OzThoughts Thursday 7th January 2010

OzThoughts Thursday 7th January 2010


For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
... And he will be called
…Mighty God…
(Isaiah 9: 6 New International Version).

The conflict over whether Jesus was almighty God never ceased at the cross. It did not cease with the resurrection. Thomas doubted whether it was Jesus who appeared to the other Disciples. Yet his encounter with him brought him to the declaration:

"My Master! My God!" (John 20:26-28. The Message)

Later, we come to Saul. Saul (later known by the Roman name Paul) was a young and highly educated activist. Saul determined that he would do his part to put this nonsense about Jesus being spread by his followers to a stop. In fact, he would do his best to put the followers to a stop just like they had done when they stoned Stephen to death.

However, in an extraordinary roadside encounter, Saul meets with Jesus. There as he lies on the ground, a conversation takes place:
5 He (Saul) said, "Who are you, Master?"
"I am Jesus, the One you're hunting down.
6 I want you to get up and enter the city. In the city you'll be told what to do next."
(Acts 9; 5-6 The Message)

Saul becomes a follower of Jesus and much later out of the revelations from God and the understanding he has he declares:

Philippians 2:6-11 (The Message)
6 He (Jesus) had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what.
7 Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human!
8 Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death--and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion.
9 Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever,
10 so that all created beings in heaven and on earth--even those long ago dead and buried--will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ,
11 and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, thank you that you have given your Son Jesus to us. Thank you, too, for your revelation through your servants and your holy Word just who he is. I pray that we might be more like Jesus in our attitudes and more worthy followers of him. Amen.


John 20:26-28 (The Message)
26Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, "Peace to you."
27Then he focused his attention on Thomas. "Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don't be unbelieving. Believe."
28Thomas said, "My Master! My God!"

[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_2624.mp3 ]

All praise to thee, for thou, O King divine,
Didst yield the glory that of right was thine,
That in our darkened hearts thy grace might shine:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou cam'st to us in lowliness of thought;
By thee the outcast and the poor were sought;
And by thy death was God's salvation wrought:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Let this mind be in us which was in thee,
Who wast a servant that we might be free,
Humbling thyself to death on Calvary:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Wherefore, by God's eternal purpose, thou
Art high exalted o'er all creatures now,
And given the name to which all knees shall bow:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Let every tongue confess with one accord
In Heaven and earth that Jesus Christ is Lord:
And God the Father be by all adored:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Author: Francis Bland Tucker (1895-1984)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 174


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