" ... but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the Word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God." (II Corinthians 4:2)
Yes, indeed, our heart response should be -- "Master, Thou hast well said!"
Far too often, the scribes and Pharisees, the chief priests and respective councils, and the Sadducee's resorted to some form of trickery -- attempting to manipulate the Lord Jesus into saying something wherein they might take Him by subtilty. Most certainly, these did not want to accept Jesus for who He said He was -- I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life! (John 14:6) Neither did these accept what Peter (standing with the eleven apostles) said to them on the day of Pentecost. That is: "This same Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ!" (Acts 2:36)
Nevertheless, as the scripture repeatedly states, we are sanctified by truth -- and Thy Word is Truth! (John 17:17) This is why we who believe in the Lord Jesus by faith are encouraged to study the scriptures, so that we can show ourselves approved unto God -- a workman that need not to be ashamed; and to rightly divide the Word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15)
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God ... and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth!)" (John 1:1, 14)
"He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)
"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." (I Timothy 3:16)
When we truly understand the Godhead, we also know why Jesus could not be bought by the powers that be. That He could take the wise in their own craftiness. Even though He knew all the tricks of this world/the enemy, He pressed onward because of the abundance of fruit that would come forth as a consequence of His death, burial and resurrection. Indeed, He knew the rest of the story, and did so from the beginning of the world! He knew the outcome that would change and heal people's broken lives forever, bringing unto them His gift of everlasting life!
"For God so loved the world ...." (John 3:16) ''
"For when we were yet without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet, peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commends His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin: and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of Him that was to come ..." (Romans 5:6-14)
Who is the figure of Him who is to come? The similitude of Adam's transgression? The same One wherein the gift of righteousness reigns in life -- Jesus Christ. The Rock of ages wherein we stand firm on His foundation. The Bread of life wherein we feed daily from His Word. The living water wherein we will never thirst again.
Yes, Jesus clearly reveals Himself, shining brightly through the trickery and earthly traditions that men without any understanding try to impose. This is evident in the following example, when Jesus is speaking to a certain of the scribes.
And He said unto them, "How say they that Christ is David’s son? And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, "The Lord said unto My Lord, "Sit Thou on My right hand till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool." If David therefore calls Him Lord, how is He then His son?"
Why? Because after the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:4-7)
Jesus -- Alpha and Omega! Stand in the offering plate.
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