Isaiah 49:1-12 (Tuesday's 1st reading)
1 Hear me, O coastlands, listen, O distant peoples. The LORD called me from birth, from my mother's womb he gave me my name.
2 He made of me a sharp-edged sword and concealed me in the shadow of his arm. He made me a polished arrow, in his quiver he hid me.
3 You are my servant, he said to me, Israel, through whom I show my glory.
4 Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, Yet my reward is with the LORD, my recompense is with my God.
5 For now the LORD has spoken who formed me as his servant from the womb, That Jacob may be brought back to him and Israel gathered to him; And I am made glorious in the sight of the LORD, and my God is now my strength!
6 It is too little, he says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
7 Thus says the LORD, the redeemer and the Holy One of Israel, To the one despised, whom the nations abhor, the slave of rulers: When kings see you, they shall stand up, and princes shall prostrate themselves Because of the LORD who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel who has chosen you.
8 Thus says the LORD: In a time of favor I answer you, on the day of salvation I help you, To restore the land and allot the desolate heritages,
9 Saying to the prisoners: Come out! To those in darkness: Show yourselves! Along the ways they shall find pasture, on every bare height shall their pastures be.
10 They shall not hunger or thirst, nor shall the scorching wind or the sun strike them; For he who pities them leads them and guides them beside springs of water.
11 I will cut a road through all my mountains, and make my highways level.
12 See, some shall come from afar, others from the north and the west, and some from the land of Syene.
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I'm leaving the gospels today because I want to touch on the readings we see from Isaiah this week. Isaiah chapters 49, 50, 51, and 53 are known as the Song of the Suffering Servant. These four passages, written 700+ years before Jesus was born, describe the role of Jesus (the servant) in the history of salvation. These four chapters are truly the great connector between the Old Testament and the New. They are worth the read.
The song opens with the servant speaking. The servant is Jesus, and immediately we see his purpose. He describes Himself as a sharp edged sword, which is the very same imagery used to describe the Word of God in Hebrews 4:12 and Ephesians 6:17. Jesus is the Word Incarnate, the sharp sword of God, and as v3 says, He is the servant through whom God shows his glory.
Showing posts with label Hebrews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hebrews. Show all posts
Monday, April 6, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
Daily 2/6/09
Thanks to the 21 men who attended either the Wednesday or Friday bible studies this week! As Buffalo Springfield said … "there's something happening here."
Heb13:1-8
1 Let mutual love continue.
2 Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.
3 Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment, and of the ill-treated as of yourselves, for you also are in the body.
4 Let marriage be honored among all and the marriage bed be kept undefiled, for God will judge the immoral and adulterers.
5 Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never forsake you or abandon you."
6 Thus we may say with confidence: "The Lord is my helper, (and) I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?"
7 Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
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This is packed full of instruction for Christian living:
- V1 - reminder on one of the two great commandments of the new testament.
- V2 - makes me wonder when I might have declined to entertain an angel.
- V5 - money has it's place, but God gives us everything we truly need
- V6 - the Lord is with us, there is no reason to fear. I think I need this tattooed on the inside of my eyelids.
Verses 7 and 8 are a great follow up to the "great cloud of witnesses" passage from Hebrews 12. We are told to remember the spiritual leaders who spoke the word of God to us -- consider how their lives played out, and imitate their faith
I've had (and continue to have) several people in my life who have taken the time to speak the word of God to me, and to teach me his ways. Those individuals have lived as lights to me. I was attracted to each of them because I could see that they were different, and that I wanted to be like them. Eventually I learned why -- they were committed to Christ, and they lived their lives in a way that demonstrated that commitment. None are perfect, but they all live with integrity, and none of them are afraid to give the reasons for the joy they have (1 Peter 3:15).
As I think about those people, I have indeed imitated them. So it is with us. If we live as lights, people notice, and they watch us. Praise the Lord for allowing us to bring his light to others. The Lord is our helper, and there is no reason to fear.
Heb13:1-8
1 Let mutual love continue.
2 Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.
3 Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their imprisonment, and of the ill-treated as of yourselves, for you also are in the body.
4 Let marriage be honored among all and the marriage bed be kept undefiled, for God will judge the immoral and adulterers.
5 Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never forsake you or abandon you."
6 Thus we may say with confidence: "The Lord is my helper, (and) I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?"
7 Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
----------------------------
This is packed full of instruction for Christian living:
- V1 - reminder on one of the two great commandments of the new testament.
- V2 - makes me wonder when I might have declined to entertain an angel.
- V5 - money has it's place, but God gives us everything we truly need
- V6 - the Lord is with us, there is no reason to fear. I think I need this tattooed on the inside of my eyelids.
Verses 7 and 8 are a great follow up to the "great cloud of witnesses" passage from Hebrews 12. We are told to remember the spiritual leaders who spoke the word of God to us -- consider how their lives played out, and imitate their faith
I've had (and continue to have) several people in my life who have taken the time to speak the word of God to me, and to teach me his ways. Those individuals have lived as lights to me. I was attracted to each of them because I could see that they were different, and that I wanted to be like them. Eventually I learned why -- they were committed to Christ, and they lived their lives in a way that demonstrated that commitment. None are perfect, but they all live with integrity, and none of them are afraid to give the reasons for the joy they have (1 Peter 3:15).
As I think about those people, I have indeed imitated them. So it is with us. If we live as lights, people notice, and they watch us. Praise the Lord for allowing us to bring his light to others. The Lord is our helper, and there is no reason to fear.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Daily - 2/3/09
Hebrews gives a great description of how we can learn from the ways of our predecessors. Throughout Hebrews 11, we are reminded of great trials that were endured through the faith of Old Testament figures -- Abraham, Enoch, Joseph, Jacob, Moses, and others. The examples of the ancient saints are summed up with the following:
Hebrews 11:32-38
32 What more shall I say? I have not time to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,
33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, did what was righteous, obtained the promises; they closed the mouths of lions,
34 put out raging fires, escaped the devouring sword; out of weakness they were made powerful, became strong in battle, and turned back foreign invaders.
35 Women received back their dead through resurrection. Some were tortured and would not accept deliverance, in order to obtain a better resurrection.
36 Others endured mockery, scourging, even chains and imprisonment.
37 They were stoned, sawed in two, put to death at sword's point; they went about in skins of sheep or goats, needy, afflicted, tormented.
38 The world was not worthy of them. They wandered about in deserts and on mountains, in caves and in crevices in the earth.
Hebrews 11 then closes with a reminder that we have been given something greater than the ancient saints:
39 Yet all these, though approved because of their faith, did not receive what had been promised.
40 God had foreseen something better for us, so that without us they should not be made perfect.
Today’s first reading (Hebrews 12:1-4) continues from there:
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us
2 while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.
3 Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart.
4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.
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The ancient saints of the old testament are presented as witnesses, testifying to us about what can be endured through faith. The heavens are filled with people who have unlocked the secrets of spirituality and been filled with God’s power. As Hebrews 11:40 says, we have been given more than the ancient saints were. We were given Christ.
As Catholics, we place great value on studying the saints of both the old and the new covenant, and learning from their testimonies. We can see how the new covenant saints have focused on Christ and endured their trials, and we can see how God revealed his glory through them. These are great lessons for us, and our faith embraces and cherishes them.
We can stand on the shoulders of this cloud of witnesses. We can rid ourselves of every burden and sin (aka – putting flesh to death, aka – obedience), while focusing our eyes on Christ. Through this process we come closer and closer to Christ, who is the power source. With that power, we can endure anything the world throws at us. It’s all there for us.
Hebrews 11:32-38
32 What more shall I say? I have not time to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,
33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, did what was righteous, obtained the promises; they closed the mouths of lions,
34 put out raging fires, escaped the devouring sword; out of weakness they were made powerful, became strong in battle, and turned back foreign invaders.
35 Women received back their dead through resurrection. Some were tortured and would not accept deliverance, in order to obtain a better resurrection.
36 Others endured mockery, scourging, even chains and imprisonment.
37 They were stoned, sawed in two, put to death at sword's point; they went about in skins of sheep or goats, needy, afflicted, tormented.
38 The world was not worthy of them. They wandered about in deserts and on mountains, in caves and in crevices in the earth.
Hebrews 11 then closes with a reminder that we have been given something greater than the ancient saints:
39 Yet all these, though approved because of their faith, did not receive what had been promised.
40 God had foreseen something better for us, so that without us they should not be made perfect.
Today’s first reading (Hebrews 12:1-4) continues from there:
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us
2 while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.
3 Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart.
4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.
----------------------
The ancient saints of the old testament are presented as witnesses, testifying to us about what can be endured through faith. The heavens are filled with people who have unlocked the secrets of spirituality and been filled with God’s power. As Hebrews 11:40 says, we have been given more than the ancient saints were. We were given Christ.
As Catholics, we place great value on studying the saints of both the old and the new covenant, and learning from their testimonies. We can see how the new covenant saints have focused on Christ and endured their trials, and we can see how God revealed his glory through them. These are great lessons for us, and our faith embraces and cherishes them.
We can stand on the shoulders of this cloud of witnesses. We can rid ourselves of every burden and sin (aka – putting flesh to death, aka – obedience), while focusing our eyes on Christ. Through this process we come closer and closer to Christ, who is the power source. With that power, we can endure anything the world throws at us. It’s all there for us.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Daily - 11/12/08
Hebrews 6:17-20
17 So when God wanted to give the heirs of his promise an even clearer demonstration of the immutability of his purpose, he intervened with an oath,
18 so that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to hold fast to the hope that lies before us.
19 This we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm, which reaches into the interior behind the veil,
20 where Jesus has entered on our behalf as forerunner, becoming high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
There is quite a lot in Hebrews 6 to chew on. I actually started this message with several more verses included, but I quickly realized that I needed to take more time than I had to put things together. So maybe you’ll see more of Hebrews 6 down the road.
These verses give encouragement to believers. The promises mentioned in verse 17 are the promises God gave to Abraham in Genesis – that he will be the father of all nations. Abraham had to endure trials before this happened, but he never lost hope because God had made a promise to him, and with that promise he swore an oath. And because God cannot lie, he knew that he would inherit that promise. We can have the same confidence in God that Abraham had – that God will stay absolutely true to his promises.
Sometimes it’s very hard to keep that in mind. We have a lot of storms in our life that can take our eyes off of God. To me, the image of the anchor in verses 18-20 is very powerful. One of the commentaries I refer to is from St. John Chrysostom, who was a contemporary of St. Augustine in the fourth century, and like Augustine is a Doctor of the Church. He describes this image better than I can:
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And see how very suitable an image he has discovered: For he said not, Foundation; which was not suitable; but, “Anchor.” For that which is on the tossing sea, and seems not to be very firmly fixed, stands on the water as upon land, and is shaken and yet is not shaken. For in regard to those who are very firm, and philosophic, Christ with good reason made that statement, saying, “Whosoever hath built his house on a rock.” ( Matt. vii. 24 .) But in respect of those who are giving way, and who ought to be carried through by hope, Paul hath suitably set down this. For the surge and the great storm toss the boat; but hope suffers it not to be carried hither and thither, although winds innumerable agitate it: so that, unless we had this
[hope] we should long ago have been sunk. Nor is it only in things spiritual, but also in the affairs of this life, that one may find the power of hope great.
Whatever it may be, in merchandise, in husbandry, in a military expedition, unless one sets this before him, he would not even touch the work. But he said not simply “Anchor,” but “sure and steadfast” [i.e.] not shaken.
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Note: see that Chrysostom refers to the writer as Paul. It’s generally accepted today that Paul didn’t write Hebrews. None of that changes his points.
17 So when God wanted to give the heirs of his promise an even clearer demonstration of the immutability of his purpose, he intervened with an oath,
18 so that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to hold fast to the hope that lies before us.
19 This we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm, which reaches into the interior behind the veil,
20 where Jesus has entered on our behalf as forerunner, becoming high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
There is quite a lot in Hebrews 6 to chew on. I actually started this message with several more verses included, but I quickly realized that I needed to take more time than I had to put things together. So maybe you’ll see more of Hebrews 6 down the road.
These verses give encouragement to believers. The promises mentioned in verse 17 are the promises God gave to Abraham in Genesis – that he will be the father of all nations. Abraham had to endure trials before this happened, but he never lost hope because God had made a promise to him, and with that promise he swore an oath. And because God cannot lie, he knew that he would inherit that promise. We can have the same confidence in God that Abraham had – that God will stay absolutely true to his promises.
Sometimes it’s very hard to keep that in mind. We have a lot of storms in our life that can take our eyes off of God. To me, the image of the anchor in verses 18-20 is very powerful. One of the commentaries I refer to is from St. John Chrysostom, who was a contemporary of St. Augustine in the fourth century, and like Augustine is a Doctor of the Church. He describes this image better than I can:
-----------------------
And see how very suitable an image he has discovered: For he said not, Foundation; which was not suitable; but, “Anchor.” For that which is on the tossing sea, and seems not to be very firmly fixed, stands on the water as upon land, and is shaken and yet is not shaken. For in regard to those who are very firm, and philosophic, Christ with good reason made that statement, saying, “Whosoever hath built his house on a rock.” ( Matt. vii. 24 .) But in respect of those who are giving way, and who ought to be carried through by hope, Paul hath suitably set down this. For the surge and the great storm toss the boat; but hope suffers it not to be carried hither and thither, although winds innumerable agitate it: so that, unless we had this
[hope] we should long ago have been sunk. Nor is it only in things spiritual, but also in the affairs of this life, that one may find the power of hope great.
Whatever it may be, in merchandise, in husbandry, in a military expedition, unless one sets this before him, he would not even touch the work. But he said not simply “Anchor,” but “sure and steadfast” [i.e.] not shaken.
-----------------------
Note: see that Chrysostom refers to the writer as Paul. It’s generally accepted today that Paul didn’t write Hebrews. None of that changes his points.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Daily - 8/12/08
Hebrews 11:19-23
19 Therefore, brothers, since through the blood of Jesus we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary
20 by the new and living way he opened for us through the veil, that is, his flesh,
21 and since we have "a great priest over the house of God,"
22 let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.
23 Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope, for he who made the promise is trustworthy.
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This small passage from Hebrews does a great job of explaining the sacrifice of Christ in terms the recipients (Hebrews) can understand. Christ is the sacrifical lamb that allows us entrance into the sanctuary that, under the Old Covenant, could only be entered by the High Priest. Christ’s sacrifice opened the temple of us – his atonement for our sins sprinkled our hearts clean and purified us, so that we can approach God.
Verse 23 is beautiful – hold to our confession of faith, for he who made the promise is trustworthy.
19 Therefore, brothers, since through the blood of Jesus we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary
20 by the new and living way he opened for us through the veil, that is, his flesh,
21 and since we have "a great priest over the house of God,"
22 let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.
23 Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope, for he who made the promise is trustworthy.
------------------
This small passage from Hebrews does a great job of explaining the sacrifice of Christ in terms the recipients (Hebrews) can understand. Christ is the sacrifical lamb that allows us entrance into the sanctuary that, under the Old Covenant, could only be entered by the High Priest. Christ’s sacrifice opened the temple of us – his atonement for our sins sprinkled our hearts clean and purified us, so that we can approach God.
Verse 23 is beautiful – hold to our confession of faith, for he who made the promise is trustworthy.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Daily - 7/15/08
Hebrews 5:11-14
11 About this we have much to say, and it is difficult to explain, for you have become sluggish in hearing.
12 Although you should be teachers by this time, you need to have someone teach you again the basic elements of the utterances of God. You need milk, (and) not solid food.
13 Everyone who lives on milk lacks experience of the word of righteousness, for he is a child.
14 But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties are trained by practice to discern good and evil.
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Here’s more on the idea of spiritual maturity. In this passage it is clear that it takes an effort of will to achieve spiritual growth. It is easy to "become sluggish in hearing" and mediocre in our faith. I know I’ve done that from time to time. It’s crazy that I can forget how joyful spiritual growth is, but sometimes I do, and let the world close in on my thinking too much.
We have to commit to growth, to actively seek it out through prayer, study of scripture, and the sacraments. We have to actively seek "experience in the word of righteousness" – it’s not going to happen on it’s own, and God is not going to force it on us. Note that solid food is "for those whose faculties are trained by practice to discern good and evil." We have to seek righteousness, rather than wait for it to find us. That’s a big difference.
11 About this we have much to say, and it is difficult to explain, for you have become sluggish in hearing.
12 Although you should be teachers by this time, you need to have someone teach you again the basic elements of the utterances of God. You need milk, (and) not solid food.
13 Everyone who lives on milk lacks experience of the word of righteousness, for he is a child.
14 But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties are trained by practice to discern good and evil.
-------------------
Here’s more on the idea of spiritual maturity. In this passage it is clear that it takes an effort of will to achieve spiritual growth. It is easy to "become sluggish in hearing" and mediocre in our faith. I know I’ve done that from time to time. It’s crazy that I can forget how joyful spiritual growth is, but sometimes I do, and let the world close in on my thinking too much.
We have to commit to growth, to actively seek it out through prayer, study of scripture, and the sacraments. We have to actively seek "experience in the word of righteousness" – it’s not going to happen on it’s own, and God is not going to force it on us. Note that solid food is "for those whose faculties are trained by practice to discern good and evil." We have to seek righteousness, rather than wait for it to find us. That’s a big difference.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Daily - 6/2/08
Hebrews 12:1-7
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us
2 while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.
3 Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart.
4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.
5 You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons: "My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him;
6 for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges."
7 Endure your trials as "discipline"; God treats you as sons. For what "son" is there whom his father does not discipline?
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us
2 while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God.
3 Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart.
4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.
5 You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons: "My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him;
6 for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges."
7 Endure your trials as "discipline"; God treats you as sons. For what "son" is there whom his father does not discipline?
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The Lord does in fact discipline his children. I prefer to think of this as preparation for something down the road, rather than think of this as punishment for things done wrong. I don’t know if this thinking is theologically sound, but that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
After taking a dose of humility at the fact that I need to be disciplined, I do find a lot of comfort in this passage.
When you look up and wonder why something bad is happening (or why "bad things happen to good people"), this is an answer. I’m often been able to see the hand of God in my trials AFTER the fact, but only a couple of times have I recognized God’s discipline in real time. When that has happened, the process of enduring is much easier. I think the more we can get to this line of thinking, the more mature we become spiritually. It’s a solid Christian that can thank God for whacking him upside the head with a baseball bat.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Daily - 4/24/08
The Bible has quite a bit to say about itself. Here are a few examples:
Colossians 3:16: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
2 Timothy 3:16-17: All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
Hebrews 4:12: Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
Isaiah 40:7-8: The grass withers, the flower wilts, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it. (So then, the people is the grass.) Though the grass withers and the flower wilts, the word of our God stands forever."
Isaiah 55:10-11: For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down, And do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, Giving seed to him who sows and bread to him who eats, So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.
Immediately after his baptism, Jesus was led into the desert to be tempted by Satan. Many of us remember that Jesus responded to Satan’s temptation with Scripture. But also note that Satan himself used Scripture:
Matthew 4:1-11
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.
2 He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry.
3 The tempter approached and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread."
4 He said in reply, "It is written: 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.'"
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you and 'with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'"
7 Jesus answered him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.'"
8 Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence,
9 and he said to him, "All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me."
10 At this, Jesus said to him, "Get away, Satan! It is written: 'The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.'"
11 Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.
We’ve been given a tool that is alive and is extremely powerful – causing effects in those that receive it. It does not return void, it separates bone and marrow, soul and spirit. The tool is so powerful that Satan tried to use it against Christ himself! To me, the message in all of this is clear – we are called to be familiar with the Word of God, and call upon it in our daily lives.
Colossians 3:16: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
2 Timothy 3:16-17: All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
Hebrews 4:12: Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
Isaiah 40:7-8: The grass withers, the flower wilts, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it. (So then, the people is the grass.) Though the grass withers and the flower wilts, the word of our God stands forever."
Isaiah 55:10-11: For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down, And do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, Giving seed to him who sows and bread to him who eats, So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.
Immediately after his baptism, Jesus was led into the desert to be tempted by Satan. Many of us remember that Jesus responded to Satan’s temptation with Scripture. But also note that Satan himself used Scripture:
Matthew 4:1-11
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.
2 He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry.
3 The tempter approached and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread."
4 He said in reply, "It is written: 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.'"
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you and 'with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.'"
7 Jesus answered him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.'"
8 Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence,
9 and he said to him, "All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me."
10 At this, Jesus said to him, "Get away, Satan! It is written: 'The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.'"
11 Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.
We’ve been given a tool that is alive and is extremely powerful – causing effects in those that receive it. It does not return void, it separates bone and marrow, soul and spirit. The tool is so powerful that Satan tried to use it against Christ himself! To me, the message in all of this is clear – we are called to be familiar with the Word of God, and call upon it in our daily lives.
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