Exodus 2:1-10 The Deliverer Arrives

Moses' parents were Amram and Jochebed, both from the tribe of Levi.  "Hebrews 11:23 commends both the father and the mother for trusting God.  Certainly it took faith for them to have normal marital relations during that dangerous time when Jewish babies were being killed," my commentary said.

In Acts and Hebrews, we're told that Moses was seen to be "no ordinary child," and it is evident that God had a special purpose for him, my commentary continued.  Moses' mother was trusting God by putting her son in the basket in the Nile, and God didn't fail her.

And when Pharaoh's daughter came to the river to bathe, "God used a baby's tears to control the heart of a powerful princess ... A baby's tears were God's first weapons in His war against Egypt."

"He used Miriam's words to arrange for the baby's mother to raise the boy and get paid for it!"  The princess named him Moses, meaning "born" or "son" in Egyptian, and sounding like the Hebrew word meaning "draw out".  "Years later, his name would remind Moses of the God who rescued him and did great things for him in Egypt."

Father, this child surely must have known You had a plan for him.  As a man, Moses could certainly look back and see how You had communicated with him and guarded him.  I'm so thankful that You've begun doing the same with me.  I love going over what You've already done in my life, preparing me for what You still have to show me.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Exodus 1 -- Life In Egypt Just Got Rough

Jacob and his sons had migrated to Egypt at God's command to escape famine in the land they were inhabiting.  He'd already prepared the way, putting Joseph as second in command of Egypt.  For their lifetimes and many more, God caused the Egyptians to bless them as they had brought blessings to Egypt.  They'd watched the dynasties come and go, until finally a pharaoh came to power who'd never heard of Joseph or what he'd done.  The Jews had become a significant minority in Egyptian society, and he saw them as a national security risk, deciding that invaders might form an alliance with them to overthrow the Egyptians.  

Reversing the idea of emancipation, he three them into slavery in an attempt to reverse their population growth, but it had the opposite effect!  When afflicting the adults didn't work, he tried killing all Jewish boys at birth.  He probably thought he'd absorb the girls into the Egyptian race through marriage to Egyptian slaves, my commentary said.  "But Genesis 3:15 and 12:1-3 said that God would not permit such a thing to happen, and He used two Jewish midwives to outwit Pharaoh.  This is the first instance in Scripture of what we call today "civil disobedience" -- refusing to obey an evil law because of a higher good."

Seeing that so many Jewish boys were surviving birth, Pharaoh decided to put the entire ethic Egyptian population into action, getting them to report the presence of male Jewish babies so that they could be drowned in the Nile.  That river was sacred to the Egyptians, yet it would be polluted with decaying bodies!  "The real cause of the conflict announced in 3:15 was the enmity between the people of God and the children of Satan:  a conflict that still goes on in the world today."

Father, it's always so amazing to watch Your plan at work throughout history and despite Satan's best efforts to thwart Your plans!  Guide me as I read this again to see how even this prepared the world for the arrival of Your Son.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Matthew 28:16-20 The Commission

My commentary stated that the ascension did not occur at the place and time described in these verses, "but later, after He had ministered to His disciples in Jerusalem (Luke 24:44-53)."  It said the "Great Commission" does apply to us as believers, so we should understand the factors that are involved.

1)  An authority -- Jesus had authority -- the right to use power," so we may obey Him without fear.  No matter where He leads us, no matter what circumstances we face, He is in control ... The early church operated on the basis of the Lord's sovereign authority.  They ministered in His name.  They depended on His power and guidance.  They did not face a lost world on the basis of their own authority, but on the authority of Jesus Christ."

2)  An activity -- "While you are going, make disciples of all nations," is how verses 19-20 translate... "Being a disciple meant ... apprenticeship ... a disciple attached himself to a teacher, identified with him, learned from him, and lived with him.  He learned, not simply by listening, but also by doing ... It is not enough to win people to the Savior; we must also teach them the Word of God.  This is also a part of the Great Commission."

3)  An ability -- "Jesus is also present with His people as they scatter into the world to witness.  Had He remained on earth, Jesus could not have fulfilled this promise.  It is when the Spirit came that Jesus could be with His people no matter where they were."

Father, help me to not stop telling others about You.  It was so great to see many of the young people You have led me to disciple during this holiday season.  Thanks for reminding me of that joy to help me keep doing it! 

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Matthew 27:57-28:8 The Resurrection

After Joseph and Nicodemus placed Jesus' body in the tomb, they had a large stone rolled over the entrance.  My commentary said, "The disciples had forgotten that Jesus promised to rise from the dead on the third day, but His enemies remembered."  They asked Pilate for guards and also sealed the stone to the face of the rock.

At dawn on Sunday, as the women were coming to anoint His body, an earthquake and an incredibly bright light occurred, and an angel told them He had risen and would see His disciples in Galilee.  As they headed to tell the disciples, Jesus appeared to them and they worshiped Him.  

Father, on the day we celebrate Your Son's incarnation, I am amazed at Your timing that I am also reading of His resurrection.  This just shows me how short this life is compared to eternity, and I'm glad I'll be spending it with You.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Matthew 27:45-56 Rejected By The Father

My commentary labeled this section "Rejected By The Father".  Once Jesus was affixed to the cross, darkness engulfed the land for three hours.  In Jewish history, there had been three days of darkness before the first Passover in Egypt, my commentary reminded us, so we can know that this darkness was similar -- not an eclipse or a sandstorm.

"After three hours, the darkness left.  Then Jesus cried, 'My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?' (Psalm 22:1).  It was during the time of darkness that Jesus had been made sin for us.  He had been forsaken by the Father!  That darkness was a symbol of the judgment that He endured when He was 'made a curse' for us ... How could a holy God look with favor on His Son who had become sin?" my commentary said.

At the moment of His death, "three miracles took place simultaneously:  The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; an earthquake opened many graves; and some saints arose from the dead," my commentary continued.  "The torn veil indicates that He conquered sin; the earthquake (similar to what Moses experienced on Mount Sinai when the law was given) suggests that He conquered the law and fulfilled it; and the resurrections prove that He defeated death."

Father, I envision Your Son on that cross in that terrible darkness, taking on the weight of the sins of the world, mentally flashing through scenes of every filthy act of every human who'd ever lived or would ever live.  It pains me to think of the suffering He endured when my own sins were put on Him and He was judged for them.  What agony I was a part of producing!  Forgive me.  Thank You for Your sacrifice.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Matthew 27:27-44 The Hours Before Crucifixion

"History states that Christ died, but theology explains, "Christ died for our sins."

Jesus had been up all night, during which he had been mocked by the soldiers.  They'd stripped Him and placed an old soldier's cloak on his bleeding back and a crown of thorns on his head.  Then they childishly acted out fake homage.  Some spat on Him and hit Him in the head with the reed they'd provided as His scepter, as had been prophesied in Isaiah 50:6, my commentary said.

He carried His cross part of the way, until the soldiers drafted Simon from Cyrene to get the procession moving along again.  They tried to give Him a narcotic drink to dull the pain, but He refused.  "He did the will of God in complete control of His faculties, fulfilling Psalm 69:21."  The soldiers gambled for His clothing, fulfilling Psalm 22:18.  The crucifixion was performed next to what in our day would be a highway, and passersby heaped scorn on Him, as did the Jewish leaders after He was affixed to that cross.  

Father, I marvel that You could even show such love to humans the way we treated Your Son.  You had every right to destroy the world, but instead You loved it.  Thank You for Your infinite love!

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Matthew 27:11-26 The Undoing of Pilate

My commentary started this section by showing how Pilate fit the bill for his position in this drama:  "He was not liked by the Jews because he did things that deliberately violated their law and provoked them.  He was not above killing people to accomplish his purposes."  Wee, he ought to get along great with that Jewish council!  Sounds just like them!  

The Jewish council had carefully crafted three charges against Jesus specifically designed to require Pilate to act:  "1) He was misleading the nation; 2) He was forbidding the payment of taxes, and 3) He was claiming to be king."  These got Pilate involved, because they threatened Roman rule."

Pilate, ever the politician concerned about maintaining his lifestyle, chose the "claiming to be king" charge.  "If he could deal with this revolutionary properly, Pilate could please the Jews AND impress the emperor at the same time," my commentary said.  However, once he and Jesus talked, Pilate was convinced Jesus posed no danger, and he was ready to free him.  Even a side visit to Herod, though, didn't go his way.

He then saw another opportunity in the annual tradition of releasing a prisoner during Passover.  He picked the vilest man in custody -- one no person would want released in his town -- yet the Jewish leaders incited the crowd to select him over Jesus!  The leaders were beginning a riot that they always fought against during Passover!  Pilate relented, and went down in history as the man who condemned Jesus to die.

Father, I know it was actually my sin that Jesus died for, taking them from me and placing them on my behalf upon Himself and facing Your wrath over them so I would never have to.  Even acknowledging this, I still find myself adding to that list of sins, yet He died for all of them -- even my future sins.  I will never be able to finish saying thank You when I see You both someday!

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford