Jesus: The Great Mastermind - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 4:1-3,

"Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee."

I am somewhat fascinated to read of the strategy Jesus employed during his public ministry the last three years of his life.

When Jesus found out the Pharisees had learned he was gaining in influence and was developing a greater following than John the Baptist, he left Judah and went back up to Galilee. It is clear Jesus was not afraid of the Pharisees, as he boldly confronted them in fascinating ways on a number of occasions. Rather, his move to Galilee had a tactical purpose.

Jesus employed strategies culminating in a multifaceted outcome that would serve his purpose. We read his primary purpose was to effect a substitutionary atonement for the sins of all mankind,  "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." 1 John 4:10. Additionally, he employed fulfilled prophecy and utilized miracles to establish his bona fides - demonstrating the veracity of his teachings and establishing who he was.

He was not here simply to gain a big following or to be mistaken as some kind of military leader (as the judges were in Gideon's day.) John made the following observation, "After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, 'Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.' Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself." John 6:14-15. Jesus came to die on a cross, not to assume the throne in Jerusalem (not at this time... he will assume it yet in the future.)

Jesus' comings and goings were dictated by his design to manipulate outcomes and the achievement of all he set himself to do while here. Notice this fascinating account by John, "After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, Jesus' brothers said to him, 'Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.'" John 7:1-4.

Jesus determined his sacrificial death be by his design, not the design of the Jewish leaders. So, he moved in a way to accommodate that. Although his half-brothers were merely taunting Jesus, they pointed out that if Jesus wanted to make a name for himself, he needed to show up at various events for the exposure. His response to his brothers was, "You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come." John 7:8.

Strategy, manipulation, bringing about his desired outcomes, were all employed by the greatest mastermind the world has known.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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God's Love, Our Faith - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 3:16-18,

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."

These are the oft quoted words of Jesus to Nicodemus. In these several verses we learn of an incomprehensible love God has for lost and sinful mankind. I say incomprehensible because of the disposition of man's heart toward his Creator. Man rebelled against God, turned from God to go his own way. This resulted in an estrangement between the two, yet God so loved mankind that he sent his Son to make a way for mankind to be reconciled to himself and given a place at his table for an eternity.

Quite apart from any inclination from God that man deserves anything, God has expressed his grace and mercy by sending the Son of his love to die a miserable death on that cross to make eternity possible for all who will embrace him in faith.

In addition to the love of God that provided a way for man, we learn that path is only found and only traveled by faith. None of us can ever be good enough to pay for our sins. The only payment we can make is the eternal death we all deserve. However, God sent his Son as the Way. That Way is achieved or attained only by an exercise of our wills, to embrace Jesus Christ in faith. We are all born into this world as lost and fallen people destined for God's condemnation on judgment day. However, God himself makes it possible for us to be reconciled to him, no longer "condemned".

Here is how John the Baptist put it at the end of the chapter, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them." John 3:36. Clear, succinct, concise and truthful: the trademark of John the Baptist's communication.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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Our Messiah of Miracles! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 2:11,

"What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him."

The first sign Jesus used to reveal who he was, "his glory", was to turn water to wine. A wedding took place at Cana. Jesus, his mother, and his disciples all attended. When the wine ran out, Jesus turned water into wine at his mother's request.

I note this wine was very good. The "master of the banquet" could not understand why this wine, the wine Jesus had made, was not served before the other wine (he didn't know the origin of it). Can you imagine drinking wine hand-made by the Son of God?! It had to have been the best ever had by anyone!

Many struggle with the notion that Jesus Christ performed his many miracles. Some have even sought to gain an understanding of who Jesus "really" was by stripping the miraculous from the gospels. These unbelievers will never gain an understanding as they attempt to filter the full account left us about Jesus Christ in the Scriptures.

Earlier in John's gospel, we read that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was the creative agent within the godhead, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." Further we read, in verse 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."

It was the Son of God himself that created all we see and know of in the cosmos. Not only did he create things, he also established the laws of physics we have come to learn of that his creation is governed by. Gravity, the laws of thermodynamics, etc.

It is not given to man to abrogate the laws of physics. We are constrained by them. However, the author of these laws is not. He created it all and determined how all will work together. As such he is entirely free as the Creator to do whatever he desires, even negate his own designs and the physical laws that govern them. This is what was active when Jesus turned the water to wine.

Any one of Jesus' miracles demonstrated his deity. Whether he turned water to wine, stilled a storm, walked on water, healed the blind and lame, any one of these authenticates he was who he said he was. He clearly established his credentials as God and certified he was the One we need to turn to for the forgiveness of our sins (another thing we cannot do, but he can).

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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Whose Sins Have Been Paid For? - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 1:29,

"The next day John [the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'"

John the Baptist knew exactly who Jesus Christ was. As Jesus approached him one day, John declared that it was Jesus Christ who would "take away the sin of the world." He would take that sin away by taking the punishment for that sin upon himself in the court of God's justice. And, he did it for the whole world.

Some have arrived at the conclusion that when Jesus Christ died on that miserable cross, he only paid the penalty for the sins of those who would ultimately find their way into the kingdom of God. Conversely, all who find themselves condemned in the judgment of God at the end of the age never had their sins paid for by Jesus' atoning death. The theological concept is called "Limited Atonement". It is a conclusion that is drawn from a theological deduction. The thinking goes that the precious blood of Jesus Christ could not possibly be expended upon anything that did not achieve God's purpose. Since those who reject Jesus Christ do not represent the achievement of God's purpose for mankind, then Jesus' blood could not have been expended upon them. Those who reject Jesus Christ never had their sins paid for on that cross. I'm certain someone else could articulate the position more clearly than me. Hopefully you get the point.

Here is yet another point where the theological deductions of limited mankind fail to find the truth. (I'm a prime example of someone who falls into this number!)  There is a reason God has revealed himself to us in the Scriptures: we need them. We can't arrive at those truths on our own that require God's help in us apprehending them.

When John pointed out that Jesus would take away the sin of the world, the straightforward understanding is that anyone who exists or has existed in the world has had their sins taken away, or removed, as an obstacle to achieve eternal life. And, this is exactly what he meant. In Paul's letter to Timothy, we find that it is God's will that all come to know him, "God our Savior... wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:3-4. In order for "all people to be saved" all people need to have their sins paid for. Peter makes the same observation, "he [the Lord] is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9. Since God does not want anyone to perish, their sins need to be paid for.

While the above is likewise a deduction, the following is not: "He [Jesus Christ] is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." 1 John 2:2. Here, John clearly points out that all the sins of all mankind for all time were paid for by Jesus Christ when he died on that cross. Everybody's sins.

If the Lord suffered such a miserable death for you and for me, how could we turn our back on such an astonishing act of love on our behalf? If each and every person's sins were paid for by Jesus Christ, if he suffered for each and every human being, how could I possibly not reflect that value of each and every person as Jesus did when he expressed his incomprehensible love for us all on that cross?

It is important to note that although God wants each and every person to enter his family, to inherit eternal life, he also has determined that only those who embrace him in faith will do so. "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" John 1:12. We find the fate of all who fail to do so in Revelation 21:8. What we learn from the Scriptures is that Jesus Christ made a way for all to inherit eternal life by paying the penalty for their sins on the cross. However, that payment for sins only gets credited to our account in God's court if we embrace Jesus Christ in faith.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.

Where (How) to Find Jesus - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Luke 24:5-6,

"Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here..."

This is what the two angels told the women who went to tend to Jesus' body after it had been placed in a tomb on the previous Friday following his crucifixion. In John 20:1 we read that Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early that Sunday morning, while it was still dark, saw the stone was moved from the entrance, that Jesus' body was missing and ran back to report it to Peter and John. Jesus was not there, his body was missing.

As the account continues in John, we read that Jesus then appeared to Mary after she had returned to the tomb. Not dead, but now in his resurrected body, he spoke to her of his returning to the Father, "I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." John 20:17. Later we read of the ascension of Jesus into heaven, "He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 'Men of Galilee,' they said, 'why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.'" Acts 1:9-11. He was no longer to be seen but had been taken into heaven.

I wonder if the two angels that appeared to the disciples and said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky" were the same as the two that told the women, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here…" On both occasions folks were looking for Jesus where he wasn't going to be found. Given the circumstances of each occasion, none could be faulted for doing so.

However, there are many today who will be faulted for looking in all the wrong places to find Jesus Christ or to find God the Father. The list of religions that seek to find God is endless. The theologies and religious practices that have been developed to find the Lord seem limitless. As Jesus taught, "So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it." Matthew 24:26. Looking in all the wrong places won't be helpful to find the Lord. While many may claim to have found him, there is only one way. "'The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,' that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, 'Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.'" Romans 8:8-11.

Jesus is found only through faith and Paul tells us that faith comes through hearing the gospel message, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." Romans 10:17. That faith will never be arrived at by intellectual superiority or special spiritual insight designed only for the "gifted ones" that are revered as such by the world. Jesus taught us, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Luke 18:17.

Jesus is not missing. He is at the right hand of our Father in heaven. He can be found, not by looking in the wrong places but by listening to him as he tells us how to find him: through the faith generated when his gospel is preached. All who embrace Jesus Christ in faith have found him and found a place at his table!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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Jesus Christ - a Subversive? - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Luke 23:1-2a,

"Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, 'We have found this man subverting our nation.'"

We are told in the previous chapter that the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, Luke 22:2. Having come up with a way by paying Judas for his act of betrayal, and arresting Jesus, this was their official complaint. Jesus was "subverting" the nation. While the arrest and trial of Jesus was a mockery of justice and a false pretense, there is something of truth to their complaint against Jesus. He was "subverting our nation." Not  only had Jesus invaded Israel and invited the people to a new kingdom, the "kingdom of God", his intent was to take this subversive message to the entire world through Israel.

The world has its own structure, its own hierarchies, its own way of doing things, all in opposition to its Creator since the garden of Eden. The world, in its sinful rebellion and animosity toward God shuns the things of God. I am reminded of how the world is characterized in Psalm 2:1-3, "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.'"

In this sense Jesus came as a subversive. He was subversive toward the world of sinful mankind, a world living in opposition to the things of God. The religious leaders saw their lofty positions in society endangered, the teachers of the law saw their "wisdom" tied in knots when they attempted to challenge Jesus. The rulers and authorities found themselves threatened as the Lord captured the hopes, the hearts and the minds of many people.

Truly, this world of lost and sinful man was subverted by the Son of God who came as a penetrating light into its darkness, breaking its hold on people and freeing them to embrace a new nation, a new kingdom that he offers to all who will embrace him in faith!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.

Getting Rid of God - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Luke 22:1-2,

"Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people."

In his introduction to the betrayal and arrest of Jesus, Luke provides some background detail. The religious leaders of the day sought "to get rid of Jesus", but were afraid of the people. They needed a way but would have to do it in a manner that would not arouse the possible opposition of the people.

The opportunity came their way through the agency of Satan. We are told that "Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve." Verse 3. This prompted Judas to approach the chief priests and officers of the temple and work out a plan with them. Money would be given Judas and so he watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd would be present.

What captures my attention is that these religious leaders wanted to get rid of Jesus. Why? Jesus taught the people about God from the Scriptures, he performed wonderful miracles that freed people from demon possession, illness, infirmity, even death. He fed people and manifested a deep compassion for them. Why would these religious leaders want to get rid of Jesus?

They did not know God. These religious leaders held enviable positions in society, commanding respect and a living. But, they did not know God. It was not that they were ignorant of the Scriptures, it was they never embraced God who inspired the Scriptures. For this, Jesus called them out, threatening their status as the religious leaders of the day. Jesus called them hypocrites, blind guides, snakes and a brood of vipers! See Matthew, chapter 23. They were threatened by Jesus and so they sought to get rid of him.

This is true for all who fail to embrace God. Any mention of God brings the cold reminder that all are condemned to spend an eternity in a fiery lake of burning sulfur for their sins in this life. Since all sin, all are condemned. Any thought, any mention of God often brings opposition and anger. We see it in the tireless campaign to remove any vestige of Christmas in the public square during that season. We see it in the willful exclusion of the major influence of the Judeo-Christian heritage that resulted in western civilization in curriculum taught in schools. We see it in the many and various crusades of political correctness in political and public discourse. Indeed, in many quarters, any discussion of God is simply not considered polite conversation. God has become a taboo subject in the rising tide of a desperate effort to get rid of God.

The truth is that those who embrace Jesus Christ escape God's condemnation and enter into his family. The efforts to get rid of God is a complete misdirection. Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." John 5:24.

God exists, as well as his judgment, and the objective reality of this is not contingent upon our acknowledgment or consent of it. Try as we might to get rid of God, he isn't going anywhere. Just as futile the efforts of the chief priests and teachers of the law to get rid of Jesus, so is the futile effort of those today who attempt to get rid of God. As I say, he isn't going anywhere.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.