Who Betrays Him?

No One Is Good

And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

                                                                        ( Mark 10:17-22 KJV)

No one is good. No, not one. We cannot do enough good things to save ourselves. If we do any good things is because of the Spirit of Christ that abides in us and guides us. His love inspires us to follow him reaching out and helping others.

What then is required to inherit eternal life? To give everything for the sake of others?  To put others before yourself? That's what Jesus himself did. He was willing to give even his last breath on earth that we might be reconciled to our Father in heaven for all of eternity.

There will come a day when we will realize that the possessions we have on earth count for nothing as we stand before the King of Creation. There will come a day when in humility we understand the lust for power was misplaced.  

It is in the giving of ourselves and all that we are to others that we are lifted up even as Christ was lifted up on the cross that all who would believe in him would inherit eternal life.

We are saved by faith alone in Christ alone.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Love Fulfills The Law

"Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.

Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour; I am the Lord.

Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord." 

                                                                                 (Lev 19:15-18 KJV)

What has scripture to say about treating some people in your community; in your congregation, better or worse than others?    

The law reminds us that we are not to base the way that we treat others on their status in this world; whether they have money or if they have none. Do not gossip about them to bring about their demise.  Rebuke your brother or sister in Christ out of love for them not wishing them harm and definitely not causing them harm.

"Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,

Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

This is the first and great commandment.

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

                                                                                       (Matt 22:35-40)

The law reminds us that we are to love God and to love one another. Jesus fulfilled the law in that he loved us so much that he was willing to die for a world full of sinners that we might be reconciled to one another.  His loving sacrifice was given that we might live in peace in the presence of God our Father for all of eternity. 

Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Rom 13:10)

Let us love one another that we might be reconciled to God and to one another; that we might live in peace. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

With Jesus There Will Be Storms

And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

                                                                               (Mark 4:35-41 KJV)

When Jesus got into the boat a tremendous storm arose. Expect it! Expect storms if you are a follower of Jesus. His journey on this earth was not an easy one nor should we expect ours to be. There were many in cahoots to destroy him. He was persecuted and put to death in spite of being totally innocent.

Jesus told his followers and he tells us:  "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also." (John 15:18-20)

Do not be surprised if the world is against you for your faith in Christ. Do not be surprised when other berate you for your faith in Christ for when we step into that boat as a follower of Jesus we are promised that storms will arise.

But, the good news is that even when those storms arise and they will, the Christ is with you. He can calm the storm. He will save you. He will bless you with peace. Have faith. Trust him!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Betrayal

"Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.

And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.

And they laid their hands on him, and took him."

                                                                                   (Mark 14:42-46 KJV)

It was time to wake up and face reality. Jesus' betrayer was at hand and he wanted those who were with him to actually be with him when he faced his betrayer. Jesus did not run and hide from his betrayer. He did not hide from those who would take him to his death. He faced them. He went willingly to his death for the sake of the world.

In the Gospels Matthew, Mark, and Luke we hear Jesus warn us that he would be put to death and that those who would be his disciples; those who would receive eternal life in the presence of God, must also be willing to follow him even to death.

"And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.

But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it." 

                                                                                   (Mark 8:31-35)

Do not fear what man might do to you. Face the betrayers. Face those who would  befriend you and kiss you on the cheek in order to betray you. Rather, trust that the Lord will work all things for the good of those who believe and trust in him.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

One Master

“No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." (Matt 6:24 NRSV)

You cannot serve God and wealth or anything else. As Christians, there is no priority greater than serving the One who created us. There is to be no greater priority that loving the one who loves us so much that He willingly gave His Son to die for us.

When my sons were young they, as most young children, would often tell me that they loved me with their whole hearts or more than anyone else. My response would be that if they did not love God more than me then they did not love me enough. Some might say that my response was cruel. But, the truth is if we do not love God more than anyone or anything else then we do not have the genuine ability to love or serve anyone else as much as we would think we do.  

Wealth cannot save us. We cannot save us. Only Christ saves; therefore, we love the and serve the one who first loved us. We serve because Christ first served us by dying on the cross for us. God is best served when we serve others according to the great love God has for us and we for Him. We can do this only by the power of the Holy Spirit.

God's Peace - Pr. J

If The World Hates You

 

"If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘Servants are not greater than their master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me." (John 15:18-21 NRSV)

Being hated or persecuted when you have done nothing wrong can be very tiring. But, there is a consolation in it. We are hated because we belong to the Kingdom of God and not the world. The world rejects Jesus. Those who follow in worldly ways have rejected "The Way" that Jesus would have us go. The world has rejected our Father in heaven. The world will persecute; the world hate the followers of Jesus. That is just the way it is. That may be hurtful at times. But, it is also a reason to rejoice for we know that the world hated Jesus first.

It we are to be hated; then let us rejoice that the reason we are despised (even feared) is on account of the name of Jesus.  Let us rejoice; also, that there are multitudes of brothers and sisters in Christ who do not reject or hate us because they do, in fact, love Jesus. They do not reject the Good News that we would share with others. They do not reject our word; because our word is the Word given to us, Jesus Christ our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J

If The World Hates You

If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘Servants are not greater than their master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. (John 15:18-22 NRSV)

It can be a tough world for Christians who desire to be faithful. You may have friends. But, you will also in all likelihood have a lot of enemies if your first love is Jesus. The world did not (does not) love Jesus and will not love his followers, either.

A few years ago, I knew a young girl who belonged to a Christian group that thinks females should wear long dresses or skirts all of the time.  Wearing a dress has actually become a symbol of faith in Jesus for that particular faith community to the people in the larger community. A woman who dresses in this manner is easily recognized as a dedicated Christian of that particular denomination. This child wore dresses to school all of the time. To put it bluntly; she was bullied quite a lot because of it. 

There will be those who definitely don't like you if you don't conform to the standards of the world around you. Not conforming to the world's standards may (and probably will) even get you bullied and persecuted. You might even accused of not being a "real" Christian and that you are or that you bow down to the anti-Christ.

If the world hates those who strive to be faithful to Jesus and to their call in Christ; if it hates you; remember that the world hated Jesus first. You are in good, real good, company.

God's Peace - Pr. J  

One Returns to the Great High Priest

As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, “Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner? Then he said to him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.” 

                                                                       (Luke 17:13-18 NRSV)

Ten were made clean. Ten with a most horrific disease; a disease that separated them from family and friends, begged Jesus to have mercy on them. He did. Jesus had mercy. They were made clean. The horrible sores and disfigurements just disappeared. But, only one turned back to give thanks to Jesus. Only one was truly grateful for the grace and mercy shown to him and went back to thank Jesus for healing him. Only one turned back to have the great high priest, who is Jesus the Christ, declare him well. We assume that the rest rushed off to abide by the law and show themselves to the priests in the temple so that the priests could declare them clean and they could go home. 

There is one high priest. There is one great healer. His name is Jesus. While we were yet outcasts from our heavenly home, he was wounded for our transgressions; upon him was the punishment that made us whole. By his bruises, we have been healed. How often do we go to him and fall upon our knees at his feet to give him thanks? It is thanksgiving. While we are kind of, sort of, giving thanks for the people around us; are we giving thanks for the one who has healed our sin sick souls? On this thanksgiving day and every day, let us remember to give thanks to the great high priest who has made us whole.

Surely he has borne our infirmities
   and carried our diseases;
yet we accounted him stricken,
   struck down by God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions,
   crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the punishment that made us whole,

   and by his bruises we are healed. 

                                             (Isaiah 53:4-5)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Keep Awake - Be Prepared!

"Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”  (Mark 13:35-37 NRSV)

Keep awake! No matter what day or hour it is, be prepared. When I was a child, I remember, certain people I knew use to make fun of people of a certain denomination because they would go out drinking and carousing on one evening and then go to confession the next day. They thought it quite strange that people should think that they can go and do things they knew full well they'd be repenting of the next day. The weird thing about it was that the same people who pointed fingers at those making confession actually were out carousing with them; but, they didn't go to confession. 

Doing things that we know we are going to repenting of probably is not a very good idea. It's just not a good idea to be thinking we can manipulate God. Jesus certainly died for our sins; but, does that make it right that we should continue to do those things we know we should not do with the understanding that we can be forgiven? Was Christ's sacrifice worth so little? 

Besides, how do you know that the hour will not come for you to stand before the throne of God while you are in the midst of purposely doing what you know you ought not be doing? 

Keep awake - be prepared! Do not let our Lord return and find you on a path that you should not be following.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Storms

One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they put out, and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. They went to him and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?”
                                       Luke 8:22-25 NRSV

In the midst of a storm, Jesus calms the disciples and he calms the seas. He commands the winds and the waters. They listen to him. 

Whenever I read this story, I am reminded that the storm did not begin until after they got into the boat with Jesus. Following Jesus is no guarantee that there will not be any storms in your life. In fact, it might guarantee even a few more. 

If you truly follow Jesus you will face obstacles and opposition of all kinds. Jesus never promised that we would not have troubling or stormy times. Only that with him, we would weather them. We would live. We can live in peace knowing that the one who has power over all things is with us always.

There is no need to fear the storms. The one who commands the winds and the waves is with you and for you. Sometimes; though, you will need to experience a few storms on the sea before you can reach the other side.

God's Peace - Pr. J

I Cannot Come

When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”

Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

“But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’

 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’

 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’

 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’

 “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’

 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.'"                                                                                                                   (Luke 14:15-23 NIV)

We all have excuses. Everyone, it seems, wants to be present at the great banquet table in the Kingdom of God after they enter through the gateway of death. But, not so many realize that the banquet table of the Kingdom is prepared just about every Sunday (sometimes more; sometimes less). This feast of Jesus Christ is for you. He invites you. The one who died for you and has prepared a place for you welcomes you. Yet, what is the response? Is it "I cannot come?" What better things do you have to do this Sunday?

The Kingdom of God is at hand. The table has been prepared for you. You have been invited. "Come, for everything is now ready."

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Weathering The Storm

One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they put out, and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. They went to him and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?” (Luke 8:22-25 NRSV)

Jesus calms the disciples and the seas. He commands even the winds and the waters. They listen to him. But, there is something else we need to consider. The storm did not begin until they were out on the sea with Jesus.

Following Jesus is no guarantee that there will not be storms in our lives. In fact, it might guarantee even a few more. If you truly follow Jesus you will face obstacles and opposition of all kinds. Jesus never promised that we would not have troubling or stormy times; but, that with him we would weather them. We would live. We can live in peace knowing that the one who has power over all things is with us always.

There is no need to fear the storms. The one who commands the winds and the waves is with you and for you. But, sometimes, you will need to experience a few storms on the sea before you can reach the other side.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jesus Calms The Disciples And The Storms

   One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out.  As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.  
   The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

   He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

   In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

                                                                           Luke 8:22-25 NIV

Jesus calms the disciples and the seas. He commands even the winds and the waters. They listen to him. But, there is something else we need to remember. The storm did not begin until they were out on the sea with Jesus.

Following Jesus is no guarantee that there will not be storms in your life. In fact, it might guarantee even a few more. If you truly follow Jesus you will face obstacles and opposition of all kinds. Jesus never promised that we would not have troubling or stormy times. Only that with him, we would weather them. We would live. We can live in peace knowing that the one who has power over all things is with us always.

There is no need to fear the storms. The one who commands the winds and the waves is with you and for you. But, sometimes, you will need to experience a few storms on the sea before you can reach the other side.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Be Prepared!

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Luke 12:35-40 NIV)

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Be prepared! The LORD has called you to be His own. Will you be ready? Or... are you too busy preparing for the next party? The next sports game? The next whatever? And, you do know what I mean when I say "parties." There are parties and then there are "parties." Of course, the LORD wants you to enjoy life and to celebrate at gatherings. There are those parties where we gather together to celebrate someone's birthday or a wedding or even a community picnic. But, then there are those "parties" that include celebrating illegal or immoral behavior. The latter party in no way prepares us to meet the LORD. 

The LORD wants us to enjoy life and all that gifts He's given us. But, the question we must ask ourselves is if these pleasures the number one priorities in our lives? If given a choice, what will you choose: the Kingdom of God for all eternity or immediate pleasure and gratification? Will you choose to sleep through life or will you be prepared for the return of the Master?

"Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning."

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jesus Is The Truth; Listen To Him

Jesus is the only Truth in a world led astray by the lies of the devil.

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Eph 4:25-32 (NIV)

When Pilate was interrogating him, Jesus had told him that everyone who is on the side of truth listens to him. Pilate's response was: "What is truth?" (John 18:37-38) 

Indeed! What is truth? Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life." (John 14:6) Yet, if we listen to what is going on around us in the world it appears that everyone seems to have their own version of the truth. These varying versions of the truth have a tendency to cause division and many other forms of hurt. Protecting one's own version of the truth leads to bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander, along with every form of malice. Vehemently promoting one's own version of the truth will not build up the church. It will not build up relationships. It will only give way for the devil to have his way with the world.

During the presidential campaigns, I would sometimes listen to the candidates speak and then I would listen to the paid pundits. It did not matter which political party they were affiliated with, for some reason what the pundits heard and what I heard from the candidates were not usually the same thing. The key, I believe, is the word "paid." The pundits are hired servants that promote the cause of the employer or master that they serve. They definitely have personal agendas and they hear what they want to hear. They say what they want to say according to how it will profit themselves.

I am not saying that they are lying; well, not exactly. They simply cannot see the truth because what they wish is the truth is so overpowering that is all they can see or know.

The truth is that if we truly want to know the truth we must listen to Jesus because he is the truth. If we truly want the world to be a better place for the following generations we must know the truth and speak it for the sake of the world and not just for ourselves. 

May God open the hearts of all people to know the truth and to speak the truth who is Jesus the Christ.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Trust His Plan For The Future

Some rebuilding required after Hurricane Matthew

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

The Israelites had been taken into captivity. Jeremiah wrote to them from Jerusalem. He sent them the word of the Lord. He encouraged to go on living in Babylon. Don't give up; build homes, grow your families; live life!  He promised that in all they had gone through and all that they would go through, God had a plan; a plan to give them hope and a future.

Sometimes, things get a whole lot worse than better. In order for us to be reconciled to our Father in heaven, there was a heavy price. His Son had to die for us. It was a dark day the day our Lord hung on the cross for us. But, without the events of that day, we would all still be living in permanent exile from our Father's Kingdom.

God has a plan; a good plan for His children. It doesn't always look or feel like it. We don't usually get to know the details of the plan. But, He is the master builder; after all, and has built for us a future that is more glorious than any of us can begin to fathom.

So no matter what happens that might cause you to feel like all is lost at times; trust Him, to build your life. Trust Him as you continue to live life in Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.

God's Peace - Pr. J