As we gather this morning, I want to share with you a story I came across that I think speaks to today’s message:
“As the Union Pacific Railroad was being constructed, an elaborate trestle bridge was built across a large canyon in the West. Wanting to test the bridge, the builder loaded a train with enough extra cars and equipment to double its normal payload. The train was then driven to the middle of the bridge, where it stayed an entire day. One worker asked, ‘Are you trying to break this bridge?’ ‘No,’ the builder replied, ’I'm trying to prove that the bridge won’t break.’”
Beloved, in a similar way, the temptations Jesus faced weren’t designed to see if He would sin, but to prove that He could and would triumph over every sin. As we will see today, Christ is our great example, and worthy to be our King!
In his book I Surrender, Patrick Morley writes, “We can add Christ to our lives, but not subtract sin. It is a change in belief without a change in behavior.” It’s true – we can mistakenly seek “revival”, but “without reformation, without repentance.”
I think you would agree that in our day, certain non-”politically correct” words and phrases are becoming increasingly rare. One word that fits this category is “repentance”. You just don’t hear that word very much anymore – unfortunately even from the pulpit. But beloved, I’m convinced there is few things more wonderful than seeing a sinner repent – turning from the darkness to the light. May we by God’s grace always “bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3:8), and encourage others to do the same.
In our study of Mary of Bethany, we will take a look at how Mary came to know Jesus. In contrast to her sister Martha, who was distracted with much serving, Mary was attentive to Jesus’ instruction and doctrine. Distraction implies being distracted from something or someone. Indeed, Martha was distracted from Jesus and His teaching by her serving of Jesus. This can happen to any of us as we lose sight of why we’re doing what we’re doing. We can be very busy for the Lord while not growing closer to Him.
Let’s take to heart the words of Jesus in Luke 10:41-42, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her,” as we seek to serve our Lord from pure motives.
The words of Dietrich Bonhoffer are challenging to me. He was a pastor in Germany during the Second World War. He could have fled and come to America, but he chose to go back and lead the Confessing Church. Ultimately, he was killed in a Nazi Concentration Camp. Hear his words, “Because I am a Christian, therefore, every day in which I do not penetrate more deeply into the knowledge of God’s Word in Holy Scripture is a lost day for me. I can only move forward with certainty upon the firm ground of the Word of God. And, as a Christian, I learned to know the Holy Scriptures in no other way than by hearing the Word preached and by prayerful meditation.”
May this passion direct our priorities as we seek to serve the Risen Savior. Augustine said, “Christ is not valued at all, unless he is valued above all.”
Have you ever been in a situation where nobody could help you? You were completely isolated and alone; you felt like your friends, family and coworkers had abandoned you. You may not have had needed finances, companionship or help - in short, there was no possible way for you to extricate yourself from your circumstances.
Sometimes there’s no one who can help us but God. Sometimes we’re in situation that no matter how well intentioned (or ill intentioned) our friends might be, there is nothing they can do to help us. The Lord sometimes puts us in a position where the only place we can look is up. As we continue our study, we see Job in just such a position. Thankfully for Job (and us), even in the midst of abuse by miserable comforters, we have the faithfulness of Jesus that is cited in Hebrews 13:5 – For He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU.”
We all go through difficulties and trials. We are always quick to ask the question why. Why God is this happening to me? I don’t understand! Kind of reminds me of the story of “How to catch a porcupine. An old woodsman gives this advice about catching a porcupine: “Watch for the slapping tail as you dash in and drop a large washtub over him. The washtub will give you something to sit on while you ponder your next move.”
Trials and difficulties are kind of like the quills of the porcupine. They stick in us and really hurt. I can’t imagine how long it would take to think about your next move. But, time is the ally of those trying to discern God’s plan. Sometimes, we need the aid of 20/20 hindsight to look back and see the results in our lives and the lives of others when we experience difficulties. God does make all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
We are beginning the book of Revelation. Many are intimidated by this book, thinking it’s too complicated and even strange; difficult to understand. It is different, maybe even somewhat complicated. However, I think the author (the Holy Spirit through John) anticipated that, because He promises a blessing just for reading it. He said, “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy” (Rev. 1:3a).
So don’t let the strange imagery discourage you. You may not understand everything, but you will understand something. Like the other 65 books in the Bible, it is meant to be read, and the more you read it, the more you will understand and be blessed. So read!
Being much concerned about the rise of denominations in the church, John Wesley tells of a dream he had. In the dream, he was ushered to the gates of Hell. There he asked, “Are there any Presbyterians here?” “Yes!” came the answer. Then he asked, “Are there any Baptists? Any Episcopalians? Any Methodists?” The answer was Yes! each time. Much distressed, Wesley was then ushered to the gates of Heaven. There he asked the same question, and the answer was No! “No?” To this, Wesley asked, “Who then is inside?” The answer came back, “There are only Christians here.”
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