When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? …we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 
Acts 2:1‭-‬16 ESV

Have you ever read something several times only to see something brand new you’d never noticed before? It’s awesome when the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to a new perspective.

The other day as I read the account of Pentecost, a passage I’ve read several times, God brought to mind an Old Testament narrative I had never connected with Pentecost before. They may not even be connected, but I did find some parallels that intrigued me enough to share here.

So what’s the Old Testament event?  The tower of Babel. I will explain more, but first read with me the account in Genesis:

Now the whole world had one language and a common speech.  As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there….they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”  But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel–because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth. (Genesis 11:1-9)

In the account of the Tower of Babel, man united for the purpose of building a tower. They all spoke the same language and worked together on the tower in order to create a name for themselves. They wanted all the glory for themselves and wanted to remain united for unrighteous purposes. Obviously, God was not pleased with this arrogance and unrighteous unity, so He came down from heaven and confused their language. The people, unable to communicate, gave up and went their separate ways.

At the time of Pentecost, the disciples were all together in Jerusalem waiting as Jesus commanded them to do. While they were together, the Holy Spirit came down in power, and those present began speaking in other tongues. When curious devout men came to see what was going on, even though their native languages were not the same, each could understand the disciples. God then used this understanding to spread His message to all nations.  Over 3000 souls came to know Jesus that day (Acts 2:41). And that was just the beginning.

So what connection did I see?

Well, when God came down to the tower of Babel, He dispersed the people by confusing their language. Yet when the Holy Spirit came down in the midst of the disciples and those who sought Him, He drew  all the people unto Himself by unifying their language for the sake of the gospel. Men meeting together to glorify themselves and make themselves like God led to confusion and dispersion. Men meeting together in one place for the purpose of waiting for and seeking God resulted in one message of salvation heard by all.  In the Old Testament, one language led to pride and to sin; in the New Testament, God used one language–the language of the Spirit–to unite and to save.   The Holy Spirit helped unify what once was torn, because the Holy Spirit transcends every nation and every tongue.

Furthermore, before Jesus, people scattered because they could not understand each other.   They went out in confusion.  Yet after Jesus, people gathered because the Holy Spirit helped them to understand. They then went out with a new understanding and a new message: one Savior sent for all people, regardless of nation or tongue.

In general, Babel scattered, but Pentecost saved.  Pentecost also demonstrated God’s ability to prevail over all, even the language barrier caused by the sin of pride.

So what does this mean for us?  In what way can this knowledge draw us nearer to Christ?  Well, it can actually draw others to Christ.  God calls each of us to  “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15).  Yet reaching every corner of a world replete with thousands of unique languages at first appears impossible.  And it is impossible…without the Holy Spirit, that is.

God sends His Spirit to dwell in each of us who choose Him; His Spriit is what unites us.  And the Holy Spirit has the power to speak to each of us in the way we will understand. Those men in Starbucks the other day whom I could not understand because they spoke Korean?  The Holy Spirit can reach them.  Those neighbors down the street who speak only Spanish? The Holy Spirit can reach them.  That grocery store clerk who has never stepped foot in church and doesn’t know the Christian lingo?  The Holy Spirit can reach her. If God can come down from heaven to scatter the unrighteous and then also come down and unite the nations, then He can certainly speak through each of us in a way that others will hear and understand.

Therefore I encourage you today to ask God to use you for His good purposes.  Gather together with other believers for the purpose of going out with the message of Christ. Whether He gives you the right “language” to reach your unsaved loved ones or the right “language” to reach the stranger you meet in the store, God can and will use a willing heart. The disciples had gathered together to obey and to seek their Savior.  And God used them to speak His truth to the masses and to begin spreading the Gospel over all the earth. So also will God use you–if you let Him.

Let God to use you today. Go into all the world knowing that the One who called you to go will equip you as well.

Jesus said to him, “If I want him to stay alive until I come [again], what is that to you? You follow Me!”
JOHN 21:22 AMP

As we begin 2017, many of us have resolved to do things a little differently.  Some of us have vowed to eat better or to exercise more.  Others have resolved to spend more time with family and friends. Many Christians have set their sights on being more diligent with their quiet time, more generous with their finances, and more forgiving of their neighbors.

All of the above are respectable and honorable resolutions.  Yet as I read John 21 the other day, God showed me a resolution that, if we were to choose it, would more than encapsulate all the above. It would also change the world.

The resolution? Follow Jesus.

Even more, follow Jesus without worrying about the differences between the path He chooses for you and the paths He chooses for those around you.

You see, after the famous, “Simon, do you love me?” exchange, Jesus also told Simon by what way he would die.  Of course, as we humans tend to do, Simon immediately asked Jesus about someone else.  He asked the infamous, “But what about him?!”

Haven’t we all asked this very same question? What about her? Why does she get blessed so immensely while I suffer? What about him? Why doesn’t he get disciplined for his hypocrisy? What about them? Why do they have multiple children while I would love just one?

 What about her? What about him? That’s not fair! Such questions and declarations plague our faith walk and take our eyes off the Lord by placing our focus on ourselves and on other people instead of where it should be: on our Savior. When we begin to compare ourselves and our circumstances with those around us, we also hinder God’s ability to work in and through us effectively. God doesn’t want us to focus on what we think He should or should not allow in the lives of others; He wants us to focus on Him–and trust He’s capable of taking care of everyone else as well.

He wants us to trust His ability to be God.

For this reason I love Jesus’response to Peter’s question: “What’s that to you?”

What’s that to you? Ouch. I sure would have loved to have seen Peter’s face at that rebuke. It probably would have looked like mine if I had been the recipient of those words from my Lord: a combination of shock, disbelief, hurt, and recognition of the harsh reality of those words.

Truly, what is it to us how Jesus chooses to work in someone else’s life?  If God chooses to allow a friend to receive a different blessing than you, then so be it.  You follow Jesus. If God allows certain struggles to come your way while others appear to skirt the storms, what’s it to you? You follow Jesus. At the end of your life, God’s not going to judge you according to how you compared with others; He is going to judge how you followed Him. No one can walk the path God has planned for you except you. And you cannot and should not desire to walk anyone else’s path but your own.

Therefore, join me in making it our desire this year to follow Jesus. Follow Jesus–just Jesus–not anyone nor anything else. Let’s fix our eyes on Him and seek Him first. God promises never to leave us nor forsake us, so we must commit to follow Him wholeheartedly, even if the way He leads us is different and more difficult than the way He leads those around us.

Let us not waste time looking to the left or the right and wondering, “What about him?” No. Rather, let us redeem the time; let us look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of the faith. Let us reach out our hands to Him as He reaches out to us declaring, “You follow Me.”.

 

“The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put Him to death, because they were afraid of the people.”
Luke 22:2

Because they were afraid of the people…  God put His heavenly highlighter on those words the other day.  Because they were afraid of the people.  I find it interesting that the reason the priests and scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death was because they were afraid of the people.  One would think they’d be afraid of Jesus.  Yet this verse doesn’t say they were afraid of Jesus; they were afraid of the people following Jesus.

Think about it. Before Jesus came, the system was set.  The religious leaders knew where they stood; the people knew where they stood.  Whether or not they agreed with the way things were, very few dared question the status quo.

Then Jesus came.

I repeat: then Jesus came. And the people not only followed Him and listened to Him but also hungered to hear Him speak.  The last verse of the previous chapter even testifies of the influence of Jesus:  “Then all the people would come early in the morning to hear Him in the temple complex” (Luke 21:38).  The people were not getting up early to listen to the religious leaders share the same old message; they were getting up early to listen to Jesus–to listen to hope.

Even more, the people kept discussing the coming kingdom of Jesus.  Sure, many were mistakenly thinking Jesus was about to usher in an earthly kingdom, not a heavenly one; but regardless, the chief priests knew the danger of such practices.  They foresaw what might happen if the people continued listening to and following Jesus.  And they didn’t like it.  They were indeed afraid of the people–and the power of a unified following.

Thus the chief priests and scribes began looking for a way to put Jesus to death before Jesus’ followers attempted to crown Him.   I’m sure they probably hoped and even prayed that by doing away with Jesus, the followers would scatter.  I’m sure they assumed without the shepherd, the sheep would flee. Yet the religious leaders were only partially correct in their thinking.  Yes, without a shepherd, the sheep do scatter.  But Jesus is not a normal shepherd.  He is I AM; He is the Good Shepherd.  And the Good Shepherd came to earth to lay down His life for His sheep (John 10:11). Killing Jesus on the earth did not end His reign; it solidified it.  By crucifying Jesus, they were actually fulfilling His ultimate plan.  For Jesus knew that in order for there to be a resurrection into eternal life, there must first be a death–the death of a Savior.

So as we say goodbye to 2016 and welcome in 2017–as we discuss what has been and look forward to what might be–I ask you, is the kingdom of darkness afraid of you? Does the ruler of this world tremble at your name?

Whether or not you can answer the above in the affirmative, I encourage you to join me in making it our resolve to follow Jesus in 2017.  Let us not look to the left or to the right, but rather, let us keep our eyes fixed on the author and finisher of our faith.

Let the enemy be afraid of us.  Let him tremble in fear as each of us chooses to faithfully follow our Lord. Our Good Shepherd may not lead us through the places we want Him to lead us; He may even lead us through the places we least desire to go. But regardless of where He leads us, we can trust that following Him will always lead to Him.  And with Him is where we want to be.

“I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected and completed into one, so that the world may know [without any doubt] that You sent Me, and [that You] have loved them, just as You have loved Me.”
John 17:22‭-‬23 AMP

What an honor to know Jesus prayed for you and for me even before we were born–and before we ever called upon His name. Knowing the above is Jesus’ prayer for me motivates me want to pay attention to what it is He asked of the Father on my behalf.  So today as I focused on the words He prayed, I noticed Jesus repeated “one”  four times within four verses. Furthermore, He specifically prayed believers would be one as God is one.

Why is this important? Well, God is a triune God–one God, yet three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Each is God, yet each has His own personality and purpose.

Not the same, but one.

Now think about this in relation to Jesus’prayer. He prayed we’d be one as He the triune God is one.  This means God doesn’t want cookie cutter Christians. He doesn’t want an army of exact replicas marching off to battle. No! He wants us to be one as He is one. We will not all be the same, but we should all be united. United in purpose. United in love. United in service to our King.

We don’t have to be the same to get along. We don’t have to be the same to work together. Honestly, it is most often those who are not the same who work best and most effectively together. It’s actually our differences which have the tremendous power to unite us. Instead of viewing differences as divisions, we must alter our attitude and see them as opportunities to build bridges and forge new paths. Are you a Presbyterian and your neighbor a Baptist?  Great!  I bet you both love Jesus and could work together to reach your community. Are you a gifted writer but your best friend is a gifted musician? Awesome!  Imagine the songs you could compose that she could perform for the world to hear. Do you hate to speak in front of large groups while your ministry partner thrives on public speaking? Praise Jesus!  While you work the small groups, your partner can take on the large. God uses His children to speak to the masses in the same we He can use the introvert to share with the few.

We may not all be the same, but we can and should be one as He is one. Why? That the world may know God sent Jesus and that Jesus loves the world (John 17:23). Being one doesn’t mean we’re the same in word and deed; it does, however, mean we’re united.  So I encourage you today to walk in love–with your neighbor, with your enemy, with the world.  Live each day knowing different does not and should not mean division. God used quite the assortment of men, even a betrayer, for His eternal purpose.  And if God can use a variety of unlikely men to accomplish His will, then we too should go forth in love and grace knowing God is in everyone who believes.  We may not all be the same, but we can and should be one.  For as one, we will change the world.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning…The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1-2, 14

Experience has taught me that oftentimes it’s within the midst of change and the unexpected that we learn what we truly hold dear. So as I’ve decorated our new home, shopped for presents, and prepared holiday meals, I’ve also been asking myself why I celebrate the holiday–what does Christmas mean to me. I’ve been asking this question in recent weeks as I’ve faced a Christmas that looks a bit different than Christmases past. I’ve wondered if the joy of Christmas would be different this year than in years past, if my love of Christmas would move with me. For if you have read any of my prior posts, then you know my family and I recently relocated. The place from which we moved I called home for about 20 years; nine of those years were at the same church, surrounded by many familiar faces. Those faces may not have been related by blood, but they were indeed family to me.

Yet as we attended the Christmas Eve service at our new church home yesterday, I found myself able to worship God in full assurance that yes, yes my love of Christmas did go with me.  In fact, I dare say my love for Christmas has deepened.  For God has taught me some amazing things about Christmas I would not have grasped within the familiarity of my comfort zone.  God has used a new place to instill in me an important truth: Christmas marks the beginning of God’s perfect plan–a plan foretold yet unforeseen.

As my pastor stated at our Christmas Eve service, the birth was just the beginning. Think about that for a moment.  The birth of Jesus  was just the beginning–the catalyst that set into the motion the final stages of God’s eternal plan.  Jesus’ birth was the beginning of the next chapter of God’s eternal plan of salvation for His children. Before the foundation of the world, God knew we’d sin; He knew we’d need a Savior.  And He knew He’d send His son.  The cries of that baby Jesus, which I’m sure reverberated throughout that barn, signaled the arrival of God’s promised Savior. Nevertheless, the birth of Jesus alone didn’t save us.  It was the beginning. It took 3o years of righteous living, 3 years of dedicated ministry, and the selfless sacrifice on the cross to fulfill the purpose for which Jesus was sent. In other words, Christmas is not just a celebration of a birth; it’s the celebration of salvation’s plan coming to pass.

Furthermore, in addition to His birth being just the beginning, Jesus’s birth as well as His ministry were foretold yet unforeseen.  Jesus was not the Savior people thought He’d be. Yes, His parents knew Jesus was destined for great things; after all, the angels told them such.  Yet even though God foretold them of Jesus’ mission, the details of that mission unfolded in a way unexpected and unanticipated. Jesus was not of noble birth; He was actually born in a barn.  He didn’t one day grow up to physically overthrow the government and reign on an earthly throne.  He grew up to be despised and rejected and to die a death He did not deserve. From before He was born, Jesus was destined to die. And as God’s perfect plan unfolded, it appeared to man as an awkward way to save the world. Jesus our Emmanuel was foretold, yet not foreseen.

So how does this deepen my love of Christmas?  One word:  hope.

Christmas brings hope. Hope that regardless of where I am and what I may be going through, God has a plan. Remember that job way back when that I could not get back?  I see now the necessity of me being without commitments at that moment in my life.  What I thought devastating was indeed necessary.  Saying goodbye to the church family I knew so well?  I see now how God has strengthened my relationship with Him while  also expanding the number of people in my life who will encourage me to draw closer to Jesus.  I’ve been able to maintain a few relationships while forming new ones.  I see now how the same God who began His plan of salvation with a baby in a manger also works within every detail of my life, even the seemingly yucky ones.

Christmas is not about where we live.  It does not depend on the church we attend, the friends we have nearby, the parties we host, or the number of presents under the tree. Christmas goes much deeper.

Christmas is hope. Yes, hope. Christmas is God working out all things.  It is God fulfilling His promise through a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a  manger. Christmas is knowing that even though we may not understand what is going on, God knows.

So when you look at the Nativity this year, I encourage you to look at it through eyes of hope. Hope and faith knowing God hears your prayers. And He’s answering them. Sometimes He answers right away and gloriously obvious. Other times He answers in an unlikely way over a span of several days, several months, or several years. Sometimes he will answer in eternity. Nevertheless, regardless of how He answers, we can know with certainty God hears,  God sees, and God moves.  So go forth today and everyday knowing “that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

 

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:21

In the moments before communion a few weeks ago, our youth pastor shared the image of two opposing groups of protesters, one on each side of the road.  At one point, while the groups shouted across the divide at each other, one person from each side actually took action; the two protestors met in the middle to talk.  And even more incredible, they reconciled. This reconciliation at first shocked the other protestors, but in the end it led to everyone from both sides meeting in the middle. What began as an ugly battle of beliefs became a beautiful picture of peace–all because two people chose to take that first step to peace and compromise.

At first one might think this a beautiful picture of what Christ did for us. Two opposing sides meeting in the middle to work things out.  But, as our youth leader pointed out, it’s not.  It’s not even close. Compromise is defined as “a settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions” (Oxford definition).  Yes, compromise is crucial to successful interpersonal relationships on this earth.  After all, we are human, and we are imperfect.  Therefore compromise is essential when imperfection dwells alongside imperfection.

Nevertheless, although such compromise is desirable within the earthly realm, it does not accurately portray the spiritual.  Our relationship with God is not one of imperfection working alongside imperfection; it’s one of imperfection opposing perfection. Furthermore, it is a holy God actually desiring a relationship with an unholy people.  Yes, a holy, perfect God longs to fellowship with the very creation who rejected Him. Of course, even though God longs to fellowship with people, perfection cannot dwell with imperfection…unless, of course, the imperfection is perfected–a feat only possible through sacrifice, the perfect sacrifice.

And this is where salvation comes in.  Salvation is not a compromise; it’s the solution.  Salvation is God’s answer to sin.  God didn’t meet us halfway with salvation. God didn’t require we follow a 12-step plan to right standing with Him. God did it all. God didn’t just go to the middle in hopes we’d concede. No. “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).  While yet sinners. This means while we weren’t even looking for a compromise, while we were still protesting, God sent Jesus to pay the price for our sins.  He didn’t just meet us in the middle; he came over to our side and paid our debt.

No compromise.

Just sacrifice.

Wow.  Humbling, isn’t? God didn’t compromise His character so we could be saved. He sacrificed His Son. God didn’t concede to allowing sinful man into His presence. He sent His Son to cover us in His righteousness.  Jesus is not a compromise; He’s the answer. We did nothing to earn or to deserve salvation.   All we have to do is accept it.

So take some time today–take time every day–to thank our Lord for the good things He has done.  Thank Him for sending Jesus to die for our sins.  Thank Him for loving us enough to bridge the gap between imperfection and perfection. Be grateful knowing it is “…by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).

I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father….
John 14:30‭-‬31

“Hey!  That’s mine!”

Ever heard that before? Ever said it? Probably. After all, from a very young age we as humans love to lay claim to things. Whether we’re like the seagulls in Finding Nemo repeatedly crying out “Mine! Mine!” at the very sight of something appealing or like a child proclaiming, “I had it first!” when someone wants to play with his toy, we all know the feeling of wanting something to be ours.

Well, in the passage above, Jesus touches on the idea of claiming.  Yet instead of declaring what is His, Jesus reminds His disciples whose He is.  In His parting words to His disciples, as the day of His arrest loomed closer, Jesus wanted His disciples to remember He came from Heaven–and He belonged to Heaven.  No one could claim Jesus unless Jesus allowed them to do so.

And He didn’t.

Jesus knew He was God’s, so He did not let anyone else take that from Him, especially not the devil. Jesus did not die because He submitted to the devil; He died because He surrendered to the will of His Father.  He was not overcome; He overcame. Even from the beginning, it was Jesus’ choice to follow His Father’s plan.  It was Jesus who chose His betrayer Judas to be a disciple.  It was Jesus who chose to allow the guards to arrest Him. It was Jesus who chose to keep silent and to lay down His life for mankind.

It was Jesus who chose to save us.

Do you see the key phrase? It was Jesus’ choice.  The ruler of the world had no claim on Jesus. It was Jesus’ choice to follow His Father’s command at any cost. He could have chosen another disciple. He could have chosen to assert His true authority by calling down the angels to smite the Romans. He could have removed Himself from the cross at any time. But He didn’t. He did the will of the Father. He denied that fleshly pride that plagues us all– that desire to be vindicated, to appear righteous, to be understood, to declare what’s ours. Jesus chose to appear sinful that we might be saved.

How could He do this?  Why did He do this?  Because Jesus knew full well whose He was.  And it is because He knew full well whose He was that He was able to fulfill the purpose for which He was sent.

And so I encourage you today to remember something very important:  you are God’s child.  You are His.  God claims you. Therefore do not to let Satan convince you otherwise. The devil has no claim on you, so don’t give him any. Do not allow anyone else to claim you but God. Choose this day–choose every day—to serve your Savior. Walk with a confidence rooted in knowing God is your Father, and no one else can claim you but Him.

But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
Isaiah 43:1

After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night. (John 13:21-30)

Judas Iscariot.   From the beginning he is introduced to us as the one who would betray Jesus.  In fact, in all four gospels, Judas is actually named as the betrayer at the same time he is named as the disciple (Matthew 10:4, Mark 3:19, Luke 6:16, and John 6:71).  Talk about taking the guesswork out of who was going to betray our Lord!

Wouldn’t it be lovely if everyone we met came with such disclaimers? “Hi, I’m Sarah; I will share whatever secret you tell me with anyone else who will listen.” “Hi, I’m Jared. I’m going to act like I care about you until I get what I want. Then I’ll leave you.” Or, “Hi, I’m Susan. You can trust me. I’ll be your friend from this day forward. I will never betray you.” I’m sure such knowledge and foresight would greatly impact our relationship decisions.  Unfortunately, however, reality doesn’t come with disclaimers.  Only God knows the heart of every man.

We must remember this fact–God alone knows the heart of every man–as we read the above passage in John. For even though we as New Testament believers blessed with God’s Word are able to know the true Judas Iscariot from the beginning, at the time of the betrayal, Judas was not the obvious choice.   His betrayal was actually a surprise to the other disciples. In the above passage, upon hearing Jesus share that one of those with Him would betray Him, the disciples did not instantly say, “Oh, it’s got to be that Judas Iscariot.  He’s a filthy, rotten scoundrel who constantly steals from the moneybag already.”  No.  They began questioning who they thought it could be.  Peter even motioned to John to try to get the inside scoop from Jesus.  Even the dipping of the bread didn’t clue the disciples in that Judas was “the one.” Some of them actually assumed Judas was leaving to give money to the poor, not sell out the Savior!

The only one who knew Judas would betray Jesus was Jesus Himself.  Why? Because Judas was a well-wrapped present–a fine-looking disciple–yet his heart was trash, tainted, filthy, and full of sin.   And the only One who could smell the stench of sin within Judas was God.  Judas was like the scribes and Pharisees whom Jesus rebuked by declaring, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness” (Matthew 23:27).

Judas was outwardly righteous, but inwardly wretched. And it was only a matter of time before the inner filth broke through the outer façade.

The key word here I want to focus on is façade.  We as humans tend to stop short with what we see.  If it looks good on the outside, then we assume it is good on the inside.  If the person appears righteous, then we assume she’s righteous.  I recently read a Facebook post that suggested wrapping trash to look like Christmas presents and then leaving the false presents in an unlocked car. Such trickery would give robbers something unexpected and quite deserving.  Imagine their surprise and disgust when they realize the “beautiful” items they thought they had successfully purloined were in reality and quite literally waste.  Kind of funny at first when you think about it, but as I pondered such a bold prank, God reminded me of the not-s0-funny spiritual prank we tend to play with those around us. Yes, we as individuals tend to either take part in such shenanigans or find ourselves on the receiving end of such deception.

In what way?

Well, no, I have never opened a gift to discover stinky, nasty garbage (nor given someone such a monstrosity), but I have discovered people whose neatly polished exterior masked a filthy heart.  I’ve welcomed them into my life only to be left with the stench of sin as the wrapping came off.   Or I myself at various points in my life have actually presented myself with ribbons and bows when indeed there was nothing but emptiness and filth within. Even the disciples learned the hard way as they witnessed their fellow disciple Judas lead the soldiers to the Garden of Gethsemane, that what we see with our eyes may merely be garbage wrapped in shiny paper.

Time and time again God reminds us that what’s inside is far more important than what’s outside. In Luke 6:45 He reminds us it is out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  It’s not what is outside that makes us clean; it is what is inside (Mark 7:14). Actually, what’s within–good or bad–will always eventually reveal itself without. A trash can may be new and clean, but once it’s filled with rancid, rotting rubbish, the stench of what is in it overshadows the cleanliness of what is outside it.

In the same way Judas’ heart was dirty long before he chose to betray Jesus, what is within will always overshadow what is without.

Now I wish I could insert here a step-by-step guide on how to avoid being deceived by imposters, but I can’t.  No one knows the heart of man except God. The disciples didn’t know one of their own would turn against them.  And we as mere mortals do not have the ability to gauge the hearts of everyone we meet either.

The one heart we can gauge, however, is our own.

And this is what I’m going to ask you to do today.

No, you are not perfect.  No one is.  We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).  So do not deceive yourself by thinking you have to be perfect.  But I do encourage you to be true to yourself, true to others, and most importantly, true to God.  Judas had an unclean heart bent toward selfishness.  Yet he presented himself as a lover of Christ.   He may have fooled man, but he never fooled God.

None of us can–not even you.

So I ask you this question: what is your heart like?

Does what is within match what is currently without?  If someone were to “unwrap” you, would they find treasure or trash?  riches or rubbish?  We must remember no amount of paper, ribbon, and bows will ever fully mask the odor of unrighteousness.  Any stocking–even a fancy one–is still capable of holding coal.

So when you look within, what do you see?

If what you see is sin, then repent.  Turn from your wicked ways and seek your Savior.  Allow Him to cleanse you from within.  As you do–as you seek Him first with all your heart–you’ll soon see the stench of sin replaced with the aroma of righteousness.   You’ll soon see that what is outside accurately reflects what is within.  You’ll soon see the words of 1 Peter come alive in your life:  your adornment won’t be merely outward–rather it will be “the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” (1 Peter 3:4)

Finally, I leave you with this. It wasn’t the stable that made the Savior special; it was the Savior that made the stable shine.  We don’t celebrate the Nativity because of the barn’s beauty; we celebrate the Nativity because the Savior was in it.  Don’t spend your time adorning your appearance; fill your heart with Jesus. It is then you’ll see the true beauty of the Savior shining through.

Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom He had raised from the dead. ² So they gave a supper for Him there. Martha was serving, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. (John 12:1-2)

The anointing at Bethany.  If I mentioned this event to you, you’d instantly recall the moment Mary took the fragrant oil, poured it over Jesus’ feet, and then wiped his feet with her hair.  It was a beautiful moment of submission, humility, and service.  And when Judas complained about the “waste” of such an expensive perfume, Jesus rebuked Judas while praising and verbally honoring Mary.

Yet as I read this passage in John the other day, my eyes were drawn to another act of submission, humility, and service I’ve always overlooked.  It is an outward expression of an inward transformation; and it’s found in three words: “Martha was serving.”

Martha was serving… what a testimony to what God can do! In the many times I’ve read this passage, I’ve missed the significance of the clause “Martha was serving.”

Do you get the significance? To fully understand it, we must look back to the first time Mary and Martha were mentioned.  Read it with me:

“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her. ‘”(Luke 10:38-42)

The situations appear quite similar.  Jesus is visiting; Martha and Mary are hosting.  Mary is at the feet of Jesus; Martha is busy getting things ready.

Yet there’s a big difference between the two passages; it is found in the hearts of the two women. Mary from the beginning loved to be at Jesus’ feet. She wasn’t distracted; she was focused. Serving didn’t distract her in the beginning, and the cost of the perfume didn’t distract her near the end. Even after the death of Lazarus, Mary didn’t leave the home; nothing could distract her from mourning for her brother–until, of course, Jesus came back. And then she ran to Him and again fell at His feet.

Martha, on the other hand, began her journey with Jesus distracted. She may have been called to serve–she may have been a doer by nature–but she allowed the actual call of God to get her eyes off God. It is why she initially complained to Jesus. She was “distracted by much serving” and “anxious and troubled about many things.” Yet I do not believe serving was ever Martha’s problem; we need to serve. I believe being distracted by the serving was her problem.

Think about it. When we are distracted by something, our focus has been redirected from what it should be to something less relevant or completely unrelated. In the case of Martha, Martha was distracted by her serving. She was focused on the service, the busyness, and making sure everything was okay; she was not focused on her Savior.

In the beginning, Martha missed the point of serving; she was distracted by it.

Yet then we fast forward to the book of John. By this time, Jesus has raised Lazarus from the dead. He has demonstrated His power and love and faithfulness time and time again. Both Mary and Martha now trust Him wholeheartedly.  And this change of heart becomes apparent when Jesus again visits Mary and Martha. Mary does what Mary is called to do: she places herself at the feet of Jesus and proceeds to anoint Him.

But Martha?  How does she demonstrate her love of Jesus? Does she also sit at Jesus’ feet?  No. That’s Mary’s calling–not Martha’s.  Martha serves.

She serves!

Martha didn’t give up serving when she met Jesus; she just ceased being distracted by it. She no longer complained. She no longer stormed about all huffy. She just served. She simply served her Savior.

That, my friend, is powerful to me.  Martha did not quit doing what she was called to do; she just began doing it with the right heart.  God had transformed Martha from an anxious, busy, distracted doer to a focused, devoted, servant of our Savior.

And if He can change Martha, He can change anyone.

So what has God called you to do?  Are you a writer?  A teacher?  An encourager?  A musician? Whatever it is God has called you to and equipped you for, I encourage you to walk in it. However, do not be like the Martha who was distracted by her service; rather, be like the Martha who just served.  Be like the Martha who humbly walked out her calling with her eyes firmly fixed on her Savior.  Keep pressing on in what God has called you to do.  Don’t allow the things of the world or the calling itself to distract you from the plan God has for you.  Be like the Mary and Martha of the book of John. Serve your Savior in whatever capacity He has called you. Whether that is sitting at His feet or serving in the kitchen, you can be sure God sees you–and He sees your heart. And whatever God sees in secret, He will surely reward in the open–if not in this age, then definitely in the one to come.

Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days.  And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”
John 4:39-42

It is no longer because of what you said…for we have heard for ourselves.  As I’ve been reading through John, I’ve been noticing an important aspect of evangelism:

Sharing Jesus with others is not just telling others about Jesus; it is introducing them to Him. 

There is a difference between telling and introducing.  I can tell you the facts about a famous person without ever having met that person.  I can tell you the accomplishments of a renowned athlete without ever having met that athlete.  Yet when I introduce a friend, a coworker, or a relative–someone I have met and with whom I have had fellowship–I can do more than merely tell facts; I can share a relationship.

In the same way, true evangelism shares more than a name; it shares a personal relationship.  When we share Jesus with others, we want to go beyond sharing His Name (although that indeed is powerful in itself); we also must share what we know, what we’ve experienced, and what we’ve seen with our own eyes.  We want to share the living, breathing God of the Bible–a God who is still active and an intimate part of our lives today as much as He was in the days the Bible was written.

In the above story, the Samaritan woman, after having a one-on-one encounter with Jesus, in which He told her all that she ever did (John 4:39), in turn went back to her people and shared what God had done in her life.  She believed, and she shared the experience of that belief; she shared her personal testimony.

Her testimony alone didn’t save the others; but it did intrigue them.  They wanted to see for themselves this one who appeared to be the Savior of the world.  Remember, the woman was very specific in using the exact terminology the Samaritans would understand.  Before she realized who Jesus was, the woman had described the Messiah as one who would tell them all things (John 4:25).   So when she described Jesus as One who told her all the she had ever done, she in essence declared she had personally met the Messiah.  They believed her and her testimony, which was awesome in itself, but more importantly than just believing what she said, they sought Jesus for themselves.  They wanted to know Jesus like the woman knew Jesus.

The Samaritan woman shared. The people began to seek.

And when they sought the Savior, they found the Savior.  They were able to joyfully proclaim to the Samaritan woman, “It is no longer because of what you said…for we have heard for ourselves.”

What the Samaritan woman believed with all her heart, she shared with those around her.  She shared her relationship.  She introduced others to the Jesus she knew.  In essence, her personal experience was a powerful testimony.

In the same way, we have to live our belief in order to share it in way that makes others seek to catch it.  When it comes from the heart, people will believe; they will seek.  They will begin searching for themselves.  And when they then seek what they see in you, they will not just believe because you believe; they will believe because they see for themselves that what you have declared is indeed true.

Therefore I encourage you today, my friend, to introduce Jesus to those around you.  Don’t just tell the facts; share the experience.   Joyfully proclaim to those God has placed within your reach all that Jesus has done and continues to do in, through, and for you.  Remind them that what He has done for you, He will do for them as well.

Share your testimony.  Share your experience.  Share the Jesus you know.

And as you do, you’ll soon find that others will want to know Him as well.  You’ll soon hear those around you joyfully proclaiming, “It is no longer because of what you said…for we have heard for ourselves.”