TMW Jesus Saved Israel

Hey, you remember that time when Jesus saved the Israelites from Egypt? No? “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” (Jude 5) Not the way you remember it? When we teach about the Israelites being rescued from Egypt we read it from Exodus, and “the LORD” gets the credit, because “the LORD” is what is written in our translations.

Adding to the possibility of confusion is the use of “Lord” in most English translations of Jude 5. It is worth pointing out that “LORD” is not even close to the same thing as “Lord”. When all the letters are capitalized you are being told that the name of God is being replaced out of fear for His Holy Name; the title Lord, with only the first letter capitalized, simply indicates “one who has authority or control”. The title “lord” would be appropriate to indicate your boss, or supervisor at work (How Godlike is your boss?) Jesus is named here because His name is used in some manuscripts, while “lord” is used in others (most say, lord). Also, Jude’s letter contains large focus on the condemnation of false teachers; and Jesus will judge who has been getting it right and wrong (Romans 2.16) [Jesus is the standard of measurement]

In John 10.30 Jesus blatantly states, “I and the Father are one.” Jesus is God. There is no Jesus without God; nor is there God without Jesus. Jesus is the found throughout the scriptures as the one who communicates with mankind on the behalf of God. He speaks to Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and others. From the beginning, the One who desires for you to be saved has been setting up the message. Since Jesus created the world (Colossians 1.16, Hebrews 1.2) He has been working to show man that He loves and cares for us.

Confusing, huh? I write this a bit cryptically to prove an additional point- God is so much bigger than we can comprehend, that just trying to figure out how to identify Him is beyond our capability. The Spirit of God wants to connect with you, but also understand- He is too awesome to fully understand. And I wouldn’t want a God any less complex. Nor would I be able to fully admire a God who loved any less than to die for me.