The Lamb of God

March 1, 2015 Background Scripture: John 1:29 – 34 Lesson Passage: John 1:29 – 34 As a child, I recall seeing several pictures hanging on the living room wall in many homes. This lesson brings one of them to mind. It was a Michelangelo’s type rendition of Jesus holding a cute little lamb in his left arm while pointing upwardly with his right index finger. Another picture on the wall in several churches back home depicted Jesus walking among a flock of sheep with a shepherd’s staff in his right hand. In both cases the focus was on Jesus’ tender care for a helpless little lamb. I must admit, the sermons in those churches where the picture hung seldom matched the picture. The pictures depicted Jesus’ tender side but the sermons often contained stern warnings about God’s vengeance against all unrighteousness. I believe both sides are brought to bear in our lesson text. God has a lamb that is tender and innocent. Because of his meekness, he seems almost helpless without the Father’s care. On the flip side, the stern warnings of doom to people who trust in themselves seem to go unheeded—not because people don’t care but because they don’t always know about the option that God has made available for us. God’s innocent little lamb will take our place and suffer the doom warranted because of our unrighteousness. The lamb will be given in exchange for the souls of many. Although innocent, the lamb will suffer as a criminal before finally yielding its life so that its blood can atone for our souls. The difference between the pictures and God’s lamb is striking. The lamb in the pictures was indeed a dumb animal that had no knowledge of right or wrong or what it means to die. In other words, part of its innocence came from not having intelligence and awareness of moral and ethical behavior. God’s lamb is intelligent and quite aware of what it means to suffer and die a sinner’s death. As a sinner, there must be an experience of separation from the presence of God and His holiness. God’s lamb had never known such separation. God’s lamb would experience more than just the love of the Father. It would also endure being the object of God’s wrath for it would become a detestable thing in God’s sight. The lamb would be plunged into darkness as the Father would refuse to look upon it in its sinful state. The lamb’s death will satisfy God’s righteous indignation towards sinful people. Many will be reconciled back to God through the vicarious death of the lamb. The lamb’s innocence before God will be transferred to people who look to the lamb for redemption. The lamb’s suffering will be accepted in the place of the suffering that mankind rightfully deserves. Man will be made right with God because the lamb will be made sin for mankind and will suffer the fate of sinners. Israel waited patiently for centuries for the arrival of the Lamb of God. John the Baptist publically proclaimed his arrival with the words: Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world. Not long after that proclamation, John the Baptist declared that his ministry would now begin to fade as the Lamb’s ministry begins to grow. Robert C. Hudson February 18, 2015

Clothed and Ready

February 22, 2015 Background Scripture: Ephesians 6:10 – 20 Lesson Passage: Ephesians 6:10 – 20 It has been said that you are not properly dressed until you put on your smile. Our lesson today will show that a smile might make a nice accessory to one’s physical dress but it does not make the list of spiritual wear. Physical clothing is needed for protection and it is often used to maintain a wholesome sense of modesty and to avoid embarrassment. Physical clothing is often used to make us comfortable. On the other hand, spiritual clothing is used for spiritual warfare. No serious person of war would ever think of entering battle or even a war zone without the proper clothing and gear. Today’s lesson allows us to review the spiritual person’s clothing and gear. The point can be made that it is head-to-toe but not front-to-back. Our spiritual gear is for spiritual warfare and not spiritual comfort. Christians don’t have to look for a war zone. Demonic activities will ensure that the spiritual battle will come to us over and over again. Therefore, it is wise for us to be properly dressed spiritually and properly armed at all times. We cling to the truth of our salvation to help protect our thoughts from the attacks of the enemy. The spiritual battle often engages us in our minds. Our testimony of saving faith is rehearsed over and over if only in our minds. We must constantly remind ourselves of who we are in Christ as we endure spiritual battles in our lives. Our spiritual hearts must be protected through the acknowledgement of Christ’s righteousness in us and the righteous acts we do because we are Christians—not that we do these things to become Christians. Our right standing before God is solely the redemptive work of Christ and not a result of any actions or inactions on our part. This understanding and affirmation aid in protecting our most vital spiritual organ. We must wear truth even as we would a belt. A belt is not a piece of clothing but an accessory to our clothing. Some clothing does not fit properly without a belt to hold it all together. Truth is an all-important accessory to our spiritual clothing. The truth found in God’s word helps us hold it all together as far as our faith is concerned. Christians are just not the same without it. Christians should always stand on the gospel as God’s exclusive means of salvation to anyone who accepts it. As we go, this is a constant part of our understanding. Our faith protects us from demonic attacks. What is faith? It is the assurance we receive through the knowledge of the word of God that gives us both insight and foresight. It was by faith that the spiritual leaders of the past excelled and received God’s approval. They didn’t always receive what they were longing for but their faith satisfied their desire. The word of God is our primary weapon. Jesus used it during his temptation in the wilderness. He also used it in the Temple and synagogues to battle those who through misinformed knowledge attempted to attack him. Perhaps a smile would be an interesting accessory but if we have these spiritual items, then with or without a smile, we are clothed and ready. Robert C. Hudson January 29, 2015

Serving the Least

February 15, 2015 Background Scripture: Matthew 25 Lesson Passage: Matthew 25:31 – 46 One should be careful when interpreting scripture text—especially when it is about Divine judgment. The perspective we should maintain for our text today is that this particular judgment is oftentimes referred to as the Judgment of Nations. This is not to suggest that it is not about the judgment of individuals but it is not about the judgment of Christians. Christians were vicariously judged for their sins at Calvary. What remains for Christians is the judgment of works to determine rewards and in some cases shame. This is not to suggest that there is not worthwhile information and instructions to be gained from properly studying this text but care must be exercised to keep the context in mind. For instance, if a Christian knows that lost persons will be judged based on how they treat the least of these on earth, then the urgency to live as Christians in our dealings with others should be heightened. We see then that God is concerned about the least and we who are called to reflect His glory should care likewise. But we should also be concerned about the judgment of nations because we are talking about our fellowman. Once we know the outcome of the judgment of souls at the judgment seat of Christ, then we should be vigilant in our evangelistic efforts. This lesson can serve to dispel ignorance as an excuse to not evangelize the lost. So who are the least of these? Jesus described them as hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick, and imprisoned. These are serious human conditions both physically and spiritually. In fact it is difficult in some cases and impossible in others to assist people spiritually before their physical needs have been eased. Jesus noted that sometimes when multitudes followed him it was not for spiritual reasons but they saw him as capable of meeting their physical needs. It is strange how we will sometimes reverse the order and not want to meet people’s physical needs until after they have surrendered spiritually. The gospel accounts record that many surrendered to Jesus only after he met their physical need. In this discourse, Jesus relates the treatment of the least to the treatment of himself. Put another way, Jesus was emphatic that he takes it personal when someone harms the least among us. The spiritual side of this is just as true as Jesus stated it in his Sermon on the Mount. He spoke of the blessings upon those who hungered and thirsted after righteousness. Righteousness is a spiritual condition. In his inaugural statement in a synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus announced that he was come to set the captives free. This was not speaking of a jailbreak but a spiritual loosening of souls. He also talked about the spiritual healing of his ministry and that those who were well—or at least thought they were—did not need a physician. Many went after him for the physical healing but the greatest act of healing he has to offer is spiritual healing. As a result of Jesus’ view of these things, his agenda was built around ministering to the least in society. Jesus was often run out of what should have been religious settings in the synagogues or temple. It was out among the least where the multitudes grew into the thousands. I believe today’s lesson can serve as a reminder of how the local church can set its agenda to serve the least among us. Robert C. Hudson January 29, 2015