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Recognizing The Risen Lord

Bill Alderson
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Recognizing The Risen Lord

There are a series of accounts of disciples encountering the risen Lord that, like Mary Magdalene in the John 20 account, did not recognize Jesus right away. In fact, in each of the accounts, it was a different stimulus that caused the disciple to finally know it was Him. In Mary’s case, it was when Jesus said her name, “Mary” in verse 16. She had originally thought Him to be the gardener even after he asked her why she was weeping. It is clear from this and other accounts of Mary that the relationship was a close and meaningful one to her. Jesus’s use of her name, not just the name, but the unique way he spoke it was so very familiar to her and caused a light to go off in her mind: this is not the gardener. It is Rabboni, my teacher.

Once she recognized Him, there was His command, “stop clinging to Me”. Scholars do not agree on the reason for this command. One thing is clear, Jesus had not yet ascended to His Father. We also notice that Jesus tells Mary to go to “My brethren”, not friends or other intimate terms. This signifies that the relationship with the Risen Jesus was to be different than before, thus “brethren”. The nature of an intimate relationship with the Risen Lord was to be much different than before, no longer physical, and His disciples needed to learn that. It would take the experiences of watching Jesus ascend to heaven from Mount Olivet (Acts 1:9), meeting in the upper room in anticipation of Pentecost (verses 13-14), and the moving of the Holy Spirit on that special day (Acts 2) to initiate that change.

My Lord and my God

Then, in the same chapter, there was Thomas, doubting Thomas. Jesus had visited with most of His disciples on a day when Thomas was not present. As his friends told Thomas about the Risen Lord with excitement, he admitted to them than this was just too difficult to believe. He would have to have the physical evidence or he could not accept it. When finally confronted directly with the Risen Lord, Jesus told him to get the proof he needed by putting his finger and hand in the wounds and this would be enough for Thomas to answer, “My Lord and my God”! Thomas could now acknowledge Jesus as Lord and God, a statement that he most likely had never made before. Then Jesus addresses us, future believers who have never had this opportunity to see yet could believe Jesus as Lord and God. Like the disciples, we must believe that Jesus is risen in order to recognize Him as Lord!

Burning hearts

And then there were the two disciples traveling on the road to Emmaus who had an experience with the Risen Lord in Luke 24.  As Jesus begins walking with them, the account from Luke tells us in verse 16 that “their eyes were prevented from recognizing him” without any explanation as to why. The same event (we believe) covered by Mark in 16:12 says that he appeared “in a different form” so it appears He looked differently than they were used to. But according to Luke’s account, He was just a normal guy walking on the same road and they started this conversation about the events that had just taken place in Jerusalem. The disciples admitted that they had been hoping that Jesus was to be the one who “was going to redeem Israel” (verse 21). It was clear from their testimony that they did not yet believe that Jesus was the One who would redeem Israel. Since they had not yet fully grasped the events and that this was Jesus, He began to explain to them “the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures” (verse 27).

And their response to His commentary was, “were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road” (verse 32). It wasn’t until they broke bread with Jesus that they finally recognize Him (verse 31). If we are to see Jesus as the Risen Lord, we must understand that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Old Testament Scriptures. As Jeremiah specifies in Jeremiah 15:16, “Your words were found and I ate them, and Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I have been called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.” The Word of God, if understood accurately, becomes food for the believer. Jesus’s words in Matthew 4:4, “MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD” are applicable. The Word of God is our spiritual food!

Recognizing the miraculous

Finally, we have the disciples fishing in the Sea of Galilee in John 21, something they had done many times before and Jesus appears on the beach. Knowing that they had not yet caught any fish, Jesus encouraged them to put their nets in a different place and “you will find a catch”. I’m sure this event was reminiscent to them of an earlier time found in Luke 5:4-7 where Jesus had instructed Peter to put down his nets in deep water for a great catch and it happened just as Jesus said. In John 14:11, “Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.” Our ability to fully understand that Jesus is the Risen Lord is tied to our experiences as Jesus has made Himself real in our lives through miraculous conclusions. He is the God of the impossible (Matthew 19:26) and He wants us to recognize Him this way.

Living for the Risen Lord

How we recognize the Risen Lord is addressed by Paul in 2Corinthians 5:14-17, that we recognize no one according to the flesh, not even Jesus. The apostle Paul wrote these words from personal experience, that he, as Saul of Tarsus and a contemporary of Jesus’s public ministry, did not recognize Jesus as Messiah until he had a personal experience with the Risen Lord in Acts 9:3-6. It took Saul of Tarsus’ confrontation with the Jesus of Nazareth for him to finally recognize the Risen Lord and become almost immediately commissioned as the apostle Paul. In the same way, Paul encourages believers to, “know Him in this way no longer”.  The key to it is found in verse 15, “that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf”, the Risen Lord. In verse 17, “new things have come”.

The motive that causes a believer to choose to live for Jesus is defined for us by Paul in Galatians 2:20. Jesus’s personal love for the believer, as demonstrated by His death on our behalf (Romans 5:8), is the foundation of this relationship. This type of love is self-sacrificing yet a controlling love (2Corinthians 5:14) and it takes a real faith in this personal love of Jesus to bring one to this dynamic relationship where His priorities become the believer’s priorities. Any dramatic change in the depth of a relationship with Jesus can only happen in the light of a newfound appreciation of His personal love. In Romans 14:7-9, “For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

Set your mind on God’s interests

Peter’s amazing response to Jesus when asked, “and who do you say that I am?” is noteworthy when Peter said, “you are the Christ, the Son of the living God” and Jesus acknowledged that flesh and blood did not reveal it to Peter, but the Father. Yet within a short period of time, Peter rebukes Jesus when He told the disciples He would need to suffer and die at the hands of the scribes and Pharisees, yet be raised on the third day (Matthew 16:21). In verse 23, we get the real reason behind Peter’s rebuke when Jesus points out to him that, “you are not setting your mind on God’s interest, but man’s”. The Greek word is phroneo and it has the meaning of being mindful of or devoted to according to Spiros Zodhiates. This passage demonstrates that man decides what interest upon which he is setting his mind. In one moment, Peter speaks the testimony of the Father and then the next, his own self-interest that Jesus could not leave the disciples behind. These are decisions of the will, the affections, and the conscience.

The Apostle Paul sums it up for us in Romans 8:5-6 (same Greek word) by comparing and contrasting two mindsets, the one on fleshly, earthly, and natural things verses the mind set on spiritual things. The natural, fleshly, earthy mindset ultimately results in death the spiritual mindset produces life and peace. In Philippians 3:18-20, Paul says, “For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” This fleshly mindset is an enemy of the cross since it never recognizes the greatest work of God on our behalf, Christ’s death and resurrection on our behalf which is the evidence of our heavenly citizenship. This new citizenship produces a new mindset with the believe living in great expectation, eagerly awaiting the Savior.

Upward call

Paul acknowledges in his pastoral epistles that the work of the Lord has purchased for us a new position, seated above, in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6) and that this position raises us up by faith in God’s work: In Colossians 2:12, “having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” This position is an ascending position and brings with it an ascending experience in God. Paul says in Philippians 3:14, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” This new mindset keeps the believer pressing on to the upward call of God which is the ultimate prize this life has to offer.

The Risen Lord ordains a path for each of us to follow which Paul defines as “in Him’, or “in Christ”, etc. This path is a place to walk and it establishes us in the faith and produces gratitude. Paul warns us of the war that is constantly trying to arrest our minds from the life and peace of the spiritual mindset. In Colossians 2:8-10, the god of this world uses philosophies and empty deceptions according to the traditions of men to keep men attached to worldly interests so that he never comes to know the fullness of God found in a spiritual relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Fellowship in suffering

I believe Philippians 3:10 to be Paul’s signature statement about his relationship with God, that it was about knowing Him. This Greek word, ginosko has the sense of coming to know as a process, through experience. Paul was saying that this coming to know Jesus is the process of experiencing the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering. Both experiences are essential for the believer to truly know God in all of His fullness. Before Easter Sunday, there was Good Friday; before the resurrection, there was His suffering. To experience the Risen Lord, we must identify with the One who suffered and this process in being conformed to His death. Suffering then becomes an integral part of a spirit-filled believer’s life.

“but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.” (1 Peter 4:16-19)

The greatest evidence

The greatest evidence that a disciple has experienced the Risen Lord is his willingness to suffer. When we look at the first century disciples after Pentecost, we see men who were willing to suffer for their faith. Fox’s Book of Martyrs is a sobering picture of what happened to men and women of faith who were willing to obey to the point of death. Below are some excerpts from the first chapter of this great chronicle:

Stephen – Acts 7 gives us a description of Stephen’s execution by stoning and it began a period when about two thousand Christians, with Nicanor, one of the seven deacons, suffered martyrdom during the “persecution that arose about Stephen.”

James the Great – one of the Son’s of Zebedee and the elder brother of the Apostle John.  The account given us by an eminent primitive writer, Clemens Alexandrinus, ought not to be overlooked; that, as James was led to the place of martyrdom, his accuser was brought to repent of his conduct by the apostle’s extraordinary courage and undauntedness, and fell down at his feet to request his pardon, professing himself a Christian.

Philip – was born at Bethsaida, in Galilee and was first called by the name of “disciple.” He labored diligently in Upper Asia, and suffered martyrdom at Heliopolis, in Phrygia. He was scourged, thrown into prison, and afterwards crucified, A.D. 54.

Matthew – whose occupation was that of a toll-gatherer, was born at Nazareth. He wrote his gospel in Hebrew, which was afterwards translated into Greek by James the Less. The scene of his labors was Parthia, and Ethiopia, in which latter country he suffered martyrdom, being slain with a halberd in the city of Nadabah, A.D. 60.

James the Less – the half-brother of Jesus. He was elected to the oversight of the churches of Jerusalem; and was the author of the Epistle ascribed to James in the sacred canon. At the age of ninety-four he was beat and stoned by the Jews; and finally had his brains dashed out with a fuller’s club.

Matthias – Of whom less is known than of most of the other disciples, was elected to fill the vacant place of Judas. He was stoned at Jerusalem and then beheaded.

Andrew – Was the brother of Peter. He preached the gospel to many Asiatic nations; but on his arrival at Edessa he was taken and crucified on a cross, the two ends of which were fixed transversely in the ground. Hence the derivation of the term, St. Andrew’s Cross.

St. Mark – was born of Jewish parents of the tribe of Levi. He is supposed to have been converted to Christianity by Peter, whom he served as an amanuensis, and under whose inspection he wrote his Gospel in the Greek language. Mark was dragged to pieces by the people of Alexandria, at the great solemnity of Serapis their idol, ending his life under their merciless hands.

Peter – among many other saints, the blessed apostle Peter was condemned to death, and crucified, as some do write, at Rome. Jerome saith that he was crucified, his head being down and his feet upward, himself so requiring, because he was (he said) unworthy to be crucified after the same form and manner as the Lord was.

Paul – the apostle, who before was called Saul, after his great travail and unspeakable labors in promoting the Gospel of Christ, suffered also in this first persecution under Nero. Abdias, declareth that under his execution Nero sent two of his esquires, Ferega and Parthemius, to bring him word of his death. They, coming to Paul instructing the people, desired him to pray for them, that they might believe; who told them that shortly after they should believe and be baptized at His sepulcher. This done, the soldiers came and led him out of the city to the place of execution, where he, after his prayers made, gave his neck to the sword.

Jude – the brother of James, was commonly called Thaddeus. He was crucified at Edessa, A.D. 72.

Bartholomew – preached in several countries, and having translated the Gospel of Matthew into the language of India, he propagated it in that country. He was at length cruelly beaten and then crucified by the impatient idolaters.

Thomas – called Didymus, preached the Gospel in Parthia and India, where exciting the rage of the pagan priests, he was martyred by being thrust through with a spear.

Luke – the evangelist, was the author of the Gospel which goes under his name. He travelled with Paul through various countries, and is supposed to have been hanged on an olive tree by the idolatrous priests of Greece.

John – the “beloved disciple,” was brother to James the Great. The churches of Smyrna, Pergamos, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, and Thyatira, were founded by him. From Ephesus he was ordered to be sent to Rome, where it is affirmed he was cast into a cauldron of boiling oil. He escaped by miracle, without injury. Domitian afterwards banished him to the Isle of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Nerva, the successor of Domitian, recalled him. He was the only apostle who escaped a violent death.

Fixing our eyes on Him

“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:2-3)

Between His First and Second Comings

Bill Alderson
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Between His First and Second Comings

The Old Testament is filled with prophecy of a coming Messiah, much of it misunderstood by the Jew since the fullness of its understanding is seen through the lens of the New Testament. Maybe the greatest example of this misunderstanding relates to Isaiah 53. Until the Jew sees Jesus as the object of this chapter, he continues living under a veil (2 Corinthians 3:14-16). The typical Jew of 2021 expects Messiah to be a coming king, taking charge of government and establishing His kingdom. Yet many prophesies of Messiah refer to Him as a suffering servant, particularly through Isaiah. Some Jews expect two different Messiahs, one like David (to be fulfilled in the Kingdom age) and another like Joseph, one who will be rejected.

Some verses or passages speak of both comings, including Isaiah 61:1-2, partially quoted by Jesus Himself in Luke 4:18-19. He was telling the Jews of Nazareth that He was fulfilling His first coming in their midst (“Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing”), but they did not accept Him at His word, and instead, they tried to kill Him. In Isaiah 61:1, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted”. He purposely left off the reference to His second coming in verse 2, “the day of vengeance of our God”. Jesus Christ was telling them that He would be the Lord’s anointed in both appearances, with the full authority of His Father to complete His work as the ordained Messiah and mediator of the new covenant. Scripture does not clearly spell out the conditions of the new covenant in the church age, but there are two passages in particular that can give us some real definition.

Grace is our instructor

In Titus 2:11-14, Paul speaks of both comings of Messiah beginning in verse 11, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men”. When Jesus came to earth 2,000 years ago, He brought the grace of God with Him, it was part of His nature. In John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” This grace, manifested in His glory, defines the new covenant age of the church. Salvation is always a work of God and not men and must be a free gift (Ephesians 2:8-9).

In Titus 2:13, we are encouraged to look forward to “the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus”, His second coming. In the meantime, Paul writes in verse 12: “instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age”. It is the grace of God and not the Law that is the new covenant believer’s instructor or trainer and this instruction points him directly to Calvary’s cross, where he learns that the godly life is the by-product of self-denial and taking up his cross each day (Luke 9:23). In Luke 9:24, “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it”. It is the work of His cross that redeems the believer from every lawless deed (Titus 2:14) and allows him to be saved by Christ’s life.

Mount Sinai

When you examine the delivering of the Law of Moses from Mount Sinai by Moses to the Jews, you will notice that in Exodus 32, Moses smashed the two tablets of stone upon viewing the people, led by Aaron, worshiping the golden calf. It was not until Exodus 34 that Moses was called back to Sinai to receive the tablets again, which he did. What these events symbolize are the two comings of Messiah, the first one characterizing that Jesus would be rejected by the Jews, “He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11). Between the two comings is considered the church age; between chapters 32 and 34 is chapter 33 and it gives a glimpse into the nature and dynamics of this period as defined by the grace of God.

Thus, the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses returned to the camp, his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent. Then Moses said to the Lord, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people!’ But You Yourself have not let me know whom You will send with me. Moreover, You have said, ‘I have known you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.’ “Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight. Consider too, that this nation is Your people.” And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then he said to Him, ‘If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here. “For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?” The Lord said to Moses, “I will also do this thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name.” Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!” And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you and will proclaim the name of the Lord before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.” But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!’ Then the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft [crevice] of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by.” (Exodus 33:11-22)

“My presence shall go with you”

Having acknowledged that the Jews were a stubborn, rebellious people (verse 3), God was threatening to send an angel instead of Himself to lead the people into the promised land against natives occupying the land, but later relinquished and instead He promised Moses that “My presence shall go with you and I will give you rest”. In this conversation, Moses acknowledges that His relationship with the Lord is unique, special, “face to face, just as man speaks to his friend” (see also Numbers 12:8), most likely due to the fact that “Moses was very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3). Just as Jesus humbled Himself to be obedient, even to death on a cross (Philippians 2:8), Moses needed to be humbled to be the mediator of the old covenant.

Moses recognized the grace of God on his behalf as he acknowledged the favor of the Lord and asked Him “let me know Your ways that I may know You” (verse 13). The Apostle Paul understood that the only avenue to truly know God was to recognize that his natural strengths, gifts and accomplishments were of no value “in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8). Paul was referring to the cross as the means of going beyond the limitations of self in order to find an experiential knowledge of God. Moses had spent forty years in the wilderness until he would be ready to lead the people as he was being led by God and he was now counting on God’s grace to lead them.

God’s glory to be seen

Moses also asked that the Lord would “show me Your glory” and His answer was that all the Lord’s goodness would pass before him, revealing his grace and compassion. Before raising Lazarus in John 11, Jesus said to Martha, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” He was identifying that His miracles were a manifestation of God’s glory, revealing His grace and mercy to multitudes and faith would be the vantage point by which believers would see. Paul wrote about this glory in 2 Corinthians 4:6 when he wrote, For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. The Messiah’s first coming would reveal God’s glory and define the entire church age through His face, His presence. In Jesus’s prayer to His Father in John 17, He would give the glory He had been given to His disciples, “that they may be one, just as we are one” (verse 22).

The Apostle Paul uses the term “in Him” or “in Christ” more than 100 times in his letters to define the new covenant relationship believers have with God through Jesus Christ. It is the place where he is made perfect in his position as a child of God and an identity into which he grows. In Exodus 33:21-22 above, the Lord identifies it as “a place by Me” and “I will put you in the cleft of the rock”. The cleft speaks of a crevice in a rock, large enough for people to hide in or take shelter in and the rock is a clear reference to Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). “In Christ” is our place of shelter, sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:13). “In Christ”, on the other side of the cross, affords the believer not only protection, but also a perfect position where true intimacy with God through Christ is realized.

Conclusion

Although the church age was not clearly seen by the Old Testament saints, it was always intended by God and revealed within the Scripture writings to those who would desire to truly know the Father, only possible through the Son, the Messiah. Knowing God in this way cannot happen through a religious expression, but will only take place through an intimacy, a spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ (“the king has brought me into his chamber” – Song 1:4). In 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory [ever-increasing glory], just as from the Lord, the Spirit. Beholding the Messiah’s glory in the details of life produces a transformation in ever-increasing measure so that the believer can more clearly reflect His glory.

Understanding the Olivet Discourse, Matthew 24 (Part 1)

Matthew Schoenherr
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Understanding the Olivet Discourse, Matthew 24 (Part 1)

Jesus is enraged. Standing in the Temple, He has just launched at the Jewish religious leaders, calling them out as blind hypocrites, white-washed tombs and a brood of vipers (Matthew 23). In Ezekiel 11:22-23, we saw the glory of the Father leave the Temple through the East Gate and settle upon the Mount of Olives before departing. Israel’s Babylonian exile soon followed. Now we see the Son of man leave the Temple through the East Gate and settle upon Mt. Olivet as He warns His followers and declares judgment over unbelieving Israel again. Matthew 24 explained.

Welcome to one of the most amazing (and hotly-debated) prophecies in the entire Bible—Jesus’ Olivet Discourse.

  • Get firmly grounded on one of the most misunderstood prophecies in biblical history
  • This prophecy gives an approximate timeline for judgment over Israel
  • Proclaims the end of the Jewish age and the start of the “times of the Gentiles”
  • Warns of impending tribulation culminating with the abomination of desolation

Prophecy Course. Bible prophecy made clear. Get the full transcript for this talk at https://prophecycourse.org/session/08/olivet-p1/

Update: Want to see the rest of this teaching?

Part 1.5: The Day of the Lord
Part 2: The Olivet Discourse (Continued)

Prophecy Course Bible study

What is Repentance?

Bill Alderson
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What is Repentance?

In Matthew 3:1-2, we are told that the ministry of John the Baptist is best characterized in his statement, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Once he was put into prison, Jesus picked up John’s mantle, signifying the beginning of His public ministry as Matthew gives the following testimony:

Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: “THE LAND OF ZEBULUN AND THE LAND OF NAPHTALI, BY THE WAY OF THE SEA, BEYOND THE JORDAN, GALILEE OF THE GENTILES— “THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING IN DARKNESS SAW A GREAT LIGHT, AND THOSE WHO WERE SITTING IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF DEATH, UPON THEM A LIGHT DAWNED.” From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:12-17)

The Greek word for repent is metanoeoe and it is the combination of two words, meta denoting a change of place or condition and noeoe which means to exercise the mind, to think, or comprehend. It basically refers to regret or sorrow accompanied by a true change of heart. Regret can mean sorrow because you got caught, but repentance moves forward to a restored relationship. Some theologians identify this distinction as between “attrition”, remorse caused by fear of punishment or a loss of blessing, and “contrition”, genuine repentance. Contrition includes deep remorse for having offended God. King David spoke of this in Psalm 51:10 and 17: Create in me a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me… The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart – these, O God, You will not despise.

Genuine Repentance

The quote Jesus made in Matthew 4 is from Isaiah 9:1-2 and identifies THE LAND OF ZEBULUN AND THE LAND OF NAPHTALI, referencing the very land of not only Jesus’s childhood but also about 2/3 of His public ministry. The light that would shine from Jesus’s ministry would represent a total change of mind and direction from the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Paul illustrates what genuine repentance looks like in his second letter to the Corinthians:

For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while— I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter. (2 Corinthians 7:8-11)

Billy Graham and other evangelical leaders many years ago started using the sinner’s prayer as an avenue to deliver the Gospel to the world and lead unbelievers into a saving grace. It begins with an acknowledgment to God of the sinful condition each person faces and the need for forgiveness. The potential believer then commits to turning from personal sins to invite Jesus into his heart and life.

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your Name. Amen. ~ Billy Graham

Salvation by Grace, Through Faith

Other evangelical programs like the Four Spiritual Laws promoted by Bill Bright and Campus Crusade for Christ or the Romans Road to Salvation emphasize a recognition that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). This premise is the foundation for the need for repentance. However, is repentance a requirement for salvation? Several passages dealing with salvation do not mention repentance as a must, including Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace, you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. The environment for salvation is grace, that it is God’s work alone, and it must be by faith and given as a free gift. The Philippian jailor (Acts 16:30-31) asked what he needed to do to be saved and Paul’s answer was to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. In John 4:10, Jesus introduced salvation, eternal life to a Samaritan woman with two requirements, to know (eido – perceive) the gift of God (i.e., salvation) and who it is who says to you, “Give Me a drink.” Repentance is not included. To receive eternal life, she needed only to recognize the Giver and that He had a free gift to give.

The Reformation Study Bible, R.C. Sproul General Editor, on page 2059 has an article dealing with and entitled Repentance. In it, the writer’s take is that repentance is the result of regeneration and not the cause:

Repentance is not the cause of new birth or regeneration; it is the fruit of regeneration. Though repentance begins with regeneration, it is an attitude and action that must be repeated throughout the Christian life. As we continue to sin, we are called upon to repent as we are convicted of our sin by the Holy Spirit.

Repentance Implied

Many evangelical Christians might say that although not outwardly stated, repentance is implied as necessary for anyone to become a Christian. When Saul of Tarsus received Christ and His commission to be the Apostle to the Gentiles in Acts 9:4-6, there was no mention of repentance. Paul’s testimony in 1 Timothy1:16 is, for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost [sinner], Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. He was saying that his salvation required his recognition as being a sinner and that he needed mercy, an implication of repentance. His salvation as an enemy of Jesus Christ became an example to many of the transforming power of being born from above. The greatness of salvation is exemplified in the supernatural ability of God to change lives.

Some passages suggest that repentance is a necessity for salvation, including Acts 2:37-38, Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The rich man in Luke 16:27-31 pleaded with Abraham to send someone to his five brothers and warn them, then they would repent. But he said to him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.” Being a child of Abraham would not be enough to qualify. As the passage below confirms, there must be good fruit and good fruit comes after the roots of the tree (i.e., old covenant) are cut down. True repentance is all about leaving behind the old ways.

Step of Faith Based on Reason

So, he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore, bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. Indeed, the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so, every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Luke 3:7-9)

Jesus says in Matthew 9:13, I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners. Repentance begins when a person comes to his senses to understand that his current condition (a sinner) has been a snare (2 Timothy 2:25-26) and is keeping him from realizing the quality-of-life God has prepared for him. This realization means he is now willing to move on from the allegiances and alliances that have defined his condition. A religious man must be willing to turn away from the religious system that keeps him in bondage. This is where faith begins, and it is a step of faith based on reason and not a blind leap, as Francis Schaeffer taught. It is a willingness to trust in some promises made by an unknown or little-known entity that stepping away from the current environment will not result in death. It is based on the hope of a new and meaningful life.

Or do you think lightly of [kataphroneo–take lightly, despise] the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. (Romans 2:4-5)

The above passage tells us that it is the kindness of God that leads one to repentance. Paul is addressing the religious Hebrew who is stubbornly holding on to his own conventions despite the manifestations of God’s grace happening all around him. It represents a journey from taking God’s kindness for granted to accepting and receiving it personally. Paul understood that his call was to solemnly testify to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21).

Unloading Burdens

True repentance is the process of unloading burdens. Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation. Selah(Psalm 68:19). Through the prophet Ezekiel, the Lord tried to warn the people by having the prophet carry baggage on his shoulder like the baggage of an exile (Ezekiel 12:6-7). Unloading the baggage of one’s sin on another is to share his burden. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light (Matthew 11:29-30).” When one is yoked up to Christ, he finds rest. Observe the following:

There is a Jewish tale about a merchant named Yankel who carried his wares from town to town. One day, as a horse-drawn wagon passed by Yankel, the owner recognized him and offered him a ride. Yankel gratefully accepted the offer, but a few moments later, the wagon owner noticed that Yankel was still carrying his burden on his shoulders. “Yankel,” he said, “why don’t you put your bags down?” “Oh, it’s all right,” Yankel replied. “I don’t want to be any trouble.” “Yankel, you fool!” the owner exclaimed. “My horses are pulling everything in the wagon whether or not you are carrying them. Put down your bags and stop carrying all this unnecessary baggage!”

Repentance After Regeneration

The greatest work of repentance is accomplished after regeneration. It is turning back to God, unloading the burden of sins on the One who wishes to bear it. In Isaiah 30:15, For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, “In repentance [subah – turning back to God] and rest you will be saved [delivered], in quietness and trust is your strength.” But you were not willing. Repentance is a willingness to turn back to God who has already proven that His love is complete. It happens when the believer gets a taste of the sweetness of his relationship with Jesus Christ and that it is worth his devotion.

Inner Healing Course for Pastors’ Wives and Female Church Leaders

Guest Contributor
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Inner Healing Course for Pastors’ Wives and Female Church Leaders

One Levaire reader wrote in:

Greetings,I have been entrusted with a ministry that train female church leaders and pastors’ wives and offer them opportunity to receive inner healing. My struggle is coming up with teaching ideas and materials. Any help you can offer me would GREATLY appreciated.

So, we gave the mission to one of our contributors. This is what she developed. We hope it can help with your future ministry efforts!

Introduction

See what God can do?

God called Aimee Semple McPherson to be a traveling evangelist in the early 1900s. The Lord used her in wondrous ways. Her ministry attracted over forty million people in the first seven years. Someone once said about her that he ‘never has heard language such as hers from another human being.’ During the Great Depression, Aimee’s church fed over a million people, and she was the first preacher to use the radio to broadcast sermons.

But Mrs. McPherson had to almost die from appendicitis before she listened to God and let Him use her. There had to be inner healing, which looks different to all of us.

This blog sets out a possible outline for an inner healing course for female church leaders. We start with discussing the four main pillars of such a course and then suggesting teaching ideas and methods to make it happen.

Icebreaker Ideas

There are many ways to kick off a course, and the possible icebreakers that one can use are numerous. We suggest three options here.

  • What makes me blessed? Let the participants write down the first letter of their names on a colorful piece of paper and then strategize for words that equate with being blessed. Then, each person can share the story behind the word they choose. For example, Jacky = joyful, and Adam = anointed.
  • My Christian influence. Do you have someone who caused a turning point in your Christian walk? Share with the group about that pastor, friend, or stranger that made you decide to turn your life over to Jesus. It is fun, and the group can bond through shared emotions and experiences.
  • Tell me your story. Let the people turn to each other and spend two minutes each telling their life stories to each other. Now, let them do it again, but this time, they must do so differently. People usually tell each other about college and their various jobs the first time around. But when forced to do something different, they share things they never would in a professional setting. When reconvening in the big group, let a few people share how their partner changed their life story and why it was interesting.

The Four Main Pillars of the Course

1. How should we view inner healing?

One must be careful to use visualization techniques and mystical New Age methods. God wants to free us from negative emotions by letting us ‘die to ourselves’ and rising to walk in a new life. (Romans 6 v. 4). We must not dwell on the ‘dead flesh’ but instead focus on Him who saved us. He will transform our hearts and heal the hurt. What we feel about ourselves should not be the focus. Rather, it must be about what we know about God.

Inner healing is about being honest with yourself about what you are feeling and giving it all to God. Then, through His supernatural Word, He will provide us with the answers we seek.

2. Why is inner healing necessary?

We fell this explains the need for inner healing well:

Rats will go where there’s garbage. If you only remove the rats, but not the rubbish, the rats will return eventually. The rats are demons, and the trash, our inner hurts.

Inner healing is essential to remove the garbage, the trauma, and the wounds so that the rats can never return.

3. Do I need inner healing?

In this part of the course, one can discuss alarm signals that tell you that you might need inner healing. Here are a few signals:

  • You feel alone and as if you’ve lost contact with God.
  • You tend to think negatively.
  • You can’t ‘shut’ down your mind.
  • You are chronically tired or anxious.
  • You feel empty, insecure, or jealous.
  • You sabotage relationships or have an addiction issue.
  • You cry a lot.

4. How to start the process of inner healing.

The process is going to be unique for everyone. Once you know something is wrong and not working right in your life, ask God to show you what is going on and where it started. God will often show people the originating event and something symbolic or representative.

Honesty is vital throughout the process. One can only heal if one expresses the ugly truth and how one feels. Then, finally, you can move on to forgiveness and repentance. Jesus will also show the solution.

Things will often change when you are in a room with two or more other people. If they ask God to reveal something, things change. God usually responds powerfully when we are together.

Teaching Ideas and Materials

We close with some more resources. These are just random ideas in no set order. One can move them around to construct a teaching course with different elements.

  • Discuss obstacles to inner healing. It can be unforgiveness towards others or toward yourself. It can be lost dreams or hopes, guilt or shame, and internal judgments. Demonic interference can also block healing.

Leo Tolstoi’s wife once said, concerning the great writer: “People will tell of how he helped laborers carry water, but nobody will ever know that he never helped his wife with her toils – not once in 32 years!”

How many of us have felt the same way? Pastors went off to help the people in the congregation but did not support their wives. These feelings can also be an obstacle to inner healing.

  • Forgive yourself. If we don’t forgive ourselves during the internal healing process, we deny the very work of the cross!

More Ideas and Resources

https://wildatheart.org/prayer/prayer-inner-healing

https://www.healingcare.org/healing-care-group-curriculum

https://rediscoveringsacredness.com/inner-healing-work-what-is-it-why-do-people-fear-it/

John Eldridge on inner healing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oshTcG0_J_k

Books

The Vulnerable Pastor: How Human Limitations Empower Our Ministry – Mandy Smith

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017J89YXO/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1

21-Day Inner Healing Journey: A Personal Guide to Healing Past Hurts and Becoming Emotionally Healthy – Jimmy Evans

https://www.amazon.com/Day-Inner-Healing-Journey-Emotionally/dp/1950113612

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb3e0e234c4e2dd29db7437/t/6164c65deb0e545bf4902f77/1633994334532/Facilitating+Inner+Healing.pdf

Guide for Listening and Inner Healing Prayer

https://navresources.ca/product_details.php?item_id=4709

Resources Used

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Aimee-Semple-McPherson

https://www.gotquestions.org/inner-healing.html

https://www.awesomechurch.com/inner-healing-part-1/

https://www.catchthefire.com/blog/guide-inner-healing

https://www.christianhealingmin.org/index.php/hl-issue-2013-3/190-magazine/2011-2015/hl-articles-2013-3/605-the-power-of-inner-healing-prayer

https://www.greatbiblestudy.com/emotional-healing/biblical-steps-to-inner-healing/

My name is Helena Bester. I’ve been writing stories and poems my whole life, but only recently discovered the wonderful world of freelance writing.

I love Jesus – He has been a constant presence in my life thus far. I try to sit at His feet – but often fail so miserably. Luckily, He still loves me, no matter what!

My greatest hope is to be honest in my Christian blogs and to be a vessel that God can use.

When I am not writing, I cook, read, or work in my vegetable patch. I am married to Hennie, a South African wheat farmer, and we have three beautiful children, Christiaan, Hendrie, and Jana.

Spiritual Warfare: Know Thy Enemy

Bill Alderson
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Spiritual Warfare: Know Thy Enemy

“When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which He entered with His disciples. 2 And Judas also, which betrayed Him, knew the place, for Jesus often resorted there with His disciples. 3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon Him, went forth and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, which betrayed Him, stood with them. 6 As soon as He said to them, “I am He,” they went backward, and fell to the ground. 7 Then He asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. If you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 that the saying might be fulfilled, “Of those You gave Me, I have lost none.” 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.” (John 18:1-10)

There are many Christians who are not cognizant of the important role that the devil and his demons play in undermining one’s relationship with God and the purpose of a believer in God’s ongoing work in the world. Judas Iscariot is a central figure in the passion of Christ and an illustration of how a man can be used to bring about Satan’s opposition to the perfect plan of the redemption of man. The story of Jesus’s betrayal (paradidomai – the delivering of another with evil intent) is the fulfillment of an Old Testament prophecy in Psalm 41:9, “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” Jesus was prepared for it, but the effect it had on Him was still difficult. Understanding that evil is not only present in the world, but also active, means that the believer needs to learn to recognize spiritual warfare.

Luke 22:3 tells us that Satan, himself entered into Judas, not delegating that responsibility to his demons. Man cannot only be possessed by demons, but also obsessed, meaning that even a believer’s mind can be totally pre-occupied with evil; only non-believers can be demon possessed. It is my conviction that Judas was a thief (John 12:6) and his heart condition among others opened the door for the satanic possession.

Kakos and poneros

There are two Greek words for evil and Vines Dictionary has a good explanation of the two. “kakos stands for ‘whatever is evil in character, base,’ in distinction (wherever the distinction is observable) from poneros, which indicates ‘what is evil in influence and effect, malicious, malignant.’ Kakos is the wider term and often covers the meaning of poneros. Kakos is antithetic to kalos, ‘fair, advisable, good in character,’ and to agathos, ‘beneficial, useful, good in act’; hence it denotes what is useless, incapable, bad; poneros is essentially antithetic to chrestos, ‘kind, gracious, serviceable’; hence it denotes what is destructive, injurious, evil.”

In Romans 7:21, kakos is used: “I find then the principle [law] that evil [kakos] is present in me, the one who wants to do good.” John 7:7 explains, “The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil [poneros]”. Kakos is the general term that represents evil compared to good while poneros is that evil which corrupts and is the source of conspiracies. Both are representative of the methods used by the devil and his kingdom.

“the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.” (1 John 3:8-10)

The emphasis of John’s teaching is the word practice [present active participle of poieo, to make or to do]. It speaks of continuous action. The devil wishes to keep believers pre-occupied with sin without experiencing victory. It is God’s plan that believers live in a continuous action of doing righteousness, that which is right. This controversial passage is not teaching sinless perfection, but rather that when the believer is operating in his old self (see Ephesians 4:22-24), he will be influenced to sin. On the other hand, the new self. The new man cannot sin since he is under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

The devil is a liar

Jesus deals with the Pharisees regarding this matter in John 8 when He challenges their ability to understand [literally hear] His word (verse 43). He tells them that they are of their father, the devil and as a result, they are pre-occupied with doing his desires. In verse 44, “He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” Jesus places the whole matter on the altar of the truth verses a lie. The true believer, operating under the power of the Holy Spirit is only interested in the truth. The new covenant believer is all about truth and the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, is always communicating that which is true. The Greek word for truth is aletheia and it is also translated “reality”, so the things that the believer hears is reality from God’s perspective.

“Truthful lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but counselors of peace have joy.” (Proverbs 12:19-20)

The Apostle Paul helps us understand the nature of that warfare in 2Corinthians 10:3-5, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” So much of this warfare surrounds one’s thought life and that the battle is fought around thoughts, speculations [logismos – considerations, reflections] that devalue the things of God, the knowledge of God, placing something or someone else in His place. This battle is fought in the spiritual realm, empowered by the Holy Spirit and intends to destroy fortifications or strongholds that have successfully invaded the believer’s mind.

“10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:10-19)

Stand firm

In Ephesians 6, Paul defines for us the weapons of the battle as armor. He begins by reminding the believer that the ability to overcome evil is not inherent in man, but it comes from God; the battle is the Lord’s. In putting on the full armor of God, we put on His strength. The believer’s role is to stand firm [hestemi – stand fast], having adorned the spiritual armor, including the loins girded with truth. It means that the truth [reality] of God and His Word is the core (loins) of a believer’s life so he operates with integrity. He also puts on the breastplate of righteousness, armor that covers the body from the neck to the waist and speaks to the believer who chooses to live his life according to God’s righteousness, that which is right. Feet (with the preparation of the gospel of peace) speaks not only of one’s walk with God as one of peace (Romans 5:1), but also one’s willingness to share it with others.

There is also the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation. One’s individual faith in the promises of God protects him from the fiery darts of the devil and his assurance of his salvation protects his mind from evil thoughts. The sword of the Spirit, a reference to the Word of God gives us both an offensive and defensive weapon against that which is not true. When Hebrews 4:12 speaks of the Word of God as living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, it does its work in the heart and the mind to separate the soulish thoughts from the spiritual ones, allowing the believer discernment in warfare. Over and over again, Jesus utilized the truth of the Word of God when confronted by His enemies (and even the devil in Matthew 4:1-11) with the statement, “it is written”. He recognized the authority that it conveyed in challenging those who would question God’s dominion over all things.

Finally, the emphasis in “all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit” calls on the spiritual power of God to respond to every attack meant to dethrone God in the believer’s heart and His rightful place. It is prayer that provides the energy to “stand firm against the schemes of the devil”. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that “also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27).

Resistance

“Submit [to be placed in subjection under] therefore to God. Resist [to stand against] the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). This encouragement to resist is contrasted with verse 6, where God is doing the resisting of the proud, while giving grace to the humble. This resistance comes from a firmness in the faith (1 Peter 5:9), and a full reliance on the power of God.

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