To Know God As Our Strength

 Holy Week 2021

March 31, 2021

Wednesday of Holy Week

To Know God As Our Strength

“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

Psalm 22:1

Read: Psalm 22

It is not just this opening line that connects this psalm to the crucifixion of Jesus. Throughout this psalm you can see Jesus on the Cross, and you can see the people gathered around Jesus. See the crowd scorning the psalmist in v. 6-8 and compare with Matthew 27:39-43; the gambling for garments in v.18 and compare with John 19:23-24. Also consider the psalmist’s cry in v. 15 “My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth” and Jesus’ cry, “I thirst” in John 19:28. As you read the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion, you will see even more parallels. Both Matthew and the writer of Hebrews proclaim that Jesus fulfilled this psalm. Why should that be significant to us today? I can suggest three reasons.

First, all of the Gospel writers want us to know that Jesus, who was crucified, dead and buried, was the Messiah of God, the One the scriptures promised would come and save Israel, save the world. By connecting the events in the life of Jesus to Old Testament prophesies, we can see God at work fulfilling His plan to redeem the world.

Secondly, the psalm points to the coming again of Jesus in final victory. (Psalm 22:27-28) As followers of Jesus, it is important for us to always be mindful that Jesus isn’t finished with his work. He will complete the restoration of God’s Kingdom on earth, and we get to be co-laborers with him in that work.

Lastly, I am writing this meditation just after the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 stay home orders, and there is uncertainty when things will get better. We all are experiencing trials and distress in our lives. In such times, Jesus is our model. As we yield ourselves to him, he will empower us to follow his path that was prophesied in Psalm 22. Like Jesus, we can openly acknowledge to God our sense of despair, to remember God’s past care for our lives, to embrace the reality of our circumstances, and to know God as our strength who comes quickly to our aid.

My Takeaway: Let us proclaim with the psalmist,

“I will praise you in the great assembly.

I will fulfill my vows in the presence

of those who worship you.”

Psalm 22:25

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

“I Am He”

 Holy Week 2021

March 30, 2021

Tuesday of Holy Week

“I Am He”

“Who is it you want?”  

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.

“I am he,” Jesus said.

John 18:4-5

Read: John 18:1-14

The first half of John 18 details the arrest of Jesus and Peter’s three denials of Jesus. Through these details, God’s grand and glorious ‘do-over’ is becoming clearer. Recall that the Gospels present the story of Jesus in a particular setting. There was the first exodus of God’s people led by Moses. Now God’s Messiah is leading the second exodus. There was the Garden of Eden inhabited by Adam. Now we are in a second garden, Gethsemane. In the first Garden, God, in the cool of the evening, came looking for Adam. In the second Garden, in the cool of the evening, sinful man comes looking for Jesus, God’s second Adam. (The Apostle Paul writes much about the ‘first’ and ‘last’ Adam in Romans 5 and 1 Corinthians 15) Another Garden will be the setting for Jesus’ resurrection.

‘Who are you looking for?” Jesus asked. “Jesus of Nazareth” the soldiers replied.

Those gathered in the Garden heard much more than Jesus’ simple reply, “I am he.” They heard; “I AM.”

“I AM The Bread Of Life.”

“I AM The Light Of The World.”

“I AM The Gate.”

“I AM The Good Shepherd.”

“I AM The Resurrection And The Life.”

“I AM The Way, The Truth And The Life.”

‘I AM The Vine.”

Take a few minutes and ponder these seven I AM statements. Which one captures your attention more than the other six? Stay a while with the one I AM statement that has captured your heart. Listen for the Holy Spirit speaking to you. Is there something God is calling you to do, or to change in your life in response to this statement?

My Takeaway: My heart was captured by, “I AM The Way, The Truth And The Life.” I immediately thought back to Jesus’ three warnings at the end of the Sermon on the Mount and his call to enter into his Kingdom through the narrow gate. I trust that Jesus will empower me to be obedient to his way, his truth and his life. 

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

 

That I Myself May Be in Them

 

Holy Week 2021

March 29, 2021

Monday of Holy Week

That I Myself May Be in Them

“I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

John 17:26

Read: John 17:20-26

In Chapter 17 of John’s Gospel, we are brought into the inner sanctum, the holy of holies, the very heart of Jesus, where we can sit at the feet of Jesus while he prays for us. I am in awe of Jesus’ prayer that brings his followers into a personal, intimate relationship with the Father. Jesus envisions his followers experiencing the very same unity that is glorified in the unity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

This is a good place to reflect on how the Christian church has said ‘Thanks, but no thanks” to Jesus’ intercession for his church. The disharmony between denominations and blatant disrespect and lack of unity within some denominations is reprehensible. Perhaps the best evidence of sin’s total corruption of humanity is how Christians sing praise to God, all the while refusing to edify their brothers and sisters in Christ in other churches. Could John have been any clearer when he warned the church? “If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is still living in darkness” (1John 2:9).

The way John writes Jesus’ prayer suggests that he may have incorporated the prayer into his own devotional life as well as taught others to pray Jesus’ prayer. This can be a helpful devotional practice for us as well. Here is how I am internalizing Jesus’ prayer in verses 13-19 into my prayer:

“Father, make me holy by your truth; teach me your word, which is truth. Just as you sent Jesus into the world, Jesus is sending me into the world. As Jesus gave himself as a holy sacrifice for me so I can be made holy by your truth, may I glorify you and your Son, Christ Jesus, by being obedient to your truth. Amen”

My Takeaway: This prayer of Jesus highlights the truth that God has called us to go into our world, our culture, but not to be of our world or its culture. It is our life in Christ that allows us to be in, but not be of.

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

On Mars Hill - Part 2

 Meditations on The Acts of the Apostles

March 26, 2021

On Mars Hill

‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’

Acts 17:28

Read: Acts 17:22-34 Pt 2

As I continue to contemplate Paul’s message on Mars Hill, I notice how Paul proclaimed that God is bringing history to a conclusion where all people will journey to the judgment seat of God where Jesus Christ is the Judge. The proof of all this is the resurrection of Jesus. It is no unknown god, but the risen Christ who is Lord of all.

Paul’s proclamation did not produce a harvest for God’s Kingdom. Some mocked at Paul’s mention of the resurrection of Jesus, which brings to mind Paul’s assertion to the Corinthians: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Some were curious and wanted to hear Paul speak again. However, these were the ones who “spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.” (v. 21) It was not likely these folks would actually decide to respond to Paul’s offer of new life in Christ.

However, “some of the people became followers of Paul and believed.” (v.34a) Luke even lists their names!

My Takeaway: As for me, Paul’s words in Acts 17:28 sum up my life: “For in him we live and move and have our being.” How about you?

Holy Week 2021

I will be taking a break from meditations on the Book of Acts during Holy Week, March 29-April 4. For this week I will have seven meditations, concluding Saturday and Easter Sunday with thoughts on the resurrection of Jesus, John 20:1-18.

I’ll resume my series on Acts on April 5, 2021. 

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.