Who do you think you are?

Who do you think you are?

John 18: ³³ Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

³⁴ Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?”

³⁵ Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?”

³⁶ Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”

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 Closing the door quietly behind me, I had successfully made it into the house, or so I thought. “Who do you think you are?” was the question raised from a parent sitting in the dark. I was startled as I did not expect anyone awake at 3:30 in the morning. How was I supposed to answer that?

• The question was asked to make me aware of my problem.
• The question was asked to bring attention to how I was affecting others.
• The question was asked to open my eyes to who was really in control.

Pilate asked JESUS “Are YOU King of the Jews?” What a strange question to ask a prisoner. JESUS quickly saw through the question asking him, “Did others tell you this?” JESUS knew exactly who HE was and is.

• JESUS wants me to know HE is the KING of Kings and LORD of lords.
• JESUS wants me to know HE is the highest, period.
• JESUS wants me to know HE is GOD and has been given all power by the FATHER.

Giving HIMSELF up to lowly yet arrogant humans, JESUS showed considerable restraint by not having them wiped out by HIS “servants.” HE shows this constraint to me when I sin or try to leave HIM or blame HIM for my situation. JESUS shows me grace beyond compare. I know who I am. I am a creature GOD made to serve HIM and I love HIM for it.

• Do you think more highly of yourself?
• Do your “friends” or servant try to elevate you to a higher place than you should be?
• Will you humble yourself and bow down to JESUS, who is the KING, today?

Full of Compassion

Full of Compassion

John 18: ⁷ Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?”

And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

⁸ Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” ⁹ that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.”

¹⁰ Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

¹¹ So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”

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“He’s had enough” said one of the nicer bullies. The fight was one sided as I laid on the sidewalk. For years after, I had a bruise on my arm to remind me of my struggle. Fortunately for me, I had some help.

• There were times when I felt enraged, but beaten.
• There were times when I needed help because I was getting clobbered.
• There were times when I felt I lost the battle but had someone watching over me.

JESUS handled a very volatile situation with poise. A detachment of armed soldiers came to arrest HIM and they made sure they got the right person. They must have been surprised HE was not intimidated by their overwhelming presence. JESUS answered “I am HE.” Then said “Let them go.”

• JESUS wants to protect me.
• JESUS wants me to seek HIS protection.
• JESUS wants to show me compassion even when I am at fault.

Compassion is what JESUS shows the most. HE had compassion on the soldiers by not calling a legion of angels to wipe them out. HE healed the ear of the Malchus and desires that no disciple be harmed during this incident.

JESUS does the same with me. HE watches over me, guides me and protects me from harm I am not aware of. JESUS deserves to be praised for HIS protection. I am grateful for HIS compassion.

• Are you guilty of something?
• Do you think you are getting away with something?
• Will you allow JESUS to show HIS compassion to you today?

Mislabeled Leadership

John 4: Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— ² although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. ³ So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.

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“Why did you charge me so much for my system?” one person complained to me as I stood on stage. Since I was the leader of the organization that supported the system, it seemed only fitting to personalize the complaint towards me. I wanted to say “The last time I looked, I didn’t get any money for the system you bought” but that wouldn’t go so well with the people above me,

• Many times I have been labeled for things I did not do.
• Many times I had to accept the label because I was the leader.
• Many times I had to assume blame and simply try to make things right.

The church leaders were jealous of JESUS’s popularity. They went so far as to say “JESUS was baptizing people” as if to accuse HIM of not having the authority to do so. JESUS was not baptizing people, rather it was HIS disciples. But if HE did, HE definitely had the authority to do so.

• GOD wants me to accept responsibility for my actions without blaming HIM for my sin.
• GOD wants me to drop any jealousy I may have for someone who is serving the kingdom.
• GOD wants me to rely on HIS word which tells me exactly what HE is doing.

Knowing GOD removes blaming GOD. I mean when I get to know HIM, I understand that HIS motives are only to love me. Belief in this love not only gives me everlasting life, but care and protection in this life. HIS love for me is unsurpassed and that is the correct label I should give Him. GOD, the ultimate love, is my label.

• What are you blaming GOD for now?
• Does blaming GOD enable you to shirk your responsibilities?
• Will you study GOD to understand HIS vast love for you today?

Amazing Accusations

Matthew 27: ¹¹ Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

¹² When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. ¹³ Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” ¹⁴ But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

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“No I didn’t” was my instant reply when I was falsely accused. “I wasn’t the one! It was him” I said with extended finger. Of course I was right, but they labeled me as a rat who would tell on the mischievous. I was only trying to protect my hide!

• There were times I blamed others.
• There were times I made sure everyone knew the source of the issues.
• There were times I covered myself so I would not get in trouble.

JESUS took the blame to the “great amazement of the governor.” HE knew HE was going to die for the sins of mankind and had nothing to prove or protect himself for. The governor knew his word could bring death to people and was amazed that JESUS would not bow down to such assumed power.

• JESUS showed me HIS resolve by going to the cross and dying for me.
• JESUS showed me HIS integrity to die for me even when I blamed HIM for my problems.
• JESUS showed me HIS love by not speaking a word about my sins and taking on my punishment as HIS.

Not a word was spoken about HIS accusers. HE allowed HIMSELF to be captured, beaten and lied on for me. That is love I can never repay!

• Are you trying to convince GOD how good you have been lately so you can get your way?
• Are you blaming someone else for your problems even though you may be right?
• Can you stand with GOD and allow HIM to remove your barriers instead of squirming out of them by telling on people?

False Accusations

Daniel 6: ¹⁹ At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. ²⁰ When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”

²¹ Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! ²² My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

²³ The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

²⁴ At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

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“Where is your expense report?” was the strange question that came from my boss at the time. I had given it to him in the usual manner, yet for some reason this one was missing. Fortunately for me I kept copies of all my receipts and gave him a fresh copy.  “Why is this large charge on your expense report?” was the next strange question. I showed him the email from which he requested I expense dinner for the group he was in charge of. “Hmm… something strange is going on” I thought to myself.

• There were times I may have been falsely accused.
• There were times I may have been falsely slandered.
• There were times I may have been falsely punished.

I told someone what was going on and they asked, “Aren’t you nervous?” For some strange reason, I did not feel nervous, because I had done nothing wrong. My conscience was clear.

• GOD says to me “By following ME, your conscience will remain clear.”
• GOD says to me “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of ME.”
• GOD says to me “I AM with you even when men say false things against you, for they did the same to ME.”

False accusations come from those who are insecure, power hungry and greedy. They will stop at nothing to get their way, even murder someone. JESUS was the perfect example of following every rule to the letter, yet was falsely accused, even unto death. BUT GOD raised HIM from the dead and now HE has the power to forgive anyone who confesses their sins to HIM.

It does not feel good at all when a person is slandering and falsely accusing me. BUT GOD sees through the pettiness. HE may allow a temporary setback, but HE protects me from harm and goes after my false accuser with a vengeance. GOD is my judge and forgiver.

• Are you being slandered by someone?
• Are you slandering someone?
• Can you stop your false accusations and confess your sins to GOD?
• Will you stop trying to protect yourself from false accusations and simply live for GOD with a clear conscience?