by David Scott Robertson
(John 19:19 NIV) Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
(John 19:20 NIV) Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek.
(John 19:21 NIV) The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews."
(John 19:22 NIV) Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."
Well, Pilate, you did it.
You finally stood up to them.
You didn’t cave in (again) to the righteously indignant chief priests of the Jews who demanded that you edit the sign “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”.
When the religious leaders objected, you replied “what I have written, I have written.”
Good for you.
While I appreciate you locating your spine and finally doing your job to combat corruption, sadly, it was a case of too little authority, too late.
Pilate, providence afforded you one, brief appearance on center stage standing next to history’s most outstanding citizen, Jesus Christ, nevertheless in your finest hour, the best your brand of leadership could produce was to preserve and protect a wooden sign.
Pilate, you actually had within your grasp one extraordinary opportunity to pull something off so significant that parents today may be naming their children after you.
You had the opportunity to stand for truth in its most literal sense.
But the best line you could muster as you looked Jesus Christ in the face was one of history’s most ironic lines: “What is truth?”
You didn’t recognize Truth when it was staring you in the face.
You exercised too little wisdom too late.
While it is true that Jesus of Nazareth would have ultimately went on to fulfill His destiny which had been spoken of by the prophets, that is, to die on a crude Roman cross as the Lamb of God to reconcile a lost race back to God, nonetheless it could have been mediated at the hands of someone else other than you, Pilate.
You played right into the hypocritical hands of the Jewish leaders.
You betrayed innocent blood.
And although you washed your hands publicly to absolve your responsibility,
By offering too little remorse, too late
You by default joined the ranks of those who cried out
"…Let his blood be on us and on our children!" (Matthew 27:25)
Pilate, you had your chance to stand for Truth.
It might have cost you your popularity, your career, maybe even your life.
Nevertheless you had your chance and you squandered it.
You spent all your valor and might and position and power to protect a wooden sign that published Jesus’ “crime” over His head on the cross.
A pitifully shameful example of too little guts, too late.
I don’t know who popularized the following statement,
But a wise person once remarked that “the opportunity of a lifetime must be seized within the lifetime of the opportunity.”
Pilate, you had your opportunity, your day of visitation came and went and you frittered it away. You displayed too little authority, wisdom, remorse, and guts too late.
How about us?
In our hour of opportunity when suddenly and unexpectedly we are thrust center stage in a drama in real life, how will we respond?
Will we rise to the occasion and let it be our finest hour and defend Truth
Or will we fall in line with the politically correct crowd?
Will our response be to do the right thing at the right time for the cause of Truth
Or will we demonstrate too little authority, wisdom, remorse, and guts too late?
DSR
5/26/03
Monday, May 26, 2003
Monday, May 12, 2003
It's Not a Fair Fight
by David Scott Robertson
(Eph 6:12 NIV) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
You and I were born in a battle zone.
Planet earth is under attack.
The devil and his angels have launched a full-scale war
Against the people of God in an attempt to hurt God by hurting His kids.
The hounds of hell are also adamant about preventing lost souls from finding Jesus
So that they too can become part of God's family.
Satan's arsenal includes lies, seduction, exaggeration and other forms of deception.
Now here's the good news.
It's not a fair fight!
If you are born again,
If you are a solider in the army of the Lord
Then you have a distinct advantage over the enemy.
It just plain isn't a fair fight!
Check it out…
THE ENEMIES WEAPONS DON'T WORK RIGHT
(Isa 54:17 NIV) no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD.
WE WALK IN THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST
(Luke 10:19 NIV) I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
GOD HIMSELF FIGHTS FOR US
(1 Sam 17:47 NIV) All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands."
DEMONS MUST SUBMIT TO THE NAME OF JESUS
(Luke 10:17 NIV) The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."
SATAN HIMSELF IS NO MATCH FOR OUR SUBMISSION TO GOD
(James 4:7 NIV) Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
DEMONS, SNAKES, POISON ARE OF NO EFFECT UPON THE MAN OF GOD
(Mark 16:17 NIV) And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
(Mark 16:18 NIV) they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
GOD HAS ISSUED US A FULL SUIT OF ARMOR
(Eph 6:11 NIV) Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
TWO-THIRDS OF ALL ANGELS EVER CREATED ARE ON OUR SIDE
(Heb 1:14 NIV) Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
TWO MIGHTY WEAPONS REVEALED
(Rev 12:11 NIV) They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
WE CAN BE HEALTHY AND STRONG WHILE OUR ENEMIES ARE SICK AND WEAK
(Deu 7:15 NIV) The LORD will keep you free from every disease. He will not inflict on you the horrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but he will inflict them on all who hate you.
JESUS WANTS US TO FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS AS A CONQUERER
(1 John 3:8 KJV) "…For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."
EXPECT MIRACLES, SIGNS, WONDERS AND A MIGHTY HAND TO DEFEND YOU
(Deu 7:17 NIV) You may say to yourselves, "These nations are stronger than we are. How can we drive them out?"
(Deu 7:18 NIV) But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt.
(Deu 7:19 NIV) You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the miraculous signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the LORD your God brought you out. The LORD your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear.
GOD CAN EVEN USE NATURE TO ASSIST YOU IN THE FIGHT
(Deu 7:20 NIV) Moreover, the LORD your God will send the hornet among them until even the survivors who hide from you have perished.
GOD SENDS CONFUSION UPON THE ENEMY
(Deu 7:23 NIV) But the LORD your God will deliver them over to you, throwing them into great confusion until they are destroyed.
SATAN HAS NO "SECRET WEAPON"
(Deu 7:24 NIV) He will give their kings into your hand, and you will wipe out their names from under heaven. No one will be able to stand up against you; you will destroy them.
SOMETIMES VICTORY TAKES TIME
(Deu 7:22 NIV) The LORD your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you.
So today be comforted in the fact that although you are involved in spiritual war,
It's not a fair fight.
"What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Rom 8:31 NIV)
DSR
5/12/03
(Eph 6:12 NIV) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
You and I were born in a battle zone.
Planet earth is under attack.
The devil and his angels have launched a full-scale war
Against the people of God in an attempt to hurt God by hurting His kids.
The hounds of hell are also adamant about preventing lost souls from finding Jesus
So that they too can become part of God's family.
Satan's arsenal includes lies, seduction, exaggeration and other forms of deception.
Now here's the good news.
It's not a fair fight!
If you are born again,
If you are a solider in the army of the Lord
Then you have a distinct advantage over the enemy.
It just plain isn't a fair fight!
Check it out…
THE ENEMIES WEAPONS DON'T WORK RIGHT
(Isa 54:17 NIV) no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD.
WE WALK IN THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST
(Luke 10:19 NIV) I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
GOD HIMSELF FIGHTS FOR US
(1 Sam 17:47 NIV) All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands."
DEMONS MUST SUBMIT TO THE NAME OF JESUS
(Luke 10:17 NIV) The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."
SATAN HIMSELF IS NO MATCH FOR OUR SUBMISSION TO GOD
(James 4:7 NIV) Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
DEMONS, SNAKES, POISON ARE OF NO EFFECT UPON THE MAN OF GOD
(Mark 16:17 NIV) And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
(Mark 16:18 NIV) they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
GOD HAS ISSUED US A FULL SUIT OF ARMOR
(Eph 6:11 NIV) Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
TWO-THIRDS OF ALL ANGELS EVER CREATED ARE ON OUR SIDE
(Heb 1:14 NIV) Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
TWO MIGHTY WEAPONS REVEALED
(Rev 12:11 NIV) They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
WE CAN BE HEALTHY AND STRONG WHILE OUR ENEMIES ARE SICK AND WEAK
(Deu 7:15 NIV) The LORD will keep you free from every disease. He will not inflict on you the horrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but he will inflict them on all who hate you.
JESUS WANTS US TO FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS AS A CONQUERER
(1 John 3:8 KJV) "…For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."
EXPECT MIRACLES, SIGNS, WONDERS AND A MIGHTY HAND TO DEFEND YOU
(Deu 7:17 NIV) You may say to yourselves, "These nations are stronger than we are. How can we drive them out?"
(Deu 7:18 NIV) But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt.
(Deu 7:19 NIV) You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the miraculous signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the LORD your God brought you out. The LORD your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear.
GOD CAN EVEN USE NATURE TO ASSIST YOU IN THE FIGHT
(Deu 7:20 NIV) Moreover, the LORD your God will send the hornet among them until even the survivors who hide from you have perished.
GOD SENDS CONFUSION UPON THE ENEMY
(Deu 7:23 NIV) But the LORD your God will deliver them over to you, throwing them into great confusion until they are destroyed.
SATAN HAS NO "SECRET WEAPON"
(Deu 7:24 NIV) He will give their kings into your hand, and you will wipe out their names from under heaven. No one will be able to stand up against you; you will destroy them.
SOMETIMES VICTORY TAKES TIME
(Deu 7:22 NIV) The LORD your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you.
So today be comforted in the fact that although you are involved in spiritual war,
It's not a fair fight.
"What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Rom 8:31 NIV)
DSR
5/12/03
Monday, May 5, 2003
A Question of Doubt
by David Scott Robertson
(Luke 7:20 NIV) “When the men came to Jesus, they said, "John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, 'Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?'"
John the Baptist.
The official forerunner of Christ.
The authorized, God-sanctioned voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord.
The prophesied one who would announce that the Prophesied One would come.
John was born of supernatural means to aged, barren parents.
No doubt John’s mother, Elizabeth, had shared the wonderful story of it all with her son.
Perhaps she even recounted how he had lept in her womb when she met her cousin, Mary,
Who was pregnant with the Lord Jesus Christ at the time (Luke 1:36).
John got the confirmation from God that Jesus was, in fact, the very Son of God:
(John 1:32 NIV) Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.
(John 1:33 NIV) I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'
(John 1:34 NIV) I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."
Furthermore, the day after Jesus’ baptism, Jesus was walking towards him and John publicly declared:
(John 1:29 NIV) “…’Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’”
John was filled with joy as his ministry began the downward spiral transitioning to an inferior one in comparison with Jesus’ ministry:
(John 3:29 NIV) “The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.
(John 3:30 NIV) He must become greater; I must become less.”
John had revelation knowledge concerning the greatness of Jesus’ powerful ministry:
(Mat 3:11 NIV) "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
So you see, John knew,
Without a shadow of doubt,
That this one, Jesus, was the literal, historical, actual and scriptural
Only begotten Son of God.
So, why do you think John posed this incredible question?
(Luke 7:20 NIV) “When the men came to Jesus, they said, "John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, 'Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?'"
Think about it!
What was going on in John’s head and heart?
Was he depressed? Confused? Discouraged? Doubtful?
Did he really question the identity of Jesus of Nazareth and all its ramifications to the world?
I don’t think so.
I don’t think so at all.
Could it be that John had strategically sent his followers to Jesus to ask this specific question -
Not for his sake but for theirs?
John had the matter of the identity of Messiah thoroughly settled,
But could John’s disciples say the same thing?
Why were they still his followers when Jesus was now on the scene?
I think it important to note that
When Jesus was asked the question,
He did not immediately respond.
(Luke 7:21 NIV) “At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind.
(Luke 7:22 NIV) So he replied to the messengers, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
(Luke 7:23 NIV) Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."
John knew that every good Jewish boy would be very familiar
With the classic Messianic promises found in Isaiah:
(Isa 61:1 NIV) “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…”
I think the Lord was helping John’s disciples to connect the dots,
To link prophecy with reality,
And to settle certain things in their hearts to help them once John was dead and gone.
Jesus and John both knew that John’s remaining time on earth was very short.
It is very possible since John knew that the time of his departure was drawing near,
That he was preparing his followers the best way he knew to follow Christ.
Perhaps John thought back to the time
When some of his disciples began becoming Jesus’ disciples:
(John 1:35 NIV) “The next day John was there again with two of his disciples.
(John 1:36 NIV) When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!"
(John 1:37 NIV) When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.
(John 1:38 NIV) Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?" They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?"
(John 1:39 NIV) "Come," he replied, "and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour.”
In conclusion,
The question of doubt
That seemed so uncharacteristic coming from the lips of John ,
May not have been a matter of doubt at all
But instead a carefully crafted matter of hope
To speak into the lives of the remaining disciples of John.
Note also that Jesus did not react negatively to this most unusual question from John.
The Lord’s typical response to the faithlessness of His followers went something like this:
(Mat 17:16 NIV) “ I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him."
(Mat 17:17 NIV) "O unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me."”
But although John’s question sent through his followers to Christ appeared to be faithless,
Once they departed to report the Lord’s answer to John
Notice particularly what Jesus says about John:
(Mat 11:11 NIV) “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
There was no question of doubt what Jesus thought of His faithful friend, John the Baptist.
DSR
5/5/03
(Luke 7:20 NIV) “When the men came to Jesus, they said, "John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, 'Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?'"
John the Baptist.
The official forerunner of Christ.
The authorized, God-sanctioned voice crying in the wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord.
The prophesied one who would announce that the Prophesied One would come.
John was born of supernatural means to aged, barren parents.
No doubt John’s mother, Elizabeth, had shared the wonderful story of it all with her son.
Perhaps she even recounted how he had lept in her womb when she met her cousin, Mary,
Who was pregnant with the Lord Jesus Christ at the time (Luke 1:36).
John got the confirmation from God that Jesus was, in fact, the very Son of God:
(John 1:32 NIV) Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.
(John 1:33 NIV) I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'
(John 1:34 NIV) I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."
Furthermore, the day after Jesus’ baptism, Jesus was walking towards him and John publicly declared:
(John 1:29 NIV) “…’Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’”
John was filled with joy as his ministry began the downward spiral transitioning to an inferior one in comparison with Jesus’ ministry:
(John 3:29 NIV) “The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.
(John 3:30 NIV) He must become greater; I must become less.”
John had revelation knowledge concerning the greatness of Jesus’ powerful ministry:
(Mat 3:11 NIV) "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
So you see, John knew,
Without a shadow of doubt,
That this one, Jesus, was the literal, historical, actual and scriptural
Only begotten Son of God.
So, why do you think John posed this incredible question?
(Luke 7:20 NIV) “When the men came to Jesus, they said, "John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, 'Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?'"
Think about it!
What was going on in John’s head and heart?
Was he depressed? Confused? Discouraged? Doubtful?
Did he really question the identity of Jesus of Nazareth and all its ramifications to the world?
I don’t think so.
I don’t think so at all.
Could it be that John had strategically sent his followers to Jesus to ask this specific question -
Not for his sake but for theirs?
John had the matter of the identity of Messiah thoroughly settled,
But could John’s disciples say the same thing?
Why were they still his followers when Jesus was now on the scene?
I think it important to note that
When Jesus was asked the question,
He did not immediately respond.
(Luke 7:21 NIV) “At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind.
(Luke 7:22 NIV) So he replied to the messengers, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
(Luke 7:23 NIV) Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."
John knew that every good Jewish boy would be very familiar
With the classic Messianic promises found in Isaiah:
(Isa 61:1 NIV) “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…”
I think the Lord was helping John’s disciples to connect the dots,
To link prophecy with reality,
And to settle certain things in their hearts to help them once John was dead and gone.
Jesus and John both knew that John’s remaining time on earth was very short.
It is very possible since John knew that the time of his departure was drawing near,
That he was preparing his followers the best way he knew to follow Christ.
Perhaps John thought back to the time
When some of his disciples began becoming Jesus’ disciples:
(John 1:35 NIV) “The next day John was there again with two of his disciples.
(John 1:36 NIV) When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!"
(John 1:37 NIV) When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.
(John 1:38 NIV) Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?" They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?"
(John 1:39 NIV) "Come," he replied, "and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour.”
In conclusion,
The question of doubt
That seemed so uncharacteristic coming from the lips of John ,
May not have been a matter of doubt at all
But instead a carefully crafted matter of hope
To speak into the lives of the remaining disciples of John.
Note also that Jesus did not react negatively to this most unusual question from John.
The Lord’s typical response to the faithlessness of His followers went something like this:
(Mat 17:16 NIV) “ I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him."
(Mat 17:17 NIV) "O unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me."”
But although John’s question sent through his followers to Christ appeared to be faithless,
Once they departed to report the Lord’s answer to John
Notice particularly what Jesus says about John:
(Mat 11:11 NIV) “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
There was no question of doubt what Jesus thought of His faithful friend, John the Baptist.
DSR
5/5/03
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)