Revelation 12:1-6 opens with the display of two signs. The first is a wondrous sign from the sky. A woman appears who is clothed with the sun, crowned with twelve stars, and the moon is under her feet. This woman gives birth to the Messiah. Early church history interprets this as the messianic community (God’s faithful people) and not the literal mother of Jesus. Medieval traditions misguidedly begin to interpret her as Mary. It is out of God’s faithful people that the Messiah would come. This radiant woman cries out in pain as Israel had done in the past when placed in bondage (Isaiah 26:17; Isaiah 66:7; Micah 4:10). Israel cries out in her struggle of expectation of the coming Messiah. A second sign appears in the sky. John sees an enormous red dragon with seven heads. The Old Testament is complete with allusions to dragons that often are associated with God’s and Israel’s enemies. The dragon stands ready to devour the child as a great drama unfolds. I can’t help but wonder what condition we would all be in if the dragon ultimately wins. This is our story throughout history, the great dragon battles to destroy us in this past and present danger. Yet, the proclamation of the church in history and today is that the great dragon cannot defeat our Lord. In fact, our Lord has already won in the resurrection. However, until our Lord returns, the church must flee to the desert (like Israel and the Exodus) where we depend on God to provide and we develop an intimate relationship with Him. While we live on earth, we may face many struggles but the ultimate end is learning to live faithfully through it all. We have two signs — who really is our Lord, Christ or Satan? Maybe the answer can be seen in our journey through the wilderness.
Archive for the ‘Jesus’ Category
Day 357: Revelation 12:1-6 – Two Signs
Thursday, December 23rd, 2010Day 317: Hebrews 1:1-2:9 — A little lower than the angels
Saturday, November 13th, 2010The writer of this letter to Jewish Christians seems to go out of his way to show Jesus’ superiority to angels. To wit:
- God has spoken to us by His Son. (v. 2)
- The Son is heir of all things, appointed by the Father. (v. 2)
- The Son is the radiance of God’s glory. (v. 3)
- All the characteristics of the Son are exactly like those of His Father. (v. 3)
- The Son’s words are so powerful, they sustain all things. (v. 3)
- The Son purifies us from our sins. (v. 3)
- The Son is seated at the right hand of God. (v. 3)
- Not only is His Name superior to the angels, but His very being is superior to theirs. (v. 4)
- Oh, and by the way, name one angel whom God called “Son”. (v. 5)
And that’s not all! But it’s enough to make the point. Jesus’ superiority to the angels made Him greater than the law, which was said to have been mediated by angels (Hebrews 2:2-3). Indeed, according to Jewish tradition, God had given His law through angels (Acts 7:53, Galatians 3:19). Notice the reference to angels in Deuteronomy 33:2:
And he said, The Lord is come from Sinai, and has appeared from Seir to us, and has hasted out of the mount of Paran, with the ten thousands of Kadesh; on his right hand were his angels with him. (from the Septuagint)
Since Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God (v. 3; also Hebrews 12:2), which was the angels’ former post (Deut. 33:2), there’s no reason to consider angels as even being in the same league as Jesus — so is the point of the writer.
But for a little while (2:7 and 2:9), Jesus was “made” (though it was His will) a “little lower than the angels”. Jesus humbled Himself (Philippians 2:8), for a while giving up His place in heaven, so that you and I might have a home with Him forever (John 14:1-4).
Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus!
Day 296: Colossians 2:13-15 — “having canceled the written code”
Saturday, October 23rd, 2010When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Colossians 2:13-15 — NIV
“having canceled the written code, with its regulations”
Any reasonable person might read this and think, “How many ‘written codes’ did God give?” Certainly the Old Law comes to mind. Any others? In fact, this is a popular interpretation of this passage — based on the NIV translation — but I’d like to suggest a different interpretation.
Here are the same 3 verses, from the New American Standard Version:
When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. Colossians 2:13-15 — NASV
“having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees”
Suddenly that doesn’t sound so much like the Old Law. I’d like to suggest it wasn’t the Old Law that “stood opposed to us”. In fact, the Law was perfect (Psalm 19:7). If it was the Law that was imperfect and that “stood opposed to us”, surely Jesus would have come to destroy the Law, but he didn’t (Matthew 5:17).
So what was “nailed to the cross” with Jesus (v. 14)? I believe context leads us to the interpretation that it was the fact that the Old Law could not save — that no one could keep it perfectly except the One Who was perfect already. You know the song — “He paid a debt He did not owe, I owed a debt I could not pay.” That was “the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us” — not the Law itself, but our slavery to the debt of having to keep the Law perfectly in order to achieve righteousness. This segues perfectly into that last word Jesus spoke from the cross — tetelestai (commonly translated into 3 English words, “it is finished” ). This word literally means “the debt has been paid”.
So what did Jesus nail to the cross?
He nailed to the cross our certificate of debt. This was the certificate that said under the Old Law, we must keep the Law perfectly in order to be justified, but under the law of grace, we can be counted as righteous — we can be justified — by Jesus having paid the debt on our behalf.
Hallelujah!
Day 178: John 19:38-20:18 — Woman, Why Are You Crying?
Sunday, June 27th, 2010This week’s Bible reading is very intense. Turn with me to John 19:38-20:18
As I have often told you, it helps me to close my eyes and put myself in the scene. It’s a pretty good way to immerse yourself in the scripture and get a good feel for the emotion. I invite you to do the same. You are there. Jesus has just been crucified. Everything is in disarray. What’s going to happen? Is Jesus really gone? I’d like to concentrate on John 20:10-18
Mary is outside the tomb crying. Jesus’ tomb is empty! His burial clothes are still in the tomb. Surely someone has taken him and moved him! Mary looks up to see two angels seated where Jesus had been. I think it is interesting what they ask her. “Woman, why are you crying?” Of course they knew why she was crying. Then Jesus appears and asks her again, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it that you are looking for?” Mary is so distraught (and rightfully so) that she doesn’t recognize Jesus speaking to her. Instead, she mistakes him for a gardener and asks if he took her Lord. Then he simply says, “Mary.” and she recognizes him. Mary wasn’t expecting Jesus to be alive.
My question to you this morning is this – Have you ever been so upset, so distraught that you failed to recognize Jesus speaking to you? It happens. It happened to Mary. So many times in my life I have been so upset by something that in the hour of great peril or grief, Jesus is there for me and I don’t see Him. Why? Because I rely on myself too much. Because I don’t always seek Him first. Because sometimes I wasn’t expecting Him to be there.
I pray that we all listen and watch for our Lord at all times. He is risen! He left the burial clothes behind! He speaks to you today! Will you see Him?
May God bless you and keep you this week.
Day 177: John 19:16-37 — Wounded for me
Saturday, June 26th, 2010Wounded for me, wounded for me,
There on the cross He was wounded for me;
Gone my transgressions, and now I am free,
All because Jesus was wounded for me.Dying for me, dying for me,
There on the cross He was dying for me;
Now in His death my redemption I see,
All because Jesus was dying for me.William G. Ovens & Gladys Westcott Roberts
public domain
I cannot read today’s New Testament reading without feeling many things — humility at being redeemed by the only One qualified to do so, gratitude in knowing I don’t have to depend on my own righteousness to get me to Heaven, awe at the number of prophecies He fulfilled, thankfulness because of the example He showed by caring for His mother even in His darkest hour.
I cannot read today’s New Testament reading without it being new to me every time. It never gets old — a sad story, yet with a happy ending; a broken human being without a broken bone; the “defeated” who showed He was the victor all along.
I cannot read today’s New Testament reading without being thankful for the many ways in which we are reminded of Jesus’ love for us shown on the cross — from the song quoted above, to the Holy Word itself, to the observance of the Lord’s Supper each and every Sunday, to the way I see Jesus continuing to live in the hearts of my Christian brothers and sisters.
I cannot read today’s New Testament reading without two final thoughts — thank you Jesus! and Maranatha, Lord come quickly!
Day 171: John 14:25-15:17 — Love A Little Stronger…
Sunday, June 20th, 2010“If you don’t remember anything else that I’ve said, remember this…” Have you ever sat in a lecture that included this phrase? Maybe it was something your parents told you as you were running out the door to go with friends. I’m sure you’ve heard it. It is a way to get people to focus, to pay attention.
I’d like to concentrate on John 15:9-17. In this passage, Jesus wants to make sure he gets his point across about loving one another. Two times in this short passage he emphasizes his command to love each other. Got it. Point taken. Or is it?
Why is it so hard to love each other? Because we’re human and we’re weak. We let petty differences get in the way. We want to point out others’ mistakes or shortcomings. Maybe someone rubs us the wrong way. I have struggled in my life in forgiving people who have wronged me or people I love. But that’s part of love, isn’t it? Forgiveness? I say that I love so many people in my life but do I truly love them as Christ has loved me? I’m afraid that I’m woefully short in that area.
As you go into next week, I hope that you will re-read John 15:1-17 and focus on your relationship with the people in your life. Jesus gave us a pretty straight-forward commandment — love each other. It is my prayer that we can all love deeper than we think we’re capable of.
May God bless you and keep you this week!
Day 170: 1 Chronicles 6 — He knows my name!
Saturday, June 19th, 20101The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. 2The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. 3The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar…
33Here are the men who served, together with their sons: From the Kohathites: Heman, the musician, the son of Joel, the son of Samuel…47the son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari, the son of Levi. 1 Chronicles 6, excerpts
True confession time here — you didn’t read it, did you? Eighty verses; mostly names. “I can go ahead on to our New Testament reading for today, John 14:1-24.” That’s all right; you’re in good company. Not to point out anyone specific here, but I know someone pretty well who may have done that a time or two.
When reading the New Testament, do you skip over Matthew 1? Luke 3?
Let’s step back a minute. I know you believe as I do, that “all scripture is God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16). Surely you don’t believe God inspired prophets, apostles, and other writers to pen words that were unimportant. I don’t believe that. So what possible importance could a simple list of names have to us?
I suggest that’s the wrong question. I further suggest a better question is this: what possible importance could a simple list of names have to God? I can’t answer that, but I know two things. One, that Mahli and Mushi, Amram and Izhar, Heman the musician, and the tribe of Reuben were all just as precious to the Father as was Moses, Abraham, and Isaiah, and so are Bob and Randy, Powell and Matt, Scott and Charles…
He knows our names! (Matthew 10:29-30)
Two, He knows their works of service. “Here are the men who served”, we are told (1 Chronicles 6:33). Many times, people who perform works of service for the Lord or for His church are named. We know Bezalel’s craftsmanship was responsible for the Ark (Exodus 37:1), and two chapters earlier, Oholiab is also named as an artisan. But in Exodus chapter 36 alone, mentioned 27 times, the unnamed congregation of “they” performed the numerous other works of service toward building the tabernacle. How many people today perform works of service for the Lord that only they and the Lord know about?
And yet He knows your name.
Day 169: 1 Chronicles 5:1-26, John 13:18-38 — Shoutout
Friday, June 18th, 2010Today’s passage in 1 Chronicles 5:1-18 is what in modern day language might be considered a “shoutout”. It’s like when you call up a radio station to wish someone a happy birthday and have their name read aloud over the air. Or when you put their name on the scoreboard at a sporting event. Here is a list of names of the descendants of the sons of Israel. While I realize they were important to the Hebrew people, it can be hard to read the long, seemingly pointless genealogies. But I like to look at passages like this in another way. Imagine that the creator of the universe mentioned you in his instruction book to his children. In a sense, he’s giving you a “shoutout”. That’s quite an honor. The point is that whether these people did good or evil or nothing more notable than being born to someone else who was mentioned, God knew their names. God knows my name. He knows who I am. Just like he knew who each of these people was. He’s not too busy running the universe that he can’t take just a moment and think about me.
In return do we ever give God a “shoutout”? Do those around us know the name of God? In John 13:35 Jesus clearly tells us how we can reciprocate: “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” When we choose to love those around us, we’re spreading the name of Jesus around and honoring him.
Day 168: John 13:1-13 — The Towel
Thursday, June 17th, 2010
Of all the Christian disciplines and all the examples of Jesus’ life why does the story of Jesus taking a towel and washing His disciples feet seem so difficult? I guess we have to wade through the literal interpretations to see that He is not just giving us a cultural model but something more in depth. We wake up each morning in a self-centered slumber to determine what we want to do. It takes a real disciple to push past our egocentrism to reflect on our brothers’ and sisters’ needs. So, this morning as you read John 13:1-13, think about the towel you will use to serve another. Yes, it is difficult but when will we realize serving others is the great call of our Christian journey, we might go to bed with less anxiety and a greater Christian experience.
Day 166: 1 Chronicles 1:1-54; John 12:12-36 — His Care
Tuesday, June 15th, 2010Last month I had the chance to return to my home area and visit with old friends and relatives. While talking with my nephew I pointed to his two boys, one four and the other less than a year, and told him to make sure he taught them about their great-grandfather. Dad was one of my heroes. I would hope that the world would never forget him.
From time to time someone in the family will work on our family tree and uncover a new bit of information here or there. 1 Chronicles 1 is a researcher’s dream. It doesn’t give a lot of personal information about each person, but it quickly lays out the family history.
To contrast 1 Chronicles with John 12 might not make sense at first, but there is a connection. In John 12:21 (NAS) — These then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Did you catch it? “We wish to see Jesus.” That same request is made daily by the world of His followers today. In us they wish to see Jesus.
How can they see Jesus in us unless we have learned of Him to the point that we emulate Him in our everyday life? When the world sees Jesus in us, it’s not a performance—it is an automatic reflection of who we have become under His care.
Study of our ancestors will only satisfy our selfish curiosity. Study of the one who saved us and keeps us in God’s grace can lead us and others to an eternity with the Father. Now that is real satisfaction.