Peace and grace in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Luke 9:7-9
9:7. Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him; and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead,
9:8. and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again.
9:9. Herod said, "John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?" So he sought to see Him.
The multitude and Herod know Jesus from His activity. It refers to generalrecognition.
Jesus is known as follows:
Mark 8:27-30
8:27. Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, "Who do men say that I am?"
8:28. So they answered, "John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets."
8:29. He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said to Him, "You are the Christ."
8:30. Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.
Jesus asked His disciples about who He is. They answered the same answer as what the people said, namely John the Baptist, Elijah and one of the prophets.
But, Jesus asked further. It means the answer from His disciples was not enough.
The recognition to Jesus as John the Baptist (in His greatness), Elijah (in His miracle) and one of the prophets (in His prophecy) is not the true recognition, because they have not known the real Jesus or His persona yet.
Matthew 16:16
16:16. Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Peter knew Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. It is the specialrecognition, namely the recognition up to Jesus' persona.
The Christmeans One who is Anointed. There are three anointed offices as follows:
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. It is the real Jesus.
Jesus as the King, Priest (servant), Prophet (man), and Son of God is the same as the cross.
So, the recognition to Jesus is the one to His cross.
Do not know Jesus by His miracle only, so we do not doubt when we do not receive miracle.
If we know Jesus with His cross and tribulation, we will never leave Him.
The practices of knowing Jesus in His tribulation or cross are as follows:
God blesses us.
Luke 9:7-9
9:7. Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him; and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead,
9:8. and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again.
9:9. Herod said, "John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?" So he sought to see Him.
The multitude and Herod know Jesus from His activity. It refers to generalrecognition.
Jesus is known as follows:
- John the Baptist.
The people know Jesus as John the Baptist, the great prophet. It means the people see Jesus' greatness.
Matthew 11:11
11:11. "Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. - Elijah.
Elijah was the prophet who did the miracle. Jesus is known as Elijah because of His miracles.
James 5:17-18
5:17. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.
5:18. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. - One of the prophets.
Jesus is known as prophet because He tells the revelation of the Word and prophecies.
Mark 8:27-30
8:27. Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, "Who do men say that I am?"
8:28. So they answered, "John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets."
8:29. He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said to Him, "You are the Christ."
8:30. Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.
Jesus asked His disciples about who He is. They answered the same answer as what the people said, namely John the Baptist, Elijah and one of the prophets.
But, Jesus asked further. It means the answer from His disciples was not enough.
The recognition to Jesus as John the Baptist (in His greatness), Elijah (in His miracle) and one of the prophets (in His prophecy) is not the true recognition, because they have not known the real Jesus or His persona yet.
Matthew 16:16
16:16. Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Peter knew Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. It is the specialrecognition, namely the recognition up to Jesus' persona.
The Christmeans One who is Anointed. There are three anointed offices as follows:
- The king.
- The high priest and priests (servant).
- The prophet (mediator between men and God).
1 Timothy 2:5-6
2:5. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
2:6. who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. It is the real Jesus.
Jesus as the King, Priest (servant), Prophet (man), and Son of God is the same as the cross.
So, the recognition to Jesus is the one to His cross.
Do not know Jesus by His miracle only, so we do not doubt when we do not receive miracle.
If we know Jesus with His cross and tribulation, we will never leave Him.
The practices of knowing Jesus in His tribulation or cross are as follows:
- We willingly suffer in the flesh to stop sinning and live in righteousness.
1 Peter 4:1-2
4:1. Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
4:2. that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
Psalms 5: 12
5:12. For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround himas with a shield.
If we live in righteousness, God will surround us with blessing and favor, so we move from world atmosphere to Paradise or Heaven one. - We willingly suffer in the flesh to minister God.
2 Corinthians 6:4-5
6:4. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,
6:5. in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings;
2 Timothy 3:12
3:12. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
We must suffer to minister God faithfully and fervently. The godliness has double guarantee, namely promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
1 Timothy 4:8-10
4:8. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
4:9. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.
4:10. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
Revelation 22:3-4
22:3. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.
22:4. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.
The godliness is the only one of activity in the world that we do until in the Kingdom of Heaven. - We willingly suffer in the flesh without any sin for Jesus.
1 Peter 4:12-13
4:12. Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
4:13. but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
Why does God allow us to experience the sprinkling of blood? So we receive the Spirit of glory or Holy Spirit that is poured by God for all of us.
The usefulness of Holy Spirit is as follows:- We are used to testify the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ or teaching word that is sharper than any two-edged sword.
- We experience heavenly bliss in the middle of sufferings.
- Changing us from carnal men to spiritual ones like Jesus. It is started from being strong and of good courage.
We hold fast true teaching word and obey it. We do not become disappointed or desperate, and leave God, but keep faithful and fervent in spirit.
19:13. "Be of good courage, and let us be strongfor our people and for the cities of our God. And may the LORD do what is good in His sight."
God will make everything good in His time.
God blesses us.