Walking with Jesus the Messiah

Welcome…

Posted on November 4, 2011 by Tom

I started this blog about Jesus in the Bible and the Qur’an because I’m convinced that both Muslims and Christians should seek to find out who he really was, and why his life is significant for us today. Christians believe Jesus is central to their faith, but Muslims also have a high regard for the prophet Jesus, or Isa al-Masih.

Below you will find short devotions based upon the Gospels of Jesus Christ. These are written to encourage and challenge you, as you seek to follow Jesus. Under the pages ‘Christology‘, ‘Philosophy‘ and ‘History‘ you will find more academic material which seeks to explore the person of Jesus in both Christianity and Islam. I pray that God will use these thoughts to bring you closer to Him.

Posted in admin | Tagged Bible, blog, Christ, Christianity, Christians, history, Isa, Islam, Jesus, Masih, Messiah, Muslims, prophet, Qur'an | Leave a comment

Matthew 3:13-17 – Jesus obeyed because we couldn’t

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Tom

Why does Jesus get baptised? If John’s baptism was about repentance from previous wrongdoings, then why does Jesus do it? Surely Jesus had nothing to repent from? John clearly shares these thoughts for we read that he tries to talk Jesus out of it, saying ‘you’re the one who should be baptising me!’ (verse 14).

Jesus’ answer suggests that he isn’t getting baptised as a sign of repentance. Rather, he does it because he needs to ‘fulfil all righteousness’. Part of Jesus’ mission was to exemplify, or to embody, the perfect human response to God, and this necessarily involves a turning towards God, a submitting to His purposes for your life.

In response to Jesus’ obedience in baptism God the Father declares that He is pleased with him. Jesus is the only human being who has completely met all of God’s expectations. Jesus is unique in this.

Jesus led the perfect life not so that we don’t have to, but because we couldn’t. Ultimately Jesus’ obedience took him to the cross where he suffered and died. Take some time out today to thank him for his obedient life. He did it out of love for you.

Posted in Devotions | Tagged baptism, cross, Father, God, Isa, Jesus, John, Matthew, Son | Leave a comment

Matthew 3:1-12 – are you ready for the Messiah?

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Tom

Matthew now introduces the next character in his story: John the Baptist. John was a prophet sent from God, but what was the message he was given?

Matthew says he was sent to prepare the way for the Messiah, i.e. for Jesus. He did this by encouraging people to repent of their wrongdoings and turn to God. John warned people of the coming judgement from God when bad people would receive their just punishment. For him it seemed that no-one was exempt from the coming judgement not even the religious leaders. They considered themselves righteous on account of their religious heritage, but John says it’s the heart that counts.

So how do we get ready for the coming of the Messiah? The prophet John the Baptist tells us that he need to repent and turn to God. We need to get our hearts in the right place with God. We need to realise that we have rebelled against God and that we are in need of His forgiveness.

The good news is that with the coming of Jesus the Messiah God has opened the door to our forgiveness. The bad news is that those who refuse to repent and turn to Him will face judgement.

John’s words still ring out today: are you ready for the coming of the Messiah?

Posted in Devotions | Tagged baptism, Baptist, God, Isa, Jesus, John, judgement, Masih, Messiah, Pharisees, second coming, sin | Leave a comment

Matthew 2:19-23 – ours is not a blind faith

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Tom

You may have noticed in our readings of the book of Matthew the phrase: ‘this fulfilled what the prophets had said.’ In the space of two chapters we’ve seen it repeated five times. Matthew wants to show his readers that Jesus fulfils the prophecies about the coming Messiah. He is trying to convince his audience that Jesus really is the true Messiah.

There are those in our world today who say that faith is blind, because it is contrary to science, logic and reason. Nowhere does the Bible encourage such blind faith that ignores what we experience in the world. In contrast it often argues it’s case through logic and reasoning.

Our personal faith should not be a blind faith. The Bible invites us to weigh up the evidence and come to a rational conclusion. A faith that is not just based upon emotions but also satisfies our intellectual questions is much stronger and is able to remain firm even in the midst of doubts.

Posted in Devotions | Tagged Bible, Christianity, Faith, Gospel, Isa, Jesus, Masih, Matthew, Messiah, reason, science | Leave a comment

Matthew 2:13-18 – the great escape to Egypt

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Tom

The beginning of Jesus’ life is like a thriller novel! Herod, out of fear of losing his throne, is out to kill the baby Jesus. So Joseph takes Mary and Jesus to safety, by escaping to Egypt. It is ironic that the Messiah must flee Palestine to Egypt. During Moses’ time the Egyptians had harshly persecuted the Jewish people. Now the Jewish Messiah must flee from his fellow Jews to go to Egypt. It gives us a glimpse into Jesus’ future life on earth, anticipating his rejection by his own people.

Sometimes we can experience opposition from those most close to us. Perhaps our family, or our dearest friends, suddenly let us down. These can be tough times, but we can find comfort in that Jesus was no stranger to rejection by those closest to him. He knows how it feels.

The challenge is to keep going in the face of such opposition. Jesus eventually returned to Palestine, he did not stay in Egypt. We can always choose to live a comfortable life by keeping on running away, but God wants to use us, and He can’t do that unless we bravely face the opposition!

Posted in Devotions | Tagged Egypt, Herod, Jesus, Joseph, Mary, Matthew, Messiah, Moses | Leave a comment

Matthew 2:1-12 – are you a wise man or a Herod?

Posted on January 21, 2012 by Tom

Herod and the three wise men represent two different types of people. The three wise men came from far looking for Jesus in order to give him gifts and pay him homage. What a contrast with Herod, who considered Jesus a nuisance and a threat to his rule. Matthew writes that Herod was disturbed to hear that a new king had been born. All he could think of was protecting his rule, and preventing rivals from claiming the throne.

What is our attitude towards Jesus? Do you go out of your way to look for him? Or, is he a nuisance to you… perhaps even a threat?

As a king Jesus deserves and demands our respect. Will you be like the wise men, seeking to serve him? Or will you be like Herod, threatened by the claims Jesus makes over your life?

Posted in Devotions | Tagged Herod, Jesus, king, magi, Matthew, nativity, wise men | Leave a comment