Summer has officially arrived in the northern hemisphere as the summer solstice arrived early Sunday morning here in the northeastern United States. We had our longest day of sunlight on Sunday as the days will slowly become shorter as summer wears on. With the extended sunlight there are many pleasurable summer activities taking place. Emergency management crews, fire departments, and rescue teams are warning of the dangers in accessing the local rivers this time of year as many people take advantage of the warm days for recreational activity. The day before summer arrived local rescue teams issued warnings as they conducted water rescue drills on the rivers. Sadly, on the very first day of summer a person was pulled from the river and died. It was the second fatality in four days.
Every accident has its own circumstances and all the facts are not always clear, but what is clear are the warnings and caution needed when entering moving waters. Precautions must be taken by heeding the warnings. Each one of us has been given a spiritual warning concerning our eternal existence after this life is over. That warning is given to us by the Lord Jesus Himself when He says, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” (Jn.3:3 nlt) You may have heard that many times from preachers, family members, and friends choosing to ignore it as religious babbling, but they got it from Jesus’ own words recorded in the Bible.
Jesus does not issue false warnings. He is preparing us for what is ahead and warning us of the dangers of not being born again by accepting Him as savior. The warning continues to be given today as to where you will spend your eternal life. Rescue teams are out spreading the good news of Jesus Christ and eternal life. Don’t get caught by not heeding the warning!
‘“God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,’ Abraham answered. And they both walked on together.” Genesis 22:8 NLT
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We do not know how much time had lapsed from last weeks story of Abraham’s and King Abimelech’s agreement with each other. Notably it is at least a few years. Chapter 22 begins with the words, ‘Some time later.’ Abraham is well over one-hundred years old and his son Issac could now be in his late teens or early twenties. Abraham had been faithful in believing God’s promise to him concerning the Promised Land and the many descendants he will have that will begin with his son Issac. That is why the events in this chapter can only be considered as an ultimate test of faith for Abraham. Let’s begin.
“Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. ‘Abraham!’ God called. ‘Yes,’ he replied. ‘Here I am.’” (Gen.22:1 nlt) Here again we see Abraham’s willingness to hear and respond to whatever God asks of him. What Abraham heard was the last thing he thought he would ever hear. “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” (Gen.22:2 nlt) The Lord is testing Abraham’s love for Him over Issac. Notice the progression for effect when God says, ‘your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much.’ This is not going to be easy. A father’s love for his son is emphasized as is only natural. This is also the first time the word ‘love’ is used in Scripture and it is used here in this text. This portion of Scripture is a foreshadowing in several ways of Jesus’ sacrifice for us on the cross at Calvary. First we note God’s love for His Son as noted at Jesus’ transfiguration, “But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.’” (Mt.17:5) God the Father loved Jesus as much as Abraham loved Issac.
Abraham wasn’t hesitant, as was his mode of operation, but prepared to set out the next day. He chopped the wood and saddled his horse which he could have had his servants do, but Abraham chose to do it himself. Abraham took two of his servants with him on this three-day journey to Moriah. The land of Moriah is the Jerusalem area. Mount Moriah is where Solomon’s Temple was built and the present-day Temple Mount is occupied by the Muslim Dome of the Rock. Abraham had plenty of time to digest and reflect on God’s instructions for him. I am sure he did not understand it but he knew God was faithful and always kept His promises. The Lord often tests us through adversity and hardships, although not in the same sense as Abraham, but He knows what is best and is looking for us to trust Him when those days come upon us.
As they arrived near the place Abraham said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey…..The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.” (Gen.22:5 nlt) Abraham did not know what was ahead of him, but what he did know was that both he and Issac would be coming back after worshiping the Lord. Another first is found here as it is the first mention of the word worship in the Bible. Abraham must have had it in his mind and had the faith that God was able to raise Issac from the dead or that God would provide a substitute for Issac. With that, Abraham placed the wood on Issac’s shoulders, he took the fire and knife and the two walked together the rest of the way.
Along the walk as they came closer to the site something occurred to Issac. “Isaac turned to Abraham and said, ‘Father?’ ‘Yes, my son?’ Abraham replied. ‘We have the fire and the wood,’ the boy said, ‘but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?’” (Gen.22:7 nlt) Again, Abraham does not hesitant even though he is not sure how God will act says, “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” (Gen.22:8 nlt) Upon arrival the Bible says Abraham built an altar, he arranged the wood, tied his son and laid him on top of the wood.
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Abraham’s faith is on full display but let us not overlook Issac’s faith. Seeing Abraham’s faith led Issac to have great faith in his father and in the Lord God. Issac did not seemed to resist. He certainly could have overpowered the aging Abraham. But he did not, and willing submitted to his father Abraham. Here is another foreshadowing of Christ’s sacrifice in this passage. Jesus willing laid down His life for us. Issac is seen as a prefiguration of Christ. “And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice. At that moment, the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, ‘Abraham! Abraham!’ ‘Yes,’ Abraham replied. ‘Here I am!’ (Gen.22:10-11 nlt) The Lord was about to provide a substitute.
Abraham passed the test. He proved his faith through obedience and trusting in God to keep His promises. “Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son.” (Gen.22:13 nlt) Another first here is the first mention of a sacrifice substitution of one life for another. God still required the sacrifice, but a substitute was needed. He supplied a ram for Issac. A sacrifice was needed for our sin and God provided a substitute for all who believe in His name, Jesus, God the Son. Abraham then called the place ‘Yahweh-Yireh’ (which means “the LORD will provide”) Yes, the Lord will provide.
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“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (Jn.3:16 nlt)
Lately there has been a coordinated effort to discredit Jesus’ words in John 14:6. I am sure it is not by chance. Video clips are hitting social media on this same subject form various churches, pastors, and denominations. All interpretating their view of what Jesus said. They claim that verse has been misused as a ‘my way or the highway’ theology that excludes people not ‘in the club.’ Some are in and some are out! One pastor explained the meaning as ‘Jesus is the embodiment of God revealing particular expression of the divine that is fully present and dwelling with us.’ These are words of promise according to this pastor that do not drive people out but invites everyone in. The pastor goes on and says these are not words of exclusion but of promise in love and relationship. What this pastor is saying is that all religions are accepted because Jesus’ revealing that God is with us no manner what we believe. That is not what Jesus, God the Son, is saying.
Another Pastor condemns churches throughout history that used this verse as ‘a doctrinal statement requiring a belief in Jesus as a prerequisite into heaven.’ This pastor said it is not that but it is the life Jesus lived and the life we live of joy and sorrow. It is saying if you live a good life like Jesus of joy and sorrow you will get in. We all know none of us are able to live our lives like Jesus. So, that can’t be true. And as another pastor noted Jesus is not ‘a gate-keeper at the Celestial gates verifying your ID in order to get in.’ But I am sorry, yes He is, because He Himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (Jn.14:6 nlt)
Christians who hold to Jesus’ words of truth in John 14:6 without wavering and believing them as He spoke them are criticized as being intolerant. That’s OK. We should expect that from a world under the influence of Satan, who is a master coordinator of influencing people away from God and adapting to a worldview of Holy Scripture. Well-known author C. S. Lewis commented on this verse by saying, if this isn’t true there are only three choices that can be made. They are either ‘Jesus was lying, or not in His right mind, or Jesus was telling the truth.’ The choice is yours to make. No deep philosophical reasoning is needed with fancy words to convey the truth. It’s simple. Just believe it. If you are called out for ‘religious intolerance’ in believing Jesus’ words as He spoke them do not fret, you are in good company. C. S. Lewis and Jesus said the same thing.
“Simon Peter replied, ‘Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.’” John 6:68-69 NLT
The New Testament book of John chapter 6 records the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. Most of those people followed Him back to Capernaum for what Jesus said of them, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs.” (Jn.6:26 nlt) The people were content to have their stomachs full. They could not look past their concern for their physical needs. Jesus told them not to be concerned about the food that perishes but for the food that leads to eternal life. (Jn.6:27)
Jesus then explained that He was the bread of life coming down from heaven giving life to the world. Salvation is granted to all who eat His flesh and drink His blood. (Jesus is using a spiritual analogy here-Jn.6:53-59) It represents Christ’s physical death on the cross and His shed blood as necessary for eternal life. Those who accept Christ as savior receive (His flesh and blood) as payment for their sins and have everlasting life. This is hard for people today to grab hold of and understand and even more so in Jesus’ day as he spoke these words. And the Scriptures say many left Him after these words.
The story above is not the only one used in our day to refute Christianity. There are many which orators take out of context to explain away the truth of the gospel that Jesus is the only way to the Father. Sadly, many people are taken in and led amiss by these teachers, and yes pastors, with their false words. The disciples were asked by Jesus if they were going to follow the crowd away from Jesus and Peter spoke up and said, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.” (Jn.6:68 nlt) Peter’s words are still true today, ‘to whom will you go?’
“No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” John 1:18 NIV
Do you know God? Not about God, but do you know Him? Do you know Jesus, again not about Jesus, but do you know Him? The apostle John begins his gospel by explaining that the ‘Word’ in verse one always existed. ‘In the beginning was the Word.’ The ‘Word’ was with God in the beginning and the ‘Word’ was God. So, what does that tell us? The ‘Word’ is God.
John goes on to explain the ‘Word’s’ incarnation in verse fourteen. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (Jn.1:14 niv) The ‘Word’ (Jesus) lived among us. We saw the glory of the Son (Jesus) who came from the Father. John later writes, “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” (Jn.1:18 niv) The truth is, if you know Jesus, you know God. He has made Him known. Jesus is God the Son.
This is vital for Christians to understand. Our salvation depends on a perfect sacrifice being made to pay for our sins and reconcile us back to God. Jesus was not a prophet, a teacher, or an angel sent from God to show us the way; He is the way. He is God the Son. Early Christians in the New Testament were known as people of ‘The Way.’ There are several religious in the world who claim to know Jesus and follow His ways and teachings, even calling themselves Christians, but do not believe Jesus is God the Son. They are sincerely wrong! If Jesus were not God the Son, His death would be meaningless and we would still be in our sins. Know for certain who Jesus is. Your salvation depends on it!
What is your greatest need? Have you ever thought about it? This question is often asked in light of the current moment in time. We do live in the present. Have you ever considered there is one need that is supersedes all other needs in our lives? This need, when met, will assist us with dealing with all other needs because it is our greatest need, our need of a savior. Our greatest need in this life is to make sure our greatest after this life is met. Along with the fulfillment of that need comes help from above in our everyday walk in this life.
The Puritan writer in the ‘Valley of Vision’ collection of Puritan devotions writes, “O let me never lose sight of my need of a saviour, or forget that apart from him I am nothing, and can do nothing.” (1) We can get so tangled in our present needs we lose sight of the bigger picture. What is important and what should be our primary priorities are overshadowed by current troubles. Yes, our pressing needs are a concern and need to be dealt with and the provider of our greatest need is there to help us through them.
Our greatest need must be met first. All of us are alienated from God due to our sinful nature and must be reconciled to Him. That reconciliation was made possible by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for our sins. “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” (Ro.5:10 niv) When we accept Christ as savior our greatest need in this life and more importantly in eternity has been met. So, have you taken care of your greatest need? Once you are assured of that, the rest of this life with all its needs will be met by the one who solved your greatest need, your need of a savior.
(1) Arthur Bennett Ed. The Valley of Vision. East Peoria: Versa Press, 2023. Pg. 32
“This is what I told them: ‘Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!’” Jeremiah 7:23 NLT
Do you believe in God? If your answer is yes, do you want Him to be your God? You may be a bit confused at this point, but just think it through. Just because you say you believe in God is He really your God or just one of many. Is He in competition with your career, your spouse, your vacation home, automobile, boat, or your favorite sports team? Does He hold first place on every shelf in your life, and do you obey Him wholeheartedly in everything you do? If not, then He is your God in name only.
The Lord speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the nation of Israel says, “…. Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!” (Jer.7:23 nlt) This is what the Lord God wanted Israel to do when He led them out of Egypt. He didn’t want their offerings or their sacrifices, he only wanted their obedience. They believed in God, but also had other gods from the desires of their hearts to put alongside the God of heaven. Over time these idols, other gods, began to push the true God out of their lives. The Lord God says of them, “This is the nation whose people will not obey the LORD their God and who refuse to be taught. Truth has vanished from among them; it is no longer heard on their lips.” (Jer.7:28 nlt)
God is not to be the top rung on the ladder of our gods. He is the whole latter from top to bottom and our access to eternal life through Jesus Christ His Son. There is no other way of salvation and there are no other gods able to bring us satisfaction and joy in this life than the true God of heaven. Believe God when He says, ‘Obey me, and I will be your God’ and know for sure that He is.
“Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him.’ So they called to the blind man, ‘Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.’” Mark 10:49 NIV
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Have you ever called out to someone for help and they failed to stop? We have seen tragic reports of accidents and violence towards people where others move along as if nothing was happening or they stand by watching while they video the scene on their cell phones. They don’t want to get involved even if they have the ability to help. Yes, discernment is needed in current days but all too often helping never is considered as people just turn away. Jesus never turns away; in fact Jesus always stops when we call out to Him.
As Jesus left Jericho on His way to Jerusalem for His final days before His crucifixion, Jesus stopped. He stopped for Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, who was calling out for Him. The man was shouting “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mk.10:47 niv) Bartimaeus was in his usual position of sitting along the side of road looking for alms from the passers-by as Jesus passed by. He knew it was Jesus by the reaction and noise of the crowd that were traveling with Him. The crowd rebuked him telling Bartimaeus to be quiet but he shouted out all the more. Bartimaeus wasn’t looking for alms but for healing. He knew Jesus was able to heal him because he knew Jesus was the Messiah, he called Him the ‘Son of David.’
Bartimaeus wasn’t going to miss his chance, he cried out for Jesus to have mercy on him. Jesus always stopped for people in need all throughout His three years of ministry and He stopped here for Bartimaeus asking what he wanted Him to do for him. Of course Bartimaeus wanted to receive his sight and the Lord healed him.
This same Jesus will stop today and listen to your cry for help when you call Him. Others may pass you by but our Lord is always there to help us in our time of need. Don’t neglect to call upon Him, He will stop!
“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?……they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them and cast lots upon my vesture.” Psalm 22:1, 16-18 KJV
The message of the cross is not just a New Testament story. The man upon that cross is seen all throughout the Bible including much of the Old Testament. Jesus Christ, God the Son, the Messiah is that man on the cross. You may have heard that ‘history’ is really ‘HIS-story’ Jesus Christ. There is plenty of evidence in the Old Testament to convince even the strongest doubters that Jesus is the promised Messiah who was to come. He came in His Father’s timing to earth to paid the penalty for our sins on the cross of calvary.
The author of Psalm 22, King David, prophesized Jesus on the cross when expressing his own thoughts in his prayer of anguish to the Lord. “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Ps.22:1 kjv) David, a godly servant, was under constant attack unjustly by his enemies. Our Lord Jesus was under attack unjustly as David, both as righteous sufferers. But, in our Lord’s suffering, as unjust as it was, justice was served in payment for our sin debt. Jesus ultimately defeated death by rising from the dead to ensure salvation and eternal life for all who believe in Him.
There is much to learn about Jesus in the Old Testament. This Lenten season as we focus on the cross let us glean through those treasured sacred writings and discover the many references to Christ within its pages for it is His-story.
“Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.’ And in another place, ‘Those who work deserve their pay!’”1 Timothy 5:17-18 NLT
The word ‘shepherd’ is used often to describe elders in the church but always to distinguish pastors. A pastor is the shepherd of the flock, the congregation. He excels in leadership, preaching, and teaching. While all elders help in leading, preaching and teaching, the lead elder is the pastor, the head shepherd. Paul had a few things to say about head shepherds in his first letter to Timothy.
First of all he said elders (shepherds) who do their work well are to be respected. Some translations use the term ‘worthy of double honor’ which means ‘a valuing by which the price is fixed.’ In other words as in the NLT Paul says secondly they should be paid well. This is especially true for those who work hard (toil) to a point of weariness and exhaustion. They are worthy of double honor.
A pastor’s (shepherd’s) main responsibility can be narrowed down to three things. They are to feed the sheep, love the sheep, and protect the sheep. All the hard work a pastor does day in and day out will fall under one of these three categories, and it can become exhausting. A true shepherd is committed to the health and welfare of the sheep under his care. The Lord, the ultimate head shepherd, assigns a pastor to the sheep pen He desires to place him.
May each of us be aware of the tremendous responsibility given to our pastors from the Lord in feeding, loving, and protecting us through all the hard work of preaching and teaching they do and remember that they are worthy of double honor.
Word for the Soul 