Paul’s last Message

2 Timothy 4:6 “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.”

Paul is in a Roman prison: he has been sentenced to death. He has a few things to say to Timothy, who was like a son to him. Instruction, and testimony.

But notice, when Paul talks about his soon execution, he talks as if he were waiting on a train to take him away.

And it is true. The same second Paul’s body died, he was in heaven, meeting Jesus face to face. Experiencing the beauty, rest, and love of God.

Paul speaks of being offered; and he was offered on the altar of hate. They wanted to be rid of this one who preached Christ, even though he had done no wrong to the Roman state.
He had no one of importance to stand for him before Caesar. And as he testified, all men forsook him; no one stood up for him, because of fear of retaliation from the men around Caesar.
Yet Paul forgives them and asks God to forgive them, too.

2 Timothy 4:16-17 “At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.”

Paul writes Timothy, not just to notify him of his execution, but to instruct him.
He lets him know that he is ready to go. That he has finished the Purpose of God for his life.

2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:”
Paul used these illustrations before, when talking about his life as a preacher of the gospel.
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 “I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air.
But keep under my body, and bring it in to subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

As a runner in a race, he was to keep the goal of God in front of him, and finish what he started. He was to preach salvation to all, and that they were to grow in the grace of God.
And show them how to do it.

And he was a fighter. He had real enemies, he was not fighting the air.
His enemies were from within himself.
We always need to resist sin.
And from without. Many sought to kill him, slander him, and ruin the simple gospel message; yet he withstood them, often face to face.

But he had fought the good fight. He had finished his race course.
He had kept the faith.

And he had instructed Timothy in his former letter to do the same:
1 Timothy 6:11-12 “But thou, O man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, wherein to thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”

Paul also looks forward to what God has promised:
2 Timothy 4:8 “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:….”

And if he had stopped there, we would absolutely understand. Paul had done many things, suffered many things for Christ Jesus.
But he does not:
“…and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

Any Christian, who loves the appearing of Christ Jesus, will receive a crown of righteousness.

It is difficult, not to get wrapped up in this world. It’s anger, greed, and vengeful spirit. Then we forget to love Jesus, and stop looking for Him.

Yet, if we do love and wait for Him, there is a crown waiting for us in heaven.

Paul’s last message, was one of instruction and testimony:
“If I, who once was an enemy of Jesus, can be saved and love Him through out my life; in good times, and bad: So can you. He stood with me, and Jesus Christ will stand with you no matter what comes.”

 

Mark:
2 Timothy 4:11 “Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.”

It was not always so. Mark the writer of the Gospel of Mark, was first named in:
Acts 12:12 “And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.”
He was a believer, young and right in the middle of things from the first.
The verses where he is first mentioned, was where Herod began a persecution against the church. James was taken and killed by the sword. (Acts 12:1-2)

Then Peter was taken, and put in prison to bring him out so the people could decide what to do with him.(like Jesus)
But Peter we know was kicked awake by an angel and brought out of prison (Acts 12:6-11). Then he found his way to Mary’s house, a Christian who had kept a prayer meeting going for his release.
Acts 12:5, 12 “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; for many were gathered together praying.”
Mary was John Mark’s mother, and he witnessed many things in those early days.
But his personal faith was not so strong. (Which suggests that seeing miracles, or great spiritual acts does not increase faith, of themselves.)

Paul and Barnabas had John Mark for their minister(helper).
Acts 13:5 “And when they were come to Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.”

But as they went on in their missionary journey; John Mark became frightened and decided to go back from the work to Jerusalem, where he thought he would be safe.
Acts 13:13 “Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.”

Paul and Barnabas continued their journey, experiencing many wonderful and terrible things.  (this missionary journey was where Paul was stoned: Acts 14:19).
But no John Mark.

After the first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas went up to Jerusalem to speak about the growing problem of Judiazers. (Those that taught the believers they could not be saved, except they follow the Law.  This was not true.)
Acts 15:1 “And certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”
Paul and Barnabas were sent by the brethren to go to Jerusalem, and having spoken about what the Holy Spirit was doing among the Gentiles; it was determined to receive the Gentiles without making them follow the Law.

Along the way, John Mark must have come with the men which came back to Antioch, for he is found there, when Paul and Barnabas begin to talk of visiting the churches they had preached to before, “and see how they do.” (Acts 15:36)

But before Paul and Barnabas get started, a contention; so sharp that it pulled them apart.
Acts 15:37-38 “And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
But Paul thought not good to take with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia and went not with them to the work.”
You will notice the terms the Holy Spirit uses here:
Barnabas “determined”.
Paul “thought not good”.
John Mark was Barnabas’ nephew, and he would want to give him another chance.
But his “determined”, meant, he already had his mind made up. He was going to do this. No matter what God wanted for Mark.

Sometimes God gives us a time out, so we learn a lesson in humility.
Paul “thought not good” was looking at the churches. How would it appear to them to have someone who would not hazard his life for Christ to come and minister to them?
The churches that had begun had to stand against persecutions, and blasphemes….how could he stand before them? How could they, with him along?

Now notice the Holy Spirit’s terms for the results of this contention:
Acts 15:39-40 “And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.”
Barnabas “took”. Hard, unmoving.
Paul “chose”. Thinking what should be best for Christ’s work.
Barnabas took off with Mark. It seems as if the Holy Spirit is emphasizing his willfulness. What a shame! You never hear of Barnabas’ work in the Scriptures again.
Paul chose, having the recommendation of the brethren, unto the grace of God.

Two different choices…two different ways.
But what about Mark?
He grew up, and was restored to the ministry with Paul.
Colossians 4:10″Aristarchus my fellow prisoner saluteth you, and Mark, sister’s son to Barnabas, (touching whom you received commandment: if he come unto you receive him:)
2 Timothy 4:11 “Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.”

And he was a fellow helper of Peter.
1 Peter 5:13 “The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.”
Some say the Gospel of Mark is actually Mark writing it for Peter.
Whether that is true, Mark was restored to a work for the Lord.
He grew up, and began to understand the value of true life in Jesus.

Later Paul writes about bishops:
1 Timothy 3:6-7 “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”

We are to keep growing, yielding to the Holy Spirit. (Don’t become willful in your own opinion.)
We will never have sinless perfection…but we can be forgiven, grow, and go on with Christ.
Mark did.

Mark 4:39. “And He arose and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, “Peace be still” and the wind ceased, and there was a great calm”

We know this story:
Jesus had bee so tired, HE had been asleep in the boat–even thru the storm.
But his disciples, had become scared (even tho He told them “let us go across to the other side)
Did they think He would take them out into the sea to drown?

But notice…He rebuked the wind. Like a father to a child which was acting bad.

He said unto the sea; Also like a father; comforting a child which had been teased by another. “Peace be still.”

He Who created them at the first, keeps them; rebukes and speaks to them.

So He does to us. Sometimes we are like the boat in the wind, and sea. There is a great storm going on and we are getting tossed about.
Whether in our heads, or our emotions.
Life is sometimes storms.
How much we need Jesus Christ to speak to the storm and calm it.

Like the disciples, we are at a loss to do anything. I have been in a panic that rose and rose and seemed as if it was going to take over my reasonable thoughts. I did not know how to stop it.
But I knew Jesus could.
So I started to pray….”Lord I am in desperate need.. Please help me…Tell me what to do or just stop it yourself…. “. And so on I prayed covering everything.
What it was about.
What had just happened.
How I felt.
What I felt I should feel.
All the attitudes toward these things, and what I really wanted to do.

First, He rebuked me. Panic comes from our Adversary, the Devil. If I had gotten that far, there had been a time when I had been spoken to about this situation, and neglected to receive His Word.
Then, He began speaking to me about all the things I had talked to Him about.

We crossed that Sea, storm and all, and we made it safely to the other side, because Jesus heard my cry for help and arose to help me.
Sometimes the help we need is the rebuke of:
Mark 4:40 “And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?”

He will do the same to you. If you are out in a Sea of emotion, or in a wind of indecision; cry to Him. Get honest with Him. And He will get you to the other side.

Be not unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Ephesians 5:17-18 “Wherefore be not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”

When you are “drunk with wine”; you have brought yourself under the influence and power of that wine.
So it is to be filled with the Spirit of God; you have brought yourself under the influence and power of the Holy Spirit. He is, in fact, in charge in your life.

Paul writes here that to understand what God’s will is, you must put yourself under the Holy Spirit’s control.
He will tell you the truth.
John 16:13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; he will show you things to come.”

The Holy Spirit impresses us through our spirit, if things are true, or if things are not what they say they are.
He will remind us of verses from the Bible (how important it is for us to know the Scriptures), and He will remind us of what Jesus said when He was here.
He will warn us of things coming up in our life, so we can prepare for them, or against them.
Wisdom in the Scriptures is from God. Paul is saying “Get the wisdom you need to know and do My will, by yielding to the Holy Spirit.
We are given the Holy Spirit at new birth.
But we are “filled” with the Holy Spirit; only as we are emptied of self.
Not emptied of our personality…that is precious to God. He died to save our souls, which are our personality.
But emptied of self: self-righteousness, self-pity, self-exaltation, selfishness in so many ways.
Basically it is putting self first in our life. As we are emptied of this attitude, we can be filled with the attitude of putting Christ, by the Holy Spirit, first.
And this is an attitude that is given us by the faith and trust of the Holy Spirit within….but we need to cultivate it by submitting to it.

How many Christians go through their lives, wanting to know God’s Will….they kinda, sorta, know; in general; but do not know for themselves, for today, for now.

Perhaps your not even sure their is a plan and purpose for your life.
Well, Paul says there is, and to know it, you need to submit to the Holy Spirit’s influence from within.
This is a step by step process.
First, acknowledging His right to tell you what to do.
Second, to begin to hear aright what He says to you. (And for this to happen, you need to become readers of His Word.)
Third, we need to yield. Yield as in:

Romans 6:13 “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”
Yield means to assist.
We are to assist the Holy Spirit in His work in us, and through us.

Why do we need to assist the Holy Spirit? He is Almighty!
Because, though He is Almighty, He will not force you to do what you should.
We must “assist” Him, by our wills, willing with Him, to do in us and through us.
This is the wisdom of God…yield, assist the Holy Spirit and learn to be under His influence in your life; and know God’s Will.

 

Blessed

Psalm 65:4 “Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causeth to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.”

Blessed means twice your happiest moment!
And we are blessed when we come nearer to Christ Jesus our Lord.

But this “nearer” is of the heart and will, not just of word.

Mark 5:24-28 “And Jesus went with him, and much people followed him, and thronged him.
And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
For she said, If I may but touch his clothes, I shall be made whole.”

Here was a woman in need. She had done all she could, and gone to others who did all they could; but she was none better, but worse.

Hearing of Jesus (all the great miracles He had done,and the many He had healed), she came after Him; and seeing the crowd (for they all were pushing to be around Him), she thought she would come up behind him and just touch His clothes.

She came, not just to see, or hear Him, but to be near enough to touch His clothes, to be healed.
She thought that if she could just touched the hem of His garment (Matthew 9:21), she would be made whole.
So she came, pushed forward, and leaned down and touched the hem of His garment.

Mark 5:29 “And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.”

Finally, wellness!
She touched His garment, and she felt the fountain of blood dry up, and that she was made whole. She probably stopped, with joy and wonder!

But then she heard Jesus say:

Mark 5:30 “And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?”

I want to take a moment here, and point out exactly what the disciples are going to say: There are MANY who are touching Him, around and pushing to be around Him.
But He knows those who really come to Him, and they will always be blessed.

Mark 5:31-32 “And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, who touched me?
And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.”

Jesus was not looking for those who follow for position, or for curiosity.
He was looking for her, who had come to Him, believing that He could meet her desperate need.
That is faith. And faith in Jesus always brings us near in heart, and will.
And will always be blessed.

Although right now she is afraid, she does not run away, or try and hide in the crowd: but came, again, in honesty, and told Him all.

Mark 5:33 ” But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.”

She did not know what He would do. He might revoke His healing. He might be angry at the way she had been healed. She does not know; she fears and trembles: but she comes to Him, and tells Him all the truth.

She should not have feared; the One who heals, saves. The One who saves, receives us again and again, despite our weakness. And so He does here.

Mark 5:34 “And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace (always a sign from God that she is saved), and be whole of thy plague.”

The Lord always rewards faith. His first thought is for her peace with Him (salvation); then He doubles the healing by speaking, “be whole of thy plague.”

Blessed is twice happy; and she was. Both saved and healed, because she came to Him; first in secret faith, and then in honesty.
The first was given what she sought.
The next was given blessing; To be brought near to Jesus in Salvation, and to be made whole.

Jesus has said:
Matthew 11:28-29 ” Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy ladened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

It is in our coming to Jesus Christ, that we are blessed. We shall be satisfied as we abide with Him.

 

True North on the Compass of Your Life.

Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”

There is, on the compass, a magnetic north, which is not true North.
You can navigate with this, for short trips.
But when you have long trips over any length of time or of distance; you must be able to ascertain True North, or you will be off your point of destination, miles and miles.

We should all have a goal to which we are headed in life; and a way of getting there, which is not going to lead us in the wrong paths.
That goal keeps our eyes focused on the real purpose of our existence.
As Christians, our purpose of life, should come from the Lord:

Ephesians 2:10. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

We are “created in Christ Jesus” or born again; for a purpose.
Our purpose is to “walk” in the good works God appoints us, as individual Christians, to do.

So what is the True North in this walk?

It is making Jesus Christ, Lord of your life, so that you will know what to do, and will be empowered to do by His life, within you.

John 7:17 “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whither it be of God, or whither I speak of myself.”

Hosea 6:3 “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.”

As certain as this old earth keeps turning, there will be sunrise tomorrow.
You may not be able to see it, for there may be clouds and the day dark and dreary; but the sun will be there.

This says that we can rest easy in Christ; we can expect Him to show us His Way for us, and for Him to give us His blessings (the former and latter rains), in the time we need them.

It also encourages us, to follow Him. (How many scriptures do this very thing?)
He knows where we should be, and how we are to get there.
In life, in attitudes, and in troubles; with Him as our Lord and Savior; we shall know.
Our whole life is a journey. (I used to tell a friend, life is an adventure. They thought of “lions” and “tigers”; and they were not happy about the thought. But I still think it is.) It is a journey of a life time.
And, lets face it, we need help; we need a guide, who loves us, to get us to the end.

We are to “walk” from here to heaven, with Christ Jesus.
That is a daily walk with Him.

That is how we grow to know Him more.
True North on the compass of our lives, is to make Him Lord of our lives.
Then we will see His Purpose for our lives, done.
Then we will get to the end in peace.

 

The Man with the Withered Hand.

Matthew 12:9-10 “And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:
And behold, there was a man who had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath days? That they might accuse him.”

Jesus had been on a teaching tour through the cities of Israel. And now he was come to their synagogue.

The Pharisees had laid a trap for him, in the appearance of a man with a withered hand.

To have a deformity in Israel, was to be disgraced, for it meant that sin was somewhere in the family of the person. This man had sinned, or someone in his family had sinned, and he was being punished for it.

So the Pharisees asked a question, that they thought was pretty straight forward.
Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?
The Sabbath was the day of rest. A day which should be spent in contemplating God, and His Word. A day of fellowship with others of His people.

They were to do no work on the Sabbath, or it would be defiled.
But what is work, and what is mercy?
Jesus points out the difference.

Matthew 12:11-12 “And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
How much then is a man better that a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.”

Would you save you one sheep? Your only sheep? Are you not commanded in the ceremonial law, to save a sheep, even of your neighbors? (Deuteronomy 22:4)
This is interesting. Jesus does not say one out of a hundred. Or a thousand.
But one.
That is exactly the way He feels about us. If He only came to save one, He would have.
We are that one. The man with the withered hand was that one; and He would save us, and He would save him.

So His question to the Pharisees was really: would you, save the one sheep you own; would you save your livelihood? Or the livelihood of your neighbor?
The answer He gave; of course you would.
Therefore, since you would save your one sheep on the sabbath, I will save this one man on the sabbath.

Also notice, the way He talked of the sheep: “if it fall into a pit”. Are we not also ready to fall into a pit, without His Salvation?

Christ’s answer was God’s Character. The Sabbath was made for man to have rest with His God. It is lawful, then to do well on the sabbath days.

Matthew 12:13 “Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.”

This man may have been a tool of the Pharisees to use against Jesus, but heard enough to know that the mercy of God was being extended to him.
But it would cost him something.
It would cost him embarrassment.(And how many of us would be stopped right here?)
He would have to show his deformity for all to see.

It would also cost him the company of these people. For to be obedient, would show that he believed Jesus. This was dangerous, as these people were influential.

So, here is the choice: Jesus, and God’s mercy; or his normal existence, but accepted by the religious rulers.
Which would he do?
“And he stretched it forth.”
His choice was Jesus, and obedience. For it, he was healed.

But Jesus was also offering mercy to all those in the synagogue: including those Pharisees. But they refused to believe Him.

Matthew 12:14 “Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.”
Their choice was to keep the life and influence they had; not to yield to the mercy offered.
How much they lost by their choice!

Jesus talked of saving the “one sheep”, because each of us are that one sheep.
He came to save us: from the guilt of sin, the power of sin, and one day from the presence of sin.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

 

Have you seen God’s Provision for You?

A little background is needed:

The king of Syria warred against the king of Israel. He would set up camp in places where the king of Israel would pass through. In this way he thought to destroy him and take over Israel.

But God had a prophet in Israel, called Elisha. He sent to the king of Israel a warning, many times, about such ambushes.

This frustrated the king of Syria, and at first he thought he was being betrayed by someone in his own court.
But a knowledgeable man in the king’s court told him:

2 Kings 6:12 “And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.”

So the king of Syria, a mighty warrior, with a mighty army; sought to lay hands on this man: Elisha, God’s prophet.

2 Kings 6:13-14 “And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him saying, Behold, he is at Dothan.
Therefore sent he thither horses and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and encompassed the city about.”

Now Elisha was just one man (though he had a servant with him); so sending this large company to get him, seemed like over-kill.

But it was not just meant to take Elisha, but also to scare him. To put him in awe of the might and power of the king of Syria.

Fear comes when we feel that we can not deal with a situation, ourselves.
Or can not get the right help from others, and there is nothing we can do about what is going on.
Then we become afraid.

But surrounded by this great and mighty army, Elisha was not afraid (although his servant was terrified).

2 Kings 6:15-16 “And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, a host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! How shall we do?”
And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.”

The servant saw that they were surrounded; everything to be afraid of!
Are not we often the same way?

But Elisha saw nothing to be afraid of; for he saw the provision of God for them.

They say: Seeing is believing. And for Elisha, he already “saw” by faith that the Syrian army that was around the city, was surrounded themselves!
The Syrian army was in more trouble then they were!

But the servant of Elisha needed a little more “sight”. He needed to get his eyes off the enemy, and onto the Lord’s army.

2 Kings 6:17 “Elisha prayed, and said, Lord I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses, and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”

With that much help around them, they could have walked right through the army, or had them destroyed.
But God’s ways of dealing with people are different than ours.

Elisha, instead, prayed that the army of the Syrians would become blind.
And they were.

Then he led them to the city of Samaria, where Israel’s king and army had them completely surrounded.

Then he told the king to feed them, and send them back to their king. And it saved Israel, for a while.

2 Kings 6:22-23. “And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.
And he prepared provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel. “

God’s provision for us is not always horses and chariots of fire.
Sometimes He provides natural ways of deliverance.
But however He gives us His provision, we need to “see” it, and use it.

Elisha prayed, and sight was given to his servant.
We need to pray and ask God to give us sight, to see what He will provide.

Are you in trouble? In distress? Or just afraid?
Look to Jesus, and seek His provision for you. Whether simple, natural help is sent. Or heavenly help is sent. He will be found of all those who really seek Him.

 

The Man with the Withered Hand.

Matthew 12:9-10 “And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:
And behold, there was a man who had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath days? That they might accuse him.”

Jesus had been on a teaching tour through the cities of Israel. And now he was come to their synagogue.

The Pharisees had laid a trap for him, in the appearance of a man with a withered hand.

To have a deformity in Israel, was to be disgraced, for it meant that sin was somewhere in the family of the person. This man had sinned, or someone in his family had sinned, and he was being punished for it.

So the Pharisees asked a question, that they thought was pretty straight forward.
Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?
The Sabbath was the day of rest. A day which should be spent in contemplating God, and His Word. A day of fellowship with others of His people.

They were to do no work on the Sabbath, or it would be defiled.
But what is work, and what is mercy?
Jesus points out the difference.

Matthew 12:11-12 “And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
How much then is a man better that a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.”

Would you save you one sheep? Your only sheep? Are you not commanded in the ceremonial law, to save a sheep, even of your neighbors? (Deuteronomy 22:4)
This is interesting. Jesus does not say one out of a hundred. Or a thousand.
But one.
That is exactly the way He feels about us. If He only came to save one, He would have.
We are that one. The man with the withered hand was that one; and He would save us, and He would save him.

So His question to the Pharisees was really: would you, save the one sheep you own; would you save your livelihood?   Or the livelihood of your neighbor?
The answer He gave; of course you would.
Therefore, since you would save your one sheep on the sabbath, I will save this one man on the sabbath.

Also notice, the way He talked of the sheep: “if it fall into a pit”. Are we not also ready to fall into a pit, without His Salvation?

Christ’s answer was God’s Character. The Sabbath was made for man to have rest with His God. It is lawful, then, to do well on the sabbath days.

Matthew 12:13 “Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.”

This man may have been a tool of the Pharisees to use against Jesus, but heard enough to know that the mercy of God was being extended to him.
But it would cost him something.
It would cost him embarrassment.(And how many of us would be stopped right here?)
He would have to show his deformity for all to see.

It would also cost him the company of these people. For to be obedient, would show that he believed Jesus. This was dangerous, as these people were influential.

So, here is the choice: Jesus, and God’s mercy; or his normal existence, but accepted by the religious rulers.
Which would he do?
“And he stretched it forth.”
His choice was Jesus, and obedience. For it, he was healed.

But Jesus was also offering mercy to all those in the synagogue: including those Pharisees. But they refused to believe Him.

Matthew 12:14 “Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.”
Their choice was to keep the life and influence they had; not to yield to the mercy offered.
How much they lost by their choice!

Jesus talked of saving the “one sheep”, because each of us are that one sheep.
He came to save us: from the guilt of sin, the power of sin, and one day from the presence of sin.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

 

The Widow of Nain

Luke 7:11-12 “And it came to pass the day after, that he(Jesus) went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.
And when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city were with her.”

There are several things to mention concerning this miracle.
1.The man was dead. He was in a coffin (bier), going to be buried.
2.Jesus knew that he was the only son of this woman, and that she was a widow. Widows were cast off people, at this time, unless they were rich. They were dependent on their sons to care for them; take them into their homes, or provide for them. There was no government assistance. No social services, nothing but family for her to rely upon. Without this son, she would be destitute.
3.It was Jesus’ compassion that caused Him to raise her son; not her request, or the request of the many people that were with her.
4. He spoke first, to the widow, “Weep not”. A comforting command, which stressed that He would do something about her grief. Luke 7:13 “And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.”
5.Though He touched the coffin, He simply spoke to the son, to raise him from the dead. Luke 7:14-15 “And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.”
6.Jesus raised him for his mother’s sake; and returned him to his mother, when the son sat up and began to speak.

In all of this, it is not what others did:
Their names were not told.
Whether the mother spoke, or what the son said when he was raised up, is not told.

Nothing is important here, but what Jesus did, and said.

Jesus raised a son, because of his compassion for the mother.
Compassion here means tender mercy.

Jesus spoke first to the mother: a command and a comfort. “Weep not”, but believe on Me. “Weep not”, for I will restore your son.

It is Jesus’s heart that is shown here; His mercy endures forever.
And He will show it to us, as well.