Mark 3:1-5

Compassion is an attribute of God and is not dependent on the traditions of men. 

Now is the time for mercy and healing in His wings. He cares for you!

Paul wrote, “There was given me a thorn in my flesh, from Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness'” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).

Sustaining grace. Grace that meets us at our point of need and equips us with courage and wisdom and strength. Sustaining grace. It doesn’t promise the absence of struggle, but it does promise the presence of God. Max Lucado

Mark 3:1-5

3 And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. 2 So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. 3 And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.” 4 Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. 5 And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. The New King James Version

Jesus demonstrates His lordship over the Sabbath by healing a man. This action provokes the Pharisees and their allies to plot against Him.

Jesus’ question about the Sabbath is provocative and was intended to question common viewpoints. Elsewhere Jesus teaches that love of neighbor not only fulfills the law but is central to the kingdom of God. Here, Jesus tangibly demonstrates that human traditions and moral codes should not conflict with love of neighbor.

This biblical idiom, often rendered as “hardness of heart”, indicates both stubbornness and opposition to God’s workings. Faithlife Study Bible

Christ put the meaning of the Sabbath to the test. Certainly it was more consistent with the intention of the law to restore this man’s afflicted hand, even on the Sabbath, than to destroy his hopes for the sake of keeping human tradition. The NKJV Study Bible

Christ looks at the root of bitterness in the heart, the blindness and hardness of that, and is grieved. Let hard-hearted sinners tremble to think of the anger with which he will look upon them shortly, when the day of his wrath comes. But if we are healed, Christ, his power and grace, must have all the glory. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Psalm 34:14 Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Matthew 12:10 And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—that they might accuse Him.

Matthew 12:11 Then He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out?

Luke 6:7 So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him.

Acts 7:48-50

Christ within the hope of glory! The Body of Christ is not contained in a building.

Heaven and earth are full of His glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Isaiah 66:2 For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist,”Says the LORD. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word.

Parker Palmer writes. “It’s not merely about finding shelter from the storm—it’s about spiritual survival and the capacity to carry on.”

Acts 7:48-50

48 “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: 49 ‘Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the Lord, Or what is the place of My rest? 50 Has My hand not made all these things?’ The New King James Version

By placing so much emphasis on the temple as Yahweh’s exclusive dwelling place, Israel disrespects Solomon who built it—he recognized that no physical building could contain Yahweh, the Lord of heaven and earth. Faithlife Study Bible

It was David’s desire to give God a permanent dwelling. The danger of David’s request was that some might identify the presence of God with one place, as if God were confined to that location. God honored David’s desire by permitting his son Solomon to build such a house and by filling it with the Shekinah glory, a demonstration of His presence. But God did not live in the temple. 

The Creator cannot be confined by anything He has made. His presence fills all that He has made. Solomon understood this when he dedicated the temple. In his speech, Stephen emphasized that God could not be confined to temples made with hands. The NKJV Study Bible

Stephen upbraids the Jews with the idolatry of their fathers, to which God gave them up as a punishment for their early forsaking him. It was no dishonour, but an honour to God, that the tabernacle gave way to the temple; so it is now, that the earthly temple gives way to the spiritual one; and so it will be when, at last, the spiritual shall give way to the eternal one. The whole world is God’s temple, in which he is every where present, and fills it with his glory; what occasion has he then for a temple to manifest himself in? And these things show his eternal power and Godhead. But as heaven is his throne, and the earth his footstool, so none of our services can profit Him who made all things. Next to the human nature of Christ, the broken and spiritual heart is his most valued temple. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

1 Kings 8:27 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!

2 Chronicles 2:6 But who is able to build Him a temple, since heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him? Who am I then, that I should build Him a temple, except to burn sacrifice before Him?

Isaiah 66:1 Thus says the LORD: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest?

Mark 3:23-27

In our weakness God is strong. When we quit trying to do things on our own He takes over! 

Satan seeks to destroy our unity. He is the father of lies and only seeks to kill, steal and destroy the followers of Jesus.

In the unity of Holy Spirit the principles of darkness are defeated.

The ageless Truth of the gospel has never been more relevant. In a fractured society that's plagued with conflict, division, despair, fear of death, celebration of sin, self-righteousness and self-service, we need the power and hope of the gospel and the clarity that Paul's teaching provides. We need to be reminded that the gospel is the key to reconciliation, hope, peace, unity, love, selflessness, service, obedience and new life. Only through the gospel's redemptive power can we witness the change we long to see in our lives, relationships and communities. First5 

For unending joy is it that God, our protector here,
Will be our bliss hereafter.
God is our way, our destination in true love
And surest trust.
So let us fly to the Lord,
so that we may be comforted;
touch him so that we might be cleansed;
Cling to him so that we might be safe from every danger…
Courteous God,
Be the foundation of my being.
May I sit in you in true rest,
Stand in you in sure strength,
And be rooted in you in endless love.
Reveal yourself more to me
So that I may know my true nature better
And act as I truly am.
Julian of Norwich, 1342-after 1416

Sabbath Moments 

Mark 3:23-27

23 So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. 27 No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house. The New King James Version

Jesus speaks in parables only three times in Mark’s Gospel. Jesus’ parables contained truths about the kingdom of God. Jesus confronts the religious leaders with the possibility that, by opposing Him, they might be aligning themselves with evil powers. 

The defining mark of a disciple of God’s kingdom is allegiance to Jesus and His teaching. Likewise, Jesus cannot be possessed by Beelzebul, as that would mean that the ruler of demons has risen up against himself by vanquishing demons.  Jesus triumphed over Satan during His temptation and in  casting out demons. These exorcisms indicate that Beelzebul (the strong man in the parable) was defeated through Jesus’ resistance of temptation. Faithlife Study Bible

Jesus’ reply in parables was actually a threefold message that contrasted unity and disunity. Nothing—including Satan’s kingdom—can stand if it is divided. Whoever defeats Satan must be stronger than he. Jesus implies that He Himself has come to enter the house of the strong man, Satan, to seize his goods. The NKJV Study Bible

It was plain that the doctrine of Christ had a direct tendency to break the devil’s power; and it was as plain, that casting of him out of the bodies of people, confirmed that doctrine; therefore Satan could not support such a design. Christ gave an awful warning against speaking such dangerous words. It is true the gospel promises, because Christ has purchased, forgiveness for the greatest sins and sinners; but by this sin, they would oppose the gifts of the Holy Ghost after Christ’s ascension. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Matthew 12:25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.

Matthew 12:26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

Matthew 12:27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.

Matthew 12:28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Matthew 12:29 Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.

Daniel 11:21-28

These are evil times we live in.  The  fight is with  the principalities of darkness in man.

God has already won the battle but He is long suffering to those who do not know Him.

We desire an end  and the return of Jesus.

God is compassionate and long suffering. He wants as many as can be reached to come to Him for the salvation that He gives in Jesus before His return. He wants no one to perish…no…not…one.

The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong in the broken places. Ernest Hemingway

In our weakness, turning over  control of our life to Him He can accomplish, in His strength, everything that we cannot.

Daniel 11:21-28

21 And in his place shall arise a vile person, to whom they will not give the honor of royalty; but he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue. 22 With the force of a flood they shall be swept away from before him and be broken, and also the prince of the covenant. 23 And after the league is made with him he shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people. 24 He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time. 25 “He shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South with a great army. And the king of the South shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand, for they shall devise plans against him. 26 Yes, those who eat of the portion of his delicacies shall destroy him; his army shall be swept away, and many shall fall down slain. 27 Both these kings’ hearts shall be bent on evil, and they shall speak lies at the same table; but it shall not prosper, for the end will still be at the appointed time. 28 While returning to his land with great riches, his heart shall be moved against the holy covenant; so he shall do damage and return to his own land. The New King James Version

Seleucid Control of Palestine (190 b.c.) Antiochus III, king of Syria, expanded the boundaries of the Seleucid kingdom in numerous battles with the Ptolemies. In 221 b.c. he captured part of Palestine, only to lose most of it in 217 b.c. Returning in 201 b.c. he finally defeated the Ptolemies in 198 b.c. with the aid and support of the Jews. Palestine enjoyed freedom from Egyptian domination until 175 b.c., when a new leader, Antiochus IV, became king of Syria. His oppression of the Jews led to the Maccabean Revolt of 167 b.c. and eventual Jewish autonomy in 164 b.c.. The NKJV Study Bible

God, in his providence, sets up one, and pulls down another, as he pleases. This world is full of wars and fightings, which come from men’s lusts. All changes and revolutions of states and kingdoms, and every event, are plainly and perfectly foreseen by God. No word of God shall fall to the ground; but what he has designed, what he has declared, shall infallibly come to pass. While the potsherds of the earth strive with each other, they prevail and are prevailed against, deceive and are deceived; but those who know God will trust in him, and he will enable them to stand their ground, bear their cross, and maintain their conflict. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Daniel 8:19 And he said, “Look, I am making known to you what shall happen in the latter time of the indignation; for at the appointed time the end shall be.

Daniel 8:25 “Through his cunning he shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; and he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without human means.

Habakkuk 2:3 | For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

EASTER SUNDAY

 HE IS RISEN! 

Acts 2:36-39

Good Friday  when Jesus died for me. John 3:16

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

This story from Greg Boyle’s heartening book, The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness, is what my heart needed."Here’s the good news: the God we most deeply want IS the God we actually have, and the God we fear, is, in fact, the partial God we’ve settled for...SabbathMoments 

Acts 2:36-39

36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” The New King James Version

The Jewish mob who had killed Jesus had grossly misunderstood Him. God still used their actions to authenticate Him as both Israel’s king and the fulfillment of the promises about the Messiah. Many in the crowd respond to Peter’s sermon in repentance and faith, are baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The Greek word used here, metanoeō, denotes a change of mind, will, or actions. Peter calls the people to believe that Jesus is the Messiah promised in the old testament. Peter’s exhortation involves two actions: repentance and baptism. These are connected with two promises: forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

In Acts, Luke presents saving faith, repentance, forgiveness, baptism, and the gift of the Spirit as interrelated aspects of embracing Jesus and coming to belong to the people of God in Christ. 

Just as circumcision served as a visible external marker of inclusion in the covenant community of Israel, so baptism serves as the public sign and seal of a person’s solidarity with Christ and participation in the new covenant community of faith, which encompasses both Jewish and non-Jewish people. Baptism identifies a person with Jesus in His life, death, burial, and resurrection. 

God does not overlook or ignore sin, but graciously frees those who belong to Jesus from its condemnation and power. 

Before His ascension, Jesus promised to send the Spirit to dwell in those who belong to Him, enabling them to trust and follow Him as their Savior and Lord. 

Peter could be referring to the applicability of the gospel message to the immediate members of a person’s household or more generally to the message of salvation reaching generations to come (the descendants of the people present). This could be a reference to Jews who lived in distant lands, but more likely is a reference to the nations who would hear the gospel throughout the whole earth. Faithlife Study Bible

Peter’s conclusion is clear: Jesus, the One who had been crucified, is both Lord and Christ.

Peter’s argument was irrefutable. Cut to the heart, the Judeans asked what they should do. This was the point of new birth. The Spirit of God brought conviction to their hearts, the springboard of action. Repentance for the Judeans involved rejecting their former attitudes and opinions concerning who Jesus was. 

When a person recognizes who Jesus Christ really is, the result is the desire to do what He commands. The first action that Jesus requires of a new believer is baptism, the outward expression of inward faith. The idea of an unbaptized Christian is foreign to the New Testament.

Is Peter saying that we must be baptized to receive forgiveness of our sins? Scripture clearly teaches that we are justified by faith alone, not by works. The critical word in this phrase is the word for, which may also be translated “with a view to.” Peter’s message makes it clear that “remission of sins” comes to “whoever believes.” Believers are baptized in view of God’s work of forgiveness, not in order to receive that forgiveness. God’s forgiveness in Christ gives baptism its significance. Baptism is a public declaration that a person’s sins have been forgiven because of the finished work of Christ on the Cross. 

The gift of the Holy Spirit was the promise of Jesus. The Holy Spirit puts us in communion with the Father and the Son. This indwelling of the Spirit is a beautiful promise of the New Covenant, an indication not only that our sins are forgiven, but also that the Lord has placed His law within us. 

Peter exhorted his listeners to repent. In other words, each person had to make the decision to turn away from his or her sinful habits and turn to God in faith. Then God would forgive that person’s sins and declare them righteous because of Jesus’ work on the Cross. 

In first-century Israel, a father held tremendous influence in his home. When a father chose to receive Christ and be baptized, his children would follow his lead. The NKJV Study Bible

Through the Saviour, the ways of life are made known; and we are encouraged to expect God’s presence, and his favour for evermore. All this springs from assured belief that Jesus is the Lord, and the anointed Saviour. From the first delivery of that Divine message, it appeared that there was Divine power going with it; and thousands were brought to the obedience of faith. But neither Peter’s words, nor the miracle they witnessed, could have produced such effects, had not the Holy Spirit been given. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Isaiah 44:3 For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring;

Joel 2:28 “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,Your old men shall dream dreams,Your young men shall see visions.

Luke 24:47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 39:15–18

We have nothing to fear but fear itself. 

We trust God to do what we cannot and to protect us from evil. When our world seems out of our control, when we are at our weakest,  He is the strongest. We can trust in God because He is worthy and He cares for us.

Jeremiah 39:15–18

15 Meanwhile the word of the Lord had come to Jeremiah while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying, 16 “Go and speak to Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Behold, I will bring My words upon this city for adversity and not for good, and they shall be performed in that day before you. 17 But I will deliver you in that day,” says the Lord, “and you shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid. 18 For I will surely deliver you, and you shall not fall by the sword; but your life shall be as a prize to you, because you have put your trust in Me,” says the Lord.’ ” The New King James Version

Gedaliah’s name means “Yahweh is great.” His introduction with a double patronym (listing the names of both his father and grandfather) this clarifies his association with the prominent family of royal scribes descended from Shaphan. Several members of this family are depicted as offering support for Jeremiah. After the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of most of the population to Babylon, Gedaliah was appointed governor over the remaining population of poor farmers. He resided at Mizpah (modern Tell en-Nasbeh), about eight miles north of Jerusalem. Some of the remaining Jewish soldiers who had escaped capture supported him. He assured them that Judah was now a Babylonian province, and they were free to return to a safe and peaceful agricultural lifestyle if they accepted Babylonian rule. His governorship ended when he was assassinated by Ishmael son of Nethaniah. Jeremiah is taken to Egypt with the group that flees after this assassination because they fear Babylonian reprisals for the death of the governor. Faithlife Study Bible

Ebed-Melech, who had carefully rescued Jeremiah from the muddy cistern in the prison court, was promised safety and deliverance by the Lord because of his assistance to Jeremiah and because he had put his trust in God.  The NKJV Study Bible

Here is a message to assure Ebed-melech of a recompence for his great kindness to Jeremiah. Because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the Lord. God recompenses men’s services according to their principles. Those who trust God in the way of duty, as this good man did, will find that their hope shall not fail in times of the greatest danger. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Jeremiah 38:2 “Thus says the LORD: ‘He who remains in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence; but he who goes over to the Chaldeans shall live; his life shall be as a prize to him, and he shall live.’

Jeremiah 38:7 Now Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs, who was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon. When the king was sitting at the Gate of Benjamin.

Jeremiah 38:12 Then Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, “Please put these old clothes and rags under your armpits, under the ropes.” And Jeremiah did so.

Jeremiah 45:5 And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,” says the LORD. “But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go.” ’ ”

Acts 23:1-2323

Paul’e life was forever changed and orchestrated by God to send salvation to the Gentiles. 

We can think our beliefs are totally right, like the Pharisee Saul, but spiritually  they are not. Jesus opened his eyes and gave him a new name, Paul. 

After His resurrection Jesus sent Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of salvation in His Son. We need to trust Him to reveal His will for our lives.

1 Peter 2:23 tells us that Jesus “entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” He simply left the judging to God. He, to the astounding contrary, spoke on their defense. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). They were a crazy mob, mad at something they couldn’t see so they took it out on of all people, God.

Yet, Jesus died for them. How could he do it? I don’t know. Sometimes I wonder if we don’t see Christ’s love as much in the people he tolerated, as in the pain he endured. Amazing grace!

Acts 23:1-2323 

Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?” 4 And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?” 5 Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ” 6 But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!” 7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. 8 For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. 9 Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.”  10 Now when there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks. The New King James Version

The Sanhedrin was the governing Jewish body in Jerusalem over religious matters. The group consisted of both Pharisees and Sadducees who held many opposing viewpoints.

Ananias was a corrupt high priest who ruled around ad 47–58. First-century Jewish historian Josephus records that he was quick-tempered. Faithlife Study Bible

The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead, miracles, life after death, or the existence of angels. On the other hand, the Pharisees believed in the supernatural and affirmed the very things the Sadducees denied.

Warned by friends not to go to Jerusalem, Paul may have begun to doubt his decision. The Lord encouraged Paul not to be afraid because he was under the sovereign care of God. As Paul had borne witness to Jesus as a prisoner in Jerusalem, so he would do as a prisoner in Rome. Paul’s chains would glorify God in ways that would have been impossible without them.

The NKJV Study Bible

Whoever is against us, we need not fear, if the Lord stand by us. It is the will of Christ, that his servants who are faithful, should be always cheerful. He might think he should never see Rome; but God tells him, even in that he should be gratified, since he desired to go there only for the honour of Christ, and to do good. 

Believing in the Lord, we and ours shall be kept from every evil work, and kept to his kingdom. Heavenly Father, give us by thy Holy Spirit, for Christ’s sake, this precious faith. 

All hearts are in God’s hand, and those are blessed who put their trust in him, and commit their ways unto him. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

John 1:14-18

And the Word became flesh…and dwelt among us!

1 John 4:9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.

Our words matter. Choose them carefully. They may be the only words that a person hears of their Savior.

John 1:14-18

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ ” 16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. The New King James Version

The symbolism of verse1 continues by describing how the logos took on human form. This depiction of the logos as a personal being in human flesh is a reversal of the philosophical concept of the logos as an impersonal principle or force. 

The emphasis on the “flesh” could be an attempt to correct misunderstandings about the humanity of Jesus present in the early church. One of the earliest christological heresies from the second century ad was Docetism, which held that Jesus was fully divine and only appeared human and only appeared to die on the cross. The idea that divine beings could appear in human form was common in the ancient world, so John seems to take extra care to emphasize that Jesus was human, not that He merely appeared in human form. The later christological heresy of Arianism emphasized Jesus’ humanity at the expense of His divinity, claiming He was a created being. 

Through His Son, God is taking up a post among His people just as He had done for ancient Israel. In the Old Testament Yahweh’s presence could be found in the tabernacle or temple. The glory of Jesus, the Word, is the same as the glory of God the Father. 

John’s use of monogenēs foreshadows the emphasis on the intimate relationship between Jesus and God the Father. Jesus is the unique and beloved Son of God, sent from God to fully represent the Father on earth and reveal the Father and His plan for salvation in a previously unparalleled way. 

The Son reflects the Father perfectly and perfectly carries out His will. The close relationship of Father and Son means their works and will are in perfect unity. Alluding to two central attributes of the divine character used throughout the old testament: steadfast love and faithfulness. Jesus embodies the ultimate expression of God’s covenant loyalty and unmerited favor toward the world that rejected Him. 

Throughout his Gospel, John presents Jesus as the fulfillment of old testament  expectations. The world will fully see God only as revealed through Jesus. Faithlife Study Bible

The Word Was God. John 1:1 is probably the strongest passage in the New Testament for declaring the deity of Jesus Christ. The first chapter of John reads, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  Greek scholars are agreed that the verse should be translated as it regularly is in modern and ancient translations, clearly affirming that Jesus is indeed God. 

As God manifested His glory in the tabernacle, so Jesus displayed His divine presence before the apostles.

All who trust Christ are born of God. In the Gospel of John, these “born ones” are called children of God, but Jesus Christ is the unique Son of God. He is the only Son who is fully God. He is also full of grace and truth. When God revealed Himself to Moses, He proclaimed Himself to be “abounding in goodness and truth”. As applied to Jesus Christ, this phrase marks Him as the author of perfect redemption and perfect revelation. 

Jesus was born after John the Baptist and began His ministry later than John the Baptist. Yet John the Baptist said Jesus was before him, meaning that Jesus’ existence is from eternity past. The NKJV Study Bible.

Men discover their weaknesses to those most familiar with them, but it was not so with Christ; those most intimate with him saw most of his glory. Although he was in the form of a servant, as to outward circumstances, yet, in respect of graces, his form was like the Son of God His Divine glory appeared in the holiness of his doctrine, and in his miracles. He was full of grace, fully acceptable to his Father, therefore qualified to plead for us; and full of truth, fully aware of the things he was to reveal.  As to the order of time and entrance on his work, Christ came after John, but in every other way he was before him. The expression clearly shows that Jesus had existence before he appeared on earth as man. All fulness dwells in him, from which alone fallen sinners have, and shall receive, by faith, all that renders them wise, strong, holy, useful, and happy. 

Our receivings by Christ are all summed up in this one word, grace; we have received “even grace,” a gift so great, so rich, so invaluable; the good will of God towards us, and the good work of God in us. The law of God is holy, just, and good; and we should make the proper use of it. But we cannot derive from it pardon, righteousness, or strength. It teaches us to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour, but it cannot supply the place of that doctrine. As no mercy comes from God to sinners but through Jesus Christ, no man can come to the Father but by him; no man can know God, except as he is made known in the only begotten and beloved Son. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Matthew 11:27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Colossians 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,

Hosea 1:6-7

Only through through the sacrifice of Jesus and in the  ongoing work of Holy Spirit can sanctification and transformation happen in those who believe. It is nothing to do with us but everything to do with  JESUS.

Through the tribe of Judah came the promise of Messiah… Jesus King of kings and Lord of lords.

Jesus now sits at the right hand of the Father until the world is made His footstool. It is finished. Joy in the Lord is our strength.

Karl Barth, “Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.”

This proclamation of freedom is echoed in Isaiah 61, which declared God's deliverance of Isaiah's generation while simultaneously prophesying of the Messiah, who would come and accomplish the ultimate end of human captivity to sin and death.

Isaiah 61 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, 3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” The New King James Version

We see the culmination of this prophecy in the life of Jesus. As He taught from Isaiah 61 in the synagogue on a Sabbath day, Jesus identified himself as the Messiah - both sacrifice and trumpet sound - the One sent to announce the ultimate Year of Jubilee, the year of the Lord's favor. His life, obedience and death bring eternal rest, freedom from sin, and abundant life for all those who believe in Him. First 5

Before we figure life out, maybe we can just live it.
Before we seek to manage life, maybe we can just embrace it.
Before we seek to analyze life, maybe we can just savor the moments.
Before we seek to control life--nice and neat and tidy--maybe we can dance.

To be filled with wonderment and laughter?  What would that look like?  And if I invited you today, would you say yes? Sabbath moments 

We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring, will be to arrive where we started, and know the place for the first time. T.S. Eliot

Hosea 1:6-7

6 And she conceived again and bore a daughter. Then God said to him: “Call her name Lo-Ruhamah, For I will no longer have mercy on the house of Israel, But I will utterly take them away. 7 Yet I will have mercy on the house of Judah, will save them by the Lord their God, And will not save them by bow, Nor by sword or battle, By horses or horsemen.” The New King James Version

The name used here, Lo-Ruchamah, (which in Hebrew means “not pitied” or “unloved”), could symbolize Hosea’s denial of fatherhood. Faithlife Study Bible

Hosea is supposed to have been of the kingdom of Israel. He lived and prophesied during a long period. The scope of his predictions appears to be, to detect, reprove, and convince the Jewish nation in general, and the Israelites in particular, of their many sins, particularly their idolatry: the corrupt state of the kingdom is also noticed. But he invites them to repentance, with promises of mercy, and gospel predictions of the future restoration of the Israelites and of the Jews, and their final conversion to Christianity.  Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Psalm 44:3 For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them; but it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, because You favored them.

Psalm 44:4 You are my King, O God; command victories for Jacob.

Psalm 44:5 Through You we will push down our enemies; through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us.

Psalm 44:6 For I will not trust in my bow, nor shall my sword save me.

Psalm 44:7 But You have saved us from our enemies, and have put to shame those who hated us.