by Ricky Doc Sauceda
All of us are at a point in time where the Second Coming could take place. My understanding is that we are part of it now. I see a world that is beautiful and horrid, rich and impoverished, blessed and cursed, enlightened and rebellious. This world knows what is happening and why...already.
I shared the following information with my 8th grade CCE class this past week. We are studying "morality" and it is an encompassing subject for them and us; examining the entire scripture from the Old and New Testaments. The lessons are based on the Ten Commandments, but the commandments are based on God. For them to understand God, they need to have a realization of why morality is key to our relationship with Him.
God has been trying to make us understand that evil, wickedness and sinfulness are against Him. They keep Him from giving us His blessings, gifts, bounties, love and grace. So, let us begin where I left off on Thursday night. After I spoke to my class, I sat in my chair and looked at the chalk board. I couldn't believe what I was witnessing, but there the words were. A simple framework that I spoke about for about forty-five minutes. In those minutes I delivered to them a message that was inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Moses received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai from God. He also received the history of our world along with those commandments. Moses recorded the Book of Genesis: Creation, Sin and Death, The Great Flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, and the story of Joseph. It is then that the separation of the people of that ancient world takes place because of the famine. Joseph's people travel into Egypt and begin a Covenant in the desert where Moses meets God on the mountain, when they come out of Egypt.
What we see is the continuation of God's attempt to love his children, as far as scripture records. The land that the Israelites are taking is that of their own ancestors, who have refused to obey God. They set up fires and sacrifice their young to Baal. They have become impure and wicked and incurred the wrath of God. So too, will the Israelites.
Moses and Joshua were unique leaders who were holy and commanded the armies. The people relied upon their leadership for spirituality and strength. After they die, the time of judges begins, who are spiritual and strong as well. After them come the kings, and so begins the long era that culminates with the destruction of Israel and Judea. Along with the kings are the prophets who will chart a series of divine events that lead to the birth of the Messiah.
As Rome is ruling the land during the time of the last prophet, John the Baptist, the Messiah comes. He encounters the Sanhedrin, which is the supreme Jewish political, religious and judicial body in Judea during that time. While John is put to death by King Herod Antipas, it is the Sanhedrin that is responsible for the death of Jesus Christ. So, both parts of the Jewish leadership deal immoral sins to God by killing two innocent men.
Within the two parties that govern the Sanhedrin, Sadducees and Pharisees, is a man called Saul, which is the name of the first king of Israel. Saul is educated and fervent for the law. Now, this law is from the Law of Moses. It has changed from Moses' time; it has been made to fit the society that rules in Judea. The hierarchy has allowed many "amendments" and are in high esteem with the religious leaders. The law has become a way of deception and trickery and is not used as it was originally intended.
Jesus established the message of the Gospel. It is a definitive teaching that upholds the law while defining it for clarity...no questions and no excuses. The Book of Romans is this explanation refined to its best presentation. This book is written by Saul, who was "transformed" into Jesus Christ's biggest weapon of the time. A fervent man of the religious order that put him on the cross to die. Now, Saul would be a voice for the Lord. Saul would become the Apostle Paul.
The Apostles of Jesus Christ were all good men who served in the way they were instructed. On the Day of Pentecost they received the Holy Spirit and began to be awesome for the Lord. People would want to see the shadow of Peter so that they could be healed. What the Apostles lacked was religious education and the ability to define the laws in accordance with the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Church was formed and originally founded under Jewish traditions and common understanding of the law, but not higher and learned teachings like Saul knew. So, on the road to Damascus, Saul is "transformed" into a believer and follower of the Way...instantly. He later explains that in the time he was jolted and blinded by the Light of the Lord, he was taken to places and shown things he understood because of his learning. He could not deny the Lord of his status and existence any longer.
He would not see a fellow-Apostle for a few years, as the Lord set a course for him to follow. But, when they finally met up it was like bottled lightning. Paul and his contributions to the Gospel are greatly responsible for the direction of the Christian faith. He is a prime example of how SALVATION is for all people. He was made into the greatest Apostle, but was a hunter of them before that change. The other Apostles feared him until they saw him demonstrate his love and dedication for the Lord.
Just like Jesus Christ is our Gateway to God...Paul is our link between Judaism and Christianity. Thanks to his willingness to heed the call of the Lord, our church is validated by the Gospel and the law. The New Covenant is part of the Gospel and started in the law...from the mountain where Moses talked to God.
John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.