His Voice

“The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all of his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will runs away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice” (John 10:3-5 NIV).

Have you ever recognized a person by their laugh or even their sigh? As you turn the corner, you smile and say, “Aww I knew it was you!” We become so familiar with the people that we spend the most time with that they can even be identified by the sound of their footsteps. Even years after seeing them, the feel of their their presence and the sound of their voice is still indelibly imprinted on our minds.

After my father passed away, my mother no longer wanted to live in our family home. We had 40 plus years of possessions in it and she wanted to get rid of almost everything when she moved into a condo with my sister and her husband. This was a very sad time for me, as it was comforting to come home to the things I had grown up with, but I understood her feelings. Years after this, my husband and I stopped by his friend's house so that I could meet his wife. As I walked into their living room I was dumbstruck as I saw my mother's blue and green carnival glass lamp on their mantle piece. I recognized it like you would a long lost brother. I told the wife, “Oh my goodness that is my mother's lamp!” She was incredulous and said, “It couldn't be, it is one of a kind.” I said, “I know, I broke the other one.” The lamp did have a mate, they stood like sentinels on either side of our mantle for as long as I could remember. One sunny Saturday morning I was playing with a ball in the house, yes, I had been told a million times not to, and broke the other lamp. How many Christmases, birthdays, skinned knees and broken hearts had this lamp witnessed? It sat there and winked at me from their well-arranged mantle and I had no doubt of its origin.

Jesus wants you to know Him this well. Please take time to get closer to Him by reading the Word. John 1:1 tells us, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”(NIV). The Bible does not just describe Jesus, it is his very nature, the essence of all that He is, in His fullness. Walk in His footsteps until you can recognize the very sound of them. Immerse yourself in His life-giving Word until its very echo reverberates in your soul.

John 10:7-10, “. . .I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”(NIV).

I pray that you hear and recognize the voice of Christ in your life. I pray that He is so near and dear to you that nothing will ever draw you away from Him. Please listen for Him, He is calling out to you.

Patti

Not as the Scribes

The teaching of Jesus Christ is exemplified by His authoritative rendering of the scripture.  Jesus broadened the scope of the Law by proclaiming that we are responsible for each thought, and not only our actions (Matthew 5:28).  Jesus taught compassionately, but resolutely.  His mission was set before His eyes and He did not waver from it.  Matthew 5:17 describes His mission, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets:  I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.”  Jesus used several teaching techniques in the gospel of Matthew.  Let us look at his methodology and the implications thereof.

Jesus’ use of repetition is illustrated in Matthew 5 as he begins each discourse with, “Blessed are. . .”  the listeners would have had no doubt what the outcome of this proscribed behavior would be.  The use of repetition sinks truth into one’s spirit.  Jesus’ use of logic is displayed in Matthew 6 as He describes the conduct of the Pharisees who wear their piety only to be seen of men.  Matthew 6:1 relates, “Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen of them.  If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”  When a behavior and consequence are juxtapositioned logically one is able to make a more informed choice.    Jesus’ use of hyperbole is demonstrated in Matthew 5:29 as he instructs, “And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee. . .”  The magnitude of losing one’s entire being in hell is not worth allowing its members to rove unchecked.

Jesus uses the device of illustration as He teaches the people to pray the Lord’s Prayer, “After this manner pray ye:  Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. . .”  The imagery of a father would have been most poignant to the people of this patriarchal society.  Jesus used the device of parable to teach the wisdom of hearing and of obeying His words, “And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it”(Matt. 7:27).   The imprudence of building your life on the shifting sand is made crystal clear.

The effectiveness of Jesus’ teaching ministry is hinged on the authority and candor by which He delivered His instruction.  Jesus masterfully utilized repetition, wove parables, employed illustration, and spoke hyperbole to highlight the truth of His teaching.  Matthew 7:28, 29 speak of His teaching, “And it came to pass, when Jesus ended these sayings, the people were astonished at His doctrine: For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”  

A Sign Of The Times

Outside of my window, overlooking my little garden stands a tree.  Throughout the year, its portrait in my window frame changes with the seasons.  The summer green of its leaves fades into vibrant shades of red and ginger before they become dry and brittle and waft to the ground.  My nosy, striped cat bounds up its trunk, with her ears back confidently chasing whatever dares move.  Her descent is comical as the bravado of the climb has denigrated into an awkward backward wide-eyed shimmy.  In winter it stands as a sentinel of spring with its boney arms supporting drifts of snow, as small round wrens scatter the frozen white tufts earthward.  Spring awakens with a long yawn as tender green leaves begin to emerge from its renewed branches.  A feisty hummingbird uses one of its branches as a perch to defend the feeder full of sweet nectar bobbing below.  Any interloper is buzzed with a sharp fly by and he returns to his loft.  Years ago I noticed that in the middle of July, one vibrant red leaf appears on the tree.  It is a sign of the times, a blatant reminder of fall, in such a lush green place.    

In Matthew 24:3 the disciples inquire of Jesus, “. . . ‘Tell us,’ they said, ‘when will this happen and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?’” Jesus had just spoken of the impending destruction of the temple as they walked through Jerusalem.  Jesus answers them in verse 24:4-8 “Watch out that no one deceives you.  For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.  You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed.  Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.  Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.  All these are the beginnings of birth pains” (NIV).  This statement is akin to the red leaf on my tree heralding fall, Jesus is saying, “Not yet, but these things are coming.”

Even more surely as the turning of the seasons, the Words of scripture will come to pass.  I pray that you are ready at His coming.  The Blood of Christ has bought our opportunity for entrance into eternity with God.  The newspapers are reading like scripture, the unrest in the Middle East is exacerbating, Israel is being singled out; consequently, there is an accelerated sense of spiritual urgency.  The cross is our only safety.

An Amazing Life

            If God were to become a man, one would suppose that He would lead a most amazing life.  Jesus Christ did, in that He: was born of a virgin, manifested miracles and had a lasting and universal influence on humanity.

            Luke 1:31 records Gabriel’s words to Mary, “And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call His name Jesus.”

            Luke 7:11-17 records the event of the raising of the widow’s son at Nain.  Luke 7:14, 15 tell us, “And He came and touched the bier; and they that bare him stood still.  And He said, ’Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.’ And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. . .”

            The facts that after two thousand plus years men still worship and serve Christ is a testament to his three-year ministry.  “He is the greatest influence in the world today.  There is, as it has been well said, a fifth Gospel being written--the work of Jesus Christ in the hearts and lives of men and nations” (McDowell, TNE, 322).

McDowell, Josh. The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict. Nashville:  Thomas Nelson

     Publishers, 1999.                  

Jesus Resurrected

            The resurrection of Christ is the sine qua non of the Christian faith.  It is also fiercely denounced by Jewish and secular opinion.  There are several theories promulgated to disprove the resurrection; such as, the Swoon Theory, the Theft Theory and the Mass Hallucination Theory.

            The Swoon Theory states that Christ did not actually die on the cross, but was only unconscious and due to the lack of medical technology, He was believed to be dead.  Is this were true, one would have to believe that after the hours of torment and beating, carrying His cross until exhausted and being crucified,  being pierced, being wrapped in linen and spices, being entombed behind a stone that many men had to move, Jesus revived and moved the stone from the inside of the tomb.  

            The Theft Theory states that Jesus’ disciples came and stole His body away.  This theory was actually widely reported by the Jews.  The tomb was guarded by a watch of guards.  These seasoned soldiers stood guard at Roman command and took turns standing sentinel.  To believe this theory one must accept that the same disciples who were scattered at the crucifixion, somehow garnered enough strength to steal past the guards, roll away the stone, unwrap Christ’s body and meticulously refold the wrapping, and escape again without detection.

            The Mass Hallucination Theory states that the disciples and others who saw Christ after the resurrection were in such a heightened emotional state that His appearance was hallucinated by them.  “Hallucinations are linked in an individual’s subconscious to his particular past experiences” (McDowell, TNE, 274).  McDowell states, “It is extremely unlikely then, that two persons would have the same hallucination.” 

 

 

McDowell, Josh. The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict. Nashville:  Thomas Nelson

     Publishers, 1999.                  

Unchangeable Priesthood

Jesus minced no words in proclaiming His Deity. The New Testament records His direct claims to Deity, His indirect Claims to Deity and His titles of Deity.

At the Feast of the Dedication, Jesus answers the Jewish questioning of His Deity in John 10:36, “Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?” Jesus was not the conquering Messiah that the Jewish people expected. They were looking for the Messiah in earthly terms, a mighty warring king who would usher in the Kingdom, Jesus came in humility, not fulfilling their expectations.

In Luke 5:17-26 the Bible records the healing of the paralytic man lowered through the rooftop. In Luke 5:20 Jesus says, “. . . Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. At the scribes and Pharisees heart’s disdain Jesus replies in 5:23, “Whether it is easier to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?” Jesus implied His Deity in His forgiving of sins, as God only is able to absolve man's sins.

Jesus’ claim to Deity with the titles of the Son of Man and the Son of God speaks of the Hypostatic Union of His God nature and His human nature. This truth enables Him to be the sinless Lamb of God deserving to open the seals of Revelation. It qualifies Him to truly taste human suffering and temptation without sin and to be our Savior. In the Hypostatic Union Christ's Deity and humaness do not affect each other, so that He is truly sinless and sorely tempted. In this truth, Christ is able to serve as our High Priest and ever intercede for us.

Hebrews 7:24-26
"But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens"

Made Alive By The Spirit

Two theories of Christ’s historicity have been purported, either He never existed, or he did not die at Roman hands. Both are positively eradicated by historical evidence from secular authorities, Jewish references and Christian sources.

Secular writers had absolutely nothing to gain by attesting to Christ’s existence. Ironically, secular critics striving to discredit Him only succeeded in fixing Him historically. Lucian of Samosata was one such writer. Of Christ He remarks, “The Christians, you know, worship a man to this day. . . You see, these misguided creatures start with the general conviction that they are immortal for all time. . .” (McDowell, TNE, 121).

Contrary to the secular disregard for Christ’s historical existence, the Jewish scholars had every reason to discredit Him. He was not accepted as Messiah by the Jews and their scorn for Him was not unapparent. The Babylonian Talmud records, “On the eve of Passover they hanged Yeshu.” The Jews never discredited Jesus’ existence, only His Messiahship.

Early Christians suffered severely for their faith. If they knew positively that the resurrection and ascension did not occur, what would be their motive for steadfastly holding their faith? They also had nothing to worldly to gain except for persecution. I Peter 3:18 proclaims, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit."


McDowell, Josh. The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict. Nashville: Thomas NelsonPublishers, 1999.

"Jesus, My Father,The CIA, and Me"

I received a complimentary copy of this title from BookSneeze.com for this reveiw.

I was in no way paid for this review and the opinions expressed in this blog are genuinely mine. . .



 This "Memoir of Sorts," written by Ian Morgan Cron, is the well-crafted and heartfelt story of the journey of a small boy lost in the insanity of a life lived with an alcoholic father into the arms of his loving Heavenly Father.  This book cuts across denominational lines and sheds light on God's true nature, that of a Healer and Redeemer.  Within the first two pages of the book, I laughed and cried as I was drawn into the story of the less than graceful childhood of Ian Morgan Cron.  Cron's stories are poignant and at times humorous, as his foibles and social awkwardness reminded me of my childhood stories.  Your heart will break for Cron as he recalls a band recital his mother missed due to his father's alcoholism.  Cron relates his reaction to the disappointment, "Likewise, there would be no point in my musing out loud how its physically possible for a hole the size of a galaxy to appear in a boy's chest, leaving him desolate, in the mere five seconds it takes to scan a room" (Cron, 2011,91).  Cron's humor is tinged with the sadness of a soul struggling to find God in the ocean of uncertainty; in this, his humor is made all the sweeter.  Tongue in cheek Cron admits he changed some names in his "memoir," to protect the privacy of others.  Cron admits, "For example, my childhood dog's real name was Tigger, but I changed it to Waldo.  He was very private" (Cron, 2011, 4).  This book is a healing voyage that speaks to the brokenness of the human condition and the wholeness that God offers.