Pay heed to the messages of Yeshua
Published:Saturday | March 1, 2025 | 12:06 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
It was reported in The Gleaner of February 16 that churches are experiencing sparse attendance and that there are not enough pastors. Yeshua told us that one of the signs of the end of days would be “because iniquity or lawlessness shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matthew 24:12).
We know that Jamaicans tend to be lawless, but is the Church also guilty? The Apostle Paul said “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law” (Romans 3:31).
If the promotion of lawlessness (or departing from the commandments of Yahweh) is one of the problems, then the church leaders will have to re-examine their doctrine. What else can they do? Luke 14:16-24 gives a solution. It speaks to the invited being too busy with life’s cares and other business to attend. The Master then sends his servants (priests/pastors) into the streets and lanes of the city, the highways and hedges, to compel the people to come in, so that His house may be filled.
Yeshua did not attach himself to a building, although he visited the synagogues and temple from time to time. He was out in the towns and walking the dusty roads, teaching and preaching. His first recorded sermon was “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17), followed by Matthew 5:17-19 in which He stated that He did not come to destroy the law or the prophets but to fulfil them. Then, in Matthew 7:23, he issued a warning which should be taken seriously. “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (lawlessness). Perhaps these three short messages spread far and wide will impact the nation.
This call is to all disciples of, and believers in, Yeshua, not just to pastors and priests.
CONSTANCE BANGERTER