O, Jerusalem, Jerusalem!

Bible Trivia games can be fun, stirring the interest of the most ardent of Bible students; and sometimes stimulating spiritually those who have only a marginal interest in such things. Nothing wrong with Bible Trivia, as long as we don’t trivialize and play games with the Word of God itself. Whether in casual conversation, or in a Sunday school class, or a mother lovingly training her child in the Scriptures with an easy question to answer, most believers and even some unbelievers have asked or been asked, “What is the shortest verse in the Bible?” Many times down through the 67 years I’ve been on this earth, I’ve heard this cute little question.

Yes, I’m asking you! Agreed, a pretty easy question for some, unless you’re not all that familiar with Scripture. Answer: “Jesus wept” (John 11:35).

As long as we’re on the subject, how about a slightly more difficult question: What was the occasion that caused Jesus such deep sorrow, so profound that even the Son of God (though he was also fully man) broke down and cried? Nearly every time I read this passage, I’m no less impressed that omnipotent, omniscient Divinity would shed tears of grief, especially in public for all to see. Though Jesus was also the Son of Man, and cared deeply for the physical and spiritual welfare of both friend and foe; as the Son of God wouldn’t he set aside personal feelings, and rise above the grief-stricken moments of life that so many people dread and seldom discuss … such as death?

This question is only a little more difficult than the first, because many of you know the answer. The setting was the death of Jesus’s close friend, Lazarus, brother to Mary and Martha, also dear friends of our Lord. But think about it: Jesus knew that Lazarus had died before he was even told. In fact, at first he was only told that Lazarus was very sick. He also knew the purpose for the untimely passing of Lazarus … so that Jesus could demonstrate his mighty power over death itself, by raising someone who had been dead four days—something that had never been done before. (The Old Testament prophets Elijah and Elisha and then Jesus had raised people from the dead, but very soon after they had died … before they were buried).

Jesus knew all of these things, but still he wept openly. And what was the reaction of those who saw him weeping? “The people who were standing nearby said, ‘See how much he loved him!’ But some said, ‘This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?’”

Had I been there, I suppose one of these reactions would have been mine. I’d like to think my response would have been with those of the first group … to discern that Jesus’s acute anguish was because he loved Lazarus. Which would have been the right response. Of course, Jesus loved his friend.

But he loves us all equally. And the Bible teaches us that his love is unconditional, a love that no one can totally grasp or entirely appreciate; a love that drove him to the Cross where he voluntarily allowed cruel, evil men to torture him, spill his blood, and crucify him. And yet we know full well: We all nailed him to that Cross. Might, then, there be another reason why Jesus was so passionately upset?

Let’s answer that question with a question that is more difficult than the first two, a question that I think not too many could answer off the top of their heads … without referring to the passage itself. In addition to deep sorrow and grief, did Jesus express any other emotion when he saw Mary “…weeping and saw the other people wailing with her….” If so, what were those spontaneous reactions? And were these strong feelings expressed before or after he wept?

If you said, yes—then you’re right. There were other things going on in Jesus’s mind and heart than just grief. What were they? Let’s read the text: “When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled” (John 11:33, italics for emphasis). Anger is self-explanatory, but note that it was deep (unfathomable, bottomless) and it welled (gushed, flooded) up (in his soul and heart). Deeply troubled depicts frustration, disturbance, aggravation. And these overpowering feelings were expressed before he wept. But also after … at least the anger. “Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance” (John 11:38).

Progressively, we’ve now reached a tougher (perhaps for some a very tough) question. Beyond the deep sorrow, why or at what was Jesus angry and troubled? If we look only at the passage on Lazarus’ death and Jesus raising him from the dead, we would need to speculate a bit to answer this question. But when we examine other episodes in Jesus’s life and teachings, the explanation becomes very clear.

Some Things That Troubled Jesus (Significantly)

It’s unmistakably evident in the gospels that Jesus was greatly disturbed—sometimes to the point of anger—over the appalling effects of sin in the human race. The consequences of this dreaded disease that affects all of mankind is nothing short of devastating, including physical death itself. Even worse, spiritual death which is eternal separation from God in the Lake of Fire. But it didn’t have to be this way. All Adam and Eve had to do was to believe God, listen to and obey the one command he gave them. Had they done that, they and their descendants would have lived forever, including Jesus’s dear friend, Lazarus. And, Jesus need not have died a horrible death on a Cross for our sins.

Jesus was equally furious with the religious leaders in Jerusalem and throughout Israel who were as he described them, “The blind leading the blind.” Most recall Jesus’s righteous anger when he overthrew the tables of the money-changers in the Temple, and actually drove them out at the end of a whip. These self-righteous double-dealers couldn’t have cared less about the sanctity of the Temple and those who were there to truly worship the Lord. These charlatans cared only about money, power, and prestige.

Many Pharisees and Sadducees had personally witnessed or were told first-hand about numerous miracles performed by Jesus, not the least of which was Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead; but they still rejected him and his claim to be their Messiah, the very Son of God. He lashed out at their hypocrisy, but he didn’t condemn them, as such, for their many sins (because their very sins had already sentenced them to everlasting judgment); rather he convicted them for their unbelief, for their stubborn refusal to see and believe that he was their Messiah Redeemer. Their mind was made up: No amount of miracles or words of truth would soften their hardened hearts. They refused to believe that they even needed personal salvation. Only “sinners” needed to be forgiven; and they certainly were not sinners!

He blasted them as hypocrites, as “sons of the devil” because they had elevated man-made traditions above the law of Moses, all the while thinking and preaching that righteousness (right standing with God) was only possible by keeping the law of Moses and following dozens of additional rules and regulations, which no one had ever done or could do, including the religious among them. Tragically, many do this to this very day, through religious systems that deem man-made traditions equal to or even greater than the Bible, the very Word of God. (See my Eye of Prophecy articles on the Woman and the Beast, or the Wiles of the Woman).

Thus, Jesus, in a brief sweeping panoramic moment of heartache over the tragic condition of the human race so agonizingly exemplified in the death of a close friend, wept. He wept in sorrow, and he wept with anger. Jesus knew what he was about to do … raise Lazarus from the dead! Still, for a moment … in the moment, the horrible consequences of man’s sin and rebellion against his very Creator, overwhelmed our Lord with grief, anger, and exasperation beyond our finite ability to fully understand or empathize.

It’s apparent that the Lord was even a little bit miffed at Martha, who had just a few moments earlier agreed with Jesus when he said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this, Martha?” ‘Yes, Lord,’ she told him…’” (John 11:25-27). Because, when Jesus told them to roll away the stone, “…Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, ‘Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.’ Jesus responded, ‘Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?’” (John 11: 39-40). I’m positive, however, this was a loving, gentle reprimand, unlike his righteous indignation against the religious leaders.

And then we’re told exactly why Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, in Jesus’s prayer to the Father just before he commanded Lazarus to, “Come out.” The reason: “…so that they will believe you sent me” (Verse 42). And isn’t that the reason we believe in Christ to this day? Or the reason that anyone who really cares and is searching for truth and answers and who truly wants to live forever in heaven should believe in Jesus?

Raising Lazarus from the dead is a breath-taking example of God’s love for the individual, for every man, woman, and child who has ever lived. “For God so loved the world…” (Meaning every person ever born).

Now, let’s take a look at Messiah’s unsurpassed love and unequaled compassion for an entire nation.

National Security?

Can you think of another incident in which Jesus wept? Where and why? Is it when he uttered the words which are the title of this article, O, Jerusalem, Jerusalem…? No, it isn’t, but we’ll get to that passage later on. Sorry, space is short, so I needed to be more abrupt here!

Before we examine the other scene in which Jesus wept, and clearly see that Jesus was also referring to the holy city of Jerusalem in the holy land of Israel, we need to grasp the fact that neither in the ancient past nor in the contemporary present has God ever set aside or chosen a specific (race of) people or a nation or a land to be his people or his special possession other than Israel … the Jews. Of course, he has called out and saved (redeemed) individuals from all languages and nations to be the sons and daughters of God; but the Church is not spiritually or symbolically Israel. Never was, never will be. God has two distinct plans in simultaneous operation: One for Israel, nationally as the sovereign land of Israel; the other for the Church, composed of all individuals, both Jew and Gentile, who have placed their trust in Jesus sacrificial death on the Cross.

To be sure, there are some universal principles in Scripture whereby God relates to and deals with nations in similar fashion as he does with Israel. For example, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord…” (Psalms 33:12). With the obvious reverse connotation: Any nation whose corporate leaders and national laws deny, distort, diminish, or even trivialize God’s spiritual and moral laws will be a nation that God will leave to itself. The worst thing that can happen to any city, state, or nation that deliberately turn their back on God is that the Lord will withdraw his blessings and protection. It is said: Be careful what you wish for! If by our words and actions we respond to God’s Word of truth, life, justice, and peace, with, “No thanks, we’ll do it our way;” then that’s precisely what will happen. He’ll give us our own way. Then look out: We’re on our own!

Of course, that’s perfectly okay, if citizens of a country place their trust and confidence in their political, social, and economic leaders! To the extreme of making all things secular and shaping that secular humanism into a godlike status. What’s to worry? The State or Federal government will take care of us! Our military will save us! Scripture is clear on that, too. Without God’s sovereign guidance and protection, all the military might in the world is futile. God’s own chosen people did that and look what happened: Total destruction of Israel and exiled captivity at the hands of their worst enemies.

Obviously, I’m referring now to this great country called the United States of America. I only hope it’s not the late great country. But in the grand scheme of things, this wonderful Republic is just one of many nations on earth, all of which will be ultimately judged (as a nation) by our treatment of Israel and/or our expulsion of God from every facet of our society. If we ever become a godless nation, we will go the way of other once mighty kingdoms who have fallen into ruin, or have become a shell of what they once were, or have ceased to exist altogether.

Israel, and only Israel, was given through Abraham the awesome covenant promise that the land of Israel belongs exclusively to the Jews, and will remain forever as their land. With Jerusalem, itself as the ultimate dwelling place of the Most High God. And that God’s Messiah (his very Son) will rule and reign from his throne in Jerusalem as promised through the covenant promise with King David, the mightiest king in Israel. Until that is, Christ returns as the King of kings. Last but not least, the words of Jesus, himself, when he said, “…salvation comes through the Jews” (John 4:22). There are several other promises unique to Israel, but these three are top of the list.

And, I’m certainly not belittling America or demeaning any other nation. She was founded by men and woman who acknowledged the sovereign providence of God, many of whom were born-again believers in Christ. This nation has seen millions upon millions of people come to faith in Christ; a direct result of the unabridged freedom of worship and liberty to pursue life and truth and peace unparalleled in the annals of human history.

I am as patriotic as anyone I know (of). I still get chills when I hear our National Anthem. I still shed a tear or two when I hear songs like, God Bless the USA (Lee Greenwood). Go, ahead, you know the melody. Sing the chorus aloud, or to yourself if you’re (for example) in a library or on a plane while reading this!

That I’m proud to be an American,

Where at least I know I’m free.

And I won’t forget the men who died,

Who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,

Next to you and defend her still today.

‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,

God bless the USA.

But we mustn’t make the mistake of thinking that this country has been and still is beyond God’s discipline and even withdrawal of his protection, especially if we oppose Israel or even ignore her. Or, if we continue to remove God and the name of Christ from our governments, schools, public squares, and military. I mean, even military chaplains can no longer pray, “In the name of Jesus.” God help us.

The Second Weeping

Messiah Jesus loves each person who ever lived, enough to die for us. But the Lord also loves Israel as a nation, with a unique love that is special to/for her people. So much so, that he wept a second time (on Palm Sunday) five days before he was crucified and eight days before he arose from the dead.

“But as they came closer to Jerusalem and Jesus saw the city ahead, he began to weep. ‘How I wish today that you of all people (meaning his very own chosen people by birth/blood) would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not accept your opportunity for salvation’” (Luke 19: 41-44, italics for emphasis).

The New American Standard Bible translates the last part of this passage, “…because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”

Both versions are saying the same thing: In spite of overwhelming evidence then—and even more so after Jesus arose from the dead—Israel deliberately and (some) out of ignorance refused to recognize and acknowledge that their Messiah (Immanuel, God with them) had come to Israel at the appointed time, prophesied to the very day by one of their prophets. God, himself, through the Son of God, Jesus, had visited his people and lived among them, urging them to turn from their sins, call upon the Lord and be saved. But they did not accept their opportunity for salvation.

This broke Jesus’s heart. And, he wept.

He knew this from the beginning, which is why he knew that he must fulfill his very purpose on this earth—an unbelievably cruel death on a Cross—for the sake of the Jews first, but also for the Gentiles (Romans 1:16). He knew that his people would not heed the plea of God Almighty when he said long before “…O Israel, if you would only listen to me!” (Psalms 81:8). And when God told the disciples (and the whole world) on the Mount of Transfiguration, “…This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him” (Matthew 17:5, italics for emphasis).

This was not the first time Jesus agonized over Israel. Earlier, some Pharisees (of all people) who apparently had listened and were at least half-way receptive to what Jesus was teaching and doing came to warn him. They said, “Get away from here if you want to live! Herod Antipas wants to kill you!” (Luke 13:31).

I love the Lord’s reply: “Go tell that fox that I will keep on casting out demons and healing people today and tomorrow; and the third day I will accomplish my purpose. Yes, today, tomorrow and the next day I must proceed on my way. For it wouldn’t do for a prophet of God to be killed except in Jerusalem!” (Luke 13: 32-33). Astounding! Profound! But everything Jesus said and did was off the mind-boggling chart.

So, you didn’t think Jesus could be sarcastic if he wanted to? But the sarcasm was reserved expressly for Herod and the religious leaders who would later demand his crucifixion. Imbedded in his reply was a prophetic reference to his resurrection on the third day—to accomplish his majestic, but spiritually and physically painful purpose for coming to earth as the Son of God, but also the Son of Man.

Next comes an even more starling response, which is an abrupt change in his words and emotions. But nevertheless a continuation of his train of thought regarding Jerusalem … as represented by the all-powerful, highly respected, seldom questioned or challenged religious leaders … but even to include many common people, who would later join their pious leaders during Jesus’s trial, sentencing, and death.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. And now, look, your house is abandoned. And you will never see me again until you say, “Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord” (Luke 13: 34-35).

I have learned the Hebrew expression for that last sentence. Baruch, haba, beshem, Adonai. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Though Scripture doesn’t record that Jesus shed tears when he uttered these heart-rending words, he may have. At the very least, he vented his incredible passion and compassion for Israel and for Jerusalem. So great a love, and so great a salvation that most of Israel missed during his first visit to this beloved land, and city of Jerusalem that many call: The center of the universe.

As Jesus solemnly predicted in both passages: Forty years later Jerusalem would be sacked by the Romans, the Temple demolished with not one stone remaining on another, and the Jews exiled to the four corners of the earth.

Does the story end there? Not on your life. Or the life of any Jew today. Jesus said they forfeited peace when they wouldn’t let him bring them together and show what he would do for them … by believing and receiving him as Messiah and as God. To this very day, Israel still longs for that peace. To this very day, her enemies have sworn not to seek peace with Israel, but to destroy her. Many of my Eye of Prophecy articles have touched on that subject.

But soon, very soon, there will come a day when Messiah Jesus declared that the surviving remnant of Israel will, “…look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who has died” (Zechariah 12:10).

But when mercilessly attacked by their enemies, they will also fight alongside of Messiah: “On that day the Lord will defend the people of Jerusalem; the weakest among them will be as mighty as King David…For on that day I will begin to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem” (Zechariah 12: 8-9).

And on that day Israel will shout from the rooftops in unison, with hearts of gratitude and gladness: “Blessed is he (Jesus) who comes in the name of The Lord (God the Father)!”

Things to Ponder

Who do you say that Jesus is? Is he just one of a few great men and/or teachers who ever lived? How will you answer his question, his challenge directed specifically to his disciples, but also universally to every individual … to you?

“Then he asked them, ‘But who do you say I am?’” (Matthew 16:15, italics for emphasis). Amazingly, his question contains the answer … I am? That was the sacred name God gave to Moses (Yahweh).

Can you, will you say what Peter said in response? “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Verse 16).

Jesus doesn’t merely show us a way to God. He IS The Way.

He doesn’t just give us truth. He IS Truth.

He doesn’t only explain what life is all about. He IS Life.         (John 14:6).

See the Eye of Prophecy blog site page entitled, God’s Plan of Salvation.

 

 

 

 

THE WONDER OF IT ALL

We interrupt our weekly blog article with a very special announcement: “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!” (Isaiah 9: 6-7).

This magnificent prophecy from the Old Testament book of Isaiah promised Israel and all people of the earth that the Messiah would come to this earth as a baby … a child is born to us. That he would be given to the human race by his Father … a son is given to us. We sing about him, “What child is this….” What makes this child so exceptional, so exclusive, so incomparable, so one-of-a kind?

First, this awesome child was born to us; this son was given to us. That means the whole world. Unlike any other child ever born, this child belongs to every person who has ever lived on the earth. In order to be the Son of Man (for all mankind) this child was not conceived by a biological father; rather he was conceived by the Holy Spirit to a virgin named Mary. Thus, the child began as a miracle and the miracle of his birth, death, and resurrection continues to this very day.

Next, the Father who gives this (his) Son is none other than, “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies” also translated, “The Lord of Hosts.” The title in Hebrew is: Adonai Tzva’ot. Why do we know that this special child was a real person, a human being as opposed to an angel or just a spirit? Because he was to be born … meaning through natural childbirth of a woman. Why do we know this son is also divine? Because he will be called (given the name and all the attributes that go with that name), Mighty God and Everlasting Father.

But we also see that this child will be called Wonderful Counselor, which is further proof of his divine origin and nature. You might ask how the term Wonderful Counselor confirms the child/son to be divine.

As one line from a popular Christmas song goes, “What a wonderful time of the year.” We’ve all used the word wonderful, and we all have a pretty good idea of what it means. But I looked it up in Webster’s Dictionary just to reinforce its meaning. Webster’s defines wonderful as, “Exciting wonder, marvelous, astonishing, unusually good …” The shorter version of wonderful is wonder or wondrous which is defined as, “exciting amazement or admiration” and “effective … far beyond anything previously known or anticipated.”

A Wonderful Wonder

Wonderful and wondrous are adjectives that modify and enrich the description of a very special person, place, or thing. What time of the year is this? It’s a wonderful time…. But the word wonder is also a noun (more often used) which means, “cause of astonishment, rapt attention at something awesomely mysterious or new to one’s experience.” Such as the Seven Wonders of the World.

In this passage from Isaiah, the Hebrew word translated wonderful in English means considerably more than just an enhanced description of the child … marvelous or astonishing. In the context of this stunning prophetic announcement, Wonderful (Counselor) combines the essence of both Wonder and Wonderful, (both adjective and noun); which results in an extraordinary fusion of the subject itself (the child) with the awesome majestic attributes that this Son will possess. Thus, as used in this passage and elsewhere in the Old Testament it conveys the supernatural (such as Judges 13:18). In fact, the Complete Jewish Bible renders the phrase: “Wonder of a Counselor.” Can you see the remarkable synthesis of Wonder and Wonderful? It could also be expressed as, A Wonderful Wonder! Moreover, the context clearly refers to the Messiah. Who else could the child be?

And this Messiah is both man (natural birth but from a supernatural conception) and God (Mighty God … a term applied to the original name of God (YHWH … Yahweh) as first given to Moses. Then the name, Everlasting Father, says it all. It’s the same concept as contained in another name for both God and Messiah: Alpha & Omega, or The Beginning and the End.

And not to forget Prince of Peace. Same thing with this wonderful title: in Hebrew the term is Sar-Shalom. The underlying meaning is one (the only One) who is capable of bringing true peace, justice, wholeness, and well-being to a troubled, war-torn, desperate, hopeless, and helpless world. And this world-wide peace will be established through a government that will, “rest on his (Messiah’s) shoulders.” It will be a government that, “will never end.” For any government to rest on one man’s shoulders and continue forever, requires that the “man” himself must live forever, which of course he will because he is the “Everlasting Father.”

The Jewish People & the Jewish Messiah

Most Jews are passionately awaiting Messiah’s first appearance, particularly the observant Jews and Rabbis (meaning those who to some degree or another still observe and adhere to the Law of Moses). Although there are thousands of Jews world-wide who believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah (the Son of God, the Son of Man, and the Son of David) the vast majority of Jews do not. Moreover, most Jewish Rabbis do not believe that the Messiah will be of divine origin. Although the Messiah will be appointed (empowered) by God, he will not be the Son of God, nor possess divine attributes that belong to God alone. For the most part this stems from the long-standing belief that God is One (which he is, meaning the one and only true God); but that he is not a triune God (three in One), and that he certainly doesn’t have a Son nor ever will.

But if so, then what does one do with this spectacular passage from Isaiah Chapter 9? Or how can the following passage be understood unless a Jew (or Gentile) comes to grip with the reality of what is being said: “The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one” (Psalms 2:2, italics for emphasis). “For the Lord declares, ‘I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem … The king proclaims the Lord’s decree: The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father’” (Psalms 2:7, italics for emphasis). And to put an emphatic exclamation point on this magnificent passage, “Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry…” (Verse 12).

Notice the personal pronouns and the distinction between God and a king, who is the one whom God refers to as his Son. Whose son? God’s son, because it says “You (Messiah) are my (God the Father’s) son. Today I (God the Father) have become your (Messiah, the son’s) Father.” To be sure, there are some Old Testament passages that metaphorically refer to Israel as God’s son or daughter or wife; but never as a King or as God’s “Royal Son, as Psalms Chapter 2 does. There’s no way the personal pronouns or the contextual reference points can be stretched to include Israel in this passage, or in Isaiah Chapter 53, or in other Messianic prophecies.

Another startling passage: “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet’” (Psalms 110:1). Then later in this chapter, “The Lord will extend your powerful kingdom from Jerusalem … you are arrayed in holy garments … You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” (See Genesis Chapter 14 and Hebrews Chapter 7 for the fascinating description of Melchizedek).

Here King David is making some amazing observations and connections. He is relaying to us what God (The Lord) is saying to another Lord; that this other Lord is “my Lord” (meaning David’s Lord). That this other Lord will be given a powerful kingdom (meaning he is a King), but that he will also be arrayed in holy garments (that only the High Priest could wear—see Leviticus) and that he will, in fact, be a (High) Priest forever. Only two people in all of history were qualified to be both King and High Priest, Melchizedek and the Messiah. But only Messiah will sit at the right hand of God and only the Messiah will save the Jews (and Gentiles) from their sins. See the entire 53rd Chapter of Isaiah, but here just one verse will be referenced.

In fact, I’m going to quote from the Bible translation into English by David H. Stern, a superb Jewish scholar who was raised in the Jewish religion by Jewish parents, but came to faith in the Jewish Messiah, Yeshua, at the age of thirty-seven. “After this ordeal, he will see satisfaction. By his knowing (pain and suffering), my righteous servant makes many righteous; it is for their sins that he suffers” (Isaiah 53:11, Complete Jewish Bible).

In Isaiah Chapter 9 we have the unique fusion of adjective and noun that declares the Messiah to be both Wonderful and a Wonder. Then we have another incredible synthesis with Messiah Jesus as both the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) and our, “…eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 6:20). Only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies once a year to offer a sacrificial lamb for the sins of Israel. So Jesus is both the subject (High Priest) and object (Lamb of God) of salvation. When Christ willingly laid down his life to pay the penalty for our sins he was the (sinless) High Priest who administered the sacrifice and he was also the (perfect) sacrifice itself. That is utterly amazing!

Other Old Testament passages ascribe divinity both directly and indirectly to Messiah. And, of course, the entire New Testament provides historical and theological evidence to demonstrate that Jesus of Nazareth is the very Messiah foretold by the Jewish prophets. There are dozens of examples (we don’t have time/space to delve into them) showing iron-clad connections and correlations between the Old Testament prophecies of Messiah and New Testament fulfillment of those predictions in the birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Lest you think that non-constructively I’m faulting or criticizing the Jews for not recognizing who Messiah is in their own Scriptures, I am not. I love Israel and I love the Jewish people. As I said in a very recent article, I fully understand that God’s salvation comes through the Jews. I love them because God loves them and God has promised in His word that one day the entire nation (remnant) of Israel will embrace Yeshua as their Messiah, the Royal Son of God.

Give and Take

For many the world-over, including Christians, Christmas and salvation and giving and joy are difficult to even think about in the midst of personal heartache and troubles. Whether from losing a job, losing someone we love dearly (even many years ago), not having enough to pay the bills or even enough to eat, broken relationships, health problems including terminal illness, or any number of other hardships, it’s so hard to believe that God really cares. But he does care … deeply. It’s just that we tend to forget that this world is fallen and (fatally) flawed, and many refuse to accept the reasons why this is such an imperfect world. Long ago, when the first man and woman exercised the freedom of choice that their Creator gave to them, they decided they didn’t need God and went their own way; and sin entered the world. With it came evil, disease, negligent accidents, war, injustice, poverty, pain, suffering, and death.

There are some who don’t even have the money to buy a Christmas gift, let alone a Christmas tree.

And still others wonder (in the sense of agonizing) why their child was “taken” from them, be it a tragic accident, an untimely illness, an act of violence, or in my case … loss of my six-week old son by crib death in 1975. But do we really know if God took them? If we’re not sure whether God took them, at the very least we usually think or say, “God could have prevented this. Why didn’t he? Where was he?”

It’s all too easy to stay at arm’s length from God and for all practical purposes not want God to “interfere” with our lives (for a multitude of reasons), but then to blame him when someone or something is taken from us. Or to accuse him of not preventing a tragedy when our entire life has been lived without seeking God and trusting in the “child born to us, the “son given to us.” For billions the world over, they want no part of a God who they think might prevent them from pursuing all the worldly pleasures (no matter who gets hurt) possible; yet when it comes to an unexpected misfortune in their life, finger-pointing at God is often the first reaction. Can we have it both ways? Can we with one side of our mouth say, “I want/need to do my own thing, so leave me alone God.” And on the other side, “Where were you God when my daughter died from leukemia?”

We intentionally or unintentionally fail to thank God for all the good things in life, but when it comes to the bad things our tendency is to say, “Why God? Why did this happen?” And this question is not always a plea for understanding or consolation; sometimes it’s an accusation and outright challenge that God would ever do such a thing. Are there answers to these questions? Many times, no. What could I possibly say to satisfy someone who asks me, “You seem to know the Bible pretty well … tell me why you think my baby died.” Thirty-eight years later, I still don’t fully understand why my infant child died in his crib. But I do know one thing with utmost certainty: If I had not accepted Jesus Christ as God’s only son “given to us” for salvation, I would never see my son again (and other loved ones in heaven) after I die.

Some things happen to us or others in life that we label tragedies. We do so because we see no purpose in or reason for it. Does God take things and people? Yes he does, but only sometimes … certainly not all the time. Is there a purpose for it? Yes, but the purpose belongs to God, even though we don’t always understand the reason for it. But sometimes we do know the reason, because the Bible and the circumstances show us the reason. Many times the reason is for the Lord to get someone’s attention, whether to show them salvation or correct (for Christians) certain destructive behavior. Can and does God prevent some harmful things from happening? Of course he does, but when and where he chooses, which gets back to his purpose and plan for the entire human race … for me and for you. Scripture is full of incidents and examples to confirm what I’m saying.

And then there are billions of people in the world who have no interest in Christmas whatsoever; because they don’t believe that the child was given to them also.

The True Gift That Keeps on Giving

From the beginning God decided to do something about this dreadful problem of sin and sorrow, of greed and grief, of arrogance and apathy that plagues the human race. He gave us a gift that could change our very destiny.

And so, we remember and hang on tightly to this wonderful wonder of a message in Isaiah and hundreds of other passages in Scripture that tell us about the Greatest Story ever told, the greatest Gift ever given: God’s very own Son. Jesus is the Son of God but he is also God the Son. God’s precious gift came to us wrapped in strips of cloth; not under a Christmas tree in a snug, cozy house, but in a lowly manger … a feeding trough for animals. And the child born to us grew to be a man who would later be wrapped in burial linen, having died a brutal death on a cross as the greatest sacrifice ever made for mankind. His death in exchange for the forgiveness of our sins and everlasting life in Heaven.

That’s why the Magi traveled hundreds of miles … to acknowledge this child as the Messiah, bow down before him, and to give him expensive gifts. They knew who he was. That’s why we light up our Christmas tree and our house; to recognize that Jesus is the light of the world. That’s why we laugh and smile and express our love for family and friends and give gifts to them: to remember the greatest gift ever given. That’s why we brim with as much anticipation and excitement watching our children, as they express while opening our gifts to them. Our hearts are filled with joy when they say, “Thanks Mom, Thanks Dad! This is what I’ve always wanted; it’s the best present ever!”

That’s why we hug our child, or spouse, or brother, or sister, or aunt, or grandma, or friend and say, “Thank you for such a wonderful gift.” That’s when we fully realize, “It’s better to give than to receive.” And that’s when tears of joy fill our eyes because we are overwhelmed by the thought of such great love. God created us; he knows us, he knows all about us: the wrong things we’ve done, our failures, and yet he loves us unconditionally. “Amazing love how can it be … that you my God would die for me.”

And in this age of God’s Grace that began when Christ came to this earth, did you know that there’s only one thing that God requires of us: To simply receive the gift because we trust both the Gift and the Giver, and respond in great wonder, “Thank you, Lord, I believe in you and what you did for me … you are so WONDERFUL!”

Jesus was given to us. His Father gave him and he gave himself. He is God’s gift to every man, woman, and child because there’s no other person or religion or system or way to God, except through Jesus sacrificial death on the cross. We don’t; in fact, we can’t DO anything to earn this gift. A gift is not a gift if it has to be earned. A gift is not a gift unless it is received. If we say “No thank you” to the giver then the gift is of no value to us.

The gift was already paid for in full … the shed blood of Christ. That’s what Jesus said as he died on the cross, “It is finished.” Meaning “paid in full.”

So then we remember: Jesus IS the reason for the season (and all seasons).

Whether we’re alone, or with someone, or with a whole houseful of relatives, we can say, “Happy Birthday Jesus. It’s all about YOU!”

And that’s the Wonder of it all.

Things to Ponder:
– “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
– “Joseph, son of David”, the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-21).

GIVING THANKS … WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT

We interrupt our weekly (blog) broadcast with this special announcement: “Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever” (Psalms 106:1). What a wonderful season of the year: to set aside some time just to be thankful, and then to give and receive gifts!

Did you know that when all is said and done, there’s only one basic standard that God imposes on mankind? There’s one fundamental benchmark that God uses to separate the good from the bad, the righteous from the unrighteous, the godly from the ungodly, the just from the unjust, the saved from the unsaved. It’s a very simple, yet profound prerequisite that, if fully understood up close and personal, really isn’t a condition at all. Rather, it’s a response that defines and divides the entire human race into two distinct groups, as viewed by God, himself: Those who acknowledge and respond to the true and living God and those who do not.

What is this response that delineates who we are and actually determines our destiny? Let’s get it first hand from the Bible. “They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks….” (Romans 1: 19-21, italics for emphasis).

Forget about going so far as worshiping the creator of heaven and earth and the giver of life and all good things. All those who are determined to go their own way, do their own thing, and take credit for all they have or are, refuse to express or even consider any gratitude to God—though down deep they know that God exists and that they and the universe could not exist without its Creator.

If someone can never get to the point of acknowledging that Almighty God is the source of their very breath and being, it’s highly unlikely that they will believe what God (through the Bible) says, and certainly would not personally accept what he has done for mankind, i.e. by giving us the greatest gift ever given … His only Son to die for our sins and the penalty of those sins.

The Joy of Gratitude

Whether the happy occasion is Thanksgiving, or Christmas, Hanukkah, Veterans Day, Valentine’s Day, birthdays or anniversaries, nothing brings us joy like giving and receiving. Even the most stingy and miserly can manage a smile when their gift package is opened by someone they care about. We all love to receive gifts and many love to give even more than receive. When we receive a gift (special or routine), what is our normal response? “Thank you, so much.” And when we give, “You’re welcome.”

Very few of us express a hearty thank you to our employer when we receive our paycheck. Why? Because it really isn’t necessary. Oh, we’re appreciative to be gainfully employed, but the fact of the matter is: We earned that money! Not so with a gift. We thank the giver because the gift was free, and it was given with a spirit of compassion and perhaps even love.

In fact, isn’t that what thanksgiving (the giving of thanks) is all about? Think about it for a moment. What really happens when we thank someone for a gift? First, we have obviously accepted the gift as exactly what it is intended to be: a gift. Secondly, we are expressing gratitude for the gift itself. Whether we’re surprised at the gift or not, we are grateful for the intrinsic value of the gift no matter how much we use it, just because it’s a present. Thirdly, we are thankful to/for the giver … meaning for their very existence and their expression of goodness and generosity that often includes some form of sacrifice for that gift, whether it’s hard-earned money, time, effort, or just plain old kindness and consideration.

The Highest Level of Gratitude

With God, we can and should take this one step farther, into a higher dimension. We thank Him for everything. “Thank you Lord for this beautiful day. Thank you for the rain. Thank you so much Lord for family and friends. Thank you for who you are, what you do, and what you will do.” And so the Pilgrims (Puritans) gave thanks to God for guiding them to a beautiful land, and giving them a country where they were free to worship God, the giver of all good things.

God has given us many gifts, blessings, and sometimes even miracles. But two amazing gifts stand out above all the others: (1) Life itself on this earth; (2) Life everlasting, through the death, burial, and resurrection of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ. We had no say in the first gift. All we can do is reply and say thank you Lord for giving me life. Likewise, we say the same thing with the second gift, “Thank you Lord for giving me life again … life after death … eternal life!” That’s all God expects from us, that’s all we can really do: Recognize that the awesome plan of salvation is a gift (unearned, unmerited, and undeserved), accept it, and say, “Thank you, Lord.” When we do that we agree with Him, we trust Him, we humbly express our eternal gratefulness for his promises—because his promises are true. And we present our body, soul, and spirit as a living sacrifice to our Great God and Savior, and we say, “This is the least I can do. Use me as you see fit. Thy will be done.” (See Romans 12: 1-2).

Wrong/Right Reasons for Giving

How many times a day, week, or month, do we say or hear the words, “Thank you.” I would venture to say hundreds of times in the course of any given year. And that’s good. On the other hand, how many times are those words more of a traditional, expected, or knee-jerk reaction to everyday life? How often do we truly thank the Lord for who he is and what he does, and really mean it, really think about what we’re saying, really want to bless and lift up his holy name? And genuinely thank those in our life for their care, encouragement, help, and consideration.

All religions (or even non-religious systems such as the New Age movement) of the world have one thing in common: Through some form of sacrificial system, they claim it’s possible (not a certainty as ultimately the god of that religion will determine where a person spends eternity and only after death will that be decided) to obtain a certain amount of favor with that god, and in some fashion “earn” his mercy, or at least generate recognition and favor among people whom they admire. These “sacrificial” good deeds include, but are not limited to: charitable giving of money and time, membership in and support of their church or organization, daily or periodic rituals, and abstinence from or deprivation of certain things either continually or on select occasions. The idea is: The more you give of yourself, the more likely you will be accepted because your good works hopefully will cancel out the wrong things you’ve done.

Not so with the Christian faith. There’s only one decisive sacrifice asked of those who have been born-again from above, who have been redeemed by the Son of God through faith in Him … the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Can you imagine? What kind of sacrifice is that, we ask? That’s too easy. Shouldn’t I be doing much more than just giving thanks?

We need to understand that genuine gratefulness is all that God ultimately wants from us. Because when we sincerely express thanks, we are giving to God our very heart; we are setting aside pride and selfishness by humbling ourselves to his grace and mercy; we are acknowledging how great he is, and yet how good he is. We are saying that all we have and all we are belong to Him. We are saying that apart from Him, we can do nothing, we have nothing, and for all practical purposes we are nothing. (See the Book of Ecclesiastes for the vanity and futility of life without God—and no less from the wisest and wealthiest man who ever lived). We are offering ourselves to him and we want to serve him; not for what we can get out of it, but simply because “our cup runs over.”

If we are truly thankful, then from an overflowing heart we do those things that other religions require to obtain salvation; but we do them in reactive and proactive gratitude for the salvation freely given to us. When we give thanks to the Lord from a truly grateful heart, we are fully acknowledging that so great a salvation is by grace and grace alone, and the only meaningful response is: “Thank you, Jesus.” That alone glorifies God, which was His very reason for creating us in the first place.

We are saying, “I love you Lord, because you first loved me!”

“Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips that give thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15, NAS). Here praise to God is further compressed and defined by the verbal expression of giving thanks to His name, as God’s name represents all that He is and all that He does.

Let’s thank him with the words of an old Christian melody:
“Thank you Lord for saving my soul, thank you Lord for making me whole, thank you Lord for giving to me, Thy great salvation so rich and so free.”
And another one: “Amazing love, how can it be; that you my God would die for me.”

Things to Ponder:
– “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (I Thessalonians 5:18). Notice that it doesn’t say be thankful for everything (all circumstances); rather be thankful in all that happens. We don’t say, “Thank you Lord for my automobile accident.” But we can learn from it and say, “Thanks, Lord for giving me the strength to get through it.”
– I wonder how much good it would do us and others around us if we truly cultivated an attitude of gratitude? As contrasted to the disposition of complaining and grumbling and finding fault.
– “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (Christ)” (II Corinthians 5:21, NAS). Wow! Amazing! “Thank you, Lord.”