Musings from SHDZ ARK

There is something more to learn in Genesis 15:1 . . .

The first words that God says are, “Do not be afraid.” Do not be afraid?? These words are spoken to the man who just took 318 trained servants and defeated four kings!! I imagine, however, that Abram could have been afraid that God would “forget” or “overlook” him, that He would not follow through on what He had promised, that He would not provide for Abram when he had just refused to profit from others.

God’s answer to these fears was, “I am your shield.” God is the best protection that we could ever have. No insurance policy can touch the way that God surrounds us and protects us!

God then says, “I am . . . your exceedingly great reward.” (NKJV) I like this translation . . . because it is saying that God Himself is the greatest reward or treasure that we could ever have!

Later in Abram’s life, God tested this (see Genesis 20) . . . because God wanted to make sure that no one or no thing else would take God’s place in Abram’s heart.

How about you? Is God truly your shield? Is He your exceedingly great reward? Or . . . have you convinced yourself that some person or some possession is actually a better protection or better reward than God? If so, repentance today is always in order!

How many of us would like God to speak directly to us? Or, at least to receive fresh revelation from Him?

Genesis 15:1 gives us an interesting insight. The first three words are simply, “After these things” . . . and then the word of the Lord comes to Abram! Obviously, we need to determine what “after these things” is . . .

Looking back in chapter 14, we see that Abram demonstrated his heart for God (by tithing to Melchizedek—v. 20), his concern for his family members (by rescuing Lot’s family—v. 16), and his lack of greed (by refusing to profit from his rescue mission—v. 23). Clearly, Abram demonstrated attitudes and actions that reflected qualities of God!

In our desire for God to speak to us in fresh new ways, let’s do our part by going after God with all our heart, caring for others like God cares for them, and by refusing to value the things that the world values. It may not be exactly like Abram, but I’m convinced that God WILL speak to us when we pursue His priorities!

Continuing my study of Matthew 27, I read the account of how Pilate’s soldiers mistreated Jesus after He had been scourged. It says that they put a scarlet robe on Him. In my research, I learned that scarlet was a cheap imitation of the royal purple that was reserved for Roman Emperors.

They then placed a crown of thorns on His head. Why? Because all Caesars were adorned with a laurel circlet, and this was their mocking substitute.

Next, they gave Him a reed in His right hand, directly imitating the scepter that Caesar likewise held. And then they bowed the knee and cried out, “Hail, King of the Jews!” This was their own variation of the common cry throughout the Roman Empire—“Hail, Caesar!”

There is such tremendous irony here. The Roman soldiers thought that they were mocking a false Caesar, One who in no way compared to their great Emperor. However, in reality the tables were turned—their beloved Caesar was severely limited in his actual authority and grandeur, while this bloodied and beaten man before them was truly the one and only Caesar, the only Emperor with true authority and deserving of full honor.

So . . . which Caesar (or Caesars) do YOU worship? Do you worship the one true Christ, who is “before all things, and in Him all things consist” (Colossians 1:17)? Or . . . do you worship some other Caesar—an authority who is only recognized by this world, and who has little power to make any true or lasting difference?

Which Caesar commands your attention, your resources,  your honor?

I was reading recently in Matthew 27, and I came to the familiar passage where Pilate is seeking to secure Jesus’ freedom. Starting with verse 15, it reads in the NKJV: “Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. And at the time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.” The interesting thing, however, is that my margin for the NKJV says that Barabbas in some manuscripts is actually named “Jesus Barabbas.”

“Jesus” was actually a very common name in the Hebrew culture. It’s actually the name for “Joshua,” and it means, “Savior or deliverer.” The angel told Joseph to call the baby “Jesus,” for He would “save” the people from their sins.

Now, here in verse 17, the contrast is made more clear: “Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, ‘Whom do you want me to release to you? [Jesus] Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?’” Pilate essentially asked them, “Which Jesus do you choose?”

Which Savior do YOU want? Do you want the savior who works through worldly means, who attempts to use worldly force to achieve a worldly salvation? Something that only lasts for the here and now, if even that long? Or . . . do you want the Savior who is called the “Anointed,” the One who uses heavenly means to achieve an eternal salvation? One that does not initially seem to meet what you’re looking for, but in the end is truly the ONLY thing you are looking for?

Which Jesus do you choose?