{"id":233,"date":"2009-11-13T10:17:12","date_gmt":"2009-11-13T16:17:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/buddymartin.net\/blog\/?p=233"},"modified":"2020-01-10T17:20:48","modified_gmt":"2020-01-10T17:20:48","slug":"jesus-the-wonder-and-mystery-of-the-bible","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buddymartin.org\/blog\/2009\/11\/13\/jesus-the-wonder-and-mystery-of-the-bible\/","title":{"rendered":"Jesus, the wonder and mystery of the Bible…"},"content":{"rendered":"
\t\t\t\tJournal,<\/p>\n
\u201cOPEN MY EYES, THAT I MAY BEHOLD WONDERFUL THINGS FROM YOUR LAW.\u201d (Psalm 119:18 NASB)<\/div>\n
Keep in mind that the focus in these sessions centers on learning to walk with God. In our first session we talked about JESUS as the WORD of GOD. In this session we will pick up with that same thought. It is important to understand why the apostolic writer tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus. He explains by saying that JESUS is the author and the perfecter \u00a0of our faith. He12:2<\/div>\n
Another way of saying \u2018author and perfecter,\u2019 is, \u2018the beginning and the end.\u2019 The expression, \u2018fixing our eyes,\u2019 in the Greek literally means to look away from everything that distracts. Fixing our eyes on JESUS is the premier principle of a walk of faith.<\/div>\n
There is no question that CHRIST JESUS is the great wonder and mystery of the Bible. In one place His name is actually called, \u2018Wonderful Counselor.\u2019<\/div>\n
In this study we want to take a deeper look into this intriguing mystery of GOD\u2019S MESSIAH, or the Man that every believer can easily call, \u2018Wonderful\u2019. \u00a0Let\u2019s pick up where we left off in our last session.<\/div>\n
I \u2013 Jesus: The Word of God<\/div>\n
1. <\/span>When JESUS rebuked the winds and the sea and they became calm, the disciples were amazed. They said, \u201cWhat kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?\u201d (Matt8:27)<\/div>\n
What great lesson does \u2018Jesus calming the sea\u2019 teach us about Jesus, and\/or about our walk with God?<\/div>\n
2. <\/span>All that JESUS did was in one way or another to fulfill prophecy. On calming the seas, it says in Psalm 107:28,29, \u201cThen they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distresses. He caused the storm to be still, so that the waves of the sea were hushed.\u201d<\/div>\n
Why is it so important to tie Jesus in with Old Testament prophecy?<\/div>\n
3. <\/span>The Bible is story of GOD\u2019S MESSIAH. Consider these Scriptures taken from the book of Matthew: MATT. 1:21-23; 2:14,15; 2:22,23; 4:13-16; 8:16,17; 13:34,35; 21:2-5; 26:53,54,56.<\/div>\n
II \u00a0– Jesus: The Form of God<\/div>\n
1. <\/span>That the MESSIAH would also be GOD was written beforehand. So we read, \u201cFor a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, MIGHTY GOD, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace\u2026\u201d (Isa 9:6) \u2013 Eternal Father can literally be translated as \u2018Father of eternity.\u2019<\/div>\n
2. <\/span>How can JESUS be the Almighty GOD in the earth, while the highest heavens cannot contain GOD? The issue is that GOD does not exist in time and space. GOD is one Being, yet He manifests Himself in more than one way. This has always been a mystery to be understood with the heart and not the head. Cf. Zech12:10; Hosea 5:15; 6:1-3.<\/div>\n
This is where Hebraic thought form is so important to Christians. Christianity is not a western religion. The Bible we use is a Hebrew document. The apostles were Hebrew men. The language of the Bible is Hebraic from start to finish.<\/div>\n
3. <\/span>The ancients taught a mystery in GOD that could only be expressed as GOD coming forth from GOD. This coming forth from GOD was called \u2018The Word of GOD,\u2019 \u2018the Image of GOD\u2019, \u2018the Form of GOD\u2019, \u2018the Glory\u2019, \u00a0\u2018the Word of the LORD,\u2019 \u2018the Wisdom,\u2019 \u2018the Son,\u2019 or, \u2018the Light of GOD.\u2019 Each of these expressions has a counterpart in the New Testament.<\/div>\n
Consider just a few of them.<\/div>\n
a. <\/span> Form of GOD: New Testament – Phil2:6. Compare Numbers 12:6-8; Lev16:2<\/div>\n
b. <\/span> Glory of GOD: New Testament \u2013 1Co2:6-8; John 1:14. Compare Eze11:22,23.<\/div>\n
(The Jews have a tradition that says the Glory of God rested on the Mount of Olives and wept. Is there any counterpart to this in the New Testament.<\/div>\n
c. <\/span>Wisdom of GOD: New Testament \u2013 1Co1:30; 2:7; Mt11:19; 13:43. Compare: Pro8:1-8<\/div>\n
d. <\/span>Son of GOd \u2013 Compare Psalm2:12; Pro30:2-4<\/div>\n
So, was Christ pre-existent? Cf. Micah 5:2; John 17:1-5; Heb. 1:8-12; 11:24-27.<\/div>\n
Did God\u2019s people have experiences with Christ in the Old Testament? Genesis 32:24-29; \u00a0Judges 13:18.<\/div>\n
III \u2013 Jesus: The Redeemer<\/div>\n
1. <\/span>Job said, \u201cAs for me, I know my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth. Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God; whom I myself shall behold, and whom my eyes shall see and not another. My heart faints within me.\u201d (Job 19:25-27)<\/div>\n
Notice Job called his Redeemer, GOD. This is one of the clearest testimonies to the faith of GOD\u2019S ancient people. Job must have had a revelation of who the Redeemer would really be. How did GOD redeem us?<\/div>\n
2. <\/span>The wonder of the incarnation. The blood that ran through JESUS\u2019 veins was GOD\u2019S blood. (Cf. Acts 20:28.) Notice how the book of Revelation closes with a picture of the heavenly throne. It says, \u201cThen he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb.\u201d (Notice there is only one throne.)<\/div>\n
3. <\/span>The ancient faith of GOD\u2019S people rested on a promise made in the garden. One day a SON would be born to the human family. This SON would break Satan\u2019s power. They believed that this SON would be divine. (Thus the afore testimony of Job.)<\/div>\n
Paul said that had the rulers understood GOD\u2019S wisdom, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1Co2:7,8) John said JESUS was the WORD of GOD manifest in human form. Both the Greeks and the Hebrews had a concept of GOD\u2019S activity in the earth and in creation. Greeks used the term \u2018LOGOS.\u2019 The Hebrews used the term \u2018MEMRA.\u2019<\/div>\n
4. <\/span>Ancient \u00a0Jewish sages saw the MESSIAH in all the Scriptures. The \u2018wind\u2019 on the surface of the deep in creation was the SPIRIT of MESSIAH.<\/div>\n
They also said that the \u2018Light\u2019 that was manifest at creation was the life of MESSIAH, that is, the wisdom men were to walk in. Because of sin this LIGHT became hidden. It was taught that the light would come back with MESSIAH. JESUS said, \u201cI am the light of the world, he who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.\u201d (John 8:12)<\/div>\n
5. <\/span>How does this light manifest for believers? Paul said, \u201cFor God who said, \u2018Light shall shine out of darkness,\u2019 is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels\u2026\u201d (2Co4:6,7)<\/div>\n
When a person becomes a true believer, there is a work of the Spirit in opening that person\u2019s spiritual eyes. Every true believer has the capacity to walk in the light of JESUS. The born-from-above believer is given \u2018sight\u2019 by which he or she sees beyond the boundaries of the natural. This is why Paul said, \u201cWhile we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.\u201d (2Co4:18)<\/div>\n
6. <\/span>When JESUS walked on the waters, we hear Him saying to the frightened disciples, \u201cTake courage, it is I; do not be afraid.\u201d (Matt14:25-26)<\/div>\n
What was the purpose behind JESUS walking on the waters? This was again to reveal to His disciples who He really was. Job 9:8, says, \u201c[God] alone stretches out the heavens and tramples down the waves of the sea.\u201d It says that when He got in their boat, \u201cAnd those who were in the boat worshipped Him, saying, \u2018You are certainly God\u2019s Son.\u201d (Matt14:33)<\/div>\n
So, what do you think about the man called \u2018Wonderful\u2019?<\/div>\n
David said, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law.”<\/span><\/em> (Psalm 119:18 NASB)<\/p>\n
'And Let all the angels of God worship Him.'<\/p><\/div>\n
In another place, David said, “Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory.” <\/span><\/em>(Ps63:2)<\/p>\n
Who was it that David saw? I believe David saw the Lord Jesus before He took on the form of man.\u00a0David actually called the preincarnate Jesus, his Lord.<\/p>\n
Sound strange? The religious leaders in Israel said that the Messiah would be the Son of David, that is, He would be of the lineage of David. But Jesus brought something to their attention that caught them off guard.<\/p>\n
Listen:<\/p>\n
[Jesus] “What do you think about the Christ, whose son is He?<\/span><\/p>\n
[Religious leaders] “The son of David.”<\/span><\/p>\n
[Jesus] “Then how does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord’, saying, ‘The Lord [Yahweh] said to my Lord [Adoni], ‘Sit at My right hand, until I put Your enemies beneath Your feet ‘ If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his son?” <\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Did you catch it? David called the preincarnate Christ Jesus, his Lord. Adoni (or Adonay) literally means ‘my Lord.’ Adonay is a masculine noun that speaks exclusively of God. It is used when directing attention to the supreme authority and power of God.<\/p>\n
On the day of Pentecost, which by the way was both the birthday of the new covenant church, and the coronation day of Jesus, that is, \u00a0the day He received His kingdom in its present form, Peter took note of Psalm 110:1, and said this was the Father speaking to the Son.<\/p>\n
Yes indeed…<\/p>\n
Jesus is the great wonder and mystery of the Bible…<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
In one place His name is actually called, \u2018Wonderful Counselor.\u2019<\/p>\n
"To Him who rides upon the highest heavens, which are from ancient times; behold, He speaks forth with His voice, a mighty voice." Ps68:33<\/p><\/div>\n
Jesus rebuked the winds and the waves they became calm. The disciples said, \u201cWhat kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?\u201d<\/span><\/em> (Matt8:27)<\/p>\n
What kind of man is Jesus indeed. Everything that Jesus did during His life on earth pretty much told us what kind of Man He was and is. Psalm 107:28,29, says, \u201cThen they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distresses. He caused the storm to be still, so that the waves of the sea were hushed.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n
That the Messiah would also be God, was written beforehand by Moses and the prophets. Isaiah wrote,\u00a0\u201cFor a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/em> (Isa 9:6) (Eternal Father can also be translated as \u2018Father of eternity.\u2019)<\/p>\n
So a question remains. How can Jesus be the Almighty God in the earth, when the highest heavens and all of eternity cannot contain God? And if Jesus is the Almighty God, why did He speak of the Father being in heaven?<\/p>\n
This is where Hebraic thought form is so important to Christians.<\/p>\n
Christianity is not a western religion. <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
The Bible we use is a Hebrew document. The apostles were Hebrew men. The language of the Bible is Hebraic from start to finish. And unless we have some concept of the Hebrew thought form of the Bible, we are going to come short of some of the most beautiful truths to be realized.<\/p>\n
The ancients taught that there was a mystery in God that could only be expressed as God coming forth from God. This coming forth from God was called \u2018The Word of God,\u2019 \u2018the Image of God\u2019, \u2018the Form of God\u2019, \u2018the Glory\u2019, \u00a0\u2018the Word of the Lord,\u2019 \u2018the Wisdom,\u2019 \u2018the Son,\u2019 and, \u2018the Light of God.\u2019 Each of these expressions has a counterpart in the New Testament if we know where to find them.<\/p>\n
Consider just a few (You may want to get your Bible for a look see):<\/p>\n
\n
Form of GOD: New Testament – Phil2:6. Compare Numbers 12:6-8; Lev16:2<\/li>\n
Glory of GOD: New Testament \u2013 1Co2:6-8; John 1:14. Compare Eze11:22,23.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
(The ancients had a legend that said when the Glory of God left Solomon’s temple, it rested on the Mount of Olives and wept for three years. Based on Ezekiel 11:22,23. Is there any counterpart to this idea of God weeping in the New Testament. Think about it.)<\/p>\n
\n
Wisdom of GOD: New Testament \u2013 1Co1:30; 2:7; Mt11:19; 13:43. Compare: Pro8:1-8<\/li>\n
Son of GOd \u2013 Compare Psalm2:12; Pro30:2-4<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
So, was Christ pre-existent with the Father?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
Micah 5:2 says, “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathat, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.”<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son..." (Jn 3:16)<\/p><\/div>\n
Then we have John 17:4,5: “I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.”<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n
How about this statement that Jesus made to His disciples: “What then if you see the Son of Man ascended to where He was before?” <\/span><\/em>(Jn6:62)<\/p>\n
Did God\u2019s people have experiences with Christ in the Old Testament?<\/p>\n
Job said, \u201cAs for me, I know my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth. Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God; whom I myself shall behold, and whom my eyes shall see and not another. My heart faints within me.\u201d<\/span><\/em> (Job 19:25-27)<\/p>\n
Notice Job called his Redeemer, God. This is one of the clearest testimonies to the faith of God’s ancient people. Job must have had a revelation of who the Redeemer would really be.<\/p>\n
The blood that ran through the veins of Jesus was God’s blood. Then notice how the book of Revelation closes with a picture of the heavenly throne. It says, \u201cThen he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
Notice there is only one throne, but it is called the throne of God and of the Lamb. Somehow God is the Lamb, and the Lamb is God. And yet in this one Scripture we see three aspects of the eternal God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the ‘water of life,’ which speaks of the presence of God Himself.<\/p>\n
The ancient faith of God’s people rested on a promise made in the garden. One day a Son would be born to the human family. This Son would break Satan\u2019s power. They believed that this Son would be divine. (Thus the afore testimony of Job.)<\/p>\n
Paul said that had the rulers understood God’s wisdom, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. John said Jesus is the Word of God manifest in human form. Both the Greeks and the Hebrews had a concept of God’s activity in the earth and in creation. The Greeks used the term \u2018Logos.\u2019 The Hebrews used the term \u2018Memra.\u2019<\/p>\n
The wind on the surface of the deep…<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
The Jewish sages saw the Messiah in all the Scriptures. The \u2018wind\u2019 on the surface of the deep in creation was the Spirit of Messiah. They also said that the \u2018Light\u2019 that was manifest at creation was the life of Messiah, but that this Light became hidden because of the sin of Adam. The Light would only be found again when Messiah came.<\/p>\n
Any Hebrew person would have understood what Jesus meant, when He said,\u00a0\u201cI am the light of the world, he who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.\u201d<\/span><\/em> (John 8:12)<\/p>\n
<\/span>How does this light manifest for believers? Paul said, \u201cFor God who said, \u2018Light shall shine out of darkness,\u2019 is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/em> (2Co4:6,7)<\/p>\n
Every true believer has the capacity to walk in the light of Jesus, by learning to fix his eyes on Jesus. This is why Paul said, \u201cWhile we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.\u201d<\/span><\/em> (2Co4:18)<\/p>\n
When Jesus walked on the waters, we hear Him saying to the frightened disciples, \u201cTake courage, it is I; do not be afraid.\u201d <\/span><\/em>(Matt14:25-26)<\/p>\n
What was the purpose behind Jesus walking on the waters? \u00a0Job 9:8, says, \u201c[God] alone stretches out the heavens and tramples down the waves of the sea.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n
When Jesus got into the boat, it says, \u201cAnd those who were in the boat worshipped Him, saying, \u2018You are certainly God\u2019s Son.\u201d<\/span><\/em> (Matt14:33)<\/p>\n
So, what do you think about this wonder and mystery of the Bible. While you are think about it, listen to this song:<\/p>\n
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