Tag: Jesus

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Luke- Week 4- Day 5

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.  (34)  And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;  (35)  (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. 

Luke 2:33-35 

And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.   

Luke 2:38

Explanation:

Aspect #5- We should imitate their witness.

When Joseph and Mary heard this declaration and affirmation of who Jesus was, and why he came they marveled.  This was another indication of their inclusion in God’s incredible plan of redemption, not just for the Jews, but for the whole world.  They must have been in total shock.

He goes on to give a word specifically to Mary.  He says that Jesus will be both accepted and rejected in verse 34.  He says that Mary would be impacted when he said, “the sword will pierce thy own soul also”.  This alludes to Mary seeing Jesus tortured and killed.

As a result of Jesus ministry, says Simeon, “the thoughts of many hearts” will be revealed.

Anna gave testimony to the identity of Jesus as well.  It says in verse 38 that she “spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem”. 

Both Simeon and Anna are used of God to declare who Jesus is to the world.  They witness in this moment about Jesus to Mary and Joseph, and those that were in the temple and beyond.  God uses them, through the Gospel of Luke, to witness to all who will read that Jesus wasn’t just identified as Messiah once he was an adult.  He was identified before His birth by Gabriel. He was identified as Messiah and Savior at his birth by the angels and the shepherds.  He was being identified before His ministry by the forerunner John. Now he was being identified by Spirit filled servants of God who were anticipating God’s messiah to come.

Application: 

Like Simeon and Anna, we can identify Jesus.  We should share Jesus with everyone we can.  Some will believe, and some will reject.  Some will marvel.  Others will walk away.  The only thing we can do here that we can’t do in heaven is be a witness of Christ and for Christ.

Christ could come back today.  Our life is a vapor.  Those who know that our time is short and believe that Jesus is coming back should witness for Him while we can.

Response:

Who do you need to talk to about Jesus today?

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Luke- Week 4- Day 4

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,  (29)  Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:  (30)  For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,  (31)  Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;  (32)  A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Luke 2:28-32

And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Luke 2:38 

Explanation:

Aspect #4- We should imitate their worship.

Notice what it says about Simeon’s response to seeing Jesus.  He took Jesus up in His arms, and as he held him, he “blessed God”.  What an incredible thing to be said about you!  I want to be a blessing to God.  I know there have been times where I have been a burden to Him.

He asks God to be able to “depart in peace”, an expression describing the way a believer passes away.  It is not a “ceasing to be”.  It is a departure to another place.  He believed God’s Spirit that told Him he would be able to see the Messiah before he died.  This expression is saying that He believes this child, Jesus, to be the promised Messiah.  This is confirmed by what He says about Jesus. 

Notice also that He calls Jesus “thy salvation”.  He says that Jesus was “prepared before the face of all people”.  The word for people here is a word for a kind of people.  The idea is that Jesus is salvation for Simeon’s people, the nation of Israel, but also for the Gentiles.  Verse 32 confirms this idea.  He is saying that Jesus, the Messiah, is the prepared salvation for every nation, tribe, tongue, and ethnicity.  Jesus isn’t just salvation for Israel, though He certainly is that.  He is salvation for the whole earth!

Anna had a similar response in verse 38.  “And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord”

Luke’s inclusion of their response is instructive for us.  It is confirming the identity of Jesus and giving us insight into His true mission.  Yet, for these people, in this moment, it was an expression of praise and worship.  It was for them a resolution to the consolation and redemption of Israel for which they had been waiting.  They were anticipating God’s work and His salvation, and now they had seen it in the person of Jesus.  This led them to worship!

Application: 

Our worship should have an anticipatory flavor.  Paul said that when we observe the Lord’s Supper that we remember his death “until he comes”. 

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. 

1 Corinthians 11:26

It is an obedient expression of worship in anticipation of Christ’s imminent return. 

And Christ will return.

And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.  (7)  Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Revelation 22:6-7

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.  (13)  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

Revelation 22:12-13

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 

Revelation 22:20 

Response:

Are you worshipping in a way that anticipates Christ’s return?

deuteronomy

Week 11: Day 1- Deuteronomy 18:15

On By Ben JenningsIn DevotionalLeave a comment

This Weeks Passage; Deuteronomy 18:15-22

15 The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

Deuteronomy 18:15

Explanation:

In today’s text Moses foretells of a prophetic ministry that will happen among the people of Israel. God had used Moses to speak on behalf of himself to the people. In Exodus 20:18-20, right after the people had received the 10 commandments from God through Moses they said:

18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. 19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.

21 And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.

Exodus 20:18-21

Moses had been a prophet, speaking on behalf of God to the people, and a mediator, going to God on behalf of the people.

In many ways, Moses was like Jesus Christ. In fact, many believe that because of the singular use of the word “Prophet” in this verse describes the coming prophetic ministry of Jesus. We know this is an accurate interpretation because of what Peter, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit said when he quoted this verse:

20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

Acts 3:20-23

As we read the rest of this weeks text in the next few days, we will see that God was foretelling his use of prophets succeeding Moses to help lead his people, but He also was prophesying of the coming Jesus who would reveal God to His people, and would mediate a new covenant to men.

Application:

It’s an amazing hting to think that we can think God’s thoughts after Him as we read scripture. He has revealed God to us in such a practical and incredible way. We can see the revelation of God in the person of Jesus Christ who is the living Word, and ever lives to make intercession for us! We can hear from Him through His Word, and we can go to God as He intercedes for us!

Response:

  1. If God has spoken to us through His Word, then He expects us to know what it says, and to obey it! Where do you need to be obedient today?
  2. Is there something between you and God? Today, go to God, knowing that Christ will intercede on your behalf. He is faithful and just to forgive us from our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

Galatians Day 8: Not more will power…More of God’s Power!

On By Ben JenningsIn Devotional, Uncategorized1 Comment

1117398599_b86f47800aDoes anyone else have a problem with will power or am I the only one? Have you ever tried to not eat an oreo that was staring you down? Have you ever said, “I’m not going to do it this time. I’m not going to do it this time. I’m not going to do it this time” and then walk into the situation and do the thing that you said you wouldn’t. We all have this problem!

The judaizers who had lead the Galatians astray were telling them that Jesus plus the good work of keeping the law is the way that they could be right with God. If that is true then we are in serious trouble, because we have to do that on our own. We have to use our will power. Thankfully, Paul obliterates this arguement in todays text.

16    Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

This is the best news we can receive. If it were up to us to fully keep the rules to be right with God then none of us have a shot. But everyone exhibits faith in something. The person that fully leans into Christ’s death and ressurection to be right with God will be justified.

17    But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

This is an understandable question. Since we’re justified by faith, does that mean we stop sinning? No. Then does this justification make the one who justifies us an enabler of our sin? Paul says, “May it never be!”

Why not Paul?

18    For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

When we sin after we get saved it is us doing that and not God, so God is not the author of sin. In fact, God does something totally opposite after we have been justified. Look at verse 19…

19    For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.20    I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.21    I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. (Galatians 2:16–21)

When we are justified by Faith in Christ that is when Christ enables us to live in a way that glorifies Him. I’m crucified with Christ and I’m still alive. It’s not me that is alive by myself- Christ now lives in me and helps me to make right choices by changing my character from the inside.

If I could be saved, and if I could live rightly outside of Christ’s death and indwelling power then Christ’s death was for nothing.

Thankfully those who are in Christ have Christ helping us not only to be saved, but to also live to glorify God! Ask Him to help you live for Him today!