The Godhead -- LONG READ BUT , WORTH IT!!!!!

TheGodhead For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (Colossians2:9) The term “Godhead” occurs three times in the King James translation. Each time it translates a slightly different Greek noun, all being slight modifications of the Greek word for “God” (theos, from which we derive such English words as theology). Itessentially means the nature, or “structure,” of God, as He has revealed Himself in His Word. The first occurrence is in Acts 17:29: “We ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.” Men have been guilty throughout the ages of trying to “model” the Godhead, but this leads quickly to idolatry,whether that model is a graven image of wood or stone or a philosophical construct of the human mind. What man cannot do, however, God has done, in the very structure of His creation. “The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead” (Romans1:20). His tri-universe (space, matter, and time, with each component unique in definition and function, yet permeating and comprising the whole) perfectly “models” His triune nature (Father, Son, Holy Spirit—each distinct, yet each the whole). This analogy can be carried much further, for this remarkable triunity pervades all reality. The tri-universe is not God (that would be pantheism), but it does clearly reflect and reveal the triune nature of His Godhead. The last occurrence of the word is in our text. Although we cannot see the Godhead in its fullness, that fullness does dwell eternally in the Lord Jesus Christ. All that God is, is manifest in Him. “And ye are complete in him” (Colossians2:10). HMM ----------------------------- Christthe King �But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign overus.� (Luke19:14) In this parable, the nobleman who had gone into a far country to receive his kingdom is a picture of Christ in the interim between His first and second comings. The �citizens� of His Kingdom, however, refuse His Kingship. Nevertheless, He is the King, and whenHe returns, those �enemies, which would not that I should reign over them� (v. 27) will be slain. How much better to accept Him now! The first title ascribed to Him was �King of the Jews� (Matthew2:2). Long before that, however, He was King of creation. �For God is the King of all the earth,...a great King above all gods....The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land� (Psalm47:7; 95:3, 5). He is also King of redemption, providing salvation for the world He created. �For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth� (Psalm74:12). �[The Father] hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins� (Colossians1:13-14). He is not only King of all the worlds, but also King of all the ages. He is �my King of old� and also �King for ever� (Psalm10:16). He is �the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God� (1Timothy 1:17). He is �King of saints� (Revelation15:3), the �LORD of hosts, my King, and my God� (Psalm84:3). Indeed, He is �the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords� (1Timothy 6:15). Therefore, let His citizens say: �Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever� (Revelation5:13). HMM What Did Jesus Mean When He Said Eloi Eloi Lama Sabachthani? Jesus knew what He was doing as He died on the cross, yet we can only imagine the pain He would have felt on the cross. The Lord took on all of the sins of the world and died the gruesome death on the cross. As Jesus was on the cross, around three o’clock, He cried, “Eloi Eloi Lama Sabachthani,” which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew27:46). Upon first glance, it can be confusing as to why Jesus would say these words. Why would Jesus say He was forsaken by God? 1. The Crucifixion Jesus’ death by crucifixion was the worst death that anybody would have to endure. Despite the pain and agony of the cross, Jesus chose to die for the sins of the world because He loves us. While He was on the cross, He cried out, “Eloi Eloi Lama Sabachthani,” which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew27:46). Jesus said, “Eloi Eloi Lama Sabachthani” on the cross in fulfillment of Psalm 22. Psalm 22:1 says, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?” From these passages of Scripture, we are told that Jesus was asking the Father why He had forsaken Him. Jesus would have been in pain and in anguish when He spoke these words. From the Lord’s perspective, He would have felt forsaken by Hisdisciples and by the Father. He was left all alone on the cross. Jesus knew what He was doing as He died on the cross, yet we can only imagine the pain He would have felt on the cross. The Lord took on all of the sins of the world and died the gruesome death on thecross. He experienced all of the pain that we deserved. It was our place to die on the cross, yet He took our place in order for us to receive salvation through placing faith in Him. Jesus never sinned as He was God in the flesh (1John 3:5). It was only through Jesus’ sinless sacrifice that we could be saved (2 Corinthians5:21). It is hard to decipher what Jesus means when He says He has been “forsaken.” It is clear that the Father was pleased with Jesus’ finished work on the cross, and He dearly loved Him. It is best to conclude that Jesus says He was forsaken by the Father because it fulfilled the Psalm 22:1 prophecy. The Lord also could have said this because He did feel forsaken as He hung on the cross. Pain, agony, and abandonment would have pierced through Jesus’ heart and mind. Anyone would feel forsaken as they hung on the cross with no help in sight. Even though Jesus knew the Father loved Him, He could not help but feel the pain of death, agony, and abandonment. At the time of the incarnation, Jesus became fully man in addition to being fully God. Within the field of theology, this is known as the hypostatic union. The Lord was fully God, yet He was also fully man (Colossians2:9). Since the Lord was both fully man and fully God, He was able to feel the same emotions, pains, and anguish that we can feel as humans. Prior to the incarnation, no member of the Trinity took on human flesh and experienced what it was liketo be human. Only Jesus did; therefore, He was able to feel the pain and agony of being abandoned and forsaken. 2. Taking Up Our Sins On the cross, Jesus died for the sins of the entire world. Despite the fact that Jesus never sinned, He died on the cross for our sins. Ever since the fall of mankind, we have been separated from God because of our sins. It is only by Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection that we could be forgiven of our sins and be restored in a right relationship with the Father. Since we could not fix our severed relationship with the Father, Jesus fixed it for us. Now anyone can be saved by placing faith in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (John3:16-17). When we place faith in Jesus, we are given forgiveness of sins, redemption, and eternal life. There is no salvation apart from Jesus as He is the way, the truth, and the life (John14:6). The Lord endured such a bloody and painful death because of His great love for us. Jesus experienced and felt total separation from the Father so that we would not have to. This alone should cause us to be extremely grateful and thankfulto Jesus. Without Christ, we would be on the road to eternal separation from God in hell. Through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, we have the chance at a new life with Him. 3. The Suffering of Christ It is without a doubt that the Lord experienced intense pain on the cross. Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 53:4-5, Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peacewas on him, and by his wounds we are healed. As this passage of Scripture tells us, Jesus took up our pain and suffering in order to redeem us. He was stricken, afflicted, and crusted for our sins. Through Jesus’ suffering on the cross, it brought us peace, and through His wounds,we are eternally healed. It is too often that we overlook Jesus’ death on the cross. We can become so accustomed to it that we forget the importance of the death and burial of our Lord. Yes, Jesus is God, but He still felt the pain and agony of being crucified,being separated from the Father, and dying for the sins of the world. None of this was easy but rather painful and excruciating. Jesus suffered such a horrible death because of His great love for us. Through feelings of pain, agony, and abandonment, He still chose to die for us. Jesus’ love is unconditionaland eternal. His love for us will never change, alter, or waiver. Reading the account of Jesus’ distress in Matthew 27:46 can cause us to feel heartbroken for Christ. It can cause us to feel sad, and in anguish, because of the severe pain, the Lord went through for us. Jesus did not deserve to die such a horrible death, yet he endured suffering in order to bring us back into a right relationship with the Father. In the present time, Jesus is at the right hand of the Father, and He will return one day torule the earth for 1,000 years. What Did Jesus Mean When He Said Eloi Eloi Lama Sabachthani? Jesus knew what He was doing as He died on the cross, yet we can only imagine the pain He would have felt on the cross. The Lord took on all of the sins of the world and died the gruesome death on the cross. As Jesus was on the cross, around three o’clock, He cried, “Eloi Eloi Lama Sabachthani,” which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew27:46). Upon first glance, it can be confusing as to why Jesus would say these words. Why would Jesus say He was forsaken by God? 1. The Crucifixion Jesus’ death by crucifixion was the worst death that anybody would have to endure. Despite the pain and agony of the cross, Jesus chose to die for the sins of the world because He loves us. While He was on the cross, He cried out, “Eloi Eloi Lama Sabachthani,” which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew27:46). Jesus said, “Eloi Eloi Lama Sabachthani” on the cross in fulfillment of Psalm 22. Psalm 22:1 says, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?” From these passages of Scripture, we are told that Jesus was asking the Father why He had forsaken Him. Jesus would have been in pain and in anguish when He spoke these words. From the Lord’s perspective, He would have felt forsaken by His disciples andby the Father. He was left all alone on the cross. Jesus knew what He was doing as He died on the cross, yet we can only imagine the pain He would have felt on the cross. The Lord took on all of the sins of the world and died the gruesome death on the cross. He experienced all of the pain that we deserved. It was our place to die on the cross, yet He took our place in order for us to receive salvation through placing faith in Him. Jesus never sinned as He was God in the flesh (1John 3:5). It was only through Jesus’ sinless sacrifice that we could be saved (2 Corinthians 5:21).It is hard to decipher what Jesus means when He says He has been “forsaken.” It is clear that the Father was pleased with Jesus’ finished work on the cross, and He dearly loved Him. It is best to conclude that Jesus says He was forsaken by the Father because it fulfilled the Psalm 22:1 prophecy. The Lord also could have said this because He did feel forsaken as He hung on the cross. Pain, agony, and abandonment would have pierced through Jesus’ heart and mind. Anyone would feel forsaken as they hung on the cross with no help in sight. Even though Jesus knew the Father loved Him, He could not help but feel the pain of death, agony, and abandonment. At the time of the incarnation, Jesus became fully man in addition to being fully God. Within the field of theology, this is known as the hypostatic union. The Lord was fully God, yet He was also fully man (Colossians2:9). Since the Lord was both fully man and fully God, He was able to feel the same emotions, pains, and anguish that we can feel as humans. Prior to the incarnation, no member of the Trinity took on human flesh and experienced what it was like to be human. Only Jesus did; therefore, He was able to feel the pain and agony of being abandoned and forsaken. 2. Taking Up Our Sins On the cross, Jesus died for the sins of the entire world. Despite the fact that Jesus never sinned, He died on the cross for our sins. Ever since the fall of mankind, we have been separated from God because of our sins. It is only by Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection that we could be forgiven of our sins and be restored in a right relationship with the Father. Since we could not fix our severed relationship with the Father, Jesus fixed it for us. Now anyone can be saved by placing faith in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (John 3:16-17).When we place faith in Jesus, we are given forgiveness of sins, redemption, and eternal life. There is no salvation apart from Jesus as He is the way, the truth, and the life (John14:6). The Lord endured such a bloody and painful death because of His great love for us. Jesus experienced and felt total separation from the Father so that we would not have to. This alone should cause us to be extremely grateful and thankful to Jesus. Without Christ, we would be on the road to eternal separation from God in hell. Through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, we have the chance at a new life with Him. 3. The Suffering of Christ It is without a doubt that the Lord experienced intense pain on the cross. Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 53:4-5, Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, andby his wounds we are healed. As this passage of Scripture tells us, Jesus took up our pain and suffering in order to redeem us. He was stricken, afflicted, and crusted for our sins. Through Jesus’ suffering on the cross, it brought us peace, and through His wounds, we are eternallyhealed. It is too often that we overlook Jesus’ death on the cross. We can become so accustomed to it that we forget the importance of the death and burial of our Lord. Yes, Jesus is God, but He still felt the pain and agony of being crucified, being separated fromthe Father, and dying for the sins of the world. None of this was easy but rather painful and excruciating. Jesus suffered such a horrible death because of His great love for us. Through feelings of pain, agony, and abandonment, He still chose to die for us. Jesus’ love is unconditional and eternal. His love for us will never change, alter, or waiver. Reading the account of Jesus’ distress in Matthew 27:46 can cause us to feel heartbroken for Christ. It can cause us to feel sad, and in anguish, because of the severe pain, the Lord went through for us. Jesus did not deserve to die such a horrible death, yet he endured suffering in order to bring us back into a right relationship with the Father. In the present time, Jesus is at the right hand of the Father, and He will return one day to rule the earthfor 1,000 years. After His 1,000-year reign, God will create the New Heaven and New Earth, which will be the home of righteousness. Never again will Jesus have to undergo suffering or pain again. His death on the cross is sufficient to save us from our sins. Romans 6:10 says, “The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.” One day in the future, when we are with Christ, it is possible that the Lord will share with us His feelings as He hung on the cross for our sins. He may even tell us the exact account of His words of “Eloi Eloi Lama Sabachthani.” The Lord loves all people and He willingly died for us in order for us to live with Him forever in Paradise. Allow this to motivate you this year to share the gospel andto live for Jesus. ------------------------------ Why Did Jesus Say, ‘Father, Forgive Them’? This was the kind of forgiveness Jesus was praying for from upon the cross — eternal reconciliation. Exactly what He was about to provide in the moments ahead. Not just for those before Him that day, but for all the world. The ESV translation of Luke 23:34 says, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” These were the first of our Lord’s final words upon the cross, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke. An unlikely response to the matter at hand as Jesus, an innocent man (1 Peter 2:22), hanged condemnedupon a Roman crucifix. Itself a method of death that historians can only sum up as the most humiliating, cruel, and wretched way to die. What we see spoken in the midst of such things is a small, yet mighty, prayer. Its significance magnified as these words of compassion and pity reach the ears of Jesus’ own executioners — Roman Soldiers below who were unphased by the peripheral bodies, fatallytraumatized and exposed. Beyond those whose responsibility it was to carry out a death sentence, Jesus’ prayer was also spoken in sight of the very Israelites who plotted to take His life in the first place. His own kinsmen who had just finished beating Him, mocking Him, and spitting in His face before handing Him over to the Roman guard. These men were the ones who vehemently insisted on Jesus’ guilt, despite lacking any such verdict in the court (Luke23:14-15). Still, they persisted, “Crucify Him!” (John 19:6) Even though they were not the ones physically driving the spikes that affixed Christ to the cross, the Apostle Peter later says in Acts 2:23 that they indeed were the men who crucified and killed Him, continuing that their insistence was due to ignorance (Acts3:17). For this reason, it is likely that Jesus also had them in mind as He said, “They know not what they do.” Why Did Jesus Say, ‘Father, Forgive Them’? In light of what is known about the process of ancient Roman crucifixion, it’s incredible to think that the world’s Greatest Defender was not once found to be defending his own innocence or even returning an angry word upon His deserving accusers. Rather, the One who came to save, having Himself been forsaken by God in this moment (Mark 15:34), was foundinterceding for the souls that put Him there, pleading that they themselves would not also be found forsaken. But why? We need only look at the surrounding context of Scripture to see there are quite a few reasons Jesus would pray a petitioning prayer of forgiveness the way he did. Let’s look at some of them now. It’s Who He Is Jesus, born of God, into the flesh of man, was without the sin nature of man (Luke 1:35). One side effect ofhis truly holy nature, within His own humanity, was the fact that He did not and could not live within the bondage of things like resentment, bitterness, hatred, or even self-centeredness. His prayer was the prayer of a free man, someone who isn’t controlled by an automatic sin-filled and emotionally charged response. This resulted in a prayer of unadulterated forgiveness, despite a lack of remorse or acknowledgment of sin from His offenders. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens (Hebrews7:26). It’s What He Does Jesus, Himself, free from sin and its consequences, is forever an advocate of sinners (1 John 2:1), alwaysliving to intercede (Hebrews 7:25). And as the only mediator between God and men, it makes sense that Jesusdoes just that, by praying for those who had sinned against God (1 Timothy 2:5). “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me” (John 6:38). It’s Why He Came Jesus came as a man with a purpose, which included doing away with the excuse of ignorance (Acts 17:30). Beyondthat, He came knowing that He would suffer (Acts 3:18) and that He had to die for those who were still sinners(Romans 5:8). The reason? Because it was only His blood that could fulfill what was needed to receive the everlasting forgiveness of God (1John 4:9-10). This was the kind of forgiveness Jesus was praying for from upon the cross — eternal reconciliation. Exactly what He was about to provide in the moments ahead. Not just for those before Him that day, but for all the world (1John 2:2). “For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew26:28). It’s What God’s People Were Waiting For By interceding for His transgressors through this prayer, Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy that was foretold by Isaiah, hundreds of years prior. This prayer, from upon the cross particularly, would have been a confirmation of His identity to those awaiting their beloved messiah, as described by the prophets of God. Because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors (Isaiah53:12). It’s What He Taught Jesus’ prayer is one example of our Lord practicing what He preached. He didn’t actually teach anything that He wasn’t willing to live out Himself. Some examples of Christ’s teaching we see displayed in His prayer would be that of loving your enemies and praying for those who abuse you (Luke6:27-28). Also, that one, we ought always to pray (Luke 18:1). These are themes we see repeated throughout the New Testamentand put clearly on display as Christ prayed in the face of His enemies, and death itself. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted (Hebrews2:18). It’s the Church’s Example to Follow In Ephesians 5:1, Paul tells the Church of Ephesus to be imitators of God. While Peter’s call to believers is to be holy in all conduct, “just as he who called us is holy” (1Peter 1:15). Of course, Christians do not live this out by their own power but only through regeneration, sanctification, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. Such fruit, which can be seen right away in early church history. Particularly through a disciple named Stephen who was publicly stoned to death for preaching the Gospel of Christ shortly after Jesus’ death, resurrection back to life, and final ascension into heaven (Acts 1:9). Stephen’s story comes a few chapters later where, from underneath the crushing weight of rocks, he utters his final, yet familiar, words, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts7:59-60). Just like Stephen, many others have since been martyred for their faith, even doing so happily, following in the footsteps of their Lord and Savior. It appears that a path already taken is a path made easier to follow. And in light of Christ’s resurrection and ascension — knowing that He is the first fruit of those who die in the Lord (1Corinthians 15:20), we can all take His words to heart, trusting completely when He says, “Fear not those who kill the body,” and “Blessed are you when others revile you…rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven” (Matthew10:28; 5:11-12). Beloved, no one knew more about the joy that was set before Him than He who came from heaven. It was for this joy Christ endured the cross, doing so in love, through and through (Hebrews12:2). Primarily because of who He is and what He came to do, but also because His Church is called and empowered to do the same. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you… for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruitshould abide” (John 15:12-16). Jesus' Ministry Opened and Closed with Prayed His public ministry had opened with prayer (Luke 3:21), and here we see it closing in prayer. Surely He hasleft us an example! His hands would no longer minister to the sick, for they are nailed to the cross; His feet would no longer carry him on errands of mercy, for they are fastened to the cruel tree; He would no longer instruct the apostles, for they have forsakenHim and fled. How then does He occupy himself? In the ministry of prayer! What a lesson for us. In praying for his enemies not only did Christ set before us a perfect example of how we should treat those who wrong and hate us, but He also taught us never to regard anyone as beyond the reach of prayer. If Christ prayed for his murderers, then surelywe have encouragement to pray now for the very chief of sinners! Never lose hope. Does it seem a waste of time for you to continue praying for that man, that woman, that wayward child of yours? Does their case seem to become more hopeless every day? Does itlook as though they had gone beyond the reach of divine mercy? Perhaps that one you have prayed for so long has been ensnared by one of the Satanic cults of the day, or he may now be an avowed and blatant atheist, in a word, an open enemy of Christ. Rememberthen the cross. Christ prayed for his enemies. Learn then not to look on any as beyond the reach of prayer. One other thought concerning this prayer of Christ. We are shown here the efficacy of prayer. This cross-intercession of Christ for his enemies met with a marked and definite answer. The answer is seen in the conversion of the three thousand souls on theday of Pentecost. I base this conclusion on Acts 3:17 where the apostle Peter says, "And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers." It is to be noted that Peter used the word ignorance, which corresponds with our Lord’s "they know not what they do." Here then is the divine explanation of the 3,000 converted under a single sermon. It was not Peter’s eloquence which was the cause but the Savior’s prayer. -------------------- Preachedin All Creation “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, whichye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister.” (Colossians1:23) Many times Christians piously say, “Why get worked up over creation, why don’t you just preach the gospel?” But such a question reveals a faulty knowledge of what “the gospel” consists of, for, as has been noted many times on these pages, the gospel consistsnot only of the redemptive work of Christ but His entire person and work as well. The message of the “everlasting gospel” is to “worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters” (Revelation14:6-7). Elsewhere, the gospel includes His coming Kingdom (Matthew4:23, for example). From creation to redemption to ultimate restoration, all is “good news,” all the work and person of Christ. In our text we see that the gospel “was preached to every creature,” or perhaps better translated “in all creation.” What was the message of the gospel for which Paul was so jealous? The answer is found in the preceding verses. Christ is preeminent, literally “the firstborn of every creature” (v. 15), totally God (v. 19). He is the Creator of all things, both physical and spiritual (v. 16), and continues to maintain His creation (v. 17). He leads the church, assuring victory overdeath (v. 18). He is the Redeemer, the perfect sacrifice for sins (vv. 20-22), providing each believer total sanctification (v. 22). He will ultimately restore all of creation to its original created intent (v. 20). Only as we recognize and believe the teachings of His Word on the entire “good news,” from creation to consummation, can we hope to victoriously “continue in the faith grounded and settled.” JDM ---------------------------