TROUBLED AT HIS APPEARING AND PRESENCE?

Mat 2:1-6  Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,  2  Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.  3  When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.  4  And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.  5  And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,  6  And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

  

Herod was troubled at the news that the Christ was born the King of the Jews. He could not bear to hear that there was someone other than him to rule. He kept his throne by violence and any other who appeared to be a rival was to be eliminated. 

All Jerusalem was troubled as well! WHY?

Have you noticed how the people who were seeking the Christ were foreigners and not His own people the Jews? He came unto his own, and his own received him not.  John 1:11 

Is it surprising to you that no one is recorded as accompanying or following the wise to seek this King of the Jews? Where was the interest? Where was the curiosity? Where were the scribes and priests who gave the information concerning the advent of this, according to Micah who they quoted, person that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Mic 5:2 

It appears that they were more concerned with the intrigues of politics and position in life so the news of the appearance of a potential Leader and King who may well disturb the status quo was troubling indeed.

It is somewhat puzzling that the people who should have been the first to live in expectation were disturbed at the news.

Herod was a foreigner (an Edomite) reigning as king in Jerusalem. He had his loyal following and as a usurper with no credentials, who had no right ruling, he would be disturbed at the news of competition. But why all Jerusalem with him?

Possible reasons

1. Fearful to show joy and gladness knowing Herod's jealous temperament and suspicions

2. Dismayed at a possible righteous interference with their vices and wickedness

3. Fearful of an uprising and therefore swift retaliation from Rome.

He revealed Himself to foreigners and lowly shepherds. 

Evil hates good and sin becomes uncomfortable in the presence of righteousness If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.  John 15:19

 Because evil is uncomfortable it resorts to various devices to mask or eradicate the discomfort. This is the reason the ungodly and unrighteous hate the righteous and seek to ridicule, humiliate and destroy them. It is the reason that vicious, vile and vituperative attacks are made in various media and in physical acts of violence against the righteous. It is the reason why conservatives are hated so much by liberals. Many are contented to live in the squalor of sin and unrighteousness and are stirred to violent action when their hypocrisy and evil is revealed for what it really is. Who are the people that constantly coin politically correct phrases? Who are the ones that make all excuses for sin, coining such terms as alternative life styles, protest against ALL forms of CHRISTIAN public demonstration and exhibits? Who are those that lower standards so that the failure will not feel badly about failing?

 John 15:20-24  Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.  21  But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.  22  If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.  23  He that hateth me hateth my Father also.  24  If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.

What would be your reaction if Jesus should appear to you now?

1. PEOPLE BECOME TROUBLED AT HIS APPEARING BECAUSE HIS PRESENCE REVEALS SIN

Light reveals and Jesus is the light. At night all cats are grey and features are indistinguishable. Only the advent of light reveals whether you are black or white, clean or dirty, well dressed or naked, ugly or beautiful.  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  20  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.  21  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. John 3:19-21 

A person who loves the appearing and the presence of the Lord will approach Him and abide in His presence so that every error and fault will be revealed in His light.   This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  6  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:  7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1Jn 1:5-7

  

Eph 5:11-14  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.  12  For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.  13  But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.  14  Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

 This requires a constant pilgrimage into the Word of God for: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  Psa 119:105 and The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.  Psa 119:130

We need to remind ourselves that we are light for Jesus said:  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Mat 5:14-16 

 Remember therefore to: Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.  7  Be not ye therefore partakers with them.  8  For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:  9  (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)  10  Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.  Eph 5:6-10 

  

    

2. PEOPLE BECOME TROUBLED AT HIS APPEARING BECAUSE HIS PRESENCE DEMANDS A DECISION

People do not take lightly to anyone making a call on them to commit themselves to God and to seek His honour and glory.  His saying and teaching will challenge and shake our control over our own lives and demand surrender to Him. Many times we may find His doctrine unacceptable because it intrudes into our well laid out plans and schemes and then we have to choose. FOR or AGAINST! What will our reaction be when we hear his teachings and demands? Remember what happened when fed the multitude? They wanted to make Him king! Then He began to lay out the doctrine of God before them and what was the response and reaction?

  Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?  61  When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?  62  What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?  63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.  64  But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.  65  And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.  66  From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.  67  Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?  68  Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.  69  And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. John 6:60-69

  

Take note therefore that His appearance demands a decision whether to follow Him and pay homage to Him. It requires a commitment. You are either for or against. A failure to decide means a decision against Him and His counsel. God wants no spiritual mugwumps*

Mat 12:30  He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

Jesus told the Laodicean church which is well represented in this age :  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  16  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Rev 3:15-16 

In his final admonitions, commands and exhortations to the Israelites Moses said:  I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:  20  That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them. Deu 30:19-20 

Joshua stated plainly to the Israelites :  And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Josh 24:15  Yes indeed! You can sin in a variety of ways and season it with 101 flavors! But there is only one way to please God ! 

IF YE LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.  JOHN 14:15

 John 14:23-24  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.  24  He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

John 15:10  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

1Jn 5:2-3  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.  3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

 Exo 20:3-6  Thou shalt have no other gods before me.  4  Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:  5  Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;  6  And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

As people of God we are constantly faced with choices. Our lives become the sum total of our choices. Our choices need to reflect prayerful consideration of the will of God as revealed in His word and our subsequent obedience to bring glory to His name!.

        

3. PEOPLE BECOME TROUBLED AT HIS APPEARING BECAUSE HIS PRESENCE DISTURBS THE STATUS QUO

People are generally reluctant to disturb the life style they are accustomed to. They do not want to disturb the status quo. They don't want you to rock the boat, but Jesus' presence will always create somewhat of a controversy, again demanding you make a choice. You know? It's one thing to say I am a Christian and attend church, and sing, and testify, and pray, and preach. It is a whole new ball game when He begins to answer you in a way you did not expect! The young ruler who came to Jesus asked all the right questions. He just did not like the answer that really mattered!

 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?  17  And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.  18  He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,  19  Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  20  The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?  21  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.  22  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Mat 19:16-22 

How many have not walked away from God because he did not answer the way we expect? Yes, we have remained right there in church going through the motions but there is no longer any heart in it! We're just going through the motions!

Isa 29:13  Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: 

The Amplified Version puts it like this: And the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips but remove their hearts and minds far from Me, and their fear and reverence for Me are a commandment of men that is learned by repetition [without any thought as to the meaning], Isa 29:13 AMP 

 We read the Word by rote and it means nothing to us! We ignore the commands of God and seek the teachings of men that will justify our behavior. We hold on to two words; "God understands" Yet we are without understanding! However we should pay heed to what the Bible says For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  4  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2Ti 4:3-4 

We run behind every Tom Dick and Dorothy who will tell us what we want to hear not what we need to hear.   

How about you today? Does the truth disturb you in a way that you seek to eradicate it from your life? When truth stares you in the face do you turn you back on it and refuse to follow it to its glorious conclusion? When truth makes demands of you do you weigh the consequences and decide against it? 

Eph 4:17-20  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,  18  Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:  19  Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.  20  But ye have not so learned Christ;

Or as amplified: Eph 4:17-20  So this I say and solemnly testify in [the name of] the Lord [as in His presence], that you must no longer live as the heathen (the Gentiles) do in their perverseness [in the folly, vanity, and emptiness of their souls and the futility] of their minds.  18  Their ^[5]moral understanding is darkened and their reasoning is beclouded. [They are] alienated (estranged, self-banished) from the life of God [with no share in it; this is] because of the ignorance (the want of knowledge and perception, the willful blindness) that is ^[6]deep-seated in them, due to their hardness of heart [to the insensitiveness of their moral nature].  19  In their spiritual apathy they have become callous and past feeling and reckless and have abandoned themselves [a prey] to unbridled sensuality, eager and greedy to indulge in every form of impurity [that their depraved desires may suggest and demand].  20  But you did not so learn Christ!

No Indeed! We have NOT so learned of Christ! Let us therefore so live that we will love His appearing for as Paul wrote:

2Ti 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 not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

      

1 Jn 2:28  And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

    

*A person who remains aloof from controversial issues.
...
It hit the big time in 1884, during the presidential election that set Grover Cleveland against the Republican James G Blaine. Some Republicans refused to support Blaine, changed sides, and the New York Sun labelled them little mugwumps. Almost overnight, the sense of the word changed to turncoat. Later, it came to mean a politician who either could not or would not make up his mind on some important issue, or who refused to take a stand when he was expected to do so. Hence the old joke that a mugwump is a person sitting on the fence, with his mug on one side and his wump on the other.
There is also a slangy sense — less known these days, I believe — of a person who has been persuaded by his possession of a minor official position into a sense of self-importance, often becoming obnoxious as a result. (World Wide Words)

THE JOURNEY OF THE WISE MAN!

Mat 2:1-12  Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,  2  Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.  3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.  4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.  5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.  7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.  8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.  9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.  10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.  11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.  12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

The story of the wise men (magi) coming from the east to worship the newborn King of the Jews is striking tribute to their decision, determination and dedication. They made a journey to see and worship a king based on the star they saw and their interpretation of its significance. This interpretation they most likely determined by knowledge obtained through studies of ancient writings in their possession or available to them.

We also are on a journey. Life itself is a journey as time inexorably pushes us on. We are unable to return to yesterday to change anything. Since we are stuck with our yesterdays for all time we need to plan wisely with much forethought, fully dependent on the Lord's promises. Every day that passes we will be faced with decisions to make little or big journeys of faith. These journeys must be based on the promises and the prophetic word of God. We need to be wise

1. THE WISE MAN'S JOURNEY BEGINS WITH KNOWLEDGE!

The wise men saw the star and being "wise men" investigated its appearance. They recognized its significance and realized that the personage responsible for its appearance deserved worshiped. How did they know who He was and that it was in Israel they would find the King? It is likely that they were familiar with the prophecies of the greatest wise man of them all…the Hebrew prophet Daniel who spent his life in captivity in service to the Babylonian and Persian monarchs. Daniel’s explosively precise prophecy concerning the Messiah (Christ) was probably studied intensively by these magi and influenced them in their decision to pay homage to this remarkable king whose birth was signified by a peculiar star.

Thousands of years before, another traveler followed a promise and a prophecy into a land unknown to him.

Gen 12:1-4  Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:  2  And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:  3  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.  4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him;..

Knowledge of a promise, a prophecy or a precept from the word of God is vital. God said: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.  Hos 4:6

Bear in mind that: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.  Pro 1:7

 Jesus said: Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. Mat 7:24-25

2. THE WISE MAN'S JOURNEY REQUIRES FAITH

The wise men believed the message in the prophecy and the star. They believed in it enough to undertake an arduous journey towards their objective...to find the Christ!

We need to always keep in mind that faith is the essential ingredient in pleasing God.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.  Heb 11:6

Abraham began his journey based on faith in Him Who called him. He did not know where he was going for he had never passed that way before. He ventured out based solely on the promise of YAHWEH!

Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Our response towards God is based on our faith in his Word to us.

Faith in God's Word results in doing what He says and Jesus said Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. Mat 7:24-25

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  Rom 10:17

3. THE WISE MAN'S JOURNEY IS AN EXERCISE IN PATIENCE AND PERSISTENCE

A Chinese proverb says that "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" The wise men could have admired the star and expressed awe at its appearance and significance, but would have gotten nowhere if they had not made that first step.

Even though assured by the Word of God Israel, in the wilderness, refused to take that first step and they forever lost, big time, the inheritance of God!

Heb 3:7-11  Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear his voice,  8  Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:  9  When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.  10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.  11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)

We need to be aware that God is displeased if we give up and draw back For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;  Heb 3:14

 Therefore as the Word says in Heb 10:35-39 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.  36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.  37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.  38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.  39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

4. THE WISE MAN'S JOURNEY RESULTS IN A RICH REWARD   

They came! They saw! They worshiped!

The culmination of their long journey was the sight of the child who was born King of the Jews. The child was special! Prophesied about in the Word! Indicated by an unusual star. The wise men rejoiced in the completion of their journey and the reward of feasting their eyes on Him who they worshiped and to Whom they presented gifts.  Our ultimate goal is also worship of Him who has called us. Our acts and steps are all directed towards worship of Him who sits on the throne. It's the ultimate goal of the pilgrim's progress...to enter the Celestial City and behold the One who died in our place so that we can live in His place that He has prepared for us.   

We have a reward also: For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.  Mat 16:27

Our ultimate goal is also worship of Him who has called us. Our acts and steps are all directed towards worship of Him who sits on the throne. It's the ultimate goal of the pilgrim's progress...to enter the Celestial City and behold the One who died in our place so that we can live in His place that He has prepared for us.   

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.  Heb 10:35

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.  Heb 11:6

Col 3:17-25 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.  18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.  19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.  20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.  21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.  22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:  23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;  24  Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.  25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

1Co 3:8-15 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.  9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.  10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.  11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  12  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;  13  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.  14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.  15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Mat 10:40-42 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.  41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.  42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

SAVIOR OF LOVE! FOLLOW HIM!

Mat 20:20-28 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.  21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.  22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.  23  And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.  24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.  25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.  26  But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;  27  And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:  28  Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Looking at verse 28  Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many, we observe the following:

The first part of this verse by Jesus puts the check on the opinions of many. Jesus did not come to be served! He did not come to live a life of ease and to have servants waiting to do His bidding. He did not come to keep His feet away from the mud, grime and toils of this world. He did not come for any of these but He came to serve. He humbled himself for though He was rich yet for our sakes He became poor so that we through Him might be rich. Though He was the Everlasting Father, King of kings and Lord of lords, He laid aside the regal cloak of divinity and glory. Though in the form of God He stepped down and humbled Himself. He was made in the likeness of man and a little lower than the angels, even though it was not robbery for Him to be equal with God. He humbled Himself to be born of a simple Jewish village girl. He humbled Himself to be born in a lowly manger. He humbled Himself and became a man! The greatest act of humility and abasement! The One Who made all things and by Whom all things consist in Whom dwelleth the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Such a step down from Creator to become like the creature was a step down born out of Love - A SUBMISSION of LOVE!

The second part of the statement shows the real duty of Christ as a man; the Son of God as the Son of man! In His capacity as a man with the power of the Holy Ghost, He was approved of God and went about doing good, healing all that were oppressed of the devil. His work was a work of love. He lived on earth among men, moving among them, suffering like them, tempted like them. He is touched with the feelings of our infirmities. He is moved with compassion and love. Such love is evidenced in outstretched arms and gentle voice saying Come unto ME all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest! Such love is shown when He looks upon a hungry crowd and says to His disciples "I have compassion on the multitude" then proceeds to provide a miracle by multiplying five loaves and two fishes to feed them all. Such love is evidenced in the healing of the blind men. Such love is evidenced in the raising of the dead son of the Nain widow. Such love is evidenced in His weeping because of the sorrow of Mary and Martha over dead Lazarus. He loved the children, all of them, and blessed them. When the 'religious right' condemned a sinful woman, He put them to an open shame then forgave her. When others admired the rich and their wealthy giving His eyes were on the poor widow's mite as he commended her act of generosity. He defended the rights of the poor who were being black-marketed by the temple sellers. Everywhere He went there were sick, diseased and demon possessed to be delivered. His ministry among men was one done out of love. Love vibrated and resonated in His every atom and fiber. His was indeed - A SERVICE of LOVE!

Everything was programmed and ordered to lead to the final and ultimate act - His death! For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Jesus was not spared but sacrificed on our behalf. Greater love has no man than this that a man should lay down His life for His friends. But God commended His love towards us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us - A SACRIFICE OF LOVE!

As His followers what does this statement of Jesus imply to us? In his letter to the saints Peter gives us a clear directive saying Christ has left us an example that we should follow in His steps!

1Pe 2:11-25  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;  12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.  13  Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;  14  Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.  15  For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:  16  As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.  17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.  18  Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.  19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.  20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.  21  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:  22  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:  23  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:  24  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.  25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Therefore:

1. WE FOLLOW IN HIS STEPS WHEN WE SUBMIT BECAUSE OF LOVE

Submission is easy when it is out of love and not forced. No one could force Yashua to do as He did but He did it anyway because He loved us and willingly laid down His life for us. 1Jn 3:16  Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. Rom 5:7-8 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.  8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

There is no fear where there is love:

1Jn 4:18-19 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  19 We love him, because he first loved us.

As Paul exhorts, saints should be: Eph 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

REMEMBER: Satan’s downfall resulted from his failure to submit to the will and rule of God. He wanted to do his own thing and felt that he was better than others even God! He moved from God’s will to his will: Isa 14:13-14 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:  14  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.  He will constantly seek to entice you away from God’s will to serve your own self interest and he is really good at doing this so be warned! 1Pe 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  9  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

There is a solution to Satan’s wiles, guile and style! There is need to: Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

2. WE FOLLOW IN HIS STEPS WHEN WE SERVE BECAUSE OF LOVE

Service is not a burden when we love. (He ain't heavy! He's my brother!) We are not impressed with the expectations of the world. Rather we anticipate an exceedingly greater and better kingdom of which we are citizens

Php 3:20-21  For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:  21  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

We will therefore not allow the world's pettiness, greed and bias disrupt our allegiance to our King but will serve with love. When we feel the unwillingness and rebellion of the flesh battling to overcome us we will take care to step on it and place it where it belongs...right under our feet! We will

Rom 12:17-21  Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.  18  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.  19  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.  20  Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.  21  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

We will by love serve one another.

Gal 5:13-16  For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.  14  For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  15  But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.  16  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

3. WE FOLLOW IN HIS STEPS WHEN WE SACRIFICE BECAUSE OF LOVE

Not all of us may be privileged to suffer a martyr’s death for our Lord but whenever we have opportunity we can give up possessions dear to us for His sake. We can give up creature comforts in order for others to experience the love that Christ has given to us. Opportunities present itself to us sometimes in the most unexpected and unlikely ways. We need to look upon our fellowmen with the eyes of our Lord and see what he sees:

Mat 9:36-38 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.  37  Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;  38  Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Mat 14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

Mat 15:32  Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.

His question to you is: Mat 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

1Pe 3:8-9  Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:  9  Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

We should follow in His steps for He led by example and commands us to follow Him!

Christ’s action in John 13 remains an object lesson for all believers everywhere for all time:

John 13:3-17  Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;  4  He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.  5  After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.  6  Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?  7  Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.  8  Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.  9  Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.  10  Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.  11  For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.  12  So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?  13  Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.  14  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.  15  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.  16  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.  17  IF YE KNOW THESE THINGS, HAPPY ARE YE IF YE DO THEM. 

MAKING A FRESH START! LESSONS FROM THE POTTER'S HOUSE!

Jer 18:1-10  The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,  2  Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.  3  Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.  4  And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.  5  Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,  6  O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.  7  At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it;  8  If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.  9  And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it;  10  If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.

Jeremiah is instructed to go down and observe what was taking place at the potter's house. He noted the following: 

1. A lump of clay is being formed into a vessel

2. The vessel is marred

3. The potter does not discard the lump

4. He pounds it back into a shapeless lump and throws it back on the wheel

5. He made it again: the same clay, the same potter, the same wheel.

6. He makes it into another vessel 

7. He made it as he see fit.

It is to be noted that the clay was being 

1. Made into something, 

2. Then pounded into nothing, 

3. Then made again into something. 

Lessons from the potter's house.

1. We are like lumps of clay but whereas the clay is inanimate we are creatures with will to decide.

2. God is the Potter! He makes us, or plans to make us into what He sees fit.

4. When we are rebellious and unyielded, He pushes us into a lump again:

    i. shapeless - loss of individuality

    ii. pounded – various trials, tribulations and suffering

    iii. worked into a useful pliable lump - brought to the state where we are finally yielded.

    iv. made afresh into a new vessel...not as I want but as He sees fit!

What caused the vessel to be marred? 

1. A slip of the potter's hand? Man's hands may slip but remember God's hands does not slip. He does not makes mistakes! 

2. A defect in the clay? Yes that's it! 

What are our lives in the hand of God? It is like clay that He moulds and forms as He sees fit. The Lord sees you as a prime lump of clay that has to be made into a useful vessel.  It is the responsibility of the believer, as clay, to be pliable and workable in His hands. The more we are yielded to God the better He is able to work with us. 

There may come times in your life when you feel like you're something. Then things happen and you feel like nothing but in due process you are remade into something as He sees fit according to His good pleasure.

When we sing 'Thou art the potter I am the clay', what do we visualize ourselves as clay to be?

1.  AS CLAY IN HIS HANDS WE NEED TO BE SOFT AND PLIABLE.

God can then mould and shape us as he desires. the plan for our lives is in His mind. He desires to work out that plan in our lives. The degree of submission we exhibit will determine how well we can be confirmed to His will and be transformed into His image. Hard clay cannot be moulded unless it is broken up finely, moistened and kneaded into a soft pliable workable lump. There will be a lot of travail and intercession on our part but it is necessary to accomplish the final product…Christ in us!

Gal 4:19  My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

Rom 12:1-5  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.  4  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:  5  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.  

Isa 45:9  Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

 Rom 9:20-21  Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?  21  Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

Isa 64:8  But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

2.  AS CLAY IN HIS HANDS WE NEED TO BE FREE OF HIDDEN POCKETS OF AIR 

Air may expand and explode during the firing process destroying the vessel and others in the process. Similarly we can under stress explode and destroy ourselves as well as those close to us! That's why we need to be submissive to the pounding that will squash all those hidden pockets of air out of us making us into a pure and pliable piece of clay ready to be worked by the Master.

Many of us become like a blowfish, puffed up and dangerous with our own self importance. We care not who we destroy in the process because we will have our way. Like Pharaoh vs Yahweh!

We need to allow God to deal with us in such a manner that will effectively free us from ourselves.

1Co 4:6  And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

 1Co 5:1-2  It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.  2  And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

1Co 13:4  Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

 1Co 8:1-2  ... Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.  2  And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

Pride is anathema to the Lord! He hates it and will resist it! 

Jas 4:1-12  From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?  2  Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.  3  Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.  4  Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.  5  Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?  6  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.  7  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.  9  Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.  10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.  11  Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.  12  There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

3.  AS CLAY IN HIS HANDS WE NEED TO BE FREE OF HARD PARTICLES OR FOREIGN OBJECTS.

Such objects will interfere with the smooth working of the clay and when encountered by the potter's hand will mar the vessel. It is important for the life of the individual to be free of defect producing objects and we therefore need to submit to His dealings as He removes the obstacles we have embedded in our lives that disrupt the process of God's dealings in us. Some of us have allowed others to embed these objects while we have willingly allowed it, also doing some embedding ourselves. If we will be a workable lump of clay in the Hands of the Master Potter we need to submit to His dealings with us.

Stubbornness and resistance to the will of God will only bring grief to us. 

Rom 6:11-13  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  12  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.  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.

Gal 5:19-21  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,  20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,  21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

What may be a petty and minor irritant to one person is generally a serious matter to another. A physical defect in one may be a life sentence in another.

The prodigal lump in Luke 15 finally said "make me" I will no longer make myself. At the time that you release control of yourself to God, at that time He is able to take you, work with you and make you into a vessel fit for the Master's use.

Moses was a self made man that was made into a shapeless lump in Midian then reformed into a leader and a liberator.

Jacob was an independent self made man. He was glad for the blessings but not the testing. His victory came when his independence was broken!

Peter went from Master fisher to Master's fisher

NOTE: He did not throw the clay away! Many of us may think we have gone past the point of no return and God cannot use us anymore. We should not limit God to our own inabilities and shortcomings. He is able to remake you into a vessel as He sees fit once you submit to him. It may not be what you planned but as you yield to Him it will be something that pleases Him. He does not throw up His hands and give up in despair. He will never let go!

Joh 6:37  All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

2Co 4:1-7  Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;  2  But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.  3  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.  5  For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.  6  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.