At my office, we have a label maker, a nifty hand-held device used to type up labels and shoot them out, with a peel-and-stick backing to be removed before adorning files, drawers, and folders. Some people get a little carried away and litter their desks with labels! It does help with organization, though.

When Jesus was being attacked by the Pharisees, which often happened, He was labelled as a Samaritan and as possessed by the demon Beelzebub. He was accused of being an outsider to Israel and not affiliated with God the Father at all, but with Satan, the father of lies. In turn, Jesus had some specific labels for Pharisees too: "hypocrites", "whitewashed tombs", "serpents", and "brood of vipers"!

The Pharisees labelled themselves as descendants of Abraham, the father of their nation. Jesus challenged their label:

John 8:56 – Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad. (NIV)

How did Abraham see this? It wasn't in a vision. The miraculous birth of his son Isaac foreshadowed the birth of the Messiah. Abraham saw Calvary when he willingly offered Isaac to God in sacrifice on the same mountain. He saw the heavenly priesthood of Jesus in the order of Melchizedek. In Isaac's marriage, Abraham foresaw the heavenly marriage of the Lamb of God to the church, His bride.

Jesus had a label greater than that of Abraham, not because He claimed the honour Himself, but because He and the Father are One, and He was there when Abraham acknowledged God. He used the divine title "I AM" belonging to God alone. Jesus wasn't just creating a label for Himself. The Pharisees did not accept this special relationship between God the Father and God the Son, although they claimed Abraham as their spiritual father.

Those who believe in and follow Jesus have labels as well, including "children of God", "a chosen generation", "a royal priesthood", "a holy nation", and "His own special people". Those who relied on rigorous religious activities and claimed Abraham as a spiritual father created a label all right, but it didn't produce the kind of faith that God desires. Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness!

But what kinds of labels do we have for those who don't believe in Jesus? Do we call them infidels and reject them because they don't adhere to the moral standards of the Bible? Or do we call them "not-yet-believers" and reach out to them in love? Remember how Saul persecuted Christians, but by the power of the Spirit became Paul, the greatest missionary!

Prayer: Dearest Lord, thank You for the stories of Abraham, whose faith was counted as righteousness. We would have his faith as well, and want to know You as he knew You, as his Lord and his friend. We rejoice in the wonderful labels that You have given to those who love and serve You, and to those who do not yet believe. Amen!

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About the author:

Shirley Moulton <shirley_moulton@yahoo.ca>
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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