Seeing is Believing

          “Do you still not understand? Do your eyes fail to see and your ears fail to hear?” Jesus asked His disciples as He attempted to warn them of the corrupt religious elite. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Herod,” He declared. 

          Prior to that discussion, Jesus had miraculously fed 4000 people from several loaves of bread and some fish with an abundance of leftovers. The disciples were eye-witnesses to this supernatural event. After the miracle, Jesus began to speak about yeast. But the disciples became confused. They failed to notice the spiritual depth behind such a phenomenon. Have we too overlooked the wisdom God provides in His marvelous Word? Must it always be hindsight that clarifies God’s work in our lives? 

          Many years ago I sat alone on a back pew at a church concert. While enjoying the worship music, a Bible verse came to mind. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11).

          My daughter happened to be a senior when this seemingly overused Scripture verse became popular among high school graduates. I felt as if God had spoken it directly to me for my daughter. It brought me overwhelming peace. I left the concert joyfully trusting God’s promise for her life. 

          But when my daughter began making poor life choices, I forgot God’s words. I gave into fear. I shuddered with panic. Worry consumed me every single day month after month. When I finally regained my senses, I humbled myself in prayer before Almighty God. I cried out to Him in praise and He reminded me of our long-term relationship. He had proven Himself faithful throughout my entire life. He even miraculously restored me to health after a dangerous bout with clots in my lungs. How could I have allowed doubt to compromise my faith in Him? Why had I focused on life’s adversities instead of God’s victories?

          Hindsight is 20/20. Sometimes in our moment of discontent, we can’t see the forest for the trees. We get so wrapped up in the situations around us that we fail to see the bigger picture. We struggle in our troubles instead of first praying to an Omniscient God. El Roi, the God who sees, knows all about us, and yet we fail to see His power prevail over our suffering. We lose sight of Him until He’s all we have. When we return to Him in repentance, His light shines in the darkness and our vision clears. Finally we begin to acknowledge with clarity His faithful presence in our lives. 

          Have you found yourself riveted by fear this year? Have your eyes focused anywhere but God? There are certainly plenty of problems to pinpoint—pandemic, panic, isolation, violence, hatred, death, masks, cancel culture, personal struggles, no church gatherings. The problems of 2020 continue to intensify. Many of us are nearly undone with the weight of it all. And Jesus says to each of us, “Do your eyes fail to see and your ears fail to hear?”

          Just as Jesus warned His disciples of the yeast of the religious elite, I can hear Him questioning me for my lack of faith with the words of the apostle Paul. “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. A little yeast works though the whole batch of dough.”  (Galatians 5:7-9).

          The yeast of corruption has definitely escalated throughout our institutions. Control and overreach has restrained the lives of the masses while evil and lawlessness has flourished. Churches are shut down, fellowship and worship are frowned upon. And Jesus says, “Do you still not understand?”

          In this ninth month of the year 2020, where are our eyes focused? Are the maladies so tremendous that we fail to see what God is doing? Are we allowing our physical sight to outweigh our spiritual sight? 

          Mankind hungers for more than this world offers. Wandering souls long for the liberating authority of a Mighty God. And humanity desperately needs a Savior. I hope you’ll return next time to discover more of Him with me.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)”

Yeast of Corruption

““I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.”
~JESUS 

John 6:35 (NASB)”

          Boil. Foam. Bubble. Words that fashion in my mind’s eye a cauldron of evil. On second thought, I see a substance activated by water and flour. Combined with a few more ingredients, the dough doubles in size after several hours. Once baked, it yields a delicious staple. Fresh baked bread gives way to a mouthwatering experience, aromatic and appetizing.

          Jesus and bread seemed to go hand in hand throughout His time on earth. The New Testament testifies to the many times He talked about bread. He miraculously provided bread for hungry crowds. He called Himself the Bread of Life. Surprisingly He even discussed the active ingredient in bread. However, when he mentioned yeast, it had nothing to do with bread. God’s Word in the eighth chapter of Mark conveys some crucial eye-opening knowledge applicable for readers still today. 

          The chapter opens with a mighty miracle where Jesus fed a large hungry crowd after praying over several loaves of bread and a few fish. It’s a second account of Him miraculously feeding a colossal crowd from a meager source. The throng of people certainly enjoyed plenty of food as there were baskets overflowing with leftovers. Imagine witnessing such a phenomena. Think about how swiftly the news must have spread among the people. 

          Eventually reports of the supernatural event reached some Jewish leaders called Pharisees. Once they discovered Jesus’ location, they began questioning and testing Him. They demanded proof of His divine authority by requesting signs from heaven. They dismissed the power behind His miracles by challenging Jesus for more evidence. Because He recognized their unbelief, Jesus refused to grant them any information concerning His identity. He walked away from them and joined His disciples in a boat.

          As they sailed across the Sea of Galilee, Jesus warned His disciples of the yeast of the Pharisees. Yeast? The disciples assumed Jesus referred to the lack of bread for their trip as only one loaf had been stored in the boat. Could there be more to yeast than a loaf of bread?

          “Why are you talking about bread?” Jesus asked. “Do you not understand? Do your eyes fail to see and your ears fail to hear? Remember the two miracles? How many baskets of leftovers did you pick up?”

          The disciples answered respectively, twelve and seven, but Jesus knew they failed to comprehend the meaning. They only grasped the concept of yeast in the physical sense. They were spiritually blind to the evil brew of the Pharisees and other leaders (Mark 8:14-21).

          The disciples recognized yeast as a fermenting agent used to make bread. Jesus equated yeast to an attitude of corruption. Think of the cauldron of evil—boil and bubble. The Pharisees had perverted their religion by making it exclusive to law keepers. As Jewish leaders, they had harnessed the people with many impossible rules to obey. By veiling the authenticity of Scripture, the religious elite had blinded the common folk to God’s truth. 

          Public opinion began changing when Jesus showed up, ministering to the masses and upsetting the methodical religion of the Jewish leaders. The crowds following Jesus increased and His divine authority exposed religious hypocrisy. The sanctimonious Pharisees seethed with anger and envy as their impact seemed to dwindle. Powerful leaders despise the freedom gained by people whose eyes have been opened to truth.

          Religion has burdened mankind with man-made rules for centuries. The law exposes sin and sometimes those in control dictate observance to laws through works, negating the work of Jesus on the cross. When the doctrines of denominations supersede faith in a self-sacrificing Savior, we become divided. Adding man’s way to God’s way is like adding water to yeast and watching the cauldron of corruption boil over into trouble. Eventually our fallen nature clouds our vision. Recognizing truth becomes nearly impossible.

“When the doctrines of denominations supersede faith in a self-sacrificing Savior, we become divided.”

          During the 60’s and 70’s, some American pastors preached fire and brimstone, the wrath of God against sinful souls. People left church services feeling shame and defeat. Surely good works would pave the way to heaven instead of hell. Eyes became veiled to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

          As a new generation grew into influence, various church services, along with the sermons, were redesigned to focus on grace, the cheap grace that minimizes sin. Comfortable with coffee described a regular Sunday at church. Again eyes became veiled to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

          Jesus the Messiah came to earth to demonstrate a holy life to His disciples and followers. Through His Word, He shows us all a better way of life, offering grace and mercy to repentant people. The truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ is for every single person who will believe in Him. He died an excruciating death, taking upon Himself the sins of the world while offering His righteousness to humankind. It’s a beautiful exchange that requires humble recognition and repentance of our own sinfulness. It is the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

          Jesus the Savior is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). He wants us to know His gospel and its liberating truth. He yearns to deliver us from the yeast of corruption that infiltrates the church and the world. He longs to rescue us from wickedness and free us from sin’s bondage. He desires for us to focus on Him, living as He lived, loving as He loved. 

          But what are we to do when we don’t know what is true? It seems the yeast of the Pharisees has spread throughout the ages. The cauldron of evil appears to have boiled over into our modern world. Have we been blinded to truth? Is it even possible to see clearly through the haze of confusion? How can we use discernment and make truth visible?

          Turn away from the yeast of corruption. Change your focus from man’s way to God’s way. And return next week to see more of God’s truth revealed. 

Before you go, share with me in the comment section below some of the ways God is revealing His truth to you.

Gratifying Personal Misconceptions

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.  2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NASB) 

          Winds of change blow through the atmosphere turning heads and tickling ears. Time-honored traditions deteriorate as people substitute personal principles for foundational beliefs. Truth is exchanged for lies. Creatures are worshipped rather than the Creator. And the world spins out of control while God waits with abundant grace for repentant hearts.

          In the beginning God spoke life and created everything good. He placed mankind in a plentiful garden to maintain and utilize, giving instructions that the fruit of only one tree was not to be consumed. But the Creator’s numerous blessings weren’t enough. Desiring more, Eve and Adam consented to a seductive voice. Temptation pricked their ears, enticed their hearts, and moved their hands and feet to act in direct contrast to God’s commands. Once they exchanged the Heavenly Father’s truth for the devil’s deceit, consequences engulfed them. Even so, God had a plan of redemption and waited with abundant grace for humanity’s repentance.

          In Jesus’ parable of the prodigal, the younger son wasn’t content living with a loving family on an enormous estate. He desired his inheritance and the pleasure it afforded. So he walked away from the fundamentals of home, choosing to satisfy his cravings. Eventually he found himself penniless, lost, and alone. At the same time, his father waited with open arms of abundant grace for his son’s return. 

          Ideologies come and go. Lifestyles are chosen. From flattery to foolery, compliments to compromise, temptations entice people. Men, women, and children satisfy itching ears by scratching them with the latest fascinations. Attractions, idolization, or devotion to anything but God strengthens as we allow what we see and hear to move us toward instant gratification. We want it, we want it our way, and we want it now. So we open ourselves up to current trends instead of standing firm on the bedrock of truth. In the mean time, God waits with abundant grace for our return.

          Led astray and away from our Creator’s absolute truth, we begin to see all things as relative to our personal perspective. In time we find ourselves drifting toward places we never thought we would go. To soothe the tension within ourselves, we seek like-minded people. God is pushed aside and we’re slowly swept away like shifting sand. For the time being, God waits with abundant grace for His creation to turn back to Him. 

          Are your ears itching? Is temptation pulling you away from the Heavenly Father’s sound commands? Turn back to God before it’s too late. You’ll find Him waiting for you with open arms full of abundant grace.

FREEDOM in Jesus' Name

“Freedom isn’t free” has been a motto for many military units. It’s an idiom expressing gratitude for the service of military members who risk their lives for others. It reminds us the path to liberty isn’t free. It proclaims freedom comes at a price. And it derives from love.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

America recently celebrated Independence Day. I imagine the shouts of freedom resounded with vigor throughout the new land over two centuries ago. But it resulted at a great price.

Over two thousand years ago, true freedom was presented to all of humanity, but it cost one Man His life. God, our Heavenly Father, because of His great love for mankind, sent His Son to earth to save any sinner* who would believe on the Name of Jesus. While on earth, Christ Jesus taught His followers about God’s truth. He proclaimed His mission before the Jewish leaders in the synagogue, reading from Isaiah 61:

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
Because the Lord has anointed me
To bring good news to the afflicted;
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to captives
And freedom to prisoners;
To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
To grant those who mourn in Zion,
Giving them a garland instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning,
The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.
So they will be called oaks of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. vs. 1-3

Good News. Freedom. Liberty. Comfort. Crowns instead of cinders. Gladness instead of grief. Praise instead of panic. Jesus brought the glory of the Lord to everyone. And we have the freedom to choose….. or not. 

To the Jews who chose to believe in Him, He said, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:31-32

Free. Freedom from the slavery of sin that entangles and snares.* Jesus came to save captives from the trappings of sin.* He said to His followers, “If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36

Throughout His ministry, Jesus spoke to His disciples about salvation through His death and resurrection. Though He knew they didn’t fully understand, Jesus told His disciples not to be troubled. As they had believed in God, they were to believe also in HIm. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me,” He proclaimed. John 14:6

Jesus declared Himself the pathway to liberty through redemption in His Name. He came to earth to demonstrate the freedom found in the truth of God’s Word. He professed Himself the way to the Heavenly Father. 

When the time came for Him to exchange His righteousness for the sins of the world through death on a cross, He stood before Pilate answering the question of His kingship, proclaiming His mission fulfilled. Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” John 18:37

TRUTH SPEAKS AND TRUTH HEARS!

Before He died, while gathered with His disciples, Jesus prayed for them and future believers. Jesus prayed for us! Pause for a moment and let these words of Christ fill your heart and become reality.

“I am not praying for these alone but also for the future believers who will come to me because of the testimony of these. My prayer for all of them is that they will be of one heart and mind, just as you and I are, Father—that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me—the glorious unity of being one, as we are—I in them and you in me, all being perfected into one—so that the world will know you sent me and will understand that you love them as much as you love me.”  John 17:20-23

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR PRAYING FOR ME!

Sisters and brothers, Jesus prayed for us. He died for us. His words to His followers are written down for us. They are as relevant today as in the past. When we believe in Jesus Christ and the truth of His Words, we find freedom. We discover His love and grace. We become one in Christ Jesus, united in God’s love.* 

Are you captive to earthly pursuits? Do the things of this world have you in a panic? Are you grieving the emptiness of this temporal life? 

Open your heart to God’s truth. Allow Christ Jesus to unite you to God’s love. Live in the freedom of God’s grace through Jesus. By accepting salvation in Jesus’ name, you will experience freedom. You will be set free. You will be free indeed. 

*Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…

*Hebrews 12:1-3 (NASB)
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

*Galatians 5:1
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. 

*Psalm 133:1
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!