I firmly believe there are 12 different kinds of people. 4 aspects of humanity that have different variations. I don't think of this very much nor do I categorize different individuals and give them labels. I do however review this idea from time to time because I think it is good to keep in mind that although mankind has shared needs they also have different ways of processing their experiences.
These 12 types of people are characterized by Jacob's 12 children that became (in one form or another) the 12 Hebrew tribes. The family of Messiah was a family that represented all of humanity.
This morning I was looking at the uneven distribution of children in Jacob's family.
- Leah has 6 sons and 1 daughter.
- Zilpah had 2 sons, Bilah had 2 sons and Rachael had 2 sons.
So 6 tribes came from one mother and the other 6 were split between 3 mothers.
In my mind even though there are 12 types of people out there things are not broken out evenly. The majority of Jacob's sons came from Leah and the Bible describes her as a plump, happy and kind of passive baby making kind of person. She wasn't strikingly beautiful. She got a little competitive with her sister Rachael for a season but for the most part, she was a Godly content person and she wasn't out to change the world. The world is filled with Leahs and most of humanity is also. Messiah came from her line. Jesus is descended from Leah.
But then there are the other 6 children they are different. They have the same needs but they have different mothers. They are minorities in the way they think and relate. Every one of us is unique and special but we all know people that are just out there don't we? They are just coming at things from a different direction.
Why am I talking about this? Maybe just because I want to remind myself that we all have different perspectives. Jesus held the title, 'Son of Man' because he represented all of humanity fully. People who study personalities are baffled by the accounts of Him because He manifests the aspects of each known personality type. He was a unique sinless man. He was the second Adam and all of the genetics of all mankind came from the first one. He was the 'finger of God'. God himself taking on human form like a person who puts his finger into a glass of water. That finger enters that realm and God entered our realm of time and space in His incarnation.
We each are 1 of those 12 variants but in Christ each one of us can minister to all 12. He can minister through us. No matter how different or the same we are He Is our common ground. He levels the playing field even if it seems like there is an overwhelming weight on one side slanting everything one way.
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Showing posts with label Incarnation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Incarnation. Show all posts
Friday, October 5, 2018
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
I Am From Above
Wow. Jesus claims He isn't 'a' way. He is 'the' way... the only way.
"He said to them, 'You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.' " - John 8:23-24 ESV
He is either an egomaniac or He Is the Messiah.
Peter later says this to a crowd...
"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know-- this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it." - Acts 2:22-24 ESV
Jesus was seen alive by many after His death and yet they did not believe. They did not invest faith in Christ Himself.
God doesn't raise egomaniacs from the dead. There is only one person who died the way Christ died (at just the right time and place to fulfill prophecy) and then get raised up only to rise into the sky and never die again.
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." - Hebrews 11:6 KJV
The first part needs coverage and then the second part of that passage needs coverage also.
He Is.
Jesus Is 'Him'.
Not only that but He Is 'a rewarder' of people who seek Him. He was from above and He has returned there but that above place is not far away.
"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." - Ephesians 2:13 KJV
Jesus came to close the gap.
--
"He said to them, 'You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.' " - John 8:23-24 ESV
He is either an egomaniac or He Is the Messiah.
Peter later says this to a crowd...
"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know-- this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it." - Acts 2:22-24 ESV
Jesus was seen alive by many after His death and yet they did not believe. They did not invest faith in Christ Himself.
God doesn't raise egomaniacs from the dead. There is only one person who died the way Christ died (at just the right time and place to fulfill prophecy) and then get raised up only to rise into the sky and never die again.
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." - Hebrews 11:6 KJV
The first part needs coverage and then the second part of that passage needs coverage also.
He Is.
Jesus Is 'Him'.
Not only that but He Is 'a rewarder' of people who seek Him. He was from above and He has returned there but that above place is not far away.
"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." - Ephesians 2:13 KJV
Jesus came to close the gap.
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Friday, March 30, 2018
Pure Devotion
What is pure devotion to Christ...
"For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough." - 2 Corinthians 11:2-4 ESV
"Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." - 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 KJV
God came to Earth and died on the cross. God was buried. God rose. Jesus is fully man but He Is also fully God and has never stopped being God.
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." - Philippians 2:5-7 ESV
This passage is not easy to translate but 'did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped' basically means He never lost confidence in His own diety even as He was becoming a man and limiting Himself in full identification.
Pure devotion isn't doing better or performing at a higher level. Pure devotion is beholding the glory of the Lord. Pure devotion is full recognition of Christ's character and nature.
That wasn't some random man who had a few good ideas dying on the cross as an example of some kind. That was God Himself. That was the only perfect lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world. He didn't come to get us to behave. He came to reunite us to God the Father in transformation.
Another Gospel will condemn you for what you have or haven't done. Another Gospel will give you a system to function in where they have Jesus depicted in artwork but He is not at the center and His true character and nature are veiled. There are many Gospels fueled by different spirits but the Gospel that saves and transforms is the Gospel of Grace. It is the one that says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28 ESV
Your creator died on a cross when we were still His enemies. We can let that love wash over us. His love will produce change if it is needed. We don't have to work anything up or change anything to be pleasing.
"What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD," - Psalm 116:12-13 ESV
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"For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough." - 2 Corinthians 11:2-4 ESV
"Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." - 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 KJV
God came to Earth and died on the cross. God was buried. God rose. Jesus is fully man but He Is also fully God and has never stopped being God.
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." - Philippians 2:5-7 ESV
This passage is not easy to translate but 'did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped' basically means He never lost confidence in His own diety even as He was becoming a man and limiting Himself in full identification.
Pure devotion isn't doing better or performing at a higher level. Pure devotion is beholding the glory of the Lord. Pure devotion is full recognition of Christ's character and nature.
That wasn't some random man who had a few good ideas dying on the cross as an example of some kind. That was God Himself. That was the only perfect lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world. He didn't come to get us to behave. He came to reunite us to God the Father in transformation.
Another Gospel will condemn you for what you have or haven't done. Another Gospel will give you a system to function in where they have Jesus depicted in artwork but He is not at the center and His true character and nature are veiled. There are many Gospels fueled by different spirits but the Gospel that saves and transforms is the Gospel of Grace. It is the one that says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28 ESV
Your creator died on a cross when we were still His enemies. We can let that love wash over us. His love will produce change if it is needed. We don't have to work anything up or change anything to be pleasing.
"What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD," - Psalm 116:12-13 ESV
--
Thursday, March 29, 2018
Attacks On The Morality Of The Hebrew Scriptures
Some folks have a real problem with the Bible and its teachings. Those problems almost always focus on the Hebrew scriptures and I see three main moral issues. The scriptures give Isreal guidelines that permit and regulate slavery. There are issues with the treatment of women and children. Lastly, the way Israel acted towards its enemies in wartime.
"They said, 'Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.' And Jesus said to them, 'Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment...' " - Mark 10:4-5 ESV
"He said to them, 'Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so...' " - Matthew 19:8 ESV
It is clear that Jesus had disagreed with Moses on this issue. He obeyed the law in every point but He stayed at the higher end of the law. He never hurt anyone. He never took a wife. He never owned a slave.
People look for moral perfection in Abraham and his children but they don't find it. God never claimed that the rules given to Israel were going to be 'perfect'. Those rules and instructions were for 'holiness' which means to set them apart from the nations around them.
The ten commandments are moral perfection. But, It seems that God delegated much to Moses who was by the Bible's own account a very imperfect man.
"Pay careful attention to him and obey his voice; do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgression, for my name is in him. But if you carefully obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries." - Exodus 23:21-22 ESV
I see this command in the same light I see this next one.
"Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you." - Deuteronomy 5:16 ESV
Are all fathers and mothers perfect? No. Some are just plain terrible people but honor is something we do to honor God. Jesus honored Moses and the law of Moses but he didn't do all that Moses said to do. He never broke the law. Never. Not even in one point but He also didn't do all the things that were permitted by the law.
In order to understand and fully embrace the Hebrew scriptures, we must 'follow the scarlet thread' and see Abraham's descendants and the nation that arose out of those people as a vehicle to bring Messiah into the world. At times they were commanded to do things (by a God who had full authority to issue the command) to protect that bloodline from harm or interruption. This explains to me why God would tell Israel to destroy whole people groups. He knew those groups would infect Israel's biology and culture with outside influences that were destructive.
Jesus birth and death are a turning point for all of humanity. Those who believe in Christ are not ruled by the law of Moses. It was never meant for the world anyway. It was meant for one nation.
You may say, 'Why didn't God correct it?' or 'Why did He let it happen that way?' but we could also ask, 'Why does God let me make mistakes?' and perhaps the answer to those questions is the same answer.
What would we do if a people group had a virus that was going to kill all of mankind if it got out? Perhaps we would do our best to isolate them. What if that was not possible? Would we just let all of humanity die because of sentimentality?
Those who mock the Bible just don't understand it. The Bible is a book about Jesus, not morality. Morality is low ground. Love is what Jesus brings to us. Love transcends culture.
The Hebrew scriptures chronical history and explain how the Saviour came into the world. The Greek (New Testament) scriptures illuminate the new life we have in Christ.
Mocking the Bible is a dangerous business. The only hope we have is found only in those pages.
I love my Bible. Some of the older portions are difficult to read. The cross is difficult to look at. I cringe at His pain but He went there so I could have life. I am so thankful.
--
"They said, 'Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.' And Jesus said to them, 'Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment...' " - Mark 10:4-5 ESV
"He said to them, 'Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so...' " - Matthew 19:8 ESV
It is clear that Jesus had disagreed with Moses on this issue. He obeyed the law in every point but He stayed at the higher end of the law. He never hurt anyone. He never took a wife. He never owned a slave.
People look for moral perfection in Abraham and his children but they don't find it. God never claimed that the rules given to Israel were going to be 'perfect'. Those rules and instructions were for 'holiness' which means to set them apart from the nations around them.
The ten commandments are moral perfection. But, It seems that God delegated much to Moses who was by the Bible's own account a very imperfect man.
"Pay careful attention to him and obey his voice; do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgression, for my name is in him. But if you carefully obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries." - Exodus 23:21-22 ESV
I see this command in the same light I see this next one.
"Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you." - Deuteronomy 5:16 ESV
Are all fathers and mothers perfect? No. Some are just plain terrible people but honor is something we do to honor God. Jesus honored Moses and the law of Moses but he didn't do all that Moses said to do. He never broke the law. Never. Not even in one point but He also didn't do all the things that were permitted by the law.
In order to understand and fully embrace the Hebrew scriptures, we must 'follow the scarlet thread' and see Abraham's descendants and the nation that arose out of those people as a vehicle to bring Messiah into the world. At times they were commanded to do things (by a God who had full authority to issue the command) to protect that bloodline from harm or interruption. This explains to me why God would tell Israel to destroy whole people groups. He knew those groups would infect Israel's biology and culture with outside influences that were destructive.
Jesus birth and death are a turning point for all of humanity. Those who believe in Christ are not ruled by the law of Moses. It was never meant for the world anyway. It was meant for one nation.
You may say, 'Why didn't God correct it?' or 'Why did He let it happen that way?' but we could also ask, 'Why does God let me make mistakes?' and perhaps the answer to those questions is the same answer.
What would we do if a people group had a virus that was going to kill all of mankind if it got out? Perhaps we would do our best to isolate them. What if that was not possible? Would we just let all of humanity die because of sentimentality?
Those who mock the Bible just don't understand it. The Bible is a book about Jesus, not morality. Morality is low ground. Love is what Jesus brings to us. Love transcends culture.
The Hebrew scriptures chronical history and explain how the Saviour came into the world. The Greek (New Testament) scriptures illuminate the new life we have in Christ.
Mocking the Bible is a dangerous business. The only hope we have is found only in those pages.
I love my Bible. Some of the older portions are difficult to read. The cross is difficult to look at. I cringe at His pain but He went there so I could have life. I am so thankful.
--
Monday, March 12, 2018
The Place Where Martha Met Jesus
This morning I took notice of Jesus' position...
"So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house... " - John 11:20
Martha meets Jesus somewhere outside the village. Then he speaks to Martha but does not move from that spot.
"Martha said to Jesus, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.' Jesus said to her, 'Your brother will rise again.' Martha said to him, 'I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.' Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?' She said to him, 'Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.' " - John 11:21-27 ESV
Then Martha leaves the place where she met Jesus and enters the village to speak to Mary.
"When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, 'The Teacher is here and is calling for you.' And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him." - John 11:28-30 ESV
Jesus has not moved. He has not come one inch closer to the village.
"Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.' " - John 11:32 ESV
"And he said, 'Where have you laid him?' They said to him, 'Lord, come and see.' Jesus wept." - John 11:34-35 ESV
Jesus weeps right where He Is.
To me, this place outside the village is the incarnation. Jesus meets us in the book and in the place where the truth of His book is being revealed. Martha represents the writers of the new testament. They write and say to me, a person 2,000 years into the future, 'Jesus is here and He Is calling for you.'
You or I might be like Mary. We are stubborn or grieving or just distant because we are occupied in our own matters but it is true. Jesus is here and He Is calling for us. He is just outside the village.
We do what Martha did when we evangelize. We say 'Jesus is here.' and the people might say, 'Listen, It's just you and your ideas.' and we say, 'No, Come where I have been and you will find Him also.'
"Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it." - John 11:38 ESV
Jesus goes straight from that outside place to the tomb. Jesus asks His Father and Lazarus is alive again.
"Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples." - John 11:54 ESV
Jesus never goes into the village. If you missed all these events you would just see Lazarus alive again and grief turned into joy but you wouldn't be able to connect the dots. Jesus might just seem like a ghost or a myth. If asked they would say, 'Jesus never came here. I didn't see Him.' and they would be right to say that.
Is Jesus going with us to work or where ever it is we are going today? Yes and No. We say, 'Jesus is here and He Is calling for you.' but He is doing it from the incarnation. He Is calling from the throne in Heaven. He is just outside the village weeping over the same tragedies that affect the people in that place.
It is very possible that if something shuts our mouth people will miss His visitation. I don't want that to happen.
--
"So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house... " - John 11:20
Martha meets Jesus somewhere outside the village. Then he speaks to Martha but does not move from that spot.
"Martha said to Jesus, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.' Jesus said to her, 'Your brother will rise again.' Martha said to him, 'I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.' Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?' She said to him, 'Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.' " - John 11:21-27 ESV
Then Martha leaves the place where she met Jesus and enters the village to speak to Mary.
"When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, 'The Teacher is here and is calling for you.' And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him." - John 11:28-30 ESV
Jesus has not moved. He has not come one inch closer to the village.
"Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.' " - John 11:32 ESV
"And he said, 'Where have you laid him?' They said to him, 'Lord, come and see.' Jesus wept." - John 11:34-35 ESV
Jesus weeps right where He Is.
To me, this place outside the village is the incarnation. Jesus meets us in the book and in the place where the truth of His book is being revealed. Martha represents the writers of the new testament. They write and say to me, a person 2,000 years into the future, 'Jesus is here and He Is calling for you.'
You or I might be like Mary. We are stubborn or grieving or just distant because we are occupied in our own matters but it is true. Jesus is here and He Is calling for us. He is just outside the village.
We do what Martha did when we evangelize. We say 'Jesus is here.' and the people might say, 'Listen, It's just you and your ideas.' and we say, 'No, Come where I have been and you will find Him also.'
"Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it." - John 11:38 ESV
Jesus goes straight from that outside place to the tomb. Jesus asks His Father and Lazarus is alive again.
"Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples." - John 11:54 ESV
Jesus never goes into the village. If you missed all these events you would just see Lazarus alive again and grief turned into joy but you wouldn't be able to connect the dots. Jesus might just seem like a ghost or a myth. If asked they would say, 'Jesus never came here. I didn't see Him.' and they would be right to say that.
Is Jesus going with us to work or where ever it is we are going today? Yes and No. We say, 'Jesus is here and He Is calling for you.' but He is doing it from the incarnation. He Is calling from the throne in Heaven. He is just outside the village weeping over the same tragedies that affect the people in that place.
It is very possible that if something shuts our mouth people will miss His visitation. I don't want that to happen.
--
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Powerful Scriptural Triads - Part 2
Two books come to mind when we start thinking of triads. Matthew and Jude. They are both filled with them.
I am looking at Matthew this morning and I am overwhelmed by the volume of them. The whole account of Jesus' life is full of threes.
"Pray then like this: ' Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.' " - Matthew 6:9-13 ESV
Two powerful triads.
Parables are given in threes. The magi had three gifts. There are three Messianic fulfilments.
"And Jesus answered them, 'Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.' " - Matthew 11:4-6 ESV
There are three parables that use plant life (Matthew 13:24-33). Three groups of people come up to Him and ask for help (Matthew 15:21-28). The list goes on and on. Triangles inside of triangles inside of more triangles. You can even split the book into three parts.
There are four Gospels and each one is unique. Matthew is loaded with three reference triads and is special in its own way. It is divinely inspired. The others have their own unique qualities and if ywe look and God opens our eyes we see special things about them. The Bible is a living book written to us to reveal God's heart. There are layers upon layers and yet the simplicity of it is striking also.
"And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him--a threefold cord is not quickly broken." - Ecclesiastes 4:12 ESV
Yes. A triangle is a strong structure. It can bear weight. You can put a lever on it and move things. It is powerful. The incarnation was God muscling His way into mankind. Jesus leveraged His death and took the keys to death and Hell. This lamb broke the curse that was on mankind. He opened a new and living way. His life is a miracle of threes.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." - John 10:10 ESV
The thief comes to do three things but Jesus came to do one... give life.
--
I am looking at Matthew this morning and I am overwhelmed by the volume of them. The whole account of Jesus' life is full of threes.
"Pray then like this: ' Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.' " - Matthew 6:9-13 ESV
Two powerful triads.
Parables are given in threes. The magi had three gifts. There are three Messianic fulfilments.
"And Jesus answered them, 'Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.' " - Matthew 11:4-6 ESV
There are three parables that use plant life (Matthew 13:24-33). Three groups of people come up to Him and ask for help (Matthew 15:21-28). The list goes on and on. Triangles inside of triangles inside of more triangles. You can even split the book into three parts.
There are four Gospels and each one is unique. Matthew is loaded with three reference triads and is special in its own way. It is divinely inspired. The others have their own unique qualities and if ywe look and God opens our eyes we see special things about them. The Bible is a living book written to us to reveal God's heart. There are layers upon layers and yet the simplicity of it is striking also.
"And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him--a threefold cord is not quickly broken." - Ecclesiastes 4:12 ESV
Yes. A triangle is a strong structure. It can bear weight. You can put a lever on it and move things. It is powerful. The incarnation was God muscling His way into mankind. Jesus leveraged His death and took the keys to death and Hell. This lamb broke the curse that was on mankind. He opened a new and living way. His life is a miracle of threes.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." - John 10:10 ESV
The thief comes to do three things but Jesus came to do one... give life.
--
Monday, January 8, 2018
He Kept Moving
So little is mentioned about Jesus' youth. We really only have the account in Matthew chapter 2 about him going to Eygpt (which parallels Isreal's adolescence as a nation) and this passage.
"And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him." - Luke 2:40 ESV
Followed by this account...
"Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, 'Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.' And he said to them, 'Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?' And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man." - Luke 2:41-52 ESV
Notice how verse 52 is much like verse 40. It is one of many Hebrew parallelisms used in the Gospels. You see this construction in the Psalms and Proverbs. Say something. Then contrast, reiterate or amplify it.
Jesus was like an army brat of sorts. He moved from Bethlehem to Eygpt, then Natzeret. It just made me think of the great advantage missionary children have. They are moving (or staying) only because their parents are seeking God and going where they sense they are being led. Those choices aren't always easy ones.
"...saying, 'Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead.' And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene." - Matthew 2:20-23 ESV
They go but obstacles are in their path. They choose based on what is available but that is God's will. Jesus grew in that faith environment not in spite of it. Faith provides tension that isn't comfortable and uses reason. Going but not stepped right into the fire. Also not holding back because of danger.
These passages convict me to be full of faith and moving when it is time to move.
"Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. The sluggard says, 'There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!' As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth. The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly." - Proverbs 26:12-16 ESV
Wow. We can be too careful and maybe we can also be too careless also. Our eyes need to be fixed on the redemptive cause.
--
"And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him." - Luke 2:40 ESV
Followed by this account...
"Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, 'Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.' And he said to them, 'Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?' And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man." - Luke 2:41-52 ESV
Notice how verse 52 is much like verse 40. It is one of many Hebrew parallelisms used in the Gospels. You see this construction in the Psalms and Proverbs. Say something. Then contrast, reiterate or amplify it.
Jesus was like an army brat of sorts. He moved from Bethlehem to Eygpt, then Natzeret. It just made me think of the great advantage missionary children have. They are moving (or staying) only because their parents are seeking God and going where they sense they are being led. Those choices aren't always easy ones.
"...saying, 'Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead.' And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene." - Matthew 2:20-23 ESV
They go but obstacles are in their path. They choose based on what is available but that is God's will. Jesus grew in that faith environment not in spite of it. Faith provides tension that isn't comfortable and uses reason. Going but not stepped right into the fire. Also not holding back because of danger.
These passages convict me to be full of faith and moving when it is time to move.
"Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. The sluggard says, 'There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!' As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth. The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly." - Proverbs 26:12-16 ESV
Wow. We can be too careful and maybe we can also be too careless also. Our eyes need to be fixed on the redemptive cause.
--
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Shallow Breathing
Jesus' ministry...
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion - to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations." - Isaiah 61:1-4 ESV
This passage really speaks to me today. I focused in on one small part of this passage.
'...the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit...'
'faint spirit' in Hebrew is Ruwach (Strongs H7307) Keheh (H3544) and it means dim or shallow breathing. That is replaced with a mantle of praise. There is a quickening because of joy.
As I read the whole passage again and again and my pulse begins to quicken. My breathing deepens.
This was and Is Jesus' ministry. We get locked up but He sets us free. He has done it and He renews our mind to show us again and again.
This passage has both past and future in it. Verses 1 and 2 are written directly to us and the people Jesus touched as He walked the Earth. Verses 3 and 4 are to a future Israel that He will comfort and quicken but we see who our Saviour Is and what He does for people and for nations.
Maybe you are 'fainting' today. Your spiritual breathing might be shallow now but look to Jesus. He has a garment picked out just for you to celebrate.
He has finished the work of salvation. He did that on the cross. Now history is unfolding until He returns to restore Zion.
Behold Him and breath in the grace and goodness of God. Take one deep breath after another and sing a song of praise.
--
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion - to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations." - Isaiah 61:1-4 ESV
This passage really speaks to me today. I focused in on one small part of this passage.
'...the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit...'
'faint spirit' in Hebrew is Ruwach (Strongs H7307) Keheh (H3544) and it means dim or shallow breathing. That is replaced with a mantle of praise. There is a quickening because of joy.
As I read the whole passage again and again and my pulse begins to quicken. My breathing deepens.
This was and Is Jesus' ministry. We get locked up but He sets us free. He has done it and He renews our mind to show us again and again.
This passage has both past and future in it. Verses 1 and 2 are written directly to us and the people Jesus touched as He walked the Earth. Verses 3 and 4 are to a future Israel that He will comfort and quicken but we see who our Saviour Is and what He does for people and for nations.
Maybe you are 'fainting' today. Your spiritual breathing might be shallow now but look to Jesus. He has a garment picked out just for you to celebrate.
He has finished the work of salvation. He did that on the cross. Now history is unfolding until He returns to restore Zion.
Behold Him and breath in the grace and goodness of God. Take one deep breath after another and sing a song of praise.
--
Friday, June 2, 2017
The Impeccable Life
Last night we spoke about 'the doctrine of impeccability'. Jesus was both God and man... fully human and fully divine... God by nature is not sinful so on one side of the coin of the incarnation Jesus would not sin. Satan did however tempt Christ and in full identification with us Jesus made choices and chose not to sin. He was and is impeccable. Both sides of the coin reveal the fullness of Christ's divine person.
The result of that impeccable life has been placed on the account of people who believe in Christ.
"And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption," - 1 Corinthians 1:30 ESV
We can say 'yes' or 'no' or we can walk in a powerful liberty that has been given as a free gift.
"As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us," - 2 Corinthians 1:18-21 ESV
Every promise God has made you and I is given through Christ and in Christ. The perfect life of God is found in Him.
All the 'should's of life have been accomplished in Christ. It is finished! Now we have the liberty to live in a 'Yes and amen' life in Christ.
--
The result of that impeccable life has been placed on the account of people who believe in Christ.
"And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption," - 1 Corinthians 1:30 ESV
We can say 'yes' or 'no' or we can walk in a powerful liberty that has been given as a free gift.
"As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us," - 2 Corinthians 1:18-21 ESV
Every promise God has made you and I is given through Christ and in Christ. The perfect life of God is found in Him.
All the 'should's of life have been accomplished in Christ. It is finished! Now we have the liberty to live in a 'Yes and amen' life in Christ.
--
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
A Person Who Identifies
"Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." - Hebrews 4:14-16 ESV
There is something about knowing this that is so comforting.
People join support groups to have their feelings validated. Knowing this fact about Christ validates us in a fundamental way. No one is invisible to God.
We come to God and get grace and mercy. He doesn't say, 'Why are you here?' He knows exactly what is happening with us and He Is full of mercy.
--
There is something about knowing this that is so comforting.
People join support groups to have their feelings validated. Knowing this fact about Christ validates us in a fundamental way. No one is invisible to God.
We come to God and get grace and mercy. He doesn't say, 'Why are you here?' He knows exactly what is happening with us and He Is full of mercy.
--
Monday, December 28, 2015
Jesus, Grace And The Full Reward
"And now I ask you, dear lady - not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning - that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son." - 2 John 1:5-9 ESV
Notice how John warns against losing what we have worked for and not what Christ has done. All of this is said in the context of teachers and teaching. We can't lose what Christ has done but we can lose a very precious possession.
I am convinced that the full reward is a grace understanding centered on the the deity and incarnation of Christ. Anyone who undermines the incarnation is seeking to undermine the authority of grace. The word full (used in verse 8) is the Greek word Pleres (Strong's G4134). It speaks of a container that is full to the brim. That fullness displaces everything else.
Grace must displace everything else or it is not grace. God has either given it or we have earned it. There is no middle ground. If God has given it then we can't lose it. It isn't based on us in the first place.
The incarnation makes the gift possible.
Sleeping beauty stays asleep with no Messiah to wake her up. People find that fairy tale to be dated and sexist because it makes one person reliant on another but it is a perfect parallel for us. We need Messiah and if we forget Him, dilute His work or push him to the side God ceases to be 'in' what we are participating in.
I saw a couple of 'so called' christian movies this Christmas season. They mentioned god and spoke about compassion, forgiveness, reconciliation and redemption but guess who was missing? All those things are wonderful things but they are just not possible without Messiah. True forgiveness without Jesus is a fairy tale because true forgiveness needs the cross.
"Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." - Hebrews 4:11-12 ESV
"But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh." - Jude 1:20-23 ESV
Yes. Don't let anyone mess with the grace framework centered on Christ Himself. Guard it. It is what will build up and reach those who doubt. It is our doorway into rest.
--
Notice how John warns against losing what we have worked for and not what Christ has done. All of this is said in the context of teachers and teaching. We can't lose what Christ has done but we can lose a very precious possession.
I am convinced that the full reward is a grace understanding centered on the the deity and incarnation of Christ. Anyone who undermines the incarnation is seeking to undermine the authority of grace. The word full (used in verse 8) is the Greek word Pleres (Strong's G4134). It speaks of a container that is full to the brim. That fullness displaces everything else.
Grace must displace everything else or it is not grace. God has either given it or we have earned it. There is no middle ground. If God has given it then we can't lose it. It isn't based on us in the first place.
The incarnation makes the gift possible.
Sleeping beauty stays asleep with no Messiah to wake her up. People find that fairy tale to be dated and sexist because it makes one person reliant on another but it is a perfect parallel for us. We need Messiah and if we forget Him, dilute His work or push him to the side God ceases to be 'in' what we are participating in.
I saw a couple of 'so called' christian movies this Christmas season. They mentioned god and spoke about compassion, forgiveness, reconciliation and redemption but guess who was missing? All those things are wonderful things but they are just not possible without Messiah. True forgiveness without Jesus is a fairy tale because true forgiveness needs the cross.
"Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." - Hebrews 4:11-12 ESV
"But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh." - Jude 1:20-23 ESV
Yes. Don't let anyone mess with the grace framework centered on Christ Himself. Guard it. It is what will build up and reach those who doubt. It is our doorway into rest.
--
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Who, How and Why
"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." - 1 Timothy 1:15 KJV
Three parts of this verse grip me this morning.
Jesus didn't stumble into His role. He pre-purposed to act in this way. Who else can we say this about? Does anyone truly have a memory of their intentions before birth? Jesus arrived into His life on Earth.
"But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." - Philippians 2:7-8 KJV
He found Himself in the fashion of a man.
Secondly, He came to save. Like a fireman rushing into a burning building... Jesus placed Himself in the human race to save us. Amazing. His visit was a business trip. Yes, He laughed and cried and lived a life but it was the life of one on a mission.
Lastly... He came for unworthy people. Broken people. Dirty people. Hopeless people. He came for the harmful and the helpless alike.
It is good to talk about this. How He came, why He came and to whom He came are important things to understand. Then like Paul we can apply it to ourselves. We are qualified to be the reason for His coming.
We are qualified for that visitation today also. His graciousness qualifies us.
Three parts of this verse grip me this morning.
Jesus didn't stumble into His role. He pre-purposed to act in this way. Who else can we say this about? Does anyone truly have a memory of their intentions before birth? Jesus arrived into His life on Earth.
"But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." - Philippians 2:7-8 KJV
He found Himself in the fashion of a man.
Secondly, He came to save. Like a fireman rushing into a burning building... Jesus placed Himself in the human race to save us. Amazing. His visit was a business trip. Yes, He laughed and cried and lived a life but it was the life of one on a mission.
Lastly... He came for unworthy people. Broken people. Dirty people. Hopeless people. He came for the harmful and the helpless alike.
It is good to talk about this. How He came, why He came and to whom He came are important things to understand. Then like Paul we can apply it to ourselves. We are qualified to be the reason for His coming.
We are qualified for that visitation today also. His graciousness qualifies us.
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