Belgian Ecclesia Brussel - LeuvenWho want people to choose as their Messiah and how they view God
In previous weeks, people could see “The Passion” on television and hear a lot of talk about God. It was striking that several talked about their god Christ.
Today Donald Trump posted an AI photo of him depicted as Jesus healing a man. Trump insinuated that he is the one who brings peace and heals people. Striking even though Trump has started a war in Iran, many Americans still support him and almost, as it were, worship him as their deity. Many consider him as the present Messiah.
Today, as in the time of Jesus, several religious leaders are seen lounging with the ruling power in order to benefit from that power.
The current situation reminds us of the warning Jesus gave during his public life. He asked his disciples to be careful not to be overcome by the Pharisees’ words. He called the attitude of those religious leaders hypocritical. During Jesus’ lifetime, some inattentive believers were swept away by common theological teachings. Much of that imposed teaching was not really in accordance with the previous words of the Old Books.
Jesus pointed out that one had to be careful not to be hypocritical. That would be folly, because in the end everything will be made known. We must realise that nothing will remain hidden, that should not be made public, or not disclosed. Eventually, there will come a time when everything will become clear.
“17 For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, nor anything secret that will not surely become known and then come to the light. 18 Because of this be very careful how you listen. For whoever has, more will be given to him; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”” (Luke 8:17-18 MHM)
“2 There is nothing that is covered up that will not become known, for what is secret will become known. 3 So then, whatever you [disciples] say in darkness, it will be heard in the light; and whatever you whispered in secrecy will be announced from the rooftops.” (Luke 12:2-3 MHM)
Jesus tried to give his disciples more insight into the Words of God and asked them to look at the world with an open mind and question everything carefully in the light of the Holy Scriptures.
So the disciples had to be open, not two-faced, about the way they lived. He warned them to guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, that is, their doctrine, for it was hypocrisy. [In Scripture, yeast often refers to something evil, evil, or sinful (cf. Mark 8:15).]
“It was then Jesus warned them, saying: “Keep looking and be on guard against the leaven of the Pharisees, as well as the leaven of Herod.”” (Mark 8:15 MHM)
Jesus made it clear to his disciples that they would not always have an easy time, but that they still had to be fearless because God would take care of them.
Instead of fearing people who might kill their bodies (cf. 11:48–50), they should fear God, the One who has the power to throw someone into damnation. It is God Who makes and disposes. He decides about life and death. People can kill someone, but God can then bring them back to life.
God knows everything and knows every heart. The disciples were much more valuable to God than sparrows, which were sold for a small sum (five birds for two cents). The word for “penny” is assarion, a Roman copper coin worth about 1/16 of a denarius (a daily wage), and used only here and in Matthew 10:29. Since God cares for ordinary little birds (cf. Luke 12:22), He will also take care of His own.
“Are not two sparrows sold for an assarion? And not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s [awareness].” (Matthew 10:29 MHM)
“Now Jesus turned to his disciples and said: “And so I tell you [disciples], do not be anxious regarding your souls as to what you will eat, nor regarding your body as to what you will wear.” (Luke 12:22 MHM)
In these turbid or troubled times, several people fear that everything will go wrong and that we are heading for a world war. Those who believe in Jesus Christ and His Heavenly Father do not have to be afraid. They do know that there will one day be a very big war that will be much worse than all previous wars. But they need not fear that, provided Armageddon is the very last war before Jesus’’s return, which will let us pass through the gates of God’s Kingdom, where a peaceful life lies ahead for true believers.
In these times, it comes down to making the right choice. We will have to decide whether we want to view Trump, Jesus or someone else as the Messiah and hope for that person for our salvation.
How do you want to view God, and who do you see in Jesus Christ, who has risen from the dead?
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Bernardo Dainese
