Also He (Jesus) spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14
Jesus uses this parable to reveal that the way of humility has two paths. In the parable we see two men who had differing assessments of their lives and more importantly, differing attitudes toward their need for God.
The tax collector understood his true need and offered no pretense to hide behind. He acknowledged his sinful heart reverently seeking God’s mercy. The Pharisee on the other hand carried an elevated view of himself believing he was justified before God because of his own works. In his way, the Pharisee was saying to God “I don’t need your mercy”. Both men had the same heart issue and needed God’s mercy. The difference is one recognized it while the other was blind to the truth of his life.
Ultimately the road to humility has to be traveled by each of us. As Jesus points out, its either now or later. But its all about which toll do we want to pay.
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Psalm 34:18
“The heart of true faith is rooted in and guided by truth; truth established by God through the essence of His nature and His Word. Without His truth as revealed in the Bible, man can only stumble in his effort to know Him and be redeemed by Him.” M.P. Bramble
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. Philippians 3:20-21
What is in-store for the followers of Jesus Christ is beyond our imagination. This short snippet of Scripture from Philippians offers a hint of the glory we will share and excites an anticipation for Christ’s return. The Apostle Paul tells us that we will be transformed into a body like the glorified, resurrected body of Jesus Christ. What hope this stirs in us for the future and the expectation that all of the earthly baggage we experience now will be no more. Maranatha!
“The heart of true faith is rooted in and guided by truth; truth established by God through the essence of His nature and His Word. Without His truth as revealed in the Bible, man can only stumble in his effort to know Him and be redeemed by Him.” M.P. Bramble
Photo courtesy of the Psalm 19 Project – check it out – Psalm 19 Project
Make haste, O God, to deliver me! Make haste to help me, O Lord! Let them be ashamed and confounded Who seek my life; Let them be turned back and confused Who desire my hurt. Let them be turned back because of their shame, Who say, “Aha, aha!”
Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Let God be magnified!”
But I am poor and needy; Make haste to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay. Psalm 70 NKJV
Being in the middle of trials and difficulties can lead us down an unexpected path we don’t want to go. Like David (the author of Psalm 70) we want them done and over with as soon as possible. Our prayer and cry to God is “hurry up, get me out of this”. But maybe being in the middle of it all is where God wants us. In between David’s “make haste” pleas to God, notice he slows down, takes a breath by faith and considers the character of God. He then rejoices and magnifies the Name of God knowing there is One who is bigger than his problems. Next time you are in the middle of it, maybe it is time to take a deep breath and magnify our Lord.
“The heart of true faith is rooted in and guided by truth; truth established by God through the essence of His nature and His Word. Without His truth as revealed in the Bible, man can only stumble in his effort to know Him and be redeemed by Him.” M.P. Bramble
Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Hebrews 13:12-16 NKJV
The writer of Hebrews reminds those who are believers in Christ that we have been set free being sanctified by the blood of Jesus. In that freedom our focus can now be offering the sacrifice of praise to God instead of bearing the guilt and burden of our own sin. To those set free in Christ, praise and doing good is now the sacrifice God is pleased with.
TRUTH MATTERS – The heart of true faith is rooted in and guided by truth; truth established by God through the essence of His nature and His Word. Without His truth as revealed in the Bible, man can only stumble in his effort to know Him and be redeemed by Him. M.P. Bramble
If you would like to follow my blog, Subscribe below or hit the follow button at the bottom of the page.
Jesus Said: This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:12-13
Some years ago on our summer treks to the beach, we would stop and visit family who lived along the Chesapeake Bay. Our kids loved their small community beach. During our stays the conversation would naturally gravitate to spiritual things with our hosts being curious about our faith in Jesus Christ. Their understanding of faith was centered around church attendance, rituals, and good works to please God rather a faith born out of God’s unmerited grace through Christ.
Pat was particularly interested as never having explored the Bible before. Over time she seemed to grasp the depth of love Jesus had for her and His desire for her to know Him more fully. Unfortunately, we received a letter that Pat had passed away in a drowning accident. She was babysitting several neighbor children at the community beach when they were caught in a rip tide being pulled out to deep water. Pat managed to save the lives of the children but lost her own during the rescue.
Each day we wake up not fully knowing what any day may bring. We rarely plan to place ourselves in the middle of a crisis much less a life and death event. Our human mind tends to believe all things will remain the same from one day to the next. This condition is referred to as the ‘normalcy bias’ which leads people to expect tomorrow will be like today without any anticipation of life changing events occurring. Then suddenly there comes a moment out of nowhere when everything changes in life.
Jesus spoke to His disciples several times of His impending death on a cross. But in their mind they could not foresee or comprehend that reality. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ was just such a point in time and history when everything changed spiritually for mankind. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to lay down His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:27-29). That day the meaning of ‘No Greater Love’ was on full display and the dynamic between God and man was forever altered having made peace through the blood of His cross.
For it pleased the Father that in Him (Jesus) all the fullness should dwell,and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. Colossians 1:19-20
The shed blood on the cross by Christ was the means whereby the requirements for man’s sin was paid for by Jesus. The wrath of God was poured out on Him for the sins of the world. With the sin debt now paid, God offers reconciliation and peace to all who will place their faith in Jesus Christ.
For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8
God’s rescue through Christ was a proactive and provocative act of love in that while we were still in our sin God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die a substitutionary death (taking our sin) for us. God did not wait for mankind to clean himself up, perform prescribed rituals or accomplish some grand sacrificial act before He offered us the gift of grace and salvation through Jesus.
But as many as received Him (Jesus Christ), to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13
There was no greater love ever expressed than on that Friday in time on a hill called Golgotha. To some that day was just another Friday in time. To those who trust Christ as their Savior, it is a day we were set free and a day that changed all of life. We call that day Good Friday.
In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:9-10
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:
‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.
This was the Lord’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’?
Matthew 21:42 (NKJV)
Michelangelo’s David in la Galleria dell’Accademia
Standing in the Accademai Galleria Museum in Florence Italy is the magnificent 17 foot tall statue of the Biblical hero King David. The opposing Carrara marble statue depicts the young David preparing for battle with the giant Goliath. Stone in hand and sling over his shoulder, David is portrayed as confidently knowing the outcome which God has rendered in his heart.
Truly an exquisite masterpiece by Michelangelo, his contemporary artist and painter Giorgio Vasari described the brilliance of the sculpture:
“For in it may be seen most beautiful contours of legs, with attachments of limbs and slender outlines of flanks that are divine; nor has there ever been seen a pose so easy, or any grace to equal that in this work, or feet, hands and head so well in accord, one member with another, in harmony, design, and excellence of artistry”.
However, it is the backstory that adds to the grandeur of the work. The statue was commissioned in approximately 1460 as part of a larger venture to sculpt twelve statues for the exterior of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.
Originally, two artists were successively commissioned to create the “David” from a marble block known as the giant. Both of the artists, Agostino di Duccio and later Antonio Rossellino, deemed the massive marble block as inferior due to imperfections which they said would threaten the stability of the creation. After little progress was made separately by each, the giant block was placed in storage from 1475 until 1501. It was then that the young Michelangelo agreed to accept the challenge to sculpt the “David” from the marble regarded as unusable.
History tells us the rest of the story. At 26 years old, Michelangelo spends the next two and half years working day and night to craft his masterpiece considered one of the finest works of art created by man. It took the vision and craftsmanship of a master to see past the imperfections recognizing the potential and beauty that was in the flawed marble block. No doubt the vision to see beyond the unrefined exterior was an exquisite gift from God to the grand artist who would go on to paint scenes from the Book of Genesis on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and many other extraordinary works.
For us ordinary, less gifted it is not uncommon to onlysee what is rather than what could be especially when it comes to people. Our vision is often obscured by our biases, familiarity or a critical eye leaving us blind to potential God has wrought deep down. That was the case with the young, human David whose family could not see beyond the facade of the shepherd boy. Although history reveals a different story as David is remembered for his courage and leadership but most of all as the man who knew the Lord as his Shepherd (Psalm 23).
In the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel Chapter 16 the teenage David comes on the scene of history as the quest for a new King of Israel begins. The current King, Saul, has proved himself unfaithful so the Lord sends the prophet Samuel to Bethlehem to the house of Jesse to select a ruler whose heart is fully committed to Him. The Lord declares to Samuel “For I have provided for Myself a king among his sons” (v1). Jesse parades his sons in front of the prophet with the exception of one, David, his youngest. The seven sons are proudly aligned from oldest to youngest while leaving David in the fields to tend the family sheep.
Even as Jesse’s oldest son, Eliab, presented himself to Samuel, the prophet said “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed”. Eliab’s stature and physical appearance obviously moved the prophet to react in haste. To the dismay of both Samuel and Jesse, Eliab is rejected by the Lord. One by one the other six sons are also not chosen to be king. It is only then David the shepherd boy is brought in from the fields to stand before the prophet. The Lord then commands Samuel “Arise and anoint him; this is the one” who will be the next King of Israel.
The event elucidates the difference between God’s vision and man’s sight. “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (v7) Obviously, even before the parade of Jesse’s sons, the Lord knew the outcome and the son who would be the next king over Israel. A lesson that was for all involved and even you and me.
The heart is the great mirror of our life reflecting our character, virtue and trust in the One who can shape us into the masterpiece He wills, if we allow. The young David had such a heart of trust in His God that allowed him to be molded into a “Man after God’s own heart”. This becomes clear as David prepares for battle with Goliath (1 Samuel 17) in his discourse with the spurned Eliab and the rejected King Saul. David declares “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine (Goliath).” (1 Samuel 17:37).
It is said David’s confidence and faith in God was Michelangelo’s inspiration for the statue’s extraordinary persona. There were many critics who believed Michelangelo missed an opportunity to portray David as the victorious slayer of the giant Philistine by not depicting him in a triumphant pose holding Goliath’s sword in hand and his head at his feet. But I believe Michelangelo understood that faith demonstrated before going into battle resonates louder than faith proclaimed when victory is already won.
The key to David’s victory was not a sling and a stone but his faith in his God who sculpted the heart of the shepherd boy. The God of the Bible calls all of us to the same courageous faith. For those who will put their trust in His Son, Christ Jesus, and His redemptive work, He will accomplish His good pleasure in us too. We become His workmanship, His masterpiece in Christ.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10
Yes, David the human warrior King was very much full of flaws with many recorded and exposed on the pages of Scripture. All of us as humans are born with that same flawed nature subject to what the Bible calls sin. But in that battle David also triumphed because he trusted in the God who forgives, restores and declares us righteous through faith. In Psalm 32 David pens:
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no deceit. Psalm 32:1-2
It is through faith in God’s Son, Jesus Christ, that forgiveness, hope and peace become a reality. It is then the beauty of what we can be begins to take shape. No matter where you are in life, no one is too far gone, too flawed or too broken to let God accomplish His work in us. All it takes is faith in the One who is the true Master Sculptor of imperfect people.
“We cannot know the future but we can know the One who holds the future in His hands.” Author Unknown
On New Year’s Eve the world collectively celebrates to ring-in the turning of the calendar to a fresh year. It is traditionally a festive night with parties, fireworks and lots of hugs and kisses. But it really is so much more than an opportunity to revel or simply turn a chronological page. We gather with friends and family to celebrate an event that signifies a transition from old to new. The evening reverberates with the motto “out with the old and in with the new”. Some liken it to the idea of forgetting the troubles of the past year with the anticipation that a new year will be filled with better days.
Many see it as an opportunity to initiate changes in their life. Some start a new diet and exercise routine, others examine their finances carefully re-prioritizing their budgets, many make resolutions to work on relationships or stop worrying so much and, of course, if you are like the old timers it is a time to go on a cleaning spree in the house.
With the advent of the New Year, the focus always shifts our attention to the future and a new beginning. No matter what life changes we resolve to tackle, it is a time for renewal and getting back on course with the basics and priorities that matter in life. We lean into that time of transition with the hope of a fresh start and the lasting change of shedding of the unwanted that have accumulated whether it is a few pounds or other trappings weighing us down.
Some people resolve to deepen or explore a relationship with God for the New Year. Amazingly, no other resolution we can pursue offers a guarantee like this one. The Bible tells us how God responds to those who seek to Him.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
But God being who He is has defined the path those who wish to seek Him must travel on. He declares we must seek Him in truth; not our truth or someone else’s. God is uncompromising in that regard.
The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. Psalm 145:18
You notice from the verse above in Hebrews that faith is an essential part of the equation. But faith in what or who? Drawing near and seeking God starts with the truth that Jesus Christ is the way of relationship and reconciliation with God. The road to God comes through faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone (John 14:6, 1 Timothy 2:5).
The thought of starting fresh with a clean slate offers us hope for the New Year. It is a freedom and newness that we all seek. Jesus Christ is the author of new beginnings as the One who made the way for mankind to be reconciled to the Father. When He comes into a life, He takes the old and makes it new.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
No one knows what the future holds in the New Year. We can always look back for better or worse to see where we have come from but we rarely know exactly what the future holds. But through Christ we are given a future, a hope, and a new beginning. In Him our tomorrows and our eternity become secure. We just have to resolve to seek Him in faith.
Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’ Isaiah 46:9-10
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. Isaiah 9:6-7a (NIV)
One of the most beloved and quoted Christmas verses from the prophet Isaiah is renown for its inclusion as a chorus in Handel’s Messiah Symphony. The words beautifully portray the message of the Messiah being given to mankind from God and the benevolent attributes of His nature by which He will rule His Kingdom.
As with many prophetic signs given in the Old Testament, the phrase a “child born and Son given” points to the First Advent of Christ who was born in Bethlehem to the virgin Mary reflecting the humanity of the Messiah. His divine nature resonates as the Son who was given by the Father to Redeem humanity from their sin.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)
While the “child born and Son given” promise was fulfilled by Jesus Christ at His first earthly appearing, the remaining portion of Isaiah 9:6-7 verses illuminate another time in history future when He will physically satisfy what can be referred to as the Kingdom verses. Surprisingly to many, those Kingdom verses beckon the Second Coming of Jesus Christ when He returns at the end of the event known as the Tribulation. He will then take possession of the Earth and rule as Lord and King in the 1,000 year Millennial Kingdom.
The prophet Daniel in a vision foresaw the day when the Messiah would establish His Kingdom upon the Earth and rule the nations therefore bearing the weight of governing upon His shoulders. Also see (Jeremiah 23:5-6).
“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. Daniel 7:13-14 (NIV)
The saints of the Old Testament patiently waited for the Messiah as they yearned for the justice and righteousness He would afford as the One called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. In the fullness of time, God fulfilled His promises that First Advent but just not in the character and manner those longing believers expected. Jesus Christ first neededto make a way for man’s sin debt to be forgiven by means of the cross before a righteous Kingdom could be established.
Here we are 2,000 years later and as Christians have been given the promises and prophesies of the Messiah’s Second Advent in the Holy Scriptures. When that day comes to pass, Jesus Christ will be a ruler unlike our imperfect, human leaders who so easily fail us. He will rule the nations as the perfect King with absolute righteousness, love and understanding fulfilling the Kingdom verses of Isaiah 9 as well as a multitude of other Biblical prophesies. And we who belong to Christ by faith will be part of the first resurrection and reign with Him in that Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 20:6).
As the promises of the First Advent that came to pass were sure and irrevocable so shall the assurance of the Second Advent come upon the Earth in God’s appointed time. On that day, the redeemed in Christ shall celebrate that “Christmas Future” with the One they shall adore as the Prince of Peace and their Mighty God. And of His government and peace there shall be no end.
Jesus Christ declares: “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie. “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.” The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. Revelation 22:12-17(NLT)
In times past, God spoke through the prophets of old and gave us a great promise. A promise of One who would come to bring a glorious light unto all men. The prophet tells us “The Lord Himself shall give us a sign: Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son”. The radiance of His name would reveal Him as “Immanuel” – God with us.
We gather to celebrate that night God fulfilled His long-awaited promise; the night of our dear Savior’s birth. A night divine, when an Angel came in glorious splendor as shepherds watched over the fields saying, “Do not be afraid, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”. This was God’s holy declaration that the advent of the Messiah had come. A day the prophets of old longed to see with their very eyes and a promise now complete.
On that first Noel, suddenly a great multitude of heavenly hosts appeared in the sky praising God and proclaiming, “Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men”. For the dawn of redeeming grace had now come through the Savior, Christ the Lord. A gift of glorious hope that made it possible for “God and sinner to be reconciled” and for man to know the joy of God’s favor.
Upon that midnight clear a star of wonder, a star of royal beauty bright shone in the sky to guide men who would seek the Savior. Wise Men from the East traveling afar came to the perfect light bearing precious gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold heralds the newborn baby as King. Frankincense symbolizes Him as God Most High and finally Myrrh speaks to the oil that would anoint the Savior when He bore our sins.
So, this night, like the Wise Men we too bring gifts given to each other in love celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus who is the perfect and enduring gift to all the world. Let us hold fast this Christmas with the remembrance of God’s promise fulfilled when the wonder of His love came into our world. For all who call upon His Name, He renders in their heart a gift of peace, joy and everlasting hope.
And still another wondrous promise from God remains yet unseen. The promise of a soon second advent of Jesus, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. For in Him, a marvelous light will dawn “upon us” as the Bright and Morning Star. Let us look to the blessed hope, Immanuel, God with us.
If you desire to know how to have a relationship with Jesus Christ – Check out this page.
If you would like to Follow my posts, Subscribe below: Thanks for reading.
True Vine Talk 
You must be logged in to post a comment.