Who Is Like Thee, O God, Among the gods? Who Is Like Thee, Glorious In Holiness, Fearful In Praises, Doing Wonders? - Part 1065

Jesus answered and said unto them, "Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God." (Matthew 22:29)

There was a time when the disciples were also at a loss for understanding. A perfect example of this can be found after Jesus had been buried in the tomb. The disciples had gone to the sepulchre where Jesus had been buried, but He was not there (only finding His linen clothes lying, and the napkin that wrapped around His head together in a place by itself). So, they went away again unto their own home because "for as yet, they knew not the scripture that He must rise again from the dead." (John 20:1-10)

How many times do we miss the mark in our own lives because we too -- like the disciples in this instance --  have not taken time to study the scriptures? To get to know our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ personally in His fullness, and His power? All the fullness of God dwelling bodily in a sin-prone flesh. (Colossians 2:9) And, to likewise understand that within the scriptures, we can find all the reasons why the same Almighty God who created man and woman in the beginning, and knew us when He formed us in our mother's womb,  loved us enough to give us eternal life. 

Indeed, He gave us a name -- His name -- whereby we can be both buried and resurrected with Him in baptism. (Romans 6:3-4; Acts 2:37-42)  The name of JESUS. This is why Peter standing with the eleven commanded that every one of us repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins -- so that we can/shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:37-38)

Jeremiah gives us an interesting perspective -- looking forward -- "And I will give them an heart to know Me, that I [am] the Lord, and they shall be My people, and I will be their God -- for they shall return unto Me with their whole heart." (Jeremiah 24:7)

And Isaiah too -- "Ye [are] My witnesses," saith the LORD, "and My servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe Me, and understand that I [am] He: before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me." (Isaiah 43:10)

Looking back, we discover that those who believe in Jesus by faith, and are baptized in His name "are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light ..." (I Peter 2:9)

This is why we are in such a privileged position because we can witness God's love under the law (as a schoolmaster to guide us to Christ) and under grace (whereby we are sanctified through the blood that was shed on the cross). But the disciples never had that vantage point at the time of Jesus' death and resurrection.

Therefore, what the disciples did not yet understand is that from the beginning of the world, the Lord God had decided His plan of salvation for you and I. A plan of salvation intended to reconcile man and woman to Himself, in which He Himself tore the veil from top to bottom. 

"God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by [His] Son -- whom He hath appointed Heir of all things, by whom He made the worlds, who being the brightness of [His] glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high, being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they." (Hebrews 1:1-4)

The disciples did not realize that part of the mystery that had been hid in the bosom of the Father from before the beginning of time -- the mystery that had been revealed in the scriptures by the prophets afore -- was now unfolding right in front of them. 

"For Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell, neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption." (Psalm 16:10)

"But God will redeem My soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive Me." (Psalm 49:15)

"For great is Thy mercy toward Me, and Thou hast delivered My soul from the lowest hell." (Psalm 86:10)

The depths. The lowest of lowest in terms of outer darkness, and yet, a costly way of salvation was prepared for and by He who Himself knew no sin. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1-18) God was manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) And unto us a child was born. (Isaiah 9:6) And ye shall call His name Jesus, for He alone shall save His people from their sin. (Matthew 1:21-23)

Moreover, the scripture that the modern day religious openly reject -- that "He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not." (John 1:10)

And, "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not." (John 1:11)

Our Lord God and Saviour, Jesus the Christ.

Still, the disciples at this time were still at a loss over Jesus being crucified. At the tomb, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Salome were found weeping because their Master had died. Their love for Jesus evident because they had brought spices that they might come and anoint His body in the tomb. This act of love very early in the morning, at the rising of the sun. Note that the timing is after the Sabbath was past -- the first day of the week -- a very different perspective from the worldly celebration of Easter - but I digress. 

As they approached the tomb, the women said among themselves, "Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchure?" (Mark 16:1-3) The question being short-lived because when the women looked, these saw that the stone had been rolled away, "for it was very great." (Mark 16:4) 

Entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment, and they were affrighted. Afraid. And he said unto them, "Be not affrighted. Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified? He is risen. He is not here. Behold, the place where they laid Him. But go your way, tell His disciples and Peter, that he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see Him, as He said unto you." (Mark 16:5-7)

As He said unto you. 

But the women were sore afraid and fled quickly, for while they were amazed, they also trembled. So much so, that neither said anything about what had happened to anyone on the way. Again, how many times are we afraid to speak of Jesus -- even though He has spoken His Word unto us. 

The good news however is that the disciples were not to remain in ignorance forever. Their eyes were about to be opened, the blindness removed 32-- even though initially, as the scriptures state, the disciples did not believe that Jesus had risen and was alive.

"Now when Jesus was risen early the first [day] of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that He was alive, and had been seen of her believed not. [So] after that, He appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue, neither believed they them." (Mark 16:9-13)

It is no wonder that when He appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, He upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen Him after He was risen. They believed not the words that Jesus had told them previously -- that they would see Him in Galilee. (Mark 16:5-7)

This should ring a bell with each and every one of us. Indeed, there are times when we need to be upbraided from our unbelief and hardness of heart. While we readily accept a false trinitarian doctrine that portrays Jesus as a third person in the Godhead, we deny His rightful place as one and the same God Almighty who loved us enough to become our Saviour. The same Lord God who desires that we worship Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. 

"Yet, I [am] the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but Me, for [there is] no Saviour beside Me." (Hosea 13:4)

"Master, which is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus said unto him, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." (Matthew 22:36-40)

But Jesus did not stop preaching there. He went on to ask, "What think ye of Christ? Whose son is He?" They say unto Him, "The son of David." He saith unto them, "How then doth David in spirit call Him Lord, saying, "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool?" If David then call Him Lord, how is He his son?" (Matthew 22:41-45) 

According to the scriptures, no man was able to answer Him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask Him any more questions. Yes, nothing is hid from those who seek the Lord God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. But just like then, He still reveals Himself and His love for us through His salvation plan in the scriptures. Therein, will you find life, because "Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of Me ..." (Psalm 40:7)

Not just of God in the old covenant, but of the new testament -- His last will and testament that He paid for with His precious holy blood. (Hebrews 10:29) The greatest love story ever told!

" ... the blood of the covenant, wherewith He was sanctified an unholy thing ..." (Hebrews 10:29)

We need to become more like Mary Magdalene and Mary (the mother of James and Salome) whereby our every breath is spent worshiping our Lord God and Saviour. Praising His precious name. Why? Because He didn't just come with costly ointments (as we would do) but instead He paid the ultimate price on the cross with His blood. 

"It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely." (Revelation 21:6)

Thus, take up your cross and follow Jesus. Repent, and be baptized in the precious name of Jesus -- the only name whereby one can be saved in this dispensation of grace.  And then follow Jesus instructions.

Jesus said unto them, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned ..." (Mark 16:14-16)

Study to show thyself approved, as a workman doth unto God, and allow Him to show you the mystery that was hid in the bosom of the Father before the world was formed. The mystery wherein He left us a name above every name in this current dispensation of grace.

Thank you Jesus.

Stand in the offering plate.