7 Easter - Sunday

first posted 05/22/04

Exodus 3:1-12    The Burning Bush
Hebrews 12:18-29    God is a consuming fire
Luke 10:17-24    Jesus reveals God to us

After killing an Egyptian who was abusing an Israelite (Exodus 2:11-15) Moses had fled into the wilderness and was tending the flocks of his father-in-law, Jethro, when God called him to lead his people out of bondage to slavery in Egypt. Moses was tending the flocks near Mt. Horeb (Sinai), the mountain of God, when the angel (Spirit) of the Lord appeared to Moses in a flame of fire in a bush which was burning but was not consumed by the flame. When Moses turned aside to see this phenomenon, God called to Moses out of the burning bush and told him to remove his shoes, because the ground on which he stood was holy.

God revealed himself to Moses as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Moses’ forefathers. Moses was afraid to look at God. The Lord told Moses that he had seen the affliction of the Israelites, and had called Moses to deliver them from the Egyptians and lead them out to the land which God had promised to Abraham to give them.  The Lord told Moses to go to Pharaoh to accomplish the Israelites’ release. Moses asked God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt” (Exodus 3:11)? God told Moses “But I will be with you” (to bring this about; Exodus 3:12a). God told Moses that as confirmation of this promise, Moses would serve God upon Mt. Horeb when he had led the people out of Egypt.  

The New Covenant of Faith through Jesus Christ is contrasted with the Old Covenant of Law through Moses. Christians have come to a relationship with God that us not like the relationship the Israelites had with God. Under the Old Covenant of Law their relationship was one of fear; God was a blazing fire; an unbearable voice.  God is holy, and they were forbidden to draw near and come into contact with God on penalty of death. But through Jesus, we have been cleansed and made perfect. We are invited into God’s presence, to share in joyful festivities in the heavenly Mt. Zion.

Apart from Jesus we all share in the condemnation and sentence of death brought about by our sinful human nature, illustrated by Abel’s blood shed by Cain; we all share Cain’s nature (Romans 3:23). But Jesus shed his blood for us on the Cross, as a sacrificial offering for our sins (Romans 5:8; Hebrews 9:22-28). All those who trust and obey Jesus receive the forgiveness of their sins through Jesus’ blood, which established the New Covenant (Luke 22:20).

God is calling us in Jesus as he called Moses in the burning bush. Let us not refuse him.  Let us learn from God’s record in the scriptures of his dealings with the Israelites. The consequences of their disobedience were physical death and earthly separation from God; the consequences of our disobedience will be spiritual death and eternal separation from God. At Horeb God’s voice shook the earth; the Lord’s voice will shake the earth once again, and heaven too, on the Day of Judgment. On the Day of Judgment everything that can be shaken will be destroyed; only what is unshakable (faith in Jesus) and eternal will remain.  “Thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29).

Jesus had appointed seventy of his followers to go ahead of him to prepare the people for Jesus’ coming (Luke 10:1-12). The seventy returned, rejoicing that they had authority even over demons in Jesus’ name. Jesus told them to rejoice that their work for the kingdom confirmed that they were truly saved. Jesus rejoiced, in ecstatic expression through the Holy Spirit, that God reveals his wisdom and his mysteries to the innocent and pure, while hiding them from those who are considered wise and understanding by worldly standards.

God has given all authority to Jesus. Only God truly knows who Jesus is, and only Jesus knows God. Only through Jesus is it possible for us to know God, because Jesus has the sole authority, power and discretion to reveal God to whom he chooses (Luke 10:22; John 14:6). Jesus told his disciples to rejoice that they had seen the coming of the Kingdom of God in Jesus Christ. Many prophets and leaders of the people had desired to see the coming of the Messiah and had not lived in the day of the fulfillment of the prophecy.

God called Moses in the flame of fire in the bush, in the wilderness. As Moses heeded God’s call and obeyed in faith, God promised to be with Moses to empower him to accomplish the work of bringing God’s people out of the bondage of slavery and death in Egypt, and to lead them into the Promised Land God promised to give to his people. Moses trusted and obeyed God’s instructions, and God fulfilled his promises.

Pharaoh did ultimately let the Israelites go; God’s Spirit led them through the wilderness in a pillar of fire by night (and a pillar of cloud by day; Exodus 13:21). This is a picture of what God wants to do with us.  God calls us by his Holy Spirit. As we turn aside from our daily routines and respond to his call in faith and obedience, he goes with us and empowers us to accomplish the work he calls us to do. Spirit-filled believers are called to lead lost people out of slavery to sin and death into the Promised Land of eternal life through Jesus Christ.  

Apart from Christ we are all under God’s condemnation. All have sinned and fall short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23) The penalty for sin is eternal death and separation from God (Romans 6:23) There is a Day of Judgment coming, when all who ever lived will be held accountable to God for their deeds (John 5:28-29). Those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus will receive eternal life in Heaven with the Lord; those who have rejected Jesus and have refused to obey him will receive eternal death and eternal destruction in the hell of fire (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).

For the lost our God will be a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). But for those who are in Jesus Christ, we have been forgiven and reconciled to God. We no longer need to fear God’s consuming wrath; instead we have the joy of fellowship with him through his Holy Spirit, and the assurance that we have eternal life in heaven with our Lord.

The “seventy” were disciples of Jesus Christ. They were true followers of Jesus, because they trusted and obeyed Jesus’ instructions. Jesus called, led and empowered them for ministry in building the kingdom of God. God’s Spirit worked through them to give them power and authority even over demons. Their Spirit-anointed ministry was the “sign” of their salvation; they were “serving God on the mountain top” (Exodus 3:12) as the sign that they were in Christ Jesus.

Moses prefigures the Christ; he is God’s earthly illustration of what Jesus does for us spiritually. Believers have been led out of sin and death into the heavenly kingdom by Jesus, who in turn calls his disciples to lead other as Moses led the Israelites. If we will take time from our earthly routines to listen to the call of God’s Spirit, and trust and obey, God promises to be with us to enable us to fulfill his calling to ministry in his kingdom through the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit.

We cannot fulfill God’s will and ministry without the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The manifestation of the Holy Spirit in our lives will show that we are truly disciples of Jesus Christ and that we have been saved. Is Jesus your Lord? Are you truly Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Do you have a personal fellowship with Jesus? Have you received the Holy Spirit since you first believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you bearing the fruit of a Spirit-anointed ministry? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity?

7 Easter - Monday

Joshua 1:1-9    Called to Conquer
Ephesians 3:1-13    Ministry of the Gospel
Matthew 8:5-17    Faith in Jesus’ Authority

After Moses’ death, Joshua, Moses’ assistant, was called by God to conquer the land which God had promised to give to Israel. The entire generation which had disobeyed God’s call to conquer the land 40 years earlier had died in the wilderness. The boundaries of the Promised Land were: the Jordan River on the east, the Mediterranean Sea on the west, the Lebanon Mountains and Syria on the north, and the wilderness on the south.

God promised that he would be with Joshua as he was with Moses, and give them victory. God promised never to fail or forsake them. Joshua was to be strong and courageous, because it was God’s will that he would cause God’s people to inherit the land which God had promised to their forefathers. God’s requirement was that they were to obey God’s word and do all that God commanded. They were to meditate on God’s word daily, so that they would know it and be able to do everything in accord with God’s word, because that is the only way to succeed. The Lord promised to be with them wherever they went.

Paul was writing to the Ephesians while he was in prison for proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. Paul testified that he had received by revelation from the Holy Spirit, his insight into the mystery of God’s plan of salvation for all people, Gentiles as well as Jews, through Jesus Christ. This insight is available to all born-again, spirit-anointed believers. Paul was commissioned by God to be a minister of this Gospel of salvation through the Holy Spirit working through him, despite Paul’s feeling of unworthiness because of his prior persecution of Christianity.

His ministry was to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, and to make known, to all men, God’s plan of salvation, so that through the Church the comprehensive and diverse wisdom of God might be manifested throughout the universe, in accordance with God’s eternal purpose which was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. So we can have boldness and confidence of access to God through our faith in Jesus Christ. Paul didn’t want believers to be discouraged by Paul’s suffering in order that they could share in Christ’s glory.

As Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion (a Roman soldier) came to him and asked him to heal the centurion’s servant, who was paralyzed and in great distress. Jesus offered to come to the centurion’s home to heal the servant, but the centurion acknowledged that he was unworthy to receive Jesus in his home. The centurion expressed faith that Jesus had the authority to heal the servant by Jesus’ word.

Jesus commended the centurion for his faith, and said that many (Gentiles) from all over the world would have fellowship in the kingdom of God, while many biological heirs to the kingdom through Abraham (Jews) would perish because they did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus told the centurion to go his way; that it would be done for him as he had believed. The centurion’s servant was healed at that very hour.

A whole generation of the congregation of God’s people (Israel) perished in the wilderness because they had not trusted and obeyed God’s command to conquer the land which God had promised to give them. Others received the promise instead, because they believed and obeyed. The Lord expected them to know and meditate on God’s word daily, so that they would be able to do everything in accordance with God’s will.  The Lord promised that he would be with them and would empower them and give them success in their ministries for his kingdom.

The Lord was with Paul and empowered and prospered Paul’s ministry of the Gospel for the building of the kingdom of God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who gave Paul insight into the mystery of God’s plan of salvation for all people. Paul felt unworthy because of his prior persecution of the Church of Christ, but through the grace (free gift; unmerited favor) of God in Jesus Christ, Paul was forgiven, cleansed, made worthy, and empowered for ministry in Jesus’ name by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, because Paul had responded to God’s call in faith and obedience.

The centurion realized that he was unworthy of Jesus, but he responded to Jesus in faith and obedience, and received the healing he requested which only Jesus can provide. Jesus pointed out that it is not those who are born into the congregation – “the faith” - that are saved; it is those, inside and outside of the congregation who respond to Jesus in faith and obedience who receive the spiritual healing and salvation which only Jesus can offer.

This is a warning to nominal “Christians” (i.e. those who call themselves Christians, but who do not know and obey God’s word in their daily lives) as well as unbelievers. Salvation is not merely by church membership. Many “church members” will perish because they have not trusted and obeyed God’s word in their daily lives. Many “church members” will be condemned, along with unbelievers, because although they named the name of Jesus they did not trust him enough to do what he taught in their daily lives.  Believers are called by God to conquer the world by the Gospel in Jesus name, by the power of the Holy Spirit within them. Paul is our example of the modern, post-Resurrection Christian (those disciples who did not know Jesus during Jesus’ earthly ministry).

Believers are called and empowered by the Holy Spirit to the ministry of the Gospel just as Paul was called and empowered. We may well feel unworthy, but through trust and obedience and the infilling of the Holy Spirit we will succeed. The Lord has promised to be with us and to cause us to prevail. It isn’t by church membership that we receive the promises of God; we must appropriate those promises by acknowledging Jesus’ authority through faith and obedience to his word.

Is Jesus truly your Lord? Have you acknowledged Jesus’ authority in your life? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Do you have a personal fellowship with Jesus? Have you read the entire Bible? Do you spend time reading and meditating on God’s word regularly each day? Have you received his Holy Spirit since you first believed (Acts 19:2)? Have you sought the gift of the Holy Spirit? Are you bearing fruit in the ministry of the Gospel and the building of the kingdom of God? Are you concerned enough about your lost "brothers and sisters" that you are willing to endure some personal discomfort in order to bring them to glory in the kingdom of God? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

7 Easter - Tuesday

first posted 05/24/04

1 Samuel 16:1-13a   Anointed with the Spirit of the Lord
Ephesians 3:14-21    Strengthened through his Spirit
Matthew 8:18-27    Jesus calms the storm

The Lord had anointed Saul as king of Israel. Saul was successful militarily but he was not obedient to God’s word; he rejected the Lord’s commands so the Lord rejected Saul from being king, and commanded Samuel to anoint a new king from the sons of Jesse the Bethlehemite. Samuel was afraid of Saul’s reaction to Samuel’s personal disloyalty to him, but the Lord provided a plan avoid Saul’s anger: Samuel was to carry out the anointing on the pretext of offering the sacrifice of a heifer to the Lord in Bethlehem. The Lord promised to show Samuel what he was to do, and to reveal to Samuel the one the Lord wanted him to anoint.

Samuel did as the Lord instructed. He consecrated and invited Jesse and his sons to the sacrifice. When they came before Samuel, Samuel though that surely the Lord would anoint Eliab, who was the tallest and best looking of the sons of Jesse before him, but the Lord told Samuel that, unlike men, the Lord judges not on outward appearances, but on the inner character of the heart. Jesse had each of his sons pass before Samuel and the Lord selected none of them. So Samuel asked Jesse if all his sons were present.

Jesse replied that the youngest was tending the flocks, so Samuel asked Jesse to have him brought before him, saying that they could not proceed without him. When he came Samuel saw that he was tan and handsome and had beautiful eyes. The Lord confirmed that this one, David, was to be the Lord’s anointed, so Samuel “anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him from that day forward” (1 Samuel 16:13 RSV).

Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian believers was that they might be strengthened and empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit; that Christ might dwell in their hearts through faith, so that they might know, along with all the saints, the height, depth and breadth of Christ’s love, which surpasses knowledge; that they might be filled with all the fullness of God. Paul pronounces his benediction on that prayer, expressing glory to God, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for his limitless generosity and power to accomplish much more than we can even begin to imagine!

After word of the healing of the centurion’s servant and the healings at Peter’s house (Matthew 8:5-16), Jesus decided to cross to the east side of the Sea of Galilee by boat to avoid the crowds of people seeking physical healing. A scribe came to Jesus and offered to follow him where ever Jesus went, but Jesus told him that although even wild animals have homes, the Son of man had none. Another of his disciples asked Jesus for permission to first bury his father; but Jesus told him to leave those who are spiritually dead bury the dead.

Jesus got into the boat, and his disciples followed him. A great storm arose on the sea, and the boat was being swamped by the waves, but Jesus was asleep. They went to Jesus and woke him, saying that they were perishing. Jesus asked them why they were afraid and of little faith. Then Jesus “rose and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him” (Matthew 8:26b-27).

The Lord had anointed Saul to be king of Israel, but Saul was not obedient to God’s word, so God removed his anointing from Saul, and had David anointed to take Saul’s place. Saul had great worldly power, but he was unable to prevent or avoid God’s judgment. The Lord had promised Samuel that the Lord would reveal his chosen one to Samuel as he carried out the Lord’s instructions.

When Samuel had apparently done what the Lord had told him and the Lord seemingly hadn’t yet indicated whom Samuel was to anoint, Samuel didn’t go ahead and act on his own judgment! Instead, he sought more information, and he waited until the Lord had clearly indicated his will; Samuel waited for the Lord to fulfill his promise. The Lord judges us not by outward appearances, but by the inner character of our hearts.

The Lord knows what is in our hearts; he does not pour out the gift of his Spirit upon those who try to look like Christians on the outside, without having humbled themselves and allowing Jesus to change their hearts on the inside. When Samuel anointed David, the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day on. What Samuel did in anointing David, Jesus offers to do for each one of us.

That’s what Paul wanted for the Church at Ephesus; for the Spirit of the Lord to come mightily upon each believer from that day on! Paul wanted each member to have a personal fellowship with Jesus through his indwelling Holy Spirit, strengthening and empowering them. Paul knew from personal experience the power, grace, love and generosity of God, and believed in God’s unlimited power to accomplish what he promised.

A scribe wanted to be a follower of Jesus, but Jesus warned the scribe that he might have to give up some physical comfort and material possessions to do so.  One of Jesus’ followers wanted time off to bury his father, but Jesus told him, “Follow me; and leave the dead…” (i.e., obedience to Jesus must take precedence over worldly affairs).  Jesus told him to let the spiritually dead (those who were not alive to - not aware or open to hearing - the call of the kingdom of God in Jesus Christ) to take care of such worldly details.

The disciples’ call was to offer eternal life through the Gospel of Jesus to those who were open to receiving it, rather than to attend to the physically or spiritually dead. Jesus’ true disciples were the ones that followed Jesus into the boat (and into the storm; Matthew 8:23). The disciples survived the storm because Jesus was in their boat with them! They were able to call upon him in time of need. There is no problem which can arise that Jesus cannot handle, if we trust and obey him.

Jesus is God’s anointed (Messiah and Christ mean “anointed” in Hebrew and Greek, respectively). Jesus is the “Son of David,” born in Bethlehem, of the house and lineage of David (Luke 2:4-7); and the heir to the throne of David (2 Samuel 7:11c-16). Samuel was the priest of God who prefigures Jesus, our great high priest who baptizes with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11; John 1:33-34). The indwelling Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ.

Through the Holy Spirit, believers have personal fellowship with the living, resurrected Jesus. Through the Holy Spirit believers are strengthened and empowered to do the work of disciples. The Lord wants to pour out his Spirit upon us, but in order to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit we must be willing to trust and obey Jesus. Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus' disciple? Have you sought the gift of the Holy Spirit in faith and obedience? Have you received the Holy Spirit since you first believed (Acts 19:2)?

Wednesday, May 26, 2004

first posted 05/25/04

Isaiah 4:2-6    Jerusalem’s restoration
Ephesians 4:1-16   Unity in the Spirit
Matthew 8:28-34    The Gadarene demoniacs

In that day (when Jerusalem, the city of God, is restored, in the kingdom of God) the branch [the righteous remnant of the people of God, and also Jesus Christ (Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5)] of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious. Only the righteous and holy will remain in Zion and in Jerusalem; the Lord shall have cleansed the children of Zion from sin and guilt, “by a spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning” (Isaiah 4:4).

The Lord will be present among his people on Mount Zion. His presence is indicated by the cloud by day and fire by night as God was present with the Israelites in the wilderness by the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night (see Exodus 13:21-22). The Lord will protect his people from every trouble, like a canopy provides shade and protection from the heat and a refuge from storm and rain.

Paul was writing to the Ephesians during his imprisonment for proclaiming the Gospel. He urged them to conduct their lives with lowliness, meekness, patience, forbearance, and love, in a manner worthy of their calling in the Gospel. Paul urged believers to maintain unity and peace through their participation in the Holy Spirit. Believers are to be united in the one body of Christ and one Spirit, sharing in one hope, one faith, one baptism, one God and father who is the sovereign Lord of all things, even though we are diverse individuals and possess diverse spiritual gifts and ministries.

The diverse ministries of the Spirit are those of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. The purpose of the various ministries is to equip all believers for ministry and to build up the body of Christ, the Church, to spiritual maturity until all believers attain unity of faith, personal knowledge of the Son of God, and grow into the mature likeness of Jesus, so that we are no longer spiritually children, easily mislead and deceived by false doctrine and false teachers. We are to apply and practice the Gospel truth in love so that we grow up into the likeness of Christ who is the head of the Church. In an analogy to the human body, Christ is to be the head from which the entire rest of the body gets its direction and ability to move and grow, in an attitude of love.

Jesus had ordered his disciples to cross over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 8:18). To be truly his disciples, his followers had to obey his commands, they had to give up their own comfort, and leave worldly obligations behind (Matthew 8:19-22). They experienced storm and peril on the way (Matthew 8:24) but Jesus was with them and brought them through safely to the other side (Matthew 8:26-27).

When they reached the other side they encountered two demoniacs (people controlled by evil forces) so fierce that no one could pass that way. The demoniacs recognized and acknowledged that Jesus was the Son of God. They acknowledged that the period of time in which they were free to act in opposition to God’s will was limited (Matthew 8:29). They asked Jesus, if he was going to cast them out, to cast them into a herd of swine that was feeding nearby. Jesus did so.

Pigs were regarded as unclean and despised by Jews, but the pigs were horrified by the demons and rushed over a steep bank into the sea and drowned. When the herdsmen saw what had happened they fled (from Jesus) and went into the nearby town and told what had happened. The townspeople (who made their living raising pigs) came out to Jesus and begged him to leave their neighborhood.

Jesus is going to come again to judge everyone who has ever lived (John 5:28-29, Matthew 25:31-46). Those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus will be saved and receive eternal life in the new Jerusalem in God’s kingdom in heaven, but those who have rejected Jesus and refused to obey him will receive eternal death and destruction in Hell (2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).

In that day Jerusalem will be restored; only those who have been made righteous and holy by the blood of Jesus Christ, received by faith, will be the righteous remnant of God’s people. The children of God are those who have been cleansed by the indwelling Holy Spirit who convicts of sin, of righteousness and judgment (John 16:8; compare Isaiah 4:4). The Holy Spirit is the pillar of fire which leads his people through the wilderness of this world to the Promised Land of eternal life in the New Jerusalem of Heaven.

It is the participation in the Holy Spirit that unifies the Church. It is the Holy Spirit who calls and empowers with the gifts of the Spirit, making it possible for believers to carry out the ministry of the Gospel. All believers are called to be filled, empowered and led by the Holy Spirit so that they grow to spiritual maturity and accomplish the ministry of the Gospel. All believers are to apply God’s word daily in their lives so that they grow into the mature likeness of Christ.

The Holy Spirit is the presence of Christ within believers as we cross the sea of life following Jesus’ commands in faith and obedience. It is the Holy Spirit who calms the storms. Jesus makes it possible for us to be victorious in the face of evil forces. Not everyone will appreciate our ministries in Jesus’ name. The pigs of that village in the Gadarenes were brighter than their owners; they at least had the sense to attempt to flee from the evil forces cast out of the demoniacs.

The people of the village were not glad to see what had to have been a local public nuisance and hazard removed from their neighborhood. They weren’t glad that two human beings had been set free and restored to useful life. They didn’t welcome the Lord who could give them spiritual healing and eternal life; they sent him away. Jesus threatened their worldly existence. How will you respond to Jesus? It isn’t enough to acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God; even demons do that!

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you sought the anointing and the gifts of the Holy Spirit? Have you received the Holy Spirit since you first believed (Acts 19:2)? Have you come to a personal fellowship with Jesus through the indwelling Holy Spirit? Are you growing in spiritual maturity? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity?

7 Easter - Thursday

first posted 05/26/04

Zechariah 4:1-14    The golden lampstand
Ephesians 4:17-32   Renounce pagan ways  
Matthew 9:1-8    Healing a paralytic

Zechariah had a series of “night visions,” dialogs with God and an interpreting angel. In this fourth vision Zechariah saw a seven-branched lampstand with two olive trees beside it. The angel questioned Zechariah about what the vision meant, and Zechariah said he didn’t know. Then the angel spoke God’s word to Zerubabel: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts” (Zechariah 4:6b).

The angel also declared that by the Spirit of the Lord, Zerubabel would do unimaginably great things (Zechariah 4:7a), and that Zerubabel would “bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it’” (Zerubabel 4:7). The angel also declared that Zerubabel would lay the foundation of the temple and complete it. That day will be a great day; Zerubabel will be celebrated as a master builder (Zechariah 4:10). The seven lamps represent the all-seeing eyes of God. The two olive trees, the source of the oil for the lamps of the lampstand, are termed the Lord’s “anointed;” literally, “the sons of oil.”

Paul tells believers that we must no longer live as the Gentiles do, according to the ways of the world. The worldly live in the futility of their own minds because their understanding is darkened since they are alienated from God by their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have surrendered themselves to their carnal urges, eager to indulge in every form of uncleanness. That is not what Christ taught, and that isn’t the Gospel which the apostles transmitted to us.

Believers are to remove the old nature, like filthy, worn-out clothes, to adopt a new way of thinking, and to clothe ourselves in the new nature of true righteousness and holiness, which is the likeness of God. We are to quit practicing falsehood, and start being truthful with all, for we are all brothers and sisters of one another. We are not to allow anger to be unresolved by forgiveness. We are not to allow any opportunity for the devil to gain influence in our lives. The thief must give up stealing and become an honest worker; all should strive to be self-supporting and charitable in supporting those who are in need. We must stop speaking evil, and instead speak only what is good, upbuilding, and gracious. We are warned to “not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). We are to stop indulging in bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice, and instead practice kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness toward one another, as God in Christ has forgiven us.

Jesus’ healing of the demoniacs had been unappreciated and unwelcome among the Gadarenes (Matthew 8:28-34; see journal entry for yesterday, Wednesday, May 26, 2004), so he returned to Capernaum. A paralytic was brought to Jesus, and Jesus commended the faith of the paralytic and his friends. Jesus told the paralytic to be encouraged; that his sins were forgiven. Scribes standing nearby said to themselves that Jesus had blasphemed.

Jesus knew their thoughts, and he said to them “Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, “Rise and walk’?” (Matthew 9:5). Jesus told them he had chosen the more difficult option because it was important for people to know that Jesus had the authority on earth to forgive sins. Then Jesus said to the paralytic, “Rise, take up your bed and go home” (Matthew 9:8), and the paralytic did so. “When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God who had given such authority to men” (Matthew 9:8).

Zerubabbel (a descendant of the royal line of David) was the leader of the Israelites when they returned to the Promised Land from Babylon after seventy years of exile. He erected an altar and laid the foundations of the Second Temple on the ruins of the first Temple which had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. Jeshua (also called Joshua), the son of Jozadak, was high priest of the Jews under Zerubabbel. Both these figures were highly regarded in the restored Jewish community, and they both prefigure the Christ, who is both our King and our High Priest.

The lampstand represented the Temple and hence the Church (which has replaced the Temple). The Church is the source of light in this world. Jesus is the master builder who holds the plummet (plumb line) by which all people will be judged (see Lamentations 2:8; Amos 7:7-8; journal entry for Wednesday, April 7, 2004). Jesus is the keystone (cornerstone; capstone) of the church (Zechariah 4:7b). The Church cannot be spiritual light in this world and build the kingdom of God by physical strength or human effort. We must rely on the Holy Spirit.

In order for the Church to provide spiritual light for the world, believers, individually and collectively, must stop indulging in the ways of the world and start being obedient to Jesus’ teachings. Do we suppose that we can live like Gentiles all week and still be light in the world? …and not grieve the Holy Spirit?

Are we truly building the kingdom of God by the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, or are we attempting to build the Church in our own physical strength and human effort? Are we truly building the Temple of God or are we building our own “Country Club?” The presence of the Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that we are redeemed. If we do not have the seal of the Holy Spirit we do not belong to Christ! Is the Holy Spirit present among us, or has he departed and we haven’t even noticed?

Jesus has the power and the authority to forgive sins and heal those who come to him in repentance and faith. Healing occurs when we seek healing from Jesus in faith, and then do what he tells us (Matthew 9:6b-7). Is Jesus your Lord? Are you his disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Do you have a personal fellowship with the risen Jesus? Have you sought the anointing of the Holy Spirit? Have you received the Holy Spirit since you first believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you building the Temple of God in the leading and power of the Holy Spirit?

7 Easter - Friday

first posted 05/27/04

Jeremiah 31:27-34    The New Covenant
Ephesians 5:1-32    Exhortation to righteous living
Matthew 9:9-17    The call of Matthew

Jeremiah had prophesied the fall of Judah to the Babylonians. Here Jeremiah prophesies that as God had depopulated Judah by exile to Babylon, so God would restore and reunite Israel and repopulate the land again. In that day each individual will be accountable for his own actions. The Lord promised that he would create a new covenant with his people, not based on law, which the people had been unable to keep, but one written on their hearts. The Lord promised that under the new covenant, each of his people would have a personal knowledge and fellowship with the Lord, and their sins would be forgiven.

Believers are called to be imitators of God as children imitate their parents; believers are to love one another following the example of Christ’s love in giving himself as a sacrifice to God for us. We are to go so far to avoid immorality, impurity and covetousness that they are not even named among us. There is to be no vulgar talk or dirty jokes, but instead we are to focus on thanksgiving to God. No one who is immoral, impure, or covetous (idolatrous) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God; the wrath of God is upon those who do such things, so do not be deceived by empty assurances by false teachers to the contrary.

Believers are not to associate with those who do such things. We were all once in the darkness of sin, but now through faith in Jesus, believers are children of the light of righteousness; therefore we are to walk in righteousness, and bear the fruit of righteousness in all that is good, right and true, learning and doing what is pleasing to the Lord. We are not to participate in unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them to the light. Those things done in secret in darkness are too shameful even to mention.

We have been called to awaken from darkness and sleep, and to seek the light of Christ. So let us walk carefully, living our lives wisely, because the times are evil. Let us not be foolish, but instead understand what the will of the Lord is (and do it). Let us not be full of the spirits of debauchery and drunkenness, but be filled with the Holy Spirit, celebrating with psalms and hymns, praise and thanksgiving to God in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are to relate to others in submission to one another as to the Lord.

Wives are to reverence their husbands as the head of the household as Christ is the head of the Church. Husbands are to love their wives and sacrifice themselves for their wives as Christ loved and gave himself for the Church, cleansing the Church by the waters of Baptism. Husband and wife become one flesh in a way comparable to the union and fellowship believers have with Jesus Christ through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Husbands are to love their wives as they love themselves, and wives are to respect their husbands.

Jesus passed by the office of Matthew, a tax collector, called Matthew to follow him, and Matthew rose and did so. Matthew brought Jesus to his home for a meal, and Matthew’s friends, who were tax collectors and others who were regarded as sinners and outcasts of society joined them. When the Pharisees saw the sort of people Jesus was fellowshipping with, they criticized Jesus to his disciples. But Jesus responded that those who are healthy don’t need the services of a Physician; it is those who are sick who need him.

Jesus declared that he had come not to call the righteous, but sinners. Jesus also said that showing mercy to others is a more acceptable sacrificial offering to God than merely fulfilling the ritual offering required by the law. Disciples of John the Baptist asked Jesus why they and the Pharisees practiced fasting, while Jesus was not teaching his disciples to practice fasting. Jesus said that fasting was not appropriate as long as Jesus was with them in his earthly ministry; it was like a marriage celebration, and Jesus was like the bridegroom.

Jesus said that the time was coming when Jesus would be taken away from them (by his crucifixion) and that his disciples would fast in those days. Jesus gave an analogy of wine and wineskins to illustrate the kingdom of God. Jesus’ point was that the practice of John’s disciples and the Pharisees represent the old covenant and is valid in that context. The practice of Jesus’ disciples represents the new covenant and is equally valid in its context. The two ways should not be merged.

Judah was carried off to exile in Babylon because she did not obey God’s word and heed the warning of the prophets. After seventy years in exile the Lord did restore and bring back a remnant of the people to the Promised Land. The history of God’s dealing with Israel is also a parable and a prophesy applying to the Church today, and to God’s eternal kingdom. In Jesus Christ God is restoring and repopulating his heavenly Promised Land. In Christ God is leading a remnant back from exile in a land of bondage to sin and death.

There is a Day of Judgment coming when each person will be held accountable to God for his actions. In Jesus, God has established a new covenant not based on obedience compelled by penalty of law, but motivated by love out of gratitude for the gift of forgiveness which all can receive through faith in Jesus. The Lord’s promise that his people would have personal knowledge and fellowship with him is being fulfilled through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon those who trust and obey Jesus.  

The Lord gives the Holy Spirit to those who will walk in obedience to him (Isaiah 42:5e). We are to seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18b). In a way comparable to marriage union, we have union and fellowship with Jesus through his indwelling Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:31-32). We cannot expect to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit while we are living in disobedience to God.

Jesus came to call sinners to repentance. We’re all sinners; all have fallen short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23). But only those who recognize their sinfulness are able to receive the forgiveness and salvation only Jesus can offer. Those who think that they’re righteous apart from Jesus Christ are not forgiven. The sacrifice that pleases God is our sacrifice of ourselves, in love for others, which is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ and his indwelling Holy Spirit.

The Church as individual members and also as the collective body of Christ is called to call sinners to repentance and faith in Jesus. Believers are called to ministry in the world, but not to be conformed to the standards of the world. Often it seems like we have gotten it backwards. Church people don’t want to associate with those we consider sinners in the world, but live according to the world while considering ourselves righteous.

Instead of going out into the world to call sinners to righteousness, we tolerate sinfulness and unrighteousness within our churches! Is Jesus your Lord? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Do you have a personal fellowship with Jesus? Have you received the Holy Spirit since you first believed (Acts 19:2)? Have you sought the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit? Are you bearing fruit for the kingdom of God? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

7 Easter - Saturday

first posted 05/28/04

Ezekiel 36:22-27    A new heart and a new spirit
Ephesians 6:1-24    The whole armor of God
Matthew 9:18-26    Raising Jairus’ daughter

The Lord declared through Ezekiel that he was about to act to vindicate his holy name among the nations; the name which God’s people had caused to be profaned among the nations. The Lord declared that he would gather his people from among the nations where they had been scattered and bring them into their own land. The Lord declared that he would cleanse his people from all uncleanness and idolatry. The Lord declared that he would give his people a new heart and put a new spirit within them; the Lord would put his spirit within them and cause them to walk in obedience to God’s will and commands.

Children are to obey their parents. It is the fifth of the Ten Commandments, the first that contains a promise “that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth” (Ephesians 6:3; see Deuteronomy 5:16). Fathers are not to provoke their children but to bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Slaves and servants are to obedient to their masters as to the Lord, not just adopting the appearance of obedience, but truly serving in obedience from the heart, knowing that the Lord will reward their good behavior. Masters should treat their slaves and servants well, knowing that the Lord is their master and that he shows no partiality (repaying everyone according to their deeds).

Christians are to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might” (Ephesians 6:10). We must put on the whole armor of God in order to be able to withstand the devil. We are soldiers in a spiritual battle against the organized forces of evil, against the rulers of this present world.  Therefore let us put on the whole armor of God so that we can withstand and prevail. Truth is our loincloth, righteousness our breastplate. The Gospel of peace equips our feet to go forth; the shield of faith deflects the flaming darts of the evil one. Salvation is our helmet; the Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. We are to pray at all times in the Spirit, keeping alert and persevering in supplication for all the saints, that we may be given utterance and boldness to proclaim the Gospel mightily. Paul concludes with personal comments and a benediction.

A ruler of the synagogue (Jairus; see Mark 5:22; Luke 8:41) came to Jesus and said that his daughter had died, but asked Jesus to come and lay his hands on her, believing that if Jesus did so she would be restored to life. Jesus followed him, and on the way a woman who had suffered a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of Jesus’ garment, believing that if she did so she would be healed. Jesus turned to her and told her to take heart; that her faith had healed her. (Jesus perceived that he had been touched in faith and that power had gone forth from him.) When they got to Jairus’ house, he told the mourners to leave, because the girl was not dead but sleeping, and they laughed at him. Jesus went inside and took the girl by the hand and she arose. News of this miracle spread throughout the district.

Ezekiel’s prophecy originally applied to the fall of Jerusalem in 587 B.C. E. and exile in Babylon. The prophecy of restoration was originally fulfilled when the exiles returned to Jerusalem seventy years later. God’s word is eternal; it applies not only to a single event in history. God uses the events of his historical dealing with Israel as an illustration and a parable of what he his doing today. The ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy began with outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus Christ on the first Pentecost of the Christian Church (Acts Chapter 2), and will climax in the gathering of his people into the eternal New Jerusalem in Heaven. Only Jesus Christ baptizes with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11; John 1:32-34). Through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ disciples’ hearts are transformed and renewed, and they receive the Spirit of the Lord within them to guide and empower them.

Believers are to raise their children to be obedient to their parents and to train them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.  Believers are children of our heavenly Father; are we obedient to our heavenly Father? Are we learning the discipline and instruction of the Lord? Are we passing that on to our children? We are to be servants of the Lord. Are we serving the Lord from our hearts, or are we merely trying to look good in the eyes of others? Do we believe and realize that the Lord will reward us impartially according to what we have done? Christians are to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. The Word of God is our weapon and our means of defense. Do we know the Bible? Have we read the entire Bible? Do we read the Bible daily? The Holy Spirit is the essential equipment. We cannot do the work of the Gospel in our own human strength. Those who do not have the Spirit of Christ do not belong to him (Romans 8:9b; see also journal entry for Sunday January 25, 2004)! Have we sought the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit?

Jairus’ received the resurrection of his daughter because he came to the only one who is the Lord of eternal life, Jesus Christ, in faith that Jesus would restore her to life. The woman with the hemorrhage received healing because she reached out in faith and touched the only one who is the Lord of healing, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. He knows what is in our hearts. He doesn’t give the Holy Spirit to those who will not be obedient to him (Isaiah 42:5e). If we want the baptism of the Holy Spirit we must come to him in faith and ask him for it, in commitment to walk in obedience to Jesus.

The Church is the New Israel. How are we doing? Are we following our Lord in obedience? Are we growing in discipline and instruction to spiritual maturity? Are we living in the world in ways that bring glory to the name of our Lord, or are we causing his name to be profaned among the people? Would you like a new heart and a new Spirit?

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Do you have personal fellowship with Jesus? Have you received the Holy Spirit since you first believed (Acts 19:2)? Have you sought the anointing of the Holy Spirit? Are you serving the Lord in the strength of his might?

Tomorrow is the Day of Pentecost, when the Church commemorates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Jesus Christ.