Tag: Son of God
Thankful for a Priest–forever!
Scripture reading for June 29th: Psalms 107-111
Key Scriptures: Psalm 110:2-4 “The Lord will extend Your mighty scepter from Zion; You will rule in the midst of Your enemies. Your troops will be willing on Your day of battle. Arrayed in holy majesty, from the womb of the dawn You will receive the dew of Your youth. The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.””
King David wrote the 110th psalm about a conversation he listened to described as “The Lord said to My Lord:” (Vs. 1) This was a prophetic psalm that is quoted seven times in the New Testament and by Jesus Himself in three of the Gospels. Jesus Christ, a son of David, and the Son of God would rule from Zion, even in the midst of His enemies. He would be declared the Son of God through resurrection from the dead. From the womb of the grave, at dawn of the third day, He received the dew of His youth! He was made a Priest forever–after the order of Melchizedek!
Rejoice in Jesus Christ: “How is it that they say the Christ is the Son of David? David himself declares in the Book of Psalms: “The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” (Luke 20:41-43)
Rejoicing in resurrection!
Scripture reading for April 5th: 1st Kings 16-19
Key Scriptures: 1st Kings 17:21-24 “Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried to the Lord, “O Lord my God, let this boy’s life return to him!” The Lord heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived. Elijah picked up the child and carried him down from the room into the house. He gave him to his mother and said, “Look, your son is alive.”
Elijah, the prophet of God, had been staying at a Sidonian widow’s house during the famine in Israel. She had a son that became ill and died. She accused Elijah of having something against her. Elijah gathered her son in his arms and took him to his upper room. There he interceded with God for the boy’s life! God graciously answered with a type of resurrection!
Thankful for resurrection: Lazarus, Jesus’ friend had died. Jesus confronted the force of death with compassion and vision! “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies: and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes Lord,” she told Him, “I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” (John 11:25-27)
A son of God and Heir!
Scripture reading for August 19th: Galatians 4
Key scriptures for over-comers: Galatians 4:4-7 “But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.”
God’s timing is always perfect! At just the right time, He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ to redeem those under the law of God and in slavery to sin. After paying for mankind’s sins on the cross of Calvary and raising from the dead by the Spirit of Holiness, Jesus and the Father sent the Holy Spirit to live in the hearts of believers. This Gift of the Father testifies to us that we are now adopted ‘sons of God’ and heirs of the promises made to all who have faith. Why would anyone want to go back under the law and it’s condemnation? In Christ God has given us a full inheritance as His children!
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers know the reality of becoming sons of God by faith in Jesus Christ and live a life of faith expecting the full inheritance of eternal life with God the Father! “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant placers; surely I have a delightful inheritance. . . .You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.” (Psalm 16:6, 11)
Boring genealogy?
Scripture reading for March 6th: Luke 3
When most people read the Bible, they are confused by the lists of names, many that are unfamiliar and hard to pronounce. These lists are often skipped to get to the ‘good stuff’! But our Father cares about names and keeps records. Individuals are important and God knows each person by name! God also honors His Word given to past individuals. He never lies, but is a God of truth!
“Now Jesus Himself was about thirty years old when He began His ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli, . . .The son of David, the son of Jesse, . . . the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham,. . . the son of Shem, the son of Noah, . . . the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.” (Luke 3:23, 31-32, 34, 38) Luke explained that it appeared that Jesus was the son of Joseph. This is what some people thought, however, Jesus had been conceived by miraculous means and was really the Son of God! (Luke 1:31-32) (Luke 3:22) Joseph, however, was a descendant of David and that would make Jesus legally eligible to take the throne of David! Jesus was also in the line of Abraham, and heir of the promises that through his Seed, all nations would be blessed! (Genesis 12:3) Jesus was also a son of Noah and his righteous son Shem. In fact, Luke traced the righteous line all the way back to Adam and the promised “Seed of Woman” who would crush the head of the Serpent! (Genesis 3:15)
Genealogies are never boring in God’s Word! They tell a story of God’s plans and His faithfulness to keep His Word. Through faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, we are in His story too!
The King of the Jews!
Scripture reading for March 2nd: Mark 15
After an early-morning mock trial by the Jewish Sanhedrin, the Jewish leaders handed Jesus over to Pilate for the Roman trial. Pilate asked Jesus, “Are You the king of the Jews?” “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.” (Mark 15:2) The Jewish leaders made many other charges, but Jesus remained silent. Pilate was amazed that He did not speak out in defense, but admitted that He was king of the Jews!
It was Pilate’s custom to release a prisoner condemned to death to the crowd that had gathered. He wanted to release Jesus and thought that the crowd would oblige him. However, the chief priests stirred the crowd to ask for Barabbas, a man imprisoned with murderers. After flogging, Jesus was handed over to be crucified.
The Roman soldiers who crucified Jesus also mocked Him by putting a purple robe on Him and a crown of thorns. “And they began to call out to Him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” (Mark 15:18) In doing this, they placed on Jesus the symbol of the curse of sin and death brought on by Adam’s disobedience. Jesus would bear the penalty of this curse as He hung on the cross for the sins of Adam’s offspring. In His sinless body, He was made sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God. (2nd Corinthians 5:21)
Jesus was placed on the cross about nine in the morning. A written charge was nailed to the cross: “The King of the Jews.” (Mark 15:25) At noon, darkness came over the land for three hours. He cried out in a loud voice, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34) “With a loud cry, Jesus breathed His last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” (Mark 15:37-38)
Jesus, King of the Jews!
Scripture reading for February 6th: Matthew 27
“When they had crucified Him, they divided up His clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over Him there. Above His head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, KING OF THE JEWS.” (Matthew 27:35-37) The Roman soldiers did their job with efficiency and part of their pay was the clothes of their crucified victims. They gambled over these to see which one would receive the bounty! In doing this, they fulfilled an ancient prophesy from a thousand years earlier! (Psalm 22:18) The sign they had placed at Pilate’s orders over the Jewish religious authorities objections proclaimed the eternal truth of who Jesus really was: KING OF THE JEWS!
“In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked Him. “He saved other,” they said, “but He can’t save Himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue Him now if He wants Him, for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.'” (Matthew 27:41-43) The religious leaders mocked Jesus’ faith in God and His relationship as “Son of God” and His claim as “King of Israel”. Their unbelief lead to pride and the murder of the Son of God.
After Jesus gave up His Spirit to God, a great earthquake shook the land, splitting the curtain on the temple from top to bottom. Tombs were opened and holy people were raised to life, appearing to many in Jerusalem. This event shook the earth and the people in Jerusalem! The centurion and soldiers guarding Jesus were terrified and proclaimed, “Surely He was the Son of God.” Will you worship Him when He comes again, or be found mocking?
Jesus made His home with us!
Scripture reading for October 30th: John 1-2
John was the youngest disciple and along with James was one of the “sons of thunder” brothers. These brothers were in the inner circle of disciples and John was the one resting his head on Jesus’ chest in the famous picture of the Last Supper. John was also the disciple Jesus asked from the cross to take care of His mother. (John 19:26-27) The theme of his Gospel is “Jesus, the Son of God” and John goes back to Genesis as he begins his account.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; and without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.” (John 1:1-4)
John started with a revelation of the Son of God! He was and is the eternal Word! He was with God in the beginning! The beginning spoken of by John was the beginning of created things, not time, for God is from everlasting. By speaking His powerful Word in faith He created the visible world and heavens. When we think of how vast and huge these creations are, we are humbled by the power of that Word!
But at the right time, this Word became flesh and dwelt among His people! The word for “dwelt” is the same word used to describe the pitching of a tent. God dwelt with His people when Israel was in the desert after Mt. Sinai. Moses was given instructions to build a special tent and furniture as a place for God to dwell in the midst of His people. This tent was called a “tabernacle”. God’s presence marked His people as separate and blessed above all others on the earth. No enemy could defeat them as they marched with Him, no sickness could attack, and even clothes and shoes did not wear out! (Nehemiah 9:19-21)
Jesus Christ came to His own people, but they did not receive Him! (John 1:11-12) But to those who did receive Him, Jesus gave the power to become children of God! They would be “born again” and become “living tabernacles” of God’s presence! Why not invite Him to pitch His tent in you?
A Lamb for the sins of a lost world!
Scripture reading for May 1st: John 1:29-51
“The next day John (the Baptist) saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the One I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.'” (John 1:29-30) John the Baptist came calling all people to repent and be baptized in the Jordan river. He had told them that One was coming after him whose sandals he was not worthy to untie. This One would surpass him, and would baptize people with the Holy Spirit. (John 1:26, 33) He also told the people plainly that Jesus was the Son of God! Speaking prophetically, John announced that Jesus was the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the whole world!
This story of the lamb is richly embedded in the history of Israel. When Abraham and Isaac went up Mt. Moriah to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, Abraham had told his son that the Lord would provide a sacrifice. (Genesis 22:8) As Abraham lifted the knife to slay his son, God stopped him and provided a ram in place of the boy! (Genesis 22:10-13)
On the night of the Passover in Egypt, Moses was instructed each family take a lamb without spot or blemish and slay that lamb, catching the blood. With hyssop, the head of each house was to apply the blood to the doorposts and lentils of the house to keep the death angel from taking the firstborn. (Exodus 12:3-12) They were to eat the lamb roasted in fire and with bitter herbs and unleavened bread, ready to travel out of Egypt. This lamb would sustain them and there would be no feeble or sick among them. The lamb would atone for a family!
Once a year, the High Priest, would take a goat and sacrifice it, taking the blood and sprinkling it on the atonement cover inside the Holy of Holies. This was to take place on the Day of Atonement. This goat died to cover the sins and rebellion of the whole nation of Israel. (Leviticus 16:15-17, 34)
Jesus Christ came as the Lamb of God taking away the sins of the whole world! He was the final sacrifice, His blood being offered in Heaven to cover the sins of each person who would repent and believe! (Hebrews 9:6-14) Hallelujah!
What will you do with Jesus?
Scripture reading for April 26th: Luke 22:55-23:10
“When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see Him. From what he had heard about Him, he hoped to see Him perform some miracle. He plied Him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer.” (Luke 23:8-9) This was the Herod who had earlier killed John the Baptist and was the ruler in Galilee. Herod was curious about Jesus. The news of Jesus’ miracles had reached his ears, and he wanted to meet this man. He wanted to see one of the miracles, but not so he could believe on Him! His miracles were not for entertainment or to satisfy someone’s curiosity.
This refusal to answer brought mockery from Herod and those around him. Herod had an elegant robe put on Jesus and they hailed Him as ‘king of the Jews’. Jesus looked like an unlikely ‘king’, as He stood there bruised, accused falsely, and mocked by those in authority and by the religious leaders in Jerusalem. Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate, and these two political leaders who had been enemies, became friends over dealing with Jesus. How sad to think that these who had the opportunity to find truth and eternal life, were oblivious to their own need and to Jesus who could truly help them if they would ask sincerely.
Just previous to this, Jesus had given straight answers to serious questions. When asked by the council of elders if He was the Christ, Jesus answered,”If I tell you, you will not believe Me, and if I asked you, you would not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.” They then asked point blank, “Are You then the Son of God?” He replied, “You are right in saying I am.” (Luke 22:67-70) Jesus told them truth but they did not want to believe. They had made up their minds. Using Jesus’ answer, they accused Him of blasphemy.
Each person must decide who Jesus is. Do we believe Jesus or not? The religious leaders refused to believe Him after seeing miracles. The rulers Herod and Pilate refused to believe. All rejected truth because of a lack of humility. Today is a day of decision. What will you do with Jesus?
Mary, the Lord’s servant!
Scripture reading for March 14th: Luke 1:26-56, Psalms 57:1-11, Proverbs 11:9-11
Angels were busy when God was preparing to bring His Son into the world! Zechariah, had a visit from Gabriel and was told about the birth of his son, John. Zechariah questioned the angel about how this might be since he and his wife were old. Zechariah was unable to speak for the whole pregnancy because of his unbelief. Now Gabriel was sent again six months later to a young virgin named Mary. “The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28) This greeting troubled Mary and she was afraid.
“But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over He house of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:30-33) For a young girl who was engaged to be married, this announcement must have brought all kinds of questions. These promises concerning the child were amazing! “Jesus”--the Lord Saves–was to be His name. He would be great, taking the throne of David! His kingdom would never end! “How will this be?” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
The angel Gabriel explained how she would be overshadowed with the power of the Most High and pregnant with the Son of God. Nothing would be impossible with God! Mary did not waver or hesitate at the angel’s explanation. “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” (Luke 1:38) Mary’s faith response is a beautiful example of how we should all respond to God’s will and direction.
Mary was blessed to carry in her body the Son of God and to nurse Him and raise him. There are no menial tasks in God’s economy! Whatever He has asked you to do is important to Him. Many wait for an angel to deliver instructions, but this is not God’s normal way of directing His people. His people hear His voice through His word and obey it. Are you responding to God’s directions through His word?