Open…

Open…

And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. ~ 2 Kings 6:17

What an incredible experience it must have been for the servant to have the Lord open his eyes to the unseen … to peer into the heavenly realms and encounter spiritual realities hidden from our view. What incredible grace God bestows upon His people … to open our eyes to see those things that elude our natural sight.

In Genesis 21:19, God opened the eyes of Hagar, and she saw a well of water. She went and filled a skin with water to revive her thirsty son. In Numbers 22:31, the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. Indeed, there are times when the Lord enables us to see the supernatural in order to reveal with His will and to align us with His purposes. But as I study the Word of God today, my heart has been drawn to and identifies with the Psalmist who wrote: “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” (Psalm 119:18) Yes Lord, “Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.” (Psalm 119:34)

In Luke 24, we have the story of two disciples who were walking along the road to Emmaus and discussing the crucifixion of Jesus just three days prior. A stranger approached them and began to walk with them; listening to their unfolding of recent events and observing their downcast hearts. Then He said to them: “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.”

The stranger expounded on the ancient scriptures to explain their prophetic revelations regarding the Messiah. He affirmed to them that Jesus was indeed the Messiah – the Holy One of Israel. And as He lingered to eat a meal with them that evening, Jesus opened their eyes so that they could recognize Him. In astonishment they asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us? (Luke 24:28-32)

Later that same night, after the two had returned from Emmaus with their amazing news, Jesus appeared to the disciples as they were gathered in conversation. They were startled and afraid at His sudden appearance. Jesus said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. (Luke 24:44-45)

My friends, most assuredly, the Lord Jesus Himself is our Master Teacher! Our Savior fulfills every word declared through Moses, the Prophets, and His Spirit. (Hebrews 1:1-3) Indeed, the Spirit of Truth guides us into all the Truth. (John 16:13) And the Truth is Jesus Himself – the Word of God! (John 1:1; 14:6; John 17:17) Oh, how I pray that Jesus would open our eyes to see all the Scriptures concerning Himself; give us burning hearts to receive and understand them; and endue us with His power to believe them! Amen.

Have a Blessed Day!

Change…

Change…

God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not change— He will hear them and humble them, because they have no fear of God. (Psalm 55:19)

“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. (Malachi 3:6)

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)

The Word of God is consistent regarding this truth: God Does Not Change! God is not human, that He should lie; not a human being that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19) Concerning His Son: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” (Psalm 110:4) Though God created the heavens and the earth, they will perish. But He will remain the same and endure forever. (Cf. Psalm 102:25-27) The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of God endures forever. (Isaiah 40:8) Yes, the Lord Jesus declared: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33) Indeed, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever! (Hebrews 13:8)

God the Father does not change; and yet, He is the agent of change! He changes times and seasons; He deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. (Daniel 2:21) By His Spirit, God changes people and their hearts. He used the Prophet Samuel to anoint the first King of Israel with oil; and Saul was changed into a different person. (Cf. 1 Samuel 10:6-11) And He is in the process of changing each of us. “For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son; that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.” (Romans 8:29-30)

We are called by our Holy Creator to change … to be transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory – which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (Cf. Corinthians 3:16-18) Jesus told His disciples, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of God.” (Matthew 18:3; Mark 10:15; Luke 18:17) Indeed, change is necessary if we want to become like Jesus and live as Jesus did. This is how we will know that we are in Him. (1 John 2:5-6)

My friends, soon there is a great change coming to our lives: “We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

Have a Blessed Day!

Your Word is Eternal…

Psalm 119:160 (NIV)

All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.

As we look at our world and the culture in these last days, we can ascertain that the primary cause of the unfolding tribulation can be traced to the conflict between light and darkness … between good and evil … between truth and lies. But what I have learned from the Scriptures is that truth is unchanging. The revelation of truth from God to mankind has been consistent, trustworthy, and authoritative since creation. Consider that Moses compiled the Torah around 1400 BC, and it is still the foundation of faith almost 3,500 years later. As the inspired writers of the Psalms expressed well over four centuries later: “Forever, O Lord, Your Word is settled in heaven.” (Psalm 119:89) and “All Your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.” (Psalm 119:160) In another 300 years, the Prophet Isaiah would affirm, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God endures forever.” (Isaiah 40:8) And had anything changed by the time the Prophets Daniel or Zechariah preached in their generations?

Daniel 9:4-14 (NIV)

I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land. “Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you. The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him; we have not obeyed the Lord our God or kept the laws He gave us through His servants the prophets. All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. “Therefore, the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing on us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your Truth. The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything He does; yet we have not obeyed Him.

Zechariah 1:1-6 (NIV)

In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo: “The Lord was very angry with your ancestors. Therefore, tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Return to me,” declares the Lord Almighty, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. Do not be like your ancestors, to whom the earlier prophets proclaimed: This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Turn from your evil ways and your evil practices.” But they would not listen or pay attention to me, declares the Lord. Where are your ancestors now? And the prophets, do they live forever? But did not my words and my decrees, which I commanded my servants the prophets, overtake your ancestors? “Then they repented and said, ‘The Lord Almighty has done to us what our ways and practices deserve, just as He determined to do.’”

When we evaluate the historical relationship between the people of God and His Word, the Word of God has stood firm. Disobedience to the truth produces consequences … separation from the presence, provision, and protection of God in our lives. Rebellious Israel has been a solemn reminder of the realities that come with walking in disobedience and darkness … even though the light of truth had been given to them through the Word of God. When God created the first humans, they were deceived through lies into disobedience. When God made a covenant with Abraham to choose a people to Himself and to separate them out of the world – to be a HOLY people and to be His priests to the nations – we observe the continued spiritual struggle between embracing the truth of God and succumbing to the lies of Satan. Indeed, deception and distortion of the truth has been present from the very beginning … and this has been the test of faith ever since.

It is my solemn prayer for the people of God to be awake and alert in these last days! For many false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. (Cf. Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22) There were false prophets in Israel just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves (Cf. 2 Peter 2:1) Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. (Cf. 1 John 4:1-3) Indeed, we need to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. (Cf. Jude 1:3-4) Indeed, we need to be aware … to be alert … for our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (Cf. 1 Peter 5:8)

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore, anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. ~ Matthew 5:17-20

Your Word Gives Light…

Psalm 119:130 (NIV)

The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

For our Verse of the Day, we continue in Psalm 119; and again, I will put our verse in its surrounding section for context:

פ Pe

¹²⁹Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them.
¹³⁰The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
¹³¹I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands.
¹³²Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.
¹³³Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.
¹³⁴Redeem me from human oppression, that I may obey your precepts.
¹³⁵Make your face shine on your servant and teach me your decrees.
¹³⁶Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed.

צ Tsadhe

¹³⁷You are righteous, Lord, and your laws are right.
¹³⁸The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy.
¹³⁹My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore your words.
¹⁴⁰Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
¹⁴¹Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget your precepts.
¹⁴²Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true.
¹⁴³Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight.
¹⁴⁴Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live.

As I meditate on these words and the light they bring, I cannot help but imagine the inner feelings of those who penned these Spirit inspired thoughts. I can just sense the intensity of zeal for the Word of God already available to them … for all of its instruction and wisdom in righteousness and order and goodness. Psalm 119 conveys a deep realization that God wants His people to know the truth and that He desires those who love Him to live according to it. And so there is a great hunger and thirst for the Word of God within us. It beckons us to learn and to apply and to be transformed!

Romans 12:2 (NIV)

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.

Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Father God, we thank you for Your Word … passed down over the millennia! We thank you for instruction in wisdom and the knowledge of righteousness! We praise you for the light you have brought into the world so that we might know you, the only true God. Indeed, we hold fast to your promise of eternal life for those who put their faith in your Son … our Savior … Jesus the Christ. I pray that Your Word will change us … transform us … conform us into His image. I pray that you would direct our footsteps according to your word and let no sin rule over us. May those who love you delight in your commands to do them. Let your grace abound, O Lord, so that we might obey your word. For I ask these things in your Mighty Name. Amen.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

“The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine through the land— not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. People will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it.” ~ Amos 8:11-12

Every Knee Will Bow…

Romans 14:11 (NIV)

It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’”

Our Verse of the Day affirms that ALL people will stand before the throne of God and give account. Although the immediate context is a warning about judging others regarding matters of religious practice; to me, Paul has inserted the greater issue of God’s sovereign and righteous judgment of His people. It is in this context that we are exhorted to be humble. As we read the exposition of Old Testament scripture found in Paul’s inspired writing, let’s review the context of the prophetic word he quotes:

Isaiah 45:22-24 (NIV)

“Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear. They will say of me, ‘In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength.’” All who have raged against Him will come to Him and be put to shame.

Romans 14:10-13 (NIV)

You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Therefore, let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.

I think what Paul is trying to do here is remind us of the dangers of asserting ourselves or our own human judgments of how people should choose to express their reverence and worship of God – the only righteous judge of such matters. (Cf. Romans 14:1-9) Apostolic writings abound with references that instruct us to be humble, gentle, and to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Cf. Ephesians 5:21-22; Colossians 3:18; James 4:11-12; 1 Peter 2:13; 1 Peter 5:5) And this brings to mind another passage that I believe will bring clarity to the point I am trying to make here:

Philippians 2:1-11 (NIV)

Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

I believe when we see the alignment of these Scriptures, we see the message of humility before God with greater precision. We should not expect people to bow to us regarding a particular religious practice or denominational creed; rather, ALL will stand before God’s judgment seat and be judged according to HIS Word! So, I will conclude here with what Jesus Himself taught in this regard and let this be our application:

John 12:44-50 (NIV)

Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the One who sent me. The one who looks at me is seeing the One who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know that His command leads to eternal life. So, whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

My friends, it is the Living Word of God which informs us of our Creator … our Sovereign God … our Holy Father who alone is God! There is no other! Every human being … every living creature … WILL bow down before Him! We can worship God now through faith, in the Spirit and in Truth, because that is the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. (Cf. John 4:23-24) But God has made it known … His Word is eternal … that ALL people will give an account of their lives on the Last Day. Yes, every soul WILL stand in judgment before Him! (Cf. Revelation 20:11-15)

The Truth is sobering! His Word is Truth! “For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” (Cf. Hebrews 4:11-13) So, let us embrace the Word of God … the words God commanded Jesus to speak to us. I pray we will believe and obey Him because His command leads to eternal life! Amen.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Therefore, we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So, we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:6-10

God’s Final Word…

Hebrews 1:1-2 (NIV)

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe.

Our Verse of the Day has been cited quite often in various commentaries over the past year, and now it is our verse to consider on its own. Yesterday, we examined the prologue of the gospel account written by the Apostle John … and I think that the inspired writer of the Book of Hebrews simply affirms this truth. In John 1:14 he wrote: “The Word (Jesus) became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” And Hebrews 1:1 asserts that Jesus spoke the final words revealing the will of God and asserts His ordained authority to do so….

As I think about the revelation of God Jesus communicated as His Son, I think it is important to observe what Jesus said about the words He spoke to the disciples … and shared with the Jewish people … even with us who believe in Him based upon their eyewitness testimony and anointed remembrance. (Cf. John 14:26) Jesus is quite direct about the gravity of hearing His Words … following His teachings … and putting them into practice. In fact, Jesus declares that His Words will judge us on the last day….

John 5:24-26 (NIV)

²⁴“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. ²⁵Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. ²⁶For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son also to have life in Himself. ²⁷And He has given Him authority to judge because He is the Son of Man.

John 12:44-50 (NIV)

⁴⁴Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the One who sent me. ⁴⁵The one who looks at me is seeing the One who sent me. ⁴⁶I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. ⁴⁷“If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. ⁴⁸There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. ⁴⁹For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. ⁵⁰I know that his command leads to eternal life. So, whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

John 14:10-11 (NIV)

Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing His work. 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 14:23-25 (NIV)

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. “All this I have spoken while still with you.But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Mark 8:37-38; Luke 9:25-26 (NIV)

What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their soul? Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when He comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

Luke 6:46-49 (NIV)

⁴⁶“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? ⁴⁷As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. ⁴⁸They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. ⁴⁹But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

Not only has Father God spoken to us through the Prophets … beginning with Moses … He has clearly spoken to us through His Son, our Lord Jesus! And it is imperative that we listen to His voice … hear His words … and obey them! This is how we demonstrate our love for Him. As Jesus said: “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (Cf. John 15:7-8) Indeed, His Word must remain in us through the Holy Spirit in order for us to be effective and productive in the Kingdom of God. So, let us keep ourselves in His Word each day. Yes, let us do our best to present yourselves to God as ones approved, workers who do not need to be ashamed and who correctly handle the word of truth.” (Cf. 2 Timothy 2:15)

A Final Thought:

John 5:36-40 (NIV)

“I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has Himself testified concerning me. You have never heard His voice nor seen His form, nor does His word dwell in you, for you do not believe the One He sent. You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:23)

The Word Became Flesh…

John 1:1-2, 14 (NIV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

I love the Christmas Story as shared in the Synoptic Gospels – (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). They provide great detail of the “human” story of Jesus … the ancestral history and genealogy … the people, places, and circumstances leading up to His birth … the visiting angels … the fulfillment of prophecies … and so much more. It is a fascinating story and so easy to let your mind wander through the images of what it might have been like to have lived in the time of Jesus’ birth. And I think we all need to know this historical story. It brings a relational aspect to Jesus as the Son of Man. His human story is much like our own. A human birth … a mother and a father … a family. He encountered the same experiences and challenges of human maturation. And Jesus navigated human existence in an unprecedented manner … unlike any other person:

Hebrews 2:14-18 (NIV)

¹⁴Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— ¹⁵and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. ¹⁶For surely it is not angels He helps, but Abraham’s descendants. ¹⁷For this reason He had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people. ¹⁸Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.

Hebrews 4:14-16 (NIV)

¹⁴Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin. ¹⁶Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Indeed, we can see and understand Jesus as one of us … a human … a Son of Man … in three Gospel accounts. But the Apostle John begins his Gospel record from a different point of view – which brings a profound perspective of Jesus’ entrance into humanity that we need to consider as well. Our Verse of the Day unveils the eternal origin of His divine nature as Son of God. God Himself took on flesh and blood … to reveal Himself in an intelligible way to His human creations. I think He did so to remove the mystery of His Being and to restore the relational separation between us. Through His Son, God reconciled the world to Himself (Cf. 2 Corinthians 5:19) and that is the greatest story of all! Witnessing the glory of Jesus, John understood something far deeper about Jesus … an intimate knowledge of His grace and truth … the purpose for which He was sent into the world … a world He created though the world did not recognize Him. (Cf. John 1:10)

There are other verses we have studied in the past that comes to mind, and I think they relate to the declaration John made concerning Jesus as the “Word” of God. Jesus became the living Word of God when He dwelt among us. Jesus spoke what the Father gave Him to say and He shared it with us. (Cf. John 8:28; 8:38; 12:50) Moreover, Jesus “fulfilled” the Word of God spoken to the Prophets. (Cf. Matthew 5:17) Perhaps this is why it was written: “Forever, O Lord, Your Word is settled in heaven.” (Cf. Psalm 119:89)

Oh, how we need to understand Jesus is both the Son of Man and Son of God. For in both aspects of His nature – His is, indeed, the eternal, living Word of God! He came the first Advent as a baby and lived a perfect human life. And He experienced death as a human in the most unconscionable way. But, Praise God! Jesus is the resurrection and the life! (Cf. John 11:25) And He has promised to return (His Second Advent) to take us to be with Him (Cf. John 14:3) and to bring salvation to fulfillment:

Hebrews 9:24-28 (NIV)

²⁴For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; He entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. ²⁵Nor did He enter heaven to offer Himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. ²⁶Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But He has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself. ²⁷Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, ²⁸so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.

So, during this Season of Advent – I pray we will continue to remember not only the birth of Jesus, but His triumphant life that has brought us reconciliation and salvation! And let us ever keep the hope of His return … His Second Coming in our hearts so that we might live worthy of Him and be prepared when He comes. Even so, come Lord Jesus! (Cf. Revelation 22:20)

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Your Word is Truth…

John 17:17 (NIV)

Sanctify them by the Truth; Your Word is Truth.

Our Verse of the Day is found in a passage of scripture that captures the content of an intercessory prayer Jesus offered to God the Father. When Jesus was with His disciples just before the time of his betrayal, trial, and execution on a cross; He commenced a profound time of prayer specifically for them and for those who come to faith through their testimonies. The Apostle John recorded this prayer in his gospel account; and it affords the context for our verse:

John 17:6-23 (NIV) – Excerpt from the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus

⁶“I have revealed You (your name, your character, your being) to those whom You gave me out of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to me and they have obeyed Your word. ⁷Now they know that everything You have given me comes from You. ⁸For I gave them the words You gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that you sent me. ⁹I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are Yours. ¹⁰All I have is Yours, and all You have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. ¹¹I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, protect them by the power of (keep them faithful to) Your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. ¹²While I was with them, I protected them and kept them faithful to that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. ¹³“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. ¹⁴I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. ¹⁵My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. ¹⁶They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. ¹⁷Sanctify them by the Truth; your Word is Truth. ¹⁸As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. ¹⁹For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.²⁰“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²²I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— ²³I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Here we discover that the disciples (and all those who believe) have been “set apart” from the world through Jesus Christ. And He emphasizes in this prayer that WHAT will “separate” His followers from the world is the Word of God. Yes, this is what the word “sanctify” means. It means to be separated from the world … to be “set apart unto God” and service to Him. It means to be holy … for the One who gives us life through His Son is holy! And, indeed, we should never lose sight of this declaration from the Gospel of John … and his eyewitness account of the glory of Jesus Christ: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (Cf. John 1:1) And, “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe.” (Cf. Hebrews 1:1-2)

When Jesus prayed: “Sanctify them by the Truth; your Word is Truth,” He was declaring to the disciples (and to us) that the Word of God is Truth. You and I can fully trust His Word. Jesus, the living Word of God, is Truth! You can trust Jesus when He said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (Cf. John 14:6) Applying the Word of God to our hearts and letting it transform us and renew our thoughts (minds) is HOW we become sanctified. “For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Cf. Hebrews 4:12)

Again, in order to know the truth … in order to live in accordance with the truth … we have to be studying the truth in order to know it and to put it into practice. Indeed, as Jesus asserted, He gave His disciples the words that the Father had given for Him to impart … “and they accepted them.” So, I encourage you to keep reading … keep meditating … keep receiving from the Spirit the wonderful things of God found in His Word. His Word is our hope … our confidence … our assurance! His Word is alive! It contains truth that transforms. It will empower your life in ways you may not have experienced before. There is always something new … something fresh … awaiting you in the Word of God. And the Spirit of Truth will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. (Cf. John 16:13)

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. ~ John 1:14

To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” ~ John 8:31-32

His Word Endures Forever…

1 Peter 1:24-25 (NIV)

For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the Word that was preached to you.

Our Verse of the Day has a great observation and commentary from the Apostle Peter concerning the eternal and unchanging nature of God’s Word. To me, it provides an interesting contrast that Peter uses here to support his point, and I would like to explore it further….

1 Peter 1:22-25 (NIV)

²²Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from a pure heart. ²³For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God. ²⁴For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, ²⁵but the word of the Lord endures forever.” (Citing Isaiah 40:6-8) And this is the Word that was preached to you.

I believe the context of our passage is anchored by Verse 23. Here we find reference to the born-again experience that Jesus discussed with Nicodemus. The Apostle John records this conversation, and I will reprint it here:

John 3:5-15 (NIV)

⁵Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. ⁶Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. ⁷You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ ⁸The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” ⁹“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. ¹⁰“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things?¹²I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? ¹³No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. ¹⁴Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵that everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him.”

With this in mind (being born of the Spirit), I believe we can infer from the premise made by Peter that the Word of God is what the Spirit uses to “effectuate” the new birth experience. He asserts that “we have been born again … through the living and enduring Word of God. And this “word” is unchanging … it is eternal. And this is the word that was preached to you. And this is consistent with what Paul asserted when he penned: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing comes by the Word of God.” (Cf. Romans 10:17) I cannot explain how this happens; I only know from personal experience that it does. When we allow the “thoughts” of God to penetrate and indwell our hearts, we WILL come to faith in Jesus Christ … which IS the born-again experience being presented here. Jesus said, “This is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. (Cf. Luke 22:20), and it was declared through the Prophet Jeremiah when he prophesied:

Jeremiah 31:31-34 (NIV)

³¹“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. ³²It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. ³³“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. ³⁴No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

(You will see the new covenant declaration quoted in the Hebrews 8 as well. And in Hebrews 9, you will find its theological development and the requirement for the sacrificial blood of Jesus to “seal” or “enforce” the covenant. So, I encourage you to read those fascinating chapters.)

Now for emphasis, Peter quotes the Prophet Isaiah regarding the temporal nature of man in contrast to the eternal nature of God’s Word. The Word of God is “living” and its truth endures forever in comparison to the brevity of our own lives. Perhaps Peter wanted to assure believers that the Word living in them affirms the Lord’s promise of our resurrection and eternal life with God. As we noted in Hebrews 4:12, “The Word of God is alive and active!” So, when we are born-again of the Spirit through the imperishable, living, and enduring Word of God, our physical lives may end but our souls will live forever. Jesus affirmed, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live … even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (Cf. John 11:25-26)

It is certain each of us will face physical death. The statistics have remained unchanged at 100% since humans have been on the earth. Even Jesus died a physical death…. But Jesus taught us that faith in Him would overcome the power of death. When we are alive in Jesus … when we abide in Him … our physical death here will not be final. And this is why Jesus said, “You must be born again – born of water (the Word) and the Spirit – in order to enter the Kingdom of God.

As I meditate on these passages, I think I will conclude with this passage from the Gospel of John because Jesus can explain this better than anyone else:

John 6:63-69 (ESV)

⁶⁰Many of His disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?” ⁶¹Jesus was aware that His disciples were complaining, so He said to them, “Does this offend you? ⁶²Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? ⁶³The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are full of the Spirit and life. ⁶⁴But there are some of you who do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and He knew who would betray Him.) ⁶⁵Then He said, “That is why I said to you that no one can come to me unless it has been granted to them by the Father.” ⁶⁶At this point many of His disciples turned away and deserted him. ⁶⁷Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” ⁶⁸Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. ⁶⁹We believe, and we know you are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Look at how much I love your precepts. Preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your faithful love. All of Your Word is truth, and all Your righteous judgments endure forever. ~ Psalm 119:159-160