Jesus Promised Blessings (Long-Term) not Without Difficulties and Pain (Short-Term)

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:10-12, NIV).

Jesus described “persecuted because of righteousness” blessing by expanded to “persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you,” which adds up to a thorough rejection. This is news we don’t want to hear. Do we really want to follow Jesus into a life of blessing that also promises difficulty and pain? Jesus instructed those considering becoming his disciples to count the cost (Luke 14:28), and he provided a clear idea of what that cost might be. There will always be some who decide the price tag for spiritual maturity and God’s blessing is too high.

Jesus helped by giving us a more long-range view. Costs and rewards may be present or future. One choice may yield great short-term rewards followed by long-term regrets; another may be difficult at first but generate years of great reward. Jesus applied the principle to all of life. He warned that the immediate results of following him may be hard, but the reward of heaven will make the hardships worthwhile.

If we read through the first seven “Blessed” (Matthew 5:3-9) with costs in mind, we discover that each one requires an uncomfortable investment, beginning with coming clean about spiritual poverty. Repentance (mourning) may not be a cost we’re eager to bear. Humbling ourselves will take a toll on pride, and longing for justice will be frustrating in a fallen world. Mercy will cost us our strong desire for revenge. And the desire for purity and peace will be costly to our tendency toward self-centredness. But Jesus has promised that God blesses those who make the difficult investments in his way of living. God will bring lasting satisfaction into your life as a long-term result.

Think about this: Jesus was certainly speaking with the end of life in mind;

Much of the blessing from the “Blessed” will come to us in eternity.

Yet there are clearly lifelong benefits that come to us on our present journey with Jesus.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Pray for Persecuted Church: Somalia

[The Voice of the Martyrs prayer calendar] Somalia has experienced continuous conflict for more than a decade and has not had a functioning government since 1991. Transparency International ranks Somalia as the most corrupt country in the world. Islam is the official religion, and there is no official religious freedom. Out of 22 people groups in Somalia, 16 are unreached by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Category	Restricted Nation
Religion	Muslim 99.7%, Christian 0.3%
Ideology	Islam
Head of State	Hassan Sheikh Mohamud

Most Somali Christians are secret believers who worship in house churches. Persecution has intensified in the past 15 years amid increasing lawlessness and diminishing authority of the central government. Islamic radicals, such as the al-Shabab group, have vowed to eradicate all Somali Christians. The murder of Christians, specifically Muslim converts to Christianity, is increasingly common. Conversion to Christianity is not illegal, but it is socially unacceptable. Persecutors include family members, clan members, Islamic extremists and local administrators. Distribution of the Somali Bible is possible only in refugee camps and outside the country. On May 10, 2009, the parliament approved implementation of Shariah Law nationwide in an effort to appease the militant Islamic groups. The transitional government has also banned proselytizing. A 17-year-old girl who converted to Christianity was shot to death in an “honour killing” on Nov 25, 2010.

Pray for Pastor “Abu” and for Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) safe house

that shelters persecuted Somali Christians.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus, the Messiah turns the Enemies Upside Down

The Pharisees examined Jesus.

“Then the Pharisees, called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus” (Matthew 12:14, NLT).

“At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus” (Mark 3:6). “At this, the enemies of Jesus were wild with rage and began to discuss what to do with him” (Luke 6:11).

Putting these three Gospel accounts together – Matthew, Mark, Luke – we see that the Pharisees were furious with Jesus. At first these religious leaders had been merely curious about Jesus, but their curiosity turned to hatred. They were “wild with rage” because Jesus had openly confronted their authority and placed himself above them. Jesus had looked them in the eyes, flouted their laws, and exposed the hatred in their hearts to the entire crowd in the synagogue.

These Jewish religious leaders were so jealous of Jesus’ popularity, his miracles, and his authority that they missed who he was (and is) – the God-Messiah for whom they had been waiting. They refused to acknowledge Jesus because they were not willing to give up their treasured positions and power. When Jesus exposed their attitudes, he became their enemy, and they began looking for ways to destroy him. Ironically, they began planning on the Sabbath (context of the verses quoted above) to kill him. Their hatred drove them to plot murder – an act clearly against the law that they themselves defended.

Notice this, the Pharisees “met with the supporters of Herod.” This was unlikely (and unholy) alliance. This group, also called the “Herodians,” was made up of Jews who hoped to restore Herod the Great’s line to the throne, so they usually stood in direct conflict with the Jewish religious leaders. Those minority Jews supporters believed that intermediary rules by the Herods was better than direct Roman rule. (Most Jews, however, especially the Pharisees disapproved the Herods as rulers of Israel because they were originally an Edomite family. Edom was one of Israel ancient enemies.)  But Jesus threatened the authority of both groups – the Pharisees and the Herodians – common enemies suddenly became friend and began working together to rid themselves of this treat. Jesus, a single man, was their greatest treat, even today (In Malaysia, even though Christian’s total percentage is around 10%, the religious and government authorities sees us as “enemies”. They called our evangelism as “Christian’s agenda to apostate the Muslims.” This small minority is a national treat. Just like Jesus).

Think about this: Either Jesus is who he said he is, or he is a fraud. The Pharisees chose the latter. We who follow Jesus can also be seen as threats. When we stand up for truth and love, faith and mercy, compassion and justice, we will be opposed by many who profit from oppression and discrimination. We may even encounter opposition from religious leaders (ever among Christians) who see their grip loosening. Jesus turns the world’s values upside down, but his way is true and right. It is the only path to eternity. Pray to the Lord that you may give your wholehearted commitment to Jesus and his teachings, no matter what consequences arise from your obedience and loyalty. Remember, we follow the Truth and Truth can never be wrong. Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Pray for Persecuted Church: Gaza and the West Bank

[The Voice of the Martyrs prayer calendar] Gaza and the West Bank have been a point of contention between Israel and the Arab world since Israel’s founding as a state in 1948. Currently, the radical terrorist group Hamas rules the Gaza Strip while the democratically elected Fatah governs the West Bank. Israel maintains control over all access to the two territories. 8 of the 20 people groups in Gaza and the West Bank are unreached by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Category	Hostile Nation
Religion	Muslim 87.7%, Jewish 8.5%, Christian 1.6%
Ideology	Islam
Head of State	President of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Mahmoud Abbas

More than 4,000 Arab evangelical Christians worship in Gaza and the West Bank, with about 400 to 500 believers in Gaza. Political turmoil in the Palestinian territories has created an environment that enables militant Islamic groups to persecute Christians. In 2011, local authorities in the West Bank threatened a Christian group involved in outreach activities in a Bethlehem suburb, and the team’s building and vehicles were vandalized.

Pray for faithful Arab Christians in Gaza and West Bank

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus mends Broken Lives (A Real Warrior)

A man with a deformed hand was surrounded by the Pharisees

“Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, ‘Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?’ (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.) And he answered, ‘If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would. And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.’ Then he said to the man, ‘Hold out your hand.’ So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one!” (Matthew 12:9-13, NLT).

We don’t know if the man in the synagogue was born with deformed hand or had acquired it by an accident or disease. Whatever the cause, the hand was useless, and the man’s condition would have greatly affected his ability to live a normal life. Although the man didn’t ask Jesus for anything, he needed healing.

After Jesus announced that doing good on the Sabbath was lawful, he did exactly that. Jesus told the man to hold out his hand. In response and with everyone watching, the man stretched his hand in front of him. In faith, the man, submitting his will to Jesus, obeyed. The moment he did so, the hand “was restored, just like the other one!”

Think about this: Jesus sees, and he acts. Bringing the man to the front of the assembly, Jesus healed his hand. As with the leper (Matthew 8:3) and the paralyzed man (Matthew 9:6-7), Jesus gave this man his life back. The man would be able to work again and no longer have to face the embarrassment of his deformity. Yes, Jesus mends broken lives – physically, emotionally and spiritually. And he stores us. Jesus told the man to stretch out his arm. In faith, the man, submitting his will to Jesus, obeyed.

Friends, Jesus still heals. He still sees us as individuals and asks us to trust him, to give him our deformities, our sorrows. Jesus forgives our sins and restores our relationship with him. And he can heal our hands, legs, minds, and hearts. Jesus didn’t heal every lame person in Palestine, but he healed this man. Whether or not he makes whole our deformed hands right now, eventually he will – we will be made new. Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Pray for Persecuted Church: Eritrea

Eritrea has been devastated by civil war and drought. The Marxist government exercises strict control over Eritreans, imprisoning tens of thousands of citizens, torturing at will and pursuing a systematic policy to eradicate evangelical Christianity. Of the 19 people groups, 9 are unreached by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Category	Restricted Nation
Religion	Muslim 50.2%, Christian 47.3%
Ideology	Dictatorship/Communism
Head of State	President Isaias Afworki

In 2002, the Eritrean government banned all Christian denominations except Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism and Evangelical Lutheranism and banned all other religious practices except Sunni Islam. The government also decreed that non-registered groups could not gather in numbers of more than five. Security forces continue to disrupt private worship, conduct mass arrests at prayer meetings and other gatherings, and detain those arrested without charge for indefinite periods. There are at least 2,000 Christians in prison in Eritrea, and nearly every evangelical has been arrested at least once. Prisoners experience torture and extremely poor living conditions; several have died in custody. In a 2010 year-end crackdown evangelicals, more than 100 Christians were arrested.

Pray: About 2,000 Christians are detained because of their religious beliefs.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus sees You as Very Important (Because He Cares)

“Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, ‘Come and stand in front of everyone.’ Then he turned to his critics and asked, ‘Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?’ But they wouldn’t answer him” (Mark 3:1-4, NLT).

Mark points out that Jesus “noticed” the man with the deformity. The synagogue must have been filled, especially since this was the Sabbath and Jesus had been drawing crowds because of his healing and teaching. Add to that number the disciples and the Pharisees. Yet Jesus saw this man. Jesus “noticed” him. Perhaps the man was near Jesus and his entourage, or maybe he walked up to Jesus. Or he may have approached Jesus after Jesus looked at him. Whatever the case, Jesus “noticed” him.

The Pharisees did, too, but they did not see a man in need; they saw only an opportunity for possibly accusing Jesus of wrongdoing as a Sabbath-breaker. (Beware of seeing people to find faults instead of looking for ways to serve others).  They were more concerned about protecting their laws than freeing a person from suffering. (Sorry, another comment. This is probably why I fear that if Malaysia implementing Shariah Law in all states, the people will be living in fear as other Islamic-government-Arab-countries experiencing now, both the innocent-Muslims and non-Muslim citizens. Shariah Law is cruel and inhumane. Laws supposed to liberate and bring peace not to imprisoned people with fear and suffering). Jesus, however, knew the value of this man. “You are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:31) and “How much better and more value is a man than a sheep!” (Matthew 12:12). Jesus “noticed” this man not as an object or as a discussion topic but one of God’s special creations – and Jesus acted accordingly.

Think about this: Nothing escapes Jesus’ notice. Regardless of the circumstances or surroundings, he sees us. Whether our needs are obvious, as in the case of the man and his deformed hand, or hidden, Jesus knows about them. And he sees us with compassion. Jesus sees you. He “noticed” you. How cool is that! Imagine him looking at you, smiling, and gesturing for you to come to him. How do you feel? What happens next? Remember, you are important to Jesus.

“Bring all your burdens and cares to God because he cares for you”

(1 Peter 5:7)

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus showed the Critics what God's Law is for

“On another Sabbath day, a man with a deformed right hand was in the synagogue while Jesus was teaching. The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees watched Jesus closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath. But Jesus knew their thoughts. He said to the man with the deformed hand, ‘Come and stand in front of everyone.’ So the man came forward. Then Jesus said to his critics, ‘I have a question for you. Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?’”
(Luke 6:6-9, NLT).

The religious leaders were continuing to scrutinize Jesus ministry (just read the previous chapters). Here they were in the synagogue, not to worship, but to watch Jesus closely. And they wondered how he would deal with the man with the “deformed right hand.” Their interpretation of keeping the Sabbath prohibited healing except in life-threatening situations; thus, if Jesus were to heal the man, instead of rejoicing in the relief of human suffering, they could accuse Jesus of breaking the Sabbath.

Jesus could have avoided conflict by healing the man on another day. If he had waited, however, he would have been submitting to the Pharisees and showing that their made-up rules were equal to God’s law. But the commandment about the Sabbath was never meant to oppress people.

Jesus met needs, regardless of the day or time. Healing the man revealed Jesus’ authority over the Sabbath and showed that in the new Kingdom (God’s kingdom), every day is holy; salvation and healing can come to anyone on any day. The Sabbath, while given to God’s people as a day of rest and worship, was also a day for people to be merciful and kind to those in need. And that is exactly what Jesus intended to show the Pharisees when he asked the man to step forward.

Think about this: Jesus clearly framed the issue with his questions to the Pharisees: “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” Honouring God’s laws should be positive and life-giving, not negative and oppressive. Yet many Christians seem to be joyless rule-keepers, afraid of God’s judgment and punishment. When we focus on the commandments instead of the Commandment-Giver and on the letter of the law instead of its spirit, we lose sight of the law’s ultimate purpose – to glorify God. The emphasis should be off us and on Him.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Reference: Life Application Study Bible Devotional: Daily Wisdom from the Life of Jesus (Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2011)

Jesus, Lord over the Sabbath (People's Needs are More Important than Technicalities)

“One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples broke off heads of grain, rubbed off the husks in their hands, and ate the grain. But some Pharisees said, ‘Why are you breaking the law by harvesting grain on Sabbath?’ Jesus replied, ‘Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He went into the house of God and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests can eat. He also gave some to his companions.’ And Jesus added, ‘The Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath.’”
(Luke 6:1-5, NLT)

In answering these critics, Jesus pointed them to the Scriptures they professed to know so well. By comparing himself and his disciples to David and his men, Jesus was saying, in effect, ‘If you condemn me, you must also condemn David.’ Jesus was not discarding the law and advocating disobedience. Instead, he pointed to a higher law and emphasized discernment and compassion, something the self-righteous Pharisees did not comprehend. People’s needs are more important than technicalities.   

In calling himself Lord over the Sabbath, Jesus claimed the authority to overrule the Pharisees’ traditions and regulations because he had created the Sabbath. Jesus, therefore, could interpret the meaning of the Sabbath and all the laws pertaining to it. Through their confusing system of Sabbath laws, the religious leaders had made themselves lords of the Sabbath and thus lords over the people. In claiming to be Lord over the Sabbath, Jesus was stating his divinity and confronting the position of the religious leaders.

Jesus believed in the Sabbath and lived it. But he knew Sabbath observance must point to the Sabbath Maker and not focus on technical, hairsplitting definitions of ‘work’ and ‘rest.’ By remaking the Sabbath into a day of refreshment, worship, and healing, he was prying open the tightfisted control the Pharisees held on the people.

Think about this: Some people may think that because believers are no longer “under law,” we can live any way we please (referring Jesus’ comments in this passage as proof). But this story doesn’t make that point. God’s moral laws – the Ten Commandments (including the one about the Sabbath) – still apply. Jesus was highlighting the fact that even well-intentioned, religious people can add rules and restrictions to God’s laws and totally miss their meaning. Those added-on, human-made regulations are not inspired and inviolable. God wants us to study and apply His Word, but we must not project our personal applications onto others. Remember, Jesus must be Lord over everything in our lives, including the Sabbath.

What needs to change in your routine or lifestyle to honor God on the Sabbath?

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.