Not Ashamed

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” Romans 1:16

The Gospel books of the Bible contain the good news of forgiveness of sin, by the grace of God, through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The books of Matthew, Mark and Luke are written from a common perspective and are referred to as the Synoptic Gospels. The books are not identically composed in all verbiage; these differences are designated the Synoptic Problem. There have been several theories postulated to explain the differences in the accounts, the most commonly accepted theory is the Markan Priority. This postulates that Mark was the first book written and Matthew and Luke were written afterward, including other sources or quelles. This theory explains the verses in Matthew and Luke that are not found in Mark. Regardless of the Synoptic problem or the Markan Priority used to explain it, the Gospels are the inspired Word of God that describes Who Jesus is and what He came to earth to accomplish.

The Book of John begins with the truth of Jesus' true identity as the Logos and His existence before the world was created. This book is written in thematic discourses and includes parables and miracles that the other books do not. The Gospels are not intended to be a historical or chronological account of the entire life of Christ. Each book is written to a specific audience and conveys different aspects of Jesus' identity that would be relevant to that group. The book of Matthew was directed toward the Jews, it begins with Christ's genealogy traced back to Abraham. This information would have been very relevant to the Jewish community, as Abraham is the father of the Jewish faith. The Gospels provide a window through which we may view the purpose of Christ's existence, ministry, death and resurrection. In them we gain insight into God's plan of redemption for mankind.

Lord, I pray that you infuse our reading of Your Gospel Books with understanding. I pray that You quicken their truths to our spirits and allow us to learn more deeply of You. Thank you for Your Son and the opportunity to be in relationship with Him and share that relationship with others. Please cover us and bless us so that we may walk in the light of Your Word. Lord, I pray for salvation and sanctification today. I pray that you sweep over this dry land and water it with Your Spirit. Lord, praise You and thank you. Let Your will be done. Amen.

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.