Who Is Barabbas?

Passion week is upon us. Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday are soon approaching. While reading GOD’s Word and praying, the Holy Spirit highlighted something specific to me: Barabbas. But before I discuss Barabbas, allow me to first set the scenery in a chronological timeline.

Passion week begins on Palm Sunday when Jesus made His triumphal entry on a colt of a donkey (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-40; John 12:12-19). And as Jesus was making His entrance, the people shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord” (Mark 11:9). But what does [5614] ὡσαννά hōsanna (ho-san-nah’) mean? It is of Hebrew origin (hoshia-na) and it comes from Psalm 118:25-26. The word [3467] יָשַׁע yasha (yaw-shah’) means “to deliver, help, to be rescued, to be safe.” The word [4994] נָא na (naw) is usually rendered “I pray” or “now” or “then”; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future). Thus, hosanna in the Greek essentially means “save us now we pray.” According to the Davidic covenant (2Samuel 7), the people expected the coming Messiah to destroy Israel’s enemies and establish GOD’s kingdom. But they didn’t understand what they were asking for. GOD’s thoughts and ways are not our thoughts or ways; the Lord’s ways and thoughts are higher than our own (Isaiah 55:8-9). And just as James and John didn’t understand what they were asking for to drink the cup of GOD’s wrath (Matthew 20:22; Mark 10:38), the Jews had an expectation which did not match GOD’s plan for salvation.

The next day, Jesus cleared the temple for the second time (Matthew 21:12-17; Mark 11:15-19; Luke 19:45-48). The people had welcomed Jesus as the potential Messiah. But instead of waging war against the Roman Empire, Jesus targeted the Temple. Why? Merchants and money changers set up their booths in the Court of the Gentiles in the Temple, crowding out the Gentiles who had come from all over the civilized world to worship GOD. The merchants sold sacrificial animals at high prices, taking advantage of those who had come long distances. The money changers exchanged all international currency for the special Temple coins – the only money the merchants would accept. They probably often deceived foreigners who didn’t know the exchange rates. But how were those vendors able to set up there unless the religious leaders allowed them to be there? And why would they allow it? It is almost certain that the religious leaders were also getting a portion of the profits. Their commercialism in GOD’s house frustrated people’s attempts at true worship and that angered Jesus because the Lord desires outsiders to come to Him (Isaiah 56:6-7). And after Jesus had tipped over some tables in righteous anger, the blind and lame came to Jesus there and He healed them. And then Jesus left and spent the night in Bethany.

The next day, Jesus publicly criticized and condemned the Pharisees and warned the people against them (Matthew 21:23-24:51; Mark 11:27-13:37; Luke 20:1-21:36). It was also around this same time frame that Judas Iscariot chose to meet secretly with the religious leaders in order to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14-16; Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:3-6).

The next major event that occurred was when Jesus had the Passover meal with His disciples, which gave a new meaning to the bread and wine as His body and blood. After singing a hymn, they all went to the garden of Gethsemane where Jesus lifted up intense prayer, Judas arrived with guards, and Jesus was arrested. After this, Peter denied Christ while Jesus endured extreme interrogation and abuse under Annas and Caiaphas. And then Jesus was questioned by Pilate, the Roman governor.

Mark 15:4-15 says, “⁴ Then Pilate questioned Him again, saying, “Do You not answer? See how many charges they bring against You!” ⁵ But Jesus made no further answer; so Pilate was amazed. ⁶ Now at the feast he used to release for them any one prisoner whom they requested. ⁷ The man named Barabbas had been imprisoned with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the insurrection. ⁸ The crowd went up and began asking him to do as he had been accustomed to do for them. ⁹ Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” ¹⁰ For he was aware that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. ¹¹ But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead. ¹² Answering again, Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” ¹³ They shouted back, “Crucify Him!” ¹⁴ But Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify Him!” ¹⁵ Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.“

But who is Barabbas? All four Gospels make it clear that Barabbas was a notorious prisoner, a robber, and one of the insurrectionists who committed murder during an insurrection. Hence, he was against the law, a law breaker, and one who opposed and rebelled against order. 

Crucifixion was the Roman penalty for rebellion and the Romans used to set up the crucifixion sites along public paths so that they would serve as examples as to why no one should rebel against the Roman empire. Barabbas didn’t deserve to be set free. He was a murderer. Lawless. 

However, take a moment to ponder: who else is a lawless murderer? 

1John 3:15 says, “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”

Matthew 15:19 says, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.”

Jewish men had names that identified them with their fathers, their lineage, genealogy. Simon (Peter), for example, is called “Simon Barjona” (Matthew 16:17). Barjona means “son of John.” So, what is the meaning of Barabbas?

[912] Βαραββᾶς Barabbas (bar-ab-bas’) is of Aramaic origin meaning “son of a father.” It’s generic. No name. Ambiguous. He could’ve been anybody’s son. But that’s the point! Though seemingly generic, it’s actually quite specific. Who is a son of a father? I am. Who was the one who lived apart from the Law? I did. Who led a rebellion against GOD’s Kingdom and the Lord’s absolute moral standard? I did. Who was the murderer with hatred in his heart? I was. Who was the guilty person sentenced to death whom Jesus traded places with? Me. A son of a father. Trenton BarArnell. The son of Arnell. The Son of the Father traded places with a son of a father so that a son could become a child of GOD.

Galatians 4:4-7 says, “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “ Abba! Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.”

And if I am a son of Abba, then I am Barabbas! But I’m not the only one!

David murdered Uriah in his adulteress affair with Bathsheba (2Samuel 11). But in 2Samuel 12:13, Nathan the prophet told David, “The Lord also has taken away your sin; you shall not die.” So think about it! How was king David – a man after GOD’s heart – any different from Barabbas at that moment?

Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

1Peter 3:18 says, “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;”

Ephesians 2:8-9 informs us that we were saved by grace. We didn’t earn it. We didn’t deserve it. Therefore, David was Barabbas. I am Barabbas. You are Barabbas. And so is every single person in this world whom you perceive to be unworthy of salvation. 

Matthew 5:38-48 says, “³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ ³⁹ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. ⁴⁰ If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. ⁴¹ Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. ⁴² Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. ⁴³ You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? ⁴⁸ Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.“

In 1Timothy 2:4, Paul says GOD desires for all to be saved and come to the knowledge of Truth.

In 2Peter 3:9, Peter says GOD doesn’t want anyone to perish but for all to come to repentance.

It was the religious who rallied the mob against Christ (against love). Don’t allow a religious pride to rally you into hatred of another because of that person’s particular sins. That’s why Jesus warned us to first take the log out of our own eye before concerning ourselves with the spec in the eye of another (Matthew 7:1-5). Do not allow religion and hatred in your heart to shout out, “crucify him!” about anyone. Why not? Because you don’t know who they might become. At one point in Mary Magdalene’s life, she had been possessed by seven demons (Luke 8:2). Yet she became one of the most loyal and faithful followers of Christ to ever exist. 

I was Barabbas because Jesus died in my place. But I was also the criminal on the cross next to Christ who at first did not receive Christ but then humbled himself before the Lord and died to himself and to whom Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).

In Mark 2:17, Jesus said He came not to call the righteous but sinners. It is easy to view our opponents as problems to be solved and eliminated rather than as people to be respected and loved, and as creations of GOD in need of salvation.

How quick we are to say to others that they are demon possessed and deserve immediate judgment. They are wicked! They are unworthy of salvation. Just like James and John – the sons of thunder – when some Samaritans did not receive Jesus immediately at the moment, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But what is written? Jesus rebuked them. He came to save the lost (Luke 9:51-56). That could have been Mary Magdalene while she had been possessed. That could’ve been me while I had been an atheist. In fact, it was me. There was a time in my past when I did not receive Jesus and I mocked Christians. But I thank GOD that He led me to one of His true daughters who reflected Christ rather than shouting for me to be crucified while I did not receive the Lord at that moment. 

We must remember what Paul told us in Ephesians 6:12 in that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” People are not our enemies! This is a spiritual war! Remember the woman whom Jesus said Satan had bounded her for 18 long years (Luke 13:10-17)! Yet Jesus called her a daughter of Abraham. Remember the man who had been possessed by a legion of demons in the country of the Gerasenes (Luke 8:26-39). And yet Jesus left the crowd (the 99) to seek the one in order to set him free.

Challenge / Assignment:

Who is the Barabbas in your life? Who do you perceive to be your enemy? Who do you believe deserves immediate judgment? Who do you believe doesn’t deserve salvation? It’s easy to see someone else’s sins and judge in your heart that they deserve condemnation and death, that they are unworthy to be saved. And yes – it might be true that they are currently wicked right now. Yet Jesus traded places with Barabbas, took the punishment he deserved, and gave him a second chance, a fresh start. And that person was me. That person is every single person I saw in the discipleship program at the Dream Center of Los Angeles. That person is every single person who my brother Caleb and I saw at Celebrate Recovery. Some of those people started their new life only 30 days ago, but some have been living right for months or even years now. 

I want to challenge you to spend Passion week with the passion of Christ for whom He had passion to pursue. And it was not the righteous, but sinners. You know who your perceived enemies are. So go to them. Do not wait for them to come to you. Approach them in love. And if we truly reflect Christ like His daughter did for me when I had been an atheist, perhaps the “enemy,” seeing the passion of Christ, like the Centurion at the crucifixion site, will receive the fear of the Lord and say, “Truly, this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54)

Ponder: who have you spent the most time talking bad about, complaining about, and maybe even secretly hoping or praying that judgment comes upon them? That person (or people) is your assignment for Passion week. Pray for them every day. Attempt to approach them. Go out of your way to love them and give them another invitation to the Lord. We do not want the Lord to return only to find hatred in our hearts for whom He created. No one has traveled so far that the Lord’s loving hand cannot reach them. Until their last breath, there is still hope for them. Remember king Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:34-37). Even a person who had once lived wickedly can repent and become a servant of the Most High, a soldier of the Lord’s Kingdom. Don’t give up on anyone.

Romans 12:14-21 says, “¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. ¹⁷ Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. ¹⁹ Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.“

Why Pointless Thorns?

Many people ask me, “Why do you go by Pointless Thorns?” Well, this video/article is my explanation. If you’d prefer to read my explanation rather than watching/listening, the words will be transcribed below the video.

VIDEO:

https://rumble.com/v1tmz52-why-pointless-thorns.html

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After Jesus allowed Himself to get arrested, He was eventually taken before Pilate and questioned (Matt 26:53-56; John 10:17-18). The soldiers mocked Jesus. They twisted together a crown of thorns and shoved it onto His head, tearing the flesh of His scalp (Matt 27:29-30; Mark 15:17-19; John 19:2-5). Now all throughout Scripture, those thorns describe or represent judgment (Gen 3:18; Num 33:55; Josh 23:13; Judg 2:3; Job 5:5; Ps 58:9; Isa 7:23; Mark 4:7; Luke 6:44; Heb 6:8). And so when Jesus took the thorns unto Himself, He received judgment on our behalf. And when Christ was crucified, He died in our place for our sins, just as it is written in Rom 5:8-9, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.“

Now, it is written in Heb 10:10-14, “By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.“

And every person who places his/her faith in the finished works of Christ Jesus will be saved and will have eternal life with a new imperishable body in the life to come (John 3:16; Rom 10:9-13; 1Cor 15:35-53; Rev 21-22).

Now, Paul, talking about this new imperishable body, in 1Cor 15:54-57, says, “But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.“

And so when Jesus took the crown of thorns, He took the points of those thorns (which represents our judgment), knowing that He would conquer the grave, resurrect, and overcome death. Jesus took the sting of death for us on our behalf! And so now at best, the adversary can try to afflict us with thorns in the flesh, but those thorns are pointless! They possess no power to harm! In John 10:27-30, Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.“

And so Pointless Thorns is both the sharing of the Gospel and a bold statement of faith over fear, confidently declaring that the enemy has no power over me! And in the great reversal – as GOD always does – I am now a thorn in the side of those who oppose GOD because by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony, I overcome (Rev 12:11)!

And so to all the unbelievers out there who like to cherry-pick my name and call me “pointless”, it doesn’t matter because it’s all Pointless Thorns.

Superhero: Armor of GOD: Belt of Truth

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If you would rather read this message, the words are provided below…

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This is Part 15 of my Superhero series. In the introduction of this series, I provided the argument that heroes are real and then I distinguished between heroes and superheroes. I also provided a list of what defines a superhero. In Part 1, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute standard of Good and realize that evil is a mere privation of what is good. In Part 2, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute moral standard and realize that what is wrong can only be known by the standard of what is right. In Part 3, I defined and expounded upon love because all superheroes are full of love and are compelled to act out from love. In Part 4, I explained that superheroes desire to save people from all forms of danger and/or death and this desire comes from love. In Part 5, we learned that superheroes are solution seekers. In Part 6, we saw that solution seekers are willing to sacrifice if necessary. In Part 7, we saw that sacrificial love steps forward and offers service. In Part 8, we saw that superheroes go above and beyond the call of duty. In Part 9, we saw that superheroes never give up! In Part 10, we saw that superheroes don’t need recognition – they are motivated only by love! In Part 11, we saw that relationships matter and teamwork works! In Part 12, we saw that the struggle is real; however, Jesus is the real solution to our real problems. In Part 13, we saw that despite problems, superheroes are more than conquerors! In Part 14, we saw that true superheroes do not have identity crises – they know who they are even if others don’t!

In this message (Part 15), we will see that superheroes are always ready to fight against evil with the belt of Truth.

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This Is War:

When you receive your calling, you have been drafted into the army of GOD. But no soldier goes out onto the battlefield without first putting on his/her armor. Marvel’s Avengers had an Infinity War with Thanos. What we [Christians] face is real life and this is the real infinity war; the outcome of this war determines eternal destinations. Superheroes are fighting in a war against evil. Are you ready for battle? Suit up!

Armor of GOD:

^“10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹ and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”
(Ephesians 6:10-20) -ESV

We are commanded to be strong in the Lord. GOD gave the Israelites a similar charge before they engaged in battle with the inhabitants of the promised land (Deuteronomy 31:23; Joshua 1:6). However, Paul wanted us to distinguish between demons and doctrine, sin and sinners, problems and people. Humans are not the enemies; rather, hostile supernatural entities are the enemies; the devil and his demons are the enemies. Our fellow humans are victims of Satan’s lies and are in need of being saved because the devil prowls around like a lion, seeking to devour, steal, kill, and destroy (1Peter 5:8; John 10:10). The devil fights with lies, and sometimes his lies sound like truth, but they are lies because there is no truth in him and he is the father of lies (John 8:44). Paul instructed us to put on the whole armor of GOD so that we can resist the devil’s schemes. The phrase “whole armor” is taken from the word panoplia and pictures a Roman soldier who is fully dressed in his armor from head to toe. Also, Paul’s use of the Greek word methodeia suggests that the devil is cunning and he uses deception to advance his evil purposes (2Corinthians 11:3). Satan is, after all, the master manipulator (2Corinthians 11:14). But because of Christ’s victory over the evil powers, believers have courage and strength to resist the devil and his demons (Romans 8:9-11; Ephesians 1:19-21; 3:10; Colossians 2:15; James 4:7).

It’s important to take notice that we are instructed to be strong in the Lord and put on the armor of GOD. The phrase “of GOD” is taken from the Greek phrase tou theo, and it is written in the genitive case. Simply put, this means our supernatural and spiritual armor comes directly from GOD. The Lord Himself is the Source of origin for our armor. And because this armor comes from GOD, it is vital for us to remain in relationship with the Lord in order for us to continually enjoy the benefits of our spiritual armor. Just like any of our appliances, if we ‘unplug’ from the Source of Power, the power no longer empowers us. Do not disengage in fellowship with the Lord. 

It is interesting to note that GOD has given us three offensive weapons, three defensive weapons, and one neutral weapon. As I will later explain, the breastplate, shield, and helmet are all defensive weapons. The three offensive weapons are the shoes, sword, and prayer. The neutral weapon is the belt of Truth.

Belt of Truth:

The first item Paul instructs us to put on is the belt of Truth. What is the purpose of the belt? In our present time, the belt is to prevent our pants from falling down. However, in ancient Roman times when Paul wrote to his intended audience, the belt around a soldier’s waist held the breastplate in place, provided an attachment for the sword, provided a resting place for the shield. Without Truth, there’s no protection of the heart nor can anyone possess the defense or weapon necessary to overcome the adversary, which is the shield and the sword. The belt of Truth is central and essential. Without it, it’s easy to fall apart. The belt of Truth holds everything together. 

What Is Truth?

“Then Pilate said to him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.’ Pilate said to him, ‘What is truth?’ After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, ‘I find no guilt in him.’ ”
(John 18:37-38) -ESV

How can we wear the belt of Truth if we do not know the answer to Pilate’s question: “What is Truth?” It was the great subject of inquiry in all the schools of the Greeks. Different sects of philosophers had held different opinions; however, Pilate did not ask the question to receive an answer. Even though Pilate asked the question, he never pursued the answer; instead, he walked outside to the crowd. For Pilate, truth was relative. To many government officials in ancient Roman times, truth was whatever the majority of people agreed with or whatever helped advance their own personal power and political goals. When there is no standard or acknowledgment of absolute Truth, there is no basis for moral right and wrong. Justice becomes whatever works or whatever helps those in power. In essence, relative truth is “whatever floats your boat.” However, we know that Truth is absolutely never relative because it is absolute. We also know that moral relativism is absolutely absurd. In Jesus and His Word, we have the standard for Truth and for our moral behavior. The Lord is not a liar; Christ is our compass. 

GOD is Truth; Jesus is GOD:

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
(John 14:6) -ESV

Jesus is the way because He is both fully GOD and fully human. When Jesus was conceived, GOD became a man; however, Jesus was not half and half as if a diluted deity; He was completely human and also completely divine (Colossians 2:9). Jesus is the way because Jesus is Truth. By uniting our lives with Him, we are united with GOD.

The Word is Truth:

“God has breathed life into all of Scripture. It is useful for teaching us what is true. It is useful for correcting our mistakes. It is useful for making our lives whole again. It is useful for training us to do what is right. By using Scripture, a man of God can be completely prepared to do every good thing.”
(2Timothy 3: 16-17) –NIRV

“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’ ”
(John 8:31-32) -ESV

“The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.”
(Psalm 119:160) -ESV

Jesus is the Word:

“¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴ In him was life, and the life was the light of men…. ¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
(John 1:1-4,14) -ESV

It is important to point out that there are two kinds of words from GOD: logos (written Word) and rhema (revelation). The Word (Greek: Logos) was a term used by theologians and philosophers, both Jews and Greeks, in many different ways. In Hebrew Scripture, the Word was an agent of creation (Psalm 33:6), the source of GOD’s message to His people through the prophets (Hosea 4:1), and GOD’s Law, His standard of holiness (Psalm 119:11). In Greek philosophy, the Word was the ‘reason’ behind everything, the principle of reason that governed the world, or the thought still in the mind. In Hebrew thought, the Word was another expression for GOD. Jesus, therefore, is the Creator of the universe and all life (Genesis 1:3,6,9,11,14,20,24), the ultimate revelation of GOD, the living picture of GOD’s holiness (Colossians 1:15), the One who “holds all creation together (Colossians 1:17). The Word became human. In John 1:14, when Scripture tells us that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, it means that GOD “tabernacled” in flesh (Jesus). As is evident in the book of Exodus, the Tabernacle was GOD’s “home” on Earth. But this “home” was only a temporary tent, which foreshadowed the more permanent Temple (building), which foreshadowed the more personal temple (body), which foreshadows the personal and permanent presence of our immortal resurrected bodies that will dwell with GOD’s presence for eternity (1Corinthians 15:53). GOD started out small with one tent, expanded to a more permanent building, and then dwelt in the body of Jesus. And because GOD tabernacled in flesh, Jesus became:

1. the perfect teacher — in Jesus’ life we see how GOD thinks and therefore how we should think (Philippians 2:5-11);
2. the perfect example — as a model of who we are to become, He shows us how to live and gives us the power to live that way (1Peter 2:21);
3. the perfect sacrifice — Jesus came as a sacrifice for all sins, and His death satisfied GOD’s requirements for the removal of sin (Colossians 1:15-22).

But no longer do people have to travel to one specific place to seek GOD’s presence. Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit dwells within all children of GOD (John 7:37-39; 14:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 3:2; 2Corinthians 1:22). Jesus is the Word and the Word is eternal Truth (Isaiah 40:8; Matthew 5:18; Revelation 19:13). Jesus never changes (Hebrews 13:8); Truth never changes (Proverbs 12:19). Truth is always timely; it applies today and in the future. Because it is connected with GOD’s changeless character, it is also changeless. Think about it: how many centuries have passed since the Word has existed? Consider the countless hours that have been spent carefully studying every sentence and every word of Scripture. The Bible has withstood the test of time and is reliable and accurate. GOD is Spirit (John 4:24); Spirit is Truth (John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13; 1John 5:6); Jesus is Truth (John 14:6; 18:37); thus, Jesus is GOD. Jesus is the Son; however, He and the Father are One and Jesus has always existed (John 1:1; 8:58; 10:30). Jesus was One person of two natures, always in relationship with the Spirit. This is the doctrine of the Trinity. And because GOD is Truth and the Word is GOD’s Truth, you can trust the inspired Word to guide you. In fact, apostle Paul declares that this belt of Truth is so powerful and crucial, it can take the average individual and cause him/her to be complete and equipped for every good work (2Timothy 3:16-17). The word translated as “equipped” or “furnished” is taken from the Greek word exartidzo, which means to completely outfit or to fully supply. It was used to depict wagons or ships that were completely outfitted with gear. 

The loinbelt covered the Roman soldier’s loins. One of the obvious reasons for this was because he wanted to protect his ability to reproduce. Likewise, the belt of Truth shows us that our ability to produce for GOD is directly correlated with our relationship with the Word of GOD. We will become spiritually sterile if we do not have GOD’s Word actively operating centrally in our lives. When a person first gets saved, it is written in 1John 3:9-10 that GOD’s seed abides in him/her and that person will practice a life of righteousness. The word “seed” is taken from the Greek word spermata. It is where we derive the word “sperm.” Once that seed is placed into us, that divine seed then immediately begins to produce the life and character of Jesus within us. This divine seed is the reason we cannot go on living the way we once did before we encountered the Lord. The life, character, nature, and attributes of GOD are in that seed; consequently, the Holy Father passes a holy ‘DNA’ to us in a way similar to a father’s DNA passing on to a son/daughter. And for this reason, we are new creations in Christ (2Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:4; Ephesians 4:20-24; Colossians 3:1-10)! And unlike all other perishable seeds, this spermata from GOD is imperishable and incorruptible (1Peter 1:22-23)!

Life Application:

“Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.”
(Psalm 86:11) -ESV

It is not enough to merely know the Truth (James 2:19); we must live the Truth out in our lives. Knowing the Truth should launch us into action (Romans 2:13; James 1:22-25; 1John 2:4). It is not enough to merely recognize the belt of Truth as being the belt of Truth — we must put it on! Batman can stare at his utility belt and recognize it as his own, but if he never puts it on, it will never help him while he battles against evil villains. A belt of Truth that is merely on display will not help anyone in any way.

GOD is Spirit; Spirit is Truth; Jesus is Truth; Jesus is GOD; Jesus is the Word; Jesus is Truth. Therefore, the belt of Truth is the Word of GOD. This belt of Truth holds the breastplate in place; Jesus holds everything together!

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”
(Proverbs 9:10) -ESV

Wisdom begins with knowing GOD. He gives insight into living because He created life. To know GOD you must not just know the facts about Him; you must have a personal relationship with Him. But how can you know GOD unless you know GOD’s Word? Do you possess GOD’s Word within you? Again, a belt of Truth that is merely on display will not help anyone in any way; likewise, a Bible that is merely on display will not help anyone in any way. You must not only possess the belt of Truth, but you must also use it; likewise, you must not only possess GOD’s Word, but you must also use it. How can you use your utility belt of Truth if you don’t know what’s in it? And even if you know what’s in it, it won’t help you unless you apply it to your life.

Think of the belt of Truth like Batman’s utility belt. When we put on the belt of Truth, “we use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity” (2Corinthians 10:5-6) -MSG.

“We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One.”
(2Corinthians 10:5) -TPT

And for this reason, apologetics is important. The term apologetics derives from a Greek term, apologia, and was used for a defense. Essentially, it is the ability to explain why we believe what we believe. Apologetics is important because we’re all apologists anyway, it strengthens believers, and helps believers fulfill the great commission. But most importantly, Bible study is imperative in our walk with the Lord. Have you ever been asked difficult questions about the Bible you weren’t prepared to answer?

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
(1Peter 3:15) -NIV

As Peter indicates, we are all called to be ready with answers. The best way to identify a lie is to know the Truth. And when we know the Truth, we must follow the example of Jesus and be full of both grace and truth (John 1:14), speaking Truth out from love (Ephesians 4:15). Know the Truth and the Truth will set you free (John 8:32)!