[Special] The Footprints of the Lord
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May 01, 2011 |
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The Four Gospels including Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John depict the life of the Lord on the earth. Among them, the Gospel of John contains the most significant spiritual meanings. This is because Jesus' ministry, origin, and His love for us are well described in the Gospel of John.
This special article is aimed at helping believers long for the Lord, who will be revealed to us all the more, and have hope of resurrection by meditating the footprints of the Lord through the Gospel of John.
1. God the Origin in the Beginning
In the beginning, God existed as the bright light in which the clear ringing sound was embedded as recorded in 1 John 1:5. The sound was the Word of God (John 1:1). God the Origin who existed as the light cohered as one light and put on a form. From then on, God came to exist as God the Trinity being God the Holy Father, God the Holy Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He took on a spiritual form of human image. Genesis 1:26-27 says that God the Trinity created a man in their own image, which conversely means that the image of God the Trinity was like that of men. It is the reason why God came into being God the Trinity and put on the form and that the role and ministry of each one of God the Trinity are different. In other words, God the Holy Father was to control the entire process of human cultivation, God the Holy Son to become the Savior for souls, and God the Holy Spirit to complete human cultivation.
 2. Jesus who came to the earth in flesh
God created this earth and started human cultivation, but people did not live by the Word of God as written in Romans chapter 1. That is why Jesus, who had existed in the form of God, became flesh and came to this earth. Jesus had no original sin because He was conceived by the Holy Spirit. He, who lived only by the Word of God, did not even have His own sin. During His lifetime, He only meditated and realized God's will and providence through a quiet and tranquil nature. He went to a garden, prayed, and contemplated the Word looking up the sky. This was His preparation period for His 3-year public ministry and crucifixion.
3. Jesus who preached the Gospel of Heaven and performed God's power
Jesus harbored God's providence and will and the love for souls in His heart all the time. He began His 3-year public ministry receiving baptism in water from John the Baptist (John 1:29-34) and summoned His disciples. Since He performed the beginning of His signs by changing water into wine, He had revealed the living God's strength and explained about His ministry as the Savior. He testified that He is the Son of God by preaching the gospel of Heaven, healing the sick, performing the miracle of 'five loaves and two fish', and walking on the water as described in John chapters 1 through 6. He also opened the eyes of a blind born and He revived Lazarus from the dead. He prophesied that He would be betrayed and take the sufferings of the cross. He also promised to give His disciples the Helper, the Holy Spirit (John chapter 7-16).
4. Jesus who was hung on the cross
Jesus knew in advance that He would be crucified on the cross, so He had the last supper commemorating the Passover with His disciples. While praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, through the betrayal of Judas Iscariot, He was arrested. The high priests questioned Him and Pilate the governor pronounced on Him the sentence of death by crucifixion. As mentioned, He had to endure all kinds of afflictions even before He was crucified, died, and was buried (John Chapter 17-19). 'Jesus was hung on the wooden cross' herein indicates that He took the cross to redeem us from the curse of law which says 'the wages of sin is death' in Romans 6:23. Also, we were set free from all kinds of diseases by the stripes of His scourging, forgiven of sins which we committed through our thoughts by His wearing of the thorny crown, and redeemed from our sins in action by His being nailed through His hands and feet.
5. The Lord, Jesus Christ who was resurrected defeating the power of death
On the third day from the crucifixion, which was the day following the Sabbath, Jesus rose from the dead shattering the power of death. He first appeared before Mary Magdalene who was looking for Jesus weeping in front of His tomb. Then, He ascended to the Father and was glorified by God. Afterwards, He appeared before His disciples, including Peter, a few times and planted the hope of resurrection in them (John chapter 20-21).
6. The Lord, Jesus Christ who was taken up to Heaven and preparing for dwelling places for us
The resurrected Lord presented Himself alive with an array of proofs while living on the earth for 40 days. He appeared before 500 brothers as well as His disciples as recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:6. Reading from Acts chapter 1, the Lord commanded His apostles not to leave Jerusalem, but 'to wait for what the Father had promised', about which He said, "…[the promise] which you heard of from Me." He encouraged them saying, "but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." After making this remark, He ascended to Heaven on the mount called Olivet. He is now sitting on the right hand of God, praying for people to help them go to the way of salvation, and preparing places where God's children will enjoy eternal life, blessings, and pleasure.
7. The Lord who will come in the air on the clouds of glory
The Lord promised that "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also" as written in John 14:3. As He said in Acts 1:11, He will come in the air again on the clouds of the glory. At that time the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air according to 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. Revelation 19:9 reads that the children of God will enjoy the marriage supper of the Lamb as the brides of the Lord for 7 years. Then, we will come down to this earth and reign with Him for a thousand years (Revelation 20:6). After the final judgment before a great white throne, we will finally be given eternal rewards, dwelling places, and eternal life in the heavenly kingdom that is as beautiful as crystal.
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