Follow the Scent of Blood

“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.”  - John 5:39

 

Every summer there is a Shark Week by one of the channels on television. It is a week to air programs on sharks and those who interact with them. Sharks are scary. It’s a scary week. Sharks can sense a small droplet of blood from 3 miles away.  If you’re bleeding and in the ocean, it’s like ringing the “Come and get it!” dinner bell for a shark. You had better get out of the water or you’ll be the delectable dinner attraction to a relentless black eyed predator.

Did you know that a bear’s sense of smell is seven times better than a blood hounds? It is. A bear can smell blood from twenty miles away. Did you know that the Kodiak Grizzly bear found in Kodiak Alaska is the largest land predator in the world? A Kodiak Grizzly is about five feet tall at the shoulder when on all fours. A Kodiak stands an average of ten feet tall when on its hind legs. They weigh up to 1500 pounds. There have been Kodiak’s that were as big as 12 to 14 feet tall and 1600 plus pounds. These predators can run as fast as a horse. They have been clocked at 35 miles an hour. There start isn’t bad either as they have been timed at running 100 meters in 10.3 seconds. That’s good enough to place in an Olympic dash! Put this all together and the Alaskan wilderness isn’t the place for the accident prone or one given to flesh wounds.

Jesus spoke to His bloodthirsty opponents and said, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.”  (John 5:39). John the Baptist, the first prophet to appear in 400 years and a man of strict integrity and holiness, bore witness to Jesus. He said Jesus was the Lamb of God who had come to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29; 5:33-35). The works Jesus did bore witness as a sign of who He was (John 5:36). And God the Father Himself bore witness of Jesus (5:37a). But Jesus’ opponents refused to acknowledge the evidence provided about Jesus. They refused to hear Jesus. They shut their eyes to see God’s “form” (cf. Heb. 1:3). They turned a blind eye to the hand of God in the ministry of Jesus (5:37b). They didn’t have God’s word “abiding in” them (5:38a). That was evident by their rejection of Jesus (5:38b).

If we are going to be real and honest, the vast majority of people don’t reject Jesus as Savior because of a lack of evidence. People reject Jesus because they want to rule their own lives. They want to remain in their sinful lifestyles. They want to hold onto things that God calls sinful. They don’t realize God loves them and whatever He asks a person to put aside or leave behind is lovingly for their best interests. The sinner’s heart is filled with the things of this world and lusts of the flesh. The sinner’s heart is filled with wretched refuse the enemy has deceived them into believing is more important than knowing the God of the universe personally. They have been deluded into loving spiritual death. They walk with a death sentence hanging over them. The devil has them in a strangle hold. The seeds of the gospel are being choked out of them (cf. Mark 4:18-19). And they love it so.   

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jer. 17:9). So deceitful is the heart that it can manipulate the holy word of God to its own devices. That is what the opponents and rejecters of Jesus were doing. Do you know it’s possible to “search the scriptures” and miss the entire point of them? The scriptures “testify” of Jesus. Every time a person opens a Bible their prime directive should be to ask, “What is the Holy Spirit saying about Jesus in this portion of scripture?” The volume of God’s Book speaks and points to Jesus (e.g. Heb. 10:7). And yet cults, critics, and charlatans “search” the scriptures and “find” exactly the opposite of what God reveals in His word about His Son Jesus.

 

The word “search” (Greek ereunao) in John 5:39 means to search diligently. The origins of the word come from the idea of an animal following the scent of prey. In its most rudimentary origins ereunao means, follow the scent of blood. Jesus’ opponents hunted Jesus looking for a way to murderously spill His blood (e.g. John 11:53). They were bloodthirsty in the most devilish way.

 

There is a putrid scent of blood. There seems to be more and more blood in Television and on the big screen. A quick Google search snaps up: “The 20 Essential Vampire Movies” and the “List of the Top 20 Vampire Shows on Television.”  I’m sorry but I don’t see anything “essential” or “top” about the genre of vampires sucking blood. There is the “living dead” genre on the big screen and television. In these works people are infected with a virus that drains them of all their humanity and reduces them to a mass of walking dead. The remaining “living” people run for their lives and pause only to hack, bludgeon, and cave in the skulls of the afflicted who've been sapped of their humanity. Then there are the various movies and television programs that have become more and more graphic in their “real” life depiction of blood spilled. Since 9/11 we've seen online videos of decapitations or some other grisly body dismemberment. Our world is becoming bloodier. There is a demonic bloodlust in the air.

 

The world may be blinded to this bloodlust, but Christians are often caught up in it too. In Proverbs Solomon was inspired to wisely warn, “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they say, ‘Come with us, let us lie in wait to shed blood; let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down to the Pit; . . . . For their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood” (Prov. 1:10-12, 16). Most people don’t actually shed “innocent . . . blood.” But Jesus calls us to a higher standard. He said thinking lustful adulterous thoughts made a person just as guilty of adultery as if they actually participated in the act itself. If that is Jesus’ standard, isn’t entertaining and exposing oneself to bloodiness on the big screen and Television also sinful? (cf. Mat. 5:27-28). Jesus said you can murder a person in your heart and so “be in danger of hell fire” (Mat. 5:21-22). Taking in the bloody “art” of the world is not such an innocent indulgence in light of those words of Jesus is it? It’s not “fun.” It’s offensive to God. It dilutes the true significance of His revelation about blood. If you follow the putrid scent of blood it might lead you straight to hell!

 

There is a pure scent of blood. There is a scent of blood in the Bible that leads to redemption. The word “blood” is mentioned 357 times in 424 verses in the Bible. In the Garden of Eden the Father spilled blood to provide animal skins to cover the nakedness of sinful Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:21). Circumcision, the sign of covenant with God, requires cutting and the shedding of blood (Gen. 17). Blood marked the homes of God’s people to be passed over and spared God’s death sentence in the Exodus (Exodus 12; cf. Romans 3:25). The blood of the Old Testament sacrifices leads to the cross of Christ where Jesus shed His blood for our redemption (compare Leviticus; Gal. 3:24; and Hebrews 10). Jesus leaves His scent of blood throughout the word of God.

 

God has shed His light on Jesus in His word. And that light reveals a crimson flow of the atoning blood of Jesus. In Gethsemane Jesus prayed for the devil’s prey with holy sweat of “great drops of blood” (Luke 22:44). Jesus inaugurated a ritual to help His followers never forget that the New Covenant was a product of His shed blood (Mat. 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20). This bloody sacrifice of Jesus must be accepted and owned by those who would experience His saving atonement for sin (John 6:53-56). Jesus was beaten bloody (Luke 22:63). He was mercilessly scourged bloody (Mat. 27:26; Mark 15:15; John 19:1). He was pierced and bloodied as sinful people nailed Him to a cross and crucified Him (Mat. 27:35; Mark 15:24-25; Luke 23:33; John 19:18). Lastly, Jesus’ side was punctured to let the last drop of His redeeming blood spill in a cleansing flow (John 19:34). Peter later wrote, “knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless 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). Follow the scent of blood to Jesus; “the precious blood of Christ.”

 

The blood of Jesus was shed at the hands of violent sinful men. Jesus was beaten bloody and nailed violently to the cross. He stepped down from His throne into our violent world knowing full well His mission would lead Him to a bloody cross. But that blood was turned from a symbol of violence into a symbol and sign of God’s love. The Father so loves the world that He gave His Son Jesus for this mission (John 3:16). Jesus loves us so much that He submitted to the Father’s plan and, “humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:8). This bloody mission is a demonstration of the extent of God’s love for the unlovable (Rom. 5:8). There is no greater example of love than Jesus’ shed blood for the lost; for us (John 15:13). Blood equals love.

 

Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin (Leb. 17:11; Heb. 9:22). It is the shed blood of Jesus and only the shed blood of Jesus that can cleanse us from the sin that separates us from God (cf. Isaiah 53; 59:1-2). The only way sinful people can receive spiritual life and enter into an eternal relationship with God is through the shed blood of Jesus. The cross has been reduced to jewelry. But the blood of Jesus shed upon it brings it back to life.  The modern church often puts the cross on display but too seldom mentions the blood of Christ; sometimes not at all. God lights up the blood! His spotlight is on the blood! It’s the blood! That is light from the Lord. “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). It’s the blood of Jesus that has the power. Light. Blood. Love.

 

Sadly, Jesus went on to say, ^“But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” (John 5:40).  This really is the reason people go unsaved. They are “not willing to come” to Jesus. Jesus has made a way that the dead sinner “may have life.”  The issue is not one of lack of evidence. The Father literally spoke and did miracles as a sign of who Jesus was and is. It’s not a matter of God not proving the extent of His love. Jesus died and shed His blood for our redemption, our salvation, to cleanse us from our sin. And yet people still chose to not follow Jesus. The same is true in our day.

 

People choose to remain in sin, sinful lifestyles, rather than follow Jesus. It is a matter of willful ignorance and willful rebellious refusal to surrender to Jesus as Savior and Lord. No one will go to hell because God did not give ample opportunity to avoid that destiny. Everyone in hell eternally will be there as a matter of choice. And that sinful decision, that sinful choice of their dark destiny will be a source of eternal regret for them.

 

Rejecting Jesus and His shed blood is no small offense. Putting off a decision in light of the shed blood of Jesus is blasphemous; it is the supreme offense to God. The writer of Hebrews was inspired to share some bloodcurdling words when he wrote, “Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has 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? For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” (Heb. 10:29-30). Indecision is decision. Now is the time to choose to follow by faith the scent of blood to Jesus.

 

Which scent of blood are you following, putrid or pure? Follow the pure and holy scent of blood. It leads to Jesus. Surrender to God and let, “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son” cleanse you from all sin. Now, what is your decision?

 

 

Listen Up!

“Most assuredly, I say to you, . . .” – John 5:24a

 

I have an APP[1] on my IPhone that’s called “The Ultimate Buzzer” APP. On it are a bunch of different buzzer sounds. There are sweet sounds like that of a baby sneezing or a wind chime. There are fun noises like popcorn popping, a cow mooing, burps, and a boing. There are sounds associated with someone making a faux pas’ like the wah-wah and drum roll. Then there’s the whole gamut of alarms like the classic buzzer or old time alarm clock. There’s even a sound like an elk in heat! There are sounds of doom and danger like the air raid siren, European police siren, and the Navy call to general quarters. APP sounds like that are a humorous means to draw attention. If we don’t have that APP we might just say “Hey!” or “Yo! Yo! YO!” Jesus didn’t have an IPhone or a buzzer APP. He simply said “Most assuredly” when He wanted to get people’s attention. It was His way of saying, “Listen up!” And when Jesus says “Listen up!” we would do well to listen.

 

In John 5:24 Jesus says, ““Most assuredly, . . .” “Most assuredly” is a translation of the Greek word amen written twice. Literally Jesus says, “Amen, amen.” Amen means definitely, surely, so let it be. These words of Jesus announce, “Listen up, what follows is important.” It’s His, “Now here this!” When Jack Bauer of 24 ominously secures eye contact and says something in that low, slow, very serious tone, the one he is speaking to listens; and obeys. When the National Weather Service and its loud beeping alarm announces a tornado warning, we listen; and obey. When the national Emergency Alert System interrupts programming with important information, we listen; and obey. And when Jesus says, “Listen up!” we need to listen; and obey. What Jesus has to say is more important than any trumped up peril, any weather warning or national danger. What Jesus has to say will not only impact our lives now, but for eternity. Listen up! This is serious.

 

Jesus important words here are, “I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life.” It’s important to hear what Jesus says. The word “hears” (Greek akouo) means to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, to attend to, consider what is or has been said, to understand, perceive the sense of what is said. God has given us by grace the capacity to hear His words. He enables us to hear, perceive and understand enough to come to the point of decision. This is a work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit convicts the sinner of their sin (John 16:8-11). He draws the sinner to a point of decision. If they repent of their sins and seek God’s forgiveness through faith in Jesus the Father forgives their sin and the Holy Spirit regenerates them giving them spiritual life. It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to understand and appreciate the things of God (1 Cor. 2:9-14). This is a blessed gift of God’s grace we often take for granted.

 

Jesus calls His listeners to listen to what He is saying. He spoke in a way that called for His listeners to make a decision. You couldn’t then and can’t now listen to the words of Jesus and be the same as before you heard them. If you hear and reject Jesus word you will become harder in heart and further dulled spiritually. If you listen to what Jesus says and receive His words, He promises you will find everlasting life. You can’t straddle the fence with what Jesus says or with Jesus Himself. Indecision is decision. A person is either for Him or against Him (cf. Mat. 12:30). Have you heard the words of Jesus? Where do you stand with Jesus?

 

What decision does Jesus call for? The point of decision is the point where we are called to act on the information and revelation God has helped us hear. We must decide whether or not to believe. The word “believes” (Greek pisteuo) means to have faith in, trust in, commit to. To believe is to entrust yourself in a life commitment. Here it means to entrust yourself in a life commitment to the Father and Jesus Who He sent. The idea similar to the life commitment made in a wedding vow. When two people [2]are married they don’t make a partial vow of commitment. They make a total life commitment. For instance a marital vow usually consists of something like the following:

 

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, I, ____________________ take you, _________________, to be my wife/husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.  

 

When two people marry they are making a vow in the sight of God and human witnesses. They  are entering into a covenant for life with each other. They are stating to the one they vow to that they and they only will be their exclusive marital partner for life. This is a powerful vow of commitment. They commit to “have and to hold” exclusively that one person. They are vowing a commitment that is permanent for the rest of their lives “from this day forward.” This vow is made with the understanding that they will be steadfast to uphold it “for better or worse” or in good times and bad. It will be true in good as well as bad economic times. Bad health won’t shake them from their vow to each other. They are committing to love and cherish each other until they die. Those are powerful words of commitment. “This is my solemn vow.” That’s what people say, in public, before witnesses, an official, before God. It’s a shame when people betray those vows or don’t take them seriously enough to faithfully follow through on them.

 

That’s the kind of life commitment we make to Jesus when we receive Him as Savior. We commit to holding onto Jesus and having Him hold us. We commit to spend the rest of our earthly lives on into eternity with Him. We make that faith commitment even though we know there may be better or worse times, wealth or times of want, health or times of illness. Through whatever life throws at us and the Lord chooses to allow into our lives, we are committed to love and cherish our Lord Jesus and be loved and cherished by Him. But here’s where our covenant relationship with Jesus is far superior to any earthly marital covenant. With Jesus we never have to say, “until death do us part.” Our saving relationship with Jesus is an eternal one. Praise the Lord nothing can separate us from His love! (Romans 8:37-39).

 

The Bible uses the marriage relationship to illustrate the relationship of Jesus to the people of His church (Eph. 5:21-33). When we believe in Jesus unto salvation we make a life commitment to Him. We give our heart, our life to Him. It’s all or nothing. It’s not an option to give Jesus only part of you anymore than it would be for people being wed to make only a partial commitment to be married to one another.

 

Think about it. Would you marry someone who told you, “I’ll marry you, but I still want to be free to explore relationships with other people”? The world has “open” marriage ideas that warp and destroy any real definition of faithfulness. The world wants commitments with no commitment. Separate bank accounts. Sexual but separate lives; friends with benefits. They want marriage on their terms. Some require a pre-nuptial agreement document to guard against possible (eventual) monetary loss and damage incurred from a possible estranged spouse. It betrays a fear or expectation that their vows are transient and temporary. People enter into their life commitment with no life commitment! The world makes divorce easy. Legal firms post billboards on the road that say, “Divorce - $300 / It’s easy.” God never intended divorce to be “easy.” He intended marriage to last a lifetime. And He intends our relationship with Him to last forever.  

 

The gift of God to those who believe in Him and  Jesus Whom He sent is “everlasting life.” “Everlasting” (Greek aionios) means, perpetual, eternal, forever, everlasting. “Life” (Greek zoa) means a state of vitality or animation, full life. This is the abundant life Jesus shows us in the gospels (e.g. John 10:10). Everlasting life is full, rich, blessed, never ending LIFE in its most favorable and wonderful way.  

 

But there’s more we need to “Listen up!” too. Jesus goes on to state, “and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” The Bible says that everyone will appear before God for judgment. Christians will stand before the “judgment seat of Christ” where they will be judged. They won’t be judged regarding everlasting life. (That is settled when a person repents of their sin and receives forgiveness for their sins through faith in Christ – John 3; Romans 6:23; 8:1ff.; 2 Cor. 5:21). The Christian will face a judgment concerning how they spent their life in Christ. If they spent their life for eternal things they will be rewarded. If they spent their life for temporal earthly things they will receive little to no reward but they themselves will be saved (cf. 1 Cor. 3:12-15).

 

The phrase “has passed” (Greek metabebeken) means to go across, or pass over. In Luke 16 Jesus speaks of a rich man and poor man named Lazarus. In life the rich man had everything and Lazarus had nothing. But in death the rich man was in a place of torment. The poor Lazarus was not rich in the comforting arms of Abraham. The two were separated by an impassable chasm. Jesus is the only way for anyone to secure passage over that chasm. To pass across that chasm of destiny one has to in this life trust in Jesus as Savior. Belief in Jesus now puts a person in righteous standing with God. Believe in Jesus now and when you die you will pass over the abode of the tormented unrighteous and into the presence of the Lord.

 

Everyone is judged initially at the point of death (Heb. 9:27). The saved go straight into the presence of the Lord at death (2 Cor. 5:8). The unsaved, those who have not been born again through faith in Jesus Christ, are judged unworthy of heaven and go directly to a place of torment (Luke 16:19-31). They will remain there until their final sentencing before God at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15). It will be at this point that the sentence of eternal damnation in the lake of fire will be carried out by the Lord against all the unrighteous: Satan and his demons, Antichrist, the false prophet (Rev. 13), and all those who did not accept Jesus as Savior and Lord. This is serious business. Make sure you listen up to these words.

 

Can you see why Jesus said, “Listen up!” There’s a decision to be made. Your decision will result in eternal life or eternal condemnation (John 5:29). We will all go on to an eternal existence. Where will you spend yours? Listen up! Decide. Give your life to Jesus. Decide.

 

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[1] To those unfamiliar with technology “APP” refers Application, a software program that provides certain capabilities for your electronic device.

[2] One biological male and one biological female – sad we have to make such clarification nowadays.

“Do you know how much I love you?”

For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. – John 5:20

 

“Grandma?  . . . . Papa? . . . . Grandma?. . . . Papa?” the active little voice sounded through my sleepiness. It was the sound of vibrant life. It was reviving to me. It was the voice of my grand-daughter Nevaeh (that’s “heaven” spelled backward).  Early in the morning, near daybreak, that cute, precious little voice broke through my sleep. My wife and I looked at each other with sleepy eyes and an acknowledgement of what must be done. Then she went and got our little two year old grand-daughter Nevaeh; (Thank you honey.) She brought that precious little girl to our bed. As she crawled over to Papa and came close to my face she kissed me and snuggled in with us. Now, a two year old can only snuggle for a little bit, (especially in the morning when the day is fresh and there’s so much fun to be had.) But in her fidgety excited giggling snuggling I called her close and said to her, “Nevaeh, do you know how much Papa loves you?” She smiled and giggled some more. She knew what was coming. I affectionately told her, “I love you so much that there isn’t even a word to describe it! There isn’t even a word to describe how much I love you!” Then little Nevaeh turned to my wife and said, “Grandma, do you know how much I love you?” My wife said, “How much?” Nevaeh paused a moment and said, “I don’t know.”  We all laughed. Grandma said, “I love you high as the sky and deep as the ocean.” Then it was off to breakfast.

Grandparents will tell you those are precious times. It brings back memories of when your own kids were small. (I can still remember the sweaty feet of Nevaeh’s mother when she came to snuggle with my wife and me years ago.) Precious; precious times. But as precious as those moments of affection are they don’t come close to the love our Father in heaven has for us. The love God has for us is a fantastic eternal personal love. It is the greatest love.

 

There’s so much about the Father’s love for us in the Bible. His love is poured out from beginning to end. You can find His love lavishly expressed throughout the Bible. For instance in the Old Testament it states, “And because He loved your fathers, therefore He chose their descendants after them; and He brought you out of Egypt with His Presence, with His mighty power” (Deut. 4:37). God loves us and preserves, promotes and helps us persevere with His love. His love is empowering. Another love note from God states, “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the Lord loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. . . .  And He will love you and bless you and multiply you; . . . .” (Deut. 7:6-8, 13a). The Lord loves the “least.” He treasures His people.  He loves us with a faithful love.

 

In Deuteronomy the Father spoke of His love particularly to Israel. But His love extends bountifully to those who are not Israel too (cf. John 10:16 and Ephesians 2:4, 11-22). We see God’s love richly fulfilled in the New Testament. We discover God’s love in prayer (Eph. 3:14-19). It is the Holy Spirit that helps us bear fruit of God’s love (Gal. 5:22-24). Nothing can separate the child of God from God’s love (Romans 8:35-39). And that love of the Father is best expressed in Jesus (Romans 5:8). Deuteronomy is the Old Testament book that most frequently speaks of the Father’s love. Deuteronomy is the most referenced Old Testament book by Jesus. That’s not an accident.

 

There was something about Jesus that drew people to Him. The gospels frequently speak of the attractiveness of Jesus with words like, “Then great multitudes came to Him” (Matthew 15:30). It states, “and they came to Him from every direction” (Mark 1:45). And, “Then early in the morning all the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him” (Luke 21:38). And again, “Then they went out of the city and came to Him. . . . Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and he sat down and taught them” (John 4:30 and 8:2). People were attracted to Jesus early and from great distances. People were drawn to Jesus. They wanted to hear what He had to say. They wanted to be near Him.

 

Why was Jesus so attractive to people? Some simply sought Him for food (e.g. John 6:26). Many came for healing (Matthew 15:30). Others came to Him to see a show of miracles (John 2:18). Some came to Him for selfish reasons (Mark 10:35). His opponents came to find fault with Him (Mark 12:13; Luke 11:54). But all of these reasons for coming to Jesus miss the mark. I believe Jesus was magnetic because of His love. There was something of God’s love in all He did. Jesus set an eternal example of love. Love had been spoken of before. But the love lived and taught by Jesus was deeper and fuller, more clearly defined than ever before or ever since. He told His disciples to love, “as I have loved you” (John 13:34). He said love was the mark of His followers (John 13:35). This was a love that gave one’s life to the fullest extent (John 15:13). It was a love that went all the way – “He loved them to the end” (John 13:1). The disciple of Jesus is to be known by love? Are you known for your love? Do you claim to be His disciple? Do you love like Jesus?

 

We look at Jesus and we are intimidated by His love sometimes. We think how could I ever love like that? Maybe we are presumptuous thinking we love like Jesus while being filled with envy, resentment, unforgiveness and pride. That is not Jesus’ love. What was it about Jesus that enabled Him to rise above the world’s lesser love? How can we love like Him? What was it that filled Jesus so that He was able to exude love with an endless spring of love?

 

The secret or key to the depth of Jesus’ love is that Jesus knew He was loved by the Father. He knew, “For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel” (John 5:20). Jesus was secure in the Father’s love. He did not find His security in what others thought of Him. He was freed in that love to fulfill His Father’s will. So great was the Father’s love and Jesus’ comprehension of His Father’s love for Him, that it freed Jesus to function independent of the need for people’s approval.

 

Jesus didn’t disregard the love of others or love for others. Jesus wasn’t dispassionate toward others; far from it! “Jesus wept” with those who wept (John 11:35). Jesus was not aloof to emotion. But Jesus knew the Father and that His Father loved Him. Jesus had a close intimate relationship with His Father; one where the Father showed Him and shared with Him what Jesus should do. Jesus found His way in the Father’s love. Because He was so loved by the Father, Jesus was able to love others. He could love others even when they were nailing Him to the cross. Jesus was able to love, no matter what.

 

Jesus was a conduit of the Father’s love. That’s the same way we should find our way. That’s the same way we should love. Jesus lived to please the Father who loved Him. His priority and what determined what He did was pleasing the Father who loved Him. In the end Jesus was able to say He had completed the work His Father gave Him and it glorified the Father (John 17:4).

 

It was the security found in the Father’s love that fueled Jesus joyful magnetism. If the Father was for Him, who could be against Him? (E.g. Romans 8:31-32). If the Father loved Him, then He could put up with the attacks and hatred of His opponents because He knew nothing would shake His Father’s love for Him. All He did was in the Father’s love. Jesus’ awareness of His Father’s love steadied Him in every circumstance of life, even the cross, because the One who loves you only has your best interests at heart.  Our loving Father will get us through, even the crosses of life.

 

Do you know how much God the Father loves you? He loved you and me even when we were living in the deep darkness of sin (Rom. 5:8). The Father’s love is unconditional. He proved it by giving His most precious only Son Jesus to redeem us from our sin. When the Father loves He loves completely; perfectly; totally. That is agape love. And that means we can’t do anything to make the Father love us more than He already does.  You don’t have to earn the Father’s love. He already loves you as much as is possible for Him to love you. That’s what we see in Jesus.

 

God loves us so much that He wants us to spend eternity with Him! God’s love is greater than our love. Where we can’t find words to express our love, (like me with Nevaeh), He has the perfect words to express His love. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). That should make us feel very, very secure in His love. He loves us now, just as we are. He loves us so much that He will take us now, just as we are, with all our weaknesses and flaws and make us into something great and perfect. The Father giving His only Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sin is the eternal evidence of the extent of His love for us.

 

But how can we love like that? The Father has made a way for us to be given spiritual life filled with His love. But for that to happen we must experience an eternal make over. We “must be born again” (John 3:5, 7). To be born again we must admit and turn from our sin and ask God to forgive our sin trusting Jesus as the only reason for God to justly forgive us. Jesus, because He loves us, died on the cross to pay our debt of sin. He paid a debt He did not owe for a people that owed a debt they could not pay (cf. 2 Cor. 5:21).

 

When we trust Jesus as our sin-paying Savior God in love forgives our sin and gives us new life and a fresh start. This is the work of the Holy Spirit who will come into our heart. And when that happens – “Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5). Then He begins molding and building us until one day He will set us perfect, in glory, with Him, for eternity. Now that’s love!

 

Do you hear God asking, “Do you know how much I love you?” Do you know now how much He loves you? We should never question God’s love for us. He allows certain things like trials and afflictions into our lives. We don’t always understand why the Father allows certain things into our lives the way He does. But one thing we should never question or doubt is that the Father loves us. Now, when He says, “Do you know how much I love you?” Our reply can be, “Yes Father, I know that you love me; no matter what. Thank You so very much.”

 

 

The Truth About Unity

“These all continued with on accord. . . .” – Acts 1:14

 

Google “unity” and the top responses are a video game, cult, and college. Unity is so much more than that. Unity is a word that expresses how life is held together. Unity is woven throughout our life relationships. It’s very important to correctly define unity. Not all unity is beneficial. Not all unity is acceptable or pleasing to God. Unity at the expense of truth leads to disunity with God. God is a “God of truth” (Deut. 32:4; Ps. 31:5; Isaiah 65:16). His word contains His truth. Obeying God’s revealed truth is what separates the holy from the profane, truth from falsehood, fulfillment from emptiness (John 17:17). Unity that is holy, right, blessed and fulfilling is according to God and His truth.

 

Unity can be perverted and abused. Some unity is sinful; an unequal yoking according to God (2 Cor. 6:11- 7:1). Some unity puts things together that do not belong together. When this happens it causes chaos and disorder. God has created the universe with a certain order (1 Cor. 14:33, 40). He has a sovereign plan (cf. e.g. Jer. 29:11-14; Eph. 2:10). God has created things to fit together and be united. Some things were never meant to fit together. When we put things together that aren’t supposed to be together it leads to being out of sync with God and His order of relationships.

 

When the things God never intended to fit together are put together it creates static as opposed to a clear signal from God. It creates imbalance; a sickening sinful vertigo. For instance, the unity of those who live together in a sexual relationship without being married is displeasing to God. God’s truth defines that as the sin of “fornication” (1 Cor. 6:9; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:3-5; Col. 3:5).  In such situations sexual relations are given priority and relationship building suffers. Sex is a very brief cheap thrill without a covenant commitment for life in the sight of God. Like trying to assemble a model before the paint dries on the parts, it creates a sticky ruined mess. Statistics prove more and more that those who cohabitate before marriage are less likely to have an enduring marriage. That’s because it is a premature unity. It’s out of sync with God’s order.

 

Uniting same-sex couples in marriage is not pleasing to God because God defines homosexuality as sin (cf. Romans 1; 1 Cor. 6:9-10). Those who persist in willful sin cannot maintain a right relationship with God (cf. Psalm 66:18; Isaiah 59:1-2; Habakkuk 1:13). Without God there is emptiness (Eccl. 3:11). God never designed men to marry men or women to marry women. Biology testifies that such relationships are fruitless; they cannot reproduce. There will always be impotence in such relationships. There will always be loss of God’s intended best in such unions. No matter how loudly proponents of such unnatural disunited relationships shout in favor of these relationships, they will always be on the outside looking in at God’s best.

 

No matter how many homosexual partners or relationships people enter into there will always be emptiness. The pieces just don’t fit. But there is hope in Christ. Repentance from their sin, forgiveness from God and trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord can lead to the unity that is fulfilling. In Christ such relations can become a thing of the past. In Christ we can say, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:11). Praise You and Your order Lord!

 

The world defines truth based on the relative circumstances of life regardless of God’s truth. Humanity is at the center of the world’s universe. Their world view is hedonistic; pleasure is the guiding principle. Their mantra is more or less, “If it feels good do it.” If you adopt worldly standards of unity you will be cheated of God’s best and likely find yourself at odds with God (Col. 2:8). The unity that pleases God is based on and defined by His truth. This leads to the question, “What’s God’s truth about unity?”

 

When we see the word “unity” we think of such synonyms as agreement, harmony, accord, unison, union, concord, or unanimity. Unity involves orderliness. It involves symmetry. Unity doesn’t necessarily mean likeness. Harmony is a form of unity but involves various different parts working together. A choir or worship team has singers who sing in different ranges such as alto, soprano and bass. They are different. But when they are coordinated and united they produce beautiful harmony and worship. Unity therefore is the arranging or coming together of different parts to make a beautiful whole.

 

Unity is important to God. God by nature is a tri-unity or trinity; One God in Three Persons. The Father, Son Jesus and Holy Spirit are separate, distinct and different but they are united in that they are One God. God is a unity and loves unity. We see unity in His creation in such areas as land, sea, air, the seasons, animal and human coexistence, the different types of terrain and a host of other aspects of nature that come together to make a tapestry of a united creation. God created the environment for relational unity in marriage where two people of the opposite sex become one (Gen. 2:24). Family is an expression of unity between parent and child. There is unity in all God does.  

 

The church is an expression of the unity of God. It is composed of those who have received the gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. The saved compose a body of believers made up of those from a Jewish and non-Jewish heritage (cf. Eph. 2:11-22). The body of Christ is diverse in many ways. It is made up of people with a lot of differences. There are men and women, rich and poor, people of varying degrees and capacities of intellect. People come from different cultures, countries, and continents. There are people who range in age from newborn to senior citizen. There are people in all colors, shapes and sizes. Every person is unique and loved by God. Every person is valued and has a calling to serve in God’s plan. We are all a part of the poetry of God (Eph. 2:10). We are His building. We are fellow workers with God (1 Cor. 3:9). Everyone in the church has an important part to serve in. No one can or should be dismissed as unimportant in God’s plans or His church (1 Cor. 12 and 14). The Lord knows us intimately. He has us down to the very hairs on our head! (Matthew 10:30). God loves us all (John 3:16). He is the One who has brought us together; united us in Christ.

 

The devil is so uncreative. He works through his own brand of unity to further his evil. He knows a good tactic when he sees one and isn’t averse to adopting something when it works. The devil unites his forces too. Those who stoned Stephen were of "one accord" (Acts 7:57). Those who opposed Paul were of “one accord” (Acts 18:12; 19:29).  Let it not be said that the enemy is more united than Jesus’ disciples. Look around you. It’s sad that the forces for sin, immorality and darkness are frequently more fervently united in their cause than those walking in the light of God. That is a shame. That is a sin.

There are times when we don’t appreciate our differences and allow them to cause division. We cannot allow our differences to divide us. As Christians we are exhorted to, “walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3).  This “unity” (Greek henotes) is unanimity, oneness; togetherness.

Unity is an instrument through which God fulfills His plans to His glory. Unity is part of God’s strategy for unleashing His power in this world.

 

When the Holy Spirit works He works in and through unity. Prior to Pentecost there were one hundred and twenty united in “one accord” (Acts 1:14-15). “One accord” is a translation of a single Greek adverb (homothumadon) which means to have a common agreement of mind and purpose hence the translation one accord, or together. The Book of Acts provides an inspired historical account of the work of the Holy Spirit after the ascension of Jesus. Acts should be our model for the church. When we look at this portion of scripture we see unity precedes, is in the midst of, and is a result of the work of the Spirit.

 

For what purpose did the disciples of Acts come together in “one accord”? Acts begins with the disciples being in “one accord” in prayer in the Upper Room seeking the Promise of the Father (Acts 1:4-5). They were “one accord” in obeying Jesus’ command to wait for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). They were “one accord” in purpose. They knew they needed something outside of themselves to accomplish the Great Commission. They needed the power of the Spirit upon them. And when they were baptized with the Holy Spirit and power they were in “one accord in one place” (Acts 2:1). If we are ever to experience another outpouring and empowering of the Spirit to deal with the deep darkness of this age, we will have to unite in “one accord.”

 

The newborn church was birthed in unity and grew in unity. They were steadfastly devoted to and united in the teaching of the word, fellowship, worship and prayer (Acts 2:42). They continued and grew in being in “one accord” (Acts 2:46). When they faced opposition they came together in “one accord” and prayed. The result was a renewed powerful holy boldness to face their enemies (Acts 4:24 and 31).  They liked being together in “one accord” (Acts 5:12). The Spirit brought more people together in “one accord” as the gospel spread (Acts 8:6). Even when there were issues in the church God’s people came together and found a united resolution (Acts 15:25). When the Spirit acts, He unites.

 

But when we look at the church today we don’t see a people who are “one accord” do we? We don’t often see the Spirit either do we? The two go hand in glove. A.W. Tozer once said that if the Holy Spirit was removed from the church 95% of what goes on would continue to go on. Think about that. That is sad. Too much of what we do in the church is Spiritless. Too much of what the church does is divided, dividing, and divisive. Where is the unity? Where is the Spirit?

 

Today we don’t see a united church. Oh, sometimes we do. But too frequently we don’t. The focus is on people, problems or what we perceive as deficiencies. I’m not talking about addressing deviations to scripture. We have to reprove, correct, and instruct (2 Tim. 3:16-17). What I’m talking about for the most part is our tendency to create factions based on personal preferences or party spirit. I’m talking about the Corinthianizing of the church (cf. 1 Cor. 3). I’m talking about carnal flesh-rooted self-centered words and deeds that are divisive. And such is always divisive and unity destroying.

 

Why is the church so divided? There are a lot of reasons. They are rooted in the flesh. We personally don’t like something or the way something is done so we express our displeasure. Maybe it’s the carpet or color of the paint, a worship style, or the way the pastor says a word. Maybe it’s the people group the church is seeking to reach out to. Maybe it’s about some use of technology or lack thereof. It’s something. It’s not a scripturally based preference just our own personal preference and we don’t like it. I’m talking about a  church degenerated and backslidden into another brand of wandering naysayers and complainers much the same as the children of Israel who preceded them (cf. Exodus 15:24; 16:2, 7; 17:3; Numbers 11:1; 14:2, 27, 29; 16:11, 41; Deuteronomy 1:27; Joshua 9:18; 21:22). What’s the problem?

 

The problem is the heart. The heart is prone to deceit and desperate wickedness. Only God can know it (Jer. 17:9-10). In us, in our fleshly sinful nature there is nothing good (Rom. 7:18). Our flesh opposes the work of the Spirit and indeed cannot do anything that pleases God (Rom. 8:5-8). The flesh opposes unity. Like Korah the flesh cries out, “You take too much upon yourselves.” We push others aside as we push to the front of the assembly (Num. 16). The flesh wants center stage. It cries out “Unity be damned! I want my way!” This is a terrible weakness. How can it be fixed? The only way is to walk in the Spirit (Rom. 8).

 

The Holy Spirit has provided unifying instruction in His word. There are very practical steps to make us agents of unity in the church. If we seek the Spirit’s leading and His power to implement His word in our lives, we can experience blessed and powerful unity. So what must we do to foster unity in the Spirit?

 

First, to foster unity understand that unity is all about Jesus. The Spirit will always point us to Jesus (John 15:26). Colossians 1:17 states, “And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” The word “consist” is a translation of the Greek term synistao which means to place together, to set in the same place, to bring or band together. Jesus brings us together in unity. The more we look to Jesus the more united we will be. The more we walk like Jesus, talk like Jesus, live like Jesus, love like Jesus, the more united we will be. It’s all about Jesus. His way, His life, His truth is what unites people in proper holy unity. Look to Jesus to be united.

 

Second, to foster unity have a servant’s heart. Jesus said He didn’t come to be served but to serve and give Himself a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). The Spirit’s aim is to conform us to the likeness of Jesus (Rom. 8:29). That means we are to follow in Jesus’ steps and walk as He walked (1 Petr 2:21; 1 John 2:6). That starts with a servant hearted attitude. He is our Lord. Therefore His wish is our command. And when we obey Him and do what He tells us to do, we shouldn’t think we are doing Him a favor. When we subordinate our interests to foster unity we aren’t doing Jesus a favor. We are only doing what is expected for us to do (Luke 17:10). Obedience in service unleashes the Spirit (Acts 5:32).

 

Third, to foster unity be other-centered not self-centered. Jesus came to give His life. He died on the cross for you and me. He lived for others. So should we. And we must live for others if we are to be united. God’s word says we should think of others more highly than we think of ourselves (Rom. 12:3). Jesus died and gave us eternal life not so we could have more time to spend on ourselves, but that we might live for Him in reaching and helping others (2 Cor. 5:14-16). Our priority should not be to get my will done but to get His will done. That means serving Him by serving others.

 

Fourth, to foster unity actively love. No one ever loved like Jesus. Jesus is the epitome and demonstration of God’s love (Romans 5:8). The love of Jesus should be the compelling motive in all we do (2 Cor. 5:14). “Let brotherly love continue” (Heb. 13:1). Jesus’ disciples are known by the love they show (John 13:35). When the Spirit is present and working there will be an outpouring of love (Rom. 5:5). The fruit of the Spirit is love (Gal. 5:22). Love never fails (1 Cor. 13:8). If we value and want to bless God with our unity we must love in the Spirit.

 

Fifth, to foster unity cooperate with church leadership. Jesus submitted to and cooperated with His Father. As Man Jesus submitted to the authority of the Father. We need to have the same spirit of submission to authority if we are to experience unity. We should remember and respect pastors and those ministering in the church (Heb. 13:7). The Bible says, “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give an account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you” (Heb. 13:17). The local pastor is God’s instrument to teach and encourage the flock of God in unity.

 

We don’t like words like “obey,” or “submissive.” Our flesh recoils at such words. So when the pastor is used by God to apply His word to our life we oftentimes rebel. This is true even though the pastor may have the best of intentions. We just don’t like to be told what to do or to be corrected. And so the seeds of division are sown. And so the pastor, the one called by God to lead in unity, is attacked clandestinely or with open confrontation. The enemy chalks up a victory when that happens and a board in the building of unity is torn away. It often starts with seeing a speck in another’s eye while ignoring the plank in our own eye (Mat. 7:3-5). We don’t have a united perspective.

 

We forget the tremendous weight of responsibility a true minister of God bears. Not every pastor is a Paul. Few if any could provide a list of hardships like he did. But even if the pastor could list one of the things on Paul’s list of hardships it would be costly. To the divided Corinthians Paul listed labors, whippings with the lash, the danger of death, beatings with rods, being stoned and shipwrecked. He lists perils in the sea, perils with robbers, perils with various people, perils in the city, perils in the country, perils with false brethren, sleepless nights, hunger, cold, and nakedness (2 Cor. 11:22-28). We look at that list and are quick to comment not too many pastors or ministers today know those kinds of problems. That’s true, nevertheless few in society sacrifice health and family like the local pastor does.

 

There are a lot of costs to the pastor that people fail to appreciate. Loneliness, spiritual attacks from every direction of a ruthless relentless devil, carnal Christians, false brethren, living in a fishbowl, and being on call 24/7, sacrifice of family time, pressures on family, and the list goes on. But whatever list is provided, with Paul the pastor adds, “besides the other things, what comes upon me daily; my deep concern for all the churches” (2 Cor. 11:29). There is a burden, a constant pressure, a heart throb for the lost and the things of God that can only be sensed, sustained and survived with the help of the Holy Spirit. Burn out happens when the pastor gets away from depending on the supernatural power of the Spirit. Ministry without the Spirit will crash and burn. Pastors are who they are by God’s grace (1 Cor. 15:10). They are God’s chosen under-shepherd to lead the flock in unity.

 

“But my pastor doesn’t care about his flock!” you might say. Well, maybe he’s discouraged. Maybe ministry became for him a never ending procession of dealing with complaints and problems. Maybe no one told him of the victories. When was the last time you sincerely encouraged your pastor? Moses got to the point where he preferred death to leading his complaining crew of people (cf. Numbers 11:10-15). A wife is said to be a reflection of her husband and a husband the reflection of his wife. It might also be said, at least to some extent, that a pastor is a reflection of the people he serves. Is your pastor run down, depressed, lacking of zeal and weak? Have you prayed for him? Have you encouraged him? Have you loved him? Showed a concern for him and his family? If you have a problem with your pastor, maybe the problem is you! If your pastor is in good shape, is he who he is because of you or in spite of you? Pray about it.

 

Who would you rather be led by, a weak, sad, downtrodden, depressed Eeyore of a person, or a dynamic, joyful, encouraging, zealous on fire for the Lord leader? Who do you think would be more likely to unite the church? It’s to your profit that you actively encourage your pastor, those in ministry and especially those who are in ministry leadership. Jesus was joyful. His leaders should be joyful. Let’s unite in serving the Lord joyfully together for His glory!

 

Sixth, to foster unity attend events together. For the three years of Jesus ministry He did everything with His disciples. He brought them together in and to Himself. Psalm 133 speaks of the blessedness of brethren dwelling together in unity. It speaks of oil running down the beard of Aaron as imagery of the anointing of the Holy Spirit. It speaks of the dew from Mount Hermon which is imagery of refreshing. Want to be anointed and refreshed? Unite! Come together at services and ministry events. Come together united in heart and purpose.

 

Seventh, to foster unity encourage one another. Jesus said He would be with us always (Mat. 28:20). He will never leave or forsake us (Heb. 13:5). That is a great encouragement. We need to encourage each other in our commitment to the Lord and each other. The wicked scheme in secret on ways to divide (Psalm 64). We must learn to be a Barnabas; a “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36; 11:23). Wherever Barnabas went he encouraged someone. To “encourage” is to do or say something that helps someone find courage to carry on. We can encourage people with a written note, letter, email, text, tweet or in some other form of writing (Acts 15:31). It’s best to encourage face to face with a genuine heartfelt word (Acts 20:2; 1 Thess. 3:2). Orderliness as opposed to chaos facilitates encouragement and unity (1 Cor. 14:31). Orderliness allows us to see the advance of God’s plan and will. And when we see the fruit of ministry it’s encouraging to let those serving know about it (Phil. 2:19). BE AN ENCOURAGER!

 

Eighth, to foster unity pray for one another. Jesus prayed for His disciples (John 17:9). Jesus prays for us (John17:20; Rom. 8:34; Hebrews 7:25). He prays for the Spirit to come upon us (John 14:16-17). Like He did with Peter, when Satan comes after us, He prays for our strength and recovery if we fall (Luke 22:31-32). If Jesus prays for us, we should pray for us too.  There will be no unity unless we unite in prayer.

 

I’ll close with this. Guard against discordant behavior; behavior in word or deed that will create discord or disunity. The enemy prowls around shooting thought-arrows that pierce the flesh and rile it up (Eph. 4:25-32; 6:10-18; 1 Peter 5:8-9).  The devil’s strategy is like any other commander – divide and conquer. The enemy is a deceiver and liar; he works secretively (John 8:43-44). Watch for his influence in your thinking and behavior. Take every thought captive to obey Jesus’ way of thinking (2 Cor. 10:3-4). Be submissive and humble before God. Guard your heart and mind. Be strong in prayer. Resist the devil and he will flee (James 4:7-10). But work in the Spirit for unity and when you do, the Spirit will work through you.

 

“Do you want to be made well?”

When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” – John 5:6

 

“Do you want to be made well?” That is a question asked of a lame man by Jesus. The man had been lame for thirty eight years. Such a question seems rhetorical at best, cruel at worst. Yet we know Jesus was anything but cruel so there must be some other reason for Him asking the lame man such a question.

 

In John 5 we are provided the third of seven “signs” or miracles of Jesus that tell us something about who He is in the Gospel of John. The context is that Jesus had gone up to Jerusalem during one of the feasts of the Jews (John 5:1). Jesus passes through the Sheep Gate. And just adjacent to this gate was the Pool of Bethesda. “Bethesda” means house of mercy (John 5:2).

 

At the Pool of Bethesda, “lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. ⁴ For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had”  (John 5:3-4). The word “blind” (Greek typhlos) means physically or mentally blind. The word “lame” (Greek cholos) means limping, deprived of a foot, maimed. The word “paralyzed” (Greek xeros) means shrunken, withered, dried out.  This was a place where hurting people in need of healing gathered. Did angels actually stir the water so that whoever stepped in first would be healed of whatever disease they had? This was the thinking of the day. But isn’t that what human tradition or the law speaks of, being “first,” or earning your healing? “Try harder. Fight your way out of it. Fight to the top. God helps those who help themselves” are all expressions of human tradition, self-reliant work and legalism. That’s an inaccurate portrayal of how God works.

 

God blesses by grace to lead us and draw us to Himself (e.g. Rom. 2:4). Grace is undeserved or unmerited favor of God. God sent Jesus “while we were yet sinners” (Rom. 5:8). God loves the world (John 3:16). The truth of the matter is you can’t make God love you more than He already does. You can’t do something to make God love you more so that He will do something you want Him to do. All you can do is receive that love as a gift of His grace through faith in Christ.

“Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years” (John 5:5). The word “infirmity” (Greek astheneia) means sick, frail, diseased, feebleness, weakness, without strength, physically or mentally wanting. This man was hurt and hurting. Think of it, thirty-eight years trying his best to position himself to be the first to step in the pool and be healed. Thirty-eight years and still lame! What must this man have thought about the mercy and grace of God? He probably had lost sight of God’s mercy. He at least must have questioned it. Thirty eight years is a long time. But time does not change the mercy of God.

Jesus looked at “a certain man.” Jesus focused on one man; one individual. That’s the way Jesus looks at us; as though we were the only person in the world. Think about that. If you were the only human being on planet earth and had a need, Jesus would still have come, just for you, just to heal you, and just to die on the cross for you! Incredible!

Think too of the situation this “certain man” was in. He was never, not even in thirty-eight years, able to maneuver himself close to the pool side to step in. He was always last. He was always just not strong enough, just not quick enough, and just out of sync. He wasn’t mobile, agile, or powerful. He was far away; removed. He was in a hopeless situation. When Jesus looked at him He could see and “knew that he already had been in that condition a long time.” The marks of futility, frustration, depression, discouragement, despair, and being in a dead end were written all over his face. Jesus saw that. He sees that in us when we are in a similar state of being.

^“When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” (John 5:6).  “Do you want to be made well?” This question flew like an arrow to the bulls-eye center of this man’s heart. But wasn’t it obvious that this man did want to be healed? Jesus could see he “had been in that condition a long time.” He had been like this for thirty-eight years! So why would Jesus ask him, “Do you want to be made well?” I think Jesus asked the man this question because sometimes people get used to their condition of lameness in whatever form; it becomes a way of life. They may use their condition to manipulate others in order to survive. For most who are in such a condition for such a prolonged period of time, such a thought would be offensive. But for others, it is something to consider.

There are some with limiting conditions who learn to survive through fostering pity in others through their condition. Maybe they lose all hope of repair and feel forced to rely on such “survival” tactics. Maybe they become so adept at using their condition it really does become a situation where they need to ask, “Do I really want to be made well?” Jesus simply asks the question. He gives the infirm man a choice; a decision to make. The psychology of physical pain and brokenness is complicated. Jesus is the answer to those limitations and complications. He comes and offers healing.

 

“The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” (John 5:7). How sad it is when people go round and around in a circle of circumstances that only move them deeper and deeper down in darkness. This man could only respond to Jesus with a hopeless explanation of his plight. Think of how alone and lonely this man was. “I have no man to put me into the pool.” This man had NO ONE. He was alone. Loneliness is a place of hurt and pain. Ever feel alone? Ever feel like no one cares for you? Jesus had a word for this man. Jesus has a word for you.

 

Feel hopeless? Feel like nothing is working; like nothing is meeting your need? Feel like you’re in a dead end; like you’re fruitlessly doing the same ineffective and failing things over and over again? Feel locked in with no way out with no one to help you? Jesus has a word for you; the same word He had for this man. “Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked” (John 5:8-9).  “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” A simple word; not even a raised voice worthy of an exclamation mark. A simple word from Jesus solved this man’s life problem and answered every doubt he ever had. God had heard him. And God was now answering him. It was worth the wait. Think of what these words describe. Think of the incredible liberation. Think of the stupendous eye-opening powerful effect of the simple words of Jesus. Isn’t Jesus wonderful? Yes He is!

 

But what might this man have thought at these words? Maybe he thought what? But I can’t walk! We too might think “What? But I can’t . . .” when Jesus tells us to “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” But in Jesus words there was an empowerment. Jesus does the heavy lifting. Someone has said, “God’s commandments are God’s enablements.” That’s what we see here. Jesus spoke to the infirm man telling him to “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And that word was infused with power to do what was asked to do. God will never ask you to do something He doesn’t enable you to do. Remember that. If you think you hear something and then you can’t do it, listen closer, either you’re not listening deep enough, or it may not be the Lord speaking. Pray and go to God’s word and He will clarify.

 

Notice too that Jesus in saying to the man, “take up your bed” was asking him to make no provision for failure. Jesus didn’t want him to leave his bed where it was so he could return to it “if it didn’t work out.”  This was a “Rise, take up your bed and walk” and you will never go back, never be the same again call of Jesus to this man. Some bridges need to be burned. Some things need to be left behind. Sometimes we need to move on; move forward to God’s higher calling in Jesus Christ.

 

When we struggle with an addiction or bad habit and turn it over to Jesus, then that means throwing away everything related to it and burning the bridges that would tempt us to return to the sin. Burn the dirty books; the little black books or your phone contacts with phone numbers of past loves. Block the filthy websites from your computor. Throw the computor away if you need to. Don’t hide the Oreos or candy where you can find them later when you might crave them. Clean the house. Make a clean and total break. Pick up your bed and walk on!

 

Jesus said to this infirm man, “Walk.” The man had to take action. He had to take a step in faith. He had to trust Jesus. You have to take action. You have to walk by faith. No one is going to do the work for you. There is a time when you have to take a step of faith. We can’t always lean on others, unless it is Jesus. But Jesus isn’t here, you might say or think. Wait a minute. Jesus is the word made flesh. The entire Bible is all about Jesus (Heb. 10:7). Jesus speaks through His word. Prayerfully seek Him in His word and you will hear His encouraging and comforting voice. His word is powerful and contains what you need to “Rise, take up your bed and walk” (cf. Heb. 4:12).

 

Circumstances of despair serve a purpose. “Despair” means no hope; hopelessness. Corrie ten Boom the woman of God and holocaust survivor used to say, “You will never discover Christ is all you need until Christ is all you have.” The man in this story was in his hurting condition for thirty eight years. Another woman in the gospel spent “all her livelihood” on physicians without getting a cure for her ailment (Luke 8:43). Both had no alternatives when Jesus came their way. The medicines of man don’t always measure up to meet our need. There are always limitations when we rely on humanity.

 

Modern medical science is wonderful. We can do a lot more today medically than in Gospel times. Some look to modern medicine as though it makes God obsolete and unnecessary. Yes, modern medicine can do great things. Just because a medical treatment brings healing doesn’t mean the healing isn’t from God. Who do you think gave humanity the capability to learn such incredible healing techniques? Who made the surgeon’s hands? God did. He created the minds that make the medical advances that meet our medical needs.

 

Humanity is confused and at a loss. Abortions of convenience don’t make you well, they make you worse; they emotionally scar you forever and they kill a life; a baby. Surgery may help to bring physical healing but it doesn’t go deep enough to heal emotions. A therapist may be a good listener but going around and around recounting your problem does not always have the desired effect. You may be able to identify the problem but what about solving it? A pill? Today there’s a pill for just about everything we think we need fixed. But we aren’t being made well. Have you noticed the side effects of the plethora medications for various conditions and ailments advertised on TV? For example, there seems to be something drastically wrong with an anti-depressant medication that makes a person suicidal. Isn’t that what an anti-depressant is trying to avoid? Is being “happy” or blind, calm or cancerous, thin but ready to explode or have heart failure  really choices that make people well? Just wondering. Sometimes medicine, therapists, social workers and all humanity just don’t measure up. Sometimes, many times, people are not the answer. That’s when we usually finally come to Jesus. But we should come to Jesus first, not last!

 

God provides precious promises in His word and that would include the keys to healing (2 Peter 1:3-4). I like what Bible teacher Jon Courson says, “Everything we need to escape the sickness and sadness of this world is found in the exceedingly great and precious promises of the Bible. Yet people don’t read their Bibles. They’ll drive fifty minutes to go to a thirty-minute counseling appointment but won’t spend fifteen minutes in the Word. It’s a tragedy.” ^[1] Jesus is able. He is able to make you completely whole. Do you want to be made well? Go to Jesus. No one loves you like He does. And no one has what you need like Jesus does. Jesus can make you well.

 

Peter and John once told a beggar who was lame from birth, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6). Then Peter took the man by the hand and lifted him up and, “Immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked, leaping, and praising God” (Acts 3:7-8). Later when Peter explained what happened to the crowd of witnesses he stated, “And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all” (Acts 3:16). The word “strong” (Greek stereoo) means to receive strength, make strong, confirm, and solidify. This man was given strength in the name of Jesus. He also received “perfect soundness” (Greek holokleria) which means physical wholeness, good health, soundness or wholeness in all parts. This is an all-encompassing word. It means whatever needed healing in this man was healed. That included physical healing and healing for emotional scars associated with his physically lame condition. And it also included spiritual healing or the healing of his soul; salvation. That is really what led to the jumping praise of God by the man. In one fell swoop when Peter in the name of Jesus told him to rise and then took him and lifted him up this man was physically, emotionally and spiritually healed. No wonder he jumped for joy! Glory! How about you, do you want to be made well like that?

 

That is what Jesus wants to do for you. He wants to heal you. And Acts 3:16 tells us Jesus provides “faith that comes through Him [Jesus]” for what He wants to do in you. There are times when Jesus prioritizes what is healed in us. His prime concern is our eternal healing with salvation and eternal life. There are times when he allows our physical ailment or condition to continue. We don’t always know why this is the case. But we know God is good and therefore we need to trust Him. He knows what He’s doing. His plan is best.

 

But why doesn’t Jesus always heal? It’s true; sometimes God’s will is not for healing. Word of faith teachers may claim otherwise. They put the onus on people and their faith. They say, “If you have enough faith, you will always be healed.” Sound familiar? Sounds a bit like the infirm man who couldn’t get close enough to dip into the pool when the angels stirred the healing waters. It’s just not true that God always heals. He can always heal. But He doesn’t always heal. When the focus is on our faith to be healed and not on what Jesus wants to do, it compounds people’s pain. Not only are they physically hurting, but added to their predicament is a lack of faith according to the false doctrine of “faith” healers. Such a view is out of touch with reality. It’s out of touch with God. It is actually offensive to God because “faith” is used to make God answer our beck and call. That’s offensive to God.

 

Jesus is able to heal us completely in all areas of our life. Eternal life salvation healing is always available for, “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21). If Jesus chooses to have you remain in a physically ill or hurting condition He promises to provide sufficient grace to get you through. No temptation or trial is exceptional. All humanity experiences temptations and trials. But God is able. Our focus needs to be on God and His ability not our inability. God’s promise is to not allow us to be tested beyond what He enables us to be tested with. He provides what we need to be victorious in whatever He allows in our life. He is faithful to do this. He will help us come through our trials. He will bring us through standing strong. That’s His promise. He is faithful. Trust Him (2 Cor. 12:9-10).

 

No matter our circumstance when we hear Jesus say, “Do you want to be made well?” we need to see with eternal priority. We can be eternally healed right now! And God can use us in our trials to work eternal healing in others around us. “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” That is true all the time. That is definite. Of that there is no doubt.

 

This life is short. It does not compare with eternity. If God has a greater eternal plan that includes using your physically hurting condition, if He can use that for His glory, then praise Him for it! God can use healing and non-healing to glorify Himself. Healing can come through medicine. Healing can come without medicine. But don’t’ sell God short. Go to Jesus first. Healing shows the presence and power of God. Non-healing shows the presence and powerful sufficiency of His grace to get us through. The saint that has a physical challenge or terminal illness and is still joyful is a testimony to the power and presence of God. That glorifies Him. Be content even in this (Phil. 4). In both instances God works His will for His glory. To that we must surrender. So when Jesus asks, “Do you want to be made well?” Our answer should be, “Thy will be done.” Lord, by your grace this will be our answer. “Do you want to be made well?” Go to Jesus. Go to Him first!

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^[1]Courson, Jon: Jon Courson's Application Commentary. Nashville, TN : Thomas Nelson, 2003, S. 478