News media reporters and editors speak of persons who are so extraordinarily successful, they are 'super'. A highly successful model is called a 'supermodel'. A famous movie actor or musical performer is more than famous; he or she is a 'superstar'. In political circles, those delegates wielding much influence are identified as 'superdelegates'.

If fellow human beings can be categorized as 'super' in their respective fields, then Jesus Christ ought to be revered as the 'Super Savior'. He lived a sinless life. He worked miracles and healings and he went about doing good (Acts 10:38). He always did that which pleased God the Father (John 8:29).

Only Savior Jesus has supernaturally rescued people from sin and brought them into a condition of salvation before a Holy God. Rom.4:25 proclaims that salvation has been effectively and everlastingly applied to sinners who receive the victorious Christ as Savior and Lord: "He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification."

According to Acts 4:12- "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

By way of His resurrection, Jesus displayed His victory over death. No other religious personality has risen from the dead. In both Acts 2:24 and 4:10, Peter affirmed that God raised up Jesus, the supernatural God-man.

Additionally, Jesus is exalted at the right hand of God (Acts 2:33). He rules from the throne of heaven. No other religious figure is qualified to occupy that supreme place of Kingship.

Samuel Stennett described our Super Savior in these terms:

Majestic sweetness sits enthroned Upon the Savior's brow;
His head with radiant glories crowned, His lips with grace o'erflow.

No mortal can with Him compare Among the sons of men;
Fairer is He than all the fair That filled the heav'nly train.

He saw me plunged in deep distress, He flew to my relief;
For me He bore the shameful cross, And carried all my grief.

To Him I owe my life and breath, And all the joys I have;
He makes me triumph over death and saves me from the grave.

To heav'n, the place of His abode, He brings my weary feet;
Shows me the glories of my God, And makes my joys complete.

 1 Cor.3:6-7- "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase."---NKJV

The church at Corinth had serious problems, including doctrinal errors and blatant sexual immorality. Another problem involved personality cults. To put it another way: Some churchgoers were more enthusiastic about specific church leaders/teachers than about the Lord Jesus Christ. Some of these leaders/teachers were delighted to receive such adulation---and a few of them preached a false gospel(see 2 Cor.11:12-15).

Fast forward 2000 years. Churchgoers still have a tendency to place fallible human beings on a pedestal and become so enamored with them that Jesus Christ gets pushed to the back burner. The attention and focus (perhaps, even worship) is shifted from the Crucified and Risen Messiah to a successful preacher or compelling church leader.

All of which begs the question: "When things go well for a congregation, who gets the credit?" When finances are solid, when the membership roll is swelling, when churchgoers are breathless with excitement, where is the focus? When a congregation is blessed by God, do the members immediately praise God with thankful hearts? Or, is there an inclination to give all of the credit and applause to an individual or group within the congregation?

You may be thinking:
'Shouldn't faithful Christians be appreciated for their efforts and service?' Yes.
'Are we not to affirm and value other members of the Body of Christ?' Quite true.
'Is it not right to commend Christian servants for doing their best?' Absolutely!

But, let's not elevate faithful servants of Christ to the uppermost place reserved exclusively for Jesus Christ. Let's avoid making idols out of servants!

May we Christians daily give full credit to the Triune God, who gives the increase in accord with his Sovereign Will.
He always is the ultimate source of every blessing. And: He always should be thanked and loved and worshiped.

The dictionary definition of tradition is 'an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought of thought or action; a belief or custom thus handed down.'

Not all traditions are bad or wrong. Many traditions are accepted by human society. Some traditions are even applauded.

Christmas carols are sung as part of the Christmas tradition. The College football season is promoted and perceived by many as a proud tradition. Shortly before these football games, the traditional anthem 'The Star-Spangled Banner' is sung or played (although frequently with non-traditional instruments and vocals). Thanksgiving Day---and the gluttony that goes along with it-- is cheerfully accepted as a holiday tradition (unless one is involved in the post-meal cleanup).

According to the Bible, some traditions are good. Some traditions are actually binding upon the people of Jesus Christ.

1 Cor.11:2- Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. (NKJV)

2 Thess.2:15- Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.

2 Thess. 3:6- But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.

Bible scholar A.T. Robertson commented: "Paul draws here no distinction between oral tradition and written tradition as was done later. The worth of the tradition lies not in the form but in the source and the quality of the content."

Before his epistles were officially received as authoritative for the entire church, Paul encouraged Christians and congregations to 'keep the traditions'.

In terms of Christian spirituality, "Traditions are the living faith of those now dead; Traditionalism is the dead faith of those now living." ---Alexander Solzhenitsyn.

There is a huge difference between traditions originating from within or among people, and traditions originating from the Will of the Sovereign God. In other words, traditions constructed by human societies are less important than traditions prescribed by the Word of God.

Granted, there is disagreement concerning whether some Biblical traditions such as footwashing (John 13:2-17; 1 Tim.5:10) are timeless and should, therefore, be followed by all Christians in our era.

Other traditions are without any basis whatsoever in Scripture. The Roman Catholic practice of 'crossing oneself' is not mentioned in the Word of God. Neither is the office of Pope presented in the Bible. In point of spiritual fact, the Lord Jesus Christ is our only Mediator between us and God (1 Tim.2:5; Heb.9). Jesus and the apostles had some harsh words for those who elevated uninspired human traditions to the same level as the inspired Word of God (Mark 7:1-13; Gal.1:11-24; Col.2:8; 1 Pet.1:18-19).

But- Should we Protestants be arrogant about Roman Catholic practices, we need to address certain cherished traditions that, while not directly condemned by the Word of God, are not commanded, either. We need to distinguish between those traditions that are prescribed by the Word of God and those that are merely permissible.

For example, corporate worship is Biblical. Throughout the Psalms and the New Testament, we read of God's people worshiping together, in community. Acts 2:42-47 leaves no doubt that the people of Christ are to worship together and fellowship with one another.

Yet, we encounter no mention of church steeples or pulpits in the New Testment. Steeples and pulpits are traditions which do no harm to the people of God or the Gospel of Christ. The fact remains, though, that 'steeples and pulpits' are not commanded by the Word of God.

A specific,authoritative style or form of Church music is not clearly established in Scripture. We have no sheet music embedded in the Word of God. It needs to be noted, however, that the practice of using a particular musical style 'to pull people into the church' is a comparatively recent tradition absent from the pages of the Bible.

The exchanging of rings during a wedding ceremony is another tradition absent from the pages of Scripture. If a man wants to wear a wedding ring, that's fine; I wear my wedding ring constantly. But, the wearing of a traditional wedding ring is far less important than the Biblical precept of a Christian husband loving his wife daily in a powerful and self-sacrificing way (see Eph.5:25).

We should focus upon those traditions rooted in Scripture and clearly presented as timeless for the people of Jesus Christ.

In 1 Cor.11:17-34, after he ordered the Corinthians 'to keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you', Paul spoke at length about the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, or Communion. 1 Cor.11:26 says: "Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes." Christians may disagree about how often to observe the Lord's Supper, but there is no doubt from Scripture that this Supper is to be done until the return of Jesus Christ.

An honest and devoted prayer life is Biblical (see Matt.6:5-8; Eph.6:18; 1 Thess.5:17).

Serving other human beings for the sake of Christ is an ongoing Biblical tradition (Gal.6:9-10).

The resolve to work hard is Biblical. After the warning given in 2 Thess.3:6 to "withdraw from those who walk not according to the tradition which he received from us", Paul spoke of the importance of hard work (v.7-10). Committed, thorough work is a Biblical tradition (see Eph.6:5-8; Col.3:22-24).

In a human sense, Biblical traditions have been passed down from generation to generation. The people of God are to present the truths of God to their children (Deut.6:5-9; Ps.44:1; 78:1-7). The truths of God should be entrusted to reliable servants qualified to teach others (2 Tim.2:2; Tit.2:1-2). It is vital for all Christians to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. (Jude 3). We have a responsibility.

Even so, the Triune God is with us. Read and study John 14:22-27; 15:26-27; 16:7-15; Luke 24:45-49 along with Mark 16:19-20; Acts 1:8; 4:1-12,23-31; 6:8-10; 16:6-15; 28:23-31. The Holy Spirit of God directs, empowers and preserves the people of Christ throughout the ages. God the Father will never leave nor forsake those belonging to His Son (Heb.13:5). The Son Himself told His discples "I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matt.28:20).

A portion of the Hymn "Onward, Christian Soldiers" affirms this truth:

"Crowns and thrones may perish, Kingdoms rise and wane
But the Church of Jesus Constant will remain
Gates of hell can never 'gainst that Church prevail
We have Christ's own promise And that cannot fail."

Matt.10:27-33; 24:35; John 15:1-7.

Key verse: Matt.24:35- "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." (KJV)

Jesus spoke His truth to disciples and other persons of His era. He targeted certain people and groups during a definite period in human history. Responsible Bible study takes into account the realities of historical context and background.

Nevertheless: Much of what Jesus spoke 2000 years ago is just as relevant to our society---and to Christians of our era---as when His words were first uttered.

What Jesus says to His people even in our time is markedly different from the worldly perspectives we hear over and over again.

Consider these few examples---

The world says: "You only go around once in life. You've got to grab what you can!."
Jesus says: "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"---Matt.16:26

The world says: "You've got to make a name for yourself."
Jesus says: "Therefore, pray: 'Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your Name...' ---Matt.6:9

The world says: "You've got to make something of yourself."
Jesus says: "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, pick up his cross, and follow Me."---Matt.16:24

The world says: "Don't get mad. Get even."
Jesus says: "Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him." ---Luke 17:3-4

The world says: "Jesus was a good teacher, but so were Buddha and Confucius."
Jesus says: "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."---John 8:31-32

The world says: "If you love Jesus, fine. If another person loves Allah, that's fine, too."
Jesus says: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except though me."---John 14:6

The world says: "You've got to make big sacrifices, put in long hours and keep pushing yourself if you want to get ahead and stay ahead."
Jesus says: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."---Matt.11:28

The Bible presents Jesus as King of Kings and Lord of Lords; however, there were some things the Messiah could not do.

In Mark 6:5, we learn that Jesus  ‘could not’ work miracles in Nazareth, with the exception of a few healings. Why couldn't He do more healings here?    V.6a reveals: “He marveled because of their unbelief.”

To be blunt: It was the Messiah's general practice to heal people of faith rather than dole out His miracles to skeptics and adversaries. John Haley comments: "Mark 6:5 implies not physical but moral impossibility. It was not lack of power which prevented His working miracles at Nazareth; but as the next verse shows, the unbelief of the people was the reason why He 'could not' thus work.”
A conscientious father tells his wild teenage son: "I cannot give you the car keys. Not until you get your behavior under control." Such a father could physically give car keys to his son, but is morally unable to do so. He cannot morally do such a thing.

  When Christians approach ‘Good Friday’ of Holy Week, we recall something else the Messiah could not do. When Jesus  was being crucified, his enemies actually spoke some truth as they sarcastically declared: "He saved others; Himself He cannot save" (Matt.27:42a).  The Messiah could not come down from the Cross and thus be our Savior. If He saved Himself from the cursed death on the Cross, human sinners would remain cursed and perpetually unsaved. Messiah Jesus experienced the wrath and curse of God for our sin (Gal.3:13); He died on that Cross so that His people of faith could be forgiven and reconciled to God.

John Calvin expressed it this way: "The Son of God determined to remain nailed to the cross for the sake of our salvation, until he had endured most cruel torments of the flesh, and dreadful anguish of soul, and even death itself. Christ, though he might easily have done it, did not deliver himself from death...And why did he for the time disregard his own safety, but because he cared more about the salvation of us all?"

We tend to think of Jesus as the Prince of Peace, and rightly so. Jesus was sent from God so as to reconcile sinful people to God (2 Cor.5:19-20). Every Christmas season, we are reminded of the beautiful words of Isaiah 9:6-7 promising a child, the Son of God Who would bring about great peace. In John 14:27, the Savior assured His disciples: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

But, contemplate the Messiah's jarring words in Matt.10:34b- "I came not to send peace, but a sword." A hard teaching, a blunt declaration, a harsh statement from One Who is popularly believed to accommodate all people without exception.

In point of spiritual fact, the Biblical Jesus divides people. Although Christ's mission was to bring peace between sinful humans and a Holy God, the effect of His preaching ministry divided people. The Savior prompted loyalty and love from His followers; He also provoked the enraged opposition of enemies. The Messiah's pronouncements and claims resulted in divided families: There were people who believed in His Lordship and other persons who did not. It is much the same today.

Jesus is the Great Divider. But, why should that bother us?

Throughout much of our American history, politics has divided people; but I know of no American who is suggesting the total abandonment of all political process. Sports franchises divide people, but most people don't give up on sports. People are divided over what constitutes the best diet, the most effective exercise program, and the wisest way to budget for the future. These are daily realities we live with.

The key issue is not that Jesus divides people, but that Jesus saves His people (Matt.1:21-23). The Great Son of God was sacrificed, and rose again from the dead, so that some human beings---persons of authentic faith in Him-- would be saved. The Sinless and Crucified and Victorious Messiah brings Christians to God by the gift of Himself.

"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.." ---1 Pet.3:18a

Scripture stands

In the late 1700s, there was widespread apathy toward Bible reading. After the American Revolution, Enlightenment philosophy was popular, congratulating human achievement and reason. During this period, a man entered a bookstore in Philadelphia and asked to buy a Bible. The bookseller responded: "I have none. There is not a copy for sale in the city, and I can tell you further that in 50 years there will not be a Bible in the world." The customer's answer: "There will be plenty of Bibles in the world 1,000 years after you have died and gone to hell."

The customer's response was undiplomatic, but it drew attention to a key Biblical truth: Scripture stands. The Word of God endures. The Bible outlasts its critics and skeptics. The sacred written revelations from God will not collapse under the attacks of human defiance.

Isaiah 40:8- "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."

This is a truth worth bearing in mind when we see hard-line atheistic authors bashing the Bible--- and insulting those who take Scripture seriously. But, Scripture doesn't wilt or decay or fade away into oblivion. Nor does the gospel of Jesus Christ evaporate into nothing with the passage of time (see Jesus' words in Matt.24:35). The sinful human habits of ignoring and belittling Biblical truth fail to erase Biblical truth. The God of the Word has ways of preserving His Word, despite the sinister schemes of human beings who yearn for that Word to be extinguished forever.

In his book "Evidence that Demands a Verdict", Josh McDowell shared anecdotes concerning the hatred held by various people against the written Word of God. One of the Bible's most vocal enemies was Voltaire, an author who confidently predicted that within a century of his death, Christianity would pass out of existence and the Bible completely forgotten.
Voltaire died in 1778. Within 50 years of his death, the Geneva Bible Society utilized Voltaire's own printing press to produce stacks of Bibles.

Scripture stands.

Rachel became a Christian when she was 12 and was given her first journal when she was 16. She wrote regularly of her faith commitment to Jesus, her love for Jesus---and what this loving faith cost her.

At one point, she broke up with a boy she loved in order to keep herself pure. Later, she was spurned by 5 close friends for speaking 'too openly' about her faith. On April 20,1998, she wrote: "I have no more personal friends at school. But.., it's worth it to me..If I have to sacrifice everything, I will."

On April 20, 1999, Rachel sat outside the cafeteria when 2 maniacal students armed with guns sprinted up the stairs at Columbine High School. They opened fire, shooting Rachel Scott 3 times. After leaving to shoot more victims, they returned to where Rachel lay writhing in pain. One of them pulled up her head by her ponytail and barked: "Do you believe in God?!" When Rachel answered "Yes.", he put the gun to her temple and pulled the trigger.

Throughout the annals of Church history, there have been occasions when God has spectacularly protected His servants and preserved their lives; Columbine was not one of those occasions. Rachel's young life was snuffed out and--for the most part--- it was a lonely life. Never to be married, having few close friends. Murdered as a target of frenzied, misguided violence.

Furthermore, we read of occasions in the New Testament when the Christian faith proved to be a hazardous faith. Sometimes God acted to shield His people from harm; at other times God did not.

Observe Acts 12:1-2- "Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword."

Herod brutally killed James with the sword. And God let it happen.

For many people even in our time, in various parts of the world, the Christian faith proves to be hazardous. People suffer, are imprisoned, tortured to death in many cases, simply because they believe in and belong to the Savior. This Savior was rejected and tortured to death. This Messiah was brutally executed for being the very Truth of God.

After his daughter died horribly, a churchgoer asked his pastor: "Where was God when my daughter was killed?" The pastor quietly replied: "I suppose He was in the same place as when His own Son was killed."

Jesus Christ died in place of sinners, bearing the Divine punishment we deserve. And God made it happen.

In terms of earthly life, some might view Rachel Scott's life and death as a tragic waste.

Yet, the words of the Psalmist are relevant here: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints" (Ps.116:15) and "In Your Presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Ps.16:11).

Additionally, we have the grand faith statement of the apostle Paul: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Phil.1:21). This is no promotion of suicide, but rather an affirmation of trust in both the glory of Christ and the wonderful Provision of a heavenly realm.

The Christian faith can become an extremely hazardous faith in the here and now. Even so, the life to come will be a glorious existence of gain because of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Alexander MacLaren expressed it in these terms:

"Let us leave for ourselves, and for all dear ones, that question of living or dying, to Gods decision. Only let us be sure that whether our lives be long or short, "living or dying we are the Lord's." [Rom.14:8]. And then, whatever be the length of life or the manner of death, both will bring us the fulfillment of our highest wishes, and will lead us to His side at whose hand all those shall sit who have loved Him here, and, though long parted, shall be reunited in common enjoyment of the pleasures which forevermore bloom unfading there."