Jesus was very emotional about the Jews rejection of Himself. He considered them His, not because of their choice, but His choice. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not” (Matthew 23:37 KJV). Jesus also knew what Paul knew. “He is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God” (Romans 2:29 KJV).
Jesus
More Blessed to Give Than Receive
“Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35 KJV). The Father gave His One and Only Son. The Son laid down His life for a world of angry rebels. If Jesus said giving is more blessed than receiving, then God is well pleased with Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Now, we need to be as convinced as He is about our giving. Faith believes we aren’t being defrauded by the world, but we are in heart sympathy with our LORD.
Plainness of Speech
“But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil” (Matthew 5:37 KJV). Why did Jesus command such plainness of speech? Because saying more or less than the intended words draws attention to the messenger and not the message. This impresses people with our education or lack. As messengers for our Lord, we desire the attention only for Him.
Stand Your Ground
Stand your ground. No retreat. Deny the enemy the opportunity of flanking and destroying the line. “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1Corinthians 16:13 KJV). Since this is a spiritual war, every action translates into consequences for the progress or delay of victory. Satan and the forces of the Antichrist cannot ultimately win, but they can delay the Almighty’s final victory and their judgment. If you were Lucifer wouldn’t you want to put off the final day of your reckoning with your Creator and Judge? This was the thinking of the demon possessed pair that met Jesus. “What have we to do with thee, Jesus, Thou Son of God? art Thou come hither to torment us before the time?” (Matthew 8:29 KJV). No matter how long the delay, the All Knowing Creator is not surprised or confused by the enemy. Lucifer will be a chained lion (Revelation 20:1-3) during the Millennium, but He presently “walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1Peter 5:8 KJV). Spiritual warfare demands, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7 KJV). We may admire the tenacity of soldiers such as Joshua Chamberlain at the Battle of Gettysburg, who stood their ground and even bayonet charged their foe; but, we know our victory is by faith assured, if we will have the spiritual backbone to “resist stedfast in the faith” (1Peter 5:9 KJV). God bless all soldiers of Christ!
We Need A Miracle 