Before His physical departure, Jesus promised to return and be with His disciples, who would be where He would be. The outsiders would not know where the Lord would be, but the insiders would feel at home. The key distinction between Christians and non-Christians is the ability to recognize the place where Jesus would be and be included. Jesus was explicit about His location, even though it might have confused those deeply rooted in worldly matters. However, the disciples had sufficient opportunity to seek clarification from Him.
“I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him” (John 14:18-21 NKJV)
The statement may not be clear to outsiders, and perhaps it was even unclear to some of the disciples who had not yet received the Holy Spirit. Nonetheless, they had the chance to ask Him to elaborate further. Jesus did not need to be secretive with them since He had explicitly chosen them as His disciples. While His words might have been puzzling to outsiders, they were clear to those for whom they were meant. Their direct communication with Him was exceedingly effective to them. Those to be called later would also have no problem with understanding.
Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.
“These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, The peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.
“And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here” (John 14:22-31 NKJV).
The passage describes the words of Jesus prior to His crucifixion, indicating that while the world would no longer see Him, His disciples would remain in His presence, alongside His Father. The text implies that its message is discernible only to those possessing the Holy Spirit. Although the disciples had not yet received the Holy Spirit, they embodied the character of Jesus, which symbolized the Spirit. On the Day of Pentecost, according to the Apostle Paul’s description in his letter to the Corinthians, the disciples would be in the Third Heaven.
“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter” (2 Corinthians 12:2-4 NKJV).
Being in communion with Jesus is an experience pertinent to the true Children of God. While many profess a bond with Jesus, the truth often diverges, as they remain attached to Him in merely physical terms. Jesus engaged meaningfully with those attracted not just by His miracles. A true connection with Jesus requires a full detachment from worldly bonds. One must cut off many worldly ties before considering drawing close to Jesus.
Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead” (Matthew 8:19-22 NKJV).
The idea of not owning property can be a difficult concept to embrace in today’s world, as it may seem like a forfeiture of personal dignity. The teacher of the Law may have truly desired to follow Jesus, yet Jesus suggested that this journey required relinquishing possessions. Owning property is often viewed as a validation of one’s humanity, in this world. Despite his earnest intentions, the teacher may have reconsidered after contemplating Jesus’ teachings.
Another individual approached, seemingly untroubled by the notion of forsaking possessions to follow the Man of profound wisdom and knowledge. Yet, he was burdened by a singular concern: the importance he placed on the tradition of burying his father before he could commit to following Jesus. Regrettably, Jesus’ response appeared to dishonour his father. To him, Jesus seemed to disregard the cherished custom of paying final respects to his father, saying, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God”
Those preconditions may not be deemed favourable by worldly standards. Relinquishing one’s possessions would not be easy for many who are attached to material things. The pertinent question is whether it is feasible, in today’s world, for someone to forsake their possessions to follow Jesus. Jesus remains constant: the same yesterday, today, and forever. The standard for choosing to follow Jesus was established then and continues unchanged. Unfortunately, it is a common claim among many individuals that they have received concrete physical blessings through their devotion to Jesus.
Despite traditional obligations, following Jesus was considered of utmost importance. For the commandment-abiding, the tradition of ensuring a proper burial for one’s father was presumably of critical significance. Yet, from the onset of His ministry, Jesus presented challenges rather than simplifications to the people. The concept of renouncing personal belongings may not seem rational to those who are attached to material possessions. Likewise, the apparent neglect of the custom of honouring one’s father’s death would not be readily dismissed. Even though they deviated from what was commonly accepted as sensible, the instructions Jesus provided to the two individuals aligned with the fundamental teachings of His broader doctrine.
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?
“Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavour, how shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Luke 14:26-35 NKJV).
The most striking element of the mentioned Scripture is the idea of salt losing its taste. Within the Christian context, this implies a loss of eternal salvation. This perspective portrays Christianity as something that requires careful consideration, not something to be taken lightly. Merely claiming to follow Jesus without adhering to His explicit teachings is insufficient. Although numerous individuals may read the Bible for leisure, the crucial element lies in applying its teachings to one’s life. The core demand of Christianity is to live according to Jesus’ teachings, which can only be done by truly contemplating everything Jesus taught. It is vital to recognize that Christianity does not promise physical comfort.
For those who do not take the words of Jesus seriously, it remains questionable, what convinces them that they are aligned with Jesus. Common sense suggests that one cannot identify as a Christian while disregarding the teachings of Jesus. Often observed among some who identify with Christianity is the belief that accumulating wealth equates to receiving Christ’s blessings, despite this not aligning with Jesus’ teachings. Acts of kindness can indeed bring worldly honour, yet there is no scriptural support for linking the accumulation of wealth and honour with Christianity. Rather, Jesus presents Himself as the exemplar of what it means to be a Christian.
To be at home with God is to not be at home with worldly people, and the reverse is also true. It is not possible to feel at home with both at the same time. Doing good deeds for the people of this world can make one feel at home among them. However, to maintain one’s heavenly standing, Jesus proposed a non-traditional approach to benevolence. While honour is typically bestowed upon those who do good, Jesus advocated for doing good while shunning the pursuit of honour.
“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly” (Matthew 6:1-4 NKJV).
The notion of finding solace in God becomes relevant when one feels out of place in this world. Comfort with worldly people might distance one from God. It is crucial to find peace in the face of insults and persecution, as stated in Matthew 5:10-12. Imagine the response, when repeating Jesus’ words that suggest the severing of family ties. That would be inviting insults. For truly dedicated individuals, Christianity cannot be associated with physical comfort. Expecting acceptance may indicate a misunderstanding of Jesus’ teachings. Christianity was not designed to ensure a prosperous life for its followers. Worldly matters often differ from heavenly ones, even though they may sometimes intertwine.
True Christianity can often be associated with the concept of physical death. Yet, the prosperity gospel preachers promote Christianity as a path to wealth, suggesting that worldly success indicates divine favour. This notion has made Christianity appealing to many, especially among those from poor nations. However, the pursuit of prosperity can distract from the study of the Bible. The comfort of material wealth often leaves little room for in-depth biblical engagement.
Feeling at peace with God does not always equate to physical comfort; it can also encompass physical discomfort. The world is under the sway of Satan, who possesses the ability to grant wealth to worldly people. An individual might enjoy prosperity and gain admiration for their worldly successes, although such wealth could be bestowed by the evil one. The Apostle Paul ascribed the veiling of the gospel to Satan’s influence on those who are lost.
But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4 NKJV).
Those blessed with material wealth may focus solely on certain scriptures that justify their affluence, ignoring a more profound comprehension of others. They might resist listening to anyone who views wealth accumulation as ungodly. Ultimately, anything that provides physical comfort could be vulnerable to being a ploy by the Devil to obscure spiritual insight. What may be considered foolish in matters of divinity might, actually be the more enlightened approach.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those having witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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