This Jesus 3!

This Jesus 3!

Hebrews 12:2 AMP

[2] [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].

The verse above charges us to look away from all that will distract us. This tells me that the default setting of the natural man is to be engaged in many things, and not that one very important thing. The world seeks to give us several options, and seeks to keep us focused on things that look 'legitimate' but are also distracting us at the same time. It is very important to take care of our families, as well as the needy around us, but it must never be at the expense of a living, breathing, healthy relationship with this Jesus. As we go through life, earthly pursuits and priorities will change in line with our age and health, but the one thing that will not change is our need for God. 

The verse above does not leave us clueless. It tells us what to avoid, and what to focus on. It tells us to look away from all that will distract and to focus our eyes on Jesus. Focus is 'the act of concentrating full attention, effort, or energy on one specific task, object, or person while filtering out distractions'. It takes all or full attention; as long as there is shared attention, it is not focus. It is clear that we will not be able to do this without help, and that is why Jesus offers us Himself as the Source of all that we need, and the end-goal of our faith. He is the One who births our salvation, and He is the One in whom we find purpose, direction, and fulfilment. 

If someone is both the Author and Perfecter of faith, it means that He is also responsible for alll that happens between start and end. He does not have a great start and a terrible end. He did not come to the earth in human form, and then avoid the walk of shame that led to my salvation. He went all the way by standing in my place, taking on my guilt and shame, and even suffering the rejection of His Father as He hung on the cross. You do not do these things unless you know the value and purpose  behind the pain. Jesus knew the pain that was coming, but He also knew the joy that was ahead. He kept His eye on the prize, which were the lives that would come and put their trust in Him.

The joy ahead made the cross worth it.  The cross brought shame, but it was the pathway to the glory that was ahead. He already had glory, but there was no way to describe the glory that would be made manifest in mortal man. Picture a mortal man being the carrier of an immortal God. Picture an immortal God, who brought Himself down to the level of mortal man, so He could bring mortal man to realms of glory beyond man's understanding. All of these were made possible by the focus of this Jesus. He has finished the work of the cross, and He is still working to bring to completion the work He has started. Have you met this Jesus? God's time of favour is here.

This Jesus 2!

This Jesus 2

Matthew 20:28 AMP

[28] just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [paying the price to set them free from the penalty of sin].

All through the lifetime of Jesus on earth, men came to know different things about Him. Yesterday's focus was on the early days of Jesus' ministry, just before God made that public declaration of Jesus being His beloved Son. Today's focus is on the disciples who had followed him for a few years now. They had seen Him perform miracles, and had also heard Him teach with authority. They had seen Him oppose the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, and the teachers of the law of His time. The disciples had also heard Him speak about the coming suffering on the cross, and this must have been hard to take. How could a man who was this powerful, raising people from the dead, be put to death in such a shameful manner? The image they had of Jesus did not match what He was telling them. What version of this Jesus do you have and know? 

Interestingly, in the midst of all these news, the mother of two of the disciples saw a great opportunity to get something for her sons. She must have seen a glimpse of the glory that awaited those who followed this man to the end, and she wanted something eternal. She wanted preferential treatment for her sons, though there were 10 other disciples. I am not sure why she thought this was a good idea, but before we point a finger at her or the sons, can we also take a look at ourselves? What is the motive for my service? Is it earthly applause or recognition? Why do I serve as I do? If my assignment was in an obscure corner, where no one noticed, would I still give my best? Is the title men call me more important to me than how God sees me? James and John could also have pushed their mum to approach Jesus to make that request. I deal with a God of totally absolute knowledge, before whom all secrets are laid bare. He cannot be deceived by external show which is devoid of personal devotion. 

It is this same Jesus that makes it clear what His mission on earth is, and what He expects from those who claim to follow Him. Jesus refers to Himself as the Son of Man, which is a source of comfort to us that Jesus has walked in our shoes, and is able to provide the help we need. His life is also an example we can emulate: He did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. He is God, but He left all that glory in heaven, and came in the image of those who needed help. In His glory, death could not touch Him, but in His humanity, He has laid the path for us to be reconciled to God, and to have access to all that we need for life and Godliness. We could not pay the price for our sin, but He did, fully satisfying God's righteous requirements, and now, we are set free from the penalty of sin, and assigned eternal life with God. This is where I am now. This is who I am now, all thanks to this Jesus. Do you know this same Jesus? God's time of favour is here  

This Jesus!

This Jesus!

John 1:29 AMP

[29] The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 

It is Easter week. We remember and also celebrate the greatest gift God gave to the world, but it is also good to take a look at the events that went with the gift that was given. From the account of John, we know that a man named John was sent to herald the coming of the Messiah. This man was known as John the Baptist. He was actually related to the vessel by which Jesus came into the world, so we can also say it was appropriate for an insider to be the one to make Him known. John starts off his epistle highlighting the many pointers to the authority and lordship of Jesus. He is called the Creator, the One by and for whom all things were made. He is also called the Light which shines in the darkness, and the darkness unable to reduce, hinder or comprehend the Light. This same Jesus is also called the Word of God that became flesh and dwelt amongst us, full of grace and truth. Same person; different manifestations.

John the Baptist spent his entire earthy ministry away from the comfort and convenience of an easy life. He made sure to point the attention of his audience away from him and the One who was coming to offer full and free salvation from sin to all men. The men and leaders of his time tried to distract him, asking him to clarify who he was and what was the motivation for his words and actions. It could have been easy to point men to himself, claiming to be what he was not, but he knew his assignment, and focused on that. He called himself a voice, pointing men to the One who was coming to save men from sin. Am I content with the place, position, privilege and provision that God has made for me where I am now? Am I seeking relevance from men, or am I fixed on bringing glory and honour to the God I claim to know and follow?

Am I decreasing, so that He can increase in and through me? 

At some point, Jesus showed up, and John the Baptist must have known his time was up. As soon as the bridegroom comes, all other pretenders or aspirants exit the stage. The One the whole world was waiting for had now shown up, and who else could have been the perfect person to make Him known, other than the same person who had been filling in for Him, pointing men to the principles and practices of the kingdom of God that was about to be made manifest?  As soon as Jesus showed up, John was quick to point Him out as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This is the assignment that matters. If Jesus had come to the earth without going through the cross, we would not be where we are now, and we would have had no hope of eternal life. As John said it then, so does God say it now: Jesus is here. How do you respond to this truth? God's time of favour is here. 

This God 2!

This God 2!

Psalms 3:3 AMP

[3] But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory [and my honor], and the One who lifts my head.

This is one of the psalms of David, the man after God's own heart. It is interesting to note the circumstances that led to this song, as we see the background to several songs by the man David. I note that being called a man after God's own heart did not keep David from trials and tough times; in fact, God's hand upon him invited enemies against him. Let it be known that being backed up by God does not keep you from being tried by the devil. Jesus is the Son of God, but when he walked  the earth as mortal man, the devil came after Him. How can we then expect that we will get a better deal? I must always keep reminding myaelf that the hand of God upon my life will keep me focused on Him, even whilst the drama goes on. This is where David found himself too: surrounded by enemies, and not the external type that could be easily conquered, but one from his own house, who was Absalom his son.

Read the words of David before the ones above: Lord, how my enemies have increased! Many are rising up against me. Many are saying of me, “There is no help [no salvation] for him in God.' Reflect on this: men had seen David in trouble, and rather than help him, they were gloating at his trouble. The enemy was even gloating to the extent of saying God had abandoned David. This means that they knew he was a child of, and a man loved by God. Can men see the hand or imprint of God upon my life? When the squeeze comes, what comes out of me? When things go wrong, as they must do at some point in time, no one stays with you like God would do. It is not always the fault of the people who leave: a man cannot give what he does not have. How can anyone give you eternal support when he cannot guarantee the next minute? 

This is where this God comes in. When things fall apart, as they would usually do, do I know this God who steps in as a shield? Have I put my trust in Him as the only One who can help, or is He one of many options? One thing the verse above makes clear is that you do not say something so direct without a personal encounter with the God referred to here. How could David speak so boldly, if he had no current experience of God to speak of? As a shield, He is the One who steps up and stays in when others have stepped out. He is the One who has glory, and if He supports you, it does not matter what the quality and quantity of the opposition against you. He is more than enough for whatever it is that is coming my way. Even when depression or despair  threatens, I take comfort from the God who lifts me up, and sustains His grace in my life. He is for me, and He is all I need. What of you? God's time of favour is here. 

This God!

This God!

Romans 15:5 AMPC

[5] Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,

There are two references to be made from the verse above. The first one is the audience to which the entire letter was addressed. These are people who are 'called of Jesus Christ and invited to belong to Him.' The letter goes on to refer to these people as "God's beloved ones in Rome, called to be saints and designated for a consecrated life'. What a special way to introduce people who are bound for exploits; who are connected to a supply of grace; loved of God; chosen by mercy; set apart by God's choice and not by qualifications, influence or connections. There are many benefits and blessings that accrue to me by virtue of my decision to follow and submit to Christ. There are both phyiscal and spiritual benefits to be enjoyed, and I note that nobody can take on this benefit on account of anything other than the mercy of Christ. He is the One who makes the choice, and has the power to back it up to the end. 

May I not be filled with pride, or a sense of superiority, over something that I had no power or influence over. This understanding helps me to relate with other people with a clear sense of humility and simplicity. The start of the chapter from where the verse above is taken takes note of people who are  strong in their convictions and of robust faith, as well as those who arw weak in their own convictions and need help. Those who are strong are encouraged to bear with the failings and the frailties of the weak. This tells me that there will always be both the 'strong' and the 'weak' in any assembly of believers. Some have grown in their understanding of God's Word, whilst others are still learning to understand the basic principles of Jesus and His instructions. Christ died for all, no matter the level we are on. His help is available for ny and all who come to Him by faith.

Of course, when the strong is able to help the weak, without seeking any personal gain or profit from it, the church becomes a place of harmony. The weak finds a place of support and encouragement, and the strong find a place where knowledge and experience can be used as tools of encouragement and support. It is noted that God is the One who gives the power of patient endurance, and also supplies encouragement. He knows our frame, and the right kind of help we need at different times in our lives. His supply helps me live in harmony with other people. I am not in competition with anyone; I am able to sympathise with the weakness of other people, using my personal encounters with Christ as testimonies to encourage others who may be going through challenges. With God, no experience is wasted. May my life be an encouragement to others. God's time of favour is here.

The Flow!

The Flow!

John 7:38 AMPC

[38] He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water.

As it has always been mentioned, Jesus almost always had a crowd following Him everywhere He went. He was a beacon of Truth, who would not bend to fit anyone's expectation. The events that led to the verse above was the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles. Reflect on this: the feast was a reminder of the experiences of Israel as it journeyed through the wilderness on the way to the promised land. This was an opportunity to remind themselves of the mighty acts of God, but sadly, it had become a religious assembly of various competing interests. The initial purpose behind the festival had been forgotten, and the One who was the fulfilment of the Law was being ignored and harassed. The prayer is that I do not get stuck on outward performance at the expense of inner witness of the presence of God in me. May I not sacrifice the eternal for human applause. 

This was the background to the verse above. It was time for the feast, and the usual crowd was there. As you read the verses before the one above, you find references to the brothers of Jesus, the mass of the people, the leaders of the Jews, the Pharisees, a lot of the Jews themselves, and even Nicodemus. Different people who would play different roles in the life of Jesus whilst He was on earth. As always, whatever it is that Jesus offers is for all who would come to Him on His terms. My current title does not matter; what is critical is that I am where God can reach, touch, mold and launch me out as His own to the world. His brothers mocked Him, wanting Him to show Himself to the world for applause and approval. The Pharisees and Jewish leaders were looking for opportunities to arrest Him. The crowd was mixed: some believed Him, and others were just looking for the next big thing. The question still applies to all of us today: 'why are you looking for Jesus'? 

This was what Jesus addressed in the verse above. He was speaking to all the parties referred to above, and the same offer still stands today. Anyone who believes in Him is open to the inflow that makes the difference. It is not just about hearing or reading about Him: it is about believing in Him. To believe is to have faith in the existence, truth, or value of someone or something. It implies confidence. It also means the complete exclusion of all others options. The offer by Jesus is a work in my inner man, the evidence of which cannot be silenced or ignored. To have springs and rivers of living water flowing from my innermost being means a  never-failing supply. It means that there is nothing outside of me that can stop or hinder the flow from inside me. It is the presence of Jesus in me that can guarantee this. It is my most important possession. Do you have Him? Do I? God's time of favour is here.

Seek God 2!

Seek God 2!

Deuteronomy 4:29-30 AMPC

[29] But if from there you will seek (inquire for and require as necessity) the Lord your God, you will find Him if you [truly] seek Him with all your heart [and mind] and soul and life. [30] When you are in tribulation and all these things come upon you, in the latter days you will turn to the Lord your God and be obedient to His voice.

Jeremiah 29:13 AMPC

[13] Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Two different verses above; the same warning in both. Two different verses, but there are about 800 -900 years between the events in Deuteronomy, as Israel journeyed to the land of promise, and the ministry of Jeremiah. It is very clear that we deal with a God of absolute knowledge and infinite wisdom. He is called the Omnipotent God for a fact, and as truth, which is not subject to debate; in fact, as the Bible says, all the days that were appointed for me were written down in His book, even before the first day of conception came to be. This tells me that He knows everything about my past, present and future. As the verses in Deuteronomy make clear, God knew that the events in Jeremiah would come to pass. This was as a result of the rebellion of Israel against the instructions of God. Let it be clear that God has no favourites when it comes to sin, and He will punish sin, no matter in whom it is found.

In these verses, there are a few certainties and a few variables. The first two certainties are what we have dealt with above, which are God's supreme knowledge and His hatred for sin. Another one is the fact that He will punish sin. Another one is that nothing can catch Him by surprise, or meet Him unprepared. Another one is His nature of mercy and forgiveness when a sinner returns to Him in true repentance. When you consider all the above, you have to wonder why mortal man struggles with sin, and does not take full advantage of the opportunities that God has provided. He is a God who supplies the help and grace man needs to live in line with the instructions of God. It will not happen by accident, or by deliberate action only, but by a total dependence on God's supply. See how God, even with the certainty of the rebellion of His people, still made provision for repentance, return and restoration. 

The people of Israel knew God's command, but still disobeyed. They knew what God loved and hated, but they still pressed on with what was wrong. The lessons are many, but a few will suffice here: God is Omniscient but this does not take away responsibility for my actions. To blame God for my mistakes, claiming that, after all, God knew I would make the mistake, is self- deception. He knows the future, but He also supplies grace for the present and the future. Another lesson is that there is an eternity at stake. At the end, I will not be able to blame people, situations, or  circumstances for my eternal reality. When God gives instructions and guidance for life, He wants me to enjoy all of Him within the boundaries He has set. To claim that God is old-fashioned, or old-school because of His standards, only leads to pain and regrets. He wants to bless, heal, and strengthen, but He will not force Himself on anyone, or go against the exercise of my freewill. If I let Him, He can save to the uttermost. Would you let Him work? God's time of favour is here.