DRAWING NEAR
MAY 27
From Terrorism to Discipleship
The twelve apostles included "Simon the Zealot" (Matt. 10:4).
During the time between the Old and New Testaments, a fiery
revolutionary named Judas Maccabaeus led the Jewish people in a
revolt against Greek influences on their nation and religion. The
spirit of that movement was captured in this statement from the
apocryphal book of 1 Maccabees: "Be ye zealous for the law and give
your lives for the covenant" (1 Maccabees 2:50). That group of
politically-oriented, self-appointed guardians of Judaism later
became known as the Zealots.
During the New Testament period, Zealots conducted terrorist
activities against Rome in an effort to free Israel from Roman
oppression. Their activities finally prompted Rome to destroy
Jerusalem in [sc] A.D. 70 and slaughter people in 985 Galilean towns.
After the destruction of Jerusalem, the few remaining Zealots banded
together under the leadership of a man named Eleazar. Their
headquarters was at a retreat called Masada. When the Romans laid
siege to Masada and the Zealots knew defeat was imminent, they chose
to kill their own families and commit suicide themselves rather than
face death at the hands of the Romans. It was a tragedy of monumental
proportions, but such was the depth of their fiery zeal for Judaism
and their hatred for their political enemies.
Before coming to Christ, Simon was a Zealot. Even as a believer, he
must have retained much of his zeal, redirecting it in a godly
direction. We can only imagine the passion with which he approached
the ministry, having finally found a leader and cause that
transcended anything Judaism and political activism could ever offer.
It's amazing to realize that Simon the Zealot and Matthew the tax
-gatherer ministered together. Under normal circumstances Simon would
have killed a traitor like Matthew. But Christ broke through their
differences, taught them to love each other, and used them for His
glory.
Perhaps you know believers who come from totally different
backgrounds than yours. Do you have trouble getting along with any of
them? If so, why? How can you begin to mend your differences? Be
encouraged by the transformation Christ worked in Simon and Matthew,
and follow their example.
Suggestions for Prayer:
Pray for the people in your church, asking the Lord to give everyone
a spirit of unity.
For Further Study:
According to Romans 12:9-21, what attitudes should you have toward
others?
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
Romans 12:9-21
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what
is good.
10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in
honor giving preference to one another;
11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly
in prayer;
13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on
high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your
own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the
sight of all men.
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with
all men.
19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to
wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the
Lord.
20 Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty,
give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his
head."
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
~~~
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
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and
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In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase1@wideopenwest.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus is?
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To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and to discover that the prisoner was you. -Alistair Begg
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