"Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." - John 20:30-31 ESV
Yes.
Jesus is 'the Christ' and it is important to the writer that each of us know this. He sees it as vital.
The phrase 'Christ Jesus' is used 58 times in the Bible.
'Jesus Christ' is used 187 times.
Some other combination of the two words 'Jesus' and 'Christ' 301 times (such as the verse quoted above).
'The Christ' is the anointed One. He Is the One who was prophesied to come and save Israel. Jesus reveals who this person Is. Jesus gives Him a name. We need to know that name. People were anointed before Jesus but no one was 'The Anointed One'. Only Jesus holds that title.
"And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds." - 2 Corinthians 11:12-15 ESV
Um... Wow.
Paul sees a light in the world that is not 'The Light'.
Not all light that illuminates is 'Jesus Christ' illumination. I find it interesting that the writer uses the phrase 'apostles of Christ' and not 'apostles of Jesus' or some other phrase. Jesus is His personal name.
Compassion divorced from Jesus does not impress me. Knowledge divorced from God gives light but is it the full spectrum of Light? Are we dazzled by it?
In 2019 'Jesus' and 'Christ' are one person to me and He Is who I will lift up. The full dimension of who He Is has been my salvation and that Is the light that will bring salvation.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." - Hebrews 13:8 ESV
"This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." - Acts 4:11-12 ESV
Moral power isn't my goal. Plucking people's heartstrings is not lasting. The knowledge of the deity of Jesus transforms and that is and will be my message. It is the only thing on my list of new years resolutions.
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Showing posts with label Messiah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Messiah. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
Monday, July 2, 2018
The Worthy One
The legend of King Arthur borrows from this next prophetic account. In that legend, it was a sword in a stone but in truth, it is a scroll that no one can open. The apostle describes this as an event outside of time.
"Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, 'Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?' And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it." - Revelation 5:1-4 ESV
Yes. We weep because power, knowledge and ownership is locked up. Some scholars see this as the 'title deed' to the Earth or it could be seen as the formula for restoration from the fall but either way it is an important document. It is 'the' important document.
When Adam and Eve submitted to the serpent in the garden they left him an opening to take something precious from them. They came under his authority.
"He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life." - Genesis 3:24 ESV
Mankind was locked out of the garden. This scroll is locked up.
"And one of the elders said to me, 'Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.' And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.' Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!' And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!' And the four living creatures said, 'Amen!' and the elders fell down and worshiped." - Revelation 5:5-14 ESV
We all sense and know on some subconscious level that there are things locked away and kept from us. Satan uses that knowledge to cause man to blame God and one another but God has locked things up for a reason. Things are locked to keep them safe.
Only the 'worthy one' can open the scroll or pull the sword from the stone and take that power or understanding.
Jesus is the worthy one. We have a worthy one. If we have believed we know the worthy one.
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"Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, 'Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?' And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it." - Revelation 5:1-4 ESV
Yes. We weep because power, knowledge and ownership is locked up. Some scholars see this as the 'title deed' to the Earth or it could be seen as the formula for restoration from the fall but either way it is an important document. It is 'the' important document.
When Adam and Eve submitted to the serpent in the garden they left him an opening to take something precious from them. They came under his authority.
"He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life." - Genesis 3:24 ESV
Mankind was locked out of the garden. This scroll is locked up.
"And one of the elders said to me, 'Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.' And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.' Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!' And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!' And the four living creatures said, 'Amen!' and the elders fell down and worshiped." - Revelation 5:5-14 ESV
We all sense and know on some subconscious level that there are things locked away and kept from us. Satan uses that knowledge to cause man to blame God and one another but God has locked things up for a reason. Things are locked to keep them safe.
Only the 'worthy one' can open the scroll or pull the sword from the stone and take that power or understanding.
Jesus is the worthy one. We have a worthy one. If we have believed we know the worthy one.
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Thursday, June 7, 2018
Resurrection Power
"But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from." - John 7:27 ESV
I am keeping up with my 'Ariel's Harmony of the Gospels' (at p144) and the phrase above caught my attention. Where did this idea come from? Why did they think no one would know where Messiah came from?
His origins are in the scriptures.
"There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit." - Isaiah 11:1 ESV
"Their prince shall be one of themselves; their ruler shall come out from their midst; I will make him draw near, and he shall approach me, for who would dare of himself to approach me? declares the LORD." - Jeremiah 30:21 ESV
"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days." - Micah 5:2 ESV
I think it arose from the expectation parents put on their children. It was sort of an urban legend. Parents must have said during the hard times of Roman occupation, 'Messiah is coming. He could come at any time.' but then this added element of surprise got added that he would be a stranger.
People assume a new thing must come from a new place but that isn't always how God works.
"And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ? But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from. So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, 'You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.' So they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come." - John 7:26-30 ESV
We have treasure hidden in us. I get 'new things' out of a very old book every morning. Mercy is new and fresh or it isn't mercy.
It is the mystery of resurrection power. Alignment with eternal truth has a life that can spring forth at unexpected times and from unexpected places.
I'm sure that when Jesus died people thought, 'I suppose we should look for something else.' but they were wrong. It was just a matter of time and Jesus was going to come alive again and bring power with Him.
If you are discouraged don't despair. God isn't done yet. You don't have to look somewhere else. We just need new eyes for the old landmarks.
--
I am keeping up with my 'Ariel's Harmony of the Gospels' (at p144) and the phrase above caught my attention. Where did this idea come from? Why did they think no one would know where Messiah came from?
His origins are in the scriptures.
"There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit." - Isaiah 11:1 ESV
"Their prince shall be one of themselves; their ruler shall come out from their midst; I will make him draw near, and he shall approach me, for who would dare of himself to approach me? declares the LORD." - Jeremiah 30:21 ESV
"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days." - Micah 5:2 ESV
I think it arose from the expectation parents put on their children. It was sort of an urban legend. Parents must have said during the hard times of Roman occupation, 'Messiah is coming. He could come at any time.' but then this added element of surprise got added that he would be a stranger.
People assume a new thing must come from a new place but that isn't always how God works.
"And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ? But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from. So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, 'You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.' So they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come." - John 7:26-30 ESV
We have treasure hidden in us. I get 'new things' out of a very old book every morning. Mercy is new and fresh or it isn't mercy.
It is the mystery of resurrection power. Alignment with eternal truth has a life that can spring forth at unexpected times and from unexpected places.
I'm sure that when Jesus died people thought, 'I suppose we should look for something else.' but they were wrong. It was just a matter of time and Jesus was going to come alive again and bring power with Him.
If you are discouraged don't despair. God isn't done yet. You don't have to look somewhere else. We just need new eyes for the old landmarks.
--
Friday, September 22, 2017
Salvation Is Of Judah
"You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." - John 4:22-24 ESV
A great passage with rich meaning but today I'm focusing in on the 'Jewishness' of salvation. The word translated 'Jews' (Ioudaios - Strong's G2453) is an adjective, not a noun or a proper name. Some would even translate it 'Judahness' making a distinction between the northern and southern Hebrew kingdoms. Historically there was a split between 'Israel' and 'Judah'. Israel is known for making bad decisions because of bad leadership. Judah struggled and teeter-tottered back and forth. Salvation is 'of Judah' because Jesus is descended from Judah.
"And one of the elders said to me, 'Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.' " - Revelation 5:5 ESV
Jesus was and Is the best thing that was ever produced out of that land. He Is the Lion of that tribe. The Royal One.
Is salvation 'Jew-ish' or is it 'Judah-ish'. Is our spirituality? I would have to say based on the passage in John chapter 4 that it is both but it is also neither one.
In verse 9 we see that Jesus is speaking to a Samaritan woman who had her own somewhat warped ideas about spirituality and He was initiating life to her and saying that God is looking for present-day worshippers who have the right basis of understanding but are in their own category. They are 'graced out' ones who recieve and live in the grace of God. The Messiah was from Judah but what He brought was from Heaven and not steeped in an Earthern culture.
"So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year, they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians." - Acts 11:25-26 ESV
Salvation is Jewish but spirituality is Christ-like because Christ-likeness is from Heaven. This isn't left wing versus right wing or based in morality. It isn't Baptist, Lutheran or Presbyterian. It is Jesus being manifested in the world. It is a man walking far out of His way to talk to an ostracized woman at a well and let her know that even though her concepts were wrong and she was known and cared for by just a few people on Earth... God cared for her and wanted to include her in His 'spirit and truth' fellowship.
Jesus provides hope for every person from every culture and economic background. He didn't come to make the world Jewish. He came so that the individual could be Christ-like. He came to save you and i out of all our wrong ideas and give us a new life with a new heritage.
Antisemitism has always been bubbling under the surface in culture after culture. It is no surprise. It isn't just a reaction to a people group that teeter-totters. It is a reaction to the Jewishness of salvation. It is a reaction to one carpenter's Son. Let's love that Son of man and pray for the peace of Jerusalem. That place needs our prayer.
--
A great passage with rich meaning but today I'm focusing in on the 'Jewishness' of salvation. The word translated 'Jews' (Ioudaios - Strong's G2453) is an adjective, not a noun or a proper name. Some would even translate it 'Judahness' making a distinction between the northern and southern Hebrew kingdoms. Historically there was a split between 'Israel' and 'Judah'. Israel is known for making bad decisions because of bad leadership. Judah struggled and teeter-tottered back and forth. Salvation is 'of Judah' because Jesus is descended from Judah.
"And one of the elders said to me, 'Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.' " - Revelation 5:5 ESV
Jesus was and Is the best thing that was ever produced out of that land. He Is the Lion of that tribe. The Royal One.
Is salvation 'Jew-ish' or is it 'Judah-ish'. Is our spirituality? I would have to say based on the passage in John chapter 4 that it is both but it is also neither one.
In verse 9 we see that Jesus is speaking to a Samaritan woman who had her own somewhat warped ideas about spirituality and He was initiating life to her and saying that God is looking for present-day worshippers who have the right basis of understanding but are in their own category. They are 'graced out' ones who recieve and live in the grace of God. The Messiah was from Judah but what He brought was from Heaven and not steeped in an Earthern culture.
"So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year, they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians." - Acts 11:25-26 ESV
Salvation is Jewish but spirituality is Christ-like because Christ-likeness is from Heaven. This isn't left wing versus right wing or based in morality. It isn't Baptist, Lutheran or Presbyterian. It is Jesus being manifested in the world. It is a man walking far out of His way to talk to an ostracized woman at a well and let her know that even though her concepts were wrong and she was known and cared for by just a few people on Earth... God cared for her and wanted to include her in His 'spirit and truth' fellowship.
Jesus provides hope for every person from every culture and economic background. He didn't come to make the world Jewish. He came so that the individual could be Christ-like. He came to save you and i out of all our wrong ideas and give us a new life with a new heritage.
Antisemitism has always been bubbling under the surface in culture after culture. It is no surprise. It isn't just a reaction to a people group that teeter-totters. It is a reaction to the Jewishness of salvation. It is a reaction to one carpenter's Son. Let's love that Son of man and pray for the peace of Jerusalem. That place needs our prayer.
--
Monday, July 31, 2017
Called To A Crucified Christ
"For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." - 1 Corinthians 1:22-25 ESV
Wow. Wow... Wow
We expound on Christ, who He Is, what He has done and Is doing and our Messiah is a crucified Messiah. That message is foolishness unless it is accompanied by a 'calling' and that is an invitation to 'walk together'.
"And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' " - Matthew 4:19 ESV
"And Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.' " - Matthew 8:22 ESV
"And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." - Matthew 10:38 ESV
"Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.' " - Matthew 16:24 ESV
That was Jesus 'Calling' His disciples and that is how He calls us. If we say 'do something' or demand wisdom from God that gives us the power we miss it but if we follow we get both and even more as time rolls out. We die to the old and grow in the new. Our Christ is a crucified One.
God's love and mercy are His weakness. He Is generous to the unworthy. He Is gracious. His weakness is stronger than men.
--
Wow. Wow... Wow
We expound on Christ, who He Is, what He has done and Is doing and our Messiah is a crucified Messiah. That message is foolishness unless it is accompanied by a 'calling' and that is an invitation to 'walk together'.
"And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' " - Matthew 4:19 ESV
"And Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.' " - Matthew 8:22 ESV
"And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." - Matthew 10:38 ESV
"Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.' " - Matthew 16:24 ESV
That was Jesus 'Calling' His disciples and that is how He calls us. If we say 'do something' or demand wisdom from God that gives us the power we miss it but if we follow we get both and even more as time rolls out. We die to the old and grow in the new. Our Christ is a crucified One.
God's love and mercy are His weakness. He Is generous to the unworthy. He Is gracious. His weakness is stronger than men.
--
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
The Messiah In Isaiah Chapter 50
I am listening to Isaiah 50 this morning. The Messiah is speaking...
"The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward. I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. But the Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me. Behold, the Lord GOD helps me; who will declare me guilty? Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up. Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God. Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who equip yourselves with burning torches! Walk by the light of your fire, and by the torches that you have kindled! This you have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment." - Isaiah 50:5-11 ESV
There is so much here!
The voice of reason is right there. Jesus is the lamb of God (John 1:29, 36) and the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5).
I don't want to say much. I just want to go phrase by phrase and let His logic and heart attitude wash over me.
The mind of The Lamb. The courage of The Lion.
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"The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward. I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. But the Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me. Behold, the Lord GOD helps me; who will declare me guilty? Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up. Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God. Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who equip yourselves with burning torches! Walk by the light of your fire, and by the torches that you have kindled! This you have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment." - Isaiah 50:5-11 ESV
There is so much here!
The voice of reason is right there. Jesus is the lamb of God (John 1:29, 36) and the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5).
I don't want to say much. I just want to go phrase by phrase and let His logic and heart attitude wash over me.
The mind of The Lamb. The courage of The Lion.
--
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