The Lord from Heaven (1958, 1974) by Leon Morris, Book Review

 The Lord from Heaven: A Study of the New Testament Teaching
on the Deity and Humanity of Jesus Christ (1958, 1974) by Leon Morris

This is a very worn-out book. But it is very good, insightful, and surprisingly still relevant amidst the many books on the same topic. I’ve read it during my flight to Cambodia a few years ago. Due to the holiday mood, I forget most of the contents (this is good because I can read it all over again as if it's new for me) but I remember thinking that I must read it again slowly and thoughtfully. I’m glad I did. Because over the years as I’m gaining more knowledge of the Scripture, interest in theology, and passion for the Person of Jesus Christ, I can appreciate it even more now. What I like about Leon Lamb Morris (1914-2006), a respected New Testament scholar, is that he writes in such a way that is both scholarly and yet readable, with depth and yet simple, just like the late John Stott and Michael Green. I highly recommend his Bible commentaries too especially on the Gospel of Matthew, John, and Romans.

Why this book is important? Simply this: Jesus Christ is. His question to the disciples, “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15) is what we - the believers and the potential believers - must discover over and over again for the rest of our lives. Knowing Jesus is not enough. Knowing the right Jesus as taught in the Scripture is essential. Knowledge of truth leads to saving faith, faith leads to eternal life. Our theology affects our doxology. What do we say and believe about Jesus matters! The main purpose of Leon Morris in this book is to give a short and simple outline of what the New Testament says about the Person of Jesus. He concludes that the Scripture taught clearly that He is BOTH God AND man. I agree. Morris writes, “The great thought of the New Testament is that God has taken action in the Person of His Son to put away man’s sin. This is not the idea of one or two writers, but the whole of the early church. Nowhere in the New Testament do we find any such thought as that Jesus is like one of the angels, or that He can be fully explained in purely human terms. With one accord the New Testament writers insist that Jesus must be thought of as God in the fullest sense. His relationship to the Father is the very closest relationship possible. There is no doubt about the place they ascribe to Jesus.”

He continues, “This is all the more remarkable in view of their convinced monotheism. They do not seem to have envisaged the possibility of a multiplicity of gods. They took it as an axiom that there can be only one God. Without compromise on this basic tenet, they yet affirmed the deity of Christ.” Right. When someone asks me to explain about the Doctrine of the Trinity, how can one God exist in three Persons, I usually added one more challenging issue to the inquiry by stating the Doctrine of the Incarnation, that God became human, and He - Jesus - was truly God and truly man. How can it be? Well, I can help him or her to examine the Scripture but I can never explain it fully. “How these two, the deity and the humanity, are related, or even how they could come to co-exist in the one Person, we do not know,” said Morris honestly. “The evidence does not indicate that Jesus was partly God and partly man, that He did some things as God and others as a man. Rather He was one Person, though a Person with divine and human characteristics.” This is a mystery beyond any man’s power to solve or to explain it away. I think we are free to reject this doctrine if we also reject the consistent testimonies of the Scripture, particularly the New Testament, regarding the Person of Jesus. But if we accept the Scripture as the written Word of God (I do), there is no way for us to deny that Jesus was God incarnate. As H.E.W. Turner, quoted by Morris, emphasizes strongly, “The Person of Jesus does not come apart in our hands into the two halves of humanity and divinity, one of which we have to set on one side when we begin to examine the other. His Personality is a seamless whole.”

This book is divided into eight (8) chapters, namely, 1) Jesus of Nazareth; 2) Jesus’ View of Himself; 3) Jesus the Man; 4) A Prince and A Saviour; 5) The Lord of Glory; 6) A Great High Priest; 7) God the Word; and 8) Conclusion. In each chapter, Morris unpacked what the New Testament taught about the humanity and divinity of Jesus from multiple angles, genres, and themes but leave the verdict for us to answer ourselves: “Who do you say about Jesus?”

#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #TheLordFromHeaven #LeonMorris #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

Related book review: The Forgotten Trinity (1998) by James R. White, CLICK HERE
To read my other #1Book1Week book reviews, CLICK HERE

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The Heavenly Man (2008) by Brother Yun, Audiobook

The Heavenly Man (2008) by Brother Yun

I've been reading with my ears for 9 hours 54 minutes about this amazing autobiography of Liu Zhenying, better known as Brother Yun. The story is very inspiring, challenging, and convincing. I admire committed believers in China like Yun, but quietly I pray to God that I don't have to show it with much pain and suffering like them. Not going to review this book. Sorry. I first read this book (physical book) many years ago when I was still working at the GSC Cinema. It's good to be reminded again.

P.s: My time of walking, cycling, cleaning, and cooking has been my activities of gaining knowledge too. Try to learn to listen to an audiobook; it will save you lots of time. I get most of my books from christianaudio.com  

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God Will Wipe Away Every Tear from Their Eyes

 "We say this is the land of the living! It is not. It is the land of the dying," said D.L. Moody in a sermon near the end of his life. "What is our life here but a vapor? ...But look at the other world. No death, no pain, no sorrow, no old age, no sickness, no bending forms, no dimmed eyes, no tears.

"But joy, peace, love, happiness. No grey hair. People all young. River of life for the healing of the nations, and everlasting life. Think about it! Life! Life without end!" 🌬🔥📖 #ServeToLead #ToLiveIsChrist #ToDieIsGain

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9 Powerful Quotes from Derek Prince's War In Heaven

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Angelus' Quote: Bring Your Children to Christ

Isaac Watts was saved at about the age of 9. His hymns have lifted the hearts of millions. Jonathan Edwards, whose clear testimony and dynamic preaching stirred all of New England for God, was converted when only 7. Matthew Henry was brought to Christ at the age of 11, and through his many years of study of God's Word, he produced his well-known commentaries on the Bible.

Thousands of other men and women have been brought to the foot of the Cross when they were young and their whole life could be dedicated to Christ 😊 Just like my Facebook friend Angel Aren from Miri who brought her young daughter, Steffie Supang, only 7 years old, to Malam Pentakosta happening at Kuching recently, to experience the presence of God and His Spirit that two nights... Who knows the young child will be mightily used by the Lord in the future, even now? 😉 Bring your children to Christ! #ServeToLead #SpiritualLeader

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5 Things that Are "Wrong" Around the Birth of Jesus In Luke 2:8-20 (Short Bible Study)

Open Your Bible to Luke 2:8-20 (NIV):

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

5 Things that Are "Wrong" Around the Birth of Jesus In Luke 2:8-20:

#1 Controversial Pregnancy?

#2 King Born in the Manger?

#3 Short Heavenly Announcements?

#4 First Evangelists Were the Shepherd?

#5 So BIG News, So Little Responses?

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Timothy, This Is the Great Mystery of Our Faith (Six-Fold Descriptions about Christ in 1 Timothy 3:16)

"Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith:

Christ was revealed in a human body

and vindicated by the Spirit.

He was seen by angels

and announced to the nations.

He was believed in throughout the world

and taken to heaven in glory"

(1 Timothy 3:16, NLT)

After Paul wrote about "how people must conduct themselves in the household of God" (v.15), he now focuses on what is at stake and why it is important to do so (v.16). He begins by saying "without question" or contradiction. It gives the thought of something that cannot be denied, "…this is the great mystery of our faith." Mystery? This is not like a mystery novel, unknown or secret truth. Rather, as H. A. Ironside, a Bible teacher, and preacher, said that it is "a secret revealed only to initiates." He continues, "This mystery is that of the incarnation – that God came down to earth, taking into union with His Deity a human body, a human spirit, and a human soul so that He was both God and Man in one blessed, adorable Person." This is the great mystery of our faith; this is the foundation on which our faith stands; this is the foundation of the truth (v.15) – Jesus Christ, our Lord, and Saviour! He is the One in whom is centered the "mystery of our faith." Here are six-fold descriptions about Christ:

#1 Jesus is Fully Human: "Christ was revealed in a human body..." If anyone wants to know what God is like, they can look at Jesus. "No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father's heart. He has revealed God to us" (John 1:18). Again, in John 1:14, "[The Word] became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son." And so, "God was in Christ" revealed in a human body.

#2 Jesus is Fully God: "…and vindicated by the Spirit." Jesus was God manifest in the flesh or revealed in a human body by the revelations of the Holy Spirit on several occasions in His earthly life such as during His baptism, transfiguration, and so forth. During His baptism, for example, God the Father opened the heavens above Him, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him, and the Father's voice was heard declaring, "This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy" (Matthew 3:17). Thus, Jesus was vindicated by the Spirit. As you read the gospel stories, you can see that behind His humanity there lies His divinity. He healed, He preached, and He forgives sin all by "the Holy Spirit's power" (Luke 4:14).

#3 Jesus is Greater than Angels: "He was seen by angels…" Do you know that angels – these mighty creatures – were present at the very high points of Jesus' early life and ministries such as His birth, temptation, agony in the garden, resurrection, and ascension? If you read Hebrews 1-2, the angels were there when God the Son was with the Father and the Holy Spirit in heaven. H. A. Ironside puts it this way, "Before God became incarnate in Jesus Christ He was invisible to created eyes. God the Father was invisible; God the Son was invisible; God the Holy Spirit was invisible. Angels could look only upon the glory of God but could not see the invisible One. But when the Lord Jesus Christ came down to earth… they knew they were looking into the face of the God who had created them. As He walked on earth angels were beholding the wondrous works wrought by God manifest in flesh." Angels are created beings, God is the Creator. Therefore, Jesus is greater!

#4 Jesus is the Message of Salvation for All: "…and announced to the nations." Because of Jesus the Son, God was no longer to have one people (the Jews) separated from the rest of the nations (the Gentiles) but His love could go out to all mankind. "Call him [Jesus] Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us'" (Matthew 1:23). This is the message to the nations, "In Jesus Christ, God is with us! Not against us!" All may be saved who turn to Him in faith.

#5 Jesus is the Saviour of the World: "He was believed in throughout the world…" This is a missionary statement. Soon and very soon, the whole world will believe Him. I don't mean that all will believe in Him and be saved. What I mean is that the world will know that Jesus is the Saviour of the world. Jesus prayed for His disciples to the Father that "they will all be one, just as you and I are one – as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me" (John 17:21). Either the world will believe in Him in faith or rebellion, the Bible is clear all will: "At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:10-11).

#6 Jesus Came to Be Rejected but He Returned in Glory: "…and taken to heaven in glory." Jesus Christ, the Man-God is now in heaven or as Paul says "in glory." What Paul wanted to emphasize here is not so much about where He went but how He went "…in glory." For about 30 years, Jesus walked humbly on earth like one of His own creations. He never did anything but good. He healed people, raised the dead, and loved the sinners. Yet He was despised and rejected. Finally, He bore the ultimate rejection through suffering, pain, and death. But as you and I know that was not the end of the story. This is the redemption story: Jesus was raised back to life! He has risen! He appeared in splendor and glorious body! He was lifted in glory!

It took me about 2 hours to finished writing this article. Every description of Christ in this one verse in 1 Timothy 3:16 is precious and worth to consider and meditate upon. Take your time today to praise and thank Him for who He is and for what He had done for you and me. Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Young Men and Women, Christ Is The Centre of Everything

"Remember always, as the centre of everything, Jesus Christ…"

(2 Timothy 2:8, Philips)

As Paul advice the young Timothy on how to be a faithful minister, he injects this powerful exhortation: Remember always, as the centre of everything, Jesus Christ. Only when Timothy keeps this in his mind and heart he will be able to keep his priorities right. We, too, do well to observe it. The risen Christ is the centre of everything for Christianity is – Christ.

He is central in history, for in a very real sense history is His Story. Time is divided by His birth (BC = Before Christ; AD = Anno Domini, in the year of our Lord). The course of world history has been defined by His presence on earth. If Christ is omitted, history does not make sense. Nations may ignore Him, but He controls the destiny and sways the future of them all. Ernest Renan wrote, "All history is incomprehensible without Christ"; Kenneth Scot Latourette declared, "Gauged by the consequences that have followed, the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus have been the most important events in the history of mankind"; and Charles H. Spurgeon observed, "Christ is the great central fact in the world's history. To Him, everything looks forward or backward. All the lines of history converge upon Him."

Now, who can deny that He is central in art? Visit the famous art galleries of the world and note the subject of the greatest paintings. In literature, He occupies the central role and subject. The greatest masterpieces of music found their inspiration in Him. In architecture, no structures combine such symmetry, beauty, and grandeur as the buildings created for His worship.

He is the centre of the human race. In His alone do we find ideal humanity. He revealed in terms of human life the full perfections of Deity. In many places, Scripture introduces Him as the central figure. We see Him in the midst of the teachers, the experts in religious instruction, to learn of His Father's world purpose (read Luke 2:46-47). He is seen in the midst of sinners, bringing salvation (read John 19:18). He died as a criminal and He was in the central cross.

He appears in the midst of the churches, Revelations 1:13 says, "And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man…" Having triumphed over death, He now judges over the work and witness of His Church. Our final glimpse of Him is in the midst of the throne in heaven. "I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne…" (Revelations 5:6). Oh, what gladness and joy to see Jesus Christ reigning and being worship by the whole redeemed creation! He occupying the central theme of the universe! Wow!

Surely this must be the climax. But no, there is something more wonderful. Jesus Christ is in the midst of us all. He said, "For where two or three gather together as my followers (or gather together in my name), I am there among them" (Matthew 18:20). Christ is the centre of everything!

Remember always, as the centre of everything, Jesus Christ.

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Simple Book Review: "Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived" (2011)

Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived (2011)
by Robert H. Bell Jr. Trust

Rob Bell, author, speaker and former pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church is a controversial figure. He ignited many evangelical fundamentalists (maybe you!) when he questioned traditional theological constructs surrounding heaven and hell. I like to read controversial books from controversial authors such as Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Eugene Peterson, Brian McLare, etc. I’m agree 100% what they said and taught, but I would like to explore possibilities. I, too, like to question ‘standard’ Christian doctrines and theology.

Bell writes this book for two reasons #1 For those who have problem with “some version of the Jesus story” that cause them to “would never be a part of” it; and #2 For those who have “big questions about topics like God and Jesus and salvation and judgment and heaven and hell.” “I believe the discussion itself is divine,” Bell reasoned, “Abraham does his best to bargain with God, most of the book of Job consists of arguments by Job and his friends about the deepest questions of human suffering, God is practically on trial in the poems of Lamentations, and Jesus responds to almost every question he’s asked with… a question.”

Rob Bell first questioned about what we mean by “be saved” or “born again”, our ideas of heaven (not ‘somewhere’ there, but ‘here’ and ‘now’) and meaning of ‘eternal life’ and  ‘forever’ in the Bible. Then he discussed about hell by giving examples of church websites that declare that ultimately billions of people will spend eternity apart from God while others will be with God in heaven forever. “Is history tragic?” ask Bell, “Have billions of people been created only to spend eternity in conscious punishment and torment, suffering infinitely for the finite sins they committed in the few years they spent on earth?” Big question.

I like this one: “Many have heard the gospel framed in terms of rescue. God has to punish sinners, because God is holy, but Jesus has paid the price for our sin, and so we can have eternal life. However true or untrue that is technically or theologically, what it can do is subtly teach people that Jesus rescues us from God… Let’s be very clear, then: we do not need to be rescued from God. God is the one who rescues us from death, sin and destruction. God is the rescuer” (read again this last sentence). Simply put, in this book, Rob believes in the end God does get what He wants [to saved everyone, the world], that Good News is better told than just going to heaven or suffer in hell, and that loves finally wins.

Three things that I doubt Rob in this book, maybe I put it in three questions: #1 You talk about love and a bit of justice here and there, what about God’s holiness and God’s wrath mention in the Bible?; #2 I still don’t get the real picture of what heaven and hell is supposed to be like, what do you mean by “heaven and hell, here, now, around us, upon us, within us”?; and #3 Rob, why Jesus have to die on the cross? What He had accomplished?

I simply love his examples, nontechnical language, and many Bible quotations to support his statements (no matter how true or untrue, in context or out of context). This book make me think of my own theology and how I live my Christian life now. Book that make you think is simply a good book!

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Jesus' Exclusive Claim is the Evident of Grace

“[Jesus said] ‘You know where I am going and how to get there.’ ‘No, we don’t,’ Thomas said. ‘We haven’t any idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus told him, ‘I am the Way – yes, and the Truth and the Life. No one can get to the Father except by means of me. If you had known who I am, then you would have known who my Father is. From now on you know him – and have seen him!’”
(John 14:4-7, The Living Bible)

I like this, Thomas verbalised what all the disciples must have been thinking but reluctant to ask (One day, one of my student said ‘Amen’ to my Scripture background sharing, so I asked him, ‘Can you repeat what I had just said?’ He don’t know). The disciples couldn’t understand Jesus’ words about “going to prepare” a place for them (v.2). Jesus answered by identifying Himself as the very means for them to see the Father. He claimed to be the unique and ultimate resource when He said: “I am the Way… no one can get to the Father except by means of me.” Jesus’ response also showed that the destination is not a physical place but a Person (the Father) and that the way to that destination is another Person (the Son, Himself).

Jesus provides all we can know and need to know about God. He is “THE WAY” – our path, bridge, transport not just an example or road sign pointing the way. Jesus is the WAY. He is also “THE TRUTH” – our source of wisdom, intimate knowledge of the Father and the reality of all God promised. Jesus is THE TRUTH. He is “THE LIFE” now and forever – our only source of eternal life (Remember, eternal life in the Bible is mainly refers to knowing God intimately, the fullness of life not merely the length of life). He is THE LIFE.

Jesus’ exclusive claim is unmistakable. His self-description invalidates other ‘alternative plans’ of salvation – Jesus is THE ONLY WAY (“No one can get to the Father except by means of me”). Some say – maybe you now – that a single way is too restrictive, too narrow. But we must understand that the human condition is desperate. We are totally deprave and sinful. We are totally lost without Jesus. Think about this – Yes, think! – that God provide A WAY at all is the greatest evidence of God’s grace, love and hope! Hey, knowing that Jesus is the only way should encourage us to live boldly for Him, to share this Good News to others, and to continue living in gratitude, gladness and thanksgiving to God because Jesus came to our lives.  

Knowing Jesus should affect how we view our eternal future
and how we live our life here on earth.

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Young Men, Consider the Ascended Jesus

“[Jesus] left them and was taken up into heaven”

(Luke 24:51, NIV)

The ascension of our Lord directs attention to the fact that He is not only risen, but enthroned. It is that event in which the risen Christ finally and visibly withdrew from His disciples and passed into the heavens – a fitting climax to His life of perfect obedience on earth. His glorious ascension was the necessary and appropriate complement to His resurrection, and the manner in which it took place was consistent with His miraculous life and achievements.

He did not vanish out of sight as He did at Emmaus (Luke 24:31) leaving a question as to whether there might be yet further appearances. He walked away from them, and then He was carried up into heaven, there to sit at the right hand of God. It took place as they were looking on, in broad daylight (Acts 1:9). There was no possibility of mistake. He was really and finally gone.

He ascended bodily, and carried His glorified human body into heaven. He left the disciples, with His hands outstretched in blessing. As soon as His nail-pierced feet left the earth, He commenced His ministry as their Advocate and Intercessor. They exchanged His physical presence for His spiritual omnipresence.

The ascension was an important part of the Lord’s ministry on our behalf. It imparted the assurance that His death was effective and that all God’s claims against sinful men had been met. It evidenced the fact that the problem created by man’s sin had been finally solved. It enabled His disciples to give a satisfying account of the disappearance of Christ’ body from the tomb.

Further, it was the necessary prelude to the coming of the Holy Spirit as promised by the Lord. As the Scriptures says, “the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified” (John 7:39). Now the way was open for the Pentecostal effusion. By the ascension, the local Christ became the universal Christ whose personal presence was mediated by the Holy Spirit.

To Christ, it was the reward of His obedience unto death. “Therefore God exalted Him…” (Philippians 2:9). The ascension reversed man’s verdict on the Son of God. Had the Saviour not ascended, we would be without a representative in heaven, and without the Comforter to lead and guide us on earth. His presence in heaven makes heaven a blessed reality to us. Amen.

[Edited, modified and modernized from Consider Him (1976) by J. Oswald Sanders]

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Jesus Promises Fellowship and Eternal Life, If You... (1 John 2:25)

“So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us”

(1 John 2:24-25, NLT).

The Apostle John reminds us of a great promise God has given to us if we “remain faithful” – that we will live forever with Him. “Eternal life.” To some people, that may sound so foreign to them, but let’s take a look at what it will be like for us to live with God.

The Scriptures tell us that when we live with Christ eternally, all of the weaknesses and problems we face in this life will be over. If we, for example, feel ugly, poor in studies or sports, unpopular, or handicapped, whatever the problem is, it will be gone; we won’t have to live with it ever again. Whether you’ve been poor or depressed, rejected or lonely, all that will be gone forever! Hallelujah! In the Book of Revelation, John recorded this promise: “They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:16-17). Imagine: no more hungry, no more thirst; no more tears, no more frustrations; no more crying, pain, or death (see Revelation 21:4). Everything will be made new. It’s hard to imagine, isn’t it?

All believers will be living in a new version of Jerusalem (Revelation 21), which will be quite unlike anything we have ever seen. John describes it as looking like a very special jewel, surrounded by a wall made of precious jewels, and the city itself made of pure gold. Even the streets will be made of pure gold! Not only will we live in such a perfect place (like the Garden of Eden) and enjoy all of its beauty (like Genesis 1), but it will last forever. And no sin can ever pollute its purity. The best of all is – God will live with us. This is almost impossible for us to understand since everything we know about has a beginning and an end. Every human being has a birth and a death; the same is true in the animal kingdom and nature kingdom (but the reality is that our souls are eternal). The idea of “eternal” life is a mind-blower to me, what about you? But it’s true!

Remember, “Eternal life” doesn’t begin when we die; it begins when we become members of God’s family. It begins when we “believe in” Jesus Christ. Because of Him we “will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). We can begin to enjoy that quality of life right now. Yes, right now! True, we may still experience sorrow and pain in this life, but we have a Resource – Jesus Christ – who has promised to help us cope with these challenges during this life. He will always be with us in the present time and time to come. Therefore, if we “remain faithful”, we “remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father… and… enjoy the eternal life he promised us.” That’s a BIG deal! Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus protects His Children

Jesus takes All the Credit for Our Salvation

“Then [Jesus] asked them, ‘But who do you say I am?’ ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being’” (Matthew 16:15-17, NLT).

When Jesus asked, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” we can sense the sudden tension in the air. They had been brainstorming the different ways the crowds were identifying Jesus. Now Jesus was asking them for their own view. First, I assume, there was silence. Then Peter, the spokesman for all the disciples said: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus did not ask Peter what he meant (I wonder what would it be, right?). Depending on the Bible translation, the first title in Peter’s declaration may be “Christ” or “Messiah.” “Christ” comes from transliterating the Greek term Khristos, which along with Messiah (Hebrew) means “the Anointed One.” Peter was placing Jesus “the Anointed One” in the singular category of the Promised One from the Old Testament prophesies. Peter (that mean all the disciples, I assume) got the title right, even if he didn’t fully understand what it meant. Peter would have to discover what each of us eventually discovers – we can have the right answer about God, but there will always be more to God than our answers. Even our right answers are only a glimpse of all God has to reveal.

Jesus affirmed Peter and his answer, using his formal name – “Simon, son of John.” He declared Peter “Blessed,” not because he had given the right answer but because that right answer had been given to him by Jesus’ “Father in heaven.” God demonstrated his favour on Peter’s life by giving him the insight to speak the right answer.

Think about this: We also have been given the same insight from God’s Holy Spirit, so that we can acknowledge Jesus as the Promised One, the Son of God. We are, therefore, blessed by God. God’s Word makes it clear that we can’t claim to generate the faith it takes to believe in Jesus. The Scripture stated, “By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). When it comes to receiving credit for our salvation, we get none – all of it goes to Christ. Jesus himself said, “[My] Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.” In that moment when we believe, that simple act of faith is itself a gift from God. Amen – so be it.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus wants Us to Influence the World

“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”

(Matthew 5:13-16, NIV).

After several verses on persecution (Matthew 5:10-12), Jesus portrays the effects his followers ought to have on the world around them. Like salt and light, which are useful only when properly applied, our lives bring praise to God only as we acknowledge Jesus as Lord, submit ourselves to his active leadership, and then mix and mingle in the world. Just as salt and the lamp are objects to be used for a purpose – one enhancing flavour and the other providing visibility in a dark place – our lives are intended for a purpose, as well; namely, bringing glory to God.

Salt has limitations. It can lose its flavour or become impure. Yet the apostle Paul encouraged the Colossians to “let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone” (Colossians 4:6). The word “attractive” in this verse was translated from the same word used for “salt” in Matthew 5. Salt preserves as well as enhances food while maintaining its own distinctness. Christians are to season the world by their presence and yet maintain a distinction from the ways of the world. Light has limitations too. It is useless if no one can see it. Jesus’ picture of hidden light shows the folly of Christians living isolated from the world. We are to be the means by which others might see Jesus.

Think about this: John Wesley was asked about the effectiveness of open-air preaching and the public proclamation of the gospel in eighteenth-century England. Wesley apparently smiled and said something to the effect that “when you light yourself on fire, people will show up to watch you burn.” We will not be effective unless we are willing to be seen by others and consumed in Jesus’ service. Neither salt nor light has to be perfect in order to be useful.

You are the salt of the earth.

You are the light of the world.

May people see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus, Even on the Cross Welcomes Sinner

“Two others, both criminals, were taken along with [Jesus] for execution. When they got to the place called Skull Hill, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right, the other on his left”

(Luke 23:32-33, The Message)

Reading this text, I’m amazed at Jesus even more today. Jesus was crucified between two criminals. Right at the end of his earthly life he was still among sinners, the people he had come to save. One of them asked Jesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom. He said, “Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). Like many repented-sinners before him, this one criminal turned to Jesus in his hour of need.

The other criminal cursed Jesus, this one turned to Jesus, acknowledge his deserved punishment and come to Jesus in his need. I think he wasn’t sure precisely what he was asking. He didn’t use theological language or set form of words or recites the Sinner’s Prayer. He simply put his trust in Jesus because he knew that Jesus was sinless and perhaps he believes that Jesus is the Anointed One, the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of God in human flesh and that Jesus could truly help him. At this point, even if he was not so sure about who Jesus really is (as I assumed he did), he knew that Jesus is unique and that God is truly with him. And so, he somewhat have faith in Jesus.

Ah, amazing thing happen when we put our faith in Jesus. The forgiving Son of God, dying on the cross, promised that the criminal would be with him in paradise, that very day. Jesus replied to him, “Don’t worry, I will. Today you will join me in paradise” (Luke 23:43, The Message). There was no conditions. Jesus received the criminal exactly as he was, and Jesus promised him more than he asked for, more than he hoped for, and far more than he expected. This is God: It’s never too late for come to him and ask for forgiveness. In Jesus, God is always ready to forgive us. What happened to the criminal on the cross who have faith (as little as it may seem) in Jesus can happen to us too. It’s no different for us today. Jesus is truly amazing!

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.