As Holy Week goes forward, reply is made on the kingdom of GOD and the new creation. Even small children understood that something special from GOD was being shared, and they startled the elders who wanted to quiet and silence their shouts of “Hosanna” and their rejoicing inside the Temple. Rather than as a king over a kingdom having an agenda of commandments, statutes, taxes and war, Jesus Christ came as a High Priest and spiritual ruler having an agenda of atonement, forgiveness, renewed hope, sacrifice, suffering, and death on the cross. Thus, Christian believers are to operate as ambassadors, emissaries, and lawful representatives dispatched to earth from a divine “spirit Nation” ruled by a Risen Lord, and intended to establish among men the oneness without sameness within the GODhead. The system of belief that Christians share with Judaism brings together multiple doctrines, practices, and teachings that first were committed to mankind through Adam and his sons who were heirs of a holy priesthood, that later were ordained and preserved through the covenant of Moses, and following that were demonstrated in the life and work of Jesus on a day-to-day basis. One of the many fighters at “Yahoo! Answers (UK & Ireland)” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:
Does it make any sense to you that Jesus (your Lord and Savior) didn't even believe in Christianity?
Jesus was Jewish. If Jesus didn't believe in Christianity and you try to live your lives like him why aren't you all Jewish.
I personally don't believe in any religion. I think there might be a God, but I don't think any religions are right. I'm an agnostic theist.
I'm not saying your religion is wrong. I'm just saying that it doesn't make sense to me. And would like to hear your opinion.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2nd Corinthians 5: 17-21, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Benefits of His Kingdom? (04/11/2017); Differences Among Sacred Events (04/10/2017); Hosanna In The Highest (04/09/2017); The Extravagance of Love? (04/02/2017); The Cross and Judaism? (05/27/2016); Academic Language? (12/10/2015); Christ Brought A New Nature? (07/15/2015)
“Anonymous”, Jesus put on no display of pomp and circumstance, yet, he entered Jerusalem riding a white mule as son of a king. When Jesus arrived at the Temple in Jerusalem in the final days of his living ministry on the earth the Savior was proclaiming a new testament and new covenant relationship with GOD through his own blood and body. What had begun as a “grass roots” revival to refresh and renew practices and promises that had existed among the Jews for millennia became concentrated and crystallized as a divine process to transform mankind into a new creation. Jesus highlighted what should have been familiar doctrines and performed prophetic demonstrations to reveal divinity as the active presence who was carrying out various sacred events (e.g., exorcism, healings, miracles).
Because thousands were in the City to observe an annual feast, there was a crowd to welcome Jesus that had come from every city, region and town made up of the many who already had received godly benefits from following and hearing the Lord. While Jesus was openly hailed as the “son of David” and one having a legitimate claim to the throne of unified kingdom granted King David by a promise of dynasty from GOD, Jesus discouraged all efforts to portray him as a social activist, a leader of insurrection and rebellion against Rome, a discontented political figure, or a zealot.
The Savior aroused his critics most as he taught that GOD is a spirit, and that by gifts and operations of spirit substance from the makeup of divinity, mankind would receive atonement for sin and become endowed with eternal life to exist as an immortal, incorruptible companion of GOD. The Sadducees who were the ruling faction among the priests, Levites, and judges making up the Sanhedrin court insisted upon the covenant of Moses with its proclamations of social identity through divine law, and discouraged the full inheritance of prophetic truth that included GOD operating from within “angels”, “spirits” and spokespersons (e.g., patriarchs, judges, prophets, pastors, apostles).
The ministry of Jesus had to grow and increase in accordance with his development as a man in flesh undergoing spiritual growth administered and controlled by the Father in heaven. For this reason, the gospel (good news) that was preached goes from “repent and be baptized,” “there is atonement for sin,” and “the kingdom is at hand” to “he is risen” and “he will come again.” There is the proclamation of both a new kingdom and a new creation. Consider again the following:
(1.) Isaiah 42: 1-4, King James Version (KJV): 1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. 3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. 4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
(2.) John 6: 11-15, KJV: 11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. 12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. 13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. 14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. 15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
(3.) John 18: 33-38, KJV: 33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? 34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? 35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? 36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. 37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. 38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) 2nd Peter 1: 16-21, KJV: 16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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