“COULD YOU FOLLOW YESHUA’S REQUEST?”

The young man saith unto him, all these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? “ Yeshua saith unto him, “If thou wilt, be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (Matthew 19:20 – 22.)

PRE-AMBLE by Robert

I am opening with a quote from the Sept. 24, 2017 article ” WHO WILL THREAD THE NEEDLE.” In the article, Jesse Penn Lewis (1861 – 1927) adds to our weapons and plan of attack remember Peter talked about all the different levels of faith being demonstrated. Ms. Penn Lewis draws our attention to use our free will and faith combination. She states the following on pg 211 – 212 in her book the ninth edition published 1973, “WAR ON THE SAINTS.” “In the hour of his regeneration, God gives a man the absolute liberty of will to rule over himself, as he walks in fellowship with God. And by this restoration of a will free to act in choosing for God, SATAN LOSES HIS POWER. Satan is the god of this world, and he rules the world through the will of men enslaved by him. Enslaved not only directly, but indirectly, by inciting men to enslave one another, and to covet the power of “influence,” whereas they should work with God to restore to every man the freedom of his own personal volition, and the power of choice to do right because it is right, obtained for them at Calvary.“

What are we to look for? What is it we are being shown in this parable? We know following the world leads to destruction so what is it Yeshua is attempting to reveal with this parable? We really need to prepare for our acceptance of the answers which are about to be revealed. 

OPENING PRAYER by Robert

I hear the horns in heaven heralding your greatness heavenly Father, sounding out your Holy reverence. Music not of the world but of heaven so majestic it is beyond the human mind, soothing, uplifting and identifying your diety. Lord, we humble ourselves before your throne prostrating before you Father desiring to have you search our hearts, Lord. So we might know our actual position within our personal relationship with you Yeshua. We plead for you to measure our dedication, devotion, and loyalty. If you find it short Father reveal those areas we need to strengthen to continue in your service. This we pray in the name of Yeshua Amen and Amen. 

OPENING STATEMENT by Robert 

When I read the scripture in Matthew 19: 20 – 22 I pondered and wondered what was going through the mind and heart of that young man. Here stood before him the one who held the answer to the question “What lack I yet? ” My question, are those possessions so vital to you? You have just been offered a path to eternal life!

Jessie Penn-Lewis (1861-1927) possibly explains what might have been in this young man’s mind at the time. “Satan is the god of this world. And he rules the world through the will of men enslaved by, him. Enslaved not only directly, but indirectly, by inciting men to enslave one another, and to covet the power of “influence,” 

Matthew Henry (1662- 1774) relates the possible position this young man may have possessed in this world at the time.“All Satan’s promises are deceitful; and if he is permitted to have any influence in disposing of the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, he uses them as baits to ensnare men to destruction. We should reject at once and with abhorrence, every opportunity of sinful gain or advancement, as a price offered for our souls; we should seek riches, honors, and happiness in the worship and service of God only.” 

The Holy Spirit brought me two things first from Deuteronomy 23:20 Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury, but unto thy brother, thou shalt not lend upon usury. That the Lord thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it. 

The second was the interpretation of this parable is to be discerned by those walking in the spirit to see what Yeshua was speaking about in the parable. 

Some reading this article will react in the same manner as the young man, with disappointment in their hearts because they will hear the subtle musings from Satan, “You worked hard for those things, why give it to the poor, they didn’t earn it, and besides what do you know of this man’s offerings?” 

How many are there in our assemblies, who do not sit under the word, but sit by! It is to them as a tale that is told, not as a message that is sent to them. Observe the duties taught and recommended to us by the history of the person with paralysis. In applying to Yeshua, we must be very pressing and urgent; that is an evidence of faith and is very pleasing to Yeshua, and prevailing with him. In prayer, we would humbly ask, “Give us, Lord, the same kind of faith concerning thy ability and willingness to heal our souls. Give us to desire the pardon of sin more than any earthly blessing, or life itself. Enable us to believe thy power to forgive sins; then will our souls cheerfully arise and go where thou please.” Amen.

Matthew Henry (1662- 1774) Points out the following. “We must all, like Peter, own ourselves to be sinful men. Therefore Yeshua might justly depart from us. But we must beseech him that he would not depart; for woe unto us if the Saviour depart from sinners! Rather let us entreat him to come and dwell in our hearts by faith, that he may transform and cleanse them. These fishermen forsook all and followed Yeshua when their calling prospered. When riches increase, and we are tempted to set our hearts upon them, then to quit them for Yeshua is thankworthy.“

“ Yeshua was neither ashamed nor afraid to own the purposes of his grace. He healed the poor man, though he knew his enemies would take advantage against him for it. Let us not be drawn either from our duty or from our usefulness by any opposition. We may well be amazed, that the sons of men should be so wicked.”

In this parable, the Master is Yeshua, who is the absolute Owner and proprietor of all persons and things. And in a unique manner of his assembly into his hands all elements are delivered. The servants are Believers, his own servants, so they are called born in his house, bought with his money, devoted to his praise, and employed in his work. Matthew 25:33 – 34 “And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. v34: Then shall the King say unto them on his right side, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. The day of account comes at last. We must all be reckoned with what good we have done to our own souls, and have done to others, by the advantages we have enjoyed. It is not meant that the improving of natural powers can entitle a man to Divine grace. It is the real Believer’s liberty and privilege to be employed as his Redeemer’s servant, in promoting his glory, and the good of his people: the love of Yeshua constrains him to live no longer to himself, but to Him, that died for him, and rose again. 

Matthew Henry (1662- 1774) discerns the parable even further so we might understand what Yeshua was asking of the young man and today’s “Modern Day Disciples” and Believers.  A description of the last judgment. It is as an explanation of the former parables. There is a judgment to come, in which every man shall be sentenced to a state of everlasting happiness, or misery. Christ shall come, not only in the glory of his Father but in his own glory, as Mediator. The wicked and godly here dwell together, in the same cities, churches, families, and are not always to be known the one from the other; such are the weaknesses of saints, such the hypocrisies of sinners; and death takes both: but in that day they will be parted forever. Yeshua is the great Shepherd; he will shortly distinguish between those that are his and those that are not. All other distinctions will be done away; but the great one between saints and sinners, holy and unholy, will remain forever.

The happiness the saints shall possess is very significant. It is a kingdom; the most valuable possession on earth; yet this is but a faint resemblance of the blessed state of the saints in heaven. It is a kingdom prepared. The Father provided it for them in the greatness of his wisdom and power; the Son purchased it for them; and the blessed Spirit, in preparing them for the kingdom, is preparing it for them.

It is prepared for them: it is in all points adapted to the new nature of a sanctified soul. It is prepared from the foundation of the world. This happiness was for the saints, and they for it, from all eternity. They shall come and inherit it. What we inherit is not got by ourselves. It is God that makes heirs of heaven. We are not to suppose that acts of bounty will entitle to eternal happiness. Good works done for God’s sake, through Yeshua, are here noticed as marking the character of believers made holy by the Spirit of Yeshua, and as the effects of grace bestowed on those who do them. The wicked in this world were often called to come to Yeshua for life and rest, but they turned from his calls; and justly are those bid to depart from Yeshua, that would not come to him. Condemned sinners will in vain offer excuses. The punishment of the wicked will be an everlasting punishment; their state cannot be altered. Thus life and death, good and evil, the blessing and the curse, are set before us, that we may choose our way, and as our way so shall our end be.

CLOSING COMMENTS by Robert 

Our Lord lays it right on the line, what our work should consist of as His followers and workers. Matthew 25: 35 – 39 and in verse 40 explains how our work not only benefits those we approach and work with but how it appears in God’s eyes. “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you. Since ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye, have done it unto me.  “In God’s words, we find what I believe, Yeshua was telling the young man by spiritually letting go of his desire to hold all his worldly possessions as being important. Then following Yeshua and His teachings he would find himself on the right hand of God. I want to reference here the article published March 24, 2018 “IS YOUR JOURNEY TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT OF LIFE? This article gave us a look at what our journey through this life encased in a carnal temple which has an expiry date on it. I quote “From the moment we draw our first breath “as one so wonderfully fashioned” by God in the womb (Job 31:15). We enter into our journey through life to reconnect with God spiritually through our personal relationship with Yeshua before our carnal temple expires.” 

In this article, we can see our desire to reconnect spiritually with God having been pointed out previously in the Article published March 24, 2018 “IS YOUR JOURNEY TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT OF LIFE? Can be seen as the foundation of our walk, and God’s description of the final judgment reveals the complete Assembly and what it must be prepared to do in the name of our Lord to obediently serve Him. In doing so, we will receive the gifts of heaven as described which are being prepared for us now.

In contrast to the gifts of God, the separation describes what is available for those who choose to be on the left. Matthew Henry (1662 – 1774) gives us a look: Those that glory in sin, glory in their shame. The patience and forbearance of God are abused by sinners, to the hardening of their hearts in their wicked ways. But the enemies in vain boast in their mischief, while we have God’s mercy to trust in. It will not save us from the guilt of lying, to be able to say, there was some truth in what we said if we make it appear otherwise than it was. The more there is of craft and contrivance in any wickedness, the more there is of Satan in it. When good men die, they are transplanted from the land of the living on earth to heaven, the garden of the Lord, where they shall take root for ever; but when wicked men die, they are rooted out, to perish forever. The believer sees that God will destroy those who make not him their strength. 

Men’s words will be judged of by the affections with which they speak. He who not only speaks aright ( which an evil man may do to save his credit or please his company). But loves to talk so, speaks well of choice, and with delight, to him, it will be life; and he that not only speaks amiss (which a reasonable man may do through inadvertency), but loves to speak so (Psalms 52:4 Why boastest thou in mischief, O mighty man? The goodness of God endureth continually. Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Thou lovest evil more than good and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah. Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. God shall likewise destroy thee for ever; he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah. The wicked who boasted himself, not only in the power he has to make mischief but in the harm he did. It is terrible to do ill, but it is worse to boast of it and glory in it when we have done, not only not to be ashamed of a wicked action but to justify it but to magnify it and value ourselves upon it. Those who glory in their sin glory in their shame, and then it becomes yet more shameful mighty men are often mischievous men and boast of their heart’s desire, (Psalm 10:3) For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth. 

CLOSING PRAYER by Robert

Father in heaven we thank you for all the wisdom you have provided through the Holy Spirit. We thank you, Lord, for lighting our path revealing the pitfalls we will or can encounter as we continue our journey. We know the tongue can be a stumbling block for our walk and thank you for strengthening our desire to bring control into our lives over our speech. We ask Father for your compassion to blanket us so we might receive through the Holy Spirit your guiding love to remove all thoughts of evil-doing so we may continue drawing closer to Yeshua in our personal relationship. This we pray in Yeshua’s name, Amen, and Amen. 

Again please remember this is just a humble servant doing the bidding of the LORD I pray for you to have a safe journey forward. Walk in God’s love and peace and may the “CASTING OF YOUR NET” be fruitful remember He is always with you if you hold His love in your heart always. God’s Speed. 

SUPERIORITY OF WISDOM Per King Solomon. (Ecclesiastes 2:12 -16)

 And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly. For what can the man do that cometh after the King? Even that which hath been already done. Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. The wise man’s eyes are in his head but the fool walketh in darkness. And I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all. Then said I in my heart, as it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity. For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.
Go in peace and May our Father bless and keep thee safe strong and well.

Robert