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On the Road... All Roads Lead to Jesus

 

Commentary on the Two Roads: Emmaus and Damascus

By Pastor JK Woodall

The Scriptures present two powerful road narratives in the New Testament: the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35) and the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19). These journeys are distinct yet share profound similarities, offering lessons about transformation, revelation, and the intervention of Jesus in the lives of His followers. Both roads serve as metaphors for the spiritual journeys we undertake as believers, where Jesus reveals Himself to redirect our understanding and purpose.

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The Road to Emmaus: Correcting the Message

The road to Emmaus captures a moment of despair and misunderstanding. Two disciples, disillusioned and heartbroken, were walking away from Jerusalem—the city of God’s promise. Their conversation revolved around Jesus’ crucifixion, which they perceived as the end of their hope for redemption. They carried a message of death, proclaiming, "We had hoped that He was the one to redeem Israel" (Luke 24:21).

Jesus, the resurrected Savior, intervenes on their journey, though they do not initially recognize Him. He walks with them, patiently unfolding the Scriptures, showing how the Law and Prophets pointed to His death and resurrection. In the breaking of bread, their eyes are opened, and they recognize Him. Their despair is transformed into joy, and they return to Jerusalem with a new message: "The Lord has risen indeed" (Luke 24:34).

This road reflects how Jesus intervenes when we are confused or walking in the wrong direction. He corrects our understanding, turning our focus from defeat to victory, from death to life.

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The Road to Damascus: Total Transformation

The road to Damascus tells a story of a different kind of intervention. Saul, a zealous persecutor of the church, was on a mission to destroy the followers of Jesus. His journey was fueled by misguided passion and self-righteousness, but Jesus dramatically interrupts him. A light from heaven blinds Saul, and he hears the voice of the risen Christ: "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" (Acts 9:4).

This encounter marks a moment of total transformation. Saul, later known as Paul, is humbled and blinded, symbolizing his spiritual blindness. Through Ananias, a faithful disciple, Saul’s sight is restored, and he is baptized. His journey of persecution becomes a mission of proclamation, as he begins to preach the very gospel he sought to destroy.

The road to Damascus illustrates how Jesus intervenes to transform our identity and purpose, redirecting us to fulfill His divine will.

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Two Roads, One Savior

Though the roads to Emmaus and Damascus are distinct, they share key themes:

1. Intervention: On both roads, Jesus steps into moments of confusion and misdirection. On Emmaus, He corrects a misunderstanding about His death. On Damascus, He transforms a life consumed by zeal but blinded by error.
2. Revelation: Both journeys reveal Jesus as the risen Savior. On Emmaus, He opens the Scriptures and is recognized in the breaking of bread. On Damascus, He is seen in the heavenly light and heard in His convicting words.
3. Redirection: Both roads lead to a change in message and mission. The disciples on Emmaus return to Jerusalem with the truth of the resurrection. Paul, transformed on Damascus, becomes a vessel for spreading the gospel to the Gentiles.

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Application for Today

We, too, find ourselves on roads like Emmaus and Damascus. At times, we may walk with incomplete understanding, needing Jesus to correct our perceptions and refocus our hearts on His truth. At other times, we may be on the wrong path entirely, requiring a dramatic intervention to realign us with God’s will.

Whether our journey involves deepening our understanding of Jesus or undergoing a complete transformation, the same Savior walks with us. He meets us where we are, guides us to His truth, and equips us for His mission.

Let us reflect:

• Are we like the disciples on Emmaus, carrying a message of despair that needs the hope of the resurrection?
• Or are we like Saul on Damascus, pursuing a misguided mission and in need of a divine encounter?

No matter where we are, Jesus is ready to intervene, reveal Himself, and redirect our steps toward His purpose. May we walk our roads with hearts open to His voice and lives ready to proclaim His truth.

In Christ,

Pst. JK. Woodall

Save the Date: 🎉 **HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS CELEBRATION** 🎉

 

https://facebook.com/events/s/happy-birthday-jesus-celebrati/1231038151454679/?mibextid=Gg3lNB

🎉 **HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS CELEBRATION** 🎉  

**Presented by Marilyn M. Viser - Baxter Ministries**

🗓 **Saturday, December 14, 2024**  

⏰ **11:00 AM - 3:00 PM**  

📍 **10180 I Avenue, Ste A, Hesperia, CA 92345**

Join us for a joyous celebration of the birth, death, and resurrection of our Savior! 🙏

**Guest Speaker:**  

**Pastor Dr. Jermaine K. Woodall**  

**Theme:** *The Child, His Death, His Resurrection*  

**Scripture:** *Isaiah 9:6* – "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given..."  

Come and experience:  

✨ *The Spoken Word*  

🍽 *Delicious Food*  

🤝 *Fellowship*  

🎉 *Fun for the whole family!*

Let’s celebrate Jesus together! 💫  

#HappyBirthdayJesus #CelebrateTheSavior #Hesperia #RevivalCenter #BaxterMinistries

This Mountain!

This Mountain: A Place of Healing, Calling, and Transformation

By: JK. Woodall, Ph.D.

The mountain in Matthew 5:1 where Jesus delivered His famous Sermon on the Mount was more than just a location; it became a place of encounter, healing, and transformation. The crowds gathered there from every direction, carrying with them a wide array of burdens. Some came with physical afflictions, others with unseen wounds—grief, loneliness, anxiety, and the desperate need for hope. Each step to that mountain was fueled by faith, a belief that in meeting Jesus, they would encounter a power greater than their suffering.

Jesus Sees the Crowds

As the crowds gathered, Jesus noticed each one, seeing beyond their physical needs to the deeper struggles in their hearts. His response was not one of distancing, but of compassion and intimacy. Jesus welcomed them, ready to teach, heal, and transform lives. This act of climbing the mountain to speak directly to them was symbolic—Jesus wanted to be seen and heard by everyone, regardless of their place in society. This mountain would become a place of revelation and renewal.

The Journey of the Crowds and Jesus’ Own Testing

Like Jesus' own 40 days of fasting and testing in the wilderness, many in the crowd had endured their own hardships to arrive at this point. They traveled long distances, carrying both physical and spiritual wounds, to find the One who could meet their needs. Their journey speaks to the faith it took to make such an arduous trip, mirroring Jesus’ own journey through the wilderness and His readiness to endure suffering on behalf of others.

Two Groups on the Mountain: The Afflicted and the Called

Two distinct groups were present that day:

1. The Afflicted Crowds: The crowd was filled with people suffering from all kinds of physical, mental, and spiritual conditions. According to Matthew 4:23-25, they brought their illnesses, paralysis, and afflictions, hoping for healing. Each person carried their own story of pain and struggle, and this mountain became a sacred place where they found both comfort and new understanding. Jesus would soon begin His teaching by proclaiming that even those who mourn, who are meek, and who are poor in spirit are blessed—revealing the heart of a kingdom that is open to all who seek.

2. The Disciples: Jesus’ disciples, too, were part of this gathering. While they were not suffering physical affliction, they were beginning to learn what their calling would demand of them. As they witnessed Jesus’ compassion and listened to His teachings, they were being prepared for the challenges ahead. The disciples saw the suffering around them, foreshadowing the hardships they themselves would face as they carried Jesus’ message to the world. On this mountain, they received the foundational teachings of their ministry, rooted in humility, compassion, and endurance.

The Mountain as a Place of Healing

The mountain became a place where healing was not just physical but spiritual and emotional as well. Jesus began with the Beatitudes, addressing the hearts of the people before Him: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). His words spoke directly to their pain and their need for hope, inviting them to see themselves as deeply valued and blessed in God’s eyes, even in their suffering. This was a revolutionary message that offered them a new way to see themselves and to understand their place in the kingdom of God.

The mountain was transformed into a sanctuary of hope. Those who mourned, felt rejected, or were oppressed found in Jesus’ words a new vision of worth and purpose. Here, Jesus showed them that they were not forgotten or cast aside but were honored in the kingdom He proclaimed.

Calling and Preparation of the Disciples

For the disciples, this mountain was also a place of calling. Jesus was preparing them to carry forward the message of the kingdom, one centered on humility, love, mercy, and justice. They witnessed Jesus’ deep compassion for the afflicted, which would shape their understanding of true discipleship. This moment on the mountain set the tone for their ministry, showing them the depth of commitment and selflessness that would be required of them as they followed Him.

The Mountain as a Place of Transformation

The mountain stands as a timeless symbol of transformation. It was here that the crowd—ordinary people burdened by suffering—met Jesus, who offered them healing and hope. The mountain reminds us that when we bring our pain, brokenness, and struggles to Jesus, He meets us with compassion and power. For the disciples, the mountain represented the beginning of their mission, a place where their hearts and minds were reshaped for the work that lay ahead.

This mountain, then, is a reminder for us all—a place where we, too, can bring our burdens, trusting that Jesus sees us, welcomes us, and has the power to heal and transform our lives.

Under Authority

 Title: Under Authority 

by: JK Woodall, Ph.D.

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Dear Fellow Saints of The Most High,

I greet you in the love and authority of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is my honor to share Under Authority, a commentary that reflects on one of God’s greatest principles for His people. Authority, as God designed, is far more than a structure of control—it is a source of blessing, growth, and intimacy with Him. To understand God’s authority is to understand His heart and His intentions for us as His children, whom He lovingly guides and protects.

Consider the powerful scene in Exodus when Moses comes down from Mount Sinai, holding the tablets of the law. These tablets, inscribed by the very hand of God, were given to Israel as a divine framework for holy living. God’s authority was etched into stone, a law intended to teach His people how to live rightly in His presence. As Moses came down the mountain, he brought the word of God to the people—commands meant to draw them closer to their Creator and to one another in righteousness (Exodus 34:29-35).

Now let us turn to the New Testament, to #Jesus coming down from the mountain in Matthew 8. Just as Moses brought down the Law, Jesus, the Living Word, descends to bring grace, healing, and the fulfillment of the Law. He embodies the ultimate authority of God, not only giving commands but manifesting the power and compassion of God Himself. When the Roman centurion approaches Jesus, recognizing His divine authority, he humbly requests healing for his servant: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Matthew 8:8). The centurion understands the authority of Jesus as both powerful and merciful, demonstrating faith that reverberates through time as a model of submission to divine authority.

In both scenes—Moses descending with the tablets and Jesus coming down as the Word made flesh—we witness the profound depth of God’s authority. Moses brings the law, showing us the standards of a holy life, while Jesus fulfills those standards in grace and truth, bringing salvation to all who believe.

Through these stories, Under Authority invites you to consider how God’s authority is meant to guide us into blessing, peace, and a closer walk with Him. Authority is a divine gift, not only in the family as we see in the commandment to “Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12) but in every sphere of life. It is God’s provision to keep us in His care and to shape us in His image.

My prayer is that this commentary will deepen your understanding of God’s order and inspire you to honor the structures He has placed in your life. As we learn to live #under #authority, we step into the protection, wisdom, and love of our #Heavenly Father.

In His Service,  

JK Woodall, Ph.D.

Welcome to Your New Month of November 2024!

 Welcome to Your New Month of November 2024: Divine Intervention

By JK. Woodall, Ph.D.

As we step into November, the eleventh month, we enter a season that’s filled with God’s promise of divine intervention, new beginnings, and extraordinary grace. Biblically, the number 11 often symbolizes transitions, times when things appear incomplete or lacking in human eyes but are poised for God’s perfect touch. This month, let us move forward with faith, knowing that God’s presence is at work even when we cannot see it, and that He specializes in making the seemingly unfinished complete.

**The 11th Hour Grace**  

In Matthew 20:6-9, Jesus shares the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard, where even those hired at the "eleventh hour" receive the same blessing as those who labored all day. This story reminds us that God’s grace knows no limit and that He rewards those who turn to Him, regardless of the timing. Let this be a source of encouragement: no matter where you find yourself this month, God’s grace is enough, and His blessings can reach you even at the eleventh hour.

**Key Verses to Embrace this Month**  

- **Trust in God’s Perfect Timing**  

   “For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” — *Habakkuk 2:3*.  

   Even when things feel uncertain or unfinished, God’s timing is always right. Trust that He is working, and wait with anticipation for His promises to unfold.

- **Divine Completion in Unfinished Places**  

   “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” — *Philippians 1:6*.  

   Just as God restored the twelve apostles by adding Matthias (Acts 1), He will bring wholeness to every area of your life where you feel incomplete.

- **New Mercies and Divine Grace**  

   “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” — *Lamentations 3:22-23*.  

   This November, expect new mercies each day. God’s faithfulness reaches us afresh, providing grace for every need and strength for every step.

- **Strength in Times of Transition**  

   “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” — *Jeremiah 29:11*.  

   During this time of transition, God’s plans for you remain good. His intentions are for a hopeful future, even when the journey feels incomplete or unclear.

**A Prayer for Divine Intervention**  

As we move through this eleventh month, let us seek God’s intervention and embrace His presence in every situation. Let us pray for His guidance and believe that He is at work, even in our eleventh-hour needs. May November bring the grace, blessings, and breakthroughs you are seeking, and may you see the fullness of God’s promises come to life.

Happy New Month of Divine Intervention!

Shiloh: Faith isn’t ritual—keep it real

 Shiloh: Where God’s Presence Once Dwelled

By: JK. Woodall, Ph.D.

In Israel’s early history, Shiloh stood as a place of great significance. It was here, after the conquest of Canaan, that the people set up the tabernacle, and God’s presence dwelled among them in a profound way (Joshua 18:1). For years, Shiloh served as the center of Israelite worship, where the Ark of the Covenant rested, and the people would come to offer sacrifices, seek guidance, and experience God’s presence. This sanctuary represented hope, promise, and the fulfillment of God’s word to bring Israel into the Promised Land. At Shiloh, the people encountered God’s blessings and protection and felt secure in His covenant relationship with them.

The Positive Significance of #Shiloh

Shiloh carried a beautiful and powerful symbolism in Israel’s story. It represented stability after years of wandering in the wilderness and served as the first permanent worship center in the land given by God. Shiloh was a place where God’s promises were realized, where the people could gather in unity, and where His presence was manifest. Here, Joshua divided the land among the tribes (Joshua 18:10), and people came to celebrate the annual feasts, binding them together as a nation under #YHWH. Shiloh was also the place where Hannah, in deep prayer, received God’s promise for a son, Samuel, who would grow up to be a prophet and leader of Israel (1 Samuel 1:9-20). These stories reflect Shiloh’s role as a place where God hears, answers, and fulfills His #promises.

Why #God Forsook Shiloh

Despite Shiloh’s initial role as a #holy place, over time, the people’s attitude and behavior deteriorated. Israel began to stray from their covenant responsibilities, treating the tabernacle, the Ark, and even God’s presence with a casual, entitled mindset. Instead of honoring God with true devotion, they relied on rituals and symbols, assuming that God’s presence in Shiloh would automatically protect them, regardless of their spiritual state.

One of the most striking examples of this #spiritual decay came through the actions of Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who were priests at Shiloh. They abused their priestly role, exploiting the people and desecrating the sacrifices intended for God (1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22). Their corruption and disrespect for the sacred elements of worship turned Shiloh from a place of holiness into one of moral decline. This led to a dangerous mindset among the people, who began to treat the Ark as a mere object of power rather than a symbol of their covenant with God.

In response, God allowed the Philistines to defeat Israel and capture the Ark (1 Samuel 4:1-11). This was a moment of profound judgment: not only was the Ark taken, but Shiloh itself was destroyed, symbolizing that God’s presence could not be contained by buildings or rituals if His people were unfaithful. Psalm 78:60 and Jeremiah 7:12-14 reference Shiloh as an example of God’s judgment, showing that God would abandon even the most sacred of places if His people abandoned Him. This forsaking of Shiloh was a divine warning to all generations that God’s blessings are conditional upon true faith and obedience, not empty rituals.

The #Lesson of Shiloh for Today

As we consider the legacy of Shiloh, it serves as both an inspiration and a caution. Naming an event “Shiloh” or choosing to gather in the spirit of Shiloh should remind us of the profound presence of God that once rested there and the blessings of obedience and faith. However, we must also remember the downfall of Shiloh, a warning against complacency, entitlement, and the dangers of corrupt leaders who do not honor the sacred calling of their roles.

As in the days of Shiloh, we are called to seek God with genuine hearts, to honor His holiness, and to reject any sense of ritualistic faith that lacks true devotion. Shiloh reminds us that God’s presence cannot be confined to symbols or locations; it resides where there is purity, humility, and reverence for Him. Let the story of Shiloh inspire us to pursue an authentic relationship with God, free from compromise and corruption, so that His presence may truly dwell among us. And if we are ever tempted to trust in symbols over substance, or to place our faith in leaders rather than in God Himself, let us remember Shiloh’s fate—and beware of corrupt priests who lead us astray.