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Saturday, October 24, 2020

John 1:43-51 - Jesus Reveals Himself To Nathanael

John 1:43-51

43 The next day He purposed to go into Galilee, and He found Philip. And Jesus said to him, “Follow Me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.” 50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And He said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Message: Jesus Reveals Himself to Nathanael

Time: John is not recorded as the author, but unanimous testimony of early Christians, like Iraneus in the 2nd century declare him the author. Plus, the eyewitness account give rise that he was one of the close knit disciples and Peter already penned through Mark (the Gospel of Mark), and James died soon after the resurrection, which leaves John. It is thought this book was written between 85 and 95 AD. The Deity of Christ is a striking quality of John's gospel.

What the Lord is Saying:

Yesterday (Friday) I watched the video of the service my close friend and his wife had for their son who died unexpectedly from a drug overdose last Saturday. I hurt for my friends and since hearing of it from him on Sunday, my mind has been rushing back to them repeatedly, thinking about them and this loss. They spent the service talking of the problem we have in life with addictions. The addiction cost this young man's life. Beyond the addiction was mention of his laughter and friendship and listening ear and yet the young man found that life still needed coping. He had grown in his faith, yet the pull remained to get the high and in buying the stuff he got something from a dealer that he used and then died. It was unintentional, accidental, and yet a decision. One decision as my friends said in the service and in the service it was their petition to everyone to STOP with your addictions. And then they offered the substitute - Christ - our creator, who erased our sin and grants us life - eternal life. He is the only peace in the midst of the storms of life.

Now, as I read this passage I read of Jesus on a mission. He goes into Galilee, finds Philip and says to him, Follow Me. Philip was one of the first Jesus called. The apostles have intrigued me always. Not much is written of them and yet Jesus called them to be with Him. He chose them. And John then mentions that Philip then went to his friend Nathaniel to say, "We have found him." We have found him, as if they had been searching, waiting, for Jesus. Nathanael was at first skeptical for Jesus had come out of Nazareth and wondered, Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?, but still Philip said to him, Come and See. Come and take a look yourself.

Nathaniel was then shaken because Jesus had already seen him even before Philip had reached out to him. What an interesting sequence. Jesus calls Nathanael and yet uses Philip in alerting Nathanael. Nathanael does not end up being one of the 12 apostles that Jesus calls. And yet this calling of this man is here. It is here to show us that Jesus is the answer for everyone - for those he calls to follow Him and for those he simply calls. Nathanael and Philip had a different mission or job to do and yet both were called by Him. Chosen.

The tragedy that my friend has experienced and the life now gone of his son, from this earth, reminds me that God calls us all, not to simply sample Him but that our lives would be forever changed. In all of us is a need to be chosen. In Jesus we have been called. O God, may you show us all that all that we need is you.

Promise: There is no other way to God than through Jesus. And with Jesus is the only peace.

Prayer: Thank you Jesus for calling me and for the life that you have given me. But, even like my friend's son Kyle, sometimes I am like wheat, going back and forth in the wind. Thank you for their example for they truly love you and help the Kyle's of this world to free themselves from the hook of a feeling that is always only temporary and never completely satisfying. Free my son Derek from this hold, whatever the cost. Help us as parents to do the right thing and help our children as we can, but ultimately God you are in charge - you do the calling and choosing, we are simply the conduits you ask to be involved. Thank you for that, but to you be the glory. To you God.

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of May is about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April was about salvation by grace alone; March about the sovereign providence of God; February was about the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January was about the doctrine of God.

- Attributes of Jesus - The Divine Nature of Christ meaning Jesus is God, the God-Man, God became man, The Human Nature of Christ Jesus has the qualities of man (hunger, needing rest, not knowing future events, being tempted), Jesus the Last Adam as Adam was our federal head in ushering all sin to man, Jesus makes all alive for those in Christ, Jesus the True Israel as Israel was called by God to be His true messenger, but Jesus is the one that truly fulfilled this call, Jesus the Messiah is the One that rescues and delivers His people

- The Word of Jesus - Obedience in Childhood reminds us that each day Jesus grew in obedience and favor with God, Obedience in Baptism showed Jesus fulfilled all righteousness, as John had been baptizing all new believers, Obedience in Temptation - like men called by God before, Jesus is tempted, but he resists and defends Himself with scripture, showing perfect obedience, Obedience under the Law as Christ was born under the Law, and kept the Law perfectly to redeem man, Obedience in Suffering as even in suffering Jesus learned obedience, a sinless man suffering for sinners,

- His Titles - Christ Our Prophet, speaking for God, with divine inspiration, His words absolutely trustworthy and never fail to accomplish His purposes, Christ the Priest, clearing the way for human beings to approach the Father in heaven through prayer, Christ Our King is King of Kings, the last and final monarch of our lives for He did it all,

- His Atonement - In Penal Substitution the penalty is paid by a substitute and Jesus paid the penalty of sin, once for all, and with Particular Atonement is the reminder that Jesus had me in my mind when He went to the cross, not everyone, but only those who will hear His voice. Christ Resurrected reminds me that only through the resurrection am I truly saved and sealed for eternity with Him by faith and now Christ Ascension whereby our King ascends to heaven to rule at the right hand of God and sends the Holy Spirit so that Christ can continue to be present with His people on earth.

- His Encounters - Jesus called Philip and then he told Nathanael to come and see so he could see that Jesus reveals himself to Nathanael.

Friday, October 23, 2020

Ephesians 4:9-10 - Christ Ascended

Ephesians 4:9-10

(Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

Message: Christ Ascended

Time: Paul wrote this letter sometime in AD 60-61 after having spent time in Ephesus, a city that housed a temple for the Greek Goddess Artemis, at the end of his 2nd missionary journey and then for 2 years during his 3rd missionary journey. Many came to faith in Ephesus and this book is focused on faith and the practice of our faith - and that can be applied to any circumstance.

What the Lord is Saying:

In the last several lessons, I have looked at Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross, paying the penalty for my sins, one of his called ones, and also that he rose from the dead. After Jesus paid the penalty for sins, he conquered death. Romans 6:23 says the wages of sin is death and even with Jesus taking on sin resulted in death, but my salvation is found in the fact that He conquered death and rose from the dead as I learned in the verse from I Corinthians that in Christ all will be made alive. True and complete life is found in Christ. So what is next? After God raised Jesus from the dead that yielded our new life in Christ, Christ ascended to heaven. Jesus is Savior and He is King.

There are examples of people in the Bible that did not die, but went straight to heaven (Enoch, Elijah, Serah, but Jesus died and then he was taken to heaven by God and exalted to the right hand of God (Acts 2:33). The right hand is a symbol of strength and authority. In Philippians it is written - God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth. When God created the world, the Jewish term for the universe is the heavens and the earth which is the phrase used in Genesis 1:1 and so in this verse Jesus is God's right hand Man, that every knee will bow to all in the universe (in heaven and earth). And He will reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet (I Cor 15:25). So this is the reality of His ascension - Christ dies, is resurrected and then goes on to the right hand of the father to have authority over all. As the hymn goes, "All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live."

Now, this passage in Ephesians also speaks that he might fill all things (Eph 4:10). When Jesus ascended to heaven He said, But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. Though Christ in in heaven, he has sent us the Holy Spirit so that Christ can still be present with His people here on earth. This allows us to be in community with Christ in His humanity wherever we live.

I continue to be reminded and instructed in the work of the Holy Spirit today in my life. For by the Spirit Christ bridges the distance between me and His physical presence in heaven. So God is with us, always and still.

Promise: Christ's ascension makes it possible for people all over the world to commune with Him still. Christ is present with us, by His Spirit so that God will continue to conform us to the image of His Son.

Prayer: Thank you God for being Lord and King over all. Thank you Jesus for going to prepare a place for me and the joy of being with you for eternity. Thank you Holy Spirit for speaking to me each day and living in my life and testifying of the truth of Jesus in my life. Continue to work in me to be your ambassador and help me to be a blessing to those you place in my life.

- His Atonement - In Penal Substitution the penalty is paid by a substitute and Jesus paid the penalty of sin, once for all, and with Particular Atonement is the reminder that Jesus had me in my mind when He went to the cross, not everyone, but only those who will hear His voice. Christ Resurrected reminds me that only through the resurrection am I truly saved and sealed for eternity with Him by faith and now Christ ascension whereby our King ascends to heaven to rule at the right hand of God and sends the Holy Spirit so that Christ can continue to be present with His people on earth.

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

I Corinthians 15:20-22 - Christ Resurrected

I Corinthians 15:20-22

But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive.

Message: Christ Resurrected

Time: Paul is recognized as the author. He visited Corinth 4 years prior and spending 18 months their. After receiving news of quarrelling in the Corinth Church, Paul penned this letter in AD 55. Divisions in the church had resulted and Paul encouraged them and spoke of the truth of sin.

What the Lord is Saying:

The last two lessons have focused on the atonement of Jesus - going to the cross to be a substitute for those called as His Sheep, but the atonement must be combined with the resurrection for there to be salvation.

When God created the heavens and the earth (the universe) in Genesis 1, death was not created, but instead only life. In Genesis 2:17 it says, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die. By Adam and Eve sinning, death enters life. God outlines the curse after they sin in Genesis 3:19, until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return. And as discussed previously, the penalty of sin can only be paid through a substitute.

As I've studied, an animal without defect was slaughtered before the Lord as a sin offering. Jesus can only atone for sin if he is perfect. Hebrews 7:26-27 says For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.

The resurrection shows us that Christ was perfect for it show us that death had no hold on Jesus. Death was the result of sin and Jesus did not have sin in Him so death could not seize Him. He had no sin and all sin was punished by Him on the cross.

And so it is trusting in Him that then makes me saved. I am trusting that only Jesus can save me. And so Christ and His perfect righteousness is imputed to me and I have union with him by faith alone and therefore I will be resurrected as well, like He was, into everlasting life. This is the promise. Paul mentions that in these verses today in I Corinthians 15. He is talked about as the first fruits of those who are asleep. The first fruits of the harvest proves that the entire crop will come to maturity and be harvested. In Christ all shall be made alive. This is the message to me and everyone, with Christ all can be made alive.

Promise: Christ on the cross pays for our transgressions and cleanses us from sin. Christ raising from the dead is God's declaration that His Son is perfectly righteous. And by man trusting in Him by faith, Christ's life is transferred to us so that one day we will rise as well and have eternal life in Him.

Prayer: O thank You Jesus for the sweetness of Your Message. Thank you for the sacrifice you made for me on the cross, to nail my sin to the cross and pay for it. Thank you God for raising Jesus from the dead and now making me saved as well through the transfer of His righteousness to me. You are Savior and Lord. Thank you for the resurrection and forgive me for not getting excited about it at times and diminishing the celebration of Easter in my life as you know I have at times. Thank you for Christ, for Christ alone.

Friday, October 16, 2020

John 10:11 - Particular Atonement

John 10:11

I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

Message: Particular Atonement

Time: John is not recorded as the author, but unanimous testimony of early Christians, like Iraneus in the 2nd century declare him the author. Plus, the eyewitness account give rise that it was one of the close knit disciples and Peter already penned through Mark and James died soon after the resurrection, which leaves John. It is thought this book was written between 85 and 95 AD. The Deity of Christ is a striking quality of John's gospel.

What the Lord is Saying:

In Penal substitution, Jesus dies in place of others, but who are the others that He dies for? Whom did He intend to save? In John 10:11, Jesus, the good shepherd lays down His life for His sheep. Is every human being His sheep? Later in 10:26-27 Jesus says, you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. My sheep hear My voice. Thus, there is a clear contrast in the words of Jesus - My sheep and not of My sheep. And so does the good shepherd lay down His live for everyone or just his sheep. Hard to say. Verse 11 says "the sheep." There is a common doctrine put forth of limited atonement versus unlimited atonement. In limited atonement, the thought is that Jesus lays his life down for his elect. Not everyone will be saved, that is clear and true, so if not everyone is saved, then did Jesus die for all people or only those that he saved. The Tabletalk magazine I read from the Reformed Faith states that Jesus died for only His Sheep, not all sheep.

To explain further, if Jesus died for all sinners and meaning, he bore the punishment for all sinners, then it perhaps does not seem logical that some of those he paid the punishment for would then end up in hell. Now, many would argue as well that each person has a choice in his/her own salvation. So Jesus can die for all sinners and each sinner then chooses his own salvation. But this is something I have already studied previously. For instance, earlier this year I looked at Is Grace Cooperative. Granted this was a meaty sort of discussion as there have been a lot of competing thoughts on this issue. The message of the Gospel is to everyone, but we know not everyone will be saved - as we see also here there are sheep that hear and sheep that do not hear. Those that do not hear do not have in them the desire and the only way man has the desire is if God brings grace into a person's life to effect change and a new birth.

Many thinkers argued something else, that man is involved in this process of choosing God. I think man sees this from his perspective, but it also seems very clear that many people, no matter how much arguing or reasoning you do with them, they refuse to encounter God and surrender to Him with their lives. It seems many sample God, but not many really seek Him and seek His word. So again, some will hear His voice and some will not. This is the way it is. But we are not to lose heart. We remain faithful.

Thus, the clarification offered is Jesus dies for sinners and there are sinners that hear His voice. He does not die for those that do not hear His voice because then God would be unjust to punish in hell someone for who Christ died. This would mean that man needs to be involved and can in his soul have a desire for God apart from Him and that Jesus dies but the sinner is only changed when he chooses. But the argument we've studied is man only has a capacity or desire for God when God puts it there. God chooses us.

I've studied this and studied it, but I will say, it is still a challenge to understand for me. But I press on and I continue to try to be faithful to His word and obedient to Him and in this obedience is speaking the truth of love to others.

Promise: Christ died for all kinds of people, but Jesus did not die for everyone without exception. If you believe in Jesus, He had you particularly in mind when He made atonement for your sins. He loves you in particular that much.

Prayer: O God, you have saved me. Part of my struggle with this verse is the struggle in you choosing me when I see others, that appear to not be chosen and are not on course to be chosen, from what I can see. I know that the road is narrow as you say. All I can say is thank you Jesus for showing me and leading me and letting me walk on this Narrow Road. O thank you God. You have made this unworthy man worthy.

- His Atonement - In Penal Substitution the penalty is paid by a substitute and Jesus paid the penalty of sin, once for all, and now with Particular Atonement is the reminder that Jesus had me in my mind when He went to the cross, not everyone, but only those who will hear His voice.

Tuesday, October 6, 2020

Isaiah 53 - Penal Substitution

Isaiah 53:5-6

But He was pierced through for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being upon Him; and by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.

Message: Penal Substitution

Time: Isaiah prophesied from 739-681 BC under the reign of 4 Judean kings -- Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, dying under the 5th king, Manasseh. Most likely he hailed from Jerusalem. He spoke of judgment - hoping God's chosen people would return to Him.

What the Lord is Saying:

As I studied previously, Jesus as our Priest made it possible for human beings to approach God. Through His sacrifice on the cross Jesus covered our sin. Let's better understand the crucifixion.

Jesus' death is described as the ransom or delivering man from the punishment for sin and to defeat Satan (our rulers/authorities). In penal substitution, the penalty is paid by a substitute. In our case, the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) as the act of sin results in death. This is described first in the garden (Genesis 2:16-17) -- The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”

In Leviticus 4, God speaks to Moses outlining sin offerings to occur when a person sins in any of things that which the Lord has commanded not to be done. An animal (bull, goat, or lamb) will be slain in the presence of the priest with the hand on the animal, placing blood on the altar and pouring out the rest; all fat is removed and it is burned as a soothing aroma to the Lord and thus the priest makes atonement of the person and sins are forgiven. This depicts the transfer of sin and guilt from the sinner to the substitute. The sinner lives because the animal died in the sinner's place, bearing the punishment the sinner deserved. This was effective, but it was an act that must be repeated and did not represent true atonement, once and for all. Hebrews 10:4 says, "For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins" and therefore they were shadows of the true atonement as is recorded in Isaiah 53, "by His scourging we are healed" as "the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him."

This is the gospel. Jesus paid it all. All to him I owe.

Promise: All people have guilt for their sin or transgression, though many suppress it, justify it, or compare themselves to others, but against the Law of God we are condemned. If you have trusted in Christ alone for salvation, He has paid for your sin and your guilt is no more.

Prayer: Thank you God for providing us, right after sin was committed by Adam and Eve, that you would bring forth a substitute for my sin in order to bring me back into the book of Life. Lord, draw people to this truth all around me. Help me to voice this to those in need.

- The Divine Nature of Christ, The Human Nature of Christ, Jesus the Last Adam, Jesus the True Israel, Jesus the Messiah, Obedience in Childhood, Obedience in Baptism, Obedience in Temptation, Obedience under the Law, Obedience in Suffering, Christ Our Prophet, Christ the Priest, Christ Our King, Penal Substitution

Friday, September 25, 2020

Revelation 17:14 - Christ Our King

Revelation 17:14

They will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.

Message: Christ Our King

Time: John mentions himself 4 times as author. It was written around the year 95 on John's exile to the island of Patmos after preaching the gospel to Asia. Revelation comes from the Greek word for apocalypse and refers to an unveiling. The book is about the tribulation period with symbolic language, giving us the end of the story -- Jesus will once and for all heal the wounds of sin, reign for a thousand years on earth, then re-create the world into a place that represent's God's original design.

What the Lord is Saying:

This verse speaks of a war that is happening with the Son of God - the Lamb of God - Jesus - and today it definitely feels like Jesus as Lord is being put on the shelf in our present life by the world. Yet, should we be surprised? This world is of Satan and the people resemble that type of thinking and yet the people of God know that Jesus is King of kings.

To dig a little deeper into this verse in Revelation, I am interested in the title "King of kings" and why it was used. The Expositor's Greek New Testament (1897) references this title as a reference to the well-known Parthian title. "King of kings" which was a title first given to Parthian empires of their kings around 150 BC. This verse begins with "They will wage war against the Lamb." The preceding verses speak of the last of the seven angels, which were entrusted the execution of the last things and the last angel is referred to as the Great Harlot. And in 17:2 is mentioned that the kings of the earth committed fornication with her, this angel, the Great Harlot. The idea being that the kings accepted this angels idolatry and aligned themselves with her. And now in verse 14, they will wage war is the idea that these kings of the earth, kings of nations, will wage war with Jesus and Jesus the Lamb will overcome them because He is lord of lords and King of kings. Thus, Jesus is the King among all kings. Thus, it seems that John is taking a phrase that has been used of kings and empires somewhat recently, 250 years or less and ascribing that phrase - King of kings - to Jesus.

It is interesting because I remember singing songs with "King of kings" in the verses. And there is the idea present often that all the governments do submit to Jesus as He is king of Kings. In the Bible are 6 references to King of Kings. I don't see this as a title given to the Lord God himself in the Old Testament, but there are 3 references to it in the new, 2 in Revelation and 1 time by Paul in I Timothy 6:15.

Yet, the idea of God as King is mentioned in the Bible, like Psalm 10:16, "The Lord is King forever and ever; nations have perished from His land." So on one hand is the title "King of kings" which is not given too many times, but is a true concept and then the idea of Jesus as King is also prominent.

One instance of this is found in John 12:12-16 as Jesus is entering Jerusalem on his way to being crucified.

On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.” Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written, “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” These things His disciples did not understand at the first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things to Him.

This reference in John seem to go back to Zechariah 9:9 - Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

The Zechariah verse paints the picture of the ideal king coming. And then Zechariah also inserts, coming with salvation. Zechariah is prediction the fall of Israel here and the fall of the neighboring nations. This is not a conquering king coming with weapons, but a king coming as a prince of peace. The colt or ass references back to Judges passages that speak of riding on donkeys in preparation for judgment. This king was spoken by all the prophets and is one coming that will reign forever. So Jesus is meek and still the ultimate rescue for His people. And he is it. No more will be needed. Yes, He will come again to usher in the final kingdom on earth and in heaven, but His rescue of people's souls and lives will never again be repeated.

This type of king in our lives in not fathomable. We have rotating kings and presidents. We have this constant stress or adulation of who will be our next leader. And the question of what type of leader He will be. Will God be by His side or will he only lean on human wisdom? So, this lesson is so important for Jesus is King of Kings and He is the last and ideal king. No one is better and no one needs to be better for He had done it all.

Promise: I am Christ's ambassador to point people to the Jesus the only King and only true King of our lives, but we are to bow our knee to Him today and each day.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for showing me this text. It takes me time, but you illuminate me and open my eyes to your truth and the right understand of you Jesus as King, as the King of Kings. Thank you for using your word and speaking through others in the past to also give me understanding. I am your ambassador of truth. Help me to keep being a blessing to others.

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Hebrews 2:17 - Christ Our Priest

Hebrews 2:17

Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

Message: Christ Our Priest

Time: The authorship of this book is shrouded in mystery, though its Jewish composition can still nail down its authorship to AD 64-69, as the book does not mention the destruction of the temple in AD 70. It has references to Jewish customs and the Old Testament, so most likely was sent to a Jewish community.

What the Lord is Saying:

Charles Swindoll states that "Hebrews clearly lays out the present priestly ministry of Christ in the life of the believer. Jesus is both the divine Son of God and completely human, and in His priestly role He clears the way for human beings to approach the Father in heaven through prayer."

Only chapter 1, 10, 11, and 13 do not mention this role of priest of Jesus in Hebrews.

My study so far has been of Christ Alone as the one who saves us. I've looked at His attributes, His work or obedience, and now have shifted to His titles - as our Prophet and now our Priest. The priest is a title that meant a great deal to the Jewish community for a high priest acted as a representative on earth of God. They brought sacrifices to cover sin and it is interesting the Catholic Church carried on this role in similar ways. The Day of Atonement was one of the most significant days as annually it represented the cleansing of people - to maintain the covenant relationship between the Israelites and the Lord.

Even up to the time of the Reformation this office of Priest was one of the stark identifiers in what Martin Luther saw as a problem with the Roman Catholic church - that man needed a go-between to get to God or be absolved of sin. What is a mystery is how the priests role continues to institute or give the idea that the priest must receive penance and be the intercessor between God and Man. For me, God remains a mystery in many people's lives so they are looking for any type of authority to help them understand God and so the Priest becomes that authority and what we do then is listen to whatever the person has to say.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism written in 1646 and 1647 states, "Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God; and in making continual intercession for us (WSC 25)." In today's text, Jesus is made like his brothers in all things, so God becomes a man and lives as a man. So that he might become a merciful and high priest - the problem with the continuous role of priest is the priest offers something temporary. Old covenant priests repeated their sacrifices annually, by replacing the penalty of sin with the blood of an animal. The practice was to retrieve an unblemished animal, so to find an animal that is as perfect as possible and this blood atoned for sin. The Messiah is one that releases people from captivity. Man is captive to his flesh and because of this will always be imperfect. Jesus as Messiah releases man by offering Himself and offers a perfect version of man - one without sin. Thus, Jesus is our High Priest. I'm not sure people think that the priest today is meant to replace Jesus, but it gives that impression. Why would we continue to use someone like a priest that is not all sufficient?

Promise: Jesus cannot fail to save the elect. He offers true atonement for sin. Jesus through His sacrifice regained for men and women a relationship with God.

Prayer: Lord, it saddens me to see how you are misunderstood in our world, but I suppose this is what happens when eyes are blinded to the truth and it is apparent. It is hard to be part of a remnant at times for the majority is what we often want to be about. But the reality is, as we work and live in our world, we as Christians are a minority and what we think and believe about life and living and salvation is somewhat unique. I pray that the message of the Gospel would penetrate people's lives and for those you place in my place, you would help me be a conduit of information for the truth of who You are. Thank you for using me in the way you have, for even using this blog to help communicate to others. Help me to continue to be a light to those in need. Be glorified always.