From the Beginning 1 John 1:1

 What was from the beginning? 

From my beginning, I  remember patches, little glimpses of activity: Being held by my mother…crying in the middle of the night as my father held and comforted me. But I do not remember my “Beginning.” I just was. At some point, I came to understand that my parents came before me and my grandparents before them. My parents talked about my great-grandparents. As age has crept up, I have become increasingly aware of the many generations that have gone before.

John starts his letter at the beginning. 1 John 1:1 says, “That which was from the beginning…” The word John uses for “beginning” is “ἀρχή” (archē).  It comes from the verb “ἄρχω” (archō), which means to be chief, to lead, or to rule. From the idea of being chief, “arche” means beginning, origin, or the person or thing that commences something, that by which anything begins to be. 

The beginning was long before you and I. It was before our parents and great-grandparents. Whenever it was, whatever John was talking about was from the “beginning.” John does not answer the question, “From what beginning?” So, we assume that he is speaking of the beginning of everything.  The words, “That which was from the beginning,” point to our (humanity’s) origin.  

Scripture assumes that God was from the beginning. We were created. The Bible opens with, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” 

Where we came from is important. It is a big deal. 

Where did humanity come from?

In Today’s world, the idea of creation is no longer given a place at the table. Even though science cannot answer everything (because science is done by human beings who are flawed), science is how we grow in knowledge. Science is applying our minds to the systematic observation of our world. Therefore, science is essential for our survival. It is necessary to examine the evidence and go where it takes us. Science includes fields such as math, and physics, sociology, and psychology. Given the essential nature of science, it is reasonable to examine the assumption of a Creator God, and it is unreasonable to rule out the possibility of creation a priori. History is not science. It is a record of what happened. And to deny God is to deny history. Most of humanity believes that the evidence is strong enough to believe at least that God exists, and the majority believe in the God of the Bible. Our purpose here is not to examine the evidence. Rather, the goal right now is to point out the battle that rages around the whole concept of “the Beginning.”

John’s claim to have heard and touched and seen “that which was from the beginning is incredible. Look at John’s opening sentence!

1 John 1:1 (NKJV) That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which wehave looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life--

 Consider the list that he gives. First, he identifies what he is speaking of as “That which was from the beginning.” Next, John says, “which we have heard.” 

It is necessary to notice that John does not say “which we have heard about.” To make this point clear, John says, “which we have seen with our eyes.” John and whoever was with him saw that which was from the beginning with their physical eyes. They were not there in the beginning to see it, but that which was from the beginning was made manifest according to what John says in verse 2. 

The beginning was a long time ago.

John is not saying he had a vision. John is saying that they (we) saw something with their physical eyes. The “we” implies that John was not alone. He says, “which we have seen with our eyes. Then he emphasizes the fact that they saw with their physical eyes when he says, “which we have looked upon.” The idea behind this statement, “looked upon,” is that they studied it with their eyes long and hard. They stared at it. And then, if their eyes are not enough, he adds another statement, “and our hands have handled.” In other words, they did science on it. They carefully observed it.

Please pay attention! John is saying, “We.” He is not alone in his testimony. He is claiming to be one of a number of eyewitnesses. He has not named Jesus yet, so please pardon my jumping the gun, but it is crucial that we understand that there are more than one or two eyewitness accounts of Jesus. The most reliable records are those of the four gospels, but other writers from that day make mention of Jesus. 

We are not following clever fables. The gospels are not dreams, visions, or make-believe. They are history. John’s statement highlights the concrete reality of those who walked with and listened to Jesus. Their eyes saw Him. Their hands touched Him. They spent YEARS with Him! History has recorded Him! 

Humanity resists Him. The battle over the “Beginning” rages because we don’t want to acknowledge Him. John brings up several reasons why we fight against the knowledge of Him, but let’s consider just one right now.

In John’s Gospel, he says, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” And then later, He says,

John3:20 (NKJV) “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.”

John 3:20 explains humanity’s fight against the knowledge of God. John and his companions saw “that which was from the beginning.” They handled it with their hands and examined it with their eyes over an extended time. However, we do not accept their testimony; even though we know in our hearts they speak the truth. This is why Romans 1:18 says:

Romans 1:18 (NKJV) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

In Romans 1:18, it does not say we ignore the truth. It says we “suppress the truth.” John deals with this later, but I will point out the answer to this condition of our hearts.

1 John 1:9 (NKJV) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Are you suppressing the truth in your life? Each of us must ask God to help us to seek and know the truth.

Beloved of God

 We all need to be loved and to love. We are hardwired that way. In Song of Solomon, one lover says of the other, “I [am] my beloved’s, And my beloved [is] mine. (Song of Songs 6:3 NKJV) Many view the Song of Solomon as a picture of the relationship between Jesus Christ and the Church. And the New Testament calls the Church the “Bride of Christ.” Whether or not one accepts the Song of Solomon as a metaphor, it does bring up the question, “What does it mean to be beloved by God?

In the Old Testament, Jacob’s son Benjamen and later Solomon are said to be “beloved of the Lord.” Neither of these men was perfect. Nehemiah says the following of Solomon:

Nehemiah13:26 (NKJV) “Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations there was no king like him, who was beloved of his God; and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless pagan women caused even him to sin.

God loved Solomon and gave Solomon wisdom, riches, and a kingdom. And, even though Solomon was unfaithful, God never stopped loving him. 

Nehemiah 13:26 uses the Hebrew word “āhaḇ.” This is a root word, which means it is not derived from another word. Rather, it is a word from which other words are derived. It means human love for another, including family and sexual. It can also mean human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, or wisdom. It refers to human love for God, friends, or a lover. And it is used for God’s love for men as individuals or nations (i.e., Israel).

As an example, when God spoke to Abraham about Isaac, He said:

Genesis 22:2 (NKJV) “Take now your son, your only [son] Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

In another place, God says to the people of Israel:

Jeremiah31:3 (NKJV) The LORD has appeared of old to me, [saying:] “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

In the case of Solomon and Israel, God is speaking of them in the context of telling about their great sin and rebellion against God. God is telling of His broken heart over His children. Nothing demonstrates this love of God better than God’s actions. Romans 3:23 tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” And yet God tells us of Himself:

John 3:16 (NKJV) “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

This “loved” is the Greek word “agapaō,” which is the verb form of the word “agape” that we are familiar with. This is usually called “selfless love,” but it has a much more colorful history. 

“Agapaō” is not a root word. In other words, it is derived from other words. It is related to “agan,” which means “much,” and “agab,” which means “inordinate affection” or “to breathe after.” “Agab” is also used for lust. Although “agape” indicates pure love, its root words tie it to a deep and passionate longing or attachment.

In the Old Testament, God demonstrates His great love by continually pursuing and “drawing” His people despite their rebellion and rejection of Him. This then leads to the ultimate demonstration of His love in the giving of His Son and the addition of a word that implies great longing and affection.

The words “loving-kindness” and “mercy” also are tied to God’s love. How can we even begin to comprehend what it means to be the “beloved of God?” I cannot help but think of a couple of passages. 

The first is Romans 8:32.

Romans8:32 (NKJV) He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

The second is 1 Corinthians 2:9.

1 Corinthians2:9 (NKJV) But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

How have you responded to the love that God has for you?

Why don't you talk to Him about it?

Scripture quotations marked "NKJV" are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. www.nelsonbibles.com.

 

The First Seal

Revelation 6:1-2

Revelation 6:1 (NKJV) Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.”

John saw the opening of the seals. 

Before discussing what John saw, we must understand what the seals represent. So, please bear with me as we run through a brief history of humanity. This will be brief and simple but will provide the background we need.

God created man in His image, and because of this, man can know and commune with God. But, from the beginning, man (humanity) rebelled against God. In this rebellion, men have been doing horrible, horrible things (not everything is horrible, but nevertheless, unspeakable evil has been and is being done).

God has held back His judgment. In other words, He did not immediately make things right. But, judgment is coming, as we see in 1 Peter 4:17-18:

1 Peter 4:17-18 (NKJV) ¹⁷For the time [has come] for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if [it begins]with us first, what will [be] the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”

In the meantime, God’s wrath (righteous judgment) has been “stored up.” In other words, God is keeping score. The record book (scorebook) is behind the “seals” of Revelation.

Now, in Revelation 6, we see the Lamb (Jesus) opening the seal first seal (He is the only One found worthy). 

Remember, the Lamb is in the midst of the throne (Revelation 5:6) and the midst of the elders. This throne is the throne of God, and all the worship of heaven and earth is directed to this throne.

John was with Jesus throughout His three-year ministry. He was first a disciple of John the Baptist, who introduced him to Jesus with the words, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) Now, John sees Jesus glorified in the midst of the throne of God. He sees Him as the Lamb of God. The implication of the Lamb is that He is the sacrifice that paid the price for our sins. John the Baptist pointed out Jesus as “the Lamb of God,” and the Apostle John was at the cross and witnessed the moment when sin was paid for. Now, in Revelation, the Apostle John sees the fruit of Jesus's sacrifice. Jesus is in the midst of the throne, and He is worthy to open the seals.

Those whose sins are covered by the blood of the Lamb have nothing to fear from the opening of the seals. God’s wrath (righteous judgment) was satisfied by the sacrifice of His Son. But whoa to those who reject Jesus and His sacrifice. Jesus taught the following:

John 3:17-18 (NKJV) ¹⁷“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. ¹⁸“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

While much of this talk of sin and judgment applies to the individual, it also helps us to understand what has been happening on a global scale in the last days. The wrath of God is being “stored up” for the day of God’s wrath. This is the truth of the seals, which is reflected in Romans 2:5.

Romans 2:5 (NKJV) But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,

The Lamb’s sacrifice paid the price for all the sin of humanity, but the cost of rejecting that sacrifice is suffering the stored-up wrath of God. As the Lamb opens the first seal of the title deed, the judgment of God begins to be poured out.

When the voice of the first of the four living creatures says, “Come and see,” John sees a white horse.

A white horse is a good thing. A white horse symbolizes victory! Great heroes and rulers are often pictured as riding white horses. So, the picture of one seated on a white horse speaks of good things to come.

However, the one sitting on the white horse has a bow.

A bow is an instrument of war. Along with the bow, the one who sat on the horse had a crown. He went out to conquer. The crown represents the authority to rule. 

This one then will wage war, conquer, and rule. His reign will span the globe. With his reign, there will be peace. Because of this peace, many will welcome the conqueror as the Messiah, the Anointed One from God. Even the “Church” who remain will be caught up in the adoration of this one and proclaim his victory as the kingdom of God on earth. But remember, Revelation 4 starts with the scene in heaven. The “true” or believing Church has, by this point, been “raptured” (caught up to meet Jesus in the air). 

Please notice that the one on the white horse does not have any arrows, just a bow. The war he wages will be bloodless. This is part of the reason that he will be lauded as a hero. He will bring the whole world under his control without shedding blood. This is pure speculation, but given the technology we have in our world today, a “cyber” governed world can be imagined. A single entity could control the world economy. 

The one on the white horse appears to be Christ but is not Christ, which defines who the “Antichrist” is. Some mistake him for Christ, but then that is the point of the “Antichrist.” He means to appear as Christ.

Thus, God’s judgment begins on earth with what appears to be a good thing. If anyone chooses not to believe, that person chooses to be deceived. Having made such a choice, those on earth will find themselves subjected to the worst deception possible. They will accept an evil man as their “Messiah,” the one on a white horse who conquers the world and sets up his rule. He brings peace and the promise of prosperity for all. He brings peace by waging war with his bow without arrows.

As we continue reading, we know from the opening of the second seal that the peace is short-lived. But those alive at the time will have no idea of what is about to come. They will welcome the conqueror as the Messiah, the hope of the whole world. The “Church” who remain (those who have not been taken away in the rapture) will be caught up in the adoration of this one and even take his conquering as the setting up of the earthly kingdom of God. This is the apostate church represented as the “mother of harlots” spoken of in Revelation 17. The deception will be complete. 

If one looks at Revelation 19:11, one will see Christ seated on a white horse. In chapter 6, we are introduced to the one who would imitate Christ seated on a white horse.

Teaching that the Church of today will usher in the Kingdom of God is part of the deception of the apostate Church. It is not the only factor, but it is one factor. Jesus Christ, riding on a white horse, will usher in the Kingdom of God. 

The Kingdom of God is indeed a spiritual kingdom, and it is on the earth in the Church in these days. But when the times of the Gentiles are complete, the Kingdom of God on earth will be established by the Messiah with Him sitting on the throne of David.

In Revelation 6, at the opening of the first seal, the world will welcome with open arms and celebration of victory, the beginning of its end, the great day of God’s wrath.

We do not need to be here for that “day.” Those who accept Jesus as Savior will be taken from the earth before these days. We will be spared from the wrath to come. 

Some question why God does not judge this sinful world, but this is explained in 2 Peter 3:9.

2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV) The Lord is not slack concerning [His] promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

God has sealed up His wrath and is waiting in order to give all time to repent. We do not know when Jesus will come for His Church, nor do we know the day of our death. One or the other of these will happen to us, and it will happen suddenly, without warning. For this reason, the Bible says, “Today is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2) Do not put off getting right with God. The Lamb paid the price, and Romans 10:9-10 tells us what we must do to receive the forgiveness of our sins.

Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV) ⁹that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart thatGod has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Do not let anything hold you back from calling on the Lord for salvation.

Of First Importance

 Of First Importance

1 Corinthians 15

Easter is the day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This celebration occurs around the same time as the Jewish Passover, and although the timing varies because of calendar differences, the first Easter happened at the end of Passover.

Throughout the ages, many different teachings and errors have sprung up around the events of that day. Most appalling is that some who say they are “Christians” deny the physical resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead is a necessary part of the gospel. Romans 10:9-10 says:

Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV) ⁹that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

In these verses, the Scriptures say, “and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead.” This makes believing that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead a necessary part of salvation. I would go as far as to say that one cannot be saved apart from believing that God raised Jesus from the dead.

The Bible is a long book, as books go. However, the Bible is also a collection of literature from over 1400 years of history. The Bible contains books of History (1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, etc.), books of Poetry (Job, Psalms, Proverbs), Books of Law (Leviticus, Deuteronomy), books of prophecy ( Isaiah, Jeremiah, Revelation), and letters of instruction (the epistles). These books and letters were written by over 40 different men from different periods of history.

According to the Bible, all of these books are inspired by God and given for our instruction.

2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV) All Scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

The critical point here is that everything between the covers in this book is important for our knowledge, growth, and relationship with God. He has not wasted any space. Jesus said:

Matthew 5:18 (NKJV) “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

But here is a problem, what if I don’t know the whole Bible? Where should one start, and what is the essential or fundamental gospel? We can and should spend our entire lives reading the Bible, but never know all there is to know concerning God that is revealed in its pages. So, what is necessary for one to know?

In 1 Corinthians 15, the Bible gives the basic or essential gospel. Read with me.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (NKJV) ¹Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, ²by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. ³For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

With this brief statement, the Scriptures tell us the essentials.

The first point is that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.

An important side note is that this passage emphasizes that these events or truths are “according to the Scriptures.” The truth or facts surrounding the gospel cannot be separated from the Scriptures. It is through the Scriptures, the Bible, that we learn and know the gospel.

1 Corinthians 15:3 says, “Christ died for our sins.” Every part of this sentence is essential. The “Christ” spoken of here is Jesus Christ, who lived in history and was born of the virgin Mary. The crucial part is understanding that as “the Christ,” Jesus was (and is) both God and man. 

The next truth is that “He died” is tied to “for our sins.” Please pay close attention. “For OUR sins” implies that we have “sins.” It is necessary for us to recognize and acknowledge our sins. For one, what are we saved from? Are we in danger? Why do we need to be saved? Teachings about sin can become complex and challenging to understand as we dig into the depths of the subject as taught in Scripture. However, the essential knowledge is that all of us (each and every one of us) are under the judgment of God for our own sin, not our fathers’, not humanity’s but our own. The penalty or price for our sin is death. This is why we need to be saved. 

Sin is the dark background that makes the gospel “good news!” (“Gospel” means “good news.”) The gospel includes that Christ died for our sins. The significance of this is that our sins were paid for by His death. Again, remember that this is all “according to the Scriptures.” The more we know of the Scripture, the more we understand the severe nature of our offense against God and the price that was paid for our salvation. But the starting point is acknowledging that we are sinners and that Christ died for our sins.

1 Corinthians 15:4 gives the next essential of the gospel. It says, “That He was buried.” 

Islam teaches that Jesus did not really die, but God made it appear that Jesus died. Some teach that Jesus was only unconscious when they put Him in the tomb, and the coolness of the tomb revived Him.

The burial of Jesus is essential because it is crucial that we know that Jesus was really and truly dead. His death was not faked or misleading in any way. This truth emphasizes the resurrection.

Death is final as far as we are concerned. Once a person dies, they are gone, and there is nothing we can do about it. However, God is not limited in this way. The resurrection of Christ from the dead is an essential truth of the gospel. It is the strongest evidence for the truth of the gospel. 

We accept many events of history as factual—the life and conquests of Alexander the Great or Julias Cesar, or Mark Anthony. Compared to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the historical evidence for the lives of these great men is very small. The historical record of the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the best documented events of history. It has to be for us to accept it because people do not come back from the dead.

Jesus said that if we believe in Him, He will give us eternal life. We know He can do this because He came back from the dead.

To encourage us and strengthen our faith, the Scriptures include some details that are worth noting at this point. 1 Corinthians 15:5-8 says:

1 Corinthians 15:5-8 (NKJV) ⁵and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. ⁶After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. ⁷After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. ⁸Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

“Then last of all He was seen by me also” refers to the Apostle Paul, who is giving his personal testimony. When Paul wrote this letter, Most of the Apostles were still alive, and he includes the detail that most of the 500 people who saw Jesus all at the same time were still alive. If these witnesses were all still alive, they could be asked about what they saw. This is why they are mentioned. Paul, by the Holy Spirit, was asking people to make sure of the truth of what he was saying. In his testimony before kings, Paul said, 

Acts 26:26 (ESV) For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner.

The truth of this statement by Paul is found in the events of this little backwater area (as far as Rome was concerned) are mentioned by historians from that era who were not believers and were not trying to prove or disprove any facts about Jesus. This is why Roman historians like Tacitus or Josephus are so popular among Christians.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave is essential to the gospel because of the foundation it lays for our faith. However, this is not the only reason for its significance. We live in the hope of His return. We know from Scripture that He ascended to the Father and will return to gather His own. Our expectation and hope are that He will return soon.

Now, if He is going to return, He must still be alive. Two thousand years ago, on a Sunday morning, some ladies and then the disciples went to the tomb and found it empty. Angels at the tomb told them:

Luke 24:5-6 (NKJV) ⁵“Why do you seek the living among the dead? ⁶“He is not here, but is risen!

All the prophets died, and some of their tombs are still recognized. The founders of other religions, Buddha and others, are all dead, and their tombs are still in existence. The tomb of Jesus is still in existence, but it is empty.

When the women went to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus on that Sunday morning, they went to find a corpse, but they found the stone removed from the entrance and the tomb empty. This one event has done more to change the world and history than any other. It transformed Peter. It transformed the twelve. It transformed Paul. Throughout history, it is the testimony of many men and women that Jesus Christ, the risen Lord, has transformed their lives.

He can transform your life today. The starting point is the essentials of the gospel. Jesus will be returning soon; He promised to return. Our only hope to be ready is to accept the truth of the gospel. Romans 10:9-10 tells us how we do this.

Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV) ⁹that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Will you? Will you believe in your heart? Will you confess with your mouth?

The empty tomb stands as a reminder of the salvation offered and the promised return.

Son of David

Matthew 21

Matthew 21:9 (NKJV) Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed [is] He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Hosanna in the highest!”

We mark Palm Sunday and Easter on our calendars every year. Please remember that although it is very significant, this is one little slice out of a three-year ministry that Jesus carried on in Galilee, Judea, and Samaria. We have repeated the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem so often for so long that most people know the story, even if they do not know its significance. The word “hosanna” is almost universally known. As we once again consider the account of the triumphal entry, pay closer attention than at other times. In our familiarity, we may assume we know the story and not pay attention to what the Spirit is saying to us.

For one thing, do you know what the word “hosanna” means? The words the people shouted are taken from Psalm 118.

Psalm 118:25-26 (NIV) LORD, save us! LORD, grant us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you.

The words “Lord, save us” are where the word “Hosanna” comes from. Every year during the feast of booths, these words were sung to the waving of palm fronds. (Psalms113 through118 were repeated during the festival.) At the triumphal entry, the season was Passover, not the feast of booths, but the crowd recognized their need for salvation and borrowed from that tradition. They did not invent the idea of waving palm fronds on that day.

Before arriving at Jerusalem, Jesus traveled through Jericho and healed two blind men on the way. Let’s look at part of Matthew’s account of this healing.

Matthew 20:29-31 (NKJV) ²⁹Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. ³⁰And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!” ³¹Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!”

These men were not shouting “hosanna,’ but they were shouting, “Have mercy on us!” (The same idea as “Hosanna?”) Jesus healed these men, but let's pay attention to what they called Jesus. They called Him “Son of David.” The multitude celebrating His entry into Jerusalem was shouting the same thing. They were shouting:

Matthew 21:9 (NKJV) “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed [is] He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Hosanna in the highest!”

The crowd responded to the truth as they perceived it, and they thought it was the day of their salvation.

The disciples also were prone to think the same way, but Jesus carefully instructed the twelve differently. In Matthew 20:17, on His way to Jerusalem for the triumphal entry, Jesus took the twelve aside and taught them privately. Here is what it tells us about His teaching of the twelve.

Matthew 20:17-19 (NKJV) ¹⁷Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, ¹⁸“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, ¹⁹“and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.”

Jesus tells His closest followers, the twelve, that He is going to Jerusalem to be crucified and rise from the dead. Notice also that He calls Himself the “Son of Man,” compared to the crowd’s “Son of David.” 

When Peter heard Jesus talking about being crucified, we know that at first, Peter tried to correct Jesus, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” (Matthew 16:22) (As the end drew near, Jesus told the disciples on multiple occasions concerning his death and resurrection.)

But Jesus responded:

Matthew 16:23 (NKJV) “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

When Jesus refers to Himself as the “Son of Man,” He is building on two truths. First, He points out His humility and His death on the cross. Philippians 2 tells us:

Philippians 2:5-8 (NKJV) ⁵Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, [and] coming in the likeness of men. ⁸And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to [the point of] death, even the death of the cross.

Jesus was found in appearance as a man; He humbled Himself. When Jesus calls Himself the “Son of Man,” He points to His humble position, and this is the first truth we see in this name.

The second truth seems to directly contradict the first truth because the second truth is that He is exalted. Philippians 2 continues to say that God has given Him a name above every other name because of His humility. 

When the twelve heard the “Son of Man, they probably thought of the following Scripture. 

Daniel 7:13-14 (NKJV) ¹³“I was watching in the night visions, and behold, [One] like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. ¹⁴Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, And His kingdom [the] [one] which shall not be destroyed.

Notice that in the visions, the Son of Man was coming “with the clouds of heaven!”

Jesus told us that He will come with the clouds of heaven at the end of the great tribulation. We find this in Matthew 24:29-30.

Matthew 24:29-30 (NKJV) ²⁹“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ³⁰“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

So, Jesus will come with power and great glory at the end of the tribulation. Verse 29 begins with “Immediately after the tribulation.” These words attach power and great glory to the title “Son of Man.”

The twelve (Peter, James, and John especially) were given knowledge that nobody else had, and they had trouble understanding that Jesus had to die. It may be that Jesus used the name “Son of Man” to refer to Himself to help the disciples to understand.

If the disciples, who had been given more knowledge, had trouble understanding that Jesus had to die, the crowd that greeted Jesus as He entered Jerusalem had no idea of what was coming. 

As Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowd shouted:

Matthew 21:9 (NKJV Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed [is] He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Hosanna in the highest!”

The crowd and blind men called Jesus “Son of David.”

The blind men and the multitude that surrounded Jesus as He entered Jerusalem for His final week knew that Jesus was the “Son of David.” One thing that all Israel knew was that God had promised to give David an everlasting kingdom. God’s words to David were:

2 Samuel 7:16 (NKJV) And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.”

The blind men and the crowd were recognizing Jesus as the promised Messiah. Thus, they were shouting, “Save us now!” 

The Old Testament has many prophecies about the coming of the Messiah. One of the details these prophecies contained was that the Messiah would be from the line of David and sit on David’s throne. This is why the multitude was calling Him “Son of David.” So, Jesus asked them a question to make them think. Mark 12:35-37 tells us:

Mark 12:35-37 (NIV) ³⁵While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, “Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? ³⁶David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.” ³⁷David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?” The large crowd listened to him with delight.

The people did not answer Jesus’ question.

Can you answer His question? 

On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached a sermon that explained the relationship of Jesus to His name, “Son of David.” Look at Acts 2 with me.

Acts 2:25-39 (ESV) ²⁵For David says concerning him, “‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; ²⁶therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. ²⁷For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. ²⁸You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence’ ²⁹“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. ³⁰Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, ³¹he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. ³²This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. ³³Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. ³⁴For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, ³⁵until I make your enemies your footstool’” ³⁶Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” ³⁷Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” ³⁸And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

These last two verses are the response that Palm Sunday calls for from us. How do we receive or welcome the Son of Man, Son of David, Son of God?