What the Lord Wants (2012)

What the Lord Wants
Jan 24th, 2012, Kichijouji Bible Study Meeting
Gotthold Beck

Second Epistle of Peter
3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness. but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Gospel According to John
6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life. and I will raise him up at the last day.

Gospel According to Mark
1:16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea. for they were fishers.
1:17 And Jesus said to them. Come you after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
1:18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.

It is of utmost importance that we know what the Lord wants. What people think about, what they consider or what they feel: these things are totally meaningless. “What does the Lord want? What are the wishes of God?” Isn't that the only thing important to us? These things are shown in three parts of the bible we just read.


The Lord wants all people to start their path to repentance. After all, all you need to do is to be honest, to be penitent, and to say “I am sorry” from the bottom of your heart; you do not need anything else. What does the Lord want? What does he hope? What is his desire? As you can understand from these verses, the Lord Jesus wants not one of us to perish. Needless to say, the wishes of Jesus are identical to those of the Father.

“This is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son (crucified Jesus), and believeth in him, may have everlasting life.” What is everlasting life? It is not a concept that is easy to understand. Many people understand it as just a life which lasts forever, but that is not all. Even the first man, Adam, did not have eternal life. He only had a life made just for this world.

The Lord God, however, wanted him to take the fruit of life at the center of the Eden, which would have given him eternal life. The Lord wants to save all humans. To save us he gave us his most beloved one, Jesus Christ. 

Do we all also want to save other people? Those who do not keep this wish in their minds can't help but be accused of being lazy. Jesus also asked, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” He knew that men could not save other people by their own efforts. They could only accomplish this if they came with Jesus.

His disciples never asked, “Well, please let me think about it for a couple of days”. They just abandoned their fish nets and followed him. They gave up all they had, their important properties, their necessary goods, and started to walk with Jesus. None of them asked, “How much money do we get a month?” or “How many vacation days do we have?” They were instantly convinced that they would never regret following this Lord.

Jesus is the truth. Jesus looked at Simon. Simon had two names. One was “Simon”, which represented the weakness of man. When Jesus met Simon for the first time, he did not think Simon was a particularly righteous man. In fact he knew that Simon-Peter would deny Jesus three times before the cock crowed.

But Jesus looked at what Simon would do in the long-term rather than at that moment. This made a great difference. Peter followed Jesus and never regretted it. When he died, he was about to be crucified in the same way as Jesus was. But, he said, “I am sorry. I do not deserve to be crucified as my Lord was. Please crucify me upside down”. This is how he ended his life.

Peter taught people to know Jesus on the day of Pentecost. Jesus knew from the beginning that Peter was going to deliver a wonderful sermon on that day. Jesus did not only see how the people were, but how they would be eventually changed by the blessing of the Lord. Jesus looked at Simon.

This Jesus is looking at us now. Regardless of whether we are good people or bad people, whether we are appropriate or not, he is watching us anyway. Let's listen to the words of Jesus, who is watching us and inviting us. Jesus is still telling us today, “follow me, and I will make you fishers of men”. Followers of Jesus are after all, the people appointed as “fishers of men”.

Are we convinced of this important fact and aware of it? How can we prepare our souls to serve Jesus? This is the most critical and urgent question we face at every moment of our life.

The devil is always thinking how he can end people, how he can blind their eyes. On the other hand, Jesus prepared the perfect salvation for all people by being crucified.

If someone comes to Jesus as a sinner, but expresses his appreciation for the salvation of Jesus, that someone is saved. Jesus is looking for someone to carry this good news to the other people. The Lord said to Isaiah 2600 years ago, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” But, he is still seeking for vessels to serve him.

We will be glad if we can say “Here am I. Send me.”, just like Isaiah. We spend our lives surrounded by those who are not saved yet. Everyday, we meet other people who have bad desires. Jesus says, “Ye are the light of the world.” We are supposed to take these people to Jesus. But how should we treat them?

What conditions are necessary for salvation? How can we help people to know Jesus? What has the Lord done for you to achieve salvation? Three things can be said.

Firstly, Jesus came down to this world as the savior, as the Lord promised, the son of God. Jesus had many names. One of them was “the friend of sinners” which was wonderful.

Secondly, we have to meet Jesus himself to be saved. The mediator between God and man is Jesus. Therefore, the most important thing is to meet Jesus himself.

First Epistle to Timothy
2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Not Jesus as God.

Acts of Apostles
4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other. for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Thirdly, God's spirit, the angels, have been poured out on all people.

Zechariah
4:6 Then he answered and spoke to me, saying. This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, saying. Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

Not by knowledge of the bible, not by prayer,

Only angels can release the souls of man. Angels want to do so. No one can accept their own sins without help from the spirits. They can neither repent nor believe. These things are accomplished from the side of God. So what do sinners have to do to really be saved?

The most important thing is to neither repent nor to believe. It is not just a matter of understanding that Jesus has died for your sins. What is most important is to come to Jesus with an honest mind, with your whole heart; to pray to Jesus.

You have to ask help from Jesus, the friend of sinners. When Jesus lived in this world, he was always referred as the friend of the sinners. What a truth! Jesus is the friend of all sinners. Jesus, when he came to this world, first walked as a friend of the people. Later, he became their savior.

Even today, he does the same. Lord Jesus, to become our savior, first becomes our friend. Before the time comes when we accept Jesus as our savior, Jesus welcomes us. He is friend to all sinners. 

One day, a young lady came to a believer and said, “I do not want salvation”. She was a graduate of a mission school and had enough knowledge of the bible. But she decided to live a life she just wanted. The answer from the believer of Jesus was “Fine. But why don't we pray together for a moment?”. She was surprised and asked “What am I supposed to pray about?” “It is none of my concern. I am going to pray first so please, you pray after that. You can say everything to Jesus as you just said to me.”

“No, I can't do that”, she answered of course. “Why can't you? Don't you know that Jesus is the friend of sinners?” the believer asked. This fact, that Jesus is the friend of sinners, touched her heart. She prayed to Jesus, the friend of all sinners and was saved a few days later.

The bible makes it clear that Jesus came down to the earth as the friend of sinners so that all sinners could come to him. It is clearly stated in the bible that Jesus was glorified by the Lord God before the world was created, before everything existed. It is also said that all things ever created were created by Jesus just for Jesus. What a great Lord he is! And one of the most wonderful things written in the bible is in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 16, verse 31.

Acts of the Apostles
16:31 And they said. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shalt be saved, and your house.

This is the promise we should keep in mind every day. No matter how impossible it looks, the Lord has promised about your family too. The one who made this promise can do anything. Nothing is impossible for the Lord. What if someone says, “I do not believe”? Once, there was a man who was in deep trouble. He said, “I tried so hard. But, I still do not believe although I have made all efforts. I want to believe but I can't. My family keeps telling me to believe but it makes no difference”.

One of the believers answered, “It does not matter. Don't worry about it at all. But you still can pray to Jesus and ask him to give you a faith, because so far, you do not believe him. Jesus will be so happy to give you the faith, being the friend of all sinners”.

The bible clearly states the importance of repentance. But so many people want to avoid repentance. What shall we do with these people? One day, this university student came in and said to me, “I am young. I want to enjoy the life in this world. So, I do not want to be saved now. Look at two thieves crucified with Jesus. They had experienced all kinds of pleasures of this life before they were saved. They did not need to repent so early in their lives. But, I am still young. I would like enjoy a pleasant life for some 40 years from now. Then I will repent.”

The believer then said, “That is fine. But let's pray now”. But the student answered “No, I won't. I can't pray”. “It is not true. You can pray. Please simply repeat after me what I am going to say to Jesus. Jesus is the friend of those who do not want to repent.” The student still insisted he could not say these things but finally he prayed.

“Jesus, I do not want to repent at this moment. I do not want your salvation”, he prayed. The Lord worked on the heart of this young man. He was drastically saved on that day.

After all, nothing is more important than being honest. More than 100 years ago, there was a lady in England. Her parents were Christians. She wanted to have the salvation of Jesus so badly. She went to a number of churches and listened to excellent sermons. But she was not saved.

One day, she was actually almost going to give up all hope; but then she went to a small church. The priest, in his sermon, talked to her and said, “You too can achieve the salvation of Jesus. You do not have to do anything.” At the moment, she was saved. She went home and made this hymn.

[Just As I Am by Charlotte Elliott]
The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,
here for a season, then above--
Just as I am,--without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come.

In the bible, which is a collection of words of God, it is emphasized that Jesus, the friend of sinners, can do the things which sinners cannot. So, people do not have to wait. But you can come to Jesus, the friend of sinners, immediately. Regardless of the state of your mind, whatever the problem you have, you should come to Jesus just the way you are now. If you talk to Jesus, he will absolutely answer.

What is salvation? How can one become saved? Many people think it is the belief that Jesus died for them, but that is not what the bible says. The bible does not state that people can be saved by believing that Jesus died for their own sins. Let's look at what is actually written. It does not state “Believe in Jesus to understand him”. There only is a promise: “Believe in Jesus and you shall be saved”. And those who believe in the Son of God have gain eternal life.

Gospel According to John
1:11 He came to his own, and his own received him not.

Fine. People did not want to repent. John wrote the gospel. The reason he wrote it was stated in chapter 20, verse 31.

Gospel according to John
20:31 But these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. and that believing you might have life through his name.

This was the reason the gospel was written. Why didn't people accept Jesus? Was it because they did not believe in the salvation he had accomplished? No, it was not. It was before Jesus was crucified. They were not ready to accept Jesus himself.

What is most important is not to believe in the salvation Jesus accomplished, but to believe that Jesus is the Christ, son of God, the appointed savior. This is the reason why the famous verse 16 of chapter 3 from the Gospel according to John is considered to be the one of the most important verses in the whole bible.

Gospel according to John 
3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

It does not state that those who believe that the Son of God died for them on the cross have everlasting life. But it says that, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life". Of course, we are not trying to make light of the salvation Jesus had done. But acquiring knowledge does not mean being saved. Meeting Jesus is important. It is the encounter with Jesus.

Gospel according to John
17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you has sent.

Let's look at three quick examples from the New Testament.

Gospel according to Luke
23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying. If you be Christ, save thyself and us.
23:40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying. do not you fear God, seeing you are in the same condemnation?
23:41 And we indeed justly. for we receive the due reward of our deeds. but this man has done nothing amiss.
23:42 And he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
23:43 And Jesus said to him. Verily I say to you, Today shalt you be with me in paradise.

The thief saved by Jesus was of course, a sinner. And he deserved the punishment he received. So why was he saved? What did the thief say to Jesus? “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

And what was Jesus’ answer? Did he say “You have done so many bad things in your life. Your soul must perish because you committed sins. But do not worry, because I am going to die for your sins now.”? No, that was not what he said. Neither did he say “you may possibly be saved”. Why didn't Jesus talk about his plan of salvation? He only said “Verily I say to you, today shalt you be with me in paradise.” Why did Jesus speak in this way? It was because the thief believed that Jesus was the son of God. He believed in Jesus and that was simply enough.

The second example is in chapter 5 of the Gospel according to Mark,

Gospel according to Mark 
5:24 And Jesus went with him. and much people followed him, and thronged him.
5:25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
5:26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
5:27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
5:28 For she said. If I may touch but his clothes. I shall be whole.
5:29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up. and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
5:30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said. Who touched my clothes?
5:31 And his disciples said to him. You see the multitude thronging you, and say you, Who touched me?
5:32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.
5:33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.

Here we see that the most important thing is telling Jesus the truth.

Gospel according to Mark 
5:34 And he said to her. Daughter, your faith has made you whole. go in peace, and be whole of your plague.

Verse 24 states that “Many people followed him and thronged him”. So many people must have touched Jesus' clothes. But only one woman who was healed. The reason is very clear. It is not a matter of knowledge. You only have to meet Jesus, touch Jesus consciously. This weak sick woman touched the friend of sinners who was full of strength. She was healed instantly. In the later part of the verse 33, she “fell down before him, and told him all the truth.” Then, the friend of sinners pulled her up from the press and said, “Your faith has made you whole“.

The third example is from the Gospel according to Luke, chapter 18.

Gospel according to Luke 
18:9 And he spoke this parable to certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray. the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God. I thank you, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
18:12 I fast twice in the week. I give tithes of all that I possess.
18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying. God be merciful to me a sinner.

The conclusion of Jesus was so remarkable.

Gospel according to Luke 
18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other. for every one that exalts himself shall be abased. and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.

He was saved and attained everlasting happiness. These verses describe the prayers of Pharisee and a publican. Pharisee had studied all about sacrifices and offerings to God. But, he did not have any passion to praise the living and true God at all.

The publican asked from the bottom of his heart, “God, please forgive me, a sinner”. Isn't this so clear? Nothing is more important than coming to the Lord with an honest and pure heart and praying to the Lord. We can see it in the Epistle to the Romans, the significance of the salvation of Jesus. In so many verses, this book states how horrible the sins are and how we can achieve salvation for ourselves. But the “Romans” were written for those who had been saved already. On the other hand, the Gospel according to John was written for those who did not yet believe. It does not mention a lot about the plan of salvation. Isn't this strange? Let's read some other verses.

Acts of Apostles
2:22 you men of Israel, hear these words. Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as you yourselves also know:
2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
2:24 Whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death. because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

Peter made no mention about the plan of salvation. Why didn't he talk about the power of bloodshed? Why didn't he cite chapter 53 of Isaiah to preach about the sacrifice of Jesus? Why didn't he explain the salvation? He only talked about Jesus himself, and not so much about the great salvation Jesus had done.

Acts of Apostles
2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God has made that same Jesus, whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Peter did not even use the word “savior”. Still, his preaching brought more than three thousand people to him crying, “What do I have to do to be saved?” Later, Peter came to meet a heathen called Cornelius but again avoided talking about the meaning of the sacrifice of Jesus or the importance of redemption. 

They were heathens who did not belong to the people of God. But Peter only talked about Jesus himself. The bible states that all audiences believed, repented, and the Holy Ghost descended to them. Salvation is not a matter of knowledge. It is important to be touched by Jesus for us to achieve salvation.

We do not need to understand the plan of salvation. There is no need to know the consequences of our sins. We only have to look at Jesus. Many people know very well about salvation. But when they are confronted with various problems, they break down easily. It is simply because they do not know communion with Jesus Himself. Our savior is alive. Jesus is not just a crucified savior of the past.

Jesus still sits on the right hand side of his father as the Lord of the Lord who was brought up in the air. Jesus could have said that all authority was given to him. This is why we do not have to come to the cross to be saved. Instead, we are just supposed to come close to the Lord at the throne of grace. It is stated that those who belive in him will have everlasting life.

Usually when we preach about the gospel, we tell people to repent and believe. However, the majority of people are not saved just by listening to these kinds of messages. For example, I often talk about how horrible sins are or what the wage of sin is. But, some people say, “I have heard these kinds of stories so many times. I am sick and tired of this. I still want to commit sins. I love sins!” These kinds of people can be saved by no one but the friend of sinners.

We always feel that we are so powerless. Some people, after talking with us, come to believe that they want to be saved. These people are not actually smarter than others. Some of them come back next day to ask, “I'm sorry but I forgot the third point you mentioned in your message. Will you please repeat it?” 

To be saved, you do not need to remember what you heard in the preachings. You won't be saved because of your intentions, nor because of your apprehension. To be saved, neither knowledge of the bible nor the ability to understand is required at all. You only have to meet Jesus.

Gospel according to Luke 
8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

It can be seen from this verse that the Lord Jesus wants people of righteous and good mind. But what is a righteous and good mind? It is an honest mind and a naked heart. Jeremiah said 2600 years ago.

Jeremiah
17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. who can know it?

Of course, we do not have such righteousness as the Lord wants from us. However, even a person with most evil and deceitful heart can talk to Jesus, the friend of sinners. Just like the lady I just mentioned earlier, those who fall down before the Lord and make an honest confession are blessed. Even if their hearts are so deceitful, they can still ask Jesus, “God, please forgive me, a sinner”.

I am going to read one more verse from the Second Chronicles.

Second Chronicles 
16:9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

The Lord is always seeking people who have an honest mind and a whole heart. You need to have an honest mind to be saved. It is neither faith nor repentance. The thief, when he pleaded, “Lord, remember me,” had this honest mind. The publican, when he asked, "God, please forgive me, a sinner” had this honest heart.

Saul never wanted the salvation of Jesus. He rather was the one who persecuted the believers of Jesus. But then he asked, “Lord, what do I have do?” This meant that he also had this honest mind. Jesus is the friend of sinners. Jesus accepts any sinners and never turns them away if they ever come to see him. We should kneel down and confess to Jesus, the friend of sinners, everything in our minds. The Lord listens to the honest and good hearted.

This was the case in England. There was a lady who was very wealthy and famous. She had an excellent education and was also a good musician, young and so beautiful. Nevertheless, she did not feel fulfilled at all. One night, she said, “God, I've got everything, youth, health, wealth, beauty, fame, all respects and glory, excellent education. Still I am not happy. But God, I do not want your salvation. I hate you. I also hate all the joy and peace you give. So, God, please give me what I do not want. I want to be satisfied.”

This lady was saved at this very moment, since then she has served Jesus very well.

The most important thing is to come to Jesus faithfully with your whole heart. How does the friend of sinners accept men with their whole heart? Needless to say, Jesus delightedly forgives sinners and accepts them. When does the friend of sinners accept sinners? “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” According to the bible, the answer is now. "Whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Those who believe in the Lord, the begotten son, will have eternal life. The will of our father is for everyone who sees the son and believes in him to have everlasting life. "Whoever shall call upon the name of Jesus shall be saved". We shall all have good hearts and come to the friend of sinners faithfully. Then, the spirits will finally lead you to real faith and repentance.

One day, a man came to see a missionary and discuss many things. The missionary passionately talked about the sins of this man and the punishment for sins. The missionary, of course, tried to explain the work of Jesus and his salvation. But, the man replied, “You talk this way because you have never tasted the joy of committing sins. I like to commit sins. I don't want to live a life without it.”

The missionary answered “let's pray together”. The man was surprised, and of course, answered “Being a man full of sins, I cannot pray. I do not want to repent.” But, finally, he prayed in the following way: “God, I love sins and I do not want to repent. But please save me”. The man was saved soon after that. 

Today we looked at many kinds of people, namely people who didn’t want to repent, who didn’t want salvation, who couldn’t believe, who had given up hope because they had committed serious sins, who couldn’t understand salvation, and who still refused Jesus, even though they knew the plan of salvation. All of these people can achieve salvation, however. If they tell the whole truth to Jesus, the friend of sinners, the Lord will work on them. I'm will now cite one more Gospel.

Gospel according to Mark
10:46 And they came to Jericho. and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.
10:47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, you Son of David, have mercy on me.
10:48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace. but he cried the more a great deal, You Son of David, have mercy on me.
10:49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying to him, Be of good comfort, rise. he calls you.
10:50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.
10:51 And Jesus answered and said to him. What wilt you that I should do to you? The blind man said to him. Lord, that I might receive my sight.
10:52 And Jesus said to him. Go your way. your faith has made you whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

He followed Jesus and finally became his disciple. “What wilt you that I should do to you?” “Lord, that I might receive my sight.” It is so important to make your intentions clear about what you need most, what you want most and keep seeking for it. Do we have the pure mind ready to seek for it?

Bartimaeus asked, “Lord, please open my eyes”. We too, shall meekly ask, “I am a sinner. Please forgive my sins. I am so scared. Please let us live in peace. My heart is so cold and I can't love others. I want love. I do not have a real soul. Please give me one. I do not even know why I have to live this life. Please show me. I am blind. Please open my eyes.” I want everyone to say these words now and spread your hands in front of Jesus filled with faith, Savior of God, the only one man who loves us, who forgives us and who gives us everlasting life.

Jesus is waiting for you to come to him with empty hands. Why don't we extend our empty hands to Jesus?