(Zechariah 3:1-4, NLT) “Then the angel showed me Jeshua, the high priest, standing before the angel of the LORD. The Accuser, satan, was there at the angel’s right hand making accusations against Jeshua. And the LORD said to satan, ‘I, the LORD, reject your accusations, satan. Yes, the LORD, Who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire.’ Jeshua’s clothing was filthy as he stood there before the angel. So the angel said to the others standing there, ‘Take off his filthy clothes.’ And turning to Jeshua he said, ‘See, I have taken away your sins and now I am giving you these fine new clothes.’”

In four verses, Zechariah delivers a theologically rich description of humanity’s spiritual
condition, satan’s (lowercase for irreverence) accusations, and God’s redemptive work. The
scene unveils as a courtroom drama. The accuser, satan, presents charges against God’s chosen. The charges are implied accurate with the mention of Jeshua’s filthy clothing, but God acts and overturns the accusations – not because Jeshua mounts a clever defense or has exonerating evidence. The text does not deny wrongdoing, but asserts accusation does not have the final word. The authority of the verdict rests entirely with God and not the merits of the accused. Grace saves, not works (Eph 2:8).

The image that Jeshua is saved like a burning stick from fire is a parable with several spiritual truths. It suggests Jeshua, who as High Priest is the image of ritual purity and of restored Israel, is not innocent and in real danger of burning. Jeshua, as a stick, has no way of saving himself, but is rescued anyway by a snatcher – a Savior. This gives a clear picture that salvation is deliverance, rather than reward.

Filthy clothing is a vivid externalization of inner guilt. Instead of merely declaring Jeshua clean, God removes the filth and reclothes him. We also see that Jeshua is not commanded to attempt to clean himself first; rather the initiative is entirely divine. This is not mere acquittal that leaves Jeshua filthy. The LORD acts, takes away his sins, and restores Jeshua to a spotless condition.

In conclusion, there is more to reality than that which our physical senses relay. Zechariah 3 is a powerful reminder of pending judgment, an active accuser, and most importantly unearned restoration that highlights God’s loving mercy to decisively snatch us from the fire. Are you ready for your day in court? Salvation is found in no one else but Jesus and burning sticks are not removed from fire by anyone but Him (Acts 4:12).

(Luke 4:18-19) “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”

Our Lord Jesus began His public teaching ministry by proclaiming to a synagogue full of Jewish men in His hometown of Nazareth that these words, spoken by Isaiah the prophet 700 years before, were fulfilled in Him. In doing so, He was not only declaring that He was the promised Messiah of Israel; He was setting forth the mission of the Messiah.

His purpose was not political or military. He had not come to overthrow the Roman occupation and set up a new earthly governmental system. Jesus came to reach out to the hurting and broken. Good news had arrived that there was forgiveness available to those who experienced poverty of spirit and brokenness of heart. Light was being brought to the spiritually blind; freedom to those bound in sin and trampled by the forces of darkness. Salvation had come and was walking among them! Remember…He still walks among us today, performing the same mission in and through His people!

(Genesis 18:32) Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more:  Suppose ten [righteous] should be found there?”

And He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.”

God has revealed to His servant Abraham that judgment is about to fall upon Sodom and her sister cities. Abe, no doubt concerned about his nephew Lot who has taken up residence in Sodom, begins to try to bargain with God: “What happens if you find fifty righteous people within the city…would You still destroy it?” The Lord responds that He would not destroy the entire city if there were 50 righteous people dwelling there. “What if there were 45?” Abraham inquires. “If I find there forty-five, I will not destroy it”, God replies. Abraham presses on, “Do I hear 40? 30? 20?” Finally, Abe asks about the ten. Each time the Lord commits that He would not destroy the entire community if there were righteous people within it. Far be it from God to slay the righteous with the wicked (Genesis 18:25). In fact, the one who trusted in God, Lot, was taken out of the city with his family before the judgment fell!

This brings me hope for my community. Though I can look around and observe great evil, and I see much that grieves the heart of God, I know that there are more than ten righteous in my city. I am certain that there are far more than fifty men and women where I live who have been declared righteous by faith in Jesus Christ. Does that mean that God will not ultimately bring judgment, even total destruction, to the cities around us due to their sin? No. The book of Revelation declares that He will. But I am confident that before He does so, the fifty-plus righteous in my town are going to be removed, in the twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the trumpet, and thus we will ever be with the Lord!! (1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:17)

Something that is sadly becoming more common in the world today is when Christians are being hurt by others who claim to follow Christ. This has led many believers to leave their churches, and in some cases, stop walking with Christ entirely. With the increased instances of church hurt from false leaders, it causes many to be skeptical of the faith of other Christians and unsure of how to trust those who claim to be Christians.

In God’s word we are told multiple times that these types of people will come and what their tactics will be. We are also told how to judge whether or not these people are genuine in their faith. In Matthew 7:15-20, Jesus warns His followers that false prophets will come to take advantage of them. With this warning He also says that by the fruit of their lives you will see who they really are. People with hearts not surrendered to God will only produce works (or fruit) that benefit themselves (Matthew 12:35).

Now none of us are perfect. There will be times when genuine followers of Christ make mistakes and miss the mark, tragically hurting others. This is why the process to judge fruit is not a quick or easy one. We need to rely on the Holy Spirit to give us discernment (John 16:13), but we also need to be consistently in God’s word so we know what true godliness looks like. The Holy Spirit is the One producing the fruit within us as we grow in our sanctification. Though this growth is happening on the inside, it will most certainly show in our outward words and actions, thereby displaying to others the good fruit that only comes from a life surrendered to God.

One thing to remember in this process of discerning and judgment is that God genuinely loves each and every person in the world and desires to save every one of them from the punishment that sin brings (2 Peter 3:9). He calls us to be discerning and to guard our hearts and minds, but we are not called to spite or any sort of malicious behavior to even the worst people in the world. This means that after we judge, we act accordingly to protect ourselves as well as others, but then we then pray for these people who are in need of God’s love and forgiveness.

Jesus is calling us to be careful as well as peaceable, and that's why He tells us to judge others by their fruit.

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and gentle as doves.” - Matthew 10:16

The ripple effects of abortion extend far beyond the individual making the immediate decision. As we discussed in a recent Crosswalk broadcast with Brenda Schuler and Barb Miller from Life Network, the wounds are often unseen, yet deeply felt by both women and men.

Barb bravely offered a glimpse into her own healing journey, highlighting the unwavering grace of her husband. This powerful testimony underscored a crucial point: abortion does not exist in a vacuum. Men are intricately involved, whether as supportive partners who grieve the loss of a child they longed for, as the driving force behind the abortion decision, or even as individuals who were unaware of the pregnancy until long after. The emotional and psychological toll on men can be just as profound, manifesting in grief, guilt, anger, and a sense of loss.

Furthermore, our conversation illuminated the pervasive silence that often surrounds this issue within the church. For too long, abortion has been treated as a separate, unmentionable sin, creating a chasm of isolation for those who have experienced it. This silence prevents individuals from seeking the understanding, support, and ultimately, the healing that the body of Christ should readily offer.

It's time for the church to dismantle this barrier. We must approach the topic of abortion with the same grace, love, and compassion that we extend to those grappling with any other sin. To categorize it differently only deepens the shame and hinders the path to restoration.
Barb's powerful insight reminds us that those who have walked through the valley of post-abortion grief possess a unique and vital voice. Their testimonies, when shared within a supportive and non-judgmental community, can be incredibly impactful in bringing an end to this tragedy. By sharing their stories of pain and healing, they can offer hope and understanding to others still struggling in silence and illuminate the profound value of every human life.

In the midst of the pain and the silence, there is a beacon of unwavering hope: Jesus Christ. His very mission was to bind up the brokenhearted (Isaiah 61:1). There is no wound too deep, no sin too great, that His love and forgiveness cannot reach.

Here's how Jesus can bring healing to those impacted by abortion:

• Unconditional Forgiveness: The Bible is clear: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). This promise extends to the pain and regret associated with abortion. Jesus offers complete and unconditional forgiveness to those who come to Him with a repentant heart.
• Compassionate Understanding: Jesus Himself was acquainted with suffering and grief (Isaiah 53:3). He understands the complexities and the emotional turmoil that surround the decision and the aftermath of abortion. He meets us where we are, offering solace and empathy without judgment.
• Restoration and Redemption: God's desire is not to condemn but to restore. Through Jesus, individuals can find redemption and purpose, even after experiencing the pain of abortion. He can transform ashes into beauty (Isaiah 61:3), using their experiences to minister to others.
• Community and Support: The church, as the body of Christ, is called to be a community of healing. By breaking the silence and offering compassionate support, we can create a safe space for individuals to share their stories, grieve their losses, and find strength in one another. This mirrors the love and support that Jesus offers.

My conversation with Brenda and Barb served as a powerful call to action. It's time for the church to open its arms wider, to listen with compassion, and to actively extend the healing hand of Jesus to all those impacted by abortion.

If you are hurting from a past abortion, please know that you are not alone and that healing is possible through Jesus Christ. Reach out to ministries like Life Network's Bridges of Hope. Seek out a pastor or a trusted Christian counselor who can offer guidance and support.

If you are a church leader or member, let us commit to breaking the silence and creating a culture of grace and understanding. Let's equip ourselves to minister effectively to those carrying this hidden pain, pointing them to the ultimate source of healing and hope found in Jesus Christ.

Let us work together to be the hands and feet of Jesus, offering His transformative love and healing to every heart wounded by abortion.

Want to delve deeper into this important conversation?
 
Pastor Brian explores this topic with folks from Life Network on Crosswalk.

Click here to hear the full episode of Crosswalk! Discover more about the realities of post-abortion experiences and the profound hope that Jesus offers to mend broken hearts.

It's a mind-bending concept, isn't it? To wrap our heads around existence before existence as we know it. I've been wrestling with this very idea this week, particularly in the context of relationships and this fundamental question: Who created Jesus? Who created God? The answer - the staggering truth - is no one. They have always been.

As we turn our gaze to the opening verse of this pivotal chapter, we find Jesus lifting His eyes to heaven and uttering these significant words: "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you." (John 17:1, ESV)

Think about the weight of that moment. Jesus, knowing the immense suffering that lay before Him, isn't focused on escaping it or seeking personal comfort. Instead, His heart is fixed on the glory of His Father. He sees His impending crucifixion not as a defeat, but as the very means through which God's glory will be revealed in its fullness.

This isn't a transactional request, but a deeply intertwined purpose. Jesus understands that His glorification – His resurrection, ascension, and ultimate triumph over sin and death – will, in turn, bring unparalleled glory back to the Father who sent Him. It's a beautiful dance of divine love and purpose, a testament to the perfect unity within the Trinity.

In our own lives, how often do we lift our eyes beyond our immediate circumstances and consider the glory of God? When faced with challenges, do we primarily seek our own comfort and resolution, or do we ask how God might be glorified through the situation?

John 17:1 invites us to shift our perspective. It encourages us to see beyond the temporary and embrace the eternal. It reminds us that even in our struggles, there's an opportunity for God's glory to shine through our faith, our perseverance, and our unwavering trust in Him.

Just as Jesus embraced the cross for the glory of the Father, we too are called to live lives that reflect His light. This doesn't necessarily mean grand, public displays, but rather the quiet acts of love, service, and faithfulness that point others to the One who is truly worthy of all glory.

So, today, let us join Jesus in lifting our eyes. Let the declaration "Glory to be God" be more than just words; let it be the guiding principle of our lives. May we seek to glorify Him in all that we do, knowing that in His glory, we find our ultimate purpose and fulfillment.
 

The other day, I was so excited to receive a letter in the mail from a friend of mine in Washington. The writing on the envelope is a little wobbly, but still legible. She began her letter explaining why she wrote on the computer and not by hand. She had attempted to hand write her letter, but “it was too hard.” She told me that every time she started it was “just too ugly and unreadable.”

You see, my friend suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury seven years ago. Her condition was so bad that the doctors told her husband not to expect her to survive. They basically told him the family needed to say their good-byes. But God had other plans. She’s still here and doing remarkably well for the condition she had been in. She’s had to relearn how to walk, talk, and do normal human activities.

So no, her letter wasn’t hand written. But I was absolutely thrilled to receive this letter. I am so grateful my friend didn’t just quit because she couldn’t write by hand “well enough.” She found another way to craft a letter to me. She did what she could.

My sister told me about an elderly neighbor who used to just smile and wave to people from her porch as they passed. She did what she could.

Isn’t that really all that the Lord ever asks of us? In Mark 14:3-9, Jesus praises the woman who anointed His body for burial with “an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard.” When she was criticized by those around them, He said,


When we remember that nothing about our salvation or our sanctification has to do with our abilities in the first place, we can take a deep breath, relax, and offer whatever we have and whatever ability we have.

Please know that God isn’t asking every follower to go out and do big things for Him. To be sure, there will be people who will do big things – and you may be one of them, I don’t know. But most of the time for most of us, He just asks that we walk with Him, offering whatever we have and whatever we can do. There isn’t a single follower of Christ who has nothing to offer.

Philippians 2:1-4 – Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Therefore:
When we read the Bible, we often encounter the word, “Therefore.” When you see this, you should think “What’s it there for?”

Paul had a strong and loving relationship with the people in Philippi and in Philippians 1:27-30, Paul wrote to believers in Philippi encouraging them to walk worthy of the gospel of Christ, that they stand together in one spirit and one mind for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and not to be afraid of their adversaries, to believe in Him and to suffer for His sake.

So, what’s it there for? We fight for the truth of Jesus Christ; We need to be there for each other!
If there is any consolation in Christ, any comfort of love, any fellowship of the Spirit, any affection and mercy….

Jesus Christ is at the center of our lives.  We have a deep and loving relationship with Him. This drives our love, compassion, and affection to influence those around us, our friends, family, and coworkers.  We love them with the sacrificial love that Jesus Christ has shown to us.

The Contrast of “Doing”
…fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit. But in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

As a result, in our relationship with Jesus Christ, we need to be “of one mind,” having the mind of Jesus Christ, which drives us in a loving way, not to be driven solely by our own desires, but by putting others first.

Today, love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and love those around you.  Let’s see each other with the eyes of Jesus Christ and sacrifice as He did for our friends.  We need each other!

Have you ever tried to look at your phone in bright sunlight? Anyone else like me and go to their settings to see if it needs to be brightened, only to find out that it’s already on the brightest setting? But what about at night when it’s dark? The brightness can be turned all the way down and still be super bright.

Francis Bacon said, “In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present.” It sure seems that our world is getting darker and darker by the day. How do you, as a Christian, respond in these darkening times? Do you become fearful and anxious? Maybe angry? Or just ignore it all? Perhaps your response is to pray, which is good. But how do you pray? What do you pray for? Do you pray for people caught in darkness to see the light and be set free? If so, where will they see the light of Christ? Will they just randomly show up at church? Possibly. How about a great social media meme? Unlikely. So how DOES God shine His light into this dark world? Through US. His people.

“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness who has shone in our
hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2
Corinthians 4:6

“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follow Me
shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’” John 8:12

Now that we have His light, what is our responsibility? We’re called to SHINE.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your
Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

“…for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things
without murmuring and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you
shine as light in the world…” Philippians 2:13-15

Sometimes shining our light is easier said than done. Living in this fallen world as human beings we get to deal with this thing called entropy. In case you aren’t familiar with that word, it’s the “general trend of the universe towards death and disorder.” Basically it’s the fact that things go from order to disorder. We can probably all attest to that in our own lives. Looked at in another way, we never see things go from disorder to order all on their own, right?

Thanks to entropy, we also have a pesky thing we have to deal with – maintenance. If we don’t maintain things, they will head towards disorder, decay, and death. That’s why we have to clean things, like our counters, tables, windows, even ourselves. What happens when the headlights on a car get dirty or muddy? Do they provide good, bright light to see where you’re going? Can others see your car coming towards them? Nope. That’s why it’s important to keep them clean and shining bright. But what about you? Can your spiritual light get dirty and muddy?

“Therefore do not be partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are
light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” Ephesians 5:7-8

“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light
and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in
darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light,
we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us
from all sin.” 1 John 1:5-7

It’s crucial that you not partake of the world’s darkness. You have to keep your light from getting muddy and darkened, because God wants to use your light to shine into the darkness of this world to bring others to salvation. “…to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.” Acts 26:18

It’s often been said that the only things we can take to heaven are other people. What an
amazing opportunity that God chooses to use us in that process. Maybe instead of fearing or hiding from the darkness we see around us, we should be excited, knowing that our light will shine so much brighter in that darkness.

Don’t take that in the wrong way – we don’t rejoice because of evil and darkness. You may still feel sadness, heaviness, or anger. But instead of becoming discouraged and depressed, you need to turn your eyes to the Lord and remember how brightly His light can shine.

Do you truly believe that God is sovereign? That everything He does is intentional? Do you think He knew what He was doing when He knit you together in your mother’s womb, had you born on a specific day, and decided you would live here and now at this time? Remember what Mordecai said to Ester when she was afraid to go before the king. In Esther 4:14, he said, “For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time has this?”

You don’t have to be a social media evangelist. You don’t have to stand on a street corner and hold a sign and yell at people. But you can shine light into just one person in your sphere of influence. Ask God who that person might be. It may be someone very specific, or it may just be seemingly random people you encounter throughout your day. You can also ask God how He wants you to shine.

Perhaps you could take a plate of cookies or loaf of bread over to a neighbor. Invite them over for coffee or tea and just get to know them better. Maybe invite a coworker out to lunch. Learn more about them.

It may be someone with whom you haven’t had a great relationship. What if you could see them through the eyes of Jesus? What if you saw that person as someone Jesus loves and died for? What if you could look past the things that make that person difficult, or maybe even understand them a little better?

Take time for people. Build relationships with them. Shine the light of Christ into their lives. Be available and ready to shine no matter who you come in contact with. Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you shine. Stay close to God and maintain your light. Be washed by the water of the Word regularly. Who knows what God will do through you?

2 Chronicles 20:12- "O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”

Poll anyone in our country and ask them how they think we, as a nation, are doing. It doesn’t matter the political persuasion of whomever you ask, the answers will be the same. This country is in trouble. From our national debt to our national sin, removing God, prayer and the Bible from almost every vestige of our society, the lack of common sense, and the lunacy of the hills people choose to die on, one thing is clear. We NEED Jesus!

In 2 Chronicles 20, we find this gem of a verse that may be something to memorize. You see, the people of Judah were in a bad situation. They were embroiled in a war with many enemies joining forces to come against them. In verse 3, Jehoshaphat feared and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all the land. They were about to be dispossessed from the land. Jehoshaphat prays a beautiful prayer (Check out 2 Chronicles 20 to read more.) And he ends his prayer by acknowledging a very simple, yet profound, fact. We have no power against this multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do… Does this not summarize how we feel so much of the time?!  A multitude comes against us daily. We don’t know what to do.

But our eyes are upon You. This is the answer. This is the brilliant solution! All we have to do is keep our eyes on Jesus! He is our shield and defense. He is our rock and our mighty fortress. And best of all, He is our deliverer.

Do you remember the story of Peter walking on the water with Jesus? Peter had to learn this same principle when he stepped out of the boat. All he had to do was keep his eyes upon His Savior. He didn’t know what to do. So, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” No time for an eloquent prayer. If he had only kept his eyes on Jesus instead of allowing his circumstances to distract him, he could have walked on the water a little longer. Where are your eyes focused? Friend, keep them upon the Lord! Especially when we don’t know what to do.