Jesus—A Fitting High Priest

Jesus came to earth to fulfill the will of His Father and to accomplish all of the prophecies concerning Him that had been made in the Bible. He has satisfied every one of those goals perfectly and completely, praise the Lord! Thanks to Jesus, all believers are blessed beyond measure.

He, the very one who descended, is also the one who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things. (Eph 4:10 NET)

Jesus ascended into Heaven after the resurrection, and was seated at the right hand of the Father God. Jesus has dominion, power and authority over all things; and He is the head of the church.

. . . which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. ²²And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, ²³which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (Eph 1:20-23 NKJV)

The point of the book of Hebrews is that Jesus Christ, God’s Son, has not just come to fit into the earthly system of priestly ministry as the best and final human priest, but He has come to fulfill and put an end to that system. He came to orient all of our attention on His ministering on our behalf in heaven. Hallelujah!

The Old Testament tabernacle and priests and sacrifices were shadows. They were indications of the truth that was yet to come. Now the reality has come to pass, and the shadows pass away.

For this next verse, we’ll look at two different versions of it:

Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. (Heb 7:26 NIV)

It’s appropriate for us to have this kind of high priest: holy, innocent, incorrupt, separate from sinners, and raised high above the heavens. (Heb 7:26 CEB)

As a High Priest, Jesus meets all of our needs and fulfills all of His spiritual and supernatural roles throughout eternity. We serve a living, powerful, and loving God.

The Kingdom of Heaven

The terms “Kingdom of Heaven” and “Kingdom of God” are synonymous; they represent the same thing.

“Many people think of the kingdom of God as heaven or as the church. However, the kingdom of God is not an actual physical place. A working definition of God’s kingdom from a biblical perspective can be seen as God’s universal reign as Creator and Christ’s exhaustive work as Redeemer. Since God is eternal, His kingdom is eternal. The Kingdom of God transcends time and space.”

(Source: https://www.ibelieve.com/faith/what-is-the-kingdom-of-god-10-things-christians-need-to-know.html)

Let’s see what the Bible says:

. . . and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. (Mt 18:3 NKJV)

In order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, one needs childlike faith and trust in the Lord. Just as earthly children trust their parents for their daily needs, we also must place our faith and trust in God the Father for daily shelter, food, protection, and all of life’s necessities.

Jesus told them another story: The kingdom of heaven is like what happens when a farmer plants a mustard seed in a field. ³²Although it is the smallest of all seeds, it grows larger than any garden plant and becomes a tree. Birds even come and nest on its branches. (Mt 13:31-32 CEV)

And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? ³¹It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; ³²yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” (Mk 4:30-32 RSV)

The Kingdom of Heaven is compared, in these Bible passages above, to a mustard seed that grows into a mighty plant whose branches become a home for birds as well as a protection from the shade for other animals.

Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (Joh 3:5-6 NKJV)

The Kingdom of God is a spiritual rule over the hearts and lives of all who have become part of His kingdom by submitting to His authority, and by accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord.

Wherever God’s faithful people are gathered is where the Kingdom of God can be found. God will meet us wherever we gather, whenever we call upon His Name.

A relationship with Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord is the basis of the Kingdom of God. It impacts all actions, thoughts, relationships, families, institutions, and governments. Everything on earth will come into contact with God’s Kingdom.

This Kingdom has grown all over the earth, and is still growing and overcoming all obstacles in order to touch the hearts and minds of people everywhere. Glory to God most High!

What Makes the Enemy Run?

What makes enemies run away? The presence of the Living God!

What about God’s presence in us and with us causes our enemies to “perish at His presence”?

When my enemies turn back, they shall fall and perish at Your presence. (Ps 9:3 NKJV)

This verse tells us that the enemies begin to run away (‘turn back’) and then they fall and then they perish (or die). God’s power, perfection, and glory have this devastating effect on those who work in defiance of God and of His will.

You will make them turn their backs when you aim your arrows at them. (Ps 21:12 NCV)

They run from God in fear and terror because the enemies of our souls are aware that God is always victorious, and His arrows never miss their targets.

You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes. (Ps 18:40 NIV)

The explanation for this verse is that the enemy (satan) sets ambushes for people and aims arrows of lack, sickness, strife and fear at God’s people. God’s arrows are the power of His spoken Word, His living Word, and His written Word. With the power and authority of Jesus Christ and His finished work of salvation, the Lord overcomes and overpowers the enemy easily as we trust in Him, and speak His Word in faith and power into our circumstances.

Rejoice in the goodness and the mighty power of our God!

Jesus, Beloved of the Father

Jesus is the cherished and treasured Son of the Heavenly Father.

He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (2 Pet 1:17 NIV) The Father declared His great love and approval of Jesus.

Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” (Mk 9:7 NIV) Not only does God, the Father, say again that He loves Jesus, but He tells us to listen to Jesus. The Lord wants us to not only listen to Jesus, but to OBEY Him.

The Father loves the Son and gives everything into his hands. (Joh 3:35 CEB) Again we see a declaration of the Father’s love for Jesus, as well as the truth that the Father has given Jesus authority over ALL THINGS. (See Mt 11:27; 28:18; 1 Pet 3:22)

Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. (Isa 42:1) In this passage of the Bible, we hear the Lord describing His Son, and reminding us that the Father defends and endorses His Son.

All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. (Lk 10:22) This Scripture verse highlights the close relationship between God, the Father, and Jesus. It also establishes the truth that Jesus will reveal the Father to those who trust in Him as Savior.

In Christ, all believers have been made complete. (Col 2:10) He has redeemed us from sin, death, and eternal damnation. Jesus is approved of and dearly loved by our heavenly Father. Jesus is God’s Elect One.

How many more reasons do we need for us to love and honor Jesus with everything we are and everything we have? Hallelujah!

Imparted Power

Most of us who follow Jesus Christ don’t realize how much power the Lord has imparted to us, His people. The word imparted means transferred, taught, or revealed.

When we read the Bible, we need to think deeply about each and every passage that we read. We should ask the Holy Spirit to guide us, teach us, and to give us revelations into the Scriptures.

Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ . . . (2 Cor 2:10 ESV)

We have authority to forgive others on behalf of the kingdom of God! Think about the significance of this, and don’t take it lightly.

If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld. (Joh 20:23 ESV)

Jesus has given us the example, along with our Heavenly Father, of forgiving mankind of all sin through the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. It is our responsibility to follow His good example and His teachings. Let’s advance the kingdom of God by being just like Him by extending merciful, and generous forgiveness to others.

And I tell you this—whatever you bind on earth is bound in heaven, and whatever you free on earth will be freed in heaven. (Mt 18:18 TL B)

We have power to bind on earth:

to truss up or tie up;
to hinder or inhibit people, demons, or calamitous events; and
to deter or prevent situations—as God directs.

We have authority to set free on earth:

to liberate (unshackle) people from bondage;
to emancipate human beings from every shame;
to release all those imprisoned by sickness, fear, pain, and the consequences of sin; and
to unshackle hurting ones from unhealthy situations and relationships.

The Lord Jesus has said clearly that He has given His followers power and authority. This is an important truth upon which to meditate, and ask God to give us insight and wisdom into it.

Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Lk 10:19)

Later, in the book of Luke, Jesus talks again about our being given power from heaven.

I am sending to you what my Father promised, so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high. (Lk 24:49 ISV) Recognize who you are and what you have been given. Believers are children of the Kingdom, and we have been given the message of the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ. It’s our job to bind or to set free the right things for the right reasons. It’s time for us to listen to and obey the direction of the Holy Spirit. Praise God!

God Crushes the Enemy

God crushes the enemy—He defeats him completely and utterly. This truth should reassure us and embolden our faith.

Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies. (Ps 60:12) God is the One who defeats our enemies.

With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies. (Ps 108:13) God walks all over our enemies. Some of our enemies are: fear, sickness, lack, pain, and danger.

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? ⁷The Lord is for me among those who help me; therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me. ⁸It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. (Ps 118:6-8) It is always best for us to put all of our faith and hope in the Lord above all others.

And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. (Rom 16:20)

Where does Romans 16 say that Satan will be crushed? Under OUR feet—under the feet of those who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The Bible has some further insights for us:

Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Lk 10:19) The Lord has given us power to fulfill His will on earth even as it is in heaven. (Mt 6:10)

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (Rom 8:37) Christ has given us the victory in all things, but we must be strong in faith, nothing wavering. (1 Cor 15:57; Heb 10:23)

Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. (Mt 18:18) God has given us, His people, power to hold back and restrict (bind) things on earth as well as the power to free up and cause things to pour forth upon the earth!

Jesus has given His church power so that we can fulfill His will and His plan. Read and meditate upon God’s Word daily in order to strengthen your faith, and to gain boldness in the Lord. God is using His church (His people) as His instrument to trounce the enemy!

God’s Standard Against the Enemy

So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. (Isa 59:19 NKJV)

In the New King James Version, the word STANDARD represents a force, like a narrow flood, that flows with great speed and force, and carries away everything before it. By the word of the Lord and by His power, the attack of the enemy shall be broken.

Here’s the same Scripture from two other versions of the Bible.

From the west, people will fear the name of the Lord, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. (Isa 59:19 NIV)

So they shall fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come like a rushing stream, which the wind of the Lord drives. (Isa 59:19 ESV)

The Lord’s power shall come like a rushing stream driven along by the wind of the Lord. The WIND OF THE LORD signifies the power and might of the Holy Spirit. This word image allows us to image the majestic power and authority of our God. He is worthy of all praise!

How appropriate is the passage in Jeremiah:

There is none like you, O Lord; you are great, and your name is great in might. ⁷Who would not fear you, O King of the nations? For this is your due; for among all the wise ones of the nations and in all their kingdoms there is none like you. (Jer 10:6-7 ESV)

Whenever the Lord drives the enemy to flight as described in the verses above, it will trigger a wave of humanity glorifying God and giving Him thanks, praise and honor.

If your church, community or family comes under an unprecedented campaign against you, meditate upon Isaiah 59:19 and ask the Lord to bring it to pass in your situation.

How Do You Value Your Soul?

When all is said and done—when we all reach the end of our lives—what value do we place upon our own soul? How can we each understand right now, in the present, what we will realize at the end of our life?

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? (Mt 16:26 ESV)

But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ (Lk 12:20 NKJV)

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? ³⁷Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mk 8:36-37)

For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? (Lk 9:25)

As these Bible passages point out, what good is it to be wealthy, influential, highly educated or well-traveled if, after it’s all finished, we lose our own soul in eternity? If we think that’s okay, then we do NOT place any value whatsoever on our soul or upon our very self. God values human beings and we need to learn from Him to value ourselves very highly. Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price for each and every soul who accepts Him as Savior.

God created man in His own image! What great value God places upon each one of us. Another verse says that God gave mankind dominion or authority over all of the earth. (Gen 1:26-27) He put mankind in a place of authority over the planet.

God says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Ps 139:14) God Himself forms each and every newborn baby. (Ps 139:13 ESV) Having a child is accurately thought to be a reward from God. (Ps 127:3)

God so loved and valued each one of us that He sent His only Son to redeem all of us. (Joh 3:16) This precious gift of redemption must be accepted and received, individually, to be able to take effect in our lives. The Lord warns us to be fearful of the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Mt 10:28) The Lord is talking about the enemy of our souls, Satan.

The advice the Lord gives us concerning our souls is this:

The law of the Lord (God’s Word) refreshes the soul (Ps 19:7) – read, study, and meditate upon the Word of God, the Bible.
Pleasant words, like honey, gives sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. (Pro 16:24) Speak pleasant words to others and over your family and over yourself. These words will truly bless everyone.
The Holy Spirit inspired the Bible passage in 3 John 2: Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. (emphasis added) We need to pursue those habits that contribute to the prosperity of our immortal souls!

We should live our lives in close relationship with Jesus, and obey His Word in order to be blessed. We reveal that we value our souls very highly by this lifestyle, and God will bless each one of us for it. Praise God!

Know God = Have Strength & Courage

Pursuing a deep, profound knowledge of God and His nature will impart courage and strength to your soul.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Josh 1:9)

. . . the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. (Dan 11:32b, emphasis added)

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. (Mt 11:12)

. . . strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” (Ac 14:22)

The better you know God, which is a consequence of studying the Bible and spending time in the presence of the Lord, the greater courage, strength, and boldness you’ll have to serve Him.

You’ll have boldness to be His ambassador on the earth, enforcing the will of God on earth as it is in Heaven. (Mt 6:10)
You’ll have courage and authority to step out in faith and heal the sick, preach the Word, and to testify of God’s love for all mankind. (Deut 31:6; Ps 27:1; 56:3-4; Isa 41:10, 13; Mt 10:1; Mk 6:7; 10:8; Lk 9:1-2; 10:19)
Lastly, you’ll have the strength and perseverance needed to pass through tribulations, and to enter the kingdom of God. (Ac 14:22; Col 1:11; Phil 4:13; Ro 15:5)

Deepen your relationship with the Lord so that you KNOW Him deeply; and become bold, strong, and courageous today!

Jesus, the Root, Destined to Reign

These various passages of Scripture referring to Jesus as a “root,” “root of Jesse,” and “root of David” are all referring to one Person: Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer.

But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” (Rev 5:5)

There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. (Isa 11:1)

“And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious.” (Isa 11:10)

For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. (Isa 53:2)

And again, Isaiah says: “There shall be a root of Jesse; and He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, in Him the Gentiles shall hope.” (Rom 15:12)

These various designations signify that Jesus is a descendant of both Jesse (David’s father), and of King David.

Jesus is also a member of the tribe of Judah, which is why He is referred to as the “Lion of the tribe of Judah.” Judah means “praise,” and it is also the tribe out of which Kings were born. The Bible reveals Jesus’ bloodline dating back to Jacob, of the House of David.

In Romans 5, the Bible clearly states that “the root of Jesse” who rises up to reign over the Gentiles, in Him shall the Gentiles hope. We acknowledge that we have a Covenant-keeping God who is committed to drawing all people to Himself through Christ and His cross! (John 12:32) The Lord is drawing all people—not only Jews, but Gentiles as well—to Himself.

The Lord is reconciling all people to Himself through His cross! (Col.1:15-20) The Father God will unite all people under Christ’s loving authority when the eras have reached their fulfillment! (Eph. 1:9-11) Hallelujah!

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