Was Jesus ever “Moody”?
Jesus in the Temple with the moneychangers
In the previous article I mentioned that I had an Uncle (a much loved, Southern Baptist Pastor and Preacher) who frequently said, “Jesus loves you and so do I”.
I also had a good friend (An independent Baptist Pastor and Preacher) who loved to say, “Remember to be kind and gentle, like Jesus”.
These two men, who had an influence on my life, but, I wondered if these two defining statements are compatible.
What do you think?
Here are some Bible verses which are the words spoken by Jesus or about Jesus. I would like to know what you think, so let’s continue with our game. OK?
1. Assign ONE WORD to describe Jesus’ apparent mood from the highlighted words in each section of verses.
2. Describe the reason for Jesus’ remarks or actions.
3. Answer the question, “Was Jesus being ‘kind and gentle’ ” and “Was Jesus being loving?”
(I will do the first one as an example. You may have a different idea or opinion, so use your own ideas.)
John 15:1 1 ¶ “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
2 “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.
3 “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
6 “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.
Jesus’ mood? : _____________________________
Jesus’ reason? : ____________________________
We saw in Jesus curse the unfruitful fig tree in Mark 11. Similarly, we now read about an unproductive branch of a vine in a vineyard.
The fig tree was growing on its own, but this time, the branch is connected to the Vine, which is Jesus. We are the vine. The Believers, who professes to be a follower of Jesus. Connected to the Lord.
Yet, Jesus says, “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away”
At first these words “He takes away” seems harmless enough, but taken at its fullest meaning it can mean “to take by force, to take from among the living, either by a natural death or by violence, cause to cease”.
This verse concludes by saying , “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.”
Likewise, in Mark 11 (from our last article) The “unbelieving” will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
This is a very serious matter and not to be taken lightly.
Conversely, when we are abiding in Him, Jesus says we will bear much fruit. Yes, we will be “pruned”, but this is so we will bear even more fruit for Him.
The word “pruned” means we will be “cleansed, purified” and comes from a root word which says we will be “purified as by fire and found unstained with the guilt of anything”.
Jesus concludes, in verse 7, by saying, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples”.
Once again we see Jesus REASON is for teaching us about
Faith, the Demonstration of Faith, the Abrogation of Faith and this time, the cost of Disobedience.
It is a Spiritual law that “Disobedience” will negate your faith. So when the Bible tells us “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.
“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
” it is really saying that through disobedience you abrogate God’s ability to make you fruitful toward Him and to negate the authority Jesus have given you.
It is our choice,
not His.
To wit:
FAITH – John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit,
DEMONSTRATION OF FAITH – John 15:7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
ABROGATION OF FAITH – John 15:4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.
THE COST OF DISOBEDIENCE – John 15:6 “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.”
I ask again, Was Jesus being “Kind and Gentle”?
Was He showing love for others?
You decide.
How does this Truth apply to your speech, conduct and Kingdom effectiveness?
Let’s walk out our Faith in power, obedience to Him and in Truth!
Your Brother and Friend
Mike Young
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