The most important question of all: Who do you believe Jesus to be? We are not followers of ritual or religion, but relationship. We follow a person, Jesus the Christ. Recognizing Him as more than teacher and prophet, we receive Him, placing our faith into Him as Savior and Lord. Jesus still asks this question. And we must each answer it for ourselves.
On his deathbed, Israel (Jacob) blesses (prophesies over) each of his sons. This blessing over Judah is one of the clearest Messianic prophecies that the Christ would be born to the line of Judah. From that day forward the tribe of Judah takes the image of the lion as its symbol, flying it on a banner above their camp. The lion is the king of the jungle. And the Lion of Judah is Jesus the Christ, Son of Man, Son of God and King over all, “and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.”
Joseph sees God’s purpose in being sold into slavery in Egypt. He forgives his brothers and welcomes them to live under his care. There is a foreshadowing of Christ in Joseph– the way he suffers betrayal and injustice before rising to become their savior and lord. The dreams he had as a boy of them bowing before him came true, but he did not rub it in. He sees God’s purpose and forgives. Joseph is a bright spot among Jacob’s brood. Ironically, the children of those who sold Joseph into slavery will become slaves themselves during the next 400 years in Egypt. Then, God will send another deliverer, Moses, to set them free. In all this, God is preparing them to recognize the coming Christ.
The first step for growing in wisdom is a desire to do so. Those who grow in wisdom, seek after it. There is a kind of wisdom that the world admires, but it does not lead to true understanding and life. The wisdom that God gives is life. Do you want this wisdom? Then, ask, seek, knock… and it will be given to you.
One of Christ’s many kingdom parables, this one emphasizes the willingness of one to give up everything in this world in order to have it. The value of the kingdom is “hidden” to most, yet revealed to those who discover its treasure. Others probably thought the man foolish for giving all that he had, but he treasured the kingdom of heaven over the world’s kingdom. There are still those today to whom the treasure is hidden. And strangely, there are those not mentioned in the parable, to whom it is revealed, yet they continue to haggle over its price. Are you willing to give all or are you holding back?
David’s psalm is a prayer asking God to keep His eyes on him at all times and to protect him from harm. The phase “apple of my eye” is found in several other places in Scripture, is used by Shakespeare, and many a grandparent might use it today in speaking of a grandchild. The metaphor seems to refer to the small reflection an image makes on the round (like an apple) pupil of the human eye. David boldly asks God to favor him like a little child saying, “Look at me Daddy!” And more, “Don’t take your eyes off of me. Make me the center of your attention.” Such a request reveals David’s intimate prayer life. Can we pray like David?
Jesus affirmed two miraculous events here. First, what many call fable (Jonah), Jesus treated as fact. Jesus not only affirmed the Jonah story in Scripture, but saw it as a Messianic sign. Second, He prophesies His own death and resurrection. Modern man may discount the stories of the Bible as myth, but Jesus did not. He not only believed Scripture, He fulfilled it.
Jacob returned to the place where he’d had the “ladder” vision when first fleeing from Esau. The first time he was at Bethel, he was single, childless and afraid. This second visit, he returned with wives, concubines, servants, camels, donkeys, cattle, sheep and twelve sons. I wonder if he reflected on how far God had brought him since his earlier visit? It’s good to go back to the place where you first felt close to God. It often helps put us back on track when we’ve lost our way. It surely helped Jacob to be reminded of God’s name change (his new identity) and God’s purpose for him.
Jacob got a new name after wrestling all night with God. Instead of the name “Jacob,” a name that came from his grasping his twin brother Esau’s heel at birth, (Perhaps we get the phrase “you’re pulling my leg” from this), his name became “Israel,” one who prevailed with God. God gave Jacob a new identity. He went from being the schemer to the spiritual founder of the 12 tribes of Israel. Along with his new name, God caused him to walk with a limp for the rest of his life. Ironically, God pulled Jacob’s leg until it popped out of joint. From that day forward, Jacob began to learn to lean on God rather than his own scheming.
When trials and difficulty come don’t doubt God’s presence and care. Didn’t He allow His own Son to suffer in order to fulfill His purpose? And what is God’s purpose for us…? He is making us like Jesus. So don’t fear. God knows what you’re going through. Call on Him for strength and trust Him with your future for He cares for you.