Function: Confronted by the truth of Christ, and trusting in Him for our life and salvation, we face the disappointments of life as opportunities to know His hope and love.
Form: Question Answered
The Jews dealt with the national failure and exile by creating the place of learning and worship called the synagogue, and in those synagogues Jesus showed that in Him the LORD had kept his promise to raise up “a prophet” like Moses. “To him you shall listen,” because the Word of the Lord is “in his mouth” (Deut. 18:15–18). Indeed, He is the incarnate Word, and He speaks “a new teaching with authority” (Mark 1:22, 27). He came not to establish a political kingdom or do each one’s bidding, but to provide true rest for our souls through His death and resurrection. Many today are still disappointed with this type of messiah and view the cross as a failure, but those who believe are set free from bondage to sin through Jesus Christ, “through whom are all things and through whom we exist.” (1 Cor. 8:6) These use their freedom in hope and love, caring for others, neither causing them to stumble nor wounding their consciences (1 Cor. 8:9–12), but cleansing and strengthening them with the Gospel.