1 Peter 1:3 ·Praise be to [L Blessed be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In God’s ·great[abundant] mercy he has caused us to be born ·again [anew; John 3:5–8] into a living hope, ·because Jesus Christ rose [or by means of the resurrection of Jesus Christ] from the dead. 4 ·Now we hope for [or This new birth provides us with] ·the blessings God has for his children [L an inheritance]. ·These blessings [or This inheritance], which cannot be destroyed or be ·spoiled [corrupted; defiled] or lose their beauty, ·are [is] kept in heaven for you [Matt. 6:19–21; Luke 12:33]. 5 God’s power protects you through your faith until ·salvation is shown to you [or the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed] ·at the end of [in the last] time.
Beginning my day with praise, blessings to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Loaded with blessings just in this statement, God is the Father. God is the Father of the only begotten Son, Jesus. The Son of God…the man of sorrows, what a name! What a beautiful name. I was studying the word, sons in the Bible dictionary on the Blue Letter Bible. This quote is from Easton’s Bible Dictionary:
Son of God:
The plural, “sons of God,” is used (Gen 6:2,4) to denote the pious descendants of Seth. In (Job 1:6;38:7) this name is applied to the angels. Hosea uses the phrase (Hsa 1:10) to designate the gracious relation in which men stand to God.
In the New Testament this phrase frequently denotes the relation into which we are brought to God by adoption (Rom 8:14,19; 2Cr 6:18; Gal 4:5,6; Phl 2:15; 1Jo 3:1,2). It occurs thirty-seven times in the New Testament as the distinctive title of our Saviour. He does not bear this title in consequence of his miraculous birth, nor of his incarnation, his resurrection, and exaltation to the Father’s right hand. This is a title of nature and not of office. The sonship of Christ denotes his equality with the Father. To call Christ the Son of God is to assert his true and proper divinity. The second Person of the Trinity, because of his eternal relation to the first Person, is the Son of God. He is the Son of God as to his divine nature, while as to his human nature he is the Son of David (Rom 1:3,4; Gal 4:4; Jhn 1:1-14;5:18-25; 10:30-38), which prove that Christ was the Son of God before his incarnation, and that his claim to this title is a claim of equality with God.
When used with reference to creatures, whether men or angels, this word is always in the plural. In the singular it is always used of the second Person of the Trinity, with the single exception of Luk 3:38, where it is used of Adam.
So often I have flown past this blessing, how rich to pause and reflect. He truly is the Son of God. He is God. He is Divine. Yet, He was also fully human. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. When we call upon the name of Jesus, what does the Bible say about His Name?
9 So God ·raised [exalted] him to the highest place.
God ·made his name [or gave him the name] ·greater than [far above] every other name
10 so that every knee will bow to the name of Jesus—
everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.
11 And ·everyone [L every tongue] will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord
and bring glory to God the Father. Philippians 2 eXB
Mercy. Mercy defined:
(3) In the New Testament “mercy” (eleos, usually the Septuagint translation of checedh) is associated with “grace” (charis) in the apostolical greetings and elsewhere. Trench points out that the difference between them is that the freeness of God’s love is the central point of charis, while eleos has in view misery and its relief; charis is His free grace and gift displayed in the forgiveness of sins-extended to men as they are guilty; His eleos (is extended to them) as they are miserable. The lower creation may be the object of His mercy (eleos), but man alone of His grace (charis); he alone needs it and is capable of receiving it (Synonyms of the New Testament, 163 f).
Abundant mercy. Abundant, plentiful. Oh, friend, how often do we fall for the trap of forgetfulness? Denial of this gift of mercy? His mercy is extended to us. He is our relief. Our relief. Do you need relief today? Relief from pain (physical or emotional), relief from circumstances, relief from, well, you fill in the blank. He is our relief. Praise God!!!
Why? Peter tells us because…Jesus Christ rose [or by means of the resurrection of Jesus Christ] from the dead.
So as we arrive on Maundy Thursday, let’s reflect on Jesus. Let’s pause and give thanks for all that the cross has meant for our lives.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4uyNNDkEeI
We have hope, my friends. May that carry you today. God bless you.
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