The Word for Today with Ray

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

You have not Yet Resisted unto Blood Hebrews 12:4

The Hebrew writer exhorted his readers to “consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest you be wearied and faint in your minds.” In chapter twelve and verse four of Hebrews the writer tells his readers, “you have not resisted unto blood” where we read:

You have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin..

The verse begins, “You have not yet resisted unto blood,”. The writer began with the words, “You have not yet” which means “the Hebrew writer's readers had not hitherto or at this point” “resisted” or “stood against, resisted or been place in opposition” “unto blood” which means “to bloodshed by violence, slaying or murder”. The readers of Hebrews had not yet encountered the great price of “bloodshed” that Jesus endured on behalf of people.

The verse continues, “...striving against sin”. The writer added the word, “striving” or “agonizing, struggling and fighting” “against” which means “towards and with regard to” “sin” or “the missing of the mark, offense, error or mistake”. Jesus' “agonizing and struggle” was in opposition to “sin” and the effects it had upon mankind.

When we meditate upon these words in Hebrews, we understand how the writer is showing the superiority of Jesus' sacrifice for his readers over what they have “endured” at this point in their lives. Jesus “stood against and resisted” opposition to the extent of “shedding His blood” not only in His torture, but also in His death on the cross. He had one idea and purpose in mind - “the salvation of people”. Without Jesus in our lives, we are lost and without eternal hope, and Jesus saw that as more than ample reason to “resist unto blood” on our behalf. May all who read these words realize the extent God, who created the Universe, went to have them in fellowship with Him.

Next time the writer shares how his readers “have forgotten the exhortation which speaks unto” them “as unto children”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Consider Him that Endured Contradiction Hebrews 12:3

The Hebrew writer told his readers they should be “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of” their “faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God”, and in chapter twelve and verse three of Hebrews the writer shares how his readers should “consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself” where we read:

For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself,

lest you be wearied and faint in your minds.

The verse begins, “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself,,...”. The writer began with the word, “For” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “consider him” or “think over and ponder Jesus” “that endured” which means “who tarried behind, remained, persevered and bore bravely and calmly” “such contradiction” or “this sort of gainsaying, opposition and rebellion” “of sinners” which refers to “especially wicked, heathen and devoted to sin people” “against himself” which means “among and towards Jesus himself”. The readers of Hebrews were to “ponder and think about” Jesus who “persevered” the “rebellion” of “sinners” who were against Him.

The verse goes on to say, “lest you be wearied and faint in your minds.”. The writer continued with the words, “lest” or “so or in order that” “you be wearied” which means “the readers would not tire, be faint or sick” “and faint” or “and weaken, relax, exhaust, despond and become faint hearted” “in your minds” which means “in the readers' seat of feelings, desires, affections and aversions”. The readers of Hebrews were to “consider” how Jesus “endured” the “gainsaying and rebellion” of “sinners” so they would not become “faint hearted and despondent” over their circumstances.

When we consider these words in Hebrews, we see the importance of keeping our focus upon Jesus at all times. Though Jesus faced opposition, He “persevered and bore bravely and calmly” the punishment of the “cross” because it was the key to the “salvation” of man. “Lest” we “be wearied and faint in your minds”, let us remember what Jesus “endured” on our behalf.

Next time the writer tells his readers, “you have not resisted unto blood”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Looking unto Jesus Hebrews 12:2

The writer of Hebrews exhorted his readers to see how they “are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses” and when they do, they were to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset” them and “run with patience the race that is set before” them. In chapter twelve and verse two of Hebrews the writer tells his readers to be “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” where we read:

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The verse begins, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;”. The writer began with the word, “Looking” which means “turning the eyes away from other things and fix them” “unto Jesus” whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation” and is “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate” “the author” or “the leader, predecessor and pioneer” “and finisher” which means “perfecter, completer and consummater” “of our faith” or “of the writer of Hebrews and his readers' conviction of the truth of anything and belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ which springs from trust in the same”. The writer's exhortation was to “transfix” their eyes upon Jesus who is the “leader” and “perfecter” of their “belief in God”.

The verse goes on to say, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”. The writer continued with the words, “who for the joy” or “who because and on account of the joy, gladness and calm delight” “that was set before” which means “laid, placed before the eyes and in the sight of” “him” which refers to “Jesus” “endured” which means “remain, tarry behind, persevere and bear bravely and calmly” “the cross” or “a well known instrument of most cruel and ignominious punishment which was borrowed by the Greeks and Romans from the Phoenicians”, “despising” which means “contemning, disdaining and thinking little or nothing of” “the shame” or “the confusion of one who is ashamed of anything, ignominy, disgrace, dishonor and a thing of which to be ashamed”, “and is set down” or “to make to sit down, sojourned and settled down” “at the right hand” or “at the place of honor or authority” “of the throne” which refers to “the chair of state having a footstool which is assigned to kingly power or royalty” “of God” which refers to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Jesus focused on the “joy” before Him and was able to “persevere and bear bravely” the “cross” even though it caused him “shame”, and this gave Him the ability and position to be seated at God's “right hand” of authority.

When we think through these words in Hebrews, we should receive the writer of Hebrews exhortation to look past other distractions and keep our focus upon Jesus Christ. Jesus kept His focus upon the “joy” of our salvation which was obtained by His death on the “cross”, and because He “disdained” the “shame” of the cross, He now sits at the place of authority beside the Heavenly Father. We have an opportunity to know Jesus Christ as our personal “Savior and Lord”, and all who will believe in the great price that He paid for us shall not only see Him at God's right hand, but also live with Him eternally.

Next time the writer tells his readers to “consider him who endured such contradiction against sinners”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

We are Compassed About with Witnesses Hebrews 12:1

The writer of Hebrews challenged his readers with the idea that the people of “faith” whom he employed as examples, “obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise”, and it was because “God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect”. In chapter twelve and verse one of Hebrews the writer shares how “we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses” where we read:

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

The verse begins, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, ,...”. The writer began with the word, “Wherefore” which means “for which reason, therefore and consequently” “seeing we also” or “even as the writer of Hebrews and his readers” “are compassed about” which means “inclosed, encircled and bound” “with so great” or “with so many and of a great quantity” “a cloud” or “a large and dense multitude or throng” “of witnesses” which means “of spectators or those who after his example have proved the strength and genuineness of their faith in Christ by undergoing a violent death”. The writer drew his readers' attention to the fact that he and they were “encircled with” a large amount of people of “faith”.

The verse goes on to say, “... let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us,”. The writer continued with the words, “let us lay aside” which in Greek is the phrase “apotithēmi hēmeis apotithēmi” which means “let the author of Hebrews and his readers put off, aside or away” “every weight” which means “each, any, the whole, all and everyone of the burdens, encumbrances, protuberances, bulks and masses” “and the sin” or “the missing of the marks, errors, offenses and mistakes” “which does so easily beset us” or “which stands around and thwarts, prevents and retards in every direction”. Because the people to whom the writer referred were great examples of “faith”, he exhorted his readers to “put off and away” any “burdens and encumbrances” as well as “sins” because they “thwart, prevent and retard” the progress of those who believe.

Finally the verse says, “...and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” The verse ends with the exhortation, “and let us” or “let the author of Hebrews and his readers” “run” which means “be in haste, rapidly propagate, strive and spend strength in performing or attaining something” “with patience” or “with steadfastness, constancy and endurance” “the race” which refers to “the place of assembly like the Greeks at their national games where there was generally a struggle, contest or battle” “that is set before” which means “that is placed in view or sight of, appointed, destined, present and at hand” “us” which refers to the writer of Hebrews and his readers. Once the “weights and sins” are “put off”, the writer of Hebrews and his readers were to “run steadfastly and constantly” their “contests and battles” which were in front of them.

When we meditate upon these words in Hebrews, we think about the writer's reference to “running” in a “race”. (This also bids well for this to be written by Paul the apostle who used references to the Olympic games often in his writings). Those who “run” in a “race” do not wear “weights” or impediments that would slow them down. No, they make themselves “lighter” and equip themselves with clothing and shoes that help them run faster and more smoothly. Those who follow Jesus Christ as their “Savior and Lord” should also “run” their lives as though in a “race”, and the “witnesses” referred to by the Hebrew writer should inspire them to do so. The idea is to willingly strive to be the absolute best we can be, to gain all we may gain and to fulfill all the Lord Jesus desires of us. May we “run” our “races” with all the tenacity of Olympic runners, and may we “put off” every “encumbrance” and “sin” that is certain to slow us down.

Next time the writer shares how we are to be “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Some Better Thing for Us Hebrews 11:40

“The world was not worthy” of all the people of “faith” to whom the writer of Hebrews referred even as they “all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise” of the completion of salvation. In chapter eleven and verse forty of Hebrews the writer shares how “God” has “provided some better thing for” himself and his readers where we read:

God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

The verse begins, “God having provided some better thing for us,...”. The writer began with the words, “God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “having provided” or “having foreseen or looked out beforehand and furnished in advance” “some better thing” which means “a certain more useful, serviceable, advantageous and excellent object” “for us” which refers to the Hebrew writer and his readers. “God”, according to the the author of Hebrews, has “foreseen and furnished in advance” something even greater for the writer of Hebrews and his readers.

The verse continues, “...that they without us should not be made perfect.” The writer added the words, “that they” or “lest these people of faith make perfect, complete, accomplish, finish and bring to an end” “without us” which means “not with the writer of Hebrews and his readers” “should not be made” or “could not be be completed and finished” “perfect” which means “complete, accomplished, finished and brought to an end”. The Greek phrase in this portion of the verse is, “hina mē teleioō chōris hēmōn teleioō hina mē teleioō” which let's us know the idea was to show the readers how they were important in this process of “faith” which included all these people whom the writer referred as well as himself and his readers.

When we consider these words in Hebrews, we see the importance of Jesus Christ for the “completion of salvation” for people. Both the people of “faith” referenced by the author of Hebrews and his readers were part of the “completion or finishing” of “faith” in God. God gave the readers of Hebrews and the writer himself the “fulfillment” of His promise through His Son Jesus Christ, and all who know Him as “Savior and Lord” have the “better thing” given by God. May all who read these words come to know “the better thing” through “faith” in Jesus Christ, and may we all enjoy the “promise” of “eternal life” that comes through Him.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see the writer declare how we “are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Monday, December 3, 2018

Obtaining a Good Report through Faith Hebrews 11:39

The Hebrew writer proclaimed that “the world was not worthy” of the people of “faith” he mentioned to his readers. In chapter eleven and verse thirty-nine of Hebrews the writer shares how people “obtained a good report through faith” where we read:

And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

The verse begins, “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith,...”. The writer began with the words, “And these all” which means “and each, every, any, the whole and everyone of the people to whom the writer referred” “having obtained a good report” which is all one Greek word “martyreō” means “to be a witness, affirm that one has seen, heard or experienced something or knows it because it is taught by divine revelation or inspiration” “through faith” or “by the conviction of the truth of anything and belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ which springs from trust in the same”. Each of the people to whom the author of Hebrews referred were witnesses and affirmed what they experienced “by faith”.

The verse goes on to say, “...received not the promise:”. The writer continued with the word, “received” or “obtained or recovered” “not the promise” which means “not the announcement of good and blessing”. Though these people were “promised” the great blessing of the final completion of salvation from God, they did not “receive” it during the time they lived.

When we think through these words in Hebrews, we see how all these people of “faith” did not “receive” the “completion of salvation” which was “promised” by God. This did not occur until Jesus Christ came to die for the sins of man. Jesus made the way for this “promise” to be fulfilled, and when He rose from the dead, Jesus gave access to eternal salvation for all who will believe. The people to whom the writer referred all died “in faith” that God would provide “eternal life” for them, yet they did not know how this would be. We know that Jesus Christ provided the answer to their question, and He is indeed “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6), and thus, may all who read these words understand and believe.

Next time the writer shares how “God having provided some better thing for us”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

The World was not Worthy Hebrews 11:38

People of “faith”, referred to by the writer of Hebrews, “were stoned, sawn asunder, tempted and slain with the sword”. They also “wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted and tormented”. In chapter eleven and verse thirty-eight of Hebrews, the writer shares how “the world was not worthy” of these people of “faith” where we read:

(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts,

and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

The verse begins, “(Of whom the world was not worthy:) ”. The writer began with the words, “Of whom” which refers to “the people of faith referred to by the author” “the world” or “the circle of the earth and it's inhabitants and human family” “was not worthy” which means “was not befitting, congruous or corresponding toward”. The Hebrew writer declared that “all the people” in the world were not “merited” to have such believers.

The verse goes on to say, “they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.”. The writer continued with the words, “they wandered” or “these people of faith roamed about” “in deserts” which refers to “in uninhabited regions and wastelands”,“and in mountains” or “and in high hills”, “and in dens” which means “in caverns which were hiding places or resorts” “and caves” or “fissures in the earth as well as rocks, mountains and holes” “of the earth” which refers to “of the arable land, country, territory or region”. In addition to all the other struggles faced by these people of “faith”, these people “roamed about in deserts, mountains, dens and caves” which were on the earth.

When we meditate upon these words in Hebrews, we see great commendation met with great adversity. Though these people of “faith” were superior to the “world's worth” according to the writer of Hebrews, it did not exempt them from living as vagabond and aimless settlers on the earth. Having a relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ does not exempt us from difficulties and trouble, and our hope after we have a relationship with Him is that He will be with us and guide us in every one. The world certainly was “not worthy” of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice, and yet, He gave Himself as a sacrifice for its sins. Let us realize the value and worth of those who “believe”, and should they face great difficulties, they shall be in the company of the greatest people who ever lived.

Next time the writer shares how all these people ”having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.