The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

John 20:26-31, “After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, ‘Peace be with you.’

27 Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.’

28 Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’

29 Jesus said to him, ‘Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.’

30 Therefore, many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;

31 But these have been written, so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.’” that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and so that, having this faith, you may have life in His Name.”

“John, the writer of this Gospel, was the son of a master fisherman, who had, according to Mark’s gospel, additional “hired servants” (Mark 1:20), and a home of his own in Jerusalem (19:27). Young John, who ultimately became one of Jesus’ disciples, also had a quick and sharp tongue, whereupon he was noted and called “a son of Thunder.”

“According to the early fathers, the Gospel of John was written and published at Ephesus, at the request of the Apostle Andrew in his effort to combat certain errors concerning the Deity of Christ.” Simultaneously, the word Jew occurs numerous times in this Gospel. It is only found once in Matthew, twice in Mark, twice in Luke, but over sixty times in John!

Dr. Robert Lee, in his Outlined Bible, emphasizes the following: 1) Jesus as the Son of God before His incarnation; 2) that Jesus is revealed as the Son of God by His deeds and by His words; 3) that the Son of God reveals Himself still more completely to His own than to anyone else; and 4) this gospel views Jesus as the Son of God, who is slain for the sins of all mankind, and arises from the dead as His claim to deity.

Believers also see Jesus as the Father’s only Supreme Sacrifice for man’s sin, as proven in His death, and in His Son’s literal, physical resurrection as prophesied on the third day subsequent to His death on the cross.

If you know Him as your LORD and Savior, share Him with those who do not. If you don’t know Him, renounce your sins and trust Him today! He will prove to be your best friend ever!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

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,

Luke 23:33-43, “When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. 34 But Jesus was saying, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. 35 And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, ‘He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.’ 36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, ‘If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!’ 38 Now there was also an inscription above Him, ‘THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.’ 39 One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, ‘Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!’ 40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, ‘Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.’ 42 And he was saying, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!’ 43 And He said to him, ‘Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.’”

According to Eusebius, Luke, the author of this gospel, was a Gentile. His true, full name was Lucanus because he was of Greek origin, and his profession was that of a doctor. Luke’s gospel was written for Greek readers. The Grecian ideal of perfect manliness differed from that of the Romans. According to Robert Lee (author of the Outlined Bible), “the Romans felt it to be their mission to govern, the Greeks felt it theirs to educate, elevate, and perfect man. The ideal of the Roman was military glory and governmental authority, but the Greeks’ was wisdom and beauty.”

Thus, Luke, the Gentile, draws a portrait of Jesus as “the perfect man, the One who more than meets the highest ideals of the Greeks.” Militaries are also often needed, even by Christians; however, the visible, living likeness of the Christ will always exceed the highest excesses of humanity.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

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,

Mark 10:42-45, “Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, ‘You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them.

43 “But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;

44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.’

45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

John Mark, author of this Gospel, was not an apostle. He was but an ordinary worker, the son of one of the women in the Christian circle named Mary. It might well have been at her home where the believers were gathered and praying when Peter was being held under serious guard (Acts 12:12). As for the Gospel itself, it is believed that it was written in Rome and primarily for the benefit of the Romans.

This is also the same John Mark, who much later fostered the dispute between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:36ff), regarding the location of their next missionary activity. It is also believed that John Mark had been led to faith in Christ by Simon Peter. This would account for his allegiance to Barnabas being ahead of Paul. Further, this would account for the few references to the Old Testament Scriptures in this epistle.

Thinking further on the Scripture passage above, could it be that the primary reason for the lack of energetic service on the part of professing believers today is their fascination (or lack thereof) with the Word’s grip on our lives? There are so many distractions—distractions that have mesmerized even the foremost witnesses.

The call today is the same as it was in the First Century: sin reigns, and we are to renounce it, clearing the way of faith, that others might see our allegiance to Jesus Christ and come to faith in Him for themselves. For whom are you praying today?

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

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 27:37, “This is Jesus, King of the Jews.” It has been said that the greatest achievement one can obtain is a commendation from the lips of his harshest opponent. If that be true, then Pontius Pilate offered such to the LORD Jesus Christ when he placed above His head the declaration: ‘…οὗτός ἐστιν Ἰησοῦς ὁ βασιλεὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων,’ “This is Jesus, King of the Jews.”

The disciple Matthew (“gift of God”), despite his notorious employment as a publican (tax collector), emphasized the LORD Jesus as “King” throughout his Gospel’s 28 chapters. Matthew covers Christ Jesus’ birth, His ministry, His rejection, His death, and His resurrection!

It is noteworthy, as well, that Matthew’s mission was primarily to the Jewish people. The Gospel of the Kingdom “was preached up to the rejection and crucifixion of Jesus, and it will again be proclaimed prior to the Great Tribulation and Second Advent of the LORD Jesus Himself.”

In the meantime, the responsibility of the Gospel’s proclamation falls upon all true believers. We exhibit varying personalities, yet we have but one Good News to share. May the LORD bless us with the enthusiasm of those early disciples!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

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,

Malachi 1:1-5, “The oracle of the Word of the LORD to Israel through Malachi.

2 ‘I have loved you,’ says the LORD. But you say, “How hast Thou loved us?” ‘Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?’ declares the LORD. ‘Yet I have loved Jacob;

3 but I have hated Esau, and I have made his mountains a desolation, and appointed his inheritance for the jackals of the wilderness.’

4 Though Edom says, ‘We have been beaten down, but we will return and build up the ruins’; thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘They may build, but I will tear down; and men will call them the wicked territory, and the people toward whom the LORD is indignant forever.’

5 ‘And your eyes will see this and you will say, “The LORD be magnified beyond the border of Israel!”’

“Malachi is the unknown prophet with the angelic name,” says Robert Lee, author of The Outlined Bible. Malachi simply means “Messenger,” and is utilized much like the president of a country in that he is known and greeted solely by his title, such as, “Mr. President.”

In chapters one and two, the “Messenger” earnestly and kindly protests the actions and attitudes of the people. He does this as a Message of Love (1:1-5), along with a message of loving rebuke in verses 1:6 through 2:17. The author then concludes his remarks with a message of hope.

The LORD is thoroughly involved in this entire process and can be seen as the loving “Parent,” who rebukes His child, as with those who were inappropriately involved. Then, appropriately, He expresses His overwhelming love. Beyond this, He issues a Message of sincere Hope (3:1-4:6), which, hopefully, encourages us as it encouraged them.

The true message then is: live closely to the LORD. Live daily in His Word.

Trust always His direction. He wants the best for us more than we do.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

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