- araratchurch
- Apr 8, 2024
- 5 min read
“Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.“
Hebrews 10:35-39 NKJV
Over the last several days we have been discussing things that can cause someone to fall away from following Christ.
As we have discussed, the word of God tells us that there will be a great Apostasy, a great falling away, just before the return of Jesus Christ. Indeed, that falling away has already begun, and will only get worse.
However, I do believe that as this falling away from following Christ is happening, there will yet be an unusual harvest of souls. Unusual, in that it will suddenly produce zealous workers for the Kingdom, who almost immediately join the workers in the field of harvest, bringing in a multitude of souls in a short amount of time.
For our purposes of understanding, we have looked at some, who, in one way or another, denied Jesus when He walked among us.
Understand, although Jesus gathered huge crowds, there were also those who never even started following, like the rich young ruler.
“Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” [Jesus said,] You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ” And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!””
Mark 10:17, 19-23 NKJV
Sadly, his possessions had possession of him, and he could not let them go, not even to follow the One Who offered eternal life.
And, even among the huge crowds who did follow Him, there came a time when many of them turned away from following when He said that they must eat His flesh and drink His blood. Taking this command literally, they were offended, and walked away from Him (John 6: 48-66).
So, why did some fall away from following Him, while others stayed the course, to spread the Gospel across the world?
Jesus told a parable illustrating why the same word spoken to different people can produce very different outcomes.
A sower took seed and sowed it across four different types of soil: compacted, rocket, thorny, and good ground.
The seed that fell on a compacted pathway, never was given the opportunity to germinate, but was rather eaten by the birds.
The seed that fell on the rocky ground, did germinate and spring up, but could not withstand heat or drought for lack of good roots, and so withered.
The seed falling on the thorny ground, although it also germinated, was choked out by the thorns that grew up with it.
But, the seed that fell on the good ground, not only germinated, but yielded a good crop.
The disciples, not understanding the point of the parable, asked Jesus for clarification, so He explained it to them.
“When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.””
Matthew 13:19-23 NKJV
Think of it: In this scenario, Jesus is talking about Himself; He was the One spreading the word of the Kingdom of God at that point. Yet, not all who heard, received it, and allowed it to grow in them to the point of producing a wonderful harvest of good works.
What I have received from this parable is that we are talking about different levels of access to the human heart, in terms of the word of God.
I would say that the compacted ground represents hearts that—for whatever reason—are hardened to the point that they really don’t even understand, what they’re being told. As such, the devil sees to it that the seed never has a chance to germinate. These people are like the religious leaders who Jesus said had no place in them for His word. Hardened hearts give no access to the word.
Then there are those represented by the rocky ground, who give limited access to the word, but do not allow the word room in their lives to grow and produce a harvest. They will not give up those things that make their heart too cluttered for the word to take deep root. And, with these people, any level of adversity is too much for their level of faith, so they fall away.
The heart represented by the thorny ground, will initially give the word access to their hearts, developing some good roots. But because their affections stay divided, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, will eventually win out over their faith, and they will fall away.
Of course, the good ground represents a heart that will give the word complete access so that it grows up, puts down deep roots, and produces good works and a life that becomes a light shining in darkness.
James provides a concise instruction for making sure that the heart is good ground for the seed of the word.
“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.“
James 1:21-22 NKJV
We will never be able to stay the course if we allow things to continue to operate in our lives that are contrary to the word of God. We will never stay the course if we let our affections draw us off course, away from following Him, into sin. As well, we will never stay the course unless the word is put into practice in our being and doing.
In our opening scripture, the writer of Hebrews gives good instruction concerning our need to remain steadfast.
Yes, a great apostasy is coming, and even now has begun. But, we are not of those who turn back to perdition. We are those who believe to the saving of our soul!
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Apr 7, 2024
- 4 min read
”If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me.“
John 15:18-21 NLT
Having been betrayed by Judas, Jesus was brought before Pilate. Pilate, after interrogating Jesus, perceived that Jesus was turned over to him, not because Jesus had done wrong, but because the priests were jealous of Him.
“Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.“
Matthew 27:15-18 NKJV
Pilate’s attempts to be able to release Jesus were thwarted when the people cried out for Barabbas to be released rather than Jesus.
“But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!” Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!”“
Matthew 27:20-22 NKJV
When Pilate saw that his efforts to release Jesus were futile, he “washed his hands” of Jesus’ blood, had Him scourged, and delivered Jesus to be crucified.
“When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.” And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.” Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.“
Matthew 27:24-26 NKJV
Now, we know why the religious leaders rejected Jesus: They were jealous of Him and never even gave Him a chance. Indeed, earlier on Jesus had confronted them about their unwillingness to receive His words.
(Jesus speaking)”[Yes] I know that you are Abraham's offspring; yet you plan to kill Me, because My word has no entrance (makes no progress, does not find any place) in you.“
John 8:37 AMPC
In fact, a great many of the religious leaders rejected Jesus‘ claims concerning who He was.
Sadly, even many of the religious leaders who did believe in Him, were afraid to acknowledge Him, because of fear of being put out of the synagogue.
“Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.“
John 12:42-43 NKJV
But back to the case of Pilate, why did he—knowing Jesus was innocent—condemn Him to death?
History suggests that Pilate may have already been on shaky ground with Caesar; and, the people threatened to alert Caesar, if they didn’t get their way.
“From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.””
John 19:12 NKJV
So, it would appear that Pilate’s position was more important to him than letting an innocent Man go free.
Indeed, fear of losing their position also factored into the priests’ and Pharisees’ resolve to have Jesus killed after the resurrection of Lazarus.
“Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.””
John 11:45-48 NKJV
In our opening scripture, we see Jesus warning His disciples that the world—having rejected Him—would also reject them because of Him.
With the world system, and even some professing Christians, rejecting and persecuting those truly following Christ, those who value their position in society, more than their relationship with the Lord, will eventually fall from their steadfastness.
Fellow Believer, even now we are seeing how the world tries to persecute, intimidate, and “cancel” those who cling to following the Lord Jesus.
Tragically, some Christians, have acquiesced and yielded to the threat of rejection and persecution, by compromising their beliefs. Yes, many have already fallen away from Christ, and many more will fall away because of pressure from the world system. We do well to take this warning from Jesus to heart, lest we also fall away:
““Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.“
Matthew 10:34-39 NKJV
Tomorrow we’ll look at a parable that brings all this together.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Apr 6, 2024
- 5 min read
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.“
Matthew 6:19-21 ESV
Earlier (Day 21) we referenced the Passover meal Jesus shared with His disciples (Last Supper), just before His betrayal. We discussed how the disciples were confused and wondered who He was referencing when Jesus said that one of them would betray Him. Today we look at another scenario played out at that same meal.
Because of their consternation, Peter asked John to find out who Jesus was referencing.
“Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.“
John 13:23-30 NKJV
Yes, the person Jesus was referencing, was Judas. And, whereas Peter denied Jesus, we know that he did later return and finish well. However, this was not the case for Judas. In fact, it would seem that Judas, leaving the Passover meal, probably went straight to the priests to make good on his offer to betray Jesus. Apparently, he had found the opportunity he was looking for to complete his betrayal.
“Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.“
Matthew 26:14-16 NKJV
We could wonder how someone who spent so many days in close fellowship with Jesus, watching Him minister to the crowds, watching Him healing the sick, watching Him raising the dead and comforting the comfortless, could turn around and betray Him. Yet, that’s exactly what Judas did, never returning to follow Him, choosing rather to kill himself.
To perhaps get some better insight into what brought Judas to the point of betraying the Lord, let’s look at a scene that happened not long before Judas’ betrayal of Jesus:
Jesus had come back to Bethany, where Lazarus—whom He had raised from the dead—lived. Jesus was having a meal there being served by Martha. At some point, Mary did something that got mixed reviews.
“Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.“
John 12:3-6 NKJV
There it is! Judas objected to what Mary did, on the basis of the “waste” of something of such great value. And, as we see, John makes it clear that Judas had been embezzling from the disciples’ funds. It would appear that Judas’ offer to help betray Jesus, came very close to this scene with Mary.
Additionally, we know that things were probably already getting very tense. You see, from the point that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead, the religious leaders determined that He had to die. In fact, they had even plotted to kill Lazarus!
Let me say this: Pressure won’t bring out of a person something that was not there; but it certainly will reveal something that was there “hibernating.” Like pressing of grapes, pressure will bring out into the open what was hiding inside. For Judas, it seems that Mary putting this very expensive ointment on Jesus’ feet, was sort of a “last straw. Judas possibly began to suspect that he would not get out of his association with Jesus, what was most important to him: MONEY. How tragic it is that Judas betrayed the best Friend he would ever have. Yes, God-made-flesh,
was sold out for 30 pieces of silver.
So, even though we don’t have it spelled out in the scriptures as such, we can safely glean from what we are told, that Judas was a thief, motivated by greed.
In our opening scripture, we see Jesus instructing that where we “treasure-up,” indicates where our heart is focused. For example, if you look at on what someone spends most of their time, most of their money, most of their attention, most of their life, you will know what matters most to them. And, eventually, that love of “things,” will completely overtake love for the Lord.
Consider the warning from John, concerning affection for the things the world can offer:
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.“
1 John 2:15-17 ESV
Indeed, in terms of the great Apostasy proceeding the return of Jesus Christ, many will diverge from following Christ, because of their love for what the world can offer. And yes, money is right up there on the top of that list.
We do well to take inventory of ourselves to see if our “money is where our mouth is.” The profession of Christ, in one who overvalues possessions, will only hold up as long as it doesn’t touch what they treasure.
We’ll talk more about this tomorrow.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!