Names of Christ: Lamb of God

 

Gordon Robertson – President and CEO, CBN

One of the names of Jesus is Lamb of God. When you look at the history that’s recorded in the Bible, from the sacrifice of Isaac, when Abraham said God would provide for Himself the sacrifice, he is talking about the Redeemer to come. He’s talking about a wonderful appearance that would happen.

In the gospel of John, chapter one, John the Baptist announced Jesus. That was his ministry. He was to make the way straight. He was to declare who was to be the Messiah. Here’s what’s recorded in that gospel:

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.'” John 1:29-30

That’s a wonderful declaration by John the Baptist. We know that John the Baptist was born before Jesus. He’s a miracle birth. We know from Jesus that there is no prophet that was greater than John the Baptist. We know that. But here, John the Baptist is saying there is Someone who came after me but He existed before me. And He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Now, here’s what Peter did to explain all of this. How could there be a Lamb of God, a Sacrifice of God, that would exist before John the Baptist? That would exist before Abraham? Because Jesus said that, “Before Abraham, I am.” So, He existed before! When Abraham declared God will provide for himself the sacrifice, he is talking about the Lamb of God.

Peter, the great apostle said,

“Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.” 1 Peter 1:18-20

Today, let the Lamb of God be manifest in your life. Realize that He was foreordained for you! That He was the lamb slain before the foundation of the world to provide a way for you—to provide redemption for you—that you could enter into the presence of God and enjoy it for all eternity.

Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away your sin—who takes away my sin.

Names of Christ: Good Shepherd

 

Terry Meeuwsen, cbn.com

Jesus has many names. One that gives me a real sense of peace is the Good Shepherd. Don’t you love that? The Good Shepherd. I think of Psalm 23 (that was my grandmother’s favorite Psalm):

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. (Psalm 23:1-2 NKJV)

That gives you an image in your mind of what a shepherd is. A shepherd knows his sheep. A shepherd is the provider for his sheep. He provides whatever they need to be healthy and whole—to feed them, to protect his sheep, and then to pursue his sheep.

When I think of pursuing the sheep, I think of that Scripture that says there was a shepherd who had 100 sheep. And if one of them was missing, what would he do? He would leave the 99 to go after the one that was lost. It makes me think of the picture that we’ve all seen—of Jesus carrying the sheep on His shoulder back to the flock, back to His flock, back to the place of green pastures and fresh water. Back to belonging.

That’s so encouraging to us, isn’t it? Whether we are straying or we have someone that we love that’s straying, the Good Shepherd is pursuing us. He’s not just the lover of our soul—He’s also the shepherd of our heart. When we walk over here or over there and stray off the main path, Jesus comes to us saying, “Come this way, come this way. I’m going to let you lie down in green pastures. And I’m going to lead you beside still waters. And I’m going to be the shepherd of your soul.”

He is the Good Shepherd.

Not What You Wanted?

 

by Alex Crain, Crosswalk.com

“What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you?” – James 4:1

A holiday edition of the TV show “America’s Funniest Home Videos” showed various children opening their presents on Christmas morning. Apparently, it’s hard for many kids to see humor in getting an unwanted gift. Most of their reactions were, well… downright childish.

When the ribbons and paper were torn off, one child pulled out a new pair of socks, threw her head back and erupted in an angry sob. A matching outfit given to another child produced a tantrum across the floor followed by stomping footsteps up the stairs. Other children glowered with frowns and snarls. One even screamed at the parent holding the video camera, then hurled the unwanted gift back in his face. Not exactly the funniest home videos.

In contrast to all the immaturity and ingratitude came a bright ray of hope at the end of the montage as a little brown-haired girl in pink pajamas ecstatically jumped up and down with glee. She held in her hands a tiny chestnut and spun around to the camera exclaiming, “A nut! A nut! I got a nut! I don’t know what kind it is, but I got a nut!”

James 4:1-6 says that sinful responses erupt from hearts that are controlled by overwhelming desires. They don’t have to be sinful desires necessarily. The degree to which “harmless” desires become sinful is shown by what happens when things don’t turn out as you hoped or expected. Whether it is irritability, or an angry tantrum or a sulking frown; sinful responses show that something in the heart has replaced God.

Notice verse 1 where James asks the question (paraphrasing), “Why are you so upset? What’s the real problem in your heart?” And then he answers with divine wisdom, “I’ll tell you what the matter is: it’s your pleasures—your desires—that are waging war within you. And the result is sinful fights and quarrels.”

Certainly, there’s nothing inherently sinful about simply having desires in life. God created us to have desires. There are many good things to desire in life: having adequate food, clothing and shelter, having a happy marriage, getting a promotion at work, buying a nice car. There is nothing wrong with these kinds of desires… nothing inherently wrong, that is.

The problems come when, in our hearts, those desires turn into something else. The word translated as “lust” in verse 2 is actually “desire” with the added element of “strong craving.” Epithumeo is not a word that necessarily means “lust” in the sexual sense. The idea conveyed in the original text is “you are controlled by desire.” In other words, some desire—perhaps, even for a good thing—has gotten so wrapped around your heart, that it has become more important than God to you.

Whenever this happens, the result is sinful behavior. And the sin of the heart that must be confessed first in cases like this is no less than the sin of idolatry. False worship occurs whenever worship of the true God is replaced with the god of “my way.”

What a peaceful contrast is painted in verse 6. God gives grace to the humble. That is, those who humbly submit their desires to God and trust Him as the sovereign provider of needs are given grace. Grace here is the desire and ability to obey God and respond in a way that pleases Him. Such recipients of grace are able, then, to deal with whatever happens—whether the present under the tree is a pair of socks, a cool skateboard, the keys to a new car, or a tiny chestnut.

The Hour Has Come

 

by Debbie Holloway crosswalk.com

“The hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11).

Christmas Eve is a special, ritualistic time for many families, especially ones with young children. Children have an almost tangible energy and near-breathless excitement for the festivities of the next day. Parents have all the gifts wrapped and hidden in secret closets, simply awaiting nightfall to relocate to their resting place beneath the Christmas tree. Finally, after too many Christmas treats, laying out milk and cookies for Santa, a recitation of T’was The Night Before Christmas and perhaps a reading from the book of Luke, the kids are tucked in bed.

The work has been done. No more shopping, no more wrapping, no more commanding the children to stop poking around their parents’ bedroom. Preparations have been made. And in the morning, what a glorious day Christmas day will be!

The second candle of advent is called the Bethlehem Candle, and it is known as the candle of preparation. We are still near the beginning of advent, with a few weeks to prepare our hearts for the Lord’s coming. For indeed, not only do we commemorate his first coming on December 25^th, but we also know that he will come again. Will we make preparations for our Messiah, just as we make preparations for Old St. Nick?

Will we spread peace and goodwill, as the angels did on the evening of Christ’s birth? Will we offer even the lowliest parts of our lives up to God, as the farm animals made room for him amongst their beds and feeding troughs? Will we sacrifice unto him even our most precious treasures, as the Magi did after many months, perhaps even years, of travel? Will we “wake from sleep,” as Paul exhorts, and prepare for salvation?

Much preparation is needed to make our lives reflect Christ, and we may feel small and unprepared for such a task. Take comfort, then, that Bethlehem was also considered too small for God’s work. As we light the Bethlehem Candle, remember the ultimate significance of this tiny town of shepherds and stables:

“But you, Bethlehem…though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel” (Micah 5:2).

Joy: True Happiness

 

Randy Frazee, author, faithgateway

I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. — John 15:11

Remember Eeyore and Tigger in the Winnie-the Pooh-books? For Eeyore, no matter what amazing circumstance came his way, doom and gloom remained the focus. For Tigger, bouncing through life without a care in the world, he never perceived anything to go wrong. In our daily lives, it is easy to have the attitude of Eeyore while wishing we could have the outlook of Tigger — two quite extreme viewpoints of life.

The biblical brand of joy is not simply overcoming our inner Eeyore, nor is it strolling through life in ignorant bliss; rather, it is to be found in facing each day’s ups and downs through the contentment Christ offers.

KEY QUESTION: What gives us true happiness and contentment in life?

The first order of business is to identify the difference between joy and happiness. For many folks today, being happy is fully dependent on whether life is “all good.” If someone asks, “Rate your life right now on a scale of 1 to 10,” often the number given is based on the number of problems present. Happiness slides up and down the scale, based on the perception of negative issues going on at the time. Problems rise; happiness goes south. Troubles begin to go away; the happy scale starts to climb. Joy, however, is not dependent on circumstances, and, in fact, ironically, can become strongest when trouble comes. The psalmist reminds us of the reality of joy that comes when we rest in God’s presence:

You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. — Psalm 16:11

KEY IDEA: Despite my circumstances, I feel inner contentment and understand my purpose in life.

Joy has more to do with remaining in the presence of Jesus than with avoiding problems and struggles in our lives. Harkening back to John 15, we know that joy is always available to us when we remain in Christ, through whatever life brings. Let these statements guide you to see how true joy differs from mere happiness.

• Happiness is a state of mind, while joy is a mind-set.
• Happiness comes and goes, while joy can be constant.
• Happiness is dependent, while joy is independent.
• Happiness is conditional, while joy is unconditional.

The apostle Paul had learned the secret to the joy found in Jesus:

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength. — Philippians 4:11-13

James drives home the definition of joy in the kingdom of God as having nothing to do with eliminating negative outward circumstances, but rather with embracing them as opportunities to strengthen faith and gain resolve:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. — James 1:2-4

Note the end result of choosing eternal joy — being mature and complete in Christ. Joy becomes the fuel for the believer on this road to maturity. Only Jesus can make our lives flourish in the midst of trouble. In him, joy is strengthened when life is challenging.

And finally, there is a source of deep joy available from an intimate place of serving Jesus.

Take a look at his teaching in Luke 15:3-7:

Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

Joy comes when the lost are found! When we join Jesus in His work by sharing and seeing people come to Him, we can be a part of the heavenly celebration right here and right now.

Is Satan Spamming You?

 

by Ryan Duncan, crosswalk.com

Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship The Lord your God, and serve Him only.'” – Matthew 4:10

“This stock is about to take off!” … “You won’t believe this Miracle Pill!” … “Hello, I am a Nigerian Prince” … These are only a few of the emails that have ended up in my spam folder. We’ve all received them, those obnoxious messages that try to trick you into sending money or personal information to some unknown source. All spam email follows the same design. First, they open up by preying on a person’s fear, insecurity, or general discontent. After that, they propose a simple solution, an easy win for the reader, which convinces the reader to put their trust in something very untrustworthy.

Thankfully, most computers now come with software to filter out the phony emails. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for everyday life. I’ve found Satan often uses the same tactics as these spam mails whenever he wants to attack a human being. First, he takes advantage of your worry, your self-image, or something else in your life. Then he offers you something that might fix the problem, but in truth, only makes things worse. These temptations will always be present in life, but Jesus offers us a powerful reassurance in Matthew 6 that equips us to defend ourselves.

“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.” Matthew 6:25-29

Many people have taken this verse to mean that as long as we trust in God, nothing bad will happen. Not so. We live in a fallen world, and bad things are always going to happen. What this verse does promise is that no matter what we face in life, God will always be there. Sometimes in the healing we desperately prayed for, other times in the shoulder we cry on.

Whatever roads our lives take, Christ is there to provide for us. Don’t allow Satan to fool you with the offer of an easy fix, don’t let fear and despair dictate your actions. God is there, and he will help you.

Names of Christ: King of Kings

 

Devotion from:  cbn.com

“King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and he shall reign forever and ever…”

The inspiration to the lyrics from the “Hallelujah Chorus” in Handel’s Messiah comes from the book of Revelation. But that name is also found in Paul’s first letter to Timothy, which reads:

“At just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.” (1 Timothy 6:15 NLT)

Focus on this idea of Christ appearing at just the right time. According to Scripture, Jesus first physically appeared as a baby born in Bethlehem. His true identity was known only to his parents and the wise men coming to bear royal gifts. Despite his public ministry, his teaching, the miracles, and a perfect sinless life that fulfilled prophecy, the people who were anticipating the promised coming Messiah somehow missed him. Why? Because they were preoccupied with the cares of the day at a time of great social, political and religious upheaval. Scripture also talks about the hardness of their hearts.

Today, we too live in an era of great social and political unrest. And we’d be fooling ourselves if we think our hearts can’t also grow cold and callous. As we pursue this idea of a perfect Christmas, our distracted hearts and frazzled minds can distort the true meaning of Christmas. We can even miss or forget the greatest gift ever given—Christ himself.

So how do we guard ourselves against this? We can acknowledge the King of kings and Lord of lords is also the Prince of Peace. And we can remind ourselves that Jesus Himself promised to appear again, returning as the Coming Conquerer. As the book of Revelation, chapter 19, describes, the King of kings and Lord of lords, His robe signifies his royal reign and priestly role. And the thigh, associated with the Old Testament, alludes to the idea of an oath or a promise and victory.

That should give us blessed assurance of Christ’s eternal sovereign reign, that He is indeed mighty to save, and we can be a part of His kingdom.