The enemy of my enemy
John 3:19-20
And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
John 3:19-20 NKJV
Ever since the very first time Jesus was introduced to the World by John the Baptist, there has been a constant mission to rid the Truth of the Gospel.
Today it is ever more present.
The Word of God is not bound by any laws. It is the Law.
It isn’t limited.
It is the ultimate authority.
It does not change. It is eternal. It can’t be added to, and not one Word can be taken away from it.
The Word of God’s voice can never be shut up. It will never be muted. Even if every Church were shut down and burned up the Word of God will still triumph!
It will always find a way to rescue new souls.
Today it doesn’t seem so obvious.
There is a coldness in hearts.
There is a rejection of the truth. So bad there are actually new truths being proclaimed.
It seems like hearts are so hardened that even the power of God’s Holy Word can’t penetrate.
There will be periods in this world and in our lives that there will be darkness that will have even the most faithful doubt their faith even if it is just for a moment.
Until the Lord returns we will face opposition.
The Light of Jesus Christ shines on all people. It is unquenchable. It is undeniable. It exposes the darkness of man’s souls. It will show the depravity of a sinful heart.
Everyone responds to the light differently.
As that light brightens the darkness it divides. It will expose what is hidden. Some will do everything in their power to stay out of the light.
Man loves the dark.
As time draws short more and more will come against the Bride of Christ.
Not just that, but many will join together for one purpose.
Mark 3:6
Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.
Mark 3:6 NKJV
When the enemies of God come to silence His Word they find common ground.
There’s that old quote.
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
They were teaming up against a common enemy, Jesus of Nazareth!
Because Jesus exposes the hidden lies!
The Herodians were Jews that sympathized and were allies with Rome.
They were not religious like the Pharisees.
They were more political in their practices.
They had a lot of power and influence.
They were hypocrites and would do anything to continue to be a political influence. Spreading False hope to the people. Empty promises are made. For what? All to gain political power.
The Pharisees used God Word to lord over people. To show their Spiritual Holiness. But it was in direct opposition to how God intended His Word to be used.
But doesnt that happen today?
Every election year there is a Great Commision that goes out.
Door to door. Fliers. Campaigns, debates. Phone calls, T shirts, signs, billboards, rallys.
Imagine if the Body of Christ did that. What real change could happen.
If we took the Kingdom of God as seriously as we take a political candidate, how different would our world look?
Which are you more about? Discussing and defending politics, laws, policies or speaking about and defending Jesus and following Him?
I’m not saying not to be involved with the government.
Don’t get distracted by it.
Don’t put your hope and faith in someone that can’t get you Eternal Life!
If you hope doesn’t lie on the shoulder of Jesus and His promises then you do not have a real hope.
If you’re putting your hope in a political party, a politician or anything else that is not Jesus Christ of Nazareth, that hope will fade away every single election.
People don’t need more or new policies to follow, people need Jesus to follow!
It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ that will make all the chaos around us settle down. Not a party or another new “King”, president, governor, mayor of the land, but by the only One that has been able to bring calm and peace to the storms with just the sound of His voice!
The Herodians, being Jews, did not seek counsel from God’s Holy Word, they found it in KIng Herod.
They had no understanding, no hope, no idea what the Messiah could do if they would just obey and follow.
They hated Jesus because His Word exposed the crookedness of their hearts. It exposed their agendas. He is not only a threat but the cure from these types of agendas.
Jesus has no time to waste. He moves away from His enemies and heads back to the sea. He never allowed those coming against Him to keep Him from what the Father sent Him to do, save sinners!
There is power in the Word of God. It gives hope to the hopeless. It heals and restores.
Crowds from all over came because of the healings that Jesus had been performing.
The Pharisees and Herodians can not allow Him to continue.
Jesus isn’t so concerned with national issues, but spiritual issues.
He is looking for the submission of the heart!
His purpose is to get to the Cross!
It is to give His life as a ransom for many. So He continues, regardless of the threats in order to continue teaching and ministering until the time is right for the Cross!
Keep your mind and hearts focused with this very same purpose. Proclaiming the Cross of Jesus Christ! Tell what Jesus did and is doing for you now. Do it with no fear, embarrassment or intimidation.
Don’t get so caught up in the things of this world that can distract you from following Christ.
Don’t get so focused on doing “good things” like helping the poor, showing compassion, caring for needs, that you forget the Cross of Christ and why you are doing it!
We can never forget the Cross of Christ! It must be front and center of everything we do.
Keep the Cross, Death and Resurrection the central part of your life.
I Corinthians 2:1-5 NKJV
And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.
For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
I Corinthians 2:1-5 NKJV
Let the demonstration of God’s Power be revealed in you by the power of the Spirit of God through the Resurrection of His Crucified Son.
Think about this today.
Jesus didn’t die for the angels. He didn’t go to the Cross for the demons. He died for my sins. For your sins. Even when we belong to the Prince of the power of the air. Even when we denied Him. Even in my most wretched sin. Jesus went and drank the cup that no man could. He drank the cup of God’s Wrath so that we could have Everlasting life for an Eternity with our Lord and Savior!
Stay focused on what the Lord has you doing. Don’t let the “Pharisees” pull you from freely following Jesus.
Stay away from the “Herodians” and the distraction of the World.
Watch out when these enemies join together to plot your destruction.
Keep your eyes on the One that is the Way, The Truth and The Life!
Preach Christ Crucified!
Serve your King well!
Pastor Ed
