Tag: jesus

How Is It Going Spiritually? Part 2 – Luke 12:54-56

Christians are called to live a sanctified, holy life, grounded in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This faith stems from the assurance of his return and the certainty of God’s judgment. Christ’s first coming was meant to divide and set apart those who would follow him, marking a decisive gospel call. It is crucial to comprehend this purpose and discern the current time in anticipation of his second coming. While discernment is essential and available to all, many will fail to recognize Christ’s return, ultimately leading to their destruction.

In his teaching, Jesus addressed both believers and unbelievers, illustrating the importance of spiritual discernment using natural signs. He referenced people’s ability to predict weather patterns, such as rain or heat, based on observable signs in nature. Although they mastered these earthly interpretations, they failed to apply similar discernment to spiritual truths. This failure to recognize the signs of Christ’s coming underscores a lack of preparedness for deeper spiritual realities. Jesus’ illustration was meant to highlight the disparity between their physical and spiritual awareness.

Unbelievers often form their faith based on relative and temporal matters, like natural phenomena, while rejecting the absolute truth of Christ’s identity. Despite Jesus providing substantial evidence of his messiahship, unbelievers hypocritically demanded more proof. They were willing to draw firm conclusions from minimal evidence in earthly matters but refused to acknowledge the overwhelming evidence of Jesus’ divinity. Their rejection reflects not only spiritual blindness but also a deliberate resistance to the truth he embodied.

The term “present time” in Jesus’ teaching refers to the Greek word kairos, signifying a significant event or season, rather than chronos, which pertains to chronological time. This present time heralded the kingdom of heaven through Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection, which fulfilled Scripture and confirmed him as the promised Messiah. His first coming, sacrifice on the cross, and resurrection on the third day provided undeniable evidence of God’s redemptive plan. Yet, many failed to see these signs and recognize Jesus as God incarnate.

The rejection of Jesus often stemmed from misconceptions about the Messiah’s role. Under Roman rule, many Jews anticipated a political savior who would overthrow their oppressors with power and might. Jesus’ mission as the Lamb of God, sacrificing himself for humanity’s sins, clashed with these expectations. Similarly, in modern society, people often reject the biblical Jesus because he does not align with their personal ideals. Furthermore, Jesus exposed sin and hypocrisy, particularly among religious leaders like the Pharisees and Sadducees, which led to further rejection. This rejection highlights the broader struggle between living for the gospel and succumbing to worldly concerns.

The call to repentance and faith in Jesus remains critical today. Believers must recognize the present time, turn from sin, and trust in Christ while working out their salvation with humility. While the elect will inevitably come to faith regardless of their circumstances, others persist in unbelief, exemplified by Judas Iscariot. As we await Christ’s return, we must prepare for the trials ahead, remaining steadfast in faith and living in anticipation of the salvation promised through Jesus Christ.

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Jesus Wept – John 11:35

Pain and suffering are universal experiences in life, often accompanied by tears and weeping. Even Jesus, during his time on earth, shared in this reality. He wept and grieved over the death of his friend Lazarus. Crying, in some cases, serves as a form of social bonding, but there is a distinction between crying and weeping. Weeping involves a profound expression of emotion through tears, while crying is more about the audible expression of sorrow. Today’s text delves into the reasons why Jesus wept and what his tears teach us about human experience and divine compassion.

Jesus was not an emotionless figure or a distant deity; he was fully human with real emotions. He experienced the same feelings of joy, sorrow, and compassion that all people face. Though he was sinless, as stated in Hebrews 4:15, he sympathized deeply with human weakness. His compassion extended to those who were distressed and felt abandoned, likening them to sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36). His sinlessness enhanced his ability to perfectly understand and empathize with human suffering.

One of the most profound lessons Jesus taught us is how to weep with purpose. When Lazarus died, Jesus wept alongside Martha and Mary, sharing in their sorrow. This act of solidarity demonstrates his deep empathy and love for humanity. It also reminds us that Jesus not only understands our struggles but actively shares in them. Just as he loved Lazarus, Jesus loves his church and all who follow him with the same depth and sincerity.

One reason for Jesus’ tears was the people’s limited understanding of death’s inevitability. Those mourning Lazarus may have been preoccupied with questioning why he had to die, yet death is an inescapable reality for everyone. Jesus used this moment to remind Martha of his power over death, saying, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me will live even if he dies” (John 11:25). Accepting the certainty of death allows us to live more intentionally in the present, grounded in hope rather than fear.

Another reason Jesus wept was to reveal the true cause of death—sin. While the world often attributes death to natural causes like illness or accidents, Scripture makes it clear that sin is the ultimate reason for death. Romans 6:23 states, “The wages of sin is death.” Jesus sought to shift the people’s focus from superficial explanations to the deeper spiritual truth: humanity’s need for redemption from sin. His tears reflected his desire for people to understand this crucial reality.

Jesus also wept because people failed to recognize him as the solution to sin and death. Instead of addressing the root cause of death, humanity often looks to temporary, worldly solutions. Jesus declared himself as the great “I AM,” the resurrection and the life, offering eternal hope to those who believe. By raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus demonstrated his divine power and provided a foretaste of the ultimate victory over death. Faith in him is the only proper response, as he is the most reliable and trustworthy source of salvation.

Another cause of Jesus’ grief was humanity’s blindness to the eternal hope he provides. People mourn the loss of loved ones without realizing that, through Christ, a joyful reunion is possible. Jesus proved this truth by bringing Lazarus back to life and sharing a meal with him, symbolizing the joyful fellowship believers will experience in the resurrection (John 11:44; 12:1-2). This hope sustains Christians as they anticipate Christ’s return and the glory of eternal life, a joy that cannot be shaken.

Finally, Jesus’ tears reveal his enduring love for sinners and his desire for them to embrace the hope of eternal life. He is the God of the living, as demonstrated in his relationship with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are alive in heaven. Through faith in Jesus, we find comfort and peace even in times of mourning. Although we grieve the loss of loved ones, we also experience the joy and hope that come from trusting in the living God. Jesus continues to weep with us in our sorrows, but his presence brings comfort and the assurance of eternal life with him.

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Get Ready: The Lord is Coming, Part 4 – Luke 12:40-48

We are continuing our series on being ready for the Lord’s return. “You too be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect”. Jesus starts addressing the apostles directly. “You too”. The apostles were hand-picked and specifically called for the purpose of the gospel. They are spiritual leaders so their salvation is not in doubt (Acts 1:21-22). Not everyone could be called an apostle. The condition of the apostles has been around since John the Baptist and a witness of the resurrection. To this group of apostles, Jesus tells them they also need to be ready.

In response, Peter asks if the parable is for the apostles or for everyone else? Peter has a hard time receiving what Jesus is saying. They are the apostles so of course they are ready. The apostles were used to being treated specially (Matthew 13:10-12). 

Jesus gives a statement of who is in vs out. Who is ready and who is not. Who will be rewarded and who will be punished. This should be taken seriously and it is an important doctrine. We are not saved by believing in Jesus’ return and yet knowing His return encourages us to live faithfully. There are clear signs between those who are driven by this doctrine vs those who are not. Remembering Jesus will return keeps us near Jesus Christ and matures us. Apply this doctrine to your life every day and you will be different. That’s what the early church did. Sadly, the modern church has abandoned this doctrine or pushed it to the background.

Who will be in when Jesus returns? The faithful and prudent steward.

Faithful – being genuinely redeemed

  • Our faithfulness starts with our true faith. Because God is faithful we are faithful. True belongs to those who repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • To believe means always believing in all circumstances. In Acts 2:42, we see a continual devotion to fellowship, breaking of bread, praying, and God’s word.

Prudent – being wise, understanding, and sensible.

  • Prudent people apply their faith to their lives. The application of faith is wisdom.
  • Faith’s result is prudence because salvation is not theoretical but actual. We possess Jesus Christ and demonstrate it practically by our wisdom.
  • Example: In Acts 16:24-25, after being beaten and thrown into jail, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God. Their salvation was real and they proved it.
  • The Christian is justified by faith and proven by sanctification

Steward – to manage the household

  • Many commentaries say the steward is the church leader. An example is 1 Peter 5:1-4 The church elders must shepherd the flock and be good stewards until Jesus returns.
  • However, the steward can also refer to every Christian because every Christian is God’s steward. We are all God’s servants

As a reward to the faithful and prudent steward, the master would give authority over the goods. The steward should do what the master commands faithfully and wisely, thinking of the glorious reward.

What does the steward do?

  1. Obeys the great commission which is to share the gospel and make disciples. We should not forget the Lord’s charge and constantly pursue the spreading of the gospel in creative ways
  2. Uses their spiritual gift – Everyone is given a spiritual gift by the Holy Spirit. It is a mark of salvation (1 Peter 4:10). A good steward will know and use your spiritual gift until Jesus comes

Those who are faithful stewards are blessed. The root of the word ‘blessed’ is approval. If you are blessed then you are approved by Jesus. The approval invokes imagery of a seal used to officially affirm the content held within. The ones who are blessed are the workers whom the master finds working. We don’t know when the master is coming which means we must start working from now on until He returns. Focus on what Jesus says and the fact that He is coming. Prioritize being ready for His coming and we will be blessed at His return.

In verse 44, Jesus says, “Truly I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions” Whenever Jesus says “Truly I say to you” it is for emphasis and certainty of promise. Without a doubt, we have a guaranteed prize, a heavenly reward. On earth, every reward is comparatively small to our heavenly reward. Surprisingly, those small rewards still make us happy but only temporarily. No matter how happy or how long or great something is on earth it is eventually tainted with sadness. However, our heavenly reward will be great and everlasting. There will be no sorrow at all in heaven, only everlasting joy. So our prayer is that every member of our church would be faithful. Wrestle with Jesus’ promises and live accordingly.

Then Jesus switches his attention to those who are not prepared in verse 45. The unfaithful steward changes his behavior when the master leaves. He has another heart, a heart of hypocrisy which listens to himself instead of his master. He tells himself that “my master will be a long time coming” in contradiction to Jesus saying He will come soon. This is presumptuous and against God’s word. It is arrogant and acting as if they know more than God. As a result, the unfaithful steward beats the other servants. This shows their sinful self-will and their lack of repentance or salvation. Salvation is denying yourself, taking up your cross, and following Jesus. Lastly, they eat and drink and get drunk. This is succumbing to the pleasures and pursuits of the world instead of heaven. It is a worldly spirit inside this steward and not the Spirit of God (Eph 5:18).  

The master will come on a day when the unfaithful steward does not expect and at an hour he does not know (Luke 12:37-38, Mt 27:43, 1 Thess 5:3). When he returns and finds the unfaithful steward, He will execute just and divine punishment. The master will cut him in pieces (a severe and painful punishment) and assign him a place with the unbelievers (they will be cast into hell). This is a warning to everyone. If you are not faithful now then you are in danger. Hell is the horrifying place marked by gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:41-42). It will be eternal pain and sorrow.

The life we have now is our duty to be ready and to prepare for Jesus’ coming.  We are all busy. Our lives are hectic and filled with many things. But we must be faithful in our busyness. This life is our pilgrimage of preparation. Jesus is coming back. Center our lives await Jesus’ return and apply His promise every day.

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Get Ready: The Lord is Coming, Part 3 – Luke 12:39-40

Jesus tells us no one knows exactly when He is coming. He will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night, which means we must always be ready and prepared to receive Him when He comes. The key question is: Are you ready? If He were to come tonight, would you be prepared? (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Whether you are a strong or weak Christian, you must be ready.

Some might think that Jesus’ return is a broken promise or far off because it has not happened yet. Maybe we don’t need to be prepared because His return is unlikely to be soon. The truth is, even if He is not coming soon, you are at least going to Him soon. Even if it does not seem like Jesus is coming, we know He will come unexpectedly. So we must prepare ourselves daily. There are many theological camps that differ on the order of the events in Revelation, all the major views at least agree that Jesus is coming.

No one knows when Jesus is coming. Everyone who has tried to predict the date has been wrong. While we don’t know the timing, we know the manner. He will come in the air before the seven years of great tribulation. The rapture will be when Jesus snatches up all the believers to Himself before He judges the earth (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

The whole universe is waiting for Jesus’ return (Romans 8:19). To help His disciples understand His return, Jesus continues to use the illustration of the master and servant. This illustration is used by Jesus multiple times and emphasizes the nature of His return.

A thief always comes when you least expect it, waiting for a moment of relaxation or distraction. If you knew the thief’s timing, you would be ready. Since no one knows, the only way to be prepared is to live in constant readiness. We should take Jesus’ warning seriously. In this parable, the thief is Jesus Christ. Human thieves sometimes fail to be secretive but Jesus never fails.

The Son of Man is coming. The title Son of Man highlights Jesus’ humanity. However, Jesus is no ordinary man but the Son of Man spoken of in Daniel 7:13-14. He is the man in whom the fullness of Deity dwells (Col 2:9). He is the Son of Man who the one who died and rose again, is full of might, dominion, and glory, will come in glory and terror to bring His wrath upon His enemies.

“The phrase “is coming” in the original language is in the progressive present tense. This means His coming began as soon as He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:11; 1 John 2:18). This means Jesus coming is guaranteed because it has already begun. He is coming but He is also patient. He is waiting for the repentance of sinners. So this is a warning to unbelievers to repent and be saved. Believe in Jesus before it is too late.

But this is also a message to the believers. “You too” is directed at the Christians. Christian be ready! Do not be distracted by the world. Too many Christians are not ready because they love the world (Luke 9:26). “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32) who looked back. Remember what happened in the days of Noah where they ignored Noah’s preaching and were caught eating and drinking when the floods came (Matthew 24:37-38). The problem is that many of us wish for a comfortable and enjoyable life. This friendliness and attraction to the world is poisonous sugar. Loving the world is hostility towards God (James 4:4). Not loving the world is our dutiful suffering as Christians. If you are worldly, then you are not ready.

Many Christians take Jesus’ warning too lightly. They do not expect Jesus’ coming just like Jesus said (Luke 12:19-20). Jesus will come suddenly and demand your very soul.

There are those who are wrongfully ready. They try to predict Jesus’ coming. They are not of the Holy Spirit but of another spirit, a lying spirit. That is why they always end up wrong and as heretics. Do not listen to those who claim to know when Jesus is coming. They have never been right and will never be right. Jesus’ coming is not a Biblical exam or a matter of knowledge. We are simply called to be ready. Like the boy who cried wolf, those who keep claiming to know actually end up hurting the reputation of the church. So trying to find out when Jesus is coming is not being ready.

The most important thing to being ready is being a Christian. Being a Christian means Jesus is central to your life. He is everything. Without Jesus, a Christian is nothing. Jesus is not merely someone special but Jesus is your Lord for whom you risk everything (Philippians 3:8). Ultimately for the Christian, God is living in you. They are made new by Christ, transformed, and given new life, all in Christ.

The Christian always lives by faith. They have been crucified with Christ and the life they live they live by faith in the Son of God. (Galatians 2:20). That is why they can suffer for Christ’s sake (Romans 8:18). They enjoy God and give Him all the glory in all circumstances (1 Corinthians 10:31) They are loyal to God and remain committed to Him (1 Corinthians 15:58). The Christian obeys God’s commandments and live according to God’s purpose (Colossians 3:18-21, Ephesians 6:3-9)

How to be ready? By being a Christian and living the Christian faith, being fully satisfied with Christ, and following Jesus Christ. And do this always. Then either when Jesus comes or at the end of your life, you can claim like Apostle Paul, you have run the race and you are ready to meet the Lord.

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Biblical View of God – Luke 12:13-31

We are looking at the topic of greed. It is easy to talk about greed as a moral issue. Lots of religions warn against greed. The Catholics include greed in the seven deadly sins that can’t be forgiven. This is wrong. Greed is a serious sin and Jesus talks about the serious consequences of greed, it is a matter of the soul, but we must have a biblical view of greed. It is not merely a moral issue but has to do with our salvation. Christians should learn about and deal with greed from the beginning when they are saved. We exchange our earthly treasures for the riches of salvation in Jesus Christ. Every Christian is not just a receiver but also a giver, which means we are rich and able to give. Greed is one of the accusations against capitalism, that capitalism advocates for greed which is why socialism is gaining popularity in our society today. Socialism is foolish and just another form of greed. We should learn what our Lord has to say about greed. What is greed, how does greed work, and the solution to not being greedy?

Jesus is finishing his teaching on the damning issue of hypocrisy. A man in the crowd comes to Jesus with a family financial issue. Seems strange to ask Jesus to deal with this sort of matter. However, this is a matter of Jewish law (Numbers 27:6-7) and Jesus is “Rabbi”. Jesus responds with a disapproving question, “Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?”. Jesus’ purpose was to redeem people from their sins, not to settle petty disputes. Sometimes we treat God in the same way, like a vending machine for our needs. This is what the prosperity gospel does. Some people love God’s gift more than God himself.

While this question has nothing to do with Jesus’ purpose, Jesus continues to answer. Jesus sees this situation as more than just an argument between brothers. The deeper issue that applies to everyone is greed. Greed has many forms. Jesus says “Be on your guard against every form of greed”. Greed is covetousness, a desire to have more. Greed is desire more and more and never being satisfied, an insatiable desire. Greed is very toxic and you must watch out for all forms. Greed is more about wanting money but can include power, sex, relationships, family, the internet, games, entertainment, knowledge, or whatever. It’s when you obsess over anything, and try to get as much as you can.

Jesus says an important and clarifying point about greed. “for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” There’s no true life in possessions. True life is the gift of God. Your life is not generated by what you have. Life is what God offers you through forgiveness in Jesus Christ. Only God can give you life and life is faithful to God. When Job lost everything, he understood that his life was from God and for God (Job 1:21-22). When losing everything, real life stands out. With greed, real life is dead. When you have real life, then you won’t be obsessed with your own life but will be sensitive to others and will help others in need (Mark 8:12). Jesus has given so much to you, provides what you need, shows you compassion so there is no reason for the Christian to be greedy. Those who have real life are satisfied with God alone (Matthew 4:4). If you are not satisfied with God then you are greedy. They doubt God and His word. They want something more outside of God. Instead, God should be our most precious and wonderful possession. We worship God instead of worshipping possessions.

Jesus begins a parable about a rich man. Being rich is not a sin. There are many rich and faithful people in the Bible. That’s because being rich comes from God. This man became rich because the land was very productive. This implies that his riches came from God because God made the land productive. That leads to the first problem, which is that the man was not thankful to God. God is the cause of this man’s wealth, yet the man did not give thanks to God. So we should learn to be thankful to God in all circumstances.

Secondly, this man is full of self. This man asked himself, “What should I do?”. He is only concerned about himself, his problem, and his plans. Jesus on the other hand, as he got closer to the cross, was more and more concerned about his disciples and showed His love for them to the end. For the rich there was no room or concern for others but only for himself. Jesus says we should deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. So this man makes a plan. Plans are not bad, they are wise. But plans made without God are foolish and will not stand. You must realize that your life is part of a larger story of God’s plan. Plans are God, but make plans by God, with God, to God, and for God.

Self also builds a false sense of security. The man says to himself, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” This security is built on sand. It is not real and does not last. “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days happen and the years draw near in which you will say, “I have no delight in them”;”(Ecclesiastes 12:1) So remember the Lord Jesus Christ and put your trust in Him and not your possessions.

“But God said to him, ‘You fool….”. God seemed distant to this man but was actually always there. He rebukes this man and calls him a fool. A fool is an unbeliever. The fool is wicked and says in his heart there is no God. “What fools are they who, for a drop of pleasure, drink a sea of wrath.” – Thomas Watson. The rich man is a fool to think he will enjoy all his riches and live out the rest of his days being merry. He was greedy and acted with God. The greedy forget and deny God and His generosity. God is the most generous, even giving His only Son, loving and saving the sinner. The greedy fool rejects God’s love and chooses to perish.

“Now who will own what you prepared?” This is the judgment against the greedy. What you have will be given to others. So do not store up treasures for yourself but be rich towards God(Luke 12:21). The treasures you store up will not last (Matthew 6:19-20). Think about what you store for yourself, whether it is money or time. Do you spend your time and effort on the Lord or on yourself? So be rich towards God, serve God as your master, and live as a pilgrim on this earth (Matthew 6:24). Remember that what we have we do not own, but we are stewards. Also giving is better than receiving. Jesus gave to us even unto death. We give up everything because it is all rubbish but we gain Christ (Philippians 3:8). We give, not because we have an abundance, but because we know God provides what we need (Philippians 4:19). Christians are givers. We should not be greedy but always be giving. “Giving is true having. We are receiving from the Lord through our blessed giving.” – Charles Spurgeon

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