Greetings everyone,
I pray that your new year has gotten off to a good start. As we begin 2023, I have been led to delve into the books of Hebrews, James, and 1 and 2 Peter as we roll on towards Easter this year in early April.
Not surprisingly, we will be talking about Jesus, because it really is all about Jesus. When I say all about Jesus, I mean, all about Jesus.
I want us to get into some details about Jesus because these details are very important for us to know. As the world continues to spin into chaos, with it the church and society will also spin into chaos. We are going to be confronted by an ancient plan of deceit and deception instigated by Satan and his minions as far back as Jesus’ time here on earth. In fact, it is already happening, historically, it has always been happening.
For us to not fall prey to this information warfare we must be schooled in who Jesus really is. Jesus is not just a great teacher, a great and very nice man, an alien, or an angel. Jesus is the Son of God, our Savior, the Lamb of God, the sacrifice for our sins, the holder of the keys of heaven and hell, our friend, our brother, and our King.
For years, people, with various vested interests, from the Jews to the Romans, to different countries, and leaders of different religions, have attempted to smear the name of Jesus Christ.
Usually, these attempts include some manner of trying to promote a perceived weakness, or a man-made created, perceived weakness, opposing the fact that Jesus is really the Son of God. If we do not understand who Jesus really is, how he truly is the Son of God, and all that goes into making him Jesus, the Son of God, we are in danger of falling prey to Satan’s continual and unrelenting disinformation campaign that has been going on since Christ’s death and resurrection.
Satan now uses all the technological beeps and whistles that you and I use, and he and his dark forces are better at this technology than we are. So, my goal is to talk about Jesus, who he is, and why he is who he is so that you and I can never be swayed to doubt this fact: Jesus is our Lord and Savior. Do not ever doubt this.
As we look at the book of Hebrews over the next month or so, realize that for many years, Christians believed that this book was written by Paul. Then, for centuries, people thought that it was Barnabas, a close friend of Paul’s. Then, more recently, at the suggestion of Martin Luther, historians seem to agree that it was written by Apollos, who was associated with Paul at the early church in Corinth. Whoever it may be, this book contains wisdom and understanding regarding who Christ really is. We’ll begin today with Hebrews 1:1-4,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days (meaning after his death and resurrection), he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.”
This passage contains seven declarative statements that help us to define who Jesus is. It’s important to note that these all help to clarify that Jesus is God’s incarnate Son, meaning God’s Son in human form.
Here’s the list, no great revelation on my part, these are in your Bible study notes if you have a Bible with notes.
Jesus was appointed heir of all things.
Having received the estate of all things, he was the creator.
Jesus was (is) the radiance of God’s glory. He is the light that illuminates the glory of God. They are inseparable. God and his Son are One. We reflect this light. Jesus IS this light.
Jesus is the exact representation of God’s being. This is because Jesus is also God, ⅓ of the Trinity.
All that is creation is sustained by the powerful word of Jesus.
Jesus, through his redeeming death on the cross, provided purification for mankind’s sins.
Jesus then sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. His redemptive work is complete, a finished work, awaiting our personal realizations and confessions to affect our eternities. Christ is actively ruling over all.
This is quite a detailed list. We need to know and understand these details. Otherwise, anyone with a different story can cause us to doubt the validity of Jesus, his life’s purpose, and his reign. Hebrews 1:5, read this slowly, it's a little confusing in how it’s written,
“For to which of the angels did God ever say, ‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father (Psalm 2:7)’. Or, again, (same meaning but different wording from 2 Samuel 7:14), ‘I will be his Father and he will be my Son.’”
The answer to this question is none. God never did say this to any angel. He never would. But why is this important?
Why would God not want anyone to confuse Jesus as being an angel? Naturally, it would dilute and lessen the deity of Jesus and cast into doubt the validity of the Trinity.
Can you think of any other reason? Why would Satan want us to think that Jesus was an angel?
Satan was an angel. A fallen angel, but he was an angel. If Satan can confuse us into believing that Jesus was an angel, then that elevates Satan’s power status in comparison to Jesus. It’s raising Satan up to Jesus’ level of power. Or lowering Jesus down to Satan’s power level.
Either way, these are both wrong. But they are perfect examples of how and why Satan likes to continually attempt to sow confusion and doubt in the children of God. Satan loves to water down the word of God.
We overcome these attacks with knowledge and wisdom, the truth of God’s Word, lovingly taught to us and confirmed in each of our hearts by God’s Holy Spirit. If we read our Bibles. I don’t care if it is a paragraph a day or 100 pages, please read your Bible.
I referenced the first quote in verse 5 as being from Psalm 2:7. In a second, we will read the entirety of Psalm 2. Don’t worry, it's not long. But first, an important point.
The battle for the mind and heart of mankind has been taking place since Adam and Eve in the Garden. This battle continues today. Satan is a relentless, insidious, and creative adversary for Mankind. However, for God, he is his conquered foe. Always remember this.
Any power that Satan has to do damage to mankind is power that mankind allows to be effective. Think about this. The battle is in our heads. It is about our poor choices and bad decisions or good choices and good decisions. Stay in the Word of God and do not stray from it.
Now, to prove that this battle has been going on for a while, Here is Psalm 2, where Peter and John assign authorship to King David approximately 3000 years ago. Psalm 2:1-12,
“Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One. ‘Let us break their chains,’ they say, ‘and throw off their fetters.’ The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, ‘I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill. I will proclaim the decree of the Lord: He said to me, ‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery. Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.’”
This battle for the minds and hearts of man is from the beginning of time. There is nothing new to Satan’s schemes and deceptions. We have all that we need for victory. In fact, the victory is won. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. Sounds like a good idea.
Do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God.
Blessings,
Thad Brown
Opportunity House
and Harmony UMC
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