“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” – Deuteronomy 6: 6-7

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In my regular reading/study of God’s written Word, I encounter words or phrases that pester me, like an annoying gnat buzzing around my head. Typically, I’ll swipe at them and move on. At some point, though, I’ll need to pull out the fly swatter.

Question: Is it pestering me because I just don’t like it, or because it’s begging me to take a closer look? Perhaps both. In this case, the troublesome word is Command.

As a Christian and a believer in an all-powerful, perfectly righteous God, why would I find His commands troublesome? Easy enough. Maybe it’s because, as a rebellious, self-righteous, sinful creature, I don’t like being commanded what to do.

But that’s not where it starts. Some form of the word “command” appears over 130 times in the New Testament. Some studies identify Jesus as giving over 300 commands recorded in the Gospels. In Greek, about 25 words are translated in various New Testament Bible translations as some form of Command.

Is this what we should expect in a relationship with the living God that it would all be about us being ordered around and obeying commands?

Jesus’ Use of Command

As someone who has spent some time looking closely at Jesus’s character, I have struggled to imagine Him being so dominant, controlling and dictatorial. Certainly, he operated with Kingdom authority – commanding storms to cease and demons to depart.

However, given Jesus’s character, I am not sure the translation from the Greek to Command is always accurate. When He is teaching or directing others, the word command does not always seem to fit. When Jesus addresses his disciples, the crowds, or those being healed, is he really like General Patton barking out orders and commanding His troops?

For instance, take a look at Matthew 15:35 (NKJV), “So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.” The Greek here for Commanded is Parangeilas – meaning to notify, command, charge, entreat solemnly. So, the use of “Command” is a reasonable translation. But, in context, it doesn’t seem quite right.

My wife is Greek, and we recently attended a large birthday party for her cousin, Maria. At one point the Greek priest got up to say a few kind words about her. People were mulling around and chatting so he called out, “Kátse káto! Kátse káto!” meaning “Sit down.” The priest did not command everyone to sit down. He “charged”, “entreated”, or “asked,” everyone to “sit down.” Given Jesus’ character, I believe that it’s unlikely Jesus ordered everyone to sit down, but much like the Greek priest he urged everyone to sit and listen.

(Kátse káto is a Greek expression we use when our young kids (now Grandkids) are out of their chairs at dinner time – “Kátse káto!” The kids laugh and repeat it back in their best Japanese accent)

This is just an example of what I see as an overuse of the Greek translations as Command. Did Jesus really demand that the people sit? Charging or entreating the people to sit seems more likely.

Or, in Matthew 8:18, “And when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side.” The Greek word used here is Ekeleusen, meaning to command, order, direct, and bid – from a primary kello, meaning ‘hail’; to incite by word or order. Once again, the use of command is a fair translation but does it fit in context with Jesus’ character? Did Jesus really order his Disciples around like that? I’m guessing it was more of a bidding or direction like, “Come on. Let’s go.”

Did Jesus Order People Around?

Jesus led by love and the Word of God. It was the Holy Spirit shining through Him that compelled those to follow Him not by heavy-handed authority. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Jesus acknowledges all authority was given to him (Matthew 28:18), but he acted on it by humble obedience displaying the full Fruit of the Spirit.

What about the Ten Commandments?

Perhaps the clearest use of “Command” in the New Testament is the reference to God’s original Commandments. In John 15:10-12 Jesus says, “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. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

Jesus refers to His Father’s Commandments saying His commandments are the same as His Father’s. He then gives what I see as His one additional “Commandment.” In other words, He is saying, You know my Father’s Commandments, now this is my Commandment.”

The Greek used here for commandments is Entolē, meaning an ordinance, injunction, command, or law. It comes from entellomai, meaning an Authoritative Prescription. I really love that definition! I’ll come back to this later.

What about the Great Command? Err, I Mean the Great Commission?

Matthew 28:18-20 says, “Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” The Greek word used here is Eneteilamēn: To give orders (injunctions, instructions, commands)

This is well known as the Great Commission but very often what Jesus “Commissioned” the Disciples to do is referred to as Commands. Yet, Jesus was called “Rabbi” by both His Disciples and His opponents. In reading the four Gospels, one sees that the main function of His ministry beyond Salvation was to teach. The Rabbi in Jesus’ day did not command his students he taught/instructed them. Based on Jesus’ character and the relationship he had with the Apostles, Instructions or Charges would seem more accurate than Commands.

Command Vs Charge?

It is interesting to note how often people take The Great Commission and start talking about Jesus’ Commands. A Commission is a Charge. There is a distinction to be made between Commands and Charges. The difference between Charge and Command is significant. While both words imply authority, they have different connotations and are used in different contexts.

When someone is commissioned into Christian service by a church community, we are agreeing with God’s calling/charge to the ministry, recognizing their adequate preparation for the ministry and committing our support. We are not commanding/ordering them to go.

Both Charge and Command imply authority, but charge is more associated with giving instructions, while command is more associated with having control or power over something or someone. It is important to consider the context when making the translation.

What’s the Point?

The point is that I hear many Bible teachers and preachers referring to Jesus and New Testament writers as giving Commands to their audience when there may be something else going on.

So, it is my humble opinion that some of the New Testament translations and descriptions of New Testament instruction by Bible teachers and preachers are not always accurate when referring to them as Commands.

In some cases, the use of “Command” devalues the free will and grace elements of God’s love. It seems to me that the use of “Command” makes it almost easier to authoritatively order people around rather than implore them while taking the time to explain why it is good, right, and true to follow God’s instruction.

More often, in the epistles, the accurate tone of these charges seems more in line with the posture of begging. These directives come from love, not coercion. The use of Command comes across to me as a cudgel and a threat. I don’t believe that is the tone intended in many cases.

How Did the New Testament Writers Most Often Address Their Audience?

Most often the New Testament writers exhorted, implored, beseeched, pleaded, begged and urged as well as corrected and rebuked the readers of their letters to faithfulness and obedience. These humble leaders knew they could not browbeat and strong-arm the saints into obedience. Their example as Christ imitators was to plead with them to follow their example by the power of the Holy Spirit. (At the end of this post are samples of these scripture pleadings)

An Authoritative Prescription

But what about 1 Corinthians 14:37, where Paul writes, “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments (Entolē) of the Lord?” Is this not proof that we are being commanded to follow these instructions?

As mentioned before, the word Entolē comes from Entellomai, meaning an injunction or an authoritative prescription. This would be something like an expert doctor prescribing a treatment. The doctor knows what is good for you and necessary to save your life but cannot order you to take it. Yet, if you don’t, you will die.

I am not a Greek language expert, but if these translations of the Greek “Command” are accurate, then the commands are not just to dictate and force God’s will upon us but because the boundaries are being set for our own good and welfare. They are established as an expression/demonstration of His perfect love for us. Now, we can fully love God because, through Jesus, He demonstrated how He first loved us. 1 John 4:19, “We love Him because He first loved us.”

Not only that, but in the middle of the John 5:10-12 verses about the commandments Jesus says in verse 11, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” Wow! His words and commands/instructions are about His joy being our joy! They are not intended to burden us but to set us free.

God Has Every Right to Command Us

God, as the Supreme Being and Creator of all that is good, has every right to order His creation to do His bidding. Perhaps the use of “Command” is correct more often than I think. In some ways, I wish it was. How often have I wished God would just command me to do something I keep failing at? “God, just make me do it!” The fact is He doesn’t.

As an example, when Jesus walked on water it says in Matthew 14:28, “And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command(keleuson) me to come to You on the water.” But, in verse 29, what does Jesus do? He simply says, “Come”(Elthe). Peter wanted Jesus to compel/order him to come, but Jesus did not force him. It was up to Peter to take the step of faith. God’s design is for us to be co-laborers in our life on earth. Why? That we might share this life in a deep, working relationship with the Living God.

1 Corinthians 3:9 – “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.”

Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Once again, I could be wrong, but I’m not sure that the use of “Command” is always the spirit of God’s word. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 confirms the purpose of recorded scripture with no reference to it being something that we are being ordered to do. It says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction (training, discipline) in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” It is not just about being ordered to do His bidding.

Don’t get me wrong, if God orders, “Jump!” our only question should be, “How high?” God can just order us around, and we should simply comply. But God’s desire is for His love to compel us to grow in our relationship with Him to become the finished work of Jesus Christ (James 1:4, “. . . that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”)

So, what compels us to follow Jesus’ instructions? 2 Corinthians 5:14 says, “For the love of Christ compels us.” And what is required of us? Micah 6:8 says, “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require (seek/ask) of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”

Our Chief Priest

Is Jesus our Commander in Chief? No. He is our Chief Priest who sits on the throne of grace. He is described in Hebrews 4:14-16: “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Without dictating and commanding, Paul sums up the Christ-like approach to addressing the brethren so well in Colossians 1:9-10, “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”

As I write this today, it is Greek Easter, so I proclaim, Christos Anesti! Alēthōs Anëstē! – Jesus our Great High Priest, the Son of God is alive!

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Just a sample of Epistle Pleadings:

• Romans 12:1 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
• 1 Corinthians 4:16 – Therefore I urge you, imitate me.
• 2 Corinthians 8:4 – imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
• Philippians 4:2 – I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.
• 1 Peter 2:11 – Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,
• 1 Thessalonians 4:1 – Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;
• 1 Timothy 6:13 – I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate,
• Titus 3:14 – And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.
• Hebrews 13:19 – But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
• Romans 12:8 – he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
• 2 Corinthians 9:5 – “Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren . . .”
• 1 Thessalonians 4:1 – Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;
• 2 Timothy 4:2 – Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
• Titus 2:15 – Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
• Jude 1:3 – . . . I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

Book Now Available:

Departing The Heart
Who Can This Be?
Episodic Study of the Character of Jesus – Book II

In this book, I explore a strange Gospel episode found in Matthew 15:21-28 and Jesus’ treatment of a Gentile woman seeking His help.

What would you call a religious leader who would purposefully ignore someone desperately seeking help for their tormented child? A person who then sides with his friends, agreeing that the mother is annoying and needs to be sent away? Not only that, but he is openly bigoted, mocking her with a racist slur. What?

I’ll let you come up with the appropriate descriptor for a religious leader who behaves so hypocritically.

So, I ask what many in His day asked of Jesus, “Who can this be?”

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Excerpt from Chapter 4 of DEPARTING THE HEART

Come On, Jesus! Practice What You Preach!

“. . . And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” – Matthew 15:21-26

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” —Luke 6:45

“As Christians, we’re irritated when we see other Christians behaving badly. We grow frustrated when we see people inside the church treating others unkindly.” —Jim Daley, President of Focus on the Family

To What Standard Should We Hold Jesus?

Acknowledging my struggles with judging others (including myself) as jerks, I’m working on it. I can say, however, that there are not a lot of things in this world that I truly hate. One of them, though, is the Double Standard.

The “Double Standard” is defined by Merriam-Webster as: a set of principles that applies differently and usually more rigorously to one group of people or circumstances than to another.

Although the application of the double standard is universally frowned upon, we see it applied across society. We see it in social clubs and schools when someone with a lower eligibility ranking gains entrance because of other influences such as racial, ethnic, religious, political and socioeconomic biases.

Those who excel in business, sports, or academics seem to get away with things that the rest of us can’t. People who are inside the government often benefit from a different set of rules. Our laws can be adjudicated unevenly merely because some can afford to hire better legal representation. Unfortunately, we see plenty of examples in which our moral leaders fail to practice what they preach.

One of the things that attracts people to Christianity is the premise that we, as human beings, are all in the same boat. According to the Bible, we all have sin in our lives and we all fall short of the perfection of God. But the Christian Good News is that Christ died for all as a sacrifice for our sins, and all of us are now offered equal access to God. God does not favor anyone based on racial, ethnic, religious, political, or any socioeconomic differences (although he does seem to have an affinity for the poor).

Matthew records Jesus as He speaks out against this behavior by the religious leaders of his day in Matthew 23:3-7: “Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries (scripture boxes) broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’”

Some Get All the Breaks

I particularly don’t like it when I find myself keeping to the rules and looking around to see others flaunting their rebellion. In the U.S., we often have some recourse when the abusers are identified, and sometimes it’s corrected. But, with the wealthy and powerful and connected, there seems no recourse; it’s just part of the system. Because of this double standard, people become jaded and apathetic, and you find a growing culture of people trying to take advantage wherever they can. Rules and laws lose their meaning and purpose.

So, what do Jesus’ critics say when they see Jesus seemingly behaving badly? More importantly, what do Christians do when Jesus Himself does not seem to be behaving consistently with the moral standards taught by the New Testament writers and even with Jesus’s own teachings?

What do Christians do with that? Christ-followers can rely on their knowledge of Jesus’ inherent goodness, but don’t we want to know why Jesus does all that He does?

As a Christian, one is encouraged, beseeched and instructed to live up to a higher moral standard that takes them beyond keeping the letter of the Old Testament Commandments and laws to allowing God to develop a certain character in the Christian. Our motivation is to become more like the one who authored our salvation—to put on the character of Jesus.

In Paul’s letter to the Colossian church, he writes, “Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free (no distinction or double standard), but Christ is all and in all. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (Colossians 3:11-13).

So, what are the major New Testament moral teachings that Christians are taught to live up to? Without republishing the entire New Testament, I’ll list some of the major instructions I have gleaned, in addition to the Colossians 3 teaching identified above.

Consider how some of Jesus’ words and behavior while interacting with the Phoenician woman fit with the New Testament teachings on how Christians should behave.

• Matthew 7:12 (NIV) (The Golden Rule) “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
• Matthew 5:44 “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”
• Romans 12:21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
• 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (The love chapter, not just for married couples) “Love suffers long and is kind . . .; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, endures all things.”
• Matthew 5:3-12 (The Beatitudes) “Blessed are the poor in spirit, . . . Blessed are the meek, . . . blessed are the merciful, . . . blessed are the peacemakers, . . . blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, . . . blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.”

Finally, there is what I consider the core scripture describing the Character of Jesus: Galatians 5:22-23 (The Fruit of the Spirit) “But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

So, do we find Jesus acting righteously loving in this particular episode?

The Old Covenant standard for righteousness was found in the Mosaic Law—the Ten Commandments and all the rules built around the Commandments.

The New Covenant standard is of the heart and the Spirit which is succinctly summed up in Galatians 5:22-23 above which concludes with, “Against such there is no law.” This substantiates the truth that if your heart expresses the Fruit of the Spirit, there is no need for the Law.

If this is the standard, as I go through the Gospels Jesus does not always seem to live up to the standard of the Fruit of the Spirit. As an example, do we see love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in his speech and behavior toward this woman? Reading through this episode it is hard to see Jesus demonstrating the full Fruit of the Spirit.

The only other mention of the Fruit of the Spirit is found in Ephesians 5:8-10: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the Fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.”

It appears that all of the Fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5 rests on these three things: goodness, righteousness, and truth. When you look at the original Greek, this is the fruit that overlaps the two passages that mention the Fruit of the Spirit. In my estimation, these three are the foundation of all the Fruit. But how do these three work together?

Foundational Fruit Example

We had just gone to my eldest son’s college graduation. Unfortunately, I did not have time to make plans for lunch afterward, and many area restaurants were already booked, so we ended up at a Chili’s restaurant. After we finished our entrées, we all agreed that we would share one of their infamous lava cakes for dessert. Chili’s offers a chocolate and a vanilla lava cake. We took a vote and all agreed on ordering the vanilla and gave our order to the waitress.

Minutes later the waitress returned with the lava cake, put it down, and distributed the spoons. We looked at each other a bit stunned until I spoke up and announced, “I’m sorry, Miss, but this is chocolate and we ordered the vanilla.” She immediately recognized her error and replied, “I’m sorry. You’re right. I’ll be right back with the vanilla cake.” She left the cake and came back in five minutes with the vanilla cake.

I can only imagine what she thought by the look on her face when she returned to see only a few crumbs of the chocolate lava cake left on the plate and all of us still licking off the chocolate smeared on our lips. The truth was that the chocolate lava cake was good but it wasn’t right.

Whatever God does meets all three standards—it is all perfectly good, it is all perfectly right, and it is all perfectly true. . . For more go to:

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” – Matthew 24:3

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!” – Isaiah 5:20-21

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Wow!

I don’t know what you’re looking at but I see a world that is being turned upside down and inside out. A time where growing numbers call evil good, and good evil. A world increasingly looking like what Paul describes in 2 Timothy, chapter 3*

More and more I am hearing Christian leaders citing signs of Biblical end times. What are those signs? Matthew 24:6-8 records the signs that the end is coming as, “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”

But before that list Jesus declares in verses 4 & 5, “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” I had always taken this as a precursor or warning that we should pay attention to the signs then listed in verses 6-8. Yet, many of those signs (wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, etc.) we’ve seen happening over the years to varying degrees. What I recently realized is the deceiving itself is perhaps the greatest sign of all. The real key to recognizing the “beginning of sorrows” is the incomprehensible growth of the level of DECEPTION in our world.

With all the ludicrous ideology being foisted on people today, I keep thinking, Surely rational thought will take over, and the world will come to its senses. If we can just elect the right people!

But, then I’m reminded this is not about conscious rational intellect deciding to do the right thing. It is so evident that it is a Spirit of Deception overtaking growing numbers of people who have been convinced they can go to any extent to destroy what is decent and good.

Israel Versus Hamas

This war between Israel and Hamas/Palestine is evidence of masses of ignorant people justifying demonically evil acts as a righteous fight over land and freedom.

I watched people tearing down pictures of innocent Jewish victims of terror and kept asking myself, Why? What could possibly motivate people to do that? And then one day one of these people caught in the act said the “why” out loud: “It is Israeli propaganda. The Israeli’s have staged all this as a pretense to attack the Palestinians.”

It struck me that despite all of the evidence to the contrary we have a generation of people being deceived or believing they are being deceived. For them, what is evidently the truth must be a deception. If it is good and righteous, it must be evil. Somehow we have created Generations of skeptics for anything that is good.

As best I can discern this particular battle is about the Jewish people defending themselves against others carrying out their stated desire to destroy them. As one commentator said, “If the Palestinians laid down their weapons, there would be peace and prosperity. If the Jews laid down their weapons, they would be destroyed.”

Do Not Be Deceived

In Matthew 24 when the Disciples ask Jesus about His return, He speaks to not being deceived four times using the Greek word Planēsē – To be led astray, caused to wander.

It is the Enemy of this world using deception to confuse and make what is good look evil and vice versa. He only seeks to steal, to kill and to destroy. In Revelation 12:9 Satan is called “the one who deceives the whole world.”

Unfortunately, I’ve heard Matthew 24:4&5 used to warn of evil within the church – being led astray by bad churches preaching bad doctrine. I don’t necessarily agree. I may not like some Christian doctrine and see some Christian doctrine as really bad, but I don’t believe in this case Jesus is talking about Christians being deceived by bad doctrine.

No, it seems clear to me that these particular scriptures are referring to an enemy from without. The deceivers who are trying to tell us that the “Christ” is someone other than Jesus – that there is another way to salvation. Matthew 24:5 says, “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” “Come in My name” means coming in Jesus’ identity as Savior.

Verse 11 says, “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many” The Greek word for false prophets is Pseudoprophētai, meaning a spurious prophet, a Pretended foreteller or religious impostor. It likely does not mean a Christian who seeks to exercise the gift of prophecy.

And then in verses 24 & 25 Jesus repeats “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” These are deceivers who fraudulently point to another way to salvation. (a recent phenomenon in Christian circles referred to as Christian’s Deconstructing Their Faith often seems to lead to the adoption of a different Gospel)

Personally, I think we best stop beating up on one another within the Elect and band together to battle the enemy to the core Gospel – the Good News we all agree upon.

We do have some instruction from Jesus in this regard. Jesus taught the following in Mark 9:38-40, “Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.” But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is on our side.”

What Is Truth?

With all the deception, counter-deception, fraud, disinformation, conspiracy theories, false flags, and political games, who can tell what is true? What I see as plainly evident as truth is seen by seemingly rational others completely differently. Is it just the news outlets we watch? Am I the one being deceived? l all seems so amorphous these days. Like Pontius Pilot, we ask, “What is Truth?”

Jesus stood silent before Pilot, not speaking a word in response to his question. Why? because Hefore us bruised and beaten for our sins as the embodiment of all that is Good, right, was the answer. Jesus stands be and True.

To make it perfectly clear, Jesus boldly declared to His Disciples, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) While Isaiah prophesied of Jesus that “He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth.” (Isaiah 53:9) Jesus is the truth, and He does not deceive.

For me, the growing level of deception and confusion in our world today is the clearest indication that we are entering the beginning of the end of this age.

For those of us who know personally the living God, Jesus says in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

We actually can be of GOOD CHEER in the midst of a world spinning out of control. But how?

My first inclination is to physically escape from the craziness. I’ve posted before about a growing desire to escape to another place (January 28, 2021, Go Ahead . . . I Triple Dog Dare You! ). But where to? Where in the world can you escape to avoid the turbulence of the times?

Our only escape is by and to the truth that is in Christ Jesus.

• Ephesians 2:2 – “in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,”
• Romans 8:1 – “There is therefore now no condemnation (there is freedom) to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
• 2 Corinthians 5:6-7 – “So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight.

It is becoming increasingly evident that Christians need to walk in the Spirit—to break the chains of deception, look past the deceit of this physical realm, and see the truth through spiritual eyes while relying on the rock-solid foundation of God’s word.

In this season of Thanksgiving, be of Good Cheer! Do not be deceived and give thanks for the victory our Savior has already won!

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*2 Timothy 3:1-9  But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

Last year I wrote a 4-part series on Smith Wigglesworth. The posts have been, by far, the most viewed on my site. I am not sure why. Is it just general interest in the person and ministry of Smith Wigglesworth, or are people looking for answers to the “Kicking the Baby like a Football” episode? I don’t know. But, based on this interest, I’ve decided to revise the posts and add some additional content to compile it into a short book.

The book, The Wigglesworth Dilemma, is now available on Amazon.

The ministry of Smith Wigglesworth has come to be known for resorting to violence, slapping, punching, and kicking those who would seek out miraculous healing from God. His life and ministry are controversial among some Christian circles today. He claimed that God would instruct him to get physical with the infirm who came to him.
Many celebrate his dedication to hearing God’s voice and to faithfully acting on God’s instruction, with miraculous results. But some other Christ-followers are offended by his actions and reject him as an authentic minister of God.

Perhaps his most infamously challenging episode is the healing of a child with spina bifida by throwing the baby against a wall and then kicking it. Based on my requirements for confirming a word from God, this book details my research and conclusions about this episode and Smith Wigglesworth’s life and ministry.

Below is a snippet from the additional material in my new book.

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There is a Strength in His Grip That Won’t Let Go

Some Christians would go so far as to challenge the ministries and the very salvation of the lives of these two men, based upon Smith Wigglesworth’s use of “violence” and, perhaps more significantly, Lonnie Frisbee’s engaging in homosexual behavior. While only God truly knows any man’s heart, I have no doubt they are nestled in the bosom of our heavenly Father at this moment.

But I have come across many Christians who struggle with the fear of losing their salvation based upon some sin in their lives.

I believe in the scriptures that indicate Eternal Security, also known as Once saved, Always saved. It is the belief that, from the moment anyone becomes a Christian, they will be saved from eternal damnation and cannot lose their salvation. Once a person is truly “born of God” or “regenerated” by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, nothing in heaven or earth shall be able to separate them from the love of God. After having become a Christian, there is nothing that can pull us from His mighty grip. Therefore, based upon their heartfelt expressions to follow Jesus, there is no doubt in my mind about Lonnie’s and Smith’s salvation.

Our Security Is in Christ Alone

John 3:16-18 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in (clings to) Him is not condemned;”

Based on John 3:18 and according to Jesus, what must a person do to keep from being judged for sin? Must we stop doing something? Must we make promises to stop doing something? Must we have a clean past? The answer is so simple. All Jesus requires is that the individual “believe in” Him.

Powerful scriptures confirming the security of our salvation in Christ are:

• Romans 10:9-10 – “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
• Ephesians 1:13 – “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,”
• Romans 8:38-39 – “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
• John 10:28-29 – “and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”
• Hebrews 13:5 – “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
• Psalm 118:14 – “The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation”
• Philippians 3:12 – “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”
• 2 Timothy 2:13 – “If we are faithless, he remains faithful for he cannot deny himself.”

My firm opinion is that there is nothing that can pull us from God’s Saving Grip.

Done!

BUT . . . Can We Consciously Decide to Depart from God? Will God Let Us Go?

Hmmm? I guess you’ll have to read the book. . .

Or, you may find the answers in my next post.

Do you Ever Feel Like You’re Being Kicked Around?

In the growing chaos and instability of this world, I have come to understand that Jesus is the only true source of peace, comfort and joy. If you feel something is missing in your life, Jesus is the only one to fill that empty space.

If you have never put your faith in Jesus to know the peace and comfort of His eternal security, you can do that at any moment – even right now!

Romans 10:9-10 says, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Jesus is calling to you, “Follow me.” From there it starts with a simple prayer where you call out to God and invite Him into your life. . .

Pray:

“Jesus, come into my life.
I want to know you, I want a relationship with you.
I know I have fallen short of your glory.
Today I repent and turn from my old ways and desire to follow you.
I believe Jesus died and was raised from the dead to cleanse me of my sin.
Thank you, God, for forgiving me and making me brand new.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen”

If you prayed that prayer, you have been saved by God’s grace and entered into an amazing journey of knowing God. I’d love to hear from you and encourage you on this great journey.

God loves you. Be blessed

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do because I go to My Father.” – John 14:12

“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” – Romans 12:3

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I recently met with a good friend and also a very smart, wise Pastor to discuss a theological point of difference. Each time we meet I’m stumped by some question he raises. It is good to be challenged. Why? Because it challenges me to go to God and get answers – maybe even revise my thinking about what I believed to be true. (Read Romans 12:3 above again – which basically says, Don’t think so highly of your own opinions)

The last time we met we discussed Jesus’ challenge in John 14 where Jesus says that His followers could do what He did and even greater things/works. I’ve written a post and even a chapter in my book Emptied about this so I won’t repeat my argument – that concludes what Jesus was referring to in John 14:12 was not limited to the church body as a whole and exclusive to making converts (I do acknowledge that as the greatest “thing/works”). I maintain that it is also meant for individual followers and for all the “things/works” pertaining to the earthly ministry of Jesus.

The issue we focused on was my position that the reason we don’t see every follower expressing the fullness of Jesus’ ministry is the fact that Jesus had the Spirit without measure (John 3:34) while we have the Spirit with measure (Rom. 12:3). However, based on that my friend argued Christ-followers can’t experience the full ministry of Jesus, so why should we expect that we can do even greater things? In other words, if God provided Jesus with the fullness of the Spirit and only gives us a portion, how can we operate in the full ministry like Jesus? Hmm? Good question.

First, I make the distinction between the Gospel Mission of the Son of God and His Ministry on Earth. Jesus’ as the Son of God/Messiah had a unique mission on earth that only He could fulfill. But, while on earth Jesus provided the perfect example of the ministry that (I believe) Christ-followers can imitate. We have Jesus in us and access to His fullness but as imitators of Jesus, we will fall short.

Jesus had the Spirit without measure because of His sinless life and His absolute devotion to the Father, while we are limited by our ongoing sin and the distractions in our life. Even if faith is something that is a gift and a distribution from God (as some argue by 1 Cor 12:9 – “To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;”), God supplies up to limits based on our level of devotion and whole-heartedness toward Him. Yet, God promises in Hebrews 11:6 – “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” What are the rewards? – most likely a deeper relationship and knowledge of God which leads to the gift of increasing faith. (Romans 10:17, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word (Rhema) of God.” – Faith comes by hearing to the point of living out God’s word.)

Note: Those who commit to following Jesus are absolutely forgiven for our sins by God’s gracious work through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, yet, we still have ongoing sins and distractions that cause us to be limited in being fully filled with the Holy Spirit and exercising the full ministry of Jesus – even while it is all available to us.

Or, it can be argued that God does fill each one of us up to the brim but the filling is limited to the space we allow for the Holy Spirit. Why do I go through the drive-through and order a soda without ice? Because I’m a cheapskate and I want a full cup of soda, not a lot of ice and little soda. If we fill up a jar of water that is already filled with rocks, there is not a lot of room left for the water.

So, once again, Jesus uniquely had the Spirit without measure based upon John 3:34 – “For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit” because he was a perfectly clean vessel that God filled to the brim with His Spirit. Whereas, Believers have the Spirit by measure Rom 12:3 – “. . . each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” limited by the room we allow for God to fill us up. If we, therefore, determine to make more room, God fills us up more.

Someone might say that this mentality smacks of a works-based faith – that we have to earn our increasing faith. It is not about earning it but being rewarded/entrusted with more for a growing desire to have more. If I want to give an expensive gift to someone, say a guitar, I do that based on their expressed desire to play the guitar.

And, as far as Christ-followers being limited in the fullness of the Holy Spirit – it does not preclude that when we are led by the Spirit to step out in faith, we can’t do some of the Things Jesus did or even a Greater Work. God is generous to allow us to partner in His work regardless of our level of faith because He wants us to grow in our faith and knowledge of Him. (Colossians 1:9-10) Jesus exercised all the Spiritual gifts to the fullest but as imitators of Jesus, we will never replicate all Jesus did. That does not mean we cannot do the things Jesus did and some even greater things. It can be argued that there are many examples of works that Jesus’ followers do that are what Jesus did and to even exceed what Jesus did. (Jesus walked on water but Moses parted the Red Sea. Which is greater?)

Why do I push this narrative? Because Jesus said it in John 14. I take it at face value with a reasonable argument. And, I have seen some of the same miracles Jesus did that led to increasing faith and salvation.

That’s not to say that others who believe differently (likely the majority of Christians) are wrong, it’s just what I believe. However, I do believe the interpretation that “greater things/works” is restricted to the church as a whole, and a greater reach of the Gospel seems to me to be a construct to rationalize why many don’t do or see the other related “things/works” Jesus spoke of in Luke 7:22-23, “Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

Note: Just to be clear, God loves us. His love is not predicated on our wholeheartedness. If we have embraced Jesus as our Savior but we draw a line in the sand and say that is as far as I go in my faith – He loves us. However, He is always on the other side coaxing us with open arms to draw closer to Him, and is so pleased when we step out further in faith.

Anything in My Name

In the next post, I will take a look at the verses that follow – John 14:13-14. More challenging scriptures where Jesus promises He will do anything that you ask in His name. Anything? Yahoo! Cha-ching!

Or, does He?

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” – Galatians 3:28

The English Civil War of the 1650s once again pitted 2 Christian groups against one another. Cromwell’s New Model Army under the Anglican Church of England invaded Presbyterian Scotland. While the battle was not really about religious differences, it is another example of Christ-followers ignoring the Biblical call to oneness established by the Unity of the Spirit found in Ephesians 4:3 – “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

However, for the people of Block Island, it was a fateful encounter. These Scottish Highlanders fought, were captured, marched a death march to Durham Castle, survived the starvation and squaller, to be put on the ship named “John and Sarah” for the hellish 2-3 months at sea sailing to the American Colonies. There they worked off their 7-8 years of servitude in the ironworks of Massachusetts. A number of these men played a key role in the settlement of Block Island. Below is my fictional account of their fight, capture, and survival from my latest novel – Block Island Brotherhoods.

Chapter 7 – Scotland – September 1650

Robert Guthrie and Henry Merrow looked out over the rolling hills of the Highlands, illuminated by the bright full moon. They stood as close to the small fire as possible, holding their hands out and allowing the heat to rise under their tartan kilts to warm their bodies. Both twenty-five years of age, they were the older and more experienced of their small unit.

Robert looked over his shoulder at the young soldiers lying on the ground behind them. “Aye, the laddies sleep like babes withoot a care.”

“I guess it’s an advantage not ta know what lies ahead in war. True, such babes. Look at young Will Mackintosh. He’s no more than sixteen, and the others canna be much older.”

“I’d venture William Colquhoun be seventeen, and Alexander Innes, James Danielson, and Duncan MacWilliams no more than eighteen.”

 “The better question is, kin they fight? We’ve stayed mainly ahint the strong fortifications in and around Edinburgh for so long. I dinna know if they can even fight.”

“Aye, I’d say that Thormut Rose is at least twenty. He has fight. Yoo know his skill wi’ the Lochaber ax?”

“The lad has forearms like thighs ae a bull, twirling the ax like it be a stick. Aye, I think we have another Donald ‘Black Taylor o’ the Ax’ tearin’ up the clan Mackintosh at Bun Garbhain.”

“Well, we can rest up here on Doon Hill. It’s good high ground looking down upon Dunbar and the Berwick Rood. Our David Leslie has given no place for Cromwell to escape back ta England. We have him trapped. Charles the Second, King o’ Scotland will soon be back on the throne.”

“Aye, but did yoo not hear?”

“Naw, what?”

“We are ta attack. Leslie plans ta bring our forces down from Doon Hill and approach the town, ta secure the road south over the Spott Burn, and prepare ta attack Cromwell’s encampment.”

“Down from this lovely ground? Naw!” Guthrie quickly turned to climb out of the small gulley on the high ground where they camped. He surveyed the terrain and then returned, announcing, “Our men are moving. I dinna know what Cromwell can see, but I see our main body wedged between the deep ditch of the Spott Burn and the slopes o’ the Lammermuirs behind them. If Cromwell realizes his opportunity, our laddies will be trapped.”

“Aye, but our orders are ta hold the right flank. That is all I know.”

“But we are thin here. If Cromwell makes a push against our right while they’re in the ditch, we’ll roll back, and they’ll be done.”

Merrow held up his hand. “Quiet. Can yoo hear some movement down near the Berwick Rood?”

“Aye, Henry. We best get the laddies’ arses up. It is near daybreak, and if they’ve seen our main body moving, then if Cromwell’s officers are as smart as they seem, they’ll be makin’ a charge soon.”

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Thormut Rose looked across the thin line of his Highlander countrymen. The right flank of the Covenanters was ready. The sun was just breaking over the eastern hills when the large body of English soldiers stepped forward into the open. Thormut squeezed the handle of his Lochaber ax as he raised it in front of him. He ran his hand over his precious partner in war.

The ax’s six-foot-long wooden handle was rubbed smooth, except for the notches carved from previous exchanges. The sharp iron spike on the end had proven to be most effective at close combat in a thrusting motion. The long ax head on the side, coupled with the pole, delivered a powerfully deep, gashing blow. The razor-sharp edge of the rounded blade could slice right through a man’s torso, if not for the thick wooden handle preventing its progress. He rubbed the curved hook on the backside. It served well for scaling walls and provided for his favorite pastime, hooking cavalry off their horses. I hate the cavalry, He mused.

Thormut looked past his ax to see that Cromwell had quietly moved a large contingent of his men to the right flank, and their numbers kept growing. The young Highlanders along their flank began raising their long pikes and nervously looked at one another.

The English movement was slow and methodical as they fell into lines. An order was called out, and suddenly the air cracked open with their battle cry, “The Lord of Hosts!” The English began charging up the hill like a swarm of white and red ants.

“Courage, lads!” Robert Guthrie called out. “Close ranks! These are not Highlanders. By the time they climb Doon Hill, they’ll be gaspin’ and beggin’ ta be run through wi’ yer pikes!”

The English reached the Scottish line. The Highlanders’ long pikes poked and stabbed the English, keeping them at bay, as their lines collided and bunched up. The fallen wounded bottled them up further, but a few broke through the Scottish ranks.

Guthrie screamed, “Hold the line, laddies!”

Thormut stood behind his countrymen with their pikes. As Englishmen broke through the line, he jumped forward to quickly dismiss them with a thrust or one swing of his ax. The English white uniforms piled around them. Slowly, the Scottish line on either side was pushed back under the weight of superior English numbers until its lines started to break. The numbers of the English reaching the Scottish line grew to a crushing wave, and the ranks of their countrymen on either side disintegrated.

Guthrie and Merrow continued to yell at the young Highlanders, “Fight and hold your ground!” The Englishmen in front of them began to fall back and sweep around them through the open lines on either side. The small troop found itself on an island. They looked around as the fighting stopped for a moment. But suddenly, the ground began to rumble, and the loud sound of thunder approached from below them.

Thormut jumped up with his kinsmen to the front line to see the wave of stomping horseflesh and riders charging up Doon Hill. He turned the handle of his Lochaber ax around in his hand and hissed through his teeth, “Cavalry.”

Guthrie called out, “Gather up ta a closed formation, laddies!”

The men circled together, with their long pikes protruding from the center. Thormut readied his ax hook. The English cavalry raced around them as the pikes lanced riders and horses. Thormut pulled down rider after rider with his hook and, once down, swiftly sliced them open with his ax.

He looked over and saw Guthrie knocked down by a horse, losing his weapon. While he was getting back up, another rider drew his sword down upon him. Thormut Rose leaped over and swung his ax hook, hooking the rider’s armor and jerking him off his horse to the ground. He then swung the ax around and buried it into the downed rider’s neck. He turned to help Guthrie up and saw him holding his abdomen, with blood dripping through his fingers.

Thormut turned back around and stood in front of Guthrie, swinging his ax, with Englishmen stacking up around them. The Highlanders’ numbers were dwindling, and soon the English army and cavalry surrounded them.

Guthrie called out to his men, “It is finished, lads. Throo dun yer weapons.”

The Highlanders dropped their pikes and swords. Thormut Rose reluctantly dropped his bloodied ax and looked at those who were still alive. Robert Guthrie was on the ground, struggling to sit up. Henry Merrow stood beside him, bleeding from many wounds. The others left were not men but boys, covered in blood—young Will Mackintosh, William Colquhoun, Alexander Innes, Duncan MacWilliams, and James Danielson.

They had stood their ground while the rest of the Scottish right flank had retreated. Thormut looked to the north and over to the center of their lines. The main body of the Scottish army, hopelessly wedged between the Brox Burn and Doon Hill, broke rank, and it too was scattered.

Robert Guthrie sat on the ground, holding his bleeding abdomen. He called to his men, “T’was a good fight. Yoo fought valiantly, laddies. Whatever yoo do now, fight ta stay together. We dinna have another hope ta survive!”

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Guthrie’s men huddled together on the cold, dank floor of Durham Cathedral. It had been several weeks since thousands of Scottish soldiers were forced on a death-march south toward England, to prevent any attempt by the Scots to rescue them. No food or water was given. The wounded, ill, and starving who collapsed along the way were beaten, stabbed, and left to die. Robert was grateful—his men carried him and Henry Merrow, caring for them as best they could.

Now, in the dark, dank cathedral, there was little food or water to be had. The prisoners were left to scavenge for themselves or trade anything they could find with the guards for their pottage.

Guthrie’s men had established a spot in a corner of the church as their territory. Robert lay on the cold stone floors. He spoke in a whisper to Merrow as his friend tended to his abdomen wound. “Henry, I heard say that some five thousand were captured at Dunbar. Look at this church—I don’t see more than fifteen hundred still alive. Those left are fighting each other to survive. All the wood is burned, and nothing remains to trade for food. We must hang t’gether if we will make it out alive.”

Merrow asked, “Whit kin we do?”

Guthrie called his young Highlanders together, and they came around him. “Where’s Thormut?”

The others shrugged their shoulders and shook their heads.

“Well, laddies, if the jailors are ta show any compassion and bring another few buckets o’ mush and water, yoo must work t’gether—not fight for yourselves but work t’gether.”

The lads all nodded their heads. “But how?” Merrow asked.

“Well, when they wheel in the buckets, young Will should go straight for a bucket, while the rest o’ yoo lads fight the others off and protect Will ’til he comes back ta our corner.” He nodded his head. “We must survive lads, so that we may make a new life for wherever they send us.”

Will Mackintosh’s lip quivered, and he dropped his head. “Should we never return ta the lovely highlands of Scotland?”

“No, lad. They may let us live, but truth be told, they will ne’er let us see our Highlands agin. They have begun ta take men away, and the word is that they are being put on ships. We must hold on, and keep our strength, and trust in the Lord o’ Hosts ta sustain us.” He looked at the dirty, sullen faces of the boys standing around him. “Aye, cheer up, lads. We have each other, and if we stay t’gether, we can make our way oot o’ this prison and make a life in the colonies.”

Thormut Rose walked over to their corner, looking even grimier and dirtier than the rest of them. Guthrie called to him, “Thormut, where have yoo been? Have yoo found anything for trade?”

With his lips tightly pursed, Thormut shook his head and held out empty hands. The others sighed, and their shoulders drooped.

Guthrie sighed, “Aye, that is disappointing.”

 Thormut grunted. The men turned to him. He looked around to make certain no one else was watching. The young ax-man squatted down and spit something out into his hands. He smiled. They all looked more closely as Thormut opened his hands to reveal several bejeweled gold rings and a gold chain.

Guthrie peered into Thormut’s hands and whispered, “Glory ta God.” They all looked at Thormut as Guthrie asked, “Where did yoo find this treasure?”

“Aye. Crawling through the catacombs, there was a hidden tomb still unopened. I pried it open and the resident jist gave it all up withoot a fight.”

“Aye.” Guthrie chuckled. “Thormut, yoo saved ma arse once, and I do believe you’ve done it agin.” He turned to the others and encouraged, “Hold on jist a wee bit longer. We must stay t’gether as a Brotherhood. Yoo kin survive this prison, laddies. And the colonies kin provide us wi’ a new life.”

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The Bible promises that wherever we are and whatever state we are in (even as a slave) we can have freedom and a new life by choosing to follow the living God, Jesus.

Romans 10:9-10 – “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

The Walking Dead Alive

“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.” Matthew 27:50-53

Going on 45 years of following Jesus and His written word ceases to amaze me. Still, I know I continue to only just scratch the surface. For what seemed the first time this Easter I took a greater interest in an element of the Passion story that I always shook my head, said That’s crazy and moved on. But this time it really jumped out at me. (Knowing it wouldn’t be the first time that I’ve found something to be a great revelation that most everyone else is already aware of. Duh!)

But, how amazing is Mathew 27 when it says that at Jesus’ death; 1. the temple veil was torn, 2. the earth quaked followed by 3. many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. Whoa! Part 3 is worth spending a little time on.

The Walking Dead?

At first, the imagery of part 3 makes me think of the popular series, The Walking Dead. It seems that the world has an obsession with the idea that dead people could be raised up to walk again but still stay dead to terrorize the living. What a gloriously different reality we have, that those who are raised up again, not from death to death, but from death to life!

So, for what seemed the first time, I meditated on that last component. Many bodies of the saints who had died were raised! What? How many were raised? Who were these people? And why did this happen? And, for the first time, I realized how critical this piece of evidence is to verify the power of Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection to defeat sin and death.

How Many Were Raised?

Verse 53 of Matthew 27 uses the Greek word Polla translated as many. How many? We don’t know but it is the same word used in numerous scriptures describing the large crowds that gathered to hear Jesus. We know that in some cases, as large as 3,000 to 5,000 people. Even if it were say, 50 that would be more than enough to create a shockwave throughout Jerusalem.

Who Were These People?

It describes them as Saints or the Greek Hagiōn, meaning those who are set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. These might be described as True Believers – those who while they were alive, only God could see their FAITH and the desire of their hearts as being set on Him. And, I would assume these people’s lives had reflected a God focus and would not be surprising that others would realize that if anyone were raised, it would be them.

Why Did This Happen?

The symbolism alone is powerful. With Jesus’ death and resurrection, sin and death were defeated. Immediately, when Jesus rose from the dead, a whole host of believers were literally brought from death to life. The graves that had been cracked open by the great earthquake now had dead bodies made alive walking out of them. Amazing! If anyone had doubted Jesus was raised from the dead or believed the resurrection was only for Jesus, there were now many people who had been dead and buried now wandering through Jerusalem as living billboards to the resurrection power of God!

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” – John 5:24

But beyond that, for all those in the city of Jerusalem who were not at Golgotha or did not visit Jesus’ empty tomb, there were “many” husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, cousins, and neighbors who had died and were buried now wandering the streets as evidence of the powerful truth of Jesus’ words and the reality of the power of God. Can you imagine the stir in the city?

I’m sure there were many in the city who could have dismissed all that was happening – Okay, Jesus was tried and found guilty and died on the cross. Coincidently, when he died there was a great earthquake that did some major damage, and then our leaders told us that his followers stole the body from the tomb a few days later. So what? But, to then see “many” who were dead and buried brought to life to walk through the streets of Jerusalem? The connection to Jesus’ life and death seems undeniable. Try coming up with an alternative rationale for that?

I Can Only Imagine What This Looked Like

I would go back several weeks earlier in the Gospel accounts to the precursor to this; the death and resurrection of Lazarus. Just as Lazarus came forth on the 4th day in the tomb still wrapped in his grave clothes, I envision that this group of Hagiōn may have been those who had been buried 3-4 days earlier. With their tombs cracked open by the great earthquake, after Jesus was resurrected, they were shuffling around the city until someone would come and unwrap the gift to discover their family, friend or neighbor who had recently been buried was now alive. Wow!

Can you imagine what kind of reports were sweeping through the city, connecting this event to Jesus’ death and now his empty tomb? What an unbelievable testimony to the reality of what had just happened. We know the Jewish leaders and the Romans were creating their narrative that Jesus’ body had been stolen. Well, I’ve got to believe that this completely shot that narrative down as numbers of dead were now risen from the grave and made alive.

On the Road to Emmaus

In Luke 24 after Jesus’ resurrection, the unrecognizable Jesus comes alongside a few of his followers. Cleopas tells Jesus of the “things” happening in Jerusalem. Jesus asks “What Things?” And Cleopas explains all that happened. Now, if Cleopas was in Jerusalem when Jesus rose from the dead, though it is not detailed, I’m guessing that ‘dead people brought to life and walking through town’ was one of the major “things” he shared.

Primed for Pentecost

Jumping forward to Acts 2, and Peter’s powerful speech where 3,000 souls were added. Yes, it was the power of Peter’s testimony and the clarity of his explanation as to who Jesus was and what was required of them, accompanied by signs and wonders (ultimately, all the move of the Holy Spirit). But, I’ve got to believe that those same 3,000 were primed by seeing the dead brought to life in the streets of their own town – having experienced the physical reality of all that Peter was preaching.

From Death to Life

I have had the privilege of being part of a prayer team that prayed for someone who had “Fallen asleep” (i.e. clinically dead) and through our prayers, God raised him from the dead. (You can get the full account in my post A Black Rock Resurrection Story (Parts I & II) in April 2019). While seeing the hand of God show up in very real and powerful ways is transformational, it pails compared to the life-altering power for those who are spiritually dead and then given the gift of eternal life. At its core, this is the greatest gift that Jesus promises.

We were the Walking Dead, but by Jesus’ death with His resurrection, He raised the dead so that we now walk in the fullness of life. What can we say but Thank You God!

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” – Ephesians 2:4-6