Month: December 2024

Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! Hosanna in the highest!”
Matthew 21:9

At the time of Christ, every Jewish person clearly understood that “the Son of David” was a messianic title. This is why the chief priests and scribes were so indignant that the crowd chanted the title at Christ’s triumphal entry (Matthew 21:15). During the ministry of the Lord Jesus, people wondered if the prophesy of the Lord’s anointed was being fulfilled in their eyes, so they asked one another, “Could this be the Son of David?” (Matthew 12:3).

The stated purpose of the gospel of Matthew was to prove this point. The book begins, “The genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1). The verses continue to show that Joseph (Jesus’ adopted dad) was a direct descendant of David and would have been king, if there had been the continuation of Davidic dynasty.

Matthew presents Christ as the legitimate king of Israel and so, used the title Son of David ten times (more than all the other gospels put together). The two blind men outside of Jericho and even the Canaanite woman with the demon possessed daughter cried out for healing to Christ saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David!” (Matthew 15:22; 20:30-31).

The people assumed that like David, their Messiah would defeat all the enemies of Israel and establish a lasting kingdom. The prophesy certainly is true and Christ will do that at His second coming, but they didn’t understand that before He could defeat the political and geographical enemies of Israel, He needed to defeat sin, death, and hell by dying on the cross. In doing that, He proves His right to reign forever as the Son of David.

May 9

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.
Matthew 1:1*

Abraham was special. He had special promises, a special relationship with God, and a special place in human history. It is not surprising that he was a significant ancestor of the Messiah. Both genealogies of Christ call Him the Son of Abraham.

The patriarch was promised “descendants as the dust of the earth” (Genesis 13:16). That means lots – too many to number. And so it is today the true number could never be reached. Both the Jewish people and Arabs proudly consider Abraham as their father (the Jews through Isaac and Arabs through Ishmael). Both ethnic groups are sons of Abraham, although they don’t necessarily have the patriarch’s features.

God’s promises to Abraham weren’t really about billions of people claiming relationship through some distant DNA, but being conformed to the faith and actions of Abraham. Zacchaeus was Jewish by birth but ostracized from Jewish society, because of his political affiliation. When the little man came to Christ, the Savior declared “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham” (Luke 19:9).

In a very real sense this is what happens to believers when their faith is life changing and they believe God’s promises to be true just like Abraham did. “Just as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness” (Galatians 3:6), therefore know that only those who are of faith are true sons of Abraham.

Because I have faith in Christ, I’m adopted into the family of God and I become a son of Abraham. Sisters in Christ are Abraham’s daughters. This is one of the few titles that Christians can actually share with their master. Praise God!

*see also Luke 3:34

May 8

I Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.
Revelation 22:16

The Bright and Morning Star occurs only once in scripture and is the last title that Christ ascribes to Himself. The Book of Revelation ends with accounts of the New Jerusalem surrounded by new heavens and a new earth. Truly a new day will dawn, but we’re not there yet. 

Still to come is the Great Tribulation and terrible judgments of God to be poured out on planet earth. The darkest part of night isn’t over just yet, but as the morning star is the brightest light in the darkness, so Christ’s presence will still be with mankind for those who look up.

He is coming, coming for us;
Soon we’ll see his light afar,
On the dark horizon rising,
As the Bright and Morning Star,
Cheering many a waking watcher,
As the star whose kindly ray
Heralds the approaching morning
Just before the break of day.
                                    Author Unknown

“If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall fall on me,’ Even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.” (Psalms 139:11,12). 

May 7

My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Behold, he stands behind our wall; He is looking through the windows, Gazing through the lattice.
Song of Solomon 2:9

The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s, presents a vivid description of marital love. Yet, through the centuries it has been understood that the comments of the Shulamite about her “beloved” expresses the sentiments of the believer about Him who is “Altogether Lovely.”

Even Jewish sages for centuries have interpreted this passage as referring to the Moshiach – the Messiah. Rabbi Yitzhaq Kaduri of Jerusalem explained the above scripture as follows: “Just as this gazelle can be seen and then hides itself, so the first Messiah (Moses) revealed himself to the Children of Israel and then again hid himself from them.” The idea here is that “the Messiah,” who is like Moses, will be seen in fleeting glimpses.

The attributes of a gazelle are its speed, agility, and unpredictability. You might see one out of the corner of your eye and then, when you turn for a better view, it’s gone. The Lord Jesus can’t be analyzed in a test tube. He doesn’t stay in one place to be calculated or figured out by people. He’s bigger than that.

In C. S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia, it was often commented that the main character, Aslan, was “not a tame lion.” In viewing Christ with this title of Gazelle, it’s clear that He is unlike any farm animal. He would jump the fence or pen anyone could try and use to contain Him. We can’t conform the Lord to our own will; we must conform our will to His.

Every encounter with Christ should be exciting, exhilarating. To find Him boring, or see Him as ordinary only proves that the observer was looking in the wrong place and never got a real good view of this high-energy Savior. He’s worth chasing after, because in really discovering Him, there is adventure! After all, He is the everlasting Gazelle.

May 6

The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet.”
John 4:19*

Titles come in all styles and sizes, so it sometimes helps to sort them out into categories to better understand how it applies to Christ. For example, the derogatory titles were given to the Lord by His enemies in order to put Him down (e.g. glutton and winebibber) A similar grouping is what I call the “lightly esteemed” because these terms fall far short of understanding. Labeling Jesus as a carpenter, a Nazarene, or even calling Him “Sir” understates who He really is.

The woman at the well came to draw water and she assumed that the stranger she saw sitting there was no one out of the ordinary. Even when she saw some of His exceptionalities, the most she could imagine was that maybe He was a prophet. There was nothing wrong or disrespectful in addressing Christ as “Sir.” If anything, it’s the highest courtesy and honor that you can give someone that you don’t know.

In time and with interaction, faith grows and knowledge of who the Savior is increases. At the end of the conversation, this Samaritan lady acknowledged Him as the Messiah and no longer did she approach Him as “Sir.”

The significant point to be made is that this is an important pre-faith title that can transition into a deeper relationship. “Sir” communicates both respect and openness. Living in this world of God-haters and Christ-rejecters, derogatory titles are often used and that often shuts the door of our faith.

Mislabeling also misses the mark. Attitudes that frame the incarnate God in images of “Jesus, my ol’ buddy” or the “all-accepting god” makes it hard to understand that His name is Holy. However, a sinner who is searching for God, can probably find him if he has enough faith to approach him as “Sir.”

*see also John 4:11, 15, 49; 5:7; 20:15

May 5

A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but
there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24

By my own guidelines, this is not a name of Christ, because it’s pulled out of context. It comes from a proverb that gives broad generalizations about friends and friendship. However, if I make the rules, I can also make my own exceptions. Through experience, I’ve found Christ to be A Friend Who Sticks Closer Than a Brother.

Brotherhood is a powerful bond; there’s almost nothing like it. Sharing childhood, growing up together, and discovering the world at the same time are experiences that few can compete with. Even so, brothers grow up, get married, and move away. Time and distance take their toll, and the brothers settle into their separate lives.

A really good friend is harder to find than a brother, because brothers often share the same bedroom; they’re always right there. A good friendship usually takes years to develop and must be cultivated, especially at the beginning. But once it takes root, it is hearty and continues through thick and thin.

I’ve been close to a big brother and to a very good friend. Death took them both from me. Each time, I felt empty, alone, and numb. The loss of a great relationship is a great loss.

I’m able to take complete comfort in the fact that I’ll see them both again. The truth of the matter is that we all have a mutual friend, and we’re going to meet at His place as soon as I can finish my last breath.

In the meantime, Jesus supports me. When I’m lonely, He’s there; when I’m tired, He pulls the load; when I hurt, He comforts me; when I am frustrated, He listens. The best part of all is He’ll never die. He’s already done that. He is for me A Friend Who Sticks Closer Than a Brother.

May 4

Then the Commander of the LORD’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.
Joshua 5:15

Joshua had been Moses’ general. Now he was supreme leader of all Israel. With more battle experience than anyone else, no one dared to challenge him, at least, not until that day. He was alone on a battlefield when a man approached him with a drawn sword.

“Friend or foe?” Joshua cried out.

“No,” the man answered, “But as Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come” (Joshua 5:14). Joshua fell on his face to the ground and worshiped Him.

Theologians explain that this story is actually a theophany, a visible manifestation of God to mankind. The Commander of the LORD’s  Army had a human body but received worship from Joshua and declared the ground on which He stood to be holy. His appearance must have been remarkable because General Joshua immediately humbled himself and surrendered as soon as he knew who He was.

Revelation 19 explains that Christ will come on a white horse with the host of heaven to defeat the armies of the antichrist at the battle of Armageddon. His appearance will be terrifying. His eyes will be like flames of fire and his robe dipped in blood. A sharp sword will come out of his mouth to strike the nations. Behind Him will be every warrior angel and weapon in God’s arsenal.

I’m glad that He is my friend. How terrible it would be to be His foe. So, at the last battle in human history, Christ, the  Commander of the LORD’s Army, returns. Even so come Lord Jesus!

May 3

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
Galatians 5:1

You can’t look up Liberator in a concordance and find this title listed there. Yet, that is what He is. Christ set free more slaves than Abraham Lincoln and liberated more oppressed people than anyone else in history.

When Jesus preached his first sermon in the synagogue in Nazareth, He opened the Isaiah scroll and said that He came “…..to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18). What actually did He mean by this?

Those who were wanting a political liberator were openly disappointed with Jesus. Obviously, the iron-fisted Roman government still enslaved people, heavily taxed the occupied territory, and crucified dissenters. Although that is true, all the Caesars are long dead.  Other despots that have come and gone throughout the centuries were also temporary.

Political dictators, by their nature, don’t last long on history’s stage. Christ’s liberation transcends the centuries, cultures, and world governments, because He frees individuals from the internal tyrants of the soul.

Sin, certainly, is a huge self-destructive force that enslaves people to life styles and conditions they hate. The drunk really doesn’t look forward to waking up again another day with a splitting headache and covered in his own vomit. Few prostitutes, if any, feel they made the best career choice and jails are full of people who don’t want to be there. The Lord Jesus sets them free by taking away the power and compulsion of sin.

What most people don’t understand is that Christ, the Liberator, frees us from everything that enslaves us: guilt, anger, grief, addictions, doubt, anxiety, and even the fear of the unknown. Talk to the Lord and turn these over to Him one by one and one by one, the Liberator will take them away. “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

Note:  If you are weighted down with grief, anger, depression, or addiction issues, go to  www.tradingpain.com for Set Free Prayer Ministry.  It can help.

May 2

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good  works.
Titus 2:11-14

Some preachers struggle with presenting the gospel in just one hour. Others can adequately cover the main points in about a half hour and maybe a few can get the job done in ten or fifteen minutes. In Titus 2, Paul nails every important question in only four verses.

1.      What is the underlying power of salvation?  The grace of God.
2.      Who can be saved?  Everybody.
3.      What are we saved from?  The power and self- destruction of our ungodly and worldly lusts.
4.      What life changes should we expect as a result of our salvation?  We should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present evil age.
5.      How did Jesus save us?   He gave Himself to redeem us from our desire to sin.
6.      Why did Christ give His life to save us from our sin?  It was the only way to purify, for Himself, His own special people
7.      (The last question is one that should be answered in every meaningful presentation of the gospel) Who is Jesus Christ?

He is Our Great God and Savior.

May 1

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

Talk about a curve ball, I never saw it coming. I tried to look it up in more than twenty English versions, but the word “overcomer” doesn’t appear in the Bible. To me, that was strange since I’ve heard dozens of sermons, (not just a few of them being my own), with the central theme being Overcomers. However, preconceived ideas don’t die easily, so I’m going to write on this title anyway.

For the most part scripture commands Christians to “overcome the world” (I John 5:4-5). This is an expression of faith inherent in the act of believing in Jesus and not the optional choice for the spiritually mature.

Paul instructed believers to “not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). That is not how to become a Christian; that’s just what Christians do.

Christ admonishes all seven of the Churches of Revelation to be overcomers. To the persecuted church of Smyrna, the glorified Lord states, “He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death” (Revelation 2:11). Don’t misinterpret this verse.  It is not saying that a Christian must overcome tribulation to be saved, but that all the saved will overcome everything Satan and the world throws at them because that’s what believers do.

To the lukewarm church at Laodicea, the Savior writes, “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with me on my throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My father on His throne” (Revelation 3:21) This is the kicker. We are able to overcome because Christ already overcame sin, death, and hell (not to mention conventional wisdom, popular opinion and political correctness). We stand alongside the Conqueror on the winning side.

The bottom line is that true Christians are, in fact, overcomers because their Lord is the ultimate Overcomer.

April 30