Randy Green's Blog, page 426
October 27, 2013
A Great Country or What? – Part 4
The wicked strut about on every side, when vileness is exalted among the sons of men [Psalm 12:8].
The Lord God created man and woman in His own image. This made them moral creatures. They were able to make distinctions between right and wrong, even as the Lord God does.
Trouble was, until this innate ability was exercised it couldn’t grow and become strong and vibrant. So the Lord, being the perfect Father that He is, provided for the man and woman to get the moral exercise they needed. He planted two trees in the midst of the garden, the tree of life (aka the “life tree”) and the “kogae tree”.
The Lord then gave the man definitive instructions about all the trees. Man was to eat fruit to sustain himself. The fruit from every tree in the entire garden was at his disposal—all, that is, except for the fruit of the “kogae tree”. The fruit from that tree the man was forbidden to eat. The day man disobeyed and ate of its fruit would be the day man died.
The test, you see, was very simple. Eat all the fruit your little old heart desires, Adam. And eat all varieties of fruit from every tree too. Only keep your cotton-pickin’ hands off the fruit of the “kogae tree”.
The test was obedience, you see. Adam should eat fruit from the “life tree” and live because He obeyed the Word of God. Adam should not eat fruit from the “kogae tree” and die because he disobeyed the Word of God. A simple moral choice ‘twas.
Adam the moral creature had to discern between right and wrong. Would he submit to His God, thereby demonstrating that he recognized His God as the source of all righteousness? Or would he doubt His God and insist on being the determiner of right and wrong himself?
We all know what happened, don’t we? We see what happened with Adam and Eve every day in ourselves and in our kids. We are Adam and Eve! We look at the “life tree” every day, feast our eyes on its scrumptious fruit, take in its luscious foliage, feel our mouths water from the tantalizing alurement it evokes in us…and then turn to the “kogae tree”, pick its fruit, and eat like there’s no tomorrow!
Violence pervades our society because we live in it. It’s not the fault of the president, or the pastor, or the boss, or the wife, or the family dog. It’s my fault. It’s your fault. It’s the fault of the sin which rules us because we won’t submit to the Word of God. We will be in control! God won’t tell us what to do!
So how’s that going for us? Is this a great country, or what? Where else can you go and watch folks create problem after problem, then sit back, scratch their heads and pick their noses, and complain about the problems? Welcome to America, land of the free and home of the brave…free to create problems and brave enough to blame everyone else for them!
We can vote for anyone we want for president, but the evil fruit will continue to grow, so long as we continue to fertilize the evil tree and water it daily. I have a great idea. What say we cease our daily visits to the “kogae tree” and train ourselves to go to the “life tree” instead?
That sounds like a plan. Let’s go there now.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Exodus: Volume 2 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
The Lord God created man and woman in His own image. This made them moral creatures. They were able to make distinctions between right and wrong, even as the Lord God does.
Trouble was, until this innate ability was exercised it couldn’t grow and become strong and vibrant. So the Lord, being the perfect Father that He is, provided for the man and woman to get the moral exercise they needed. He planted two trees in the midst of the garden, the tree of life (aka the “life tree”) and the “kogae tree”.
The Lord then gave the man definitive instructions about all the trees. Man was to eat fruit to sustain himself. The fruit from every tree in the entire garden was at his disposal—all, that is, except for the fruit of the “kogae tree”. The fruit from that tree the man was forbidden to eat. The day man disobeyed and ate of its fruit would be the day man died.
The test, you see, was very simple. Eat all the fruit your little old heart desires, Adam. And eat all varieties of fruit from every tree too. Only keep your cotton-pickin’ hands off the fruit of the “kogae tree”.
The test was obedience, you see. Adam should eat fruit from the “life tree” and live because He obeyed the Word of God. Adam should not eat fruit from the “kogae tree” and die because he disobeyed the Word of God. A simple moral choice ‘twas.
Adam the moral creature had to discern between right and wrong. Would he submit to His God, thereby demonstrating that he recognized His God as the source of all righteousness? Or would he doubt His God and insist on being the determiner of right and wrong himself?
We all know what happened, don’t we? We see what happened with Adam and Eve every day in ourselves and in our kids. We are Adam and Eve! We look at the “life tree” every day, feast our eyes on its scrumptious fruit, take in its luscious foliage, feel our mouths water from the tantalizing alurement it evokes in us…and then turn to the “kogae tree”, pick its fruit, and eat like there’s no tomorrow!
Violence pervades our society because we live in it. It’s not the fault of the president, or the pastor, or the boss, or the wife, or the family dog. It’s my fault. It’s your fault. It’s the fault of the sin which rules us because we won’t submit to the Word of God. We will be in control! God won’t tell us what to do!
So how’s that going for us? Is this a great country, or what? Where else can you go and watch folks create problem after problem, then sit back, scratch their heads and pick their noses, and complain about the problems? Welcome to America, land of the free and home of the brave…free to create problems and brave enough to blame everyone else for them!
We can vote for anyone we want for president, but the evil fruit will continue to grow, so long as we continue to fertilize the evil tree and water it daily. I have a great idea. What say we cease our daily visits to the “kogae tree” and train ourselves to go to the “life tree” instead?
That sounds like a plan. Let’s go there now.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Exodus: Volume 2 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
October 26, 2013
A Great Country or What? – Part 3
The wicked strut about on every side, when vileness is exalted among the sons of men [Psalm 12:8].
As I stated at the commencement of this study, back in “the good old days” when violence wasn’t so common, I used to watch “Gunsmoke” and “Have Gun, Will Travel”. Marshall Dillon and Paladin were not your run of the mill church folk from today’s antichrist society. They were not steeped in middle class affluence, insulated from the violence which rages on all sides.
Even back in “the good old days” society was steeped in violence from first light of dawn until the sinking of the sun in the western horizon. The blood and gore didn’t have to be pictorialized on the screen in vivid detail. The mind of sinful man back then was quite as adept at envisioning it in the mind’s eye with the aid of his own imagination, as is today’s sinful man.
And therein lies the Biblical estimation of the evils which pervade society, both yesterday and today. The public displays of violence and sex aren’t the problem. They are the fruit of the problem. We can pluck the fruit from the tree of society from first light of dawn to deep darkness of night. Nothing will change for long because more of the same fruit will continue to grow.
The tree which produces this fruit needs to be cut down. Its wood needs to serve as the fuel for a fierce fire, until nothing is left of the tree. Otherwise more violence-fruit and sex-fruit will grow on the tree continuously and in ever increasing measure.
So what tree is it which is producing this fruit. Is it called the “violence tree”? No, that’s not it. Maybe its known as the “sex tree”. You think? I got it! It is named “the tree of many hats”. Uh, that would be a no. The tree goes by the name “tree of the knowledge of good and evil”, aka the “kogae tree”.
What’s that you say? You never heard of it? Well, glory be, Rip Van Winkle! Have you been asleep for 20 years? You need to open your Bible to Genesis 2 and read about the “kogae tree”, my good man. The night is far gone. The day is close at hand. Now is no time to be caught napping.
Before sin ever entered the world, the Lord God planted a garden in the east for the man He created, and placed the man there to tend it for Him. He even gave the man a lovely wife to help him out. Because the man and woman were created in the image of God, they were moral creatures. They were capable of discerning right and wrong, just as the Lord God is.
Indeed they were. And we have much to say about those two characters too. Only it will have to wait until our next study. Now is the time for us to visit a while with Jesus.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Exodus: Volume 2 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
As I stated at the commencement of this study, back in “the good old days” when violence wasn’t so common, I used to watch “Gunsmoke” and “Have Gun, Will Travel”. Marshall Dillon and Paladin were not your run of the mill church folk from today’s antichrist society. They were not steeped in middle class affluence, insulated from the violence which rages on all sides.
Even back in “the good old days” society was steeped in violence from first light of dawn until the sinking of the sun in the western horizon. The blood and gore didn’t have to be pictorialized on the screen in vivid detail. The mind of sinful man back then was quite as adept at envisioning it in the mind’s eye with the aid of his own imagination, as is today’s sinful man.
And therein lies the Biblical estimation of the evils which pervade society, both yesterday and today. The public displays of violence and sex aren’t the problem. They are the fruit of the problem. We can pluck the fruit from the tree of society from first light of dawn to deep darkness of night. Nothing will change for long because more of the same fruit will continue to grow.
The tree which produces this fruit needs to be cut down. Its wood needs to serve as the fuel for a fierce fire, until nothing is left of the tree. Otherwise more violence-fruit and sex-fruit will grow on the tree continuously and in ever increasing measure.
So what tree is it which is producing this fruit. Is it called the “violence tree”? No, that’s not it. Maybe its known as the “sex tree”. You think? I got it! It is named “the tree of many hats”. Uh, that would be a no. The tree goes by the name “tree of the knowledge of good and evil”, aka the “kogae tree”.
What’s that you say? You never heard of it? Well, glory be, Rip Van Winkle! Have you been asleep for 20 years? You need to open your Bible to Genesis 2 and read about the “kogae tree”, my good man. The night is far gone. The day is close at hand. Now is no time to be caught napping.
Before sin ever entered the world, the Lord God planted a garden in the east for the man He created, and placed the man there to tend it for Him. He even gave the man a lovely wife to help him out. Because the man and woman were created in the image of God, they were moral creatures. They were capable of discerning right and wrong, just as the Lord God is.
Indeed they were. And we have much to say about those two characters too. Only it will have to wait until our next study. Now is the time for us to visit a while with Jesus.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Exodus: Volume 2 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
A Great Country or What? – Part 2
The wicked strut about on every side, when vileness is exalted among the sons of men [Psalm 12:8].
O! for the good old days once again! If only we had a time machine. Back to the future sure would be grand. Yada yada yada blah blah blah.
Such goes the grousing and grumbling of many an old codger, as he looks about at today’s evil land and reminisces about a time which never existed. I’ve been known to take such a snooze on occasion myself. It’s the natural affliction of sinful man, dear friends.
Partial truth is not truth at all. It is a distortion of the truth, making it a lie. Yes, many things were better in “the good old days”. Yes, the violence on TV and in the movies and in video games wasn’t as graphic in detail as it is now. Nor were the sex scenes. The limits have been pushed further and further into hell, until not much is left to the imagination anymore.
Notwithstanding all this, ever since the garden when a sinister serpent paid a visit to the woman, sin has been in the world, been in each and every child of Adam the First, and violence has been the norm. Nature is at odds with man. Man is at odds with nature. We attempt to build nature-proof societies to protect ourselves, while the green-peace folks want to kill us to protect nature!
Ai yai yai! What to do? What to do? Is there not a leader among men who is sufficient for these things? Ah, that is the question we should be asking ourselves. A leader, if he is to be successful, needs to understand where all the violence originates. Is it from too much TV violence, and movie violence, and video game violence?
For the worldling the answer is a resounding, “Yes!” For the Christian the answer, unfortunately today, is also a resounding, “Yes!” The Word of God doesn’t agree.
The issue isn’t whether to eliminate or tone down violence in the entertainment world, dear friends. The issue is determining the root of the violence, the cause of the violence which drives us to want to live it, and then determining what can be done to eliminate or moderate the cause. After all, if we pick all the fruit off the evil tree, the evil tree will only grow more evil fruit. Violence and pornography are the fruit. We need to cut down the blasted tree!
This is the chore at hand which we face. Will we measure up to the challenge, or will we cringe and draw back in timorous trepidation? We must face up to the challenge in the strength of the Lord Jesus!
Let us not lose heart in running the race, but rather press on to the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. And this we will do in our next study, by the grace of God. Let’s seek the face of the Lord now, that He may strength us for the task.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Exodus: Volume 2 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
O! for the good old days once again! If only we had a time machine. Back to the future sure would be grand. Yada yada yada blah blah blah.
Such goes the grousing and grumbling of many an old codger, as he looks about at today’s evil land and reminisces about a time which never existed. I’ve been known to take such a snooze on occasion myself. It’s the natural affliction of sinful man, dear friends.
Partial truth is not truth at all. It is a distortion of the truth, making it a lie. Yes, many things were better in “the good old days”. Yes, the violence on TV and in the movies and in video games wasn’t as graphic in detail as it is now. Nor were the sex scenes. The limits have been pushed further and further into hell, until not much is left to the imagination anymore.
Notwithstanding all this, ever since the garden when a sinister serpent paid a visit to the woman, sin has been in the world, been in each and every child of Adam the First, and violence has been the norm. Nature is at odds with man. Man is at odds with nature. We attempt to build nature-proof societies to protect ourselves, while the green-peace folks want to kill us to protect nature!
Ai yai yai! What to do? What to do? Is there not a leader among men who is sufficient for these things? Ah, that is the question we should be asking ourselves. A leader, if he is to be successful, needs to understand where all the violence originates. Is it from too much TV violence, and movie violence, and video game violence?
For the worldling the answer is a resounding, “Yes!” For the Christian the answer, unfortunately today, is also a resounding, “Yes!” The Word of God doesn’t agree.
The issue isn’t whether to eliminate or tone down violence in the entertainment world, dear friends. The issue is determining the root of the violence, the cause of the violence which drives us to want to live it, and then determining what can be done to eliminate or moderate the cause. After all, if we pick all the fruit off the evil tree, the evil tree will only grow more evil fruit. Violence and pornography are the fruit. We need to cut down the blasted tree!
This is the chore at hand which we face. Will we measure up to the challenge, or will we cringe and draw back in timorous trepidation? We must face up to the challenge in the strength of the Lord Jesus!
Let us not lose heart in running the race, but rather press on to the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. And this we will do in our next study, by the grace of God. Let’s seek the face of the Lord now, that He may strength us for the task.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Exodus: Volume 2 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
October 24, 2013
A Great Country or What? – Part 1
The wicked strut about on every side, when vileness is exalted among the sons of men [Psalm 12:8].
When I was a kid there were no computers. There were no cell phones. There was no internet, no DVDs, not even VCRs. Television and theater showed black & white shows. Color had yet to be invented for film, much less anything known as HD.
I identify my age in this fashion for a purpose. There is this thing which afflicts us mere mortals. It seems our memory is metamorphosed into revisionist history as we age. There develops in our thoughts this extreme contrast between “the good old days” and “now”, where “now” is better phrased “these crummy sinful times”.
Well, “the good old days” mentality always imagines the grass as being greener on the other side of the fence. The “good old days” mentality remembers the great periods of revival we experienced in our church…even though such things never happened. Old timers like me tend to look at how wicked things are now, and our minds can’t recall it being so bad in the past. Ergo, “the good old days” must have existed.
Sometimes this is expressed as so,
There is too much violence on TV and movies today. Back in the day the shows were much simpler and peaceful. No wonder there is so much terrorism and school killings today. Just look at the TV shows and movies and video games.
We’ve all heard this expressed many times, so we know it is true. Perhaps we’ve flapped our own jaws on occasion to repeat this version of “the good old days”. We’ll call it “the good old days 2.0”.
Funny thing is, I used to watch black and white shows like “Gunsmoke” and “Have Gun, Will Travel”, yea, and even “Zorro”. I can recall only two basic differences between that violence and the violence featured on today’s shows. First, back in the day the violence was in black and white, while today it appears in full color HD. Not exactly much of a difference, if we assume that watching violence on the shows transfers to enacting violence in the schools and other places.
The other difference between then and now is a little more convincing, as an explanation for explaining the violence between then and now. Back then the bad guys got shot by the good guys, and that was it. It appeared on the screen clear as day.
However, now the bad guys get shot, and all the blood and gore are portrayed in full color HD, with minute close-up shots for us to get our jollies off. Yea, even more, corpses in the coroner’s office are displayed naked with a cloth to cover the private parts, while the rest of the corpse is cut open and the insides shown to every Tom, Dick, and Harry who cares to watch the awful mess.
Ah, now that is a big difference. That proves why there is so much more violence today than back in the day. Right? You think? Well, return tomorrow, same time, same channel, and we will see how true this theory is. For now, let’s hie off to Jesus and enjoy a time of spiritual refreshment in His presence.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Exodus: Volume 2 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
When I was a kid there were no computers. There were no cell phones. There was no internet, no DVDs, not even VCRs. Television and theater showed black & white shows. Color had yet to be invented for film, much less anything known as HD.
I identify my age in this fashion for a purpose. There is this thing which afflicts us mere mortals. It seems our memory is metamorphosed into revisionist history as we age. There develops in our thoughts this extreme contrast between “the good old days” and “now”, where “now” is better phrased “these crummy sinful times”.
Well, “the good old days” mentality always imagines the grass as being greener on the other side of the fence. The “good old days” mentality remembers the great periods of revival we experienced in our church…even though such things never happened. Old timers like me tend to look at how wicked things are now, and our minds can’t recall it being so bad in the past. Ergo, “the good old days” must have existed.
Sometimes this is expressed as so,
There is too much violence on TV and movies today. Back in the day the shows were much simpler and peaceful. No wonder there is so much terrorism and school killings today. Just look at the TV shows and movies and video games.
We’ve all heard this expressed many times, so we know it is true. Perhaps we’ve flapped our own jaws on occasion to repeat this version of “the good old days”. We’ll call it “the good old days 2.0”.
Funny thing is, I used to watch black and white shows like “Gunsmoke” and “Have Gun, Will Travel”, yea, and even “Zorro”. I can recall only two basic differences between that violence and the violence featured on today’s shows. First, back in the day the violence was in black and white, while today it appears in full color HD. Not exactly much of a difference, if we assume that watching violence on the shows transfers to enacting violence in the schools and other places.
The other difference between then and now is a little more convincing, as an explanation for explaining the violence between then and now. Back then the bad guys got shot by the good guys, and that was it. It appeared on the screen clear as day.
However, now the bad guys get shot, and all the blood and gore are portrayed in full color HD, with minute close-up shots for us to get our jollies off. Yea, even more, corpses in the coroner’s office are displayed naked with a cloth to cover the private parts, while the rest of the corpse is cut open and the insides shown to every Tom, Dick, and Harry who cares to watch the awful mess.
Ah, now that is a big difference. That proves why there is so much more violence today than back in the day. Right? You think? Well, return tomorrow, same time, same channel, and we will see how true this theory is. For now, let’s hie off to Jesus and enjoy a time of spiritual refreshment in His presence.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Exodus: Volume 2 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
October 23, 2013
Double-edged Attorney – Part 4
Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted [Hebrews 2:17-18].
In eternity’s courtroom God is the Judge. The devil accuses God’s people and Jesus defends them against the devil’s charges. Hebrews 2 makes note of this under the job title “high priest”.
Because Jesus has the ministry of defending God’s people against the devil’s charges, it is necessary that Jesus be able to relate to us in a real way. God knows all things, yes, but God doesn’t have the mindset, worldview, weaknesses, attitudes, and emotions of sinful men and women.
The question to be answered is, “How can a thrice holy God who is far above mankind, who is sinless and incapable of sin—how can such a One relate to sinful mankind. God and man are so far removed from each other that they cannot connect on any level.”
God resolved this apparent dilemma. God the Father gave God the Son to mankind as man’s Savior. In order to resolve the dilemma just noted, the eternal Son of God became a real flesh and blood human, all the while remaining the eternal Son of God. Verse 18 of Hebrews 2 explains what this accomplished:
For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
Do we sinful humans go hungry? So too did Jesus. Do we hurt? So too did Jesus? Do we become sleepy, suffer poverty, miss our family and friends, face countless temptations…and the list could be extended to cover every facet of being human? Yes, we do. So too did Jesus.
Jesus became one of us so that He could experience for Himself who we are and what we go through. That qualifies Him to represent us to God, don’t you think? We can no longer assert that God doesn’t know what it’s like to… You can fill in any answer you want. We are without excuse now. In Jesus God not only knows all things, but He also experienced all things human, sin excepted. He is qualified to be our representative to God.
God’s high priest had a two-fold ministry. His ministry made Him a “double-edged attorney”, if you would. The priest stood between God and man. On the one hand he represented man to God, on the other he represented God to man.
As man’s representative to God, the priest served as man’s defense attorney. As God’s representative to man, the priest served as the one who taught God’s Law to man.
On the basis of obedience to God’s Law man was allowed to be a part of God’s people. Disobedience to God’s Law made man a lawbreaker, a criminal, at which time the devil entered the story as the D.A. to bring charges against man for breaking God’s Law.
Jesus is one of us in truth. He can relate to us and represent us to God, dear friends. This spiritual truth is taught us so that we will flee to Jesus for salvation and forgiveness. Won’t you go to Him now and ask Him to be your eternal defense attorney? His suffering and death allows Him to win your pardon at the bar of God.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Levitucus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Categories: Church Age
In eternity’s courtroom God is the Judge. The devil accuses God’s people and Jesus defends them against the devil’s charges. Hebrews 2 makes note of this under the job title “high priest”.
Because Jesus has the ministry of defending God’s people against the devil’s charges, it is necessary that Jesus be able to relate to us in a real way. God knows all things, yes, but God doesn’t have the mindset, worldview, weaknesses, attitudes, and emotions of sinful men and women.
The question to be answered is, “How can a thrice holy God who is far above mankind, who is sinless and incapable of sin—how can such a One relate to sinful mankind. God and man are so far removed from each other that they cannot connect on any level.”
God resolved this apparent dilemma. God the Father gave God the Son to mankind as man’s Savior. In order to resolve the dilemma just noted, the eternal Son of God became a real flesh and blood human, all the while remaining the eternal Son of God. Verse 18 of Hebrews 2 explains what this accomplished:
For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
Do we sinful humans go hungry? So too did Jesus. Do we hurt? So too did Jesus? Do we become sleepy, suffer poverty, miss our family and friends, face countless temptations…and the list could be extended to cover every facet of being human? Yes, we do. So too did Jesus.
Jesus became one of us so that He could experience for Himself who we are and what we go through. That qualifies Him to represent us to God, don’t you think? We can no longer assert that God doesn’t know what it’s like to… You can fill in any answer you want. We are without excuse now. In Jesus God not only knows all things, but He also experienced all things human, sin excepted. He is qualified to be our representative to God.
God’s high priest had a two-fold ministry. His ministry made Him a “double-edged attorney”, if you would. The priest stood between God and man. On the one hand he represented man to God, on the other he represented God to man.
As man’s representative to God, the priest served as man’s defense attorney. As God’s representative to man, the priest served as the one who taught God’s Law to man.
On the basis of obedience to God’s Law man was allowed to be a part of God’s people. Disobedience to God’s Law made man a lawbreaker, a criminal, at which time the devil entered the story as the D.A. to bring charges against man for breaking God’s Law.
Jesus is one of us in truth. He can relate to us and represent us to God, dear friends. This spiritual truth is taught us so that we will flee to Jesus for salvation and forgiveness. Won’t you go to Him now and ask Him to be your eternal defense attorney? His suffering and death allows Him to win your pardon at the bar of God.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Levitucus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Categories: Church Age
October 22, 2013
Double-edged Attorney – Part 3
Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted [Hebrews 2:17-18].
We’ve been enthralled the past couple of studies by the courtroom theatrics of D.A. Dudley Adversary and Defense Attorney Yen Actlike. The Honorable Blindside Barabbas got into the act too.
But sorry. We must now switch channels to watch an even better courtroom scenario. This is necessary so that we can learn how all of this applies to our Bible verses. I do apologize though. I didn’t mean to yank the show in midseason and leave you hanging.
Our Bible verses afford us a panoramic view of a courtroom in eternity. Off in the distance we can see Judge Theos sitting on His judge’s bench with gavel in hand. Standing there in front of Him is that disgusting ogre, D.A. Diabolos, bringing countless charges against a good deal of mankind.
Not to worry though. In our corner is Defense Attorney Yeshua HaMashiach, the renowned Israeli world champion. He will have a thing or two to say about El Diabolos’ infernal lies.
How does this relate to our Bible verses? It’s like this. Jesus is God’s great High Priest, given to stand before the eternal throne and defend every person who comes to Him to live. Let’s examine how this is so, as it is presented in Hebrews 2:17-18.
In verse 17 we are taught that Jesus was 100% perfect humanity, just like you and me, sin excepted. That is the significance of the words “made like His brethren in all things”. The eternal Son of God took upon real humanity. He became one of us, while still remaining fully God. He is the God-man. He is not a hybrid of the two natures, nor is He God with an appearance of flesh and blood. He was made like us “in all things”.
The reason He fully became one of us is expressed in the words “so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people”. Jesus’ ministry as the God-man was to be God’s high priest on behalf of sinful man.
To adequately fulfill His ministry, Jesus had to be both a merciful high priest and a faithful high priest. A high priest’s functions had to do with “things pertaining to God”. God chose His priests. No one was ever permitted to take this honor unto himself. God had to appoint him to the ministry.
His duties were to do the things God required of him, not to make up his own rules and regulations. His role was to “make propitiation for the sins of the people”. This means he had to appease God, Who was angered over the violations of His Law by sinful man. This is an excellent example of how the high priest’s functions had to do with “things pertaining to God”.
Wow! Already our time is up! We will conclude this topic on the morrow. For now we are privileged to learn from our Lord Jesus. May the Holy Spirit imbue His teaching into our heads and hearts.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Levitucus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
We’ve been enthralled the past couple of studies by the courtroom theatrics of D.A. Dudley Adversary and Defense Attorney Yen Actlike. The Honorable Blindside Barabbas got into the act too.
But sorry. We must now switch channels to watch an even better courtroom scenario. This is necessary so that we can learn how all of this applies to our Bible verses. I do apologize though. I didn’t mean to yank the show in midseason and leave you hanging.
Our Bible verses afford us a panoramic view of a courtroom in eternity. Off in the distance we can see Judge Theos sitting on His judge’s bench with gavel in hand. Standing there in front of Him is that disgusting ogre, D.A. Diabolos, bringing countless charges against a good deal of mankind.
Not to worry though. In our corner is Defense Attorney Yeshua HaMashiach, the renowned Israeli world champion. He will have a thing or two to say about El Diabolos’ infernal lies.
How does this relate to our Bible verses? It’s like this. Jesus is God’s great High Priest, given to stand before the eternal throne and defend every person who comes to Him to live. Let’s examine how this is so, as it is presented in Hebrews 2:17-18.
In verse 17 we are taught that Jesus was 100% perfect humanity, just like you and me, sin excepted. That is the significance of the words “made like His brethren in all things”. The eternal Son of God took upon real humanity. He became one of us, while still remaining fully God. He is the God-man. He is not a hybrid of the two natures, nor is He God with an appearance of flesh and blood. He was made like us “in all things”.
The reason He fully became one of us is expressed in the words “so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people”. Jesus’ ministry as the God-man was to be God’s high priest on behalf of sinful man.
To adequately fulfill His ministry, Jesus had to be both a merciful high priest and a faithful high priest. A high priest’s functions had to do with “things pertaining to God”. God chose His priests. No one was ever permitted to take this honor unto himself. God had to appoint him to the ministry.
His duties were to do the things God required of him, not to make up his own rules and regulations. His role was to “make propitiation for the sins of the people”. This means he had to appease God, Who was angered over the violations of His Law by sinful man. This is an excellent example of how the high priest’s functions had to do with “things pertaining to God”.
Wow! Already our time is up! We will conclude this topic on the morrow. For now we are privileged to learn from our Lord Jesus. May the Holy Spirit imbue His teaching into our heads and hearts.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Levitucus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
October 21, 2013
Double-edged Attorney – Part 2
Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted [Hebrews 2:17-18].
The Honorable Blindside Barabbas sits at the judge’s bench, presiding over the two prima donnas who occupy the attorneys’ chairs. The defense prima donna, er, I mean the defense attorney, is Mr. Yen Actlike, while the district attorney is Mr. Dudley Adversary. Attorney Actlike’s client is Ms. Chastity, yes, none other than the sweet and innocent Ms. Chastity, one and the same.
As is customary with all “innocent until proven guilty” societies, the D.A. has to present his case first. Either he proves beyond a reasonable doubt that Ms. Chastity did the foul deed, or else Ms. Chastity doesn’t even have to prove her innocence. The only thing she need do is adequately dispute Dudley Adversary’s evidence if need be. And that is Yen Actlike’s job anyway, not Ms. Chastity’s.
So D.A. Adversary goes first.
If it please the court, I’d like to request an adjournment for a month or so.
To which Mr. Actlike responds,
Objection, Your Honor. This is a delaying tactic because no real evidence exists to support the charges against my client.
Dudley Adversary doesn’t take too kindly to the insinuation and retorts with vehemence,
Oh, yea. What do you call the photos of Ms. Chastity holding the smoking gun while standing over the warm corpse, you shyster you?
He shouldn’t have spoken so harshly to Attorney Actlike. Now ol’ Yen’s dander was up, and was he riled. He countered,
And seeing that no substantive evidence exists to support the charges against my client, I move to dismiss.
Judge Barabbas gets into the act. Rapping his gavel on the judge’s desk, he thunders,
Both attorneys make excellent points. Court is both adjourned for several months, and the case is dismissed due to the lack of evidence! So go home and watch my TV show.
Didn’t I caution you at the conclusion of the last study not to miss out on this exciting court case. Have you ever witnessed such a sterling display of jurisprudence by a judge? Did two attorneys ever go at it any better than Yen Actlike and Dudley Adversary?
Oh, but we must go to commercial break at this time. We will meet back here same time, same channel, tomorrow. See you then, and see Jesus now.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Levitucus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
The Honorable Blindside Barabbas sits at the judge’s bench, presiding over the two prima donnas who occupy the attorneys’ chairs. The defense prima donna, er, I mean the defense attorney, is Mr. Yen Actlike, while the district attorney is Mr. Dudley Adversary. Attorney Actlike’s client is Ms. Chastity, yes, none other than the sweet and innocent Ms. Chastity, one and the same.
As is customary with all “innocent until proven guilty” societies, the D.A. has to present his case first. Either he proves beyond a reasonable doubt that Ms. Chastity did the foul deed, or else Ms. Chastity doesn’t even have to prove her innocence. The only thing she need do is adequately dispute Dudley Adversary’s evidence if need be. And that is Yen Actlike’s job anyway, not Ms. Chastity’s.
So D.A. Adversary goes first.
If it please the court, I’d like to request an adjournment for a month or so.
To which Mr. Actlike responds,
Objection, Your Honor. This is a delaying tactic because no real evidence exists to support the charges against my client.
Dudley Adversary doesn’t take too kindly to the insinuation and retorts with vehemence,
Oh, yea. What do you call the photos of Ms. Chastity holding the smoking gun while standing over the warm corpse, you shyster you?
He shouldn’t have spoken so harshly to Attorney Actlike. Now ol’ Yen’s dander was up, and was he riled. He countered,
And seeing that no substantive evidence exists to support the charges against my client, I move to dismiss.
Judge Barabbas gets into the act. Rapping his gavel on the judge’s desk, he thunders,
Both attorneys make excellent points. Court is both adjourned for several months, and the case is dismissed due to the lack of evidence! So go home and watch my TV show.
Didn’t I caution you at the conclusion of the last study not to miss out on this exciting court case. Have you ever witnessed such a sterling display of jurisprudence by a judge? Did two attorneys ever go at it any better than Yen Actlike and Dudley Adversary?
Oh, but we must go to commercial break at this time. We will meet back here same time, same channel, tomorrow. See you then, and see Jesus now.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Levitucus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
October 20, 2013
Double-edged Attorney – Part 1
Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted [Hebrews 2:17-18].
The famous criminal defense attorney Yen Actlike has a new client. Of course the client is accused of first degree murder. Actlike wouldn’t waste his time or talent on anything less. So the client comes to Actlike’s office to enumerate the facts of the case to his attorney.
I am fabricating this case, so don’t try finding it to watch on the internet. The client is Ms. Chastity. She could never do the dastardly deed she is accused of…even if she had the smoking gun in her hand.
Leave it to Actlike to get her off. He’ll probably prove the bullet holes in the victim’s head are really snake holes. The victim was killed by a brood of vipers, not by bullets from Ms. Chastity’s gun. Anyway, that’s Actlike’s interpretation of the facts, and he is determined to sell it to the twelve arbiters who comprise the jury.
Across the aisle sits the country’s most famous D.A., a certain Mr. Snidely Whiplash. Scratch that. The dude is already taken. He is the arch villain who makes life miserable for the Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman, Dudley Do-Right. So we’ll name our D.A. Dudley Adversary.
Well, D.A. Adversary isn’t intimidated by Actlike’s reputation. He has a few tricks up his own sleeve. According to him, a smoking gun is a smoking gun. And that resolves the matter. It is the sum total of whatever evidence might be required to convict.
Mr. D.A. Adversary once saw another attorney say, “If the glove doesn’t fit, you must acquit.” So he decided to borrow the parlor trick for use in his own case. Actlike wasn’t about to pull the wool over the eyes of his jurors, you see.
So Mr. D.A. Adversary pronounced in their hearing, “If the gun is smoking, you must be joking!” He couldn’t figure why all the jurors had dropped jaws and blank stares on their faces. Apparently the lights were on but nobody was home…not with the jurors, mind you, but with the good D.A. Adversary. Actlike should expect a slam dunk.
Sitting in the magistrate’s chair and wielding his gavel was the most notable judge this side of heaven, the Honorable Blindside Barabbas. He would brook no shenanigans in his courtroom, he wanted both attornerys to know…even though he only looked at Actlike when he threatened reprisals.
On the morning of the trial everyone is present in the courtroom, everyone, that is, except the Honorable Blindside Barabbas. He was in the wing, awaiting his summons by the court bailiff. Suddenly the bailliff’s voice echoes through the room and into the judge’s chambers,
Hear ye! Hear ye! The Honorable Blindside Barabbas’ courtroom is called to order. His Honor is about to make his entrance. Stand and salute him, one and all!
This is about to get good, dear friends. Be sure to return after the commercial break, or rather, tomorrow. It is now time to visit with the Lord Jesus a bit.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Levitucus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
The famous criminal defense attorney Yen Actlike has a new client. Of course the client is accused of first degree murder. Actlike wouldn’t waste his time or talent on anything less. So the client comes to Actlike’s office to enumerate the facts of the case to his attorney.
I am fabricating this case, so don’t try finding it to watch on the internet. The client is Ms. Chastity. She could never do the dastardly deed she is accused of…even if she had the smoking gun in her hand.
Leave it to Actlike to get her off. He’ll probably prove the bullet holes in the victim’s head are really snake holes. The victim was killed by a brood of vipers, not by bullets from Ms. Chastity’s gun. Anyway, that’s Actlike’s interpretation of the facts, and he is determined to sell it to the twelve arbiters who comprise the jury.
Across the aisle sits the country’s most famous D.A., a certain Mr. Snidely Whiplash. Scratch that. The dude is already taken. He is the arch villain who makes life miserable for the Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman, Dudley Do-Right. So we’ll name our D.A. Dudley Adversary.
Well, D.A. Adversary isn’t intimidated by Actlike’s reputation. He has a few tricks up his own sleeve. According to him, a smoking gun is a smoking gun. And that resolves the matter. It is the sum total of whatever evidence might be required to convict.
Mr. D.A. Adversary once saw another attorney say, “If the glove doesn’t fit, you must acquit.” So he decided to borrow the parlor trick for use in his own case. Actlike wasn’t about to pull the wool over the eyes of his jurors, you see.
So Mr. D.A. Adversary pronounced in their hearing, “If the gun is smoking, you must be joking!” He couldn’t figure why all the jurors had dropped jaws and blank stares on their faces. Apparently the lights were on but nobody was home…not with the jurors, mind you, but with the good D.A. Adversary. Actlike should expect a slam dunk.
Sitting in the magistrate’s chair and wielding his gavel was the most notable judge this side of heaven, the Honorable Blindside Barabbas. He would brook no shenanigans in his courtroom, he wanted both attornerys to know…even though he only looked at Actlike when he threatened reprisals.
On the morning of the trial everyone is present in the courtroom, everyone, that is, except the Honorable Blindside Barabbas. He was in the wing, awaiting his summons by the court bailiff. Suddenly the bailliff’s voice echoes through the room and into the judge’s chambers,
Hear ye! Hear ye! The Honorable Blindside Barabbas’ courtroom is called to order. His Honor is about to make his entrance. Stand and salute him, one and all!
This is about to get good, dear friends. Be sure to return after the commercial break, or rather, tomorrow. It is now time to visit with the Lord Jesus a bit.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Levitucus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
October 19, 2013
That’s Just Perfect! – Part 4
But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings [Hebrews 2:9-10].
We ended our last study on a most holy topic, the two natures of Jesus the God-man. Let’s continue this discussion now.
The eternal Son of God was never created or made. He created all things, but He Himself always is. He is the plumb line by which everyone and everything else is measured. Jesus, on the other hand, is not the eternal Son of God: He is both God and man. Jesus is the name of the God-man, not the name of the eternal Son of God.
The eternal Son of God cannot die: He is God! In order to die for mankind’s sins, the eternal Son of God had to become a man. As a man He could die: as the eternal Son of God He can not die. This is a profound mystery of eternity—even more, a mystery of the very nature of God and, more specifically, of the two natures of the God-man.
It would be dangerous for us to try to explain too much about the issue. We can only know what the Lord reveals about it to us in His Word. Even then we are limited in our understanding by our finite nature. Our Bible verses intimate the truths we are discoursing about, but the verses don’t set before us a complete unfolding of all the details.
The purpose of our study is to mine the ore of the topic about being “made perfect”, or being “perfected”. This is a much more limited attempt at understanding than is the topic of the two natures of Jesus the God-man. The Bible is written to teach us everything we need to know for a life of godliness, not to satisfy our every curiosity about eternity and the things of God.
Our two Bible verses are quite admirably divided into two sentences. Verse 9 is about Jesus, but verse 10 is about God the Father. Read the verses again, slowly please…no, more slowly than that. Ah, that’s better. Jesus is specifically identified as the subject in the first sentence, as you can see.
The second sentence distinguishes between Jesus and the One who “perfected” Jesus. This other One is identified in the first sentence as “God”. God is the One “for whom are all things, and through whom are all things”. This means He is the Creator. We know that much from Genesis 1.
Well, God is the One “bringing many sons to glory”. How did God do this? John 3:16 answers the question:
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son…
Jesus did the dying, but God the Father did the giving, you see. And in bringing salvation to mankind (“bringing many sons to glory”), God the Father made “perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings”. This author of man’s salvation is none of than Jesus the God-man.
We already explained what it means for Jesus to be “made perfect” or “perfected”. The eternal Son of God took upon humanity to die for the sins of mankind. This was done “through sufferings” on the cross. When Jesus achieved the purpose for which He was made a man, He was “made perfect” or “perfected”.
Let’s savor this delectable morsel of spiritual truth. I hear there is a fine dining table in the prayer closet. Let’s make use of it now. Thank you, Jesus, for Your Word. Amen.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Genesis: Volume 1 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
We ended our last study on a most holy topic, the two natures of Jesus the God-man. Let’s continue this discussion now.
The eternal Son of God was never created or made. He created all things, but He Himself always is. He is the plumb line by which everyone and everything else is measured. Jesus, on the other hand, is not the eternal Son of God: He is both God and man. Jesus is the name of the God-man, not the name of the eternal Son of God.
The eternal Son of God cannot die: He is God! In order to die for mankind’s sins, the eternal Son of God had to become a man. As a man He could die: as the eternal Son of God He can not die. This is a profound mystery of eternity—even more, a mystery of the very nature of God and, more specifically, of the two natures of the God-man.
It would be dangerous for us to try to explain too much about the issue. We can only know what the Lord reveals about it to us in His Word. Even then we are limited in our understanding by our finite nature. Our Bible verses intimate the truths we are discoursing about, but the verses don’t set before us a complete unfolding of all the details.
The purpose of our study is to mine the ore of the topic about being “made perfect”, or being “perfected”. This is a much more limited attempt at understanding than is the topic of the two natures of Jesus the God-man. The Bible is written to teach us everything we need to know for a life of godliness, not to satisfy our every curiosity about eternity and the things of God.
Our two Bible verses are quite admirably divided into two sentences. Verse 9 is about Jesus, but verse 10 is about God the Father. Read the verses again, slowly please…no, more slowly than that. Ah, that’s better. Jesus is specifically identified as the subject in the first sentence, as you can see.
The second sentence distinguishes between Jesus and the One who “perfected” Jesus. This other One is identified in the first sentence as “God”. God is the One “for whom are all things, and through whom are all things”. This means He is the Creator. We know that much from Genesis 1.
Well, God is the One “bringing many sons to glory”. How did God do this? John 3:16 answers the question:
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son…
Jesus did the dying, but God the Father did the giving, you see. And in bringing salvation to mankind (“bringing many sons to glory”), God the Father made “perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings”. This author of man’s salvation is none of than Jesus the God-man.
We already explained what it means for Jesus to be “made perfect” or “perfected”. The eternal Son of God took upon humanity to die for the sins of mankind. This was done “through sufferings” on the cross. When Jesus achieved the purpose for which He was made a man, He was “made perfect” or “perfected”.
Let’s savor this delectable morsel of spiritual truth. I hear there is a fine dining table in the prayer closet. Let’s make use of it now. Thank you, Jesus, for Your Word. Amen.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Genesis: Volume 1 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
October 18, 2013
That’s Just Perfect! – Part 3
But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings [Hebrews 2:9-10].
We ended our last study by defining the Biblical usage of the term “perfect” or “perfected”. When someone matures or reaches the stage where he accomplishes the purpose for which he was made, then he is said to be “perfect” or “perfected”.
Our Bible verses quoted above are about Jesus. Let us understand that the name “Jesus” was given to the eternal Son of God at a point in time when He took upon real humanity and became a man. Now Jesus is the God-man. Before He took upon humanity, however, Jesus didn’t exist. The eternal Son of God always exists, but the God-man Jesus began circa 7 B.C.
In taking upon humanity Jesus “was made for a little while lower than the angels”, as Hebrews 2:9 phrases it. This is an allusion to the eternal Son of God becoming a man.
The purpose for Jesus doing this is worded “so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone”. We cannot fail to recognize the reference to the cross of Christ in those words. The purpose for the eternal Son of God becoming a man—all the while remaining the eternal Son of God—was to enable Him to die on the cross.
Even more, His death on the cross was to “taste death for everyone”. Jesus’ crucifixion was the payment for the penalty of sins for all mankind. That should be palpable from those words. The wages of sin is death, and all have sinned. Ergo, everyone must die. Jesus died everyone’s death so that everyone might live His life.
Now let’s observe the words “Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor”. God the Father crowned Jesus the Son with glory and honor because Jesus the Son suffered death on behalf of everyone. That is the teaching to be culled from those words.
We read the same teaching by the Apostle Paul in Philippians 2:5-11. You would do well to turn in your Bible to that passage and prayerfully read the teaching as it is presented there.
The reason God the Father crowned Jesus with glory and honor was because Jesus died everyone’s death as payment for the penalty of everyone’s sins. In other words the eternal Son of God had a purpose for taking upon humanity, and it was to pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind.
When Jesus did so, He achieved the purpose for which He was made, viz., to pay the penalty for sins. This is another way of saying that Jesus was “made perfect” or was “perfected”. The eternal Son of God wasn’t “made perfect” or “perfected”. Jesus the God-man was.
This is deep theological truth, dear friends. We are standing on holy ground when we discuss this topic. We need to stop and sit before the Lord Jesus now. Allow Him to prepare us to continue this journey in our next study.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Genesis: Volume 1 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
We ended our last study by defining the Biblical usage of the term “perfect” or “perfected”. When someone matures or reaches the stage where he accomplishes the purpose for which he was made, then he is said to be “perfect” or “perfected”.
Our Bible verses quoted above are about Jesus. Let us understand that the name “Jesus” was given to the eternal Son of God at a point in time when He took upon real humanity and became a man. Now Jesus is the God-man. Before He took upon humanity, however, Jesus didn’t exist. The eternal Son of God always exists, but the God-man Jesus began circa 7 B.C.
In taking upon humanity Jesus “was made for a little while lower than the angels”, as Hebrews 2:9 phrases it. This is an allusion to the eternal Son of God becoming a man.
The purpose for Jesus doing this is worded “so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone”. We cannot fail to recognize the reference to the cross of Christ in those words. The purpose for the eternal Son of God becoming a man—all the while remaining the eternal Son of God—was to enable Him to die on the cross.
Even more, His death on the cross was to “taste death for everyone”. Jesus’ crucifixion was the payment for the penalty of sins for all mankind. That should be palpable from those words. The wages of sin is death, and all have sinned. Ergo, everyone must die. Jesus died everyone’s death so that everyone might live His life.
Now let’s observe the words “Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor”. God the Father crowned Jesus the Son with glory and honor because Jesus the Son suffered death on behalf of everyone. That is the teaching to be culled from those words.
We read the same teaching by the Apostle Paul in Philippians 2:5-11. You would do well to turn in your Bible to that passage and prayerfully read the teaching as it is presented there.
The reason God the Father crowned Jesus with glory and honor was because Jesus died everyone’s death as payment for the penalty of everyone’s sins. In other words the eternal Son of God had a purpose for taking upon humanity, and it was to pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind.
When Jesus did so, He achieved the purpose for which He was made, viz., to pay the penalty for sins. This is another way of saying that Jesus was “made perfect” or was “perfected”. The eternal Son of God wasn’t “made perfect” or “perfected”. Jesus the God-man was.
This is deep theological truth, dear friends. We are standing on holy ground when we discuss this topic. We need to stop and sit before the Lord Jesus now. Allow Him to prepare us to continue this journey in our next study.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Genesis: Volume 1 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
