Tag: Jesus

It’s the Resurrection

On By TimIn 1 Corinthians 15, Atonement, Resurrection, Salvation1 Comment

Now if Christ is preached that He rose from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

1 Corinthians 15:12–19 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is a perfect subject to discuss given this time of year. Just as Paul transitions from demonstrating his own credentials as an apostle born at the wrong time and his preaching of the authentic Gospel, he points to the main thing in that Gospel.

Now, I am going to say something that may seem controversial yet nevertheless important. I do not intend to offend. We Christians (I include myself chiefly) love the cross. We sing if it. It adorns our churches. I am wearing one around my neck right now. The cross is great! By what happened there is bloody and gruesome. It was a transaction involving death. One where our death burden was laid on Another. It was satisfied completely, giving all of us a respite from certain death. In a sense, the cross saves all of us.

It’s the resurrection!

That will be made very plain. Pay close attention to how Paul explains it to the Gentiles in Corinth. They were Greeks. Grecian ideas of the afterlife didn’t include bodily resurrection and only spoke of the immortality of the soul. That idea came from Gnosticism, which held that all of the human weakness, sin, and death were in the body. Death was freedom from that bondage. Therefore, the idea of a resurrected body meant a return to the bondage of weakness and death.

Paul is correcting the error and explains the reality of a bodily resurrection and, most importantly, the real hope that comes with it.

If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not risen.

1 Corinthians 15:13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s simple… No resurrection… No risen Jesus. The risen and living Savior is essential to the Gospel. It is as essential as the cross, but more important.

If Christ has not risen, then our preaching is vain, and your faith is also vain.

1 Corinthians 15:14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The resurrection is of utmost necessity to the Gospel. If it weren’t real, the Gospel Paul preached would be in vain. It could offer no real hope.

It’s a simple progression of logic:

No bodily resurrection, no resurrected Jesus.

No resurrected Jesus, no hope for anyone.

No hope, the Gospel Paul taught would really be a false witness. It quickly progresses to the real problem at the end of denying the resurrection.

Yes, and we would then be found false witnesses of God, because we have testified that God raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up, if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ is not raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins.

1 Corinthians 15:15–17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

That is where the canker gnaws. (If I may borrow the line.) Paul is teaching that our sins are not washed away in the resurrection!

If Christ is not raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins.

There is a clear difference between what happened with the Savior’s death… And what happens after His resurrection. It is necessary to have an alive and resurrected Savior to take away our sins.

Don’t get me wrong. The cross is necessary for every human. We need the time it gives and the rest from execution to seek the living offering and confess our sins. Only then are our sins removed.

It’s the cross, yes. But it’s the resurrection. It’s a living Savior Who can remove sin.

Deny Yourself

On By TimIn Matthew 16, SalvationLeave a comment

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Matthew 16:24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I love how Jesus speaks plainly to His followers. Consider this in light of what was given in yesterday’s post about Esther. We all have to come to a point where we must count the cost (Luke 14:28.)

Those who want to follow Jesus must first deny themselves. What does that mean?

A bit of context is necessary. There is much of what we consider ourselves that is learned behavior. We pick up mannerisms and behaviors as a result of those around us and perhaps the careers we have chosen. Sometimes those behaviors are profitable; other times they are detrimental.

When Jesus said to count the cost, we are to take inventory and weigh what is important. Is what we do going to have any real lasting value?

For some of us, the cost to follow Jesus is just too steep, like the rich young ruler. Denying ourselves is awkward, and even scary. It seems as if, in doing so, we would become lost.

Listen… We are not what we do. That is what the culture has imposed upon us from almost every angle. Our identity without Jesus is intricately intertwined with what we do and how we behave. The baggage that comes with that is what keeps us from God. It also keeps us from true freedom.

Denying self is how we love. We do it when we meet someone new and want to please them. We do it for newborns who cannot tend to themselves. We do it for significant others.

This is what Jesus is saying: love Him.

Deny yourself and take up your cross. In other words, stop taking your identity from what you do. Instead, take up your cross. Identify in what He did. Follow Him. That is where our identity changes to Him.

We sing that refrain: I am who You say I am.

If you want to know… He says that we’re forgiven, not forsaken, a child of God, a joint-heir with Jesus, His own people, among other things.

That’s the identity change: denying ourselves and taking on Him. There is salvation and freedom there. Freedom from the bondage of whatever you may have done.

Don’t believe me, believe Him…

For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Matthew 16:25–26 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The Olivet Discourse: Introduction

On By TimIn Luke 21, Mark 13, Matthew 24, Olivet Discourse1 Comment

This is an introduction to my own attempt to discover the similarities and distinctions of the presentation of the Olivet Discourse (first post) as given in the synoptic gospels. The Synoptic Gospels are Matthew, Mark, and Luke, as they present themselves similarly in the things they record of Jesus’ ministry on Earth.

The first thing to keep in mind is the distinctiveness of the authors as different people with differing mindsets. Each also had a distinct audience in mind. So, it can be said that each Gospel has a distinct purpose for a distinct audience. One sees this intent recorded by the selective events each author chooses to include, and how they are related to the audience.

Matthew

Matthew’s Gospel is intended to speak to the Israeli, people who are familiar with the Old Testament. Matthew details the prophecies recorded in the Old Testament that characterize Israel’s Messiah, and how these are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Therefore, Jesus is portrayed as that Messiah, the King of the Israelis. This is evidenced from the outset, as his gospel opens with the genealogy of Jesus, which would be of utmost importance to an Israeli. Especially as it relates to the Messiah, the Son of David.

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the son of Abraham:

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

Herein, one sees that Jesus is the rightful heir to the kingdom of David. It is the opening of the book that establishes the credentials of Jesus as that heir. The promises of the Messiah from the Old Testament are fulfilled in Jesus Christ, beginning with His family tree.

Sum it up this way: Matthew is written to Israelis and is for Israelis.

Mark

Mark is not written to the Israeli or even to those familiar with the Old Testament. Instead, his audience is those people who understand power and authority. That is, those citizens and leaders in the Roman Empire. These folks would be unfamiliar with Judaism and the promises of the Messiah. Mark does not start with the birth of Jesus. He doesn’t start with Jesus’ credentials.

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the Prophets:
“Look, I am sending My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.”
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.'”

Mark 1:1–3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

He starts with activities for people who understand action. Here is Jesus, the servant of the Lord sent by God to do what God has sent Him to do. With the emphasis on doing, Jesus did what was asked of Him. Because this book records the actions of Jesus, it records more of Jesus’ miracles than does Matthew, Luke, or John.

Mark is summed up as written to the Roman and the authorities in Rome.

Luke

Luke wanted to appeal to intellectuality. The Greeks of Luke’s day were of the intellectual mindset, loving art, philosophy, and literature. It is with that intent that the humanity of Jesus is emphasized. He is like any other human. Yet, He is not, as He is the perfection of humanity. And Luke would give an orderly account.

Whereas many have undertaken to write a narrative of those things which are most surely believed among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, it seemed good to me also, having accurately investigated all things from the very beginning, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you might know the certainty of the things which you have been told.

Luke 1:1–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

One can trust that what Luke wrote is an orderly account. It is not the writings of an eyewitness, but as an investigator who has collected and recorded others’ eyewitness testimonies. The humanity of Jesus is emphasized by the focus of events that demonstrate that. Luke’s gospel relates to the reader a very human Jesus.

Luke is summed up as written to the Greek.

John

John was an eyewitness to the life of Jesus. The things recorded are for the purpose of establishing Jesus as the eternal God who became a man.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were created through Him, and without Him nothing was created that was created.

John 1:1–3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

From the very opening words, Jesus is presented as the Creator – God. John intends the reader to believe. The book is written with that purpose.

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

John 20:31–32 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

John stated he is selective in what he has recorded. His goal is personal; it is for the reader to believe.

John writes to believers.

A Point to Consider

With these things in mind, the first point I would like to ponder is that the gospel of John has no recording of the Olivet Discourse. Of course, I understand that the Bible is given to us with a framework of design. Therefore, we must also consider certain points of silence. It is this one that I want to consider and challenge my own thinking.

Maybe John didn’t record the Olivet Discourse because it wasn’t intended for believers, specifically church-age believers. Let me explain. We have it recorded by three folks who were not eyewitnesses. It is recorded in differing ways, with different ideas emphasized. Given the inherent audiences of the gospels, perhaps the ideas written in the discourse in the Synoptics would be for the unbelieving Israelite, those who love action and authority, and the intellectual. All of which would be unbelievers, given that John’s gospel is written for believers. John’s gospel would exclude such ideas, as the church-age believers wouldn’t be present.

Could that hint at church-age believers being removed before these things happen?

The Olivet Discourse: For Israelis Only?

On By TimIn Mark 13, Olivet Discourse3 Comments

Matthew, Mark, and Luke give much of the same testimony of the life and teaching of Jesus. The material offered is presented in the same general order of events. These three are called the synoptic gospels for that reason.

In an endeavor to understand the similarities recorded in the Olivet Discourse, it is more intriguing to notice the differences. When studying eschatological passages such as this, it isn’t difficult to encounter controversy. In an effort to avoid errant misunderstanding, context is important.

One of those controversies in interpretation is inevitably going to include the intended audience of the writers. In other words, there are some who say Matthew’s version of the Olivet Discourse was written only for the Israelis. Let’s see if such a sentiment can be demonstrated.

As He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?”

Mark 13:3–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I give this verse for context. Matthew wasn’t present for this private briefing. Neither was Mark nor Luke. Therefore, the things they wrote were as they understood them from others. One thing is clear, though. They were Jewish people asking about the temple.

We also need to understand that everything Jesus taught… He taught to Israelis. His earthly ministry was to Israelis. The words He gave to them are for Israelis. He came only to them.

This is what He said to a gentile woman who came to Him to plead for her daughter.

But He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Then she came and worshipped Him, saying, “Lord, help me.”
But He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s bread and to throw it to dogs.”

Matthew 15:24–26 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s only Matthew that records Jesus’ sentence, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” It follows that everything we read of Jesus and His earthly ministry must be understood first in that context. Especially as it is given to us in Matthew. It was Israel who was chosen to be God’s ambassador to the nations. When Jesus speaks and teaches, He is almost always speaking directly to Israelis.

Scholars also suggest that the synoptic gospels have intended audiences that differ. For Matthew, his audience was Jewish folks with Messianic expectations, proving Jesus is the Messiah. Mark’s audience was the Gentile Romans and Greeks. Luke’s audience was new Gentile (Roman and Greek) Christians.

Can this idea be detected?

In the Olivet Discourse, when Jesus is speaking of how many will be martyred, it is recorded with some slight differences. The differences here seem to apply to the perspective of the intended audience.

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Matthew 24:14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

But take heed. For they will hand you over to councils, and in the synagogues you will be beaten. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them.

Mark 13:9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

But before all these things, they will seize you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for My name’s sake. It will turn out as a testimony for you.

Luke 21:12–13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Each account has Jesus speaking of the testimony of the witnessing would-be martyrs. Matthew says the testimony is “to all nations.” Mark: it’s to “them (kings and rulers.)” While Luke records it as a testimony for the individual believer.

Yes, the similarities are important. But the differences ought not to be challenges to our understanding. They are there to enhance and bolster our understanding.

The Eagles Will be Gathered Together

On By TimIn Israel, Last Days, Matthew 24, Olivet Discourse7 Comments

It was something said by Pastor Greg tonight (would love to link to the video, but it is nearly impossible to do.) He held his Bible up and said there were things in it he didn’t understand. He said he understood much, and as he grew in wisdom, his understanding grew. Yet there were some things he didn’t get.

I was sitting on a bench in the back of church. My friends Dan on my right, Brian on my left. I showed them this verse.

Wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.

Matthew 24:28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I said I don’t understand that.

I read the immediate context before…

“So, if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert,’ do not go there; or, ‘Look, He is in the private chambers,’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.

Matthew 24:26–28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Nothing immediately stood out for an explanation.

A bit of background… At the moment, I am endeavoring to search out the similarities and differences in the synoptic accounts of the Olivet Discourse. (For those less technical-minded, that would be Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 where Jesus spoke to a small group of disciples about the end of the age.)

As it were, I peeked at the Faithlife Study Bible notes for that verse, and they were a bit lot short on the subject. The only note indicated that the word eagles is better understood as vultures. I kind of knew that.

The software I use had an annotation that pointed me here:

They asked, “Where, Lord?”
He replied, “Where the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.”

Luke 17:37 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Checking the immediate context for better understanding…

Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating, drinking, marrying, and were given in marriage until the day when Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.
“Likewise as it was in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built. But on the day that Lot departed from Sodom, fire and brimstone rained from heaven and destroyed them all.
“So will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed. On that day let him who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away. And likewise let him who is in the field not return to the things behind.
Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. I tell you, on that night two men will be in one bed; the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding grain together; the one will be taken and the other will be left. Two men will be in the field; the one will be taken and the other will be left.”

Luke 17:26–36 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Now I know that what I didn’t understand is somehow connected to the second coming of the Messiah and not the rapture. This is clear by the very next statement in Scripture. They asked, “Where, Lord?”

They are asking where the people taken will end up. I have to admit, it isn’t a pretty sight. Many have used this portion of Scripture to demonstrate the rapture. It’s not here. This is more of a judgment. And I daresay, the judgment of a specific kind for a specific group of people. The ones taken are going to end up as food for vultures and other animals.

Arriving back in Matthew 24, it is clearly seen that the immediate context is also speaking of the second coming and not the rapture. (If one reads a bit backward in Luke 17, we also see the use of flashing lightning as a typification of the second coming. Yet… The immediate contexts in both passages speak of some not-so-good things for them.

As I thought about this throughout this evening and am now reclined in bed (it’s really late,) another particular piece of Scripture gnaws at the back of my mind, so to say.

Here, God is speaking of the defeat of Gog, and how there will be 7 months of cleansing the land of the dead bodies that resulted from that defeat. But before that, there’s this:

You shall fall upon the mountains of Israel, you and all your troops and the peoples who are with you. I will give you to the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured.

Ezekiel 39:4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

That’s the judgment against Gog. There is going to be a banquet for vultures and other animals. I hate to be graphic, but this is what the Bible clearly says.

My heritage is to Me as a speckled vulture; the vultures all around are against her. Come, assemble all the beasts of the field, bring them to devour.

Jeremiah 12:9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It will be after God defeats Israel’s enemies.

As for you, son of man, thus says the Lord God: Speak to every kind of fowl and to every beast of the field: Assemble and come. Gather on every side to My sacrifice that I sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that you may eat flesh and drink blood. You shall eat the flesh of the mighty and drink the blood of the officials of the earth as though of rams, of lambs, and of goats, of bulls, all of them fatlings of Bashan. You shall eat fat until you are full and drink blood until you are drunk from My sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you. Thus you shall be filled at My table with horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all the men of war, says the Lord God.

Ezekiel 39:17–20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is something different than the other judgments. This is for those who actively oppose Israel, whether government officials or not. It’s for those who wanted her spoils.

It’s at the end of the age. It’s a sacrificial meal from God to the birds and beasts. Those specifically working to defeat Israel are the kibble.

It Was Not Possible That He Should be Held by Death

On By TimIn Acts 02, Death, ResurrectionLeave a comment

You have taken Him, who was handed over to you by the ordained counsel and foreknowledge of God, and by lawless hands have crucified and killed Him, whom God raised up by loosening the pull of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.

Acts 2:23–24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Given His earthly ministry, Jesus spoke of His death and His resurrection. At best, His disciples were oblivious to the things He said about it. They didn’t understand the resurrection, nor did they expect it. Think about that; imagine someone trying to tell you about a hypervisor. It’s real. But most people’s collective wisdom knows no such thing. It would be hard to explain any details to anyone who didn’t know what it is. Resurrection would be the same thing. No person who heard Jesus had experienced anybody walking out of a grave after three days dead.

But now they did!

In the citation above, Peter is preaching. Even in the early stages of this ministry, what Peter didn’t know before the crucifixion, He now clearly understood.

There was no possible way death could have power over Jesus. Peter explains it by quoting David.

For David says concerning Him: ‘I foresaw the Lord always before me, for He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will dwell in hope. For You will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy with Your presence.’

Acts 2:25–28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.

That’s it. Jesus is that Holy One. Corruption has no power over holiness. Peter continues urgently; he speaks of David having died and been buried. He speaks of the presence of David’s tomb. Yet David knew the promises of God were true, that He would raise up the Messiah to sit on his own throne.

he foresaw this and spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. God raised up this Jesus, of which we all are witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out this which you now see and hear.

Acts 2:31–33 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Those present were also privy to the recent events, and now they were eyewitnesses to this pouring out of the Holy Spirit. They see and hear for themselves.

Peter is telling them what David told them: this Messiah would be Lord. That is, the very God of David.

For David has not ascended to the heavens, yet he says:
‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Until I make Your enemies
Your footstool.” ’
“Therefore, let all the house of Israel assuredly know that God has made this Jesus, whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Acts 2:34–36 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Where I Am Going, You Cannot Come

On By TimIn 43 - John, Heaven, Israel, John 08Leave a comment

Again, Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will seek Me, and you will die in your sins. Where I am going, you cannot come.”

John 8:21 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

That simple truth is a stumbling block for many. Jesus said it to the very leaders of His chosen people, Israel. Their leaders were told that where Jesus is going, they cannot come.

It wasn’t an outright prohibition to them, nor were they born condemned for that destiny. Quite the contrary, they were born Jewish, with all of the privileges that entail. (Paul outlines these in the first few verses of Romans 9.) Jesus was really saying… Where they could not go is heaven.

In this verse are some important things we can glean about salvation and election. Most importantly, they aren’t the same. Election doesn’t guarantee salvation.

Israelites are elect. They are God’s people. But clearly, being chosen isn’t enough to get one into heaven.

In the conversation preceding Jesus’ statement we’re considering, He is telling these Pharisees that they do not know the Father. Nor do they know Him. Consider that. The Father’s (and the Son’s) chosen didn’t know Him.

Furthermore, because they did not know Him they cannot know where He is going. He is going to heaven. They wouldn’t know where.

It’s not that Jesus condemned them to such a fate either. Jesus explained that succinctly to Nicodemus.

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned. But he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 3:17–18 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The apparent condemnation Jesus proclaimed over these Pharisees wasn’t from Him. It was because they didn’t know Him. Not knowing Him means they would not know the Father. Jesus said so (John 8:19.)

Jesus told them He would go away. After He left, these Pharisees would seek Him but not find Him. They would die in their sins.

Many today are in that same condition… In danger of dying in their sins because they refused to believe Jesus. Many still seek Him. Some do it in vain; they never believe. Others believe and are saved.

Which are you?

The ones who seek Jesus and never find Him, because one doesn’t believe they themselves have fallen short and are in need of rescue.

Or…

Of the redeemed, who know Jesus and the Father. They know where Jesus was going. Therefore, they are going there, too.

Jesus has Been Gifted Everything

On By TimIn John 05, Resurrection, Salvation1 Comment

For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. The Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all men should honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

John 5:21–23 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Everything the Father has is given to Jesus; just as we see here, Jesus even has the power to raise the dead. More importantly, Jesus has the power to give life!

Maybe you’ve never thought that through. Yet right here… Jesus is making a bold statement. Wait, you’ve never really thought that Jesus is God?

That first statement is an attestation to that simple fact.

The Son Gives Life to Whom He Will

Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being.

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

I get it. The Father has to draw. The Father has to grant life. That is also given to Jesus.

He gave life to you! How do I know?

You’re breathing and reading this. He breathed the breath of life into you. Furthermore, the Father wants all of me to honor the Son. So that they may have access to the Father.

He who believes in the Son has eternal life. He who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

John 3:36 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

That Judgment Thing

God has even given the authority to judge solely to Jesus. He is the One Who chooses. He is the One Who judges.

Yet Jesus would have you honor Him just as any of us would honor God. Remember, He chooses.

All of us have had the wrath of God on us. Some may still be under that encumbrance. Yet we know the Father and the Son don’t want that for you. Don’t believe me. It’s right there…

“that all men should honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. ”

All men is better understood as all humans. He chose to give you life by sending His Son for you to believe and believe in.

The math is simple… Those that want to honor the Father must honor the Son. There is simply no other way.

If you think Jesus was a good man and a great Hebrew, that’s not good enough.

If you think Jesus was a great teacher and an example to follow, that’s still not good enough.

If you think Jesus came to teach us how to love others, that won’t work.

Even if you think Jesus died on a cross thousands of years ago, that’s not good enough either.

You must honor Jesus as you honor God. And we do that by first believing He is Who He said He is… God. We can then believe His death was personal… Sufficient for each of us. Proven in that we’re still breathing.

The Father sent the Son to save the world, thus giving everyone enough time to understand these things. All who inhabit the world ought to honor the Son and be given life… Eternal life.

Is This not the Carpenter?

On By TimIn Daily Walk, Jesus, Mark 06, Spiritual WarfareLeave a comment

He went away from there and came into His own country. And His disciples followed Him. When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get this? What is this wisdom that is given Him, that even miracles are done by His hands? Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?” And they took offense at Him.

Mark 6:1–3 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

When Jesus returned to the place of His upbringing and taught in the synagogue, people were astonished. These people knew Him better than the other places He visited. They knew His upbringing. He was the carpenter.

Because these had a more intimate knowledge of Jesus growing up and working… What they thought He is became a stumbling block. How could a carpenter have so much wisdom teaching in the synagogue and even do miracles?

Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his own house.”

Mark 6:4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Speaking truth is just that. For anyone who does it to strangers, they may be more apt to listen. They may have no preconceptions. But when it is done with those who you grew up with, objections start to rise. Not because the truth is spoken. These people know you, or think they do, by preconceptions.

For those who have preconceptions, what you say is going to be measured by who they think you are. A stranger speaking the truth is going to appear to have great wisdom. If that stranger is labeled conservative, what truth offered is going to be measured through what the label means to the person hearing.

What you say is going to be measured by who or what your audience thinks you are. The words themselves will be filtered through that myopia. The more specific the preconception applied to you, the more easily it will provoke some offense.

People will judge what you say by preconceived ideas.

In the instance above, to those who knew Him, it was a carpenter speaking with great wisdom and doing miracles. To the stranger, the inherent baggage of a carpenter didn’t exist. Jesus’ humble upbringing was more of a stumbling block to those who were around Him growing up.

Today, those who have a preconceived notion of what a Christian is will filter the truth spoken by that Christian through that idea. In fact, most likely the Christian will seem hypocritical, even among other Christians.

It’s not that the hometown folks didn’t honor Jesus. It was their preconceived idea of Who they thought He is… That became the offense. In other words, He didn’t fit in their box.

Don’t let the box another person wants to put you in be the prison for you. It is actually a prison for them.

He could not do any miracles there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He was amazed because of their unbelief.

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

Because they had imprisoned themselves, it became difficult for Jesus to do anything really good in their lives.

There is a deeper theological issue here, too. It has to do with synergy. There will be lots of folks who balk at that term. What is clearly being taught is that the people themselves weren’t receptive to Jesus. It became an impediment to them. He couldn’t help them.

If He could have changed their hearts by His own will and turned a faith-switch on, don’t you think He would have done that to have compassion on them?

Yet He didn’t. Perhaps it is because we have to come to Jesus in childlike faith, setting aside our own preconceptions of what we think is really real, believing what He says. Only then can He do miracles.

Let’s go Now

On By TimIn Angels, Daily Walk, Jesus, Luke 02Leave a comment

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
So they came hurrying and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger. When they had seen Him, they made widely known the word which was told them concerning this Child.

Luke 2:15–17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

After the heavenly choir sang to these shepherds, they immediately left their flocks and went into Bethlehem to see with their own eyes what had happened. After all, God chose to make the birth announcement to them.

They hurried and found the announced babe just as they had been told.

Those shepherds went and spread the word. Despite the fact that a shepherd’s testimony had no value in that society. They spoke plainly of what had happened to them.

Do you think we sometimes consider ourselves in the position of a shepherd?

I mean… People won’t believe our testimony of what God has done in our lives. We don’t share it because of the rejection and disbelief we presume we will get. We might think, why bother?

If we don’t talk about Jesus… Who will?

We must be like the shepherds and speak regardless if those we speak to believe what we say.