disagreed.  To prove their point the parents made some brownies as a special treat for desert one night. When they brought them out the children we ecstatic. “Brownies!” they all exclaimed. But then the father said, “These are special brownies with a special ingredient. You know Buffy our faithful dog. Well she helped us with these brownies. We know how much you love her. So we thought we’d have her contribute. She gave us some brown ingredients of her own to put in these brownies. It was just a little. It won’t hurt. It doesn’t smell that bad. You probably won’t even taste it.” Needless to say the parents made their point. How much sin does it take to make something tasteless, (or should I say uneatable?). How much sin makes something putrid?  Just a little.

Did you know that rat poison is 99.9% nutritious for rats? It’s that .01% poison that’s a killer. How much sin does it take to kill you; to inhibit and negatively affect your spiritual life? Just a little. Sin is like cancer, it only takes one cell to metastasize to a life threatening condition. The same is true with sin. Sin is never solitary, it always multiplies. Samson thought he could play with sin. It ended up blinding him, binding him and grinding him down (Judges 16:21).

Is there a stench of sin in your life? “Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, and cause it to give off a foul odor; so does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor” (Ecclesiastes 10:1). Did you ever watch what flies are attracted to? They are attracted to death; dead meat; dead flesh. They are attracted to refuse, to dung. And when the fly travels from place to place they carry impurities and drop them off wherever they land. Are there dead flies in your life? Are the dead flies in your life transferring their putrification to others? As people see and follow your compromises with questionable activities, even sin, do they follow your downward spiral? Are people following you like flies to a dung heap? Don’t lower your standards or rationalize sin into your life. It’s not good for you. It’s not good for those around you. “For this is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4:3).

You are a sweet smelling aroma to the Lord. Don’t foul that aroma with the smell of dead flies. God has promised to show you the way of escape in times of temptation (1 Cor. 10:13). It’s not merely a question of what is or is not permissible. It’s a question of what is helpful, beneficial to the cause of Christ, and glorifying to the Lord (cf. 1 Cor. 6:12; 10:31). Is there a fly in your ointment? Swat it out with prayer in the power of the Spirit.