Bring Them Here To Me

Matthew 14:17-18 ESV

17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.”

I am reminded that four is the number of earth. Adding one, the number of God, makes five. God comes to us and becomes the bread of life. The Devine and only Son of God is joined with creation. 

The two fish remind me of the Jews and Gentiles, two representing the difference between the two, yet they swim in the same sea. 

Jesus blesses them, lifting them to heaven. The loaves are multiplied until the crowd is full. 

Jesus said something similar concerning little children.

Let them come to me. 

Biblical

There is no such thing as a non-Biblical Christian. If someone does not believe the Bible, then they are not Christian. What a person believes may differ from another, but in the end it is between that person and Jesus Christ. 
Christ will judge no matter what you believe, as it is written.

It Has Been Given

Matthew 13:10-13 ESV

10 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.

Until the Spirit opens their eyes and ears, no one sees or hears. That is done when they believe and are given the Spirit. Having the Spirit they can receive more. Without the Spirit they receive nothing.  

Amazed

Acts 13:12 ESV

12 Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord.

KJV

12  Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished...

Believing, he was shaken loose from the world's pull, the gravity of self. A new world was opened up, the kingdom of God. He was awaken from the slumber of sin which is death. He felt the sword of the word which can penetrate the hardest of hearts.

[ ppmp G1605 ἐκπλήσσω * ekplēssō * ek-place'-so * From G1537 and G4141; to strike with astonishment: - amaze, astonish. [LEX] Not found. [TGD] ἐκπλήσσω 

ekplēssō 

Thayer Definition: 

1) to strike out, expel by a blow, drive out or away

2) to cast off by a blow, to drive out

2a) commonly, to strike one out of self-possession, to strike with panic, shock, astonish

3) to be struck with amazement, astonished, amazed

Did Not See Corruption

Acts 13:36-37 ESV

36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, 37 but he whom God raised up did not see corruption.

Sin brought death, corruption entered creation. God raised the sinless one from death on our behalf to an incorruptible state we one day will share. He does not sleep. 

Some of us won't either when He comes. 

Even If One Tells It To You

Acts 13:40-41 ESV

40 Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about:

41 “‘Look, you scoffers,

be astounded and perish;

for I am doing a work in your days,

a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’”

Those who dismiss the good news now will be astounded by the truth only when it is too late. 

Inspiration

Inspiration by the Spirit of Scripture is not a one-time event. The same Holy Spirit breathes into our reading of Scripture. That is why it is the living word and brings us to salvation. 

Without the Holy Spirit, it is just words. Ask anyone to confirm this. Those with the Spirit know this to be true. Those without the Spirit will say it doesn't make sense or apply. 

To Lead Him By The Hand

Acts 13:9-11 ESV

9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand.

Crooked is the path that is not the Lord's. We are to help others get on the right path. Sometimes we have to take their hand to help or be helped.  

The Holy Spirit Fell

Acts 10:42-44 ESV

42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. ” 

44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 

Cornelius worshipped the Lord before he was given the Holy Spirit. Hearing the word, and upon believing the word, the Spirit came to him and his household.

As the Spirit descended upon Jesus upon His baptism in the water of the Jordon, so does the Spirit descend upon those who are washed in the word.

Has Made Clean

Acts 10:12-16 ESV

12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat. ” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean. ” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common. ” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven. 

Jesus asked Peter whether he loved Him. He did this three times, and at each yes, Jesus said feed my sheep. This included flocks unknown to to the Jews, that is the Gentiles. Peter will have to get out of the boat again and walk on water to do so. 

The divine number three is stamped on this revelation. In Peter's vision the sheet comes down three times. Three men call from the gate for Peter to come. The visions came at the sixth and ninth hours. Six disciples accompany Peter.

Willing To Accept It

Matthew 11:13-15 ESV

13   For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15   He who has ears to hear, let him hear. 

John was different. His role was to prepare the way, rather than just prophesy. The time had come. 

It is the truth, but we have to be willing to accept it. 

Our notions and thinking about what God is doing and is going to do are often taken by surprise by what He does. 

Brought Him To Antioch

Acts 11:25 ESV

25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,

26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

Paul was led to Damascus to receive his sight. Barnabus brings Paul to the first church of the Gentiles that he would share his insight. Jesus said He would show Paul what to do. 

He Will Tell Us

John 4:25-26 ESV

25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.”

26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”

I AM He. Was, is, and is to be. He is all things for He is the beginning and the end.

So He told us. 

εἰμί * eimi * i-mee' * First person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist (used only when emphatic): - am, have been, X it is I, was.

Different Directions

Genesis 11:2 NASB

2 And as they journeyed , they found a plain (valley) in the land of Shinar, and they settled and dwelt there.

Genesis 11:2 ESV

2 And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.

Different translations have the people either traveling east or from the east. The NIV has them headed east. The NASB does not include a direction. Must be evidence that translators come from different directions.

qedem qêdmâh * keh'-dem, kayd'-maw * From H6923; the front, of palce (absolutely the fore part, relatively the East) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward):

The Sons Of Men

Genesis 11:5 AMP

5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built.

Jesus called Himself the Son of Man. He had entered fully into the flesh of man with all its weakness and temptations, fully us. 

We did not have to build anything to get to Him. He came for us.

It is a good thing, because we couldn't build a tower high enough.

Only The Beginning

Genesis 11:6 AMP

6 And the Lord said, Behold, they are one people and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do, and now nothing they have imagined they can do will be impossible for them.

Men are prone to vain imaginings. Perhaps God in His wisdom did this, not to frustrate man, but for man's benefit. 

What God Has Cleansed

Acts 10:15-16 EVS

15 Again a voice came to him a second time, “ What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.”

16 This happened three times, and immediately the object was taken up into the sky.

No longer would the people of Israel be the God's only holy people. 

We are cleansed. We will be changed and lifted up. It has begun.

Midst Of Wolves

Matthew 10:16 NASB

16 “ Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.

We are later warned of wolves in sheep's clothing in our houses of worship. We don't have to travel far to view wildlife, for the wolves are here.

Who Feared God

Acts 10:1-2 NASB

1 Now there was a man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort,

2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually.

He was a Gentile that feared God and recognized God's people. God answered his prayers because of this. It is the same today.

Seeing No One

Acts 9:7 ESV

7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.

Acts 9:8

8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.

Saul heard and understood the voice while those around him could not. They heard the voice, but did not see the light. His eyes could no longer see this world, but he was ready for the light, having seen the light. His companions would have to lead him on by the hand. After his sight was restored, he began to view things in a much different way. He would lead them.

Go Over

Acts 8:29 ESV

29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.”

The Spirit didn't say why, just go. When Philip got there he did what he found to do. The same Spirit guided him. God moves and speaks the same way today. Sometimes we don't know why but we have to go. Not everyone gets the same call, or at the same time. Philip went by himself, but with the Spirit.

Who Dwell On Earth

Revelation 13:7-9 ESV

7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, 8 and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear: 

The beast is coming, prowling like a roaring lion, seeking to kill the offspring of the seed of the woman. On eagles wings we are bourne, if we are reborn into the Father's house, the kingdom of God. 

Those dwelling on and in earth will worship the beast. 

Choose this day. 

Suffer

Acts 9:15-16 ESV

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name. ” 

Suffer here means to be acted upon. God will show Paul what to do, his sacrifice for the Lord. No longer would he persecute Jesus, but proclaim Him. A cup poured out for Christ.

Jesus is our Paschal Lamb, the Suffering Servant, the Son Of God.

Suffer-Greek:

πάσχω, πάθω, πένθω * paschō pathō penthō * pas'-kho, path'-o, pen'-tho *

Yes Lord

Matthew 9:28-29 ESV

28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this? ” They said to him, “Yes, Lord. ” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you. ” 

Believing, their eyes were opened. 

Believing, our eyes are opened. 

They Were Awestruck

Matthew 9:8 ESV

8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

Matthew 9:8 NASB

8 But when the crowds saw this, they were awestruck, and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

Blessed are they who fear the Lord. It is the recognizing that God is God, giving glory to Him.  It is an awesome thing. 

Began

Genesis 9:20 ESV

20 Then Noah began farming and planted a vineyard.

Behind this word translated here as began is the idea of a decline, of a growing distance between Noah and God, between the sacred and profane. Noah begins with one thing that leads to another. First farming, then planting a vineyard, drinking of the wine and ending up drunk. Because he was drunk, he ended up in a shameful state. He then cursed his son who did not act wisely when encountering his shameful state. 

There some sense here of digging a hole and falling into it. 

And Noah began[ wcs,himf H2490 חלל * châlal * khaw-lal' * A primitive root (compare H2470); properly to bore, that is, (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin (as if by an opening-wedge); denominatively (from H2485) to play (the flute): - begin (X men began), defile, X break, defile, X eat (as common things), X first, X gather the grape thereof, X take inheritance, pipe, player on instruments, pollute, (cast as) profane (self), prostitute, slay (slain), sorrow, stain, wound.

Into The Pigs

Matthew 8:30-32 ESV

30 Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. 31 And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs. ” 32 And he said to them, “Go. ” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 

God gives those who reject Him over to their desires. They run together in a herd toward the sea of destruction. 

The prodigal son came to his senses when he found himself desiring the food of pigs.

As You Have Believed

Matthew 8:13 ESV

13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.

Jesus came down from the mountain, but unlike Moses who carried the the law written on stone, He was the law fulfilled. From His hands comes healing and restoration. In believing we are made whole. 

To And Fro

Genesis 8:6-7 ESV

6 At the end of forty days Noah opened the window of the ark that he had made 7 and sent forth a raven. It went to and fro until the waters were dried up from the earth. 

In Job, God asked Satan where he had been. To and fro was the reply. God sent forth the raven, and it did not come back. 

The Log

Matthew 7:3  ESV

3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

Our natural eyes are turned to see the outside world.  It takes different eyes to see within. There it is very dark. It's hard to see well without help. 

Depart From Me

Matthew 7:20-23 ESV

20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. 

21   “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22   On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name? ’ 23   And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness. ’ 

It doesn't matter what you say, but what you do and why. He tells us here He recognizes and looks for the fruit.  Working any other plan than His is not a good idea in the long run.

How Much More

Matthew 7:9-11 ESV

9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! 

The Father will not deny His children. 

But they who deny Him are not His children. They who seek other things are given over to those things, even though they end in death. 

Serve Somebody

Matthew 6:24 ESV

24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

As Bob Dylan said, "it may be the Devil, it may be the Lord but you're gonna serve somebody".

Sufficient

Matthew 6:34 ESV

34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Sometimes I am compelled to help tomorrow be anxious. Sometimes I just eat my daily bread. 

God is there all the time. 

With All Diligence

Ezra 6:13 ESV

13 Then, according to the word sent by Darius the king, Tattenai, the governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates did with all diligence what Darius the king had ordered.

The threat of being impaled can be powerful motivation. 

Obedient To The Faith

Acts 6:7 ESV

7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

As the word increases, that is received, so does the disciple and discipleship. Obedience to the word is the hallmark of faith. 

ὑπακούω * hupakouō * hoop-ak-oo'-o * From G5259 and G191; to hear under (as a subordinate), that is, to listen attentively; by implication to heed or conform to a command or authority: - hearken, be obedient to, obey.

To Fulfill Them

Matthew 5:17-19 ESV

17   “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19   Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 

The law embodies the Spirit of God, but its power had been weakened and made ineffective for salvation by man. We are freed from the judgment of the law because we can meet the requirements of the law through our faith in Jesus. He goes on to say the one who relaxes the least of the laws will be least in the kingdom of heaven. 

One of the purposes of the law was to allow us to approach God. Jesus makes that possible, thus fulfilling the law. 

The law is still the law of the kingdom. Jesus said all the law is contained in the commandment to love, the Father and each other. Love is the measure. 

Your Origin

Ezekiel 16:1-3 ESV

1 Again the word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, make known to Jerusalem her abominations, 3 and say, Thus says the Lord God to Jerusalem: Your origin and your birth are of the land of the Canaanites; your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite. 

This might give insight as to how Cain was able to find a wife in the land of Nod. Jerusalem may be said to symbolize His people. Likened to a child found discarded to die, but found, saved and made beautiful. Given life. 

Beyond The Jordan

Matthew 4:25 HCSB

25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

Jesus brought His ministry to Gentiles as well as Jews. Galilee was a mixed population. The Decapolis area was even more a home to Gentiles. 

A Mark On Cain

Genesis 4:15 HCSB

15 Then the Lord replied to him, “In that case, whoever kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” And He placed a mark on Cain so that whoever found him would not kill him.

Could this be a foreshadow of the mark of the beast, the way of Cain?

He knew of the one God, but was an unrepentant murderer. He left the presence of the Lord to dwell in the East. 

Lamech, a descendent, expressed the same vengeful, violent heart. At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord. How does He answer? What is acceptable to the Lord?

Cain killed his brother, whose worship was acceptable. His only sorrow seemed to be that his punishment was too much to him.  

By The Sweat Of Your Brow

Genesis 3:19 HCSB

19 You will eat bread by the sweat of your brow

until you return to the ground,

since you were taken from it.

For you are dust,

and you will return to dust.”

Adam is told he must earn his own bread now. He must work painfully to eat and live. His disobedience separated him from the bread of God. 

Jesus comes to offer the bread of life, manna from heaven. We can rise out of the dust, out of the mirey clay and stand on the Rock that is Christ. 

Knowing The Difference

Genesis 3:5-6 Amp

5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing the difference between good and evil and blessing and calamity.

6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good (suitable, pleasant) for food and that it was delightful to look at, and a tree to be desired in order to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she gave some also to her husband, and he ate.

Not understanding the difference between good and evil, Eve decided that the fruit was good. Before her eyes were opened, she saw the fruit as pleasing. She did this not knowing what she did, yet thinking she knew. 

Ignorance is like that. 

Trust in God and His word. 

Flaming, Whirling Sword

Genesis 3:24 HCSB

24 He drove man out and stationed the cherubim and the flaming, whirling sword east of the garden of Eden to guard the way to the tree of life.

It is from the East He will return. Jesus died for us on the mercy seat that is between the cherubim on the ark in heaven. He has opened the door back to the Garden, the way to the tree of life. The flaming sword of the cherubim has been replaced by the sword of His mouth, His words. 

Painful Labor

Genesis 3:17 HCSB

17 And He said to Adam, “Because you listened to your wife’s voice and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘Do not eat from it’:

The ground is cursed because of you.

You will eat from it by means of painful labor

all the days of your life.

The word Hebrew word for labor here has the same root as the word for labor concerning childbirth concerning Eve. Both will painfully labor as a result of disobedience, Eve as she brings forth a child from the dust of man, and Adam as he toils in the fields of life. 

So I Hid

Genesis 3:10 HCSB

10 And he said, “I heard You in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.”

Fear enters the garden. They lost their garments of innocence and purity. Shame was exposed. A distance from God was revealed in the hiding. 

Optional

John 3:18 ESV

18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

John 3:18 HCBS

18 Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God.

Not believing in Christ is not a good option, though it is an option. 

King Of The Jews

Matthew 2:1-2 HCSB

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem,

2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”

These non Jewish men came looking for the King of the Jews. The Jews didn't see Him coming.  

Pilate, a Roman, placed a sign on the cross with this title. 

The Jews didn't see Him going either. 

His Complement

Genesis 2:20 HCSB

20 The man gave names to all the livestock, to the birds of the sky, and to every wild animal; but for the man no helper was found as his complement.

Complement is translated from the Hebrew word below. It took what man did not have to be complete, for he is not complete in of himself. It is why men and women are different, yet so drawn to one another. 

It also serves as a parable that teaches us about our need for God. We are not complete until we find Him. 

The church is given life, taken from the body of Christ, and is one in Spirit.   

neged * neh'-ghed * From H5046; a front, that is, part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbially, especially with preposition) over against or before: - about, (over) against, X aloof, X far (off), X from, over, presence, X other side, sight, X to view

Signs For Festivals

Genesis 1:14 HCBS

14 Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night. They will serve as signs for festivals and for days and years.

Most translations state the purpose of the lights are to serve as signs for seasons. This translation offers the word festivals. This may be closer to the intended thought when one considers the Hebrew definition below.

God has a plan, and He has a message.

 * mo-ade', mo-ade', mo-aw-daw' * From H3259; properly an appointment, that is, a fixed time or season; specifically a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by extension, the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed beforehand): - appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn (-ity), synagogue, (set) time (appointed). 

Sojourners Alike

Numbers 15:15-16 ESV

15 For the assembly, there shall be one statute for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you, a statute forever throughout your generations. You and the sojourner shall be alike before the Lord.

16 One law and one rule shall be for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you.”

We are one because God is one. God lead the Israelites out of Egypt to lead the way for all peoples out bondage of the world. Turning to the Lord makes us alike before the Lord. We are all sojourners in this fallen land. 

If We Let Him Go On Like This

John 11:47-48 ESV

47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the Council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs.

48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”

They had asked for a sign that He was from God, but that was not what they wanted. Though they saw many signs, they rejected Jesus and His authority in favor of their own. 

However, despite all their efforts, He did and does go on. 

Came To The Tomb

John 11:38 ESV

38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it.

Jesus had just wept for His friend that He loved. He stood before the tomb before He had the stone moved aside. 

In the same way He stood before Jerusalem and wept. It had become a tomb for its people, as dark as any cave, as they turned from God. 

He became the stone of stumbling and the cornerstone of the new temple. He would move the stone of His own tomb and call for all of us to join Him.

Yes Lord, I Believe

John 11:25-27 ESV

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this? ” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world. ” 

This is as simple as it is astounding. Jesus is life. Choosing Him is choosing life. Believing is the key. 

Many Believed

John 10:41-42 ESV

41 And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.”

42 And many believed in him there.

And so it is that everything testified about Jesus by the apostles is true. Many believe in Him here. 

Strange Voices

John 10:4-5 ESV

4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

Different murmuring and shouting voices are all around us vying for our attention, serving as distraction from the one true voice of He that is truth. 

After the sheep are set free, the Shepherd goes before them. They follow His voice, give heed to His words. The more one listens to the Shepherds voice, the more obvious strange voices become. If you're not hearing any strange voices, you might not be hearing His voice too clearly either. 

By Name

John 10:3 HCSB

3 The doorkeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

Revelation 2:17

17 “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give the victor some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name is inscribed that no one knows except the one who receives it.

Our Lord knows us as the unique expressions of life that we are. By name we are called. In His name we answer. Jacob received a new name after wrestling with the angel. Jesus tells us that if we overcome the world, we will have our new name written on our stone of the new temple, of which He is the cornerstone. 

He leads us into new pasture that is the kingdom of heaven. 

One In The Spirit

The unification of the Church has already happened, for it is in the one Spirit we are joined together in the body of Christ. Other efforts of man are just that, efforts of man.

I Received My Sight

John 9:10 HCSB

10 Therefore they asked him, “Then how were your eyes opened?”

11 He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So when I went and washed I received my sight.”

Receiving the word of Jesus and following His commands allows us to see the light of the world and the unfolding kingdom of heaven before our very eyes. 

Who Doesn't Enter

John 10:1 HCSB

1 “ I assure you: Anyone who doesn’t enter the sheep pen by the door but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber.

In his letters, Paul says there is but one gospel. Jesus says in this parable there is but one way. They speak of the same thing, the same One. Don't try another way.

I Know The Father

John 10:15 HCSB

15 as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. I lay down My life for the sheep.

This statement of knowing is a powerfully confirming statement of Who Jesus says He is. In the same way the Father knows Him, He knows the Father. We will know as we are known when He comes back for us. 

One Hand

John 10:28-30 HCSB

28   I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me,   is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30   I and the Father are one. ” 

There is one hand. It is the hand of The Lord Almighty. 

Is Speaking To You

John 9:35-38 HCSB

35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man? ” 36 He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him? ” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you. ” 38 He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. 

The formerly blind man comes to the understanding that his healing is from the Lord. Seeing and listening to Jesus, he believed and worshipped God. 

If You Continue

John 8:31-32 HCSB

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you really are My disciples.

32 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Not just hearing but continuing in the word is the mark of a disciple.  It reminds us of things we know, teaches new things, and brings comfort to our hearts and the joy of our salvation. That is the truth, for He came in grace and truth.

Setting Up The Tabernacle

Numbers 7:1 HCSB

1 On the day Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed and consecrated it and all its furnishings, along with the altar and all its utensils. After he anointed and consecrated these things,

Jesus anoints and consecrates each believer with the oil of the Holy Spirit. We tabernacle with the Lord through the Spirit during our time here on earth. We are set up for eternal life. 

That Way

Numbers 7:89 HCSB

89 When Moses entered the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim. He spoke to him that way.

The mercy seat is between the Lord and Moses. This is how the Lord choose to meet with Israel. The mercy seat took on flesh when Jesus came. The tabernacle prepared us for His coming. Through Jesus, the LORD meets with us today, speaking through the Holy Spirit. 

Who Can Accept It?

John 6:60, 63-64 HCSB

60 Therefore, when many of His disciples heard this, they said, “This teaching is hard! Who can accept it?”

63 The Spirit is the One who gives life. The flesh doesn’t help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.

64 But there are some among you who don’t believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning those who would not believe and the one who would betray Him.)

Jesus knew from the beginning who would choose not to accept Him, yet He died for them that they could choose. He chose to die for us all, though many would reject Him. 
In the beginning, God...

Who Has Listened To

John 6:44-45 HCSB

44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day.

45 It is written in the Prophets: And they will all be taught by God. Everyone who has listened to and learned from the Father comes to Me —

His voice has gone out to the ends of the earth. His Spirit whispers to every heart. Listen and answer. 

Work Of God

John 6:29 HCSB

29 Jesus replied, “This is the work of God — that you believe in the One He has sent.”

We have been given the gift of life through the mercy and sacrifice of Jesus. There is still work for us that must be done, and that is to believe. 

In That Place

John 6:10 HCSB

10 Then Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.”

There was plenty of grass in that place, so they sat down. The men numbered about 5,000.

Jesus, our shepherd, brings the people to rest in a green pasture where He feeds them. 

With Him we find our peace in the valley. He sets a table before us in the presence of our enemies. 

Do You Want?

John 5:6 ESV

6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?”

Do you want to be whole? Only Jesus is able to make us healthy or whole through the forgiveness of sin, a healing of spirit much more crucial than physical restoration. 

How long have we been lying here? Is this the day we rise, and listen to His voice?

How do we answer this day?

ὑγιής * hugiēs * hoog-ee-ace' * From the base of G837; healthy, that is, well (in body); figuratively true (in doctrine): - sound, whole.

Calling God His Own Father

John 5:18 ESV

18This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

Jesus taught us to pray, "Our Father...".

Law

Galatians 6:2 ESV

2   Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

The Greek word here for law seems to have roots having to do with pasturing livestock. A pasture has boundaries of some sort and food for the herd, or flock. Jesus is referred to as the shepherd to His sheep. He fulfills the law and changes it to the law of liberty, the new wine. He leads us to green pastures and still waters. 

νόμον (law)

The Stranger

Numbers 3:10 YLT

10 `And Aaron and his sons thou dost appoint, and they have kept their priesthood, and the stranger who cometh near is put to death.'

A few verses before,  Aaron's oldest sons offered strange fire to the Lord and they died. Strangers are warned of the same fate. The Lord specified who could approach and how. 

The Hebrew word used here for stranger implies unfaithfulness, a tuning aside, of sleeping in another's bed. It is the same word used for the strange fire. 

Marriage is used throughout the Old Testament to speak of the relationship of God and His people. In the NT, the church is called the bride. That is why we are told He is a jealous God. 

זוּר * zûr * zoor * A primitive root; to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery: - (come from) another (man, place), fanner, go away, (e-) strange (-r, thing, woman)

A Dry And Weary Land

Psalms 63:1 ESV

1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;

 my soul thirsts for you;

my flesh faints for you,

as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

We seek the water of life in a dry land. There is a hunger for His word in the midst of famine. 

We are told to offer food and drink in His name, for the many around us who likewise thirst.

The Same Place

John 3:3 ESV

3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Only when born again, or made new, can one become able to behold and take his or her place in the kingdom. It is the coming of the Spirit from above that breathes new life into us, making us brothers and sisters of Jesus. He was the only begotten Son of God born on earth. We are begotten in the kingdom of heaven. One day heaven and earth will be the same place. 

Which Is Born

John 3:5-6 ESV

5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 

Water is a common metaphor for mankind. Perhaps part of what Jesus refers to is our purpose and God's plan. We journey through flesh and spirit to find and join God. Jesus has shown the way. He has gone to the Father in a new and immortal body. He waits beside the Father until it's time to join Him.  At that time flesh and spirit come together, as with Jesus. God with us. 

Whoever Believes

John 3:36 ESV

36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

It is said over and over in the Bible that whoever believes in the Son will be saved. Non belief leads to destruction. How God will accomplish His grace and mercy with His requirement for justice is beyond my understanding, but my trust is in Him. I know this to be true. He says so.

My Salvation

Psalms 62:1-2 ESV

1 For God alone my soul waits in silence;

from him comes my salvation.

2 He only is my rock and my salvation,

my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Rock of ages

Is open for me

It does not move

There springs forth

The waters of life

Relations

Entering into relationship with Christ means that we are in relation with each other, the body of Christ. We participate in the Trinity, one though we are many. This is The Church. Any other place is only where we gather from time to time. 

Was God Himself

John 1:1 AMP

1 IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word ( Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.

This translation captures a nuance from the original Greek, which orders the last part of the verse as saying, "and God was the Word". This strengthens the idea that Christ(The Word) is indeed God. Word order is significant in Greek and is used by the author to add emphasis. It is unlikely John made a casual choice here. 

John 1:1 (GWHS)

εν αρχη ην ο λογος και ο λογος ην προς τον θεον και θεος(God) ην ο λογος(Word)

                                                                                        

Shall Camp Around

Numbers 1:53 ESV

53 But the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the testimony, so that there may be no wrath on the congregation of the people of Israel. And the Levites shall keep guard over the tabernacle of the testimony.”

The other tribes of Israel are numbered to fight for and protect Israel. The Levites are set aside to protect the people as well, keeping them safe from the judgement of God through ongoing atonement for sin. The tabernacle of the testimony was central to their life.

With Him

John 1:2 ESV 

2 He was in the beginning with God. 

John 1:2 (GWHS)

ουτος ην εν αρχη προς τον θεον 

Here is an expression of the mystery of  God that speaks to our understanding of God that is one yet presented to us in community. God with God. 

He became God with us and we are one with Him. 

He Opened

Luke 24:45 ESV

45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,

Jesus opens our minds to the Scriptures just as He opens the door to heaven. 

 The Greek word translated as open speaks of the opening of a new born's eyes. We are indeed born anew. 

Luke 24:45 (GWHS)

τοτε διηνοιξεν αυτων τον νουν του συνιεναι τας γραφας 

Ready To Talk

Christ is our high priest and mediator, and the Spirit intercedes on our behalf. Christ brings us into the presence of God. The Spirit enables conversation. 

Coming Clean

Baptism is not what enables the receiving of the Holy Spirit. It is a confession and profession of that fact, a witness to our Father. 

It is cleansing that is once and for all, yet is ongoing. 

As Jesus said to Peter long ago, he that is clean needs only to wash his feet. 

Spiritual

A Christian is spiritual in the sense of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and is able to walk in that light because of that presence.  A non Christian's spiritual experience is limited by that person's spirit, which is created and finite. 

Gifts

Any observed gift of the Holy Spirit displayed by an individual is merely an outward sign of an inward reality, incidental when compared to the gift of the Spirit by the grace of God and the sacrifice of His Son. 

The Spirit Gave Them Utterance

Acts 2:2-4 ESV

2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 

Though each spoke, it was the mouth of the Lord from which the words came. The kingdom is near, only a word away, and in our hearts.

Signs And Wonders

The signs and wonders that accompany the Holy Spirit include the miracles known as the fruit of the Spirit, for it is God working in us. Is not a heart given life a miracle and wonder?

The Veil Has Been Removed

The temple veil was torn after Jesus died on the cross. Access to God is now available. When we follow after Christ, upon our own cross as we die to Him, the veil of the kingdom is withdrawn. We enter into the Holy of Holies.


We look with new eyes upon a vast land of a new kingdom, inexhaustible in riches and wonder. It is a gift of joy joyfully given in love. 

An Idle Tale

Luke 24:11 ESV

11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

Many times Jesus told the disciples of His coming death and resurrection. Still they disbelieved this report of the empty tomb, even from these trusted women.  Believing in the unbelievable is not an easy task, but God helps us. 

It is the work of the Spirit which draws us and confirms the reality of what God has done. 

Blessed are those who do not see, yet believe the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 

Works And Fruit

Galatians 5:19-25 ESV

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self- control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 

Notice the contrast between works of the law and fruit of the Spirit. Like the fig tree cursed by Jesus, works only lead to death.  No fruit grows on the branches of the law, or on our efforts, but from the tree of life comes the fruit of the Spirit, life itself.

The Swelling

Both pride and infection produce a similar swelling effect, one which acts on the tissue of the body, the other puffs up the head and heart, weakening and marring the spirit. 

Then These Men Opened Their Mouth

Acts 2:2-4

2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 

There  are so many people in the street it is hard not to bump into someone. The noise and clammer of the crowd is loud, yet there rises above the usual coming and going a different sound. 

I turn toward the commotion in time to see the most astounding thing. Out of nowhere, fire appears out of the sky. It reaches down to find a group of men and I wonder if they have met their end, so real in appearance are the flames. It happens so quickly and with such noise I am reminded of lightning striking the earth without warning, fierce and powerful. Then there is a sudden and profound silence. Everyone is still,  not knowing what would come next. 

Then these men opened their mouth. 

Deceit

Luke 23:1-5 KJV 

    1  And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate. 2  And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting[  * diastrephō * dee-as-tref'-o * From G1223 and G4762; to distort, that is, (figuratively) misinterpret, or (morally) corrupt: - perverse (-rt), turn away. [LEX] [TGD] [Find] ] the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King. 3  And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it. 4  Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man. 5  And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place. 

They accuse Jesus of the very thing they do, distort the truth. That is like saying the followers of Christ are intolerant and primitive when they live according to His word, He full of grace and mercy. 

There is an element of deceit running rampant in the world. At the root is the one who is the father of lies. He is so good at what he does that many don't believe he exists. 

What Further Testimony?

Luke 22:71 ESV

71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.”

Spoken by the high priest as he heard something that he could use to kill Jesus. No further witness was needed. 

Redemption Of The Land

Leviticus 25:23-24 ESV

23 “The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine. For you are strangers and sojourners with me.

24 And in all the country you possess, you shall allow a redemption of the land.

Foreshadows Christ our redeemer. The book of Ruth portrays that truth in story form. 

The Loud Trumpet

Leviticus 25:9-10 ESV

9 Then you shall sound the loud trumpet on the tenth day of the seventh month. On the Day of Atonement you shall sound the trumpet throughout all your land.

10 And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, when each of you shall return to his property and each of you shall return to his clan.

The trumpet, or shofar, will give voice, a shout, to the joy of celebration of the Lord's return. The jubilee at the atonement feast foreshadows that celebration. 

Not Prune

Leviticus 25:4 ESV

4 but in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a Sabbath to the Lord. You shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard.

The Hebrew idea translated here as not prune is based on (nâzı̂yr nâzir * naw-zeer'), which has in it's meaning and conveys the idea of setting aside, consecrating. A person known as a Nazarite was one set aside to the Lord with a vow. Not cutting one's hair(no "pruning" or "dressing") is associated with such a vow. 

GWHS

"thou shalt not reap, neither gather [+] the grapes of thy vine undressed:[ nn,pnx [ Noun (61: see 1, 9), Pronominal Suffix (83: see 71) ] H5139 נזר נזיר * nâzı̂yr nâzir * naw-zeer', naw-zeer' * From H5144[H5144 נזר * nâzar * naw-zar' * A primitive root; to hold aloof, that is, (intransitively) abstain (from food and drink, from impurity, and even from divine worship (that is, apostatize)); specifically to set apart (to sacred purposes), that is, devote: - consecrate, separate (-ing, self). [LEX] [Find] ]; separate, that is, consecrated (as prince, a Nazirite); hence (figuratively from the latter) an unpruned vine (like an unshorn Nazirite). (The translation, , is by a false alliteration with Nazareth.): - Nazarite [by a false alliteration with Nazareth], separate (-d), vine undressed. [LEX] NaMzi2r;this masc. noun comes from naMzar (5144). It means a separate one, a dedicated one; a  a prince; the unpruned vine (like an unshorn Nazarite). Nazarites were Hebrew ascetics"

If He Dwells

Romans 8:9-11 ESV

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. 

Paul seems to use the ideas of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit interchangeably in speaking of God as dwelling within us. 

On Each One Of Them

Acts 2:3 ESV

3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.

The Holy Spirit is uniquely given to to the twelve. Jesus chose them for this task and honor. 

You Shall Not Profane

Leviticus 22:32 NASB

32 “You shall not profane My holy name, but I will be sanctified among the sons of Israel; I am the Lord who sanctifies you,

They do not impart sanctity to the Lord, but are commanded to do nothing that will conflict with or betray His holiness. To do is to take His name in vain. He has given His name to this people. It is He that sanctifies.

I Will, I Have

Psalms 56:3-4 NASB

3   When I am afraid,

 I will put my trust in You.

4   In God, whose word I praise,

In God I have put my trust;

I shall not be afraid.

 What can mere man do to me?

We must decide to put our trust in the Lord. It does not always come naturally, in fact it is supernatural act, for it requires faith in something beyond nature: Our God is awesome and mighty, to whom nothing is impossible. His hand is upon us, by our side, and we are sealed in His promise. We don't know, but He knows all things and we know Him.  

A Long While

Luke 20:9 ESV

9 And he began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while.

The Greek word translated here as long carries in its meaning the idea of the fullness of time according to God's purpose. We often struggle with the thought that something is taking too long. It can be helpful to remember that everything works to the good for those that love the Lord. 

CWS:

 [ an,aj G2425 ἱκανός * hikanos * hik-an-os' * From ἵκω hikō (ἱκάνω or ἱκνέομαι; akin to G2240; to arrive); competent (as if coming in season), that is, ample (in amount) or fit (in character): - able, + content, enough, good, great, large, long (while), many, meet, much, security, sore, sufficient, worthy.

As His Property

Leviticus 22:10-11 ESV

10 “A lay person shall not eat of a holy thing; no foreign guest of the priest or hired servant shall eat of a holy thing,

11 but if a priest buys a slave as his property for money, the slave may eat of it, and anyone born in his house may eat of his food.

Jesus purchased us with His blood, a ransom paid and we are His. We can therefore eat and share in the bread of life. 

Father To Son

Luke 20:42 ESV

42 For David himself says in the Book of Psalms,

 “‘The Lord said to my Lord,

Sit at my right hand,

Luke 20:43

43 until I make your enemies your footstool.’

The same Greek word is used for both Lords in this passage. It is the one God speaking to Himself, Father to Son. 

CWS:

 [ art,nn G2962 κύριος * kurios * koo'-ree-os * From κῦρος kuros (supremacy); supreme in authority, that is, (as noun) controller; ...