Faithful on Fridays Blog

Born Blind Beggars

There’s a great lower story in John 9 regarding the division between believers and unbelievers in the world told by Jesus who met a man who entered the world as a blind beggar. Simple enough, but as we’ve studied John we know there’s ‘more to the story’, it’s called the upper story and its powerful.

As you walk through the gospel of John there’s a repetitive theme: in God’s eyes the world is divided. Chapter nine is a beautiful and yet provocative lesson; we are all born blind beggars.

When someone is totally blind they live a life of darkness, a fitting description, and requires healing in order to distinguish light from darkness; that’s the only cure. Jesus’ parallel is also clear: He’s the Light of the World, the only healing for spiritual blindness.

The story goes like this. The disciples noticed a blind man and asked about the cause; did he or his parents sin and blindness was the punishment? Yes and no. Jesus used this encounter to teach us again about the division of the world. He sent the beggar to a pool to wash away the mud, a unique healing method, that He had applied to the man’s eyes. We read the result in verse seven: the beggar responded, obeyed, and was healed. It’s not about individual sins but being born a sinner. We require mercy from the Sovereign God who draws people to Himself and our response must be the same as the beggar: obey and be healed.

The religious leaders, who represent unbelievers in the world, could not comprehend this miracle. They questioned the man twice, insulted him, and in their blindness declared Jesus a fraud. Unbelievers can be like that. It’s impossible for a blind man to perceive light; that’s a physical fact and that’s Jesus’ point at the end of the story.

People who refuse to admit their blindness will suffer God’s judgment for their sin.

Then Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind. John 9:39 NLT

Admitting blindness requires humility and unbelievers, in their pride, think they see just fine. They remain in their sin. 

“If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty,” Jesus replied. “But you remain guilty because you claim you can see. John 9:41 NLT

I love the way Jesus spoke to the blind beggar. “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” Using this title was Jesus reminding this Jewish man that He was the Messiah from Daniel 7, the Judge and King who was prophesied as coming into the world. The man again responded to Christ, “Lord, I believe, and worshiped Him.”

We all suffer from spiritual blindness at various times, even after salvation. Will we choose humility or pride in those times? Let’s pray for God to apply spiritual mud to the blindness of those areas and we can experience His healing.

As a seasoned believer Paul stayed vitally connected to the Holy Spirit in order to fulfill his ministry and destiny. Acts 19:21 uses the phrase ‘resolved in the Spirit’ to show us his firm decision, without any doubt, to follow the leading of the Spirit traveling to Jerusalem and finally to Rome where he was executed. Even in the midst of rioting and social unrest (sound familiar?) he powerfully turned people from idol worship determined to obey God.

Paul also loved the church and through the Spirit described positions that would help her maintain faith in God and love for others; elders are one group of crucial overseers in our churches (1 Tim. 3; Titus 1-2) that have serious responsibilities. Paul called for the elders in Ephesus to come to him in order to encourage them for the last time.

Acts 20:17-38 gives us insight into the love relationship Paul had with these elders and his passion for the health of the church. Let’s look at his final thoughts and bring them home to our churches today.

First of all, Paul reminded them that he served the church with humility even when times were tough and never backed off from teaching the benefits of repentance and faith in our Lord. Remember, New Testament faith is divine persuasion and certainty that God will do what He said He’ll do. Do you see the value of reading and studying the Bible? How can you believe God’s promises when you don’t know what they are?

Paul felt compelled or driven by the Spirit to return to Jerusalem even though he knew there’d be persecution and imprisonment awaiting. Paul’s attitude toward his future was reliance on Holy Spirit power to finish the assignment of testifying about God’s grace proclaiming Kingdom Living.

This apostle didn’t stop there, next he gave words of admonition (vs. 28-32) or encouragement with warning for these mature in faith: watch yourself first and then your flock the Holy Spirit has given you. This isn’t a new concept, sheep and shepherds, since the word pastor means shepherd and Jesus taught his 12 apostles the value of good shepherds by modeling it Himself. Paul, following Jesus’ example, encourages us to take a deep, personal interest and care about the people in our churches since they are all bought with the same precious blood of Christ.

That personal care for the flock will be vital since the enemy will reveal himself in various ways in order to draw believers away from God and victorious living; Paul says ‘be alert!’ 

He concluded his time with these believers by speaking words of grace, building them up, and reminding them of their inheritance in God but also encouraged them to work hard and help the weak by remembering the words of Jesus:

“It’s more blessed to give than to receive.”

May we as well take every opportunity to help the weak and be generous givers also modeling our lives after Christ.

He descended into Hell: Part Seven

What do you think of when I use the word ‘scapegoat’? If you’re like me you think of a fall guy, someone who takes blame, or even a ‘whipping boy’. If you’ve stayed with me for these six weeks then you’re ready for one more type or shadow of Christ from the Old Testament. If Nehushtan wasn’t enough, let’s try Azazel. 

Here’s the story (Lev. 16). The LORD told Moses to have two goats ready for a sin offering on the Day of Atonement. One was to be slaughtered having its blood sprinkled on the Mercy Seat for sin or ‘for Yahweh‘. However, the other goat, it’s meaning a little more hidden, was designated ‘for Azazel’.

Here’s the mystery of that scapegoat. Azazel became the personification of impurity and wickedness as the priest transferred the sin of the people to him. This goat was then led into the wilderness and released. After the Temple was built the priest took the goat to a mountaintop and shoved him over the edge to descend into death. Get the picture? Jesus fulfilled this foreshadow as He became sin and descended into the wilderness of hell. This goat, Azazel, had a scarlet thread fastened onto his horns to symbolize the imputation or charge of sin. 

Jesus fulfilled this juxtaposition, this comparison seen in the two goats. He was the goat who was sacrificed for sin and He was also the goat who was sent away carrying the sin of the people. I find this analogy fascinating. It’s beautifully pictured in Is. 53:4-6, 8 as the Messiah is prophesied bearing our griefs, carrying our sorrow, the LORD laid on Him the iniquity of us all, and He was cut off from the land of the living. That’s the picture of ‘for Azazel’. Yes, He was the One Who was pierced and crushed, led to the slaughter, and poured out His soul to death (vs. 10-12) ‘for Yahweh‘ but this comparison of the two goats shows us that He was both.

Read what King Hezekiah had to say after he was healed:

Behold, it was for my welfare that I had great bitterness; but in love You have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for You have cast all my sins behind your back. 

Isaiah 38:17 ESV

King Hezekiah had a revelation of the truth of the scapegoat. His sin was taken away and left behind God’s back, never to remembered again. May we all remember that truth; God has placed our sin behind His back, out of His sight, and we are washed clean when we come to Christ in humility.

Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of His inheritance? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:18, 19 ESV

You won’t find a more dedicated teacher of God’s Word than Paul, in fact, he devoted his life to traveling and showing people the Way. As we follow his journey into Acts 18-19 it’s apparent Paul used his skills of reasoning and persuasion with the Jews first but also with the Gentiles (Rom. 2:9-10). 

What is this Way? Jesus explained,

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 

Paul considered it his life’s mission to show people that Jesus is the Son of God, the promised Messiah, and the only way into eternal life. God created people, not puppets, with decision-making ability. Which way to choose: our own way or God’s Way? 

Paul took the ‘long view’ training people in the Word of God; since he wasn’t immortal stayed until he was certain they were grounded in the Kingdom of God (19:8). Isn’t that true today? Those who have received faith need discipleship, encouragement, and strengthening in the way of faith. If you aren’t active in a Bible Study learning, being encouraged, and strengthened in your faith please find one; it’s God’s way.

Arriving in Ephesus (Chapter 19) Paul found some disciples of John the Baptizer who needed teaching in God’s Word explaining their new life in Christ: the Kingdom of God. Repentance was key to their belief system but Paul showed them the Way of Christ and the power of the Spirit fell with speaking in tongues and prophesying. I love it when the gifts of the Spirit flow among people, whether tongues, prophecy, or miracles (19:11-12) their purpose is to build up and equip us to represent Christ to the world.

Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways! Romans 11:33 

Running parallel to the ways of God are the ways of Satan, however, God’s ways are more powerful as we see in 19:13-20 when an evil spirit overpowered a group of men. It’s a fascinating story but the clincher is the enemy’s ways were overthrown by the Word of the Lord and New Testament faith continued to increase and prevail mightily. 

God’s Word carries life, activity, and power (Heb. 4:12), in fact, the words Luke used when he wrote this account indicates that Paul effectively used the Word like a sword engaging, confronting, and facing the resistance until it was overpowered. He even used the same word when he encouraged the Church,

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 

I can do, that’s prevailing power, and the strength He gives is the mighty power of His Spirit residing in you: Halelluia, praise the Lord.

“Great and amazing are Your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations!” Revelation 15:3b 

For me, this subject is a matter of authority. The Messiah volunteered to leave His throne in heaven and become like us so we could become like Him (Ps. 8) with the same spiritual position. Consider these passages:

And I will put enmity between you (Satan) and the woman, and between your offspring and her Offspring; He will bruise and tread your head underfoot, and you will lie in wait and bruise His heel. Genesis 3:15 AMP

This is the first mention of the coming Deliverer. The word ‘Offspring’ is referring to Christ therefore God tells the serpent (Satan) that His mission is to restore our authority. Let’s verify that truth from the Word of God.

Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth …You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness. Psalm 74:12-14 

For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 1 Corinthians 15:25 

And He put all things under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church.
Ephesians 1:22 

“… putting everything in subjection under His feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to Him, He left nothing outside His control. Hebrews 2:8a 

We established last week that Messiah descended into the lower parts of the earth, however, He did not stay there; resurrection was always in view. He was the first, the forerunner, to descend into hell and ascend into heaven. 

Several words are translated ‘hell’ in the Bible. It can be confusing but stay with me. Sheol is the Hebrew word (Old Testament) referring to the place where souls gathered (Is. 14:9a) before Christ; it’s the temporary place of the grave. Physical bodies die but souls had a choice of two places to remain, in this intermediate state, until Christ ransomed them. Sheol is often translated hell but specifically, it’s a place with several regions. 

Again, before Christ descended into the underworld to demonstrate His authority over sin, death, and the grave, people were there waiting. There were only two choices within this realm: bliss or torment. We know the souls of believers who were waiting for Messiah were alive in one area, Abraham’s bosom (also called Paradise). 

Jesus said, “… I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ So He is the God of the living, not the dead.” Matthew 22:32 NLT

Sheol (the grave) is translated Hades (hell) in the New Testament. Read the parable Jesus told about the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) and you’ll see that Sheol or Hades was a distinct place with souls who had made their choices: life or death, blessings or curses. Christ descended into this region, with heaven and earth watching (Dt. 30:19), to set His captives, believers in Him, free to eventually rule and reign with Him: that’s some authority!

As you read Acts 17 it’s apparent that Paul toured the northern coastline of Greece and we’re invited to tag along. From Philipppi to Thessalonica, through Berea and into Athens Paul is our tour guide but more importantly our role model. YouTube has become popular because someone models behavior with good results, subsequently, you learn something. Let’s view this chapter as our YouTube account of good ministry.

Being Jewish Paul continuously visited the local synagogue first, however, being called to the Gentiles he always searched for the marketplace as well. Since Paul understood the Hebrew mind he used three ways to reach his brethren: reasoning, explanation, and proof that Jesus was the promised, Jewish Messiah.

Since the New Testament wasn’t yet written Paul discussed the Old Testament passages that pointed to the coming of Messiah. Reasoning means he dialogued from scripture to scripture, giving insight but also listening to their comments with respect. His desire was revelation of Jesus Christ as Redeemer and Rescuer:

But He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on Him the sins of us all. Isaiah 53:5-6 

Paul also opened up their minds as he fully explained the death and resurrection of Messiah as Jesus had earlier modeled:

Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24:27 

Lastly, Paul proved or presented these truths in close alignment with Jesus’ life showing that He was, in fact, the promised Messiah. What happened? Some Jews and many Gentiles were persuaded or believed, and joined in this new movement of God. 

If we could see a YouTube of Jesus and Paul’s ministry I think we’d continually see this method of bringing understanding of our Savior’s life, the reason for His death, and the incredible value of His overcoming resurrection all for our benefit. In turn, it’s our responsibility to gain understanding and share this good news with others. That’s the value of Bible Study in a nutshell.

The Jewish Bereans’ (vs. 11) had open hearts to hear God’s Word and followed Paul’s example as they examined the Scriptures daily making sure what he said was verified in the Bible. That’s some Bible Study! Lastly, when Paul reached Athens (vs. 16) he again reasoned with the Jews and Gentiles explaining through preaching Jesus’ righteous life, resurrection, and the necessity of repentance and receiving of faith.  

If you desire the people you influence to know Jesus then follow Paul’s example by reasoning (discussing) your faith, be able to explain why you believe, and prove (by a changed life) He’s the only One who can give you a new birth, a renewed life, and the promise of eternity spent with Him.

He Descended into Hell: Part Five

From the beginning of His ministry on earth Jesus proved His authority. He performed supernatural healings, miracles, deliverances, and fulfilled prophecy. He tried to explain His God-given authority to the religious leaders but they wouldn’t listen.

And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when the dead will hear My voice—the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live. The Father has life in Himself, and He has granted that same life-giving power to His Son. And He has given Him authority to judge everyone because He is the Son of Man. Don’t be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God’s Son, and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment. John 5:25-29 NLT

Jesus proved His divine authority in several ways during those three powerful days, but here, He told them the dead (in faith) would hear His voice and live. Yes, He opened the prison doors and set them free from hell, however, those in rebellion were to be judged; their sentence was spending eternity separated from God. This scripture was partially fulfilled during those three days but will be finalized (5:28 all the dead) at His Return when He comes for the final judgment.

Jesus was good teacher always trying to direct His followers to spiritual thinking (upper story). He used parables and often referred to Old Testament stories.

If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except He who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life. John 3:12-15 ESV

Num. 21:6-10 tells us a story. When God’s people rebelled He sent fiery serpents of punishment to kill them, Moses interceded, and God gave him the remedy for life: a simple solution. Look at Nehushtan, the bronze serpent that Moses attached to a pole for all to look at and be healed. My question was, “Why a serpent? Why not a lamb?” Seems more fitting to foreshadow Messiah. Simply put, the serpent represented sin and the people who looked intently at the image were made whole: the lower story. 

Jesus hung on the cross (like a pole) and those who believed were also made whole: the upper story. Look at Him and believe. Is. 53 tells us God laid all sin on Him, therefore, Jesus became Nehushtan so we could be made whole by trusting in Him. Thank God for those saints, forerunners, released from She’ol that we may also walk in His freedom.

Let’s stay in Acts 16 this week because it’s a pivotal chapter for the church: The Spirit added Europe to the plan for evangelism. The gospel began in Israel, continued north into Turkey, and now the door opened to Europe: specifically Greece. There wasn’t a Jewish synagogue so Paul and the other missionaries looked for a place of prayer; they found Lydia, a wealthy, Jewish believer in God. As Paul explained Jesus as Messiah the Spirit opened her heart, she and her entire household got saved, and baptized! Immediately we find her moving in her spiritual gifts of hospitality, serving, and generosity; she didn’t wait for someone to explain them, she simply put action to her faith.

Don’t think for a moment that the devil isn’t conjuring up something to counteract God’s plan; he needed to halt this movement and fast! Luke related the story of a slave girl with a demonic spirit that was choking the life out of her: in Greek it’s a python spirit. The picture is clear, the enemy desires to choke and keep the gospel from spreading: even today. 

Interestingly, since this girl was a fortune-teller and earned a lot of money for her masters; they became raging and malicious. That demon used her to speak lies but when confronted with Paul it could only speak truth. This poor girl was crazy-screaming, “These men are servants of the Most High God who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” She didn’t just do this once, she tried to wear down these missionaries by hammering them for days. Eventually Paul had enough, he simply operated in the gift of discerning of spirits, turned, and commanded in Jesus’ name for it to come out: the demon obeyed. Spiritual warfare isn’t mysterious or dangerous; it’s New Testament faith in action. 

As I perused these sixteen chapters of Acts I noticed many of the gifts of the Spirit in operation: helps, service, hospitality, prophecy, words of wisdom and knowledge, exhortation, tongues, healing, and miracles (you’ll find even more in Romans 12, 1 Cor. 12 and 14, Eph. 4, and 1 Peter 4): God was on the move.

You may be surprised that this experience brought persecution, beatings, and imprisonment, however, as Paul and Silas worshipped and prayed the Lord not only brought a miraculous deliverance but the jailer and his entire household got saved as well! 

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household. Acts 16:31 ESV

What a wonderful promise. Remember, this all happened on the way to prayer. Satan doesn’t like prayer meetings or people sharing their faith but God always has our back and shows Himself strong on our behalf. Subsequently, Paul and his friends were publicly vindicated with an apology and a humble request to leave Philippi. Would Paul agree that it was all worth it? Two families saved? Absolutely … and so should you; active faith may cost you but it’s totally worth it.

He Descended into Hell

Part Four

Last week I discussed the Victory Parade that occurred in Sheol during those three days Jesus was in the heart of the earth. During that time, according to scripture, Satan was humiliated, shamed, and disarmed by our Redeemer. It’s easy to see the correlation to Japan’s surrender to the Allies in 1945, aboard the USS Missouri. There was a formal ceremony conducted when the leader not only signed the agreements but also surrendered his sword. He was, in essence, stripped of his power and disarmed. That’s the picture I have in my mind as I ponder those three days of Christ in hell.

YouTube obtained the account of VJ Day and here’s my own summary:

• After two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan there was unconditional surrender.
• Japan’s leadership and military were brought into submission.
• They were disarmed and weapons destroyed.
• The leaders were put on trial for war crimes.
• The survivors, POW’s around the world, were liberated.
• Japan was humbled in the presence of a new, supreme authority.
• A new flag was flown there (US).
• The Japanese people would experience greater freedom.

Can you see the similarities? Was there also a catastrophic event as God, in human form, invaded Sheol? Satan’s submission came when he realized he had crucified the Lord of Glory (1 Cor. 2:8) and defeat was inevitable. With Satan and his demons stripped of their authority and weapons liberation was attainable. The waiting saints at Abraham’s Side were led in triumph as Jesus Christ paid the blood ransom.

Elihu, who spoke into Job’s life, prophesied of this Redeemer:

If there be for him an angel, a Mediator, one of the thousand, to declare to man what is right for him, and He is merciful to him, and says, ‘Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a Ransom; Job 33:23, 24 ESV

To bring this part home for us, the new flag that is flown is the Nike flag. The Greek word for ‘overcomer’ is nikao, where the name Nike is derived. We, as believers, assume the triumph and overcoming power of Christ that now rightfully belongs to us. It is imparted to us by His Spirit and we, in Christ’s Church, walk in freedom and authority.

And He put all things under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church,

Ephesians 1:22 ESV

… putting everything in subjection under His feet. Now in putting everything in subjection to Him, He left nothing outside His control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to Him. But we see Him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 2:8, 9 ESV

My hope in writing this series is that you’ll receive great encouragement as you ponder the details of Christ’s descent into hell on your behalf.