“The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God engraved on the tablets.” [1] Isn’t that amazing? God took the time to engrave the Ten Commandments onto stone tablets.
As I read this passage, I thought of the time that religious leaders brought an adulterous woman to Jesus. They referred Jesus to the Law of Moses, saying that she should be stoned. Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. [2] This was also the hand of God writing down something for people to read.
When the religious leaders continued asking Jesus about His interpretation of the Law of Moses, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” [3]
“Again He [Jesus] stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last.” [4] The Bible does not tell us what Jesus wrote on the ground, but it tells us the impact of His writing. The religious leaders were convicted by their consciences and left.
The sins of the religious leaders involved misrepresentation of God and His Word. Jesus identified them as blind guides. He said that their proselytes were twofold children of hell. [5]
The religious leaders of Israel had a long history of falling short of God’s glory. For example, in Exodus 29-30, the Lord gave Moses instructions on how Aaron and his sons, as priests to the Lord, should be sanctified, be dressed and serve Him. But in Exodus 32, Aaron made an idol of gold. When Moses confronted Aaron about his error, Aaron blamed his sin on the people, saying, “You know the people that they are set on evil.” He told Moses that he cast gold into the fire, and the calf came out. [6]
The Bible says that Aaron had not restrained the people. [7] Calling people to repent of sin and to restrain themselves from sin is one of the ministries of the priest and prophet of God. “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.”
This is why it is important to read the Bible for oneself. Be like the Bereans who searched the Scriptures daily to see if what you are being taught by religious leaders lines up with Scripture! [8]
The writings of God contain both Law and Gospel. The Law says, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” [9]
Jesus said to the woman, “’Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.’” [10]
The Law shows us our sin. The Gospel shows us our Savior. Jesus our Savior did not condemn the woman but told her to go and sin no more. His writings convicted the consciences of the religious leaders and they left. His grace offered to the woman caught in adultery forgiveness. Many believe that this woman was Mary Magdalene, who became a follower of Jesus.
[1] Exodus 32:16
[2] John 8:3-6
[3] John 8:7
[4] John 8:8-9
[5] Matthew 15:14; 23:15
[6] Exodus 32:22, 24
[7] Exodus 32:25
[8] 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
[9] Acts 17:10-12
[10] John 8:10-11
Bearing witness to the Word of God and to the testimony of Jesus!
Monday, February 10, 2025
Sunday, February 9, 2025
Ministers to the Lord
“There is none righteous no not one.” “We all fall short of the glory of God.” These truth are vital to recognize for those who serve the Lord. When the Lord set apart Aaron and his sons to be His priests, He mandated that they go through consecration procedures that included blood sacrifices of animals, offerings made by fire, washing with water, consumption of bread and wine, and anointing with oil. [1]
The Lord said, “Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet in water… when they go into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn an offering made by fire to the Lord, they shall wash with water, lest they die.” [2]
They needed cleansing and anointing by the Lord. The “baby” first steps of ministry involved listening and obeying the Lord’s instructions. Their first priority was ministry to the Lord.
“You shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister to Me as priests.” [3]
It helps to know this background when reading the words of Jesus to Jerusalem’s priests. He told them a parable of a vineyard owner whose managers took over the operation. When the owner sent his representatives to require from them the portion that was due him, they beat some and killed others. Finally, the owner sent his one and only son to them to collect the dues. They killed the owner’s son thinking that this act would win them the vineyard. Jesus said that the owner would destroy them. Then, Jesus proceeded to indicate to them that He was the Owner’s (God’s) Son. The priests wanted to kill Jesus. [4] They were not ministers to the Lord.
Later, Jesus said to His followers, “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.” [5]
Those who serve themselves at the expense of others are imposters not ministers.
King David wrote, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” [6]
It is precious when the Lord brings a person to the place where he dies to self and yields self to the Lord. This is what it means to be a disciple of the Lord.
“He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach.” [7] To represent the Lord well, we must be with Him and learn from Him.
The Lord says that wisdom cries out, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” “Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine I have mixed. Forsake foolishness and live and go in the way of understanding.” Wisdom is to sup with the Lord, and to listen to what He has to say. [8]
Let us pray for one another that the Lord would grant us grace and empower us by His Spirit to die to self and to live for Him. Sin separates people from God. Everybody needs to know who Jesus is. He is the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. Jesus is the One who baptizes His ministers with the Holy Spirit so that we can represent Him well. [9]
“Praise the Lord, all you nations! Laud Him all you peoples! For His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!” [10]
[1] Romans 3:10, 22; Exodus 29-30
[2] Exodus 30:19-20
[3] Exodus 30:30
[4] Mark 12:1-12
[5] Mark 12:38-40
[6] Psalm 116:15
[7] Mark 3:14
[8] Proverbs 9:4-5
[9] Isaiah 59:2; John 1:29; Mark 1:8
[10] Psalm 117
The Lord said, “Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet in water… when they go into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn an offering made by fire to the Lord, they shall wash with water, lest they die.” [2]
They needed cleansing and anointing by the Lord. The “baby” first steps of ministry involved listening and obeying the Lord’s instructions. Their first priority was ministry to the Lord.
“You shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister to Me as priests.” [3]
It helps to know this background when reading the words of Jesus to Jerusalem’s priests. He told them a parable of a vineyard owner whose managers took over the operation. When the owner sent his representatives to require from them the portion that was due him, they beat some and killed others. Finally, the owner sent his one and only son to them to collect the dues. They killed the owner’s son thinking that this act would win them the vineyard. Jesus said that the owner would destroy them. Then, Jesus proceeded to indicate to them that He was the Owner’s (God’s) Son. The priests wanted to kill Jesus. [4] They were not ministers to the Lord.
Later, Jesus said to His followers, “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.” [5]
Those who serve themselves at the expense of others are imposters not ministers.
King David wrote, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” [6]
It is precious when the Lord brings a person to the place where he dies to self and yields self to the Lord. This is what it means to be a disciple of the Lord.
“He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach.” [7] To represent the Lord well, we must be with Him and learn from Him.
The Lord says that wisdom cries out, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” “Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine I have mixed. Forsake foolishness and live and go in the way of understanding.” Wisdom is to sup with the Lord, and to listen to what He has to say. [8]
Let us pray for one another that the Lord would grant us grace and empower us by His Spirit to die to self and to live for Him. Sin separates people from God. Everybody needs to know who Jesus is. He is the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. Jesus is the One who baptizes His ministers with the Holy Spirit so that we can represent Him well. [9]
“Praise the Lord, all you nations! Laud Him all you peoples! For His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!” [10]
[1] Romans 3:10, 22; Exodus 29-30
[2] Exodus 30:19-20
[3] Exodus 30:30
[4] Mark 12:1-12
[5] Mark 12:38-40
[6] Psalm 116:15
[7] Mark 3:14
[8] Proverbs 9:4-5
[9] Isaiah 59:2; John 1:29; Mark 1:8
[10] Psalm 117
Friday, February 7, 2025
God Meets With Us At the Mercy Seat
“There [at the ark] I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the Mercy Seat (הַכַּפֹּ֗רֶת), from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the testimony (אֲרֹ֣ן הָעֵדֻ֑ת), about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel.” [1]
After Jesus resurrected from the dead, Mary Magdalene sees the stone rolled away. She leaves to tell the disciples that Jesus is risen. She returns to see two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. The two cherubim on either side of the Mercy Seat on the Ark of Testimony served as a prophetic foretelling of Christ and His resurrection from the dead.
“And she [Mary Magdalene] saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.” [2]
Later, John, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote, “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation [Mercy Seat] for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” [3]
God meets with us at the Mercy Seat. The Mercy Seat on the Ark of the Covenant or Testimony was on the lid between the two bowing cherubim (angels). God spoke to Moses from above the Mercy Seat. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is referred to as the Propitiation or Mercy Seat in 1 John 2:2. God meets with us via Christ. Therefore, we come to God in the Name of Jesus His Son and pray to God in the Name of Jesus.
[1] Exodus 25:22
[2] John 20:12
[3] 1 John 2:1-2
After Jesus resurrected from the dead, Mary Magdalene sees the stone rolled away. She leaves to tell the disciples that Jesus is risen. She returns to see two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. The two cherubim on either side of the Mercy Seat on the Ark of Testimony served as a prophetic foretelling of Christ and His resurrection from the dead.
“And she [Mary Magdalene] saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.” [2]
Later, John, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote, “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation [Mercy Seat] for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” [3]
God meets with us at the Mercy Seat. The Mercy Seat on the Ark of the Covenant or Testimony was on the lid between the two bowing cherubim (angels). God spoke to Moses from above the Mercy Seat. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is referred to as the Propitiation or Mercy Seat in 1 John 2:2. God meets with us via Christ. Therefore, we come to God in the Name of Jesus His Son and pray to God in the Name of Jesus.
[1] Exodus 25:22
[2] John 20:12
[3] 1 John 2:1-2
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Being Led to the Promised Land
God has a remnant of people who are fixed steadfastly on serving Him and rallying others to do the same: think of the prophets, the apostles and His own Son Jesus Christ. None of them were really in the mainstream of religion in their day but nevertheless labored to prepare people for the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ.
I want to fix my eyes on Jesus. Give Him the glory! The word glory in Hebrew carries the meaning of weightiness. Honoring our Savior and Redeemer should carry the most weight in our lives. Only He gives us eternal life. Only He leads us to the heavenly Promised Land. What others say should not carry as much weight as His Word, the Bible.
The Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My Name is in Him. But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.” [1]
The word angel means a messenger. The Lord said that His Angel would lead them to the place He prepared for them. He said the “Angel” would not pardon them if they provoked Him… sounds like He is talking about the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” [2]
The Bible says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” [3]
Like the Israelites in the wilderness journeying towards the Promised Land with Moses, we need the Spirit of God to lead us to the eternal kingdom of God.
In addition to the Lord sending His messenger before Moses to lead them to the Promised Land, the Lord said to Moses, “You shall serve the Lord your God and He will bless your bread and water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.” [4]
God’s Spirit testified through His servant David, “He [God] sent His Word and healed them and delivered them from their destructions.” [5]
The Holy Spirit leads us via the Word of God. The Word of God is the prophetic voice of God. Israel failed to follow the Lord and experienced many tragedies as a result. The Church as a whole has failed the Lord often too. That’s because Jesus Christ is the Savior not the people of Israel and not the people of the Church. We need a personal relationship with God. We need the Lord Himself to teach us to interpret and obey His Word rightly.
“No one has ever seen God, but the One and only Son, who is Himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made Him known.” [6] Simply put, Jesus explains God to us so we can understand Him and walk with Him.
May the Lord bless you today by clearly leading You with His Spirit and His Word!
Keep this in mind that our Promised Land in these last days is to be with the Lord forever.
[1] Exodus 23:20-22
[2] Matthew 12:31
[3] Romans 8:14
[4] Exodus 23:25
[5] Psalm 107:20
[6] John 1:18
I want to fix my eyes on Jesus. Give Him the glory! The word glory in Hebrew carries the meaning of weightiness. Honoring our Savior and Redeemer should carry the most weight in our lives. Only He gives us eternal life. Only He leads us to the heavenly Promised Land. What others say should not carry as much weight as His Word, the Bible.
The Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My Name is in Him. But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.” [1]
The word angel means a messenger. The Lord said that His Angel would lead them to the place He prepared for them. He said the “Angel” would not pardon them if they provoked Him… sounds like He is talking about the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” [2]
The Bible says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” [3]
Like the Israelites in the wilderness journeying towards the Promised Land with Moses, we need the Spirit of God to lead us to the eternal kingdom of God.
In addition to the Lord sending His messenger before Moses to lead them to the Promised Land, the Lord said to Moses, “You shall serve the Lord your God and He will bless your bread and water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.” [4]
God’s Spirit testified through His servant David, “He [God] sent His Word and healed them and delivered them from their destructions.” [5]
The Holy Spirit leads us via the Word of God. The Word of God is the prophetic voice of God. Israel failed to follow the Lord and experienced many tragedies as a result. The Church as a whole has failed the Lord often too. That’s because Jesus Christ is the Savior not the people of Israel and not the people of the Church. We need a personal relationship with God. We need the Lord Himself to teach us to interpret and obey His Word rightly.
“No one has ever seen God, but the One and only Son, who is Himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made Him known.” [6] Simply put, Jesus explains God to us so we can understand Him and walk with Him.
May the Lord bless you today by clearly leading You with His Spirit and His Word!
Keep this in mind that our Promised Land in these last days is to be with the Lord forever.
[1] Exodus 23:20-22
[2] Matthew 12:31
[3] Romans 8:14
[4] Exodus 23:25
[5] Psalm 107:20
[6] John 1:18
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Morning Blessings
This morning, I gleaned blessings from my time with the Lord that are worth sharing.
In Proverbs 5, the Lord urges His son to pay attention to wisdom, understanding, discretion and knowledge, especially for the sake of avoiding an immoral relationship.
The Lord is for relationships built on mutual respect, care, steadfast commitment, and love.
He says of the immoral of woman, “Her feet go down to death her steps lay hold of hell.” “Remove your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house, lest you give your honor to others, and your years to the cruel, lest aliens be filled with your wealth, and your labors go to the house of a foreigner.” [1] This is true of the immoral man as well.
Proverbs is a book of “better-to-do’s.” The Lord’s “better-to-do” for His son is to “Drink water from your own cistern and running water from your own well.” “Let your fountain be blessed and rejoice with the wife of your youth.” “… Always be enraptured with her love.” [2]
In the Gospel of Mark, the Lord’s words “cross,” “Gospel,” “follow,” and “unashamed” stood out to me. Jesus told His disciples, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” [3]
This passage reminds me of how greatly I need our Lord’s grace and mercy. I need Christ’s atoning work on the cross. I need His Spirit to help me. Otherwise, I will not pick up the cross and follow Jesus. I will not share the Gospel with someone in this adulterous and sinful generation. I will be ashamed to speak of what Jesus Christ did on the cross. “Oh how I need You, Lord, to forgive my sins of commission and omission. Please help me to take up my cross, follow You and share Your Gospel with someone unashamedly today.”
So, time with Jesus in His Word leads to prayer. I must call upon the Lord for help, otherwise, I will fail to act upon His Word.
The Bible says that there is none righteous no not one. That we have all fallen short of God’s glory and need to be justified by believing in the merits of His Son for our salvation! That the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus! If anyone believes in Christ and confesses Him with their mouth, they shall be saved! We cannot save ourselves! Repentance is turning from sin and turning to a Savior from sin. The Savior is Jesus Christ! I need to believe this. I need to profess it. [4]
In Psalms, I read, “O, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His Name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy Name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord! Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face evermore!” [5]
Thanking the Lord, calling upon the Lord, and singing to the Lord reminds me of all the wonderful things He does to keep the world going and interesting. He strengthens me as I praise Him, glorify Him and fix my eyes on Him.
[1] Proverbs 5:1-2, 5, 8-10
[2] Proverbs 5: 15, 18-19
[3] Mark 8:34-38
[4] Romans 3:10; 3:22-23; 6:23; 10:9-10; Acts 2:38
[5] Psalm 105:1-4
In Proverbs 5, the Lord urges His son to pay attention to wisdom, understanding, discretion and knowledge, especially for the sake of avoiding an immoral relationship.
The Lord is for relationships built on mutual respect, care, steadfast commitment, and love.
He says of the immoral of woman, “Her feet go down to death her steps lay hold of hell.” “Remove your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house, lest you give your honor to others, and your years to the cruel, lest aliens be filled with your wealth, and your labors go to the house of a foreigner.” [1] This is true of the immoral man as well.
Proverbs is a book of “better-to-do’s.” The Lord’s “better-to-do” for His son is to “Drink water from your own cistern and running water from your own well.” “Let your fountain be blessed and rejoice with the wife of your youth.” “… Always be enraptured with her love.” [2]
In the Gospel of Mark, the Lord’s words “cross,” “Gospel,” “follow,” and “unashamed” stood out to me. Jesus told His disciples, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” [3]
This passage reminds me of how greatly I need our Lord’s grace and mercy. I need Christ’s atoning work on the cross. I need His Spirit to help me. Otherwise, I will not pick up the cross and follow Jesus. I will not share the Gospel with someone in this adulterous and sinful generation. I will be ashamed to speak of what Jesus Christ did on the cross. “Oh how I need You, Lord, to forgive my sins of commission and omission. Please help me to take up my cross, follow You and share Your Gospel with someone unashamedly today.”
So, time with Jesus in His Word leads to prayer. I must call upon the Lord for help, otherwise, I will fail to act upon His Word.
The Bible says that there is none righteous no not one. That we have all fallen short of God’s glory and need to be justified by believing in the merits of His Son for our salvation! That the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus! If anyone believes in Christ and confesses Him with their mouth, they shall be saved! We cannot save ourselves! Repentance is turning from sin and turning to a Savior from sin. The Savior is Jesus Christ! I need to believe this. I need to profess it. [4]
In Psalms, I read, “O, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His Name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy Name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord! Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face evermore!” [5]
Thanking the Lord, calling upon the Lord, and singing to the Lord reminds me of all the wonderful things He does to keep the world going and interesting. He strengthens me as I praise Him, glorify Him and fix my eyes on Him.
[1] Proverbs 5:1-2, 5, 8-10
[2] Proverbs 5: 15, 18-19
[3] Mark 8:34-38
[4] Romans 3:10; 3:22-23; 6:23; 10:9-10; Acts 2:38
[5] Psalm 105:1-4
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
The Ten Commandments and The Great Commission
The Lord’s intention for giving His people the Ten Commandments and the Great Commission are similar, but the Great Commission improves on the Ten Commandments.
The Lord said to His people though Moses, “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” [1]
In lieu of what Jesus Christ did for our redemption, the Apostle Peter wrote, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” [2]
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow and let them wash their clothes. And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.” [3] God gave the people of Moses the Ten Commandments after three days of waiting. Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead on the third day giving us His people a new message to proclaim and to live by, namely, eternal life for all who have a relationship with Jesus Messiah.
“The whole mountain quaked greatly.” There was an earthquake when Jesus resurrected from the dead. [4]
The first of the Ten Commandments is about God delivering the people out of bondage and commanding them to have no other gods before Him. Peter proclaimed Jesus as the One through whom believers in Him receive forgiveness of sins and salvation. “Him [Jesus] God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His Name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” [5]
“You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His Name in vain.” “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God.” We are to proclaim that salvation is in no other name than the Name of Jesus. His Name is above every other Name. We are to make disciples in His Name which speaks of resting or sabbathing in the Lord as we learn His Word and walk in His ways. [6]
The remainder of the Ten Commandments are covered in the great commission that Jesus announced before He ascended to heaven. Commandments five through ten are about not dishonoring one’s parents, not murdering, not committing adultery, not stealing, not bearing false witness and not coveting. Jesus gave us the commission to love people and proclaim to them salvation in the Name of Jesus. Our new commission surpasses not hurting others. Our new commission is to join with Jesus in proclaiming eternal life in His Name as a free gift of God’s grace to all who believe in Him. Our commission includes proclaiming the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit to all who receive Christ as Savior. The Spirit helps us to live a new life. [7]
“In every place where I record My Name I will come to you, and I will bless you.” The Heavenly Father honors those who serve His Son Jesus. “If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.” [8] Therefore, the best thing we can do for any community is to teach the people to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow! May the joy of the Lord overflow from us to the ends of the earth!
[1] Exodus 19:4-6
[2] 1 Peter 2:9-10
[3] Exodus 19:10-11
[4] Exodus 19:18; Matthew 28:2
[5] Exodus 20:1-6; Acts 10:40-43
[6] Exodus 20:9-10 Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:7-11; Matthew 28:19-20
[7] Exodus 20:12-17; Romans 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17
[8] Exodus 20:24; John 12:26
The Lord said to His people though Moses, “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” [1]
In lieu of what Jesus Christ did for our redemption, the Apostle Peter wrote, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” [2]
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow and let them wash their clothes. And let them be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.” [3] God gave the people of Moses the Ten Commandments after three days of waiting. Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead on the third day giving us His people a new message to proclaim and to live by, namely, eternal life for all who have a relationship with Jesus Messiah.
“The whole mountain quaked greatly.” There was an earthquake when Jesus resurrected from the dead. [4]
The first of the Ten Commandments is about God delivering the people out of bondage and commanding them to have no other gods before Him. Peter proclaimed Jesus as the One through whom believers in Him receive forgiveness of sins and salvation. “Him [Jesus] God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His Name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” [5]
“You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His Name in vain.” “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God.” We are to proclaim that salvation is in no other name than the Name of Jesus. His Name is above every other Name. We are to make disciples in His Name which speaks of resting or sabbathing in the Lord as we learn His Word and walk in His ways. [6]
The remainder of the Ten Commandments are covered in the great commission that Jesus announced before He ascended to heaven. Commandments five through ten are about not dishonoring one’s parents, not murdering, not committing adultery, not stealing, not bearing false witness and not coveting. Jesus gave us the commission to love people and proclaim to them salvation in the Name of Jesus. Our new commission surpasses not hurting others. Our new commission is to join with Jesus in proclaiming eternal life in His Name as a free gift of God’s grace to all who believe in Him. Our commission includes proclaiming the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit to all who receive Christ as Savior. The Spirit helps us to live a new life. [7]
“In every place where I record My Name I will come to you, and I will bless you.” The Heavenly Father honors those who serve His Son Jesus. “If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.” [8] Therefore, the best thing we can do for any community is to teach the people to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow! May the joy of the Lord overflow from us to the ends of the earth!
[1] Exodus 19:4-6
[2] 1 Peter 2:9-10
[3] Exodus 19:10-11
[4] Exodus 19:18; Matthew 28:2
[5] Exodus 20:1-6; Acts 10:40-43
[6] Exodus 20:9-10 Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:7-11; Matthew 28:19-20
[7] Exodus 20:12-17; Romans 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17
[8] Exodus 20:24; John 12:26
Monday, February 3, 2025
Do you find it difficult to pray for others?
I need the Holy Spirit to remind me and convict me that interceding on behalf of others is a labor of love. It is an excellent work.
When people work, people work. When people pray, God works. [1]
Sherry used to sing to our children, “Call on Jesus when you don’t know what to do. Call on Jesus and He will take care of you” and “Turn it over to Jesus and you will smile the rest of the day.”
Giving thanks to God helps my prayer life. While giving thanks to God, I am reminded of His faithfulness to me in the past. Faith in God’s faithfulness fuels my prayers to God.
When Jesus began His prayer to raise Lazarus from the dead and when He began His prayer for food for the thousands of hungry people around Him, He began by saying, “I thank You…” It is precisely when the need brought to us is greater than we could ever meet that we should begin our prayer by saying, “I thank You, Father.”
The Apostle Paul thanked God for those he prayed for. I find that thanking God for the person that I am praying for helps me to realize their value to God, to others and to me.
We can thank God in advance for answering our prayers when we know that He intervenes in ways greater than we have asked or imagined.
Doubt says, “Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit do we have if we pray to Him?’” [2] Faith says, “When I pray to my Heavenly Father in the Name of Jesus I am praying to the God who made heaven and earth and sustains it all, and He has promised to respond to my requests.”
When Moses held up his hands in prayer, Israel prevailed, but when his hands became heavy, they began to suffer defeat. Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. Israel won the battle via answered prayers. [3]
That is how important prayer is! Keep praying.
We can pray for God’s will to be known and accomplished on earth as His will is done in heaven. We can pray for people to be kept from temptation and delivered from evil! We can pray for the Gospel to reach the ears of lost souls! We can pray for disciples! The enemy wants to snuff out Christ-bearers, the Lord wants to multiply them. We can pray for those in authority. We people by nature our sinful. Unless God intervenes, we will inevitably make bad decisions that hurt others and lead to tragic losses. We can pray for love, joy and peace in our lives!
Let us ask the Lord to help us pray! He knows it’s difficult. Peter, James and John fell asleep while Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. He asked them, “Could you not watch with Me one hour?” [4] Imagine how much good would be accomplished if we His people prayed ceaselessly. Sometimes just in our head talking to God as we go about our day, and other times on our knees, praying verbally out loud to God for others.
[1] Hans Von Staden
[2] Job 21:15
[3] Exodus 17:11-13
[4] Matthew 26:40
When people work, people work. When people pray, God works. [1]
Sherry used to sing to our children, “Call on Jesus when you don’t know what to do. Call on Jesus and He will take care of you” and “Turn it over to Jesus and you will smile the rest of the day.”
Giving thanks to God helps my prayer life. While giving thanks to God, I am reminded of His faithfulness to me in the past. Faith in God’s faithfulness fuels my prayers to God.
When Jesus began His prayer to raise Lazarus from the dead and when He began His prayer for food for the thousands of hungry people around Him, He began by saying, “I thank You…” It is precisely when the need brought to us is greater than we could ever meet that we should begin our prayer by saying, “I thank You, Father.”
The Apostle Paul thanked God for those he prayed for. I find that thanking God for the person that I am praying for helps me to realize their value to God, to others and to me.
We can thank God in advance for answering our prayers when we know that He intervenes in ways greater than we have asked or imagined.
Doubt says, “Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit do we have if we pray to Him?’” [2] Faith says, “When I pray to my Heavenly Father in the Name of Jesus I am praying to the God who made heaven and earth and sustains it all, and He has promised to respond to my requests.”
When Moses held up his hands in prayer, Israel prevailed, but when his hands became heavy, they began to suffer defeat. Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. Israel won the battle via answered prayers. [3]
That is how important prayer is! Keep praying.
We can pray for God’s will to be known and accomplished on earth as His will is done in heaven. We can pray for people to be kept from temptation and delivered from evil! We can pray for the Gospel to reach the ears of lost souls! We can pray for disciples! The enemy wants to snuff out Christ-bearers, the Lord wants to multiply them. We can pray for those in authority. We people by nature our sinful. Unless God intervenes, we will inevitably make bad decisions that hurt others and lead to tragic losses. We can pray for love, joy and peace in our lives!
Let us ask the Lord to help us pray! He knows it’s difficult. Peter, James and John fell asleep while Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. He asked them, “Could you not watch with Me one hour?” [4] Imagine how much good would be accomplished if we His people prayed ceaselessly. Sometimes just in our head talking to God as we go about our day, and other times on our knees, praying verbally out loud to God for others.
[1] Hans Von Staden
[2] Job 21:15
[3] Exodus 17:11-13
[4] Matthew 26:40
Sunday, February 2, 2025
True Prophets
Judah had committed idolatry with every kind of idol. God compared idolatry to harlotry. God asked Judah if a husband would accept a wife who became a harlot back to him. The expected answer is no. But God said to Judah to return to Him and He would receive her back.
Jerusalem went down because they refused to return to the Lord though He beseeched them with the tears of His prophets.
I believe like Martin Luther did that the Word of God is God’s prophet. Those who understand and speak it rightfully function as a mouthpiece for God in this world.
Our world needs more such servants of God’s Word. I see an intensity in the prophets like Jeremiah, in the apostles like Paul and of course in our Savior Jesus to proclaim God’s Word rightly to people. May our Heavenly Father grant us this grace to do so likewise.
Jerusalem went down because they refused to return to the Lord though He beseeched them with the tears of His prophets.
I believe like Martin Luther did that the Word of God is God’s prophet. Those who understand and speak it rightfully function as a mouthpiece for God in this world.
Our world needs more such servants of God’s Word. I see an intensity in the prophets like Jeremiah, in the apostles like Paul and of course in our Savior Jesus to proclaim God’s Word rightly to people. May our Heavenly Father grant us this grace to do so likewise.
Friday, January 31, 2025
The Blood of the Lamb
“Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, ‘Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families and kill the Passover lamb. And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning. For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you.” [1]
The Lord kept His Word. The destroyer passed over those who had placed the blood of a lamb over the doorposts of their dwellings while the firstborns of those who did not heed the Word of the Lord died. Previously, Pharoah had issued an edict that all male Hebrew newborns had to be killed. What Pharoah sowed Pharoah reaped. Finally, Pharoah sent Moses and his people out from Egypt. [2]
The blood of a lamb on the doorposts of homes of Hebrews in Egypt!
Now, let’s go to Hong Kong. During the Chinese new year, a tradition exists of lighting firecrackers and sticking couplets in front of doors to preserve what is important to the family. The couplet above the door in the attached picture says, “Peace Joy.” The word on the door can be translated “blessed” or “happiness.” These couplets are usually printed on red paper and placed on the frame of the door leading into the home. It seems that God embedded in the Chinese culture a clue as to every person’s need for a Passover Lamb to preserve their happiness for all eternity.
God embedded another clue for the Chinese people in their language. Righteousness in Chinese is a compound word made up of three Chinese words: righteousness, sheep, and me. The word for me is made up the word for hand and knife. The sheep or lamb is above the word for me. “The Lamb (Jesus Christ) over me (covering my sin) provides me the righteousness of God.” Add the hand and knife element, and you have “A sacrificed Lamb provides me the righteousness of God.” To be passed-over and not destroyed by death, I need the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, to atone for my sin. He is the only Savior.
This truth appears in the last book of the Bible. “And they conquered him [the devil] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony [saved by God’s grace], for they loved not their lives even unto death [something only the Holy Spirit living in me can help me to do].” [3]
Have you asked Jesus Christ to apply His atoning sacrifice over you? To cleanse you from all your unrighteous ways and to cover you in His righteousness? If not, why not? He gave His life on the cross for you because He loves you.
“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” [4]
[1] Exodus 12:21-23
[2] Exodus 1:16; 12:29-32
[3] Revelation 12:11
[4] Romans 5:6-9
The Lord kept His Word. The destroyer passed over those who had placed the blood of a lamb over the doorposts of their dwellings while the firstborns of those who did not heed the Word of the Lord died. Previously, Pharoah had issued an edict that all male Hebrew newborns had to be killed. What Pharoah sowed Pharoah reaped. Finally, Pharoah sent Moses and his people out from Egypt. [2]
The blood of a lamb on the doorposts of homes of Hebrews in Egypt!
Now, let’s go to Hong Kong. During the Chinese new year, a tradition exists of lighting firecrackers and sticking couplets in front of doors to preserve what is important to the family. The couplet above the door in the attached picture says, “Peace Joy.” The word on the door can be translated “blessed” or “happiness.” These couplets are usually printed on red paper and placed on the frame of the door leading into the home. It seems that God embedded in the Chinese culture a clue as to every person’s need for a Passover Lamb to preserve their happiness for all eternity.
God embedded another clue for the Chinese people in their language. Righteousness in Chinese is a compound word made up of three Chinese words: righteousness, sheep, and me. The word for me is made up the word for hand and knife. The sheep or lamb is above the word for me. “The Lamb (Jesus Christ) over me (covering my sin) provides me the righteousness of God.” Add the hand and knife element, and you have “A sacrificed Lamb provides me the righteousness of God.” To be passed-over and not destroyed by death, I need the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, to atone for my sin. He is the only Savior.
This truth appears in the last book of the Bible. “And they conquered him [the devil] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony [saved by God’s grace], for they loved not their lives even unto death [something only the Holy Spirit living in me can help me to do].” [3]
Have you asked Jesus Christ to apply His atoning sacrifice over you? To cleanse you from all your unrighteous ways and to cover you in His righteousness? If not, why not? He gave His life on the cross for you because He loves you.
“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” [4]
[1] Exodus 12:21-23
[2] Exodus 1:16; 12:29-32
[3] Revelation 12:11
[4] Romans 5:6-9
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Exodus, Joshua and Revelation
The prophetic writings of the Israelites in Exodus and Joshua serve as a foreshadowing of the larger, future deliverance of God’s people that occurs in Revelation.
The Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt via Moses and their entrance into the Promised Land via Joshua foreshadows the entrance of Christ’s followers into the new heaven and new earth.
In Exodus, the Pharaoh used torture to force God’s people to serve him. He issued an executive order that their newborn males should be slain. In Revelation, God’s servant writes, “I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” [1] Revelation’s martyrs cry out for God’s intervention as the Israelites cried out for God’s help in Exodus. [2] God unleashed plagues on Pharoah’s kingdom. He unleashes plagues on the kingdom of the antichrist.
Some of the plagues that God releases against the kingdom of the antichrist are the same as the plagues He released on Egypt: rivers turned into blood [3]; sores [4]; hail [5]; darkness. [6] God freed His people from Pharoah and led them to the Promised Land. When Jesus Christ returns, He will gather His elect from all over the world and bring us into the new Promised Land. [7]
In Revelation, Satan is pictured as a dragon. When the dragon is unable to defeat Christ, he turns against His followers who are pictured as a woman and her children who keep God’s commandments. God gives His people wings of an eagle to escape from Satan. He provides for them a place of fellowship with Him in the wilderness. [8] In Exodus, after their escape from Egypt, God’s people journey through a wilderness to Mount Sinai where they receive the Law of God and enter a covenant with God. The Lord reminded them of His great power: “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself.” [9]
In Revelation, God’s people are blessed to enjoy rest from their labors. They stand by a sea singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. Reminiscent of the children of Israel singing and praising God after they saw Pharaoh’s army vanish in the Red Sea. They see the glory of the Lord, reminding us of the closing chapter of Exodus. [10]
It is interesting to note that Exodus speaks of 10 plagues and 10 commandments. He who opposed God got curses, and he who followed God got commandments. The commandments are guiding principles for living in harmony with God and with one another.
God’s covenant with the Israelites in Exodus is a foreshadowing of the new covenant that Jesus established with us His followers.
The description of the heavenly Jerusalem in Revelation draws parallels to the Promised Land given to the Israelites after the Exodus.
The Lamb in Revelation is a reference to Jesus. The Passover lamb in Exodus is a foreshadowing of Christ. Jesus Christ delivers believers in Him from both physical and eternal death.
Joshua, whose name means ‘God saves’ is as a type of Jesus whose name likewise means ‘God saves.’ Joshua led the Israelites into the earthly Promised Land. Jesus leads His followers into the heavenly Promised Land. Joshua had a seven-year campaign to take the Promised land: 45 years less 38 years spent in the wilderness. [11] Jesus will similarly take possession of the earth after a seven-year tribulation period.
In Joshua, three kings were defeated east of the river Jordan, but seven nations/kings remained to be defeated by Joshua. The enemies of God confederated under Adonai-Zedek. In Revelation, the enemies of God will confederate under the Antichrist. [12].
In Joshua, Israel circled Jericho six days with seven priests blowing seven trumpets. On the seventh day, they circled the city seven times and at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Israel shouted and God destroyed the city. In Revelation, Christ opens six seal judgements but the seventh seal heralds the seven trumpet judgements, blown by seven angels, which in turn leads to seven bowl judgements, and God destroys Babylon the capital city of the Antichrist. [13]
Revelation 11:15 states that “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” Revelation shows us that God will prevail. Let our allegiance be to Him alone. His beautiful plan for His followers is recorded in Revelation 21-22.
[1] Revelation 1:9
[2] Revelation 6:9-11, Exodus 3:7
[3] Exodus 7:19-21; Revelation 16:4-7
[4] Exodus 9:8-12; Revelation 16:1-2
[5] Exodus 9:22-26; Revelation 16:17-21
[6] Exodus 10:21-23; Revelation 16:10-11
[7] Matthew 24:31
[8] Revelation 12:13-17
[9] Exodus 19:4
[10] Revelation 14:13;15:5-6; Exodus 14:14-15:21; 40:34-38
[11] Numbers 14:30; Deuteronomy 2:14
[12] Exodus 17:8-16; Numbers 21:21-35; Deuteronomy 2:30-37; Joshua 10:1-14; Daniel 7:8, 24; Revelation 12:3; 13:1-8; 17:3, 7
[13] Joshua 6:1-27; Revelation 6:1-10:11; 15:1-16:21; 17-18
The Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt via Moses and their entrance into the Promised Land via Joshua foreshadows the entrance of Christ’s followers into the new heaven and new earth.
In Exodus, the Pharaoh used torture to force God’s people to serve him. He issued an executive order that their newborn males should be slain. In Revelation, God’s servant writes, “I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” [1] Revelation’s martyrs cry out for God’s intervention as the Israelites cried out for God’s help in Exodus. [2] God unleashed plagues on Pharoah’s kingdom. He unleashes plagues on the kingdom of the antichrist.
Some of the plagues that God releases against the kingdom of the antichrist are the same as the plagues He released on Egypt: rivers turned into blood [3]; sores [4]; hail [5]; darkness. [6] God freed His people from Pharoah and led them to the Promised Land. When Jesus Christ returns, He will gather His elect from all over the world and bring us into the new Promised Land. [7]
In Revelation, Satan is pictured as a dragon. When the dragon is unable to defeat Christ, he turns against His followers who are pictured as a woman and her children who keep God’s commandments. God gives His people wings of an eagle to escape from Satan. He provides for them a place of fellowship with Him in the wilderness. [8] In Exodus, after their escape from Egypt, God’s people journey through a wilderness to Mount Sinai where they receive the Law of God and enter a covenant with God. The Lord reminded them of His great power: “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself.” [9]
In Revelation, God’s people are blessed to enjoy rest from their labors. They stand by a sea singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. Reminiscent of the children of Israel singing and praising God after they saw Pharaoh’s army vanish in the Red Sea. They see the glory of the Lord, reminding us of the closing chapter of Exodus. [10]
It is interesting to note that Exodus speaks of 10 plagues and 10 commandments. He who opposed God got curses, and he who followed God got commandments. The commandments are guiding principles for living in harmony with God and with one another.
God’s covenant with the Israelites in Exodus is a foreshadowing of the new covenant that Jesus established with us His followers.
The description of the heavenly Jerusalem in Revelation draws parallels to the Promised Land given to the Israelites after the Exodus.
The Lamb in Revelation is a reference to Jesus. The Passover lamb in Exodus is a foreshadowing of Christ. Jesus Christ delivers believers in Him from both physical and eternal death.
Joshua, whose name means ‘God saves’ is as a type of Jesus whose name likewise means ‘God saves.’ Joshua led the Israelites into the earthly Promised Land. Jesus leads His followers into the heavenly Promised Land. Joshua had a seven-year campaign to take the Promised land: 45 years less 38 years spent in the wilderness. [11] Jesus will similarly take possession of the earth after a seven-year tribulation period.
In Joshua, three kings were defeated east of the river Jordan, but seven nations/kings remained to be defeated by Joshua. The enemies of God confederated under Adonai-Zedek. In Revelation, the enemies of God will confederate under the Antichrist. [12].
In Joshua, Israel circled Jericho six days with seven priests blowing seven trumpets. On the seventh day, they circled the city seven times and at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Israel shouted and God destroyed the city. In Revelation, Christ opens six seal judgements but the seventh seal heralds the seven trumpet judgements, blown by seven angels, which in turn leads to seven bowl judgements, and God destroys Babylon the capital city of the Antichrist. [13]
Revelation 11:15 states that “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” Revelation shows us that God will prevail. Let our allegiance be to Him alone. His beautiful plan for His followers is recorded in Revelation 21-22.
[1] Revelation 1:9
[2] Revelation 6:9-11, Exodus 3:7
[3] Exodus 7:19-21; Revelation 16:4-7
[4] Exodus 9:8-12; Revelation 16:1-2
[5] Exodus 9:22-26; Revelation 16:17-21
[6] Exodus 10:21-23; Revelation 16:10-11
[7] Matthew 24:31
[8] Revelation 12:13-17
[9] Exodus 19:4
[10] Revelation 14:13;15:5-6; Exodus 14:14-15:21; 40:34-38
[11] Numbers 14:30; Deuteronomy 2:14
[12] Exodus 17:8-16; Numbers 21:21-35; Deuteronomy 2:30-37; Joshua 10:1-14; Daniel 7:8, 24; Revelation 12:3; 13:1-8; 17:3, 7
[13] Joshua 6:1-27; Revelation 6:1-10:11; 15:1-16:21; 17-18
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
The Pollution Solutiion
Sin damages creation. The solution to cleaning up the sin in the environment is a mass turning of sinners to Christ for forgiveness and renewal. Let us pray for this.
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Graciously and Powerfully with Us
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.” [1]
Hallelujah! Then, the angel gave the women a commission, “Go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” [2]
So, what did they do? “They went out quickly.” They had “great joy.” They “ran to bring His disciples Word.” [3] O may we all become runners to others for the sake of bringing God’s Word to them!
“As they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, ‘Rejoice!’ So, they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.’” [4]
Jesus said, “Rejoice.” They worshipped Him. Then, Jesus commissioned them to “go and tell” His disciples where to meet with Him.
The 11 disciples came to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. [5] They received the witness of the women and acted upon the Word of God which they spoke.
Then, Jesus said to His disciples, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” [6]
This commission of Jesus Christ to His disciples to multiply themselves and baptize the nations is to all of us who believe that He is risen from the dead. To all of us that know He’s returning with an everlasting kingdom that is infinitely better than the kingdoms of this world!
The last recorded prayer in the Bible is a response to the words of Jesus… “Surely I am coming quickly.” The word “quickly” here refers to suddenly. The prayer response is, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” Then, the last line of the Bible is a benediction or blessing to us who are commissioned to take His message to all the world. The last verse of the Bible is, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” [7]
“Yes, Lord Jesus! Thank You for Your grace! Thank You for being with us!”
[1] Matthew 28:5-6
[2] Matthew 28:7
[3] Matthew 28:8
[4] Matthew 28:9-10
[5] Matthew 28:16
[6] Matthew 28:18-20
[7] Revelation 22:20-21
Hallelujah! Then, the angel gave the women a commission, “Go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” [2]
So, what did they do? “They went out quickly.” They had “great joy.” They “ran to bring His disciples Word.” [3] O may we all become runners to others for the sake of bringing God’s Word to them!
“As they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, ‘Rejoice!’ So, they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.’” [4]
Jesus said, “Rejoice.” They worshipped Him. Then, Jesus commissioned them to “go and tell” His disciples where to meet with Him.
The 11 disciples came to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. [5] They received the witness of the women and acted upon the Word of God which they spoke.
Then, Jesus said to His disciples, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” [6]
This commission of Jesus Christ to His disciples to multiply themselves and baptize the nations is to all of us who believe that He is risen from the dead. To all of us that know He’s returning with an everlasting kingdom that is infinitely better than the kingdoms of this world!
The last recorded prayer in the Bible is a response to the words of Jesus… “Surely I am coming quickly.” The word “quickly” here refers to suddenly. The prayer response is, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” Then, the last line of the Bible is a benediction or blessing to us who are commissioned to take His message to all the world. The last verse of the Bible is, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” [7]
“Yes, Lord Jesus! Thank You for Your grace! Thank You for being with us!”
[1] Matthew 28:5-6
[2] Matthew 28:7
[3] Matthew 28:8
[4] Matthew 28:9-10
[5] Matthew 28:16
[6] Matthew 28:18-20
[7] Revelation 22:20-21
Monday, January 27, 2025
Shepherding
God equips those He calls.
“You shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do the signs.” [1]
Shepherds of old carried a rod and a staff. The shepherd’s rod was a stick or club that could be used to discipline, protect and count the flock. The shepherd’s staff was a longer and thinner stick with a hook on one end, used for guiding the flock and for capturing or saving sheep.
Kings are often pictured holding an ornamental scepter—a rod symbolizing their power and sovereignty. Some priests carry staves as a symbol of their power and authority. A shepherd’s rod and staff indicate the kind of services that he provides for the sheep.
The Lord promoted Moses from shepherding animals to shepherding people. The Lord transformed his shepherding rod into the “rod of God” for doing miracles. [2]
With rod in hand, and with God working in and through him, Moses freed Egypt’s slaves from their captors and led them to the Promised Land.
“You [God] led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.” “He made His own people go forth like sheep and guided them in the wilderness like a flock; and He led them on safely, so that they did not fear; but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.” [3]
Jesus Christ is referred to as the “Rod from the stem of Jesse.” Christ shall rule with “a rod of iron” when He establishes the Kingdom of God on earth. [4]
Jesus our Lord is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for us. He leads us out of this present world of oppression into His eternal and glorious Promised Land better than the one on earth. All along the way on this journey, His rod and staff comfort us so that we do not fear evil. He is leading us to His house and to His banqueting table. Surely His goodness and mercy will be with us all the days of our lives. [5]
“Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd, thank You for faithfully and skillfully shepherding our souls. Thank You for setting for us an example. By Your grace, please equip us and open doors for us to share the Gospel with others. Please empower and embolden us to shepherd others into Your eternal kingdom - the heavenly Promised Land. In Your Name I pray. Amen.”
[1] Exodus 4:17
[2] Exodus 3:1; 7:10-12; 17:5-7, 9
[3] Psalm 77:20; Psalm 78:52-53
[4] Isaiah 11:1; Revelation 2:27; 12:5; 19:15
[5] John 10:7-15; Psalm 23
“You shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do the signs.” [1]
Shepherds of old carried a rod and a staff. The shepherd’s rod was a stick or club that could be used to discipline, protect and count the flock. The shepherd’s staff was a longer and thinner stick with a hook on one end, used for guiding the flock and for capturing or saving sheep.
Kings are often pictured holding an ornamental scepter—a rod symbolizing their power and sovereignty. Some priests carry staves as a symbol of their power and authority. A shepherd’s rod and staff indicate the kind of services that he provides for the sheep.
The Lord promoted Moses from shepherding animals to shepherding people. The Lord transformed his shepherding rod into the “rod of God” for doing miracles. [2]
With rod in hand, and with God working in and through him, Moses freed Egypt’s slaves from their captors and led them to the Promised Land.
“You [God] led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.” “He made His own people go forth like sheep and guided them in the wilderness like a flock; and He led them on safely, so that they did not fear; but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.” [3]
Jesus Christ is referred to as the “Rod from the stem of Jesse.” Christ shall rule with “a rod of iron” when He establishes the Kingdom of God on earth. [4]
Jesus our Lord is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for us. He leads us out of this present world of oppression into His eternal and glorious Promised Land better than the one on earth. All along the way on this journey, His rod and staff comfort us so that we do not fear evil. He is leading us to His house and to His banqueting table. Surely His goodness and mercy will be with us all the days of our lives. [5]
“Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd, thank You for faithfully and skillfully shepherding our souls. Thank You for setting for us an example. By Your grace, please equip us and open doors for us to share the Gospel with others. Please empower and embolden us to shepherd others into Your eternal kingdom - the heavenly Promised Land. In Your Name I pray. Amen.”
[1] Exodus 4:17
[2] Exodus 3:1; 7:10-12; 17:5-7, 9
[3] Psalm 77:20; Psalm 78:52-53
[4] Isaiah 11:1; Revelation 2:27; 12:5; 19:15
[5] John 10:7-15; Psalm 23
Sunday, January 26, 2025
His Works not Mine
“I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.” [1]
I am raising my hand. I can recall so many incidents of foolish and ignorant things I said and did. As to the part of being like a beast, when I was in high school, I actually wore a black t-shirt that said, “Almost Human” on the front side, “But Call Me Animal” on the back side. I was into punk and heavy metal rock-in-roll. That was my identity.
“Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.” [2]
Yes, the Holy Spirit graciously continued to speak to me and help me. God was continually with me not because I was like Him, but because He had mercy on me and graciously loved me. He led me out of sin’s captivity via His Gospel. His Gospel helped me to know for certain that He had a place for me in heaven with Him. I simply have to believe and profess that His Son Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. Based on the merits of His Son, Jesus Christ, not my own, He gives me eternal life as a gift. Praise the Lord!
“You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.” [3]
Yes, this is happening. The Lord Jesus is guiding me with His counsel, namely the Word of God, the Bible, and His Holy Spirit. He receives me, a unworthy sinner, to His glory! Hallelujah!
“Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.” [4]
I know that my Redeemer lives! There are others in heaven that I know. People like my Grandma Czanderna who professed faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. She read and quoted the Bible to me. I sat with her sometimes in church. There are others I desire on earth: wife, children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends. But these cannot compare to the greatness of knowing and desiring Christ Jesus my Lord!
“My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” [5]
Yes, my flesh is less resilient now than before, but God is wonderful to me!
“It is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works.” [6]
Yes, I am grateful for each day that the Lord wakes me up and draws me by His grace to His Word, the Bible. I am grateful for the faith in Him that He has given me. That is why I am declaring HIS wonderful works! Singing songs to the Lord! Glory to God!
[1] Psalm 73:22
[2] Psalm 73:23
[3] Psalm 73:24
[4] Psalm 73:25
[5] Psalm 73:26
[6] Psalm 73:28
I am raising my hand. I can recall so many incidents of foolish and ignorant things I said and did. As to the part of being like a beast, when I was in high school, I actually wore a black t-shirt that said, “Almost Human” on the front side, “But Call Me Animal” on the back side. I was into punk and heavy metal rock-in-roll. That was my identity.
“Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.” [2]
Yes, the Holy Spirit graciously continued to speak to me and help me. God was continually with me not because I was like Him, but because He had mercy on me and graciously loved me. He led me out of sin’s captivity via His Gospel. His Gospel helped me to know for certain that He had a place for me in heaven with Him. I simply have to believe and profess that His Son Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. Based on the merits of His Son, Jesus Christ, not my own, He gives me eternal life as a gift. Praise the Lord!
“You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.” [3]
Yes, this is happening. The Lord Jesus is guiding me with His counsel, namely the Word of God, the Bible, and His Holy Spirit. He receives me, a unworthy sinner, to His glory! Hallelujah!
“Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.” [4]
I know that my Redeemer lives! There are others in heaven that I know. People like my Grandma Czanderna who professed faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. She read and quoted the Bible to me. I sat with her sometimes in church. There are others I desire on earth: wife, children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends. But these cannot compare to the greatness of knowing and desiring Christ Jesus my Lord!
“My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” [5]
Yes, my flesh is less resilient now than before, but God is wonderful to me!
“It is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works.” [6]
Yes, I am grateful for each day that the Lord wakes me up and draws me by His grace to His Word, the Bible. I am grateful for the faith in Him that He has given me. That is why I am declaring HIS wonderful works! Singing songs to the Lord! Glory to God!
[1] Psalm 73:22
[2] Psalm 73:23
[3] Psalm 73:24
[4] Psalm 73:25
[5] Psalm 73:26
[6] Psalm 73:28
Saturday, January 25, 2025
Ready for the Lord’s Return
Jesus urged us to be ready, “for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” [1]
He presented to us four examples of readiness for His return…
Faithfully and wisely serving God’s servants [2]
Wisely having sufficient oil to keep your lamp burning [3]
Wisely working with what He has given you [4]
Meeting the needs of His people [5]
Jesus concludes each example by stating who was ready for His return and who was not.
READY: “Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.” [6]
NOT READY: “But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” [7]
READY: “Those who were READY went in with Him to the wedding; and the door was shut.” [8]
NOT READY: “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But He answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’” [9]
READY: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” [10]
NOT READY: “Cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ [11]
READY: “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.” “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” [12]
NOT READY: “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’” “’Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” [13]
In each case, those who believed that Jesus Christ would return and acted upon that faith were rewarded.
“Heavenly Father, I believe Your Word, and I ask that You would graciously forgive all my sins and grant me grace by the power of Your Holy Spirit to live according to Your Words. Please help me to be ready for the return of Your Son Jesus Christ. In His Name, I pray. Amen.”
[1] Matthew 24:44
[2] Matthew 24:45-47
[3] Matthew 25:1-13
[4] Matthew 25:14-30
[5] Matthew 25:31-46
[6] Matthew 25:46-47
[7] Matthew 25:48-51
[8] Matthew 25:10
[9] Matthew 25:11-12
[10] Matthew 25:23
[11] Matthew 25:30
[12] Matthew 25:34-36, 40
[13] Matthew 25:41, 45-46
He presented to us four examples of readiness for His return…
Faithfully and wisely serving God’s servants [2]
Wisely having sufficient oil to keep your lamp burning [3]
Wisely working with what He has given you [4]
Meeting the needs of His people [5]
Jesus concludes each example by stating who was ready for His return and who was not.
READY: “Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.” [6]
NOT READY: “But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” [7]
READY: “Those who were READY went in with Him to the wedding; and the door was shut.” [8]
NOT READY: “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But He answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’” [9]
READY: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” [10]
NOT READY: “Cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ [11]
READY: “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.” “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” [12]
NOT READY: “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’” “’Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” [13]
In each case, those who believed that Jesus Christ would return and acted upon that faith were rewarded.
“Heavenly Father, I believe Your Word, and I ask that You would graciously forgive all my sins and grant me grace by the power of Your Holy Spirit to live according to Your Words. Please help me to be ready for the return of Your Son Jesus Christ. In His Name, I pray. Amen.”
[1] Matthew 24:44
[2] Matthew 24:45-47
[3] Matthew 25:1-13
[4] Matthew 25:14-30
[5] Matthew 25:31-46
[6] Matthew 25:46-47
[7] Matthew 25:48-51
[8] Matthew 25:10
[9] Matthew 25:11-12
[10] Matthew 25:23
[11] Matthew 25:30
[12] Matthew 25:34-36, 40
[13] Matthew 25:41, 45-46
Thursday, January 23, 2025
A Perfect Turn
“One is your Teacher, the Christ.” “One is your Father, He who is in heaven.” [1]
When Jesus came into Jerusalem, all the city was moved. The question in the minds of many was, “Who is this?” Multitudes of people answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.” [2]
Jesus did not disappoint those who revered Him for His prophetic ministry…
“Then He went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, ‘It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.’” [3]
Which activities in our religious gathering places does Jesus want to replace with prayer?
In the tradition of the Biblical prophets who went before Him, Jesus called out the religious leaders for creating a hierarchy among the people in which they were the alpha dogs. Isaiah actually called the religious leaders of his day dumb dogs who loved to sleep. [4]
“They [the chief priests and scribes] love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi. But do not be called ‘Rabbi;’ for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.” [5]
The goal of Jesus was to open the eyes of people so they could see through the lies that the political and religious leaders were perpetrating. Jesus also healed physical eyesight. “Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.” [6]
“When they [chief priests and Pharisees] sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet.” [7]
How many of us have considered speaking for God a dangerous occupation? Well, according to the above verse, those who wanted to kill Jesus refrained from doing so because many people regarded Him as a prophet.
This reminds me of the time that some leaders wanted to kill the prophet Jeremiah while others wanted to protect him…
“Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and all the people, ‘This man should be sentenced to death because he has prophesied against this city. You have heard it with your own ears!’
Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people: ‘The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the things you have heard. Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God. Then the Lord will relent and not bring the disaster He has pronounced against you. As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right. Be assured, however, that if you put me to death, you will bring the guilt of innocent blood on yourselves and on this city and on those who live in it, for in truth the Lord has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.’
Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, ‘This man should not be sentenced to death! He has spoken to us in the Name of the Lord our God.’” [8]
Jeremiah and Jesus were both protected from harm due to their prophetic reputations. But the Pharisees devised another plan to take Jesus down. It involved flippy the loyalty of a member of His inner circle, and convincing the public by a smear campaign that Jesus wanted to be a king over them, which was actually how THEY were behaving.
Jesus told the evil leaders straight out, “Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?” [9]
Jesus wanted the situation in Jerusalem to be different. He lamented, as did the prophets who went before Him, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate.” [10]
The last thing Jesus wants for anyone is that they would perish. The last things He wanted for Jerusalem was desolation. He does have a plan for a new Jerusalem, and it will come to pass in due season. He prophesied of it in Revelation 21:1-5.
What is repentance? Please see the attached pictures.
Jesus said, “I have come in My Father's Name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.” [11] Simply put, repentance is a turning away from sin and turning to Jesus Christ for salvation.
[1] Matthew 23:8-9
[2] Matthew 21:10-11
[3] Matthew 21:12-13; Jeremiah 7:11
[4] Isaiah 56:10
[5] Matthew 23:6-11
[6] Matthew 21:14
[7] Matthew 21:46
[8] Jeremiah 26:11-16
[9] Matthew 23:33
[10] Matthew 23:37-38
[11] John 5:43
When Jesus came into Jerusalem, all the city was moved. The question in the minds of many was, “Who is this?” Multitudes of people answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.” [2]
Jesus did not disappoint those who revered Him for His prophetic ministry…
“Then He went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, ‘It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.’” [3]
Which activities in our religious gathering places does Jesus want to replace with prayer?
In the tradition of the Biblical prophets who went before Him, Jesus called out the religious leaders for creating a hierarchy among the people in which they were the alpha dogs. Isaiah actually called the religious leaders of his day dumb dogs who loved to sleep. [4]
“They [the chief priests and scribes] love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi. But do not be called ‘Rabbi;’ for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.” [5]
The goal of Jesus was to open the eyes of people so they could see through the lies that the political and religious leaders were perpetrating. Jesus also healed physical eyesight. “Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.” [6]
“When they [chief priests and Pharisees] sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet.” [7]
How many of us have considered speaking for God a dangerous occupation? Well, according to the above verse, those who wanted to kill Jesus refrained from doing so because many people regarded Him as a prophet.
This reminds me of the time that some leaders wanted to kill the prophet Jeremiah while others wanted to protect him…
“Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and all the people, ‘This man should be sentenced to death because he has prophesied against this city. You have heard it with your own ears!’
Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people: ‘The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the things you have heard. Now reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God. Then the Lord will relent and not bring the disaster He has pronounced against you. As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is good and right. Be assured, however, that if you put me to death, you will bring the guilt of innocent blood on yourselves and on this city and on those who live in it, for in truth the Lord has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.’
Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, ‘This man should not be sentenced to death! He has spoken to us in the Name of the Lord our God.’” [8]
Jeremiah and Jesus were both protected from harm due to their prophetic reputations. But the Pharisees devised another plan to take Jesus down. It involved flippy the loyalty of a member of His inner circle, and convincing the public by a smear campaign that Jesus wanted to be a king over them, which was actually how THEY were behaving.
Jesus told the evil leaders straight out, “Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?” [9]
Jesus wanted the situation in Jerusalem to be different. He lamented, as did the prophets who went before Him, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate.” [10]
The last thing Jesus wants for anyone is that they would perish. The last things He wanted for Jerusalem was desolation. He does have a plan for a new Jerusalem, and it will come to pass in due season. He prophesied of it in Revelation 21:1-5.
What is repentance? Please see the attached pictures.
Jesus said, “I have come in My Father's Name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.” [11] Simply put, repentance is a turning away from sin and turning to Jesus Christ for salvation.
[1] Matthew 23:8-9
[2] Matthew 21:10-11
[3] Matthew 21:12-13; Jeremiah 7:11
[4] Isaiah 56:10
[5] Matthew 23:6-11
[6] Matthew 21:14
[7] Matthew 21:46
[8] Jeremiah 26:11-16
[9] Matthew 23:33
[10] Matthew 23:37-38
[11] John 5:43
Monday, January 20, 2025
Seers to Help Them See
Peter to Jesus, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore, what shall we have?”
Jesus to His disciples, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel.” [Special roles have been delegated to them.]
Jesus to everyone, “Everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, wife, children, or lands, for My Name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” [1]
An hundred times of what they gave comes back to them, plus eternal life.
“God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His Name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” [2]
Then, Jesus told a parable in which a landowner hires four groups of idle workers. He offers each group the same wage. He hired the first group at 9 am, the second at 12 noon, the third at 3 pm and the fourth group at 5 pm. At the end of the day, the earlier groups complained to the landowner because the later groups received as much as they did. The landowner reminded them that they agreed to work for the wage that He offered them. Then, He asked them two questions, “Is it not lawful for Me to do what I wish with My own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?” Then, He concluded with two statements, “The last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.” [3]
I am grateful that the Lord called me to serve in His vineyard. All of us who serve Him receive an excellent wage and eternal benefits. Our Lord operates by the law of love and grace. He is good! In the end, those who prioritize being like Jesus, not like the world, receive the greatest reward, namely more of Jesus.
THREE TEACHING moments follow this parable.
THE FIRST TEACHING
He announces that He will be betrayed while in Jerusalem. The chief priests and scribes [who loved position and perks] will condemn Him and hand Him over to the Gentiles [the Romans] to be mocked, scourged and crucified. But on the third day, He will resurrect. [4]
THE SECOND TEACHING
The mother of James and John to Jesus, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”
Jesus to their mother, “To sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”
Jesus to His disciples, “Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” [5]
THIRD TEACHING
Two blind men sitting on the roadside asked Jesus, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!”
Jesus asked them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” [When you pray, tell the Lord plainly you what you want Him to do for you.]
The blindmen to Jesus, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.”
“Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.” [6]
This miracle of Jesus demonstrates the teachings that proceeded it. We who serve the Lord should keep our eyes fixed on the mission of Jesus, namely to open blind eyes.
The mission of the Church is prophetic in nature. We are to receive revelation from the Word of the Lord (the Bible) and prayer (the work of the Holy Spirit in us), and then share with others who want to see the Lord but are unable to do so. They need seers to help them see.
Our goal is to create communities of believers (disciples) among all nations who let go of this perishing world’s ways to embrace the ways of the coming kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Praise God! Jesus is willing to work with us. He knows our weaknesses. Just as He helped His twelve disciples work through their hangups, He helps us.
The Lord used His servant Hudson Taylor to make many disciples in China. He once said to a fellow missionary, “Brother, if you would enter that Province, you must go forward on your knees.” And he said to another, “God’s work is never intended to be stationary, but always advancing.”
[1] Matthew 19:27-30
[2] Hebrews 6:10
[3] Matthew 20:1-16
[4] Matthew 20:17-19
[5] Matthew 20:20-28
[6] Matthew 20:29-33
Jesus to His disciples, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel.” [Special roles have been delegated to them.]
Jesus to everyone, “Everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, wife, children, or lands, for My Name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” [1]
An hundred times of what they gave comes back to them, plus eternal life.
“God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His Name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” [2]
Then, Jesus told a parable in which a landowner hires four groups of idle workers. He offers each group the same wage. He hired the first group at 9 am, the second at 12 noon, the third at 3 pm and the fourth group at 5 pm. At the end of the day, the earlier groups complained to the landowner because the later groups received as much as they did. The landowner reminded them that they agreed to work for the wage that He offered them. Then, He asked them two questions, “Is it not lawful for Me to do what I wish with My own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?” Then, He concluded with two statements, “The last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.” [3]
I am grateful that the Lord called me to serve in His vineyard. All of us who serve Him receive an excellent wage and eternal benefits. Our Lord operates by the law of love and grace. He is good! In the end, those who prioritize being like Jesus, not like the world, receive the greatest reward, namely more of Jesus.
THREE TEACHING moments follow this parable.
THE FIRST TEACHING
He announces that He will be betrayed while in Jerusalem. The chief priests and scribes [who loved position and perks] will condemn Him and hand Him over to the Gentiles [the Romans] to be mocked, scourged and crucified. But on the third day, He will resurrect. [4]
THE SECOND TEACHING
The mother of James and John to Jesus, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”
Jesus to their mother, “To sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”
Jesus to His disciples, “Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” [5]
THIRD TEACHING
Two blind men sitting on the roadside asked Jesus, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!”
Jesus asked them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” [When you pray, tell the Lord plainly you what you want Him to do for you.]
The blindmen to Jesus, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.”
“Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.” [6]
This miracle of Jesus demonstrates the teachings that proceeded it. We who serve the Lord should keep our eyes fixed on the mission of Jesus, namely to open blind eyes.
The mission of the Church is prophetic in nature. We are to receive revelation from the Word of the Lord (the Bible) and prayer (the work of the Holy Spirit in us), and then share with others who want to see the Lord but are unable to do so. They need seers to help them see.
Our goal is to create communities of believers (disciples) among all nations who let go of this perishing world’s ways to embrace the ways of the coming kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Praise God! Jesus is willing to work with us. He knows our weaknesses. Just as He helped His twelve disciples work through their hangups, He helps us.
The Lord used His servant Hudson Taylor to make many disciples in China. He once said to a fellow missionary, “Brother, if you would enter that Province, you must go forward on your knees.” And he said to another, “God’s work is never intended to be stationary, but always advancing.”
[1] Matthew 19:27-30
[2] Hebrews 6:10
[3] Matthew 20:1-16
[4] Matthew 20:17-19
[5] Matthew 20:20-28
[6] Matthew 20:29-33
Sunday, January 19, 2025
Perfect
“If you want to be perfect…” [1]
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” [2]
“Not that I… am already perfect, but I press on…” [3]
Any achievement done perfectly tends to “wow” those who notice it. For example, the wide receiver who makes a one-handed catch while the toes of his shoes are inside the boundary line on the ground and the remainder of his body is hovering above the ground outside the boundary line. That is a near impossible pass to catch and an extremely difficult pass for the defender to block from happening! Then, there are works of art that seem flawless! Foods that taste perfectly made!
Jesus Christ demonstrated God’s love for people perfectly. This is the kind of perfection that God looks for. In God’s economy, He richly rewards those who love as He loves.
In our pursuit of our heavenly Father’s perfection, we rely on His Holy Spirit: “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.” [4]
In terms of eternal salvation, the perfection that saves us from condemnation is the perfection of Christ. We confess our need for Him, and He declares us righteous. The perfect merits of Christ fill our account with God perfectly. Christ alone saves us. “God made Him [Jesus Christ] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” [5]
So, what is our incentive to be perfected in love?
There’s the incentive of reciprocation.
“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us.” [6]
Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” [7]
There’s the incentive of learning what is expected of us by God and working towards it.
“Whoever keeps His Word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in Him.” [8]
There’s the incentive of being preoccupied with serving Christ until He returns.
“Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.” [9]
There’s the incentive of growing up and not remaining as a child.
“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.” [10]
The Greek word translated as “perfect” (teleios) in Matthew’s Gospel signifies “complete” or “whole,” implying maturity in one’s growth towards becoming more like God.
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect [complete or mature], therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” [11]
“Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect [complete or mature], go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’” [12]
The Apostle Paul declared that he was not yet perfect, but that he pressed on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. He wrote. “Let those of us who are mature think this way...” [13]
There’s the incentive of being with Jesus.
“If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.” [14]
Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” [15]
Jesus said to all, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” [16]
There’s the incentive of better dividends with Jesus.
“Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on Him God the Father has set His seal.” [17]
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” [18]
“The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” [19]
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” [20]
“Everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, wife, children, or lands, for My Name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.” [21]
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” [22]
There’s the incentive of demonstrating God’s love.
“By this we know love because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” [23]
“He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” [24]
In God’s eyes, to love Him and to love people is to embody perfection.
[1] Matthew 19:21
[2] Matthew 5:48
[3] Philippians 3:12
[4] Zechariah 4:12
[5] 2 Corinthians 5:21
[6] 1 John 4:11-12
[7] John 13:34
[8] 1 John 2:5
[9] Jude 1:21
[10] 1 Corinthians 13:11
[11] Matthew 5:44-48
[12] Matthew 19:21
[13] Philippians 3:12-15
[14] John 12:26
[15] Matthew 4:19
[16] Luke 9:23
[17] John 6:27
[18] Matthew 5:6
[19] Romans 14:17
[20] Matthew 13:44-46
[21] Matthew 19:29
[22] Matthew 6:19-20
[23] 1 John 3:16-17
[24] Luke 3:11
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” [2]
“Not that I… am already perfect, but I press on…” [3]
Any achievement done perfectly tends to “wow” those who notice it. For example, the wide receiver who makes a one-handed catch while the toes of his shoes are inside the boundary line on the ground and the remainder of his body is hovering above the ground outside the boundary line. That is a near impossible pass to catch and an extremely difficult pass for the defender to block from happening! Then, there are works of art that seem flawless! Foods that taste perfectly made!
Jesus Christ demonstrated God’s love for people perfectly. This is the kind of perfection that God looks for. In God’s economy, He richly rewards those who love as He loves.
In our pursuit of our heavenly Father’s perfection, we rely on His Holy Spirit: “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.” [4]
In terms of eternal salvation, the perfection that saves us from condemnation is the perfection of Christ. We confess our need for Him, and He declares us righteous. The perfect merits of Christ fill our account with God perfectly. Christ alone saves us. “God made Him [Jesus Christ] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” [5]
So, what is our incentive to be perfected in love?
There’s the incentive of reciprocation.
“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us.” [6]
Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” [7]
There’s the incentive of learning what is expected of us by God and working towards it.
“Whoever keeps His Word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in Him.” [8]
There’s the incentive of being preoccupied with serving Christ until He returns.
“Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.” [9]
There’s the incentive of growing up and not remaining as a child.
“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.” [10]
The Greek word translated as “perfect” (teleios) in Matthew’s Gospel signifies “complete” or “whole,” implying maturity in one’s growth towards becoming more like God.
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect [complete or mature], therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” [11]
“Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect [complete or mature], go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’” [12]
The Apostle Paul declared that he was not yet perfect, but that he pressed on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. He wrote. “Let those of us who are mature think this way...” [13]
There’s the incentive of being with Jesus.
“If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there will My servant be also. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.” [14]
Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” [15]
Jesus said to all, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” [16]
There’s the incentive of better dividends with Jesus.
“Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on Him God the Father has set His seal.” [17]
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” [18]
“The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” [19]
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” [20]
“Everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, wife, children, or lands, for My Name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.” [21]
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” [22]
There’s the incentive of demonstrating God’s love.
“By this we know love because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” [23]
“He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” [24]
In God’s eyes, to love Him and to love people is to embody perfection.
[1] Matthew 19:21
[2] Matthew 5:48
[3] Philippians 3:12
[4] Zechariah 4:12
[5] 2 Corinthians 5:21
[6] 1 John 4:11-12
[7] John 13:34
[8] 1 John 2:5
[9] Jude 1:21
[10] 1 Corinthians 13:11
[11] Matthew 5:44-48
[12] Matthew 19:21
[13] Philippians 3:12-15
[14] John 12:26
[15] Matthew 4:19
[16] Luke 9:23
[17] John 6:27
[18] Matthew 5:6
[19] Romans 14:17
[20] Matthew 13:44-46
[21] Matthew 19:29
[22] Matthew 6:19-20
[23] 1 John 3:16-17
[24] Luke 3:11
Saturday, January 18, 2025
The Absolute Need of Faith in Christ for Salvation
Without the revelation from GOD that we are sinners and cannot save ourselves, we will not turn to GOD for forgiveness.
It is eternally vital that we come to GOD on HIS terms, which is to believe in HIS SON JESUS CHRIST as the only Savior from sin.
It is eternally vital that we come to GOD on HIS terms, which is to believe in HIS SON JESUS CHRIST as the only Savior from sin.
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?
Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” [1]
What are people saying about Jesus? Do they compare Him to the Baptist, to Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the prophets? Those men spoke out against idolatry, exploitation and proclaimed that only the true God saves people from sin.
Jesus asked His disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” [2]
Yes! Jesus is Messiah! Far superior to all others! Only in Him is there salvation!
Jesus told Peter that he was blessed because flesh and blood had not revealed this truth to him. The Father in heaven had! He told Peter that “on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” [3]
The glory of Jesus as Messiah is supreme. The profession of Jesus as Messiah is the rock foundation of the Church. The gates of Hades cannot prevail against it! The profession of Jesus alone as the Christ, the Son of God, is the key of the kingdom of heaven. In Christ Jesus, the devil’s evil is bound and the goodness of God is released.
“From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!’ But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.’” [4]
In one moment, Peter made the greatest profession that any person can profess, namely that Jesus is Messiah, but in the next moment, he spoke for Satan when he rebuked Jesus for saying that He would be killed and resurrected.
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.’” [5]
Turning people from the power of Satan to the power of God demands sacrifice. [6] It cost Jesus His life. He had to become a sacrifice for sin. He died a cruel and humiliating death to demonstrate God’s love for us. He resurrected from the dead and showed Himself to be alive to witnesses.
Jesus calls us who want to join in His mission, who want to be His disciples, to deny ourselves, pick up the cross and follow Him. He will reward each of us according to our works.
So, what kind of works are we producing? Who are we professing Jesus to be? Are we colluding the truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead with fairy tales about an easter bunny or a legend about Saint Nicolas with flying reindeers? Are we denying ourselves collusion with popular folklore to stand with the only truth that saves people’s souls from hell? Picking up the cross and following Jesus is to proclaim Him and Him alone as the only Lord and Savior of souls. After all He did for us, He is worthy of all glory, blessing and praise!
[1] Matthew 16:13-15
[2] Matthew 16:15-16
[3] Matthew 16:17-19
[4] Matthew 16:21-23
[5] Matthew 16:24-27
[6] Acts 26:18
What are people saying about Jesus? Do they compare Him to the Baptist, to Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the prophets? Those men spoke out against idolatry, exploitation and proclaimed that only the true God saves people from sin.
Jesus asked His disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” [2]
Yes! Jesus is Messiah! Far superior to all others! Only in Him is there salvation!
Jesus told Peter that he was blessed because flesh and blood had not revealed this truth to him. The Father in heaven had! He told Peter that “on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” [3]
The glory of Jesus as Messiah is supreme. The profession of Jesus as Messiah is the rock foundation of the Church. The gates of Hades cannot prevail against it! The profession of Jesus alone as the Christ, the Son of God, is the key of the kingdom of heaven. In Christ Jesus, the devil’s evil is bound and the goodness of God is released.
“From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!’ But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.’” [4]
In one moment, Peter made the greatest profession that any person can profess, namely that Jesus is Messiah, but in the next moment, he spoke for Satan when he rebuked Jesus for saying that He would be killed and resurrected.
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.’” [5]
Turning people from the power of Satan to the power of God demands sacrifice. [6] It cost Jesus His life. He had to become a sacrifice for sin. He died a cruel and humiliating death to demonstrate God’s love for us. He resurrected from the dead and showed Himself to be alive to witnesses.
Jesus calls us who want to join in His mission, who want to be His disciples, to deny ourselves, pick up the cross and follow Him. He will reward each of us according to our works.
So, what kind of works are we producing? Who are we professing Jesus to be? Are we colluding the truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead with fairy tales about an easter bunny or a legend about Saint Nicolas with flying reindeers? Are we denying ourselves collusion with popular folklore to stand with the only truth that saves people’s souls from hell? Picking up the cross and following Jesus is to proclaim Him and Him alone as the only Lord and Savior of souls. After all He did for us, He is worthy of all glory, blessing and praise!
[1] Matthew 16:13-15
[2] Matthew 16:15-16
[3] Matthew 16:17-19
[4] Matthew 16:21-23
[5] Matthew 16:24-27
[6] Acts 26:18
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