The last tour of Jesus  (2012.02.03)

This year, Lent starts the end of February. In this time, the church focuses on the suffering and death of Christ, and how it impacts his followers. In this pre-Lent period, we study his activities before the last week in Jerusalem.

The Gospel of John mentions four Passovers during Jesus’ ministry (John 2:13, 5:1, 6:4, and 12:1). These four markers include three years of which the first two were spent in Galilee, except for a few short visits to Jerusalem. If we count the chapters, Matthew and Mark spent about 50% of their gospels describing Jesus’ work in Galilee, while Luke devotes about 37% and John 28% to the same period. John 6 describes how Jesus’ two-year Galilean ministry came to an end with the feeding of the five thousand and the discourse in the synagogue of Capernaum shortly before the third Passover (6:4).  That was a year before his crucifixion. What happened during the last year before his death?

From the third Passover to the feast of Tabernacles (April to October), Jesus and his disciples made four long trips on foot:  to Phoenicia (Mk. 7:24), Decapolis (Mk. 7:31), Caesarea-Philippi (Mk. 8:27), and Jerusalem (John 7:2, 10). John 7-10 describes Jesus’ work in Jerusalem during that Feast of Tabernacles.

From Tabernacles to Passover (October to April) Jesus moved around in Judea and Perea. He returned to Jerusalem in December for Hanukkah (John 10:22). He stayed for a while at Bethabara (John 10:40) and came to Bethany to raise Lazarus from death (John 11). A month or two before Passover, Jesus went on his last tour: northwards through Samaria (John 11:54), returning to Jerusalem via the Jordan Valley (Lk. 19:1). Luke 10-19 describes this last tour of the Master. Some events and parables in this section of Luke are unique to this gospel.

One interesting aspect of this last tour is what Jesus said about wealth and poverty. He told the parable of the rich fool (Lk. 12:13-21), the rich man and the beggar (Lk. 16:19-31), and the prodigal who set out rich and came back poor (Lk. 15:11-32). Jesus counseled the rich young ruler (Lk. 18:18-23) and the rich tax-collector Zacchaeus (Lk. 19:1-10). The parable about the unjust steward (Lk. 16:1-13) and the one about the minas (Lk. 19:11-27) also contain messages about money.

On his last tour, Jesus repeatedly sided with underdogs. When Martha scolds Mary for talking with Jesus instead of helping with chores, Jesus defended Mary (Lk. 10:38-42). The Good Samaritan, despised by Jews, is commended above the priest and Levite (Lk. 10:25-37). A healed hunchback is defended against harsh critics (Lk. 13:10-17). The disabled are invited to the Great Banquet when the VIP guests do not show up (Lk. 14:15-24). The father of the prodigal defends his repentant son against his haughty brother (Lk. 15:25-32). The beggar goes to heaven and the rich man to hell (Lk. 16:19-31). The widow eventually prevails over the unjust judge, and the tax-collector’s humble prayer is accepted while the Pharisee’s arrogant prayer is rejected (Lk. 18:1-14). Though the crowd tries to silence the cries of the blind beggar, Jesus stops and heals him (Lk. 18:35-43), and though the crowd tries to shut out the shortest man in Jericho, Jesus greets him in the sycamore tree and dines with him (Lk. 19:1-10).

Jesus also used his last tour to emphasize the importance of prayer. He repeats the model-prayer given in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 6:9-13, Lk. 11:2-4). He tells about a persevering friend to illustrate we have to keep asking, seeking, and knocking (Lk. 11:5-13). He stresses the importance of perseverance and humility for successful prayers by telling the parables of the widow and tax-collector respectively (Lk. 18:1-14).

On his last tour, Jesus emphasized outreaching to lost sinners with his renowned parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son (Lk. 15). However, he sent a severe warning to the lost by his woes on the impenitent cities (Lk. 10:13-16), and by the parable of the barren fig tree (Lk. 13:1-9). The parable of the rich man and the beggar reiterates that heaven and hell are real, and all humans will land in one of the two.

4. Christians and truth (2012.01.28)

Because God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) identifies himself with the truth, he also expects it of his children. When he decided to give the ten most important commandments to us, he included the truth as one of the ten: "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour." (Ex.20:16). Answer 112 of the Heidelberg Catechism explains the ninth commandment as follows: "God's will is that I never give false testimony against anyone, twist no words, not gossip or slander, nor join in condemning anyone without a hearing or without a just cause. Rather, in court and everywhere else, I should avoid lying and deceit of every kind; these are devices the Devil himself uses, and they would call down on me God's immense anger. I should love the truth, speak it candidly, and openly acknowledge it. And I should do what I can to guard and advance my neighbour's good name."

In the sermon on the mount Jesus said: Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes', and your 'No' be 'No'. (Mat.5:37). The true Christian is opposed to lies, misinformation, and false propaganda. In the Bible there are many examples of lies that lead to severe consequences. Abraham said that Sarah was his sister, a lie repeated by Isaac regarding his wife Rebecca. Jacob pretended to be Esau and so deceived his blind father. Jacob's sons sold their brother Joseph as slave, and told their father that a wild animal killed him. Judas betrayed his Master with a kiss. Peter disowns his Master with oaths and curses, saying repeatedly: I don't know him. Ananias and his wife died when they lied about their offering.

To lie to yourself, self-deceit, also leads to destructive consequences. Though David committed adultery and murder, he deceived himself to such an extend, that he did not recognize these terrible sins, until the prophet Nathan opened his eyes with the story about somebody else who committed similar sins. Jonah deceived himself by thinking he can run away from God. Before his conversion, Saul of Tarsus deceived himself that he was serving God by destroying the Christian Church.

After he had become a Christian, Paul dedicated himself to the truth of God revealed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In his letters to churches he used the word 'truth' 48 times, mostly referring to the Gospel when he used the word. For example: in his letter to the Ephesians he made some very important statements about the truth. He saw truthfulness as the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of true Christians (4:25, 5:9). He saw the truth as an important part of the armour of God for the Christian: "Stand firm then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist." (6:14). It is the first part of the armour that he mentioned. What did he mean with that?

If the truth is part of our armour, we will have to become better acquainted with the truth of the Bible. 2 Tim 3:16 - "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to MAKE YOU WISE FOR SALVATION through faith in Christ Jesus."  By studying the Bible the Holy Spirit leads us to understand increasingly more of what God actually included in the salvation accomplished by his Son. The Spirit will remind us and give us insight into all that Jesus said. (John 14:26, 16:13).

Through the Word of God we can also learn more of ourselves - both sides of ourselves: the good and the bad. If we only teach our children to say: "I'm wonderful!" and not teach them how to deal with negative aspects in themselves, we are not walking according the truth of the Bible. John states it clearly in his first letter: "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. I we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins, and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar, and his Word has no place in our lives." (1 John 1:8-10). You can build a healthy self-concept by making a realistic appraisal of your good and bad points, and then set a realistic plan in motion to develop your good points and overcome the bad ones. Then you are living with the truth.

3. Evil and truth (2012.01.25)

While the tri-une God completely identifies himself with the truth, the Devil is totally identified with the lie. In John 8:43-44 Jesus said to the people who rejected him: "Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the Devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for THERE IS NO TRUTH IN HIM. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

The father of lies. He lead Eve and Adam into sin with a lie, by suggesting to them that they would be like God when they eat the forbidden fruit. In the same way he is today still convincing people to neglect the good and to do the wrong: by helping us to deceive our conscience and common sense with statements and arguments that sound so good and attractive, but in essence they are lies that can destroy everything that is dear to us. Many people got killed or arrested because they took a few drinks too much, urged on by lies like these: you can't fly on one wing; water will make you rust; take another one for the road; don't be a spoil-sport; your wife will be mad whether you take two or ten - so take ten. Many young people have destroyed their youthful lives with lies like these: we are young only once; if you love me you will allow me; I will not become an addict - I only want to experiment.

The Devil even tried to trap Jesus in one of his lies. He showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and said: "All this I will give to you, if you bow down and worship me."  However, Jesus exposed his lie by quoting Scripture: "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: worship the Lord your God, and serve him only." (Mat. 4:8-10). The Antichrist will try the same thing: he will set himself up in the temple, and proclaim himself to be God (2 Thess.2:4).

According to Matthew, Mark and Luke Jesus emphasized that in the time of the Antichrist deceit and lies will be the order of the day: "Watch out that no one deceives you. for many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ', and will deceive many." (Mat.24:4). In Revelations 13 John described the vision he had of the Antichrist and the false prophet, and how they will deceive the world with miraculous signs.  In 2 Thess. 2:9-12 Paul also warned against the lies of the Antichrist: "The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie, so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness."  If you have not yet embraced the truth of God and surrendered your life to him, then you are still in this category: "they will perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved."

2. God and truth (2012.01.21)

God the Father identified himself with the truth. When God sent Moses to lead his people out of bondage, Moses said: what shall I tell to Israel, who gave me this authority? Then God revealed himself to Moses: "I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you." (Ex. 3:14). This name reveals God's ETERNITY and TRUTHFULNESS. He is for ever. He is who he is: he does not pretend to be what he is not. Paul also emphasized the same truth in 2 Tim. 2:12-13 - "If we disown God, he will also disown us. If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself." The night before his crucifixion Jesus prayed to his Father saying: "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. Sanctify them by truth; your word is truth." (John 17:3,17). God cannot lie (Tit. 1:2, Heb. 6:18).

God the Son also identified himself with the truth: "I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6). This is the truth that stands out above all truth: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16). Here absolute truth is also absolute fact. When Jesus said that the truth will set us free, he added: "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36). John also said that Jesus was "full of grace and truth." (John 1:14). Jesus said to Pontius Pilate: "For this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Every one on the side of truth listens to me." (John 18:37). 

The third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, is also identified with the truth: "When he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth." (John 16:13). The evening before his crucifixion, Jesus referred several times to the Holy Spirit as the “Spirit of truth” (John 14:17, 15:26). Those who have the Spirit of truth believes that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (Matt. 16:16-17, 1 Cor. 12:3, 1 John 2:20-22, 1 John 4:2-3).

1. How do you handle TRUTH? (2012.01.14)

For the next four weeks, we hope to study various aspects of truth. Most people think they always prefer truth above lies. But if you are honest with yourself, you will admit that sometimes you don’t like the truth, and will even deny or distort it by putting a spin on the facts.

Actually, we love and hate the truth at the same time. It’s part of human nature. The same people who are keen to hear the truth about others, and discuss it excitedly, are not eager at all to face ugly truth about themselves, let alone making it known to others. We are inclined to put unpleasant truth about ourselves and our children in soft terms: we try to tone down the negative aspects of our behaviour with excuses and non-threatening descriptions, and to high-light our positive achievements with bright colours. We follow the same policy for our friends, and those we like. However, for those we dislike, we do precisely the opposite: we water down their good points, and blow up their bad points. Just watch candidates in election time—a display of double standards regarding truth.

Our ambivalence toward truth is accentuated by the following questions. May we withhold the truth in certain circumstances? For example: if telling the truth would be harmful to the kingdom of God, or harmful to people, would it not be better to keep it to yourself? If the enemy would ask you in wartime questions that can be detrimental to your own family or country, should you tell them the truth? If an armed robber would ask where your loved ones are, should you tell him the truth? You see: you cannot always tell the truth. On the other hand: Will it be right to withhold evidence from a court of law to save a friend from prison, while you send someone else unjustly to prison in that way?

In most countries there are different cultural, political and religious groups. With the help of the media the achievements of one group may be accentuated and their mistakes ignored, while the other groups get the opposite treatment: their mistakes are emphasized and their achievements are ignored. We find this kind of misinformation in Canada, South Africa, Israel, Iran, and Syria—everywhere. Sometimes we know enough of local conditions to detect the misinformation; sometimes we gobble up prejudiced news as if it is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. In all spheres of life we have difficulty in discerning the truth from the half-truth and from the complete lie. In the daily news the critical observer has to distinguish between actual events and facts on the one side, versus speculation, propaganda and brainwashing on the other side.

Our problem with truth becomes more personal when we see that one of our family members is unhappy, angry or distressed, but that person refuses to discuss the problem. Then we need to know the truth in order to give the support that person so urgently needs. Yes, many times we feel to groan out the desperate words of Pontius Pilate: "What is the truth?" Let us study what the Bible says about truth, for our Lord and Saviour said that God's Word is the truth (John 17:17). (Next week: God and truth).

Redeemed Imagination

One can hardly read the Bible without picturing the situation in your mind. Artists have tried to depict Bible scenes in paintings, sculptures, carvings, and photography. Michelangelo’s work on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, Da Vinci’s Last Supper, and Rembrandt's bible scenes are renowned. When we read about Joseph and his brothers, Samson and the lion, David and Goliath, and Daniel in the lion’s den, and the birth of Christ at Bethlehem, vivid images come up in our imagination. Several films about the life of Jesus have been produced.

Jesus himself made use of his audience’s imagination. His parables painted lively pictures of the sowing farmer, the Good Samaritan, the Good Shepherd, the lost sheep, and the prodigal son. When a preacher describes the background of a portion of scripture, we cannot help to see the scene in our minds.

Although the Bible stimulates our imagination, many people are skeptical about novels with a biblical background. They feel that we should not add or subtract anything from the biblical record. They are probably influenced by the words of John in Revelation 22:18-19. John says that no one should add or take away from Revelation, but most people apply it to the whole Bible. However, if they apply this principle consistently, then all explanation and discussion of the Bible should be avoided, because the teacher and students add their opinion to the Bible. Yes, even picturing a biblical scene in the imagination would be wrong.

However, if explaining and discussing the Bible is okay, and imagining Bible scenes are allowable, by what logical or moral reasoning can we deny novelists the freedom to use their imaginations in writing a story with biblical background? As long as the writer does not distort the Bible record, he can make his story play out in any era of biblical times. What is your view on the matter? Do you think your reasoning stands on solid ground?

You can trust God  (2011.12.30)

He knows all. “You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise;   you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me” (Ps 139:1–5 NIV).

He is everywhere.   “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you” (Ps 139:7–12 NIV).

His power is limitless.     "For this is what the LORD says—he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited—he says: 'I am the LORD, and there is no other' (Is 45:18 NIV).   Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand,  and I will do all that I please.’" (Is 46:9–10 NIV).

He is merciful.   "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon" (Is 55:6–7 NIV).