Shadows of Christ

The wilderness tabernacle was emblematic of the life and ministry of Christ.  The tabernacle was a temporary tent constructed for God’s Glory to dwell in as the Israelites trekked across the Sinai Desert.   The tabernacle proper, the materials used to build it, the manner it was to be approached and the elements therein symbolize aspects of Christ and God’s plan for salvation of mankind.

To enter the tabernacle, one would have to pass through the camp of the tribe of Judah.  The name Judah means ‘Praise of the Lord.”  Coming into God’s presence in praise speaks of the knowledge of Who Christ is and expressing this knowledge as thanksgiving and awe at His great sacrifice.  To enter the tabernacle’s outer court, one would have had to enter the gate of the Four Pillars, which correspond to the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  To respond to the call of relationship, one must first hear, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17).  Christ is the Word of God as John 1:1 describes, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Numbers 2:3 tells us of God’s orderliness, “And on the east side toward the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their armies. .  .”  God’s desire for orderliness in our lives and in the Church is apparent in the life of Christ.  Christ’s ministry was not an afterthought or second line of action.  The prophesies of Christ’s life in the Old Testament and their fulfillment in the New Testament are numerous.  Isaiah 9:6 prophesies, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”  The fulfillment is spoken in Luke 2:11, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ, the Lord.”  The life and ministry is ordained, as He is the Lamb slain from the foundation.  The walls of the outer court of the tabernacle were constructed of linen, symbolic of Christ’s righteousness and the imputation of it those who believe in Him. The linen was stretched on poles of made acacia wood, an incredibly hard wood, which was covered in brass, symbolizing judgment.  The linen was attached to the poles with silver pins that represent salvation.  The tabernacle stood as a visual representation of God’s plan for the Israelites and to us today.  Other aspects of the tabernacle will be explored in future posts.  I pray that God blesses you and speaks these truths to your heart.

Patti

With Fire

The breaking of the four hundred years of God’s silence through a prophet during the Intertestament period marks the ministry of John the Baptist.  John, as a forerunner of the Messiah, did not focus his twenty to fifty thousand person ministry on himself, but to the Annointed One who was to come.  John’s message was simple: repent and turn from your sin, for the Messiah is coming.  John proclaimed that the One coming is greater than he. John  baptized with water for repentance; however, the Messiah to come will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.  John proclaims the Messiah shall bring judgment; this came as a welcome relief the sorely oppressed people.  John stood as a witness to Jesus’ identity as the Christ; subsequently, this truth was further revealed by the events that occurred at Jesus’ baptism.  Matthew 3:16,17 relates, “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. “ 

Jesus, as the spotless Lamb, had no spiritual need of John’s baptism to repentance.  Jesus submitted to the water baptism in Matt. 3:15, "And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him."  He identifies with humanity; so that in turn, we are able to identify with Him.  John’s baptism signifies an outward change, a turning from sin; whereas, Jesus’ baptism with the Holy Spirit signifies an inward change and indwelling of His Holy Spirit.  Immediately following His baptism, Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.

The temptation of Christ in the wilderness reveals several major aspects of Jesus’ ministry and our own necessary spiritual warfare tactics.  Hebrews 2:18 explains that Jesus’ temptation connected Him integrally to our own human plight, “For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.”  In the first temptation, Jesus, desert-worn and hungry is enticed by Satan to turn stone into bread.  This lure speaks of a lack of trust in the provision of the Father and the use of Jesus’ power for His own preservation.  Jesus counters with Luke 4:4, “And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.“  This illuminates a profound truth in our own warfare, the fact that the Word is our weapon.  In the second temptation, Satan entreats Jesus to bow down and worship him to gain the kingdoms of the world.  Jesus know that His Father’s Kingdom is not of this world, and no promise of materialism or fame will ever profit anyone one whit. Luke 4:8 records His reply, "And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. " In the final temptation, Satan twists scripture as he coaxes Jesus to throw Himself from the Temple pinnacle.   Jesus had no need to step out of God’s timing, to make a spectacle of Himself or to tempt God.  Jesus answers, “. . .It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”  In the third temptation, Satan entreats Jesus to bow down and worship him to gain the kingdoms of the world.  Jesus know that His Father’s Kingdom is not of this world, and no promise of materialism or fame will ever profit anyone one whit. Luke 4:8 records His reply, "And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve" (Luke 4:12). The Hypostatic Union of God and man is firmly illustrated in His temptations.  Jesus is so fully God that His flesh does not interfere with His ability to overcome Satan, and conversely, Jesus is so fully man that His Godliness does not interfere with His ability to be truly tempted.            

Christ In Prophecy

The wealth of Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in Christ is unparalleled.  The magnitude of the reality of these fulfillments is nothing less than the fingerprint of God on Christ’s life and all history.  The prophecy of His birth, the prophecy of His entrance into Jerusalem and the prophecy of His garments being parted at the crucifixion all speak of God’s intricate attention to detail in heralding His Son.

Isaiah 7:14 speaks of Christ’s birth, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”  The New Testament fulfillment is found in Matthew 1:18, 24,25, “She was found with child of the Holy Spirit. . .Then Joseph. . .did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.”

Zechariah 9:9 proclaims, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!  Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!  Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, humble, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.”  Luke 19:35-37 speaks it the New Testament fulfillment, “And they brought him to Jesus.  And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him.  And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road. Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives.”

Psalm 22:18 foretells events of the crucifixion, “They divided My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.”  John 19:23,24 tells the fulfillment, “The soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic.  Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece.  They said. . . ‘Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be.’”

The Bible is absolutely accurate and reliable.  Put your trust in Him.

Peace Be With You

               The means of attaining true peace in your life is in submitting it to the will of God.  Genuine peace isn’t the absence of turmoil or trouble; it is the quiet assurance of God’s love and providence. The book of I Peter was written in the AD 60s to the believers scattered in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia.  It is an encouragement to those suffering for Christ, and it offers us a solid framework for gaining peace in our lives even in the midst of adversity.  The content of the book is as relevant to us today as it was to the early church.  Peter exhorts the faithful in I Peter 1:4, “To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (KJV).  A vitally significant element of the Christian walk is the consecration or hagios in the Greek, of our speech to the Lord.  I Peter 1:15 teaches, “But as he which hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of conversation” (KJV Capitalization theirs).  Another vital factor in the Christian course is obedience.  I Peter 1:22 instructs, “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently” (KJV).  The only sound foundation on which to build your life upon is Christ.  I Peter 2:6 reveals, “Behold I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone elect precious and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded”(KJV).  Believers are given liberty through the Blood of Christ and are called to behave in a manner befitting of Him.  I Peter 2:13 instructs us to be subject to government mandates, “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme” (KJV).  We are to seek peace and follow God’s will.  As believers, we are not to be ashamed of our suffering, but we are to allow God to work in our anguish.  I Peter 4:19 tells us, “Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator” (KJV Capitalization theirs).  We are all on a journey, and each of us is at our own point on that road.  God doesn’t expect us to be faultless, He wants us to forgive, repent, pray and keep going.  Even in hardship this is the path of real peace.  Peter ends this book with I Peter 5:14, “Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity.  Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen” (KJV).