Look to Jesus - Chapter Three

by Michael C Garrett

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COJCOM · Look To Jesus - Chapter Three

Let Our Focus Be On God the Father and Jesus Christ

We’ve been speaking about a subject that is based on Hebrews 12:2. The King James Version says, “Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; …” And we sort of changed that from the infinitive to just a verb – LOOK TO JESUS. And, we’ve been trying to point out that – and this is difficult for many people to understand; and we’re sure that there are people who have watched, read, or listened to the last two chapters, and are scratching their heads, saying to themselves, What are they talking about!? It doesn’t make any sense. Because, for the larger majority of people, if you were to say, “Well, you want to become religious.” Whatever the interpretation of religion is, for most it means to get involved in their church. To go to church services, maybe go to a Bible study, or have dinner with other church people – the focus being on church. An organization. And people, we think, delude themselves (as in a delusion, not an allusion) into thinking, if I dedicate myself to my church then I therefore have dedicated myself to God and Jesus. And this is simply not true.

You can dedicate yourself to your church, and completely miss having a direct connection to God the Father and Jesus Christ! Again we cite the Ten Commandments – 1) “’ You shall have no other gods before Me.’”

And it is very possible – and I’ve met people – that actually worship their vehicle. There was a family that lived just across the culdesac, and the man of the family washed his vehicle three or four times a week! And then after washing, he would apply wax. And it truly looked as if he was bowing down to his vehicle! And, surely, there are people in this world that are completely in love with their Maserati, Lamborghini, or whatever brand of car! And this is not what life is supposed to be all about.

The purpose of life is that we become a literal son or daughter of God the Father and a brother or sister to our Lord Jesus Christ. And that They become the center of our focus. Not in an organization, not in a minister, not singing in a choir – participating in this organization believing that they are doing a spiritual job. When in fact, they aren’t. It’s only truly spiritual if you are seeking ‘first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,’ the Spirit of God, and following the Spirit of God, and are focused on God the Father and Jesus Christ!

TO JESUS BE THE GLORY!

It’s not glory to a leader of an organization or a denomination, or a minister – it’s GLORY TO JESUS! And, so many people just don’t understand this. They’ve never made this connection.

Truly, all of what we’re saying is what God’s living word – the Holy Bible – says over and over again. And, within these past two chapters, we’ve been reading and going over the preeminence of Jesus Christ. The fact that Jesus Christ is EVERYTHING! He’s the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End! He is as the Book of Hebrews says, “the author and finisher of our faith.”

We had just finished Revelation chapter one in the last chapter, where the majesty and greatness of Jesus are described and presented to us.

In this chapter let’s look into the Book of Hebrews. And we hope that you have your Bible in front of you and are following along – so that you can assure yourself that we’re not just making things up. That we are simply reporting on what the LORD God has given to us through Their holy word.

Now, in our understanding, this book was written by the Apostle Paul. He never placed his name in it, but the style of the writing and the various clues, there is little doubt that this was written by the Apostle Paul. Written at the top page of my Bible is that this was probably written before the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in about 70 A.D.

What do we have in Jerusalem before 70 A.D.!? We have a lot of Jewish followers whose life revolves around the temple, with all the physical ceremonies and the dignitaries. And the Apostle Paul is directly addressing those people who have a tremendous Jewish background. And he’s trying to get them to understand IT’S ALL ABOUT JESUS CHRIST!

It's not about the temple or the ancient Jewish religion.

And, sadly, we know people who are just fascinated – obsessed almost – with ancient Jewish religious ideas.

I remember that I had gone to a church meeting once, and this young woman (about thirty years old), a very nice lady, she came up to me speaking Hebrew. And I thought, why is she doing this!? Because in her mind, along with a great many other people who were at that church meeting, religion was all about trying to become Jewish.

Again, it’s not about Jewish traditions – IT’S ALL ABOUT JESUS CHRIST! So, here this book written to the Hebrews is one of the truly fantastic books of the Bible that lifts up Jesus Christ as our MAIN GOAL. And He is identified as our main helper.

Hebrews 1:1 – “God [the Greek word being Theos, meaning God the Father], who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, …”

So, there was a time when our Lord Jesus Christ spoke directly to Adam and Eve. And there was a time when He had conversations with Moses, Abraham, and Noah. But for the most part, God the Father and our Lord Jesus decided They were going to use prophets to speak to the people.

Verse 2 – “has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, …”

So, there was a time when it wasn’t prophets, it was all about Jesus.

Jesus had spent 33½ years upon this earth – with the last 3½ intensely a part of His public ministry. And that after His human life and death, and His spiritual resurrection – became much more active in speaking to His servants, like His apostles, with the Day of Pentecost onward. Along with the Apostle Paul.

And continuing in verse 2 - “ … whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.”

Another verse that declares that JESUS IS THE CREATOR GOD of whom we read about in the early part of the Book of Genesis.

So, this Jesus – Verse 3 – “who being the brightness of His [God the Father’s] glory …” – truly meaning that They are both on the same level. They are both bonafide members of the family of God. “ … and the express image of His person, …”

Remember, our Lord Jesus one time said, “’ He who has seen Me has seen the Father.’” “’ I and My Father are one.’” And that is what this verse here is saying.

“ … and upholding all things by the word of His power, …”

When Jesus speaks, that command is automatically fulfilled. That’s the awesome power that Jesus has!

“ … when He had by Himself purged our sins, …”

He made possible a pathway that our sins can be removed – be purged – because of His sacrifice.

And now has “ … sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”

We’re told that Jesus Christ now sits at the right hand of God the Father at the very center of the throne of God. The kingdom of God.

So, the Apostle Paul is trying to educate the people who are reading this about the high elevation of JESUS CHRIST! We know of people from our past – who will not even say the name, Jesus. Now, stop and think about this for a moment: there are people who say they are Christian, but they will almost never say the name, Jesus. It’s as though He really doesn’t exist to them. Yes, they will talk about “God.” They will talk about “God Almighty.” They will talk about “our heavenly Father.” Some will even just say, “Father.” But they almost never include Jesus. Because, in their earlier years, they were part of an organization that was obsessed with the Old Covenant. And they think, in their ignorance, that the Old Covenant was all about God the Father. And even that’s rather comical because everything that occurred in the Old Covenant had the One we now call Jesus Christ as the center of the focus. It’s sad that they don’t live their life with this understanding.

Verse 4 – speaking of Jesus Christ – “having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”

So, the angels are very important spiritual beings. But, Jesus Christ has a better name – a much greater presence – than any angel.

Verse 5 – “For to which of the angels did He ever say: ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You’? … ”

The angels have never received that kind of recognition or adoration. But, Jesus Christ has!

“ … And again: ‘I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son’?”

Now, I spoke of this in the previous chapter – that because of what our Lord Jesus did, all of us – except for just a small few – will have the opportunity to receive the Spirit of God, and someday graduate into the family of God. I like to use the word graduate. And for all of us, our diploma will be an invitation to eternal life in the kingdom of God. Now, it won’t happen to everybody at the same time. It will happen to one group of people, and then later on down the road, it will happen to another group of people. – cf. 1 Corinthians 15:23. Most people don’t understand that. This is the relationship God the Father desires. And has always desired.

But, human beings over and over have made that impossible. Because the natural human heart, we’re told in Jeremiah 17:9, is deceitful and desperately wicked above all things. In complete opposition to the LORD God.

Now, certainly, the majority of these so-called Christians will say – we’re not in opposition to the LORD God! That’s what you think. But, as an example, do you go to church on the LORD God’s Day!? Or, do you go to church on a day made “holy” by human beings!? Another example – the LORD God says not to eat pig meat. Don’t eat shellfish or crustaceans. Now, surely the reason that the LORD God doesn’t want humans to consume shellfish and crustaceans is that not only do they play an important role in the food chain for larger ocean creatures like fish and whales, but they also play an important role in the filtering of the oceans of dangerous bacteria. And pork – because given the pig’s lifestyle and omnivorous diet (eating anything and everything), the swine is the animal whose meat contains the most parasites. 1 The LORD God created these creatures for a specific purpose. And, it wasn’t for human consumption. But, in truth, our job is not to know – our job is to hear, to salute, and obey!

So, if the LORD God says, “’ the swine is unclean for you’” – cf. Deuteronomy 14:8 – then just forget about pork chops, ham, bacon, and so forth. Just leave all that behind. We can certainly go to our local grocery store and find the animals which we may eat: certain animals with cloven hooves, and that chew their cud – such as cows and sheep. Along with some sea creatures, we may eat: all that have fins and scales. We are certainly not wanting for meat – if you choose to eat meat. But, even though the LORD God commands us not to eat pork, the majority of so-called Christians (especially in the South) have to have pork in almost everything! We’ve never understood why so many people are obsessed with eating pork!

Continuing, verse 6 – “But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, …”

Now, what is this speaking about!?

It’s actually speaking about the first resurrection – as some people call it. There have been throughout history certain people who had been chosen by God the Father to be His special servants. And, they have been given the Spirit of God, and they have had their names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. And those names – most of whom have died – someday Jesus Christ will bring them out of the grave, resurrect them, and grant them eternal life.

Now, most people aren’t going to be “saved” – if you want to use that term – when our Lord Jesus returns. Because most people have lived their life on the Earth contrary to the Way of the LORD God.

“ … He says: ‘Let all the angels of God worship Him.’”

Verse 7 – “And of the angels He says: ‘Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire.’”

So, the LORD God’s holy angels are very important, but Jesus Christ has preeminence over all of them.

Verse 8 – again, God the Father speaking to His Son – “But to the Son He says: ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.’”

So, even God the Father acknowledges that Jesus is a co-equal member of the family of God. And, righteousness and the kingdom of God go together. You will never see unrighteousness inherit the kingdom of God. You will never see evil inherit the kingdom of God.

Verse 9 – “’ You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.’” – speaking of the angels, and even future members of the family of God.

Verse 10 – “And: ‘You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, …’”

Once again, Jesus Christ IS THE CREATOR GOD of whom we read about in the early part of the Book of Genesis.

“ … ‘And the heavens are the work of Your hands.’”

So, when you look up at the night sky – and now there is a new telescope, called the James Webb Space Telescope. It operates in a halo orbit, circling around a point in space known as the Sun-Earth Lagrange point – approximately 930,000 miles beyond Earth’s orbit around the Sun. 2 And the images which are returning to Earth are truly even more stunning! The Hubble Space Telescope revealed things to us that we never understood – the scientists. But, this new telescope – within two weeks it was showing very luminous galaxies believed to date from 235 million to 280 million years after the presupposed Big Bang. Far earlier than the scientists previously had thought. 3 It’s just stunning – the beauty of the universe! And who CREATED the universe!? The One we now call Jesus!

Verse 11 – “’ They will perish, but You remain; And they will all grow old like a garment.’”

The greatness of these celestial bodies is growing old. 4 Our Lord Jesus Christ never will grow old.

Verse 12 – “’ Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they [the celestial bodies of the universe] will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail.’”

Again, God the Father is speaking about His Son – the One we now call Jesus! ‘You will never perish, and You will never grow old.’ He is eternally youthful and all-powerful!

This is the God we are supposed to worship. Not any human being or an organization made up of human beings!

LOOK TO JESUS!

“looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”

Verse 13 – “But to which of the angels has He ever said: ‘Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool’?”

So, as great and powerful as the angels are – even the archangels – this was never said to them. And yet it is said about our Lord Jesus Christ! This is the greatness He has.

And, let’s keep this in mind: there was once an archangel, that was a very powerful being. And he had a very special role, his name at one time was Lucifer. And he allowed his mind to dwell on things that he should not have. And his heart became bitter, hateful, and vengeful. And the one-time light bringer Lucifer dissolved and changed into what we now call Satan the devil. And it all came about because Lucifer wanted to become a son of God. And as it says here, “But to which of the angels has He ever said.” Lucifer never received that invitation.

Now, he had a most fantastic job! But he allowed his hatred, anger, and bitterness to warp his mind – and he’s now this horrible being. And we ask all of you – pray to God Almighty and Jesus that Satan not be allowed to enter your area. Your mind or your environment. Because he will indeed do everything he can to destroy your life! We read in the Book of Ephesians – “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” – such as in the atmosphere. This is referring to Satan the devil and the angels who followed him – which are demons now. And they are “the rulers of the darkness of this age.”

Sadly, every night on the news we witness horrible things occurring all around the United States of America. There are people being assaulted on the streets for no reason. There are people being stabbed and shot for no rhyme or reason. We saw a horrible scene play out this week –a 55-year-old homeless convicted sex offender, who was convicted in 1995 for the sexual abuse of a 17-year-old girl, brutally sucker-punched a man in the Bronx! The unprovoked attack caused the victim to suffer a skull fracture, broken cheek, and brain bleed! 5 He had to be placed on a ventilator and into a medically induced coma. Thankfully, about 10 days later he was able to be taken off the ventilator and appears to be making progress. Who knows if he will ever be the same as he was! And why did this perverted psychopath do this!? Just out of sheer hatred, who is indeed a servant of Satan the devil.

Again, all these terrible and vile crimes occur all around the United States of America. A ‘flash mob’ of looters ransacked a 7-11 after a street takeover in Los Angeles! The looters of the convenience store damaged goods, and stole cigarette cartons and lottery tickets! 6 And why did they do this!? Because their hearts are evil! And where does this evil come from!? It comes from Satan the devil and his demons. And we could talk about all the terrible things happening all around the United States of America and the rest of the world for hours.

Continuing in verse 14 – speaking about the angels – “Are they not all ministering spirits …”

The purpose of angels is to help God Almighty, our Lord Jesus, and to help the future sons and daughters of God. That’s their job.

“ … sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?”

That – God willing – is our future, to be heirs of salvation. And – God willing – it’s yours, all who are listening.

Let Us Not Neglect This Plan of Salvation

Chapter 2 of the Book of Hebrews –

Verse 1 – “Therefore …” says the Apostle Paul, because this second thing he speaks about should happen because of what he was just speaking about.

“ … we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.”

There’s a wonderful song entitled The Anchor Holds, and one of the stanzas of that song is “I've had visions. I've had dreams. But I never knew They would slip right through Like they were only grains of sand.” And that is what this verse is talking about.

You who are reading this, the LORD God is extending to you an invitation to know Their Word, Truth, and Plan. And to someday be recipients of eternal life. Are you going to hang on to this opportunity that the LORD God is offering to you!? Or, will you let it slip through your fingers like grains of sand!? We hope and pray that you make the right decision.

Verse 2 – “For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward.”

So, every evil thing receives the reward that it deserves. And, if you allow this message – the TRUTH OF GOD - that you are listening to right now from the very word of God to drift away, and you don’t give it honor and prestige, the Apostle Paul says in the following verse – and this is truly one of the most uncomfortable verses in God’s living word. If you realize that this verse could refer to you or a loved one or a dear friend –

“how shall we escape if we neglect so great a [plan of] salvation, …” – an opportunity to receive salvation. How will we escape!? If we let this blessed opportunity to just slip through our fingers like grains of sand!?

“ … which at first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him.”

Yes, there have been people who became prophets of the LORD God, and people who have written to a great extent the Bible – and they were given this message so that we might learn, educated spiritually.

Verse 4 – “God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? 5) For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels.” 7

Verse 5 – But one testified in a certain place, saying - …” – referring to King David in the Psalms – chapter 8.

Now this is worthy of contemplation. I can remember as a young child, and then later as a teenager where at times I felt lost. Because I will freely admit the “spiritual education” – as it were – which I received growing up in the Trinity United Methodist Church was worthless! Because it did more harm than good! It created a great deal of mental and spiritual obstacles. But, I can remember as a young man being completely baffled. Now, I knew I was alive. I knew I was a person. But I had not a clue as to what the purpose of my life happened to be. And it caused great anxiety and uncomfortable moments.

What is man!? Why do we exist!? Why are we even conscious!?

“ … ‘ What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? 7) You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands.’”

We’ve been given a great destiny! Every human being has the potential – and eventually the likelihood – of someday becoming a member of the family of God! Not a mythical little cupid with wings on your back! Not just sitting on a cloud waiting for the beatific vision – in which hopefully God will look down upon you and pat you on the top of the head like a good little doggy! No. All of us have, as a birthright because we’re created in the image of God, to someday be completely created in the image of God! And from thenceforth living on the same plane as God. Not being some pet in the kingdom of God. No. But of being a full-fledged member of the family of God!

And, THIS IS AWESOME! And this is what the LORD God is placing before you! And we just pray that these chapters will help you to understand this awesome potential you are being given. And we encourage you to make positive strides forward in that direction.

Verse 9 – “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death …”

So, when our Lord Jesus Christ was a human being, He was not as powerful as the angels in that respect. Because angels cannot die, they are eternal beings. But He, as a mortal human being – endowed with the Spirit of God nonetheless – was subject to death. And He did die. And He was dead for three days and three nights. However, God the Father resurrected Him to full spiritual life!

Again, “we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for EVERYONE.”

Jesus, the great Creator God, died so that we don’t have to die spiritually. He allowed Himself to be tortured to death so that we might have a Savior. That we have a means of having our sins wiped clean. And, we have the opportunity to have the nature of the LORD God becoming instilled within us through the Spirit of God. And this possibility is all because of our Lord Jesus Christ! And because of this, we should hold Him always in great reverence, respect, and love. So, learn to love the LORD God. Learn to be God’s sons or daughters. Or, a brother or sister to Jesus Christ. Because the LORD God treats us with glory and honor, and we need to give that love back to the LORD God. In the way we live our lives, the things we think about, the things we say, the things we do. BRING HONOR AND GLORY TO JESUS CHRIST!

Verse 10 – “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, …”

Again, Jesus Christ is the great Creator God, which we read about back in the Book of Genesis.

“ … in bringing many [children] to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”

So, Jesus had to suffer. He was tortured to death. It was mentally, physically, and spiritually agonizing. But He endured all of that so that we could have a Savior. Truly, what love!

Verse 11 – “For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them [brothers and sisters].”

Verse 12 – “saying: ‘I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the [church] I will sing praise to You.’”

Verse 13 – “And again: ‘I will put My trust in Him.’ And again: ‘Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.’”

So, here the Apostle Paul is referring to Old Testament Scripture in which the very term children is used. Referring to us, brethren.

Verse 14 – “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, …”

He became flesh and blood to qualify to be our Savior.

“ … that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.”

Satan the devil is the champion of pain, misery, and eternal death. Our Lord Jesus being the champion of happiness, contentment, and eternal life!

Verse 15 – “and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”

People fear the idea of dying. They do everything they can to avoid dying. And, some people obsess with dying so much, that they become a little insane. The fear of death is a type of bondage. And yet, if you know in your heart, that if your heart was to stop and play its final beat, the next thing you’re going to experience is hearing the voice of Jesus Christ calling you out of the grave, there is no reason to fear death.

Verse 16 – “For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.”

He became flesh and blood.

Verse 17 – “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make [reconciliation] for the sins of the people.

Notice this awesome title – our Lord Jesus Christ, “that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest.” I have this verse highlighted and underlined in my Bible!

Verse 18 – “For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, …”

We are told that He was tempted in all points like unto us. But, without sin.

“ … He is able to aid [to help and comfort] those that are tempted.”

So, if you in your life are having troubles, there is a being to whom you can go. His name is JESUS! Again, we pray that these chapters will help you understand this awesome potential you are being given. A greater understanding of God the Father and Jesus Christ, which is so much greater than the Catholic or Protestant church ideas. And, we want you to get to know the real Jesus! □

Sources:

1) Pork Parasites and Their Harmful Effects, naturalhealthmessages.com, Retrieved 22 June 2023.

2) Wikipedia contributors, "James Webb Space Telescope," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Retrieved 22 June 2023.

3) Ibid.

4) Note from Leonard J: As I have mentioned before, the law of decay is a real physical law described in mathematical manners that describes the properties of a nuclear atom in a state of decay. The radioactive decay law states that this decay is constant. For if nothing was done about this law of decay, this corruption will ultimately lead to the complete annihilation of the universe.

5) Wallace D., Dhanis, M., NYC sucker-punch suspect re-arrested after downgraded attempted murder charge faces parole violation hearing, Fox News, 24 Aug. 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2023.

6) Chrisholm, J., Flash mob turns scary as more than a dozen people are seen ransacking a 7-11 in wild attack caught on camera, Independent, 19 Aug. 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2023.

7) Note from Leonard J: meaning the soon-coming Kingdom of God “in subjection to angels.” Now I personally do not believe that God ever had any intention of putting the Kingdom of God under the subjection of angels. God truly had – and has – a Master Plan from the very beginning!