The Messiah's Secret - Baptism of Jesus

The Jewish people came to John to be baptised by him in the river Jordon. His message was in preparation for the coming Kingdom of God, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” His words must have disturbed the hearts of the people when he inferred that they sought repentance only to please their traditions. His words left them wondering what they should do to earn their righteousness.
John suggested that, “The person who had two coats to give one to the person who had not got any. To share their food with each other and the Tax Collectors he told them, “Collect no more than is appointed.” Luke 3: 10-14
John testified to the coming of the Messiah, “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry, he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Matthew 3: 11

Nicodemus came to speak with Jesus
Nicodemus he was a Pharisee and a member of the ruling council in Jerusalem, we read that he came to speak with Jesus at night, taking care that he was not seen by anybody who knew him. He strikes me as a shrewd man who had decided to go and speak with Jesus in person.
Nicodemus started the conversation by acknowledging Jesus’ teaching and the signs he brought about, these could only have been accomplished by God working with him. Jesus and his disciples would have been glad to hear these words from Nicodemus; they would have probably put them at their ease.

However, Jesus knowing the thoughts and intentions of every person’s heart touched immediately on the subject of ‘Baptism.’ “Truly, truly, I say to you unless one is born anew he can not see the Kingdom of God.” “Unless one is born of water and Spirit, he can not enter the Kingdom of God.” John 3: 5.
But instead of talking to Nicodemus about John the Baptist’s water baptism, being set apart, cleansed for the forgiveness of sin, a continual process. Mark 1: 4,5. Jesus spoke of the baptism that he was going to give, the’ baptism of water and Spirit,’ which we understand Nicodemus had no knowledge about.

Jesus touched on the heart of the matter.
Nicodemus I am sure had heard John the Baptist’s message and Jesus’ message accompanied by the signs, but Nicodemus had not received their testimony.
“Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony.” John 3: 11
This verse would indicate that Nicodemus had not received John’s baptism. Perhaps he still was sceptical as John’s baptism pointed to Jesus as being the Messiah and maybe that is why he came to speak with Jesus.
“Yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than John the Baptist. When they heard this all the people and the tax collectors justified God, having been baptised with the baptism of John; but the Pharisees and the lawyers had rejected the purposes of God for themselves, not having been baptised by him.” Luke 7: 30

Nicodemus helped Joseph of Arimathea.
After Jesus had died on the cross Joseph of Arimathea a secret disciple went and asked Pilate to take away the body of Jesus, Pilate gave him leave. Nicodemus identified by John as the one who came to Jesus by night helped Joseph take down Jesus from the cross and carry his dead body to Joseph’s tomb where they wrapped Jesus’ body in the spices that Nicodemus had brought to the tomb. Joseph and Nicodemus’ involvement must have reached the ears of other members of the ruling council. Nicodemus had openly made his association with Jesus at the time when his closest friends had abandoned him. John 19: 38-42

John the Baptist baptised Jesus

John the Baptist’s baptism was in preparing the way for the coming of the Messiah.
When Jesus came to John to be baptised by him, John perceived who Jesus was and said to him, “I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.”
Matthew 3: 13 - 17

Jesus consecrated and anointed for the priesthood in order to fulfil all righteousness.
Jesus fulfilled the law in being consecrated and anointed for the priesthood at his baptism in the river Jordon. (Jesus fulfilled the requirement of the law in his life and ministry.)
Water was used as part of the consecration of priests.
“And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water.” Leviticus 8: 6
Consecration – the act of devotion to a sacred use.
Jesus started his ministry at about the age of thirty. Luke 3: 23
Unger’s Dictionary page 883
“The age for entering the priesthood is not mentioned, but it was probably from 25 years to 30 years.
Numbers 8: 24. 4: 3, 23, 30, 35, 47.
Jesus was not a descendant of Aaron; he was a descendant of King David. But the writer of Hebrews states that Jesus was a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
“For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not according to a legal requirement concerning bodily descent but by an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of him, “Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6: 14-17.

Aaron was anointed with oil, the anointing oil symbolising the Holy Spirit.
“Moses poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head, and anointed him, to consecrate him.” Leviticus 8: 12
God himself anointed Jesus consecrating him for the work he had called him to do.
When Jesus came up out of the water the heavens were opened and John the Baptist saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting upon Jesus; a voice from heaven was heard saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3: 17
Matthew when he wrote his gospel recognised Isaiah’s prophecy, the beloved Son of God who pleased his Father by healing all who came to him.
“And many followed him, and he healed them all, and ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him, he will bring forth justice to the nations.” Matthew 12: 15 – 18. Isaiah 42:1.
Jesus was given the Holy Spirit without measure. He did not allow his disciples to make him known during his ministry. It was on the Day of Pentecost when they proclaimed for the first time that Jesus was the Messiah.
Jesus’ healing ministry attracted the attention of the Gentiles; the Roman centurion came to Jesus and asked if he would to heal his servant. The Syrophoenician lady she came to Jesus for her daughter’s healing.

The believer’s baptism in the Old Testament
Jug of water with enough gasses for the people present.
Hand out the glasses and then proceed to fill each glass with water from the jug until the water runs out. When the water runs out, indicate to those who are waiting and expecting to receive some water that there is no more.

During the Israelites wilderness journey we see a glimpse of Jesus’ baptism. After crossing the Red Sea 600,000 Israelites began their journey towards the Promised Land, the land of Canaan. After three days travelling through the wilderness of Shur they ran out of water. When they came to Marah, they found to their dismay, that the water there was bitter and undrinkable. Due to this they murmured against Moses. He cried out to God for his help. God told Moses to throw a tree into the water and the water became sweet and drinkable. Exodus 15: 22 – 25

Jesus’ baptism of repentance
The bitter water of sin.
The tree, the cross where sin was dealt with by Jesus.
The sweet water of sins forgiven.

Born of water
Jesus commanded his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28: 19
When the centurion pierced Jesus’ heart after he was dead, blood and water poured out.
Alfred Edersheim ‘The Temple’ page 278
“Then the ordinary sacrifice preceeded, the priest who had gone to Siloam so timing it, that he returned just as his brethren carried up the pieces of sacrifice to lay them upon the altar. As he entered by the ‘Watery gate,’ which obtained its name from the ceremony, he was received by a threefold blast from the priests’ trumpets. The priest then went up to the rise of the altar and turned left, where there were two silver basins with narrow holes – the eastern a little wider for the wine, and the western somewhat narrower for the water. Into these the wine of the drink offering was poured, and at the same time the water from Siloam, the people shouting to the priest, ‘Raise thy hand,’ to show that he really poured the water into the basin which led to the base of the altar.”

Water is something that we all use for cleansing purposes it speaks clearly of removing dirt and germs. When it is symbolically applied to our heart we can understand the implications, it removes the things that are unclean that spoil our relationship with God and other people; selfishness, pride, envy, covetousness, murder, deceit, fornication, slander and theft.
It works alongside of the blood of Jesus, his life laid down making the final sacrifice for sin, his life’s blood poured out for the sins of the world so that all may partake of his redeeming blood, a drink offering indeed. At our Communion service the wine is symbolic of Jesus’ blood shed for us and we drink in remembrance of his life laid down.
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10: 22

Born of the Spirit.
Water also speaks of the Holy Spirit. John 7: 37 On the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, “Jesus said, “Is there anyone thirsty, then let them come to me and drink.”
He spoke of the Holy Spirit who would be poured out after his resurrection and ascension.
The Lord Jesus points us to the Holy Spirit quickening our spirit with the Holy Spirit so that we are born again into the Kingdom of God through faith in Jesus.

King James Bible 400th Anniversary The translators use the word quicken – made alive

Quicken – to become alive
Quickening – the period in pregnancy when the mother first becomes conscious of the movement of the child.

”And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” Ephesians 2: 1
”Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved.)” Ephesians 2: 5
”And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses.” Colossians 2: 13

Jesus separates that which is born of the flesh from that which is born of the Spirit. John 3; 6
As a result of the quickening we begin to discern the movement of Holy Spirit within our being. The Holy Spirit gives us discernment on his movements and on the movement of our soul. The words in the Bible become to us living words, they begin to shape our life as we move, using the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Soul – Hebrew – breath
The entire nature and personality of a person

The Flesh
“For the mind that is set on the things of the flesh is hostile to God.” Romans 8: 7
The flesh is also a term used to identify our self interest towards self preservation, self glorification, self indulgence, self gratification and self reliance, to live our lives dependant on our own reasoning, on our logical mind. To think outside the box is risky we feel that we are leaving ourselves vulnerable to things outside our control.
Jesus taught his disciples and those who believe in him to be reliant upon God living our lives in the Spirit.

Living in the Spirit
It isn’t easy to discern when our soul, our self interest is at work. It may be to tell a lie in order to cover up our failing in some way. Some times the Lord allows us to fall into sin and suffer the refining fire of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit convicts us in our heart and mind and our conscious bears witness that when we are out of step with the word and Spirit of the Lord.
Forgiveness and healing comes when we are sincere in saying sorry to the Lord, we enter into the freedom of Christ’s forgiveness.
It is harder to over come a fall into sin when the powers of darkness are behind that sin, we find ourselves battling against Satan. The armour of God is ours to use to bring us the victory. Ephesians 6:10-20
The prayers of other Christians are important to help us to defeat the onslaught from the principalities and powers in heavenly places.
Nearly twenty years ago I was attending a craft fair with my pottery, when a man a complete stranger came and confessed his sin to me, he told me that he was at the time a Pastor of a church and he had been wrestling with an addiction. (not drugs) We prayed together, through repentance and claiming Christ’s victorious blood over the addiction.

“I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16: 33
“No, in all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 8: 37-39

Do not leave a window open for the moth to come and tarnish your spiritual house.
True riches and values are precious; the enemy will try and corrupt the scriptures concerning our walk in the Spirit of Christ.
Antinomianism Eyre and Spottiswoode RSV Bible Notes page 1683
“Some have supposed that the dispensation of the gospel releases man from the obligation to keep the law of God. This error is known as Antinomianism (opposition to moral law), and in its extreme form has led to the notion that the more sins the more grace abounds. Here, and in Romans 3:8; 6: 15-23, Paul conclusively means deliverance from the power of sin and death, not a continued thraldom to it.”

God forgave my sin
God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name;
I’ve been born again, in Jesus’ name,
and in Jesus’ name I come to you
to share His love as He told me too.
He said:
‘freely, freely you have received,
freely, freely give;
go in My name and because you believe,
others will know that I live.’

Bowl of water placed on a table
Bolton Archdeaconry Quiet Morning 2007 held at St Mary Rawtenstall
Sometimes it is good to ask the Lord to renew us in his Holy Spirit. During the morning after an appropriate prayer was said, Sister Theresa White asked everyone present to come and write their name in the bowl of water.While this was going on, we sang 'Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me.'

The Messiah's Secret - Emmanuel

The scriptures teach us to lean on the Lord, in doing so we are not looking to ourselves and our own understanding.

The Old Testament is mainly about the history, the journey of a nation, the Israelites, the people whom God chose to reveal himself to the world. God wanted his people to always lean on him, to look to him for their needs and guidance, for them to love him and listen and learn from him. But as we read the scriptures we find they were constantly falling away from their relationship with God.

Isaiah the son of Amos was a prophet to the Kings of Judah. In 750BC Rezin the King of Syria and Pekah the King of Israel came near to Jerusalem to make war against King Ahaz of Judah. God had given Isaiah a word of prophecy for King Ahaz. Isaiah took his son, Shearjashub with him, when he met with Ahaz. Isaiah told him that he must not be afraid of these two Kings; they would not come against Jerusalem and its King. Isaiah 7: 10-16

Isaiah encouraged King Ahaz to ask God for a sign, but Ahaz said that he would not put the Lord to the test. May be he was afraid to ask because of Gideon who many years before had found himself in a similar situation under threat of attack from the Midianites and the Amalekites in the Valley of Jezreel.

Gideon asked God for a sign.
Gideon asked God if he would deliver Israel and sought a visible sign from him, ”Behold I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on the ground then I will know that you will deliver Israel by my hand, as you have said.” Next morning the fleece was ringing wet and the ground was dry. He asked God again but this time that the fleece might be dry and the ground wet. The following day he found the fleece dry and the ground was wet.

After the signs were given the Lord had not finished with Gideon, he was told by God to send home the men of Judah who were fearful of battle. Twenty two thousand went home. Then he was again told by God to send the men down to the water to drink, those who knelt down to drink were sent home the three hundred men who drank using their hands, he would use them to defeat the armies of the Midianites and the Amalekites. Judges 6: 36-40

King Ahaz had not the faith of Gideon we read that he had little faith. King Ahaz had said that he would not put the Lord to the test. I don’t think that he wanted to hear from God, scriptures records that he did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord, he worshipped other gods. 2 Kings 16:1,2
Ahaz asked the Assyrian King for his help rather than heed to Isaiah’s prophecy and sign.
(The Assyrian Empire was situated north east of Judea, the river Tigris running through it.)

Under law in some circumstances it was wrong to test God and ask for a sign. Deuteronomy 6:16
Jews were sent to Jesus to test him, they asked him should they pay taxes to Cesar or not? Their question arose out of malice, and they were challenging God, there motivation was not from seeking the will of God or his help. In this situation Jesus said that it was wrong to test God.
Jesus would not perform a sign on request to prove that he was the Messiah.

Today should we ask for a sign?
I’ve been taught to look for confirmation before stepping out in faith. Confirmation that comes through someone else or through a word of scripture. This is not the same as challenging the Lord, giving him an ultimatum on what he is asking me to do, as to whether he will support it?
To seek a sign to confirm a word from the Lord out of obedience, rather than being motivated by seeking self assurance.

Isaiah’s two sons
When the people looked at Isaiah’s sons who had been named in association with prophesies, their names reminded the people as a sign that God was with them. Isaiah 8: 18

Isaiah's eldest son
Isaiah's eldest son was named Shearjashub meaning ‘a remnant shall be saved.’ Isaiah had prophesied that after the tree, (Judah) is cut down a stump would remain, from it a new nation would arise. Isaiah 6: 13

And in Isaiah 10: 20, 21 he spoke of Judah no longer being reliant on a king, but on the Lord.
“In that day a remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no more lean upon him that smote them, but will lean upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God.”

Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled in the near future when the people returned from exile in Babylon to re-build the temple and in more recent times after their suffering in the second world war the state of Israel came into being and Jewish people returned to their Biblical home land.

Isaiah’s youngest son
Isaiah gave King Ahaz a sign from God, “A young woman would conceive and bear a son, and he shall be called Emmanuel. . . . Before the child knows the difference between right and wrong, good and evil, the two Kings who he was in fear of the King of Syria and the King of Israel, their land would be deserted, having been conquered by the King of Assyria.”
This prophecy had double fulfilment Isaiah’s wife conceived and bore a son they named him according to the Lord’s word Maher shala hash baz
‘Before he can say my father and my mother the wealth of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be carried away before the King of Assyria.” Damascus and Israel and later Judah would be taken over by the King of Assyria. Isaiah 8: 1-8
The name meaning - quick to plunder, swift to the spoil.'

Immanuel a sign not a child’s name
Emmanuel meaning – God with us’ it was the sign that God was with them in the fulfilling of the prophecy in the child’s name.
Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled when Mahershalahashbaz was three years old. In 732BC the Assyrian army swiftly conquered Damascus and within ten years Israel was defeated and its people were exiled, and the land was deserted. The Assyrians brought people from other lands to occupy their newly conquered territory. King Ahaz compromised his nation’s religion when he brought back from Damascus the plan of the pagan altar. In his weakness of faith he discredited and dishonoured God.

Isaiah’s sons had no power to perform miracles. Their testimony was in their names, a sign that God was with them.

In the New Testament Isaiah's prophecy of Messiah's birth
The Virgin Birth.

To have faith in the Virgin Birth is to believe that all things are possible with God. When a person receives healing through prayer, God heals within the body, without touching the flesh.
In 1978 Louise Joy Brown was born, she was the first test tube baby. It seemed incredible at the time. Drs Steptoe and Edwards made medical history when they developed the means were they were able to plant Leslie Brown’s fertilised egg into her womb. We take these breakthroughs in medical science for granted now, but I remember a comment at the time, ‘scientists were playing at being God.’

God fertilised the egg in Mary’s womb, without her flesh being touched. Mary gave Jesus his humanity; God the Father of Jesus gave him his Divinity.

Mary had a visit from the angel Gabriel he told her that she had been chosen to bear the Son of God; she was to name him Jesus. He would be the heir to the throne of King David and reign over Israel for ever. Mary’s response, “I have no husband, I’m not married and I’m a virgin.” angel Gabriel continued to reveal to her that, “The Most High would over shadow her.” The baby would be the Son of God. Luke 1: 26-35

Mary conceived either just after the angel spoke to her or when she arrived at Zechariah and Elizabeth’s home.
Straight away after the angel had spoken to Mary she left her home to visit Elizabeth who was six months pregnant. It would have taken her two/three days to go from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea, approx 80 miles via the Roman roads.
When Mary arrived at their home and greeted Elizabeth. On hearing this greeting Elizabeth’s unborn baby leapt in her womb. A baby first moves at 3 1/2 to 4 months, I remember experiencing myself this movement, it’s a slight fluttering. The baby at 6 months tends to stretch and kick, but to leap must have been very noticeable. As this took place Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit spoke out loudly this greeting, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child in your womb,” and then she referred to Mary being the mother of her Lord. These words confirmed that she had conceived without her flesh being touched by any man. Her song of joy overflowed as she magnified the Lord.
Advent 2009 lead by Martin our Vicar we studied the 17 attributes of God in Mary’s song.
Mary remained with Elizabeth supporting her through the following three months and then left to return to Nazareth. I wondered why Mary did not stay for the birth of John. Luke wrote that she returned to her home and in the next verse wrote “Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, and she gave birth to a son. Luke 1: 39-56, 57.
(Thank you for your comment)
"Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly." Matthew 1: 18, 19.

Joseph was betrothed(engaged)in marriage to Mary.
After 3 months Mary returned to Nazareth she would know that she was having a baby by one of the symptoms that of morning sickness and maybe Elizabeth was able to comfort her having gone through the same experience. Would Mary have kept it from Joseph? I feel sure that she would have told Joseph that she was pregnant of the Holy Spirit. Joseph wrestled with the situation that he found himself in. He decided maybe to divorce her. Under Jewish law the father of the groom arranged the marriage and a bride-price was paid as part of the betrothal it was the first part of a marriage contract. The actual marriage could take place years later.
(In Matthew's gospel, he uses the technical term husband and wife under the betrothal context. Luke 2: 5 Luke informs us that they are betrothed when they make the journey to Bethlehem, the marriage service between them has not yet taken place.)

We are betrothed to Jesus Christ.
Father God arranged for the price for our salvation to be paid on the cross, this is seen as the bride-price and betrothal to Jesus Christ. The marriage between Jesus and his bride the church followed by the marriage supper has yet to take place. Revelations 19: 7, 9.

Joseph’s dream
The dream convinced Joseph that Mary was with child of the Holy Spirit.
Joseph was told by the angel in his dream to name the unborn child Jesus meaning saviour; he would save the people from their sins. Also he was to be the sign Immanuel meaning ‘God with us’.

When Matthew wrote this prophecy (after the evening of the Day of the Resurrection)he realised that it was one of Isaiah's prophesies that confirmed that Jesus was the Messiah.Isaiah’s prophecy fulfilled in Mary, “A virgin would conceive and bear a son, and he shall be called Emmanuel.”

When the people looked at Isaiah’s sons who had been named in association with prophesies, their names reminded the people as a sign, 'Emmanuel' that God was with them, along side of them.

Jesus he was the Christ child.
Jesus was God made visible in the flesh, Jesus meaning Saviour. The prophecy in Jesus' name was fulfilled in himself. Jesus saving us from the result of sin eternal death and darkness, it is through having faith in him, recognising our sin against the holiness of God, we say sorry to the Lord our God and by the Lord's love for us we are redeemed by Jesus' blood and receive the forgiveness of our sin against God our Father.
The sign 'Emmanuel' Jesus the living God was with them in the flesh.
Jesus gave signs to show that God was in their midst:
• he gave sight to the blind
• healed of kinds of sicknesses.
• raised the dead
• at the wedding in Cana he changed the water into wine.
• walked on water
• he stilled the storm

Joseph accepted the dream as a word from God to him. Joseph would receive the baby Jesus as his own child.
Joseph was prepared to stand and be stigmatised for Mary being with child before the marriage had taken place.

Adopted into the family of God.
Just as Joseph accepted Jesus and made him his own, so we have been adopted into the Lord’s family through faith in Jesus.
“Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenant of promise, having no hope and without God in the world”
Before Jesus we had no covenants with the God of Israel. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection the Gentiles have been brought into the new covenant.
“And might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross.” Ephesians 2: 12, 16.
All who accept him, who believe in his name, have been adopted into the family of God’s people. Jesus has made us his own.
“So that we might receive adoption as sons . . . God has set the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So through God you are no longer a slave but a son and if a son then an heir.” Galatians 4: 5-7

The disciples lean on Jesus
The disciples had been leaning on Jesus right up to the time of his arrest, but they did not understand the cross. God had hidden Jesus’ death from their understanding. (The Messiah’s Secret)
“For Jesus was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise.’ But they did not understand the saying and they were afraid to ask him.” Mark 9: 31, 32
The disciples were devastated by Jesus’ suffering and death. It wasn’t until the evening of the Day of the Resurrection that their minds were opened as Jesus breathed on them the Holy Spirit to understand about his death and resurrection in the Law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms. Now the Holy Spirit strengthened their faith in Jesus they could lean on him again.

Jesus had taught them that he would send the comforter, the Holy Spirit to be within them and he would lead them into all truth. At Pentecost the Holy Spirit came in power and filled them and thousands of people in Jerusalem also received him. This fulfilled Joel’s prophecy, the pouring out of the Holy Spirit in the last days.

So for us too the Lord wants us to lean on him when we are tired and weary, when the road is stony and hard to follow. Doubts and fears can come upon us when we are least expecting it. Our faith can seem shallow and weak, so the cross becomes a place of suffering with Jesus for the world. we lean on the knowledge that Jesus has died for those things: injustice, cruelty so that we don’t have to carry them on our shoulders, we place then on the cross. Hence the leaning on the cross, we can rest in what he has done for us.

My sister learnt to lean on the Lord
When she came to know the Lord in a personal way when her children were Christened (Baptised into the Christian faith) at her local Anglican Church.
My sister’s marriage was on the rocks, she was struggling with a violent husband. After she accepted Jesus her life style changed, instead of going along with her husband’s way of living she found she had the strength to stand against his tyranny.
“I have been crucified in Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2: 20. John 3: 16.
Sadly a few years later her marriage failed completely and her husband left her, she was faced with bring up seven children on her own; the youngest was less than a year old. The church family helped out, some of her closest friends even had a Godly envy as she was totally dependant on the Lord who upheld her over many years.

A Christian grows in faith out of suffering because it causes us to lean on the Lord and not on our own understanding.
Scripture verses that give us the assurance that Jesus is always there for us to lean on:
“When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” Matthew 10: 19, 20.
“I am with you always, to the close of the age”. Matthew 28: 20
“I will never fail you nor forsake you”. Hebrews 13:5
“I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you will be also.” John 14: 3
Joseph and Mary

Joseph was prepared to give his love to Mary’s son in giving him a home. The shepherds came and witnessed what they had heard from the angels and later the wise men brought their gifts to Jesus.
A sign that Jesus lives in our heart, is when in our love for the Lord is revealed through our actions.
My sister as part of her income delivered the Free Newspaper in her locality; her younger children accompanied her before the other children came home from school.
The wages she received she gave as her offering to church. She told me that she wanted to give something back to the Lord, a love gift, for what he had done for her.

The Messiah's Secret - Criminal Saved

Short Sketch – EXCESS BAGGAGE taken from sketches ‘Beyond the Pale’ by Peter Cosmash with David Milne and Andy Walton. Published by Moorhouse Publishers.

This sketch illustrates how we can try to follow Jesus still hanging on to: Pride, ambition and loose heart because these things weigh us down.

Jesus would ask us to let him deal with our pride, ambition and let him take care of our heart.

Jeremiah had Godly Pride
Soon after King Solomon died, the nation was divided Israel in the north and Judah in the south. God raised up Jeremiah as a prophet to Judah and Jerusalem during the following fifty years he saw both good and bad kings.
At that time King Josiah reigned over Judah, he was regarded as a Godly King, a good shepherd. During his reign Judah prospered and God was at the centre of Jewish life. After his death Jehoahaz succeeded to the throne, he was not a Godly King; he was soon deposed by the King of Egypt and taken prisoner there. The Egyptians allowed Jehoiakim to reign over Judah, but he was lukewarm towards God. Matthew Henry wrote,” the crimes for which he was reproved were pride, and affection and splendour.” Jehoiakim full of pride, self esteem, built himself a mansion with no expense spared. He had affection for material splendour.

This reminds me of the neighbour who parade their worldly wealth by having the most recent new car parked on their drive and demonstrates to everybody the latest gadgetry. Flaunting their possessions putting value on what they have rather than the person.

Jeremiah had Godly pride he saw through the king’s decadence, he spoke out for God. He saw in the almond blossom, God watching over his people.

Through the pot boiling over he saw in that God’s anger towards them in their self indulgence.

Jeremiah prophesied that Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar would plunder and burn the city of Jerusalem. God would allow this to happen because of the unfaithfulness of king and people. He advised the King to repent and set a good example so that the people would follow his lead, he ignored his advice. Jehoiakim later banned Jeremiah from delivering messages in public at the temple, so he gave his massage to his friend Baruch to read them out in his place.

Three of Jeremiah’s Prophesies.
• The Babylonian King conquered the land of Judah and later destroyed the temple exiling many of its people as slaves into Babylon for 70 years.
• The exiles returned under the occupation of the Persian King Cyrus.
• The raising up of the ‘branch’ the Messiah, the descendant of King David.

Jeremiah saw the day when the Messiah would come and reign over Jerusalem and its people.
Jeremiah a holy man he had a Godly ambition he was looking for the sovereign rule of the Messiah over God’s righteous kingdom. He knew in his heart that through the Messiah God would make an end of sin and lead the people like a shepherd into green pastures.

Today every Christian looks forward to seeing the righteous Kingdom of God filling the whole earth.

Jesus lived at the time when the Roman’s occupied the whole of Israel.
After the death of King Herod around 6BC Herod’s three sons: Archelaus, Philip and Antipas ruled over Israel. The land was divided up into three areas: Herod Antipas was king over Galilee and Perea.
After Jesus was arrested Pilate sent him to Herod Antipas for questioning. His accusers: the chief priests and scribes went with him; they vehemently accused Jesus of making himself their king. Jesus did not answer any of Antipas’ questions.

Jesus afterwards was taken back to Pilate and from there he was taken to Golgotha and crucified. Whilst Jesus hung on the cross the chief priests and the scribes taunted him. They shouted, so that everyone could hear, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” Luke 23: 35
In Mark’s account of this he wrote, “Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down from the cross that we may see and believe.” Mark 15: 32

They shouted this to Jesus because they did not expect their Messiah to come and die. God had deliberately hidden Messiah’s death from their understanding.

All the people had been taught by the chief priests, scribes and lawyers that when the Messiah came he would remain and reign as their king. Jesus’ words left the people perplexed.
Even when Jesus told his disciples that he was going to be put to death and be raised from the dead they did not understand couldn’t grasp it.
“Jesus said to his disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, that they should perceive it; and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.” Luke 9: 44, 45. Mark 9: 31, 32. Luke 18:31-34.
The two disciples on the road to Emmaus on the evening of the resurrection were discussing with the stranger about Jesus, “And they said to him,”Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped he was the one to redeem Israel.”
These disciples had been taught like everyone else that the Messiah would come and reign over the kingdom of God.

Jesus’ words left the people perplexed.
The people also heard him speak of being crucified.
“When I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself. Jesus said this to show by what death he was to die.”
The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever, how can you say that the Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man?” John 12: 32 – 34

When Jesus’ words were fulfilled, Jesus on the cross was heard to say, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they are doing.” Luke 23: 34
Jesus knew that they had acted in ignorance when they crucified him, their king. His forgiveness was given to them before any repentance had taken place.

Today that same forgiveness is available to all who come to Jesus in faith.

Church’s special relationship with Israel
For almost 2,000 years we have been brought up to believe that the time for the Jewish people to receive Jesus as their King and Messiah was before his death. Since then the Jewish people have been put on the back burner by the church. But the days are coming were the church needs to understand it has a special relationship with and a responsibility towards Israel.

The Messiah’s Secret – Preface by John Young
“As one of the elders of a Messianic Fellowship whose congregation fulfils the desires of God to see Jews and Gentiles as one, this book will be extremely helpful to Jew and Gentile in understanding the plan, and purposes of God and for His people. The Church has long needed to understand it has a special relationship with and a responsibility towards Israel. Truth has been lost throughout the ages but like a treasure is always rediscovered. In these end times then let this book be dedicated to the One who inspired its writer and author as He did in times past. To those searching for the ‘truth’ this will be a very helpful book in bringing clear understanding and direction in where our focus should be.
I trust in the grace of God to open the eyes and to open the hearts of those searching for the ‘truth’ for it is only the Lord Jesus who declared He is the way, the truth and the life to all irrespective of colour and creed. Let this little work be to the glory of God and to the increase of His government in this world.”
John Young December 2000

A sign of the latter days
Today the nation of Israel is not very popular in the world. My view is that anti-Semitism will increase. It will get harder for the church to reach Israeli’s with the gospel.

“Remember that you (Gentiles) were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility . . . that he might create in himself one new man in place of two, so making peace and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end.” Ephesians 2:12-16

Roman soldier.

The soldiers who stood nearby repeated the Jewish leader’s accusation, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.”
They thought that Jesus as a man had aspired to be the King of the Jews. Earlier at Herod Antipas’ residence they had put on Jesus a purple robe, mocking him. However, the soldiers upset the Jews when they nailed this inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” Luke 23: 37, 38.
The soldiers did not know that Jesus was already king of the kingdom of God, and that he was born a king.

The two criminals

One of the criminals crucified alongside of him hurled insults at him and said,”Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us?” He thought that Jesus should reveal himself by coming down from the cross, and save them as well.
The chief priests, scribes, soldiers and the criminal were goading him to take action if he was the Messiah. They were appealing to Jesus’ pride, his self esteem, wanting him to elevate himself by descending from the cross in a spectacular way so that he could fulfil his ambition, which they believed was at the heart of it all, to be made the King of the Jews, the Christ.

Saved by Faith and Grace
The other criminal discerned that Jesus was genuine, in his humility he admitted his sin and had faith in Jesus when he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” This man was to die with Jesus and be raised up with him.
The cross is our meeting place with Jesus as we come to him in humility confessing our sin, having faith to believe that he is Lord and Saviour of mankind and we too die with him and are raised up with him in his resurrection and enter into his kingdom.

Excess Baggage
The Sketch points out that the cross is just the beginning of what Jesus wants to do for us. Pride and ambition to succeed in the world can weigh us down; there is an element of competition, to strive with others, like keeping up with our neighbour.
Jesus transforms our desires so that material possessions count for nothing they are not important any more. That does not mean that we should not have them, but it puts them in perspective, they are useful to us. What is important is knowing that we are valued and loved by the Lord. We have self esteem in humbly having a feeling of pleasure over a job well done.

Jesus transforms our ambitions.
Jesus taught his disciples and us to seek the lowest place so that we might be honoured when we are asked to sit in a higher place.
Jesus gave the example of when you are invited to a wedding feast. Do not go and sit in the places that are intended for the most immediate family guests, as it could be very embarrassing if you are asked to move. It is much better to sit in seats available for the other guests. If then, you are invited to go and sit with the bride and groom’s family, you are being honoured.

When we do these things it brings joy to our hearts we bond with Jesus.

The Messiah's Secret - Jesus the King of Kings

The early English Jury system.

The Bible was used in court when a person took the oath to tell the truth, the whole truth. It made the person accountable under God, the supreme judge.
The Jury were made up of people who knew either the defendant or the accused. The reasoning behind it was that they knew the character of the people involved in the trial and that would help them to come to a just decision.
The Judge offered his advice in accordance with the law which guided the jury in coming to their verdict.
The system has changed. Just as in did in the latter days of Samuel’s life. 1 Samuel 8: 4 - 20

Role of a Judge
In the Bible when Joshua died, a great number of the people of Israel turned away from the law and sought other gods so the Lord raised up Judges.
“Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the power of those who plundered them.

Hebrew Judge – leadership in government as well as in legal cases. It was Gods theocratic government, were God was sovereign over judges.(Eyre & Spottiswoode Revised Standard Version notes page 402)
Theocratic – constitution of a state in which the Almighty is regarded as the sole sovereign and the laws of the realm as divine commands rather than human ordinances – the priesthood necessarily becoming officers of an invisible ruler. (Chambers Dictionary)

Judge Deborah
We have an example in Deborah, prophetess, who was judge over Israel. The people came to her to judge their case. Also as the appointed leader she was used by God to lead them to victory over their enemies. Judges 4: 4 - 10

God was sovereign over judges
Samuel was a judge as well as a being a prophet and priest. In his old age he decided to install his sons as judges but the people didn’t want them, they were seen as those who perverted Justice.
At an elders meeting they asked Samuel if they could have a king.

Embracing change
It was difficult for Samuel to embrace change he felt rejected, but God consoled him by pointing out that it was himself, their King, they were rejecting.
When change comes our first reaction is to come against it, but as we let go or let our heart felt worries be known, we can move on from that place and seek the Lord’s direction through prayer.
Samuel discussed it first with God and then put forward Godly reasons why they should retain God as their King and the judges.

God was their King.

Turning away from the Judges meant that Israel was turning their back on God as their King.
The nation of Israel was established under Moses and God was their king. He defended them against their enemies: God brought them out from slavery in Egypt. The lambs blood brushed on to the doorposts and lintels of their homes saved them from the death of the first born man and beast as the angel of death passed over their homes in Egypt. Moses lifted the rod and stretched out his hand God parted the Red Sea, so they were able to cross over on dry ground safely.
God provided for their needs: When Moses struck the rock with the rod; water flowed out from it. He gave them bread to eat, the Manna found on the ground every morning for six days and he gave them quail for fresh meat.

Making a man their King
Samuel warned them that they would be subject to authoritarian rule: they would have to enlist in the king’s army. Become his servants in his house, in the fields and make weapons of war. He would take ownership of their servants, orchards and vineyards and give them to his friends. Also he would take a tenth of their grain, grapes, flocks and they would become his slaves.
But the people insisted they wanted a king like the other nations, a man who would go before them and fight their battles.
Samuel spoke to God in prayer about their request for a man to be made their King. The Lord’s response was that they could have a king. The first King was Saul and the second was David the shepherd.

The Hebrew prophets longed to see the kingdom of God fill the whole earth, where God would cleanse the world of all wickedness and sin, hatred, bitterness, revenge ad wars. Where human beings would know God and have the nature of God.

Jesus the King of Kings. John 18: 33 - 37
Approximately a thousand years later Herod was King of the Jews when Jesus was born.
The wise men asked King Herod “Where is he who is born King of the Jews.”
Jesus was born a King, the King of the Jews.

A King has a kingdom
Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
Jesus’ response, “My kingdom is not of this world.”
Jesus gives us insight as to where he came from.
Jesus prayed from his position of the second person of the Trinity, (Son of God) from where he had come from before the foundation of the world.
“I glorified thee on earth, having accomplished the work which thou gavest me to do; and now, glorify thou me in thine own presence with the glory which I had with thee, Father before the world was made.” John 17: 4, 5.
Jesus spoke of his Father’s kingdom and implied that he had been sent from that kingdom to complete a work for God.
Jesus came to the earth to fulfil God’s plan of reconciliation in uniting all things in heaven and on the earth, through his death, resurrection and ascension.

Jesus is the King of the Jews the same King, God himself, who in Samuael's day the Jews had rejected.
God sent his Son Jesus to be the King over the Jewish nation.
Nathan’s prophecy to King David from David’s descendant God would establish his eternal throne and kingdom. 2 Samuel 7: 16

At Pentecost Peter was standing with the eleven disciples and he confirmed that Jesus is the Christ through the prophecy given by Nathan to King David. He said, “Brethren, I may say to you confidently of the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne, he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ. . . . Let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified. Acts 2: 29, 36

Jesus is the King of the Jews and also the King of Kings, as he is King over the Gentiles
God has revealed himself through his Son Jesus that he is sovereign over all the earth. There is no other name, by which we can be saved and through Jesus' name we come to know God in a personal way.

Jesus is our King
When we accept Jesus as our Saviour we are born into the kingdom of God and Jesus is the king of the kingdom.
These three scriptures below are promises from Jesus that are for us today to receive through faith.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3: 16
“If a person loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and will come to him and make our home with him.” John 14: 23
Jesus said, “I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, so they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou has sent me.” John 17: 20

The Spirit of God bears witness to the life of Christ dwelling within us.
As we are under the authority of the King we are equipped to witness about Jesus and the kingdom. This scripture in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is truly amazing as we are entitled to its fulfilment in our lives today.
“Even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus.”
So when we accept Jesus as our Saviour we are born into the kingdom of God.

My uncle John immigrated to America he had dual citizenship of America and the UK. We have received a Passport into the Kingdom of God we are citizens of world and also the Kingdom of God. In the world we are ambassadors for Christ.

In John’s gospel Chapter 17: 11, 15 In his prayer Jesus asked God to protect and defend his disciples. Jesus'prayer also for Christians today.
Marie Monsen found out that her attackers saw the Lord’s army.
“A Norwegian missionary, Marie Monsen, in China in the early 20th century, testified to the intervention of angels when Christians were in great danger. They had taken refuge in the mission compound only to be surrounded by looting soldiers and they were astonished to find that they were left in peace. A few days later the hostile men explained that they were ready to break the flimsy wall when they noticed tall soldiers with shining faces on a high roof in the compound. Marie Monsen wrote, “The heathen saw them, it was a testimony to them, but they were invisible to us.”
“A Barrel of Fun” by J John &Mark Stibbe.Monach Books.

The King’s provision for our needs
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.” Ephesians 1: 3,4. 2: 3 – 7
We are loved and doted upon by our heavenly Father with an abundance of blessings, I do most of my shopping at Tesco's I receive money vouchers from their points system. It would be foolish if I didn’t cash them in.
When we ask the Lord in prayer we will freely receive, seek and we will find, knock and the door will be opened for us to receive. It is also as we walk with the Lord that the heavenly blessings are given to us to witness our faith in Jesus.

A Famous true story
“Things looked bleak for the children of George Muller’s orphanage at Ashley Down in England. It was time for breakfast and there was no food.
A small girl who’s father was a close friend of Muller was visiting the home. Muller took her hand and said, “Come and see what our Father will do.”
In the dining room, long tables were set with empty plates and empty mugs. Not only was there no food in the kitchen, but there was no money in the home’s account. Muller prayed,” Dear Father, we thank thee for what thou art going to give us to eat.”
Immediately, they heard a knock at the door. When they opened it, there stood the local baker.
“Mr Muller,” he said, “I couldn’t sleep last night. Somehow I felt that you had no bread for breakfast, so I got up at two o’clock and baked fresh bread. Here it is.”
Muller thanked him and gave praise to God. Soon, a second knock was heard. It was the milkman. His cart had broken down in front of the orphanage. He said he would like to give the children the milk so he could empty the cart to repair it.”
Taken from the book “A Bundle of Laughs” by J John &Mark Stibbe.Monarch Books.

Jesus the King of KingsThrough this study I’ve made that connection with the God and King of the Old Testament with my faith in Jesus the King, the same sovereign king that Samuel knew.
God is sovereign over the Jewish people, defending and providing for their needs. The same God is sovereign over his church with lots more blessings than those given to Israel, because we are already citizens of his heavenly kingdom.

The Messiah's Secret - Jesus the Messiah

Most Christians that I know are of the opinion that the time is drawing near to when Jesus will return.

The apostles were expecting Jesus to return shortly after Pentecost and bring in the times of refreshing: the establishing of the eternal kingdom and throne of King David.
“And now brethren, I know you acted in ignorance as did your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that the times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus. Whom heaven must receive until the time for establishing all that God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old”
Acts 3:17 - 21.
The leaders and people had acted in ignorance as they did not know the prophesies before Jesus death relating to the Messiah’s suffering and death, neither were they revealed by God to them because Jesus’ identity was deliberately hidden from their understanding by him.

It was call to the nations leaders to accept Jesus as their Messiah, that “God may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus.” confirmed by Jesus himself, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God has come with power.”
Jesus in conversation with Peter about John the disciple “What is that to you if he remain until I come.” Jesus would have returned had the leaders of the nation accepted him as their Messiah. It was a national calling.
At and after Pentecost the apostles proclaim for the first time that Jesus was the Messiah. Old Testament prophesies were revealed by them concerning the Messiah’s death and resurrection and that they had been fulfilled by Jesus.

Daniel’s Prophecy Fulfilled
It was just over 500 years since the temple at Jerusalem had been rebuilt, the leaders and people of Israel ‘were in expectation’ of the prophecy of Daniel to be fulfilled with the coming of the Christ or Messiah – ‘the anointed one.’ Daniel had prophesied the Christ would come after 70 weeks, 490 years after the rebuilding of the temple at Jerusalem.
“Seventy weeks of years are decreed concerning your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet and to anoint a most holy place.” Daniel 9: 24

“As the people were in expectation, (of Daniel’s prophecy being fulfilled) and all men questioned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he were the Christ. John answered them all. I baptise you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the throng of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Luke 3: 15-17

The Jewish leaders were on the look out for a person who stood out and who measured up to what they thought the Christ would say and do. John the Baptist fitted their criteria. John was of the priestly line, the division of Abijah, a descendant of Samuel. He was recognised by everyone as a holy man, he lived in the solitude of the desert until the time came for him to preach the baptism of repentance in preparation for the coming of the Messiah.

John the Apostle wrote that priests and Levites were sent by the Jews from Jerusalem to ask John the Baptist was he the Christ? John replied, “No” They then asked was he Elijah? John replied, “No” Was he the prophet? He said, “No” but then he answered their question, he was the one preparing the way for the Christ’s coming.
The people wondered if John was the Christ, but John denied being the Christ he described the Christ as being mightier than him.                                                                                                                                       (blog Jesus our Redeemer - Qumran Scrolls the Essene Community were in existence before the Pharisees and Sadducees. "Many scholars believe that they were connected with rise of the Pharisees in the centuries before the birth of Jesus," Introducing the Old Testament" by John Drane. The scrolls indicate that they believed in two or even three Messiahs.)

Prophecy of Elijah’s coming The prophecy given by the angel to John’s father Zachariah concerning his son, “And he (John) will go before him (the Christ) in the power and spirit of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” Luke 1: 17

Jesus’ disciples asked him,” Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” Jesus replied, “Elijah does come, and he is to restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not know him, but they to him what ever they please. So also the Son of man will suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

We hear from the discourse of Paul at the synagogue in Antioch in Pisidia that John the Baptist had gone throughout the whole of Israel preaching a baptism of repentance.
“Of this man’s posterity (King David) God has brought to Israel a Saviour, Jesus, as he promised. Before his coming John had preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John was finishing his course, he said, ’what do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but after me one is coming, the sandals of whom I am not worthy to untie.’” Acts 13: 23-25

The sandals of whom I am not worthy to untie.

People came to John to be baptised by him in the river Jordon. John in conversation with some of the people who were there he humbled himself before them. He spoke about the Messiah who was to come whose sandals he did not feel worthy to untie. Maybe some of the people present were themselves household servants, so they would know what he was probably referring to; On entering a house it was customary after travelling on the dusty roads for the servant to wash the visitor’s feet. John was so reverential towards Jesus he did not feel worthy even to untie the laces of his sandals to do that menial task. Also he saw Jesus’ feet as being clean already.
When Jesus came to John to be baptised by him, John would have prevented him when he said to Jesus, “I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me? But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.”
Matthew 3: 14

In our Communion service we say in the prayer of Humble Access:
“We do not presume to come to this your table, merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs from under your table. But you are the same Lord whose nature is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat his flesh and drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.”
This prayer is about having reverential humility, a Godly fear of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We are baptised ‘washed through his most precious blood,’ baptised into his death and resurrection, and celebrate with thanksgiving through the tokens of the bread and wine, the victory Jesus has won for us.

Last Easter several of the Anglican Bishops in Manchester during Holy Week went out onto the streets cleaning the shoes of people, to replicate the command of Jesus to serve one another in humility and love.

Fire of judgement
John spoke of the fire of judgement that the Messiah would administer. “Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.. . . . His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." Luke 3: 9, 17
By what John said, he did not know, that before the Day of Judgement could be brought in, Christ had first had to suffer death, be resurrected and ascend into heaven and be seated at the right hand of God.

Jesus said, “I came to cast a fire upon the earth; and how I would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptised with; and how I am constrained until it is accomplished!”
Luke 12: 49,50.

The Messiah’s Secret page 47
Jesus was referring to the fire of the Day of Vengeance, the Day of the Lord. The fire not yet kindled, not until after he brought in the good news of the impending kingdom, gathering the nation together. A loving heavenly Father giving the outcast, the people who had fallen away from his laws, the opportunity to receive salvation through the Laws of Moses, without the added generations of added precepts, whereby the Jew was blameless through good works, deeds, feeding the hungry, giving to the poor, helping the widows . . . . Jesus did not come as judge to condemn the people.” For I have a baptism to be baptised with; and how I am constrained until it is accomplished.” Meaning - the baptism of his death followed by his resurrection. He was constrained to bring in the fire of judgement until his death and resurrection had been accomplished. His death was a secret; it was hidden from the Jews. Even the disciples didn’t understand about his death and what rising from the dead meant. . . . He was constrained until after his ascension to cleanse the nation of sin and the causes of sin, to bring in the Day of Judgement.”

Messiah’s Secret
During Jesus’ ministry his identity was hidden from the understanding of the Jewish leaders and the vast majority of the people including the disciples.
“When I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself. Jesus said this to show by what death he was to die. The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever, How can you say that the Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man?” John 12: 32 – 34
Jesus told his disciples that he was going to be put to death and be raised from the dead.
“And taking the twelve, Jesus said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem and everything that is written of the Son of man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon; they will scourge him and kill him, and on the third day he will rise. But they understood none of these things; this saying was hid from them, and they did not grasp what was said.”
Luke 18:31-34

The title ‘Son of man’ was a title in association with the prophets and the Christ.
When Jesus asked his disciples ‘Who do they say the Son of man is? They at first mentioned the names of prophets: John the Baptist, Elijah and Jeremiah, but it was Peter who made the association with the Christ, he said that Jesus was the Son of man, the Christ. Jesus went on to say that they were not to tell anyone who he was.
“And all were astonished at the majesty of God. But while they were all marvelling at everything he did, he said to his disciples. “Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of man.” But they didn’t understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.” Luke 9:43-45

The Messiah’s Secret revealed at Pentecost the disciples proclaimed that Jesus is the Christ.
Christ had to die and become the atoning sacrifice for sin and be raised up from the dead by God.
Peter speaking at Pentecost, “This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you killed by the hands of lawless men.”
“This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. (Peter was standing with the eleven disciples)
“Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Acts 2: 9-36

Baptism of John and the Baptism of Jesus, the difference between them
The Holy Spirit came in response to the devoted prayers of the 120 disciples in the upper room. Fulfilling the promise Jesus gave to his disciples. He told them to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit. “For John baptised with water, but before many days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1: 4,5.

The people only knew the water baptism of John, the forgiveness of sin under the Law of Moses. The water baptism of Jesus for forgiveness of sin was to be administered in the name of Jesus and the Holy Spirit was received as a gift.
A person baptised in Jesus’ name today, my sister received the gift of the Holy Spirit when her children were baptised at her local Anglican Church. I’ve also heard of people today, receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit as they were baptised through full immersion in water.

At Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came there was no water baptism.
They waited in the upper room of the house where they were staying. On the day of Pentecost the Feast of Weeks also known as The Feast of the First Fruits, the gathering in of wheat harvest, the Holy Spirit came and made his presence felt. He filled the whole house with his Spirit especially the disciples and followers in the upper room. They found themselves seeing a flame like that of fire, upon each others heads, and they spoke in the languages of other nations. Acts 2: 1-4

The Holy Spirit is received as a gift through faith in Jesus. It is the operation of our Saviour God.
The coming of the Holy Spirit into a person’s life is still going on today. It is real; it is not suggestive thought or emotional hysteria.

There are different ways of receiving him into a person’s life: He comes as promised through the prayers of those asking to receive him through repentance and faith in Jesus’ name. I received him through prayer accompanied by the laying on of hands. Also when persons head knowledge about Jesus, drops down into the heart, that can happen whilst singing a hymn or a chorus or reading a passage in the Bible or through hearing the scriptures expounded.
There are those who can not hear due to deafness, but hear the movement of the Holy Spirit within them or because of blindness, to handle the cross is a powerful symbol, feeling its shape and sensing the truth as the Holy Spirit reveals it into a person’s heart.

Thirst for the Holy Spirit
1983 Martin Nystrom. Restoration Music Ltd/Lifestyle Music Ltd. Mission Praise published by Harper Collins.

As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after You,
You alone are my hearts desire and I long to worship You.
You alone are my strength, my shield,
to You alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire
and I long to worship You.

I want You more than gold or silver only You can satisfy,
You alone are the real joy giver, and the apple of my eye.
You alone are my strength and shield,
to You alone will my spirit yield.
You alone are my hearts desire
and I long to worship You.

You’re my friend and You’re my brother, even though You are a king.
I love You more than any other, so much more than anything.
You alone are my strength and shield,
to You alone will my spirit yield.
You alone are my hearts desire
and I long to worship You.

In the Acts of the Apostles we read that when Paul came to Ephesus he found that the Christians there had not received the Holy Spirit. They had not even heard of the Holy Spirit.
It is true for some Christians today, we hear his name mentioned, but we do not hear anything about him. For some it maybe that they are hesitant because they are not convinced it’s true or are perhaps worried at the prospect of his coming to dwell within.

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He is the Spirit of God’s Love. The love and peace of God is shed abroad in our hearts through faith in Jesus. He works hand in hand with Jesus. He convicts us of sin through the fire of God’s love and holiness, the goodness of God, his righteousness. He judges and helps us to discern the spirits and to resist temptation, as our nature has changed we feel as God our Father feels about unrighteousness. He reveals Jesus the living word to our understanding and he works through the gifts he has given to us. He is our comforter in times of distress and trouble. He is gentle and kind, filling us with the joy of our salvation which is our strength.

The disciple’s eyes of their understanding concerning the Messiah’s suffering and death were opened by Jesus.
On the evening of the day of the resurrection Jesus opened the disciples understanding to the scriptures concerning his death and resurrection that it was necessary for these prophesies to be fulfilled. “These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, ”Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.’” Luke 24: 44-48

On the Mount Olives the disciples waited to watch Jesus ascend into heaven.
"So when they came together they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them, "It is not for you to know the times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority." Acts 1: 6,7.
Jesus was about to leave his disciples, clearly they thought that with his departure the nation had missed the opportunity to see the times of refreshing brought in by the Messiah: the restoration of the throne and eternal kingdom of King David.

Times or seasons
In the parable of the pounds Jesus responded to the supposition that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. "A nobleman went into a far country to receive a kingdom and then return."
Jesus was about to leave them and ascend into heaven to be with his Father God.
These scriptures relate to this: "The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand, till I make his enemies a stool for thy feet.'" Acts 2:34,35
Jesus is waiting in heaven, "Until the time for establishing all that God spoke by his holy prophets from of old." Acts 3:21
In his absence his disciples would proclaim Jesus as the Messiah. But like in the parable the citizens did not want him to reign over them.
In the parable on his return having received the kingdom, rewards were given to the faithfull, followed by judgement of his enemies.
On Jesus' return, which is future, he will take up with the nation of Israel. The church will come with Jesus on his return and reign with him, having received rewards from him. Luke 19: 11-27

The Leaders of Israel would not accept Jesus as their Messiah.
The same leaders who had witnessed Jesus death and heard of his resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit as prophesied by the prophet Joel and were recounted by Peter at Pentecost. “And in the last days it shall be, God declares, I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and daughters will prophesy and your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams . . . . . the sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the day of the Lord comes, the great and manifest day. And it shall be whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” Acts 2: 17-21.
Several thousands of Jewish people responded to his message and joined the disciples. However, the Jewish leaders they were still not convinced that Jesus was the Messiah. Even though Caiaphas the high priest that year had been given a prophecy that proved the Christ had to die to save the nation.

”But one of them who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all; you do not understand that it is expedient that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish.” He did not say this of his own accord, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation.” John 11:49-51

The church is waiting and watching for Jesus’ return
Mean while after 2,000 years the time is drawing nearer we are expected to look for the signs like the people of Jesus’ day who were watching, looking for the two witnesses.

John the Apostle in his revelation wrote about the end days that the two witnesses will be given power to prophesy and with signs, showing that God is working with them. Revelation 11: 1-13

Jerusalem today has the occasional person who proclaims themselves as: the Messiah or one of the two witnesses of latter day prophesies.
In David Dolan’s book ‘Israel in Crisis’ published in 2001 by Fleming H Revell page 134. He writes,” If the two prophets are actual men, as I obviously believe, then who on earth are they? They might be two humble prayer warriors who receive an unimaginable divine calling one day. This has happened to many prophets of old. It certainly was the case with Peter and Andrew, called from their Sea of Galilee fishing nets to follow the Fisher of Men. One thing seems eminently undeniable: They will not be Harold McGrath from Cleveland and Sven Olaf from Stockholm or Chou Lee from Hong Kong and Abu Banu from Lagos. They will be Jews, most likely Israelis.”

Watch and pray
I have put on a mug I use at home, “Come, Jesus Come.” When I say the Lord’s Prayer; I pray for the Lord to come soon, with all of my heart.

The Messiah's Secret - Pray Continuously

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving; and pray for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ.” Colossians 4: 2, 3

Prayer is essential to our fellowship with the Lord, we pray in various ways: whilst we are pottering about in the home, at work and when we are travelling from one place to another.
Thora Hird’s Book of Prayers, ‘Praise Be!’ page 26 “I sing hymns while I’m dusting and hovering . . .But what I enjoy most is just chatting to the Lord, like I do to you. Take the other day. I was going through the post and amongst it I opened two letters, one after the other, which both contained money . . . both asking me to donate it to a charity of my choice. And I thought, “Oh dear, Lord! Which ever charity shall I send it to?” well the very next letter I opened came from a leprosy hospital, asking for help. . . . So I think that’s what I think the Lord was saying to me. I really think that. I think the Lord heard me asking, and answered, “Thora, please send the money to help cure people with leprosy.” So I did.”

Then there are also prayers that are written down, Jesus gave his disciples a prayer that has been written and used by Christians for almost 2,000 years ‘The Lord’s Prayer.’

The Messiah’s Secret ‘The Lord’s Prayer.’ page 69
The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. What Jesus gave them, as described in Luke Chapter 11 verse 2, was something new, “When you pray say, ‘Our Father hallowed be your name, thy kingdom come. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us and lead us not into temptation.’”

Praying in earnest is another form of prayer. The Christians at Camp Hope in Chile they prayed continuously for 68 days/nights for their loved ones and friends trapped in the San Jose Mine 623 mitres under ground. It was through the combined effort of the engineers and the people praying, surrounding the whole situation with prayer, that on Wednesday 12th October the first man was brought to the surface and over several days all 33 men were saved. As the people of Chili gave thanks and rejoiced, we joined in with them. It was a witness to the world of their faith in the Lord.

All families and some times communities find themselves going through hard times. Jacob and his family went through a crisis when Jacob was about to meet his brother Esau. It was after many years of separation through strife between them.

Rebekah's prophecy
Rebekah the wife of Isaac had a prophecy after the twins Esau and Jacob were born. ‘The elder would serve the younger’ Esau was the eldest, he was the first to be born. When Isaac was old, blind and frail the time came for Isaac to hand on the inherited blessing from his father Abraham to his eldest son Esau. Rebekah and Jacob conspired against Esau, they deceived Isaac into thinking he was blessing Esau when it was Jacob. Jacob wore Esau’s clothes and he covered his arms and neck with the skins of a young goats to have a hairy texture like his brother’s skin. Rebekah made the meal that Esau would have made. So Isaac blessed Jacob and Jacob inherited Abrahams blessing, ”God would establish a nation through him and the son of promise, Isaac and his eldest son.”

When Esau found out he was furious with his brother and threatened to take his brother Jacob’s life. Genesis 27: 41 Rebekah sent Jacob away to her brother Naban’s home in Haran.
This was the last meeting between them. Now years later Jacob asked his brother to meet him. The memory of that last meeting must have still loomed large in his mind and when he heard that Esau was bringing with him 400 men, he was afraid.
Would Esau be still harbouring anger and resentment against Jacob?
“Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, lest he come and slay us all, the mothers with their children.” Genesis 32: 11

Jacob planned to appease his brother with gifts of sheep, bulls and cows, goats and asses, before they met face to face.

After sending his family crossed the ford of the Jabbok, he was left alone. Still anxious he had this meeting with angel. He caught hold of the angel and would not let him go, saying “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” A determined cry for help.
It reminds me of the families of those trapped miners praying from the depths of their being for their loved ones to be saved.

Jacob earlier in his prayer reminded God of his promise to Abraham, “But thou didst say, ‘I will do you good, and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.” Genesis 32: 12

Jacob did not take this promise or the prophecy given to his mother for granted, he had to pray through his situation.

The meeting took place between Jacob and Esau, all of Jacob fears melted away in tears of reconcilliation. Both brothers embraced each other. Genesis 33: 4

Some Christians would say why is there a need to pray if our lives are predestined by God, if our lives are mapped out?

Predestination – to decree beforehand: to foreordain.

God can change his plans.
500 years later Moses was in conversation with God over the Israelites disobedience they had made and worshipped a golden calf. God said that he would wipe the people of Israel out and change the line of decendency to Moses line.
“Now let me alone, that my wrath may burn against them and I may consume them; but of you I will make a great nation.” Exodus 32: 10
God told Moses ’to leave him alone’ disappointed and rejected God would not continue the relationship with those who had worshipped the golden calf.

Moses was descended from Levi a son of Jacob.
The line that the Messiah would come from was Judah, another son of Jacob

In Luke’s gospel in the genealogy of Jesus he is descended from Judah : The son of Perez, the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham going back to the son of Adam, the son of God.

Moses pleaded with God and he relented and God forgave the people.

God could have changed his plan and not destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.
Abraham pleaded with God to save Sodom. If out of 50 people 45 were righteous would he save the city of Sodom? God said that he would save the city. Abraham pressed on saying to God, “Do not be angry with me” but if there are 40 righteous people . . . till he said, if there are 10 people righteous would he destroy the city. God said,” No,” he would not destroy the city.
The events took there course and there were only 4 people who were saved, Abraham’s nephew Lot, his wife (shortly after leaving Sodom his wife turned back and she became a pillar of salt) and his 2 daughters. The husbands of his daughters chose not to leave Sodom.

Choice is very important, we make a choice whether we accept Jesus as our Saviour or not. God, will not force us to accept Jesus in this life. Therefore our lives are not predetermined by God.

Omniscience – knowledge of all things – an attribute of God

The Hebrew People, God’s Chosen People.
St. Paul in his letter to the Romans 8: 28-30 the Israelites were given the promises, the Law and the covenants and from them the promised Messiah would come.
The Apostles were Jewish and were predestined, foreordained as God’s chosen people to take the good news to the rest of the world about the Saviour, the Messiah.

Jesus prayed for his disciples to fulfil God’s purposes, “I have manifested thy name to the men whom thou gave me out of the world; thine they were, and thou gave them to me, and they have kept thy word.” John 17: 6
The disciples chose to follow Jesus; they had opportunity to turn away from him if they chose too.
“And many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him. Jesus said to the twelve, ”Do you also wish to go away?” Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6: 66-69

Whoever believes in Jesus shall be saved
John the Apostle wrote, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”
John 3: 16 – 18.
The good news of salvation is available to all people everywhere, all over the world.
In the foreknowledge of God he knows the hearts and minds of all people, those who will accept Jesus as their personal Saviour and those who will not. I personally do not believe that it is pre-ordained by God who will and who won’t accept Jesus as their Saviour because God’s love is unconditional. God gives to us the freewill to chose.

Freedom of Choice and Freedom of Speech.
There are those today who have forgotten or who have not yet been informed what Jesus has won for us on the cross: freedom to choose, freedom of speech, based on Jesus' teaching, 'Love fulfills the Laws of Moses. He writes the law into our hearts."
Our Christian democracy isn’t a soft touch; it is founded on Christ’s teaching. As a Christian nation some people would say that in our multicultural society we should impose our Christian beliefs on others, I don’t believe that is Christian way, but if we continue to ignore our Christian way of life as a nation, it will be our nations undoing.

Persevere in Prayer
Jesus taught the importance of prayer and the need of perseverance not to give up when it seems to be taking a long time in receiving the answer to prayer.
This implies to me that the outcome of a situation is not predetermined, our prayers are essential to the end result.
“Jesus told them a parable, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” Luke 18: 1-8
The unrighteous judge in the parable might have been either one of Herod’s judges or a Roman judge. They were notorious for taking bribes and receiving favours, which no doubt allowed some wealthy and corrupt people to jump the queue at the court. Whilst the poor people were pushed to the back of the queue.

The widow was so fired up with the injustice she persued her case to the judge. Maybe she was driven by harbouring anger and resentment against her accuser. The judge responded eventually clearing her of guilt, because she never gave up.
Jesus made the point that God will bring justice about speedily when we like Jacob won’t let him go until he blesses us or like Moses in his meekness speaking with God, ‘Leave me alone’ but Moses didn’t, until God relented and forgave the people their sin.

Our daily conversation in prayer with the Lord is essential.

There’s work to do, deadlines to meet;
You’ve got no time to spare,
But as you hurry and scurry –
A.S.A.P. – ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

In the midst of family chaos,
“Quality” time is rare.
Do your best; let God do the rest –
A.S.A.P. – ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

It may seem like your worries
Are more than you can bear.
Slow down and take a breather –
A.S.A.P. – ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

God knows how stressful life is;
He wants to ease your cares,
And he’ll respond to all our needs
A.S.A.P. – ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

A job to do for the Lord
When we receive a prophecy, do we expect all the doors to open and the way made clear to fulfill it?
On our Christian journey the Lord gives us prophesies plans to fulfil his purposes. Through this study I realise that they may not happen even when they are predetermined by God, unless we pray continually.
It is essential that we pray: praying first of all is the directive from the Lord? Pray for confirmation either by scripture or by some other person. Prayer should be undertaken before any step is taken to move the work on.

The Holy Spirit helps us pray
Sometimes we want to pray for a situation but we can't find the right words. If we hand it over to the Lord, he will undertake for us without us saying anything in the form of a prayer. The Holy Spirit will sometimes express our heart felt prayer in speaking in tongues the language of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer before Worship
“Five young college students were spending a Sunday in London, so they went to hear the famed C.H. Spurgen preach. While waiting for the doors to open, the students were greeted by a man who asked, “Gentlemen, let me show you around. Would you like to see the heating plant of this church?” They were not particularly interested, for it was a hot day in July. But they didn’t want to offend the stranger, so they consented. The young men were taken down a stairway, a door was quietly opened, and their guide whispered, “This is our heating plant.” Surprised, the students saw 700 people bowed in prayer, seeking a blessing on the service that was soon to begin in the auditorium above. Softly closing the door, the gentleman then introduced himself. It was none other than Charles Spurgen.” “A Barrel of Fun” J. John & Mark Stibbe, Monarch Books