“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.” John 20:19
This seems to be the outstanding theme of Jesus’ activities during the 40 days after his resurrection. In one way or another He is always seen in the midst of His disciples, or other believers. Paul mentions that He was seen by over 500. 1 Corinthians 15:6.
Jesus has always been in the midst or middle of all of God’s plans for man, for time and eternity. “Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;” Proverbs 8:30. All through man’s history, Jesus has been in the midst, but even more so and in a greater way after the resurrection and the completion of man’s redemption. “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:” Colossians 1:16
After his resurrection, Jesus performed no miracles for the multitudes; He is seen mainly in the presence of his disciples. He made a promise while ministering to them. “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20 This promise is also for us. It applies to all believers since Jesus’ resurrection.
In the Old Testament we find Him as well. It should not be thought that Jesus suddenly appears in the New Testament and was absent in the Old simply because His incarnation as a man happens in the New Testament.
Consider the account in Daniel of the three Hebrew children that were thrown into the fire. “Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellers, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, came forth of the midst of the fire.” Dan 3:24-26.
In the midst of their fiery trial, Jesus stood with them. He is not afraid to stand with us today in the midst of our fiery trial. We just need to be willing to see Him there.
Today, we find Jesus in the midst of His church. He is walking among the candlesticks as the judge. “And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.” Revelation 1:12-15.
We find Him judging His church in the second and third chapters of Revelation. We need not be afraid of Jesus judging His church, as He is preparing those that are allowing Him. Jesus “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,” Ephesians 5:25-26. Notice that He is preparing His bride out of the church by the Word.
The Word of God is exactly how Jesus is in our midst today. The Word is how He is working in the life of any believer that wants to be prepared for that bridal company.
And finally, we see Jesus in the midst in heaven. “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.” Revelation 5:6 “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” Revelation 7:16-17.
Jesus will be in the midst for eternity. We will be worshiping Him for eternity. Those that find Him in the midst today will not regret allowing Him to prepare them with the Word of God. My encouragement to you is to put Jesus in the midst (center) of your life today and every day.
Number six on the list of things which we have been instructed by Paul to think upon is “whatsoever things are of good report.” “Good report” means “reputable, well spoken of.” Today many people search the internet for answers to their questions, but unfortunately not all of the websites are reputable or reliable sources of information. However, there is one source that is 100% reliable and reputable, and that is the inspired Word of God. It is the “good report.”
In Acts 6:1-6 we read that the disciples needed help to serve the people, so in v. 12 we find that they chose seven “men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom” to appoint over the matter. If our desire is to be of service to the Lord, then we also should be of honest, or “good report,” because we are representatives of Christ Himself.
Hebrews chapter 11 is filled with good reports of many Old Testament believers who walked by faith and overcame obstacles. However, some of those who were considered heroes of faith, such as Samson, David, Abraham and Rahab, had done some things that were not of good report. That is because those men and women in this chapter were just ordinary people like you and I who stumbled and made mistakes. Why weren’t their mistakes listed along with their accomplishments? That is because the writer wished to proclaim only those deeds that were done by faith, only those things that were of “good report,” which he clarifies in v. 39: “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith…” And so, it is the things of “good report.” which we are encouraged by Paul to meditate upon when we look upon others or even upon ourselves.
The seventh thing listed by Paul for us to focus upon is “if there be any virtue.” “Virtue” in this verse refers to “moral excellence,” or “being pleasing to God.” This, of course, speaks of Christ who was without sin and was pleasing to His Father. After Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan by John, we read in Matt. 3:17 that there came a voice from heaven saying, “…This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. We also, as Christians should endeavor to be pleasing to our Heavenly Father.
In Prov. 31:10-31 we find a description of the virtuous woman. It starts out with v. 10 which exclaims, “Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.” Then in v. 31 it summarizes her description by stating, “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.” She is a picture, or type, of the bride of Christ. As we think upon these verses we may wonder how that could ever be said of us if we are to be in the bridial company. How could we ever attain unto such a standard as that? It is by reason of the fact that the virtuous character of the bride is actually the life of Christ in her, and not her own. We have nothing in ourselves of which to boast, for all of the glory belongs to Him. The more that we meditate upon Him, the more like Him that we become.
The 8th and final thing which Paul mentions for us to think upon is “if there be any praise.” The Hebrew word for “praise” is “halal,” which means “to commend, to shine, to celebrate, to give glory.” The word “Hallelujah,” meaning “praise the Lord,” is derived from this word.
Ps. 150 is a psalm of praise and is a perfect example of what we are to meditate upon. I would like to highlight the first two verses: “Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in the sanctuary: Praise Him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts; Praise him according to his excellent greatness.” No one is excluded from praising the Lord, for v. 6 closes with these words: “Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.”
In summary, all of the things which Paul has instructed us to think upon, (those things which are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtue and praise), paint a picture of Christ, our Beloved Bridegroom. As we meditate upon Him and His Word, we are changed into His image from glory to glory and prepared to reign with Him as His Bride.
My Jesus, as Thou wilt!
O may Thy will be mine;
Into Thy hand of love
I would my all resign.
Through sorrow, or through joy,
Conduct me as Thine own;
And help me still to say,
My Lord, Thy will be done.
My Jesus as Thou wilt;
Though seen through many a tear,
Let not my star of hope
Grow dim or disappear.
Since Thou on earth hast wept
And sorrowed oft alone,
If I must weep with Thee,
My Lord, Thy will be done.
My Jesus, as Thou wilt!
All shall be well for me;
Each changing future scene
I gladly trust with Thee.
Straight to my home above
I travel calmly on,
And sing, in life or death,
My Lord, Thy will be done.
Martha A. Wainright
Kansas City, Missouri
My Testimony
Looking forward to the light-house titled Glorious Gospel. Oh, the truth of God is working in us (Philippians 1:6) to draw us unto Jesus and inclose us into the secret place (Psalm 91:1) of dependence on His Love, Grace, Mercy, and Help by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 30:10, “Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.”
To send Martha a greeting:
Martha Wainright
Tiffany Springs Rehap
9191 N. Ambassador Dr.
Kansas City, MO 64154
There are days when trials –
Seem to loom ahead.
Fears and doubts assail me
Filling me with dread.
Though my heart may tremble –
In a little while,
Jesus stands beside me
And I begin to smile.
Promises He has made –
Banish all my fears,
It is His gentle Hand
That wipes away my tears.
“Never will I leave thee” –
He whispers to my heart.
I stand upon the promise
He never will depart.
Debra Isenbletter Pastor
Christian Assembly
Springfield, Missouri
“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.” Ephesians 3:1-7
It is very important to understand that Paul was chosen to deliver the message of God’s grace, especially to the Gentiles. So many are failing to understand that God had always intended to bring the Gentiles in to His family, but it was not openly presented to His ancient people Israel. Some still want to tell us that only Israel is a partaker of what Jesus did.
Others, want to take Israel completely out with a teaching that Gentiles now replace Israel in God’s future plans. A simple reading of Romans 11 will clear this up easily. God still has plans for His people Israel, but now, we are in an age of grace where Gentiles are being brought in.
The method for entry is the same for Gentiles today as it is for Jews. It is all through God’s grace extended through Jesus and His completed sacrifice on the cross. This “mystery” (a hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the understanding) was shown to Paul. Remember that Paul was well educated in the Law and Prophets. If anyone would have reason to think this was incorrect, it would have been Paul. Maybe this is why Jesus chose Paul to present this “mystery.”
The idea that Gentiles could also be God’s people was very foreign to the Jews. There are hints of this in the Old Testament, but it was not fully revealed before the book of Acts where God makes it plain that He will bring in the Gentiles to also be His people. Acts 11:18. This is not a sudden change in God’s mind. He always intended to bring people from all nations into His family.
We saw this already in chapter 2 of Ephesians. Paul explains that we are both (Jew and Gentile) brought together in one body. There is no difference in God’s view of a Jew that is saved through faith in Jesus or a Gentile that is saved through faith in Jesus. Here Paul refers to us as fellow heirs and of the same body.
“Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:” Ephesians 3:8-11
Paul reminds us that the gospel (good news) is exactly what he has been telling us. That Jesus is gathering from every nation those that will trust in Him by faith. It is God’s grace that brings us the gospel, and God’s grace that chose Paul and enabled him to bring us this good news.
It may be because this was a “mystery” in the Old Testament, that so many today fail to understand it. Many are still trying to fuse believers today into Israel and putting them under bondage to a law that was given to show that even having the written law of God did not enable Israel to be righteous.
What God had planned from before the foundation of the world was to bring all things together in Jesus and that group of people called the “church” (called out ones) would demonstrate that only God’s grace could accomplish such a thing.
This is not just intended for the world to see and marvel, but even “principalities and powers in heavenly places.” God’s wisdom through His grace accomplished something that no human or “principality or power in heavenly places” could accomplish.
I feel that it is extremely important to recognize this work that God is accomplishing through us. Failure to understand this will lead to a failure to yield our lives to God’s working. He is not creating a religion. He is not creating self righteous people. He is not creating a “Christian” nation. He is creating a display of His wisdom He is creating a people (individuals) who make up the body of Christ (the church), who will bring Him glory for eternity.
To some, this may seem like a silly thing. They want recognition for their accomplishments. They want to feel like they did better than others. They want to think that eternity is going to give them some recognition. However, I think that realizing that God is taking a failed human person and creating something that brings glory to the eternal, self existent, all righteous God, should be nothing short of amazing and glorious.
For those that think that the law and Israel was the fulness of God’s plan, they are missing out on the even more glorious part of God’s plan. This is not something that God thought of after Israel failed to keep His law and failed to be faithful to Him. It was always His plan. God is not yet done with Israel, but this time is something glorious.
I love this letter to the Ephesians. It lays out so simply and clearly God’s overall plan and helps us understand what our part of that plan is.