Pastor’s Blog 6.3.20
What are you filled with today? Our nation is overflowing with all sorts of emotions isn’t it? Outrage is being demonstrated at levels we have not seen in decades. From the Covid 19 lockdown, to now the protest and riots happening in our communities, I am reminded of the following words in the Bible. “Is there not a cause?” These words were spoken by David and then the Son of David , Jesus, said “For this cause I was born” as he spoke before Pilate.
What cause are you filled with? There are many causes, some righteous, some not. At one point a man asked Jesus to come and be the arbitrator in an argument over a division of family inheritance, Jesus refused.
Luke 12:13-21
13 The Parable of the Rich Fool Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
14 But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?”
15 And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully.
17 And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’
18 So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul,”Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”‘
20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’
21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
NKJV
Jesus exposed that the real issue here was greed in the man asking. There is a fruit of the Spirit and directive of the Kingdom that most believers do not listen to or want to submit to. It’s called “turn the other cheek.” Most people find an amendment or way to justify or exclude themselves from this “way of the Master.”
I think a lot of people who are inflamed right now in the body of Christ need to take a moment and read the Beatitudes again. A violent response to evil is not the way of Christ when we are being treated unfairly or even unjustly. Love doesn’t overcome with violence it overcomes by demonstrating a higher way that Jesus himself demonstrated. He was innocent and killed, but loved and forgave. Peter took the other approach in the Garden of Gethsemane, like some are with rioting and looting, and how did that work out for him?
Matt 26:47-56
47 And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people.
48 Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.”
49 Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.
50 But Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.
51 And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
52 But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.
53 Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?
54 How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?”
55 In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me.
56 But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled. NKJV
Luke 6:27-36
27 Love Your Enemies (Matt 5:38-48) “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.
29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.
30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.
31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.
35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. NKJV
Taking the high road goes against all out self-defense mechanisms and as much as I hate to say it, many of Jesus’ disciples are still ready to “cut someone.”
Stay sane and blessed!
- Date - June 3, 2020
- Author - David Chisholm
