Day 4—Peace

Day 4—Peace

John 14:25-31 & Matthew 6:25-34 
But the fruit of the Spirit is . . . peace.—Gal. 5:22  
The Lord has determined that every soul who obeys His word shall have His joy, His peace, His continual keeping power. Such men and women are brought near Him always, not only when they kneel before Him in prayer, but when they take up the duties of life. He has prepared for them an abiding place with Himself, where the life is purified from all grossness, all unloveliness. By this unbroken communion with Him, they are made colaborers with Him in their lifework (My Life Today, p. 51).

 Some are not at peace, not at rest; they are in a state of constant fretfulness, and permit impulse and passion to rule their hearts. They know not what it means to experience peace and rest in Christ. They are as a ship without anchor, driven with the wind and tossed. But those whose minds are controlled by the Holy Spirit walk in humility and meekness; for they work in Christ’s lines, and will be kept in perfect peace, while those who are not controlled by the Holy Spirit are like the restless sea (Ye Shall Receive Power, p. 73).

There are some who are seeking, always seeking, for the goodly pearl. But they do not make an entire surrender of their wrong habits. They do not die to self that Christ may live in them. Therefore they do not find the precious pearl. . . . They never know what it is to have peace and harmony in the soul; for without entire self-surrender there is no rest, no joy. Almost Christians, yet not fully Christians, they seem near the kingdom of heaven, but they cannot enter there. Almost but not wholly saved means to be not almost but wholly lost. . . (In Heavenly Places, p. 49).

The only way to gain peace and joy is to have a living connection with Him who gave His life for us, who died that we might live, and who lives to unite His power with the efforts of those who are striving to overcome (In Heavenly Places, p. 33).  Words cannot describe the peace and joy possessed by him who takes God at His word. Trials do not disturb him, slights do not vex him. Self is crucified. Day by day his duties may become more taxing, his temptations stronger, his trials more severe; but he does not falter; for he receives strength equal to his need (My Life Today, p. 51). 

There is peace in believing, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Believing brings peace, and trusting in God brings joy. Believe, believe! my soul says, believe. Rest in God. He is able to keep that which you have committed to His trust. He will bring you off more than conqueror through Him who hath loved you (The Faith I Live By, p. 121).

Questions for Personal Reflection
 1.  Do you have peace in your heart? What things take away your peace? Spend some time praying, surrendering those things and claiming God’s promises.
2.  Are you taking God at His Word? Do His promises give you peace in the midst of difficult situations? Pray that God will give you His peace as you face trials.  

Day 3—Joy

Habakkuk 3:17-19 & Isaiah 12
But the fruit of the Spirit is . . . joy.—Gal. 5:22

Those who abide in Jesus will be happy, cheerful, and joyful in God. A subdued gentleness will mark the voice, reverence for spiritual and eternal things will be expressed in the actions, and music, joyful music, will echo from the lips; for it is wafted from the throne of God (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 625).

The joy of Christ is a pure, unalloyed cheerfulness. It is not a cheap gaiety, that leads to vanity of words or lightness of conduct. No, we are to have His joy, and His greatest joy was to see men obeying the truth. . . . Plead with God, saying, “I make an entire surrender. I give myself away to Thee.” Then be joyful. The Word is in you, purifying and cleansing your character. God does not want His children to go about with anxiety and sorrow expressed in their faces.

He wants the lovely expression of His countenance to be revealed in every one of us who are partakers of the divine nature; for we have power to escape the corruptions of the world. . . . We are not, because Christ died, left a company of orphans. . . . It is possible for us to obtain victory after victory, and be the most happy people on the face of the earth (Our High Calling, p. 148).

Why should not our joy be full—full, lacking nothing? We have the assurance that Jesus is our Saviour, and that we may freely partake of the rich provision He has made for us. We may believe on Him, knowing that He will give us grace and power to do just as He bids us. He has given us every assurance that He will fulfill all that He has promised. It is our privilege to seek constantly the joy of His presence. He desires us to be cheerful and to be filled with praise to His name. He wants us to carry light in our countenances and joy in our hearts.

We have a hope that is far above any pleasure the world can give; why should we not then be joyful? (Signs of the Times, Aug. 11, 1909, par. 4).  Let us strive to educate the believers to rejoice in the Lord. Spiritual joy is the result of active faith. God’s people are to be full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. Then He will be glorified in them (Bible Training School, April 1, 1905, par. 2).

It is not what is around us, but what is in us; not what we have, but what we are, that makes us really happy. We want a cheerful fire on the altar of our own hearts; then we shall view everything in a happy, cheerful light. We may have the peace of Christ. . . . If we will be obedient, trustful in God, as a child in its simplicity trusts its earthly parents, we shall have peace—not the peace that the world gives, but that peace which Jesus gives. . . . Life, this life, has much brightness in it if we will gather the flowers and let the briers and thistles alone (In Heavenly Places, p. 245).

Questions for Personal Reflection 
1.  Are you a joyful Christian? If not, what takes away your joy? Spend some time surrendering those things to God in prayer. Claim His promises to give you joy. Ask Him to give you a joyful heart.
 2.  Think of some things you can do that will help you to be joyful all the time. Make a plan and ask God to help you apply it in your life.  

Day 2—Love

Day 2—Love

1 John 4:7-21
But the fruit of the Spirit is love.—Gal. 5:22

Here is held out the very thing for which we are to labor: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love.” If we have the love of Christ in our souls it will be a natural consequence for us to have all the other graces—joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; and “against such there is no law.” The law of God does not condemn and hold in bondage those who have these graces, because they are obeying the requirements of the law of God.

They are law keepers, and . . . are not under the bondage of the law. . . .  We are to have love, and connected with this are joy, peace, long-suffering, patience. We see the restlessness of the world, their dissatisfied condition. They want something they have not. They want something to keep up an excitement or something for amusement.

But for the Christian there is joy, there is peace, there is long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, forbearance, and patience; and to these things we want to open the door of our heart, cherishing the heavenly graces of the Spirit of God. . . . One cannot do it for another. You may set to work and obtain the graces of the Spirit, but that will not answer for me. . . . Each one individually must do the work, and determine through personal efforts to have the grace of God in the heart. I cannot form a character for you nor can you for me. It is a burden that rests upon every one individually, young or old. Christ says: “I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir” (Isaiah 13:12). How? By the cultivation of the graces of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, faith.

We want the living faith that will grasp the strong arm of Jehovah. . . . We all need the graces of the Spirit of God in the heart. When the love of Christ is enshrined in the heart, like sweet fragrance it cannot be hidden. The holy influence it reflects through the character will be manifest to all. Christ will be formed within, “the hope of glory” (In Heavenly Places, p. 244).

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, and peace. Discord and strife are the work of Satan and the fruit of sin. If we would as a people enjoy peace and love, we must put away our sins; we must come into harmony with God, and we shall be in harmony with one another.

Let each ask himself: Do I possess the grace of love? Have I learned to suffer long and to be kind? Talents, learning, and eloquence, without this heavenly attribute, will be as meaningless as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. Alas that this precious treasure is so lightly valued and so little sought by many who profess the faith! (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5,        p. 169).

Wherever a soul is united to Christ, there is love. Whatever else the character may possess, it is valueless without love, not love that is soft, weak, sentimental, but such love as dwells in the heart of Christ. Without love, everything else profiteth nothing; for it cannot possibly represent Christ, who is love (Signs of the Times, Dec. 28, 1891, par. 18).

Questions for Personal Reflection
 1.  Is there anything in your life that hinders you from loving God with all your heart? Ask God to show you these things. Then give them all to Him.
2.  Are there people in your life that you find hard to love? Spend some time asking God to make you willing to love them, to give you love in your heart for them and opportunities to show them His love.  

Day 1—Abiding in Christ

Day 1—Abiding in Christ

Ellen White on Abiding in Christ 
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.—John 15:4, 5  “Abide in me” are words of great significance. Abiding in Christ means a living, earnest, refreshing faith that works by love and purifies the soul. It means a constant receiving of the spirit of Christ, a life of unre-served surrender to His service.

Where this union exists, good works will appear. The life of the vine will manifest itself in fragrant fruit on the branches. The continual supply of the grace of Christ will bless you and make you a blessing, till you can say with Paul, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Galatians 2:20) (Our Father Cares, p. 124).

It is not a casual touch with Christ that is needed, but it is to abide with Him. He called you to abide with Him. He does not propose to you a short-lived blessedness that is realized occasionally through earnest seeking of the Lord and passes away as you engage in the common duties of life. Your abiding with Christ makes every necessary duty light, for He bears the weight of every burden. He has prepared for you to abide with Him. This means that you are to be conscious of an abiding Christ, that you are continually with Christ, where your mind is encouraged and strengthened. . . . Do not stand outside of Christ, as many professed Christians of today. To “abide in me, and I in you” is a possible thing to do, and the invitation would not be given if you could not do this. Jesus our Saviour is con-stantly drawing you by His Holy Spirit, working with your mind that you will abide with Christ. . . .  The blessings He bestows are all connected with your own individual action. Shall Christ be refused? He says, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37).

Of another class He says, “Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life” (John 5:40) (In Heavenly Places, p. 55).  The Lord needs men and women who carry with them into the daily life the light of a godly example, men and women whose words and actions show that Christ is abiding in the heart, teaching, leading, and guiding. He needs men and women of prayer, who, by wrestling alone with God, obtain the victory over self, and then go forth to impart to others that which they have received from the Source of power (To Be Like Jesus, p. 262).

 “By their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20), the Saviour declared. All the true follow-ers of Christ bear fruit to His glory. Their lives testify that a good work has been wrought in them by the Spirit of God, and their fruit is unto holiness. Their lives are elevated and pure. Right actions are the unmistakable fruit of true godliness, and those who bear no fruit of this kind reveal that they have no experience in the things of God. They are not in the Vine. Said Jesus, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. I am the Vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing” (John 15:4, 5) (Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 329).

As the branch must abide in the vine to obtain the vital sap which causes it to flourish, so those who love God and keep all His sayings must abide in His love. Without Christ we cannot subdue a single sin or overcome the smallest temptation. Many need the Spirit of Christ and His power to enlighten their under-standing, as much as blind Bartimaeus needed his natural sight. “As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.” All who are really in Christ will experi-ence the benefit of this union.

The Father accepts them in the Beloved, and they become objects of His solic-itude and tender, loving care. This connection with Christ will result in the purification of the heart and in a circumspect life and faultless character. The fruit borne upon the Christian tree is “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 355).

 Questions for Personal Reflection 
1.  How much do you want Christ to abide in you and you in Christ? Ask God in a special way to give you a deep desire to abide in Him.
2.  Is there anything that would hinder the Holy Spirit from transforming your life? Take those things to God in prayer and surrender them to Him.     

Meeting with Christ

Have you ever questioned God about a situation in your life?  Have you wrestled with Him over why you must endure a particular trial or sorrow or face a seemingly insurmountable obstacle?  Are there times where you cry out to God, “it’s just not fair”?  I know I have.  There have been days, weeks, even years, during which I have constantly questioned my circumstances and doubted that any good could ever come of them.  Can you relate?
            I bet the blind man, whose story is found in John 9, could relate.  Not only was he blind, but he was born that way.  That means that until he met Jesus, this man never experienced a sunset, the beauty of a smile, or the freedom of exploring a new part of town.  He was limited by his circumstances, stuck.  And perhaps worst of all, his disability carried with it a stigma.  People assumed his blindness pointed to a dark family past, that it was the consequence for a sin he or his parents had committed.
            But here is the interesting part: Jesus knew God’s plan for this man’s life.  And it had nothing to do with living down a sin.  Instead, it had everything to do with the transformational power of an encounter with the Messiah.  Jesus, in John 9:4 explained to His disciples, “he was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him.”  And then, Jesus spit on the ground, made mud, placed it on the blind man’s eyes, and changed his life.
            This story carries with it a difficult lesson to embrace, but a critically important one nonetheless.  Because of sin in this world, we deal with tragic and unfair circumstances on a daily basis.  However, God, the Creator of the Universe, our All-Powerful Protector, stands ready to transform the tragedies of our lives into a witness that binds us to Him and reveals His love.  Do you think the blind man lamented his former blindness after meeting Jesus?  Not a chance!  In fact, he immediately took a stand for his Healer when questioned by the Pharisees.  His encounter with Jesus healed him physically, but it also empowered him spiritually.
            We serve a God who, by very definition, is Love.  He wants only good for us.  He wants to wrap us in His arms and hold us during the storms of our lives.  This knowledge does not make the tragedies of this life any less difficult.  But, in the midst of our struggles, the story of the man born blind demonstrates God’s faithfulness and desire to draw us to Him, the Source of hope and life.

Who Is This Jesus?

Church Sign:  THE WISE STILL SEEK HIM!  

WE SAW HIS STAR & WE CAME!  Matt. 2:2

                       

Scripture Lesson: Luke 9:18-23

This sermon is based in part on the book

The Next-Door Savior- Near Enough to Touch, Strong Enough to Trust by Max Lucado.

Related Scriptures for reference and further study:

John 1:1-3

1 John  1:1-4

Heb. 1:1-3

Col. 1:3, 14-20

Col. 1:27 Christ in you , the hope of glory!

Heb. 4:14-16  Jesus – touched by our infirmities

1 Peter 2:24 NCV  Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross so we would stop living for sin and start living for what is right. 

Why did Jesus come to earth at all?

 Because he loved us so much! 

            Story told by Dr. Maxwell Maltz, plastic surgeon:

            Man injured trying to rescue parents trapped in a burning building.  Failed, they perished.  Man burned, face totally disfigured.  Punishment from God?   Too much pain, too big a failure, too horrible to be seen.  Isolation.  100%  Nobody to see him, not even his wife.  Barred himself in his room never to come out.  Wife went to Dr. Maltz.  I can restore his face!  No, he will not permit it.  That's not why I came.  But then why did you come?   If you can you make my face like his. . .  If I can share his pain then maybe he will let me back in his life again. 

The prophet Isaiah again (52:14)  His visage, [his face] was marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men.

Dr. Maltz refused the woman's request, but he was so impressed by her love and desire for her husband to be restored that he went to her home hoping to help.  Through the bedroom door he called to the man.  No response.  He offered his services.  No response.  Then he told the man still through the closed door what his wife had asked him to do.  Slowly, silently, the knob began to turn. . .

Jesus not only offered to become like us, he took our face, our disfigurement, the cumulative results of scores of generations of sin.  Why?  Because he loved us.  And he not only looked like us.  He came, and looked for us where we are – in the stable, in borrowed accommodations, in a carpentry shop, in the wilderness, at the wedding, in the tax collector's booth, by the sea smelly with fish, in the valley, on the mountain, in Samaria, in the cemetery, in the synagogue, by the pool, in the temple, in the upper room, in the Garden, in the judgment hall. Outside by the warming fire.  He will find you.  He stands at the door, knocking.  He loves you so much!

Why did Jesus come as a baby rather than just showing up as a Messiah figure with no known human parentage?  Why a humble birth.  Why inconvenience human parents with an awkward situation?  Why take on the stigma of questionable parentage?  Because he was to be truly one of us – yet without sin!  He was God but also he was man.  The one and only God-man.  His DNA had the faults from countless generations of sinners built into it.  Alcohol addition, sexual perversion, deceit, murder, covetousness, adultery, dishonesty, wife stealing, false religion.   However these human tendencies mark and change the human DNA, the marks were there in the DNA with which he was born.  He was not to run the race with advantages over you and me. 

Incarnate Christ was 100% human and at the same time 100% divine

At the time prophesied, Jesus began his public ministry.  Daniel chapter 9 we believe pinpoints the year his public ministry would begin . 

Following his baptism he went to the wilderness to be tempted by the devil – not just one day after 40 days, but for the 40 days.

Growing up Jesus was where the people were.  In his public ministry he went were the people were, all kinds of people!  He was the next-door Savior.

He lived a normal childhood and young adulthood – people later exclaimed in Nazareth – "Is not this the carpenter's son?"  (Matt 13:54, 55) His stories reflect a simple existence – the sawdust in the eye (compared with a timber), the seed that grows in the path, in the stony ground, that is choked out by weeds, the maker of yokes who says "my yoke is easy."   The boy who grew up not far from the village of Safed, a town perched on the top of one of the wood-crowned hills of Napthali.  Was he thinking of Safed when he later referred to "the city set on a hill that cannot be hidden?"

Jesus' up-bring in common circumstances, and his common work in a carpenter shop prepared him for an uncommon life.  Is your life boring, common, mundane?  Remember Jesus.  God may be preparing you for something big!  You too, were sent into the world, ,just as Jesus was.   Once you start living your life with that conviction, you will soon know what you were sent to do.

Jesus is our example in gaining victory over the devil. 

In the wilderness strange things can happen.  You see mirages, your imagination can play tricks.  You may think unthinkable thoughts.  The forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness were not easy.  He had temptations – teaming up with Satan could make life a lot easier! 

Have you experienced any of these temptations?  He did but he didn't yield. 

And how was he victorious where even the first Adam failed?   It is written, it is written, it is written. . . always, only, the Scriptures, God's word, God's promises, God the answer -- never self!  What an example for self-sufficient post-modern man!

Jesus is our example of living for others. 

He spent more time ministering to physical needs than preaching.  His miracles included whole villages being healed.  The range of ills he treated was not limited – congenital defects, the results of bad lifestyles, leprosy, demon possession, you name it, -- even death itself.  The one who created the human body could restore it to perfect working order, even after it had lay decaying in the grave for four days. 

But more than physical healing he offered spiritual healing.  When he preached, his sermons attracted the attention of everyone from children to the highly educated.  His critics were stymied, his enemies dumbfounded.   Those who sought to judge him found themselves condemned by their own words.  But those who responded to him with self-sacrificing love discovered what life was all about.  The inspiration of those few years together with Jesus propelled the eleven disciples and energized them for a lifetime of dedicated ministry.  

Jesus in death bore our sins – our public sins as well as our secret sins.  He has already suffered the penalty for our transgressions. 

1 Peter 2:24 NCV  Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross so we would stop living for sin and start living for what is right. 

How can we begin to comprehend this? 

Even though Jesus took on human form, as a human he still was in close communion with His Heavenly Father.  Remember in the upper room he explained it with the words, "I and may Father are one."  He spent entire nights in prayer to his Father.  Even at age twelve he told his parents, " I must be about my Father's business!"  We have lost the fellowship with God that our original parents experienced and that sustained Christ during His sojourn on earth because of our sin and the sinfulness of the human race.  The amazing thing about sin is that when Jesus suffered the penalty for our sin he experienced the separation from God that sin causes.  Only because he suffered the penalty we deserve, can we experience the fellowship with him that he intended for his children.  This fellowship, if we are willing, will bring victory over sin!

On the cross Christ experienced being abandoned by His Father and the experience was so horrendous that it became the direct cause of his death.

An interesting example of a prophecy related to the crucifixion is found in Amos 8:9.

"And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day.  

This darkness surrounding the cross and the city that Friday in addition to being the subject of prophecy was recorded by the contemporary author Dionysius in Egypt who wrote regarding that Friday afternoon, quote: "Either the God of nature is suffering, or the machine of the world is tumbling into ruin."

His followers, although totally perplexed by the death of Jesus, were elated by His resurrection.

 Jesus status as the "Next-door Savior" was retained even as he ascended to his Father:  I go to prepare a place for you, he promised.  He ever liveth to make intercession for us (Heb. 7:25).  As our high priest, He is touched by our infirmities.  He can sympathize with us because of his likeness to us. (Heb. 4:15 KJV and NEB).  Even though he has ascended to reunite with his Father he still retains His human form and will do so forever.  "This same Jesus , , , will so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven (Acts 1:11)."

He will return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords to claim the righteous as His own.  Revelation 19:11-21

He will resurrect the righteous who have died since Adam using his creative power to restore them.  1 Cor. 14 and  1 Thes. 4

He will create a new heavens and a new earth wherein righteousness dwells forever.  Rev. 21, especially verse 5. 

Christ's claims regarding his divinity are  either true or the fabrication of the devil.  He wasn't just a good man because then claiming to be God's Son would have constituted a lie and he could not on that basis have been a "good man"!

God the Father's testimony – This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased – hear ye him!

Writer's conference – Moses, Peter, James, John (Elijah) One only who should be praised --- not three temples!

Fulfillment of Jesus' own prophecies also demonstrates the truth of his claims – these prophecies include:  Judas' betrayal, Peter's denial, all to be offended by the events that overtook Jesus, the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. (see Matt. 24 and Luke 21 including escape for those who heeded warnings. 

So who is this "Jesus" – the Next-Door Savior?

Abraham         The one whom the Lord provided as a sacrifice

Jacob               He's the one who blesses you at dawn after you have wrestled with him all night

Moses              The rock from which the water flows

Joshua The captain of the Lord's army, the Lord of hosts!

David              He is my shepherd.  The Lord is my light and salvation, whom shall I fear, the Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?  Ps. 23 and 27

Isaiah               The one whose visage was marred more than that of any man (Isa 52:14)

Jeremiah          The righteous branch, the Lord OUR righteousness.  Jer. 23:5,6

Daniel's friends           the one who stands with you in the fire

Daniel              The one who closes the lions' mouths, the Messiah, the anointed one, Michael,

Malachi           The sun of righteousness who will arise with healing in his wings.

Gabriel            He is the son of the Highest!  Luke 1:32

Ask John the Baptist   The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world

Jesus' Heavenly Father           This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye Him.  Matt. 17:5

Lazarus            The one who speaks and the dead hear his voice! 

Ask Jesus Himself      

I am the bread of life (John 6:48)

            I am the light of the world. (John 8:12)

            I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. (John 10:9 NIV)

            I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11)

            I am God's Son  (John 10:326 NCV)

            I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25)

            I am the way the truth the life"  (John 14:6)

            I am the true vine (John 15:1)

            I am that I am.  (Exodus 3:14) 

            I am he that liveth, and was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, and I have the

keys of death and hell.  Revelation 1:18

The devils who possessed the demoniacs of Gadara      "Jesus thou Son of God"

What about those in high positions?

What did Jesus' human enemies say about him?

Officers of the Scribes and Pharisees sent to arrest Jesus:  Never man spake like this man.  John 7:46

Ask those who commented that Friday when Jesus only rarely spoke

Caiaphas the high priest:  "It is better for one man to die for the people that for the whole nation to be destroyed" (John 11:50 NCV);  "Caiaphas did not think of this himself.  As high priest that year, he was really prophesying that Jesus would die for [the Jewish] nation and for God's scattered children to bring them all together and make them one."  (John 11:51, 52NCV)

Herod The one man in whom there is no fault

Pilate               This just person of whose blood I am innocent.

Then there is that one line sermon preached by the Pharisees:

            He saved others; himself he cannot save.  Matt. 27:42

Pilate  "What I have written I have written," he said when challenged by the Jews:

            In three languages he had it written and attached to the central cross:

            "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews," in Hebrew, Greek and Latin. (John 19:19 NLT)

The Centurion, on duty at the crucifixion      "Truly this was the Son of God."

The angel at the tomb             He is not here for he is risen!

Doubting Thomas       My Lord and My God (John 20:28)

Peter the Apostle        This Jesus whom God raised up from the dead

John     The one whom our hands touched the eternally living one, who was with the Father before coming here, who was with us in absolute reality, with whom we have fellowship yet today!

John the Revelator

            He is Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, Beginning and Ending  Rev. 1:8

The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, The Lamb of God that was slain.  Rev. 5:5-6

The Lamb, who before the foundations of the world were laid, had a book with His chosen one's names written it!  Rev. 13:8

Is your name still written there?

WHO DO YOU SAY THIS JESUS IS?

Sermon delivered October 5, 2002 by Dr. Carlos Martin McDonald Road Seventh-day Adventist Church

Biblical quotations are translated from the Spanish Bible - Valera Version unless otherwise noted. Divine pronouns and titles are capitalized.

Zacchaeus

Luke 19

Please open your Bibles to Luke chapter 19. Last Sabbath I shared with you a message focused on Bartemaeus, a man who lived in Jericho, and today I will share with you the story of another man who lived in Jericho. Luke 19:1. Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.

Many times, Jesus had to pass through Jericho just because it was the way in the way to the north between Jerusalem and Capernaum. There was a major highway the kings rode going from Egypt in the south to Damascus in the north. And there was another main road going from east to west and Jericho was in the intersection of these two main roads. Because of its strategic location, Jericho was a station for travelers. It was an oasis in a very hot, hot area. About eight hundred meters below sea level. The name, Jericho means, "Fragrance," a sweet smell. Maybe because of the palm trees. It was also known as the city of roses. Well, maybe someone, some entrepreneur had decided to establish a flower business, I don't know. The fact is that Jesus went through Jericho. Then He met a man named, Zacchaeus. Luke 19:2, (NAS). And there was a man called Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector and he was rich. And he was trying to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd for he was of short stature.

Zacchaeus had five impediments, hindrances, obstacles to go to where Jesus was. First of all, Zacchaeus had four or five problems. He was a tax collector, a publican. I don't like paying taxes, but I have to do it. But in a special way in those days, tax collectors were not the most popular people in town because they were known to be collaborators with the enemy. They were considered to be traitors to their nation. And they were hated very much. Just for you to have an idea in the Talmud, which is the collection of Jewish traditions and teachings. There is an instruction: "If you see a tax collector falling in a pit, you should not help him out of the pit." That was a clear instruction. Let him die, otherwise you will be a traitor to our nation. That was what the Talmud, the collection of traditions instructed to Jewish people.

But, Zacchaeus had another problem. He was the chief tax collector. He was the head of the I.R.S. in this important city. As I said last Sabbath: until today, Jericho is a very well known city. The chief tax collector. Somehow, Zacchaeus had managed to climb the social ladder. He had reached the top. But he was lonely at the top. And this is very common among sucessful people. Zacchaeus was a lonely man. He did not have friends.

There was another problem. He was rich. Nothing wrong with money. Well, money is the root of all evil (see 1 Timothy 6:10) according to the Bible. Love of money - that's the problem. And that was Zacchaeus' problem. He had become rich at the expense of others, because publicans were known as thieves. Everybody knew that tax collectors charged more than they should and they kept a good portion of the money they got from people. And his money did not make him happy. He was not a happy man.

For several years I lived in the Philippines, for six years, and I had a vehicle. It did not have a window. When they got broken in Manila, I had to abandon the car. I left the car. Three days later I returned the car was still there. Who would want to touch that old car of mine? Nobody was interested in a car, fifteen years old in the third world. Nobody was interested in touching ... But imagine if I had a Mercedes-Benz! How could I watch day and night, making sure that nobody would approach my car? I don't have, today, the problems that Zacchaeus had. I don't have much that thieves can take from me. But, Zacchaeus was a rich man. And he was not able to sleep well. And in his nights of insomnia, Zacchaeus dreamed, thought about how to secure, how to have peace of mind.

He had learned about Jesus. Jesus was in town and the news had spread in Jericho that Jesus was coming. Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus because the news had spread among tax collectors that one tax collector in Capernaum, named Matthew, had become a disciple of Jesus. Matthew had abandoned his office just to follow this carpenter. There was something in this carpenter, now a preacher. There was something that had caused Matthew to change his career. Money was not a priority in his life. Now, Matthew was a smiling preacher. "I envy him. I wish, I wish I could know what changed my fellow worker, my fellow publican." And he wanted to see Jesus as Jesus moved slowly through main street. And he attempted many times to see Jesus. He wanted to see Jesus, but more than that, he wanted to know what this Man was. He was something very different.

It is one thing to know things about someone. For instance, I know about a man named Bill Clinton. I know many things about him. But, you know what? I don't know him and he doesn't know me. He's not my friend. He never calls me. He never says, "Hi, Carlos. Happy Sabbath." - never, never! He doesn't even know there is a little known man named Carlos. Of course he doesn't. We are not friends.

It's one thing to know Jesus, to know things about Jesus, and another thing is to be His friend, to know Him. Zacchaeus wanted to know Who this Man was. He already knew things about Jesus, but he wanted to know Him.

But there was another problem. The crowd. There was a crowd surrounding Jesus. It happened very often. Even His mother tried to approach Him, but she could not because of the crowd. And you know what? It happens with me. Sometimes I am too crowded. I am doing too many things. My schedule is too crowded. I don't have time for Jesus.

But Zacchaeus had another problem. He was very short. And people made fun of his stature. The people also make fun of his name. Zacchaeus means righteous or pure, and everybody in town knew that Zacchaeus was not righteous nor pure.

Then we read in verse four, So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him for he knew He was going to pass that way. Zacchaeus got a crazy idea. You know the story--he ran ahead, climbed a tree--you do crazy things only in very special circumstances. You need a strong motivation. You see this man who usually walked very slowly because he was an officer, an important man. Now he was climbing a tree. Maybe there were some children there booing. And there he was perched on the tree. Now he could see Jesus because he knew that Jesus was going to pass this way. But there was something that Zacchaeus did not know--that this was the last time that Jesus was passing this way because the story took place on a Friday and one week later Jesus died on the cross. It was the last time that Jesus was passing that way and Zacchaeus did not know it.

Finally Jesus approached and Zacchaeus' heart missed a beat when Jesus stopped just under the tree. Zacchaeus was a little afraid that someone would notice him, but suddenly his fears became a reality. When Jesus looked up, everybody looked up and they saw Zacchaeus perched on a tree. Now everybody began to laugh. Zacchaeus had climbed a tree trying to find a solution to his problem. Now he had become the laughing stock of Jericho. "Look! Zacchaeus what are you doing there so ridiculous." Zacchaeus was red faced and he didn't know what to do. But Jesus transformed that uncomfortable situation into a victory when Jesus said, "Zacchaeus, I have arrived. Zacchaeus (verse 5). He said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down for today I must stay at your house." How could Jesus know Zacchaeus by name? They have never met. Of course, Jesus knows much more than your name. Jesus knows many things about you that you don't know about yourself. How many hairs do you have in your head? You don't know? Jesus knows. Jesus does. Jesus knows you much more than you can even imagine. "Zacchaeus, I know you, I know your heart. Come down Zacchaeus, make haste. You don't belong up there."

Many people feel that they are above the others. And even from this high platform, I am tempted to look down on you. You are the preacher. "No, Carlos, come down, you don't belong there. The only one who belongs up there is and sitting on a throne is God. You come down. Humble yourself. Come down. Zacchaeus, I need to go to your house." Jesus invited himself.

And this is where salvation begins. If we love Him it is because He first loved us. Salvation is God's initiative. "Zacchaeus, make haste, come down. I cannot wait." Sometimes children say to their parents, "Wait a minute, I'm busy." "Mary, come, hurry up." "Wait a minute." And she is playing with her dolls. Imagine if angels would obey that way. A child is falling off a cliff. And God says to an angel who is playing the harp and singing praises, "Help that boy." And this angel says, "Wait a minute, I will sing the stanza." Imagine the ridiculous situation. No, no angels cannot wait. Angels obey quickly, immediately. And Zacchaeus (verse six says), he made haste and came down and received him joyfully. And this is how angels obey. Angels obey with a smile. This is how we need to obey our mommy and our father, with joy because our parents want our best for us and this is why we should obey our Father who is in heaven joyfully. Jesus always demands joyful obedience. Jesus never leads us to disobedience. He wants us to obey immediately--to apply what we are learning, what we know.

I have to finish. When they saw that--all complained. "Oh look, Jesus has gone to be a guest with the man who is a sinner. And they murmured and they criticized Jesus. And I have not yet arrived to the main point of my sermon. But I will do it in two minutes. To shorten the story, Jesus spoke a long time with Zacchaeus that afternoon. Mrs. Zacchaeus was preparing the food for 13 hungry people--13 hungry men. While Mrs. Zacchaeus was busy, Jesus spoke with Zacchaeus. And Zacchaeus stood up and said, "I will follow You." And He stood up so that everybody could see him. There was a crowd in his house. He stood up and made the decision to follow Jesus. And Jesus, with a smile, said, "Today salvation has come to this house." Ellen White, commenting on this phrase, says, "Many think that salvation is a matter of the future. Just because the Bible says, "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved." But, she explains, you shall be saved when you do what Zacchaeus did. At that moment when a sinner receives Jesus, he is saved." And you will be saved as long as you maintain a personal relationship with Jesus.

This is something that many Seventh-day Adventists should be reminded of. If I ask you the question, "are you saved?" Meaning do you have a meaningful relationship with Jesus. I hope that all of you would say, "Yes." Otherwise, if you are not, you are in trouble. Because the other option is that if you are not safe in Jesus' hands, you are lost. Even if you are a church member. You are lost in the church. Another question that many Seventh-day Adventists feel difficult to answer. "Do you already have eternal life?" 1 John 5:13. I have written these things unto you that you may know that you already have eternal life and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. If you have accepted Jesus as Zacchaeus did, if you have received Him, your name is already written in the Book of Life, and you already have eternal life. You are a citizen of God's kingdom.

And another last question that many Seventh-day Adventists cannot answer is, "Are all your sins already forgiven?" The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. If all your sins are not yet forgiven, you are in trouble. Not because God is not able and willing to do it--just because you have not asked for it. 1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to cleanse us from all sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteous.