Matthew 11:2-11 Expectations

Have you ever been in a situation where people did not live up to the hopes and expectations you had for them? If so, you can probably understand why John the Baptist was confused in the reading we heard from Matthew 11:2-11

 

Why was he confused? There are two possible reasons. One is that his imprisonment could have affected his thinking. Prisons in John’s day were not like they are today. John was locked up in a dungeon in Herod’s palace. The dungeon was like a cave-dark and depressing.

A second, more likely reason is because Jesus was not the type of Messiah John preached about, not was he the type of Messiah the people were looking for. Both John and the people were looking for a military-type of ruler who would drive out the Romans and restore Israel to the glory days of King David.

Uncertain, scary times can shake us up and cause us to have doubts about our faith. John the Baptist is a good example. When we, like John, are moved by the Holy Spirit, we vow to follow God. When we receive blessings, we are sure that Jesus is our Saviour. When we face tragedies and disasters, we question our faith. We question why these things happen. We are wrapped up in our suffering that sometimes we can’t see, hear or feel God’s presence.

John clearly shows us what happens to his and our narrow expectations. Christ came for him but he came in a way that John did not expect. We will find reconciliation and peace if we can see beyond our expectations and look for new places where Jesus is working. Jesus came to reverse things.

Jesus did not live up to the expectations of the people. He blessed the poor in spirit, the meek and peacemakers. He called on his people not to judge others. These teachings were contrary to the actions the people expected because of John’s fire and brimstone preaching. 

Jesus did not answer John’s question directly. At that time, it was shameful and dishonourable to publicly claim for oneself a higher status than one was born with. In the eyes of the people, he was a carpenter’s son and not the Son of God. He did not openly declare that He was the Messiah. Instead, He proclaimed the kingdom of God.

The expectation that was met was the expectation that society would be changed. The prophecies of healing in the last days came true when Jesus came, and they are coming true as the date of His Second Coming approaches. That healing shows its face in Jesus’ compassion-the same compassion we are to show to a hurting world.

Jesus came to help those in need, those who don’t have anyone else to help them. He didn’t come to destroy the wicked. He came to restore them and give them a second change. In other words, he came for us. We are the ones who need help. We are the ones who need someone to help us. We are the wicked who need a second chance.

Jesus did preach repentance, but he offered mercy and healing. Jesus judges us through mercy. Judgment has come, and Jesus the judge has decided that those of us who have accepted him as our Saviour by faith will receive mercy. In return, we are to continue his ministry of healing and teaching.  

Faith requires doubt in order to be faith. All of us have doubts about Jesus and our faith from time to time, especially if we are suffering or praying for something. Sometimes we wonder why God allows suffering or why God doesn’t answer our prayers. At times like these we must be like John. He had doubts, but he was open to hearing Jesus say that He is the Messiah. God doesn’t get mad at us when we have doubts. In fact, he is loving and gracious. He cares about our doubts and problems, but He cares more about us. All of our doubts will be gone and all of our questions will be answered when we get to heaven.

When we have doubts, we can do the following things:

1.      Admit our doubts and ask for help like John did.

2.      Acton our faith and not on our doubts.

3.      Keep going back to what we know to be true.

Sometimes we have blinders on. These blinders hinder our vision of where God is. If we take these blinders off we can see where God is in our lives and trust him.

Jesus answered John’s doubts with a report of His dramatic work. Matthew mentions the giving of sight to the blind first in order to highlight Jesus’ unique ministry. The Old Testament does not record the blind being healed, nor does the New Testament record any of Jesus’ disciples performing such a miracle. It is the most frequent healing miracle that Jesus performed. Jesus also healed the lame, the lepers and the deaf, and he raised the dead. Each of these compassionate acts was proof that Jesus was the Messiah.

Jesus asks us to stretch our understanding of who the Messiah is-a different model than the magical problem-solver and giver of good things that we want to have. When we remain faithful in the face of prayers that are not answered or hopes that go unfulfilled. God does not promise a life without pain, but He does promise that He will walk with us and that we will come out whole in the end.  

Jesus used a series of rhetorical questions to get the crowd to appraise John the Baptist. They were so interested in him because he was a humble prophet who spoke a piercing message. That message landed John the Baptist in jail. King Herod married his brother’s ex-wife, and John told him that was wrong. Herod did not like that message, so he had John the Baptist arrested.

Jesus insisted that John was more than a humble prophet because he served as His forerunner. John the Baptist was therefore greater than Isaiah, Daniel, Elijah or any of the other Old Testament prophets because only John had the privilege of personally introducing the Messiah, Jesus Christ, to the nation of Israel. He was also lesser than the least in the kingdom because he did not see the full work of Christ-his death, resurrection and ascension. We have experienced all of these because of our faith in what Christ did for us on the cross. We have experienced the actual atoning work of Christ. We are also greater than John because the Holy Spirit lives in us.

When Jesus said that the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John the Baptist, he was not belittling John but highlighting the extraordinary privilege of being in the kingdom. John prepared the way for the coming of the Messiah, but those in the kingdom experience its reality.

Advent is a time of expectation, a time of waiting for the coming of our Saviour. He comes among us in His Word and through the Holy Spirit. He stirs us up and gets us involved in His ministry among those who are neglected by our society. That is his expectation for us, and it is also the world’s expectation for us as Christians, so it should be our expectation as well. It is up to us to meet those expectations.

Bibliography

1.      Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013, pp. 1299-1300)

2.      Exegesis for Matthew 11:2-11. Retrieved from www.sermonwriter.com

3.      ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.

4.      Augsberger, M. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 24: Matthew (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1982, p. 18)

5.      MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible, New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006)

6.      Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible: New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles, 2005)

7.      Dr. Ray Pritchard, “If I Believe, why do I Doubt?” retrieved from www.keepbelieving.org

8.      Kelly McFadden, “Tunnel Vision.” Retrieved form www.homeword.com

9.      Jude Siciliano, O.P., “First Impressions, 3^rd Sunday of Advent (A).” Retrieved from www.preacherexchange.org

10.  The Very Rev. Samuel Candler, “Are You the One Who Is to Come?” Retrieved from www.day1.org

11.  David Lose, “Disappointed with God at Christmastime.” Retrieved from www.workingpreacher.org

12.  Arland J. Hultgren, “Commentary on Matthew 11:2-11.” Retrieved from www.workingpreacher.org.

13.  The Rev. Ada Wong Nagata, “Can You See and Hear God’s presence in Your Life?” Retrieved from www.episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/stw

 

 

Isaiah 11:1-10 The Best is Yet to Come

“Ah…. those were the good old days!”

How many of you have ever said or thought something similar to those words?

Thinking about the past always brings up memories, both good and bad. These memories include kids playing street hockey or climbing trees or making forts or walking 40 miles to school-uphill both ways! The problem with remembering the good old days is that sometimes they weren’t as good as we think they were!

The prophet Isaiah reminds us of the good old days when David ruled a united Israel, when life was simple in the Garden of Eden, and when God’s people fled Egypt to find a permanent home. Isaiah tells us that no matter how good the good times were even better times will happen when Christ returns. In this season of Advent, we remember both Christ’s birth in the stable in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago and his Second Coming. Nothing in the past can be measured against what is yet to come.

Before Christ returns, the world will undergo trouble and strife through the Great Tribulation and the Battle of Armageddon. When Christ returns, not only will he bring with him the saints who are in heaven, but he will also redeem those Christians who are alive here on earth. That is what Isaiah means when he refers to the Messiah as a shoot or twig from Jesse. The Messiah and his earthly kingdom will grow from the remains of God’s judgment of the people on earth.

Before Christ returns, the world will be under judgment. Evil will be weeded out and what is left will be the shoot I just referred to. That shoot will be modest, just like Jesse, the father of King David, was. What Isaiah means is that the Messiah will be of the house and lineage of King David, who was the son of Jesse. The word “stem” refers to a “root-stock” or “stump”. The image of a stump indicates hope, for out of the stump will come a root or branch; namely, the Messiah. Isaiah recalls God’s promise to King David in 2 Samuel 7:16 that his descendant would rule over his kingdom forever.  

David was empowered by the Holy Spirit, but the Messiah will be more richly empowered by the Holy Spirit. He will show ideal faithfulness and find deep joy in living reverently before God. The coming Messiah will be endowed with the Spirit of the Lord, who provides the wisdom, ability, understanding, counsel, power, knowledge, peace and allegiance to God that are necessary to accomplish a challenging task.

That task includes transforming the social order and restoring nature to paradise. He will do what is right in His judgment and what is fair in His decisions. He will bring justice to the poor, the needy and the wicked. The peace Isaiah refers to in the animal kingdom mirrors the relief from oppressive injustice within human society. Isaiah 11:1-10 refers to the 1,000-year rule of Christ on earth after his second coming, which is also referred to in Revelation 20:4-6. It is the final earthly chapter in God’s plan to bring earth and its inhabitants back under his rule. The earth will return to the days of the Garden of Eden before Adam and Eve sinned. 

Paul quotes Isaiah 11:10 in Romans 15:12 to show that salvation is for Gentiles as well as Jews. The Messiah’s rule will be over all nations. Christ will heal the hostility between the nations of the world. As I mentioned earlier, He will allow the remnants of God’s people who are left after the Great Tribulation and the Battle of Armageddon to return to Him.

In the meantime, we must make certain that we are ready for His return, because it could happen at any time. We can do this by making certain that our lives are a reflection of what his kingdom here on earth will be. That includes being fair in our dealings with other people, loving everyone and being honest in everything we do. Jesus will see our true nature, so it doesn’t make any sense for us to pretend that we are doing these things.

It has been said that the main purpose of the Old Testament prophets was to afflict the comforted and comfort the afflicted. The reading from Isaiah 11:1-10 is an example of an Old Testament prophet comforting the afflicted. It gives hope for the future. In this season of Advent, the readings refer to our need to prepare for Christ’s return-a time when there will be the hope and peace referred to by Isaiah and the final judgment proclaimed by the apostle John. In a world full of hurt and pain, Isaiah reminds us that we are children of God. We as Christians have seen the fulfillment of the hope promised by the Second Coming, so we can and should proclaim this passage from Isaiah as our hope for salvation peace to be realized in the future.

 Bibliography

 

1.      Jeremiah, Dr. David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; pp. 893-894)

2.      Gathering Magazine, Advent/Christmas/Epiphany 2017 (Toronto, ON: The United Church of Canada, p. 8)

3.      ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.

4.      McKenna, D.L. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 17: Isaiah 1-39 (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1993, pp. 153-158)

5.      MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible, New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)

6.      Lucado, M.: The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2010, pp. 943-944)

7.      Selwyn Hughes, “Don’t Forget the Parentheses.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com

8.      Jennifer Benson Schuldt, “Snake in a Box.” Retrieved from www.rbc.org

9.      Joni Eareckson Tada, “Of Wolves and Lambs.” Retrieved from www.joniandfriends.org

10.  Exegesis for Isaiah 11;1-10. Retrieved from www.lectionary.org

11.  Jeremiah, Dr. David: Agents of the Apocalypse (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2014)

12.  Anathea Porter-Young, “Commentary on Isaiah 11:1-10.” Retrieved from www.workingpreacher.org

13.  Ron Hansen, “The Peaceable Kingdom.” Retrieved from www.journeywithjesus.org

14.  The Rev. Dr. Stephen Montgomery, “Not Much, But Enough for Me.” Retrieved froom www.day1.org

 

Matthew 24:36-44 Be Prepared for Christ’s Return

The central theme of the reading from Matthew 24:36-44 is promise. Jesus promises that when he returns he will gather his people. We don’t need to be afraid of the Great Tribulation or the Battle of Armageddon. Jesus will be with us. He will protect us.

No one knows when He will return to set up His kingdom. Periodically someone will claim to have discovered a secret that indicates the date of Christ’s return, but such claims are not true. Jesus will return when we least expect it. Christians who are expecting His return will know it will be a great day. When He returns, we will have to give an account of how we lived for Him. If we are faithful and wise servants we will be ready. Jesus will see us doing His will when He returns.

Jesus can’t make it any plainer. Even he doesn’t know the exact date and time of his return. At first glance this doesn’t make any sense because Jesus was fully God even though he was also fully human. While Jesus was on earth he learned things the same way other humans learned them. Because he was fully God at the same time, he had infinite knowledge, so how could he have not known the date and time of his return? One possibility is that he regularly lived on the basis of his human knowledge, but he could call to mind anything from his infinite knowledge.

The idea the Jesus will come like a thief in the night is found in multiple places in Scripture such as Luke 12:39, 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 3:3 and Revelation 16:15. We must keep looking for Christ’s return, but we must also continue to spread the Good News. We must always be prepared because he could return at any time. 

Some may wonder why Christ hasn’t returned yet. One possible reason is that he might be waiting until the affairs of the world are so messed up that waiting any longer won’t make a difference. This supports the fact that the Battle of Armageddon has to take place before Christ returns. Some people say that we are getting closer to the end of the world because of all the wars and natural disasters that are taking place in the world today.

Another sign that we are getting close to the time of Christ’s return is the falling away from the faith. Church attendance is declining. Some clergy even stand in the pulpit and deny the virgin birth and Jesus’ resurrection.

It isn’t easy for us to wait for anything, and our modern society doesn’t help. With all of our time saving devices such as microwave ovens and cell phones, we are used to getting things almost immediately. We forget to stop and look. We forget to let God interrupt our plans so that we can see Jesus. 

God reveals enough about the future to give us hope, but not so much that we do not have to live and walk by faith every day. We have His assurance about our future with Him. He will bring justice and hope to our hurting would. 

Jesus said that people won’t notice His return when it happens. While it is true that the event will be reported by the media thanks to our 24-hour news channels, that does not mean that people will be paying attention. After all, how many of us pay attention to every news story on radio or TV or in the newspaper? People will keep on doing things as they have always done. They won’t realize that things will change because of Jesus’ return. It’s important that we must always be ready for Christ’s return. We don’t  want Him to catch us by surprise.

The end will be unexpected. God will come into the ordinary events of our lives. His coming will cause a great separation between believers and non-believers. He doesn’t want us to have a “ho-hum” attitude about his return, but he doesn’t want us to be afraid of it either.

When Jesus returns, will we recognize him? The only way to know for certain is to get lots of practice doing what he wants us to do. In other words, we are to show his love to a hurting world be serving the less fortunate. This means feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked and visiting the prisoner. These will be credited to us as if we had done them for Christ. While we are waiting for Christ to return, we are to witness to unbelievers and warn them about Christ’s judgment. We are to share God’s love and plan for salvation.

Bibliography

1.                  Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p. 1325-1326)

2.                  ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.

3.                  Augsberger, M. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 24: Matthew (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1983)

4.                  MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible, New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN; Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)

5.                  Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)

6.                  Lucado, M.: The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson; 2010; pp.1339-1340)

7.                  Richard Inness, “Vivid Warning Signs.” Retrieved from www.actsweb.org

8.                  Michael Youssef, Ph.D., “Like a Thief.” Retrieved from www.leadingtheway.org

9.                  Dr. Harold Sala, “Prophecies and the Lord’s Return, 2.” Retrieved from www.guidelines.org

10.              Exegesis for Matthew 24:36-44. Retrieved from www.sermonwriter.com

11.              Michael Youssef, Ph.D., “Until He Returns.” Retrieved from www.leadingtheway.org

12.              David Lose, “A Sure and Certain Promise.” Retrieved from www.workingpreacher.org

13.              Rick Morley, “Like a Thief.” Retrieved from www.rickmorley.com

14.              Sarah Dylan Breuer, “First Sunday of Advent, Year A.” retrieved from www.sarahlaughed.org

15.              Ben Witherington, “Commentary on Matthew 24:36-44.” Retrieved from www.workingpreacher.org

 

 

 

1 Corinthians 3:10-23 Our Firm Foundation

Every building has a firm foundation. Without it, the building would fall down. Similarly, our faith has to have a firm foundation. That foundation is Jesus. Anything else will fail-even the church.

The first reason that churches fail is because they violate their commitment to Jesus Christ as their foundation. Churches must be built on Christ; then a community of believers can glorify Him through social justice or outreach or service. To establish a church on any other foundation-even one compromised of seemingly virtuous causes-will not succeed.

Wood, hay and straw will decay. God, silver and precious stones are permanent. The framework of the church must be carefully chosen for endurance. God only uses quality materials such as gold, silver and precious stones. These represent dedicated, spiritual service in building the church. Too many people build the foundations of their lives on material that will decay. They build their lives on worldly ways and worldly things. The only foundation that will last is the foundation of Jesus Christ. When we trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our hearts. He will be in us and with us forever. We are significant because God lives in us.

If we want God to live in us, we need a daily dose of disciplined faith. That includes setting aside time every day to pray and study the Bible. These habits will go a long way to achieving spiritual health. Our reward for an earnest faith is a deep hunger to know God.  

Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 3:10-23 that the Day of Judgment will declare the validity of each person’s work. This is not the Great White Throne judgment where Jesus will condemn unbelievers. It is the Judgment Seat of Christ, where believers will be evaluated. The phrase, “test each one’s work” means that God will see His children as they really are-all their motivations, desires and reasons for serving Him. The work that Christians do in true faith and obedience to God will survive and be rewarded. Work done in the power of the flesh or in disobedience to the Scriptures will not. A sinner who lives a good life is still a sinner. God needs people who see themselves as sinners and Him as a God who saves. He wants people to ask for mercy.

There are no limits to our possessions in Christ. Pastors and teachers are fellow servants ministering the things of God. It’s foolish to fight over an Apollos versus a Paul versus a Peter when they, like every member within the church, are part of God’s purpose for the body of Christ.

What we do on earth will affect our eternal destiny. If we let our lives and our words be witnesses to the lost, we will build up rewards in heaven. Believers will be given rewards based on the quality of their service. Notice that it is not their service that saves. Both the rewarded believer and the believer who suffers loss are saved. Works can never earn salvation. Faithfulness in service, however, will earn the right to give God even greater glory as the faithful lay their rewards at His feet. God will reward us with heavenly responsibilities according to how faithful we have been here on earth. If we use the best resources to the best of our ability, we will receive all of the goodness He offers. 

Sometimes we may ask ourselves what God is thinking or what He wants us to do. We can know His thoughts and His will. All we have to do is forget about our earthly ways and learn His principles for living our lives. Worldly ways are the exact opposite of God’s ways. If we study God’s Word we can see God’s message and His method. We will see how he works in the lives of His people.

Anyone who tries to stop God’s work is not part of God’s family and will be destroyed, just like God destroyed all of Israel’s enemies. It is one thing to disagree if one’s desire is what is best for a community of believers. Those who are motivated to block or ruin what God wants to do are sinning. This is what happened to the church in Corinth.

The Corinthians knew that they belonged to God and not to the person who led them to Christ. The person was only doing God’s work. They should only boast in God. The source of real unity among us is the fact that we are all servants of the same master. We are all products of God’s grace, which is the source of our Christian unity.

Bibliography

1.                  Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p. 1577-1578)

2.                  Chafin, K.L. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary series, Vol. 30: 1,2 Corinthians (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1985; pp. 51-56)

3.                  ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.

4.                  MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study bible, New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN; Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006)

5.                  Dr. Charles Stanley, “Choosing the Right Building Material.” Retrieved from www.intouch.org

6.                  Anne Graham Lotz, “Our One Foundation.” Retrieved from www.angelministries.org

7.                  Ron Moore, “The Spirit Lives in Me.” Retrieved from www.ronmoore.org

8.                  Ed Young, “Invest in Your Future.” Retrieved from www.edyoung.com

9.                  Pastor Ken Klaus, “The Word for the New year.” Retrieved from www.lhm.org

 

Luke 23:35-38 A Backward Kind of King

Today I am going to tell you a story about a king. As you know, a king usually wears a crown made of gold, silver, and precious jewels. The king in our story wore a different kind of crown. Listen as I tell you the story of "King Backward."

Once upon a time, a long time ago, there lived a King. He was no ordinary king. He was different from other kings because He did everything backwards from the way other kings did them. From the very day he was born, you could tell that this king was going to be different. Most kings are usually born in a palace, but this king was born in a stable surrounded by donkeys, sheep and cows. It wasn't a very big beginning for a king. In fact, very few people even knew that a king had been born. Only a handful of shepherds and three wise men got the word that a king had been born.

As the infant king grew into a man, he continued to be different from other kings. While most kings spent all of their time building up riches of silver, gold, and jewels, this king owned nothing at all. And while most kings surrounded themselves with servants, He chose to be a servant. He could often be found helping others.

As time went on, people became very unhappy with their King because He just didn't act the way that they thought a king should act. Instead of riding into town on a big white horse the way other kings usually did, their king rode into town on the back of a donkey. Was that any way for a king to act?

And the people He chose to be his friends! His closest friends were a bunch of smelly fishermen and He could often be seen visiting with the poor and eating with sinners.

Finally the people decided that they had put up with this King long enough. If He couldn't act the way a king should act, then they didn't want Him to be their king any more. They made a plan to have Him arrested and thrown into prison.

Their plan worked. When the day came for his trial, the King stood before the people. Instead of shouting "Hail to the King, Long live the King!" they shouted, "Crucify Him! He is not our king! Crucify Him!." So they crucified the King. They nailed Him to a cross; they put a crown made of thorns on his head; they poked Him with sharp sticks and made fun of Him. What a way for a king to die! After He was crucified, they took His body and put it in a borrowed tomb.

Wait, that isn't the end of the story. Remember ... this King was different! King Backward rose from the grave to live forever. Now, instead of being the Backward King, He is the Forever King. He is the King to anyone who chooses Him to be their King. Oh, there are still some people who call Him "King Backward," but those who know Him don't call Him that ... they call him King Jesus!

Jesus wants to be your king too, and if you choose Him to be your King, you will live happily forever, and forever after!

Dear Jesus, today we crown you King and Lord of our life. Amen.

Bibliography

1.      “Christ the King Backward.” Retrieved from www.sermons4kids.com

 

Luke 19:41-44 Weeping for Jerusalem

In the reading we heard from Luke 19:41-44a few minutes ago, Jesus wept. Does that surprise you? After all, Jesus and God are one in the same. Well, it’s not really a surprise because Jesus was also human, so he had human needs and emotions, including sorrow. This was not the first time he wept. He wept shortly before he raised his friend Lazarus from the dead.

In this passage from Luke, we heard how Jesus wept over the future of Jerusalem and the Jewish people. Jesus also wept because He knew the real tragedy of the moment. He had just entered Jerusalem in triumph. He knew this moment of glory would not last. He knew that the joyous reaction of the crowds was superficial and would not last. He knew that the city would be destroyed, and indeed it was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. Jerusalem’s destruction was God’s judgment for their failure to recognize Jesus as the Messiah.

The rejection of Jesus by the Jews was predicted in the Old Testament, but Jesus was still saddened by their rejection. This likely reflected God’s heart as he thought about how the Jews rejected His prophets. Jesus was also thinking about His Second Coming and the coming of the kingdom. The things that make for peace were the things that would lead the Jews to salvation. Because they did not realize that Jesus was the long-promised Messiah, they did not realize the way to salvation.

Ironically, Jerusalem means “City of Peace.” Jesus wept because of the great privileges that were being abused. He wept because of the great possibilities that were rejected. He also wept because of the great punishment he knew was coming on the city and the people. Jerusalem had abandoned its faith, rejected the Messiah, and would be laid to waste with terrible judgment. This was their day opportunity. Jesus made himself available to them, but they nailed Him to the cross.

From the time of David onward, Jerusalem was the centre of Israel and of her religion. But as Jesus looked at it, the temple was no longer a place of glory, holiness, and wonder but a picture of the terrible decay in the Jewish religious system. 

Jerusalem represents all of our hometowns. Have you ever wept or shown concern for your own hometowns? We could weep for our neighbours who don’s know how to have the peace of Christ. They don’t know the cure for the loneliness that results in destructive patterns. If we knew the heartbreak in our hometowns, we would weep too. Every city and town can be blessed with Jesus’ presence, but the leaders must invite Jesus into the city or town before God’s peace can be experienced.

In some ways, we are like the Jews. Do we realize it when God does somethings special in our midst? How many people in the world today know God, even though God created the world around us? How many people know God even though the Bible reveals His plan for our lives?

Bibliography

1.                  Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p. 1494)

2.                  ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.

3.                  Larsen, B. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 26: Luke (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1983; pp. 290-294)

4.                  MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible, New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)

5.                  Stanley, C.F: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, New King James Version (Nashville, TN; Nelson Bibles; 2005)

6.                  Don Ruhl, “Why Did Jesus Fade in Glory?” Retrieved from comment-reply@wordpress.com

7.                  Os Hillman, “Jesus Wept for the City.” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com

 

 

Luke 19:41-44 Weeping for Jerusalem

In the reading we heard from Luke 19:41-44a few minutes ago, Jesus wept. Does that surprise you? After all, Jesus and God are one in the same. Well, it’s not really a surprise because Jesus was also human, so he had human needs and emotions, including sorrow. This was not the first time he wept. He wept shortly before he raised his friend Lazarus from the dead.

In this passage from Luke, we heard how Jesus wept over the future of Jerusalem and the Jewish people. Jesus also wept because He knew the real tragedy of the moment. He had just entered Jerusalem in triumph. He knew this moment of glory would not last. He knew that the joyous reaction of the crowds was superficial and would not last. He knew that the city would be destroyed, and indeed it was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. Jerusalem’s destruction was God’s judgment for their failure to recognize Jesus as the Messiah.

The rejection of Jesus by the Jews was predicted in the Old Testament, but Jesus was still saddened by their rejection. This likely reflected God’s heart as he thought about how the Jews rejected His prophets. Jesus was also thinking about His Second Coming and the coming of the kingdom. The things that make for peace were the things that would lead the Jews to salvation. Because they did not realize that Jesus was the long-promised Messiah, they did not realize the way to salvation.

Ironically, Jerusalem means “City of Peace.” Jesus wept because of the great privileges that were being abused. He wept because of the great possibilities that were rejected. He also wept because of the great punishment he knew was coming on the city and the people. Jerusalem had abandoned its faith, rejected the Messiah, and would be laid to waste with terrible judgment. This was their day opportunity. Jesus made himself available to them, but they nailed Him to the cross.

From the time of David onward, Jerusalem was the centre of Israel and of her religion. But as Jesus looked at it, the temple was no longer a place of glory, holiness, and wonder but a picture of the terrible decay in the Jewish religious system. 

Jerusalem represents all of our hometowns. Have you ever wept or shown concern for your own hometowns? We could weep for our neighbours who don’s know how to have the peace of Christ. They don’t know the cure for the loneliness that results in destructive patterns. If we knew the heartbreak in our hometowns, we would weep too. Every city and town can be blessed with Jesus’ presence, but the leaders must invite Jesus into the city or town before God’s peace can be experienced.

In some ways, we are like the Jews. Do we realize it when God does somethings special in our midst? How many people in the world today know God, even though God created the world around us? How many people know God even though the Bible reveals His plan for our lives?

Bibliography

1.                  Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p. 1494)

2.                  ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.

3.                  Larsen, B. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 26: Luke (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1983; pp. 290-294)

4.                  MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible, New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)

5.                  Stanley, C.F: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, New King James Version (Nashville, TN; Nelson Bibles; 2005)

6.                  Don Ruhl, “Why Did Jesus Fade in Glory?” Retrieved from comment-reply@wordpress.com

7.                  Os Hillman, “Jesus Wept for the City.” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com