Tag: King Jesus
Blessed Kingdom Kids!
Scripture reading for October 5: Matthew 5-7
Matthew is writing his Gospel primarily to the Jews who knew the Old Testament law and prophets. That’s why he quotes so many passages of the Old Testament and tries to speak to them in ways that relate to their background and heritage. Matthew recorded one of the longest discourses of Jesus in the Bible. It is known as the “Sermon on the Mount,” and it tells of the blessings and responsibilities of those belonging to the kingdom of heaven. A ‘kingdom’ implies a king who rules!
Jesus began with an opening statement of blessing that we know as the “beatitudes”. This section speaks of the blessedness of those who will be subjects of the King. They are blessed when they are poor in spirit because theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3) Kingdom people are not proud, boastful, or self-sufficient. Their sufficiency comes from their King in their midst.
Kingdom people are meek and merciful. They are humbly under their merciful King’s authority and guided by His Spirit. They hunger and thirst for righteousness and are satisfied by their King with a banquet of bread and wine. Kingdom kids are pure in heart because they have a new heart given as a gift from their King! They are peacemakers for they are sons of their Father Who gives peace that the world can’t understand! These kids are blessed when they are persecuted for their righteousness because they have heavenly vision and know that the best is yet to come! They have a reward in heaven that no one can steal or destroy. (Matthew 5:7-12) They will see their King’s face one day and bask in His glory!
Kingdom kids are blessed to be the light of the world. They reflect the glory of their King everywhere they go. They are the salt of the earth! They bring out the “God-flavors” of this world according to the Message Bible! (Matthew 5:13-16) They help stop the corruption of sin and bring out God’s saving and preserving message of Gospel hope and love. They are a people who live out the law by loving God and loving their neighbors from their hearts.
God’s kingdom kids do not have to worry about tomorrow or fret over provisions. They know how to talk to God in prayer and trust Him for everything. He is their Provider and Protector. They are blessed with all they need as they seek their King and His righteousness! (Matthew 6:33) They have built their houses on a Rock, their King and God! Storms may come, but they will be secure and safe in Him! Are you enjoying the blessings of Your King? Today is the best day to humbly ask Him to rule over you!
Rejoicing in Mt. Zion!
Scripture reading for April 18th: 1 Chronicles 9-13
Key Scriptures: 1st Chronicles 11:4-5, 7-9 “David and all the Israelites marched to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus). The Jebusites who lived there said to David, “You will not get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, the City of David. . . .David then took up residence in the fortress, and so it was called the City of David. . . .And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord Almighty was with him.”
Newly anointed King David led the Israelites to capture the city of Jebus. The Jebusites were adamant that David could not take the city, but God was with him and he conquered the city and set up residence there. It would be known as “Jerusalem”, also as “Zion”, and as the “City of David” along with several other names! From David’s line would come a Son of God, Jesus Christ, who would rule eternally on the throne of that “City of the Great King!”
Rejoice today in Zion: “But you have come to Mt. Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the Living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the Firstborn; whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant. . .” (Hebrews 12:22-24)
King of Truth!
Scripture reading for April 29th: John 18
Key Scriptures for over-comers: John 18:36-37 “Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!”, said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king, in fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me.” “What is truth?” Pilate asked.”
Jesus was questioned by Pilate as to if He was “King of the Jews.” Jesus responded that His kingdom was not of this world, but from another place. (Heaven) Jesus admitted that He was born a King! His purpose was to declare the kingdom of God and Heaven and to reveal the truth about God the Father’s love. This is the “Truth” that many, including Pilate, struggled to understand. Jesus plainly stated that anyone on the side of truth would listen to Him.
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers know Jesus as King of Kings and now through Him know God as their heavenly Father. They await their King, coming in power and majesty to bring them into the fullness of the kingdom. “Gird your sword upon your side, O Might One; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty. In your majesty ride forth victoriously in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness; let your right hand display awesome deeds.” (Psalm 45:3-4)
Popularity and jealousy!
Scripture reading for May 21st: John 11:54-12:19
Jesus’ miracle of raising Lazarus caused quite a stir! Many Jews who had come to comfort Mary and Martha believed in Jesus as the Christ. Others went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. The Sanhedrin was convened to discuss what to do with Jesus. These religious leaders were jealous and concerned that all the people would believe in Jesus and that this would stir up the Romans who would destroy their Temple and nation.
During the discussion, Caiaphas, the high priest spoke to the group. “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” (John 11:50) John recorded that this statement was a prophetic word that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation and for the other scattered children of God. This is how they came to the conclusion that they would seek to kill Jesus. (John 11:51-53)
It is interesting that Jesus’ greatest miracle brought the religious leaders together to kill Him. Caiaphas spoke prophetically, guided by God, to tell the plan of God for the Jewish nation and the world. Even though these men did not believe that Jesus was the Christ, God used their positions and authority to promote His plan of redemption!
Jesus again returned to Bethany six days before Passover and went to Lazarus’ home and ate with the family at a banquet in His honor. (John 12:1-2) Here He was anointed by Mary with expensive perfume. Jesus knew and stated that Mary did this to prepare Him for burial. A large crowd had come to see Jesus and Lazarus. This caused the chief priests to make plans to kill Lazarus too. They were worried about the many who were putting faith in Jesus and Lazarus’ miracle was drawing them!
Jesus’ entered Jerusalem the next day as the crowds welcomed Him with “Hosanna!”, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” and “Blessed is the King of Israel!” (John 12:13) John recorded that Jesus fulfilled Zechariah 9:9: “Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your King is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.” It is interesting that the religious leaders were oblivious to prophetic fulfillment, and worried, “Look how the whole world has gone after Him.” That was God’s plan from the beginning!
We want a King!
Scripture reading for March 19: 1st Samuel 9-12
In yesterday’s reading, the Israelites had demanded a king like the other nations. (1st Samuel 8:4-5) God’s people already had a King with the Lord! They wanted a king they could see and follow. God knew this and He told Moses about it! (Deuteronomy 16:14-20) He sometimes lets us have what we want in order to give us what we really need.
God chose Saul, a person who stood above all the others, as Israel’s first king. (1st Samuel 10:23-24) As Samuel anointed him, the Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul and he began prophesying. (1st Samuel 10:1, 9-11) Samuel introduced him to the nation and the people shouted, “Long live the king!” This king would not satisfy the people’s need, but would help them to learn that they needed their real King more than ever! This first king soon failed to obey and honor the Lord and fell under God’s judgment. The people would suffer under his leadership!
Today happens to be my 65th birthday. I lived for a few years for myself, then I invited Jesus Christ into my life. I am thankful that my King was patient with me and compassionate towards me. He drew me with His love and mercy. I finally surrendered my life to Him and am still learning! My birthday request is that my family would know Jesus as Lord. A further desire would be that all I have had the privilege of knowing would also know this King as Lord, Savior, and Friend!
Today please ask Jesus to be your King! Confess to Him your sin and renounce any other idols in your life. Believe in Jesus Christ as God’s Son and the only sacrifice for sin. He died for our sins and rose again from the dead! He is coming back soon as King of Kings!
“But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart.” That is the word of faith that we are proclaiming: that if you confess with your mouth,”Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.” (Romans 10:8-11)
A People, a King, and a Kingdom!
Scripture reading for April 17: 1st Chronicles 1-9
The Book of Chronicles was originally the last book in the Hebrew Scriptures. It begins with a listing of names starting with Adam and going through Noah. (1st Chronicles 1:1-4) From there it takes the three sons of Noah and tells of their descendants. From Shem, the genealogy follows Abraham’s line through Isaac and Ishmael. Then the line is continued through Isaac to Jacob (Israel). (1st Chronicles 2:1) Jacob’s line is traced to Jesse, the father of David and then picks up David’s family as well. (1st Chronicles 3:1-9) The last chapters of today’s reading cover the children of each of the twelve sons of Israel and their offspring.
What can we gain from this somewhat boring portion of Hebrew history? Is there any good to come from this repetition of people, offspring, and historical tidbits?
We actually can gain confidence and insight into the heart of God from this passage of Scripture. First, God keeps good books! He cares about names and people as well as what they did! This gives us confidence about the Book of Genesis as a source book for God’s people throughout their history. God knows each person by name and knows and remembers their children as well as their faith. He also has a plan to bring forth a King, His Son, through a specific line of people.
One example of a remembrance concerns Reuben, the firstborn son of Israel (Jacob). He is noted for defiling his father’s marriage bed and losing his rights as firstborn because of this. (1st Chronicles 5:1-3) Another note concerns the sons of Levi and his descendant, Merari. His sons were put into service by King David to minster with music before the tabernacle and Tent of Meeting until Solomon built the temple. (1st Chronicles 6:29-32) The people of Judah were noted for being taken captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness and then being the first to resettle on their own property afterward. (1st Chronicles 9:1-2)
We would do well to realize today that God has a plan. He gives each person a name and holds each one responsible for how they respond to what they know. By grace He chooses people to fulfill His purposes. He will have a people who will rule His Kingdom under the rule of His Son Jesus Christ who came through the lineage of David! Praise the Lord for His faithfulness!