As Far As the Eye Can See, There is Jesus - Part 564

Think about this for a moment. The earth is the Lord's but not only the earth. The fulness thereof too. Moreover, the world and every living thing that dwell therein belongs to God Almighty. "For He hath founded it upon the seas and established it upon the floods." David in Psalms asks, "Who [then] shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart, who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessings of the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation."(Psalms 24:1-4)

As believers in Jesus, we are not perfect. The Bible states that all of us -- each and every one of us -- are sinners and fallen completely short of the grace of God. But God never intended for us to be far from Him. After all, God made man in His own image so that we could fully enjoy His blessings and goodness.

But we didn't understand the love that our Lord God and Creator had for us. Indeed, we could not even begin to comprehend the extent that our Father would go to bring us back to our intended place of peace -- resting in His goodness. So in order for this to happen, God had to put in place a plan of salvation whereby we could be fully forgiven by our Lord God and Saviour. And He did. What a plan it was.

Unlike the days where men were bound under the Law and Commandments, God made a way when there was no other way. A plan of salvation so that we could be free. That is, God became flesh and dwelt among us (we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full and grace and truth." (John 1:14)

It is this same God who loved us so much from the beginning of time, knowing us even before we were formed in our mother's womb who wants to bless us today with "all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ."

To give us an abundance of spiritual blessings that can only emerge from the goodness of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ. The same God who created us wants us to experience His grace and goodness. The breadth and depth of our Saviour's love. And rejoice. Not just once in a while but every moment of every day.  How can we be assured of His love for us?

First, God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. It is Jesus who hath saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our mighty words or intellect, or our seemingly good works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

Similarly, the Word of God is not bound to the things of this earth. When Jesus shed His precious blood on the cross, He was victorious over death.  He who holds the universe in the palm of His hands abolished death, instead bringing forth life and immortality to those who believe in Jesus. The light of the world that shines brighter than the brightest light on earth through His good news message -- the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, be confident in whom we believe. Be persuaded that He is able to keep that which you and I commit unto Him against that day. Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Continue in the things which you have learned and be assured knowing that it is Jesus that has opened your eyes and heart to receive His blessings. To Jesus be the glory -- Jesus -- the only Pontentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords.  Stand in the offering plate.

Rise and Shine With Jesus - Part 563

There are so many wonderful reasons to rise and shine each day with renewed hope in Jesus. He who has saved us by His grace has called us into a holy life. Not because of anything we have done because there is absolutely nothing that we could do to deserve the unprecedented abundance of love and grace that God our Saviour Jesus has bestowed on those who love and desire Him. Admittedly, we don't deserve His love and yet He loved us.

But regardless of our human failures, the Word -- Jesus -- God Almighty in the flesh -- shed His blood on the cross so that we might be saved. Because of His own purpose, we can be confident in His grace and mercy that was given to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, Our creator in the beginning devised a plan of salvation and victory for our lives even before the foundation of the world was formed. The scriptures state, "He has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love." 

Further to this point, there is a fragrance that comes from the knowledge of Jesus. A fragrance in acknowledging that God's plan of salvation was not by happenstance or an afterthought. Moreover, God\s plan to reconcile men and women unto Himself to become the chosen elect was not by accident. God knew that we could not keep the letter of the law and as such, God would have to become flesh and shed His precious blood on the cross.

But the good news of the gospel is that He did so willingly so that we could live a life of love just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us. As a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:2) Note the peace in recognizing that as a consequence of our salvation, bought and paid for freely by our Lord God and Saviour on the cross, we become the aroma of Jesus. 

Therefore continually give thanks to our Lord God and Saviour who leads us in triumphal procession in Christ. Why? Because through us Jesus spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. So as we rise and shine in this brand new day, walk in love as Jesus the Christ hath loved us and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. (Ephesians 5:2) Stand in the offering plate.

Jesus Blood Shed For You and I - Part 562

"Follow Me" Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19)

Jesus never just "passes by" in the scriptures. Indeed, Jesus has an impact. In Matthew chapter four, we read that beyond the multiplicity of miracles and healings that were performed, those individuals which had previously sat in darkness -- completely empty and broken without any hope or joy in this world -- saw in Jesus a great light. In fact, for those individuals and families which had previously sat in darkness, Jesus' abundant light was springing up in their hearts. Bubbling with happiness and joy. It is no wonder the multitudes of people, as Matthew 4 explains, wanted more of Jesus.

Here they were discovering that the more they desired Jesus -- the more that they pressed closer to the King of kings and Lord of lords - the more their individual lives were being transformed. All Jesus had to say was "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." As we see from the examples cited, Jesus did not have to ask twice.

Jesus had been preaching, encouraging the crowds of people who followed Him to repent, "for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." When Jesus walked by the sea of Galilee, He saw two brethren fishing. The first was Simon called Peter and the second Andrew his brother. When Jesus happened their way, the two were casting their net into the sea. Jesus said unto them, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." And the two fishers straight way left their nets and followed Jesus. Simon called Peter and Andrew were not the only ones to follow Jesus.

Going on from thence, Jesus saw two other brethren, James the son of Zebedee and John His brother repairing nets in a ship with their father. And Jesus called unto them. They too immediately left their ship and followed Him. Immediately and straight way. Followed Jesus without hesitation. Follow Jeus - the one who holds the keys to the kingdom. Follow me, He said so that you too can delight in His Word, His mercies and abundant grace.

But the goodness of Jesus did not stop there. While His fame went throughout all Syria. Jesus continued teaching in the synagogues in Galilee  and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, He was also healing all manner of sickness and disease among the people. "Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven."

And as Jesus preached the gospel, the people brought unto Him all sick people that were taken with diverse diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils and those which were lunatick and those that had the palsy and Jesus healed them. Jesus healed each and every one of them. And there followed Jesus great multitudes of people who recognized that their hope and joy was in Jesus. That there is no other name under heaven whereby we can be saved. Jesus -- the only mediator between God and man.

The multitudes of people recognized Jesus as the Messiah. That Jesus was the Christ prophesied by the prophets under the old covenant. David said in Psalms 23:6, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." It is no wonder the people were determined to follow Him. To dwell in the house of the Lord Jesus forever. Jesus said, "If any man serve me, let him follow me, and where I am, there shall also my servant be. If any man serves me, him will my Father honour." (John 12:26)

You see, God loved us so much that He prepared a way of salvation even before the foundations of the world were formed.  God's Word -- the very Word of God -- became flesh so that the whole world could return to the place where we who were made in the image of God could become all that we were intended to be. Perfected in Jesus. God was making a way when there was no way for us to be saved. He knew that we could not meet the letter of the law, and as such we were doomed. But God wasn't going to let that happen. Because His love for us is abundant. He wants to draw us closer to understanding His will through Christ, our Lord God and Saviour.

This is why Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me." Rejoice in Jesus today. His love and mercy. Remember too that Jesus wants to give you and I -- believers in Jesus that desire and love Him -- the kingdom. Stand in the offering plate.

Joy Unspeakable in Jesus - Part 561

Today is the day that the Lord Jesus hath made. Rejoice in Him. Rejoice in the abundant mercies and grace of Jesus Christ, our Lord God and Saviour. It is He who has begotten us again unto a lively hope by His own resurrection. This is why our lively hope is in Jesus. The same Jesus who arose from the dead. The same Jesus who shed His precious blood on an old rugged cross, as a lamb without blemish and spot so that we might know His abundant love and grace. The same Jesus, who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but manifest in these last times for you and I.

In the first chapter of I Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ named Peter is preaching to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia. Herein, the strangers the  "Elect according through the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus."

Peter wanted these people to know that the trial of their faith, our faith, being much more precious than gold -- even though our faith may be tried with fire -- that we would be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. Rejoicing in our Father who loved us so much that He Himself would choose to become a living sacrifice for you and I. Those of us who have not seen the miracles and healings that Jesus performed while on earth and yet, we love Jesus in whom, though now we see Him not, still believe and rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

Those of us who were once strangers to the gospel of Jesus but now receive the end of our faith, even the salvation of our souls because of Jesus. "Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you [in these latter times]. Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow."

It is unto us that the love of Jesus was revealed. Not unto themselves writes Peter but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you and I by them that have preached the gospel with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven. 

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot ... who by Him do believe in God that raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently. Being born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible, by the Word of God which liveth and abideth for ever." (I Peter 1:18-22)

Rejoice in our Lord and Saviour Jesus today. The Lily of the Valley. The Father that desires to give us -- once strangers to the gospel -- everlasting peace in an inheritance that is not only reserved in heaven for us but a peace that is incorruptible and undefiled on this earth today. Established as Peter wrote, to those who believe in Jesus -- our Lord God and Saviour -- and thus "are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time." Grace be unto you, and peace, be multiplied. Stand in the offering plate. 

Transformed Forever in Jesus the Christ - Part 560

Thy kingdom come -- thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Amen!

In Matthew 13, Jesus is sharing parables about the kingdom with His followers -- the masses of people who could not get enough of His Word. Beginning at verse 44, Jesus likens the kingdom of heaven unto treasure hid in a field. This treasure which a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he has and buys that field. Jesus gives more examples. He proceeds saying, "the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man; seeking godly pearls, who when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it." As if these examples were not enough, Jesus again likens the kingdom of heaven to a net that was cast into the sea that gathered fish of every kind which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered of the good into vessels but cast the bad away.

But then Jesus asks, "Have you understood all these things?" Have you understood what Jesus has in store for those who love Him? Often, in our traditions, we repeat what is formally recognized as the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6 without acknowledging that the message contained therein is intended for us today -- on earth. Thy kingdom come -- thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. This is what our Father wants us to understand. That in His name -- Jesus -- we are blessed. .

This is why neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:11-12)

Once we have accepted Jesus into our hearts, the intent is not to stay stationed. Jesus is saying there is so much more that I want to give to those who desire Me. Therefore seek Jesus -- press into the Lord of lords and King of kings who holds the depth of the riches of this earth as well as the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord God our Saviour.

So read His Word -- beginning in the New Testament -- the new covenant for these times. Why? Because whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world, and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. "Who is he that overcometh the world but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" (I John 5:5)

For everyone that asks receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son asks for bread will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? Jesus said, "If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? "

These things have I written unto you, John writes in I John 5, that you believe on the name of Jesus that you may know that you have eternal life and that ye may believe on His name. And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.

This is the kingdom that Jesus wants us to seek on earth -- the same kingdom on earth that is in heaven. Heaven on earth. Continued blessings and mercy for those of us who believe in Jesus. A cathedral of joy in every place that we venture into because we seek Jesus -- the Father who created us in the beginning and loved us enough to become flesh and die on the cross for our sins..

Believe in the grace of Jesus that covers a multitude of sins. Behold the goodness of our Lord and Saviour Jesus the Christ. Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God. Most of all, be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Rejoice today. Stand in the offering plate.

Come Boldly to the Throne of Grace - Part 559

Every house is built by someone but He who built all things is God our Saviour.

The grace of God which brings forth salvation has appeared. God was manifest in the flesh. Indeed, in the beginning God (Genesis 1:1). In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God ... and the Word became flesh (John 1:1-14) God Himself as a Son over His own redeemed household is the redeemed now being the temple in which His Holy Spirit is pleased to dwell. 

He the Holy Spirit in Christ purchased us with His own precious blood -- His eternal life blood flowing in the veins of the son child Jesus who was considered the Seed life of God who is Holy Spirit. Herein we see the grace of the Lord Jesus the prophesied Christ manifesting the love of God towards you and me. In that God as a Son, by the willing sacrifice of His sinless body has redeemed us to communion and fellowship with His Holy Spirit.

In other words, Jesus is the tree of eternal life. Now unto Him that is able to keep us from falling. Jesus is the one who presents us faultless before the presence of His glory, with exceeding joy. Therefore, holy brethren and sisters, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him whom appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house.

For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honour than the house. For every house is built by someone but He who builds all things is God. And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken after ward, but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. 

Therefore, in Hebrews 3, we read, "Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, "Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness, where your father tempted me, proved me and saw my works forty years." Rather, ask Jesus into your life today. Enter into His rest and recognize that we -- you and I -- are made partakers of Christ in His glory and mercy. He will present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. 

Moving forward, take hold of our confidence in Jesus, our Lord God and Saviour, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. (Ephesians 1:7) Stand in the offering plate. 

Never Thirst Again - Part 558

Jesus said, "Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14)

In John chapter four, Jesus is speaking with the woman at the well. The woman of Samaria questions Jesus asking Him why He being a Jew asks for drink from her. At the time, the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, "If thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith to thee, "Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water."

Observing Jesus, the woman then said, "Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself and his children and his cattle?"

Jesus then said that whosoever drinks of ordinary well water thirsts again. "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst [for] the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." It is no wonder that the woman responded saying, "Sir, give me this water that I thirst not."

Reading forward in the same chapter, Jesus states that the hour cometh and now is "when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." Essentially Jesus is saying to this woman and to you and I by extension, "Come unto me if you are heavy laden" for I will give you rest. That in me -- Jesus -- you will never thirst again. 

Why? Because whosoever believes in Jesus, as the scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. (John 7:38) The woman at the well had encountered Jesus. Not a lot of words had to be exchanged before she knew with whom she spoke. When she asked if Jesus was the Messias called the Christ that was to come, Jesus said "I that speak unto thee am He."

He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit has to say. The Lord Jesus - the King of kings and Lord of lords - will guide you in truth always. He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land. He will strengthen your frame. And you will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Further, the living water that comes from Jesus will spring up within you now and always -- into everlasting life. You can be confident that you will be bubbling with the joy of Jesus. He never fails. 

For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be your Shepherd. He will lead you to the springs of living water. And He will wipe away every tear from your eyes. (Revelation 7:17) Ask Jesus into your life today so that you too will find His grace. His abundant mercy. The same God who loved you enough to shed His precious blood on the cross for our sins will ensure that you never thirst or hunger again. 

In John 6:35, Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." Give us this day our daily bread. This is Jesus' promise to His people. Stand in the offering plate. 

Singing with Grace in Our Hearts to Jesus - Part 557

This is the day that the Lord hath made. Rejoice in this day and be glad in it. (Psalms 118:24)

Further, let the Word -- Jesus -- dwell continually in our hearts, minds and souls -- richly in all wisdom and teaching, admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord thy God, our Saviour. For whatsoever we do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Jesus. (Collosians 3:16-17)

We have so many reasons to rejoice. First and foremost, we know personally the God who holds the universe in the palm of His hands. He shed His precious blood on the cross so that we might be saved. Indeed, the Bible calls us the elect. And as the elect, God has stated that we are holy and beloved. His beloved. 

Often, however, the cares of this world tend to dominate our lives and as a consequence, our ability to rejoice in Jesus is impeded. But when we read the Bible, there are more than enough examples instructing us to rejoice in the Lord. To be glad in His mercies and goodness. To take delight in our salvation. 

Hannah in I Samuel 2:1, for example, prayed and said, "My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation."

In Deuteronomy 30:9, the Lord God promised to "make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the Lord will again rejoice over thee for good, as He rejoiced over thy fathers." 

Yes, the Lord God who created us and loved us so much that He would become flesh and shed His blood for us wants to bless us and make us plenteous in "every" work of our hands. Bless us in His abundance. Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.

This is why the Lord rejoices over even one of us who seek salvation and His goodness. His mercies. The parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32 alludes to this. Therein, Jesus said, "A certain man had two sons, and the younger of them said to his father, "Father, give me the portion of good that falleth to me." And the father divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land and he began to be in want. 

And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat,  and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, "How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough to spare and I perish with hunger?"

The moment of revelation whereby the prodigal son realizes that we can worry about the cares of this world, or we can seek Jesus our Saviour and let His kingdom flourish in our hearts. The son decides to "arise and go to my father and will say unto him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee. And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants."

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring
on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and
be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to 
be merry.

So rejoice in your salvation. Be glad in Jesus because He knows the innermost thoughts within our
hearts. Put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long suffering; bearing with one another, 
and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you,
so you also do. Awake, you who sleep. Arise from the dead and Jesus will give you light.” 

Most of all, glory in Jesus' name. Let us seek our Saviour in all aspects of our lives, singing joyfully 
in our hearts. When we get to this point, like the prodigal son, the cares of this world will no longer
impede us from worshipping our Lord and Saviour Jesus. Stand in the offering plate.

Jesus is All We Need - Part 556

The grace of God is sufficient. The grace of God which brings forth salvation has appeared in the face of Jesus -- God manifest in the flesh. Indeed, God Himself as a Son over His own redeemed household so that you and I -- the redeemed -- can become temples in which His Holy Spirit is pleased to dwell. He - the Holy Spirit - in Christ purchased us with His own precious blood. His eternal blood flowed in the veins of the Son child Jesus who was conceived of the Seed life of God who is Spirit. Not my will but thy will be done. 

Therefore without hesitance let us come boldly to His throne of grace so that we might obtain the mercy and blessings that were preordained for us before the foundation of the world was formed. This is the gospel message. The grace of the Lord Jesus the Christ manifesting the love of God towards us. In that God as a Son, by the willing sacrifice of His sinless body has redeemed us so that we can fellowship with His Holy Spirit. 

Jesus - the only name under Heaven whereby we can be saved. (Acts 4:12) Jesus - the only mediator between God and man. Jesus - to Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believes in Him shall receive remission of sins. (Acts 10:43) Forgiven fully. Unconditionally our transgressions washed away forever for those who love Jesus.  It is He that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. Stand in the offering plate. 

Whence Hath This Wisdom Come? - Part 555

Faith is a reflection of our intimate walk with Jesus. It shows our willingness to press in and grow in the knowledge of the Word -- Jesus the Christ. A desire to be with Jesus even while we live in this world. But even in Bible times, not everyone accepted this. Even those from Jesus' own country, according to Matthew 13, were astonished at the crowds that followed Jesus. While He performed miracles and healings for those who needed to be made whole, the people from His own country doubted Jesu's authority. 

Indeed, when Jesus was come into His own country, the people of the area asked, "Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brethren James and Joses and Simon and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?"

These might be considered valid questions if the focus was only on Jesus' humanity. However, when we begin to accept that Jesus is God in the flesh -- the same God who created man and woman in the beginning loved us enough to prepare a plan of salvation even before we were formed in our mother's womb - then our faith begins to grow. We soon realize that the God who holds the universe in His hands loves us so much that He willingly shed His precious blood on the cross for us. 

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled --  the Word of life  had a plan to converse with us. For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with Jesus Christ.

Jesus said in John 6:29 that this is the work of God that you believe on Him in whom He has sent. All that the Father giveth shall come to me, and them that cometh to me in no way will I cast out. (John 6:37) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy household too. 

Had these folks from Jesus country realized the truth -- the gospel is to you and your family and to those who are afar off -- they would have recognized that Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords. Our blessed Saviour. They would have found hope knowing that because Jesus shed His precious blood for us, there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. No condemnation for those who seek after His Spirit.

Further, these unbelieving people would have realized that the Father wept because of our inability to get it right.To understand how much Jesus loves us.  Why? Because it is Jesus -- God Almighty in the flesh -- that was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities. Surely, He bore our sorrows, our hurts and our loneliness on the cross. All He asks is that we reach out in faith so that He can cleanse you and make you whole.

This is why the multitudes followed Jesus. It is why we also know today that Jesus satisfies our desires beyond our dreams. Like the multitudes who followed Jesus -- who pressed in against Him for more -- we can be assured that Jesus is more than enough.  Lay your burdens at the feet of Jesus today. He said, "Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden and I will give you rest." Rest in His abundance and goodness. Stand in the offering plate.