Who Is This? – November 25, 2008

Who Is This?

Matthew 21:10-11

Jim Stephens

11-25-08

 

Scripture:

 

10 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. 11 And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” (Matthew 21:10-11 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

Matthew’s Gospel account of Jesus’ life and ministry accelerates in pace and increases in density for the rest of his story.  This is Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem, accompanied by a the roar of the crowds and an excitement level that stirred the entire city.

 

This entrance into Jerusalem begins the final week of Jesus’ life and leads to his betrayal, arrest, mock trial, and crucifixion.  Of all the people present, only Jesus knew how quickly the shouts of the crowd would change from “Hosanna!” to “Crucify him!”

 

There were many who saw Jesus as a miracle-working prophet from Nazareth who was handy to have around for the benefits of healing and free food.  Some hoped he might turn out to be the Messiah, the Savior who would defeat the Romans.  A handful believed that he was “the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”  One future day, many would know him as “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”

 

But in the present moment, no one remembered that John the Baptist had introduced Jesus as “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

 

Application:

 

It’s still a valid question.  Who is this?  Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee is also the Son of God from Heaven.

 

He’s the Lamb of God whose innocent death paid for my guilty life.  He’s the Redeemer who bought my soul from slavery to sin and set me free.  He’s the Savior who leads me from defeat to victory.  He’s the Lord of heaven and earth and is worthy of my submission, my worship, and my obedience.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, please guide and prompt me by your Holy Spirit today so that at every moment I may be able to answer the question “Who is this?”  May I live today by the truth of who Jesus is.  Amen.

Glimpses – September 22, 2008

Glimpses

Daniel 10:12-13

Jim Stephens

09-22-08

 

Scripture:

 

12 Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. 13 But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.” (Daniel 10:12-13 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

Daniel prayed and fasted for three weeks and a powerful being from the heavenly realm visited him in a vision with special revelation.  There are glimpses behind the curtain that separates the two realities here…

·        Daniel’s request was heard the first day he began to pray.  Some sort of conflict in the heavenlies delayed the messenger for twenty-one days.

·        Daniel’s prayer was a prayer of humble request for understanding, not a prayer for personal benefit.

·        In response to Daniel’s prayer in Chapter 9, the angel Gabriel came swiftly to him, apparently without conflict or delay.

·        There is an archangel named Michael who is apparently specifically assigned to protect God’s people or the Jewish nation.

·        The nations (empires) of Persia and Greece also have spirit princes, and they opposed the messenger God sent to Daniel, probably because they opposed God’s people.

·        God loved Daniel deeply and this love prompted his answer to Daniel’s prayer.

 

Application:

 

I don’t understand all this.  It’s from this story we learn some of what we know about spiritual warfare.  Much of the theology of geographical angelic and demonic powers comes from this story.  God answers prayer, but sometimes the answer is delayed because of spiritual conflict in the unseen realm.

 

Most of the time, I think I would like to know more about this stuff.  Then I get glimpses of the weight and responsibility of such knowledge and I think it’s just better to let God decide who knows what.  Glimpses of another reality and glimpses of another level of responsibility.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, you are an amazing God!  Your choice to reveal glimpses of truth and reality in a book of history and stories is hard for my little brain to understand.  But I believe you are God and that you are a good and loving God.  I trust you in that which I do not understand.  Amen.