The preeminent Christ

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Colossians 1-2; Psalm 13

TO CHEW ON: "And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence." Colossians 1:18

Don't our hearts just thrill to read Paul's deep, grand descriptions of Jesus in Colossians? Don't our imaginations get a workout as we try to understand His roles as creator, reconciler, head of the church, and more? I am so thankful for Paul who, early in the church age, not only grasped the theological implications of who Jesus was and did, but wrote these things down.

A sidebar article in my Bible is a compilation of the many ways that Paul describes Jesus as THE BEST in Colossians.

HE IS PREEMINENT:

In universal government
- the visible image of God - Colossians 1:15
- The agent of creation - Colossians 1:16
- The sustainer - Colossians 1:17
- The head of the church - Colossians 1:18

In reconciliation
- Reconciles us through His death - Colossians 1:21-22
- Lives in us as our hope of glory - Colossians 1:27

In wisdom and knowledge
- The source of all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge - Colossians 2:2-3
- Worldly philosophy does not conform to Him - Colossians 2:8

In religious observance
- We are alive in Him - Colossians 2:11-13
- No need for legalism and ritualism - Colossians 2:16-23


In Christian living
- The source of our new life is in Him - Colossians 3:1,3,4
- In Him we die to the power of sin - Colossians 3:3-5

("The Preeminent Christ" - New Spirit-Filled Life Bible, p. 1672.)

What a treasure we have in Jesus! He deserves all our adoration, worship and praise.

 Jesus the Very Thought of Thee




PRAYER: Dear Jesus, the thought that You, in whom are all the grand things above, would come to earth and die for me is amazing and wonderful. I think and praise You for the amazing God and Saviour You are. Amen. 

PSALM TO PRAY: Psalm 13

The Bible Project VIDEO: Colossians (Read Scripture Series)

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Exposed

TODAY'S SPECIAL: John 7-8; Psalm 106

TO CHEW ON: "Then Jesus spoke to them again saying, 'I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.'" John 8:12

The scribes and Pharisess who brought the adulterous woman to Jesus figure largely in many incidents in the gospels. My Thompson Chain Bible (NKJV) gives a simple description of them:

"Scribes: Writers or secretaries who copied the Scriptures.


Pharisees: A party among the Jews of Jesus' time that laid great stress upon the observance of rites and ceremonies. They made a pretense of superior piety and separated themselves from the common people. They were believers in the immortality of the soul, the resurrection of the body and the existence of angels and spirits" (p. 1939).

Most people of that day held the scribes and Pharisees in awe because of their showy saintliness. But not Jesus. And not the Gospel writers. Matthew, for example shows the Pharisees and scribes as:

• Not righteousness enough to get into the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 5:20).

• Murderous (Matthew 12:14).

• Insincere when they pretended to be on the verge of following Jesus if He would give them just one more sign (Matthew 12:38).

• Hypocritical when they tried to entrap others over transgressing the fine points of the law (like hand-washing) while they themselves transgressed the big points (like failing to honor parents) (Matthew 15:1-9).

• Conniving as they attempted to trap Jesus into saying or doing something they considered wrong (Matthew 19:3).

Today's story from John 8 shows them in just such a scheming mode. And though there was no question that the woman they hauled before Jesus was a sinner, He was masterful in staying out of their trap. When they insisted that she be stoned:

"He raised Himself up and said, 'Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.' Then He bent down and went on writing on the ground with His finger" - John 8:7-8.

Surprise of surprises, instead of picking up stones and getting to work they began, one by one, to leave. Why? Obviously each one was convicted of his own sin.

Some say that the source of their sin-conviction was what Jesus was writing on the ground — that he was listing their sins right in front of their eyes. But I believe it was His simple presence. For, Jesus' declaration of being the light of the world (John 8:12) follows the narrative as if it's the lesson or point of the story. Their slinking away showed that in the light of Him, each one became painfully aware of his own sin and knew he could not be the one to start the stoning.

Like the self-righteous Pharisees we too find it easy to categorize sin and stand in judgment over those whose sin is, in our eyes, worse than our own. Until, that is, we come into the presence of Jesus, the light, and see our own soiled selves.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, please keep me from being pharisaical and judgmental. Help me to view myself realistically and to treat fellow travelers with the same grace that I need. Amen.

PSALM TO PRAY: Psalm 106

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Available wisdom

Jesus teaches about paying taxes - Artist unknown

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Matthew 21-22; Psalm 91

TO CHEW ON: "When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way. … And when the multitudes heard this, they were astonished at His teaching." Matthew 22:22,33

The Pharisees were determined to trip up and silence Jesus. And they had the perfect way to do it. They would out Him as an enemy of Rome by getting him to declare Himself on the contentious issue of taxes.

To add clout and witnesses they took along their disciples—probably the brightest minds in Jerusalem—and some Herodians. The Herodians were a political party that sympathized with the Herods in their policies of governing and introducing new social customs into Jewish society.

But when the troupe got to Jesus and confronted Him, He saw right through their little scheme. Those pharisaic wolves, who had circled their prey and were licking their chops in anticipation of the take-down, were disappointed, while the surrounding crowd marveled at the wisdom of Jesus' answer (Matthew 22:17-21). The same thing happened to the Sadducees who tried to trap Him later (Matthew 22:23-32). For Jesus was wise.

• Isaiah prophesied Jesus' wisdom - Isaiah 11:2; 53:11.

• He was wise from childhood - Luke 2:40.

• He astonished all who heard Him, especially His neighbours - Matthew 13:54.

• The amazing thing is that His wisdom can be ours! In Colossians 2:3, Paul describes Christ as the One: "… in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Paul goes on to encourage his readers, "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in him … For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him" - Colossians 2:3-9.

Let's ask to receive His wisdom for all kinds of situations. And then let's move ahead in faith, acting on the answers He gives - James 1:5-8.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, I need the spirit of wisdom and revelation for everyday living as much as for special problems. I ask for Your wisdom today. Help me to trust and act on what You tell me through Your word and in prayer. Amen.

PSALM TO PRAY: Psalm 91

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Are you covered?

Image: Pixabay

TODAY’S SPECIAL: 2 Kings  15-17; Psalm 105

TO CHEW ON: “He spread a cloud for a covering…” Psalm 105:39

Psalm 105 is a praise poem recalling the ways God has helped Israel in the past. On the list is the cloud that accompanied Israel throughout their wilderness wanderings.

It was a cloud that served many purposes:

• It gave them direction, i.e. went before them telling them where to go. Exodus 13:21

• It stopped them. When the cloud came to rest, they were to stop and not move on again until the cloud lifted - Numbers 9:17-23.

• It gave them light at night, so they could travel by day or by night, to avoid the desert’s scorching heat - Numbers 13:21.

• It shielded and hid them when the Egyptians pursued them. It was dark on the Egyptian side but light on the Israelite side. Its presence gave them light and time to cross the miraculously dried up Red Sea at night while obscuring the Egyptian’s way - Exodus 14:19,20.

The psalmist calls it a “covering.”

God provided other coverings for people as well.

• He covered Adam and Eve with clothes, animal skin coverings after their disobedience stole their innocence form them (Genesis 3:21).

• His covering or protection is sometimes referred to as wings. The picture is of a mother bird sheltering her young (Psalm 57:1) or rescuing them (Deuteronomy 32:11). Boaz referred to God’s sheltering wings when he singled out Ruth with an invitation to glean in his field (Ruth 2:12).

• Bible writers also refer to God’s covering as a shelter or refuge from the elements of life and nature (Isaiah 25:4).

• And then there are all the references to God covering His people in pure, beautiful clothes—way nicer clothes than those skin tunics of Adam and Eve:

- Robes of righteousness and salvation (Isaiah 61:10).
- Beautiful embroidered garments (Ezekiel 16:10).
- “Best robes” - Luke 15:22.
- Wedding clothes - Matthew 22:11.
- White clothes - Revelation 7:9
- “Fine linen clean and bright” - Revelation 19:8.

Who would not welcome such covering? Sadly, not everyone. In our reading chapters from 2 Kings today, we see how Israel threw off God's covering by disobeying Him and turning to idol worship. Finally God was through with them. We read that God "... removed them from His sight... rejected all the descendants of Israel, afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of plunderers until He had cast them from His sight - 2 Kings 17:18-20.

Jesus wept over Jerusalem, the people who spurned God’s wings of covering with their rejection of His prophets, including the final One—Jesus the Son - Matthew 23:37-39.

He reprimanded the  lukewarm church of Laodicea for their delusions of needing nothing and counseled them to “'… buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich and white garments that you may be clothed that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed…'” - Revelation 3:17,18.

So, how do we put ourselves under God’s covering, under His protection, in His clothes? Revelation 3 continues on with this answer from Jesus Himself.

We invite Him into our lives: “'Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him and he with Me'” - Revelation 3:21.

Then we listen to His voice and follow Him.  Jesus again: "'My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand'" John 10:27,28. 

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, help me to live constantly under Your covering, in Your clothes. Please show me areas where self will, rebellion, laziness, self-deception, impatience, etc. leave me naked and vulnerable. Amen.

PSALM TO PRAY: Psalm 105

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Exploring Jesus' authority

Image: Pixabay

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Matthew 7:15-29

TO CHEW ON: “And so it was when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.”  Matthew 7:29

Oh, I wish I could have sat in on one of Jesus’ hillside lectures! Mathew puts his finger on at least one aspect of Jesus' appeal—the authority with which He taught. Our passage contrasts it to the scribes.

What was the scribe’s teaching like. The IVP New Testament Commentary says:

“Other Jewish teachers regularly cited earlier sages' opinions, and though later teachers sometimes came to regard their tradition as tantamount to God's Word, Jesus' contemporaries never would have claimed, like Jesus, that people would be judged according to how they treated their words.

With greater authority than the scribes who expound the law, greater authority than Moses who gave it (5:1), the authority indeed of the One who will judge humanity on the final day (7:21-23), Jesus declares God's word, and the people recognize that he speaks with authority unlike their other teachers” - IVP New Testament Commentary accessed through Biblegateway.com.

The word authority here is exousia. It means:
1. The power of choice - liberty of doing as one pleases.
2. Physical and mental power - the ability or strength with which one is endued.
3. The power of authority (influence) and of right (privilege).
4. The power of rule or government (the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed.

The lexicon I used to look up exousia lists other places in the Bible this word is used. I checked out the ones from the gospels and have tried to pair the times Jesus claimed or showed this authority with the various definitions:

1. Power of choice:

“'Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.'" John 10:17,18

2. Physical or mental power, ability or strength:

"Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, 'What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out'" - Luke 4:36

3. Power of authority (influence) and right (privilege): 

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name'" John 1:12 

"'For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man'" John 5:26,27.

4. Power of rule or government:

"Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?”
Jesus answered, 'You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin'” John 19:10,11

 Furthermore, Jesus gave His followers His authority:
- Over demons, disease and Satan’s power: 

"Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases" Luke 9:1.

"'Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you'" Luke 10:19.

- At Jesus' ascension, on the strength of His authority He commissioned His followers—us—to use that authority:

 "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.' Amen"  - Matthew 28:18-20.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, help me to experience Your authority coursing through me by the presence of the Holy Spirit to fulfill Your great commission. Amen.

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Under whose authority do we live?

 Jesus' authority extended over nature. 

(Image from Standard Bible Story Readers Book 2 

Used with permission)

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Luke 20:1-8

TO CHEW ON: “Now it happened on one of those days, as He taught the people in the temple and preached the gospel, that the chief priests and scribes together with the elders confronted Him and spoke to Him saying, ‘Tell us by what authority are You doing these things? Or who is it who gave You this authority?’” Luke 20:1,2

The religious leaders were justified, in their own minds, to challenge Jesus’ authority. As this IVP New Testament Commentary article points out:

“He has had no official training. He comes from Galilee, an area not known for its religious instruction or anything else of stature (John 7:52). He has never sat under a rabbi. Where does his authority come from? How can he justify the things he has been doing? This is really a fundamental question for the entire gospel (Luke 4:32,36; 5:24; 9:1; 10:19)” - IVP Commentary accessed through BibleGateway.com.

Jesus’ answer with another question was right in line with the back-and-forth discussion style of the day. (“This style of disputation was popular in the ancient world. It was designed to show who could ask the wiser question and expose the weaknesses in the opponent” - IVP Commentary).

His question (“’The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men?’”) accomplished several things:
- It equated the authority of His ministry with the authority of John the Baptist’s.
- It revealed the religious leaders as unwilling to believe that either John or Jesus came from God.
- It put them in a dilemma (Luke 20:5,6)
- It silenced them for now (but they would be back - Luke 20:19-22).

The claims of Jesus’ authority are still an issue today, to unbelievers and believers alike.

To unbelievers, His words, “‘You must be born again’” (John 3:7) are an affront to the human spirit, which is quite happy with its state.

To believers, His words: “‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily,and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it ‘“  (Luke 9:23,24) show how demanding living under His authority will be.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, when Your authority challenges my self-will, help me not to play mind games but to be honest with myself and deal with heart issues. Amen.

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

20 things about Jesus in Colossians

Jesus by the sea - Alexandre Bida

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Colossians 2:1-19

TO CHEW ON: "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily."  Colossians 2:9


"Colossians clearly portrays Jesus as superior to and preeminent over all things," writes Leslyn Musch in her Truth-In-Action Through Colossians commentary of my Bible. She says: "As you read this letter, look for all the things said about Christ" - Leslyn Musch, New Spirit-Filled Life Bible, p. 1671.

Let's take up her challenge and look for clues about Jesus in Colossians.

1. He has a kingdom. Paul refers to "the Kingdom of the Son of His (the Father's) love" - Colossians 1:13.
2. We are redeemed (bought back) through His blood - Colossians 1:14.
3. We have forgiveness of sins through His blood - Colossians 1:14. 
4. He is the image of the invisible God - Colossians 1:15.
5. He is the firstborn over all creation - Colossians 1:15.
6. He created everything in heaven and earth - Colossians 1:16.
7. He is before all things - Colossians 1:17.
8. In Him all things consist - Colossians 1:17.
9. He is the head of the body—the church - Colossians 1:18.
10. He is called the "firstborn from the dead" giving Him the preeminence - Colossians 1:18.
11. All the fullness dwells in Him - Colossians 1:19.
12. He reconciles all things in heaven and earth to Himself - Colossians 1:20.
13. In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily - Colossians 2:9.
14. He is the head of all principalities and powers - Colossians 2:10.
15. He makes believers alive together with Him - Colossians 2:13.
16. He disarmed and triumphed over principalities and powers - Colossians 2:15.
17. He is now sitting at the right hand of God - Colossians 3:1.
18. He will one day appear on earth again - Colossians 3:4.
19. He will reward those who fear Him and serve Him in obedience - Colossians 3:23,24.
20. He is a mystery - Colossians 4:3.

There is much to ponder and wrap one's head around here!  Musch says, "Let faith rise in you as you see the unsurpassed greatness of who Jesus is and all that He has accomplished on our behalf" - source as above.

Let's take that challenge into our day!

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, these many aspects of You boggle my mind. Please illumine my mind and heart to begin to understand Your greatness, Your loveliness, and Your preeminence. Amen.

MORE: Fairest Lord Jesus - sung by Ross Parsley

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The Holy Bible, New King James Version Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. - Used with permission.

Ultimate authority

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Luke 7:1-10

TO CHEW ON: " '…But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, "Go," and he goes; and to another "Come," and he comes; and to my servant "Do this," and he does it.'" Luke 7:7-8

We know intuitively that in order to get action on an issue—from better service in a store to a change n the laws of the land—we need to appeal to the people who have the authority to make those changes [authority - the right to command and to enforce obedience; the delegated right or power, authorization; the official or group having administrative control in a specific area].

In our story today, the servant of a Roman centurion begged Jesus, through Jewish friends of that centurion, to come to the home of his boss and heal his sick son. While Jesus was on the way, the centurion's friends came with a strange request. They asked Jesus, on behalf of their Roman friend, not to come, but instead to simply give the command to heal. The centurion's rationale: Just like he (a Roman solder with rank) had the power and authorization to get things done by simply commanding the soldiers under him, so he recognized that Jesus had authority over sickness: "Just say the word and my servant will be healed" he said. 

Jesus was impressed. This Gentile Roman soldier recognized something that evaded the Jews and especially their leaders. The Gospel writers got it though. Their writings are full of the many aspects of Jesus' authority:

• They reported that Jesus taught with authority (Mark 1:22).

• He took authority over crowds  and activities in the temple (Matthew 14:19; Matthew 21:12).

• He commanded evil spirits with authority (Luke 4:36).

• He demonstrated His authority over nature by stilling storms, multiplying food, healing people from sickness, and even raising them from the dead (Mark 4:37-39; Matthew 14:19-21; Mark 2:8-12; Luke 7:11-15).

• He had authority to forgive sins (Matthew 9:6).

• Jesus was aware of and declared His authority, as did God the Father (Matthew 28:18; Mark 9:7).

• The exciting part of all this is that we are implicated in Jesus' authority. On the basis of His authority, He sends us out to fulfill His great and final assignment (Matthew 28:18-20).

In the light of all this, two questions come to mind:

1. Do you and I recognize His authority over all the areas in which He demonstrated and declared that He had/has it? Do we really believe He has authority over nature, sickness, death? Do we claim His authority over sin and dark spiritual forces?

2. Do we let His authority operate in and through us? Do we speak, pray, and minister with authority?

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, You have all authority in heaven and earth. Help me to live every day under Your authority and as an agent of Your authority. Amen.

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Who says so?

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Galatians 1:1-12

TO CHEW ON: "But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ." Galatians 1:11,12.


Over the next several months we'll be reading all the way through Galatians. Today we'll start with a bit of background (information gleaned from the Introduction to Galatians in my New Spirit-Filled Life Bible authored by Jerry Horner).

Author: Paul

Date written: A.D. 55-56.

Recipients: A group of churches in a region of Asia Minor (not just once city) called Galatia. It included towns of Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe.

Occasion: After a meeting in Jerusalem (Galatians 2:1). Scholars aren't sure which meeting Paul referred to—the one described in Acts 11:27-30 or the one in Acts 15.

Purpose: Paul wrote to contradict prominent people in the Galatian churches who insisted that Christians must continue to observe parts of the law (like circumcision) to be assured salvation.

To truly understand the scope of the change Paul will be talking about in this letter, let's put ourselves in the place of his readers. Their only Bible was the Old Testament. In it practices like circumcision were required. But new development were being debated and promoted by the apostles. They contradicted some of the key teachings of Judaism, like the need for circumcision, the old food prohibitions, and the need for animal sacrifices.

And so we come to the question Paul's readers would legitimately ask: "Who says this changes now?"

The Bible subtly answers that:

1. The risen Jesus conducted a sort of Kingdom of God Ministry school for the disciples. During the 40 days (between His resurrection and ascension) He spent time with them "… speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God" - Acts 1:3; Luke 24:13-35, 44,45. So He may have planted the seeds of change during this teaching time.

2. Of course we read the experience of Peter and Cornelius in Acts 10, which led to changes in enforcing Jewish food rules and the acceptance of Gentile believers.

3. Here Paul, who was not one of the original twelve apostles (and so didn't hear Jesus' teachings first hand) made a bold claim. His assertion was that the teaching he was about to give them came through the revelation from Jesus Himself (Galatians 1:11,12). He doesn't say how that revelation came—a vision, a dream, an audible voice. But his claim alerted his readers to the fact that what followed should be taken seriously.

What about us today? Does Jesus still give people in our time new revelations of the gospel?
Through the centuries Christians have worked through this, and determined, No. We believe that revelation is completely contained within our 66 Bible books.

One of the requirements necessary for a writing to be included in the Bible was that it be the writing of an apostle. Wayne Grudem in his Systematic Theology chapter "The Canon of Scripture" says:

"It is primarily the apostles who are given the ability from the Holy Spirit to recall accurately the words and deeds of Jesus and to interpret them rightly for subsequent generations. … Furthermore, those who have the office of apostle in the early church are seen to claim an authority equal to that of the OT prophets" - Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, p. 60.

And so we trust the early church councils—groups of believers who determined which writings should be included in the canon of the Bible and believe that the Bible's revelation to us is complete and reliable.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the Bible, our standard for Christian life and practice. Thank You for all those who have preserved it, copied it, and translated it Amen.

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Obedience and understanding

Jesus teaching - Alexandre Bida

TODAY'S SPECIAL: John 7:16-31

TO CHEW ON: " ' If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on my own authority.' " John 7:17

Controversy and confusion swirl around Jesus here. Earlier in the chapter He has refused to go to the feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem at His brothers' suggestion (to attract followers), yet later He goes on His own but secretly.

In the middle of the feast week He begins to teach openly in the temple. When He suggests that some are plotting to kill Him, they say he's crazy ("You have a demon"). But what do others later murmur amongst themselves except, " ' Is this not He whom they seek to kill?' " - John 7:25.

He must be Christ the Messiah, proved by His wisdom, some say. But He can't be Christ, say others, for we know where He comes from. Will Christ do more miracles than this, though, still others, on the verge of belief, ask.

Jesus gives a clue to His listeners about how they can have assurance that He is indeed who He claims to be and that His teachings are reliable: " ' If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.' "

Notes on this verse in my Bible explain what He means by this:

"The teachings and claims of Jesus will be accepted by those who are intent on doing God's will" - Siegfried Schatzmann, notes on John, New Spirit-Filled Life Bible, p. 1456.

and

"Obeying Jesus is evidence that we love Him and are His disciples. Our obedience is vital to holy living. The Holy Spirit teaches us and gives us understanding of the Scriptures enabling us to obey the Lord.

Determine to obey the Lord. Align your will with His will" - Leslyn Musch, Truth-In-Action Through John, NSFLB p. 1483.

Jesus is saying obedience is the key to assurance and spiritual knowledge. I like how Oswald Chambers puts it:

"The golden rule for understanding spiritually is not intellect but obedience. If a man wants scientific knowledge, intellectual curiosity is his guide; but if he wants insight into what Jesus Christ teaches, he can only get it by obedience" - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, July 27 reading (emphasis added).

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, please help me to live and experience the connection between obedience and spiritual understanding. Amen.

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

One Way

TODAY’S SPECIAL: John 14:1-14

TO CHEW ON: “Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:6
 
If you have ever tried to find more than one way to the home of a friend who lives on a dead-end street, you will know the frustration. You circle around realizing by the numbers that your destination is very close. Yet streets don’t go through. Soon house numbers pass the one you are looking for and you know you've gone too far. The only solution is to find the one way that leads to your destination.

Jesus’ answer to Thomas’s question, “How can we know the way?” shows us we’re in a similar situation when attempting to find our way to God and heaven. Jesus’ reply, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me,” is a text we tend to quote as proof that Jesus is the only way to God. But in our current culture, we often feel squirmy when we do. For common wisdom—in Canada at least—is that there are many ways to God, it’s sincerity that really matters, and doing your best.

If you were asking directions to your friend’s house, whose directions would you follow, the person who told you, “I strongly believe this is how you get there. But it doesn’t really matter. You’ll get there in any case, no matter which route you take”? Or your friend, who knows the exact way because he has been there and has an intimate knowledge of the road in and out?

In the end it’s a matter of faith. Whose directions about how to come to God and get to heaven do we trust? The voice of common wisdom (which also happens to be the majority)? Or Jesus, who gave instructions on how to get there from the vantage point of someone who had already traveled the road and was familiar with the way (“And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to Myself that where I am, there you may be also”)? What a shame if, after we die, we find that we missed our destination because we didn’t follow the right directions.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank You for providing the way to God. Help me to be uncompromising in declaring You the way to my fellow travelers. Amen.

MORE: Today the church celebrates the Feast of Saint Philip and Saint James. Philip’s conversation with Jesus in today’s reading is part of the liturgy. It begins with this moving and powerful Collect prayer:

Almighty God, who gave to your apostles Philip and James grace and strength to bear witness to the truth: Grant that we, being mindful of their victory of faith, may glorify in life and death the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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The Holy Bible, New King James Version Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. - Used with permission.

Jesus: the One with authority to make things happen

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Mark 1:21-28


TO CHEW ON: "... for He taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes .... 'What is this? What new doctrine is this?For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey Him.'" Mark 1:22,27

We know that in order to get action on an issue—from better service in a store to a change in the laws of the land—we need to appeal to the people who have the authority to make or implement the changes we desire [authority = the right to command and to enforce obedience; the delegated right or power, authorization; the official or group having administrative control in a specific area"].

In our reading today, Mark uses the word authority twice in telling about how the people of Jesus' time described His ministry.

• He taught with authority - Mark 1:2.

• He commanded evil spirits with authority - Mark 1:27.

[The Greek word for authority used here is exousia.  It means: 1) power of choice, liberty; 2) physical and mental power; 3) the power of authority (influence) and of right (privilege); and 4) the power of rule or government—the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed.]

As we look at more of the stories of Jesus' time on earth, we see His authority in evidence all over the place.

• He took authority over crowds - Mark 14:9.

• He took authority over activities in the temple - Matthew 21:12.

• He took authority over nature by stilling storms (Mark 4:37-39), multiplying food (Matthew 14:19-21), healing people from sickness (Mark 2:8-12), even raising them from the dead (Luke 7:11-15).

• He was aware of and declared His authority (Matthew 28:18), as did God the Father (Mark 9:7).

• The exciting part in all this is that we are implicated in Jesus' authority. On the basis of His authority, He sends us out to fulfill His great and final assignment (Matthew 28:18-20).

Two questions come to mind:

1. Do you and I recognize His authority over all the areas in which He demonstrated and declared that He had/has it? Do we really believe He has authority over nature, sickness, death? Do we claim His authority over sin and dark spiritual forces?

2. Do we let His authority operate in and through us? Do we speak, pray, and minister with authority?


PRAYER: Dear Jesus, You have all authority in heaven and earth. Help me to live every day under Your authority and as an agent of Your authority. Amen.


More: Gaither Vocal Band - On the Authority




(Written with help from the archives.)

Jesus' authority

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Matthew 7:21-8:13

TO CHEW ON: "For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.... 'But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, "Go," and he goes; and to another "Come," and he comes, and to my servant "Do this," and he does it.'" Matthew 8:8-9.

The word "authority" is used twice in today's reading.

[Authority = exousia  means: 1) power of choice, liberty; 2) physical and mental power; 3) the power of authority (influence) and of right (privilege); and 4) the power of rule or government—the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed.]

In the first place (Matthew 7:29) Matthew observes that Jesus taught with authority. The Scribes didn't teach that way. Though they did a wonderful thing when they, with meticulous precision, preserved the Scriptures, they also developed a complicated system of oral law that interpreted the Scripture. They regarded that oral law higher than the written law. They spent a lot of time quibbling over details and splitting hairs over things like hand and cup washing, paying tithes, what was grounds for divorce etc.. Their teachings were peppered with the support of authorities other than their own: "This Rabbi Hillel says this..." "Rabbi Shammai says that..."

Jesus, on the other hand, delivered truths about Himself without qualification, saying simply, "I say to you..." He was secure in His identity as the Son of God and knew that He came from God the Father. That authority rang through His words.

Later, when the Roman centurion came to Jesus with the request that Jesus heal his son, he acknowledged that Jesus had authority over sickness:

"But only speak a word and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority having soldiers under me..." He went on to say, in my words, 'Just like my soldiers obey me, sickness will obey You (because You have authority over it).'

How do we relate to Jesus' authority?
- Do we take the simple but authoritative words of Jesus and the Bible at face value? Do we let them be the authority in our lives, i.e. do we build our lives on their truths (Matthew 7:24-27)?

Do we believe that Jesus has authority over sickness (as our story shows), and the demonic (Mark 1:23-28), and nature (Mark 5:39-40)? If we say we do, do we live our lives as if His authority were real? Are we bolder, more hopeful, more positive, more powerful in prayer as a result?

PRAYER: Dear Jesus I bow to Your authority in my life. Please grow my faith in Your authority over all of life so that I will not only say I believe this, but know it in experience. Amen.

MORE: At Your Name by Tim Hughes and Phil Wickham

Authority to heal

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Luke 9:1-9

TO CHEW ON: "Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.... So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere." Luke 9:1-2,6

Today as I read this passage I am conflicted. Coming at this time it seems an almost cruel reminder of my own lack of power and authority. For I am writing this far from home. We have gathered to be near my brother who is in palliative care.

"Palliative." That adjective says it all. He has, the doctor says, two weeks to live at most.

We have prayed for him to be healed, but so far God has not answered yes to that prayer. Many thoughts crowd in...If only Jesus were here — He could heal him. But we have the Holy Spirit, the spirit of Jesus. So why is he not healed? Is it sin in our lives, or lack of faith or simply not claiming and acting on the authority we have?

Jack Hayford comments about this passage:

"The Gospel throbs with confidence in the full transparency of power and authority for ministry by Jesus to His disciples then and now:


- We may expect victory over the power of darkness and their operation (Luke 10:19).


- We are assigned to "do business" as authorized representatives of our Lord until He returns (Luke 19:13).


- We are promised the Father's pleasure "to give" us the kingdom that is to supply us with His peace and power (Luke 12:32).


Dominion over evil has been given, but we can expect to see spiritual breakthrough to the degree we receive and apply that authority in prayer, preaching, teaching and personal ministry." Jack Hayford - "Authority for Ministry" Spirit Filled Life Bible, p. 1403.

So far my brother has not been healed. But I will keep praying for that until he takes his last breath. For I believe that physical healing is part of the atonement ("...by His stripes we are healed") and if God has more earthly purposes for my bro to fulfill, he will be healed.

PRAYER: Dear God, I long to see more of Your power evident in my life as authority over sickness and evil. Am I missing something. Please show me. Amen.

MORE: "Come Walk Among Us"

Michael Hansen wrote this beautiful prayer asking for Jesus' presence. Here is a snippet. (It's on the Freedom / Kelly Carpenter, Loralee Thiessen & Michael Hansen
 (Cafe 4)" project.)

Do your 8-12-year-olds have daily devotions? Point them to Bible Drive-Thru.