And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. ~ 1 Timothy 3:16

The gospel is unique in that it is not based on mythology. One concern that I personally have is the mythological ideologies that many Christians have surrounding their understanding of the gospel, especially the cross of Christ.

For example, when Jesus cried out “My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?”, he did so in the most vulnerable time. Rather than understanding these words from the real human experience of Christ, we often come up with all sorts of mystical ideas as to what God was doing to punish him behind the scenes.

Here is the truth, Jesus truly felt abandoned in that hour. He felt the weight of what was happening. He was dying, and the hand of God was not going to save him from this hour. He must go through it. He was sent into the world for this purpose, and he was now in the painful throes of it.

The fact that Jesus felt abandoned in that hour, in no way indicates that God was unfaithful to him or had turned on him. Suffering is part of the human experience, and tragedy often leads most of us to question God’s concern for us. Jesus experienced the full weight of human suffering coupled with the feeling of “where is God?”

When Christ suffered for us, not only was he making atonement for our sins, but he was also being perfected to be our High Priest forever. Consider the words of the writer of Hebrews.

For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him… ~ Hebrews 5:1-5

The sufferings of the cross were part of the process in which Jesus was being made perfect in his humanity to be our High Priest. Consider the following texts from Hebrews:

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour (come to the aid of) them that are tempted. ~ Hebrews 2: 14-18

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. ~ Hebrews 4:14-16 

The desperate cry of Jesus, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me” came at the most intense hour of Jesus’s human experience, in which he was being perfected as our High Priest. Jesus had known this hour was coming and literally dreaded it.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. ~ John 12:24-27

And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand. ~ Mark 14:32-42 

Consider the weight of this moment for Jesus. His friends (the disciples) had failed him, unable to pray with him. Judas had betrayed him to the Jewish authorities who despised him and were plotting to kill him. He was about to be beaten, publicly humiliated, sentenced to death, and nailed to a cross. He willingly did this for us, knowing that God had withdrawn his protective hand because this was the only way to save humanity. He also had to be made perfect through suffering to be our great High Priest who is merciful and compassionate and touched with the feeling of our infirmities.

Do not fail to grasp the human experience of what Jesus must have felt as he was experiencing all of this. Yet, he never stopped trusting God. He never sinned. He endured it all for us.

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. ~ Hebrews 12:2-4 

Notice that the writer of Hebrews tells us to consider what Jesus endured so that we will not be weary and faint in our minds. Christ did not feel abandoned because of God turning his back on him. He felt abandoned because of the things he suffered like we all could feel if we are in the throes of death or tragedy.

In the book of Acts, the real human experience of Jesus was preached by the apostles and the Holy Spirit confirmed that testimony with power. Do not allow mysticism to creep into your beliefs about the sufferings of Christ. Allow the testimony of scripture about the real human experience of Jesus to fill your heart. The mystery of godliness is based on the truth that God was manifested in the flesh. Jesus redeemed us not by some mystical “behind the scenes” event. He redeemed us by suffering in his flesh and enduring the pain of human agony, and his human body and blood were sacrificed for us. He did this for two reasons: He loved God and he loved us!

May God grant us all understanding.

He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He. ~ Deuteronomy 32:4

And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery. ~ 2 Chronicles 19:7

The belief that God poured out his wrath on Jesus is sometimes referred to as a divine exchange, and portrays God as condemning the innocent in order to justify the guilty. This theological view puts God at odds with his holy and innocent Son, and has God turning his back on Jesus when he was the most vulnerable. Jesus trusted the Father and was innocent in his sight, yet God turned on him and condemned him according to this view.

It is fair to point out that this theology creates a view of God that is contrary to everything the scriptures teach about God’s justice, equity, and compassion. If anyone were to portray God in this fashion apart from this theological view of the cross, they would likely be labeled a heretic and a false teacher. Yet the very same people who would label others as such for portraying God as such an unjust Judge, do the same when they portray God as doing that which was unjust to his own Son at the cross.

God’s throne is established on righteousness and truth (Psalm 89:14), and justifying the wicked and condemning the just are an abomination to the Lord (Psalm 89:14). Thus, it is fair to ask the question, why would God abandon the truth on which his throne is established and do that which is an abomination in his sight, then hold the world accountable to this very injustice on the day of judgment?

On the contrary, Jesus is the one by whom God is going to judge the world in righteousness, because Jesus is God’s righteous servant whom God vindicated by raising him from the dead.

It is fair to ask why anyone would think that God would need to abandon his own law, authority, and justice to show mercy to sinners. If God is all wise, could he not find a way to justify the ungodly without perverting his own justice? Certainly! And he did.

God justifies the ungodly through the blood of the innocent Christ who loved us and gave himself for us. God justifies the sinner who has faith in his Son who he gave his life as an innocent lamb without spot or blemish. That Jesus’s blood provides justification for all who believe speaks to the virtue of Christ’s innocence and holiness in the sight of God.

At the cross an innocent man died at the hands of sinful men. Jesus was condemned unjustly. The scriptures actually teach this over and over again. According to Peter’s first epistle, Jesus suffered wrongfully when he was condemned to death by sinful men, but Jesus committed himself to God who judges righteously. If we know that Jesus placed his hope in God as the righteous judge when he suffered wrongfully at the hands of men, why do we insist that it was God’s justice condemning him?

Still, there are those who will argue that it wasn’t that which men did to Jesus that mattered. It was that which God did behind the scenes, when God poured out his wrath on Jesus’s soul.  This argument doesn’t hold water when we consider what the scriptures have to say. According to the New Testament, Jesus’s body is the offering for our sins, and it was Jesus’s blood that redeemed us, reconciled us, justified us, and cleansed us from all sin. The body and blood of Jesus are given to the church in holy communion as that by which we call to remembrance what Jesus has done for us. The body of Jesus was slain by men, the blood of Jesus was shed by men who killed him. God saves us through the broken body and shed blood of Jesus.

God did not condemn the spotless lamb of God, by whose blood he saves the sinner. God justified his Son, and vindicated him by raising him from the dead. A careful examination of the scriptures shows that the death of Christ was an injustice by men, and the resurrection was God’s justice turning the injustice up on its head. Consider the following from the New Testament.

Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. ~ Acts 2:22-24

The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. ~ Acts 3: 13-15

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. ~ Acts 4:10-12

The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. ~ Acts 5:30-32

Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. ~ Acts 7:51-56

The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. ~ Acts 10:36-43

Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. But God raised him from the dead: And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people. And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. ~ Acts 13:26-39 

The sure mercies of David (mentioned above) was the messianic promise God made to his Son that he would raise him from the dead. Consider Isaiah 55:

Give heed with your ears, and follow my ways: hearken to me, and your soul shall live in prosperity; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, the sure mercies of David.  Behold, I have made him a testimony among the Gentiles, a prince and commander to the Gentiles. Nations which know thee not, shall call upon thee, and peoples which are not acquainted with thee, shall flee to thee for refuge, for the sake of the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel; for he has glorified thee. ~ Isaiah 55:3-5 (Brenton Septuagint translation)

Over and over again, the resurrection is spoken of in scripture as God’s response to what the people did to Jesus. It was God’s holy and righteous response fulfilling his promise to his holy Son who trusted in him. It may surprise some, but the words from Acts 13 above are the words of the apostle Paul. It wasn’t the disciples of Jesus only who believed that Jesus had suffered unjustly, it was also Paul. Consider the following from Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians.

For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. ~ 1 Thessalonians 2:140-16

Paul never preached that God condemned Jesus at the cross. Those who think so are reading  Paul wrong. God did not pervert his justice by condemning a righteous and innocent man at the cross. The one who died for us was murdered as Stephen declared in Acts 7, and suffered wrongfully as Peter says in his first epistle. He died as an innocent lamb who laid down his life because he loved us and for his sake God has forgiven our sins (Ephesians 4:32; 1 John 2:12).

Jesus is, was, and always will be holy and unblemished, and for this reason, the grave could not hold him. God was not his adversary at the cross. God did not condemn him. God was in Christ reconciling the world, and by the grace of God Jesus tasted death for every man.

In his old age, the apostle Peter never relented in his belief that Jesus had suffered unjustly, and that Jesus’s faith in God when suffering wrongfully is our example to follow, because just as God vindicated Jesus, even so God is the righteous judge for us. 

For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

May God grant us all an understanding heart.

I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake. ~ 1 John 2:12

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. ~ Ephesians 4:32

If you will let these verses sink down into your heart you will find the true beauty in the cross of Christ. Christ died for us, because he loved us. He died as a spotless lamb and it is for his sake (the sake of the innocent lamb of God) that God has forgiven our sins.

In Revelation 1:5, John tells us that Jesus loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood. It was love that freed us from sin. It was the perfect, sinless, holy Christ that sanctified us and made us accepted in the eyes of God.

Peter tells us that we were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. ~ 1 Peter 1:18

In the Old Testament when the sacrifices which foreshadowed Jesus were offered, they had to be offered as holy and unblemished sacrifices.

Consider for a moment what the ideology that claims that God poured out his wrath on Jesus, really teaches. It states that before God could save us, forgive us, redeem us, God had to exhaust all his wrath on a holy, pure, sinless, and spotless victim. It states that God had to get retribution on the innocent to save the guilty.

This concept is taught nowhere in scripture. It literally has to be built into texts and is of pagan origins. It is not the revelation of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Proverbs 17:15 tells us, He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord. God does not justify the guilty by condemning the innocent. This would make God an unjust Judge, but this is exactly what many teach. Instead, God justifies the guilty because the innocent lays down his life for the guilty, and this is what Jesus did when he gave his life for us.

God forgives us not because he condemned the Just One, but because the Just one gave his life for us. Oh, if we could just see the marvelous truth of the saving Christ, how it would change our affection for Jesus. Peter preaching in Acts 3 says the following:

The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. ~ Acts 3:13-15

It wasn’t God who denied the Holy and Just One, it was the people! We are not forgiven because God punished Christ out of his anger/wrath. We are forgiven because Christ loved us even as the Father loves us, and gave his life to save us. Jesus willingly took the penalty of death when there was no sin in him and by his blood, he redeemed us.

This disposition in Jesus,  was to God a sweet fragrance (Ephesians 5:1-2). And for his sake, God has made us accepted in him, and forgiven us ! Think about this today and let the reality of this beautiful, lovely truth take root into your heart. For Christ’s sake, you belong to God and your sins are forgiven! 

For Christ’s sake your sins are forgiven. For his name’s sake your sins are forgiven.

After God called Abraham, he promised Abraham that the land of Canaan would be given to his descendants as an inheritance forever (see Genesis 13:15).

Does this then mean that the promise of the land inheritance has relevance today? If we were to take Genesis 13:15 along with Genesis 17:8 at face value only without considering the balance of scripture, then we would certainly have to come to a conclusive yes, but does the balance of scripture support such an interpretation?

To begin, consider Genesis 13:15 and Genesis 17:8

For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. ~ Genesis 13:15

And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. ~ Genesis 17:8 

The same Hebrew word translated forever in Genesis 13:15 is translated  everlasting in Genesis 17:8. Now, that’s certainly a good start if we are going to build a case that the land inheritance is still relevant.

However, we immediately have our first hurdle before we ever get out of Genesis 17. In verses 10-14, we read that physical circumcision is an everlasting covenant and that the land inheritance coincides with circumcision. The “uncircumcised” have no share in the covenant through which the land was to be inherited.

This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant. ~ Genesis 17:10-14

This immediately becomes problematic in building a defense for the land inheritance having relevance today because in the New Testament the apostle Paul tells us that circumcision in the flesh no longer has any value. According to Paul, it is the circumcision of the heart (in the Spirit) which matters.

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. ~ Galatians 5:6

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. ~ Galatians 6:15

As we continue through the scriptures we find that the feast of Passover and unleavened bread are said to be an ordinance forever (Exodus 12:14, 17, 24), and the Sabbath was to be a covenant forever. ~ Exodus 31:16-17

Yet the New Testament tells us that these were only shadows of Christ (Colossians 2:16-17) and that Christ Himself is our Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7).

The ministry of the Levitical priesthood (Aaron and his descendants) within the tabernacle is said to be a statute forever (Exodus 27:21, Exodus 28:43, Exodus 30:21, Leviticus 24:1-3) and an ordinance forever (Numbers 18:8). The wearing of the priestly garments by the sons of Aaron was also referred to as a perpetual (forever) statue. The ceremonial washing of the hands of the priests who served in the tabernacle was to be a statue forever. ~ Exodus 30:21

Yet according to the New Testament priesthood established under the law has been abolished and has given way to one that is greater and more glorious, and that is the Priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Law of Moses also declares that the Levites were to be servants to the priests and this was to be a statute forever. ~ Numbers 18:23

The law of the portion of meat offering which belonged to the sons of Aaron was also to be a statute forever. ~ Leviticus 6:14-19

The daily meat offerings offered by Aaron and his descendants was to be a statute forever. ~ Leviticus 6:20

The commandment for Aaron and his sons not to drink wine nor strong drink in the tabernacle was to be a statute forever. ~ Leviticus 10:9

The heave and wave offerings belonging to the Levitical priests and their families were a statue forever. ~ Exodus 29:28; Leviticus 10:15: Numbers 18:19

Like Passover, the Day of Atonement was also to be a statue forever (Leviticus 16:29, 34, Leviticus 23:31). Yet according to the New Testament, those things which were done under the Law on the Day of Atonement served as a foreshadowing of Christ (Hebrews 10:1-4) and have now been taken away because Christ has become the High Priest of a greater and a perfect tabernacle.

With regards to sacrifices for sin, the Law of Moses also says that the sin offering of the red heifer was to be a statute forever. ~ Numbers 19:9-11

Yet Hebrews 9:13-14 says, For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

As we can see the use of the language forever as it applied to the Old Testament promises, statues, and ordinances doesn’t mean for all eternity, without any change as they originally were.

In studying the scriptures, we should consider the qualifying clause “throughout your generations” and other similar clauses. These should be taken into account when considering those things which were said to be forever.

For instance, Genesis 17 says the covenant of circumcision and the land inheritance is forever in view of those generations.

In Exodus 12:14 the scripture says, And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance forever. ~ See also verses 17 and 42

The daily offering of the burnt offering was to be throughout your generations (Exodus 29:42). The yearly consecration of the altar of Incense by the High Priest on the Day of Atonement was to be throughout your generations. ~ Leviticus 30:10

The Old Covenant was a covenant for God’s people in the flesh and was binding throughout their generations, wherein the revelation of Christ was hidden in a mystery (Colossians 1:26).The forevers were types and foreshadowings of Christ.

God has saved us according to his mercy by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost (Titus 3:5) and that which was in the flesh has now given way to that which is in the Spirit.

The forevers of the physical covenant has given way and been translated to forever in Christ!

The eternal ordinances (the forevers) such as Passover continue, but now we celebrate them in Christ and not in the outward offering of animals. The same holds true for the land inheritance, for in Christ we become citizens of the Heavenly city, New Jerusalem. Also, the Sabbaths and all other forevers of the first covenant have been fully realized in the person of Jesus Christ in whom we have our true and inheritance and eternal rest

Christ is our Passover, He is our Sabbath, He is our promised land!

This teaching is a biblical response to those who claim that Christians have authority over the weather.

And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! ~ Matthew 8:23-27

Notice the reaction by the disciples when Jesus calmed the winds and the sea. They were in awe of the power of Christ, saying, “What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!”

They were in awe because power over the elements is not something ordinary men possess. Jesus had power over nature because he was the creator, God in the flesh. There is no text anywhere in the New Testament which teaches that Christians possess such authority. Now consider the following from the book of Mark.

And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. ~ Matthew 14:25-33

Peter is the only person in all of scripture, other than Jesus, who ever walked on water. Peter did not walk on water because he had authority over the sea. He walked on water because Jesus, God’s Son, empowered him to do so. Yet Peter began to sink when he took his eyes off of Jesus and doubted. Jesus took Peter by the hand, pulled him up, and Peter walked with Jesus on the water to the ship. Once there, the other disciples which were in the ship came and worshiped Jesus.

Notice that the disciples did not respond to Peter briefly walking on the water as if he had done something great. Instead, they worshipped Jesus, and declared that he was the Son of God. They did not come away from this experience believing that they had power over nature because their fellow disciple had walked on the water. They came away believing that Jesus had authority over nature because he is indeed the Son of God who is worthy of worship.

In Acts 27, the apostle Paul was a prisoner on board a ship which was destroyed by a storm. Paul did not exercise authority over the weather. Instead, Paul trusted God for the saving of all the lives of the men on the ship.

If Christians have authority over the weather, this would have been a good time for Paul to use such authority, but he didn’t because only God has power over the weather. We can learn from Acts 27 that we ought to pray and trust God when danger comes. A certain segment of Westernized Christians need to stop pretending they have the same divine abilities that Jesus had. Jesus is the only man who has all authority over creation because Jesus is not just a man. He is the very Son of God and God in the flesh.

In closing, consider Paul’s experience in Acts 27.

1 And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band.

2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.

3 And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.

4 And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

5 And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.

6 And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.

7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;

8 And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,

10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.

11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.

13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.

14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.

15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.

16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:

17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.

18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;

19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.

20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.

23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.

27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;

28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.

29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.

30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,

31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.

34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.

36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.

37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.

38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.

39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.

40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.

41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

42 And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.

43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land. ~ Acts 27

Back in the late 80’s there was a teaching I listened to by Bob Philips who was one of the Pastors at Times Square Church in New York City. The teaching was on the Names of God, and I have never heard a better teaching on the names of God in my 43 years as a Christian. He taught on God’s names as Elohim the creator, Jehovah the God who keeps covenant and has never broken a promise, Adonai our Master, our Lord, and the Lord of Host, the God who fights the battles of his people, whose never lost a battle, and never been defeated. 

Under the Old Testament, God revealed himself at different times by different names, each giving a revelation of himself to his people. For instance, when God appeared to Abraham, he revealed himself as the All Sufficient One.

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. ~ Genesis 17:1

In the Hebrew, Almighty God is translated El Shaddai, meaning the All Sufficient One.  The God of Abraham is the All Sufficient One! Possibly, it was this revelation that inspired the name Jehovah Jireh which Abraham gave to the place where God provided a ram for a burnt offering after he tested Abraham. Throughout Israel’s history under the Old Testament, the people of God would make appeals to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacab when they really wanted to get God’s attention.

When Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal, he prayed the following:

And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel (Jacob), let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. ~ 1 Kings 18:36

Though Abraham knew God, There was a revelation about himself that he later revealed to Moses that he hadn’t revealed to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the Lord: And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name Jehovah was I not known to them. And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers. ~ Exodus 6:2-3

Now, Abraham obviously knew God was Jehovah, because he named the place at Mount Moriah Jehovah Jireh, however, God’s revelation of himself to Abraham was God Almighty and God’s Covenant with Abraham is marked by Abraham’s faith. Abraham is the father of faith to all who believe. Moses on the other had knew God as redeemer, deliver, and Savior, for Moses was sent to lead the people out of bondage and into the promised land. When the people of Israel refused to believe God as Abraham had believed God, they sinned and fell in the wilderness. Consequently, God brought the second generation of Israelites into the promised land through Moses’s successor, Joshua.

As the Old Testament continued to unfold, God revealed himself by his names to his servants like David, Daniel, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. The Old Testament is a continual unveiling of God’s revelation of himself to his people. This unveiling reached its climax when Jesus, God’s Son, came into the world. Jesus was and is God in the flesh. He is the full revelation of God to humanity, and this revelation is the power that is contained in his name. The name of Jesus has all power and authority because the Son of God is the full revelation of God Himself to us. 

In Acts 2, whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. In Acts 3, faith in the name of Jesus healed a man who had been crippled his entire life. In Acts 4, the name of Jesus is the only name given under heaven whereby we must be saved. In Acts 5, the disciples rejoiced because they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus. In Acts 8 the people of Samaria believed the things Philip preached concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. In Acts 9, Saul who later became the apostle Paul was chosen to bear the name of Jesus the Gentiles, and Kings, and the children of Israel. In Acts 10, all the prophets give witness that through his name whosoever believes will receive the remission of sins. In Acts 16, the name of Jesus drove an evil spirit out of a young lady who was in bondage to divination. In Acts 19, the name of Jesus was magnified among the Jews and Greeks at Ephesus. In Acts 21, Paul declared that he was ready to die for the name of the Lord Jesus.

The name of Jesus takes center stage in the New Testament because it is the name above all names!

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ~ Philippians 2:9-11

In closing, too many debate over whether we should say the name Yeshua or Jesus, and never truly experience the power of his name. Jesus’s name in every language is powerful and glorious because it’s him we are acknowledging. So whether was say Yeshua, or Jesus, we should doe so in reverence and in faith because we are declaring him!

May God reveal the power of the name of Jesus/Yeshua to your heart.