The Heaton File

Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece. “Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. (Luke 9:1-6)

The Commission

Preaching the gospel has always been at the forefront of God’s will. Jesus sent the twelve apostles to spread the message of God’s grace accompanied by the working of miracles. He gave them power and authority over the demon world, exercising dominion over Satan. The working of miracles and healing diseases confirmed the word as from the mouth of God. When the apostles entered a city and began to preach Jesus, crowds would gather and listen intently to the preaching. If necessary, the apostles would heal those who were sick, receiving a similar response when Jesus healed the multitudes. The people recognized that no man but someone from God could do the miracles He did. Likewise, the apostles confirmed the word by miracles that astonished the crowds. Lepers were cleansed, the blind made to see, and the lame were given new life. The apostles could cast out demons from the possessed and raise the dead. These miracles, wonders, and signs were to confirm the word.

Jesus gave the twelve power to perform miracles, but the purpose of their mission was to preach the gospel. A man who was healed of leprosy was not saved from sin; he was saved from a terrible disease. His greatest disease remained. Sin was the need of the hour, and miraculous powers did not save a man. The commission of Jesus was for the apostles to preach God’s word to lost souls so they could be cured of the disease of sin. With all the sicknesses and illnesses the apostles encountered, nothing was as great as the hope found in the word of God. The gospel was the focus, the primary purpose, and the drive of the commission. During the early days of the church, men had the power to perform miracles, signs, and wonders, but it remained the purpose of the church to preach the gospel. Paul would tell the Corinthians that he would rather speak five words of the gospel to teach others than to have 10,000 words in a foreign language. Speaking in tongues may impress someone but preaching the gospel will save them.

The commission of Jesus fundamentally remains the same. Two thousand years have passed since the days of miracles, and no one can heal illnesses, cast out demons, raise the dead, or miraculously speaking a foreign language. When the perfection of the word of God came, those things done in part were done away with. What remains today is the fully revealed word of God that contains all truth. From the beginning of Genesis to the end of the Revelation, the gospel of Jesus Christ is declared. The church’s commission is as clear today as when Jesus sent out the twelve: preach the gospel. Anything less than the gospel is not the work of the church.

The religious world is enamored with the social gospel trappings seeking to appeal to hearts through excitement, recreation, and popularity. Churches have become social institutions that build Family Life Centers to fill the needs of the world. Worship services are concerts of praise worship that appeal to the carnal hearts of the masses. Services must be fun, exciting, filled with lights, cameras, and lots of action. The veneer of religion is just thick enough to make people feel like they have a relationship with God, but like miracles in the apostles’ days, it will not save the soul. Preaching the gospel is the commission, and anything less will have no lasting value to the soul. It may not be the most popular venue the church offers, but it is the only means where eternity is measured. Healing a blind man brings joy to the eyes. Taking away sin from a darkened heart brings eternal joy. Preach the word.

But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:25)

The Blessing Of The Word

Before the advent of electronic devices like radio, television, and the digital world of computers, smartphones, and social media, reading was the fundamental avenue of knowledge. Libraries were the central hubs of communities thriving with seekers of the next adventure in books, magazines, or newspapers. School books were the norm of a student’s life with dazzling book covers that were works of art. A chivalrous boy would carry the books of his sweetheart. The printed word was in every part of life. Books would be passed down from generation to generation as more than family heirlooms but libraries of knowledge. Reading was knowledge, and through this knowledge, a sense of purpose filled the mind.

For many years, one of the essential books in the home was the Bible. Genealogies would be traced through records kept in the family Bible. Children would learn to read as their parents would take out a copy of the old book, worn and torn from years of use, and read the stories of old to the wonderment of young minds. The Bible taught the ethics of hard work, honesty, truth, and righteousness that helped build a great nation. There was a sense of moral direction permeating the homes in the Norman Rockwell landscape of a time long forgotten. A time when men read the Bible and became better for it.

James emphasizes the need of not just hearing the word but doing what the word says. His example of looking into a mirror is a vivid lesson of applying the word when correction is needed, and who can look in the mirror of God’s word and not need correction? The greater reward of spending time in the Bible is to know how blessed life will be when the word is ingrained in the heart daily. The man who will apply the word of God to his life will find incredible blessings beyond anything human wisdom could imagine. The Bible is not just a book of correction and hard discipline. It contains the mind of God to point man in the direction of peace, happiness, contentment, and hope.

The Lord created man and placed him in the Garden of Eden. There was no sin, no evil, and as long as man ate of the tree of life, there was no death. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they were cast out of the garden. Now there was sin, evil, and death. Man needed a way to find happiness and purpose with hope. The word of God gave him that direction. Through every generation, the word of the Lord brought the promise of God to the hearts of those who would embrace the divine knowledge. Today, the Bible is the library of God’s truth that will produce peace in a troubled mind, hope in a fearful heart, and moral direction in a world of darkness. The man who follows the word of God will be blessed in all he does.

There is a lot of despair in the world. The fear of a global virus, racial tensions, political uncertainties, financial insecurities, and a host of dreadful doom and gloom pontifications that beat the spirit down to despair. God is not unaware of the condition of the world. This is not the first time the world has been in a state of hopelessness. It’s been going on since Adam and Eve lost the garden. The same answer the Lord gave Adam and Eve is the same answer that is needed today. If a man wants to find happiness and hope, he will only find it in the word of God. The Bible, the word of God, is the mirror of truth, and when a man lives by the words of this book, he will be blessed with a clear conscience, a pure heart, a trusting spirit, and the joy of peace. Families will be blessed, marriages full of joy and life with a purpose. Read the Bible. It will do you good.

But Moses was angry with the officers of the army, with the captains over thousands and captains over hundreds, who had come from the battle. And Moses said to them: “Have you kept all the women alive? Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the Lord. Now, therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known a man intimately. But keep alive for yourselves all the young girls who have not known a man intimately. (Numbers 31:14-18)

Severe Sanctification

When the nation of Israel came to the plains of Moab on the side of the Jordan across from Jericho, Balak, king of Moab, sent for Balaam to prophesy against the Hebrews. Thwarted by the word of God, Balaam was unable to curse the people. As Israel camped in Acacia Grove, the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. Twenty-four thousand would die from the plague brought on by the anger of God. After forty years of leading the Israelites through the wilderness, the Lord instructed Moses to take vengeance on the Midianites. They had brought about Israel’s seduction to follow after Baal of Peor. The Midianites were responsible for the Israelites going after the Moabite women and adulterating themselves with pagan worship. Zimri, the son of Salu, a leader from the tribe of Simeon, brought Cozbi, the daughter of Zur, head of the house of Midian, before all Israel to commit adultery with her. Phinehas, Aaron’s grandson, took a javelin and thrust both through, killing them. Because of the action of Phinehas, the plague devastating Israel stopped.

God’s wrath was not finished with the people of Midian as the Lord instructs Moses to destroy them. Gathering 12,000 armed men, Phinehas warred against the Midianites, killing all the males, including the kings of Midian. Balaam, the son of Peor, was also killed with the sword. The army of Israel took Midian captive women, with their little ones along with cattle, flocks, and goods. They also burned with fire all the cities and all their forts. When the captains presented their plunder before Moses and Eleazar, the priest, Moses became very angry. He was astonished the captains of the army had kept all the women alive. These were the cause of the harlotry of Israel. All the captains’ reasoning did not change the will of God to destroy the influences of evil that cost Israel 24,000 lives.

Moses tells the army to kill every male child (the little ones) and kill every woman who was not a virgin. They could keep the virgins for themselves. The Midianites’ influence was a danger to the people of God, and He demanded them to set themselves apart from them. This is a severe separation, but it was the sanctification of righteousness against unrighteousness. It is hard to imagine the soldiers going through the captives and killed all the little boys and then turning upon all the women killing all that were not virgins. The cries must have been incredible, and the fear among the people unmistakable. There was a certain message indelibly marked upon the hearts of the Israelites: sanctification to God can be severe.

Stories like this permeate holy writ and are given as examples of God’s wrath against ungodliness and the need to separate righteousness from unrighteousness. Satan has never feared the believer in God as he continues to attack them, seeking to draw them away. While his evil desire is the destruction of every man’s soul, his greatest victory is the destruction of righteous souls. Sanctification is the channel that keeps the darkness of unrighteousness away from the hearts of righteousness. This requires separation, and sometimes that separation can be severe, and need be severe. Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell all he had and give to the poor, but the man refused. Too harsh. Many are unwilling to give up a spouse, although they know they have an unlawful marriage. God is asking too much. Keeping the commandments of the Lord is viewed as archaic and out of step with modern philosophy. Too strict.

Severe sanctification is often how purity is attained in the lives of God’s people. Jesus left the eternal glory of Heaven to come to earth and be killed. This is the greatest example of severe sanctification and thank God He was willing to suffer so that we could be drawn to the Father. There may be things in life that we must take drastic action against to preserve our souls’ salvation. Are we willing to pay the price? Would you be able to be a soldier who obeyed the word of the Lord against the Midianites? Take stock. Severe. Sanctification. Righteousness.

Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. (Acts 9:31)

Remember The Mission

The early church enjoyed a outpouring of growth in the days of its existence. Three thousand souls obeyed the gospel during the Feast of Pentecost, and in less than five years, the historian Luke writes the church had peace and was multiplying. There had been persecution from the Jewish leaders with the arrest and beating of the apostles. Stephen had been stoned to death, and Saul of Tarsus made havoc of the church, dragging off men and women to prison. Despite this severe threat, the church was growing in the thousands. Churches would be established throughout the Roman Empire from the apostle Paul’s work, with untold numbers of Jews and Gentiles obeying the gospel and becoming members of the kingdom of God.

Two thousand years after the beginning of the church, the people of God would continue to plant the seed of the word of God throughout the world. The New Testament church is found in every country, with adherents numbering in the thousands as churches are established and many souls brought to Christ. In many places in the United States, congregations are dying and, in some cases, closing doors. What are the causes for churches dwindling to small groups and not growing? Steve Forbes said about growth: “The important element of growth is to remind all what the mission is.” When the mission of the church is forgotten, the need for growth is removed.

Too often, churches do not know what the mission of the kingdom is. They have assembled on the prescribed days at the assigned hours to go about the predetermined course of activity for so many years that worship has become a numbing experience of rote repetition. Long forgotten is the purpose and design of the church. The baptistery is in disrepair from lack of use. Preaching has become a dull monotone of social issues or disconnected sermons with little application, and the work of teaching the lost is left to the few or the one. Without a focus to know what the mission of the church is, there can be no growth. Churches that are growing and multiplying are doing so because they understand the mission and implement the New Testament pattern of having peace, seeking edification, walking in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus told the apostles to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations. Teaching the gospel was at the forefront of the mission. The apostles followed God’s mission plan, and the church was preached to every creature under heaven in less than forty years. In the modern world of easy transportation, comfortable accommodations, instant access and information, and a lifestyle open to discussion, the church has forgotten its mission. The work of the kingdom is likened to the vineyard. The vineyard’s mission is to have workers willing to work to produce the bounty of the vines. When the church is viewed as a place of work where the local congregation members are united together in sharing the gospel with their friends and neighbors, the church will grow. Stagnant churches are not growing churches. “Sound churches” who do the same thing in the same way on the same day will die because they do not know what the mission of the church is supposed to be. The church’s work is to remind the workers what the mission must be and how to carry out that mission. Every soul is precious. Let the mission of the Lord’s kingdom be implanted in the hearts of devoted saints willing to work for the glory of God.

And when a great multitude had gathered, and they had come to Him from every city, He spoke by a parable: “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.” When He had said these things, He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Luke 8:4-8)

Four Kinds Of People

The parable of the sower is one of the most familiar teachings of Jesus. Even the casual student of scripture knows the story of the man who sowed seed and the results of the seed falling on four different grounds. Parables were early mental visual aids to help the multitudes reflect on particular teaching the Lord wanted them to remember. The beauty of parables is the lasting value of the picture as it was common to see men going into the fields to sow wheat or barley, and the spiritual lesson from Jesus would come to the hearts of those who heard the parable. It was a powerful tool Jesus used in teaching. Not everyone would be impressed with the story Jesus told. Many would listen to the parable and go away unchanged. The true disciples would ask the meaning of the parable to learn the deeper teaching of Jesus.

Farming in the early world was not as precise and mechanical as today. Growing up in Nazareth, Jesus would have often seen the fields in the lowlands outside the city filled with wheat. Planting the seed in the ground was done by broadcasting the seed as the farmer walked the length and breadth of his fields. He would carry the seeds in a basket or a fold in his mantle, scattering fistfuls in all directions. This meant that some seeds would fall on the hard paths in the fields and others in the places that had yet been prepared for planting. After the fall planting, the anxious time of waiting for the crops to grow would continue throughout the winter hoping for rains to nourish the seed. Like all farming, weeds were a problem. The diligent farmer would keep the fields free of thorns and weeds, allowing the wheat to grow to maturity. Then the day came for harvest and great rejoicing. From these images, Jesus draws the eternal story of the four kinds of people in the world.

The parable of the sower is about people. Jesus narrows the lesson to the reality of only four types of people in the world and no more. This is a hard lesson because everyone will find themselves in one of these four places in the teaching of Jesus. There are people that have the wayside heart that have no desire for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Their lives are filled with the frivolity of sensual desires, covetousness, and human pride. It is tough to reach these hearts with the grace of God and, more often than not, fail to respond to the gospel. If there is a number to place on each group of people, the wayside has a larger population than the other three. When Jesus explains the parable to the disciples, He tells them those people who are the wayside will not be saved. The word was given to them to save them, but they would not hear.

It was important for the farmer to clear the land before sowing the seed. A lazy farmer would not take the time to remove the rocks and try to sow the seed on the rocky ground. There is just enough soil to germinate the seed but not enough for lasting growth. It does not take long before the sun’s heat and the abuse of the elements tear at the tender plants and destroys them. In the spiritual application, some people are open to hear the gospel of Christ and immediately embrace it. They are filled with joy and excitement and seem to be filled with a love for God. Sadly, without root in their hearts to endure the trials to follow Jesus, the people soon lose their faith and return to the world. They believe for a while and, in time of temptation, fall away. Like the first group, they too are lost.

The final two people are similar with one distinction. Sowing seed on good ground that has been broken up from the hard wayside soil and removing the rocks that would impede growth will bring about a bountiful crop. However, the farmer who is not diligent in keeping a watch on his field will find many weeds and thorns growing up with the good seed. Unless the thorns are removed, the wheat will get choked and die. The third type of person is the man who is serving the Lord as a faithful follower but allows the cares, riches, and pleasures of life to choke his spirit to maturity. What is sad about this person is that he has the love and grace of the Father, and he is more concerned about social position, fame, popularity, and the things of the world than his relationship with God. Wheat that has weeds growing up among the field will choke it to nonproductivity. The third person has all the opportunities of God’s grace and squanders it all on useless things.

Only the fourth and final person is the one that brings fruit. A ground that is broken up from the wayside, rocks removed, and weeds managed will grow to a bountiful harvest. The noble and good heart has opened their lives to completely trust in the Lord and diligently serve the will of the Father. There is a lot of work involved in clearing a field of rocks and weeds. Bountiful crops do not happen on their own. Hearing the gospel with a good heart void of the impediments that will hinder growth brings a bountiful crop of divine blessings. This requires effort. The result is a harvest of good things.

Four grounds. Four people. Four receptions. Three failures. Only one succeeds, and only one finds the bounty of joy in the spiritual harvest. Each ground is a person, and that person is you. Everything Jesus tells in this parable describes your heart. Without exception, you and I make up one of these grounds. The question that you must answer is which one of these grounds describes my life. There are not three grounds or five: only four, and I am one of those grounds. The lesson from Jesus is that harvest only comes from the fourth ground. That is the person who will enjoy the harvest of eternal joy. So here is the question: which ground am I?

And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him, intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. (Acts 12:4 KJV)

The Irony Of Easter

Spring always heralds in the dawning of warmer days, flowers blooming, and preparations for Easter. Like most holidays, there is a mixture of Easter that incorporates the Son of God’s death and resurrection and a rabbit running around the countryside, leaving colorful eggs. That is such an odd mixture of the divine and the ridiculous, but such is the whimsical connotations of human vanity.

Easter is one of the most important days in the Christian world without any Biblical basis. The early Christian’s never celebrated Easter in the manner of those who decide to worship God on one of two days of the year (Christmas is the other). When the translators of the King James Version of the Bible came to Acts 12, they decided to include a word, not in the original language. Albert Barnes said it best: “There never was a more absurd or unhappy translation than this.” The word should have been “Passover,” but because the feasts were at similar times of the year, the translators used Easter. Honest scholars agree the early disciples never celebrated Easter, and it was not until later centuries the apostate church accepted the feast.

The origins of the Easter name may have come from ‘Eostre,’ a Teutonic goddess of spring, or from the Teutonic festival of spring called ‘Eostur.’ When the Roman Catholic Church blended the pagan festivals with the Christian teachings (like Christmas), the world began to embrace the false worship of Easter. It is a favorite holiday of many churches with elaborate, early morning services on Easter morning, followed by Easter egg hunts, picnics, and meals. Easter is a time to buy new clothes and to wear the clothing to church for everyone to see. The irony of the modern Easter is not far from the origins of the pagan festival of spring. While there is a veneer of religion associated with Easter, the holiday is more secular than spiritual. Walking through Wal-Mart will convince the skeptic.

While a small group of worshippers celebrates the death of Jesus, the devotees to modern Easter dress up in bright colors and new clothes to impress others.  Chocolate is the staple of Easter compared to the offering of Jesus in the communion. Frivolity and fun and games fill the Sunday afternoons in the face of the Son of God dying a horrible death on a cross. Easter celebrates all the fleshly appetites of humanity while the death and resurrection of Jesus mark the putridity of sin. It must be recognized that Easter – while clothed in the robes of Biblical reference – has nothing to do with the will of God. It was never in God’s design and purpose for men to celebrate Easter no more than He wants Christmas to celebrate the birth of Jesus. These are human traditions to satisfy the thirst of human cravings for fleshly desires. The irony of East is that it barely resembles anything closely related to what Jesus went through.

It is common for the doctrines of men to cloud the teachings of the Lord. Human tradition offers just enough attraction to bring people to think they are worshiping God when they are doing anything but giving honor to the resurrection of Jesus. Going to church when the Easter lilies bloom and poinsettias blossom will not save. Following silly religious holidays like Easter as the resurrection of Jesus will not save. The irony of Easter is how it fails to incorporate the true nature of the will of God. An Easter bunny leaving eggs has nothing to do with Jesus Christ dying on a cross and coming out of the grave on the third day. If a man cannot worship God every week to celebrate the resurrection, getting up early Sunday morning for a sunrise service will have no lasting value. The focus remains that God loved the world to give His only begotten Son. There is no irony in that. It is the gospel – without the eggs.

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. (1 Corinthians 9:24)

Run Right

The Christian life has been described as a race. Paul used the imagery of running a race as a metaphor for how a person becomes a Christian and strives for the imperishable crown given to all who finish the course. Running a race like a marathon takes discipline to train the body to endure the race’s rigors. It is not an easy task requiring preparation, diligence, patience, endurance, and finishing the race. Like all sporting events, running a race demands adherence to the rules of the sport. In 1980, Rosie Ruiz crossed the Boston Marathon’s finish line in the record time of 2 hours, 31 minutes, and 56 seconds. Officials became suspicious of her time when it was discovered her presence in portions of the race could not be verified. She was stripped of her title because she had not run according to the rules. Paul explains the need to run the Christian race in such a manner as to obtain the prize, and this must be according to the will of God.

When a race begins, participants must be qualified to run. Without qualifications, the person is not eligible to run, and not everyone can qualify. The Christian race is not open to anyone and everyone but only those who have qualified for running the race. God has made available to all men the course of salvation laid out through the blood of Christ that when a man runs the divine race, eternal life will be granted at the end. Some try to enter the race in a manner different from the word of God. Some are running the race which qualified because they believed in faith only. Some run the race thinking being a good person will save them. Many run the race following the doctrines of churches created by men. None of these will receive the prize. They are not running according to the commandments of the Lord and are disqualified. When the Jews were pricked in their hearts on the day of Pentecost and asked Peter and the other apostles what to do to be saved, Peter told them the rules for admission. Three thousand people began their race that day because they followed the word of the Lord.

Becoming qualified to run the race will not grant the prize promised by God. That would be like a man who qualifies for the Boston Marathon and expects to receive the prize without running. He believes that he is good enough to be granted honor and glory without putting forth any effort as he stands at the beginning of the race unmoving. The race begins, and the race must continue until the end. Some may grow weary halfway through the race and give up. Some come very close to the end of the race and walk away. Sadly, they will not receive the crown. Why? They ran the race and put out some effort but did not endure until the end. Eternal life will only be given to those who begin the race in accordance with the will of the Father and finish the race by the word of the Lord.

Running the race of a Christian requires running in such a way to obtain the prize. God has given His people many things He expects them to do to be saved. In the church of the Lord, there are requirements of citizenship in the kingdom of God that must be met. Worship is the central part of a Christian’s life, and running the race means to worship the Lord in spirit and truth. Both are required to run the race in the proper manner.

An example would be the Lord’s Supper. This is part of the Christian’s life in service to the Father. Another feature of running the race is learning about the will of the Father through study, expressing love to God in prayer, assembling with the people of God weekly, and letting the light of Christ shine in the workplace, community, and the home.

The greatest joy of the Christian race is what is found at the end. It will be a weary, tiring, and exhausting race, but the joy of a crown of life and eternal rest in the bosom of the Father will make all the sacrifices worthwhile. God will wipe away all the pain of the race and the sorrows endured to receive the prize, and Heaven will be worth it all. Run the race in such a way to obtain. Begin your race today.

But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. (Genesis 9:4)

Life Is In The Blood

The heart is an amazing testimony of the creative power of God. Formed in the womb, the muscular organ begins to pump blood through the child’s developing body and will not cease its work for many, many years, sometimes lasting more than one hundred years. Every day, the heart beats nearly 100,000 times, moving the life-giving nutrients and oxygen to the organs. Blood is necessary for life in most animals and required for life in all humans. There are different kinds of flesh: one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. After the flood in the days of Noah, God permitted man to eat from the animal kingdom. The animals were given to man to subdue and have dominion to supply his needs for food. Shedding the blood of animals was not prohibited, but the eating of flesh with its life, that is, its blood, was an abomination to the Lord. Killing an animal was not sinful, although blood was shed because an animal was not created in God’s image. Whoever kills another human being commits murder when he sheds the blood of one made in the image of God.

Blood is different in animals. Transfusing blood from one human to another is possible but using animal blood is impossible. Life is in the blood, but an animal’s life is nothing more than a creature that has no eternal existence. When an animal dies, he returns to nothing. When a man dies, the spirit returns to God who gave it, and he continues as an eternal creature never to cease from existence. One of the things that separate men from animals is the nature of the blood. The blood of man is precious to God as He formed His creation into His own image. Throughout humanity’s history, animals have been used for sacrifice without penalty because their blood was not sacred. One of the greatest abominations before the Lord was human sacrifice. The distinction between animal sacrifice and human sacrifice was the blood. Offering the blood of bulls and goats was commanded by the Lord. Human offerings and the shedding of man’s blood in sacrifice were sinful.

Life is in the blood. Over the centuries, thousands upon thousands of animals were sacrificed to appease the wrath of God. While commanded by the Lord, the blood given on the altar could not take away sin. The nature of the blood was not composed of a sacrifice worthy of the holiness of God to take away sin. No animal was created in the image of God, and so the blood was nullified by its nature. Human blood was sacred before the Lord as man was created in the image of the Divine. Shedding the blood of a man would bring redemption because the man was created in the image of God. The problem was the blood required had to be without blemish. In animal sacrifice, an animal must be without defect, or it was an unholy sacrifice. The blood of man would be acceptable to God if man were perfect and without sin. Among all the great men that lived holy lives, there was never one found that was sinless. Redemption remained distant, and the man was without hope.

In the little town of Nazareth, a young maiden conceived in her womb the Son of God. The heart of Jesus formed to pump blood throughout His tiny frame as it developed into a human body. Nine months later, while Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem for the census, Jesus was born. For more than thirty years, the heart of Jesus beat nearly 100,000 times a day, supplying His human form with the nutrients and oxygen required for life. The Jews rejected Jesus as the Son of God and killed Jesus on a cross through the authority of the Roman government. Like all men, Jesus bled. His blood became the atoning sacrifice for sin because not only is physical life in the blood; eternal life is in the blood of Jesus because it was from a man created in the image of the Divine that lived a perfect life. Jesus had done what no man could do. His blood was without blemish. The blood of Jesus could redeem man. His sacrifice appeased the wrath of God. The blood of bulls and goats could not take away sin, and no man has ever lived a perfect life but Jesus of Nazareth. Thank God for His blood because eternal life is in the blood of Jesus.

A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)

The Value Of A Friend

Eighty-year-old Blanch Hansen lived alone in Duluth, Minnesota, and shunned her neighbors, including her children. Her mummified body was discovered on February 5, 1985. The St. Louis County Medical Examiner determined Blanch had been dead since May 1981. A family feud was blamed for the family’s failure to check on Blanch, with neighbors avoiding the woman thinking she was mentally ill because of her antisocial behavior. Officials suggested the body found in the house was four years old. There were signs of disrepair with the lawn and house neglected. Her daughter continued to pay the bills, and neighbors assumed Blanche was staying with the children. The family had avoided contact with the matriarch since an argument involving the family’s lake cabin and her request for everyone to stay away.

When God created man, there was a void in Adam’s world that animals could not fill. The Lord took a rib from the man and created the woman. Companionship is essential to the creative nature of humanity. It is not suitable for a man to be alone. Friendship, comradeship, companionship, and family bond are essential parts of the human makeup. What is sad about broken relationships is how someone created in the image of the Divine is forgotten, ignored, and overlooked. In the case of Blanche Hansen, her body was not discovered for nearly four years. Mental illness may have attributed to estrangement from friends and neighbors, but everyone is deserving of awareness by others. The greater tragedy remains for the untold numbers of people living alone and dying alone without friends and without anyone to mourn their passing.

Friendship is not just a relationship of the close association of two people sharing everything in life. The Lord desires for people to recognize people as His creation. Everyone is important to God. Jesus did not die for only a select group of people. Each person is an eternal spirit that will never cease to exist and worthy of recognition and honor as the manifestation of God’s image. There is a need in the world for friendship. It takes effort and concern for the welfare of others. One of the great tools of sharing the gospel is to begin by being a friend. Every person’s value is essential to find and help others see the joy of living for Christ. The unhappy and disgruntled need the gospel. Jesus was interested in the lepers, the blind, the abused, the rejected, and accused to show them His Father’s love. When the woman caught in adultery was brought to Him, He showed compassion measured by the admonition to sin no more. Being a friend disapproves of a sinful life as acceptable but as a potential opportunity to teach.