by David Brenneman
"Those who went in front and those who followed were shouting: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; Hosanna in the highest!” Mark 11:9-10.
"Originally the word Hosanna meant "Save Now", but over the years it came to be used as a simple expression of praise--much like the word Hallelujah has changed from meaning "Praise God!" to something much more generic, such as "How wonderful!" - Dr. David Jeremiah note to Mark 11:9-10, Jeremiah Study Bible.
"Hosanna! Originally a Hebrew prayer meaning "Save Now." On occasion it probably served simply as an acclimation of welcome. Blessed is He who comes. This phrase is part of the Hallel (Hebrew word for "praise"), comprised of Psalms 113-118, which was sung at all the Jewish festivals, most notably at the Passover. "He who comes" was not an Old Testament title, but definitely had come to carry such implications for the Jews (cf Matthew 11:3; Luke 7:19; John 3:31; 6:14; 11:27; Hebrews 10:37)" Pastor John MacArthur notes to verse 11:9, MacArthur Study Bible.
This set of verses took on a different meaning for me after learning more about them. In the places that Jesus reiterated that the Pharisees and Sadducees.
"For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” Matthew 23:39.
Then I looked again at the passages surrounding the Transfiguration. After this great experience, Jesus said that yes Elijah does come and restore all things. There IS a person who will rise up in Israel to teach the people of God to turn their hearts back to God although now in Christ Jesus. Which is possibly what Jesus was conferring to him and Moses about as well as the cross that Jesus was about to go to in order to save mankind.
People are being taught in Israel concerning the Temple services again. They have been prepared to build the third Temple for decades. The political climate hasn't allowed for that part to proceed but the training of people for this Temple goes on.
Rethink what you have learned about Hosanna and Hallelujah. In reading their respective study notes it's very clear that Satan's caused these to be watered down to be less impactful to all who would hear them. Much as people redefine words today to mean something else than it did 70 years ago.
It's a difficult task to put the original meaning back to a word!
However, this is the point and purpose to be in God's Word. To be sure of your salvation, to be taught of God, to learn from the Word and the Spirit and not what the world tells you it means.
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
The tools of the devil should be known to those who are Christ-followers with respect to knowing what to avoid and what to expect and why.
We can easily be mislead and manipulated when we leave Jesus out of the equation. Look at even the story of Joshua after they crossed into the Promised Land. In the first, he consulted the Lord before proceeding. He was quick to blunder and caused a thorn to Israel for centuries because he neglected to ask the Lord about a group of people.
When we think we know or think we understand something about God or God's Word, it's always best to consult the Word of God and the Lord Jesus Christ before proceeding with those thoughts.
We really are being trained in righteousness when we are remembering that we are students of the Spirit of God in Christ Jesus.
We should be setting aside specific, dedicated, efficient time to be alone with Jesus. To be in the Word, to be in prayer. To be learning what we should be knowing as the Spirit directs us.
We shouldn't assume we know enough. There will never be a Pastor, that is a man of God ordained as such, who will ever preach through the whole Bible and cover everything as God intended. There are no women preachers as far as the Bible teaches. Women are to teach women and young children but that's it. Pastor/Elder/Teacher is in the descriptive male in the Bible. The word Deacon is likewise a male. Deaconness is female. There is no Biblical "Elderess" position in the Church of Jesus Christ.
These things such as this and a lack of true study of God's word are why millions of people have been lead astray over the centuries.
You can't know if you aren't in the Word of God what it means without consulting the Author.
Do you dedicate a time of your day to reading your Bible and a personal prayer time with Jesus? Are you more inclined to only praying when you are in trouble? If that's your only thing then my Dear Friend you are in trouble.
We were created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them. This being the case we need to be in school to be taught first by the Spirit of God to know what it is to be a child of God.
Easter Bible reading will not be the same for me after learning what the passage means that we read earlier. See that key? After learning.
I'm still working on my timing but I am trying to be in my Bibles at 8 pm. To read and study through 4 study Bibles takes me about an hour. Why take so much time? Why shouldn't it?
What does it say? "Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You." Psalms 119:11.
"Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path." Psalms 119:105.
"The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple." Psalms 119:130.
"My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you, Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding; For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will discern the fear of the Lord And discover the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones. Then you will discern righteousness and justice And equity and every good course. For wisdom will enter your heart And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; Discretion will guard you, Understanding will watch over you, To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things; From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness; Who delight in doing evil And rejoice in the perversity of evil; Whose paths are crooked, And who are devious in their ways; To deliver you from the strange woman, From the adulteress who flatters with her words; That leaves the companion of her youth And forgets the covenant of her God; For her house sinks down to death And her tracks lead to the dead; None who go to her return again, Nor do they reach the paths of life. So you will walk in the way of good men And keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will live in the land And the blameless will remain in it; But the wicked will be cut off from the land And the treacherous will be uprooted from it." Proverbs 2:1-22.
Whenever we tell Jesus by words or actions that "I got this, I know" we are in deep trouble.
We should be recognizable as children of God by our love and devotion to our relationship with Jesus.
Be sure of what you learn. Be sure of what you listen to. Be sure it's in agreement with the Word of God and not the definition of the culture of which you live in.
Those passages from Psalms were from the man known as being after God's own heart.
You who claim to be a Christ-follower are you indeed following Jesus or what the world tells you about Jesus?
Be sure of your salvation and be sure to cultivate your relationship with Jesus above all else and everyone else.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
No comments:
Post a Comment