Moses, a Comparison Hebrews 3
Moses, a comparison as a post discusses a comparison between Jesus and Christianity and Moses and Judaism.
Moses’ and Jesus’ comparison to each other interested the Hebrew people. The aim of the book of Hebrews discusses both Moses and Jesus. Moses, the great lawgiver, served as a source of pride for the Jewish people. Likewise, Jesus, the risen savior of Christianity, stands as a source of pride for Christians. Does Jesus or Moses rank higher in importance?
In Hebrews chapter one, the writer discusses God speaking to us by Jesus.
Hebrews 1:1-2: “Long ago…God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things.” Next, God points to the superiority of Jesus over His former spokespersons, namely, prophets or angels.
Chapter three contains a comparison between Moses and Jesus, a subject of interest to many Jews in New Testament days.
Many similarities exist. Both show rejection by the Jews. But both accomplished their missions. Both supplied bread from heaven— Moses manna and Jesus His teachings and death on the cross. Both uttered prophecies that came true.
But chapter three depicts the two differently— Moses as a servant, Jesus as a Son. Hebrews 3:5-6:
“Moses … faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things … spoken later, but Christ … faithful over God’s house as a son.”
This point is clearly made, Hebrews 3:3
“For Jesus … counted worthy of more glory than Moses— as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself.”
Jesus as the builder of Christianity receives greater glory than Moses, a servant in the Old Testament Jewish system of worship.
Thus, God gave Jesus and Christianity more glory than Moses and Judaism.
So, what did we learn?
1.Jesus is greater than Moses.
2.Christianity is greater than Judaism.
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#JesusOverMoses #JesusOverAngels #ChristianityOverJudaism
A Miracle during a Miracle Luke 8:40-56
This post discusses a miracle that occurred while Jesus caused another miracle.
A miracle concerning touching came about during Jesus going to raise a dead girl by speaking.
This miracle during a miracle happened while Jesus traveled to cure the sick daughter of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. Jesus felt the power to heal leave Him as the crowd pressed against Him. A woman had intentionally touched him and sought healing for an issue of blood. For twelve years no one could heal her. But she had faith that if she could just touch Jesus’ clothes, healing would occur. Note, she healed instantaneously.
Jesus knew what happened. She tried to hide in the crowd, but then came forward when Jesus showed that He knew about the healing. Jesus said, “your faith has made you well; go in peace.” Luke 8:48
At that point, someone came and reported that the sick child had died. Jesus responded to Jairus, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” When Jesus arrived at Jairus’ house, He described the dead girl as “sleeping.” The mourners laughed at Him because they ‘knew’ that she died. But Jesus spoke and the girl’s spirit returned, and she arose.
(Jesus also used similar language about Lazarus. John 11:11, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” The disciples responded that a sleeping Lazarus would awaken on his own. Jesus then explained His use of the term ‘sleeping’ in John 11:14. “Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died.”)
This is the first of three times that Jesus resurrected a dead person.
So, what did we learn?
1.Jesus, master of every situation, knows when His tremendous healing power flows out due to the touch of an afflicted person with faith.
2.Jesus sometimes referred to death as sleeping.
3.Jesus can bring life to a dead person.
For more on the Bible click tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com
#womanIssueOfBlood #healedByTouch. #healedByWord
Church Restoration Acts 14:23
This post discusses church restoration.
Church restoration of the New Testament church involves a dependence on and guidance by the word of God alone. For example, in every New Testament church a plurality of elders acted as the governing body, Acts 14:23 “when they had appointed elders for them in every church…” No Bible verse authorizes one elder to be above or over the others.
However, as early as the third century, departures from the New Testament pattern popped up. In a few congregations, a ‘presiding elder’ assumed preeminence and complete control. Gradually this practice led to the name ‘priest’ applied to the controlling ruler. This practice does not surprise. Consider a verse from New Testament days, 3 John 9, “but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.” Already present could be found the desire to elevate oneself over others. John promised to correct him.
Later, the priest of the church in Rome declared himself to be the head, the pope, over the entire church. Not everyone agreed. So, in 1054 A.D., this disagreement finally resulted in a split with Greek-speaking congregations in the east who did not accept this ‘self-declared’ pope. They became known as the Greek Orthodox Church and continue to oppose the pope.
Afterwards, further departures and abuses by about 1500 A.D. resulted in the development of a reformation movement. However, despite a partial return to the New Testament pattern, extensive further splitting provided a wide array of churches and beliefs and confusion.
Later, in the early 1800s, several people decided that a reformation was not enough. Accordingly, the need for a restoration of the church of the New Testament developed.
Eventually, some church restoration principles emerged.
1.Speak only where the Bible speaks. Be silent where it is silent.
2.Have a Bible passage highlighting a command, an example, or necessary inference for every practice.
3.Govern each congregation by elders, according to the set of qualifications in1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Deacons assist the elders, 1 Timothy 3:8-11.
What did we learn?
Restoration of the New Testament church means following only the scriptures exactly.
You’re invited to find and attend a restored New Testament church where you live.
For more on the Bible click https://tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com
#pope #eldersDeacons #followOnlyNewTestament
The Demoniac Luke 8:26-39
This post, The Demoniac, covers a spectacular miracle in Gerasene and the local effects.
The demoniac appeared after Jesus and His disciples sailed across the Sea of Galilee to the country of the Gerasenes. As soon as Jesus got out of the boat, He met a man named Legion because of the many demons that occupied his body. (The tremendous strength of this man allowed him to break free of any chains used to capture him. He roamed free without clothing.) Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. But before the man became free, the spirits begged Jesus to be allowed to go into the pigs on the hillside instead of the abyss. The demon-possessed pigs rushed into the sea and drowned. When the people heard of it and came to see, they found the man clothed and in his right mind. Seized with fear, they asked Jesus to leave.
This miracle has several different aspects:
1)This might seem to be a difficult healing since the man possessed a number of demons. Not so for Jesus. He just spoke the word.
2)The demons knew the exact identity of Jesus—Son of the Most High God. They also knew their likely destiny when cast out of the man—the abyss, probably the eternal destiny of demons.
3)Although Jesus allowed the transfer to the pigs, He did not destroy the pigs. The demons destroyed the pigs and illustrated the wicked work of the devil.
4)The loss of the pigs did much to advertise to the people the miraculous power that Jesus had over the demons. However, the people seemed to care more for the financial loss of the pigs than for the man healed. So, they asked Jesus to leave —a tragic loss for them. But Jesus left the cured man behind to tell others of Jesus’ power to cast out demons.
So, what did we learn:
1.Jesus can exert tremendous power over the demoniac world.
2.Jesus does not force Himself on any country or people. If you don’t want Him, He will leave.
For more on the Bible click tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com
#castOutDemons #demonsIntoPigs #AskedJesusToLeave
Old Testament Restoration- Ezra, Nehemiah
This post discusses restoration of correct worship in the Old Testament.
Right worship of God began with eliminating idol worship.
Old Testament worship restoration was needed because the Israelites forsook the religion that God supplied through revelation to Moses and worshipped idols. Then, God allowed their enemies to remove them from Palestine. So, they lacked a country, self-government, and the blessings God gave them earlier.
Psalm 137 describes how they felt. “By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. On the willows there we hung up our lyres.” Firstly, they were sad to be captives.
When Nehemiah heard of the destruction of Jerusalem, he too wept and confessed the nation’s sins, Nehemiah 1:4-7.
The books of Ezra and Nehemiah describe their return to the land and the restoration of worship that once again pleased God. The king, Cyrus, issued a decree freeing the Israelite captives and setting up the rebuilding of a destroyed Jerusalem and the burnt temple. Ezra 1:2.
Cyrus even returned the vessels used formerly to worship God in the temple, Ezra 1:7,
Priests, Levites, and temple servants, identified by their genealogies, returned to carry out the correct physical acts of worship. They excluded those whose genealogy did not show them to be priests.
Secondly, they rebuilt the altar on its original site so that they could worship according to the law of Moses. Ezra 3:2-5. “…they built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses… They set the altar in its place… they offered burnt offerings on it to the LORD, burnt offerings morning and evening… they kept the Feast of Booths, as it is written… offered the daily burnt offerings by number according to the rule, as each day required,”
Ezra stressed that true restoration of worship called for following exactly the Law of Moses, given over one thousand years before.
What we learned:
The principle followed to restore correct worship encompassed following what God had written into Moses Law exactly.
For more on the Bible click https://tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com
#rebuildAltar #stopIdolWorship #followGod’sWord
Teaching after Hearing Luke 8:16-25
This post examines teaching others after hearing the word.
Teaching after hearing goes together for the disciple. In the earlier parable of the Sower, Jesus stressed that proper hearing of the word allowed the recipients to be faithful to God.
In these verses, Jesus firstly uses a lamp and its light to emphasize that once truth enters our life, the work of spreading this truth or light must follow. This means that once we hear the gospel, spreading the light becomes the next important action.
Jesus sets the example of spreading the light. Luke 8:17, “For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest,” He will make all known.
Then, Jesus states a truism about hearing and sharing. Truth taken into the heart and not shared will vanish. Luke 8:18.
In the previous verses, Jesus taught the importance of proper hearing and sharing. When His family wanted to see Him, He again stressed again the importance of proper hearing of God’s word and doing it. Teaching the gospel becomes more important than visiting with physical family. And, sharing the gospel makes one a part of His spiritual family, Luke 8:19-21.
Jesus and His disciples set out to cross the Sea of Galilee to teach on the other side. A violent storm ensued. The disciples awakened Him and said, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm.”
Thus, Jesus showed His power over nature.
And, His disciples showed their lack of faith that He could take care of them.
Even though they had seen the many miracles done by Jesus, this miracle caused them to be fearful and ask, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”
This incident served as an example for His disciples that Jesus would conquer all physical problems to continue teaching the gospel. Nothing should hinder the spread of the gospel.
What we learned:
1.Jesus repeatedly stresses the importance of hearing, teaching, and sharing God’s Word.
2.Further, Jesus as Deity can control nature with his words.
For more on the Bible click tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com
#lightLamp #Jesus’family #JesusCalmsStorm #whoIsJesus?
A Tragedy Matthew 25:1-13a
This post is about a tragedy described by Jesus in a parable about ten virgins.
A Tragedy concerns five of the virgins or bridesmaids waiting for a bridegroom.
Jesus used a wedding feast to relate a parable about a tragedy involving prepared and unprepared guests. Matthew 25:1-4, “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.”
So, ten virgins await the bridegroom to go into the wedding feast. When he delayed his coming, they all slept. Then, at midnight, he came. The wise virgins had prepared by bringing along extra oil for their lamps. Then, they lit their lamps and went in. Lacking oil, the foolish could not. Thus, this barring of the foolish from the feast made it a tragedy for them.
Note: The wise could not share oil with the foolish because the wise needed it for their lamps.
Initially, Jesus said that this parable is like the kingdom of heaven. That refers to the church. For example, the sleep of the virgins is like death that occurs for all church members unless the bridegroom, Jesus, returns.
So, like in the parable, the wise prepare for Jesus to return at any time. The unwise do not.
Also, note that the delay of the bridegroom coming is a fact, not a question. Thus, it is not unusual for Jesus to delay His second coming in judgment.
Correspondingly, the lamp and its light compared to faith and works. Both are needed, James 2:17, “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Note that all the virgins had lamps or faith. But only the wise had works. However, on judgment day, the wise cannot share their good deeds with the unprepared. Condemnation awaits the foolish.
At the end of the parable, Jesus explained the meaning. Matthew 25:13, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
In summary, Jesus says that we must prepare now for Jesus’ return at any time.
For more on the Bible click https://tdroberts.org or https://juhstchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com
#wiseFoolishVirgins #bridegroomJesusDelaysReturn
The Sower Luke 8:1-15
This post discusses the Sower scattering the word of God.
God scatters His word on everyone.
The reception of His word depends upon the heart of the receiver.
The Sower is a parable Jesus told to a large crowd. (He travelled with the twelve and several women who supported them financially.)
Firstly, He told this parable about the results of the word of God.
Luke 8:5-8, “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. … some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it… some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Firstly, this parable means that God, the Sower, sends His word forth to all kinds of people, some anxious to learn, others not. The scattered seed fell on four kinds of soil or hearts of men.
At the end, Jesus called the audience to think about His meaning— “he who has ears, let him hear.” Jesus meant that the interested person would delve deeper into the meaning.
Then, the disciples asked about the parable. So, Jesus explained that parables cause those interested to think deeply about the meaning. Others who did not care enough to ask, remained in the dark.
Next, Jesus explained that the word of God, the seed, falls onto the soils, the hearts of people.
The hearers on the path allow the devil to take away the word from their hearts. Those among the rocks hear gladly but do not develop roots or depth in their hearts. So, they fail when tested. The hearers among thistles begin to live as Christians. But temptations destroy their good intentions. The good-soil-people take the word into good and honest hearts and bear fruit with patience.
So, what do we learn from this parable?
Chiefly, Jesus uses parables as a method of sifting his disciples into two groups, those who wanted to learn and those who did not.
For more on the Bible click tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com
#sowerSeed #wordOfGod #pathRockyThornyGoodHearts
Presumptuous Worship Leviticus 10:1-3
This post discusses the sin of presumptuous worship by Nadab and Abihu.
Presumptuous worship involves the sin of substituting or adding an individual’s idea instead of what God has commanded.
Two priests showed that God does not allow such. In the beginning of worship by Moses law, Nadab and Abihu tried an act of presumptuous worship. Leviticus 10:1-3, “Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, which he had not commanded them. And fire came out from before the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD has said: ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’”
Earlier, Moses began the dedication of Aaron and his sons. This dedication involved wearing proper clothes and offering proper sacrifices. However, during the latter part of this dedication, Aaron’s two oldest sons presumed to conduct an act of worship that God had not authorized. (Repeatedly in Exodus and Leviticus the two phrases, ‘as the Lord commanded’ and ‘the Lord spoke to Moses’ appear. Therefore, in worship, God’s word directed everything.) But, without any command by God and before the people and elders, Nadab and Abihu took fire from the wrong place. Then they altered an act of worship in a way that God had not authorized. Therefore, they presumed to say that their ideas of worship were just as good or better than what God had specified. Immediately, God punished this presumptuous worship.
Thus, this lesson teaches us that we must always follow God’s word exactly.
For example, God’s word authorizes singing as worship. No scripture authorizes using any musical instrument to substitute for or accompany singing, Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,”
What we learned:
1.God expects exact obedience to His word in worship.
2.Only acts of worship described in His word please God.
3.God only authorized vocal music for worship.
For more on the Bible click https://tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com
#Colossians3:16 #vocalsingingworship #obeyExactly
Love and Forgiveness Luke 7:36-50
This post discusses degrees of love and forgiveness by Jesus.
Deep love and Forgiveness occurred during Jesus’ tour of Galilee. Simon, a Pharisee, invited him for a meal but did not provide for the usual greeting or feet-washing customs. Then, a weeping and sinful woman came into the Pharisee’s house and found Jesus’ feet. (Guests received food as they reclined with their feet outward from the table.) So she, asking for forgiveness, used her tears to wet Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. Then, she kissed and anointed His feet with precious ointment. This action caused Simon to draw the mental conclusion that Jesus could not be a prophet. He would have known about the woman’s sins and resisted her touch.
But Jesus knew Simon’s thoughts and told him that He had something to say. So, Simon said he would listen. Then, Jesus responded with a parable. The parable concerned forgiveness of the sins of two debtors, one owed little, one owed much. Jesus asked Simon which loved the most. Simon readily answered that the one who owed much loved the more.
Note, Jesus asked who loved the most, not which had been forgiven the most.
Next, Jesus contrasted the feelings of both the sinful woman and Simon. Simon had treated Jesus poorly when Jesus came into his house. Yet, he did not ask for forgiveness. Perhaps Simon didn’t feel the need. But the woman knew about her sins. She treated Jesus with respect and love. She loved much and Simon did not.
Then, Jesus forgave her sins because of her faith.
This incident helps the reader understand the identity of Jesus.
He could forgive sins. Since only God can forgive sins, this act illustrates His Deity.
What we learned:
1.Jesus knew the thoughts of the heart.
2.Since He had the power to forgive sins, He must be Deity.
For more on the Bible click https://tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com
For more on Luke, see ‘Luke’ and other posts on this website.
#sinfulWomanLovesJesus #JesusKnowsThoughts #JesusForgivesSinu
Independence Day Romans 6:18
This post discusses what independence means for the soul.
Independence Day, July 4, reminds us to remember the Declaration of Independence. Although the thirteen colonies declared freedom from English rule, they immediately fashioned the Articles of Confederation. Thus, the Second Continental Congress first declared freedom and then subjected the colonies to a new government.
So, Independence Day reminds us that the colonies changed from being subject to England to being under the Articles of Confederation.
Also, a slightly similar change occurs when a sinner becomes a Christian. Romans 6 teaches that at baptism the subject becomes free from sin, Romans 6:3-4, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Then Paul likened baptism to the death of Jesus as a death to sin and an experience of a new life.
All things considered, these verses echo what Ananias told Saul (later called Paul) at his conversion when he told him that baptism washed away his sins, Acts 22:16. This baptism comprised the teachings and writings of Paul throughout his life. This message he preached in Rome.
So, the penitent believer like the 13 colonies experiences an independence day from past sins. But, at this instance, he moves from one dominion to another. No longer a slave of sin, the baptized believer becomes the slave of righteousness, Romans 6:17-18.
To the repentant believer, this means that after baptism the Christian makes every effort toward righteousness. He follows the will of God as expressed in the New Testament in the commands of Jesus. It also means that the new Christian feels different as a slave of God’s. He tries daily to live as God desires.
For more on the Bible click https://tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com
#declarationIndependence #baptismFreesFromSin #ChristiansSlavesRighteousness
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