C-20 Jesus the Pattern Son: The Gospel of the Kingdom

8/6/2019 C-20 Jesus the Pattern Son: The Gospel of the Kingdom

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C-20

Jesus the Pattern Son: The Gospelof the Kingdom

Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary Hismother, Behold, this Child is destined for the falland rising for many in Israel, and a sign whichwill be spoken against (Luke 2:34, emphasis

added).

God purposed before the foundation of the Earth tobring forth many sons to glory. So, God createdAdam in His image as His son (Luke 3:38) and intothe likeness of His divine nature. He was theembodiment of divine dignity and royal nobilitymanifested in the graciousness of His love andmagnificence of His divine humility. When theSerpent breathed his venomous pride the desireto be like God, knowing good from evil (Genesis3:5) into the hearts of our first parents, they fellfrom their high estate of sonship into the pit ofpride and self-exaltation of the Serpent, the hell ofseparation from God.

Though our first parents fell from their glory inChrist, their Creator, as sons of God into thelikeness of sinful flesh, God never deviated from Hisoriginal purpose, to bring forth a harvest of sons,but perpetuated His vision in Christ. Christs vision

to see His seed (Isaiah 53:10) was fulfilled on thecross. The blood of the Lamb is the seal of the NewCovenant, which is the guarantee that men will,one day, walk as fully manifested sons of God onthe face of the earth. By one offering He hasperfected those who are being sanctified. We whowere once far off were brought nigh by the blood ofChrist. As many as receiving Christ, God places in


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the body of His Son, they become one Spirit with

Him because they are joined to Christ and theyhave been empowered in Christ to grow upfrom infants (Greek: paidion) to children(Greek: teknon) and eventually into the sons(Greek: huios) of God, to the measure of thefullness of Christ. The vision of God and of Christis our vision, which is to know God as Father and tofully mature in Christ as His sons. Christs life is thetruth about and the way to follow toward ouradoption as sons, which is His glorious image.

The life of Jesus the pattern Son is the vision andprophecy about the road that you must travel tomature into a son of God. To study the life of Jesusis to interpret the prophecy concerning your lifebecause He is the first among many brothers andyou will have to follow along the same way if youwish to mature into sonship and to be glorified inyour body with the glory which Jesus had before theworld was made.

At the tender age of six weeks Simeon prophesiedover Jesus. Then Simeon blessed them, and said toMary His mother, Behold, this Child is destined forthe fall and rising for many in Israel, and a signwhich will be spoken against (Luke 2:34,emphasis added). Just as Jonah was a sign pointingto the resurrection of Christ, so, is Jesus life for asign given to this generation.And while the crowdswere thickly gathered together, He began to say,This is an evil generation. It seeks a sign, and nosign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the

prophet. For as Jonah became a sign to theNinevites, so also the Son of Man will be to thisgeneration (Luke 11:29-30). Jesus is a sign thatpoints to many sons of God that will come into Hisglory.

He is a sign which will be spoken against. For manydeceivers have gone out into the world who do not

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confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a

deceiver and an antichrist (2 John 1:7). Today,many, even heathens, acknowledge Jesus comingin the flesh as a historical fact and they also believeHe will physically come again. However, not manybelieve He is coming again in the flesh of His bodyof believers. Just as God fashioned Adam in Hisimage likewise He is bringing forth a new man intothe image of His son. To deny that Jesus is comingforth in the flesh of His Church is deception and themanifestation of an antichrist spirit.

Even the spirit of antichrist has subtly infiltrated theChurch of our Lord Jesus Christ. Satan do not mindthe Church to place much emphasis on the physicalcoming of our Lord; even the secular worldbroadcast many end-time messages on TVprograms based on the pre-tribulation rapturetheory. The Church is neglecting the message ofthe Lord coming in the flesh of His believers, whichis the undiluted message of the cross. That I mayknow Him and the power of His resurrection, andthe fellowship of His sufferings, being conformedto His death, if by any means, I may attain tothe resurrection from the dead. Not that I havealready attained, or am already perfected; but Ipress on, that I may lay hold of that which ChristJesus has also laid hold of me (Philippians 3:10-12,emphasis added). This is the message of the cross,to conform to His suffering, death andresurrection by laying hold of Christ with thesame intensity that He laid hold of us; themessage that needs to be restored to the Church of

our Lord Jesus Christ. Satan hates this messagebecause it spells out his defeat. When Christappears bodily in His saints Satan will be boundedfor a thousand years. Off cause Christ will alsoappear physically. In the mean while let us live ourlives, like Paul did, as if we have attained toresurrection life and perfection, knowing that it willbe ours at the Last trumpet. That is called faith.

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Not only must the message of the Church berestored but also the fivefold ministry gifts. Till weall come to the unity of the faith of the knowledgeof the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measureof the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:13). Thegreat commissioning that Christ gave to the Churchwas not only to make converts but disciples and tobring forth the Church of our Lord to the measure ofthe fullness of Christ. It is to invest more intopeople than in structures of buildings andorganizations. Both are necessary but the emphasis

should be much more on equipping the saints.

The gospel of the Kingdom of God will be easier tounderstand if you grasp the three major events thatdrew public attention in the life of a Hebrew boy,which applied also to Jesus life as a Hebrew, whichalso have spiritual significance in your life.

The first major event in Jesus life was His birthand circumcision on the eighth day after His birth.Jesus was born a Hebrew boy. On the basis of Hisnationality He was included under the Covenant ofthe Law, God made with His people Israel. Thus, byvirtue of His Hebrew heredity He belonged to Godscovenant people.

To be part of Gods family, under the NewCovenant, you need to be born from the Spirit ofGod. Who is born of the flesh belongs to earthyfamilies and who is born of the Spirit belongs toGods family. Jesus answered, Most assuredly, I

say to you, unless one is born of water and theSpirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Thatwhich is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which isborn of the Spirit is spirit (John 3:5-6). Thoseoutside of Christ have no part in the NewCovenant that was made in the sacrificialblood of the Lamb.They cannot see the kingdomof God nor enter in.

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Traditionally Jesus circumcision ceremonycomposed of three main parts which was performedby a priest at the temple: Firstly, The priest wouldrecite a blessing over Jesus that probably goes likethis, Praised are you, Adonai our God, King of theUniverse, who has sanctified us with Yourcommandments and commanded us in the ritual ofcircumcision. Then Jesus physical circumcisionwas performed and Joseph most probably recitesthe following blessing thanking God for bringing thechild into the covenant of Abraham: Blessed are

You, Adonai our God, King of the Universe, who hassanctified us with your commandments to makehim (Jesus) enter into the covenant of Abraham ourfather. And when eight days were completed forthe circumcision of the Child, His name was calledJesus [the Lord is salvation], the name given by theangel before He was conceived in the womb (Luke2:21).

Jesus circumcision was the surety that He wouldfulfill the covenant between God and Abraham andalso fulfill the Old Covenant and make it honorable.And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of yourforeskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenantbetween Me and you (Genesis 17:11).

For the believer in Christ circumcision takes placein the heart.And the Lord your God will circumciseyour heart and the heart of your descendents, tolove the Lord your God with all your heart and withall your soul, that you may live (Deuteronomy

30:76, emphasis added). To live according to theflesh is death but according to the Spirit life andpeace.

Circumcision symbolizes the cutting away of thefleshly nature. Those who live according to thedictates of the flesh are enmity against God andcannot please Him. For all that is in the world the

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lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride

of life is not of the Father but is of the world (1 John 2:21). The uncircumcised of heart alwaysresist the Holy Spirit. If you want the blessing ofAbraham to come upon you do the works ofAbraham. Through faith Abraham was circumcised;do you like wise and be circumcised in the flesh ofyour heart.

The knife of circumcision is the word. For the wordof God is living and powerful, and sharper than anytwo-edged sword, piercing even to the division of

soul and spirit, and joints and marrow, and is adiscerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart(Hebrews 4:12). Our uncircumcised hearts aremanifested in error. Jesus answered and said untothem, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, northe power of God(Matthew 22:29).

Secondly, the blessing over the wine (Kiddush) issaid and a drop of wine is put into the babysmouth. A prayer for his well-being is recited,followed by a longer prayer that gives him hisname. The prayer probably was the following,Creator of the Universe. May it be your will toregard and accept this performance ofcircumcision, as if I had brought this baby beforeYour throne. And in Your abundant mercy, throughYour holy angels, give a pure heart to Jesus son ofthe Most High (perhaps son of Joseph [John 1:45and John 6:42]) who was just circumcised in honorof Your great Name. May his heart be wide open tocomprehend Your holy Law, that he may learn and

teach, keep and fulfill Your Law. From that dayforward they called Him Jesus the name that wasgiven to Joseph by the angel (Matthew 1:20-21).

The name (Hebrew: sign, mark with which one ismarked) Jesus and all other names by which He isknown signifies His glory the purpose for Hisexistence. Circumcision of heart includes the

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discovery of the purposes for your life on earth that

you may run your race and completes your course,not being disobedient to the heavenly vision whichGod placed in your heart. You shall be known byGods anointing in your life.

Thirdly, there is the Seudat Mitvah, which is acelebration meal that is required by Jewish Law. Inthis way the joy of a new life in this world isconnected with the joy of sharing food with familyand friends.

Jesus meat was to do the will of Him that sent Himand to finish His work. For the joy (celebration)that was set before Him, He endured the cross. Hisflesh is meat indeed and His blood is drink indeed.To partake (celebrate) of the table of the Lordwith an uncircumcised heart is to partake of it in anunworthy manner.

Breaking of bread also refers to return to NewTestament Church living but the glory of the Churchof the kingdom of God will come in greater glorythan that of the Early Church. So continuing dailywith one accord in the temple, and breaking breadfrom house to house, they ate their food withgladness [as in a celebration] and simplicity ofheart(Acts 2:46).

Breaking of bread with circumcised hearts alsorefers to divide the word of God rightly. Be diligentto present yourself approved[circumcised of heart]to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed

[uncircumcised of heart], rightly dividing the wordof truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

Typical the circumcision ceremony was held in themorning because Jewish tradition says one shouldbe eager to perform the circumcision ceremony. Asa child Jesus grew up and became strong in spirit,

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filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon

Him (Luke 2:40).

We should be eager to perform the circumcision ofheart. Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit,serving the Lord(Romans 12:11, emphasis added).We also need to become strong in spirit, filled withwisdom. Therefore, leaving the discussion of theelementary principals of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation ofrepentance from dead works and of faith towardGod, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of

hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternaljudgment (Hebrews 6:1-2). Not growing spirituallyis a symptom of an uncircumcised heart.

The second major event in Jesus life was His BarMitzvah. Bar Mitzvah means son of obligation, inother words the person is now obligated to keepthe commandments of God (mitzvoth of the Torah).Bar Mitzvah is a status. A Hebrew boy automaticallybecomes Bar Mitzvah when he turns thirteen yearsold whether there is a Bar Mitzvah celebration ornot.

Jesus Bar Mitzvah also signified the time when Hebecame an apprentice under His father in thefamily business. Joseph was a carpenter (Matthew13:55; Mark 6:3), thus, his family business wascarpentry. So, Jesus at his Bar Mitzvah must haveentered with him into an apprenticeship to becomea carpenter in view for Him, as oldest son in thefamily, to inherit it at His adoption ceremony.

When Jesus was twelve years old He came into HisBar Mitzvah. He announced it to His parents,saying, Why did you seek Me? Did you not knowthat I must be about My Fathers business?(Luke2:49). Jesus told them He came into His Bar Mitzvahand He is an apprentice in His Fathers business.They were supposed to understand what He was

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telling them because they were acquainted with the

Hebrew culture but they did not understand thestatement He spoke to them. He went back withthem to Nazareth and was subject to them. Heincreased in wisdom and stature, and in favor withGod and man (Luke 2:50-52). Jesus both developedin a secular profession and His spiritual calling.Over an eighteen-year period Jesus was maturinginto sonship by occupying Himself with His Fathersbusiness according to the anointing that wasworking in Him.

By now we should have discovered the anointingthat is working in us, the calling of God in our lives.Our Bar Mitzvah is an apprenticeship under theleading of the Holy Spirit in all anointed areasinour lives. All areas not anointed by the Spirit of Godshould be avoided.

Paul was both a tentmaker and called as an apostleto the gentiles. To the Hebrews he was no apostle(parameters of his anointing). The ministry (secularand spiritual) is for the equipping of the saints forthe work of ministry, for the edifying of the body ofChrist, till we all come to the unity of the faith andof the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfectman, to the measure of the stature of the fullnessof Christ (Ephesians 4:13). Maturity in Christ willlead to the third significant event in your life.

The third event was what was known as theHuiothesia or the young mans adoptionceremony. The word Huiothesia means Son

Placement and indicates the time when a malechild reached what was considered to be the age ofmaturity, somewhere around thirty years old. It isthe time when a young man completed hisapprenticeship with his father and proved hisresponsibility, faithfulness and worth over timeserving his father.

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The adoption ceremony of the Lord Jesus took place

when John baptized Him, the heavens were openedto Him, the Spirit of God descended like a dove andremained upon Him and the Father declared Him,His beloved Son. This was Jesus public adoptionceremony. Only three and a half years after Hisadoption ceremony, when He was raised from thedead in power, He was glorified in His body.

In the Near East, during biblical times, the wordadoption had an entire different meaning than inour present Western civilization. The Western

civilization perceives adoption as an orphan or ahomeless child being adopted by foster parents. This is not the biblical meaning or the way thepeople in the Near East understood it. In Israel andin the Near East, adoption was a public ceremonywhere a young man who had proved hisresponsibility, faithfulness and worth over timeserving his father was proclaimed a son. Theceremony is called adoption.

At the ceremony of adoption, with friends,neighbors and relatives present, the father publiclyproclaimed his matured boy his son. Thisproclamation gave the son certain privileges notenjoyed by him before this time. Firstly, the sonwas given power of attorney. He could buy or sell ordo business in his fathers name. Jesus, at Hisadoption ceremony, received the Spirit withoutmeasure, hence His unlimited authority. Secondly,he received his inheritance, and thus was able touse the wealth that his father had provided for him.

It was his from then on and he did not need to askany question about its distribution. Previously, aslong as the heir is a child (not a son) he does notdiffer at all from a slave, though he is master of all.Thirdly, the son was given equality with the father.The Jews sought to kill Jesus for making Himselfequal with God. Jesus that came into His adoptionas Son of God had Gods authority and backing to

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make Himself equal with God. The Jews understood

their tradition of sonship but never believed Jesusto be Son of God but thought Him to beblasphemous.

Enoch (without the law) received a similartestimony of sonship that Jesus received. Enochsadoption took place when he received thetestimony, that he pleased God. Before He wastaken he had this testimony that he pleased God.By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did notsee death, and was not found, because God had

taken him; for before he was taken he had thistestimony, that he pleased God. But without faith itis impossible to please Him, for he who comes toGod must believe that He is, and that He is arewarder of those who diligently seek Him(Hebrews 11:5-6). Enochs adoption took placewhen he received the testimony, that he pleasedGod, only afterward, like Jesus, he was caught up toGod and His throne and was glorified in his bodyand perfected in his soul.

Elijah (under the law) received a similar testimonyof sonship than Jesus and Enoch. He testified thathe stands in the presence of God (1Kings 17:1) likeJesus who testified that He was living with His Spiritin heaven while His body was on earth. No one hasascended to heaven but He who came down fromheaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven(John 3:13, emphasis added). Only sometime afterElijahs testimony he went up by a whirlwind intoheaven. His mortal body must have put on

immortality because flesh and blood cannot inheritthe kingdom of God, nor does corruption inheritincorruption.

The first 30 years of Jesus life show you the road tofollow from being birthed by the Holy Spirit untilyou mature into sonship. Before the foundation ofthe world God predestined those whom He

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foreknew to be conformed to the image of His Son.

Thus, God made the Firstborns life the prophecy,pattern or blue print of the lives of the otherbrothers to follow. The most prominentcharacteristic of mature sons is the testimony theyreceive from the Father that He is well pleased withthem because they are led by the Spirit of God andnot by the carnal mind. Only after they havereceived the testimony that they are well pleasingto the Father follows their redemption orglorification of the body.

However, Paul sees the adoption as sons and theglorification of the body (their inheritance) as oneevent. Not only that, but we also who have thefirstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groanwithin ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, theredemption of our body(Romans 8:23).

Just like Enoch and Elijah, Paul also pressed on forresurrection life. That I may know Him and thepower of His resurrection, and the fellowship of Hissufferings, being conformed to His death, if byany means, I may attain to the resurrectionfrom the dead. Not that I have already attained,or am already perfected; but I press on, that I maylay hold of that which Christ Jesus has also laid holdof me (Philippians 3:10-12, emphasis added). I amconvinced that if God did not willed for Paul (undergrace) to die for his name sake he would haveattained to the resurrection from the dead becausehe manifested the same manner of faith in God asthese two faith heroes.

During Jesus transfiguration on the mountain,witnessed by Moses and Elijah from heaven andPeter, James and John from the earth, the Fatherconfirmed Jesus sonship again with the promise(transfiguration of His body) that He would raiseHim from the dead. Jesus resurrection is theguarantee that our bodies will be raised from the

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dead in glory. In a moment, in a twinkling of an

eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet willsound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible,and we shall be changed. For this corruptible mustput on incorruption, and this mortal must put onimmortality(1 Corinthians 15:52-53).

Enoch and Elijah are types of the mortals that willput on immortality. Those many bodies that cameout of the graves at Jesus resurrection thatappeared to many in the holy city are pointing tomany, many more that will be resurrected from

their graves and be clothed with incorruption at thelast trumpet. And the graves were opened; andmany bodies of the saints who had fallen asleepwere raised; and coming out of the graves after Hisresurrection, they went into the holy city andappeared to many(Matthew 27:52-53).

As it may be the Scriptures said emphatically thatin Adam we all die, but in Christ all shall be madealive but each one in his own order: Christ thefirstfruits, afterward those who are Christs at Hiscoming. Each one in his own order may also refer topeople that will be quickened to God in their bodiesat various stages. I wish to refer Revelation 12 as afuture event of resurrection and some OldTestament saints during Christs resurrection as ahistorical event. I doubt it if there is anybody at thismoment in time with the full picture. Now we knowin part and we prophecy in part. Now we who havethe Spirit in part see only dimly as in a mirror,Christ walking in a far distance but when the

fullness has come then we will see Him face to facejust as He is. However, now we press on into thehigher calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Our hope is, to ever-grow in the Father-sonrelationship, which is in Christ by maturinginto sonship to thefull measure of Christandto constantly press in for a testimony that we

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are pleasing to Him in hope that we will be

caught up to God and His throne and thus notsee death. Our faith is audacious like that ofEnoch and Elijah that were transformedbefore the sounding of the last trumpet.

The message of Jesus life is the roadmap toconform to His death in hope to attain to theresurrection from the dead. This is the Gospel ofthe Kingdom.

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C-20 Jesus the Pattern Son: The Gospel of the Kingdom