The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Matthew 12:43-45, “Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it.
44 “Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came’; and when it comes, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order.
45 “Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation.”

One of my hobbies is reading. Currently, I am reading Volume 2 of Albert Henry Newman’s A Manual of Church History. I find it a little more inviting than Volume 1 because it is concerned with how the Church originated, leading up to its origin and development in the United States. Those of us who love history are particularly interested in spiritual matters and how they developed leading up to our own times!

One interesting comment reads, “…no man was eligible for a civil office, unless he was a menber in good standing of a recognized church; and loss of membership meant expulsion from office,” meaning, of course, political office! How that would regulate things if it were enforced today!

Our verses above, of course, relate to Satan and his emmisaries; but it is not a red-colored, long-tailed adversary that we have. Our adversary comes well
dressed, with an excellent vocabulary, piercing eyes, and a bright, warm smile.

Take a look at many of our civil office personnel today. They’re warm and compelling. Yet, that’s the outside…the visible self. They often profess a faith, but seldom live as if they possessed it. They look just like we look! For
shame, but they do! We both –we all look about the same!

Dear friend, we are living in the Last Days! My “last days” may come before
those described in the Scriptures. Of that, I don’t know! But everything that
we never imagined would turn for the worse is upon us. Fewer churches today are preaching the Gospel, advocating spiritual principles, or living out the truths established for us and portraded in the Life of our LORD Jesus Christ.

What counts today is MONEY!! “Dollars for drivel” is the current watchword. Never mind the spiritual lifestyle, just go for what counts: that mighty dollar!
That’s today’s mantra of multiple churches. And our nation is reaping what
the self-called pastors advocate. “Even so, come, LORD Jesus!”

If you’re attending a Gospel-preaching church, pray for your pastor! He’s
often under far greater pressures that you will ever know. Only the LORD
can call and install His men in His pulpits. Christ and His Word are our only Hope!

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 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