The cross: What is the cross?

When looking at this topic one needs to answer some questions that come to mind. What is the cross? What comes into your mind when you see the cross? Where is the cross used today? In cemetery, on coffins, in pharmacies, and in churches. What does it signify to you? When we talk on the centrality of the cross we mean the focal point. The cross is the focal point to Christian life.

Historically, as an instrument of death the cross was detested by the Jews. "Cursed is everyone that hangs on a tree" (Gal 3:13; compare Dt 21:23), hence, it became a stumbling-block to them, for how could one accursed of God be their Messiah? This was regarded as the most horrible form of death. This punishment began by subjecting the sufferer to scourging. In the case of our Lord, however, his scourging was rather before the sentence was passed upon him, and was inflicted by Pilate for the purpose, probably, of exciting pity and procuring his escape from further punishment (Luke 23:22; John 19:1). The condemned one carried his own cross to the place of execution, which was outside the city, in some conspicuous place set apart for the purpose. Before the nailing to the cross took place, a medicated cup of vinegar mixed with gall and myrrh (the sopor) was given, for the purpose of deadening the pangs of the sufferer. Our Lord refused this cup, that his senses might be clear (Matt. 27:34). The spongeful of vinegar, sour wine, posca, the common drink of the Roman soldiers, which was put on a hyssop stalk and offered to our Lord in contemptuous pity (Matt. 27:48; Luke 23:36), he tasted to allay the agonies of his thirst (John 19:29). The accounts given of the crucifixion of our Lord are in entire agreement with the customs and practices of the Roman in such cases. He literally died of a broken heart, a ruptured heart, and hence the flowing of blood and water from the wound made by the soldier's spear (John 19:34).

If we want to grow in our love for God, which is the first and greatest commandment, then we must be growing to understand and appreciate the cross, which shows us His great love. If we want to grow in godliness, we must grow in understanding the significance of the cross, which confronts the most prevalent and insidious of all sins, namely, pride.

The cross is the place where all the wounds of sin are healed. If you suffer from emotional problems--guilt, anxiety, depression, anger, or whatever--there is healing in the cross of Christ. Keeping the cross of Christ central will protect you from the many winds of false doctrine blowing in our day. Satan hates the cross because it sealed his doom and he is relentless in his attacks to undermine and thwart the cross. Every cult or false teaching in some way diminishes the work of Christ on the cross and magnifies human ability.

1 Peter 2:24-25 makes us know that Through Christ’s death on the cross, those who turn to Him are delivered from both the penalty and the power of sin.

Testimony of the true light

 John 1:6-9

 Introduction:   

The apostle John introduces another man, sent from God to bear witness. This is John the Baptist. This John was sent by God for a special purpose (Malachi 3:1). To bear witness of the light. He was not the light but just a witness so that all through him might believe. He had the same goal like the apostle John, so that all may believe the true light.

   1)      A faithful witness or messenger

A true messenger’s work is to pass on the message. As all prophets, John the Baptist did not call attention to himself. He came to announce the coming of one after him (John 3:25-36, 5:33-35). His aim was for people to believe in Jesus Christ not him.

   2)      What was he bearing witness to?

That Jesus is the light that proceeded from God. Jesus is the only true light because that’s the only one who was sent directly from God. So Jesus cannot be compared with Moses or Elijah and John himself. Jesus was not one in a succession of prophets or sons of God whom God has sent into the world. He is the only Son of God who came from God to reveal to man the one true God.

   3)      John the Baptist confessed that Jesus is the Christ

In John 1:20 he says “I am not the Christ”. When the Jews asked him “Who are you?”. The name Jew at the time when John wrote this gospel referred to the disobedient Jews of the Israelite nation.

Surely, the Sanhedrin had sent these guys to inquire of John in the wilderness as multitudes were following him to hear what he was preaching in the wilderness. The man who wore camel’s hair clothing and ate locusts (Matthew 3:1-12, Luke 3:1-20)

Many preachers today with pride would love to be called Bishop, apostle, papa, etc and some go as far as giving their pictures for the people to hang around. They call the attention to them rather than pointing to the cross of Jesus that saves.

John the Baptist said I am not the Christ! I am not Elijah and I am not the prophet.

a.       From Malachi 4:5 Israel was looking for the one who will come in the spirit and power of Elijah. Some thought Elijah would be resurrected literally to be the forefunner of the Messiah. So John the Baptist gave them a literal answer to the literal question. But the truth is that John the Baptist was the fulfilment of Malachi 4:5; which meant that John came with the zeal of Elijah and the power of a prophet among the people (Mtt 11:14, 17:10-13, Lk 1:17). John the Baptist refused to call the attention to him but Christ, and so he was not deviated from his goal. He did not go ahead to explain the details to them so that they see him and the forerunner or a prophet. He pointed to Christ! Many people were looking for a messiah who would restore the physical kingdom and so the misunderstanding of the prophecy will also hinder them from seeing the true light, the messiah.

b.      John said he was not the prophet. This is in reference to Deuteronomy 18:15-18. Israel was looking for the prophet whom Moses said would come after him. After Moses, there were many prophets but the one that was like unto him was Jesus. That is why in John 6:14, the people said this is the prophet who is to came when they saw Jesus’ miracles (John 7:40, Act 3:19-23, 7:37)

So Moses was prophesying of a specific prophet, not a succession of prophets who would come after him. Jesus is the fulfilment of that prophecy. You now understand why John the Baptist said I am not the prophet; but he was a prophet.

Application:

We are called to proclaim how Jesus called us into his marvelous light. How we obtained His mercy.

·         The prophets faithfully bore witness of the light

·         The followers of Christ (apostles and early disciples)

What about us today?

Do we bear witness of the light by our unity with one another?

Do we bear witness of the light through transformed lives?

Do we bear witness of the light through proclaiming the word?

The purpose of bearing witness is for others to believe in Jesus Christ. Do we help or hinder those around us from believing?

Do not quench God’s effort to bring many into the marvelous light.

2Cor 4:6 “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ”.

Eph 5:8 “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”

Shalom!

Jesus, The life and light of men

 John 1:4-5

 Introduction:  Lioyd Jones asked these questions “Why did the son of God, the word ever come to this world? Why was it that he must die to save us? Why did God not use the prophets to save us by the law given through Moses?

Because there’s something wrong in us.

·         We are not only wrong in understanding Jesus, we’re wrong in our way of trying to know him.

·         We’ve failed to understand that it’s Jesus who gives life to all even the created things in heaven

·         He is the light of men. So he’s the one to give spiritual understanding of God to man.

A Jesus is life

 He is the creator and sustainer of life

   a)      All things Were made by him  Col 1:16

   b)      All things hold together by him col 1:17

Without him, nothing was made

In him was life itself. Therefore he gives us hope for our own resurrection John 5:21, 11:25

John wants us to understand that all physical life originated from the word and so we must understand from his teachings in the whole book that all spiritual life also originate from the word.

It is the spiritual life which originate from the word that brings light to that which was created (John 3:19-21; 8:12, 12:35)

B Jesus is Light

·         We live in a world of darkness

·         People spend their lives in ignorance

·         Separated from God because of ignorance Eph 4:17-19

·         Jesus offers the light of life to us (John 8:12) So he calls us to be sons of light. John 12:35-36

The world made in the beginning was good and God saw that is was good. It was light, but the present world is full of darkness. Sin has come into the world. That’s why the light brought by the son of God could not be understood.

When you are in Christ, you have come out of darkness into light. We have come out of ignorance into light. Ignorance of God, even though God has revealed himself in creation, man has still entered into rebellion. We want to explain it by change, by evolution while keeping God away from the scene. We do not have any excuse.

Until man understands that the world is God’s world and that God made it to respect certain rules, we’ll continue in the darkness, with wars, natural disasters, climate change etc.

Man is too proud that he even things he is an animal that has evolved for years.

Man must understand that he was created by God with a soul which will return to the creator someday.

The world thinks our intelligence can make us God. Man is living in darkness and darkness is inside man (Gen 6:5, Ro 1:18-21).

Application:

1-      Many people resist the life and light Jesus offers

a.       Darkness has not understood the light. Even when some of us get into darkness, instead of shining the light, we become dark. Jesus calls us to be light to the world

b.      Some try to avoid Jesus. They don’t want to change their lifestyle (John 3:19-20)

What is the darkness in your life that does not understand the light? If you think that what we need is just a teacher, then you do not need Jesus. If you think what you need is a doctrine then you have failed. You do not understand what the light has come to do in the mist of sin.

2-      For those who want to come to Jesus

a.       He offers hope and guidance in this life Micah 5:4-5a

b.      He is capable of keeping his promises Matthew 11:28-30

There is no other source of light that will direct man to the source of life than that which originates from the word, Jesus. He says “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father but through me”(Jn 14:6).  “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). 

Come to the light!

Shalom!

Jesus is God

 John 1:1-3

 Introduction: John the apostle is the writer of this book as we can see from these texts. John 13:23, 19:26, 20:2, 21:20 where he writes that the apostle whom Jesus loved. Further in John 21:24 he says that the disciple whom Jesus loved was also an eye witness and he is the one who wrote these things down. The   purpose of this book is seen in John 20:30-31. Therefore he wrote this so that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God and by believing we may have life in his name. He therefore wrote these characteristics of Jesus to make the reader know whom Jesus is.

Jesus is the Word: Verse1

In the beginning was the word and in verse 14 of this chapter, John says the word became flesh. John is writing about someone he heard teaching, he moved with Jesus and touched him. He is not writing an imaginary story. Jesus’ mother lived with John in the last part of her life (John 19:26-27)

He wants us to know all about Jesus from his very first verse. The eternal majesty and deity is the creator of the universe. This is what John wants us to capture in order to feel the way they felt at that time.

John wants us to recognize the infinite majesty of Jesus Christ so that we may read this with worship, humility, submissiveness and awe that the man at the wedding party or the man at the well or the man on the mountain is the creator of the universe. John is not making a mistake but wants us to know that this man was with God in the beginning, He was God, he is the one who laid his life for us (John 15:13), and is the creator.

Why call Jesus the Word?

Because he is the truth of God and

His word is truth of God

He came to witness to the truth (John 18:37) and He was the truth (John 14:6)

Rev 19:13 says the one who judges is the word and from Rev 19:15 we get that from his mouth is a sharp sword. Ephesians 6:17 makes us know that the sword of the spirit is the word of God. So we can now understand why John called Jesus the word.

Jesus existed before creation

In the beginning was the word (ie before creation). Jude also confirms the everlasting nature of Jesus in Jude 1:25. Paul in his second letter to Timothy reiterate that we received grace through Jesus before time began. Therefore, before anytime or matter ever existed there was the word, Jesus Christ, the son of God.

The word was God (Identity of Jesus)

The Jewish Pharisees understood in John 10:33 when they accused him of blasphemy making himself God. He is our savior, our Lord and our God. Jesus is everlasting, he created everything and existed before matter and time were created.

The word was with God

The word, Jesus Christ was with God and he was God. He is God and he is the image of God, a perfect representation of all that God is (The fullness of God). There is just one essence of God but three persons. Two are mentioned here; the father and the son. If you throw away the deity of Jesus Christ, then you throw away your soul. Then what you mean is that Jesus could not accomplish your salvation (Heb 2:14-15).

All things were made through him verses 2-3

He was the father’s agent or word in the creation of all things. But in doing it, he was God. God, the word, created the world. Our savior, Lord, friend and maker

Jesus was not created (made) vs3

“Without him was not anything made that was made”. So Christ was not made since he made everything that was made. Before you exist you can’t bring yourself into being. That is what it means to be God (He was not made). And the word was God.

Unfortunately, some people have not realized the deity of Christ and so cannot submit or worship him. They think Jesus is just like any good teacher and so it suffices for them to find a good moral teacher and all will be well. No! they are living in darkness. They cannot understand the light that has come. They can only realize whom Jesus is if they know the situation of mankind as concerns sin and why man has to be redeemed.

It is not yet late, you can still accept Jesus as you savior, Lord and God. He will restore you. You need to submit to his teachings, the truth about God and who he is.

Shalom!

FAREWELL TO MOSES AND COMMISSIONING OF JOSHUA (DEUTERONOMY 31:1-8)

                It is always a difficult thing to speak when you want to say farewell to your friends and family. I have seen and witness people crying when they are about to leave their loved ones for a   while. I saw someone who was so excited to go abroad when following up her visa, but while at the airport, she burst into tiers because she was leaving the ones she loved so much. It is never a happy day when we leave our friends. Welcomes are always the happy events

MOSES IS HANDING OVER          

Our text makes us know that Moses’ life  was getting to an end, so his ministry with the Israelites was ending for someone to take over .two reasons  made it that, Moses could not lead the people to Canaan

   1)      Moses was 120 years old. Too old to enter Canaan with Israel because the coming years were to be years of war with the Canaanites. This Moses who had experienced spectacular events in the Egyptian palace right to the east banks of Jordan river, he now say he is too old to enter Canaan (vs 2a ). That is why we need to hand over to stronger and able people when we feel we can no longer do as we ought to. We need to hand over our power, our authority and even our ministry else what we started or were doing will never reach anywhere. If we want our work to endure for long we must prepare to hand over to others at the right time.

  2)      The second reason is that God had said to him “You will not go over the Jordan” (vs 2). God had banished Moses from crossing the Jordan because of his earlier sin at meribah (Numbers 20:8-12).    God asked Moses to take his staff and speak to the rock so that water will flow for the people to drink. But anger made Moses to disobey God. He was arrogant. Our arrogance may lead us away from God’s will. Being angry that the people have rebelled against God, Moses said. “Hear now, you rebels, must we bring forth water for you out of this rock?” (Numbers 20:10b).Then he smote the rock twice with his staff instead of speaking to the rock as the Lord commanded. Two problems:

  a-      The statement of Moses did not bring glory to God (must we bring forth water).It was not Moses and Aaron that provided water to the people. It was by God’s power, to whom they were to give credit. Must at times we are fun of usurping God’s Glory even as Christians or leaders. We make people think we are the ones doing it when it is God’s doing, hence we stop people from glorifying God for what He is doing.

  b-      God said because you did not believe me. Moses had faith, but why did God say he did not believe? Believe is always manifested in actions. Moses allowed his frustrations with the people to cloud his actions in relation to what God commanded. Let us be careful.  Frustrated leaders often act contrary to the will of God when the people do not obey according to the will of God. Note that the sin of leadership is when leaders behave in a sinful manner in order to keep the people from sin. Illus: (I was teaching our youths some day in church and I took some time to tell them what I had gone through before my conversion and I encourage them to have their salvation testimony. A young sister came to me and said Pastor I think you should not tell them that. Her reason was that if we share our salvation testimonies it’ll stop others from receiving Christ. For her we should always be telling others how we are holy. If we pretend and lie to others that we were always holy, in order to bring them to Christ we fall in this sin of leadership. You must speak the truth. That is God’s will. He does not want us to lie in order to win souls. Whether they accept what you say or not, if it is God’s will, it is the truth and must be spoken. It remains truth! I therefore encourage you leaders to stand for the truth no matter what. And to you Christians do not frustrate your leaders else you will also be held responsible for pushing them into sin or putting stumbling blocks for the men of God. Woe to him who causes a man of God to stumble.

JOSHUA IS TAKING OVER FROM MOSES (verse 7, 8)

This is like a graduation ceremony. Commissioning Joshua not only for Joshua’s benefit but for all the people. That is why it was a public event. It was there to encourage the people so that they will remember God’s promises. Moses made them know that God will go with them even in his absence. This was spoken to the Israelites and it applies to us today who are the spiritual Israelites. God will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

Moses commends Joshua to them for a leader; one whose wisdom, and courage, and affection they had long known; one whom God had appointed to be their leader; and therefore would own and bless.

Joshua is well pleased to be admonished by Moses to be strong and of good courage. Those who have God with them shall speed well; therefore they ought to be of good courage. Through God let us do courageously, for through him we shall do victoriously; if we resist the devil, he will flee from us.

But how can you resist the devil without Christ? I tell you that it will not be possible for anyone to resist the devil if he/she does not have Christ. It is the power of Christ in you that can help you resist the devil. It is Christ in you that you can overcome sin. It is Christ in you that you can overcome evil. That is when you will realize that you were naked while in your sins. You can read about the healing of the man who was possessed with legions of demons in Luke 8:26-38 and you will understand what may be happening to you. You can know if you are under Christ’s control or under Satan’s control. People can also see from your fruits.

You may be coming to church every Sunday, you may be coming to prayer meetings every meeting day and you still do not have Christ and so he will not be with you. You may be lifting up your hands with other Christians in church as they are called to lift up holy hands unto the Lord but you have evil spirit. Spirit of lies telling, spirit of fornication etc. You are in the wrong place, like the man who was possessed. He was supposed to be with people but he was always going to the tombs. What are you doing in a man’s house when you are not married to him? What are you doing with that lady when you are not married to her? That is your spiritual tomb! Though he was chained, no one could control him. You may be that type who says, no one can tell me what to do. No one can advise you and you listen. Then you are like this man with chains but not under control. You need Jesus right now. This man ran to Jesus, cried out and fell at his feet.. (lk 8:28) and he addressed Jesus as the son of the Most High God. He recognized Christ but he was possessed. At times you inflict pain on yourself and you cry latter, you wonder why you did those things you did. What is controlling you? You need Jesus.

When this man was healed by Jesus, he recognized that he was naked and so he was given clothes to wear (lk8:35). Women, why are our ladies dressed today with open breasts or open navel? Do they realize that they are naked? When Jesus will touch you, you will request for a dress to wear. You need Christ to be free. You need Christ to enter your promise land and when you must have received Christ then the statement to be courageous will now be your portion. And God will not leave you nor forsake you.

Then our farewells will not be painful but Joy because we shall meet again in the Kingdom of God.

THE QURAN SAYS JESUS IS SUPREME AND IS ALIVE: WHO DO YOU BELIEVE?

                Christians and Muslims believe in the infallibility of the original Bible manuscripts. But many followers of Islam think the translated versions of the Bible have undergone substantial changes in their versions. However, the Quran does not support this claim. In fact the Quran makes it clear that the Bible, known as Torah and the Injil, was found reliable in Muhammad’s time (sixth century). If the Bible is that reliable and the same speaks of Jesus as supreme and alive, why would someone believe in Muhammad who is dead and is not supreme?

1-The Quran notes that Jesus is “The greatest and most supreme in this world and beyond”

(AL-e-Omran-verse 45) i.e. { Quran chapter 3:45} “Behold ;the angels said; “O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and hereafter, and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah”

                The Pickthal translation says “… whose name is the messiah, Jesus son of Mary…” The shakir says “… whose name is the messiah, Isa son of Mariam…”

                So Quran chapter 3 verse 45 says Jesus is the savior, the messiah who is supreme on earth and in heaven amongst those who are with God. Do you believe in Jesus who is the only savior of your life?  Or are you still doubting? If you are doubting, go back to the Quran and read chapter 10 verse 94-95.

2-The Quran states; “if you( Muslim ) have doubts about what I  (God) have revealed, ask Christians who have read the bible before you”

Quran 10:94: “If thou wert in doubt as to what we have revealed unto thee, then ask those who have been reading the book from before thee; the truth had indeed come to thee from the Lord; so be in no wise of those in doubt nor be of those who reject the signs of Allah, or thou shalt be of those who perish”(Jonah 94-95). Pickthal says “…question those who read the scripture   (that was) before thee…”  while Shakir says “…ask those who read the book before you…”.

Are you ready to go into the Bible to know the full truth about God and the savior Jesus? Do you know the Quran says the Bible (Injil) is guidance and light, and that it approves the truthfulness of the Torah?

3-Quran chapter 5 verse 46 “And we sent, the following in their footsteps, Jesus the son of Mary, confirming that which  came before him in the Torah; and we give him the gospel in which was guidance and light and confirming that which preceded it of the Torah as guidance and instruction for the righteous”.

4-The Quran says Jesus can give life. That he gave life to the dead. He created a bird from mud and he breath into it and it became a life bird (AL-maaedeh ie chapter 5 verse 110). Yes he did all these through God the father’s permission. The Quran also states that only God can bring life to a dead body (Iaasin chapter 36 verse 12) and later it point out that only Jesus has such a power.

5-Jesus is a complete image of God. If you see him, you have seen God. Quran says “He is the word (Quran chapter 3:45)”.The Bible says “the word was with God and the word became flesh and lived among us (John 1:1-14). Jesus himself said “I and my father are one” (Bible: John 10:30)

Unlike other prophets in the Quran who performed miracles Jesus himself was a miracle as he was born of a virgin mother and God describes him and his mother as such:

“…and we made her ( Mary) and her son (Jesus) a sign for the worlds” Quran 21:91

6- Quran says Jesus made many miracles which other prophets could not do. The Bible says he did so many things some which are not written (John 20:30,31 “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;  but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”). Quran 2:87 “And we gave unto Jesus, son of Mary, clear miracles”

- Quran 5:112-114 : Jesus prayed down a table of food from heaven for him and his disciples  to eat.

- Quran 3:46 : Jesus spoke to people while he was still in the cradle as a child.

- Quran 3:49 : Jesus created a life bird from mud.

- Quran 3:49 : Jesus heals the blind and the leper.

Quran 3:49 : Jesus raised the dead to life. The Bible also attest to Jesus raising the dead to life (Mathew 9:18,25)(mark 5:22,35)(Luke 7:11,14;8:40,49)

            The Quran says these miracles were a sign for them to believe (Quran 3:49).The Quran says Jesus did all these things by the will of God. The bible also says in Acts 2:22 that God made those miracles through Jesus.

7-The Quran also attests to the virgin birth of Jesus .Quran 19:20 “How can I have a boy while no man have touched me and I have not been unchaste?”

- Quran 16:12 “And [The example of] Mary, the daughter of Imran, who guarded her chastity, so we blew into [ her garment] through our angel , and she believed in the words of her lord and His scriptures and was of the devoutly obedient.

- Quran says Jesus is sinless and holy. He is perfect and sanctified. The angels said in Quran 19:19 “I am only the messenger of your lord to give you [news of] a pure boy”.

- Quran says Jesus is the only intercessor for mankind before God. Quran 19:87 “None will have [power of] intercession except he who had taken from the most merciful a covenant.

- Quran says only God can give life to creatures. Human beings cannot even create a fly. But Jesus breadth into a mud and created a bird. Quran 22:73 “O people, an example is presented so listen to it. Indeed, those you invoke besides Allah will never create [as much as] a fly, even if they gather together for that purpose. And if the fly should steal away from them a [tiny] thing they could not recover it from him. Weak are the pursuer and pursued”

CONCLUSION:

            The Muslims say Jesus is not God . They also believe Allah (God) never got married, so no son for Allah, hence Jesus is not the son God. But from the Quran as we have seen from above, Jesus is the greatest and supreme on earth and beyond. Moreover in this chapter 3:45, the Quran says Jesus is the word of God (kalimatullah). Just as in the Bible John chapter 1.The Quran also says in chapter 21:91 that Jesus is the spirit of God. “We breathed into her (Mary) from my spirit”. And in chapter 3:45 it also says Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ. If Jesus is the word of GOD, Logos and he is the spirit of God and the Messiah, what more can he be but to be God or Son of God?  How did God create the universe? The Bible and the Quran are unanimous that it is by the word of God. So the word is the creator of the universe and the word is Jesus Christ. So Jesus is the creator of the universe in the God head.

            The Quran notes that Jesus is alive with God in Quran 3:55(God said “O Jesus I am terminating your life, and raising you up to me and clearing you of those who disbelieve, until the day of resurrection. Then to me is your return; then I will judge between you regarding what you were disputing’’).But Muhammad died and was buried. He did not even know whether God will judge him worthy of His kingdom.

So only Jesus could give his followers promises of life on the day of resurrection.

·         Quran 4:158 “Rather, God raised him up to himself. God is mighty and wise.’’The Quran also attest that Jesus will come again on the day of resurrection. Quran 4:159 “There is none from the people of the scripture but will believe in him before his death, and in the day of resurrection he will be a witness against them”. The Quran notes that the second coming of Jesus will be a sign for the last days or judgment day (Quran 43:61).

      Muslims must therefore believe in the lord Jesus Christ as their creator. My dear  Muslim friends, Jesus is your God and you must confess him as your lord and savior to escape from hell. Jesus says in the Bible Mathew 7:13, 14 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” In John 14:6,7 He says “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him’’.

Jesus is the perfect representation of God and we can only go to God through him. Jesus will come again to judge the world .Where will you be? Will you say I believe in Muhammad who died and was buried? Or that you believe in Jesus Christ the righteous who is exalted and is sited at the right hand of God? He is the only one who can intercede between man and God. Hebrews 1:3, 4 “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”

      Come to Jesus and you will be saved!

Do not lose your faith in God’s promises

Bible Reading: Jan 10: Gen 25-26; Matt 8:1-17

God continuous with His promises to make Abraham father of many nations even through Keturah. Being well over one hundred years God surely helped him for his physically old body to implant his seed in Keturah’s womb as He did for him and Sarah. Abraham had six sons with Keturah. Isaac and Ishmael both joined in the burial of their father beside their mother in the cave of Machpelah. Surely in Abraham’s life he brought Ishmael and Isaac togetrher else, I don’t know how they’ll join in his burial. Notice that the children Abraham had with Keturah were disposed to his estate; each settled in a land as we see from the names. He set his house in order while he was living in prudence and justice, and that is wisdom. Abraham lived 175 years; but whether we live long or short, it matters but little, provided we leave behind us a testimony to the faithfulness and goodness of the Lord, and a good example to our families.

The genealogy of Ishmael were recorded for two reasons. Firstly God wanted the Israelites to know that He had fulfilled His promise to Hagar (Gen 16:12;21:18). Secondly, God wanted this to remind Israel that the nations that came from Ishmael were the descendants of Isaac’s half-brother. Notice that at the time of deliverance from Egypt, Palestine was encircled by nations from the preferential treatment Israel received from God, jealousy arose between Israel and the surrounding seed of Abraham through Hagar and Keturah. The jealousy which caused strife even to this day.

Rebekah was barren for 20 years as she married Isaac at 40 years and only gave birth when Isaac was 60 years old. God answered Isaac’s prayer for his wife’s barrenness (Gen 25:21.) The struggle in Rebekah’s womb was like reflecting what will happen to the two nations that will came from the two children. Gentle Isaac loved the strong son Esau while strong Rebekah loved the less aggressive son, Jacob. God’s preference for the chosen people of Israel was Jacob (Ro 9:10-13). Notice that Isaac spent his days in quietness though he was not much tried. Even Jacob and Esau were prayed for, the fulfilment of God’s promise is always sure, yet it is often slow. The faith of believers is tried, their patience exercised, and mercies long waited for are more welcomed when they come. Isaac and Jacob knew the promise was to come through them but they were patient and in prayer waiting for the Lord. 20 years after their marriage, God answered them. Why are you the way you are?

Esau lost his birthright for a dish of porridge. He considered his birthright less than the porridge, so he traded a nation with God’s blessing for a bowl of Soup. He was therefore disqualified from being the father of a nation through whom God would bring the Messiah into the world. What kind of hunger was this? I believe the two children knew about God’s promise to Abraham hence their father Isaac. Jacob valued this above all things, while unbelieving Esau despised it. What kind of appetite will cause you to lose such a blessing from God? Gratifying the sensual appetite ruins thousands of precious souls. When men’s hearts walk after their own eyes (Job 31:7), and when they serve their own bellies, they are sure to be punished.

Can anyone assume that Esau was dying of hunger in Isaac’s house? This was just profaneness (Heb 12:16). It is the greatest folly to part with our interest in God, and Christ, and heaven, for the riches, honors, and pleasures of this world. That is a bad bargain just as the one who sold his birth-right for a dish of porridge. After eating he went his way despising his birth-right. He had no regret of his poor bargain, no repentance, and that is what ruins many people today.

In chapter 26 God rehearsed His promised to Abraham to reassure Isaac during this famine that sent him to Gerar close to the pagan king Abimelech. God made him know that the promise was on the condition of Abaraham’s obedience so that Isaac will do same. Notice that this Abimelech is not the same that lived in Abraham’s day.

Isaac as his father deceived Abimelech again that Rebekah is his sister. Rebekah was his cousin and so could be considered his sister by the culture from where Rebekah came but Isaac knew Abimelech will not understand that and so their intention was to hide the fact that she was his wife because of fear. There is nothing in his denial of his wife to be imitated or even excused, because his father passed through the same temptations twice, so Isaac would have learned from the errors of his father. The new Abimelech acted rightly. The sins of professors (Christians) shame them before those that are not themselves religious.

God blessed Isaac so much that he became stronger in wealth and manpower than Abimelech. He was envied and they made him go out of the country. Wisdom from above make us know that we can give up our rights to avoid contentions. When we are wrongfully driven from one place, God will make room for us in another. Isaac continued to dig wells (Gen 26:17-25), but the philistines filled them in order to move him out of the territory. Instead of struggling he simply moved on. Isaac finally moved to Beersheba (Gen 21:30,31) where his father dug a well and God encouraged Isaac to stay and fear no more. When a man’s ways please the Lord, He will make even his enemies to be at peace with him (Prov 16:7). Abimelech took the initiative to establish a covenant with Isaac, knowing that he was much stronger than he (Gen 26:26-33). Isaac did not insist on the unkindness they had done him, but freely entered into friendship with them.

Esau went into a polygamous marriage to two Canaanites; strangers to the blessing of Abraham and subject to the curse of Noah. He rejected the moral standard of his fathers and followed the pagan nations. It grieved his parents because he married without their advice and consent; and to a people who had no religion. Marriage to an unbeliever is the signal that the believer is losing his or her faith. We can only lose our faith when we seize to seek the knowledge of God as Christ teaches in the Bible.

Matthew chapter 8 starts by indicating how the great crowd followed Jesus because they wanted to know him more. At this time of his ministry he wanted to teach the people; he was not looking for people to come only for healing reason why he told the leper not to tell anyone but show himself to the priest so that he can be declared clean and accepted among the people. I can imagine how the lepers who were discharged yesterday (World leprosy day) at the Mbingo Baptist Hospital felt going home to their people after being treated and healed.

Notice that the leper worshiped Jesus as one clothed with Divine power “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean”. Jesus does not only have power over bodily diseases, no guilt is greater than his blood that atones for it, no corruption is stronger than his grace which can subdue it. To be clean we must seek for his pity, not as a debt but as a favor. Those who have faith ask Christ for mercy and grace. Afflictions that cause us to know Christ and seek help and salvation from him are blessed.

The centurion who was a Roman military officer with 100 men came to Jesus. It is probable that the healing of the centurion’s servant in Luke 7:1-10 was different from the one recorded here. The centurion believed in the power of Jesus to reach beyond His presence. He also knew that a Jew would be considered ceremonially unclean for entering a Gentile house. He was a soldier yet he was a godly man. Your calling or place is no excuse for unbelief and sin. We can see how the soldier presents his servant’s case. We should be concerned for the souls of our children and servants, who are spiritually sick, who feel not spiritual evils or good; and we should bring them to Christ by faith and prayers. The soldier showed:

-       self-abasement: Humble souls become more humble by Christ’s gracious dealings with them.

-       Great faith: the centurion had faith that Jesus had Divine power over nature and all creatures as a master over his servants. We have to be servants like that to God; ready to go and come according to the directions of God’s word.

The servant got his cure and the master got the approval of his faith. Believe, and you shall receive; only believe. The healing of our souls is the effect and evidence of our interest in the blood of Christ.

Peter had a wife and yet was an apostle reason why Jesus healed his mother-in-law (Matt 8:14-15). So no one can deny the fact that Apostle Peter was married; and his wife’s mother was in his family. When people recover from fever they are still weak for some time but when Jesus healed this woman she went on doing her house work, which shows that it was a true miracle. Many are the diseases and calamities to which we are liable in the body; but the gospel says Jesus Christ bore our sicknesses and carried our sorrows (Is 53:4; 1Pet 2:24). He took away both physical infirmities and spiritual infirmities. Will you trust in him? I do.

Prayer: Great God, creator of the universe. Lord I worship you and trust in your word. Just like the singer, Lord I know you will provide at some time. It may not be my time Lord; and yet in your own time you will provide. Help me not to grow weary Lord. I trust in your time and the things you have planned for us Lord. I thank you for this opportunity you have given me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen