One True God

## Open

As I read articles and watch several videos in today's world, I can't help but see the lack of respect for the Creator of the Universe. Some don't care and speak as if there is no God. Jesus did works and spoke openly so anyone that was an eyewitness to His life on earth could argue His claims. There are several that were skeptical, some who believed, and some who were not sure either way. One thing no one could do is deny what He did or shared. Men who believed in many gods happened to be mocking Jesus with various words and physical beatings. They were not mocking a man who believed in one God but claimed to be the Son of that One God. The concept seemed too out-of-reach for anyone to grasp. The idea today is no different. The world has One Creator, and He has a Son to pay the penalty of our evil deeds to become the bridge for us to come back to the Creator. Luke says these people mocked Him and were blaspheming Him. They hurled insults and beat Him. The word "blaspheming" here can mean to “speak against someone to harm their reputation”. It wasn't just calling Him stupid or a fool, but saying things that would try to ruin His entire claim. This is why they blindfolded Him and asked Him to prophesy, or in other words, prove His claim as truth.

## Prove Me Wrong

In Genesis 40, we find Joseph in prison alongside the king of Egypt’s cupbearer and chief baker. Both men had a dream but had no way of knowing what it meant until Joseph said, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.” (Genesis 40:8b)

In the following chapter (Genesis 41), we find that the Pharaoh had a dream of his own but no one could interpret it. The cupbearer remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh about him. Joseph proved once again God was working through him, even as a prisoner, that He may be glorified. Jesus is blindfolded, a prisoner, and being mocked. God was going to use another prison moment to elevate His chosen person to lead His people to safety. God works through dark times. Joseph was abandoned by his family, sold, and in prisoned, then became second in charge during the time of famine and rescued the Israelites from starvation. Moses was abandoned (Exodus 1), went to his own prison (the wilderness), and God raised him up to lead His people to the promise land. Jesus is blindfolded and will experience abandonment by His own people, only to be lifted up so that God would be glorified once again, What we know is Jesus spoke openly and worked miracles only God could do. There was nothing He could have done except what He was about to do, and that is rise from death. Even so, people still hurl insults and mock the Lord of all creation.

## Self-Check

Let us live in such a way that even if people mock our God, there will be no excuse when they meet Him for themselves.

## Faith to Believe