Tag: Son of God
The Lamb of God
Scripture reading for April 7: John 1
“And the next day He saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of Whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man Who ranks before me, because He was before me.’ I myself did not know Him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that He might be revealed to Israel.” And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on Him. I myself did not know Him, but He Who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on Whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is He Who baptizes with the Holy Spirit,‘ and I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” John 1:29-34
John the Baptist was a cousin of Jesus Christ and leaped in his mother’s womb when Mary, the pregnant mother of Jesus visited his mother Elizabeth. (Luke 1:39-42) John and Jesus grew up very close in age and in the same family tree. John was called to the ministry of a prophet and spent years in the wilderness of Judea. At the right time, he began to preach repentance to the people of Israel who would come to hear him. Religious leaders came to question him, asking who he was. John denied being the ‘Christ’ or being the prophet Elijah. He quoted Isaiah 40:3 and claimed to be the ‘voice’ crying in the wilderness calling people to repentance. When asked why he was baptizing, John told them of a coming One, Who was greater. He was preparing Israel to receive Him.
The next day, Jesus came to where John was and John announced, “Behold, the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world!” John proclaimed Jesus as the One Who was greater and would baptize with the Holy Spirit. John twice said that He did not know Him! He stated that the One Who sent him to baptize revealed that when he saw the Spirit descend and remain on the One baptized, that was the Son of God. John had known Jesus as his cousin, but did not know Jesus fully as God’s Son until God Himself revealed this truth to him. So it is with each person even now!
In what way do you know Jesus Christ yourself today? How did God reveal Jesus Christ to you as the Son of God? Have you been baptized in water? Has Jesus baptized you with the Holy Spirit?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for revealing Jesus Christ to each person who You draw to salvation. Through the Gospel, I have received forgiveness and salvation and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. By You grace, use me to share the Gospel of Your Son that others may know Him as their Lamb of God! Amen.
Who is this?
Scripture reading for January 29: Matthew 21
“They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and He sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before Him and that followed Him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when He entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this? And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”” Matthew 21:7-10
As Jesus entered Jerusalem, He chose the entry of the kings of Israel and instructed His disciples where to find the donkey colt for Him to ride. This was a prophetic ride, depicting His triumphant return to earth to set up His millennial kingdom. The crowds spread their cloaks before Him as a sign of honor and submission. They proclaimed Him “Son of David”, a messianic title. They worshiped Him with a prophetic declaration as coming in the Name of the Lord! Each person’s view and understanding was being shaped by the Word of God that they knew and the revelation of Jesus as He had ministered to His own people. Many asked “Who is this?” Some said that Jesus was a prophet from Galilee. Each person responded through the view that they had by grace from Jesus and His Father.
God allows each person to make up their mind and develop an understanding of Jesus and Who He is. When He returns, our world view of Jesus will determine our eternal destiny. Have you formed an opinion of Jesus Christ? Has Scripture been a basis of your understanding? Have you been public in your worship and declaration of Jesus Christ, Son of David and Son of God? Are you still asking “Who is this?”?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for this record of Jesus Christ entering Jerusalem as a humble King. Thank You for drawing each person to ask about Your Son and for revealing Your Son. I proclaim “Hosanna in the highest to the Son of God!” Stir up the hearts of all people to know Him as Lord and Savior. Amen.
God’s Final Word–Jesus Christ
Scripture reading for December 10: Hebrews 1-2
God is a spirit and we are not equipped naturally to see or understand the character of a spirit-being. God sent His first-born Son, Jesus Christ to fully reveal His character. As we look at Jesus and His completely humble and obedient character, we can begin to know and understand God. The writer of Hebrews opens his letter with a wonderful statement about Jesus.
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers 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 He made the universe. The Son is 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.” Hebrews 1:1-3
Jesus Christ is God’s last ‘Word’ for us. In the Old Testament times God spoke the language of “prophet” at various times and in various places. In New Testament times, God speaks “Son”. His Son is His exact representation. His Son made the universe! His Son sustains everything with His powerful Word! If you really want to know about God, then look to Jesus and listen to His Word.
Not only is Jesus Christ the Creator and sustainer of all that is, He also made purification for sins. His life of total obedience and reverent fear of the Lord made Him the only One capable of being a sacrifice for our sins. He willingly and obediently obeyed His Father and offered His body and blood to atone for sin. His sacrifice was sufficient and provides the only way to be cleansed from sin.
After offering Himself on the cross and tasting death for us, He was buried in a tomb. On the third day, He rose from the dead. He ministered for forty days to his amazed disciples and over 500 other followers before ascending to heaven on a cloud. Once there, He was seated at the right hand of the Majesty of God the Father. He took the place of the exalted first-born Son of God. He is seated because His work is finished. He is there to intercede for us until He comes again for us.
“Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” Hebrews 2:14-15
Jesus is the last ‘Word’ from heaven for us! We are free from the fear of death and the devil because of Christ’s death! May God have the “last Word” in your life today and every day!
“Who do you say that I am?”
Scripture reading for October 9: Matthew 16-19
The Pharisees and Sadducees were two groups of religious people that were often in conflict with Jesus. They came to Jesus to test Him and to make themselves look good by discrediting Him. (Matthew 16:1-4) One day, they came asking Jesus for a sign to confirm that He was Messiah. Jesus had just fed the 5000 with the loaves and fishes and many other miracles. (Matthew 14:16-21) He had offended the Pharisees earlier by warning the people about the hypocrisy of those religious leaders. He called them blind guides that would cause themselves and their followers to fall into a pit! (Matthew 15:12-14)
Jesus’ response was to rebuke them and leave them quickly. He told them that a wicked and adulterous generation would seek a sign. They would only be given the sign of Jonah, the prophet. He then warned His followers to watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees. They didn’t understand. Jesus explained that the yeast was their teaching that would lead them and others away from the truth He was sharing.
They then traveled to Caesarea Philippi, an area at the mouth of the Jordan River at the foot of Mount Herman. There Jesus asked His disciples two key questions: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16:13) and “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15) Simon Peter immediately answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16) Jesus commended him for his answer. He had come to the right conclusion, but not by man’s opinion or his own reasoning and mental ability. The Father had revealed this truth to him!
How have you answered Jesus’ second question? What conclusion have you come to regarding the identity of Jesus Christ? Is He someone Who must show you one more “sign” before you will believe? Are you skeptical that He is the Son of God? Do you just feel that He is a prophet or someone famous Who has come back from the dead? Have you let people’s opinions shape your thoughts on Jesus Christ? Human reasoning and visual proof are well and good, but truth comes by revelation from God the Father. Revelation comes when we are humble and teachable enough to believe. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Jesus concluded His remarks to Peter and the disciples after this discussion with a promise to build His church on ‘this rock’ and told them that the gates of hell would not prevail against His church. The “rock” was Peter’s confession of Who Christ was, not Peter himself. Jesus is still building His church on that confession: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!
Declared the Son of God in Power!
Scripture reading for May 24th: 2nd Samuel 15-17, Psalm 3, 63, Romans 1
Romans 1:1-6 “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the Gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, Who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of Holiness by His resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through Whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of His Name among all nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.”
As Paul set about to write this letter to Roman believers, He declared Jesus Christ as the prophesied Son of God, descended from David through his flesh, but declared to be God’s Son by His resurrection from the dead. The power of God raised Him up through the Spirit of Holiness–God’s Holy Spirit. Resurrection life had entered Jesus’ body and brought resurrection after three days and three nights in the grave. This same Jesus had met Paul on the Damascus road and called Paul to believe and appointed him an apostle to share the Gospel with all nations. God had done it all and was now calling all men to salvation and holiness through the powerful Holy Spirit.
Psalm 3:8 “Salvation belongs to the Lord, Your blessing be on Your people!”
Psalm 63:2-3 “So I have looked upon You in the Sanctuary, beholding Your power and glory. Because Your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise You.”
Prayer: Father, Thank You for the amazing salvation brought to us by Jesus Christ, Your Son! Your power displayed in raising Jesus from the dead humbles me and makes me thankful and willing to follow You all the days of my life and for eternity. Use me to declare Your Son to all nations and call all to salvation in the power and anointing of Your Holy Spirit. Where You are my King, there will Your servant be!
2nd Samuel 15:21 “But Ittai answered the king (David), “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, there also will your servant be.”
The Son of God at work!
Scripture reading for March 16th: Numbers 34-36, Luke 4
Luke 4:38-41 “Now Simon’s mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to Him on her behalf. And He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them. Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him, and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But He rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that He was the Christ.”
Jesus announced His ministry and mission of preaching the ‘good news’ with healing and deliverance. This announcement brough immediate opposition from the people in His home town. He then went to Capernaum and Simon Peter’s home. Peter’s mother was sick with a fever and Jesus rebuked the fever and it left her. The people brought many sick and oppressed people to Jesus and He healed them all. Demons came out screaming, “You are the Son of God!” Jesus rebuked them and shut them up. Jesus left there for a more desolate place to be alone but people sought Him out, begging Him to stay. He plainly stated His work and mission–preaching the ‘good news’ in other towns as well! Work must go on!
Luke 4:42-43 “And when it was day, He departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought Him and came to Him, and would have kept Him from leaving them, but He said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.””
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the ministry and mission of Jesus Christ, God’s Son! I thank You that now I can freely proclaim Jesus as God’s Son, having been set free by hearing and receiving the Good News of the King and His kingdom. I accept Your mission as mine here on earth! Fill me with boldness and the Holy Spirit so that I might fulfill my part of that mission that You have prepared for me.
Numbers 35:33-34 “You shall not pollute the land in which you live, for blood pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land for the blood that is shed in it, except by the blood of the one who shed it. You shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell, for I the Lord dwell in the midst of the people of Israel.”
Truly the Son of God
Scripture reading for July 16th: Matthew 14
Key Scriptures: Matthew 14:26-33 “But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.””
Jesus sent His disciples across the lake by boat while He dismissed the crowd of five thousand that had just been fed with the five loaves and two fish. Jesus went up on the mountain alone to pray. During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them walking on the rough waves of the Sea of Galilee. The disciples were afraid and cried out that it was a ghost. Jesus calmed their fears by speaking to them. Peter, still wanting more confirmation that it was Jesus, asked to come to Him on the water. Jesus called him to come. Peter got out of the boat and began to walk until the wind and waves got his attention off of Jesus. He began to sink and called out to Jesus to save him! Jesus quickly took him by his hand and lifted him out of the water and escorted him back to the boat. The wind ceased and the rebuked disciples worshiped Jesus as “Truly the Son of God!” Arriving at Gennesaret, a great crowd brought sick and asked for a touch and were healed.
Matthew 14:35-36 “And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent around to all that region and brought to Him all who were sick and implored Him that they might only touch the fringe of His garment. And as many as touched it were made well.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father, thank You for Jesus Christ, truly the Son of God! Forgive my “little faith” and doubting Who You are in all the trials and storms of life. Reveal Yourself to me and those You send me to love. May I touch them in Your Name and see healing and salvation and multiplied disciples, to Your glory.
Acts 5:15-16 “. . .so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.”
The Virgin and God’s Son
Scripture reading for March 3rd: Luke 1
Key Scriptures: Luke 1:34-38 “And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy–the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God. And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”
A key truth of the Christian faith is the truth that Jesus Christ, God’s Son, was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of a virgin who had never known a man. This is important for our faith because a man born the ordinary way, through human intercourse, would not be able to save us because he would still have a sin-nature. God’s plan was to form His Son in a virgin’s womb and allow Him to be born of a woman and yet be the “Son of God.” The child would be holy and set apart from all other humans from His birth. Mary, herself, when approached by the angel had trouble understanding how this would happen. The angel explained that God can do anything He wants and had already formed the fore-runner, John the Baptist, in the womb of a barren woman. Mary humbly submitted and offered her body to serve God and mankind.
Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign, Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His Name Immanuel.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord I believe that You were born of a virgin, and are the Son of God. Thank You for saving me and those who believe on You. Help me to say along with Mary, Your mother, “Let it be to me according to Your Word,” for all my life and service.
Genesis 18:13-14 “The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”
Truly the Son of God
Scripture reading for February 5th: Mark 15
Key Scriptures: Mark 15:34-39 “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” Which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, He is calling Elijah.” And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to Him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take Him down.” And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed His last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing Him saw that in this way he breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God.””
As Mark concluded the story of Jesus’ crucifixion and suffering on the cross, he includes one of the last prayers of Jesus. It is a question for God the Father. Jesus asks the Father why He has left Him alone. Bystanders thought Jesus might have been calling for Elijah to come take Him down. Another ran and gave Jesus a sedative in a sponge filled with sour wine. At three in the afternoon on Friday before the Sabbath, Jesus cried out His last cry in a loud voice. “It is finished!” was recorded by another Gospel writer. As the tough Roman Centurion watched Jesus and heard His last words, he came to an amazing revelation of truth. “Truly this man was the Son of God.” He is near to saving faith!
Psalm 22:1 “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, from the words of my groanings?”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for suffering shame, torture, and death and the feeling of separation from God on my behalf. Truly, You are the Son of God Who finished the work needed for the salvation of all who will believe.
John 19:30 “When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished,” and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”
In the beginning: God! (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
Scripture reading for January 2nd: Genesis 1-2, Psalm 19, Mark 1 (5 day Chronological reading plan from www.BibleClassMaterial.cogm)
Key Scriptures: Genesis 1:1-3 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.”
God is there in the beginning as the great “I AM.” He created everything by His powerful Word (Son) out of nothing through the hovering Holy Spirit. At the beginning of Mark’s Gospel, thought to be the first written of New Testament accounts, we have Jesus Christ introduced by God the Father as He comes up out of the waters of the Jordan. The Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove fluttering from a torn-open heaven. God declares that Jesus is His beloved Son, pleasing to Him!
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, Son of God, We call out to the lost world today in Your Name to hear and receive the simple truth of One true God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Creator of heaven and earth. Holy Spirit, hover over Your Word and bring light in Jesus Christ.
Mark 1:1,9-11 “The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. . . . .In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when He came up out of the water, immediately He saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son; with You I am well pleased.”
Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.”