"Z" is for Zion

 Unless one of my readers knows of a “Z” name for God, I have been unable to find one.  The word Zion however, has a very Biblical meaning.  In Psalm 87 it states the Lord loves the gates of Zion, and calls it the City of God’.

The word Zion occurs over 150 times in the Bible and is referred to both as the ‘city of God’ and the ‘city of David’.

The name Zion originally referred to an ancient Jebusite fortress, and after David captured this stronghold, it was called the ‘City of David’.  In II Samuel 5:7 it says “Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion; the same is the city of David.”

In the New Testament the name Zion is given a spiritual meaning as God’s spiritual kingdom, the heavenly Jerusalem.  In Hebrews 12:22 it says “But ye are come unto Mount Zion and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem…”.  When the term “Mount Zion” is used, it usually is referring to the heavenly Zion as in Rev. 14:1 “And I looked and lo, a Lamb (Jesus) stood on Mount Zion…”.

So it is, as the Bible progresses, the word Zion transitions from referring primarily to the physical city of Jerusalem, to the more spiritual context of our future home, the heavenly Jerusalem.

I can think of no better way to end our trip through the alphabet, praising our Adonai, our Immanuel, our Rock, bowing before our Yahweh, than to look forward to the day when we shall march through the gates of Zion; that beautiful city of God.

“We’re marching to Zion,

Beautiful, beautiful Zion,

We’re marching upward to Zion,

The beautiful city of God.”

-----By Robert Lowry

"Y" is for Yahweh

 From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia on the Internet, the word ‘Yahweh’ is transcribed into Roman letters as YHWH.  This form of four letters is known as the Tetragrammation.  The most likely meaning of the name may be “He brings Into Existence Whatever Exists”.   Yay!  They got it right!  Our God does bring into existence whatever exists.  All things are made by Him!

The Bible (which I believe to be the true and inspired Word of God) describes ‘Yahweh’ as the One True God.  God said “I am Yahweh your God who brought you out of Egypt, where you lived as slaves.  You shall have no other gods to rival me.”  Yahweh demanded the roll of the one true God in the hearts and the minds of Israel.  “Hear Israel: Yahweh is our God; Yahweh is one: and you shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your might.”  As Christians, we believe Jesus is the human incarnation of Yahweh.

Yahweh (Yah-ve) is sometimes referred to as Jehovah, with the primary meaning of “self-existent one”. The ‘tetragrammation’ of YHWH, was considered too sacred to be spoken aloud, so other names were used for names that would be uttered.    To add vowel points to YHWH, it makes it sound like ‘Yehova’, and thus the later word of Jehovah, meaning “My Lord.”

To the name Jehovah, we see various names added to reveal His character.  For example, when God provided the ram in the thicket for Abraham, he came to know God as Jehovah-Jireh, (He will Provide).  When God revealed himself to David as the Shepherd, David called Him Jehovah-Rohi, the Lord our shepherd.  We discussed ‘Nissi’ as our ‘N’ word a few weeks ago, giving the name Jehovah-Nissi; the Lord is my banner.  This shows that Jehovah is the Lord, and the added name helps us understand ‘Who He is’.

We need to spend time praising God simply for who He is by using His various names:
He is Jehovah-elyon—“The Lord most High”
He is Jehovah-shalom—The Lord our peace”
He is my Yahweh, my Jehovah, The King of Glory!  (Psalm 24:7)

'X' is for Xristo

The X we often see used as Xmas, is actually the Greek symbol for ‘Chi’, ‘Christo,
or ‘Xristo’. In early times it was actually used for Christ Himself.

The exact origin of X for Christ is difficult to pinpoint.  Some have said it began in the first century AD, when symbols were readily used.  Some Bible scholars feel it was later, around the 13th century along with Christian abbreviations and symbols used in the middle ages.  It is also believed that early Christians put an X symbol above their doors to identify themselves to other believers and yet keeping their faith secret.

When the Gutenberg printing press was invented in 1436, each letter was individually set by placing a block in a strip.  Typesetting was tedious and expensive, so in order to save time and money one short cut was using an X for Christ when printing the bible.

This letter used in place of Christ had a long Christian history until more recent years when the history of it has faded or not been passed on; therefore it has now become misunderstood.  Many Christians feel by using X as in Xmas, they are leaving Christ out, but it is actually the same word, by using Greek symbols.

Other uses for the ‘X’ for ‘Chris’ are Xtina, for the name ‘Christina’; Xtal for ‘crystal’.
Florists use it as in ‘Xant’ for ‘Chrysanthemum’.

So next time you see the word Xmas, instead of being upset, share a bit of Christian history and your knowledge of Greek letters and symbols.

My Prayer: Lord, as a child of God, with power and wisdom from You, help me not to be so quick to find fault with expressions and words I do not understand.  Help me rather, to show discernment and study to show myself approved unto God, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.  Amen

"W" is for Word

 At the beginning of John’s Gospel, John refers to Jesus as the ‘Logos’ (LO-gos), the Word.  He is using the Greek term of logos for the One that created the universe by speaking it into existence (by the ‘breath of His mouth’.  Psalm 33:6)

The Scofield Bible’s notes on the Greek word of “logos” is that it means a thought or concept, and the expression of utterance of a thought.  As a designation of Christ, Logos shows that in Him are embodied all the treasures of the divine wisdom, the collective thought of God, and that He is from eternity.   As “the Word” or ‘logos’ everything about Jesus speaks to us of God—his teaching, miracles, suffering, death and resurrection.  It is Jesus voice as “The Word” that calls us.

John goes on to say in verse 14 that the Word was made flesh and made his dwelling among us”.  In the Greek, “made his dwelling” is linked to the word for ‘tent’ or ‘tabernacle’.  Jesus, as the Word made flesh, became a man, or like his brothers, to dwell (tabernacle) among us and through Him we could perceive God’s glory.  He is the Word calling out to us, healing our spiritual deafness and bringing us back to God.

We are to respond to Jesus, The Word, with both faith and faithfulness, reproducing Christ’s life so that Word may become one with us.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.  

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”

…. John 1:1-4

My prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the Only Word, made flesh, and speaking your love to us in this dark world.  Give me ears to hear your word, and a heart to do your will.  Make me eager and able to proclaim your word in season and out, confident in your life-giving power and in your enduring love.  Amen  

"V" is for Vine

In John 15:1, Jesus says of Himself, “I am the Vine”.  The vine of the grape is the trunk that brings the life giving sap up from the roots into the branches.  The sap must be allowed to flow freely into the branch in order to produce fruit.  The vine gives its life to the branch by the branch staying attached to the vine.

A good crop of grapes does not just happen.  A good vineyard has a dedicated “vinedresser” whom in the case of a child of God, is God the Father.  Each branch is important to the vinedresser, to bring forth the finest crop possible.

If a branch is left to itself it straggles over rocks and handy tree trunks.  Or it may fall to the ground and creep along in the dirt and mud.  The vinedresser will come along, clean off the branch, prune it where needed, and tie it close to the vine.  Soon the branch is thriving again.  The branch must remain totally dependent on the vine, close to it, pruned here, pruned there, in order to bring forth much fruit.

Jesus said He is the true Vine and His followers are the branches.  We are created for a living relationship with the Vine (Jesus), and the Vine (Jesus), gives His life to the branch.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that bears fruit He prunes that it may bear more fruit.  I am the vine, you are the branches.  He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit…By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit.”

John 15:1-2, 5,8

"U" is for 'Unspeakable Gift'

 The word ‘unspeakable’ does not mean to not talk about something, but that that something is so wonderful, there are no words to explain it.  God’s special gift to us is ‘unspeakable’; it is indescribable,  it is amazing; it is beyond our comprehension.  This gift is Jesus, all wrapped up in love.

Of Himself, Jesus said, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water.” (John 4:10)

Because of God’s wonderful gift, we can have other gifts such as a ‘gift of a relationship with God’.  John 1:12 states that all who receive Him, those who believe in His name, He gives the right to be called the sons and daughters of God.

He also gives the ‘gift of His Grace’.  Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by Grace you have been saved…” We have received the ‘gift of Eternal Life’, as according to Romans 6:23 “but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

One reason I think of God’s gift as being unspeakable, and perhaps part of Paul’s thinking in II Corinthians 9:15, is that it is greater than we can grasp with our finite minds.  Jesus was God, 2nd person in the Trinity, totally God.  Yet in order to become the propitiation for man’s sin, He had to take on a human body.  In doing so He had to become a human being.  Now we have something beyond our imagination, something incredible, beyond words, unspeakable.  He was still God, just as though He had never been man; yet He was man as though He had never been God.

And He did this as a gift to each of us.  “For God so loved the world that He gave (this Unspeakable Gift) His only begotten son, that whosoever believes on Him will have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

So accept Jesus, our ‘Unspeakable and Indescribable Gift’.  He paid the price so that all you have to do is take the gift He offers.  This Gift is Jesus!!  

"T" is for Teacher

 In New Testament times, the role of the teacher was well defined.  Jesus role was that of what was called in the Greek, “didaskalos”, meaning ‘teacher’ or master, and it fell within the parameters of the Rabbi.

In Matthew 5:1 and Luke 5:3 it mentions that Jesus ‘sat’ while He taught.  This was the way the contemporary teachers of that day did their teaching and He often appeared at the synagogues where He would do His teaching.

The disciples are compared to students, and they often referred to Jesus as ‘Master’ or ‘Teacher’.  When Jesus appeared to Mary in the garden after His resurrection, she called Him “Rabboni”, which is a form of ‘Rabbi’ meaning ‘teacher.

Jesus as a teacher, was to bring man closer to the kingdom of God.  He was the ‘ultimate’ of teachers, since He was personally One with God.  In His words: “I and my Father are one.” (John 10:13)

Jesus is our “Rabboni”, our “Master”, and our “Teacher”.  Yet He is a humble teacher.  In John 13:13 he washed the disciples feet and said “You call Me the Teacher (Master) and the Lord, and you are right in doing so…(vs.14) If I then have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet…” He taught by example.
                                                 He was the ‘ultimate’ Teacher.

Even after Jesus had returned to Heaven, His instruction was the basis of the teaching in the epistles and the rest of the New Testament.  The role of teaching, even today, is a gift given by the Holy Spirit and this teaching and preaching is all based on the instruction of Jesus and the witness of His resurrection.
                                                  He was the ‘ultimate’ teacher.

Jesus, the Teacher, gave this command to His disciples is Matthew 28: 19,20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.  Amen.”

                                              He is our awesome, ‘ultimate’ teacher.

"S" is for Shepherd

 To think of Jesus as our Shepherd is one of the most tender images given to us.  Our Lord compares Himself to a Shepherd all throughout the Scriptures.  This reminds us of our dependency on Him, as well as His watchful, protecting care.

Shepherding was a very important occupation in ancient Palestine, so the people of that day understood the metaphors of sheep and shepherd.  A shepherd is responsible for the physical survival and well being of the flock, and sheep are known to be an animal totally dependent on the shepherd.  The shepherd is the one to find them pastures, and it is said they need to have still waters, so the shepherd also finds them quiet streams or watering holes.  David, having been a shepherd knew this when he wrote Psalm 23:3: “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, He leadeth me beside the still waters.”

Without a shepherd to carefully watch over the flock, the sheep scatter and become easy prey for wild animals and thieves.  A good shepherd will defend his flock with his own life.  In John 10:11 Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

The shepherd’s life was a nomad’s life, and he spent many lonely hours entertaining himself by talking to his sheep.  In this way the sheep came to know the shepherd’s voice. Therefore when the sheep mixed with other flocks, such as at the watering holes, they had no difficulty separating the animals, for each animal knew its shepherd’s voice.   In John 10:4 Jesus said “My sheep hear my voice and follow me.”

The shepherd counted his sheep each morning and evening and would call each one by name.  In John 10:3 it states:  “…and the sheep hear his voice; and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.”

“He tends his flock like a shepherd

He gathers the lambs in his arms

And carries them close to his heart;

He gently leads those that have young.”

                                                                             ……Isaiah 40:11

My prayer: Gentle Shepherd, with you as my Shepherd, I shall not want for any good thing.  You lead me in pastures green, and you restore my soul.  Help me to listen for your voice, and follow you all the days of my life.  And when I reach the end of my way on earth, you will go with me through the valley of the shadow of death, and receive me to yourself in Glory.  You are my Shepherd-King, and I praise you!  Amen

"R" is for ROCK

The name of ‘Rock’ is used throughout the Scriptures both in actuality and figurative.  When the Israelites were making their trek through the wilderness, the rock was used on more than one occasion to quench their thirst.  Caves in the rocks were used for refuge; our Lord’s burial was carved out of a rock in the Garden.

In the Figurative sense, the hardness of the rock gives the image of one whose mind is set.  As examples, Isaiah 50:7 says: “…therefore have I set my face like a ‘flint’ (stone), and I know that I shall not be ashamed.”  In Jeremiah 5:3: “…They have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.”  Another figurative way is to show God’s power by the shattering of the rock in Jeremiah 23:29: “Is not my word like a fire? Saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?”

The enduring quality of the Rock makes it an apt name for Yahweh (God) as it depicts permanence and stability.  God is a mighty Rock who protects and saves.  In Deuteronomy 32:4 Moses states: “He is the Rock, his work is perfect…”  In I Samuel 2:2 in Hannah’s prayer she says: “There is none holy like the Lord; for there is none beside thee, neither is there any Rock like our God.”

In the New Testament, in Romans 9:33 and I Peter 2:8 Christ is called the ‘stumbling stone and Rock of offense.”    He is also referred to this in Isaiah 8:14 as “a rock that will make them fall.”   Jesus was the Rock over which the Jewish people would stumble and reject, yet He would become the capstone (Matthew 21:42) and the Cornerstone for the foundation of the Church.  Jesus Christ came to be our Rock-Messiah, in which we can rest, believe and be saved.   David said in Psalm 18:1,2: “I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my Rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my Rock, in Whom I take refuge.”  Throughout the Bible it says God is the Rock and that Jesus is the Rock.  Therefore, we know that Jesus is God Incarnate, and He is our Rock.

“You are the Rock and there is no other

A tower of strength, You are my shelter

Lord, You are my hope eternal

You are the Rock that is higher than I

Lead me to the Rock, lead me to the Rock

Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I,

                                                                                       By Paul Baloche

"Q" is for 'Quickening Spirit'

 In I Corinthians 15:45 we read in the King James Version that “…the first Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a Quickening Spirit…” Since Jesus Christ is the second or last Adam, it would be a name given to Him.

Let us take a look at both words ‘Quickening’ and ‘Spirit’ and find the true meaning behind this name.

Quickening means
1) To give life, make alive.
2) It is to cause to live, to restore life.
3) A pregnant woman is said to feel a ‘quickening’ when she first feels life in her womb.
4) It is used as a metaphor of seeds being quickened into life, as with germinating.

For the word Spirit:
1) Refers to Spirit (of God)
2) Spirit (of Christ)
3) Spirit (of truth)
4) Holy Spirit, third Person of the Trinity

When we put the two words together, we have Jesus as the Quickening Spirit, as He quickens us ‘alive’ by taking us from death to life spiritually.  Jesus, by His life saving power can spiritually arouse, invigorate and restore the life within us.  We are dead in our sin, but the Lord, as a Quickening Spirit gives life, gives joy, and gives inner peace.

The Lord desires to make each of us alive unto Him.  He desires to fill us with His Spirit, that we will experience the quickening of the Holy Spirit working within us.  Jesus is the one who gives life, the Quickener, and He gives it by the power of the Holy Spirit.  One writer has said that: “the Holy Spirit is the medium through which the Mediator, Jesus Christ, mediates.”

The Amplified Version of I Cor 15:45 reads: “…the first Adam became a living being (an individual personality); the last Adam (Christ) became a life-giving Spirit (restoring the dead to life).

 My Prayer: Father, thank You for sending Jesus, our Quickening Spirit, who breathes life into us through the Holy Spirit.  I pray each one reading this will be blessed, quickened and filled with the fullness of You, our living God.  I pray this with thanksgiving in the wonderful name of Your precious Son, Jesus Christ, our Quickening Spirit.  Amen

'P' is for Paraklete

According to ‘Wikipedia’, the word Paraklete means “advocate or helper”.  In the Greek it is the word for “comforter”.  It is spelled as “parakletos”, meaning coming along side.

In the New Testament we find that in I John 2:1 it is speaking of Jesus Himself as the Paraklete.  In John 14 Jesus says that He will send another comforter—“another Paraklete”.  From Him saying ‘another’ it would indicate Jesus was already our Paraklete, and he would be sending another to take His place when He returned to the Father.  The notes from the Scofield Bible explains further by saying Christ is the Christians’ ‘Paraklete’ with the Father and pleads the believer’s cause with God when that Christian sins.

The Holy Spirit is the Christians indwelling “Paraklete” to help each one, and to make intercession to the Father for us.  Romans 8:26 states “The Spirit also helps our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we should.” He is the Spirit of Truth, teaching the believer and guiding him into the truth, convicting of sin, righteousness and judgement.

God the heavenly Father has come alongside through the Person of the Holy Spirit.  He has put His everlasting arms around us and gives us strength and comfort, through our “parakletos” the Holy Spirit.

*“When we think we can’t go one more step
         When the race becomes painful beyond endurance
                  When our hearts feel heavy,
                          When our mind’s become dull,
                                   When our spirits are burned out
                                          We have the “Parakletos” who comes along side us.”
*From Anne Graham Lotz book: “Just Give me Jesus”

'O' is for Omega

 Omega is the last or the 24th letter of the Greek alphabet.  The word is in two parts:  “O” and “mega”, with the term “Meaga” actually meaning “great”.  The name itself originated in the Byzantine Period or Medieval Greek Period.

The word “Omega” is usually used to indicate the last or the eventual boundary or finish of a group.  It is often used with “Alpha” which is the beginning and the first letter of the Greek alphabet.  In the Bible, Jesus Christ used this to describe Himself as the “Alpha and Omega”; or the start and the finish, beginning and the end.

In Revelation 21:6 Christ said, “It is done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega…” He was signifying that something had been completed.

When we think of Christ’s words that He is the ‘Alpha and Omega’, He is saying that He was here from the very start of all things, and will be at the very end of life, as we know it.  He was the one who initiated creation, and He will be here to usher us into our eternal home.

Several aspects come to mind that shows how Jesus Christ is the Omega.  One is that He is the final revelation of God.  To explain, look at John 1:18.  “No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.”  Another verse from John 12:45:  “When a man looks at me, he sees the One who sent me.”  In II Cor. 4:6 it says:  “God…made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Christ.”  Until this time the Jewish people were too awed by God to even say His name.  Now in the person of Jesus—The Omega—He gave His final revelation.

Another aspect of Jesus as ‘Omega’ is that with Jesus we have the completion of the bridge once again being opened for man to be able to reach God.  Jesus finished the plan on the Cross when He said, “it is finished.”  He was not stating that He was dying, but stating that by dying He had now accomplished what He had come to do, pay the penalty for sin.  He also put an end to the law when He died.  Romans 10:4 says: “Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.”

Jesus, as ‘Omega’ is bringing all things to an end.  History is moving toward the finish line.  Since the Cross, we are now living in ‘the last days’ as it says in Mark 1:15:  “The time has come.”  Acts 2:17 states “In these last days…”; and in Hebrews 1:2 “but in these last days he has spoken through His Son.”  We now are living “in these last days” at the “end of the ages”.  Time will be no more, and we will move into eternity.  God’s time has come because Jesus Christ, the Omega has come.

We already mentioned that Jesus is the final revelation of God.  Another aspect is that Jesus is the final ultimate manifestation of the Glory of God.  In the New Testament we learn that there is no revelation of the Glory of God beyond Jesus.  John 1:14 states “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.  We have seen His Glory, the Glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of Grace and truth.”  John 12:28 says “Father, glorify Your name…I have glorified it and will glorify it again.”  And then in John 17:1 we read: “Father, the time has come.  Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You.”

We must live with the knowledge that all-human history and all of God’s purposes move toward Jesus Christ, and is brought to its ultimate goal in and by Jesus.  He is our Omega, The Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.  So be it!

'N' is for Nissi

 When put together with the name of Jehovah, ‘Nissi’ means, “The Lord is my Banner”, Jehovah-Nissi.  Moses was the first to use this name in Exodus 17 when the Israelites were fighting the Amelikites.  As long as Moses held his arms high, the Israelites were winning.  After the battle ended, he built his alter called “The Lord is my banner” as he knew the victory belonged to God.

We also have warfare going on within our hearts, the war of the Spirit against the flesh. In Galatians 5:17 it states:  “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh”.  And in Vs. 18 “But if ye be led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law.”  Just as Moses held high his arms as a banner to the Lord, thus giving victory to the Israelites over the Amelikites, so we hold to the control of the Spirit and we will have victory over the flesh.

Another portion that speaks to me of Jehovah-Nissi is in Song of Solomon.  This book typifies God’s love for Israel in the Old Testament, and it reminds us of Jesus’ relationship with the church in the New Testament.  In chapter 2 verse 4 from the Amplified Version, it says “He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love (for love waved as a protecting and comforting banner over my head when I was near him). “

Jehovah-Nissi is descriptive of God’s covering.  He protects, encourages, and is proud of us.  God’s banner is behind us, and over us.  He leads us with the banner of His love.

We can walk in victory today because we know Jehovah-Nissi can bring salvation and freedom and eternal life.  We go out with joy, raising the banner high, and we are led forth with peace.  (Isaiah 55:12) Amen, so be it!

"M" is for MAJESTY

 Though Majesty is more of a descriptive word than a title, it is used to describe our Lord’s worth and authority above all that is and was and is to come.  He is my Majesty.  He is Your Majesty.  He has all wisdom.  He is King of all kings, and Lord of all lords.

According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, Majesty is a noun.  It is 1) the dignity or power of a sovereign. 2) It is sovereign power.  The title is used in speaking to or of a sovereign, and is preceded by “Your’ or by ‘His or Her’.

In Job 37:22, Job said that with God is awe-inspiring Majesty.  David wrote whole Psalms to the Majesty of God (See Psalm 93).  In II Peter 1:16 Peter said he had been an eyewitness of His Majesty.  He had been there at the ‘Transfiguration’.  He had been there when Jesus rose from the dead, and he had seen him ascend into heaven.  He had first hand knowledge of His Majesty.

Writers and songwriters down through the years have sought to express the Majesty of our God.  Stu Garrard/Martin Smith have written:

“Majesty, Majesty

Your grace has found me just as I am

Empty handed, but alive in Your hands.

Majesty, Majesty

Forever I am changed by Your love

In the presence of Your Majesty.”

Bill and Gloria Gaither have given us this familiar chorus, one I love hearing sung b y a large choir or congregation.  I cannot help but join in with:

“Majesty, Worship His Majesty

Unto Jesus be all glory, honor and praise!

Majesty, Kingdom, Authority

Flows from His throne

Unto His own

His anthem raise.

So exalt, lift up on high

The name of Jesus.

Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus the King.

Majesty, worship His Majesty

Jesus who died, now glorified

King of all kings.”

Amen!  Majesty!

"L" is for Lamb

 When Jesus came to earth the 1st time, He came to be a sacrifice.  He came as a Lamb for sinners slain.  John the Baptist introduced Him as the “Lamb of God”.  One cannot really understand this title without having some knowledge of the practice of animal sacrifice in the Bible.

The sacrificial system provided a way for God’s people to approach Him even though they had sinned.  Those who were offering sacrifices understood the animal was a symbol of themselves and their desire to offer their own lives to God.  This sacrificial system of the Scripture represents God’s way of instructing man what it means to approach a holy God.

To the Jewish people the lamb represented innocence and gentleness.  According to the Mosaic Law, the lamb sacrificed must be a male, without blemish, firstborn of the flock.
Isaiah likened our Savior, Jesus, to the lamb of sacrifice when he wrote in Isaiah 53:7 “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth.  He was brought as a lamb to the slaughter and a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.”  The lamb is a symbol of meekness, humility and a willingness to submit to the will of the master.  Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God; He is male, sinless and without blemish.  He is willing to submit to His fathers will.

In Revelation we have the ‘lamb’ mentioned 29 times.  Here the ‘Lamb who was slain’ now lives and reigns victorious.

Rev. 7:17 “For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd; and He will guide them to the springs of the waters of life; and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Rev 17:14 “…and the Lamb will triumph over them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings…”

Rev. 19:7 “let us celebrate and ascribe to Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb has come.”

When the Lamb comes the 2nd time, those who have been covered by His blood by accepting Christ as their sacrifice, will be kept safe.  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (the Lamb of God) that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  (John 3:16)

'K' is for KING

“Behold a king shall reign in righteousness” (Isaiah 32:1).  

For years the Jewish people longed for their coming ‘king’ to restore them as a nation to their freedom and former glory.  This King would be their Messiah, and in thinking Jesus might be their Messiah, they called Him “Son of David”.  They thought their messianic king, the righteous one to come from the line of David, was among them.  He even rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, a sign of both peace and humility.

They were right in all ways except the timing.  At His 1st coming, He came as a sacrifice; but one day He will be revealed as the greatest of all kings.  Then He will not come on a donkey, but it says in Rev. 19:11 “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.”  Then going to verse 16 it states: “on His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: “King of kings and Lord of lords.”

The following is an article called “My King Is…” by Dr. S.M. Lockridge.  When I read it I felt my excitement and praise build until at the end I was also shouting, “That’s my King! AMEN!”  Read it and Praise our King!

“The Bible says my King is a seven-way king…He’s the King of the Jews; that’s a racial king…He’s the King of Israel; that’s a national King…He’s the King of Righteousness…He’s the King of the Ages…He’s the King of Heaven…He’s the King of Glory…He’s the King of kings, and He’s the Lord of lords.  That’s my King.  Well…I wonder, do you know Him?

David said, “The Heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork.  My King is a sovereign King.  No means of measure can define His limitless love.  No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply.  No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings.  He’s enduringly strong…He’s entirely sincere…He’s eternally steadfast…He’s immortally graceful…He’s imperially powerful…He’s impartially merciful…Do you know Him?

He’s the greatest phenomenon that ever crossed the horizon of this world.  He’s God’s Son…He’s a sinner’s Savior…He’s the centerpiece of civilization…He stands in the solitude of Himself…He’s august…He’s unique…He’s unparalleled…He’s unprecedented…He’s the loftiest idea in literature…He’s the highest personality in philosophy…He’s the supreme problem in highest criticism…He’s the fundamental doctrine of true theology…He’s the cardinal necessity for spiritual religion…He’s the miracle of the age…He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him…He’s the only one qualified to be an all sufficient Savior…I wonder if you know Him today?

He supplies strength for the weak…He’s available for the tempted and the tried…He sympathizes and He saves…He strengthens and sustains…He guards and He guides…He heals the sick…He cleanses lepers…He forgives sinners…He discharges debtors...He delivers captives…He defends the feeble…He blesses the young…He serves the unfortunate…He regards the aged…He rewards the diligent…and He beautifies the meek…I wonder if you know Him?

Well, my King…is the King…He’s the key to knowledge…He’s the wellspring to wisdom…He’s the doorway of deliverance…He’s the pathway of peace…He’s the roadway of righteousness…He’s the highway of holiness…He’s the gateway of glory…Do you know Him?

Well…His office is manifold…His promise is sure…His light is matchless…His goodness is limitless…His mercy is everlasting…His love never changes…His word is enough…His grace is sufficient…His reign is righteous…and His yoke is easy, and his burden is light.  I wish I could describe Him to you, but He’s indescribable…He’s incomprehensible…He’s invincible…He’s irresistible.

Well, you can’t get Him out of your mind…You can’t get Him off of your hand…You can’t out live Him, and you can’t live without Him…The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him…Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him…The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree…Herod couldn’t kill Him…Death couldn’t handle Him, and the grave couldn’t hold Him.  Yes!!! That’s my King, that’s my King!

Father…’Thine is the Kingdom…and the Power…and the Glory…Forever’…and ever, and ever, and ever, and ever.  How long is that?  And ever…and ever…and when you get through with all the forevers, then…AMEN!..AMEN!”

'J' is for JESUS

The name Jesus was the personal name given to our Lord and Christ.  When the angel told Joseph it was OK to take Mary to be his wife because the babe she carried was a miracle of God and from the Holy Spirit, he was told to call the baby ‘Jesus’, because He would save His people from their sins.

Back in Jesus day, “Jesus” was a common name.  To distinguish our Lord from others of that name, He was referred to as Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus son of Joseph, Jesus the Nazarene.  And later on in Scripture He was referred to as “Jesus Christ” as though Christ were the surname.

In the Greek, the word is “Iesous” (yay-sous) equivalent of the Hebrew “Yeshua”, translated to Joshua in English.  The name Joshua is the oldest name containing Yahweh, a name for God so sacred it was considered too holy to pronounce.  Both the name of “Jesus” and “Joshua” mean “Yahweh is help” or “Yahweh is salvation”.

Yahweh is God’s personal name in the Old Testament, and Jesus is the personal name of our Redeemer, Christ, in the New Testament.  With “Yahweh is salvation”, we have Jesus as Yahweh come to earth.  Jesus Himself said that if you have seen Him, you have seen the Father (John 14:9).  So no longer is God a distant God, but through Jesus He is God becoming one of us, God reaching out in mercy, God nailed to the Cross, and God rising from the grave to show us the way of life.  Jesus, is the name above all names, glorious Savior, blessed Redeemer.

Therefore also God highly exalted Him,

And bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,

That at the name of Jesus Every knee shall bow,

of those who are in heaven, and on earth and under the earth,

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

(Philippians 2:9-11)

In closing, from a poem written by my mother, called “A Name”:

“When my heart feels empty and longing

And there’s a void that will not be filled,

And there’s an ache that is truly suffering

And a pain that cannot be stilled,

There’s a Name that I love to whisper

For that Name brings contentment and peace.

The name is the name of my Jesus

Whose love for me never can cease.”

                                       --Marjorie S.Paton

Yes, there is something about that Name—Jesus.

'H' is for High Priest

The role of the priest is to bring the people to God.  In the Israelite Nation, the priesthood consisted of three groups: The High Priest, the ordinary priests and the Levites. The High Priest was the only one authorized to enter the most Holy Place, and that only 3 times a year.

In the New Testament, Jesus is identified as our High Priest.  He paid the sacrifice once for all, and now He is the One who faithfully bears us into God’s presence.

As our great High Priest, it is Jesus perfect offering that has won for us complete forgiveness.  In Hebrews 5 it tells us that in the office of the high priest of the Israelites, he not only offered sacrifices for the people, but also for himself because he is also a weak human.  But Christ, the anointed one of God, became our High Priest as He had already given Himself as the ultimate sacrifice.

There are several ways in which Jesus meets all the requirements needed to be a High Priest.  First of all, He has a human body.  Hebrews 2:17 (NIV) states “For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest…”  He was human just as though he had never been God, but He was also totally God as though He had never been human.

The second reason is that being human He could also sympathize with we ignorant sinners.  In Hebrews 4:15 (NIV) it states “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet without sin.”  
The third reason is that He was ordained of God.  In Hebrews 5:4 it states “no one takes this honor upon himself, he must be ordained of God…”  God the Father chose his eternal Son to be our eternal High Priest.

A fourth way Jesus earned the right to become the High Priest was through His suffering.  Isaiah 50: 5-7 prophetically portrays Christ:  “I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting…”  In the Garden of Gethsemane, our Lord experienced intense agony to the point of sweating blood.  He was not agonizing over his coming physical death, (many people experienced physical death by crucifixion), but it was the fact that he was about to die for the sin of the world.  He, who knew no sin, would become the worst sinner as he bore the sin of the whole world.  He was about to suffer what is called ‘the second death’ and to be forsaken by His Father.  He knew about suffering!

We needed to have a perfect High Priest, and Jesus was perfect, as He perfectly obeyed the Father.  He then became the perfect mediator as well as a perfect victim on our behalf.  He alone is qualified to be our Perfect High Priest.    Christ became the source of our eternal salvation. Jesus only is the ‘well of salvation’ to which all must come and drink.  Jesus is the Eternal High Priest, because His sacrifice, given once for all, obtained eternal redemption.

The Eternal Son 
                     Gives us Eternal salvation, 
                                                    In which we can be eternally secure.     
                                                                              He is our Perfect and Eternal High Priest!