"As We Forgive Those..." (Continued)

[Michael Parnell]

"As We Forgive Those..."

 

[This is part 2 continued from last blog-post]

 

Consider Jesus

God is a perfectly balanced God. He is a "common sense" God. Jesus said that if we see, hear and observe Him, we have seen God. So many people have such an unbalanced concept of God's love. They are either too far right or too far left. Some lean on the "love" side only, while all others know is the "hell-fire, brimstone and judgment" of God.

If you want to honestly see the total truth and balance of God, then observe the Lord Jesus. He had about seven times more to say about hell than He did about Heaven. I can just hear that crowd of Pharisees and people who were of their influence and persuasion as they say, "Humph, this Jesus preaches too hard. He is a brow-beater and basher. He doesn't preach in love. Why doesn't He have some good things to say? After all, we aren't all that bad. We think we're pretty good folks. We have some lovely people attending our synagogue. All we ever hear from Him is `repent, the Kingdom of God is at hand' or `woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites', and He is always talking about hell! And did you hear about Him going absolutely berserk in the temple the other day. Why He was swinging a whip and running off people. He broke several pieces of beautiful temple furniture and some of the chairs He turned over still had people sitting in them! I dont see any love in this man. Oh no, Hes no preacher of love!" 

The Pharisees, like the vast majority of people today, had selective hearing. They didnt focus on all of the wonderful words of Jesus. They only concentrated on what could be seen as negative, especially when taken out of context, because they were looking so intently for something to use against Him.

Out of the 93 times that you see the word Pharisee or Pharisees  in the scriptures, rarely are they seen in a very good light. Most of the time when you see them mentioned there is strife, contention, scheming, conniving and even murder tied to them.

They held to the letter of their interpretations of the law and to their own traditions, regardless of whether those traditions nullified the Word of God or not. They were always up to no-good. They were Christ's bitterest enemies.

There are so many today of the very same religious mind-set . They are not called Pharisees now and they are not necessarily Jewish, but they have that same spirit. They are religious leaders in many churches of many denominations who, like the Pharisees of Jesus day, cry and whine, we need to hear more love preached now, we dont hear nearly enough on love, when in reality they dont have a clue as to what the genuine, divine, agape love of God is all about!

I guess on one hand, of course, the Pharisees may have had a reason to think that Jesus didnt like them very much. Check out these verses:

Matthew 5:20 "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."

(Author): "Now Lord, that wasn't a very nice thing to say about someone, was it?" 

Matthew 16:6 "Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees."

(Author): "Now Jesus, you must simply stop calling out names, everyone will know who you are talking about!"

Matthew 16:11-12 "How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? [12] Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees."

(Author): "Jesus, don't you realize that these guys are well respected rulers, teachers, preachers and leaders? Why must you upset the religious system so?"

Matthew 23:13-15 "But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. [14] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. [15] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves."

Matthew 23:23 "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."

Matthew 23:25-27 "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. [26] Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. [27] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness."

Matthew 23:29 "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,"

(Author): "Well, now you've gone and done it, Lord! These guys are going to hang you out to dry by your thumbs! There, you have gone and just attacked their religious rules and doctrines and way of life. You told them they were rotten to the core, I mean, what's up with this `dead men's bones' stuff? Why, they'll probably go ahead and have you crucified! Well, who can blame them? I mean you have just been down right mean and ugly to these guys. Don't you realize that if you'll just show them more love you just might get these guys to cooperate with you a little bit?"

Now, if this is all we ever read from the Word, we would probably have the great misconception about God that much of the world actually does have today. That misconception being that God is a stern, un-loving, cruel God who just sits on a throne with a long white beard, just waiting for you or me to make one little slip up and –POW - He's gonna swat us like a fly! Of course, anyone who really knows God and His love knows better than this.

Through all of the strife, contention, rhetoric and even His crucifixion, Jesus loved even these hateful, miserable, trouble-making, hypocritical and murderous Pharisees.

This is why the subjects of love, mercy, grace, forgiveness and un-forgiveness are so tragically misunderstood. Because of the woeful lack of a balanced understanding of the love of Christ!

Tough Love

Love isn't always sunshine and roses or, at least some aspects of it aren't. A phrase has been coined in recent times called "tough love". We need to understand that to a large degree, that's exactly the kind of love that God has and that we saw manifested in Christ. A love that is both tough and tender at the same time in only the miraculous way that God could manifest it.

In several scriptures that I have already referenced we see this, i.e. Christ when He cleansed the temple and His preaching to the Pharisees.

There were actually many, many other instances of "tough love" demonstrated by the Lord. Carefully study this passage in John 6:53-71; "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. [54] Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. [55] For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. [56] He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. [57] As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. [58] This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. [59] These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. [60] Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? [61] When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? [62] What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? [63] It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. [64] But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. [65] And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. [66] From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. [67] Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? [68] Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. [69] And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. [70] Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? [71] He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve."

When we read here what it was that caused such a stir that many of His disciples (there were more than just the original twelve) walked no more with the Lord, someone might say, "Well, naturally all of this talk about eating flesh and drinking blood sounds gory, weird and like something from a horror movie. Anyone would stop following someone talking like this."

However, we need to understand that no figure of speech was more common to Jews at this time, so there was no excuse for them to misunderstand His words. Eating and drinking is used figuratively of partaking of the benefits of the death of Christ. We partake by faith and enjoy the benefits because God gives them on the basis of what Christ did for us (Ephes. 2:8-9; Romans 3:24-25; Romans 5:1-11; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 3:16; Acts 4:12; Acts 15:9; Acts 26:18; Galatians 2:16-20; Galatians 3:1-26; 1 Peter 1:5-13). Eating is used figuratively of partaking of spiritual food (1 Cor. 10:1-3); of other benefits received (Psalm 69:9; Ezekiel 2:8; Ezekiel 3:1-3; Rev. 10:9); and even of the evil results of sin (Proverbs 9:17; Hosea 10:13; James 5:3).

So, it was not like they didn't comprehend what He was saying. Their response, "this is a hard saying", meant that they understood what He was saying but simply were not willing to follow Him in everything. They did not want to totally commit themselves to Him.

Notice we are told that He taught these things in the synagogue. Why is it that in most cases it isn't popular to teach and preach the truth in synagogues and churches that are supposed to be established and sanctified for this purpose? The Lord Jesus Himself is not really accepted in most religious institutions. I know that isn't going to win me any popularity contest, but that in itself is a truth that most religious people, will struggle with, including pastors and leaders.

Pastors, we need to ponder this question to ourselves: Just how welcome would Christ be to preach in our pulpit? How uncomfortable would we be if Jesus actually notified us that He was going to minister the Word from our podium this Sunday morning.

No doubt there would be a number of various reactions. Some of us would certainly welcome the Lord and invite Him to have His way. Some of us would worry ourselves to a frazzle about what He might say and who He might offend. Some of us would become sick with anxiety that we would lose our position should He come. Some might even tell Him, "this Sunday is not a good day, Lord, come at a more convenient time". There would probably be some that would just tell Him not to come at all… ever! However, I must digress, because that's another book.

So, anyway, these disciples were saying in essence, "Who can digest such a doctrine as this? It is intolerable and impractical." I have heard this very phrase in various forms and attitudes coming from the lips of "church people".

But, then the Lord takes it a step further. He asks them, "does this offend you"? Paraphrased, Christ was saying here and in the next couple of verses, "Guys, if eating My flesh and drinking My blood offends you, what if I tell you a harder doctrine? Suppose you saw the Son of Man ascend up to heaven where He was before?"

Then, in verse 63, He gets so plain that there can be no misunderstanding. Again, to paraphrase, "If you could literally eat My flesh and drink My blood, it would not save your souls. The flesh profits nothing. Boys, it is all about the Spirit. When I am giving you the words my father is giving me, I am speaking spiritual life to you, yet some of you still won't receive or believe what I am saying. The life I speak of is spiritual and eternal life, not fleshly life."

Then the writer, John, mentions something that is quite profound in itself. A short statement that like so many other brief statements in the Word, goes almost unnoticed. According to verse 64, Jesus knew two things from the beginning of His ministry:

1. He knew that some did not believe.

2. He knew who should betray Him.

More times than few, a pastor will know when going into a new pastorate who will be potential problems and trouble-makers. He knows who those are that won't receive the Word, or who will be traitorous. I can't tell you the times I have had a guest minister, such as an evangelist or prophet, and they would sometimes tell me about certain individuals within the congregation who would be a blessing to the ministry or a problem to it.

In none of these instances have I ever told them anything about anyone at all. I am not all-knowing and may be fooled sometimes, but many, if not most times, I can pretty much tell who is not receiving the Word.

Then he makes a statement to the twelve in verse 67. "Will you also go away?" He was saying, "Will you twelve also abandon Me? You that I have saved, chosen out of the world, empowered for service, revealed eternal secrets to, and whom I have great plans for?"

Understand, this was not a pitiful plea such as, "oh, please guys, you aren't going to leave too, are you?" No, it was more like an invitation: "If you guys feel the same way, no one has chained you down to keep you from leaving either." Or, like the Southern paraphrase of that says, "Don't let the door hit you in the rear on your way out."

Then, Simon Peter, who was but a simple fisherman, sometimes crass, overbearing, outspoken and rough around the edges, spoke up and said perhaps one of the first sensible things he ever said: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that You are that Christ, the Son of the living God."

Now, you would think that Jesus would have been very pleased and would have answered in a rewarding fashion like, "that's wonderful Peter, I rejoice because you are obviously grasping the truth and starting to show signs of spiritual growth", or something along that order.

Why, even in Matthew 16:16 when "Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God," in verse 17 "…Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."

However, His next statement in this passage from John, that we are examining, is a harsh, seemingly unloving and almost verbal assault. He says, "Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?" No "good job, Peter", but instead, "I have chosen you guys and one of you is a devil"!

I can just imagine what may have been going through Peter's mind as well as the other disciples. "Lord, that wasn't a very kind, comforting, loving thing to say after what Peter just said to you."

Yet, He was the perfect authority on love and forgiveness. In fact, Jesus Christ is divine love and forgiveness personified!

Jesus Was Not A Brow-Beater

Jesus had seven times more to say about hell than He did about Heaven. Why? Was it because He was a basher and brow-beater? Was it because He loved dramatics and sensationalism? Was it because He just liked to start trouble or controversy?

Or rather, was it because He did love people so much and never intended for humanity to go to that awful place? I believe that when we rightly and properly divide the Word we will find it was because He WAS and IS absolute love. Regardless as to whether it's good or bad, He loves us enough to tell us the truth.

Everyone in ministry must also love people in the same manner. I always tell, especially younger Christians and younger preachers in particular, that you must preach hell, but you must preach Heaven, too. The balance is that if you are going to preach a person into hell, don't leave them there, show them God's plan of escape and that He loves them enough to provide a way that they don't have to go.

How could the apostle Paul write the "love chapter" in First Corinthians chapter thirteen and tell us that if we do anything at all that is not motivated by the "agape" of God we are nothing and it simply doesn't count for anything, when Jesus was his inspiration and model for writing it. The one motive behind everything that Christ preached, taught and did was - L-O-V-E.

(To be continued next blog-post)

Pastor Mike