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As through a Telescope

Jesus Christ

19for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20according to my eager expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

– Philippians 1:19-20
(NASB® © 2020)

Christ Shall Be Lifted Up

The Exaltation of Christ

God has highly exalted Christ and given Him a name that is above every name (Philippians 2:9). The man Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of God. Objectively, Christ cannot be exalted any higher: God has already given Him the highest place.

We have contributed nothing to this exaltation, nor can we. But we can – like the apostle Paul – ensure through our life or death that Christ is exalted in the eyes of men. This is the subjective side of Christ’s exaltation.

If we have Christ as our purpose in life and honor Him, He is made greater in the eyes of men through us. We are then like a telescope that does not magnify the star, but makes it appear larger in the eye of the beholder.

Are you someone who magnifies Christ before your fellow human beings and brothers and sisters? Can it be said of those around you: “The name of the Lord Jesus has been exalted”? (Acts 19:17)

Light and Darkness: From Birth to the Cross

Light and Darkness

Christ’s Birth and Christ’s Cross

“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.” Luke 2:8, 9

“Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani,” that is, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” Matthew 27:45, 46

In the first scene, it suddenly becomes daylight in the middle of the night near Bethlehem. Why? Because Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born. The visible light of that memorable night is a divine sign that through Jesus Christ a great light has come into the darkness, coldness, and forgetfulness of mankind. He is “the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man” (John 1:9).

In the second scene, it suddenly becomes pitch black over Golgotha at midday. Why? Because Jesus Christ was forsaken by God on the cross because of our sins. The literal darkness of these three hours shows that the Lord Jesus endured on the cross of Golgotha what would have been our part as sinners: to be in the “gloom of utter darkness” forever (Jude 13).

We want to give thanks that the Son of God came into this world and died on the cross so that we can come into the wonderful light of God and remain there forever.

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Jesus Christ

In the beginning was the Word: Christ – the Word

A brief reflection on John 1:1–4 explaining Jesus as the “Word” in relation to time, God, creation, and humanity, emphasizing his eternity, divinity, role in making all things, and bringing life and light, leading to fellowship.
John 1:1-4
Jesus Christ

In memory: Remembrance of Christ’s death

The text examines the Greek term “anamnesis” in the New Testament, contrasting its use in Hebrews 10 as a recurring reminder of Israel’s sins with its use in the Lord’s Supper as remembrance of Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice and forgiveness.
Luke 22:19; Hebrews 10:1-4
Jesus Christ

Guiltless guilty: Christ was unjustly condemned

The text recounts the trial and crucifixion of Jesus, listing the accusations brought against Him and highlighting repeated testimonies from former opponents that He was innocent, righteous, the Son of God, and the King of the Jews.
Luke 23:47
Jesus Christ

He towers above all: Christ – the Firstborn

The text explains the biblical meanings of “firstborn” and applies them to Christ: as Mary’s firstborn and as preeminent in creation, death, resurrection, his return in glory, and his place among many brothers in the Father’s house.
Colossians 1:15
Jesus Christ

In the midst of His days: Christ died young

The text reflects on Psalm 102 as a messianic psalm, highlighting Jesus’ sense of dying young and the motif of “half the days” in the Psalms. It contrasts judgment on violent, deceitful people with Christ’s early death and its saving purpose.
Psalm 102:24; 55:23
Jesus Christ

He did not see the decay: Christ – resurrected after three days

The text interprets Psalm 16 as a prophecy of Jesus’ resurrection rather than David’s, arguing that the “faithful one” would not see decay. It cites Peter and Paul in Acts and links this to the gospel of Christ’s death, burial, and rising.
Psalm 16:8-11
Jesus Christ

He remained on the Cross: Christ saves Others

The text reflects on the mocking of Jesus on the cross, arguing that he did not lack power but chose not to save himself in order to save others from sin, forming the basis for the call to believe in him for salvation.
Matthew 27:41-42
Jesus Christ

He appears in Glory: Christ – the Longed-for of all Nations

The text interprets Haggai 2:7 as a prophecy of Christ’s future return to establish a kingdom of peace, arguing that while many don’t personally long for Him, humanity’s desire for peace and justice points to Him as the hope for all nations.
Haggai 2:7
Jesus Christ

Face to Face: Recognizing Christ fully for once

The text explains Paul’s image of seeing “through a mirror” in 1 Corinthians 13:12, using ancient metal mirrors to show how believers now know Jesus only imperfectly, but will one day see and know Him fully face to face when He comes.
1 Corinthians 13:12
Jesus Christ

From the Devourer came Food: Christ conquers Death and the Devil

The text interprets Samson’s riddle about honey found in a lion’s carcass (Judges 14) as a symbol of Christ’s victory over the devil and death, explaining how believers are freed from fear of death while nonbelievers cannot grasp it.
Judges 14:14
Jesus Christ

Distinguished in front of tens of thousands: The Beauty of Christ

The text reflects on Song of Songs 5:10–16, where the bride describes her beloved’s beauty, and applies the imagery to Jesus Christ’s moral and spiritual qualities—his authority, purity, faithfulness, words, deeds, and steadfast path.
Song of Songs 5:10-16
Jesus Christ

Death is in the Pot: Christ – the Remedy

The text reflects on Colossians 2, warning against adding philosophy or ritualism to Christ’s teaching. Using Elisha’s story of flour in the pot, it argues that presenting Christ’s pure doctrine restores believers and counters false teachings.
Colossians 2:3,9-10