April 21, 2010

I love how the Bible illuminates itself!  Saying it that way sounds funny to me, but really, it's Jesus, the Word, shedding His light on the written Word that I'm talking about.  Somtimes though, in the One Year Bible, the Scriptures come together in just the right way to really light up the truth of the gospel, enlightening the eyes of our understanding.

While the Sadducees asked some totally irrelevant questions, Jesus brought reality into clear focus.  He spoke of an "age" in which "those who are considered worthy of a place in that age" will have resurrected bodies that will not die, like the angels. It doesn't say that we will be angels, as some believe!  He also didn't say "in heaven"-- clearly this is an "age" on Earth.  He continues to discuss the Kingdom of God, speaking of the Messiah, giving them a chance to get some revelation about Who the Messiah was.

Psalm 89 gives us so much revelation about the promises of David to which Jesus referred.  The whole psalm prophesies of Christ!  Of course, we know that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah).  "I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.  Forever I will keep my steadfast love for him, and my covenant with him will stand firm." vs 27-28  The awesome thing is that the covenant is between God and Christ, who will never break the covenant.  As long as we are "in Him", the benefits of the covenant are ours.  Jesus took care of the fact that, in our natural state, we are consistent covenant breakers. He's got us covered while we grow as children of God (grace).

Part of God's covenant is that Christ's throne will be established forever.  Only a person who cannot die could have a throne "as long as the heavens endure."vs 29 Just as Jesus was the Messiah then, even though most of the Jews didn't see it, or receive Him as such, Jesus is the King now, even though many don't receive Him as such, or recognize the Kingdom. While He was on the earth, He said the Kingdom of God is at hand.  Then He rose from death, and went to sit at the right hand of the Father, telling us that all authority on heaven and earth had been given to Him.  Doesn't that mean He's the King?  The highest of all?  I guess that means we're already in the Kingdom Age! 

If we recognize and serve the King, we acknowlege that we are in the Kingdom age already, although it is not yet visible on Earth.  At Christ's return, it will be.

What does it mean to have a King?  How real is this to you? 

Bonus:
Jesus is not dead, awaiting the resurrection-- He's alive!  That says to me that, if it's not here already, the Resurrection Age is at hand.  If that is true, what does this mean for us?  What are the implications of walking in Christ's resurrection power and life? Are you aware of any Scriptures that give light on this subject?  As for me, I'm keeping my eyes and ears open for more understanding of what is really going on in REALITY.

March 2, 2010

I love Psalm 45  and it's beautiful description of our glorious King-- and of the Bride! Don't you? It has advice to her on how to please Him as well. As I meditate on this, my love for Him is increased, as is my desire to be seated with Him to rule and reign.

It seems that James and John, the sons of Zebedee, had a glimpse into this calling, but perhaps their desire was not pure-- worldly ambition tingeing the dream. Isn't this true of all of us to one extent or another? If we want to "qualify," then, we'll follow Jesus' clear instructions. He led the way Himself, for He "came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." Mark 10:45   It is not the way we picture a King preparing to take his throne, is it?

Jesus is the Way, and as we walk in Him, we will have our motives purified in the baptism of fire, we will drink a cup of suffering with Him as we follow Him in service, and we will be changed into His image and likeness as we submit to His leading, until we are humble and habitually lay down our lives as He did. He will make us ready to sit with Him if we are willing to walk with Him, stand up for Him, and bow down to Him.