Significance of the New Covenant Meal

 “that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭22:30‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus says as He reveals the communion meal of the New Covenant that “We will eat and drink at the table I am serving in My Kingdom; your co-seatedness with Me around My table symbolises twelve thrones endorsing your authority to bring context and closure to the indifference and ignorance of the tribes of Israel in their judgment of Me.”  This most significant Pascha meal will extend far beyond the moment - in every meal in future, the “Table of the Lord” will be celebrated as the incarnation trophy of mankind’s redeemed innocence and identity as prophesied and concluded in the Messiah Saviour of the world.  The presence of the twelve disciples, who witnessed the proof of His mission, will bring conclusion to the entire prophetic context of the twelve tribes of Israel.  May we recognise the significance of the New Covenant meal celebrated in all eternity.  Thank You Jesus!

Chief Shepherd

 “And the lot of the children of Joseph fell from Jordan by Jericho, unto the water of Jericho on the east, to the wilderness that goeth up from Jericho throughout mount Beth-el,”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭16:1‬ ‭KJV

The territory assigned to Joseph’s descendants began east of the springs of Jericho near the Jordan, then turned north through the desert and into the hill country as far as Bethel.  Though Joseph was one of the younger sons of Jacob, yet he was his eldest by his best beloved wife Rachel.  Joseph was also Jacob’s best beloved son and had kept Jacob’s family from perishing in a time of famine, and had been the shepherd and stone of Israel. So his posterity were very much favoured by the lot. Their portion lay in the very heart of the land of Canaan and extended from Jordan in the east to the Mediterranean Sea, in the west, so that it took up the whole breadth of Canaan from side to side; and without doubt the fruitfulness of the soil answered the blessings both of Jacob when he blessed his sons before dying and of Moses when he blessed the twelve tribes.  Joseph depicts Jesus as the Shepherd and Cornerstone which Israel rejected and in Whom we have redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace!  Hallelujah!

Jesus was Judged for All Mankind

 “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭21:33‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus said that seasons will come and go as witnessed in sky and land; yet My words will always be current and relevant!  What Jesus said prophetically here was John’s focus of the slain and risen Lamb of God in the graphic symbolism of Revelation - timeless, relevant and significant.  The message in Revelation of the Lamb is dynamic: people across the planet would face challenges at any time of testing and experience temptation to conform to diabolical religious mindsets at the expense of their true identity and freedom.  These “judgments” will continue until we fully realise the finished work of Jesus and what it was that the Lamb of God accomplished when He gave Himself as the Sacrifice instead of demanding a sacrifice from us.  Tragedy, crisis and wars are not acts of God!  God brought sin and separation to an end through the Cross when Jesus was judged for all mankind.  Judgment is not God’s business, Salvation is!  Worthy is the Lamb!

Land of Our Heart

 “And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭15:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Caleb drove out three Anakim from Hebron: Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai - descendants of Anak.  These descendants of Anak were the giants in the land.  Sheshai means “whitewashed” and he represents hypocrisy.  Jesus called the religious scholars of His day and the Pharisees, hypocrites and tombs painted with white paint.  Ahiman means “my brother is a gift” and represents an exaggerated spirituality.  Talmai means “brave” and represents arrogance and false confidence.  If we find these giants in the “land” of our hearts, then we must cast them out. If we say that we have fellowship with God, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.  Amen!

Checkmated

 “And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which be Cæsar's, and unto God the things which be God's. And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭20:25-26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus asked for a denarius, when the representatives of the chief priests and the scribes asked whether Jews should pay taxes to the Roman authority.  Then Jesus asked whose image is on that penny and they answered, Cæser’s.  So Jesus said, Return to Cæser what belongs to him!  And return to God what belongs to Him.  Jesus checkmated them with this final statement and shifted the entire focus to the immediate and most relevant reality!  He might as well have said, Show me a Person Whose image and inscription are engraved in you!  Everyone was amazed at the wisdom of His words, which totally disarmed these imposter-spies and left them speechless.  Jesus is the Word Who had said that God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.  Let’s rejoice in our identity  in Christ Who restored back Him in us for those of us who believe!  Glory to God!

Possess and Enjoy Your Inheritance

 “Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭14:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Caleb reminded Joshua how Yahweh had made the promise to Moses that every part of the land their feet trod was an inheritance to them and their descendants forever.  So Caleb says here that it’s been forty-five years since Yahweh made that promise to Moses, when Israel journeyed through the wilderness.  Yahweh preserved Caleb, an eighty-five year old man, to this day!  Caleb’s courage at eighty-five was incredible!  He was neither weary nor intimidated by any giant.  He knew God had promised him that land, and no giant was going to get in his way.  Caleb was a giant killer and lived another twenty five years enjoying his inheritance.  Jesus has crushed the devil under our feet and destroyed all the devil’s works so we must with courage claim our inheritance and enjoy it.  Hallelujah!

Bank the Word in You

 “wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭19:23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus gave the parable of the king giving mina to his servants.  The other servant’s profited from their mina but one slothful servant returned his unused mina giving the excuse that he was afraid of the king’s expectation of him.  So the king asked the slothful servant why had he not put the mina in the bank so at the king’s return it would have gained some interest.  The mina in the story represents the prophetic Word.  The ones who engage the Word discover their own worth and identity in the revealed Christ.  For others, like the slothful servant, their perception of a rigorous, cruel God completely neutralises them from recognising Jesus as the Christ!  The least they could do is to ‘bank’ the Word!  This would keep the promise alive for them in a positive environment where interest is accumulated!  Let’s be those who engage with the Word and see the revealed Christ by meditating on it day and night and do what it says, so that we’re profitable in mirroring the Word to others as they see the revealed Christ in and through us!  Amen!

Possessing Our Inheritance

 “Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭13:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Many years passed, and Joshua was a very old man.  One day, Yahweh spoke to him: “Although you have reached a ripe old age, a great deal of land remains for you to conquer..”. Joshua had spied out the land forty-five years earlier.  He was over eighty years old at the time of this encounter with Yahweh.  Despite all of Joshua’s victories, there remained more territory to conquer.  Believers today, although complete in Christ, have yet more spiritual blessings to possess.  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.  Let’s believe and possess with child-like faith our inheritance in Christ.  Amen!

Believe & Receive

 “And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭18:42‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The blind beggar who hollered for Jesus to have mercy on him was brought to Jesus. Jesus asked him what he wanted and he replied that he may see.  Jesus responded, Look up! Your faith has made you well.  Jesus commended the blind man’s faith who didn’t ask for a miracle and then believe, but rather believed first and received his miracle.  The true Gospel is from faith to faith and the dynamic of the Gospel is the revelation of God’s faith as the only valid basis for our belief.  It is God’s faith to begin with, and not our good or bad behaviour.  The just live by God’s faith.  This is the new covenant of the Gospel of grace that the promises of God outdate any performance.  Let’s celebrate that our righteousness is not by works but by God’s faith!  Let’s celebrate that we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus!  Glory to God!

The Utter Destruction of Powers that Hinder Us

 “the king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is beside Beth-el, one; the king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one; the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one; the king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one;”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭12:9-12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

These are the nine out of thirty one kings, Joshua destroyed utterly.  Our heavenly Yeshua has defeated every principality, power and stronghold that resists our advance in Christ.  The meaning of the names of these cities represents principalities that dull our understanding of the finished work of Christ for us.  Jericho represents walls, impossibilities, limitations.  Ai means a heap of ruins and represents the world system.  Jerusalem then ruled by Adoni-zedek means lord of righteousness which represents counterfeit spirituality.  Hebron ruled by Hoham means fellowship and broken representing broken fellowship with God.  Jarmuth meaning lifted up, ruled by Piram meaning wild donkey represents pride and arrogance.  Lachish means impregnable, ruled by Japhia meaning splendid and bright, represents human ingenuity.  Eglon which means bull-like represents human arguments and oratory.  Gezer means steep and precipitous represents a sharp tongue with stinging words.  These are some of the principalities which hinder our walk in the Spirit and which we overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and by the Word of our testimony.  Hallelujah!

Forgiveness is to Restore Christ’s Image

 “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭17:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus teaches His disciples the importance of forgiveness that mirrored in our own eyes, we remind our brother or sister of his or her value when they sin against us.  The moment they awaken to it, forgiveness is realised.  Forgiveness is a restoration of the true identity.  The injury, insult, shame, hostility or guilt will no longer define that individual.  Because Jesus forgave at the highest level to restore mankind’s true image, He now expects us to do the same.  Let’s be those who are in the work of restoring Christ’s image in all whom we come across - that’s the Kingdom of God!  Hallelujah!

Destroy Giants by Faith

 “And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭11:21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Joshua also drove out the Anakim, a race of giants, from the hill country (including the cities of Hebron, Debir, and Aman) - from the entire hill country of Judah and Israel.  Joshua destroyed the Anakim and their towns.  When Moses sent the twelve spies to check out the promised land, Joshua was one of the spies.  Ten of them were intimidated by the giants there, the descendants of Anak.  Joshua and Caleb were the two out of the twelve who were confident that they could eliminate the giants.  Because of these Anakim, the children of Israel came into fear and unbelief and wandered in the wilderness for forty years.  God gave Joshua and Caleb the opportunity to put their faith into action forty years later!  Under Joshua’s leadership the Anakim were eliminated and enabled the tribes of Israel to possess their inheritance.  Giants are nothing compared to God’s omnipotence.  Our Heavenly Joshua has eliminated all giants and brought us into full faith in the power of the finished work of the Cross.  Now thanks be to  God, Who always causes us to triumph in Christ, and makes manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place.  Thank You Jesus!

Salvation is a Sonship Matter

 “The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭16:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus, speaking to the multitudes and the Pharisees, said that the era of the law and the prophets terminated with John!  From then on, the Good News of the Kingdom of God is proclaimed; yet, it seems, that every one is forcing their way in!  No one will make it through the Door by their efforts to define their own identity.  Jesus is the conclusion of the law-system!  Salvation is a sonship thing, being part of the family of God through Christ as He is the Door.    Forcing your way in by your own striving will never work.  Sin is really about missing out on sonship!  God will be a Father to us, and we shall be His sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.  That’s the family of God!  Amen!

God’s Response to Man’s Faith

 “And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, Until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭10:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

And so the sun stood still in the middle of the sky and was in no hurry to set until one day became two.  And the moon halted while the nation triumphed over its enemies - as it is also recorded in the Scroll of Jasher the Upright One.  This is perhaps the most amazing miracle recorded in Israel’s history.  By a decree of a mortal, the entire cosmos paused as Yahweh Himself fought for His covenant people!  God is the Engineer of the Universe and holds its contents in His Hands.  He can accelerate or slow down the created order He set in place.  If we are in the new covenant with God through Jesus Christ, we have become His people, and God will go to any length to see us win our battles as we live in faith and obedience to Him.  Hallelujah!

Our Authentic Identity

 “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭15:7‬ ‭KJV

Jesus gives the parable of the lost sheep found by the Shepherd and brought home with great joy and celebration.  He says that this celebration mirrors heaven’s joy over the one out of sync person who awakens to their authentic identity, rather than over the ninety nine, who supposedly understand who they are and therefore need no persuasion.  The ninety nine other sheep is a reflection of the religious Pharisees who didn’t join the celebration and couldn’t enjoy the benefits of true sonship since they thought they were righteous on their own.  Jesus never came for the self-righteous.  The word for ‘lost’ means without form pointing to a distorted identity, which is out of context with the blueprint of one’s design and behave out of tune with God’s original harmony.  The only way back is to awaken one’s mind to the original identity.  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.  Amen!

Fresh Bread of Heaven & New Wine

 “and these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭9:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The Gibeonites deceived Joshua and the Israelites, being near neighbours, they pretended to come from a distant land showing their old and mouldy bread and the wineskins which they said were new when they filled them and now become old and dried up and ready to burst!  They showed their clothes and sandals saying that they had become worn out because of the long journey.  The Gibeonites with old wineskins (religious systems), old clothing (old nature), old worn out shoes (old methods), and mouldy bread, represent counterfeit traditions and deceptions of religion.  Their bread was mouldy, not fit for consumption.  The boast of their “long journey” parallels the ecclesiastical history of many church traditions today that have confidence in their long history more than the authority of Scripture.  We can make no alliance with the old as we move forward to possess our inheritance.  A new victory requires that we eat the fresh Bread of Heaven with a renewed mind that hears what God is saying today to His people in Christ Jesus.  Victory in Christ!

The Only True Blood Relationship

 “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭14:26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus says here that following Him is a calculated commitment that redefines relationships!  Delicate relationships are most vulnerable.  It means that your immediate family might not prove to be your strongest support - you probably oppose their complete sentiment.  Whether it be your father, your mother, your wife, your sisters, your brothers and even your own life, everything is redefined!  In Hebraic metaphor love implied a strong positive attachment and hate, merely a less love - indicating that we put Jesus above every other relationship.  Earlier He had stated that His mother and immediate family are those who who keep hearing and consistently engage His Word without being hesitant.  After Jesus’s death, burial and resurrection, Paul was able to write that “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named”.  We, who believe in Jesus the Christ come in to the family of God, the only true Blood connection we have and love Him above every other relationship!  Amen!

Obey His Instructions

 “And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭8:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Joshua’s men killed all the inhabitants of Ai in the fields and in the wilderness where they had chased them.  They all fell by the sword.  Then the Israelites turned to attack Ai and killed those who were still there.  God did a miracle for Israel with Jericho’s walls crumbling, but with the battle of Ai, it was God’s brilliant strategy carried out by Joshua’s men that won the victory.  Every battle in our lives requires that we seek God’s face and obey His instructions so that we will taste the joys of victory.  Obedience to God’s plan is the key.  Though God assured Israel of victory, they still had to discharge their responsibility.  Seeking God’s will at all times is our success and the Holy Spirit has been given to us for that.  Glory to God!

Overcome Evil with Good in Christ

 “And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭13:12-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This was a Sabbath and Jesus was teaching in a synagogue when He saw a woman afflicted with arthritis bent double and couldn’t straighten her back.  Jesus called her to Him and said, Woman, you have been freed from your infirmity!  He placed His hands on her and she was instantly straightened up and couldn’t stop worshipping God!  By Jesus’s stripes we were healed.  Let’s learn to receive from God what He has already done for us and continually and without interruption, worship Him.  Let’s focus on the goodness and lovingkindness of our God for every blessing that came to us through the finished work of Christ on the Cross.  This is the power of God to overcome evil with good.  Christ alone is worthy to be worshipped.  Glory to God!

Victory for One Is Victory for All

 “Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭7:11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Yahweh spoke to Joshua soon after the defeat of his army at Ai, that Israel has sinned.  They have broken the covenant which Yahweh had commanded them to keep and taken forbidden plunder.  They stole from Yahweh and took what was His, hiding it among their belongings and lying about it.  The defeat at Ai was not just because they did not pray and trust God; it was because there was sin in the camp of Israel and they had lost God’s favour.  Although it was one individual, Achan, who sinned, God viewed them as a unit.  We are one body in Christ, and the victory of one is the victory of all, and the sin of one is the sin of all.  For the righteousness of one (Rahab), the whole of her family was saved.  For the sin of Achan, the whole of his family was condemned.  It is imperative that we belong firmly to the family of God in Christ Jesus, our Eldest Brother and representative Head.  That’s how we are made the righteousness of God in Christ.  Amen!

He Crown Us

 “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭12:32‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus tells the multitudes that they might sometimes feel so vulnerable and overwhelmed by the odds against them, like a fragile little flock of lambs against wolves! They have nothing to fear - it is their Father’s delight to give them the kingdom.  We must not let tough times make Jesus seem distant from us!  Jesus is near at hand - let’s see His nearness, not His absence.  Let’s not allow temporal setbacks to diminish our own authority.  We call the shots and we wear the crown.  Let nothing take our crown!  Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords!  Not the King of slaves!  He redeems our life from the pit and crowns us with lovingkindness and tender mercies!  Let’s not forget that ever!  Amen!

Overcoming impenetrable Walls

 “And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭6:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God instructed Joshua that when they hear the blare of the shofars on the seventh day, let all the people shout with a mighty shout of joy!  Then the walls of the city will collapse before their eyes, and the whole army must charge straight in!  The perimeter of Jericho was four miles with thick impenetrable walls.  The walled city of Jericho represents the stronghold of the natural mind and every high thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of the true God, opposing the ways of God.  The door of truth is not the intellect but the spirit yielded to God.  Daniel saw the writing on the wall and knew that Babylon would fall.  Ezekiel dug through the wall to uncover the abominations that were hidden.  Joel saw an army that would run  and climb up the walls.  David leapt over the wall.  Joshua shouted and the walls toppled.  God discourages all forms of self-reliance, to demonstrate His power and bring all the glory to Himself.  Let’s learn to rely on the Holy Spirit rather than our own selves.  Thank You Lord for leading us!  Amen!

The Inner Life Transforms the Outer

 “Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also? But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭11:40-41‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees, those who are stuck in the performance oriented lifestyle that denies the grace of our Lord Jesus.  Jesus calls them foolish and asks don’t they understand that He Who designed the outer, physical person, is also the Architect and Creator of the inner person.  Jesus tells them the secret of living from inner compassion and tenderness towards others.  Then we’ll be surprised to see how our entire person is cleansed.  The inner life cleanses the outer!  Let’s live inspired by tenderness and inner compassion; as opposed to violent greed and a hidden agenda of cunning manipulation.  The Holy Spirit has been given to us to live according to God’s standards.  Thank You Holy Spirit!

The Illogical Strategy of Our Commander

 “And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my Lord unto his servant?”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭5:14‬ ‭KJV

Joshua was looking at the imposing walls of Jericho and being intimidated by them, when he saw the One holding a drawn sword and asked Him if He was on Joshua’s side or the enemies’?  The Man replied, “Neither, I have not come to take sides but to take charge.  I am the Commander of Yahweh’s armies.”  At once, Joshua threw himself facedown to the ground and worshipped, and he said to Him, “I will do whatever You command, my Lord.”  The Commander always comes to take over the leadership of His armies, both earthly and angelic.  The Commander was about to give Joshua a supernatural and illogical strategy for taking the city of Jericho.  Joshua worshipped the Commander because He was neither an angel nor human but the Lord Jesus Himself.  The Commander called the ground Joshua was upon “holy” because of the Presence of the Holy One.  Jesus has made us holy by indwelling in us.  Let’s walk in holiness and win all our battles with our Commander’s help.  Thank You Jesus!

Our Redeemed Identity in the Book of Life

 “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭10:20‬ ‭KJV

Jesus tells His disciples how much more important than their excitement about spirits being subject to them in His Name, is to rejoice in the awareness that their names are engraved in the heavens.  It is time for them to re-discover who they are from heaven’s perspective!  The authentic identity of human life is defined in the Book of Life.  To have your name written in the Book of Life simply suggests that you discover your identity there in the Zoe-life, redeemed by the Lamb. Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.  Let’s walk in the redeemed identity we now have!  Thank You Jesus!

Our Heavenly Joshua

 “For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭4:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

While the priests remained standing in the middle of the Jordan with the ark on their shoulders, the people hurried across.  All the instructions Yahweh had given to Joshua were carried out - just as Moses had told Joshua.  For the priests to stand still for many hours with the heavy ark on their shoulders was a test of their strength, patience and courage.  We, as priests in the Kingdom of God possess these same qualities because we are in Christ - our High Priest Who surely bore our sins, iniquities, transgressions, curses, sicknesses and every evil work of satan on the Cross and destroyed it.  That’s why we are strong in the Lord Jesus and in the power of His might; we are patient and courageous as we come out victorious like the Joshua of old and our heavenly Joshua - the Lord Jesus Christ!  Hallelujah!

Jesus is the Conversation of God

 “And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭9:35‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Luke records Jesus talking to Moses and Elijah as Peter, James and John watched on the mount of transfiguration.  As the cloud enveloped them, they heard a voice from within the cloud, This is My Son, the Incarnate Logos - hear Him!  The voice of His Father confirms that His beloved Son is the conclusion of the conversation represented in both Moses (the law) and Elijah (the prophets). Jesus is the conversation of God - He is the Logos - the Word - the I AM.  God’s eloquence echoes and concludes in Him.  The Word equals God.  As Peter said that they had not followed cunningly devised fables, when they made known to us the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven they heard, when they were with Him in the holy mount.  Let’s honour the Word of God!  Glory to God!

Jesus Our Forerunner

 “and they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭3:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Joshua as commander of the Israelites army Is instructing them as they camped on the eastern bank of the Jordan.  After three days, the leaders of the people went throughout the camp giving orders to the people, “Watch for the priests of the tribe of Levi to lift the ark of the covenant of Yahweh your God.  When it starts moving, follow it so you’ll know which way to go..”. The ark of the covenant is a wonderful picture of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The power of Christ within us enables us to pass over into our full inheritance.  Jesus, our Forerunner, leads us in.  The ark was a constant reminder that God is powerful, holy and to be obeyed, and symbolises God’s mercy, for it had a mercy seat as a lid, or cover.  Jesus is our Mercy Seat, our atoning sacrifice.  Just as all Israel went into the dry riverbed, so every believer is co-crucified with Christ.  Our “Adam-nature” was dismantled by the work of the Cross.  Let’s go after our Forerunner by faith in what He finished at the Cross.  Hallelujah!

Believe Only

 “But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭8:50‬ ‭KJV

The woman with the issue of blood had just been healed when someone came to tell the ruler of the synagogue that his daughter had died.  Luke records that when Jesus heard this, He told the ruler, “You have no need to be disturbed by the news!  Remain in this place of belief and she will be completely restored.”  Jairus, the ruler, had just heard the testimony of the healing of the woman with the issue of blood and that she had been instantly healed from a condition that she suffered from for 12 years - as long as his daughter’s age!  This so impacted his faith that he remained in that place of “believe only”.  It is vitally important “how” we hear.  Academic hearing doesn’t do it, neither does debating and arguing.  Let’s not allow bad news to interrupt our hearing.  Let’s keep our faith simple and childlike at the ‘believe only” level.  Amen!

Christ Our Passover

 “Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭2:18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The two Israelites who had gone to checkout Jericho, told Rahab, who was an innkeeper as well as a prostitute, that when their invasion begins, to bring all her family together in her house - her father and mother, her brothers and sisters and all their families.  They told Rahab to tie this crimson rope in the same window through which she let them down.  This crimson rope can be seen in the light of the New Testament as an emblem of the Blood of Jesus.  Faith in Christ’s Blood brings us salvation.  Rahab experienced a personal “Passover” because of the blood (crimson) applied to her house.  Both Passover blood and the crimson rope were described in Hebrew as “a sign”.  For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us!  To God be all the glory!

Our Origin is in Christ

 “For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭7:28‬ ‭KJV‬‬

As Luke recorded what Jesus said about John the Baptist, that he is the most significant of all prophets ever born of a woman; yet, in the Kingdom of God, the seemingly least significant are even more relevant than John’s prophetic status according to the flesh!  Life begins in God, not our mother’s womb.  John pointed out that our authentic origin and innocence are in the Lamb of God Who redeems us.  As with John and with Jeremiah, Yahweh says He knew us before He fashioned us in the womb!  John continued his ministry when instead he could have become the first disciple of Jesus and entered the Kingdom of God through the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.  All, even the least in the Kingdom of God, are greater than John the Baptist.  How privileged we are to be in Christ and for Christ to be in us.  Thank You Jesus for Your grace!  Amen!