No Blemish

NO BLEMISH

Third of twelve in Lamb of God Parallel Bible Series

Exodus 12:5, 1 Peter 1:19

Exodus 12:5:  “The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats.”

1 Peter 1:18-19:  “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”

            God cannot be mocked (Galatians 6:7).  But, God is serious about redeeming people!  Since the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), death is the price a redeemer pays.  After sin came into the world, God demanded animal sacrifices to pay for people’s sins.  Sacrificing a deformed sheep or goat definitely wouldn’t work.   

            But people tend to take short cuts.  They love to barter, and make deals.  Why not sacrifice the maimed animal for God’s forgiveness and keep the perfect ones for breeding?  The sacrificed one’s going to die anyway.  Uh, uh ah, God shakes His head “no,” wagging His finger. 

            What honor does God receive when people sacrifice the worst—or even second-best—for Him to forgive sin?  No honor.  That’s mocking God.  And today, what honor does God receive when people give some of what’s left after paying bills in God’s collection plate at church?  First fruits mean first (Exodus 23:19)!   We need to take that seriously. 

            To redeem us, God sacrificed His best.  His perfect Son!  Jesus never sinned.  Jesus never even told a lie.  Jesus was not deformed.  Jesus wasn’t saved for breeding.  Jesus offered Himself as a willing sacrifice to die for you and me. 

            Wouldn’t you agree that sin is a defect, a blemish on people?  How can we honor God’s giving us Jesus?  Hebrews 10:26 says, “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left.”

            We saw in “No Deceit” devotion that ten year old Brad found a baggie of weed in the playground.   When his classmate Jeremy wondered what he’d do with it, Brad said, “Smoke it!”  Marijuana isn’t legal in most states in the USA…so the right thing to do with that baggie is to turn it into someone with authority.  Like a teacher.

Take Home Nugget  

            Jeremy confronted Brad.  “You know, we really ought to turn in the weed.   What if you get caught smoking it?”

            “Yeah, I know.” Brad admitted.  “It is tempting, though.  One smoke wouldn’t hurt, would it?”

            “Forget that!” Jeremy said, laughing out loud.  “No more brilliant ideas, Brad!”    

God is a perfectionist.  Jesus never sinned.  Why do people think a little sin won’t matter? 

            J.D. Griffith

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No Deceit

NO DECEIT

Second of twelve in Lamb of God Parallel Bible Series

Isaiah 53:9c, John 18:37-38

Isaiah 53:9c:  “…though He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.”

John 18:37-38:  “‘You are a king then!’ said Pilate. 

Jesus answered, ‘You are right in saying I am a king.  In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.  Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me.’

‘What is truth?’ Pilate asked.  With this he went out again to the Jews and said, ‘I find no basis for a charge against Him.’”

            Deceit [di-SEET] means dishonesty, trickery, pretense, cheat, a sham or fraud.  Most temptations are deceitful, especially when the devil’s involved.  What wonders they promise never happen.  When people are tempted—we frequently choose to give in—rather than to walk away from it.   Then we lie about it.  But not Jesus.

            Jesus always told the truth. 

            Ten year old Brad found a baggie on the playground.  He picked it up and looked inside—with his fifth grade classmate looking over his shoulder.

            “Is that what I think it is?” Jeremy whispered in Brad’s ear, slightly breathless.  They sniffed the brown-green leafy contents. 

            “Weed.” they concluded together.  “What do you want to do?” Jeremy asked Brad.

            “Smoke it!” Brad answered, with a smile.

            Marijuana is now legal in two states in the USA.  But that wasn’t always the case. Tens of thousands are serving time in prisons for possessing marijuana.  Pot or weed,   slang term for marijuana, is a drug that’s smoked or combined in foods to be eaten.  It produces a feeling of calm. 

            But it can also trigger the opposite.  People have become fearful, and suspicious of others after it takes effect.  This is probably due to feeling guilty; convinced that they’ll be caught with an illegal substance.

            Jesus NEVER gave into temptation.  So Jesus was never scared, or felt guilty.  He never did the wrong thing.  Jesus never lied.  (I’m sure that His parents appreciated that).  Even Pilate couldn’t find one thing to accuse Jesus of being guilty of doing.  That was the truth. 

    

            Isaiah 53 is all about Jesus and His life.  Check it out for yourself, and complete the lesson that’s linked below to read what could have been Jesus’ diary.   

                             

Take Home Nugget 

            Do you think that Pilate wanted an answer to his question, “What is truth?”  Because the people opposed releasing Jesus so strongly, Pilate may have figured that the truth didn’t matter at that point.

            When did truth become a criminal offence? 

Holy Father, let me see through deceit.

Give me Your Spirit as tool

To find wisdom so pure and neat,

And never look like a fool!

J.D. Griffith

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Perfect God/Man

PERFECT GOD/MAN

First of twelve in Lamb of God Parallel Bible Series

Jeremiah 23:5-6, 1 Timothy 3:16

Jeremiah 23:5-6:  “‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.  In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety.  This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord Our Righteousness.’”

1 Timothy 3:16:  “Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great:  He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.”

            God-willing, this new parallel devotional study will continue through Easter.  I hope that you are excited to see more proof of Jesus in the Old Testament of the Bible.  Some say, “The Old Testament is ‘Old School.’  We live and worship God in the New Testament.”  They would be correct to a point: Believers today are not under the law, but under the new covenant of grace that Jesus ushered in (Romans 6:14).

            Consider this:  Suppose you go to a family reunion and only play with the cousins that are close to your own age.  Your aunts, uncles and grandparents don’t count, because they’re “old.”  Who brings the yummy food?  Aunts, uncles and grandparents.  Who drives you there?  Who thinks of fun games and contests to play—and hands out prizes to the winners?  Older relatives. 

            We cannot escape family forefathers because each generation weaves new characters into the tapestry where you exist.

            Your grandparents didn’t have a clue about you or when you’d come—until you were born.  But if they could have peeked into a supernatural family album, they’d have seen your picture—and would have waited eagerly for your arrival. 

            That’s the Old Testament of the Bible.  See the Old Testament as God’s family album.  Turn to page one in Genesis.  God created.  Next, pictures of Adam and Eve in the Garden.  Then the serpent.  Adam and Eve dressed in fig leaves.  We see Jesus first mentioned in Genesis 3:15. 

            God didn’t go to all the trouble of creation only to be Father to a family of bad (wicked, evil, sinful) kids.  Jesus was always God—but He had to come to earth as a human.  This God/man had to be perfect, since the Father is perfect (Matthew 5:38).

Take Home Nugget  

            Our heavenly Father is a perfectionist.

            Only a perfect sacrifice would do to pay for people’s sin.

            Jesus was the only one who could.  He did.  We win!

            Now we’re to be perfect, too.

Thank You, Jesus, for sacrificing Yourself for me!

J.D. Griffith

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Zeal!

ZEAL!

Twelfth of twelve in Jesus’ Earthly Life & Ministry Parallel Series

Psalm 69:9, John 2:17

Psalm 69:9: “for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.” 

John 2:17:  “His disciples remembered that it is written: ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’”

           

            Zeal means enthusiasm, or passion.  When people discover what they are passionate about, their lives bloom with purpose.  Passion gets people out of bed every day, and gives them joy.

            What does “zeal for your house consumes me” mean?  Jesus laid aside His glory when He came to earth as God clothed as a human.  These parallel devotions are designed to show readers that the Bible is Jesus’ story.  He came in person to show people Almighty God. 

            After Jesus spent a few days in Capernaum with His mother, brothers and disciples, it was time for Jewish Passover (John 2:1-16).  Jesus went to Jerusalem—and straight to the temple.  Jesus’ passion about His Father, and His Father’s house was because that’s where God is worshipped and where He dwells among His people.

            In the temple courts, Jesus saw “men selling cattle, sheep and doves.”  He watched them sit at tables exchanging money.  Jesus’ blood boiled and He lost His cool.  “He made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area.”  The cattle mooed.  The sheep bleated as they squeezed out through the temple doors.

            Then Jesus overturned tables, scattering money everywhere.  To the men watching in shocked surprise, Jesus roared, “My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.’” (Matthew 21:13).

             Jesus restored the building that housed God’s doctrine, discipline and glory. 

            Your body is God’s temple. (1 Corinthians 3 16, 6:19, 2 Corinthians 6:16).  Jesus’ purpose was also to die in your place—for the sins you commit.  Whoever believes in Jesus is forgiven of all sin and declared blameless (Philippians 2:15).

            Then, God gives you His Spirit to live inside His temple of your body—sealing you as God’s child (Ephesians 1:13).  Jesus’ zeal for His Father’s house cost Him a great deal: His dignity.  His earthly life. 

Take Home Nugget  

            Jesus’ zeal continues today.  He’s still active, interceding for you (Hebrews 7:25), sitting at the Father’s right hand.  That’s why Romans 8:28 is true:  “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”  (Emphasis mine). 

            What’s your zeal?  Believers’ joy comes from knowing that we’re sealed for salvation.

Joy, not happiness that is here today and disappears tomorrow, is why I’m smiling.  Because I’m Jesus’ passion and purpose, I’m joyful every day, all day.

J.D. Griffith

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Worldly Wisdom Put to Shame

WORLDLY WISDOM PUT TO SHAME

Eleventh of twelve in Jesus’ Earthly Life & Ministry Parallel Series

Isaiah 29:14, 1 Corinthians 1:18-21

Isaiah 29:14: “Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the world will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.” 

1 Corinthians 1:18-20:  “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.  For it is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.’  Where is the wise man?  Where is the scholar?  Where is the philosopher of this age?  Has God not made foolish the wisdom of the world?’”

             “You think you’re so smart.  But can you do this?” Scotty challenged his fifth grade classmate, Jeremy, on the basketball court.  Scotty fired the ball from the three-point line.

            Swish.

            Jeremy smiled as he rebounded the basketball and dribbled it to where Scotty shot.  He said, “I just meant,” he squared his feet to point at the basket.  Then continued, “‘Global warming’ doesn’t only mean to expect summer temperatures to be hotter.”  He shot the ball.

            Swish.

            “It really means that we can’t predict the weather anymore.” Jeremy concluded.

            Scotty rolled his eyes.   He retorted, “It’s winter, it should be snowing.”

            “Exactly!” Jeremy agreed.  “Then, why are we playing basketball outside without jackets?”

            “Global warming!” Scotty yelled, triumphant.  “DUH!”

            Jeremy walked away shaking his head.  Scotty just doesn’t get it! he thought.  “Just last week we wore winter coats, boots and gloves!” he yelled back.

            The basketball bounced down the playground and stopped at the fence.  Apostle Paul must have felt like his words, like a ball, also stopped at a fence. 

Take Home Nugget  

            Paul knew that His Jewish brothers expected the Messiah to come as a triumphant king—one who’d free them from Roman rule.  Christ’s crucifixion was the fence that stopped them from believing.  For they figured it was impossible for a crucified criminal to be the world’s Savior! 

            To the Jews, Christ became foolishness to the Gentiles who believed in Jesus as Lord and Savior.  It was unthinkable to worship one who was crucified!  For shame!

            Whose wisdom—the Jews’ or the believers’ in Christ—were put to shame?

            “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise bust as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Ephesians 5:15-16). 

“I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.”  (Luke 10:21).

J.D. Griffith

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Hypocritical Obedience

HYPOCRITICAL OBEDIENCE

Tenth of twelve in Jesus’ Earthly Life & Ministry Parallel Series

Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 15:7-9

Isaiah 29:13:  “The Lord says, ‘These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.  Their worship of Me is made up of rules taught by men.’”

Matthew 15:7-9:  “You hypocrites!  Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.  They worship Me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’”

            “Wash your hands and come to dinner,” ten year old Jeremy’s mom called out.  Jeremy had been smelling her delicious pot roast cooking ever since he got home from school.  His stomach was growling as he washed up for dinner.

            Today, we have many more germs than what were around during Jesus’ time on earth.  So now people are used to washing hands frequently—especially during cold and flu season.   But that wasn't always the case. 

            Matthew 15:1-2 says, “Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, ‘Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders?  They don’t wash their hands before they eat!’”

            Jesus’ disciples often snacked on the kernels inside heads of grain as they walked with Him throughout the countryside (Luke 6:1).   Naturally, the Pharisees never missed an occasion to challenge Jesus.  But Jesus was ready for them.  Check it out:

            “Jesus replied, ‘And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?  For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’  But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ he is not to ‘honor his father’ with it.  Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.’”  (Matthew 15:3-6). 

            Jesus said the second opening parallel Scripture immediately afterwards.

            Was Jesus correct?  Check out the lesson linked below to see more of Jesus’ teachings (about clean and unclean).  

Take Home Nugget  

 

           

           Jewish rabbis interpreted the laws of Moses, and often misinterpreted them.  They began making up fussy rules about people’s daily lives.  See Mark 7:1-4.  These   “traditions” were handed down from generation to generation by word of mouth.  They were never written down. 

            Thus, these “traditions” were not from God!  So, on whose authority were they to be kept?  Jesus called them out on these phony traditions 

Holy Father, help us to never get bogged down with phony man-made rules!  But help us to sincerely obey You!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

J.D. Griffith

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Gentiles

GENTILES

Ninth of twelve in Jesus’ Earthly Life & Ministry Parallel Series

Isaiah 11:10, John 12:18-21

Isaiah 11:10:  “In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples of the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious,”

John 12:20-21:  “Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the feast.  They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with request, ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘we would like to see Jesus.’”

                    The word Gentiles [JEN-tiles], (same beginning as gentle—which means mild, or calm)—is the translation of the Greek word ethnos, meaning nations or peoples.  Gentiles are a clan or tribe of people.  This is similar to the English translation for the Hebrew word goy. (That can also refer to a swarm of insects!)  The Latin word gens combined with the Greek word genos builds the English words gene, genre, genus and genesis. 

            Christianization of the Roman Empire used the word “Gentile” to refer to a non-Jew.  But, “Gentile” can also mean in Germany—or in France, for example—someone who’s not a native of that country.  “Gentile” doesn’t strictly mean a non-Hebrew or non-Jew.  It means someone who doesn’t belong to whatever nation is the topic.

            So, among Christians, a “Gentile” can be someone who doesn't believe in Jesus Christ.

            “Root of Jesse” is the Messianic title for Jesus. 

            The word Greek can mean a person from Greece.  When Alexander the Great conquered so much of the world, he spread the Greek language throughout.  Most “foreigners” spoke Greek; it was the “trade” language. 

            So, “Greeks” in the Bible refer to Gentiles, or non-Jews.

            But for Christians, Romans 10:12-13 confirms, “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”

Take Home Nugget

            Isaiah 5:26 says that a banner hung from a pole placed on a hill signals a gathering.  Isaiah 11:10 means that Jews who’re scattered around the world will return home (Canaan, Israel, Zion).  They will rally around Jesus, recognizing Him as their long-awaited Messiah.  Check the lesson linked below to see from where the Jews are returning home.

            Jesus came first for the Jews, then for the Gentiles.  John 12:20-21 shows Gentile (Greeks) eagerness to meet Jesus—right after Jesus’ triumphal ride into Jerusalem on a donkey.  The crowd cheered, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!  Blessed is the King of Israel!”  (John 12:13).

            Hosanna is a Hebrew expression that means “save,” an exclamation of praise.  

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to Him, all you peoples.”

J.D. Griffith

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