____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER ____________________________________________________ "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ November 28, 2004 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) "Son of Man" (Tom Edwards) 2) A Memorial for a Woman Who Did What She Could (Clarence R. Johnson) 3) News & Notes ____________________________________________________ -1- "Son of Man" by Tom Edwards Though we would most likely think of today's title as referring to Jesus Christ, some of us recently saw that there is actually another person in the Scriptures who is addressed by this phrase even more so. For whereas Jesus is referred to as the "Son of Man" 85 times (in the NASB), Ezekiel, on the other hand, is addressed 93 times in this same way -- though without the preceding article "the" (and all in the book of Ezekiel). While receiving his visions from God, could it be that this phrase was used to help Ezekiel remain humble by continually reminding him of his humanity? For he is a "son of man," while God is -- and always will be -- Deity and far superior to man. In addition, there is one time in which Daniel is called "son of man" (Dan. 8:17), when spoken to by Gabriel. And 16 times this phrase is used in referring to man in general, such as in Numbers 23:19; Job 26:6; Psalm 8:4; Isaiah 51:12; and Jeremiah 49:18; and three of those times in which Jesus is referred to as being "like a son of man," such as in Daniel 7:13, which prophesies the ascension of Christ. It says, "...with the clouds of heaven, One like a Son of Man was coming, and He came up to the Ancient of Days...." Compare also Revelation 1:13 and 14:14 (for the other two references). It can also be pointed out that in the New Testament, it is primarily Jesus who speaks of Himself as being the "Son of Man." In thinking of Jesus, who is "the Son of God," as also being "the Son of Man," we are made aware of His humanity. As prophesied about 700 years prior to His birth, Jesus would be born of a "virgin" (Isa. 7:14) in that little town of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). His earthly father's lineage would be through Jeconiah (Matt. 1:11,12,16), but Jesus did not actually descend from Joseph, since Jesus was begotten not by him; but, rather, by the Holy Spirit (Matt. 1:18-20). And, as also prophesied, Jeconiah (who was also called "Coniah" and "Jehoiachin") would have no descendants who would reign over Judah from David's throne (Jer. 22: 28-30). Through Mary, however, Jesus' lineage also traces back to King David (Luke 3:31), but does not come through Coniah. Jesus, thus, is the fulfillment of God's promise to David that when his "days are complete" (and he would be buried with his fathers), the Lord would raise up one of David's descendants who would build a "house" for God, have his kingdom established, and reign over that kingdom (2 Sam. 7:12-16). David, therefore, looked to the Christ as being the one who would be the fulfillment of these things (Luke 1:32,33; Acts 2:29-36). As we noted in last week's bulletin, Jesus was Deity while on our planet (Col. 2:9; Heb. 1:3; John 14:7). He did not lay that aside when being born into our world, but he did give up the glorified existence and beauty of heaven in order to come to our rescue. For in doing so, He had to not only take on the body of a man; but also become a servant among men (Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 2:14), in order that He could "taste death for everyone" (Heb. 2:9, 17). Having been of Deity and humanity simultaneously, Jesus is the only mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5); and who could even come close to being better suited for this? Though Deity never sleeps (Psa. 121:4), the earthly body of Jesus required it (Matt. 8:24). Christ also experienced hunger (Matt. 4:2), thirst (John 19:28), weariness (John 4:6), and temptations (Heb. 4:15) -- things He never had to undergo in heaven. And just as it is important for us to believe in the Lord's Deity, we must also believe that he had become real flesh and blood. For those who would deny this, do not have God; but, instead, have the spirit of the antichrist (1 Jn. 4:2,3). So it is necessary for us to believe in not only Christ's Deity, but also His humanity. Jesus left His blissful abode of sinless perfection (a place greater than we can even conceive) to dwell in a world marred by sin's ugliness -- all of which was a great sacrifice in itself that He willingly made. So much He was willing to not only give, but also to give up. And all of this helps us understand more of what it means that Jesus "emptied himself" (Phil. 2:7) by leaving heaven, taking on a human body, and dwelling among us. He "emptied himself" of the blessings of a glorious existence, in exchange for one that would be far from that. For in coming to our planet, what an extremely different realm the Lord was willing to enter on our behalf, along with its often far-from-heaven characteristics. Surely, what the Lord did, in becoming a part of humanity, was even more of a contrast (from His previous existence) than that of Mark Twain's Prince who swapped places with the pauper. As Paul writes, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich" (2 Cor. 8:9). As someone once expressed, "Jesus, who was the Son of God, became a man, so that we who are men can become sons of God." Without Jesus becoming the "Son of Man," we who are sinners could never have the hope of eternal life. There would then be no escape from eternal doom. Let us, therefore, never forget the many sacrifices Jesus willingly made in simply becoming the "Son of Man" and show our gratitude by fully submitting to His gospel plan of redemption -- lest in our own lives, the many sacrifices of Christ will become, to us, nothing but a vain thing (cf. 1 Cor. 15:1-4). ____________________________________________________ -2- A Memorial for a Woman Who Did What She Could By Clarence R. Johnson On Sunday, Jesus had entered Jerusalem triumphantly, and the crowds had shouted, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" (Mark 11:9). On Monday, He had driven the money changers out of the temple, saying, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called "a house of prayer for all nations." But you have made it a "den of thieves"'" (Mark 11:17). On Tuesday, He put to silence both the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and foretold the upcoming destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. The inspired writers do not inform us of His activities on Wednesday. Thursday "was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death. But they said, 'Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people'" (Mark 14:1-2). But in the next few verses, an unexpected event occurred. Being rebuked or scolded by Jesus, Judas Iscariot decided to become a traitor. He would betray the Lord. Even though it was the Passover season, and there was the danger of causing a rebellion, the chief priests and elders could not resist taking advantage of the opportunity to be rid of Jesus once and for all. Mark records, "And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as [Jesus] sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, 'Why was this fragrant oil wasted? For it might have been sold for more than 300 denari and given to the poor.' And they rebuked her sharply. But Jesus said, 'Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached to the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial for her.' Then Judas Iscariot, one of the 12, went to the chief priests to betray Him to them. And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him" (Mark 14:3-11). The apostle John tells us that it was Judas in particular who led the complaints when the costly oil was used to anoint Jesus, thus it was Judas who most strongly felt the Lord's rebuke. John also informs us that Judas' complaint was rendered, "not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the bag took away what was put therein" (John 12:6). We also learn from John that the woman who anointed Jesus on this occasion was Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. And as Jesus promised, everywhere the gospel has gone, this deed has been a memorial of her faith and love. -- Via The Susquehanna Sentinel, November 21, 2004 ____________________________________________________ -3- News & Notes David Riggs, a gospel preacher in Knoxville, has recently been diagnosed with severe cancer that is widespread in his upper body. The doctors are giving him just a few weeks to live. Let us who are Christians be praying for not only him, but also for his family and friends as well. His wife is Wanda, and their three girls are Kim, Becky, and Cindy. Wayne Goff has also requested prayer for his grandchild Anna (along with her parents and family) who was born recently with a heart problem. Her first surgery went well, but she will also have two more to undergo in the next three years. She is the daughter of Rebecca (Wayne's daughter) and Matt. Let us also continue praying that all will go well for Luther Shuff and Joe McGregor that cures can be obtained for their physical infirmities, which will make life more comfortable for them. We were glad to hear that all went well in the surgery for Christie Holt's mother. Greetings to all who are visiting today! We hope to see you again! ____________________________________________________ MYRTLE STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST 1022 Myrtle Street Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 664-8208 Sunday: 9:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 PM evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go ____________________________________________________