THE CURRENT MINISTRY OF JESUS

"Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens" (Heb 7:25-16, NKJV).

Devotion 2 of 11

A PROPHET FORETOLD

Israel had a prophet that was with them. Moses was over God's house, and remained with that house, speaking to the people in the behalf of God. The tragedy of the situation was found in the hardness of the people. They did not listen to God's prophet. However, Moses prophesied this condition would change. God was going to send a Prophet who would gain the attention of the people. He would speak, and they would listen. "The Lord thy God will up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto Him ye shall hearken . . . I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him" (Deut 18:15,18). It is inconceivable that God would raise up a Prophet with less influence and less to say that Moses. It is also unreasonable to assume Jesus Christ would be less involved with the people than Moses. While there is a great deal of controversy concerning this subject among professed believers, there is no ambiguity about the matter in Scripture. Jesus is now speaking to His people, making Himself known to them (John 14:21), and showing them His covenant (Psa 25:14). Their insight into the things of God is the result of His instruction (Eph 4:20-21). Christ makes Himself known to us. The new covenant knows nothing of an impersonal religion. Nor, indeed, does it allow for an absent, inactive, or uninvolved Christ. We must beware of any religious emphasis that places the Person of Christ into the background, disallowing any direct involvement of Him with the people of God. This is the sort of relationship that existed under the Law. We now participate in a better covenant.

Christ makes Himself known

"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love Him, and will manifest Myself to him" (John 14:21). Christ's manifestation of Himself is personal and effectual. He uses means, to be sure, yet it is He Himself that does the manifesting. The basis of His revelation is the Word of God, and the place of revelation is the heart. Our Lord employs the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of our understanding. Confidence and assurance are the sure effects when He makes Himself known to us. In all of this, it is vital to see that the Lord Himself is superior to the means He employs. The contemporary church, at its best, is giving too much credit to the means employed, and not enough glory to the One responsible for the revelation of Himself.

Christ shares with us

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me" (Rev 3:20). The church at Laodicea needed a contemporary Savior. A historical one would do them no good. They needed to be recovered from the delusions of the devil. This is the only church in the Bible threatened with being vomited out of the mouth of the Savior. They were displeasing to the Lord, nauseating his very Person. Jesus rises to the occasion! He stands at the door of a contemptible congregation, and calls out to any sensitive soul. He promises that anyone responding to Him will enjoy fellowship with Him. He will "sup" with that individual, and that individual shall "sup" with the Lord Jesus. That is personal involvement, the sharing of the inmost person with another. Christ's current ministry includes supping with those that receive Him. That cannot be done through a written page alone, although that is an indispensable requirement. It cannot be accomplished through precious brethren alone, although it necessitates them. Jesus Himself shares with us just as surely as He did with His disciples on the seashore, following His resurrection.

-- TOMORROW: JESUS GIVES AN UNDERSTANDING OF GOD --