Category: Uncategorized

Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which
the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and
not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
2 Timothy 4:8

When Jesus wanted to teach His disciples about persistent prayer, He gave them the parable of an unrighteous judge (Luke 18:1-6). The man neither feared God nor men, but gave justice to a poor widow simply because her constant entreaties had become a nuisance and he wanted to get her off his back.

In modern America, it is not hard to find examples of unjust judges. Criminals are often released because of minor technicalities, and major principles of justice are superseded by lesser laws. Since right and wrong are hard to define, everything is determined by the interpretation of the law. And since the law can be viewed in different ways, a judge can legally execute the law and be found unrighteous before God.

Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. once interrupted a freshman lawyer presenting a case, “Young man, let me remind you that this is a court of law and not a court of justice.”

Living in times like these, it is truly great to know that there is a Righteous Judge and He will hear our case. He will give the bad guys, the proud, and the unjust what they deserve, but to the faithful and true he will give a reward – the crown of righteousness. Now, I don’t know what that looks like, but I do know that I want one. I also know that putting up with the injustice on Earth and waiting patiently in obedience for Christ’s return is well worth the effort to be rewarded with that heavenly garland (Romans 8:18-25).

Christ’s parable of the unjust judge ends with the exhortation to be persistent in prayer without giving up. He then asks His followers a question: “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8).

My answer to the Lord Jesus is: “Yes, O Righteous Judge, please make me faithful until your return. I believe, please help my unbelief.”

 March 7 

“Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”
John 1:49*

Most Christians remember Peter’s bold declaration of faith, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16), but Nathaniel’s equally strong affirmation that Jesus was the Messiah is often over-looked, even though it was given a year or two before the other. It might be because Nathaniel is called Bartholomew in the other gospels or because “King of Israel” is not recognized for what it is: a messianic title.

The Lord Jesus is a king many times over. When He returns to this planet, He will have to sit through many coronation ceremonies. He’ll be crowned King of kings, King of Peace, King of Righteousness, King of the Jews, and King of the Saints. However, before any of these other honors can be bestowed, He will be given His long overdue position of King of Israel.

When King David crossed back over the Jordan after fleeing Absalom’s rebellion, the tribe of Judah insisted that they be the first to welcome back the king, because they were His kinsmen.

In the same way, the redeemed of every nation are ready to shout Hosanna and crown their Savior, King of the whole earth, but first and foremost the converted Jewish nation will receive their Messiah as the King of Israel.

Crown Him with many crowns
The Lamb upon His throne;
Hark how the heavenly anthem drowns
All music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing
Of Him who died for thee
And hail Him as thy matchless King
Through all eternity.
                              Matthew Bridges (1800-1893)

*see also Isaiah 44:6; Matthew 27:42; Mark 15:32; John 12:13

 March 8 

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,
for He who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10: 23*

When the word “faithful” first came into Middle English in the thirteenth century, it meant “full of faith.” Over the centuries, the meaning has somehow morphed into “reliable, trustworthy, and true to one’s promises.”

The Lord Jesus is faithful, so He is all of the above. As Author of Our Faith (Hebrews 12:2), He is the source and supplier of the believer’s faith. Since Christ can be counted on and relied upon, He becomes a worthy object of faith that results in the production of faith among His people. Before anyone can understand being faithful, he must first understand faith. Simply put, faith is agreeing with God in thoughts, actions, and attitudes. It’s saying to the Almighty God, “Yes Sir, that’s right; let’s do it.” True faith always demands a response.

Geometry is taught in Math class, but it is really an exercise in logic. Nobody really cares about how long a line is or how many degrees are in a certain angle, but everyone needs to know how to reach a logical conclusion. This is where if/then thinking is taught. If A=B and B=C then A=C. This makes sense in mathematics, and in the spiritual realm.

• If we died with Christ, then we believe that we shall also live with Him (Romans 6:8).
• If anyone is in Christ, then he is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
• If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, then he is not His (Romans 8:9).
• If Christ is in you, then the body is dead (Romans 8:10).
• If [we are] children [of God], — then heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).
• If God is for us, then who can be against us? (Romans 8:31).

We can have total obedient faith in the Savior, because above all else, He is Faithful.

*see also Revelation 19:11

 March 9 

But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.
Psalm 3:3

Hang down your head, Tom Dooley,
Hang down your head and cry,         
Hang down your head, Tom Dooley,
Poor boy, you’re bound to die.          
                                  – From an American folk song

We’ve all done things we are not proud of. Worry, guilt, and shame are heavy burdens that bow us down before the god of this world, who deceived us into thinking that sin is fun. Some people never get over it. They go through their lives with their heads hung down as slaves to their own self-destruction. Others come to Jesus, who is The One who Lifts up their Heads.

Christ is the one who is above it all: Above the hustle and bustle of modern society, above the pettiness of what other people think, and above the circumstances that complicate our lives and pull us down.

Jesus is the “High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: who dwells in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isaiah 57:15).

The Apostle Paul totally understood it: “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Things don’t always go my way. I even remember failures from thirty and forty years in the past and shudder. But then, I also remember that Jesus took away my sin and my shame. He is The One who Lifts up my Head.

 March 10 

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest;
and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.
Luke 1:32

Unexpected guests can be a joy to receive, if they are dear friends that haven’t been seen in a while, but as a general rule, visitors that just pop in are stressful and interfere with the daily routine. That angst would be increased if the interruption was caused by a stranger, and then would be magnified even more if it was discovered that he was an angel.

Mary had a messenger from God in her living room, and he was talking about personal things, uncomfortable things. She was probably a young teenager who had an arranged marriage in her future, but Gabriel was talking to her about having a baby. He even had the name picked out: “Jesus” (Luke 1:31). All of this was overwhelming to say the least.

One interesting aspect of the angelic announcement was the revelation that He was to be be called the “Son of the Highest.” Since this title is used nowhere else in scripture, the question begs to be asked: “Who is going to call Him this and when?” Hints to the answer are given elsewhere.

A few more verses down, the angel Gabriel says: “…the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35).

A similar title is used by another non-human in Mark 5:7: “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?” Here, a fallen angel is addressing Christ using a similar phrase.

God calls Himself the “High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity” (Isaiah 57:15). This title for God would be used not only by people, but also by all the celestial principalities and powers. Therefore, the holy messenger was actually telling the mother of Christ how Jesus is referred to in heaven: “the Son of the Highest.”

 December 7 

In that day the Branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious; And the fruit of the earth shall be excellent
and appealing For those of Israel who have escaped.
Isaiah 4:2

Prophecy scholar I am not. It’s hard to sort through all the pieces and get them in their proper places. It could be compared to finding a bunch of little animal bones in a field and then taking them home to discover what they are. For me, analyzing and interpreting prophecy is just that kind of challenge, although I would much prefer re-articulating a mouse skeleton any day of the week.

That having been said, I’ve had to search out and study the Old Testament prophets looking for titles of Christ. Many times, it is not immediately apparent if the name is Messianic or refers to God the Father. The Branch of the LORD, however, is one of the very easy ones. It is like it has a neon sign beside it saying, “This is the Messiah.”

Isaiah prophesied at a time when the nation of Judah was in decline. The Assyrian empire had conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel and laid waste most of the land around Jerusalem. The prophet looked forward to a day when the land would flourish again, when God’s anointed would come.

Just as a branch grows out of a tree, the Branch of the LORD is just an extension of God that comes out of Him and produces fruit on the earth. The title is a very strong affirmation of the deity of the Messiah and was given to bring hope and faith to God’s people in a time of desperation.

In Jesus’ teaching of the true vine, believers are compared to branches that draw strength and sustenance from Christ Himself. When examining a tree, it’s observed that a branch forks and divides and then forks and divides again. Young Christians receive spiritual nourishment from more mature disciples, who serve as channels of grace from the Savior, who is the Branch of the LORD.

 March 12 

“For I am the LORD, I do not change;
Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.”
Malachi 3:6

When people list the attributes of God, immutability is usually there. That is the stuffy, theological word meaning “unchanging.” God’s character never changes, and that’s a good thing. People, on the other hand, can become happy or sad depending on the time of day, room temperature, or their degree of hunger. Mood swings can happen in an instant depending on circumstances, so immutability is not a human quality.

The book of Hebrews describes the Lord Jesus: “Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail” (Hebrews 1:12). As our great Unchanging Lord, He can be counted on to always be holy, loving, approachable, understanding, forgiving, patient, available, comforting, and real. The exciting thing about this is that He’ll be the same way tomorrow and next year. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever”  (Hebrews 13:8).

In the Muslim religion, Allah can change his mind and act differently with different people because he is “almighty” and answerable to no one. Although at times some Christians feel God has become distant and unresponsive, it is the human heart that changes and not the Unchanging Lord.

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
                              – Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847)

September 23

For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is
head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.
Ephesians 5:23

Most people define “church” as the building Christians use to do whatever it is that Christians do. Structures have to sit on property, so somewhere there is a title to the land and, on the bottom line of that title, the name of the owner. The church itself might be deeded to an organization, so the CEO or bishop or pope or person in charge of the group would be considered the head of the church.

This line of thinking makes sense to most Americans, but that’s not how it is presented in the word of God. There, the church is understood to be an assembly of believers in a certain place. They can meet in a building or have a picnic together in a park. The church is still the people and not the place. The universal church is not only made up of every true believer everywhere in the world, it is the sum total of every Christian that ever lived in every century since the day of Pentecost.

The church might be people and not a place, but it still has an owner. The Lord Jesus bought every believer with His own blood and claims them as His own. That clearly makes Him the Head of the Church, which also gives Him authority over it.

The problem with titles is that they must be honored and recognized, or they are meaningless. When Pontius Pilate presented Jesus as king to the Jewish leaders and people, He really was the King of Israel, even though they shouted Him down to be crucified. He was rejected by His own people, so was not allowed to reign over them. However, He will come again to claim His kingdom and wear the crown.

In the same way, “Christians” who don’t obey or honor Christ’s authority will one day be sorted out. The true believers will be separated from the false ones, and Christ will be hailed by the saints of all ages as the Head of the Church.

 March 15 

To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, “These things says He who holds the seven stars
in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands.”
Revelation 2:1

If there was a file folder for unusual titles of Christ, He Who Holds the Seven Stars would certainly go in it. Not even strong Christians understand this title unless they are able to recognize the context of the verse. It comes from the letter Christ dictates to the Ephesian church, which appears in Revelation chapter 2 and refers to the Apostle John’s vision of the Lord in chapter 1. Here, the Savior is seen holding seven stars, which are later explained as being the angels that minister to the seven churches of Asia Minor (Revelation 1:16 and 20).

John had a special burden for these churches in the later years of his life, and their well-being was on his mind and in his prayers. Even though the circumstances of these local churches were historical, they are also seen as representing different periods of church history throughout the ages, as well as representing different types of churches that can be found at every point in time.

The glorified Son of Man identified Himself to the church of the Ephesians as He Who Holds the Seven Stars. This church was doctrinally sound and doing great works, but they had fallen out of love with the One who had loved them unto death. The idea of the title is that Christ has them in His hand and won’t let them go. The name speaks of possession and fellowship.

In scripture, the number seven symbolizes completeness, so the idea is that He has every church in His hand. If someone is playing poker, he is dealt five cards; when dealing with churches, a full hand is seven.

Christ has his finger on the pulse of every local church everywhere in the world at every moment. We have a very small assembly of believers that meets in our home, but the Lord Jesus is here even when only two or three are gathered together (Matthew 18:20). Knowing that makes it hard to stop loving Him Who Holds the Seven Stars.

 March 16 

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, “These things says He who is holy, He who is true,
He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.”
Revelation 3:7

Titles are descriptive and informative, but too many are cumbersome. If a formal introduction of Elizabeth Windsor was given, she’d be presented as: “Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Queen, Defender of the Faith, Duchess of Edinburgh, Countess of Merioneth, Baroness of Greenwich etc. etc.” Actually, the Queen has several hundred titles; if all the titles were given, it would fill several pages. Normally, however, only about a half dozen titles are given at any occasion, and those are chosen as being the most appropriate for the audience.

When the Lord addressed the small, suffering church at Philadelphia, He used the titles that communicated that He had power to meet their needs. The believers there were having their outreach shut down by persecution and the opposition seemed to completely hem them in. The odds against them were so overwhelming, it was like sending a young boy to fight against a giant.

Oh, wait a minute, I just remembered David and Goliath, and that’s what Jesus wanted the church of Philadelphia to remember, too. Christ is He Who Has the Key of David, and He can open the prison cell that believers are put in. The Lord of lords has the power to open any locked door and the power to intimidate a host of bullies.

David grew up the youngest in a large, poor family, but God chose him, used him, and gave him unimaginable victory. That’s important to remember at a time of great stress or opposition. Jesus is not only the Lamb of God, Christ is He Who Has the Key of David.

 March 17