Temptation

We are all tempted.

Jesus, as a man, was tempted in all the ways we are tempted.  Hebrew 4:15 tells us:

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.[i]

As the God/Man, Jesus is able to be our faithful High Priest.  As the God/Man, Jesus is the mediator between God and man.  (1 Timothy 2:5)  Hebrews 2:17-18 tells us this about Jesus:

¹⁷Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God.  Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people.  ¹⁸Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

Jesus went through suffering and temptation so that He could identify with us who suffer and are tempted.  In addition, Jesus went through suffering and temptation so that He can help us when we suffer and are tempted.

Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father to make intercession for us.  Romans 8:34 tells us:

Who then will condemn us?  No one--for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us.

No one else can fulfill the role of High Priest and mediator between God and humanity.  No one else was or is both God and man united in one person.  This is why 1 Timothy 2:5 says:

For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity--the man Christ Jesus.

When Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River, He identified with us, and He received the testimony that He is God’s Son, who brings God great joy.  Matthew 4:1 tells us that then the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness.  Matthew 4:1 says:

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.

The Gospel of Matthew was written in Greek.  The Greek word translated “by” in this verse is the word “ὑπὸ” (hupo).  “ὑπὸ” means “under”, but depending on context can by translated as “about” or “by”.  According to Strong’s, it is often used with the meaning "under authority" of someone working directly as a subordinate.”[ii]

Jesus was acting under the authority of the Holy Spirit as a subordinate.

This is how we should all live. 

Galatians 5:16 says:

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives.  Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves.

Walking or living with the Holy Spirit as our guide is expected of us as God’s children.  This is further borne out by Ephesians 4:30, which says:

And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live.  Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

Jesus was living as a man, a human being, should live.  The Holy Spirit directed Jesus into the wilderness.  There in the wilderness Jesus fasted.  For forty days and forty nights, He was alone with God.  This is reminiscent of the forty days and forty nights that Moses was on the mountain alone with God.  When Moses spent those forty days and nights alone with God, he was transformed.  His face shone so brilliantly that people could not bear to look upon it.  However, when he came down off the mountain, he was faced with a rebellious and stiff-necked people that constantly pushed him to his limits.

We are not told about how Jesus’ forty days and nights affected Him.  However, we are told that He became hungry.  Here again, we face the humanity of Jesus.  Throughout the gospels we are reminded of His humanity, as he grew tired, slept, ate and walked with the disciples.  Although He was God, having emptied Himself, He was subject to normal human limitations.  It is clear that He was tested in every way we are.

This humanity leads into the first test or temptation.  Matthew 4:3-4 says:

³During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

⁴But Jesus told him, “No!  The Scriptures say,

‘People do not live by bread alone,

but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

We are all tempted in the same way, because we are tempted to try to meet our own needs in our own way.  We are tempted to step out for “under” the Holy Spirit and do things our own way.

More than a thousand years prior to this, God tested the Israelites in the wilderness in relation to bread.  Deuteronomy 8:3 says:

Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors.  He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

Jesus used this exact passage to turn away the temptation.  Notice that it says that God humbled them by letting them go hungry, and He did this to teach them.  Here is a key concept in our relationship with God.  Deuteronomy 8:5 says it like this:

Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the LORD your God disciplines you for your own good.

Just before testing His Son in the wilderness, God had given testimony that “This is my dearly loved Son.”  (Matthew 3:17)  Just before putting Job through the worst testing ever, God had pointed out Job and said, “Have you noticed my servant Job?”  God allows us to be tested because He loves us.  Even Jesus learned obedience by the things that he suffered.  (Hebrews 5:8)

So, the first lesson in obedience that Jesus learned was to trust God no matter what the circumstances looked like.  No food, no problem. God will work it out if we are walking under (in obedience to) the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 4:5-7 records the second test.

⁵Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, ⁶and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off!  For the Scriptures say,

‘He will order his angels to protect you.  And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” 

⁷Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the LORD your God.’”

If the first test was in relation to bodily needs, this second test was in relation to pride. 

Jesus called what the devil was suggesting “testing God”. 

There is one command of the Lord where He challenges us to put Him to the test and that is in relation to our giving.  Malachi 3:10 says:

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple.  If you do," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, "I will open the windows of heaven for you.  I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in!  Try it!  Put me to the test!

Other than tithing, we are not to test God. 

An extreme example of testing God is snake handling as a worship practice.  Mark 16:18 says:

They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them.  They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.

This clearly has happened.  Acts 28 tells about when Paul was gathering wood for a fire, a deadly snake fastened itself to Paul’s hand.  Paul suffered no ill effects.  Missionaries and God’s people have told many incredible stories of God’s miraculous preservation and working in their lives. However, these were all in the normal working of their lives while they were walking under (in obedience to) the Holy Spirit.  This statement from Mark 16:18 does not apply to putting God to the test by purposely “proving” that one has the faith to put their hand in a box of snakes.

We are all tempted in this area because we know God loves us.  Surely, God wants us to be happy.  So, why shouldn’t we live together (outside of marriage)?  God will forgive us.  God’s love for us does not mean that we can sin with impunity.  Don’t let the devil appeal to your pride, pride in position, pride in family, pride in achievement.

If the second test is in the area of pride, the third is in the area of our worship.

Matthew 4:8-10 says:

⁸Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.  ⁹“I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”

¹⁰“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him.  “For the Scriptures say,

‘You must worship the LORD your God

and serve only him.’”

Jesus’ response to this temptation was strong and immediate.  “Get out of here, Satan.”  The devil had stepped over the line.  He had suggested that something would take the place of God in Jesus’ heart.  The mere suggestion of such a thing brought an angry response from Jesus.  The kingdoms of the world, riches and power could never take the place of God in Jesus’ heart, and yet that is exactly what Satan was suggesting.

As humans, we are all tempted in this area.  Some want fame.  Some want fortune.  Some just want a good time.  However, whatever takes the place of God in our hearts is an unspeakable idolatry.

Jesus’ response is taken from Deuteronomy 6:13.  This is one of the most important passages in the Old Testament, because it is all based on Deuteronomy 6:4-5, which says:

⁴“Listen, O Israel!  The LORD is our God, the LORD alone.  ⁵And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.

According to Jesus, this is the first and greatest commandment. Nothing is more important, nothing.

We are all tempted in these three ways.  God allows us to be tested so that we learn obedience.  Remember, Jesus is greater than the devil.  He is always with you to help you.  He intercedes for you with the Father because He understands our weakness.  1 Corinthians 10:13 explains:

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.  And God is faithful.  He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.  When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

God has given us an example, a mediator, an intercessor and a High Priest to help us deal with temptation, and still we make excuses for ourselves and continue to give in to our favorite temptations.  What will it take for us to be free?

Repent.  Confess your sins to God and surrender to the control of the Holy Spirit.

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[i] Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation.  Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Steam, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.

[ii] http://biblehub.com/greek/5259.htm

Baptism

Jesus is God’s Son.  

Born of a virgin, testified to by angels and prophets, Jesus showed both human and divine attributes from an early age.  One remarkable thing about Jesus as a human being is that He was without sin.

As a man without sin, Jesus shows us how to live.

If your purpose in life is to have fun, be rich, die without God and be lost for all eternity, Jesus may not be your example.  However, if you want to please God and live forever, Jesus is the only example for you.  Jesus is the way to eternal life.

One example Jesus set is baptism.

There is much confusion about baptism.  Because of its importance, the evil one has introduced controversy and confusion to the subject.  Whenever a subject is important, this is what the evil one does.

For example, the person of Jesus is of utmost importance.  Therefore, there is much confusion and controversy on the subject.  Jesus is God and man joined in one person forever.  This involves the idea of the Trinity and of the incarnation.  These teachings are so fundamental that if someone differs with the accepted teachings on these subjects, we do not consider them to be of the same faith and classify them as cults.  Examples of such cults would be Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons.

Baptism does not fall into the same category.  If someone differs from us on baptism, we do not consider them heretics or cults.  We do not necessarily break fellowship with anyone over differences of opinion about baptism.  However, we distinguish between questions of mode and questions of salvation. 

There are those that maintain that baptism is necessary to salvation and that if one is not baptized, he or she is not saved.  In addition, there are differences in opinion as to who can administer baptism and what the proper way to administer baptism is.  Errors in relation to salvation and the necessity of baptism to salvation are errors that we reject.  Baptism is not necessary to salvation.  Baptism is for the saved.  Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ.  The Bible is clear.  “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.”  However, having said this, we have no examples of believers who were not baptized apart from extreme cases such as the thief on the cross, where there was no opportunity for baptism to take place.  Why would a person with saving faith (faith unto salvation) not want to be baptized?

As far as mode is concerned, there are those who sprinkle, those who pour and those who immerse.  While I believe we can know what baptism means and how it should be done, I also believe that sincere followers of Jesus differ with me as to mode and even on the meaning of baptism, and they are still my brothers and sisters in Christ.

As God the Son, Jesus is our example, and He teaches us about baptism by His example.  He was baptized by John in the Jordan River.

Matthew 3 gives the account of Jesus’ baptism.

John baptized Jesus, and in this account, we learn of the origins of Christian baptism.

The text says:

¹In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching.  His message was, ²“Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”  (Matthew 3:1-2)

John preached a message from God.  The text acknowledges this when it refers to the prophecy of Isaiah, which says, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming.’”  (Matthew 3:3)  The nature of John’s ministry as a prophet with a message from God is also emphasized by the report of the clothing he wore.  Matthew 3:4 says, “John’s clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist.”  This is reminiscent of the prophet Elijah who dressed the same way.  In 2 Kings chapter one, the king of Israel identified the prophet Elijah by just such a description of his clothing. 

Jesus said of John:

¹¹Jesus replied, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready.  ¹²But I tell you, Elijah has already come, but he wasn’t recognized, and they chose to abuse him.  And in the same way they will also make the Son of Man suffer.”  ¹³Then the disciples realized he was talking about John the Baptist.  (Matthew 17:11-13)

Christian baptism was instituted by God through His prophet, John the Baptist.   John the Baptist came in the Spirit and power of the prophet Elijah to prepare the way for the Lord’s coming, and as part of his ministry instituted the practice of baptism.

Matthew tells us that John’s message was “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”  (Matthew 3:2)  This message was connected with baptism in that as Matthew 3:6 says, “And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.”

John was making an appeal to people to be right with God, just as we make an appeal to people to be right with God.  (Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.  We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.  2 Corinthians 5:20, ESV)

Since his ministry centered on an appeal for people to get right with God, John strongly denounced the Pharisees and Sadducees who came out to be baptized.  His challenge to them was to prove by the way they lived that they had repented of their sins and turned to God.  The Pharisees and Sadducees put their confidence in the fact that they were descendants of Abraham, children of the promise.  Therefore, John directly confronted this mistaken confidence and called upon them to repent.  1 Peter 3:21 describes baptism as an “appeal to God for a good conscience.”  

Judaism had rituals for cleansing and also had pools for the purpose of ritual cleansing of the whole body.  Several biblical regulations specify that full immersion in water is required to regain ritual purity after ritually impure incidents have occurred.[i]  However, John was not just carrying on the Jewish tradition of cleansing.  He was teaching much more.

Josephus was a Jewish scholar and historian who lived from 37 AD to 100 AD.  Josephus was not a follower of Jesus, and therefore his understanding of John’s teaching and method are not necessarily biblical.  However, as an outsider and one from that time period, he lends perspective to what John was preaching and doing.  When speaking of the destruction of Herod’s army, Josephus says this about John:

     Now some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod's army came from God, and was a very just punishment for what he did against John called the Baptist [the dipper].  For Herod had him killed, although he was a good man and had urged the Jews to exert themselves to virtue, both as to justice toward one another and reverence towards God, and having done so join together in washing.  For immersion in water, it was clear to him, could not be used for the forgiveness of sins, but as a sanctification of the body, and only if the soul was already thoroughly purified by right actions.  And when others massed about him, for they were very greatly moved by his words, Herod, who feared that such strong influence over the people might carry to a revolt -- for they seemed ready to do anything he should advise -- believed it much better to move now than later have it raise a rebellion and engage him in actions he would regret.[ii] (Antiquities 18.5.2 116-119)                                

We have in Josephus then an indication that John was teaching repentance, an appeal to God for a good conscience and a joining together.  (And also as an aside, support for the practice of immersion.)

John also indicates that his ministry was in preparation for the coming of the Messiah.  He says:

¹¹“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  ¹²His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”  (Matthew 3:11-12, ESV)

John’s preaching included the statement that the Kingdom of God was near.  This thought is expanded in this passage from Matthew.  The coming one would baptize with fire and the Holy Spirit.  John is warning people to get ready.  His words to the Pharisees and Sadducees were, “Who warned you to flee God’s coming wrath?”  (Matthew 3:7)  

Repentance and confession are necessary because of our sin.  The Scriptures clearly teach that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  (Romans 3:23)  The Scriptures also clearly teach “…the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.”  (Romans 1:18, ESV) 

John preached to prepare people for the approaching Kingdom of God, and the first thing people needed to deal with was their sin.

We preach to introduce people to the Kingdom of God, and the first thing people need to deal with is their sin.

Jesus had no sin.  Therefore, when Jesus approached John to be baptized, John said, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”  (Matthew 3:14, ESV)  Jesus responded, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”  (Matthew 3:15, ESV)

While Jesus had no sin to repent of or confess, He still needed to be baptized as a measure of obedience.

If Jesus, who had no sin, needed to be baptized, how much more those of us who have sin?  John baptized people after they confessed their sins.  Baptism comes after we recognize that we are sinners.  Recognition that we are sinners is usually accompanied by the realization that because of our sin, we are subject to the wrath of God as mentioned earlier.  We realize that we need to flee the wrath of God and there is nowhere to go but to God.  Since Jesus died for our sins and rose again from the dead, we know something that John did not.  John knew that God would forgive our sins if we asked Him, but he did not know how God would pay for those sins.  We know that Jesus paid the price for our sins.  Therefore, for us there is an added picture to baptism.  Baptism pictures our joining with Christ as explained in Romans 6:3-4.

³Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  ⁴We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.  (ESV)

When we are baptized, we give outward evidence of a spiritual transaction that has already taken place.  We confirm with an outward sign what we have already decided in our hearts.

When Jesus took this step, the Father affirmed Jesus.  The Scriptures say:

…he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”  (Matthew 3:16-17, ESV)

When we follow Jesus’ example and are baptized, the Holy Spirit also affirms us.  Not everyone’s experience is the same.  However, Romans 8:16 tells us that, “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” (ESV)  What better time for that affirmation to take place than at baptism?

I am going to be harsh, please forgive me.  I am sure you have good and legitimate reasons for not being baptized.  However, can we put those reasons aside?  Don’t tell me you believe if you have not been baptized.  If you believe, get baptized.  Jesus did, why don’t you?

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[i] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikveh

[ii] http://www.josephus.org/JohnTBaptist.htm#Purification

Growing

Luke 2:40-52[i]

Luke 2 gives the account of the childhood of Jesus.  Verse 21 starts with the account of His circumcision, and then the purification offering as required by the Law of Moses.  As an infant of only eight days old, Jesus was taken to the temple and dedicated to God as was required by the Law.  The offering would have been a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

While Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus were in the temple, a man named Simeon prophesied over Jesus.  Simeon was full of the Holy Spirit, and the Lord had promised him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s anointed One. 

Simeon said of Jesus:

He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!  (Luke 2:32)

Luke 2:33 says, “Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him.”

Everything about Jesus’ birth was unusual.

Jesus’ birth was announced by angels to both Mary and Joseph.  Then on the night He was born, shepherds came in talking about angels announcing His birth to them.

Mary and Joseph marveled at all that was happening.

After His birth, Matthew 2 tells us that wise men from the east came to visit Jesus.  Matthew 2:13-23 tells us that when the wise men had returned to their home countries, Mary and Joseph had to flee to Egypt to protect the baby Jesus from King Herod, who was trying to kill Him.

Mary and Joseph knew that Jesus was no ordinary child.

The angel told Mary, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” (Luke 1:32, ESV)[ii]

His birth and the events of His infancy were extraordinary.

Luke 2:40 tells us about the young childhood of Jesus with two sentences.  “And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom.  And the favor of God was upon him.”  (ESV)

Luke 2:41-51 gives an account of an incident out of the life of Jesus from when He was twelve years old.  Then verse 52 says, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.”  (ESV)

Verse 40 and verse 52 of Luke 2 summarize the childhood of Jesus as growing.  He grew in three areas: Physically, Mentally and Spiritually.  These, of course, correspond to the three parts of the human person: Body, Soul and Spirit.

As extraordinary as He was, Jesus also had ordinary aspects to His life.

Isaiah 53:2 says of Him, “For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.”  (ESV)  This describes an ordinary childhood.  However, we must qualify this by saying He never sinned.  He was normal except without sin, which is, of course, not normal.  In fact, He is the only one who never sinned.  I realize that I am contradicting myself by saying He was normal but not normal.  However, it is important to understand that Jesus was fully human.  While we understand that Jesus is fully God and fully man, how this can be is a mystery.

One of the normal things in Jesus’ early life was an annual trip to Jerusalem.  Luke 2:41 says, “Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.” 

This reference lets us know that Jesus grew up with Jewish traditions under the Law of Moses.

Luke 2:42 tells us, “When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual.”  (NLT)

This visit proved to be different from the previous eleven trips.  Verse 43 tells us that after the festival was over, Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem.  The expression “stayed behind in Jerusalem” leads me to believe it was intentional on the part of Jesus.  His response to Mary reinforces me in this opinion when Jesus says, “But why did you need to search?”  However, there is much speculation on this point since Jesus apparently did not inform Mary and Joseph of His intentions.

When they found Jesus, after searching for three days, they found Him in the Temple “sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions.”  (Luke 2:46, NLT)

Luke 2:47 gives us insight when it says, “All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.”

Throughout His ministry, Jesus amazed people with His understanding, wisdom and teaching.  At the age of 12, He is showing the beginning of the wisdom and understanding that drew large crowds to follow Him.  However, this understanding and wisdom were something that grew.  Up to the point of this visit to the temple, Mary and Joseph had come to view Jesus as their child.  Luke tells us that when Mary and Joseph found Jesus they were astonished.  (verse 48, ESV)  The NLT translates this “they did not know what to think.”  They were seeing a side of Jesus that they had never seen.

Jesus progressed from an infant to a twelve-year-old and then from a twelve-year-old to adulthood growing all the way.

In the process of growing up under the care of Mary and Joseph, a parent/child relationship had developed.  When they found Jesus, Mary’s first word to Jesus was “why?”  Jesus turns her inquiry on its head and begins His answer with “why?”  Because Jesus was going through the normal growing process, Mary and Joseph came to view Him as a normal child.  Therefore, when Jesus said, “Didn’t you realize that I should be involved with my Father’s affairs,” (verse 49 NLT marginal reading) they did not understand what he meant.  This was a transition in their relationship.  Jesus was no longer the little boy, but the growing young man.  He had reached the age where Jewish boys were accepted as full members of the religious community.

Verse 51 says, “Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them.”  (NLT)  We do not know how long Jesus continued in subjection to Mary and Joseph.  The only comment the Scriptures give on the ensuing years is that He continued to grow in wisdom, stature and favor with God and man.

The next time we meet Jesus in the gospels, He is around 30 years old beginning His public ministry.  There is an interesting side note on the life of Jesus contained in Hebrews 5:8, which says, “Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.” 

Growing and learning is a natural part of life.  Jesus displays for us growth consistent with and appropriate to the various ages he passed through.  We also need to demonstrate growth appropriate to our age.  However, it is very easy to grow in stature, i.e. physically, but not demonstrate corresponding growth in wisdom or in favor with God and man. 

Paul chastised the Corinthians about their lack of growth when he said:

Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people.  I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life.  I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger.  And you still aren’t ready, for you are still controlled by your sinful nature.  You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other.  Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature?  Aren’t you living like people of the world?  (1 Corinthians 3:1-3, NLT)

If my life or your life is characterized by quarrels, then we need to reflect on whether or not we have grown in wisdom and favor to the place we need to be.

I do not believe we ever reach perfection.  Paul said, “I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection.  But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.” (Philippians 3:12, NLT)  The only One who reached perfection was Jesus Himself.

However, we should fear lest people are amazed by us, not like they were amazed by Jesus and His wisdom, but by our lack of wisdom. We should fear lest we are like the Hebrews of whom Paul said:

¹²You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others.  Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word.  You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food.  ¹³For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right.  ¹⁴Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.  (Hebrews 5:12-14, NLT)

Jesus shows us how true growth progresses.  When He matured to the point of understanding, He put the things of God first.  Then when He became an adult, He took on the Devil in the wilderness.

1 John shows us an interesting picture of Christian growth stages.  He says:

¹²I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake.  ¹³I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.  I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.  (1 John 2:12-13, ESV)

Little children in the faith know God as the Father who loves them and forgives their sins.  Young people, adults but still young, have grown to the point where they know what the spiritual battle is.  The mature believer has come to know Him who is from the beginning.  The spiritual infant knows the Father, but does not know His ways.  Maturity comes with time and knowing God’s ways comes from walking with Him through battles. 

Moses had an interesting request of God.  In Exodus 33:13 he says:

Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight.  (ESV)

Moses did learn to know God’s ways, and he did this by leading God’s people through the desert for 40 years.  Just like Jesus, he learned obedience by the things he suffered.

Time grows us physically.  We feed our bodies and they grow.

Time also grows us mentally.  We feed our minds and they grow. 

Time grows us spiritually.  We feed our spirits and they grow.

However, if we feed our bodies junk, they grow unhealthy.  If we feed our minds junk, they too grow unhealthy.  If we feed our spirits junk, they also grow unhealthy.

Notice what Jesus was feeding His mind.  He was asking questions and listening to the religious leaders.  He apparently knew the Scriptures quite well.  Notice what He was feeding His spirit.  He was in the Temple.

Friends, looking at Jesus’ example, we all need to continue growing.

Along with Paul let us say: 

“I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection.  But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.”  (Philippians 3:12, NLT)

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[i] Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation.  Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Steam, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.

[ii] Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.

The Birth of the Savior

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.  (Luke 2:19, ESV)

What moments and memories do you treasure?

Perhaps you treasure memories of your wedding, the birth of your first child or your first day of school.  We keep pictures of some events to help us remember.

We treasure some events recorded in the Bible.  Many of us have favorite Bible stories and/or characters that we go back to frequently.  We keep holidays to commemorate or remind us of certain of these events – kind of like keeping pictures on the wall.  Christmas and Easter are examples of what I am talking about.

Christmas and Easter remind us we have much to celebrate.

However, in addition to celebrating, we learn and remember much truth in the celebration of these holidays.  In fact, the Scriptures encourage us to fix our minds on things above.  (Colossians 3:2)  Philippians 4:8 tells us:

 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.  Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.[i]

I want to look with you at four pictures taken from Luke 2:1-20.  Jesus’s birth brings joy, comfort and salvation to all humanity.  These four pictures taken from this event help us to keep these things fixed in our hearts.

First, we have a picture of a decree from Caesar.

Luke 2:1 says:

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.  (ESV)[ii]

Let’s look at this picture.

Luke begins with the words, “In those days.”  With this phrase, he refers back to his first chapter, the birth of John the Baptist and the announcement Gabriel made to Mary.  “In those days” Caesar Augustus issued a decree.

Caesar Augustus stands in the forefront of our picture for a brief moment, only important in setting the stage for the entry of the main character.  Caesar provides contrast in our picture, and points to a significant truth.

Caesar ruled the world.  According to Wikipedia.org:

Augustus was the founder of the Roman Principate and considered the first Roman emperor, controlling the Roman Empire from 27 BC until his death in AD 14.

“Principate” refers to the rule of the Roman Empire by one man.  Luke describes Caesar’s decree as requiring all the world to be registered.  The government of the world fell upon the shoulders of this one man. 

Interestingly enough, the chief priests of the Jewish nation spoke of Augustus’s successor, Tiberius, when they said, “We have no king but Caesar.”  (John 19:15)

Remember with me Luke 1:32-33 where the angel told Mary:

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.  (ESV)

Jesus was born to rule as king.

Isaiah 9:6 says of him:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  (ESV)

Our first picture of a decree from Caesar reminds us that Jesus is King.  One day He will reign over all the earth.  However, His kingdom is not of this world.  His kingdom is far greater.  His kingdom is eternal.  He rules over heaven and earth, over great and small, and Caesar Augustus will bow before Him and confess that He is Lord to the glory of God the Father.  Jesus has a place in world politics.  He is the King.

The second picture we have is of a trip to Bethlehem.

Luke 2:4-5 says:

And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home.  He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.  He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.

Bethlehem was approximately one hundred miles from Nazareth.  In those days, people traveled by foot, rode a donkey or a cart pulled by a donkey.  The wealthy might have ridden a horse.  The Scriptures do not tell us how Mary and Joseph traveled.  However, we can assume that being “great with child,” the trip would have been more than a little uncomfortable for Mary.

Nothing but the most unusual circumstances would ever have caused Mary to make that trip.  However, Jesus had a divine appointment to keep.  He was the “Anointed One” – the Messiah, and it was necessary that He be born in Bethlehem.

In Micah 5:2, God had said:

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah.  Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.

The timing of the decree of Caesar and the trip to Bethlehem remind us that Jesus is the Messiah and He had a divine appointment to keep.

The third picture we see is the birth in a manger.

Luke 2:7 says:

She gave birth to her first child, a son.  She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

Contrast the birth of Jesus in a manger with the palace that Caesar lived in.  Consider the difference in prestige and importance the world placed on every move of Caesar with the lack of recognition or importance the world put on the arrival of Jesus.

This humble beginning reminds us of Philippians 2:6-8.

…who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  (ESV)

He emptied Himself and took on the form of a servant.

Isaiah 52:12 through 53 tells us about God’s servant.  This “Servant Song” is the most complete, accurate picture of Jesus we have in the Old Testament.  Isaiah 53:5 says, “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities…”  (ESV)

Luke’s account of Jesus being laid in a manger reminds us that Jesus is God’s servant.  He has a mission to fulfill.  He came with a purpose…to seek and save the lost.  “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”  (Luke 19:10, ESV)

The third picture, the birth in the manger, reminds us that Jesus is God’s servant with a mission to fulfill.

The fourth picture we see is the announcement to the shepherds.

Luke 2:8-20 tells the story of the shepherds and ends with this statement:

The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.  It was just as the angel had told them.  (Luke 2:20)

The shepherds glorified and praised God for the privilege of hearing the good news of a Savior born that very night.

Mary received an announcement from heaven.  Joseph received an announcement from heaven.  And, on the night of His birth, some shepherds, who happened to be awake, received an announcement from heaven.

To be sure, the palace received notification.  The announcement to Herod came somewhat later.  The announcement came by way of some Magi from the east that came seeking the one who was born king of the Jews.

However, the announcement came first to common people whose job required them to be awake at night.  This reminds us that the good news is for everyone, especially the common person.

Jesus gave many invitations calling whoever would to come.  On one occasion, in the middle of a crowd during a festival he stood and cried out in a loud voice:

 “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me!  Anyone who believes in me may come and drink!  For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’”  (John 7:37-38)

This message is so important that Jesus told us to “Go into all the world and make disciples.”

This message is so important that the Scriptures say:

And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.  (Matthew 24:14, ESV)

The fourth picture, the announcement to the shepherds, reminds us that we have a message to proclaim.

The events that happened in Bethlehem over two thousand years ago are a family event that we treasure.  The memory of these events has been passed down from generation to generation as good news of great joy for all mankind.

We should be like Mary and “treasure up all these things, pondering them in our hearts.”

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[i] Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation.  Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Steam, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.

[ii] Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved

Born of a Virgin

The birth of every child is a miracle.  We understand much of the biology and the process by which children are conceived and grow in the mother’s womb, but this does not make it any less a miracle. 

The first man, Adam, was not born but he was formed directly by the hand of God.  All of us have descended from Adam by the natural processes of biology.  There has been only one exception in all of history…the man Christ Jesus, the second Adam.

Jesus Christ is the one exception in all of history.  God interrupted biology and natural processes and caused a baby to be born of a virgin.  Romans 5:12, 17 tell us why this was necessary.

¹²When Adam sinned, sin entered the world.  Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.

¹⁷For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many.  But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.[i]

This is why 1 Corinthians 15:22 gives this conclusion:

Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life.

This is why it is important that Jesus was born of a virgin.

Adam’s race was stained with sin.

As a matter of fact, we are all sinners.  The judgment of God is that “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  (Romans 3:23)  

No one is righteous—not even one.  (Romans 3:9) 

We must understand this is not a small problem.  We must not think that sin is insignificant and can easily be passed over. 

When we see pictures of the Nazi death camps, and the piles of corpses that accompanied those, we are justly angered and sickened at the horrendous crimes these represent.

When we read of crimes against children, we are rightly horrified that anyone should hurt an innocent child.

However, we do not consider the envy, jealousy, anger and malice in our own hearts to be in the same category.  This is where we are wrong.  All the crimes and atrocities of history grew out of these very things, which are in all of our hearts.  Every person since Adam, except one, has this sin nature, and this is why we have all sinned, with Jesus being the only exception.  What is more, even things we do not consider as being particularly sinful reflect this sin nature.  This is why Jesus said:

But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  (Matthew 5:28)

It is because of sin that death is a part of the human experience, and it is through the miracle of the virgin birth that God addresses the problem of sin and death in us, the descendants of Adam.

What does it mean to be sinless, perfect and pure? 

We cannot know except for Jesus.  He is the only one who lived and never sinned.  Through the miracle of the virgin birth, Jesus was born free of the curse of sin.  Because of the virgin birth, Jesus was born free of the stain of sin.  Since His mother was of Adam’s race, Jesus could represent Adam’s race, but since His Father was not of Adam’s race, He could be free from the curse of sin.  By this means, He became a second Adam.

According to Luke 1:27, Mary was in Galilee, in a town named Nazareth.  She was a descendant of David, engaged to a man named Joseph, who was also a descendant of David.  Mary was a virgin.  We can assume she was not the only virgin in Israel, and most likely was not even the only virgin in Nazareth.  As far as we know, she was a normal person.  This is important because Jesus came to save all people.  Mary was an exceptional person.  However, she was human, remained human and her salvation was bought for her by her Son just as your salvation and mine was bought for us by her Son.

Nowhere in the Bible does it suggest that we should pray to Mary, or that she is divine.  In Luke 8, the Scriptures tell of a time when Jesus’s mother and brothers came to see Him, but they could not get to Him because of the crowds.  When Jesus was told this, He said, “My mother and my brothers are all those who hear God’s word and obey it.”  (Luke 8:21)  The key to being heard by Jesus is hearing God’s word and obeying it, not appealing to Him through His mother.

Jesus said of prayer, “In that day you will ask nothing of me.  Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.”  (John 16:23, ESV)  Jesus taught us to pray directly to the Father in His name.

Saying that we are not instructed to pray to or through Mary does not mean that she was not favored.  The angel’s greeting included the fact that she was favored.  She received grace from God.  Gabriel said, “Greetings, favored woman!  The Lord is with you!”  The word Gabriel used is translated in other places as grace.

Mary herself says:

Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.  How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!  For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed.  For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me.  (Luke 1:46-49)

This is part of the meaning of the virgin birth.  God has done great things for us.  This praise and thanksgiving of Mary’s is appropriate for all of us.  John 1:16 says, “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”  (ESV)[ii]

God chose Abraham, and passed His blessing and grace down through Abraham.  God chose Mary and made her a vessel of His grace.  God continues to choose individuals and make them vessels of His grace.  God gives His favor to pour out His grace on all people.

How God pours out His favor is often a mystery.  In Mary’s case, it is uniquely so.  It is a mystery how God and man can be united together in one person for all of eternity.  And yet, this is exactly what happened in Jesus.  It is a complete impossibility that a virgin should conceive.  And yet, this is exactly what happened. 

Mary herself addresses this mystery.  Gabriel told Mary, “You will conceive and give birth to a son…”  (Luke 1:31)  Mary responded, “But how can this happen?  I am a virgin.”  (Luke 1:34)

The angel explained what would happen and how it would happen.  His explanation is the only explanation we have.  Gabriel said:

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.”  (Luke 1:35)

This is as technical as the explanation gets.  The biology behind the growth of Jesus in the womb was the same as that of every baby.  However, the conception itself was completely miraculous.

Two things stand out in this explanation. 

One, “the baby to be born will be holy…”  He was born without the sin nature we all inherit from Adam.

Two, “He will be called the Son of God.”  Jesus is the Son of God, both by birth and in His person.

Because of these two things, the Scriptures say:

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  (Hebrews 4:15)

This is why the virgin birth is such an important part of our faith.

What is more, because He is holy and the Son of God, the Scriptures tell us:

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin.  But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father.  He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.  He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.  (1 John 2:1-2)

How can the death of one man pay for the sins of the entire world?

First, because He was sinless, He had no sins of His own for which to pay.

Second, because He was God, the price paid was infinite.

Third, because He was of Adam’s race through Mary, He could represent us and pay our penalty.

This is all the work of God.  It is a miracle and it is wonderful.  We contemplate these things today to remind us of the wonder of it all.  God has truly done wonderful things for us.

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[i] Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation.  Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Steam, Illinois 60188.  All rights reserved.

[ii] Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.