The Life and Ministry of Jesus is placed in a very specific historical context.  Luke, with the meticulous eye of a physician and careful recording of a historian, writes:

“The word of God came to John, son of Zechariah, in the wilderness.  This was during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor, when Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea.  Herod Antipas ruled over Galilee, and his brother Philip ruled over Iturea and Traconitis.  Lysanias ruled over Abilene.”

Annas, Caiaphas, Tiberius, Pilate, Herod, Philip, Lysanias.  That’s seven distinct historical figures, political and religious leaders, that Luke mentions are in power when John the Baptist begins his ministry and shortly after, Jesus begins His as well.  We’re told that Jesus is around thirty at this time.

If this were a scene from Law and Order, Cold Case, CSI or NCIS, the defense would be presenting a very strong case for the reliability of the Story of Jesus.  Eyewitness testimony.  Meticulous detail.  Historical record.

Our confidence should be strengthened that the story we have been given, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is reliable and true.  Our faith has a firm footing, an unshakeable foundation.

Concerning John the Baptist, Isaiah wrote:

“Listen!  Someone is shouting.  “Clear a path in the wilderness, for the Lord your God is coming.  Fill the valleys and flatten the mountains.  Straighten the curves and smooth the rough places.  The glory of the Lord will appear for all to see.  God has spoken.  It will surely come to pass.”

And Malachi wrote:

“See, I will send My messenger to prepare the way before Me.  Then the Lord you seek will come to His temple.  The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight is surely coming, says the Lord of Hosts.”

I love the picture Isaiah paints of the role of John the Baptist.  “Clear a path, fill the valleys, flatten the mountains, straighten the curves, smooth the rough places.”  Do all that you can to remove any obstacles that stand in the way of people seeing Jesus for who He is and being able to place their faith in Him.  I’ve always known that John was sent to “prepare the way,” but reading Isaiah’s words in the full context gives me a much stronger picture of what preparing the way actually looks like.  John was sent to clear the path, removing any obstacles he could.

Luke’s writing as a first-rate historian helps to remove obstacles.  By giving “an orderly account” Luke strengthens the argument that the Gospel is historical fact.

Many Christians, by the way they live or the words they speak, create obstacles for the Gospel rather than removing them.  Am I creating obstacles or removing them?

In what ways is God asking me to “clear a path, fill the valleys, flatten the mountains, straighten the curves and smooth the rough places” to prepare the way for the Gospel in people’s lives?  Through my life, my testimony and my words, how can I prepare the way for the Gospel?

To learn more about Walking As Jesus Walked and Discipling As Jesus Discipled, visit:  SONLIFE.COM

Before going to the cross- even before the garden in Gethsemane- what did Jesus pray for?

He prayed for His disciples.  He prayed for us.

Jesus was sent by the Father.  He was sent with authority to give eternal life.

Jesus asked the Father to “keep them in Your name.”  He was asking that their faith would be preserved.  Jesus guarded them and “kept” them while He was with them.  He loved the Twelve (well, now Eleven).  He knew the Enemy wanted to destroy them, so He asked the Father to now continue to protect them.

Jesus asked the Father “that they might be one as We are.”  He wanted them to experience unity, to be family.  Jesus knew that one of the Enemy’s tactics is to drive a wedge between us because it is easier to attack us when we’re isolated and alone.  Disunity makes us vulnerable.  Unity makes us strong!

Jesus asked the Father “that they might have My joy fulfilled in themselves.”  He’s not just asking for them to have joy.  Jesus was asking for them to have the same joy He had.  So where did His joy come from?  It came from the intimacy He experienced with the Father.  It came from His obedience and knowing He had “finished the work the Father gave Him to do.”  And I think Jesus’ joy also came from His disciples.  He had poured His life into them and that gave Him great joy.  He knew as they discipled others they too would experience great joy.

Jesus asked the Father to “keep them from the evil one.”  In this context, Jesus says, “I have given them Your word.”  Then He said, “Sanctify them in the truth.  Your word is truth.”  The Word of God is powerful.  Jesus knew that the truth of His word is transformational.  To “sanctify” is to set apart, to keep pure.  Jesus was praying for the transformational power of His word to keep His disciples pure and thus protect them from the Enemy.

Jesus asked the Father to sanctify and prepare them as He “sent them into the world.”   Jesus had a mission for His disciples, just as the Father had a mission for the Son.  To “sanctify,” as in to set apart, means that Jesus had a special purpose for His men.  Others might look at them and call them “ordinary, unschooled men,” but Jesus saw them as much more than ordinary.  He saw them as special, set apart, having a purpose.

Jesus then turned His attention toward us.  He asked the Father that we would be one.  He knew that our unity would have a profound impact.

“That the world might believe that You sent Me.”

Jesus continues.

Our unity is a display of God’s glory.

Our unity is perfected as we remain in Him.

Our unity is evidence of the Father’s love for us.

Jesus then asked the Father that we would “be with” Him.  His disciples were with Him.  This brought Jesus great joy.  Being with us will also bring Him great joy.  “Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross.”

To “be with” is to experience God’s glory.

To “be with” is to experience God’s love.

To “be with” is to experience confidence in knowing God by name.

To “be with” is to experience God’s indwelling presence.

Jesus prayed all this and more for His disciples.  Jesus prayed all this for me.  Jesus prayed with intentionality.  Jesus prayed missionally.  Jesus prayed relationally.

I should pray like this for myself.  I should pray like this for those the Father has given me… my wife, my children, my family, my own disciples.

 

To learn more about Walking As Jesus Walked and Discipling As Jesus Discipled, visit:  SONLIFE.COM

Sometimes I wonder how the Twelve could be so thick-headed.

Once again they were arguing about who was the greatest among them.  They were jockeying for position, chests puffed out, claiming their right to be Jesus’ number two in command.

But how could they be having this conversation in the Upper Room?  Was it instigated by the lingering conversation about who would betray Jesus?  Can you imagine the conversation?  “I would never betray Him!  I love Him more than any of you.  I’m closer to Him than any of you.  He likes me better than any of you!”

But how?  How could they be having this conversation at that time?

Jesus has just taken a towel and water basin and washed their feet, instructing them to do the same for one another.

“You also ought to wash one another’s feet, for I gave you an example, that just as I did for you, you also should do.  Truly, truly I say to you, a slave is not greater than his Lord, nor an apostle greater than He who sent him.  If you have known these things, you are blessed if you do them.”

Pretty clear!

And then they share the Passover meal.  John records Jesus saying, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.”  Can you hear the tenderness and affection He had for them.  Jesus was being vulnerable.  Sharing the bread and the cup with them, telling them His body would be broken for them and His blood shed for them, I can almost imagine the look in His eyes as Jesus spoke from the heart.  Were there tears?   Did His voice quiver with emotion?

How could they have this moment with Jesus and then immediately begin to argue about their greatness?  If I’m Jesus, I would be incredulous!  I would be thinking, “Really guys?  Way to ruin a moment!  Great timing.”

Jesus reminded them yet again that their greatness would be demonstrated through serving, and their lives would be a testimony of His glory and greatness only when they were marked by love.

“A new commandment I give you, that you love one another.  Just as I loved you, that you also love one another.  In this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The disciples needed to be reminded of this again and again.  Before I come down too hard on them, I have to ask, “Do I also need to be reminded of this again and again?”  The truth is, putting others before myself doesn’t come naturally.  It isn’t easy.  I can be just as prideful as the Twelve.  I can think I know better than others, that I’m right, and that I’ve got it all figured out.

What a great reminder the disciples’ thick-headedness is for me.  It’s like looking in a mirror.  Pride or Love.  Which do I see?

 

To learn more about Walking As Jesus Walked and Discipling As Jesus Discipled, visit:  SONLIFE.COM

John 3 has some of the most memorable verses in all the Gospels.

“I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”  John 3:3

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16

Because the camera lens of our mind is usually zoomed in and focused on these verses, we often fail to see John 3:19-21.  At least I’ve failed to really give it much consideration.

Reading this passage today in Eyewitness, my camera lens diverted from where it normally gravitates to and zoomed in on these verses.

“This is why God condemns people.  Light has come into the world, but people love the darkness, not the light, because their deeds are evil.  People who do evil hate the light and will not come near it for fear that the light will expose their sins.  But those who love truth and desire to do right will come to the light so others can see they are doing what God wants.”

When John writes that Light has come into the world, he is speaking of Jesus, the Light of the World.

“In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it….  The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.”  John 1:4,5,9

The primary reason people hate Jesus, the Light, is because He exposes the ugliness of their sin.  When it comes to sin, we want to cover up, rationalize, justify.  Our consciences won’t afford us that luxury though.  The Spirit of God convicts us of our guilt before a holy God.  Deep in our hearts, we know something is amiss.  We still have a choice.  We can run from the Light deeper into the darkness to hide in the caverns of our own deception, or we can run to the Light and discover the freedom of forgiveness.

John writes, “those who love truth and desire to do right.”  Does that describe me?  That’s not a condition of salvation as much as it is a description of the one saved.  To love Jesus is to love the Light.  To love the Light is to love truth and desire to do right.

Do I desire to “walk in the light,” as John writes in 1 John 1:7?  To walk in the light is not just a matter of righteous living, of “walking as Jesus walked.”  No, to walk in the light is not just walking AS Jesus but actually walking WITH Jesus.  Walking in the light means drawing close to the Savior’s side, being in close relationship with Him, being a friend and intimate of Jesus.

I want to walk as Jesus.  Oh, but more than that, I want to walk with Him!

To learn more about Walking As Jesus Walked and Discipling As Jesus Discipled, visit:  SONLIFE.COM

It was the third time the Father had spoken audibly to Jesus while He was in the presence of others.

Greek Jews had come to Jerusalem to worship at the Passover feast and they’re looking for Jesus.  Philip and Andrew found Jesus and brought these seekers to Him.  With a crowd gathered around, Jesus began to speak of His death.

In John 12:27-28 Jesus uttered a simple, audible prayer in their presence.

Now my soul is troubled, and what will I say, “Father, save me from this hour?’  Yet because of this, I came to this hour.  ‘Father, glorify your name.”

Then the Father speaks.

“Then there came a voice out of Heaven, ‘I both glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”

At Jesus’ baptism, the Father first spoke audibly to Jesus in the presence of John the Baptist and others.  “You are My Son, whom I love.  With You I am well pleased.”

Then at the Transfiguration, the Father spoke audibly to Jesus with Peter, James and John listening.  “This is my Son, whom I love: with Him I am well pleased.  Listen to Him.”

The first two times we see the Father speaking, the number who hear Him is limited.  At the Baptism, we only know of John the Baptist and Jesus hearing the Father’s voice.  Maybe others did also, but we’re not told who.  At the Transfiguration (Matthew 17) it’s only Peter, James and John.

Now here at the Temple, there is a crowd.  Some thought they heard thunder.  Others thought it was the voice of an angel.

Each time the Father spoke audibly, it was for confirmation.  It was for authentication.

At the Baptism, the confirmation was for John.   This is the One I’ve sent.  This is the One you’ve been preparing the way for.  This is the Messiah.  And yet I believe at that point, the confirmation was also for Jesus Himself.  Your time Has come!  Let’s get it on!

At the Transfiguration, the confirmation was for Jesus’ three closest friends:  Peter, James and John.  He’s just told them He must go to Jerusalem and die.  Peter says “never!”  He’s rebuked as a “Satan” for not being willing to accept the Father’s plan.  These three friends would need this confirmation to accept the Father’s plan.  Things were about to get ugly.

Then at Passover week, with the crowd listening on, the Father gave confirmation that what was about to happen was for His glory.  The shame of the cross would become the glory of Heaven!

It makes me wonder.  How could Peter, James and John, hearing the Father speak to them a second time, still give way to fear and doubt in the face of the cross?   Wouldn’t the Father’s voice be enough?

It also makes me wonder.  Had the Father spoken audibly to Jesus at other times?  Was this a regular occurrence, but these are the only accounts recorded for us.

We read of Jesus continually getting away to pray.  Did He regularly hear the Father’s voice.  Probably many of us imagine that Jesus did hear the Father’s voice in a way that we do not.

For me, I think Jesus might have had occasional “audible” interactions with the Father, but I imagine that in His humanity His prayers were much more like ours.  I want to believe that we can interact intimately with our Father just as Jesus did.  After all, He was “made like us in every way” and were invited to “walk as Jesus walked.”

Father, I want to know you more intimately.  My Abba, my Papa, my Daddy.  I want to pray as Jesus prayed!

To learn more about Walking As Jesus Walked and Discipling As Jesus Discipled, visit:  SONLIFE.COM

In Jesus’ Olivet Discourse, He warns His disciples of the trials and tribulations that will come for them and those who follow Him.

“But before all these things, beware of men.  Be on your guard, for they will lay their hands on you, and will persecute you, delivering you to the Sanhedrin, and scourge you in their synagogues and prison.”

Jesus warns that their fiercest opposition will be from their fellow Jews, even their religious leaders.  Attacks hurt regardless of when they come or who they come from, but when they come from people we expect to hate us, we’re more emotionally prepared to handle them.  It’s when they come from those we’d expect, or at least hope would understand and accept us that we need to especially “beware” and “be on our guard,” bracing ourselves emotionally for the attack.

It’s interesting how The Merged Gospels weaves together these passages.  Matthew 24:9-14, Mark 13:9-13 and Luke 21:12-19…  together with Matthew 10:17-25 and Luke 6:40.

Jesus continues with His warning.

“And you will even be brought, and you will stand before governors and kings on account of My name.”

A scary thought, right?  Having to stand before governors and kings, those who have the authority to punish and imprison us, to defend ourselves and our faith.

But think about it!  Standing before governors and kings.  Wow!   What a platform to proclaim the name of Jesus and the glorious Gospel of our Savior!

“But it will lead to an opportunity for your testimony to them, and to the Gentiles.”

Opposition, persecution and tribulation ultimately are to be seen as an opportunity, a megaphone for our testimony.

And what a promise Jesus gives for those who are handed the megaphone of tribulation.

“And when they arrest you, and whenever they deliver you up, be settled, then, in your hearts.  Do not be anxious, nor premeditated beforehand about how or what you are to reply, for it will be given you in that hour what you will speak.  For you are not the speakers.  But say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit of your Father that is speaking in you.”

We can be settled in our hearts.  We can be at peace.  We can be confident.

God will give us the words to speak.  The Holy Spirit will put words in our mouth.  The Spirit will speak through us.

We’re given the megaphone of persecution, and the thundering voice that comes booming out with authority and power is the very voice of the Spirit of God.

And then I love what Luke records in Luke 21:28!

“But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Under attack.  Persecuted.  Beaten down.  But don’t hang your head!

Shoulders up.  Head high.   If God is for us, who can be against us!   Carpe diem.  Seize the megaphone, step up on the platform of persecution, and boldly proclaim Christ.

 

To learn more about Walking As Jesus Walked and Discipling As Jesus Discipled, visit:  SONLIFE.COM

It’s Passion Week.  Everything was coming to a head, like a boiling, churning volcano, ready to erupt.  The Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes were all trying to take Jesus down.

“And He was teaching daily in the Temple.  But the chief priests and the scribes, and the leading men among the people heard this, and they were seeking to destroy Him, for they were afraid of Him.”  Matthew 11:18, Luke 19:47

Can you feel the intensity of these moments?  Every word, every movement, every act was under fierce scrutiny.  They’re determined to find a way, some way, any way to destroy Jesus.  And why?  “For they were afraid of Him.”

What were they so afraid of?  Losing power?  Losing control?

They challenged Jesus, trying to test and trap Him with three successive questions in full view of the throngs of followers and curious onlookers.

“Is it lawful for us to pay a tax to Caesar or not?”

“Therefore, in the resurrection, when they rise again, which one’s wife of the seven will she be, for all seven had her as wife?”

“Teacher, in the Law, which is the greatest commandment of all?”

Jesus silences his enemies and amazes the crowds with His responses.

“And no longer from that day did anyone question Him about anything.”

The question about paying taxes to Caesar is recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke.   In harmonizing the three gospel accounts of this event, The Merged Gospels puts Jesus’ reaction to the Pharisees this way:

“But He knew their hypocrisy, perceived their malice, and detected their trickery…”

In the NIV, Matthew records that “Jesus, knowing their evil intent.”  Mark says, “But Jesus knew their hypocrisy.”  Luke records, “He saw through their duplicity.”

Oh, but when you take all three and combine them as The Merged Gospels does… hypocrisy, malice, trickery… the power of their hatred comes bursting through with full force!

Oh, how they feared Him!  Oh, how they hated Him!   Did the fear lead to hatred, or the hatred to fear?

It’s no wonder they would choose vile and repulsive Barabbas to be freed over Jesus.  It’s no wonder they would cry out, “Crucify Him!  Crucify Him!”

Their hearts were full of hypocrisy, malice and duplicity, and what’s in the heart always comes out!

 

To learn more about Walking As Jesus Walked and Discipling As Jesus Discipled, visit:  SONLIFE.COM

As Jesus traveled from Galilee to Jerusalem, He went through Jericho on the way.  This was a standard travel route, down along the Jordan River, then over through Jericho before ascending up through the narrow pass of the Wadi Qelt in the Judean wilderness.

It’s here in Jeeicho where we find Zaccheus.  What do we know about him other than that he’s “a wee little man?”  Well, we know he’s influential.  Zaccheus is the Chief Tax Collector.  All the other tax collectors report to him, and he skims off the top.  Sort of a first century pyramid scheme.  This makes Zaccheus very rich.  But Zaccheus is not influential in a good way.  He’s corrupt.  He takes what isn’t his.  He cheats others out of their hard earned money.  Zaccheus is probably the most hated man in Jericho!

When Jesus calls Zaccheus out of the sycamore tree he’s climbed in order to see Him, Jesus says, “Zaccheus, quickly come down, for I must stay today in your house.”

I’ve always imagined that Jesus went to Zaccheus’ house for a meal.  That would be bad enough, right?  Eating in the home of the most hated man in Jericho!

But did Jesus just eat with Zaccheus?  Jesus said “stay today.”  And then the people start gossiping, “He went in to lodge with a sinner!”

Did Jesus actually spend the night in Zaccheus’ home?  It appears so.  And wouldn’t this make sense. Think about it…

It takes several days to walk from Galilee to Jerusalem.  Jesus would have to spend the night in several homes along the way, or sleep under the stars exposed to the elements.  Jericho would be the last city to lodge at before ascending up through the wilderness (really a barren desert) toward Jerusalem.

Doesn’t the image of Jesus sleeping in the home of the most hated man in Jericho deepen the scandal even further?  What a profound statement Jesus makes!

Jesus is a “friend of sinners.”

And consider this event in contrast to Jesus’ encounter with the Rich Young Ruler.  That young man believed he could somehow earn God’s favor. “What must I do?”  Zaccheus knows he can’t earn God’s favor.  He knows he’s a sinner.  He hears it every day from those he’s extorted.

When Jesus said it was hard for a rich man to inherit eternal life, He didn’t mean impossible.  That’s what His disciples heard.  But now here is Zaccheus, a rich man, befriended by Jesus.  Zaccheus confesses his sin. He wants to be right with God.  And Jesus tells Zaccheus and all who are listening, “Today, salvation has come to this home!”

“With man, this is impossible.  But with God, all things are possible.”

Zaccheus is living proof!

And then Jesus makes an even more stunning declaration.  I’ve never made the connection of the story that follows until now.

There in Jericho, at Zaccheus house, Jesus tells the parable of the man of noble birth who appointed 10 of his slaves to manage his wealth while he was away.  One increased his master’s wealth he’d been entrusted with by 100% and was blessed accordingly.  A second increased his master’s wealth he’d been entrusted with by 50% and was blessed accordingly.  A third hid his master’s wealth he’d been entrusted with so he wouldn’t lose it.  He increased it by 0% and was punished accordingly.

So what does this have to do with Zaccheus that I never saw before today?  Telling this story in Zaccheus presence after he’s just repented of his sin and embraced Jesus as Savior would be Jesus’ not so subtle rebuke of those who self-righteously judged Zaccheus and thought God would accept them because they weren’t a “sinner” like him.  Like the slaves who increased their master’s wealth 50% or 100%, Zaccheus was acting on his faith.  The self-righteous townspeople weren’t exercising faith in Jesus.  Their attempts at rule-keeping righteousness made them slaves of the law.  They were like the slave who “kept” what was given but failed to do anything with it.

Is Jesus not only telling the crowd that Zaccheus has received salvation, but also that Zaccheus (the most hated, corrupt man in Jericho) will be blessed more than all of them?  What a stunning development!  Can’t you imagine how incredulous this made everyone.

Wow!  When Jesus saves a notorious sinner, He really shakes things up.  Zaccheus, the Apostle Paul, the “worst of sinners” become trophies of God’s grace!

 

To learn more about Walking As Jesus Walked and Discipling As Jesus Discipled, visit:  SONLIFE.COM

Certain stories in the Gospels are told so vividly, we imagine them as real.  The Good Samaritan.  The Prodigal Son.  The Rich Man and Lazarus.  None of these is a real story.  They tell real truth, but they’re merely parables.

It’s easy to throw the story of The Rich Young Ruler in this camp as well.  It’s recorded in Matthew 19, Mark 10 and Luke 18, making it a significant event.  Yes, an event.  Not just a parable.  This really happened.  And a few things really stand out.

First, the rich young man runs to catch up to Jesus.  He literally runs!  How eager he must have been to meet Jesus.  How troubled he must have been by his spiritual standing.  He knew something was missing and he was desperate to find out what it was!  So he ran…

Next, notice the burning question he has for Jesus.

“Good Teacher, what good thing will I do that I might inherit eternal life?”

DO.

This young man has wealth, status, accomplishments.  He’s accustomed to people accepting him based on what he has to offer.

Don’t mistake Jesus’ reply to go sell everything he has and give it to the poor as God’s standard for earning eternal life.

Jesus wants to get the young man off the DO track.  To show him there is nothing HE can DO to inherit eternal life, Jesus gives him something to do that He knows will be impossible for him.

This becomes clear when the disciples later tell Jesus what He’s saying is impossible, and He replies, “What is impossible for man is possible for God.”  No, you can’t be good enough to earn eternal life, but God will make it possible for you to receive it another way.

The most powerful statement for me in this entire encounter is where we read that “looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him.”

I wonder how the Gospel writers knew Jesus felt a love for the young man.  Did they see it in His eyes?  Did they hear it in His voice?  Did Jesus reach out and put His hand on the young man’s shoulder?

However He conveyed it, Jesus’ love for the young man was obvious.  Jesus showed compassion for the lost.

For Jesus, this was not an argument to be won.

For Jesus, this was not a project to be completed.

For Jesus, this was a person He would willingly lay down His life and die for.

If the disciples could see this love in Jesus’ eyes, I want to look at others with the eyes of Jesus.

If the disciples could hear this love in Jesus’ voice, I want to speak to others with the voice of Jesus.

If the disciples could sense this love through Jesus’ touch, I want to touch others with the tenderness of Jesus.

Father, please allow others to know Your love by the way I live and love.

To learn more about Walking As Jesus Walked and Discipling As Jesus Discipled, visit:  SONLIFE.COM

In Matthew 18, Jesus gives clear instruction on dealing with the person who has sinned against you.

First…  go to them privately.  Rebuke them.  If they repent, forgive them.  The relationship is restored.

Second… if they don’t listen, take one or two people with you.  Let them offer their counsel and encouragement.  If the one who has sinned against you won’t listen to them, those you brought are now your witnesses.

Third…  if they will not listen to you or your witnesses, you must bring it to the Church.  Does Jesus mean we should bring the matter before the whole church, or just the leadership of the church?  Because Jesus says “if he will not listen to the Church,” it appears at the very least that leadership (elders) is speaking on behalf of the Church as a whole.

Fourth…  if they don’t listen to the Church either, they are to be treated as an unbeliever.  But what does that mean?  Unlike our churches where we welcome unbelievers into worship to be exposed to the gospel, in the Jewish context heathens or known sinners were not allowed into the Temple or synagogue without first confessing their sin and being made clean.  The sabbath was to be kept holy.  Jews had rituals they went through to assure they were pure before the Lord.  Ritual baths.  Dietary rituals.  Recited prayers.

How do we apply this today?  What does treating an unrepentant Christian as a heathen look like for us?  To apply Jesus’ intent, they would be asked to leave the church.  They would not be allowed to participate in worship.

Jesus takes sin and broken relationships seriously.  He adds spiritual weight and authority to these decisions when He says, “Truly I say to you, whatever things you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven. And whatever things you loose on earth will be loosed in Heaven.”  Your decision in this matter is binding.  It holds weight.  You have the spiritual authority to do this.

It’s in this context that Jesus says, “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on the earth concerning anything, whatever they might ask, it will be done to them by My Father Who is in Heaven.  For where there are two or three gathered together in My name, there I am in the midst of them.”

We often read or hear these verses and take them to refer to the power that we have when we pray together, that God’s presence is promised when two or three gather in His name.

That’s not what Jesus was saying.  Jesus was speaking about confronting a believer who has sinned and who has refused to repent.  With the godly counsel and agreement of two or three witnesses, we have established that this person is unrepentant.  Then we can be confident that Jesus stands with us in our decision.

But Jesus is not finished.  He then tells Peter and the others that when your brother sins against you, forgive him.  Not just once.  Not just seven times.  But seventy times seven.

While we should be prepared to forgive someone regardless of whether they ask forgiveness or not, Jesus here is speaking specifically about when we are asked to forgive. He tells the parable of a king who is owed a great sum of money by a servant who pleads for the king’s mercy.

Even when the sin against us is great, causing deep pain, forgiveness is not only necessary.  It’s possible.  Because we’ve been forgiven, we can forgive…  and forgive…  and forgive… and forgive…

 

To learn more about Walking As Jesus Walked and Discipling As Jesus Discipled, visit:  SONLIFE.COM