Showing posts with label King Christ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label King Christ. Show all posts

Monday 6 April 2020

Not daring to show a connection

For several sorts of Christians Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1-11).

Palm Sunday is the day that they celebrate Jesus in his humble glory riding a donkey into the city of David, as the crowds and children cry out,
“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9; ESV).
 At that time lots of people gathered to shout and to welcome Jesus as their special guest. The Vip of his time got the crowds throwing palm branches on the path before him to celebrate him as their approaching King (Matthew 21:8), who came to bring lasting peace and gracious justice.

Peace and justice still did not come to the world. A few days later many of those welcoming that king could have also been in the crowd shouting to kill that Nazarene man. Glory often is just for a short time. Thankfulness is also not for a long time. We can wonder where all those people were at that moment Jesus was presented to the public as a big criminal. Jesus ad helped so many people. Jesus also had inspired so many and had shown to all around him that he was a man of peace and not of war.

Suddenly not many seemed to remember what he had done. Many also out of fear, even a close disciple as Peter did not dare to let others know that he knew Christ or was for that man.

Also today there are lots of people who not dare the outer world to show they have an interest in that Nazarene teacher or that they believe in the same God as that Jewish man worshipped. Jesus did not worship himself (what he would have done when he is God) but worshipped the God of Israel, Who is a Singular eternal all-knowing Spirit Being.

These coming days are again days that God requests to show faithfulness to Him and His commandments. One of those requirements is to come together and to remember the exodus from Egypt and the other is to remember Jesus commemorating that event and installing a new exodus, namely the exit of the curse of death. In the upper room in Jerusalem Jesus came together with his disciples and installed the New Covenant. He asked to remember that night and that is what we should do. It is also a sign of willingness to be under that New Covenant.

Though we may not mix with a lot of people and are requested to stay home, that should not hinder us to feel united even though it is via an internet connection.

I sincerely hope we shall be able to find many brethren and sisters uniting and sharing their Memorial Meeting with others around the world.

In case we have contact by internet, via Face Time or other means, do not hesitate to mention this coming Wednesday as a special day. Keep witnessing along the virtual way, now we can not do it with direct human contact.

+

Find also to read:

  1. Only once and with consequences
  2. When Belonging to the escaped ones gathering in Jesus name
  3. Dark times looking like death is around the corner – but Light given to us
  4. In a time when we must remain in our place
  5. First time since Nazi time no public gathering
  6. No idea yet for 14 Nisan or April the 8th in 2020 Corona crisis time
  7. Only a few days left before 14 Nisan
  8. A meal as a mitzvah so that every generation would remember
  9. A Passover for unity in God’s community
  10. A virtual Seder this Wednesday, April 8 from 6.30 p.m.
  11. To turn the world into a “vessel” receptive of God
  12. The Application of the New Covenant 


Monday 18 June 2018

To sacrifice our being for Christ

The Nazarene Jew Jeshua (Jesus Christ) put his own will aside and offered himself as a lamb for God, as a ransom for us all.

Now time has come that we should also let him and his heavenly Father see Who we want to follow and Who we want to have as our God. Jesus showed his love for his God, Who is the Only One God of Israel, the God of Abraham. He asked his followers to become one with his God like he is one with Jehovah God. Coming closer to the time of Great Tribulation it is time to show the world to who you want to belong. It is high time to show the world for what you care and what or whom you love.

Did you ever ask yourself for whom you would risk everything?

Today we still face this materialistic world. But we should know that time for this world is limited. Today there are still many people, kings, presidents, ministers, as leaders demanding people to follow them and who reign their country as if it belongs to them. But everything on earth belongs to the Divine Creator. When he created this world He had a purpose for it and it shall become a reality whatever man may try to do.

In the New Testament we do find Jesus telling many stories in the form of parables which should open our eyes and should let us think about the reign to come and to look for. He talks about a realm of heaven and calls us to put our hands to work and help get the ground prepared to receive the love of God.He gives many examples how faith without works is dead and how we should be careful not to loose the entrance to the Kingdom of God by not living up to God's Wishes or not fulfilling God's commandments.

When looking at the Scriptures we can see how we are challenged to train our eyes to look beyond the problems and to see the promises of the world around us. And we have been told, repeatedly, that the “reign of heaven” is small, even hidden, but it is always at work. We are called to look for the hidden treasure and to go for Biblical truth and not to be of this world, loving all those materialist and perischable treasures.

Look around us we should see what is good and what is bad and learn from it. Though there are many who think by the death of Christ everybody is saved and does not have to do anything any-more, we should know that we for sure still have to do a lot of work. Every day we should work at ourself. Every hour of the day we should try to build up our Christlike character. that shall not so easy as so many think. It demands an effort. 

Jesus asks us to come together and to meet each-other regularly to study the Word of God and to praise the Most High. Together we should form a unit, giving ourself as inhabitant of the realm of Christ. As partakers of his spiritual Body, we should feel united and work to keep everything around us pure and 'sanctified'.
Every one of the partakers of the Body of Christ should be wiling to give himself or herself to Christ Jesus, putting the own selfish I away. 


Each person on this earth should be looking for the hidden treasures of God and should know that the “reign of heaven” is like a discovery that disrupts all other priorities, and those who make the discoveries have their entire lives shaped by them. 

Those who love Jesus and want to have a good relationship with him and his heavenly Father should be prepared to put the earthly wishes aside and go for heavenly treasures. They should not be afraid for those of the world who do not want to know about God and who would laugh at those who want to give their life to God. But those who know better shall be happy to give their life to the One God and to present themselves as sons of the realm. For it is in the believe in Jesus that we want to go as partakers of the Body of Christ, willing to unite in his Church, which is the Church of God.

With the knowledge that there is the Unseen God Who has prepared the unseen realm and shall present the earthly realm to mankind, to those who are ready for it, we may have the assurance in the hope that one day the world shall have to face that reality of the Great Kingdom, which shall go above all kingdoms of the world.

Giving ourselves to Christ shall make our union sealed and secure.

Sunday 9 October 2016

Not fear or dread or blind compulsion





"... when all is said and done, the true motive for getting things into the right perspective is not fear or dread or blind compulsion.
It is the master principle of love.

People give the Truth top priority because they love it.
Any other motive will fail and eventually the disciple becomes disgruntled and half-hearted.
But when they are love-impulsed, and inspired by what the King has done for our sakes,
they favour his cause gladly, happy to be his bond-servants and heavily weighted in his favour.
They are not dragging themselves after him, resentful and lukewarm.
They follow him with joy and give him their allegiance in the everyday things of the Truth without demur.
Loyal for love’s sake: this is the true perspective."

- Dennis Gillett


+++

Monday 18 March 2013

The meek one riding on an ass

In several denominations of Christendom they look forward to Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.

In the Catholic faith some still do know Lent and fast a few day, instead of the forty days of our childhood.
For all Christians the coming days should be days of reflection. It should be a time where people think about the moral and spiritual effect of forgiveness and reconciliation with God.

In the old times offers where brought to God and in certain Christian denomination time was also taken to bring offers in those forty days leading up to Easter Sunday. But no human or animal sacrifices are required or requested by God: it is sufficient that his Son died once and for all on the wooden stake. It is not necessary for us to kill anyone or anything in order to please God.

Palm Sunday will be, for many Christians, the beginning of what they consider the holiest week of the year.
After the ministry of Christ Jesus in and around Perea and after the mother of Zebedee asked Jesus to grant  her sons a place next to him in his Kingdom, Jesus had told her that it was not up to him to grant a place on his right or left, but that those places belong to his Father.

20   then the mother of Zebedee’s children came to him with her sons, worshiping and desiring a certain thing from him. 21  and he said to her, what do you desire? she said to him, grant that these my two sons may sit in your kingdom, the one on your right hand and the other on the left. 22  but jesus answered and said, you do not know what you ask. are you able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? they said to him, we are able. 23  and he said to them, you shall indeed drink of my cup and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give, but to those for whom it has been prepared by my father.” (Matthew 20:20-23 MKJV)


From Jericho Jesus approached Jerusalem, they came to Beit-Pagei (or Bethphage) on the mount of olives. Jeshua sent two talmidim with instructions to go into the village ahead of them and to bring him the donkey with its colt they found there. Jesus in order to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet went riding humbly on a donkey, and on a colt, the offspring of a beast of burden.



1   and when they drew near Jerusalem (Jerushalayim), and had come to Bethphage, to the mount of olives, then jesus sent two disciples, 2  saying to them, go into the village across from you. and immediately you will find an ass tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3  and if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, the lord has need of them, and immediately he will send them. 4  all this was done so that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5  tell the daughter of Zion, behold, your king comes to you, meek, and sitting on an ass, even a colt the foal of an ass.” (Matthew 21:1-5 MKJV)
Statue of Christ Riding on the Ass About 1480 ...
Statue of Christ Riding on the Ass About 1480 Southern Germany (possibly Ulm) Limewood and pine, painted and gilded This popular type of sculpture, known as a \'Palmesel\' or \'Palm Donkey\', represented Christ during religious services around Easter. On Palm Sunday it was drawn through the streets to commemmorate his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Bequeathed by capt. H.B. Murray (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Palm Sunday gets its name from the next event, when Jesus enter the district not on foot – his usual means of transport – but on the back of a donkey. A very great multitude spread their garments in the path; while others cut branches from trees and spread them on the road. There were multitudes that went before, and that followed him, who cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord Jehovah; Hosanna in the highest.
English: Description: Left Apsis: Jesus enteri...
English: Description: Left Apsis: Jesus entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Fresco in the Parish Church of Zirl, Austria. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)



8  and a very great crowd spread their garments in the way. others cut down branches from the trees and spread them in the way. 9  and the crowds who went before, and those who followed, cried out, saying, Hosanna to the son of David! blessed is he who comes in the name of the lord! Hosanna in the highest! 10  and when he had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, who is this? 11  and the crowd said, this is jesus the prophet, from Nazareth of Galilee. 12   and jesus went into the temple of god and cast out all those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of those who sold doves.” (Matthew 21:8-12 MKJV)

So before Jesus entered the house of God, the holy temple, he was welcomed as a king. But soon his position became questioned by the chief priests.


23  and when he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, by what authority do you do these things? and who gave you this authority? 24  and jesus answered and said to them, I will also ask you one thing; which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25  the baptism of John, where was it from? from heaven or from men? and they reasoned within themselves, saying, if we shall say, from heaven, he will say to us, why then did you not believe him? 26  but if we shall say from men, we fear the people; for all consider John as a prophet. 27  and they answered jesus and said, we cannot tell. and he said to them, neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.” (Matthew 21:23-27 MKJV)

We do not know the judgement of Jehovah. (Jeremiah 8:7) and like in Jesus time today many so called wise man and theologians have turned away from the word of Jehovah; and what wisdom is in them? (Jeremiah 8:9)  The law of truth was in Jesus his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips.His words were written down by his talmidim and it are those gospels from those disciples we should also take at heart.

Many Christians have like the Pharisees, priests and people in Jesus's time departed from the way; and have caused many to stumble at the law. (Malachi 2:8)

28  and even as they did not think fit to have god in their knowledge, god gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do the things not right, 29  being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; being full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit, evil habits, becoming whisperers, 30  backbiters, haters of god, insolent, proud, braggarts, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31  undiscerning, perfidious, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32  who, knowing the righteous order of god, that those practicing such things are worthy of death, not only do them, but have pleasure in those practicing them.” (Romans 1:28-32 MKJV)
Many did forget who is really King and who is really God. Many made themselves several gods and several kings. Others say they have one god and one king but who is thee gods, God the Father, god the son and God the Holy Spirit. they forget that God can not be tempted and can not die. Because the man of flesh and blood who entered the gates of Jerusalem as a king seated on a donkey, was Jeshua, who had been tempted many times and who was soon going to be tortured until death.

The Messiah Asserts his authority over Jerusalem. Jesus’ authority over Jerusalem is revealed in his triumphal entry (Matthew 21:1–11), actions in the temple (Matthew 21:12–17), cursing the fig tree (Matthew 21:18–22), debates with religious leaders (Matthew 21:23–22:46), and woes pronounced on the teachers of the law and the Pharisees (Matthew 23:1–39).

The disciples of Christ noticed how there were many controversies in the Temple Court over Jesus’ authority. On Tuesday of Holy Week, Jesus presents three extended parables showing God’s judgement on the leaders for not encouraging the people to accept Jesus’ invitation to the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 21:28–22:14). This is followed by a series of four interactions as the religious leaders try to trap Jesus, who in turn reveals his true identity as the Son of God (Matthew 22:15–46).

We may look at king Christ, the one who has received the keys of the Kingdom from his Father until he will return the Kingdom back to the most High.

Do we want to accept that ruler and take him for what he really was and is? Or do we want to stay blind and fill in our own worldly idea of a kingdom and a king?

Are we willing to accept that this man, send from God, a prophet and messenger from God, was loving his Father so much that he was willing to obey Him even into death? And that after he died he was made higher by his Father to become mediator between God and man, being the high-priest seated in the heaven at the right hand of God. His throne is called the “throne of grace” which believers can approach with confidence through faith in the once-for-all sacrifice Jesus made on the stake. We are no longer limited to worshipping God in the earthly tabernacle (temple), but we can worship Him through the spiritual tabernacle of our bodies accessing the heavenly tabernacle in heaven.

And these coming days we can remember how Jesus in the upperroom and in the garden of olives said praise to his Father. How he intensely prayed to the most High.

It is in these coming days that we do remember how Jesus came together with his disciples to have a meal of remembrance in honour of what God had given unto the world and for remembering the New Covenant sealed by Jesus his death.
Through Christ, we can now serve our God through our faith in Jesus Christ the Messiah and by proclaiming our hope in the coming Kingdom. We know that it is thanks to God that the offer of Jeshua, Jesus Christ we are saved and that he has called us and made us into a kingdom of priests under the new and eternal covenant.

Do we want our ears tickled and hold fast on false teachings and on Easter traditions of the world? Or are we willing to take this time in consideration to think about the role the Jew Jeshua  (Jesus Christ) played?

 

Enhanced by Zemanta