INTERESTING FACTS : John Adams born October 30 [October 19, Old Style], 1735, Braintree [now in Quincy], Massachusetts [U.S.]died July 4, 1826, Quincy; early advocate of American independence from Great Britain, major figure in the Continental Congress (1774-77), author of the Massachusetts constitution (1780), signer of the Treaty of Paris (1783), first American ambassador to the Court of St. James (1785-88), first vice president (1789-97) and second president (1797-1801) of the United States. Although Adams was regarded by his contemporaries as one of the most significant statesmen of the revolutionary era, his reputation faded in the 19th century, only to ascend again during the last half of the 20th century. The modern edition of his correspondence prompted a rediscovery of his bracing honesty and pungent way with words, his importance as a political thinker, his realistic perspective on American foreign policy, and his patriarchal role as founder of one of the most prominent families in American history.[1]

 

"We electors have an important constitutional power placed in our hands; we have a check upon two branches of the legislature . . . the power I mean of electing at stated periods [each] branch. . . . It becomes necessary to every [citizen] then, to be in some degree a statesman, and to examine and judge for himself of the tendency of political principles and measures. Let us examine, then, with a sober, a manly . . . and a Christian spirit; let us neglect all party [loyalty] and advert to facts; let us believe no man to be infallible or impeccable in government any more than in religion; take no man's word against evidence, nor implicitly adopt the sentiments of others who may be deceived themselves, or may be interested in deceiving us."[2]

 

Daily Reading : LUKE 8 - 9

 

TEXT : Luke  9:28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.  9:29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.  9:30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:  9:31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.  9:32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.  9:33 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.  9:34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.  9:35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.  9:36 And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

 

THEME : The New Covenant

 

Luke 8 

 

Most of this chapter is a repetition of divers passages of Christ's preaching and miracles which we had before in Matthew and Mark; they are all of such weight, that they are worth repeating, and therefore they are repeated, that out of the mouth not only of two, but of three, witnesses every word may be established. Here is,  I. A general account of Christ's preaching, and how he had subsistence for himself and his numerous family by the charitable contributions of good people (Luk_8:1-3).  II. The parable of the sower, and the four sorts of ground, with the exposition of it, and some inferences from it (Luk_8:4-18).  III. The preference which Christ gave to his obedient disciples before his nearest relations according to the flesh (Luk_8:19-21).  IV. His stilling a storm at sea, with a word's speaking (Luk_8:22-25).  V. His casting a legion of devils out of a man that was possessed by them (Luk_8:26-40).  VI. His healing the woman that had the bloody issue, and raising Jairus's daughter to life (v. 41-56).

 

(Matthew Henry)[3]

 

Luke 9 

 

Christ sends his apostles to preach and work miracles, Luk_9:1-6. Herod, hearing of the fame of Jesus, is perplexed; some suppose that John Baptist is risen from the dead; others, that Elijah or one of the old prophets was come to life, Luk_9:7-9. The apostles return and relate the success of their mission. He goes to a retired place, and the people follow him, Luk_9:10, Luk_9:11. He feeds five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes, Luk_9:12-17. He asks his disciples what the public think of him, Luk_9:18-21. Foretells his passion, Luk_9:22. Shows the necessity of self-denial, and the importance of salvation, Luk_9:23-25. Threatens those who deny him before men, Luk_9:26. The transfiguration, Luk_9:27-36. Cures a demoniac, Luk_9:37-43. Again foretells his passion, Luk_9:44, Luk_9:45. The disciples contend who shall be greatest, Luk_9:46-48. Of the person who cast out devils in Christ's name, but did not associate with the disciples, Luk_9:49, Luk_9:50. Of the Samaritans who would not receive him, Luk_9:51-56. Of the man who wished to follow Jesus, Luk_9:57, Luk_9:58. He calls another disciple who asks permission first to bury his father, Luk_9:59. Our Lord's answer Luk_9:60-62.  (Adam Clarke)[4]

 

TRUTH FOR TODAY : "JESUS ESTABLISHED A BETTER COVENANT MADE ON BETTER PROMISES"

 

The scene in our text is miraculous, mysterious, and encouraging.  It is miraculous because of the transformation of Jesus from the flesh to the spirit.  It is mysterious because of the appearance of two Old Testament patriarchs - Moses and Elijah.  Yet, in the end, once what transpired is over, we see Jesus standing alone.  This is significant with respect to the New Covenant.

 

In the Old Testament, Israel lived under the Law of Moses.  Of course, these laws were given by God.  Yet, the first five books of the Bible - from Genesis to Deuteronomy (the Pentateuch), are typically known as the Law of Moses.  The reason God's laws are called the Law of Moses, is to show the comparison between Moses and Jesus.  Both of them were covenant makers.  There are other covenants in the Bible, however, the two most prominent are the Law of Moses and the New Covenant.  Therefore, once again, what we see in the text above is of great importance.  When Moses and Elijah left, Jesus stood alone.  As far as the New Covenant is concerned, this is a picture of what was to come and now is.

 

As already mentioned, as Jesus is transformed from the flesh to the spirit, there appear with him two figures of the Old Testament.  Moses is on the mountain and he represents the law of God. Elijah is there representing the prophets of the Old Testament.  Both of these patriarchs have something in common.  Although Moses never entered the Promised Land, he was buried by God at his death.   Elijah on the other hand, never saw death at all.  Moses died in the presence of God, and to this day no one knows where that took place.  Elijah was taken into heaven in a fiery chariot.  The only person to see him go in those chariots of fire was his servant Elisha.  Therefore, we see a connection between the two prophets.  Using Moses and Elijah as metaphors, Moses died - even as one day the Law of Moses would also die.  However, Elijah never died, even as the prophets of the Old Testament and they are predictions would not die, and will not die until all things be fulfilled.  Again, you can look on these two prophets of God as metaphors or representations of the Law of Moses and the prophets of the Old Testament.

 

Many good Christians are confused when they read the Bible cover to cover.  The reason is, they do not distinguish or differentiate between the Old Testament (covenant) and the New Testament (covenant).  If one does not know the difference between the Law of Moses and the prophets, and Jesus who stands alone in the New Testament (covenant) errors can be multiplied without number.  Therefore, it is advisable to know the New Testament well.  As far as reading through the Bible, it would be a good idea to read through the New Testament twice and the Old Testament once.  This will help to eliminate confusion between the two covenants.

 

In many ways, the Old Testament and the New Testament are the same.  That is, in the Old Testament the moral nature of God, His holiness, Man's responsibility before God, the duty of man, the immortality of the soul, and many other features do not change.  However, in essence, the New Testament is far superior to the old.  The Holy Scriptures teach, the Law (of God) came through Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 

 

This means, first of all, you are no longer under the ceremonies and traditions of the Law of Moses.  As mentioned, the morality found in the Old Testament has not changed.  Yet, how you approach God, touch God, pray to God, and many other spiritual matters found in the New Testament are different.  This is why the Bible says that Jesus established a better covenant on better promises.

 

The New Testament is better as far it concerns the covenant itself, because Christ Himself sheds his blood for the sins of the Church.  That is, for all who believe on His Name.  It is also a better covenant because it is founded on faith rather than works.  The old covenant depended almost entirely on works required by man as his duty and responsibility before God.  In the New Testament, those who come to Christ by faith believe on Him and He works in them.  As mentioned, although there are fundamental differences between the Old Testament and the New Testament, the morality, holiness, and spirituality are the same.  That is, the goal of the new covenant is to establish the spirituality the old covenant could not.  This means, God is forming Christ in you - the only Person who never sinned, through His Spirit - so the purpose of the Law may be fulfilled in you that believe.  This is a fundamental difference between the Law of Moses and the New Testament established by Jesus Christ.

 

Under our present covenant, it is Christ working through the Holy Spirit doing the work in you.  Under the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit came and went.  In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost and has not left.  Also, there are promises of answered prayer and of healing for the physical body (these promises were in the Old Testament also).  However, there is one promise, stated repeatedly in the New Testament that is by far the greatest promise of all.  Namely, the hope of the resurrection.

 

Christ is raised from the dead.  Moses, although he is alive (as you can see in the text above), he is not risen from the dead.  Elijah as well, though he too is alive, he is not raised from the dead.  Only Christ is raised from the dead.  He is the first fruits of more to come.  That means you and all who believe on the LORD Jesus Christ shall be raised from the dead.  If Christ does not come first, you shall be taken out of the  grave from where you were  buried and you will receive a new body and live with the LORD forever. Moses and Elijah, in spirit, are with the LORD.  The Bible states -"to be absent from the body is to be present with the lord." However, this refers to the spirit man, or the inner man, and does not refer to the resurrection of the physical body.  The resurrection is a raising and reuniting of the physical body with the spirit and soul.

 

Thus, in the transfiguration of Jesus on the mount, you have a great picture of the New Testament.  Moses and Elijah spoke to Jesus of his death in the city of Jerusalem - that is, His crucifixion (on the cross at Calvary Jesus made an atonement for all who believe on Him). This shows the superiority of Jesus over both the Law and the Prophets.  Moses and Elijah then disappeared.  However, Jesus did not disappear.  This signifies His covenant is everlasting.  The Law of Moses was temporary, and the prophets will not last forever.  Yet, the promises of God through Jesus Christ in the New Testament will go on forever.  For Jesus came to give you eternal life.  For this reason, Jesus established a better covenant based on the better promises.