Faithful on Fridays Blog

Finding Jesus: Samuel

Here in America we aren’t familiar with a monarchy because we’re a republic. We’re not ruled by a king, but as Abraham Lincoln wrote: we are a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. We read in the books of Samuel that Israel was never a republic: they were ruled by God Himself.

In these two books we find Israel rejecting God as their King and desiring to be like other nations, yet God never rejected His original plan. Samuel was a prophet chosen to represent Him to Saul and David with First Samuel focusing on Saul and Second Samuel focusing on David with the eternal promise:

And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before Me. Your throne shall be established forever. 2 Samuel 7:16 ESV

Who ever heard of an earthly king having someone on the throne forever yet Messiah, Jesus Christ, came from the line of David and will reign eternally. Finding Jesus in the books of Samuel is clear, in fact, Peter said this on the Day of Pentecost:

And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. Acts 3:24 ESV

Let’s look at David as a picture of Christ. He was a physical shepherd (lower story); Jesus was a spiritual shepherd (upper story). David was a warrior (lower story); Jesus is called a Man of War (Ex. 15:3 and Rev. 19:11), upper story. David was ‘man after God’s own heart’ (13:13-14); Jesus possessed God’s heart (John 17:21). David wanted to build God a temple but God had a higher plan: the temple, or His Presence, would be in his heart. As the story flows from Samuel through Saul, and his ultimate rejection by God, we arrive at the point where God’s sovereign plan was inaugurated through David. 

As you read through the New Testament watch for Davidic references since they’re directing you to the promise of kingship through Jesus Christ. An angel told Mary:

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end. Luke 1:32, 33 ESV

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were waiting for this One.

Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is He?” They said to Him, “The son of David.” Matthew 22:41, 42 ESV

From the apostle John,

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” Revelation 22:16 ESV

As you read through Samuel get used to the idea of royalty: as a believer, it’s your destiny.

Paul prayed for this church (1:11-12) to be deserving of God’s calling to spread the gospel, making every effort to please Him, and the reminder of the Spirit’s power to meet that goal … not their own.

Whenever you begin a new ministry you’ve threatened Satan and he’ll slowly influence it with deception; he hates ministries that bring freedom in Christ and victorious living. A false teaching was quickly introduced and our model church was beginning to question: Did they miss some secret rapture? Did He come already and they’re left behind?

Entering into Chapter Two we find some controversial and yet true issues regarding what’s coming before Jesus’ return. Paul’s deadly serious that they don’t get shook up and waver in their faith regarding this deception Paul plans to clear it up. Before the Day of the Lord there will be a global rebellion (apostasy) against God and His Word leading people into lawlessness by one man. Is it the Antichrist? Is it the False Prophet, or the great, red Dragon (Rev. 12-13)? Call him whatever name you want, there are many in the Bible, but they’re all ‘anti-or against-christ’. Satan is His adversary or opponent and eventually Jesus will show His final act of power triumphing in the final battle on Judgment Day (Rev. 20:7-10).

Paul gives us great detail regarding this man of lawlessness or son of destruction because he knows the Old Testament foreshadows and where this teaching originated (Is. 27:1; Dan. 7:19-27, 11:29-45; Ez. 32:1-8). Jesus forewarned us as well,

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand. Mark 13:22-23 

Paul didn’t have firsthand teaching from Jesus or John’s revelation of the end times but God gave him revelation that this man is ‘held back’, many believe by the Holy Spirit, until the precise time he will to be released and meet his final destiny. People who remain in their rebellion and refuse to believe in Him are deluded by Satan and condemned with him for eternity. 

This community of believers, and churches today, are encouraged to remain strong in faith. Think about the power of influence from today’s media: Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, TV, podcasts, or mass emails. It wouldn’t be difficult for this man of lawlessness, Satan-driven, to put out the bait and watch people swallow it. The only way for believers to remain strong is to stay in His Word reading His forewarnings and take a stand for righteousness. The world won’t buy it because they take pleasure in unrighteous living but God’s chosen people, you and I, desire to please Him.

Whether you read the prophecies of the Old Testament, Jesus’ end times teachings, Paul’s perspective here, or the full account from John in Revelation it’s clear: we win.

Finding Jesus: Ruth

Next year my husband Dave and I will celebrate our fortieth wedding anniversary. Through our ups and downs he has faithfully been my provider, my protector, and if I need someone to stand up for me: it’s him. That’s the kind of man Boaz was. The book of Ruth is a love story for sure but it has an upper story that can’t be missed if we’re finding Jesus in the Old Testament. 

Back in Gen. 17 we read that Abraham, our father of faith, was told by God that he would be the ‘father of many nations’. As we continue in this time period, that of the Judges, we have to wonder when these ‘nations‘ will appear. It begins here in the book of Ruth.

Here’s the lower story. During a famine a Jewish family (Naomi’s) decided to leave Bethlehem and wait it out it in a neighboring country, Moab. Over a period of years her husband and sons died leaving her a widow and alone there. That’s another story. Her daughter-in-law, Ruth, is committed to Naomi and makes this provocative statement:

“Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” Ruth 1:16

That statement, by a Gentile (non-Jewish) woman, kicks off Abraham’s prophecy mentioned earlier and commences the royal line of kingship into Israel. We read in the New Testament that Ruth and her Jewish husband Boaz, who was from the tribe of Judah, were the great grandparents of King David. Royalty was inaugurated in Israel with the marriage of Boaz and Ruth and continued through the generations until God appeared in human form: Jesus the Messiah, Son of David, was born. 

To bring this home let’s look at the upper story; what does this drama have to do with me? Boaz is a picture of Jesus. He was a Jewish man, called a kinsman redeemer, who literally purchased the right to marry Ruth. He provided for her, protected her, and stood up for her when she needed it. Isn’t that what Paul was talking about when he said that marriage was a picture of Christ and the Church (Eph.5)? Our Redeemer purchased us with His own blood and spiritually married us, Jew or Gentile. He’s our Bridegroom and we are His Bride, a profound mystery; He is our Boaz and we are His Ruth. 

But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Revelation 5:5 

Reading the book of Ruth with Jesus in mind keeps you aware that our sovereign God always had a plan, is always in the process of fulfilling that plan, and we are privileged to participate in that plan. 

One great leadership trait we see in Paul is his follow-up of the churches he planted. He wrote to this fellowship commending, encouraging, and teaching, then, a few months later, he wrote again. This shorter letter will continue to be encouraging but will also go deeper into false teachings even confronting some lack of discipline from the believers.

This ministry team realized that it’s right or appropriate for them to be thankful for this church family because they deserve it. Interestingly, the word ‘right’ in verse 3 is also the word for ‘worth’ which is God’s balance scale of truth. He justly balances grace and truth, mercy and judgment, or reward and punishment: He is worthy. However, in these verses Paul wrote to remind them of their worthiness due to their growing and maturing faith shown by their endurance and love for others. This model church has gone above and beyond measure in benefiting others while staying strong under pressure in their own persecutions; that makes them ‘worthy’ of the Kingdom of God (vs. 5).

They were suffering from the government, legalistic Jews, and the heathen Gentiles by loss of jobs or positions, shunned from family and friends, undoubtedly mocked, insulted, beaten, or even imprisoned but they were patiently enduring. That’s why Paul and his team boasted about them (vs. 4). 

Finally, Paul reminded them that God promises to repay oppression with oppression (vs. 6); it’s that sowing and reaping principle. As their enemies sow suffering, it’s a spiritual law that suffering will grow back to them. On the other hand, when you sow love and care you reap the same. When the divine curtain is drawn back and He’s revealed, apokalypsis, as Paul taught in his first letter, it will be quite a spectacular show. Power-angels, flaming fire, and His vengeance on those rebelling against the gospel of the Lord Jesus (See Rev. 6:9-11). That’s His righteous justice.

This model church showed undeniable value to God in their suffering by continuing to grow in faith and show His love to others and now God has ‘weighed in’ and considered them worthy. The promises of judgment are also righteous because someone must pay your ransom: it’s either Jesus or it’s you. The Thessalonians, and other churches suffering today, need to remember That Day is coming, that glorious day of His return and they’ll join the other saints in a state of being awestruck, great wonder, and astonishment as they appear with Him (vs. 10). 

Do you know what happened? They believed it! This model church listened to Paul and the team, recognized the part they had to play in this divine drama, and took it to heart. How wonderful of Paul to reassure them of the final outcome and that’s my message to you. Bear up under your pressures and trials with patience until God completes His process in you knowing you can also ‘walk worthy’ of the gospel (Phil. 1:27).

Finding Jesus: Judges

There was a time in the history of Europe (410AD) when the opulent and powerful Roman Empire fell. The eternal city, the mother of the world, as it was called, imploded from within; we call it the Dark Ages. Civil wars, injustice, starvation, and a hovering cloak of darkness settled over the city of Rome and the entire empire. The only hope for rescue was turning to God. Bill Hybels penned it well, “The local church is the hope of the world.” During this time the monastic movement within the Church began to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ with new passion. Some bright stars were shining during this dark time: Augustine, Benedict, and Anselm were hard at work hearing from God and bringing revival.

Israel also suffered from dark ages; it’s recorded in the book of Judges. This book continues the historical progression of Israel from the time of Joshua. The Hebrew nation, over a period of many generations, fell into a cycle of sin that also had only one hope: turn back to God. That cycle is seen throughout Judges:

• disobedience leading to oppression,
• oppression, leading to repentance,
• repentance, leading to deliverance from God.

From the time of Joshua until Israel’s first king, Saul, (350 years) the people struggled with this cycle. However, God also had some shining stars that would lead the people to repentance: Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson (15 leaders in all) brought the light of God as recorded in this book.

Whenever God removes His hand of protection due to disobedience we see the natural consequences, even in our own life. This lower story during the time of the Judges points us to our own cycles. If we don’t drive out our enemies we’ll also see God allowing consequences to bring us back to Him. That’s the upper story. Unforgiveness, anger, sexual immorality, and the like will cause us to implode from within as Israel or Rome experienced. We find Jesus when we recognize that cycle and turn back to Him in repentance; He will forgive and cleanse us. That’s our only hope.

There are amazing times in this book when Jesus actually appears in the flesh! He’s called the Angel of the LORD as He visited His people, temporarily, to bring hope and reassurance that He is a covenant-keeping God. That doesn’t mean that He won’t discipline His people, but that He loves them as a good, good Father. The Spirit of the LORD is also active in this book pointing us to His role in our lives. We’re given the gift of Holy Spirit power, dunamis, to aid us as well but it’s not temporary as in this book: it’s permanent. His indwelling Spirit gives us direction and strategy to defeat our enemies and the enemies of our family. We cannot, as Israel experienced, live alongside or tolerate evil; we are called to be distinct and holy. Finding Jesus in the book of Judges is finding hope and not living in hopelessness.

Paul’s closing includes a personal appeal to his family in Christ: respect your leaders, they’re your models. Church leaders should always give encouragement but sometimes they’re called upon to warn, instruct, or counsel (admonish) and that can be emotionally hard work. Let’s give them a break by honoring their labors of love.

His writing became practical as he gave ‘shoulds’ and ‘should nots’ to this model church. They’ve become a plumb line for any church or ministry to evaluate spiritual health. Let’s look at the alignment.

Shoulds: Paul mentioned various personality types within the church family in verses 14-18. On one hand, some can be out-of-line, opinionated in pride, but others are new believers just learning to walk in faith. Some can be weak or without the strength and unable to achieve much, even sickly; how should a healthy church treat them? Paul suggests warning, encouragement, coming alongside, and especially showing them patience. We don’t operate in the world’s ways, evil for evil, but we show kindness and goodness to all. We should stay in a state of joy regardless of our outward circumstances and have a strong, constant prayer life always being mindful of our gratitude to the Lord (vs. 16-18).

Should nots: It’s vital that our church family allow the Holy Spirit to move in our midst; that means we should not quench, stifle, or try to extinguish Him even when we don’t understand what He’s up to. We should not ridicule, mock, or laugh at those who prophesy but evaluate their message for goodness to the whole faith community (Rom. 12:6; 1 Cor. 14:1-5, 29-33). Lastly, Paul warns us to be aware of those we hang out with and distance ourselves from anything that leads to sin.

He closed his letter with a prayer for the God of Shalom, or wholeness, to keep this body of Christ distinct from the world’s ways and even mentioned the three parts of man: spirit, soul, and body. Our spirit is our regenerated or saved part of us that’s forgiven, holy, and blameless in His sight, whereas our soul, mind, will, and emotions, still needs help, as does our body (Heb. 4:12), and we all know both still sin. Remember, Jesus is coming back, he mentioned it in each chapter, and He’ll show His faithfulness (vs. 23-24) … He really will!

Finally, Paul asked for prayer for the team and gave words of grace from the Lord, Jesus Christ to this model church. Every community of believers needs encouragement and commendation to keep up the good work and yet grow in areas of weakness. May we all take theses admonishments to heart, self-checking, as we spread the gospel of the kingdom always remembering His promise that all believers, for all time, will be gathered together, body with spirit, meeting Him in the heavenly places and dwelling with Him for eternity. Those are words to live by.

Finding Jesus: Joshua

I’m a visual learner so when I want to understand history I envision a timeline. That’s how I want you to walk through the Old Testament as we search for Jesus. We’ve seen Genesis and Exodus chronologically, but now you can see that Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy were written within the timeframe of the Exodus when the Jews made their escape from Egypt. Let’s continue looking at that mission to get home to Israel as they retake their gifted land recounted the book of Joshua.

Joshua was another type of Christ, similarly, Jesus’ Hebrew name was Yeshua, can you see the similarity even in His name? Let’s look at other ways we see the Messianic Thread in Joshua’s life, remembering the lower and upper story:

• Joshua was the leader of the new generation of Jews entering the Promised Land. Jesus leads a believer into becoming a new creation enjoying a new spiritual life.
• Joshua was a descendant of Joseph from Ephraim whose name means ‘double fruit’. Jesus was a descendant of another Joseph from Bethlehem of Ephratah, which means fruitfulness.
• Joshua is recorded by Moses (Ex. 33:11) as staying near to God’s Presence at the Tabernacle. Luke 2:49 shows us that Jesus needed to be in His Father’s house: the temple.
• Joshua was the commander of the physical armies of Israel and Jesus is the spiritual Commander of the Army of the LORD (Josh. 5:14).
• Joshua was filled with the Holy Spirit (Num. 27:18) as was Jesus (Luke 4:1).
• Joshua led the Jewish nation into the ‘rest of the LORD’ (Josh. 23:1) however, it was temporary. Jesus leads us into permanent, spiritual rest (Heb. 4:3, 8).
• Num. 32:12 tells us that Joshua followed God with 100% of his life. Jesus obeyed the will of His Father even unto death (John 10:17-18).
• Both men were commissioned by God (Num. 27:16-23; Luke 2:25-35).
• Both Joshua and Jesus appointed 12 men to accompany them (Josh. 4:4; Mark 3:13-19).
• Both men stood against the crowd (Num. 14:6-7; Luke 11:14-26).
• Both performed miracles (Josh. 10:12-14; Mark 4:35-41).

God’s Plan of Redemption is in play throughout the book of Joshua and moves us closer to That Day: the Second Coming of Jesus. On that Day He will not only be Supreme Ruler over Israel but over the entire world. 

The lower story of Joshua leading Israel in retaking their land is a type or shadow of the authority a believer has in Yeshua (Jesus). The upper story or the spiritual counterpart is our assignment to retake our ‘land’ from the enemy: our lives, our families, our neighborhoods, and even our nation. We use the power of the Holy Spirit through prayer and our weapon is the Sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:10-20). As a Spirit-filled beliver consider a prayer walk through your neighborhood and retake your land for Jesus.

Paul reminds the Thessalonian believers, and us as well, that even though we can’t know the chronological or the specific moment (kairos) when everything comes to a head as He returns, we can be ready. Jesus Himself told us to be on guard and keep awake (Mark 13:32-22) since we can’t know the times or dates (Acts 1:7) but we can be prepared. The Day of the Lord will come like a nighttime thief for unbelievers bringing sudden destruction and judgment but not so for believers in Jesus Christ; we’ll be ready, willing, and able. How do we get prepared? Paul teaches that we’re children of the light and the day; that means we walk daily in His presence through our devotional time with Him and in His Word. We listen to His voice and obey Him as we make decisions in life always depending on the indwelling Spirit to guide us.

For unbelievers, they have no true north, so to speak, therefore, Jesus’ return will be unexpected and sudden. They won’t be ready for the ‘break in’ just like the people of Noah’s day (Matt. 24:36-39); their temporary life just goes on without a thought about dying or the afterlife. For Christians we follow Jesus’ advice to accept His assignments in life and stay passionate about Him (Luke 12:35-40) as we patiently and eagerly wait for His return. Our mindset is to grow in faith as we get to know Jesus better every day watching for those opportunities to serve Him by serving others. 

Every believer should be confident of the truth that we’re not destined for God’s wrath (vs. 8) since our sins have been forgiven. Jesus paid that price for our rescue or salvation and gave His life as our ransom; that’s our guarantee. Those who refuse to repent and be forgiven have no other choice than to pay for their own sin. 

But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But He will pour out His anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. Romans 2:5-8 NLT

Yes, a day of judgment is coming, however, we’re His children in the light of day standing in faith and love confidently expecting Jesus’ return when we meet Him in the air. We’ll be part of that welcoming committee when our ashes are reunited with our spirits in a new body and we live eternally with Him. Paul reaffirms these truths encouraging us to continue building up each other in the faith.

How Long? https://youtu.be/tAVp28bzyXY

Finding Jesus: Deuteronomy

I don’t know if you have children or grandchildren but if you do you’ll understand the necessity of the book of Deuteronomy. The name means ‘second law’ and it’s the last book of the beloved Torah, written as a bookend with Genesis to the new generation of believers: children and grandchildren. With a month of wandering remaining, Moses, the foreshadow of Christ, instructed this new group of God-worshippers. The older generation had failed to teach their children the ways of God but the Spirit will reteach through the words of Moses. Believers in Jesus Christ also have a responsibility to teach the next generation how to love God and obey Him. It’s taught by example.

Jesus fulfilled this book since He was the prophet that Moses spoke of in Dt. 18:15-18. It was the Messianic promise that One was coming who would speak the words of God because He is the Word of God. 

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:17-19 ESV

Similarly, Dt. 28 is a clear picture of how to live God’s kind of life: the higher life. The list of blessings and curses are clear declarations for every aspect of living but how do we remember all the rules? Jesus recognized that quandary, consequently, He quoted from Dt. 6:4-5 and called it the ‘greatest commandment‘. He’s all about relationship … not just obeying rules. How do you suppose He summarized the 613 commandments listed in the Torah? Only the Son of God could accomplish such a task.

Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31 ESV

We find Jesus all through this book but chapter four gives us His promise of covenant faithfulness in the latter days or the end times; be reminded of that truth in time of suffering; it’s worth your reading. 

Repetition is the key to learning so don’t get bored when you read Deuteronomy thinking it’s just Old Testament; read it as the new generation of believers walking into your very own promised land in the victory that He won for you at the cross.