September 20-24, 2010

And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. And it came about that while He was blessings them, He parted from them. (Luke 24:50-51)

We began our journey this week in one of the places Jesus held dear, Bethany. At the end of last week, we had breakfast on the beach of the Sea of Galilee and was touched by Jesus’ words to Peter as He restored him to Himself and His call on Peter’s life. On the day Jesus resurrected from the dead, He had sent a message by the women and Mary Magdalene that He would meet them in Galilee, but it took a little convincing to get them to get up and move from their hiding place in Jerusalem. Their time in Galilee was short; Pentecost was fifty days after Passover and it would have been normal for them to return to Jerusalem for this special celebration. This time when they left the Galilee, they would never return to normalcy.

Ten days before Pentecost Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father, and the disciples began to prepare for what was ahead. Judas’ replacement was chosen bringing them, once again, to the governmental number of twelve. One of Jesus’ last instructions to them was that they were to “wait!” “Wait” is one of the most difficult instructions we ever receive. You may recall that it was the instruction King Saul miserably failed to follow. But a remnant of one hundred and twenty disciples remained faithful. They were waiting for the promise of the Father, but how would it come? How would they know when it came? Jesus didn’t tell them how many days it would be before it came. Did they suspect that it would probably come at Pentecost? They certainly were well aware that Passover and Pentecost were linked together by the counting of the omer, and must have been looking forward to the arrival of Shavuot with great anticipation. They knew that this event was to take place in Jerusalem, because Jesus had told them to stay there until it arrived. I have a feeling they sensed what was about to happen was in direct relation with what had already happened.

Jerusalem would have been filled with Jews from all over the Roman Empire, just as Passover had been. People who had come exceptionally long distances would have arrived for Passover and remained until after Pentecost. When God accepted the Tabernacle as His dwelling place, He revealed His presence through the fire that consumed the sacrifice. When God moved into the Temple Solomon had built, God manifested His presence by sending fire to consume the sacrifice. For the past fifty days, the followers of Jesus were being built into a new Temple. Each one of them had prepared their hearts and lives and presented themselves as living sacrifices. Once again, God revealed His acceptance of His new dwelling place. No longer would He live in a tent in the wilderness, or in a magnificent stone structure made by human hands; God was taking up His abode in the hearts of men who loved Him and followed His will. God’s signature of approval had always been seen in His fire that consumed the sacrifice; this time it would be no different. God placed His fire of approval on each living sacrifice that had waited for His promise!

It’s not long before we hear Annas, Caiaphas the high priest, and the other members of the council asking the apostles the same question they confronted Jesus with, “By whose authority are you teaching and doing miracles?” Peter and John had learned well from their Great Rabbi and answered them with words that carried even greater impact than their face value. With all that we’ve seen in the last few weeks, listen to Peter and John’s response.

1. His name is Jesus Christ the Nazarene.

2. You crucified Him, God raised Him up.

3. He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED BY YOU, THE BUILDERS, BUT WHICH BECAME THE VERY CORNERSTONE.

4. There is no other name under heaven by which a person can be saved.

We looked into the remez Jesus used when He was before Annas, Caiaphas, and the council when they condemned Him to death. Because of their thorough knowledge of the Scriptures, they would have been well aware of Jesus’ words in their context. It would obviously have been the same for the words Peter and John quoted out of Psalm 118. I’m sure they didn’t miss the connection in verses 8 and 9 that says,

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.

And, no doubt, they connected the words,

You pushed me violently so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation. (vs. 13-14)

I’m sure if you take time to read Psalm 118, you will delight in the greater message Peter and John spoke to the council.

You would think that with all the miracles Annas, Caiaphas, and the members of the council had witnessed firsthand, that they would have been the first ones to admit their failure to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, but jealousy never thinks rationally! And in truth, we are told that a number of priests believed in Jesus as the Christ. It is in the midst of all the chaos in the Sanhedrin that a Pharisee named Gamaliel stood and spoke in an effort to bring some sanity to the situation. Gamaliel was one of the most honored and respected rabbis of that day. This is the man Paul says that he had studied under when he was younger. Obviously, in Paul’s zealousness, he failed to hold the same thoughts as Gamaliel, but that’s getting ahead of ourselves.

As we watch the birth of the church unfold, we quickly discover that many of the same problems that are in the church today, were also found in the believers of that day. Prejudice and contention are two that raised their heads pretty quickly. But these were quickly squelched when godly leadership was put in its proper place. Out of the seven deacons that were put in place, two of them give us greater insight into their character. Much to our surprise, the first man to die for Christ was not an apostle - He wasn’t even a Jewish Jew. He was a Hellenistic Jew! You can be sure that by Jewish standards, these men were thought to be less than their Jewish counterpart, but we quickly learn that their knowledge of the word and their commitment to Christ was not second rate!!!!

As we follow the footsteps of the saints who have gone before us, may we endeavor to recognize the high standards they have given us. May their knowledge of the Word, their total commitment to Christ, and their desire to tell others of their experience with the Messiah be an encouragement to each of us, and as a result, may we change our world.

September 13-17, 2010

Was not our heart burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us? (Luke 24:32)

What an amazing week!!! This is certainly a major part of our journey that we don’t want to just skip over lightly. The events of these days literally turned this world around! But with so much to consider and so many details, it’s difficult to know which path is the best to pursue.

I hope you read the sign Pilate had posted over Jesus’ head with new understanding. JESUS THE NAZARENE - KING OF THE JEWS. The “Branch of Jesse” was hung on a lifeless tree, and by His death brought new life to all who would believe. When Pilate was confronted with the Jewish leaders’ request to change the sign declaring the verdict for which the criminal was being executed, Pilate belligerently bellowed, “What I have written, I have written.” Why was Pilate so adamant about his wording? Was he truly convinced that the statement was true and the Jews were putting their Messiah to death? His wife Claudia was certainly convinced that Jesus was a righteous man, and begged her husband not to have anything to do with His death. The Coptic church (Eastern Orthodox) has a belief that Claudia became a Christian and venerates her as such. Later on, after the death and resurrection of Christ, Pilate was exiled to Gaul where it is said that he committed suicide. Oh the speculations we could entertain!!! If his wife truly became a Christian, (and I have no doubt believing she did), could it have been that, although Pilate washed his hands of the matter, he couldn’t wash his heart? Interestingly, we have very little substantiated history to paint us a picture of Pilate’s life after the resurrection. This fact is very uncharacteristic of the history of Roman rulers. It is shocking to see how much is normally recorded of a ruler’s life and influence, but of Pilate, there is almost nil. Whatever became of him, this much we know for certain, God alone will judge his life.

This week we stood at the foot of the cross with four people who are mentioned by name. Mary, Jesus’ mother, Mary, Jesus’ step-aunt who was married to Clopas, who is believed to have been Joseph’s brother, Mary from Magdala, and John. Isn’t it interesting that the women mentioned all have the name “Mary.” How apropos! Bitter! Bitter!! Bitter!!! The name “Mary” means “bitter.” And what about John’s name, “favored by YHWH!!!” What a picture is painted by those who are mentioned that day - just in their names alone! And what a cloud of witnesses they are to us today. We have a lady who was righteous and loved God, even as a teenager. She was a woman who was chosen for a specific task, knowing that it would cost her everything. “Be it unto me according to Your word,” was her humble reply. Then we have a woman who is basically an unknown, whose life and reputation is defined more by who she is joined to, rather than by her own life. Other than her name and who she was married to, we really know very little. One thing we know for sure is that at the time Jesus died, she was one of the few who stood by Him through it all. Our last Mary is a woman whose past life before she met her Rabbi was anything but righteous. The last one standing at the foot of the cross was John, a man who had been known for his trade and his strong desire to know the Master. And a man who was willing to forsake comfort and stability to follow the One who called him. Whether we are someone chosen by God for a specific purpose, a person whose life is relatively obscure, an individual with a whole closet full of skeletons, or someone who is called to give up all to follow the Master so that we can preach Him crucified to a world, there is a place for each of us at the foot of the cross!

DAY OF PREPARATION

Have you ever considered why it is that we often hold tradition over fact? When the season comes around next year when we will commemorate the events of Christ’s death and resurrection, once again Good Friday services will be held all over the world. I wonder when the majority of the church forgot how to count!?!? Jesus clearly said that He would be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.

But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sigh shall be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; for just as Johah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (Matthew 12:39-40)

Jesus gave a precise timetable when He would be in the tomb. Only two times in Scripture are three “DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS” mentioned - the account of David fasting for his son who was born of his infidelity with Bathsheba, and Jonah’s layover in the belly of the sea monster. Did you notice that it says “three days and three nights,” and not “three nights and three days?” If Jesus was crucified on Friday, He would have been in the tomb late in the day on Friday and all day Saturday. He was risen before daylight on Sunday. Let’s see - 1 + 1 = hmmmmm! Also, if He was crucified on Friday, He would have been in the tomb Friday night and Saturday night - 1 + 1 = hmmmmmm! If He was crucified on Thursday, He would have been placed in the tomb by the later part of the day on Thursday, all day Friday and all day Saturday - 1 + 1 + 1 + 3!!! He would have also been in the heart of the earth all night Thursday, Friday, and Saturday - 1 + 1 + 1 = 3!!! So what caused all the confusion? The answer is, “Several things.”

1. Misunderstanding of the Preparation for the Sabbath

The Sabbath that the Jews were preparing for was not “Saturday.” Any of the festival days where the Jews were commanded to do no work were also known as Sabbaths. At the time when Jesus hung on the cross, the Jews were preparing for their Passover and they were slaying their lambs for the meal. It was the day of Passover preparation.

2. The Unfamiliarity of Two Calendars

We know that Jesus ate the Passover with His disciples, and yet I just mentioned that the Jews were preparing for Passover at the time Jesus was crucified. Isn’t there a discrepancy? To make things even more confusing, John tells us that Jesus ate dinner with His disciples “before” the Feast of the Passover. (John 13:1) So did Jesus actually eat Passover with His disciples? Did He eat it early? The answers are, “Yes,” “No and yes?” Did He eat Passover with His disciples? Yes! Did He eat it early? No, if you are following the ancient Essen calendar, in which case it would ALWAYS be eaten on Tuesday evening. Yes, if you are following the Temple calendar. For far too many reason to go into in this short blog, we know that Jesus commemorated Passover with His disciples on the date of the ancient Essen calendar. It wasn’t until the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls when they found the calendar the Essenes used that this calculation confusion was resolved.

Jesus was completely accurate when He gave the religious leaders the sign they asked for. He would be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights - AND HE WAS!!! Crucified on Thursday, placed in the tomb BEFORE the end of the day, and risen before the sun came up on Sunday - 1 + 1 + 1 still equals 3!!!

NEW EYES FOR A NEW LOOK

Have you ever questioned why those who had walked with Jesus had a difficult time recognizing Him after He rose from the dead? Obviously, something in His countenance had changed! Glorified flesh without the law of sin and death in it doesn’t even look the same. As Jesus walked with the two disciples who were traveling back to their home in Emmaus, they were deeply moved by His teaching. Jesus began with Moses and the Law, connected it with the Prophets and the Psalms and taught them about all that had happened. With one heart, they listened to His words, but it wasn’t until their eyes were opened as He broke the bread at their table that they saw Him for who He was. How many people today study the Word of God, and yet they don’t see Him - they don‘t experience the reality of the resurrected Christ in the everyday place where they live? The glorified, resurrected Christ is only seen by those whose eyes are opened to see by the Spirit. Jesus could have been displayed to the world after His resurrection, but God chose for Him to only be seen by those who truly sought to know Him. Today Jesus can still be seen by those whose eyes are opened by the Spirit; those who hunger to see Him and know Him, and obey His commands. God, may our spiritual eyes behold the risen Lord!!! Amen!!!!!!!!!

Septembeer 7-10, 2010

Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth, and said to them, “Whom do you see?” They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene,” He said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also who was betraying Him, was standing with them. (John 18:4-5)

I don’t care how many times I traverse this path, I will always be amazed at its ruggedness. The sinful course of man’s existence started in a garden with the first Adam. Once again, Satan takes on a disguise, and comes to the garden in an effort to overcome the Last Adam. If he can kill Jesus before He gets to the cross, he will win! Satan had entered the heart of Judas and the wheels of destruction were in motion. But, unlike the first Adam, Jesus was ready for the deceiver.

When Jesus asked, “Whom do you seek?” their answer was quite specific. “Jesus the Nazarene.” Have you ever questioned what a Nazarene was? Was it simply one who was from Nazareth? And what does it mean in Matthew 2:23 where it say:

And came and resided in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”

At the time Isaiah spoke this, there was no city called Nazareth. As a matter of fact, if we turn the clock back and listen to Isaiah, we will hear something that sounds quite different.

Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. (Isaiah 11:1)

Are you scratching your head a bit and saying, “Huh?” What does Isaiah’s words have to do with Jesus being called a Nazarene? Just EVERYTHING!!! If we could read Hebrew, we would quickly see that the word translated “branch” is “netzer” and refers to the lineage Jesus would come from. Out of the old tree stump of Jesse would come a branch. Hopefully you member who Jesse was, but just in case you’ve forgotten, Jesse was King David’s father. There would be many shoots from Jesse, i.e. many clans from his seed, but the Messiah would be a “branch” - a “Nazarene.”

Nazareth in the time of Christ was no more than a small village of about 120-150 people. From the excavations found, it is believed that the settlers of Nazareth returned from their Babylonian exile somewhere around 134-104 B.C. The Maccabean era gave many of the exiles hope that the nation would once again be established and encouraged many to return to the homeland. As was normal in Hebrew tradition, the family clan would have stayed together. As we learned in our travels with Ezra and Nehemiah, family genealogies had been maintained during their Babylonian captivity. Families of the priesthood and those of royal descent would have been extremely careful in keeping their records in order to validate their decent with regard to the priesthood and the Messianic promise.

Julius Africanus, a Jewish Christian from Emmaus and an historian from the end of the second century, tells us that Jesus’ relatives lived in the villages of Kochaba and Nazara. The names of both of these Jewish settlement carry messianic suggestions; Nazara meaning “the branch” and Kochaba meaning “a star.” From all indications and archeological findings, many are convinced, as I am, that the small hamlet of Nazareth became known for the clan that settled there - the clan of the Nazarene. So when Jesus asked them, “Whom do you seek?” their answer could be more intensely defined as, “Jesus, the One who is from the Davidic line known as the Branch who is from Nazareth – Jesus the Nazarene.”

JESUS BEFORE THE COUNCIL

This week we find ourselves in the kangaroo court organized by the Council of Jewish leaders. As we stand on the sidelines and listen to the conversation between Jesus and the council, we get a closer look into the life and minds of the Jewish leadership and the art of rabbinical teaching. Even in Jesus’ darkest hours, He stayed true to who He was and is. Rabbis in the time of the Temple used a Jewish hermeneutics technique known as “remez.” The word “remez” means “hint.” In their teaching they would quote a portion of Scripture with the assumption that those who were listening would have ample knowledge of Torah, fully knowing the passage in its context, and as a result hear a fuller meaning that what was actually said. I am convinced that each time Jesus spoke to the priests, scribes, or the Pharisees using quotes from the Old Testament, He was using remez. Jesus’ words to the high priest and the elders at this mock trial were no exception.

During the examination when false accusations were plentiful, Jesus didn’t bother to answer, but when the high priest demanded in the name of the Living God that Jesus tell them if He was the Messiah, the Son of the Living God, Jesus answered, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, AND COMING ON THE COUDS OF HEAVEN.” But what was Jesus really saying? Was He merely admitting openly that He was who always said He was, or was there more to His statement than meets the untrained ear. I believe we will see more clearly if we look at His statement in the broader text. In this one statement, Jesus quoted from two different portions of Scripture. Let’s look at them in context.

The Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power:

The Lord says to my Lord; “Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” The Lord will stretch for His strong scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of Your enemies. (Psalm 110:1-2)

The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” The Lord is at Your right hand; He will shatter kings in the day of His wrath. He will judge among the nations, He will fill them with corpses, He will shatter the chief men over a broad country. He will drink from the brook by the wayside; Therefore he will lift up His head. (Psalm 110:4-7)

Did you catch what Jesus told them?!?

1. He told them they were His enemies.
2. He said He would rule over them.
3. He clearly told them that, through Him would come the new priestly order.
4. He told them that He would one-day rule as King over the nation.
5. He told them that He would judge the nations.

And if that wasn’t enough, listen to the next part!!!

And coming on the clouds of heaven:

I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven, One like a Son of Man was coming, and He came up to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. And to Him was given dominion, glory and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations and men of every language might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away; and His kingdom is one that will not be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13-14)

These passages would have been well known to the high priest and the members of the council, and would have been more confronting than any words Jesus could have spoken. Their mock trial had turned into a heavenly courtroom. The accusers had been given the verdict of “guilty,” and their sentence was clear; they would be shattered!!!

May we become so familiar with the Word of God that we are able to hear the things that are only discerned by those who have become accustomed to the word of righteousness. Solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. (Hebrews 5:13-14) May we continue to walk as true disciples who know the Word, both the spoken and the Living!!!

August 30-September 3, 2010

This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. John 15:12-13

As we continue our journey this week, I’ve been thinking about what has made my Journeys through the Word so special for these last four years. I’ve consistently walked through the pages of the Book since 1969, but it’s been different the last few years. And what has made that difference? I’ve been walking with friends! I think of Laura and Luise, and my sisters and my mom. I love sitting at the breakfast table as Greg and I begin our day feeding our souls and spirits, as well as our flesh. Truly the journey is made sweeter when it is shared with friends.

Jesus understood the power of love and friendship. As He continues to walk the road to Calvary, He sits at a covenant meal and expresses His deepest thoughts with the ones who have walked with Him. They’ve shared some pretty spectacular events together, but now Jesus is sharing His heart. During this heart-revealing occasion there are two words that stand out above all the rest. The first one seems quite evident and I’m sure most of those who are familiar with this portion of our journey would quite readily guess it. Thirty-one times Jesus speaks of “love,” and seven times He talks about friendship. But there is another word that is second runner-up in this Passover evening’s dialogue that may come as a bit of a surprise. The second word to be used most often is the word “IF!” As a matter of fact, much of what Jesus said that night would be a psychologist’s nightmare! Psychology today paints a very humanistic picture of unconditional love. Jesus presents quite a contrasting definition!!! Listen to some of the things He is saying:

IF you love me, you will keep My commandments. (John 14:15)

IF anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make Our abode with him. (John 14:23)

IF you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. (John 15:10)

You are My friends, IF you do what I command you. (John 15:14)

There seems to be a whole lot of conditions Jesus places on things!!! If you look up the word “if” in the dictionary you find it is a conjunction that introduces a conditional clause. This is the same in every language, including Greek and Hebrew. “IF” means “IF!” “If” is a two-sided coin. Sometimes we only want to look at the positive side, but there are times when we flip the coin we are impacted in a sobering way. Let’s hear the flipside of what Jesus was saying.

If you don’t love Me, you won’t keep My commandments. (John 14:15 flipside)

If anyone doesn’t love me, he won’t keep My word; and My Father will not love him, and will not come to him and make Our abode in him. (John 14:23 flipside)

If you do not keep My commandments, you will not abide in My love; (John 15:10 flipside)

You are not My friends, if you don’t do what I command you. (John 15:14)

One of the statements Jesus made on that night has become so familiar to us that, once again, we have a tendency to look at it through our glasses of preconception. Listen carefully to it again.

“This is My commandment that you love one another, just as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)

Did you catch it? I have a feeling you missed it again. Let’s try it one more time.

“This is My commandment that you love one another,” (John 15:12)

Almost! But I think many of you are still reading it with the glasses on. Let me see if I can’t help remove them. I think you will get it this time.

“This is MY commandment!!!” (John 15:12)

Now you heard it! You may remember just a short time ago when a man who was an expert in the Law of Moses came to Jesus to test Him and asked Him, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” Jesus responded:

“ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

These commandments were already in the Law and were well known, but Jesus said to His disciples:

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. (John 13:34)

The question we should find ourselves asking is, “How does this commandment differ from what was already written in the Law?” Jesus says it is a “new” commandment, and that it is “HIS” commandment. And, further more, if we really love Him, we will do it!!! To solve this mystery, we need to understand “love” from a Hebrew perspective.

Many are familiar with the Greek word “agape” which is translated as love. What many may not realize is that this word was bland and colorless to the Greeks. They preferred the word “Eros” because of its heat and passion. This was the kind of love they defied and desired to perfect. The word “agape” spoke more of love resulting from reason, understanding, and choice. When Jesus spoke to His disciples at the Passover meal, He was not speaking in Greek. Instead of saying “agape” or “agapao,” He would have used the Hebrew word “ahev.” This Hebrew word spanned the gamut of love. It was used for the love of God for His people, the love of a husband, a friend, a neighbor, a child, or even a stranger. The quality and nature of the relationship defines the love. The more value one put on the relationship, the greater the love. God had commanded those who were in covenant with Him to “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Because the Hebrew “ahev” could be associated with so many different levels of love, God made sure they understood the quality of love He required; complete love! It was not to be just the kind of love that came from physical attraction, nor the kind of love one would feel for someone they casually knew. He COMMANDED them to love Him from their heart, i.e. a love that is in the very core of their emotions and convictions. Their love was to be from their mind, i.e they should know Him not just in their emotions, but they should understand who He is and know His ways. And they were to love Him with their might, i.e. their love for Him should produce right actions resulting in obedience!!!

The second greatest command was to “love your neighbor as yourself.” If we want to know what this encompassed, all we need to do is go to Leviticus 19:9-18. God gave them clear instructions on the treatment of a neighbor. When Jesus answered the expert on the Law of Moses, he would have been well aware of all that was written in this passage. These laws made provision for the strangers in their midst as well as their countrymen. They were to treat all men as they hoped others would treat them - they were to love them as they loved themselves.

But how did Jesus command differ from the Father’s command contained in the Law? The answer is found in the words He spoke in relationship to this command.

This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends, if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you. This I command you, that you love one another. (John 15:12-17)

Jesus carefully wraps this new commandment with the words of the mandate, “I command you to love one another.” The Law of Moses commanded them to love each other as neighbors – Jesus’ new commandment directed them to love each other as friends! This command is not given to the whole world, but to those that follow Him. Although Jesus’ death on the cross was for the sins of mankind resulting from God’s love for His creation, Jesus said that there was a greater love that spurred Him on. His words were, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends!!!

Jesus had daily walked with His disciples; He shared meals with them, laughed with them, and cried with them. He put up with their bickering and selfish competitiveness with one another. He loved them in spite of their inability to understand His teachings and didn’t give up on them. He healed their families, saved their lives, prayed for them, chastised them, and commended them. He embraced them at a time when He knew that they would all fail Him. He demonstrated the reality of the words, “A friend loves at all times.” (Proverbs 17:17) Is it any wonder that Jesus kept telling them that He would send the Helper, the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit, we would never be able to fulfill this great command. Jesus desires – no, He commands us to love His body as He does! May we cry out for greater understanding as we endeavor to obey Christ’s words,

This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.”