November 2
Mark 14:53-65; Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:66-72; Matthew 26:69-75; Luke 22:54-65; John 18:25-27; Mark 15:1; Matthew 27:1-2; Luke 22:66-71; Matthew 27:3-10
We read of the situation prophesied so long ago, in the book of Daniel, around 536 BC, in Daniel 12:4, "But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.”" We now live at a time where knowledge is everywhere, and at our fingertips. A number of years ago, I began to see this trend in my practice. Though I went to pharmacy school, then medical school, then residency, and had been practicing for years, patients began to have increased access to knowledge through Google, or any other search engine for that matter. Armed with a headline, a small bit of information, they would come in and tell me what it is that they now "knew" to be true. Not that they had gone to medical school themselves, but with knowledge, as good or bad as that knowledge might be, many would come in and question anything and everything. For some, they would become uncomfortable as I explained how the information was misleading or was missing certain important elements. Though knowledge is now abundant and accessible, this does not equate with wisdom. Fact checkers, also through certain groups, does not make these groups any more reliable. Where does that put us now? Armed with limited, yet abundant knowledge, very little of it verifiable, choosing which "experts" you choose to listen to or deem as authoritative, sides are drawn and sparring occurs. Now in my early sixties, I have never witnessed such deep and pervasive divisions between families, neighbors, friends, etc. In 1 Corinthians 8:1, we read that "Knowledge puffs up." Indeed it does. If you want reliable knowledge go to God's Word and you will find it.
When Jesus was brought before the council, their minds had already been made up about Jesus. In their limited wisdom, they believed they possessed all the knowledge required to render their decision. We read of this mockery of a trial in Mark 14:56-64, " Many false witnesses spoke against him, but they contradicted each other. Finally, some men stood up and gave this false testimony: “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this Temple made with human hands, and in three days I will build another, made without human hands.’” But even then they didn’t get their stories straight! Then the high priest stood up before the others and asked Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” But Jesus was silent and made no reply. Then the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?” “Guilty!” they all cried. “He deserves to die!”" Though the only truth spoken at this event came from the lips of Jesus, His words were disregarded due to the "knowledge" coming from the so-called "experts.
Unlike ever before in my lifetime events are unfolding at remarkable speeds and from seemingly every direction. My world no longer looks anything like the world that I grew up in. We can choose which media source in which to gather together the information we call knowledge. Or we can spend intense time in God's Word, which is completely reliable, timeless, and the true source of wisdom. Decisions are being made, not over decades, but over months. Some of these decisions you can reverse, but many you will be unable to. We see what happened when events did not go forth as Judas had predicted, based on his own knowledge, in Matthew 27:4-5, " “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.” Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself." Though Judas spent close to three years with the King of Kings, Jesus' wisdom did match the knowledge Judas thought he possessed concerning the Messiah. As years have gone on, I realize that I, and for that matter, none of us are really that smart. We can compare ourselves to one another and puff ourselves up. But compared with God, we possess limited knowledge. Now is the time for a steady diet in God's Word. Now is the time to receive our direction and guidance from Him. He will direct our steps, if we will only listen.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: