The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

John 12:9-11, “The large crowd of the Jews then learned that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead.
10 But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also;
11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus.”

I love Jewish people! They love to debate –and so do I! We never get mad – at least, I don’t. I just stay with the core aspect of the discussion and relate it to the Scriptures.

One of my friends in college was a Jewish believer. When we lived in Florida, the man across the street was Jewish. We became good friends and spent some good time playing tennis. His son (much nearer my age) and I quite amiably discussed the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. He was so close coming to Christ when he suddenly left for Israel.

Most of the Jewish people I have met were either very interested in Jesus, or they simply wanted to debate. Enroute to Australia, the man across the aisle was Jewish. I gave him our Team paper to read. He read every word, then turned to me and said in a rather gruff tone, “Why does everyone want to blame the Jews for crucifying Jesus?” To which I calmly replied, “Because they did! –and so did I.”

Have you ever thought of yourself as being one who crucified Jesus? Probably not. Yet, in reality, failure to trust Him as your Savior is virtually the same as saying, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

We are currently in the Resurrection remembrance era. Read the whole of the Gospel of John during this time. Recognize that Jesus gave His Life for Jews as well as for Gentiles. His death and resurrection were for everyone! Yet, no one belongs to His New Creation until they have asked serious forgiveness for their sins. All sin is really against Jesus, and He alone can forgive sin. What a joy that we can come to know Him in this very, holy Resurrection Season! I will be praying for you who do not know Him.

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,

Matthew 26:20-25, “Now when evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples.”
21 As they were eating, He said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.”
22 Being deeply grieved, they each one began to say to Him, “Surely not I, Lord?”
23 And He answered, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me.
24 “The Son of Man is to go, just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”
25 And Judas, who was betraying Him, said, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself.”

Here’s an old saying: “Sometimes silence is golden; sometimes it’s yellow!”
Judas Iscariot would have done well to have been “golden” in that moment. Yet, he was not. Why are those who are guilty always the first to proclaim their innocence? –and they do it without thinking!

It was one of the most solemn moments Jesus ever had with His 12 disciples. It must have crushed His heart to even mention disloyalty in a moment like that one! Oh, it had to be disclosed. Yet to those of us who read the account in the Scriptures, it is heart-breaking!

Those of us who have harbored a secret and then shared it within a group, have noticed that just keeping silent is often sufficient to prompt the guilty party to be the first to speak up. In this instance, it was Judas Iscariot, who blurted out, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” Oh, but it is! “It’s the squeaky wheel that has gotten the grease.”

The disciples were in the upper room, when the 120 decided to select someone to take Judas Iscariot’s place, and they spoke of him as one who “turned aside to go to his own place” (Acts 1:24). Yes, sadly, Judas Iscariot “hanged himself” (Mat. 27:5). He was obviously unable to contend with the consciousness of what he had done. How is your conscience? Will it stand in the presence of God? It can; but you must first turn your heart over to Christ!

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,

John 18:7-8, “Therefore, He again asked them, ‘Whom do you seek?’ And they said, ‘Jesus the Nazarene.’
8Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way,”
to fulfill the word which He spoke, “Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one….”

“When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, ‘Lord, shall we strike with the sword?’” (Luke 22:49-50).

“Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave’s name was Malchus” (John 18:10).

“But Jesus answered and said, ‘Stop! No more of this.’ And He touched his ear and healed him.” (Luke 22:51).

“So Jesus said to Peter, ‘Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?’ So the Roman cohort and the commander and the officers of the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him, and led Him to Annas first; for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year” (John 18:11-13).

It may well be that I should say no more and simply allow the interlacing of Scripture alone to paint this poignant scene that took place in the Garden of Gethsemane on an eve prior to the crucifixion. Yet here, in these verses alone, do we find the completed action of the disciples in a loving effort to protect their LORD.

One would think that traveling with Him, as they had, would have been sufficient for knowing that He was more than able to care for Himself. Still, human nature being what it is, we can forgive their impetuosity. Yet, they had another lesson to learn before He left them and returned to His Father in Heaven.

In interlacing of the Gospels John and Luke, we have a more complete picture of all that transpired. Noteworthy, too, is Luke’s inclusion of the healing of Malcus’ ear. Luke, you will recall, was a physician. Yet, he steps back, as it were, that Jesus, the Master Healer, might heal Malcus’ severed ear.

The teaching here is as simple as it is meaningful: while Malcus’ presence with the accusatory group demonstrated his opposition to Jesus, His Message, and all for which He stood, the LORD’s restoration of Malcus’ ear demonstrated His Love for even those who hated Him.

Yes, there are times for bearing a sword. Otherwise, why would Jesus not have forbidden it altogether? Yet, on this occasion, the sword’s usage allowed Jesus’ love to be extended to one who was presumed His enemy. Love conquers all. May we never forget it!

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,

John 18:1-7, “When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden, in which He entered with His disciples.
2 Now Judas also, who was betraying Him, knew the place, for Jesus had often met there with His disciples.
3 Judas then, having received the Roman cohort and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons.
4 So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, “Whom do you seek?”
5 They answered Him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also, who was betraying Him, was standing with them.
6 So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
7 Therefore He again asked them, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.”

The Kidron Valley is a sizeable ravine that separates the Temple Mount from the Garden of Gethsemane. It’s seems but a short distance when you’re viewing it; yet, it’s much longer when you’re walking from one to the other. Jesus had gone there to pray, and He was accompanied by His disciples.

Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, had earlier advised the Romans and the Pharisees’ chief priests that Jesus would be there. It would have been a joyful reunion had Judas and the cohort come to hear and receive Christ’s message of salvation. Sadly, they had not come for that purpose. They had come to place Him under arrest.

It’s much like today. There will be people in church on Palm and Resurrection Sundays –not because they’re seeking to hear and learn His Message of Eternal Life, but because tradition beckons them. Some seek to satisfy family members, some of whom have come to truly worship Him.

When Jesus saw them, He asked, “Whom do you seek?” We will all do well to allow Jesus’ question to be asked of us. “Whom do you seek?” –and for what purpose do you seek Him?

Jesus responded, “I AM!” –and the power that exuded from Him knocked them to the ground! Only when He asked them the second time were they able to reply, “Jesus, the Nazarene.” Let me warn you of the power that’s encompassed in His Name. Be careful what and why you ask. It was this Jesus who who spoke– “Let there be light!” And the world’s firmament and the elements in the heavens were instantly exposed to the eyes of all mankind.

Jesus’ enquirers would soon learn of His Power, as the Cross and the Resurrection lay just ahead. For now, His power avails that you might believe on Him! You do believe, don’t you? Oh, I pray that you do!

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,

Micah 6:6-8, “With what shall I come to the LORD and bow myself before the God on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, with yearling calves?
7 Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, in ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

If you’ve ever been invited to meet or dine with someone of nobility, you have a small idea of
what was troubling the prophet Micah. Even more troubling was the translation of his name:
for in translation it meant, “Who is like Jehovah.”

Not much is known of the prophet Micah, and he is quoted but three times in the Scriptures:
once, by the elders of the land (Jer 26:18); again in the prophecy of Micah 3:12; and by the Magi, quoting Micah in their quest for the Christ Child, indicated in the writing of the prophet,

“AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST
AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME
FORTH A RULER WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL” (Matt. 2:6).

We might, therefore, assess that it matters less how many times a prophet speaks or writes; the importance lies in the vitality of his prophecies. All of God’s Word is of vital importance!

Many of us take medicine every day without knowing specifically what it contains. We take
it by faith. Our belief lies first in the doctor who prescribed it; then, we trust the pharmacist,
who dispenses it. We may not know specifically the value of Holy Scripture when we read
and devour it. Yet, it builds up our spiritual lives and enables us to grow in the likeness of
our LORD Jesus Christ.

Form a daily habit of reading the Bible. Establish a time for prayer and submit your needs
to the LORD. Trust Him and His Word thoroughly! He longs to be your Spiritual Provider.

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