What about the Galileans

When I was 18 I worked in the oil fields of Kern County where I would work closely with my supervisor Larry on a daily basis. I was just saved and looked for any opportunity to speak about God's love and Larry's need for salvation. 

 One weekend Larry had the crew and our wives to his house for a BBQ. Using the coals as a metaphor for separation from God then describing Hell - Larry stopped me in mid-sentence asking why God would allow a baby to die with no cause. He told me the story about his sister’s infant who choked on an aspirin and died.

 One day some Jewish men asked Jesus about a tragic and appalling massacre that took place as Pontius Pilot the Roman Governor of Palestine killed a group of Galileans as the worshiped in the Temple of God in Jerusalem, he then mixed their blood with the blood of animals using it for a pagan sacrifice.

 Larry's question, like the question the Jews asked Jesus, was more than disturbing. The conversation with Larry shifted as I explained God’s heart was broken because of the loss of his niece, but it didn’t change his need for salvation and letting the death of an infant, who never did anything deserving of death, stand in his way of eternal life, it would still end in eternal separation from God. The conversation continued for months. I don’t know if Larry ever received Christ as his savior. I still pray for him today.

 One of the great things about Jesus is he has a tendency to cut to the chase…Knowing the hearts of the Jewish men asking about the Galileans were in reality attempting to fuse their lifestyle with being in right standing with God. Jesus basically said “anyone who is unrepentant is still separated from God.”
 Bad things happen in life, at times they are not easily explained or even can't be explained. God is not to be blamed. He understands the pain and confusion some events cause, he is also painfully aware that its only our choice that keeps us separated from him for eternity.

 Entrance into eternal life isn't complicated to understand for a reason. Everything has been done for us and it's a choice to accept or deny the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross removing our sins before a Holy God, or not. Jesus told Nicodemus unless you are born again you will not see the Kingdom of God” Is that fair? It isn't meant to be fair, we don't have a say on the issue. It's yes or no. Our arguments are usually only smoke and mirrors because a yes means submission to God giving ourselves over to God and His ways, saying no to our choices and yes to his. It’s not about the Galileans it’s about us and our relationship with God.

 HE stands at the door of my heart when he calls me, just like he stands at the door of your heart when he calls you. His call for my life is not contingent on what happens in your life nor your call contingent on anyone else because we will all stand before the throne of God alone and he will say “what did you do with my son when you had the offer given to accept the sacrifice he made for you on the cross dying for your sins?"

 It’s all in or all out. 

The decision is eternal. When, not if, we stand in front of God there are no do-overs.

 Say yes today ask to be forgiven for the life we've lived with out God. Ask Jesus to live in your heart and make you new because his blood and sacrifice on the cross are the only remedy from eternal separation from a relationship with God.

Love Looks Deeper

 Mark 10:21

 “Jesus looked at him and Loved Him”.

 I think of the days when I'm expected to do for someone. I’m not sure if the expectations are self-imposed or if they are indeed true. I have often felt like I come up short not living up to those expectations and when that is true the desire is to run for cover fills my mind with a feel of panic. I don’t feel like a leader most of the time and yet the Lord continues to put me in situations and among people who allow me to gain influence, yet I can’t help feel they could always do much better.

 Mark 10:21 speaks of The Rich Young Ruler. Mark writes that “Jesus looked at him and loved him”. I imagine this young man of influence poised himself asking Jesus the all-encompassing question, “what must I do to inherit eternal life”? Did he actually want the answer or was it expected of him to ask such a question in front of those who looked to him as an influencer?

 Jesus knowing all things; and knowing what is in the hearts of men “looked at him and loved him.”
 I’m taken by this statement because I sense a love that is sincere and loves for the purity of love. Looking deeply beyond what words say, I imagine Jesus peering into the eyes of the young man, his heart weighing heavy knowing the young man, the boy inside, like most of us, couldn’t give himself over to the requirements of a yielded heart to God.

 Jesus knew the limitations of his heart. Many times we come to the Lord wanting more but Jesus sees what holds us back even when we don’t. He knows just how far we are willing to go to get what we want, he then asks for more because he wants us to sacrifice what we prize more than him, when we come. Jesus knows where our affections are divided, where the will of God will be laid down as we embrace what we love more than him. His desire is our full affection.

 Hearing the words “One thing you lack” shakes me to the core of my manhood. Jesus knows me intimately; he knows my shortcomings and what I hold like a poker hand. His face is soothing to my spirit when I know “He looks at me and loves me”. He will always call me to an intimate relationship with him because that’s his greatest desire. He gave everything to connect with me.

 The Rich Young Man asked Jesus for the how to book on inheriting eternal life. He was the one who turned away not Jesus.

My heart is stronger because I know even in my short comings His love is steadfast.

 The question that probes my heart is what value do I place on my relationship with him?

 Am I ready to do what he asks, when he asks? Mark 10:21 causes me to think that he is patiently waiting for me to make the right choice, he isn’t impatiently tapping his foot thinking I should know better by now and should have the ability to act on a moment’s notice. He waits as "he looks at me and loves me."

 He stands at the door and knocks, he doesn’t barge his way in. I’m thankful he recognizes sometimes I need a moment because I don’t always do what is expected.