No Excuses

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: John 15:18-27

 

John 15:22

If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.

(NKJV)

 

I want to begin this post by asking everyone to pray for the safety of our schools and universities. As a professor at a university, my purpose is to provide students with an education. The students are there to receive an education, with the staff and administration there to support the students and professors in this endeavor. Unfortunately, hatred in our society has made schools and universities a target for violence, which can be a distraction for everyone involved in the educational process. So please pray that God will place a hedge of protection around our schools (Psalm 91:11).

 

The world hated Jesus so much that they put Him on a cross. Knowing this would happen to Him, Jesus told us that the world hated Him before it hated us (John 15:18). If we were of the world and its beliefs, the world would love us as one of its own but since we have been called out of the world by Jesus, it hates us with the same hatred it hated Jesus (John 15:19). Jesus told us a servant is not greater than his master so as servants of Christ, we should not expect to escape persecution because Jesus did not (John 15:20). The source of this hatred and persecution is a lack of knowing God in the world. (John 15:21). However, anyone who has heard the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels, including that he came and died for their sins and resurrected from the dead in the conquest of sin and death, has an excuse (John 15:22).

 

Anyone who hates Jesus also hates God who sent Him (John 15:23). Jesus not only came declaring truth but also did works unlike anyone else, demonstrating he was unlike any man who ever existed yet some hated both Him and His Father (John 15:24). The hatred of Jesus was hatred without a cause, not unlike that experienced by David (John 15:25; Psalm 69:4). To help His disciples through this hatred and persecution, Jesus and the Father has provided a Helper, the Holy Spirit to testify of Jesus (John 15:26). Since the Disciples were with Jesus from the beginning of His ministry, they bore witness of what they had seen, empowered by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; John 15:27). This is the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead and empowers us to be witnesses because of what we read in the Word of God even though we were not born when Jesus walked the earth (Romans 8:11).

 

Hatred and persecution of those choosing to follow Jesus has as its root, hatred of God and His Son, Jesus. How quickly the tide of opinion regarding Jesus turned from praise to calls for His crucifixion (Luke 23:18-23; Matthew 21:1-11). Jesus represented a stumbling block to the religious leaders of His time as well as to those living under oppression from the Roman authorities.

 

·         Threat to the religious leaders – Jesus, a man from lowly Galilee, has come upon the scene, performing miracles and drawing a multitude to Him. However, when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the religious leaders began to plot his death along with the death of Lazarus (John 12:9-11). The religious leaders also knew his teachings were aimed at them and their hypocrisy (Matthew 26:1-5).

·         Disappointment for the oppressed – Many in the crowd waving palm branches during the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem may have expected Jesus would march in and depose their Roman oppressors. However, Jesus marched into the Temple and overturned the tables of the money changers who had turned the Father's house of worship into a den of thieves (Matthew 21:12-17). Jesus did not fulfill their expectations.

 

Deciding to follow Jesus does not mean a life of ease and freedom from trouble (John 16:33). It also does not guarantee everyone will love us. Unfortunately, out of fear of losing members and their contributions, some churches teach a gospel that promises those following Jesus will have all of their needs met and loved by many (Matthew 6:33). Taken out of context one could interpret this verse to mean a believer in Christ can expect to have all they want, but the contest is one having their needs met not everything they want (Matthew 6:25-34). Ask those who believe in Christ in countries where it is illegal and punishable by time in prison or death if following Christ is easy with everyone loving them, and you will find the truth. Following Jesus requires commitment and taking up the cross, risking rejection and hatred. Philippians 4:19 does promise that God will supply all our needs. but Paul did not write this as one living a materially prosperous life, but as one in prison for his belief, experiencing God’s miraculous provision. We must ask ourselves if we are committed to Jesus even if it could cost us everything. Deciding to follow Jesus does not mean a life of ease and freedom from trouble (John 16:33). It also does not guarantee everyone will love us, possibly costing everything we have, or even our lives.

 

Jesus has come to humanity and shared the truth with us. He told us He is the way, the truth, and the life, the only path to reconciliation to God (John 14:6). Jesus also told us anyone believing in God’s Son, Jesus, would have eternal life (John 3:16). Anyone reading this who has heard these truths that came from the mouth of Jesus has no excuse. Therefore, I want to invite anyone reading this who has not prayed to accept Jesus as their Savior to pray with me now from a heart committed to following Jesus, no matter what it may cost.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God convict, challenge, and encourage everyone reading this post. 

Joy of Salvation and the Suffering Messiah

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 21-22

 

Isaiah 53:5

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

(NKJV)

 

It can be difficult to find joy in our world with headlines filled with hatred and even horrific news. Recently, there was a stabbing at a high school close to where I live, a high school that I attended for a couple of years. The thought of a young person committing such a heinous crime brings no joy and serves to challenge the Church to have a sense of urgency in proclaiming salvation through Jesus Christ. In Psalm 21-22, David praises God for His salvation and then gives us a prophetic picture of the price paid for that salvation.

 

David found joy and strength in the Lord and rejoiced because the Lord gave him his heart’s desires and withheld no request (Psalm 21:1-2). David found his foundational stability in the Lord and, through God’s mercy, refused to be moved (Psalm 21:3-7). David knew the hand of the Lord would find His enemies and those hating the Lord (Psalm 21:8). The Lord will make His enemies like a fiery oven and swallow them up in the fire of His wrath (Psalm 21:9). Even their offspring will be destroyed because they plotted evil that they were unable to perform (Psalm 21:10-11). David knows the Lord will destroy His enemies and exalts the strength of the Lord, singing His praises (Psalm 21:12-13).

 

In Psalm 22, David provides a prophetic picture of the price the Lord paid for our salvation. The psalm begins with the same words uttered by Jesus from the cross, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” The psalm continues with the psalmist asking why God is so far from him and from the words of his groaning (Psalm 22:1). The psalmist cries out day and night but the Lord does not hear (Psalm 22:2). However, the psalmist still knows the Lord is holy and has not lost his trust in the Lord, remembering the trust of the fathers of Israel (Psalm 22:3-5).

 

The psalmist is broken and sees himself as a worm and a reproach of men who ridicule him and his trust in God (Psalm 22:6-8). The psalmist reminds God that it was Him who took him from the womb with God his God since birth, asking God not to be far from him now (Psalm 22:9-11). He then shares his wretched state with God, a condition not unlike that suffered by Jesus on the cross (Psalm 22:12-18). He then asks the Lord to be near to him and to be his strength to deliver and save him, acknowledging that the Lord has answered him (Psalm 22:19-21). Because the Lord has answered him, he will declare the Lord’s name to his brethren and praise the Lord in the middle of the assembly (Psalm 22:22).

 

The psalmist calls on those fearing the Lord to praise Him, for the descendants of Jacob, Israel, to glorify the Lord, and for all Israel to fear the Lord, for the Lord has heard the cries of the afflicted (Psalm 22:23-24). The psalmist’s praise shall be to the Lord in the great assembly, with him paying his vows before those who fear the Lord. He knows the poor shall eat and be satisfied with those who seek the Lord will praise Him (Psalm 22:25-26). All of the world shall turn to the Lord and praise Him (Psalm 22:27-29). What the Lord has done will be passed on to the next generation so they will know what the Lord has done (Psalm 22:30-31).

 

There is joy in the salvation of the Lord, with us exalted in the strength of the Lord. David could find joy in the salvation of the Lord as he saw the Lord deliver him from the many enemies that were against him. This is the theme of Psalm 21, with Psalm 22 providing a picture of the suffering Messiah on the cross. Jesus said the first part of the psalm when on the cross (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34). Since people in the time of Christ did not have access to the written word of God like we do today, they would memorize entire portions of scripture, including this one. When they heard Jesus say these words, they would have been able to recite the rest of the Psalm and could have realized that the events foretold in this passage were unfolding right before their eyes. We can also interpret this passage as David not talking about himself since the pronouns are capitalized, an indication in scripture that the person referred to is God. The passage does not end in sadness but says that what the Lord has done will be told to the next generation, which includes each of us (Psalm 22:30-31).

 

Jesus died on the cross for the sins of anyone choosing to make Him their Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9-10). Jesus suffered a gruesome death on a cross that is recorded in Matthew 27:32-56. This account mirrors the imagery provided in Psalm 22, and why many believe this psalm is a prophecy of the Messiah suffering for the sins of humanity. The mission of the Church is quite simple: to take the message of God coming to us in the person of Jesus and dying for our sins, with eternal life possible for those who believe (John 3:16; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). Unfortunately, many churches today have strayed from their God given mission, with us having three types of churches today,

 

• The trembling Church that is afraid to talk about the need for the Savior to forgive their sins, afraid of offending someone by mentioning they are sinners (Romans 3:23)
• The traitor Church that has turned into a social club or a political organization standing for social justice, usually supporting a woke culture.
• Truth Churches or Churches remaining true to teaching the Word of God and carrying on the mission of the Church given to it by Jesus.

 

We need more truth Churches today who are not afraid to preach the truth of God’s word and remain true to its teachings and the mission of the Church. If you are reading this and have never prayed to make Jesus your personal savior or have drifted away from the Lord, I invite you to pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God convict, challenge, and encourage everyone reading this post. 

Love and Joy Perfected in the True Vine

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: John 15:1-17

 

John 15:1-2

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. ² Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He ^[a]takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”

(NKJV)

 

Jesus uses the image of a grapevine with His disciples as an illustration of how they are to live once he goes to His Father. This is an illustration they would have been familiar with, seeing vineyards all around them. The fruit of the grapevine is on the branches, with the branches receiving their nourishment from the vine. If the vine is a good vine providing nourishment, the branches will bear much fruit, but if the vine is not good and provides little nourishment, the branches will not bear much fruit. Jesus wants His Church to remain connected to the nourishing words of the truth from the word of God so the Church can be fruitful.

 

Jesus begins this teaching by saying He is the true vine with His Father the vinedresser (John 15:1). The vine dresser takes away any branch that does not bear fruit and prunes those that bear fruit, so they can bear more fruit (John 15:2). Jesus declares the disciples with whom he speaks as clean because Jesus has spoken to them with instructions to abide in Him so they can bear fruit (John 15:3-4).

 

Jesus is the true vine with us the branches, with those abiding in Jesus the ones that bear fruit with those not abiding in Christ unfruitful because they are apart from the true vine, Jesus Christ, and can do nothing (John 15:5). God the Father, the vinedresser will cast out the branches not abiding in Christ since they are unfruitful (John 15:6). Those abiding in Christ, having His words abiding in them will ask whatever they desire, and it shall be done for them with the Father glorified because they bear fruit and are Jesus’ disciples (John 15:7-8).

 

Jesus loves his disciples just as the Father loves them so we must abide in the Love of Jesus (John 15:9). To abide in the love of Christ we must keep His commandments just like Jesus keeps the commandments of His Father (John 15:10). The reason for Jesus saying these things is so His joy may remain in us and be full (John 15:11). Jesus’ commandment to his disciples is that they love one another just like He has loved us, demonstrating the greatest love one can express, the giving of His life for us (John 15:12-13). Those that keep Jesus’ commandments are His friends (John 15:14). Jesus’ disciples are not servants unaware of what the master is doing, but friends to whom He has revealed what the Father has made known to Him (John 15:15). We did not choose Jesus, but He chose and appointed us so we can bear fruit that remains with whatever we ask of the Father in Jesus’ name given to us (John 15:16). Jesus concludes with another reminder to love one another (John 15:17).

 

The disciples have spent three and a half years with Jesus, who is about to be crucified. He is then going to ascend to the Father and wants His disciples to continue in His words and to love one another. Jesus probably recalls the time when the disciples bickered among themselves over which of them would be the greatest (Mark 9:33-37). In response to this dispute, Jesus teaches them that the greatest is the one who is the servant of all. However, Jesus does not call His disciples servants but friends, friends he loves so much he would lay down His life for them (John 15:13-15). Christ commands that His disciples love each other with the same love He shows to us, His friends.

 

Jesus' words to His disciples apply to the Church today, but the Church is failing miserably in obedience to Jesus’ command to love one another. Throughout church history, there have been divisions or schisms, often over nonessential doctrines, leading to many different denominations that compete instead of having love for one another. This projects an image of competitiveness and even hatred for the world, which does not differ from what they see in the world. Why would one want to come to Christ and be part of a church that is competitive and filled with hate when they can just remain in the competitive and hate-filled world they are in?

 

Jesus taught that the world would know we are followers of Christ by our love for one another (John 13:35). There is no need for churches of differing denominations to compete over people or contributions because Jesus said if the Church lifts Him up, He will draw all men to him (John 12:32). The Church must lift up Christ who loved us so much, He died for us and stop being in competition with each other over nonessential matters.

 

I now want to invite anyone reading this who has not prayed to accept Jesus as his or her savior to pray with me now. I understand this may involve putting past hurts from those in the Church who are competitive or even hateful because Jesus does not condone such behavior and loves you so much, he died for you.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God convict, challenge, and encourage everyone reading this post. 

Perfect Revelation and Assurance of God’s Saving Work

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 19-20

 

Psalm 20:7

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

(NKJV)

 

We live in a self-centered world of chaos. In the political world, everyone has the answer, but the more they implement their programs, the worse things seem to get. If any character in the Bible had chaos in his life, it would be David, who started with battling Goliath and then King Saul, who wanted him dead. Not to mention the Philistines and other enemies of David. Yet, as we will see in Psalm 19-20, he found peace experiencing God’s perfect revelation and salvation.

 

The perfect revelation of God is seen in the heavens, which declare the glory of God and show His handiwork (Psalm 19:1). The heavens speak day by day of the glory of God, revealing knowledge night after night, in all languages so that all can understand (Psalm 19:2-3). This heavenly declaration of the glory of God has gone out through all the earth to the end of the world (Psalm 19:4). The sun rises like a bridegroom coming from his chamber or a strong man running a race with nothing hidden from its heat (Psalm 19:5-6).

 

The Law, testimony, statutes, commandments, fear of the Lord, and judgments of the Lord are part of His perfect revelation (Psalm 19:7-9). These things are to be desired more than fine gold and are sweeter than honey from the honeycomb (Psalm 19:10). They serve as warnings to God’s servants with keeping them resulting in a great reward (Psalm 19:11). David continues by repenting of his errors he does not understand or those done in secret (Psalm 19:12). David prays that presumptuous sins would not have dominion over him so he can be blameless with his heart’s desire to be acceptable in God’s sight for his Lord and Redeemer (Psalm 19:13-14).

 

David also has assurance of God’s saving work (Psalm 20). The psalm begins with David asking the Lord to answer him in his day of trouble, to defend him, and send help from the sanctuary and strength out of Zion (Psalm 20:1-2). He also asks for the Lord to remember our offerings and burnt sacrifices (Psalm 20:3). He continues by asking that the Lord grant our hearts desires and fulfill all our purposes (Psalm 20:4). We will rejoice in the Lord’s salvation and in the name of our God set up our banners, asking that the Lord fulfill all our petitions (Psalm 20:5).

 

Now David knows the Lord saves His anointed, answering him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand (Psalm 20:6). While some kings trust in chariots and horses, David remembers the name of the Lord (Psalm 20:7). Those trusting in the strength of their chariots and horses are bowed down and fallen with those trusting in the Lord risen and standing upright (Psalm 20:8). David concludes by saying “save Lord” and asking for the King to answer when we call (Psalm 20:9).

 

God’s miraculous revelation and redemption of David from his enemies are the inspiration for many of the Psalms. These Psalms are a raw emotional offering of praise for God’s deliverance in times of trouble and are there to help and encourage us today. Not only did David find deliverance from the Lord for his physical enemies, but he also knew the need to repent and return to God when guilty of sin (Psalm 51; 2 Samuel 12:1-15). It is this eagerness to turn to God in both physical and spiritual danger that caused David to be referred to as a man after God’s own heart and not his perfection (Acts 13:22). May all of us have a heart like David’s and turn to God for salvation.

 

In a world of chaos that does not make sense, it is good to have assurance in God, who is perfect and there to save us. Jesus warned us that we will have trouble in this world and also reminds us He overcame the world by his conquest of death and resurrection from the grave (John 16:33). Unfortunately, many in our world today are like the people Paul referred to in Romans 1:18-32, placing their faith in created things and not the creator. This has led to men having a debased mind not based in the truth of God’s Word, leading to vile sins.

 

In our world today, this has led to the acceptance of a woke culture, even in the Church. This culture condones abortion on demand for convenience, homosexuality and gay marriage, the belief that God can make a mistake in the gender one is born with, and critical race theory, pitting one race against another. I pray for revival to come to the hearts of believers as they repent and return to the truth of God’s Word and experience a renewal of the Holy Spirit in their lives. When this revival occurs in our hearts, it will become contagious as the light of God shines forth from our lives.

 

If you are reading this and have never prayed to make Jesus your personal savior or have drifted away from the Lord, I invite you to pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God convict, challenge, and encourage everyone reading this post. 

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: John 14:15-31

 

John 14:26-27

But the ^[d]Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. ²⁷ Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

(NKJV)

 

The news of one leaving us is sad and can bring anxiety. This was especially true for the disciples who had placed their faith in Jesus as the Messiah, only to hear Him say he was leaving. The words of this text are words Jesus gave to His disciples to comfort them during a time of great anxiety, with these words continuing to bring comfort to those placing their faith in Jesus as their Savior today. The Church has a simple yet challenging mission to share this message with the world, but how effectively is it doing?

 

The text begins with Jesus telling His disciples that if they love Him, they will keep His commandments (John 14:15). Jesus will pray for the Father to send them another helper who will be with them forever (John 14:16). This helper is the Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit which the world cannot receive because it does not see Him or know Him. The disciples know this helper and He is with them in Jesus, and after Jesus departs will be in them (John 14:17). Jesus promises not to leave the disciples as orphans but assures them he will return (John 14:18).

 

Jesus will only be with them a little while longer with the world seeing Him no more, but the disciples will see Him because he will resurrect from the grave and live, so they will also live (John 14:19). When they see the resurrected Lord they will know Jesus is in His Father, with the disciples in Him and Jesus in the disciples (John 14:20). Those keeping Jesus’ commandments are those loving Him with them loved by the Father with Jesus loving them and manifesting Himself to them (John 14:21). Judas, not Iscariot, asks the Lord how He will manifest Himself to them and not to the world (John 14:22). Jesus answers by saying anyone that loves Him will keep His word with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit making their home with them (John 14:23). However, one not loving Him and not keeping His words is not rejecting the words of Jesus but the words of God which come from Jesus (John 14:24).

 

Jesus said these things while with them and reminded them that the Helper, the Holy Spirit is coming from the Father, who will teach them all things and help them remember His words (John 14:25-26). Jesus promises His peace that is not like anything the world gives so their hearts need not be troubled or afraid (John 14:27). Jesus tells the disciples they should rejoice at Him going away to be with the Father who is greater them Him and that He is coming back to them (John 14:28). By telling the disciples of these events before they happen, they will believe when they happen (John 14:29). Jesus tells them he will no longer talk much with them because the ruler of this world is coming and has nothing to do with Him (John 14:30). Jesus will do as the Fathe has commanded as a demonstration of His love for the Father and tells the disciples to go from the upper room (John 14:31).

 

Jesus is preparing to leave the disciples in death on the cross, but He will resurrect from the grave in a declaration of victory over sin and death. However, he will then ascend to be with God the Father at His right hand, making intercession for us (Romans 8:34). Jesus senses anxiety in the hearts of the disciples and tells them they will not be left as orphans with the Holy Spirit coming to be with them forever (John 14:16-18). Jesus came to earth to demonstrate the power of God in one who is without sin in their life, who then died for the sins of humanity so that one choosing to make Jesus their savior could experience forgiveness from sin. One who is forgiven of their sins through Christ becomes the righteousness of God in Christ and a child of God (John 1:12; Romans 3:21-22). These Children of God who are filled with the Spirit of God will continue the ministry of Christ while still on earth (Mark 16:15-18).

 

Those who profess a belief in Jesus as their savior today do so in faith because Jesus' physical presence is no longer on earth (Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Peter 1:8-9). People do not come to a saving belief in Jesus as Messiah today through physically meeting Jesus, but through conviction of the Holy Spirit by one full of the Holy Spirit sharing the Gospel with them (John 16:5-11). The great commission of the Church is to continue the ministry of Jesus by taking the good news of the Gospel to the world. However, as we see in the seven letters to the Churches in Revelation 2-3, many Churches have failed in this mission, with only a remnant carrying on the work.

 

We must continue to pray for revival to come to our world, but for that to occur requires.

 

1. Repentance
2. Returning to the Lord
3. Renewal of Mind
4. Revival in the believer’s heart

 

Please join me in prayer for these 4 Rs to occur in the Church so revival can come to a world in desperate need of Jesus Christ. If you are reading this and have never prayed to receive Jesus as your personal Savior, please take a moment to pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

Let someone know of your decision or reply to this post with your decision. May God convict, challenge, and encourage everyone reading this post. 

Praising God’s Deliverance from Enemies

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 18

 

Psalm 18:29

For by You I can ^[g]run against a troop,
By my God I can leap over a wall.

(NKJV)

 

Jesus warned us that in this world we would have trouble, but did not leave us without hope, reminding us that he overcame the world (John 16:33). After telling His disciples this, Jesus demonstrated his overcoming the world with his resurrection from the dead, conquering sin and death (Romans 8:37-39). In Psalm 18, David offers praise to God for delivering him from his enemies, a picture of God’s deliverance from sin and death on the cross.

 

David begins with expressing his love for the Lord, who is his rock, fortress, deliverer, and his strength in whom he trusts (Psalm 18:1-3). David then pleads his case to the Lord because he knows the Lord hears him (Psalm 18:4-6). After pleading his case the earth shook and trembled with the hills quaking because the Lord was angry (Psalm 18:7). In His anger, smoke came from His nostrils, devouring fire from his mouth (Psalm 18:8). The Lord bowed the heavens and came down with darkness under His feet and from the brightness before Him came hailstones and coals of fire (Psalm 18:9-12). When the Lord thundered from heaven, David’s enemies were scattered and vanquished (Psalm 18:13-15).

 

The Lord sent from above and took David out of many waters, delivering him from his strong enemies because the Lord delighted in David (Psalm 18:16-19). The Lord rewarded David according to his righteousness and how he kept the ways of the Lord, keeping himself from iniquity (Psalm 18:20-24). The Lord is merciful to the merciful, blameless to the blameless, pure to the pure, and shrewd with the devious, saving the humble and bringing down the proud (Psalm 18:25-27). The Lord lights David’s lamp so he can run against a troop, and leap over a wall, because God’s way is perfect (Psalm 18:28-30).

 

There is no God but the Lord, who is a rock and source of strength, the one teaching David to make war and strong enough to bend a bronze bow (Psalm 18:31-34). The Lord has given David His shield of salvation and enlarged his path so his feet do not slip (Psalm 18:35-36). Because of the strength and shield of the Lord, David has been able to defeat his enemies (Psalm 18:37-42). David is delivered from the strivings of the people with nations he does not know serving him (Psalm 18:43-45). The psalm concludes with David praising the Lord, his Rock (Psalm 18:46-50).

 

After his anointing as king, David spent his time escaping from King Saul, who wanted to kill him and the enemies of Israel due to his defeat of Goliath (1 Samuel 17:48-54, 19:1-3). This psalm was written after the defeat of Saul at Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 31) and offers praise and glory to God for his deliverance of David from his enemies. However, in Psalm 18:21, David says he has kept the ways of the Lord and not wickedly departed from his God, yet there is the sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, trying to cover it up (2 Samuel 11). These events occurred after the kingdom of David was established to the point where David no longer went out in battle. This allowed David to become complacent and give in to temptation while his troops went to battle.

 

While it is great to live in a country that allows the freedom of religion, where Christians can freely go to Church and worship the Lord without the fear of arrest or execution, it can bring complacency. In the letters to the Churches in Asia in Revelation 2-3, we see how complacency can creep into the Church. The Church in Ephesus left its first love (Revelation 2:1-7), and the Church in Laodicea started trusting in their wealth and prosperity (Revelation 3:17) instead of the Lord, leaving the Lord outside knocking to come in (Revelation 3:20). This is why the persecuted Church thrives because there is no room for complacency (Revelation 2:8-11). The Church must remain steadfast in its commitment to advancing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be like David after the defeat of his enemies in Psalm 18.

 

If you are reading this and have strayed from your first love, trusting in the things of this world to save you, or have never prayed to invite Jesus to be your savior, I invite you to pray with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God convict, challenge, and encourage everyone reading this post.

Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: John 13:36-14:11

 

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

(NKJV)

 

It brings sadness when we need to part ways with a good friend, and grief when the departure is due to their death. Jesus has told His disciples three times of His death (Matthew 16:21, 17:22, 20:17) and now knows the time is near. In this text, we see three different reactions to this news, giving us questions to ask ourselves regarding our commitment to following Jesus Christ.

 

The text begins with Jesus' prediction of Peter’s denial. Peter asks Jesus where He is going, and Jesus tells him he cannot go where he is going now but that he shall follow Him afterward (John 13:36). This prompts Peter to ask why he cannot go with the Lord now, telling the Lord that he was willing to lay down his life for Jesus (John 13:37). Jesus responds as he often does with a question of His own, asking Peter if he would really lay down his life for Him. Then Jesus lets Peter know he will deny Him three times before the rooster crows (John 13:38).

 

Jesus then gives the disciples words of comfort by telling them not to be troubled in heart because they believe in God and Him (John 14:1). Jesus tells them there are many mansions in His Father’s house and that he is leaving to prepare a place for them which means He will return to take His bride the Church to their new home in heaven (John 14:2-3). Jesus then tells them they know where He is going and the way to get there (John 14:4). Thomas has doubts and tells Jesus they do not know where He is going nor the way to get there (John 14:5). Jesus answers Thomas by letting him know He is the way, truth, and life with no one coming to the Father except through Him (John 14:6).

 

Jesus then tells the disciples that if they had known Him, they would know the Father and from now on will know Him and have seen Him (John 14:7). Philip then replies by asking Jesus to show them the Father (John 14:8). Jesus rebukes Philip, asking him has He been with them so long and yet they do not know Him, understanding that anyone seeing Jesus has seen the Father (John 14:9). Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in Him with the words spoken by Jesus coming from the Father (John 14:10). Jesus tells the disciples to believe He is in the Father and the Father is in Him, or to believe Him for the sake of the works He has done (John 14:11).

 

Jesus is preparing the disciples for His departure, first through His death on the Cross and then after the Resurrection, His ascension to sit at the right hand of God the Father. Some of the disciples do not understand why this is beneficial for them.

• Peter declares he will defend and die for the Lord if necessary to keep him from suffering death. While these are bold words on the part of Peter, he will deny knowing Jesus when he is tried (John 18:1-18; Luke 22:47-62; Mark 14:43-72; Matthew 26:47-75). Will my profession of faith remain strong when tried?
• Thomas has been with Jesus throughout His ministry, yet in this final hour does not understand where Jesus is going and the way to get there. Three times Jesus has told them He is leaving (Matthew 16:21, 17:22, 20:17) with Thomas present each time. Thomas either does not believe Jesus or, like Peter, is in denial. Do I believe the words of Jesus even if they are uncomfortable to hear?
• Philip wants Jesus to show them the Father. After the miracle of healing a man born blind, where the disciples, including Philip, were present (John 9:1-7), Jesus had a discourse with the Pharisees. Scripture is unclear if the disciples were present during this discourse, but if it occurred in the temple, they probably were. In this discourse, Jesus declared He and the Father are one (John 10:30), indicating that one seeing Him has seen the Father. Philip either did not hear Jesus or did not understand that Jesus is God, part of the Trinity. Do I understand that Jesus is God?

 

Jesus, who now sits at the right hand of God the Father, is returning to take His bride, the Church, after preparing a place for them. Jesus had to come first to die for our sins so we are forgiven and prepared for eternity in the presence of God without sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus then had to go and prepare a place for us in heaven so we would not be homeless there, returning to take us there (John 14:2-3). Between the time of Jesus’ ascension and return, he has given the Church a mission to spread the good news of the Gospel to all the world, making disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). Join me in praying for the lukewarm church to repent of its lukewarmness (Revelation 3:14-22), and be about continuing the mission of taking the Gospel around the world and making fully devoted disciples of Christ.

 

If you are reading this and have never confessed with your mouth your genuine heartfelt belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, I invite you to pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

Let someone know of your decision, or reply to this post with your decision. May God convict, challenge, and encourage everyone reading this post.