Category: Christ
Subject: Christ
Mining the Scriptures: Hebrews 3:1-2
The first 6 verses of Hebrews 3 compare and contrast Jesus with Moses. First, the comparison in verses 1-2.
We begin with identification of Jesus as the Apostle and High priest of our confession. Notice the definite article. He is ‘the’ Apostle — a delegate or ambassador. In these last days, Jesus was the One (the only One) sent to man by God. He is also the only High Priest of the New Covenant, of the order of Melchizedek, (cf. Hebrews 6:20). He is the only high priest needed. “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).
Like Moses, Jesus was “faithful to Him who appointed Him” (2). He Himself said, “I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me” (John 5:30). Moses was faithful as well, living his life in service to Jehovah. There are differences between the two, but as stewards, fulfilling God’s desire for them, they were certainly alike in their faithfulness to execute God’s will!
God’s Son – Chronology and Location
It is interesting to note what the scriptures say about where and when the Son of God has been. For example, from the beginning.
(John 1:1-2), “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.”
Sermon: Jesus’ Entry Into Jerusalem
Discussion and applications from Matthews account in Matthew 21:1-11. Jesus is Lord of Lords and King of Kings!
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Mining the Scriptures: Ephesians 1:22-23
A simple examination of the text. The pronouns regard God in the first instance, and His Son in the last three.
God gave Jesus a place of preeminence in the world. This is best demonstrated in the church, which is figuratively described as His body. As the head is to the body, so is Christ to the church. He is the authority, He is the guide, He is the director.
As the church (His body) does His will on earth, it accomplishes everything God intends. This is our purpose as we live here — do Christ’s will, and accomplish His purpose.
Another truth in the metaphor of the head and the body is that there is one of each. One head and multiple bodies is a monster. There is only one body, on church (cf. Ephesians 4:4).
One body with multiple heads is a monstrosity as well. For any to exalt themselves by taking authority that belongs to Christ is wrong. He has “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18).
Christ fulfills us completely. His power, goodness, might, love & preeminence empower us in all things (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Jesus Our Shepherd
Jesus lived in a pastoral society. The images He used to illustrate points were very well known to his listeners. Fortunately for us urbanites, they are simple figures, and easily understood even by us 2000 years later. For example, John records these words of the Lord, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers” (John 10:1-5). Continue reading “Jesus Our Shepherd”
Breakfast with Jesus
Continuing our discussion of Jesus’ words in John’s Gospel. We look at the 3rd occasion the Lord’s appeared to His disciples following His resurrection, and the evidences that prove He is our Messiah.
Jesus Christ – Done, Doing, Will Do
The lesson examines the ascension of Jesus, His present reign upon His throne, and His promise of a future return. All to benefit you and me!
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Mining the Scriptures: John 1:21-28
Our text continues a discourse between John and Jewish delegates sent, probably by the Sanhedrin. Who are you?! Apparently, John was making a name for himself among the people.
John was clear. He was not the Christ. It was not his purpose to take glory from God’s son, but to “Make straight the way of the Lord” (cf. Isaiah 40:3).
Less clear was his statement that he was not Elijah. His answer in the negative perhaps explained a superstition then present that the prophet would be revived to herald the coming of the Messiah. He was not the prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15, 18?). This passage is a reference to Jesus Himself, not a prophet who would precede Him. However, Matthew 17:10-13, Mark 9:11-13, and Luke 1:17 all make a connection of John the Baptist with Elijah. Luke saying that he would go before Jesus, “in the spirit and power of Elijah.”
Jesus was the significant and greater personage, and John’s efforts were to prepare the people of Israel to accept him.
Mining the Scriptures: Luke 1:39-45
In Luke 1:36, Elizabeth (an older woman) is identified as a relative of the virgin Mary. She had conceived in her old age, blessed by God, and would eventually give birth to John the Baptist.
Mary went to Elizabeth, and when they met, we are told, the babe leapt in Elizabeth’s womb. This is a strong pro-life passage. The word babe is from the Greek brephos and refers, depending upon the passage, to either an unborn child or a small child, an infant. Two things are noted in verse 41. The fetus was a baby, and the baby “leaped” indicating life. This is scripture and logical. Only God has the right to determine when life begins, not men. It seems here that the unborn child of Elizabeth is regarding by the Holy Spirit as being alive.
Elizabeth understood the significance of the visit. She called Mary, the “mother of my Lord” (43). She was honored by the visit.
Verse 45 indicates that Elizabeth recognized the faith of Mary. Mary believed what the angel said. Mary could be said to be the first to have faith in Jesus. Her life from that point on would be eventful!
Mining the Scriptures: Matthew 2:13-18
In this text we have an example of great inhumanity. Herod the Great, concerned that his position might be threatened, committed clear murder of innocent children. The purpose was to destroy what he perceived to be a possible rival. However, the parents of Jesus were warned by an angel of God, and escaped from Herod to Egypt. They remained there until Herod died. The date is not exactly known, as differing assumptions render the birth of Jesus in different years. However, the interval was not long, as Herod died soon after, and his son reigned in his place. Hosea 11:1 was fulfilled, a foreshadowing of the Lord’s time spent in that foreign land.
In the interim, Herod had all the male children of Bethlehem and the region who were at or below the age of 2 killed, in a paranoid attempt to destroy Jesus. Traditional estimates of 14,000 to 144,00 infants killed are no doubt wildly exaggerated. It was more probably between 12-40 children. Regardless, it was brutality. It was also a fulfillment of Jeremiah 31:15, causing great pain and agony to many.
John 56: Thomas – Seeing & Believing
A discussion of Jesus’ encounter with Thomas following His resurrection, ending with Thomas’s declaration, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus on the Cross
A discussion of the events of Jesus’ Crucifixion, and the words John recorded said by Jesus on that occasion.
Sermon: Pilate’s Limited Authority
(John 19:1-16) It is evident by Jesus’ statement in verse 11 of our text, that Pilate greatly exaggerated his own authority. All men only have authority granted to them by the Almighty Himself.
Sermon: Jesus Before Pilate
As we continue our series, we discuss Jesus’ conversation with Roman Governor Pontius Pilate, recorded in John 18.
Sermon: Jesus’ Questioning by the High Priest
Our 51st lesson in our series on Jesus’ Words in John’s gospel references the conversation Jesus had with Annas in John 18:19-24.
