Of all the questions Jesus asked none rise higher than the ones found here: Matthew 16:26 “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Jesus would not have asked the question unless it was possible or even realistic. Sadly, history is littered with men making trades for their souls. In biblical times, Judas traded away his soul for recognition and a few pieces of silver. Esau traded his birthright for a temporary reprieve from hunger. Demas traded his apostolic authority for the attractions of the world. Paul wrote that Demas “loved this present world.” He must not have considered the next world.

The exchange doesn’t seem rational in light of eternity, but there are no shortages of bad deals. Some trade fellowship and the preached Word for a football game. Some trade communion with Christ for the pursuit of money. Even worse, there are people who allow grudges and bitterness to separate them from the church. These things stand as deterrents to the Cross. Paul asked, “What shall separate us from Jesus Christ? Shall trouble or strife? Success or failure? He asked such things to provoke the reader to think about the loss in separation and to proclaim his own adherence.

Time in the ministry has taught me that those who make such trades never think that they are trading away their soul. Bitter or entangled people rarely think they are. They see it altogether different. The exchange is never viewed as spiritual death or turning away from the Truth. In the moment of conflict, pleasure, or pain, they do not recognize that they are forfeiting the very thing that matters most: Eternal life! While they are gaining things that rust and fade away, they are losing what cannot die. All the rest is like dust cast against the wind. All of it fades leaving emptiness behind.

What if, “he shall gain the whole world”? What would it amount to in the end? The loss of the never-dying soul is too great to bare. In fact, juxtaposed against a timeless state, nothing compares. Weighed against Heaven and all it entails, everything else is petty and meaningless.

Jesus asked the question and surprisingly there is an answer. Some speak of being disenfranchised, while others talk of busy work schedules. The list is endless, but so is Eternity.

Jim Elliot’s words ring deep in my heart. I’ll offer them to you:

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. “

I leave you with an old lyric of deep meaning, “Only what you do for Christ will last.”

Pastor Jeffrey Harpole

Flora of Israel describes the many species of the acacia. The horn of Africa might boast a host of acacia types. In all, the genus Acacia entails about 160 species of trees and shrubs in the pea family (Fabaceae). Israel’s types range in size with almost all featuring stipular thorns protruding from the thin and flexible branches. These types of trees/bushes do not need much care as they can survive in dry and arid places. While most of these thorny trees have been pulled or covered up by concrete and the mass of seasonal tourists, Jerusalem once had them in abundance.

It would have been most common for Roman soldiers to play psychological games with those condemned to die. Humiliation and torment accompanied the physical suffering. When it came to executions, the Romans left nothing out. Jesus felt the full impact of those trained tormentors: John 19:2 “And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe.”

Calvary entailed the suffering of The Lamb of God in ways we can barely grasp. He was indeed led as a lamb to the slaughter. He died to take away the sins of the world, as John the Baptist so aptly said. Jesus, Who knew no sin, became sin for our sake and through His death we have forgiveness! Through His resurrection we have hope and life.

If Jesus had died and was buried, we would all be set free from sin, but there would be no further expectation. Yet the Resurrection gave us something beyond this life. It gave us a destiny with the Lord that reached beyond the grave. His resurrection brought Joy and Rejoicing!

Had Jesus only worn the Crown of Thorns, then my sins would have been paid for, but my future would be unknown, perhaps in jeopardy. However, Jesus Christ wore the thorns so that He could trade them in for a Crown of Gold.

We do not worship a crucified savior only: We worship a Resurrected King. John saw Jesus Christ and described Him in the final days of time: Revelation 14:14 “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.”

Pastor Jeffrey Harpole

In the end, Jesus will return riding a horse. It is the symbol of battle, which the Revelator described in the Bible’s last book. However, when Jesus first came He was riding a donkey. He declared Himself the Savior of the world. Jesus could have ridden a stalwart stallion, rippled with muscle and decor. However, He came to bring reclamation: He came as the King of Redemption.

Contrary to opinions, the donkey is an intelligent creature. Sure-footed and having superb eyesight, the donkey can scale the rockiest cliffs while carrying a heavy burden. The Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem is layered with meaning, not the least of which is this most unobtrusive colt that He sits upon. While the modern Christian world might bypasses its significance, the pharisees knew the meaning and it angered them. They knew that Jesus was proclaiming Himself to be a king. They knew the intent of the donkey; their manuscripts were firmly imprinted in their minds. A king riding a donkey was always welcomed with shouts of joy and exclamation. That’s why they tried to keep the people from crying out, “Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.”

It might seem odd, but the donkey symbolized a strength in balance, wisdom, and authority. Kings chose the donkey to proclaim their arrival to end war and bring about a change. Solomon rode a donkey, (1 Kings 1:33) to signify his new role as the King of Israel. Many other kings did the same.

Zechariah saw it centuries prior: Zechariah 9:9-10 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war-horses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.”

The King is coming! This King will make a trade, even today… He will give you beauty for ashes; the oil of joy for mourning; the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. This King has come to preach peace, bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty to the captives. He will open the prison to them that are bound and announce the year of Jubilee.

Finally, in a distant view, Jacob gives a blessing to his sons. To Judah he says, “You , Judah, are like a lion. You, Judah, will be a ruler, “ Genesis 49:10 -11 “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his. He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch; he will wash his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes.”

Jesus, the Lion of Judah, the King of Redemption is coming!

Pastor Jeffrey Harpole

Nehemiah may not be as familiar to the Christian community as Moses or Paul, but his story is just as pivotal. In brief, Nehemiah will leave a comfortable and wealthy position in Persia to rebuild the gates and walls around the city of Jerusalem. Compelled by the news of constant invasions and a lack of protection for the Temple, Nehemiah was permitted by the Persian king to organize a rebuilding project. While Nehemiah accomplished his task in a mere 52 days, there are enduring lessons to learn.

First, Nehemiah had opposition from people who should have been assisting him. Sanballat, Tobiah, and others, were profiteering from their own countrymen and Nehemiah’s mission would cost them money and influence. No longer would they be able to profit from the misfortune of their own people. Nehemiah had to defend against the very men who should have been helping.
Secondly, Nehemiah used the same fallen stones to rebuild the walls. He restored the broken down gates and filled the breaches. The supplies might have been renewed, but they were not new. They might have been re-cut or reformed, but they came from the rubble. And finally, Nehemiah did not “build” the walls: he rebuilt them. This means that he did not set a new boundary or attempt to set lines according to his own ideas. He simply followed the pattern that had been laid long ago. He set the walls where they had been. He did not change the landmark; he only restored it.

The lessons are clear…

1) There will be opposition. Holy things of God and divinely appointed works will suffer a rebuff from people who should be with us. The spirit of Sanballat and Tobiah is always at work. Division inside the Church is more devastating than opposition from the world. We must defend against false brethren and those who cause doubt and trouble.
2) God can make something beautiful and strong out of the rubble. God wants to use us even if we think we are unqualified. He is the Master Builder! Sometimes, we are re-cut and reformed just so we can serve His purpose. David prayed to be broken, and molded in the image that God wanted. Strength comes from the remade life. Regardless of our past, God wants to use us. His mercy endures forever!
3) No one has the right to change the lines of holy living. The Bible tells us not to remove the “old landmarks.” They speak to boundaries of lifestyle, conduct, and convictions. The walls are there to protect the Temple. The walls are set to guard from the attacks of the world and vain philosophies. As the world drifts farther from truth and decency, we will trust the Lord.

Pastor Jeffrey Harpole