A short study of Job.  

In the warm  and dry land of the East, the dung was not mixed with straw, but was carried in baskets to a place outside the village where it was usually burnt once a month. The rains reduced the ashes to a solid hill of earth, and the place used by the inhabitants of the village as a watch tower and a meeting place.

The Book of Job is regarded as one of the oldest books in the Bible. Job did not worship the stars or anything terrestrial; he worshipped the same God as Abraham.

He offered sacrifices for himself and his family; this was before the law was given to Moses by God. Job was regarded as a man of integrity, just and true, he had a fear of God and faith in him.

God described Job as there being none like him in all the earth, a man blameless, true, Godly, abstaining from everything evil. A man who God set a hedge about him and blessed the work of his hands.

In the Book of Job we get a glimpse into the spiritual world, we read of Satan walking up and down, going to and fro upon the earth, he’s never still, having no rest.

Satan the accuser challenged God to allow all that Job had been given to him, to be taken away from him and then Job would cease to serve God and deny his allegiance to him.

God allowed Satan to test Job, Job lost his possessions: his cattle, sheep, camels and his servants, all except the ones bearing the bad news that told him of his children’s death.

Job 1: 20, 21.

Job remembered how he came into the world with nothing and therefore he does not deny God.

Satan again came before God and challenged him, asking if he could touch Job in his flesh he would renounce God. Job 2: 5.

Satan attacked Job’s body with a disease; (Elephantiasis a form of leprosy) Job’s wife found that it was too much to see her husband suffer, she told him to renounce God and die. Job told his wife that she should be able to accept the bad news as well as the good from God, he did not blame God.

Jessie Penn Lewis’s book ‘The Story of Job’

“It is sometimes necessary to leave someone in the hands of God and encourage them to believe their way through the path of trial, because maybe God has allowed sickness as part of his purposes for that person.”

To leave some one in the hands of God – any one who is going through a time of trial or sickness needs prayer support from their church without judging that person as to why they are sick.

The three friends of Job: Eliphaz, Bildad and Zopher for seven days they sat with him on the ash mound. Job cursed the day of his birth. Job 2: 13.

Job was suffering so much he began to see death as a way out, an escape.

Eliphaz

The First of Job’s three friends Eliphaz spoke out in his usual candid way. He said, “Job you have instructed many in their pain, now it’s your turn and to remember your own advice, ’Trust in the knowledge of God, men reap what they have sown.’” Job 4: 7-11

Eliphaz had a dream, “A spirit passed before my face, a form was before my eyes, and I heard a still voice say, “Shall mortal man be just before God. Shall a man be pure before his maker?” Job 4: 12-17.

Eliphaz’s interpretation: Job was a sinner like everybody else therefore he should he should accept God’s chastening upon him so therefore he should ‘Go back to God.’ Job 5: 17

Job saw this as an attack on his integrity, he had not left God; he rebuked his friend Eliphaz, even though he knew that he did not understand. Job 6: 22-24.

Bildad

Bildad was regarded as his humble friend.

Bildad used the “if” word. If Job had sinned his suffering then would be as a result of it. (They believed that through the fall of Adam and Eve sickness and disease was a result of sin. The fall opened the door to sickness and disease, not all sickness is a result of personal sin.)

Job’s reply, “How can a man be just before God?”  Job 9: 1,2.

Job asked God for forgiveness, knowing that he could not forgive on behalf of God, he could not cleanse himself. Job 9: 32, 33.

Who would plead to God for him and who would speak to him from God? He could only be declared not guilty by God.

Job pleaded to God; knowing that he alone knew all about him and perhaps it was his will for him to suffer. Job 10: 13

Zopher

Zopher said to Job, “Should a man who’s full of talk, be justified. Job 11: 1, 2, 13. 12: 3

“Cry to God and be forgiven.” Job replied, “I am not inferior to you.” Zopher was making him a laughing stock. Job said, “Do you not think that I am too proud to admit my sin, but I have not sinned.” Job saw their ignorance against him.

Job can not say how a man is justified before God, yet in his heart he believed that he ‘shall be justified.’ He would thrust himself upon God.

As yet he had no clear assurance of the life to come after death. Job 14: 14.

Eliphaz

Eliphaz accuses Job of having no fear of God because of the way that he had argued against their assumptions that he must have sinned.  Eliphaz did not think that a man could be righteous before God; as even the heavens were not clean in God’s sight. Job 15: 14, 15.

Job had aroused the indignation of his three friends. His friends saw Job as being self-righteous as he constantly declared his integrity.

Job knew from his experience that God was approachable, he was clinging to the fact that God knew his life and therefore he would vouch for him that he had walked with him in the integrity of heart, the sacrifices he made pleased God and he had been blessed by him.

Job was prepared to die. Job 17: 16.

God was silent, be still in the darkness, do not kindle a fire yourself, wait upon God.

Job did not renounce God. He had a vision which was prophetical, “ “I know that my redeemer lives and at last he will stand upon the earth, and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then from my flesh I shall I see God.” Job 19: 25, 26  

Job would see his redeemer face to face after his resurrection from the dead.

Job’s prophecy fulfilled in Jesus

Jesus died on the cross, suffering for the sin of the world. Jesus suffered: the loss of everything material, the broken will, to live for God in complete surrender. He was crucified, laying down his life for our justification, Jesus pleads to God for us, redeeming us from our sin.

Through our faith in him we are made clean from sin and the causes of sin.  Jesus also speaks to us from God through his resurrection revealing himself in his word. Over 500 Christians had the privilege of seeing the risen Lord. 1 Corinthians 15: 6

Elihu

Listening to the conversation between Job and his three friends was a young man Elihu.

He held himself back until there was a pause in their conversation. The friends ceased to answer Job. Elihu had a message from God,” deliverance through the ransom.” Job 33: 24

Elihu had understood the dealings of God with Job, but he does not attempt to combat his insistence on integrity, as the other men did. He told him God had brought his soul from the pit and had enlightened him with the light of the living, his redeemer lives and the resurrection of the dead.

God had allowed Job to be withdrawn from the life he had, that he might save him from spiritual pride. God had brought him down from his high place, to make him know, himself, and his dependence upon God for every breath of life.

Job had seen his redeemer as the living one, who would vindicate him. Elihu spoke of the redeemer as the ransom, the one who would be gracious to him, and deliver him from going down to the pit, not on the ground of his own integrity, but on the ground of his faith and trust in God.

God would restore him with a new spirit as a child; a new freshness of life in heavenly youthfulness; a new power in prayer and joy in the knowledge of God; a new assurance of righteousness in union with the righteous one, the light of the living.

God restored to him his flocks and herds and once again sons and daughters graced his home.

Job lived for a further 150 years after the time of his trial.

The Messiah’s Secret -  Baptism of Tears

 On the 19^th January Gwen Carlisle shared with us how God had called her to become a missionary. She left home to live and work in a church school in Paraguay. 
In our reading Abram (Abraham) was called by God to leave the security of what he knew to a new land. Genesis 12: 1-4. 
The writer of Hebrews points out that Abraham set out for the Promised Land not knowing where he was to go, he looked for a heavenly city whose builder and maker was God and his descendants were looking for God's promise to Abraham to be fulfilled. "These all died in faith, not receiving what was promised . . . They had seen it from afar, a better country, that is, a heavenly one." Hebrews 11: 8-9. 
David the shepherd and court musician a descendant of Abraham was favoured by the people and as a result due to the jealousy of King Saul was pursued by him throughout Israel. 1 Samuel 18: 28 - 30. 
 "Hear my prayer O Lord and give ear to my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears! For I am thy passing guest, a sojourner, like all my fathers." Psalm 39: 12.  David looked for the coming of God's kingdom.

Later when David was King, God gave a prophecy to Nathan for David, ”When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” 2 Samuel 7:12-17

This prophecy telling him that one of his descendants would be the Messiah and would established on the earth Abraham’s Promised Land, God’s eternal kingdom, and throne of King David. A King has a Kingdom.

The people at the time of Jesus were in expectation of the coming of the Messiah.

John the Baptist proclaimed a baptism of repentance in preparation of the coming in of the kingdom. And Jesus proclaimed, “The times is fulfilled the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Mark 1:15

(It was generally taught of there being only one Messiah.  The kingdom of God and Kingdom of heaven both refer to God’s kingdom)

Nicodemus a member of the Sanhedrin came from the security of what he knew to speak with Jesus.  John 3: 1-17         

He referred to Jesus as a teacher, “We know that you are a teacher come from God,” he probably had heard some of Jesus’ parables referring to the kingdom of God, but was not able to understand them. These parables were puzzling statements not meant to be understood by the people, only the disciples were given privately the understanding of them. “And he said to them, ”To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables; so that they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand.” Mark 4: 10-12 Many of the parables begin with 'The kingdom of God'.

“And he said, “The Kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed upon the ground, and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he knows not how. The earth produces of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts it to the sickle, because the harvest has come.”  Mark 4: 26-29.

The mystery of how the Kingdom of God would develop here in this parable: By the seeds of faith being sown and by grace people becoming children of God and enter into the kingdom of God.

The parables about the kingdom of God were meant to be kept a mystery, the reason why is because the Kingdom of God could not be brought in until after Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension and after the coming of the Holy Spirit into the world. 

The disciples were proclaiming at and after Pentecost for the first time that Jesus was Christ, the Messiah proving from the scriptures Jesus had fulfilled prophesies that related to his death, resurrection, ascension and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit.

Peter proclaimed that it was in the foreknowledge of God that he was crucified. “This Jesus delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God.” Acts 2: 23.

“Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus who you crucified.” Acts 2: 29-36.           

At the Gate Beautiful Peter proclaimed that they had acted in ignorance, the prophesies of his suffering and death had been fulfilled and if they repented God would send the appointed Christ for you, Jesus.

The call to Israel’s leaders to accept and bring the people to repentance preceded Jesus bringing in the times of refreshing the restoration of the throne and land of King David. The promise to Abraham of a heavenly kingdom on earth.  Relating to the Ascension, “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

Peter proclaimed that Joel's prophecy the coming of the Holy Spirit has been fulfilled. "And in the last days it shall be, God declares,that i will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh." Joel 2: 28-32. Acts 2: 14-17.

Jesus in conversation with Nicodemus informed him that he needed to be born anew to see the Kingdom of God.

Nicodemus’ response, “How can I be born again into my mothers’ womb?”

Jesus answered “That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit.”

The flesh –  like discerning of the movement of the wind,  the human nature we are born with, finds it hard to understand and discern the words of scripture.  

Nicodemus a teacher of Israel could not understand Jesus’ words about being born anew.  (Ezekiel 36: 26-28. 37: 12-14.New heart.)

The Spirit – The Holy Spirit reveals the understanding of scripture, especially in connection with Jesus. Some of the gifts of the Spirit  are used to communicate the understanding and discernment of the words of scripture. Romans 10 Faith comes by hearing the words of the gospel.                                                                                             .

           

Jesus spoke of Being born of water and Spirit, we link water and Spirit with water baptism.    

Coming to Jesus from the security of what we know to believe and except Jesus as our Saviour we say sorry to God for the sins against God and for some Christians they experience a baptism of tears. 

Tears of repentance & Forgiveness of sins

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

Here Jesus spoke of the baptism of his death before he would bring in the Kingdom .

As Jesus made his way down from the Mount of Olives he looked towards the city and wept.  I wonder did his tears reflected, the baptism of his suffering and death that he knew he was to endure. Love bearing the pain of sin against God, dying to redeem us by his sinless life.

                                                                                                                     

The conviction of sin may bring tears to our eyes, tears of repentance and the release from sin may be followed by tears of joy as our spirit is quickened(made alive in God) with the Holy Spirit, transforming our nature by the power of Almighty God. 

The Psalmist wrote ^“ May those who sow in tears, reap with shouts of joy!”

Professor Rendell Short in his book ‘Wonderfully Made’ writes, “Why emotion should stimulate the lachrymal glands is not clear.” It is not understood why we cry. 

    

One of the Holy Spirit’s gifts is the gift of tears.

John Richard writes about the gift of tears, “The Holy Spirit’s movement upon the heart touching the emotions as part of a loving response to God’s love. It is not associated with human passions but with the experience of God. Tears that flow without strain or effort as our heart cries out to God” www.helpforchristians.co.uk 

 A lady I know received the gift of tears at a Quiet Morning. She said, that tears began to flow and she could not understand the reason why. 

God tells us in his word that he keeps our tears in a bottle. 
The Psalmist wrote: "Thou hast kept count of my tossings (concerns) put thou my tears in a bottle! Are they not in your book?" Psalm 56: 8 So precious are our tears that God remembers them, makes a note of them. 

St Paul's gift of tears: in his second letter to the Corinthians.

 ^“For I wrote you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.”  2 Corinthians 2:4   

St Paul making it known in his love for them he was moved to tears in his prayers, before God. 

Jeremiah's gift of tears 
"But if you will not listen, my soul will weep in secret for your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly and run down with tears, because the Lord's flock have been taken captive."  Jeremiah 13: 17. In his prayers he was moved to tears as he prayed for the people who at the time were going through a period of prosperity but were turning away from God. 

My prayer is that the Lord would pour out his tears through his people, the church, to feel a compassionate love for the people on our road, avenue, street, in our town and in our nation, tears for those whose heart the Lord longs to touch, who do not yet know him, our Lord and Saviour Jesus the Christ.

The Messiah’s Secret – New Start

Young  People’s  short  talk.

In our reading Jesus tells us not to get angry. On the screen I put a young man whose expression was of anger. We get angry when someone does something against us like being deliberately tripped up (picture on screen) or a class mate telling tales over us. 









We can call on Jesus to help us to subdue our anger and take it from us. it is as easy as pressing a button to call on Jesus. Just as a button gives access to our computers and phones we can access God by calling on him in prayer.

I have put a button on a card (milk bottle top and chocolate buttons)with a reminder on them when we feel angry to call on the Lord and rest in his promises.

Readings: 1 Corinthians 3: 1-9. Matthew 5: 21 -37  

A couple drove several miles down a country road, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led them to an argument, and neither wanted to concede their position. As they passed a farmyard of pigs and mules, the husband sarcastically asked, “Relives of yours?” “Yep, said his wife, in laws.                                                    

The commandments are spiritual,(Romans 7: 12, 14.) In our reading Jesus elaborated on the sixth and seventh commandments: “You shall not kill” and “You shall not commit adultery. “    He makes us aware of the things that tempt us that may if unchecked cause us to sin like: anger, insults and seduction.

Temptations.
The Bible covers all aspects of humanity and gives us examples: ‘Anger’ had lead Cain to take Abel’s life and King David in his seducing of Bathsheba took Uriah’s life.

Adam and Eve’s sons Cain and Abel brought a gift offering before the Lord. Cain a tiller of the ground brought the produce from the land and Abel a keeper of sheep brought a lamb from his flock. Abel’s offering was pleasing to God, the  blood of animal's were later used to cover the original sin, whereas Cain’s displeased God, the ground had been cursed by God. Cain was upset and angry; he was warned by God that if he continued to be angry he would fall into sin. Cain could not subdue his anger and with his hands murdered his brother Abel. Genesis Chapter 3 & 4: 11. This is the first murder recorded in the Bible. It came so soon after Adam and Eve were driven from Eden. 

In Jesus' day, just as today people quarreling would end up insulting each other and in some cases one will take the other to court.                                         

Under law after a Jewish person had been insulted or had insulted someone covering justified anger and unjustified anger they would take a gift to the temple to be placed before the altar to make amends(Peace Offering) before God. Jesus said, before making a gesture to God, speak to your accuser while going with him to court and settle the matter. Alfred Edersheim 'The Temple'

In Matthew 5: 17 Jesus said, “Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come to fulfill them.”

We have the example of Jesus fulfilling the law, he was the Gift on the altar. 
Pilate had quarreled with Herod, however, during Jesus' trial Pilate realized that Jesus was a Galilean so he sent him to Herod to be examined by him. Herod questioned Jesus, but he answered nothing. Herod sent him back to Pilate. As a result of this we read,

 “Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, before this they had been at enmity with each other.” Luke 23: 6-12.

Jesus' life laid down fulfilling every ritual and law,  he brings healing and forgiveness to all who come to him. 

Jesus endorsed God’s commandments

“For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.” Matthew 5: 18

Until all is accomplished - meaning the commandments written in the heart for ever, certainly untill he returns to bring in his kingdom.

He also spoke of the future consequences of ignoring them. In verse 22 “Anyone says ‘you fool!’ or ‘reprobate’ shall be liable to the hell of fire.” What Jesus was saying the people listening would understand. On the out skirts of Jerusalem in the Valley of Hinnom is where the inhabitants of Jerusalem burnt their rubbish, a continual fire burned. Jesus alluded to it as a place described by local people as ‘hell’ a burning lake of fire. Dake’s  Annotated Reference Bible
The Greek word 'moros' is translated 'reprobate' and also 'a rebel' It depends on the context in which the word is written. 'Foolish for Christ's sake' is in the context of being a rebel.   Youngs' Analytical Concordance. 8th Edition.

The seventh commandment

King David saw Bathsheba from the roof of the King’s house and he admired her beauty and desired her, however, she was married to Uriah the Hittite. David committed adultery with her. He later schemed against Uriah sending him to the front line of the battle against the Ammonites where he was killed. Afterwards King David married Bathsheba. 2 Samuel 11

King David could not resist the temptation his eye had wandered.

Humanity hasn’t changed, hasn’t evolved, and hasn’t improved over the millenniums. I can relate to a situation in my life, were my Auntie Fay was told by her husband he was leaving her for another woman, the shock and hurt within seconds she collapsed and died, my grandmother who lived opposite to my aunt and uncle heard that there was trouble across the road, and when she got there and saw and heard, she had a heart attack and died.  The shock and horror of it all, I remember going to the double funeral. 

Jesus makes us aware that we need to resist the temptations the thoughts, eye or the hand that leads us astray.

When we do fall to temptation God knows our circumstances, and he knows that a person with or without Jesus, may not have the spiritual strength or inclination to resist temptation especially were a person is unhappy in a relationship.

Universal love
God is love and in him there is no sin, due to the fall when sin came into the world the love that we are all capable of sharing is sadly now tainted with sin. The love that Jesus fills us with is holy love, pure as he is pure, without sin. 

1 John 1: 8 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Jesus God’s gift to us in bringing reconciliation between us and God.  Allowing us to make a fresh start through faith in him.  We can call on the Lord our God at any time through our faith being worked out.

The Holy Spirit begins the work of gradually peeling away our unspiritual (carnal) thoughts, so that we develop the mind of Christ.

At Corinth in their infancy the Christians had fallen into sin. It seems they were following the person who had baptised them either: Cephas, Paul or Apollos, they were being pulled in three directions, this resulted in jealousy and strife. Paul had heard from Chleo that things were not as they should be. In response Paul’s letter stepping in before matters grew worse.                      

Paul described them as followers of the flesh they were putting these leaders in the place of Jesus in their hearts.

For every Christian then and now our faith is in Christ alone.

The Commandments are fulfilled in Jesus, so as Jesus lives within our hearts they are written in our heart and so we feel how the Lord our God feels about sin.

Reminded by the button
When temptation gets the better of me, I will remember that I can activate the button ‘New Start’ and through prayerful repentance I know that the Lord always hears me and if you use a computer you will know, that the restore button reverses the error that you have just made and takes you back to where you were before. Thank you, Lord, Amen.

Jesus the First-born       
Evening Service Luke 2: 22-40.  Hebrews 2: 14-18.

Waiting  for the promise of Jesus’ return to be fulfilled.

In our present day most Christians are looking to the fulfillment of the prophesies concerning Jesus’ return: the increase of knowledge, the communications through computers and satellites that take the gospel to every part of the world. The changing climate due to damage to the ozone layer. Daniel 12: 4. Matthew 24 All point to his return.

Simeon and Anna were waiting for God to fulfil his promises to them, like the prophesies from Isaiah, “For to us a child is born. to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom to establish it, and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” Isaiah 9: 6, 7. These words were familiar to Simeon and Anna and they were looking for their fulfillment.

First Simeon followed by Anna they discerned that this was the Christ –child the one who would redeem Israel.

When Mary and Joseph came into the temple with their offering for Mary’s purification.

In the reading they offered either a pair of turtle doves or two pigeons signifying that they were too poor to offer a lamb. Leviticus 12: 6-8

 They were also presenting Jesus their first-born to the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord.” Luke 2: 23, 24.

 “God declared “For the first-born are mine.” Numbers 3: 15

Jesus the Fist-born of all creation.

 “Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation.” Colossians 1: 15

Mirror image of God Tom Wright ‘Paul for Everyone’

 “If there is somebody sitting in the next room, I can’t see them because there is a wall in the way. But if there is a mirror out in the hallway, I may be able to look out of my door and see, in the mirror, the mirror image of the God who is there but who we normally can’t see.”

Jesus is the Son of God revealed in the flesh, born of a virgin woman Mary, her first-born son.

Under Jewish law the first-born belonged to God.

 The first-born were consecrated to the Lord .  This was in memory of the preservation of the first-born Israelite and the death of the first-born Egyptians.

On the eve of the Passover the blood of the lamb was brushed onto the door-posts and lintels of their houses saving them from the angel of death slaying the first-born man and beast.

The first- born in every Jewish family were consecrated to God for service in the temple.

Two years after leaving Egypt after the construction of the ‘Tent of the Meeting’ God instructed Moses that the Levites first-born should now serve in it instead of the first-born from the families of every tribe. The first-born of the other families were consecrated to God, but paid a redemption price for exemption from serving in the temple, 5 shekels.

 “And the Lord said to Moses, Number all the first-born males of the people of Israel, from a month old and upward, taking the number by names. And you shall take the Levites for me – I am the Lord – instead of all the first-born among the people of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the people of Israel. . . . And for the redemption of the two hundred and seventy three of the first-born of the people of Israel, over and above the number of the male Levites, you shall take five shekels apiece; reckoning by the shekel of the sanctuary, the shekel of twenty gerahs, you shall take them, and give the money by which the excess number of them is redeemed to Aaron and his sons.”  Numbers 3: 40-48.

It was no co-incidence that Joseph and Mary could not afford to purchase a lamb for her purification; God had made that provision in Jesus the Lamb of God, in his sacrifice paying in full the requirement of the law for purification rites and the redeeming price for the first-born.

Jesus was born as one of us to accomplish total redemption for the sins of the whole of humanity

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself like wise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage.”

Hebrews 2: 14, 15.

Jesus grew up strong and filled with wisdom and the favour of God was upon him. Luke 2: 40.

In his ministry he showed compassion, honesty, dedication to his calling as he had the heart of God and the signs that he manifested showed the power and sovereignty of God in his life.

God had prepared a body

Jesus in his humanity defeated the devil, in his death and resurrection. The sinless life of  Christ brought in the new covenant, the old covenant  had been brought in by angels. Hebrews 10: 5. Deuteronomy 33: 2. Acts 7: 53

Jesus was from the line of Judah not of Aaron or Levi.

The writer of the letter to the Hebrews reveals to us that Jesus was a high priest after the order of Melchizedek , who had no beginning or end.

 “This becomes more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek who has become a priest, not according to legal requirement concerning bodily descent but by the power of an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of him, “Thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek. Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God.”  Hebrews 7: 15-17 Psalm 110: 4.

Jesus holds his high priesthood permanently, he has an indestructible life.

As High Priest Jesus made the sacrificial offering of himself.

Jesus was prepared to take all sin, against God, upon himself on the cross, thereby taking the penalty of sin which leads to eternal death and In his resurrection the forgiveness of sin and newness of life.  Death had no more dominion over those who in faith confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

 “He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead.” Colossians 1:18

Jesus the first-born of the church, his risen body  .Every believer bears that title of being ‘first-born ‘children of God because we are in Christ, his living presence within each believer.

Just as the Israelite first-born  served in the Temple, we serve Jesus in the temple of his body, the church. We are a heavenly people.

Paul wrote to the Ephesians 1: 3  “We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places.”

“The eyes of our hearts have been enlightened, that we may know the hope to which he has called us.”

We may have to wait to see its fulfilment of what he has called us to do.  

The promises that we receive on our Christian journey we may find ourselves waiting for them to be fulfilled.

My sister Irene a number of years ago she believed that the Lord was calling her to live and work in Ainsdale.    After she qualified as a chiropodist she went to Ainsdale looking at properties there, but at that time she found nothing suitable. Irene still has it upon her heart, it has yet to be fulfilled.

“Also we may know what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.”  Ephesians 1: 3, 18.

Under Law the first-born received double inheritance. Deuteronomy 21: 15-17

The prophet Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “I pray you, let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” Elijah consented.

After Elijah was translated into heaven, Elisha using Elijah’s mantle struck the water and the water parted proving that he had received a double share of Elijah’s spirit.” 2 Kings 2: 9,10, 14.

Our inheritance under grace

 We receive a double share receiving both the Spirit of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We inherit all that belongs to Jesus, we receive his nature: love in all its diversity, knowledge, wisdom, discernment, counselling, healing, prophecy, administration, anointed skills and bearing responsibility of doing the Lord’s will.

Under law the first-born as head of the household 2 Chronicles 21:3

The first-born according to patriarchal custom was expected to provide for his mother and sisters if they were unmarried.  Unger’s Bible Dictionary page 368.

Jesus fulfilled this duty of the first-born when on the cross said to John, “Behold, your mother,” and he said to his mother, “Behold, your son!” John took Mary the mother of Jesus to live with him.  John 19: 26, 27.

Under grace the Lord looks after us and in one of the many ways is shown to us in our reading.

 “Through Jesus’ suffering and being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted”.

We may be tempted to give up on waiting for God to fulfil his promise to us.

Don’t give up on God, he will not give up on you

The Messiah’s Secret – Jesus the Vine

The Psalmist referred to the people of Israel as a vine. 

The nation of Israel described as a vine when they left Egypt for the Promised Land. God tended, cared for and pruned the vine as they made their journey towards the Promised Land. God’s tangible and visible presence led them by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. He provided water from the rock, Moses was instructed by God to strike the rock with his rod as he did water spewed out from it. God provided “manna” bread and “meat” quail (birds). The bread appeared like dew in the morning and quails descended on the camp providing meat. 

 “Thou didst bring out of Egypt a vine, thou didst drive out the nations and plant it. “                     Psalm 80: 8-19  RSV Bible

When they arrived in the Promised Land the vine was planted, the nation took root in the land of Canaan. 

God watching over his people was described as sitting under the vine.

“And Judah and Israel dwelt in safety, from Dan to Beersheba, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, all the days of Solomon.” 
1 Kings 4: 25

“ But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and none shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Micah 4: 4.

“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: 10. 

The Messiah’s Secret 

Isaiah wrote of God identifying his vineyard with Israel. “For the Vineyard of the Lord of Hosts is the house of Israel.” Isaiah 5: 7.

Alfred Edersheim describes the symbolic importance of the vine. “Two doors with gold plating, covered by a rich Babylonian curtain made up of the four colours of the Temple (fine linen, blue, scarlet, and purple), formed the entrance into the Holy Place. (Not the Most Holy Place.) Above it hung that symbol of Israel, a gigantic vine of pure gold, made of votive offerings each cluster the height of a man.” 

Edershiem “The Temple” page 58

Jesus the Vine.

John the Apostle recorded Jesus’ words in referring to himself as the vine.”I am the true vine.” Therefore if Jesus is the vine then Jesus is embodied in the people of Israel.    

The beloved vine Jesus embodied Israel 

Embodied meaning - be an expression of or give a tangible or visible form to.

God identifying himself as the vine, the people of Israel, and gave his tangible and visible form to them when God’s Son Jesus was born the descendant of King David. 

                                                      

Isaiah prophesied Israel’s vineyard would produce wild grapes this was fulfilled in Jesus’ day.    

”When he looked for it to yield grapes, why did it yielded wild grapes?” Isaiah 5: 4.

The Pharisees and Lawyers neglected justice they had taken away the key of knowledge; they added extra laws to the Laws of Moses these laws laid a heavy burden on the people, as they earned their righteousness under law. Luke 11: 42-52    

Justice.  

Jesus the true vine looked for justice; he taught that it was right to do good on the Sabbath Day. He acted on compassionate love very often going the extra mile to heal a sick person. The Pharisees, Sadducee, Layers and scribes their hearts were hardened, for them it was more important to keep the Sabbath day laws than for a person to be healed.  

Love.  

Jesus taught that the commandments were fulfilled in love: firstly to love God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind and secondly to love your neighbour as yourself. Loving the Lord with all your heart involves all the love we are capable of; with all the soul means giving the whole of our life to the Lord; with all our strength means doing everything to show love to him and with all our mind involves getting to know God especially through his word, for increased knowledge of him brings increased love.   

The Parable of the Vineyard  
Luke 20: 9-16 

The owner sent his servant to collect some fruit from the vineyard, but the tenants beat him and sent him away empty handed. Another servant was sent but they wounded him and treated him shamefully. He sent another whom they killed him. Many others were sent some they beat and some they killed.  

Jesus here has changed Israel position from being the vine to the tenants of God’s vineyard. He explains why through the servants who he sent to collect the fruit, Jesus’ referring to the prophets sent by God like: Elijah, Jeremiah and Isaiah to the leaders of Israel the vines of his vineyard to convict them and the people of their need to turn back to God and repent. 

Finally God the owner of the vineyard sent his son, surely he thought that they would respect his son, but they treated him the same as the prophets. 

An example of the battle for Israel’s vineyard that took place in the days of Elijah.  

Elijah spoke out against Israel’s King Ahab and Queen Jezebel’s dishonesty. King Ahab and Queen Jezebel desired Naboth’s vineyard, but Naboth would not give or sell his inheritance to them. Jezebel plotted against Naboth, she wrote a letter in King Ahab’s name to the elders and nobles who lived with Naboth in his city, “Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people; and set two base fellows opposite him, and let them bring a charge against him saying, ‘You have cursed God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” The elders and nobles of Naboth’s city did as Jezebel had requested in the letter. Naboth an innocent man was killed by being stoned to death. As soon as Ahab heard from Jezebel that Naboth was dead, she encouraged him to go and take possession of the vineyard so King Ahab went and took possession of it. 1 Kings 21: 1-16.  

Jesus prophesied his death, “This is the heir, let us kill him and the inheritance is ours.”

The unseen principalities and powers of darkness were hoping that by killing Jesus the devil had a claim on Israel’s vineyard.   

The devil, who knew that Jesus was the Christ, but he did not know God’s plan of redemption through Jesus’ death and resurrection, which secured the victory over the devil’s power over death, sin and causes of sin. Mark 1: 24, 34.  

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power over death, that is the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to life long bondage. Hebrews 2: 14, 15    

In the parable of the Vineyard the tenants took the son they had killed and cast him out of the vineyard.   

This prophecy in the parable, was fulfilled when Jesus died on the cross outside Jerusalem’s city walls, the Jews made a sin offering of a red heifer outside the city walls.  This sacrifice had the highest significance to atone for “death” itself. Page 349 Alfred Edersheim, “The Temple”.   

The red heifer’s ashes were used for purification rituals for the removal of sin and were kept at the gates outside the walls of the city for the people to use. Numbers 19: 3, 9. Hebrews 9: 11-17.   

Death has no more dominion over us. 

The sin that leads to death has been dealt with by Jesus when he bore our sin on the cross and paid the price for it by lying down his innocent life and in his risen life. we see the victory over death.  

Through God given faith, hearing or reading, the living words of Jesus are received into the heart, the center of our being. The Holy Spirit dwelling within us acts upon the words and by a miracle we are changed, our hardened hearts are transformed, made new, we know that death has lost its capacity to reign over us. I noticed when this happened to me the fear of death had gone.

The Gentiles are an integral part of the vine    

Jesus concluded his parable when he spoke of the vineyard being given to another nation to bear the fruit of it. When we read Luke’s account of this parable, the other nation being the Gentiles from whom many would come to faith in Jesus, this nation comprised of both Jew and Gentile. The cross breaking down the barrier between Jew and Gentile. Ephesians 2: 11-22. 

Jesus speaking to his disciples paralleled the functions of the vine with Discipleship   

Jesus said, “I am the true vine and my Father is the vine dresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine and you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”  John 15: 1-5 

Jesus described himself as the true vine and said that his disciples are branches of the vine drawing and receiving their life and strength from the root and stem of the vine. The branches are tended, cared for and pruned by the Father and are called to abide in the vine.  Jesus said, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.”  John 15: 7. 

This word “if” speaks of making a choice to either make Jesus the Lord of our lives or to put ourselves as Lord of our life.  With Jesus the Lord of our lives we are called to abide in his words: to read, and study/meditate on the words of Jesus, also of putting his words into practice, prayer is an important integral part of it.   

We make these choices daily when we decide how to spend our time. Some days are busier than others, how we are feeling etc. To get through any day, it is best to bring all that we are hopefully going to do and hope to say before the Lord in prayer. Very often the word of scripture that we have read will give guidance, assurance and a blessing as the Lord walks with us.  

Our prayers often lead us to bring Jesus’ promises into focus, “ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you,” Love (Jesus) intercedes and contends on our behalf to fulfil his promises to us.  God given promises to us can be like Christmas presents that are given to us, but for some reason are left unopened. When in response to hearing the Lord's call we take that step of faith to share the good news of God’s love with another person. In doing so we are opening the gift of the promise of salvation and afterwards share in the joy of their entrance into God’s kingdom.  

Last week’s visit to the opticians opened up an opportunity to make Jesus known. In conversation with the optician I explained that I had been studying and reading a great deal. He asked me what I had been studying; I explained that I had been studying the Bible, Jesus being the Messiah and the book that I was updating. By his reaction he was surprised, but listened.   

The True Vine - Christ in You   

The Jews sat under the vine as they kept the Law of Moses. Jesus calls us to abide in the vine as we are part of the vine, its branches.   

Under grace the branch (disciple) is called to bear the fruit of Jesus’ word abiding in love and faith working through love, with the help of the Holy Spirit.  John 6: 63. 15 v 16, 17. Colossians 1 v 4.    

The branches are totally dependent upon its life’s source from the main stem and roots and we need the care and attention of the vine dresser to help the vine to produce good fruit.    

I knew a lady whose family owned a vineyard in Guernsey; she told me that they pruned the vine removing the suckers so that the branches could bear more fruit. God the Vine dresser takes from us the things in our life that take up our time and energy, by doing so he releases us to further his kingdom.  

A branch is complete, all that is required of it, is to grow and bear the fruit of its own harvest and it is equal to all the other branches in its composition and description. The fruit of the vine the grape is widely used to make wine as it has more spirit content when fermented than other fruits.  

The Spirit of God’s love is the sap that rises from the root of the vine to the branches. The Holy Spirit fills each believer with the love of God.  

The abundance of fruit does vary. Working with the Lord a Christian male or female has the potential to be Christ-like using the gifts of the Spirit and is responsible for the working out of our calling in Christ’s body, the church. We take responsibility for our commitment to the Lord’s work.