Category: Christ’s deity

The Word Was Made Flesh

Thursday, December 25, 2014

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…” (John 1:1,14 KJV).

On this Christmas Day, we reflect on the incarnation of Jesus Christ.

The candidate who could solve man’s sin problem had to meet two requirements. He had to be God, and He had to be man—a “God-Man.” It had to be God, because God’s righteousness had to be satisfied, but it also had to be man, for it was man who had sinned. God’s righteousness was offended, since “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). But, it was also a man who had sinned, “As by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12).

Consider Philippians 2:5-8: “Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” In short, heaven’s best—Jesus Christ—came to save earth’s worst—us! In summary, Jesus Christ was born to die for us.

Brethren, the salvation that we enjoy today in Christ could not be possible without the shed blood of Christ on Calvary’s cross, and the shed blood of Christ could not be possible without the incarnation of Christ! God is a Spirit (John 4:24), and in order for Him to shed sinless blood, He had to first have blood. Thus, it behooved Jesus Christ to take upon Himself the form of a man. It was at this time of year that God the Son entered the virgin Mary’s womb, possessing a body that was conceived by the Holy Ghost.

Remember, “The Word was made flesh” (today’s Scripture) so we could have an opportunity to be “made the righteousness of God in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Merry Christmas!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study with the same name. It can be read here or watched here.

Faith During Life’s Storms #4

Saturday, September 6, 2014

“And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm” (Matthew 8:25,26 KJV).

Like Israel learned in today’s Scripture, we too must realize to trust the Lord Jesus Christ when “the storms of life” batter us.

To demonstrate to His disciples that He was the Creator God in human flesh, the Lord Jesus commanded the winds and the sea to be quiet… and instantly, the waters were just as calm as before. JEHOVAH stills the noises of the raging seas and waves (Psalm 65:7; Psalm 89:9; Psalm 107:29); JEHOVAH in the flesh (Jesus Christ) did likewise. “He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still” (Psalm 107:29). If He could create those natural laws from nothing with just a few spoken words, He could easily manipulate them to disassemble a storm (with just a few spoken words!).

Both before and after Jesus Christ calmed the storm, His disciples were guilty of unbelief (today’s Scripture; Mark 4:40; Luke 8:25). Their sinful hearts were deceitful. “But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!” (Matthew 8:27). Mark (4:41) put it this way, “And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Luke wrote (8:25), “And they being afraid wondered, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.” Oddly enough, Jesus’ disciples were just as troubled during the storm as they were after He had dissipated it! The Scriptures indicate they still did not get what He had taught them.

What Israel of the future can learn is this… despite all the horrors of the seven-year Tribulation period, that “storm of life” will pass, and there will be peace as such the world has not seen since the creation week….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Who is ‘the great cloud of witnesses’ of Hebrews 12:1?”

Faith During Life’s Storms #1

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

“And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm” (Matthew 8:25,26 KJV).

Like Israel learned in today’s Scripture, we too must realize to trust the Lord Jesus Christ when “the storms of life” batter us.

In this world, life is unpredictable—from good health to poor, from a job promotion to loss, from friendships to heartbreak, and so on. One moment of peace and quiet can suddenly turn into a matter of life-or-death. This literally happened in today’s Scripture.

Verse 23 says that Jesus entered into a ship and His disciples followed Him. (Judging from the context, they begin drifting on the Sea of Galilee.) We read in verse 24, “And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.” The Lord Jesus, fully God and fully human, is physically exhausted, sound asleep in the ship, at peace. On the other hand, His disciples, fully human, are terrified, sorely troubled because of the danger they face. It is not just a rain shower; it is a “great tempest.” It is a mighty storm! They hurry to Him and wake Him, crying out, “Lord, save us: we perish!” We can almost hear the urgency in their voices, the sound of the winds whipping across the sea, the roaring of the waves bashing against the sides of the ship and rushing over the top.

Today’s Scripture says that Jesus awakens, but He is not at all alarmed to hear of the violent storm. Instead of panicking with them, He asks, “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?” We can almost hear His soft voice, consoling them and yet rebuking them: He tells them that they should not be afraid, that they are “of little faith.” Exactly what did He mean, and what lesson is He teaching Israel? What lesson can we members of the Body of Christ learn from this narrative?

Let us search the Scriptures….

The More Excellent Ministry #2

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

“For the love of Christ constraineth us… God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:14a,18bc KJV).

Our flesh is ever so weak, but Christ’s love—the unconditional love He has for us—drives us to push ourselves aside and think of others instead.

Notice the middle letter of the words “sin,” “pride,” and Lucifer.” Sin, at its heart, is serving self and living for self. However, the Christian life is not designed to be one of sin (selfishness): the most basic elements of the Gospel of the Grace of God, are us dying and resurrecting with Christ. The Christian life is really Jesus Christ’s life—the life that Father God gave us the moment we trusted Jesus Christ’s crosswork as sufficient payment for our sins. What was most characteristic of the life Jesus Christ lived on the earth?

Jesus prayed, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt…. O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done” (Matthew 26:39,42). “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8).

Philippians 2:3-8 summarizes the greatest life ever lived in human flesh: “[3] Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. [4] Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. [5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: [8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

Just as Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry was to fulfill His Heavenly Father’s will for Him, so our earthly ministry is to fulfill our Heavenly Father’s will for us….

The LORD’S Great Love for Israel

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

“Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine [grape/raisin cakes]” (Hosea 3:1 KJV).

JEHOVAH commissions the Prophet Hosea to live out his message so the children of Israel can see His great love for them!

From Hosea’s perspective, the Jews’ Assyrian and Babylonian captivities are approaching, JEHOVAH’S response to their centuries of idolatry (Leviticus 26:28-39). With a broken heart, He must now rid His Holy Land of the nation Israel, and send them away to foreign lands. His people have not honored His Word but rather have trampled it under foot. They do not believe His Word to them: they have willfully abandoned His Covenant of Law. They have defiled His land with their child sacrifices, violence, injustice, and idols of wood and stone. Like a wife cheating on her husband, the houses of Israel and Judah have been so unfaithful to the God who delivered them from Egyptian, satanic, and sin’s bondage. They have ignored Him and worshipped dead idols!

In chapter 1, God instructed Hosea to marry Gomer. It is soon apparent that she is a prostitute, for, after giving birth to Hosea’s first child, Gomer delivers two children whose paternal origin is unclear. In the context of today’s Scripture, Gomer has since left Hosea and is now prostituting on the streets. Hosea is instructed of God to purchase Gomer back, and God orders him to love Gomer in the same manner He loves adulterous Israel. The children of Israel are to see Hosea’s life and learn the doctrine being communicated.

From our perspective, JEHOVAH—some seven centuries after Hosea—shed His blood on Calvary’s cross to—beyond our day—redeem Israel, buy her back from her satanic and idolatrous captivity, forgive and cleanse her, and despite her infidelity, re-marry her and return her to her Promised Land forever (Hosea 2:14-23). The Apostle Paul affirms that Hosea’s prophecy—Israel’s restoration and redemption—will occur after our program ends (Romans 11:15-36). Saints, what a loving God we serve!

Our latest Bible Q&A’s: “Who will accompany Jesus at His Second Coming?” and “When will the Old Testament saints be resurrected?”

Riches and the Four Gospels #2

Saturday, August 2, 2014

“And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:24,25 KJV).

Understandably, “health-and-wealth” preachers and teachers never quote Jesus’ words in today’s Scripture!

The context of today’s Scripture (Luke 18:18-30; cf. Matthew 19:16-30) is a “certain ruler” asked Jesus Christ, “Good Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (verse 18). “[19] And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. [Jesus was asking him, “Are you calling Me ‘God?’” Modern versions water down this verse for obvious reasons.] [20] Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. [21] And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up” (Luke 18:19-21). (Note how law-keeping is related to soul salvation in Israel’s program, just as James 2:17-26 says.)

We proceed to read today’s Scripture within its immediate context: “[22] Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. [23] And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. [24] And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! [25] For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

Our Lord Jesus commanded this wealthy ruler to sell all of his possessions and give (alms) to the poor. Why? And why did Jesus speak so negatively of being wealthy, warning His audience not to be rich (and instructing them to sell their possessions, too)?

The answers may surprise you….

Jesus Christ, Preeminent One

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

“…that in all things he might have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:18c KJV).

Behold, the Person who alone will have preeminence in all things!

A celebrity once questioned why people had to talk about Jesus Christ “so much.” (Perhaps people should be talking about her instead?) Beloved, such people are actually indicating that they have no clue as to why they exist. They are so self-absorbed that they are thoroughly shocked when they learn it is not “all about them.”

Imagine the pride that filled Lucifer’s heart when he saw his own reflection, and the envy that filled his heart when he realized that God was on the throne rather than he! These two emotions—pride and envy—permeate the sinful human soul; hence, the Bible calls lost mankind, “children of the devil” (John 8:44), “[those] of that wicked one” (1 John 3:12), and “children of disobedience” and “children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:2,3). No wonder God has to kill that awful nature before He can let us into heaven!

The mystery of God’s will is to have all of heaven and earth under Jesus Christ’s authority (Ephesians 1:9,10). Colossians 1:16-20 says that Jesus Christ will have preeminence over all things, all the governments of heaven and earth. Throughout eternity future, Jesus Christ will have preeminence in everything, and He will use us to glorify Himself in heaven and redeemed Israel to glorify Himself on earth.

Philippians 2:9-11 says that all creatures in heaven, in earth, and under the earth (lost mankind and all the fallen angels in hellfire), will bow before Jesus Christ one day. Although the lost are permanently severed from Him, they will admit and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of Father God. All of the world’s religious leaders—popes, preachers, seminary professors, imams, gurus, “prophets,” Dalai Lamas, priests—will be forced to bow to Jesus Christ and give Him all the worship He alone deserves.

“Wherefore God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

That is why we talk about Jesus Christ “so much!” 🙂

Our latest Bible Q&A’s: “Did the Church the Body of Christ Begin in Acts 2?” and (our special 50th Q&A) “When Did the Church the Body of Christ Begin?”

Iniquity Not Yet Full #4

Thursday, May 15, 2014

“But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full” (Genesis 15:16 KJV).

Today’s Scripture expressly declares why the God of the Bible “takes His time” when dealing with sinful mankind.

Imagine your “pet peeves,” every thing that annoys you. Now, visualize the other seven billion people in the world carrying them out, right in front of you! Billions upon billions of people doing exactly what you hate, for you to see and hear, essentially “rubbing your nose in it!” How long could you handle it? A few seconds, at the most? (Unlike God, who has seen and heard more offensive words and deeds than you will ever see or hear in your earthly life, you could not handle 6,000 years of it!)

The God of Scripture is often slanderously decried as being a cruel, bloodthirsty, tyrannical sadist (Someone who enjoys bullying humanity and takes pleasure when they suffer). All the people whining in this regard have never bothered to consider exactly what horrendous occurrences He witnessed before He inflicted such punishments as described in the Old Testament. These Bible critics never pause to ponder the days, decades, centuries (!), and millennia (!), that His wrath was held in abeyance. They never bother to realize that His mercy and grace was free to anyone who wanted it.

Previously, we saw six instances of God’s longsuffering in the Old Testament. Today’s Scripture demonstrates how He gave the Amorites 400 years to reform (today’s Scripture). By the way, God says He evicted them and installed Israel in their land because the Amorites never improved (Exodus 23:23-25)! Those who complain about a “cruel” Old Testament God need to hush and read the Bible, lest they continue to “speak evil of those things which they know not” (Jude 10).

After 4,000 years of dealing with sinful man, JEHOVAH God came in human flesh, Jesus Christ. He preached to Israel for three years, but they mostly mocked and ignored Him (He knew they would ultimately crucify Him). Israel did not want anything to do with Him. Again, He could have wiped them all out with one quick spoken word, but, again, His grace and mercy delayed His wrath….

Fishers of Men #1

Saturday, April 5, 2014

“And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes” (John 21:6 KJV).

Today’s Scripture foretells the greatest fishing trip Israel’s apostles will ever enjoy!

The Bible book we call “The Gospel According to John” is the fourth and final record of Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry. John is starkly different from the so-called “Synoptic Gospels” (Matthew, Mark, and Luke): the Apostle John emphasizes aspects and events of Christ’s earthly ministry that Matthew, Mark, and Luke usually entirely disregard.

John 1:11-13 introduces the theme of the Book of John: “He [Jesus Christ] came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 20:30,31 elaborate: “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”

When moving the Apostle John to write his Gospel record, the Holy Ghost selected specific events of Christ’s earthly ministry, eight unique miraculous demonstrations through which Jesus taught Israel various doctrines (our King James Bible calls these miracles “signs”). These signs communicated to Israel that Jesus Christ was their Messiah/Christ, the Son of God, and that He had the ability, the power, to equip them to function as “the sons of God,” men and women who could work with God and delight in accomplishing His earthly purpose and program.

In our next few studies, we want to focus on the eighth and final sign of Jesus as recorded in John’s Gospel record. This sign, noted in today’s Scripture, is the key to understanding God’s purpose and plan in forming the nation Israel….

A Heart Transplant for Israel #5

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh”(Ezekiel 36:26 KJV).

The Great Physician must perform this surgery if His beloved patient is to live!

Recall the Holy Spirit’s words to Israel as He spoke them through the Prophet Stephen in Acts 7:51-53: “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.”

These specific words certainly caught Israel’s attention. “When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on [Stephen] with their teeth” (verse 54). Israel’s religious leaders were greatly angered: “How dare Stephen liken us to Gentiles [‘stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears’] and how dare he call us ‘betrayers and murderers!’” They became so berserk they began chewing on Stephen! His next few words (verses 55,56), even more “offensive,” caused them to cry out, close their ears, run upon him, throw him out of Jerusalem, and stone him to death (verses 57-60)!

As Stephen stated before he died at their hands, throughout the Old Testament, Israel repeatedly broke God’s laws. Through His (their) prophets, God warned them of coming judgment. Nevertheless, Israel’s fathers persecuted—imprisoned and/or murdered—JEHOVAH’S prophets because they hated His Word the prophets spoke. Here in Acts chapter 7, Israel has not only betrayed and murdered Jesus their Messiah (God the Son), their unbelief has culminated to rejecting God the Holy Ghost and murdering His spokesman Stephen (cf. Matthew 12:31,32).

Let us proceed to discover how Stephen’s final comments (quoted above) enlighten us as to the meaning of Israel’s physical circumcision, and how it explains the necessity of Israel’s heart transplant….