WHO IS JESUS?

WHO IS JESUS?

In looking at this question, Who Is Jesus?”my mind goes back to Jesus asking His disciples the

same thing but worded differently.  In Mark 8:27 “Jesus and His disciples went to the villages

around Caesarea Philippi.  On the way He asked them, “Who do people say I am?”  He got

different answers as seen in Mark 8:28 – They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say

Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”  Jesus then asked them “who do you say I am”. 

Peter answers correctly, “You are the Christ” (Mark 8:29).  With that answer Jesus told them

not to tell anyone about Him, (Mark 8:30).

Through Scripture I will show you who Jesus is.  Jesus is Lord and I confess that not only with my

mouth but in my heart.  The Holy Spirit enables me to confess and recognize God as my heavenly Father (Galatians 4:6) – Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”  Jesus’ deity as Christ affirms His essential oneness with the Father, (John 1:1) -  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.

Jesus as God’s Son

You can see Jesus’ eternal Sonship prior to the creation found in Hebrew 1:2.  Jesus existed before all things, found in Colossians 1:17.  You have Jesus’ pre-existence before Abraham found in John 8:58.

Jesus is God’s begotten Son which by the Greek word for begotten (monogenes) means “unique” or “one of a kind”.  With that being said, Jesus uniquely has the same nature as the Father – a divine nature.

Jesus known as the Son of Man

In Matthew 20:18 and 24:30 you will see that it states Jesus as the Son of man.  These two verses show Jesus’ humanity but it doesn’t deny His deity.  He didn’t cease to be God because He became man.  In Matthew 16:16-17; John 8:58; 10:30 you will see His deity.  In Philippians 2:6-8 you will see His incarnate/human nature.  Jesus had two natures conjoined in one person.

The Deity of Jesus

Jesus’ identity as Yahweh (God Almighty) is seen in the Old and New Testament.  In Isaiah 43:11

it states that only God saves.  This verse is important for two reasons:  being a Savior means deity and only one Savior is God.  Jesus’ divine nature as Savior is found in Titus 2:13-14.  You also have in Isaiah 44:24 God stating He is Yahweh and that He made all things by stretching out the heavens by Himself.  The fact that Yahweh spread out the earth all alone and Jesus is the Creator of all things found in John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1;2 shows that Jesus is in fact God Almighty.

Jesus’ deity is seen by the divine names given to Him in the Bible.  Yahweh from the Old Testament and Kurios which means Lord and carries the idea of sovereignty in the New Testament is used.

Jesus was worshipped by many people in the New Testament such as “Thomas (John 20:28), the angels (Hebrews 1:6), some wise men (Matthew 2:11), a leper (Matthew 8:2), a ruler (Matthew 9:18), a blind man (John 9:38), an anonymous woman (Matthew 15:25)” etc.

Jesus’ Miracles

Jesus’ miracles were signs from God to show that He was the Messiah found in Isaiah 29:18-21;

35:5-6; 61:1-2.  Jesus’ miracles were like a divine ID card proving who He was.  We still have

miracles today but we read God’s Word and believe in what Jesus did.

Jesus’ Prophethood

Jesus was a prophet found in Matthew 13:53-57 and what He taught was always ultimate and

final.  He was always strong is what He taught.  There was never a weak moment.  Jesus’

teachings were above Moses and all the other prophets.

When Jesus spoke He spoke in His own authority.  You will never read Jesus saying in the Bible,

“Thus said the Lord” because He is the Lord, the one with the authority and power.  He never

took back what He said.  He never second guest for He Knew all.  When Jesus spoke He said,

“Verily, verily, I say unto you” again with power and authority.   If you look at Mark 13:31 Jesus

stated, “heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away”.  Saying this

showed that His authority came from heaven.  Jesus’ message/teachings came with supreme

authority and showed that they were the very words of God found in John 3:34.

Jesus wasn’t sent here to be a prophet only to Israel but for the whole world found in the great

Jesus’ Prophethood (continued) commission, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18-19).  Jesus also states that He didn’t come to abolish the law but to fulfill them found in Matthew 5:17-18.

Jesus Died on the Cross

∑         If you look in the Old Testament you will see some of the predictions about Jesus’ death:  (Psalm 22:16; Isaiah 53:5-10; Daniel 9:26; Zechariah 12:10)

∑         The Bible shows predictions that Jesus would be raised from the dead:  (Psalm 16:10; Matthew 12:40; 17:22-23; John 2:19-21)

∑         Jesus died for mankind:  (Matthew 12:40; Mark 8:31; John 2:19-21; 10:10-11)

∑         Jesus’ mother and disciple John saw His crucifixion:  (John 19:16-17)

∑         The wounds Jesus received no one could survive:  (John 19:34)

∑         Right before death Jesus gave up His spirit to His Father:  (Luke 23:46-49)

∑         Pilate even checked just to make sure Jesus was dead:  (Mark 15:44-45)

Jesus would not have died if God didn’t allow it but He did (Romans 8:3-4); 1 Peter 1:18-20). 

Jesus submitted/obeyed God all the way to the cross (Hebrews 5:7-9).

       

Jesus would not have died if God didn’t allow it but He did (Romans 8:3-4); 1 Peter 1:18-20). 

Jesus submitted/obeyed God all the way to the cross (Hebrews 5:7-9).

Jesus raised from the dead and ascends up to heaven

Jesus proved He rose by first appearing to Mary Magdalene (John 20:1).  He appeared to His disciples which changed their lives forever.  They now had courage and they weren’t afraid anymore and their faith got stronger knowing that Jesus did rise from the dead.  He beat death and this gave them hope for the future to spend eternity with Him.

Jesus prepared His disciples for His death and resurrection but He let them know He wasn’t going to leave them alone.  He told them He was going to send a Comforter, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth who would live with them and be in them and He did (John 14:15-26).

In closing, Who Is Jesus? The Son of God, the Son of man, deity, performed miracles, a Prophet for all, died on the cross, rose again, preparing a place for us, JESUS is everything to me and enough can not be said of who He truly is.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

READ:  Deuteronomy 6:1-12

These commandments that I give

you today are to be on your hearts.

Deuteronomy 6:6

Anthropologist Anthony Graesch  says that the outside of a refrigerator reveals what’s important to people.  During a research study of families in Los Angeles, Graesch and his colleagues noted an average of 52 items posted on the fridge-including school schedules, family photos, children’s drawings, and magnets.  Graesch calls the refrigerator “a repository of family memory.”

The Lord may use a tangible item like a photo, keepsake, or Scripture verse to remind us of his faithfulness and the call to obey His Word.  When Moses addressed the Israelites just before they entered the land of Canaan, he urged them to keep all the commands God had given them.  “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road….Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 6:7, 9).

Giving God’s Word a visible place of honor in their homes and lives was a powerful daily reminder to “be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you…out of the land of slavery” (v.12).

Today the Lord encourages us to remember that as we obey His Word we can depend on His faithful care for all that lies ahead.  DAVID MCCASLAND

Father, we are grateful for every reminder of Your faithfulness and loving care.  May we honor You by obeying Your Word.

How do you nurture your relationship with the Lord? Share with us at facebook.com/ourdailybread

Daily blessings are reminders of God’s faithfulness.

INSIGHT

Today’s reading contains the centerpiece of Israel’s doctrinal beliefs.  It is called the Shema, based upon the Hebrew word for hear:  “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.  Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). DENNIS FISHER

Have a bless night

God Our Creator’s Love Always

Unity & Peace

STRENGTHENING THE HEART

STRENGTHENING THE HEART

READ:  1 Timothy 4:6-11

It is good for our hearts to be

strengthened by grace.

Hebrews 13:9

The neighborhood fitness center where I have worked out for years closed down last month, and I had to join a new gym.  The former place was a warm, friendly facility patronized by those who liked to socialize while they worked out.  We hardly ever broke a sweat.  The new gym is a hard-core facility filled with serious men and women, earnestly invested in building better bodies.  I watch these people strain and toil.  Their bodies look strong, but I wonder if their hearts are being strengthened with grace.

The heart is a muscle-the muscle that keeps the other muscles going.  It’s good to build and tone our other muscles, but the essential thing is doing whatever keeps the heart strong.

So it is with our spiritual heart.  We strengthen and tone the heart through the Word of truth by receiving its message of God’s goodness and grace.  Keeping our spiritual heart strong and fit must be our first priority the one thing we do above all others.

Paul would agree:  “Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:7-8 ESV).  DAVID ROPER

May I feed on Your goodness every day, Lord,  so my heart will grow stronger through the Spirit.

God’s training is designed to grow us in faith.

INSIGHT

The Greek word translated godliness in verse 8 is eusebeia.  It is a noun that means both right action and right belief.  In today’s passage Paul is telling Timothy that both believing and doing right (godliness) have values for all aspects of our lives.  DENNIS MOLES

Have a bless evening.

God Our Creator’s Love Always.

Unity & Peace

COMING ALONGSIDE

COMING ALONGSIDE

READ:  Exodus 17:8-16

Aaron and Hur held [Moses’s]

hands up-one on one side, one

on the other.  Exodus 17:12

Her thirty classmates and their parents watched as Mi’Asya nervously walked to the podium to speak at her fifth grade graduation ceremony.  When the principal adjusted the microphone to Mi’Asya’s height, she turned her back to the microphone and the audience.  The crowd whispered words of encouragement:  “Come on, honey, you can do it.”  But she didn’t budge.  Then a classmate walked to the front and stood by her side.  With the principal on one side of Mi’Asya and her friend on the other, the three read her speech together.  What a beautiful example of support!

Moses needed help and support in the middle of a battle with the Amalekites (Exodus 17:10-16).  “As long as Moses held up his hands [with the staff of God in his hands], the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning” (v.11).  When Aaron and Hur saw what was happening they stood beside Moses, “one on one side, one on the other,” and supported his arms when he grew tired.  With their support, victory came by sunset.

We all need the support of one another.  As brothers and sisters in the family of God, we have so many opportunities to encourage one another on our shared journey of faith.  And God is right here in our midst giving us His grace to do that.  ANNE CETAS

Who could you help today?  Or do you need support yourself?  Who could you ask?

Share with us at odb.org

Hope can be ignited by a spark of encouragement.

INSIGHT

Today’s reading starts with what may seem to be two insignificant details:  “The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim.”  The Amalketies were distant cousins-the descendants of Abraham and Isaac through Esau (Genesis 25:23; 36:12, 16).  And Rephidim was the place where the Israelites grumbled against Moses and regretted their decision to leave Egypt (Exodus 17:1-7).  This circumstance-between slavery and inheritance-forced the Israelites to face their doubts and questions.  Is God with us?  Can God deliver us?  As the battle raged, it became apparent that they were victorious when Moses held high the staff of God-the object representing God’s power and presence.  God had not abandoned them and He was able to give them victory.  DENNIS MOLES

JOIN THE CRY

Our Daily Bread -- Join the Cry

July 4, 2016

Read: Psalm 122:6-9
Bible in a Year: Job 28-29; Acts 13:1-25

I urge . . . that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people. —1 Timothy 2:1

A women’s prayer group in my country holds regular monthly prayer sessions for Ghana and other African countries. When asked why they pray so incessantly for the nations, their leader, Gifty Dadzie, remarked, “Look around, listen to and watch the news. Our nations are hurting: war, disaster, diseases, and violence threaten to overshadow God’s love for humanity and His blessing upon us. We believe God intervenes in the affairs of nations, so we praise Him for His blessings and cry for His intervention.”

The Bible reveals that God indeed intervenes in the affairs of nations (2 Chron. 7:14). And when God intervenes, He uses ordinary people. We may not be assigned huge tasks, but we can play our part to help bring about peace and the righteousness that exalts a nation (Prov. 14:34). We can do that through prayer. The apostle Paul wrote, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Tim. 2:1-2).

As the psalmist exhorted the ancient Israelites to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Ps. 122:6), so may we pray for the peace and healing of our nations. When we pray in humility, turn from wickedness, and seek God, He hears us. —Lawrence Darmani

Lord, we pray today for the peace of our nations. We ask for Your intervention as we turn to You in confession and repentance. We praise You for Your blessing and Your provision.

Prayer for those in authority is both a privilege and a duty.

INSIGHT: Jewish pilgrims sang Psalms 120-134, known collectively as the Pilgrim Psalms, as they made their way to Jerusalem to celebrate the annual festivals of Unleavened Bread (including Passover), Harvest (Weeks or Pentecost), and Ingathering (Booths or Tabernacles) (Ex. 23:14-16). Since Jerusalem sits on a mountainous area (Mount Zion is used synonymously with Jerusalem in the Bible), pilgrims are said to “ascend” to Jerusalem. Therefore, scholars designate each of these fifteen songs as “A song of ascents.” In Psalm 122, David celebrates Jerusalem as the “house of the Lord” (vv. 1, 9). He is elated (v. 1) that he is in the place of safety, security, and peace (vv. 6-9). Sim Kay Tee

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WAITING ON GOD

Our Daily Bread -- Waiting on God

Read: 2 Peter 3:8-15
Bible in a Year: Job 25-27; Acts 12

[The Lord] is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. —2 Peter 3:9

I was sitting with a group of passengers on an airport shuttle heading to our connecting flight when the bus driver was told to “hold in place.” It looked like we would miss our flight, and this was more than one passenger could handle. He exploded at the driver, insisting he ignore his orders or “risk the wrath of a lawsuit.” Just then an airline employee came dashing up carrying a briefcase. Looking at the angry man, the airline employee triumphantly held up the briefcase. When he had caught his breath, he said, “You left your briefcase. I heard you mention how important your meeting was, and I figured you would need this.”

Sometimes I find myself impatient with God, especially about His return. I wonder, What can He be waiting on? The tragedies around us, the suffering of people we love, and even the stresses of daily life all seem bigger than the fixes on the horizon.

Then someone tells their story of having just met Jesus, or I discover God is still at work in the messes. It reminds me of what I learned that day on the shuttle. There are stories and details God knows that I don’t. It reminds me to trust Him and to remember that the story isn’t about me. It’s about God’s plan to give time to others who don’t yet know His Son (2 Peter 3:9). —Randy Kilgore

I’m thankful You are patiently waiting for more people to trust in You before You return. Help me to be patient too.

Wait and witness till Jesus returns.

INSIGHT: The New Testament manuscripts, which were written in Greek, use two different words for patience. One word describes patience regarding circumstances; the other relates to patience with people. When the Greek text speaks of God’s patience, the word used is almost always the one that refers to people. God’s patience with us is not because He can’t compel us to do what He wants, but because He loves us, respects our will, and has given each of us the ability to make our own choices. Adapted from What Does the Bible Say About Patience? Read it at discoveryseries.org/q0722 J.R. Hudberg

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SAUDI ARABIA BEFORE ISLAM

SAUDI ARABIA BEFORE ISLAM

Before Islam most of the inhabitants of Arabia belonged to the nomadic tribes.  They had no

permanent home and they moved about constantly in search of food and pasture for their herd.  The Arabs inhabited a large area of the Middle East comprising the Arabian Peninsula and its northern extension in the Syrian Desert.  The area was marginal (limited) because of its aridity (lacking enough water for things to grow) so they had to continue to move around. 

Their life consisted of pasturing camels and other animals and finding food but it was according

to the geographical conditions.  They had to move around to where vegetation and food and water were.  Their life style was not complex in a social or political sense because they were very simple people and because of this their way of life slowly disappeared and fell under the rule of foreigners and Muhammad was one of them in the near future.

“The Muslims believe that Muhammad came from the lineage of Ishmael.  According to the

historians, the roots of the native Arabs can be traced back to the Tribe of Joktan, who lived in

the southern part of Arabia (Genesis 10:26-29).  One of Abraham’s wives, Keturah, was from

(another tribe in) the central part of the Arabian peninsula, north of Al-Hejaz; her sons are listed

in (Genesis 25:1-6).

The scattered Ishmaelites (a tribe) from Havilah to Shur intermarried with the first two tribes over the years and eventually the descendents of the three tribes dominated other tribes in all of the Middle East.  This is how the Arab race came into existence.” [Mirage-The Love Language of

Islam! By: David Ibrahim]

You had Arabs that settled and you had the nomadic Arabs that didn’t settle but all were organized in tribes (units) which consisted of descent groups of people.  They got their security from these tribes (units) not from a state.  A man’s life was protected by his kinsmen.  He was to protect him when he was in trouble and needed help.  And if someone killed him he would be avenged and the kinsmen had to seek compensation for that man or his family if he was killed.  It made others think twice.  A woman’s life was protected by her kinsmen too but she had no reciprocal obligation so she was considered a dependant.  These tribes also had slaves, freedmen, craftsmen, and itinerant (traveling) traders who depended on them because they were non-Arabs and they needed their protection.

Each tribesman had great pride in their ability to defend themselves and their dependants.  They boasted through their poetry warning potential predators of their strength.  At some point to show their strength they would take the camels, abduct the women, kill the men, slit the noses of the defenseless slaves of other tribes, enemy tribes.  This was highly prized among their own tribes when they did that.  But to be dominate over and bring the worst evil upon a people was for their necks to be bent.  If you have people who obeyed instead of standing up for themselves  they were dismissed as “’slaves’.  It does not matter if there were unfree persons, weak members of a tribal society or civilian subjects of states.  You have to be strong and defend yourself.

“During the time in pre Islamic Arabia, gods or goddesses were viewed as protectors of individual tribes, their spirits being associated with sacred trees, stones, springs and wells. Aside from these gods, the Arabs shared a common belief in a supreme deity called Allah (literally “the god”), who was remote from their everyday concerns and thus not the object of  cult or ritual.  Three goddesses were associated with Allah as his daughters:  Allat, Manat, and al-Uzza.  Monotheistic communities existed in Arabia, including Christians and Jews.  Hanif’s-native pre-Islamic Arab monotheists-are also sometimes listed alongside Jews and Christians in pre-Islamic Arabs.  According to Muslim tradition, Muhammad himself was a hanif and one of the descendents of Ishmael, son of Abraham.” [Mirage – The Love Language of Islam!, By: David Abrahim]

The nomadic Arabs had many gods they worshipped but they really had no effect on them.  It was just something they did.  They did believe that the most important thing that happened in a person’s life was the result of an impersonal force called Time or Fate.  This is what the nomads believed in that can be found in the Qur’an, ‘They say, there is nought but this present life; we die and we live, and only Time destroy us’ (45.24).

The most important belief they had was tribal humanism (humanity is capable of self-fulfillment, ethical conduct), which was fostered (to help to grow; stimulate) by the strong tradition of poetry.  To them the poets celebrated the profits of individual heroes.  You could see this in the high qualities present in the tribal stock rather than to their person needs.  To the Arabs this is what made life meaningful to them, having a large herd.

You also had this code of ethics that went along with the tribal system.  Each tribe was responsible for the minor offense or breaking of the law of its members.  They believed in the principle ‘a life for a life.’  This of cause presented long-lasting blood feuds and when Muhammad came on the scene this was one of the problems he had to deal with.

You see the Arabian camel-rearers first in the Bible c. 1,000B.C.  They are considered Arabs in

Assyrian records from the eighth century B.C. onwards.  “They came with their cattle and their

tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without numbers.” This is a summary of the Saudi Arabs before Islam.