King David Series: Bountiful Adullum

Message 24 April 2016 King David Series # Bountiful Adullum

“I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.” Psalms 142:1-7 KJV. Ref. 1 Samuel 21, 22:1

Circumstances and evil forces can squeeze one into a negative mode and mould. David went through harsh situations but demonstrated ability to refuse, resist, and reject anything contrary to God’s promises. He was a prayer warrior. In prayer giants died before he killed them. He had personal victories in the sheep cote. National victories against Goliath and in national Army, Destiny victories against Saul in the caves and wilderness and family victories against Absalom

The narratives of in the books of Samuel and the Chronicles present the outward exploits of David in his professional and public lives. He almost appears to be a superman winning every battle.  However to understand the inner experiences of David one has to read the Psalms.  He personally wrote 73 of the Psalms in the book of Psalms and compiled the remainder. In the Psalms he reveals his fears and struggles and exposes his doubts at times. The Psalm reveal how he would sometimes feel overwhelmed. How he would be tempted to give up but would remember God’s faithfulness. How he often felt alone and encouraged himself in the Lord.  In Psalm 142 we read of David at the cave of Adullum. A picture of him when he arrived there feeling as if all was lost. Not sure what had gone wrong. He had served Saul well and risked his life many times yet he has had to flee for his life. He had been let down often already. When he should have won a wife by killing Goliath he still had to bring 100 foreskins for her. His family who were to be exempted from paying tax still paid tax. Now he had run from the comfort of his home and abandoned the wife of his youth. For the promised riches he got increasing dangers.  He had appealed to Samuel and that did not work. He was friend to Jonathan, Saul’s son and was married to his daughter but that also did not save him. He had run to the priests but found no help. He even ran to hide under the covering of Saul’s enemy Achish. That also failed dismally and he had to pretend he was mad to be ejected to nowhere. His helpless wanderings landed him at the Adullum cave. He was at this point alone in the cave with no clue about where to get his next roof, bed, bath and meal. Psalm 142 reveals his struggles in prayer to God.

• He cried to God (1a). He used the God given Gift of crying. That is how babies communicate with parents and get help without saying a word. He realised crying was a universal language that could really express what was going on to him.

• He cried aloud with his voice (1b). At times silent cries are just not enough. David supplicated (begged) God to intervene (1c)

• He complained so much that complains gushed out of him (2b). This kind of crying is only possible when someone is recklessly  lying prostrate with no care about who is watching. Maybe he said Lord you started this I was at peace in the sheep cote. Where are you in all this? Is this how you deal with your own? I didn’t ask to be king after all. Why are you allowing them to have their way? What wrong have I done to deserve this? And the like

• He described his trouble to God (2b). His problems were so heavy he thought he knew them better than anyone else including God. He narrated and described them to the all-knowing God. It was his way to say Lord I will appreciate what you will have done when you get me out because I fully understand how deep I have sunk.

• He was overwhelmed within (3a). He had absolutely  no confidence in himself or anything else.

• His faith was so stretched but however realised it was also a test he had to pass. It exposed to God his path. His was the path of God. In it God watches over his footsteps (3b). How you respond to trouble shows God and yourself the real path you are on.

• He felt as if landmines and booby traps had been laid everywhere. He had no place of safety (3c). He had nowhere to run. Sometimes you are too strong for the almighty God. You have all the answers and options and god doesn’t know how to help. Under Saul he had a variety of options but they all could not take him to his destiny. David had reached the dead-end of all his human options and only God was the remaining place to run to.

• He looked on his right hand where he expected the trusted people but there was no one to help him. It seemed no one cared about him and (4). He felt rejected, abused, and abandoned. He was left to die but was not ready to die.

• He explained his crying. It was not vain crying,. He did not waste tears. He cried out of faith (5). His cry was directed to God because he was the only refuge and shelter left.  His only portion on earth. All else seemed lost. So he cried to the Lord, I have one hope – attend to my prayer. 

• He felt humiliated. Reduced from one mighty general they sang about to a vagabond living in caves (6a). He now felt weak and vulnerable facing a situation stronger than him. He was being chased after  by enemies he was helpless before (6b). Helplessness is ripeness for God’s help.

• He felt like his soul was in prison (7a). The soul is the seat of emotions such as joy, praise and confidence. He could not find these nor express them. They were in a prison. He cried for God to free them. He was the sweet Psalmist who had grown up knowing no other strength but praise to God. It worked in the sheepcote, before Goliath and now when he needed it most in the wilderness it had been imprisoned by fear. He cried ‘Bring my soul out oh Lord that I might praise your name’. Immediately he received a revelation (7b). The way to release your soul from prison is a revelation of God.  He caught a glimpse of a future when God intervenes – The righteous would assemble and surround him. God would deal bountifully with him. God’s relationship with his people is with the motive to bountifully benefit them. He neither leaves nor forsake. He does not put to shame those who trust him. None of their tears and prayers go to waste. When you reach your lowest God is about to take you to your highest.

The definition of bountiful includes - large in quantity;  abundant, plentiful, ample, bumper, superabundant, inexhaustible, prolific, profuse, teeming, copious, prodigal, considerable, vast, immense, great, liberal, lavish, generous, princely, handsome, luxuriant, rich

That’s your portion. With God above the clouds the sun is shining. Beyond your sorrow joy awaits. In your perplexity there is revelation. In your pain is peace. With the rain comes the harvest. Reach out and touch him by prayer. It is estimated that people use less than 10 per cent of brain capacity. The same can also be said of capacity faith and strength, capacity to love, to forgive, and to receive and express spiritually.

It’s time to reach out from your Adullum situation. God heard David’s prayers. David expected the righteous to surround him. However before long he was surrounded by social misfits that he had opportunity to turn to might man of valor. He did it so well before long they became a formidable army of 600 mighty men. He will hear the cry of your heart and voice too.  The answer may not come in the form you want. It may come as raw materials, a connection, an opportunity, an action step, an unexpected person but praise God it comes. God gives the wisdom to turn resources at your disposal into a treasure beyond measure. Even if you consider yourself to have nothing, to God none is a resource.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

First Floor Dhando House,

66 Eloff Street Extension,

Village Deep,

 Johannesburg,

South Africa 

King David Series: Rise up and Move on

Message 28 March 2016 King David Series # Rise up and Move on

Psalms 32, 52

The ability to rise up and move on is one of the vital provisions for success God has given to his people. He is truly a God of not only a second chance but another chance.

>>David was very human

David despite being anointed and being a man after God’s heart was still like us marked by human frailty, flaws, failures and fears. He was like us faced with challenges, the need to put food o the table, roof over the head and a positive image at the market place. Being human the weaknesses of humanity surfaced in varied shades from white, grey, black to  pitch black from time to time. He faced temptations, rejections, delays, disappointments, name it – he went through it. He did his best for Saul and for people only to end up in a cave running for his life under threat from the very people whose interests he had served well. His story inspires hope to all the imperfect. Being after God’s heart does not mean never getting it wrong. David was far from being perfect as shown by the following.

·         He used a Philistine method of carrying the Ark on a new cart pulled by two cows and did not seek God about how to do it. Uzzah died as a result. He got it right the second attempt.
·         He fell to temptation on the roof top an act that could have influenced his son Absalom who later slept with his father’s concubine on the roof top.

·         He committed adultery with Bathsheba Uriah’s wife

·         He orchestrated the killing of Uriah to cover up his sin

·         He left some difficulty confrontation work such as dealing with Joab;s excesses undone and assigned them to his son Solomon. He even confessed that the sons of Zeruiah were too hard for him.

·         He took a census out of a wrong attitude resulting in the death of 70,000 people.

·         He had at least eight wives and eight concubines and his son Solomon improved the record to dizzy heights by having at least 700 wives and 300 concubines.

·         As a parent his family life was imperfect. He needed a maid to warm him up when he had several wives and Bathsheba was still alive. Adonijah tried to cheat Solomon of his kingship. Amnon raped his sister Tamar and was killed by Absalom who later rebelled against King David sending him to exile. Absalom learnt shrewdness from the father but misapplied it against his father instead of God’s enemies. Solomon on the other hand observed wisdom of his father and asked of it from God.

·         He said to Saul through Jonathan that he had had gone Bethlehem to make an offering when he was hiding in the field.

·         He said to the priests that he was on the king’s business when in fact he was fleeing from the king. This resulted in Saul killing all the priests at Nob and their entire families.

·         He escaped out of fear from his house through a back window and left his wife Michal alone to tell a cover up story that exposed her to harm.

·         He was so afraid before the Philistine king Achsh that he played mad man so well that they believed him and send him away.

·         When at Ziklag under Achsh covering  he told him that he fought Israel when he in fact fought enemies of Israel.  

>>David learnt to go down before God in repentance

Despite all these he maintained a tender heart towards God. He also shows signs of spiritual growth in that most of the weaknesses appear in the earlier phases of his life. For example, David who was helpless before women was so much changed that he was warmed by virgin at did not have sex with her. Also David who took away a poor family’s son Uriah would not take away Araunah’s threshing floor without paying for it. He learnt to avoid short cuts and trust God. A big sign of a heart after God’s heart, is that David  was willing to humbly call on God in need for mercy. When he fell into sin, he knew how to receive grace. He rose up from the jaws of sin and moved on with God in power. You may not have committed the same sins as David but if you are honest you have your own set. Perhaps you gossiped over a cup of tea, extended time from work without permission, stumbled across an unhealthy website and lingered a bit over it, downloaded music that is playing havoc with your faith.

What makes us great in God's sight is not our perfection but  the manner in which we deal with our mistakes. David’s response when confronted by God about his sins (Psalm 51, 1 Chronicles 21) was honest, deep, contrite and personal. He was vulnerable before God. He understood the unfailing grace  and mercy of God. God dealt with him according to the inclination of is heart not so much his acts of wrong doing.  When Saul made a mistake, he was confronted by Samuel and he argued with the prophet Samuel. He insisted that he had not done anything wrong.   He blamed others and was more concerned about his dented image before the people. However God dealt differently with David because of  a new dispensation the Davidic covenant as stated for his son in 2 Samuel 7, where he would not reject him but punish him as a son. Failure to admit faults however is a manifestation of pride and stubbornness that impedes God’s grace. God  resists the proud but a humble and contrite heart he does not despise[1]. ‘You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.’ (Psalm 18:27). His humility before the Lord  attracted God’s grace on his life. It attracted God to him.

David did not always immediately repent. In the case of Bathsheba it took a confrontation by prophet Nathan a year later.  Psalm 32 gives us an idea of  the horror he went through that year. He learnt the hard way how blessed the person whose sin is forgiven is (vs 1).  He felt guile in his spirit . He roared and groaned all day long until his bones wore out. He felt such a heaviness on his heart it was like the weight of God’s hand on him. It was a drought experience with no fruit. It was hard. He was crushed. This was no doubt the worst year David ever lived. He was suicidal until God came to his rescue and he acknowledged his sin and did not hide anything.  And the Lord forgave him. What a relief it brought to his life. He must have ever regretted why it took him a whole year to make things right. When David said that God’s love was unfailing...He knew by experience. He tested its tenacity.

>>David learnt to rise up and move on

He had to face the painful consequences of his sins. He failed more than once but each time he rose again. He allowed God's GPS to recalculate. He took his lessons and moved on towards the higher calling of God. In his Psalms his failures do not dominate he is so overwhelmed by God’s goodness. He refused to live in the past. He refused to be buried. He realized he had one window of opportunity to live and the future is opportunity to redeem the past. He could do nothing to change the past but could influence and determine the future. He refused to be defined by his past. Hence he  served Gods purpose in his generation (Acts 13:36).  He impressed God and did exploits. He silenced his enemies. He praised at all times.

God deals with our failures in order to deliver the future to us. That's why we need Jesus. That's why we need the Holy Spirit. Jesus died for our humanity so we can enjoy his divinity. The good news is still ‘He is not here he is alive!’ They failed to stop the resurrection and its victory. What they could not stop they can't take away. .The resurrection promises forgiveness to the sinner. Rest for the laborer. Light for the way. Grace for the trials. Help from above. Revelation in perplexity. Peace in pain. Harvest with the rain. Jesus  is one person after God’s own heart who never got it wrong. David is only an illustration of him. In Jesus is ability to come back. Things can turn around. You can come back to life. 

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

 First Floor Dhando House,

66 Eloff Street Extension,

Johannesburg, South Africa 

---

[1] Also ref to Peter and Judas

King David Series: COVENANT FAVOR

King David Series: COVENANT FAVOR

One cannot fully appreciate the privileges right relationship with God bestows without understanding what a covenant relationship with God is. And without realizing the covenantal dispensation we are in.

A covenant is the strongest form of agreement between parties. The all-knowing and all loving God chose this form of relationship for him and his people.   It is the anchor of faith and the firm foundation of hope. The quality of  a covenant determines the strength of its promises.  The character of the parties to a covenant indicates the likelihood of it being fulfilled. A covenant guarantees its promises and grants potential to its parties. It creates a dreaming space or the parameters of  favor between the parties.

Covenant making involved symbolic actions signifying the commitments parties to them were making to one another. They exchanged promises. They exchanged obligations. They exchanged coats and names to say they were one. They exchanged belts to say there is nothing hidden and to commit to standing together and defending each other against enemies of either. They would make a cut in the palm of the hand and shake to mingle blood and register a blood covenant of oneness. The cut would leave a scar that became a covenant sign. They would slaughter and animal and walk around it to show the seriousness of the covenant as if to say if I break my commitment may I be as the dead animal. They sometimes would plant a memorial tree and share in a covenant meal. Three bible accounts show the strength of a covenant relationship and the seriousness with which God views such a relationship. God is a covenant keeping God.

a)   The story of Mephibosheth. In 2 Samuel 9:1 King David after overcoming his enemies and was enjoying relative peace remembered his covenant with Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:3-4). . Saul and his son Jonathan were dead but he sought for someone of their house remaining so that he could show him/her favor. Ziba Saul’s servant informed the king of Mephibosheth who was abandoned and probably hiding under the care of Machir in Lo-debar. He was lame in both feet. He was literally and generally going nowhere. He was in depression and at lowest of self-esteem. He referred to himself as a ‘dead dog’ (9:8). But David called him from Lo-debar to the palace. He sat with him at his table and announced that he would always do so. .Sitting at the table the lame and the whole look the same. All that remained of Saul was given back to Mephibosheth. Traditionally David would have killed Mephibosheth to completely secure his throne. But he couldn’t because of the covenant he had with Jonathan. God would kill us because of our sin but he gave his son Jesus Christ to die for us on the cross of Calvary. Because of the covenant of favour established through his son he is looking for you. He wants to lift you out of your Lo-debar to his palace as his child. He wants to restore your spiritual dignity and guarantee your wellness at his table.

b)   The story of the Gibeonites. In Josh 9 they forced a covenant between them and the children of Israel to be spared from attack and to leave peacefully with them. When Joshua had brought down the walls of Jericho and overran the city as well as another called Ai. The Gibeonites knowing they would not survive the impending tornado. Despite being neighbors to Joshua they went to him pretending they had come from a far country. They wore worn out sandals and clothes, carried moldy food, etc. The princes of Israel signed a treaty to spare them. Years later Saul attacked the Gibeonites and as a result in  2 Samuel 21 during the rein of David there was a drought for three years. God revealed that the problem was their violation of what you would think was a fraudulent covenant. God honored such a covenant how much more will he honor his covenant to save you and be with you.

c)   The story in Malachi. In Malachi 2:13-14 God rebuked the children of Israel ‘Another thing you do: You flood the Lord’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer looks with favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. 14 You ask, “Why?” It is because the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.’ God would not hear their tearful prayers because of what he had witnessed in their covenant relationships particularly that of marriage. Couples do and say unkind things to each other they will never repeat in public. But God is witnessing be it in the bedroom, or any other place.  He doesn’t need other witnesses. He sees for himself.  Make things right with your spouse or else the Lord cannot hear you. The shortest distance between you and God is not always direct but via the covenant person with whom things are not right.

God has given us his promises and commands. He has given us his identity. He has taken our nothing and replaced it with his all. He guarantees his faithfulness and ability through his Son, His character and his covenant. ‘God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged (Hebrews 6:18)’.

The following God prescribed covenants for his relationship with people are in two groups. The unconditional covenant and the conditional. The unconditional are between two parties, but only one of the two parties has to do something. In the conditional the two parties must each do their part or else the covenant is breached and fails.  The covenants were however not entirely one or the other of the categories each will have aspects of both though some will have a bias to the other. They are also connected, continuous,  building  on and completing each other.  The promises that God made are eternal. Most importantly they are all fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

a)   The Edenic Covenant (innocence) Genesis 1:26-30; 2:16-17. Key word is LIFE. The Edenic  gave dominion and stewardship of all creation on earth in furthering God’s purposes. . It gave life, the image of God, trust and perfect conditions. It gave all resources and ability to reproduce and multiply. Adam lived on a vegetarian diet and lacked nothing, had supernatural abilities, had significance, had super knowledge to name all animals, must have had supernatural capabilities such as walking on water.   It was based on innocence and fellowship with God.  To dominate care further an agenda. Based on obedience. Mankind (male and female) created in God’s image. It had a condition that eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil would result in death. Adam and Eve failed to fulfill this covenant. It is only fulfilled by the Lord Jesus the last Adam. He came to restore and progress all that Adam lost in the garden due to his disobedience.

b)   The Adamic Covenant. Key word is SAVIOR. While the Edenic covenant was based on innocence. The Adamic was based on grace. It was also unconditional. God unilaterally promised a savior Genesis 3:15. With the promised he restored hope. Adam had been cursed. Death had set in, childbirth would be painful, survival would be a struggle, marital strife would exist, and the soil cursed and produce thorns and thistles. Adam was called from hiding since he had nothing to offer for mercy. God did not have to make any promise. However just as His promise is fulfilled in Christ when Adam was lost he promised provision for his salvation. In Christ God made the provision a reality when humanity was lost in sin. .

c)   The Noahic Covenant. Key word is MERCY. This was another unconditional covenant.   After God’s judgement that destroyed all that was outside Noah’s ark God unilaterally promised never again to judge the earth with a flood. He sealed the covenant with a rainbow as a covenant sign. He will be patient with mankind and delay his second coming so that all may hear the message of Christ and be saved. In the end he will still judge the earth but not by flood but fire (2 Peter 3:10, 11; Revelation 20:9, 21:1, Genesis 9:8-17). Under this dispensation the option to eat meat was also introduced (Genesis 9:3). The covenant was with Noah and  “every living creature” (Genesis 9:8-10). Genesis 9:12-13). When we see a rainbow we should remember the faithfulness and mercy of God fulfilled in Jesus Christ. It is a reminder that God has a holy hatred for sin and will not allow sin to go unpunished forever. Jesus carried the judgement for our sin on the cross and faith in him is the ark in which to hide from the judgement of fire to come. God has provided a way for us to be saved through Jesus Christ (Thessalonians 1:10)

d)   The Abrahamic Covenant. Key word is BLESSINGS. . God determined to call out a special people for Himself. In Genesis 12:1-2, 15, 17 God established an unconditional covenant with Abraham and his descendants where he unilaterally promised to bless him, give him a name, a land, innumerable descendants  and to make him a blessing to all nations.  The covenant was sealed with the circumcision sign. God did the covenant ceremony by himself while Abraham was in a sleep (Genesis 15:18–21, Genesis 17:9–14). He made promises to Abraham that required nothing of Abraham. However we also know that Abraham facilitated this covenant by walking in faith. In Christ we access the favour and blessings of God through faith (Galatians 3:16-18). In Him we are elevated to sit with Christ and are blessed with every spiritual blessing. Through the church nations are blessed and the gospel is preached.

e)   The Mosaic Covenant. Key word is PRESENCE. This was a conditional covenant (Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy 28). A rule of the law, sacrificial system,   priests and holiness (Exodus 19:6). The condition for the human part was obedience. All blessings and God’s favor was on the condition of obedience. God still honored the Abrahamic since he was angry with Moses when he failed to circumcise his son (Exodus 4:24-26). The nation of Israel would be his people and he would be their God and dwell among them. It was centered  around the tabernacle of Moses and the manual provided on Mount Sinai.  It was a teacher to point to Christ ((Hebrews 9:11-28). The Law had no power to give people new life, and the people were not able to obey the Law perfectly (Galatians 3:21, Hebrews 10:1-4).

f)    The Davidic Covenant. The key word is KINGSHIP/THRONE. In  2 Samuel 7, 1 Chronicles 17:11–14 and 2 Chronicles 6:16.  God established the Davidic everlasting covenant as a fore taste of the new covenant. It promised kingship, son-ship, grace, greatness, descendants and perpetuity.  It was an unconditional covenant but we know that it followed David’s expressed desire to build God a house. God however simply declared what he would do. He said ‘When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. 15 But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me[a]; your throne will be established forever (2 Samuel 7:12-16).’ What was prophesied. Isaiah 55:1-3 "Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Hearken diligently to me and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in fatness. Incline your ear and come to me; hear that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast sure love for David." It was a covenant of grace and favor. The focus was on giving David a throne that is everlasting. I will give you authority to rule. Davidic anointing comes includes Kingly, priestly and prophetic anointings.  With it God gives away his signet ring as in the story of Modecai.  The right to decree. Kings have to be careful what they say. They carefully utilize words to enforce the constitution, uphold and defend it, God’s throne is associated with worship (ref Revelation). With this covenant the taste and structure of worship was revised. The ark was in a tent and approached especially by celebration, praise and worship. Aspects of the Mosaic remained.  The Davidic Covenant is fulfilled in Christ,. He was introduced as the Son of David. He rules God’s people and nations (Isaiah 9:6;Jeremiah 17:25,  Luke 1:32, Revelation 22:16, 5:5, ). He will rule forever on the throne of David.  Believers rule with Christ the son of David.

Instead of the rule of the law he restored the rule of God.  When they sought the rule of man they were harassed by Philistines with the rule of God they will reign forever. This covenant fulfilled in Christ expects and inspires obedience but does not depend on it but on God’s grace.

g)   The New Covenant. The key word is AMAZING GRACE.  A better covenant founded on better promises. Christ Himself said that He did not come to abolish but to fulfill. God has done all by his grace – will you believe and receive.  It marks the fulfillment of all the other covenants. The law then was on stone now its on the heart to turn it from stone. Pray and exercise faith to move yourself into alignment. Not to solicit God’s favor – already given. Its promise is prophesied (Jeremiah 31:31–34; Hebrews 8:6–13).

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:  Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:  But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.  And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.  - Jeremiah  31:29-34

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

 First Floor Dhando House,

66 Eloff Street Extension,

Johannesburg, South Africa 

Hanging out with Jesus XXIII: Free but not cheap

Hanging out with Jesus XXIII: Free but not cheap

Mark 15

Cheap grace is grace without the cross.  When you hang out with Jesus, the best comes from facing the cross daily. Through the cross, he gives hope and takes life to its fullness. When you forget the cross, it is very easy to take God's grace and salvation for granted.

Often people who receive an expensive item as a gift tend to take it for granted. They fail to appreciate its value and the effort and expense the giver put into making the gift possible. As a result, they do not maintain the item well. Because salvation is a gift, you also may fail to recognize how much of a treasure it is (Mathew 13:44).  You therefore will not take it seriously. You neglect the disciplines and commitments required to maintain and sustain the experience of the gift. You lower its standards of right living.

Something special existed between Paul and knowing Jesus. He longed to know him better by focusing on the cross and pressing toward the mark of his calling. He preached the cross (1 Corinthians 1:17, 18; 2:2).  Without knowing him, he had no message – for he preached nothing but the crucified Jesus who conquered the grave.  He would have enjoyed preaching from 'Mark 15'.

Looking at Mark 15, one can answer three questions about Jesus and the cross -  how much it cost, why the trouble and what it achieved.

How much it cost

You and I receive the benefit of salvation from the showroom. Mark 15 gives a tour of the bloody mess in the workshop. Quickly you realise that salvation was free to us (Ephesians 2:8, 9) but at a great expense to Jesus. He paid an infinitely high price. If sold no one would afford Salvation. No human payment or performance can be good enough. No wonder it had to be a gift. What price can you attach to the life of the son of God for He gave his son (John 3:16). You will never know how much it cost because you will never know the metrics of God.  To start, he paid heavily to come and live in a sinful world (Philippians 2:5ff). He went through all the pressures, troubles, and temptations of human life. He was burdened, opposed, betrayed, denied, rejected, despised, treated unjustly, beaten up, and in Chapter 15 handed over to Pilate.

Before Pilate, as a sheep led to the slaughter, Jesus did not answer questions and false accusations they bombarded him with except for the charge of being the king of the Jews. To that, he responded 'You have said so'. Still not convinced Pilate appealed to the crowd. Surely, they followed him in mass and sang his praises when he entered Jerusalem. But alas, they had become a different crop that the release of a murderer Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus. Unknowingly they explained exactly what Jesus was doing for all people – dying in their places for their crimes.

Handed over to the Roman soldiers for crucifixion, they whipped him as much as 39 times with a whip loaded with pieces of metal/bones. Mercilessly they plowed through and ravaged his flesh. They pierced his head with a crown of thorns. Beat him on the head, mocked, and spat on him. After the brutal assault, he still had to carry his cross to Golgotha.  It was so unbearable that on the way, Simon from Africa (A Cyrenian) was compelled by the soldiers to help him carry the cross. It became an unexpected privilege to identify with Christ’s suffering at a point of his greatest need.

At Golgotha, they nailed him to the cross. Two criminals were crucified alongside him. Both made insults to Jesus. However, Luke notes that one in the end confessed faith in Jesus. Jesus suffered from bearing the sins of billions of people one by one all in one crucifixion. He was sentenced to death billions of times to cover each person that ever lives. He cried to God 'why have thou forsaken me'.

You need to be aware that he would still have died even if only one person lived in the world. When you see him on the cross see yourself. You can hang out with him up to Gethsemane, the place of prayer. At Golgotha the place of the skull, you can only be IN him. He hides you in himself. He was nailed and suffered on the cross for you.  He refused the wine vinegar that could reduce pain thus taking the full measure of your pain. For at least three hours, he hung there in excruciating pain until he made his last breath, gave up his Spirit to God, and died. Joseph of Arimathaea was granted the body of Jesus and he buried it in a tomb whose entrance he sealed with a big stone.

 A centurion who observed what happened acknowledged 'surely this was the son of God.'  No people involved including the disciples knew what they were doing. Jesus alone knew what he was doing. That is why he prayed to forgive them for they have no clue of what's going on.  The same is true in your life as a believer. He knows what is going on in your situation. You may not know what is happening, and others may not understand but he knows what he is doing. No one understood him until meeting him at the cross and the empty tomb. You also will not know what he is doing until you meet him at the cross. Until you have become conscious of its reality.  The cross, explains the puzzles people have about Jesus.

Why the trouble

The cross was not a divine kneejerk crisis reaction. It was God’s ultimate expression of love from the foundation of the earth.  The lamb was slain from the beginning (Revelation 13:8). God in his self-originating nature chose to put mercy at the core of his being.  No wonder at the core of the tabernacle was the mercy seat. He deposits the same in believers, the current temple. His mercies never cease and are fresh every morning. One is closest to God and being like God not when feeling goosebumps but when showing mercy.

When mercy is translated to action, it is compassion. His compassion for humanity brought him from heaven and took him through the torturous and treacherous process to the cross. Compassion allowed his persecutors to have their day. Compassion kept him on the cross. Compassion made him even die for his crucifers. He could have walked away anytime. He could have blinded them. He could have withdrawn breath from them. He could have called a legion or even one angel to sort them out. His options were limitless. But his compassion was deep enough to endure the cross for the joy to see people reconciled to God. Compassion will bring him back.

Jesus came to deal with the problem of human separation caused by sin. He died to take away the punishment that all sinners deserve (John 3:16). He did not deserve to die for he knew no sin. He however paid a debt he did not owe because you owed a debt you could not pay.

What it achieved

Jesus did not die in vain. The cross crossed out our debts and removed them away completely.  The curtain in the temple was torn into two from top to bottom. That signified that the way to the presence of God (Holy of Holies) and all he represents and offers - his mercy and favour was now open. Praise God, you now have access to come before God boldly. By placing faith in him as your lord and saviour you gain forgiveness, freedom, a new identity,  a new position, wonderful promises and provisions highlighted in the  bible (e.g. Isaiah 53, Epistles)

 Surely, he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.  (Isaiah 53:4-7)

So amazing, what cost God so much you simply believe and receive at no fees. Refuse to pay. Fees must fall.  Fears must fall. Sin must fall. Barriers must fall.  Faith must rise up. Eyes must open.

Whatever he went through you do not have to go through. All your curses are broken and removed for cursed is he who hung on a tree. It can come but it can no longer cause pain or harm (Psalm 91). It does not need to make you sleepless. He took its sting away as he did with death. Burdens are lifted at Calvary. The obstacles you face are ignorance, sin, doubt, inaction, and spiritual barriers. The cure for sin is repentance. The cure for doubt is to believe.  The cure for ignorance is prayerfully reading and meditating on God’s word. The way to deal with evil spirits is to resist them. Curses and barriers persist until a believer who knows his authority gives a stop command.

Freely you received freely give. Whatever he gave, you ought to share with others, if you received forgiveness you ought to forgive. When you release your offenders, you release yourself from the burden of offense to God's favour. Jesus released himself for resurrection when he prayed for the Father to forgive them.    

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

 

Hanging out with Jesus XXII: Breakings before the Cross

Hanging out with Jesus XXII: Breakings before the Cross

Mark 14

With the crucifixion looming, the experience of walking with Jesus through the book of Mark approaches its climax. Five breakings take place, most of them in one night.  Each breaking had profound lessons for victorious Christian living today.

The Breaking of the Perfume Jar (v3ff)

Jesus was a relational person.  The gospels were about him balancing his personal devotional relationship with father God, time with his disciples, with the multitudes, individuals as well as time with his critics.  He had a wide support network of people who valued his ministry. In Chapter 14, he and his disciples were at the house of Simon the leper where they served him a meal.  He might have healed Simon of leprosy before. In addition, the John version of the same account locates Jesus at the house of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Therefore, Simon may have been the father of this testimony-loaded family. What a testimony time since Lazarus was raised from the dead. It was an opportunity to show their love by sharing a meal.  While in Simon’s house a woman, Mary according to John 12:3 came with a jar of costly perfume extracted from imported pure spikenard. She broke it and poured the expensive perfume on Jesus’ head and feet. 

Martha would have been serving in the kitchen. That was her way of showing love. Mary was not a kitchen person. She liked being where Jesus was. In this instance, she showed her appreciation through a unique act of lavish giving.  She did not mind people knowing she loved him.  To break the jar she was first broken inside.  A humble and contrite heart God will not despise. Such giving is impossible unless she had given herself first.  She refused to let her critics deter her. Judas in particular saw her sacrifice as waste and voiced strong objections. They argued it would have been better if the perfume was sold and the money given to the poor.  In saying this, Judas was not clean in his motives for if it were sold he would pilfer the money (John 12:6).

Once I met a former schoolmate, years after we had finished school. It was a happy encounter until we started talking about what we were doing in life.  I talked about having been to Bible school and my ministry involvement. He turned to my wife and said, ‘what a waste’.    Whatever you do for God that is beyond the moderate and cautious average will face disapproval.  However, Jesus will defend you. He defended Mary, ‘Let her alone...’ (Mark 14:6).  To him what she had done was a good work of prophetic significance. He also said, ‘She has done what she could.’ (v.8). God does not ask for what he has not already done for you. He does not ask for what you cannot do.  Every person needs to honestly answer the question - have you done all that you could for Jesus? Have you not left something undone? How much more could you do or give? Jesus commended the woman for doing the best she could.  She as a result would be remembered wherever the gospel would be preached. Moreover, the gospel would be preached to all nations (v9).  Have you ever done something for God and you think no one noticed? What you do for the world will soon be forgotten. But what you do for Jesus will be rewarded and remembered for eternity.

The big lesson is that Jesus appreciates when you give and make sacrifices. Loving God is the greatest thing you can do.  It is fulfilling the greatest commandment to love him with all your soul, your mind, your heart, and your strength.  When you do it sacrificially and lavishly, the deeper and richer it is. The Psalmist wondered,  “How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?” (Psalm 116:12). Jesus died on the cross for you. What will you do to show your love for Him?

The Breaking of Bread (v12ff)

The time had come for Jesus to be delivered up to die for our sins. On Passover night, Jesus sent two disciples to follow a man carrying a pitcher to a house. The man of that house would provide a place for Jesus and his disciples to eat the Passover meal.  At the meal, he revealed that one of his disciples Judas would betray him. The main question on his mind however was different. He knew that in hours he would be crucified. He had spent time teaching, praying, and modeling the truth and mission to his disciples. Would they continue with the mission? What could go wrong and stop them from continuing and multiplying the work? What one last thing would he leave behind?  The one thing was to exhort them never to forget.

The highest mission risk was them forgetting him - what he had taught, promised, and done.  Without him, they could do nothing. So he instituted the ‘Holy Communion’ or breaking of bread to help them remember. ‘Do this in remembrance of me.’  Remember my finished work and the provisions by my body and my blood.   The one primary task Jesus left for his disciples before the great commission was announced is therefore to remember him. It is constantly being conscious of him and building a close relationship with him.  Remembering him and responding to him is all that was needed to be and do all that he commanded them to do. When faced with life challenges and responsibilities, do whatever it takes to know him and remember his unfailing presence and provisions.

The Breaking of Barriers (v32ff) (finding breakthrough)

At Mount Olive, once again Jesus told his disciples what was about to happen. He would be arrested and killed and they would scatter from him (v26ff Mt. olives). Peter committed to staying all the way and never deserting him.

From the mountain, Jesus went with Peter, John, and James to the garden of Gethsemane. He left the three at some point and alone went further along.  There he came face to face with the ordeal of the cross and deeply considered if there was another way. He was however stuck with the reality that there was no other way. He carried the cross in prayer. He prayed with tears and sweat as blood. Gethsemane was not a place for gentlemen. Gethsemane was a lone affair.  Those closest to him slept while he suffered.

 If you face it in prayer, you will not have to fear it in your future. You know it is in God’s capable hands. Prayer paves the way into the future. Prayer is the insurance against future temptations. Jesus warned his disciples to pray lest they be tempted.  Everything Jesus did was necessary.   If so ... No Gethsemane, no courage to face the cross. No inner peace and godly perspective.  No Gethsemane no resurrection.  He went back three times until he broke through in the Spirit.   He overcame the temptations such as quitting that came with threats and pain by advance prayer.  Pray, Pray, and pray again until barriers to your destiny are broken. Prayer is so powerful that even if you die the prayer will continue to work.

The Breaking of the Law (v43ff)

This breaking is an example to avoid.  Self-confessed God’s people, custodians of truth and the law broke and twisted rules to serve their own selfish interests (v.53, 55-59).  We also need to guard against becoming hypocrites like them by confessing Christ but living contrary to him. The High Priest, Chief Priests, elders, and Scribes presided over a kangaroo court. Evidence is that they arrested and condemned Jesus to death for no wrongful act. They already had prejudged him guilty and declared his sentence, and were therefore not objective (v1, 2). They hastily assembled the court at night, which was abnormal. They convened this court during a feast also uncommon. They met at Caiaphas’ palace (home) instead of the official court. They hired witnesses to give false evidence.  The High Priest tore his robes, which was forbidden (Lev.10:6; 21:10). Unknowingly however the act was significant. He in fact resigned and gave over the responsibility to the true high priest.  One who was able to save to the uttermost (Hebrews 7-9).

In response to the High Priest, Jesus admitted to being the Christ, son of the blessed.  What would happen if he had continued to be quiet? Would he have been freed? He however knew exactly the consequences but went ahead out of love for you and I

The Breaking of  Rank

Breaking rank is departing from the norm or loyalty expected as a member of a group.  People around Jesus broke ranks with him in various ways when he was arrested and crucified. 

>>Judas betrayed Jesus.  Judas solved the dilemma the religious leaders had about when to kill Jesus (v. 1,2). They had settled on the plan to kill him after the Passover because he had many sympathizers, supporters, and followers at the Passover. Jews had come from all over including from Galilee where Jesus had many followers.   Their plan was to wait until after the Passover but  God’s plan was the Passover. He was to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah, “He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter” (53:7). He was the lamb killed as Passover lambs that spoke of him were being slaughtered.

Judas offered to advise and facilitate the arrest of Jesus during the Passover in a way that would not cause an uprising.  He was paid money for it.  If you are not sold out to God, you will soon sell God out.  By selling out the author of life, he sold his soul for a few coins.  He kicked off a dominos that ended in death. For the way of sin is downhill. It leads to death. In the end, he committed suicide. Unlike Peter who cried in repentance when he had denied the Lord.

How does one check against also betraying Jesus?  Judas’ signs of betrayal were clear.  He was a lover of money and a thief (John 12). How he survived three years with the Lord and even maintained his role as purse keeper is a mystery. It speaks of the unending patience God has with people’s faults. He had questioned why expensive oil was poured on Jesus by a sold-out follower.  He was more fault-finding than solution-providing. He was also one who dipped in the dish together with Jesus. In other words, he dipped above his legitimate level of authority. He also plotted with those who hated the welfare of his group. When it was time, he used nice words when his heart was stabbing Jesus to death. He did not mean it when he came saying ‘Master, master’ to Jesus.  He also used a kiss to disguise his evil intent when he kissed him.  What a lesson to all that not all kisses are safe.  The wounds of a friend are better than the kisses of an enemy.

>>The crowd turned against Jesus.  The crowds are always fickle or prone to change. The lesson is lived by principles not by people’s applause. In  Chapter 15 they shouted crucify him yet earlier they sang hosanna in the highest when he entered Jerusalem.  A certain young man followed wrapped in linen but also fled naked leaving his linen covering behind (v.51).

>>The Disciples deserted.  They all forsook Him as he had predicted (v50). Why do people behave this way?  The reasons are varied. They include fear, lack of spiritual insight, and lives not fully surrendered. At the heart are self-interest and self-preservation.  Today people still desert Jesus and have the potential to do so for the same reasons.  It must be noted also that some women followed from afar and watched his crucifixion (Mark 15:40, 41).

>>>Peter denied Jesus (v.67ff).  While Judas looked for ways to cash in on the crucifixion of Jesus,  John and James sought to position themselves as greater in the scenario without  Jesus.  Peter was a defender of the status quo. Who lived in denial that what Jesus said about being crucified would happen.  He was strong he would not let it ever happen. He was prepared to fight to defend Jesus and the status quo.  If everyone else would desert him, he would hold the fort alone.  He had a sense of self-confidence that unfortunately hindered his dependence on God.  When the heat was white, his confidence immediately became a suspect when he was only able to follow from a distance.  In the end, he denied Jesus not once but three times in the process outdoing the cock, which crowed two times in the same time duration as he had.  He denied Jesus because he denied his human vulnerability and weakness. He was a strong man but God’s strength is perfected in human weakness.  His strong will failed him when it mattered most. He could not believe he could fail so dismally. His self-confidence broke down and he wept.  In the process, he gave his broken pieces to God in repentance.  He was forgiven and restored as Jesus spoke to him according to John (John 21) and after his resurrection. 

It did not need to take breaking of ranks for the Lord to complete the work of the cross. To accomplish the great commission God wants us to keep rank and maintain loyalty with him and one another.  We need to keep short accounts with one another and stay together, work together, and push together as families, married, teams, and communities.   We need to think skins and minds to trust God in suffering and testing. When rank was broken, the disciples scattered and each suffered alone.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima