March 18
Num 26:52-28:15 | PS 61:1-8 | Prov 11:16-17 | Luke 3:1-22
There was a beautiful Christian nurse who recently died that I worked with in the surgical area. I didn't see her often, but when we did, we always gave glory to God, even if just passing one another in the hallways. I found out about her death through one of her former co-workers. The co-worker is my patient. We talked about the death of that nurse, and I remarked that it is a celebration, for heaven is where she now resides, which is far better than anything on earth. My patient found it interesting that I used that term, for when she attended the memorial service for the nurse, she said it was referred to as a "celebration". My patient is secular Jewish and admittedly, very much fears death. This was when I presented to her, her Messiah, whom she does not know. I explained that Jesus is the only way, the only truth, and the only life that leads to the Father (John 14:6). She stated that she struggles with the concept of Christianity due to anti-Semitism. I explained that Jesus in His ministry while on earth, went to the Jewish people, not the Gentiles, and that it was not until years later that the message was spread to the Gentile world, largely through the activity of Paul. I explained that Jesus Christ should not be judged by those who claim to be His followers but often do not adequately represent Him, some truly being anti-Semitic (being a stance which should never be associated with any professing Christian). I then discussed repentance, the purpose of Jesus' sacrifice, the peace and expectation of heaven for those who are willing to accept His offer, and the importance of reading the Bible, God's love letter, in it's entirety so that no person could ever mislead her. It was a pleasant conversation, which she stated gave her much to think about and consider.
We read of John the Baptist and his ministry in Luke 3:3-6, "And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight. Every valley shall be filled And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough ways smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”" Is this not also our ministry, each of us, as we have all been given a commission, the Great Commission, as stated in Matthew 28:18-20. Our approach may be different. Those brought before us may be different. But our purpose to make a straight path to the Savior must be the same. John saw himself rightly, as we read in 3:16, "John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.". For John, it was never about John, but about Jesus, as should be the case for us. Repentance comes through brokenness before the truth of who we really are and who Jesus truly is. We read of the broken responses of the tax collectors and soldiers before John, saying, "what shall we do" (Luke 3:12-14).
Notice their response was not what can I keep from my old life, but what must I do to receive new life. In a very moving episode of "The Chosen", in season 3, Jesus is preaching in the synagogue of Nazareth. He is not being received well by those who knew Him, since He was a child, seeing Him grow up before them. They held to the belief that being "of Abraham" that they didn't need anything from Him. Jesus told them unless they saw their need for Him, for their Savior, and unless they saw themselves, as the desperate sinners that they truly were, then there was nothing that He could do for them. With that message, and with His claim to be the Messiah, they sought to kill Him. The message of Jesus must be individualized, but never modified. It is only through repentance and acceptance of His sacrifice on the cross, no matter what religion that person was raised, no matter what hardships that person has faced, no matter what level of education that person might or might not possess. It was Jesus, it is Jesus, and it always will be Jesus.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: