“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD“ (Psalm 122:1).

King David was glad to go to the house of the LORD, but today that gladness seems to be a thing of the past. You know the feeling. It’s Sunday morning and you’re putting in your 60 minutes of worship. The song service has been quick because only one or two verses are sung. That should ensure that the service will be over by noon. Maybe even earlier.

Prayer requests? Well, the pastor didn’t ask, so no wasted time there. Now the sermon, which is short and shallow. Nothing to think about…nothing to convict anyone of sin. Finally it’s time for the last song. Bummer. The song is “I Surrender All” and it has five verses. Good, nobody went to the altar, two verses are sung, and we’re headed home!

Let me ask this question…have you surrendered all? Are you glad to worship the Lord, or does this scenario sound familiar?

Unfortunately this is all too common. We find it hard to surrender a few minutes extra to sing all the verses of hymns, but have all the time necessary to play golf or go fishing. Christians need to live their faith 24/7 and not grudgingly give an hour on Sunday and call it good. If you can’t choose to surrender an extra five minutes in a worship service, have you truly surrendered your eternity to Him? Is it any wonder that we’re living in the Laodicean era?

What do I mean by the “Laodicean era?” The book of Revelation contains letters which Jesus dictated to the Apostle John. These letters outline “eras” of the Christian ekklēsia (the “church”) which were future to John but, from our perspective, we’re living in the last era…the letter which was written to the Laodiceans. This last era is filled with lukewarm worship where Jesus isn’t welcome inside.

“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot“ (Revelation 3:15).

These people go through the motions and practice “religion” but don’t really care. Christianity isn’t something you “do” but is who you are. It’s not religious works, but faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross. That faith should bring joy to every part of your life.

Today, if Sunday morning service isn’t short, sweet and shallow, most people don’t want any part of it. If a person is convicted of sin, they might feel uncomfortable and stop attending; so the congregation is fed milk because the meat of God’s word is too hard to digest. Zeal for the Gospel has become lukewarm, and it’s more important to keep people in the pews than to keep Jesus in their hearts.

“So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:16).

Don’t take Christ for granted. Eternity for the Christian will be filled with serving Him. Start enjoying it now.

If you can’t be happy for more than an hour a week in worshipping God, then maybe eternity just doesn’t fit into your schedule. Will you be happy in His presence and serving Him forever? When you stand before His throne, will you be looking at your watch hoping not to miss the first pitch of the baseball game? Or maybe you’ll want to rush to the restaurant before the crowd gets there.

When you accepted Christ, there should have been a change in you and in your priorities. Sitting in a pew on Sunday morning doesn’t mean you’re a Christian, but a Christian needs to put Christ first. We need to associate with fellow believers and dig deep into God’s word. Can you worship Him while sitting by a stream fishing? Yes, but you probably don’t. Is that the example we’re given in Scripture?

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not“ (Philippians 1:21-22).

We make a habit of choosing to live in the flesh, and we forget that we’re asked to take up our cross to follow Christ. That means we put aside our own desires in order to serve Jesus, even if that means staying at the worship service a bit longer than an hour. For the Christian, eternity will be spent serving Christ, so take joy in that now.

God’s word gives a few clues about eternity. If you love the Lord and love being around fellow Christians, then you have much to look forward to. Our human minds cannot grasp the concept of pure love, but that’s what will surround us: the pure love of God. Jesus said He was preparing a place for us.

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you“ (John 14:2).

Our imaginations can run wild about what this means, but since Jesus is preparing the place it’s beyond our earthly understanding. We can also read about the New Jerusalem in Revelation chapter 21. It will come down out of Heaven and is huge. The description gives a beautiful picture, but John only had human words to describe it. The gates are made of pearl, the foundations are of precious stones, and there will be no need for the sun or moon because Jesus Himself is the Light.

“And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof“ (Revelation 21:22-23).

My mind can’t fully grasp this, but that’s where I want to spend eternity.

“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life“ (Revelation 21:27).

There’s only one way to have your name written in the Lamb’s book of life, and that’s through faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.

Whether you’ve accepted Christ for salvation or not, life doesn’t just stop at death. When a person dies their soul continues to live.

Recently the Pope made headlines by stating that Hell doesn’t exist. He needs to study his Bible. Hell does exist, and it’s a place of separation from God…a place of eternal torment. Jesus talked about Hell, and we can believe Him above all others. He told of a rich man who had died, and because of his own choices in life he was in the place of torment awaiting judgment (Luke 16:19-31).

Jesus also told of a future judgment of sheep (righteous people) and goats (the unrighteous). The sheep will be invited into the kingdom which has been prepared by God from the foundation of the world, but the goats will have a different place in eternity.

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels“ (Matthew 25:41).

We make our eternal choice today. God doesn’t send anyone to Hell, but each person makes their own choice. To avoid eternal damnation, you must accept the shed blood of Jesus as the once-for-all sacrifice to take away sin. By choosing Christ, you choose eternal life.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me“ (John 14:6).

You can’t be good enough to gain eternal life by your own merit, nor can you be bad enough that the blood of Christ won’t wash your sins away. If you’ve sincerely accepted Him, then you can look forward to eternal life with Him. If you reject Him, then you’re facing the eternal lake of fire.

Everyone will be judged, but there will be a different judgment for Christians than for those who reject Christ. When you sincerely accept Christ for salvation, you’re immediately saved. Every sin you’ve committed or ever will commit has been forgiven. So what will be judged? Christians will stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and our works will be judged. The good works we do cannot bring salvation, but they do earn rewards.

“Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon he shall receive a reward“ (1 Corinthians 3:13-14).

When you accept Christ, a change should take place in your heart. You should desire to serve Him and honor Him with your works. That’s what will be judged. The things you do to glorify Christ will stand the test of fire and bring rewards, but all else will be burned.

“If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved: yet so as by fire“ (1 Corinthians 3:15).

If you have no desire to serve Christ after you accept His sacrifice, will you want to serve Him for eternity? Think about that question. If you have no desire to serve Him, then ask yourself if you’ve truly accepted Him.

Those who have died and are waiting in torment for their final judgment will be judged after the Millennium. If you choose to reject the free gift of salvation that Jesus offers, keep in mind that separation from Christ is also separation from everyone you love. Don’t think that you’ll spend eternity with friends and have a good time in Hell.

In the account of the rich man who went to torments, Jesus makes it clear that he remembered his family and didn’t want them to join him there. He’s still waiting today for his final judgment which will take place after the Millennium. The judgment faced at the Great White Throne will be based completely on your own merit and perfection. Nobody can be good enough on their own merit to have their names written in the Lamb’s book of life.

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

“And the sea gave up the dead which were in it: and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire“ (Revelation 20:11-15).

This is eternal death. If you choose to reject Jesus Christ for salvation, this is where you will spend eternity.

Understanding what Jesus’ death on the cross truly did for you should change your attitude. Worship should be a joy and being with fellow Christians a pleasure. You should feel the urgency to share the Gospel with others because only faith in Jesus will save a person from that eternal lake of fire. The choice you make today matters for eternity.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Ron and Nathele Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God breathed.

If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

The events of the final hours of Jesus’ life on earth were horrific. The abuse inflicted upon Him at the hands of the Roman soldiers would have killed a lesser man, but Jesus wasn’t ordinary. After the beating, Jesus was still able to carry His cross to be crucified. Roman soldiers pounded the nails into His already bloodied body and lifted Him up for onlookers to ridicule and mock.

After it was all over, His body was placed in a tomb which was securely sealed, and Roman soldiers were dispatched to guard it. This was done so the small band of men who had followed Him wouldn’t be able to remove Jesus’ body to make it look as if He had risen. This wouldn’t have happened, because the men who followed Him were hiding in fear. By human terms, it was all very secure and escape-proof. Jesus’ Jewish followers were bound by Jewish Law, and it was the time of Passover and Sabbath; so they weren’t able to tend to His body until the first day of the week, which was three days away.

What a surprise awaited them! On the first day of the week, a group of women went to the tomb at the first light of day; they took spices to care for the body.

“And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus“ (Luke 24:2-3).

Who had moved the heavy stone? Where were the guards? They were soon to discover that Jesus had risen! He had conquered death, and no stone or Roman guard could possibly hold Him.

The women were understandably upset and confused, but saw two men (angels) there who began speaking with them. They reminded the women that Jesus had spoken very clearly about what was going to happen. As Jesus travelled with the 12 disciples and others who also followed Him, He taught many lessons. As the time drew near for Him to offer Himself as the final sacrifice to take sin away, He began to speak of that event openly.

“Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: and they shall scourge him and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again“ (Luke 18:31-33).

If you had been there and heard these words, would you have understood? Jesus spoke very clearly, but those who heard the words just didn’t understand. Don’t be too hard on them. Experience had taught them that when someone dies they don’t just come alive again. I can hear their thoughts: “He said He will rise from death on the third day, but what does He really mean?” Jesus meant exactly what He said. Too often we read Scripture that clearly describes events, both past and future, but instead of believing God’s word, we try to figure out what He “really” means by using human understanding.

When someone dies, we know that their body is put into the grave, and we certainly don’t expect to see them walking along a road. That’s exactly what happened to two disciples. They heard the story the women told of the empty tomb. Then Peter and John had also seen that it was empty. They were understandably perplexed and had a lot to talk about as they walked to Emmaus that day.

“And it came to pass, that while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him“ (Luke 24:15-16).

How could these two men not recognize Jesus? Some say they couldn’t recognize Him because He still bore the wounds of the beating He had endured. Maybe, but if He looked that bad it seems they would have offered Him medical attention. Why couldn’t they recognize His voice? They were blinded by “facts” of human understanding. He had died. He had been buried. He can’t be walking and talking. Their eyes were “holden” (held back) from recognizing Him.

They needed to hear the Bible study He gave as they walked, and so do we. First He asked what had happened, and they summarized what had taken place.

“But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; and when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive“ (Luke 24:21-23).

They just couldn’t put the things they saw together with the prophecy that He would rise on the third day, and understand that Jesus was alive. This blinded them from recognizing their Lord and Saviour. Would this stop you from recognizing Jesus? We mere mortals tend to put God into a box that fits human understanding, and we miss the greater things He has done and is still doing.

Jesus didn’t leave them in confusion. He walked with them and began opening their understanding of Scripture.

“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself“ (Luke 24:27).

We’re a lot like these two disciples. Things we’ve been taught may not line up with Scripture, and we become confused. When that happens we often decide that God is wrong, and that causes confusion and doubt.

Lots of people think there are many paths to Heaven. There aren’t. Some religions teach that Jesus was just a nice man and a prophet, but that Allah (or some other demon) is god. He isn’t. Some religions teach that Jesus and Satan are brothers. They aren’t. Some secular humanists would have us believe that Jesus didn’t create all things in six days. He did.

When we finally come to the place where we’re willing to let go of the things we “know” to be true, we can then learn the real truth. Jesus is God, He conquered death, and only faith in Him will give you eternal life. If you’re willing to allow Him to teach you, the Holy Spirit will open your eyes and allow you to see Jesus as the fulfillment of all the Jewish Law and the prophets. You will see Him as your only way of salvation.

Mary Magdalene had been one of the women who found the empty tomb, and she went and told the disciples. Peter and John went with her to see for themselves. After Peter and John left, Mary was alone and filled with grief. She looked into the tomb and saw two angels.

“And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him“ (John 20:13).

Mary knew Jesus as Lord, but had yet to meet her Saviour. Jesus had cast seven demons from her, and she had followed Him ever since. The things she thought she knew as true were blinding her to what really was the truth. Mary was about to have her eyes opened. She was weeping, and with tears in her eyes she turned away from the tomb.

“And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus“ (John 20:14).

Mary’s grief was genuine, and through her tears she saw Jesus but didn’t recognize Him. She thought He was the gardener. She knew that when someone died they couldn’t be seen standing in a garden. Was it the tears that blinded her, or the “facts” that she supposed were true? Then He spoke to her.

“Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master” (John 20:16).

She heard Him call her name. That’s when she knew that her Master was indeed alive.

Mary told the disciples what she had seen, but they had their doubts about her story. That evening, Jesus removed all doubt. The door was locked and fear filled the room. The disciples were in danger because of their association with Jesus, and now somehow the heavy stone that sealed the tomb had been rolled away, the Roman guard had failed in their duty, and the body was missing. The danger for Peter, John, Andrew, and the rest was real, and they hid in fear. Then Jesus appeared to them in that locked room. Did they recognize Him?

“And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord“ (John 20:20).

It was only after they saw the scars of the crucifixion that they accepted that Jesus had indeed been resurrected and had entered the locked room to stand with them.

Don’t ever think that if you see a loved one who has died that it’s a good thing. You can be sure that Satan and his minions will try to convince you that Uncle Joe has come back from the dead with a special message for you. Rebuke that satanic spirit in Jesus’ name.

The reason Jesus met with them was that there were some lessons these men had to learn in order to spread the Gospel. First they had to understand that the tomb was empty because Jesus had been resurrected, not because the grave had been robbed.

“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost“ (John 20:21-22).  

They had to receive the Holy Spirit and understand His power. Their doubts had to be put to rest and God’s truth had to be understood.

Nobody alive today has actually seen Jesus and walked with Him. How, then, can we recognize Him?

The place to start is God’s word. When Jesus walked and talked with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, He began with Moses (the first five books of the Bible) and then the prophets (Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Daniel, Zechariah, etc.), and showed them that these Scriptures were all about Him.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness“ (2 Timothy 3:16).

All scripture is there for a purpose, and we learn from all of it. The Old Testament is the foundation for the New Testament and needs to be studied to gain a deeper understanding of Jesus. When Mary Magdalene saw Jesus in the Garden, she recognized Him when He called her name.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me“ (John 10:27).

She had a personal friendship with Jesus and knew His voice. She couldn’t be deceived by a false shepherd. We need to study Scripture and make friends with Jesus. This will help us to hear His voice and recognize Him.

Probably the most important thing is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. A person who hasn’t accepted Christ as their Lord and Saviour isn’t indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Therefore Scripture is confusing.

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned“ (1 Corinthians 2:14).

When various Scriptures confuse you, the Holy Spirit will lead you to find the correct answers. The Holy Spirit will help you to discern truth from false teaching; and as you grow in your understanding, deeper truths will become clear. Remember, the Bible isn’t a novel to be skimmed over, but God’s truth that is to be understood and applied to our life.

When He calls your name, will you recognize Him? You will, only if you know Him.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Ron and Nathele Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God breathed.

If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.