Fully Human

Text: Hebrews 4:14-18

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:14-18

Following the last section, in which we saw that we are God’s children, Jesus’ brothers and sisters, our author continues with his theme in verse 14. Since these “children” have flesh and blood, Jesus took on flesh and blood too, and then we clearly see why.  Jesus was incarnated so that He could die, to break the power of the devil, by setting us free from the fear of death. Interesting concept isn’t it?  Being set free from slavery to the fear of death, and from the one who holds power over us by our fear of death…

So, how does the author move from the fear of death to Satan holding power over us because of our fear of death?  Here’s a thought: If you are a follower of Jesus who lives in a place where following Jesus is not permitted by law, will you follow Jesus or will you follow the law of that land? If the authorities in power there are seeking to enforce their laws, then they will seek to coerce you into following their laws, right?  What is the ultimate means of coercion on this earth? Death.  If you fear death, you are likely to follow the law.  If you have been set free from the fear of death, you are free to follow Jesus.  Consider who this letter was written to: Jewish Christians in Rome during the persecution of Nero.  The whole book of Hebrews is a persuasive argument to them to hold onto their faith, even to the point of death, a death they have no reason to fear. We also have no reason to fear death, since we know that because of Jesus, we have eternal life. You can destroy my body, but I live on anyway. Yes, dear reader, this is much more than empty talk or an academic doctrine, it is very real.

Read more: https://lifereference.wordpress.com/2019/06/02/sunday-sermon-notes-june-2-2019/

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Consider Jesus

by James Williams

In chapter 22 of Great Doctrines of the Bible, Martyn Lloyd-Jones highlights four reasons Scripture gives for everyone to consider Jesus:

He is the fulfillment of all prophecies and promises

Jesus himself teaches that all of Scripture points to himself (John 5:39; Luke 24:27). He is the seed promised in Genesis 3:15, and Galatians 3:16 teaches that he is the seed that was promised to Abraham in Gen. 17. He is the lion from the tribe of Judah who will never cease to reign (Gen. 49:10). The seventy weeks discussed in Daniel 9:24-26 takes one directly to the coming of our Lord Jesus. Hag. 2:9 speaks of the glory of the latter house, and Micah 5:2 prophesies that he’ll come from Bethlehem. He is the righteous branch from David who “shall reign as king and deal wisely, and execute justice and righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:5-6). Not only will he be a king, but also a prophet (Deu. 18:18) and a priest (Isaiah 53:10). Isaiah 7 teaches that he will be born of a virgin, as quoted in Matt. 1:22-23. Psalm 2:6, Psalm 45 and Isaiah 9:6-7 all teach that he is the king of a universal empire. Although a king, he will be despised and rejected by men and a man of sorrows (Isaiah 53). He is a light to the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6; 60:3) who will ride to Jerusalem on a donkey (Zech. 9:9). We are told beforehand that he would be sold for thirty pieces of silver (Zech. 11:12-13), lots would be cast for His garments (Psalm 22:18), he would be given vinegar to drink (Psalm 69:21), and would cry out “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1).

There are many more passages that could be examined. Different writers from different time periods all pointing forward and finding their fulfillment in one person. This shows us not only the inspiration of Scripture, but the power and majesty of our great and sovereign God to accomplish it all.

FRead more at: http://growingingrace.blog/2019/06/03/consider-jesus/

Yeshua: The Name Jesus’ Friends And Family Would Have Called Him While He Was Alive

https://allthatsinteresting.com/yeshua-jesus-real-name

It is finished

The Education of Jesus of Nazareth

By: Brian G. Chilton

Often, critical scholars make Jesus of Nazareth out to be a country bumpkin, one who was uneducated and unsophisticated. However, when one evaluates his life and teaching style, it appears that Jesus of Nazareth was a well-polished individual who spoke and taught with great authority and wisdom. The Jewish leaders marveled at Jesus, saying, “How is this man so learned, since he hasn’t been trained” (Jn. 7:14, CSB)? While this writer holds that Jesus was the divine Son of God, the human aspect of Jesus does not indicate that Jesus was an uneducated hillbilly, but rather one who had at least some formal education. The following are five reasons to believe that Jesus was a well educated man.

1. Jesus could read. The Synoptic Gospels indicate that Jesus stood in the synagogue of Nazareth. Luke notes that Jesus “entered the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read” (Lk. 4:16, CSB). The text indicates that he read from the prophet Isaiah. In Jewish culture, Hebrew boys were expected to be able to read from the Scriptures. In Jesus’s case, it is clear that he had the ability to read which was better than 90% of the society at the time. The reading level for Jews was higher than the those of the Greco-Roman world due to the emphasis of schools in the synagogues, at least for boys.

Continue at: https://bellatorchristi.com/2019/04/30/the-education-of-jesus-of-nazareth/

Why Was Jesus Accused of Blasphemy?

~ chab123

Over the years I have heard many skeptics say Jesus was just another messianic figure who got himself crucified. The old saying, “Jesus is just one of several messiah’s in the first century” is not only patently false but also a gross oversimplification. Just because someone leads a messianic revolt does not qualify them as “the Messiah” (notice the capital “M”). Here are some of the figures who claimed royal prerogatives between 4 B.C.E and 68-70 C.E but are not called “the” or “a” Messiah:

1. In Galilee 4 B.C.E.: Judas, son of bandit leader Ezekias (War 2.56;Ant.17.271-72)
2. In Perea 4 B.C.E.: Simon the Herodian slave (War 2.57-59;Ant 17.273-77)
3. In Judea 4 B.C.E.: Athronges, the shepherd (War 2.60-65;Ant 17.278-84)
4. Menahem: grandson of Judas the Galilean (War 2.433-34, 444)
5. Simon, son of Gioras (bar Giora) (War 2.521, 625-54;4.503-10, 529;7.26-36, 154)

Another issue that can tend to be overlooked is that we can minimize the issue of blasphemy in a Jewish setting. by the way, none of the above figures were accused of blasphemy. According to Jewish law, the claim to be the Messiah was not a criminal, nor capital offense. Therefore, the claim to be the Messiah was not even a blasphemous claim. (1)

Continue at: https://chab123.wordpress.com/2019/04/26/why-was-jesus-accused-of-blasphemy-2/

The Cross: Where Judgment And Mercy Meet

Jesus’ sinless life and death on the cross are where judgment and mercy meet.

The Judgment

“God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess 15:9).

 

The  Apostle Paul writes about those who are practicing evil deeds which is only serving to store up more wrath against the Day of Judgment (Rom 2:5), so there will be a day when God “will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury” (Rom 2:6-8). For those who have been brought to repentance and faith in Christ, they can rejoice because it is “Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thess 1:10). This means that “God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess 15:9). Notice that God has not appointed us who trust in Christ to His wrath; a wrath that will come upon all who reject the truth that Jesus is Lord and Savior and they are sinners in need of saving. It is only those who are self-seeking and not seeking after Jesus Christ and His righteousness (Matt 6:33) that will receive what they have sown in this life. The judgment of God will only be stopped by the work of Christ on the cross, but you must humble yourself and confess your sins before God and put your trust in Christ. That is the point when the wrath of God will “pass over” you, but as the Scriptures teach, “for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury” (Rom 2:6-8).

Read more: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2019/04/15/the-cross-where-judgment-and-mercy-meet/