Behold The King: Hard Knocks Harvest (Part 2)
Notes
Transcript
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
Experience the awe-inspiring moment when Jesus sends out the twelve on a divine mission to spread the life-changing Gospel message. Witness as Jesus lays out the perilous challenges that lie ahead.
In the land of Galilee, there was a group of disciples who were drawn to the teachings of Jesus. They were ordinary people, with ordinary lives, but their hearts burned with a desire to surrender to something greater than themselves.
Jesus, the manifestation of the Godhead, saw the potential within each disciple. He knew that by surrendering to him, they would be redeemed from their sin, and find their true purpose and experience a profound transformation. And so, he called them together and shared his divine plan.
With gentle compassion, Jesus spoke to their souls, igniting a fire within them. He called upon Peter, a simple fisherman with a passionate heart, to be a pillar of strength and leadership. Peter, a zealous man had to learn through many mistakes to be the man that would feed Jesus’ sheep.
To Matthew, a tax collector burdened by guilt and shame, Jesus extended a hand of forgiveness and redemption. Matthew surrendered his past and embraced his calling as a messenger of grace, sharing the good news with those who felt lost and unworthy.
James and John, brothers filled with ambition and a hunger for greatness, were challenged by Jesus to surrender their desires for power and status. They humbly accepted their role as servants, learning that true greatness lies in selflessness and love.
Mary Magdalene, once trapped in the darkness of her past, found solace in Jesus' unconditional love. He called her to surrender her pain and become a source of comfort and healing for others. Mary surrendered her fears and became a beacon of hope, radiating the light of Christ's compassion.
As each disciple surrendered to Jesus' call, their lives were forever changed. They witnessed miracles unfold before their eyes and experienced the power of divine love working through them. They discovered that surrendering to Jesus meant finding their true selves, unlocking their potential, and fulfilling their destiny.
When we surrender to his call, we open ourselves to a life of purpose, joy, and abundant blessings. Just as the disciples found their true identity and purpose by surrendering to Jesus, we too can experience the transformative power of surrendering to his love and guidance.
In this Episode of Behold The King, lets look at the main character:
The Righteous Dispatcher
The Righteous Dispatcher
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
Jesus knew about being dispatched to complete a mission that would mean to give the ultimate sacrifice.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.
And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
That nagging feeling of being incomplete, unworthy, unable to measure up to God’s standards can be soothed only when you surrender to the Righteous dispatcher. His payment for your sin completes you, imputes His worth onto you, and makes you accepted by God.
There lived a young man named Johnny. He was a tech-savvy and compassionate individual who had a close bond with his sister, Mary. They were a dynamic duo, always supporting and caring for each other.
One day, tragedy struck when Mary fell ill with a rare disease, the same one that Johnny had miraculously recovered from two years ago. The doctor explained that Mary's only hope for recovery was a blood transfusion from someone who had previously conquered the disease. As fate would have it, Johnny, with his rare blood type, was the ideal donor.
The doctor approached Johnny with a heartfelt plea, "Would you be willing to give your blood to Mary?" Johnny's mind raced with thoughts of his sister's well-being. He hesitated for a moment, his emotions overwhelming him. But then, a determined smile spread across his face and he replied, "Of course, I'll do it for my sister."
In no time, both Johnny and Mary were wheeled into the hospital room. Mary appeared pale and weak, while Johnny exuded strength and vitality. They exchanged a silent glance, but it spoke volumes. Johnny's grin conveyed his unwavering support and love for his sister.
As the nurse prepared to insert the needle into Johnny's arm, his smile gradually faded. He watched intently as his blood flowed through the tube, his voice trembling slightly as he broke the silence, "Doctor, when do I die?" The room fell silent as everyone realized the depth of Johnny's sacrifice. He had misunderstood the situation, believing that giving his blood meant giving up his own life.
In that profound moment, the doctor grasped the significance of Johnny's decision. Tears welled up in his eyes as he gently explained to Johnny that his act of selflessness would not cost him his life. Relief washed over Johnny, and he felt a surge of gratitude for the opportunity to save his sister without sacrificing himself.
This story serves as a powerful reminder that each of us, millennials and Gen Xers alike, face challenges and conditions that require immense sacrifice. However, unlike Johnny, we have been blessed with a savior who gave far more than just his blood. Jesus, in his ultimate act of love, sacrificed his entire life to save us all.
In a world where selflessness and compassion can sometimes be overshadowed by individual pursuits, let us remember Johnny's courageous decision. May it inspire us to embrace the spirit of giving, to support one another, and to cherish the priceless gift of life we have been given.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
As this episode continues we get a deep look at the nemesis of the narrative:
The Riotous Devourers
The Riotous Devourers
The council Jesus is referring to is the Sanhedrin. In fact the Greek word for council is the word synedria.
This group of religious overlords were elected to a position (most likely due to the fear of their wrath). In a place of authority over the teachings and events of the local synagogues they became a hindrance to the spiritual growth of the dedicated Jews.
Through Jesus’ ministry these wolves tried to trick him and get him to say or do something that would debunk him, in order to maintain their authority.
The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Latter Paul would call those who say that you have to do religious acts to gain forgiveness of sins are wolves.
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus warns the apostles that those who would betray or persecute them would fall into these three categories:
Religious Elitist
Religious Elitist
But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
In order to justify their unbelief in God’s message and anointed Messiah these individuals would convince themselves that Jesus was actually sent by or might even be Satan
“They called the master of the house Beelzebub”
The religious elitist will cast a shadow of doubt about anyone that slightly differs from them. They desire to have to corner on your religious market. They will misuse the bible to keep you under their authority.
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
Everyone is able to properly interpret scripture.
Gentile Dignitaries
Gentile Dignitaries
And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Close family members
Close family members
And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Jesus teaches that the Religious elite will beat the disciples because they don’t want to give up their hold on people.
the dignitaries will beat them because of fear and it will be a testimony for Christ.
families will rebel against each other and God because People hate being wrong.
I stand before you to expose the insidious danger that lurks within each and every one of us - the danger of pride. It is a relentless force that feeds on our ego, slowly devouring our relationships, aspirations, and ultimately, our very souls.
Pride, Faithway, is a treacherous monster that deceives us into believing we are superior to others. It whispers sweet lies into our ears, convincing us that we are invincible, that we are above reproach. But let me tell you, pride is a venom that paralyzes our spiritual growth, blinds us to our own sin, and shackles us in a suffocating cocoon of arrogance.
When we succumb to pride, we become isolated islands, cut off from the shores of God’s compassion and Grace. We build walls of superiority, refusing to listen to the voices of those around us. Our relationships crumble under the weight of our inflated egos, leaving us stranded in a desolate wasteland of loneliness.
Pride, Faithway, is a fire that consumes everything in its path. It engulfs our hearts, leaving no room for empathy, humility, gratitude, or God’s merciful correction. We become slaves to our own inflated self-worth, oblivious to the suffering of others. And as the flames of pride grow higher, we watch as the bridges we once crossed with love and trust turn to ashes beneath our feet.
But Faithway, there is hope. We must confront the beast of pride with the weapon of humility. Humility, the antidote to pride, opens our eyes to our own imperfections, enabling us to learn of Salvation through faith in Jesus. To grow in our spiritual compassion and allows God to mold us through his Word into the conduit of God’s grace towards others. It allows us to extend a hand of compassion, to embrace vulnerability, and to forge deep, meaningful connections with those around us.
So, Faithway, let us not be deceived by the allure of pride. Let us tear down the walls of arrogance and embrace the transformative power of humility. Together, we are glorify God, live out the Gospel of Christ, and help people on their Faithway journey.
jesus tells the disciples that they will face these but he tells them to do so with the understanding that God will speak through them. That they will be a witness for him.
As we finish up this episode lets look at the supporting cast:
The Reclaimed Disciples
The Reclaimed Disciples
This special group of individuals were told to be shrewd like serpents but as innocent as doves. Jesus refers to them as sheep, an animal that was used to symbolize purity.
Jesus refers to the apostles as sheep, disciples, slaves, and members of his household.
We cannot become the master or lord. But we can become like our Lord, and that is more than sufficient.
by the way, Jesus does not call us to make him great, he is already great.
Jesus tells these group of social outcasts that they would have a closeness with God that Israel has not seen since Moses.
But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.
With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
These reclaimed disciples would do something that Israel had never seen before. And most of them would initially reject them. Each of the disciples except for Judas and John would die a martyrs death.
“If I am a Christian, I am not set on saving my own skin, but on seeing that the salvation of God comes through me to others.” –Oswald Chambers
"WE WILL REMAIN CHRISTIANS"
An American journalist in 1993 interviewed a group of children from a Sunday school in southern Sudan where Arab Muslims regularly raided their village and slaughtered Christians. Many of their relatives had already been killed.
The journalist asked, "Would you turn to Islam? Or would you prefer to die for Christ! And if so, why?"
The children replied, "We will remain Christians because that is the truth." As they spoke, their faces seemed to glow with light, just like Stephan’s, Christianity’s first martyr.
In our journey through life, we often find ourselves overwhelmed by a whirlwind of emotions. It is in these moments of uncertainty and vulnerability that we may struggle to trust in God. But let me tell you, Faithway, there is immense power in choosing to trust God through our emotions.
Emotions can be powerful and consuming, sometimes clouding our judgment and causing us to question God's plan for us. But it is precisely in these moments that we must turn to Him, seeking solace and guidance. Trusting God through our emotions allows us to find peace and clarity amidst the chaos.
When we choose to trust God through our emotions, we acknowledge that He is a loving and compassionate Savior who understands our struggles. He invites us to bring our fears, anxieties, and doubts directly to Him, knowing that He will provide us with comfort and reassurance.
Moreover, trusting God through our emotions strengthens our faith. It is easy to believe in God when everything is going well, but true faith is tested in times of adversity. When we choose to trust God through our emotions, we demonstrate a deep-rooted reliance on His wisdom and sovereignty.
By trusting God through our emotions, we also open ourselves up to His transformative power. He can turn our pain into purpose, our sorrow into joy, and our fear into courage. When we surrender our emotions to Him, He can work miracles in our lives, bringing healing and restoration.
So, Faithway, let us choose to trust God through our emotions. Let us remember that He is always with us, ready to embrace us in our times of need. Trusting God through our emotions is not a sign of weakness, but a testament to our faith. May we find strength, peace, and hope as we navigate the rollercoaster of emotions and negative circumstance, knowing that God is by our side. The more we trust Him the more the emotions will come into balance and God can use our emotions for His glory and our benefit.
“86 years have I have served him, and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?” - Polycarp
And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
The more Paul loved the church, the less others loved him. The more Paul loved Jesus, the more others hated him. Yet it seems that Paul took the admonition of the Righteous Dispatcher as a promise of a life fully lived for the gracious Savior.
When we surrender to his call, we open ourselves to a life of purpose, joy, and abundant blessings. Just as the disciples found their true identity and purpose by surrendering to Jesus, we too can experience the transformative power of surrendering to his love and guidance.
