Reality Revisited
Reality Revisited
By Dennis Huebshman
Several months ago, I gave a message about a “Reality Check”. After giving it some updated revisions, it seemed right to visit it once more.
Jesus told His disciples they would all desert Him (Matthew 27:31; Mark 14:27 and John 16:32). Of course, they all denied they would do this, but it was fulfilled just as the Lord said it would be (Matthew 27:56 and Mark 14:50). Even though Peter followed the crowd at a distance after Jesus was arrested, his denials are given in all 4 gospels. (Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:57-60 and John 18:25-27) Remember, Peter was the one that seemed to always want to appear bold to a fault, however usually got put down at the end. It took the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to give Him the courage to stand up for Jesus even to the point of his death.
Years ago, any time I heard messages about, or saw movies about how Jesus suffered and died, and everyone deserted Him, I said the same thing countless others have said. “Not Me! I would’ve done something!” I was truly sincere about this as I’m sure many others are as well. Now for the big “However”; after starting to really study God’s word over the past 30+ years, I’ve come to the conclusion that a reality check was in order. It’s easy to profess something, but actions are many times different.
Scripture tells us Jesus had 4 brothers – James, Judas (Jude), Simon and Joseph (Joses) and at least 2 sisters, however they are unnamed. (Mark 6:3) The brothers did not believe Jesus was the Messiah until after His resurrection, yet they grew up with Him. (John 7:3-5) After Pentecost, James became an avid believer and became a leader of the Church in Jerusalem. His book is believed to be the oldest book of the New Testament possibly written before AD 50. Judas also believed, which is evidenced by the book of Jude. Nothing else is said about the others.
As for the crucifixion, it had to happen the way it did, or prophecy leading up to it would not have been completed and that would have made ALL of God’s word useless. However, as Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16, “Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, reproof and for correction and for training in righteousness.”
It had to be a perfect sacrifice by a sin-free, willing and perfect person. That could only be the one sinless person who had ever lived to that point and ever since – Jesus (Yeshua) The Christ. Jesus told His disciples in John 10:18 that no one would take His life, but He would give it willingly. He knew everything that would take place in advance, yet was still willing to die for an undeserving world. In fact, at the beginning of creation, God knew He would have to supply the only sacrifice He could accept. He is a perfect God, and therefore the sacrifice had to be perfect in order to cover ALL sin from the beginning of time to the end of this world. Genesis 3:15 tells us God told satan that He knew there would be a constant war between good and evil, but in the end, good would win. (Paraphrased and emphasis mine.)
As a man, I’m sure Jesus did not want to go through the pain and suffering he faced, yet as God, He knew He had to be separated from the Father if only for a brief moment and that’s what troubled Him the most. There had never been a separation within the Godhead before. Jesus was, and is part of the Trinity, and has been forever. He knew the Father could not tolerate ANY sin, so at the point of the sacrifice when all the sins of the world were laid on Him, the Father would have to step back, look away, and allow His Son’s blood to cover that which was required. Even if He could, Jesus would not have allowed anyone to interfere with what was taking place. After all, He could’ve called, and the Angels would have saved Him.
When He cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me!”, He fulfilled the quote from Psalms 22:1. It was at this very moment the Father and Son were separated as mentioned earlier. Every step of the way had been mapped out through the ages, and every step was fulfilled as prophesied.
This is so important in that we can be assured everything remaining to be done, will be. Otherwise, any thoughts about Rapture, Tribulation, Second Coming, Millennial Kingdom and eternal life thereafter in Heaven would all be myths In the Bible, if anyone prophesied and it didn’t come true, they were to be stoned. Every – ALL – prophecies about the Savior to this point today have been completed and we can be assured what remains to be done will be also.
Jesus, Paul, Peter, John and many others gave us signs as to what would be happening at the end of the age. We’re in the 69th week of Daniel’s 70 weeks and the calendar is about to move forward for the final 7 years – the years of Wrath and Great Tribulation. We’re given the remedy as to how to avoid that time by the Savior Himself. John 14:6 says, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.”
All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13) Therefore, all who do not call on Him will be lost, and that’s so unnecessary. We don’t know how much longer before the Bridegroom (Jesus) takes up His Bride (Church – ALL True Believers), but the clock is steadily ticking. We are definitely in the season spoken of by the Lord and unlike the religious leaders of that time, we need to be aware of this.
He may not come today, tomorrow, next week or in the months ahead, but then again, He just might. After the Church is removed, this earth will go through a time like never before and those left behind will suffer terribly when they didn’t have to.
You can accept Jesus no matter where you are. You don’t need a preacher, priest or anyone else to do this for you. Call out to Him yourself and ask for Him to forgive you of your sins. Don’t try to say you’ve never sinned because everyone has sinned and fallen short. (Romans 3:23) God is faithful and true and will forgive ALL our sins if we confess them to Him (1 John 1:8-10). Ask Jesus to come into your heart and for Him to prepare a place for you with Him. That’s it. Only mean what you say and say what you mean.
Follow up by reading the Love Letter (Bible) given to us by the Father. It was written by about 40 men, yet they were inspired by the Holy Spirit on each word that is there. For anyone who has not read the Bible before, I would recommend going to the book of John first and after that Romans. This should get and keep you on the right track. Also, talk to the Father (prayer) daily. He’s listening 24/7 and is never too busy to listen. Don’t try to be fancy, but talk to Him as you would a friend, because He’s the best one you could ever have.
God Bless you, and hope to see you at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. (Revelation 19:9)
Maranatha – Come Lord Jesus!