The Messiah's Secret - Jesus the Physician

The Physician - A title of the Messiah

The Physician, the Balm of Gilead.
Jeremiah wrote of God grieving for the spiritual health of Israel and he pointed to the Messiah, the Physician who would restore the nation’s health.

God speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, “My grief is beyond healing, my heart is sick within me. “Hark the cry of the daughter of my people from the length and breadth of the land: “Is the Lord not in Zion? Is her King not in her?” “Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and with their foreign idols?” “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” For the wound of the daughter of my people is my heart wounded, I mourn, and dismay has taken hold on me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of my people not been restored?” Jeremiah 8: 18-22

Jesus the Messiah and Physician was sent by God to restore the health of the nation. When Jesus stood and read from the book of the prophet Isaiah he quoted the words of healing: to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind to set at liberty those who were oppressed and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. Jesus’ most important healing, the grieving heart of his Father God over his people, Israel.
Jesus restored the whole person for instance: the lady who was unclean in the eyes of the law because of her issue of blood. When she touched the hem of Jesus garment she was physically healed, which restored her under law. Luke 8: 43-48
The leper who came to Jesus for his healing, “If you will you can make me clean,” Jesus moved with pity, stretched out his hand and touched him, and said, “I will; be clean.” The man was healed. Jesus then told him to go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for his cleansing as it was the custom under the Laws of Moses. Mark 1: 40-45 He was healed and restored under the law of Moses.

The Messiah’s Secret
Afterwards Jesus sternly told the man who had been healed of leprosy not to tell any one about his healing and that he should go and be examined by the priest to show that he was clean, free from leprosy and make his offering according to the law.
Jesus did not want him to publicise his healing. He wanted to keep his identity of being the Messiah a secret because he had to die and be raised from the dead and ascend into heaven before he could return with the holy angels and be their Leader and Saviour.
“Jesus said, “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” Mark 8:38. 9:1.

The Balm of Gilead
The soothing, comforting ointment of our Lord God, his words of forgiveness and hope. His healing touch bringing release from fear, freedom, love, joy and peace. The Holy Spirit opening the eyes of our understanding to know the living God, and giving us assurance of his sovereign rule over the entire universe.
In Gilead there was a tree that was well known for its healing properties, Balsam tree. The resin from the tree was used as an ointment. It is recorded in Genesis 37: 25, 28. “The Ishmaelite Midianite Traders coming down from Gilead with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to Egypt.” They used these to barter with the Egyptians. This tree is no longer is found in Gilead. Unger’s Dictionary page 1134

As part of healing and wholeness the Lord has given to the church gifts of healing.

In the year 2,000 Rev Mark Pearson came and spent a weekend teaching the churches on the Lord’s healing ministry. I bought his book at the time and from it and on the weekend he stated four ways in which the Lord uses to heal people. (I’ve only taken the headings and included the healing of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law.)

1/ Skill and Science.
Rev Mark Pearson tells us that the Lord uses doctors and surgeons using their skill and knowledge. The scientist that produces medicine and medical implants and appliances. The nursing profession and carers are all used to bring healing to our bodies.
Mark reminded us that Paul suggested to Timothy that he should take a little wine for his stomach problem. Also Dr Luke accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys attending to his medical problem. This shows us clearly that the Lord intends to use both the skill of doctors, surgeons and science for our well being.
Combine the ministry of Skill and Science with prayer and the sick person is upheld, strengthened and at peace.

2/ Spiritual Gifts
Jesus spoke of himself as being the Physician in the house where many tax collectors and others who were regarded by the Pharisees as sinners. A Pharisee observed, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus heard what he said and replied, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick." Matthew 9: 10-13.
Jesus fulfilled Jeremiah's plea the physician, the Christ bringing healing to the nation.
Even though there was opposition to his ministry of healing we read that Jesus healed all those who came to him. The man with the withered hand had just been healed in the synagogue, "But the Pharisees went out and took counsel against him, how to destroy him. Jesus aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all." Matthew 12: 14, 15.
Matthew wrote that at Nazareth they took offence at him, and as a result he did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. Luke 4: 23. Matthew 13: 57, 58.
Simon Peter’s mother–in-law was healed at Capernaum.
Mark 1: 29-31.
The healing ministry continues today I myself have been healed see blog "The Messiah's Secret - The Healing Ministry of Jesus."

Jesus with his disciples left the synagogue at Capernaum and went to the family home of Andrew and Simon Peter. Simon’s mother-in-law lay poorly with a high fever. Jesus was informed and immediately he went into the room to her, where he stood over her and rebuked the fever and then taking her by her hand, he lifted her up, finding that she was healed of the fever. Without any delay she helped serve the meal. Mark 1: 29-31. Luke 4: 38, 39. Matthew 8:14-17
The faith of Andrew and Simon brought his mother-in-law’s need to the attention of Jesus. He responded in love to her need. I think the lady having a high fever would not perhaps be aware of what was going on, so her healing did not depend on her faith.

Faith.
Faith means to believe in some one or something e.g. If we’re feeling ill we go to the doctor, we have faith in the doctor that he will prescribes some medicine that we believe or have faith that it will make us better.
It takes the same kind of faith to believe that the Lord will heal us through his promises in his word.
“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matthew 21: 22.
“And Jesus said to him, “If you can! All things are possible to them that believe.” Mark 9: 23
“What so ever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you ask anything in my name I will do it.” John 14: 13, 14.
“And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” Luke 8:48

Mark refered to the healing gifts listed in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian Church should be viewed like a sandwich: Chapter 12 The gifts are used when there is a need. Chapter 13 without love they are administered from the position of what I do, rather than being motivated by compassion. Chapter 14 Faith reaches out in the Lord’s love to comfort and pray for healing and wholeness.
Jesus rebuked the fever, he addressed and named the cause praying for her release from it.
When we pray for someone in a similar situation it is good to follow the pattern that Jesus has given to us in the gospel.
Quietly praying with the authority that he has given to us in his name and in his words of scripture. The power is not in the rebuke it is in the Word.
Dear Lord, we bring before you our sister or brother who is dear to you and us, just as you touched the hand of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law and restored her to health we pray for your healing touch as we rebuke and release our sister or brother from ----in your precious name. Amen

Church Services
When a person is ordained for the priesthood, they are anointed with oil for the ministry of the sacraments.
Two sacraments: Holy Communion and Baptism. (Church of England Articles of Religion)
Looking briefly at one of these sacraments Holy Communion.

Mark Pearson calls the sacraments vehicles by which God uses to bring healing and wholeness to our lives.
At the Communion the tokens the bread (body) and the wine (blood) representing Jesus’ victory over all sickness and disease.
The Communion service is regarded by many as being a healing service; the Common Prayer Book states that as we receive the bread and the wine ‘we enter into all the benefits of his passion,’ which are many: forgiveness, comfort, strength, support, endurance, peace, healing in various ways and many more.

In Matthew’s account of Jesus healing Simon Peter’s mother-in-law he adds the words from Isaiah, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.” Matthew linked this prophecy after Jesus had fulfilled it. Matthew knew that the cross is where Jesus took(bore) upon himself our broken bodies in his suffering and death to bring us healing and wholeness.
On the evening of the Day of his resurrection the disciples touched Jesus’ risen body where the marks of the nails and the Centurion’s sword pierced his heart in his side. Matthew must have also realised that in Jesus’ risen body he was free from all infirmities placed upon him. His risen body was free from corruption.

Jesus touched the hand of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law and then he lifted her up by her hand.
The healing touch of Jesus.
Jesus heals our broken bodies and restores us to health and wholeness even when we knowingly eat the wrong foods which can be detrimental to our well being.
Today a lot of illness is a result of eating food that is not good for us because it’s high in fat and sugar. But it is these foods that are pleasant to eat; at least they are for me. I’m reminded of Paul’s words to the Roman church, “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” Romans 7: 15
Ongoing Wholeness.
The Holy Spirit enables us to discern what we eat and convicting us when we are eating too much fatty and a sugary food that is not good for us. We can be also convicted to change our habits; the need to take regular exercise and having regular meals. The Lord will also prompt us with the scriptures concerning these things. I find it works to pray for the Lords help when I’m struggling to avoid the things that are detrimental to my health.
Jesus died on the cross and God raised him from the dead overcoming all the things that are detrimental to our life.
Whatever our circumstances we can look to Jesus to continue to make us whole.

4/ Prayers of all Christians

The next day Jesus got up very early to spend time in prayer with his Father God. Simon Peter and others who were with him pursued him, and they found him.
To begin the day with a time spent in prayer with the Lord prepares us for the day before us. I believe that Jesus is waiting, wanting to hear from us and we don’t have to search for him. We should, if we can set aside time in a quiet place, were we can talk to our Lord God about the things that are on our heart. Some Christians use lists so they don’t forget to pray for the people and their needs, that are precious to them.
At the end of each day we rejoice in all things and recollect were our prayers have been answered and for the things still to do.

Mark writes: "The church ministers healing co-corporately through members love for one another." "Christian Healing" by Mark A Pearson Published by Chosen Books a division of Baker Book Company. Grand Rapids.
Church service intercessions embrace of the whole worshipping body praying for the world poverty, Queen and country, mission, ministers of the church, community, environment etc.

At St. Mary’s we have a small prayer group who pray for the sick and housebound members of our church. The Lord has ministered through those prayers; we have seen a decline of sickness in our church.
Most churches have a ‘Prayer Chain’ were a number of Christians are linked through email or phone praying for not only church members but anyone who asks to be put on the chain.
We have opportunities to attend healing services in a number of churches in the Rossendale Valley. The Diocese of Manchester holds Healing Quiet Mornings and Diocesan Healing Days.

The Messiah's Secret - Saved by the Blood of Christ

We have an awesome God and the heavens declare the glory of the living God.

God revealed his future plan to the Apostle John.
John the Apostle saw in heaven a woman clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet. She was wearing a crown of twelve stars. Revelation 12: 1 - 6
"And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; 2/ she was with child and she cried out in her pangs of birth, in anguish for delivery. 3/ And another portent appeared in heaven; behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems upon his heads.4/ His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven, and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to bear a child, that he might devour her child when she brought it forth; 5/ she brought forth a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, 6/ and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which to be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days."

In John’s revelation “the woman clothed with the sun.”
The woman Israel - the wife of God. Isaiah 50: 1. Jeremiah 3: 6-13.
The sun – Jacob. The moon – Rachael. The twelve stars – the sons of Jacob. Genesis 37: 9-11
The woman, one of King David’s descendants would bring forth the Messiah, as Leader and Saviour. 2 Samuel 7: 12, 16. Luke 2:11. Acts 5: 31.

Israel the wife of God brought forth the Son of God, the Messiah.
This was fulfilled when Mary a descendant of King David brought forth Jesus. God was the Father of Jesus. Genealogy of Mary: Joseph the husband of Heli’s daughter Mary. Luke 4: 23
Jesus was born into this world, his mother Mary giving him his flesh, his body.                                            

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.

Jesus’ blood, the components of Jesus' blood I believe came from the author of life, the sinless life of God, therefore he had the nature of God his Father. The virgin Mary was overshadowed by God’s Holy Spirit when she conceived. The Holy Spirit convicts us of the truth and we accept this truth by faith.

A local Midwife explained to me how a baby has its own blood.
"The baby’s blood is developed soon after conception, no actual blood from mum goes directly to the baby, and the baby has its own DNA. The placenta is like a giant lung attached to the umbilical cord to the baby. From the placenta the baby receives oxygen and nutriments from mum. The waste and the carbon dioxide go via the placenta and are disposed of through mum’s bodily functions.”

Our blood circulates around the whole of our body. Even though it is uniquely our own, we are linked through blood groups throughout the human race. The blood in our veins, can be given through transfusions to other human beings, whether we are Chinese or English. There are no links in our blood with other created animals. We can not receive a transfusion from a monkey.

Jesus' blood originating from God, the sinless life of God his Father. His blood pouring out from the cross has the potential to cleanse and redeem the whole of the human race. 

Red cells 
There are 5,000,000 red cells per cubic millimetre, red cells are very tiny, and every red cell travels in the blood to the lungs where it picks up oxygen. After picking up the oxygen a single red cell offloads the oxygen to a single tissue, the oxygen gives combustion and heat to the tissue. The red cell then takes the waste away from the tissue and disposes of it out of the body through the lungs, plasma, skin, bladder and bowel. 
“The Chemistry of the Blood” Dr M.R.DeHaan. 

                                                                                       

Now this is true of the physical body but it all points to a deeper spiritual truths.
Spiritually the blood of Jesus goes into action when a person is hearing about what Jesus achieved through his death on the cross. He made the final sacrifice for all that separated us from God, his blood being accepted by God for the forgiveness of our sin.
“Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness for sin.” Leviticus 17: 11. Hebrews 9: 22
Like the red blood cell, the blood of Jesus has the power to spiritually cleanse us and remove our sin and the causes of sin.
"Jesus said at the last supper, "For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26: 28.
“The next day he saw Jesus walking towards him, and said,” Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1: 29
“As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our sins from us.” Psalm 103: 12
“And no longer shall each man teach his neighbour and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sins no more.” Jeremiah 31: 34.

Like the red cell takes away the waste from the tissue, so Jesus takes away our sin, and it is remembered no more.
The Holy Spirit like the oxygen gives combustion sparks off the person into the newness of life, to live our lives in the Spirit of God’s love.                                                                                 
The red and white cells work together.
The work of the single red cell to a single tissue speaks of personal salvation; the Lord meets and treats us equally men, women and children.                                                                                                                      
Paul wrote in Romans 12:5 “So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another” As Christians working together we are one in the blood of Jesus. But like the Trinity individually members of it.

The white cells are the soldiers of the body; they defend the body from bacteria and bring healing to damaged skin.

When for instance we have a splinter in our finger, a message goes to the brain and the brain sends a message to the marrow to produce and send more white cells to the infected area. In the process of combating the infection, the white cells have power to destroy bacteria some of the white cells die along with the bacteria, this forms the puss.

The white cells have built in their structure DNA which the red cells do not have. The DNA produces new skin to heal, restoring and producing new flesh. Amazing.

The blood of Jesus defends us from spiritual attack from the powers of darkness.
Second sign VERSE 4
The red dragon representing Satan, he brought his demonic host against the holy child Jesus when King Herod ordered the slaughter of male children under the age of two years.

There were further attempts to end Jesus’ life before his time: In the wilderness temptations he was tempted to jump by Satan from a pinnacle of the temple. At Nazareth some of the people there threatened to throw him over the cliff. At Jerusalem some Jews there were about to stone him, accusing him of blasphemy.
Jesus identified Satan as the evil one, “I do not pray that thou should take them (his disciples) out of the world, but that thou should keep them from the evil one.” John 17: 15
The powers of darkness knew that Jesus was the Holy One of God, that he had the power and authority of God. Jesus disarmed, immobilised, but not yet totally destroyed these principalities and powers.

Rebellion in Heaven
The scriptures reveal that there was a rebellion in heaven. Satan claimed equality with God and some of the angels sided with him.
”How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of the Dawn! (one of the many names of Satan)How you are cut to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit in the mount of the assembly in the far north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will make myself like the Most High.’ Isaiah 14: 12-14

The gods of Egypt were conquered by the one true God of Israel. Even today some religions put their god above the God of Abraham, Satan the deceiver put himself above God when he offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the earth if he would bow down and worship him.

Satan was defeated and evicted from his heavenly home. The words of Jesus in Luke 10: 18 “Jesus saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven.”
After the creation of the earth Satan sought to undermine the fellowship between man and his creator. God created man out of dust and then he breathed into Adam his blood, giving him life. “The life of the flesh is in the blood.” Leviticus 17: 11.

Moses in his God inspired writings wrote about Adam and Eve’s encounter with Satan, who lied to them when he offered them a way to be like God knowing good and evil. They accepted his lie and as a result their lives fell under Satan’s influence; every part of their nature became tainted by sin. Adam’s son Seth was born in the likeness of Adam not of God. (God named the first male and female, ’Man,’ plural ‘mankind.’ Genesis 5: 2, 3.

The Israelites on their wilderness journey they were dying through snake bites. Moses was instructed by God to make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole; and every one who was bitten, when they looked at it, would live. Numbers 21: 9

The Messiah’s Secret page 73
Jesus used this incident, in the exodus from Egypt, to demonstrate his death and resurrection.
The Son of man had to die and be lifted up so that those who believe in him and follow him receive eternal life.” John 3: 14.
The result of the fall of the first man,Adam, his sin resulted in death. (Serpent – death) the second man Jesus through victory over sin and death won eternal life. (Serpent lifted up – healing)   

God had cursed the serpent and prophesied that through the seed of a woman the Messiah would bruise the head of the serpent, and the serpent would bruise the heel of the Messiah. Genesis 3: 15 The prophecy of the redemption that Jesus fulfilled.
The serpent bruised Christ’s heel; this happened when Jesus suffered the agony of the wooden cross, the death by hanging on a tree, crucifixion. Deuteronomy 21: 23.

Like the white cells in our blood, the blood of Jesus defends and heals our wounds.
Today Satan continues to deceive, denying Jesus’ victory over him. We fend off the fiery darts which often are accusations and deceit coming from Satan with the blood of Jesus.
One of his strategies is to send thoughts to our mind that suggest that we have said or done something wrong which when we reflect on it, we know that we haven’t, but still the thoughts keep on coming.
We disarm Satan by claiming Jesus’ victorious blood over his accusations. He has to retreat because we are justified through faith in the blood of Jesus. Justification means declared not guilty of sin against God.
When God our Father looks at us his beloved children, he sees spiritually the righteous blood of Christ in our being.

Arrow Prayer (This is saying a short prayer while active during the day)
I claim my position in Christ from the word; I then take the shield of faith the blood and make a stand against the principalities and powers, in the authority of Jesus’ name.
Dear Lord, I am your child, “To those who believe, you gave power to become the children of God”, I take the shield of faith which is mine in Christ and block the thoughts coming to me from the evil one that are not true. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Antibodies in our blood.
Antibodies prevent infection; after a person has had a disease cells are produced that have a resistance to that disease. Some are effective for life, others temporarily, immunity only for a time. This immunity is in the blood.

Satan is immobilised by the victory that Jesus has won. It is like the army that is defeated and afterwards surrender their weapons. In prayer we are able to claim Jesus’ victory and discern the activity of Satan and bring it to an end. This may take persistent prayer.

The parable of the wedding feast,  the king gave a marriage feast for his son.
"But when the king came to look in at his guests, he saw a man who had no wedding garment; and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants. 'Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness." Matthew 22: 11-13.
Jesus gives us his authority to bind and loose principalities and powers, to render them speechless and powerless in the activity of Satan.

Rev Moody Stories
"When I was speaking to five thousand children in Glasgow some years ago, I took a spool of thread and said to one of the largest boys: "Do you believe I can bind you with that thread?" He laughed at the idea.  I wound the thread around him a few times, and he broke it with a single jerk.  Then I wound the thread around and around, and by and by said: "Now get free if you can."  He could not move head or foot."
Plasma 
The primary purpose of plasma is to transport nutrients, hormones, and proteins to the parts of the body that need it. Cells also deposit their waste products into the plasma, and the plasma in turn helps remove this waste from the body. Blood plasma also ushers the movement of all the elements of blood through the circulatory system. It also has a clotting factor, stops the flow of blood through open wounds. 
The Holy Spirit ministry he convicts the world of unbelief, righteousness and judgement. He shows us Jesus and acts upon Jesus’ words. He divides soul and Spirit with the sword bearing the word of God. He illuminates the word, giving us direction He organises the gifts of the Spirit in the body of Christ.

Prayer 
Praying for protection this day/night with the blood of Jesus over all principalities and powers.  I put the shield of faith, the blood of Jesus, my helmet of salvation upon my head and I apply my victory in the power of Jesus' blood to save, to protect and to heal because Jesus that is in us, is greater than Satan that is in the world. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Jesus has won the victory over all principalities and powers in his death and resurrection. The Holy Spirit teaches us how to stand in the continual flow of the righteous blood of Jesus Christ from the throne of his grace and in the word of God against the strategies of Satan.                                                                                                                
It is very important that we study and meditate upon the scriptures. Jesus being the Word of God clothed in the flesh.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1: 1
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life. The life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you eternal life which was with the Father and was made manifest to us, that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with the Son Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1: 1-3

Future prophecy
In John’s revelation the woman went off into the wilderness for a period of 1,260 days.
Daniel prophesied that there will be an agreement between Israel and the antichrist for seven years. This is the last week of the seventy weeks prophecy of Daniel. Daniel 9: 27
The week is divided into two parts. The first part: for 1,260 days, three and a half years, during that time there will be a period of peace in the world. Second part: the antichrist turns on Israel and the Great Tribulation takes place for the remainder of the week of prophecy.
John refers to the Christians who die to self and live for Christ who are caught up in this, the great tribulation in Revelation 12: 11
“They conquered Satan with the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony, for they did not love their own lives unto death.”
After this terrible time only a small number of Israelis survive and it’s at this point Jesus returns to take up again with Israel and defeat the antichrist. Revelation 19: 13-21.


Three Views on the Millennium Revelation 20: 1 – 15 Eyre & Spottiswoode Bible page 1884

Post Millennium
A Post Millennialist holds that the millennium is a period of world history in which the reign of Christ has been established through His church which is destined to conquer the world with the gospel, and at the end of this golden age Christ will personally return to earth and inaugurate a new heaven and a new earth.

A – Millennium
A – Millennialist denies that there will ever be a literal earth-rule of a thousand years, either before or after Christ’s return. By some the thousand years are taken to be simply symbolic of eternity (although verse 5 poses a serious problem for this view), and the only reign spoken in this passage is an eternal heavenly reign. Christ’s return to earth will simply usher in the “new heaven and the new earth” and His only eschatological rule will be celestial, not in this world. By others the one thousand years of Christ’s reign are taken to be the period between the first and second comings of Christ.

Pre-Millennium
Looks for the return of Christ to earth at the beginning of a literal, thousand year reign upon the earth when “the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of God as the waters cover the sea” and all the nations of mankind will be completely subservient to the Lord Jesus. At the end of this period Satan will be released again in order to stir up the secretly rebellious portion of mankind to a final open revolt against God (verses 7 – 9). 

The Messiah's Secret - Lamb of God

Clarence House in London announced, heralded the good news about Prince William and Kate Middleton’s engagement on 16th November 2010.

Almost 2,000 years ago John the Baptist heralded the good news of the coming of the Messiah to the people of Israel. As part of the preparation for his coming John called the nation to repentance, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” Matthew 3: 3. Isaiah 40: 3.

At Bethany John the Baptist saw Jesus coming towards him, he was standing with two of his disciples, John remarked, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” John 1: 28, 29.

The ‘Lamb of God’ identified as being a man, the Messiah. The prophet Isaiah reveals this to us in 53: 7. “Led like a lamb to the slaughter, like a sheep before its shearers is dumb, he opened not his mouth.”
We have another reference to the ‘Lamb of God’ being a man. Abraham was instructed by God to take his son, his only son Isaac, whom he loved to the land of Moriah, and offer him as a burnt offering. Abraham did as the Lord requested, he saddled his ass, placing the wood for the burnt offering upon it, and taking with him two servants, and his son Isaac; they set out. After travelling three days they arrived at the place. Abraham told the young men to stay with the ass while he and Isaac went away up the mountain. Abraham gave Isaac the wood to carry for the burnt offering and he carried the fire and the knife. Isaac said to his father Abraham, “Behold, the fire and the wood; but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.”

The writer of Hebrews informs us that Abraham believed that God would provide the sacrifice.
“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who received the promises was ready to offer up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your descendants be named.” He considered that God was able to raise men even from the dead.” Hebrews 11: 19

When Abraham and Isaac arrived at the place where God had told him, he built an altar, upon the wood he bound Isaac and just as he was about to slay him, an angel spoke to him telling him not to do so.
Abraham looked up and immediately saw a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. He took the sheep and offered it as a burnt offering. Genesis 22: 1-14

God knew that Abraham loved and trusted him and would not withhold his son from him.

Reading this account today causes us to realise that God did not withhold his son from making the sacrifice in order to take away the sins of the world.
The cost to God, God is love and the magnitude of the depth of his love is beyond my comprehension.
I see it, like looking at an iceberg, we can only see the tip above the water, the huge amount of ice that lies below the water is hidden from view. The unfathomable, unsearchable depths and riches of God.

Next day John the Baptist saw Jesus walking along the road. Two of John's disciples standing with him, they heard John say, “Behold the Lamb of God!”
These two disciples followed Jesus, he stopped and invited them to the place where he was staying. After spending all day with Jesus, Andrew, one the two disciples afterwards he went and told his brother Peter, “We have found the Messiah.” Peter responded and went to find Jesus.
The next day Jesus went to Galilee where he found Philip and asked him to follow him. John 1: 30-43

Here we read of three ways to find Jesus:
o Hearing the evangelist or preacher’s message.
o Through personal witness giving testimony to Jesus being the Messiah
o Jesus spoke directly to Philip.

As a result of the dispersion of the community of believers at Jerusalem, The Apostle Philip visited a city in Samaria where he preached the message about Jesus. Those who believed he baptised, Jesus' baptism.

Philip was directed by the Holy Spirit to travel towards Gaza following the Jerusalem road.
Philip made his way along the road when he and came upon a chariot. Inside the chariot there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a minister of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of all her treasure, he had been to Jerusalem to worship and he was returning ; seated in his chariot, he was reading from the prophet of Isaiah. Philip led by the Holy Spirit came alongside the chariot, he heard him reading from Isaiah. He asked the eunuch did he understand what he was reading? He replied, “How can I, unless some one guides me?” He invited Philip to sit with him.
The passage that the Ethiopian was reading: “As a sheep led to the slaughter or a lamb before its shearer is dumb, so he opens not his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken up from the earth.” Isaiah 53: 7, 8.
The eunuch asked Philip, “About whom, pray, does the prophet say this, about himself our some one else?” Then Philip beginning with this scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. As they went along the road they came to some water, the Ethiopian stopped the chariot and was baptised in the water. The Ethiopian eunuch went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8: 4-38

The Messiah's Secret - Introduction page 10
Luke the writer of Acts recorded this incident perhaps to convey to Theophilus and the Jews reading this account that these verses that were prophesied by Isaiah were definite references to the suffering and the death of the Messiah. The Ethiopian's baptism in Jesus' name for the forgiveness of sin and the prophecy of Joel, the pouring out of God's Spirit upon all flesh in the last days.

For Jesus the ‘Lamb of God’ to take away the sin of the world he was prepared to deal with the origin of sin. Moses inspired by the Holy Spirit wrote about separation that took place between God and Adam and Eve in Genesis.

Adam and Eve began life knowing God in a personal way, their lives were changed when they accepted a lie from Satan, who manifested himself to them, as a serpent.
God had forbidden Adam and Eve to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Satan suggested first to Eve and through Eve to Adam, that if they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they would be like God knowing good and evil.
They both disobeyed God and as a result they were separated from God and they became gods unto themselves.
Their nature changed to become self orientated which led to self rule, and leading self centred lives. Also this opened a door to death, sickness, wars etc; and enmity against God. Since then their fallen nature has been inherited by every person in every generation.

(Most of the World religions are based on self improvement and training the soul.)

God chose Abraham through Isaac and his descendants to make him known amongst the nations. The Mosaic covenant was put in place by God to identify sin and its causes. A blood sacrifice was repeatedly made at the temple for the forgiveness of sin. "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin." Leviticus 17: 11. Hebrews 9: 22.
A person brought their sacrifice a lamb or a bird to the gate of the court of the priests. The person laid their hand upon the head of the offering and transferred by prayer their sin to it. The lamb became their substitute taking their punishment and it was slain and its blood caught in a vessel by the priest and then the blood was sprinkled upon the altar to atone for their sin.

Today when we recognise that our sin separates us from knowing God and we find out that God has made it possible for a person to be forgiven by Jesus becoming our substitute. If we can picture in our mind the person who came to the temple and by prayer they laid their sin on the lamb uniting it with the person, so we are united with Jesus our substitute and his blood has made for us the final sacrifice for our sin against God. The term for it: is being crucified with Christ and just as the person in the temple received forgiveness, so we receive forgiveness.

In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus was tempted not to go to the cross and die. But he did go to the cross and was led like a lamb to the slaughter in meekness and love he gave his life and took upon himself the sins of the whole world.
Jesus was resurrected from the dead, because death and Satan had no dominion over him.
Through faith in Jesus, we die to our sin and we are raised by the action of God, our hearts and nature given newness of life, to have fellowship with God in the Spirit.

A prayer asking for God’s forgiveness:
Lord God thank you that you love us so much that you sent Jesus to be my substitute for all my sin, please forgive me, as I forgive those who have sinned against me. I ask that you would make yourself known to me and fill me with the newness of life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

"But what does it say? The word is near you, on our lips and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach); because, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:8, 9.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit equips every Christian with gifts to give witness to Jesus being alive and risen from the dead and to the promise of eternal life.
In the church these gifts are distributed among the believers for the work of making Christ known and to herald the news to the world that Jesus is alive, risen from the dead. And he is coming back again and we with him shall reign for ever more.

Place on a board the Gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12: 28 Distribute pictures relating to those gifts which include all the ministry of the whole congregation.

Healing – Prayer, Doctors and Nurses, First Aiders

Next day Jesus went to Galilee
After Philip met Jesus in Galilee he went and found Nathanael and told him that they had found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote about, Jesus of Nazareth.

Moses told the Hebrew people that God would send to them a prophet like him from among their people. God would give him his words that would come to pass. Deuteronomy 18:18
Jesus fulfilled this requirement of the Law. “They shall leave none of the lamb until morning, nor break a bone of it; according to all the statute for the Passover they shall keep it.” Numbers 9: 12
The soldiers did not break Jesus’ legs on the cross because he was already dead. John 19: 33

The prophet Ezekiel prophesied the Messiah being the chief shepherd of his people, “ My servant David shall be King over them and they shall have one shepherd. They shall follow my ordinances and observe my statutes. They shall dwell in the land for ever.” Ezekiel 37: 24

Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be called a Nazarene. Isaiah 11: 1

Nathanael doubted Philip’s words to him and said, “Can anything good come from Nazareth.”
Perhaps Nazareth was thought of in Jesus’ day as being a city of no consequence.

Philip took Nathanael to see Jesus and as they approach him, Jesus said, “An Israelite indeed, in whom there is no falsehood.”
I’m sure Nathanael was pleased to hear these words, he replied, “How do you know me?” Jesus said, “Before Philip called you, I saw him under the fig tree.” This reply caused him to discern that Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah.
The connection is with Jesus seeing Nathanael as being honest, truthful and a sincere man and also him being seated under the fig tree was confirming the coming of the Messiah.
The prophet Zachariah prophesied the branch, the Messiah would bring in the Day of Vengeance a day of judgement. And in that day those who were saved would invite their neighbour to sit under his fig tree.
“ In that day I will remove the guilt of the land in a single day. In that day, says the Lord of Hosts every one of you will invite his neighbour under his vine and under his fig tree.” Zechariah 3: 8-10.

Jesus said to Nathanael, “Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these.” John 1: 29-50

The greater things - Jesus’ baptism of water and Spirit
Water is something that we all use for cleansing purposes and when we add a cleansing agent to it it removes stubborn stains, dirt and germs.
So when we think of Jesus' baptism: the water and the cleansing agent, the blood of Jesus, applied to our heart we can understand the implications, it removes sin and its causes, things that spoil our relationship with God and other people; selfishness, pride, envy, covetousness, murder, deceit, fornication, slander and theft.
So the water and the blood cleanse us then God adds the fiz to the water, the Holy Spirit. We are made alive, a new creation, born again into the kingdom of God.

“This is Jesus who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the witness, because the Spirit is the truth. There are three witnesses, the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree. If we receive the testimony of men the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God that he has borne witness to his Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself . . . .And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in the Son.” 1 John 5: 6-11

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.
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"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.