The Gospel

Okay, first of all, please excuse the infrequent and sporadic posts.  My schedule remains …hectic.  But here I am.  Thanks to those who are sticking it out with me through this trying time.  Now, on with the good stuff!

My pastor’s reminded us recently of our purpose specifically -from generally loving the Lord with all of our hearts, revering him, and keeping his commandments, and loving others:  Spreading the gospel (Ecc 12:13; Lk 10:27; Mt 28:19-20). 

With my pastor’s help, I’ve identified eight important aspects of the gospel:

1)     Virgin Birth 

The first chapter of Matthew explains that Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph (v. 18).  Jewish custom dictated that there were no sexual relations during the betrothal period (NIV note v. 18).  In verse 19 Joseph is called righteous, and to be called so by Jews meant that he was zealous in keeping the law (NIV note).  So, one can assume that Joseph, in his righteousness, has chosen a righteous spouse.  But all speculation aside, the Lord himself confirms that Mary was still a virgin in verse 20, saying ‘What is conceived of her is from the Holy Spirit’ (Mt 13:55; Lk 8:19).    

2)     Life

Jesus’ life can be summed up as perfect.  Jesus lived a sinless life (Mt 4:1-11; Lk 3:22; 23:39-41; 1Pe 2:22; 1 Jn 3:5). He performed countless miracles during his time on earth (Jn 21:25; Mt 4:23; 8:14-17, 23-27, 28-34; 9:1-8, 18-26, 27-34).  He taught (Mt 5, 6, 7; 13:1-52).  He comforted (Lk 6:20-23; Jn 14:16).

3)     Death

It wasn’t the crucifixion that killed Jesus, but he willingly gave up his life three hours after they were finished (Mt 27:45-50).

4)     Burial

Jesus’ body was buried in a borrowed, guarded, secured, and sealed tomb (Mt 27:57-66).

5)     Resurrection 6)  Appearance

There was an earthquake, an angle rolled back the stone, Jesus sat up shining like lightening, and Pilate’s guards (nor anyone else) could do nothing about it (Mt 28:1-6).  And it was then that Jesus charged Mary Magdalene and the other Mary as the first preachers of the gospel (v. 5-10).  (My co-pastor, who is a woman, uses this as the biblical basis of God’s approval of female preachers.) He then appeared to his disciples, Thomas, and many others (Jn 20:10-21:25)

I love how the haters (Pilate’s guards) are the first to see that Jesus has risen though. Ha! (This is the same God, after all, that the Psalter testified would prepare a table before him in the presence of his enemies; Ps 23:5.) 

7)     Ascension

He was taken up into heaven (Mk 16:19; Lk 24:50-53).

8)     Promised Return

Jesus said he was coming back, and not even he knows when.  But we are to be ready (Mt 24:36-42; Mk 13:32-33).

*(See similar post from April 20^th, titled ‘From Sunday to Sunday’ detailing Jesus’ week before his crucifixion.)

 

And the Second Is Like It...

And the second greatest commandment is like the first, “Love your neighbor as yourself”, Jesus says (Mt 22:39; Mk 12:31) (And this love for self is also shown in the context of a marriage union in Eph 5:28-30, where the love for a spouse is equal -on some level- as love for self, since the two have become one.).  Jesus tells us, “love one another as I have loved you…” (Jn 13:34).  (He said this was a new commandment, but it was actually an old one [Lev 19:18].  It was new in the sense that it was a mark of the disciple’s bond created by Christ’s love for them [NIV note on Jn 13:34].)  We love because God first loved us (1 Jn 4:19).  Love ultimately comes from God himself. If anyone says, ‘I love God’, but hates his brother is a liar; because anyone who doesn’t love his brother, who he has seen, cannot love God, who he hasn’t seen.  So God has given us this command:  Whoever loves God must also love his brother (1 Jn 4:20-21).  Here, the term ‘brother’ is intended to mean mankind, not simply our siblings in Christ. But those who are followers of Christ should especially care for our brothers and sisters in Christ (Jn 21:15-17; Gal 6:10).       

The parable of ‘the Good Samaritan’ illustrates this love well, and shows us who we are to regard as our neighbor.  In the presence of so-called lovers of God, Jesus commends a Samaritan –a people who Jews were openly hostile against and considered both spiritual and physical half-breeds- over a religious leader (priest) and another lay person (Levite) to show that love has no national, religious, racial, etc. boundaries (Mt 10:5; Jn 4:20,22; Lk 9:52; NIV note on Lk 10:31-33).  It was this despised Samaritan who cared for a foreigner -who would’ve probably cursed him, if he had the strength (v. 33-35).  It was him who Jesus told his fellow Jews to imitate (v. 36-37).  So, my definition of a neighbor, given the context, is anyone who isn’t you!

And again, this is a commandment from God.  To show love towards men, who were made in His spiritual image, is one way of showing love for him (which remember, is second only to directly showing love to God).  This is true, just as failing to love our brothers is to show contempt for Him.  If you follow the first and greatest commandment, the second -which is like it- will fall into place.  Love for God and love for man are inseparable.        

  

The Greatest Commandment

Jesus said, the first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with everything you’ve got, with everything that you are, with your entire being (all your heart, soul, mind and strength; Dt 6:5; Mt 2337; Mk 12:29-30).  Here, the heart represents an individual’s will and desire (Ex 25:2; 1 Sa 13:4; Lk 6:45).  The soul is our true self (our immortal being, while the body is merely a temporary shell (Mt 10:28 and NIV note).  The mind encompasses our complete mental faculty: memory, perception, reasoning, opinions, views, disposition, and mood (m-w.com).  And our strength is our power to resist, our attributes or inherent assets, our ability, energy, might, and vigor (m-w.com; 1 Co 10:13; 16:13; Isa 40:31).  God wants it all!       

It was necessary for Jesus to fulfill all that had been previously taught to Israel (the Law of the Prophets, which is the Old Testament in its entirety) by making clear its full meaning.  To fulfill means to measure up to, convert into reality, and develop the full potentialities of (m-w.com).   Jesus did this by emphasizing the deep underlying principles of the law and total commitment to it rather than mere external acknowledgement and obedience (NIV note on Mt 5:17). 

It’s this commandment to love God with our all –along with the second greatest commandment- that the Law of the Prophets hangs on (Mt 22:40.)  The love shown here, to the Lord our God, is primarily in view of the love shown by a subject to a king, because to truly love God is to be his loyal and obedient servant (NIV note on Dt 6:5).  God, our king, requires complete devotion and honor.  He commands us:  not to put anything before him, not to form any idol(s), and not to misuse his name (Ex 20:3-7).         

Our love for God will be evidenced by a life that’s characterized by service to him; the perfect example being the life lived by Jesus Christ.  However, we are to offer ourselves as living sacrifices (Ro 12:1).