Epiphany, January 6

posted

Isaiah 60:1-6       Restoration
Psalm 72       Coronation
Ephesians 3:2-12      Mystery Revealed
Matthew 2:1-12       The Wise Men

Epiphany means "manifestation." The Church commemorates the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, at the coming of the Magi ("Wise Men").

Isaiah:

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you" (Isaiah 60:1). Isaiah prophesied that the darkness of sin and spiritual ignorance covers the earth, but the light of righteousness John 3:19-21),   spiritual enlightenment (John 1:9), and eternal life (John 1:4-5; 8:12) of the Lord shall be seen upon God's people. Nations and kings will be drawn to that light.

Look and see; the sons and daughters of Israel shall return from afar. Then God's people will rejoice and be radiant with joy. "The abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, and the wealth of nations shall come to you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord" (Isaiah 60:4-6; compare Matthew 2:10-11).

Psalms:

This psalm was probably composed for the coronation of the earthly king of Israel. It is prophetic and applies to the Messiah, the eternal king also.


The Psalmist prays that God will give the king God's justice, and God's righteousness to the royal son.  May he give judge God's people with righteousness, and give justice to the poor. May the land be fertile and prosperous, and bear the fruit of righteousness. May the king defend the rights of the poor, deliver the needy and crush the oppressors of God's people.

Let the king live and reign as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations. May his government be like the rain which refreshes mown grass and like showers which refresh the earth.
May righteousness flourish and peace abound during his reign, until the moon ceases to exist.

Let his dominion be from sea to sea, and from the river (Euphrates; the cradle of civilization) to the ends of the earth. May his enemies and foes be utterly defeated and subjugated to him. May the kings of Tarshish (the seacoast; ships from afar; the Phoenician port in Spain), pay tribute, and Sheba and Seba (the kingdom of Southern Arabia; the Queen of Sheba -queen of the south- brought gold and jewels to King Solomon; 1 Kings 10:1-13) bring gifts. "May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him, all nations serve him" (Psalm 72:11).

When the poor, the needy and helpless call upon him, the king helps and delivers them. He redeems them from oppression and violence. He regards their lives as precious.

Long may the king reign. "may gold of Sheba be given to him" (Psalm 73:15). Let us pray for him and bless him at all times. May the land be fruitful and bring forth grain in abundance. May the people thrive and prosper. "May his name endure for ever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May [people] bless themselves by him and all nations call him blessed" (Psalm 72:17).

Ephesians:

Paul was given the stewardship of the Gospel of God's grace (unmerited favor; a free gift) for the benefit of believers. The mystery of God's plan for Creation, to be accomplished through Jesus Christ, has been revealed. Paul had been given insight into the mystery by revelation (by the Holy Spirit). This mystery had not been made known to earlier generations, as now made known through the Holy Spirit to the apostles (messengers; of the Gospel) and prophets (those who proclaim God's Word by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit). That is, how Gentiles (non-Jews) share in the inheritance, are fellow members of the body (of Christ; the Church) and partake in the same promises of Christ Jesus, through the Gospel ("good news;" of forgiveness of sin and salvation from eternal destruction by grace, through faith -obedient trust- in Jesus Christ).

Paul was made a minster of that Gospel by the grace of God which Paul received by God's power. Although Paul considered himself the least of the saints (consecrated to God's service), he had been given the call to preach to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of Christ, and to reveal to all people God's previously unknown plan for Creation. Through the Church, the great wisdom of God, the Creator of all things, is made known to all authorities and powers in the universe. God's eternal purpose has been accomplished in Jesus Christ. Through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus, we are able to have boldness and confidence of access to God.

Matthew:

Jesus was born in Bethlehem (the "City of David;" The great shepherd-king's birthplace) in Judea during the reign of Herod the King.  Wise men (astrologers from Persia -present-day Iran-) came to Jerusalem seeking the king of the Jews who had been born. They had seen his star in the east and had come to worship him. When Herod the King heard, he was troubled and all Jerusalem too. Herod assembled the Jewish religious authorities to find out from Bible prophecy where Jesus was to be born. They told the King that the birthplace was Bethlehem in Judea, according to the prophecy of Micah 5:2.

Herod secretly summoned the wise men and told them to search thoroughly for the child, and when they had found him, to tell Herod where he was, saying that Herod wanted to go and worship him also. Then they left and the star that they had seen in the east led them to where Jesus was. Seeing this, they rejoiced with great joy and entered the house, where they saw Mary, his mother, with the baby. They fell down and worshipped him. Then they gave gifts of their treasures of gold, frankincense and myrhh. In a dream, they were warned not to return to Herod, so they went home by another way.

Commentary:

Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12; 12:46); the light of real, spiritual, eternal life (John 1:4-5); the light of spiritual enlightenment (John 1:9), the light of righteousness (John 3:19-21). Jesus is the glory of God, risen upon us. The followers of Christ are called upon to reflect his light in the spiritual darkness of this world.

"Nations (Gentiles; non-Jews) and kings will be drawn to that light" (Psalm 60:3). That text was fulfilled when the Magi (Wise Men; astrologers; from Persia) observed the brightness in the sky, the Chistmas Star, (probably the conjunction of several bright planets; Numbers 24:17). They came, seeking the newborn king (Matthew 2:2), bringing gifts for a king, of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They came on camels. They brought the wealth of nations (Isaiah 60:5d), as the Queen of Sheba had, when she visited King Solomon (1 Kings 10:1-2).

Jesus is the righteousness and justice of God (Romans 1:16-17). Through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus we are robed in God's righteousness (Romans 3:21-22; not any righteousness of our own). Jesus is the royal Son of God, the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15). Jesus is the King who defends the rights of the poor, delivers the needy and crushes the oppressors of God's people.

Jesus is the eternal king who reigns forever. His reign is that which revives and refreshes us. When we accept him as our Lord, and trust and obey him, he gives us new spiritual life, through the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). His kingdom is characterized by righteousness and peace.

The Magi are the beginning of the fulfillment of the prophecy of this psalm. This is the beginning of the time when all worldly authorities will fall down before him and serve him. The wealth of nations will come to him. It will climax on the Day of Judgment (Philippians 2:9-11).

Jesus is God's plan for Creation, which God made at the beginning of Creation. Jesus has been designed into this Creation (John 1:1-5, 14). God has always intended to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly trust and obey God. This Creation has been designed to allow for the possibility of sin (disobedience of God's Word, but God is not going to tolerate rebellion and disobedience forever, or at all in his eternal heavenly kingdom (or it wouldn't be heaven). This Creation and we ourselves are limited by time.

God has gradually been revealing his plan for Creation, first through Creation itself, then, beginning with God's call to Abraham, he has been revealing it through his people, as recorded in the Bible. When Jesus Christ appeared, he was the ultimate revelation of God and God's plan for all the world to see.

Those who accept, trust and obey Jesus, like Paul, receive the ultimate revelation of God and his plan, personally and individually through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. God's plan has been made known to, and experienced by, the "born-again" disciples of Jesus Christ, who are to be apostles (messengers; of the Gospel) to the world. The Gospel of forgivness and salvation is for all people, to be received as a free gift from God by grace (unmerited favor) through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ. By the gift of the Holy Spirit we have bold and confident access to God.

Jesus is the fulfillment, embodiment and example of God's Word, lived in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). All of the promises of God's Word are fulfilled in Jesus.

The Magi had worldly knowledge and wisdom. They became aware of the advent of the Messiah through astrology ("Creation"), but they needed to know the Bible scriptures to know where to look. The Jewish religious authorities had the knowledge of the Bible scriptures, but they didn't benefit, because they didn't apply the Biblical knowledge they had to seek the Messiah.

Worldly authorities and powers are unable to prevent God's plan from beign fulfilled. God knows our innermost thoughts and motives.

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

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Herod the Great died in 4 B. C. which many consider the actual birthyear of Jesus.

January 7

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Psalm 45:7-9     The Bridegroom

The Bridegroom loves righteousness and hates wickedness. Because of that, he has been anointed with the oil of gladness, above his peers (quoted in Hebrews 1:9). His clothes are perfumed with myrrh, aloes, and cassia (spices used to perfume olive oil for anointing and also in embalming. Myrrh was also used as an opiate; Mark 15:23). His palace is decorated in ivory; he has music provided stringed instruments; the daughters of kings are among his courtiers; his queen stands beside him at his right hand, adorned with gold from Ophir.

Commentary:

Jesus is the fulfillment of the Bridegroom, and his Church is his bride. He is God's "anointed," above all people. Christ and Messiah both mean "anointed" in Greek and Hebrew, respectively. Jesus was perfectly obedient to God's Word (sinless; Hebrews 4:15; sin is disobedience of God's Word), even unto death on the cross.

He and the setting are described in terms of earthly experience. He is worthy of a lavish palace, and his bride, the Church, is richly adorned, which he supplied at great cost: his life, sacrificed on the cross.

Priests (Exodus 29:29; Leviticus 4:3), prophets (1 Kings 19:16; 1 Chronicles 16:22; Psalm 105:15) and kings (1 Samuel 16:13; 2 Samuel 2:4) were "anointed," at the command of God, to consecrate them to God's service, and were referred to as "the (Lord''s) anointed." Olive oil, commonly perfumed, was used. Anointing was an act of celebration, and also an act of hospitality. Jesus Christ is the promised deliverer, the Messiah (Psalm 2:2; John 1:41; Acts 9:22; 17:2-3; 18:5, 28), God's anointed eternal Savior and King.

 The  "anointing" ("baptism;" "gift;" "infilling") with the indwelling Holy Spirit is the "oil of gladness." (1 Samuel 16:13; Isaiah 61:1) Only Jesus "anoints" with the Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).

Jesus told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem (the Church is the "New Jerusalem," the "City of God" on earth) until they had received the "anointing" of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8; Acts 2:1-13), and then they were to go into the world and make spiritually "born-again" disciples of Jesus Christ, teaching them to trust and obey all that Jesus taught; discipling them until they had been "anointed" with the indwelling Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20), and teaching them to repeat the process (2 Timothy 1:6, 2:2).

The anointing with the indwelling Holy Spirit is a definitely discernible and ongoing event. Anyone who has to ask some religious authority whether one has been "reborn," hasn't been (Acts 19:2)!

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

January 8

posted

Isaiah 42:1-7      The First Servant Song

Look at God's servant, his chosen one whom God upholds and in whom God delights (see Matthew 3:17).  He will bring forth justice for the nations because God has put his Spirit upon him (Colossians 2:8-9). He won't incite crowds with loud rhetoric; he won't break bruised reeds, or quench dimly burning wicks. He will bring forth justice faithfully. He will not fail or be discouraged; he will accomplish his purpose to bring forth justice. The distant shores await his law. "Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread forth the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath (life) to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it"(Isaiah 42:5). The Lord has called his servant in righteousness; God has led him by the hand and protected him; he declares: "I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations (Gentiles; non-Jews), to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness" (Isaiah 42:6c-7).

Commentary:

In one sense the Lord's Servant is Israel. In another sense Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the Lord's Servant (see Matthew 12:17-21; Luke 4:16-21). The Church is the "New Israel" and heir to the call and promises of God's Word.

God put his Spirit upon Jesus as Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan, as the baptizer testified (John 1:32-34). Jesus was meek and humble; he didn't harangue or incite crowds. He didn't break the spiritually bruised, or quench the spiritually "dimly burning wicks." His purpose was to revive and heal the spiritually sick and weak. Jesus' miracles of physical healing of the physically blind, deaf, sick and dead, were intended to show that he can also heal the spiritually blind, deaf, sick and dead. Jesus' death and resurrection frees us from bondage to sin and death (Hebrews 2:14-15).

Jesus is the Messiah (Christ; both mean "anointed," in Hebrew and Greek, respectively), the eternal Savior, and Righteous Judge, whom God chose from the very beginning of Creation (John 1:1-5, 14). We have all sinned and fall short of God's righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). Jesus is God's only provision for our salvation from sin (disobedience of God's Word) and eternal death (the penalty for sin; Acts 4:12). Jesus is the only way to be restored to fellowship with God which we broke through sin, the only way to know divine eternal truth, and the only way to have true, eternal life (John 14:6).

We have all been born physically alive but spiritually dead. This lifetime is our only opportunity to be spiritually "born-again," and this is only possible through the gift ("anointing;" "baptism") of the indwelling Holy Spirit which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). Notice that the condition for the "anointing" with the indwelling Holy  Spirit is our committment to be guided  by and obedient to the Holy Spirit (Isiah 42:5d).

The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). Jesus warned that one must be "born-again," in order to see the kingdom of God all around us now, and to see and enter it in eternity (John 3:3, 5-8; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

Jesus was perfectly obedient to God's Word. He is the "living Word," the fulfillment, embodiment, and example of God's Word lived in human flesh in this world (John 1:14). He trusted and obeyed God's Word even unto death on the cross, without sinning. So he is the only righteous judge, who can sympathize with our trials.

He will judge fairly and without prejudice; he won't favor the rich and powerful, he will provide justice for the weak, needy and poor, unlike worldly justice. Jesus Christ is the standard by which all will be judged, not that we must or can be perfectly sinless. By faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ we have Christ's righteousness attributed to us (Romans 3:22; Philippians 3:9).

Christians are disciples (students; Acts 11:26c), who have been "born-again" by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Jesus commanded his disciples to wait in Jerusalem (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8; the Church is the modern equivalent) for the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, before carrying out Christ's mission, which he gave his disciples in the "Great Commission" (Matthew 28: 19-20).

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

January 9

posted

Acts 10:34-38         Peter's Gospel to Cornelius

The Holy Spirit had guided Peter to be prepared to present the Gospel to Cornelius, a Gentile (non-Jew), and had directed Cornelius to send for Peter. When Peter arrived and Cornelius' household had been gathered together Peter began to preach the Gospel (Acts 10:1-33).

Peter said that he had seen (by revelation of the Holy Spirit), that God is impartial, and that in every nation, those who do what is right (according to God's Word) are acceptable to him. Cornelius had been living in Caesarea, the capital of the Roman province of Judea, and Cornelius was probably aware of the Gospel (or at least the activity) of Jesus Christ, so Peter reviewed it: how God had revealed "good news" ("gospel" means "good news") of peace with God through Jesus Christ (who is Lord of all). Jesus had begun proclaiming the Gospel, beginning in Galilee after Jesus had been baptized by John the Baptizer. God had anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and supernatural power (John 1:32-34), and thereafter Jesus had gone about, doing good works and healing those who were spiritually oppressed by Satan by the power of God who was with Jesus (i.e. by the Holy Spirit).

Commentary:

The Holy Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9) is at work in this world to bring about God's purpose for Creation, which is to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who trust and obey God's Word. The Holy Spirit prepared Cornelius, a God-fearing Gentile, to seek the Gospel, and directed him to summon Peter (Acts 10:1-8).

Peter was one of Jesus' Twelve original disciples, a Jew, who had been discipled by Jesus, and had been "born-again" on the first Pentecost, the birthday of the Church (Acts 2:1-13). The Holy Spirit was at work within Peter and had guided Peter to be prepared to accept Gentile converts (without requiring them to keep the laws of Judaism, like circumcision, and dietary laws; Acts 10:9-16). The Holy Spirit reassured and guided Peter to go with the servants of Cornelius to Caesarea to preach the Gospel (Acts 10:19-20).

God has given us his Word in the Bible, and in Jesus Christ, the "living Word," the fulfillment, embodiment, and example of God's Word lived in human flesh in this world (John 1:1-5, 14). Sin is disobedience of God's Word. God has given us the freedom in this world to choose whether or not to trust and obey his Word, and the opportunity to learn by trial and error that his Word is good, feasible, and our very best interest (Romans 12:2). But God is not willing to tolerate rebellion and disobedience of God's Word for ever, or at all in his eternal kingdom of heaven; otherwise it wouldn't be heaven. So this world and we, ourselves,  are limited by time.

This lifetime is our opportunity to seek, find and come to know God, our creator (Acts 17:26-27), and this is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ (John 14:6). We have all been born into this world physically alive, but spiritually dead. This lifetime is our only opportunity to be spiritually "reborn" to eternal life, by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).

We have all sinned and fall short of God's righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). Our rebellion against  God and our disobedience of God's Word have separated us from God, and condemned us to eternal death, which is the penalty for sin (Romans 6:23). But God loves us and doesn't want anyone to perish eternally, but to have eternal life in paradise with him (John 3:16-17; Romans 5:8). Jesus is God's one and only provision for forgiveness of our sins and our salvation from eternal condemnation (Acts 4:12). We have forgiveness and salvation, peace, and fellowship with God, as a free gift, undeserved favor, which we must receive by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

Jesus has been God's Plan from the very beginning of Creation (John 1:1-3, 14). God sent Jesus into the world to die on the cross as the one and only sacrifice acceptable to God (Romans 5:8), for all time, and for all people who are willing to receive him by faith.

Jesus was sent into the world in human flesh to show us God's nature in human form (John 14:8-9). Jesus is fully God and fully human (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28). Jesus' word is the Word of God (John 14:10, 24), with the creative force of God's Word (Mark 4:41; Genesis 1:3).

Jesus was sent into the world to show us how to live in obedient trust in God's Word. Jesus had a physical body, subject to all the temptations of this world, and yet he lived without sinning (Hebrews 4:15). By the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit, we can have his supernatural help in avoiding temptation and sin.

Jesus' anointing with the Holy Spirit at his baptism, and his good works and supernatural power were intended to show us that the "anointing," guidance and empowerment of the indwelling Holy Spirit are not to be feared. We no longer have to fear physical death, which has kept us in bondage to sin (Hebrews 2:14-15).

We won't be forced to do anything that is not good, in accordance with God's Word, or in our best interest. The indwelling Holy Spirit is to be desired, so that we can have the help we need to live good lives in this world and to live eternally in heaven with the Lord. By the indwelling Holy Spirit, we have close personal fellowship with Jesus now, and we experience personally his love, faithfulness and power; we experience the joy of our salvation and of his presence.

Jesus was sent into the world to demonstrate that he can heal our spiritual illness. His miracles of physical healing of blindness, deafness, lameness and death were intended to show that he is also able to heal our spiritual blindness, deafness, and lameness, and raise us from spiritual death to eternal life. Jesus' resurrection from the dead was to demonstrate that there is existence beyond physical death, and that by faith in him, we can be raised to eternal life.

Many of us are a lot like Cornelius, today. Jesus is present through his Holy Spirit all around us. We've heard of his activity; we've heard of the Gospel. The Holy Spirit is close at hand, ready to guide us into the truth of the Gospel, if we will submit to his guidance, as Cornelius did.

The Holy Spirit is close beside us, but not in the personal way his is when we have been "born-again." That is my personal experience, and why I make the distinction between the activity of the Holy Spirit who is active in the world around us and the "indwelling" Holy Spirit within his disciples.

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

January 10

posted

Mark 1:4-11       Jesus' Baptism

In the wilderness outside Jerusalem, a man called John the Baptizer began preaching, calling the people to be baptized with water for repentance and forgiveness of their sins. All the people from Jerusalem and Judea went to him, confessed their sins, and were baptized in the Jordan River.

John wore a camel hair garment and a leather belt at his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. John's message to the people was that one was coming after John who was greater than John; John wasn't worthy to be his most menial servant. John said he baptized with water, but the one who was coming would baptize with the Holy Spirit. 

During that time, Jesus of Nazareth in Galilee came to John and was baptized by John in the Jordan River. When Jesus came up out of the water John saw the Holy Spirit descend on Jesus in the form of a dove; and from heaven a voice said, "Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased (Mark 1:11).

Commentary:

God has been progressively revealing himself and his purpose for Creation from the very beginning of Creation. After the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden, Genesis 3:15 is the "seed" from which the promise grows.  Jesus is the "seed" -descendant- of Adam, through David (Luke 3:23, 31-32a; 38). Satan is the serpent who "bruises" mankind's heel, and Jesus is the descendant of Adam who "bruises" the serpent's head (the serpent can harass mankind; but Jesus defeats, and ultimately destroys the serpent). 

Throughout the Old Testament, God has developed the idea, the "picture," of the Messiah. For a couple examples, the Messiah would be like Moses who would lead his people out of slavery to sin and death in the "Egypt," through the "Sea" of baptism into Jesus Christ (without getting "wet feet;" Exodus 14:29), and through the wilderness of this world, through the "River" of physical death (without getting "wet feet," Joshua 3:17), and into the "Promised Land" of God's eternal Kingdom in heaven. The Messiah would be like David, the great "shepherd-king"  of Israel. Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah,  who was designed into Creation from the very beginning (John 1:1-5, 14).

John the Baptizer is the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah as quoted in the opening of Mark's Gospel (Mark 1:1-3). The last Word in the Old Testament was the prophecy of Malachi, of a prophet like Elijah who would prepare the people for and herald the coming of the Messiah (Malachi 4:5). John appeared, dressed in the same garb as Elijah, the great Old Testament prophet (Mark 1:6; 2 Kings 1:8). Elijah was the forerunner, the pattern and illustration of John the Baptizer.

John the Baptizer is the "picture," the pattern, of the role of the Church. John called the people to repent, confess their sins, be baptized with water for spiritual cleansing, the forgiveness of their sins, to prepare them for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. God called John, gave him his  ministry, and revealed the Messiah to John, so that John could testify that Jesus is the Messiah (John 1:29-34), and point others to Jesus, so that they could become disciples of Jesus Christ (John 1:35-51).

Jesus came physically, in human flesh, died on the cross as the one and only sacrifice acceptable to God for the forgiveness of our sins, and rose to eternal life, to demonstrate the truth of existence beyond physical death. Jesus came to give us spiritual "rebirth" (John 3:3, 5-8) through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34; Mark 1:8), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17).

The Gospel accounts give us a "picture" of God's eternal purpose. Jesus said that one must be "born-again" by the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 3:3), in order to see God's kingdom all around us now, and ultimately to see and enter it in eternity. John testified that he saw the Holy Spirit descend and enter Jesus at Jesus' baptism, and that Jesus is the only one who can baptize us with the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Jesus came as a baby, grew up, and fulfilled his physical ministry. Jesus promised to come again at the end of time, to judge the living ("quickened") and the dead (1 Peter 4:5) in both physical and spiritual senses (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10). Jesus also promised to come individually and personally to his disciples, now, in this lifetime, in the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17, 21).


The true Church is composed of "born-again" disciples (Acts 11:26c) of Jesus Christ, guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit. They have personally experienced Jesus as the Messiah and Lord; Jesus has personally revealed himself to them (John 14:21), and they testify that Jesus is the Lord's "anointed" eternal Savior and King. With water, they baptize people who repent and confess their sinfulness.  They point people to Jesus, teach them to trust and obey all that Jesus taught (Matthew 28:19-20), and encourage them to follow Jesus and be discipled by Jesus himself through the indwelling Holy Spirit, which Jesus will give them as they begin to trust and obey Jesus. The Church is to prepare people for the coming of Jesus personally and individually through the indwelling Holy Spirit, so that they will be ready for Jesus' return on the Day of Judgment at the end of their lives. How is our Church doing these days?

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

January 11

posted

Ecclesiastes 12:1-7

Remember your Creator (or your grave) while you are young, because bad days will come when you no longer have pleasure in life. Sun, moon and stars will be darkened (your eyes will grow dim); clouds will not leave after the rain (no more sunny skies). The keepers of the house (your faculties) will tremble, those who used to be strong are now bent, "grinders cease because they are few (there aren't enough teath left to chew properly) and those who look through the windows are dimmed" (your vision will be dimmed; Ecclesiastes 12:3). The mouth is closed to the enjoyment of food, because there are no longer teeth to chew. You will awaken with the birds (early in the morning) but will no longer hear them, or the sound of singing. You will become afraid of falling, and the normal course of daily activity will be frightening. "The almond tree blossoms (your hair will grow white), the grasshopper drags itself along (the difficulty of walking of the elderly), and desire fails (no more enjoyment in sex; Ecclesiastes 12:5).

Mankind goes to his eternal home, leaving mourners in the street (the funeral processsion). The silver cord (life) is snapped and the lamp goes out (soul; self), the water of life fails because the pitcher at the fountain and the wheel at the well are broken. Our bodies return to the dust from which they were created, and our spirits return to God who gave
them.

Commentary:

I believe that the meaning and purpose of life is to seek, find and have fellowship with God our Creator (Acts 17:26-27), and to be spiritually "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8) to eternal life. These are not two separate goals; one cannot have one without the other.

Jesus is the only way to know divine, eternal truth, the only way to know and have fellowship with God our Creator, and the only way to have true eternal life (John 14:6). Jesus has been designed into this Creation from the beginning (John 1:1-5, 14). He is the whole point of Creation!

God has always intended to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly choose to trust and obey God's Word. This lifetime is our only opportunity to learn to trust and obey God's Word by trial and error, and to be spiritually "reborn" to eternal life.

This Creation, and we ourselves are limited by time. God has designed this Creation to allow the possibility of sin (disobedience of God's Word) so that we can have the freedom to choose whether or not to trust and obey God. But God will not tolerate rebellion and disobedience forever, or at all in his eternal kingdom.

God wants us to seek a personal relationship with him, but he will not force us to believe in him. That's the point of this Creation!

Jesus is God our Creator  in human flesh (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28; John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus' word is the Word of God (John 14:10, 24), with the creative force of God's Word (Mark 4:39-41; Genesis 1:3). Those who have "seen" Jesus have "seen" God (John 14:8-10; Matthew 11:27).

Jesus teaches us to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness (obedience to God's Word) first (our highest priority; Matthew 6:33). If we put off seeking God's kingdom until we have established a career, gained financial security, or the other worldly material resources, we will never have security, and we will never get around to seeking God's kingdom.

True security is only in God. Worldly security always requires "just a little bit more" than what we have. Any worldly security we accumulate can be gone in an instant to fire, flood, earthquake, tornado, illness and death. But the security God provides is eternal. God is able to supply all our material, physical needs in this life, and give us life beyond physical death.

No one knows with certainty about tomorrow. By the time we've established our careers and families, bought our houses and cars, there may not be time to seek God's kingdom. We may no longer have the mental ability. If we do come, later in life, to a personal relationship with the Lord and eternal life through the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit, we'll regret all the days of our lives wasted doing what is eternally worthless.  I can personally testify to that (see Personal Testimonies, sidebar, top right), but it still is eternally worthwhile! Better late than never! Today is the Day of Salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right)!

People in this world are trying in all the wrong places to keep old age and death away. Jesus is the only source of eternal life. Jesus says that one must be (spiritually) "reborn" in order to see God's kingdom all around us now, and to see and enter it ultimately in eternity (John 3:3).

"Rebirth" is by the gift ("anointing;" "baptism") of the indwelling Holy Spirit which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

January 12

posted

Romans 12:1-5      Christian Life
Luke 2:41-52       Jesus' Youth

Romans:

Paul urged believers to offer ourselves, by God's mercy, as a living sacrifice, which is our reasonable service, an act of worship. Let us not continue to live according to the world's standards, but let our minds be renewed and transformed, "that we may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2b).

Acknowledging the grace of God which had been given Paul, he urged believers not to regard ourselves as better than we are but to evaluate ourselves honestly, according to the faith God has given us. The Church as the spiritual body of Christ, which has many members, with various functions, like a physical body. Likewise, although there are many members, we are all one body in Christ, and individually connected to one another

Luke:

When Jesus was twelve years old, his family went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, as they did every year. After the feast, they were going home, not knowing that Jesus had stayed behind. They supposed that he was with one of their relatives or friends.

Having gone a day's journey, they sought him among their group, and not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem. Three days later they found him in the temple listening to the teachers of Judaism, and asking questions. All who heard Jesus were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

When they found him they were surprised. His mother asked Jesus why he had treated his parents thus, since they were worried and had been anxiously searching for him.  Jesus asked them why they had been searching; hadn't they known that he would be in his (heavenly) Father's house. But they did not understand what Jesus was saying.

Jesus returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient; and his mother remembered things like this. And Jesus grew physically and intellectually, and had the approval of God and man.

Commentary:

Christian life is discipleship, a spiritual growth process. The Church is intended to be a disciple-making organization. Jesus demonstrated the process with his original Twelve disciples, and then told them to repeat the process (Matthew 28:19-20), after they had been spiritually "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8; Acts 2:1-13) by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8). 

Paul (Saul of Tarsus) is intended, by God's will and purpose, to be the prototype and example of a "modern," "post-resurrection," "born-again" disciple (student) and apostle (messenger; of the Gospel), as all of us can be. Paul was confronted on the road to Damascus by the Spirit of the risen Jesus (Acts 9:1-6;). Paul repented (Acts 9:9), accepted Jesus as Lord (Acts 9:5), became obedient to Jesus (Acts 9:6-8).

Paul was discipled by a "born-again" disciple of Jesus Christ, named Ananias (Acts 9:10-17) until Paul was "reborn" by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17-18). And then he began to carry out the Great Commission Jesus had given his disciples (Acts 9:19-22; Matthew 28:19-20)

The one thing that was unusual about Paul's conversion was its speed. The Twelve original disciples were with Jesus day and night for three years, and yet were not ready to carry on Christ's mission until the outpouring of the indwelling Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-13). But remember that Paul was already formally trained in the Bible, and had zeal for God; he just needed to be pointed to Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah (Christ; both mean God's "anointed") the eternal Savior and King.

Paul demonstrated the process of disciple-making. He was not making disciples of himself, but of Jesus Christ. He was a "born-again" disciple teaching discipleship to others, until they were spiritually "reborn" (2 Timothy 1:6) and then telling them to repeat the process (2 Timothy 2:2).

Real discipleship doesn't begin before "rebirth," the infilling of the indwelling Holy Spirit. And "rebirth doesn't begin until we demonstrate serious commitment to trust and obey Jesus. We need to learn to listen to and trust the guidance of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit within us. We need to have our minds transformed.

As we walk daily in obedience to the Holy Spirit the Lord will show us that he is faithful and good. He will cause our faith to grow from the tiny "mustard seed" (Luke 13:18-19), our simple "yes" to his Lordship. When we begin to trust and obey the Lord he will show us that his will is good, acceptable (we can do it) and our very best interest. By our obedience we will demonstrate God's good, acceptable and perfect will to the world. 

Discipleship involves self-sacrifice. We must surrender what we think we want in order to do what the Lord wants. When we do we will find that what the Lord wants is far better than anything we thought we wanted. That's how our faith grows.

Everything in Creation belongs to God. We can't give him anything, because we don't own it; He does. The only things we can give him in thanksgiving for all he's given us is our obedience and trust, and our love for one another (Matthew 25:40), which are the measure of our love for him (John 14:15, 21, 23-24).

Jesus is the "living Word," the fulfillment, embodiment, and example of God's Word, lived in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus taught by example as much as by word. He demonstrated seeking God's kingdom and righteousness above other things (Matthew 6:33). Even though he was the Son of God, fully God in fully human flesh (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28), Jesus needed to put God's kingdom first in order to have the spiritual strength to accomplish God's will and purpose for him.

Jesus' parents were more concerned about his immediate physical well-being than his eternal, spiritual well-being, although they were devout Jews.  As parents, we can't expect our children to take the initiative to seek their eternal spiritual well-being on their own. We ought to be even more concerned about their spiritual life than about their physical needs.

We need to become "born-again" disciples so that we can "disciple" our children. So many parents today think they will let their children decide for themselves whether or not to go to church when they are old enough. We need to take them to church and Sunday School, not just send them. We need to model discipleship for them. Too many young people today are growing up "on their own," without any moral compass, into people who neither God nor man can approve.

Many people think they have God's approval because they're "good" people; they haven't murdered or robbed anyone; they may even go to church fairly regularly. They are not examining themselves honestly according to God's Word. If we say that we are not sinners, we are deceiving ourselves, we don't have the truth of God's Word within us, and we are calling God a liar, and we fail to receive the forgiveness only he can give us (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10).

Christians are disciples (Acts 11:26c) who have been "born-again" by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34) only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). Spiritual rebirth is a discernible and ongoing event; one doesn't have to ask any religious authority whether or not one has been "born-again;" one who is uncertain hasn't been (Acts 19:2).

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?