Nougat 9

In Jesus’ description of what is to come, there’s one very clear theme. It frames both the Matthean and Markan texts and is repeated twice in Matthew. I dare say that Jesus desires that we sit up and pay careful attention. Please prayerfully consider today’s Holy Nougat

“Jesus replied, “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I’m the Christ.’ They will deceive many people. Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. “Then if somebody says to you, ‘Look, here’s the Christ,’ or ‘He’s over here,’ don’t believe it. False christs and false prophets will appear, and they will offer great signs and wonders in order to deceive, if possible, even those whom God has chosen.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭4‬-‭5‬, ‭11‬, ‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭CEB‬‬

Seasons of Deception

It has long been believed by biblical scholars that Matthew and Luke used Mark’s account of Jesus’ life as the primary source for their Gospel accounts, as they contain quite a bit of the same information. Since Mark’s is the shortest, the assumption is that it is the oldest source. Whether this is so or not, Mark’s version of this is so similar to Matthew’s, we can’t help but notice the parallels. In Mark 13 the disciples were also concerned about the temple and asked Jesus about the End of the Temple era. And, in true Jesus fashion, His response encompasses a little more than they expected.

The startling fact is Jesus expected a great and intentional deception. ‘See that no one deceives you’ said Jesus. This warning was a precursor to the the End, and is again mentioned when the end is come. For He emphasizes, ’It will be a time of great deception’ (ie ‘many … will … deceive‘), and if the disciples missed the point after the Abomination of the Desolation of the temple and (possibly) during the time of suffering, there are again persons claiming to be The Christ – don’t be deceived!

It does give reason to ponder. False prophets, Antichrists popping up left, right and centre, all aiming to fool as many as possible – why?

Then we might remember that the entire Bible chronicles God’s Sovereignty over all AND the enemy’s efforts to countermand God’s sovereignty. One key piece in the enemy’s arsenal is deception. It was used subtly in the Garden and has been used ever since. Given that some of us humans have bought into the lie and sold out to the enemy, it ought not surprise us that part of the package is the notion that we are the Christ.

And, many who don’t see themselves as The Christ are searching for The Savior to supply needs according to the wealth of Heaven. In that quest for the Savior, we are sometimes confused about the nature of the wealth and how it is dispensed. For, it is often assumed that the true wealth of Heaven lies in material resources such as streets of gold, walls bedecked with precious stones, and lands so vast that they are filled with mansions and innumerable heads of cattle.

As Creator, God’s dwelling place should have all that and more – and we’re told it does. It should come as no surprise that for those who face lack, real or imagined, the lure of humans who meets their immediate material needs quickly transforms into the sense that the ‘supplier’ is their savior. And being the beloved hero can be addictive.

When the needs being met are supplemented with wondrous signs and miracles, oh how much more quickly we are drawn in. For we either keep returning for more from the ‘source’, OR we seek to become the source. In that very moment deception thrives, for, like the younger son in the parable of the Two Brothers, we are lured by the possibility of instant gratification, and fail to appreciate the True Source.

If we can be so easily deceived now, how much more so those who are around in that time. But, Psalm 24 reminds us that the whole creation is God’s. And Genesis 1 reinforces that it was made for our benefit. We don’t need to lie, steal or bow to another aside from God Almighty, the Source of it all. We all have a choice in the heat of a moment, will we yield to the enemy’s deceptions, or knowing the Truth Jesus set before us, will we reject the enemy’s overtures and false promises?

I pray we are not deceived.

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May all we seek be found in Christ