Notes on Verses 1-18
2:1 Creation is complete. There is no allowance here for creation to continue for eons of time to an eventual completion when Christ is born or any other such eventual ending date. This verse is clear in that it leaves no room for the idea that natural processes that exist today are responsible for the creation of our world and universe. It was finished.
2:2 God ended His work and rested.
2:3 God blessed the seventh day.
2:4 This is the first of several "signatures" applied to the different sections of the Book of Genesis. This section has no "patriarch" attached to it, since it doesn't describe the generations of a person, but rather the universe itself. It must have either been written down by God himself or revealed to Adam.
2:5 This verse reflects a mature creation. It was created and present on the Earth "before it grew". I take this to mean that it was created fully grown and began to grow after the rain started and it would begin reproduction at that time also.
2:6 The plants were watered by a heavy mist or dew from daily temperature cycles and the presence of humidity in the air.
2:7 Man's physical body is made up of the same physical elements at the actual Earth. This is something that is easily confirmed by modern science and was written down in this book long before the scientific tests were available. God delivered the "breath" of life to Man directly. If we had evolved from less complex animals, then we would have received our soul through that process.
2:8 It seems like God planted Eden especially for Adam. He had already created the heavens and the Earth and the plants and animals. He made a special place for man, His most treasured creation.
2:9 God "made to grow" in the garden the trees of life and the knowledge of good and evil. The tree of life was freely available to Adam and Eve. This fruit was not forbidden.
2:10 This river is most likely to be fed by springs, since God had not yet caused it to rain.
2:11-14 The names given do not correspond to any that presently exist. It is likely that the great flood changed the landscape dramatically.
2:15 Even in the Garden of Eden, man was expected to work. His life was not one of idleness and laziness, but one of service. He also had no possessions, so to speak, but was responsible for the whole Earth and its care-taking.
2:16-17 Adam was only given one rule. If he eats of the tree, he will die. He would be seperated from God (death) and he was be cast out and God would guard the tree of life and prevent Adam from eating its fruit.
2:18 God determined that Adam needed a "helper like him". This was on the sixth day.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Study of Genesis - Week 3
Genesis 1:26-31
From the Defenders Study Bible:
"God consults with Himself here concerning the creation of man. Man is also differentiated from plants (which have a body) and animals (which have a body and consciousness) in that man was created in the image of God, with an eternal spirit capable of communication and fellowship with his Creator.
Man was not only created in God's spiritual image, he was also made in God's physical image. His body was specifically planned to be most suited for the divine fellowship (erect posture, upward-gazing countenance, facial expression varying with emotional feelings, brain and tongue designed for articulate speech - non of which are shared by animals). Furthermore, his body was designed to be like the body which God had planned from eternity that He Himself would one day assume - as Jesus Christ.
Question: How do you feel and what do you think about when you think that you were created in the image of God?
God's first command was that of producing abundant progeny sufficient to fill the earth. The animals may have been created in sufficient numbers to fill the earth, but humans began as only two people. The function of subduing the earth and having dominion over it would necessarily take a long time - first, for the growth of a large enough population to fill the earth, and second, for the acquiring enough knowledge and skill to enable man to bring it under full control and development.
The primevel commandmant to conquer and rule the earth has been called the dominion mandate (or first commission to mankind). It has not been revoked by God, but was specifically renewed and extended after the flood. The military terminology in no way implies hostility and resistence from the earth, for it was "very good". It suggests, rather, intensive study of the earth and its creatures and then application of that knowledge for the optimum benefit of mankind and the animals, and for the glory of God.
Note that no instruction was given to exercise dominion over other men, but only over the earth and the animals. Had man not rebelled against God's Word, all would have remained in perfect fellowship with God and, therefore, with one another. The situation was radically changed at the fall, and God's commandment accordingly expanded officially after the flood.
Question: How do you think this first commission from God applies today (since there are lots of people now)? How are we as people not being obedient?
It seems pretty clear that we were originally intended to be vegetarian. There was adequate nourishment and energy value available in fruits and herbs to enable both to accomplish the work God had given to them to do. The supply could not be exhausted, since the plants were designed to reproduce themselves through the seeds they produced.
Question: How did we shift from being vegetarian and is it possible to do that again? Is it a good goal or something that doesn't matter?
God says His creation was "very good". This verse demonstrates that the evolutionary ages that supposedly depict a billion-year evolution of life on the earth are not possible. A God that declares his creation is very good would be discredited by a billion years of inefficient waste and death that leads to an eventual evolution into a being that He created in His image. God is not a bumbler and not a cruel monster, but a God of love.
Question: How do you think God has demonstrated His love for us through His creation?
From the Defenders Study Bible:
"God consults with Himself here concerning the creation of man. Man is also differentiated from plants (which have a body) and animals (which have a body and consciousness) in that man was created in the image of God, with an eternal spirit capable of communication and fellowship with his Creator.
Man was not only created in God's spiritual image, he was also made in God's physical image. His body was specifically planned to be most suited for the divine fellowship (erect posture, upward-gazing countenance, facial expression varying with emotional feelings, brain and tongue designed for articulate speech - non of which are shared by animals). Furthermore, his body was designed to be like the body which God had planned from eternity that He Himself would one day assume - as Jesus Christ.
Question: How do you feel and what do you think about when you think that you were created in the image of God?
God's first command was that of producing abundant progeny sufficient to fill the earth. The animals may have been created in sufficient numbers to fill the earth, but humans began as only two people. The function of subduing the earth and having dominion over it would necessarily take a long time - first, for the growth of a large enough population to fill the earth, and second, for the acquiring enough knowledge and skill to enable man to bring it under full control and development.
The primevel commandmant to conquer and rule the earth has been called the dominion mandate (or first commission to mankind). It has not been revoked by God, but was specifically renewed and extended after the flood. The military terminology in no way implies hostility and resistence from the earth, for it was "very good". It suggests, rather, intensive study of the earth and its creatures and then application of that knowledge for the optimum benefit of mankind and the animals, and for the glory of God.
Note that no instruction was given to exercise dominion over other men, but only over the earth and the animals. Had man not rebelled against God's Word, all would have remained in perfect fellowship with God and, therefore, with one another. The situation was radically changed at the fall, and God's commandment accordingly expanded officially after the flood.
Question: How do you think this first commission from God applies today (since there are lots of people now)? How are we as people not being obedient?
It seems pretty clear that we were originally intended to be vegetarian. There was adequate nourishment and energy value available in fruits and herbs to enable both to accomplish the work God had given to them to do. The supply could not be exhausted, since the plants were designed to reproduce themselves through the seeds they produced.
Question: How did we shift from being vegetarian and is it possible to do that again? Is it a good goal or something that doesn't matter?
God says His creation was "very good". This verse demonstrates that the evolutionary ages that supposedly depict a billion-year evolution of life on the earth are not possible. A God that declares his creation is very good would be discredited by a billion years of inefficient waste and death that leads to an eventual evolution into a being that He created in His image. God is not a bumbler and not a cruel monster, but a God of love.
Question: How do you think God has demonstrated His love for us through His creation?
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Study of Genesis - Week 2
Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."
The HCSB lists seven truths in this verse that the rest of the Bible is based:
1. God exists. The first step in our faith is to recognize that God exists.
2. God existed before there was a universe and will exist after the universe is gone.
3. God is the main character in the Bible.
4. God has done what no human could ever do - create. He is Creator God.
5. God is mysterious. The Hebrew word for God is plural, but all the verb tenses are singular, which alludes to His triune nature.
6. God is the Creator of Heaven and Earth. Not just manipulator of existing material - He calls it into being through His Word.
7. God is not dependent on the Universe, but it is totally dependent on God.
I think that it is interesting to note that there is no attempt to prove God exists in Genesis. This was written during or close to the time when no one doubted God. Adam and his family has no reason at all to doubt God existed.
Genesis Creation Story is Unique
The Genesis creation account is unique in ancient creation in five main areas:
1. The identity of God - God has no origin and no female counterpart. Many of the other stories were based in a sexual union of the male and female counterparts to create the world. The world in these stories is also divine, but Genesis places the world where it belongs, as a non-supernatural reality brought into existence by a supernatural God.
2. No rival Gods - The other versions are generally polytheistic and have some sort of struggle between rival gods.
3. Creation out of nothing - No preexisting eternal pre-created matter that was formed into our present reality. Other versions make use of some preexisting matter in one way or another.
4. The Value of Humanity - Humans have a special place in the Genesis account and are actually created in the image of God. Other versions place no real importance on humans in the created reality.
5. The Sabbath - This sabbath is not tied to the movement of the stars or some other naturalistic pattern and is unique to the Genesis account.
The theology presented in Genesis is so unique from that of the stories from surrounding areas that it is best explained as historical or divinely inspired and not the imagination of the author.
Read Genesis 1:1-25
Gap Theory - Some biblical scholars try to reconcile the Bible with Evolution by proposing a gap between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2. They change the word was to became and propose that this period was when Lucifer was cast down to earth. This doesn't follow the actual translation, etc...
Read Handout on old earth theory.
Question: Is there a particular issue that is giving you reason to doubt the Biblical account as literal (a day = a day, etc...)?
The HCSB lists seven truths in this verse that the rest of the Bible is based:
1. God exists. The first step in our faith is to recognize that God exists.
2. God existed before there was a universe and will exist after the universe is gone.
3. God is the main character in the Bible.
4. God has done what no human could ever do - create. He is Creator God.
5. God is mysterious. The Hebrew word for God is plural, but all the verb tenses are singular, which alludes to His triune nature.
6. God is the Creator of Heaven and Earth. Not just manipulator of existing material - He calls it into being through His Word.
7. God is not dependent on the Universe, but it is totally dependent on God.
I think that it is interesting to note that there is no attempt to prove God exists in Genesis. This was written during or close to the time when no one doubted God. Adam and his family has no reason at all to doubt God existed.
Genesis Creation Story is Unique
The Genesis creation account is unique in ancient creation in five main areas:
1. The identity of God - God has no origin and no female counterpart. Many of the other stories were based in a sexual union of the male and female counterparts to create the world. The world in these stories is also divine, but Genesis places the world where it belongs, as a non-supernatural reality brought into existence by a supernatural God.
2. No rival Gods - The other versions are generally polytheistic and have some sort of struggle between rival gods.
3. Creation out of nothing - No preexisting eternal pre-created matter that was formed into our present reality. Other versions make use of some preexisting matter in one way or another.
4. The Value of Humanity - Humans have a special place in the Genesis account and are actually created in the image of God. Other versions place no real importance on humans in the created reality.
5. The Sabbath - This sabbath is not tied to the movement of the stars or some other naturalistic pattern and is unique to the Genesis account.
The theology presented in Genesis is so unique from that of the stories from surrounding areas that it is best explained as historical or divinely inspired and not the imagination of the author.
Read Genesis 1:1-25
Gap Theory - Some biblical scholars try to reconcile the Bible with Evolution by proposing a gap between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2. They change the word was to became and propose that this period was when Lucifer was cast down to earth. This doesn't follow the actual translation, etc...
Read Handout on old earth theory.
Question: Is there a particular issue that is giving you reason to doubt the Biblical account as literal (a day = a day, etc...)?
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Study of Genesis
Study of Genesis
Materials used for study:
The New Defender's Study Bible, by Dr. Henry Morris
The Archaeological Study Bible
I will use other relevant materials to go into more detail on some topics throughout this study, but these are the main material that I will use, besides the scriptures, of course.
Genesis is the Book of Beginnings. It is foundational to our faith and our very existence. Genesis lays out for us in simple, but profound, language how we came to be and what we are doing here. The stories in Genesis are the first ones we teach to our kids, but seem to be to stories that we first put aside the more "educated" we become. The age of the earth, evolution, the origin of humans, and other subjects in popular science are sharply contrasted by what is contained in Genesis. I believe when we look at what facts are out there, we can find confidence in what is presented in Genesis and the foundation of what we believe. The basis of our faith - creation, sin, atonement, grace, redemption, faith, justification, salvation, and many others are presented in Genesis.
I believe that Genesis is very important to the life of a Christian. This book plainly lays out the history of the origin of mankind and of all creation. It also establishes our relationship to God and what he intends for our lives. The importance of our belief in Genesis comes down to this: is Genesis and the creation account, the fall, Abraham, and the tower of Babel, Noah and the flood, etc... just a collection of old legends or are they real history? I believe that the chief way that our young people begin to lose faith in what they are taught at church is how they are presented "facts" at school and on educational programs on TV, etc... about our origin that contradicts Genesis and its account of creation. Many of us Christians try to find a way to melt evolution theories together with creationism, which is not supported by what is written in Genesis.
Jesus himself referred often to Genesis and Genesis is referred to at least 200 times in the New Testament, which is more than any other book in the Old Testament. When Jesus appeared to the disciples on the Road to Emmaus, he referred to Genesis. Luke 24:27 says "Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself."
Question: What do you think of when you hear about Evolution? How do you reconcile what popular science tells us about the age of the Earth and our creation with what the Bible says?
Author and Organization: Moses is the author/compiler. The first 11 books are called the "primeval history", books 12-50 are "patriarchal history". Moses wrote/compiled Genesis between 1440-1400 B.C. Genesis is really a collection of histories written by those that were there, beginning with Adam. Much of the book happened before Moses was born, but is written from an eye-witness account. There is no evidence that Moses was given this knowledge from God, so it is logical that he compiled writtings of previous authors. The sections are clearly defined by the inclusion of "These are the generations of ..." throughout the book. There are also some differences in the writing style between some of the sections, which supports this viewpoint.
The New Defender's Study Bible says "In sum, we can be absolutely confident that the events described in Genesis are not merely ancient legends or religious allegories, but the actual eyewitness accounts of the places, events, and people of those early days of earth history, written by men who were there, then transcribed to Moses, who finally compiled and edited them into a permanent record of those ancient times.
Question: If Genesis isn't historical fact, then what is it? What does Genesis present itself as - allegorical or factual. If Genesis is just stories, why is it in the Bible? Do you think it is possible that all of Genesis is an eyewitness account?
Materials used for study:
The New Defender's Study Bible, by Dr. Henry Morris
The Archaeological Study Bible
I will use other relevant materials to go into more detail on some topics throughout this study, but these are the main material that I will use, besides the scriptures, of course.
Genesis is the Book of Beginnings. It is foundational to our faith and our very existence. Genesis lays out for us in simple, but profound, language how we came to be and what we are doing here. The stories in Genesis are the first ones we teach to our kids, but seem to be to stories that we first put aside the more "educated" we become. The age of the earth, evolution, the origin of humans, and other subjects in popular science are sharply contrasted by what is contained in Genesis. I believe when we look at what facts are out there, we can find confidence in what is presented in Genesis and the foundation of what we believe. The basis of our faith - creation, sin, atonement, grace, redemption, faith, justification, salvation, and many others are presented in Genesis.
I believe that Genesis is very important to the life of a Christian. This book plainly lays out the history of the origin of mankind and of all creation. It also establishes our relationship to God and what he intends for our lives. The importance of our belief in Genesis comes down to this: is Genesis and the creation account, the fall, Abraham, and the tower of Babel, Noah and the flood, etc... just a collection of old legends or are they real history? I believe that the chief way that our young people begin to lose faith in what they are taught at church is how they are presented "facts" at school and on educational programs on TV, etc... about our origin that contradicts Genesis and its account of creation. Many of us Christians try to find a way to melt evolution theories together with creationism, which is not supported by what is written in Genesis.
Jesus himself referred often to Genesis and Genesis is referred to at least 200 times in the New Testament, which is more than any other book in the Old Testament. When Jesus appeared to the disciples on the Road to Emmaus, he referred to Genesis. Luke 24:27 says "Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself."
Question: What do you think of when you hear about Evolution? How do you reconcile what popular science tells us about the age of the Earth and our creation with what the Bible says?
Author and Organization: Moses is the author/compiler. The first 11 books are called the "primeval history", books 12-50 are "patriarchal history". Moses wrote/compiled Genesis between 1440-1400 B.C. Genesis is really a collection of histories written by those that were there, beginning with Adam. Much of the book happened before Moses was born, but is written from an eye-witness account. There is no evidence that Moses was given this knowledge from God, so it is logical that he compiled writtings of previous authors. The sections are clearly defined by the inclusion of "These are the generations of ..." throughout the book. There are also some differences in the writing style between some of the sections, which supports this viewpoint.
The New Defender's Study Bible says "In sum, we can be absolutely confident that the events described in Genesis are not merely ancient legends or religious allegories, but the actual eyewitness accounts of the places, events, and people of those early days of earth history, written by men who were there, then transcribed to Moses, who finally compiled and edited them into a permanent record of those ancient times.
Question: If Genesis isn't historical fact, then what is it? What does Genesis present itself as - allegorical or factual. If Genesis is just stories, why is it in the Bible? Do you think it is possible that all of Genesis is an eyewitness account?
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Study of John - Lesson 18
John 3:1-8
Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. This was probably to keep it hush-hush. Jesus was quite a celebrity at the moment and the Pharisees were very interested in who He was and what He was going to do next. Nicodemus was a pharisee and possibly one of the top pharisees in the ruling counsel. He was the man selected to go to Jesus privately and find out what he could about Him.
The word "pharisee" means to separate or distinguish. It is clear that the Pharisees that are mentioned in the gospels were very influential in both national policy (under Roman rule), in local politics, and in religious matters throughout Israel. The Pharisees held the scriptures as how God expressed His will to the people. They believed people could and should make moral and life choices by applying the scriptures. This is not a bad thing, but they lost the meaning and relationship with God along the way.
The Pharisees had a particular problem with Jesus because He taught by His own authority, not only from the scriptures. Although Jesus taught by His own authority, the Pharisees were never able to prove how his teachings were contradictory to scripture. Jesus had a huge problem with the Pharisees because they were the teachers of the people, yet they missed the point of it all. They preached laws over relationship. Jesus preached relationship above all else.
I really love how Jesus always confounds the Pharisees and this is no exception. They ask leading questions and he traps them with their own words by looking into their hearts. In defense of Nicodemus, he isn't trying to trap Jesus, he just wants to know more about Him.
Knowing Nicodemus and the Pharisees, he began by confusing Nicodemus by giving him a simple "instruction" - that we must be born again. Nicodemus began immediately searching for a "formula" or set of rules that he could glean from Jesus' words. He was simply doing what he always did - taking scriptures and memorizing the "rules". He wasn't sure how someone could follow this rule, but he was willing to give it a shot. "But how can anyone be born when he is already old? Can he enter his mother's womb a second time and be born?", he asks.
Jesus goes on the explain that we must be born of water and spirit or we will never enter the kingdom of God. Being born represents new life. We were all born once. We must be made new again. Water is used here as a symbol of renewal and being made clean. He is also discussing the importance of becoming new or reborn through spiritual renewal. Baptism is a symbol and sign of our renewal in Jesus Christ. The Pharisees were very interested in baptism and send a group to see what John the Baptist was up to with his baptism and talk of repentance. Jesus knows this. He gets right to the point and explains that we must go ever further - past repentance to renewal. He explains how to reach the kingdom of God, we must take our rebirth to completion with a complete renewal. The old self passes away and the new man is born of the spirit. This is only possible through Jesus.
Question: Jesus challenged Nicodemus to look at things through different eyes. Nicodemus was used to taking the scriptures and turning them into a set of rules to follow. He may have had good intentions, but the Pharisees lost the meaning along the way. How has God challenged you to see something in your life through new eyes? Have you ever asked Jesus a leading question and been confounded by the answer?
Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. This was probably to keep it hush-hush. Jesus was quite a celebrity at the moment and the Pharisees were very interested in who He was and what He was going to do next. Nicodemus was a pharisee and possibly one of the top pharisees in the ruling counsel. He was the man selected to go to Jesus privately and find out what he could about Him.
The word "pharisee" means to separate or distinguish. It is clear that the Pharisees that are mentioned in the gospels were very influential in both national policy (under Roman rule), in local politics, and in religious matters throughout Israel. The Pharisees held the scriptures as how God expressed His will to the people. They believed people could and should make moral and life choices by applying the scriptures. This is not a bad thing, but they lost the meaning and relationship with God along the way.
The Pharisees had a particular problem with Jesus because He taught by His own authority, not only from the scriptures. Although Jesus taught by His own authority, the Pharisees were never able to prove how his teachings were contradictory to scripture. Jesus had a huge problem with the Pharisees because they were the teachers of the people, yet they missed the point of it all. They preached laws over relationship. Jesus preached relationship above all else.
I really love how Jesus always confounds the Pharisees and this is no exception. They ask leading questions and he traps them with their own words by looking into their hearts. In defense of Nicodemus, he isn't trying to trap Jesus, he just wants to know more about Him.
Knowing Nicodemus and the Pharisees, he began by confusing Nicodemus by giving him a simple "instruction" - that we must be born again. Nicodemus began immediately searching for a "formula" or set of rules that he could glean from Jesus' words. He was simply doing what he always did - taking scriptures and memorizing the "rules". He wasn't sure how someone could follow this rule, but he was willing to give it a shot. "But how can anyone be born when he is already old? Can he enter his mother's womb a second time and be born?", he asks.
Jesus goes on the explain that we must be born of water and spirit or we will never enter the kingdom of God. Being born represents new life. We were all born once. We must be made new again. Water is used here as a symbol of renewal and being made clean. He is also discussing the importance of becoming new or reborn through spiritual renewal. Baptism is a symbol and sign of our renewal in Jesus Christ. The Pharisees were very interested in baptism and send a group to see what John the Baptist was up to with his baptism and talk of repentance. Jesus knows this. He gets right to the point and explains that we must go ever further - past repentance to renewal. He explains how to reach the kingdom of God, we must take our rebirth to completion with a complete renewal. The old self passes away and the new man is born of the spirit. This is only possible through Jesus.
Question: Jesus challenged Nicodemus to look at things through different eyes. Nicodemus was used to taking the scriptures and turning them into a set of rules to follow. He may have had good intentions, but the Pharisees lost the meaning along the way. How has God challenged you to see something in your life through new eyes? Have you ever asked Jesus a leading question and been confounded by the answer?
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Study of John - Week 17
b. Verses 23-25
Jesus spent some time in Jerusalem focusing on the people. He healed the sick, and comforted the sorrowing, but He did not stand up and say that He was the Messiah. During this time, Jesus was enormously popular and could have easily taken advantage of this fact. Jesus already knew that people would accept him, but He also knew that many would fall away when He told them what He had to do and the changes that people had to make in their own lives.
Why didn’t Jesus seize the moment? Jesus was not living for the temporal world. He was thinking eternally. He knew that it didn’t matter in the long run and He was there for a purpose. He just wanted to love people and help them while he was in Jerusalem. If he had claimed to be the Messiah by actually saying it and proving it by some even greater sign, then He could have set off a celebration and word would have spread throughout Israel and the world. It would have been a pointless distraction and would have prolonged or prevented Jesus from accomplishing His actual task of dying on the cross as a payment for all sin. God placed the responsibility on Jesus. Jesus could have chosen not to go through with it. Jesus could have established Himself as King of the world and chosen not to die for our sins, but He didn’t. Just like we have a choice to accept Him or not, Jesus also had a choice.
Jesus knew that some people were not believers for the long haul and they just were there for the spectacle. Jesus never asked anyone to believe in Him unless they fully understood what that would mean. Also, Jesus did not need to prove to Himself the hearts of men, he already knew their hearts.
I think that Jesus could have taken advantage of His popularity and still found a way to accomplish His task in the end. Why didn’t He? He really reveals his heart. Jesus has a heart for us and He would rather spend time helping and ministering to people than being hailed as an earthly king or something. In other words, He isn’t in it for the fame; He’s in it for us.
Question: Have you ever had someone give up something in order to help you, like Jesus gave up the glory of the moment to be able to be close to the people and minister to them? Have you given up something to help someone else? What did it reveal to you about God and His heart for you?
Jesus spent some time in Jerusalem focusing on the people. He healed the sick, and comforted the sorrowing, but He did not stand up and say that He was the Messiah. During this time, Jesus was enormously popular and could have easily taken advantage of this fact. Jesus already knew that people would accept him, but He also knew that many would fall away when He told them what He had to do and the changes that people had to make in their own lives.
Why didn’t Jesus seize the moment? Jesus was not living for the temporal world. He was thinking eternally. He knew that it didn’t matter in the long run and He was there for a purpose. He just wanted to love people and help them while he was in Jerusalem. If he had claimed to be the Messiah by actually saying it and proving it by some even greater sign, then He could have set off a celebration and word would have spread throughout Israel and the world. It would have been a pointless distraction and would have prolonged or prevented Jesus from accomplishing His actual task of dying on the cross as a payment for all sin. God placed the responsibility on Jesus. Jesus could have chosen not to go through with it. Jesus could have established Himself as King of the world and chosen not to die for our sins, but He didn’t. Just like we have a choice to accept Him or not, Jesus also had a choice.
Jesus knew that some people were not believers for the long haul and they just were there for the spectacle. Jesus never asked anyone to believe in Him unless they fully understood what that would mean. Also, Jesus did not need to prove to Himself the hearts of men, he already knew their hearts.
I think that Jesus could have taken advantage of His popularity and still found a way to accomplish His task in the end. Why didn’t He? He really reveals his heart. Jesus has a heart for us and He would rather spend time helping and ministering to people than being hailed as an earthly king or something. In other words, He isn’t in it for the fame; He’s in it for us.
Question: Have you ever had someone give up something in order to help you, like Jesus gave up the glory of the moment to be able to be close to the people and minister to them? Have you given up something to help someone else? What did it reveal to you about God and His heart for you?
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