The
Harvester
APRIL 2004 No.
220
In his account of the Gospel, John records a most
interesting statement made by our Savior. It was Jesus’ last week on earth. He
had gathered his closest disciples in an upper room in Jerusalem to observe the
Passover meal. But He was also preparing them for His departure. In chapter 13
we read how Jesus washed the disciple’s feet as an example in servitude (vs.
4-15).
John also revealed many of Jesus’ final teachings
before His crucifixion (chapters 14 – 17). In particular, the Son of man said, “A
new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you,
that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my
disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (Jn. 13:34,35)
This is the only time it has been recorded that
Jesus stated He was giving a new commandment to His disciples. But what
did Jesus mean by “a new commandment”? Is it new in the sense that it had never
been introduced before? No, because throughout time God has always expected his
people to love one another and to love others as well.
Recall when Jesus was asked by the Pharisees about
which was the great commandment in the law. He answered that they were to love
God and to love their neighbor and “on these two commandments hang all the
law and the prophets” (Matt.
The Greek word for “new” in this instance (Jn.
13:34), does not pertain to age but to freshness (Thayer). Jesus was giving His
disciples a fresh (new) and invigorating commandment. It was time to remind His
listeners of a principle that had either been forgotten or sorely neglected.
Obviously, love among the disciples had been lacking and it was a trait that
our Lord felt needed to be re-emphasized. So He announced a “fresh” directive
to His followers. This is how the world would now recognize Christians, “if
ye have love one to another.”
John, the Beloved Disciple, repeats this commandment
again years later in his writings. “In this the children of God are
manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is
not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message
that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.” (1 Jn.
3:10,11) As the apostle tells us, this commandment to love one another is not
really new but was in effect from the very beginning of man’s time.
Then in verse 12, John contrasts this idea to love
one another with the case of Cain and Abel. This is perhaps the first story in
the Bible that dealt with the subject of love (…or more correctly, what happens
when you don’t love!). Let us quickly notice a few points about this account.
1. It is a tale of two brothers (Gen. 4:1,2). Being
earthly brothers would suggest a natural and close tie to each other. There
should be a natural love between them.
2. They brought different offerings to God: Cain
brought of the fruit of the ground and Abel brought of the firstlings of his
flock (Gen. 4:3,4). However, God had respect only toward Abel and his
offering. According to Heb. 11:4, they
were both informed by faith (i.e., by the word of God himself!) on what kind of
offering to bring. We don’t exactly know why Cain chose to bring something
different, but he did nonetheless.
3. Cain got mad when his offering was refused (Gen.
4:5-7). Yet, he had been warned that if he followed God’s instructions, then
his sacrifice would be accepted. And if not, then sin would follow. How very
true, as we are about to read!
4. Cain rose up and killed Abel (Gen. 4:8).
Obviously Cain did not love his brother as he should have. Instead, he probably
got jealous because his own offering was refused while Abel’s offering was
accepted. For a moment Cain got mad enough to hate, then to kill his own
brother. This only illustrates another point that the apostle John wanted to
make in his letter: “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and
ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” (1 Jn. 3:15)
Unfortunately there are still too many Cain-Abel
instances in the world today. There are those who are supposed to love like “brothers”
but hate like Cain: Jews vs. Arabs, whites vs. blacks, also co-workers,
husbands and wives, etc. Even among members of the Lord’s church there is not
enough “love” or “charity” (1 Cor. 13) as ought to be. We spend too much time
hating one another and getting mad or being jealous and not communicating with
love.
Jesus gave His disciples a “new”, fresh commandment:
to love one another. What a novel idea in this time and age! We need to love
God, love His Son, love our brethren …love all for this is what distinguishes
us as followers of Christ and God’s children.
RAY
McMANUS
A THOUGHT ABOUT
THE PASSION MOVIE
I have yet to see the movie, “The Passion of Christ”, but I’ve heard about
it. A lot of people are talking about this recent production by Mel Gibson
regarding the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. The movie itself is
controversial and very graphic in nature. In fact, it is filled with such
graphic violence that it earned an R-rating.
From what I have gathered, though, watching the movie has created some
intense and emotional reactions among many Christians and non-believers alike.
It is quite moving and almost makes one feel that he is actually there,
witnessing the punishment of Jesus. Some people have even gotten choked up trying
to describe this movie. Why?
There is something about all this I don’t understand. It seems as if Mel
Gibson and Hollywood have found a way to reach people’s heart with the Gospel
story better than God could through His written Word. At least, judging from
people’s reaction it seems that way and it makes me wonder.
Wayne Jackson, editor of Christian Courier, has these similar comments: “I
do believe, however, that something is awry when folks claim that they have
never been so moved regarding the death of Jesus as by seeing this movie.
Claudia Puig, a columnist for USA TODAY, wrote that, ‘Watching the sadistic
torture and crucifixion of Jesus…provides a more visceral experience than
reading the New Testament ever could render’ (2/24/04). Apparently, for such
folks as these, Mel Gibson has been able to achieve, through his cinemagraphic
skills, what the Holy Spirit was unable to accomplish through Matthew, Mark,
Luke, and John.”
Mr. Jackson continues: “Admittedly, the apostle John was the disciple who was
the closest to the Savior. John especially is designated as ‘the disciple whom
Jesus loved’ (Jn.
The apostle, with amazing brevity, depicts the actual crucifixion in less
than four dozen words in the Greek New Testament. ‘Then therefore he
delivered him unto them to be crucified. They took Jesus therefore: and he went
out, bearing the cross for himself, unto the place called the place of a skull,
which is called Golgotha in Hebrew: where they crucified him, and with him two
others, one on either side, and Jesus in the middle’ (19:16-18). Where is
all the groaning, the Technicolor descriptions of gushing blood, the battered,
swollen face, tormenting insects, gnawing dogs, etc.? Such descriptives are
conspicuously absent!” (Please see www.christiancourier.com/penpoints
3/8/04 for the complete article written by Wayne Jackson.)
I do plan to soon see the movie myself. But I will remember it is only a
movie and not a substitute for God’s Word. As Mr. Jackson also points out in
his article, the real emphasis of the crucifixion is not in how graphic we can
visualize it, but the fact that Jesus died for my sins (Gal. 1:4)
RAY
SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES
1. How did Aaron explain to Moses where the golden
calf came from?
2. What time of day did several women go to the tomb
of Jesus to put spices on it?
3. What kind of animal did Jesus call Herod?
4. What did the Psalmist ask God to create within
him?
5. What news had Eli just received when he fell back
and broke his neck?
ANSWERS
NEXT MONTH . . .
and remember last month’s questions?
1. In the days of Haggai, who stirred up the governor,
the high priest, and all the people to rebuild the temple? THE LORD (Hag. 1:14)
2. While Paul was in Ephesus he was going to
Jerusalem and then he said he must also go see what city? ROME (Acts 19:21)
3. What are the elders to do when called for the
sick? PRAY OVER THEM, ANOINTING THEM
WITH OIL (Jas. 5:14)
4. For what type of heart did David pray for in
Psalm 86? UNITED (Psa. 86:11)
5. What two main articles were in the Holy Place of
the tabernacle? A TABLE AND A
CANDLESTICK (Exo. 26:35)
GOSPEL MEETINGS
DATES PLACE & TIME SPEAKER
April Noble Church Harry Cobb
4 – 9 LaFayette, GA (Wedowee, AL)
April Antioch
Church Gerald
Carter
9 – 11 Monroe, TN (Eubank, KY)
April Antioch
Church David &
Danny Adams
16 – 18 Douglasville,
GA (Bloomington,
IN)
April West Broad
Street Church Jim Pritchard
18 – 23 Wedowee, AL (Shawnee, OK)
April South Shore
Church James McDonald
19 – 25 near Ashland,
KY (Woodbury, TN)
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THE HARVESTER is a monthly publication intended to encourage all men everywhere to become laborers into God’s harvest (Luke 10:2). This paper is mailed free of charge to anyone who wishes to receive it. Please submit name, address, and all correspondence to:
Ray McManus
141 County Road 474
Woodland, AL 36280
Phone: (256) 449-9221
Email:
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