The Doorman

by Ryan Duncan, Crosswalk.com Editor

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28

Once upon a time, there lived a wise and righteous king who cared deeply for his people. In order to ensure that his kingdom prospered, the king summoned one of his servants and gave him this decree, "Go and stand at the door of the palace. If someone comes and asks to see me, open the door and allow them in so I may speak with them."

So the servant went and did as the king commanded. People came from far and wide to see the king. Some were rich men, some were great scholars, others were from noble families, and when they asked to see the king the doorman gave them entry. Then one day a poor beggar came to the palace door and asked to see the king. The doorman looked him over and frowned.

The beggar's clothes were dirty and torn, he wore no shoes and was unpleasant to look at.

"Surely my king would not wish to meet with such a man as this," the doorman said to himself, and turned the beggar away. Soon the doorman began turning others away; people he deemed too poor, or too sick, or too strange. When the king discovered what was being done he summoned the doorman to him.

"Why have you been turning people away from the palace?" the king demanded angrily. The doorman was surprised and replied meekly, "My king, I was only performing the duty you gave me."

"Your duty was to open the door for those who would see me," said the king, "not decide if they were worthy to do so."
It's unfortunate when we behave like the doorman in this story. We style ourselves the "Watchmen on the Wall," and if we see someone who doesn't quite fit our definition of worthy, we slam the door in his or her face. But God's grace is not ours to give away, and true forgiveness belongs to Christ alone. Our job is to open the door that leads to Christ, through prayer, through friendship, and through service. Remember, we all stand on equal footing at the door of Christ's mercy.            

Intersecting Faith and Life: Have you been turning away people who are looking for God? Or lighting the way to the narrow path? Take some time to consider.

Glorifying God in Death

- John 21:18-19

INTRODUCTION

Simon Peter confessed his willingness to die for the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:33-35 ; Luke 22:33
; John 13:36-37 ). After the Lord’s resurrection, He told Peter he would indeed have the opportunity to die for his faith. The Bible says that in Peter’s old age, someone would stretch forth his hands, gird Peter, and “carry [him] whither [he] wouldest not.” These things may sound like a possible description of the life of any elderly person, but the Lord made a point to tell Peter that these things referred to his death. It was at this point that the Lord made a most unusual statement: Peter’s death would “glorify God.” From this statement, we know that it is not only necessary to glorify God in one’s life but also possible to glorify God in death.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): The apostle Paul suffered many things for the Lord (Acts 9:16
  ). His main concern, whether he lived or died, was that he glorified God (Philippians 1:20
  ). Jesus also said that the death of Lazarus was to glorify God (John 11:4
  , 40).
• (For everyone): How can an individual glorify God by his life? How can that same believer glorify God by death? How could this be accomplished whether someone is a martyr or dies of natural causes?
• Would it be safe to say that the death of the Lord Jesus Christ brought glory to God the Father? If so, how? How could the same truths cause your death to glorify God?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Thank God for the opportunity to glorify Him by life or by death.
• Ask God for the courage to live or die for Him.

A Martyr Without Charity

- 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

INTRODUCTION

It takes a special person with strong conviction to be willing to die for a just cause. This is especially significant when that cause is the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. However, martyrdom for the faith in itself does not indicate that the individual was a mature and complete Christian. The apostle Paul indicated that an individual can give his life for the faith and yet lack charity (1 Corinthians 13:3
). In fact, we are told that a man could give his “body to be burned” and profit nothing because he lacked the necessary charity. Unfortunately, there are many Christians today that seem willing to die for the faith. Some even seem willing to provoke the world to put them to death but lack biblical charity. According to Paul, those people who may even sacrifice their lives profit nothing.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): The Bible tells us to have charity (1 Peter 4:8
  ). It is treating others like family and like you would want to be treated (3 John 1:5-6 a). It is the greatest indication that you are a grown-up or mature Christian (Colossians 3:12-14 ).
• (For everyone): What would you think of someone who was willing to die for his faith? Why is it important to keep things in proper perspective concerning those who are martyred?
• Sometimes Christians make idols out of martyrs. How does 1 Corinthians 13:3
  admonish us to keep things in the proper perspective?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to help you to live a balanced Christian life.
• Ask the Lord to strengthen your charity.

Antipas, My Faithful Martyr

- Revelation 2:12-13

INTRODUCTION

A martyr is one who is killed for his faith. Only two individuals are specifically named as martyrs in scripture: Stephen (Acts 22:20
) and Antipas (Revelation 2:13
). The word itself appears only three times, twice in the singular form and once in the plural form, but each time, the writer associates the martyr(s) with the Saviour (“thy martyr”—Acts 22:20
; “my  . . .  martyr”—Revelation 2:13
; “the martyrs of Jesus”—Revelation 17:6
). Scripture provides very few details concerning the life of Antipas. Yet, that which is mentioned conveys volumes. According to scripture, Antipas was a faithful man slain for his faith. He was a man who, like the believers at Pergamos mentioned in Revelation, held fast the Lord’s name refusing to deny the faith.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Many people in the Bible had faith in God and chose to die for that faith rather than to rescind their message or say they did not believe. Consider these examples: 2 Chronicles 24:20-21 ; Matthew 14:3-10 ; Hebrews 11:35
  b; Revelation 6:9
  ; Revelation 20:4
  .
• (For everyone): A man must meet two requirements in order to be identified as a martyr; he must be a man of faith, and he must die for that faith. How do we know these things are true of Antipas?
• Why is it such a beautiful truth that the Lord’s martyrs are directly associated with Him each time in scripture? How does this demonstrate that Christ takes special ownership of His martyrs?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Thank God for those who have loved Him enough to die for Him.
• Ask the Lord to give you a deeper love for Him.

Antipas, My Faithful Martyr

- Revelation 2:12-13

INTRODUCTION

A martyr is one who is killed for his faith. Only two individuals are specifically named as martyrs in scripture: Stephen (Acts 22:20
) and Antipas (Revelation 2:13
). The word itself appears only three times, twice in the singular form and once in the plural form, but each time, the writer associates the martyr(s) with the Saviour (“thy martyr”—Acts 22:20
; “my  . . .  martyr”—Revelation 2:13
; “the martyrs of Jesus”—Revelation 17:6
). Scripture provides very few details concerning the life of Antipas. Yet, that which is mentioned conveys volumes. According to scripture, Antipas was a faithful man slain for his faith. He was a man who, like the believers at Pergamos mentioned in Revelation, held fast the Lord’s name refusing to deny the faith.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Many people in the Bible had faith in God and chose to die for that faith rather than to rescind their message or say they did not believe. Consider these examples: 2 Chronicles 24:20-21 ; Matthew 14:3-10 ; Hebrews 11:35
  b; Revelation 6:9
  ; Revelation 20:4
  .
• (For everyone): A man must meet two requirements in order to be identified as a martyr; he must be a man of faith, and he must die for that faith. How do we know these things are true of Antipas?
• Why is it such a beautiful truth that the Lord’s martyrs are directly associated with Him each time in scripture? How does this demonstrate that Christ takes special ownership of His martyrs?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Thank God for those who have loved Him enough to die for Him.
• Ask the Lord to give you a deeper love for Him.

The Murder for Which All Are Guilty

- Acts 7:51-52

INTRODUCTION

Each murder is personal to someone and causes grief beyond comprehension. It is, therefore, difficult to compare one murder to another and suggest that one is somehow worse. That being said, there is one murder that far surpasses every other murder ever committed. That particular murder occurred when Jesus Christ was crucified. There are several reasons including the fact that nobody has ever been more innocent than the Son of God. Judas testified as much when he said, “I have betrayed the innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4
). The murder of Christ was exceedingly wicked because the people murdered someone who was perfectly innocent. Secondly, the murder of Christ surpasses all others in that He was murdered for every man, woman, boy, or girl to ever enter this world (1 John 2:2
).

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Peter made it clear in his message to the Jews that they had Jesus killed (Acts 3:13-15 ). All of us have sinned (Romans 3:23
  ). Jesus came to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15
  ). He could do so because He had no sin (2 Corinthians 5:21
  ; 1 Peter 2:22-24 ).
• (For everyone): What did Jesus do that was worthy of death? If He did nothing worthy of death, then why did He die? For whom did He die? What had you done that was worthy of death?
• What has the Devil ever done for you? What has Jesus done for you? What do you owe the Lord for all that He has done for you? How should His murder change your life forever?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Thank God for sending His Son to die in your place.
• Thank God for giving you mercy in spite of the things you have done.

HYMN

HALLELUJAH, WHAT A SAVIOUR!

The Source of Murder

- John 8:44

INTRODUCTION

Murder is an act of hatred that comes from the heart of man (Matthew 15:19
; Mark 7:21
). Man, however, is not the first to invent such evil thoughts. According to John 8:44
, the Devil “was a murderer from the beginning.” The Lord gave His own life to save whosoever would come to Him, but the Devil takes the lives of others in order to further his agenda. Consider this great contrast between the Lord and Satan. The Lord places such a high value upon the lives of others that He gave His own Son. The Devil puts so much value in himself that he seeks to take the lives of others. When one man murders another, he is actively fulfilling the will and work of the Devil.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): We are no match for the Devil (Luke 22:31
  ; 1 Peter 5:8
  ). Hatred begins in the heart (Leviticus 19:17
  a). The Devil wants hatred to lead to murder. Sometimes it does and sometimes it does not, but it is still sin (Genesis 27:41
  ; Acts 23:12
  ; John 13:2
  , 27).
• (For everyone): Why is it important to learn about the origin of murder? Whose purpose and desire is one fulfilling when he carries out a murder? Whose will is opposed by the murder of an innocent person?
• How is capital punishment diametrically opposed to murder? Who is the source of murder? Who is the source of capital punishment? Why is capital punishment sometimes necessary?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to guard you from the purposes and desires of Satan.
• Ask God to turn the hearts of those who would murder others.

HYMN

YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION

The Subtle Murder

- 1 John 3:14-15

INTRODUCTION

The Lord came to the earth on a mission to die on the cross for the sins of the world, but that is not all that He accomplished through the cross. He also came to give mankind a greater revelation of the Father. The Bible says that the law was a shadow (Hebrews 10:1
), but Christ was the image (2 Corinthians 4:4
; Colossians 1:15
; Hebrews 1:3
). This contrast is presented in Matthew chapter 5 where the Lord said, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time . . . But I say unto you” (Matthew 5:21-22 ; Matthew 5:27-28 ; Matthew 5:31-32 ; Matthew 5:33-34 ; Matthew 5:38-39 ; Matthew 5:43-44 ). In old time, the commandment concerned the act of murder, but now “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer” (Matthew 5:21-22 ; 1 John 3:15
).

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Saul hated David and tried to kill him (1 Samuel 18:8-11 , 17; 1 Samuel 20:31-33 ). Yet, David did not hate him and spared his life (1 Samuel 24:11
  ; 1 Samuel 26:8-9 ). Even after Saul’s death, David spoke kindly of him (2 Samuel 1:17
  , 23-25).
• (For everyone): Murder springs from hatred. How did the Lord Jesus offer a more perfect revelation of the mind of God the Father by emphasizing the dangers of hatred?
• Hatred compels one to murder, but love compels one to die for another. Which of these is a better representation of the nature of God?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Thank the Lord for demonstrating the beauty of love.
• Ask the Lord to help us to go beyond the letter of the law.

Love Solves the Problem

- Romans 13:9-10

INTRODUCTION

Many people, in the strength of their own flesh, seek to keep the law. Yet, the Bible says the law is “comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Strength of flesh has never been, nor ever will be, a sustaining strength to do right. Love, on the other hand, “covereth all sins” (Proverbs 10:12
). Love refuses to murder, only executing righteous judgment in accordance with the will of God. We read in scripture that when murders abound, the love of many grows cold (Matthew 24:4-12 ). Abel could have lived another day had Cain loved the Lord and loved his brother more than he loved himself. The people of God are to be a people full of the love of God, and as such, they should place the utmost value upon the lives of the innocent.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): When Joseph was governor of Egypt, he could have easily sought out revenge upon his brothers. They later asked his forgiveness (Genesis 50:15-21 ), but he had already forgiven them (Genesis 42:8
  , 21-24a; Genesis 45:14-15 ). Through this type of forgiveness, Joseph displayed his love of God.
• (For everyone): Read Matthew 22:34-40 . What concept is included in both commandments mentioned by the Lord Jesus? What did the Lord mean in verse 40 when He said, “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets”?
• Are there people you would rather see dead? Are those individuals saved? How could love move you to desire for them to live rather than die?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to give you a greater love for those around you.
• Ask God to help you understand that love spares life.

Thou Shalt Not Kill

- Exodus 20:13

INTRODUCTION

Increasingly, so-called theologians and Bible critics claim to find what they believe to be blatant contradictions in the Bible. One such passage is found in Ecclesiastes 3:3
where the Bible says there is “A time to kill.” How can this be reconciled with the sixth commandment that says, “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13
)? The context always determines the meaning, and the type of killing in Exodus 20:13
refers specifically to murder (see Matthew 19:18
). At times, God called His people to enter into war with the goal of killing their enemies. The Bible clearly distinguishes between this type of killing and murder. Interestingly, people spend a great deal of time and strength protesting war but refuse to protest the countless murders of the unborn children that occur in the world every day. This fact serves as another of the evidences that men are not opposed to wrong but simply opposed to God and His word.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): God always does right (Genesis 18:25
  b). He delivered Goliath into David’s hands because the Philistines were Israel’s enemy (1 Samuel 17:45-50 ). Yet, when David had Uriah killed so he could take Uriah’s wife to be his own, God was very much displeased (2 Samuel 11:14-15 , 26-27; 2 Samuel 12:9-10 ).
• (For everyone): How can Matthew 19:18
  be used prove that Exodus 20:13
  speaks of a specific kind of killing? Why is it important for us to be able to understand the difference?
• Genesis 9:6
  . Why does God place such a high value upon life? What does it suggest when men think so little of life that they are willing to murder others?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Thank the Lord for placing such a high value on your life.
• Ask God to help you have the same concern for life.

The Call to Continue Capital Punishment

- Romans 1:32

INTRODUCTION

Capital punishment is not confined to the Old Testament. According to Romans chapter 13, souls are to be subject unto the higher powers because they bear “not the sword in vain” (Romans 13:1
, 4). This sword is to be “a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” (Romans 13:4
). Any true student of the Bible acknowledges that this sounds like capital punishment, but there is more. In Romans chapter 1, the Bible provides a list of the sins and follows that list by saying, “that they which commit such things are worthy of death” (Romans 1:32
). Capital punishment is not done to the exclusion of God’s grace, but rather as an act of God’s just judgment.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Judges are appointed to judge for the Lord (2 Chronicles 19:6
  ). Those in authority have the right to punish evildoers (1 Peter 2:13-14 ). Consider Paul’s testimony to Festus (Acts 25:7-11 a). He knew there were reasons for capital punishment.
• (For everyone): How could many of our government’s problems be helped if they would merely execute God’s plan of shedding the blood of those who shed innocent blood?
• Whose job is it to execute capital punishment (see Romans 13:1-4 )? It is just as unscriptural for a man to take matters in his own hand as it is for one to shed innocent blood in the first place.

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to change your views to match His views.
• Thank God for teaching you the perfections of His plan.

Capital Punishment Under the Law

- Exodus 21:14

INTRODUCTION

Although some things have changed, the Old Testament Law declares and expresses the mind of God. It demonstrates God’s hatred for sin and His desire for just judgment. Under the Law, men would be put to death for things such as murder (Exodus 21:14
), witchcraft (Exodus 22:18
), idolatry (Exodus 22:20
), working on the Sabbath (Exodus 35:2
), adultery (Leviticus 20:10
), rebellion (Deuteronomy 21:18-21 ), and sodomy (Leviticus 20:13
). Although all of these examples are not repeated in the New Testament as grounds for capital punishment, man can still see the way God feels about sin, not only its wickedness, but also how sin must be purged.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): The Old Testament has many examples where God punished wickedness with death: Joshua 7:19-21 , 25-26; 2 Samuel 1:13-16 ; 1 Kings 21:8-13 , 17-19, 23. Even a pagan king recognized certain offences required death (Ezra 7:11-13 ; 25-26).
• (For everyone): Are some of these sins mentioned again in the New Testament as grounds for capital punishment? If so, which ones can you find? How faithful are we as a nation to deal with these sins as God would have us to?
• The Lord no doubt changed some things in the New Testament. Why is it still profitable to study the Old Testament?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Thank the Lord for placing such high value on life.
• Ask the Lord to keep you from these sins.

God’s Green Plan

- Numbers 35:33-34

INTRODUCTION

The world is consumed with “saving the earth.” They have multiple plans to purify the water, the air, the ground, the food, etc. Unfortunately, they are ignorant of the green plan laid out in the Bible. According to scripture, the land is polluted from the shedding of blood. The Bible says in Numbers 35:33
that “blood . . . defileth the land.” This is not just any blood but refers to the innocent blood shed by the hands of man or beast that has not been properly avenged. All the innocent blood (babies, children, and adults) pollutes a land and the land cannot be cleansed “but by the blood of him that shed it” (Numbers 35:33
). While men are concerned about the earth for selfish reasons, God concerns Himself with a particular defiling of the land (Numbers 35:34
).

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): God hates the shedding of innocent blood (Proverbs 6:16-17 ). It must be taken care of or the land becomes polluted (Psalm 106:38
  ). God told men what to do even if the murderer was not known. The land still had to be cleansed (Deuteronomy 21:1-9 ).
• (For everyone): Read Genesis 4:10
  . What did the Lord tell Cain concerning the blood of Abel? How would that same truth be applicable in the world today? Read Revelation 6:10
  . What will God do in the future in order to avenge the blood of His martyrs?
• How is God’s green plan much more important than the world’s plans? Which one is going to be the demise of our planet?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Beg God to turn the heads toward God of those who would murder.
• Ask the Lord to help us better cleanse the land of blood.

Children Are an Heritage of the Lord

- Psalm 127:3

INTRODUCTION

Far too often, the world views children as a burden. In fact, some parents of larger families have been questioned for their strange or foolish behaviour in birthing so many children into the world. God, however, views children differently from that of the world. To the Lord, children are a blessing. They are a reward given by God (Psalm 127:3
) and are “as arrows in the hand of a mighty man” (Psalm 127:4
). Today, couples are made to feel ashamed for having larger families, but the scriptures teach otherwise. Instead of shame for having children, the Bible says, “Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them” (Psalm 127:5
). Not only would this man experience personal happiness, but he would gain such respect that he could “speak with the enemies in the gate” (Psalm 127:5
).

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children):  Psalm 128 says a man that fears the Lord will be happy. He will be blessed with lots of children. In Psalm 128:3
  , a fruitful vine is one that grows much fruit and olive plants have many branches. Jesus loved children (Mark 10:13-16 ).
• (For everyone): Has God allowed you to have any children? If so, how do you view those children? Would they perceive that you view them as a blessing or as a burden?
• Take some time to do a Bible study and see how many large families you can find. What are some things these families have in common? How did those families perceive children?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Thank God for the children in your life.
• Ask God to give you a proper perspective on children.