The Road No One Traveled 

Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way,” to fulfill the word which He spoke, “Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one.” John 18:8-9

Jesus exchanged His own soul for the souls of the world

When the Jews came to arrest Jesus, He said to them, “... let these go their way”. In another passage, Peter vowed to follow Jesus no matter what happened. But Jesus insisted that where He would be going, Peter cannot follow (John 13:36). The fact is: Jesus came in the flesh to suffer WITH humanity by walking along side with them. However, there is a road that no man can follow: the road of condemnation and death. It is on the road of condemnation that Jesus suffered and died FOR humanity, to be punished and crushed FOR our iniquities. It is one thing to suffer WITH humanity, stripped of His divinity, putting on a fallible nature and a corruptible body; and quite another to die FOR humanity. 

In suffering WITH humanity, He came in the flesh, being exposed to the common tribulations of man. He experienced humanity’s sorrows, betrayals, sickness, shame, and poverty. In so doing, He is able to empathize with our sufferings and failings through which we receive healing and wholeness. The wounds of our heart would find healing and restoration because Jesus understands. When we invite our hurts forward in the presence of the Spirit, we receive inner healing and wholeness.

In suffering FOR humanity, He went ahead to the place that is reserved for the enemies of God. Jesus had to go there alone so that none would experience the condemnation and the ultimate suffering, which is death. No man could go to this place and remain faithful to God accept Jesus: the chosen Lamb of God. Hence, Jesus said, “Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one.” He went to that place of condemnation and death so that we do not have to go there. It is in Jesus’ condemnation and death that humanity’s sins are blotted out. The punishment that was reserved for humanity was laid upon Him until God find justice fulfilled through His suffering. It is a suffering that is indescribable, meant only for the enemies of God. 

Would we do all, to suffer inconvenience, even injustice so that we would lose no one under our care. Would we endeavor to ensure that all who are entrusted to us fulfill their highest potential and experience abundant life? 

Issues to ponder:

1. It is man’s basic instinct to care only for ourselves or for our family. Then, is Jesus’ selfless sacrifice too idealistic for real life?

2. How do we draw the line between self-care and care for the needs of the world? 

3. It is not possible in our limited resources to bring salvation to every need to see. How do we draw the line between what is our responsibility and what is God’s responsibility?

All Good Gifts Come From God - Joel 2:23-29

By Pastor Chong Yew
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Jesus’ Righteous Confession

When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden, in which He entered with His disciples. Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place, for Jesus had often met there with His disciples. Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, “ Whom do you seek?” They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He *said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them. So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Therefore He again asked them, “ Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He.” John 18:1-8

Jesus’ righteous confession became our righteousness

Here is the hour for Jesus to be delivered into the hands of the enemy. What happened in the garden clearly spoke of the boldness of a righteous man, as well as the fear of the wicked. Proverbs 28:1 says, “The wicked flee when no one is pursuing. But the righteous are bold as a lion.”

Judas arrived with the Roman soldiers who were probably bribed by the Jews to help them carry out the arrest of an innocent man. As they were seeking and enquiring who Jesus was, Jesus approached them and asked, “Who do you seek?” They answered, “Jesus, the Nararene.” Jesus, without hesitation said, “I am He.” At that point, they drew back and fell to the ground. It seemed as though they were astounded by the awe of God Himself. Perhaps, they were expecting a fleeing Jesus and some skirmishes. To their surprise, Jesus revealed Himself without fear or hesitation even at the face of persecution. The integrity of a righteousness man strikes fear in the wicked.

What we could learn from Jesus is this: if we speak the truth, walk in the truth, and our conscience being clear, we have no fear, and God is with us to protect and deliver us. If we have sinned and repented, God is faithful to forgive our sins. But if we persistently walk in darkness and harbors deceit, then we have every reason to fear. Truth and grace is our greatest defense as well as offense in the face of wicked opposition. Jesus had no fear because He walked in righteousness and in the love of the Father. 1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear.”

We must not be afraid to speak the truth. The truth may cost us some inconvenience, but it is the truth that sets us free. Eventually, people will come to respect us as truth bearers. Proverbs 16:7 says, 

“When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”

The truth may cause conflict with the people we love, but it is the truth that sets people free to grow (John 8:31). As long as the truth is spoken to edify, and not to destroy, they will eventually appreciate what you stood for.

Jesus, in His three years of active ministry has been evading the Jews who were trying to kill Him. However, Jesus knew the hour to reveal Himself to them. There is a time to avoid confrontation and there is a time to reveal the truth. Perhaps, the incident at the garden gave the disciples the greatest impression of Jesus: His truth and grace. They saw Jesus stood up to opposition without fear and or the use of force; that inspired them to do likewise in their own journey.

Speaking the truth without fear and living it out is perhaps the greatest way to impact and evangelise the world for Christ. It is truth in action that inspires those who love the truth and to live the truth without fear. Apostle Paul, who was imprisoned because of Christ said,

“my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel... most of the brethren... because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.” Philippians 1:12-14

Evangelism is not just about saving souls from hell through the knowledge of Christ, but more importantly to turn the world away from falsehood towards the truth. The truth provides us the direction towards abundant life and His grace gives the power break the bondage of sin and to live abundantly.

Issues to ponder:

1.    Why do we some times speak what others like to hear rather than speaking the whole truth? 

2.    What are the consequences of one professing to live a certain lifestyle in public and yet living a different lifestyle in private, thinking that others would never know?

3.    How do we discern when is the time to co-exist and the time to confront with the truth?

Following At A Distance - Luke 22:54-62

By Pastor Tony Tan
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Jonathan & David - Good Friends in Bad Times

By Pastor Chong Yew
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