SHARE CHRIST

In an earlier article “Love Like Christ”, we saw the love of Christ –and our love for Christ- led us to love others and ground every aspect of those relationships in love. The best way we can love others is to introduce them to Jesus – the One who leads us to love them. We have a responsibility to introduce our friends to Jesus. There are times when it is not the right opportunity or we think it isn’t. There are times all of us need more courage or a push to witness to others. We need to ask God’s Spirit to lead us to those we need to introduce to Jesus and to give us the boldness to do it. Let me share something that may or may not be a secret- the longer the time between our witnessing, the harder it is to have that boldness to share Christ.

Read John 1:35-39

John’s Gospel began with a very impressive introduction stating that Jesus was the Word. Now John set his Gospel in historical context by linking the beginning of Jesus’ ministry with that of John the Baptist. In verse 35, John (this is John the Baptist) calls Jesus “the Lamb of God” –the One sent from God to take away the sin of the world (1:29). True to his purpose as forerunner, John sought to transfer the loyalty of his followers to Christ. John the Baptist’s job was to point people to Jesus, their long-awaited Messiah. Today people are looking for someone to give them security in an insecure world. Our job is to point them to Christ and to show that He is the One whom they seek.

Here the two disciples used several names for Jesus: Lamb of God (1:36), Rabbi (1:38), Messiah (1:41), son of God (1:49), and King of Israel (1:49). As they got to know Jesus, their appreciation for Him grew. The more time we spend getting to know Christ, the more we will understand and appreciate who He is. We may be drawn to Him for His teaching, but we will come to know Him as the Son of God. Although these disciples made this verbal shift in a few days, they would not fully understand Jesus until three years later (Acts 2). What they so easily professed had to be worked out in experience. We may find that worlds of faith come easily, but deep appreciation for Christ comes with living by faith.

One of the disciples was Andrew (1:40). The other was probably John, the writer of this Gospel. Why did these disciples leave John the Baptist? Because that’s what John wanted them to do –he was pointing the way to Jesus, the One John had prepared them to follow. These were Jesus’ first disciples, along with Simon Peter (1:42) and Nathanael (1:45). When the two disciples began to follow Jesus, He asked them, “What do you want?” Following Christ is not enough, we must follow Him for the right reasons. To follow Christ for our own purposes would be asking Christ to follow us- to align with us to support and advance our cause, not His. We must examine our motives for following Him. Are we seeking His glory or ours?

In verse 38 following Jesus’ question, the disciples underscored their hunger and commitment to spend time with Jesus- their desire for Him to become their teacher. They sought a personal encounter with Jesus. His response was the invitation of a lifetime, “come and see”.

Read John 1:40-45

Andrew accepted John the Baptist’s testimony about Jesus and immediately went to tell his brother, Simon, about Him. Andrew gave Simon a startling announcement: “We have found the Messiah” (v.41).  There was no question in Andrew’s mind that Jesus was the Messiah. Not only did he tell his brother, but he was also eager to introduce others to Jesus (6:8-9, 12:22). How many people in your life have heard you talk about your relationship with Jesus?

As an indication that the Gospel of John was intended for Gentile as well as Jewish readers, the writer explained that “Messiah” was in the Hebrew as “Christ” was in Greek, the term for the Anointed One of God. This seems to indicate that Andrew found his brother Simon before that other unnamed disciple found his brother. Likely, it means that the first thing Andrew did was to find his brother to share with him what he had discovered –the Christ. Were we as excited as Andrew and shared Christ with someone? It is significant that the first one to hear about Jesus from either of these two disciples was Simon. Christ would give Simon a new name, for he would have a new character. Simon would be understood in terms of his future (after Simon Peter did some growing in Jesus).

The previous activity had been in Judea. On the day following the encounter with Simon Peter, Jesus went from Judea to Galilee. Galilee was to the north and was known as “Galilee of the Gentiles” because of the concentration of Gentiles in its population. Much of Jesus’ ministry was in Galilee.

Jesus took the initiative in calling Philip, who was from Bethsaida the hometown of Andrew and Peter, to follow Him. The invitation was simple: “Follow Me” (v.43). Following Jesus is the nature of Christian discipleship. In obedience, one relates to the Savior through faith and follows Him throughout life. True to the nature of the Christian faith, Philip shared his experience with Christ with another. To Nathaniel he announced that the One to whom the whole Scripture gave witness had been found. He identified Him as Jesus of Nazareth who was known as the son of Joseph.

To whom else did Philip share Christ (Acts 8:26-40)? (Ethiopian Eunuch) And what was the lasting result? (Ethiopians today still talk about Philip and many are believers in Christ because of Philip’s visit with the Eunuch.)

Read John 1:46-49

Nathaniel’s reply was one of the funniest comments in the New Testament. However, it likely reflected provincial prejudice, a proverb that put down Nazareth, or the judgment of a student of Scripture who had found prophetic references neither to Nazareth nor a son of Joseph. Nazareth was despised by the Jews because a Roman army garrison was located there. Some have speculated that an aloof attitude or a poor reputation in morals and religion on the part of the people of Nazareth led to Nathaniel’s harsh comment. Nathaniel’s hometown was Cana, about four miles from Nazareth.  Philip’s invitation was the invitation to discipleship. Nathaniel was about to understand this invitation also.  When Nathaniel heard that the Messiah was from Nazareth, he was surprised. Philip responded, “Come and see for yourself”. Discipleship must be personally experienced.

Upon seeing Nathaniel, Jesus immediately assessed him as an Israelite of transparent character, one in whom there was no guile.  This astonished Nathaniel who asked how He could have known that. Jesus answered that He had seen him under his fig tree before Philip had called him. While he may actually have been at home under a fig tree, the reference also reflects an Old Testament figure of the ideal setting for the study of the law.

Nathaniel turned from skepticism to faith. Rather than the derisive term of the son of Joseph, he addressed Jesus as the Son of God who was the king of Israel. Jesus predicted that Nathaniel who had come to faith by such a simple revelation would see even greater things. Why, it would be as though the very heavens would open and God’s truth would be communicated from heaven to earth. Rather than the ladder in Jacob’s Old Testament vision, the Son of Man, Christ Himself, would be the medium of revelation of heavenly things to earthly folk.

Fortunately, for Nathaniel, he went to meet Jesus and became a disciple. If he had stuck to his prejudice without investigating further, he would have missed the Messiah! Think about those who “miss” the Messiah today!! We must now let the people’s stereotypes about Christ cause them to miss His power and love. Invite them to “come and see” who Jesus really is. A dishonest person will feel uncomfortable. An honest person will feel comfortable with the thought that Jesus knows him or her through and through. We can pretend to be something we are not. God knows the real us and wants us to follow Him.

The gospel came to us through the first-person testimonies of one or more individuals whom God placed in our lives. Just like Andrew found his brother and pointed him to Jesus, and just like Philip found his friends and invited him to meet Jesus, each of us can do the same for our family members, our friends, and our neighbors.

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LIFE IN CHRIST

This begins a series on studies of the identity we have in Christ. At one point in our life, we most likely have wondered about our identity! People search for and attempt to find different ways to define their lives. One important way to identify ourselves and give our life meaning is in our family. Some find purpose in their work. Because we have been given free choice, it is possible to make life whatever we want. We can run into various roadblocks and find disappointments in our journey. The truth is that we only have real meaning and lasting purpose when our lives are grounded in Christ. Jesus’ identity is foundational to who we are. In Col. 1:16-17 it is stated: “All things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together.” We may not have realized it or we have lost sight of the fact that all of life is wrapped up in Jesus.

Read Luke 9:18-20

In Matthew 16:13-27 and Mark 8:27-38, we find further context for this lesson’s Scripture. But only Luke places it in the context of Jesus’ prayer life. Here in Luke, Jesus discussion with His disciples occurred at Caesarea Philippi, which is the area north of Galilee near Mount Hermon. This region was re-named for Caesar Augustus and Philip- one of Herod’s sons- who built a temple in this location. It became the site of worship of the pagan god Pan. Jesus used this site as a contrasting location to what His disciples would soon discover about His identity. Jesus taught the disciples about Himself.

The people in general had not come to think of Jesus as the promised Messiah. They thought of Him as John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the prophets (v. 19; also compare 9:7-8). Therefore, Peter’s confession was all the more significant. He declared Jesus to be God’s promised Messiah (“Christ” is Greek for the Hebrew “Messiah”). Messiah means the anointed one. Ancient kings were anointed. God had promised David that his throne would be established forever (2 Sam. 7). After the fall of Judah and the end of David’s dynasty on an actual throne, the Jews looked for a future son of David to reestablish the reign of David’s family over Israel.

The Christian faith goes beyond knowing what others believe, it requires us to hold beliefs for ourselves. When Jesus asks: “Who do you say I am?” He wants us to take a stand. So who do we say Jesus is? The text does not reveal whether the other disciples said anything to Jesus’ more personal question. However, Peter answered clearly and unmistakably; Jesus was God’s Messiah. The word “Messiah” occurs about forty times in the Old Testament. Kings, priest, and prophets all received God’s anointing for His service. However, Jesus stands as God’s ultimate “Anointed One”. He was fulfillment of all three of these important offices. He fulfilled a prophetic ministry while on earth as He brought God’s message to His people (Matt. 21:10-11). He fulfilled the priestly office by offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin (Heb. 10:10-14). He intercedes for now as our great High Priest in heaven (7:25). He fulfills the kingly role in that He hails from the line of David (Luke 1:32) and one day will return as Kings of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 19:11-16).

Read Luke 9:21-22

Peter was right; Jesus was the Christ of God (Matt. 16:17-19). Why then did Jesus instruct the twelve not to tell anyone? The problem was that most people were looking for one kind of Messiah, but Jesus had come to be a different kind of King. The popular idea of a messiah was a military leader and an economic benefactor. It was thought that He would deliver the Jews from Roman domination and restore Israel to a powerful nation. The Messiah would bring a time of prosperity.  Many people had come to expect everything that was wrong to be set right when the Messiah came. Likely many Jewish people today are prevented from becoming a Christian because they still have that thought and that “messiah” has not come in their thinking.

What would have happened if the disciples had spread the word that Jesus was the Messiah at this point in time?

Jesus did not refer to Himself as Messiah. Instead He spoke of Himself, as had before, as the Son of man (5:24). Without using the title “Messiah”, He proceeded to declare the kind of “Messiah” He had come to be. He would be different from what the people were expecting. He “must suffer…be rejected…be killed…be raised.” Jesus seems to have combined two Old Testament ideas. On one hand, He saw Himself as the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53, on the other hand, He was the vindicated, triumphant Son of man of Daniel 7 (9:26). Beyond His suffering, rejection, and death was resurrection. Clearly the disciples were not expecting Jesus to be raised from the dead (24:11). As I pointed out last week, the disciples should not have been surprised because He had told them- but it seems they never heard it or were confused and just missed His words about resurrection. The Gospels of Matthew and Mark tell how Peter tried to rebuke Jesus for this prediction of death and resurrection, and Jesus in turn rebuked Peter (Matt. 22-23; Mark 8:32-33). Luke did not record this exchange, but he did show how the disciples misunderstood Jesus (9:45) and missed the whole point about cross-bearing (9:46). They confessed Jesus as the Christ, but at this stage in their understanding they thought He was the Messiah of popular Jewish expectations.

This was the turning point in Jesus’ instructions to His disciples. From then on He began teaching clearly and specifically what they could expect, so that they would not be surprised when it happened. He explained that He would not now be the conquering Messiah because He first had to suffer, die, and rise again. But one day He would return in great glory to set up His eternal kingdom.

Read Luke 9:23-26

To take up the cross meant to carry one’s own cross to the place of crucifixion. Many Galileans had been killed that way by the Romans- and Jesus would face it as well. With this word picture, Christ presented a clear and challenging description of the Christian life. Being His disciples means putting aside selfish desires, shouldering one’s “cross” every day, and following Him. It is simple and yet so demanding- and we are not likely to success at this every moment. So whether we commit any other sin or not- if we don’t take up our cross for Christ every day, we have committed a sin. For the original Twelve, this meant literal suffering and death. For believers today, it seems understanding that we belong to Him and that we live to serve His purposes. Consider this: Do we think of our relationship with God primarily in terms of what’s in it for me or in terms of what we can do for Him? Anything less than taking our cross daily is not discipleship: it is merely superficial lip service (14:27). While it is hard not to think of this present life as important to us, we must think of the life hereafter as much more important.

Remember what I say: This life is the pre-life and the real life is to follow. We know that Jesus will raise us to eternal life. Nothing material can compensate for the loss of eternal life. Jesus’ disciples were not to use their lives on earth merely to please themselves. They should spend their lives serving God and others. So if we are to be disciples, we need to spend our lives in service for God.

Luke’s Greek audience would have had difficulty understanding a God who could die, just as Jesus’ Jewish audience would have been perplexed by a Messiah who would let Himself be captured and killed. Both would be ashamed of Jesus if they did not look past His death to His glorious resurrection and second coming (v.26). Then they would see Jesus, not as a loser, but as the Lord of the universe, who through His death brought salvation to those who believe.

A follower of Christ’s must be willing to die with Him and for Him. This primary meaning lies in the background of Jesus’ words about saving one’s life (v. 24) and being ashamed of Jesus (v. 26). However, the word “daily” in verse 23 shows that Jesus meant more than a willingness to endure martyrdom for His sake. A follower of Christ must be willing to live a cross-way-of-life day by day. Jesus meant more than what is often referred to as cross-bearing. He meant more than enduring some burden or trial over which we have little or no control. This is part of the Christian life, but it is not cross-bearing. Jesus was referring to a voluntary commitment to live by the principles of self-giving love.

Jesus’ words in verses 23-26 tie together what we learned from verses 18-20. Jesus is God’s Son, the Messiah, and knowing who Jesus is essential to our responding. Following Jesus means willing to do what He commands- daily. As I began these thoughts, people find different ways to define their lives, but we only have real meaning and purpose when our lives are grounded in the Lord Jesus Christ. We find our identity and purpose in Him.

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A CHANNEL OF COMFORT

Comfort: What is comfort to each of us? Let’s share the sources of comfort. No one wants to go through hardships, but sometimes life will rain on us. As we learned from Paul in 2 Corinthians chapter 12, God never abandons His children and we know the power of His presence in the challenges we face. When we are tested by a hard lesson of life, God’s comforting grace is always there and He will walk with us. We can channel God’s comfort to others due to His grace. We can encourage others with love, grace, and the comfort of Christ, who they will see in us. We need to ask God to open the eyes of our heart to discover our need for comfort and how to comfort others.

Read 2 Corinthians 1:2-3

Many think that when God comforts us, that our troubles should go away. But if that were always so, people would turn to God only out of a desire to be relieved of pain and not out of love for Him. We must understand that being “comforted” can also mean receiving strength, encouragement, and hope to deal with our troubles. The more we suffer, the more comfort God gives us. If we are feeling overwhelmed, allow God to comfort us. Remember that every trial we endure will help us comfort other people who are suffering similar troubles.

Paul introduced the associate who was with him when he wrote. Timothy was not an apostle, but he was a fellow believer and therefore a brother. He had been Paul’s messenger to Corinthians earlier (1 Corinthian 4:17). Then Paul introduces the readers and all the Christians in Achaia, the Roman province south of Macedonia. Paul reminded them that they were “saints”, meaning holy people, people set apart as God’s possession. The church is -first of all -God’s church.

In all his letters, Paul replaced the usual Greek word for “greeting” with a similar word meaning “grace”. It was a major theme for Paul and one of the great words of the New Testament. Referring to all that God does to save sinners, “grace” indicates unmerited favor. In spite of man’s sin, God gives His love. In spite of man’s unrighteousness, God makes him righteous. God gives this undeserved gift because of His love and His sovereign power. Man cannot bring it about by his effort. He can only receive it by faith.

“Peace” was a common Jewish greeting, In the New Testament it has a deeper meaning. Originally it meant freedom from conflict both internal and external. In this sense, it is the opposite of the feeling Paul expressed in 2 Corinthians 7:5: “Our bodies had no rest but we were afflicted at every turn- fighting without and fear within”. In the fuller sense, it describes all the blessings of salvation.

As Paul introduced his theme (the Ministry of Suffering), the very first paragraph shows the rich meaning and intense feeling that characterizes 2 Corinthians. The passage is a doxology that describes both comfort and suffering. The emphasis is on God. He is the “God…of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v.3). He is like Jesus, but He is more than Jesus. He is His “Father”. God is specifically known as the “the Father of mercies”, the Hebrew way of saying merciful Father, and as “the God of all comfort”, the one whose comfort meets every need.

Read 2 Corinthians 1:4-5

Paul and those who join him in Christian service, experienced many difficulties. But God provides strength in each case. This strength becomes a rich resource for ministering to others. Paul viewed his suffering not as misery but ministry. He came to this conviction through his own experience of suffering (12:7-10).

Much of the comfort Paul received came from knowing that his suffering was related to “Christ’s suffering”. The Jews expected the time of the Messiah to be protected by the suffering of His people. Jesus, however, suffered for His people. Those whom He called to follow Him also suffered in order to bless others. With this profound view of suffering Paul could encourage the Corinthians. He had great hope for them because he knew their sufferings would lead to their greater strength in the future. Of course, this does not mean that we should desire or seek to suffer- especially for some favor, but to realize that suffering for Christ is expected.

Suffering for Christ refers to those afflictions we experience as we serve Christ. At the same time, Christ suffers with His people, since they are united with Him. In Acts 9:4-5, Christ asked Paul why he was persecuting Him. This implies that Christ suffered with the early Christians when they were persecuted.

Read 2 Corinthians 1:6-7

Paul firmly believed that suffering is part of ministry. Paul had a radically different view of suffering. Suffering- especially trials and discomfort associated with the advancement of Christ’s kingdom- is God’s way of allowing Christians to become more like Jesus. This means to suffer for the gospel just as Jesus suffered for it (Philippians 1:29; 3:10). Peter agreed with Paul: Christians should rejoice when they suffer, for in their own suffering they will in some small way experience what it meant for Jesus to suffer for their sins (1 Peter 4:12-13),

In addition to drawing people closer to Christ, suffering can also help them grow in their faith. God uses suffering to improve His people and shape them into better Christians. In fact, suffering should be thought of as the necessary pain that accompanies spiritual growth. In Romans, Paul noted that suffering produces perseverance, which, in turn produces Christian character (Romans 5:3, James 1:3-4; 2 Peter 1:6; Revelation 2:2, 19). This passage highlights another benefit to suffering, it teaches the sufferer how to encourage others who are also suffering. This become a channel of comfort for others but also for ourselves, that is, when we bring comfort to others it should also comfort us.

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