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The Messiah’s Secret – The Difference Between John and Jesus’ Baptisms

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The  Messiah’s Secret – The difference between John and Jesus’ Baptisms

Isaiah 43: 1-7. Luke 3: 15-17, 21, 22.



Birds in the Bible Quiz  John had ten scriptures each scripture pointing to a bird. The pictures of the birds on  power point.


Luke 3: 22  The Holy Spirit in the form of this bird  alighted on Jesus’ head. – – – – 

British Astronaut Tim Peake stepped outside the Space Station to do some repairs on the Station’s power box along with fellow Astronaut Tim Kopra. The view of the round earth from the cameras on board was awesome. Isaiah wrote, “It is he (God) who sits above the circle of the earth and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers.” Isaiah 40: 22.                                                                      
The writer of Genesis described in Genesis 1: 2. “The Spirit hovered over the waters of the earth,” ‘hovers’ like a bird.  
The 19th Century Jewish philosopher Martin Burber wrote, “The Spirit of God hovering like a bird with outstretched wings manifested in the Spirit of the Messiah who will come.”  

This is what we believe happened when John the Baptist saw heaven open and coming from heaven the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove, alighted upon Jesus and filled his whole being with the Spirit of God. 

Burber continues, “The Holy One, blessed be He! Will spread His wings and bestow His grace ‘upon Israel,’ owing to Israel’s repentance, symbolised by the water in accordance with Lamentations 2: 19 “Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord.” 

This Jewish expectation that Burber wrote about was apparent many centuries before when the Jews asked John if he was the Messiah. It’s quite probable that they were looking for both a water and spirit baptism from John.  John the Baptist in his response indicated that they would only receive from him his baptism of repentance, “I baptise you with water, but he who will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” 
John separated water and spirit baptism. It is recorded in the book of Acts, Apollos and twelve others had only received John‘s baptism.   

“While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 18: 25. 19: 1- 5.  

Lamentations 2: 19 “Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord.”This is Jesus’ water baptism symbolising the pouring out of the heart in repentance, before the presence of the Lord, then entering by faith into his death and resurrection, being raised up into newness of life.                                                                                  

So the difference between John’s baptism of repentance and Jesus’ baptism of repentance after Pentecost was the Spirit of God coming into a person’s life. Acts 2: 38 “Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.                                                                                                                 
Visual Aid- Orange juice and fizzy orange juice. Taste the difference, both have all the goodness of the orange but one has a fizz about it, something extra.

John’s prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus breathed on his disciples the Holy Spirit on the evening of the day of his resurrection. The Holy Spirit stemming from Jesus. At Pentecost the second part of the prophecy was fulfilled, the Holy Spirit manifested himself as tongues of fire sitting on top of the disciples’ heads.                                                                 
A fire produces power – steam, electricity Jesus said, “You shall receive power after the Holy Spirit comes upon you.”  The ‘Power of God’ is in our walk in faith, hope and love the greatest being love. God is love, his Spirit is love. Luke 24: 49. 1 John 4: 8, 12, 13.

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but do not have love. I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 13. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.”     
1 Corinthians 13: 1-3, 13. 

A fire gives off comforting heat, the comforting healing power of the Holy Spirit.  
In  Isaiah 43 reading God reminded Israel that they crossed over the Red Sea, the water had overwhelmed their enemies as God was with them. 
And for us Christians in our relationship with God whatever situation might arise where we need God’s help and strength he is there for us, it won’t overwhelm us, especially in sickness. 

Literal fire – Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s statue, so he put them into the fiery furnace, to his amazement he saw a fourth man with them, the Lord. The three men were not touched by the flames. Daniel 3: 22-30.         
The Holy Spirit takes the fire out of a situation when a Christian faces opposition of some kind. The Lord will go before us taking the tension, the contentious words and defusing them, bringing in his peace. 

A fire gives light in the darkness, Jesus the light that shines in the darkness. God has shed his light on us to make Christ known to others.


God gave assurance to Israel of his love for them and that he would always be with them, at a distance, but always in his sight.                                               
We have a greater promise as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit come and make their home within us, a permanent presence.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for failings, where we have grieved your Holy Spirit. humbly we ask to be filled afresh today with your life giving comforting presence and the power of your Holy Spirit to witness our love, faith and hope in Jesus. Amen.

                                                
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The Messiah’s Secret – The Great Commission

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 The Messiah’s Secret – The Great Commission

“Remembering before God and Father your  work  of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 1: 3

Thessalonians 1: 3  is linked with this verse Chapter 5: 8 Breastplate of faith and love. The Helmet of the hope of salvation

Visual Aid – Breastplate of faith and love
In the Old Testament the chief priest wore on his chest a breastplate. 
On it were 12 precious stones each stone represented one of the tribes of Israel. This meant that the people belonging to the tribes the 12 sons of Jacob were close to the heart of the chief priest.                           
Breastplate of faith and love covering our heart, it speaks of our close relationship with God.(A child came forward and we put on the breast plate firstly the heart shape and other children put on the other words and pictures) 
Our faith in Jesus and of the Lord’s love for us. We are so precious to God that nothing can separate us from God’s love for us. 
“For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8: 27-29                                                        
God created us and he also in his love gives to us his joy, love and peace. (put on breastplate love, joy and peace)
The Lord our God surrounds us with all that we need to live: water, air ( the wind blowing trees) and food.

Visual Aid – The helmet the hope of our salvation
The high priest wore a helmet made of linen cloth on it was a few words ‘Holy to the Lord’ his life was dedicated to serving God.              
The Christians crown– Greek word stephanos which translates, the crown given to a victor, like an athlete who has won a race, the Christian who faithfully serves the Lord our God. (place on the head of the child the crown)                                        
 ‘Salvation’ means that we have received the gift of Jesus into our heart.          
Our hope is that we will continue always have Jesus in our heart until the day we die. (place on the crown the rosette)

The breastplate means that nothing can separate us from God’s love.
The helmet of hope looking towards our heavenly home that God has provided for us. 

1 Thessalonians 1: 1-10. Mark 16: 15-20   RSV Bible                   

Paul wrote this letter from Corinth after he had been updated by Timothy on the progress of the Thessalonica church.  
On Paul’s second ministry tour he teamed up with Silas they went from Philippi to Thessalonica.  In Acts 17 we read that on arrival they went to the synagogue where following the custom of visiting Jews they were invited to speak. Paul told those present: the Jews and the God fearing Greeks the message of the suffering and resurrection of Jesus. Paul argued with them for three weeks from the scriptures proving that Jesus was the Christ. 
The Messiahs Secret Revealed 
The Messiahs calling was a call to the nation to repent and the Messiah would return. Peter explained that they had acted in ignorance, not realising that the Messiah had to suffer and die and be raised from the dead and ascend into heaven before the nation could receive Jesus as the Messiah. Acts 3: 17 – 21
I was taught by the church that the time for the Jewish people to accept Jesus as the nations’ Messiah was before Jesus’ death. 

Many of the Greeks and leading women believed and this caused jealousy among the Jews.  
Paul sent Timothy to build up their faith and to encourage them so that they were not moved away by the controversy coming from the unbelieving Jews. Thessalonians 3: 2, 6.                                                                                        
Paul pointed out to the church that they would encounter opposition. 3: 4. “For when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction; just as it has come to pass.”
When we look at the Gospel reading Jesus prepared his disciples before he commissioned them by reminding them of their unbelief and hardness of heart when they first heard of Jesus’ resurrection from the women.
“Afterwards he appeared to the eleven themselves as they sat at table; and he upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who saw him after he had risen.” Mark 16: 14. 

Rejection and suffering part of the commission
Paul through his unbelief caused suffering to Christians, he had arrested many Christians and put them in prison, before he became a follower of Jesus.                                 
Between 16 and 27 years old I did not appreciate the gospel message from Christians. After my first child was baptised I took up my faith again and on many occasions I witnessed to my relations and they ignored me and at work some people distanced themselves from me after I had shared my faith with them. My sister eventually responded and she was filled with the Holy Spirit at her children’s baptism.         

‘Living Waters’ by Chinese Pastor Brother Yun. The Chinese house church confirmed this view, the Henan Province Church sent 17 Christians to Sen Province.
 Time and time again they returned beaten and bruised and on numerous occasions arrested and put in jail, but Brother Yun wrote that eventually the people began to respond until the whole of the province became Christian. 
In many situations rejection and suffering go before conversion.                                                                  
In Thessalonians Chapter 1: 3 Paul was encouraged by their work of faith, labour of love and their steadfastness of the hope in Jesus. 

These three things had inspired Paul: faith, hope and love. 
The Thessalonians were steadfast in faith against the opposition.They had faith to move the mountains of discouragement, they rejoiced  in their suffering and nothing could separate them from the love of God. And they hoped for Jesus’ return.                                                                                                                                 
Paul wrote in verse 10 about the hope of Jesus return it will happen when we least expect and it’s before the day of wrath, when Jesus will defeat the Antichrist. John recorded in Revelation 3: 10,11. “Because you have kept my word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming upon the whole world, to try those who dwell upon the earth. I am coming soon; hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. Those who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God;”
Jesus said he could come at any time, don’t allow anyone to discourage or persuade you to turn away from your faith in Jesus.

These three things for us today Faith, hope and love
The most wonderful gracious gift is to bring a person to faith in Jesus. For them to receive our words as from God and turn to Christ and walk with him in their heart, and as a result signs will follow.
The signs from the Thessalonians they turned away from pagan worship to worship Jesus and this news went through Macedonia and Greece.
Today, changes that take place for some can be dramatic or for some it’s a gradual thing being inwardly convicted to get right with God. 
Last week on Friday and Saturday I heard at CAPs Christians Against Poverty Training days  many people are coming to faith as they respond to the help they receive in becoming free from debt by the expert free guidance from CAPs  and finding a job through CAPs Jobs Clubs. Lives are being transformed by the love of God and the excellent service and kindness of Christians giving up their time in serving the needs of others in their communities.  

Do not lose hope? What causes us to lose hope it maybe through Anxiety, exhaustion, failure and suffering of some kind?
I heard last Thursday evening at the Bury Bible Society Action Group with Rossendale Annual Conference Canon Noel Proctor in his address mentioned his own suffering: after the Strangeways Prison riots combined with the death of his wife he was completely devastated and shattered. He felt that he had lost hope in everything: his Chaplaincy work had taken a beating and his grief for his wife left him a broken man, something he had ever experienced before.  
In his despair he brought it all to the cross and prayed for the Lord forgiveness and healing and the Lord heard his prayer, he was renewed in receiving a fresh touch of the Holy Spirit, he said that his faith had grown he was stronger now than it was before.                                                                    
In Noel’s testimony we can see those three things: love, hope and faith. 
The love of God that would not let him go and the hope that was rekindled through his faith in Jesus’ cross. He clung to the old rugged cross knowing that some day he will exchange it for a crown.                        

Finally Paul wrote that the greatest of the three is love.  
God’s Love that reaches out through the message that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead and to everyone who believes he will give eternal life.  Even though at first it may be rejected through unbelief. The Lord will still stand and wait knocking on the door of a person’s heart to let him in.                                                   
The love that would not let Noel go in his state of hopelessness, the bonding between the Lord our God and ourselves it’s like super glue. When super glue first came out people had to have items surgically removed from their hands etc. 
How Paul understood that nothing can separate us from the love of God.
 “For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 
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The Messiah’s Secret – Jesus the Physician

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The Physician – A title of the Messiah

The Physician, the Balm of Gilead.
Jeremiah wrote of God grieving for the spiritual health of Israel and he pointed to the Messiah, the Physician who would restore the nation’s health.

God speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, “My grief is beyond healing, my heart is sick within me. “Hark the cry of the daughter of my people from the length and breadth of the land: “Is the Lord not in Zion? Is her King not in her?” “Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and with their foreign idols?” “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” For the wound of the daughter of my people is my heart wounded, I mourn, and dismay has taken hold on me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of my people not been restored?” Jeremiah 8: 18-22

Jesus the Messiah and Physician was sent by God to restore the health of the nation. When Jesus stood and read from the book of the prophet Isaiah he quoted the words of healing: to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind to set at liberty those who were oppressed and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. Jesus’ most important healing, the grieving heart of his Father God over his people, Israel.
Jesus restored the whole person for instance: the lady who was unclean in the eyes of the law because of her issue of blood. When she touched the hem of Jesus garment she was physically healed, which restored her under law. Luke 8: 43-48
The leper who came to Jesus for his healing, “If you will you can make me clean,” Jesus moved with pity, stretched out his hand and touched him, and said, “I will; be clean.” The man was healed. Jesus then told him to go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for his cleansing as it was the custom under the Laws of Moses. Mark 1: 40-45 He was healed and restored under the law of Moses.

The Messiah’s Secret
Afterwards Jesus sternly told the man who had been healed of leprosy not to tell any one about his healing and that he should go and be examined by the priest to show that he was clean, free from leprosy and make his offering according to the law.
Jesus did not want him to publicise his healing. He wanted to keep his identity of being the Messiah a secret because he had to die and be raised from the dead and ascend into heaven before he could return with the holy angels and be their Leader and Saviour.
“Jesus said, “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” Mark 8:38. 9:1.

The Balm of Gilead
The soothing, comforting ointment of our Lord God, his words of forgiveness and hope. His healing touch bringing release from fear, freedom, love, joy and peace. The Holy Spirit opening the eyes of our understanding to know the living God, and giving us assurance of his sovereign rule over the entire universe.
In Gilead there was a tree that was well known for its healing properties, Balsam tree. The resin from the tree was used as an ointment. It is recorded in Genesis 37: 25, 28. “The Ishmaelite Midianite Traders coming down from Gilead with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to Egypt.” They used these to barter with the Egyptians. This tree is no longer is found in Gilead. Unger’s Dictionary page 1134

As part of healing and wholeness the Lord has given to the church gifts of healing.

In the year 2,000 Rev Mark Pearson came and spent a weekend teaching the churches on the Lord’s healing ministry. I bought his book at the time and from it and on the weekend he stated four ways in which the Lord uses to heal people. (I’ve only taken the headings and included the healing of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law.)

1/ Skill and Science.
Rev Mark Pearson tells us that the Lord uses doctors and surgeons using their skill and knowledge. The scientist that produces medicine and medical implants and appliances. The nursing profession and carers are all used to bring healing to our bodies.
Mark reminded us that Paul suggested to Timothy that he should take a little wine for his stomach problem. Also Dr Luke accompanied Paul on his missionary journeys attending to his medical problem. This shows us clearly that the Lord intends to use both the skill of doctors, surgeons and science for our well being.
Combine the ministry of Skill and Science with prayer and the sick person is upheld, strengthened and at peace.

2/ Spiritual Gifts
Jesus spoke of himself as being the Physician in the house where many tax collectors and others who were regarded by the Pharisees as sinners. A Pharisee observed, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus heard what he said and replied, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” Matthew 9: 10-13.
Jesus fulfilled Jeremiah’s plea the physician, the Christ bringing healing to the nation.
Even though there was opposition to his ministry of healing we read that Jesus healed all those who came to him. The man with the withered hand had just been healed in the synagogue, “But the Pharisees went out and took counsel against him, how to destroy him. Jesus aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all.” Matthew 12: 14, 15.
Matthew wrote that at Nazareth they took offence at him, and as a result he did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. Luke 4: 23. Matthew 13: 57, 58.
Simon Peter’s mother–in-law was healed at Capernaum.
Mark 1: 29-31.
The healing ministry continues today I myself have been healed see blog “The Messiah’s Secret – The Healing Ministry of Jesus.”

Jesus with his disciples left the synagogue at Capernaum and went to the family home of Andrew and Simon Peter. Simon’s mother-in-law lay poorly with a high fever. Jesus was informed and immediately he went into the room to her, where he stood over her and rebuked the fever and then taking her by her hand, he lifted her up, finding that she was healed of the fever. Without any delay she helped serve the meal. Mark 1: 29-31. Luke 4: 38, 39. Matthew 8:14-17
The faith of Andrew and Simon brought his mother-in-law’s need to the attention of Jesus. He responded in love to her need. I think the lady having a high fever would not perhaps be aware of what was going on, so her healing did not depend on her faith.

Faith.
Faith means to believe in some one or something e.g. If we’re feeling ill we go to the doctor, we have faith in the doctor that he will prescribes some medicine that we believe or have faith that it will make us better.
It takes the same kind of faith to believe that the Lord will heal us through his promises in his word.
“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matthew 21: 22.
“And Jesus said to him, “If you can! All things are possible to them that believe.” Mark 9: 23
“What so ever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you ask anything in my name I will do it.” John 14: 13, 14.
“And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” Luke 8:48

Mark refered to the healing gifts listed in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian Church should be viewed like a sandwich: Chapter 12 The gifts are used when there is a need. Chapter 13 without love they are administered from the position of what I do, rather than being motivated by compassion. Chapter 14 Faith reaches out in the Lord’s love to comfort and pray for healing and wholeness.
Jesus rebuked the fever, he addressed and named the cause praying for her release from it.
When we pray for someone in a similar situation it is good to follow the pattern that Jesus has given to us in the gospel.
Quietly praying with the authority that he has given to us in his name and in his words of scripture. The power is not in the rebuke it is in the Word.
Dear Lord, we bring before you our sister or brother who is dear to you and us, just as you touched the hand of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law and restored her to health we pray for your healing touch as we rebuke and release our sister or brother from —-in your precious name. Amen

Church Services
When a person is ordained for the priesthood, they are anointed with oil for the ministry of the sacraments.
Two sacraments: Holy Communion and Baptism. (Church of England Articles of Religion)
Looking briefly at one of these sacraments Holy Communion.

Mark Pearson calls the sacraments vehicles by which God uses to bring healing and wholeness to our lives.
At the Communion the tokens the bread (body) and the wine (blood) representing Jesus’ victory over all sickness and disease.
The Communion service is regarded by many as being a healing service; the Common Prayer Book states that as we receive the bread and the wine ‘we enter into all the benefits of his passion,’ which are many: forgiveness, comfort, strength, support, endurance, peace, healing in various ways and many more.

In Matthew’s account of Jesus healing Simon Peter’s mother-in-law he adds the words from Isaiah, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.” Matthew linked this prophecy after Jesus had fulfilled it. Matthew knew that the cross is where Jesus took(bore) upon himself our broken bodies in his suffering and death to bring us healing and wholeness.
On the evening of the Day of his resurrection the disciples touched Jesus’ risen body where the marks of the nails and the Centurion’s sword pierced his heart in his side. Matthew must have also realised that in Jesus’ risen body he was free from all infirmities placed upon him. His risen body was free from corruption.

Jesus touched the hand of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law and then he lifted her up by her hand.
The healing touch of Jesus.
Jesus heals our broken bodies and restores us to health and wholeness even when we knowingly eat the wrong foods which can be detrimental to our well being.
Today a lot of illness is a result of eating food that is not good for us because it’s high in fat and sugar. But it is these foods that are pleasant to eat; at least they are for me. I’m reminded of Paul’s words to the Roman church, “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” Romans 7: 15
Ongoing Wholeness.
The Holy Spirit enables us to discern what we eat and convicting us when we are eating too much fatty and a sugary food that is not good for us. We can be also convicted to change our habits; the need to take regular exercise and having regular meals. The Lord will also prompt us with the scriptures concerning these things. I find it works to pray for the Lords help when I’m struggling to avoid the things that are detrimental to my health.
Jesus died on the cross and God raised him from the dead overcoming all the things that are detrimental to our life.
Whatever our circumstances we can look to Jesus to continue to make us whole.

4/ Prayers of all Christians

The next day Jesus got up very early to spend time in prayer with his Father God. Simon Peter and others who were with him pursued him, and they found him.
To begin the day with a time spent in prayer with the Lord prepares us for the day before us. I believe that Jesus is waiting, wanting to hear from us and we don’t have to search for him. We should, if we can set aside time in a quiet place, were we can talk to our Lord God about the things that are on our heart. Some Christians use lists so they don’t forget to pray for the people and their needs, that are precious to them.
At the end of each day we rejoice in all things and recollect were our prayers have been answered and for the things still to do.

Mark writes: “The church ministers healing co-corporately through members love for one another.” “Christian Healing” by Mark A Pearson Published by Chosen Books a division of Baker Book Company. Grand Rapids.
Church service intercessions embrace of the whole worshipping body praying for the world poverty, Queen and country, mission, ministers of the church, community, environment etc.

At St. Mary’s we have a small prayer group who pray for the sick and housebound members of our church. The Lord has ministered through those prayers; we have seen a decline of sickness in our church.
Most churches have a ‘Prayer Chain’ were a number of Christians are linked through email or phone praying for not only church members but anyone who asks to be put on the chain.
We have opportunities to attend healing services in a number of churches in the Rossendale Valley. The Diocese of Manchester holds Healing Quiet Mornings and Diocesan Healing Days.

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The Messiah’s Secret – Removing the Veil

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“For nothing is hid that shall not be made manifest, nor anything secret that shall not be made known and come to light.” Luke 8: 17.

Abraham’s Journey of Faith.

God made a covenant with Abraham that he would be a father of a multitude of people. This covenant extended to his descendants, it was an everlasting covenant. Nations and kings would come from his descendants and that and the land of Canaan was given to him for an everlasting possession.
Abraham’s wife Sarah would have a son and she would be the mother of nations and kings would come from her.
On hearing this Abraham fell on his face and laughed as he thought to himself shall a man 100 years old and Sarah his wife of 90 years bear a child.
Abraham offered God Ishmael his son by his slave wife Hagar to fulfil the promise, but God said, “No.”
The customs of the day allowed Sarah to give her maid Hagar as a slave wife to Abraham to enable him to have an heir. Genesis Chapters 16. 17.

At the turn of the 19th century archaeologists excavating in Iraq found the Nuzi tablets. On these tablets they discovered customs relating to the time of Abraham. Theologians were particularly interested as these Nuzi customs as they were evident in the Biblical accounts written about Abraham.
(Eyre and Spottiswoode Study Bible.)
Archaeological evidence of Nuzi customs indicates that in some marriage contracts a childless wife was required to furnish a substitute for her husband, in oriental eyes childlessness was the greatest of tragedies. Nuzi custom stipulated further that a slave wife and her children could not be sent away. If a natural son was born later, the slave heir was disinherited to a great extent.”

Confirmation of Prophecy
God’s prophecy to Abraham was confirmed by the three strangers who called upon him at the Oaks of Mamre, he offered them hospitality and they stayed there for a meal. Whilst Sarah was preparing the meal they told Abraham that when they returned in the spring Sarah would have a son. Sarah was listening in on their conversation and she laughed to herself.
One of the three men who Abraham addressed as the Lord said,” Why did Sarah laugh? Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Sarah denied laughing because she was afraid, the Lord said, “But you did laugh.” The Lord knew her thoughts.

In the New Testament when Jesus arrived at Jarius’ house the mourners laughed when Jesus said that the little girl was asleep, as far as they were concerned she was dead. Jesus prayed and the little girl opened her eyes, got up and ate some food.
From the deadness of Sarah’s womb the Lord enabled Sarah to conceive and she bore a son whom they were told by God to name him Isaac which means laughter.

Abraham under Nuzi Law
Under the laws of Abraham’s day he offered his son Ishmael to fulfil God’s prophecy. But it was to be by faith and grace through the son of Abraham and Sarah that God’s prophecy would be fulfilled.

Jesus Removing the Veil of the Law of Moses from Mary
Jesus was invited to stay at Martha and Mary’s home for a meal. We are not informed by Luke whether Lazarus was also there.

It was the custom the Jews that women were the homemakers: this meant looking after their children, doing the household chores and preparing and cooking the meals.
The men were the head of the household and they worked to provide for the family. When the family attended the temple or the Synagogue the men were separated from the women. In the Synagogue the men were together worshipping and discussed the scriptures, any visiting Jewish men were invited to speak at their services. The women they sat apart or in the gallery, listening to the service. It was when they went home that the father would instruct and discuss with his family the Hebrew Scriptures.

Martha and Mary after welcoming their special guest would have started to prepare the meal. Only we read that Mary broke with convention, instead of helping with the preparing and serving the meal, she sat listening to Jesus.

We read that Martha was distracted by too much work; she couldn’t overhear what was being said by Jesus and she must have been too busy to attract Mary’s attention.

Martha’s frustration must have welled up inside of her to the point were she stopped what she was doing and went and spoke her mind to Jesus. “Lord do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone, Tell her to help me.”
Martha had gone to a higher authority, Jesus the Rabbi asking him to administer the law to her sister.
Jesus’ response was not what she expected. “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, one thing is needful and Mary had chosen a good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Martha was anxious and troubled by her sister’s behaviour, her disregard for their custom of waiting on their guests

On Sunday 11th July 2010 whilst preparing before I attended church, I was studying the passage on Jesus’ visit to Mary and Martha’s home, I realised that Jesus was doing something very special that has its effect on women today.
As Mary was nourished with spiritual food coming directly from the living Word himself, Jesus. He had removed the veil of the law of Moses from Mary. As she sat listening looking into the face of Jesus nothing separated her from the love of Jesus.
In Christ nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Jesus was looking to beyond the cross when he said to Mary “which shall not be taken away from her.” The cross is the end of the law of Moses.
The Veil that enforced the law was torn in two, opening up the Most Holy Place where God dwelt in the midst of his people.

On the cross Jesus died, “And Jesus cried again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain or veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” Matthew 27: 50, 51

The Messiah’s Secret page 100
Jesus has removed the veil of separation between us and God“God revealed himself in Jesus and as a result the veil of separation was taken away, because God had made the final offering, sacrifice for sin in Jesus. The law fulfilled in the temple of his body.”

The Veil of Jesus’ Flesh
For the law to come to an end Jesus fufilled all the demands that the law made in his body, his humanity. He paid the price for sin in being the sacrifice laying down his life. He died to our fallen nature, to sin and the causes of sin.
Jesus risen body a temple made without hands.

Paul in his letter to the Corinthian Church
2 Corinthians 3: 14. “For to this day, when the Jews read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away.
15. Yes today, when ever Moses is read a veil lies over their minds.”

Martha was applying the customs of the law when she came to Jesus demanding that he should speak to her sister and tell her to help her serve.
If Jesus had told Mary to go and help her sister the veil of the law would have remained over Mary.

16. “But when a man turns to the Lord the veil is removed.”
Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet the barrier of ‘the fall’ that separated her from God, also her role under law was liberated.

The Messiah’s Secret page 36
Adam was disobedient to God when he chose to be guided by his wife Eve and of his own free will, ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, they were both deceived by the serpent. Adam’s disobedience separated him from God and a curse was put on the ground by God. As a result of Eve’s disobedience she too was separated from God and God put a curse upon her, the pain of child bearing would be greatly multiplied, yet she would have a desire for her husband and he would rule over her.
Every generation from Adam and Eve has inherited their sin, Adam’s son was born in the likeness and image of Adam.Genesis 5: 3
St Paul wrote in his letter to the church at Rome that through one man’s (Adam) trespass led to the condemnation for all men, so one man’s (Jesus) act of righteosness leads to all acquittal and life for all men.
Jesus has redeemed humankind, male and female from being separated from God and from the curses that God placed upon the ground and those upon Eve.”

Jesus removing the veil of the law from Mary confirmed what I know in my heart that I’m not under the laws of Moses and that Jesus is the head and centre of my life.”
In St. Paul letter to the Galatian church he acknowledges that women are born again and are one in Christ with men, ” For as many of you were baptised into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave or free, there is neither male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3: 27, 28.

But when St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians and to Timothy and Titus he re-established the laws of Moses when he forbid women to exercise ministry, to take part in worship. “As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silence in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says. If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home.” 1 Corinthians 14: 26, 33 – 35.

The Holy Spirit had been at work in the church at Cenchreae they had appointed Phoebe to the ministry of Deaconess. Whilst Paul was in prison at Rome he commended Phoebe to the church at Rome, that they should receive her in the Lord as befits the saints, and help her in whatever she may require, for she had been a helper of many and of Paul as well. Romans 16: 1, 2.

The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth, all that is to come. John 16: 13
St. John writing at the end of the first century states that the love of God embraces whosoever accepts Jesus as their Saviour they will become children of God. Not born in the usual way through the coming together of a man and a women. But born through faith in Jesus directly through the operation of God the Holy Spirit acting upon the word read or heard through the preaching of the Gospel by either a man or a woman. It is as a person recognises through the Gospel that sin separates us from God and calls us to repentance, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all of our sins and we are raised up by God’s forgiveness to receive him into our lives for eternity, becoming children of God.
“But to all who receive him, who believe in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of the blood nor of the will of the flesh nor the will of man, but of God.” John 1: 12, 13.
Jesus taught equality amongst his disciples.
“But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ.” Matthew 23: 8-10.

17. “Now the Lord is Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. And we all with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord.”
Mary beheld the glory of the Lord when she looked directly at Jesus seeing and hearing the living words pour out of his mouth, from his heart.

18. “Are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another for this comes; from the Lord who is Spirit.”
When a person male or female accept Jesus as their Saviour from whatever their background or religion, all that would veil the Gospel is taken away through faith in Jesus.

I thank the Lord for Mary of Bethany, women like me are being liberated into the fulness of our inheritance in Christ.
“And if children, then heirs, heirs with God and fellow (joint) heirs with Christ, provided we suffer (and I am suffering, with tears falling as I type this ending to this blog) with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” Romans 8: 17.