| March 12, 2000 |
Vol. II, No. 46
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“For when we were still without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:6-8).
I’ve never had any trouble believing in a Supreme Being. There are just too many things that cannot otherwise be explained. And I’ve never had any trouble believing that a Supreme Being can do things we humans can’t do. That’s what makes Him supreme. He can walk on water, heal the sick, raise the dead, etc.
But the thing I find hardest to believe is how much He loves me. I know it’s true. I believe it, and I try constantly to believe it more fully. But it’s hard to believe anyone could love me as much as Jesus did and does.
And one of the areas that many Christians fall short in is this element of love: love for God, love for the Scriptures, love for one another. Jesus probably spoke more about love than any other subject. He left a command that we love one another, John 13:34. Love is a distinguishing characteristic of the people of God, John 13:35. Love covers a multitude of sins, 1 Peter 4:8. And Jesus set the pattern for love in His words, in His deeds, in His death, and in His promises.
Love was demonstrated in His attitudes. In His attitude toward the spiritual needs of man. “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd” (Matt. 9:36). Love was manifested in His attitude toward those who were outcasts. Note the case of the woman taken in adultery, recorded in John 8. Jesus did not defend or condone her sin. He told her to “sin no more.” But when others would have stoned her to death, Jesus gave her another chance.
Jesus demonstrated love in His attitude toward those with physical problems. “And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick” (Matt. 14:14). Love was manifested in His attitude toward those who mean well but fall short through weakness of the flesh, Matt. 26:40-46.
Jesus demonstrated His great love in the examples He set. When His disciples was sure He would have no time to take an interest in small children, He commanded, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14). He was sympathetic to those who were bereaved. When His friend Lazarus died, Jesus saw the sadness of Mary and Martha, and “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). But most of all, Jesus wept over the sinners who were in the process of sealing their own doom.
Jesus had come to Jerusalem in triumph. Crowds had lauded Him, saying “Hosanna to the Son of David.” They had spread palm leaves before Him as He came into the city. But before that week was over, the crowds would turn against Him and shout out for Him to be crucified. And during that week, Jesus cried. Not for Himself. Not for His friends. But for those who were in the process of rejecting Him. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Matt. 23:37). God help me learn to love like that!
Christ’s love was demonstrated in His death. There can be no greater love than that, John 15:13. He willingly died to pay the price of my sins (and yours). He said, “I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes 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” (John 10:17-18).
Many people choose not to avail themselves of it, but the blood of Jesus is sufficient to pay for all the sins of all the sinners who have ever lived or who ever will live. Whoever wants to may benefit, Rev. 22:17; Rom. 6:3-4. Have you obeyed the gospel and been baptized into His death?
Jesus’ great love for us is also demonstrated in the promises He has made. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heaven laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). He has promised to forgive our sins and save our souls: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). He has promised us life abundant, without end, in heaven. “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:1-3).
He couldn’t have loved us more. He can’t expect any less of us than to love one another. And to love Him in return.
–CRJ
In Matt. 14:3-12, Matthew tells us that “Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. For John had said to him, ‘It is not lawful for you to have her.’ And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, ‘Give me John the Baptist’s head on a platter.’ And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him at the table, he commanded it to be given to her. So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.”
Many interesting points might be noted from this reading, and from a comparison of the parallel account in Mark 6:14-29. From Mark we learn that Herod had actually married Herodias, the wife of his brother, and thus had “legalized” their relationship, but that did not make it right in God’s eyes. From this, we draw the conclusion that God does not automatically approve all marriages. Even though Herod had married Herodias, John said, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”
A second thing that might be noted is that even though Herod hated John and desired to kill him, he had also come to respect him. Herod had even made some changes in his life as a result of John’s preaching. Mark tells us, “Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly” (Mark 6:20).
So we see that there were two reasons Herod hesitated to kill John. (1) He knew that would not be popular with the common people who looked up to John as a prophet, and (2) He knew that John was right in what he had preached. But Herod was a man of extremely low moral standards. He was more concerned with pleasing his unscriptural wife and impressing his ungodly friends than he was in doing what was right. He had made a rash oath of which he should have repented. But instead of repenting, the king kept that oath, even thought it meant murdering an innocent, holy, and just man.
Thus as the context shows, it was Herod’s guilty conscience that led him to conclude that Jesus was John come back to life.
--CRJ
Test all things; hold fast
what is good.
Abstain from every form of
evil.