BLOG-1
JESUS NEVER TOOK THE EASY PATH
1.0 INTRODUCTION
During his ministry on this earth, Jesus never took the easy path. It is right from his birth to death; He opted to follow the extremely difficult path and showed us the way we must live our lives by following him.
Jesus had the power and capability to make them easy and had a comfortable life. But He never did it. In the New Testament, we have the evidences of his power & capabilities.
He performed several miracles- turned water into wine, healed people [blind, dumb, deaf, paralysed and other sickness & diseases], casted out demons and evil spirits, calmed storm, walked on sea, fed thousands of people with 5-7 loaves of bread and few fishes, raised the dead, and so on…
2.0 JOURNEY FROM JERICHO [JORDAN RIVER] TO JERUSALEM
Jesus traveled this route many times. In fact, every time that he came to Jerusalem from Galilee, he would have traveled up the same Ascent of Adumim (unless permitted to travel through Samaria (John 4 and Luke 9:52-53).
Scriptures record at least one trip of Jesus through Samaria and two trips by way of Jericho. However, as per Deuteronomy 16:16, Jesus must have travel at least three times in a year to Jerusalem. It says,
“Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose [referring presumably to the Temple in Jerusalem], in the feast of unleavened bread [Pesah or Passover], and in the feast of weeks [Shavuot], and in the feast of tabernacles [Sukkot]: and they shall not appear before the Lord empty:
Probably his parents had to climb back up to Jerusalem after realizing that their twelve-year-old boy wasn’t in their caravan (Luke 2:41-50). Anyone would have been upset oneself to have to make that return journey, which we find in Mary’s wordings.
From the map we can see that this is approximately 45-50 km away from Jerusalem and was generally regarded as a two-day walk. It has an elevation increase of about 3400 feet (1060 m) from the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem.
Jesus and his disciples probably take two-day journey trudging up the Jerusalem – Jericho road,
John 11: 1-3 spells that while Jesus was in Jordan, a messenger arrives stating that Lazarus (brother of Mary and Martha who live in village Bethany- less than 2 miles from Jerusalem Johan 11:19) is sick and it’s serious.
He doesn’t immediately leave to help. He doesn’t simply speak a word of healing which He could have done. He simply ‘stays’ where He is two more days (John 11: 5-6). So, Jesus arrives four days late and right on time… (John 11:18)
Perfect according to His Father’s timing! It was a two-day journey from where Jesus was back to Bethany so, as Jesus waited two days before setting out, it is likely that Lazarus died around the time that the messenger got to Jesus asking Him to come.
3.0 LET US WALK WITH SERGIO & TEAM – JERICHO TO JERUSALEM
4.0 CONCLUSION
The whole Samaritan story was probably something Jesus had witnessed. Jesus did say that if you do something good for someone who is less fortunate, you also do it to Jesus, and if you don’t do something for someone who is less fortunate, you don’t do it for Jesus [Mathew 25:31-46].
But how does one interpret that line? Obviously, Jesus wants us to be good to the less fortunate… and Jesus always followed the path of being the less fortunate.
Is he there watching? Was he there when the Samaritan did his good deed? Was Jesus the man who fell among thieves? Or was he merely watching?
This couldn’t have been a made-up story. He didn’t say it was a parable as well, and when He spoke, He always spoke the truth, because He is the truth.
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Samir
If I am understanding correctly, in order to be saved one must both accept and honor the Messiah while also living righteously. Neither one nor the other is enough to achieve salvation?
You’re absolutely right RJ LeBlanc. In Matthew 12:30, Yeshua [Jesus] says, “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Moreover, in Matthew 6:24 Yeshua [Jesus] also says, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Stay Blessed!
Being sinless is impossible in this life. But true Christians will always struggle against sin. Then, someday their effort will take them to heaven.
Please refer this testimony https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KX99REsaVQ
Very valuable writing. Actually, “eternal security” has been a topic of ongoing debate among Christians for many years. It is admirable that you provide what the Bible teaches us, and it helps us to understand salvation better.
Thank you Teri Mullins. Please refer the compilation of some of the Bible teachings at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9dUodkFWAU&list=PLcOEZJV8V5JRddHa8Gh8Yysv-l6oeunec
Also some compilations of the testimonies at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxmN281WqPc&list=PLcOEZJV8V5JSEJciCD9BsRyjU4AY-TnU5. I do hope these will be of some help.
It is not easy to enter the Kingdom of God even as a Christian. Although we have been saved, it requires commitment to follow Him.
You are absolutely right Hector. In John 3:3-5 Yeshua [Jesus] answered and said unto him (Nicodemus), “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Yeshua [Jesus] answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.”
Also read in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Paul writes, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
Most of us are also not aware that “the Kingdom of God” and the “Kingdom of Heaven” is not the same. The differences can be understood at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4NdV2ImfnQ
If we accept Him through baptism, Jesus gave us salvation. But the more difficult path is maintaining faith unto death.
Yes, you’re absolutely right Alvin Jackson… Please refer my eBook “How God wants to see His people?”, particularly in page No. 36 to 42. It can be a help. The eBook can be found at https://allrevelations.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/HOW-GOD-WANTS-TO-SEE-HIS-PEOPLE-Samir-Stephan-Kujur.pdf
The Bible says: “Just as the body without spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26). Jesu will save anyone who believes in Him, even people who had formerly been living in a variety of sinful conditions but delivered from sin with God (1 Corinthians 6:9–11).
Yes, you’re absolutely right Shirly… Please refer my eBook “How God wants to see His people?”, particularly in page No. 36 to 42. It can be a help. The eBook can be found at https://allrevelations.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/HOW-GOD-WANTS-TO-SEE-HIS-PEOPLE-Samir-Stephan-Kujur.pdf
i enjoyed your blog, it is not an easy task to maintain the faith but by accepting the messiah as your personal savior and through baptism it makes the journey easier
I like to view my relationship with God through Christ’s salvation as a growing relationship. It is something I have committed to and I have to take care of it or that relationship will dwindle. I think the reason we are to view him as the Father is because it establishes a level of trust, care, and obedience within our relationship with Him and shows us how important it is for us, not just God.
Yes Nichole…you’re absolutely right. I agree with you. God Bless you.