Who do you say that I am?
The Kingdom of God is within your grasp!
Theme Verse: "Who do you say that I am?" Matthew 16:15
Readings: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; John 3:1-17; Matthew 6:7-15;
Matthew 18: 1-5
Optional: Matthew 18: 21-35; Matthew 13: 24-33, 44-50
Memory Verse: Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." John 3:3
KINGDOM: "the territory, people, state, or realm ruled by a king."
INTRODUCTION: The following is a summary of thoughts about God's kingdom presented in the book, Sitting at the Feet of the Rabbi Jesus, Chapter 13
God's kingdom is a realm that has no geographic location and transcends earthly nations. This kingdom is not a place but rather the actions of and dominion ruled by a king who transcends all earthly kings. It is God's reign, and those whom God reigns over.
Kingdom of heaven is a phrase sometimes applied in the New Testament Gospels but the word "heaven"as applied here is really a respectful euphemism for God's name, which good Jews would not utter. So Kingdom of Heaven is really Kingdom of God. Many Jews in Jesus' time believed that God was going to redeem the world by bringing it under his reign. What they did not know was what kind of king God's Messiah would be. Jews had prayed for centuries that the whole world would one day know and honor God. (and we Christians pray in the same way – "thy kingdom come…") Jesus' ministry was wholly about the Kingdom of God, and how it had broken in on this world. Read Luke 11:20 (and Exodus 8:19).
GOD'S KINGDOM IS INTIMATELY CLOSE! Read Luke 17: 20-21 and Matthew 12:28. The Jews believed- as noted in 1 Enoch and 2 Baruch from their Scriptures- that the kingdom of God would be observable through cosmic or celestial signs. The literal translation of Luke 17: 20 means- "the kingdom of God is not coming with signs that can be observed." (or, "not with your careful observation", or "not in a way that can be closely watched") The kingdom is in fact within "your midst", or "intimately close", or "within your grasp", or "at hand". This means that it is so near no one can miss it. It is here. There is an urgency to it- what are you going to do about it? Do you want to be in God's kingdom? How does that happen? This verse has also been translated as "the kingdom of God is within you"; meaning, a personal commitment, where we bow down in our hearts to the king, where we daily enthrone him, or worship him. It is a present and continual choice on our part to be in God's kingdom.
YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN! In Matthew 8:5-10 we read the story of the Roman centurion who came to Jesus so that his servant might be healed. He told Jesus that there was no need for Jesus to come to his home. Instead he says, "Just say the word and my servant will be healed, for I too am a man under authority…". The centurion placed himself under the authority of Jesus, and the kingdom of heaven visibly broke into his life. When you hear the phrases, "make a personal commitment to Jesus", or "commit your life to Christ", it means submitting your life to Jesus, and believing that he has authority to forgive all sins, including yours! In John 3, Jesus tells Nicodemus, "You must be born again". You must be born again to see and be in God's kingdom. It is as when Jesus says, "He who has ears, let him hear." In this case, it is, "He who has eyes, let him see." In today's Matthew 18 reading, Jesus in v. 3 states that unless we "humble" ourselves like a little child- the word "humble" literally means "repent", or "turn around"- we can never enter God's kingdom. This has nothing to do with any inherent humility on the part of any child, but it does point to a child's trusting spirit, and their willingness to be dependent and receive from others. Everyone who believes in/ trusts Jesus will not perish but have/receive eternal life! Eternal life is God's life, it is his kingdom. Paul as noted in Romans 8:17 states that "if we are children than we are heirs." Roman inheritance law established an heir by birth, whereas we are granted the privileges and responsibilities of being an heir upon someone's death. Paul emphasized that because we are born into God's life through faith in Jesus we become his children, and if we are God's children then we are heirs to all that belongs to the king. Have you made this personal commitment to Jesus? If so, can you give examples of the kingdom of God visibly breaking into your life or the life of someone you know? Set this against Jesus' home area of Nazareth, where he could not perform many miracles because of the people's lack of faith.
Once we have been born from above, our life in Christ, our kingdom life, does not end. It is active and present and continuous.
Read Matthew 7:21. Only those who do God's will Jesus will recognize as God's children. What is God's will? Read John 6:40.
Read Psalm 44:4. When we believe, and as we believe, a personal relationship is established and maintained. See Thomas in John 20:28- "My LORD and my God!"
Read Colossians 1: 13-14. Jesus has delivered us from the powers of darkness, and transferred us to his kingdom. And that kingdom is "Unshakeable"- see Hebrews 12:28, so let us worship and give thanks to God in "devotion and awe"!
Read Colossians 3: 1-3. "Keep seeking the things above." Matthew 6:33.
WHAT IS KINGDOM LIVING? A Christian writer once defined eternal life as "not about duration of time but quality of life." There are many examples in the New Testament about how we live in God's kingdom. Following are a few: Matthew 5:1- 7:29; Romans 12: 9-21; Galatians 5: 13-25. And of course we read the parables of the kingdom of heaven ("the kingdom of heaven is like…") in Matthew 13. In Matthew 5 is the well-known Sermon on the Mount. There Jesus proclaims to the people "Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for the kingdom of God belongs to them." Jesus wants us to have hearts like beggars, hearts that are submitted to the Father. Remember in last week's lesson where we read Jesus' words that he does only what he sees his Father in heaven doing? As we live like this, totally dependent on the Father's love and the direction of his Spirit, the kingdom belongs to us. Later, Jesus tells us to "let your light shine before people". We should want this for others too. In Matthew 6 we read the Lord's Prayer. It begins by our acknowledging God as Father and king ("hallowed be your name…"), then continues with a request of the Father for his kingdom to come. What other examples of kingdom living are provided in these readings?
In Galatians 5, Paul discusses the difference between the life in the flesh and the life in the Spirit. If God has set us free from the bondage of sin, then we are free indeed! We have been called to this freedom- but don't misuse it! Paul exclaims- "Live by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh." He is clear in pointing out the desires of the flesh and the behavior that comes from them, and adds "Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!" So what are we to do? "Live by the Spirit"! Recall now the reading in last week's lesson from Deuteronomy 17, where the expected lifestyle of Israel's king is described. How does that life and this kingdom life compare? What is God saying to us about his life, eternal life, and about personal relationships? All of the conduct described not only establishes a personal relationship with God but also enhances our relationship with God and with one another. Jesus said in John 10:10 that he came so that we might have Life and have it most abundantly. God loves us and wants what is best for us, and kingdom life is the best life.
Following are words received for this lesson:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven". (Matthew 5:3) A word received: Come to me so that you will truly know your poverty and your need for me.
"Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:12) A word received: I want your joy to be complete. Look to me for joy that comes in the face of adversity and persecution.
Another parable he put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches." (Matthew 13:31-32) A word received: Come, nest in the branches; come rest in my arms. Come to me; come find your shelter in me.
Another parable he spoke to them: "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened." (Matthew 13:33) A word received: I want my love to be mixed up with your life. I want to raise and leaven you as yeast does with dough.
You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5) A word received: Come to me, I will build you up on the sure foundation of my love. You are precious in my sight.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 22, March 14, 2010
Who do you say that I am?
Jesus, the King of Kings and LORD of lords
Theme Verse: "Who do you say that I am?" Matthew 16:15
Readings: Deuteronomy 17:14-20; 1 Samuel 8:1-22; Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21: 1-11
Optional: 1 Chronicles 17:11-14; Luke 1: 26-33; John 18: 33-37; Isaiah 9:6-7
Memory Verse: "I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name forever and ever." Psalm 145:1
INTRODUCTION: What does it mean to be a king? What do you think of when you hear the word "king"? One dictionary defines a king as "a male sovereign ruler of a kingdom," while that same dictionary defines a kingdom as "the territory, people, state, or realm ruled by a king." Two other words are important for us to consider: Sovereign- "exercising or possessing supreme jurisdiction or power; free, independent, autonomous." Authority- from the Greek word exousia, which has "the basic idea of freedom of choice". One who has the most authority therefore has the most freedom of will. It is fair to say that these two words apply well to our concept of a king. C.S. Lewis applies these words to God, in that "the freedom of God consists in the fact that no cause other than himself produces his acts and no external obstacles impede them". God can do what he wants. But we must learn what it is that he wants.
THE CONCEPT OF "KING" IN THE BIBLE: In Old Testament times, a king was a leader of his people, a protector, and a permanent military leader. He was expected to lead his people into battle and be victorious, to negotiate terms of victory or loss, and to manage and insure the peace otherwise. The Book of Exodus, chapter 15, records what is known as "The Song of Triumph" (notice the language of a battle). Moses and the people of Israel sing "Who is like you O LORD among the gods? Majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?" Later in v.18 they sing "The LORD will reign for ever and ever!" Sung by a People who have been held in captivity for hundreds of years, and now delivered from the most powerful earthly king, is it any wonder that the song speaks of God as King? The LORD is indeed sovereign, with authority even over the waters of the earth and the most powerful human rulers, and a great protector and leader of his chosen people. The Israelites held God as the Most High King, the LORD God Almighty. He was leading them to the Promised Land. (Compare this with Jesus going to prepare a place for us in John 15; see also John 10:10 and 14:1-3.)
GOD'S PROVISION FOR A KING: After the Israelites have been delivered out of the grasp of Pharaoh but were not yet in the land God had promised to give them, God makes provision for an earthly king to lead them. See Dt 17. What precedes this section in Dt is the LORD's warning to the Israelites not to worship other gods. Somehow, too, the LORD seems to know that his people will ask for a king. But he warns them that it must be a king "from among your own brothers". There is then a list of things the king must follow or not do. In essence, he will be expected to submit to God's higher moral authority and will and not exalt himself above his fellow citizens. This is unlike any other king! Compare this to Jesus in Phil 2:5-11 ("every knee shall bow", a common salutatory greeting to a king) and John 5:19. See also the consequences of a king who does not hold to God's authority (David in 2 Samuel 12: 1-15).
ISRAEL EXERCISES THE PROVISION: The time of the Judges in Israel was about 1,100 B.C. The Israelites became increasingly interested in their neighbors and how those neighbors lived. They also became increasingly desirous of a king. Why do you think they wanted a king? In 1 Samuel 8:5 the elders demand that Samuel appoint them a king. How does this compare with God's words to them as recorded in Dt 17? Was not the king to be of God's choosing? They also wanted to be "like other nations". The word "nations" is "goyim" in the Hebrew, or Gentiles. For us, it literally means "non-believers". The Israelites were finding their self-esteem in how the non-believers lived and ordered their lives. Are we any different today? In v.6 the leading elders again tell Samuel "give us a king to lead us", which was a clear rejection of God who had been their leader, protector, and king. V. 7. (Compare this to Isaiah 43:15 and Isaiah 44:6- "protector" means literally "kinsman redeemer" *see note at end of lesson.) Samuel bluntly reports what they can expect in a king- he holds nothing back. Vv.11-18. The people do not care; they want a king! And so God provided a king. In 1 Samuel 10, Samuel anoints Israel's first king- Saul. "Has not the LORD anointed you leader over his inheritance?" (Jesus is known as the Christ- from the Latin Christos- meaning "the Anointed One") How is Jesus different from these earthly kings of Israel?
GOD'S ULTIMATE PROVISION: JESUS- God begins to lay the groundwork for the Messiah by prophecies. In 1 Chronicles 17: 11-14. God declares to David that "I will establish his throne forever. I will be his father and he will be my son." In the well-known prophecy from Isaiah 9: 6-7, God proclaims that "he will reign on David's throne…from that time on and forever." The child to be born will be called Wonderful Counselor (a more literal translation is "extraordinary strategist"), Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace". See also Isaiah 11: 1-5. God sent an angel to Mary, recorded in Luke 1: 26-33, where the angel proclaims that "The LORD God will give him the throne of his father David and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." Jesus himself makes a public declaration of his kingship in Matthew 21: 1-11 that fulfills a prophecy in Zechariah 9:9. After his resurrection, he assures his disciples that "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me….surely I am with you always." He would be for the disciples and is for us our King, our LORD, our protector, our extraordinary strategist, our Redeemer, for all time! This is confirmed in John's vision recorded in Revelation 19: 11-16. Jesus is THE King of kings and LORD of lords!!
Read Isaiah 55:6 and James 4:8. Is Jesus able to be your king, your sovereign LORD? Do you want to be part of his kingdom? We will look more closely at his kingdom in next week's lesson.
WORDS FOR THE CLASS: Read Matthew 13: 24-30
"He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?'" (Matthew 13:28) A word received: I want my people to understand my plan for their salvation and their part in it. I want them to deal with sin and falsehood my way -- by telling the truth that is in my word.
"But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them." (Matthew 13:29) A word received: It is not my will that any of my lambs should be lost.
"Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn."'" (Matthew 13:30) A word received: Don't rush to judgment; test the fruit. Look to me for guidance -- I AM King.
All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: "Tell the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your King is coming to you lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.'" (Matthew 21:4-5 A word received: That is how I still come to you: lowly and humble. Look for me in the quiet places. Come spend time with me.
NOTE:
*What is a kinsman-redeemer? The definition of "kinsman" is "nearest male blood relative. If anyone from poverty was unable to redeem his inheritance, it was the duty of the kinsman to redeem it." The Hebrew word for "kinsman" is "goel." "Redeemer" is defined as "one charged with the duty of restoring the rights of another and avenging his wrongs." The Hebrew word for Redeemer is also "goel." God as protector of the Israelites served to lead them into their inheritance- the Promised Land. For us, Jesus is our King and Redeemer, the one who makes it possible for us to be in relationship with God the Father, and have a place in His Kingdom.
Jesus, the King of Kings and LORD of lords
Theme Verse: "Who do you say that I am?" Matthew 16:15
Readings: Deuteronomy 17:14-20; 1 Samuel 8:1-22; Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21: 1-11
Optional: 1 Chronicles 17:11-14; Luke 1: 26-33; John 18: 33-37; Isaiah 9:6-7
Memory Verse: "I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name forever and ever." Psalm 145:1
INTRODUCTION: What does it mean to be a king? What do you think of when you hear the word "king"? One dictionary defines a king as "a male sovereign ruler of a kingdom," while that same dictionary defines a kingdom as "the territory, people, state, or realm ruled by a king." Two other words are important for us to consider: Sovereign- "exercising or possessing supreme jurisdiction or power; free, independent, autonomous." Authority- from the Greek word exousia, which has "the basic idea of freedom of choice". One who has the most authority therefore has the most freedom of will. It is fair to say that these two words apply well to our concept of a king. C.S. Lewis applies these words to God, in that "the freedom of God consists in the fact that no cause other than himself produces his acts and no external obstacles impede them". God can do what he wants. But we must learn what it is that he wants.
THE CONCEPT OF "KING" IN THE BIBLE: In Old Testament times, a king was a leader of his people, a protector, and a permanent military leader. He was expected to lead his people into battle and be victorious, to negotiate terms of victory or loss, and to manage and insure the peace otherwise. The Book of Exodus, chapter 15, records what is known as "The Song of Triumph" (notice the language of a battle). Moses and the people of Israel sing "Who is like you O LORD among the gods? Majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?" Later in v.18 they sing "The LORD will reign for ever and ever!" Sung by a People who have been held in captivity for hundreds of years, and now delivered from the most powerful earthly king, is it any wonder that the song speaks of God as King? The LORD is indeed sovereign, with authority even over the waters of the earth and the most powerful human rulers, and a great protector and leader of his chosen people. The Israelites held God as the Most High King, the LORD God Almighty. He was leading them to the Promised Land. (Compare this with Jesus going to prepare a place for us in John 15; see also John 10:10 and 14:1-3.)
GOD'S PROVISION FOR A KING: After the Israelites have been delivered out of the grasp of Pharaoh but were not yet in the land God had promised to give them, God makes provision for an earthly king to lead them. See Dt 17. What precedes this section in Dt is the LORD's warning to the Israelites not to worship other gods. Somehow, too, the LORD seems to know that his people will ask for a king. But he warns them that it must be a king "from among your own brothers". There is then a list of things the king must follow or not do. In essence, he will be expected to submit to God's higher moral authority and will and not exalt himself above his fellow citizens. This is unlike any other king! Compare this to Jesus in Phil 2:5-11 ("every knee shall bow", a common salutatory greeting to a king) and John 5:19. See also the consequences of a king who does not hold to God's authority (David in 2 Samuel 12: 1-15).
ISRAEL EXERCISES THE PROVISION: The time of the Judges in Israel was about 1,100 B.C. The Israelites became increasingly interested in their neighbors and how those neighbors lived. They also became increasingly desirous of a king. Why do you think they wanted a king? In 1 Samuel 8:5 the elders demand that Samuel appoint them a king. How does this compare with God's words to them as recorded in Dt 17? Was not the king to be of God's choosing? They also wanted to be "like other nations". The word "nations" is "goyim" in the Hebrew, or Gentiles. For us, it literally means "non-believers". The Israelites were finding their self-esteem in how the non-believers lived and ordered their lives. Are we any different today? In v.6 the leading elders again tell Samuel "give us a king to lead us", which was a clear rejection of God who had been their leader, protector, and king. V. 7. (Compare this to Isaiah 43:15 and Isaiah 44:6- "protector" means literally "kinsman redeemer" *see note at end of lesson.) Samuel bluntly reports what they can expect in a king- he holds nothing back. Vv.11-18. The people do not care; they want a king! And so God provided a king. In 1 Samuel 10, Samuel anoints Israel's first king- Saul. "Has not the LORD anointed you leader over his inheritance?" (Jesus is known as the Christ- from the Latin Christos- meaning "the Anointed One") How is Jesus different from these earthly kings of Israel?
GOD'S ULTIMATE PROVISION: JESUS- God begins to lay the groundwork for the Messiah by prophecies. In 1 Chronicles 17: 11-14. God declares to David that "I will establish his throne forever. I will be his father and he will be my son." In the well-known prophecy from Isaiah 9: 6-7, God proclaims that "he will reign on David's throne…from that time on and forever." The child to be born will be called Wonderful Counselor (a more literal translation is "extraordinary strategist"), Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace". See also Isaiah 11: 1-5. God sent an angel to Mary, recorded in Luke 1: 26-33, where the angel proclaims that "The LORD God will give him the throne of his father David and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." Jesus himself makes a public declaration of his kingship in Matthew 21: 1-11 that fulfills a prophecy in Zechariah 9:9. After his resurrection, he assures his disciples that "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me….surely I am with you always." He would be for the disciples and is for us our King, our LORD, our protector, our extraordinary strategist, our Redeemer, for all time! This is confirmed in John's vision recorded in Revelation 19: 11-16. Jesus is THE King of kings and LORD of lords!!
Read Isaiah 55:6 and James 4:8. Is Jesus able to be your king, your sovereign LORD? Do you want to be part of his kingdom? We will look more closely at his kingdom in next week's lesson.
WORDS FOR THE CLASS: Read Matthew 13: 24-30
"He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?'" (Matthew 13:28) A word received: I want my people to understand my plan for their salvation and their part in it. I want them to deal with sin and falsehood my way -- by telling the truth that is in my word.
"But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them." (Matthew 13:29) A word received: It is not my will that any of my lambs should be lost.
"Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn."'" (Matthew 13:30) A word received: Don't rush to judgment; test the fruit. Look to me for guidance -- I AM King.
All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: "Tell the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your King is coming to you lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.'" (Matthew 21:4-5 A word received: That is how I still come to you: lowly and humble. Look for me in the quiet places. Come spend time with me.
NOTE:
*What is a kinsman-redeemer? The definition of "kinsman" is "nearest male blood relative. If anyone from poverty was unable to redeem his inheritance, it was the duty of the kinsman to redeem it." The Hebrew word for "kinsman" is "goel." "Redeemer" is defined as "one charged with the duty of restoring the rights of another and avenging his wrongs." The Hebrew word for Redeemer is also "goel." God as protector of the Israelites served to lead them into their inheritance- the Promised Land. For us, Jesus is our King and Redeemer, the one who makes it possible for us to be in relationship with God the Father, and have a place in His Kingdom.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 21, March 7, 2010
Who do you say that I am?
"I AM"
Theme Verse: "Who do you say that I am?" Matthew 16:15
Readings: Exodus 3:1-15, John 8:48-59, Mark 14:53-65, Acts 9:5,
Memory Verse: "'Who do you think you are?" Jesus answered, 'Before Abraham was born, I AM!'" John 8:53, 58
We worship a God who reveals himself, who hears us and sees us and has a plan to draw us to himself and make us his own people! Look at what God says to Moses in the desert where he was herding sheep after running away from Egypt. First God catches Moses' attention (Moses is 80!) with a burning bush that does not burn up. (He was near Mt Sinai/Mt. Horeb.) It says in Exodus 3:2 that "an angel of the LORD" appeared to him. (This phrase is used several times in the Old Testament when it says that God himself spoke to someone. Sometimes this angel is referred to as the "angel of his presence". Compare story in Genesis 18of Abraham's 3 visitors.) God calls Moses by name and tells him to take off his shoes because he is on holy ground (in God's presence). (The removal of shoes in a holy place was an ancient custom and is still practiced in the Middle East and India. When I visited a mosque or temple as a tourist we too had to take off our shoes. It is like a man removing his hat to show reverence.)
God identifies himself as the God of the Covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. "God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham" (Exodus 2:24). Look at what God says about himself in Exodus 2:23-24. God saw the affliction of his people and heard their cry for help. He knows their sufferings and he has come down to deliver them and bring them into a good land. Then God shocks Moses, "Come, I will send you to Pharaoh" (vs.10). Remember that Moses had run away from the Pharaoh of Egypt! Moses argues with God and wants to know God's name to tell the Israelites. (Remember the other nations had many gods.) God says, "I AM WHO I AM...I AM has sent me to you. (vs.14). This is my name forever."(vs15). "I AM" is a form of the verb "to Be" and includes the ideas of present, future and causing events. This name of God points to his action, his character and his presence in historical events. God always IS-past, present and future. We learn who God is by what he has done.
The Jews have always been reluctant to speak the holy name of God. They often substitute LORD (in capital letters). When you read LORD it means "I AM". You will find this in translations of the Old Testament. In later centuries they often used "The NAME". People's personal names sometimes included a brief reference to God's name: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Nehemiah and in worship as in "hallelu-jah" (meaning praise-Yahweh/"I AM".( See NOTE for more.) Names are important. God calls us by name.
Jesus There are several times when Jesus says and does things that cause his disciples and others to link Jesus with God the Father some are in awe and some are angry. In Matthew 14:27, when Jesus saw that his disciples were being blown about by the waves of the lake, he walked out to them on the water. The disciples were scared to death and thought it was a ghost. Jesus called out to them, "Take courage! It is (I) (ego eimi= I am in Greek) . Don't be afraid." Then he called Peter to walk on the water, which he did till he took his eyes off Jesus and sank. When Jesus rescued, him Peter said, "Truly, you are the Son of God." A similar thing happened when Judas and the soldiers came to arrest Jesus in the garden. Jesus asked them who they were seeking and they said, "Jesus of Nazareth". Jesus answered, "I am (he)"(ego eimi). On hearing this the soldiers fell to the ground (John 18:5-6) in fright.
A key place where Jesus plainly called himself "I AM" is in John 8. The religious leaders who opposed him called him a Samaritan (a term of abuse) and possessed by an evil spirit. Jesus had said, "If a man keeps my word he will never see death." They answered that Abraham died and asked "Are you greater than our father Abraham" ...Who do you think you are? (vs.53) At the end of the discussion Jesus says clearly, "I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I AM." (vs,58 ) They tried to stone him for calling himself by God's name but he escaped.
Look at all the times Jesus made ""I AM" statements and then described who he was and what he could do; and will still do.
"I AM the Light of the world" (John 8:12),
"I AM the gate" (John 10:7),
"I AM the Good Shepherd" (John 10:11),
"I AM the Bread of Life" (John 6:35),
"I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:1-6),
"I AM the True Vine" (John 15:1).
"I AM the Resurrection and the Life" (John 11:25), and later in Revelation he said,
"I AM the Alpha and the Omega, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8 ) and
"I AM the First and the Last. I AM the Living One: I was dead and behold I AM alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades." ( Revelation 1:17-18 ).
This is the same thing we see God doing in the Old Testament. (Refer to note on names of God. Jehovah is the older pronunciation of Yahweh.) A couple of examples are 1.) "Jehovah-Jirah (Jehovah= Yahweh/I AM) and Jireh means provider, "The LORD (another substitution for I AM) will provide" (Genesis 22:8 ). 2.) In Psalm 91:1 and Jeremiah 33:12, God is called El-Shaddai (God-Almighty). 3.) Another name is Jehovah-Rophe meaning the I AM is the healer, the one who makes whole. 4.) Another is the LORD (I AM) our Righteousness, "Jehovah Tsidkenu" (Jeremiah 33:16).
Now look at Jesus' trial (Mark 14:53-65) when the chief priests and Sanhedrin were looking for an excuse to execute Jesus, they asked, "'Are you the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the Blessed One?' 'I AM', said Jesus, 'and you will see the Son of Man (messianic title) sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.' " They jumped on this and charged him with blasphemy which had a death penalty.
After Jesus had ascended to heaven he speaks to Saul (later Paul) on the road to Damascus in a blinding vision and answers Saul's question, "Who are you?" "I AM Jesus, whom you are persecuting." (Acts 9:5)
Jesus made very clear by the end of his earthly life who he was. Remember John 1:1. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." and "The Word became flesh (a human being) and lived for a while among us." (vs.14). Jesus was really man of the family of David and was also really God. That is a mystery---but we can know it is true because of faithful witnesses and because we can know Jesus personally for ourselves. Remember, there is only ONE God and he makes himself known as Creator-Father, Son-Word, and Spirit. All comparisons are imperfect but they can help us. Think about the sun. There is only one sun in our solar system but there is radiation coming from it and power that it has on earth and light. Another picture is water which is always H2O but we and see it as a liquid, a gas or as a solid (ice). These are very imperfect but they can help.
There is no middle ground as to who Jesus is. As C.S. Lewis said, We can't say Oh, Jesus was just a good man or a great teacher. "He'd either be a lunatic, on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg, or else he'd be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was and is, the Son of God; or else a madman or something worse." (The Case for Christianity, p.l45)
Have you ever entered into a relationship with the One who made you and loved you enough to die for you? After a brief argument, Moses entered into a relationship with the great "I AM" and could talk with him as a friend, "face to face". Jesus longs for you to come to him and receive what he has for you. We know a lot about who Jesus is by his names but he longs for you and me to find a relationship with him that can truly satisfy. What are you seeing now in your life?????
What is the LORD saying to you in these words he gave the teachers?
"And he said, 'Who are you, Lord?' Then the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.'" (Acts 9:5a) A word received: I want my people to ask that question: "Who are you?" When they ask who I am I always find a way to answer them.
"Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon him, went forward and said to them, 'Whom are you seeking?'" (John 18:4) A word received: "Whom are you seeking?" Are you seeking me, or are you seeking something less which cannot satisfy? Seek me and you will find me.
"They answered him, 'Jesus of Nazareth.' Jesus said to them, 'I am he.' And Judas, who betrayed him, also stood with them." (John 18:5) A word received: They sought me to take me into their power. I tell you: seek me to come under and into my power.
"Now when he said to them, 'I am he,' they drew back and fell to the ground." (John 18:6) A word received: I AM. I AM the one you are seeking. Learn to know me as "I AM".
"Then he asked them again, 'Whom are you seeking?' And they said, 'Jesus of Nazareth.'" (John 18:7) A word received: I ask you once again, "Who or what are you seeking?" Look to me; I will satisfy you with fresh bread -- my living word.
"Jesus answered, 'I have told you that I am he. Therefore, if you seek me, let these go their way,'" (John 18:8 ) A word received: I laid down my life for you. Look to me and receive what I have for you.
NOTE
The Jews have always written the "I AM" name with consonants only-YHWH. In trying to find the pronunciation the scholars during the Renaissance tried combining YHWH with the vowels of Adonai, which means LORD, and came up with the word "Jehovah". More recently many scholars think it may have been pronounced "Yahweh" The Jews considered the NAME of God too holy to speak so often simply say the "NAME". The word Jehovah is in many older hymns and translations. All these point to THE LIVING ONE who is "I AM".
LORD (capital letters) refers to God. Lord (small letters) is sometimes used for people who are rulers or masters. The English use it as a title.
"I AM"
Theme Verse: "Who do you say that I am?" Matthew 16:15
Readings: Exodus 3:1-15, John 8:48-59, Mark 14:53-65, Acts 9:5,
Memory Verse: "'Who do you think you are?" Jesus answered, 'Before Abraham was born, I AM!'" John 8:53, 58
We worship a God who reveals himself, who hears us and sees us and has a plan to draw us to himself and make us his own people! Look at what God says to Moses in the desert where he was herding sheep after running away from Egypt. First God catches Moses' attention (Moses is 80!) with a burning bush that does not burn up. (He was near Mt Sinai/Mt. Horeb.) It says in Exodus 3:2 that "an angel of the LORD" appeared to him. (This phrase is used several times in the Old Testament when it says that God himself spoke to someone. Sometimes this angel is referred to as the "angel of his presence". Compare story in Genesis 18of Abraham's 3 visitors.) God calls Moses by name and tells him to take off his shoes because he is on holy ground (in God's presence). (The removal of shoes in a holy place was an ancient custom and is still practiced in the Middle East and India. When I visited a mosque or temple as a tourist we too had to take off our shoes. It is like a man removing his hat to show reverence.)
God identifies himself as the God of the Covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. "God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham" (Exodus 2:24). Look at what God says about himself in Exodus 2:23-24. God saw the affliction of his people and heard their cry for help. He knows their sufferings and he has come down to deliver them and bring them into a good land. Then God shocks Moses, "Come, I will send you to Pharaoh" (vs.10). Remember that Moses had run away from the Pharaoh of Egypt! Moses argues with God and wants to know God's name to tell the Israelites. (Remember the other nations had many gods.) God says, "I AM WHO I AM...I AM has sent me to you. (vs.14). This is my name forever."(vs15). "I AM" is a form of the verb "to Be" and includes the ideas of present, future and causing events. This name of God points to his action, his character and his presence in historical events. God always IS-past, present and future. We learn who God is by what he has done.
The Jews have always been reluctant to speak the holy name of God. They often substitute LORD (in capital letters). When you read LORD it means "I AM". You will find this in translations of the Old Testament. In later centuries they often used "The NAME". People's personal names sometimes included a brief reference to God's name: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Nehemiah and in worship as in "hallelu-jah" (meaning praise-Yahweh/"I AM".( See NOTE for more.) Names are important. God calls us by name.
Jesus There are several times when Jesus says and does things that cause his disciples and others to link Jesus with God the Father some are in awe and some are angry. In Matthew 14:27, when Jesus saw that his disciples were being blown about by the waves of the lake, he walked out to them on the water. The disciples were scared to death and thought it was a ghost. Jesus called out to them, "Take courage! It is (I) (ego eimi= I am in Greek) . Don't be afraid." Then he called Peter to walk on the water, which he did till he took his eyes off Jesus and sank. When Jesus rescued, him Peter said, "Truly, you are the Son of God." A similar thing happened when Judas and the soldiers came to arrest Jesus in the garden. Jesus asked them who they were seeking and they said, "Jesus of Nazareth". Jesus answered, "I am (he)"(ego eimi). On hearing this the soldiers fell to the ground (John 18:5-6) in fright.
A key place where Jesus plainly called himself "I AM" is in John 8. The religious leaders who opposed him called him a Samaritan (a term of abuse) and possessed by an evil spirit. Jesus had said, "If a man keeps my word he will never see death." They answered that Abraham died and asked "Are you greater than our father Abraham" ...Who do you think you are? (vs.53) At the end of the discussion Jesus says clearly, "I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I AM." (vs,58 ) They tried to stone him for calling himself by God's name but he escaped.
Look at all the times Jesus made ""I AM" statements and then described who he was and what he could do; and will still do.
"I AM the Light of the world" (John 8:12),
"I AM the gate" (John 10:7),
"I AM the Good Shepherd" (John 10:11),
"I AM the Bread of Life" (John 6:35),
"I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:1-6),
"I AM the True Vine" (John 15:1).
"I AM the Resurrection and the Life" (John 11:25), and later in Revelation he said,
"I AM the Alpha and the Omega, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8 ) and
"I AM the First and the Last. I AM the Living One: I was dead and behold I AM alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades." ( Revelation 1:17-18 ).
This is the same thing we see God doing in the Old Testament. (Refer to note on names of God. Jehovah is the older pronunciation of Yahweh.) A couple of examples are 1.) "Jehovah-Jirah (Jehovah= Yahweh/I AM) and Jireh means provider, "The LORD (another substitution for I AM) will provide" (Genesis 22:8 ). 2.) In Psalm 91:1 and Jeremiah 33:12, God is called El-Shaddai (God-Almighty). 3.) Another name is Jehovah-Rophe meaning the I AM is the healer, the one who makes whole. 4.) Another is the LORD (I AM) our Righteousness, "Jehovah Tsidkenu" (Jeremiah 33:16).
Now look at Jesus' trial (Mark 14:53-65) when the chief priests and Sanhedrin were looking for an excuse to execute Jesus, they asked, "'Are you the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the Blessed One?' 'I AM', said Jesus, 'and you will see the Son of Man (messianic title) sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.' " They jumped on this and charged him with blasphemy which had a death penalty.
After Jesus had ascended to heaven he speaks to Saul (later Paul) on the road to Damascus in a blinding vision and answers Saul's question, "Who are you?" "I AM Jesus, whom you are persecuting." (Acts 9:5)
Jesus made very clear by the end of his earthly life who he was. Remember John 1:1. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." and "The Word became flesh (a human being) and lived for a while among us." (vs.14). Jesus was really man of the family of David and was also really God. That is a mystery---but we can know it is true because of faithful witnesses and because we can know Jesus personally for ourselves. Remember, there is only ONE God and he makes himself known as Creator-Father, Son-Word, and Spirit. All comparisons are imperfect but they can help us. Think about the sun. There is only one sun in our solar system but there is radiation coming from it and power that it has on earth and light. Another picture is water which is always H2O but we and see it as a liquid, a gas or as a solid (ice). These are very imperfect but they can help.
There is no middle ground as to who Jesus is. As C.S. Lewis said, We can't say Oh, Jesus was just a good man or a great teacher. "He'd either be a lunatic, on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg, or else he'd be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was and is, the Son of God; or else a madman or something worse." (The Case for Christianity, p.l45)
Have you ever entered into a relationship with the One who made you and loved you enough to die for you? After a brief argument, Moses entered into a relationship with the great "I AM" and could talk with him as a friend, "face to face". Jesus longs for you to come to him and receive what he has for you. We know a lot about who Jesus is by his names but he longs for you and me to find a relationship with him that can truly satisfy. What are you seeing now in your life?????
What is the LORD saying to you in these words he gave the teachers?
"And he said, 'Who are you, Lord?' Then the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.'" (Acts 9:5a) A word received: I want my people to ask that question: "Who are you?" When they ask who I am I always find a way to answer them.
"Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon him, went forward and said to them, 'Whom are you seeking?'" (John 18:4) A word received: "Whom are you seeking?" Are you seeking me, or are you seeking something less which cannot satisfy? Seek me and you will find me.
"They answered him, 'Jesus of Nazareth.' Jesus said to them, 'I am he.' And Judas, who betrayed him, also stood with them." (John 18:5) A word received: They sought me to take me into their power. I tell you: seek me to come under and into my power.
"Now when he said to them, 'I am he,' they drew back and fell to the ground." (John 18:6) A word received: I AM. I AM the one you are seeking. Learn to know me as "I AM".
"Then he asked them again, 'Whom are you seeking?' And they said, 'Jesus of Nazareth.'" (John 18:7) A word received: I ask you once again, "Who or what are you seeking?" Look to me; I will satisfy you with fresh bread -- my living word.
"Jesus answered, 'I have told you that I am he. Therefore, if you seek me, let these go their way,'" (John 18:8 ) A word received: I laid down my life for you. Look to me and receive what I have for you.
NOTE
The Jews have always written the "I AM" name with consonants only-YHWH. In trying to find the pronunciation the scholars during the Renaissance tried combining YHWH with the vowels of Adonai, which means LORD, and came up with the word "Jehovah". More recently many scholars think it may have been pronounced "Yahweh" The Jews considered the NAME of God too holy to speak so often simply say the "NAME". The word Jehovah is in many older hymns and translations. All these point to THE LIVING ONE who is "I AM".
LORD (capital letters) refers to God. Lord (small letters) is sometimes used for people who are rulers or masters. The English use it as a title.
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