Why He Came

John 12:44-47.

Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on Me, believeth not on Me, but on Him that sent Me.

And he that seeth Me seeth Him that sent Me.

I am come a Light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness.

And if any man hear My words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

Jesus cried and said: the sense and tense of the verb cried is that He cried out in a loud voice. This is the last instance in the book of John in which Jesus addressed the public, the multitudes that followed Him around. He spoke many more times before the final chapter, but not to the crowds.

Him Who sent Me: Jesus knew that it was His claim to be the Son of God, and God Himself, for which He would be crucified. Knowing it, though, He did not back down. He was saying, in my own words, “If you see Me, you see the Father!” To believe is to put one’s faith and trust completely in something or someone. This was Jesus’ final appeal to the public, the nation as a whole, to trust and follow Him.

I have come as a Light into the world: Not for the first time, Jesus refers to Himself as THE Light, not just A light. Walking in Him is walking in light, and not in darkness. Light sheds protection and knowledge; it reveals danger, and uncovers the evil that is done under cover of darkness.

I came not to judge the world, but to save the world: Prior to this statement, Jesus acknowledged that there would be those who would not believe on Him, and would reject Him and the Father. Jesus said, “I judge him not.” “But wait,” you may say. “Don’t the scriptures say that any who do not believe in Him will be condemned to hell? Isn’t that a judgment?”

The answer, though we may find it distasteful, is that our own choice to believe or not believe is what determines our eternal home. God has indeed created the place of eternal torment for those who choose to deny Him, and deny His Son. But it is not His desire for anyone to choose, through unbelief, to spend all of eternity in that place.

I came not to judge. . .but to save: The whole purpose of Jesus Christ coming from heaven to earth was to provide salvation, not condemnation. He chose obedience to the Father, out of love for the Father and for mankind. If He had come to condemn the world, He could have simply destroyed everything and everyone right there on the spot and saved Himself the agony of the cross. But that was not why He came.

He came to bring the Light of Life, the blessing of eternal salvation, freedom from the curse of sin and death, by giving Himself as the perfect sacrifice for all mankind.

All we have to do, to receive His gift, is believe and accept, and then flourish in the Light

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Loving the Praise of Men

John 12:42-43.

Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:  

For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

In this day of instant communication, I think we can understand the human desire and need for the praise of other people. After all, some supporters of the conservative Presidential candidate are actually fearful of putting his signs in their yards, dreading the possibility of vandalism and destruction of their property. Such lows America has reached!

Some of the religious leaders did believe on Jesus, but they were afraid to voice their beliefs. Doing so could get them put out of the synagogue, excommunicated from their peers and neighbors.

We’ve watched BLMers forcing themselves onto outdoor diners, taking their tables, screaming into their faces. Yes, it’s intimidating. Very. Some people, to avoid being physically hurt, have submitted to demands that they raise a clenched fist and declare “Black Lives Matter.” I was thinking about that the other day. Black lives DO matter. We were all created by the same God, and we are all the same under the skin. What I object to is being forced against my will to utter a mantra that identifies me as a supporter of hatred, crime, looting, vandalism and destruction. I do NOT support any of that.

When I was a child in Sunday School, we often sang:

Hatred for what we believe, for who we are, is not new. Cain hated Abel for his obedience to God and the resulting blessing, so Cain killed his brother. Did that eliminate the hatred in Cain’s heart? Of course not. He was a marked man for as long as he lived, known as the first to commit fratricide. Hatred, once rooted in our hearts, digs in deeply.

The Jewish leaders who believed in Jesus were more concerned about being accepted by men than being in a right relationship with God. So they just kept quiet. They continued the rituals, followed the Law, and kept their mouths shut.

We do not have any right whatsoever to look down on them. We, too, are equally guilty about just keeping our mouths shut when we’re afraid of the condemnation of others.

Sunday Morning Coffee: The Prayer March

Time flies. I can’t believe it’s already Saturday night, and time for me to write my post for Sunday morning.

I watched Franklin Graham’s Prayer March 2020 today. Watched it from start to finish. Several things I noticed:

No one was yelling obscenities.

Many races were represented among the over 50,000 people who were there, and a lot of them were holding hands in small groups, praying together.

It was peaceful. Lots of signs and banners, but no anger.

Many well-known people were tapped to lead in prayer at various sites. There was a lot of powerful, heartfelt prayer.

There was, as far as I could see, absolutely no mainstream media covering the event.

Hundreds of thousands were following it online.

One of the most touching sites at which they stopped to pray was the WWII Memorial.

Each gold star represents 100 soldiers who lost their lives fighting for freedom. Four hundred thousand total. The Greatest Generation. My dad came through it without so much as a wound–at least not a physical one.

They prayed at seven sites. I won’t remember them all, but I believe it included the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Memorial, the Capitol building, the White House, and the WWII Memorial. Can’t remember the other two.

What an incredible event! And with computer technology, we could watch it as it happened. Almost as good as being there. Better, in some ways, because we could get up close and personal. People of all ages, families, I’m sure church groups, and so on. And you know what else? They didn’t leave a massive pile of trash behind them. I’m sure there was some litter, but it was minimal.

In case you haven’t found it yet, Donna Partow, a Christian writer I respect, opened a site some time ago called Pray for our President. It’s a Facebook group that you can find easily just by typing her name into the search option.

With over 126,000 people now on the site, it is dedicated to prayer. Just prayer. It is wonderful to read the prayers of believers from all around the world as they pray for President Trump, pray for our nation, and the way this election could affect the entire world.

II Chronicles 7:14. “If My people, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

The Arm of the Lord

John 12:37-41.

But though He had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on Him:

That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the Arm of the Lord been revealed?

Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,

He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

These things said Esaias, when he saw His glory, and spake of Him.

In this extremely sad passage, we are actually seeing prophecy fulfilled. In both Isaiah 53: 1 and 6:9-10, the prophet wrote that in spite of the clear work of the Arm of the Lord, many (Jews) would not believe in Him. They were looking for a conquering King, not a suffering Savior. Isaiah 6:9-10 says:

⁹ And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.

¹⁰ Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

What is happening, then, is the judgment of God was on the people who heard and saw His power, and yet refused to believe. There are always consequences for sin. There is a limit to what God will overlook, a limit to how long His Spirit will strive with man, before He allows judgment to come upon them for their unbelief.

I can’t help but think of how long God will strive with America before He allows judgment to fall on us for our unbelief, our turning away from Him for earthly pursuits of gain and pleasure, our murdering of unborn and newly-born infants, our profane and blasphemous treatment of the things of God.

I pray that there are still enough Americans left who DO trust and believe on Him to spare us from His judgment.

A Deviation

Today I’m teaching a women’s Bible study at our church, and then a history class in the homeschool co-op our church hosts. So I don’t have time to continue with what I’m studying for this blog, but I’ll be back on track tomorrow.

You’ve probably all figured out that I’m a political conservative. I make no apology for that. There are a couple of things that concern me, though. One concerns Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I did not agree with her politics. It amazes me that a Jewish woman could endorse abortion, for instance. But I don’t bash her for her views, nor her work ethic. I’ve heard a few folks suggest they wouldn’t want to trade places with her right now, and that, to me, is offensive. We are not in the business of judging anyone else’s standing with God. Also, I have to tip my hat to her for being totally devoted to her passion–the law–and for breaking some barriers for women that needed to be broken. As far as I know, she has never been accused of duplicity. In today’s political world, that’s really pretty unusual.

Another area of concern is that so many people don’t seem to understand the process. It is President Trump’s duty and responsibility to fill the vacancy ASAP. With only eight justices, there is no longer a tie-breaker. Nothing much will be accomplished as long as that situation remains. Constitutionally, Mr. Trump doesn’t have to wait for any length of time, and has in fact said he would announce either yesterday or today, after Ginsburg’s memorials were over, who he has chosen.

After that it’s up to the Senate. Ms. Pelosi, for whom I have less respect as each day passes, has threatened to impeach him in order to delay the process. She has already spent millions of dollars and countless man hours in her first futile effort to remove him. SHE should be impeached if she tries it again. She wants to impeach him for doing his job.

Third area of concern is Kamala Harris, who has slipped up and told us to prepare for a Harris administration (oh, yeah–with Joe Biden). This is a woman who does not make any attempt to hide her scorn for our country, and who has been endorsed by George Soros. That fact alone should make us shiver in our shoes.

AOC has said this is not just an election–it’s a movement. She’s right. It’s not a movement I endorse. Look at the history of every country that has succumbed to Communist rule and you will see a sad story of violence, civil insurrection, murder, and financial destruction. Venezuela is the most recent example.

All right, I’m done. This is, I believe the ONLY time I’ve ever used this blog in such a manner. I may never do so again. And a word of warning: You have every right to disagree, but you also have the responsibility to be civil. This is MY blog, and I will not post any filth, disgusting language, or otherwise inappropriate comments. I am appalled that the only adjective so many people seem to know these days is the F-bomb. You won’t be allowed to use it here, nor will you profane the Name of Jesus Christ. So if that’s what you intend, don’t waste your time. I won’t post it.

We need to pray. Most of you who read this blog are born-again believers. Please join me in praying God’s protection on our country, our President, our way of living, our adherence to the Constitution, and law and order.

Walk in the Light

John 12:34-36.

The people answered Him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest Thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the Light with you. Walk while ye have the Light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

While ye have Light, believe in the Light, that ye may be the children of Light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide Himself from them.

Earlier, Jesus had said, “I AM the Light of the world!” (John 8:12)

Backing up just a bit, we need to understand where the question that the people asked Jesus comes from. They had been taught about the victorious Messiah from the Law, and that He would live and reign forever. What they had not heard much about was the suffering Messiah from scriptures like Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53. Those passages did not support the hope and desire of the nation for the Messiah who would come to set them free from the rule of other nations. So they were confused. Who was this “Son of man” who was to be high and lifted up? It is no wonder they were confused, because they HAD been taught the scriptures that prophesied His eternal reign: Isa 9:7; Eze 37:25; Da 7:14. Now Jesus was saying that, even though He was the Son of God, He was going to be crucified. It just didn’t compute for the people.

In response, Jesus reminded them that He is the Light. He encouraged them to walk in (believe in, trust in, accept) Him as the Light while He was still with them, because His earthly ministry was shortly drawing to a close.

Genesis 6:3 tells us that the Spirit of God will not always strive with man. If a man, or a nation, hardens the heart and refuses to follow the Light, then eventually that Light will be removed.

America, we need to understand that the Spirit of God will not always strive with us! We have the blood of millions of unborn and newly-born babies on our hands, just for starters. We have excluded God, turned our backs on His Son in pursuit of material comfort, and forgotten the importance of God in the establishment of the country we say we love.

We are no different than those questioning Him before His death. In fact, we are worse because we have the entire inspired Word of God to explain it all to us, and yet we go about our trivial pursuits, ignorant of God and His Word and His will.

Once again, Jesus hid Himself from the crowds. The time, though near, had still not come.

If I Be Lifted Up

John 12:29-33.

The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to Him.

Jesus answered and said, This Voice came not because of Me, but for your sakes.

Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.

This He said, signifying what death He should die.

Yesterday we learned that God spoke audibly to His Son (John 12:28). This is the third time God spoke to Jesus during His earthly ministry. He spoke at Jesus’ baptism, and again at His transfiguration (Matt. 3:14-17; Matt. 17:1-8).

God promised that Jesus had already glorified the Father, and that He would do so again at His trial, death, and resurrection. One commentator put it this way:

“God the Father was glorified: 1st. By the prodigies which happened at His death. 2. In His resurrection. 3. In His ascension, and sitting at the right hand of God. 4. In the descent of the Holy Ghost on the apostles. and 5. In the astonishing success with which the Gospel was accompanied, and by which the kingdom of Christ has been established in the world.” (Clarke)

Blue Letter Bible, David Guzik on John 12.

The people who surrounded Jesus heard the voice. Some thought it was thunder. Others thought an angel had spoken.

Can you imagine the voice of God? It must have been astounding! I know that sometimes He used a “still, small voice” as He did with Elijah (I Kings 19: 11-13). That is a dramatic story, and well worth your time to go back and see what God did in that passage to get Elijah’s attention.

In this situation, God spoke in a way that got the attention of everyone who was present. How reassuring it must have been, as Jesus faced the most difficult, painful, horrendous trial of His life, to hear the voice of the Father telling Him that everything was going exactly according to His will; that Jesus would not fail, even as He faced incredible suffering, to glorify the Name of the Father.

Jesus promised the people that the Voice had spoken for their sake, to comfort them against the things that were coming. He told them that the prince of the world, Satan, was to be defeated. Then He said some of the most significant words I can imagine: “And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto Me.”

He was talking, in part, about the manner of His death. He would be lifted up from the earth to hang in shame on a cross; it was an execution reserved for the worst crimes, the most depraved criminals.

He was also speaking to all who would believe in Him.

How are we doing at lifting up Jesus these days? Are we glorifying Him? Are we bringing honor and respect to Him? Do our lives, as professed believers, draw others to Him? Is what they see in us so appealing that it brings others to Him?

We need to be careful, in these tumultuous and often ugly political times, that we do not join those whose behavior is less than Christ-like. In word and deed, in what we write on Facebook and other social media, we must, must take care to maintain a testimony of strength and faith without losing our grace and self-control.

Lift up Jesus.

For This Cause I Came

John 12:27-28.

Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

Father, glorify Thy Name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

These two verses give us a small glimpse into Jesus’ state of mind as He faced what was coming.

It would, perhaps, be more clear what Jesus was saying to the Father if we punctuate it this way: “My soul is troubled, Father. What shall I say? ‘Save Me from this hour?’ But this hour is why I came. Father, glorify Your Name!”

Remember, Jesus was fully God, and fully man. It is in the nature of man to avoid death. We go to all sorts of extremes to prolong life. Fully God, Jesus Knew what His death would be. He understood exactly what He would suffer, and his “fully Man” reaction is completely understandable.

What is harder for us, as merely human, to understand is that Jesus was NOT asking to be relieved of the work He came to do. He was admitting that His soul was troubled over what He faced, but He made no effort to remove Himself from it.

He was rewarded by the Father’s voice from heaven, reassuring Him that His Name had been glorified before, and would be glorified again.

We’ll look more closely at this amazing message from the Father to the Son tomorrow.

Sunday Morning Coffee: Music

Yesterday I just needed to hear some of the wonderful old hymns I grew up singing, and still know by heart. So I found A Gaither Homecoming Video that was an old-fashioned hymn sing, and I sang right along with it until my creaky cracky old voice gave out.

What a wonderful lift of the spirit it was! Brings me to tears every single time. Wonderful memories, especially when I could still sing for hours and never wear out. I learned to harmonize when I was very young and didn’t really know what I was doing, just following what my ear told me to do, liking the way it sounded.

One of the things I enjoyed about the video I watched was that all the old people who have gone on to heaven are in it. They sang with such joy! Of course, I also love the gospel-style piano. There are so many incredibly gifted pianist who play for the various groups, and I could listen all day.

I’m so thankful for music. It lifts my mood, blesses my heart, gets my mind off all the political mess going on out there. It turns my heart back to the Creator of music instead of the creators of the mess we’re in, and that’s always a good change 🙂 Enjoy the video, please. There are lots more available on You Tube.

Red Hot Compared to Medium

John 12:25-26.

He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honour.

Years ago, my dad used this example to illustrate the main idea of these verses:

If you turn on an electric burner on your stovetop and set it at its highest heat, it will burn bright red. Now turn the other burners on to, say, medium. They will be warm to the touch, but not bright red.

When Jesus says we should “hate” our families, it is a comparative usage of the word. Compared to the love we have for God, which is bright red, the love for our dear ones here on earth is like the burners that are hot, but not the highest possible heat. To believe that God wants us to literally hate our parents would be in direct contradiction to His command that we love and respect them.

My dad was a practical guy. I’ve never forgotten that illustration, and think of it often when I’m using my stove.

The truth of this passage is clear. We are to love God so much that our lives here on earth become unimportant except to use them for Him, to honor and glorify Him and bring others to Him.

When we love and serve Him, He is always where we are. The Father honors those who honor His Son.

If we love our lives more than anything, we will lose those lives because we have not accepted Jesus Christ as Lord. If we love God more than life, we will have eternal life in heaven with Him–and we will experience the blessing of His Presence in our lives here on earth.