The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Mark 13:33-37, “Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time is.

34 “It is like a man, away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert.

35 “Therefore, be on the alert– for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, at cockcrowing, or in the morning–

36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.

37 “And what I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!'”

With illnesses and crime abounding everywhere, we would do well to “be on the alert.” Two young highschoolers in our area teamed up to produce an interactive “Crime Map.” You can view it here (https://lkellar.org/maps/). Unfortunately, it only reports on occurrances in our local area. Due to increased criminal activity, scores of homes have introduced various protective alert systems. We are more interested, it seems, in guarding our possessions than we are with guarding thoughts.

Four times in the five verses above, Mark warns us to “be on the alert.” Crime existed in New Testament times, too; yet, I believe Mark was primarily (if not exclusively) encouraging us to be alert to the Coming of Jesus Christ, not just the coming of theives. There is so much distraction from the Word of God, that even long-time Christians are weakened in their focus by the avalanche of contemporary nonsense.

Mark’s emphasis on “alertness” might also cover the books that we read. Just in case you hadn’t noticed, there is a proliferation of published works by various pastors, each one laying before us his own understanding (or misunderstanding) of the message of Holy Scripture. An increasing number of the Christian congregation are now invaded by various thoughts of interpretation, some of which distance themselves considerably from Scripture. We need to be on the alert and start searching the Word of God instead of simply imbibing the words of men.

Unquestionably, there are some good, Christian books available. But, they must all be measured against the Scriptures God has given us, not the Scriptures measured by the books of men. Just

be careful! Remember the clever subtilty of the serpent Satan in the Garden of Eden. What’s more, he’s still at it! “Be on the alert!”

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Matthew 27:50-54, “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.

51 And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and the earth shook;

and the rocks were split,

52 and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;

53 and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to

many.

54 Now the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the

earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said, “Truly this

was the Son of God!”

Are you a skeptic? When people come on television and say that their product is the best, do you

always believe it? If you do, you’re gullible; if you don’t, you’re a skeptic. Then, how can we really know whether a product is what it’s touted to be? When someone who has no financial interest in the product, but has tried it and claims it works, you’re on a pretty good track for an evaluation.

When Jesus was crucified, He cried out and said, “Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit” (Luke 23:46). At that point, Jesus willed Himself to die, and there were some unique occurrences that took place. First, the four-inch thick veil in the Temple that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies was split from the top to the bottom. The earth shook, rocks were split in two, tombs were opened and many bodies of the dead were brought to life and entered the city where everyone viewed them!

Then the centurion, who was in charge of 100 soldiers, became greatly frightened and cried out, “Truly this was the Son of God!” Up to that point, he had no “investment” in Jesus whatever. He had undoubtedly been in charge of multiple crucifixions. Up to now, this crucifixion was just like the others. Up to this point, he had been in charge. But, what was occurring convinced him that Someone of greater authority than he was in charge.

Jesus is indeed the Son of God! That truth is supported throughout all of Scripture. Have you accepted Him as LORD and Savior of your life? He brought the dead to life when He died; and He’s still in the resurrection business. Trust Him and come alive! I’m praying for you –every day.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Matthew 28:1-6, “Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave.

2 And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it.

3 And his appearance was like lightning, and his garment as white as snow;

4 and the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

5 And the angel answered and said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.

6 “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.’”

The most incontrovertable fact of human history is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead!

Some have denied it; some have ignored it; some have reputiated it. But, it is still the Truth! Yes, those dear women, who had known Him and listened carefully to His teachings, were not looking for Him in the place where they had last seen Him. Yet, He was not there in the grave! He had risen from the dead just as He said.

Today, the turmoil, the evil, the discreditation of His Truth – wages war against the reality of the Living Christ. The vociferous tirades that cry out against Him are, in point of fact, affirmations of the Truth that He is alive! Romans 1 asserts that the true knowledge of God is embedded in the hearts of all mankind. And “…that which is known about God is evident withing them; for God made it Evident to them” (Rom. 1:19).

The value of Jesus’ Resurrection, however, is priceless to mankind. It is the promise of life on the other side of the grave –Eternal Life! –life that has been rescued from the tyranny of a fallen world.

The glitter and tinsel that the world here offers will some day prove worthless to their possessers.

But, those who know Jesus and have been “Born from Above,” will rejoice throughout eternity!

The value of the Resurrection demands more exposure that even this letter can allow. Therefore, I have attached a paper from my files that I trust you will read and believe; for it is that belief in Jesus, who arose from the dead, that assures you of a Home beyond the grave! Read it! trust Him!

Know the warmth and joy of His Life indwelling yours! “May God bless you,” is my prayer.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Luke 24:44-48, “Now He said to them, ‘These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you,

that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be

fulfilled.’

45Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,

46and He said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and rise again from the dead the third

day;

47and that repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations,

beginning from Jerusalem.

48″You are witnesses of these things.’”

“I told you you could go if you accomplished the tasks I left for you to do.” Do you remember something like this being said to you in your youthful years? There was something you desperately wanted to do; and your mother or dad had said you were permitted IF you completed the tasks that were assigned. Everything you needed was at your disposal, and you had been well schooled in precisely how to do it.

That’s not precisely what Jesus said to His disciples, but it’s close. Does He really mean there are things that are written about Him that are in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and Psalms? Where are those things? How are we to find them? He opens our minds so that we can understand the Scriptures. But, what about Jesus’ suffering, and the cross, and rising from the dead? Does He explain all of that? Yes, He does. Then, how can I know? you ask.

It all starts with repentance. Repentance means a “change of mind.” You have to give up those things that

fill your mind with rebellious and evil thoughts. That’s your part. Then, there’s forgiveness of your sins. That’s God’s part. When you express to Him a genuine sorrow for endeavoring to live life without Him, He erases those impediments that were against Him and resident in you mind and heart. And His forgiveness extends to all mankind. Once we have been forgiven, we are free to share with others how we were forgiven. That’s what Jesus meant when He said, “You are witnesses of these things.” His presence in your life will show forth in ways you cannot currently imagine! And His Spirit will indwell your life, teaching you

about Him in the Bible. It’s a great life! It’s the only life! Everything else leads downward.

I am praying for you!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Luke 23:20-23, “And Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again,

21 but they kept on calling out, saying, ‘Crucify, crucify Him!’

22 And he said to them the third time, ‘Why, what evil has this man done? I have found in Him no guilt

demanding death; I will therefore punish Him and release Him.’

23 But they were insistent, with loud voices asking that He be crucified. And their voices began to prevail.”

Little children learn early in their lives that if they scream or cry or throw some kind of tantrum,

they will eventually get their way. Interestingly enough, children who get their own way by screaming

grow up to be adults, who get their own way by screaming. It doesn’t mean it’s right; it doesn’t mean

what they want is right; but when they don’t know how to play fairly, it is the only means they have for getting what they want.

Earlier that same day, Herod had exercised his best efforts in procuring a miracle at the Hand of Jesus.

His tactics didn’t work, so he returned Jesus to Pontius Pilate. What influence Pilate’s wife had on him

no one knows; however, she warned her husband that she had suffered in a dream regarding Jesus’

persecution because He was an innocent man.

Not being a jurist, I am limited to what lawyers have to say regarding all that transpired with Jesus. Still,

like you, I can read; therefore, I have elected to attach short paper from my files by one who is a jurist.

He addresses cogently the “rights and wrongs” of Jesus’ trial before Pilate and says in his opening

statement, “The concept of procedural due process, or fair treatment, is essentially a biblical concept.”

Our culture today has taken the wrong track. Those whose ideas are at odds with biblical fairness and cannot achieve their desires legally in a court of law, organize a mob and yell and scream like little kids

until they get their way. In the finality, Jesus was crucified most unfairly. Pilate was correct in his assessment when he said, “I find no fault in this Man”; but he was weak in giving way to the mob who screamed, “Crucify Him!”

Whatever level of achievement you may have reached or may yet reach in life, remember that fairness to

others is of vital importance. It is a biblical concept, and Christ is not honored when we do not enact in fairness toward others. It’s not how loud a crowd shouts, that matters; it’s how fairly we behave.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”