When we touch something spiritually real the enemy does not like it. Leaders must be aware of this and must know how to deal with it when it arises.
God made Jesus complete through suffering and Jesus says, “Follow me”. We read of this in Hebrews Chapter 2. Here is dynamic leadership which cannot be improved upon.
He is like the Israeli tank commander. He does not say “Advance” or “On you go”. He says “Follow me”. I am going first. You follow me. That is the pattern.
This is brought out very clearly in I Peter Chapter 2 verses 19 to 21.
Suffering is part of our calling in Christ, and people in the Body of Christ should be told this early on.
The next theme is on being blessed once again, as we see that we are in the same family. It all depends upon our desire to be made holy by Jesus Christ. It all depends upon Jesus. Everything depends upon Jesus.
Jesus is not ashamed to name them ‘brothers’. Jesus calls us ‘brothers’ when the Father calls us ‘sons’.
Psalm 22 is quoted. The “I” who is speaking here is the one who was crucified and resurrected. This is the great Messianic Psalm. These are the words Jesus spoke out on the cross.
In verses 9 and 10, a human mother is mentioned but no mention of a human father, and there is utter dependability from birth! Verse 22 is quoted in Hebrews.
The brothers are the believers who have come to the Father through Jesus, and Jesus declares the name of the Father and sings praise to the Father.
We also learn that Jesus is in the midst of His church. That is why it is so important to belong to the right church.
I will put my trust in Him, with no changing my mind, and no doubting, and no vacillating. “Here am I, and the children God has given me.”
Here is a vision of Jesus presenting His brothers before the Father and they are those who have followed Him, and those who have suffered and who have been made holy, and who have been brought into the family of God.
Because we have flesh and blood, Jesus came too in the form of flesh and blood, so that he might destroy him who holds the power of death, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. Jesus is able to deliver us from the fear of death If we are not free from the fear of death we are potentially slaves.
Are there things of which you are afraid? Studying this book and having a strong faith in Jesus Christ can deliver you from fear and apprehension and anxiety.
Sandy Shaw
