Tract 15: Year Of The Monkey

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Monkey Picture

The Monkey is the ninth of twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac. The year of the Monkey would remind many in eastern “€œchopsticks cultures”€ of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King of the classical novel, “Journey to the West”€. The exploits of Sun Wukong, with his ability at 72 transformations, have enthralled generations of children in the Far East.

Solomon and Jesus Christ
The only mention of monkeys in the Bible is in connection with the maritime trade of King Solomon. We are told that “€œOnce every three years the merchant ships came, bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and monkeys.”€ 1 King Solomon was renown for his riches and wisdom. One of those who came to seek out Solomon’€™s wisdom was the Queen of Sheba.Jesus Christ once rebuked the unrepentant people of His time, saying, “€œthe queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.”€ In what sense is Jesus Christ greater than Solomon?Solomon was king of a mighty kingdom, while Jesus Christ is “€œthe King of kings, and the Lord of lords”€ who reigns in the kingdom of God. 2 Solomon was glorious in his riches and power, while Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who, for a time, set aside His glory to come to earth in the form of a servant, to die on the cross for the sins of His people.3 Solomon’€™s power and influence ceased with his death, while Christ rose from the dead on the third day and has ascended to heaven to reign for ever. Solomon was a creature of God, while Jesus Christ is the Creator of the universe.

The light of the world
We are told, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” 4 Jesus Christ says, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”5 It follows that:

1. Jesus Christ alone gives understanding of spiritual, eternal issues to the people of the world. We must trust Him as our Saviour.

2. Jesus Christ requires that we follow Him in order not to walk in darkness anymore. We must stop being self-willed and trust in His death for remission of our sin.

3. Jesus Christ promises new life to those who trust and obey Him. His Spirit will dwell in the believers to give them understanding of the Bible and to enable them to obey God’s will.

It is clear that those who trust and obey Jesus Christ will not be condemned by God on the last day. Instead, they will be received into heaven to dwell with God and His redeemed people forever. In this year of the Monkey, will you not be wise and come to Jesus Christ who is greater than Solomon?

1 2 Chron 9:21 cf 1 Kings 10:22; 2 Rev 19:16; 3 Phil 2:5-11; 4 John 1:1-5; 5 John 8:12

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