Preparations for 2012

January 1, 2012 – 11:51 am

 

 1 Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.

 4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

 6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Psalm 1:1-6

All of us would like to be blessed in the year of 2012 and thereafter as well. God explains to the psalmist the proper steps to take. The key seems to be in believing and in following the laws of God. Such gives life stability which is not appreciated nor enjoyed by those who disregard the law as well as the Law Giver.

Why is the given law so very important in the eyes of God? It is quite true that it dictates the relationship of man to God and also details the relationship of man to man. In the clearest analysis these laws are a reflection of the very character of God and they define who He is in general terms. He is solitary, pure, just and ethical and therefore is dependable. As the result of who He is we should seek fellowship with Him and attempt to pursue His Holy leadership. In lock step with His wishes there is a discoverable peace and contentment.

1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

    He said:

   3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.

Matthew 5:1-8

 

Blessed, as translated from the Hebrew, means “happy.” This sermon was directed to the disciples of Jesus who were clustered around Him despite the fact that the crowd exceeded a total of 5000 people. The thrust of this sermon was that happiness was best sought through certain attitudes. The goals seek spiritual peace as members of the Kingdom of God. Happiness is reachable by the mourning and desire to correct our sinfulness. Meekness refers to a willingness to be God led. Thirsting for righteousness considers both fellowship and ethics which promotes satisfaction. The mercy of God is to be expected when you have an attitude of mercy. The purity of heart speaks to a focus on God seeking His glorification. The secret to contentment is to be found in fellowship with God which renders a contentment of soul.


 15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

   “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

   Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

   He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

   Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

   Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

   Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

John 21:15-19

 

Despite what you personally choose in life, you may find yourself standing before a group of people as their leader or teacher. Teaching is an awesome responsibility. Once learned, incorrect information is difficult to erase from our memory. Public speaking comes easily for some but not so for others. I spent a year in medical training in the company of an original thinker. Most physicians have a knack for remembering information. Few bring forth original thoughts however. I was benefitted by being in the company of Dr. Mike Criley in Baltimore. It was he who told me that it was of value to tell information that you wished to be remembered three times. He said “tell them” then “tell them again” and then “tell them what you told them.” Simple information but quite helpful.

In Jesus’ discourse with Peter it would perhaps seem to us that He was repeating the same question for Peter which provoked the same response. However, that is not the intention of Jesus for He was not desirous merely of repetition of His question for affect and remembrance. Our inability to understand Jesus’ probing hinges on the fact that Peter and Jesus used different words for love in this discourse. Remember that the Greek language in which the New Testament was first recorded had numerous synonyms for the same word. Jesus’ request was for Peter to love Him with the grandest form of Love. Peter’s response revealed a word for love that was less than total commitment. Jesus’ repetition of His question made it clear that He required and expected total commitment from His followers. That which is requested of Peter is likewise requested from us. So, let us go and do likewise. We, the sheep of Jesus, are to feed other sheep. In so doing, this reveals the ultimate in love and commitment for Jesus.

What does a New Year bring for all of us? Is it hope, opportunity, accomplishment, or hurdles? I suspect it will include a combination of all of these. We recognize the sovereignty of God since He is in control but what is our part in this undertaking? Satisfaction and peace will come if we pursue God’s will. How do we best discern God’s will for our individual lives? Are we apt to have a divine vision or be struck to our knees as was Saul on the road to Damascus? Perhaps, but not likely. What is clear is that God wishes to direct and lead us by His Word. Let us all resolve to read our Bibles daily, mediate on God’s word and apply it, and pray in reverence frequently. Despite what 2012 bring, these actions will bring us into deeper fellowship with God.

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Immanuel

December 25, 2011 – 11:47 am

Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—

The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,  you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,  the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning,    will be fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born,  to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne  and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it   with justice and righteousness    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:1-7

Isaiah brings forth a profound prophecy over 700 plus years before its enactment. Although written in poetic style, the words used are exacting. No one would consider them to be symbolic for the declaration is that a child will be born who is designated “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God.” In view of the reticence of the Jews to utter the sacred name of God, this declaration takes on even greater weight. Obviously, Isaiah had no understanding of how this would come about. 2000 years after the event, we still don’t clearly understand the how, but we truly accept the “Why.” Being created rather than Creator places us in a position of accepting things as true despite not clearly understanding the “how”. Now with 2000 years of investigating the concept of the special child, we marvel at the mind who planned and carried out this unlikely birth. This infant is destined for greatness in a pattern that no one ever guessed or completely understood.

The same author in his extensive writings takes us to the strange circumstance of the death of this child grown to manhood.


See, my servant will act wisely;
he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
Just as there were many who were appalled at him—
his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness—
so he will sprinkle many nations,
and kings will shut their mouths because of him.
For what they were not told, they will see,
and what they have not heard, they will understand.

Isaiah 52:13-15

 

No longer a child, He now is referred to as “my servant.” At first glance it would appear that during life “He will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.” One would suppose that this is because he is “Mighty God.” Often the prophet says more than he understands and this is certainly the case in this instance. His lifting up is on a tree for the sole purpose of crucifixion as the cause of His death. Paradoxically, it is His death that demands His being exalted because He is resurrected from the grave. This is the proof that He is Mighty God.


The Birth of Jesus

 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,  and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Luke 2:1-7

 

A census was taken every 14 years for the purpose of levying taxes. Humanize this scripture by visualizing a 12-14 year old pregnant girl riding on a donkey the many miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The Prophet Micah declared over 700 years earlier that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. This town was small and insignificant at that time and not where one would anticipate the birth of a King.  His ancestry was through the Tribe of Judah and in the line of King David. The validity of this child being the Messiah grew with each prophecy that He fulfilled.

Luke pursues the idea of paradox by involving the shepherds in the story. They are the lowest of the low on the tree of social importance. Mary and Joseph are likewise poor. The seeming inconvenience of “no room in the inn” is perhaps God’s providence since inns were notorious places at that time. So far, nothing seems very royal. He was not born in a place or to parents of means. Except for three Magicians from the East who ultimately arrive to see this child, no one seems to pay much attention. For the first 30 years of His life this seems to be the case excepting a visit to the Temple at Jerusalem at the age of 12. His brilliance, shown as he questioned and spoke, testified to His intent to be about His Father’s business.

A careful look at His life in all 4 gospels showed that He pleased only those that he healed of emotional or physical illnesses. Any respect that He received was sporadic and rarely fitting with what He had accomplished. Later His acceptance by the people occurred in association with the feeding of more than 5000 people. This acceptance quickly evolved to rejection when a crowd echoed the request to “crucify Him.”

To completely understand the birth of the Messiah, we must rush ahead to His crucifixion to see why He must come at all. His coming is very personal for only He could become the perfect sacrifice to cover the sin of man. He Himself became perfected as our Savior thru hardship and persecution.

Perhaps this is the real theme that underlies this story. Jesus becomes the Perfect and perfected Messiah through suffering. Perhaps this is part of the answer to the question of why good people suffer.

This is a time for celebration. Death and sin are overthrown by a son born to a poor unwed peasant girl 2000 years ago. Only God could accomplish this. The compassion of this story arises from the heart of God who is Love.

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It Has Started

December 11, 2011 – 2:43 pm

Judgment and Covenant Renewal

“Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the LORD Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the LORD Almighty.

 “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel.

 “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”

Malachi 4:1-6

The Old Testament comes to a close hundreds of years after its initiation. It begins with a perfect creation by God only to end with a warning of judgment. Also included is the promise that the prophet Elijah would precede this day. His purpose would be to turn the hearts of the people.

What began in perfection became tainted and diverted by disobedience. God’s efforts to overcome sin by the leadership and guidance of the prophets had resulted in the preservation of a remnant of His Chosen People. However, the majority had not responded to God’s desires.

What follows the close of the Old Testament is a 400 year period of prophetic silence when the Word of God was not given. Malachi provided a promise from God of a resumption of prophetic witness before that Day of Judgment, the awesome Day of the Lord.

The punishment of the children of Israel by the invading armies of Assyria and Babylon had cured the Jews of idolatry, however, their iniquity was unabated and their pursuit of sin and disobedience unrestrained. It is into such a setting that God would send His Messiah for purpose. This purpose was to deal with sin and to enable participation in God’s Kingdom.


The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Luke 1:5-17

Luke begins his good news (Gospel) with the introduction of John the Baptizer. The angel Gabriel confronted Zachariah, the soon to be father of John. It was as Zechariah was performing his duties in the Holy Place of the Temple. Despite the barrenness of his wife Elizabeth, she was to conceive a son who was to be raised as a Nazerite. His role was to serve as a fulfillment of the prophecy of Malachi to precede the coming of the Messiah. He was to prepare the way, calling people to repentance and revival and a seeking of devotion to God’s will. Soon after, Elizabeth conceived and John was born. He grew and embraced his role as God’s first prophet in 400 years.

Jesus and John the Baptist

 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.

When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

Matthew 11:1-6

 

John was imprisoned by Herod for confronting him with the charge of incest since he had married his brother’s wife. Ultimately, John was beheaded based on his opposition to Herod’s marriage to Herodias.

John’s concern for the nature of Jesus’ ministry caused him to wonder if he and others were mistaken in their assumption that Jesus, his cousin, was the long awaited and much anticipated Messiah. Common opinion envisioned a militaristic and political leader who would drive out the Romans and re-establish Jewish freedom. In contrast, Jesus is a traveling prophet who excels in preaching and healing but has shunned the political area. Even His own family has considered Him to be mentally unbalanced. It would appear that Jesus pleased no one other than the ones He healed of mental and physical illnesses.

Another Advent Season is here. It is accompanied with excitement and anticipation. Whether you think Jesus is the Son of God and the awaited Messiah or not, many will celebrate. The economist will draw attention to commerce based on the buying and selling of the next few weeks. Anticipating a giving spirit, most charities will send you at least one but perhaps more requests for donation. We will receive newsletters, cards, notes, calls and perhaps treats from friends. We will decorate our homes and churches and attend concerts, programs and plays. We will all tire but it will be a “good tired.”

The Book of Proverbs tells us that there is a time for all things. This is certainly a time for celebration based on whose birthday we will be acknowledging. The Prophet Isaiah declared 2700 years ago that a child would be born that would be declared to be “Mighty God”, “Immanuel, God with us.” As predicted, we despised Him, abused Him, doubted Him and crucified Him. However, His resurrection from the grave proved that He is the Son of God. He was sent to save the world and is clearly up to the task.

We stand in time, 2000 years beyond the time of Jesus of Nazareth. It is our belief that Jesus is the Son of God, sent to rescue us from sin, the Satan, and ourselves. We anticipate this return as promised so that we may be with Him in eternity. Skeptics voice that He will not return and His crucifixion and death were not followed by a resurrection from the grave. Despite documented evidence to the contrary the majority hold this latter view to be true.

If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and will return to claim His true Church, you do so because you have come to grips with the issue of sin. In the shamefulness that is sin, you have understood the importance of confessing such before God. True sorrow and a desperate cry for relief causes God to mercifully gift the faith to embrace Jesus as Savior and Lord. This gift is the key to eternity in the presence of God.

 

 

 

 

 

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Truth

November 27, 2011 – 8:42 pm

For this is what the LORD says— he who created the heavens,    he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth,    he founded it; he did not create it to be empty,  but formed it to be inhabited— he says:
“I am the LORD,    and there is no other.
I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob’s descendants,  ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, the LORD, speak the truth;    I declare what is right.  

 “Gather together and come; assemble, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry about idols of wood, who pray to gods that cannot save.
Declare what is to be, present it—   let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago, who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the LORD?    And there is no God apart from me, righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me.

“Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth;   for I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow;  by me every tongue will swear.

Isaiah 45:18-23

The MacArthur Study Bible relates that there are 1,189 chapters in the Bible. The first 2 in Genesis and the last 2 in Revelation are the only ones of this number that don’t deal with sin. Sin in its basic definition is a violation or disobedience against the wishes of God. For those who don’t accept the existence of/or concept of God, sin is a non-entity. However, most would accept the existence of crime. Crime by definition is the breaking of a law that has been hopefully established by human wisdom. Laws of a civil nature are generally made for the supposed welfare of the people. While the consumption of alcohol is not a crime, drinking such to a level of intoxication to impair your safety driving a car turns the driving of a vehicle into a crime. The logic of such a statement seems fairly easy to follow.

Isaiah declares that God exists and is the Creator of heaven and earth and all that is is a part of this creation. Immediately this places those who believe in God at odds with the proponents of Darwinism and natural selection. Without a debating of the issue, I feel comfortable in stating that the Bible’s account of creation and that of Darwin can’t both be correct. No amount of hedging of these conclusions can make them compatible. Isaiah declares in 45:19b that this is the declaration of God and it is truth. (I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, the LORD, speak the truth; I declare what is right)

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Jesus the Way to the Father

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

John 14:1-7

Before the arrest, trials, and crucifixion of Jesus, Jesus declares that He is not only the Way to God and the Life, but the Truth as well. Truth by definition implies that it is supported by facts that can be analyzed and established as genuine. In the context of which He speaks, He testifies that He is the Messiah of God, God’s Anointed for purpose. This purpose is to provide a way that allows sinful disobedient men, women and children to go into the very presence of God. This declaration when spoken by Jesus was much greater than had ever been anticipated by the Jews looking and longing for the Messiah. Jesus speaking in truth declares that not only will they be with God for eternity but He Himself would return to guide them into the presence of God the Father.


Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.  By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,  that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,  and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.  After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.  Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

1 Corinthians 15:1-8

This is “the” resurrection chapter of the Bible. The appearance of the Risen Christ is witnessed by more than 500 witnesses. This letter was written soon enough after the event so many of the individuals were still alive and could be interviewed. Such meets the requirements of a historically reliable witness.

What points can we bring forth to verify that the Bible is truthful, dependable and trustworthy?

The Biblical theme itself is one that speaks with veracity in view of the underlying nature of its recording. How so? The Bible was written over 1600 years ago by over 40 authors and is a compilation of 66 books. The understanding of their ability to hold together the same focus on the sinfulness of mankind hints of a common inspiration. This inspiration is the very Spirit of God.

The authors of the Old Covenant (Testaments) listed in upwards of 300 predictions concerning the coming, life, death and resurrection of a Messiah. Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled them all. To do so by chance alone would be incomprehensible.

The statements do not conflict. If they appear to do so, we are most apt to have taken them out of context. A search for a common denominator will likely resolve the issue.

Although many parts are given to hyperbole, the style of the writings is never mythological in nature. It is presented in a historical context and with historical references.

The Bible’s truthfulness is underlined by the truthful portrayal of characters who are both good and bad, by disclosing actions that are brave and sterling or selfish and without luster.

Why is Biblical trust so very important? God’s revelation is essential because of the differences in who we are and who God is. He is Creator, Savior and Guide. We are created, sinners, and dependant. God must tell us who He is; otherwise we create a god in our own image.

Trust in Jesus as outlined in the Bible is imperative. No one else provides an eternal guarantee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Who are You?

November 13, 2011 – 9:32 am

 

Jacob Wrestles With God

That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”

   But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

The man asked him, “What is your name?”    “Jacob,” he answered.

Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”

Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.”

But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.

Genesis 32:22-29

Jacob in Hebrew means “grabber.” He was the second of twins who emerged into the bright light of this world holding onto his brother’s heel. This action spoke of his personality. He intended to grab all that he could. He very skillfully “grabbed” his twin’s birthright and as a result he had to flee to a remote area to avoid being killed by Esau. Years later, he was returning home with his four wives and his children when he encountered a man in pitch darkness with whom he wrestled. The match ended in a draw but Jacob (Grabber) receives a name change, “He struggles with God.” Israel pleads for a blessing as well as the name of his opponent. The name is withheld, he is blessed, but he also has a lifelong reminder of this encounter. His hip is dislocated and he limps for the rest of his life. He is forever changed as are all who truly encounter God.

The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

 God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’

   “This is my name forever,
the name you shall call me
from generation to generation.

Exodus 3:7-15

 

Hundreds of years later, Moses the reluctant prophet is tending sheep in the desert. He is an Israelite by birth but a fugitive as the result of killing an Egyptian. He has just encountered a glorious image of a burning bush that is standing on hallowed ground. A voice speaks to him from this bush and commands him to serve as the leader of the exodus of his enslaved brothers and sisters in Egypt. He feels woefully unprepared for such a role and pleads that God “send someone else.” His pleas are unheeded and in desperation he requests the name of the one sending him. The reply he receives is “I Am, Who I Am.” God later asserts that such is His name forever.

The phrase “I Am Who I am” is confusing for us in our day but in Moses’ day it conveyed the idea of eternity and forever. The inference is that He is the God of creation and the One who has designated the Israelites as His chosen possession and people. He is to be the personal power behind the release of the Hebrews from captivity. The Great I Am is the One who made a covenant with Abraham, the father of this people.

Saul’s Conversion

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Acts 9:1-6

Saul of Tarsus felt that Jesus of Nazareth was a false Messiah. He likewise concluded that all from the Israelites who chose to follow Him were guilty of apostasy. Sadly, he pursued this belief with great zeal and was responsible for the deaths of many of the early followers of The Way. Not content to purge Jerusalem of such followers, he was on his way to Damascus, Syria, to apprehend those there who also professed and championed this idea. But, God had other plans for Saul. Struck by lightning, he was knocked to the ground and blinded. Jesus, the Risen Christ, then questioned him as to why he was persecuting Him. To which Saul replied, “Who are you, Lord?” Saul became Paul and we are here today as the result of his transformation from persecutor to evangelical missionary.

Jacob who became Israel and Moses and Saul who became Paul all raised the question as to the identity and the name of God. Being face to face with the pre-incarnate or resurrected Jesus, the question is the same. ‘Who are you?’ And ‘What is your authority?’

When small, our granddaughter Kaley was questioned as to who she would like to be. She was undecided and desired to be either a gladiator or a missionary. Now as a young adult she is a mother and wife desirous of being a nurse. She is actually fairly close to fulfilling her original ambitions. Being both a mother a nurse places you the arena of human struggling as well as delivering a message.

Who we wish to be and what we desire to be are important issues for us all. However, more importantly is the understanding of who Jesus is and what you plan to do with Him. Where should we turn to find out who the Great I Am truly is?

Many men and women over the centuries have placed their own spin on who God is. For many, He is in all of nature so that cows and rats become sacred. For some He is vague, undesirable and the enlightened become a portion of this after multiple attempts to “get it right.” Still for others, He is the rule maker of all rule makers and both life and afterlife are dependent upon the whims of a being that no one can truly understand. Karl Marx, an avowed atheist, proclaimed that He was a figment of man’s imagination and an opiate (narcotic) for the pains of life.

Jesus of Nazareth posed the question to His disciples as “Who do men say that I am?” Most thought Him a prophet. Simon Peter volunteered that He was the Messiah and the Son of the Living God.

Critically, all must decide who Jesus is. Our most reliable witness is that of Holy Scripture. Woven throughout this sacred writ is the revelation from God that each soul needs a Savior. This Savior is Jesus of Nazareth, both man and God, who died so that we may have joy in this life and eternity as well. Importantly, we can know only as much of God as the Bible reveals. It declares God to be of three persons but in unity as a solitary Godhead. He is Holy, Sacred, Awesome, and Terrifying but truly Love. To know God best, we must begin with the story of His Son Jesus who desires to be our Savior and Lord. The question for us all is not “Do we know of Him?” but “Do we personally know Him?”

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