Hair As White As Snow

Transcription

1 Hair As White As Snow I love the snow! It has always amazed me to watch as it falls gently from the sky and covers the ground one flake at a time. When you see snow covering everything and there are no footprints or car tracks in it yet, it looks pure and fresh. That is why when you hear that something is snow white you think of it as clean (towels, sheets, clothing). Even the fairytale character Snow White had a pure heart. But, what does it mean when your hair is white? The closest that any person can get to having naturally white hair is gray or silver. God has said, The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness (Pro. 16:31; NKJV). Furthermore, it was a command under the Old Testament Law to rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man (Lev. 19:32; NKJV). The Bible never speaks about any mere person having white hair. However, there is one special man who did appear with snow white hair Jesus. WHAT HAPPENED? (Revelation 1:10-20) The apostle John wrote to motivate and encourage Christians who were suffering simply because they were following after Christ. John was suffering too having been banished to an island called, Patmos (1:9). Since Jesus knows when we suffer for Him (Heb. 4:13), He appeared to John on a Sunday in a most beautiful way showing how much He cared for John and all the other Christians. John saw Jesus as a great prince with a long robe and a golden sash walking among seven candlesticks. John saw His feet glowing like brass and, His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow (1:14; KJV). It was such a frightening sight that John fell at his feet as dead (1:17). In the presence of such power men realize how weak they really are. Isaiah had a similar experience when he saw the Lord exalted on a throne and realized that he was not pure as a sinner (Isa. 6:1-5; cf. John 12:41). Also, Ezekiel fell on his face at the throne of God when he saw a spectacular vision of God glowing like fire and a beautiful rainbow around His throne (Eze. 1:26-28). Go to the What Happened? section on page 3 and follow the instructions WHAT DOES IT MEAN? (Revelation 1:10-20) As snow white hair indicates that someone is older/wiser and reminds us of purity, the same is true with Jesus as He appeared to John in this vision. In a time when hope was needed the most for God s people, Jesus appeared to provide strength and show forth His power in dealing with any enemy of the church. Paul said that in Christ there is hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3). Sometimes people think they are wise enough without God and His Word (1 Cor. 1:19-21). But, the only way that we can really be wise is by reading the Word of God and obeying It. This can be done even if you are a child: And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 3:15). Your hair won t turn white, but you will be wise! In addition, remember that Jesus is pure and holy and wants all of us to be pure and holy too (Heb. 7:26). It is easy for us to look at the sinful things that people do and think that it may be fun if we try it too. But, Peter said that we must remember that everything in the world is just going to be destroyed anyway (2 Pet. 3:10). Because this is true, he said we need to be holy in the way we live our lives (2 Pet. 3:11). Holiness involves living our lives differently from those who are sinners and being pure. As Jesus looked different in this vision, we must look different from the world (1 John 2:15-17; 2 Cor. 6:16). This doesn t mean you need to dye your hair white, but it does mean that your life and heart should be pure (Mat. 5:8). Go to the What Does It Mean? section on page 3 and follow the instructions 1

2 WHAT SHOULD I DO? Jesus hair could be perfectly snowy white because he never sinned (1 Pet. 2:22). He was the greatest example of purity as he defeated all the desires of this life as Satan thoroughly tempted Him (Mat. 4). In fact, He is so pure, He is compared to a white lamb without blemish and without spot (1 Pet. 1:19). Jesus was walking amidst the candlesticks which represented the seven churches (Rev. 1:12,20). Thus, he is aware of what we are doing and wants us to be like Him. We can never achieve the purity He exhibited because we will sin (Rom. 3:23). Even so, God calls us to purify our souls in obeying the Truth (1 Pet. 1:22) so that we can live in a city of pure gold where there is no sin forever (Rev. 21:1-5, 18, 27). Look up the Scriptures below and tell how we can follow the commands to live a pure life 1 Timothy 4:12 2. Philippians 4: Timothy 2:22 We can help each other as Christian friends to maintain our purity in various areas of our lives. Think about some of the areas that are challenging to each of us. Share your thoughts, discuss them, and write them below. Remember God has commanded, keep thyself pure (1 Tim. 5:22). 2

3 White Hair What Happened? 1. Look up Patmos in the Bible Dictionary and tell about it: 2. Look up Persecution in the Bible Dictionary and tell about it. Will we be persecuted? How? 3. How do we know that this was Jesus? 4. Why did He appear to John looking like this? What Does It Mean? Jesus appeared to John in a way that showed His true glory and majesty. Explain what Jesus description meant. 1. Robe and golden sash ( 1:13) = 2. White hair (1:14) = 3. Flaming Eyes (1:14) = 4. Feet like glowing brass (1:15) = 5. Voice as the sound of many waters (1:15) = 6. Sharp twoedged sword in his mouth (1:16) = 3

4 Clothes as white as snow The story is told of a Christian father who wanted his children to know what it meant to be a Christian. He wanted them to know that it means that we must be inwardly transformed into a new creature. So, he placed a green garden worm into a jar. It only took a little time and the worm spun itself into a cocoon and stayed there a few days. One morning, as the man and his children looked into the jar, there was a very beautiful butterfly in place of the ugly worm. Everyone was so impressed that this little green worm had transformed into something so beautiful. The family was so amazed, they filled the whole house with jars and green worms. While upon the earth Jesus took Peter, James, and John up onto a mountain to be alone. These disciples witnessed an amazing event. As they watched, Jesus transformed (changed appearance). His face shone like the sun and His clothes became white as the light. During this same time, though they had been long dead, Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus and the three of them spoke together. A voice from the clouds was heard and Peter, James, and John heard this: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him (Matthew 17:5). You can also read about this event in Mark 9:2-13 and Luke 9: Transfiguration means transformed. Jesus was transformed into a glorious image in which His face shone like the sun and his clothing became white as snow (Mark 9:3). This image was nothing like Peter, James and John had ever seen before. It showed them that Jesus truly was from God. This was an actual demonstration of the fact that Jesus was the Christ. WHAT HAPPENED? (Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36) Peter had made the confession of Jesus identity in Matthew 16: The Lord had revealed plainly to the apostles that He was destined to die for the sins of mankind. Jesus showed them that they must be willing to suffer for Him. About a week later Jesus was transformed into what we read about during the transfiguration of Jesus. The word transformed is found only in Romans 12:2 and two of the gospels. In the gospel accounts (Matthew 17:2, Mark 9:2), the term is used with regard to the transfiguration of Jesus. Peter, James, and John witnessed a transformation of Jesus. An incredible radiance shines forth from Jesus. Dan 7:13-14 gives significance to that which is taking place here. Jesus is the Heavenly being that appears in glory in Daniel chapter 7. What exactly was happening? I believe the clue is in the word transformed. Jesus was transformed into an image that represented holiness, purity, and glory. Ultimately the transfiguration of Jesus declares His preeminence (His superiority). Further, if this were not dazzling enough, Elijah and Moses appear beside Jesus. The appearance of Moses and Elijah would carry great symbolism and significance to the Jewish people. Moses was the great lawgiver and Elijah was one of the first great prophets. Go to the What Happened Section on page 6 and follow the instructions WHAT DOES IT MEAN? (Matthew 17:5; Galatians 3:26-29) In Scripture, God speaks from Heaven on three different occasions (Matthew 3:17, Matthew 17:5, & John 12:28). God interrupts before Peter is finished speaking about making tabernacles and tells everyone that This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him (Matthew 17:5). We learn here that the words of Jesus are the most important things upon this earth and that we need to be listening to Him. When we listen to the words of Jesus we learn that we need to become Christians. When we are baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:26-29), we are transformed or changed from the old man of sin (remember the ugly green worm Romans 6:6) into a new creature or new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 8:8-9, & Galatians 2:20). In other words when we listen to the words of Jesus we are transformed into a Christian (remember the beautiful butterfly Acts 11:26 & 1 Peter 4:14-16). Go to the What Does It Mean? Section on page 6 and follow the instructions 4

5 WHAT SHOULD I DO? (Hebrews 5:8,9) Do you believe that Jesus was truly the Son of God? I sure hope you do. This lesson shows us what Jesus stood above the rest and was the one we need to listen to. He was perfect, sinless, pure, and holy. He shows us in His life everything that we need to have in our life. 2 Corinthians 13:5 teaches us to examine ourselves. This is something that everyone needs to do. We need to see if we have been transformed to Christ or not. When we are transformed, figuratively our clothes become white after being washed in the blood of Jesus (Rev. 7:14). The most important thing we can do in this life is to become a Christian. That means we must be willing to get rid of the old person and to become like Christ. Remember that you could be the person that changes and that could help someone obey the Savior. Fill in the blanks in the chart below. Your counselor will guide you in discussing how we can truly be transformed. 5

6 White clothes What Happened? 1. Using a Bible dictionary look up, transfiguration and tell about it: 2. Using a Bible dictionary look up, glory and tell about it: 3. Why were Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus and why could they not all stay as Peter suggested? What Does It Mean? Fill in the sinful habits that we might have before we are Christians on the man on the left. Then, fill in the changes we make as Christians on the man on the right. Matthew 15:19 Mark 7:22 Philippians 4:8 2 Timothy 4:4 Psalm 101:3 James 3:8 Eph. 4:29 Psalm 140:4 Proverbs 6:18 Romans 10:17 (Eph 4:22-24) That ye put off... the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;... And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 6 1 Cor. 15:58 Romans 10:15

7 Hands as white as snow Imagine it is the middle of winter. The temperature is about 32 degrees, it is cold and crisp, and the smell of chimney smoke is in the air. Inside, you are nice and warm. You snuggle down tight under your covers as you drift off to sleep. When you wake up, to your surprise, everything is covered in snow! You look out the window and cannot see the ground. The cars in the driveway are covered and you can t tell where the grass ends and the road begins. Then, you realize there is no school you get a free day of rest and relaxation enjoying your day off playing in the snow. When the beauty of the snow covers the ground like a pure white blanket, we might think about how the Bible says that God giveth the snow like wool (Psa. 147:16), or how He says to the snow, be thou on the earth (Job 37:6). Snow is truly just as amazing and wonderful as our God who created it! Even though most of us enjoy the snow and see it as a beautiful part of nature, there is a dark side to it. It can cause deadly car accidents, houses to crumble under the weight of it, or even frostbite and snow blindness (a condition where the sun s ultraviolet rays can burn the cornea of the eye). With this in mind, the Bible speaks of a deadly disease called leprosy where one s skin would become white as snow (Num. 12:10). A person with leprosy had raised scabs all over the body and white shining spots that appeared to be deeper than the skin. Even the hairs on the infected area would turn white. Later, new skin would grow that was also pale in color. Certain types of leprosy would even cause a person s fingers/toes to fall off eventually leading to the hands/arms/legs. The disease was painful and embarrassing. WHAT HAPPENED? (Numbers 12:1-10; 2 Kings 5:20-27) There are two individuals of whom the Bible says were white as snow as lepers: Miriam and Gehazi. First, Miriam was the older sister of Moses and Aaron. She was a prophetess (Exo. 15:20) and recognized as the leading woman among the Israelites at this time. So, being older and respected too, she was jealous of Moses and the authority that God gave him to lead the people of Israel (Num. 12:2). Because of her extreme desire for more power (and speaking against Moses), God punished her by making her hands and body snow white with leprosy (Num. 12:10). Second, Gehazi was the servant of the prophet Elisha. He was at Elisha s house when Naaman the leper came to Elisha in order to learn what to do to be healed of his leprosy (2 Kings 5:9). After Naaman was healed (by dipping in the Jordan river seven times; 2 Kings 5:14), he wanted to give Elisha a present; yet, Elisha refused it (2 Kings 5:16). Nonetheless, Gehazi couldn t bear the thought of Naaman going home with all his treasures while he and Elisha received nothing. So, out of greed, he told a lie to Naaman convincing him to give him two talents of silver ($4,000) and two changes of clothing (2 Kings 5:23). After lying again to Elisha, he was doomed to be a snow white leper (along with his children) forever (2 Kings. 5:27). Go to the What Happened? section on page 9 and follow the instructions WHAT DOES IT MEAN? (1 John 3:4; Romans 3:23) The snow white covering of leprosy is much like sin. Sin is defined as lawlessnesss (1 John 3:4) or breaking the law. That means that anything we do that is against God s rules for living is sin. Also, anything that God has told us to do that we don t do is sin (James 4:17). Like snow covers the ground and leprosy covers the body, sin can cover us. We are born into a world of sin, but we are not born as sinners (Mat. 18:3). As we grow older, we become more aware of sin and understand that all have sinned (Rom. 3:23). Like leprosy, it begins with one spot then another, and another, until we realize that we are covered with sin. The only hope for a leper was to be healed (Lev. 14:2,3). The only hope for us is to be healed through the sacrifice of Christ (1 Pet. 2:24). Go to the What Does it Mean? section on page 9 and follow the instructions. 7

8 WHAT SHOULD I DO? Lepers had to be miserable. Under God s law in the Old Testament, lepers were outcasts from society. They were considered unclean and had to wear torn clothes, let their hair hang loose and scraggly, and live all alone away from the camp or city. When lepers were near other people they had to cover their upper lip and cry, unclean, unclean. The Jewish people looked upon a person with leprosy as a dead person (Leviticus 13:45,46). In a similar way, living with sin is just as miserable. A sinful person is separated from God and His church (Isa. 59:1,2; Eph. 2:11,12). Even though sinners do not have to walk around yelling, sinner, sinner they do show others what kind of person they are (unclean) by their actions (Mat. 7:17-19; Gal. 5:19-21). You may have seen people at school, in your home, on TV, or out in public that you knew were living in sin just because of the way they talked, dressed, looked, or behaved. We need clean hands. James said, Cleanse your hands ye sinners (James 4:8). Dirty hands are a symbol of guilt in the Scriptures (Mat. 37:24). In order to be holy, we have to cleanse ourselves (2 Cor. 7:1). So, cleansing the hands is all about cleansing the heart from sin. This is something everyone must do in order to be saved. Remember that the Jews looked at lepers as dead people and God looks upon sinners as dead too (Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:1; Col. 2:13). The great news is that God has provided a way to make us spiritually alive and clean through the blood of Jesus (Eph. 2:5; Rom. 6:11). When a person realizes they are in sin, they must obey God in order to be saved. Also, since no one can live a perfect life, Christians can sin. When they do, they need the continual cleansing from Jesus blood through confession and repentance (1 John 1:7-9). This is necessary to truly have clean hands in the sight of God. Place at least two verses beside each step of salvation and discuss. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you (John 15:3) Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully (Psalm 24:3,4) 8

9 White hands What Happened? 1. Miriam committed at least one sin: J A O S A. What does this mean? B. How can we be guilty of the same sin? C. How will we be punished? 2. Gehazi committed at least one sin: G E D A. What does this mean? B. How can we be guilty of the same sin? C. How will we be punished? What Does It Mean? Look up the verses below and write down the comparison that you find between leprosy and sin. 1. Leprosy was a disease with no human cure (2 Kings 5:7) 2. Leprosy is contagious 3. Leprosy is exceedingly painful 4. Lepers were separated from the healthy (Lev. 13:45) 5. Jesus healed lepers (Mat. 8:1-4) 6. The priest could pronounce a leper clean (Lev. 14:1-22) 1. (Mark 2:5-7; Eph. 2:8,9) 2. (1 Cor. 15:33) 3. (Pro. 13:15; Gal. 6:7) 4. (Rev. 21:8,27) 5. (Mat. 7:21; John 5:40) 6. (Heb. 4:15; Mark 2:10; Acts 2:38) And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. (Luke 4:27) 9

10 souls as white as snow When it snows, one of the first things everyone wants to do is go outside and play in it. There is nothing like a snow ball fight! But, when we slow down for just a minute we notice something: The Snow Is Beautiful. In Isaiah 1:18 God invites His people to come back to Him: Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. David echoed this concept in Psalm 51:7, when he begged the Lord for forgiveness of the sins he had committed with Bathsheba: Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. When you look out across a field that is covered in a blanket of clean, glistening snow you can see its true beauty. But, after a day of playing in the snow you can look out and see all of the mud, grass, and other materials mixed in with the snow. It just does not look good and there is no way we could clean it back up. Do you know what is amazing? After we mess up our lives with sin God is willing to clean up our imperfections. He is the only one who is willing and able to forgive us of our sins. God can do what we cannot accomplish! WHAT HAPPENED? (Isaiah 1:18-23) Isaiah was a prophet of God and his name means Jehovah is Salvation. He prophesied to and counseled kings. Isaiah had deep convictions, courage, clear vision, spiritual instruction, and had the strength to tell the truth without altering it. The purpose of the book of Isaiah was to show that sin and idolatry is opposed to trusting in God (Isaiah 2:18-24), that God is filled with holiness and sovereignty (authority, power, & rule), God s people will do what is right (Isaiah 4:3 & Isaiah 6:13), and the idea of God as Redeemer and Savior (Isaiah 41:14). The people of God were living in sin and that means that they were doing things against the words of God (1 John 3:4). In fact the book of Isaiah has been called the Miniature Bible because it has 66 chapters that many say represent the Old and New Testament. The first 39 chapters represent the Old Testament because they are filled with judgment upon an immoral and idolatrous people. The last 27 chapters represent the New Testament because they declare a message of Hope. God has always loved His creation and wants them to live with Him for eternity. Read Isaiah 1: This is an appeal to repent or change. Come now is a verb that means that those who do so will be blessed. In other words those who are willing to come and obey God will be blessed. Isaiah said in verse 10 to hear the words of the Lord and Isaiah writes let us reason together. God is interested in His Creation! God is telling these people to listen to His words because He is able to make the dark stains of sin to be as white as snow. Remember how the beautiful snow looks in the morning? That is exactly how God can make our souls to look after we have turned them into something ugly pure, white, holy, and acceptable unto God. Go to the What Happened? Section on page 12 and follow the instructions WHAT DOES IT MEAN? (Acts 17:24-27; 18:4; 24:25,26) Read all the verses listed above. Then, take some time to write down what happened in the context of these verses under the What Does It Mean? section on page 12. Have you ever messed anything up? Throwing a ball in the house? Running through the house? Doing something you were told not to do and then broke something? Most likely everyone has done something like this and it turned out to be a disaster. You were probably left not knowing how you were going to explain what happened or knowing what needed to be done to correct your mess. This is the same with sin. On our own, we don t know what to do. In the book of Acts Paul is going through city after city reasoning with the people about God. He wanted to make sure that everyone knows that God was supreme and that one day everyone would stand to give an account unto God. This was very similar to what Isaiah was doing during his day. He wanted people to know that God was the one who could bring them Salvation. The same is true with you and me! (1 Peter 1:20, Ephesians 1:4). 10

11 WHAT SHOULD I DO? (Ephesians 1:5-8) Sin is something that separates us from the Face of God (Romans 6:23) but we do not have to live this way. The Word of God teaches us and helps us reason with God about Salvation. Study together God's Plan of Salvation: Faith (Romans 10:17), Repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10), Confess Christ (Matthew 10:32-33), Baptism (Acts 2:38), & Living Faithfully (Revelation 2:10). These passages teach us that we must be willing to say that we have committed sin and we need God s help. This does not mean that you are worthless but it means that you are worth everything. Remember that the Son of God (John 3:16) was given to take our place because of sin. This means that He gave his life so we could live with Him for eternity. Consider becoming a Christian and have your sins turned as white as snow. Fill in the chart below to show what being a Christian will do for you. What Christianity Will Do 1. It will bring (Titus 2:14) 2. It will make you (1 The. 5:16) 3. It will make you (1 The. 5:22,23) 4. It will keep you (Rom. 12:11) 5. It will keep you (Mat. 5:5) 6. It will make you (Mat. 6:14,15) 7. It will make you (Phi. 4:6) The churches of Christ salute you (Rom. 16:16) 8. It will make you (Heb. 4:16) 9. It will keep you (Rom. 12:17) 10. It will give you (John 14:1-3) 11

12 White souls What Happened? Repentance is when we change our minds about sin and decide to change our actions. Using the Scriptures below, tell how each person(s) repented. How can we repent? 1. The Two Sons (Mat. 21:28,29) 2. Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:20-24) 3. The Prodigal Son (Luke 15) 4. The Thessalonians (1 The. 1:9) 5. Peter (Mat. 26:75) What Does It Mean? Write down what happened with the apostle Paul according to the following passages. Acts 17:24-27 Acts 18:4 Acts 24:25,26 12