March 28th 2021
Jesus Is Asking You, "Who Do You Say I Am?"
Matthew 18:19-20 (NIV)
"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
During this Lenten season we need to allow time to read God’s Word, AKA the Bible more often than usual. What is your allotment of time each day set aside to read your Bible? Some of you reading this, may have to answer truthfully that you do not allow any time each day to read your Bible. Does this describe you? Well then, a good resolution for you is to change this, and work on a plan to set aside some time to start reading your Bible each day. The term “your Bible” as used here does not mean just a book you own called a Bible, it means you have ownership in God’s Word, as contained in this book. The Bible is an inheritance you gain when you become a child of God! Yes, I do know this is not the start of a New Year, BUT it is still the Lenten season, and coming up this Sunday we will be celebrating Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
If you plan to attend a church of your choice this Sunday, then you will likely hear a sermon based in some way on this entry of Jesus into Jerusalem to great fanfare. As the selected verses tell us that joining with other believers we will also be joined by the Holy Spirit or Jesus, as it says, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." If you do not regularly attend a church of your choice, this would be a good Sunday to start a new routine that will include regular attendance. Now that would be a good habit to start as a Lenten season offering to Jesus.
For those of you reading this who do attend a worship service at a church of your choice on a regular basis, setting in that pew this Sunday, it would be good for you to think about this promise from Jesus as He said, "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Make room for Jesus in your pew this Sunday, and think about Him being with you, as you try to think about what He has done for you. Remember, He will come with you, if you have allowed Him room in your heart!
This coming week is sometimes called Holy Week as we start looking forward to Jesus rising from the dead and thus proving He is the Savior of the world. Yes, I know I skipped over the suffering parts that Jesus had to endure, for your (our) sins. Dwell on these thoughts this week but do so not as a negative to affect the joy of knowing our sins have been forgiven, dwell on that instead. The writer of Acts reminds us about our free gift through God’s grace. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. (Acts 3:19-21).
This week does remind us about how Jesus suffered and became the perfect sacrifice required to offset the first or original sin that brought death into this now cursed world. While physical death is the consequence of Adam’s sin remember that Jesus came into this world to offer the remedy for our sinful nature, we inherit from this Fall of Man. Think about how you love Jesus because of His sacrifice for you. Then look forward to good things coming your way, because you accepted Jesus’ sacrifice in your stead. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28). You have been called by Jesus to become His brother or sister and enjoy being a member of God’s family!
For this week it seems good to end this commentary with remembering how Jesus came into Jerusalem as a hero of sorts to the people who gathered there to show Him honor. The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!" When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee." (Matthew 21:6-11).
This coming week offers evidence about who Jesus is and causes people to wonder who they believe Jesus Christ is. When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 16:13-16).
In this coming week, Jesus will be asking you to express if you believe that He is who He claimed to be. So, who do you believe Jesus is?
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
Matthew 18:19-20 (NIV)
"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
During this Lenten season we need to allow time to read God’s Word, AKA the Bible more often than usual. What is your allotment of time each day set aside to read your Bible? Some of you reading this, may have to answer truthfully that you do not allow any time each day to read your Bible. Does this describe you? Well then, a good resolution for you is to change this, and work on a plan to set aside some time to start reading your Bible each day. The term “your Bible” as used here does not mean just a book you own called a Bible, it means you have ownership in God’s Word, as contained in this book. The Bible is an inheritance you gain when you become a child of God! Yes, I do know this is not the start of a New Year, BUT it is still the Lenten season, and coming up this Sunday we will be celebrating Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem.
If you plan to attend a church of your choice this Sunday, then you will likely hear a sermon based in some way on this entry of Jesus into Jerusalem to great fanfare. As the selected verses tell us that joining with other believers we will also be joined by the Holy Spirit or Jesus, as it says, “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." If you do not regularly attend a church of your choice, this would be a good Sunday to start a new routine that will include regular attendance. Now that would be a good habit to start as a Lenten season offering to Jesus.
For those of you reading this who do attend a worship service at a church of your choice on a regular basis, setting in that pew this Sunday, it would be good for you to think about this promise from Jesus as He said, "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Make room for Jesus in your pew this Sunday, and think about Him being with you, as you try to think about what He has done for you. Remember, He will come with you, if you have allowed Him room in your heart!
This coming week is sometimes called Holy Week as we start looking forward to Jesus rising from the dead and thus proving He is the Savior of the world. Yes, I know I skipped over the suffering parts that Jesus had to endure, for your (our) sins. Dwell on these thoughts this week but do so not as a negative to affect the joy of knowing our sins have been forgiven, dwell on that instead. The writer of Acts reminds us about our free gift through God’s grace. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. (Acts 3:19-21).
This week does remind us about how Jesus suffered and became the perfect sacrifice required to offset the first or original sin that brought death into this now cursed world. While physical death is the consequence of Adam’s sin remember that Jesus came into this world to offer the remedy for our sinful nature, we inherit from this Fall of Man. Think about how you love Jesus because of His sacrifice for you. Then look forward to good things coming your way, because you accepted Jesus’ sacrifice in your stead. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28). You have been called by Jesus to become His brother or sister and enjoy being a member of God’s family!
For this week it seems good to end this commentary with remembering how Jesus came into Jerusalem as a hero of sorts to the people who gathered there to show Him honor. The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!" When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee." (Matthew 21:6-11).
This coming week offers evidence about who Jesus is and causes people to wonder who they believe Jesus Christ is. When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 16:13-16).
In this coming week, Jesus will be asking you to express if you believe that He is who He claimed to be. So, who do you believe Jesus is?
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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