Today’s selected reading continues in the New Testament epistle of the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome, and more specifically, is found in verses twenty-four through thirty-three of the chapter. These final verses contained within this chapter express the apostle’s deep yearning and longing to come unto those saints which were at Rome. If you read the words and language that are found and contained within this passage you will quickly discover that Paul incredibly passionate about coming unto the saints which were at Rome in order that he might not only bring unto them some type of spiritual blessing, but also that there might be an increase and abundance of fruit that would be produced within and among them. After nearly fifteen chapters of doctrine and theology the apostle Paul emphatically and perhaps even emotionally expresses his desire and intent on visiting those saints which were at Rome. Perhaps one of the most notable realities surrounding and concerning the apostle Paul is his intense longing and desire to minister among those saints whom he personally invested himself in. What’s more, is the apostle Paul sought to invest everything he had—his heart, his mind, his soul, and even his body—unto and for the ministering of the saints. What’s more, is the apostle Paul was not content with being some distant reality for and unto the churches—he wanted to be up close and personal, and to get down and dirty with them.

UNTIL AND UNLESS YOU’RE WILLING TO GET DOWN IN THE TRENCHES WITH ME, YOUR MESSAGE AND MINISTRY MEANS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO ME! As I am sitting here this morning and reading the words found in this passage of scripture, I can’t help but get the strong sense that there is a powerful need for ministers who are willing to get down and dirty with us throughout the course of our lives. I am without a doubt convinced that there are a number of ministers who are content with remaining a top their perches on Sunday morning behind the pulpit and aren’t willing to come down unto where the people are. If you journey into the Old Testament book of Exodus you will find that Moses was atop the mountain of God for forty days and forty nights in the presence of the Lord. Now, while I do not believe for a single moment that Moses would have chosen to remain atop that mountain forever, I am convinced there is a powerful truth that must be considered. It would be, and sometimes it is very easy for those among us to enjoy and experience the manifestation of the power, the presence and the person of God atop the mountain, and to have absolutely no desire to come down off and to come down from that lofty plain. There are men and women who are enjoying and experiencing the presence of the Lord atop the mountain and yet they seem to have forgotten the fact that there are others at the foot of the mountain.

I can’t help but be reminded of the account of the apostles Peter, James and John when they were taken up into a high mountain with Jesus. Once Jesus had brought them atop the mountain and unto a specific place, He was transfigured before them and His appearance became like the sun and His garments became illuminated before them. There atop the mountain Jesus was transfigured before these three apostles and in the midst of that experience Moses and Elijah appeared talking with Him. I can’t help but wonder what exactly Jesus and these two saints of old talked about atop the mountain, but one thing we know is that these three apostles were completely and totally overwhelmed at this experience and were facedown upon the ground in the presence of Jesus. The full account of this passage of Scripture is recorded for us in the first eight verses of the seventeenth chapter of the gospel according to Matthew and is as follows:

“And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with Him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one fore thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only” (Matthew 17:1-8).

It would have been very easy for these three disciples to remain with Jesus atop the mountain in the company of Moses and Elijah, yet despite the fact that it was appointed unto them to encounter such an experience, they weren’t intended on remaining atop that mountain. When Peter saw Moses and Elijah together with Jesus in His transfigured state he first declared unto Jesus that it was good for them to be there, and then proceeded to declare that if it was the will of Jesus, they would build three tabernacles—one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. Matthew records that while Peter yet spake, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold a voice spoke out of the cloud which declared and proclaimed these words: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him.” It’s worth noting that it wasn’t until the disciples heard the voice from the midst of the cloud that they fell on their faces and were sore afraid. They appeared to have all their faculties in full form and function while in the presence of Jesus, Moses and Elijah, yet the minute the voice of the Father spoke from the midst of the cloud, they all fell on their face, and were sore afraid. It was the sound and voice of the Father in the midst of that experience that caused them to fall on their faces in great fear in the presence of Jesus. It wasn’t until Jesus came and touched them and instructed them to Arise and be not afraid that they were able to lift up their eyes and once more rise to their feet.

Now, while it would very easy to stop with the eighth verse of this chapter and not proceed further within the chapter, I am convinced that there is a second part to this account—a backside to the story that not many acknowledge or pay attention to. As you continue reading in this chapter beginning with the ninth verse you will find Jesus providing unto the disciples very specific instruction. Beginning with verse nine we find and read these words—“And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. And His disciples asked Him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that He spake unto them of John the Baptist” (Matthew 17:9-13). The account of Jesus with these three disciples atop the mountain doesn’t end with His touching them, their lifting their eyes, and their seeing no man, save Jesus only. Moreover, the account doesn’t even end with Jesus’ instruction that they tell the vision to man until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. In fact, if you come to the fourteenth verse of this chapter you will find something taking place at the foot of the mountain while Jesus, Peter, James and John were atop the mountain. It is that which we find recorded in verses fourteen through twenty-one of this passage of Scripture that we find the back half to this story, and one that must be carefully understood by those who would seek to understand it. Consider if you will the words and language that is found in this particular set of verses as are recorded by Matthew:

“And when they were come to the multitude, there came him a certain. Man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatics, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought Him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him hither to me. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out. And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove: and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:14-21).

I am thoroughly convinced that this passage and the account of this father with his son in the company and presence of the disciples is just as important as the transfiguration of Jesus atop the mountain, His appearance with Moses and Elijah, and the voice of the Father speaking out of the midst of the cloud in the presence of Jesus and these three disciples. The reason for this is that while the disciples Peter, James and John were in the presence of Jesus atop the mountain, and while they experienced the transfiguration of Jesus, as well as the voice of the Father speaking from the midst of the cloud, the remaining nine disciples were at the foot of the mountain engaged in the midst of a multitude and a father who had brought his son unto them for help. Matthew records how immediately after Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James and John, there came unto him a certain man, kneeling down before Him, and appealing to Him to have Mercy on his son. This man came and knelt before Jesus in order that He might somehow have mercy upon his son who was lunatics and sore vexed. This man’s son oftentimes would fall into the fire, and oftentimes would fall into the water. This father would go on to state that he brought his son unto His disciples, and yet the disciples could not cure him. This is incredibly challenging because while an encounter with the glory of the Son and the voice of the Father was taking place atop the mountain, there was a father who was appealing unto the mercy of God to heal his son who was lunatics and sore vexed. It would have been very easy for Jesus and the disciples to remain atop the mountain, yet there was still a further work that needed to be done below at the base of the mountain. Oh, I can’t help but wonder how many men and women have found themselves atop the mountain experiencing the glory of the Son and the voice of the Father, and yet rather than seeking and rather than wanting to come down from the top of the mountain unto where the people are, they would rather remain atop the mountain.

Scripture records that Peter felt it was good for James and John to remain there in that place—there in the place of revelation, and from that place to build a tabernacle for Jesus, for Moses, and for Elijah. The truth of the matter was that these three disciples were not intended on remaining atop that mountain and in that place of revelation and glory. There was still a work that needed to be done below the mountain, and even beyond the mountain. UNDERSTANDING THE WORK BELOW AND BEYOND THE MOUNTAIN! I can’t help but wonder how many men and women would seek to remain atop the mountain with their spiritual experiences and spiritual highs, and yet they never seem to focus on the fact that there is a work that needs to be done below and beyond the mountain. I am incredibly challenged by this passage of Scripture because of the tremendous number of men and women who can never seem to come down from atop the mountain to where the people are—to where the need is—and to minister according to the power of the Spirit of God. While it is true that encountering the glory and presence of the Lord is in and of itself good, it is absolutely necessary and imperative that we understand that there is no need that is found in that place. This father with his son who was lunatick and sore vexed was not there atop the mountain in the company of Jesus and his disciples, and was down below the mountain. One of the great dangers we face is growing too comfortable in these encounters and experiences that we completely neglect and ignore the need that present below and beyond the mountain. It’s worth noting that there wasn’t simply a work that needed to be down at the foot and base of the mountain, but there was a work that needed to be done beyond the mountain. While the disciples were enjoying the presence of Jesus, the company of Moses and Elijah, and the voice of the Father speaking from the midst of the cloud, there was a father at the foot of the mountain who desperately sought to have his son cured of that which was oppressing and plaguing him.

There is another passage that is found in the gospel of John which further illustrates the tremendous reality of Jesus the Christ being willing to get down in the midst of our dirt in order that He might rescue and redeem us. If you turn and direct your attention to the eighth chapter of the New Testament gospel of John you will find the account of a woman who was caught in the act of adultery, and who was brought into the courts of the Temple, and into the presence of Jesus while He taught there in the Temple. The apostle John records the account of this woman using the following words:

“Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning He came again into the Temple, and all the people came unto Him; and He sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto Him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, they say unto Him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground, and as though He heard them not. So when they continued asking Him, He lifted up Himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone,a nd the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up Himself, and saw none but the woman, He said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee? She said, NO man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (John 8:1-11).

I have found myself coming back to this particular account within the life and ministry of Jesus several times this year, and I have to admit that each time I read the words contained therein I am incredibly challenged by what I read. As I read this passage of Scripture this morning I am once again struck by the fact that after the scribes and Pharisees had asked Jesus what should be done to this woman who was caught in the act of adultery, Jesus stooped down—presumably unto the ground and in the midst of the dirt and dust—and began writing with His finger. Pause for a moment and consider the scene if you will, for there was this woman who was forcibly brought by the scribes and Pharisees into the courts of the Temple, into the presence of Jesus, into the company of the disciples, into the company of those who would listen to and hear the words of Jesus, and perhaps even in the midst of all those who had made their way to the Temple to offer their sacrifices and offerings unto the Lord their God. This woman found herself in the courts of the Temple of the living God and in the presence of Jesus Christ being accused and condemned—not only by the scribes and Pharisees, but also apparently by the law of Moses itself—and yet what does Jesus do? Jesus doesn’t agree or disagree with the accusations and judgments of the scribes and Pharisees, nor does He Himself pick up a stone to stone this woman. JESUS NEVER PICKED UP A STONE! One of the most profound truths which we must recognize and understand when reading this passage is that while it is true Jesus stooped down to the ground, He didn’t do so that He might pick up a stone to cast at and cast against this woman. I can’t help but get the sense that when the scribes and Pharisees saw Jesus stooping down to the ground, they thought that He might perhaps pick up a stone in order that He might cast it upon this woman. It’s worth noting that the only person present on this day who had the right to cast a stone at this woman neither picked up a stone, nor even proceeded to cast a stone at this woman. When Jesus stooped down to the ground, it’s important to note that He didn’t do it to pick up one of the stones in the court of the Temple, but rather to write in the ground. This is absolutely and incredibly powerful to consider, for there are times when it is presumed that Jesus will stoop down to the ground to pick up a stone to cast against and upon us, and yet what He does instead is with His finger write in the dirt and dust of the ground.

RETURNING TO WHERE IT ALL BEGAN! I can’t help but be gripped by the fact that when Jesus stooped down to the ground—down to the place of dirt and dust—He was returning to where it all began when man was first created from the dust of the earth. There stood this woman in the midst of this great company being accused by the scribes and Pharisees, as the law demanded she be stoned, and yet Jesus seemed to get down in the midst of the dirt and dust in the courts of the Temple. What I absolutely love about this passage is that Jesus didn’t stoop down into the ground once, but twice. If you read this passage of Scripture you will find that Jesus first stooped down to the ground in the midst of the dirt and dust when the scribes and elders asked whether or not this woman deserved to be stoned. When they continued pressing the issue, Jesus lifted Himself up, and said unto them, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” Immediately after Jesus made such a powerful declaration unto this woman’s accusers—as well as unto all the bystanders and passerby’s that were present on that day—He again stooped down in the midst of the dirt and dust and once more wrote in the ground. What is so incredibly powerful about this second stooping down into the ground is that Scripture records how Jesus remained in the midst of the dirt and dust until there was none left but Himself and this woman. In other words, not only did Jesus get down in the midst of this woman’s dirt and dust, but He would also remain in that place until all her accusers had not only dropped their stones, but had left the presence of Jesus and the courts of the Temple. Jesus did not—and perhaps even could and would not—lift Himself up from the place of dirt and dust until every stone had fallen to the ground, and every accuser had departed. Oh please don’t miss the tremendous importance and significance of this reality, for Jesus remained in this woman’s dirt and dust until every stone fell to the ground and until every accuser had departed.

WHEN THE STONES FINISH FALLING AND THE ACCUSERS HAVE FINALLY DEPARTED! What I absolutely love about this passage of Scripture is that not only did Jesus remain in this woman’s dirt and dust until every stone had fallen to the ground, and every accuser had departed, but Jesus also remained with this woman through it all and unto the end. Scripture doesn’t record how Jesus departed with the accusers when they dropped their stones and left the court of the Temple, but remained there with the woman until it was only the two of them. I am convinced there is an absolutely incredible picture that is found in this passage of Scripture concerning those who are not only willing to get down in dirty in the midst of our dirt and dust, but also those who are willing to remain in the dirt and dust with us. There would be those who might stoop down in the midst of the dirt and dust of our lives, and they might remain their for a certain period of time, yet they aren’t willing to remain there until the stones fall to the ground and the accusers are gone. Perhaps the single greatest question I am finding myself asking is whether or not I am willing to remain in the dirt and dust of those around me until the stones have fallen and the accusers have gone. In other words, how many men and women are willing to remain in the dirt and dust of others until the work of God is completed within their lives? Are you willing—not only to get down in the dirt and dust of those around you, but to remain in the dirt and dust until every stone has fallen and every accuser has gone? Are you willing to get down in the trenches with those around you and join alongside them in the struggle and fight they are presently experiencing within their lives? Are you willing to roll up your sleeves and to allow yourself to get dirty for the sake of others in order that the work of redemption, in order that the work of restoration, in order that the work of salvation might be manifested within their lives. When Jesus first stooped down to the ground on this particular occasion, the stones hadn’t begun falling, for He stooped down and began writing on the ground as though He heard them not.

Please don’t miss this very important reality, for not only did Jesus stoop down to the ground, but it also appears that He didn’t entertain the accusations, the condemnations and the judgments of the scribes and Pharisees toward and against this woman. Jesus stooped down to the ground and proceeded to write in the ground as though He did not hear the accusations toward and against the woman. The stones didn’t begin falling until after Jesus lifted Himself up from the midst of the dirt and dust, declared that he that was without sin could cast the first stone, and then once more stooped down in the dirt and dust. It was this second time of stooping down in the dirt and dust of this woman that the stones would finally begin falling, and the accusers would begin leaving one by one. ONE BY ONE THE STONES FALL, ONE BY ONE THE ACCUSERS DEPART! I absolutely love that Jesus remained in the midst of the dirt and dust writing with His finger until every stone had fallen to the ground, and every accuser had departed. What a powerful challenge this passage presents unto us in this present generation, for there is an incredible need for those who are willing to get down in the midst of the dirt and dust of those around them, and not only to get down in the midst of the dirt and dust, but to also remain in the dirt and dust until the work which needs to be done is completed. I would dare say that Jesus could not lift Himself up from the dirt and dust until every last stone had fallen to the ground, and every accuser had departed. How interesting it is to consider that first the stone would fall, and then the accuser would depart, for this is typically the natural progression of events. How absolutely remarkable it is that there seems to be no indication that this woman’s accusers departed with the stones which they would have cast at her still in their hands. When this woman’s accusers departed from the court of the Temple, they departed after dropping the stone that was in their hand to the ground. WHEN ACCUSERS LEAVE THE SANCTUARY EMPTY-HANDED! I have often said that I can’t help but wonder if this woman’s accusers brought the stones which they would cast upon and against her with them into the sanctuary of the Temple, or whether they would pick them up within the court of the Temple.

When I read the words of the apostle Paul unto the saints which were at Rome in the fifteenth chapter, I am incredibly challenged by his willingness to get down in the dirt and dust of those whom he had personally invested in. The apostle Paul was not willing to remain distant and absent from those churches which he had planted, but wanted to remain actively involved in the growth and maturity of those churches which were found in the province of Asia. The apostle Paul was not willing to be some distant reality in the midst of the churches after establishing them in the earth and then leaving them unto themselves. One of the things I absolutely love about the epistles we have in the New Testament is that the apostle Paul wasn’t willing to leave these churches unto themselves. Even though the apostle Paul would establish a church within the province of Asia, and even though he would eventually have to depart from those churches, he still remained very much connected to those churches—both in spirit and in person. The epistles we have within the New Testament are powerful testaments and testimonies of the apostle Paul’s willingness to remain connected and remain invested in those churches which he had planted and established in the earth. The apostle Paul recognized and understood that he could not leave these churches unto themselves would still need to instruct and teach and guide them in the ways of the Lord. What I love about the words of the apostle Paul in this particular chapter is that after having invested nearly fifteen chapters in instructing them in matters of doctrine and theology, the apostle expresses his deep desire to come unto them in order that he might invest in them and impart some spiritual blessing unto them. I am convinced that one of the greatest examples of this reality is found in the twentieth chapter of the New Testament book of Acts, and if found in the twentieth chapter beginning with verse eighteen. It is with these words I close and conclude this writing hoping and praying they challenge you to the very depths of your being as they do mine:

“Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grevious wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.l Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:18-35).