The Heaton File

And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood. (Revelation 1:5)

Washed

The human body is a frail organism. It requires care and nurturing allowing it to grow with a prosperity of health and wholeness. Disease is an enemy of the body as it destroys the cellular design of creation leading to death. The world is filled with many agents of infection that without proper care will bring harm to the body. One of the most important tools for keeping a healthy life is cleanliness. The Black Death or Bubonic plague in the 1300s killed millions of people largely due to unsanitary conditions allowing the spread of the disease throughout Eurasia and North Africa. So-called “filth diseases” are responsible for numerous conditions leading to multiple medical conditions and death. Keeping a clean and healthy environment is paramount to maintaining a quality of life free from disease. Children are taught early to wash their hands, take baths, and keep clean as much as possible. In every society, the need for washing is understood as necessary for a good life. This is especially true in the spiritual world.

Sin is the filth of the world that invades the pure soul of man. Every person is born with a clean heart that will become corrupted with the disease of sin. Children are innocent from the burden of sin because their hearts are pure. As the heart of accountability becomes aware of sin the spirit of man becomes defiled, filthy, and filled with the darkness of sin. There is nothing man can do to rid himself of this filth. The blood of bulls and goats could not wash away the stain of sin. There were millions of animals sacrificed for the sins of men but to no avail. Men sought to use their own wisdom to remove their sinful nature but failed. They sought to live good lives but this could not remove the ugly stain. Sin had a stranglehold on mankind.

Jesus was made in the fashion of humanity to bear the frailties of the flesh and to show His life a pattern of purity. What is remarkable about the life of Jesus is He lived for more than thirty years and never once soiled His life with sin. No one can live long without becoming dirty in one form or another and this is abundantly clear in the spiritual life of every human. No man (with no exception) has lived a perfect, sinless, and pure life without the ugly stain of sin. Jesus Christ is the only human to fulfill His life without one speck of dirt upon His soul. All men are dirty – all men sin. The question for eternity is this: what can wash away sin?

The dirt of the physical world can bring disease and death but this does not compare to the dirt of sin that will remove a soul from the presence of God. Sin is the ultimate dirt factor with the ultimate consequence. This required the ultimate sacrifice so that all men could find a way to remove the stain of sin and become clean. Jesus provided that way when He died on the cross and rose the third day to overcome the power of sin. The victory of the cross is the means to remove the dirt of sin. When the devout Jews assembled in Jerusalem heard the first gospel sermon and pleaded with the apostles what to do to be saved, they were told to be washed. Peter told them to be baptized for the remission of their sins. Throughout the Acts of the apostles, untold multitudes were washed in the blood of Jesus with their sins removed in the waters of baptism. In the Revelation, John declared the Son of God as the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. John writes that Jesus loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood. This is the joy of God’s grace to know that we are clean. There is no dirt.

Washed in the blood of Jesus is where salvation is granted by the grace and mercy of God. Without the blood of Jesus, a man remains in his filthy state. Salvation becomes a question of if a man has bathed in the blood of Jesus. Belief alone is not washing. Grace alone will not clean the body. Doing good works cannot remove the ugly disease of sin. Washed in the blood is the only place sins can be removed. Ananias told Saul to arise and wash away his sins. He did. So can you. Let the blood of Jesus wash your sins away.

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection. (Romans 6:3-5)

Salvation Is In Burial

The scheme of redemption is the plan of God to save mankind. Created in the image of the divine, man quickly turned away from his eternal nature serving the desires of the flesh. There was no means of escape from the wrath of God whether in being a good person, offering thousands of animal sacrifices, or worshiping himself as a god. Every attempt made by humanity to find light in the world of darkness failed. Jesus came to open the path of salvation from God to man. It was not the desire of the Father for men to perish. Throughout the ages, the Lord gave man directions to find mercy in his presence but there remained the debt of sin that could not be washed away with the blood of bulls or goats. Before the world was created, the will of God determined that salvation would only be found in the blood of His only begotten Son. Jesus became the image of flesh to live in the world as a man and suffer death. God would experience the suffering of the flesh in crucifixion. Jesus gave His life to take away the sin of mankind.

A perfect sacrifice needed to be offered as the penalty of sin. The heinous nature of sin required the highest sacrifice and Jesus willingly went to the cross to die and bring hope to humanity. He knew the incredible pain to be endured as the hatred of men beat Him, spit on Him, cursed the Son of God, scourged His flesh with brutality, and finally nailed His hands and feet to the cross. The suffering of Jesus was intense. Finally, relief from the fleshly suffering came when Jesus died. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea took the body of Jesus from the cross and buried Him in the new tomb belonging to Joseph. They were unaware of their place in the scheme of redemption but their act of love set forth the eternal plan of God. Burial was necessary for the light of hope to spring forth from the darkness of sin.

Death alone did not save men. Jesus was crucified like many thousands of men were. A man dying on a Roman cross was a familiar picture and Jesus died in the same horrible manner as those before Him. Not every man was buried after death. The burial of Jesus was a powerful testimony to the scheme of man’s redemption. Nicodemus and Joseph established a pattern of salvation that would last until the Lord’s return. The apostle Paul told the saints in Rome that redemption was found in the death and the burial of Jesus. Salvation is found in the burial for two reasons. First, it shows the need for death. Dead men are buried, not living men. A burial requires first a death. Jesus was dead when He was placed in the empty tomb. Salvation comes for a man when he dies in Christ. He is not saved yet. He must be buried. That burial is an overwhelming experience.

Second, burial precedes a resurrection. The greatest miracle is the will of the Father to bring Jesus from the clutches of Hades and for Jesus to reign supreme. Many were resurrected but they all suffered the pains of death again. This is not the case with Jesus. Two thousand years ago Jesus was buried in an empty tomb and on the first day of the week, the sealed tomb was empty. Jesus reigns as the Son of God who lives in the presence of the Father. Resurrection required a burial. The fulfillment of redemption is found in the resurrection. Baptism is the burial where a dead man is placed by the grace of God to be brought from the tomb – resurrection. If there is no burial there is no death and there is no resurrection.

Baptism is the moment a man dies in Christ and sins are washed away so a new man can rise in the newness of life as a new creation. Without baptism, there is no salvation. If a man is not buried in Christ, there is no salvation. Without the resurrection, there can be no hope. Only in baptism can a man find the power of the resurrection. Baptism requires immersion. Sprinkling or pouring is not burial and is not salvation. Belief is a part of salvation but faith alone does not save. Resurrection requires a burial. Have you been resurrected? If you have not been buried, you are not saved. Crucify the old man, be buried in baptism to rise saved in Christ.

It has finally arrived. The final Sunday of a year that has been the most life-changing time in recent history. This time a year ago, spirits soared with the hope of a brand-new year filled with exciting plans and promises that would make 2020 an incredible year of hope, prosperity, and joy. January began with a renewed strength of purpose. As February unfolded into March, the hopes and dreams of a prosperous year began to fade. March blew in with the overwhelming reality of a worldwide pandemic. The year never recovered.

It was thought in the beginning, the virus would be short-lived and life would soon return to normal. This dream was shattered as the reality of the longevity of COVID-19 entrenched itself in the lives of a worldwide population. More than 1.7 million people lost their lives to the pandemic. National economies will take years to recover and some industries will never recover. The year 2020 has become an indelibly marked history with the story of a social distancing, wearing masks, and fear of the unknown.

And the year 2020 will be remembered as one of the bloodiest, most divisive, and politically explosive time in recent history. The moral fiber of America was put to a severe test in the arena of a Presidential election. Not since the days of protests against the Vietnam war have the opposites attracted such attention. The fallout from the election will carve a new direction for politics in the decades to come. It is safe to safe that no one will forget 2020.

Today marks the final Sunday of a tumultuous year and that is the joy of this day. With all the dark prophecies of the past 361 days and fears that filled the hearts of the world, a new day has arrived and the sun is shining. The world continues to revolve on its axis at the amazing speed of 1,037.5646 miles per hour. Birds flitter around seeking food and the seas abound with life. Life continues as it has since God first placed the universe in its order. And so it goes.

There is much to reflect in the year 2020. For many, it is a year of incredible loss as loved ones have died. It is a time of renewed hope with families welcoming the birth of a child. New directions are taken that promise hope. The world has changed. Wearing a mask seems normal. The impact of the virus has changed the lives of everyone. For many, it has been a test of faith, and sadly for many – it has been a defeat in their faith. Many have left the Lord. Churches are dealing with efforts to keep the family of God together. Some are winning while others struggle. This has been a time of spiritual challenge.

Today is the final Sunday of the year and should be viewed as a milestone to reflect upon the previous year and to look with anticipation to a new year. God is still in control and regardless of how 2020 has impacted our lives, the work of the Kingdom continues, souls must be saved and churches around the world must find ways to grow stronger. It is a new year by the grace of God. The death of Jesus remains at the forefront of the need of every man. Holy lives must be lived showing the love of God in a world filled with despair.

This final Sunday is a time to reflect upon another time of change and the lessons learned and the instructions given. Joshua stood on the banks of the Jordan River peering into a land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses had died and now the leadership of the nation of Israel was in the hands of the son of Nun. He must lead the people. The past forty years were filled with great strife and heartache. Joshua and Caleb were the only ones of the age to see the promised land and enjoy the fruits of God’s promises. The lessons given to Joshua will serve the hearts of God’s people on this final Sunday of 2020.

The Lord tells Joshua: “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:2-9)

Here are the lessons for 2020. This year is gone and cannot be changed. It is time to arise and enter the new year with a renewed resolve to serve the Lord. God will be us every step of the way if we walk in the paths of righteousness. Nothing will stand against us when we walk with the Lord. God will not leave us nor forsake us (just look at 2020 and you will see that). We must be strong and of good courage. The new year demands we observe to do according to all the law of God. Our lives must be directed by the gospel of Christ without turning to the right or the left so that 2021 will be a year of hope. The word of God must not depart from our hearts. It shall be our meditation day and night to observe to do according to all that is written in it. Has our Father not commanded us to be strong and of good courage? There is nothing to fear and no reason to be dismayed. THE LORD GOD IS WITH US!

Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother. (Romans 16:23)

Gaius, Erastus And Quartus

There are names in the Bible that jump off the page with familiarity, popularity, and recognizable stories attached to them. Most people would know who Adam and Eve were and would recognize names like Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, Peter, John, Paul, and of course Jesus Christ. There are many people in the Bible that nothing is known of them and yet they are enshrined on the pages of holy writ for all time. As the apostle Paul concludes his letter to the saints in Rome, he commends a host of Christians with nearly thirty people specifically named including men and women. Three of these individuals are Gaius, Erastus, and Quartus.

Gaius is a name found two other times in scripture. Paul mentions in his letter to Corinth that he was thankful he had not baptized any of the Corinthians except Crispus and Gaius. There was a controversy among the brethren of sectarianism with some appealing to Paul, to Apollos, to Peter, and Christ as to some type of spiritual badge of honor. The apostle John will also mention Gaius in his third epistle as a beloved saint. John’s love for Gaius is noted in the epistle as a faith rooted in truth and the life of Gaius as one exemplifying the qualities of Jesus Christ. There was a man named Diotrephes in the church that was causing a great deal of trouble and men like Gaius and another saint called Demetrius were the stabilizing force to neutralize the preeminent rule of Diotrephes upon the brethren.

One of the notes Paul makes about Gaius is he hosted the apostle in his own home. Considering the many places Paul had to stay in his work as a preacher, the home of Gaius was a splendid relief from the rigors of missionary work. Gaius seems to be a man of wealth who was willing to use his blessings for the work of the Lord. The house of Gaius was also the meeting place for the church at Corinth. Gaius was a man of great hospitality enjoying the abilities to help the church with his home which was no small undertaking. The character of Gaius was sterling. His example as a man of position but a man with a humble heart serving the Lord is clearly defined.

Erastus was the treasurer of the city of Corinth. This was a position of great influence and power. He presided over the financial affairs of the city. Serving as the steward of the city was an office of high respectability and responsibility to the Roman Empire. This suggests that many first-century Christians were people of note, influence, and power. The gospel can change the heart of a man who holds a high position of authority because the heart is willing to accept the grace of God. Luke mentions a helper of Paul in Ephesus named Erastus and it is unknown if this is the same man or not. It is suggested Paul’s reference to Erastus in the Roman letter was simply a designation of the former position held by Erastus but any conclusion is conjecture. In Paul’s final letter to Timothy, the apostle does mention that Erastus stayed in Corinth and could suggest the steward of Corinth had been involved in the mission work of Paul at one time.

Finally, Paul mentions Quartus. The letter to Rome is the only place where this saint is mentioned and all that is said of him is that he was a brother. It is interesting and should be noted that Quartus is mentioned in the same exhortation as Gaius and Erastus. What qualities Quartus had is unknown. His place in life whether rich or poor, a man of authority or a common man is unknown. He is listed with Gaius and Erastus, men of note and wealth, and to Quartus Paul simply says that he was a brother. It does not take away from Gaius and Erastus to recognize their place in the work of the Lord and all the contributions they gave to the Corinthian church, but Quartus stands out in the kindly tone of Paul calling him his brother. To be wealthy like Gaius would have been an advantage. Being the treasurer of a Roman city like Corinth was a place of great honor. But Quartus was a brother and while Gaius and Erastus were brethren also, the quality of the unknown man was that he was a brother in Christ to Paul.

Not every person can be like Gaius and Erastus but these two men would agree that to be called a brother was all that mattered. Quartus was a brother. Simple. Direct. Honorable. Defining. He may not have been a song leader, fill-in preacher, or Bible class teacher but he was a brother. His work may not have been recognized as much as Gaius and Erastus but Paul penned his name on a letter two thousand years saying Quartus was a brother. There are many saints like Quartus that quietly go about their lives showing Christ and the love of God with little or no fanfare. These are the saints that build churches up and keep them strong. They are at services every time the doors are open. The singing is infused with their joyful hearts singing to the Lord. Their kind words and humble presence encourages the downtrodden and weak. The examples of saints like Quartus are treasured. We are brethren. God bless the men and women who may only be known as brother so-and-so or sister so-and-so. We need those saints like Quartus. Lots of them.

Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you. (Romans 16:16)

The Churches Of Christ

Jesus came to establish His kingdom and to open up the avenue of salvation for all men. His death was the sacrifice for sin. The burial was the reality of God inhabiting the abode of the dead. It was the resurrection that became the greatest miracle as Jesus came forth from the grave to build His church upon the truth that He was the Son of the Living God. Fifty days after His resurrection, Jesus witnessed the apostles gathered in Jerusalem preaching the gospel of Christ to a lost and dying world. On the day of Pentecost, three thousand souls were baptized for the remission of their sins and the Lord added them (and others) to the church. It was the beginning of the church of Christ. No plan has ever been as complete, no vision so fulfilling and no purpose more divine than the establishment of the church that would belong to Jesus Christ.

The first few years of the church saw an amazing amount of converts as Jews turned to the good news of Jesus Christ and His resurrection. Soon the Gentiles would be added to the fold when Peter went to the household of a Roman centurion and taught them the gospel. Men like Paul, Barnabas, and Silas began traveling around the Roman Empire establishing churches in every city. There were oppositions and persecutions but this only fueled the fires of the new covenant disciples with more faith. Churches were found in cities like Jerusalem, Antioch, Ephesus, Corinth, Thessalonica, and even the imperial city of Rome. Spread throughout the world, the churches of Christ filled the landscape of communities far and near. It was a regal time in the development of the church. Facing the fierce oppression of the world against the disciples of Christ, the church grew stronger and bolder never accepting defeat. As a result of their faith, the church of Christ remains today a viable and influential part of the human fabric all over the world.

Paul penned a powerful letter to the saints in Rome whom he called beloved of God. His message was a bridge between the old law and the new law found in Christ. Throughout the Roman letter allegiance to Christ is set forth as the purpose of the gospel. As he concludes his letter naming many saints who inspired him and helped him in his work of preaching the gospel, the apostle sends greetings from the churches of Christ. This was not a title but a description. Paul recognized the church as belonging to Christ and none other. He gave glory to Jesus Christ by calling the church as that which belonged to the Son of God. The churches of Christ filled the world. Each congregation was a representation of Jesus. There were many names given to the early saints describing their relationship to Jesus but none so fitting as the churches of Christ. He died for the church and bought the church with His blood. As the head of the church, Jesus rules alone with no man to be a representative on earth. All authority comes from Jesus to rule over His church. The churches of Christ give honor and glory to the name of the Son of God. For two thousand years, the church of Christ has stood for He who is the way, the truth, and the life. Rooted in the rich tradition of the first century, the churches of Christ remain devoted to the cause of the first gospel sermon preached by Peter and the other apostles.

He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. (John 12:48)

Judged By The Word

Judgment must always be measured by an appropriate discipline of law. When judgments are made without cause, the conclusion is biased and corrupted. There can be no legality to unrighteous judgments as the law must bear an honest case against the accused. In the courts of men, cases are thrown out because the judgment was tainted with a corrupted or misguided conclusion based upon lack of evidence or misapplied law. This is not uncommon in the legal systems of men. The reason for the imperfection of human justice is because of the imperfection of the wisdom of men. Appeals are made in the hope that some mistake was made in the series of evidentiary discovery which may overturn a conviction. Sometimes appeals are made after a person has served a long time in prison and is released due to irregularities in the process of the case. The judgment was corrupted.

There is a great day coming when all men will stand before the Creator of the universe and give an account of their lives. This is as certain as death. Denying a judgment does not change the reality of the judgment no more than denying death will stop a man from dying. The resurrection of Jesus Christ affirms the certainty of a day of reckoning. On this day, all men will stand before the peering eyes of the Lord God who will look into every soul and judge according to one standard – the word. Jesus taught His disciples that on the final day of judgment, every man will be judged by the word of God. It will be not based upon popularity or how famous the person was in life. The greatest heroes of men will stand shoulder to shoulder with the poor beggar forgotten by the world. Judgment will not come from the pages of Wall Street or the financial markets of the world. Rich men will stand alongside the poorest people of the world. The great day of the Lord will bring kings, dictators, rulers, and presidents to stand in the multitude of servants, workers, common men and women, and all walks of life. There will be no distinction made.

As the mass of humanity from Adam to the coming of Christ stand before the Lord, every man and woman will be judged by the same measure in the same rule under the same authority. The word of God will be the judgment. Abraham and Lot will be judged by the word as will the person reading this article. You and I will be judged with the same word as will Charlemagne, Shakespeare, George Washington, Adolf Hitler, Albert Einstein, and David Valdes. Catherine Scruggs will be measured by the word of God. The rule of God’s word will determine the eternal destiny of all the Presidents of the United States. It is the same word without deviation. While men have lived in different dispensations of God’s revelation (Abraham, Moses, and the first-century saints), the word will judge them all. Everyone born this year and the year to come will be judged by the word.

What makes the judgment powerful is there will be no mistakes and there will be no appeals. The word of God is perfect. Judging the hearts of men will be accomplished through a perfect law because the Lord is perfect. He is omniscient in the dealings of men. His word perfectly attributes guilt or innocent to all men. Every judgment made will be the right decision and no soul judged will think the judgment unfair. The word of God determines only two decisions to be rendered in judgment. There will either be words of blessing or words of condemnation. All those who are judged by the word and found faithful will know why they are saved. Sadly, every soul that hears the words of doom to everlasting torment will agree the sentence is just and right. There will be no souls in hell who do not believe they deserve the judgment of the Lord. And finally, they will know there will be no appeals. The word of God is perfect and there is nothing to appeal to. Salvation is just and right. Condemnation is just and right. The word of God affirms the doctrine of salvation and condemnation to those who live to help them decide what the word of God says when they die. Judgment is coming. Those who reject Jesus Christ and refuse to receive His words has that which judges them – the word that He has spoken will judge all men in the last day.

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God. (1 Corinthians 4:1-5)

Seeking The Praise Of God

The apostle Paul had his critics. There were those in the church who did not accept him as an apostle and some judged the former persecutor with a suspicious eye. Paul was not an orator as Apollos. His presence was weak and his speech some considered contemptible. He ruffled a few feathers along the way because his preaching did not tickle the ears of human reasoning. The message of Paul was directed to the cross of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Nothing else mattered. He describes to the saints in Corinth the work of preaching is like a man who plants the seed while another man waters the efforts of the seed planter with God giving the increase for the glory of the kingdom. Each man has a role that he fits into the scheme of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Like building a structure, every man has a role in establishing a foundation and building upon those efforts. The conclusion is that whether the man is Paul, Apollos, and Peter, everything works together for the cause of Christ with no man receiving the glory.

Paul had a single purpose in mind in his work of preaching. He sought to live in such a manner that would bring glory to God. Apollos and Paul were servants of the same Lord serving the same purpose as faithful stewards of the mystery of Christ. The judgment of men was not the criteria of Paul’s preaching but if he pleased God. Whether any man on earth would commend the apostle for his work, his many trips in difficult places, and all the sufferings he endured for the cause of Christ was not a concern from him. He wanted to receive praise from God and that is all that mattered. Each man will receive praise from God as the discerner of the hidden things of darkness and the revelation of the hearts’ counsel. Praise of men was of no value. Receiving praise from God was eternal.

During the ministry of Jesus, many people believed in Him including some of the Jewish leaders. But they would not admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. The reason was as old as mankind: they loved human praise more than the praise of God. They found the worth of human honor more appealing than the eternal praise of God. Sadly, this caused them to reject Jesus refusing to confess Him before men. Praise comes from either men or God; one is temporary while the other is eternal. Men can accomplish great things in life and make a name for themselves but to what end? Preachers can be adored by thousands of people and yet to confess the doctrine of Christ. They will soon be forgotten as they pass into eternity but the Lord will not forget. Paul is remembered today not because he gained the attention of men but that he pleased the Lord and gained praise from God.

All things will be laid bare before the judgment bar of the Lord God. In that final day of reckoning, nothing will matter in the minds of men and women who made a name for themselves on this side of eternity. God will not be impressed by how many books they wrote and how large their television or internet audience was and how big a house they lived in. In the heart of every human being standing for the great I AM, the question will be: will I receive praise from the Father? At that moment and at that time that is all that matters. The truth is – this is all that matters now. Don’t wait to find out too late how important the praise of God is. Do not please men. Seek the praise of God.

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)

His Life

Jesus is the Son of God. He is God. His divinity is proclaimed by the manifestations of His power over everything in this world and the spiritual world. The sacrifice of Jesus is the foundation of faith for every believer. His death, burial and resurrection affirm the belief that Jesus is the Son of God and in like manner as He was raised from the dead, all saints will rise in the last day. When Jesus bowed His head on the cross and said, “It is finished,” the will of God was completed. From the dawn of time until that moment cloaked in darkness the Lord unfolded the plan to redeem from sin all those who would come to Him. Jesus became the lamb that was slain. His blood cleanses and purifies the soul. Everything from Genesis to the Revelation is a proclamation of the story of Jesus.

It is easy to lose sight of the forest for the trees. Examining the story of Jesus, the Bible reveals Him to be the Son of Man. He came to serve others. He would die for the sins of all mankind. What can easily be lost in the knowledge of the deity of Jesus is the matter of HIS LIFE. God became flesh and dwelt among men as a man. Jesus entered the world in the same fashion as all men. His conception was a great miracle but the Son of God grew in the womb of Mary as all babies grow. She delivered her child in the fashion as all women. The little baby Jesus had to learn to walk and talk and care for Himself. He was educated like other Jewish boys and learned many things about carpentry from his carpenter father, Joseph. Jesus enjoyed certain foods and probably disliked other foods (like brussels sprouts). He enjoyed long walks, quiet evenings and talking to His brothers and sisters. Jesus admired His loving parents and their diligent care for Him. It seems very probable sometime before the ministry of Jesus, Joseph died and the eldest Son would take a role of caring for the family. Jesus cried. He hungered, knew thirst and enjoyed a good night’s sleep.

The life of Jesus was a life most common to all men. If He were in a crowd of people, no one would know that He was divine. His face did not glow and there was not a light above His head. There was nothing on the outside that made the people think He was different. His speech was like the people of Galilee as was the manner of His dress. He had a deep sense of understanding that made Him stand out in a crowd. At the age of twelve, He astonished the religious teachers at the temple with His knowledge of scripture. There can be little doubt He continued to amaze those who talked with Him about the world and spiritual matters. In every way, Jesus lived a life as common as any other man from Nazareth.

To understand fully the sacrifice of Jesus is to know His life. When the Romans nailed Him to a cross, they looked upon Him as a criminal like the other two crucified with Him. Jesus felt the searing pain of His persecutors because He was in the flesh. God suffering at the hands of what He created. When He hung on the cross and saw His mother, Mary, He was moved with compassion. He asked John to care for His mother. What memories flooded His mind as He remembered the soothing sound of Mary’s voice singing songs to Him, teaching Him to pray, and telling Him the stories of the Hebrews. Jesus gave His life – and what a gift He gave. God became flesh and offered His flesh to redeem all men. To know the love of God is to know the life of Jesus and what He experienced as a man. He was willing to leave the ivory palaces of the divine presence of His Father and give His life a ransom for many. Thank God for the LIFE of Jesus.

And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ (Acts 26:14)

Kicking Against The Goads

Beasts of burden have been a common picture of rural life since the beginning of time. Man was given dominion over the animals and utilizing their great strength and endurance, he was able to subdue the land and carve out for himself means of survival. The oxen were an especially durable animal used often in plowing the land but it was also a very stubborn and rebellious creature. Jabal, son of Lamech (early descendant of Adam) is noted as the father of those who dwelt in tents and had livestock. He would have learned early how stubborn the oxen would be. It is uncertain who invented the first goad, but it seems like a practical solution to a persistent problem.

A goad is a length of wood about eight feet long. In time goads had iron spikes attached to the end or would sharpen the end of the wood to prod the animal to move. It is the nature of oxen to be stubbornly refusing to walk but a well-placed goad encouraged the beasts to continue moving. However, instinctively, feeling the sharp jab of the goad, an ox would kick against the goad resisting the prodding. The animal continued to move but it was unhappy at the pain inflicted by the goad and fought the plowman’s efforts. Fighting the goad did not solve the problem as the plowman would continue to enforce the goad. The only thing the ox accomplished was to hurt himself. It did not change its station in life.

Jesus used the proverbial saying of goading oxen to ask Saul of Tarsus why he continued to fight against the church dragging off men and women to prison. Saul was intent on destroying those who followed Jesus Christ and was quite effective in his passion. When Jesus came to Saul on the road to Damascus, He enforced a clear lesson for the zealous Jew to know that all he was doing was hurting himself. In the first place, his efforts to destroy the church were powerless. There was nothing Saul could do that would change the divine plan of God. Any resistance to the cause and will of God would be fruitless. Like an ox kicking against the goad, Saul was only hurting himself. He would later recall how vehemently he persecuted the church and how great a sinner he was for what he did.

Albert Barnes said of the expression to kick against the goads is to rebel “against lawful authority, and thus getting into greater difficulty by attempting to oppose the commands to duty.” Saul’s persecution of the church is the same malady experienced by those who reject the clear teaching of the gospel and the word of God. Refusing to obey the commands of God does not change the law of God. Attempting to resist the will of the Father will never change the mind of the Father. Trying to save oneself by good deeds is commendable but will never save a man. Believing that a person can live with the carnal pleasures of the world and be acceptable to the righteousness of the Lord will never bring one into a holy covenant with God. Changing the church to fit the ideals of human wisdom does not mean the church of Christ is diminished. There is only one body and one church and that has not changed in two thousand years. Opposing God and refusing to submit to the authority and will of the Father will only bring the disapproval and wrath of God.

Kicking against the goads is a common malady. The nature of man is to resist. He wants to rule his own life. His wisdom seems greater than the wisdom of God. Most refuse to accept the authority of God in their lives and like the ox, kick against the goading of God’s word – but to no avail. The ox resists the goad but they are still shackled to the plow and they still serve the will of the plowman. This will not change because all that man can hope to be is an obedient servant of the divine master who is the Lord God. The goad can be painful but the blessings of those who lovingly guide the lives of the faithful are immeasurable. Submit to the goad of God and you will be blessed.

Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. And Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke, saying: ‘By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.’ ” So Aaron held his peace. (Leviticus 10:1-3)

The Little Things Matter

Growing up with a famous uncle should have had a great impact on the lives of two young boys. Born into a land of harsh bondage in the land of Egypt, Nadab and Abihu experienced the deprivations and severity of the Egyptian taskmasters as they forced the Hebrews to make bricks and toil in the fields. They had heard of their uncle who had been raised in the house of Pharaoh but fled when the king learned his adopted son killed an Egyptian. After forty years, Moses returned and challenged Pharaoh to let the Hebrews go. After a series of incredible plagues that crippled the Egyptian nation and the final blow of a night of widespread death, Nadab and Abihu left Egypt along with nearly two million souls bound for a land of promise. The sons of Aaron saw their father ascend with Moses into that terrible mountain filled with fire, blackness and darkness and tempest and the sound as if it were a trumpet. It was so frightening the people begged for it to end.

During the long stay of Moses on the mountain, Nadab and Abihu saw their father yield to the cravings of the people who demanded gods to worship. Aaron told the people to bring gold to him and he fashioned a molded calf and an altar with a great feast of celebration. The people rose early in the morning offering burnt offerings and peace offerings to the golden calf and worshipped the idol as the god who delivered them from the land of Egypt. Their father Aaron did not restrain the people from all of their carnal desires. Suddenly, Moses appeared filled with wrath and anger. He took the calf which they had made, burned it in the fire, and ground it to powder. Scattering the dust on the water, Moses demanded the people to drink. Moses publicly rebuked Aaron for his failed leadership. He then commanded the sons of Levi to kill those who refused to refrain from idolatry. At the end of the day, three thousand Hebrews were dead. Nadab and Abihu saw the penalty for disobeying the word of the Lord.

As priests, Nadab and Abihu learned the law concerning the regulations of worship. They were trained in the requirements of offerings, sacrifices, and rituals in the law of Moses. The garments worn by Nadab and Abihu were exquisite in detail artistically woven of fine linen. Attention to detail was in everything the sons of Aaron were commanded to do.

The Law of Moses was written with expectations of obedience on every page. Aaron and his sons were consecrated before the people as priests. Eight days following their consecration, the Lord demanded a sin offering and a burnt offering. After making the sacrifice, Moses and Aaron went into Tabernacle, and when they came back out, they blessed the people and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. Fire blazed forth from the Lord’s presence and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When the people saw this, they shouted with joy and fell face down on the ground. Then Nadab and Abihu offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded. Fire went out from the Lord and consumed Nadab and Abihu and they died before the Lord. They failed to respect the holiness of the Lord God as those allowed to come near Him and to glorify God.

Having Moses as their uncle did not save them. Being the sons of Aaron the High Priest did not protect them. Nadab and Abihu received the wrath of the Lord because they failed to consider the little things. They took their censers and put fire and incense which the Lord had not commanded and paid the price of rebellion with their lives. Everything matters to God and many times the little things are ignored by those who fail to honor the Lord with respect. Many in the religious world practice the doctrine of Nadab and Abihu when they fail to teach the little things of God’s word. The word of God is not respected as the authority. Worship is not designed according to the New Testament pattern. The organization of the body of Christ is filled with human wisdom. The little things matter to God. One of the greatest lies taught by the religious world today is salvation by faith only with a refusal to accept baptism as necessary for salvation. Faith is necessary and so is the washing away of sins in the waters of baptism. A little thing? You decide.