By: Undre Griggs, Jr. Of the many things that Jesus taught, He consistently urged us to judge each situation based on its own merits. We should not show preference or bias by assuming or treating anyone more/less important than anyone else. And with good reason: if we show partiality when judging a situation, we are possibly excusing good or justifying evil. James 2:9 (ESV): But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. We see examples of Jesus trying to break this habit by continually using the most esteemed of professions in a less than favorable light. At the same time, Jesus would exalt those who the people would rather have nothing to do with. We see the parable of the Good Samaritan exhibiting all of these characteristics (Luke 10:25-37). The Jews were known to dislike the Samaritans to the point they would not even speak to them in passing. That is why the parable of the Good Samaritan is so powerful. A Jew was beaten/robbed and left for dead, when a priest and Levite did not stop to help to him (vs. 31-32). It was not until the least likely person to help a Jew came by, that he received the care that he needed. John 7:24 (ESV): Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment. It would not be difficult to imagine the outrage that many people felt as Jesus appeared to be attacking the most esteemed in His parables. But it was not only in His parables that He would speak against the evil committed by the scribes and teachers of the law. Mark 12:38-40 (NKJV): Then He said to them in His teaching, “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.” Jesus understood the problem of the people excusing sin if they considered the person to be in a prestigious position. He also understood the problem of condemning a person because they were a Samaritan, tax collector, or any position people felt was less than ethical. We should not find ourselves judging any situation without the evidence and we surely should not judge innocence or guilt based on our preconceived notions. Whether those notions have us correct some or most of the time, God shows no partiality (Romans 2:11).
By: Undre Griggs, Jr. The calmness and clarity Jesus continually utilizes when speaking about issues of great concern is truly amazing. The anxiety and worry that would grip the average person appears to be absent from Jesus’ mind. Jesus just finished prophesying about the destruction of the temple (Matthew 24:1-2) and His disciples were full of questions. Matthew 24:3-4 (NIV): As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age? ”Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you”. Why did Jesus immediately warn His disciples to be careful that none of them are deceived? It is likely Jesus understood the fear riddled throughout the disciple’s questions. When fear and self-preservation is our concern, we will likely listen to anyone telling us exactly what we want to hear. When love and faithfulness is our motivation, we will tell each other what we need to hear, even if it is not what we want to hear. Matthew 24:5-6 (ESV): For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. Jesus could not make it any clearer, “you will be hated by all” because of your faith. But if you stress about the trials you will endure, you will run away and do anything to preserve your life - including betrayal of friends and family. Matthew 24:9-10 (NKJV): “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another”. I am reminded of Peter walking on water (Matthew 14:28-33). He was doing well before he started to lose his faith and sink into the water. Jesus does not want us be anxious or overwhelmed by anything, but to trust completely in him through prayer and supplication. The moment we finish praying, we should be confident whatever happens after that “must take place” and should not “alarm us”. Philippians 4:6 (ESV): Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
By: Undre Griggs, Jr. As we reflect on the life of Jesus Christ, let us also take into account the foreshadowing of His life/death found throughout the Bible. The birth of Jesus Christ was prophesied approximately two thousand years in advance of His birth. We find multiple accounts spoken from a variety of people, over many years, and none of them are in contradiction of the other. We even find the belief of Herod (nonbeliever) was so strong that he ordered the killing of “all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two years and under” (Matthew 2:16). Let us examine the facts for ourselves and be equally moved to engage in righteousness. Jesus was to be a descendant of King David: Jeremiah 23:5 (NKJV): “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. Matthew 1:1 (NKJV): The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Jesus would be born to a virgin: Isaiah 7:14 (ESV): Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Matthew 1:18 (NIV): This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Jesus would die by crucifixion: Psalm 22:16 (NKJV): For dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet. Luke 23:33 (NKJV): And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Jesus would not have any bones broken: Psalm 34:20 (NKJV): He guards all his bones; not one of them is broken. John 19:32-33 (NKJV): Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. The only thing greater than the cited prophesies coming true, is the fact that Jesus knew ahead of time and remained faithful unto death. Let us always be moved to righteousness by the example and faith of Jesus Christ.
By: Undre Griggs, Jr Death comes for us all and none of us know the day or the hour. The unknown frequently brings about fear and anxiety, but should death be any different? We tend to try and prepare as best as we can for the unknown. In the case of death, we purchase life insurance policies, fill out wills, and buy burial plots. But can we ever truly do enough to be prepared for our physical death? Should we be worried and anxious about the unknown or should we focus on what we do know? We know that worrying will not add a single hour to our life, so ideally we should focus on what we do know about death. We know that God created us with a soul: Genesis 2:7 (KJV): "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” We know that our bodies are temporary and return to dust: Ecclesiastes 12:7 (NIV): and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. As a result of having a soul, we know that a physical death is not the end: John 11:25 (NIV): Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; Hosea 13:14 (NIV): “I will deliver this people from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. Where, O death, are your plagues? Where, O grave, is your destruction? We know that Jesus Christ died to free us from death and the snare of the devil: Hebrews 2:14-15 (NIV): Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. And we know that death cannot keep us from God’s love: Romans 8:38-39 (NIV): For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
By Undre Griggs, Jr Rejoice in Hope: Your hope comes from belief in Christ Jesus and that He will return for His people. Your hope comes in knowing that Jehovah sent his only begotten Son so that you may have an opportunity at going to Heaven. Rejoice in knowing that God is in control and He will always be with His people. Deuteronomy 31:6: Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Romans 15:13: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Patient in Tribulation: 1 Peter 3:14: But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled. 2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance There is an understanding that God is patient and longsuffering, so that all should come to repentance. We should have the same patience and count ourselves blessed to endure suffering for Christ; knowing that it could save a soul. Constant in Prayer: Through prayer we make our requests known to God. It is our avenue of communication and one we should not close for any reason. Prayer is our most humble and powerful position. Philippians 4:6: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Mark 11:24: Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
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Dean Road
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