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Matthew 16:16

“Who do you say that I am?”  That is the question that Jesus poses to Peter.  Peter responds, confidently, “you are the Christ, the son of the living God.” While I could write pages about the insight that statement gives us into Peter’s heart, today, I want to focus on what it says about Jesus.  You see, it is significant that Peter calls him “the Christ.”

I hate to say it, but I think sometimes we believe that Christ was Jesus’ last name.  It isn’t.  Nor is Christ an important title.  Christ is an attribute of God.  Its who he is.  It describes his essence.  This is what the ancient Jews were looking for.  They were looking for a messiah.  A savior.  Someone to rescue them from their poverty.  Not their physical poverty, mind you, the poverty that lived within their souls.  It’s the hurt that they struggle with every day.  The feeling that their lives are not exactly the way that God planned them and the guilt of failure.  Failing to do what God wants and knowing that their best can never be good enough.  We struggle with the same things.  Truth is, we need a savior that can point us back to who we were created to be.  A messiah that can make us whole no matter what we have done.  We need a new beginning.  A fresh start.  Born again.

Of course, not everyone believed this.  Many of the ancient Jews did not recognize Jesus as the Christ. It holds true today too.  Why not?  Because they are looking for the wrong thing.  The Pharisees, for example,  were looking for a Christ that would promote them.  They wanted more wealth and more power.  Maybe they just wanted happiness.  The savior they were looking for would serve their own needs and fulfill their own dreams.  When they realized that Jesus would not do that, the rejected him.  Sound familiar?

Jesus didn’t come to serve our wants or dreams.  He came to give us life.  This is what Peter recognized and Jesus delivered.  He rescued him from is poverty, he rescued him from himself.  Christ gave him a new life.  A new way.  He saved him.  He was the messiah.  He is the Christ.

Goodbye January and Hello February! I have loved starting this year off focusing on the attributes of Jesus. It’s pretty amazing to think of how God planned each intricate detail of who Christ is and what He did for us.

Today we come to CHOSEN. Jesus is the Chosen One, God’s Son. We find this several places in scripture:

Foretold in Isaiah 42, “Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him, he will bring forth justice to the nations.“

I love this alignment to yesterday’s reading that Jon led us through, showing us Jesus as a carpenter and servant.

John the Baptist is the first to declare Jesus as the Chosen One, while he was on earth. In John 1:34 he is recorded saying, “I have both seen and testified that this man is the Chosen One of God.”  

In stark comparison, we see this name of Jesus being used as a mockery, while he is displaying his love for us on the cross. “Let him save himself, if he be the Christ, the chosen of God.“ Luke 23:35

And finally, in 1 Peter 2:4 we see Jesus being referenced as “a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious.”

Does your mind ever wander to life two thousand years ago? Do you think the first followers understood Jesus, the Chosen One, as fully God himself and also fully man, as the Son of God? Did the doubters think he was a regular fully human man that God then gave some special power to? Or did they get that Jesus himself was God, chose to come down as man, and be the sacrifice for us? It’s mind boggling, isn’t it? We know that from the womb, Jesus was referred to as Immanuel, God with us.

When we talk about Jesus being the Chosen One, it can draw us to scriptures references of us being chosen.

Ephesians 1:4-5 tells us “We are chosen in Him, predestined for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ.”

Because of the Chosen One, we are also chosen. I like to think of this as, because Jesus is the Chosen One, we are able to be chosen – big C, little c.

And wow, all of the different studies and opinions on election are equally mind boggling! Tons of viewpoints on both sides of this (Calvinism vs. Arminianism). I personally love learning about it and wrapping my mind around it – not because I come up with a right answer, but because it draws me into trying to understand more of our God. But when we get to heaven, I highly doubt we’re going to have dialogue with God of “I chose you”, “no I chose YOU”. “No, I CHOSE YOU”. And then maybe Jesus comes from around the corner and says, “Yeah, but I’m the CHOSEN ONE”.  🙂  See all the crazy things that happen inside of my brain?

Back to the Big C – that’s all that matters. Thanks, God, for coming to earth as fully yourself and fully man, and being the one and only Chosen One, so we can be with you. Forever.

Mark 6:3 tells us Jesus had four brothers – James, Joseph, Judas and Simon. I’m guessing this was a lively household. Do you have brothers? My brother is five years younger than me. I don’t remember much strife between us.  He hit adolescence just about the time I went off to college, so I probably just got lucky!

As a result, I tend think about Jesus being a brother though the lens of my own children.  As many of you know, I am the mother of a 15 year old boy and a 13 year old girl. Raising teenagers is hard. Because this is my current reality, my mind goes straight to my kids’ relationship with each other. Our house is currently full of “sibling rivalry”. My kids do not get along at all. Freddy (my 15 year old) loves to push Annika’s (my 13 year old) buttons. She reacts with the disdain of a typical teenage girl and the situation quickly spirals out of control. Generally neither of them is 100% right or 100% wrong in any one confrontation, so most days I just want them to stay away from each other.

What do you think Jesus’ relationship was with his brothers? As the perfect and blameless son of God, did he have wisdom he could impart to his brothers? I’m sure he did, we just don’t know much about it. Luke 2 ends when Jesus was 12 years old, and Luke 3 begins when Jesus is 30 years old and ready to begin his ministry. The gap between these chapters covers the pivotal years of growing and maturing through adolescence. Because Jesus was fully God and fully human, I have to believe he experienced the awkwardness of adolescence and ordinary sibling rivalry with his brothers. I wish the Bible gave us more insight into this period of his life. I think it could be helpful for me right now!

As I was cleaning out my closet this weekend, I came across the book Preparing for Adolescence by James Dobson (1978). This book is so old that I wasn’t even an adolescent when it was written! The last chapter of the book contains Dr. Dobson’s final messages of encouragement.  These are timeliness!  While he originally wrote them to teenagers in the midst adolescence, I found them incredibly encouraging as a parent this week.

• Today is not forever – …just hang tough – things will change. That fact is one of life’s certainties, and understanding it can help you cope with an uncomfortable circumstance. Tomorrow will be different (page 187).
• Normality will return – In some ways, adolescence is like a tunnel that has a beginning and end. As long as you stay on the road and keep your car moving forward, you can expect to emerge at the other end (page 189).
• Your very best friend – The final (but most important) advice I can give you is to remain friends with Jesus Christ during the years ahead. He loves you and understands all your needs and desires. He will be there to share all your brightest days and darkest nights (page 189).

The book Preparing for Adolescence was hidden in my drawer under a bunch of papers and other junk. I didn’t remember I had it, and have no idea where it came from. I am positive, however, finding it this weekend was God-ordained. He knows just what I need when I need it.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:6-7).

Hebrews 2:10 – 11

In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.  (11) Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters”.

Todays name of Jesus is brother. Honestly I have never thought of Jesus as my brother. It seems “not enough”. It seems too familiar, lacking reverence to my savior. Siblings have a unique experience together. They have the shared experience of being raised and guided by the same person. They in turn have many of the same values and likeness in adulthood because of their shared experience. Sometimes the only commonality is a shared father, but it is still a  common bond. It’s much the same with Jesus. We share the same Heavenly Father, God, who sent His son, Jesus to save us. He sent him to the world, to walk alongside humanity. To feel, to hurt, to experience all the things that life has. And then he laid down his life for us. Just as God is the ultimate Father, Jesus is the ultimate brother. That thought  makes Jesus much more personal for me. Much more intimate and close. He is far above what I can imagine, but He was here and lived the day to day life with all of its suffering and trials because He knew it was the only way to save us.

Todays reading: Revelation 22:16

“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.”

These are the final words that are spoken by Jesus in the bible.  This completely wraps up the entirety of the biblical story.  He is the beginning of the story and the final chapter in the eternal saga that has been written and conveyed throughout centuries and millennia in the Jewish and Christian journey.   He makes a strong case of the completion of the Messiah chronicles.  In the Jewish faith, Jesus shows that he is before the formation of the promise with Abraham – David’s root.  He is also showing that he is the fulfillment of the promise from David – that his throne will be eternal.  But with for everyone he points us to something further – the beginning of journey into the light – The Bright Morning Star.

The Bright Morning Star has a lot of deep significance and power that is sometimes hard to fathom or imagine.  In our current society when we think of The Bright Morning Star we can think of a faint light on the horizon.  But in the time of Christ, there were not any of the luxuries that we have been granted. In the time of Christ, the lack of everyday amenities was an understatement.  People didn’t have food daily.  People were not able to have adequate drinking water at their disposal.  Life was a gift that was relevant and cherished daily. Sickness and death were constants. They didn’t have oil for light in the day or evening.   When it is dark it is dark, completely void of light.  When you see the Morning Star, you know that dawn is close at hand.

When we look at the Morning Star in Christ time, it is something that would be easily seen with the eye, absent all of the ambient light from other city and towns.  It would be the first light of the day, before the dawn.  The actual Morning Star that is on the horizon is the planet Venus.  It rises on the horizon several minutes before the sun breaks the dawn.  It is one that if you are not expecting it or know where to look you would not be able to observe the beauty of the star. It breaks the dark in such a way that all of the other heavenly bodies are noticed. But it is before the radiance and heat of the sun are felt.   So Christ, himself describes himself in this manner, not by coincidence, but by great intention.  He sums up how he has, will, and continues to present himself to us: He will be gentle; We have to take notice; and Know which light to focus on.

Matthew 11: 28-30  ²⁸ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

The Morning Star is one that comes in gently with a refreshing newness.  Each daily it comes before the dawn.  It is gentle and allows you to prepare for the brightness and harsh light from the sun. Jesus is gentle to us as He deals with us daily.   If we allow, he will be able to give us a gentle transition into daily life.  He will allow us to be eased into the peace of him in the midst of pain, hurt, destruction and malice.

We to take notice of Him.  He is gentle, but he will not force himself on to us.  It is us who will have to notice him.  He is not hiding.  He is in the same place everyday, without fail.  There is not a time that the Morning Star, has not proceeded to the sun, since the creation of the Solar System.  The same is for Christ; he is in the same place all the time. We have to take notice or show others how to take notice.

A couple of days ago, I had a a conversation with a friend about books that have changed my life.  The friend that I was speaking with shared some very insightful thoughts. He informed me that in his previous life, many situations caused him to reevaluate his life and purpose.  He said “ When I was in that life, I was not aware of the things I was doing.  But then I woke up and saw the things that I needed to do to change.  I did not know I was not awake to life, and now, I’m awake.” It takes the experienced believer to show the novice how to see and look for the Morning Star.

As mentioned earlier, the celestial sky has hundreds and thousands of lights that can distract us from focusing on the Morning Star.  The key is to know how where to look, know what to look for, and have someone show you how for the Morning Star.  The best thing for us is Jesus has already provided all of the needs to access Him. We have a direct connection and communication with him.  He is always accessible. We have to take that leap and know that he is waiting with open arms.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for the Morning Star. Amen

I can picture the day almost 25 years ago, July 9, 1995, when I married my bridegroom.  It was the perfect day and celebration to be marrying the man I loved.  If you are married, think back to the waiting.  The waiting from the moment you were engaged to the moment you saw your future spouse for the first time on that big day.  After spending so much time preparing for the ceremony.  All the preparations from inviting guests, finding a venue, to finding the perfect dress. How excited and nervous I remember feeling.  My bridegroom and I had both done everything possible to look our best and be our best for that moment in time.  From the tip of our head to the soles of our feet we were ready to be bound together that day.  

As Christians we recognize that Jesus is the Bridegroom.  Bridegroom (often shortened to groom) is a man who will soon be or has recently been married.  A bridegroom is typically attended by a best man and groomsmen (wikipedia.org).  Jesus revealed the identity of the Bridegroom when John the Baptist’s disciples asked Him why His disciples didn’t fast like they do.

Jesus replied, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?  The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”                              Matthew 9:15

Jesus’ point was “Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them” (Luke 5:34), meaning that He was with them right now!  For now, (before the bridegroom was taken away) it’s a time of feasting, not fasting.  Right now, the bridegroom is preparing for Himself a bride and the bride of Christ is the church.  The disciples sitting there with Jesus were part of the bridal party.  They were waiting for the actual wedding.  We are the chruch, the bride of Christ, and Jesus is the bridegroom.  

The marriage between Christ and the church really is a marriage made in heaven.  It was the will of God as we see in the book of Isaiah we get a glimpse of the coming kingdom,

“For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.”                                           Isaiah 62:5

Just as in a wedding today we send out invitations and invite our friends and family.  We are to invite everyone we can to the wedding with Jesus.   We should be focused on telling everyone about Jesus, the bridegroom.  Just as I waited for 6 months to marry my bridegroom in real life, we who believe in Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior are in the process of waiting for the eternal union with Him.  While we wait for that day we are instructed to be faithful to Jesus.  

We are the bride of Christ (the Church) and Christ is our Bridegroom.  We are now living in the “engagement” period.  During this time we are to prepare ourselves for the Wedding Day by living in a way that is righteous and faithful to Him.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.         Ephesians 2:10

When will this union between the bridegroom (Jesus) and the bride (the Church) take place?  We don’t know , but we are instructed to be ready.  

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.                                                                                          Matthew 25:13

Some of the people I remember most fondly in regard to my walk with Christ from my childhood are the ones who made me feel able to contribute despite being young. The youth leaders and church elders who encouraged me and challenged me with new concepts and hard questions always made me feel confident despite feeling less experienced or knowledgable about life than my elders. As I myself grow older and begin seeing younger family members and church members share their own experiences with Christ, I’ve definitely seen for myself what those who knew the younger me must have: wisdom from Christ knows no age.

In particular, Job 32 & 33 demonstrates this in a rather straightforward way. Once Job, in his many sorrows, resigns himself to being deaf to God’s directions, a young observer makes his own thoughts known. Elihu, this young man in question, in exasperation with those who would try and fail to console Job in a Godly manner, is clearly not the most confident speaker. He says in a straightforward manner how he was timid to speak out of turn when his elders were talking, but finds confidence in his faith. As Elihu says in Job 32:7-8: “I said ’Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom. But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.” Again in Job 33:4: “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty has filled me.”

We know wisdom and the soundness of mind it offers comes only from God. As Proverbs 2:6-8 says, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.” As the Lord has breathed our very lives into the bodies of ours He has created, so does He fill anyone who walks with Him with His understanding and integrity. That’s why it’s important to remember when anyone speaks of Him with hearts and minds centered toward Him, they share what wisdom the breath of the Almighty has stored within them and granted them. No matter how young, or inexperienced, or well-studied and verbose they may be, when someone speaks Scripture and shares His word, wisdom from the Lord can be found. We can easily see our own human limits first and foremost, and look past how a boundless Lord may use us. But Scripture tells us here to trust that when the Holy Spirit moves us to speak, we can trust in Him and His wisdom that we share. It’s important to not count out anyone’s voice as well, or hold someone’s thoughts is lower regard when sharing the word of God.

Likewise, it’s equally important to remember the breath of the Almighty fills your lungs as well – and to view this both in pride and humility. If you share the experiences and blessings of the Lord to other, and speak wisely of His word, you’re helping share with others the deliverance the Lord provides. But on the other side of this responsibility, James 3:2 says “For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.” Through this chapter, James speaks of the destructive capabilities of the tongue, how it is “a fire, a world of unrighteousness.” The same tongue that we can use to proclaim Godly wisdom, when used in sinful fits, can cause immeasurable harm to those around us. How do you wield your tongue? Does your mouth metaphorically sling spiritual fire and unrighteousness, causing harm to those around you? Or do your words reflect the righteousness and understanding of He who grants you each breath? Each breath that leaves your mouth has been put there by God, so how could we use that breath to show gratitude by speaking confidently and joyously about Him?

Today, let us reflect on both of these ideas: that the wisdom the Lord fills us with can surely be trusted, to speak holy truths confidently; and how we handle the same mouths that speak truth when sin leads us to do otherwise. In both of these, pray for trust in the Lord, that your words could reflect His truths naturally and thankfully.