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Life Around "The Fire"
Life Around "The Fire"
The Light Of God's Kingdom: It's Better To Confess Than To Get Caught.
The episode powerfully examines the themes of betrayal and redemption through the lens of Jesus’ interactions with Judas and the significance of the Last Supper. It invites listeners to explore the discomfort of exposure and the hope of confession while hinting at impending societal shifts that call for reliance on God's eternal promises.
• Insights into the Kingdom of God and its transformative nature
• The conspiracy of religious leaders against Jesus
• A reflection on Judas Iscariot's betrayal
• The significance of the Passover and the Last Supper
• The discomfort of exposure and the importance of confession
• Prophetic insights on the possibility of economic and societal shifts
Loving Yeshua/Jesus, Loving people... Come as you are and you will be loved!
Feel free to check out our website by typing in lifearounsthefire.com or Life Around The Fire ... We think you'll find some beneficial stuff to look at and apply to your life.
Shalom to you and your home.
we've been uh, we've been looking at this topic concerning the kingdom of god now for quite some time, and we found ourselves parked in one of the gospels luke, actually luke chapter 22, and it's kind of become recently a baseline for us, because by this time, in the ministry of Jesus, he had been with his disciples for probably over three, three and a half years, and so if you've ever spent any length of time with any group of people, you know that you can well, you can work each other's nerves, but also you can begin to understand one another. And Jesus and this group of people had experienced some things that were absolutely paradigm shifting, I mean worldview changing stuff. Blind eyes, literally blind eyes, people who've been born blind, eyes open up, because you can see People that had leprosy, severe leprosy, their skin made whole, cleansed, people that were demonized to the point that they lived in the tombs. Amongst the tombs they would cut themselves with rocks and howl and scare people and break chains, and demonized, set free, and in their right mind, these individuals saw the dead, raised. Dead people raised, paralytics, walk, people with high fevers, fevers break, I mean. The list goes on and on and on. They saw things that shifted their whole world, whole way of looking at life, the kingdom, and Jesus is saying what you're seeing is you're seeing the fact that the kingdom of God is in your midst. This is what the kingdom looks like. Okay, there's no sickness in the kingdom. There's no demonization in the kingdom. The kingdom has different values, practices and priorities.
Speaker 1:And so, after three and a half years of seeing this type of activity as well as Jesus literally shellacking publicly at times, some of the elite religious leaders, elite religious leaders, people who had been oppressing entire groups of people, intimidating them with fear tactics In the Middle East it is all happening in the Middle East in the first century. Talk about misogynistic, patriarchal systems, yeah, and Jesus was confronting them to the point that in Luke, chapter 22, we picked up this whole scenario, specifically about the kingdom and its impact on the world. And in Luke 22, beginning of verse 1, we read now, the feast of unleavened bread drew near. We read now, the feast of unleavened bread drew near, which the feast is called Passover, and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might kill him, kill Jesus, for they feared the people. Okay, so the picture is that these elite religious leaders wanted to get rid of Jesus. They want him off the scene, murder him. But they were afraid of the crowd because the crowds liked him and these people loved to do things to get notoriety. They liked good press. They didn't like bad press, no bad press, just good press. And so they wanted to get rid of Jesus, but they didn't want to do it to upset the crowds. They wanted the crowd's approval.
Speaker 1:Now, I don't know about you, but I can tell when people don't like me. You can feel it, right, I'm sure you agree. You know, you can feel it, you can sense it. I've had people really upset with me, I mean really upset with me. They wanted to punch me out and vice versa. But I have never had anyone that I know of anyway, or I know this for a fact. I've never had a group of people that have wanted to murder me I mean literally murder me and they vibed it. They would vibe it, they would vibe the fact they hate my guts and they want to murder me.
Speaker 1:So Jesus also. I mean he had the ability to know the secrets of people's hearts, to have their thoughts known, so he knew this, which is mind-blowing of him by itself, the fact that he just didn't wipe people out because he had such great power. But he had self-control and he had this integrity. And he had this integrity and he had this commitment to a purpose which involved you and me and others. But it involved you and me the fact that he had us in his mind, in his heart, and he knew that he needed to do something on our behalf in order for us to have a relationship long-term with him. It was an issue, it was a condition that we had. It was a condition called sin and death. Our spirits were bound, dead and encased in sin. Our lives. We were sinners. That's what we did. Sinned Sinners do they sin? That's what we did. We did that Naturally. And Jesus knew that is what was separating us, separating mankind from relationship with God, and the only remedy was going to be through an atoning sacrifice. To be through an atoning sacrifice, not just of an animal, but of a perfect man standing in the place of those who had that condition, so that there can be an importation of a new life, amazing, a covenant what's mine is yours, what's yours is mine, an exchange, but also a ransom, a redemption, hallelujah. So he knew all this. He knew all of this and yet he didn't cut things short because he had to go through this, which just so inspired me about him that he knew that they wanted to kill him. But furthermore, we read in verse 3, then, then, then, that same time, right in that same time, satan entered Judas.
Speaker 1:Satan entered one of the disciples of Jesus. How does that work? He entered into his life. Come on the scene. He entered Judas and Judas welcomed it. Then Satan entered Judas, and Judas, who was numbered among the twelve, he was surnamed Judas Iscariot. So he, judas, went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, of course they were. And they were glad, of course they were. And they were glad and agreed to give him money Again. What else I mean? What makes the world go round? It doesn't, but the world. When we're talking about the system underneath the control of evil, money is a huge factor.
Speaker 1:So he, judas, promised and sought opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of the multitude. All right, we keep the multitudes out of it. Jude said I can do it, I'll work it out. Promise I'll find a place, find time. Then came the day of unleavened bread. Once again, life can be so daily, where we're just going on and on and on, and then comes that day.
Speaker 1:Well, these people had celebrated Passover many times, it was part of their culture, part of the Jewish culture, culture, part of the Jewish culture. And so the day of unleavened bread came, the time when the Passover lamb must be killed. He, jesus, sent Peter and John saying go and prepare the Passover for us so we may eat it. So they said to him where do you want us to go and prepare it? He said to them behold, meaning take note of this now, when you've entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water. So you know, like I mean, that's not an unprobable thing, except it is. And the fact that Jesus said it ahead of time. They would have no way of knowing when exactly this would take place, except Jesus gave them, from one of the gifts of the Spirit, a word of knowledge Behold, when you enter the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water. And that, of and by itself, was unique, because carrying a pitcher of water was not a man's job, that was a woman's job, that was woman's work, Not a man's job. But in this instance, a man is carrying a pitcher of water. Well, that's pretty easy to spot, and so Jesus is giving all clear.
Speaker 1:Isn't God amazing how he can arrange it so that, okay, we're not going to miss it. We're not going to miss it, kind of like in our own lives. God will arrange things in such a way so that, when it comes time for things to take place, you're not going to miss it, man. So don't worry about missing it. Am I going to miss it? Maybe I missed it? Ah, maybe I missed all that. No, you didn't miss all that.
Speaker 1:God has a way of making things very plain, very uniquely plain and clear. So one of that Follow him. Follow him into the house where he enters, follow him into the house which he enters. Then you shall say to the master of the house the teacher says to you where is the guest room where I may eat Passover with my disciples Once again? Really one of those days. This is mark this day down. This is a unique day. Talk to this guy this way. Then he will show you a large, finished, furnished upper room. There you can make things ready.
Speaker 1:So they went and found it, just as he had said to them, and they prepared the Passover. Wow, when the hour had come, he sat down and 12 apostles with him. Then he said to them with fervent desire I desire to eat this Passover with you before I suffer With fervent desire. Now, I know me and I don't think that I would want to say anything. If I knew that I was going to be suffering Like Jesus was going to suffer, I'd be trying to find a way out. I mean it, I'd be trying to find a way out.
Speaker 1:Jesus said I have fervently desired to eat this with you Because he knew what was coming and he knew it was covenant and it was a meal, a covenant meal. Oh man, once again we're going to get deeper into this aspect of the blood covenant and how it affects our lives to this very day, what it really means, how it's been with us for centuries. It's powerful, for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it's fulfilled in the kingdom of God. Then he took the cup and gave thanks and said take this and divide it among yourselves, for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. And he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave to them, saying this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. Likewise, he also took the cup after supper, saying this cup is the new covenant in my blood which is shed for you. But behold this part. This is what really captured my attention today. But behold, the hand of my betrayer is with me on the table. The hand of my betrayer is with me on the table and truly, the Son of man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed.
Speaker 1:Then they began to question among themselves which of them it was who would do this thing. Right, excuse me, jesus? Jesus said something that was very direct and really almost seemed like it was out of place, but it wasn't. And Jesus wanted to make it very clear that Satan, nor the religious leaders, neither of them, were going to take his life. He was going to offer his life. And he said even my betrayers here with me right now.
Speaker 1:What? How uncomfortable, but how necessary it was to expose that. And isn't it true in life at times, how uncomfortable but how necessary it is for God to expose things in our lives. I'm sure Judas didn't want that. I'm sure he just about what. Where do you go? How do you hide? Jesus puts it right out there. Have you ever had something that you didn't want exposed, exposed? Or do you have something that you don't want exposed and you've been working hard to keep it under wraps? It's going to get exposed and it's good that it gets it. It's good that it gets exposed Because sometimes there's no real resolve that can take place unless it gets exposed. And in this instance, it had to be revealed so that there was not going to be confusion concerning well, what would have happened if Judas hadn't done that? What would have happened if the chief priest would have said well, he's not that bad. It had to be exposed because there was a bigger, more important thing that was going to take place, and in our own lives. That's why, at times, things are going to be exposed, because there's something bigger at stake than us keeping things under wraps.
Speaker 1:God has a way of exposing things. He has a purpose behind it. Sometimes it's uncomfortable, sometimes we don't like it I'm sure Judas didn't like it, but Jesus exposed it. And the life of God within us at times exposes things. We've seen it across the nations. At times exposes things We've seen it across the nations, across different organizations, things being exposed, scandals of all different types, financial, sexual, just lots of stuff man Exposed. Say well, what are the neighbors going to think? You know what? God is not concerned about his reputation, he's quite secure. We're the ones who get uptight about it, upset about it, concerned about it because we don't see the big picture.
Speaker 1:Now, the situation with Judas was an extreme situation. The direct correlation concerning our own lives cannot be exactly made, but the principle behind it certainly can. God exposes things, not as a threat but as a promise, and it's best for us to let things get exposed and to acknowledge them. Actually, it's better to confess than to get caught. It's better to confess and to get caught. It's better to confess and get it out in the open than to get caught. It's going to come out in the open. It's just. How is it going to come out in the open? It has nothing to do with forgiveness, it has nothing to do with cleansing. It has nothing to do with cleansing. It has everything to do with purpose. And God's not concerned with what the neighbors are going to think.
Speaker 1:Some people say well, that thing is too big to let fail. We gotta keep it under wraps, man. What happened? No, no, no, no, it's not too big. You're not too big. Situation in your life is not too big to be exposed. And if it produces a momentary collapse, it was going to collapse anyway. How much collateral damage? Right, if you confess, you can minimize the collateral damage. You get caught. Caught, oh man, it's like having surgery with a deer antler.
Speaker 1:Now, if there's nothing, hallelujah, then what do we do then? We restore people with the spirit of gentleness, wisdom, but we restore people. Judas never let that take place, killed himself. He was all that way. There was no consolation there. No one could console him, no one could work with him. You, if you're there, you can submit yourself to individuals that can help. You can submit yourself to individuals that can help. And if you are free from that and you are in a place where you can be helpful, be helpful, man. Don't gloat, don't sound the trumpet. Someone else's problems, don't do that. Don't do that. If you see someone get caught in something, don't be the I told you so crew or gloating over someone else's demise, because it's potentially not too far down the road. It's going to be you or it could be. How are we going to restore each other, the spirit of gentleness, spirit of grace, humility, understanding, love, patience, kind of things that bring about Christ-likeness. But it's going to get exposed Now.
Speaker 1:It is the middle of February, right, february 18th 2025. God is going to expose something within the course of the next six months that is so big it is going to cause an international economic collapse. You heard me correct. You heard me correct. Within the course of the next six months, something so significant is going to be exposed that's going to have a ripple effect and it's going to cause an international economic collapse. Don't be afraid, placing your trust in the financial system is not a wise thing. Placing your confidence and your trust in the Lord is wise. Now are those who don't have any resources now going to be left out in the cold? We're going to be seeing a shift take place. I don't claim to understand all things, but there's going to be a financial shift taking place also, and that the wealth of the nations is going to be somehow released over to the righteous. There's going to be a shift taking place. Our conversation six months from now is not going to be the same as it is right now. You say well, show me.
Speaker 1:Somewhere in Scripture where things like that take place, jesus dying on the cross made a major shift take place. Things changed radically. Shift take place, things changed radically. There have been times throughout history, that being the key one, but there have been others, lesser than that, that have been significant Israel being delivered from Egypt, an entire nation being set free from slavery. They left in a day. There came a day. It took some time leading up to it, but there came a day where they left. There comes a day. There comes a day. There comes a day. There's coming a day where things are going to change.
Speaker 1:We've been hearing about this for a long time. Is it going to bring about massive revival of sorts? By all means, yes, but also there are going to be some major shifts taking place. I saw one take place in this region that I live in, but also there are going to be some major shifts taking place. I saw one take place in this region that I live in just on the 13th of February. A shift took place. I'm minding my own business. Shift took place.
Speaker 1:Something big is on the horizon.
Speaker 1:Something big is on the horizon and God is going to manifest his glory.
Speaker 1:I want to be in a place of hosting his glory, even if things need to be exposed in order for that to take place more fully.
Speaker 1:Let's pray, father, to take place more fully. Let's pray, father. God, I thank you for showing us things, teaching us things, revealing things that cause us to look to you and lean on you, submitting our understanding over and acknowledging that you have ways that we need to learn, and so teach us your ways, oh Lord, show us your paths, lead us and guide us. Please Show us your paths, lead us and guide us, please. And Holy Spirit, thank you for doing it faithfully and causing us to grow up, before we grow old, into the very image of Jesus Christ. Thank you, lord Jesus, for setting the example. We honor you, we praise your name and we stand here in your name. We say so be it. Amen, amen, amen, amen, amen. Alright, folks, I love you. If you have any thoughts, questions, concerns, please feel free to drop us a line at lifearoundthefire, at gmailcom, or type in lifearoundthefire and look us up on the web. We would love to hear from you in the meantime. God bless you. Adios amigos.