Question – Jesus, 14

~  Regarding Business ~

Introduction  ~  This series is about questions involving Jesus.  Some were asked by individuals involved with Jesus Christ while He walked on earth.  Others are questions that Jesus Christ asked others.  We will look at questions on about 130 topics (some may split into two or more posts).  Even so, it is far from an exhaustive list. 

Scripture  ~  “His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.  And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.  When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem.  And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances.  So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.  Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.  And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.  So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, ‘Son, why have You done this to us?  Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.’  

And He said to them, ‘Why did you seek Me?  Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?’  But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them” (Luke 2:41-50).

Comment  ~  Jesus knew, even at an early age, His role in His Father’s business.  If you are a Christian do you understand God’s will for you?  “Do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17).  Are you doing God’s will to the best of your ability?

~ 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/ .

Jesus Came To…, 18

~ Jesus Christ Came To Offer One Sacrifice For Sins For All Time ~

Passage  ~  “And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.  But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool.  For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:11-14).

Significance  ~  In prior times a priest was the go between man and God.  Since the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest, He is the only acceptable go-between between God and man. 

Additional Scripture  ~  “For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices.  Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer.  For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle.  For He said, ‘See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.’  But now He [Jesus Christ] has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises” (Hebrews 8:3-6).

“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1 Timothy 2:5-6). 

the key question:  “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  This is the most important question you will ever answer.  If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ 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/ .

Myth, 19

~ Christianity Is Feminine ~

Myth  ~  While Christianity is for men this statement implies it is not for women—that is what makes it a myth.  Christ is the center of Christianity.  God is a Triune God and all three members of the Trinity have all the God nature, all the God characteristics, but each has their own personality.

Masculine Characteristics of God  ~  Throughout Scripture we find God exercising what society consider masculine characteristics (at least at the time of writing).  Here are a few of many examples.  Throughout both Testaments we find God referred to as Father.  He is also described as a Warrior, the Lord of Armies, King of Glory, and Lord of Hosts (Psalm 24:8).  God is also described as actively teaching the skills of war (Psalm 144:1).  God is Judge—an enforcer of righteousness and a punisher of the wicked in society. 

jesus christ:  Physician Luke records how the angel Gabriel prophesied to Mary that would conceive a Son (Luke 1:31), then Luke confirms the event happened (Luke 2:7), and still later records Christ’s circumcision (Luke 2:21).

While on earth, in human form, Jesus Christ was often slandered, blasphemed, and mistreated as a masculine human (Matthew 11:19; Mark 7:2; Luke 6:2; John 8:48, 52).

Christ is not only described as a King but also the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16).  Christ is our Priest, Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14), and our Bridegroom (John 3:29).  Of note is the fact that nowhere in Scripture do read any account of His enemies hinting at or accusing Him of being effeminate. 

Creation  ~  During creation we find that God created both male and female.  “God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27).  “He created them male and female, and blessed them and called them Mankind in the day they were created” (Genesis 5:2).

Comment  ~  Male and female are equal but unique in their God-created natures.  The two genders complement each other and are equal in value.  God is the Creator of both male and female and Christianity is a faith-based relationship with the Creator open to relationship with all of humankind.  We all, male and female, are created in the image of God.

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:26-29).  God is a God for all people! 

Conclusion  ~  God is not male or female, but God.  What we tend to think of as feminine or masculine traits are actually all Godly traits!  “God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27).

~ 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/ .