Fresh Bread: A Bishop’s Needed in Anxious Times!

But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. Before long your enemies will…encircle you and close in on you from every side. They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not know the time of thy VISITATION.” (Luke 19:41-43, NLT; Luke 19:44, KJV)

The hurricanes (Gustav, Hannah, and Ike) and the financial collapses (Fannie Mae, Freddi Mac, and Lehman Brothers & Merrill Lynch) that have occurred over the past few weeks have made these extremely anxious times. Some financial experts believe we are heading toward the biggest economic crisis since the Great Depression of 1929.

So, what does this all mean for The Church (world-wide) and local churches? God’s people need a true Bishop in these times of spiritual and emotional turbulence. In this Scripture, Jesus grieves over the city of Jerusalem’s missed “opportunity” to avoid catastrophe (see verse 44 in the NLT). Why? It was because these religious people, who should have been aware of the season that was approaching, did not recognize their time of visitation.

The word “visitation” is the Greek word “episcopolate”. This is where we get our English word “Episcopal”. Episcopolate means “to see over.” These folks were in danger, and yet, they missed their moment to have an “overseer”, which simply means “bishop”. 1 Samuel 9:9 states that a “seer” is a prophet. He or she has the responsibility NOT to tell the future, but to reveal God’s directions to His people. In fact, 1 Corinthians 14:3 tells us that prophecy is to do three things: edify (build us up), exhort (urge us on), and comfort (give us strength).

So, the questions that remain are these: Who is your bishop? What pastor, minister, priest, or rabbi has God placed in your life to speak God’s words of edification, exhortation, and comfort to you during these turbulent times? Times are going to get worse. And the days are coming when people will be able to tell the difference between who is regularly receiving words from a true, God-given bishop and who is not.

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, these times are so severe that I pray that You will direct people to the bishop You’ve chosen to speak over their lives. Please do this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.