Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:8).
No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on my own initiative, I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father (John 10:18, Jesus is speaking of His life,).
Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, "What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation" ( John 11:47-48)
As a result of this Pilate made efforts to release Him, but the Jews cried out saying, "If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar." (John 19:12).
Therefore when Jesus had receive the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit (John 19:30).
The Scripture references cited above are only a few of many that could have been cited about the intention of Jesus. Jesus was not a victim of circumstances! Bill O'Reilly's Killing Jesus will be aired on national television on Palm Sunday evening. O'Reilly has done a fine job of setting forth the religious, social and political dynamics of the time of Jesus the Christ, but it would be a mistake to conclude that Jesus was a victim. He knew from the beginning where His ministry would take Him. He knew how His triumphal entry into Jerusalem would be interpreted because He directed it. He knew how the zealots, the Herodians, the Sadducee's, the Pharisees and the Romans would react to His ministry, but He did not change course.* Each faction played a part in killing Jesus. It also must be understood that Jesus' death on the cross was not a great tragedy, but the greatest blessing we will ever receive because He paid the price for our sins! That was the primary purpose of His ministry and the reason He could say, It is finished!
Our Father's Love,
Tom
*Relatively early in Jesus' ministry, Mark chapter 3 records a Sabbath healing, the pre-planning of how to kill Jesus had begun. Jesus continued on undeturred, knowing his hour had not come and his work was unfinished. Jesus laid down his life when the time was right and his work was finished.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
JESUS, THE WILLFULLY MISUNDERSTOOD KING
On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel."
Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written, "Fear not daughter of Zion; Behold, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt." (John 12:12-15).
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble and mounted on a donkey, even a colt, the foal of a donkey.
I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem; and the bow of war will be cut off. And He will speak peace to the nations; and His dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth (Zechariah 9:9-10).
Jesus was, and still is, the willfully misunderstood King. The timing of Jesus birth and life on this earth was accurately prophesied by Daniel. There were many people, like Anna and Simeon, who studied the Scriptures and knew that the time of the promised Messiah was at hand. When Jesus began to do miracles his disciples began to comprehend who is was. At the raising of Lazarus from the dead many more began to follow him, so much so that the religious and secular leadership of the Jews convened a meeting. They were alarmed. They said, What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation (John 12:47-48).
The religious and political leaders of Jesus' day valued their jobs, their power and prestige much more than the will of God.
On the other hand, there were the common folks who were taxed to death* and had little to any voice in the day-to-day affairs of their lives. They lived under both Roman rule and the corruption of the religious leaders who colluded with the Romans. By and large, they were poor and angry. They wanted a King who would defeat the Romans. Jesus was not that kind of king and so it would be easy for them to say just days later, Crucify him! crucify him!
The Kingdom of the Messiah is the Kingdom of peace not of war. The destruction of Rome would have been child's play for Jesus. Jesus came to win the war against sin for our salvation.
Jesus did not ride into Jerusalem on a horse, a symbol of war and conquering, he came on a donkey, a symbol of kingship, peace and humility. Thus, Jesus was, and is, the misunderstood king.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
*The people of Jesus' day in Palestine not only paid taxes to the Romans, but also, to the Herods and the Temple tax. Their anger was understandable, but it was one of the factors which prevented them from recognizing the King of kings and Lord of lords.
When Jesus made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, announcing who he was, he stopped and wept over Jerusalem and prophesied the destruction of the city and the temple because, "you did not recognize the time of your visitation" (This is only recorded in Luke 19:41-44). A willful misunderstanding has its consequences. Prejudice and hate can blind a person to the truth. It must be understood that a person bears the responsibility for his prejudice and hate.
Jesus, finding a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written, "Fear not daughter of Zion; Behold, your king is coming, seated on a donkey's colt." (John 12:12-15).
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble and mounted on a donkey, even a colt, the foal of a donkey.
I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem; and the bow of war will be cut off. And He will speak peace to the nations; and His dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth (Zechariah 9:9-10).
Jesus was, and still is, the willfully misunderstood King. The timing of Jesus birth and life on this earth was accurately prophesied by Daniel. There were many people, like Anna and Simeon, who studied the Scriptures and knew that the time of the promised Messiah was at hand. When Jesus began to do miracles his disciples began to comprehend who is was. At the raising of Lazarus from the dead many more began to follow him, so much so that the religious and secular leadership of the Jews convened a meeting. They were alarmed. They said, What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation (John 12:47-48).
The religious and political leaders of Jesus' day valued their jobs, their power and prestige much more than the will of God.
On the other hand, there were the common folks who were taxed to death* and had little to any voice in the day-to-day affairs of their lives. They lived under both Roman rule and the corruption of the religious leaders who colluded with the Romans. By and large, they were poor and angry. They wanted a King who would defeat the Romans. Jesus was not that kind of king and so it would be easy for them to say just days later, Crucify him! crucify him!
The Kingdom of the Messiah is the Kingdom of peace not of war. The destruction of Rome would have been child's play for Jesus. Jesus came to win the war against sin for our salvation.
Jesus did not ride into Jerusalem on a horse, a symbol of war and conquering, he came on a donkey, a symbol of kingship, peace and humility. Thus, Jesus was, and is, the misunderstood king.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
*The people of Jesus' day in Palestine not only paid taxes to the Romans, but also, to the Herods and the Temple tax. Their anger was understandable, but it was one of the factors which prevented them from recognizing the King of kings and Lord of lords.
When Jesus made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, announcing who he was, he stopped and wept over Jerusalem and prophesied the destruction of the city and the temple because, "you did not recognize the time of your visitation" (This is only recorded in Luke 19:41-44). A willful misunderstanding has its consequences. Prejudice and hate can blind a person to the truth. It must be understood that a person bears the responsibility for his prejudice and hate.
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
JESUS IS THE KING OF KINGS
He sent two of the disciples, saying, "Go into the village ahead of you; there, as you enter, you will find a colt tied on which no one yet has ever sat; untie it and bring it here. "If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' you shall say, 'The Lord has need of it.' " (Luke 19:29-31).
. . . the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, shouting; "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." But Jesus answered, "I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!" (Luke 19:37-40).
There are critics of all different kinds who have asserted that Jesus never claimed to be the King, but those assertions are false. Jesus certainly orchestrated the timing of his announcement. His kingship was far different from what the Jews expected, so the timing of his announcement was extremely important. The events of the last days before the Crucifixion reveal how this King was received.
What is clear from the testimony of the Bible is that Jesus organized and directed this triumphal entry. He intended it to be the first announcement that he is King. He purposely presented himself to be the promised Messiah, Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey (Zechariah 9:9, Prophesied 500 years before Christ.).
The symbolism of the palm branches*, of his mount, the donkey**, and the testimony of his disciples reveal fully what Jesus intended to communicate, he is the King, the Messiah!
If Jesus is the King, what will you do?
Our Father's Love,
Tom
*Palm branches symbolize royalty and victory in ancient history and the Bible. Revelation 7:9 says that the multitudes who surround the Throne have palm branches in their hands.
**The donkey was the mount of a king riding in peace among his people. The horse was a symbol of war and conquering. False messiahs rode horses, but the Prince of peace rode a donkey, symbolic not only that he was the Messiah, but also the nature of his kingdom.
. . . the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen, shouting; "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord; Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples." But Jesus answered, "I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!" (Luke 19:37-40).
There are critics of all different kinds who have asserted that Jesus never claimed to be the King, but those assertions are false. Jesus certainly orchestrated the timing of his announcement. His kingship was far different from what the Jews expected, so the timing of his announcement was extremely important. The events of the last days before the Crucifixion reveal how this King was received.
What is clear from the testimony of the Bible is that Jesus organized and directed this triumphal entry. He intended it to be the first announcement that he is King. He purposely presented himself to be the promised Messiah, Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey (Zechariah 9:9, Prophesied 500 years before Christ.).
The symbolism of the palm branches*, of his mount, the donkey**, and the testimony of his disciples reveal fully what Jesus intended to communicate, he is the King, the Messiah!
If Jesus is the King, what will you do?
Our Father's Love,
Tom
*Palm branches symbolize royalty and victory in ancient history and the Bible. Revelation 7:9 says that the multitudes who surround the Throne have palm branches in their hands.
**The donkey was the mount of a king riding in peace among his people. The horse was a symbol of war and conquering. False messiahs rode horses, but the Prince of peace rode a donkey, symbolic not only that he was the Messiah, but also the nature of his kingdom.
Friday, March 20, 2015
JESUS = LIFE
Jesus said to him, "I am . . . . . . the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).
Jesus is the creator of all things, including all living things. There would be no life without Him. As John's gospel says it, "All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made (1:3). Jesus is life because He created life in all its diversity. The infinite size of the universe, the vast array of its wonders and the mind-boggling diversity of life all testify to the power, beauty and love of God, Jesus the Christ.
Jesus is the way of life. Jesus gave His life as a ransom for us. We were on "death row" with no way of escape. Jesus died in our place and now we are able to walk free--the prison cell was opened and now we walk free. We were doomed to certain death, now we have life in Christ. If you are not in Christ, you are still on "death row!" One of the end-time events of which the Bible clearly speaks is the wrath that is to come. There is no escape apart from Christ.
Jesus is also the way of life because when one follows Him one is not investing in futility. How quickly life passes by. My wife, the lovely and gracious Helen, is the family history archivist. The family pictures testify to the speed of life's passing. Many pass through life investing only in what makes them feel good, following the desires of body and mind in the present, not investing in eternity. In a few short years they are forgotten and nothing is left. In Christ there is the life of salvation, which is an adventure in itself. It is in the life of salvation that Christ brings us into wholeness. Christ is not the way of the safe life, but He is the way of the life that is eternal not futile.
When I was a boy, my mom place a plaque on the kitchen wall that I, and I am sure my siblings, still remember. It said, Only one life will soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
Jesus is the creator of all things, including all living things. There would be no life without Him. As John's gospel says it, "All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made (1:3). Jesus is life because He created life in all its diversity. The infinite size of the universe, the vast array of its wonders and the mind-boggling diversity of life all testify to the power, beauty and love of God, Jesus the Christ.
Jesus is the way of life. Jesus gave His life as a ransom for us. We were on "death row" with no way of escape. Jesus died in our place and now we are able to walk free--the prison cell was opened and now we walk free. We were doomed to certain death, now we have life in Christ. If you are not in Christ, you are still on "death row!" One of the end-time events of which the Bible clearly speaks is the wrath that is to come. There is no escape apart from Christ.
Jesus is also the way of life because when one follows Him one is not investing in futility. How quickly life passes by. My wife, the lovely and gracious Helen, is the family history archivist. The family pictures testify to the speed of life's passing. Many pass through life investing only in what makes them feel good, following the desires of body and mind in the present, not investing in eternity. In a few short years they are forgotten and nothing is left. In Christ there is the life of salvation, which is an adventure in itself. It is in the life of salvation that Christ brings us into wholeness. Christ is not the way of the safe life, but He is the way of the life that is eternal not futile.
When I was a boy, my mom place a plaque on the kitchen wall that I, and I am sure my siblings, still remember. It said, Only one life will soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last.
Our Father's Love,
Tom
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