February 1st – The Original Jesus




When I was a student in Manchester a small student grant came in one day, providing some money to buy extra books. One of those I bought was, to me then, a revelation, a huge window into the New Testament picture of Jesus. It inspired me. Lit me up! It was written at a time when Bible scholars were trying to reconstruct a scientific picture of Jesus, and I needed it then. A young man borrowed it from me over 30 years ago, and never returned it.

I referred to this book, and its absence, on two occasions. One was to our people at Amesbury, among whom were two Americans who came with us to Israel., Dave and Dianne. On Dianne’s last day in London she saw a second hand copy in a London shop and sent it to me. I told Graham (who was the Assistant Minister at Amesbury for four years with me) and he promptly borrowed it and took it back to where he is now installed as the ordained minister. So the book was gone again.

Two days later a parcel arrived from a family who had heard me refer to the book when I was preaching in Andover. They had also found a second hand copy and purchased it for me, and sent it along with a lovely letter. So after 30 odd years I have ‘The Original Jesus’ back, and Graham also has a copy.

I know as I re-read it, it will not have the same impact on me as it did at first, but I’m grateful for it, and I also see it as God telling me something – twice over.

‘Re-focus on Jesus, Frank. See Him. Study Him. Follow Him. Serve Him. For whoever has seen Him, has seen Me, the Father’.

Jesus said “I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

A Prayer: Father, I thank you for Jesus. Although totally admirable, I do not admire Him. I adore Him.

Now read Philippians 2: 1-11Philippians 2: 1-11
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV

2 1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. fashion: or habit 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  

WP-Bible plugin
and marvel!

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Thought 4 The Day

One single fact opposing all wit and argument is that no one ever repented of being a christian on his death bed. (Hannah More)

THROUGH THE YEAR CALENDAR

March 2024
M T W T F S S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031

Click on any previous date in the above calendar to read the relevant Through The Year post
Believe it or Not
Sometimes you just can't believe it's true!
A Word in Time
Life has a funny way of connecting us all!
Cooke's Tour of The Bible
Frank Cooke's journey through the Old and New Testaments
Take 2
Some useful life lessons
Mind Stretchers
An open mind is a healthy mind!
Bible Bloopers
Even the Bible has its funnies!