TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Leviticus 23:33-44
Celebrate this as a festival to the Lord for seven days each year. - Leviticus 23:41
TODAY IN THE WORD
Popular culture often depicts Christians as either dour, grim-faced Puritan types or goofy, clueless bumblers. And truth be told, some Christians are close to these stereotypes. One Christian bumper sticker announced, “I don't party—I pray.” Another declared, “It's all fun and games until you end up in hell.”

For centuries, Christians have been challenged to understand how humor and fun fit into the Christian life. For some, an ascetic life has been held up as the pinnacle of Christian spirituality. On the other end of the spectrum, a few propose that Christians should eat, drink, and be merry just like everyone else. Our final topic for study this month will look at what the Bible says on this subject. Can Christians have fun and laugh?

We may not think of Leviticus as prime devotional material, but our passage today is part of a section in this book that helps us understand God's perspective on celebration. The preceding chapters outline various regulations and punishments, commands given to identify the chosen people of God through their holiness and discipline. Then chapter 23 begins a list of feasts and assemblies. This teaches us an important principle: God is concerned that His people be characterized by feasting and celebration just as much as by their abstaining from sin. Indeed, these feasts are mandated times of both repentance and rejoicing.

This rejoicing involves much more than just an extended church service. Notice that God commands that the Israelites gather their harvest and then spend a week rejoicing, waving palm fronds, feasting, and living in booths (v. 40). This Feast of Tabernacles, known today as Sukkot, is still observed by Jews today and characterized by singing, dancing, feasting, and celebrating with neighbors. (Imagine a week-long block party with you and all your neighbors!)

If we think of God's Law as simply a list of do's and don'ts, we have missed an important aspect. Built into the rhythm of life for His people is a time of celebration.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In the pace of modern life, the discipline of feasting can be as challenging as the discipline of fasting. It seems nearly impossible to fit time to gather with others, share a wonderful meal, and rejoice together into our busy calendars. Now that the holiday season is officially underway—according to retailers—you may feel even more overwhelmed. If so, take time to schedule a feast of celebration with loved ones. It need not be fancy, but take the opportunity to gather with others and have a good time. Remember, it's biblical!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Numbers 22:1-41
You have made a fool of me! - Numbers 22:29
TODAY IN THE WORD
In The Magician's Nephew, one of The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis, Aslan reassures the talking animals of Narnia that he has created the legitimacy of laughter, “Now that you are no longer dumb and witless, you need not always be grave. For jokes as well as justice come in with speech.”

This captures a truth found in Scripture. A brief sample of humor in the Bible would include the tragicomic character (Prov. 26:13), puns (Jer. 1:11-12), sarcasm (Gal. 5:12), the grotesque (Judg. 3:12-30), satire (Isa. 14:3-23), and parody (Ezek. 29:3). Our passage today is one of the funniest stories in the Bible, complete with comic reversal of fortune, unexpected twists, and a talking animal!

When Balak, king of Moab, saw the Israelites coming, he decided that he needed to take proactive measures to keep them subdued. He offered to pay the diviner Balaam to curse Israel, but when Balaam inquired of the Lord, he was firmly told that such a thing was out of the question—Israel was to be blessed by Him (v. 12). Like all good jokes, the humor is best experienced than explained. To appreciate fully the comedy of this situation, think of it from Balaam's perspective. Here he is, considered one of the most powerful men in the world. He thought he had a direct access line to God. He assumed that he could flirt with Balak's riches while still appearing to obey God. And he was proved wrong—not by a mighty army or powerful wise man, but by a donkey who could see more clearly than he could. The message to Balaam was clear: the great diviner had less spiritual insight than a seemingly dumb beast of burden.

Humor illustrates truth for us in a way that other methods can't. The prophets in particular lampoon the pride, hypocrisy, and vanity that masqueraded as religious ritual without a heart for God. Stories like Ehud's crafty defeat of Eglon demonstrate God's delight in using seemingly insignificant details to bring about the downfall of the supposedly mighty who oppose Him (see Judg. 3). As we study Scripture we can laugh, and we can also enjoy our experience of life following God.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Part of the challenge as believers is that much of what passes as humor in our culture is abominable, not funny. As a wise Christian noted, we should never sacrifice holiness for humor. This doesn't mean, however, that we can never enjoy the humor in the Bible, in life, or from our own creativity.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Philippians 1:26; 2:18; 3:1; 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! - Philippians 4:4
TODAY IN THE WORD
Author Jill Briscoe has written about her husband Stuart's penchant for asking, “Are we having fun yet?” She says, “He has asked me hundreds of times in my life! Usually in the most exhausting and un-fun situations! He has taught me that joy comes in the middle of the problems of the day, and is to be found in the most unexpected places, because He is found in the middle of the muddle and is waiting around the corners of our days for whatever hard thing happens to us, reminding us: He is Joy!”

It is this quality of joy that sets followers of Jesus apart from others who just want to have a good time. The letter to the Philippians is sometimes called the “joy book” because of the number of times joy is mentioned. It first appears in Philippians 1:4, when the apostle Paul says that his partnership with the Philippians and the faithfulness of God's work cause him to pray with joy.

A closer study of Philippians reveals that while joy is an oft-repeated topic, the main reason that Paul has written to these believers is to urge them to work together, particularly in the face of oppression (see 1:27; 2:2; 3:2; 4:2). This isn't a church where everything is hunky-dory. There are real challenges outside the church and real problems inside the church. So why does joy come up so much?

The first source of joy is found in Jesus (1:26). We have encouragement and comfort from Him. We have His example before us (2:1-11). The second source of joy is our relationships with each other. There's no illusion here that we'll always see eye to eye or get along perfectly. But Paul repeats throughout the book how much believers need each other (1:7; 2:19-30; 3:17; 4:3, 10-20). This is a source of joy for Paul, and for the Philippian Christians as well.

Finally, we see another source of joy from our study this month. Our joy comes from having an eternal perspective—the knowledge that our true citizenship lies in the new heaven and new earth, where our bodies will be transformed (3:20-21).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The book of Philippians is full of wonderful prayers that we can pray for other believers. The opening verses of chapter 1 alone contain some of the most beautiful prayers found in the Bible. As you read this book, make a special note of the prayers in it. Then pray for someone you know using these words of Scripture. You may also want to send a note with the verses enclosed as a way to bring encouragement and joy to someone else.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful . . . for training in righteousness. - 2 Timothy 3:16
TODAY IN THE WORD
Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg had an unpleasant surprise last year: he discovered that his biography in the online encyclopedia Wikipedia had been “updated” to include a number of unflattering statements, some of which qualified as libel. Wikipedia entries can be written or edited by nearly anyone who so desires. Research experts say that while Wikipedia might be a first step in gathering information, material found there should be verified elsewhere rather than regarded as authoritative.

Unlike Wikipedia, the Bible was not created by a collection of human authors and edited by anyone who felt like it (see 2 Peter 1:12-21). The Bible can be trusted as absolutely accurate and absolutely trustworthy. Understanding its truths and principles should be the first step and the final authority for every follower of Jesus.

Throughout this month, we've sought to learn what God's Word says about important issues such as our view of our bodies, heaven, the gospel, blessings, church, and having fun. The greater principle underlying each examination of these topics is that Christians must rely on Scripture to form their beliefs and opinions.

Today's reading emphasizes this. As Paul wrote his final words of advice and encouragement to Timothy, his beloved son in the faith, he chose to focus on faithfulness to God's Word.

Paul outlines some essential qualities of Scripture here. First, it is inspired by God, not invented by men (3:16; 4:3). Second, it is important in shaping our beliefs, correcting our misconceptions, and leading us into Christlikeness. Through a study of the Bible, we are prepared to do the good works that God has for us (3:17).

In light of the power of Scripture, no wonder Paul commands Timothy to continue in his study and proclamation of the Word (3:14; 4:2). Just as it was for Timothy, the Bible is still the way that God speaks His timeless truth to us.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We could all benefit from a renewed passion for God's Word, since it is where we find necessary guidance for our lives and the truth about our Savior. If you find your love for God's truth ebbing, read through Psalm 119 and pray that the Holy Spirit would ignite that kind of dedication and devotion for His word and His way in your heart. As we shape our beliefs about any issue, may we be the people who are true to God's Word.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: John 1:1-18
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! - 2 Corinthians 9:15
TODAY IN THE WORD
This time of year it's common to find portraits of Jesus on covers of news magazines with captions such as “Who Was Jesus Really?” Public fascination with Jesus never seems to cease! As Bible scholar John Drane notes, “[Jesus] has never had an advertising manager, yet for decades the stories of his life have featured among the world's best-sellers.”

How could one man who lived so long ago still captivate so many people? The answer is that He not only lived and died 2,000 years ago, but that He also rose from the dead and lives still. So the question isn't really “Who Was Jesus?,” but rather “Who Is Jesus?”—the focus of our study this month.

The opening verses of John's Gospel are an excellent place to begin to answer this question. This passage presents two crucial truths about the nature of Christ: He is fully God and He is fully human. To deny either aspect of Christ's nature is heresy.

Although Matthew and Luke focus on Jesus' birth, John's Gospel takes us back to creation to show that Jesus has always existed and has always been with the Father (vv. 1-2). John's title for Jesus, the Word, underscores that Jesus is the fullest revelation of the triune God. As verse 18 notes, no one has seen God, probably an allusion to the account of Moses asking to see God's glory (Exodus 33-34), yet those who have seen the Son can indeed behold the glory of God.

The idea that God would become flesh (v. 14) is so radical that no other religion makes such a claim. When Jesus became incarnate, He did not somehow magically appear human, He actually became a human being. The language in verse 14 recalls the idea of God dwelling among His people in the tabernacle. Through Jesus' incarnation, the promise that echoes throughout the Old Testament of God dwelling with His people is fulfilled.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
This past year, Today in the Word has considered the good and perfect gifts that God gives. It's appropriate to end the year focusing on Jesus—the best of God's gifts and the One who makes all gifts possible. It's also a wonderful way to enter fully this Advent season as we prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we begin our study, you might consider reading the remarkable text of “One Solitary Life,” accessible at this Web site: www.changinglivesonline.org.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 24:13-35
In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets . . . but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son. - Hebrews 1:1-2
TODAY IN THE WORD
Perhaps you've seen the puzzle that uses straight lines and blocks of black and white to spell the name Jesus. At first, it's difficult for many people to see anything other than random lines and apparent nonsense. Once a person has seen the name Jesus traced out, however, it's hard to believe that it wasn't obvious from the start.

In many ways, that's probably how it was for the first disciples. They had spent several years with Jesus, but the events leading up to Jesus' death and the days following were like a confusing jumble of terrifying nonsense. How could this One whom they trusted as Messiah be killed? They had followed Him and believed that He was Israel's promised redeemer (v. 21). You can almost hear the profound grief and disappointment of Cleopas and his companion in today's passage. As they traveled from Jerusalem to their home in a village nearby, they were no doubt trying to make sense of Jesus' crucifixion and the empty tomb. In one of most memorable postresurrection scenes, Jesus appears to these disciples, although He is not immediately recognizable. But like someone who demonstrates how to solve a puzzle, Jesus showed them how the Scriptures (what we call the Old Testament) had told of the Christ who would suffer and die for His people (v. 26). Indeed, the Scriptures had pointed to Jesus.

Luke doesn't record which passages Jesus shared with the disciples, but He could have included Moses' prediction of a prophet greater than himself (Deut. 18:14-22) as well as Isaiah's description of the Suffering Servant (Isa. 52:13-53:12). Perhaps He concluded with the glorious picture of the Son of Man in Daniel (7:13-14).

With this scriptural understanding of Christ and the familiarity of Jesus' breaking bread (v. 30), the puzzle fell into place! The disciples finally saw the resurrected Jesus. The two raced back to Jerusalem to share this event with the others.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
We saw yesterday that Jesus' story actually begins in the Old Testament. John's Gospel starts, “In the beginning . . .” That phrase takes us back to Genesis 1:1. In the beginning, God created everything, and in the beginning, Jesus was with God bringing about creation. Through this month, we'll consider Old Testament passages that point to Jesus.To learn more, we recommend The Unfolding Mystery: Discovering Christ in the Old Testament, by Edmund Clowney, available at local Christian bookstores or online.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 Chronicles 17:1-15
I declare to you that the Lord will build a house for you. - 1 Chronicles 17:10
TODAY IN THE WORD
The heart of worship is always ready to adore our great God. That was the attitude not only of David but of countless believers through history. Augustine, for example, prayed: “O Lord in whom all things live, who commanded us to seek you, who are always ready to be found: to know you is life, to serve you is freedom, to praise you is our soul's delight. We bless you and adore you, we worship you and magnify you, we give thanks to you for your great glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

For David in today's reading, a heart of worship meant he didn't want to live in a palace while the Ark remained in a tent. He wanted to build a proper temple. But he didn't rush ahead, as he had done previously. Instead, he consulted Nathan the prophet, showing that he had learned an important lesson about submitting all his plans, even ones with good motives, to the Lord. God's answer, however, was “no”—the honor of building a temple would go to his son, Solomon.

Though the request was denied, the Lord's answer was much richer than what King David had asked for. In what is often called the “Davidic covenant,” God confirmed that the kingdom would be secure, remaining enemies would be subdued, and a golden age was about to begin. The themes of homecoming and safety (v. 9) would have been especially poignant to the returned exiles for whom Chronicles was first written. They would also have been encouraged by the long-term promise that David's throne and house would be established forever, a promise with clear messianic implications (v. 14).

Jesus Christ fulfills that promise. His earthly parents, Mary and Joseph, were both in the line of David. When He was crucified, it was under a sign proclaiming Him “King of the Jews” (Matt. 27:37). And the last book of the Bible opens by identifying Him as the “ruler of the kings of the earth” (Rev. 1:5).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As with David, God has promised us many things within His plan of salvation. Keeping these promises close to our hearts can strengthen our faith. Good verses to memorize include Romans 1:16-17; Ephesians 1:13-14; and Hebrews 9:28. In Christ, we have a “living hope . . . an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade,” and we are “shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5).

[Soldier4Christ]

Who Knows?

In the fictional book and controversial movie, The Da Vinci Code, one of the central characters, Sir Leigh Teabing, makes a shocking statement about the character and deity of Jesus Christ.

Teabing says, “Jesus was viewed by His followers as a mortal prophet . . . a great and powerful man, but a man nonetheless. A mortal.”

“Not the son of God?” asks Sophie, the young woman involved in solving the Da Vinci code.

Like Sophie, men and women for centuries have posed the same question. This key question unlocks not merely a man-made mystery, but the most essential truth of the gospel.

Who is Jesus Christ?

In Luke 9:18-20, Jesus poses this question to His disciples. “Who do the people say that I am?” They answered and said, “John the Baptist, and others say Elijah; but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again.”

“But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”

Scripture records that Jesus was both truly man and truly God. The claim is not to be taken lightly—it expresses the foundational core belief of Christianity. J. Oswald Sanders in his classic book, The Incomparable Christ, states it well: “If Jesus is not God, then there is no Christianity, and we who worship Him are nothing more than idolaters.”

What does it mean that we believe in the “deity” of Jesus Christ? Sanders explains that “deity” is more specific than “divinity.” To say that Christ is divine merely implies that He is supernatural in nature. However, the word deity asserts that He is absolutely equal with God.

Hebrews 1:3 reiterates this idea: “And He [Jesus] is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power.”

The proof of the deity of Jesus Christ is plentiful. This month's study will explore the identity of Christ in the pages of Scripture.

As we prepare to celebrate the birthday of Jesus, we can know for certain that He was more than a baby in a manger. His identity extends far beyond that of a moral man or courageous prophet. With His disciple Thomas, we can proclaim His true identity: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).

[Soldier4Christ]

I'm Okay. You're Okay—Will Everyone Go to Heaven?

The Heresy of Universalism
What Is Universalism?

• Sometimes called restorationism

• Believes that all will be saved

• Emphasizes God's love at the expense of His justice

• Offers a false hope


Is the doctrine of eternal suffering consistent with a God of love? This is the root question behind the heresy of universalism. Universalism, also called restorationism, teaches that God will save all human beings. One early proponent of this view was the Alexandrian theologian Origen (185-254 A.D.). Influenced by Platonic philosophy, Origen taught that God would eventually restore all of creation, including Satan, through Christ. Others, like seventeenth-century German theologian Friedrich Schleiermacher, taught that the bliss of heaven would be ruined for the redeemed if they knew other souls were suffering in hell.

The problem with universalism is that it emphasizes the grace of God at the expense of His justice. The Bible does use the language of universalism when it speaks of the offer of the gospel without limiting it to particular nationality or gender. The hope of the gospel is offered to “all” (Rom. 5:18). Those in view are “all who believe” (Rom. 3:22-23). There is no salvation apart from faith in Jesus Christ.

The Bible also speaks of God's punishment as well as His love. Those who do not accept God's grace by placing their trust in Jesus Christ will be condemned to eternal suffering (Matt. 25:41, 46; Rev. 20:15). God takes no pleasure in their death, but delights when a sinner repents and receives eternal life (Ezek. 18:23, 32).

Why Theology Matters
While some people belong to religious sects that teach universalism, many more are “functional” universalists. They have views that are consistent with universalism even if they don't explicitly endorse this theology. According to George Barna, while 71 percent of Americans believe that hell exists, only 0.5 percent expect to go there. A growing number of evangelicals reject the church's traditional view that the lost will suffer for eternity. Universalism's ultimate appeal is its promise that all will be saved. But in the end, this is a false hope and a false gospel.

[Soldier4Christ]

Who Is Jesus?
In most cases, Scripture draws us in with stories that honestly portray people's mistakes, faithlessness, and selfishness. We grab on to Bible characters like King David and Mary Magdalene because they're real, and they're like us—imperfect with potential.

However, there is one man who escapes with a clean record, void of mistakes, faithlessness, and selfishness. He is unlike even the most faithful men in the Bible who fall hard at least once, twice, or a dozen times. He is, of course, the Son of God. We have no record of Jesus' slightest disobedience toward His Father or minor deviations in carrying out God's plan. He was absolutely faultless.

He is shockingly different from the people who merely pretend to be perfect in our day. Jesus welcomes us into His presence. In fact, one of Jesus' most common commands is simply, “Come.” Christ is the God of the universe in the skin of man asking us to come to Him!

As we explore the person and theology of the Son of Man this month, we'll view Jesus Christ as truly God, truly man, and our risen Lord. May we use these truths to keep answering Jesus' call to “come.”

We would like to thank you for your prayers and support of Today in the Word this year. Your faithfulness has allowed us to share Christ's perfect example with thousands of people each month.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 3:1-17
He poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. - Isaiah 53:12
TODAY IN THE WORD
In 1732 Leonard Dober and David Nitschmann made preparations to sail to the West Indies to preach the gospel. Friends were shocked and tried to discourage them. Fellow passenger mocked the Moravian missionaries and spread false rumors about them during the dangerous voyage to St. Thomas. When asked why he would undertake such a mission, Leonard Dober wrote, “I vowed to myself that if one other brother would go with me, I would become a slave, and would tell him so, and also what I had experienced from our Savior: that the word of the cross in its lowliness shows a special strength to souls.”

One of the keys to their ministry was their willingness to identify with those to whom they ministered. In a similar way, Jesus' baptism helps us understand His full identification with fallen humanity. Recall from our study a few days ago that John the Baptist came as a witness to the true light coming into the world (John 1:8 ). Today we see that John's baptism showed that repentance was the only appropriate preparation for the coming kingdom (v. 6).

Many Jews at the time expected God to come to judge their enemies and to deliver them; few understood that this judgment might involve their need to repent. John's harsh words to the Pharisees and Sadducees were meant to show that even they, the religious leaders of Israel, couldn't rest complacently upon ancestry (v. 9), but they also needed to repent of their sins. John's baptism indicated the need for a Deliverer from sin, not a political Messiah.

This is what makes Jesus' willingness to be baptized by John so remarkable. By beginning His public ministry with His baptism, Jesus indicated His complete identification with those whom He came to save, despite the fact that He Himself was without sin. Indeed, His willing obedience is vindicated by the heavenly voice confirming that Jesus is truly the Son of God (v. 17).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Jesus' willingness to identify with our fallen humanity at His baptism assures us that the forgiveness that He offers is complete, because His baptism is also a picture of His death and resurrection. On the cross, Jesus willingly took on human sin. When He was resurrected three days later, He effected perfect reconciliation with the Father. Be encouraged by God's Word in this regard: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 1 John 4:1-3; Hebrews 5:7-10
Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. - 2 John 7
TODAY IN THE WORD
New Age teaching often claims that humans somehow partake of the divine essence. Some groups teach that we can access our inner goodness through yoga or meditation; others urge us to discover the divine all around—in nature and other humans. The secret to life, it's claimed, is to tap into positive energy and to ignore negativity. Only by connecting with the divine within can we be set free from stress and guilt. Sounds great, doesn't it? But it's not true.

The Bible teaches that rather than participating in the divine, humanity is in rebellion against God. In Jesus Christ God “became flesh.” He is both fully human and fully divine. He alone makes human access to God possible through His atoning blood. It should come as no surprise, then, that New Age groups distort the truth about Jesus, often by denying His humanity or rejecting His divinity.

Such confusion regarding Jesus is nothing new. In fact, the apostle John warned his readers about dangerous false teachers and offered tests to discern truth from error. The most important test concerns what people say about Jesus. John is very concerned to ensure a correct understanding of Jesus, especially concerning the incarnation.

Hebrews 5 also affirms Jesus' incarnation and offers us a vivid picture of His humanity, one that most likely reflects on Gethsemane (see Matt. 26:36-46). Here we see Jesus' dependence on the Father and His perfect obedience. But this passage teaches that Jesus learned obedience from the suffering experienced during His incarnation. Verse 9 doesn't imply that Jesus was somehow imperfect before His incarnation, rather it shows Jesus to be the perfect high priest who could sympathize with our human condition, He had to actually experience real human suffering. In this way Jesus was able to do what no other human being ever could, namely become the perfect sacrifice for human sin and the source of eternal salvation.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The early church knew that truth was the best response to error. Consider this section of the Nicene Creed: “We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.”

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Hebrews 2:10-18
We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. - Hebrews 10:10
TODAY IN THE WORD
Missionaries often face difficult cultural obstacles while sharing the gospel. Don and Carol Richardson faced this as they began ministering to the Sawi people and realized that they considered the hero of the Gospel accounts to be Judas, not Jesus! Among these headhunting cannibals, treachery was a virtue.

When intertribal conflicts increased, the Richardsons considered leaving, believing that their presence contributed to local tensions. Yet the warring tribes wanted the missionaries to stay and began a difficult and complex process of securing peace. Eventually, an infant from each tribe, known as the “peace child,” was exchanged with the understanding that as long as the child lived, there would be no more war. Don Richardson then realized that God had given the perfect analogy for bringing the gospel to these tribes.

The Sawi understood that only a costly sacrifice could ensure a lasting peace. In fact, only the sacrifice of one of their own would do. In a similar way, because Jesus shares in the humanity of those whom He saves, His death is actually able to bring about their salvation.

Note the emphasis on Jesus' humanity in today's passage. In spite of the profound differences between the One who makes people holy and those who are made holy (v. 11), Jesus is not ashamed to call humans His brothers and sisters. That alone is a claim without equal in the world's religions. But notice also that Jesus' identification with the human family is not the final goal. Instead, we see in this passage that suffering in His incarnation was for the purpose of paying the price of human sin. He was tempted and truly suffered, and He is able to atone for sin and to become a faithful priest on our behalf.

We see that human blood was required to atone fully for human sin, “because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sin” (Heb. 10:4).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Most people understandably fear death, yet for many, this fear can become obsessive. Consider the emphasis that many in America place on maintaining a youthful appearance, and the extremes to which some will go to prevent aging. Today's passage offers a needed corrective to such unhealthy attitudes. Because Jesus has destroyed the one who has the power of death (v. 17), we, as believers, can face the future free from this paralyzing fear. That's the kind of hope that people all around us desperately need to hear!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 1:26-31; Colossians 1:15-20
Just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven. - 1 Corinthians 15:49
TODAY IN THE WORD
When the glittering gold artifacts from the tomb of Egyptian King Tutankhamun toured the world in the 1970s, people camped out on museum steps for tickets to this blockbuster exhibition. So far the 2006 exhibition has sparked similar enthusiasm. Seeing these amazing relics illustrates how the ancient Egyptians believed that Pharaoh was the very image of god.

We've looked at Jesus' humanity, and its importance for salvation. We'll continue this focus for several more days by concentrating upon Jesus as the perfect human being. We begin by considering humanity as made in the image of God.

As we've noted, ancient Egyptians claimed that only a Pharaoh could be the image of God. Old Babylonian myths said humans were created by lesser gods who were tired of the duties to serve and feed the higher gods. How different is Genesis 1:26-31! As the culmination of God's creativity, human beings were created in His own image and likeness, stressing that humans are like God in important ways, although they are not God.

Created as male and female, we see that relationship is one way humans are in God's image. We also see that God uses language to reveal Himself to humanity, and language distinguished humans from the rest of creation. Finally, God entrusts humanity with responsibility, showing that human morality is also part of the image of God.

Yet the Fall marred humanity's ability to image God. As the perfect human being, however, Jesus images God perfectly. Recall from John 1 that in Jesus we behold God's glory. As Bible scholar Peter O'Brien notes, “In him the invisible has become visible.” In Him, we behold the power that brought creation into existence and that continues to uphold it (v. 17). In Him, we behold the fullness of deity and the reconciliation that He is bringing about throughout all creation.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Colossians 1:15-20 offers exciting parallels between God's work in creation and His work of redemption. In creation, Adam and Eve together bore God's image. In His incarnation, the perfect human being Jesus Christ perfectly images the true God. And because of His resurrection (the firstborn from the dead, v. 18), in redemption, the body of Christ, the church, now bears the image of God. How do our churches and fellowships reflect His image, and how we might more fully bear His image to a fallen world?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 8; Hebrews 2:5-9
At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. - Philippians 2:10
TODAY IN THE WORD
Irene was a faithful Christian woman who was a blessing everywhere she went. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was involved in numerous ministries and was known for prayer and encouragement. When Irene suddenly became sick, doctors found advanced ovarian cancer. Many believers prayed for Irene's complete healing. Even so, Irene deteriorated quickly and went to be with the Lord only a few months after her initial diagnosis.

Situations like this evoke a profound sense that life should not be so. Deep down we long for that time when sickness and death no longer exist and Jesus reigns supreme over all. Perhaps such thoughts were on the mind of the author of Hebrews as he reflected upon Psalm 8 and the reality of human suffering.

When David wrote this psalm, he may have been gazing at the stars, overwhelmed by the magnitude of God's creation. Compared with the heavens, humans seem pretty small. David marveled not only that God had created such wonders, but that He had given dominion over them to humans (see Gen. 1:28).

Centuries later, as the author of Hebrews reflected on this psalm, it was clear that the human condition did not align with either Psalm 8 or Genesis 1. The glory intended for humanity contrasted painfully with the present reality. But the author of Hebrews saw something that had not been revealed to David. He saw that God's answer to this problem was found in the life and death of the perfect human being, Jesus Christ.

The key to this insight came from the expression “son of man” (v. 6). At one level this Hebrew expression simply means “human being,” but when applied to the perfect Human Being, it becomes a messianic title. Because of Christ's humiliation on the cross, He has been supremely exalted. And although we do not yet see everything in subjection to Him, we will when He returns in glory.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Hebrews helps us to understand that the correct perspective can only be found by focusing on Jesus. Perhaps you're overwhelmed by the impending death of a loved one, or are confronted with an illness that ravages your own body. Today's passage offers two powerful encouragements. First, realize that suffering and death are not God's intended plan for humanity. Second, focus on Jesus, the One who already tasted death and whose death ensures that we who believe in Him will ultimately be with Him forever.