Isaiah 33:22 (NIV)
For the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King; it is He who will save us.
Today I needed this reminder! When I’m distracted by what I hear on the news … when I’m distracted by the world of opinions … when I’m distracted by my own troubles and spiritual challenges … I need to remember who Jesus IS! “For the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King; it is He who will save us!”
Matthew 16:13-20 (NIV)
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” He asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter (Rock), and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then Jesus ordered His disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Messiah.
Yes, Jesus is the Messiah … the Son of the Living God! And He tells us more … more about who He IS … and I take great comfort in knowing Jesus is who He claimed to be:
John 4:25-26 (NIV)
The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) is coming. When He comes, He will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I AM HE.”
John 6:35 (NIV)
Then Jesus declared, “I AM the Bread of Life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
John 8:12 (NIV)
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I AM the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:23-24 (NIV)
But He continued, “You are from below; I AM from Above. You are of this world; I AM not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I AM HE, you will indeed die in your sins.”
John 8:58 (NIV)
“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I AM!”
John 10:9 (NIV)
I AM the Gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
John 10:11 (NIV)
“I AM the Good Shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
John 11:25 (NIV)
Jesus said to her, “I AM the Resurrection and the Life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;
John 13:13 (NIV)
“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I AM.
John 13:19 (NIV)
“I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I AM who I AM.
John 14:6 (NIV)
Jesus answered, “I AM the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:11 (NIV)
Believe me when I say that I AM in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.
John 15:1; 5 (NIV)
“I AM the True Vine, and my Father is the gardener. “I AM the Vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Oh, this is powerful! This is what I needed this morning! When Jesus asks me, “Who do you say that I AM?” These are the only answers I need. Indeed, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His Being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” (Cf. Hebrews 1:3) Jesus is I AM! He is God with us … Immanuel! Jesus is Lord! He is Judge… Lawgiver … King … Savior! He is the Son of the Living God!
May I tell you this morning, that we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses! Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles us. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Cf. Hebrews 12:1-3)
May I tell you this morning that Jesus is on the throne of God! Yes, Jesus, the I AM, has been given ALL power and authority in heaven and earth! (Cf. Matthew 28:18) We do not have to be distressed or disillusioned or disoriented or distracted or dissuaded or disorganized or dismantled or disenfranchised or discontinued or disposed or disheartened or discouraged! Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Cf. John 16:33)
Lord Jesus, we lift you up this morning! We exalt your Name which is above every other name! For at the name of Jesus every knee WILL bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth! (Cf. Philippians 2:10) We thank you Lord Jesus that you have revealed yourself to us … that we might know you as I AM! As you strengthen us with your presence … give us wisdom and understanding from your Word to disarm the enemy! Guard our minds and our hearts that we might be sanctified by the Truth. Your Word is Truth! (Cf. John 17:17) Let us take captive every thought to make it obedient to You! (Cf. 2 Corinthians 10:5) Protect us from the evil one! Yes, prepare us for the battle that has come upon us! For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Cf. Ephesians 6:12) And we give thanks to God the Father who gives us the victory through you our Lord and Savior! (1 Corinthians 15:57) Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your intercession … for we know you pray our faith may not fail! In you alone we have placed our hope! Be glorified and honored by the praises of our lips and the meditations of our hearts. For I ask all these things in your name – I AM. Amen….
So Now You Know 