Tag: Jesus is alive

January 30 2023 – Hebrews 7 – Atonement for Our Sins

I am no expert on Old Testament law, but as I understand the instructions in Leviticus, once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the High Priest was to go before God and first make sacrifices for his own sins, then make sacrifices for the people. Unless you had a special need to go before God, (and there were lots of special needs… vows, to prove you had been cleansed for a skin issue, etc.) you were okay with God. However, that was a perpetual, year after year event. Every year sacrifices had to be made on the Day of Atonement to remove the sins of the High Priest and the people of Israel.

The concept of resurrection from the dead wasn’t as completely developed in the Old Testament as it is in the New Testament. The Israelites were having their sins removed on the Day of Atonement so they could be right with God in the here and now without much thought for the afterlife. In the New Testament the reality of resurrection is realized. We understand that sin needs to be atoned for so that we are right with God in the here and now and in the world to come.

In Hebrews 7, Jesus, as our great High Priest is being compared to those priests in the Old Testament sacrificial system. There needed to be many of them because they sacrificed every day, year after year, and eventually they all died out. “The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews7:23–25NASB1995  Because Jesus lives forever, he is able to save forever all who put their faith in him.

The Old Testament sacrificial system, was an imperfect foreshadowing of the perfect that was to come. “For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.” Hebrews7:26–27NASB1995  Jesus died to do away with, sin “once for all when He offered up Himself.”

Our sins… past, present, and future… have been completely atoned for thanks to our great, High Priest, Jesus our Christ!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your perfect Son to save me from the curse and penalty of sin. Thank you that Jesus’ perfect work of atonement covers all my sin and saves me forever. Help me to share this good news with those still trying to atone for their own sins. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

January 27 – Matthew 28 – Making Disciples

The end of the Gospel according to Matthew gives a clear understanding of what Jesus expected us to be doing until he returned. In Matthew 28 the resurrected Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew28:18–20NIV

These verses are often called The Great Commission. In them we recognize the authority given to Christ. He is in charge of everything, as “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to [Jesus].” He is the one who had the authority to send the original disciples. He has the authority to tell us what to do. We are not in the business of making members, or recruiting givers, or looking to build magnificent buildings. We are to “make disciples of all nations.” We are to baptize “them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” and teach them to obey everything Jesus commanded us.

This can be a daunting commission if we think about accomplishing it in our strength and wisdom. However, this commission contains a fact that is empowering and comforting. Jesus said, “…surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Through the presence of his indwelling Spirit, Jesus is strengthening us and giving us the wisdom to make disciples of all the nations. The proof is in the pudding. The church has been growing since the time of Christ and will continue to do so until he returns!

Prayer:

Loving and gracious Lord Jesus, I am glad all authority has been given to you! Help me to remember I am called to make disciples. Help me to rely on you for strength and wisdom in reaching others with the Gospel. Amen.

January 23 2023 – Hebrews 1 – Who Is Jesus?

Who was Jesus? That is a question that is pondered in academia still today. In the modern world, some “scholars” will side step the plain teachings of Scripture to try to piece together a historical picture of who Jesus was. They have seminars where they speculate about him. They cast their votes as to the authenticity of his words presented in the Bible. In these votes, they have almost eliminated all of the words attributed to Jesus in the gospels.  He was a good teacher seems to be the consensus outside of Christendom. Some people would go so far as to say Jesus never even existed, ignoring ample historical evidence outside of Scripture.

In beginning Hebrews 1, the unknown author gives us a description of Christ. In Hebrews, the author is showing the supremacy of faith in Jesus Christ over the Old Covenant. The readers of Hebrews at the outset are given an understanding of just who Jesus is.

First, we learn that God spoke to us through Jesus. “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.” Hebrews1:1–2NIV  In that statement we understand that as heir of everything, all that is, belongs to Jesus. As a result of our faith in Christ, Paul tells us that we are co-heirs with Christ so we share in the inheritance.

In verse 2, we also learn that the universe was made through Jesus. We have heard and many of us memorized John 1:1-3. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” John1:1–3NIV  Hebrews 1:2 reinforces our understanding that Jesus is not just a good teacher, he is a co-creator with our Heavenly Father.

What does God look like? Does he look like Michelangelo’s commonly accepted presentation of the gray-bearded, old man upstairs? The Bible tells us God is invisible and God is Spirit. However, Hebrews tells us, “the Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being…” Hebrews1:3NIV  If you want to know what God looks like, look at Jesus.

We also learn that everything in the universe holds together in Christ. “…[He, Jesus, is] sustaining all things by his powerful word…” Hebrews 1:3 NIV  John Wesley said that Jesus holding the universe together is like a person holding up a rock. If he were to let it go, everything would undo into nothingness.

Who is Jesus? Jesus is God! Jesus was with God in the beginning and everything that is, was made through him and belongs to him. He holds it all together through his powerful word. He is the exact representation of God and the radiance of God’s glory. He is also our redeemer. When we were dead in our transgressions and sins, he bore them on the cross for us and ransomed us back to God. Hebrews tells us, “…after he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews1:3NIV  At the appointed time, the Heavenly Father is going to send Jesus back to get us and we will be with him where he is.

Prayer:

Jesus, thank you for creation made for and through you! Thank you for representing the Father to me! Thank you for atoning for my sins! Lord help me to live for you through your Holy Spirit. Amen!

December 10, 2022 – John 2 – The Best Till Now

Exodus 21, John 3, 2 Corinthians 11

*Usually the devotion goes along with one of the linked scriptures. I was confused and went back to John 2 for today’s devotion. I will be back on track tomorrow.

Scholars believe the Gospel of John was written later than the Synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. John arranges his presentation of the signs and teachings of Jesus in a different order. Scholars also believe John’s Gospel is much more theologically developed. It should be read carefully, taking time to see the clues in the text showing he is talking about something larger than the event in the life of Jesus he is presenting.

In John chapter 2, he records the first miracle, or sign that Jesus does publicly. It happens at a wedding at Cana. Jesus and his disciples are there. His mother is there. The people hosting the wedding party run out of wine. If you haven’t seen the series The Chosen, you may want to check it out. They do a great job showing the embarrassment and shame the hosts would have experienced when everyone realized they were out of wine.

Mary, Jesus’ mother, asks him to do something about it. That is interesting to think about. She must have seen some of the signs and wonders he could have done being the Son of God. Otherwise, why bother Jesus with this detail. His response seems to indicate that he could do something about it, but was hesitant to do so because of timing. Mary takes no notice of what seems to be a curt response. Instead she tells the servants to do what ever he says.

Jesus has them fill six stone jars with water to the brim. Then they took some to the master of the banquet. After he tasted some, he was surprised to find how good it was. It is common knowledge that ones ability to discern how good or bad an alcoholic beverage taste diminishes with the number of drinks one has. Therefore, the master of the banquet says,  “…Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” John2:10NIV

It was an incredible miracle! The party hosts went from being shamefully disgraced because they had no wine, to having 120 gallons or more of the best wine. I don’t know how long the party was going to last or how many guests they had, but just visualize 120 gallons of the best wine. What an abundant blessing!

John has given us clues that something deeper is going on with this presentation of the sign Jesus did. The statement, “My hour has not yet come,” and the description of the water pots, “six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing,” tells us that something deeper is going on here.

On one level John is presenting the actual event, but on a deeper level he is comparing the Old Covenant with it ceremonial washings and sacrificial system to the new thing Jesus is doing now. The old wine was running out but the new wine was better and abundant! God had saved the best till now!

It reminds me of another time Jesus was talking about wine. “Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” Matthew9:17NIV  A similar thing is going on here… talking about one thing with a deeper spiritual meaning behind it.

Thank God for the signs and wonders that Jesus performed, showing he was and is the Son of God! Thank God for the reality that we live in, where God saved the best till now!

Prayer:

Jesus, thank you for the signs and wonders you did to prove you were God’s son. Thank you for your abiding Spirit in my life abundantly proving to me on a daily basis that you love me and you are with me. Amen.

December 7, 2022 – Luke 24 – The Reality of the Risen Lord Jesus Christ

Exodus 18, Luke 24, 2 Corinthians 8

There are so many interesting things to see in Luke 24. For instance, the encounter on the road to Emmaus. In this interaction between Jesus and two of his followers, Jesus explains to them and us where to look for confirmation that he is the Messiah and that all that was supposed to happened to him was planned by God. He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. Luke24:25–27NIV

What happened, his suffering, death, and resurrection, was planned and announced in the Old Testament beginning with Moses (the first five books of the Old Testament) and the Prophets. This idea is repeated when Jesus is later gathered with the eleven disciples. He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Luke24:44NIV  Here he also includes the Psalms as a place to look to see what God had long ago planned for Jesus to accomplish as the Messiah.

Essentially, the Old Testament gives us a deeper understanding of Jesus. Presenting him, and the Father’s plan for him, in prophecies and prefigurations. This gives us a greater appreciation for Jesus and these sacred Scriptures.

Another, interesting thing is the care Jesus took to show the disciples he was real and not some hallucination or ghost. In both encounters with his followers, in the simple act of having a meal together he revealed himself to them. With the two heading to Emmaus, he broke bread similar to Holy Communion, and served them and they realized who he was. We should also see from this, that Jesus reveals himself to us as he is offered to us in the sacred mystery of Holy Communion.

When he was with the eleven disciples, he showed them his hands and feet. They were still in disbelief. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. Luke24:41–43NIV

God went to great lengths to confirm that Jesus was the Messiah through prophecies and prefigurations in the Old Testament. Jesus went to extraordinary lengths to prove to his disciples he was really alive and that all the things that had happened were God’s plan.

God is still going to great lengths. We have the Scriptures. We have the presence of God, the Holy Spirit, convincing us of this reality and showing up in our lives in ways that can only be explained as supernatural. We have the witness of the church, how God responds to the prayers of his people, and the celebrations of God’s supernatural working in the lives of others.

God has gone to great lengths to predict and confirm the reality of the risen Lord Jesus Christ! There is so much evidence, to miss it, we would have to intentionally turn a blind eye.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank you for the prophecies and prefigurations of your son in the Holy Scriptures. Thank you Lord Jesus, for the care you took in presenting yourself alive to your disciples. Lord, thank you for the care you take in presenting the reality of your resurrected self to us today. Help me to behold you with joy and amazement everyday! Amen

November 28, 2022 – Resurrection Reality

Exodus 9, Luke 15, 1 Corinthians 15

In 1 Corinthians 15, the Apostle Paul is explaining a key concept of our faith to the Corinthians. He is not explaining the teachings of Jesus that run counter culture. He is not explaining being saved by grace through faith. The key concept he is explaining is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Paul is one of the earliest writers in the New Testament Canon. He is explaining to the Corinthians that Jesus’ resurrection is a fact. It is the fact that everything of our faith hangs on. “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,” 1 Corinthians15:3–4NIV

As proof of this fact, he lists witnesses who had seen the risen Lord Jesus Christ. “…he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.” 1 Corinthians15:5–8NIV

After presenting witnesses to the fact of the resurrection of Christ, Paul describes our reality without the resurrection. “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” 1 Corinthians15:14NIV  Why would the Apostles Preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ (that he died for our sins and was raised) if Jesus hadn’t been raised? Tradition tells us that all of the Apostles except John were martyred. John was exiled on the Island of Patmos. If your preaching could cost you your life or freedom, why preach that Jesus died for sins and rose again if it wasn’t a fact?

Paul continues, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” 1 Corinthians15:17NIV  If Christ was just a good teacher, who was martyred and didn’t rise from the dead, our sins haven’t been forgiven. We are not right with God, who alone is Holy. We are still under God’s judgment and wrath if Christ didn’t rise. There is no notion of God with us because we are still separated from God if Jesus was not resurrected. Taking all of these things into consideration, the fact of Jesus’ resurrection is vitally important to our faith.

Resurrection also is vitally important to us as we consider those we love who have died. Because of the fact of resurrection we believe they are alive with Christ. However, if resurrection weren’t a reality, according to Paul, “Then those also who have fallen asleep [died] in Christ are lost.” 1 Corinthians15:18NIV They are gone forever.

If resurrection were not a fact, we would be the world’s biggest fools. Paul says, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” 1 Corinthians15:19NIV  If there is no resurrection        , we should grab all we can out of this life and leave what we can to our posterity. If there is no resurrection, they will be all that left of us when we die… our name and what we left for them.

Thank God Scripture, tradition, reason, and our own experience with the presence of the risen Lord Jesus tells us that resurrection is a fact. It is hope for us in this world, and in the world to come!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for dying for my sins. Thank you that death wasn’t the end of the story, Your resurrection is the fact that my hope hangs on. Help me to boldly witness to the reality of resurrection that your Spirit confirms in my life. Amen.