The Blood of the Covenant (Mark 14:12-26)
We like to think that our lives count for something – that God has a purpose for us. A sense of purpose motivates us to keep going in spite of difficulties.
What was the purpose of Jesus’ life? Why did He continue to teach and serve others even when the religious authorities sought to kill Him? Mark tells us in the account of Jesus’ last meal before His death. In chapter 14 of the Gospel which bears his name, verses 12 through 16 he writes, “On the first day of unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the Passover, his disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare that you may eat the Passover?” He sent two of his disciples, and said to them, “Go into the city, and there a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him, and wherever he enters in, tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ He will himself show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Get ready for us there.” His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found things as he had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.”
The Passover was one of the most important feasts of the Jewish people. It commemorated their deliverance from Egyptian slavery. Because the Egyptians at first refused to release the Israelites, God sent a series of plagues upon them. In the last of the plagues God took the lives of all the Egyptian firstborn. To spare the Israelites from the same disaster God commanded them to kill a lamb and apply the blood to the sides and top of the doorway to their houses. When the angel of death saw the blood he passed over that house and did not kill the Israelite firstborn.
It is ironic that it was during this meal intended to celebrate deliverance that Jesus had to inform His disciples that one of them would betray Him to His death. In verses 17 through 21 Mark writes, “When it was evening he came with the twelve. As they sat and were eating, Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, one of you will betray me—he who eats with me.” They began to be sorrowful, and to ask him one by one, “Surely not I?” And another said, “Surely not I?” He answered them, “It is one of the twelve, he who dips with me in the dish. For the Son of Man goes, even as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.””
The disciples were stunned by Jesus’ disclosure that one of them would betray Him. To eleven of them, such a foul deed was unthinkable. It must have been a shock to Judas to discover that Jesus knew about his betrayal. It is a mark of Jesus’ compassion that He did not denounce Judas to the others. Instead Jesus gave Judas every opportunity to repent.
Judas would suffer the consequences for his infidelity. However, Jesus recognized that Judas’ betrayal was also a fulfillment of prophecy. In the Psalms, King David wrote, “Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” (Psalm 41:9 NIV) Other Psalms also predict Jesus’ suffering. Isaiah’s prophecies also give a detailed account of what Jesus was about to experience.
After alluding to the prophecies which predicted His suffering Jesus did something extremely significant. In verses 22 through 26 Mark writes, “As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had blessed, he broke it, and gave to them, and said, “Take, eat. This is my body.” He took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them. They all drank of it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many. Most certainly I tell you, I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it anew in God’s Kingdom.” When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”
The Jewish people ate the Passover meal in memory of the sacrifice which bought them freedom from physical slavery. The bread used during this meal was unleavened to symbolize the absence of sin. By calling the bread ‘His body’ Jesus did not mean that the bread was somehow changed into His actual flesh for He was still physically present with the disciples. Instead, through the bread He identified Himself with the pure and unblemished Passover sacrifice – the sacrifice of deliverance. Many years later the Apostle Paul wrote, “Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.” (1 Corinthians 5:7-8 NIV)
In a similar way Jesus called the wine, “my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.” With these words Jesus alluded to Isaiah’s prophecy about Him, “…he poured out his life unto death, …For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:12 NIV) Just as God ratified the covenant He made with the Jewish people with blood, Jesus’ blood would usher in the New Covenant which the prophets predicted. This covenant would not be for the Jewish people only but would bring deliverance from sin for all who wish to enter it.
Drinking from the cup pictures fellowship. Though Jesus declared that this would be His last meal before His suffering, it did not mean that He would no longer be present with the disciples. Jesus would fellowship with them again in God’s Kingdom. The church is included in the Kingdom. Today the followers of Christ gather each Sunday and eat unleavened bread and drink the fruit of the vine in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice. As they do Jesus is present with them.
It was traditional to end the Passover meal by singing from Psalm 118. That Psalm contains the words, “The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things! The LORD’s right hand is lifted high; the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!” I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done.” (Psalm 118:14-17 NIV)
Because Jesus became our Passover lamb we are able to live. He is our sacrifice of deliverance. It is through Him that we have victory over sin and death. Have you accepted Him as your Passover lamb?
She Did What She Could (Mark 14:1-11)
Have you ever found yourself criticizing someone for doing good? He saw a need and tried to help; he sensed another’s hurt and tried to comfort. We did not help, we did not comfort, yet we are quick to object to the other person’s compassion and kindness. A situation like this happened to Jesus a few days before His death. Mark records what happened in chapter 14, verses 1 through 11 of the Gospel which bears his name.
“It was now two days before the feast of the Passover and the unleavened bread, and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might seize him by deception, and kill him. For they said, “Not during the feast, because there might be a riot among the people.” While he was at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster jar of ointment of pure nard—very costly. She broke the jar, and poured it over his head. But there were some who were indignant among themselves, saying, “Why has this ointment been wasted? For this might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and given to the poor.” So they grumbled against her. But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want to, you can do them good; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could. She has anointed my body beforehand for the burying. Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News may be preached throughout the whole world, that which this woman has done will also be spoken of for a memorial of her.” Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went away to the chief priests, that he might deliver him to them. They, when they heard it, were glad, and promised to give him money. He sought how he might conveniently deliver him.”
Mark writes that the religious leaders wanted to arrest and kill Jesus. We know from another Scripture that this was not merely a desire; they issued an arrest warrant. “…the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that if anyone found out where Jesus was, he should report it so that they might arrest him.” John 11:57 NIV)
Why did the authorities want Jesus dead? The Apostle John writes they were afraid everyone would believe on Jesus and the authorities would lose their positions. They would not let anyone stand in the way of their personal ambition. So, rather than acknowledge Jesus as the Christ and submit to Him, they decided to kill Him. There are many today who have the same attitude. Self is their god and they will suffer no rival. They refuse to serve another – even God’s holy Christ.
Though the authorities had issued an arrest warrant and ordered anyone who knew of Jesus’ whereabouts to report it, there were at least two families in Bethany who disobeyed the orders of the ruling Council. These were the households of Lazarus and Simon the Leper. Far from turning Jesus in, they held a dinner in His honor. This was particularly bold because it appears that Lazarus’ household was well connected to the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem. There could be no clearer statement that they were going to side with Jesus even if it meant losing their friends and social connections.
The dinner took place at the house of Simon the Leper. We don’t know who Simon was. Presumably he was someone whom Jesus had healed. On this occasion it is probable that Simon acted as the host, while Lazarus’ sister Martha prepared and served the food.
While the banquet was in progress, Lazarus’ sister Mary anointed Jesus’ head. She demonstrated the extent of her love by not just using water or oil, but lavishly pouring out an extremely expensive perfume. But that is not all. The other accounts of this incident say that Mary also anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped up the excess perfume with her hair. In terms of the Jewish culture, this was shocking. For a woman to let down her hair in front of outsiders was considered indecent. Mary not only showed Jesus love, and lavished her wealth on Him, she entrusted her very honor and reputation to Him. In other words, she gave Jesus total commitment.
How expensive was the perfume Mary used? Mark writes that it was worth about 300 denarii. A working man could expect to receive one denarius per day in wages. In other words, the cost of the perfume was equivalent to about a year’s wages.
Not everyone was thrilled with Mary’s gift. Jesus’ disciples objected strenuously. “What a waste! The perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor.” Jesus rebuked them sharply. “You can help the poor any time you like. You won’t always have Me. Mary has anointed my body for burial ahead of time.”
At first Jesus’ words might seem indifferent toward the poor. But Jesus wasn’t making a statement about poverty. He was teaching a lesson about priorities. There is no point in healing somebody’s physical body if we neglect to tell them about the One who can heal their souls. There is no point in feeding the hungry unless we also point them to the bread from heaven and the water of life. Our priority must always be Jesus.
If anyone tells us that we’re spending too much time with Jesus or that we’re giving Him too much devotion, it’s an indication that their motives aren’t right. In Judas’ case, he didn’t really care about the poor. The Apostle John tells us that he was a thief. All he could see in Mary’s action was a lost opportunity to line his own pockets.
Mary, on the other hand, was not concerned about anything but Jesus. Surely she knew about the arrest warrant. Mary apparently realized that in just a little while, Jesus was going to die. She could not prevent His execution but she did what she could for Jesus. She expressed her love while she had the opportunity. What about us? Have we done what we could for those who are dear to us? Is there someone to whom we need to say, “I love you” before it’s too late?
In contrast to Mary, Judas decided to betray Jesus to those seeking His life. If he couldn’t profit from Mary’s perfume he would find another way to fatten his purse. He sold his own honor as well as the One he claimed to serve for a few coins. Do we love money more than Jesus?
Watch! (Mark 13:21-37)
What does the future hold? When and how will the world end? People spend much time worrying about such questions. One time Jesus’ disciples pointed out to Him the magnificence of the Temple in Jerusalem. In reply Jesus told them that the Temple would be completely destroyed. Naturally, the disciples asked for signs by which they would know this destruction was near. Jesus told them what to look for, but He also gave them a warning. Mark records what Jesus said in chapter 13, verses 21 through 23 of the Gospel which bears his name. “Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ don’t believe it. For there will arise false christs and false prophets, and will show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones. But you watch. “Behold, I have told you all things beforehand.”
During troubled times there will always be people who take advantage of people’s fears and anxieties. Such people do not hesitate to make false claims in order to get followers. Many believe that signs and miracles show God’s approval. This is not always the case. Jesus said that false Christs and prophets perform miracles even though they proclaim a false message. There is an important lesson for us in this. Whenever someone makes a claim, we need to evaluate it by the truth which God has already revealed. If the message is not in harmony with what God has already said, then the person who proclaims it is a false Christ or a false prophet even though he performs miracles. For example, we know that Christ has already come. Therefore, we should not be taken in by someone else who claims to be the Savior.
The destruction of the Temple is also a metaphor for the end of the world. After giving His warning about false Christs and prophets, in verses 24 through 27 Jesus went on to say, “But in those days, after that oppression, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light,
the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.
Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.
Then he will send out his angels, and will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the sky.”
There is no question that, one day, Jesus will return to this earth. Scripture is clear that instead of coming to bring salvation to mankind as He did in His first coming, Jesus will return to judge the world. One thing which will herald His return will be signs in the heavens. The stars and heavenly bodies will act in unusual ways. In making this point Jesus used language which is very similar to that which is found in several prophecies in the Old Testament. While it is clear from other passages that Christ’s coming will be accompanied by unusual celestial phenomena, the Old Testament passages use this type of language to describe political upheavals and the fall of nations. It may be that Christ’s coming will be preceded by major changes among the world’s political and national powers.
In addition, Jesus said that He would come in power and glory. There will be no mistake about His identity because His majesty will be visible to all. He will be accompanied by angels whom He will send throughout the earth to gather His people together in spite of the barriers of culture, language, tradition and custom which separates them today. It goes without saying that no false Christ will have the power to issue such a summons.
In view of Christ’s return, what should our response be? In verses 28 through 37 He said, “Now from the fig tree, learn this parable. When the branch has now become tender, and produces its leaves, you know that the summer is near; even so you also, when you see these things coming to pass, know that it is near, at the doors. Most certainly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things happen. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Watch, keep alert, and pray; for you don’t know when the time is. “It is like a man, traveling to another country, having left his house, and given authority to his servants, and to each one his work, and also commanded the doorkeeper to keep watch. Watch therefore, for you don’t know when the lord of the house is coming, whether at evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he might find you sleeping. What I tell you, I tell all: Watch.”
Jesus pointed out that we know how to predict changes in the seasons. We know when summer is near by the changes we observe in trees and plants. In the same way, we should not be taken by surprise by the things which Jesus prophesied. When we see the rise of false Christs and false prophets, when we see massive upheavals among the national and political powers, when we observe unusual portents in the sky, they should alert us that Christ’s return is near.
Jesus’ words are somewhat perplexing because He said that generation would not pass away until His words were fulfilled. Mark writes that when Jesus was crucified a few days later, darkness covered the face of the earth for about three hours (15:33). Shortly after Jesus’ resurrection the Holy Spirit came in power upon the disciples. On that occasion the Apostle Peter said this was a fulfillment of a prophecy proclaimed by Joel. In the passage Peter quoted, Joel uses language which is very similar to the language Jesus used concerning His coming again. Perhaps we can say that Jesus has already returned in the sense that He established His Kingdom, the church, upon the earth that day. However, this is only a foreshadow of the greater return which is still in the future.
Though Christ’s return should not take us by surprise, we should also not fall into the mistake of thinking we know precisely when it will occur. Throughout history, many people have claimed to know the exact time when Christ would return. This is ironic because Jesus plainly told His disciples that no one except God, the Father, knows the day or time. We can be sure that when someone claims they know, they are wrong. Let us not be deceived.
Many people make the opposite error. They assume that because we do not know when Christ will come, it is nothing to concern ourselves about. Jesus said that such people will be caught unaware and unprepared. Because we do not know the exact time when Christ will return, we must always be prepared for it. What about you? Are you prepared for Christ’s return?
Signs of the End (Mark 13:1-20)
We tend to think that everything will continue as it currently is. We tell ourselves that if there will be any change, it will be for the better. Even when we know that conditions are getting worse and trouble is coming, there is still something in us which believes that it won’t affect us or that it will pass us by. But, sometimes, things do not get better. Sometimes trouble and destruction does overwhelm us. Sometimes we do experience suffering.
One time Jesus had to correct His disciples’ view of the future. Mark tells us about it in chapter 13 of the Gospel which bears his name. In verses 1 through 20 he writes, “As he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, see what kind of stones and what kind of buildings!” Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone on another, which will not be thrown down.” As he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are all about to be fulfilled?” Jesus, answering, began to tell them, “Be careful that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and will lead many astray. “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don’t be troubled. For those must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places. There will be famines and troubles. These things are the beginning of birth pains. But watch yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils. You will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them. The Good News must first be preached to all the nations. When they lead you away and deliver you up, don’t be anxious beforehand, or premeditate what you will say, but say whatever will be given you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. “Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death. You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved. But when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let him who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter in, to take anything out of his house. Let him who is in the field not return back to take his cloak. But woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse babies in those days! Pray that your flight won’t be in the winter. For in those days there will be oppression, such as there has not been the like from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will be. Unless the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved; but for the sake of the chosen ones, whom he picked out, he shortened the days.”
This teaching of Jesus is one of the most difficult to understand. What causes the difficulty is that we know from other accounts in Scripture, the disciples not only asked about the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, but also about Christ’s return and the end of the world. It is not easy to determine which of Jesus’ answers applies to what question. However, in spite of the difficulties in interpretation, we can learn many things from what Jesus said which apply to us today.
When the disciples boasted to Him about how magnificent the Temple was and how big its stones were, Jesus replied that not one stone would be left upon another. No doubt this shocked the disciples. How could such a massive and magnificent building suffer such destruction? Nevertheless, what Jesus said is true. In 70AD the Romans did such a thorough job of destruction that though the huge platform upon which the Temple was built still remains, we do not know the exact location where the Temple stood.
From this we learn that size and splendor do guarantee permanence. We humans are often impressed by how big something is, but God has other values. The Temple in Jerusalem had failed in its purpose. God desired it to be a house of prayer for all nations; it was to draw people from all backgrounds to God. Unfortunately, the hypocrisy of the religious leaders turned the Temple into a hindrance. They emphasized the Temple rather than God in whose honor it was built. In another sense, the Temple had also fulfilled its purpose. The Temple was where the presence of God dwelt among men. Jesus supersedes the Temple because He is the image of God in human form. Where we have the reality, we no longer need a picture. For both these reasons the Temple had outlived its usefulness; it was appropriate for God to do away with it.
Jesus also cautioned His disciples to not believe everything they heard. Sadly, not everyone who claims the name of Christ really belongs to Him. There are many who deceive others in the name of Christ and prey on their fears of judgment in order to benefit themselves. In speaking of the judgment, Jesus once said, “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:22-23 NIV)
Jesus also warned His disciples not to become upset by rumors. Wars and natural disasters are part of the normal course of events. They do not necessarily herald the end of time. God will not destroy the world until Christ’s message has been preached to all nations. In the same way, persecution is not a sign that the end is near. Suffering for Christ is the normal condition of His followers.
If wars, natural disasters and persecution are not signs that the end is near, what is? Jesus gave His disciples a specific sign from the writings of the prophet Daniel by which they would know that the destruction of Jerusalem was approaching. The ‘abomination that causes desolation’ which Daniel prophesied, pointed to the Syrian king who defiled the altar of burnt offering in the Temple in 167BC. However Jesus indicated that there would be another fulfillment. When the disciples saw the abomination approaching, they were to flee the city. History tells us that Jesus’ disciples took His instruction seriously. When they saw the Roman armies march on Jerusalem they fled to another city and so were spared.
The main lesson in what Jesus said on this occasion is that we must be ready at all times. We do not know when the end will come – will our souls be right with God whenever it arrives? The followers of Christ were spared when Jerusalem was destroyed because they were ready and obeyed what Jesus told them. How ready are we for Christ’s return and the judgment?
Good and Bad
We humans tend to be an inconsistent lot. When things are going well we like to ascribe it to our own goodness, cleverness and ability. However, when we find ourselves in trouble or when things go against us, we tend to blame it on God.
The truth is that we often have it backwards. The good things we enjoy come from God, while often times we bring the trouble we experience on ourselves.
We make another mistake in regard to good and bad. We tend to think that if someone is pleasing to God, nothing bad will ever happen to him. Conversely, we tend to think that if someone suffers misfortune that he must have done something to anger God. He is reaping the consequences of his own wrongdoing.
While it is true that God blesses those He loves and it is also true that He punishes those who do wrong, it is a mistake to conclude that those who are enjoying the good things in life are pleasing to God while those who are suffering are under His wrath. Jesus said about God, “…He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:45 NIV) Likewise, the Apostle Peter tells us that it might be necessary to suffer for doing what is right (1 Peter 3:13-17).
In view of these Scriptures, it is fair to say that our circumstances are not a reflection on God, nor do they indicate that God has stopped loving us when things go bad. God is bigger than our circumstances. One of the reasons we sometimes experience bad things is that we live in a world which has been broken by sin. Some day God will turn brokenness into wholeness, heal the hurt and restore justice. In the meantime, we may have to endure hardship and difficulties.
This is something which the Prophet Job’s wife forgot. When trouble came upon them because Job was a righteous man, she urged him to curse God and die. “He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”” (Job 2:10 NIV)
Like Job, we need to learn to trust God during the bad times as well as the good. God loves us. Those of us who follow Christ have God’s promise that He will bring good out of every circumstance (Romans 8:28-29). Do we trust Him to fulfill His promise even when we suffer or experience trouble? Or, is our faith so shallow that we doubt God’s promise when things do not go as we would like?
You Will Keep Him In Perfect Peace
Have you ever known someone who remained calm in the face of trouble? Perhaps they have lost their job and money is tight, yet they face the future with confidence. Perhaps they or a loved one has a life-threatening illness, yet they remain full of hope. Perhaps they are the victim of gossip, slander and unjust accusations, their character has been called into question, yet they remain cheerful and unruffled.
We admire people who remain calm, hopeful and cheerful in spite of trouble and calamity. Even more impressive are those who are able to impart their own calm and confidence to others during times of crisis. They are able to quell panic and irrational behavior by their presence. Their rock-like steadiness enables others to remain calm.
What is it that allows someone to remain calm in the face of trouble and adversity? For many it is trust and confidence in something outside of themselves. They do not rely on their own self-sufficiency, rather on someone who is greater than their circumstances. To put it another way, they believe in God and trust Him to fulfill the promises He has made. For example, the prophet Isaiah wrote this about God: “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3 NIV) God rewards our trust in Him by granting us peace.
Jesus made the same promise. He said to His disciples, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)
The writer of the book of Hebrews reminds us, “…God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”” (Hebrews 13:5-6 NIV)
Do we have the peace that God and Jesus have promised those who trust in them? Do we know that God is our helper? Do we overcome the world, or does the world overcome us? If we allow the difficulties, problems and stresses of this life to overcome us then we are not following Christ as we should. If we do not have peace, then we need to trust God more.
As Long As The Earth Endures
Many people seem to be troubled by the thought that some day the earth will be destroyed. Every few years someone predicts that the world will end on such and such a date, and people start to panic. They do not know what will happen to them after death and they have no hope. They have no assurance.
The Bible teaches us that one day not only the earth, but all of creation will be destroyed (Hebrews 12:27, 2 Peter 3:10). However, the followers of Christ need not fear that day because God has promised them a new home (2 Peter 3:13).
Not only are people anxious about the end of the world, they fear that the earth may not be able to sustain life even before it ends. They worry that we will run out of natural resources. They are concerned that climate changes will make large portions of the earth uninhabitable. They are afraid that volcanoes, tsunamis or a thousand other things will make life impossible.
While it is true that natural or man-made disasters do make life difficult or impossible at some times, in some areas, we really don’t need to worry about the future. After God destroyed all animate life in a world-wide flood during the time of Noah, He made a promise. “…Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, will never cease.” (Genesis 8:21-22 NIV)
God gave us rainbows as a reminder of the promise He made (Genesis 9:12-17). The next time you see a rainbow, remember God’s promise that, as long as this earth exists, the seasons and the time for planting and harvesting crops will never fail. Never again, will God destroy all animate life in a world-wide disaster while the earth remains.
Though rainbows reassure us that we do not need to worry about the cycles of nature, they should also remind us that God’s promise is limited. It is in force only as long as the earth endures. One day the earth will be destroyed. The question is: “Can we face that day with confidence? Does God’s promise of a permanent home in a new earth apply to us?” God’s promise of a new home only applies to those who follow Christ. Do you follow Him?
As A Bride Adorned
Two people can look at exactly the same thing yet see something totally different. For example, two people look at a house. One sees the cracked walls, the broken windows, the worn stairs and the leaky plumbing. According to his evaluation, the house is a wreck and worth very little. The other person sees the efficient layout of the house, the elegant proportions of the rooms and the spacious closets. In his estimation, it is a valuable property.
What makes the difference in the two evaluations? One person sees the current run-down condition. The other person, while not blind to the problems, sees potential. One sees the house as it is, the other sees what the house could become.
Our evaluation of the church is often like that of the person who only sees all of the problems in the house. We see that the church is full of flawed people. We see people who say they follow Christ, yet do not always exhibit the character of Christ in the way they live. We see church leaders who rule rather than serve. Even worse, we may have a negative view of the church because we have been hurt by it. We have suffered harm by the very people who should have shown us the most love.
However, God’s view of the church is very different. He loves it. The Bible uses the metaphor of a bride adorned for her husband to describe it (Revelation 21:2). Where we see flaws, God sees beauty. Where we see imperfection, God sees loveliness.
Why the difference in perspective? It is because we see and concentrate on the present faults, whereas God sees the church as it will one day be.
God not only sees the church as it will one day be, He see the potential in every one who makes up the church. He is actively changing those in the church to become like Christ. He is in the process of giving us a new nature. When that process is complete, the church will also be what it ought to be.
Speaking of the church, the Apostle Paul writes that Christ, “…gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” (Ephesians 5:25-27 NIV)
The real question is not whether we have flaws, faults and imperfections but whether we are allowing God to change us into the perfect, spotless, pure and holy bride of Christ.
Who Is In Control?
We like to boast of our independence. We like to think of ourselves as free agents who make our own decisions. No one can tell us what to do.
To a certain extent, this is true. We really do make decisions for ourselves. For example, we are free to choose what we read or what we watch on television. And, we make the choice whether we are going to read or watch at all.
But in many areas of life we are not free to make our own decisions. The school tells us what courses we must complete in order to receive a diploma. Our boss at our place of employment tells us what work we must perform in order to receive a paycheck. The shopkeeper tells us what price we must pay to buy his goods. If we are unwilling to comply with their decisions and requirements, then we will not receive the benefits they offer.
There is also another sense in which we are not free. Each of us acts according to our basic nature. To put it another way, we each have something fundamental within us which controls how we act and behave. Even worse, we become slaves to our attitudes, desires and habits. The Apostle Peter writes, “…a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.” (2 Peter 2:19 NIV) In this sense, none of us is truly free or independent. It is only a question of what or who our Master is.
In light of this, we need to ask ourselves what or who we serve. Who or what has mastered us? Do our appetites control us? Are we driven by our emotions? Does greed dictate to us?
While we cannot choose whether we will serve, we can choose whom we will serve. If we submit to God’s rule and allow Him to give us His Spirit, He will free us from the things which mastered us before. The Apostle Paul writes, “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace, because the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.” (Romans 8:6-8 NIV)
Some make the mistake of thinking that they can allow their appetites and passions control them and still serve God. But as the Scripture above points out, this is an impossibility. We cannot please God while we give our allegiance to something else. We must choose one or the other.
Jesus also taught this truth. He said, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:24 NIV)
Who is in control of our lives?
I Am Only A Child
Oftentimes we are oppressed by a sense of our own inadequacy. The task before us seems beyond our strength and ability. The odds against us are overwhelming.
This feeling of helplessness is not unique to us. Throughout history the people of God have often felt this way. For example, when God called Jeremiah to be a prophet he responded, “…I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” (Jeremiah 1:6 NIV)
From the world’s point of view our feelings of helplessness and inadequacy are fully justified. The Apostle Paul writes, “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.” (1 Corinthians 1:26 NIV)
But what the world does not realize, and what we often forget, is that when we are doing God’s will we do not have to accomplish it in our own power or by our own wisdom. God told Jeremiah, ““…Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 1:7-8 NIV)
Just like with Jeremiah, when God asks us to do something, He also gives us the ability to do what He asks of us. “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13 NIV) The Apostle Peter writes, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3 NIV)
It doesn’t matter if we are only a child. It doesn’t matter if we are not as intelligent as someone else. It doesn’t matter if we come from a family or group which is not well regarded. It doesn’t matter if we are poor. If we are doing what God has asked us to do, He will enable us to do it – no matter how unlikely it seems.
We may never have success as the world measures it. But as long as we are willing to do God’s will; as long as we are obedient to Him; as long as we rely on His strength, wisdom and power, we will be a success in His eyes. We will have no reason to be ashamed or inferior to anyone. We are exactly the right person to do what God wants.
All the followers of Christ have this wonderful promise: “…he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6 NIV)