Sunday School Lesson for August 5, 2012: Praise for God’s Justice (Psalm 146; Exodus 21–23; Isaiah 58)

Psalm 146:6 (The Message)
Instead, get help from the God of Jacob, put your hope in God and know real blessing!





Hebrews 13:6
So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.





Psalm 121:1
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.







        All of mankind benefits from His marvelous benevolence. Those of us called to the Truth have the added benefit of knowing Him from whom our help comes. This Psalm asks us to broaden our experience, to look around us and see who else looks to him for help, sustenance, hope. He causes it to rain on the just; you and I. He also brings the same life giving rain on the unjust; the ‘thems’. Oftentimes, we are closed off to the ‘thems’. We don’t ‘see’ them among us. We overlook ‘them’. There are in our blind spot. They live amongst us, but they don’t often worship with us, therefore we don’t consider them to be part of our ‘family’.





Psalm 146:7
He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free,





Psalm 9:9
The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.





Psalm 103:6
The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.





        But God see them. He sees them and He loves them. I want you to know… that God fights for the weak. He hears and responds to the cry of the poor. In quiet and sometimes not so quiet desperation, they cry out to Him… and He hears. I want you to know… that God yearns for the fatherless, the widow, the outcast, the down trodden.





Psalm 146:8
the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous.





Psalm 145:14
The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.





        There are a couple of reasons people find themselves ‘bowed down’. One is voluntary; an act of submission and worship, something we can all use more ofJ. The other is involuntary and comes as a result of the circumstances that life brings our way. There are many who are bowed down among us. They silently bear the pains and burdens of a life gone awry. They are bowed by the weight of the world (figuratively) on their shoulders. God sees them, He sees all that are bowed down and He cares. Whether it is a ‘Mephibosheth’; who was afflicted from his youth, or a ‘Ruth’; a stranger in a strange land, there is room at the King’s table for the least among us.





Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,



Mark 16:15
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.





        The beauty of what we do is that;’ they’re right here’. There are people among us who need help. Open your hearts, open your minds. Pay attention to your surroundings. Listen to the stories of despair that are around you. There’s something you can do. You’ve been empowered, but for what cause? That cause is before you Beloved. It’s His cause: the plight of the poor, the weak, the hungry. May we (me included) remove the blinders from eyes and see who God sees among us and, in agreement with Him, roll up our sleeves and reach out a helping hand to those who need it. Most of the time, they are just an arms length away.





Shalom,



.wb

Sunday School Lesson for July 29, 2012: Jehoshaphat Makes Judicial Reforms (2 Chronicles 19:4-11)

2 Chronicles 17:3
The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him. He did not consult the Baals





2 Kings 3:14
Elisha said, “As surely as the LORD Almighty lives, whom I serve, if I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not pay any attention to you.





2 Chronicles 19:3
There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God.”







            A bit of a preamble: Jehoshaphat was not a perfect man, but he was a godly man; a man who sought after God, as did his father, David (not his actual father, but his spiritual father, in that he followed David’s example in worship). While he was a godly man, he sometimes made the mistake of aligning himself with people of questionable character. After one such occasion, one in which he nearly lost his life, he returned to Jerusalem, and began the reforms that we read about in today’s lesson.







2 Chronicles 19:5
He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah.





Ephesians 4:11
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,





        The first impression that I draw from today’s lesson is that Jehoshaphat’s actions to institute spiritual reform in the land of Judah bear a marked resemblance to the way that God establishes order in His Church. Jehoshaphat appointed judges to rule righteously among the people of God. They were to judge not according to reasoning of men, but according to the reverent fear of God. In similar fashion, Christ elevates men and women who have a heart for Him to offices within His Church to provide governance within as it reaches out to the community.





2 Chronicles 19:7
Now let the fear of the LORD be on you. Judge carefully, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”





Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.







        Those men and women appointed by God are given divine insight from God. They are not called to be perfect, but rather to be pure of heart: to have a heart that is searchable, sensitive to the penetrating gaze of our loving Father, who sees everything. Jehoshaphat instructed the men of Judah to keep in mind that when they administered justice, it was not by man’s authority that they did so, but by God’s. It was not a responsibility to be taken lightly. After all, these were the people of God for whom they were responsible.

        Beloved, there are no perfect churches. The people who govern the churches in our various communities are but servants. Thorough the preaching of the Gospel, they offer hope to the lost, a light to those who seek a way out of darkness. As those who come to hear are changed, these servants of God offer sustenance; the very Bread of Life, through the same preaching and teaching of God’s word. They teach us to practically apply God’s principles for living to our daily existence, thus inviting God’s Presence and favor in to our lives personally. They do this, not necessarily by being great leaders, though we oftentimes admire them and emulate them for their perceived leadership abilities. They best accomplish God’s purposes by following Him, by continually and faithfully pursuing the heart and desire of our Father.







1 Corinthians 11:1
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.





1 Timothy 4:6
If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.







        Jehoshaphat brought reform to the land of Judah and, in doing so, he brought revival to the hearts of its inhabitants; God’s people. We too, can individually have a restorative influence on our community at large. Be a light, a mirror of God’s influence in your church, in your home, on your job, in the community you live in. The revival that we long for may be on the very tip of your tongue. God’s Rest awaits us. Be encouraged.





Blessings,



.wb    

Sunday School Lesson for July 22, 2012: A King Acts on a Widow’s Behalf (2 Kings 4:1-37; 8:1-6)

  My dad used to tell me, “Son, if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” “Do something! Right or wrong, be decisive.” “Don’t be a stand up in the road.” Over these last several weeks, I’ve been having something of an epiphany concerning the subject of God’s Justice. This week’s lesson certainly furthers that experience for me personally. It personalizes the concept for me in this manner. There are, all around us, people who, in these uncertain economic times, are facing dire circumstances. Individually, we can all do something to help. We can get involved. Every little bit helps. Don’t just be bystanders. Get in the game.. personally.

        Additionally, we are called on to act collectively on the behalf of the weakest among us. Time and time again, we hear a gospel that tells us that with faith and obedience, we’ll prosper.. individually. I submit to you that, according to what we’ve read over that last few weeks, we have a societal responsibility, a national responsibility to see to the needs of those among us who are the most afflicted, weak or disparate among us. OK! Off the soap box and onto the lesson.







2 Kings 4:9
She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God.





2 Kings 4:16
“About this time next year,” Elisha said, “you will hold a son in your arms.”





2 Kings 4:36
Elisha summoned Gehazi and said, “Call the Shunammite.” And he did. When she came, he said, “Take your son.”



       

        A little background: Elisha and this un-named woman from Shumen had become friends. She and her husband were a well to do couple in Shumen. I’m not sure how she came to hear of Elisha, but she was taken by him. Drawn to his aura of faith and holiness. So much so, that she petitioned her husband to build a small guest room onto their house for Elisha to stay in whenever he was in the area. Elisha took advantage of the open invitation often. Whenever he was in the area, he stopped by for a meal and fellowship. Over the process of time, this woman received two very significant miracles. She was barren, and Elisha prayed for her to bear a son. That same son died sometime later, and Elisha resurrected him. Trust me when I tell you that whenever Elisha spoke, this woman was listening.





  2 Kings 8:1
Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Go away with your family and stay for a while wherever you can, because the LORD has decreed a famine in the land that will last seven years.”



       

        Hard times. Sooner or later everyone is touched by them. This woman left a life of prosperity at the word of the prophet of God. That had to be a tough decision, but she had known Elisha for quite sometime and she trusted him. A ‘Word’ from the Lord does not distress, it soothes. It brings peace. She packed up and left for Palestine.







2 Kings 8:3
At the end of the seven years she came back from the land of the Philistines and went to appeal to the king for her house and land.





Leviticus 25:13
“‘In this Year of Jubilee everyone is to return to their own property.





        The first thought that comes to mind is, “What gives her the right to ….???” Remember Beloved, we are studying the topic of God’s Justice. God established the principles of Sabbath and Jubilee to guide the consciousness of a nation. When we allow the same principles to guide our hearts we can see perfectly that it was this woman’s right to return to the land of her ancestors and make an appeal for the return of her property. The beauty of this story is that this woman left in faith and returned in faith.





Romans 10:14
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?





Matthew 18:20
For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”





2 Kings 8:4
The king was talking to Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, and had said, “Tell me about all the great things Elisha has done.”





        Gehazi was called into the king’s presence to….. preach. The Lord, God knew this woman was coming. It was time for Him to set the environment. Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, who was the servant of the Lord stood before the king and told him of all of the wonders wrought by the ministry of Elisha. Where God’s Word is, God’s Presence will be. Where God’s Presence is, there will be power.





2 Kings 8:5
… “This is the woman, my lord the king, and this is her son whom Elisha restored to life.”  





Acts 17:26
From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.







        Many believers believe that nothing happens by accident. They also don’t believe in ‘chance’ or ‘fate’, which are really references to the worship of false gods in times past. While these terms are used commonly in our culture, they should not govern our consciousness. The bible tells us time and time again that God providentially guides all of the affairs of man. Particular those men and women who are called by His name.







2 Kings 8:6
The king asked the woman about it, and she told him. Then he assigned an official to her case and said to him, “Give back everything that belonged to her, including all the income from her land from the day she left the country until now.”







        Upon meeting this woman spoken of by Gehazi, the king returned all of her property to her and remarkably all of the profits that the land wielded during her absence. This is the ‘exceedingly, abundantly” way of the blessing of the Lord. As I stated before, she left in faith and she returned in faith. She had no reason to believe that God would not restore to her what was rightfully hers. She was in alignment with the Law of God and the Prophet of God. As believers, we too can reasonably expect that when we align ourselves with the Word of God, He will act on our behalf to our benefit.

        However, this verse is as much about king Joram as it is about the widow. Joram was the second son  of the evil king Ahab to ascend to the throne of Israel. The first son, Ahaziah was so evil that the Lord shortened his reign over Israel as well as his life. His parents, Ahab and Jezebel were possibly, the wickedest of rulers over Israel. While Joram was evil, he was not as evil as those of his family who preceded him. In this passage of scripture, while the king has not requested an audience with Elisha, he has requested that Gehazi appear before him to tell him of Elisha. Why? The reasons could be many. Elisha and Joram had a contentious relationship in the beginning of their ascension to leadership roles within the kingdom of Israel. Perhaps Joram sought a mending of the relationship, at least on a professional level. Maybe.

        Whatever the case, when Gehazi begins to preach, he sets the table for a miracle. Joram simply aligns himself with the Word of God. In doing so, for a few brief moments, he becomes a vessel for the sovereign will of God. Throughout scripture there are numerous examples corrupt leadership. In the gospel, Jesus’ primary antagonist were the leaders of Israel. What distinguishes Joram in this lesson is not his character or his virtue, but his willingness in this singular moment, to execute the law of God according to the will of God….just for a moment. Joram used the power of his throne and the authority that accompanied it to benefit the people of God in exactly the way God intended. There is an argument to be made, that government is allowed by God for God’s purposes. In this series of lessons, God’s law commanded that Israel’s government be just and merciful, especially toward the least of it’s citizens.





Amos 5:24 (The Message)
Do you know what I want? I want justice—oceans of it. I want fairness—rivers of it. That's what I want. That's all I want.





Titus 3:1 (The Message)
[ He Put Our Lives Together ] Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand. No insults, no fights. God's people should be bighearted and courteous







Enjoy the lesson!



.wb

Sunday School Lesson for July 15, 2012: Solomon Judges with Wisdom and Justice (1 Kings 3; 2 Chronicles 9:8)

1 Timothy 4:12

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.











“The Boy King”







Solomon was eighteen to twenty years of age when he ascended to the throne as King of Israel. Basically, one day he’s graduating from high school and the next, he’s being thrust to the apex of national recognition. Nor did this transition come easily. There had been, quite literally a life and death struggle for the throne of David, a struggle between brothers. This was not an easy transition. But suddenly, Solomon finds himself the leader of God’s people.











1 Kings 3:9

So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”











Solomon prayed for and received wisdom from God, but careful attention to this passage demonstrates some amount of Godly wisdom on Solomon’s part to begin with. He prayed for wisdom. That, in and of itself was …wise. Beloved, how many of us make God our first resort rather than our last? Faced the enormity of leading God’s chosen people, Solomon sought the LORD, God Almighty for help. God heard Solomon and blessed him with Wisdom.











Isaiah 11:3

and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears;











The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Young Solomon’s reverent fear of God positioned him in the stream of God’s consciousness. As long ha he maintained an attitude of personal reverence to the Lord, it would remain so. All of Israel was watching the boy king. Could he continue his father’s legacy? Could he lead so great a nation? The people of God watched and waited with anxious anticipation. The first major test of his mettle came early.











Job 16:19

Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high.











1 John 2:1

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.











Two young mothers, one child dead, one child remaining between them; theirs were the worst of circumstances. It’s easy and somewhat natural for us to make a number of assumptions about them; their character, their poor choices, bad decisions. Often times, when we encounter people from underbelly of society, our first impression is that they somehow deserved it; that they could have done better, been more responsible. As humans, we often rush to judgment. As Christians, we think of it as a right, a sacred duty to condemn those who are not like us (uh-oh). The beauty of this story is that these two women had an audience with the king. God causes it to rain on the just as well as the unjust. That tells me that God’s desire for mercy is beyond our ability to completely comprehend. The word that comes to mind is …. ‘Grace’. God extends his grace and mercy to all, regardless of their station in life. Ultimately, that’s why his judgment is pure. Hell was not made for man. Let us not be so quick in determining who among us belongs there.











Matthew 25:41

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:











2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.







--







1 Kings 3:23

The king said, “This one says, ‘My son is alive and your son is dead,’ while that one says, ‘No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.’”











Two women heatedly arguing in the presence of the king. Mercy! The first test of Solomon’s leadership ability was right here. Could he maintain control of his court? Ever had to break up a fight? It can be a real act of courage to step in and take authority over a situation that is devolving or has devolved in to violence. Young Solomon breaks up the argument by interjecting himself into it. Rather forcefully.











1 Kings 3:24

Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword for the king.











I can imagine that suddenly, both women are wondering if being before the king at this particular moment was the right place for them to be. The king, a sword; judgment could be swift and merciless. Solomon was in complete control at this point; all eyes on him. That is as it should be. There will come a day when we each stand before the judgment seat. Let us be reminded that in that moment, it won’t be about us. This won’t be our ‘moment’ on the big stage of eternity. It will be about Him, our Father God, who sits on that throne before which, we stand.











1 Corinthians 13:8

Love never fails…..











At the end of the day, love prevails. The difference between a godly king and an ungodly one is that, in all likelihood, there would have been an execution that day. The baby would have been killed, or maybe both women executed, or maybe just the women whose baby died. What is of note at the end of this story is what is missing. If justice prevailed and the baby was returned to his rightful mother, what was the fate of the other mother? After all, didn’t she somehow deserve punishment? Beloved, we’ll never know. Not in this life. That’s a good thing. Ultimately, the take away for this story is that where there is godly wisdom, all peoples benefit, regardless of their station in life. Solomon’s wisdom established God’s righteousness for a nation. True justice; God’s justice will always contain elements of compassion and mercy, even towards the most unworthy among us (Oh! That’s me! Oh my! Thank God for Jesus!). Beloved, there is room at the Cross for you.











Enjoy the lesson!!







.wb

Sunday School Lesson for July 8, 2012: David Embodies God’s Justice (2 Samuel 23:7; 1 Chronicles 18:14)

Exodus 15:11

Who among the gods is like you, LORD? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?











2 Samuel 23:1

[ David’s Last Words ] These are the last words of David: “The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse, the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, the hero of Israel’s songs:











2 Samuel 23:2

God's Spirit spoke through me, his words took shape on my tongue. The God of Israel spoke to me, Israel's Rock-Mountain said, "Whoever governs fairly and well, who rules in the Fear-of-God, Is like first light at daybreak without a cloud in the sky, Like green grass carpeting earth, glistening under fresh rain." And this is just how my regime has been, for God guaranteed his covenant with me











Acts 13:22

…. he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’











Exactly how did David embody God’s justice or rather God’s just-ness? He simply acted with a reverent fear of God, nothing more. He was not a perfect man, far from it. Time and time again, we read of his failures, his miss-steps and his lapses in judgment. But along with that we also know that David was a man after God’s heart. What does that mean? The meaning could be two fold really: a) one who has a heart like God’s or, b) one who seeks God’s heart.



A heart like God’s heart, what might that look like? In that we have God’s Word, the Bible available to us, you would think that God’s heart would be easily found out. That’s not necessarily the case. The number of interpretations about the will or intent of God are as numerous as the number of kinds of churches that have existed since the Cross. Factor in the number of different sects of Judaism that grew out of the Hebrew people and you can certainly conclude that no one group or ‘church’ has all the answers. That is as it should be. There is only one Jesus. If any one group or denomination or person laid claim to all divine knowledge what else might they lay claim to?



But a heart is a unique in that each of us has one. Only one. In that God is not a respecter of persons; each heart is individually fashioned to be conformed to the likeness of the heart of its Creator, God. How does that play itself out in real life? There are a couple of ways that come to mind. The first or most significant way is through the ‘born again’ experience. Regardless of darkness of your past or the hopelessness of your present, if you give your heart to Christ, He will change it. Let there be no doubt. Jesus is a ‘heart fixer’ and a ‘mind regulator’. The other way that God conforms a heart is through heritage. This is how David came to know God.











1 Samuel 16:18

One of the young men spoke up, "I know someone. I've seen him myself: the son of Jesse of Bethlehem, an excellent musician. He's also courageous, of age, well-spoken, and good-looking. And God is with him."











The Bible doesn’t say much about Jesse, the father of David, except that he was the father of David! We know that Boaz and Ruth were the great grand parents of David, but in all likelihood, David never met them. Obed, David’s grandfather, has no prominent mention in scripture. We don’t know much about Jesse and nothing of his wife, but we can surmise a little about Jesse from what we know about David. David was a shepherd, a musician, a young man of courage and character. And he was a worshiper of God. All of this happened in the household and under the tutelage of … Jesse. David learned godliness at home. David learned God consciousness (there is a difference) at home. David’s relationship with God started in the house of Jesse. He learned to hear God at home. He learned to trust God at home. He learned to pursue God at home. Am I belaboring the point? Children learn by example. Their first examples come from home. In a home where there God fearing parents, the hearts of the children are ripe for purpose of God to be sown into them.











Malachi 2:15

… God, not you, made marriage. His Spirit inhabits even the smallest details of marriage. And what does he want from marriage? Children of God, that's what. So guard the spirit of marriage within you. Don't cheat on your spouse.











David exemplifies the second case as well; one who seeks after the heart of God. Somewhere, somehow, David had gotten God’s attention. They, God and David, were in a developing relationship. How, where, when, why? I don’t know, but somewhere along the line, God acknowledged and honored David’s worship and pursuit by speaking clearly to him. Two or three people come to mind when speaking of this kind of relationship with God: Abraham - the father of faith, Jacob / Israel – who became wrestled with God and prevailed and Moses – the Deliverer of God’s people. David followed the example of these great men of God in his pursuit of God, in his desire for intimacy with God. There’s hope for you and I beloved. The same kind of intimacy that David shared with God is available for the believer that will pursue Him. Not only is that intimacy available to the believer (you and I), but God desires that very same intimacy with us, with you.











Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.











Allow to close with this final thought: by the end of his life, we all find some stuff out about David that we might not like to have known. His shortcomings were and are eternally recorded in Scripture. What then set David apart as a just ruler of God’s people? At the end of the day it comes down to a couple of things: He set an example for the people of God of a purity of worship, worship from the heart. When you read the psalms attributed to him, you get it. Everyone does. David laid a path in Psalms that is easy to follow. Secondly, he said what God told him to say and did what God directed him to do (mostly). The ‘saying’ is important. Out the heart, the moth speaks. Out of the heart are the issues of life. David ‘Blessed’ the people God put under his rule. He blessed them with the Word. You and I have that same opportunity. Not only may we bless one another with our words, but we offer hope to the lost, the hurt, the down trodden, through the preaching of the Gospel; God’s Holy Word. Speak the Word beloved, in season and out. Let you’re your words be seasoned with grace. Let your heart be conformed to the likeness of your Father, God’s heart and you will do well.











Selah,







.wb















2 Samuel 23:2

God's Spirit spoke through me, his words took shape on my tongue. The God of Israel spoke to me, Israel's Rock-Mountain said, "Whoever governs fairly and well, who rules in the Fear-of-God, Is like first light at daybreak without a cloud in the sky, Like green grass carpeting earth, glistening under fresh rain." And this is just how my regime has been, for God guaranteed his covenant with me

Sunday School Lesson for April 1, 2012: Jesus Testifies to the Truth (John 18:28-38)

Wayne’s two cents worth







Deuteronomy 21:22-23
[ Various Laws ] If someone guilty of a capital offense is put to death and their body is exposed on a pole, 23 you must not leave the body hanging on the pole overnight. Be sure to bury it that same day, because anyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse.





           

            As far as they were concerned, He was a threat. He was a serious threat. Just a few short days earlier, thousands had followed Him into Jerusalem, declaring His majesty, rejoicing in His triumphal entry. Each day He remained, He remained a threat to their ‘religious system’, their livelihood. He had to be dealt with…permanently. But why crucify Him? Why not just stone Him? After all, they were accusing Him of blasphemy, were they not? There was no graver sin against God. What they were accusing Him of was the pinnacle rebellion. Worthy of death, why not simply stone Him, as they intended to stone the woman caught in adultery.

        In their minds, stoning was sufficient. It would only accomplish their immediate purpose; ridding themselves of Jesus, but what of His followers? There were thousands of them, from near and far. Many had come from great distances to see Jesus. No, stoning wouldn’t stop a movement, but crucifixion would. It was imperative that they not only stop Him, but that they stop; absolutely stop the movement that He began. Crucifixion served that purpose. According to Scripture, anyone hung on a pole was accursed of God. Surely if He were crucified, it would demonstrate that God of Heaven had deemed Him accursed. That would destroy the movement. His followers would have to resign themselves to their authority, lest they too fall under the ‘curse’ of God.





Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” 





            We can rejoice in the fact that ‘God is in control’. No matter how dire the circumstances, God is in control. Truly Jesus was hung on a cross, and in so doing, became accursed….for us. By allowing Himself to endure the shame of the cross, he redeemed us from sin and took away our shame. That was God’s intent all along: to make a way where there was none. On this dark evening in Pilate’s courtyard, the die was cast in Eternity. In spite of the lies, the scheming, the manipulation, God’s will was about to be accomplished. That’s good news beloved. If God be for you, who can be against you? This may sound odd, but Jesus left Pilate’s courtyard that evening in victory. From this meeting, He was on a direct path to the cross and to the joy that His Father had set before him before the beginning of time. 





John 18:33
Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”





        Surely Pilate was familiar with the Jewish prophecies concerning a ‘Messiah’. He had to be. It was his job. So tonight it was his job to determine whether or not Jesus presented a threat to his authority and to Rome’s. Was he the king of the Jews? It’s interesting that after a brief exchange of words with Christ, Pilate exclaims that indeed; Jesus is a king. That’s remarkable. What ever there is about Jesus’ bearing and demeanor, Pilate recognizes him as someone of authority, much as the centurion had (Matt. 8). In one brief moment Pilate acknowledges Jesus as a King, a ruler and he takes Christ at his word that he has no intent of overthrowing roman governance.. I would argue that what Pilate beheld in Christ was absolute Purity; purity of character, heart and purpose. Pilate found himself standing in the presence of someone who was at perfect peace, or rather, someone who exemplified the very meaning of peace. Peace. It’s why Jesus’ next words are so important:





John 18:37b
... Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”





        This is where the rubber met the road…for Pilate. Each of us experiences a certain truth based on our circumstances and understanding. Pilate’s truth was different from the Pharisee’s truth, which was different from the truth of the common Jewish citizen of that day. There is Truth that is higher that any other. Jesus is that Truth. To know Him as Savior is to know no greater Love. To acknowledge Him as Lord is to know no greater Truth. Pilate suddenly found himself questioning his own understanding truth. That’s how it works for everyone to whom the Holy Spirit presents the Gospel; the Truth. As it turns out, the words trust, true, and truth are related and they are related… related to the word …. Faith. When you find something to be true, you put your faith in it, you trust it. When challenged by a greater truth, you must exchange the truth you previously trusted for that which is greater. The alternative is to settle for something less than the greater truth you’ve been offered. Beloved, in Christ we are presented with ultimate Truth, are you willing to forego all that you’ve know before to accept what He offers? Paul’s words below perfectly express how we ought to choose. Selah: (Pause, think, meditate on this!)





.wb





Philippians 3:8
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,





Philippians 3:12
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Sunday School Lesson for March 25, 2012: Nicodemus Learns of New Birth (John 3:1-25; Numbers 21:4-9)

A word to my friends: You’ve all been a great encouragement to me during this dry spell. My pen dried up for a minute. No one to blame but myself. Time to get back to my first love. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement. I can see Jesus in you.


 John 3:13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.


 John 3:15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”


 John 3:19a This is the verdict: Light has come into the world..


While there are many great lessons in the Gospel of John and several significant truths in this third chapter, the intent of writers of this set of Sunday School lessons is to introduce you and to have you focus on the person of Jesus. Who is He? Where did He come from? What is His purpose? What uniquely qualifies Him for this purpose? In essence, the focus is not on the full message of the Gospel, but rather the most significant message of the Gospel. To quote the old hymn, “Everybody ought to know… who Jesus is”. The beauty of this passage is that Jesus declares Himself to Nicodemus and to us. He provides the record. According to His Word, He came from Heaven. That was different. Many before Him declared that they were called by God, but Jesus declared that He came from God. That He is God, literally One with God. The truth is: only He can make that claim. If you’re going to get to know Him, you’re going to have to get to know Him as God, not anyone else. Very God is how theologians have defined Him. Messiah was the expectation, nothing less. He is the Desire of the ages. Careful study and interpretation of the Scriptures, strict adherence to the traditions of old planted and nurtured within the culture of the Jews an unquenchable Hope for One who would deliver them. He had been typified in their history by the great patriarchs and heroes of their past, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Samson, and on and on. The people of Israel were clearly awaiting His appearance.

With His words and the miracles that He performed, He filled the requirement. They marveled at His words; He spoke as one in authority. They knew His earthly heritage, but His wisdom was greater than any they had ever encountered. There where never any questions from Him, except rhetorical ones. Never did he utter any doubt. He knew whereof He spoke. It was evident. That authority extended into the unseen realm, where even the devils trembled at the sound of His voice.

As far as the miracles were concerned, never had the miraculous come so close, become so personal. He opened blind eyes, He healed the lame, the sick.. He personally fed thousands. These were all miracles of deliverance. Miracles from a Savior; a personal Savior. A savior who can know you so intimately that He can then minister to you personally, individually. With the ability to speak to your deepest need, He is able to save you, to change you, to redeem you personally…to the uttermost. The beauty of the gift that Jesus offers is that He’ll save you from destruction, then change you at your very core, so as to present you spotless and perfect before His Father in eternity. Isn’t that good news?

The conclusion of the matter is clear: Jesus is the Light of all creation, the express image of the Father throughout. That great Light, from which all things were created, has come to us to heal. We are only required to believe. Have faith Beloved. God has not left us alone. Messiah has come. He told us so …Himself.


 Shalom, .


wb


John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.