Meditation #5 Jesus the Judge by Brian Jacobson December 16, 2009
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Jesus identifies a problem/difficulty with the teachers and Pharisees. He makes a number of references to them having a ‘holier than thou’ complex. Do as I say and not as I do. He is sighting of the arrogance and flaw they have come upon with their knowledge and learning. Just because of the degree of what they have learned does not make them better but heed their actions as opposed to their teachings. They are hypocrites.
Were there spoken warnings given to them before this? Essentially a wakeup call to the Pharisees, did they even listen or had they ignored this what had been spoken? Did everyone else that was listening have differing opinions then of the Pharisees after hearing Jesus speak or would they have only given a single ear to them as opposed to two?
Jesus was just tearing into the ones looked to for guidance and advice. Their positions had clouded their opinions of themselves. Thinking that they had been elected to this point of stature, their lives would have become nearly untouchable by anyone. Not having to follow the same standards as anyone who was not them or looked to as a leader.
The efforts of the Pharisees is pointed out to be frivolous by going out of their way to make a single convert and yet by the way they accomplished this by the nearly lifeless nature that is behind what you put into the convert, deems him further into the arrogant punishment that you have laid out for yourselves.
25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Matthew 25:23. This is a reference not just to vanity but the attitude that one shows displays toward others. Maintaining and making the outer more easily viewable part to look up to par but the neglect of the inside, what really matters. The outside is just dressing but the inner core is what defines the person. This is more than apparent to Jesus just by Him addressing it. We all need to take heed of this advice and warning. Looking good so that others may remark positively or look to as an example has almost nothing to do with reflecting the inner man/woman.
What is it that drives human nature to like those around us? The outer shell is just a façade i/e outer shell or deceptive front. The person within is where the heart is and can and will be revealed by ones actions for themselves and to others. 5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5.
19 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? Matthew 23:19. Some may think this is a trick question. I believe if there was no altar there would be nothing… at all. God has provided both the altar and the possibility for the sacrifice. The Pharisees see that what they give is the greater because they give when required. The altar is always there, the sacrifices are not, they have to be found and presented. Ah, such a narrow view. If there was no altar it could mean absolute chaos if you think of it in one perspective. The altar is the gateway for the sacrifices to be given up to the Lord. This is one of the facets in communion with God and is just as important as every other one. Prayer on which the Pharisees do elongated so that those within hearing distance will hear what is said. As for they look for the praise from all. All who may say they are holy because of the length of their open prayer. Edification from fellow man is only a temporary thing. It fades as the dark submits to the dawn. But the blessings that come from God is an ongoing and wondrous thing.
12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:12. This goes right along with those who are first shall be last and those who are last shall be first. Jesus came down to earth to help guide us to wanting to know His Father. This way we will not get caught up in self centeredness. Realizing just where we are and knowing our value. Humbling ourselves before the Lord shows our true humanity and He delights in this.
Submission is not a bad thing, especially when it comes to God. You ever realize that when you are in one of the more rough patches in your life, you come before God with complete tenderness and capitulation. That of what is burdening you, plaguing your heart. You willfully place at the feet of God. For you have found complete loss when attempting to defeat this difficulty on your own. He will take this from you and deal with it according to how He sees fit.
This problem may seem difficult but it’s another chance to come before the Most High and give praise where praise is due. Arrogance has no place here. Humbling of one’s self is where the right frame of mind shall be recognized and blessed.
Meditation #1 December 11, 2009
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It’s a little difficult for me to imagine what thoughts were running through Mary’s head when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and told her that she would be the mother of the Messiah. “Greetings” he says, “you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Now Mary reacts strangely to this statement because she is not entirely sure what kind of greeting this might be. Most of the greetings from the Lord she had been used to hearing about were the kind where you wanted to clothe yourself with sackcloth and ashes, repent, and weep bitterly in the streets. So, I can see why she responded to Gabriel with a bit of slight reservation and tentativeness. But Gabriel assures her not to be afraid because she has found favor with God. After the angel explains to Mary that she will bear the Son of the Most High and call him Jesus, I can just imagine an extremely puzzled expression begin to form on her face.
I picture the next part of the conversation going something like this: “Um, that sounds like a real great plan and all, don’t get me wrong. But I’m just a little confused. Meaning no disrespect whatsoever, is it possible that you, by chance, overlooked the fact that I am a virgin and have never been with a man?” Then Gabriel responds with a smile, “No, this has not been overlooked. Actually, it is precisely because of the fact that you have not laid with Joseph that you have been chosen. ‘How could such a thing happen?’ you say. Well, I’m glad you asked” he chuckles. “With the very same creative power with which God spoke the universe into being in the beginning, He will come upon you and cause the fullness of the Godhead to be wrought forth into flesh, out from within you.” And He is going to do this thing out of sheer love for me. That just about leaves me speechless. Thank you Jesus for your unmatched, precious love for your people.
Now I know that Joseph’s account isn’t found in the book of Luke. But when meditating on the birth of Christ from Luke, I couldn’t help but begin to think about how Joseph reacted to the whole situation. I mean, here you have a guy who is busy working and toiling, making his home for he and his future wife. When out of the blue he hears that his betrothed is with child. Oh, forgot to mention the fact that they had not yet been with each other. The vast range of thoughts and emotions is wild! The disbelief, the confusion, the hurt and pain. Yet he wasn’t going to sling her and her reputation through the mud any more than had already been done. He decided that he was going to break things off quietly and in private. He was a good man like that, tender-hearted. But oh when that angel came! Well, that changed everything.
As Joseph lay sleeping after an intense, emotional, heart-wrenching day, he received a visitation from an angel of the Lord. The angel brought words of comfort to Joseph’s heart. In my mind it sounds something like, “Joseph, do not be afraid. Pay no attention to the upheaval in your soul. This is not the Lord’s intended end for you. Your relationship with Mary was ordained before time. Do not be troubled. The child growing in her womb was brought about by a move of the Holy Spirit. Embrace this one as your own son and call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. He has come to set you free from your bondage. He has come so that you might know the one who sent Him. He has come to fulfill the Law and the Prophets. He is Immanuel, God with us!”
It just absolutely blows me away that the uncreated God would willingly choose to leave His glory seat in heaven and come down to this lowly earth to dwell with those whom He created. That He would take on flesh, the very dust he that fashioned and breathed His life into at creation! My mind cannot comprehend the magnitude of this selfless act of love. How a perfect God would humble Himself in such a way…spending nine months in the womb of one He foresaw before the foundations were set. The Alpha stooped to diapers, for goodness sake! Who does that?! Lord, there are absolutely no words I can utter to express my thankfulness. You are worthy of everything that I have to give. I love you Jesus!
Lord, I ask that you would impart to me even more revelation about that first time you graced this earth with your bodily presence. I want to know the beat of your heart. What caused you to look with compassion? What moved you to act on the behalf of those who turn from your law, who fail incessantly to keep your commands? What motivates the creator God to send His son to be born into this world, later to die as an atonement for its transgressions? I desire to know you. Jesus, I ask for a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of you, so that I may love you more.
Meditation 10: The Word Made Flesh by Paul Synowicki December 8, 2009
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Before anything is discussed in the Gospel of John, he (John) introduces the Word. Is there anywhere in the Old Testament that Jesus is referred to as the Word? I noticed it refers to Him as “He” in this passage. God is always portrayed as masculine.
What does the beginning mean here? I assume it means the beginning of mankind, the earth, and the cosmos.
Every single thing that was made was made through Christ Jesus as He was in the form of the Word of God. Therefore He knew every detail of everything!
Within Him is life; and this life is the light of men, the illumination, the fullness that men are called into. This is what we were made for, was life in the Spirit of God. We were meant to be truly alive, not just numbers among the walking dead. Jesus is the Light, meaning the source from which all life flows. This means that there is no other who brings forth life, no other which can save men from their fallen nature. Jesus is the Light and therefore He is the Truth. The Light reveals all things and shows them as they truly are. He brings forth into the light, things that were previously in darkness. The great thing about this is that Jesus shows us not only the depth of our depraved hearts, but He shows us the glorious destiny that is set before us and how great his love truly is for us!
This passage really speaks about the divinity of God. The whole Gospel of John is a declaration of the divinity of Jesus, but especially this passage. It reveals His identity as God and His preexistence as the Word and the Light before He ever entered humanity. John was basically saying, “This is who He really is! There is more to this Man! He is from eternity! He is the Alpha and the Omega! He is God! Don’t let your eyes deceive you! He is One so great, you can’t even imagine the fullness of it!”
Jesus is the Word and the Light. As the Word, He declares the truth to our ears of understanding of who God really is. He speaks to our spirits. Therefore we must listen by opening our spirits to receive from His Spirit more of Him and what He has for us. Jesus is the Light of the world. We must gaze with our eyes of understanding upon the beauty of Him and Truth that He is.
Becoming a man was an incredibly outlandish act in and of itself, but it did not stop there. The whole world did not even know who He was. The people group that He had chosen to progressively reveal Himself and bind Himself to by covenant had no knowledge of who He or His Father was. The very God that they claimed every day to be living for they not only disregarded completely, but fully hated Him and everything He stood for. It says here that “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” In Matthew 23:37 He states His tender love and desire towards the people of Israel when He said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” The Lord was deeply pained in His heart that His own would not receive Him. Because nobody would receive Him it says that He gave the right to any that would receive Him as the Son of the Living God to become children of God. Those who were born of God, not by any means of human doing or willpower, but by the will of the Father.
Jesus is stated as the fullness of grace and truth. He was fully gracious to receive anyone that would call upon His name. II Chronicles 7:14 says, “If My people, who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Jesus gives us similar words in Matthew 16:24 when He says, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” What keeps the church and all of humanity in a state of depravity is a lack of knowledge and admission of the cesspool that we are living in. If we would just admit that we don’t know what we are doing here, that we fail all the time, and come to repentance for our agreement with lies, then we would be set free. The Lord will deliver those who humble themselves to accept His great leadership in their lives. It is actually an amazing and completely free gift that God readily gives to anyone through His Son Christ Jesus.
Meditation 10: The word made flesh by Charlotte Aponte December 8, 2009
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The Word Made Flesh
The eternal word: In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. This can be so confusing at times; thinking of the word that we read on a daily basis….almost in a perspective of the God head. The word was at the very beginning. The word was God and is God. The word made flesh. The word lived and dwelled inside him. As it should in us. We are to bring the word into flesh. Our own flesh. We are to take its words and make them alive. Words without action are just dead words. We want the word of God to be living.
John’s witness: The true light: God called John to bear witness to the light. To bring clarity to his people. That Jesus, the creator and holder of the earth and everything in it, would be accepted among his own creation. That people would understand that we are all children of God and not of man or flesh. This is what John was sharing with his people.
The word becomes flesh: the word became flesh. It became living. Jesus was the word, and spoke the word, and shared the word. The people beheld the glory of this man and delighted in his presence. The man that John had bore witness too. The people waited in anticipation to hear every word Jesus had to say, and we have his whole script right in front of us. Our own copy. And we have to force ourselves to open it and read it. We need to be like Jesus and be a living word. Let the word of the Lord flow out of us in our actions, in our conversations. Let the word become our flesh.
A voice in the wilderness: when confronted, John denied being Christ and simply said that he was one who cried out in the wilderness to make straight the way of the Lord. I want to be like John. One who is completely dedicated to God with a passion for him. One who baptizes and shares the word, but doesn’t even consider himself worthy to even loosen the Lords sandal strap. I think John is the best example of the word becoming flesh. He was so Christ like. And that is what our aim and goal should be. And if Jesus was the word and spoke the word, then it is up to us to try and do the same. Let the word be like a flame shut up in our bones! That we may know and memorize scripture. That we may contain the words of the Lord in our heart as a weapon against the enemy.
The Lamb of God: The Lord comes and visits John. John said that he could see the Lord coming like a dove toward him and resting on him. He then testified to everyone there saying that this was the son of God who baptized with holy water. I want to be more like John. I want to cry out to God and be a walking testimony to him. I want to see him like a dove. I want to devote my life to God and walking his word out like he did.
The first disciples: When John saw Jesus walking he yelled out “behold the Lamb of God!” two disciples heard him and followed Jesus and went to where he stayed. One of the disciples which was Andrew, went to seek his brother Simon, and brought him back to Jesus. When they all sat down with him, Jesus looked at Simon and renamed him Cephas. These three men were some of the first disciples to follow Jesus.
Phillip and Nathanael: Nathanael has such strong faith! I want to have faith like this man. Just because the Lord said that he saw him under a fig tree before they met, he believed in him! Sometimes it takes everything in me to say yes to him. if we all only had such faith like Nathanael. And because of his faith the Lord said that he would see the heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the son of man. I want that!
Lord, would you give me faith like Nathanael had? That I would believe in you just because you said you saw me when no one else was around. Lord would you let me see heaven open! Would you give me the burden that John had to share your name and your glory and beauty! Would you give me a voice that would cry out in the wilderness! I want to be one who will testify of the Lord Jesus Christ! I want to be like John who denied himself and offered up praise to your name. Lord would you help me to walk your word out. Would you help me to become more like you and make your word flesh. A living testimony. I want to be more like you!
Meditation 10: The Word Made Flesh December 8, 2009
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The first words in the book of Saint John: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The name “Word” is a faultless name to describe Jesus. The Greek word used here is “logos”, meaning the expression of thought. Jesus perfectly expressed the thoughts of the Father and was manifest in a physical form so all the world could read them. The Lord says in Hebrews 1:3, that Jesus is “the brightness of his gory, and the express image of his person”. In fact, further on in Hebrews we see that God the Father says that Jesus is God (1:8). It is also fitting for Jesus to be called the Word of God because his physical body was produced by God’s spoken Word.
We have Jesus to thank for all things that are created, “All things were made by him”. Jesus is so creative; he is the author of creativity! How mind-boggling is that? He even created our minds in a way that we could be moved to worship Him because of his greatness! Also, Jesus was not created; he is God and already existed in the beginning (v. 2). It could be understandable for an ignorant mind to think that the first time Jesus every existed was at the incarnation. The Son of God is uncreated, however, the name “Jesus” was given to him at the incarnation.
In verse twelve we see that whosoever receives Jesus and believe on his name, to them he gives the power to become the sons of God; who are born of God (v.13). Jesus is the Great Redeemer. He redeems his people from this fallen world, and brings them back into right standing with God the Father.
God tells us that we all have received the fullness of Jesus (v.16), speaking to those who are called his sons and daughters. This is an awesome statement. Jesus has the fullness of the Godhead in him (Col. 2:9) and in verse sixteen we see “of his fullness have all we received”. This means that we have the fullness of God in us. That is so astounding! In Colossians 2:10 we read that we are complete in him. And Philemon verse six says, “the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus”. As we discover who we are in Jesus and recognize all the power that is within us, our faith becomes effective. And we all know that we need to be effective!
No man has ever seen God at any time according to verse eighteen. But Jesus Christ, who is in the Father has declared him to us. We now have a way to know God! Thank you Jesus! I love how we can know God and at the same time never be able to know him fully. The Revelation of John is filled with evidence of this. For eternity we will be getting our minds blown with revelations of God!
The Jews asked John the Baptist who he was. They were thoroughly befuddled; some were thinking he was the Messiah, others the prophet Elijah. Straightway he denied their assumptions, and he made it clear that he was not Christ by proclaiming to them this profoundly intricate announcement: “I am not the Christ.” After they heard this, the priests and Levites, whom the Jews sent, asked him, “Who are you then? So we may give an answer to them that sent us. What do you have to say for yourself?” And what is John’s response? Nothing other than, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’”. John the Baptist was preparing people for the coming of the Lord Jesus. A commonly heard statement at the International House of Prayer is such: “If the Lord needed to prepare people for his fist coming, beloved, how much more will he need to prepare people for his return?” Thank you Lord, for calling us forth to proclaim your return.
Jesus, in verse forty-two beholds Simon. Jesus looks at Simon, having never met him until that time, and tells him, “Thou art Simon the son of Jona”. And in the same sentence tells Simon that he shall be called Cephas, which means by interpretation, A Stone. This is totally awesome. We have a God “who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.” (Rom. 4:17) Simon surely had not a clue that when Jesus told him he was to be called Cephas, or A Stone, that Jesus forever changed the course of his life.
Jesus probably had a fun time blowing Nathanael’s mind. We read that Nathanael was skeptical, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” I love Philip’s response, “Come and see”. Philip knew the goodness of Jesus. He had tasted and seen that the Lord is good! As Philip and Nathanael approached Jesus, he saw them coming to him, and said, “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” Nathanael was totally dumbfounded as to how Jesus knew him. (This is an example of the demonstration of the power of God, “For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power” (1 Cor. 4:20). And how blessed are we that we get to operate in this power today!) Jesus continues to boggle Nathanael’s mind by saying to him, “Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.” Nathanael’s only response was to worship him, professing that Jesus is the Son of God, the King of Israel. I testify in agreement with all God’s children that nothing compares to encountering Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. Amen.
Meditation 10 – “The Word Made Flesh” December 7, 2009
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For much time now this beginning of John 1 has intrigued me, as the Word became flesh. Each time I study, reflect or meditate on these passages, the Holy Spirit continually highlights to me the depth and intricacies of this portion of scripture. It seems a never-ending depth and revelation, as the Word of God is active and living! Thank you Lord that your Word is living and active and always revealing truth and more about You! Holy Spirit, I thank You that You are my teacher, my counselor, my revealer, my escort and my ever-present help throughout each of these meditation assignments and throughout each and everyday of my life. Continue to take me deeper and higher in the things of the Lord and the Spirit!
The Holy Spirit highlighted to me that there are many action verbs in the first part of the chapter and that there is a heavy emphasis on this “logos”, the Word, being a maker. Through Him all things were made. ALL things were made through Him. There is not one thing that exists that has not been made through Him. ALL things were made through Him!
I was soon ushered into a place of the contrast of light and dark and that Him, through whom ALL was made, was the Light. This concept grew in me in greater measure. The awesomeness and brevity of this statement captured me. From the beginning, He was Light and the only Light, though which all was made! The Holy Spirit gave me an amazing vision of this Light and all being made through Him, this Light. The color of the Light and its brilliance was unlike any color I have ever seen. The Light had substance and character with particles and so much more. The Holy Spirit likened it to faith. Faith is not just a concept, it is a substance. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for…” (Hebrews 11:1) This Light is not just a concept or an object; it is a substance and much more.
The Holy Spirit then escorted me to the portion of this passage were John the Baptist is introduced. John was sent from God as a man who, “that all through him might believe.” (John 1:7) The Holy Spirit revealed to me deeper revelation of the concept of “through someone”. We see in John 1:3, 10 that all things were made through Him and that the world was made through Him. Then in John 1:7 that God sent John that all through him (John) all might believe. This concept is for us too. That many through us would believe, be saved, be healed, and be delivered. Oh, Lord what do you want to do through me and through us in this hour? This concept of being a servant available, through whom God can do and bring about what He wants, is a beautiful and big concept. Lord, that I may be a servant that you continue to do things through! Just as through “the Word” all things were made and through John all might believe, oh that we would be one who through us You do much for Your Kingdom and to glorify Your Son. Oh Lord, thank you that you do your works through us! This is your heart Lord! That we are in partnership with You and You with us, that through us You do Your works!
The Holy Spirit also showed me deeper revelation of the importance of a witness. In John 1:6-7 we see that John (the Baptist), a man sent from God came “…for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. Then again in John 1:8 we read that, “He was not the Light, but was sent to bear witness to the Light.” I was led to look up the word witness. The dictionary definition of witness is to bear witness; testify; give or afford evidence. Why would the Light, this great Light need someone to bear witness, to testify and to give evidence for? We see in John 1:10 that this Light was in the world, the world that was made through Him, but yet the world did not know Him. What a strange concept that you can be made through someone but yet not know that which you were made through. The Holy Spirit then showed me the picture of a baby that is adopted. That precious little one who God breathed life into and bore into this world was made and born into this world through it’s mother, but yet there is a high probability that this precious child will not ever know the one who it was made and born through as it will be adopted. How would this child ever know her? Only by a witness from someone else or from it’s mother herself. This child could grow up and even encounter it’s mother whom it was made and born through and still never know it was she unless someone tells them, unless someone testifies of whom this person is, unless someone bears witness, or gives evidence. Oh, in this time and this hour who will bear witness to this Light that still shines in the darkness but the darkness cannot comprehend it and the world still does not know it. Who will bear witness so more will become children of God, born of God and not the flesh! We will Lord, I will Lord! We all need to bear witness to the Light! Give us the boldness and deeper urgency in this hour Lord to bear witness!
The Holy Spirit kept showing me this Light, what a beautiful Light! Isn’t light obvious in a room? Why would it need a witness? In a room we don’t see the light itself, we see a chair as a result of the light bouncing off of it, so the chair is a witness to the light! Who will be a witness like this chair? Oh Lord, fashion me as a stronger witness. Make me sturdier, craft me like the strongest oak chairs of old, like the oak planted by the waters that is not moved!
I was then shown another kind of darkness, blindness. Why else does this light need a witness? This Light also needs a witness because there are many people in darkness due to blindness and they can’t see the Light. Someone must be a witness of the Light, and the existence of the Light to these ones. Through this Light and the witness the blinders will be removed and they will be unshackled. Oh the power of the Light and the witness!
I wonder how John the Baptist felt at the beginning of His journey being the witness to the wonderful Light, to this wonderful Man named Jesus. It was not an easy journey for him by any means and to continue to have to help others take the focus off of him and put their eyes toward Jesus, what was this like for him? Did he struggle with pride within this context or was He so sold out and in love with Jesus that it was a joy to him? Was it a mix of both of these? What was is like the day he saw Jesus in the flesh, on earth, walking toward him? What emotions did he experience? As John declared, “Behold the Lamb of God,” what was he feeling inside? Oh, to be able to meet John the Baptist and talk with him about these days of his life. What did he like about the life of being a forerunner? What did he struggle with? Holy Spirit, continue to escort me deeper into the life of John the Baptist and give me even more of a look into his life.
Although there is much more to share in regards to revelation and thoughts on this deep, intricate and intriguing portion of scripture, I will refrain for now due to time and space. As we end with this our final meditation assignment for the semester, I am ever so grateful for these assignments and the discipline of meditation! These assignments have helped me to go deeper into the discipline of meditation and have deepened my relationship with the Holy Spirit. My life is forever changed because of these assignments! To experience on a weekly basis the revelation from the Holy Spirit has been a gift from God and a kiss from Him. Lord, continue to open my heart, spirit and mind, more and more! Holy Spirit continue to escort me into these areas, continue to teach me, and continue to reveal to me. Continue to give me the discipline to take the time to meditate on scripture and look to you as my revealer and teacher. Continue to develop this tool of meditation within me and in partnership with you, in Jesus name, Amen!
The Word Made Flesh Med 10 December 7, 2009
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Meditation #10
John 1
Verses 1-2 “In the beginning was the Word…” God created the universe with His words. He opened His mouth and boom there was everything. The power of the word! It is speaking of how Jesus is the Word. He was there all along from the beginning. This speaks of His deity as the Son of God. ‘…and the Word was God.”
It also says that Jesus was at the beginning in communion with God. ‘…and the Word was with God..” John17:5 says “And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.” He was always there in fellowship with His Father. These first verses are just so full of who Jesus is.
Verse 3 It’s interesting how people like to separate the trinity but they worked together. They are in communion with each other. “All things were made through Him and without Hi nothing was made that was made.”
Verse 4 ‘In Him was life and the life was the light of men.’ Through Him we get to the Father. He showed us life and gave us life. Creator of the universe who gave us life, died so we may have eternal communion with Him and showed us how to live life by walking on the earth. What a mighty merciful God we serve.
Verse 5 Jesus came to show light to the darkness. The darkness could not understand it! The light overpowered the darkness! Amen! We are called ’sons of light’ John 12:36. We walk in with Jesus, we abide in Him and are children of God. We are therefore called sons of light. God is so gracious as to not only save us from eternal death but to let us walk with Him in authority.
Verse 6-9 John the Baptist was sent from God to prepare s for the coming Messiah. How would you like your life to be dedicated from the beginning to tell others about the coming King. The honor of being such. Thank You Jesus! He was cultivating their hearts for Jesus. They became expectant and desired Him to come after hearing who He is and what He has done.
Verse 10-14 Crazy to think how we have gotten so side tracked and lost sight of the Creator. How we’ve lost sight of our King and Savior. Te very one who gave us breath we reject. Oh, the grace and mercy of God. Oh, how much He loves us and desires us and yet we reject Him. God have mercy on us.
Jesus knew He would be rejected bu His own yet He still came that we may have life. He not only came that we may eternal life with Him but that we may have it abundantly! John 10:10
This is amazing to me to think that the God who created all came to us in human form so we may have eternal life and that we may live abundantly. Though mankind rejects, crushes and blasphemes Jesus He still calls us to Him. He’s always faithful and longs for communion with us. Mind blowing! What an awesome, compassionate, loving God we serve.
Verse 15- Just think how John must have been waiting for Jesus. He knew about Him and prophesied about Him. The joy that must have filled him to see and touch the Savior of the world. Just think how confusing the words of John must have been to those around him. “..He who comes after me is preferred before me for He was before me.” I would be like ‘what?’ How is He who was born after you have been before you? I can picture the smile coming across the face of John as he explained who Jesus was.
Verse 19-28 John is questioned on who he is and what he is doing. He says he is “The voice of one crying in the wilderness…” He is telling them that he is waiting for the Messiah and he tells them of who he is waiting for. What a joy to tell of our King and lover of our souls!
John says of Jesus that “whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.” Seriously, who are we to even be allowed into the presence and walk in the mercy and grace that He gives us. He is such an amazing God! This is so amazing to me that the One who was there in the beginning gave Himself to be beaten and rejected on the cross to die for us.
Verse 29-31 The joy that must have filled John’s heart when He sees the One he has preparing the way for. I can just picture his face lighting up and not knowing to bow down or run up and hug Him. Oh, God is so good! Crazy to think that they were cousins and did John know that Jesus was the Messiah? He must have sensed something about Jesus when growing up. So cool to think that they are family.
Verse 32-34 Just think how people’s worlds shook when they saw Jesus being baptized. I wonder how the felt when they heard John talk of the Holy Spirit? Did they know what he was talking about? They must have sensed something when being around John and Jesus.
Jesus asks in verse 37 to those that followed Him “What do you seek?” Interesting question. I wonder how the people felt when they followed Jesus. No wonder some people questioned Him because it is crazy to think of the things that Jesus does and where He stays. He’s so humble and merciful to think that He would stay out in the wilderness and not have a place to rest His head. He chose to live on the earth that we may know Him. Just think though that if He only stayed in nice places what people would think about that. Riches are not to be of this world.
Verse 46 Nathaniel asks if anything good can come from Nazareth. Jesus not only became flesh He lived in a place where others didn’t think anything good came from. He seriously chose the humblest path to come to us. He showed us great love. We mock Him and placed Him on a cross and He still heals us and delivers us.
Verse 51 To me this would be confusing if Jesus told me “Most assuredly I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open , and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” This to me is where He starts His sayings that are hard to understand if you are trying to figure out who Jesus is. Just think how expectant these people were for the Messiah to come to them. The deliverer of all people. The One who can heal and save us has come. AMEN! Thank You Jesus.
The Word made flesh December 7, 2009
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Verses 1-2 “In the beginning was the Word…” God created the universe with His words. He opened His mouth and boom there was everything. The power of the word! It is speaking of how Jesus is the Word. He was there all along from the beginning. This speaks of His deity as the Son of God. ‘…and the Word was God.”
It also says that Jesus was at the beginning in communion with God. ‘…and the Word was with God..” John17:5 says “And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.” He was always there in fellowship with His Father. These first verses are just so full of who Jesus is.
Verse 3 It’s interesting how people like to separate the trinity but they worked together. They are in communion with each other. “All things were made through Him and without Hi nothing was made that was made.”
Verse 4 ‘In Him was life and the life was the light of men.’ Through Him we get to the Father. He showed us life and gave us life. Creator of the universe who gave us life, died so we may have eternal communion with Him and showed us how to live life by walking on the earth. What a mighty merciful God we serve.
Verse 5 Jesus came to show light to the darkness. The darkness could not understand it! The light overpowered the darkness! Amen! We are called ’sons of light’ John 12:36. We walk in with Jesus, we abide in Him and are children of God. We are therefore called sons of light. God is so gracious as to not only save us from eternal death but to let us walk with Him in authority.
Verse 6-9 John the Baptist was sent from God to prepare s for the coming Messiah. How would you like your life to be dedicated from the beginning to tell others about the coming King. The honor of being such. Thank You Jesus! He was cultivating their hearts for Jesus. They became expectant and desired Him to come after hearing who He is and what He has done.
Verse 10-14 Crazy to think how we have gotten so side tracked and lost sight of the Creator. How we’ve lost sight of our King and Savior. Te very one who gave us breath we reject. Oh, the grace and mercy of God. Oh, how much He loves us and desires us and yet we reject Him. God have mercy on us.
Jesus knew He would be rejected bu His own yet He still came that we may have life. He not only came that we may eternal life with Him but that we may have it abundantly! John 10:10
This is amazing to me to think that the God who created all came to us in human form so we may have eternal life and that we may live abundantly. Though mankind rejects, crushes and blasphemes Jesus He still calls us to Him. He’s always faithful and longs for communion with us. Mind blowing! What an awesome, compassionate, loving God we serve.
Verse 15- Just think how John must have been waiting for Jesus. He knew about Him and prophesied about Him. The joy that must have filled him to see and touch the Savior of the world. Just think how confusing the words of John must have been to those around him. “..He who comes after me is preferred before me for He was before me.” I would be like ‘what?’ How is He who was born after you have been before you? I can picture the smile coming across the face of John as he explained who Jesus was.
Verse 19-28 John is questioned on who he is and what he is doing. He says he is “The voice of one crying in the wilderness…” He is telling them that he is waiting for the Messiah and he tells them of who he is waiting for. What a joy to tell of our King and lover of our souls!
John says of Jesus that “whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.” Seriously, who are we to even be allowed into the presence and walk in the mercy and grace that He gives us. He is such an amazing God! This is so amazing to me that the One who was there in the beginning gave Himself to be beaten and rejected on the cross to die for us.
Verse 29-31 The joy that must have filled John’s heart when He sees the One he has preparing the way for. I can just picture his face lighting up and not knowing to bow down or run up and hug Him. Oh, God is so good! Crazy to think that they were cousins and did John know that Jesus was the Messiah? He must have sensed something about Jesus when growing up. So cool to think that they are family.
Verse 32-34 Just think how people’s worlds shook when they saw Jesus being baptized. I wonder how the felt when they heard John talk of the Holy Spirit? Did they know what he was talking about? They must have sensed something when being around John and Jesus.
Jesus asks in verse 37 to those that followed Him “What do you seek?” Interesting question. I wonder how the people felt when they followed Jesus. No wonder some people questioned Him because it is crazy to think of the things that Jesus does and where He stays. He’s so humble and merciful to think that He would stay out in the wilderness and not have a place to rest His head. He chose to live on the earth that we may know Him. Just think though that if He only stayed in nice places what people would think about that. Riches are not to be of this world.
Verse 46 Nathaniel asks if anything good can come from Nazareth. Jesus not only became flesh He lived in a place where others didn’t think anything good came from. He seriously chose the humblest path to come to us. He showed us great love. We mock Him and placed Him on a cross and He still heals us and delivers us.
Verse 51 To me this would be confusing if Jesus told me “Most assuredly I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open , and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” This to me is where He starts His sayings that are hard to understand if you are trying to figure out who Jesus is. Just think how expectant these people were for the Messiah to come to them. The deliverer of all people. The One who can heal and save us has come. AMEN! Thank You Jesus.
The Word Made Flesh December 7, 2009
Posted by beccasanders in Uncategorized.comments closed
The Word Made Flesh
John 1
“And the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1b Jesus was with God, and he was God. So Jesus is there with God, which gives the idea that he is separate from God. Yet it says that he was God. So Jesus is both God, and in a separate form than God. Or rather he is the Second person of the Trinity.
“He was in the beginning with God.” When Genesis says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Jesus was there with him creating the world. For it says, “all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.” Since Jesus is the word, we can look at the account of creation in Genesis and see that when God spoke, it was the Word that spoke. All things were made by the Word, by Jesus speaking the words of creation. It is amazing for me to see Jesus in the beginning of creation, to see him there with the Father creating the world.
“In him was life and, and the life was the light of men.” In Jesus was life. Think about what that means while we’re are still talking about creation. Everything that came alive that week of creation was given life by Jesus. I’ve always seen the life in this passage as the life that Jesus gives for eternity only, the life that the cross bought. It is this kind of life, but I think it is also the life that was put into creation when he spoke it into being. The fact that the passage has just stated that everything was created by him makes me think that. Jesus has life in him, and he gives life to everything. This life was the light of men. The life that’s in Jesus is the life that God intended us to have when he created us. It is more than just physical life, or even the eternal life in heaven, but its the kind of life that is light to us. Its the kind of life that brings light to our every day lives, to our minds, and to our hearts.
”The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” Jesus is the light, and the light cannot be overcome by darkness. The light that is in Jesus is so much more powerful than darkness. It’s like the light that is in the sun. Darkness has absolutely no power over the light. Whenever light begins to shine, darkness is defenseless towards it. No type of darkness can stand in the presence of light. Another translation of this verse says, “the darkness apprehended it not.” With that wording I see this a little bit differently. If we look at this like the darkness is the spiritual powers of the age and the light is Jesus, then we see that the darkness could not get hold on Jesus, it has absolutely no power over Jesus and cannot overcome him. If we see this as the darkness being sin, and the light being Jesus; then we also see that sin had no power over Jesus and could not take hold of him. Even our own sinful hearts were not too hard for Jesus’ light to break through.
Meditation 2 December 7, 2009
Posted by lesliereed in Uncategorized.add a comment
When I think upon the works done by Christ in Mark 5:21-43, I just simply cry. Jesus you are so kind. In verse 25 a woman who was bleeding and had been for twelve years sees Jesus and has faith she could be healed. What faith she must have had, to believe that just simply touching His clothing would heal her. Or was it desperation? How would it feel to be bleeding for years and every doctor that tries to heal you and just makes it worse? If it were me would I despair? What a life that she must have lived in that wretched state. I picture her lying on the ground inflicted with severe pain, humiliated by the blood on her clothing knowing what people must be thinking; but seeing a man who is not just a man walking in the street. Life is in His eyes, compassion in His gaze, power in His stride, and a presence that shakes the very ground beneath Him because of the authority given. One who cast demons aside with out blinking an eye, one who raises the dead like one wakes a child from a nap, no even easier than that! Was it seeing this man, no this God that gave her hope again, hope to believe that in spite of her humiliation, wretchedness, and inflictions, that she could be healed at last? I look at the story unfold and she did not even ask Him to pray or lay hands on her, she simply thought, “If I but touch His robe I can be healed”. So she buries her body, her dignity and disease in the dust and crawls on the ground like an animal; probably being kicked in the side or at least shoved but she doesn’t care her eyes have seen God. Finally she is close enough that if she can just reach out she can touch Him. Then it happens she did it, she touched His robe healing rushes through her body and instantly she is healed. Affliction is gone from her at last, not only in body but spirit as well for sin cannot be found in the presence of God. Jesus feels His power leave him (5:30) and He knows instantly what happened, yet He asked, “Who touched my clothing?” I picture Him asking not from lack of knowing but wanting to see the face of one whom He loved and was delighted to heal, who in faith claimed her healing. When she comes forth terribly afraid, He validates her saying, “Go in peace my daughter your faith has healed you, be freed from your suffering.” Wow to have the God of heaven and earth say that to me would blow me away. What must she have felt? God gave her justice; she no longer was that gross, disgusting, and diseased creature she had been before. The woman had been called “daughter” of God and she had been commended for her faith. Healing took place in her body, spirit, and mind, but I believe that there is more. To be granted a glance into those beautiful eyes, to see the face of one who offers His life in the place of my iniquities, infirmities, and rebellion, to hear His voice giving affirmation to her heart. I believe God was saying, “I know who you are, what you have done, for I know all things; I say to you daughter well done.” He neglected time and space to make sure that she not only received healing, but also received vindication. If this is a picture of who Jesus is (which it is), I pose the question; Have we even touched the surface of who He is?
(John 5:1-30) When I look at this miraculous healing, I see not only a healing but Jesus challenging religiosity. There is a pool (Bethesda) where an angel would come and stir the waters and the first person in the water would be healed. Yet, a man who had been an invalid for 38 years had never been the one who made it. Thirty-eight years of sitting waiting for the angel to come trying to make it in first, or hoping that maybe next time he would make it. Every time he was met with the same crushing reality, “yet again you didn’t make it”. During all that time you would think that someone would have said, “let me help you.”, however that does not appear to be the case. Then one day some random man comes over and says, “Do you want to get well?” How would I have answered, “No duh of course I do?” But this invalid simply goes on to say that he has been trying for years but can never make it into the pool. Then Jesus say, “Get up! Take your mat and walk!” As soon as the man obeys Jesus, he is healed. Wondering, I ask this question, did Jesus make him act in faith to receive his healing because he had lost it over the years of trying but never getting in the pool to be healed? Now some Jews saw that this man was healed and were indignant because it was the Sabbath. So they tell him that he is disobeying the law by carrying his mat, and that he needs to put it down. If Jesus had healed me and told me to do something I would not care if it broke the law; which I guess is what the man was thinking. Later Jesus sees the man in the temple and tells him to stop sinning, did he mean that if the elders told him to put down his mat, he should do it. I believe that Jesus was saying that, the man I believe became offended because he went immediately to the Jewish elders and told them that it was Jesus. When the elders confront Jesus about healing on the Sabbath, he simply replies, “ My father is at always at work to this very day, so to am I to be working.” I love Jesus’ heart he wasn’t being proud but he declares who He is. One who was there when the earth was formed, who took part in it. He created these men who are accusing Him. Jesus could strike them dead in a minute, however He says, “I am working like my Father does.” When they don’t understand He goes on to tell them that He does nothing on His own but the Father in heaven gives Him an example in heaven. Jesus stands there and tells them the way to heaven and that they must believe in Him, Instead of believing, they reject Him. God would I have rejected you or would you have allowed my eyes to be open to believe? How must it have felt to be rejected by the ones you came to save? Jesus you are more awesome than we know or can comprehend You tolerate so much, You never fight back, You just love and intercede. One day though Jesus will return and He will judge the nations and the Jews will declare, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” So Jesus we ask that You would return, come quickly back and let our hearts be like that of the woman you healed that day, and let us walk in the faith that you gave all to all those healed.
