Do you have new life?

 Next, Jude puts into context the problem with what the false teachers are promoting. Jude connects with the hearers of his words by recalling what has occurred through history with those who do not fully follow God. Jude demonstrates that the reality is much more than an individual person or sin, but has historical, spiritual and eternal significance;

*5*Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. *6*And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— *7*just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. 

Jude 5–7.

Firstly, Jude calls to remembrance the fact that Jesus has always existed. We know that the physical incarnation of Jesus was not around when the Israelites escaped Egypt, but he was with his Father in heaven. He was seated with God when it all occurred and had a hand in their deliverance, and the destruction of those who did not believe. The generation that left Egypt were not the ones that entered the promised land (apart from 2) because they were not obedient and did not trust God in what He said He could do. Jude is drawing this parallel to the situation that the current believers are facing. Believers in Jesus have left their ‘Egypt’ - symbolically their old lives and slavery to sin - so why try to carry it into the future? 

Sin and sensuality cannot be permitted. This is what Jude is reminding his readers here. Once you have faith in God and understood who Jesus is, you cannot keep looking back or carrying habits/sins of the past because they are not part of your new life. The persons that follows Jesus is the person has left Egypt, and is now on the way to the promised land. Remember, only those who walked with genuine dedication and obedience to God (Joshua and Caleb) saw the fulfilment of God's promise. Just as the Israelites had to learn all those years ago, so the readers of this letter also need to learn; sin is not accepted in the kingdom of God, and it is not acceptable to live with it in our lives. Jude makes it clear that some ‘believers’ were destroyed before they could enter the promised land because of their lack of understanding of who God really is and who they were as a result. The same is true for us. You and I can be cut off from the people of God if we do not deal with the things that hold us back. If we are not serious about aligning our body, heart and minds to God's design, then we too will not enter into the promises God has for us. 

If you are still not convinced, then consider what Jude says about the angels - if heavenly beings cannot escape condemnation and judgement, how can we? It is important that we as humans recognise our, ‘own position of authority’ just as the angels needs to. We do have authority, but this position has limitations and boundaries just like the angels. God has made clear the expectations He desires us to live by, not because He is a tyrant or dictator, but because He is a loving Father and knows what is best for us. Being fooled into believing that living a life that enjoys and endorses sin and sensuality is ok is living outside of God’s will, and will do you harm. God wants to save you from that, this is why Jude is writing explaining about the reality of what will happen if those who have got it wrong do not change their ways. Just as the disobedient angels were removed from God's presence, and the original Israelites did not enter into the promised land, so all sin needs to be eradicated. The good news for us is that is why Jesus died. Jesus died because he took on all the sin of the world; past, present and future, so that we can be free from the power of sin, guilt and shame and have a relationship with God and a hope for the promises of God fulfilled in our lives. 

There follows a third example, just in case the message of abandoning God’s will, not trusting and dedicating your life to Him was not enough with the examples of the Israelites in Egypt and the fallen angels, we are now reminded of Sodom and Gomorrah. Two towns renowned for deplorable activities, for immorality, ‘unnatural desire’, these towns seem to epitomise sin in how they are portrayed. The lesson we can learn from these towns is that people who wantonly permit and promote sin are destined for destruction. Throughout the Bible it is clear that sin requires dealing with severely. It requires death. That is why in the Old Testament people made sacrifices to atone for their wrongdoings. Sin is such a big issue because it destroys our relationships. It severs the relationship we have with God and damages the relationships with those around us, let alone the relationship we have with ourselves. Sin is serious. It effects how we feel, how we see things, how we behave and how we relate to others and God, as well as our own sense of self-worth. Thankfully, Jesus has dealt with all sin. He has taken the punishment, the death required for every wrongdoing ever. Jesus has made it possible for us to be restored to God and others and even given us a chance for a new life ourselves. 

Have you embraced this new life? 

It is never too late to do so. Maybe today is a chance for you to put things right with you and God, you and others, and even you and yourself. You have the opportunity to be free from the guilt and shame of sin, to escape destruction and enter the promised land. Are you going to take it?

Jesus is more

Just in case we need further proof that Jesus is higher than even the heavenly beings, we come across these verses at the beginning of Hebrews;

When he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, 
“Let all God’s angels worship him.” 
*7*Of the angels he says, 
“He makes his angels winds, 
and his ministers a flame of fire.” 
*8*But of the Son he says, 
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever”
Hebrews 1:6–8.

Here we have a comparison of Jesus, God’s son (the ‘exact imprint’ of God) and the angels. This passage clearly shows us that angels, like us, are created beings. They were made by the God the Father and Jesus the son.

It can seem strange to consider angels, they seem like far-away beings, maybe more fitted for a fairy tale rather than the book of truth. Yet we do hear stories about them, either from the Bible or people’s experiences. We often end up in awe as we comprehend the encounters people have meeting these holy, heavenly messengers of God. When we hear of such meetings, they fill us with wonder.

Can you imagine meeting an angel? It would be incredible!
Gideon met one, Daniel knew they were fighting for him, Elishah saw an army of them, Mary spoke with one and Joseph saw one in his dreams. These accounts have lasted thousands of years. These stories amaze us, as they retell supernatural experiences that influenced everyday human lives. These accounts have inspired and amazed countless generations. However, angelic encounters are not just historical events. People today also have the privilege of meeting them. We can read stories or watch videos of people retelling their experiences and when they do, we end up in awe. These stories build our faith and help to open our eyes to the supernatural dimension.

How amazing it must be to encounter an angel - a heavenly being from the presence of God stepping down into our world - can you imagine?!

Verse 14 of Hebrews 1 tells us that angels are, ‘all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation’. Don’t you think that, too, is amazing? All angels are tasked with supporting those who are on the path to salvation. That’s right, angels are around to support, encourage and minister to us! Angels exist because we do.

Sometimes, rarely, a mere human being has the opportunity to see one of these heavenly messengers. These stories inspire us and instil hope, joy and faith into hearts. I have heard different stories, read different accounts, as I am sure you have, and I am grateful, inspired and maybe a little jealous — how cool would it be to meet an angel?! I mean, a powerful, heavenly being being sent to Earth with a message for you, or a job to protect you, warn you, help you, fight for you - how awesome would that be?! How incredible to meet a creature from heaven!

Do you realise we live, each one of us, with the reality that we can encounter a heavenly being? Not as a once in a lifetime opportunity, but we have the opportunity to  connect with heaven each moment of our lives.
Angels do inspire much awe, wonder, hope, joy and faith - how much more should the one who created them?

We have the opportunity each and every day, each and every hour, even each minute to connect with someone even greater than the angels. One whom even the angels worship (v6)! Should we not be over-awed by that? By the fact that, we may not be able to connect with an angel today, but we can connect with Jesus!

I think we have become accustomed to the fact that Jesus was a man and walked around like you and I. He lived on this Earth like us, was born like us. We have lost something of the awe and wonder of who Jesus is. We take for granted that he is approachable and relatable. We have lost something in overemphasising his humanity above his divinity.
Jesus is not just fully human, but fully God. As much as we admire and are in awe of angels, shouldn’t that instil in us a greater wonder and awe of the one who invented them?! An inventor is always greater than his invention. Let alone the fact that Jesus is the one whom angels worship!

As inspiring and hope-building angels are, and stories about them can be - Jesus is more.
As powerful and holy angels are - Jesus is more.
As mighty and awesome angels are - Jesus is more.

Today, remember who Jesus is. He is more than all you see and experience. He is greater than the greatest man. He is greater than the most powerful angel. He is God!

Who is Jesus?

Just from the opening lines of Hebrews, we can see the richness of who Jesus is. It is by no means an exhaustive list, but here are the things we can pick out from the very start of this book in Hebrews 1:1-4:

Jesus is;
God’s son
Appointed
Heir of all things
Creator
Radiant
Glory of God
Exact imprint
Upholder of the universe
Powerful
Purifier
Majestic
Superior to angels
Excellent

Number 1, Jesus is God’s son. A son has a duty to follow his father, to reflect who his father is and carry out the father’s work and continue his reputation. It carries a responsibility and expectation that seeing the son means you see aspects of the father. As a result of Jesus’ sonship, many of the following attributes listed can be ascribed - like the fact that Jesus has been appointed by the father.

The appointment Jesus received means he has been; given authority, entrusted and ordained. Jesus not only carries the Father’s attributes, as the consequence of being God’s son, but he has also been commissioned. Jesus has work to do.

For Jesus, the job he was commissioned with was no easy task. His duty was to draw God and people together again. To bridge the gap between divinity and unsacred man. To breach the wide chasm of the holy, pure God, and sinful mankind. What a job! His father entrusted him to carry out this task, knowing that Jesus is the only one able to do it. No-one else bears the; characteristics, capabilities or commission to achieve this task. No-one can work hard enough, try hard enough or be enough to reach God without Jesus. God knew Jesus could and would do what was required. He knew Jesus carried the weight of sonship and his appointment. Only Jesus could bridge the gap, even if it would result in torture, abandonment and death.

Doesn’t that sound strange?
The fact that although Jesus is, ‘the heir of all things’, he suffered. He bled, he died, he felt pain and loneliness. Jesus -  the one who deserves complete honour, respect and adoration, the one who owns all of creation, the one who has unlimited power - was still living under duty and obedience!

Jesus has all power and authority, possession of the whole universe, yet he acknowledges and accepts the will of the father. Jesus still did things he didn’t want to do, he still acted in obedience even though all of creation can’t exist without him - What a contrast! A powerful, mighty, creator, and an obedient, loving, sacrificial son.
Jesus not only demonstrates his power through mighty works, miracles or creation, but he also displays incredible power through his obedience, sacrifice and forgiveness. No wonder that God’s glory is demonstrated in him!
God’s presence is perceived and felt when Jesus is present - the beauty, perfection, wonder and magnificence of God is shown through Jesus. Many people who met him know he was different, the people, the outsiders, those in power and authority, even the religious people realised Jesus was different - there was no denying it. No-one could quite pinpoint his ‘otherness’, but it was clear that he was different to all other people. That must of been because he showed the glory of God - no-one had seen or experienced it before. It was weird and different, inspiring and scary. Jesus could show the glory of God because he is, ‘the exact imprint’ of God. Jesus is an exact reflection of God, not a fake or a cheap alternative, but the genuine article - 100% God. Total holiness, power, goodness and righteousness walking the Earth. Jesus showed who God is all the time. He, as the; son, anointed, heir, creator, imprint and glory of God, is also the one who, ‘upholds the universe by the word of his power’. Wow! Not only was Jesus involved in creation, but this phrase shows that Jesus is continually sustaining creation. Jesus is interested and invested the continuance of what He has made, and still works to uphold his creation. He is just as interested and invested in your life now as he ever was - are you as interested and invested in him?

So, to recap - Jesus is God’s son, 100%, He has authority and power. He was around at the beginning of the universe, and he is still involved in it’s functioning. So how does this effect us?
The very next phrase answers this as Jesus has made, ‘purification for sins’. Not through some ritual, but this obedient son of God, this 100% God-man, the anointed creator made it possible for us to be cleansed and restored relationship with God. He did this through love. He loves God and us more than himself, so this powerful and majestic Jesus gave up all he had in order to give you the chance to know freedom from all you’ve done wrong. Jesus is not a distant eternal entity, but completely invested in all that he has made, and that includes you. He is so invested in fact that he willingly gave himself over to be beaten, tortured, disowned and separated from his Father in order to give you the opportunity to see his Father. Jesus was killed because he wanted you to know something of the purity he knows. To give you the chance to know the Father he knows. You don’t have to live anymore with the stigma or reputation of your wrongs if you accept that Jesus has got it covered. He took all your punishment to allow you to walk free. Are you?

Then, after Jesus had completed the job, just to make sure that we realise the awesomeness of who Jesus is - he goes and sits on the heavenly royal throne, right next to his Father!
Jesus now sits in heaven, in his rightful place. Surrounded by heavenly beings and angels whom he is greater than.
People can have an awe about angels, we hear accounts of people meeting them, both past and present and we are impressed and probably a little jealous! Yet, these heavenly creatures, these messengers, protectors who sit in the presence of God are much less than Jesus. Jesus is, ‘much superior’ and ‘more excellent’ than they. Let us treat with reverence and awe the name of Jesus as those in heaven do. Let us be more inspired by Jesus than we are by anything else.

So, today, consider the power of the name of Jesus, what does he mean to you? What should he mean to you? How does your acknowledgment of who he is effect your life?