Who Is Jesus?

Who is Jesus? # 167

2011-12-08T09:45:00.000-08:00

One Solitary Life

Adapted from a Sermon by James Francis

(This has been around a while, but it is worth sharing once again.)

He was born in an obscure village the child of a peasant woman.

He grew up in still another village

where He worked in a carpenter shop

until He was thirty, and then for three years

He was an itinerant preacher.

He never wrote a book.

He never held an office.

He never had a family.

He never owned a house.

He never went to college.

He never visited a big city.

He never traveled

two hundred miles

from the place

where He was born.

He did none of the things

one usually associates with greatness.

He had no credentials but Himself.

He was only thirty-three when

the tide of public opinion turned against Him.

His friends ran away.

He was turned over to His enemies

and went through the mockery of a trial.

He was nailed to a cross between two thieves.

While He was dying

His executioners gambled for His clothing,

the only property He had on earth.

When He was dead

He was laid in a borrowed grave

through the pity of a friend.

Twenty centuries have come and gone,

and today Jesus is the central figure

of the human race,

the leader of mankind's progress.

All the armies that have ever marched

All the navies that have ever sailed

All the parliaments that have ever sat

All the kings that have ever reigned

put together

Have not affected the life

of mankind on this earth

as much as that

one solitary life.

Who is Jesus? #166

2011-09-07T11:34:00.000-07:00

The Foundation Doesn't Move

(More Thoughts from I Corinthians 3:11)

There is a lot of home building going on in our community. It is not unusual to see homes in several different stages of completion; from the preparation of the ground to the final coat of paint.

Once the foundation is completed it then is time to raise the walls and begin to build the roof. As the walls are completed and raised, they are attached with strong anchors or bolts to the foundation. This step secures the house to the foundation and pretty much insures, except maybe in extreme cases, that the house will not leave its foundation.

It’s one thing to establish the foundation. It is another thing to merely set the walls and structure on the foundation. It is still quite another thing to secure the structure to the foundation.

There’s got to be a lesson here. It is one thing to read about Jesus. It is another thing to acknowledge Jesus as the greatest of teachers. It is still quite another thing to anchor one’s life on what He said and to let Him be the example and guide for our lives.

Colossians 1:22-23

22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation — 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

The strong winds of hurricanes and tornadoes have torn houses off of their foundations even if anchored.

However the storms of life do not have to tear us from our foundation, Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:38-39

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Have we lost our anchor? I know the foundation didn’t move. Wonder if we have?

Who is Jesus? # 165

2011-09-06T13:58:00.001-07:00

The Only Foundation

I Corinthians 3:11

What does a foundation do? Is it merely a solid surface on top of which you build a structure, perhaps a house? Jesus uses this metaphor concerning those who hear and obey his teachings (like building a house on a solid foundation) and those who hear and do not obey (like building a house without a foundation).

In Paul’s teaching in I Corinthians it is Jesus who is the foundation. Paul goes on to make a strong statement. This is the only foundation and another one cannot be laid in its place.

Now that doesn’t mean that we don’t try from time to time to build our lives on some other foundation; money, pride, family, etc. Even Christians have to grapple with this idea of building another foundation that tries to push Jesus out of the way. Satan is at work there.

But we can always come back to the original. We can get refocused. In our part of the country we have to tend to the foundation of our homes or it may develop some serious problems. Mostly that involves moistening the ground around it and keeping an eye on it.

I think those two strategies work in a spiritual sense, too. Keeping your eyes on Jesus helps us to stay on that foundation and continue to build our lives. We stay focused on Him not because we are looking for cracks in Him, but to keep the cracks in our lives at a minimum and once discovered, fix them. Staying focused on Jesus keeps us from being distracted by anyone or anything that might try to be the replacement foundation.

As we water around our foundation to allow the foundation to settle and not crack, we need to keep massaging our relationship with Jesus to get the most out of we can. Our foundation always has more to give.

“The eye has not seen and the ear has not heard

And the heart of man has not received

All that God has prepared for those who love him.
(I Cor. 2:9, NIV)”

In reality, we are not maintaining our foundation, but maintaining and growing our relationship to the foundation. We discover that more and more we depend on the foundation and we learn that it has been there all along. “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ, (NIV).”

Who is Jesus? #164

2011-08-09T14:12:00.000-07:00

Starting at Jesus

Can two people start out at different locations and arrive at the same spot? The other day, after keeping our grandchildren for a week or so, my wife and I agreed to meet our daughter at the Schlotzsky’s in Sweetwater, TX to hand over the children. The only issue was that she was in Temple, TX and we were in Clovis, NM. As it turned out not only did we meet at the right place, but we met virtually simultaneously. So, it is possible for two people to leave differing locations and arrive at the same destination.

Now, of course, I have to wonder about this from a spiritual perspective. Can two people possibly reach the same conclusion if they are not at the same starting position? This is an interesting, and perhaps urgent, question.

I am thinking from my study in I Corinthians 1:10. Paul encourages the Corinthian brothers and sisters to be “perfectly united in mind and thought.(NIV)” Apparently the early Christians in Corinth hadn’t accomplished this, and I wonder if we have today.

Much could be, and perhaps, should be said about this text, but I am intrigued by the being “perfectly united in mind.” This is an interesting word. Though “thought” has to do with one’s opinions, thoughts or judgments; “mind”, in this case, has to do with the faculties present to form such opinions, thoughts, or judgments.

It is the basic starting place from which our thoughts arise. Unity there is sometimes sidestepped, I think, in order to get to unity of opinion. Without unity of mind unity of judgment and thought will not happen.

In this case we all have to start at the same place, Jesus! We allow Him to formulate our judgments and opinions. He is the primary starting place.

Do you want to tackle unity? Start with Jesus. Do you want to think about salvation? Start with Jesus? Do you want to consider faithfulness and commitment? Start with Jesus.

Do you want to discover Christian service? Start with Jesus.

He is not only a good starting place; He is the only starting place. Maybe we end up in different locales because we have not started at the same place.

Let’s start at Jesus and see where we go from there. It should take us to the same place.

Who Is Jesus ? #163

2011-01-27T09:58:00.000-08:00

One Full of Grace and Truth

John 1:14

14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

I am sitting here pondering this verse this morning because it was highlighted in a graduate class I am taking. It has nothing to do with any sermon on my preaching schedule or class that I am teaching. Maybe it should be in every sermon I preach or lesson I teach.

“Full of grace and truth.” This verse is stocked with some really good stuff, but the grace and truth thing is what is giving me pause for meditation today. How can it be? Sometimes, isn’t grace somewhat absent from truth? Parents correct their children and say if you do that again, you will be grounded for a month. That is truth. Sure enough, those kids do whatever it was they were not supposed to do and truth/punishment is carried out and there appears to be no grace.

How can Jesus be full of both? Initially grace has been extended because truth is present. By the grace of God we have been given truth and we do not have to guess at what God wants. The deliverance of truth in and of itself is an act of grace. Suppose with every step we take we had to wonder if we were walking within the truth of God. We would certainly not feel secure in our journey and just might forsake the journey altogether.

So when God delivered Jesus to the world, He was delivering truth. Three verses later in this same chapter we are told that, “grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

Also by the grace of God we know the source of truth. It is Jesus! Of course He, later in His ministry, would declare, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

So, in reality, without grace truth could not have been delivered. Without grace truth is incomplete. Without grace truth is an ambiguous concept that you can’t get your hands around. Without grace the source of truth becomes blurred.

Praise God! Grace AND truth came through Jesus Christ.

(Thoughts about grace later)

Who is Jesus? #162

2010-12-22T09:38:00.000-08:00

Ten Things Jesus Knows About You

(Last One)

Are You Listening?

I wonder if there is anything more comforting than the fact that Jesus knows those who are His. I guess it is not very comforting for those who are not His. He knows if I am really His or not. Just as a shepherd knows all of his sheep, Jesus, as the Great Shepherd, knows His sheep. He knows if we are following Him or not. He knows if we are listening or not. He knows if we respond when He calls our name.

It is my understanding that ancient shepherds actually knew each one of their sheep by name and could call them and they would come to him. There he would show them affection and tend to any injuries they might have sustained.

John 10:27

27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

Jesus has much to say to His sheep. However, there is so much noise out there one has to wonder if we are even able to hear him. Somehow we need to adjust the decibels of the world so we can actually tune in to Jesus. It's really not a matter of hearing what He is saying as it is hearing Him call our name. We need to hear Him call and then listen to His instructions.

We also have developed a “Pick-and-Choose” mindset. We can choose what we watch on television and ignore the things we really don’t like. We put the smorgasbord of life out there in front of us and pick the stuff that makes us happy for the moment and everything else is left behind.

This has impacted our “listening” to Jesus. We accept the things we really like to hear and fit what we are doing, and leave on the table what we perceive as less palatable and stretches our comfort zone.

“Love one another.” We like that one – especially when we are the recipients of that love.

“Come follow me.” That is another matter. Just where are you taking me, Jesus? You know, I’ve already got my life planned out and I am not sure that where you are wanting to lead me is on my road map.

“Go,” “Give,” “Sacrifice,” “Love Your Enemy,” “Believe,” and other instructions comes from the lips of the Shepherd but do not garner much attention.

How about when He said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Pretty narrow minded there Jesus. He doesn't ask for our commentary on what He said, He just asks us to listen.

That’s how He knows we are His, if we “listen” to His voice.

Are you listening?

Who is Jesus? #161

2010-11-16T10:04:00.000-08:00

Ten Things Jesus Knows About You

Your Potential

I know that in my life, and probably in the most lives, if someone believes I can do it, if they believe in me, I am either going to do it or give it my all trying to do it.

Many coaches try to encourage their teams by helping them to reach their potential. Unfortunately that potential may not be of the caliber to be a true champion because the team members may not have the talent or abilities though they may be playing up to their potential.

Jesus took a few fisherman, a tax collector, a skin-flint, two sons of thunder, a doubter, and others and saw in them the potential for the beginning of His church community. What did He see in them that most of us would not have seen? What does He see in you and me?

I believe He sees in us....

...the potential for the advancement of the Kingdom.

...the potential for living life to the full.

...the potential for helping all the down and out people

in the world.

...the potential for great spirituality.

...the potential for becoming more and more Christ-like.

The reason He knows that about us is because He has given us everything we need to reach that potential. Peter writes (II Peter. 1:3) that we have been given “everything we need for life and godliness.” Jesus came that we might have “life to the full.” He has promised us everything that we might need (not want) in this life. We have assurance of eternity with Him. He has put a little of Himself in us (Genesis 1). He has put His Spirit in us to prompt, lead, encourage, and correct us. He has given us all talents and abilities that we can use for His cause. It seems that everything is in place.

Are we reaching the potential that Jesus sees in us? I know how I feel if my children do not live up to their potential. I wonder how our Father feels when we do not live up to ours.

I can hear Him now shouting at the top of His lungs, “I believe in you, I believe in you!” He knows our potential. I wonder if we do.

Who is Jesus? #160

2010-11-04T10:43:00.000-07:00

Ten Things Jesus Knows About You

Your Reputation

Jesus says to the church at Sardis (Revelation 3:1), “I know you deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.

I wonder what kind of reputation I have with Jesus. I might be able to fake it in front of human beings – for a while – but I can’t put it past Jesus. Sometimes we hear it said, "His/Her reputation precedes Him/Her." That's not the way it is with Jesus. Our reputation is us - immediate, now, reality!! The same thing is true of our churches. We might have a reputation in our community that says we are a community-involved church. Maybe there is something going on at our church buildings every day and night of the week. Something that makes people take notice of us because of all of our activity. Again, I wonder if that is the kind of reputation Jesus wants of His body. Does He wants us to just look busy? Is that the reputation we have?

Satan came to God one day and, according to the book of Job, God asked Satan to take notice of Job and said (Job 1:8), “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” I might assume that Job was a generous man and maybe helped the poor and others in need. Maybe he prayed five times a day. But the reputation that God saw was a blameless man who feared His God.

How about Barnabas? His name was changed from Joseph to Barnabas because he was such an encouragement. As the book of Acts unfolds we find Barnabas heavily involved in ministry. I wonder if that would have happened if he had not had a reputation of encouragement.

As I preacher I wonder if Jesus sees me as a people-pleaser rather than a God-pleaser. Maybe I am more concerned about what people think of me as a preacher than I am what God thinks. I wonder if He sees me as an ear-tickling preacher rather than one who stands boldly for and proclaims the truth no matter what.

I wonder if He sees all of us as ones who do a good job of playing church rather than having a reputation of doing a good job of being the church. I wonder if by our reputation He sees us as generous or materialistic, committed or half-hearted, hot or cold, alive or dead.

I wonder if we get hung up on our reputation in the sight of man rather than our reputation in the sight of God. If we are a traditional/attractional church, we are in danger here. We need to be careful. If we have a good reputation before Jesus then we are probably O.K. in the eyes of man.

Either way, good or bad, He knows our/your/my reputation.

Who is Jesus? #159

2010-10-26T09:53:00.000-07:00

Ten Things Jesus Knows About You

Your Heart

How do you feel about Jesus knowing your heart? Hum. I wonder if it stung the Pharisees when Jesus said (Matthew 15:8), “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” I wonder if it stung or if it went right over their heads? What do you mean “heart,” Jesus? What does that have to do with anything? We say all the things that sound right. We do all the things that look right. We come to church three times a week. What more could you possibly want? Paul reminds us through our Ephesian brethren that singing that is not from the heart is not really singing (5:19), or that is all it is - singing - and not worship.

The fact that Jesus knows our hearts can be either quite unsettling or quite reassuring. In Matthew 9:4 Jesus asks some supposed experts in the law, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?” How does that make us feel? Do you ever have those “wrong” thoughts in your heart? Surely we all do from time to time. How do you think that Jesus reacts to those?

After a discussion on money Jesus says to the Pharisees (Luke 16:15), “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.” So, no matter what men may think of us on the outside, Jesus looks down deep – into our hearts. Let’s look at the words of Paul in Romans 8:26-27

Also the Spirit helps us with our weakness. We do not

know how to pray as we should. But the Spirit himself

speaks to God for us, even begs God for us with deep

feelings that words cannot explain. God can see what is

in people’s hearts. And He knows what is in the mind of

the Spirit, because the Spirit speaks to God for His people

in the way God wants (NCV).

This verse obviously teaches that when we do not know what to say as we approach God that the Holy Spirit steps in to communicate what is in our hearts to God. But I wonder if there might be a little more here.

Just because there is a moment – a moment of weakness - in my life where maybe my heart isn’t quite right -though generally speaking it usually is - have I somehow blown it? Could that be a moment of intercession for the Spirit to remind God that we typically have our hearts in the right place and that we need to be forgiven for this momentary lapse?

Since Jesus looks at our heart it makes sense that Satan will go to work right there, and every now and then he will gain a slight and momentary victory. The Spirit then kicks into action in our behalf before God. We, then, are encouraged to make the correction and continue our journey of spiritual transformation.

The fact that Jesus knows our hearts is really only alarming to those who want to live hypocritically - or at least it should be alarming. For those who want to live closer to Him every day, we look forward to those opportunities to experience a heart correction from Him who knows our hearts.

Who is Jesus? #158

2010-10-12T15:43:00.000-07:00

Ten Things Jesus Knows About You

Your Perseverance

I know what it said over the door that led into the football locker room in high school. “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” I am not sure how effective that was for our record as a football team. We never had a winning season. It does sound pretty good, though, doesn’t it? The tough are going to hang in there.

Jesus told the church at Thyatira (Revelation 2:19) that among other things, “I know your perseverance.” He doesn’t say whether it was a high level of perseverance, which we assume from the words that follow, or a low level of perseverance. He just says He knows.

Some versions use the word patience for hypomone. Even with that translation it carries with it the idea of active patience and not passive patience. Passivity is the attitude that all this stuff is happening and I am just going to go with the flow – not really perseverance at all. Activity says I am going to do all I can to stand against whatever it is that is coming against me and if I am a follower I am going to call on all the strength I can get from every member of the Godhead to help me.

I am not sure that many of us live under the flag of perseverance. I can think of some positive examples. A woman or child perseveres under the onslaught of an abusive mate until the point that it simply cannot be tolerated any more. Maybe an employee perseveres under the tirades of an overbearing boss knowing that someday one or the other of them will not be there, or because it is a good paying job and provides for his family. I know that my wife had has to persevere being married to me. I know of a family who recently lost a daughter, wife, and mother and this family, though perhaps full of questions, has maintained their faith and integrity.

Just how high are our perseverance levels? How tough does it have to get before we give up? I have known people who have "quit the church" over the least little things - maybe big things in their minds.

I don't know. It seems to me that if we keep our eyes on the goal then perseverance would just follow when required - not easy, but definitely worth it. In this case the end would definitely justify the means. It seems that we are more likely to blame God for our circumstances rather than persevere through them.

With prayers and partners, perseverance can be tamed a bit, but it is still hard. We'd rather not have to persevere. But we need to realize that when we are called into perseverance, Jesus knows it.

Peter indicates (II Peter 1:6) that perseverance is a characteristic that is to be added to our Christian character. He further indicates that it will come into play in living effective and productive lives. It is as if Peter is saying at some point you are going to have to persevere.

Paul commends the Thessalonians (1:3) for their hypomone. But he goes on to say that it is inspired by the hope they have in Jesus. Jesus not only makes it worthwhile but He also is there to help and encourage.

So, yes, things can and probably will happen in our lives that will call on our perseverance. Jesus will see that and He will be there to encourage us and guide us through those tough times that ultimately end in victory.

Who is Jesus? #157

2010-10-06T07:29:00.000-07:00

Ten Things Jesus Knows About You

What You Do

In the letter to the church at Laodicea (Revelation 3:14), Jesus said, "I know your deeds." The New Century Version puts it this way, "I know what you do."

I don't know how I feel about that. In the case of the church at Laodicea their lukewarmness revealed what they were doing or weren't doing. It made Jesus sick to the point of vomiting them out of His mouth.

If Jesus knows what I am doing then I hope I am always doing the right thing. However, I know I'm not and He knows those slip-ups, too

Then there was the church at Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7). "I know what you do," says Jesus. This church was serving and remaining faithful even though they perceived themselves as weak. They were doing well. Again, I am O.K. with Jesus knowing when I do well, but I don't always do well, and He knows that! Someone deliver me from this dilemma.

Maybe the solution is found in the thought that whether Jesus sees our deeds good or sees our deeds bad, He still loves us. He saw Peter when he denied Jesus three times, but He still commissioned Peter to a sheep-feeding ministry.

I remember one hot Texas afternoon during high school football practice that the coach had me playing middle linebacker. The offense ran a simple look-in pass to the tight end. The end had to stretch out completely to make the catch and I had him in my sights and could have driven him into next week. Instead I sort of caught him as he came down and we both tumbled to the ground. I believe we used to call that an arm tackle. I heard the coach make a grunting noise and then he let me have it for doing what he saw me do - arm tackle (He had a way of saying "arm tackle" that made you feel pretty wimpy).

Though he knew what I had done, and I knew what I had done, I was still part of the team. That failure at that time did not disqualify me from the team.

Jesus may see our failures but He doesn't disqualify us. When He sees them He may even let out a holy grunting noise of His own because He knows we can do better, and so do we. The bottom line is He is here for us. If that were not so, He would not have gone to the cross.

Jesus witnessed several acts of faithlessness or weak faith over the course of His ministry. He pointed them out so that people would take notice that He saw it and He knew they could do better. He was encouraging them on to greater things.

He doesn't just kick us off the team when we fail. Don't forget that promise. "I will never leave you, I will never forsake you."

Who is Jesus? #156

2010-09-20T17:51:00.000-07:00

Ten Things Jesus Knows About You

Your Love

To the church in Thyatira (Revelation 2:19) Jesus says, “I know your love.” He rebukes the church in Ephesus (Revelation 2:4) because they had, “forsaken their first love.” How could they? How could we?

Jesus commands His followers to love Him. How do you do that? What if I don’t feel like it? That just might be the root of the problem. In today’s culture love is typically attached to a feeling. If I am not experiencing that feeling I must not love.

The agape of the Bible, the love that Jesus demands of us, really has nothing to do with how we feel. Agape means to want and work for the good of someone else. It looks at others and not self.

Our Lord also told us and the world that His disciples will be known by one strong and outstanding characteristic; love!

John 13:35

“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Not only is our love for each other to be shown, but our love for Jesus is expressed in our actions and not just in the words “I love you” that might come flippantly or unthinkingly out of our mouths.

John 14:15

15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”

I don’t know if love should come easy or not, but I do know that love is something that can be seen…observed. You might say the proof of the love pudding is in the action.

O.K., we can add come kind of love for ourselves and then we have a nice three point sermon that everyone can say AMEN to and dismiss after a chorus of "My Jesus, I Love Thee." Then again maybe there is more here.

So I guess then it is possible to look like we love each other and we love Jesus without really loving each other or loving Him. Never thought about that. Is it possible that, for some reason, I might want people to think I love Jesus so I am going to act like it? I want people to think I love them so I act like it. Would someone really do that? Would someone really go to the effort to look like they love without really loving? Talk about hypocrisy!

In today's world psychologists have discovered people who are in love with being in love. It goes back to that feeling that goes along with love. I believe there are some of us who love the idea of loving Jesus and have convinced ourselves that we, therefore, do love Him. We are in love with being in love rather than unashamedly loving Him.

Is this were good old impetuous Peter was in his journey (John 21)? "Peter, do you love me?" "Well Jesus, I like the thought of loving you." Feeding Jesus' sheep would be proof and Peter eventually accepted that ministry. He did love Jesus.

Time for a check-up on self here. Am I in love with being in love with Jesus? Do I kind of like the idea of loving Jesus? Do I love Jesus? Let's not confuse one for the other. He knows which is which.

Who is Jesus? #155

2010-09-15T09:14:00.000-07:00

Beginning this fall my wife, Aleta, will be teaching a ladies class entitled, "Who is Jesus?" She will create a snapshot of each lesson and post them on Tittletangents as a guest blogger. She has mostly agreed to do this. First snapshot below.

WHO IS JESUS – MESSIAH

Jesus the Messiah, who was to restore Israel or redeem her, did not come to the Earth born in a palace surrounded by luxury and greatness. We know that he did not come to restore physical Israel to their previous glory, but instead he came to restore or redeem God’s people, all of God’s people to himself. We know how royalty typically arrives! However, when God came to earth in the form of Jesus, he came to an animal shelter and was laid in a feed trough.

Do we, like the Jews, have any misconceptions about the coming of the Messiah? When we think about the birth of the Messiah, God’s Anointed One, what do we stress as the most important parts? Do we spend all our efforts arguing whether to remember this day or on all of the errors in the nativity scene? Have we become the ones who strain at gnats and swallow camels? Are we the ones who are now in danger of missing the Messiah because the world doesn’t act as we think it should?

Just what are we sure we know about the Messiah? The Old Testament gives prophecies of the Messiah, and the gospels show us the fulfillment. But what does it mean to me today?

Let’s not forget that God always seeks us out. He made the first move to reconcile us to him by sending his son into the world. Remember I John 4:19 that tells us “We love because he first loved us.” Were it not for God seeking us out and showing us what love is, we would not be able to love.

Let’s not forget that God is with us. Just as real as his presence was to Mary when she was carrying Jesus in her womb, his presence is to be real to us. When we are convinced that God is with us at all times, it will affect everything we do and every word we say. It will affect our attitude toward others and how we treat them. It will affect our tendencies to give in to depression and anxiety.

When we truly see Jesus as God’s Anointed One, we realize there is no other. There is no need for us to look for a further revelation or continue to seek a messiah. Many people have claimed to be the messiah over the years. Great excitement would rise up, the man died, and nothing happened. We have the Messiah who was so long awaited, and we need no one else.

When Jesus came to this Earth and fulfilled his Father’s will, he provided the only way for us to draw near to God. Jesus is the very center of God’s plan to restore man to himself. Many people want the blessings of God but want to ignore his Son. Jesus is God coming face to face with man, and we cannot ignore him.

When God sent the Messiah to be born of Mary, she was faced with a moment of decision, surrender or denial. There was no middle ground for Mary, and there is no middle ground for us today. If we would meet the Messiah, we must surrender our hearts to him and let him fill every part of our lives. We face the same decision to accept or deny Jesus as the Messiah, the Anointed One who wants to rule over our lives. Will we be able to surrender to his will as Mary did and say, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said!”

Who is Jesus? #154

2010-09-08T11:20:00.000-07:00

Ten Things Jesus Knows About You

He Knows Where You Are

In the first chapter of John’s gospel we find Jesus gathering His first followers. In verse 42 Andrew brought his brother Simon to Jesus. Later, verse 47, Philip brings his somewhat skeptical brother, Nathanael, to Jesus. Jesus pegs Nathanael as a truthful guy and in response to Nathanael's question Jesus says, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you, (v. 48)." This convinces Nathanael of Jesus' identity.

Jesus knowledge of where Nathanael was is pretty powerful. The thought I am pondering today is what do we do with the thought that Jesus knows where we are? Jesus knew Nathanael's physical location, and He also knows ours. But does He not also know our spiritual location? Jesus knows where we are spiritually.

He saw where Nicodemus should have been, spiritually, and delivers a rather scathing jab when He says, "You are Israel's teacher, and do you not understand these things? (John 3: 10).” But He also knew where His disciples were spiritually. "Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?" This was after Philip's request to see the Father.

Isn't it true that we are all on a spiritual journey that starts us out as babies? This is a good thing. We start out as babies and begin a life of growth in Him. Jesus knows where we are. So, when I read a verse like I Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it," I take it that in saying this God takes into count just where you and I are. An infant cannot withstand what an adult should be able to endure. He knows if we are babies. He knows if we are mature adults. He knows every stage in between. He also knows if we are experiencing a spiritually weak moment. We all do from time to time. The question regards overall growth.

How does He feel when He knows we are still babies and we should be grown up? The writer of Hebrews alludes to this, "In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again, (5:12)."

I think there is both comfort and concern in the reality that Jesus knows where we are along our spiritual journey. Could that be why Jesus taught in parables? (Matthew 13:13), " 'This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.' " For some, their location along the spiritual road would not allow them to understand the truths that Jesus was sharing. For others, whose journey had taken them further down the road, they could absorb the point Jesus was making.

But then, is where I sit on my spiritual walk where I ought to be by now? I have been on this journey all my life. I have been a Christian for 48 years. Where would I find myself on the spiritual roadmap? Is Jesus going treat me as a baby though I should be well on the way to maturity? Or, because of my location, am I missing out on some of the joys and blessings Jesus has in store for those who have matured.

Jesus knows yours and my spiritual location. Is He happy with it? Are we?

Who is Jesus? #153

2010-09-03T21:19:00.000-07:00

Ten Things Jesus Knows About You

Your Trials

I suppose that we all have been through struggles of some sort in our lives where we felt like not only nobody cared, but nobody knew. That's sort of the way it is in life these days. We seem to hold our struggles inside for fear, I guess, that someone will think we are less than a person because we have problems. The reality is that all of us have struggles."In this world you will have trouble, (John 16:23)." For Christians, just as real is the fact that Jesus knows our struggles. We used to sing about it. "Jesus knows all about our struggles. He will guide 'till the day is done."

Have we not figured that out, yet? You've seen movies or heard news stories about people who trek out into the wild by themselves and get in some kind of predicament and there is no one to call to for help - no one knows. That's not us! It seems like what we have figured out is that we have to carry these burdens all by ourselves. How insulting to our Lord! How insulting to your church family! He is, as well as we are, here for you. Why don't we get that? The difference between us and Him is He knows anyway!!

The prophet Isaiah says this. “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering, (53:3)." Of all the wonder of the Messiah that could have been prophesied, and much of it was, the prophet includes He was "familiar with suffering." "...we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are... (Hebrews 4:15)." In some way our struggles bring us into some kind of connection with Jesus. He was/is familiar with trials.

Jesus told the church in Smyrna (Revelation 2:8), "I know your afflictions." He doesn't share with them or us an immediate fix. As a matter of fact He encourages them to "not be afraid" and indicates that more suffering was coming their way (2:10). He then assures them of victory.

I remember Jesus sending His disciples off on a missionary journey and telling them that they would have trials of their own; arrests, beatings, imprisonment. Perhaps we should remember that before we started our journey on this earth Jesus knew we would have struggles. Let's face it, at times life is a struggle. Remember again ."In this world you will have trouble, (John 16:23)."

What do we do? Well, let's not worry in our struggles (Philippians 4:6). Stay close to the One who has expereinced and come through His own trials. Let's lay our struggles at the feet of the one who knows about them in the first place (I Peter 5:7). Go to the throne of grace to find mercy and grace (Hebrews 4:16).

Abraham, Job, Joseph and others can tesitfy to victory after trials. So can we!

He knows your trials.

Who is Jesus? #152

2010-09-01T10:53:00.000-07:00

Ten Things Jesus Knows About You

Your Faith

Among other things, Jesus says to the Church at Thyatira, "I know...your faith, (Revelation 2:19)." How could you know, Jesus - my faith, that is? There are times I am not sure myself just what kind of faith I have. I feel that there have been periods in my life where my faith has not been at its best. Even in those times when it has been at its best, I am not sure it was where it needed to be. I am not sure if it even measured up to a mustard seed, (Matthew 17:20).

It appears to me that the number one thing that seemed to displease Jesus the most was a display of faithlessness. It seems that most of this displeasure came from those who were closest to Him. "Where is your faith?" Those disciples in that boat needed to answer that question, (Matthew 8). Just exactly what was it that was drowning Peter? What it the water or his lack of faith, (Matthew 14)? Demons remained because of "little faith, (Matthew 17)." After Jesus death, the disciples had no faith in His return via resurrection, (Mark16).

On the other hand, Jesus seemed to be most pleased when strong faith was demonstrated. Bartimaeus' faith cured his blindness, (Mark 10). It appears that some displays of faith came from some surprising sources. A woman no longer bleeds because she knew all she had to do was touch Jesus, (Mark 5). The faith of four friends brings spiritual and physical healing, (Mark 2). A Canaanite woman, compared to a dog, has enough faith for herself and her demon-possessed daughter, (Matthew 15). A centurion had more faith than Jesus had seen manifested among all the Jews, (Matthew 8).

In both cases, whether it was a lack of faith or a great faith, demonstration was the key. Faith is not something you simply hold inside of you. Although it is influenced by the doctrines and principles that you believe, it is not simply a "set" of things you believe. It is not really something you hide to try to protect. Your faith is something you live out in your everyday life of service to Him. It is what makes you do what you do.

Your faith is what pleases God if it is of the stuff the goes beyond the ordinary, believing God exists, to the extraordinary, believing He rewards seekers for the their diligence, (Heb 11). It means that faith is something that comes alive in the lives of believers.

Could that be how he knows my faith? Oh yes, He can look into my heart and see that I have some level of belief. But, when I let my faith move me to action; seeking Him, serving others in His name, talking about Him to others, etc. That's how He knows. Look in the references above. A lack of faith resulted in inaction and failure. A strong faith resulted in action and success. When Jesus sees inaction, He sees little to no faith. When he observes spiritually diligent activity, He sees faith!

He knows our faith!

Who is Jesus? #151

2010-08-30T11:18:00.000-07:00

Ten Things Jesus Knows About You

Random Opening Thoughts

I guess turnabout is fair play. I used the last ten posts in the discussion "Ten Things You Must Know About Jesus." So now I turn things around and discuss "Ten Things Jesus Knows About You." Uh oh! I guess this could be a little uncomfortable. Maybe that is what we need...a little discomfort. Maybe there are some things we would rather Jesus not know about us. In our hearts we know that is not possible, He knows it all! Maybe it will be treated as an assessment by some of us to see just how far along we are in our spiritual journey and where we need to make correction.

Jesus said in John 10:27, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." That resounds with much comfort if you happen to be one of His sheep. The metaphor of shepherd and sheep comes alive as we conjure up all of the good things that a shepherd does for His sheep; calls them by name, protects them, feeds them, leads them. When Jesus identifies me, knows me, as one of His sheep, there is a great upside to that.

But then, there is also the pointed side of Jesus' knowledge of us. In John 5:42 He says, "but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts." Now, how does that make us feel? Of course, He was saying this to a group of people intent on taking His life because He did stuff on the Sabbath and claimed God as His Father.

I lost count of how many times the words "I know" appear in the letters to the seven churches of Asia in the chapters two and three of Revelation. Perhaps the most significant image from Revelation is the picture of Jesus from chapter one where He is seen walking among the seven golden lampstands which represent those seven churches.

He could have been on the outside looking in. He could have been positioned high above and looking down on those churches. Where we see Him is right where He needs to be - among the churches. So, when Jesus says He knows, there is no guesswork. He has positioned Himself to be able to say "I Know."

We are talking about the here and now. Whatever He may know about the past or whatever He may know about the future does not come into play here. He knows me now; what I am now, what I think now, what I do now. Let's explore what He knows about us. However, I think I will number them in reverse order this time.

Who is Jesus? #150

2010-08-26T14:16:00.000-07:00

Ten Things You Must Know About Jesus

His Accountability

Accountability seems to be an important concept and process these days. Employers hold their employees accountable to fulfill their tasks. We are supposed to hold our elected representatives accountable for representing us. It is not uncommon these days for an individual to find an accountability partner to monitor how he handles various areas of his or her life - finances, marriage vows, etc. Accountability is a good thing when it helps us to keep our lives in check.

I had never really thought about Jesus being held accountable. I would have thought He was one person who didn't need that. Actually, that is correct. He didn't need to be held accountable because He was accountable. God didn't have to look over the shoulder of Jesus to see if He was going to do what He was supposed to. Jesus knew what He would be doing before He arrived and was committed to doing it. God commissioned His son to come to the earth and get busy, and He did.

In the passage of scripture that is truly the Lord's Prayer (John 17), Jesus says, "I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do, (v. 4)." In saying this Jesus was telling His Father that He had been accountable. Jesus was accountable to His Father. However, there was never a doubt that He would not complete the ministry delivered to Him by His Father. Is there some other way that Jesus was accountable?

Jesus accounted for the source of His teaching. “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me, (John 7:16)."

Jesus accounted for how He came to be here. "I am not here on my own, but he who sent me is true, (John 7:28)."

Jesus accounted for who was with Him. "I stand with the Father, who sent me, (John 8:16)."

Jesus accounted for why He did what He did. "I always do what pleases him, (John 8:30).”

Jesus accounted for what his purpose on earth was. "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost, (Luke 19:10).”

Jesus accounted for His future absence from the earth. "I am going there to prepare a place for you, (John 14:2)

In these, and other occasions, He wasn’t being accountable to His Father. He was being accountable to you and me by telling us that He was doing what He doing, saying what He was saying, and going where He was going because of you and me. He gave us all the whys and wherefores and it all centered on us. In essence He felt Himself accountable to us and we can, therefore, count on Him. Isn't that what accountability is all about?

Who is Jesus? #149

2010-08-21T21:14:00.000-07:00

Ten Things You Must Know About Jesus

His Reliability

Reliability is the quality we ascribe to someone or something that we can count on to function as we are accustomed. Our life depends on things and people being reliable, does it not? My car is reliable, as long as it is in good working order. My pen is reliable, as long as there is ink in it. My computer – uh, won’t go there. Now, my wife is very reliable…always. If I place my key in the lock of my office door, it will reliably unlock it – has to be the right key. There are many reliable people in my life as long as they are around when I need their reliability.

If we go back into the Old Testament we find a king who knew how reliable God was. David said it this way in Psalm 139:7-10

      Where can I go from your Spirit? Where
      can I flee from your presence? If I go up
      to the heavens, you are there; if I make my
      bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise
      on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the
      far side of the sea, even there your hand
      will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

David thinks the reliability of God is a good thing, but it could be a fearful thing knowing that God is always there. For the believer God’s continual presence is a reliable blessing that we count on.

There is no doubt as to the reliability of Scripture. Everything the prophets said concerning the one who was to come reliably happened.

So, if our reliable Heavenly Father through reliable Scripture makes known His Son, we can count on that Son manifesting that same reliability.

There seemed to be people in Jesus’ day who were counting on His reliability. There was a centurion who depended on Jesus’ reliability to the point He didn’t need Jesus to go to his house, just say the word (Matthew 8).

Even the apostles had their moments reflected in Peter saying to Jesus, "To whom shall we go, (John 6:68)." Here Peter acknowledges Jesus as the one and only reliable source.
So, when Jesus says He will be with us until the end of the age, we can rely on Him to do exactly that.

The King James Version of Scripture made reference to faithful sayings that were worthy of all acceptance. The NIV says it is "a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance." These were/are promises you and I can count on - reliable. One reliable promise is that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, (I Timothy 1:15)." You find some more reliability in what Paul says in I Timothy 4:8-9, "holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."

What more do you need - life now, life then? Jesus tried to tell us that when He promised that He came, "that they might have life and have it to the full, (John 10:10)."

There are no contingencies or conditions attached to Jesus' reliability like there was with my car, my key, my pen, or my computer. Jesus is purely and totally reliable.

Come to Him. Go to Him. He's there. He's reliable.

Who is Jesus? #148

2010-08-17T13:53:00.000-07:00

Ten Things You Must Know About Jesus

His Simplicity

From beginning to end Jesus was an example of simplicity rather than glamour and extravagance. Being born in a stable is pretty simple. Not having a place to lay your head at night – again, simple. Though He was killed in a very public way, He was buried very simply in a borrowed tomb.

Though people provided some difficulty for Him, His ministry was pretty straight forward. If they are sick, heal them. If they are dead, raise them. If they are possessed, free them. If they are ignorant, teach them.

When He commissioned the twelve to go preach (Matthew 10), He gave them simple instructions; don't take a lot of stuff, stay where you are welcome, perform miracles, preach the Kingdom.

Religion at the time had become pretty involved and somewhat complicated. According to traditions even the simple task of washing hands had become quite a ceremony. A Jew had better know all of the ins and outs of keeping the Sabbath or he might find himself in violation.

Well before the time of Jesus I recall the story of Naaman who thought there would be some sensational exhibition by Elisha the prophet that would result in his leprosy being healed when all he needed to do was simply dip himself seven times in the Jordan River.

I'm wondering if the traditions of man, somewhat involved traditions, are the very things that have turned people away from religion. It seems that a lot of high-church ceremony is exactly the thing that becomes a road block, if not a stumbling block, for many.

The religious leaders were trying to make some kind of complicated and contorted mess out of Jesus making a blind man receive his sight. It takes all of John 9 to tell the whole story. The now seeing man summed it all up very simply, "I was blind, and now I see."

Let’s not complicate what is so simple. We toss words into the mix like theology, ecclesiology, missional, eschatology, substitutionary, and people wonder what we are talking about.

Doesn’t it really all come done to this? You’re lost. Jesus saves. Let me tell you about it.

Give me Jesus. Give me Jesus. You can have all this world, just give me Jesus.

Who is Jesus? #147

2010-08-15T20:13:00.000-07:00

Ten Things You Must Know About Jesus

His Suitability

When God created Adam, He soon revealed that His creation was incomplete. He decided to make a help meet for Adam. That somewhat archaic word “meet” in that context means suitable or appropriate. God made another person who met Adam right where he lived - a suitable helper

From the very beginning God has worked in an appropriate way for His creation. It makes sense that the Creator would do things suitable for His creation.

This appropriateness includes the person God chose to send to earth. He was and is a Suitable Savior. We had a sin problem and He was the suitable repair for the problem. Praise God! But there is more to it than that. Paul says in Galatians 3:26-27.

          "You are all sons of God through faith in
          Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized
          into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."

Clothed with Christ – how appropriate is that? I have some clothes that I prefer to wear over some others that I own. I just find some more suitable than others – warmer clothes are more suitable for the winter and cooler clothes for summer. I’m not sure what a suit and tie is suitable for but my wife loves it when I where them. A swim suit is suitable for the pool and a wet suit for deep sea diving.

When we are clothed with Jesus we have a perfect fit for life - suitable for wearing at all times. He is tailored to fit. It is one size fits all. Then the Hebrews writer points this out for us in 7:26.

         "Such a high priest meets our need—one who
         is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners,
         exalted above the heavens."

How much more suitable could He be? He meets our need. He is fully qualified. He has not been asked to do anything that He is not suited for. From the beginning until now and all the way through to the end, He is suited just for us.

Go ahead! Put Him on!

Who is Jesus? #146

2010-08-13T05:13:00.000-07:00

Ten Things You Must Know About Jesus

His Accessibility

Sure, He had his moments when He needed to be by Himself to be recharged. He would spend private time in meditation and prayer. The New Testament tells of times when these moments were interrupted by people and He responded to them.

Typically, the only reason people couldn’t get close to Him was because there was already a crowd pressing in on Him.

Jesus' birth in a local family home and His being found in a manger by shepherds previewed His availability to all people, even those whom many of His day would exclude.

Just how accessible was He? He was willing to talk to Nicodemus at night. Really, how many of us are willing to take time for people in the middle of the night? Violating two traditions, He had time for the Samaritan woman at the well. “Don’t you dare keep those children from approaching me,” was his rebuke to the disciples. Jesus didn’t rebuff those friends who broke a hole in the roof to get their friend to Him.

In contrast to the high and mighty religious elite of the time, Jesus could be found by those who wanted to get close to Him. He even invites us to come. “Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.”

His didn't go and hide in a synagogue somewhere. He didn't retire to the top of some mountain inaccessible to most people. He didn't find a cave that would offer Him seclusion and privacy. He was and remains accessible.

    For we do not have a high priest who is unable
   to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we
   have one who has been tempted in every way,
   just as we are —yet was without sin.
    Let us then approach the throne of grace with
confidence, so that we may receive mercy and
    find grace to help us in our time of need.

I guess it is not uncommon these days for children to complain because one of their parents, usually dad, is never around. He works all the time or is on the computer or out on the golf course.

The accessibility of Jesus simply highlights how much God wants to be with us. Jesus is so accessible that He “stands at the door and knocks.” He wants us to come to Him, not just for salvation, but for every good gift that He has in store for us, in good times and bad, with every question on our heart.

“Come!”

Who is Jesus? #145

2010-08-10T13:02:00.000-07:00

Ten Things You Must Know About Jesus

His Capability

I get out there on the links from time to time and try to play golf. Even though I have one hole-in-one to my name (planets must have been properly aligned) I do not play very well. It’s a good thing I do not have to make my living playing golf. My capabilities are just not up to par (A little golf humor there).

Sometimes in life we have to recognize what we are capable of and what we are incapable of. Life can become very frustrating if we continually try to excel in things that are beyond our capabilities. So, I have found enjoyment and fellowship in golf that offset my lack of ability.

Jesus came on the scene very capable - very capable of very many things.

There is an instance (Mark 9) where Jesus’ abilities were questioned and He reacted by repeating what was just said, “If you can!” I have often wondered the tone and body language of Jesus when He said this. The boy’s daddy has just asked Jesus to help with his demon-possessed son and indicated the slight possibility that Jesus may not have the ability to do this. Jesus continued by saying, “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

Before healing a couple of blind men (Matthew 9), Jesus queried their faith in His capabilities.”Do you believe that I am able to do this?” The question was not whether His abilities measured up but did their faith measure up?

In Mark 8 some of the religious leaders came looking for a demonstration of His abilities. Their improper motivation for the request brought a refusal to perform by Jesus. Other similar passages indicate that the sign that they needed would be seen on resurrection Sunday.

Some, maybe most of us, question Jesus’ capabilities. You will hear full grown Christians question whether they are really saved. While we are questioning our salvation, I wonder if Jesus is questioning our faith in His capabilities. Wouldn’t it be a tragedy if the only limit to a demonstration of Jesus capabilities was our lack of faith? Too many of us may “try the water” with an “if you can” attitude before we jump in. Perhaps the "if you can" father had an excuse, what is ours?

We could mention all of the things Jesus was capable of: healing, multiplying, quieting, etc. But, His most important/urgent capability is mentioned in Hebrews 7:25.

     Therefore he is able to save completely
     those who come to God through him,
     because he always lives to intercede for them.

Jesus lacks nothing when it comes to salvation. When He saves it is not halfway, it is complete! Not only does He have the ability to save you, but He has the ability to present you to the Father as a saved person.

Either you believe Jesus saves or you do not. Either you have been saved or you have not. Either you believe you are saved or you do not. Do you doubt Jesus' ability to save? Do you doubt His capacity for loving you? Have confidence in the capabilities of the Savior!

Who is Jesus? #144

2010-08-07T12:51:00.000-07:00

Ten Things You Must Know About Jesus

His Audacity

At first blush, we might consider this trait of Jesus in stark contrast to the one in the previous blog – His Humility.

According to Mr. Webster to be audacious is to be daring and bold. Others would define audacity as taking a bold initiative or having a disregard for social convention.

Most of us probably view audacity in a negative light. During the streaking era in our country, I would classify those doing the streaking (as one did across my college campus) as being pretty audacious. If someone opened your front door and sat themselves down in your house and lit up a cigar, you would consider them audacious (as well as under arrest).

Jesus was one who broke many a social norm. Instead of hobnobbing with the religious leaders, as was expected, he came to the sick (sinners) who needed a physician (savior). He healed on the sabbath - a major no-no. He allowed a prostitute to anoint him for his burial. He chastised one of Israel’s teachers (Nicodemus) for not understanding Kingdom stuff.

The very audacity, He went into the temple area and drive those thieves out of there. Maybe the best encounter that shows both His audacity and His humility is found in John 8 – that adulterous woman.

The encounter begins with, “…the law says stone her” and ends with, “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Surely everyone present at that scene, and the Pharisees made sure it was a very public place, was waiting for Jesus to follow the law - should have been open and shut. Wait, what was that He said? “If any of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Of all the nerve - the expectation was to follow the law. How could He?

Well, He didn’t dismiss her sin, but His audacity did dismiss the crowd. Of course, His audacity was right.

Isn't it time, if not past time, to be an audacious follower of Jesus? Do we need to "boldly go where no one has gone before?" Are there some social norms that we need to violate in order to bring the message of the physician to the sick? Or, are we going to continue to come to church or have church rather than be the church?

Oh, there is one other thing.

Of all the audacity, Jesus - to call me a sinner. Aren’t you afraid of injuring my self-esteem? Don’t you know I need some positive strokes – gotta save face?

Of all the humility, Jesus - to take my place on the cross. You took care of my problem. I was the problem and you were/are the solution.

Who is Jesus? #143

2010-08-04T09:29:00.000-07:00

Ten Things You Must Know About Jesus

His Humility

If Jesus wanted to ride the wave of prestige and preeminence to sit on the throne of a king in Jerusalem, He sure could have done it. That was what was in the minds of most of the people at that time. Herod thought Jesus was going to usurp his little throne which is why he attempted murder. Imagine that. If Jesus was interested in a large following of people who would be subservient to Him, it was there for the taking.

We do need to remember that He left a position that was on an equality with God and came to this earth, so I am not sure how a throne on earth could compare to what He left and what He had waiting for Him (sitting at the right hand of God) when He returned to the Father.

Ephesians 2:6-8

         Who, being in very nature God, did not consider
         equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but
         made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a
         servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being
         found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself
         and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!

Peter has the opportunity to drive home to Cornelius and his family who Jesus is. He doesn’t talk about all of the crowds that He attracted. He doesn’t list all of the miracles that Jesus performed. Here is Peter’s first description of Jesus in Acts 10:38.

         ...how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy
      Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good
      and healing all who were under the power of the devil,
       because God was with him.

I am not sure how many heads of state have taken the time to roll up their sleeves and get down and dirty where people are. There have been a few. Perhaps Jesus’ own statement about His purpose brings the message home in Mark 10:45.

        ...even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but
        to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Don’t even think about equating humility with weakness. A demonstration of humility is the sign of greatest strength. Jesus’ humility was an expression of who He was.

The same is true for us. In order to advance the Kingdom, I do not need to advance myself. There is an item in my spiritual closet that I need to be sure and put on every day. It‘s hanging there with a lot of other good stuff. Paul says it this way in Colossians 3:12.

        Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved,
        clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,
        gentleness and patience.

Who is Jesus? #142

2010-08-02T08:54:00.000-07:00

Ten Things You Must Know About Jesus
His Humanity

Now don’t tell me He was half man and half God – it was all or nothing! You and I may have a hard time framing that thought, be He was both. How do we sort this out?

I guess we could dwell on all of the standard stuff: He was born, He grew, He had flesh and bones, His bled, He got hungry, He got thirsty, He slept when He was weary, and He died. I am not sure that differentiates Him much from every other animal.

We could even take note of all of his human emotions; He rejoiced, He was angered, He suffered great mental anguish. Perhaps this is getting closer to His human nature; but, is there something else? Maybe the reasons for His rejoicing, getting angry, etc. would help us out here. I can get angry when I am violated. I can rejoice when things go right in my life. What about me getting angry when you are violated? What about me rejoicing when things go right for you? We are talking here about a conscious awareness of other people, what they are dealing with, reacting to their situation, followed up with an offer and effort to help and serve.

How about Hebrews 4:15.

                  For we do not have a high priest who is unable
                  to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have
                 one who has been tempted in every way, just as
                 we are — yet was without sin.

That word "sympathize" means to be touched. There are scores of powerful people in this old world, but I am not sure just how many of them can relate to me much less sympathize with or be touched by me. Have you ever tried to minister to someone dealing with some sort of tragedy? Many times the response is, "you just don't what I am going through." The comfort and encouragement they seek comes from someone who has been there and gone through what they are experiencing.

Jesus had His own struggles.

Hebrews 5:2

                  7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up
                  prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the
                one who could save him from death, and he was heard
                 because of his reverent submission.

He experienced pain, so He feels your pain and offers relief. He experienced joy and is therefore able to rejoice with you in your victory. He was disappointed and is able to reach into your life and lift you up with encouragement. He was rejected by those closest to Him and is able, therefore, to bring you into fellowship with Him in the Holy Spirit. You haven't been where He has not gone - there and back.

The humanity of Jesus is what makes His sacrifice so genuine - "taking the appearance of a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:8)."

Who is Jesus? #141

2010-07-25T14:02:00.000-07:00

Ten Things You Must Know About Jesus

Well, I’m off on another path of Tittle Tangents. In the coming weeks, months, whatever – Ten Things You Must Know About Jesus. This first one is basic to all of the others that will be discussed. If we don’t believe this one, there is no use going any further.

His Reality

We are talking more here than just the fact that Jesus lived on this earth almost 2000 years ago. Yes, He is more than an historical figure, He is an historical fact. He really lived, walked, and ministered on this big blue marble. However, His reality goes well beyond the fact of His physical existence. Muhammad was real. Buddha was real. What makes the reality of Jesus any different?

The reality of Jesus is found in Him fulfilling hundreds of prophecies in the Old Testament.

The reality of Jesus is found in His willingness to give it all up for you and me.

The reality of Jesus is found in the unsurpassed love He has for everyone.

The reality of Jesus is found in His expressions of anger, love, frustration, and other emotions.

The reality of Jesus is found in His discovery of what His mission on earth was all about.

The reality of Jesus is found not only by the fact that so many accepted Him, but also by the fact that so many rejected Him.

The reality of Jesus is found in the way He could touch people’s hearts like no one else could.

The reality of Jesus is found in the way He still touches the hearts of people today.

The reality of Jesus is found in the challenge He gives us today.

The reality of Jesus is found in all the people trying to discredit or deny Him today.

The reality of Jesus is found in relationships with others.

The reality of Jesus is found in the homes of His disciples.

The reality of Jesus is found in His presence with us in good and rough times.

The reality of Jesus is found in the many forms of mission and outreach accomplished in His name.

The reality of Jesus is found in the difference He makes in the lives of people.
Jesus will be just as real throughout eternity forward as He is right now. He is just as real right now as He was 2000 years ago. He was just as real 2000 years ago as He was in the beginning. He was just as real in the beginning as He had been throughout eternity backwards.

How about sitting down in some quiet place, just you, your Bible, and God, and let the reality of Jesus soak into the depths of your soul.

Remember the old song with the words, "My God is real; for I can feel Him in my Soul."

Who is Jesus? #140

2010-07-18T14:28:00.000-07:00

"The fullness of Him who fills everything in every way."
In our modern ships the First Mate reports directly to the captain and manages the deck crew. Ultimately, he or she is responsible for most everything that has to do with cargo storage and how low the ship sits in the water. The First Mate has to mathematically calculate all kinds of data to get the right information. This information is necessary to keep the ship balanced and to know just how deep or shallow any harbor may be where the ship will be in port. The ship needs to be sitting high enough to see the line painted around the ship that shows how low, or high, it can sit and still be safe – the load line.

Do you ever feel like your life is all out of balance? Well, if so, you don’t need to do any recalculations; our First Mate has already done that. We probably don't need to rearrange the load on our life, things probably just need to be thrown overboard. Here are some instructions from our First Mate.
            “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
             and all these things will be added to you, (Matthew 6:33).”

           “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth….but lay
          up for yourselves treasures in heaven, (Matthew 6:19-21).”

Now that will balance the load.

Do you ever feel like you're riding so low in the water that you’re about to run aground where you are? Sometimes life can just drag us down. When a ship runs aground it becomes useless. The same can be said of life. Let's make sure we are riding high in the water. Our First Mate has made His calculations and here is what He recommends:
          Cast all of your cares on Him, for He cares for you,
         (I Peter 5:7).”
         “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin
         that so easily entangles, (Hebrews 12:1).”

We will not ever be given more than we can handle so we ride above the load line and are safe.

With our load balanced and riding high in the water, we can safely make it to any port the Captain desires. Let's get underway.

Who is Jesus? #139

2010-07-16T07:57:00.000-07:00

“The fullness of Him who fills everything is every way.” Back in Jesus’ day boats were propelled by either oars or wind or maybe both. I guess on a windless day the oars had better be handy or you would lose your source of income if you were a fisherman.

Have you been caught out in the lake of life without any wind? If so, have you tried rowing your own boat and reached the point of exhaustion? You have tried everything while the sail remains limp…lifeless. I remember being out on Lake Fork in East Texas on a windy day fishing with a friend. As the wind grew stronger and stronger, we decided it was time to get off the lake. My buddy pulled the rope, the engine roared, but we went nowhere – a sheered pin. There was an oar in the boat and guess who got to row while his buddy worked on the pin? We were going nowhere fast against that wind. We needed the power of the engine which we were able to fix with a little bit of creativity and finally made it to the dock.

We do get stuck in life from time to time without any power. There was a time when Jesus was trying to power-up his associates - probably because he knew what was ahead of them. Here is what John says:

“And with that he breathed on them and said,
‘Receive the Holy Spirit’ (John 20:22).”

He breathed and they were filled! He breathes and we are filled!! Our life is driven to its destination by the wind of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. I can’t imagine why we have spent so much time arguing about the Spirit rather than being empowered by His presence?

If your life seems to be going nowhere, and all of us have experienced that at some point in our lives, let Jesus breathe into your life His Spirit and watch the effects of billowed, rather than limp, sails. He will get you where you need to go, if you are full.

Who is Jesus? #138

2010-07-13T10:09:00.000-07:00

“The fullness of Him who fills everything is every way.” As I continue to reflect on the nautical usage of this word “fullness,” I realize I have pretty much left the realm of first century life. There were bigger ships then but we mostly are familiar with the small vessels used by fishermen. However, I will continue.

One of the duties of an average hand on board was to swab the deck. What this actually meant was to take a mop made of yarn and mop the deck of the boat. For those who sailed on fishing boats, this was done several times a day in order to keep the deck clean from the refuse leftover from cleaning fish. This helped to keep the boat clean and a little less smelly.

There were a couple of other reasons for swabbing the deck. It was punishment for a sailor who didn’t behave himself and it was also used to keep sailors busy so as not to get into trouble.

When I think about this I can’t help but remember I John 1:7-8.

            But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,
           we have fellowship with one another, and the
            blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
            If we claim to be without sin, we deceive
           ourselves and the truth is not in us.If we confess
            our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us
           our sins and purify us from
          all unrighteousness.

Sometimes our deck – life – is not clean. It is stained with the refuse of sin. It needs to be cleaned – continually cleaned. This is the promise for those who “walk in the light” of Jesus Christ. He continually swabs our deck. If we will admit that it needs swabbing, He will step in and take care of it.

For those who do not know Jesus. There is no deck so dirty that He cannot clean. Give it up to Him and give in to Him and let Him swab the deck.

I can’t help but also think of the time when Jesus washed the disciples’ feet (John 13). This was task of the lowest of the lowest servants in a household. Jesus demonstrated that he was not too good to take this job. He took the nature of a servant (Philippians 2:7).

He’s not too good for the job and He does it very well. How’s your deck?

Time Out for an Important Announcement

2010-07-10T19:57:00.000-07:00

Mr. Jackson Brantley Carrigan. Born July 9, 2010. Weighed in at 8lb 10oz. and 21" long. Dad and Mom are Ben and Amy Carrigan. Everyone is doing fine and young Mr. Carrigan will probably come home from the hospital in the morning.

Who is Jesus? #137

2010-07-08T09:28:00.000-07:00

I remember as a kid getting to go on a boat with my neighbor who was in the Coast Guard. On this particular day their job was to replace old buoys in Galveston Bay which were faded and ugly with bright new freshly painted ones. The technique was somewhat monotonous, but it provided a whole day of activity - pick up one buoy and replace it with another which had the same number on it.

The exciting part of the day was when I got to steer the boat. I have driven smaller fishing boats but never a large tug boat like this one. In addition, this boat was pushing a barge that had all of the buoys on it. If you can imagine, it was sort of like pushing a trailer with your car rather than pulling it. You had to think backwards in order to steer the boat where you wanted it to go.

Of course the real helmsman was standing there right behind me telling me exactly what to do in order to avoid all of the other vessels in the channel as well as other objects. He would say turn right or left (port or starboard) and then tell me to stop. I am pretty sure that I would have made a mess of things if he hadn’t been there with me. Of course when he was steering everything worked just like it was supposed to.

There is an obvious comparison here to Jesus. Or, is there? I believe we are interested most of the time in steering our own ship through life. There are a lot of obstacles out there to avoid. It would be great to let the master helmsman at the wheel. We do have one of those, but we have to be ready for Jesus to steer where we ought to go and not where we necessarily want to go. Remember when Jesus told his disciples, "let's go to the other side of the lake, (Mark 4:35)." These seasoned sailors knew about those terrible windstorms that could explode on the lake at anytime. It probably would have been O.K.with them to journey around the lake rather than straight across.
Relinquishing the helm is tough. Listen to the comfort of these scriptures.

Psalm 34:19 19

A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;

Isaiah 43:2 2

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.

We used to sing that old song, "Jesus Savior Pilot Me" For many of us it seems we are willing to let Jesus take over when life is tough, but when the sailing is smooth, we want our own hands on the wheel. Jesus will not be a part-time helmsman! He either has the wheel or He doesn't. Take over, Jesus. Steady as she goes!
Are you full yet?

Who is Jesus? #136

2010-07-01T20:06:00.000-07:00

I guess if I don't know where I am going, then I will need someone who can tell me or show me the way. Since we are still talking about ships, that person would be the navigator. If the vessel is going to be true to her course and arrive at the desired destination, the navigator had better be accurate at his job. The navigator has maps, compasses, the stars, etc. at his disposal to chart an accurate course. He also will have to, from time to time, chart a diversion to go around a storm or other traffic on the high seas. Whatever it takes, let's just get there.

Before the days of the GPS there have been times I needed a navigator with accurate maps and directions. Speaking of GPS, my current GPS (won't mention the brand) does not know where I live. If I put in my address, it will say I have arrived a good two blocks short of my house. There's probably a good application here.

If Jesus is the navigator of the ship of our lives, then we are in great hands. There is no doubt about the destination and how to get there. "I am the way..." He says. But there is more to this than just Him knowing the way. This navigator has arrived. He is where we all want to be. I am not sure how many navigators out there have already been to the place where they are pointing the vessel.

There is more. Jesus not only knows the way, and has arrived, He has traveled the same road. He has been tempted just like we are (Hebrews 4:15). He had people along the way who told Him he didn't need to go there.

If you have lost direction in life may I strongly affirm this Navigator. He will not steer you wrong! Beyond anything that has already been said about His skills as a Navigator, He cares about your journey! He knows! He's experienced! He's aware of all the pitfalls! He will issue you course corrections if you have drifted off course. He's up ahead saying "Follow me." The fullness of Him who "fills everything in every way."

Who is Jesus? #135

2010-06-25T09:02:00.000-07:00

Jesus is the "Him" who "fills everything in every way." The NCV puts it this way, "the church is filled with Christ, and Christ fills everything in every way." This sounds fantastic, but I am really baffled by what all this may mean. The Greek word for fullness seems to have a connection to a ship, in particular, all the personnel it takes to adequately staff a ship for it to function properly and efficiently. It also includes cargo and materials that may be on board. With all the people in place and all the stuff stowed away, it is considered full. I think I will stay with this ship metaphor for a while.

O.K., so the most obvious person on a ship is the captain - that's definitely Jesus. He is the one in charge! The boat goes where the captain determines it to go.

Isn't it hard to give up control? In today's world it seems that we want to control every aspect of our lives. We want to be in the captain's chair. I remember seeing movies where the crew on a ship got tired of the captain for one reason or another and threw him overboard in favor of a new person to fill that position.

I don't know about you, but the worst of times in my life have been when I deposed Jesus as the captain and placed myself at the helm. The ship (life) was traveling the path of least resistance - meandering here and there. I hope I learned a twofold lesson. First, I am incapable of filling the role of captain. Second, there is only one who is totally qualified to fill that position in life's ship. Are you full yet?

Blessings,

L.T.

Who is Jesus? #134

2010-06-18T10:05:00.000-07:00

I guess Jesus has been something a little different to most everyone. Just which Jesus do you need? Does that need change from time to time? Is there something inherently wrong with the concept of differing views of Jesus? Or, when it comes to Jesus, is it one size fits all.?

Off and on for several years I have been blogging concerning the question, "Who is Jesus?" It's been quite a journey. I have 231 more entries to go.

One person He is for everyone is Savior. Everyone is in need of salvation - you, me, everyone! He is also healer, priest, Lord, teacher, and so much more.

There have been those who have tried to make Jesus into what they wanted/needed Him to be. Some wanted Him to assume the throne is Jerusalem and reign over His kingdom from the earth. Others wanted Him to socialize with the elite of society and were frustrated by His association with sinners, tax collectors, uneducated, and the poor. Some remained interested as long He could continue to amaze them with miracles - an entertainer of sorts, I guess.

My temptation is to berate these people for not understanding who Jesus was and trying to make Him into something He was not. I stop short of the berating and wonder if I/we have not done the same thing from time to time.

I know He is the sin forgiver, but from time to time maybe I expect Him to be the sin over looker - especially mine. I know He is a dispenser of infinite love, but just maybe He could be a love withholder - especially with those that I have trouble loving. I know He is the greatest of teachers, but couldn't He just drop into the teacher's assistant role and let me take over -I know there are those who need His teaching a lot worse than I do and I hope they are listening. I know He wants to be the pilot, but sometimes a co-pilot allows me a little more freedom to be in control - go where I want to go. Shame on me and you for not letting Jesus bloom into the lives of every person in every way with everything that He is.

Who is Jesus? #133

2010-06-17T07:30:00.000-07:00

To get an appointment with a dentist takes about a 6 month lead time. My wife has had her share of health issues over the past several years (doing better now). You always have to make an appointment: primary provider, specialists, tests, etc. The only exception is emergencies. Even in those cases, if, in the eyes of the emergency room people, your emergency is not urgent, you can still wait hours before you receive assistance.

When you finally do get in to see the physician, typically you are not the only one in the waiting room. Now multiply that day after day and we are staggered by how many people come to see a particular health care representative - makes individual attention a little difficult.

" I will be with you always, even to the end of the age." How about a physician who will always be there. Have you ever experienced your primary provider moving away or retiring. It will never happen with the great physician.

"Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." There is always room for everyone. There is not even a waiting room, He is available now! Have you ever been bumped because the doctor's schedule was too busy?

How about making an appointment now? He is available and no waiting. Now is the time of salvation. He remains available with no waiting for those times that we need a spiritual check-up.

By the way, the fee has already been paid.

Who is Jesus? #132

2010-06-15T07:45:00.000-07:00

How difficult it is to be healed of something you don't know you have - impossible, I would think. Some maladies are found accidentally when a person goes to his or her physician for some other reason. How could a physician possibly cover all the bases - especially those things that are hard to detect? It must be hard to be a great physician.

"You see, at just the right time, when were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly, (Romans 5:6)"

Even when we were powerless, didn't even know what was wrong or what it would take to fix it - even if we didn't want it -Jesus did what was necessary to take care of all of it for everyone. Wouldn't it be great if we could take one pill or have one procedure that would take care of everything that was wrong with us - even those we were not aware of.

The great physician took care of our most severe problem without us even knowing what was wrong, even before we were born.
I think we will talk about making an appointment with this physician next.

Who is Jesus? #131

2009-10-09T08:05:00.000-07:00

Well, let's see - Undergraduate school, Graduate Medical School, Internship, Residency, Specialty Training.- It takes much time and money to go to work in the medical field. I would expect that when we step into a doctor's office we want them to be well qualified and trained before they start trying to diagnose us. My wife has had her fair share of health issues over the last 2 1/2 years. We want to have confidence in whomever she goes to that they know what they are doing. I sometimes wonder why we call what they do, "practice." I hope they are beyond the point of practice when they operate on me.
What qualifies Jesus to be the Great Physician? He was together with His Creator Father in the beginning (John 1:1), so He has ample experience with human beings. His degree hanging on the wall might say "Been there done that" (Hebrews 4:15), so He can relate to His patients. He had a great mentor, His Father (John 17:4-5). He cares about His patients (John 11:35-36). He is not in it for the money. He put His life into His work (I Timothy 2:6). He has a great referral plan - one patient tells another who tells another who... and what is this doctor’s fee? It will cost us our lives, but we get life in return.

I believe only the Son of God can do that.

L.T.

Who is Jesus? #130

2009-10-08T07:56:00.000-07:00

What was/is His interest in healing?

He healed the blind. He healed the demon possessed. He healed the lepers. He healed those deaf and dumb. He healed the lame. Was that what He was truly interested in? If so, couldn't He have just spoken a powerful word and everyone would have been healed of whatever illness they were dealing with? There had to be more to it than that. There was something about COMING to the Healer for Healing. Do we not hear the call of Jesus resounding in our hearts, "Come?" "Come to me all who are heavy burdened and I will give you rest." Perhpas Peter give us the ultimate statement about the ultimate healing. " "The Lord ... is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to COME to repentance, (II Peter 3:9)." There is certainly power in the Healer, but there is also power in the COMING.

Here we come!

L.T.

Who is Jesus? #129

2009-10-06T18:52:00.000-07:00

Another thought about this physician. What would you do if your doctor told you to cut off your arm if it was giving you trouble or poke out your eye if it was offensive to you? I might find another doctor though sometimes amputation is the only way to save the whole body. Jesus makes such bold statements in the Sermon on the Mount. "If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of our body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. it is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell, (Matthew 5:29-30)." Pretty tough prescription! I am sure some there did not want to hear, much less do, what the physician was prescribing.
Not to take anything away from Jesus' teaching, but we need to understand that Kingdom living was going to take, and does take, some real commitment. There can be nothing in the way or cause distraction for Kingdom dwellers. This was straightforward teaching for a straightforward commitment.
However, I am glad that the doctor offered another solution to some with eye problems. The Laodiceans could buy a healing salve for their eyes from the doctor, (Revelation 3:18). It's one thing to have the diagnosis and quite another to be the source of healing. He has got what we need for Kingdom living.
If our eyes are focused on the physician then healing will always be nearby.
Call the doctor - apply as needed!

L.T.

Who Is Jesus? #128

2009-10-05T14:43:00.001-07:00

I started a blog several years ago around this question. Life got busy, grad school, remembering to do it, etc. and so the blog has gone somewhat inactive. Still, every now and then, when studying the N.T. something a little different is revealed about our Lord. This thought comes from our Sunday Night study last night as we talked about Jesus' statement in Matthew 9:12, Mark 2:17, Luke 5:31, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick."We spent quite some time in talking about the context of this verse and who just exactly was the sick and who was healthy. We concluded everyone needed the doctor and there he was.Physical sickness spurs us to call the doctor to begin to get some healing. However, the great physician is standing at the door an knocking. Imagine that, He's there before you call Him! Now, there is some healthcare reformation!
Heal me!
Blessings,
L.T.

Back to School

2009-01-06T11:04:00.001-08:00

Today is my first day back to school. I have taken several classes online as a part of my graduate studies. This is the first time I have been in a physical classroom which is kind of interesting. I have to be here in Searcy for a week in what is called J-mester.
This class is entitles "Theological Foundations of Ministry" being taught by Dr. Ross Cochran. We had a good start this morning with everyone introducing themselves.
This class purported to be very practical for ministry that has held true so far.
My blog this week will be an update to what happens each day in class.
Today will end with a dinner for all the students and guests and a devotional led by Dr. Bill Richardson (not the gov. of NM).
Should be a good and tiring day.

Blessings to all,

L.T.

Who is Jesus? #127

2009-01-02T21:21:00.000-08:00

Jesus is Lord (How do you know?)

I Corinthians 12:3

'Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.'

There seems to be many who would deny that Jesus is Lord because of circumstances in the world or the way they "feel" inside. There are others who, based on the same circumstances or evidence, would conclude just the opposite. To eliminate the confusion God gave us something (someone) very special.

Paul tells our Corinthian brothers and sisters that you can shout "Jesus is Lord" to the top of your lungs, and know that it is true, because you and I have been given the Holy Spirit who testifies to that fact.

Maybe our perception of the evidence might lead to another conclusion, but God's Spirit inside of us confirms that Jesus is Lord. Listen to the Spirit. He knows!

Thanks Father for your Spirit who lives inside us.

L.T.

Who is Jesus? #126

2008-12-31T16:28:00.000-08:00

Jesus is Lord!

This may be the dominant theme in my blog this year as it is also the theme for our church in 2009.

I wonder if we really want Jesus to take control of our lives. Are we willing to live with Him in charge? I know how often I try to get into the drivers seat. I am willing to let Jesus be my co-pilot, but am I willing, once and for all, to let Him have the controls and hang on for the ride?

"Reign" is both a noun and and verb. He regins! He has a reign!

This is personal, now! It is not between you and me or me and anyone else. This is between Him and me.

Lord, reign in me!

L.T.

Who is Jesus? #125

2008-06-18T09:57:00.000-07:00

This story has been around a while but it has a strong and very relevant point.

A father wanted to read a magazine but was being bothered by his little girl, Shelby. She wanted to know what the United States looked like.
Finally, he tore a sheet out of his new magazine on which was printed the map of the country. Tearing it into small pieces, he gave it to Shelby and said, 'Go into the other room and see if you can put this together. This will show you our whole country today.'After a few minutes, Shelby returned and handed him the map, correctly fitted and taped together.
The father was surprised and asked how she had finished so quickly.
'Oh,' she said, 'On the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got all of Jesus back where He belonged, then our country just came together.'

Shelby had no idea how profound and powerful her words were. If we will just put Jesus back where He belongs, then everything else will fall into place.

This is true not just for our nation, which sorely needs this lesson, but it is also true for our families, schools, businesses, etc.

Jesus told us that He "is the way..." There are those who have seemingly spent a lifetime trying to "chop up" our Lord into a package they can finally accept. Our national leaders and those that influence them have decided that our nation is no longer "under God." Jesus is no longer "the way." Just look at us now!

If we can but take a fresh look at Jesus and put Him back in His rightful place with all the pieces accounted for then everything else will be just like He wants it.

Who is Jesus? He is one who makes everything fit and fucntion just like it was intended.

I am ready to do this one piece at a time if necessary.

Blessings,

L.T.

Welcome, Claira!

2008-04-22T18:59:00.000-07:00

Claira Susan Tittle was born on April 21, 2008 at 3:33 P.M. (CST) in Searcy, AR to my son Brandon and his wife Joy. This was their first. Claira came in at 8lbs 7oz. She was 21 1/4 inches long.

My wife and I did not make it to the hospital from NM before Claira was born as her mom had a speedy and relatively easy delivery.

Mom and baby are dong great and we brought them home today from the hospital after a one night stay.

This makes grand baby number four with two girls and two boys. As far as we know there are no more on the way.

At this point I plan on returning home on Monday, April 28, while my wife will make up her mind later when she will come back to NM.

This will be a great experience as we will get to be together with Joy's parents for several days.

We are very thankful for the successful delivery of a very healthy baby and praise God for His goodness.

MDA Lock-up

2008-04-17T15:37:00.000-07:00

Well that was an interesting and not so terrifying experience. I had been "tagged" to raise $1,000 for MDA or be thrown in the MDA jail until I did. Of course I tried to raise the money before jail day, but was unable even though I made several appeals to family and friends.
However, the experience convinced me that I would like to do it again next year. I think I can do better.
My connection with MDA, or at least this lock-up, was quite by accident and random because someone submitted my name to be locked up.
However, I have another connection that goes back to my dad. He suffered from what is commonly known as Lou Gehrig disease or you will see it abbreviated ALS. This is one of the diseases that MDA furnishes research funds for.
There is no cure but they have been able to sustain patients' lives and quality of life for longer than was available when my dad had the disease.
I don't know the technical explanation, but ALS moves up the spinal cord and destroys muscles until finally the patient succumbs. For my dad it was about a year from diagnosis until his death in 1961.
At one time in my life I thought I wanted to be a doctor and somehow do something about this debilitating condition.
For now, I will try to raise money every year for MDA.

Who is Jesus? #124

2008-04-11T16:09:00.000-07:00

I guess all good things must come to an end. No, I am not halting my blogging and I am not changing the subject.

I am just going to move away from the book of Revelation, though I reserve the right to come back any time, and take thoughts from other areas of the New Testament.

The journey through the first chapter in Revelation has been a revealing one as we tried to answer the question, "Who is Jesus?"

John gave as comprehensive a description as is possible. I still wonder if we lose something by having to read it in words rather than seeing it as John did in his glorious vision.

More to come.

Who is Jesus? #123

2008-04-10T16:15:00.000-07:00

"And I hold the keys of death and Hades." (Revelation 1:18)

I wonder if we ever wonder as to where it will all end or where eternity will begin for us after we die.
Do we doubt? If we do, are we not giving the key holder enough credit?

John told us, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." (I John 5:13).

Knowledge and confidence in the one who holds the keys is essential. He is not willing that any should perish. (II Peter 3:9).

Who else would we want to be holding those keys? Doesn't it build our confidence that the one who holds the keys is one who has experienced death Himself? This is not new territory for Him!

No matter what is behind that last door, I know Him who holds the keys.

Who is Jesus? #122

2008-04-09T07:50:00.001-07:00

"And I hold the keys of death and Hades." (Revelation 1:18)

When we acknowledge that Jesus has all power and authority, even over death, then we can join Paul is his affirmation of faith, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21)

Relinquishing control of life means also relinquishing control of death - not that we have any control over death in the first place.

Yes there are things we can do, and should do, to live healthier lives. Our physical well-being is important but not just to add more years to our lives but to have more time to serve Him who has all authority.

If we are willing to let Him guide our life, we need also to remember He will guide of death, also.

Don't be afraid for Him to put the keys into the lock.

Who is Jesus? #122

2008-04-08T10:13:00.000-07:00

"And I hold the keys of death and Hades." (Revelation 1:18)

Oh, I know that Jesus raised Jairus' daughter from the dead. His good friend, Lazarus, died and Jesus brought him back. There is Peter's mother-in-law and others.

What I don't know is why we have come to believe that Jesus will lengthen our lives when it is time for us to go. For Jesus to have "the keys of death" does not mean that He is going to keep us from dying. The Christians of the first century could testify to that.

He is the one who will guide us through that door. He is the one who has prepared the "other side" for us. He is the one who has preceded us in death. He is the one who has promised to lead us through that door. He has not only shown the way, but is waiting for us over there.

I should not be afraid to go where Jesus has gone. The one who has the keys is the one who has the authority. That's Jesus!

Please, Jesus, unlock that door as only you can.

Who is Jesus? #121

2008-04-07T14:06:00.000-07:00

"And I hold the keys of death and Hades." (Revelation 1:18)

For those who are into the Jurassic Park movies, you might remember the second one where the evil corporation captures a T-Rex along with her baby and endeavors to bring them into the U.S. We are to assume that during transport the T-Rex gets out of the hold of the ship and everyone on board is killed. The problem is that the ship is on autopilot headed for the harbor and there is no one to steer it much less slow it down.

She is totally out of control and slams into the harbor and everyone goes crazy and the T-Rex escapes and wreaks havoc in the city. The ship was out of any one's control.

I wonder if we feel that way about life and death. Do we think death is out of our control. Well, it really is, and that is a good thing considering who is in control of death. HE has got the keys in His hands.

Our brothers of the first century may have thought that the persecuting Roman powers had the keys of death. No way! Not only did Jesus have the key, He had the Master key!

We shouldn't be afraid for Him to unlock the doors of death and allow us to slip through.

It's all under control.

Who is Jesus? #120

2008-01-15T15:36:00.001-08:00

"I am the Living One, I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever." (Revelation 1:18)

One can't, or at least I can't, leave this thought without talking about myself.

Being dead and then alive is an accurate description and depiction of what happens to us when we finally give in and give our lives over to Jesus.

The New Testament definitely points out that without Jesus we were/are dead! People don't want to hear that today. But it is, nevertheless, true.

We are brought to life through and by Jesus Christ. We no longer have anything to do with death. It has no victory or sting (I Corinthians 15). The only dying we do now is to self (Romans 6) and to sin (Romans 7).

Between the death and becoming alive again is a glorious resurrection!

Can we not or should we not be able to walk up to people and say, " I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever."

It is great to be alive!

Blessings,

L.T.

Who is Jesus? #119

2008-01-14T09:46:00.000-08:00

"I am the Living One, I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever." (Revelation 1:18)

I just wonder what the early Christians thought about Jesus as they were having to endure hardships and persecution because of their belief in Jesus.

They believed He had died and then was alive again. How many of them now thought that for all practical purposes he was dead again? Life had gone out of the church so life must have gone out of Jesus, they thought. Maybe He was dead and then alive, but now He must be dead again.

He wasn't of course. Jesus was still alive and John heard His declaration to be, "alive for ever and ever."

If life has deivered you a severe blow, don't think that Jesus is not around. He promised to be with us. "always." He still declares to His faithful ones that he was dead and now is "alive for ever and ever." Don't count Him down and out just because life has tumbled in. He is alive!

Because He is alive, He is near and He is at work. Look for Him! Be aware of His presence! Bathe in His love!

Forever!

Blessings,

L.T.

The Devil and Divorce

2008-01-11T14:39:00.001-08:00

The devil continues to have a heyday in and among our families. I learned today where another marriage is over. Satan not only plants thoughts in our hearts about our marriages but also provides opportunity for us to really mess things up.

He brings together two people who probably shouldn't be married. He infiltrates hearts to the point that negativity and criticism invade the home. He brings outsiders into the marriage to confuse and tempt.

I am all for declaring a day at our church where we have a Satan exorcism service. With one voice we will tell Satan to get behind us. We will no longer allow him to infiltrate our families and wreak the havoc that he is so proficient at producing.

"Satan, you have done enough! Away with you!

Blessings,

L.T.

Who is Jesus? #118

2008-01-09T12:07:00.001-08:00

"I am the Living One, I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever." (Revelation 1:18)

There was such a movement during Jesus' ministry in Palestine to finish Him. Very early in Jesus' ministry, according to Mark, the Pharisees hatched a plot, "how they might kill him." (Mark 3: 6).

Though as Christians we see the blessings in the resurrected and alive Jesus, the death of Jesus would have been a blessing to many people. As a matter of fact it was some of those people who managed to eventually have Him killed. They thought that it was over after that. He was gone!

There was perhaps no greater impression God could make on mankind than to demonstrate a Savior -alive!

Interesting that Jesus explains this John in His description of Himself. "I was dead,...I am alive..." Why did John need to recognize this? Why do we? Much to contemplate, here!

He is Risen indeed!

Blessings,

L.T.

Who is Jesus? #117

2008-01-04T15:21:00.001-08:00

" I am the first and the last, (Revelation 1:17)."

Can't let it go, yet. There is just too much here in this description of Jesus.
Have you ever been in an argument with someone or maybe in a fight and either you or they said, "You started this but I am going to finish it."
It seems that in this life we rarely get to complete something like it was originally intended. I have lost count of how many projects I have started that either didn't reach completion (learning Spanish) or did not reach completion in the fashion I have imagined.
Even Solomon commented that no matter what we may accomplish in our life that it will all be handed over to someone else when we die.
Jesus is an amazing exception to this fact of life.
He completed with amazing power in Jerusalem what started in the mind of God way before creation. What if there had been a manger but no cross? It was announced to Joseph and Mary that Jesus would be the Savior. When His earthly ministry was complete, His mission was also complete. He started it and He finished it.
Quite obviously, to be more like Jesus I need to finish for Him what I start.

Thank you Jesus for finishing!

Blessings,

L.T.

Who is Jesus? #116

2008-01-03T09:07:00.001-08:00

" I am the first and the last, (Revelation 1:17)."

I am sitting in my somewhat cluttered office today determining that my blogging would be more regular than in the past year. Last year was both an amazing year as well as a trying one.
I still want to learn more about Jesus and try more and more to become more like Him. That happens to be our theme for our church this year, "Becoming More Like Him."
I am still stuck on this thought of Jesus being the first and the last. As I look around my office at the shelves lined with books, there are several bookends. There is a section on the New Testament with bookends at each end. There is section on family with bookends at each end. There is a section of books I need to read (way too many) with bookends at each end.
Everything that my library has to say on that particular subject can be found between the first and last bookend. As far as my library is concerned that is the only place you need to go.
That is what Jesus is. He is the first and the last. Everything you want to know about things spiritual will be found in Jesus. Stop short of the first bookend and you have stopped way too short. Go beyond the last bookend and you are going way too far.
Everything you and I need to know is right there between the first and the last. His name is Jesus!
Let's pull the book down off of the shelf and read!

Blessings,

L.T.

2007

2008-01-02T13:59:00.000-08:00

This was a year of transition for Grammy and Paw Tittle. The "Big" move to Clovis, NM was a major activity. Moving is never fun and it usually presents many an opportunity for things to go wrong. However, it went very smoothly and we are happy in our ministry for the West 21st Street Church of Christ. Preaching has been very fulfilling as well as very challenging. The members here continue to be encouraging.
Having two more grandchildren added to the excitement of 2007. Ty came in April and Carter in May. They are doing great and growing like the proverbial weeds. They are a tremendous addition to our first grandchild, Emily, who will be three in February. We are expecting our fourth in April. Brandon and Joy and very excited.
We have had opportunity to travel and be with our children and grandchildren several times.
Our only "downer" this year has been the health of Grammy. She has been diagnosed with Eosinophillic Faciitis which is an auto-immune disease. She is not responding to the Prednizone as we had hoped. Her rheumatologist continues to work with her on her medication. She had gall baldder surgery in November as well as other procedures. We covet your prayers in her behalf.
We have a cruise planned for the entire family this summer to Mexico. This should be a great family experience. We are all looking forward to it as we pay for it and get passports in place.
Blessings and Happy 2008 to everyone.

L.T.

Who is Jesus? #115

2007-11-20T07:58:00.000-08:00

" I am the first and the last, (Revelation 1:17)."

How does one get to be both first and last? I remember as a kid when it came time to "choose" teams, those who got picked first where the "good" players and the last ones were the left-overs. I always felt sorry for the last ones -especially if it was me! Whatever the reason, you couldn't be both first and last.

What was John supposed to get from this description of Jesus and what are we to receive?

I have heard some parents say, rather facetiously, "I brought you into this world and I will take you out"

Though spoken sarcastically by men it may have some spiritual meaning with reference to Jesus. He brought us into the world of spiritual relationship with the Father by His blood and He will ultimately take us home. He was there at the First and He will be there at the End.

John needed to both hear this and communicate it to His audience of troubled Christians.

I need to hear it to. When it comes right down to it, the Christian's life is all wrapped up in Jesus.

He was there at the first. He will be there at the end. He is everywhere in between.

Blessings,

L.T.

From a 12 year old

2007-11-19T17:43:00.000-08:00

You have to take a moment and hear this if you already have not! Click on the link below.
http://www.ksbj.org/eblogs/morningShow/

Can he only be 12 years old??

Blessings,
L.T.

An Update

2007-11-16T09:18:00.000-08:00

Much has happend this week in the life of the Tittles. First concerning my wife: Aleta had her gall bladder removed Monday morning and is doing very nicely. The surgery went as planned and I had her home by 10:30 Monday morning. She is down to one pain pill per day. She went to her cardiologist Thursday afternoon and he put her on Lipitor because of her high cholesterol. This is a new though not unexpected wrinkle. The Dr. did allow that some of the medication that she is taking for her Eosinophillic Faciitis (an auto-immune disease) could be contributing to the high numbers. However he attributes the high choloesterol mostly to heredity.
Bradon and Joy found out that in April of next year they will having a girl. That will make two of each for us grandparents and we are excited for them. The pregnancy is going well and Joy had said the baby is about the size of a sweet potatoe.
As for me I am back into racquetball and am slowly remembering how to play. It is fun and good exercise. The ministry continues to go well. Check our church website, www. 21ststreetcoc.org for inf. We do the elder selection thing beginning in January of next year.
Guess that is all for now.

Blessings,
L.T.

Who is Jesus? #114

2007-11-09T15:09:00.000-08:00

When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. Then He placed His right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid, I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades." (Rev 1:17-18)

Nails tore through the feet of Jesus. A sinful woman washed His feet with her tears and dried them with her hair as a preparation for burial. Truly, "how beautiful are the feet."

Most of us probably consider the feet among the most uncomely parts of the body. I know mine are. But what do you do when you get a gllimpse of Jesus like John did in Revelation? I don't believe you reach up to shake His hand or pat Him on the back.

The song goes, "We fall down. We lay our crowns at the feet of Jesus."

Those feet were like "bronze glowing in a furnace (vs. 15). No wonder he was afraid.

Maybe we haven't fallen down like a dead man at the feet of Jesus because we really haven't seen Him for who He is in all His glory, majesty, and power. Maybe we have overused the idea of Jesus being our buddy. Nobody loved Him more than John but found Himself down on the ground before the awesome Son of God.

Once I dicover who Jesus is I will fall down at His feet as though dead.

Blessings,

L.T.

A Great Video

2007-11-08T07:23:00.000-08:00

It is time to start blogging again. The topic will continue to be "Who is Jesus?" This video has made the rounds, but it says it all. Click on the link below.

http://tinyurl.com/yp3xby

Blessings

With Four You Can Play 42

2007-08-23T15:16:00.000-07:00

Attention everyone.

It is now safe to inform the world that grandchild number four is on the way. Our son, Brandon, and his wife, Joy, are expecting in April.

This is getting to be fun.

Blessings,

L.T.

Who is Jesus? (Tangent)

2007-08-13T14:55:00.000-07:00

A short side note to the idea of Jesus being like a bright shining light.
It occurs to me that somehow or other the light that Jesus is, is supposed to rub off on those who claim to be His. Jesus words were, "I am the light of the world..." (John 8:12).
In the sermon on the mount he claims that His followers are exactly that, "The light of the world." (Matthew 5:14). There is some sort of sameness there.
It maybe time to do some blogs along the lines of everything that Jesus is and which of those characteristics are His follower supposed to have.
It will definitely be a dark day if we ever have to say, "THE LIGHT HAS GONE OUT!"

Let your light shine!

Blessings,

L.T.

Who is Jesus? # 113

2007-07-23T15:42:00.000-07:00

His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. Rev. 1:16

"Shining" and "Brilliance" are Jesus-type traits. He has always shined His light. The gospel writer John tells us that the light did shine into the darkness but the darkness could not understand it (John 1: 5).

Hum? It is a principle of light to eliminate the darkness. Darkness is weaker than light. Light lights the way out of darkness. I know that if I want to go safely into a dark room I just turn on the light. If the power has gone out I look for a flashlight. It is relatively easy to penetrate the darkness with the right tools.

I remember my wife and I taking a little overnight trip to Fort Davis, TX near the Davis Mountains and the McDonald Observatory. In Ft. Davis there can be no street lights - nothing to obscure the stars being observed from the Observatory. I remember fumbling through the back gate of the Bed and Breakfast where we were staying. We needed light.

How is it that the "light of the world" came to penetrate the darkness and was unable? How could the darkness stand against Him? If our case, if we want it dark spiritually He will let us have it our way.

Please penetrate the darkness of my heart, O Lord!

Blessings,

L.T.

2007-07-10T15:11:00.000-07:00

Just to let those of you know who are interested, blogging has been "offline" for about a month as the Tittles have been dealing with several things but I hope to be back into it again soon. Of course, the birth of two grandchildren has had something to do with it but we have also been dealing with my wife's health.
She was develping symptoms that had led us to believe that there would be a diagnosis of Scleroderma which is a very serious condition.
The Lord answered our prayer and the diagnosis has come back with a scleroderma-like condition known as Eosinophilic Faciits. However it is not as serious as scleroderma and the Prednizone she is now on is supposed to eventually cure it. We praise God for that and request that you continue to keep her in your prayers.
She went to the doctor today, July 10, and the doctor seems to think she is making progress.
We enjoyed a week in estes Park, CO (picture above) last week with some friends and that was another roadblock to blogging. We had an awesome experience. Aleta made it just fine as long was she was taking it easy.
The next post will be a continuation of "Who is Jesus?"

Blessings,

L.T.

Who is Jesus? #112 (From the Apocalypse)

2007-06-05T22:06:00.001-07:00

"His face was shining like the sun" Revelation 1:16

His face was like this on at least one other occassion. We call it the transfiguration. Matthew talks about this is Matthew 17. John was present at that time and had the same reaction as he did in the Apocalypse. He, along with Peter and James, was terrfied at the transfigured Christ. In Revelation he fell down as if he were dead as he came in contact with the Christ of the vision.
Is there room for fear when we see Jesus for who He is - completely? Then we wait for Him to say, "don't be afraid."

Blessings,

L.T.
Podcast feed is http://feeds.feedburner.com/wildvoice/JMEI.

Memorial Day

2007-05-28T09:50:00.000-07:00

Spending memorial day home alone as Aleta is still in AR with the new grandson - Carter. Carter and his mom came home from the hospital yesterday and everyone is doing fine.

2007-05-27T13:25:00.000-07:00

If you look to the right, you will see why i haven't "blogged" this week.

He was born to our daughter and son-in-law, Ben and Amy Carrigan of Searcy, AR.

His name is Carter Warren Carrigan.

He came in weighing 7 lbs. and 11 oz.

He was 20 1/2" long.

Because the position of his head was not right, they had to do a C-section. If they had made the decision thirty minutes earlier, baby and mom would have had the same birthdays.

Carter is great and so is his mother, Amy. Daddy Ben will recover soon.

This is our third grandchild. Now we have a girl and two boys.

Back to "Who is Jesus?" on Tuesday.

Blessings,

L.T.

Who is Jesus #111 (From the Apocalypse)

2007-05-18T07:26:00.000-07:00

"...and out of His mouth came a sharp double-edged sword." (Revelation 1:16b)
I am not sure which of the features of Jesus scared John the most; but for me, I think it would have been this one. The picture of a person with a sword protruding out of his mouth is quite alarming.
The picture is reproduced for us in 19:15. "Out of His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations."
During His ministry, what came out of the mouth of Jesus was the word of His Father. "The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing His work." (John 14:10)
We know that what Jesus said pierced some and divided others. He brought down the Scribes and Pharisees with His words to the point that they would not ask Him any more questions.
The message John is writing down for our first century brothers and sisters, and us, is that the words of Jesus have not become impotent. They are just as powerful now as they were then. They are just as sharp.
More on this idea.
Keep speaking to us, Lord. Say what we need to hear no matter what.

Blessings,

L.T.

Who is Jesus #110 (From the Apocalypse)

2007-05-17T10:19:00.001-07:00

"In His right hand He held the seven stars" (Revelation 1:16a).

Since we are told that the seven stars represent the angels of the seven churches, my mind got to wondering about stars and messengers. That pondering brought to my mind a passage from the prophet Daniel.

Daniel 12:3
"Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever."

Messengers who bring good news from God to mankind do indeed shine like stars. Even though not all of the news to each of the seven churches in Revelation was necessarily good news by its very nature, it was good news because it came from God and gave instruction as to what they needed to do in the areas of correcting wrongs and preparing for what was about to come. That made it good news.

The heavens are dotted at night with stars that fascinate us and navigate us through this world. Those who would bring instruction from the Lord to the people are the real super stars for God.

Let your light shine in me!

Blessings,

L.T.

Who is Jesus #109 (From the Apocalypse)

2007-05-15T10:15:00.000-07:00

"In His right hand He held the seven stars" (Revelation 1:16a).

"The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches" (1:19).

This may be one of those places where the interpretation given for a particular symbol does not really help. Who are these angels that are "assigned" to each of the seven churches (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamus, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodocea)?

We may not understand the symbolism in the book, but we can make some observations about angels. It was an angel who announced to Mary and Joseph the impending birth of the Son of God. It was an angel that told the whole family to escape to Egypt. Angels ministered to Jesus after his temptation encounter with Satan. Angels will be involved in the "harvest" at the end of the world. Apparently children have guardian angels (Matthew 18:18). Angels opened prison doors. The Torah was put into effect by angels.

Some things are obvious. Angels brought messages not their own, but from God. They had a ministry not their own, but from God.

Maybe we should listen a little harder and look at little closer. Maybe someone is trying to communicate to us.

Blessings,

L.T.

Who is Jesus #108 (From the Apocalypse)

2007-05-11T07:14:00.000-07:00

"His voice we like the sound of rushing waters" (Revelation 1:15b)

I have lived through a couple of floods in my life - nothing like the flooding that hit the N.O. area during the hurricane. I remember the east fork of the San Jacinto river cresting and flooding our little two acre weekend place when I was a kid.

We hear in the news now about the flooding in the plains. The Missouri river is past flood stage. People are devastated by the flood waters. They lose everything they have spent a lifetime accumulating. The flood takes it all.

We are being flooded today in other ways. We are flooded with immorality. We are flooded with the nuances of postmodernism. We are flooded with violence - violence in the name of religion. We are flooded with pornography. Some of it comes in over our televisions and we sit there and watch - even let our children absorb it. We are flooded with selfish desires and the "It's all about me" mentality of the world today; and, we are being devastated by the rising flood waters.

Listen to the words of the Psalmist.

"The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the lord is enthroned forever." (Psalm 29:10)

There is a Lord that picks us up out of the floods we are dealing with. He is above the floods. He has the right vantage point. He can give us the deliverance we so desperately need.

Listen to His voice - the one that sounds like rushing waters.

Oh Lord, we lift you up that you in turn lift us up out of the flood waters of life.

Blessings,

L.T.

Who is Jesus #107 (From the Apocalypse)

2007-05-09T07:31:00.000-07:00

"His voice was like the sound of rushing waters" (Revelation 1:15b)

It rained here in Clovis yesterday. It rained pretty hard for Eastern New Mexico. Between the rain and driving through puddles of water on the road, I couldn't hear anything. I couldn't even hear my radio. All of that water making all of that noise made all of the other sounds indiscernible.

I remember taking a group of kids on a float trip down a river in Oklahoma several years ago. There was no way we could yell to each other from one canoe to the other when we were in the rapids. Most communication had to be done on the bank before we started. The sound of the rushing water was just too loud. Nothing else could be heard except the water.

There is so much competing for our attention today. There is a lot of noise out there. However, nothing can drown out the voice of the Savior. His message does not get through only when we do not listen.

Whatever Jesus has to do to communicate with me, I pray that it works.

Blessings,

L.T.

Who is Jesus #106 (From the Apocalypse)

2007-05-08T07:20:00.000-07:00

"His voice was like the sound of rushing waters" (Revelation 1:15b)

It seems like John changed metaphors here. In verse 10 he says the voice "like a trumpet." Now it is like the sound of powerful rushing water.

It was the trumpet voice that got Johns attention. It was the powerful rushing water voice that spoke with power and authority.

Sometimes before we can "hear" what Jesus has to say, He has to get our attention. He doesn't want us to miss what He has to say.

I wonder how many times and in how many ways has Jesus tried to get my attention in this life before He tried to communicate to me? I wonder how many times I still have not paid attention?

Out brothers and sisters in the first century were about to receive a Life and death message from Jesus. They needed to sit up and pay attention.

The words of Jesus are powerful. They only way that power is limited is if we are not listening. Of course, someone somewhere will listen. They have learned to stay focused on Jesus and let the power of His voice change their lives.

I pray that I am one of them.

Blessings,

L.T.

Who is Jesus #105 (from the Apocalypse)

2007-05-07T07:21:00.000-07:00

"His voice was like the sound of rushing waters" (Revelation 1: 15b).

When ?? talks, people listen. I remember that old E.F. Hutton commercial. In this case, it is Jesus who is talking and you/we had better pay attention.

Three boys were bragging to one another about their fathers. One of them said, “My father is a professor. When he is talking about nuclear physics, there are only fifty other people in the world who can understand him.

”The second boy said, “My father is a world class brain surgeon. When he is talking about his surgery there are only 20 other people in the whole world who can understand him.”The third boy said,

“That’s nothing. My dad is a preacher. When he is preaching, nobody seems to understand him.”

Well it is one thing to not listen to a mere man. It is quite something else to not listen to the Son of God.

Imagine trying to make yourself heard above the thundering sound of Niagara Falls. When Jesus has something to say, He will be heard!

The question is not, "Is He talking?" The question is, "Am I listening?"

"Speak, Lord, your servant is listening"

Blessings,

L.T.

Who is Jesus #104 (from the Apocalypse)

2007-05-04T07:18:00.000-07:00

"both feet furnace-fired bronze" (The Message, Revelation 1:15)

My thoughts turn to the words of the patriotic song "Battle Hymn of the Republic" where it says, "He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored." I am not even sure what all of that means, but the idea of trampling is pretty clear.
In scripture we are told of God stomping through a lot of places/cities because of their sin. Sodom came down. The nation of Egypt finally had to succumb. The Assyrians, Babylonians, Medo-Persians, Greeks and Romans couldn't stand before Him.
I guess my question is, "Why are we putting Him to the test now?" Are we daring Him to come marching through our land?
One old-time preacher once said, "If God doesn't do something soon, He will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah."
Truth does march on. Truth will ultimately win the day. God will kick over and out anything and anyone that forsakes Him, His word, and His people.
Maybe we are preparing the pathway for His trampling and aren't even aware of it.

Blessings,

L.T.

Who is Jesus #103 (from the Apocalypse)

2007-05-03T15:21:00.000-07:00

"His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace" (Revelation 1:15).

There is no doubt what these strong looking feet were for. These were to carry out judgment.
In Micah 4:13 we find a similar symbol where God's people are told they will have "hoofs of bronze" and that by these they will be able to "break to piece many nations." These were the same nations that were gloating over Israel's disappearance from the scene into Babylonian captivity. But God will and does bring them back to carry out His vindication on those who would have scoffed at His apparent lack of power.
Most of the time we do not like to think of God as bringing judgment. However, if we do not attribute this characteristic to Him, then we have an unbalanced and incomplete picture of Him. He is a God who brings His judgment on those who do not acknowledge Him.
In Revelation it is the one attribute that completes the picture of Jesus.
Are those feet coming in my direction?

Blessings,

Larry

Who is Jesus #102 (from the Apocalypse)

2007-05-02T07:12:00.000-07:00

"Eyes like blazing fire."

John saw these eyes again in Revelation 19:12. They were the eyes of the rider on the white horse whose name is Faithful and True.

Daniel, in a similar vision in chapter 7 of his prophecy, saw eyes that were like flaming torches and it sapped all the strength from his body. Then, and only then, was he able to be touched and strengthened in order to receive the message from God and fulfill the mission God was placing in front of him.

Those eyes are horrible and terrifying, but they are also purifying. Sometimes we need to let Jesus stake a huge penetrating look at us - even a judgemental look - in order to be brought to our knees so that our Lord is able to touch us with His blessings and will.

Don't forget Peter who met Jesus eye-to-eye (Luke 22:61) and was moved to the point of weeping once who he was and what he had done was brought to the surface. After tht cleansing he was able to be used by Jesus to become a pillar in the church (Galatians 2:9).

O Lord. take a good long look at me and penetrate my soul that I might become what you want me to be.

Amen.

Blessings,

L.T.

Who is Jesus #101 (from the Apocalypse)

2007-05-01T07:46:00.000-07:00

"His eyes were like blazing fire." (Revelation 1:14).

Do you know what it feels like to be talking to someone who can see right through you? It sure makes you feel vulnerable. All of a sudden all of your defenses that you have built up come tumbling down. You are seen for who you truly are.

These penetrating eyes of Jesus are that way. They see right through us. He sees us for who we truly are. There are no masks that I can wear, no barriers I can erect, no place I can hide that will keep Jesus from looking deeply into my heart and seeing me the way I am.

That shouldn't frighten me. Because I know that Jesus sees the things in me that I need to change in order to grow closer to Him every day.

There were certainly those in Jesus day who had to come to grips with how they truly were. Some decided to change and some didn't.

I am reminded about Jesus interaction with Nathaniel in John 1:43-50. Not only did Jesus see Nathaniel concerning where he was physically (standing under the fig tree back home) but he also saw where he was morally (a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false). Once confronted with the fact that Jesus vision was 100% perfect, Nathaniel couldn't help but confess that Jesus was the Son of God.

If we are not afraid to let Jesus have a deep look into our inner self, then we will confess with our entire being HE IS THE SON OF GOD!

Blessings,

L.T.

Who is Jesus #100 (from the Apocalypse)

2007-04-30T07:40:00.000-07:00

The time has come to get back to this blogging thing. The passage we are exploring (Revelation 1:12-17) is perhaps the most comprehensive description of Jesus there is in the N.T. Everything Jesus was/is is pretty much found in this section of Revelation.
When I stopped blogging over a year ago we had barely made it halfway through this marvelous description of the Savior.
Let's remind ourselves that our first century brothers and sisters were needing to get a complete look at Jesus. Their situation was critical and was going to get worse before it got better. There could be a temptation to ask where is this Jesus anyway and just who does He think He is letting us suffer all sorts of persecution? Is He really even there?
YES! He is there! He hasn't left His faithful ones to their own resources.
And so, they get another - more comprehensive - look at Jesus; and what a look at is.
O.K. 21st century Christian. When life tumbles in, where is Jesus? Has He changed? has He left?
NO! He is there! Just take the time to look around and see Him for who He is and what He is doing.
The journey continues.

Blessings,

L.T.

Best Laid Plans

2007-04-19T16:02:00.000-07:00

Was going to get my blogging engine up and running again, but something prohibitied me. I think you can see the picture. His name is Ty Austin Trcka and he is our second grandchild.

He was born on Thursday at 3:20 A.M. CDT. He weighed in at 7'11'' and was 18" long.

I think he is a real cutie and I know he is a keepr.

His mother and our daughter, Melissa, is doing fine as well as daddy Dee.

We are so blessed.

Blessings,

Larry

Return to Blogging

2007-04-05T07:49:00.000-07:00

It has been over a year since I added anything to this page. There are a couple of reasons for that and several excuses. Much has happened in our lives over the past year. I started taking graduate courses. Three of our children have bought new homes and Aleta and I have moved into a new ministry in Clovis, NM.
We are now in the preaching ministry serving the 21st Street Church of Christ in Clovis. As of this writing we have been here a month. It has been a real blessing for us and we pray one for the church here as well.
It has been a move that has gone well and we believe we are where God wants us doing what He wants us to do.
It is my intention to get back on the subject of "Who is Jesus?" in the coming days and continue to explore the magnificent Son of God.
This coming Sunday is Easter Sunday and most churches will probably have a few extra people in attendance. I pray these irregular attenders will be moved by the Resurrected Christ to give it all up for and to Him.

Blessings,

Larry

Who is Jesus? #99 (From the Apocalypse)

2006-02-08T13:22:00.000-08:00

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.

Who is Jesus? #98 (From the Apocalypse)

2006-02-06T07:37:00.000-08:00

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.

Who is Jesus? #97 (From the Apocalypse)

2006-01-17T10:17:00.000-08:00

"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?

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.

Who is Jesus? #96 (From the Apocalypse)

2006-01-13T08:12:00.000-08:00

"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.

Who is Jesus? #95 (From the Apocalypse)

2006-01-12T07:52:00.000-08:00

"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.

Who is Jesus? #94 (From the Apocalypse)

2006-01-11T15:11:00.000-08:00

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.

Who is Jesus? #93 (From the Apocalypse)

2006-01-10T14:26:00.000-08:00

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.

Who is Jesus? #92 (From the Apocalypse)

2006-01-09T08:51:00.000-08:00

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.

Who is Jesus? #91 (From the Apocalypse)

2006-01-05T09:10:00.000-08:00

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.

Who is Jesus? #90 (From the Apocalypse)

2006-01-04T14:04:00.000-08:00

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.

Who is Jesus? #89 (From the Apocalypse)

2006-01-03T08:42:00.000-08:00

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.

Who is Jesus? #88 (From the Apocalypse)

2005-11-29T09:51:00.000-08:00

"But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God," (Hebrews 10:12).
No former high priest could even come close to making this claim. The Hebrews writer in the previous verse makes reference to the fact that those priests had to offer sacrifices in behalf of the people, continually. "They can never take away sin."
What greater power could there be than a "once for all" sacrifice? And, no priest had ever offered himself as the sacrifice! What a High Priest!
I can imagine the conversation occurring in heaven.
God: I have to make these people righteous by taking away their sins.
Jesus: That will require a sacrifice, Father.
God: I know and I need someone to go to them and make them aware of their need for a sacrifice for sin.
Jesus: I will go, Father.
God: Which of these functions will you perform?
Jesus: I will do them both. I will lay down my life for their sins and intercede for them before you.
God: You will be both the priest and the sacrifice.
Jesus: Yes, if that's what it takes.

We know the rest of that story; or, do we?

Be Strong and Courageous,

L.T.

Who is Jesus? #87 (From the Apocalypse)

2005-11-28T08:55:00.000-08:00

I do not believe we have said enough until we give Jesus, his rightful priestly title. For He is not just priest, but He is High Priest. There is no doubt that scripture teaches us that all Christians are priests (I Peter 2:9). We have both a blessing and responsibility to go to God in behalf of people...the fundamental duty of a priest.
But Jesus, He is High Priest. I remember some of those High Priests from history. The first one was Aaron. When it came to affairs and rituals of the temple, he was boss. It was up to him to see that things were carried out according to God's law. He was followed by Eleazar. Then there was Eli, don't know what kind of High Priest he was, but apparently he wasn't a good father (I Samuel 2:12). Jesus was put to death under the high priesthood of Caiaphas.
Our High Priest, Jesus, is so different from these in the Levitical priesthood. The Hebrews writer tell us that Jesus is "a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek" (7:17). Puzzling?? Why would he not compare Jesus' High Priesthood to that of Aaron's. The one who was High Priest over God's people. All High Priests had to be of Aaron lineage. It was the first qualification. Jesus was not from that tribe of Israel. He was of the tribe of Judah.
What was different about His priesthood? I will need more time for this exploration.

Be Strong and Courageous,

L.T.

Who is Jesus? #86 (From the Apocalypse)

2005-11-22T10:40:00.000-08:00

The priest was one who went to God in behalf of the people. They, the people, brought the priest their sacrifices and offerings and he, in turn, presented them to God, according to the law, in behalf of the people.
The priest was a real stand-in or go-between as the people went through him to the Father. John saw Jesus in priestly garments (Revelation 1:13) and mentioned that first in his wonderful description of Jesus.
One who goes to God in behalf of His people... that is a very accurate description of the ministry and purpose of Jesus Christ.
I remember on a couple of occasions Jesus going to God in behalf of a lot of hungry people. I remember Him going to God in behalf of those twelve disciples who would receive kingdom responsibilities when He was no longer with them(John 17). I remember Him going to God in behalf of the very ones who put Him on that cross, "Father, forgive them..."(Luke 23:345).
Now it appears to be His fulltime job (Hebrews 7:25).
I need Jesus to go to the Father in my behalf. Yes, I have access to the Father myself because of what Jesus did on that cross, but I feel at time unworthy to approach the Father because of my sin and frailties. How wonderful to know that Jesus is going to Him for me...saying what I cannot say...expressing my soul's longings that I cannot put into words.
If I confess Him before man, he confessed me before the Father(Matthew 10:32). That is hard to even think about...my name be dropped in front of the Creator of the Universe. I am glad that Jesus is in such a priestly position to be able to do that.
I need Him to keep going to God in my behalf.

Be Strong and Courageous,

L.T.

Who is Jesus? #85 (From the Apocalypse)

2005-11-21T09:48:00.000-08:00

He was, "dressed in a robe reaching down to His feet with a golden sash around His chest, (Revelation 1:13).
A priest! John saw the vestiture of a priest on "the son of Man." These garments are described for us in detail in the Old Testament. We won't go there right now.
I find it both interesting and thrilling that this is what John describes for us first. He sees Jesus as priest. This is something that we are exposed to over and over again in the New Testament...the priesthood of Jesus.
Just exactly what did/does a priest do? Again, the Old Testament is full of details, sometimes gory details, of the functions and responsibilities of the priests.
The first thing that comes to my mind is that the priests were a unique group of servants that were set apart and specialized in service to God. Only a priest could execute the duties of the priest. We probably see them as offering sacrifices, primarily, but they had other responsibilities; pronouncing people clean or unclean, sanctification/purification rites and more.
The tribe of Levi, from which the priests came, were not even numbered among the people when a census was taken. Their cities were given to them, they didn't have to "take" them.
I believe their function can be best described as ones who went to God in behalf of the people. I often contrast them with prophets who went to the people in behalf of God.
The priests were appointed by God for their office.
Jesus serves as one. John saw that.
I wonder if the people to whom John was writing had forgotten that Jesus was constantly going to God in their behalf (Hebrews 7:25).
I wonder if we have forgotten. I wonder if I have forgotten.
The must be more to explore about this one in the long robe and golden sash!
Be Strong and Courageous,

L.T.