Don't Misunderstand!

“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. [Matthew 5.17-19]

What is the purpose of God's law and the prophets?

Watch this...

The purpose of God's law and the prophets was, is, and ever will be, to reveal Jesus. God's law and the prophets revealed Jesus in those who anticipated His walk earth. God's law and the prophets revealed Jesus as He walked the earth in person. God's law and the prophets reveal Jesus as He walks the earth in us today.

Use of God's law and the prophets for any other purpose is false religion.

So, what is required of those who walk in Jesus? Everything the law and prophets said. 

First, God's Commandments - God's law must be kept: namely not only keep God first, but keep God only, no idols whatsoever - no allowances, no excuses, no misuse of God's name to save face for idolatry, honoring Jesus (the Sabbath) in everything, and treating others as we wish to be treated. Jesus is central to it all.

Secondly, God's prophets - God's word concerning failure to keep His law. This one is summed up in one word: repent.

Unironically, Jesus summed all this up in one carefully-crafted statement:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24]

Because the purpose of the law and the prophets is Jesus, any attempt to downplay or lessen their role is nothing less than the work of Satan. It is indeed false religion deceptively hiding behind a cloak of "grace" never intended. To ignore the law and the prophets calling it "grace" is to ignore Jesus missing the point entirely.

Father, may the false grace teaching that is so popular today be revealed for what it really is. May the true grace of God's undeserved call to Jesus be seen as the reason we might be chosen when and only when we submit entirely in faith. May we give up our own way, take up our cross, and follow Jesus. So be it.

Jesus Is The Sabbath Rest

Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” [Mark 2.27-28] 

The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Church in Colosse, made a statement about the Sabbath that cannot be overlooked:

So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality. [Colossians 2.16-17]

Paul indicates that Jesus is the reality of the Sabbath. What is that reality? 

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” [Matthew 20.28]

With this established, we can look at God's 4th Commandment and understand it in its fullness!

“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. [Exodus 20.8-11] 

The 4th Commandment is perhaps one of the most compelling prophecies of Jesus in the Bible! Is it any wonder that the 4th Commandment takes more Bible "real estate" than any of the other Commandments? 

Jesus said:

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. [Matthew 11.28]

Jesus also said:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24]

Our rest is found in giving up our own effort to save ourselves - to self-preserve - to serve ourselves. Effort to serve ourselves is idolatry (ref. Matthew 20.28 above).

The Cross was Jesus' only reason to come to earth. On His Cross He fulfilled every facet of His earth-purpose - His selfless mission to serve, and not be served. Our cross then, that Jesus demands we take up, fulfills every facet of our earth-purpose - to selflessly serve, and not be served.

Sadly, many today focus on the Sabbath exactly like the religious people in Jesus' day focused on the Sabbath: they completely fail to see Jesus as the Sabbath. We must observe the Sabbath because the Sabbath is Jesus. If we disallow Jesus' rest for us, then we are 'taking care of ourselves' in our own way - we are committing idolatry.

Father, thank You for this reminder today that Jesus is indeed our Sabbath Rest. Help us meditate on this Biblical Truth understanding that our failure to rest entirely in Jesus is idolatry in its basest form. May our meditation on this Truth lead to our freedom from idolatry - our giving up our own way, taking up our cross, and following Jesus. So be it.

Are We Healthy?

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” [Matthew 9.9-13] 

Idols give man a false sense of righteousness. This is the very reason so many refuse to see the truth about idols of our day. Religion has validated modern idols to the point that, few people, if any, see their need to repent for the curses that they can remediate with idols.

The idols of our day are finance, insurance, medicine and technology (to name to main categories). Sadly, religion could be included in this list because it promotes these idols.

To remediate curses (preventative or restorative), people today turn to idols instead of God. They turn to idols for reprieve instead of turning to God in repentance. Again, idols, fueled by false religion, give man a false sense of righteousness - a false sense that all is well.

Every life inconvenience for which man turns to finance, insurance, medicine and technology is a curse. Curses are God's way to confirm that man has disobeyed Him and needs to repent. When man turns to man-made industries for relief from curses declaring those industries as "gifts from God," man effectively denies his spiritual guilt thus falsely declaring himself "healthy" (as Jesus put it) and not in need of a "doctor." Jesus' "call" then (as the doctor) does not even reach the ears of the "healthy" in this regard.

While Jesus' statement, "I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices," seems out of place, it actually speaks directly to us today in our time (as if He knew the meaning would mature with society). In contrast to repentance - a plea for mercy, all the idols of man require payment - a costly sacrifice.

In the midst of man's need (for money, protection, health and knowledge), man's corresponding idols make people think they are righteous, while in contrast, God's true people know they are not (recognizing the true source of their curse) and need to repent. Idols offer remedies for curses that are God's call to repentance. But God's call to repentance is not heard by those whose curses are remedied by idols.

To the point of what is said here, today's One Year Chronological Bible reading gives further evidence:

Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” [Matthew 9.5-6]

The man's need in Matthew 9.5-6 was not remedied by a man-made idol, but by coming to Jesus. Jesus dealt with the spiritual problem that had the man bound to a curse (in mercy, forgiving him) and physical healing was the result. Jesus proved that healing is not the result of a costly sacrifice (like the price paid to the then-current religion, or the price paid today to finance, insurance medicine or technology) but the result of God's mercy (when we humbly come to Him in repentance - turning away from every idol and turning only to Jesus).

Idols are man's way to remedy curses. Jesus is God's way to remedy curses.

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24]

Do we see ourselves as spiritually "healthy" because we make our sacrifices to finance, insurance, medicine and technology (even religion)? Or, do we see ourselves sick and in need of Jesus? We need the remedy provided by God's mercy, not the remedy provided by our sacrifices to idols.

Father, I can only pray that readers will see this as You have revealed it to me today. Help us to see that our self-declaration of "health" because we make sacrificial payments to finance, insurance, medicine and technology is the plot of Satan to damn us to hell. Help us to see that we only need the "doctor," Jesus, that we might receive Your forgiveness, and therefore, relief from curses. I know our current secular and even spiritual societies don't see curses as a call to repentance... but Your Word is clear. May our pursuit be only of You, as we follow Jesus, giving up our way of "sacrifices" to idols, and taking up our cross of "mercy" denying idols any place in our lives. So be it.

A Frank Discussion About Miracles

Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River. [Matthew 4.23-25] 

What do we know about our role as followers of Christ? We know we are to reach people. Matthew 4.23-25 gives us a synopsis of how Jesus reached people: 1) He taught the Good News about the Kingdom, 2) He healed the sick (all of them), and 3) people flocked to Him.

This is perfectly consistent with Jesus' call to Andrew, Peter, James and John found in today's One Year Chronological Bible reading.

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind. [Matthew 4.18-22]

"Fishing for people" is often overlooked for what it really means. Anyone who has ever fished knows this one simple truth: "You don't just go to the water and pull fish out!" To catch fish in quantity, one must employ a method to capture them. That method is a net.

The net Jesus used to "capture people" was employed only after He went to them (where do you catch fish? In the water!). Jesus then effectively utilized miracles in effect to "capture" people. The "net effect" of miracles woks because people need and want them, so naturally they follow them. They did in Jesus' day and they still do today. 

The problem today is that even though very few of God's people even go so far as to offer miracles, even fewer actually provide them. In contrast however, man-made idols propose to meet people's needs by offering what might be called "pseudo miracles." The same "net effect" is employed by idols and, sadly, it works for them too. People believe the "miracles of finance, insurance, medicine or technology" and flock to them because they see them work every day (at least to some degree) while, in contrast, they do not believe the miracles of the Kingdom because, frankly, they do not see them work at all.

Teaching the Good News about the Kingdom is indeed a requirement for all who would follow Jesus. Performing miracles is also a requirement for all who would follow Jesus. Jesus made this point allegorically in His call to Andrew and Peter, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” But then, at another more intimate time with His disciples, Jesus used clear language to confirm this fact:

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]

To "fish for people" without employing miracles is not Christ-like. In this regard, the idol-industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology are more "Christ-like" by providing "miracles" (ultimately ineffective as they are) than are Jesus' own followers. Jesus' followers should shudder to consider the "Christ-likeness" attempted by these man-made, Satanically deceptive, idol-industries:

“How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’ [Isaiah 14.12-14 bold added]

Satan has always wanted to be like God. Jesus' most notable earthly work was His miracles. How can God's people today not see that the idol-industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology are doing the exact same thing? They are attempting to duplicate Jesus' miracles and people are flocking to them. All the while, God's people are "teaching the Word" in powerless miracle-less existence lamenting that they are ineffective in reaching people for the Kingdom.

The miracle-disconnect in God's people is the direct result of their own miracle-connect with the idol-industries of finance, insurance medicine and technology. There is but one solution: stop getting "miracles" from idols! God's people should be fully committed to get their miracles from God or not get them at all. The three Hebrews said it best to Nebuchadnezzar:

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” [Daniel 3.16-18]

The three Hebrews' commitment to deny idols, even unto death, is exactly what Jesus calls every follower of His to:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24]

Father, the more I understand the role of idolatry in the history of Your people, the more I see it in the history of Your people today. Your people are arguably more immersed in idolatry today than at any other time in history... evident in where our "miracles" come from... May those truly intent on pleasing You today, reserve their faith for You alone - even if it kills them. May we give up our own way, take up our cross, and follow Jesus. So be it.

What Is A Miracle?

There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.” [John 3.1-2] 

Why did Nicodemus assume that miraculous signs were evidence that God was with Jesus? Well, for starters, because they ARE! Jesus Himself would later confirm this as fact in a conversation with Philip:

Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do. [John 14.9-11]

There is a distinction between what is miraculous and what is natural - scientific - worldly - humanly possible. That distinction is what set Jesus apart. That distinction is what sets Jesus' followers apart.

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]

Anything that requires human manipulation is NOT a miracle. Just because man utilizes materials created by a miracle (by God) to accomplish a certain function or task, does make that thing a miracle.

Finance, insurance, medicine and technology are NOT miracles. They are, in fact, the works of man. Yes, God created man and God created every material utilized to develop these industries, but God did not make these industries - they are man's manipulation of God's materials. Just like the gold calf Israel worshiped in the wilderness, they are not miracles and they are not from God regardless what we say.

When the people saw how long it was taking Moses to come back down the mountain, they gathered around Aaron. “Come on,” they said, “make us some gods who can lead us. We don’t know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt.” So Aaron said, “Take the gold rings from the ears of your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.” All the people took the gold rings from their ears and brought them to Aaron. Then Aaron took the gold, melted it down, and molded it into the shape of a calf. When the people saw it, they exclaimed, “O Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of the land of Egypt!” Aaron saw how excited the people were, so he built an altar in front of the calf. Then he announced, “Tomorrow will be a festival to the LORD!” The people got up early the next morning to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. After this, they celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry. [Exodus 32.1-6]

No matter how much Aaron tried to justify the man-made gold calf declaring a festival associating it with the LORD (specifically using God's name, "Jehovah"), it was an idol. So it is, that no matter how much God's people try to claim the industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology are from God, they are still just idols. It is blasphemy to declare they are anything more than that - just like Aaron did - it is a blatant misuse of God's name (violation of 3rd Commandment).

According to what the Bible actually teaches us, it is just plain stupid, to defend the man-made industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology as miracles (gifts) from God.

The fact that God's people don't really experience indisputable miracles today is another topic, but one that is Biblically traceable to what is discussed here. Suffice it to say, there is indeed a huge distinction between what is God and what is an idol. Jesus proved it. His followers are supposed to prove it.

Just because the Church is miracle-less today does not mean it is supposed to be that way. God's people have NO excuse ...but they have religion!

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! [2 Timothy 3.1-5 bold added]

The point of this article is NOT to encourage the pursuit of miracles. The point of this article is to encourage the pursuit of Jesus. The evidence of doing so WILL BE distinct, indisputable miracles. 

The implications of this are overwhelming. However, it does NOT change what God's Word (written and Living in Christ) says. It only makes Jesus' words in Matthew 16.24 even more poignant:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24]

Religion and religious people will line up to disagree with what is said here. They will defend their "experience" over what the Bible actually teaches. But, that very defense of their experience in contrast to what the Bible says, is in itself, idolatry.

Father, there is a certain people-pleasing part of me that wishes I couldn't see the truth of the Biblical facts here, and therefore wouldn't keep writing about it... May I instead, unapologetically give up my own way, take up my cross, and follow Jesus regardless who joins in ... or fights it. So be it.

Idolatry Is Human Nature

Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him. But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people. No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart. [John 2.23-25] 

The significance of Jesus not trusting people because he knew what was in each person’s heart is that His Father God also knows the human heart:

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” [Jeremiah 17.9-10]

As we consider the profundity of this revelation about Jesus, we should remain mindful that this knowledge was present at all times and in every interaction Jesus had with other human beings. Jesus knew what was in the hearts of everyone and He therefore knew what was going on in their lives. We cannot even imagine how disturbing that knowledge would be and yet, Jesus handled it with perfect control:

“How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.” [John 1.48]

What was significant about Nathanael under the fig tree? We are not told. However, Nathanael's response gives every indication that whatever was going on there Jesus indeed knew about!

Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!” [John 1.49]

So, as we get back to John 2.23-25, what was it about knowing what was in each person’s heart that we need to understand further? It is that Jesus comprehended not only what was in their heart, but why it was there. It was there because of human nature - that fallen nature inherited from Adam that is best described in the fuller context of the Jeremiah 17.9-10 passage quoted above:

This is what the LORD says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the LORD. They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land. “But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” [Jeremiah 17.5-10]

Human nature is to trust in human strength. In its fullest expression, it is human nature to trust human mental and physical ability instead of trusting God. In simplest, and most Biblical terms, human nature is idolatry. Idolatry was first seen when Adam and Eve proudly disregarded God's demand that they not eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In their hearts, Satan-inspired, selfish human reasoning justified their disobedience to God - their idolatry.

So powerfully infectious was Adam's and Eve's idolatrous act (to trust their own reasoning above God's rule), that idolatry became human nature in all their descendants. Their arrogant denial of what God said is at the root of why God eventually gave the Ten Commandments. These Commandments begin with specific instruction about God (the 1st Commandment), and then, if what is said about God in the 1st Commandment is ignored, the natural digression of man necessitated God's prohibition of idolatry (the 2nd Commandment).

In the course of His time on earth, fully knowing man's human nature to trust any and everything instead of God, Jesus constantly challenged His followers to have faith in God. Nowhere was His demand for faith more intense than in Matthew 16.24. No miracle of turning water to wine, healing, walking on water, raising the dead, or even moving mountains could compare to the faith Jesus required of those who would follow Him.

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24]

Knowing man's human nature to trust any and everything instead of God, Jesus repeatedly challenged that human convention by performing unexplainable miracles. Furthermore, Jesus unequivocally assigned this same task to all who would follow Him (John 14.12, John 20.21).

The man-made industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology are useless to a genuine Jesus-follower. I can imagine they all were on God's mind as He inscribed the 3rd Commandment into the stone tablet. As only He could know, God was fully aware that "His people" having violated His 1st and 2nd Commandments, would then shamelessly declare that 'God gave these industries' in attempt to justify their relying on (trusting in) these idol-industries instead of God thus misusing (blaspheming) His name.

Jesus however, at the onset of His time on earth, would have recognized the abovementioned violation of the 1st, 2nd, and also the 3rd Commandments not so much for the presence of finance, insurance, medicine and technology (as they were all but non-existent at that time), but for the presence of religion. Jesus faced off with religious leaders dead-set on defending their man-made rules and traditions passing them off as "from God" in a blasphemous misuse of God's name thus blatantly violating the 3rd Commandment. 

It should be understood that the religious leaders (mentioned above) all erroneously assumed that because their man-made rules and traditions were based on God's actual law, they were therefore reasonably "from God." This same human reasoning is employed today in erroneously assuming that because man-made industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology are based on God-given knowledge, they are also reasonably "from God." Sadly, this erroneous assumption is almost unanimously held by religious leaders and followers alike today.

The understanding that Jesus knew the human nature of idolatry in every human heart opens up the meaning of what Jesus said to the religious leaders He encountered in Matthew 15:

Jesus replied, “Every plant not planted by my heavenly Father will be uprooted, so ignore them. They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch.” [Matthew 15.13-14]

Surely, Jesus had the words of the Psalms in His mind...

Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and noses but cannot smell. They have hands but cannot feel, and feet but cannot walk, and throats but cannot make a sound. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them. [Psalm 115.4-8]

The idols of the nations are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, and eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, and mouths but cannot breathe. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them. [Psalm 135.15-18]  

I challenge every reader to verify for himself or herself whether or not the Bible actually says what I have represented here. I challenge every reader to read the Bible for what it, in it's full context, says instead of what they want it to say or what religion interprets it to say. 

The sin-problem of mankind is and has always been idolatry. The Bible is not vague about this fact. Idolatry is what must be turned away from in order to turn to Jesus - to get to God. Unless we understand our idolatry problem, we can never understand the give up your own way, take up your cross exclusivity Jesus demands for us to follow Him.

Faith is the intentional act of trusting God instead of man (and his man-made idols). It is indeed the grace of God that calls us to this faith from our fallen condition, but only those who respond in intentional faith are the chosen.

“For many are called, but few are chosen.” [Matthew 22.14]

Father, Your Word is clear. Idolatry must first be recognized and then intentionally forsaken if we are to be followers of Jesus as He exclusively leads us to You. Help us see renewed significance that Jesus and Your Word are synonymous. Help us see renewed significance that idolatry is blinding and promotes blindness to keep us from You - from following Jesus. Help us see renewed desire for Your Word more than the food we eat. May we be found in genuine faith of giving up our own way, taking up our cross, and following Jesus. May we not just be the called, but the chosen. So be it.

Prepare The Way For Jesus!

In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” [Matthew 3.1-3] 

John's message prepared people for the message of Jesus.

We should understand that John's message prepares people for the message of Jesus even today.

The main reason for the "cheap grace" message so popular in the Church today is that people are trying to get to Paul's message of grace without first going through John the Baptist's message of repentance. The message of Jesus requires preparation! That preparation is repentance.

Jesus confirmed this at the onset of, and throughout, His ministry:

From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” [Matthew 4.17]

Never has grace come without repentance. There is a lot of "name-it-claim-it" grace out there, but it simply does not pass the "Jesus test." The Jesus test is Jesus' example. What did Jesus do?

Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him. [Matthew 3.13-15]

Here we must remember that John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. Yes, what John said in Matthew 3.13-15 was actually correct, but Jesus stayed true His mission to show us the Way. We must carry out all that God requires! It was only after this time that Jesus began to do many powerful miracles (keep that in mind...).

Get a deep breath... we're diving in here...

If we are required to repent, shouldn't we be absolutely sure what we are repenting of? Yes, we should!

Most of us spend our time repenting (if we even get that far) for manward sins. Those manward sins are defined in the last six of the Ten Commandments:

“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God is giving you. “You must not murder. “You must not commit adultery. “You must not steal. “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor. “You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.” [Exodus 20.12-17]

What most of us don't spend time repenting for is our violation of the first three of the Ten Commandments:

“I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. “You must not have any other god but me. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. [Exodus 20.2-7] 

The reason most don't really spend time repenting for the first three Commandments is because we don't really think we have violated any of them. Oh, but are we wrong! We may think we are good on the subject of idols, but are we? Idols are identified much the same as ducks: if it walks like a duck, and if it quacks like a duck... it's a duck!

Idols are man-made. If it walks and quacks like a duck...

Idols are costly. If it walks and quacks like a duck...

Idols allege to meet a need God said He would provide for. If it walks and quacks like a duck...

Idols allow all manner of sin (usually involving illicit sex). If it walks and quacks like a duck...

This author is and has been for some time, undeniably pointing out that man's industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology all walk and quack like a duck when it comes to matching the descriptions of idols.

The very meaning of the word repent is to "turn away." Over and again, the Bible speaks of repentance and turning away when it comes to idols - things that replace God.

Let's just argue for a minute that God uses finance, insurance, medicine and technology, shall we?

Are these industries not all man-made?

Are these industries not all costly?

Are these industries not all attempting to do for man what God said He would do?

Are these industries not all utilizing sexual attraction, self attention, and godless lifestyles to attract their "customers?"

IF IT WALKS AND TALKS LIKE A DUCK...!

So, once we realize that idols are actually idols, we should immediately understand what the 3rd Commandment is all about:

“You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. [Exodus 20.7]

If we are defending man-made idols by saying they are from God, we are blatantly misusing God's name just to defend our idolatry. So, there.

Now, we are getting to the core of what we need to repent for! But, if repent means to "turn away" that means we have to effectively "give up" our idols - man's way of doing for himself what God said He would do. Jesus, Who also specifically said we must repent (Matthew 4.17), also said:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24]

Reader, the indictment made here is serious. It's not serious because I say it's serious, but because the Word of God says it's serious. Repenting for the last six Commandments without repenting for the first three Commandments is akin to picking apples off a tree expecting the tree to die. Every manward sin is the result of selfishness. Selfishness is the root of every idol. Selfishness trusts itself over God in direct violation of the first two Commandments and is, in fact, the original sin committed in the Garden of Eden.

One might argue, "What your are saying is just too hard! That can't be right!"

First off, "I" didn't say it - I am merely pointing out what the Bible says. And, secondly, where do we get off thinking it should be "easy?" Jesus Himself said:

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. [Matthew 7.13-14]

Furthermore, it must be understood that I have only mentioned heretofore nine of the Ten Commandments. What I have not yet discussed in the 4th Commandment:

“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. [Exodus 20.8-11] 

Tucked neatly between the first three Godward Commandments and the last six manward Commandments is the 4th Commandment - the one about the Sabbath - the one that somehow connects the two... As much as religious people want the Sabbath to strictly be about a day, it actually serves a much higher purpose: Jesus addressed it:

Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath? I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple! But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” [Matthew 12.3-8]

Jesus clearly indicated that the Sabbath is for man's benefit. What benefits man more than Jesus? (Answer: nothing!)

Giving up our own way then (as Jesus commanded in Matthew 16.24) is resting entirely in Jesus, the Sabbath to be kept holy (untouched and unadulterated by human influence) - not our idol industries of finance for our provision, not our idol industries of insurance for our protection, not our idol industries of medicine for our healing, and not our idol industries of technology for our knowledge.

To clear the road for Jesus (as John the Baptist quoted Isaiah in Matthew 3.1-3 above) is to turn away from idols and clear them from our lives so that the power of the Holy Spirit imparted by Jesus might have room to work in and through us. It won't be easy, and "cheap grace" won't make a bit of difference.

Grace is indeed God's undeserved call to man...

“For many are called, but few are chosen.” [Matthew 22.14]

...But the chosen are distinguished from the called as those who respond in faith - not abstract faith, but Jesus-like faith.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. [John 3.16]

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]

You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. [John 15.16] 

As Paul prayed for the Thessalonian Christians, we can see there is an undeserved call of grace to be lived up to in faith:

So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ. [2 Thessalonians 1.11-12] 

The call to be lived up to is the call of grace to powerful faith that accomplishes good things thus honoring the Sabbath Rest Who is Jesus, living in His way (miracles) and not our own (idolatry). No, it's not easy, but we have His promise to be with us and we testify to that promise by taking up our own cross and following Him. Death be-damned!

Whew! There much to digest here, but it is all in God's Word. What will we do with it?

Father, Your Word amazes me more every day. But, I must say, Your Word shows me myself more every day and every day I see more my need for Jesus - only Jesus - and, by faith in Him to come to You. It really does come down to me giving up my own way (which is hard), taking up my cross (which is hard), and following Jesus (which really is easy once I genuinely commit). May Your truth only become more clear! So be it.