God’s Special Women – Rahab – Matthew 1:5

Posted on December 13, 2023 by dkoop

It’s surprising to some to learn that Rahab was an ancestor of Jesus. Despite being a prostitute, Rahab found favor from God and survived the fall of Jericho.

 “Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab” Matthew 1:5.

The New Testament begins with a genealogy (Matthew 1:1-16), the lineage of Jesus’ family tree which includes Rahab.

So who was Rahab in the Bible? She is almost always mentioned in the Bible as “Rahab the prostitute.” But her story goes far beyond simply being a prostitute, or “loose woman”.

Rahab was also a Canaanite, who were fierce enemies of Israel.  Some remarkable deeds of Rahab was hiding the Israelites spying her city, lying to the king to protect them, and helping them escape to later attack her own people.  It might seem strange that a Harlot, a Canaanite, a traitor to her people and a liar is known as a distinguished Bible figure. You wouldn’t think she would have much chance of making the list of renowned biblical characters, but there she is.

The Story of Rahab

From the Book of Joshua, when the Hebrews were camped at Shittim, in the Jordan valley across from Jericho, Joshua sent out two spies to examine the fighting force of Jericho. The spies hid in Rahab’s house, which was constructed into the city wall. The men who were sent to seize the spies asked Rahab to bring them out. Rather, she covered them under bunches of flax on the roof, protecting them from capture. Rahab said to the spies:

“I know that the LORD has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death.” – Joshua 2:9-13 NIV

After escaping, the spies agreed to spare Rahab and her family after conquering the city. By placing a red cord out her window, Rahab secured her and her family’s safety.

When the city of Jericho fell, Rahab and her whole family were saved from the agreement of the spies and were included among the Jewish people.

Despite her background, Rahab had heard about the Lord and placed faith in Him.  She knew that “the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below” (Joshua 2:11). Specifically, she used God’s divine name, Yahweh, showing her personal faith in Him.

Scripture states that Rahab lived among the Israelites (Joshua 6:24-25). Later, she married an Israelite man named Salmon and gave birth to Boaz.

Rahab in the Genealogy of Jesus Christ

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse… Read the full lineage of Jesus in Matthew 1

What We Can Learn From Rahab

Rahab’s life is a great story with many lessons, but we mustn’t miss the point that Rahab was a prostitute. That was her “trade.” The men hid there because people would be accustomed to seeing strangers come and go at all hours of the night. We also can’t deny the fact that Rahab lied to the king.  What made Rahab, special?  She trusted God more than a strong military, a strong economy and a decadent society.  She chose to side with God and His people more than what the world had to offer.  She could see that God was at work and He was more powerful than any worldly system including the one she was living in.    She was a woman of great faith!  You don’t have to take my word for it. Hebrews 11:31 says, “By faith Rahab …” She was a believer!

“And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?” James 2:25

Many people are confused by Jesus Christ. They think they have to be “good” or religious to come to Him and that they and their family must be respectable.

This genealogy is in the Bible because it lets us know that  Jesus had a family background a lot like yours and mine. He called himself “the friend of sinners,” and he said he didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. He said, “The Son of man has come to seek and to save that which is lost.” (Luke 19:10)

The same grace that Rahab experienced is now available to us.  Accept Jesus and be forgiven.

In the next post, we will look at another ancestor of Jesus, Ruth.

www.Upwards.Church

Message Audio/Video and Outline: https://upwards.church/watch-now/leander-campus-videos

Watch Messages: YouTube-Upwards Church

Facebook: Upwards Church

Sources
https://www.christianity.com/wiki/people/who-was-rahab-in-the-bible.html
https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/5-remarkable-women-in-jesus-genealogy-and-what-they-teach-us.html
Excerpts for this Article taken from Rahab: Harlot, Liar… Ancestor of Jesus? by Ray Pritchard

 

Posted in Emmanuel - Matthew 1-2 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

God’s Special Women – Tamar – Matthew 1:3

Posted on December 12, 2023 by dkoop

No one is too sinful, broken, or tarnished to receive the gift of salvation and live a new life devoted to the Lord. The women in Jesus’ genealogy demonstrate that truth.  Matthew lists 5 remarkable women (four from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament) and we can learn much from each of them.

It is most unusual to find the names of women in Jewish genealogies, since names and inheritances came through the fathers. But in this list we find references to four women from Old Testament history: Today we will focus on Tamar

1 This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham: 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar). Matthew 1:1-3 (NLT)

Sometimes the juiciest, most drama-ridden stories can be found in the most unexpected of places: the Bible. One case in point is the story of Judah and Tamar, a bizarre tale about a father-in-law who mistakenly impregnates his daughter-in-law—who’d concealed her identity from him on purpose.

Who was Tamar?

Genesis 38 intersects the Joseph narrative with an absolutely bizarre story regarding one of Joseph’s brothers, Judah, and his relationship with his daughter-in-law, Tamar.

In the story, Judah, the fourth-born son of Jacob (Israel), had left his father and brothers and married a Canaanite woman named Shua. When their oldest son, Er, came of age, Judah and Shua found him a wife named Tamar. However, according to Scripture, “Er was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord took his life,” making Tamar a widow (Genesis 38:7).

In levirate marriage, the brother-in-law’s duty was to father a male heir with his brother’s widow to carry his brother’s name and ensure his inheritance (Deuteronomy 25:5). In this case, the responsibility fell to Onan, Er’s younger brother. Now, although Onan took Tamar as his wife, he refused to bear a child that he would not be able to call his own. So, instead of conceiving a child with Tamar, Onan “wasted his seed on the ground in order not to give offspring to his brother.” It was a vile act that displeased the Lord, and so “He (the Lord) took his life also” (Genesis 38:10).

Now twice widowed, Tamar was childless and alone. Here, Judah was expected to provide another one of his sons to marry and care for Tamar. But rather than offering up his third son, Judah refused, telling Tamar, “remain a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up. I am afraid that he too may die, like his brothers” (Genesis 38:11).

Now, although Judah argued that he wanted to wait until Shelah was older, it’s clear that he had no intention of marrying off another son to Tamar, inexcusable neglect of his fatherly duties, and injustice to Tamar. Not only that, but Judah had grossly assumed that Tamar was the cause of Er and Onan’s downfall, a failure to acknowledge and address the sins of his own children.

And then the story takes another odd turn. Following Shelah growing up, Judah’s wife passed away and he became a widower. After learning that Judah planned to go to Timnath to tend his flock, Tamar plotted to disguise herself as a prostitute and lay with Judah. Assuming she was a prostitute, he traded for her services. Tamar’s intention was to become pregnant by this ploy so that she might carry a child in Judah’s line since she had been denied to be with Shelah. So she acted the part of a prostitute and negotiated a deal with Judah for a goat, assured by his staff, seal, and cord. When Judah was later able to have a goat sent to Timnath, in order to collect his staff and seal, the woman was nowhere to be found. (Genesis 38:12–23)

Three months later, Tamar was accused of prostitution from the fact of her pregnancy. Upon hearing this news, Judah ordered that she be burned to death. Tamar sent the staff, seal, and cord to Judah with a message stating that the owner of these items was the man who had made her pregnant. Upon recognizing these items as his own, Judah freed Tamar from her sentence.   In essence, Tamar had tricked Judah into performing the duties his sons should have.

Filled with guilt, Judah recognized his sin and acknowledged his failure to provide for his daughter-in-law, confessing, “she is more righteous than I, inasmuch as I did not give her to my son Shelah” (Genesis 38:26). In doing so, Judah became one of the first recorded examples of a public confession of personal sin.

Tamar and Judah later bore twin boys named Perez and Zerah. Ironically, out of Perez’s line, both King David and later Jesus Christ, the Messiah, were born (Matthew 1:3). This is a testament to God’s prevailing mercy, for even the most flawed and sinful of men can be used and blessed by God, not because of their merit, but because of His grace and the power of repentance.

In Tamar’s life story we we see the spiritual blindness of a father figure and the spiritual corruption and moral failure of young men.  It also reveals injustices towards women and explores the consequences of sexual sin upon families. In Tamar’s story, the grace of God is on display for those willing to confess and repent from their sin.

We might wonder why such a complicated story filled with sinful actions and deception is part of Jesus’ genealogy. The story, though, shows us that God is working even when people choose to do wrong.

A woman such as Tamar might be an unconventional choice for God to carry the lineage of the Messiah through, but she is remarkable for being included in Jesus’ genealogy. Even the sinful actions of humans cannot stop the Lord’s plans.     

In the next post we will learn more about another of Jesus’ relatives, Rahab, the prostitute.

 

www.Upwards.Church

Message Audio/Video and Outline: https://upwards.church/watch-now/leander-campus-videos

Watch Messages: YouTube-Upwards Church

Facebook: Upwards Church

 

Sources:

Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament, Volume 1, (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2001), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 13.

https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/5-remarkable-women-in-jesus-genealogy-and-what-they-teach-us.html

https://www.christianity.com/wiki/people/who-was-tamar-in-the-bible.html

https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/tamar-in-the-bible/

Posted in Emmanuel - Matthew 1-2 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Emmanuel – Invitation and Introduction

Posted on December 8, 2023 by dkoop

You’re invited!  Our brand new message series called “Emmanuel” starts this Sunday, December 10th.

Description:

At Christmas we celebrate that God came to us in human form as “Emmanuel” or ‘God with us.’ Matthew’s first two chapters proclaim God’s plan of bringing us the Christ child. He worked through a lineage of messed up people, some special women, a man named Joseph and some wise men.  We are encouraged to trust that God isn’t far from broken people or a broken world. The Savior has come for us all, and the Savior is ‘Emmanuel’ – God with Us.

 Dates           Titles                      Scriptures                        Events

Dec. 10 – God’s Special Women (Matt 1)     
Dec. 17 – God’s Plan for the Man (Matt. 1)

Dec. 24 – God Guides the Wise (Matt  2)                                Christmas Eve AM

Dec. 24- God is Worthy (Matt. 2)                                           *Christmas Eve  PM
Dec. 31 – God Provides (Matt. 2)

Big Ideas of Matthew Chapters 1-2:

GOOD NEWS – Matthew’s first sentence communicates the banner headline. He holds nothing back. Jesus is the Christ (God’s long-promised Messiah)! He’s the Savior of Israel (David’s son)! He’s the hope of all nations (Abraham’s son)! Call a press conference, roll the videotape, this is big news.

QUALIFICATIONS – Genealogies? Boring right? Actually it’s interesting that the first 17 verses where we meet 46 people whose lifetimes span 2,000 years, (all ancestors of Jesus),  who varied considerably in personality, spirituality, and experience. Some were heroes of faith—like Abraham, Isaac, Ruth, and David. Some had shady reputations—like Rahab and Tamar. Many were very ordinary—like Hezron, Ram, Nahshon, and Akim. And others were evil—like Manasseh and Abijah. God’s work in history is not limited by human failures or sins, and he works through ordinary people. Just as God used all kinds of people to bring his Son into the world, he uses all kinds today to accomplish his will.  You matter to God too.

SPECIAL WOMEN- This genealogy also illustrates God’s wonderful grace. It is most unusual to find the names of women in Jewish genealogies, since names and inheritances came through the fathers. But in this list we find references to four women from Old Testament history: Tamar (Matt. 1:3), Rahab and Ruth (Matt. 1:5), and Bathsheba “the wife of Uriah” (Matt. 1:6).  We will learn more about each of these women.

DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES – In Jesus’ family tree, we don’t find all sports heroes and presidents. Some very bad-news characters formed his past. But Matthew does not hide them, and Jesus’ parents, for all we know, never let the past determine the present. Overcoming a dysfunctional past is not easy, but never adopt the past as our excuse. With Jesus, life starts over with new energy, new purpose, and new love.

FULLY HUMAN, FULLY GOD – Why is the virgin birth important to the Christian faith? Jesus Christ, God’s Son, had to be free from the sinful nature passed on to all other human beings by Adam. Because Jesus was born of a woman, he was a human being; but as the Son of God, Jesus was born without any trace of human sin. Jesus is both fully human and fully divine. The infinite, unlimited God took on the limitations of humanity so he could live and die for the salvation of all who believe in him. Because Jesus lived as a man, we know that he fully understands our experiences and struggles (Hebrews 4:15-16). Because he is God, he has the power and authority to deliver us from sin (Colossians 2:13-15). We can tell Jesus all our thoughts, feelings, and needs. He has been where we are now, and he has the ability to help.

MAKING TOUGH DECISIONS When facing big decisions, some people freeze with fright. What if I decide wrong? What if I miss God’s will? What if . . . ?  To make good decisions, first take all these worries and put them under God’s promise: God cares for you, watches over you, and guides your steps. Joseph came to the best decision he could, but God had other plans and made them clear. Most of our decisions will not be overruled by angels, but that’s no reason for lack of confidence. To make good decisions, pray, evaluate all the options, talk with trusted friends, then act in faith. God is with you, every step

A NEW LIFE – Jesus came to earth to save us because we can’t save ourselves from sin and its consequences. No matter how good we are, we can’t eliminate our alienation from God. Only Jesus can do that. Jesus didn’t come to help people save themselves; he, and he alone, came to be their Savior from the power and penalty of sin. Thank Jesus for his death on the cross for your sin, and then ask him to take control of your life. Your new life begins at that moment.

“BUT WHAT WILL EVERYONE THINK?” – Joseph changed his plans quickly after learning about God’s plan for his life from the angel. He obeyed God and proceeded with the marriage plans. Although others may have disapproved of his decision, Joseph went ahead with what he knew was right. Sometimes we avoid doing what is right because of what others might think. Like Joseph, we must choose to obey God rather than seek the approval of others.

LOOKING FOR GOD? – How can we learn about God? Some people say, “I find God on a nature hike when the wind whistles through trees and the stars shine brightly.” Others say, “Read the Bible and you’ll discover God.” And yet others, “Only by believing in Jesus can a person ever know God.”

Here we learn that all three ways of knowing God are important. The wise men were drawn to worship by a bright heavenly radiance. They came close (Jerusalem) and got specific instruction from people who knew the Old Testament well. Then, unlike Herod and the priests, they actually finished the journey and saw Jesus, who was then a little child. All three ways of finding God helped the wise men finish their journey.

If you want to find God, see his glory in nature, learn of his promises in the Bible, and discover Jesus by getting to know him personally.

THE GREAT TROUBLEMAKER – When Jesus was born into our world, people immediately began to react. His presence did not soothe and comfort people; instead, it startled and disturbed them. In some, he awakened spiritual longings; in others, fear and insecurity. If it is true that God entered our world when Jesus was born, we dare not sit idly by ignoring and rationalizing our inaction. We must acknowledge Jesus as the rightful King of our lives. He did not stay in the manger

SO CLOSE; SO FAR – Herod asked the religious leaders and teachers to tell him what the Scriptures said about the location of the Messiah’s birth. These religious leaders and teachers had knowledge of the Scriptures, but they lacked the desire to understand and believe. With so many churches nearby, so many Christian books and Bibles available, so many radio and television programs, so many Christian videos and films—how can anyone not believe? But it happens. Several Bibles on your bedroom shelf and perfect Sunday school attendance do not a Christian make! Like the chief priests and teachers of the law, a person can miss the opportunity to believe in Jesus completely while studying the facts of the Bible meticulously.    Becoming a Christian means giving your life to Jesus Christ in faith. In a simple prayer, give up trying so hard to be so good. Admit to God your need, and accept in faith his promise to save you.

FINDING CHRIST – The wise men were overjoyed at finding the child. If you think becoming a Christian means putting on a long face and behaving like a person in a straitjacket, think again. Finding Christ brings real joy—deeper than winning at sports, more enduring than the first test drive in that new car—this joy fills the soul and makes you glad. This joy comes from knowing all is well, you’re OK, God loves you, the future will be secure.

Have you been on a journey to find yourself, to find love, satisfaction, or some sense of what this life is all about? There’s joy at the end of that journey when you find Christ.

HE ALONE IS WORTHY – The wise men brought gifts and worshiped Jesus for who he was. This is the essence of true worship—honoring Christ for who he is and being willing to give him what is valuable to you. We see in their lives a pattern for worship:

l They entered. They had prepared for their journey, studied, and sought out Jesus.

l They bowed. They humbled themselves in the presence of their superior. They acknowledged his authority.

They gave. They gave expensive and sacrificial gifts out of respect and honor for the child king.

They worshiped. They recognized God’s guidance in bringing them and attested to Jesus’ royalty. They exalted Jesus as the rightful king.

They obeyed. Their worship was not empty. They followed the guidance they received from God.

Worship God because he is the perfect, just, and almighty Creator of the universe, worthy of the best you have to give.

WHO’S ON THE THRONE?  – Herod was afraid that this newborn king would one day take his throne. He completely misunderstood the reason for Christ’s coming. Jesus didn’t want Herod’s throne; he wanted to be king of Herod’s life. Jesus wanted to give Herod eternal life, not take his present life. Today people are often afraid that Christ wants to take things away when, in reality, he wants to give them real freedom, peace, and joy. Don’t fear Christ—allow him to reign on the throne of our lives.

We hope you can join us and learn even more for our new series, Emmanuel.

Darrell

 

www.Upwards.Church

Message Audio/Video and Outline: https://upwards.church/watch-now/leander-campus-videos

Watch Messages: YouTube-Upwards Church

Facebook: Upwards Church

 

Sources: Bruce B. Barton et al., Life Application Bible Commentary – Matthew, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1996), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 17.
Posted in Emmanuel - Matthew 1-2 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jesus, Greater than Angels – Hebrews 1: 4-14

Posted on November 28, 2023 by dkoop

Did you ever sing this song?  “Turn your eyes upon Jesus; Look full in His wonderful face; And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”  In this post, we will continue to turn our eyes upon Jesus as we continue in Hebrews 1:4-14

That passage might seem like a lot to digest, so let’s break it down into bite-sized pieces. The writer quotes seven passages from the Old Testament and applies them to Jesus. You may know that the Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew, but about 150 years before Jesus showed up at Bethlehem, the Greek rulers wanted to be able to read the Old Testament in their own language so seventy scholars were commissioned to translate the entire Old Testament into Greek. Because there seventy translators, it is called the Septuagint, and is designated by the Roman numeral for seventy, which is LXX.

This was a very important document, because Greek was the language spoken by most of the people during the 1st Century. And all of these seven quotations from the Old Testament we just read are from the Septuagint, not the Hebrew Old Testament.

Like a good attorney, the writer is going to lay out a solid case for WHY Jesus is greater than the angels. He presents five arguments. You may be thinking, “What’s the big deal? Of course, Jesus is greater than angels. Why even argue the point?”

It’s because when this letter was written, there were Hebrew believers who were slipping away from their faith. They were thinking about sliding back into Judaism and angels play prominent roles in Judaism. By presenting these five arguments, you and I can come to a deeper appreciation and higher adoration of who Jesus really is. So let’s put our EYES ON JESUS!

  1. Jesus Has a Greater Name

We read, “He became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.”

There are many names used in the Bible for God. Two little boys were talking about God. One of them said, “Do you know what God’s name is?” The other one said, “Sure. His name is Andy.” The first one said, “Andy? How do you know?” The other kid said, “We sang about him at church yesterday, ‘Andy walks with me Andy talks with me.” Well, God’s name isn’t Andy. The best name for God is Jesus. And His name is superior to the names of angels.

It’s Bible trivia time. How many angels are given names in the Bible? The answer is three.

The only archangel, which means “leader angel,” is Michael. The name Michael means, “who is like God.” The second angel named in the Bible is Gabriel, and his name means, “God is great.” The third angel named in the Bible is actually a fallen angel, Lucifer, and his name meant “morning star.”

The name of Jesus is greater than the name of any angel. It means “God saves.” Don’t you love the name Jesus? Gloria Gaither was right, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. There’s just something about that name. Master, Savior, Jesus—like the fragrance after the rain. Kings and kingdoms will all pass away, but there’s something about that name.”

  1. Jesus is God’s Son, Angels are God’s Servants

The Bible says, “To which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? Again, the answer is ZERO. Nada. Zip. This letter was being written to believers who had probably heard some false teachers claiming that Jesus was just a powerful angel, but He certainly wasn’t God. And there are many voices today telling us Jesus was less than God. Our Muslim friends claim Jesus was a great prophet like Moses or Abraham.

The writer makes it clear Jesus wasn’t just an angel or other lower being. God never said to an angel, “You are my Son.” But when Jesus came up from the being baptized, God spoke from heaven and said, “This is my beloved Son whom I love. Listen to Him!”

The angels are called “the sons of God” when they are described collectively. Job 1:6 says, “One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them.” (HCSB) But no individual angel is ever called a Son of God. That title is reserved for Jesus alone.

Angels are a hot topic today. If you Google the word angel, you’ll find over 1 billion links. Some people claim they have been touched by an angel, while most of them are just a little touched in the head.

But for now, let’s remember that the main role of angels is to serve. They serve God, and according to Hebrews 1:14, they also serve those who will inherit salvation. So don’t go looking for angels. Put your eyes on Jesus, God’s Son.

  1. Jesus is Worshipped, Angels Worship Him

Our text says, “When God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’” The word firstborn here doesn’t refer to birth order, but it refers to rank. Colossians 1:15 says Jesus was “the firstborn over all creation.” To say Jesus was God’s first-born might imply that God had other sons. But firstborn was a legal standing that signified the one who would receive the main inheritance from the father. Can you think of an example in the Old Testament where the son who was actually born first wasn’t the firstborn and received the inheritance? You are probably thinking about Jacob who was born second to Esau, but he really tricked his father out of the inheritance. A better example would be Solomon. He was tenth in the birth order, but he received the throne from his father David.

Angels should never be worshipped. But we know there was a dangerous practice in the early church concerning the worship of angels. In Colossians 2:18, Paul warns to stay away from false believers who require you to practice asceticism, worship angels, or depend on strange visions. (ESV)

In the Book of Revelation, the Apostle John is escorted by an angel through a vision of the end times. On two occasions he was so overwhelmed that he fell down to worship the angel. On both occasions the angel had a holy fit and said, “Don’t worship me! I’m just an angel. Worship God!”

When Jesus began His ministry, a fallen angel, Satan, tempted Him. Satan showed Jesus all the riches of the world and said, “All this will be yours if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus pulled out the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God and quoted Deuteronomy 6:13. He said, “It is written, ‘Fear the Lord your God and serve him.’” (NKJV)

Was Jesus ever worshipped during His time on earth? We read that the Magi came and brought Him gifts and bowed down and worshipped Him. Jesus didn’t say, “Don’t worship me, Worship God.” When Jesus walked on the water and got into the boat, the Bible says the disciples worshipped Him. He didn’t say, “Don’t worship me, worship God.” When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, people were waving palm branches and shouting Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” The Pharisees had a holy fit that Jesus was being worshipped so they said, “Rabbi! Rebuke these people who are worshipping you!” I think Jesus might have smiled a little when He said, “If they keep quiet, the stones would cry out in praise.” I think He was referring to the prediction of Isaiah 55:12 that says that the mountains and the hills will break forth into singing, and the trees of the fields shall clap their hands.”

Now, if only God is worthy to be worshipped, and Jesus accepted worship, what would that make Him? God. So we should be worshipping Jesus as well, because He is God. So put your eyes on Jesus and worship Him.

  1. Jesus will Rule Forever, Angels are His Subjects 

Our verses say, “But about the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.’” Now, if you understand that God is speaking here, He calls Jesus God. In other words, God calls Jesus God. How can that be?

That is the mystery of the Tri-unity of God. He is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. There’s only one God. The Father is God, Jesus is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. That concept is beyond our ability to completely comprehend. But I always quote how John Wesley described the Trinity. He said, “If you can explain to me how there can be three candles in a room, but only one light, then I will explain to you the Trinity.”

Some people try to claim that the Bible never calls Jesus God, but they are wrong. He is referred to as God many times in the Bible. Jesus told the man delivered from the demons to go home and tell the great things that God had done for him, and he went about telling the people what Jesus had done—no difference. Thomas said to Him, “My Lord and my God.” Titus wrote about looking for the Blessed Hope, which is the “glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

As God, Jesus will rule the universe forever. There are some people in the U.S. who prefer that our politicians be restricted by term limits. It’s an interesting debate. But for sure, there is no term limit for King Jesus. He was never elected and He can’t be voted out of office. Jesus will rule and reign forever and then forever and ever.

In 1741, George Frideric Handel was a composer who was deeply in debt and sinking into depression. He took it upon himself to put selected passages of scriptures to music. He called it “The Messiah” and he wrote the entire oratorio in 24 days. He hardly slept or ate. There is a story that as he was completing the Hallelujah Chorus, his servant knocked on his door, but received no reply. He reported that he entered the room and Handel had his head down on his composition. When he looked up there were tears in his eyes. He lifted the Hallelujah Chorus and said, “I have seen the face of God.”

There’s a story that when King George II first heard the Hallelujah chorus he stood. And even to this day, when the Hallelujah Chorus is sung, people stand, not to emulate the act of an earthly king. But to show honor for the heavenly King of Kings and Lord of Lords as the choir sings the words straight from Revelation 19. “And He shall reign forever and ever.” Jesus rules. Keep your eyes on Him!

  1.  Jesus is the Creator, Angels were Created

Again, we read these words spoken to Jesus, “In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.” As we saw in last week’s post, Jesus was present at the creation. Angels were also present because Job tells us they shouted for joy when the foundations of the earth were laid. But Jesus was never created; He is the Creator.

Do you know what that means? The next time you read the Declaration of Independence you could read it this way, “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal and are bestowed by JESUS certain unalienable rights.”

But this passage also says one day this earth and these heavens will grow old and wear out like a tattered garment. Have you ever had a piece of clothing that you liked so much that you wore it for years? Maybe you wore it so much that it finally just wore out. A man had a favorite sweatshirt that he wore all the time. He had never done the laundry and one weekend his wife was away visiting her parents. He called her up and said, “I want to wash my sweatshirt, but what setting do I use on the washing machine?” She said, “Look on the shirt. What does it say?” He said, “Texas A & M.”

So what will Jesus do when this heaven and earth wears out? This passage says He’ll just fold up the old heaven and old earth like you would roll up an old bathrobe that is too tattered to donate to Cornerstone or Goodwill. He’ll toss it aside and do what He does best. He’ll create. He’ll create a New Heaven and a New Earth.

Here’s how the Apostle John describes this new creation. “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’” (Revelation 21:1-5)

Heaven is for real, not because of the book or the movie with the title. Heaven is for real because of what the Bible says. We’ll see Jesus, our loved ones who were saved, and we will serve Him forever.

I love the quote by C.S. Lewis: “There is no need to be worried by facetious people who try to make the Christian hope of heaven ridiculous by saying they do not want to ‘spend eternity playing harps.’ The answer to such people is that if they cannot understand books written for grown-ups they should not talk about them.” (Mere Christianity, p. 106)

Jesus is greater than angels or any other person who has walked this planet, because the scripture testifies,  “God has exalted Him and given Him a name that is exalted over every other name in the universe. That at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to glory of God the Father!  Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus because He is greater than the angels.

Darrell

www.Upwards.Church

Message Audio/Video and Outline: https://upwards.church/watch-now/leander-campus-videos

Watch Messages: YouTube-Upwards Church

Facebook: Upwards Church

Posted in The Journey of Faith - Hebrews | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment