3 Word Pictures

~ Singleness of Purpose – Strenuous Training – Steady Labor ~

Have you heard about the kamikaze pilot who flew 50 missions—he was involved, but not committed! Unfortunately many of us live our Christian lives without real commitment. The second chapter of Timothy provides some word pictures for us regarding the rigors of Christian life. 

The Dedication of a Soldier  ~  The Christian life requires the singleness of purpose of a soldier in wartime. We should not to be distracted by other things. “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who enlisted him as a soldier…” (verses 1-4).  

The Discipline of an Athlete  ~  The Christian life requires the strenuous training of a disciplined athlete preparing for the most important even of their career. An athlete who plays by all the rules while competing comprehensive training. “…And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules…” (verse 5). 

The Determination of a Famer  ~  The Christian life also requires the steady conscientious regular hard labor of a farmer. We must never take our eyes off the coming harvest and the joy it will provide. “The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things” (verses 6-7).  

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Jesus Christ in Exodus

~ Jesus Christ is the Passover Lamb and More ~

The Bible is about Jesus Christ  ~  “Jesus said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself” (Luke 24:25-27).

In the book of Exodus Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is foreshadowed primarily by the Passover Lamb. Scholars have also noted that He is seen as the Deliver, High Priest, and Smitten Rock (Exodus 17:5-6).

Passover Lamb  ~  The Passover Lamb account in Exodus 12 is by far the clearest presentation we find of Jesus Christ, who is the “Lamb of God” (John 1:29,36) in the book of Exodus.

Without Blemish  ~  “Your lamb shall be without blemish” (12:5). Clearly a prophetic picture of the sinless Son of God—the Messiah. “For He [God the Father] hath made Him [Jesus Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him [Jesus Christ]” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The Blood  ~  “Take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses” (12:7). A type, or foreshadowing, of the future blood of the Lamb of God. It is the blood which provides salvation—nothing else. “But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out” (John 19:34). 

Individually Applied   ~  “If the family is too small for a lamb, then share it with a close neighbor, depending on the number of persons involved. Be mindful of how much each person will eat” (12:4, The Message). Each person in the household had to apply the blood for themselves. This is a picture of how the salvation available through the Messiah is applied by an individual decision to accept Christ’s sacrifice on their behalf. It is an individual personal decision. No one receives salvation through birth in a Christian nation, a Christian home, etc. “Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, “You must be born again”’” (John 3:5-8).

The Fire  ~  “roasted in fire … roasted in fire” (12:8-9). Fire is a picture of the future judgment for those today who do not accept salvation available through Jesus Christ. “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many” (Hebrews 9:27-28a).

Bread Made Without Yeast  ~ “With unleavened bread” (12:8). Throughout the Scriptures leaven, or yeast, symbolizes sin and this bread is a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ—the Bread of Life. “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst’” (John 6:35). “I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world” (John 6:48-51).

Comment  ~  We have only touched the surface of Christ in Exodus. Much more could be said about the list of examples.

additional comment: While on earth Jesus Christ often quoted the Scriptures including all five books of Moses. He quoted Exodus 3:6 (see Matthew 22:32; Mark 12:26) and Exodus 21:17 (see Matthew 15:4; Mark 7:10). 

The Apostle Paul told us the Scriptures present many shadows of things to come but the reality is found in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:17). 

~~~ EXPLANATORY “JESUS CHRIST IN EVERY BOOK OF THE BIBLE” SERIES ~~~   

(1)  Approximately once a month ALN posts an overview of how Jesus Christ is seen in a specific book of the Bible.

(2)  In most cases these posts only scratch the surface regarding Jesus Christ in the particular book.

(3)  These posts will typically be in the same order as the books are found in the Bible.

(4)  These serial posts are in addition to our other ALN postings.

(5)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Messiah, 83

~ Messiah Would Be Rejected by the Rulers ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“Those who hate Me without a cause are more than the hairs of My head; they are mighty who would destroy Me, being My enemies wrongfully; though I have stolen nothing, I still must restore it” (Psalm 69:4). 

The Messiah  

“Then the Pharisees answered them, ‘Are you also deceived? Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed’” (John 7:47-49).

“He answered and said to them, ‘Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men”’” (Mark 7:6-7).

“And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men’” (Mark 8:31-33).

“Have you not even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”  (Mark 12:10-11). 

“Then He looked at them and said, ‘What then is this that is written: “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone’?” (Luke 20:17). 

 “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:8-9).

“Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the Scriptures: “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes”?’” (Matthew 21:42). 

“That the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: ‘Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?’ Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: ‘He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, lest they should see with their eyes, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them’” (John 12:38-40). 

~~~ EXPLANATORY “MESSIAH” NOTES ~~~   

(1)  Each Saturday ALN posts an example of a Hebrew Scriptures prophecy (or foreshadowing) related to the coming Messiah which was fulfilled in the birth, life, death, or resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(2)  While extensive it will not be a complete list—there are hundreds of prophecies of the coming Messiah which have been fulfilled by one man—Jesus Christ at His First Coming.

(3)  It is important that there are many more prophecies of the Messiah, yet unfulfilled, which Christians believe will be fulfilled at the time of His Second Coming.  A particularly relevant Scripture verse in this regard is: “Do not despise prophesies” (1 Thessalonians 5:20).

(4)  These posts will typically consist only of Scripture—which speaks for itself.  Sometimes italicized or bold font will be used by ALN for emphasis.

(5)  The numbering of these fulfilled prophecies of the Messiah is used to differentiate individual posts. It is not chronological (either by time of the prophecy or by sequence in the life of the Messiah).  The posting sequence will, for the most part, be in the order that the prophecies appear in Scripture.

(6)  Because of the chosen methodology (#5 above) we will find many specific prophecies repeated multiple times throughout the Scriptures.

(7)  These serial posts are in addition to our regular Tuesday ALN postings on random topics.

(8)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Biblical Headline, 1

~ What If a Biblical Headline Were Written Today? #1 ~    

David vs. Goliath
HATE CRIME KILLS BELOVED CHAMPION
Psychologist Questions Influence of Rock

Reference Passage:  1 Samuel 17

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW