Category: Messiah

Heaven’s View of Christmas

Each December we read the beloved story of Christmas from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. We remember Mary and Joseph, shepherds and angels, wise men and the star, and, of course, baby Jesus. We find comfort and hope in the familiar plot, people, and places. But this year, I heard a sermon with a new perspective on the Christmas story that’s straight from Scripture, but often overlooked. It’s a narrative that steps back to give us a broader view of Christ’s birth from the perspective of heaven.

The apostle John, known as “the disciple Jesus loved” wrote the book of Revelation while in exile at the end of his life. He wrote about visions and prophecies revealed to him by God to give hope and encouragement to persecuted believers around the world. In his vision from chapter 12, John describes the birth of Christ. One aspect of this incredible event we rarely consider is the cosmic conflict that it caused:

“A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born. She gave birth to a son, a male child, who ‘will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.’ And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne… Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.” (Revelation 12:1-9, NIV)

Pastor Rick Atchley contends that the woman in John’s vision represents both Israel and Jesus’ mother, Mary, who birthed the Messiah as the Savior for all of humankind. He believes that the Revelation passage describes Christ’s birth and the devil’s attempt to intervene and prevent Him from fulfilling the purposes for which He was born. War breaks out between God and Satan and the enemy ultimately is cast out of heaven and hurled to earth with his minions. 

Christ’s birth from heaven’s perspective shows us that there is a huge story playing out. There is a dark lord fighting against a promised King. But the outcome of their conflict has already been determined:

“Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: ‘Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short’…  Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.” (Revelation 12:10-12, 17, NIV)

Bible scholars have differing opinions on the time frames and specifics for the events described in the passage above. Regardless, the vision helps us to understand why bad things happen to us even though Jesus was victorious. It’s because we still contend with an unseen reality: the devil who roams the earth. He is the one behind all the hurt, pain, and evil in this world. The dragon knows Jesus was born to rule the earth and he knows God’s kingdom is invincible, but he will continue to wage war and spread misery on the earth until Jesus returns.

Right now, there’s an ongoing battle all around us in the spiritual realm: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12, NIV) All people on earth in every generation get to decide which side of the battle they want to be on, but only one of the opponents will stand the test of time: “Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever!” (Revelation 1:5 & 6, NIV)

Celebrating Christmas reminds us the enemy’s reign has an expiration date. Regardless of which interpretation of Revelation we align with, we can be encouraged by taking a bigger view of Jesus when we face earthly problems and struggles. We can remind ourselves that the King of Kings who conquered death will one day rule all nations and make all things right. We can rejoice that our true hope isn’t in human empires or worldly comforts but in the absolute sovereignty of Christ. 

Before Pastor Atchley’s sermon begins, a short video depicts a classic nativity scene with Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. As the narrator speaks, the camera pulls back to reveal angels singing above the manger and then further still to reveal stars, constellations, a throne and a dragon. The narrator describes each scene saying: “There’s the story we know: The King of Kings born in a lowly manger. But the story we know is part of a bigger story. A story that unfolds not just in a stable, but on the stage of history played out among the stars and the heavenly hosts. It’s a story of cosmic conflict; of good and evil locked in battle; of a victorious king enthroned forever. The story we know reaches far beyond the little town of Bethlehem into every corner of the cosmos.”1

May this Christmas leave you in awe that the King of Kings who existed before time began came to earth to rescue and redeem us and give us everlasting hope. Let “King of Kings” by Hillsong Worship give you a moment to stop and praise God for this incredible truth. Click here to listen.

1. “A Cosmic King” Series: Cosmic Christmas, Rick Atchely, The Hills Church. Click here to watch the full sermon. 

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Passover Parallels

The more I study the Bible, the more I marvel at how seamlessly it weaves together God’s plan of deliverance for all people. The story of the first Passover in Exodus 11 & 12 includes so many rich symbols that point the way to Jesus in the New Testament. There are incredible parallels between the tenth and final plague in Egypt and Jesus’ blood that was shed to save humankind. For me, this magnifies God’s capacity to focus on vast plans and intimate details at the same time. Rather than trying to explain or interpret the similarities between the deliverance of the Israelites and the deliverance of all people from sin, I’m going to let the Scriptures speak for themselves. If you’re unfamiliar with the story of the first Passover, take a peek at Exodus 11 & 12 for fuller context. 

Death of Firstborn

“Every firstborn son in Egypt will die, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the firstborn son of the female slave, who is at her hand mill, and all the firstborn of the cattle as well.” (Exodus 11:5)

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

New Beginning

“This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year…Celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread, because it was on this very day that I brought your divisions out of Egypt. Celebrate this day as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come.” (Exodus 12:2 & 17)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Cor 5:17)

Lamb Without Blemish

“Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household…The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the members of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight.” (Ex 12:3, 5-6)

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29)

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (1 Peter 1:18-19)

Saved by Blood

“Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs…The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.” (Exodus 12:7 & 13)

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!” (Romans 5:8-9)

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” (Ephesians 1:7)

Jesus Celebrates the First Communion Using the Passover Meal

On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover…

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”(Matthew 26:17-19, 26-29)

After the tenth plague, the Israelites walk freely out of Egypt and leave slavery behind. After Jesus’ death, everyone who believes in Him walks freely out of the slavery of sin. Click here and celebrate this incredible act of mercy and grace by listening to Micah Tyler’s “Walking Free.”

Post inspired by Jen Wilkin’s God of Deliverance: A Study of Exodus 1-18, Lifeway Press, 2021.

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Light of the World

Pushing aside tissue paper, I reached into the gift bag and pulled out a bright yellow sweatshirt with “Be the light” written on the front. It was an early Christmas gift that brought a colorful reminder of the meaning of this season. We can’t live without light. It nourishes our bodies, souls, and minds. Light helps us to walk confidently. It gives us warmth. It lifts our spirits and guides our paths. It is also something we’re meant to share with others.

Christmas is the season when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Light of the World. I love how the twinkling lights on my tree and on buildings all over town remind me of this. Inspired by my new sweatshirt, I thumbed through the pages of Scripture to see how Jesus embodies light and uses it to bring hope in and through us. Let’s explore a few key passages to see this powerful theme woven throughout Scripture.

About 700 years before Jesus, Isaiah prophesied about Him. He described many aspects of the coming Messiah, including using the imagery of light: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2, NIV) Without the light of Jesus, we walk in spiritual darkness. His light gives us hope and purpose in this life and the promise of eternity with Him.

Turning to the New Testament, we see John start off his gospel by referring to Jesus: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:1-5, NIV) Life in Jesus is the source of spiritual light. His light is more powerful than any dark force and has defeated sin. This gives us hope, no matter how dark the world or our circumstances feel at times.

John’s gospel also includes Jesus describing Himself: “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12, NIV) True life is found only in Jesus. One commentary explains, “Coming to Christ for salvation results in a different kind of life. A believer will never walk in darkness, that is, he will not live in it (12:46, 1 John 1:6-7). He does not remain in the realm of evil and ignorance (John 12:46) for he has Christ as his Light and salvation (Ps. 36:9).”1

John speaks about the power of light again in another New Testament book: “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:5-8, NIV) God doesn’t just provide us with light, He is light. As we’re drawn to Him, we’re blessed to join with people who are like-minded. This fellowship with other believers provides us with the comfort and encouragement we need to function in a world filled with darkness and sin.

Knowing God is light and that He gives it to us through Jesus has powerful implications for us as believers. Consider Jesus’ teaching on this in the Sermon on the Mount: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16, NIV) Surrendering our lives to Jesus not only enables us to walk in the light, it lets His light shine through us to bless others. That’s what my new yellow sweatshirt reminds me every time I wear it. What I love about this is that we don’t have to try to be the light—it automatically shines through us when we’re walking with Jesus and aligning with the Holy Spirit.

Peter, another one of Jesus’ disciples, also teaches followers of Jesus about light:  “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9, NIV) We’ve been called out of darkness and have the blessing and privilege of walking in the warmth, comfort, and hope of God’s light. That’s what we’re celebrating at Christmas!

Peter’s second letter circles us back to the prophecies from the Old Testament about the coming light: “We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:19-21, NIV) 

A Bible commentary explains, “Peter told how to derive meaning from God’s Word—pay attention to it. As a Light, God’s written Word has validity and authority…God’s prophetic Word is a Light…shining in a dark place. Though the world is darkened by sin (Isa. 9:2, Eph. 6:12), God’s Word pointing to the future, enlightens believers about His ways…Much as a lamp at night anticipates and is outshined by the bright morning star, so Old Testament prophecy looks ahead to the coming of Christ, ‘the bright Moring Star’ (Rev. 22:16). Until he comes, believers are to let the Scriptures illumine their hearts.”1

So, this Christmas, we celebrate Jesus’ first coming as a baby who was heralded by a special star in the sky, and we anticipate His second coming as the bright Morning Star who will return at the end of days. During this “in between time,” let’s continue basking in the light by drawing near to Him and spending time in His Word.

How about pushing the pause button on the bustle of the season and devoting a few quiet moments to marveling at Jesus as the Light of the World? Be inspired to let His light shine through you wherever you find yourself this season.

Enjoy a worship moment with Lauren Daigle’s “Light of the World.” (I can’t watch this video without shedding a few tears!) Click here to watch.

  1. John F. Walvoord & Roy B. Zuck, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Victor Books. 1983, pages 303 & 868.

Judah’s Blessing

For the past few months we’ve walked closely with Joseph through Genesis 37-50 and have seen many examples God’s faithfulness. Now, as the end of the story comes into view, we’re beginning to notice many threads of the Lord’s redemptive plan weaving together. Today we’ll take a closer look at a prophetic blessing Jacob gave at the end of his life that still has relevance for us today.

As the favorite son of Jacob, we would expect Joseph to receive the most important blessing. So, it’s surprising to discover that instead, Jacob reserved the most significant blessing for one of Joseph’s older brothers:

“Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you. You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.” (Genesis 49:8-10, NIV)

Despite being Jacob’s fourth son, Judah received the distinct honor of being the one through whom God’s blessing would continue. Jacob prophesied that the mantle of lordship and power, symbolized by the scepter, would remain in Judah’s family line until “he to whom it belongs” came. He was talking about the Messiah.

Kelly Minter explains, “If I had written the story, no doubt I would have chosen for the Messiah to come through Joseph’s line instead of Judah’s. But God’s grace is on full display here. God sent a Savior through those and to those who don’t deserve it. And He raised up Joseph to save a nation, a foreshadowing of Jesus’ ultimate salvation…The One to whom the kingdom belongs has come. His name is Jesus. He will come again, and all nations will be obedient to Him.” (page 192) Let’s take a moment to unpack this amazing truth together.

The promise of the Messiah whom Jacob describes began with Adam and Eve. We see this when God said that Eve’s offspring would one day crush the head of the serpent, Satan (see Genesis 3:14). The promise continues with Abraham when the Lord says his offspring will be a blessing to all people on earth (see Genesis 12:3). With Abraham’s great-grandson, Judah, we see the Messiah symbolized as a strong lion that will ultimately command the obedience of the nations.

The name “Lion of Judah” next appears in Revelation, the last book of the Bible. In this yet-to-be fulfilled prophesy, the writer, John, describes the Messiah as both a lion and a lamb. In his vision of the heavenly throne room, John sees a scroll in the “right hand of him who was seated on the throne.” He begins to despair because there is no one found worthy to approach the hand of God to take and open the scroll. Others in the vision provide hope to John:

“Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals… He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.’” (Revelation 5:5, 7-9, NIV)

John describes how Jesus, the Messiah, fulfills the prophecies made thousands of years earlier. As the sacrificial lamb, He washes away the stain of sin through His death on the cross, crushing the serpent’s head and claiming His ultimate victory over death. At the same time, Jesus blesses all people on earth by making salvation from sin possible for them. As the lion, He represents the conquering King who will return one day to slay the enemies of God.

Remember the last sentence of Jacob’s blessing for Judah? He says Judah’s family line will rule until One came who would command the obedience of the nations. Now, read this verse from Revelation:

“Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’” (Revelation 5:13, NIV)

John’s prophesy mirrors Jacob’s—both show that a day will come when the whole earth will have no choice but to bow down and worship at the feet of the Lion of Judah: Jesus.

Stepping back to view the bigger picture gives us deeper understanding of God’s greatness and shows how His perfect plan unfolds in His impeccable timing. Pause for a moment and be amazed by our Savior. The seamlessness of the Bible leaves me in awe. Jesus is woven throughout the pages, from Genesis to Revelation.

So, what’s the appropriate response to this good news? Scripture urges us to join with the many witnesses of God’s faithfulness who have gone before us—people we’ve been studying in Genesis like Jacob and Joseph who are also mentioned in the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11. As we remember their stories displaying God’s faithfulness, we choose to “strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up” and “run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” (Hebrews 12:1-2, NLT)

As Christ’s followers, we can marvel at the finished work of the cross and celebrate the riches we have in Him. Every day is a new opportunity to run with our gaze fixed on Jesus, to honor Him through the way we live, and to be filled with hope as we await His eventual return.

Revel in God’s redemptive plan that threads from Genesis to Revelation by enjoying “The Lion and the Lamb” by Big Daddy Weave.

Kelly Minter, Finding God Faithful: A Study on the Life of Joseph, Lifeway Press, 2019.

*Some material for this blog came from: http://www.gotquestions.org/Lion-and-the-Lamb.html

Lion drawing by Brooke McCullum

After God’s Heart

David wrote almost half of the 150 Psalms recorded in the Bible. Through them, we see a window into his heart and mind. We identify with his humanity as he shares authentically about his triumphs and struggles. It’s difficult to choose a favorite from among the many he’s written, but Psalm 23 might be the most well-known. Chances are high you’ve heard it in a funeral service at some point.

In the opening chapter of Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me, Bible teacher Jennifer Rotschild gives us some background on King David and his famous psalm. She explains that Psalm 23 may have been written near the end of his reign while he was fleeing from his son, Absalom, who was attempting to overthrow him. Rothschild mentions that Scripture refers to David as “a man after [God’s] own heart.” (1 Samuel 13:14)

Like most people, I assumed this meant that David had an especially deep connection to God—that he relentlessly pursued His heart. And yet, if you know David’s life story, it’s clear he didn’t always do what pleased or honored the Lord. 

Author and pastor René Schlaepfer helped shed some light on this for me. In his book Chasing David, he explains “That David is a ‘man after God’s heart’ means David is God’s choice, a man God’s heart has gone after.” He quotes Hebrew Bible scholar Sandra Richter who says: “Although most interpret this phrase to mean that David had a particularly deep affection for Yahweh or that David had bent his will after Yahweh’s, in reality, this text reflects..David is ‘a king of God’s choosing.’” (“Yahweh” is the Hebrew name for God.) Schlaepfer concludes, “It’s not just a verse about David’s heart; it’s a verse about God’s heart. His heart went after David.” (p. 35)

Despite being a mighty king, David recognizes his dependence on the Lord and celebrates His lavish provision, which he describes in Psalm 23. With humility, he highlights the Lord’s care and protection over him:

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, 
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 
I will fear no evil, for you are with me; 
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me 
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
(Psalm 23, NIV)

In this Psalm, David places himself in the inferior position as a sheep under the care of the Lord, his shepherd.  He opens by talking about God, but later shifts and speaks directly to Him, praising Him for His love, faithfulness, and goodness.

 In the New Testament, Jesus also uses the example of a shepherd, but he puts Himself in the place of God, referring to His followers as the sheep in His tender care: “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:14-15, NIV) Like God with David, Jesus shows throughout the New Testament that His heart is for us—that He has gone after us in the same way the Lord went after David. 

One of the many places Jesus demonstrates His pursuit of us is in this parable: “If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:12-14, NIV)

Do you see the parallels here? Jesus, the shepherd, pursues us just as God sought after David. Maybe it sounds a bit presumptuous, but I think this shows that any follower of Jesus is a person after God’s own heart, just as David was. The fingerprints of His grace are all over this. Jesus’ death on the cross reveals that we are all “people of God’s choosing.” The only thing we have to do is respond to the love He so freely offers.

Listen to Corey Asbury’s “Reckless Love” and reflect on God as the Good Shepherd whose overwhelming, never ending, reckless love pursues you relentlessly.

Jennifer Rothschild, Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me, Lifeway Press, 2019.

René Schlaepfer, Chasing God: Finding Hope & Courage on the Trail of Israel’s Greatest King, Twin Lakes Press, 2019.

Sandra L. Richter, The Epic of Eden (Downer’s Gover: IVP Academic, 2008), 201.

Shepherd image by Free-Photos from Pixabay.com

The Lion of Judah

Reading the Chronicles of Narnia as a child, I became captivated by Lucy, Edmund, Susan, Peter and their many adventures in the magical land of Narnia. As an adult, I re-read the books to my kids and reveled in them again. C.S. Lewis portrays the central character, Aslan, as a Christ figure. His choice to use a lion for this role is no coincidence; he knew the deep biblical symbolism associated with this majestic animal.

Near the end of Jacob’s life, he pronounced a blessing on each of his sons. His words for Judah relate directly to the symbolism C.S. Lewis borrowed to create the character of Aslan:

“Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you. You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.” (Genesis 49:8-10, NIV)

Despite being Jacob’s fourth son, Judah received the distinct honor of being the one through whom God’s blessing would continue. Jacob prophesied that the mantle of lordship and power, symbolized by the scepter, would remain in Judah’s family line until “he to whom it belongs” came (the Messiah). And ultimately, He would command the obedience of the nations.

The promise of the Messiah began in Genesis, first with Adam and Eve when God said that Eve’s offspring would one day crush the head of the serpent, Satan (see Genesis 3:14). The promise continued with Abraham, whose offspring would bless all people on earth (see Genesis 12:3). With Abraham’s great-grandson, Judah, we see the Messiah symbolized as a strong lion that would one day command the obedience of the nations. (We are still waiting for this part of the promise to be fulfilled).

The next time we see this term used is in Revelation, the last book of the Bible. In this yet-to-be fulfilled prophesy, the writer, John, describes the Messiah as both a lion and a lamb. The scene he describes is a vision of the heavenly throne room. In it, John sees that there is a scroll in the “right hand of him who was seated on the throne.” He begins to despair because there is no one found worthy to approach the hand of God to take and open the scroll. But John’s fears are unfounded:

“Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals… He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.’” (Revelation 5:5, 7-9, NIV)

This connection between the first and last book of the Bible amazes me. John describes how Jesus, the Messiah, fulfills the prophetic statements made thousands of years earlier. As the sacrificial lamb, He washes away the stain of sin through His death on the cross, making it possible for all who follow Him to share in His ultimate victory over death. As the lion, He represents the conquering King who will return to slay the enemies of God.

Remember the last sentence of Jacob’s blessing to Judah? He talked about Judah’s family line ruling until One came who would command the obedience of the nations. Now, read this verse from Revelation:

“Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’” (Revelation 5:13, NIV)

John’s prophesy mirrors Jacob’s—both show that one day the whole earth will have no choice but to bow down and worship at the feet of the Lion of Judah who the New Testament reveals as Jesus.

The seamlessness of the Bible leaves me in awe. Jesus is woven throughout the pages, from Genesis to Revelation. Taking a step back to view the bigger picture every now and then gives us an even deeper understanding of God’s greatness and the way His perfect plan unfolds in His impeccable timing.

So what’s the appropriate response to this amazing news? Scripture urges us to join with the many witnesses of God’s faithfulness who have gone before us—people we’ve been studying in Genesis like Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph also mentioned in the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11. As we remember their stories displaying God’s faithfulness we, “strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up” and “run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” (Hebrews 12:1-2, NLT)

As Christ’s followers, we can marvel at the finished work of the cross and celebrate the riches we have in Him. Every day is a new opportunity to run with our gaze fixed on Jesus and to honor Him through the way we live.

Revel in the consistency of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation by enjoying “The Lion and the Lamb” by Big Daddy Weave.

*Some material for this blog came from an article on gotquestions.org. To read it, click here.

The Blessing of the Broken Road

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I tossed the essay on my son’s bed and congratulated him. Across the top of the page, his teacher had written “This is AMAZING!” in bold blue print. He’d been assigned to write about an event that sparked a period of personal growth for him. His descriptive language impressed me, but it was the recognition of how a difficult season in his life had changed him for the better that made me weepy. What a joy it was to see him choosing to learn and grow through hardships instead of letting them make him bitter and cynical.

It’s hard work to re-frame the way we view difficult times. We’re quick to label them as bad and to rail against the unfairness of having to endure them. Most of us view setbacks as interruptions from the way life is “supposed” to unfold, betraying a sense of entitlement we may not realize we have. But when we pause to examine hard circumstances further, there is much we can learn. The opportunities for personal and spiritual growth are only limited by our willingness to shift our perspectives. When we begin to view hard circumstances through a biblical lens, we start seeing that what looks bad on the surface is brimming with good.

Perhaps one of the best examples of this comes from the life of Joseph recorded in Genesis. After being sold by his jealous brothers to slave traders, he finds himself in a series of unfortunate circumstances. Despite being a person of honor and integrity, he’s falsely accused of rape, thrown in prison, and left there for two years. Eventually his character and faithfulness to God lead to a stunning reversal. After interpreting a prophetic dream for Pharaoh, he’s made second in command of Egypt. In this position, he’s tasked with ensuring the crops produced during seven years of plenty are stored to prepare for seven subsequent years of famine, in keeping with Pharaoh’s dream.

Meanwhile, Joseph’s family in Canaan experiences the ravages of the famine and heads to Egypt to buy food. His ten older brothers appear before him to buy grain and, “Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.” (Genesis 42:8, NIV)

After several interactions with them over time, Joseph can’t restrain himself any longer and proclaims, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.’” (Genesis 45:4b-7, NIV)

Rather than spewing anger at them for selling him into slavery and inflicting years of misery upon him, he reassures them. Joseph sees the big picture and realizes that God, in His sovereignty, used him to save his family and many others from starving to death during the famine. Later, he reiterates this to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20, NIV)

Reading that leads me to think of someone else who endured hardship for the good of many: Jesus. Just as Joseph tumbled downward from his privileged position as Jacob’s favorite son to a lowly slave, Jesus left the glory of heaven to become a lowly man: “[Jesus] made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” (Philippians 2:7, NIV)

Joseph endured the humiliation of being falsely accused and punished for a crime he didn’t commit.  In the same way, Jesus was falsely accused and received punishment for the sins of all humankind: “he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8, NIV)

Scripture explains the purpose behind this: “For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:3-4, NIV)

Joseph traveled a broken road, but he saw how his painful circumstances led to ultimate good—the saving of many lives. Like him, Jesus’ suffering led to an even greater good–the saving of humankind. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17, NIV)

God allowed His son to walk a painful path for the sake of ultimate good, triumphing over evil, death, and sin. Could it be possible that the lesser hardships we endure can also be used for His glory and our good? 

Beloved author and theologian C.S. Lewis describes pain as “God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” Are you willing to listen? How about refocusing your perspective on hardships using the lens of God’s goodness? This can move you past the pain and discomfort to discover the greater significance, as Joseph did.

Keep his story in mind and consider how your hurts and hardships might be pointing you toward the Lord as you listen to “Bless the Broken Road” by Selah.

To learn about other parallels between Joseph and Jesus, click here.

The Significance of “I Am”

To people with an appreciation for good grammar, a book title like Finding I Am may provoke them to pull out a red pen to suggest corrections. However, to those who recognize “I Am” as a name for God in Scripture, it makes more sense. Lysa TerKeurst’s Bible study Finding I Am: How Jesus Fully Satisfies the Cry of Your Heart is based on Jesus’ “I am” statements in the gospel of John. To grasp the significance of the title, it’s important to understand the weightiness of the phrase “I am.”

The Jews in  the New Testament reacted strongly when Jesus used this name to identify Himself:

“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.” (John 8:58-59, NIV)

The Jews of Jesus’ time understood the significance of the phrase “I am” in a way not all of us do today. It was such a holy name that they wanted to stone Him as a blasphemer for speaking it aloud and using it to refer to Himself.

To understand the name, we need to look back to the Old Testament. The Israelites had emigrated to Egypt from Canaan during a severe famine. Jacob, who had been re-named “Israel” by God, was the patriarch of the family. Along with his eleven grown sons and their wives and children, Jacob had arrived in Egypt at the invitation of his son, Joseph, who had risen to a position of honor and power there. (This is the same Joseph that received the coat of many colors from his father and that was sold into slavery by his brothers when he was a teenager. His story is in Genesis 37, 39, 40-50). The Israelites first arrived in Egypt as a large, extended family of about seventy people. The Egyptians also called them Hebrews.

After Joseph’s death, life for the Israelites began to deteriorate as new Pharaohs that didn’t know him came to power. Feeling threatened by the growing numbers of Hebrews, the Egyptians eventually enslaved them and began slaughtering their newborn boys. They feared the increasing Israelite population, believing they would grow too powerful and would eventually turn against Egypt.

Exodus chapters 1 & 2 describe the birth of Moses, the Hebrew child who was spared from death, hidden in a basket in the Nile, found by Pharaoh’s daughter, and raised as a prince in the palace until the age of forty. Our story begins when Moses was eighty years old and had been living as a shepherd in Midian for forty humbling years. He first encountered God when he approached a burning bush in the wilderness while tending his flocks. A voice from the fire spoke to Moses and identified Himself as the God of his forefathers. The Lord told him to return Egypt to free the Israelites from their 400 years of slavery. Obviously, Moses had a few reservations about what God was asking him to do:

Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”

God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’  God also said to Moses, ‘Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you. This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.’” (Exodus 3:13b-15, NIV)

God identified Himself using the name I AM WHO I AM, also shortened to I AM. The Hebrew translation for this name is Yahweh (pronounced YA WAY). Later, this name was transliterated into a Latin version of the name: “Jehovah,” which means “the self-existent one.” By calling Himself I AM, God revealed that He had no beginning and will have no end. Because it is considered a holy name, it would never have been written with vowels but instead would have been written YHWH. Jews considered the name so holy, they would not speak it out loud, but would substitute the name Adonai, which means “Lord,” in its place. Anytime you see “LORD” in all capitals in your Bible, it is translated from the name I AM. When you see “Lord” with lower case letters, it is the translation of Adonai.

So, for Jesus to speak the name “I Am” aloud and to use it to identify Himself was incredibly impactful to the Jews. The ones in the passage above saw it as blasphemy and wanted to put Him to death for using it. Others bowed before them when they realized He was the promised Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament.

The “I Am” statements Jesus makes throughout the book of John reveal different qualities about Him and tie to significant symbols from the Hebrew Scriptures. I love seeing how the New Testament fulfills and completes the Old Testament and can’t wait to unpack some of the specific places highlighted in Lysa TerKeurst’s study over the next few weeks.

Mark Schultz’s song “I Am” beautifully captures the significance of the name in both parts of the Bible. Click on the link and listen!

Lysa TerKeurst, Finding I Am: How Jesus Fully Satisfies the Cry of Your Heart, Lifeway Press, 2016.

Return of the King

My family logs some serious time on the couch watching our favorite movie trilogy during the Christmas season. For a little over ten hours (usually spread out over five or six nights), Lord of the Rings captivates us with its stunning visual effects, complex characters, and redemptive plot. It’s been a tradition in our household to watch J.R.R. Tolkien’s book series unfold on the big screen annually. We never seem to get tired of it.

The subtle biblical undertones in these movies only make me love them more. One of the most poignant themes revolves around the people of Middle Earth longing for the return of their one true king. Some characters await his eventual return with hope while others have grown bitter or given up believing it will ever happen. Many characters remain ignorant that there ever was a line of kings or that there ever will be again. They don’t know the stories of old or the prophecies of what is to come.

Kelly Minter’s comments in All Things New reminded me of these movies as I studied Session 6 recently. Imploring us to adopt a lifestyle of generous giving, she makes an interesting connection between Paul’s instructions to the church at Corinth and Jesus’ teaching in Luke 12. It’s all about the return of the true King of Kings, Jesus.

Paul reminds the church of the promise they made to give to the poor in Jerusalem explaining, “I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.” (2 Corinthians 9:5, NIV)

Kelly connects the church’s readiness to give with Jesus’ teaching on His second coming, when He urges people to be ready for His return:

“Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also… Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him…You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Luke 12:33-36, 40, NIV)

Jesus goes on to describe the fates of different people who don’t wait expectantly for His return. And let’s just say, none of them are positive. Kelly explains, “The idea is clear that when Jesus returns He longs to find His children in the game. The lights will be on because we’re not taking a nap from our Christianity or frolicking in the darkness of sin. We’re not in our pajamas binge-watching the television or binge-surfing the internet, and we’re not naked in our shame that forever keeps us hidden in the covers of uselessness. No! All things have been made new. Jesus has fulfilled the law and given us the grace to live in His power.” (p. 132)

Just as we’re called to anticipate Jesus’ second coming, the Jews of Jesus’ day waited for the Messiah prophesied throughout the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament). They knew the promise of the Messiah began in Genesis when God said that Eve’s offspring would one day crush the head of the serpent, Satan (see Genesis 3:14-15). The promise continued with Abraham, whose offspring would bless all people on earth (see Genesis 12:3). Abraham’s great-grandson, Judah, received a prophecy that symbolized his descendant, the Messiah, as a strong lion that would one day command the obedience of the nations (see Genesis 49:9-10). And the hope continued through King David’s family line, and reaches ultimate fulfillment when the Messiah rules an eternal kingdom (2 Samuel 7:12-13).

Jesus’ birth set the fulfillment of these prophecies in motion. The last book of the Bible, Revelation, describes the complete fulfillment of them with His second coming. The writer, John, describes Jesus’ future return:

 “Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: ‘Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.’ (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)” (Revelation 19:6-8, NIV)

Paralleling the wedding imagery Jesus uses in Luke 12, John describes Christ’s return as a groom coming for His bride, the Church. Notice it says, “his bride has made herself ready.” John explains that the fine linen worn by the bride represents the righteous acts of God’s people (that includes us). This brings us right back to Kelly’s point: We show our readiness for Christ’s return by living in a way that pleases Him. By His blood, we’ve been made clean and set apart as holy. And because of Him, we hold loosely to our earthly possessions; He is the reason we freely give our time, talent and treasure. We do these things to honor Him and to prepare for His imminent return.

Remember, the Lord of the Rings trilogy I mentioned earlier? The last movie’s title is a bit of a spoiler. It’s called The Return of the King. In the end, the rightful king takes his place ruling Middle Earth and his subjects gather to celebrate. Their foes are defeated and the land is finally at peace. It’s a fictional picture of what we will experience on a much grander scale when Christ returns. I want to be ready for Him, how about you?

The song “Even So Come” captures the joyful anticipation of Jesus’ return. Enjoy the version below performed by Passion featuring Kristian Stanfill.

Kelly Minter, All Things New: A Study on 2 Corinthians, Lifeway Press, 2016.

Faith Foundation #7: Making It Personal

Sifting through the pile of mail, I ripped papers in half before tossing them in the recycle bin when the bold print on one letter caught my eye: “Enjoy a 7-day cruise for two, our gift to you!” Without another thought, I tore up the offer and threw it in with the rest of the junk mail.  Maybe I was missing the opportunity of a lifetime, but I’ve always been taught that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.  That piece of mail started me thinking, though.  How many “special offers” do we discard without checking to see if they’re legitimate? Have I ever missed out on something good just because I didn’t make the effort to redeem it?

If you’ve been following along with my last few posts, you know I’ve been exploring some foundations of the Christian faith. You might remember that God extends each person an offer that surpasses any others we might receive: the gift of eternal life.  I’ve written about some key truths in the Christian faith that paved the way for today’s message:

  • Truth #1 God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.
  • Truth #2 There is a problem, sin separates us from God.
  • Truth #3: Jesus Christ is the only way we can have eternal life and experience God’s love.

Many people have heard snippets of these messages but sometimes fail to see the big picture.  They’ve been told that Jesus died for the sins of all people, but aren’t aware of this fourth key truth: Each person must individually place faith in Jesus Christ as Savior in order to receive the gift of salvation and to learn God’s plan for his or her life.

Jesus’ death was not just a blanket insurance policy that automatically covers everyone and saves all people from their sins.  Just like any other special offer, we must choose to redeem it personally in order to receive it.

John 1:12 puts it this way: “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

And Ephesians 2:8-9 clarifies that it is God’s grace activated by our faith that saves us: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Grace is God’s unmerited favor bestowed upon us.  An easy way to define it is by using this acrostic:

God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense

Like the special offer I received in the mail with my name on it, God extends a personal invitation for us to begin a relationship with Him and to receive eternal life through Christ. Jesus says in Revelation 3:20 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Eating a meal with someone signifies a relationship– Jesus is ready and waiting to begin an individual relationship with each person, but it’s up to us personally to open the door and let Him in.

Deciding to accept God’s grace and to begin a relationship with Him is not just an intellectual decision or an emotionally charged “spiritual high.” It is an act of the will made by faith. It is the beginning of a new and thrilling journey of trusting God and learning to lean into Him no matter what comes your way. Jesus explained that when we begin a relationship with Him, we are born into a new life. (You can read about this in John 3.) This choice for spiritual re-birth shifts our focus away from self and onto God.

If you’ve never accepted Jesus’ offer for a personal relationship with God and eternal life, you can simply pray something like this:

 Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive you as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Please take control of my life and make me the kind of person You want me to be. Amen.

Choosing to accept Christ is cause for celebration! Whether you did it for the first time just now, or many years ago, put words to your joy by listening to Jason Gray’s song “More Like Falling in Love.” (And if it was your first time, be sure to tell someone who can help you continue to grow spiritually.)

*Note that the four key truths discussed in my recent posts were all adapted from The Four Spiritual Laws, originally compiled by Dr. Bill Bright. Click here if you would like to read them as they were originally written for the international ministry he founded called Campus Crusade for Christ (now called Cru.)

*All Scriptures in this post are from the NIV 1984 version