"This is Jesus--Son of the Blessed" and "King of the Jews"

"Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, 'Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?'...Then Pilate asked Him, 'Are You the King of the Jews?'" (From Mark 14 and 15)

 

Our Lord's response was in the affirmative to both questions.  So much for "the separation of church and state." 

 

My Gospel reading today was in Mark 15.  In the previous chapter, we see the Jews were focused on religious issues, viz., Jesus' claim to be the Jewish Messiah, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?"  Pilate, on the other hand, was focused on political issues, "Are You the King of the Jews."  Pilate knew that there was no room in the Empire for two kings.  John's Gospel records that the chief priests assured him, however, "we have no king but Caesar."  The phrase, "The King of the Jews," is recorded five times in Mark 15.  And there is another phrase which I do not recall taking notice of before.  The rabble at the cross mocked Jesus, "Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe."  Such people will never, "see and believe."  But before the world, let it be known today, Jesus Christ is indeed, "the Christ, the Son of the Blessed," and as the inscription above His Cross declared, "This is Jesus The King of the Jews." 

 

The reality of Biblical Theology is that there is no separation of Jesus Christ from anything or anyone.  Kings, kingdoms, economies, education, armed forces, families, even sports, "all things are naked and opened unto Him with Whom we have to do," i.e., "give account."  The next time you are tempted to say, "Well, I don't get involved in such things," remember, Jesus Christ was "involved" in all things----- and so has been the Church throughout the centuries.  The Book of Acts begins in Jerusalem, "The Christ, the Son of the Blessed," and ends in Rome, "King of kings and Lord of lords."    

 

"Then Amaziah said to Amos: 'Go, you seer!  Flee to the land of Judah.  There eat bread, and there prophesy.  But never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is the royal residence."  Amos in affect said, "Sorry, can't do it.  Besides, "the kingdom is the Lord's."  So I too declare today that there is no difference between that Sunday School classroom and that office cubicle, that "intercessory worship" gathering, and your vehicle, kitchen, or grocery store.  Peter set the tone for the Gospel message which would ring through the centuries in the Common Era, "The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ-- He is Lord of all...."     

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, "Reign in me."  Amen.

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To Witness His Reign in the Earth, go to: www.apf327.blogspot.com

 

 When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

Contrast: World's Great Deception--World's Great Truth

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus....For consider him...." (From Heb. 12, KJV)

 

I am in the Book of Hebrews and just read our text for today.  I used the King James Version because it is the version from which I read the Book of Hebrews for the first time as a young boy, indeed, it was the first book I ever read.  The theology of Hebrews is the theology of the Bible.  Hebrews points to Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the Old Covenant.  "Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him Who appointed Him...."  Hebrews stands in very stark contrast to the misconceptions, the perversions, and the lies of a modern global society bent on deception, conquer, marginalization, and eventual elimination of what the Bible refers to as, "the Faith of Jesus," i.e., the Christian Faith.  This fight is everywhere in all cultures.  

 

I read this morning a little of Obama's speech in Jakarta, Indonesia, which is an example of the misunderstanding at best, and deception at worse, of global leaders.  First of all, Islam is not one of the world's great religions.  The last 20 years have revealed as much as Mohammed's Jihad of the late seventh and early eighth century that Islam is one of the world's great murderous empires.  Secondly, Indonesia is not, as Obama says, "tolerant of other religions."  Persecution of Followers of Jesus Christ is common daily life in much of Indonesia, that "largest of Muslim nations."  Contrary to a politician's desire to appeal to the masses, there is only one, repeat, one "Great World Religion."  It is the religion of Jesus Christ, the religion which Colossians 1 declares, "And Jesus Christ is the head of the church; Jesus is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything Jesus might have the supremacy," glorified, worshipped together with the Father and Holy Spirit, which, by the way, Obama's, "one of the world's great religions," vehemently ridicules and calls polytheistic. 

 

The great majority of politicians want to come off as "nice guys," appeal to the majority.  But the majority of humanity is not right.  The majority is wrong.  So much for "majority rules."  The "majority" rejects Jesus Christ, the One Who laid down His Life, shed His Precious Blood, gave His Body to be beaten, bruised, whipped, nailed to a cross, then triumphed over the grave, rising from, "among the dead," so that you and I may be born into the Family of the Living Triune God, citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven.  To the one who wants to be popular, "fit in," be accepted as "normal," not extremist, and very open minded, I say, The Kingdom of Heaven is no place for you.  To the one, however, who, "loses his life for My sake and the gospel's," I say, "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." 

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that You define "nice" in me.  Amen.

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Don't Miss the New Prophetic Articles @:   www.apf327.blogspot.com

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

"Why?" Don't Try to Answer It

"And the LORD also delivered it and its king into the hand of Israel; he struck it and all the people who were in it with the edge of the sword.  He let none remain in it...." (Joshua 10:30)

Sorry, but I've been reading in Joshua.  I'm just bringing you along with me.  Now I know that good little devotional writers would bypass such passages and just pick the traditional "devotional stuff."  But then, there is always that, "whole counsel of God." 

Regardless, you must admit that every time you read of these mass killings, slayings of men, women, and children, cattle and oxen, deep inside there is a sort of, "WHY?" which shouts at you.  Today, the arguments in most of the world, and even in the so called "church," are arguments with God on how He does things.  How dare He say, "So it shall be, when the LORD your God brings you into the land of which He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build, houses full of all good things, which you did not fill"? etc.  It is just not fair, not moral to take someone's land and give it to someone else.  Really?  What is that which Jesus said, "Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things?"

I once said that the Koran is a war manual.  It is.  But, if you read the Bible without your "Sunday School" glasses, you discover that the Bible is also a "war manual."  Jesus said that in the end time, at a time of judgment, He will say, "But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me."  Apparently God is not finished with making war.  Yet a big difference between the "war manuals" is that there is nothing in the Koran which deals with the redemption of the lost, no assurance of the forgiveness of sin, no offer that you can know God personally, no, "and the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."  

Yes, there have been, are, and will be wars.  Yet in the midst of the judgment and war words of Scripture, there is good "devotional reading," promises for all those who are the obedient ones, the ones who have surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ and His Reign in His Kingdom and their personal lives.  We have promises in the "God- Breathed" Scriptures which no philosophy, no religion can ever match. In the midst of the judgment and the wars there are the multitude of promises which guarantee our provision, protection, and the King's invitation, "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I desire to be kept in the fear of You, the obedience to You, and love of You.  Amen.
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New Article on Jersalem @: www.apfjw.blogspot.com

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2

"Who May Ascend into the Hill of the LORD or...Stand in His Holy Place?"

"Oh, send out Your light and Your truth!  Let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle." (Psalm 43:3)

Daddy is ecstatic today because he heard the good news of his youngest daughter.  The ultra sound showed that everything "moved" to where it is supposed to be.  To those who have been praying for Jill, we say a hearty, thank you.  Yet I know and you know that everything does not always turn out this way, which leads some to blame unfavorable "answers" on themselves, others, or, yes, even God Himself.  Others try to give great "pastoral" answers which many times, though commendable in their intent, really do not answer anything. 

Yet our text today gives great insight into the act of praying, communion, a life of, "Abide in Me," fellowship in the Blessed Trinity.  It is only, "Your light and Your truth," which will, "bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle," popularly referred to today as "His presence."  I just cannot know "the presence of God" without, "Your light and Your truth"----- goose bumps notwithstanding.  Without, "Your light and Your truth," i.e., Jesus Christ and His Words, I will begin the "fading" process---- deception first, then give up on praying, give up on "church," and eventually life itself. 

Have you ever noticed just how "real," how absolutely non religious are the prayers of the, "words of God"?  They are not full of catch phrases or trendy quotes of famous personages.  John said of Jesus, "For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure," or, "for God gives the Spirit without limit."  When our Lord Jesus Christ baptizes us in the Holy Spirit, the only, "measure," or, "limit," to, "the words of God," is our obedience.

When I pray His words, I am praying the limitless reaches of the Godhead; I am praying His will.  I confess that there are probably many prayers which have gone contrary to what I wanted.  I also confess that those "contrary" answers may not have been God's plan or purpose for me, and, subsequently I may have missed something because of sin, unbelief, or whatever.  Nonetheless, I will continue to, "pray without ceasing"------------  "yes," "no," or "maybe" answers notwithstanding, because in such grace, I abide in His, "holy hill," His, "tabernacle." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, "Oh, send out Your light and Your truth!  Let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to"---- You, and they will!  Amen.
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When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2

Another Prayer Available to You and Me

"Plead my cause, O LORD, with those who strive with me; Fight against those who fight against me." (Psalm 35:1)

This prayer reminds all of us that no matter how powerful an intercessor we think we may be, how much money we have, how big is our church, or "how" anything, victory in life is to those who abide in Jesus Christ to, "Plead my cause," and, "Fight against those who fight against me."

David was very good with a sling----- but so were many of his Israelite Brethren.  Any number of them could have slain the giant that day, if they would have just had the same trust, faith, and obedience as David.  In fact, David witnessed others slaying giants similar to the one he slew.  David won many battles in his life time, but those victories came because of David's right perspective, "[You] fight against those who fight against me.  [You] take hold of shield and buckler, and [You] stand up for my help."

In Psalm 18, David said, "God...makes my feet like the feet of a deer....He teaches my hands to make war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze."  Too many in Christendom today think and live as though only the big "Davids" can slay giants, "bend a bow of bronze," prophecy to the nations, reach the lost, heal the sick, raise the dead.  That is idolatry.  The reason most live this way is that it is an excuse to take the pressure off us, the fear of failure perhaps, or just an unwillingness to "pay the price."  The Amplified Bible says, "Elijah was a human being with a nature such as we have [with feelings, affections, and a constitution like ours]; and he prayed earnestly."  This "super prophet" availed himself of nothing but the same "means of grace" which are available to you and me. 

Whoever lives with their eyes, "Fixed on Jesus," whoever, "hungers and thirsts after righteousness," whoever has, "faith as a grain of mustard seed," whoever is born of the Spirit, baptized in water in Jesus' Name, baptized in the Holy Spirit, "and My words abide in you," can slay any giant, topple any mountain; "For by You I can run against a troop, By my God I can leap over a wall."  I know your mind is probably arguing with you, but this is the none other than the "God-Breathed" Word speaking.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I confess my unbelief is based on my gaze.  Holy Spirit, work in me the gaze which sees You, O Blessed Trinity.  Amen.
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Read about one of the most serious anti-Semitic demonstrations yet on a college campus:  www.apf327.blogspot.com   

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2

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