He Knows What We Need
LIZ CURTIS HIGGS
Whatever they were seeking, the Lord gave them what they needed: “and he preached the word to them†(Mark 2:2b, NIV). Whether we’re fully aware of it or not, that’s what our souls hunger for most: God’s Word. We may pray for material things or mended relationships or financial blessings or easier lives, but what our hearts truly want is to hear His truth and experience His presence.
Jesus encountered a man that day who wasn’t content with simply hearing Him speak. This man wanted to be changed, forgiven, healed. He wanted Jesus, but he needed help to reach Him. Then, “Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them†(Mark 2:3, NIV). What a perfect picture of how we’re to bear one another’s burdens!
Sadly, no one made room for a paralyzed man on a mat. No one gave up their place. So, his resourceful buddies “made an opening in the roof above Jesus†(Mark 2:4b, NIV) and lowered the paralyzed man into the house.
The crowd must have looked up in astonishment as a man on a mat entered the room through a door that didn’t exist before. A helpless man who didn’t have the ability to create that opening or lower himself down.
Then Jesus spoke directly to the man lying before him. “Son, your sins are forgiven†(Mark 2:5b, NIV).
Oh, my. We weren’t told the man was a sinner. We thought he was merely stricken with a malady and in need of a physician.
But Jesus was far more concerned with the state of the man’s soul than the state of his body. Like many of us, this man on the mat was paralyzed with fear, with shame, with guilt. Jesus had to address that first, just as He does with us.
At once, the deed was done. Jesus told him “the penalty is remitted, the sense of guilt removed, and you are made upright and in right standing with God†(Mark 2:5b, AMPC). Glory!
But not everyone in the crowd was pleased. The teachers of the law watched all this unfold and thought to themselves, “‘Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’†(Mark 2:7).
Just Do it!
CHRYSTAL EVANS HURST
I remember being a little girl and actually enjoying my visits to the doctor. It meant a break from school and best of all, I always left with a lollipop in my hands.
This time there would be no lollipop, but there would be a lecture.
While there was nothing life-threatening happening in my body, many of the numbers my doctor reviewed were headed in the wrong direction. And she made sure to kindly, but pointedly, bring to my attention that I was no longer a spring chicken and that I needed to get my act together or else I’d have regrets as time went on.
Ugh. How depressing. I mean who wants to hear they’re not a spring chicken?
But the worst of it? I know better.
Of course I know that the food choices I make can affect my overall health, but it still remains such a battle.
Can I just keep it real for a second?
I love food.
But the food I love, doesn’t always love me back.
I’ve read about making better food choices in books and magazines. I’ve had many discussions with friends and family on wellness. I’ve listened to radio shows and heard experts share tips for living a healthy lifestyle. Truth be told, I think I’ve watched almost every season of The Biggest Loser!
Ugh! Why is it so hard to know what to do — and then actually do it?
The problem I face in my physical life is one I also face often in my spiritual life.
I’ve read about making better choices in the Bible, Christian books and devotionals. I’ve had many discussions with friends and family on spiritual well-being. Listened to more sermons, radio programs and podcasts than I can count. Truth be told, I think I’ve had a front row seat at church almost every single Sunday morning of my life!
Yet … knowing and doing are not the same thing.
When James wrote his epistle, or letter, to the Jewish believers, he was writing to encourage them during a time of great hardship and tribulation. It wasn’t easy to be a believer because Christians were persecuted for choosing to follow the message and person of Jesus Christ.
While faith in Jesus Christ served as the first and most important step in the life of a believer, James wanted Christians to understand that works of obedience should also accompany faith in the Savior: “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone†(James 2:24, ESV).
Even though it would be hard, James encouraged believers to “work out†what they believed — for their actions to match their beliefs. He didn’t want them to simply understand the truth, he wanted their lives to be a demonstration of a truth that was active in their hearts, minds, souls and feet.
Knowing about healthy choices doesn’t equal me actually making those choices and therefore reaping the full benefit of a healthy body.
And knowing about life in Jesus Christ doesn’t equal me actually making the choice to obey His Word and therefore reaping the benefit of a healthy soul.
As James reminds us in today’s key verse, I must be more than a hearer, reader, discusser, watcher. I must be a doer.
God wants more than for us to have a simple awareness of His instructions. He wants us to obey Him and to do what He says — both for His glory and our good. His instructions may not always be easy but this much is clear: He wants us to hear His Word and just do it.
Dear Father, forgive me for the areas in my life that I tend not to walk in full obedience to You. I’m sorry for not being willing to fully trust You enough to obey You. Help me put what You have taught me into practice. I want to please You and I want Your best for my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Come with Me
SUZIE ELLER
I also like lists. A grocery list gets me in and out of the store quickly. A schedule tells me what to expect from my day. My yearlong planner maps out my goals.
While these are helpful in my everyday life, I usually don’t have that luxury in my faith.
Sometimes, Jesus simply says, Come with me, Suzie, and I have no idea what the next step looks like, much less where the finish line ends. I don’t know if I have everything I need or if I’m equipped for the journey.
My emotional reaction might look like this:
If You’ll just tell me the plan (every part of it), I’ll come with You.
Lord, if You’ll assure me that I’m the right person for this, I’ll go.
Just hand me the itinerary, and I’m Your girl.
In today’s key verse, Simon Peter is exhausted after an all-night fishing expedition. He has just finished washing the heavy nets weighted with stones, when Jesus approaches.
Jesus asks Simon to put the boat out a little from shore, so Jesus could teach the crowds. Simon agrees.
A bit later, Jesus asks Simon to go fishing. Simon has just fished all night without results. He’s exhausted, but because Jesus asks, he takes that step.
The abundance of fish is so great that it nearly capsizes Simon’s and his fishing partners’ boats.
Simon sinks to his knees and asks Jesus to leave him. It’s not because he’s afraid, but because he’s in awe.
Come with me.
That was Jesus’ invitation. Simon left his boat, his business and the fish behind to follow Jesus.
When we read this story, we often focus on the fish as the miracle, but Simon left the heap of fish behind. He understood that walking with Jesus was the real miracle.
In fact, following Jesus was the beginning of a lifetime of miracles for Simon.
While making plans and scheduling and doing our own thing is a natural response, Jesus is perched in our “boats†with a spectacular invitation.
He asks us to walk in faith with Him in our marriages, in the midst of disappointments, as we make plans and dream, in our relationships, in our anxious places and in every aspect of our lives.
Come with me.
Have you resisted that invitation? I have. I can look back and see that I resisted, only to discover that Jesus was trying to give me the greatest gift of His presence. He was trying to lead me out of my comfort to discover His plans for me.
Simon Peter was changed the day he decided to follow Jesus. He saw lame men leap to their feet. He walked on water. He went through hard places as well, but always with Jesus as his leader.
When Simon accepted the invitation, it changed him, and it changed his story. Once he might have been described as a man with salt on his cheeks as he fished all night. When all along, Jesus knew that Simon was a fisher of men.
Come with me.
That’s the invitation for all of us who believe.
Jesus, the invitation to “come with You†is for me. I accept it. Right where I am. I may not know where You are taking me, but I trust You. Thank You for sitting in the “boat†of my life and walking with me every day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
3 Ways to Press Through Unanswered Prayer
LYSA TERKEURST
And then just to make sure I took her nameless letter seriously, she informed me she’d be sending a copy to my pastor.
My initial reaction was to figure out who sent this so I could call her. Talk this through face-to-face. Assure her my husband and I were not only aware of some struggles my daughter was having, but also working diligently to help her course-correct.
But as I reread the letter, I discerned it wasn’t sent from a place of love for my family or a heart that wanted to help.
From the language she used and the fact that there wasn’t a way to contact her, it was obvious she didn’t send it because she wanted the best for my daughter.
However, it was also a wake-up call to get more intentional in praying for my daughter. I thought about her struggles a lot. I talked about her struggles. I worried about her struggles.
But thinking about, talking about and worrying about something is not the same as praying about it.
I clung to the truth in our key verse, Genesis 50:20, and determined to turn this letter that felt like a bullet into a blessing by using it as a catalyst to ramp up my prayer life.
Through my tears I cried out to the Lord, “I will not sacrifice Your grace for my child on the altar of people’s opinions. Of course I want my daughter to walk the straight and narrow path of great choices. But I trust You, Lord, to write her testimony. My main goal for her is not behavior modification but total heart transformation. I want her to want You, Lord, and Your best for her life. Give me the courage to not just pray about my daughter, but to pray her all the way through this.â€
Praying her through the ups and downs wasn’t easy. There were days I wondered if God even heard my prayers.
It’s tough to pray someone all the way through a messy, hard, complicated situation and not see answers. Maybe you’ve been there. Maybe you’re there now.
Can I speak hope into your heart with 3 ways to press through unanswered prayers?
1. Know with confidence God hears your prayers.
First John 5:14 reminds us, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us†(NIV).
2. Trust that prayer makes a difference, even when you don’t see the difference.
It may take a while for you to see God answer your prayers. But don’t miss an “in the meantime answer†you can receive right away. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us of the immediate answer to every prayer: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus†(NIV, emphasis added).
Did you catch it? It’s the peace of God that will guard your heart and mind in the process while you’re waiting for God to reveal His answer to your request. When you pray, you can trust you’re doing your part, and God will certainly do His part.
3. Tell fear it has no place in this conversation.
These prayers are your gateway to feel an assurance you don’t see yet. But fear will beg you to focus on the problem more than God’s promises. Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand†(NIV).
It’s been a few years since I got that hard letter that prompted more frequent prayers for my daughter. But I still remember the day I visited her at college and could hardly believe my eyes.
She had become a completely different girl.
At one point during our time together, I asked her, “What finally made following Jesus wholeheartedly click for you?†She said, “Mom, I’ve made friends who love Jesus. I saw a joy in them that I wanted. So, I started doing what they do even when I didn’t want to. At first I thought getting up to do devotions was unrealistic, prayer meetings were boring and listening to praise music, excessive. But as I kept doing these things, the Lord started changing my thought patterns. And when I started thinking about life from the standpoint of truth, I had so much more joy.â€
She then paused and said words I’ve longed to hear and prayed to hear for so long, “Mom, I’ve just completely fallen in love with Jesus.â€
I can hardly type those words without crying.
I pray this infuses your heart with hope to keep praying. I pray you believe God can take the things others intended to harm you or the ones you love, and use them for good to accomplish His purposes … because He can!
Dear Lord, only You can turn what was meant for evil into good. I thank You in advance for all that You’re going to do in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Impossible Love Made Possible
Galatians 5:22-23
When a lawyer asked Jesus which commandment was the greatest, He said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all you heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,†and “the second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’†(Matt. 22:37, 39). What an overwhelming assignment!
In our own strength, none of us can live up to this obligation, but the Lord has provided a way for Christians to do the impossible. The indwelling Holy Spirit works to produce His fruit in us, and first on the list is love (Gal. 5:22). In fact, the other eight qualities are really just descriptions of its expression.
Whenever we demonstrate kindness, patience, or gentleness, we see the Lord’s love at work through us, especially when the other person has been unkind and doesn’t deserve such pleasant treatment. This fruit is not produced by trying harder to muster good will toward someone who is irritating or hard to get along with. Instead, think of the process more like sap running through a branch on a grape-vine. The branch doesn’t make grapes; the sap does. In the same way, the Spirit flows through us, producing God’s love in us, so that we can pass it on to Him and others.
Agapelove is the reason we are able to care for someone who mistreats us—it’s God’s doing, not ours. Even the adoration we offer the Lord is not something that we can produce in our own heart apart from His assistance. Though the command to love is enormous,God’s grace makes it possible.
A Call to Godly Living
Romans 12:1
The apostle Paul lived in an age when sensuality, the pursuit of pleasure, and rebellion against the Lord were prevalent. In response, he wrote letters urging Christians not to follow in the ways of the world. Like those early believers, we are to pursue godliness by...
A life of godliness is characterized by a heart and mind bent toward the things of God. Although we will live imperfectly, our focus is to be on obeying His will and pleasing Him. Let's commit to becoming more like Jesus, the One who willingly gave Himself to God as a sacrifice for us.
A Faith Worth Passing Down
2 Timothy 1:3-5
The most precious thing we can pass down to children is our faith--the confident conviction that God is who He says and will do all He has promised. Timothy's strong relationship with Christ didn't materialize out of thin air; it grew as a result of his mother and grandmother's example.
Here are ways we, too, can hand down a rich legacy to the next generation:
As parents, we must be intentional about leading and inspiring our sons and daughters to follow Christ. But even those without children of their own can leave a legacy. The example to follow is Paul: though neither married nor a natural parent, he was a spiritual father to many (1 Cor. 4:14-16).
Choosing to Believe
John 3:1-21
Faith isn't something we can lay claim to because we were born to believing parents or have citizenship in a Christian country. Nor can we attain it by attending or even teaching Sunday school, though I've often heard such incorrect assertions. Instead, the following should be true of genuine believers.
A clear understanding of the gospel is essential for a person to believe and receive the good news of Jesus Christ. His death on the cross was the only sacrifice required to remove our sins. God offers His grace as a gift to anyone who will receive it.
A definite decision at a particular point in time serves as a sort of landmark of the heart and mind. People do not just slip into Christianity; faith in Jesus must be chosen. Believers are those who have made a deliberate decision to trust the Lord and follow in His ways.
A blessed assurance follows the clear-cut decision so that believers can be certain of their salvation. God wants confident, assured children (1 John 5:13).
A visible symbol of what happens when someone receives the Savior--namely, baptism--illustrates dying to one's old ways and rising to new life in Christ Jesus. Believers are to take this step as a public way of identifying with Him (Matt. 28:19).
A man or woman of faith chooses to surrender to Christ, embraces the Word of God, and lives fully for the Lord. True believers no longer muddle through the practices of religion out of habit, but instead worship and rejoice in a vibrant personal relationship with the Lord.
Understanding the Bible
1 Corinthians 2:12-16
“I just don’t understand the Bible.†That’s a comment I hear quite often, even from believers. We can understand why those without Christ are unable to comprehend biblical concepts, but why do those who know Him struggle? Some people think that a seminary education is the answer, but I have met several trained pastors and teachers who didn’t really understand the Word of God. They knew facts, but they had no excitement for the Scriptures or for the Lord.
The key is not education but obedience. As we act on what we read, the Holy Book “comes alive,†and we begin to hear and understand the voice of God. However, if we have not obeyed what He’s previously revealed to us, why would He give us His deeper truths? “The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him†(Ps. 25:14), and those who fear Him are the ones who obey His commandments and are promised “a good understanding†(Ps. 111:10).
Living a fleshly lifestyle of disobedience to the Lord clouds our eyes, diminishes our ability to hear, and fogs our thinking. Although we have full access to the mind of Christ, our attachment to our own sinful ways keeps us from tapping into the rich treasures of wisdom that are found in His Word.
As you read the Scriptures each day, look for God’s instructions. Then with reliance upon the Holy Spirit, commit to do what He tells you. When you obey His voice, He’ll reveal deeper truths, and your understanding will grow. Soon your time in the Word will become a delight instead of a duty.
The Church God's Design
Hebrews 10:23-25
When you hear the word "church," do you picture a little white building full of smiling people in fancy clothes? As lovely as that image may be, God's design for church is unrelated to it. He created the church to be a unified fellowship of believers who encourage each other and carry out His ministry to the world.
The Bible clearly defines the following as ministries of the church: worshiping the living God, instructing and edifying believers, making disciples of all nations, and serving the needy. Unless the leadership is careful, however, these purposes can all too easily get out of balance, with the unfortunate result that the body ends up malnourished. For example, a church with too heavy an emphasis on praise might become introverted. Congregations that overemphasize teaching could lose their joy, and those that evangelize to the neglect of the other areas could miss out on great faith.
Because of sin and human imperfection, we do not experience church as it was originally intended. Instead, there's a tendency to overstress certain ministry areas. What's more, divisive arguments--many of which concern minor issues, such as music preferences--too often destroy unity. Greed, pride, selfishness, and gossip can also tear a congregation apart.
Since they're composed of imperfect people, churches will be imperfect too. Though expecting anything else leads to disappointment, we should nonetheless strive for God's original design, continually measuring ourselves against Scripture and correcting course to realign with His purpose.
The Church What Is It All About
Colossians 1:18-24
Church buildings are plentiful in our country. Locating one may be easy, but wisely deciding which to join involves more effort. God's Word gives us some specific instructions in this matter.
First, let's explore the original biblical meaning of the word "church." The term ecclesia meant a group of people who are called out of the world's system by God's grace for the purpose of assembling to worship and serve Christ. Ephesians 5:29-30 further specifies that believers are the body and Jesus is the head of such a fellowship. Under His leadership, we can enjoy the unity and purpose that He intended.
God's design for this sacred gathering involves worship, instruction, encouragement, evangelism, and ministry to those in need, both within the fellowship and outside its walls. A healthy, vibrant congregation is possible only when members rely fully on the Holy Spirit's guidance. The work of the church is to be done in His power, in humble, prayerful submission to the Lord.
To help you determine whether a church is following the design laid out in Scripture, here are some important questions to ask: Do they believe God's Word is infallible and inerrant? Is the church disciplining her people? Does the fellowship have some kind of missionary or evangelistic program?
Joining a congregation is an important decision, as a fellowship of believers is one tool God uses to mature and encourage His children. Those three questions can be helpful in discerning God's will. Listen for His Spirit to warn or direct as you prayerfully investigate your options.
Jesus Is Human
“Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren.†(Hebrews 2:17)
There will always be an inability to grasp how the omnipotent and omniscient God could become fully human, yet such is the clear teaching of Scripture. Please notice that “all things†were incorporated into the life of Christ when it “behoved him†to be made like the ones He would call His brethren (our text).
Please notice the action of the verbs. Jesus did the “making†and the “taking†of the servant likeness that was prepared for Him (Hebrews 10:5). Once emptied and in the body that was made for Him, He “became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross†(Philippians 2:8). HMM III
The Virtue of Having Enemies
“Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.†(Luke 6:26)
It is no compliment to say about a Christian that he has no enemies, for that is the same as saying he has accomplished nothing. The apostle Paul had many bitter enemies, and they finally got him executed. In fact, almost all of the great heroes of the faith, through all the centuries since Satan gained his victory over Adam and Eve, have had to overcome bitter opposition from that wicked one.
So instead of resenting our enemies, we should thank God for them, for they enable us to become more like our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Only through such experiences can we learn what it means to say, with Paul: “I am crucified with Christ†(Galatians 2:20). Only if we have enemies can we learn to obey Christ’s difficult command to “love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you†(Matthew 5:44).
The Lord Jesus easily could have called on 12 legions of angels to rout His enemies (Matthew 26:53). Instead, He submitted to their vicious insults and cruel tortures, even praying in His agony on the cross, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do†(Luke 23:34). The enemies of Christ killed Him, but had they not done so, He would not have died for our sins, and we would be lost eternally. This is a mystery to ponder, and difficult to comprehend, yet, as the Bible promises, “Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee†(Psalm 76:10).
The enmity of men can thus be a channel of divine grace to the believer, for “tribulation worketh patience†(Romans 5:3), and “our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory†(2 Corinthians 4:17). HMM
The Message of the Old Testament
“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.†(Isaiah 45:22)
Ever since sin entered into God’s created world, His message to all people of all ages has been the same. At the time of the curse, God prophesied that there soon would be a coming Redeemer—the seed of the woman who would crush the head of the serpent, although the Redeemer Himself would be made to suffer in order to do away with the effects of sin (Genesis 3:15). “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul†(Leviticus 17:11).
God repeatedly warned the people of His hatred of sin and wickedness (see, for example, Psalm 5:4-6; Proverbs 6:16-19), but He recognized that humankind was totally incapable of measuring up to His standard of perfection. That great statement of righteous requirements, the Ten Commandments, demonstrated the utter impossibility of complete compliance (Exodus 20; Psalm 14; etc.). Conversely, God repeatedly extended His invitation to be rescued from sin and its effects and its necessary judgment by confidence in His plan for mankind. In our text, we see that “all the ends of the earth†have the opportunity to be “saved.†“Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come†(Isaiah 45:24).
This plan of God focuses on the promised Redeemer who would come to buy back humanity from its enslavement to sin. “A virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel†(Isaiah 7:14). “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: ... and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all†(Isaiah 53:5-6). JDM
Sowing and Sleeping
“So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption.†(1 Corinthians 15:42)
When a believer’s soul and spirit leave the body and return to the Lord, it is significant that the New Testament Scriptures speak of the body not as dead but as sleeping. For example, Jesus said, “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep†(John 11:11). This state is not “soul sleep†as some teach, for “to be absent from the body, [is] to be present with the Lord†(2 Corinthians 5:8). The body is sleeping—not the soul.
Similarly, when the believer’s body is laid in a grave, Paul speaks of this act not as a burial but as sowing! “But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body†(1 Corinthians 15:35-38).
Just as a buried grain of wheat brings forth a fruitful plant, so the old, sin-corrupted, aching body of human flesh, sown in the ground, will some day come forth “fashioned like unto his glorious body†(Philippians 3:21), in which “there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain†(Revelation 21:4).
“So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body†(1 Corinthians 15:42-44). When a believer’s body is sown in the ground, God will soon reap from it a body of glory which will last for eternity. HMM
LIZ CURTIS HIGGS
“Get up, take your mat and walk.†Mark 2:9b (NIV)
Get ready, friend. Jesus is “in the house†(Mark 2:1, ASV), and it’s standing room only. In fact, that day in Capernaum, “they gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door†(Mark 2:2a, NIV). People surely stepped on one another’s sandaled feet and craned their heads to get a better look.Whatever they were seeking, the Lord gave them what they needed: “and he preached the word to them†(Mark 2:2b, NIV). Whether we’re fully aware of it or not, that’s what our souls hunger for most: God’s Word. We may pray for material things or mended relationships or financial blessings or easier lives, but what our hearts truly want is to hear His truth and experience His presence.
Jesus encountered a man that day who wasn’t content with simply hearing Him speak. This man wanted to be changed, forgiven, healed. He wanted Jesus, but he needed help to reach Him. Then, “Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them†(Mark 2:3, NIV). What a perfect picture of how we’re to bear one another’s burdens!
Sadly, no one made room for a paralyzed man on a mat. No one gave up their place. So, his resourceful buddies “made an opening in the roof above Jesus†(Mark 2:4b, NIV) and lowered the paralyzed man into the house.
The crowd must have looked up in astonishment as a man on a mat entered the room through a door that didn’t exist before. A helpless man who didn’t have the ability to create that opening or lower himself down.
This is how God rescues us, beloved. It is not of our own doing. The Holy Spirit is our Helper, our Comforter, our stretcher-bearer, delivering us to the only One who can save us.
When He looked up, “Jesus saw their faith†(Mark 2:5a, NIV). Yes, their faith, not just the faith of the paralytic man. Faith might be invisible, but the evidence of it was clear in their brave, bold, collective move.Then Jesus spoke directly to the man lying before him. “Son, your sins are forgiven†(Mark 2:5b, NIV).
Oh, my. We weren’t told the man was a sinner. We thought he was merely stricken with a malady and in need of a physician.
But Jesus was far more concerned with the state of the man’s soul than the state of his body. Like many of us, this man on the mat was paralyzed with fear, with shame, with guilt. Jesus had to address that first, just as He does with us.
At once, the deed was done. Jesus told him “the penalty is remitted, the sense of guilt removed, and you are made upright and in right standing with God†(Mark 2:5b, AMPC). Glory!
But not everyone in the crowd was pleased. The teachers of the law watched all this unfold and thought to themselves, “‘Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’†(Mark 2:7).
How this truth must have irked them! Because if no one can forgive sins except God, then Jesus must be …
Right. God. In the flesh.
With the crowd hanging on His every Word, Jesus told the teachers of the law, “But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins†(Mark 2:10a). To further prove His power, Jesus said to the paralyzed man “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home†(Mark 2:11, NIV).
The man arrived unable to do any of those things. He couldn’t stand, he couldn’t hold his mat, and he definitely couldn’t head for home on his own. Now, because of Jesus, he “walked out in full view of them all†(Mark 2:12a, NIV).
No wonder people praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!†(Mark 2:12b, NIV). Now, you and I have seen it as well, through the eyes of a broken man made whole.
Lord, You really do know what we need most: Your truth, Your forgiveness and the freedom You offer us through Your Son. Give us the humility to accept help and seek You, whatever it takes. Only You can forgive. Only You can heal. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.Just Do it!
CHRYSTAL EVANS HURST
“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers …†James 1:22 (NASB)
I sat on the edge of the exam table, watching the doctor flip through a few pages of paper.I remember being a little girl and actually enjoying my visits to the doctor. It meant a break from school and best of all, I always left with a lollipop in my hands.
This time there would be no lollipop, but there would be a lecture.
While there was nothing life-threatening happening in my body, many of the numbers my doctor reviewed were headed in the wrong direction. And she made sure to kindly, but pointedly, bring to my attention that I was no longer a spring chicken and that I needed to get my act together or else I’d have regrets as time went on.
Ugh. How depressing. I mean who wants to hear they’re not a spring chicken?
But the worst of it? I know better.
Of course I know that the food choices I make can affect my overall health, but it still remains such a battle.
Can I just keep it real for a second?
I love food.
But the food I love, doesn’t always love me back.
The message on that sheet of paper in my doctor’s hand was not a love letter but more like a letter of warning reminding me to get my act together.
And it’s not like I don’t know what to do; I just don’t always do it.I’ve read about making better food choices in books and magazines. I’ve had many discussions with friends and family on wellness. I’ve listened to radio shows and heard experts share tips for living a healthy lifestyle. Truth be told, I think I’ve watched almost every season of The Biggest Loser!
Ugh! Why is it so hard to know what to do — and then actually do it?
The problem I face in my physical life is one I also face often in my spiritual life.
I’ve read about making better choices in the Bible, Christian books and devotionals. I’ve had many discussions with friends and family on spiritual well-being. Listened to more sermons, radio programs and podcasts than I can count. Truth be told, I think I’ve had a front row seat at church almost every single Sunday morning of my life!
Yet … knowing and doing are not the same thing.
When James wrote his epistle, or letter, to the Jewish believers, he was writing to encourage them during a time of great hardship and tribulation. It wasn’t easy to be a believer because Christians were persecuted for choosing to follow the message and person of Jesus Christ.
While faith in Jesus Christ served as the first and most important step in the life of a believer, James wanted Christians to understand that works of obedience should also accompany faith in the Savior: “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone†(James 2:24, ESV).
Even though it would be hard, James encouraged believers to “work out†what they believed — for their actions to match their beliefs. He didn’t want them to simply understand the truth, he wanted their lives to be a demonstration of a truth that was active in their hearts, minds, souls and feet.
Knowing about healthy choices doesn’t equal me actually making those choices and therefore reaping the full benefit of a healthy body.
And knowing about life in Jesus Christ doesn’t equal me actually making the choice to obey His Word and therefore reaping the benefit of a healthy soul.
As James reminds us in today’s key verse, I must be more than a hearer, reader, discusser, watcher. I must be a doer.
God wants more than for us to have a simple awareness of His instructions. He wants us to obey Him and to do what He says — both for His glory and our good. His instructions may not always be easy but this much is clear: He wants us to hear His Word and just do it.
Dear Father, forgive me for the areas in my life that I tend not to walk in full obedience to You. I’m sorry for not being willing to fully trust You enough to obey You. Help me put what You have taught me into practice. I want to please You and I want Your best for my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Come with Me
SUZIE ELLER
“And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.’†Luke 5:7-8 (KJV)
Google Maps is my friend when I drive to an unfamiliar place. It tells me exactly where I’m going and when I’ll arrive.I also like lists. A grocery list gets me in and out of the store quickly. A schedule tells me what to expect from my day. My yearlong planner maps out my goals.
While these are helpful in my everyday life, I usually don’t have that luxury in my faith.
Sometimes, Jesus simply says, Come with me, Suzie, and I have no idea what the next step looks like, much less where the finish line ends. I don’t know if I have everything I need or if I’m equipped for the journey.
My emotional reaction might look like this:
If You’ll just tell me the plan (every part of it), I’ll come with You.
Lord, if You’ll assure me that I’m the right person for this, I’ll go.
Just hand me the itinerary, and I’m Your girl.
In today’s key verse, Simon Peter is exhausted after an all-night fishing expedition. He has just finished washing the heavy nets weighted with stones, when Jesus approaches.
Jesus asks Simon to put the boat out a little from shore, so Jesus could teach the crowds. Simon agrees.
A bit later, Jesus asks Simon to go fishing. Simon has just fished all night without results. He’s exhausted, but because Jesus asks, he takes that step.
The abundance of fish is so great that it nearly capsizes Simon’s and his fishing partners’ boats.
Simon sinks to his knees and asks Jesus to leave him. It’s not because he’s afraid, but because he’s in awe.
Come with me.
That was Jesus’ invitation. Simon left his boat, his business and the fish behind to follow Jesus.
When we read this story, we often focus on the fish as the miracle, but Simon left the heap of fish behind. He understood that walking with Jesus was the real miracle.
In fact, following Jesus was the beginning of a lifetime of miracles for Simon.
While making plans and scheduling and doing our own thing is a natural response, Jesus is perched in our “boats†with a spectacular invitation.
He asks us to walk in faith with Him in our marriages, in the midst of disappointments, as we make plans and dream, in our relationships, in our anxious places and in every aspect of our lives.
Come with me.
Have you resisted that invitation? I have. I can look back and see that I resisted, only to discover that Jesus was trying to give me the greatest gift of His presence. He was trying to lead me out of my comfort to discover His plans for me.
Simon Peter was changed the day he decided to follow Jesus. He saw lame men leap to their feet. He walked on water. He went through hard places as well, but always with Jesus as his leader.
When Simon accepted the invitation, it changed him, and it changed his story. Once he might have been described as a man with salt on his cheeks as he fished all night. When all along, Jesus knew that Simon was a fisher of men.
Come with me.
That’s the invitation for all of us who believe.
Jesus, the invitation to “come with You†is for me. I accept it. Right where I am. I may not know where You are taking me, but I trust You. Thank You for sitting in the “boat†of my life and walking with me every day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
3 Ways to Press Through Unanswered Prayer
LYSA TERKEURST
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.†Genesis 50:20 (NIV)
I opened the anonymous letter and my heart sank. It was from another mom who wanted to make sure I had a list of all the ways one of my daughters was falling short. There in black and white she listed my daughter’s mistakes, shortcomings and frailties.And then just to make sure I took her nameless letter seriously, she informed me she’d be sending a copy to my pastor.
My initial reaction was to figure out who sent this so I could call her. Talk this through face-to-face. Assure her my husband and I were not only aware of some struggles my daughter was having, but also working diligently to help her course-correct.
But as I reread the letter, I discerned it wasn’t sent from a place of love for my family or a heart that wanted to help.
From the language she used and the fact that there wasn’t a way to contact her, it was obvious she didn’t send it because she wanted the best for my daughter.
I sat on the edge of my bed and cried.
It’s so hard to have someone attack you in an area that’s already rubbed raw with hardship. Her letter was like a bullet straight to my heart.However, it was also a wake-up call to get more intentional in praying for my daughter. I thought about her struggles a lot. I talked about her struggles. I worried about her struggles.
But thinking about, talking about and worrying about something is not the same as praying about it.
I clung to the truth in our key verse, Genesis 50:20, and determined to turn this letter that felt like a bullet into a blessing by using it as a catalyst to ramp up my prayer life.
Through my tears I cried out to the Lord, “I will not sacrifice Your grace for my child on the altar of people’s opinions. Of course I want my daughter to walk the straight and narrow path of great choices. But I trust You, Lord, to write her testimony. My main goal for her is not behavior modification but total heart transformation. I want her to want You, Lord, and Your best for her life. Give me the courage to not just pray about my daughter, but to pray her all the way through this.â€
Praying her through the ups and downs wasn’t easy. There were days I wondered if God even heard my prayers.
It’s tough to pray someone all the way through a messy, hard, complicated situation and not see answers. Maybe you’ve been there. Maybe you’re there now.
Can I speak hope into your heart with 3 ways to press through unanswered prayers?
1. Know with confidence God hears your prayers.
First John 5:14 reminds us, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us†(NIV).
2. Trust that prayer makes a difference, even when you don’t see the difference.
It may take a while for you to see God answer your prayers. But don’t miss an “in the meantime answer†you can receive right away. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us of the immediate answer to every prayer: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus†(NIV, emphasis added).
Did you catch it? It’s the peace of God that will guard your heart and mind in the process while you’re waiting for God to reveal His answer to your request. When you pray, you can trust you’re doing your part, and God will certainly do His part.
3. Tell fear it has no place in this conversation.
These prayers are your gateway to feel an assurance you don’t see yet. But fear will beg you to focus on the problem more than God’s promises. Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand†(NIV).
It’s been a few years since I got that hard letter that prompted more frequent prayers for my daughter. But I still remember the day I visited her at college and could hardly believe my eyes.
She had become a completely different girl.
At one point during our time together, I asked her, “What finally made following Jesus wholeheartedly click for you?†She said, “Mom, I’ve made friends who love Jesus. I saw a joy in them that I wanted. So, I started doing what they do even when I didn’t want to. At first I thought getting up to do devotions was unrealistic, prayer meetings were boring and listening to praise music, excessive. But as I kept doing these things, the Lord started changing my thought patterns. And when I started thinking about life from the standpoint of truth, I had so much more joy.â€
She then paused and said words I’ve longed to hear and prayed to hear for so long, “Mom, I’ve just completely fallen in love with Jesus.â€
I can hardly type those words without crying.
I pray this infuses your heart with hope to keep praying. I pray you believe God can take the things others intended to harm you or the ones you love, and use them for good to accomplish His purposes … because He can!
Dear Lord, only You can turn what was meant for evil into good. I thank You in advance for all that You’re going to do in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Impossible Love Made Possible
Galatians 5:22-23
When a lawyer asked Jesus which commandment was the greatest, He said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all you heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,†and “the second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’†(Matt. 22:37, 39). What an overwhelming assignment!
In our own strength, none of us can live up to this obligation, but the Lord has provided a way for Christians to do the impossible. The indwelling Holy Spirit works to produce His fruit in us, and first on the list is love (Gal. 5:22). In fact, the other eight qualities are really just descriptions of its expression.
Whenever we demonstrate kindness, patience, or gentleness, we see the Lord’s love at work through us, especially when the other person has been unkind and doesn’t deserve such pleasant treatment. This fruit is not produced by trying harder to muster good will toward someone who is irritating or hard to get along with. Instead, think of the process more like sap running through a branch on a grape-vine. The branch doesn’t make grapes; the sap does. In the same way, the Spirit flows through us, producing God’s love in us, so that we can pass it on to Him and others.
Agapelove is the reason we are able to care for someone who mistreats us—it’s God’s doing, not ours. Even the adoration we offer the Lord is not something that we can produce in our own heart apart from His assistance. Though the command to love is enormous,God’s grace makes it possible.
A Call to Godly Living
Romans 12:1
The apostle Paul lived in an age when sensuality, the pursuit of pleasure, and rebellion against the Lord were prevalent. In response, he wrote letters urging Christians not to follow in the ways of the world. Like those early believers, we are to pursue godliness by...
- Presenting our bodies to God. Our total being--mind, will, emotions, personality, and physical body--are to be turned over to our heavenly Father (James 4:7a). Submitting ourselves to the Lord requires a definite decision to give Him control and a daily commitment to remain under His authority. By surrendering to Him, we will position ourselves for godly living.
- Becoming living sacrifices. The Christian life is built around the concept of sacrifice. Jesus left the perfection of heaven to dwell among a sinful people so He might reconcile us to God. He offered up His life to make payment for our sins (1 John 3:16) and brought us into His family. As believers, we are to follow His example. Paul called it a living sacrifice, because it is ongoing--one that is repeated daily.
A life of godliness is characterized by a heart and mind bent toward the things of God. Although we will live imperfectly, our focus is to be on obeying His will and pleasing Him. Let's commit to becoming more like Jesus, the One who willingly gave Himself to God as a sacrifice for us.
A Faith Worth Passing Down
2 Timothy 1:3-5
The most precious thing we can pass down to children is our faith--the confident conviction that God is who He says and will do all He has promised. Timothy's strong relationship with Christ didn't materialize out of thin air; it grew as a result of his mother and grandmother's example.
Here are ways we, too, can hand down a rich legacy to the next generation:
- Teach practical biblical principles. Kids need to know God's views on material wealth (Ps. 24:1), meeting needs (Phil. 4:19), and direction in life (Prov. 3:5-6).
- Model character through lifestyle. How we live--whether with transparency, peace, and perseverance, or with fear, anxiety, and self-reliance--loudly communicates what we believe about God.
- Serve God by serving others. Actions show that our faith is real (James 2:26). If we want kids not to develop a self-centered perspective, servanthood is key.
- Intercede for them. Children won't forget hearing us pray regularly for them.
- Communicate love. Young people need to know we love them the way God loves us--unconditionally rather than based on what they do or don't do. Spoken words of love breathe life into their hearts. And as we affirm them for trusting God, they see that we value their spiritual growth.
As parents, we must be intentional about leading and inspiring our sons and daughters to follow Christ. But even those without children of their own can leave a legacy. The example to follow is Paul: though neither married nor a natural parent, he was a spiritual father to many (1 Cor. 4:14-16).
Choosing to Believe
John 3:1-21
Faith isn't something we can lay claim to because we were born to believing parents or have citizenship in a Christian country. Nor can we attain it by attending or even teaching Sunday school, though I've often heard such incorrect assertions. Instead, the following should be true of genuine believers.
A clear understanding of the gospel is essential for a person to believe and receive the good news of Jesus Christ. His death on the cross was the only sacrifice required to remove our sins. God offers His grace as a gift to anyone who will receive it.
A definite decision at a particular point in time serves as a sort of landmark of the heart and mind. People do not just slip into Christianity; faith in Jesus must be chosen. Believers are those who have made a deliberate decision to trust the Lord and follow in His ways.
A blessed assurance follows the clear-cut decision so that believers can be certain of their salvation. God wants confident, assured children (1 John 5:13).
A visible symbol of what happens when someone receives the Savior--namely, baptism--illustrates dying to one's old ways and rising to new life in Christ Jesus. Believers are to take this step as a public way of identifying with Him (Matt. 28:19).
A man or woman of faith chooses to surrender to Christ, embraces the Word of God, and lives fully for the Lord. True believers no longer muddle through the practices of religion out of habit, but instead worship and rejoice in a vibrant personal relationship with the Lord.
Understanding the Bible
1 Corinthians 2:12-16
“I just don’t understand the Bible.†That’s a comment I hear quite often, even from believers. We can understand why those without Christ are unable to comprehend biblical concepts, but why do those who know Him struggle? Some people think that a seminary education is the answer, but I have met several trained pastors and teachers who didn’t really understand the Word of God. They knew facts, but they had no excitement for the Scriptures or for the Lord.
The key is not education but obedience. As we act on what we read, the Holy Book “comes alive,†and we begin to hear and understand the voice of God. However, if we have not obeyed what He’s previously revealed to us, why would He give us His deeper truths? “The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him†(Ps. 25:14), and those who fear Him are the ones who obey His commandments and are promised “a good understanding†(Ps. 111:10).
Living a fleshly lifestyle of disobedience to the Lord clouds our eyes, diminishes our ability to hear, and fogs our thinking. Although we have full access to the mind of Christ, our attachment to our own sinful ways keeps us from tapping into the rich treasures of wisdom that are found in His Word.
As you read the Scriptures each day, look for God’s instructions. Then with reliance upon the Holy Spirit, commit to do what He tells you. When you obey His voice, He’ll reveal deeper truths, and your understanding will grow. Soon your time in the Word will become a delight instead of a duty.
The Church God's Design
Hebrews 10:23-25
When you hear the word "church," do you picture a little white building full of smiling people in fancy clothes? As lovely as that image may be, God's design for church is unrelated to it. He created the church to be a unified fellowship of believers who encourage each other and carry out His ministry to the world.
The Bible clearly defines the following as ministries of the church: worshiping the living God, instructing and edifying believers, making disciples of all nations, and serving the needy. Unless the leadership is careful, however, these purposes can all too easily get out of balance, with the unfortunate result that the body ends up malnourished. For example, a church with too heavy an emphasis on praise might become introverted. Congregations that overemphasize teaching could lose their joy, and those that evangelize to the neglect of the other areas could miss out on great faith.
Because of sin and human imperfection, we do not experience church as it was originally intended. Instead, there's a tendency to overstress certain ministry areas. What's more, divisive arguments--many of which concern minor issues, such as music preferences--too often destroy unity. Greed, pride, selfishness, and gossip can also tear a congregation apart.
Since they're composed of imperfect people, churches will be imperfect too. Though expecting anything else leads to disappointment, we should nonetheless strive for God's original design, continually measuring ourselves against Scripture and correcting course to realign with His purpose.
The Church What Is It All About
Colossians 1:18-24
Church buildings are plentiful in our country. Locating one may be easy, but wisely deciding which to join involves more effort. God's Word gives us some specific instructions in this matter.
First, let's explore the original biblical meaning of the word "church." The term ecclesia meant a group of people who are called out of the world's system by God's grace for the purpose of assembling to worship and serve Christ. Ephesians 5:29-30 further specifies that believers are the body and Jesus is the head of such a fellowship. Under His leadership, we can enjoy the unity and purpose that He intended.
God's design for this sacred gathering involves worship, instruction, encouragement, evangelism, and ministry to those in need, both within the fellowship and outside its walls. A healthy, vibrant congregation is possible only when members rely fully on the Holy Spirit's guidance. The work of the church is to be done in His power, in humble, prayerful submission to the Lord.
To help you determine whether a church is following the design laid out in Scripture, here are some important questions to ask: Do they believe God's Word is infallible and inerrant? Is the church disciplining her people? Does the fellowship have some kind of missionary or evangelistic program?
Joining a congregation is an important decision, as a fellowship of believers is one tool God uses to mature and encourage His children. Those three questions can be helpful in discerning God's will. Listen for His Spirit to warn or direct as you prayerfully investigate your options.
Jesus Is Human
“Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren.†(Hebrews 2:17)
- He experienced pain, hunger, fatigue, etc. (1 Peter 2:23; Matthew 4:2; Luke 8:23; John 19:28).
- He experienced the testing of evil (Luke 4:1-2; Hebrews 4:15; 2:18).
- He was representative of all men in substitutionary death (John 3:14; 12:32).
- He was identified with Adam, the federal head of humanity (1 Corinthians 15:45-47).
- He ascended bodily into heaven (Acts 1:9-11; Ephesians 4:10).
- He still identifies with man (Revelation 1:13-16).
The Virtue of Having Enemies
“Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.†(Luke 6:26)
The Message of the Old Testament
“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.†(Isaiah 45:22)
Sowing and Sleeping
“So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption.†(1 Corinthians 15:42)
Jesus Is God
“Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him . . . he that hath seen me hath seen the Father.†(John 14:8-9)
“Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him . . . he that hath seen me hath seen the Father.†(John 14:8-9)
Theologians have wrestled with the dual nature of the Lord Jesus since the beginning. On the one hand, there are those who deny or belittle His humanity, and on the other hand, there are those who deny His deity. Both natures are completely true: Jesus is fully human and fully God.
The prophets identified the coming Messiah as fully God. Isaiah 9:6 is the “naming†prophecy that specifies that the Messiah would be called “Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.†Isaiah 7:14 specifies that “the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.†Matthew quotes that passage and translates the Hebrew word Immanuel as “God with us†(Matthew 1:23).
The Scriptures abound with this teaching.
- He is called the only begotten (John 1:14, 18; 3:16; 1 John 4:9).
- He is called the Son of God (John 3:18; 5:25; 9:35; 11:4).
- He is recognized as eternal (John 17:5, 24; Colossians 1:15; Micah 5:2).
- He has the power of life in Himself (Romans 1:4; John 10:17-18; Colossians 1:18; Acts 13:32-33).
- He is given the inheritance of God (Hebrews 1:2; 3:4, 6).
- He performed the works of God (John 10:36-38).
- Even the demons and Satan recognize Christ as God (Luke 4:41; Matthew 4:3, 6).
The Spiritual Rock
“And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.†(1 Corinthians 10:4)
“And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.†(1 Corinthians 10:4)
One of the most amazing miracles recorded in the Bible occurred when Moses smote the rock on Mount Horeb and water came forth sufficient to satisfy all the multitude there in the wilderness (Exodus 17:6). In describing this great event, the psalmist later sang: “He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths. He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers†(Psalm 78:15-16).
In our text above, Paul indicates that the miracle had great symbolic significance as well. “That Rock was Christ.†The Greek word used here for “rock†is petra, the same word used by Christ when He said that “upon this rock I will build my church†(Matthew 16:18). Christ is the one foundation upon which the church is built (1 Corinthians 3:11). He is also symbolized by the “living water,†the “well of water springing up into everlasting life†(John 4:10, 14).
The actual rock from which the waters burst forth in the wilderness did not literally “follow them,†of course, but “that spiritual Rock†did follow them, for Christ was there with them through all their years of wandering.
The literal water followed them too, keeping them alive for 40 years. When Moses struck the rock, God opened a mighty spring “out of the great depths†(Psalm 78:15), evidently tapping a deep pressurized aquifer from which waters emerged to form “streams also out of the rock†(v. 16). These streams flowed continually in the desert for 40 years, so the children of Israel could march and camp beside them as long as they were in the wilderness. Christ still today is our spiritual Rock, continually yielding the spiritual waters of everlasting life. HMM
Fear of Fire
“And others save with fear; pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.†(Jude 1:23)
This exhortation refers both to attempting to “save†unbelievers by warning them of hell and to warning believers against the influence of apostates.
The ultimate hell (Greek gehenna) is not the same as the present hell (Greek hades), although eventually all those lost souls now in the latter will eventually be “cast into the lake of fire†(Revelation 20:15). Both are fearsome places of real fire. The inhabitants of Sodom, for example, have been “suffering the vengeance of eternal fire†(Jude 1:7) for thousands of years, though not yet in that ultimate hell. Also, the rich man mentioned by Jesus was in Hades and yet was being “tormented in this flame†(Luke 16:23-24).
Both “hells†have literal fires, but it is hard to understand how material fires could torment non-material souls. There is a clue in James 3:6, which calls an unbridled human tongue “a fire, a world of iniquity: . . . set on fire of hell.†Since the tongue is not literally on fire but can be extremely destructive in human relationships, the implication is that hell itself is a “world of iniquity.â€
This aspect of hell makes it even more fearsome than literal fires could ever be. The existence there of billions of unredeemed souls, eternally separated from the holiness and love of God, where all who are “unjust†and “filthy†will continue forever to increase in their unrighteous and filthiness (Revelation 22:11) and in the constant presence also of the devil and his angels, is unspeakably appalling. Yet that was their choice when they rejected or ignored the infinite love of Christ.
No wonder that Jude urges us to warn them of such awful fire and seek to save them with fear if they won’t respond to the compassionate love of Christ. HMM
“And others save with fear; pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.†(Jude 1:23)
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