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A Door of Hope

The first city to fall to Joshua and the Israelites when they crossed into Canaan was Jericho.  God gave very specific instructions for its overthrow.  The Israelites circled the city six days, but on the seventh day they were instructed to circle it seven times.  After the seventh time, the trumpet sounded, the people shouted and the wall of the city fell “down flat.” (Joshua 6:2-5)

God also gave instruction concerning the inhabitants of the city and their belongings.  The city was counted as “accursed…and all that are therein, to the LORD…But all the silver and gold…are consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD.” (Joshua 2:17-19)  God had instructed the people to keep themselves from the “accursed thing” lest they themselves would be accursed.  This brings us to Achan.

Achan took from among the spoils a “garment…silver and…gold” and hid them in his tent.  This disobedience led to the downfall of the Israelites in their attempt to take the city Ai. God exposed Achan’s sin to Joshua and Achan and his family and all of his belongings were stoned and burnt in the Valley of Achor and a pile of stones placed over them.  Achor means “trouble.”  Achan had “troubled” Israel by taking the accursed thing and promoting their initial defeat at Ai.

Fast forward about 665 years.  God’s earthly people, Israel, had departed from Him and He looked at them as an adulterous wife.  Even so, He spoke through His prophet Hosea, of His future restoration of her to Himself by His grace.  In His promise to the nation, He states “I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.  And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth.” (Hosea 2:14-15)

The valley of trouble in the day of Joshua has now become a door of hope!  Only God can do this.  God can take us through troubled and difficult times and lead us to a door of hope.  The COVID-19 virus hangs over our community, our nation, and our families as a shroud.  But God is in control.  He alone knows the path this will take us.  If we belong to Him, all the paths He leads us through come out at the right place.  He is our Door of Hope!    

Homeless in This World

As Jesus was returning to Jerusalem on one occasion, “a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee withersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Luke 9:57-58). The man was convinced of the Lord’s teaching and wanted to follow him as his disciple. But Jesus spoke of his own circumstances to teach an important understanding concerning discipleship. A true follower of Christ is homeless, without roots, in this world.

Our Lord spoke readily that foxes and birds like all other creatures have their own homes. But he did not have a place to call his own. How  ironic that the Creator of this world had no place of his own. The point that he made was emphatic. This world was not his home. He testified that he “came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me” (John 6:38). Later when confronting the Pharisees about their plot to kill him, he asserted “Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world” (John 8:23).

Jesus, the Son of God, left heaven to do the Father’s will. He took on human flesh and was born of a virgin (John 1:14). Though he lived a sinless life, he suffered and died on the cross to pay for the sins of the world (Romans 3:21-26). He was raised from the dead the third day and ascended back into heaven where he is seated on the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2). Heaven is his home, not this earth. And the same is true for those of us who claim him as Savior and Lord.

Jesus spoke to this effect when he prayed for his disciples prior to his crucifixion. Speaking to his heavenly Father, he prayed “I have given them [his disciples] thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:14-16).

For the believer, home is heaven and heaven is home! Jesus himself promised “I go [back to heaven] to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3). Our days on this earth are measured. We are but strangers and pilgrims and, like Abraham, we “look for a city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10).

The apostle Paul, gripped by this truth, reminded the believers in Philippi, “our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” (Philippians 3:20-21).

The child of God cannot be “at home” in a world that rejects the love of the Father. John admonishes the believer “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (I John 2:15). Tell me, friend, where is your home?

Opportunity and Availability

Luke records in his gospel an event that is notably recorded in all four of the gospels, Jesus’ miraculous feeding of the five thousand (Luke 9:10-17; Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; John 6:1-14). This repetition recorded for us in the gospels adds weight to its significance in the life of Christ.

Earlier the Lord had “called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick…And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere” (Luke 9:1-2, 5). The Scriptures then record that “when they were returned…he [Jesus] took them, and went aside privately [by ship] into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida” (Luke 9:10). Mark’s gospel adds that they might “rest a while” (Mark 6:31).

While there is a need to rest in the course of ministry, it did not happen on this occasion. “And the people saw them departing, and many knew him [Jesus], and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him. And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things” (Mark 6:33-34). Rest gave way to opportunity.

Often the opportunity to serve or minister shows up on our doorstep quite uninvited interrupting our plans, obstructing our pursuits, and upsetting our schedule. Human nature being what it is, the disciples likely felt that true in their circumstances. Their “rest” was not just interrupted, but forfeited altogether. So “when the day was far spent, his disciples came to him, and said, this is a desert place, and now the time is far passed: send them away, that they may go into the country round about…and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat” (Mark 6:35-36).

Jesus had other plans. He said, “Give ye them to eat. And they said, we have no more but five loaves and two fishes…for all this people. For they were about five thousand men” (Luke 9:14). Matthew records that this was “beside women and children]” (Matthew 14:21). Opportunity to minister had now come face to face with outright insufficiency to do so. The Lord continued with his lesson.

Luke records that the Lord instructed his disciples to seat the people, and then “took the five loaves and the two fishes, and…blessed them, and brake and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. And they did eat, and were all filled” (Luke 9:16).

The opportunity for ministry often comes when we least expect it and, perhaps, when we see ourselves as the least prepared for it. Ministry takes place when our opportunity converges with our availability because the Lord is not looking for our resources, but for our readiness. We find that when we are spent, he is evermore sufficient. Depending on our own resources forfeits many opportunities to be used by him.

God Will Judge Those That Rule

David, the king of Israel, penned these words under the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit. “He that ruleth over men must be just ruling in the fear of God” (2 Samuel 23:3). Those who hold positions of authority do so at the prerogative and purpose of God. They serve at his prerogative because God is ultimately responsible for their appointment. No man (or woman) comes to any office at their own doing. The prophet Daniel records, “he [God] changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings” (Daniel 2:21). He later adds, “the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men” (Daniel 4:17).

Those in authority serve according to the purpose of God. The Scriptures teach “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (Romans 13:1). God has given mankind government to restrain evil and accommodate that which is good. Paul explains this further. “Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: for he [rulers] is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” (Romans 13:2-4; emphasis added).

On two separate occasions, Paul speaks of those governing as the “minister of God.” David grasped this truth and understood his role before the God in Whom all authority rests. This compelled him to affirm that those who rule must do so in the fear of God. God always holds men accountable for what he gives them. For example, he gives believers gifts to use in the church and he will hold each accountable for his or her use of such gifts. He gives authority to men to rule, and he will judge them for how they ruled.

Asaph, another of the Psalmists, wrote concerning this judgment. “God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods [rulers]. How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked?” (Psalm 82:1-2). God is present in every council of those gathered to legislate and to lead. He is a silent witness to the actions of men; He hears every word; and, He understands exhaustively the motives of the heart. God does not take lightly the stewardship of ruling. He expects the authority he has given to men to be exercised righteously and this expectation extends to all “who bear the sword.”

Those who rule enjoy much privilege. But God reminds them that in spite of privilege they, too, “shall die like men” (Psalm 82:7). In our society today it is very evident that many who rule have lost sight of their calling to rule in the fear of God. Be assured, the most High has not lost sight of them. “Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit the nations” (Psalm 82:8).

After Death, What?

All men (and women) die. We don’t like to think about that, but it is an inevitable reality of living. Every cemetery we pass on the road testifies to this inescapable truth. All men die. Some die young and some die old. Some die expectedly and some die unexpectedly. Some die without notice and some die with great fanfare. But all men die.

But what happens to us after we die? That is the question that must be addressed. Is death the end for us? Does our existence disappear without consciousness? The Scriptures teach us what happens after death, and we would do well to give heed to its testimony.

The Scriptures declare plainly, “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). There are two appointments spoken of in this verse, death and judgment. Both must be kept. Paul admonished the believers in Rome “So then every one of us shall give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12).

This world was created by an all powerful God for his purpose and his glory. That creation and purpose includes each one of us. The Psalmist wrote “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1). We should not be surprised that we must give an account to our Creator. Tragically, many, if not most men will come to that day of judgment having never acknowledged their Creator nor his benefits. That will be devastating!

Speaking of that day of judgment, Christ gives us a glimpse of what that will be like for those who do not know him as Savior. “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works…And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:11-12, 15).

The small and great will stand before God. Presidents, ball players, movie stars, doctors, teachers, moms, dads, sons and daughters will stand before God. The good (as we view them) and the wicked will all stand before God and be judged by their own works according to the standards of God’s absolute holiness. Keep in mind that the Scriptures teach us that “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). That being true, we must ask ourselves with the author of Hebrews, “how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him” (Hebrews 2:3). To neglect is to suffer eternal damnation.

Jesus Christ bore the wrath of God on the cross for our sins. Those that put their faith in him “hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but [are] passed from death unto life” (John 5:24). Their names are written in the Lamb’s book of life!

He Is Coming Again

The Scriptures record for us that Jesus was born of a virgin; that he lived a sinless life; that he suffered a cruel death on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins; that he was buried and rose again the third day. These truths concerning our Lord Jesus are incontestable.

Concerning his resurrection, the Apostle Paul writes “that he [Jesus] rose again the third day according to the scriptures: and that he was seen of Cephas [Peter], then of the twelve [his disciples]: after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me [Paul] also” (I Corinthians 15:5-8). Luke adds that “he [Jesus] showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them [his disciples] forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:2-3).

At his last gathering with the disciples, he told them “ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses…unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received them out of their sight” (Acts 1:8-9).

Where is Jesus now? The writer of Hebrews tells us that “this man [Jesus], after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God: from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool” (Hebrews 13:12-13). Peter explains further that he “is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him” (I Peter 3:22).

Jesus is in heaven right now, but he is coming back! He promised this even before his crucifixion. In an effort to find fault with him, the high priest asked Jesus “Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:61-62). John repeated the promise in the final book of our Scriptures: “Behold, he [Jesus] cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him” (Revelation 1:7).

Friend, Jesus is coming again to earth, not as a babe in a manger, but this time as King of kings and Lord of lords. Peter noted that “there shall come in the last days scoffers…saying, where is the promise of his coming…But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:3-4, 8-9).

Believer, “be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh…behold, the judge standeth before the door” (James 5:9). When he comes, he shall make all things right. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:21).

Are All Mankind Sinners?

Are all mankind sinners? John tells us in his epistle “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law” (I John 3:4). The law spoken of here is God’s law. We have come to know this law as the ten commandments. Thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal; thou shalt not commit adultery; thou shalt not covet; thou shalt not bear false witness (lie); honor thy father and thy mother. These commandments govern our relationship to other men and women. The other four deal with our relationship to God, but these listed are sufficient to answer our question.

Jesus taught how these commandments were intended to be applied to our lives. He explained that these sins were not just the overt acts, but included the very thoughts we entertained in our hearts. For example, on adultery he said “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28).

Paul reminded the believers in Rome that “the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good” (Romans 7:12). He could say that because the law reflects the holy character of God. After all, it is his law, and sin, or the transgression of the law, is necessarily a violation of his holy character even though committed against another man or woman.

Therein lies the rub. Face it, we tend to compare our sins to others whose list of  sins is, perhaps, longer, and more frowned upon in society than our own list. How foolish is that! That is like one corpse in a cemetery boasting that it is not as dead as another corpse because it has not decomposed as much. When it comes to counting sins, we must see ourselves before a holy God. David, even after he committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband to cover his sin, understood that the perspective that mattered most was God’s. He was forced to acknowledge “against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight” (Psalm 51:4).

Returning to our question, are all mankind sinners, the inescapable answer is absolutely. Man is bent toward sin from the moment he is born. The Psalmist notes “the wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies” (Psalm 58:3). We know this is true. Whoever had to teach a child to lie?

Men sin and left to themselves will sin more. God provided government to aid in restraining evil. “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil… But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he [the ruler] beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” (Romans 13:3-4). Imagine a society without law enforcement officers – ugh!

The best news against this backdrop is Paul’s testimony to Timothy. “This is a faithful saying…that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (I Timothy1:15). Praise God!

Will God Judge

The Psalmist asks a penetrating question. “Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? He hath said in his heart, thou wilt not require it” (Psalm 10:13). In modern day vernacular, the sinner does not fear the judgment of God. He believes that God will not judge. So he or she readily dismisses the warnings from God’s word and his messengers as irrelevant. In short, such warnings are despised and held with contempt.

What a tragic misconception about God and his attitude toward sin. The sinner foolishly thinks that because God has not judged, he will not judge. Man willingly fails to understand the implications of God’s sovereignty. His sovereignty over all things means that he can wait to judge until doing so fits the context of his eternal plan. While his holy character demands that every sin must be addressed, the Lord is not constrained to act immediately against the unrepentant sinner to vindicate his holiness. His omniscience prevents any sin falling “through the crack” and left unaddressed. Furthermore, his righteous character coupled with infinite wisdom assures judgment that is both righteous and commensurate. The bottom line is God can wait to judge because of who he is. But, make no mistake, he will judge. Denying that he will do so is tragic because it leads to certain destruction.

It is God’s great patience with the sinner that is vastly misunderstood. The Scriptures teach “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee that thou mayest be feared” (Psalm 130:3). God knows the sinner’s sins, all of them, but he waits. He waits for the sinner to repent, to come to him, to seek forgiveness. The love of God restrains his just wrath because he  “is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

God demonstrated his response to sin and love for the sinner when Jesus bore our sins on the cross of Calvary. There God poured out his wrath against sin for all mankind. It is there “God commandeth his love for us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). God’s just and holy wrath was satisfied by our Savior’s sacrifice for us. And all who trust in him “have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:14). But we must trust in him. Christ alone is the safe harbor in the sea of God’s wrath upon sin.

So for now God waits. But there will be a time when waiting ends and judgment comes. God in his sovereignty “hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness” (Acts 17:31). “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged…every man according to his works. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:11-15).

Why do you wait? “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).

To Love Christ is to Love His Church

When Jesus was taken captive by the officers of the Jews, he was brought to the palace of the high priest. The Scriptures record that Peter followed Jesus and was let into the palace by “her that kept the door” at the request of John “who was known unto the high priest” (John 18:15-16). It was in that setting that Peter denied knowing Christ on three separate occasions (Matthew 26:69-75).

Fast forward to the Sea of Galilee after the Lord was resurrected from the dead. Peter and other of the disciples are fishing offshore. Jesus appears on the shore and miraculously makes a futile night fishing profitable with a huge catch of fish. At this point they make their way to join him on shore where they dine with him.

After the meal Jesus ministers to Peter’s failure at the high priest’s palace. He asks Peter three times “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?” (John 21:17). Each time Peter responds to Jesus, “Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee” (John 21:16). It is through this exchange that our Lord tenderly restores Peter to a place of service.

It is interesting to note here that love for Christ manifests itself in love for his children. On each occasion after Peter’s response, Jesus instructed Peter “feed my sheep” (John 21:16). In essence, the Lord said, “Peter, if you love me, love those that belong to me, too”. This admonition extends to all those who have been born again. John stated in his epistle “everyone that loveth him that begat [Jesus] loveth him also that is begotten of him” (I John 5:1).

The Scriptures know nothing of loving Christ apart from loving those in his body, the church. It is a family kind of love that God gives to his children, and it testifies to our new life in Christ. “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren” (I John 3:14).

What does it mean to love the brethren? God has placed each of his children “in the body, as it has pleased him” (I Corinthians 12:18). Furthermore, he has gifted each one of his children with a specific ability to minister to his or her fellow believers in the body. “But the manifestation of the Spirit [spiritual gift] is given to every man to profit withal” (I Corinthians 12:7). Not only has God gifted his children, but he has the expectation that each believer will use his gift. “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (I Peter 4:10).

Loving the brethren means we seek and pray for the welfare of those in the family of God with a governing focus of promoting Christlikeness in each to the glory of God. Yet a love for others must first necessarily overcome our own self-interest. Paul challenged the Philippian believers accordingly. “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Philippians 2:4).  Only then are we able to “serve one another in love” (Galatians 5:13).

How about you? Are you in the family of God? “But as many as received him [Jesus], to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born…of God” (John 1:12-13). Fellow believer, how are you demonstrating love to your brothers and sisters in Christ?

We Lead by Serving

What comes to your mind when you think about the role, responsibility, and exercise of leadership? How we answer that question reveals much about the state of our society. A well-functioning, multi-faceted society requires a variety of leadership roles carrying out their responsibilities in an effective manner. On one hand, leaders by definition operate  with a degree of autonomy. On the other hand, the effectiveness of their leadership is leveraged by a proper sense of inter-dependence with other societal leadership roles. But there is one quality that is the earmark of all effective leadership and that is a servant’s mindset. However counter-intuitive that may sound to us, it is nonetheless the chief characteristic set forth by the Lord Jesus Christ to his disciples. It is key to leadership.

Our Lord took time to teach this valuable lesson to his disciples following the Passover meal. He arose from supper and “laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded” (John 13:4-5). His action created no small stir among his disciples. After all, Jesus was their Messiah and Lord, the very Son of God. “So after he had washed their feet…and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:12-15).

The key to understanding our Lord’s actions is found in his love for his disciples. Immediately prior to washing the disciples’ feet, the Scripture records “when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end” (John 13:1; emphasis added). His example declares and teaches that love flows from authority.

Love then is a superintending and selfless care for those under authority. This mindset, consequently, must be the prevailing and governing mindset of all who exercise authority by virtue of their leadership roles. Another way of expressing this truth is that a leader’s thinking must be governed by the benefit accrued to those under their leadership. Leaders do what is best for those whom they lead. In this sense, leaders serve those under their leadership.

At one time during Jesus’ earthly ministry, James and John requested of him that they might sit on his right hand and on his left hand in his kingdom. Christ pointed out that they had mischaracterized the purpose of leadership, which is not found in position, but in service. He both admonished and challenged them (James and John, as well as all the disciples) saying  “whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:44-45). Love truly does flow from authority.

How about your view of leadership? Do you consider yourself a leader? Do you have in mind the best interest of those under your leadership as you lead?

Whom Say Ye That I Am?

The gospel writer, Luke, records the Lord’s challenge to his disciples about his identity. “And it came to pass, as he [Jesus] was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, whom say the people that I am?” (Luke 9:18). It was a fair question. He had come testifying that he was the Son of God, performing the miracles that was prophesied of his being and purpose. Even so, the answers of the people missed the mark. “They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again” (Luke 9:19).

It is evident from the passage that Jesus was not moved by what the people thought, but that he desired this initial inquiry to lead to exploring what his disciples thought. “He said unto them, but whom say ye that I am?” (Luke 9:20). They had been living in close proximity to the Lord for quite some time now, both observing his miracles and listening to his teaching. It was imperative that his disciples were convinced of his claims as to who he was before they could embrace his purpose for coming. Peter speaking with great boldness and confidence, perhaps for all of the disciples, “answered and said, thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).

The Scriptures declare “From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day” (Matthew 16:21). This was not what his disciples were expecting.

The title “Christ” is the Greek form of the Hebrew word “Messiah.” The Messiah was God’s anointed One, the promised deliverer of God’s earthly people, the Jews. In Jesus’ day the Jews expected the Messiah to deliver his people from Roman rule and establish his kingdom on earth. But before Jesus could take his place as the King of Israel, he must first suffer death on the cross. “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

The disciples recoiled at the Lord’s declaration of his death. In fact, Peter rebuked the Lord, saying, “be it far from thee, Lord: this [his death] shall not be unto thee” (Matthew 1622). But our Lord answered Peter forcefully ascribing his resistance to God’s will to Satan himself. “Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men” (Matthew 16:23).

Our Savior clearly understood God’s plan and purpose in redeeming the souls of men and followed it faithfully. The claims of Christ stand today as plain as they did 2,000 years ago. He is the Messiah, the King of Israel and the Lamb of God, the Savior of men. He is coming back soon to establish his throne. The question that Jesus asked his disciples remains valid. What think ye? Whom say ye that I am?