White or whiteness tends to set things off - it distinguishes - especially from dark. I've been painting the exterior of my house lately and buying the paint all along as I need it rather than getting it all at the same time.
As you might imagine, one batch I bought didn't quite match what I had been using. I didn't notice it, wouldn't you know it, until I started painting with it. It was much whiter than what I had been using. It was obvious. I couldn't let it go. There was no way I could continue using that paint. The whiteness of it contrasted too much with the other paint I had been using. There would be no hiding it. Everyone would notice. It was a stark difference - the difference between light and dark - between white and black.
John saw, in his vision of the Christ, a stark and differentiating white. It was vivid. It was bright. It contrasted sharply with everything around it.
That's the way Jesus is. He shines brightly - especially into the darkness.
John said in his gospel - "The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it, (John 1:5). It is too different, too distinct. He so set apart from everything else.
"His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow...," (Revelation 1:14).
Lord, let your light shine and may I understand!
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Monday, February 06, 2006
Who is Jesus? #98 (From the Apocalypse)
Life is full of changes. Started taking some graduate courses on-line a few weeks ago and had to let my "blogging" slide. Hopefully, I can be a little more regular.
Still from the book of Revelation and the image of Jesus in Chapter one where he is pictured as one who head and hair were as white as wool -- as white as snow.
I picture in my own feeble mind, John seeing this image and shading his eyes from the brightness that he is beholding. I think that would be my reaction.
How could/can I even begin to behold the countenance of the Son of God? After all, He said, "He who has seen me has seen the Father." Then we learn that no one can see God and live.
The light of purity and holiness is too far beyond us. There is nothing sinister or evil about Jesus. We can't begin to approach God much less gaze upon Him because we are blinded by his stark holiness contrasted with our sinful darkness.
But, somehow we can come to Him. John sees Him. It is by this very one who illuminates everything, that we can come to the Father. He paved the way. The light is not there to blind us, but to show us the way!
Show me the way!
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
Still from the book of Revelation and the image of Jesus in Chapter one where he is pictured as one who head and hair were as white as wool -- as white as snow.
I picture in my own feeble mind, John seeing this image and shading his eyes from the brightness that he is beholding. I think that would be my reaction.
How could/can I even begin to behold the countenance of the Son of God? After all, He said, "He who has seen me has seen the Father." Then we learn that no one can see God and live.
The light of purity and holiness is too far beyond us. There is nothing sinister or evil about Jesus. We can't begin to approach God much less gaze upon Him because we are blinded by his stark holiness contrasted with our sinful darkness.
But, somehow we can come to Him. John sees Him. It is by this very one who illuminates everything, that we can come to the Father. He paved the way. The light is not there to blind us, but to show us the way!
Show me the way!
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Who is Jesus? #97 (From the Apocalypse)
"His Head and Hair were white like wool, as white as snow"
"Let there be light!" - the first words spoken by God as reported in the Bible. Maybe more correctly, "Let light be!" We understand/believe that Jesus was there with God at the creation of all things. He is part of the "let us..." (Genesis 1:26). John 1:1 says the Word (Jesus) was there in the beginning.
I find it interesting that the first thing associated with Jesus in the Bible (In Genesis) is light and one of the last things associated with Jesus (In Revelation) is light.
Could it be that the first thing that God wanted to show in his spiritual creation was light and the first thing he wanted to show in his spiritual creation was also light?
"Let there be light!" - the first words spoken by God as reported in the Bible. Maybe more correctly, "Let light be!" We understand/believe that Jesus was there with God at the creation of all things. He is part of the "let us..." (Genesis 1:26). John 1:1 says the Word (Jesus) was there in the beginning.
I find it interesting that the first thing associated with Jesus in the Bible (In Genesis) is light and one of the last things associated with Jesus (In Revelation) is light.
Could it be that the first thing that God wanted to show in his spiritual creation was light and the first thing he wanted to show in his spiritual creation was also light?
Then, as dark was the world was, Jesus came as light into it. Light that shines in stark contrast to the ways of the world.
Sometimes, my world is dark. Sometimes because I make it that way - maybe more often than I like to think. Sometimes, others make my world dark - especially that one who loves the darkness.
Regardless, the one with the head and hair as while as wool is there. The light still shines. The brilliance of His image and glory is real and in sight.
Show me the way to you, dear Jesus.
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
Friday, January 13, 2006
Who is Jesus? #96 (From the Apocalypse)
"His Head and Hair were white like wool, as white as snow"
"There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light,"(Matthew 17:2-3). When thinking about Jesus and "brightness" I can't help but move to the transfiguration account. I am not sure what all that means "to be transfigured" but I would like to have been there, I think. It appears that Peter, James, and John were definitely moved. If His baptism was the beginning of His earthly ministry and His ascension, the end, then the transfiguration must have been the certification of His ministry by His Father.
Just as with John's vision of Jesus in Revelation 1, brightness, whiteness and dazzling light are brought into the picture. This happens in the presence of God. A brightness that cannot be reproduced by man but only by God Almighty.
It must signify for us that Jesus is not only in the presence of God but is God himself. It is such a pure hue of white that we cannot achieve it on our own, but must be made dazzling clean by the blood of Jesus.
I can't imagine the white purity and holiness of God coming to earth to live among people like me. Sometimes I can only see my stain against His perfect purity.
"create in me a clean heart, O God!"
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
"There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light,"(Matthew 17:2-3). When thinking about Jesus and "brightness" I can't help but move to the transfiguration account. I am not sure what all that means "to be transfigured" but I would like to have been there, I think. It appears that Peter, James, and John were definitely moved. If His baptism was the beginning of His earthly ministry and His ascension, the end, then the transfiguration must have been the certification of His ministry by His Father.
Just as with John's vision of Jesus in Revelation 1, brightness, whiteness and dazzling light are brought into the picture. This happens in the presence of God. A brightness that cannot be reproduced by man but only by God Almighty.
It must signify for us that Jesus is not only in the presence of God but is God himself. It is such a pure hue of white that we cannot achieve it on our own, but must be made dazzling clean by the blood of Jesus.
I can't imagine the white purity and holiness of God coming to earth to live among people like me. Sometimes I can only see my stain against His perfect purity.
"create in me a clean heart, O God!"
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Who is Jesus? #95 (From the Apocalypse)
"His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow..."(Rev. 1: 14). I have to consider the appearance of Moses after he has been in the presence of God. His face "was radiant"(Exodus 34:29). The people were afraid when they saw Moses' face aglow after having been in the presence of God Almighty.
This text from Exodus goes on to say that he kept his face uncovered while he delivered the law of God to "all Israel." Then he would cover his face until he could once again ascend the mountain and be in the presence of God.
I know that I used to believe that Moses hid his face because of the fear of the people when they looked at him. But II Corinthians 3:12ff tells a different story. Now, I believe that he covered his face so that the people would remember how he looked after coming from the presence of God. After a while, the radiance would begin to dim and he did not want the people to see that. When God called him, he would go back to the mountain and the radiance would return and he would let the people see him, as a reminder that he was in the presence of God, and then cover his face once again.
The fundamental point here for the Moses illustration is that when he spoke the law of God he was speaking from and for God because he had been in the presence of God. The brilliant radiance on his face was testimony to that fact.
What doea all of this have to do with what John saw and what does it have to do with us?
I will have to ramble on those questions tomorrow.
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
This text from Exodus goes on to say that he kept his face uncovered while he delivered the law of God to "all Israel." Then he would cover his face until he could once again ascend the mountain and be in the presence of God.
I know that I used to believe that Moses hid his face because of the fear of the people when they looked at him. But II Corinthians 3:12ff tells a different story. Now, I believe that he covered his face so that the people would remember how he looked after coming from the presence of God. After a while, the radiance would begin to dim and he did not want the people to see that. When God called him, he would go back to the mountain and the radiance would return and he would let the people see him, as a reminder that he was in the presence of God, and then cover his face once again.
The fundamental point here for the Moses illustration is that when he spoke the law of God he was speaking from and for God because he had been in the presence of God. The brilliant radiance on his face was testimony to that fact.
What doea all of this have to do with what John saw and what does it have to do with us?
I will have to ramble on those questions tomorrow.
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Who is Jesus? #94 (From the Apocalypse)
The next aspect of this description of Jesus that John sees is, "His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow..."(1:14).
White has many conotations, I think, in scripture. Purity comes to mind. Being made pure by the blood of Jesus - but what else?
Daniel saw a similar vision and told us about it in Daniel 7:9. "As I looked, thrones were set in place and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was as white as snow: the hair of his head was white like wool."
This "white as wool" seems to indicate the authorty of God. For John it reminded him and his readers that Jesus was God and was/is in the presence of God.
If a priest (last several blogs) was one who went to God in behalf of the people and Jesus is God, then....???
Too much to think about right now, but no wonder Thomas said, after he was convicted, "My Lord and my God.
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Who is Jesus? #93 (From the Apocalypse)
Actually, I've rambled pretty far afield from the book of Revelation. This all started with the image of Jesus that John saw in Revelation 1. The "floor-length robe" part of the image is a reminder of His priesthood - His High Priesthood, at that.
So my thoughts have been many and varied on the subject of priests.
There had not been a priest in Israel in a very long time (II Chronicles 15:3). Actually there had been many priests because Jeroboam let just about anyone be a priest (I Kings 13:33). Beyond that, he would make anyone a priest who would do and say what he wanted. "He appointed priests from all sorts of people," (I Kings 12:28). His intent according to the immediate context was to make sure his people were not lured back to the southern kingdom, Judah, where Jerusalem, the temple and the priests were. He needed to have his own high places and his own priests that would serve his people, and that is exactly what he put together.
The Bible says in I Kings 13:34, "This was the sin of the house of Jeroboam that led to its downfall and to its destruction from the face of the earth."
If you have the wrong priests, serving in the wrong place offering the wrong sacrifices for a rebellious people, NOTHING RIGHT will come of it. The northern kingdom, Israel, was obliterated because of it.
Our need for a priest has not gone away. We just need the right one. We need the right priest in the right place at the right time offering the right sacrifices for a still sometimes rebellious people. God saw to this real need through His son, Jesus; our High Priest. He is right one. He is in the right place and he offered the right sacrifice. It is up to us if things are to come out right.
I need Jesus to continually goes to the Father in my behalf.
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
P.S. Be it known that my granddaughter took her first steps on Sunday, January 8, 2005.
So my thoughts have been many and varied on the subject of priests.
There had not been a priest in Israel in a very long time (II Chronicles 15:3). Actually there had been many priests because Jeroboam let just about anyone be a priest (I Kings 13:33). Beyond that, he would make anyone a priest who would do and say what he wanted. "He appointed priests from all sorts of people," (I Kings 12:28). His intent according to the immediate context was to make sure his people were not lured back to the southern kingdom, Judah, where Jerusalem, the temple and the priests were. He needed to have his own high places and his own priests that would serve his people, and that is exactly what he put together.
The Bible says in I Kings 13:34, "This was the sin of the house of Jeroboam that led to its downfall and to its destruction from the face of the earth."
If you have the wrong priests, serving in the wrong place offering the wrong sacrifices for a rebellious people, NOTHING RIGHT will come of it. The northern kingdom, Israel, was obliterated because of it.
Our need for a priest has not gone away. We just need the right one. We need the right priest in the right place at the right time offering the right sacrifices for a still sometimes rebellious people. God saw to this real need through His son, Jesus; our High Priest. He is right one. He is in the right place and he offered the right sacrifice. It is up to us if things are to come out right.
I need Jesus to continually goes to the Father in my behalf.
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
P.S. Be it known that my granddaughter took her first steps on Sunday, January 8, 2005.
Monday, January 09, 2006
Who is Jesus? #92 (From the Apocalypse)
With all of this discussion about Jesus and His High Priesthood, I began to wonder if I even knew what the responsibilities of a priest were/are; at least what is recorded for us in scripture. II Chronicles 15:3 says that Israel had been "without a priest" for "a long time."
Introduction of the characters: Asa was king of the southern kingdom of Judah. Azariah was the son of the prophet, Obed, and brought the word of God to Asa. The priest? There was no priest in Israel. Israel was the northern kingdom, who under the reign of Jeroboam, separated itself from Judah under the reign of Rehoboam (both sons of King Solomon). Among the things that Azariah brought to Asa's attention was that Israel, the nothern kingdom, had no priest. Now what I find puzzling in this statement that there was no priest in Israel, is what we are told in I Kings 13:33,"...anyone who wanted to became a priest he (Jeroboam) consecrated for the high places." It looked like Jeroboam would let anyone become a priest. So how could the Bible say there was not a priest in Israel?
It appears obvious to me that what is meant is that there was not a God-appointed priest in Israel and hadn't been since the great division of the kingdom. So what happens when there is not a priest ordained by God among the people. In the case of the northern kingdom, the people started worshipping false god, building pagan temples, living in rebellion to God, etc.
So, somehow, the responsibilities of the priest are supposed to counteract all of this. Just because there is a priest, is there going to be complete obedience and faithfulness to God? No! But the High Priest must be present and fulfilling His responsibilities from God - and it will make a difference.
I have gone long enough today - more tomorrow.
Thank you Father, that you have not left us priestless.
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
Introduction of the characters: Asa was king of the southern kingdom of Judah. Azariah was the son of the prophet, Obed, and brought the word of God to Asa. The priest? There was no priest in Israel. Israel was the northern kingdom, who under the reign of Jeroboam, separated itself from Judah under the reign of Rehoboam (both sons of King Solomon). Among the things that Azariah brought to Asa's attention was that Israel, the nothern kingdom, had no priest. Now what I find puzzling in this statement that there was no priest in Israel, is what we are told in I Kings 13:33,"...anyone who wanted to became a priest he (Jeroboam) consecrated for the high places." It looked like Jeroboam would let anyone become a priest. So how could the Bible say there was not a priest in Israel?
It appears obvious to me that what is meant is that there was not a God-appointed priest in Israel and hadn't been since the great division of the kingdom. So what happens when there is not a priest ordained by God among the people. In the case of the northern kingdom, the people started worshipping false god, building pagan temples, living in rebellion to God, etc.
So, somehow, the responsibilities of the priest are supposed to counteract all of this. Just because there is a priest, is there going to be complete obedience and faithfulness to God? No! But the High Priest must be present and fulfilling His responsibilities from God - and it will make a difference.
I have gone long enough today - more tomorrow.
Thank you Father, that you have not left us priestless.
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Who is Jesus? #91 (From the Apocalypse)
I guess at some point, I have got to move on - but the idea of the High Priesthood of Jesus is just too powerful to leave behind. I know I haven't said enough or thought enough about this ministry of Jesus. If I am attempting to answer the question "Who is Jesus?" then this is certainly a big part of the answer - an essential part.
I was reading in Matthew about Caiaphas, the High Priest, "investigating" Jesus and the charges against Him prior to His crucifixion(Matt 26:3ff). I know Caiaphas had no idea that he was standing before the real and ultimate High priest - or at least the one who would shortly be a High Priest as well as sacrifice.
I know he didn't think about how diminished his priesthood would become when the High Priesthood of Jesus kicked in.
I know he was unaware of how ineffective and unnecessary his priesthood would shortly become when the High Priesthood of Jesus became active.
I know he was not cognizant of the fact that he was participating in the death, necessary death, of the new High Priest and His new preisthood. I am confident that the High Priest ,Caiaphas, would not have been willing to die for the people he presided over and for. Of course, His death would have accomplished nothing concerning the salvation of mankind and mankind's relationship with God.
So, here is the scene. One High Priest interrogating another - One High Priest pretty much not repsonding to the questions of the other. One High Priest about to the effect the entire world - One High Priest responsible for putting heavy burdens on people - even things he, himself, was not willing to do. One High Priest looking to heaven where His strength came from - One High priest looking inside himself. One High Priest upholding his religious traditions - One High Priest standing on the word and will of the Father.
Whose High Priesthood do I want/need?
Give me Jesus! (sounds like another song coming on)
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
I was reading in Matthew about Caiaphas, the High Priest, "investigating" Jesus and the charges against Him prior to His crucifixion(Matt 26:3ff). I know Caiaphas had no idea that he was standing before the real and ultimate High priest - or at least the one who would shortly be a High Priest as well as sacrifice.
I know he didn't think about how diminished his priesthood would become when the High Priesthood of Jesus kicked in.
I know he was unaware of how ineffective and unnecessary his priesthood would shortly become when the High Priesthood of Jesus became active.
I know he was not cognizant of the fact that he was participating in the death, necessary death, of the new High Priest and His new preisthood. I am confident that the High Priest ,Caiaphas, would not have been willing to die for the people he presided over and for. Of course, His death would have accomplished nothing concerning the salvation of mankind and mankind's relationship with God.
So, here is the scene. One High Priest interrogating another - One High Priest pretty much not repsonding to the questions of the other. One High Priest about to the effect the entire world - One High Priest responsible for putting heavy burdens on people - even things he, himself, was not willing to do. One High Priest looking to heaven where His strength came from - One High priest looking inside himself. One High Priest upholding his religious traditions - One High Priest standing on the word and will of the Father.
Whose High Priesthood do I want/need?
Give me Jesus! (sounds like another song coming on)
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Who is Jesus? #90 (From the Apocalypse)
I have always been intrigued by the "cities of refuge." There were six of them: three on either side of the Jordan River. According to Joshua 20:3 they were built, "so that anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally may flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood." That in itself is also intriguing.
A person guilty of manslaughter could run to one of these cities and if he got there before this "avenger" got to him, he would be protected. The only catch was that he had to stay there until the death of the High Priest.
What does this have to do with Jesus? Everything! Not only is He our High Priest, but he is also our city of refuge to save us from the bloodiest of avengers - Satan.
I need to understand that Satan has been after me from the beginning and he has not let up. He wants my heart, my soul, my mind and my strength. The vengeance he seeks will destroy me totally.
Somewhere along the way, I saw my city of refuge. When I gave my life to Him, I received relief from this terrible adversary.
Oh no, he has not given up, but I have a High Priest/city of refuge that I can take comfort in forever.
He is my refuge!
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
A person guilty of manslaughter could run to one of these cities and if he got there before this "avenger" got to him, he would be protected. The only catch was that he had to stay there until the death of the High Priest.
What does this have to do with Jesus? Everything! Not only is He our High Priest, but he is also our city of refuge to save us from the bloodiest of avengers - Satan.
I need to understand that Satan has been after me from the beginning and he has not let up. He wants my heart, my soul, my mind and my strength. The vengeance he seeks will destroy me totally.
Somewhere along the way, I saw my city of refuge. When I gave my life to Him, I received relief from this terrible adversary.
Oh no, he has not given up, but I have a High Priest/city of refuge that I can take comfort in forever.
He is my refuge!
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Who is Jesus? #89 (From the Apocalypse)
It's a new year and time for me to resolve to get back to blogging, having taken the last month of the year off.
It is my plan to continue with attempts to answer the question, "Who is Jesus?" Our church is going to continue with this theme for 2006 because it is such a great theme and too important to let go of right now.
So, I plan on continuing with thoughts about Jesus' priesthood, at least for the time being, probably with some interruptions from time to time about what is going on in our nation when it comes to "separation of Church and State," whatever that means.
Today, pray for those 13 coal miners who are trapped in that Virginia coal mine.
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
It is my plan to continue with attempts to answer the question, "Who is Jesus?" Our church is going to continue with this theme for 2006 because it is such a great theme and too important to let go of right now.
So, I plan on continuing with thoughts about Jesus' priesthood, at least for the time being, probably with some interruptions from time to time about what is going on in our nation when it comes to "separation of Church and State," whatever that means.
Today, pray for those 13 coal miners who are trapped in that Virginia coal mine.
Be Strong and Courageous,
L.T.
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