WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday February 20, 2011
JESUS CAME TO SERVE
(With HIS OWN life, JESUS teaches about serving others)
(Mark 10:35-45)
To ask for a place of honor in JESUS’ glory is a requisite to requesting to share also, in HIS suffering. Inherently, you can’t have one without the other. For JESUS, the only way to glory was through the cross, and so it must be, for those who choose to follow HIM. In the Gospel according to John Mark, in chapter 10 taking up at verse 35, two of JESUS’ original disciples, James and John, unwittingly evoke a lesson in “Servant Leadership” from the SON of GOD.
In the biblical Greek the word used for “servant” is “diakonos” (dee-ak-on-os), and it describes “one who serves in a menial capacity”. In JESUS’ response to the request by James and John to be given seats of honor in HIS coming Kingdom (Mark 10:35-37), JESUS replies in summation that, “Whoever wishes to become great among you, shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you, shall be servant to all”.
Here in this passage, John Mark exposes something very human about the disciples of JESUS, after all, they were just simple and ordinary men with no theological training. But when JESUS set out to overcome the death and sins of this world, it was with just such men that HE chose to do it. This passage not only gives us a peek at James’ and John’s ambitiousness, but it also reveals their selfishness and pride. It shows us that they had not, at least to this point, understood JESUS’ living earthly examples, over the past 2 ½ years, of what servant leadership was all about.
However, one good thing does seem to stand out in this passage, and that is, as confused as the two men were about how they could obtain honor from GOD in the coming kingdom, they were sure that there would be a coming kingdom, and so we see from that point of view, that their hearts, at least, were in the right place.
This story also tells us a lot about JESUS’ standard of what greatness is. In verse 38, JESUS uses two well-known biblical metaphors. First HE asks James and John, “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink?”, and then HE asks them, Are you able to be baptized with the baptism, with which I AM baptized with?”
“Drink the cup” is the Jewish expression that means, “sharing one’s fate or destiny”. The “cup” can be used as a symbol of both “joy” and “suffering”. In the Old Testament, it often symbolized GOD’s wrath against sin. The term “baptism”, here in this passage, symbolizes someone deeply immersed in pain and troubles.
Ultimately, as we now know, both James and John did “drink the cup”, and, were “baptized with the baptism” of CHRIST. Acts 12:2 tells us that James went on to become the first of the original disciples to be martyred, as he was ordered to be slain with the sword, by King Herod Agrippa I, the son of Herod the Great, circa A.D. 43.
And as for John, he lived a long life of persecution and suffering before, and after, being exiled to the Greek island of Patmos by the Roman Emperor, Domitian, where he later penned the Book of Revelations according to the visions he received from CHRIST JESUS very late in the first century A.D.
In the biblical Greek, the word used for “ransom” is “lutron” (loo-tron), and it describes something that is used to “set free” something else, and it is also “the cost, or price to redeem”. The use of this word in verse 45, perhaps, makes it the key verse in John Mark’s whole Gospel account, because it clearly states the reason for which JESUS came into the world, and that reason, of course, is to redeem us from sin and death.
The book of Mark was written explicitly to make men see and understand, through JESUS’ miracles, that HE truly is the SON of the LIVING GOD. HE came to serve us by dying as the vicarious sacrifice for our lives on the cross by Roman method, when no one else, and nothing else, would do. And by doing so, HE became the ultimate “SERVANT LEADER”, and the ULTIMATE ROLE MODEL for all who wish to “serve” in a leadership capacity, especially within the Christian Faith.
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander
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Larry D. Alexander WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
Friday, February 18, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday February 13, 2011
THIS IS MY BELOVED SON
(We must acknowledge who JESUS is)
(Mark 9:2-13)
In the biblical Greek, the word used for “affirmation” is “bebaiosis” (beb-ah-yo-sis), and it means “to be steadfast and sure in one’s assertions”. GOD wants us to understand and believe in our hearts that JESUS is HIS only begotten SON, and that no person can enter into the kingdom of Heaven, unless they first, acknowledge WHO HE is, and accept HIM as their personal LORD and SAVIOR. When Peter pondered the question from JESUS, Who do you say that I AM? (Mark 8:29), he already knew that all human categories failed to describe just who JESUS was.
Six days following their visit through Caesarea-Philippi, JESUS’ “Transfiguration” on Mount Hermon (Mark 9:1-10), was staged by GOD, to help place “affirmation” of JESUS’ majesty upon the hearts of men, for all time. GOD spoke from the clouds that day to Peter, James, and John, to forever affirm, to them, and to us, that JESUS truly is the only way to GOD. And HE used the images of Moses and Elijah, the Law and the Prophet, two towering figures in Jewish history, each of whom, no man had seen die, and they were there to bear witness to this distinctive act of GOD, and to represent all of the resurrected Old Testament saints who had gone before them.
And when GOD removed the images of perhaps the two greatest men the Jews had ever known prior to JESUS, with the exception maybe of Abraham, HE was divinely sending a message from above that not even they could hold a candle to JESUS, WHO is, our LORD. From that moment on, JESUS was to be the only ONE that they should listen to. And as I said in the last lesson, for Peter, James, and John, they, in a very special sense, had themselves, become witnesses to the Glory of CHRIST. And now, they had the story of that Glory embedded in, and etched upon their hearts for the remainder of their lives, to use as a testimony to all mankind.
The voice of GOD that came to the ears of the three stunned disciples on that mountaintop overlooking Caesarea-Philippi that day, was the same voice that was heard by the crowd of people who were present at JESUS’ baptism in the River Jordan some time earlier (Mark 1:9-11). These two divine events represent GOD’s personal testimony of JESUS CHRIST’s legitimacy, and the legitimacy of HIS three-year ministry here on earth. In both instances the Heavenly FATHER not only affirms JESUS’ divine Sonship, but HE also testifies of the depth of HIS OWN matchless love for HIM.
On that day, GOD successfully impressed upon Peter, James, and John that they should listen to and obey the commands of the SON, and, in doing so, they would automatically be obeying the FATHER WHO sent HIM. GOD wanted there to be no mistaking that Moses and Elijah could be on an equal plane with JESUS. This Heavenly affirmation confirmed that JESUS held all authority over both the Law (Moses), and the Prophets (Elijah). And after their mountaintop experience had ended, it was now time to descend and to get about the business of defending and advancing the Kingdom of CHRIST.
Through the seemingly hopeless situations that we as a people now find ourselves in on a regular basis, GOD, through HIS unparalleled mercy and benevolence, sent us HIS only begotten SON, so that whosoever believes in HIM, will not perish, but rather, will obtain an everlasting life in Heaven, with HIM. JESUS was sent to provide us with a living example of how we need to live our lives here on earth, in order to achieve and maintain a Heavenly peace, even now, as we wait on CHRIST’ return.
Through JESUS, we can establish a deeper relationship with GOD the FATHER than people could have ever imagined before HE came. GOD wants us to follow JESUS’ command, and examples, and that is all that HE asks of us. And just as HIS, now famous, Transfiguration demonstrates, JESUS really does hold all power in Heaven, and, on Earth, because it has been given to HIM, by GOD the FATHER.
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander
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YouTube - Alexander Sunday School Lesson
Larry D. Alexander WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday February 13, 2011
THIS IS MY BELOVED SON
(We must acknowledge who JESUS is)
(Mark 9:2-13)
In the biblical Greek, the word used for “affirmation” is “bebaiosis” (beb-ah-yo-sis), and it means “to be steadfast and sure in one’s assertions”. GOD wants us to understand and believe in our hearts that JESUS is HIS only begotten SON, and that no person can enter into the kingdom of Heaven, unless they first, acknowledge WHO HE is, and accept HIM as their personal LORD and SAVIOR. When Peter pondered the question from JESUS, Who do you say that I AM? (Mark 8:29), he already knew that all human categories failed to describe just who JESUS was.
Six days following their visit through Caesarea-Philippi, JESUS’ “Transfiguration” on Mount Hermon (Mark 9:1-10), was staged by GOD, to help place “affirmation” of JESUS’ majesty upon the hearts of men, for all time. GOD spoke from the clouds that day to Peter, James, and John, to forever affirm, to them, and to us, that JESUS truly is the only way to GOD. And HE used the images of Moses and Elijah, the Law and the Prophet, two towering figures in Jewish history, each of whom, no man had seen die, and they were there to bear witness to this distinctive act of GOD, and to represent all of the resurrected Old Testament saints who had gone before them.
And when GOD removed the images of perhaps the two greatest men the Jews had ever known prior to JESUS, with the exception maybe of Abraham, HE was divinely sending a message from above that not even they could hold a candle to JESUS, WHO is, our LORD. From that moment on, JESUS was to be the only ONE that they should listen to. And as I said in the last lesson, for Peter, James, and John, they, in a very special sense, had themselves, become witnesses to the Glory of CHRIST. And now, they had the story of that Glory embedded in, and etched upon their hearts for the remainder of their lives, to use as a testimony to all mankind.
The voice of GOD that came to the ears of the three stunned disciples on that mountaintop overlooking Caesarea-Philippi that day, was the same voice that was heard by the crowd of people who were present at JESUS’ baptism in the River Jordan some time earlier (Mark 1:9-11). These two divine events represent GOD’s personal testimony of JESUS CHRIST’s legitimacy, and the legitimacy of HIS three-year ministry here on earth. In both instances the Heavenly FATHER not only affirms JESUS’ divine Sonship, but HE also testifies of the depth of HIS OWN matchless love for HIM.
On that day, GOD successfully impressed upon Peter, James, and John that they should listen to and obey the commands of the SON, and, in doing so, they would automatically be obeying the FATHER WHO sent HIM. GOD wanted there to be no mistaking that Moses and Elijah could be on an equal plane with JESUS. This Heavenly affirmation confirmed that JESUS held all authority over both the Law (Moses), and the Prophets (Elijah). And after their mountaintop experience had ended, it was now time to descend and to get about the business of defending and advancing the Kingdom of CHRIST.
Through the seemingly hopeless situations that we as a people now find ourselves in on a regular basis, GOD, through HIS unparalleled mercy and benevolence, sent us HIS only begotten SON, so that whosoever believes in HIM, will not perish, but rather, will obtain an everlasting life in Heaven, with HIM. JESUS was sent to provide us with a living example of how we need to live our lives here on earth, in order to achieve and maintain a Heavenly peace, even now, as we wait on CHRIST’ return.
Through JESUS, we can establish a deeper relationship with GOD the FATHER than people could have ever imagined before HE came. GOD wants us to follow JESUS’ command, and examples, and that is all that HE asks of us. And just as HIS, now famous, Transfiguration demonstrates, JESUS really does hold all power in Heaven, and, on Earth, because it has been given to HIM, by GOD the FATHER.
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander
Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Larry D. Alexander's Storefront - Lulu.com
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website
Larry D. Alexander-Christian Art
YouTube - Alexander Sunday School Lesson
Larry D. Alexander WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
Friday, February 4, 2011
WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday February 6, 2011
JESUS IS THE MESSIAH
(Who do you say that HE is?)
(Mark 8:27-9:10)
In Mark chapter 8, verses 27-30 John Mark relates the account of JESUS’ 25-mile walk with HIS disciples from Galilee to Caesarea-Philippi. We soon see that it is no accident that JESUS chose this particular time and area to pose the question to HIS faithful followers, “Who do men say that I AM?, and subsequently, Who do y-o-u say that I AM?
In JESUS’ day, Caesarea-Philippi had already long been known as a “mecca” for idol worship. There were no less than fourteen temples of idol worship in the immediate vicinity where they now stood. First of all, the Syrian gods had their worship center there. There was a mountain in Caesarea-Philippi which contained a deep cavern that was said to be the birthplace of “Pan”, the “Greek god of nature”. In fact, Pan is the source of Caesarea-Philippi’s original name, “Paneas”, which was changed to Caesarea-Philippi by Philip the Tetrarch, one of the sons of Herod the Great, in honor of Caesar Augustus.
Herod the Great had also constructed a huge white marble tower, which was the most imposing edifice in all of Caesarea-Philippi in those days, and had also dedicated it to Caesar, who, himself, was also considered by the Romans to be a god.
Caesarea-Philippi is also the place where the Jordan River begins. We all know the Jordan River as the place where John the Baptist did most of his baptizing. In fact, he even baptized JESUS there at the beginning of HIS three-year earthly ministry.
And so, it is against this very backdrop of Greek and Syrian gods, this place where a piece of the history of Israel also crowds men’s minds, that we see this former carpenter from Nazareth stand and pose the question to HIS young disciples, “Who do men say that I AM?”
It seems as if JESUS has intentionally and deliberately set HIMSELF against this background of the world’s religions, in all of their history and splendor, demands to be compared to them, and then, fully expects the verdict to be rendered in HIS favor! Nowhere else in scripture does JESUS call attention more clearly to HIS OWN deity, than what we see right here, in this passage.
In the biblical Greek, the word used for “affirmation” is “bebaiosis” (beb-ah-yo-sis), and it means “to be steadfast and sure in one’s assertions”. When Peter pondered this question from JESUS he already knew that most human categories would fail to describe just who JESUS was. This passage of scripture serves to show us that our discovery of JESUS must be a personal one. Remember, JESUS also asked the question, “Who do you say that I AM”? This question hints that our knowledge of JESUS must never be “secondhand”. Christianity does not consist of knowing about JESUS, but rather, it consists of knowing JESUS. JESUS always demands a personal verdict. When JESUS asked this question HE was not just asking it to HIS original disciples, but rather, it is also a question that comes to us, from across the spans of time, in hopes that we too, can answer it favorably.
JESUS’ “Transfiguration” (Mark 9:1-10), which in all geographical likelihood, occurred on Mount Hermon, nearly 2000 years ago, was intended by GOD, to place “affirmation” of JESUS’ majesty upon the hearts of men, for all time. GOD spoke from the clouds that day to Peter, James, and John, to forever affirm to them, that JESUS truly is HIS only begotten SON. And HE used the images of Moses and Elijah, the Law and the Prophet, two towering figures in Jewish history, each of whom, no man had seen die, and they were there to bear witness, and to add a touch of affirmation to this divine event. And as for Peter, James, and John, they, in a very special sense, had themselves, become witnesses to the Glory of CHRIST. And now, they had the story of that Glory embedded in their hearts, so that they may go out and tell all mankind that JESUS truly is the SON of the LIVING GOD.
We today, may never be able to witness an event such as the one that occurred on that mountaintop overlooking Caesarea-Philippi that day, but certainly, we can all follow the instructions of JESUS, as they were laid down to Peter over in John 21. There, JESUS posed yet another question to HIS leading disciple, following HIS all important “Resurrection”. And on that occasion HE asked Peter, three times, “Do you love ME” (John 21:15-17). If we love JESUS, each of us can help someone else guard against going astray. And, if we love JESUS, each of us can also love one another. And, if we love JESUS, each of us can feed JESUS’ sheep (each other), with the nourishing spiritual food, that is, the “Word of GOD”.
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander
Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Larry D. Alexander's Storefront - Lulu.com
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website
Larry D. Alexander-Christian Art
YouTube - Alexander Sunday School Lesson
Larry D. Alexander WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday February 6, 2011
JESUS IS THE MESSIAH
(Who do you say that HE is?)
(Mark 8:27-9:10)
In Mark chapter 8, verses 27-30 John Mark relates the account of JESUS’ 25-mile walk with HIS disciples from Galilee to Caesarea-Philippi. We soon see that it is no accident that JESUS chose this particular time and area to pose the question to HIS faithful followers, “Who do men say that I AM?, and subsequently, Who do y-o-u say that I AM?
In JESUS’ day, Caesarea-Philippi had already long been known as a “mecca” for idol worship. There were no less than fourteen temples of idol worship in the immediate vicinity where they now stood. First of all, the Syrian gods had their worship center there. There was a mountain in Caesarea-Philippi which contained a deep cavern that was said to be the birthplace of “Pan”, the “Greek god of nature”. In fact, Pan is the source of Caesarea-Philippi’s original name, “Paneas”, which was changed to Caesarea-Philippi by Philip the Tetrarch, one of the sons of Herod the Great, in honor of Caesar Augustus.
Herod the Great had also constructed a huge white marble tower, which was the most imposing edifice in all of Caesarea-Philippi in those days, and had also dedicated it to Caesar, who, himself, was also considered by the Romans to be a god.
Caesarea-Philippi is also the place where the Jordan River begins. We all know the Jordan River as the place where John the Baptist did most of his baptizing. In fact, he even baptized JESUS there at the beginning of HIS three-year earthly ministry.
And so, it is against this very backdrop of Greek and Syrian gods, this place where a piece of the history of Israel also crowds men’s minds, that we see this former carpenter from Nazareth stand and pose the question to HIS young disciples, “Who do men say that I AM?”
It seems as if JESUS has intentionally and deliberately set HIMSELF against this background of the world’s religions, in all of their history and splendor, demands to be compared to them, and then, fully expects the verdict to be rendered in HIS favor! Nowhere else in scripture does JESUS call attention more clearly to HIS OWN deity, than what we see right here, in this passage.
In the biblical Greek, the word used for “affirmation” is “bebaiosis” (beb-ah-yo-sis), and it means “to be steadfast and sure in one’s assertions”. When Peter pondered this question from JESUS he already knew that most human categories would fail to describe just who JESUS was. This passage of scripture serves to show us that our discovery of JESUS must be a personal one. Remember, JESUS also asked the question, “Who do you say that I AM”? This question hints that our knowledge of JESUS must never be “secondhand”. Christianity does not consist of knowing about JESUS, but rather, it consists of knowing JESUS. JESUS always demands a personal verdict. When JESUS asked this question HE was not just asking it to HIS original disciples, but rather, it is also a question that comes to us, from across the spans of time, in hopes that we too, can answer it favorably.
JESUS’ “Transfiguration” (Mark 9:1-10), which in all geographical likelihood, occurred on Mount Hermon, nearly 2000 years ago, was intended by GOD, to place “affirmation” of JESUS’ majesty upon the hearts of men, for all time. GOD spoke from the clouds that day to Peter, James, and John, to forever affirm to them, that JESUS truly is HIS only begotten SON. And HE used the images of Moses and Elijah, the Law and the Prophet, two towering figures in Jewish history, each of whom, no man had seen die, and they were there to bear witness, and to add a touch of affirmation to this divine event. And as for Peter, James, and John, they, in a very special sense, had themselves, become witnesses to the Glory of CHRIST. And now, they had the story of that Glory embedded in their hearts, so that they may go out and tell all mankind that JESUS truly is the SON of the LIVING GOD.
We today, may never be able to witness an event such as the one that occurred on that mountaintop overlooking Caesarea-Philippi that day, but certainly, we can all follow the instructions of JESUS, as they were laid down to Peter over in John 21. There, JESUS posed yet another question to HIS leading disciple, following HIS all important “Resurrection”. And on that occasion HE asked Peter, three times, “Do you love ME” (John 21:15-17). If we love JESUS, each of us can help someone else guard against going astray. And, if we love JESUS, each of us can also love one another. And, if we love JESUS, each of us can feed JESUS’ sheep (each other), with the nourishing spiritual food, that is, the “Word of GOD”.
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander
Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Larry D. Alexander's Storefront - Lulu.com
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website
Larry D. Alexander-Christian Art
YouTube - Alexander Sunday School Lesson
Larry D. Alexander WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
Friday, January 28, 2011
WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday January 30, 2011
HEALED BY HIS BRUISES
(By the SERVANT’s suffering, we are made whole)
(Isaiah 52:13-53:12)
The passage of Isaiah 52:13-53:12 represents the fourth, final, and most compelling of the, so-called, “Servant Songs” that are contained in this prophetic book. It depicts the Old Testament’s most vivid description of the suffering of JESUS CHRIST, which would occur some 700 years down the road in Jerusalem, and would culminate with JESUS’ “death walk” to Golgotha, and subsequent expiration on the cross. We all know now, that, that “passion week” for JESUS was concluded three days later by HIS miraculous “resurrection” that has become the very cornerstone of the Christian Faith. When HE suffered and died on Calvary Hill on the cross, the sins of an entire world hung with HIM on HIS shoulders.
As mere humans, we are by no means designed to carry the weight, physically or spiritually that JESUS was assigned by GOD the FATHER to carry for us. In the book of Acts, in chapter 1 verse 3, the word used for “passion” in the original Greek writing is “pascho” (pas-kho), and it means “to experience the sensation or impression of pain”. It is the only time in scripture that this particular word is used for “passion”. There, it uniquely describes the suffering of CHRIST that is depicted in the “Passion Narratives” of the four Gospels (Matthew 26 & 27, Mark 14 & 15, Luke 22, and John 19). These particular passages represent the fulfillment of the prophecy that we see here in Isaiah 52:13-53:12.
Theologians of the Post-Apostolic Age often struggle trying to find an explanation as to why JESUS had to die. This passage by Isaiah gives us, perhaps, the clearest explanation of why, that can be found anywhere else in scripture. Here Isaiah tells us, in effect, that, JESUS was offered up as a “guilt offering”, or “offer of atonement” for the sins of man, past, present, and future (53:10-12). It was the only offering that could be acceptable to GOD the FATHER, and so we see here, a theory of atonement being developed.
Isaiah tells us in 52:13 that JESUS, the SERVANT, was so badly beaten and bloodied that one would have a hard time recognizing if HE was even a human being. He also tells us in 53:2 that there was already nothing beautiful or majestic about HIS appearance that could draw a person to HIM.
The prophet goes on to tell us in verse 3, that, in addition, JESUS would be rejected and despised, and would be a man of sorrow who was all too familiar with bitter grief. And we, whom HE died for, would not recognize that it was our weaknesses and sorrows that weighed HIM down (v. 4). We would think that HIS troubles were a product of HIS OWN sins, and HIS OWN making.
We Christians, of the Post-Apostolic Age, understand clearly that JESUS was wounded and crushed for our sins, not HIS. We know that HE was beaten so that we might have peace, and that HE was whipped so that we might be healed (v. 5). In verse 7, Isaiah tells us that JESUS was oppressed and treated harshly, and yet, HE never said a word. HE was led like a lamb to slaughter, and just as a sheep is silent before the Shearers, like so, JESUS, was also silent. And finally, Isaiah tells us that JESUS would be buried like a criminal, but in a rich man’s grave (See Matthew 27:57-60).
JESUS’ suffering was a unique event in the annals of biblical and human history. Its uniqueness rests in the fact that, first, HE is the SON of GOD, and secondly, that HIS vicarious sacrifice was what won us our salvation. No one else, and nothing else, could have provided us with such a precious gift. And even though HE was counted among sinners, in reality, HE actually bore the sins of sinners, and by doing so, HE now intercedes in the presence of GOD the FATHER, for every man in general, and for all Christians in particular.
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander
Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Larry D. Alexander's Storefront - Lulu.com
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website
Larry D. Alexander-Christian Art
YouTube - Alexander Sunday School Lesson
Larry D. Alexander WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday January 30, 2011
HEALED BY HIS BRUISES
(By the SERVANT’s suffering, we are made whole)
(Isaiah 52:13-53:12)
The passage of Isaiah 52:13-53:12 represents the fourth, final, and most compelling of the, so-called, “Servant Songs” that are contained in this prophetic book. It depicts the Old Testament’s most vivid description of the suffering of JESUS CHRIST, which would occur some 700 years down the road in Jerusalem, and would culminate with JESUS’ “death walk” to Golgotha, and subsequent expiration on the cross. We all know now, that, that “passion week” for JESUS was concluded three days later by HIS miraculous “resurrection” that has become the very cornerstone of the Christian Faith. When HE suffered and died on Calvary Hill on the cross, the sins of an entire world hung with HIM on HIS shoulders.
As mere humans, we are by no means designed to carry the weight, physically or spiritually that JESUS was assigned by GOD the FATHER to carry for us. In the book of Acts, in chapter 1 verse 3, the word used for “passion” in the original Greek writing is “pascho” (pas-kho), and it means “to experience the sensation or impression of pain”. It is the only time in scripture that this particular word is used for “passion”. There, it uniquely describes the suffering of CHRIST that is depicted in the “Passion Narratives” of the four Gospels (Matthew 26 & 27, Mark 14 & 15, Luke 22, and John 19). These particular passages represent the fulfillment of the prophecy that we see here in Isaiah 52:13-53:12.
Theologians of the Post-Apostolic Age often struggle trying to find an explanation as to why JESUS had to die. This passage by Isaiah gives us, perhaps, the clearest explanation of why, that can be found anywhere else in scripture. Here Isaiah tells us, in effect, that, JESUS was offered up as a “guilt offering”, or “offer of atonement” for the sins of man, past, present, and future (53:10-12). It was the only offering that could be acceptable to GOD the FATHER, and so we see here, a theory of atonement being developed.
Isaiah tells us in 52:13 that JESUS, the SERVANT, was so badly beaten and bloodied that one would have a hard time recognizing if HE was even a human being. He also tells us in 53:2 that there was already nothing beautiful or majestic about HIS appearance that could draw a person to HIM.
The prophet goes on to tell us in verse 3, that, in addition, JESUS would be rejected and despised, and would be a man of sorrow who was all too familiar with bitter grief. And we, whom HE died for, would not recognize that it was our weaknesses and sorrows that weighed HIM down (v. 4). We would think that HIS troubles were a product of HIS OWN sins, and HIS OWN making.
We Christians, of the Post-Apostolic Age, understand clearly that JESUS was wounded and crushed for our sins, not HIS. We know that HE was beaten so that we might have peace, and that HE was whipped so that we might be healed (v. 5). In verse 7, Isaiah tells us that JESUS was oppressed and treated harshly, and yet, HE never said a word. HE was led like a lamb to slaughter, and just as a sheep is silent before the Shearers, like so, JESUS, was also silent. And finally, Isaiah tells us that JESUS would be buried like a criminal, but in a rich man’s grave (See Matthew 27:57-60).
JESUS’ suffering was a unique event in the annals of biblical and human history. Its uniqueness rests in the fact that, first, HE is the SON of GOD, and secondly, that HIS vicarious sacrifice was what won us our salvation. No one else, and nothing else, could have provided us with such a precious gift. And even though HE was counted among sinners, in reality, HE actually bore the sins of sinners, and by doing so, HE now intercedes in the presence of GOD the FATHER, for every man in general, and for all Christians in particular.
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander
Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Larry D. Alexander's Storefront - Lulu.com
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website
Larry D. Alexander-Christian Art
YouTube - Alexander Sunday School Lesson
Larry D. Alexander WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
Friday, January 21, 2011
WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday January 23, 2011
THE SERVANT’S MISSION
(GOD’s servants suffer to glorify HIM)
(Isaiah 49:1-6)
Isaiah 49:1-6 represents the second of four “Servant Songs” that are contained in the book of Isaiah. The other passages are Isaiah 42:1-17, 50:3-9, and 52:13-53:12. They are called Servant Songs because they prophesy of the coming of the ultimate SERVANT, and MESSENGER, JESUS CHRIST. However, the definition of a servant is anyone whom GOD might choose to send to represent HIM through a message, from on high, that will bring the knowledge of HIMSELF, to all mankind.
Here in Isaiah 49:5-6, we see that the rejection of the SERVANT by HIS OWN people, (the Jews), will lead to the inclusion of the Gentiles into GOD’s family as HIS adopted children and followers. Moving forward about 800 years the book of Acts, in chapter 13, about a week after the Apostle Paul had delivered his longest recorded sermon in scripture to the people at Antioch of Syria (Acts 13:16-41), Luke tells us that Paul and Barnabas returned again to the synagogue, and this time, nearly the whole city came to hear them. It was on that occasion that they stood and boldly announced to the Jews by quoting from the passage here that is now Isaiah 49:6, saying, “I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth”. When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad, and thanked GOD for the fulfillment of HIS message through Paul and Barnabas.
However, the Jewish leaders who were present, and were already jealous of the large crowd that had come to hear Paul and Barnabas speak, began to stir up all the influential religious women, and all the city leaders, who, in return, were successful in inciting a mob against Paul and Barnabas, and they ran the two of them out of town. It proved to be a day of trying times for the two men, during their first and only recorded missionary journey together.
Anyone who is suffering feels forsaken. It is a natural reaction to pain. For the “natural man” (man without GOD), love can only be expressed in gifts, and, what he considers to be, good things. In our “natural” way of thinking, we have a hard time seeing any painful experience as a “love gift” from GOD that is intended only to make us stronger, so that we can be better used to serve HIM, and, to serve our fellowman. Here in this passage, verses 14-16, when Israel complains to GOD, He doesn’t bother to explain again why HE has disciplined them through suffering. Here HE simply says to them, that HE has not, and will not, forsake them.
GOD’ s goal is to mold us into being the very best that we can be, because HE wants us to be able to prove to the world, through our behavior, that Christianity, when taken serious by its practitioner, really does produce the best men and women. HE wants us to be a “light” to the world that can safely draw all men out of the “darkness” of sin’s domination.
In the book of Hebrews, as it is expressed in chapter 1, verse 3, in the original Greek, the word the author uses for “brightness” is “apaugasma” (ap-ow-gas-mah). In this verse, we see the only time in scripture that this particular word is used to translate brightness. Here it describes a light source that reflects upon another object, and thereby, brings light to it. Here also, it is used as a way of describing JESUS CHRIST and HIS effect on the darkness of the world. JESUS the SON, reflects GOD the FATHER’s OWN glory to the likes of man, and HE represents an “exact copy”, or “express image” of GOD HIMSELF. In other words, JESUS reflected GOD’s OWN character precisely, first to the Jews, and then later, to the Gentiles.
Once JESUS had brought light to the Jews, they were, in effect, commissioned by GOD for a second time to be a light to the rest of mankind. And we see here in the book of Isaiah that the Jews had already failed GOD in their first commission (Isaiah 49: 6). The phrase “A light to the nations” is the Isaianic phrase that is most closely associated with the “servant” and his saving significance for the world, however, the term “My Salvation” is the most familiar of all Isaianic terms as it is seen as an act of “Divine Intervention” on behalf of justice and peace in the world.
As Christians, we must eventually conform to accept and demonstrate the same “servant attitude” that JESUS demonstrated during HIS three-year earthly ministry. We should allow HIS examples and character to reflect on us, so that, in turn, we can reflect our imputed light, on someone else. And we should always keep in mind, that, it is the light of the SERVANT’s message, and the GODly image that we reflect to others through our behavior, that will effectively make us attractive to those who are lost in the darkness of sin and death, and sorely need to be rescued into GOD’s OWN glorious kingdom.
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander
Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Larry D. Alexander's Storefront - Lulu.com
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website
Larry D. Alexander-Christian Art
YouTube - Alexander Sunday School Lesson
Larry D. Alexander WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday January 23, 2011
THE SERVANT’S MISSION
(GOD’s servants suffer to glorify HIM)
(Isaiah 49:1-6)
Isaiah 49:1-6 represents the second of four “Servant Songs” that are contained in the book of Isaiah. The other passages are Isaiah 42:1-17, 50:3-9, and 52:13-53:12. They are called Servant Songs because they prophesy of the coming of the ultimate SERVANT, and MESSENGER, JESUS CHRIST. However, the definition of a servant is anyone whom GOD might choose to send to represent HIM through a message, from on high, that will bring the knowledge of HIMSELF, to all mankind.
Here in Isaiah 49:5-6, we see that the rejection of the SERVANT by HIS OWN people, (the Jews), will lead to the inclusion of the Gentiles into GOD’s family as HIS adopted children and followers. Moving forward about 800 years the book of Acts, in chapter 13, about a week after the Apostle Paul had delivered his longest recorded sermon in scripture to the people at Antioch of Syria (Acts 13:16-41), Luke tells us that Paul and Barnabas returned again to the synagogue, and this time, nearly the whole city came to hear them. It was on that occasion that they stood and boldly announced to the Jews by quoting from the passage here that is now Isaiah 49:6, saying, “I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth”. When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad, and thanked GOD for the fulfillment of HIS message through Paul and Barnabas.
However, the Jewish leaders who were present, and were already jealous of the large crowd that had come to hear Paul and Barnabas speak, began to stir up all the influential religious women, and all the city leaders, who, in return, were successful in inciting a mob against Paul and Barnabas, and they ran the two of them out of town. It proved to be a day of trying times for the two men, during their first and only recorded missionary journey together.
Anyone who is suffering feels forsaken. It is a natural reaction to pain. For the “natural man” (man without GOD), love can only be expressed in gifts, and, what he considers to be, good things. In our “natural” way of thinking, we have a hard time seeing any painful experience as a “love gift” from GOD that is intended only to make us stronger, so that we can be better used to serve HIM, and, to serve our fellowman. Here in this passage, verses 14-16, when Israel complains to GOD, He doesn’t bother to explain again why HE has disciplined them through suffering. Here HE simply says to them, that HE has not, and will not, forsake them.
GOD’ s goal is to mold us into being the very best that we can be, because HE wants us to be able to prove to the world, through our behavior, that Christianity, when taken serious by its practitioner, really does produce the best men and women. HE wants us to be a “light” to the world that can safely draw all men out of the “darkness” of sin’s domination.
In the book of Hebrews, as it is expressed in chapter 1, verse 3, in the original Greek, the word the author uses for “brightness” is “apaugasma” (ap-ow-gas-mah). In this verse, we see the only time in scripture that this particular word is used to translate brightness. Here it describes a light source that reflects upon another object, and thereby, brings light to it. Here also, it is used as a way of describing JESUS CHRIST and HIS effect on the darkness of the world. JESUS the SON, reflects GOD the FATHER’s OWN glory to the likes of man, and HE represents an “exact copy”, or “express image” of GOD HIMSELF. In other words, JESUS reflected GOD’s OWN character precisely, first to the Jews, and then later, to the Gentiles.
Once JESUS had brought light to the Jews, they were, in effect, commissioned by GOD for a second time to be a light to the rest of mankind. And we see here in the book of Isaiah that the Jews had already failed GOD in their first commission (Isaiah 49: 6). The phrase “A light to the nations” is the Isaianic phrase that is most closely associated with the “servant” and his saving significance for the world, however, the term “My Salvation” is the most familiar of all Isaianic terms as it is seen as an act of “Divine Intervention” on behalf of justice and peace in the world.
As Christians, we must eventually conform to accept and demonstrate the same “servant attitude” that JESUS demonstrated during HIS three-year earthly ministry. We should allow HIS examples and character to reflect on us, so that, in turn, we can reflect our imputed light, on someone else. And we should always keep in mind, that, it is the light of the SERVANT’s message, and the GODly image that we reflect to others through our behavior, that will effectively make us attractive to those who are lost in the darkness of sin and death, and sorely need to be rescued into GOD’s OWN glorious kingdom.
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander
Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Larry D. Alexander's Storefront - Lulu.com
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website
Larry D. Alexander-Christian Art
YouTube - Alexander Sunday School Lesson
Larry D. Alexander WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
Friday, January 14, 2011
WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday January 16, 2011
REASSURANCE FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
(GOD, WHO is our FATHER, knows best)
(Isaiah 48)
In Isaiah 48 verses 1-11, the LORD speaks through HIS prophet Isaiah of a future time when Judah would be held in captivity in Babylon. It is something that would not occur for another 150 years. Yet, the Almighty GOD uses these prophecies to glorify HIMSELF, by telling HIS people ahead of time, just what HE would make happen in the not too distant future, because HE didn’t want HIS work to be accredited to idols. In making these predictions, GOD sought to separate HIMSELF from all of the idol gods that had, and would in the future, successfully penetrate the minds of HIS people.
Here, GOD tells Judah that her blatant hypocritical lifestyle, of wanting to serve, both HE, and their worthless idols, would not change, even after HE turns them over to Nebuchadnezzar to serve a 70-year punishment in captivity in Babylon in the year 586 B.C. GOD knew how stubborn and obstinate the Israelites were, and HE knows how stubborn and obstinate Christians are today. HE knows that our necks are unbending and that our heads are as hard as bronze. We have been rebels since the dawn of creation, and most of us will rebel against GOD all the way to the grave.
However, in verse 9 of this passage GOD says that, for HIS OWN sake, not ours, and for the honor of HIS name, HE will hold back HIS anger and not wipe us out completely. Instead, HE has chosen to refine us through suffering, and also, to rescue us from ourselves. And at that time, we will not be able to give credit for our salvation to anyone or anything, but HIM.
In the ancient times, as well as today, spiritual blindness was, and is, prevalent in the world among all peoples. Most people credit gracious, distinctive acts of GOD in their lives to “luck”, “our own genius”, or, “our own hard work”. We have no sense of GOD’s hand in our lives, and we are not responsive to HIS favor, nor, do we acknowledge the works of HIS hand in the world around us.
Verses 1-11 serve as a contrasting backdrop for the “grace” of GOD that is exhibited in the remainder of this chapter (and particularly in verse 17). We see in verses 12-22 a dramatic shift takes place, as GOD, once again, reassures HIS rebellious people of HIS intent to always be available to redeem us from our iniquities when we repent, no matter how hard we try over and over again, to destroy ourselves.
G.K. Chesterton once wrote, “For whatever is or is not true, this one thing is certain, we are not what we were meant to be”. We are that which was created, and, we are the benefactors of the brilliance and largesse of the CREATOR. Men and women were made by GOD to exercise dominion over the works of HIS hands, here on earth. But instead, we have become creatures who are frustrated by our own self-imposed circumstances, who are defeated by our temptations, and, who are surrounded by our own weaknesses.
And so, it is into this seemingly hopeless situation that GOD sent us HIS only begotten SON, so that whosoever believes in HIM, will not perish, but rather, will have everlasting life. And then, HE makes it possible for us to overcome an otherwise, saddened and doomed state of existence, and at the same time, help us to understand and become what we ought to be.
GOD’s divine moral laws were not given to us by HIM just to frustrate our “natural” human desires, and it is ridiculous for us to think such a thing. GOD set certain divine standards for us, in order to show us, just how far we are from what HE intended for us to be. HE wants to show us that, because we share HIS nature, we can be both good, and happy too. What we can’t be is bad and happy, and that’s something that we have already proven to ourselves long ago. When we let GOD’s word direct us in the way that we should go, we can experience a peace that goes well beyond our own understanding. And, we can experience that peace, not just in the millennial kingdom to come, GOD says (verse 18), that we can experience it right here, and right now, in this day, here on earth.
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander
Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Larry D. Alexander's Storefront - Lulu.com
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website
Larry D. Alexander-Christian Art
YouTube - Alexander Sunday School Lesson
Larry D. Alexander WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday January 16, 2011
REASSURANCE FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
(GOD, WHO is our FATHER, knows best)
(Isaiah 48)
In Isaiah 48 verses 1-11, the LORD speaks through HIS prophet Isaiah of a future time when Judah would be held in captivity in Babylon. It is something that would not occur for another 150 years. Yet, the Almighty GOD uses these prophecies to glorify HIMSELF, by telling HIS people ahead of time, just what HE would make happen in the not too distant future, because HE didn’t want HIS work to be accredited to idols. In making these predictions, GOD sought to separate HIMSELF from all of the idol gods that had, and would in the future, successfully penetrate the minds of HIS people.
Here, GOD tells Judah that her blatant hypocritical lifestyle, of wanting to serve, both HE, and their worthless idols, would not change, even after HE turns them over to Nebuchadnezzar to serve a 70-year punishment in captivity in Babylon in the year 586 B.C. GOD knew how stubborn and obstinate the Israelites were, and HE knows how stubborn and obstinate Christians are today. HE knows that our necks are unbending and that our heads are as hard as bronze. We have been rebels since the dawn of creation, and most of us will rebel against GOD all the way to the grave.
However, in verse 9 of this passage GOD says that, for HIS OWN sake, not ours, and for the honor of HIS name, HE will hold back HIS anger and not wipe us out completely. Instead, HE has chosen to refine us through suffering, and also, to rescue us from ourselves. And at that time, we will not be able to give credit for our salvation to anyone or anything, but HIM.
In the ancient times, as well as today, spiritual blindness was, and is, prevalent in the world among all peoples. Most people credit gracious, distinctive acts of GOD in their lives to “luck”, “our own genius”, or, “our own hard work”. We have no sense of GOD’s hand in our lives, and we are not responsive to HIS favor, nor, do we acknowledge the works of HIS hand in the world around us.
Verses 1-11 serve as a contrasting backdrop for the “grace” of GOD that is exhibited in the remainder of this chapter (and particularly in verse 17). We see in verses 12-22 a dramatic shift takes place, as GOD, once again, reassures HIS rebellious people of HIS intent to always be available to redeem us from our iniquities when we repent, no matter how hard we try over and over again, to destroy ourselves.
G.K. Chesterton once wrote, “For whatever is or is not true, this one thing is certain, we are not what we were meant to be”. We are that which was created, and, we are the benefactors of the brilliance and largesse of the CREATOR. Men and women were made by GOD to exercise dominion over the works of HIS hands, here on earth. But instead, we have become creatures who are frustrated by our own self-imposed circumstances, who are defeated by our temptations, and, who are surrounded by our own weaknesses.
And so, it is into this seemingly hopeless situation that GOD sent us HIS only begotten SON, so that whosoever believes in HIM, will not perish, but rather, will have everlasting life. And then, HE makes it possible for us to overcome an otherwise, saddened and doomed state of existence, and at the same time, help us to understand and become what we ought to be.
GOD’s divine moral laws were not given to us by HIM just to frustrate our “natural” human desires, and it is ridiculous for us to think such a thing. GOD set certain divine standards for us, in order to show us, just how far we are from what HE intended for us to be. HE wants to show us that, because we share HIS nature, we can be both good, and happy too. What we can’t be is bad and happy, and that’s something that we have already proven to ourselves long ago. When we let GOD’s word direct us in the way that we should go, we can experience a peace that goes well beyond our own understanding. And, we can experience that peace, not just in the millennial kingdom to come, GOD says (verse 18), that we can experience it right here, and right now, in this day, here on earth.
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander
Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Larry D. Alexander's Storefront - Lulu.com
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website
Larry D. Alexander-Christian Art
YouTube - Alexander Sunday School Lesson
Larry D. Alexander WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
Friday, January 7, 2011
WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday January 9, 2011
THE ONE TRUE GOD
(The only wise GOD, our SAVIOR through JESUS CHRIST)
(Isaiah 45)
The sovereignty and uniqueness of GOD is a recurring theme throughout the book of Isaiah. It is rife with divine declarations by GOD, such as, “I AM”, “I will”, “I AM the LORD”, “I AM the ONE, and “There is no other”. Here in Isaiah 45, that theme seems to resonate much more rapidly than perhaps, in any other chapter of this prophetic book.
In the opening lines of Isaiah 45, verses 1-3, two vivid prophecies concerning GOD’s plans for the great Persian king, Cyrus, serve as a segue to several more statements in verses 5-7, regarding HIS uniqueness as being the Almighty GOD of the universe. Here, we also see GOD’s clear condemnation of anyone who may dare to challenge HIS claim of absolute control over all things. The very fact that GOD communicated this message through HIS prophet, Isaiah, over 150 years in advance, surely separates HIM from all the idol gods, that even HIS very OWN chosen Israelites, had began giving homage to.
It is historically unlikely that Cyrus had ever even heard of YAHWEH, the GOD of the Israelites, because, at that time in history, the Israelites were one of the least among the many nations in his empire. And it is even more unlikely that Cyrus had ever communicated with any of GOD’s prophets in the past. Yet, GOD would choose this ungodly king to fulfill HIS OWN purpose, which was to secure the release the Israelites to return to their homeland following their 70-year time of punishment and captivity in Babylon.
In the Hebrew, the word translated in verse 8 as “righteousness” is “tsedek”, and, in this particular occurrence, as in Isaiah 41:2, it means “victory”. The word “salvation” here in this same verse, is from the Hebrew word “yesha”. Both of these words point to a “spiritual prosperity” that can only come from GOD. As believers, we gain “victory” through our “surrender” to CHRIST JESUS by accepting the free gift of “salvation”. And, as obedient believers, we celebrate our “victory” over sin and death, and are able to walk in the “righteousness” of CHIST JESUS for the remainder of our lives here on earth.
And so we see that neither of these words is used in their normal abstract sense in this instance, but rather, they refer to concrete realities that are as visible as the sky above, and as tangible as the earth that we walk on every day. They are both “distinctive acts of GOD”, not unlike what HE continues to use today, in our world of lost humanity, to conquer evil, and, to re-establish the peace that was long ago forfeited by the sins of man, beginning with Adam and Eve.
Through these divine acts of intervention, GOD would re-establish order, where there was now chaos. HE would remove HIS beloved Israel from a mostly oppressive captivity in Babylon, back into the serenity of their own inherited homeland, and then, HE would re-build a new, more beautiful Jerusalem, from out of the ruins of a city, long ago rendered ugly, by the adulterous acts of its chosen inhabitants.
And finally, verses 14-25 comprise a collection of prophecies declaring a monotheistic theme that is in keeping with the word of GOD throughout. Gentiles, as well as Jews, will all bow down to the only wise GOD in the end. And just because a person doesn’t believe in GOD, does not mean that GOD does not exist. Unfortunately, according to this passage, many proud unbelievers will have to be permanently bound for hell, in chains, before they finally acknowledge that GOD the FATHER of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST is the only GOD.
As it is expressed in the New Living Translation of the Christian Bible, after the LORD had called all the unbelievers to court to state their case, GOD sums up HIS OWN argument with this claim of being “The only true GOD”. There HE states, in verses 21b-23, that, “For there is no other GOD but ME, a just GOD and a SAVIOR, no, not one! Let all the world look to ME for salvation! For I AM GOD; there is no other. I have sworn by MY OWN name, and I will never go back on MY word: Every knee will bow to ME, and every tongue will confess allegiance to MY name”.
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander
Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Larry D. Alexander's Storefront - Lulu.com
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website
Larry D. Alexander-Christian Art
YouTube - Alexander Sunday School Lesson
Larry D. Alexander WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday January 9, 2011
THE ONE TRUE GOD
(The only wise GOD, our SAVIOR through JESUS CHRIST)
(Isaiah 45)
The sovereignty and uniqueness of GOD is a recurring theme throughout the book of Isaiah. It is rife with divine declarations by GOD, such as, “I AM”, “I will”, “I AM the LORD”, “I AM the ONE, and “There is no other”. Here in Isaiah 45, that theme seems to resonate much more rapidly than perhaps, in any other chapter of this prophetic book.
In the opening lines of Isaiah 45, verses 1-3, two vivid prophecies concerning GOD’s plans for the great Persian king, Cyrus, serve as a segue to several more statements in verses 5-7, regarding HIS uniqueness as being the Almighty GOD of the universe. Here, we also see GOD’s clear condemnation of anyone who may dare to challenge HIS claim of absolute control over all things. The very fact that GOD communicated this message through HIS prophet, Isaiah, over 150 years in advance, surely separates HIM from all the idol gods, that even HIS very OWN chosen Israelites, had began giving homage to.
It is historically unlikely that Cyrus had ever even heard of YAHWEH, the GOD of the Israelites, because, at that time in history, the Israelites were one of the least among the many nations in his empire. And it is even more unlikely that Cyrus had ever communicated with any of GOD’s prophets in the past. Yet, GOD would choose this ungodly king to fulfill HIS OWN purpose, which was to secure the release the Israelites to return to their homeland following their 70-year time of punishment and captivity in Babylon.
In the Hebrew, the word translated in verse 8 as “righteousness” is “tsedek”, and, in this particular occurrence, as in Isaiah 41:2, it means “victory”. The word “salvation” here in this same verse, is from the Hebrew word “yesha”. Both of these words point to a “spiritual prosperity” that can only come from GOD. As believers, we gain “victory” through our “surrender” to CHRIST JESUS by accepting the free gift of “salvation”. And, as obedient believers, we celebrate our “victory” over sin and death, and are able to walk in the “righteousness” of CHIST JESUS for the remainder of our lives here on earth.
And so we see that neither of these words is used in their normal abstract sense in this instance, but rather, they refer to concrete realities that are as visible as the sky above, and as tangible as the earth that we walk on every day. They are both “distinctive acts of GOD”, not unlike what HE continues to use today, in our world of lost humanity, to conquer evil, and, to re-establish the peace that was long ago forfeited by the sins of man, beginning with Adam and Eve.
Through these divine acts of intervention, GOD would re-establish order, where there was now chaos. HE would remove HIS beloved Israel from a mostly oppressive captivity in Babylon, back into the serenity of their own inherited homeland, and then, HE would re-build a new, more beautiful Jerusalem, from out of the ruins of a city, long ago rendered ugly, by the adulterous acts of its chosen inhabitants.
And finally, verses 14-25 comprise a collection of prophecies declaring a monotheistic theme that is in keeping with the word of GOD throughout. Gentiles, as well as Jews, will all bow down to the only wise GOD in the end. And just because a person doesn’t believe in GOD, does not mean that GOD does not exist. Unfortunately, according to this passage, many proud unbelievers will have to be permanently bound for hell, in chains, before they finally acknowledge that GOD the FATHER of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST is the only GOD.
As it is expressed in the New Living Translation of the Christian Bible, after the LORD had called all the unbelievers to court to state their case, GOD sums up HIS OWN argument with this claim of being “The only true GOD”. There HE states, in verses 21b-23, that, “For there is no other GOD but ME, a just GOD and a SAVIOR, no, not one! Let all the world look to ME for salvation! For I AM GOD; there is no other. I have sworn by MY OWN name, and I will never go back on MY word: Every knee will bow to ME, and every tongue will confess allegiance to MY name”.
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander
Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Larry D. Alexander's Storefront - Lulu.com
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website
Larry D. Alexander-Christian Art
YouTube - Alexander Sunday School Lesson
Larry D. Alexander WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
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