Bella Vista Church of Christ
LIFELINES
March 27, 2002 Randall Caselman
Celebrate Jesus
A metaphor is a figure of speech in which one thing is spoken of as another. For example, Jesus is referred to as the "Lamb of God" and the "Lion of Judah." Jesus spoke of Himself metaphorically at least fifteen times in the New Testament. Note:
Jesus is the I AM.
What's in a name? A lot, if you are the I AM!! Jesus said, "Before Abraham was, I am." (John 8.58) Jesus was, is, and shall be forever. After you and I are gone, Jesus will still exist. He is eternal! He is the same yesterday, today and always! Are you a child of the great I AM?
Jesus is the Bread Of Life.
(John 6.35) The manna came from God, so did Jesus. Both are from heaven. Both were God's grace gift. The manna was supplied free and bountifully to the Israelites, but they had to obey God to benefit from its lifesaving nourishment. The commands of Jesus must be acknowledged and followed if we expect Him to be our spiritual sustenance…
If you love Me, you will obey My commandments. We must listen, believe, obey and dwell with Him.
By Grace are you saved through Faith. If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
Jesus is the Vine.
(John 15.1) John fifteen is about being attached, abiding, remaining, dwelling in the Vine. It is
in the vine that we bear fruit and bearing fruit is where
true joy is found. If we are not attached to the vine there is no life! There is no fruit. The strength to live the abundant life is found in the Vine... Stay attached... Be strengthened... Bear fruit. Strength to go on, strength to overcome the world is found in Christ. Life is in the vine. Are You?
Jesus is the Good Shepherd.
(John 10.11) Psalm 23 is probably the best known chapter in the Bible. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus knows who we are. He provides our needs. Leads us. Protects us. Accompanies us. Disciplines us. Comforts us. Runs life's cup over with blessings. Makes us sons. Provides us with goodness, mercy and an abode in the Father's house forever. Those in Christ have entered the sheepfold. He is the door. Only those in the fold are safe and saved. Are you there?
Jesus is Resurrection and Life.
(John 11.25) Perhaps this is our most valued metaphor of Jesus. It is a faith fact which should be celebrated daily. Like Paul we should celebrate the fact that we will share in the power of His resurrection. Jesus died to live again forever and so will we. But, not only is He the resurrection, He is the Life. Life is worth the living just because He Lives.
Perhaps the most meaningful blessings we have in Jesus are best understood metaphorically. Indeed!!...
He is our way, our truth and our life! So, CELEBRATE!!
Randall Caselman
Bella Vista, Arkansas
