Category: The Father

You Shall Call Me, My Father

On By TimIn John 05, The Father1 Comment

John 5:16–18 (MEV): So the Jews persecuted Jesus and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath day. Jesus answered them, “My Father is working still, and I am working.” So the Jews sought even more to kill Him, because He not only had broken the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.

My Father… Those two words seem to have really set the conspiracy in motion. They were like gasoline on a fire. This is not the first time that John records Jesus using this intimate reference to the Most High God.

Previously in John 2:16, Jesus cleared the temple of money changers and referenced “My Father’s house.” Perhaps in the frenzy, the intimacy was overlooked.

This phrase struck me as interesting, considering the intimacy at a time when God was perceived as distant from Israel. When I checked it out, I think of it a different way. It wasn’t the Father that was distanced from Israel. Israel had placed themselves at considerable distance from the Father. It turns out they missed many things. This one is overwhelming.

Jeremiah 3:14–18 (MEV): Return, O backsliding sons, says the Lord. For I am married to you. And I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. It shall come to pass when you are multiplied and increased in the land in those days, says the Lord, they will say no more, “The ark of the covenant of the Lord.” And it will not come to mind, nor will they remember it, nor will they call for it, nor will it be made any more. At that time they will call Jerusalem, the Throne of the Lord, and all the nations will be gathered to it, to Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord; nor will they walk any more after the stubbornness of their evil hearts. In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given to your fathers for an inheritance.

Jeremiah is prophesying of a future unification of Judah and Israel. It’s a reference to when God fulfills the promises He made to Israel. It is what we would call the end days.

He speaks of peace and the restoration of the Davidic kingdom. It is to be a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity. And it was set right before them.

Jeremiah 3:19 (MEV): But I said: How can I put you among My sons and give you a pleasant land, the most beautiful heritage of the nations?
And I said: You shall call Me, My Father, and shall not turn away from Me.

Some students of the Bible understand that Jesus is called Israel. And in a way, He was doing the same pattern established in prophecy. It was another of those bona fides He gave to us to tell us Who He is. Of course, the religious folk of the day let us know that, too.

You shall call me, My Father.

My version of preference showed exactly the reference being to the Messiah by capitalizing “My.”

It is those details that are often overlooked.

Nevertheless, Jesus’ use of this intimate term ought to have been a sign that the restoration of the Kingdom was upon them. Instead, the nation set out to distance themselves considerably more further away from the Father, as if that could even be possible.

Even as Jesus bears the end of His ministry, and in great anguish… The intimacy continues. It is equivalent to the English word daddy. The repetition conveys importance.

Mark 14:36 (MEV): He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.”

Then Israel succeeded in killing the Anointed One, just as it was said He would be cut off. That set forth a delay in establishing the Kingdom physically to the nation. It also ushered in a time of judgment on Israel.

That judgement to them brought great blessing to Gentiles. These would be included in sharing the blessings and salvation of God to the world.

It’s that intimacy God wants with His people. Is the intimacy set Christian’s proclaim! He wanted that intimacy with them and with us. It is offered to anyone who wants it.

John 1:12–13 (MEV): Yet to all who received Him, He gave the power to become sons of God, to those who believed in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

If you’ve read this far, that right of becoming a child of God is offered to you. Just ask Him.

Romans 8:14–17 (MEV): For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. For you have not received the spirit of slavery again to fear. But you have received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirits that we are the children of God, and if children, then heirs: heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified with Him.

This idea of adoption is so important. He wants you to be that intimate with Him.

Ask.

The Surprising Way God Reveals Himself

On By TimIn Holy Spirit, Isaiah 48, Jesus, The Father, Triune God1 Comment

Come near to Me, hear this: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there I am. And now the Lord God has sent me and His Spirit.

Isaiah 48:16 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Perhaps what is present here is clear to you. In this portion of Isaiah, the prophet is speaking the words of God. He identifies Himself in the previous context as “I am the First, and I am the Last.” (Is 48:12)

Clearly, we can identify the One speaking in First Person here as God. We also know from other Scriptures in this portion of Isaiah this Person is the Maker, and He also ascribes Himself as Redeemer, Savior, and the Lord of Hosts. If we could identify the Person speaking by New Testament names, it’s Jesus!

If that is not clear, read the last line…

“And now the Lord God has sent me and His Spirit.”

One Person sent at least one other Person. I say that because it is clear in the text. Whether His Spirit is a person is not clear, but from the context it is hinted at.

What is apparent in reading through Isaiah, is there are two distinct Persons ascribed to God. The One speaking, Redeemer, was sent by the Lord God. And if the identity of the One sent is not clear, the next verse remedies that.

Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way that you should go.

Isaiah 48:17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The first sentence tells you Who is speaking, and He gives not one, not two… not four… But three attributions to Who He is. Then He sums that up with the name of God YHVH.

Do not let anyone tell you the doctrine of the Trinity was made up by some New Testament “church fathers.” It is right there in the text. The old rabbis knew it, taught it and then suppressed it after Christ’s ascension.

You Are the Children of the Living God

On By TimIn Hosea 01, Israel, Jesus, Redemption, Sovereign, The FatherLeave a comment

Yet the number of the children of Israel will be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered. And in the place where it was said to them, “You are not My people,” there it will be said to them, “You are the children of the living God.” Then will the Judahites and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they will come up out of the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel.

Hosea 1:10–11 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The things that are hidden just below the surface reading of the text are amazing. In reading tonight there were many things to see. This one stands out.

The prophet Hosea took a wife by the command of God. Not just any wife, but he was told to take a wife of harlotry. In the entire account of Hosea, there is much to learn about relationships with people and to forgive them their foibles as we have our own, too. Most importantly, the book shows us God’s love for His people.

The union of Hosea and Gomer produced children. The first born was Ammi meaning my people. The second was Lo-Ruhamah meaning not pitied. The third was Lo-Ammi meaning not my people. Already one can perceive a story is written in the meanings of the names. It is in this account of the third which leads to the discovery at hand.

Here is God saying to those who are His people that you aren’t pitied and are not His people. Those who aren’t His people are to be His people. The overt meaning is that Gentiles would be called His people. This is the mystery hidden in the text. Part of which Paul wrote of about a body that consisted of Gentiles being called His people.

Being the people of God isn’t a birthright thing. This is part of what kept Israelites from believing Jesus when He came to them. They thought they had a physical birthright to the Father. And they did. But that alone didn’t make them His people.

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly I say to you, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

John 3:3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is God saying that any person could be His people.

Then… That word then imposes itself in the text. This adds a timey-wimey element to the discussion. In this case after when those “not His people” become His people something else happens. That something else is what we are eyewitnesses of today.

Of course, the translation I used says the Judahites and the children of Israel will come up out of the land… But is better understood that the whole of Israelites will be gathered together as one in the land.

Oh, I know there was a previous regathering of Israelis from the diaspora but that was limited to Judah and part of another tribe as they returned from Babylon. Throughout the prophets, there is a second exile that isn’t quite explained as a second exile. Maybe it was a continuation of the first. But the twelve tribes have not been regathered into the land until recent times.

God’s Bread

On By TimIn Heaven, Israel, Jesus, Love, Luke 02, Prophecy, The FatherLeave a comment

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the entire inhabited earth should be taxed. This taxation was first made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to his own city to be taxed.
So Joseph also departed from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to the City of David which is called Bethlehem, in Judea, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be taxed with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So while they were there, the day came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in strips of cloth, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:2–7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

As we’ve discussed before, God is present in every moment. The fact that Caesar Augustus decreed a tax that would ensure Joseph to be in the city of his lineage was known to God when David called the prophet Samuel.

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him from ruling over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have chosen a king for Myself from among his sons.”

1 Samuel 16:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Bethlehem is the birthplace of Kings. It is the birthplace of God’s Chosen. In this way, God’s choosing of David was a pattern for Israel, and by extension the whole world. That’s for us!

David’s anointing would be when Israel already had a king… Saul. In the same way, Jesus’ advent was when Israel already had a king… Caesar.

It is Bethlehem. The word that means house of bread. The Bread of Heaven would be born there.

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, although you are small among the tribes of Judah, from you will come forth for Me one who will be ruler over Israel. His origins are from of old, from ancient days.

Micah 5:2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Least among the tribes of Judah.

Everything about His birth doesn’t make us think of kings or rulers. Jesus was born to a regular working-class couple. He was born away from home, in a stall for animals. His first resting place was most likely a trough hewn from stone used for fodder. And Bethlehem… Which was a relative backwater near bustling Jerusalem.

David was born there, too. He was the least of his brothers. He was the shortest in stature. He was a dirty shepherd. Shepherds in those days were the least esteemed of people if they were even considered that. David serves as the pattern.

We were to know that pattern.

God chooses the weak to confound the strong. He chooses the base to offend the intellectual. We choose according to stature, prowess, mental acumen and wealth. These are the things humans esteem. This is not so with God.

A dirty and lowly shepherd boy was chosen to be king over Israel. This David is like a sling stone forging through time to that lands in the midst of that lowly carpenter’s Boy’s circumstance of birth.

It’s that day.

Today (the eve of Christmas,) when you think of Jesus and His birth, it’s not the trappings of silver and gold, the red and the white and the green… Santa Claus or turkey… Or even what skeptics say that really matters.

It’s Who Jesus is that does. God’s desire is that you eat His Bread! Seriously. He wants you to take Jesus into your body by believing He is Emmanuel, God among men… Your King.

I Am the Lord, I Will not Share my Glory with Another

On By TimIn Isaiah 42, Jesus, Luke 21, Sovereign, The FatherLeave a comment

I am the Lord, that is My name;
and My glory I will not give to another,
nor My praise to graven images.
See, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I declare;
before they spring forth
I tell you of them.

Isaiah 42:8–9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Here is God telling us yet again Who He is.

In the former post, we saw how Jesus quoted the verses before these and said they have come to pass in the very presence of His audience.

My Glory I Will not Give to Another

There are teachings that abound that deny Who Jesus Christ is. Some declare Him to be just the brother of Satan — another created being. Other teachings say He is Michael. Suffice it to say, those are wrong. It is because of these very words. God doesn’t share His glory with another.

In this Messianic prophecy, the identities of the Father are established. We’ve also witnessed from previous posts that the identity of this Chosen Servant, this Messiah is Jesus. We’ve also understood that Jesus is the fulfillment of the calling of Israel. The two ideas are so intertwined that Jesus really is the True Israel.

But here, we are given a bit of information that when coupled with Jesus’ own words… He is clearly God.

When Jesus spoke these words, He lifted His eyes toward heaven and said:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may also glorify You. As You have given Him authority over all flesh, He will give eternal life to all whom You have given Him. This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me in Your own presence with the glory which I had with You before the world existed.

John 17:1–5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In the words of Jesus, as He prays, He tells us He shared the glory with the Father.

It is the Son Who reveals the Father. We see the glory of the Father as Jesus went to the cross, and was glorified by being raised up doing the veg thing the prophet Isaiah wrote hundreds of years in advance.

There is an assent to the prohibition of graven images. God won’t share the praise given to them. It is an encouragement to us to understand Who Jesus is in the rightway. Not running afoul of the command to not praise idols.

Former things have come to pass, and as we read this it encompasses some of the things prophesied of this Servant.

But… There is only One God Who can tell you of something before it happens. He wrote it in Isaiah as a pattern for us. We see the pattern partially fulfilled. But more is yet to come.

Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Luke 21:27 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

He is yet to come in great glory. For some, it will be a blessing. To the whole creation that awaits redemption, it will be a blessing. But for many, this will be a day of dread.

The True Israel

On By TimIn Isaiah 42, Israel, Jesus, Prophecy, The Father, The ServantLeave a comment

I the Lord have called You in righteousness,
and will hold Your hand,
and will keep You and appoint You
for a covenant of the people,
for a light of the nations,
to open the blind eyes,
to bring out the prisoners from the prison,
and those who sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Isaiah 42:6–7 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This Servant is now being identified in another unique way. He is being given the same identity as Israel. The nation was called in righteousness, with the sure promise of God to uphold and defend it. It was given a covenant and a particular calling. These things are established beginning in Exodus chapter 19.

Now therefore, if you will faithfully obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My special possession out of all the nations, for all the earth is Mine. And you will be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.

Exodus 19:5–6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

These are God’s words to Moses which he was to deliver to the people. Israel is to be a light to the nations. Priests are the ones who make God known to people, they intercede. This peculiar kingdom of priests was called to be a witness to all nations of the goodness of God.

For you are a holy people to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be His special people, treasured above all peoples who are on the face of the earth.

Deuteronomy 7:6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

For you are a holy people to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a peculiar people to Himself, treasured above all the nations that are on the earth.

Deuteronomy 14:2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The intertwined calling of the Chosen Servant is applicable to the nation Israel. As prophecy is given to us as patterns, the calling of the nation Israel serves as a pattern for the Messiah. He would ultimately fulfill the mission the nation failed at. Jesus is the True Israel.

This is purposeful, in the earliest texts that tell the history of Israel.

Israel is My son, even My firstborn.

Exodus 4:22b — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The calling of Israel is extended to Jesus by another prophet.

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.

Hosea 11:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The way Israel is called by God serves as a pattern to identify the Coming Messiah.

Not so unexpectedly, I find a particular peculiarity in this pronouncement of the Chosen Servant. As the One called to open blind eyes, heal the sick, and release captives, this is the calling of priests. Israel is a kingdom of priests.

Yet we know they were blinded in their own pride. Some couldn’t recognize the Messiah. The most likely cause is an errant identity. The nation identified in their calling and not the One Who called them. Even when He spoke clearly of Who He is.

He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day. And He stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. When He had unrolled the scroll, He found the place where it was written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
because He has anointed Me
to preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted,
to preach deliverance to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed;
to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”
Then He rolled up the scroll, and He gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all those who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Luke 4:16–21 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We see all of these things fulfilled in Jesus’ ministry on earth by His own words. Jesus would build His church and give to them all of the privileges of service extended to the nation Israel. It would be another body identified solely in Him. But would mean the nation Israel would be set aside for a time.

For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers, my kinsmen by race, who are Israelites, to whom belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises, to whom belong the patriarchs, and from whom, according to the flesh, is Christ, who is over all, God forever blessed. Amen.

Romans 9:3–5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There is a different body that has been grafted into these privileges through Jesus. It is the body that does those things cited by the prophet Isaiah as part of the identity of the Chosen One.

That is how the church is now called elect… Chosen… To serve God in a peculiar way. It is to shine the light of Jesus to all nations.

We see clearly that the call of election is not to salvation, nor would salvation be limited to a group of people. It was the calling to a peculiar appointment of service to God.

He’s a Good, Good Father.

On By TimIn 43 - John, John 10, The FatherLeave a comment

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. But he who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and runs away. So the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because he is a hired hand and does not care about the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and am known by My own. Even as the Father knows Me, so I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep who are not of this fold. I must also bring them, and they will hear My voice. There will be one flock and one shepherd. Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I received this command from My Father.”

John 10:11–18 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd. There is only One. He is the One Who lays down His life for the sheep. When danger comes, this Shepherd won’t run but will give wholly of Himself.

These words were spoken by Jesus before He laid down His life. And that for the greatest danger to any of us, that is the just death due for sin, and passing from this world without the gift of eternal life. He took that curse away for the sheep. In the direct context given, Jesus is speaking to those believing sheep of Israel. Those are the ones to whom He was promised.

Note, too; His Father sent no hireling. No mere employee would lay down his life for another. A hired hand doesn’t love. The Father has to send a member of the Family Who owned the sheep.

More than that, the Father sent the Good Shepherd as He knew His sheep and was known by them. Those believing Israelis did know the Messiah when they encountered Him. Even Paul knew Who was speaking to him on the Road to Damascus.

The Good Shepherd follows the commands given Him. He was sent by His Father for the believing sheep in Israel, and the believing sheep from another fold… That is, not of Israel.

The Good Father here knows just Who to send to gather the lost sheep. It is One Who would do anything to gather them, even to the point of laying down His Own life. The Good Father also gave the Good Shepherd power to take up His own life again. And He did.

The Good News to each of us is that God erased the writing of judgments against us, taking it away and nailing it to the cross. This respite gives us each time to enter the sheepfold by the One Open Door… Jesus Christ.

How do you enter?

Simply by believing it is true and it is for you.