WHAT CHRIST IS

“For the LORD is our Judge, the LORD is our Lawgiver, the LORD is our King; He will save us" (Isa. 33:22 NKJV).

While the primary application of this verse is to the millennium, its principle may be applied to all men in other ages as well. Thus we want to note four distinct and important positions that are ascribed to the Lord Jesus - our Judge, our Lawgiver, our King, and our Savior.

Christ is our Judge - Being our judge does not necessarily mean that Christ will condemn us. Rather, it means He judges our every thought, word, and deed and renders judgment according to their character. While not many folk think about God’s judgment, it is the most important judgment of all.

Christ is our Lawgiver - Divine laws are the primary laws by which we are to live. As our Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ has the right to decide how His creatures should act. Divine laws are not written for our harm, but for our good. So, rebelling against Divine laws, is actually rebelling against that which is meant to bless us. Let’s not despise the Lord’s laws; let’s honor them by obeying them.

Christ is our King – Although there are earthly kings, presidents others over us, the Lord Jesus Christ is the Supreme ruler over all. And since we are the subjects, we should submit to Him and give Him honor. Not many are doing that; the Lord Jesus Christ is still despised and dishonored by many in our day. Yet, if we want heavenly blessing, we must honor Him as our King.

Christ is our Savior - “He will save us.” Because we are sinners, we need the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior more than anything else. Stained with sin, we are barred from heaven. But through Calvary, the Lord Jesus Christ has provided a way by which we can be saved from our sins. And He alone can save us. He can save any sinner who comes to Him for salvation.

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“To show others what Christ will do for them, show them what Christ has done for you!”

Anonymous Word Study

Diseases

In Mark 1:34 we read, “Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him” (NKJV).

Diseases is the Greek word nosos (νόσος = nos'-os). It means a physical malady, disease or illness. In classical Greek nosos is used primarily in connection with illness. It can also be used generally of distress and anguish. Figuratively it speaks of character defects and mental illness. In the Septuagint nosos carries the idea of not well. In the New Testament nosos is always used literally of physical illness. In the New Testament as well as the Old Testament, illness is traced back to the Fall. Through sin, death entered the world (Rom. 5:12), and naturally, sickness also. However, at the return of the Lord Jesus Christ the bodies of the believers will be changed, and we will be clothed with immortality. And so in the eternal state there is no death, sorrow, or suffering.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Messiah will be a servant from the womb (Isa. 49:5)

New Testament Fulfillment – Luke 1:31; Phil. 2:7

Did You Know…

In the Bible, it states that Jesus draws all men to Himself (John 12:32)

Bible Quiz

Who wrestled with God by the Jabbok River?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: How many copies of the Ten Commandments did God make? Two (Deut. 10:1-2)

Everyday Expressions Alluded to in the Bible

“Take the bitter with the sweet”

“So I went to the angel and said to him, give me the little book. And he said to me, take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth!” (Rev 10:9 NKJV).

“Take the bitter with the sweet” - The expression "take the bitter with the sweet” carries the idea of taking the good with the bad. In context, John is instructed by the angel to eat the “little book.” Eating the book symbolizes internalizing its contents, thus allowing John to prophesy. The idea here is that not everything in Scripture will seem sweet to the spiritual pallet. Prophecy both gladdens and saddens, as it contains announcements of both joy and grief. It has been said that Scripture contains both the sweet message of deliverance and the bitter message of damnation. The faithful minister will declare all of God’s Word, and will not dilute the message simply to please his listeners.

Did You Know – Christian History

William Booth was born April 10, 1829 in Nottingham, UK. He was an English Methodist preacher who, along with his wife, Catherine, founded The Salvation Army and became its first General (1878–1912).

Booth found his Christian faith early on in life and became an active Methodist, preaching and helping the poor in his local area. After some time working as a pawnbroker, he and his wife Catherine moved to the east of London. The two of them began working with a group of Christian businessmen who were concerned for the poor and disadvantaged in their community. In June 1865, William Booth preached to crowds outside the Blind Beggar pub; a new organization, The Christian Mission, was born. Thirteen years later, it would became the Salvation Army.

Over the next few years, the movement flourished. The focus was on those who had been rejected by the traditional churches. All were welcome – including those impoverished and disadvantaged. People were being taught the message of Jesus in a way they could relate to and meetings were held wherever they could – dance halls, bowling alleys and outdoors. This method of presenting the gospel as well as addressing some material needs, saw many people become Christians.

Booth’s wife, Catherine, also understood the need of the poor. Of higher social standing and better educated than her husband, she nonetheless sympathized with the urban poor and had begun a work among London’s prostitutes. A strong advocate of female ministry, she preached as often as her husband. Thanks to her insistence on allowing women to preach, the Salvation Army had a majority of women ministers from the start. Over time, the organization gained military-style titles (ministers are officers) and even uniforms were designed to publicly demonstrate a commitment to God.

Although Booth was repeatedly attacked and some of his workers killed, the Salvation Army became a force for good in England, America and many other countries. Today it is a world-wide institution known for being one of the largest distributors of humanitarian aid. Near Christmas, Salvation Army bells tinkle for donations. Their work helps the poor and suffering wherever they are found.

A Little Humor

Martha’s little grandson Richard came home from Sunday school and was asked what he had studied in class. His reply was, “Nothing.” So she asked him, “Didn’t you study Jesus?” Richard’s reply was, “'No, he wasn’t even there.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Come as you are. You can change inside!”