The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Luke 24:16-21, “And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem.
14 And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place.
15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them.
16 But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.
17 And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad.
18 One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?”
19 And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people,
20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him.
21 “But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened.”

It’s always a bit amusing when you encounter someone who is wondering about the meaning of something that has occurred. These two Jewish friends had learned of the Resurrection of Jesus, but appeared to know very little about what it meant to the nation of Israel.

Verse 16 tells us that their eyes were miraculously “closed” to the fact that Jesus was Himself in their very midst. When He began to walk and talk with them, He revealed what the Scriptures had foretold of Him. They seemed to grasp His meaning, but were blind to everything until they ate together. It was when Jesus prayed that their eyes were opened.

None of this problem is far removed from where we are today. We see “bits ‘n pieces,” of the meaning of Scripture, but never grasp it fully until we recognize Jesus Christ as present with us, and pray.

Does the Scripture have meaning to you? Do you truly understand the Resurrection? The old song says, “Because He lives, we can face tomorrow”; yet, how many who sing it, truly understand it? or are committed to Him as they face their tomorrows?

It pays to know the One who walks the paths of life with us. It pays to know His Word, too. Give some prime time thinking to a careful reading of the Bible. That’s how we walk with Him and learn.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Mark 13:3-33, “As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew were questioning Him privately,
4 ‘Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?”
5 And Jesus began to say to them, ‘See to it that no one misleads you.
6 ‘Many will come in My name, saying, “I am He” and will mislead many.
7 “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end.
8 “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
9 “But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them.
10 “The gospel must first be preached to all the nations. ‘Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.
31 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
32 “But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.
33 “Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.”

The home in which I grew up was a home of many surprises! Birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, –all of these events were filled with some kind of surprise. My sister and I could usually wangle something out of our Dad, but never out of our Mother!

Four of Jesus’ disciples had questions about things to come. They were like small children, asking about things they did not know. Jesus was cautious giving His answers, but He warned that there were people that could easily mislead them, so He clearly warned them, lest they be misled.

“Many,” He said, “will come in My name.” Some will pretend to be Me, and many will believe and follow them. Subsequently, Jesus revealed that there would be numerous wars among the nations of the Earth. Those who believe upon Him will be summoned before legal authorities and grossly mistreated simply because they are His disciples. Jesus’ watchword, therefore, was: “Be on your guard!”

Currently, we have opportunities to share the Gospel of Jesus with just about anyone; but as antagonists to the Gospel become bolder, it will be a risk for us to share Jesus. How long has it been since you shared Jesus with someone? Even a small Gospel tract can start a conversation.

Be spiritually and mentally alert! There is no time to lose. People die; and those who die without Jesus, will spend eternity separated from Him! Due diligence says: Tell others about Him today! God bless you! You are in my prayers.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Mark 16:1-7, “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him.
2 Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.
3 They were saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?’
4 Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large.
5 Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed.
6 And he said to them, ‘Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him.
7 ‘But go, tell His disciples and Peter, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’”

It seemed an impossible dream. Three believing and devoted women –all followers of our LORD Jesus Christ—went early in the morning to the tomb where Jesus had been buried.

They were well en route when they remembered that the tomb had been

barricaded with a huge stone. “Who will roll it away?” they wondered. Yet, upon arrival been there and rolled they discovered the stone was already moved, so they entered the tomb. Inside they discovered an angel who said, “‘Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus… who was crucified… He has risen; He is not here….”

Having received and believed the angel’s announcement, the women hurried back to the disciples with a confirmation of Jesus’ Resurrection! Life was now worth living! They had a message to share with the world.

Many of you reading this Letter have loved ones who have preceded you in death. We have all visited the places of our loved one’s burials, knowing that they were not there. The Good News is that one day they will arise from their graves
in much the same manner as Jesus’ Resurrection. And those who were by faith committed to Him will arise to be with Him forever.

In the meantime, since we know Him as our Savior and LORD, we have been given the responsibility to share Him with others –our children, grandchildren, family and friends. Remember how your life was changed when you first surrendered it to the LORD Jesus? We are to share that change with others. We cannot afford to be found faithless. Life goes on, and we are to live it just as He has directed us. May He ever find us faithful and sharing of His Good News!

Faithfully in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Matthew 27:37-50, “And above His head they put up the charge against Him which read, ‘THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.’
38 At that time two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left.
39 And those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads
40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”
41 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying,
42 “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him.
43 “HE TRUSTS IN GOD; LET GOD RESCUE Him now, IF HE DELIGHTS IN HIM; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.'”
44 The robbers who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him with the same words.
45 Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour.
46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?” that is, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?”
47 And some of those who were standing there, when they heard it, began saying, “This man is calling for Elijah.”
48 Immediately one of them ran, and taking a sponge, he filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink.
49 But the rest of them said, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him.”
50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.

Executions are never pretty. Unless you have a strong stomach and never experience mental reoccurances, I strongly advise you to never, ever view one. History is replete with hangings and fireing squads, but crucifixions are lingering deaths. What’s more, they are total public expostures, and those who are subject to such ignominious deaths die like none others.

Jesus’ crucifixion was for the sins of the world. He had no sin of His own! At the same time, all who were made subject to this form of humiliating death were further humiliated in that they were stripped totally naked before the eyes of a heartless, mocking crowd.

It was the responsibility of the Roman guards to “protect” Him, as He lingeringly died on that cross. The clothing that had once covered His body was now divided among the guards. Yet, according to Old Testament Scripture, His seamless, one-piece garment –our LORD’s only true possession– escaped division (Psa. 22:18).

Those who suffered death by crucifixion, simply lingured until they died. We suffer when a parent or child of ours is confined in hospital with a life-threatening disease. No one is mocking. No body is nakedly exposed to the gaze of those who pass by the door room. Yet, we are like Jesus’ family in that there is nothing we can do. Just wait.

This, and more than I am capable of describing, is what Jesus experienced as He suffered and died for us. He possessed no sin! He died for our sin! And the shame that we bare that is equal to our sin is that we fail to repent and humbly ask His forgiveness. You can do that right now! Just bow your head and pray. Ask Him to forgive you for all you have ever thought and done –things that were heinous, and things that were not. You’ll be amazed at what He will do for your life! God bless you, as you turn your life over to Him! I am praying for you.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need
until He becomes all that we have.”
– Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Matthew 26:6-13, “Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper,
7 a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table.
8 But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, “Why this waste?
9 “For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.”
10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you bother the woman? For she has done a good deed to Me.
11 “For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me.
12 “For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial.
13 “Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”

When I was a child and needed medical or dental attention, my loving mother always gave me some item that refocused my attention away from what I was facing.

We all need also to be careful as to how we react to situations. There’s an old
saying that says: “Sometimes silence is golden; sometimes it’s yellow.” This time,
the disciples would have done well to have said nothing.

Matthew does not say who this woman was. It could well have been one of several. Yet, for the disciples to have witnessed her anointing Jesus with barutimos, a very costly perfume, and on the eve of His crucifixion; and, then, adding to His mental displeasure, they called it a waste! Unquestionably, it was clearly an out-of-place remark.

First century people possessed “feelings,” just as we do today. Still, the disciples took no note of the loving act this woman was showing toward the LORD Jesus. He Himself took note, however, and commended her for what she had done. “She did it to prepare Me for burial,” Jesus said.

Perhaps we should adapt this thoughtful servant’s attitude as we think this week of the crucifixion of our LORD Jesus Christ. We do not sing or play that others may see or hear us. What we do is engage in quiet worship of Him, the One who gave His all that we might be forgiven of our sins and lead others to Him in faith believing.

Sing softly. Pray sincerely. In everything, show love to the One who gave Himself on that Cross for our sins. He is our distraction from the clamor of the world. Praise His Holy Name!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom