The Source

PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:
Hebrews 5 (click the link)


KEY VERSE:
During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 5:7-10, NIV)


THE BIG PICTURE:
This chapter is so rich.  Where to start? 

It is hard enough to get your mind wrapped around the fact that Jesus, who was God, left his station in heaven and came to earth as a man, let alone the fact that he “suffered” all that we would ever encounter in this life and all that the Satan could throw at him… and still be obedient to his Father.  The Father’s will was what it was all about.  

In Eden, Adam and Eve, chose to obey their carnal soul instead of following the “spirit life” that God offered them.  So to reverse the curse, Jesus had to obey the “spirit life” of his Father perfectly.  He did just that.  He denied every soulish urge to fulfill his own flesh… for us… for our sake.  Jesus submitted Himself to all His Father asked him to do… even death on the cross. 

Nevertheless, because he did endure and die, we now have access to “life eternal.” His Father then bestowed on Him the honor to become our high priest.  He became the one who would seek us out, be the Source of new life, minister to our needs, and teach us all things.   

It is interesting to me that Jesus struggled just like we do with these soul urges… with loud cries and tears.  He UNDERSTANDS us.  He is the one who can touch just the right spot in our hearts to heal and shine truth on soul problems that need to be addressed.  He does it in love and encouragement… and as we are willing, frees our soul to become “complete” or “perfect” as He is.

CAN ANYONE SAY “AMAZING”!!!


REFLECTIONS:
I think modern American theology, as most of us grew up knowing it, has done us a great disservice.  We were taught that being born again was IT.  Presto chango! We were a new creation…which is true to a certain extent, but not the whole truth.  We are changed into a new creation in our Spirit, but not our soul (mind, will and emotions).  

How many of us struggle at this point?  All of us… because it is the hard part.  This process of getting our soul in subjection to the Spirit of God… to be able to enter Eden-like life again is excruciatingly difficult.  

Actually Jesus was crucified in the Garden of Gethsemane, long before he lay down on that cross. Gethsemane was where He sweated drops of blood.  The battle was over by then.  Subjection was complete, perfect.  It was just a matter of his blood flowing for US.  That perfect blood that could now cleanse our souls and make us perfect.  

That is why at the end of this chapter the writer warns us not to stay in elementary things, but go on into MATURITY… because MATURITY is the purpose of the cross. Christ went to the cross in order to bring us into full SONSHIP for our Father.


POINT OF ACTION:
Submit your whole heart today to the Spirit of God.  Let him pinpoint what is the next area for him to work in to make you perfect, to bring you into full SONSHIP.


PRAYER:
Father, I submit my soul to you for complete examination. Illuminate the blind spots that I can’t see in myself.  Wash them with your perfect blood.  Let me see the sin that so easily besets me.  Give me the spirit of submission to the Spirit.  Help me grow into maturity.  I want to be a fully mature Son or Daughter in your House.  Thank you Father, that you sent your precious Son, Jesus, to point the way and make a way for us to get back to Eden again.


WHO AM I?
I’m June Criner and the thing I wanted to become when I grew up was an archeologist.  Yep.  Run thru the Valley of the Kings to my heart’s content.  I found that motherhood and archeology just couldn’t co-exist, at least not in my life.  But I still LOVE to watch the History channel on TV.  In 1983, my husband and I got to go on a trip of a lifetime to Israel for 15 days.  We actually went with a man who was a professor in Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Texas as well as a charismatic pastor.  We had a perfect blend to learn about the best of both worlds.  It changed our life for good.  The Bible came alive to us in a very physical way.  Many puzzling things, especially in the Old Testament, began to make sense.   We actually got to dig in the ground at Tel Aviv, where they had uncovered a Philistine Temple.  There was a member of our team that dug up a cup dated in the Bronze Age.  It was great fun.  If you have the chance to visit Israel, take it. Something about it… is like going home.  Hmmm.