The Cup

I want to illustrate some verses from Matthew’s gospel with a story. Remember that some His disciples once asked Jesus for a prominent place in His kingdom... 

But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They said to Him, “We are able.”

He said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on My left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.”

Matthew 20:22-23 (NASB95)

This brings me to the story about the cup. 

Imagine that you are stranded and alone in a tropical jungle. You are dying from exposure to the sun and dehydration. As you search desperately for help, you come upon a mosquito-infested swamp. At the edge of the swamp is a cup almost completely buried in the mud.

You dig up the cup from the slimy mud because you’re desperate for something to drink. This is the first blessing:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3 

Though you had nothing, you realized your desperate need and found this cup. You have found the cup of blessings from heaven!

The cup is completely covered in green algae and full of mud and mosquito larvae. You think “How can I drink from this cup, surely I will die!” You cry out to the Lord “Please help me clean this filthy cup!” Then you hear His comforting voice:

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4

The first thing He tells you is to empty the cup; pour out the mud and wipe it out with your filthy hands. “But Lord, it is still filthy, and there is no clean water to drink!” He tells you to be patient and help will come:

“Blessed are the meek (who wait patiently), for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5

Waiting is hard when you are dying of thirst, and now you are hungry. But you cry out “Please Lord, help me to obey and wait for your help.” He answers:

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Matthew 5:6 

As you wait, you begin to experience the satisfaction of righteousness that comes from obedience.

But as hours pass, you remember why you are in this terrible place. You remember the people who brought you here and left you here to die. The Lord speaks to you again:

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." Matthew 5:7

“Lord, I forgive them because You have forgiven me!”

As you continue to wait, you feel a purifying force in your heart, cleansing you from the bitterness of your past.

Now you not only hear the Lord, but you see Him appear with a large jar of clean water. He sets it down before you and says these words:

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8

The first thing you do with the water is to completely cleanse the cup. You now see that it is a precious silver cup and polish it to a shiny finish. Immediately you dip the cup in the fresh water and drink deeply until your thirst is quenched.

But soon some other people emerge from the jungle, rushing toward you. You recognize them as the people who brought you here, whom you have already forgiven.

“Come and drink!” You extend your cup and invite them to share the fresh life-giving water. They come in peace and refresh themselves. The Lord reminds you:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9

You are truly blessed, not only to survive but to now have friends who share your life-giving water.

But then another mob of people emerge from the jungle, jealous and hostile. They are not interested in your peace or your generosity. They only come to take your cup and your life-giving water, leaving you wounded and dying. Finally, a last word comes from the Lord:

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:10

Now you realize that this precious silver goblet is the cup of the Lord, which was left for you. You drank from the cup, which gave life to you and others. The cup carried blessings and led you and your friends to the source of life. But in the end, you shared the sufferings that came with the cup.

My friend, this is the final blessing - to forgive and give life to your enemies, just as the Lord Jesus did for you. And when you take your last breath you will look up to see the Lord, extending His hands to carry you home.

Psalm 110 - The Last Days Psalm

Recently I was asked to teach Psalm 110 for my Sunday morning fellowship group. The first verse of this Psalm is posed as a question by Jesus in response to the Pharisees, during Holy Week in Jerusalem...

The Question

Matthew 22:41-46 (NASB95)
Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question:
"What do you think about the Christ, whose son is He?”
They said to Him, “The son of David.”
He said to them, “Then how does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying,
‘THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES BENEATH YOUR FEET”’?
“If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his son?”
No one was able to answer Him a word, nor did anyone dare from that day on to ask Him another question.

Jesus asked the Pharisees this question “how is He both David’s son and David’s Lord?” The Pharisees could not answer because they would have to admit:

1. The Messiah is eternal
2. The Messiah is divine
3. The Messiah was David’s Lord when he heard these words from heaven

David Guzik comments:

The Pharisees were partially right in saying that the Messiah is the Son of David. But they didn’t have a complete understanding of who the Messiah is. He is not only David’s Son (a reference to His humanity), but He is also David’s Lord (a reference to the deity of Jesus, the Messiah).

Introduction

I was inspired to memorize Psalm 110 many years ago due to its frequent quotations in the New Testament. In fact, this Psalm is “the most frequently quoted Old Testament chapter in the New Testament.” More on that later…

Psalm 110 is a “royal psalm”, meaning a psalm extolling the power and majesty of the king. But it’s much more than that - it’s a Messianic prophecy. It reveals many truths that are foundational to New Testament theology.

This is one Psalm where it really helps to know a little Hebrew, especially if you memorize it as I did. You see, “the LORD” in all caps is what most Bibles use for the name YHWH. "The Lord" in name case is how they translate the Hebrew word adoni (my lord) and Adonai - the title of the Messiah in this Psalm.

So, this little writing scheme comes out to be confusing when you are hearing or reciting this Psalm.

For this and other reasons, I have done a little extra translating of this Psalm, carefully studying the text and borrowing words from other translations where possible. As you might notice in your Bible footnotes, there are even a few places where the translators admit difficulties with the Hebrew meaning. In some cases, using the Septuagint (Greek) helps, but keep in mind that the Jewish scribes who translated the Septuagint before Christ didn’t even understand this Psalm!

Days to Come

Psalm 110 speaks of two days to come, and about the coming Messiah and high priest not yet visible to mortal eyes.

The days prophesied to come after David’s reign are:

• The day of the Messiah’s power (verse 3)
• The day of the Messiah’s wrath (verse 5)

These days are also prophesied by Isaiah:

Isaiah 61:1-2 (NASB95)
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
Because the LORD has anointed me
To bring good news to the afflicted;
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to captives
And freedom to prisoners;
To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn…

This prophecy is read by Jesus in Luke 4:17-19, proclaiming His commission to rescue His oppressed people.

Note that in Isaiah the Messiah proclaims two periods:

• The year of the LORD’s favor
• The day of vengeance of our God

But as Luke records Jesus introducing His ministry, the latter day of vengeance is omitted. That time will be prophesied shortly before His crucifixion and ascent to the throne of heaven (Luke 21:22).

Psalm 110

1 A Psalm of David.

The declaration of Yahweh to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”

King David sees a vision and records it in this Psalm. It was understood to be a revelation of Messiah coming with power and wrath, even by the Pharisees in Jesus’ time. What they didn’t understand was the word “my Lord” used for the Son of David, and the fact that His kingdom would be based in heaven until His return on the “day of His wrath.”

This first verse is quoted in Mat 22 and 26, Mark 12 and 14, Luke 20 and 22, Acts 2, and Hebrews 1.

The position of Christ at the right hand of God is referenced in Romans 8:34, Ephesians 1:20, Colossians 3:1, Hebrews 1:3, 8:1, 10:12, 12:2, and 1 Peter 3:22

In these scriptures, the Right Hand of God brings:

• Deliverance: Exodus 15:6
• Eternal Pleasure: Psalm 16:11
• Righteousness: Psalm 48:10
• Support: Psalm 63:6-8
• Salvation: Psalm 80:17-19

The “man of YHWH’s right hand” is:

• Mighty and Exalted: Psalm 89:13
• Valiant: Psalm 118:15-16
• The Creator: Isaiah 48:12-13

The Day of His Power

2 Yahweh sends forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”

David sees Jesus holding the scepter of His kingdom in a world full of enemies. But Jesus doesn’t just send out decrees, nor does He send out squadrons of soldiers to enforce His orders. Almighty God sends forth the scepter of His power - the Holy Spirit - to rule the hearts and lives of believers.

Note that this scepter is not the rod of iron (Hebrew “shevet barzel”) in Psalm 2. It is Hebrew “matté”, a word which is also translated as “tribe” in many verses. The use of this word teaches us that the power of the Holy Spirit is implemented through the “tribes” of the New Testament, symbolically being the church, founded on the testimony of the twelve apostles.

This prophecy is fulfilled in Jerusalem at Pentecost as His disciples “receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them” (Acts 1:8)

3 Your people - freewill offerings in the day of Your power. Arrayed in holy splendor, your young men come to you like dew from the morning’s womb.

Verse 3 References:

• Freewill offering: Rom 12:1, Deuteronomy 16:10
• Day of your power: Acts 1:7-8
• Holy array: 1 Chron 16:28-29
• Dew from morning’s womb: Isaiah 26:19

‭‭

4 Yahweh has sworn and will not change His mind, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”

David Guzik commented:

This oath was so important that the author of Hebrews refers to it five times:

• Hebrews 5:5-6 and 5:10 emphasize that this was Yahweh’s declaration, not something that the Messiah claimed for Himself.
• In Hebrews 6:20, the emphasis is on the idea that Jesus the Messiah serves now and forever as a living, active High Priest for His people.
• Hebrews 7:17 emphasizes that the priesthood of Jesus the Messiah according to the order of Melchizedek is better than the priestly order of Aaron, because it is eternal and will never end.
• Hebrews 7:21 emphasizes that the priesthood of Jesus the Messiah according to the order of Melchizedek is better than the priestly order of Aaron because it was founded on a direct oath of Yahweh, unlike the priestly order of Aaron.

The designation as high priest according to the order of Melchizedek made Christ Jesus “the source of eternal salvation … to all those who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9-10).

The Day of His Wrath

5 The Lord at Your right hand has shattered kings in the day of His wrath.

• The Lord - this is Christ Jesus, at the right hand of almighty God.
• Shatters kings - this is a prophetic past tense verb, action that is foreseen to have happened on this day.
• Day of His wrath - this could be a day or months or years (Revelation 6:16-17).

6 He will judge among the nations, He has filled them with corpses, He has shattered Rosh (the head) over the whole earth.

• He will judge - during His judgments there will be opportunities for repentance, but the nations will not repent. (Rev 9:20-21, 16:8)
• He has filled them with corpses - this scene is like that at the end of Revelation 19, when the armies of the beast are being fed to the birds.
• He has shattered Rosh - Rosh is a Hebrew word meaning “head” or “chief”. In this verse it is singular, likely the mystical title of the Beast and his dominion. (See Ezekiel 39:1)

7 He will drink from the brook by the wayside; in like manner He will lift up Rosh (head).

This last verse is the hardest to translate and the hardest to understand. Most translations make this verse seem mundane and anticlimactic.

But the phrase “lift up head” is enigmatic.

I will offer two possible explanations. The two are used in this story about Joseph in prison, interpreting dreams

Genesis 40:13 (NASB95) within three more days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office; and you will put Pharaoh’s cup into his hand according to your former custom when you were his cupbearer.

…

Genesis 40:19 (NASB95) within three more days Pharaoh will lift up your head from you and will hang you on a tree, and the birds will eat your flesh off you.”

One interpretation:

After kneeling to drink water from the brook, like David when he conquered Goliath, the Messiah cuts off the head of his Satanic enemy with the sword coming from His mouth. Lifting up the head He shouts a proclamation of victory while his armies rush in to lay claim to the land (1 Samuel 17:51-52)

A second possibility:

After the battle is ended and the enemy is defeated, Christ kneels to drink from the brook by the wayside. (Could this be the brook that flows from the throne of temple in Ezekiel?)

Being refreshed He lifts up His head, symbolizing His exaltation as the victorious Lord of all creation.

In defense of the first interpretation, there is the first Messianic prophecy of Jesus’ victory over the serpent of old in Genesis 3:

Genesis 3:15 (NIV) And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."

The offspring of the woman is Christ Jesus. The offspring of the serpent is the antichrist beast of Revelation.

But the phrase “lift up head” usually has a more positive connotation in the Psalms, signifying blessing and honor. On balance I think this favors the second interpretation, or perhaps both!

After some more study of the Old Testament and Psalms, I also see the Lord lifting up my head to give me victory through His strength. Here are some verses to remember as we seek to be more like Jesus…

Psalms 3:2-3 (NASB95)
Many are saying of my soul,
“There is no deliverance for him in God.” Selah.
But You, O LORD, are a shield about me,
My glory, and the One who lifts my head.

Psalms 27:5-6 (NASB95)
For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle;
In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;
He will lift me up on a rock.
And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me,
And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.

Summary

• Psalm 110 establishes the deity of Messiah the Son of David as the only begotten Son of God. Jesus identified Himself as the subject of this prophecy through His life and testimony on earth, and through His resurrection and ascension to the throne of heaven.
• This Psalm affirms the power of the Holy Spirit working in these last days through the church.
• It offers assurance that the Lord Jesus will always be at the right hand of God to forgive and intercede for us as the high priest of heaven.
• Finally, it gives us the assurance that God will avenge the cruel wickedness of the enemy and his evil kingdom in the final day of judgement.

 

I'm Lost - Seek Me!

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant,
For I do not forget Your commandments.
Psalms 119:176 (NASB95) 

I have a recurring nightmare about being lost. It might be about being lost on campus at college, being lost in a parking garage looking for my car, etc. In my last nightmare like this, I was trying to rescue my son who was hanging high up in a tree dying. As I desperately sought help for him, I got lost in a parking garage (dreams wander), and I never found my car or anyone to help. Then I woke up.

The feeling of being lost and helpless is profoundly disturbing and usually leaves me haunted for hours after I wake up. If you have similar dreams, you might understand what that feels like.

It’s intriguing and prophetically significant that the last verse of this very long Psalm is the servant's confession of straying from God. It brings to mind a verse in Isaiah, where the suffering Messiah bears the burden of our sin and shame.

All of us like sheep have gone astray,

Each of us has turned to his own way.

But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all

To fall on Him.

Isaiah 53:6

In the last verse of the Psalm, the servant pleads with his Shepherd-Lord to seek him, because even though he has committed himself to the commandments, he just can’t find his way. He is alone and helpless, and the Law alone can’t save him. As much as he tries to follow all the commandments, he only finds himself more and more lost. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone.

The Lord actually wants you to seek HIM, even if you find yourself stuck in a place where there seems to be no escape. This is the very place where the Lord will seek YOU! All you have to do is call on Him with your whole heart and He will come running...

‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 

‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.' 

Jeremiah 29:12-13

There is a man whose name is Salvation, who sits at the right hand of God, who is constantly interceding for you. If you hear his voice, you are a sheep in his flock. Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart. Jesus knows the way out of whatever trouble you are in if you trust and follow Him! 

Lord Jesus, I pray for whoever is reading this - that You will come quickly to their aid, bringing healing, salvation and deliverance. I pray that You will give them strength, patience, and endurance in whatever situation they are in. It's because of Your holy name we pray - according to Your will let it be done.

Amen! 🙏

Luke 24:45-47 Unveiling the Old Testament Gospel

Last week our Thursday night Bible study finished the Gospel of Luke. These verses caught my eye:

Luke 24:45-46 (NASB95)

Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day…

These words were spoken after the resurrection and just before Christ ascended to heaven. Note that our risen Lord opened the disciples' minds to understand the scriptures. Their minds were still veiled, but as Paul said: “whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” (2 Cor 3:

Here’s where it is written:

Hosea 6:1-3 (NASB95) 

1 “Come, let us return to the LORD. 

For He has torn, but He will heal us; 

He has wounded, but He will bandage us. 

2 “He will revive us after two days;

He will raise us up on the third day,

That we may live before Him. 

This is a Gospel message from the Old Testament!

David Guzik says in his commentary on Hosea:

Hosea prayed this full of confidence in love and power to restore. In the prayer, there is a shadowy prophecy of Jesus’ resurrection on the third day. The context supports this wonderfully; on the cross Jesus was torn and stricken for our sake, yet He was also gloriously raised up on the third day.

As Isaiah said in his prophecy of the suffering messiah:

Isaiah 53:4 (NASB95)

Surely our griefs He Himself bore,

And our sorrows He carried;

Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,

Smitten of God, and afflicted.

But why did Hosea say, “He will raise US up on the third day”? 

Paul connects the dots here:

Ephesians 2:4-6 (NASB95) 

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made US alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and RAISED US UP with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus...

So, this word of encouragement follows in Hosea 6:3:

“So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD.

His going forth is as certain as the dawn;

And He will come to us like the rain,

Like the spring rain watering the earth.”

His going forth from the tomb, and going into all the world through us, is as certain as the dawn was certain that first Easter morning! And as the water flowed from His earthly body to signify His death, even so the living water of the Holy Spirit flows from the body of Christ through each of us today, bringing salvation and eternal life to all who receive it!

Finally, Jesus gave us this commission:

Luke 24:47 (NASB95) ... that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Let’s proclaim the gospel in His name - like the spring rain watering the whole earth - to all the nations, starting today, here and now! 

Holy Forever

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, 

"Salvation [belongs] to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" 

All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, to our God forever and ever. Amen." (Rev 7:9-12 NKJV)

Last Sunday the worship at my church was simply glorious. We sang songs focused on the holiness of God. When our worship leader introduced the songs, he read from the book of Revelation.

One of my very favorite worship songs is Holy Forever, written and sung by Jenn Johnson here...

As we sung these songs Sunday, I was overwhelmed by some thoughts about heaven.

The first words of the Lord's prayer are "Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name." That is our first call and privilege - to exalt His name together! "Let your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Those words indicate that the saints and angels in heaven are actively and presently doing the will of almighty God. The will of God is that all beings in heaven and earth worship and adore Him with their whole heart and soul and strength. 

I know my parents were both believers and are now in the presence of God. When I worship God, I am able to join the chorus of heaven singing His praises, as in the book of Revelation. It gives me inexpressible joy to know that my loved ones are worshiping with me as we lift up the name of Jesus. He is worthy of all glory and honor and praise!

The Widow’s Plea

Your rulers are rebels And companions of thieves; Everyone loves a bribe And chases after rewards. They do not defend the orphan, Nor does the widow’s plea come before them. Isaiah 1:23

Luke 18 starts with a parable about a persistent widow and her plea to an unrighteous judge. Jesus understood the plight of widows in Israel. Widows and orphans were among the weakest and poorest people in that society. God provided laws to protect them, and pledged to avenge their afflictions with great wrath.

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭22‬:‭22‬-‭24‬
You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. If you afflict him at all, and if he does cry out to Me, I will surely hear his cry; and My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.

Jesus sometimes used widows to exemplify situations that demand justice. For example, when a woman became a widow, it was not uncommon for a scribe or Pharisee to be designated as executor of the deceased husband’s estate. A corrupt executor could trick or defraud the widow out of her property. Perhaps it was this situation Jesus had in mind when he spoke this parable shortly before He entered Jerusalem for the final week of His earthly life.

Luke 18:2-5
“In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’”

The judge in this parable was part of a corrupt legal system. He didn’t care about the widow’s plight but only cared for his own peace. The widow however was at the point of absolute desperation and kept begging for help.

Jesus compared this situation to the plight of believers who cry out to God day and night for justice.

Luke 18:6-8a
And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said; now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly.”

In contrast to the unrighteous judge, our faithful God is a defender of the defenseless, who cares deeply for the persecuted and afflicted. He will not delay justice except to give the unrighteous a chance to repent and turn from their wicked ways.

The final question is this: “when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (v. 8)

This question goes back to the purpose of this parable. He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart… (v. 1)

When we are praying desperately for a particular answer, we must remember this:

1. God knows the future and knows what is best for us. He will always cause all things to work together for good to those who love Him. (Romans 8:28)

2. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy. (Psalm 103:8)

3. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬)

We must not lose heart, but keep the faith. God IS faithful. When we are the most defenseless, He is the most compassionate. Thus the question remains…When He comes will He find us faithful to HIM?

God's Plans

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭8‬-‭9

One very important attribute of God’s nature is omniscience. God has known me from before time began, and He knows my future just as well as He knows my past. He knows my needs and my prayers before I pray, and He knows what is best for me and for His eternal kingdom.

Compared with this unfathomable wisdom and knowledge-my own understanding is very, very limited. I have very little knowledge of the lives of even those closest to me. I cannot read their minds, understand their background and decisions, much less their unknowable future. I don’t feel their pain, and I can’t do much to solve their toughest problems. But I do know the One who can and does.

Another thing I know more each day is that God has plans for each of us that are nothing like we can imagine. This is why we need faith, to let go of our own plans and seek God’s plans each day.

My Sunday Bible fellowship has been studying the Acts of the Apostles. One thing that is clear from the start of this book is that the apostles of Jesus didn’t have a plan. In spite of years spent with Jesus, they still had a very Jewish worldview when they entered the upper room to wait for the Spirit of God to come. The Lord had a much greater plan than establishing another earthly kingdom in Jerusalem with mortal subjects of flesh and blood.

This plan began to unfold on the day of Pentecost, when the early disciples received the Holy Spirit and began preaching the word of faith in languages that people from other nations could understand. Thousands of people believed the gospel of Christ and received the Holy Spirit that day, but God had even greater plans.

God gave the apostles special power to preach the gospel, to cause the lame to walk and the blind to see, even to cast out demons and bring some who were dead back to life. God also gave the apostles boldness and authority in the congregation of believers, such that even the religious authorities feared them. But God had even greater plans.

"For I know the plans that I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart."

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NASB95)

The persecution that arose after the stoning of Stephen was another plan of God that was greater than the plans of men. This persecution caused all but the apostles to be scattered around the Roman empire beyond the walls of Jerusalem and outside the territory of Judea. It also brought the chief persecutor into direct confrontation with the Lord Jesus, and after his conversion to be known as Paul-the Apostle of Gentiles.

In Jerusalem, the regional King Herod had plans to kill the apostles, starting with the beheading of James and imprisonment of Peter. But God demonstrated His greater plan by breaking Peter’s bonds, opening prison doors and leading him past squadrons of guards and soldiers to his freedom. 

After this, the apostles continued to preach and lead the church in Jerusalem, while Herod was consumed by worms and died under the wrath of God. Many years later when Paul made his final trip to visit the apostles and fulfill his vow at the temple, there were tens of thousands of Jewish believers in Jerusalem who were also “zealous for the law”.

Paul ultimately became a prisoner of Rome due to the religious persecution that he himself started. But even in this, God had greater plans to make Paul a prolific evangelist and author of much of what we now call the New Testament. Paul’s ministry in Rome left a community of underground believers there to influence the empire and its ruling families. This underground church in Rome eventually led to the conversion of Emperor Constantine and a remnant of true Christianity in the world that continues to this day.

In my own life there have been a few times when my plans were changed by the sovereign plans of God. I know now that God has still more plans for me, and I’m learning to trust and wait for these to unfold in my life. In the meantime I will seek His presence and the foretaste of glory that brings me hope and joy.

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 

Romans 11:33 (NASB95) 

Tending His Sheep

As Jesus prepared for His crucifixion, He appointed Simon Peter to shepherd His disciples, after they were scattered and Peter denied knowing Him. 

"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded [permission] to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:31-32 (NASB95)

The scattering of the sheep was the fulfillment of Zechariah's prophecy.

Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, 'I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.'

Matthew 26:31 (NASB95)

After Jesus' resurrection, John records this threefold call of Peter to shepherd His flock. Many Bible commentators see this as Peter's restoration following his threefold denial of Christ before the crucifixion. The verses illustrate the tender love of the Chief Shepherd for his followers. I want to point out some words you may have missed in these verses.

John 21:15-17 (NASB95)

15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” 

• Love Me - agapas me - Do you love me with dedication?
• Love You - philo se - I love you with affection 
• Tend - boske - feed
• Lambs - ta arnia mou- my lambkins

Little lambkins are cute, soft, easy to lead and feed. They are also easy prey and need special attention from the shepherd.

16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” 

• Love Me - agapas me - Do you love me with dedication?
• Love You - philo se - I love you with affection 
• Shepherd - poimaine - lead, rule
• Sheep - ta probata mou - my sheep

Sheep are not so cute like lambkins; their wool is scratchy and they might be covered with grass stubble and stickers. They can be stinky and not so cuddly too. Sheep need a shepherd to keep them out of trouble and lead the flock to safe pastures of green grass. They need a strong, courageous shepherd to defend them from wolves.

17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.”

• Love Me - philo me - Do you love me with affection?
• Love You - philo se - I love you with affection 
• Tend - boske - feed
• Sheep - ta probata mou - my sheep

Jesus’ third command is most touching, since He asks Peter -as a friend- to tenderly care for those stinky old sheep. That includes the ones that push smaller ones aside to get closer to the Shepherd, the ones that get sidetracked looking for their own greener pastures, even those getting lost and into trouble in the darkness. Not just to rule and lead them, but to care for and feed them.

Peter gives the elders of the early church this advice as he approaches his own prophesied crucifixion:

Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 1 Peter 5:1-4 (NASB95)

The call of Jesus on Peter's life is meant for all shepherds of the Lord's flock, whether the pastor of a large church or the father of a small family. All followers of Christ need an earthly shepherd who models the loving affection of our Lord and Savior Jesus!

Things Worth Pursuing

The Greek word dioko has a meaning you might miss when reading the New Testament in English. It is mostly translated as persecute but sometimes it’s translated as practice, pursue or press on. This makes me think of a law enforcer who doggedly pursues a fugitive until he lays hold of him and delivers him to the prosecutor.

Here are some verses that use dioko in these less common ways:

• Romans 12:13 (NASB95) contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
• Romans 14:19 (NASB95) So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.
• 1 Corinthians 14:1 (NASB95) Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
• Philippians 3:12 (NASB95) Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
• Philippians 3:14 (NASB95) I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
• 1 Timothy 6:11 (NASB95) But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.
• Hebrews 12:14 (NASB95) Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.
• 1 Peter 3:11 (NASB95) “HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.

The verse that hits me in the heart today is Philippians 3:12. That verse is talking about the continual vigorous pursuit to “know Christ and the power of His resurrection…”

That verse uses another Greek word that completes the inspiration for me - katalambano (lay hold of). When my pursuit of knowing Christ is complete, I will lay hold of the power of the resurrection, just as Christ Jesus laid hold of me! Wow!

My Savior pursued me vigorously, captured me and bound me to Himself - to deliver me, not to judgment, but from judgment to eternal life full of joy and peace!

That my friend is a goal worth pursuing.

Demonstration of Righteousness

At a recent Tuesday night Bible study, some men were wondering if a solar eclipse was the cause of the sun being darkened during the crucifixion of Christ. I doubt that, since solar eclipses don't last for three hours under natural circumstances. I had a thought that maybe it was the great cloud of heavenly witnesses that blocked the sunlight that day, gathered to see this demonstration of God's righteousness.

God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

‭‭Romans‬ ‭3‬:‭25‬-26 ‭NIV‬‬

This phrase “demonstrate His righteousness” cannot be overstated. The cross was like a billboard that advertised the power of Rome to all who would rebel. But this cross of Christ advertises God’s ultimate act of righteousness, crossed by the ultimate unrighteous act of mankind.

Because God alone is righteous and the death of His only son completely unjust, all our sins are counted as against Him. David wrote Psalm 51 in repentance for his sin with Bathsheba against her husband Uriah, but he confesses that this sin was against God alone...

”Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.“

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭51‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The guilt and penalty for all sin ever committed has been stored up and laid upon Christ. As a result, all our sin-debt has been transferred to His account and He alone - who was raised to the right hand of God - has the power to forgive. This is the concept of redemption, in which our debt to the just law of God was paid by the blood of the spotless lamb of God.

But the righteousness of God does not end at the cross. If that were the case, God would have been justified to bring an end to mankind at that very moment. God’s righteousness is much more than judgment and vengeance. The resurrection and enthronement of Christ demonstrates the other aspect of God’s righteousness, His sacrificial mercy and love.

”But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!“

‭‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

But there is one more thing to say about this phrase “demonstrate His righteousness”. The cross of Christ stood one day in history, but the demonstration of God’s righteousness goes on through the life of Christ in every believer. It is up to us as the body of Christ, and individually as His disciples, to demonstrate His righteousness by our testimony. It is the cross of Christ that brought us into the presence of God, and the intercession of our resurrected Lord that gives us life and hope for eternity.

”And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

‭‭John‬ ‭12‬:‭32‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Heavenly Father, let our lives testify of your righteousness, your love and mercy. Let the message of the cross and the empty tomb go forth today and every day in my life I pray, in the name of Jesus my Savior. Amen!

The Author and Finisher of Faith

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud
 of witnesses surrounding us,
let us also lay aside every encumbrance
 and the sin which so easily entangles us,
and let us run with endurance
 the race that is set before us,

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and
perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him
endured the cross, despising the shame,
and has sat down at the right hand
of the throne of God.

For consider Him who has endured
such hostility by sinners against Himself,
so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
[Hebrews 12:1-3 NASB95]

I recently memorized these verses of Hebrews and have been considering Jesus...
"so that I will not grow weary and lose heart.”

But my dilemma is this...How can I run with endurance the race that is set before me? Do I have that kind of faith?

This morning the answer came...Jesus writes the law of faith on my heart, and He will finish it according to His will, not mine! I can rest on this promise:

For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. 

[Romans 9:15-16 NASB95]

It does not depend on my will or on my willingness to run, nor does it depend on my speed or endurance. God will accomplish His perfect will in me - in His time and according to His purpose.

All I have to do is continually open my heart to His penmanship!

The Power of Praise and Worship

I haven't posted much this year, mostly because I can only write when I feel inspired to write. But for months I've been meaning to write something about an experience with God that transformed my faith, my life and my understanding of heaven. But first let me start with this vision of John from the Bible.

And I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, holding harps of God. And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,

 

"Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty;
Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations!
"Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name?
For You alone are holy; for
ALL THE NATIONS WILL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE YOU,
FOR YOUR RIGHTEOUS ACTS HAVE BEEN REVEALED." 

[Rev 15:2-4 NASB95]

 A few months ago a couple of our grandchildren were with us in the worship service, and after the songs were finished my grandson looked up at me and said, "have you been crying?" Well, I guess to a child it would look that way, but I had to explain that many times when I am pouring my heart out singing songs of worship, the tears begin to flow. That's a bit embarrassing and maybe hard to understand, but it hasn't always been that way for me.

In the spring of 2020 the world began to shut down as the Covid-19 virus became a pandemic. The first attempt to stop it (the "15 days to slow the spread" shutdown) finally ended in Texas after a couple of months when the warmer weather came. I was eager to get out of the house, and my wife was hosting her sisters for an extended weekend, so I went to visit my brother-in-law in the Texas Hill Country. Dave is a part-time worship leader and great host, and we had a few days of good fellowship while the sisters enjoyed spending time together.

It's about a four hour drive back to our house, and that was the time when I had my first real taste of heaven. I have a pretty good collection of worship music on my phone, so I began listening as I drove through the hills enjoying the beauty of the countryside. I can't remember the song that was playing, but as I looked into the sky that morning, I felt like heaven was just beyond the clouds, and I began to praise the Lord with thanksgiving in my heart for his great faithfulness and mercy. An hour passed and I stopped for coffee at a drive-through.

When I got back on the freeway, the worship intensified. I could truly envision the saints and angels around the throne of God, singing and bowing prostrate before Almighty God and the Lamb. Song after song played while I sang along and prayed. As I drove up each hill, I felt like I was about to pass through the clouds into glory! The tears began to flow and I could barely keep both hands on the wheel or keep my eyes dry enough to drive. I was singing and shouting praise to God while thinking about the unspeakable joy and gratefulness in my heart, that God would allow a sinner such as myself to come into his presence through the righteous blood of Jesus!

This continued for a couple more hours while I was getting more and more enraptured in the presence of God, until I finally pulled into the garage at my house. The car was still running and I knew my wife was waiting for me inside, but I did not want to turn the music off or leave the throne room of praise. I actually prayed, "Lord if you want to take me now, I'm ready!" I confess I had a brief thought that the carbon-monoxide might have helped, but soon realized that God wanted me to take that experience and remember it for the rest of my life.

This is what I learned from that day. Heaven will be a wonderful place, not because of its spectacular beauty or because of the glory of the new creation, but because of  The One I am with, and the unspeakable joy of being in the presence of saints and angels singing praise and proclaiming the righteous acts of God. In the four hours I drove, I never got tired or sore in the car; I never got bored or wanted to go anywhere or do anything but to continue in ever-increasing praise and worship. This was a truly unique experience that I cannot re-create, though I certainly pour my heart into worship whenever I can.

I also learned (and continue to learn) that our praise has an audience, whether alone or with thousands of other believers. When we come into the sanctuary to lift up the name of Jesus, we are singing and testifying to God himself, and to angels and the host of heaven, proclaiming his righteousness and agreeing with God that all his ways are true and just. God created us to proclaim his testimonies before thrones and dominions in heaven and on earth. And that is why, if you ever catch a glimpse of me with my hands lifted high and my face covered with tears, you can know that I've been in the presence of my savior and the Lord of my life, Jesus Christ.

Power Perfected in Weakness

Like anyone who would contemplate the power of God and the suffering of mankind, I have often thought about the question of why God allows suffering in this world.

Many people turn away from God when they are confronted with suffering because they cannot (or don't want to) find an answer to this question.

There are many reasons why people suffer, mostly because we live in a world broken and cursed by sin. The apostle Paul understood suffering more than most, first by causing many saints to suffer in his brutal pre-Christian zeal, then by suffering the same fate from his fellow Jewish zealots and their merciless Roman rulers.

Paul also understood the grace of God and the power that comes through suffering for Christ's sake.

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Why is power perfected in weakness? Because our testimony is polished by turmoil, and shines brighter against the dark backdrop of tribulation and distress. As a follower of Christ, suffering can be a Force Multiplier for our testimony. God is glorified and his righteousness is demonstrated even more fully when we develop and maintain our testimony through trials and the death of our flesh.

The suffering and death of Christ is the ultimate foundational testimony of God’s mercy and righteousness, through which we are reconciled to God and introduced to grace.

To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. Ephesians 3:8-10

Who sees this testimony? Not only those on earth but “the rulers and authorities in heavenly places!” 

My conclusion is this:

Whether we stand before kings or walk before kids, whether we preach to multitudes or suffer alone, our lives testify to the host of heaven against the forces of darkness!

“So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth.”” ‭‭Hosea‬ ‭6‬:‭3

Trusting God in the Storm

I’m studying Exodus now. In Exodus 14 we see that through Moses, God led Israel out of Egypt into what appeared to be an inescapable trap, cornered at the edge of the sea across from a village of Ba’al worshippers known as Ba’al Tsephon.

God led them there with a purpose, to be honored through Pharaoh’s defeat at the hands of God himself. But this was not at all how Israel saw the situation. It appeared to Israel that they would either die at the hands of Pharaoh's army or be forcibly taken back to Egypt and re-enslaved.

The name Ba’al Tsephon is significant. It means Lord of the Storm. The word typhoon is closely related, a violent fearful wind storm. God was going to use this violent wind to bring deliverance to Israel and destruction to the enemy.

There are a couple of lessons to be learned from this episode in the Bible.

First, our deliverance from slavery may begin with trouble. Israel experienced many troubles escaping slavery even before this event. Their work became unbearable, there were plagues all around them, and ultimately they had to assemble in the night to run into a future of great uncertainty. The decision to leave a lost and sinful past can bring this kind of hardship. God intentionally brought Israel to the edge of the sea to destroy the slave masters, and to build their faith.

Second, there is no turning back. When Israel's deliverance was completed there was a stormy sea left behind them, separating the people from their lives of bondage in Egypt. We must cross boundaries to leave our sinful past and these boundaries become barriers to protect us from returning there. Sin can never be sweet again, though it beckons and threatens to take us back. Passing through a storm of deliverance is a cleansing experience, symbolized by baptism when we begin to walk by faith.

Though we pass through many storms in life, we should always remember that God brings us there with a purpose. We must learn to trust him, as better things lie just on the other side.

Magic Eyes and Hearing Ears (Parables of Jesus)

 

We studied the Parable of the Sower from the Gospel of Luke in my Bible fellowship Sunday. The question was raised in class - as it was to Jesus - why does he speak to the people in parables?

Jesus replied "I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand." 

One thing that crossed my mind is this book called Magic Eye, which has lots of pictures in it that are actually encoded 3D images hidden behind a confusing foreground. If you train your eye to look through the picture you may eventually see a beautiful or haunting 3D image that is quite surprising from the appearance of the page. These types of pictures were quite popular in the late 20th century. I remember standing in front of posters like these when I was younger and never seeing anything! That was actually a bit embarrassing.

The hidden picture is a good illustration of how Jesus presented these parables, and how to understand the teachings in the Bible. Your ears must be attuned to hear the still small voice of God. The eyes of your heart must be opened to see the meaning as it applies to you. As Jesus said, "seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened to you." The beauty and depth of the hidden picture is only seen when you relax your eyes and look beyond the obvious foreground. The beauty and power of God's word is only seen when you seek Him with your whole heart.

This also a good illustration of the meaning of the Parable of the Sower. The seed that falls by the roadside is the word that falls on ears that aren't listening. The seed that falls on rocky soil is the word that falls on shallow lives and quickly fails. The seed that falls among thorns is the word that is eventually choked by a worldly mindset. Only the Living Word of God falling on willing ears and a heart that is open to change bears lasting fruit.

So that is my prayer for those who hear the word of God through me, that they will have ears to hear and eyes to see the things that God has prepared for those who love Him.

Wrestling with Darkness

 Last night I spent a few hours wrestling with sleeplessness, partly due to escalating concerns about what is going on in the world and how it may affect our lives. Of course, there is very little I can do about these concerns except to cast them on the Lord Jesus and ask for divine intervention. Needless to say, after a night like that I'm somewhat spent physically.

If you have ever dealt with someone with psychosis, a personality disorder or addiction issues, you might understand what it means to wrestle with the forces of darkness. There are many stories in the Bible about Jesus wrestling with demons, and last Sunday our fellowship group studied one of these accounts in the gospel of Luke.

While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them. Demons also were coming out of many, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But rebuking them, He would not allow them to speak, because they knew Him to be the Christ. When day came, Jesus left and went to a secluded place; and the crowds were searching for Him, and came to Him and tried to keep Him from going away from them. But He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.” Luke 4:40-43

Matthew adds this note to the account:

This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: “He Himself took our infirmities and carried away our diseases.” Matthew 8:17

A couple of years ago I looked up that reference in Isaiah and received this message from the Lord: Jesus spent his entire ministry on earth bearing our pain and weakness. By His scourging we are healed. He continues this ministry through us, so that our suffering in His name is never in vain.

The quote from Isaiah 53 is part of a "Suffering Servant prophecy", a chapter which foretells in great detail the suffering and sacrificial death of the Messiah, written hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus. What I never realized when studying Isaiah was that this suffering was not only on the cross. Each time Jesus wrestled with diseases and demonic forces He was fulfilling His calling to bear our burdens and carry away our infirmities.

In the passage from Luke and Matthew above, Jesus wrestled with these demons all night, leaving just as the morning light approached to find respite from the crowds of desperate people. These times were mentally and physically exhausting, and many times Jesus could only find respite before dawn in secluded places like the hills of Galilee.

The body of Christ continues this ministry of suffering. As Paul said:

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. Colossians 1:24

 Or as Peter says:

but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 1 Peter 4:13

So to the degree that we are reviled, mistreated or simply wrestle with the unseen enemy, these times call for rejoicing and expectation of glory that is to come. We do not suffer and struggle alone; we suffer with Christ who bears our pain and understands our needs.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18

 And finally there is an incomparable reward for all suffering of the innocents and those made righteous by His blood, so that like Christ we can endure it for the joy set before us.

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

The Foundation of God's Throne

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;
Lovingkindness and truth go before You.

Psalms 89:14

There is a chapter in the New Testament that completely changed my understanding of the Bible. I first encountered these verses as I was memorizing Romans in my first year of college.

But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking in human terms.) May it never be! For otherwise, how will God judge the world?

Romans 3:5-6

The third chapter of Romans presents God's perfect righteousness in human terms as a prerequisite for Him to execute judgment. Without God's righteous judgment all creation would be lost to the domain of darkness.

But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 

Romans 3:21-26

The backdrop of the gospel is that God is righteous, and His righteousness requires judgment and condemnation of evil. This righteousness in God's terms is much more than judgment and condemnation. The perfect righteousness of God is His self-sacrificing unconditional love, which extends mercy and forgiveness in response to an unjust and ungrateful world.

Jesus said that God's Law is based on two commandments, both involving sacrificial love.

And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” 

Matthew 22:37-40

God's righteousness means that He is always faithful and true; His faithfulness is the expression of His perfect love and mercy.

The Bible records promises that God made to great men of faith like Noah, Abraham and David. The promise to Abraham shows how people can become part of his family, not by flesh (birthright) or by keeping the Law of Moses, but by faith in God. This promise remains certain today for all who believe and confess their faith, because God is faithful. The Law of Moses did not nullify this promise (Romans 4:13-15), nor does Faith nullify God's Law (Romans 3:31), nor does Faith nullify the requirement for perfect righteousness to enter into the kingdom of heaven (Psalm  24:3-4).

The apostle Paul spends several chapters explaining this apparent conflict of Law and Faith in his epistle to the Romans. The conflict is resolved by a promise that took precedence over the Law of Moses and the nation of Israel. This promise was given to David when he was king, in which God promised to establish his Son as the ruler of an eternal kingdom that would be for all people of all nations, who are born not of flesh but of spirit, because of His own blood that is poured out on the altar of God to atone for all sin of all time.

If you are following this (and this may be hard to really grasp at first), you will begin to understand how fundamentally important it is for the Body of Christ to proclaim and demonstrate God's righteousness. This is why Paul said in his epistle to the Corinthians "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes." This is why Paul said to the Galatians "may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." We remind ourselves and the world that God so loved us that He sacrificed His Son for us, so that our sins could be forgiven and washed away. 

This is the righteous, faithful, merciful and self-sacrificial God of the Bible, the one true God that we serve by receiving the Spirit of His Son into our heart. Because Jesus our Messiah is seated at the right hand of God we are empowered to put on His robe of righteousness and enter boldly into the throne room of God.

Understanding the foundational nature of God's righteousness has helped me understand many truths of the Bible, such as the meaning and purpose of creation, the nature of spiritual warfare, the foundation of a righteous government, and many questions non-believers pose in rejecting the Bible. I hope to share these truths in related posts, so if you're interested please subscribe to my blog or bookmark this page. Many blessings to you!

The Sanctification of Elijah

A few months ago I was wondering why Elijah the prophet was given such a prominent place in the Bible. After all, he didn't write any books, nor were any named after him. I don't believe there is any messianic prophecy credited to him, but he was the subject of much messianic prophecy in both the Old and New Testaments.

Pastor Greg Laurie reminded me of this subject recently on TBN when he spoke about Elijah. That inspired me to study more and write about this amazing man of God.

Elijah the Tishbite appears in 1 Kings 17 with a message for the king:

“As the Lord, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.”

Elijah was bold and brash. He was maybe a little scary, coming from the presence of God. But I see “except by my word” and think of something else.

Elijah was zealous and proud. Maybe not arrogant but definitely self-confident. This is a quality that creates boldness, and perhaps this is why God chose him for this mission. But his story starts before this chapter. It starts with a rugged but simple man in prayer.

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. ‭‭James‬ ‭5:17

When Elijah appeared before Ahab he had already prayed earnestly and the drought had already begun maybe six months earlier. When Elijah said he “stands before God” he meant that he had standing with God, like an appointment or an office to represent God. This gave him the boldness to speak. But after this meeting with the King he had to run and hide for three years.

During this time of severe famine God continued to sanctify Elijah. You can see the result of this in the following chapters. Elijah still had hubris when he spoke to the people on Mount Carmel:

“I alone am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men.” ‭‭18:22‬

But when it came to the time to call for rain, Elijah did not make a public spectacle commanding rain to come down, but remembered God’s promise:

“Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the face of the earth.”‭‭‭ 18:1‬

So he went up to pray and wait for the Lord in a posture of humility:

So Ahab went up to eat and drink. But Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he crouched down on the earth and put his face between his knees. He said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” So he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go back” seven times. It came about at the seventh time, that he said, “Behold, a cloud as small as a man’s hand is coming up from the sea.”‭‭18:42-44‬

The famine ended and Elijah ran faster than a chariot to Jezreel, possibly assuming that King Ahab would put his wicked Canaanite wife out on the street. Elijah may have thought his troubles were over until he met Jezebel in her wrath. Apparently for the first time in his life Elijah feared for his life. Immediately he ran to hide in the Judean wilderness, then made his way to the mountain of God where got another lesson in humility.

Then he came there to a cave and lodged there; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” ‭‭19:9-10‬

God brought him to the mountain top and spoke to him, not through a mighty destructive wind or an earth shaking voice or a fiery blast, but in a low whisper:

“What are you doing here Elijah?”

Elijah gave Him the same excuse for a final time:

"I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” 19:14

Now God gave him his marching orders, to anoint other kings of Syria and Israel, and to anoint another prophet named Elisha to replace him. And oh, by the way:

“I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.” ‭‭19:18‬

To this command there was only a response of obedience. Elijah went and did what God told him to do. His mission now was to pass the mantle to Elisha (yes that’s where “pass the mantle” comes from.)

Elijah’s human bravado was broken but his place in God’s heart and in God’s kingdom was lifted to new heights. Elijah humbled himself to resign his special appointment, but God himself exalted Elijah, and soon brought him into His eternal presence escorted by a chariot of fire (yes that’s where that movie got its name).

Elijah’s voice continues to cry out like a voice in the wilderness, calling us to a decision:

“How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” 

Easter Thoughts 2022

I was in the Maundy Thursday service and the Easter services at my church over the last few days and had these thoughts:

• To an outside observer with no religious perspective, it must seem strange that such a multitude would gather each year to celebrate events that occurred 2,000 years ago.
• Over these 2,000 years the body of Christ has constantly demonstrated the righteousness of God by its perseverance through tribulation and death.
• The Holy Spirit has constantly demonstrated the grace of God by resurrecting the souls of men through new birth into the eternal kingdom of God.
• The resurrection message will be completed when the entire body of Christ is resurrected and glorified in her marriage to Jesus the Lamb of God.

Thus, the Easter message is constantly new and meaningful to every generation and every soul who sees and hears this message through us! I can't think of a better demonstration of this gospel of grace than the presentation below coming from Ukraine.

 Until next Easter... He is risen indeed!

Hearing From God

One Sunday recently I was awakened at 5:00 AM with a strong desire to hear from God. I had been studying the second half of Isaiah so when picked up my Bible I discovered these verses:

The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of disciples,
That I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word.
He awakens Me morning by morning,
He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.
The Lord GOD has opened My ear;
And I was not disobedient
Nor did I turn back. (Isaiah 50:4-5 NASB)

These verses in Isaiah are part of a prophecy spoken by the Spirit of Christ in reference to His earthly ministry. That Sunday morning I seemed to hear the Lord affirming the many times He has awakened me to train me and reveal Himself to me (that is the Spirit of Christ in me.) I was not always obedient, and I have to admit that as yet I have not been blessed with "the tongue of disciples". But I am blessed that He has opened my ear and given me a deeper understanding of His word and His plans for me.

The word spoken by our Lord Jesus is life; like bread from heaven it sustains the body and restores the soul. So many times in the Bible Jesus would speak a word, bringing sight to blind eyes or life to paralyzed limbs. The word of faith - the gospel of Christ - can perform surgery on the soul and give hope to those who are hopeless. That Sunday morning these words of Jesus from Isaiah filled my heart with such joy that I entered into a time of worship I have only experienced once before in my life.

Times like this are a foretaste of heaven, meant to encourage and strengthen us to persevere through this life. As Nehemiah says "Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." As I look back on this now I have a little idea what heaven is like. It truly is joy unspeakable and full of glory to be in the presence God, to enjoy the privilege afforded to us by the atoning sacrifice and triumphant resurrection of our Lord Jesus!