But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from.” So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.”

John 7:25-31

But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from.” So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.” John 7:27-29

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 7:25-31, where we see continued reactions to Jesus' teaching in the temple during the Feast of Booths in Jerusalem.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus shares that His origin is from the Father who is True (vv28-29).  He also shares that the people do not know God the Father - He who sent Jesus (v29). In v30 we see that nothing will stop God's plan of Jesus' death and resurrection despite the Jewish leadership having opportunity to arrest Him.       
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The people of Jerusalem struggle to understand why the Jews - who are seeking to kill Jesus (v25) - are not confronting Jesus now that He is in plain sight and not avoiding the Jews (in contrast to vv1-3,6,8).  The people think they know Jesus based on where He is from and from their incomplete understanding of OT prophecies of Jesus (OT prophecies are clear that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem, but prophecies of Jesus' hometown being Nazareth are inconclusive - see this).  Regardless, the people's understanding of scripture should lead them to believe that Jesus IS the Christ, the Promised Messiah. Many believed in Jesus - see v31 - although the text shares that they believed because of the signs He performed not that they believed He is the Promised Messiah.      
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid making claims about Jesus that are not scripturally accurate.  Claim the promise that Jesus was sent by the Father and the Father is Truth so Jesus is Truth because all things have been given by the Father to the Son.  Claim the promise also that nothing will stop God's plan - of course with certainty we can say that He will come again, and believers are saved.  Follow Jesus' example to challenge those who claim to know scripture but add to/subtract from the Word to support their own motives. Bring the Word everywhere! 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and who saves!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

"I can do nothing on my own."

 John 5:30-47

"I can do nothing on my own." John 5:30

I continue my study of John looking at John 5 and Jesus' extended response to the Jews persecuting and seeking to kill Him (which started in vv16-18 and continues through v47).  Yesterday I focused on vv25-29, and today my focus is vv30-47; here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus shares in v30 that He can do nothing on His own - which clearly is not intended to lead us to believe that He is dependent on anyone or anything as He is God (Triune God).  Yet as the Incarnate Son of God who was sent by the Father and about whom John bore witness, Jesus wants the Jews - those seeking to persecute and kill Him - to understand that He is the Promised Messiah spoken about in the OT - the same OT that the Jews supposedly knew intimately.  To reinforce His message, Jesus (see vv46-47) refers us to Deuteronomy 18:15-18 where Moses prophecies about Jesus.  Going back to v30, the point I see Jesus making is that all three identities and persons of the Triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) work together not as one without the other.      
• What do we learn from the text about people?: John the Baptist is seen as "a burning and shining lamp" (v35).  Many of the Jews, most prominently the Jewish leaders seeking to persecute and kill Jesus, do not believe in Jesus nor do they have the love of God in them.  They also seek glory for themselves and from one another vs seeking glory from and for God.  
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Do not seek glory for yourself - seek glory for God alone.  Claim the promise that Jesus is the one all of scripture points to as Lord and Savior for all.  Follow the example of John who humbly "decreased" so that Jesus could "increase."  Also follow the example of Jesus who did the will of the Father who sent Him.  We are to do the will of Jesus.  Do everything for the glory of God.  

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an amazing God who loves and who saves....You are the Promised Messiah that all of scripture points to. Thank You Jesus for loving me first and saving me.  I am not deserving of such love and salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!”

 John 1:43-51

Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” John 1:46-47

I continue my study of John, and today, I unpack John 1:43-51 using the Sword Bible Study Method. Tomorrow, I will follow up and outline the text and provide a main point. 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Although Nathanael insults Him, Jesus shows compassion and mercy to Nathanael - praising Him instead of being revengeful - v47; Jesus is all knowing as He sees and knows everything about us - vv46-48; Jesus offers more than just miracles - He offers salvation and a relationship with the Triune God - vv50-51.  
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: Philip is "found" by Jesus and he becomes a follower/disciple of Jesus; Philip is from the same town as Andrew and Peter (Bethsaida) - vv43-44; Philip correctly identifies Jesus as the Promised Messiah - v45; Nathanael is initially a naysayer and does not believe Philip that Jesus is the Promised Messiah and Philip seeks to change his mind - v46; upon meeting Jesus and seeing that Jesus knows him without meeting him, Nathanael also correctly identifies who Jesus is - but with another attribute of the Triune God - the Son - vv48-49.   
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We should not doubt who Jesus is - He is the Promised Messiah, King of Kings, Son of God, and sent by God; we should know with God, while He offers life to the full now to those who believe Him, He also offers "greater things" - eternal life in Heaven with Him - v51. We should follow Jesus as Philip and Nathanael did. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  Thank You Jesus for life to the full now and for eternity in Heaven with You and all the other saints.  I am not deserving of my salvation - the greatest gift of all time.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ).

 John 1:35-42

He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). John 1:41

I continue my study of John, and today, I outline and unpack John 1:35-42 using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

Main point: Jesus is the Messiah, He takes away sin, and for those who follow Him, He offers eternal fellowship and Truth.   

1. Jesus takes away sin - v35
2. Jesus is Truth - v38
3. Jesus offers eternal fellowship - v39
4. Jesus is the Messiah - v41 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus is once again called by John - accurately - the Lamb of God.  Jesus is the perfect spotless lamb - the final sacrifice who will atone for (take away) the sins of the world - v36 (see also v29); Jesus gains His first disciples - two who followers of Jesus now followed Him - v37; Jesus is interested in what people seek - He wants people to seek Truth (Him) - v38; the two new disciples refer to Jesus as Rabbi (Teacher) - v38; Jesus invites the two new disciples to stay with Him for the day as Jesus seeks fellowship with us - v39; Jesus is referred to as the Messiah (Christ) by Andrew - v41; Jesus calls Simon Peter (Andrew's brother) Peter - v42.
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: Two of Jesus' first disciples are former disciples of John the Baptist but now follow Jesus - vv35-37 - reinforcing that Jesus is more important (ranking before) than John (see also v30); the two new disciples of Jesus seek teaching from Jesus - v38; they stay with Jesus at His invitation, they seek fellowship with Him - v39; one of the new disciples was Andrew - who was Simon Peter's brother - v40; Andrew correctly identifies Jesus as the Messiah (Christ) - v41; Andrew brings Simon Peter to Jesus and Jesus tells him that going forward he will be called Peter - v42. 
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We should correctly identify Jesus as the Messiah - Christ; He is also our Teacher as He is the Word (John 1:1) and Truth. We should follow Jesus and seek fellowship with Him.  

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are the Promised Messiah who loves, saves, teaches, and stays with me until the end of the age.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And when the centurion, who stood facing [Jesus], saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

Mark 15:33-41

And when the centurion, who stood facing [Jesus], saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” Mark 15:39

I continue my study of Mark, focusing on Mark 15:33-41.  

Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: In the midst of darkness that covered the whole land, Jesus cries out to the Father, asking why has He forsaken the Son -vv33-34. This feeling of being forsaken is understandable, yet we would expect this to be a temporary state of mind of course because we know that Jesus will rise and ascend to Heaven (see also Acts 1:9-11 and Luke 24:51). Jesus continues to be mocked right up until He dies - v36 - He does not save Himself although He has the power to do so, He faithfully submits to the Father's will - v37. 
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: There will always be those who mock Jesus as done in v36.  Based upon the darkness that befell the whole land and the tearing of the temple curtain vv33, 38, and what we know from the other gospels (Matthew 27:51-54) - earthquake, raising of dead, etc., the centurion accurately states that Jesus is the Son of God - v39. It is implied this centurion becomes a believer. Mary Magdelene, Mary mother of Jesus, and other women - those who loved and ministered to Jesus during His time in ministry observe the crucifixion - v40-41.  These women were certainly devastated by Jesus' death on the cross.  They followed and served (and were at His feet literally as He hung from the cross) Jesus through what they thought was the end, yet we know that this was not the end.
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?):  We should not question who Jesus is nor mock Him.  Today, many question and mock Jesus and even threaten harm (sometimes physical) - yet we must remain steadfast in our faith and continue to share the gospel.  We should follow Jesus without fear of reprisal - run the race until the end (our physical death) (Hebrews 12:1-2).  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  You loved and saved me while I was still an enemy and hostile to You...thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and the greatest gift of all time.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

Mark 15:1-20

And Pilate said to them, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Mark 15:14-15

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is, per the commentary, the second division of the text from Mark 15:1-20 - vv6-14.  

• Using the Sword Bible Study Method focusing just on the text for today - vv1-5: (1) God in the text:  Jesus is the object of others' actions, and here Pilate is struggling with what to do with Jesus as he believes Jesus is innocent of any crime (v14) but at the same time Pilate must placate (v15) Jewish leadership (some of which must use there role to stir up civil unrest or other complications for Pilate).  Jewish leaders urge crucifixion of Jesus - vv13-14; Jesus is then mocked and scourged (v15) (2) People in the text: Jewish leaders seek Pilate to follow custom and release a prisoner during Passover and they urge Barrabas to be released (they roundly reject Pilate's suggestion that it be Jesus - v9) and it is ironic that Pilate agrees because Barrabas participated (committed murder) in insurrection against Rome (v7); Pilate correctly sees the Jewish leadership as envious of Jesus due to Jesus' following among the people as they felt threatened and did not see Jesus as the promised Messiah from OT prophecy; many believe the Messiah would be an earthly king that would overthrow Rome and restore Jerusalem to self governance and former glory (such as under David's rule) (3) Sins to avoid, promises to claim, examples to follow, and commands to obey: Avoid envy - see Exodus 20:17; see Jesus as the Promised Messiah and His kingdom as an eternal one not bound by earthly definitions. Do not murder.  Follow Jesus' example to understand and follow the Father's will.  Obey governing authorities (Romans 13).   

Excerpts from the commentary's second (of three) division: 

• The title of the first division is "Our Great King’s Substitution: The Injustice and Insult."   
• RE: Pilate's tough situation - we are referred to Matthew 27:19 where [Pilate's] wife had warned him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for today I’ve suffered terribly in a dream because of Him!”. 
• "Pilate has had enough. He publicly washes his hands, while the crowd accepts responsibility for executing the King (Matthew 27:24-25). Jesus was innocent but declared to be guilty."  It's important to note that this text describes how the crowd all but admits that they are committing murder by asking for Jesus' crucifixion.  

Comment and discuss this post. 

My Prayer: Father God, You are an amazing God that willingly sent His Son to die on the cross, and Jesus willingly submitted to Your Will so that I could have life now to the full and for eternity in Heaven.  Thank You!  I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared,‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ David himself calls him Lord. So how is he his son?” And the great throng heard him gladly.

Mark 12:35-40

And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared,‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.”’  David himself calls him Lord. So how is he his son?” And the great throng heard him gladly. Mark 12:35-37

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 12:35-40.  Excerpts from the commentary's introduction and the first (of two) division (vv35-37):

• The title of this chapter of the commentary covering this text is "Turning Theologians on Their Heads" and the main idea for the entirety of the text (vv35-40) is "Jesus’ identity as the true God-Man demands genuine devotion and obedience rather than hypocritical piety." 
• "Jesus has just answered the question on the greatest command (12:28-34). Prior to that He had addressed His authority (11:27–12:12), paying taxes (12:13-17), and the reality of the resurrection (12:18-27). Jesus answered these questions so well that “no one dared to question Him any longer” (12:34). It is now Jesus’ turn to ask a question, and in doing so He turns the theologians upside down. And He did not ask just any question; He asked the most important question. He asked the question concerning the identity of the Messiah, the Christ, the Savior of the world."  
• The title of the first division per the commentary is "The Coming of Jesus Reveals a Greater David." 
• "Jesus begins simply enough by establishing that the Christ will be the son of David. No problem here."  See also 2 Samuel 7:16; Psalm 89:3-4; Isaiah 9:2, 6-7; 11:1-4, 8-9; Jeremiah 23:5-6, 30:9, 33:15-17, 22; Ezekiel 34:23-24; Hosea 3:5; Amos 9:11; and Micah 5:2-5. 
• Jesus shares text from Psalm 110. "Psalm 110 is the most quoted psalm in the New Testament. The first verse reads, “This is the declaration of the Lord to my Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies Your footstool.’” So Jesus asks, “David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; how then can the Messiah be his Son?” Here is a problem no one had seen until Jesus raised it. The Messiah is both David’s Son and David’s Lord at the same time. Think about it. What father would ever call his son or great-grandson his Lord? The Messiah is not simply David’s Son; He is David’s Sovereign. He is God’s Son who reigns as King seated at His heavenly Father’s right hand. David’s words will not work if Messiah is just a human being. He must be more. This is where Jesus is trying to take them. This is what they had failed to see. Tragically, many still don’t see it." 

Indeed, once we hear of Jesus (and there are still many who have either not been reached or have very limited access to the Gospel - see the Joshua Project), we must all come to terms with who Jesus is and either accept Him or not.  If we don't we are eternally condemned - that is why the commentary refers to this as the most important question.  We are commanded to save people from all nations - see also Matthew 28:19-20 and Jude 22-23. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who saves!  Thank You Jesus for my salvation and for the mercies You pour out daily for me and that never cease!  I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Zechariah 9:9-13

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is an unassisted review of Zechariah 9:9-13, which the commentary outlines as the second of three divisions for the text 9:1-9:17 (9:1-8, 9-13, 14-17).  Here the text builds on how the previous division ended (see post yesterday and day before that) with how God will offer protection to His people.  In the first verse of the division today, we see one of the most well known messianic prophecies - how Jesus will arrive in Jerusalem on a donkey.  Jesus is prophesied not as a conqueror but as a peacemaker (v10).  He will also offer hope (v12).  Of course we know this prophecy - written about 500 years before Jesus' birth - comes to pass.  See also Matthew 21, Mark 11, and Luke 19.  Despite how it was written how Jesus was to arrive in such a humble fashion, the Jewish leaders did not recognize Him as the Promised Messiah as they sought a conquering king.  Yet ironically (and more importantly), ultimately Jesus does conquer - sin and death - and this is the victory we should all seek - not one from an earthly perspective that is political and temporary, but one that is supernatural and eternal. Jesus dies, rises again and He will return.  We can take great comfort in knowing that the victory over sin and death is already won! Rejoice greatly indeed!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who has conquered sin and death and who will return!  The victory over sin and death is already won...and You are saving a place for me in Heaven - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.   

I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.

Isaiah 42-44

I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. Isaiah 42:6-7

I returned to my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, I continue with Lesson 16, Day 3b, where the focus remains on Isaiah 42, particularly v5-17. As the primary focus of the latter chapters (40-66) of Isaiah shifts to messianic prophecies and hope for the remnant of Israel, we see Isaiah 42 an example of such prophecies.  God is talking about Jesus and refers to Jesus as "as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness."  My study refers us to Matthew 26:26-28, John 1:1-9, 8:12, and 1:14.  In Matthew 26, we see Jesus instituting the Lord's Supper - representing the New Covenant based on Jesus' broken body and shed blood. In John 1 and 8 we see Jesus as light and as the Word dwelling among us - consistent with Isaiah 42 - so we have fulfillment of prophecy.  Once again, God keeps His promises. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who always keeps His promises - You are faithful and You never leave or forsake me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.

Isaiah 42-44

Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. Isaiah 42:1

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, I move on to Lesson 16, Day 2, where the focus is Isaiah 42.  Here, my commentary outlines the following divisions:

1. The Gentle King and His Irresistibly Advancing Kingdom (v1-7)
2. The Message of the Kingdom Resulting in Joyful Praise (v8-12)
3. The Zeal of the Warrior God Rescuing His Captive People (v13-17)
4. The Shameful Condition of God's Sinful People
   

In v1-7 we see a prophecy of the coming Messiah - Jesus Christ. He is referred to as God's servant (v1).  He has chosen Him (v1).  He delights in Him (v1).  He put His Spirit upon Him (v1). He is "giving" us Christ "as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon from the prison those who sit in darkness."  Behold indeed!

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You ARE the Promised Messiah, the One told about and anticipated about long ago in the book of Isaiah.  You came to save me and all of humanity throughout redemptive history - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You came to save me and how You did save me.  My sin is great and it continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.   

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.... I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

Jeremiah 23:1-8, 33:14-26, 31:27-40

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel  and with the people of Judah.... I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” Jeremiah 31:31,33-34.

Day 234 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with my study of Jeremiah where my commentary* indicates "Jeremiah appears to reach beyond the end of the 70-year exile to a kingdom of a different nature and to the Messiah who will save his people from their sins." My commentary* also describes how "[a]ll of this will cause great confusion to future generations of Hebrews who read the restoration promises of Jeremiah, Isaiah, and the other prophets, yet continue to see a hostile world about them. Many of them will keep vigil for the coming of a political Israel which will truly have lasting peace and prosperity. Many will look for a mighty king to bring them deliverance from future oppressors. Many will look for a country whose geographical boundaries are clearly delineated and secure. Yet Jeremiah suggests that their attitude toward the coming kingdom is misguided."

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

Highlights from this morning's reading:

The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior. Jeremiah 23:5-6

The above verses are largely repeated in Jeremiah 33 where God seeks to make it known with certainty that a king will rise from David's line, fulfilling a promise made to David (Davidic Covenant). 

God also promises a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31, 33-34).

Jesus is not only the Messiah prophesied and promised in the Old Testament (based on the Davidic Covenant), but also the Lord and Savior we all need.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who forgives my sin, freeing me from the sting of sin and death.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a gift.  I continue to be harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail. "Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have taken my instruction to heart: Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals or be terrified by their insults. For the moth will eat them up like a garment; the worm will devour them like wool. But my righteousness will last forever, my salvation through all generations.

Isaiah 51-54:3

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail. "Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have taken my instruction to heart: Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals or be terrified by their insults. For the moth will eat them up like a garment; the worm will devour them like wool. But my righteousness will last forever, my salvation through all generations. Isaiah 51:6-8

 

Day 197 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with my study of Isaiah as God seeks to comfort Israel in exile.  This morning, my commentary* starts with Isaiah using Abraham as an example of how God created a great nation from one man - Abraham - all from a promise.  God is faithful.  My commentary* then moves to Isaiah's message and how it describes how our "salvation is coming", how there is "no need to fear" as God's "wrath will pass". 

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

 

This salvation and restoration is of course Jesus Christ and and in Isaiah 53 we see the prophecy of the coming Messiah:

 

He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away.Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After he has suffered,he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Isaiah 53:2-11

 

God uses Isaiah to comfort Israel in its exile with a promise of restoration and salvation.  This same message of course applies to all believers during any age.  During a period of suffering and trial we must look to God for comfort as what ever challenges we may be experiencing are temporary as we know that we can look forward to eternity in Heaven with Him and this is where we place our hope.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves and who provides comfort and salvation for those who believer in You - thank You Jesus!  What an awesome God!  I am not deserving of such love.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to accept You as Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

John 5

You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. v39-40

After Jesus heals a man at the pool (John 5:1-15), the Jewish leaders challenge Jesus and seek to kill Him (v16-18).  Jesus confronts the Jewish leaders and a key aspect of His challenge to them is their hardened hearts and their refusal to believe that Jesus is the Messiah spoken about in the Old Testament.  

Jesus is more than a man or a prophet - He is the Father, Son, Holy Spirit - God, King of Kings, Lord of all Creation, etc. 

Every knee must bow.

My Prayer: Jesus, You ARE the God of Gods - the highest of highest and my God and personal savior - thank You Jesus for adopting me into Your family!  I am grateful.  Yet I am undeserving.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

John 1

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. v12-13

In verses 6-8, John (the apostle) tells us about John the Baptist (John the Baptist is not John the apostle (author of John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John and Revelation) - the messenger sent by God to "prepare the way" for Jesus and His coming ministry (see also Matthew 3, Isaiah 40:3, Mark 1, Luke 3).  

In v9-13, John then shares with us that: Jesus is the light of the world, Jesus came into the world to both be with us (to minister and teach to us, then to die for us), and that many did not recognize or believe that Jesus is the promised Messiah.  John then gives us this great truth about this "right" that Jesus gave us "to become children of God". 

What an amazing right!  We ALL want to be part of something - something that gives us community, love, etc.  When we believe in and receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are grafted into His family.  We must also understand that if we do not believe and receive, we are not His children - listen to John Piper on this.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who Has grafted me into His family!  Thank You Jesus for inviting and receiving me into Your family!  You are a great God - I love You Jesus! I am undeserving of such a God.  I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.