The Lord of What Is to Come
Notes
Transcript
The enemy thinks he has us right where he wants us.
Separated
Mouths covered.
42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
42 And he brought him to Jesus.
Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).
The Lord of What Is to Come
The Lord of What Is to Come
The introduction of Peter to Jesus was brief but direct.
The simple pronouncement Jesus made in this verse was really a diagnosis of Peter’s personality.
Simon, or Simeon (cf. Ac 15:14), was the name of Jacob’s second oldest son (Ge 29:33), who, with his brother Levi (29:34), had ruthlessly avenged the violation of their sister by one of the Canaanite princes (34:25–31).
The rash and impulsive character of Simeon was mirrored in Simon (cf. Jn 18:10).
Jesus accepted Simon as he was but promised that he should become “Cephas,”
Simon’s interview with Jesus changed his life.
It also gave him a new name—
Peter in the Greek,
Cephas in the Aramaic that Jesus spoke—both of which mean “a rock.”
If Jesus could transform weak Simon into a rock, he can change me!
“Thou art … thou shalt be”
What a great encouragement to all who come to Jesus,
Truly He gives us the “power to become” (John 1:12).
THE LORD OF WHAT IS TO COME
THE LORD OF WHAT IS TO COME
Lord I know you can save me from my sins, but can you save me from myself?
If salvation means anything, it must work where sin begins, not merely where it ends.
By that statement Jesus showed himself to be the Lord of what is to come
Jesus came to change people, not just their record books.
“Thou art Simon… thou shalt be Cephas,…a stone”
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
A Blind Man’s Change
A Blind Man’s Change
46 Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.
Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”
50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.
51 So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”
52 Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.
Answering Jesus Call for Change
Answering Jesus Call for Change
If ever a person enthusiastically demonstrates a holistic show of faith, Bartimaeus does.
Feeling for feeling, will for will, mind for mind, he answers the call from Jesus.
1. His Feelings
1. His Feelings
In response to the word of encouragement, “Be of good cheer” (v. 49), he goes a step further
The daring act of throwing aside the ragged garment that serves
Functionally to catch coins and
Symbolically as a sign of his beggarliness.
Threw away his old garment, so he wouldn’t trip on it....
2. His Will
2. His Will
Equally bold, on the command, “Rise,”
He abandons his sitting position as a beggar by springing up and standing like a man.
Posture always gives clues to self-esteem.
Never again will Bartimaeus be looked down upon as the scum of the earth.
As Job responded to God’s challenge, Bartimaeus stands ready to answer as a man.
3. His Mind
3. His Mind
To complete his show of faith, Bartimaeus comes to Jesus.
All of his life, the blind beggar has counted on others to lead and feed him.
If he still needed help, Peter would have remembered it and Mark would have reported it.
No. Although still blind, Bartimaeus walks out his own Emancipation Proclamation.
What a sight it must have been to see the crowd open a path for Bartimaeus as he comes to Jesus! In one sense, faith has already made him a whole man. His feelings, his will, and his mind are healed.