Thursday
Carpenter Diem (Because Jesus Was a Carpenter and Is Now Preparing a Home for His People)
The resurrection of God the Son, Jesus Christ, is crucial to the Christian faith. In Luke 24:13-35, we read of the resurrected Savior walking the road to Emmaus. This specific geographical reference reminds us of the absolute accuracy of God’s Word in all areas. In verse 27, Jesus begins to teach from the Old Testament; He not only walked the talk but also talked the walk! This passage does not reveal the exact Scriptures Jesus employed to teach these journeying believers, but we do know that He fulfilled the entire Old Testament (Matthew 5:17,18). Fulfilled prophecy is one of the major reasons that we can be certain that our faith in Jesus is not misplaced. (I will be using this opening paragraph for each of the brief messages in this series. The following material will change daily.)
Nehemiah 1:5 reveals several things about God, certainly enough for a full-fledged, full-blown seven-point sermon. One of these points would focus on our God always keeping His “covenant.” God is a maker and keeper of promises; it is His very nature to reach into lives and provide tangible hope and help. In Jeremiah 31:31-34, God promises a new covenant that includes a transformation of the heart, close fellowship with God, a greater knowledge of God, and the forgiveness of sins. Jesus, God the Son, is the fulfillment of this new covenant. Hebrews 7:22 says “By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament [or covenant].” Jesus Himself is the guarantee (“surety”) that this covenant will be kept with each one of us who trusts in Him for forgiveness. Remember that the forgiveness of sins is possible only through the shed blood of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:22, 26-28). May we cherish the promises of God, and may we cherish the Promise Maker and Keeper.