"During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission." (Hebrews 5:7, NIV)
I believed that Jesus wept in the context above because of his acceptance of mankind's sin on himself (i.e., dying on cross). I can not begin to understand the weight of what that knowledge must have meant with respect to consequence (see below). I suspect that Jesus was crying not for himself, but for those he was going to die for, and not everyone is going to be saved.
"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who brought them - bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed, these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment." (2 Peter 2:1-4, NIV)
"These men are springs without water, and mists driven by by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity - for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savor Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have better for them not to have the way of righteousness, than to have known it, and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog dog returns to its vomit" and "A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud."" (2 Peter 2:17-22, NIV).
Wow, this says a lot to me and I am sure will mean different things to different people. That said, it appears that these men (i.e. false teachers) referred to in Chapter 2 of 2 Peter, could be a root cause in the division of His church. The consequence of their SIN, is far reaching because in essence they will lead "others" away from GOD by bringing the way of truth into disrepute. How they and those who are lead astray will be held accountable is quite clear:
1. "swift destruction on themselves" 2. "Blackest darkness is reserved for them" 3. "sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment"
Hence, I truly believe that Jesus does weep over the division of His church, because He fully understands the true consequence. This suggests, that even believers who knew Jesus (accepted the gift of dying for our sins), can be deceived by false teachers, in the end, will be worst off than before knowing our Lord Jesus Christ.
I hope the Spirit has worked through me, to enlighten me and shred some light on this question.
Jesus also wept for Jerusalem on his journey to His final week.
In Luke 19, "As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it and said, 'If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you.'"
Yes, He was referring to what was to come in 70 A.D. I can't help but think the He is in sorrow for the destruction we humans cause to His world, His kingdom, and yes, even within His church.
"During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission." (Hebrews 5:7, NIV)
ReplyDeleteI believed that Jesus wept in the context above because of his acceptance of mankind's sin on himself (i.e., dying on cross). I can not begin to understand the weight of what that knowledge must have meant with respect to consequence (see below). I suspect that Jesus was crying not for himself, but for those he was going to die for, and not everyone is going to be saved.
"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who brought them - bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed, these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment."
(2 Peter 2:1-4, NIV)
"These men are springs without water, and mists driven by by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity - for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savor Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have better for them not to have the way of righteousness, than to have known it, and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog dog returns to its vomit" and "A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud."" (2 Peter 2:17-22, NIV).
Wow, this says a lot to me and I am sure will mean different things to different people. That said, it appears that these men (i.e. false teachers) referred to in Chapter 2 of 2 Peter, could be a root cause in the division of His church. The consequence of their SIN, is far reaching because in essence they will lead "others" away from GOD by bringing the way of truth into disrepute. How they and those who are lead astray will be held accountable is quite clear:
1. "swift destruction on themselves"
2. "Blackest darkness is reserved for them"
3. "sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment"
Hence, I truly believe that Jesus does weep over the division of His church, because He fully understands the true consequence. This suggests, that even believers who knew Jesus (accepted the gift of dying for our sins), can be deceived by false teachers, in the end, will be worst off than before knowing our Lord Jesus Christ.
I hope the Spirit has worked through me, to enlighten me and shred some light on this question.
Blessings - Richard
Good comment, Richard.
ReplyDeleteJesus also wept for Jerusalem on his journey to His final week.
In Luke 19, "As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it and said, 'If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you.'"
Yes, He was referring to what was to come in 70 A.D. I can't help but think the He is in sorrow for the destruction we humans cause to His world, His kingdom, and yes, even within His church.