Are You going there again?

John 11:7-8
Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”
The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?”

The disciples were genuinely concerned about the safety of their Master. We would say the same thing for the person we love too. It is easy to forget that Jesus is the Almighty, All-Knowing, All-Powerful one which the whole Universe is created by.

Today, the believer have the Holy Spirit in us who also lead us according to the will of the Father. But as humans, sometimes we think that we know better than the living God, although we meant no offence. It takes practise to train ourselves to trust God completely and obey Him, even though his direction for us seems contrary to our opinions.

The friend of the bridegroom

John 3:29
He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 

The subject of this verse is the bridegroom - who no doubt represents Jesus. The verse starts by saying others who has a bride are bridegrooms too. On the other hand the verse also describes the friends of the bridegroom. As followers of Jesus, we are depicted as the friends of the bridegroom. The other bridegrooms take the attention or glory upon themselves. On the other hand, the friends of the bridegroom, glorifies and rejoices with the Lord. The friends point to the glorious bridegroom.

The challenge for the believers may be to deflect attention on ourselves towards the Lord. Following Yshua should result in good works and compassion for others. When others praise these good works, then the honour and glory should be deflected towards the Lord.

He must increase, but I must decrease

John 3:30
He must increase, but I must decrease

John points the way to Yshua Ha Masiach as we all must do. John the Baptist would have been at the peak of his popularity right before he introduced Jesus. People from the cities came out to the desert to be baptised by him.

However, when Jesus was baptized, that became the beginning of Jesus' public ministry and John pointed his followers directly to Jesus. Like John, we must do the same. In our compassion and mercy, we may be helping many people. Ultimately, when those people give thanks, it should be directed towards God. To accept glory for ourselves would be to steal the glory from God.

For you are still carnal

1 Corinthians 3:3
For you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

Paul is speaking to fellow believers in this message about being carnal. To provide a brief definition, being carnal means to be influenced or acting or desiring the things of this world, which are usually in opposition to God's will.

The opposite to living a carnal life would be to live and walk in the Spirit. Since none of the believers are perfect while living on earth, there will be times when the carnal nature has its way. If so, then the believer who walks in the Spirit would admit and confess their sins and allow God to deal with that sin. To rationalise away the sin or wrongdoing only leads to a deeper carnal life.

Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road and while He opened the Scriptures to us?

Luke 24:32
And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”

Often when we hear an inspiring sermon and / or when gripped by the Holy Spirit to receive the message, we feel extremely powerful, like we have been fully charged again. These experiences however, or the situation itself, will not last long; a good sermon cannot continue forever - it will have an end.

So the challenge is then to apply the spiritual insights into our daily life and ministry to others. Most of the time, life goes on with routine tasks. However it is such times that those spiritual insights can be used effectively for our benefits or the benefits of others.

I have been crucified with Christ

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

When Paul made the statement that he has been crucified with Christ, he was not physically crucified yet at that point in time, though he would faced a similar fate later. Yet what Paul said was for than just identifying with Christ in suffering. It was a reality to him, that he lived a life of persecution by others, as well as crucifying his own sinful nature.

It is perhaps more of the second point of crucifying oneself that we can take for ourselves. There is a battle between our old selves which is carnal in nature, aiming to satisfy our own needs with no regards to God. On the opposite, there is the will to surrender ourselves with God. Only by deliberately crucifying our sinful nature can we fully surrender to the will of God.

Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing...?

Genesis 18:17
And the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing...?" 

In more than one passage, God has revealed His plans to those people whom He calls friends, that is those people who are close to Him. These include Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus' disciples and many more. None of these are perfect people. Which means we all can come to the point that we can hear from God and that He will reveal His plans to us. Now the reason to come to know God well is not just to learn about the future or His plans - He knows our intentions. The only focus we should have is keep walking closely with Him and listen.

And he went out, not knowing where he was going

Hebrews 11:8 
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

Abraham went out of his country away from his extended family, as he obeyed God. The context at that time is that God had not told Abraham the final destination. He knew God and obviously had a relationship with God already. But looking at the wrongs he did during various parts of his life after that initial call, we know that Abraham was far from perfected yet, when he first obeyed God to leave his country.

What this means is that it is possible to have a close relationship with God, while even though we know we are far from sinlessness nor perfection. We can have a deep relationship with God and hear what he says to us. Then our response is to obey and follow in faith. Living this way is the natural way to become what God wants us to be, as we will be transformed daily to be like him.

Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit

2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

A simple exhortation by Paul but most followers of Yshua still had trouble in perfecting. Consider the different parts of the sentence:
i) having these promises - refers to the previous chapter where God promises to be our Father and we become His sons and daughters.
ii) beloved - clearly we are the beloved of God.
iii) cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit - something that we must do
iv) perfecting in holiness in the fear of God - our ultimate goal

The thing for us to do is to cleanse ourselves so that we can move towards holiness. Yet many of us struggle because we still have the carnal nature. However, our closeness to God must increase and our carnal selves must decrease. To achieve this, we must abandon our own will because it mostly aims to satisfy our flesh and spirit. Instead, follow our Lord Yshua, who only follow His Father's will - not our own will - only this kind of submission will we be victorious in our battle to cleanse ourselves.

Therefore we make it our aim .... to be well pleasing to Him

2 Corinthians 5:9
Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.

There are many things we can do for God. Indeed, there are many He asks us to do for Him. However, in doing so, there can be a human tendency to lose focus from God to other things including pleasing the people, being pleased at our own work or just overly focused on the actual work. This leads to losing focus on the Lord Himself, who should be our prime focus.

Of course there is a practical need to be focused on the physical thing we are doing, whether serving others in church or community, etc. Hence it is all the more important to set aside time to have with God alone. At the start or end or in the middle of the day, make a break from the daily routine and call out to God.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ

2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Paul is speaking to believers in saying that we all will appear before the judgment seat of Christ. We know that we are saved by faith in Jesus, not by our own moral standards. Yet we do give an account even though we are saved. So this is a good reminder for us to keep in mind when we deliberately or unconsciously drift away. Though we do fail and sin from time to time, another thing to keep in mind is that we also have an Advocate as our Defender in the person of Jesus Himself.

And as they followed they were afraid

Mark 10:32
Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him:

As Jesus is approaching Jerusalem, the disciples were uneasy, even afraid as described above. By the Holy Spirit the disciples knew who Jesus is supposed to be but we know from the despair following the crucifixion, that they still did not fully comprehend His Mission at this time.

So the disciples sense imminent danger as they approached Jerusalem with their Master. They have walked, talked, eat, slept with Jesus for over three years. But now, their Master's intentions remains mysterious and scary.

On various occasions, we have seen that God does not intend to be mysterious to His people, especially those close to Him. He will reveal His plans to us. Although we may walk closely with Him, His purpose are still so much greater than ours. It is no wonder that after years of following Him, we may still find ourselves walking far behind. However, we know that He is our refuge and fortress, we need only to trust and obey.

You are that one’s slaves whom you obey

Romans 6:16
Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?


The word slaves and obey are not exactly liked in popular literature. In particular slaves have a negative association about human rights. However, Paul used the word slaves to refer as being totally surrendered to the one or the thing that we are obeying. We can be slaves to various earthly things, slave to ourselves or slaves to God, as indicated by our obedience to any of these.

Only one of the above options is beneficial to us, that is obeying God and being a slave to Him. In fact this is the most liberating of all, since only in obeying God, can the slavery to all other addictions be broken.

For God so loved the world that He gave

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave ...

This must be the most famous verse in the Bible and quoted so many times. A simple verse which has such full meaning and can be used to teach so many topics. Let's look at two parts, first is that God loved the world so much, it is beyond description. The second part is the consequence of His love which resulted in Him to give.

Let's stop there and focus about the degree of His love, and His following action. Notice that we are not involved in gaining or earning His love. His action is total. When we understand this and reciprocate that action, there is nothing that we can do in comparison. We could however give ourselves, not that this repay God in any way, but instead it is our just response. The question is to what degree that we actually give ourselves

See, we have left all and followed You

Mark 10:28
Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.”

Peter mentioned this to Jesus, probably wanted Him to understand the great sacrifices that he and his fellow disciples had made. Jesus assured them that they will be rewarded and there is an implication that such sacrifices are the least the disciples can do.

We also wondered that when people follow Jesus, is it for personal gain, even for their own personal salvation or something else. The something else should be the total surrender towards Jesus for His love's sake. To really know Jesus is to know His is the ultimate King and the response should be the total surrender to His Lordship. In doing this, we are surrendering all ourselves to Him and that includes all decisions and aspects of our life.

Preach the word!

2 timothy 4:2
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching

Preach the word is one of the many things this chapter encourages believers to do. Hence we are called to preach and we do so at different extent. It does not say we have to get recognition for our ability to preach nor any kind of certification. When we are grounded in the word, the Holy Spirit would help us overcome other obstacles so that His word is made known.

I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision

Acts 26:19
"I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision"

Paul explained to king Agrippa about his vision in his first encounter with Jesus. After seeing that vision, Paul believed it and changed his life according to what God revealed to him in the vision.
It is also written that when we receive the Spirit, we also are able to see visions. The question to ourselves is how far do we obey the visions from God. Of course we are suppose to test them first. Our obedience to any messages from God, will show how much we have actually surrendered to Him.

Do you also want to go away?

 John 6:67
Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”

Jesus said the above following a somewhat difficult teaching for understanding as well as following. Jesus was teaching that we must eat His flesh and drink His blood to get eternal life. He is the ultimate manna that was provided by God to the people. For various reasons, various people cannot accept this or were offended by the sayings.

At this point many of those who were disciples (not the twelve), chose to turn away and Jesus understood this. This is where the true believers were differentiated. Jesus also explained that it is God who gave people understanding and faith to follow Him, and not because people chose based on their own understanding. So Jesus said the above question to his twelve inner disciples, and Peter moved by God, declared that Jesus is the Son of the living God.

It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me

Galatians 2:20
 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Believers in Yshuas need to realize that they are no longer their independent selves. After all, it is their conscious decision to declare that they give their lives to God when they say they believe in Yshua and will follow Him. So why is it that there are still the desire to please themselves and make their own plans.

Of course we know that it is human nature and the sinful part in us, while we still live on earth. However, this should not stop us from doing the right thing - that is to make the conscious effort to give ourselves to Christ. In addition to giving up the life of sin, it also means giving up our desires. In serving God, this also means giving up our own strategies and choose to listen and wait for God for how He wants to use us.

We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us

Romans 8:37
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

The word conqueror today does not conjure up the image of fierce victorious warriors than it did many centuries ago. Yet this passage says that the believers in Yshua are supposed to be even more than conquerors. However being more than conquerors can only be achieved through God who loves us, not by our own means.

We can apply this encouragement in so many different situations. Perhaps we are in the midst of some tribulation and needed reminding of where we stand in Christ. Perhaps we are in facing distractions or temptations, then we need to know we can overcome them because of Yshua, not with our own strength. In the other extreme, if we are doing fantastic, than it is also good to be reminded of the love of Christ for us.

In much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses

2 Corinthians 6:4
But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses.

This is a good encouragement for ministry work. There will be times in our service that will stretch our patience. Sometimes there will be trials which makes things very difficult to serve. Other times there will be distresses. Paul urges his fellow workers to persevere through. The only way to do this is to keep our eyes and hearts on our Lord which is the reason for our service in the first place.

Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this

Revelation 4
After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”

God tells things to his friends, and his friends include humans. There have been a few people, whom we know well, whom God has regarded as His friends such as Abraham, Moses, David, etc. However we also see that God seems to be silent for a majority of people. So to whom does God would say, "come up here" or "I will show you things".

There have been various commandments of God, but one which is simple and non-legalistic that God repeatedly tells His people is to obey His statutes and commandments and not turn away from them. Basically He wants our obedience and we all know what are the things God told us already. We just need to obey, and that will bring us close to Him, and He will reveal even more to us - like the parable the more we are faithful, the more He will trust us in.

A word to be careful in temptation is that it leads us directly to the opposite direction. Instead of being a little faithful and being led higher by God, temptation tempts us with little things. When we sin a little, the next temptation will be greater and leads us to the next level further away from God.

Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God

Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

At the first reading, this verse seems impossible to achieve, especially since we are still living on earth. Firstly, it is extremely difficult to be pure in heart. Secondly, we cannot see God the Father with our own eyes, lest His Glory will destroy us. On careful reading, the second part may not mean physical seeing. One commentator regard seeing God as sharing God's visions. It is for sure that God gives His people visions both before and after Christ's time.

So this verse can be taken to be only those pure in heart is able to see visions revealed by God. So how does one become pure in heart in an impure world? There are times which we do have a pure heart and other times that we don't. Perhaps then, the goal is to increase those times when we are pure in heart.

Very simply, pure in heart mean having pure thinking in our own deeds as well as our relationship with others. We should learn to cast out impure thoughts - and we should know which ones are impure. In terms of relationship with people, the first would be forgiveness towards others. Then even for those people we do not have unforgiveness for, we must learn to think purely of them - that is as God sees them.

So that I may finish my race with joy

Acts 20:24
so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

There is satisfaction in completing a task or mission we are assigned. How much more satisfaction if that task or mission is appointed by God. This is what Paul speaks about when he mentions completing the race. The mission is none other than doing what Yshua has appointed us to do. The details of the task may differ for each one of us, but the end goal is the Great Commission in bringing the gospel to the world. If we have experience satisfaction in completing our worldly assigned tasks, try pursuing God's task and see the rewards roll in.

But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself

Acts 20:24
But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself.

Paul was describing his reasons to go to Jerusalem, after being warned that it may be dangerous for him to do so. The Ephesians believers were greatly concerned for his welfare. So Paul revealed his motives and what is driving him. This has been consistent of what we know of Paul's ministry. He is not "moved" or influenced by external factors, including dangers to himself. He had one purpose which is to serve our Lord Yshua. His determination was such that he did not put his own safety as more important than his work for Yshua.

Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep"

John 21:17
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep"

Jesus asked this of Peter after He asked him the "Do you love me?" questions. Not only was Jesus confirmed Peter's love for Him, He also showed us what the result of our love for Him must be. He does not say whether this is spiritual food, like the Word of God or physical food which implies provision for the poor. Hence we can assume that Jesus means both kinds of food to feed His sheep. This is the result of our being in Christ. It is not about attending ceremonies, traditions or activities. It is primarily concerned with the care of our fellow humans who are also God's children whether they accept it or not.

Lord, that I may receive my sight

Luke 18:41
“What do you want Me to do for you?”
He said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.”

This is an example of the extraordinary faith of the blind man. It is not uncommon for people to be in a hopeless situation today, then they decide to give God a try. We can think that this is the case of the blind man, but we would be wrong. The blind man was no doubt helpless, hopeless and in desperate need. However, if considering his actions, he actually strived very hard to get to Jesus. When Jesus came by, there was a huge crowd and everyone wanted to be close to Jesus. They had no concern for the blind man, and instead told him to be quiet. The blind man made an even greater effort to overcome this resistance to call to Jesus. When he had Jesus' attention, he asked what he wanted the most - and he got it.

Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?

John 21:17
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah,[d] do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”


The Lord Yshua asked Peter, one of His closest disciples if he loved Him. Peter was hurt that Yshua asked him three times. He may be confused, maybe a little angry that he was not trusted or that there is any doubt. However Yshua knew our human heart and the limited capacity for love. He may be prompting Peter to assess himself about how deep is his love for his Lord.

We no doubt ask ourselves the same question too. We may come to the conclusion that our love cannot be greater than Yshua's love for us that brought Him to the cross. We can only be thankful and dwell within His love for us, knowing that nothing can take it away.