We read in Jonah 3:6, “When the king of Nineveh heard about it, he got up from his throne, took off his robe, put on sackcloth, and sat down in ashes.” (GNB)
When the King of Nineveh heard about the impending judgement as preached by the prophet Jonah, he immediately got up from his throne, took off his royal robes, and put on sackcloth as a sign of humility and grief, and sat down in the ashes.
What was the message that the king heard that prompted him to respond with such penitence?
In Jonah 3:4, we read, “Jonah started through the city, and after walking a whole day, he proclaimed, "In forty days Nineveh will be destroyed!"” (GNB)
God had sent Jonah to the city of Nineveh to preach against it. As Jonah preached there was a sense of remorse that filled the hearts of the people as they heard the word of God, and they decided to seek after God. When the news of this message reached the king about the warning of destruction for Nineveh, as was preached by the prophet Jonah, he realized that his throne too was in jeopardy of being toppled over. The king therefore decided that it was appropriate that he sought after God, before such a catastrophe took place.
As I thought about this incident, a picture came to my mind. When a person in authority comes to visit someone who is of a lower rank, the person who is under him will at once stand up to acknowledge the position of the person, who is standing before him. Similarly, the king of Nineveh got up from his throne to recognize the authority of God over him. While the throne and the robe represented the authority that was bestowed on the king to do as he pleased, by his setting them aside, he acknowledged that God’s authority and throne were higher than his. The king therefore accepted that he had to accept the Lordship of God over his life and kingdom, and decided to change what had to be changed, failing which he knew that his kingdom would certainly be destroyed.
1. The life of Judas Iscariot
• Satan entered Judas Iscariot
In the heart of every human being is a throne, and the one who is seated on it will rule over their lives. Let me give you an example from Luke 22:3, “Then Satan entered the heart of Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve apostles.” (CEV)
We read in the above mentioned verse that Satan entered the heart of Judas Iscariot who was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus.
• Judas Iscariot was in wrong company
This is what happened soon after as we read in Luke 22:4, “And he went away, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might deliver him unto them.” (ASV)
Judas Iscariot who was with Jesus and his disciples, was now in the company of the chief priests and captains, plotting along with them as to how he could betray Jesus to them. These chief priests were those who were following Jesus, just to find fault with Him, but were unable to do so, as Jesus was completely blameless. However, when Judas left Jesus, he found himself in the wrong company of these wicked men whose counsel he sought after.
• The privileges Judas Iscariot had
Remember that Jesus prayed and chose His twelve disciples of whom Judas Iscariot was also one. Jesus loved Judas just as he loved all the other disciples, and trained him like everyone else. Moreover, the Lord also entrusted him with the higher responsibility to be in charge of the money bag. Judas must have been elated that he had been endowed with this responsibility to be the treasurer for the group. Jesus must have conversed with Judas a lot, as he charged him with various duties as one who held the money bag. At the commencement of His ministry, when the Lord called Judas, he would have had Jesus on the throne of his heart. However, sadly with time, Judas replaced Jesus with his own ‘self’ which he enthroned on his heart.
As children of God we should be cautious about our friendships, and also about the associations we make. Just as Jesus loved and chose Judas, so also God loves each one of us, but it solely up to us to accept this love or to spurn it.
• The choice that Judas Iscariot made
We read in Matthew 26:21-22, “During the meal Jesus said, "I tell you, one of you will betray me." The disciples were very upset and began to ask him, one after the other, "Surely, Lord, you don't mean me?"” (GNB)
The disciples of Jesus were so perplexed with this announcement by Jesus that they each began to question Him to find out if they were the one whom He spoke about.
This was the response of Jesus as recorded in Matthew 26:25, “Judas, the traitor, spoke up. "Surely, Teacher, you don't mean me?" he asked. Jesus answered, "So you say."” (GNB)
When all the disciples enquired about this, Judas too spoke up. While all other disciples called Jesus their ‘Lord,’ we see that Judas Iscariot addressed Jesus as ‘teacher.’ It is evident that on the throne of Judas’ heart ‘Jesus’ was replaced by ‘self.’
• The negotiation that Judas Iscariot made
We read in Matthew 26:15, “and said, ‘What are ye willing to give me, and I will deliver him unto you?’ And they weighed unto him thirty pieces of silver.” (ASV)
The above was the conversation that Judas had with the chief priests when he negotiated with them as to the amount they would give him so he could betray Jesus to them. Think about all the teachings that Judas had heard from Jesus, wherein he knew everything about the Son of God, the Kingdom of God, and all about the last days. As ‘self’ ruled in Judas’ heart the only thing that mattered to him was what he could gain personally from the deal that he made with the religious leaders. The chief priests agreed to give him thirty pieces of silver, and with this Judas got the deal settled.
When ‘self’ takes over in someone’s life, the only thing that will be foremost on their minds is what they can gain out of it. This could be in ministry, in their workplace or in whatever position they may be in. There are many like Judas who started off well in ministry, but have over time taken their relationship with God for granted. When this happens we will find that ‘self’ will take over, and this will lead to one’s gradual decline. Let us keep in mind that only when the Lord is on the throne of our hearts will we be witnesses to Him to the ends of the world. On the other hand if ‘self’ were to reign in our hearts, the motives will be warped, and the only goal will be to get more, be it money, or fame or material things. When ‘self’ rules one’s life, and love for money become supreme, then one can be sure that the door has been opened up for Satan to take over. Our hearts are unique in that we alone have the key to the door of our hearts. If we allow God to be on the throne of our hearts, and chose to be under His authority, our lives will be blessed. However, if ‘self’ reigns we can be sure that Satan will soon take over, and will begin to rule over our lives.
Peter too staggered when he denied Jesus, and declared that he never knew Him. The same ‘self’ took over Peter’s life, and he was more concerned about his own safety. Nonetheless, by the grace and strength of God Peter overcame, and let Jesus become the Lord of his life.
• Judas Iscariot regretted too late
It is recorded in Matthew 27:2-5, “They put him in chains, led him off, and handed him over to Pilate, the Roman governor. When Judas, the traitor, learned that Jesus had been condemned, he repented and took back the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. "I have sinned by betraying an innocent man to death!" he said. "What do we care about that?" they answered. "That is your business!" Judas threw the coins down in the Temple and left; then he went off and hanged himself.” (GNB)
Only after Jesus was condemned to die, did Judas Iscariot realize the terrible sin that he had committed. Judas knew that he had betrayed innocent blood, and that the blood of Jesus was now on his hands. Judas was so convicted that he went back to the chief priests and elders to return the money and declared "I have sinned by betraying an innocent man to death!" Judas was in the wrong place, in wrong company, and had therefore gotten himself in an irreversible situation. The religious leaders on the other hand were not bothered, and were not willing to take responsibility for what Judas did. Judas was so shattered that he threw the silver coins in the temple, and left to hang himself.
Note this that when a righteous person is betrayed, the one who betrayed him will come to a point when he will repent, and seek to rectify his mistake. It is important to be reminded that when we are in the wrong place in the wrong company, the ones whom we connived with will shun us, and walk away. No wonder then that it is important we are cautious about who is on the throne of our hearts. The one who rules our hearts will dictate the way we think, talk and what we do.
2. The Life of Paul
• Saul was against the followers of Jesus
Here’s another example from Act 26:9, "I myself thought that I should do everything I could against the cause of Jesus of Nazareth.”
The above mentioned verse is a testimony by the Apostle Paul, who was an ardent Pharisee, who was earlier called Saul. Saul did not like Jesus, and thought that teachings of Jesus were in opposition to his culture, and tradition, as a zealous Jew. Saul therefore went all out to destroy everyone who followed Jesus. There were many others like Saul who did not comprehend who Jesus really was, and therefore showed animosity to Jesus, and to those who followed Him. Most of these men were religious leaders who had a close association with the Roman government. Those who put their trust in Jesus were exterminated from the temple, and the synagogues. This was the kind of authority these leaders exercised over the lay people, some of whom did not care, and still chose to follow after Jesus realizing that they had an eternal kingdom to look forward to. However Saul was over zealous, and wanted to persecute those who followed Jesus. It brought him great joy to have them arrested, and cast into prison. It was this same Saul at whose feet the clothes of Stephen were cast while Stephen was being martyred by stoning. At this point in his life, ‘self’ was on the throne of Saul’s heart, and he decided to go along with his selfish motives and convictions.
• Saul’s amazing encounter with Jesus
When Saul was on the road to Damascus with the goal to persecute the followers of Jesus, he had an encounter with the risen Lord Jesus. Saul knew that Jesus had died, and was buried, but he did not believe that Jesus rose again from the dead.
We read in Acts 22:7-8, “I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul! Why do you persecute me?' 'Who are you, Lord?' I asked. 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you persecute,' he said to me.” (GNB)
This was the testimony of Saul who became Paul after this astounding encounter with Jesus. When Saul heard this reprimand from the Lord Jesus, he was so filled with remorse, he immediately called out to Jesus saying, “Who are you Lord?” Saul thought no one could hinder him on his mission as he was well educated, affluent and was an ardent Pharisee. When Saul heard the voice of Jesus declare to him that He was Jesus of Nazareth whom he persecuted, from that very moment Saul let the Lord Jesus reign on the throne of his heart, and discarded his ‘self.’ There was such a great transformation that took place in the life of Saul, that not only did his name change to Paul, he also undertook the three most amazing missionary journeys recorded in the bible. In those days Paul travelled more than 15000 kilometers, and established numerous churches far and wide.
As children of God be reminded that the ones who trouble you are not afflicting you, but are grieving the Lord Jesus who lives inside of you. There may be those who will rise to persecute and torture those who believe in Jesus like Saul did, but the Lord assures us that all of these are aimed towards the Lord.
• Paul understood what was important
Paul explained this amazing transformation of his life in Philippians 3:7, “At one time all these things were important to me. But because of Christ, I decided that they are worth nothing.” (ERV)
All that Paul held dear, the fact that he was a Jew, a Roman citizen, a Pharisee, of the tribe of Benjamin, and all that he thought was to his benefit, he considered them nothing when compared to knowing Christ. Before his conversion Paul coveted for fame, and desired that everyone should shudder at his name. However, when Paul put Jesus on the throne of his heart everything turned upside down.
There are many who are so proud of their nationality, education, wealth, status and speak about it a lot. Of such you can be certain that ‘self’ is enthroned in their hearts, and the Lord does not reign over their lives. These kind of people will surely create issues wherever they go as their hearts are set on finding some sort of gain for themselves in every situation. A true Christian is someone whose life is changed so dramatically, their priorities set in order, their values re-arranged, and God becomes topmost in their lives.
• Paul pressed on to receive the prize
These are the words of Paul as found in Philippians 3:13-14,“Of course, my friends, I really do not think that I have already won it; the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. So I run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize, which is God's call through Christ Jesus to the life above.”(GNB)
In Philippians 3:7 Paul spoke about gain and loss. Whatever was considered gain before he came to know the Lord, he considered them loss or rubbish after coming to know Christ. Paul realized that all that he held on to as most important were insignificant when compared to knowing who Christ truly was.
There are some people who strive only for prominence, and will do something only if there is some sort of gain in it for themselves. However anyone who can comprehend who Jesus truly is, understand the reasons as to why He came down to earth, that He humbled Himself to die on the cross, and took the sins of all mankind on His sinless self, he or she will be completely changed. Such a person will desire to become like Jesus, and will long to live for Jesus alone. They will also be willing to give Jesus the rightful place upon the throne of their hearts, and will willingly let their ‘self’ be crucified. The world today is in need of such self-less people for whom the Lord will be their top priority.
Like Paul we should be able to say as Paul said in Philippians 3:13-14, that we will forget those things that are behind, and will run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking ahead to the goal in order to win the prize of the high calling that is ours in Christ Jesus. May each of us analyze our hearts to check if we have given Jesus the rightful place on the throne of our hearts? If not we can be sure that it is either ‘self’ or ‘Satan’ who is ruling us, and this we will made known by our deeds. If we cry out to the Lord Jesus who transformed Saul to Paul, He will be definitely bring about such a transformation in each of our lives as well.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
