Category: Jesus

Why Judas Was Lost — And Religion Didn’t Save Him

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Matthew 27:1–7 (ESV): When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor.

Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.”

And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself.

But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.” So they took counsel and bought with them the potter’s field as a burial place for strangers.

This moment in Scripture is one of the most sobering in the entire Gospel story. It’s easy to rush past it — to get to the crucifixion, the resurrection, the victory. But if we skip over this, we miss something crucial: a warning wrapped in tragedy.

This isn’t just a story about ancient villains. It’s a spotlight on the human heart — our hearts. On what happens when someone is close to Jesus in proximity, but far from Him in surrender. It’s not about how wicked “they” were — it’s about how easily we can walk the same path without even realizing it.

This is not an attack on sincere believers walking humbly with Jesus. But it is a wake-up call for anyone trusting in church involvement, ministry roles, emotional worship experiences, Bible knowledge, or spiritual performance — instead of in Jesus Himself.

Judas’s downfall didn’t begin with the silver. It began when he let religion take the place of repentance. And when the weight of his sin finally hit him, he ran to the wrong people — religious leaders who had no grace to give. They were full of rules, titles, and temple rituals, but hollowed out of mercy, compassion, and truth.

And that’s where this story becomes our warning. Judas went to religion, and it couldn’t save him. Judas chose guilt over grace.

Judas: A Man Who Walked with Jesus—But Lost His Way

Judas wasn’t some random outsider. He was one of Jesus’ own twelve disciples. He walked with Jesus daily, witnessed His miracles firsthand, ate at His table, and heard His teachings. Yet, despite all this closeness, Judas made a devastating choice.

What went wrong? Judas let earthly things—money, greed, and material gain—take priority over the spiritual truth he had seen. Instead of clinging to Jesus, the source of true life and forgiveness, he sold out the Savior for thirty pieces of silver. His heart turned away from grace and toward greed, but religion without real repentance couldn’t save him.

This betrayal reminds us that Christians can “sell out” their faith—not only for money but also for power, popularity, comfort, personal ambition, or by compromising God’s design for relationships.

Judas Went to the Wrong People

Judas betrayed Jesus and was filled with guilt—he knew what he did was wrong. But here’s the shocker: he didn’t run to Jesus, the only One who could truly forgive and heal him.

No. Judas ran to the chief priests and elders—sinners like us, mere men with titles but no power to forgive sins. These were the very people Judas was not meant to confess to, yet he went to them instead. Men steeped in religion, but rotten inside. Men who were complicit in condemning an innocent man. Men whose hearts were cold to mercy, justice, and truth. Religion without Jesus had hardened their hearts and kept them from true repentance.

Instead of repentance or sorrow, they cared only about their laws and their money. When Judas threw down the blood money, these priests refused to put it into the temple treasury because it was “unclean.” So what did they do? They took that money stained with innocent blood and bought a burial field for foreigners—as if buying a field could cover their guilt, their sin, their wickedness. As if putting money in the offering box or doing philanthropy deeds can do the same!

They thought a real estate transaction would redeem them. But no amount of money or good deed can wash away the stain of hypocrisy, envy, hatred, and betrayal. Their actions expose the brutal reality of religion without Jesus: cold legalism that cares more about rules and appearances than mercy, grace, and true repentance.

The disconnect is astounding—here were men steeped in religion yet utterly disconnected from true repentance and mercy. They were guilty of: envy, hatred, lying, hypocrisy and legalism that valued money over justice, yet they called themselves God’s representatives.

This is the cold reality of religion without Jesus: ritual replaces relationship, rules replace repentance, and good deeds become a mask for rebellion and wickedness.

Peter’s Path: Failure Met by Forgiveness

Peter was another man who walked closely with Jesus but made a very different choice. Like Judas, Peter was one of the twelve disciples, witnessing Jesus’ miracles and hearing His teachings firsthand. Yet when the pressure came, Peter denied Jesus—not once, but three times.

But here’s the crucial difference: Peter didn’t remain in his failure. He genuinely repented, was restored by Jesus, and went on to live a life marked by bold faith and transformation.

Peter’s story brings hope: no failure is final when met with sincere repentance. Grace and restoration are available to anyone who turns back to Jesus wholeheartedly.

(See Matthew 26:69–75; John 21:15–19; Luke 22:31–32; Acts 2:14–41)

Two Paths Lie Before You

You’ve failed. So have I. We’ve all sold Jesus out for something—pleasure, control, popularity, pride, money, lust, whatever.

The question isn’t whether you’ve sinned. The question is, what are you going to do about it?

You have two choices:

JUDAS

Regret

Isolation

Death

Religion

Shame

PETER

Repentance

Restoration

Life

Relationship

Grace

One ran to religion and died. The other ran to Jesus and lived.

This is not a game. Your soul is at stake.

Application for Us Today

Many people believe they’ve gone too far—betrayed too deeply, denied too loudly, messed up too many times. Judas’s path shows us what happens when we believe our sin is stronger than God’s grace.

But Peter’s story tells another truth:

Jesus is greater than our greatest failure.

He doesn’t just forgive. He redeems, restores, and reuses the broken. In fact, it’s those very cracks that let His glory shine through.

Final Encouragement

“Let God be true and every man a liar.” Peter is living proof of that. Men may fail—but God never does. Jesus knew Peter would fall and planned to restore him before it even happened (Luke 22:31–32).

That same grace is available today. Judas’s story warns us of despair, but Peter’s shows us the way back: through Christ alone.

The Bottom Line

If you think your church attendance, good behavior, ministry work, or religious “track record” can replace a real, repentant walk with Jesus—think again. Don’t rely on religion to save your soul. Only a genuine relationship with Jesus, marked by repentance and surrender, brings true forgiveness and restoration.

Run to Jesus — not to man-made religion, lifeless ritual, or guilt-driven striving. Only Jesus can forgive sin and restore your soul.

Don’t make Judas’s mistake. Don’t settle for empty religion that kills your spirit.

Choose life. Choose Jesus.

If you’re not sure where you stand with God or want to understand how to receive His forgiveness and eternal life, you can read this article here:

Responding to God’s Call: Salvation, Repentance, and Eternal Life

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*** Photo by Nikolett Emmert by Pexels

Life Is Short. Eternity Is Long. Are You Ready?

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We often hear, “Life is short… better enjoy it!” But how about this: “Eternity is long… better prepare for it.”

“For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his soul?”

— Mark 8:36

We live in very sobering times. This life is not paradise. It is a preparation for paradise. How we choose to live it will determine how we spend eternity — in heaven or in hell. Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell: these are the Four Last Things. And they’re not distant — they’re approaching with every tick of the clock.

Many say, “Life is short, enjoy it while it lasts.” But eternity? It will be very long. You better prepare for it.

We are so caught up in this life — in money, relationships, entertainment, career — we give little attention to the life that never ends. Yet Jesus taught that every soul has an eternal destiny — either heaven or hell (John 5:25–29). And that destiny is determined in this life (Luke 16:19–31). Every choice matters.

“The days of our lives are seventy years;

And if by reason of strength they are eighty years,

Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow;

For it is soon cut off, and we fly away…

So teach us to number our days,

That we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

— Psalm 90:10,12

Time is collapsing. Technology is advancing — faster travel, faster internet, faster communication — yet we seem to have less time for what matters. We’ve gained speed but lost direction. We’ve advanced in knowledge but declined in wisdom. And worst of all — we are drifting further from God.

We are shadows that vanish. Grass that withers. Time is passing — and so are we.

“My days are like an evening shadow that lengthens and vanishes…

But You, O Lord, shall endure forever.”

— Psalm 102:11–12

From the moment you were born, you began dying. In 90 years, most of us reading this will be gone. The grave waits for no one.

So… what will you do with the time you have?

Every person gets the same 24 hours a day. But how we use it shapes our eternity.

Let’s say you live to 70:

The first 15 years? Childhood and adolescence. Around 20 years? Spent asleep. The final 5 years? Likely reduced activity. That leaves just 30 years — and even that includes eating, working, paying bills, and daily responsibilities.

What will you do with the years you have left?

“What is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”

— James 4:14

Even the wealthiest person cannot buy more time. Scientists cannot invent more minutes. Doctors cannot guarantee more years.

The most valuable thing you have is your time — use it for God.

“Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

— Ephesians 5:15–16

The world is dark — violence, immorality, brokenness. But Jesus is calling His people to shine as lights and make disciples. To do that, we must stop wasting time and start investing it in what truly matters.

Too many Christians tithe their money but not their time. We find time for entertainment, social media, and distractions — but little for God.

We have time… but what are we using it for?

You have time to:

Seek Christ Serve others Obey His will Fulfill your calling

You want to be with God after death — but do you want to spend time with Him now?

Where is your heart? Where is your treasure? Where is your time?

“My times are in Your hand.”

— Psalm 31:15

Can you say this honestly? That your time — your life — belongs fully to God?

So… How Do You Give Jesus Your Heart?

You may be wondering:

“How do I know I’m saved? How do I give my heart to Jesus and prepare for eternity?”

It starts with repentance.

That means turning away from your sin — from living life your own way — and turning to God.

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…”

— Acts 3:19

We’ve all sinned. Sin separates us from God and leads to death — not just physical death, but eternal separation.

But the good news is this:

God sent His Son, Jesus, to die for your sins.

He took your place. He bore your punishment.

He rose again to give you life — eternal life.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

— Romans 5:8

To be saved, forgiven, and made right with God:

1. Acknowledge that you are a sinner in need of a Savior.

2. Believe that Jesus died for you and rose again.

3. Confess Him as Lord — surrender your whole life to Him.

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

— Romans 10:9

This is more than a prayer. It’s a life-altering commitment.

Here’s a simple prayer you can make your own:

“Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. I have broken Your laws and lived for myself. But I believe You died for me and rose again. I ask You to forgive me, wash me clean, and give me a new heart. I turn from my sin, and I turn to You. I surrender my life — all of it — to You. Be my Savior, be my Lord, and help me follow You all the days of my life. Thank You for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

If you prayed that sincerely, you’ve taken the first and most important step into eternal life.

But remember — salvation is not the finish line. It’s the starting point.

Now begin walking with Him:

Read the Bible (start with the Gospel of John)

Pray — talk to God every day via prayer

Join a Bible-believing church Get baptized

Share what God has done in your life

“And this is the way to have eternal life—to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one You sent.”

— John 17:3

Your time is still in God’s hands. Don’t waste another moment.

Live for what truly matters.

Live for the One who gave His life for you.

Give Him your heart — today.

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** By Shalom for the world / Photo by KoolShooters at Pexels

Jesus Continuously Sought Power in Prayer

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The Bible compares the man who lives in dependence on God to a tree that draws its sustenance from an underground river (Jeremiah 17:5-8). That is how Jesus lived – perpetually drawing His spiritual resources, as a man, from the Holy Spirit (the river of God).

Jesus’ victory over temptation, was not through human determination, but because He drew strength from the Father, moment-by-moment. The way of self-denial as exemplified and taught by Jesus is not one where the soul attempts to master itself. No. That is Buddhism and yoga and is as different from the teaching of Scripture as earth is from heaven.

“Jesus continuously sought for the power of God in prayer, and was never disappointed.”
Jesus taught that as human beings we do not have the power to live and serve God as we should. He said that we were like helpless branches entirely dependent on the sap supplied by the tree for fruitfulness. “Apart from Me,” He said, “you can do nothing” (John 15:5). And so, what we do manage to do, without the help of the Holy Spirit can be considered to be NOTHING. Herein lies the vital necessity to be “filled with the Spirit continuously” (Ephesians 5:18).

Jesus Himself was filled and anointed with the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1, 18), and He lived and laboured for His Father in the Spirit’s power. But this was possible, only because as a man, He was poor in spirit.

Jesus was conscious of the weakness of the human frame that He had taken on. Therefore, He was perpetually looking for opportunities to get alone and pray. Someone has said that, as tourists look for good hotels and for important sights to be seen, when they enter a city, so Jesus looked for solitary places where He could pray.

He sought for power to overcome temptation and put His soul-power to death. No man was as conscious as Jesus was, of the utter weakness of the flesh, and so He sought the Father’s face in prayer for help, as no man ever did. He prayed with “loud crying and tears” in the days of His flesh. The result was that He was mightily strengthened by the Father, much more than any other man. Thus, Jesus never once sinned and never lived out from His soul (Hebrews 4:15; 5:7-9).

Is it not significant that 25 times in the gospels, the words “pray” or “prayer” are used in connection with Jesus? Therein lay the secret of His life and His labours.

Jesus not only prayed before the great events of His life, but also after some of His great achievements. After feeding the five thousand miraculously, He withdrew into the mountains to pray (Matthew 14:23). This was no doubt to guard against temptations to pride or complacency over the work accomplished, and to renew His strength by waiting on His Father (Isaiah 40:31). We usually pray only before we have some important task to do for the Lord. But if we would develop the habit that Jesus had, of waiting before the Father after we have finished our task, we would preserve ourselves from pride and thus be equipped to do greater things for the Lord.

The busier Jesus’ life became, the more He prayed. There were times when He did not have time to eat or even to rest (Mark 3:20; 6:31, 33, 46), but He always took time to pray. He knew when to sleep and when to pray, for He obeyed the promptings of the Spirit.

Poverty of spirit is a prerequisite for effective prayer. Prayer is the expression of human helplessness, and if it is to be meaningful and not a mere ritual, there must be a constant recognition of the inadequacy of human resources either to live the Christian life or to serve God.

Jesus continuously sought for the power of God in prayer and was never disappointed. Thus, He accomplished things through prayer, that even He could not have accomplished in any other way.

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**By Zac Poonen © Copyright – Zac Poonen. No changes whatsoever are to be made to the content of the article without written permission from the author. https://www.cfcindia.com/ / Photo by Antonie de Kok at Pexels

Nothing New Under the Sun: Jezebel and the New Age Movements

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“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” ~ Colossians 2:8

Wicked women are presented as they truly are in the Bible—without any attempt to sanitize their lives or actions. One such infamous figure is Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab of Israel. She was not a believer in the one true God, and her reign over northern Israel marked the introduction and spread of a false religion—worship of Baal. This religion quickly took hold because Jezebel became a role model for many women of her time. Her religion was rooted in the worship of Baal, or Satan, who is behind all false religions.

To please the queen was politically savvy, so she filled Israel with 850 priests practicing her religion, leading the people further astray. Jezebel’s impact was profound and deeply harmful, as she turned the nation away from the true God.

The Parallels Between Baal Worship and the New Age Movement

“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” ~ 2 Corinthians 4:4

Do you want to know what Jezebel’s religion was like? We are witnessing the rise of a similar, swift, and powerful religion sweeping the planet today—the New Age / Golden Age Movement. This belief system, like the false worship of Baal, denies the existence of a personal God who loves His people. Instead, it promotes an impersonal, universal energy force. In the New Age Movement, God can be referred to in many ways— she or he, mother or father, god or goddess, the Earth, the sun, the stars, or even nature itself can be worshipped as God. New Age teachers claim to receive guidance from so-called “spirit guides,” “ascended masters,” “masters of wisdom” “angels,” and “higher beings,” all of whom make up the hierarchy of this movement. They state that some of their guides are angels.

However, Jezebel’s priests, when confronted by the prophet Elijah, were exposed for their reliance on demonic forces – fallen angels, whilst practicing their false religion. Elijah challenged all 850 of them to prove the power of their gods, demonstrating that their supposed deities were powerless before the one true God. When they failed, the false nature of their religion was revealed, along with their demon guides posing as angels.

The New Age Movement bears striking similarities to Jezebel’s worship of Baal. For example, the New Age movement claims that Jesus Christ was merely a reincarnated messenger—not the Son of God. They assert that Christ was sent by the demon hierarchy of angels to provide “spiritually advanced revelations” to their group. In fact, they teach that Jesus is just one of many “Christs,” alongside figures like Buddha, Mohammed, and Confucius. This system accepts anyone who rejects Jesus Christ as the Son of God—whether they are Shintoists, Satanists, Buddhists, secular humanists, witches, or anyone else who doesn’t acknowledge the truth or accept the Christ, and that He is a personal God. They teach that man is not sinful, nor evil, and that Jesus’s sacrifice on the Cross has no meaning, according to them it was meaningless.

Moreover, the New Age Movement denies the existence of sin, judgment, and the need for salvation. Instead, it teaches that humanity has evolved over thousands of years and that there is no need for a savior. This philosophy is the basis of all false religions; rooted in ancient lies, echoing the deceptions of Satan, who hides the reality of judgment, hell, and sin, and all of his followers do the same, because they have been blinded to the truth. It’s no surprise that Jezebel’s actions—her cheating, lying, and murder—were reflections of her allegiance to Satan, the father of lies. Her conscience was so seared with unbelief in the one true God that she had no fear of judgment, she never expected to meet a righteous and holy God one day, who will judge her for things done in the flesh, her thoughts, her deeds and her motives.

Modern Echoes: The Age of Aquarius

Today, the New Age Movement is spreading rapidly, with some even calling it the “Age of Aquarius.” Many people are drawn to its teachings, including secular humanists, witches, Satanists, and celebrities. One prominent TV and movie star has become a spokesperson for the movement, claiming to receive instructions from an ancient being, that tells her things and guides her. This celebrity, like Jezebel, serves as a role model for many, leading others into deception.

The New Age Movement teaches that being “born again” is simply a personal transformation or healing of the self. It says that you must “let go” and allow your “inner guide” or “higher self” to direct your life, without any belief or need for the Holy Spirit and Him indwelling you. They speak of something called “kundalini,” a Hindu term meaning “serpent power,” which has clear connections to Satan. This mimics spiritual experiences, but it is a counterfeit of true Christian transformational quality of the Holy Spirit.

Satan, as always, has counterfeited the things of Jesus Christ and Christianity. The New Age Movement, much like the false prophets in Jezebel’s time, speaks of a “Christ-like” figure who will come to establish a utopian Kingdom of peace on Earth, that he will reign over the new age, bringing about a one world religion and consolidating all nations into one government. This is eerily similar to the Antichrist, who will deceive many and promise a one-world government and a counterfeit peace—something the Bible warns will happen before the true return of Jesus Christ.

Distinguishing Truth from Deception

In a nutshell, here is what the New Age Movement teaches:

• God is impersonal; He is not loving, He can be a he or she, but not the sovereign, holy, and righteous God of the Bible.

• Jesus is not the Son of God, not the Christ and someone greater than Jesus will come, not realising there will be an anti-Christ connected to Satan, who will try to imitate the Christ, as we have been forewarned in scriptures.

• There is no need for being born again, as they reject the Holy Spirit and encourage people to follow their demon guides.

• And about the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ that the anti-Christ will rule in Earth and Heaven is the Kingdom of God during the Age of Aquarius and that it is not a real place, but merely an Earthly utopia.

• There is no sin, judgment, evil or hell.

As believers in Christ, we know these claims are false. We have the truth from the Bible, which tells us that God is our loving Father, He is not a she or a goddess, but the supreme being. Jesus is His only begotten Son, the express image of the invisible God, and salvation comes through Him alone. The Holy Spirit, sent by the Father and the Son, dwells within us, guiding and empowering us to live according to God’s will. Heaven is a real, physical place where God the Father and God the Son reign in glory, and hell is a real and horrible place for those who reject the truth of the gospel. Through the Holy Spirit, we are assured of our salvation and strengthened in our faith as we await eternal life with God. He tells us that angels are messengers of God and named in scripture and He tells us to be born again, by the spirit of God by receiving Jesus as our personal Saviour.

A Call to Stand Firm in the Truth

Throughout history, God has warned His people about false religions. From Jezebel’s priests to the builders of the Tower of Babel, we have seen it through the ages. These instances of idolatry and rebellion against God serve as lessons for us today. Even in Noah’s time, when wickedness was rampant, God had to destroy the world with a flood. This, too, is a forewarning for us today. Jesus Himself tells us in Matthew 24 that when we see the same kinds of lawlessness and rebellion happening again, it is a sign that His return is near.

In Matthew 24:29-30, Jesus speaks of the signs preceding His second coming: “Immediately after the distress of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven.”

We know that in the end times, false prophets will rise up to deceive even the elect (Matthew 24:24). Deception has led to destruction throughout the ages, and it will culminate in the final days before Jesus’ return. This New Age Movement, like its predecessors, may fade into the background only to be replaced by another. Yet, there is the real possibility that this movement could lead to the rise of the Antichrist, who will deceive many with promises of peace and a one-world government. Scripture warns us that the Antichrist will set up his rule on Earth, even establishing himself in Jerusalem and claiming to be the Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). However, we who know the Bible recognize this for the lie that it is.

Jesus warned: “If anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it” (Matthew 24:26). His true return will not be secret or localized. We are told in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 that He will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. The dead in Christ will rise first, and those who are still alive will be caught up to meet Him in the air. This event, known as the rapture, will take place in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:52).

Jesus will gather His elect and take them to be with Him for seven years, during which time the Great Tribulation will unfold on Earth. After this period, He will return with His saints to establish His Kingdom on Earth and reign for a thousand years (Revelation 20:4-6). Unlike the false peace promised by the New Age Movement, this will be the true and lasting reign of the Prince of Peace.

We are warned in Scripture that the Antichrist will bring about a false peace and deceive many. Jesus Himself cautioned us against following these lies. We are also reminded of the lessons of history—Jezebel and her false prophets led Israel into idolatry, and the builders of the Tower of Babel sought to defy God’s sovereignty. These stories serve as warnings for us today. Wide is the gate that leads to destruction, but narrow is the gate that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14).

As believers, we look forward to the Lord’s return. By God’s grace, we will not be caught up in the ecumenical movement or New Age ideologies that attempt to unify all religions and philosophies into one deceptive system. This “Age of Aquarius” promises enlightenment and unity but leads people to follow the Antichrist instead of Christ. The Bible is clear: there can be no lasting peace on Earth until Jesus Himself returns to set up His Kingdom.

We must stand firm in the truth, remembering Jesus’ words and promises. Let us choose the narrow path that leads to life. Choose wisely—choose Christ!

Conclusion: Lessons from Jezebel and the Bible

God’s sovereignty remains unshaken; He knows the beginning from the end. The warnings drawn from Jezebel’s life and scripture provide us with timeless clarity. As Ecclesiastes 1:9 reminds us, “There is nothing new under the sun.” Satan’s methods of deception have not changed, and false religions like the New Age / Golden Age Movement are modern manifestations of these ancient lies. These deceptions, cloaked in promises of enlightenment, peace, and unity, echo the spiritual rebellion seen in Jezebel’s time, the Tower of Babel, and countless other moments in history.

Even those movements that claim to acknowledge Christ often compromise truth, embracing all religions in the name of an ecumenical ‘unity and peace.’ This push toward a one-world religion is yet another ploy by Satan, setting the stage for the rise of the Antichrist, who will seek to establish his rule over a one-world government. Scripture warns us of this, and as believers, we are called to be vigilant.

Our anchor is the Word of God. We must remain grounded, discerning, and uncompromising in our faith. The false promises of movements like the New Age and the allure of unity at the expense of truth must be rejected. Instead, we fix our eyes on Christ, awaiting His glorious return when He will establish His eternal Kingdom—a Kingdom of true peace and righteousness.

Let us hold fast to God’s promises, stand firm in His truth, and keep our hearts prepared for the day when the Prince of Peace will reign forever.

The free gift of salvation

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“Nothing New Under the Sun” is adapted from Eleanor Page’s talk on ‘Jezebel’ in the ‘Women in the Bible’ series, broadcasted on BBN Radio / Photo by RDNE Stock at Pexels.

6 Ways Jesus Faced Opposition

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“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” ~ Ephesians 6:12

I opened God’s Word with a heavy heart, feeling the burden of opposition. A friend had recently attacked my character due to a difference of ethical beliefs. Stunned and hurt by this, I quickly recognized my unpreparedness in facing this attack. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit prompted me to seek the Lord and the truth of his Word. I opened my Bible and was led to Hebrews 12:3, which answered my prayer for relief: “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Six Ways Jesus Faced Opposition

Jesus, the Man of Sorrows, experienced opposition far worse than my situation. But in his eyes, it’s not relevant, for all who call on his name receive the same power and ability to face opposition. In studying and understanding the character of Jesus revealed in Scripture, I felt thoroughly equipped to face this challenging situation by mirroring Christ’s response.

When we are antagonized or provoked, our first step should always be to ask the Holy Spirit to guide our hearts, minds, and words. 1 Peter 3:15 instructs us to “give an answer to those who ask,” and Colossians 4:6 instructs us to speak graciously “so that [we] may know how you ought to answer each person.”

1. Jesus exposed motives.

In Mark 3, we find Jesus approaching a disfigured man in the synagogue. Verse 2 explains, “[The Pharisees] watched Jesus to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him.” Mark tells of Jesus challenging them by responding, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” (v. 4). Manmade rituals enforced by the Pharisees had made God’s Law joyless, and Jesus exposed their prideful and judgmental hearts.

2. Jesus sought peace.

When Jesus is arrested, in fear and protection, Peter cuts off the ear of the high priest’s servant. Instead of affirming this act of violence, Jesus commands peace:

Put your sword back in its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” (Matthew 26:52-54).

Not only does Jesus condemn this behavior, but displays his loving nature by healing the man’s ear (Luke 22:51).

3. Jesus applied Scripture.

In Matthew 9, Jesus is found “reclined at a table in the house” with tax collectors and sinners (v. 10), which stirred up controversy amongst the Pharisees. They ask his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” (v. 11). How does Jesus respond? “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (vv. 12-13, NIV). Jesus used Hosea 6:6, the very scripture the Pharisees preached, to challenge their hardened hearts. Later in Matthew 12, Jesus uses the same scripture from Hosea to challenge the Pharisees: “If you had known what this means…you would not have condemned the guiltless” (v. 7).

4. Jesus prayed.

As Jesus awaited his impending suffering and death, he stepped aside in isolation to pray. Opposition caused Jesus to feel sorrowful and troubled, overwhelming his soul to the point of death (Matthew 26:36-38). Jesus, fully God yet fully man, still needed his Father. Three times in Gethsemane, Matthew says he “fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will’” (vv. 39, 42, 44).

Similarly, in the Gospel of John chapter 17, Jesus prays for himself, for his disciples, and for all believers. As his impending death and resurrection approached, he prayed for salvation and for the Father’s glory as he awaited this fulfillment (vv. 1-5). He lifted up his disciples in prayer for physical and spiritual protection, unity, the full measure of his joy, obedience, and sanctification (vv. 6-19). Jesus prayed for all believers, that they may hear his message, believe, unite, evangelize, and be saved (vv. 20-25).

5. Jesus remained silent.

When Jesus is arrested and faced with the Sanhedrin looking for false evidence against him, they question him. “’Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’ But Jesus remained silent” (Matthew 26:62-63, NIV). Jesus was aware of their bias, hostility, partiality, and their past history of twisting his words. His silence demonstrated how undeserving they were of a response. Though Jesus later responds in truth to their questions, he is still accused of blasphemy, declared worthy of death, spit in the face, struck with their fists, mocked, and provoked (vv. 64-68). Yet amidst the turmoil, he chooses silence.

6. Jesus loved.

As Jesus languished on the cross, he didn’t counter his accusers with insults, cursing, and retaliation—nor did he use his power to inflict pain. His submissive silence was a divine response from the nature of an almighty, all-powerful, sovereign God in the flesh—an example for all his people to follow. He withstood excruciating agony as long as he could so the door would be open to salvation, including for his enemies. Jesus forgave the thief on the cross hanging next to him who had earlier hurled insults at him, yet repented in his last moments (Luke 23:39-43). He prayed for the forgiveness of the very people who were crucifying him: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34, NIV). Even those responsible for the crucifixion had forgiveness available to them in love from the Lord.

Can you imagine the results had Jesus responded differently under opposition? Lives wouldn’t have changed, hearts wouldn’t have been transformed, and his beloved wouldn’t have been welcomed into his kingdom.

Equipped for Opposition

In following the tactics used by Jesus in the face of his opponents, this encounter with my friend ended in a manner I was not expecting. Though not immediately, our relationship was healed and elevated to a new level of intimacy and love—a true miracle of the Lord’s mercy and grace. Be encouraged, dear friends; though opposition in this world is inevitable, we can stand equipped under our Savior’s example and by his life, rising victoriously over it.

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*** By Meredith Hodge at Open the Bible.org / Photo by Apollonia at Pexels