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September 03 Devotional
Daily
Devotions for September 2003
THEME - Jesus Christ, Creator/ Sustainer
Please click on
the current date # above to read the devotional for the day!
May God richly
bless you this day!
These devotionals
are written by the following men:
- DW - Senior Pastor, Dan Wilkenson
- RJS - Retired Pastor, Dr. Bob Shifflett
- DM - Associate Pastor, Dave Most
May God richly bless you this day!
Monday, September 1
Only
Begotten of the Father
Hebrews
1:5
Hebrews 1:5 For unto which of the
angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee?
And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son. Is there a reference any
place in the Bible that refers to angels as the Sons of God? No!
Neither in the New or Old Testament does God refer to angels as His
Son. However, in Job 38:7 When the morning stars sang together, and
all the sons of God shouted for joy? In the context of this verse
you will see that God is talking about the creation and the angels
(created beings) are shouting as they see the beauty of the handiwork
of Christ, the Creator. In Colossians 1:15-17 Who
(Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every
creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven,
and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones,
or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by
him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things
consist. Note in the above, Christ is not only the Creator, but He
also keeps it running. Christian's, forget about "mother
nature" she does not exist! All nature is subject unto Christ and
Him alone, never forget that. Don't be guilty of propagating this
propaganda forced upon us by the humanists and Darwinian proponents.
Luke 2:7 And Mary brought forth her firstborn son, and
wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because
there was no room for them in the inn. Again we see the words
"first born". They only refer to Christ being her first
child. In spite of what our Catholic friends say, Mary did have other
children. According to Matthew 13:55-56 and John 7:5, we
see that Mary had several other children. These were the children of
Mary and Joseph. Jesus was younger than His mother, but as old as His
Father. Jesus was with His Father in eternity past and ever present in
heaven interceding for us. In the everlasting eternity of the future,
He will be with the Father also and with us in glory. He is very God
and very Man, the God-Man! Please read 1 Corinthians 15:44-49
where you will see He is the "Second Adam" and the "Last
Man." RJS
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Tuesday, September 2nd
Jesus Worshipped by Angels
Hebrews 1:4-8
If you remember, at Mt.
Sinai as God spoke His law
to the people; they were terrified. They did not want God to speak with
them; they wanted Moses to speak to them as God's messenger. There is a
great fascination with angels today. One of the greatest similarities
between all the religions of this world is the way that they see
angels. The word angel is simply a translation of a word meaning
messenger. Angels are messengers of God.
Sadly, once you go
above angels, the religions of this world have important substantive
differences in the way they see God. Both Hinduism and Islam, make good
and evil a part of God. Simple logic ought to tell us that all
pantheistic worldviews make both good and evil a part of God. In its
view of sovereignty, Islam makes God the author of all, including evil.
Angels, as the messengers of God, provide a diluted view of
spirituality. It is the same diluted view that the people desired at
Sinai. As long as we are not dealing directly with God, we feel more
comfortable in our sin. We don't feel the same accountability.
Regardless of what we may feel, none of us can remove ourselves from
important spiritual and moral responsibility.
In the book of Hebrews, some Jewish Christians were more comfortable
with the Old Covenant than with Jesus. They were in danger of apostasy.
They were in danger of turning from Christ and returning to the Old
Covenant. The Jewish people believed that angels were involved in the
giving of the law at Sinai. In affirming the deity of Jesus Christ, the
author of Hebrews under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, declares
that all the angels worship Jesus. Jesus is God. Only God is worthy of
worship. Only God is good and perfect. The day is coming when every
knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Jesus is Jehovah God veiled in human flesh. Compare Isaiah 40:3
with Matthew 3:3. Matthew quotes this prophecy of Isaiah about
Jehovah God and applies it to Jesus Christ. This is one of several
examples. Jesus is the final and complete revelation of God to fallen
humanity, for He is God come to earth as man. DW
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Wednesday,
September 3rd
Creator of the Angels
Hebrews 1:7
and Col. 1:15-18
One of the most favorite
times in LCA pre-school is saying, "Who made the (sky)?" with
the answer being, "God did!" Today's texts' particular
question is, "Who made the angels?" with the obvious answer
being, "God did!" In fact, God made everything, absolutely
everything, including the angels. There are some folks who don't
understand just who God is, so let's bring some scriptural clarity to
the confusion. Genesis 1:1 ...God created. Right
from the beginning statements in God's Word it is already assumed that
God does not need our definition, or where He may have come from, as He
has always been. In Gen. 1:26 He says, "Let us make man
in our image." Already we see God "defining Himself"
to mankind. In Gen. 3:22; and 11:7 we see the next
statements bringing further clarity to the Godhead.
So just who is God
anyway? He is the Creator of all things. He is the Father, the Son,
Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, one God, three persons, thus the
Trinity. 1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear
record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these
three are one. So how did Christ have a part in the creation of
angels? Well He has always been and He was from the beginning, He is
God. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word was God. The simple truth of Jesus
Christ is also established by more than two witnesses in 1 John
1:1-3. That which was from the beginning, which we have
heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and
our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was
manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto
you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested
unto us;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that
ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with
the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. We understand then that
angels are created beings, created and used by God for His purposes. We
are not to worship these created beings. We are to worship only God!
Jesus Christ is God the Son, who came to earth in the flesh, the
God-Man, the Savior of the world.
"Dear Lord
Jesus, how we praise You for being our Creator and our Savior. Guide us
in Your Truth for Your names sake. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen." DM
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Thursday, September 4th
Christ
is a Member of the Godhead
Hebrews 1:8; John
1:1-2; Colossians 2:9
The Lord Jesus Christ is not
just a 'teacher" a "prophet" or a "great man"
as some would identify Him. He is the God-Man! Hebrews 1:8
Unto the Son he saith,
Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the
sceptre
of thy kingdom. John 1:1, 3 In the beginning was the Word, and
the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by
him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. Colossians
2:9 For in him dwelleth
all the fulness
of the Godhead bodily. In the above quotations, we see what the
Scriptures say about the Christ as Creator and Keeper.
In the first verse above, the Father tells us that Jesus is God and has
a throne in heaven forever and ever. In the second passage, we see
Jesus was eternally with the Father and that He was the Master
Craftsman who spoke the universes into space. And lastly, we see the
word "dwelleth,"
it is continuous action. Christ is in the Godhead, not from the
beginning, but always has been; because every thing we know has had a
beginning it is impossible for our finite minds to comprehend or
conceive that God did not have a beginning, but was from everlasting to
everlasting. We must accept this great truth by faith and faith alone.
The trinity is an enigma to the human mind, however, in the beginning
God said, "let us make man in our image". And mankind is a
tripartite, meaning he has a body, soul and spirit. In order for us to
be in the image of God, it means that the Godhead also is Tripartite. A
child was once asked to explain the trinity and this was her answer,
"Three in one, and one in three, and the one in the middle died
for me."
"TRINITY" This word is not in the Scriptures and is derived
from the Gr. Trias
(three), first used by Tertullian (A.D. 220), to express this doctrine.
The propositions of the doctrine are: 1) That God is one, and that there is but one
God (Deut. 6:4; 1 Kings 8:60; Isa. 44:6; Mark 12:29,
32; John 10:30). 2) The
Father is a distinct divine Person, distinct from the Son and the Holy
Spirit. 3) That Jesus Christ was truly God, and yet was a Person
distinct from the Father and the Holy Spirit. 4) The Holy Spirit is
also a divine Person, distinct from the Father and the Son. RJS
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Friday,
September 5th
The Eternal
King
Hebrews 1:8-13
Jesus Christ is the King of
kings from eternity to eternity. I would remind you that God does not exist
in time and space. Time and space exist in God. This is the teaching of
God's Word to us. Note the language of our text. We read in verse 8,
unto the Son he saith,
Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever... Jesus is King in heaven and
the day is coming when he will be King on earth. Note the language of
our text again,
sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool...
Now kings do not
come as humble servants. They must exercise authority regardless of the
consent of significant numbers of people. The power of the Messiah is
not like that. It is as we read in Matthew 20:25,26
25 ... Jesus called them (his disciples) unto him, and said, Ye
know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and
they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not
be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister...
.
Christ's kingdom will come when this earth receives Him. We sing about
this at Christmas as we sing, "let earth receive her king".
Jesus is a servant King. The character of His leadership is
dramatically different from most of our experience now. According to
the Bible, the day is coming when Jesus will be received as King by the
kingdoms of this world. At that time, He will remove the curse of sin
from this earth and God's plan of redemption will take a great step
forward.
Sadly, even this will not be sufficient. In Psalm 2 after Satan
is released for a season, people on this earth will gather in
rebellion. Without fully purging sin from our hearts and separating our
hearts from all evil, we will never be fit for heaven. In many ways,
the race is maturing. It is maturing in evil and it is maturing in
good. We read in Genesis 3:15 ... I will put enmity
between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall
bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. There is a seed
of the woman, which has its fulfillment in Christ. There is a seed of
the serpent, which has its fulfillment in the Antichrist. Part of that
fulfillment is that the kingdoms of this world will one day become the
kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. DW
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Saturday, September 6th
Creator of all Nature and
Universe
Hebrews 1:10
God the Son, Jesus Christ is the Creator of
all nature and the universe. Psalm 102:25 Of old hast
thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of
thy hands.
This is a direct quotation from the Old Testament of the deity of Jesus
Christ, the Son, who created the universe, and one day will destroy the
heavens and earth that He created. The earth is changing but He remains
unchanged. Immutability is just another characteristic of the divine
essence and another Old Testament statement to the Son's deity.
Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son. John 1:14 And
the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory,
the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and
truth. This is Jesus Christ, our Savior! Jesus, the one who has the
name above all names. Philippians 2:6-11 Who, being in
the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But
made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant,
and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a
man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death
of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given
him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and
things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Who is this
Jesus? He is the Creator of all things. He created the angels, and you
and me. Jesus is above the universe as the Sovereign Ruler of all. The
world is changing and passing away, but Jesus is unchangeable. The old
earth will perish, but Jesus Christ is Eternal and will rapture all
those who have accepted Him as their Savior. 1 Thessalonians
4:16-18 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with
a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:
and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and
remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the
Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore
comfort one another with these words. Say, are you ready to meet
the Lord Jesus Christ?! If so, rejoice! But if not, be ready for the
judgment!
"Gracious Savior, we lift up and exalt
Your Holy name! Amen." DM
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Sunday, September 7th
Christ is the Renewer of
Creation
Heb. 1:11-12;
Col. 2:9-10; 2 Cor.
5:17-19
Hebrews 1:9-10 Thou hast loved righteousness, and
hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with
the oil of gladness above thy fellows. 10 And, Thou, Lord, in the
beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are
the works of thine
hands: Our Saviour
earned a special anointing from the Father because of Christ's agreeing
to come down to this wicked earth and take upon Himself the likeness of
sinful men that he might save us. The cross was the greatest event that
changed the destiny of the human race.
The next two verses give us the even greater truth and that is, that
Christ was God. He took upon himself the likeness of sinful flesh, yet
without sin and in the flesh He was still the God/Man. He is head over
all principalities. He has the power over darkness, the demons of this
world and has defeated Satan. That was part of the great victory at the
cross. Satan thought he could defeat God and His Christ, but the
resurrection broke the power of death and hell. For in him dwelleth all
the fulness
of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head
of all principality and power: Colossians 2:9-10.
2 Corinthians 5:17-19 Therefore if any man be in
Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all
things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath
reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the
ministry of reconciliation. To wit, that God was in Christ,
reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them
and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. These three
verses confirm that Christ is the renewer of life. He is the
Creator of the "new person" in Christ. The day will come and its not far
away when even nature will be renewed and there will be no more sin on
this planet. 2 Peter 3:9-14 tells us that this old world shall
be baptized by fire and all sin and debauchery will be destroyed by
fire. Out of that fiery conflagration shall come forth a new and
glorified earth, the believer's home for all eternity. Lastly, our Saviour
dwells in heaven in His human body and we are told in I
John 3:2 that we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is.
RJS
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Sunday, September 8th
God's Message
to Us
Hebrews 2:1-4
This text is fascinating.
The Jews believed that God used the angels in giving the law at Sinai.
No where else in the Old Testament do we find this, but it was a deep
part of Jewish tradition. In the book of Hebrews, God's Word supports
this ancient tradition.
At Sinai, God spoke directly to the people from the mount. Jesus was
God come in the form of human flesh. Both of these are very direct.
Some Bibles include the words of Jesus in red. According to our text,
there may be some Biblical support for this idea. That is that God's
Word through messengers though a serious matter is not as serious as
God's direct words to us.
When it comes to major issues, we need to be mindful of the Ten
Commandments. When it comes to major issues, we need to be mindful of
our Lord's words to love God absolutely and to love others, as we love
ourselves. Jesus said that on these two principles the entire message
of the Bible rests. When it comes to major issues, we need to be
mindful of the apostolic account of the things that Jesus said and
taught. Sadly, we read at Sinai that the people preferred Moses and
angels. Could it be that they understood this principle of
accountability and God in His grace allowed angels to bring the law to
Moses?
What was Jesus' message to us about priorities? Jesus said that we need
to be witnesses. We need to win souls to Christ. We need to fish for
men. We need to make disciples. Evangelist Bob Jones said, it takes
evangelistic unction to make orthodoxy function. Why is that? It is
because of the emphasis in Jesus' last words to His disciples in Matthew
28:19, 20 which give the great commission. Matthew 28:19,20
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to
observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with
you alway,
even unto the end of the world. Amen. Sadly, most today are
involved with trying to figure out which one of us is the greatest. The
standard of judgment for many is various standards of holiness, size of
budgets, and numbers of people. We need to realize that our main
calling is to preach the Gospel. DW
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Tuesday, September 9th
He Gives Confirmation of the Word of God
Hebrews 2:3-4
Have you ever heard this
statement, ''I couldn't "'afford to pay" attention? Today's
text is quite pointed, "How can we afford "not to pay"
attention. Hebrews 2:3
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the
first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them
that heard him.;
There are many folks today who seem to think that they
can claim salvation as just a statement of profession and then live like
they want to live and somehow they will make it to heaven; but in fact
this is contrary to the very Word of God. We cannot neglect this great
Salvation that Jesus Christ, God's only Son brought to the world. If we
do, we will enter into eternity without a Savior and will be condemned
to Hell for not choosing God's only Son, Jesus Christ. Did you know
that just by not choosing God's way to eternity, you have already made
your choice? By just saying, "not yet, not today, some other
time," you are already deciding your eternal destiny. The simple
fact is this; By not repenting of your sin and turning to Jesus Christ
to save you, you have made your choice to spend an eternity in the lake
of fire. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation.
Think about it! If disobedience to the older covenant of law brought
swift judgment, how much more severe will be the judgment of
disobedience to the new Covenant Gospel of salvation, which was brought
by the Son, Jesus Christ, who is superior to the angels. The messenger
and the message of the new Covenant are greater than the messengers and
the message of the older Covenant. So it stands that the greater the
privilege, the greater the punishment for disobedience and neglect. How
shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation. Most
importantly, if we reject the Gospel message, brought by Jesus Christ
Himself, there will be no escape from judgment. Lastly, How shall we
escape, if we neglect so great salvation, because there has been so
many faithful witnesses to salvation. Jesus, Himself, was the first to
bear witness of salvation. With these eternal truths before our eyes
today, no one who rejects the simple plan of salvation (repentance and
submission) can expect to escape the judgment of God. Where do you stand
today? How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation.
Heavenly Father, we tremble as we thank You for Your Great Salvation. DM
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Wednesday, September 10th
Christ
is the Controller of the Angels
Hebrews 2:5-8
Hebrews 2:5-8 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection
the world to come, whereof we speak. 6 But one in a certain place
testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of
man, that thou visitest
him? 7 Thou madest
him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and
didst set him over the works of thy hands: 8 Thou hast put all things
in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection
under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see
not yet all things put under him. To simplify verse 5, God has not put angels
in charge of this world or the world to come. The first man (Adam) was
put in charge but he failed so God sent (Christ) the second Adam, and
He is in charge. Christ is in charge of a new race of humanity, by this
we mean the "born again ones" who are a new creation in
Christ 2 Cor.
5:17.
In verses 6-7, we
see the "Son of Man" was, in his humanity, the seed of David through
Mary his mother. Mary was a Jewish maiden chosen of God to bring the
bodily presence of God into our world. In Christ's humanity he was made
a little lower than the angels, even as we are. We see glory added to
glory for Christ. Here we see Christ is set over the works of God in a
unique way. All created creatures: all the orders of the angels, Satan
and all demons, the human race, the animal kingdom and all visible and
invisible creation, all are subject to Christ.
Verse 8, records "all things are in subjection to Him" This
is also found in three other passages: Isaiah 45:22-24, Romans
14:11 and Philippians
2:9-11. It has been said that if it is found in the Bible one time
that's good enough for me, but here we find this great truth four times
and when we see it that often we need to, for sure, heed it. Philippians
2:9-11 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given
him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and
things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Yes, every
created being will bow to Christ! We must either bow now or at the
Great White Throne. The choice is yours! RJS
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Thursday, August 11th
Jesus Superior to Angels
Hebrews 2:5-9
Lines
of authority are very important. In a recent study, we talked about
dispensations. A dispensation is a stewardship. The idea of stewardship
involves responsibility. The Biblical authority in the home is the
father and mother. No state house or church building has ever birthed a
child. Sadly, we live in a day when both the church and the state feel
the authority to interfere in the home. This is wrong. It is a
disregard for Biblical authority.
According to our text, God created angels on a higher order than man.
They are greater in power, authority and wisdom. We would be wise to
remember this. Satan, for example, has been involved in this earth at
least since his temptation in the Garden of Eden. He and the serpent
were cursed for this breach of protocol. Part of that curse is that
Jesus Christ will bruise his head (Genesis 3:15).
A Roman spike literally bruised Jesus Christ's heel. Where a literal
interpretation is possible, I believe we should take it first. This is
helpful in leading in the right direction as we go on to deeper
spiritual truth and applying it to our lives.
Jesus Christ was God in the form of human flesh. His power to cast out
demons gave evidence to His authority over angelic spirit beings. God
created the angels as His messengers. These messengers are his special
servants to His people. We read concerning angels in Hebrews
1:14... are
they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who
shall be heirs of salvation? Who sent these spirits? God sent these
spirits. He is the one with authority over the angelic spirit world.
This is an indication that He is God.
Satan was the greatest of all angelic spirits. He fell into pride and
sin; we read, 1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little
children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you,
than he that is in the world. Good is greater in power and might,
than evil. That which is true, that which is right and pure will
overcome all evil. According to Hebrews 2:8, Jesus has
all authority and power. 8 Thou hast put all things in subjection
under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left
nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things
put under him. Jesus is God. DW
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Friday, September 12th
The Most
Humiliation of All Beings
Hebrews 2:9
Today, we are going to look at
what God had planned in Jesus Christ and what God has done in Jesus
Christ. Do you realize that God has a plan, not only for the whole
world, but also for each of us individually? God's plan offers mankind
the only hope he will ever have for eternity because of sin and evil.
Jesus Christ is who brings that hope. Let's take a closer look. First,
we see that God made Christ a little lower than the angels to suffer
and taste death for every man. The word "taste" means to
experience or to partake of. God sent Christ into the world to
experience death (the wages of sin) for every man. Christ had a full
measure of God's Spirit and He obeyed God perfectly without ever
sinning. Therefore, He secured perfect righteousness, and He stands as
the perfect and ideal Man before God. This means that because Jesus
Christ died on the cruel and shame-filled cross, His death would cover
and free men from ever having to die. Even better, when He arose from
the grave, His resurrection would assure that men could arise and live eternally.
Best of all, when He was exalted into heaven, His exaltation would make
it possible for man to be exalted into heaven and to rule and reign
over the universe for God. So, Jesus Christ suffered and tasted death
for every man, and because He has died, God has crowned Him with the
glory and honor of heaven. God has exalted Him to the height of heaven,
to His own right hand of authority and power. This is Jesus Christ, the
Savior of the world. Because Jesus "became obedient unto
death... God also has highly exalted Him." Phil. 2:8,9.
By His redemptive work, Christ has fulfilled all that is required as
the supreme representative of mankind. By His incarnation, substitutionary
sacrifice, and victory over sin and death, 1 John 4:10
...the propitiation for our sins, Jesus has fulfilled man's original
purpose. As we see in the last part of our text, ... he by the grace of God should taste death
for every man; everyone who truly believes, that is. The
death of Christ can only be applied to those who come to God in
repentance of their sin and by faith, submit their lives to Him in
humble obedience. Is this where you stand today?!
"Dear Gracious and
Merciful Father, we humbly fall on our knees and repent, asking You to
forgive us of our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We
ask You, Jesus to save us. Amen." DM
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Saturday, September 13th
All Things Were Created
by Christ
Hebrews 2:10,
John 1:3, Psalms 33:6, Ephesians 3:9, Colossians 1:16,
Hebrews 1:10
Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things
created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and
invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or
powers: all things were created by him, and for him. Other translations use the
word "in" rather than "by", and the Greek
substantiates this. Vincent, one of the great Greek scholars of the New
Testament, says of this passage, "In Him, within the sphere of His
personality resides the creative will and creative energy, and in that sphere
the creative act takes place." Next we note, "heaven and
earth, visible and invisible" and this includes all creation,
space, matter, and energy. It is difficult for us to understand that
all visible and invisible things are the product of one Personality.
The smallest particle of dust that reflects light in the sunbeam,
shining through a window, and a single drop of water was created for
and in Him, but every drop is still in existence. We hear about how we
need more water today, but not a drop of the original water has ever
been lost. It may have changed into some-thing else, but it's all still
here.
The words,
"thrones, dominions, principalities and powers" refer to the
angels in heaven and the demons in hell. These particular words are
directed to the believers at Colosse because angel-worship had crept into the
church. Paul had to straighten them out, because they were trying to
count how many angels could stand on a pinhead at one time. They were
discussing the various grades of angels and trying to figure out how
many angels stood between God and man. Remember, there was a time when
Paul was stoned at Lystra
because the people gave them Greek gods names and thought of them as
angels, Acts 14:8-23. In the Greek culture of New Testament
days, angels were worshipped and this writer has seen the stone, winged
statues that are still standing in Greece
today.
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and
one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Christ is the one Mediator and
the only one. There is none other name given among men, Acts 4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name
under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Christ is
not only the Creator, but our Mediator, Praise God! RJS
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Sunday, September 14th
Jesus Our Redeemer
Hebrews 2:10-13
In the councils of God from eternity, God
planned our redemption. The trinity has ever been a great mystery. We cannot
overemphasize that Christians are monotheistic. We believe in only one
God, however, the work of God the Father in our redemption is much
different from that of God the Son. There is a covenant of redemption
at work between God the Father and God the Son that was forged
somewhere in eternity past.
This covenant involved the absolute submission of God the Son to the
Father. We read in Psalm 40:7,8 7 Then said I, Lo, I
come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, 8 I delight to do
thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. This is a
reference to the coming of Jesus Christ to this earth. Jesus loved the
Father and delighted to do the will of the Father. The spirit of
righteousness involved here is described in the book of Philippians. Philippians
2:5-8 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ
Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be
equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him
the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being
found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto
death, even the death of the cross.
God the Father rather than dedicate Himself to redemption, dedicated
Himself to being the just sovereign of the universe. Now remember God
is one. We dare not allow ourselves to think in terms of the existence
of more than one God. This is wrong. God is one in essence and three in
person. God the Father, being just, must punish evil and reward good.
Part of this reward is mentioned in Philippians 2:9-11.
Here we read that 9 God also...hath highly exalted him, and
given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of
Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth,
and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord... Jesus is the one an only Redeemer. He
was tempted in all points like we are yet without sin. He is the only
man who has ever lived that is free from all sin. As such, He is the
only Redeemer. He is the one and only Savior of fallen humanity. DW
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Monday, September 15th
Perfected
Through Sufferings
Hebrews 2:10
Jesus Christ suffered greatly on the cross. We cannot even begin
to describe or imagine the depth of suffering and agony that was placed
upon our Savior as he took the sins of the world upon His shoulders.
How He voluntarily died in ultimate shame, His disciples deserting Him.
How he was mocked and beaten, being spit upon, His beard being yanked
and torn out, a crown of thorns being cruelly thrust down upon His
bleeding head, nails being driven into His hands and feet, unable to
breath, in merciless pain and agony, suffocating and hanging shamefully
naked in front of the crowd of mockers (some who were healed by Him no
doubt and some who received bread from Him) who unmercifully cried out,
"CRUCIFY HIM! CRUCIFY HIM!".... Rejected!... Isaiah 53:6,
10 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his
own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 10Yet it
pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief:
Can you just for a moment begin to see and look upon the suffering
Savior, who went to the cross for you... who died in your place? The
glorious truth is this, Jesus died so that you don't have to. You see, Hebrews 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things,
and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make
the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
What God did through the sufferings and humiliation of Jesus Christ on
the cross was perfectly consistent with His sovereign righteousness and
holiness. Without Christ's humiliation and suffering, there could be no
redemption. And without redemption, there could be no glorification.
Jesus Christ was made the captain of our Salvation. He has led the way
into heaven as our forerunner. We understand that in His divine nature
He was already perfect. However, in His human nature, Jesus Christ was
perfected through obedience, and that included suffering in order that
He might be an understanding High Priest, as an example for all
believers.
"O Lord God how we weep in sorrow when we realize how Christ
suffered on our behalf! But oh, how we rejoice, knowing that You did
this so we wouldn't have to. Jesus is our suffering Savior, made
perfect through suffering. May we, too, suffer obediently for His names
sake."
DM
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Tuesday, September 16th
Living in
Christ leads to a Sanctified Life
Hebrews 2:11,
Romans 5:16
Heb. 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth
and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not
ashamed to call them brethren, Galatians 5:16 and 18 This I say
then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
... But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Led by the Spirit: If you act under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and
if you make the Word of God your rule and the grace of God your
principle, it will, hence, appear that you are not under the law. Paul
begins with the works of the flesh, in verses 19-21 The Holy Spirit can
never be comfortable with those who immerse themselves in the filth of
the flesh. The righteous and holy God never admits such into his favor
and presence, unless they be first washed and sanctified, and justified
in the name of our Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God, 1
Corinthians 6:11.
Paul specifies the
fruit of the Spirit, in verses 22, 23. These Spiritual, attributes are:
love, joy, peace, the first three are directed towards God. The second
three are to our fellow Christians and others we seek to win to Christ:
long-suffering, gentleness, goodness and the last three are directed
toward self: faith, meekness, and temperance. These are not nine
different fruits, but rather they are all fruit of the indwelling Holy
Spirit. There is no law against these as we saw in verses 19-21 above.
And those that are
Christ's, says Paul (those who are Christians indeed, not only in show
and profession, in sincerity and truth), have crucified the flesh with
the affections and lusts. We still have fleshly temptations, but we are
in the process of eradicating them, one by one. This is called
progressive sanctification. Galatians 2:20 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. To be
self-crucified is to recognize sin and plead the blood on it; to put it
away and every time it raises its ugly head to defeat us, we turn a
deaf ear and tell the Tempter that we are dead with Christ and sin has
no more dominion over us. RJS
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Joint Heirs with Christ
Colossians 1:18-23
Redemption
is not rooted in the justice of God. Redemption is rooted in the grace
and mercy of God. All of fallen humanity is lost in sin and as such,
already justly condemned to hell. This world was already condemned when
Jesus came into it. All who do not believe in Christ are already
condemned. John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not
condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he
hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Our redemption is only possible through our union with Christ. Christ
and all that believe are one body. 1 Corinthians 12:12,13
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members
of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For
by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or
Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink
into one Spirit. The church is all those then, who have been born of
the Spirit and united with Jesus Christ.
It is this union with Christ that elevates us above angels. Angels are
above man, but saints are above angels. I wonder are you numbered among
the saints of God. Jesus said that the meek shall inherit the earth. Why
is that? It is because Jesus is the King of heaven and the kingdoms of
this earth are destined to one day become the kingdom of our Lord.
Jesus is coming and all the saints will come with Him. The saints will
share in all that glory and all that power. Romans 8:16,17 16
The Spirit itself beareth
witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if
children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so
be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
If we follow Christ, we will find a cross, however, all who find a
cross will also find a crown. We, who are made in the image of God in
Christ, become a part of the actual family of God. This is what it
means to be a saint. God has given man dominion over this earth. It
seems that the saints play an important part in God's purpose for this
world. When the king comes again, He will be surrounded by tens of
thousands of His holy saints. Christ and the saints hold a higher
position than that of angels. DW
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Thursday, September 18th
Adopts
Children to God
Hebrews 2:13
Adoption; most of us know what this means to some extent. It is
important that we understand more thoroughly what is involved with the
process and most importantly, how God views this very important step
for believers. Back in verse 12 we see the phrase, "My
Brethren" which is quoted from Psalm 22:22. Jesus had
taught that those who do the will of the Father in obedience to His
word are His brothers and mother. (Matt. 12:50) Interestingly,
He never directly referred to His disciples by the title of
"brethren" until after His resurrection. Not until He had
paid the price for their salvation, did they truly become His spiritual
brothers and sisters. We see that the use of the term "my
brethren" demonstrates His full identification with mankind in
order to provide complete redemption. God the Father had sent Jesus
Christ to share equally with the sanctified, who are believers.
Sanctified means set apart and separated unto God. In other words,
through Christ, true believers are born again, spiritually born of God.
They are literally adopted into the family of God and God becomes their
Father. God places them into the position of brethren with Christ! Let
us personalize this. None of us deserve it, we haven't earned it, but
just by repentance and trusting Christ to save us, God sets true
believers apart and adopts them into the family as brethren. We see a
beautiful picture here in that now believers get to share in the same
worship as Christ, because Christ now lives within them, stirring them
to learn more and more about God. Finally, we see that Christ is able
to present true believers to God because of His work on the cross. We
must diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 But without
faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must
believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him. Without Christ, God sees men as sinners and
condemns them to Hell, but through Christ, true believers are seen as
righteous and are adopted into the family. It is Christ's work of
redemption that we must realize. We are sinners in the hands of an
Angry God, condemned to Hell, but Jesus Christ our Savior paid the
price for sin and we, then, are able, Heb. 4:16
therefore (to) come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain
mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Adoption into the
family of God!
"Thank you, Heavenly Father! Amen." DM
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Friday, September 19th
God took upon
Himself a Human Nature
Hebrews
2:14-18 and Romans 8:3
Heb. 2:14-18 Forasmuch then as the
children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took
part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the
power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through
fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For verily
he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of
Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like
unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest
in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the
people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is
able to succour
them that are tempted. It is the writer's desire to give an exegesis of
the above verses and also include Romans 8:3 For what
the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God
sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin,
condemned sin in the flesh:
Verse 14: tells us that Christ had to become a man in order to know the
problems of temptation, suffering and death. As God, our Saviour had
no experiential knowledge of these three troubles that plague mankind.
He had to take upon him the weakness of the flesh and likeness of
sinful flesh to understand Satan's insidious temptations and all that
we go through and yet be without sin, (Cf. Rom. 8:3 above).
Verse 15: The fear of death is built into our conscious mind because it
means separation from life and loved ones. Christ suffered death and
came forth from the tomb. He has guaranteed us that death no longer has
any dominion over us and the grave is not the end, but in Christ is the
beginning of a new, everlasting life, (1 Corinthians 15:50-58).
Verse 16-17: Christ did not take the nature of angels, who also are
created beings, but human nature that He might be the Saviour of
all mankind. And now we see Him as the Great High Priest, not
sacrificing bulls, goats and lambs, but as the Perfect Sacrifice a once
for all giving of Himself in behalf of all the human race.
Verse 18: Having gone through all that we faced, He now
empathizes with us and lifts us above the fears of suffering and death.
Amen! RJS
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Saturday, September 20th
Conquered
Death
I Corinthians
15:51-57
I
don't believe that this world would have known death were it not for sin.
We read that as Adam and Eve were in the garden, God warned them about
the coming of death if they ate the forbidden fruit. We read that God
did not create hell for humanity. He created hell for those angelic
beings that fell, the devil and his angels. It would have been
inappropriate for God to create hell for those made in His image.
Because Jesus was without sin, death had no power over Him. Jesus said,
John 10:17,18 17 ... I lay down my life, ... 18 No man
taketh
it from me, ... I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take
it again... Jesus had such power because He was without sin. He was
the second Adam, the perfect man. Where Adam failed, Jesus succeeded.
He was both God and man. He was God in every sense that God is God, and
He was man in every sense that Adam was man. When He faced life, He
faced it as Adam. When He faced life, He faced it in every sense that
you and I do except for sin. We read in Hebrews 4:15
where Jesus was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
In this life, Jesus did not use His divine power. We read in John
5:19.... Jesus... said unto them, ... The Son can do
nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what
things soever
he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. His power over death
then came from His righteousness as a man. As we noted, death would not
have come into this world if sin had not entered. Jesus was without
sin. Death had no power over Him. God created the first Adam with a
holy moral nature,
however, as character is born of experience, it was not possible to
create Adam with a holy moral character. The person of Jesus' humanity
was the second person of the Trinity. His person was in God the Son.
God the Son had a holy moral character. Therefore, it was impossible
that He should sin though the temptations were real.
Jesus in his full humanity conquered sin, death, and hell. He rose
again and lives forever. All born of the first Adam will die. All born
of the second Adam will live forever. The day is coming when all who have
been born of the Spirit will put away sinful flesh and will be
recreated in the image of Christ. DW
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Sunday, September 21st
Conquered the
Devil
Hebrews 2:14;
1 John 3:8
Most
people are really afraid of what lies beyond the grave after physical
death, and rightfully so. They ought to be so afraid that they fall on
their knees and repent of their sin unto Almighty God and call upon
Jesus Christ to save them. You see, Satan is the prince of the air. He
is the ruler of the earth and before Christ died on the cross, and only
because God allowed him to, Satan temporarily held the power of death
as a threat over mankind; but praise be unto God for winning the
victory over death and sin! Has there ever been any doubt?! Christ's
perfect life paid the price of sin and He rose up from the grave,
conquering once for all, death and its cruel sting. How did He do this?
First, we realize that Jesus Christ is God, come in the flesh. Jesus
delivered man by willingly becoming a man himself. He took part of
human flesh. The difference between Christ and us is that He willingly
took part of flesh, where as you and I had no say in the matter. We
were born into sin from human parents, but Jesus was not born of man, but
of God the Holy Spirit, and He willingly determined and purposed to
take part of human flesh and blood. He humbled Himself to such a degree
that He would leave heaven above in order to come to earth and live as
a man. He delivered mankind by willingly going to the cross to die for
us. We all die and there is no escaping that fact. Death is all around
us. We die and will never again experience this life, as such. We die
because of sin and death is the result of sin. That is why a Perfect
one was required. Jesus was without sin and so He could offer the
Perfect sacrifice. Through His death on the cross, Jesus was then able
to secure the power over sin and death once and for all. Should mankind
be afraid of death? Matthew 10:28 And fear not them
which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear
him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. What about
people who profess Christianity, but have no fruit? Matthew 7:19;
13:42 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit
is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 42 And shall cast them into a
furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Yes,
death without Christ is to be feared, but death with Christ is
glorious. Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of
the LORD is the death of his saints. 2 Peter 3:12
Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God. Amen. DM
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Monday, September 22nd
Christ made it
Possible for all Mankind
to be Delivered
from the Fear of Death
Hebrews 2:15;
Ephesians 4:8-10; Matthew 12:40
and Psalms 16:10
The fear of death is in
every mind, because there is an uncertain fear that there may be something
beyond the grave. Even those who call themselves atheists are fearful
of what's beyond the grave. Our text verse reveals this great truth.
And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime
subject to bondage. Hebrews 2:15
There are many interpretations or guesses about the following
Scripture. The best one we can find is that our Saviour went into the bowels of
the earth and released the souls of the Old Testament saints who were
in Paradise as recorded in Luke 16:19-21. Jesus is speaking of
the two compartments in the place of the pre-resurrection dead. Those
on the other side of the great fixed gulf were in a place of torment. Ephesians
4:8-10 tells us of the saints who died before Christ's resurrection
and their release from the place where Satan held them. Christ took
them from Abraham's bosom into glory according to these verses, and
they are now in the presence of the resurrected Saviour.
Psalm 16:10
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy
One to see corruption. This verse has a two-pronged meaning. David
knew that God would not leave his soul in Hades, (or the unseen world)
the place of the dead, and he also knew that The Holy One (Christ)
would not see corruption. Our bodies will see corruption, but because
Christ was raised the third day, His body did not. Our corrupted bodies
will be raised incorruptible when the trumpet shall sound and the New
Testament saints leave this earth in the blessed rapture.
Job gives us a marvelous testimony of his faith in life after death. Job
19:25-27 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand
at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms
destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see
for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my
reins be consumed within me. The above is the most informative
testimony of an Old Testament saint believing in everlasting life, in
the presence of His Lord. Do you have that kind of faith? I do! RJS
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Tuesday, September 23rd
The Second Adam
Hebrews 2:16-18
We
often think of Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the
world. This is true,
however, it is also true that Jesus rendered perfect obedience as a
man. In our redemption, all our sin was placed on Jesus Christ. He paid
the just penalty for sin. What is the just penalty for sin? We read in Romans
6:23 that " the
wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord. The contrast here is not just between
physical life and physical death, but eternal life and eternal death.
We need to realize that Jesus is our righteousness. Of ourselves, we do
not possess perfect righteousness. Of ourselves, all our righteousness
is as filthy rags, the prophet tells us. Once we believe, we are made
partakers of the very righteousness of Jesus Christ. Jesus not only
died for us, He rendered perfect obedience to the law for us. Just as
we inherit a sin nature from Adam, we inherit forgiveness of sin and
perfect righteousness from Jesus Christ.
As Jesus rendered
perfect obedience, divine power played no part. In our text, we read (Hebrews
2:17) that " in all things it behoved him to be made like
unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest
in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the
people. When it came to this life, Jesus faced life as we face it.
Think of the tempter coming to Him challenging Him to turn stones to
bread. Why would that have been so wrong? It would have been wrong
because we cannot do that. It would have been wrong because God's will
for His life was to face life just as you and I face it with all human
weakness, save for sin. Jesus healed the breach between God and man. He
is the one and only perfect mediator.
It was not the divine power, but the divine character that provided
perfect redemption. The outcome was certain. He had a holy moral
character. He could not sin though He was tempted. Sadly, all humanity
was plunged into sin in Adam, but God working in the person of Jesus
Christ guaranteed our redemption. Jesus is able to save all that come
to Him, however, if we would come, we must do so in faith and
submission. DW
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Wednesday, September 24th
Suffered
Temptation and Won so He Could Succor Those Tempted
Hebrews 2:18
Every
one of us has been tempted in some way or another and most, if not all
of us, have given in to temptation. We fail so many times and yet, 1
Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but
such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you
to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also
make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. God the Son,
Jesus Christ became man's great High Priest, so that He could be
merciful and faithful to us. Jesus was "behooved" constrained
and moved to be a man in order to sympathize and feel for man. Why?
There are 4 reasons that we will look at today. First of all, Jesus
Christ became our great High Priest so that He could be merciful to
man. Man needs mercy and it is mercy that is our only hope of ever
living with God. Unless God loves man so much that He will pour out His
mercy upon us, man is doomed and lost for eternity. So Jesus became our
faithful High Priest. Secondly, Jesus became our High Priest so He
could be faithful to God. God loves man with an eternal love and so He
willed that Christ come to earth and deliver man from sin and death and
judgment. So Christ was faithful. Thirdly, Jesus became our High Priest
to be the propitiation or payment for man's sin. It was His blood, His
sacrifice, His death, His suffering, and His cross that caused God to
accept Jesus as our payment and when He died, the righteousness,
perfection and justice of God was satisfied. Finally, Jesus became our
High Priest so that He could succor them. Isaiah 63:9
In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence
saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare
them, and carried them all the days of old. This means that Christ
can help and relieve and assist us when we run and cry out to Him in
our suffering and pain, trials and temptation. He knows exactly how we
feel and is perfectly able to comfort and help us in every situation
and condition and trial that we go through. In fact, Jesus suffered so
much more than any man will ever suffer. His suffering reached the
depth of humiliation. That way, He can also be the perfect sympathizer,
because He can identify and feel each problem and trial that we face.
Jesus Christ can succor, help, feel, care for, and look after every
person no matter what their condition, trial, or temptation. Amen. DM
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Thursday, September 25th
Christ was not
taken from among men
But was
sent from Heaven
Hebrews 5:1-5
Hebrews 5:1-5 For every high priest taken
from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he
may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: 2 Who can have compassion
on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he
himself also is compassed with infirmity. 3 And by reason hereof he
ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. 4 And
no man taketh
this honour
unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 5 So also
Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that
said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. Most teachers believe that
the Book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were
straddling the fence of uncertainty as to whether they should stay with
Christianity or return to the Old Testament faith. They were being
ridiculed and considered traitors to their former faith.
The Apostle Paul,
as we believe, was the author of Hebrews, guided by the Holy Spirit, reminds
them that all O |
