The Messiah's Secret - Jesus the Messiah

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The sandals of whom I am not worthy to untie.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Messiah's Secret - Pray Continuously

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Predestination – to decree beforehand: to foreordain.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Omniscience – knowledge of all things – an attribute of God

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our daily conversation in prayer with the Lord is essential.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Messiah's Secret - Healing Ministry of Jesus

Healing Ministry of Jesus

We had heard from friends that in Bury where we used to live twenty two years ago, there has been substantial re-development in the town: a new shopping area and a change in the road layout. On the day we visited we were pleasantly surprised by the dynamic buildings with colourful use of glass, lots of space in the pedestrian areas.

God called Nehemiah to go to Judah and rebuild the cities walls that lay in ruins.
It was in 445BC when Nehemiah heard about the Jewish homeland from those who had been and seen the ruined city walls and gates. At first he was devastated to hear of its demise. God moved on King Artaxerxes allowing Nehemiah to go and rebuild the city walls around Jerusalem. On his arrival he observed that the Jewish people who had escaped the exile had integrated with foreigners in marriage and business. Nehemiah was upset by how much the people had fallen away from keeping the Laws of Moses, he could not accept this. Nehemiah 1:2, 3, 7. 2: 6

Soon after he arrived a famine took hold and grain was being sold at a premium. The king’s taxes could not be paid by the poor. During that period wealthy Jewish people took advantage of the Jewish poor by lending money at a high rate of interest. When a person could not repay their mortgage or loan, they took in payment their vineyards and property and some people were sold as slaves. Nehemiah 5: 1 - 13
(Under law a Jewish person who owed money and could not repay their loan became their hired servant until they paid off their debt.)

Nehemiah brought the leading Jewish citizens together and spoke out against their practices. They respected Nehemiah and did as he said; they returned the vineyards to their rightful owners and wrote off their debts.

470 years later Jesus himself was sent by God to fulfil his purposes in proclaiming the coming of the kingdom of God to the whole of Israel.
On one of Jesus’ missionary journeys, Jesus was passing through Jericho he invited himself to stay at Zacchaeus the tax collector’s home. Afterwards Zacchaeus announced that he would restore four fold the money that he had acquired under false pretences and he would give half of his possessions to the poor. Zaccheaus through his repentance he brought salvation to his household through keeping the law.Luke 19:1-10

Zacchaeus was one of those who were once blind but now he could see. John 9: 39

It’s the same for us today Jesus will penetrate the blindness of our hearts to fulfil God’s purposes in our lives.

God in his love created all things and sustains all things in love, bringing healing and wholeness.

The Messiah’s Secret page 96“
But I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go hence.” John 14: 31 Jesus was loved by his Father, and he loved his Father, he knew that he had a purpose to fulfil that was of his death and resurrection, so he laid down his life on his own accord out of love for his Father. His Father out of his love for humankind and for all creation wanted Jesus to save the world from eternal death, darkness.”

Jesus the Light of the world ” The Chemistry of the Blood/Chapter 4 page 58 "The Chemistry of Light.” M D DeHaan. M. D.
“Three kinds of Rays”
A scientific analysis of sunlight reveals that it consists of three kinds of rays:
1. Chemical rays or actinic. These rays are invisible and can neither be felt or seen.
2. Light rays. These rays can be seen but are never felt.
3. Heat rays. These rays are felt but never seen.

God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. We know that the Godhead consists of three persons: Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
The Father corresponds to the chemical rays of sunlight; No man has seen God at any time.
The Son, who is the light of the world, corresponds to the light rays, the One whom we can see but not feel.
The Holy Spirit corresponds to the heat rays, since He is felt in the lives of believers but is never seen."

Jesus healed the Blind Man.
Jesus and his disciples came out of the temple and as they walked away they saw a blind man who had been blind from birth. Jesus addressed his need; his blindness which in doing so we read was to fulfil the purposes of God. John 9: 6-11.
In this miracle Jesus brought together creation and the creator, making God tangible.
The first thing that he did he spat on the ground and then he mixed his saliva with the dust, making an ointment.

What is the significance of this ointment?

1/ Adam was created out of dust. Adam means – red earth
2/ Saliva is also part of the miracle of our creation.

In our saliva is a chemical called Ptyalin. This chemical penetrates the indigestible starch in our food. It is as we chew our food the ptyalin gets to work, it converts ( a change in substance) the starch into sugar. This is a scientific fact.
“Wonderfully Made” The Amazing Structure and Functions of the Human Body by Prof. A Rendle Short, M.D., F.R.C.S.
”The process begins in the mouth. Food is broken up mechanically by chewing, and moistened and lubricated by the saliva. There is an enzyme in saliva called ptyalin, which acts on insoluble starch and converts it into soluble sugar. Food does not stay long enough in the mouth for this to be carried far, but the digestion is continued in the stomach, inside boluses of food, until it is stopped by the acidity of the gastric juice.”

The significance of this is that after Jesus made the ointment he anointed the man’s eyes with it and then told him to wash it off in the Pool of Siloam.
It was in the anointing that the Lord spiritually acted upon the ointment so that when it was washed off, he could see, his eyes were opened.
Through the anointing Jesus penetrated the closed eyes of his darkness, bringing sight when he opened his eyes.

The Pharisees questioned the man saying, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” verse 26 Theses words would imply that the eyelids of the blind man were tightly closed from birth.

The significance of washing the ointment off in the Pool of Siloam
Every day during the Feast of Tabernacles one of the priests would go down from the temple to the Pool of Siloam and draw a pitcher of water and return with it to the temple, pouring it into a basin at the base of the altar on the south side. Ezekiel prophesied that it was at this point where the pouring out of the water from the Pool of Siloam took place that the river of life would begin.
“Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced the east); and the water was flowing from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar.” Ezekiel 47: 1

It was on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles that Jesus stood and proclaimed, “If any one thirst let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” Now he said this about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified.” John 7: 37-39

The Holy Spirit
When a person is baptised either by full immersion or by being sprinkled with water it is symbolic of being washed clean from sin and also of being filled with the Holy Spirit. It is also denotes a person making a public declaration of faith in Christ

Anointing with Oil
The disciples took with them oil for anointing the sick when they were sent out by Jesus with the kingdom message. The oil being anointed consecrated for specific use, the Holy Spirit acts upon the oil.
I do not believe that the oil has any power in itself, only the natural healing properties that some oils have. I’ve never before considered the Lord himself using natural created substances and spiritually acting upon them to bring about healing. Through this study I do believe that Jesus will do so.

Sacramental Anointing
During the communion service the sacraments: the wine and the bread are consecrated for the purposes of God. In the Anglican Common Prayer Book we read that the sacraments are the means by which we may enter into the benefits of Jesus’ passion; his victory over sickness and death through his resurrection.
“O Lord and heavenly Father, we thy humble servants entirely desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most humbly beseeching thee to grant, that by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we and all thy whole church may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion. And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and our bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee, that all we, who are partakers of this holy Communion, may be fulfilled with thy grace, and heavenly benediction. . . . “

The sacraments are symbols of Jesus’ saving grace, through faith we enter into the riches of the Lord’s inheritance to us.

“Bless the Lord , Oh my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not his benefits,
who forgives all our iniquity, who heals all our diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.” Psalm 103: 1-4

Communion Service with Anointing with Oil
After receiving Communion a prayer for healing may follow at the Communion rail or a place is set aside where prayer and anointing with oil takes place. The oil is applied onto a person’s forehead or hands with the sign of the cross, accompanied with a short prayer.

"God our Father we give thanks and praise for bringing healing and wholeness to all those who come to you in faith, so that the purposes of God might be fulfilled in a Christian’s life and through the witness of being healed, people might see and believe." Amen

Simple Faith and grace
After having my second child I had pain like a migraine in my stomach. It was spasmodic but I was troubled with it for approx 3 years, the doctor told me that I had to live with it, I took medication to relieve the pain.
I was healed by the Lord after attended a meeting at Winton Baptist Church Eccles. During the service an invitation was given by the Minister H Oldham ‘Any one who would like a ministry for healing, to go to the vestry after the service and they would be prayed for,’ as I was in some discomfort at the time I responded in faith to that invitation. However, I was not healed immediately, I went home still in pain, but the next day it had gone and I never had that pain again. By grace I was also healed of other things in my life that I had been struggling with. Jesus brought healing and wholeness into my life and increased my faith. My healing took place before I was empowered by the Holy Spirit’s through the laying on of hands.

‘The Time to Heal’ Report
Over the last ten years since ‘The Time to Heal’ Report was published, the Anglican Church has been encouraging it’s congregations to be guided by this report in the ministry of Healing, which is based on scripture and has the benefit of many Christian anointed expertise and gifts in the ministry of healing today.

Measured by Love

The Messiah’s Secret – Measured by Love

Large crowds were travelling with Jesus as he journeyed from town to town. Coming into a town they may have stopped for a rest and refreshment. While they relaxed from the heat of the day probably some would have asked questions and the rest of the crowd around him eagerly waiting to hear his answer.

Jesus often spoke in parables stories that he made up with an element of truth that he wanted to convey to his listeners. Luke records in Chapter 15 some of these stories, they consisted of characters and activities that were part of their every day life; like the shepherd who searched for the lost sheep and rejoiced when he found it and the woman who lost the coin and searched her house till she found it. After finding it she called her friends and shared with them her good news. The story of the prodigal son follows on, in this story the son after requesting from his father his inheritance, left home and made his way in life. Only to find that he soon lost all his money and his friends. Alone and weighed down by failure and guilt he returned back to his family were he received a tremendous welcome by his father.

In 2007 at our Diocesan Healing Day, Bishop Jack Nichols spoke on the ‘Prodigal Son’ during the course of his talk he said, “Forgiveness comes before confession, otherwise it’s earning forgiveness.” he went on to say ‘ the son rehearsed what he was going to say to his father when he returned home, verse 18 “I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.” But before he had opportunity to say these words, on the road in the distance he saw his father running towards him with his arms outstretched ready to embrace him. When they met all was forgiven this was before he said he was sorry to his father.
Jesus was teaching the kingdom message receiving forgiveness without making a self sacrifice like the prodigal son who was offering to be treated as one of his father’s hired servants in order to make amends, to earn his forgiveness. Not only was it not necessary to make amends, he was not discredited either.
It still applies today it is not necessary to make amends, to justify oneself before receiving forgiveness from the Lord Jesus.

One of the many ways to receive the love of God into our hearts, is for the words received into our understanding our mind, which is head knowledge to drop into our heart, into our soul, that transition is the work of the Holy Spirit making Jesus known to us in a real way. The heart is strangely warmed with the love of God.

Justification - we are declared not guilty before God through faith in Jesus paying the penalty of our sin with his life's blood, to satisfy the demands of the law.
Romans 5: 8,9.
We cannot earn our forgiveness from God, we can only receive it as a precious gift of love.
Grace - undeserved giving from God out of love for us.
Jesus loves you.

I’m accepted, I’m forgiven
I am fathered by the true and living God,
I’m accepted, no condemnation,
I am loved by the true and living God.
There’s no guilt or fear as I draw near
to the Saviour and Creator of the world.
There is joy and peace as I release
my worship to You, O Lord.
Rob Hayward Thank you Music
“And to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3: 19

The Laws of Moses fulfilled in Love. Romans 13: 10
“Bear one another’s burdens so fulfil the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6: 2.
The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts through faith. The law of love in Christ
As we’re motivated by the Holy Spirit to bear the fruit of love we respond in obedience to his teaching and our salvation is worked out in the love of Christ.
Listed below are some of the references in scripture to our living out of our faith in love.
Love the Lord your God Mark 12: 30
Love Jesus John 21: 15
If you love me keep my commandments John 14: 15 Romans 13: 8-10
Love one another John 15:17
Walk in love Ephesians 5: 2
Speak the truth in love Ephesians 4: 15
Love justice Isaiah 61: 8
Love your enemies Luke 6: 27
Love righteousness Psalm 45: 7
Love not their lives Revelation 12: 11
Greater love has no man than this John 15: 13. 1John 3: 16
Pray love may abound Philippians 1: 9
Do it out of love Philippians 1: 16
Above all put on love Colossians 3: 14
Let love be genuine Romans 12: 9
Love builds up 1 Corinthians 8: 1
Love needed 1 Corinthians 13
Love covers all offences 1 Peter 4: 8. Proverbs 10: 12
Nothing can separate us from the love of God Romans 8: 39
Loved with an everlasting love Jeremiah 31: 3

The Parable of the Unjust Steward
Jesus’ followed the story about the prodigal son with the parable about the unjust steward. The content of this story is different, as it was directed at the Pharisees, who were listening to Jesus as he conversed with his disciples.

Luke 16: 1-14 “Jesus also said to his disciples, “There was a rich man who had a steward, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. And he called him to him and he said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Turn in your account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’ And the steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the stewardship away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that the people may receive me into their houses when I am put out of the stewardship.’ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ’How much do you owe my master?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?” He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ The master commended the dishonest steward for his shrewdness; for the sons of this world are shrewder in dealing with their own generation than the sons of the light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of the unrighteous mammon, so that when it fails they may receive you into eternal habitations.
“He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will entrust you in the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. The Pharisees who were lovers of money, heard this, and they scoffed at him.”
Mammon meaning – riches, the god of riches.

After he ended the story there was a response from the Pharisees they scoffed at him as they discerned that they were the steward in the story.

Jesus has brought charges against the Pharisees
The Pharisees had wasted his goods by meddling with the laws of Moses in their interpretation and application of them.
The Pharisees encouraged the giving of a money gift to the temple to honour a person’s parents. Jesus saw this as not honouring to the parents were they needed practical help from their children.

Pharisees lovers of money
Jesus had observed the Pharisees giving their offering in the temple treasury.
Matthew 6: 1-4. 23:13. “When you give alms sound no trumpet before you, like the hypocrites." (meaning the Pharisees.)
These alms boxes were shaped like a trumpet and there were 13 of them in the treasury.
This is were the saying; ‘blowing your own trumpet’ comes from.

The Prophet Amos
Many years earlier the prophet Amos he spoke out against the leaders of the nation of Israel, they too were lovers of money.

Amos 8: 4-7 “Hear this, you who trample on the needy, and bring the poor of the land to an end, saying, “When will the new moon be over, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may offer wheat for sale, that we may make the ephah small and the shekel great, and deal deceitfully with false balances, that we may buy the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals and sell the refuse of the wheat?”
Israel had fallen away from the laws of Moses, the Sabbath had become like any other day. They had trade agreements with neighbouring countries. Ezekiel 27: 17. Acts 12:20.
The prophet Amos spoke out against their dishonest scales, the Sanhedrin had allowed poor quality grain to be sold at a high price.

The Messiah’s Secret page 43 True riches.
“Jesus was revealing the true essence of the Laws of Moses: sharing and caring for one another; dignity; honour; preservation of life; valuing the individual in mind, body, soul and spirit; and above all to understand the love that God has for his people. Jesus was peeling away the generations of ‘man made’ additions to God’s laws as given to Moses, there were so many added rules that they had become burdensome.”

In the parable the rich man’s response to the charges and evidence, the steward’s employment was terminated.

God’s Justice
Psalm 15
Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?
2/ He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from his heart
3/ And has no slander on his tongue
who does his neighbour no wrong and casts no slur on his fellow-man.
4/ Who despises a vile man but honours those who fear the Lord,
who keeps his oath even when it hurts.
5/ Who lends his money without usury and does not except a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things will never be shaken.

The law was given to give guidance and point out what God regards as sin.
Cheating will often lead to quarrelling and fighting, so the law showed that honesty payed the dividends of respect and peace.

Scales of Justice. Leviticus 19: 35 “Use honest scales and honest weights.”

• Fairness when weighing foodstuffs.
• Fairness also in dealing with legal disputes: weighing the claims and evidence of both sides and dispensing justice without favouritism.
• Not having a preconceived view of a person.

The Pharisees prejudged Jesus and jumped to conclusions about him. They had seen him consorting with tax collectors, prostitutes and lots of people who were regarded by them as outcasts and sinners. Luke 15: 1,2.
They didn’t believe John the Baptist or Jesus’ message of repentance and forgiveness in preparation for the coming in of God’s kingdom.
“(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 rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptised by him)” Luke 7: 29,30.

The steward in the parable showed no remorse like the Pharisees who showed no remorse they refused to acknowledge the miracles and healing works and words of Jesus and they made it known that his followers would not be allowed in the synagogue. John 9: 22

The steward in the parable cunningly devised a plan to reduce his master’s creditor’s bills so that they became part of his wastefulness and therefore hoped he would not be discredited by them.

Jesus’ parable for today.
The steward actions in this parable can be seen reflected by the bankers in our recent banking crisis it arose out of bad judgements on lending and taking risks on the financial markets by a handful of people. No one has been discredited and somehow we’re all part of it.
No checks and balances put in place and no one spoke out as far as I am aware.

Checks and Balances - A measurement of Love in Christ
Nearly thirty years ago whilst I was at a house group meeting, I had an experience of knowing the measurement of God’s love in a person’s life. I was sat opposite our Vicar (now deceased) in the house group, as I looked across at him, making eye contact I saw deep within him a measurement of God’s love, it was 50/50 50% love for Jesus and 50% love for the lost in the world.
I didn’t fully understand at the time what it was about, it’s only over the last few weeks that I have had some understanding about it.

I wondered where I would find Jesus’ teaching on ‘checks and balances' in the gospels?

Luke 6: 35-38 “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put in your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”

Checks and Balances on our lives.
Jesus puts a check in place, making it clear that we are not to judge or condemn people and as we put this into practice, the love of God flows out of our hearts. The measure of God’s love is given to balance out what we have given out. The promise from the Lord is that he will give us more of his love running over in our lives and that’s by grace.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 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. . . . If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. If you abide in my Commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.” John 15: 1-10

Jesus puts a check in place, making it clear that it is necessary that we live by his word (commandments) and as we put it into practice we bear the fruit of love. This is balanced by the Father pruning us to allow the sap of God’s love to rise and overflow to produce an abundance of grapes that are pleasant to the taste.

The fruit of love.
The Mother’s Union today seeks to help families: one way we help is by providing blankets for cots in hospital prem units, the blankets are hand knitted by MU members. These blankets are often taken home by the parents as a keep sake in association of their babies well being.
We also provide ventilator bonnets, angel pockets and various other garments for babies in hospitals. www.themothersunion.org

“A work of faith, a labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 1: 3

A Check on Worldly Love
The Television media brings into our homes worldly love. The choice of programs for a Christian is very limited. Making that choice by yielding to the Word and Spirit of Jesus; like a tree that bends in the wind we are called to yield ourselves to the Lord’s teachings.
But also we must be aware of the strategies of the devil that attacks the love of God. We are to be like the tree that puts down its’ roots deeper on the side were the Storm's strong winds would fell the tree.

 “Do not love the world or the things in the world . . . the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. 1 John 2: 15.
 “Love of money will not be satisfied with money.” Ecclesiastes 5: 10
 “Love of praise of men more than the praise of God.” John 12: 42
 “Those who I love I reprove.” Revelations 3: 19
 “Put on the whole armour of God.” Ephesians 6: 10-18

Our anxieties can leave us vulnerable to the devil’s ploys. Peter wrote “Cast all your anxieties on Jesus for he cares about you. Be watchful the adversary the devil is like a roaring lion seeking some one to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, and strengthen you.”1 Peter 5: 7-10.

As we humble ourselves before the Lord, knowing that God our Father blesses us now in this life with an abundance of life. This abundance is given for us to share with others, the more we give, the more we will receive.


God is Love (short prayer by Dorothy Newton)
Blessed are you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You made the world in your love.
You redeemed the world by your love,
You sustain the world with your love.
May we ever abide in your love,
And give ourselves to you in love.
Blessed are you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Amen.

The Messiah's Secret - Communion with God

Jesus the Head of the Church
Jesus is the head of the world-wide church and we are all members of Christ’s body. Worship comes from the heart of a Christian and we are called to worship in Spirit and truth believing that Jesus is God made visible in the flesh and that he is Lord.
The churches diversity in worship is expressed in a variety of ways that enriches our fellowship with the Lord and with other Christians.

The Anglican church Building
Most Anglican Churches have been designed with the sanctuary at the east end of the building. Our worship faces towards Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives, the church watches for Jesus’ return.
“And on that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives which lies before Jerusalem.” Zechariah 14: 4.

1. Communion table.
2. Sanctuary and communion rail, with provision for kneeling.
3. Pulpit, used by clergy for gospel readings and sermons.
4. Lectern with Bible, used by lay readers for scripture readings.
5. Boundary between nave and chancel; usually the floor of the chancel is three steps higher than the floor of the nave.
6. Congregation.
7. The chancel.
8. The nave, where the congregation sits

The church building floor plan designed with spiritual application.

The Lord’s table representing the New Covenant is the central focus in the sanctuary.
The word sanctuary meaning a sacred place.
The sanctuary represents the most sacred place in the temple at Jerusalem called The Holy of Holies, it was established under the Laws of Moses. The meeting place between God and the high priest found in the Old Covenant which has been superseded by the New Covenant which represents the meeting place between Christ and his body of believers.

C. W Slemming in his book ‘Made According to the Pattern’ writes, “The Old and the New Testament agree, the Old foretelling the New, and the New fulfilling the Old. The same applies to the “written” and the “living” Word. God’s Word is in harmony with Christ’s life, and Christ came not to destroy the law but to fulfil it. Whilst the cherubim face each other they are not looking at each other – that is, they were looking towards the blood. The Old Testament in type and shadow, in doctrine and example, looks forward to Calvary and the shedding of blood while the New Testament looks back to Calvary and tells us that we are redeemed by the blood of Christ.”

The Old Testament in type and shadow.

St. John writing at the end of the first century wrote: “Then the disciples went back to their homes. But Mary (Magdalene) stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been laid, one at the head and one at the feet.” John 20; 10-12.

Mary saw the angels as she stooped and looked into the tomb, the two angels sitting on the rock one where Jesus feet had been and the other where his head had been laid. This scene resembled the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant.
On the Day of Atonement God met with the high priest in the Holy of Holies in the temple at Jerusalem. The high priest carried the blood of the sacrifice and sprinkled the blood between the two cherubim that faced each other on the lid of the Ark called the ‘Mercy Seat,’ the blood made atonement for sin. Leviticus 16: 14, 15.
Matthew Henry’s Commentary page 424 confirms this view with the two angels reminding us of the two cherubim on the mercy seat.

2000 years ago when John wrote this it would have been unthinkable for a woman to glimpse behind the veil of the Holy of Holies.

The Holy of Holies was the prototype, in the tomb it actually took place.
C.M. Slemming states that the Old Testament is in type and shadow, so was the tomb the real Holy of Holies? The angels they were real, the sacrifice was real. Jesus the perfect sacrifice was carried into the tomb by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. Jesus the high priest offered his own life’s blood as the final sacrifice for sin, having been slain at Calvary outside the city walls.

Jesus came not to destroy the law but to fulfil it.
In the Old Testament under law the red heifer was the offering made for sin and death and was slain outside the city walls. Alfred Edersheim’s book ‘The Temple’ page 347-353

The Messiah’s Secret - page 154
The risen body of Jesus was the fulfilment of the entire temple rituals and sacrifices. Jesus, the perpetual light, is a continual light that burns in the world through the truth of the Gospel. He is the eternal high priest offering his own life’s blood as a sacrifice for sin. The altar of incense, Jesus the intercessor between God and humankind, “And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him.”1 John 5: 14, 15. The laver, cleansed by his word, the living water of the Word. John 15: 3. The vine, the living witness, the church, the life of Jesus in the world. Entrance into God’s seventh day of rest through the complete work of Jesus in his death, resurrection and ascension.”

God met with the high priest and spoke with him in the Holy of Holies
God communicated with his people in the Holy of Holies. “”There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat from between the two cherubim that are upon the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you of all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel.” Exodus 25: 22

Jesus spoke with Mary
Mary established that it was Jesus who she was speaking to and not the gardener.
God had raised Jesus from the dead, he was the first fruit of the resurrection. Some time before Jesus had told Martha at her house, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.” John 11: 25, 26.
Jesus said to Mary Magdalene, “ Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.”
Here Jesus is referring to his ascension in connection with the offering of himself to God as the atoning sacrifice, his sacrifice had to be excepted by God and it was.
The writer of Hebrews 9:14 "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God."

Jesus did a complete work in his death and resurrection, "Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these." Hebrews 9:24.

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary at some point later in the morning after telling the disciples they met Jesus, they recognised him and touched his feet.
"And behold Jesus met them,"Hail!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see me." Matthew 28: 9, 10.
On the evening of the Day of the Resurrection Jesus appeared in the room where the disciples where gathered. They were now able to touch him and he ate some food. Luke 24: 39,42

The Psalmist foretold of the Messiah’s return to heaven.
How the angels must have rejoiced at the sight of him coming towards them,” Lift up ye heads , O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in.
Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle! Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in. Who is the King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! “ Psalm 24: 7-10

Jesus gave commandment to Mary “But go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and to your Father, to my God and your God.”
Just as the high priest had received instructions from God to give to the people of Israel. Mary was instructed by Jesus to deliver his message to the brethren. In giving Mary this message Jesus gave her his authority to minister his word to the brethren.

The Glory of God
“There I will meet with the people of Israel, and it shall be sanctified by my glory.” Exodus 29: 43
C. W Slemming in his book ‘Made According to the Pattern’
“Between these cherubim and above the mercy seat was the Shekinah glory. The word shekinah does not occur in our Bible at all, it is an Hebrew word. But here, in the Glory cloud, did the Lord dwell, and here it is that God met with Israel. It is still the place where God meets man, for that place is between the pages of his Word and on the ground of shed blood.”

The presence of the glory cloud of the Trinity can be seen in our churches stained glass windows. A circle of light painted around the heads of people. Twenty eight years ago I saw the glory of God (shekinah glory) around the head of Rev Ronald Freeman. It was at an evening event in the Parish Hall Ron was at least five metres away from me and people were chatting and walking about the well lit room, as I turned and looked across I had a side view of him talking to a lady. I saw the golden light arched around his head and in the light the word in brilliant white, ‘love.’
On three other occasions I’ve seen the shekinah glory of the Lord in the faces of Christians.
A young man who had learning difficulties shared the gospel with my sister and myself and his face shone.
A lady who was giving her testimony at a church mission and another lady who was a customer at my market stall when she began to talk me about Jesus her face lit up. It was as they spoke about Jesus their faces shone, it was as if a light had been switched on within them.

It may be that when you are speaking to someone about Jesus that your face is shining with the shekinah glory of the Lord.

Communion with the sanctified Christ“They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; thy word is truth. As thou didst send me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be consecrated in truth.” John 17: 16-19.

God’s Spirit calls Christians to gather in worship to give Jesus the highest honour and praise. The celebration of the New Covenant, the Communion between Jesus and his body of believers, challenges us to live the sanctified life.


When we become a Christian a process of change takes place within us as the living word begins the work of shaping our lives to become more like the consecrated Jesus, his life was separated by his words and deeds to do the work of God his Father. He was in the world but not part of it.
The Lord calls us to consecrate our lives to show Christ’s love to our neighbour. Putting into practice Jesus’ teaching that often means denying self (me) its dominance. Often I fail to live up to the word of love, but by acknowledging my failings and sometimes my lack of faith, the Lord in his love and forgiveness draws me closer to himself and blesses me, his cup of grace running over in my life.

Communion Table
In union with our heavenly Father, and our Saviour Jesus Christ and our brothers and sisters in Christ,in partaking of the bread and wine which are the tokens of the new covenant, we take up our cross daily of self denial, and offer to the Lord our lives as a sacrifice of praise with thanksgiving,

The Messiah's Secret - Removing the Veil

"For nothing is hid that shall not be made manifest, nor anything secret that shall not be made known and come to light." Luke 8: 17.

Abraham’s Journey of Faith.

God made a covenant with Abraham that he would be a father of a multitude of people. This covenant extended to his descendants, it was an everlasting covenant. Nations and kings would come from his descendants and that and the land of Canaan was given to him for an everlasting possession.
Abraham’s wife Sarah would have a son and she would be the mother of nations and kings would come from her.
On hearing this Abraham fell on his face and laughed as he thought to himself shall a man 100 years old and Sarah his wife of 90 years bear a child.
Abraham offered God Ishmael his son by his slave wife Hagar to fulfil the promise, but God said, "No."
The customs of the day allowed Sarah to give her maid Hagar as a slave wife to Abraham to enable him to have an heir. Genesis Chapters 16. 17.

At the turn of the 19th century archaeologists excavating in Iraq found the Nuzi tablets. On these tablets they discovered customs relating to the time of Abraham. Theologians were particularly interested as these Nuzi customs as they were evident in the Biblical accounts written about Abraham.
(Eyre and Spottiswoode Study Bible.)
Archaeological evidence of Nuzi customs indicates that in some marriage contracts a childless wife was required to furnish a substitute for her husband, in oriental eyes childlessness was the greatest of tragedies. Nuzi custom stipulated further that a slave wife and her children could not be sent away. If a natural son was born later, the slave heir was disinherited to a great extent.”

Confirmation of Prophecy
God’s prophecy to Abraham was confirmed by the three strangers who called upon him at the Oaks of Mamre, he offered them hospitality and they stayed there for a meal. Whilst Sarah was preparing the meal they told Abraham that when they returned in the spring Sarah would have a son. Sarah was listening in on their conversation and she laughed to herself.
One of the three men who Abraham addressed as the Lord said,” Why did Sarah laugh? Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Sarah denied laughing because she was afraid, the Lord said, “But you did laugh.” The Lord knew her thoughts.

In the New Testament when Jesus arrived at Jarius’ house the mourners laughed when Jesus said that the little girl was asleep, as far as they were concerned she was dead. Jesus prayed and the little girl opened her eyes, got up and ate some food.
From the deadness of Sarah’s womb the Lord enabled Sarah to conceive and she bore a son whom they were told by God to name him Isaac which means laughter.

Abraham under Nuzi Law
Under the laws of Abraham’s day he offered his son Ishmael to fulfil God’s prophecy. But it was to be by faith and grace through the son of Abraham and Sarah that God’s prophecy would be fulfilled.

Jesus Removing the Veil of the Law of Moses from Mary
Jesus was invited to stay at Martha and Mary’s home for a meal. We are not informed by Luke whether Lazarus was also there.

It was the custom the Jews that women were the homemakers: this meant looking after their children, doing the household chores and preparing and cooking the meals.
The men were the head of the household and they worked to provide for the family. When the family attended the temple or the Synagogue the men were separated from the women. In the Synagogue the men were together worshipping and discussed the scriptures, any visiting Jewish men were invited to speak at their services. The women they sat apart or in the gallery, listening to the service. It was when they went home that the father would instruct and discuss with his family the Hebrew Scriptures.

Martha and Mary after welcoming their special guest would have started to prepare the meal. Only we read that Mary broke with convention, instead of helping with the preparing and serving the meal, she sat listening to Jesus.

We read that Martha was distracted by too much work; she couldn’t overhear what was being said by Jesus and she must have been too busy to attract Mary’s attention.

Martha’s frustration must have welled up inside of her to the point were she stopped what she was doing and went and spoke her mind to Jesus. “Lord do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone, Tell her to help me.”
Martha had gone to a higher authority, Jesus the Rabbi asking him to administer the law to her sister.
Jesus’ response was not what she expected. “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, one thing is needful and Mary had chosen a good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Martha was anxious and troubled by her sister’s behaviour, her disregard for their custom of waiting on their guests

On Sunday 11th July 2010 whilst preparing before I attended church, I was studying the passage on Jesus' visit to Mary and Martha's home, I realised that Jesus was doing something very special that has its effect on women today.
As Mary was nourished with spiritual food coming directly from the living Word himself, Jesus. He had removed the veil of the law of Moses from Mary. As she sat listening looking into the face of Jesus nothing separated her from the love of Jesus.
In Christ nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Jesus was looking to beyond the cross when he said to Mary “which shall not be taken away from her.” The cross is the end of the law of Moses.
The Veil that enforced the law was torn in two, opening up the Most Holy Place where God dwelt in the midst of his people.

On the cross Jesus died, “And Jesus cried again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain or veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” Matthew 27: 50, 51

The Messiah’s Secret page 100
Jesus has removed the veil of separation between us and God“God revealed himself in Jesus and as a result the veil of separation was taken away, because God had made the final offering, sacrifice for sin in Jesus. The law fulfilled in the temple of his body.”

The Veil of Jesus' Flesh
For the law to come to an end Jesus fufilled all the demands that the law made in his body, his humanity. He paid the price for sin in being the sacrifice laying down his life. He died to our fallen nature, to sin and the causes of sin.
Jesus risen body a temple made without hands.

Paul in his letter to the Corinthian Church
2 Corinthians 3: 14. “For to this day, when the Jews read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away.
15. Yes today, when ever Moses is read a veil lies over their minds.”

Martha was applying the customs of the law when she came to Jesus demanding that he should speak to her sister and tell her to help her serve.
If Jesus had told Mary to go and help her sister the veil of the law would have remained over Mary.

16. “But when a man turns to the Lord the veil is removed.”
Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet the barrier of 'the fall' that separated her from God, also her role under law was liberated.

The Messiah's Secret page 36
Adam was disobedient to God when he chose to be guided by his wife Eve and of his own free will, ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, they were both deceived by the serpent. Adam's disobedience separated him from God and a curse was put on the ground by God. As a result of Eve's disobedience she too was separated from God and God put a curse upon her, the pain of child bearing would be greatly multiplied, yet she would have a desire for her husband and he would rule over her.
Every generation from Adam and Eve has inherited their sin, Adam's son was born in the likeness and image of Adam.Genesis 5: 3
St Paul wrote in his letter to the church at Rome that through one man's (Adam) trespass led to the condemnation for all men, so one man's (Jesus) act of righteosness leads to all acquittal and life for all men.
Jesus has redeemed humankind, male and female from being separated from God and from the curses that God placed upon the ground and those upon Eve."

Jesus removing the veil of the law from Mary confirmed what I know in my heart that I'm not under the laws of Moses and that Jesus is the head and centre of my life."
In St. Paul letter to the Galatian church he acknowledges that women are born again and are one in Christ with men, " For as many of you were baptised into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave or free, there is neither male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3: 27, 28.

But when St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians and to Timothy and Titus he re-established the laws of Moses when he forbid women to exercise ministry, to take part in worship. "As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silence in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says. If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home." 1 Corinthians 14: 26, 33 - 35.

The Holy Spirit had been at work in the church at Cenchreae they had appointed Phoebe to the ministry of Deaconess. Whilst Paul was in prison at Rome he commended Phoebe to the church at Rome, that they should receive her in the Lord as befits the saints, and help her in whatever she may require, for she had been a helper of many and of Paul as well. Romans 16: 1, 2.

The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth, all that is to come. John 16: 13
St. John writing at the end of the first century states that the love of God embraces whosoever accepts Jesus as their Saviour they will become children of God. Not born in the usual way through the coming together of a man and a women. But born through faith in Jesus directly through the operation of God the Holy Spirit acting upon the word read or heard through the preaching of the Gospel by either a man or a woman. It is as a person recognises through the Gospel that sin separates us from God and calls us to repentance, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all of our sins and we are raised up by God's forgiveness to receive him into our lives for eternity, becoming children of God.
"But to all who receive him, who believe in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of the blood nor of the will of the flesh nor the will of man, but of God." John 1: 12, 13.
Jesus taught equality amongst his disciples.
"But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ." Matthew 23: 8-10.

17. “Now the Lord is Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. And we all with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord.”
Mary beheld the glory of the Lord when she looked directly at Jesus seeing and hearing the living words pour out of his mouth, from his heart.

18. “Are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another for this comes; from the Lord who is Spirit.”
When a person male or female accept Jesus as their Saviour from whatever their background or religion, all that would veil the Gospel is taken away through faith in Jesus.

I thank the Lord for Mary of Bethany, women like me are being liberated into the fulness of our inheritance in Christ.
"And if children, then heirs, heirs with God and fellow (joint) heirs with Christ, provided we suffer (and I am suffering, with tears falling as I type this ending to this blog) with him in order that we may also be glorified with him." Romans 8: 17.

The Messiah's Secret - Faith, Justice and Mercy

During my life time, after the second world war I’ve seen a rapid change in our nations values and principals; when I was a child I rarely heard of someone being murdered, people left their doors unlocked and the majority of children played outside in safety. The community was a worshipping community with the cross and resurrection of Jesus at its heart. People didn’t grumble when suffering through hardship, they worked together, helping each other. The welfare state came from the heart of a nations love for its people; it was our nation’s faith in Christ at work.

The next generation of Christians with the commandments of God written in their hearts, will work out their values and principals guided by the Holy Spirit in a growing secular society.
“Our Lord God is the same yesterday, today and for ever.”
Hebrews 13: 8.

The Messiah’s Secret page 28
Faith in God First.
Jesus taught the law, weightier matters of the law: faith, justice, the love of God and mercy. Matthew 23: 23. Luke 11: 42.
Without faith it is impossible to please God and to fulfil the law, the law which is spiritual. Jesus summed up the law in his conversation with the rich young ruler. “If you would enter into life, keep the commandments and to love your neighbour as yourself and give to the poor rather than store up wealth for yourself.” Matthew 19: 17. Mark 10: 17-22.

Justice page 29
Jesus came not to condemn the people by making judgements. The man in the crowd shouted to Jesus. ‘Tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me!’ Jesus replied, ‘Man, who made me a judge? A divider over you?’ Jesus continued to answer his own question using the parable of pulling down and rebuilding bigger barns. Luke 12: 13-20. It is pointless building bigger barns to store even more because that the treasure that we store in this life is not important. One must be just in the eyes of God to ensure worldly wealth does not overshadow our priorities towards God. Our true inheritance is eternal life.
The treasure that we store in this life is unimportant if it overshadows our richness towards God.

Mercy page 29
Jesus visited the region of Tyre and Sidon. There were so many people following him that he had to enter a house discreetly. A Greek lady a Syrophoenician by birth found out where he was staying and went to see him, she asked Jesus to heal her daughter who was at home. Jesus pointed out to her that his ministry was to “The lost sheep of the house of Israel,” to the Jews and she as a Gentile had no invitation to be there. Respectfully she said to him, “Even the dogs under the table eat the children’s bread crumbs.” As a result of her faith, Jesus told her that her daughter was well. Mark 7: 24-30. Matthew 15: 21-28.
“And the Lord said, ‘I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord’; and I on whom I will show mercy.’” Exodus 33: 19

Faith, Justice and Mercy
Jesus has written his laws and commandments in the believer’s heart. From these we work out our Christian values and principals.

Values
e.g. Our relationship with the Trinity, family and friends.

Principals
e.g. Humility, honesty and truthfulness.

My father was a self employed plumber and he worked out one of his Christian principals through his work, he earned just enough to keep his family and he didn’t over charge. It meant that he didn’t over commit himself with work and as a result he spent time with his family. It frustrated my mother sometimes, I remember her saying,” Winston, you need to charge a bit more,” but he took no notice. Years later a man who knew my father said to me, “Your father was the salt of the earth.”

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” John 17: 20,21.

God is Love
Blessed are you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You made the world in your love. You redeemed the world by your love,
You sustain the world with your love. May we ever abide in your love,
And give ourselves to you in love. Blessed are you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Amen.

An iceberg shows approximately one ninth above the water, known as the tip of the iceberg. (Iceberg – Ice Mountain)
We all experience God’s love in our humanity, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg.

The depth of God’s love
Eight ninths of the iceberg is under water.
It is as we draw near to God we discover that thousands of years before Jesus was born, God had foretold the cost of his love for humanity in sending his Son into the world to be the lamb that was slain.

Abraham the Friend of God
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, saddling his ass, and taking with him two of his young men, his son Isaac; and wood for the burnt offering 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, “My father!” And he said, “Here am I, my son.” He said, “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.” So they both went on together.
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 his son, an angel spoke to him telling him not to slay his son Isaac. God knew that Abraham loved and trusted God and would not withhold his son from him.
Abraham looked up and immediately saw a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; Abraham took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering instead of his son.

God was testing Abraham’s faith, a lonely place of heart searching, but there Abraham believed that God would provide the sacrifice.
It also reveals the cost to God; it was prophetic of the cross, the offering of God’s only Son as the final lamb sacrifice for sin.

Abraham believed in the resurrection from the dead.
“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

Abraham was fully convinced that God was able to do what he promised, that is why his faith was reckoned to him as righteousness.
“But the words, “It was reckoned to him,” were written not for his sake alone, but for ours also, it will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was put to death for our sins and raised for our justification. (Justification – declared not guilty) We are declared not guilty by the means of Jesus paying the ransom for our sins by laying down his life.
"Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 4: 23-5:1.

The Hymn 'Such Love' written by Graham Kendrick’s has put this reality of God's love into words.

Such love, pure as the whitest snow;
such love weeps for the shame I know;
such love, paying the debt I owe;
O Jesus such love.

Such love, stilling my restlessness;
such love, filling my emptiness;
such love, showing me holiness;
O Jesus such love.

Such love springs from eternity;
such love, streaming through history;
such love, fountain of life to me;
O Jesus such love.