God Cares For Us

Jesus spoke many parables while He was on earth because much of the wisdom that He tried to impart was just to complex for the people to understand.  A parable is a way of using earthly examples to explain a Heavenly principle so that it could be understood, and when reading the Bible we see that Jesus used this pattern many times.

In John 10, we read about the Good Shepard.  We see that the Lord uses a familiar idea in that culture: shepards and their flocks.  As you probably know, sheep have a way of knowing their master, and will follow him only, even when multiple folks are brought together.  This happened often at night, when in the courtyard of a home a gatekeeper ("porter") was hired to keep all of the sheep in a pen while the shepard's slept.

On my father's dairy farm growing up, we did not have sheep, but the cows did follow his voice when it came time to calling them down from the hillside for feeding.  They knew him, and he knew them - even if one of the 80 were missing.  Same with sheep, and also the same with God - He knows us and is calling out to us so that we might choose to follow Him.

Let's look at the entire portion of Scripture now:
John 10:1-18 (KJV)
^10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
² But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
³ To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
⁴ And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
⁵ And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
⁶ This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
⁷ Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
⁸ All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
⁹ I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
¹⁰ The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
¹¹ I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
¹² But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
¹³ The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
¹⁴ I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
¹⁵ As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
¹⁶ And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
¹⁷ Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
¹⁸ No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Jesus starts out this parable stating, "Verily, verily" and again echos this phase in verse 7.  Remember that in Scripture key ideas are repeated again and again, and when Jesus says "verifly" He is in essence saying "this is the truth."  The sheep here are just like us humans in that we are dependent on our Creator (even if we don't know it), and the sheep fold is the Church (remember, this is not only specific to a "congregation" because the Bible makes clear that an individual believer in Jesus is the Church.

It is interesting to me that verses 1-5 of this parable is directed towards those in ministry; at the time it was for the Pharisees and now can be looked at for those looking to enter into the pastorate (the only way is through Jesus Christ).  Jesus points out that His flock will only follow Him and His words, not those of a stranger.  God has given us not only His Word, the Bible, but also the Holy Spirit to test those things that we see and hear in order to prove if they are of God or not.

Verse 6 shows that those listening to Jesus still didn't get what he was trying to say.  There are times when I do not fully understand what the Bible tells me, but through prayer and studying God makes His way known to me.  I need to be patient and commit to seeking after Him.  Jesus gets his audience's attention again by clearly stating that "I am the door of the sheep."  In my own house, the front door offers an opportunity for fellowship as friends and family may enter in to share in my life, but also security and protection.  Jesus makes clear that this is the same with those who trust in Him, and that the Holy Spirit that is available to us now will help us to see what ideas or actions are of God or man.

Verses 9-11 explain more of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus was to make for me, and you, and all those who live in this fallen world.  He saved us from death, and offers today a way of salvation by the forgiveness of sins
because of His death, burial, and resurrection; we can have eternal life!  So much in this world continues to point towards the way of death and separation from God, but in His infinite love He offers a life that is more abundant than any of the perceived riches we can obtain on this earth.

We go on to read about a difference between someone hired to watch the flock and its owner in verses 12-14.  On the farm of my youth, my dad could not care for every aspect of the lives of his cows.  There was milking twice daily, feeding and cleaning, as well as going out to gather hay and plant corn.  He needed to hire people to help him, and when my siblings and I were old enough we were assigned duties to assist my dad.  We cared for the responsibilities that he gave us, but not to the full expectations that he had.  His care was greater because he had a bigger stake than just helping - he was responsible for everything.  Same with me at work in the pharmacy: at the end of the day everything to do with the business is on me (from proper filling and dispensing of medicines to recording the refrigerator temperatures).  I have people to help me, but in the end it is my responsibility to be sure every task is completed properly.  Jesus is the good shepard, and will not flee from us in times of trouble - Charles Stanley refers to Him as our "anchor in times of storm."  He was, is, and will be here with us.  He knows us and cares for us.

The parable concludes with Jesus again foreshadowing his death on the cross for His people, even those that were not Jewish.  Remember that Jesus' earthly ministry was focused towards offering salvation to his people, the nation Israel.  On the cross, he was mocked as the "King of the Jews" and yet endured the pain of our sins our of obedience to the plan that God had for him.  He came to be our living sacrifice (John 15:13) and make a way for the Gentiles (like me - I am in the fold of vs 16 that He speaks of) to be offered the forgiveness of sins by His act of love for us.

God knows us, and He loves us.  Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to this earth to fulfill all of the requirements of the Hebrew law, and offer a way of salvation from the death of sin for those who believe in Him.  It is not by works, but from faith in what He did.  That is caring that is out of this world!

Another Resolution?

New Year's Resolutions often revolve around things in our lives that we want to change - dieting to lose weight, exercising to become healthier, finding or improving friendships or romance to avoid loneliness, and prosperity.  It is interesting to note that only 8-10 out of 100 people actually keep their resolutions for the entire year.  I have seen evidence of this while exercising at the local recreation center - the pool and weight room are packed for the first 4-8 weeks of the year, taken over by "resolutionists" but then things get back to "normal" as they lose their motivation to complete their resolution.

A fresh start for a new year?  For many years I have not made resolutions, as I often find that when I try to change something about myself I fail.  Don't you?  Soon the level of commitment required to make a change on our own takes too much energy to fulfill and we go back to the thing we are trying to evade.  I am so thankful that the Bible offers something far greater - a new life, in Jesus Christ, that is obtained once and for all by faith because of the forgiveness of sins that we can have only in Him.  

Remember, when God created the world, "it was good."  After that seventh day, man started to muck it up, and we have been ever since Adam and Eve thought it would be ok to ignore God's plan for their lives and take to their own choices.  This new life is eternal, and happens when God causes a transformation for all who believe in Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross.  We are not held hostage by our sins, even though we must still make a choice to yield control of our life over to the Creator and allow the Holy Spirit to take hold of our thoughts and actions.  

Believers in the New Testament are called to be new creatures - not "remodeled" but altogether new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."  It should be no surprise that the most of the books in this section of the Bible follow a similar theme (which was carried over from the Old Testament): believers in towns fall away from God and His teachings and a letter is written to them, often pointing out their failed attempts to live according to their own ways and lovingly guiding them back to the Truth.

In Paul's first letter to the folks at Thessalonica calls on them to increase in their faith by loving and serving others, as well as going to the Lord in prayer.  J. Venon McGee notes that Paul offers 19 tips to live a life that is pleasing to God, and the points are easily applicable to us today just like they were almost 2000 years ago.  See if you can find all of them:

1 Thessalonians 5:11-22 (KJV)
^5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
¹² And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
¹³ And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
¹⁴ Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
¹⁵ See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
¹⁶ Rejoice evermore.
¹⁷ Pray without ceasing.
¹⁸ In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
¹⁹ Quench not the Spirit.
²⁰ Despise not prophesyings.
²¹ Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
²² Abstain from all appearance of evil. 

How are you doing with applying these to your life?  If they were not against our human nature, it won't be tough to patient to all men or hold fast that which is good.  See, when we try to do things our way, we go right back to desiring to control our life, and that will eventually end up in us being disobedient to God.  My way is not His, so my way way is not good.  Thank God we can find rest in Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of all the baggage in our life.  Our relationship with God is only fixed when we trust in His Son, and then we can find that with Him working through us, those points above in Paul's letter can be put into practice.

"A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one Year and out another."  Found that anonymous quote while looking through the web, and it is so true!  We need to give our will and choices over to God so that we can be the people that He created us to be, as individuals and as larger communities.  God's promise of salvation does not change, and He is waiting for you to come to Him.  You see, we can do something that He can't: sin. Titus 1:2 (KJV) "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began."  He does not lie, ever.

I won't worry about a resolution that will fade away just like our good intentions.  Only God can cause the changes in our lives that will mold us into the people that He can use to complete the plans that He has for each of us.  Resolve this year for the revelation of God in your life, and know that you can trust Him to keep His promises.

Jesus is the Reason for the Season

Christmas means many things to many people:

 - Presents (finding the perfect one), parties (planning all the details to outdo last year), and of course Santa.   

 - Watered down greetings Merry Christmas -> Holidays -> Winter. Happy Winter??? 

 - Our attention is being taken away from Jesus, the reason we have to celebrate this season

Jesus is the Reason for the Season

The Bible story about the birth of our Savior is one that we know:  

Luke 2:1-20 (KJV) 

^2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
² (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
³ And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
⁵ To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
⁶ And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
¹⁵ And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
¹⁶ And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
¹⁷ And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
¹⁸ And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Jesus is the Reason for the Season

Let's look closer:

Why did Jesus come?

 - To become the savior to a fallen man, because WE want to be in charge of this life instead of following His plan for us

 - Gen 1:31 tells us that what God created was good, and that Adam and Eve (living in a "good" environment) had but one action to avoid (Gen 2:17).  We know the story: soon after there is the BAD of sin that entered into God's creation, caused by man, that ruined the relationship between God and man. 

- Romans 6:23 -  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

- Psalms 8:4 - What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Our God is a God of second chances!

Jesus is the Reason for the Season

How did Jesus come?

 - God left Heaven to become a man and take on the sin of each one of us (remember, He did not sin - only man has that capacity)

 - By the miracle of virgin birth (Gen 3:15 forshawdows the coming savior, as did many prophets in the Old Testament).  Note the differences between His virgin birth (Luke 1:31) and our own (Psalms 51:5)

 - He came to save the us that are born in sin 

-Psalms 51:3-4  For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.  Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

 - In the OT, we read how people constantly fell into sin and away from God, then God judged them and punished their sin, but He always invited them back into a relationship with him.  This cycle continues today.

Jesus is the Reason for the Season

Who did Jesus come to save?

 - Salvation is offered to all who choose to accept the free gift of grace that only Jesus can offer:

- John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

****For this purpose, Jesus Christ was born on this earth – to save us from our sin and allow us to restore our relationship with God.  Like Adam and Eve, we do not need much prompting to make bad decisions - they almost seem to come with less of a fight as compared to making the "right" choice.

God: Absolute (love and holiness)         

(Offers the greatest gift - forgiveness of sins and everlasting life)

Man: Changing (sinful, never content)  

(Offers the latest fad - Tickle-Me Elmo, Kindle - will end up in ruin)

Jesus is the Reason for the Season

No gift can ever compare to the gift that we remember this day - God gave His son to me and you to be our Savior.  

- 2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

But we have to decide if we want to receive this gift (His invitation is to all people, like a present under the tree.  Will you leave it there, unopened?). All other things in this world will fall short, because there is no way that we can come close to the superior gift that God has given to us.

- 1 Timothy 1:15 (KJV)  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

If Jesus was not born, then He would not have died on the cross for our sins, and He would not have risen again, a Resurrection that provides a victory of death and is the only means to restore our relationship to a loving and Holy God.

Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

Praise the Lord!