My computer background screen refreshes daily with scenic pictures from around the world. A couple of days ago the Gateway Arch, also known as the Gateway to the West, was displayed on the screen. It is in St. Louis, Missouri at the Gateway Arch National Park. It was built to commemorate President Jefferson’s vision of a continental nation by exploring and settling territory west of the Mississippi River. The 630-foot-tall monument is located near the starting point of the Lewis and Clark expedition, their gateway to the west.
Jesus speaks of another gateway that explores new territory, and when found leads to eternal life. The early pioneers and explorers in American history were brave, energetic, and unwavering in their pursuit of establishing a life in the west. The same cannot be said for those looking for eternal life. Jesus said, “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.” (Mt.7:13 nlt)
The gateway to hell is wide and there are scores of people going through it and are on the road to destruction. They are seeking the pleasures of this world by securing a comfortable lifestyle in this life with no concern for eternity. Jesus said, “But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Mt.7:14 nlt) Very few find it because of its difficulty; the difficulty of admitting you a sinner and need salvation, the difficulty of accepting Jesus as the only way to salvation, the difficulty of giving up worldly desires, and the difficulty of being shunned by your friends and family.
The gateway to life is very narrow. Jesus said He is the only way to the Father and to eternal life. (Jn.14:6) And yes, the road is difficult for Christians in this world, but they have the Holy Spirit to help them through. Jesus is the gateway to eternal life. Why not start your expedition to saving grace today by going through that narrow gate by accepting Christ as your savior. It leads to the promised land.
“For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
The Old Testament prophet Zephaniah in his prophesy of Israel’s restoration in the ‘Day of the Lord’ says, “For the LORD your God is living among you.” (Zeph.3:17 nlt) Israel will rejoice and their fears will be calmed as Jesus, the Messiah, reigns on the earth. The Lord Jesus will be with them on that day and all fear will be gone.
We have the Lord living among us today through the Holy Spirit for those who know Jesus as savior. Jesus promised to send us the His spirit in John 16, and Luke records Peter’s words in the book of Acts, “God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.” (Acts2:32-33 nlt)
Every Christian has the assurance of the presence of the Holy Spirit with them through this life. As Zephaniah also writes, the Lord takes delight in us, and with His love He will calm all our fears. Because of Jesus’ love for us, He sent us His Spirit so we will not be alone and will not fear for He is with us. The Lord Jesus rejoices over us for we are His. He paid the ultimate price to redeem us from Satan’s clutches. So let us rejoice that Jesus in His love for us sent the Holy Spirit to calm our fears.
“Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us……You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.” Ephesians 2:18-19 NLT
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God has implanted in each of us whom he created a desire to belong. Nobody really wants to be alone, although at times it is a pleasant escape. A sense of not belonging is unhealthy both physically and emotionally. God did not create you to be alone and He has created others with that same need, so no one needs to be alone. God also desires a relationship with you ensuring that you never need to be alone.
Our number one and most important relationship is to be with God, the triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. But on this earth, it is essential we have relationships with other human beings. It’s only natural. Human relationships form from a commonality between people and people groups, and that is only natural but can also be very unhealthy over time. God has provided a safety net for those with a longing to belong but find themselves on the outside looking in, it’s Christ’s International Church.
The apostle Paul explained to the church in Ephesus that the Jews and Gentiles were now one in God by what Christ has done for them. “You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.” (Eph.2:19 nlt) The Gentiles make up anyone who is not of Jewish descent. Therefore, all people, and all people groups are welcomed into God’s family. Everyone who has repented of their sins and accepted Christ as the only way of salvation is a member of Christ’s International Church. If you have done so you now belong, now go and find a church and join with others where you belong.
“Who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.” Mark 3:27 NLT
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In last Sunday’s Biblical Insights Jesus was becoming a notable popular figure. People were coming from all over Israel and some from outside the nation to hear Jesus teach and witness His healing miracles. Many of them came to be healed themselves from whatever affliction they had. This week the teachers of the Law in Jerusalem, the hierarchy of the religious rulers, have begun to take notice as news about Jesus filtered down to them. They make the trip to Capernaum to defy Jesus. These religious rulers accuse Jesus of being in league with Satan stating it was by Satan’s power He was performing these miracles. Jesus uses a simple illustration to prove them wrong.
But first things first. Our reading this week begins with Jesus choosing the rest of His twelve disciples. “Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him.” (Mk.3:13 nlt) Jesus’ choosing of all twelve was according to His sovereign determined purpose, including Judas Iscariot. These disciples minus Judas would go on to set the foundation of the Christian church.
The crowds were continuing to follow Jesus who is now with His disciples. “One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat.” (Mk.3:20 nlt) Most likely this was Peter’s and Andrew’s home where they often met. The news of Jesus’ activities apparently was heard in Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown. Jesus’ family had come to Capernaum to get Jesus away from the crowds for some rest. Evidently, they were concerned for His wellbeing. They had thought He had lost His mind. Unfortunately, this showed an attitude of unbelief from those who knew Him best. New Christians today who come to faith in Christ at times come across as crazy, or not in their right mind by those closest to them.
The religious leaders from Jerusalem having arrived try to reason with the crowd telling them, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons.” (Mk.3:22 nlt) Jesus now uses His illustration to disprove the Jewish leader’s theory. Basically, Jesus is saying if He was working for Satan, why would he be casting out Satan’s demons. Besides, He asked them, “How can Satan cast out Satan? A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse.” (Mk.3:23-24 nlt) Jesus added Satan would be fighting with himself and could not stand.
Jesus then clears up any misunderstanding there may be in His illustration. He refers to Satan as a strong man in his house (his domain). Jesus asks who is strong enough to enter Satan’s domain to tie him up and plunder his goods. There is only one who is stronger, Jesus, and He has come to do just that. Jesus was declaring the kingdom of God has arrived, and He is plundering Satan and releasing those who are under his control. Jesus is not in league with Satan but in combat with him.
When the religious leaders attributed Jesus’ miracles to Satan and that He was possessed by an evil spirit they were blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Jesus had something to say about that. “I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven.” (Mk.3:28-29 nlt) That may sound confusing, after all doesn’t God forgive all sin when confessed? Yes, He does. So, what’s the difference? What Jesus is saying is when one equates spiritual good (the Holy Spirit) with spiritual evil (Satan) it hardens the heart to the point of making repentance and forgiveness impossible. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary notes, “The essence of the eternal sin is the attitude of heart that underlies the act. This is a fixed, unrepentant state of mind that persist in defiant rejection of the Holy Spirit.” (1)
Chapter 3 closes with the changes in human relationships in the kingdom of God. Jesus’ mother and brothers who came to see Him sent word to Him inside requesting to come out and talk with them. Jesus responded, ‘“Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?’ Then he looked at those around him and said, ‘Look, these are my mother and brothers.” (Mk.3:33-34 nlt) Jesus was not showing disrespect for His mother or brothers but was teaching us a very important truth about God’s kingdom. Those who know the Lord and are obedient to His will is God’s family. The relationship we have with Christ in the family of God is more important than our human family relationships. Jesus came to set us free from the power of Satan and provide us with eternal life for all who accept Him as their savior, and we are then placed in God’s family. That’s the gospel of Jesus Christ.
(1) Pfeiffer, Charles F., Harrison, Everett F. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Chicago: Moody Press, 1990. Pg 995
A review of the Merriam-Websters ‘word of the year’ will give us an accurate description of the mood of people across the world, and mainly here in America. The 2024 Word of the Year was ‘polarization-division in two sharply distant opposites.’ In 2023 the word was, ‘authentic-not false or imitation.’ 2022 gave us the word ‘gaslighting-the act or practice of grossly misleading someone.’ There is a distinct pattern continuing to develop that reveals the mistrust between individuals, groups of individuals, corporations, and mostly the government.
This mistrust is nothing new. It is as old as the Jews mistrusting the Egyptian Pharaoh in the Old Testament. In the United States over the last twenty years each new administration has promised to be transparent with the people in government affairs. As the saying goes, “how did that work out for you?” The word ‘transparency’ was the Word of the Year in 2003, the beginning of the war with Iraq. That administration was accused of not being transparent with the American people as well as other countries taking it on the chin from their citizens. A lot of scrutiny is being placed on the current administration to see if they hold up to their promise of being transparent with the many policy changes that are occurring at a record pace. Only time will tell as we are being told, “we’ll see.”
The main definition of ‘transparent’ is, ‘having the property of transmitting light without appreciable scattering so that bodies lying beyond are seen clearly.’ Transparency is being sheer as fine textiles capable of seeing through. There were mostly self-interest reasons why previous administrations failed to be transparent. It would have exposed what they wanted to remain hidden, causing great embarrassment, loss of power, and possible charges of corruption.
For a person, a business model, or a government to be transparent the darkness around them must be dispelled to allow the light of truth to prevail. The best way to dispel darkness, in fact the only way, is to let the light of Jesus Christ into one’s life. You may say corporations and governments are not people, no they are not, but they are run by people who need the light of Christ. Jesus said, “All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” (Jn.3:20-21 nlt) The only hope for true transparency is for the light of Christ to change darken minds into a sheer conduit exposing everything that is done is right due to many lives dedicated to Christ and His will.
It’s good to assess where we have been as we continue going forward in life. This is particularly true for the Christian who now has a renewed life. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2Cor.5:17 esv) We thank the Lord that He has given us a new nature in Christ, a renewed mind, and a place in heaven. But we still carry with us the old nature while we walk on this earth.
The Puritan writers realized this and embraced it as a reminder of where they had been, and what is the true character of their nature. ‘Keep me mindful of my natural state.’ We do not need to worry about our old sin nature showing up reminding us of where we have been, it’s automatic. And I’m sure, the Puritans experienced the same thing, but they strived to keep it from happening by remembering where they had been. They knew it took only a thought in the wrong direction to land them back in that sin pile that caused their saviors death.
Although they wanted to be reminded of their natural state, they did not want to forget who they really were in Christ. They wanted to remember their heavenly title, where they were going, and the grace and forgiveness that is bestowed on them while on earth in the flesh.
The Puritans had a way of keeping it real. They were aware of their sin, and desired to be reminded of it to keep it at bay. It wouldn’t be a bad idea for us to do the same in our day. Being constantly aware of our sin nature will help us in our walk with Christ going forward, and when we do sin may we remember that God forgets and will remember our sins no more.
(1) Bennett, Arthur The Valley of Vision. East Peoria: Versa Press Inc. 2023. Pg. 74
“Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory.” Romans 11:33, 26 NLT
It’s hard for the mortal to understand the immortal. For us the God of the universe with unlimited power and knowledge is hard to wrap our minds around. Most of us take it by faith through reading and believing the Scriptures, and some others witness His great power through a life-changing event experiencing firsthand the greatness and power God. Nebuchadnezzar experienced the latter and was able to grasp the power and sovereignty of God in the events found in the book of Daniel chapter four.
Nebuchadnezzar introduces the narrative of his encounter with God saying, “I want you all to know about the miraculous signs and wonders the Most High God has performed for me. How great are his signs, how powerful his wonders!” (Dan.4:2-3 nlt) Nebuchadnezzar was shown the greatness, power, and sovereignty of God in a most humiliating way. He saw firsthand how great and powerful God was and how small and insignificant he was. God is ruler over all, and all for His glory.
The apostle Paul writes in Romans, “Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory.” (11:33, 36 nlt) Paul is breaking out in praise for God’s greatness, power, wisdom, and knowledge that brought about the plan of salvation by His sovereign will for all people. We may not be able to wrap our minds around that either, so it’s OK to receive it by faith (Eph.2:8-9), or if you need a Nebuchadnezzar experience the Lord will provide one for you. Just be sure to respond to the call.
For everything we do in life there is the right way and a wrong way, well almost everything. I say ‘almost’ because there are some things that fall under the category ‘it doesn’t matter,’ or ‘good enough’, or as is said, ‘close enough for government work.’ Knowing the difference between the right and wrong way will save us time, money, and less embarrassment in a failed project. I’ve been embarrassed a few times in my life. Not knowing the right way from the wrong way when in a leadership position will result in more than a failed project but a confused company of people going their own way.
When young Solomon became King at age twenty God appeared to him in a dream and asked, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” (1Kg.3:5 nlt) Solomon asked for wisdom in governing the people. In other words, he asked to know the difference between right and wrong. The desire to do things the right things and not fail in leading Israel was a show of humility. Solomon could have asked for anything he wanted but chose to know the difference right and wrong.
Wouldn’t it be nice if the Lord asked us what we wanted, and He will give it to us? I wonder what we would ask for. Would we ask to know the difference between right and wrong above everything else? The fact is having the wisdom to know right from wrong is the most important thing you can ask for outside of asking Christ to save you and forgive your sins. We are living in a fallen world under Satan’s influence that only knows the wrong way. For us to live biblical godly lives it is vital for us to have the wisdom to know right from wrong in all things. It is one request God will surely grant. Make sure we ask Him.
I’ve heard it said, and it is true, that those desiring to read through the Bible never make it past the book of Leviticus. It is understandable seeing that the specific sacrifices made do not apply today. The religious ceremonies and offerings required by God do not apply either. The slaughtering of animals for the sacrifices is also a turnoff for some people. But there is much we can learn about the holiness of God in Leviticus, and maybe a thing or two about ourselves.
A sacrifice had to be made in the event of a sin even if one sinned unintentionally. The Lord required an animal sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin. “When they become aware of their sin, they must bring as an offering for their sin a female goat with no defects. They must lay a hand on the head of the sin offering and slaughter it at the place where burnt offerings are slaughtered.” (Lev.4:28-29 nlt) You may have heard the saying ‘our sin affects more people than just ourselves.’ The sinful actions we engage in have a ripple effect hurting people around us. Sin has its consequences.
The effects of sin by the people in Old Testament Israel caused the death of a blemish free animal. What was striking to me as I read our passage was that the one bringing the animal for sacrifice had to put their hand on the head of the one about to die and have their blood poured out on the altar. Because of their sin, that blameless animal was about to die. This should resonate with each one of us when we think of our own sin. Our Lord Jesus shed His blood on the cross at Calvary to satisfy the Father’s required payment for sin. Our hands were on Him as He was in our place about to sacrifice His life for our sin.
When entering a dark room, the first thing we do is turn on a light. If we enter a room we haven’t been in before, we search for the light switch using the back lighting that is illuminating from outside the room. Turning on the light we can now move around and conduct our business.
There are many dark rooms we enter throughout our lives. Some are daily decisions that need to be made at the spur of the moment, and others are the major decisions made only occasionally in our lifetime. But all decisions have that uncertain shadow of what’s ahead. If only there was no shadow at all with enough light to enter each decision, we would be confident we’re making the right move.
The Psalmist wrote, ‘The entrance (or unfolding) of Your words gives light.’ The Bible contains everything we need to know in making those decisions of uncertainty. We need light to shine through the shadows of both the daily decisions and the life changing ones. Seeing that we make decisions daily, it stands to reason, the light always needs to be on. Daily reading of Scripture is a must for every Christian if we are to be in His will and make the right decisions.
Our Lord will not abandon us making our own decisions without His guidance. He has given us His Word in clarity for us to understand and obey it. The Psalmist also wrote, ‘It gives understanding to the simple,’ and that means all of us. God’s Word is the light which illuminates our ability to understand His message to us, most importantly for salvation, but also for those decisions to be made in the shadows of a dark room.
Word for the Soul 