The Neglected Power of Kindness

The Neglected Power of Kindness

Kindness is often overlooked, dismissed as mere niceness or a basic human courtesy. Yet, as a fruit of the Holy Spirit, kindness is no ordinary trait—it is a supernatural force, a divine expression of God’s character. In Galatians 5:22-23, the Bible lists nine fruits of the Spirit, and kindness stands among them as a testament to the Holy Spirit’s transformative power. These fruits are not mere virtues; they are the outworking of God’s Spirit, the seed planted in the soil of humanity, yielding life-giving, transcendent results. Kindness, then, is not weakness—it is power. It is spiritual, supernatural, and mighty, capable of reshaping hearts and altering destinies.

Redefining Strength Through Kindness

Our culture often equates strength with toughness, leadership with unyielding resolve, and masculinity with dominance. Kindness, by contrast, is relegated to the meek, the followers, the “menial laborers” who keep the peace at home. This is a grave misunderstanding. The Holy Spirit, co-equal with the Father and the Son in the Trinitarian expression of God, produces kindness as a mark of divine power. To dismiss kindness as weakness is to underestimate the most formidable force in the universe—the Spirit of God. Every fruit of the Spirit carries supernatural weight, and kindness is no exception. It is not passive; it is a dynamic, world-changing force.

The Supernatural Power of Kindness

Consider how we try to change people. We employ education, warnings, threats, or even violence to modify behavior, yet these methods often fail to touch the heart. The Bible offers a stunning revelation: “It is the kindness of God that leads us to repentance” (Romans 2:4). The Greek word for repentance, metanoia, means more than a change of mind—it signifies a transcendent shift in perspective, an elevation to a higher way of seeing. Kindness, not fear, not threats, not even joy or blessing, is the divine catalyst that lifts us to the mind of Christ. It is the supernatural power that unlocks brilliant ideas, greater intelligence, and emotional health. When we ignore kindness, we resort to manipulation or coercion, missing the Spirit’s transformative strength.

Freedom and Creativity in Kindness

In Christ, we are given the freedom to express kindness without ulterior motives. Too often, our acts of kindness have been tainted by manipulation—tied to evangelism or the expectation of a return. But God’s kindness is not transactional; it flows freely from His heart. As His children, we are called to embody this same selfless kindness, offering it as an act of worship rather than a means to an end. Jesus instructs us to “give, expecting nothing in return” (Luke 6:35). Can we love simply for the sake of loving? Can we show kindness without demanding results? True kindness reflects the heart of God, pouring out grace without conditions.

The Cost of Rejecting Kindness

Our pride and self-sufficiency often lead us to reject kindness, viewing it as charity we don’t need or deserve. This rejection keeps us spiritually and intellectually stunted. By refusing kindness, we block the doorway to repentance, to higher thought, to the mind of Christ. Conversely, receiving kindness—both from God and others—opens us to divine wisdom and creativity. Those who embody the supernatural gift of kindness are not weak; they are conduits of God’s power. Yet, how often do we overlook them, admiring instead the forceful, the assertive, or even the cruel? We squander brilliance when we undervalue the quiet strength of kindness, often found in those who serve selflessly behind the scenes.

Kindness and the Mind of Christ

If kindness leads to repentance, it is also the key to accessing the mind of Christ. Paul declares in 1 Corinthians 2:16, “We have the mind of Christ.” This is not a distant aspiration but a present reality for believers. The kindness of God, flowing within and through us, aligns our thoughts with His. Denying kindness—whether to ourselves or others—severs this connection, tethering us to lower, earthly thinking. But when we receive God’s kindness, we are transformed. Even to the “evil and ungrateful,” God is kind (Luke 6:35). His grace does not condemn but beckons, leading us to see ourselves rightly—not as aligned with darkness but as beloved children of light.

The Call to Embody Kindness

In a world marked by exposure, division, and victimization, kindness is often vilified as weakness. Yet, now more than ever, we need its supernatural power. Ephesians 4:32 urges us, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” This is not a childish platitude but a call to wield divine strength. Kindness has no expiration date; it is the mark of a mature believer growing in grace. The strongest among us are not those who dominate but those who master the fruit of the Spirit, channeling kindness as a force for change.

Kindness as a Creative Force

Imagine kindness as the tool of an artist, empowered by God to create beauty in a broken world. It is not merely a reward for good behavior but an expression of grace to those who least deserve it. Consider how moments of anger or frustration tempt us to cast kindness aside. Instead, let us see kindness as a supernatural strength, capable of reshaping conversations, relationships, and even societies. Where are the visionaries of the church who will harness kindness to unlock transcendent thought and innovation? Kindness to ourselves and others fosters a lifestyle of ever-increasing wisdom, mental acuity, and emotional health.

A Daily Practice of Kindness

We cannot give what we do not have, nor possess what we refuse to receive. Begin today by receiving the kindness of God. Let it wash over you, dissolving shame and unworthiness. As freely as you receive, freely give (Matthew 10:8). Intentionally express kindness moment by moment—through a word, a gesture, a selfless act. Let it flow as worship, not as a transaction. Consider the opportunities in your daily life to embody this supernatural force. When anger arises, pause and choose kindness. When someone seems undeserving, extend grace. In doing so, you align with the heart of God, becoming a conduit for His transformative power.

The World-Changing Power of Kindness

Kindness is not a peripheral virtue; it is a divine force with the capacity to change the world. It leads to repentance, unlocks the mind of Christ, and fosters creativity and brilliance. In a culture that glorifies strength and self-reliance, let us champion the quiet power of kindness. Let us honor those who embody it, recognizing their supernatural strength. Let us receive God’s kindness and pour it out generously, trusting its power to elevate perspectives, heal hearts, and transform lives. The world awaits the church’s rediscovery of this neglected fruit of the Spirit. Will we rise to the call?

Friars and Faith

I had such a delightful time this morning visiting with Friar Charles here in Rome. I love the Franciscans. They’re like a flock of scruffy sparrows nesting in the cracks of cathedrals, yet never owned by the grandeur. They’re poets of the poor who see the face of Christ in every beggar’s grin. They’re the stewards of the earth, whispering to wolves and birds, coaxing the world into praise. They’re the sacrament of the ordinary, splashing the complacent with the champagne of heaven. 

These guys don’t chase miracles; they trip over them in the dirt, where a crust of bread or a brother’s laugh becomes the body of the Lord. I heard some wild stories of mind blowing miracles. But they dont market ministry on power. They have learned the joy of having nothing but everything in Christ. They’re the church’s reminder that the Kingdom of God is for the riffraff. The first time I watched an old copy of “Brother Son Sister Moon” on VHS and saw the Archbishop bend down to kiss the dusty feet of humble Francis, I was floored right along with him.

No Heat, No Heart

The fire of the Holy Spirit will restore within you hope no earthly circumstance can take away. The fire of the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see yourself as seated with Christ on a throne that cannot be threatened by any earthly power: “And raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6). The fire of the Holy Spirit will redeem and restore the time you thought you lost forever. It will renew your youth and ignite within you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of the Word: “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him” (Ephesians 1:17). The fire of the Holy Spirit restores your childlike wonder and awakens your ability to see the Kingdom of God.

So then how is it when there are churches where the power of the Holy Spirit is ignored or unwelcome? Recently I was in Troy, NY at Redeeming Love Church and Pastor Stacy Medick shared a brilliant analogy during a meal one day. Picture this. You’re cozied up in your living room at Christmas, craving the soul-warming crackle of a real fire. But instead of logs and flames, you’ve got a YouTube video looping on your flatscreen. A cozy fireplace montage, complete with flickering visuals and the soothing pop-pop of burning wood. It’s got all the vibes, all the ambiance, and it’s almost convincing, until you stretch out your hands and realize there’s no heat. No warmth to thaw you to your core, no energy to stir your soul, and not enough power to blow the fuzz off a peanut. (As my Dad used to say.) It’s a counterfeit glow, a digital imposter that leaves you shivering in your Christmas socks. That, my friends, is what it’s like to preach the gospel without the Holy Spirit’s fire.

And let’s be real here: nobody’s crowding around a TV to get warm, walking away from that sermon with their heart ablaze, ready to storm the gates of hell with a squirt gun full of grace. The Holy Spirit isn’t some optional add-on, like a side of fries or a Spotify playlist for your spiritual road trip. Holy Spirit is the very heat, power, and energy of the gospel. The divine dynamite that makes the good news more than just a nice story. Without Holy Spirit, you’re left with a message that’s about as life-changing as a motivational poster in a dentist’s office. A message without the Holy Spirit is just like a TED Talk but less interesting. Without the power of the Spirit you don’t have the fire that burns away sin, heals the broken, or sends you out to love the unlovable. 

The fire is not optional, and Holy Spirit isn’t optional either. 

As Pastor Stacy’s analogy so brilliantly reminds me, a gospel without the Spirit is a fake fireplace: it looks the part, sounds the part, but it’s got no power to warm anybody’s soul, but leaves them untouched by the wild, untamable Spirit who once blew through Jerusalem and turned fishermen into world-changers. 

(From the new book "The Fire is Not Optional" by Bill Vanderbush. Coming Summer 2025.)

The Crimson Revolution: How Jesus’ Blood Rewrites Your Story

The blood of Jesus is the heartbeat of the gospel, not a relic or ritual, but a living reality declaring who you are and what Christ has done. I’ve called it the currency of heaven—the signature of the new covenant, the key to your identity as God’s beloved child. The cross isn’t about what you must do; it’s about what Jesus has done. The blood is evidence of the finished work, not a magic formula to plead. We believe and receive it. It speaks a better word than any accusation, shame, or lie.

Let’s unpack this through Scripture. 

First, the blood redeems you completely. It’s not a transaction, but the price Jesus paid—the greatest price possible. Ephesians 1:7 says, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (NASB). This freed us from sin’s slave market. You’re not a slave to sin, fear, or condemnation. First Peter 1:18-19 declares, “You were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ” (NASB).

I heard a story about a man in California who chained a young eagle to a stake. It walked in circles, seeing other eagles soar but bound by the chain. When it was strong enough to fly, he freed it, but the eagle kept walking the same path. That’s us sometimes. Jesus’ blood set us free. Romans 8:2 says, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death” (NASB). Ephesians 2:14-15 and Colossians 2:14 show the Law was nailed to the cross. Second Corinthians 5:17 proclaims, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (NASB). Galatians 2:20 adds, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (NASB). The blood is for you. It’s not cheap grace—it cost God everything. It doesn’t cover sin; it destroys it, giving you a new identity.

Second, the blood cleanses you completely. First John 1:7 says, “If we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (NASB). Notice the tense: “cleanses.” It’s ongoing—a fountain of grace. Walking in the light isn’t perfection; it’s living in God’s love. When you mess up, the blood speaks: forgiven, clean, whole. Romans 5:9 adds, “Much more then,media having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him” (NASB). The blood declares you righteous, satisfying God’s justice so you’re at peace with Him.

Third, the blood unites us with God. It tore the veil, opening access to His presence. Hebrews 10:19-20 says, “Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh” (NASB). You don’t need a priest or ritual. The blood invites you into God’s life—where you live, not just visit. You’re family, seated with Christ (Ephesians 2:6).

Finally, the blood speaks. Hebrews 12:24 says we’ve come “to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel” (NASB). Abel’s blood cried for vengeance (Genesis 4:10); Jesus’ blood cries for mercy, grace, and restoration. It’s God’s megaphone shouting your freedom, silencing the enemy’s lies.

Living in the blood’s reality means trusting the finished work. Rest in it—don’t strive for approval. Ephesians 1:6 says you’re “accepted in the Beloved” (NASB). The blood speaks louder than any lie. Declare its truth: I am forgiven, righteous, whole, free. Revelation 12:11 says, “And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death” (NASB). Walk in intimacy with God, knowing you’re a son or daughter. Share this gospel—the blood’s for the world. Tell others of Christ’s love poured out on the cross.

The blood is enough—the final word, the answer to every question, the solution to every problem, the victory in every battle. It’s not about what you do; it’s about what Christ has done. The blood has redeemed you, cleansed you, brought you near, and given you a new name.

Father, thank You for the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Thank You for redeeming us, cleansing us, and bringing us into Your presence. Holy Spirit, open our eyes to the beauty of the cross and the power of the blood. Let us live in the freedom and joy of the new covenant. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

(Excerpt taken from the FMM podcast, May 10, 2025)

The Bubble Mower

 Some time ago I was going through some old boxes and found an old photo of my son, Britain, when he was a little boy, pushing a plastic lawnmower that puffed out streams of bubbles with every step. It took me back to those days when I was a young dad, mowing the yard under the hot Texas sun, my little boy watching from the house, eyes wide with fascination. He wanted so badly to join me, to be part of the action.

So, one day, I went to Walmart and bought him a bubble mower. Every Saturday after that, we’d head out together—me with the gas powered mower, him trailing behind with his plastic toy mower, bubbles and grass clippings swirling together in the air. His mower didn’t cut a single blade of grass. It just made bubbles. But to him, we were working together.

When the lawn was even and we’d worked up a thirst, we’d head inside, sweaty and tired, and pour ourselves glasses of iced tea. We’d sit at the table, clinking our glasses together, grinning like we’d just conquered the world. “We mowed the lawn, didn’t we, buddy?” I’d say. He’d beam, nodding proudly. When his mom, Traci, came out, we’d brag about our work—how we got the edges just right, how the yard looked perfect. His smile would stretch ear to ear, and my heart would swell. There’s nothing like spending time with my son.

One day, as I looked at him, I felt the Lord speak to me, kind and clear. “You do realize that’s you and me, right?” This was a shot to the ego because we had been in the sweet spot of buying land, building a church, a watching it grow. I was getting all kinds of recognition from our denomination and was constants reminded that we were being watched with great delight. It felt good. We had new people coming and many were giving their lives to Jesus and encountering the Holy Spirit. Lives were being impacted, and we were effective. It felt really good. But pride is a sneaky monster, and God won’t leave that unconfronted. 

He said. “You’re out there, pushing your bubble mower, thinking you’re doing big things for My kingdom. And that’s okay—I love that you try, and I love being with you. But I’m the one doing this work. You’re just blowing bubbles, and I  am delighted to make you look like a genius.”

It hit me hard, but it was so gentle. God lets us sweat and strive, lets us feel the weight of the work, and then He celebrates us, saying, “Well done. We cut the grass, didn’t we?” And I smile, knowing I’m just pushing the bubble mower, but He makes it matter. He makes it beautiful. And in those moments, sitting with my son, drinking iced tea, and I see it: the joy isn’t in what we accomplish, but in doing it together—Him and me, me and my boy, all of us covered in bubbles, grass, sweat, and grace.

His incredible grace and the furious love of God is the foundation of your identity and the fuel for your life. First Corinthians 13 is not just a description of love but a revelation of who God is and who you are becoming. As you behold Him, you are transformed, reflecting His patience, kindness, and endurance. This transformation is not about self-discipline but about surrender, allowing Christ in you, the hope of glory, to take the lead (Colossians 1:27).

God’s love is transformative because it is unconditional. He does not love you based on your performance but because you are His. This love casts out fear (1 John 4:18), frees you from shame, and empowers you to live boldly. When you know you are loved, you can love others without reservation, becoming a vessel of God’s grace in a broken world.

As you embrace this love, you’ll find that it changes everything. It reshapes your perspective, heals your wounds, and empowers you to live out your identity. You are not defined by your past, your mistakes, or the lies you’ve believed. You are defined by the love of God, a love that never fails and always endures. It’s bigger, faster, stronger, and more powerful than every lie you or anyone has ever believed about you.

The Joy of Ruling and Reigning

Your assignment as a child of God is no less than that of Adam in the Garden: to rule and reign. Genesis 1:26 is clear—God gave humanity dominion over the earth, a mandate to steward creation with wisdom and love. This calling hasn’t changed. You and I are called to reign according to our identity and rule according to our authority. But let’s not make this too heavy, like some cosmic job description. The word "authority" might sound serious, even intimidating, but it’s not meant to drag you down. The very essence of God’s presence is marked by joy, and this calling to rule and reign in union with Christ is meant to be an adventure marked by joy and overflowing with grace.

The Bible declares, "In the presence of the Lord is fullness of joy" (Psalm 16:11). If you’re not experiencing the abundance of enjoying life, don’t worry. You’re just beginning to discover the depth of your identity and authority in union with Christ. Jesus came to give us abundant life (John 10:10), not a life of religious drudgery or endless striving. The Christian life is not about grimly checking boxes or proving your worth to God and the church—it’s about living in the freedom and delight of who God created you to be. If you find yourself bogged down by seriousness, religion, or legalism, it’s a red flag telling you that you’ve forgotten the joy that marks God’s presence.

This joy is deeper than happiness. It will sustain you in grief and suffering. It is not a fleeting emotion but a reflection of God’s nature. In the context of this joy, God, whose very essence is love, prophesied you into being. He thought of you in a happy mood, with a heart full of delight. The Psalmist writes, "How precious are your thoughts toward me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand" (Psalm 139:17-18). Every thought God has toward you is precious, filled with love and purpose. He spoke you into existence with His voice and breath, crafting you as a unique expression of His heart.

No other creation in the universe is made like humanity. While God spoke the stars and seas into being, He formed humanity with His hands, voice, and breath together. This is union with Christ, our creator and sustainer, from the very beginning. The Bible tells us, "Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature" (Genesis 2:7). Picture this intimate moment: God, the Creator of all things, kneels in the dust, shapes Adam with His hands, lifts him to His face, and breathes His Spirit—the very Word—into his lungs. The first breath humanity took was the Holy Spirit, the life-giving presence of God Himself.

This truth shatters the idea that the Holy Spirit’s presence was a new phenomenon in Acts 2. The Spirit has always been the means of our existence, the breath that animates us. Acts 2 was not the arrival of the Spirit but a fresh outpouring, an upgrade in our awareness of what we’ve always had access to. The Spirit has never left us, for "in Him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:17). You cannot lose the presence of God; you can only lose your awareness of it. On a cellular level, you are held together by the power of His Word, a constant reminder of your origin in Him.

The joy of ruling and reigning comes from this awareness. When you know that you are held together by the Word of God, that His Spirit is the source of your life, you can step into your calling with confidence. You are not alone in this assignment. The God who created you is with you, empowering you to reflect His image and exercise His authority. This is not a task to be endured but a privilege to be enjoyed, a partnership with the Creator who delights in you.

(From an upcoming book on New Covenant Identity by Bill Vanderbush)

It Is Finished: The Cosmic Victory of the Cross

Turn to John 19:30, where we find what I believe are the three most important words ever uttered in all of time and eternity: "It is finished". These words, spoken by Jesus Christ from the cross, carry a weight that surpasses even the profound declarations of God’s love or the creation of humanity in His image. Today, I invite you to gather around the Word of God as we unpack one of the most misunderstood, mind-blowing moments in human history.

Picture Jesus on that old rugged cross, bloodied and bruised, shouting a phrase that still echoes through the ages: "It is finished". Just three words, three syllables, yet they carry immense weight. On this Easter Sunday, many sermons will focus on Jesus completing His redemptive work, tying it up neatly. But what if there’s more? What if "It is finished" is an invitation to something bigger, wilder, than we’ve ever imagined?

Let’s dive into this story, a journey that will challenge assumptions and set your heart ablaze with the truth of what Jesus accomplished. This isn’t just about the forgiveness of sins—though that’s massive. This is about a cosmic victory over death itself, the fulfillment of ancient promises, and a demonstration of God’s fierce love that rewrote humanity’s story. 

Imagine this scene: the sky dark, the earth trembling, clouds rolling in. Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, cries out with His final breath, "It is finished". For many, this signals the completion of redemption, the payment for sins. While that’s part of the story, it’s not the whole picture. Jesus’ work was just beginning to unfold. It wasn’t until He carried His blood into the heavenly Holy of Holies and sat at the Father’s right hand, as declared in Hebrews 10:12, that the full scope of our redemption was sealed.

So, what was finished? Jesus was announcing the end of the old covenant system—the Mosaic law, the priesthood, and the sacrifices. Born of Abraham’s line, circumcised, and raised under the law (Galatians 4:4), Jesus didn’t just live under this system; He fulfilled it perfectly. (Matthew 5:17). On the cross, He declared the old covenant done, its demands satisfied, and He opened up a new and living way.

Let’s go back to Genesis 12:2-3, where God promised Abraham, "I will bless you, make you a great nation, and through you, all the families of the earth will be blessed". This was no casual agreement but a blood covenant, sealed with sacrifice. The Hebrew word for covenant means “to cut,” reflecting the gravity of these agreements. When Israel received the law at Sinai (Exodus 20), it became the rulebook for the covenant. Yet, no one could keep it perfectly. God, in His mercy, provided a priesthood and sacrifices to cover—not erase—sin, as Hebrews 10:4 explains, since the blood of bulls and goats was only a temporary fix like a bandaid to a massive problem.

Enter Jesus, the seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:16), who lived a sinless life, embodying the law’s perfection. He didn’t just patch up the old system; He fulfilled and set it aside (Hebrews 8:13). The law, priesthood, and sacrifices were shadows pointing to Christ (Colossians 2:17). When He declared "It is finished", He closed the old covenant and ushered in the new covenant—His blood sealing a bond between the Father and humanity, bringing us into a new reality.

This new covenant, the covenant of Christ, is more than substitution; its vicarious representation. Jesus took us with Him to the cross, dying not just for us but as us, burying our old sin nature, and rising as us in resurrection power. He didn’t come to tweak behavior or stamp a ticket to heaven. He came to fix the root problem: death, introduced in Genesis 2:17 when God warned Adam and Eve that eating the forbidden fruit would bring death.

Death, not just sin, is the real enemy. Hebrews 2:14-15 tells us Jesus partook of flesh and blood to "render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery". Sin’s wages are death (Romans 6:23), but Jesus destroyed death’s power. Before the cross, He was already forgiving sins, as seen in Mark 2:5, when He told the paralyzed man, Son, your sins are forgiven. The cross wasn’t just about sin; it was about shattering death’s grip.

The early church obsessed over the resurrection because it proved death’s defeat. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:17, "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless, and you are still in your sins". The empty tomb is the victory, validating our innocence and making us alive in Christ (Romans 6:4). We’re not just forgiven; we’re reconciled, innocent, whole, and delivered by trusting in the finished work of the cross, and as we realize that truth we find ourselves confessing He is Lord and believing God raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 10:9).

Western Christianity often focuses tightly on sin and the cross, but the Eastern church emphasizes the resurrection’s triumph over death. Both are true: the cross deals with guilt and shame; the resurrection gives life and crushes death. Jesus, the vicarious last Adam (2 Corinthians 5:21) took our sin, shame, sickness, and death, giving us His righteousness and life. His blood satisfied justice once and for all (Hebrews 9:12), and when He sat at the Father’s right hand (Hebrews 1:3), it was the ultimate mic drop—mission accomplished.

Even Caiaphas, the high priest, unknowingly prophesied this in John 11:47-52, declaring that one man’s death would save the nation and gather God’s children into one. When Israel’s leaders cried, "His blood be upon us", Jesus turned their curse into grace, His blood redeeming not just Israel but all humanity (Hebrews 9:15). His earthly ministry revealed the Father’s heart, His vicarious work on the cross sealed redemption (Hebrews 9:24), and now, as our high priest, He intercedes for us (Romans 8:34), empowering us for the greater works He said we would do.

Why believe this? Because of the disciples. Ordinary men, once cowering in fear, encountered the resurrected Christ and became unstoppable, each dying brutally for the truth. James was beheaded, Andrew crucified, Peter crucified upside down, Paul beheaded, and others tortured or killed—none recanted. Their unwavering faith, sealed by their deaths, is to me the greatest historical case for the resurrection. (See my old Easter blog "Why I Believe")

What does this mean for us? Freedom. Freedom from death’s fear, sin’s guilt, and the old covenant’s demands. "It is finished" declared the end of striving and the dawn of grace, life, and union with the Father. Jesus said in John 14:20, "I am in the Father, and you are in me, and I am in you". This Easter, lean into this truth: you’re not just forgiven—you’re innocent, alive in Christ, seated in heavenly places. Confess Jesus as Lord, believe in His resurrection, and step into a new reality where death is defeated, sin is forgiven, and the Father’s love is unstoppable.

Celebrate this holy week with joy. Dance in the freedom Jesus won. Tell the world and all your religious friends: "It is finished", and live like it’s true—because it is.

(Blog edited from the transcript of the Bill Vanderbush podcast titled: "It is Finished, Really!")

Sheep, Goats, Rich Men, and Beggars

Sheep, Goats, Rich Men, and Beggars

(The following is an edited condensed transcript of a teaching from Bill's online class called "The Table". To sign up to hear the expanded teaching as well as join us live every Monday night, go to billvanderbush.com.)

This study is all about engaging with the Word—both the letter and the Spirit. Both are a mystery, and both contain elements that are easily misunderstood apart from a renewed mind.

When I say “the Word,” I’m talking about Jesus, the living Word, and the Bible, the written Word. The Bible reveals Jesus; it doesn’t confine Him. If you view Scripture through the lens of law, Jesus remains concealed behind religious barriers. The Scriptures are one giant question, to which Jesus is ultimately the answer.

Consider the story of Jesus on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). Two disciples, disheartened by Jesus’ death, walk with Him without recognizing Him. Their sorrow blinds them, even though the resurrected Son of God is with them for seven miles. Jesus reveals Himself through the law and the prophets—the Old Covenant Scriptures. Intrigued, they invite Him to dinner, and only when He breaks bread do they recognize Him. Then, He vanishes, knowing how to make an exit. This shows the nature of engaging with the Word: we often seek formulas or codes—who’s in, who’s out, how to get to heaven—when the reality is far more dynamic.

When Jesus rose and ascended, and the Holy Spirit fell in Acts 2, God became closer than the disciples ever imagined—not just near enough to touch, but dwelling within us. This changes our identity and relationship with God, our Father. Preaching the resurrection isn’t about a future event but a present reality. Circumstances often distract us from this power, pushing our hope to a future time with no present responsibility. I recall a lady in my childhood church saying, “The devil’s attacking me, but pray I’ll hold out till the end.” My dad called that an obituary, not a testimony. We live a testimony life, declaring what Jesus has done and the hope He gives daily. The written Word points to the living Word, and His Spirit within us resonates this truth. What an incredible life!

Yet, difficult Scriptures can make us question God’s goodness. We revert to His holiness, saying, “He’s holy, so He can do what He wants,” letting that shape our perspective. But Jesus reveals God’s true nature. He tells scary stories but lives a grace-filled life. For example, He said, “If you deny me before men, I will deny you before my Father” (Matthew 10:33)—an absolute statement. Yet, Peter, who denied Jesus three times (Luke 22:54-62), was restored by Jesus on a beach (John 21:15-19), with no condemnation. Jesus’ actions seem to overturn His own words, showing that God can extend grace beyond what we expect.

Grace is unearned and belongs to those who don’t deserve it. Jesus, the author of grace, demonstrates God’s character through it. On the cross, He took everyone dead in sin with Him (2 Corinthians 5:14; Ephesians 2:1-5), making us alive by His love. This grace isn’t for us to exploit but to recognize as the heart of God’s nature.

Chris Gore recently shared a story about someone asking if he was “just another grace preacher.” I thought, if only every Christian were a grace preacher, proclaiming God’s love meeting us at our worst, raising us to heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” Both grace and faith are gifts from God. We live in Christ, who is grace itself (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Now, let’s explore a challenging passage: the parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:31-46. It begins, “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all His angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (Matthew 25:31-32). The sheep, on His right, are told, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34), because they fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and visited the sick and imprisoned. The goats, on His left, are told, “Depart from Me, accursed ones, into eternal fire, which has been prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41), for failing to do these acts.

Both groups are surprised, asking, “Lord, when did we see You?” (Matthew 25:37-39, 44). The sheep don’t know they’re sheep, and the goats don’t know they’re goats. This challenges the Western evangelical focus on knowing you’re saved. Early theologians like Clement of Alexandria (150–215) saw this as a call to Christ-like love, Origen (185–254) as a contrast between divine wisdom and earthly selfishness, and John Chrysostom (347–407) as a lesson in compassion. Augustine of Hippo (354–430) saw it as universal judgement and tied it to works distinguishing the saved, but earlier views saw the fire as purifying, not punitive.

The Greek word for “punishment” in Matthew 25:46, kolasis, means pruning or correction for improvement, not eternal torment. “Nations” (ethnos) refers to people groups divided by ethnicity or systems. Jesus isn’t condemning entire nations but systems rooted in selfishness, not love. Satan, the accuser (kategoros), thrives on categorization—dividing by race, gender, nationality, or social status. Jesus prayed for unity in John 17:21, reflecting the Trinity’s love, rooted in the last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45).

This parable dismantles division, urging us to love the least. In America, 43,000 denominations reflect our tendency to divide. King David’s census (2 Samuel 24) brought judgment for prideful division. God’s heart, seen in Psalm 23:5, is to prepare a table for enemies to discover they’re brothers. Jesus modeled this on the cross, loving those who cursed Him (Luke 23:34).

We seek love, but deeper, we seek to be love. This parable shows no selfish system will last; only love endures. Titus 2:11says, “The grace of God, bringing salvation, has appeared to all men,” teaching us to live righteously. Jesus’ command to “love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34) excludes no one, even the proud, whom God opposes (James 4:6).

Early Christian art on tombs often depicted Jesus carrying both lambs and goats, symbolizing an incredible hope. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) further illustrates this. Jesus targets the Pharisees, “who were lovers of money” (Luke 16:14), to confront their pride. The story begins, “There was a rich man who habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. A poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores and longing to be fed with crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table. Besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores”(Luke 16:19-21). Both die: Lazarus is “carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom,” while the rich man, “in Hades, lifted up his eyes, being in torment” (Luke 16:22-23).

The rich man sees Lazarus with Abraham and begs, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus so he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame” (Luke 16:24). Abraham replies, “Child, remember that during your life you received good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things. Now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides, between you and us there is a great gulf fixed” (Luke 16:25-26). The rich man pleads for his brothers, but Abraham says, “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them” (Luke 16:29). The rich man insists, “No, Father Abraham, if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent,” but Abraham counters, “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead” (Luke 16:30-31).

This parable isn’t a diatribe on the afterlife but a cultural jab at the Pharisees’ pride. Jesus uses Hades, a Greek mythological underworld, and Abraham’s bosom, a Jewish concept, to provoke. Jews didn’t believe in heaven or hell as modern Christians do; they revered Abraham as their savior figure. By placing a rich Jew in Hades for wealth alone and a poor, unclean man in Abraham’s bosom for poverty, Jesus flips their values. The rich man’s request for Lazarus to touch his tongue—despite Lazarus’ sores—would disgust the Pharisees, as would his depiction of Abraham as powerless and indifferent. Jesus crafts each detail to infuriate, exposing their reliance on heritage over God’s love.

The parable’s climax points to Jesus Himself: “They will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead” (Luke 16:31). This foreshadows His resurrection, which the Pharisees will reject. In John 11:47-52, their reaction proves this: “The chief priests and the Pharisees convened the council, saying, ‘What are we doing? This man is performing many signs’” (John 11:47). Caiaphas prophesies, “It is expedient for you that one man die for the people so that the whole nation will not perish” (John 11:50), unknowingly declaring Jesus’ purpose: “to gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad” (John 11:52).

This parable challenges ethnic and social divisions, showing that pride in status—whether wealth or heritage—blinds us to God’s grace. The rich man’s fate in Hades isn’t eternal but a mirror to reflect the Pharisees’ self-righteousness. Jesus, the cornerstone, becomes their stumbling block (1 Peter 2:6-8), dismantling their categorizations to reveal a God who loves beyond boundaries, calling us to do the same.

In John 11:47-52, Caiaphas unwittingly prophesies Jesus’ death for the nation and to gather all into one. Jesus breaks down divisions (Ephesians 2:14), making one new man (2 Corinthians 5:17). His blood revalues us, declaring, “You are mine.”