THE WORDS OF JESUS
Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Instructional – Part 62
“Do what you came to do.”
While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.”
Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?”
At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.
The Words of Jesus, Matthew 26:47-56.
This is event reveals several things about Jesus, His disciples and His detractors; things we must know, understand and follow.
#1. Although Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples, publicly betrays Him, Jesus still calls him ‘Friend”.
(In relation to retaliation, Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:38, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ Verse 39. But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. Verse 40. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. Verse 41. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Verse 42. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
Love Your Enemies
Verse 43. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ Verse 44. But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Verse 45, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Verse 46. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? Verse 47. And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Verse 48. You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.)
#2. Jesus rebukes Peter for violently attacking the enemy of Jesus, reminding Peter that violence or murder is not the way of the faithful, and that His mission must be completed, and the scriptures must be fulfilled.
#3. Jesus has willingly submitted to the authorities, even though the charges are contrived, false, unjust, and without merit, so that the scriptures might be fulfilled.
These are powerful examples of Jesus teachings of “the Way, the Truth and the Life”. This is how the enemy is ultimately subdued, defeated and some are converted. These are the methods we are to follow as His disciples.
There is only one way to God the Father and only one way to be saved and to live eternally in the Kingdom of Heaven – only One way.
We can say everything ‘just right’ by memorizing and quoting scriptures. But our actions, our behavior, reveals what we truly believe.
It is one thing to believe IN Jesus – and quite another to BELIEVE Him.
This is ‘the rub’, so to speak. The litmus test. One day He will declare to you, either, “Well done good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master”, or He will say to you, “Why do you call me Lord and do not what I command? Depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!”
(Please don’t misunderstand. We, the called of Christ, are not ‘doormats’, but we are His ‘doormen’ – leading others to The Door. There are times when we must forcefully speak the truth, speak out against evil and evildoers. Times when we are called upon to resist the enemy and to pull down strongholds of darkness. And it is incumbent upon us to know the difference.)
The day is drawing near. Remain vigilant, active and faithful. Pray for one another until that day arrives.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
NEXT: THE WORDS OF JESUS – What Are You To Do With Them? “Seated At The Right Hand Of Power”, Part 62
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