We live during an interim on God's calendar, a defined but unknown period of time that began with a significant event and that will end when Jesus comes again. This is the period of God's conquests, which began when Jesus was enthroned at God's right hand in heaven and will continue until the last enemy, death, has been destroyed (Psalm 110:1). It is simultaneously the period of heaven's reception of Jesus, which will end with the redemptive restoration of all things spoken by the ancient prophets (Acts 3:20-21). In both respects, we live between the Already and the Not Yet. Because the … [Read more...]
JESUS ENTERED HEAVEN FOR US
The following is an excerpt from my booklet titled One Life, Death and Judgment, which summarizes the gospel as found in the Epistle to the Hebrews. The entire booklet is free online at my website. * * * "Under the Old Testament economy, only the High Priest entered the Most Holy Place, and he on but one day of the year. On that great Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) he entered two times, first for his own sins, then for those of the people. But he entered in simple linen garments, a man for men. He entered only with blood--of a substitute that was ceremonially spotless. And he brought the … [Read more...]
JESUS SAT DOWN IN HEAVEN (2)
"What does it mean that Jesus sat down at the right hand of God in heaven? It seems the New Testament mentions that several times." * * * This imagery of Jesus at God's right hand captures the main point of the Epistle to the Hebrews -- from the Epistle's beginning words right through to its end (1:4; 12:2). Not even angels have a seat at God's right hand, but Jesus does (1:13-14). That main point is that Jesus does not need to make repetitive offerings, for he has taken away all our sins forever by offering his own perfect life to God on the cross, "once for all" -- for all time, for all … [Read more...]
JESUS SAT DOWN IN HEAVEN (1)
"What does it mean that Jesus sat down at the right hand of God in heaven? It seems the New Testament mentions that several times." * * * The imagery comes from Psalm 110:1, which says: "The LORD said to my Lord: 'Sit at My right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.'" New Testament writers quote this Psalm more often than any other text in the Jewish Scriptures (in Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, Colossians and Hebrews). Even in the Psalms, this imagery of Jesus seated at God's right hand suggests intimacy with God (Psalm 16:8, 11) as well as our … [Read more...]
JESUS’ BURIAL NAPKIN
Over the past year several subscribers have asked if I can verify a popular internet explanation of the folded "napkin" that Peter and another disciple saw in Jesus' vacant tomb (John 20:7). The anonymous email describes the purported first-century Jewish practice of a master who temporarily leaves the meal but neatly folds his dinner napkin to signal his servant that he is coming back. The email concludes that Jesus folded his "napkin" as a subtle promise to his followers that he also would return. * * * When the King James Version was translated in 1611, the English word "napkin" … [Read more...]
HE IS RISEN INDEED!
The acknowledgement came slowly and only with much hesitation, but the sequestered disciples finally said it: "The Lord is risen indeed" (Lk. 24:34). This from Jesus' fellow-travelers. Hardcore survivors. Roughly ten dozen in number, if anyone is counting. Unlike typical pupil groups of other Jewish rabbis, the Jesus group includes women--right alongside the men. To Jesus, they all are the same, but most males in the company will die before they share the Master's thinking on this point. So here they are, about 120 men and women, waiting together on this Sunday morning for only God knows … [Read more...]
THREE RESURRECTION TRUTHS
To encourage Christianity's acceptance by a pagan world, the early institutional church "baptized" many pagan customs, forms and names, mixing old with new and infusing Christian meanings. The word "Easter" itself had pagan origins, as did its association with bunny rabbits and colored eggs. Today, all those origins are long lost in the mists of ancient history. For most Christians, Easter is a special day to remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the very core of the Christian gospel (1 Cor. 15:3-5). Without his resurrection, Jesus is no more Savior than any of us, and we all remain … [Read more...]
PASSOVER FOR CHRISTIANS
A gracEmail subscriber in the southeastern USA writes that his house church is considering celebrating a messianic Passover. "I do not believe that Christians are required to observe this feast," he says, "but I think there is value in it." He asks for my thoughts. * * * As you know, Passover memorializes Israel's exit from Egypt and liberation from Egyptian slavery. On the night of the exodus, God killed the firstborn child and animal of every Egyptian household, but "passed over" Jewish homes which were marked with blood on the doors (Ex. 12:1-13). God commanded the Jews to remember that … [Read more...]
DID JESUS’ FAITH WAVER ON THE CROSS? (2)
Someone writes: "You said that Jesus is the only person who ever trusted God perfectly. But what about his cry on the cross, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' (Matt. 27:46; Mk. 15:34) Doesn't this show that Jesus as a man questioned God's purposes? That very fact gives me great encouragement when I don't know the answers to life's circumstances I encounter." * * * You are exactly right that Jesus was a man like us, and that he had to trust God the same way we do. The author of Hebrews makes that very point -- and it is one we need always to remember for our own encouragement (Heb. … [Read more...]
DID JESUS’ FAITH WAVER ON THE CROSS? (1)
Someone writes: "You said that Jesus is the only person who ever trusted God perfectly. But what about his cry on the cross, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' (Matt. 27:46; Mk. 15:34) Doesn't this show that Jesus as a man questioned God's purposes? That very fact gives me great encouragement when I don't know the answers to life's circumstances I encounter." * * * What was going on in Jesus' mind when he cried out the question you quoted? I believe an important clue is found in the cross-reference which many Bibles provide to other texts from this verse. This cry of dereliction is … [Read more...]