Getting real with Jesus Week18, 2017

When Simon Peter answers "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." to Jesus’ question "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" Jn 21:15(ESV)we need the help of the Greek to realise he didn’t answer exactly as Jesus asked. The love of Jesus’ question is agape: unconditional love. The God-kind of love. It is phileus: the love of a friend that Peter uses in his response. Jesus again asks him “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” using agape, and Peter replies in the affirmative using phileus. Have you been scared to divulge to Jesus the true nature of your devotion to Him? The weakness and shortcomings, and perhaps nonexistence of what He demands? Be honest with yourself. Be honest with Him. Is it not amazing Jesus still commissions him saying? "Tend my sheep." Jn 21:16 (ESV) Of a truth There is nothing in us that allows us to claim that we are capable of doing this work. The capacity we have comes from God; it is he who made us capable of serving the new covenant, which consists not of a written law but of the Spirit 2Cor 3:5, 6(GNB).

A father of a demon possessed boy once in dire need of Jesus’ help also confronted his shortcomings. The spirit has often thrown him into fire and into water to destroy him. But if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us!" Mk 9:22(ISV)  to this Jesus pointed out the need for genuine faith. "'If you are able?' Everything is possible for the person who believes!" Mk 9:23(ISV). Hear the cry of the man: With tears flowing, the child's father at once cried out, "I do believe! Help my unbelief!" Mk 9:24(ISV). You know Jesus intervened and healed the boy.

But Jesus didn’t leave Peter at that. He takes him up at his own terms and asks "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Jn 21:17(ESV) using phileus, Peter’s own terms. That hurt. Peter was deeply hurt that he had asked him a third time, "Do you love me?" So he told him, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you!" Jn 21:17(ISV). Yes we must be true to our affirmation short though they be of God’s righteous and lofty demands. He will take what we have and transform us to His own image. We may start with phileus. We shall end in agape. That’s the love spoken of in 1Corinthians13. That’s the one Peter himself in 1Pt 1:22(ISV) Now that you have obeyed the truth and have purified your souls to love your brothers sincerely, you must love one another intensely and with a pure heart. Beloved as Jesus asks you “Do you love me?” what is your answer? An answer of faith based on what you know (or think) you should or an honest answer from the heart even when it hurts. Indeed, you are pleased with truth in the inner person, and you will teach me wisdom in my innermost parts Ps51:6(ISV).  

Be encouraged to get real with Jesus. He will surely help you. His calling is not because you are worth it, His interventions never because we deserve them. They are acts of grace and mercy.

More than these Week 17, 2017

This isn’t what was initially planned as the write up. But it is a burden right now. After Jesus had risen from the dead, within the 40 days of His appearing and teaching, Peter decides to go fishing. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." Jn 21:3(ESV). Could it be there was no food at the moment? So he wanted to do the honourable thing to provide? Was it that since Jesus had died it was all over? “Let’s get back to ordinary living”? We are not told (does it really matter?) but as happens with Peter some go along with him. It was fishing he left to follow Jesus; now he is going back to it. Immediately they left their nets and followed him. Mt 4:20(ESV). 

Beloved what will make you go back to what you left to follow Jesus? Hunger, disillusionment, or protracted recurring unanswered prayers? Jesus handled Peter and the erring apostles with great tact and gentleness. Not with harshness but great love. I am fully convinced it is God’s pattern for handling similarly affected saints. Jesus said to them, "Children, do you have any fish?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread Jn 21:5, 6, 9(ESV). Jesus repeats the miraculous great catch of fish with extras: the net doesn’t break this time, and breakfast is already waiting (Have you noticed how God gives sufficient food to erring men of God and then rebukes and redirects them? Remember Elijah?). It is after the meal that Jesus asks Peter questions. "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" Jn 21:15(ESV). More than these: more than what? The Greek word is applicable to persons or things. "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?"(GNB) I see Jesus in this also asking Peter if he loved Jesus more than fishing and fish. More than profit, more than abundance of food, “food security”. Put your name there and hear the question directed to you by the Lord. “.... lovest thou me more than these?”

Is this not why we compromise, why I turn my back on age long teachings and callings? Is not this the root of struggles? Yet I see Jesus quietly saying “I give you this and even more”. Think of the patriarch Abraham. God came to him and offers him Himself. Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward Gen 15:1(ASV)  And Abraham’s response? And Abram said, O Lord Jehovah, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless Gen 15:2(ASV)    Well we know God did give Abraham that child by Sarah, but we also see God asking Abraham “Do you love Me more than these?” in asking years after for the sacrifice of the same Isaac. "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." Gen 22:2(ESV).  We know Abraham’s answer. I know God is listening to your heart for your own answer.

The Panacea Week 16, 2017

We have different drugs and strategies to cure diverse diseases and disorders of the human body. Long ago men sought the one remedy for all diseases without success. The idea of a panacea, a one-stop cure all, has been confined to myth. Ask what a panacea is today, you will be told it is a non-existent magic potion meant for children’s tales and unlikely research.

In life we recognise different answers for different challenges. That is why in advanced learning we have different faculties, departments and units organised to help human endeavour. “No single answer to life’s multifaceted needs” we teach. We have several devices to accomplish many tasks; and despite the utility of the smart phone it falls far short of the one device which answers every need. Another issue is that what is effective in one country may fail in another; therefore we have devices that are tropicalised to make them fit for climes such as Nigeria. Apart from the variableness of weather, such matters as deep rooted cultural differences make diversity an attractive and “progressive” approach. Inclusivity is a more recent term touted as true modernism.

But there is such a thing as a panacea, such a one actually. The answer to all challenges and every need exists. The answer in North Korea and the answer in Ukraine; the same answer tested and true in North America and in all of Africa. In every culture and language, in every clime and society this is tested and proven effective. He answers all sickness, all travails of mankind, and every need.

“Such a solution can only be divine” you say. I agree. He is the answer to sickness. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed1Pt 2:24(ESV). He is the answer to law and justice. The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son Jn 5:22(ESV)  He is the answer to nature and natural disasters. And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" Mk 4:41 (ESV).  He is the answer to life and death. Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"Jn 11:25, 26 (ESV). Every mystery is answered by Him, and divinity fully dwells in him: See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodilyCol 2:8, 9(ESV). Jesus Christ is that panacea. And He proved it by rising again from the dead: as to his divine holiness, he was shown with great power to be the Son of God by being raised from death. Rom 1:4(GNB)  .

Look no further, any who hold to Him testify I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me Phil4:13 (KJV) .

From the earth’s foundations Week 15, 2017

In telling the story of Jesus Christ coming to die for our sins it has at times been said that God tried several routes to get Mankind saved; all without success. Then at the last came Jesus. It has been said God sent the law, which didn’t work, sent prophets and holy men, and finally sent Jesus. It sounds like the parable Jesus told: When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit.  And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' Mat 21:34-37 

But there’s something we need to bear in mind: God was not trying out ways of salvation to see what would work. Not in the least. Like when Jesus asked Phillip what to do about the 5, 000 men needing food, He knew exactly what to do from the very beginning - ever before He created the earth: it was the costly sacrifice of Christ, who was like a lamb without defect or flaw. He had been chosen by God before the creation of the world and was revealed in these last days for your sake1Pt 1:19, 20(GNB).

God was not trying out various alternatives of redemption and reserving Jesus to come if none of them worked, He never sent any to bring salvation but as forerunners to point men to Jesus the coming One. What is the use of the Law? It was given later to show that we sin. But it was only supposed to last until the coming of that descendant who was given the promise Gal 3:19(CEV).Even when it was reported God was asking for suggestions on how to lure Ahab to Ramoth Gilead to die the Almighty knew which would work ever before it was sanctioned to begin! "And the LORD asked him, 'How?' "'I will go,' he announced, 'and I will be a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all of his prophets!' "So the LORD said, 'You're just the one to deceive him. You will be successful. Go and do it.' 1Kgs 22:22(ISV).  Consider that the events of this day (Palm Sunday) were predicted so many years ahead of the event. And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, "Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt!"Jn 12:14, 15(ESV).  Jesus has always been God’s only plan for salvation.

In fact right after our first parents sinned God clearly spoke concerning the redemption of Mankind by Jesus Christ: "I'll place hostility between you and the woman, between your offspring and her offspring. He'll strike you on the head, and you'll strike him on the heel." Gen 3:15(ISV).  The sacrifice of Jesus is not an afterthought or an alternative. It has been the long awaited plan of God ever before the worlds were made. He is the Lamb of God slain from the foundations of the earth. All those living on earth will worship it, everyone whose name is not written in the Book of Life belonging to the lamb that was slaughtered from the foundation of the world. Rev 13:8(ISV)