Month: November 2024

No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know
what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all
things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
John 15:15

Friendship is a mutual relationship. The idea that “If you’re my friend, I’m your friend” was a well-established concept long before Facebook. Christ calls believers friends and goes on to say that He lays His life down for His friends (John 15:13-14). Clearly, this is no ordinary friendship.

Communication, shared interests, and companionship are three aspects that bind friends together. The closer the friendship, the fewer the secrets. Jesus told His disciples that He revealed to them the whole counsel of God. He told them His plans, His schedule, and His method of doing things. Angels don’t know any of that; they’re just servants. Christ shares these things with us, because He’s our Friend.

The Savior is the “friend of sinners” (Matthew 11:19). He wants to save us and we want to be saved. Faith is nothing more than agreeing with Christ that what He says is true and that we’re going along with His plan. We are not servants who earn our favor with the Master by doing work for Him. No, He’s our Friend, and we work together for a common purpose.

He is the “friend that sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24), which goes far beyond casual friendship. We can cast all our cares upon Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). He’s there when we need Him and never seems to get bored when we ramble on in prayer.

Now, we get to the part that I don’t understand. With such a Friend like Jesus, why would anyone “de-friend” Him? Yet it happens all the time. People stop praying, stop talking. They try carrying their load of sin and grief by themselves instead of putting on the Master’s yoke. It boils down to losing faith: No longer agreeing with Him that He’s right. I hear what they’re saying, but that doesn’t mean it makes sense. They just need to return to the Lord. He still wants to be their Friend.

September 21

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will
receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
1 Peter 5:4

The verse above concludes an admonition by the Apostle John to church elders that they “shepherd the flock of God” (1 John 5:1-4). Just like a shepherd taking care of sheep, the overseers of the local church need to feed and care for God’s flock (i.e. believers in Christ).The Latin word for shepherd is “pastor,” which is the origin for the English word for a minister or preacher. Just as the church’s pastor is responsible for his spiritual sheep, he also must be accountable to the head Pastor, or as it is in this verse, the Chief Shepherd.

This title of Christ is unique because it is only used in reference to the leadership of the local church. There could not be a Chief Shepherd unless there were also under-shepherds spread out in different fields looking over literally hundreds of critters who were unable to take care of themselves.

Pastors, elders, and people in full-time ministry sometimes feel that the congregation is their flock, but the truth of the matter is that the spiritual lambs belong to the Good Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep (John 10:11). With some degree of regularity, these under-shepherds must answer to the Chief Shepherd‘s questions: “How are my sheep doing? Are they healthy? Is the flock growing? How many were lost to the wolves?”

1 Peter 5:2 explains other areas in which the Head Pastor will examine the assistant pastors: Attitude and motivation. “Why did you even take this job? Do you feel you have to do it or do you want to do it? Are you in it for the money or status? Or do you want to please me?”

I understand that not everyone will have to answer to the Chief Shepherd, so they might not be interested in the title. Even so, I’m scheduled to meet with Him at the judgment seat of Christ, and I want to get all my sheep in a row. He has an unfading crown of glory to give me, but that’s not why I do any of this. All I really want to do is be pleasing to my Chief Shepherd.

September 17

The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.
Matthew 12:42

Disparity? Do you think? Today, the 85 richest people on the planet have a higher net worth than 3.5 billion of the poorest (the lowest 50% of all humanity). The wealthiest 1% of the world own 99% of all worldly goods. And yet that’s nothing! King Solomon made Israel’s economy so rich that silver was considered as stones. But, then, he only dealt with gold; he controlled the world supply.

For decades now, the president of the United States has been hailed as the “most powerful man in the world.” However, Ol’ Solomon was the first to own that title, and his place in the history books will remain long after the leaders of today are forgotten.

All that having been said, Christ Jesus is Greater than Solomon in every aspect.

Wisdom… Christ is the “Wisdom of God.”
Wealth… The Lord made all the gold in all the galaxies of the universe.
Long-life… Jesus is eternity years old and has another eternity to go.
Power… All the mighty ones on earth will flee the wrath of the Lamb.
Victory over enemies …The Savior has conquered sin, death, and hell.
Holiness… Solomon was bankrupt in this regard.
Disparity… The Lord of Glory’s great wealth and power are shared with His joint-heirs.

Bottom Line: Christ is Greater than Solomon.

September 16

Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said
to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).
John 20:16

The difference between a Rabbi and a Rabboni is just a matter of degrees. In American universities, there are three levels of academic achievement: Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate. In the same way, teachers of the Torah advanced in their scholarship.

The first level for a Jewish sage was that of a Rab (literally Master). The origin traces back to the development of synagogues during the Babylonian captivity. The Rab was the ruler of the synagogue and was designated by the congregation through the laying on of hands.

The middle level was that of a Rabbi. It was developed after the return of the exiles to Jerusalem. The title means “my master” and referred to a master teacher who would attract disciples to him. They would serve their Rabbi, and he would both teach and provide for them.

The highest level was Rabboni, meaning “my great Master.” Only the most respected sages who would see their disciples for a number of spiritual generations were honored this way.

Mary Magdalene called her Lord “Rabboni.” As a woman of questionable reputation, she was not known for her scholarship. What she was known for was that she was a sinner who was forgiven much. She bestowed the high honor on the Risen Lord.

The only other mention of the title Rabboni was by the blind beggar, Bartimaeus. Again, he was not a direct disciple of Jesus and, being blind, he couldn’t read, much less study the Hebrew scriptures. However, he had great spiritual insight.

When Jesus was passing through Jericho, the blind man called out the Messianic Title, “Son of David,” to Him. When the crowd would hush him up, he called out even louder. When Christ asked him what he wanted, Bartimaeus replied, “Rabboni,” (My Great Master), “That I may receive my sight” (Mark 10:51).

September 15

But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is
your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.
Matthew 23:8*

The Hebrew word “Rahbee” and its Greek counterpart “Hrabbi” both mean “my teacher” or “my master.” It was a term of respect and authority given to men of renown who were teachers of the law.

Gamaliel is generally considered the first to officially receive the title “Rabbi” around 30AD. To earn the title, one needed to be the president of the Sanhedrin as Gamaliel was, or receive ordination from that group. It is thought that since the Jewish counsel disapproved of Jesus of Nazareth, they wanted to diminish what people called Him by adding bureaucratic requirements for official recognition.

Christ may not have had a framed diploma or been given an ordination ceremony, but that’s what people called Him (John 6:25). The apostles all addressed Him as Rabbi because they were chosen by Him to be His disciples. It was also the title of honor and respect that Nicodemus chose to give Him when he visited the master by night. Although Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin, he was also a seeker of wisdom and truth and didn’t rush to judgment about the Galilean, as did the other council members.

Judas Iscariot also addressed Jesus with this title. It’s never recorded that the betrayer ever called Him Lord, Messiah, or Christ, but “Rabbi, Rabbi” were the last words he spoke before betraying the Savior with a kiss (Mark 14:45). It was like saying, “Nothing personal, but you’re just my teacher and I’m dropping this class.” Judas followed Jesus as a means to a scholarly career. When that didn’t seem to work, he cashed in his chips and bailed.

Charles Darwin, Joseph Stalin, and other atheists have gone to seminary. People can study the teachings of Christ without being transformed by them. It’s quite easy to call Jesus “Rabbi”; it’s something totally different to call Him Lord and Savior.

*plus 14 other times in Matthew, Mark, and John.

September 14

My beloved is white and ruddy, Chief among ten thousand.
Song of Solomon 5:10

The Lord Jesus is one in a million; actually, He’s one in several billion since he surpasses anyone and everyone who was ever born on earth. Calling Christ Chief among Ten Thousand seems to be selling Him short. What does this verse actually mean?

The reference comes from Song of Solomon, in which the Shulamite is describing her beloved. She goes on for a long time, describing her feelings for her husband. For centuries, this passage has been interpreted as describing either the sentiments of marital love or the beauty of the Messiah.

The verse is a statement of personal opinion. How many people does someone meet in a lifetime? Counting all classmates in elementary school and then the higher grades, and figuring in friends, family, work associates, acquaintances, and casual contacts, the number would be in the thousands. Some people get  a thousand Facebook friends, but we really  can’t keep up with more than about 150, maximum. In a lifetime, people might interact with  ten thousand others at some level.

To the Shulamite, her beloved was better than anyone she ever met or could possibly meet in the future; He was Chief among Ten Thousand. The phrase communicates the idea of so far surpassing the competition that there is no competition.

Christ loves us so intensely that He was nailed to a cross in order to save us. He also wants us to love Him intensely in return, even to the point that it surpasses the love we have for anyone else.

Jesus told His disciples: “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:37). The question begs to be asked of every Christian: “In my life, in your life, is the Lord Chief among Ten Thousand?”

September 13

 

When Christ who is our life appears,
then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Colossians 3:4

I really feel sorry for all those who have bought into the lie of evolution. Instead of seeing the intelligent design that is woven into every cell of every living thing, they are taught that life began by accident, proceeds by accident, and ends by accident. That is not exactly a message of purpose or hope.

The gospel message is different. People were made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and were put on earth for a reason, to give glory and honor to God (Revelation 4:11). People can know Christ who is our life, and knowing Him leads to glory (Colossians 3:4).

It’s interesting that in the verse above, “who is” is in italics. This means that those words don’t appear in the original Greek, so the title actually reads “Christ our life.” Jesus Christ is the source of life, and people don’t really live until the Savior comes into their lives.

Jesus said, “…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Paul said, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

“To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

When people believe that human life was not created on purpose, then the only conclusion is that life has no purpose. However, for the believer, Christ Our Life gives both direction and a reason to live in this crazy world.

September 12

But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name. So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
Acts 4:17-18

The arch-villain in J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” book series is an evil sorcerer called Lord Voldemort. So terrible and intimidating is this antagonist that most characters refer to him as “He-who-shall-not-be-named.”

After Christ’s crucifixion, the Jewish Sanhedrin made the Savior’s name illegal. Peter and John were beaten and imprisoned for using it, and Stephen was executed for preaching in that forbidden name. Throughout church history, believers have had their property seized and have been tortured, hanged, and burnt at the stake for mentioning “He-who-shall-not-be-named.”

Palmelkh, Saudi Arabia, April 7, 2014: A young Filipino girl employed as a maid had her mouth and left eye sewn shut with fishing line for the crime of saying that Christ Jesus was her Savior.

Mediterranean Coast, Libya, February 16, 2015: ISIS videotaped the public beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians in order to shock the world with its graphic propaganda. The remarkable thing in all this was that the terrorists didn’t edit out the audio. Many died calmly praying in Arabic that they would be faithful to Christ until death.

North Korea, July 14, 2016: North Korea continues to be ranked the most oppressive place on earth for Christians on the World Watch List. Worship of the Kim family is mandated by the government and those who don’t comply are arrested, imprisoned, tortured, or killed. Many believers have found that the only safe place to pray together in the work camps is at the latrine.

Tanta, Egypt, April 9, 2017: At least 27 worshippers were killed and 78 wounded when a bomb went off during the Palm Sunday service in a Coptic Christian church.  A suicide bomber murdered another 22 people the same day outside a church in Alexandria.

Soon and very soon, the Anti-Christ will set up his world kingdom and then for a very short time, the name that is above every name will become He-who-shall-not-be-named.

Oh Lord, how long!!? How Long!!? Even so, come Lord Jesus!

 

September 11

For you shall worship no other god, for the LORD whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
Exodus 34:14

Jealous?! Jealous God?! It doesn’t seem to fit and when we apply this to the character of Christ, it really doesn’t fit. What’s going on here? 

The problem is where it always is – with people. We usually see God with anthropomorphic eyes (i.e. God’s just like me). But God is holy and His character contrasts with sinful men and women. God’s jealousy is not the mistrustful, vindictive, green-eyed monster of human jealousy; it’s righteous and directly linked to His love.

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us ….” (1 John 3:1). Behold, it’s incomparable, unlimited, unmerited, unending, and unexplainable. Now remember, when love is rejected or betrayed it hurts the person who chose to love the traitor. How terribly God must grieve when His creation mocks and curses its Maker. The rejection is worse when the people called by God’s own name abandon Him for other lovers. 

We live in a time when society has come to believe that it’s possible to have intimate relationships with no strings attached. That, of course, is a lie. If a husband can accept infidelity in his wife (or vice versa) and not be devastated, there is no real depth of love in that relationship. 

Six times in the Hebrew Bible, the name El-Kanna appears which is translated into English as “Jealous God“. The LORD loves and is patient, but when there is no repentance, that jealousy turns to wrath. “For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a Jealous God” (Deuteronomy 4:24).

Christ is the bridegroom who gave His life for His beloved. His heart must have broken when Judas betrayed Him with a kiss and it continues to break as hypocrites defame His name with sinful living and hateful people use His name for curses. 

Human race, pleased be warned! The one who loved you so intensely that He died on a cross to deliver you from wrath, He is a Jealous God. 

September 5 

“The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
Hebrews 13:6

I get really frustrated when I lose things. It can be my car keys, my wallet, or something I just had in my hand five minutes ago. I throw things around trying to find it, and I can’t do anything else until it is found.

Lately, my son Jeremy has had the audacity to interrupt me while I was melting down to ask, “Have you prayed about it?”

Actually, I found the question to be quite offensive. After all, I’m the preacher! I’m the spiritual one! I don’t want to bother the Lord of the Universe with anything so trivial as lost keys. If the truth were known, I do eventually pray for my lost keys, but that’s long after I’ve also lost my temper, my peace of mind, and my sanctification.

The worst part of my son’s advice is that he is right. I tried it and it worked! I’ve found my stuff sometimes in a matter of minutes and other times before I could finish the prayer. The time lapse is so ridiculously short that it is obvious that God is trying to teach me a lesson. I can almost hear Him say to me, “Of course, you’d rather spend hours of fruitless frustration and bad attitudes than ask Me for help!” I’ve been humbled not only before my son, but also before my God.

Christ wants to be our Helper, but He also wants us to ask Him for help. When we tell Him that we can do something by ourselves and don’t need His help, He just sighs and backs off. Joseph Scriven nailed it in his hymn What a Friend we have in Jesus when he said, “Oh what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!”

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). In other words, if Jesus wanted to die on the cross to be our Savior, what makes us think that He doesn’t want to be our Helper?

September 8