Burunche’s Blog

Matthew 21:² Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. ¹³ “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” ¹⁴ The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. ¹⁵ But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant. ¹⁶ “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?” ¹⁷ And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.

Jesus has entered Jerusalem in fulfillment of the Scriptures, and now it’s crunch time. The disciples might have had an inkling that things were building to a climax, but they probably anticipated that this would be the time when Jesus would FINALLY have to abandon all this humility and show himself for what he really was, the one true Messiah who would deliver Israel. Even though Jesus had been trying to advise the disciples all along that he would have to die, they refused to believe it. After all, why should a man who could raise others from the dead have to die himself. No! At the last minute, Jesus was going to pull off a miracle.

Jesus’ first actions once he entered Jerusalem were to cleanse the temple and then to heal the blind and the lame who were already in the temple. Traditionally, anyone who was maimed was not supposed to enter the main part of the temple; however, these people were probably in the outer court, next to the money changers and those selling livestock. There were also children in the outer courts of the temple. Those kids knew miracles when they saw them, and they were shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David!”

Signs and wonders were happening all over the place, and meanwhile the sour religious leaders could only be indignant. How many of those men would later repent and beg God for one single miracle? We will never know. We only know that when God was manifesting His mighty power, those who claimed to represent Him were both blind and lame – blind because they did not recognize Jesus as Messiah, and lame because their religion had tied them up so that it was as if they had chains on their feet. Their religion kept them from following Jesus.

God has not changed; He is still the same. The same power that purified that temple, that healed the blind and the lame, is still available today. And throughout the world, God is still working. While many have died with COVID – 19, there have also been miraculous recoveries of very elderly people who might have died. While we grieve for the health workers who have died, let us remember that the vast majority of health workers are alive and working. Each one of these lives represents a miracle! Let us hold on to hope and thank God that He is still working!

PRAYER: Father God, thank you that your hand is not shortened, that your power to heal has not departed this earth! Father, protect those caring for COVID – 19 patients. Protect the family members of COVID – 19 victims. And help us to rejoice and be grateful at the healings you are bringing. In the mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 21:As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, ² saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. ³ If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” ⁴ This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: ⁵ “Say toDaughter Zion,     ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” ⁶ The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. ⁷ They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. ⁸ A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. ⁹ The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna^[b] to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”^[c] “Hosanna^[d] in the highest heaven!” ¹⁰ When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” ¹¹ The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

EVERYBODY KNEW WHAT A MESSIAH WAS SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE! When the Messiah came, he would be riding on a white horse, dressed in glowing robes, and wearing a shining crown…..except he rode a donkey, wore his everyday clothes, and his head was bare. Nonetheless, the common people recognized the Messiah! They even spread their cloaks on the road and waved palm branches and shouted the traditional greeting to the Messiah. ‘Baruch ha ba, Ha Mesheach, Yeshua! Baruch ha ta Adonai!” And they also shouted, “Hosanna!” Interesting choicer of words! “Hosanna” means “Lord, save us!” Now why would a crowd of commoners shout that at someone they thought might be the Messiah?

Most people were sure that when the Messiah came, he would establish a military kingdom and kick out the Romans. Certainly, the Romans deserved kicking! The Roman soldiers didn’t want to be in Israel and they took it out on the local people, bullying and demanding. And perhaps the common people also wanted to be saved from their religious rulers. It wasn’t only the Romans who bullied and took advantage. Some of the religious rulers had the same reaction. So, the common people were willing to beg for relief from anybody who showed up who might be a possibility.

Today, social media is flooded with all kinds of information and misinformation about COVID – 19. In response to general panic and confusion, self – styled experts have arisen to advise on diet, hygiene, exercise, etc., etc. In the quiet of their homes, many people today are saying, “Hosanna! Lord, save us! Save us from COVID – 19! Save our jobs! Save our families! Save our economy! Save us!”

We can do the best we can, but some of us might die with COVID – 19, particularly those of us who are health workers. But while we are concentrating on all kinds of practices or different kinds of masks or hand sanitizers or rubber gloves, how are we preparing for eternity? If you died today, would you go to heaven? What assurance do you have?

The crowds in Jerusalem who cheered – and later who mocked – Jesus had no idea that many of them were fated to die at the hands of the Romans when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem. Many of these people were hoping that their religious practices would save them or that their charitable acts. But they were wrong. Nothing any of us can do will be sufficient to earn a place in heaven. This is why Jesus had to come and live as a man and then die a shameful undeserved death on a cross. But Easter proved that Jesus’ sacrifice was worth it. Jesus conquered death and the grave. Trust him!

PRAYER: Father God, we are afraid. We fear for our families, for our friends, for our communities, and for our countries. We have no control in this situation. Lord, teach us to trust you and to follow you completely. Thank you for sending Jesus to die for our sins. We turn our lives over to you now. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Matthew 12:¹⁵ Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. ¹⁶ He warned them not to tell others about him. ¹⁷ This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: ¹⁸ “Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
    the one I love, in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
    and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
¹⁹ He will not quarrel or cry out;
    no one will hear his voice in the streets.
²⁰ A bruised reed he will not break,
    and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he has brought justice through to victory.
²¹     In his name the nations will put their hope.”

Jesus had just healed the withered hand of a man who had probably had a stroke or some injury in the past – “Fantastic!” you say? Well, the Pharisees were ready to kill him; they just needed to come up with a workable plan. So, Jesus moved out of the synagogue to another location, followed by everyone who was ill. After healing these people, Jesus asked that they not tell others about him. Jesus was not in the business of self – advertisement; he had come for a totally different reason. Jesus was the Messiah and had come in fulfillment of the prophecies. The verses quoted come from Isaiah 42: 1- 4, in which the prophet describes the behavior of the coming Messiah.

The Messiah would not quarrel or cry out or make lots of noise in the streets. This is why Jesus quietly withdrew from the synagogue and requested that people not tell others about him. Of course, that request failed! There’s no way that in a small town where everybody knew Shimuel, the man with the withered hand, they would keep quiet once Simon’s hand had been healed. “Hey, Shimuel! Come over here! I want to see your hand for myself! What did this Jesus say when he healed you? Did you feel anything? Does your hand really work?”

But what is meant by the remarks about bruised reeds and smoldering wicks? Think about reeds. As long as a reed has not been injured, it can withstand enormous amounts of wind. The wind blows, and the reed merely waves back and forth. But bruise the stem of the reed, and the next gust of wind might break it entirely. And what about a smoldering wick? By the time the wick of a candle or a lamp is smoldering, there is very little left of the flame; one pinch, and the flame will be out completely. Isaiah prophesied that when Messiah came, he would be so gentle that he could handle bruised reeds or smoldering wicks without injuring them.

Today COVID – 19 has convulsed the world. The CDC is now recommending that everybody wear masks. Many people are struggling with anxiety, depression, and fear. Even people who thought they were strong have found themselves quietly sobbing in a corner. At this point, many of us feel like bruised reeds or smoldering wicks. We NEED a Messiah! And we’ve got one!

Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. Jesus came that we might have life, and that we might have it abundantly. All of us have always needed Jesus the Messiah; we just didn’t realize our need because things were going well for us. Some of us have been insulated by good incomes, comfortable living situations, and stable communities. We have mistaken economic well being for God’s favor. But God’s favor does not depend on money or social position. God’s favor rests upon those who fear Him and who will follow Him, no matter the cost.

Today, you might identify with that smoldering wick or that bruised reed. Never mind! Jesus knows our every weakness! Turn to Him!

PRAYER: Father God, help us! We are frightened! We are weary! Our emotions are in a turmoil. We don’t know which way to turn and we suddenly realize that all the things that we trusted have failed us. Help us to put our trust in You instead. Thank you for sending your Son Jesus, the Messiah, in fulfillment of your promises! Thank you that even though we are as weak and helpless as bruised reeds or smoldering wicks, that you can restore us, if we will trust you. Help us to totally trust you all the days of our lives. In the matchless Name of Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 12: ⁷ If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. ⁸ For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” ⁹ Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, ¹⁰ and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” ¹¹ He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? ¹² How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” ¹³ Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. ¹⁴ But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.”

So far, the Pharisees refused to believe the teachings of Jesus about the Sabbath. For the Pharisees, the Sabbath had become an idol just as massive as any gold – plated statue that had ever been fashioned. Now Jesus was turning everything they KNEW and BELIEVED about the Sabbath upside down! This upstart! How dare he question them? THEY were the experts! Who did this guy think he was anyway?

But God had ordained the Sabbath as a time of rest and joy and celebration of His goodness, not as a time of misery. And even the Pharisees in all their legalism had made allowances for emergencies that might take place on the Sabbath. If a sheep belonging to a Pharisee fell into a pit, it was legal to save the sheep’s life by lifting it out. And Jesus, finding the loophole in the legalistic reasoning, asks the basic question: “How much more valuable is a person than a sheep?” Surely, at the back of the crowd there must have been some of the common people snickering at this reply. “OOOO! Good one, Jesus! How are they going to reply to that one!”

Having made the point that it was lawful to do good on the Sabbath, Jesus heals the withered hand. Let’s look at that again. For a hand to “wither,” it takes time – months or even years. Tissues don’t just shrivel up over night. So this man’s hand had probably been like that for a long time. And if it was the man’s right hand, it was even more significant. The right hand was the social hand, the hand with which one ate, the hand with which one paid money. The left hand was used to wipe one’s bottom after defecation. If someone in that day lost the use of his right hand, it was a double catastrophe. And in addition, those with physical deformities were barred from entering the synagogue and therefore were cut off from formal worship. But now Jesus healed the man merely by asking him to stretch out his hand. Wow! What a miracle!

Do the Pharisees give glory to God and rejoice because this man has been restored? Nope! Their response was to go out and plot how they could kill Jesus, the man who had just done a miraculous healing.

For the Pharisees, being right was more important than mercy, goodness, or loving kindness. The Pharisees had reduced religion to a series of rules – the old wine skins that Jesus had mentioned previously. Now the Holy Spirit was coming in new ways doing wonderful healings and restorations. The tragedy for many of the Pharisees was that they were so caught up in their rules that they failed to see the new thing God was doing.

PRAYER: FATHER GOD, TODAY MANY OF YOUR CHILDREN ARE IN DANGER FROM COVID – 19. ALL OF THEIR LIVE MATTER! PLEASE, LORD, HAVE MERCY AND HEAL THEM, PROTECT THOSE WHO CARE FOR THEM AND WHO WORK WITH THE PUBLIC, AND STOP COVID – 19. IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS. AMEN.

Matthew 12: 1- 8 At that particular time Jesus went through the fields of standing grain on the Sabbath; and His disciples were hungry, and they began to pick off the spikes of grain and to eat. 2 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, See there! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful and not permitted on the Sabbath.”

There was nothing wrong with picking standing grain; in fact, this practice was allowed according to Deuteronomy 23:25; however, the disciples were doing this on the Sabbath! Over the years, the Pharisees had made lots of rules to supplement those given to Moses, and there was a long list of things one could and could not do on the Sabbath. As the years went on and technology developed, the lists of acts forbidden on the Sabbath became longer and longer. One Jewish American who grew up in New York City 100 years ago described the employment of the “Shabbas Goy” – the Sabbath Gentile, who went throughout the apartment building turning on lights, lighting cook stoves, and doing other small acts that the ultra – orthodox considered work and therefore something that could not be done on the Sabbath.

But were the disciples wrong in feeding themselves? No. And Jesus goes on to point out that when David was fleeing from Saul and he and his men were hungry, they at the loaves of the showbread that were supposed to be reserved for the priests. (Matthew 12:3-4) Jesus also pointed out out that “in the Law on the Sabbath the priests in the temple violate the sanctity of the Sabbath and yet are guiltless.” (Matthew 12: 5)

The Pharisees were obsessed with rules! They were certain that if they just followed enough rules, they would surely make it into heaven. But they were absolutely wrong! In the beginning, God instituted certain rules so that people would pay attention to Him, so that people would stay healthy, and so that people would get enough rest. Recently there has been an upsurge in the number of books and articles on the benefits of taking regular Sabbaths once a week. Hmm! Who knew that God was so smart?

But the Pharisees had totally lost sight of the reason for the rules in the first place. The rules were not a ladder by means of which people could earn their way to heaven. The rules were to help point people back to a God who loved them so much that He wanted them to stay healthy, to live long and productive lives, and to love Him for Who He was. And that’s where things went wrong.

When I was taking piano lessons as a kid, periodically, we would have recitals. These recitals would start with the little kids hacking their way through beginning compositions, frequently with no sense of rhythm or anything else. Those kids were playing notes all right, but to call it music was a stretch. The same kind of thing can be heard on Karaoke nights at restaurants. Some people who get up to sing should have remained in the audience; their sense of pitch is terrible, their timing is worse, and the tunes get lost from the time they open their mouths! And this is what had happened to the Pharisees.

Now, were all the Pharisees wrong? No! Certainly, among the Pharisees, there were men who truly longed for God and were seeking Him. Nicodemus, who came to Jesus at night (John 3:1-21) was not just a Pharisee, but a leader of the Pharisees. It was to Nicodemus that Jesus disclosed some of the most precious truths about His mission, about the Holy Spirit, and about the love of God for the world. Did Jesus make a mistake? Certainly not! Jesus knew Nicodemus better than Nicodemus knew himself. Jesus knew that Nicodemus had an incredible hunger for God and that he had spent his whole life searching for God and trying to please God. Jesus imparted some of the greatest truths of the kingdom to Nicodemus in the most loving fashion possible.

While all the Pharisees could do was to criticize, Jesus was trying to remind them that “the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” The Sabbath was God’s way of giving people a chance to step back, to reflect, and to rest. Today many families are sheltering due to COVID – 19. Why not look on this as an opportunity to celebrate a Sabbath, to be quiet, to rest, and to reflect. Certainly, there is a lot of stress, but if we allow it, there can also be a lot of peace as well.

PRAYER: Father God, thank you for giving us the Sabbath and for reminding us that this is one of Your good gifts to us. Help us to be quiet and to allow your Holy Spirit to speak to our hearts. In the matchless Name of Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 11: 25 At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight.

27 All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.

28 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

We are all stressed! If you are one of the critically needed professions, you are working with the fear of COVID – 19 in the back of your mind all the time. Learning to wear a mask and perhaps gloves, learning not to touch your face, and washing your hands as frequently as possible or using hand sanitizer – all of this is stressful. If you are sheltering at home with children and other family members, by now you have realized what a big debt you owe to their teachers! If you are in an area with COVID – 19 cases, you wonder what will happen next. If your area has not yet been hit, you wonder when it will be. Yes. We are all stressed!

In times such as these, we are tempted to think that Jesus lived in a much simpler and safer age and therefore could not possibly understand what we are going through now. WRONG!!!! Actually, Jesus lived in a very dangerous age. First, there were lots of diseases such as malaria and typhoid and other “fevers” that could strike suddenly, killing people within hours. It’s possible that some of these fevers might have been diphtheria, since that really can kill people quickly. Cholera lurked, waiting for someone to drink infected water. And then there were the Romans, the occupiers, the bullies who could force anybody to carry their gear at any time. No. Things weren’t safe in Jesus’ day either.

How can we find Jesus? How can we find this rest that He has promised? It’s actually as simple as asking. People who make a mystery of prayer are wrong. Prayer is a conversation with God, not a one – way recitation. Find a quiet place away from other people – your closet or the bathroom or the laundry room, if you have one. (Laundry rooms are good; how many family members are going to follow you there?) And then tell Jesus what’s going on, how you are feeling, your hopes and your fears. Then be quiet. And in the stillness, you might not hear any words, but the peace will come.

PRAYER: Jesus, today, we need your peace! We need rest! We need help! Please help us to get quiet before you and to feel the peace that you want to give us. We ask this in your precious Name. Amen.

Matthew 11:20 “Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

For hundreds of years, the Jews had looked down on Tyre and Sidon. After all, those two cities belonged to the Philistines and were dedicated to the worship of idols. And if Tyre and Sidon were anathema, Sodom and Gomorrah were even worse! After all, Sodom and Gomorrah were so evil that God literally rained fire from heaven down upon those two cities to destroy them. Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum are all clustered together on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee. Within a short time after Jesus’ pronouncements, all three villages sank into oblivion, their actual locations forgotten. Today Bethsaida and Capernaum have been largely preserved due to monuments and churches of various kinds; however, Chorazin is little more than basalt ruins inhabited by rock badgers.

Why were Jesus’ predictions so harsh? These three villages were the scenes of some of Jesus’ greatest miracles, and yet, the people failed to repent. They were willing to follow Jesus for entertainment, but their hearts were hard and their spiritual eyes were blind. Never since the days of Elijah and Elisha the prophets had anyone been raised from the dead or healed of leprosy! Jesus was preaching and teaching about the kingdom of God, using parables that should have spoken to the hearts of all his hearers. When Jonah finally obeyed God and went to Nineveh to preach, everyone in the entire city, including the king, fasted, dressed themselves in sack cloth, and sat in ashes and repented. Jesus observed that had he preached in Tyre and Sidon, demon – ridden as they were, their inhabitants would have copied the example of the Ninevites and repented.

Folks in the rural southern United States are fond of saying, “Even a blind hog can find an acorn once in awhile.” This means that even if someone is not very bright, if they keep trying, they can still find what they are seeking or succeed at the task they have attempted. If the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum had actually been hungry for more of God, they would have immediately recognized Jesus as the miracle – working Messiah foretold in Scripture and would have repented. As it was, these unfortunate people were worse off than the proverbial blind hog searching for acorns.

Today the world is convulsed over the COVID – 19 pandemic. The things that people valued so highly have proven to be worthless. COVID – 19 does not regard social position, wealth, fame, or professions. Even Prince Charles and Boris Johnston have tested positive for COVID – 19. But while people are caught up in fear; meanwhile, God is doing great things throughout the world. Health care givers are sacrificing, ordinary people are doing great acts of kindness. While some people are dying from COVID – 19, there are also people who are recovering. God is still working; it is high time we paid attention! The people of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum had no idea that they were standing on the brink of eternity. Today, we are in a similar position; none of us has been guaranteed tomorrow. Joshua told the Children of Israel, “Choose this day whom you will serve.” Today we have the same choice. Jesus Christ came as a man, died for the sins of the world, and conquered death and the grave. Will you follow Him today?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, today we are terrified of the possibility of death for us or for our friends and families. But you conquered death and the grave. We admit that we are sinners and are helpless. Lord, we cannot save ourselves. Save us, Lord, and help us to follow hard after you all the rest of our lives, however long or short they might be. In your Name, Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 11:16 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 17 ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and of sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by her actions.”

Jesus loved to laugh! And many times, the things that made Jesus laugh the most were the contradictory behaviors of those who questioned him. Surely, Jesus must have been grinning as he said the words recorded above. Jesus compared those who compared and criticized John the Baptist and him to children in the marketplace. One child would begin playing the flute and expect other kids to dance. Another child would demand that his friends pretend they were at a funeral and pull long faces and pretend to cry.

John the Baptist was an aesthete who might have been a member of the strict Essene sect. John’s disciples fasted frequently and lived abstemiously. John did not live on locust insects, but on the pods from the Carob tree, which are still referred to as “St. John’s Bread” in Israel.) At one point, John’s disciples even questioned Jesus as to why his disciples failed to fast frequently. Jesus answered John’s disciples by comparing himself to a bridegroom. Nobody invited to a wedding feast would fast during the feast; instead, they would wait until the marriage feast was over and then fast. The Jewish religious leaders criticized John by claiming that John had a demon. On the other hand, when Jesus socialized with those ostracized by the religious leaders, those leaders then claimed that Jesus must be a drunkard and a glutton.

Jesus pointed out the fact that neither assessment was the correct one. John was called to one kind of ministry, Jesus to another. But it was the same Holy Spirit who was empowering both John and Jesus. John’s actions were appropriate for his ministry while Jesus was reaching out to a different group of people.

When Jesus mentioned wisdom, many in the crowd might have remembered the verses about wisdom from Proverbs 8:17 “I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me. 18 With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and righteousness.” Jesus was trying to get his hearers to understand that God cannot be put in a box; the very time you think you have defined and limited God to a particular modus operandi in a particular place is the time that God chooses to do something totally new somewhere else. God is always doing new things!

Today we are anxious about the COVID – 19 pandemic. Recently a number of people who have been working in southern Ghana have returned to their home villages. We have no idea whether or not any of these people are infected. But this one thing we do know: God is not shocked! God is not surprised. God knew these people would return to the North. And God can do new things, even in the midst of a pandemic. God is always working, and we just need to find out where He is working and join Him.

PRAYER: Father God, today we confess that we are anxious. We don’t know which way things are going to go with this pandemic. But we thank you that you are the Source of all wisdom, and that nothing frightens or surprises you. Help us to follow hard after you and to be your hands and feet in this time of need. In the mighty and precious Name of Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 11:7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind?

8 Otherwise, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Look, those who wear fine clothing are found in kings’ palaces. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.’ 11 Truly, I tell you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence, and the violent lay claim to it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 He who has ears, let him hear.“

It was a familiar television scene. The auditorium was huge; the stage was ornate; and the furnishings were as lavish as those in a baroque European palace. The music from the large orchestra swelled to a crescendo as the congregation enthusiastically welcomed Prophet Z. Wearing a purple velvet cloak over a brilliantly white suit, Prophet Z swaggered to the front of the stage and immediately began making pronouncements. With each statement, the congregational applause became increasingly frenzied, until the noise was deafening. And everyone in the room was SURE that a true prophet had arrived!

Nobody noticed when a man in rags slipped into the back of the auditorium; everyone was paying too much attention to Prophet Z…. until the ragged man began walking decisively toward the front of the gathering. When the Prophet’s macho men attempted to grab the stranger, they found themselves paralyzed, unable to do anything. Meanwhile, the stranger continued his march to the stage, mounting by the stairs on one side. When Prophet Z saw the stranger, he opened his mouth to order him dragged away, but found that his face was frozen and that he couldn’t say a word.

There was a holy light enveloping the stranger as he strode to the front of the stage and whispered one word, “Peace!” There was no noise from the crowd, no sound from the orchestra because everyone in the place was on their faces in awe. And as the stricken people looked up, the rags fell away to reveal the stranger clothed in garments of light, his face shining like the sun. And everyone realized that the stranger was Jesus.

The story I have just recounted has not yet happened, but it could take place at any time. These days we have large numbers of self – styled prophets who reap enormous sums of money from their followers. These prophets can preach about themselves, but rarely do they glorify Jesus, even though He is the One they are supposed to be preaching about. Things haven’t changed too much since Jesus’ day.

The Jewish religious leaders knew all the prophecies and could recite them glibly. They were absolutely sure that when Elijah appeared to announce the coming of the Messiah, they would be the first ones to know. And yet, it was the common people, the shop owners, the petty traders, the fishermen, the farmers, the tax collectors, the people upon whom the religious leaders looked down, who recognized that John the Baptist was preparing the way for the Messiah. In this passage, John the Baptist’s disciples were just leaving after confirming that Jesus was really the Messiah. Jesus took this opportunity to affirm to the crowd that in fact, John the Baptist was the second Elijah mentioned in the Messianic prophecies. Jesus goes even further to emphasize that “among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist.” Wow! Really? That meant that John the Baptist was even greater than King David or King Solomon. Incredible! Then Jesus makes a strange statement; he says that even the least person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John the Baptist. What does Jesus mean?

John the Baptist was called to be the second Elijah, the herald of the coming of the Messiah. But glorious as that calling was, no earthly calling could compare with becoming a citizen of heaven. Even though John was a great man and a major prophet, he was still sinful. In the entire history of the world, there has only been one man who lived a perfect and sinless life; that man was Jesus Christ. Even John the Baptist needed the atoning work of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to be saved from his sins.

Do not put your trust in prophets or televangelists! Do not worship any man or woman! Humans die, and their ministries die with them, unless the ministry is bigger than an individual. Jesus Christ is the only One who is worthy of worship! Trust Him!

PRAYER: Father God, thank you for allowing Jesus to come to us, to live as a man, to die for our sins, and to triumph over death and the grave. Help us to worship you, Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! In the mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 11: 2 “Meanwhile, John heard in prison about the works of Christ, and he sent two of his disciples 3to ask Him, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?”

4Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and good news is preached to the poor. 6 Blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of Me.”

John the Baptist had confronted Herod because Herod had divorced his wife, Phasaelis, so that he could marry his brother’s wife, Herodias. Now John was in prison, facing almost certain death. Even though John had witnessed the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus in the form of a dove at his baptism, by this point John is entertaining all kinds of doubts and fears.

”Did I really see that dove descending on Jesus? After all, Jesus is my cousin. Is he really the Messiah, or have I deluded myself? Have I really been following the Lord, living in the desert, traveling around and preaching and baptizing, leaving my aged parents? Most of my disciples have deserted me to follow Jesus. Has all of this been worth it or have I made a major mistake?”

So John sent some of his most trusted friends to seek out Jesus and question him.
“Rabbi, are you really the Messiah, the Sent One, or should we look for someone else?” And Jesus gives them an answer straight out of the 35^th chapter of Isaiah. “Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. ⁶ Then will the lame leap like a deer,  and the mute tongue shout for joy. Jesus alluded to other passages besides Isaiah 35 (which speaks of the blind, the deaf, the lame, and the mute). Isaiah 26:19 says, “Your dead shall live”; Isaiah 29:18 also refers to the healing of the deaf and the blind; while Isaiah 61:1 speaks of bringing good news to the poor (quoted by Jesus in the synagogue of Nazareth (Luke 4:18–19).

Earlier this week, many expatriates flew out of Ghana on a flight arranged by the U.S. Embassy. For those who decided to stay, there were many questions: Are we doing the right thing by staying? Will we help our Ghanaian friends, or will we become a liability? And what about our family members and friends in the U. S.? What if we never see them again? It’s been a week full of tough questions, many times with few answers. We can certainly identify with John as he second – guessed himself in that stinking prison. And Jesus also understood and gave John the answer that John needed. “John, everything you preached about me is coming true. Everything the prophets said about the Messiah is happening before your eyes. Yes, John! It has been worth it! Don’t fall away! Don’t become discouraged! You have heard God correctly, and you have fulfilled God’s purpose for your life.”

As we work here in northeastern Ghana, we pray that COVID – 19 stays far away from us! Our hospital has very few supplies. There are very few ventilators in our entire region. We must depend on a few oxygen concentrators that could quickly become inadequate. But did God send us here? YES! ABSOLUTELY YES! TEN MILLION TIMES YES! GOD SENT US HERE AND GOD HAS KEPT US HERE! Is it possible we might die in Saboba? Yes. But consider this: the distance between Saboba and heaven is no further than the distance between the U.S. and heaven. It is God who has kept us here and who will keep us here as long as it pleases Him. Our prayers are not for ourselves; our prayers are for our patients, for our friends and neighbors here – people who are as dear to us as any relative can be.

John the Baptist was beheaded to satisfy the vengeful nature of Herod’s wife. But once dead, John was free – free of the prison, free of the whims of any tyrant. If COVID – 19 strikes Saboba, either or both of us may die. But know this: the moment we cease breathing, Jesus will stretch out his hand and we will stop out of those failing bodies to be with Him in heaven for eternity.

Today, do you have that assurance? Do you know that you will go to heaven if you die? Nothing any of us does is good enough; that is why Jesus had to die for the sins of the entire world. When we die, we are not trusting in any righteousness of our own; we are trusting in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER: FATHER GOD, PLEASE TURN THE HEARTS OF ALL WHO READ THIS TO YOU! HELP THEM TO KNOW THAT OUR TIME IS LIMITED AND THAT TODAY IS THE DAY TO DECIDE TO ACCEPT WHAT JESUS HAS ALREADY DONE FOR US. IN JESUS’ NAME. AMEN.