Identity in Christ, 1

~ Q. Who Am I?  The Answers Might Surprise You! ~

This is the start of a weekly post (every Monday) regarding the Christian’s true identity.  Today’s post is from an unknown source!

Years ago, when our daughters were very young, we’d drop them off at our church’s children's chapel on Sundays before the eleven o’clock service.

One Sunday, just as I was about to open the door to the small chapel, the minister came rushing up in full vestments.  He said he had an emergency and asked if I’d speak to the children at their story time.  He said the subject was the Twenty-third Psalm.

But just as I was about to get up from the back row and talk about the good shepherd, the minister burst into the room and signaled to me that he would be able to do the story time after all.

He told the children about sheep, that they weren’t smart and needed lots of guidance, and that a shepherd’s job was to stay close to the sheep, protect them from wild animals and keep them from wandering off and doing dumb things that would get them hurt or killed.

He pointed to the little children in the room and said that they were the sheep and needed lots of guidance.

Then the minister put his hands out to the side, palms up in a dramatic gesture, and with raised eyebrows said to the children, “If you are the sheep then who is the shepherd?” He was pretty obviously indicating himself.

A silence of a few seconds followed.  Then a young visitor said, “Jesus, Jesus is the shepherd.”

The young minister, obviously caught by surprise, said to the boy, “Well, then, who am I?”

The little boy frowned thoughtfully and then said with a shrug, “I guess you must be a sheep dog.”

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

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(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Christ in Lamentations

~ Jesus Christ, the Man of Sorrows, Is Seen in the Weeping Prophet ~

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).

The book of Lamentations is largely a deep concern for Israel.  “I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of His wrath.  He has led me and made me walk in darkness and not in light” (Lamentations 3:1-2).  The crying out is from a man who has taken the identity of Jerusalem personally—the problems Jerusalem must face are taken on as his own. 

Later in both Matthew’s and Luke’s account of the Messiah’s time on earth we find our Savior concerned about Jerusalem.

Jesus lamented, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her!  How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!  See!  Your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (Luke 13:34-35, parallel passage Matthew 23:37-39). 

Jesus Christ, Israel’s Messiah, went to the Cross of Calvary for the sin of the world. 

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

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

EXTRA: “Dr. R”

~ “Well Done!” ~

Earl D. Radmacher (November 29, 1931– December 8, 2014) – personal friend and mentor. 

Earl was an internationally respected theologian.  As author of and contributor to many books, perhaps he is best known as the General Editor of the “Nelson Study Bible” (a.k.a. “New King James Study Bible”), which in my opinion remains the finest study Bible available. 

Earl and I were both students at Sunnyside Grade School in Portland, Oregon (Earl was 10 years ahead of me).  Like myself, he had fond memories of Perky, an elderly lady who operated a store across from the playground at Sunnyside.  We also both attended every meeting (over a 6-week period) held by Billy Graham in the summer of 1950 in Portland, Oregon.  It was here that Earl gave his life to Christ.  I committed my life into Christ’s care 10 years later. 

I first heard Earl’s name in the early 1960s when one of my spiritual mentors (R. Fred Elliot, father of martyred missionary Jim Elliot) mentioned him to me in very favorable terms.  It was a short time later that we met for the first time.  What a privilege to be personal friends for decades.

He was President of Western Seminary (1965—90) and later Chancellor.  At the time of his appointment he was the youngest seminary president in the country.  Earl would lead the seminary with great skill and innovation.  “Dr. R,” as he was referred to by many of his students, was fond of saying, “This life is training time for reigning time.” 

Our many times together were always rich fellowship.  I’ll never forget his direct statement to me, “Bob, never forget that while you can cannot change God’s character you can damage His reputation.”  On another instance while discussing pastoral styles he quipped, “There is a world of difference between leading sheep and driving cattle.”

Earl never tired of quoting and expounding on his personal life verse, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

During his life of serving God, Earl traveled literally millions of miles, taught thousands of hours in churches and conferences, and influenced unknown thousands around the world for the kingdom of God. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .