Always the Lamb

Posted on December 24, 2019 by Pete

I think I’ve always had a bit of resistance to leaving baby Jesus in the manger at Christmas. That, for some reason, I’ve needed to remind myself that the idyllic scene I love to imagine through the various nativity displays which are put out at Christmas is but a precursor to the darkness that hung over the cross when the Author of Life was put to death for the sin of the world. That by not lingering too long over that silent night, remembering that He was born to die, I somehow protect myself from ever remaining fixed at Bethlehem and not moving on to Calvary.

But I wonder if I shouldn’t hover more often, and for longer periods of time, on the wonder of Immanuel, God with Us.

If I shouldn’t gaze more intently at the Babe in the manger, in awe that this is He through whom God created the world. That in Mary’s Child, the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily, the exact imprint of God’s nature. That even on the night of His birth He was upholding the universe by the word of His power, even while He was yet able to form a word. That He is the radiance of God’s glory, though He emptied Himself of that glory in order to take on the likeness of man and be found in human form. Stepping away from His place over heaven so that He might take on the form of a servant on earth. (Col. 2:9, Heb. 1:1-3, Php. 2:6-8)

And what’s got me thinking about being more okay with lingering longer over the Christ child is my reading in Revelation 21 this morning where, when all is said and done–when the final battle has been fought, when the enemy is forever cast down, when sin is finally judged, when the new heavens and new earth are a reality–Jesus is always the Lamb.

And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.

(Revelation 21:22-23 ESV)

Twenty-seven times in Revelation (only twice in the rest of the NT) the Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, is seen as the Lamb. Literally as the lamb-kin, the little Lamb.

His humility in coming in flesh forever on display in heaven. His lowliness and meekness eternally portrayed as He is beheld as the Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world (Rev. 5:9, 5:12, 13:8).

Those in relationship to Him for eternity, are there in relationship with the Lamb. There because their names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Their robes made white, the victory theirs, because of the blood of the Lamb. To be known forever as the bride of the Lamb. Singing forever the song of the Lamb . . . in the temple of the Lamb . . . lit by the light of the glory of the Lamb.

So, I’m thinking to myself, “Self, if the humility of the Son of God come to be the Lamb of God will be worth considering for eternity, then maybe, just maybe, spending some extended time in quiet, un-rushed awe, over the Son of God come as the son of Mary, might be appropriate for a season.

Always the Lamb.

Praise God for the Child!

O come let us adore Him!

Because of grace. For His glory.

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Praise God for the Other Book

Posted on December 20, 2019 by Pete

There’s always been a lot of debate on how the end times play out. Smart people on multiple sides of a debate on what in Scripture is to be taken literally and what should be understood figuratively. Views on where we are in the historical timeline painted in the Bible and of how we are to understand the coming of God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

So, as I read through Revelation 20 this morning I am, at first, preoccupied with the “thousand years.” As I encounter the “thousand years” six times at the beginning of the chapter, I find myself asking myself, “Self, literal or figurative? Has come? Is come? Or, yet to come?” (Maybe instead of asking myself I should be asking my Teacher, the Spirit who illuminates such mysteries).

But then the “thousand years” are supplanted by two sets of books. And it’s on these that I really start to chew down.

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

(Revelation 20:12-15 ESV)

I just got a Facebook notice that I have been so-and-so’s friend for 11 years and up flashes a brief montage of stuff FB had on file for how we had interacted. Eleven years! . . . and they can bring up and put on display, in a moment, stuff I had forgotten long ago. If technology and social media tells us anything it’s that the divine books that exist which have recorded all that we’ve done, aren’t that too far fetched. But more importantly, it reminds us, who wants to be judged according to what they’ve done? Who wants to stand before a holy, holy, holy God and air the dirty laundry we all know exists? Sure, might be some “good” stuff, but who can’t recall some of the stuff you never want to see the light of day?

Two-thirds of my threescore+ years have been lived as a believer. You’d think that maybe that might skew the what-I’ve-done scales enough to be favorably considered before the throne. Uh . . . no! Not the way it works. Any defilement, is too much defilement when it comes to heaven’s holiness. Besides, if I’m honest, there’s more than enough in my redeemed life which has required repentance and fresh forgiveness to disqualify me from God’s perfect presence, if my good works on earth were the basis for my right standing in heaven. So, no thank you . . . don’t wanna rely on that first set of books for my eternal destination.

But the other book — the book of life — that’s my hope.

For the other book is founded on the story of Another’s good works. Jesus, the Son of God, having come to earth as a baby that He might live on earth to die as the once for all atoning sacrifice for all the stuff recorded in the first set of books. His finished work on the cross, the only work I can boast in.

And in that other book is my name. The name of a sinner saved by grace. The name of a righteous person because I was declared righteous through faith. The name of a child of God, adopted on the merit of the One who was ready, willing, and able to call me brother. My name written in the book of life, making the first set of books a moot point. For, stamped over whatever is recorded of my life in those books, are the words: Paid in Full; Redeemed; Reconciled; Adopted; A New Creation!

Praise God for the other book! The book of life. The book with my name written in it. Not because of any merit on my part, but because of Sovereign grace on His. Not because of what I’ve done, but only because of what He has done. Not for my glory, but for His glory, and His alone.

Thank you, Lord!

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Some Thoughts from the Past on Losing Focus

Posted on December 19, 2019 by Pete

It’s the fourth year in a row where what I’ve read in Job on this day in my reading plan has been the thing that’s lingered afterward. The taste from my samplings in both the Old Testament and New Testament that has been the food for thought that I find myself chewing on.

I know this because often when I meditate on a passage I do a search through my online journal and see what thoughts have come to mind before. And there they were. Last year in 2018, and in 2017, and in 2016. But there is also one that goes way back to 2008. In many ways to a time when life was being done in a very different context. Very little experience back then, honestly, that connected with Job’s experience.

But as I read through this 2008 entry, I’m reminded how important it is to store up divine life principles before you really need them. Of what an act of grace it is for the Spirit to lead you into truth before you’re going to need to draw on that truth in a way you couldn’t have imagined. How what I learned back in 2008 has actually been lived out over the past few years.

So, you’re welcome to read my posts on this passage from 2016, 2017, or 2018, if you like, but I thought I’d rerun the one from 2008 if, perhaps, it might be of some encouragement to you as it was to me this morning.

I think when all was said and done, Job just simply lost focus on who God is. This man, who God declares is “a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil (Job 1:1,1:8,2:3), finds himself on the wrong end of a Divine reaming out. “Prepare yourself like a man!” God demands, “Answer me! You who would correct Me and rebuke Me . . . Let’s get a thing or two straight . . . and let’s start with Me reminding you of who I AM!”

These last chapters of Job really are quite amazing as you think about the sensory overload that Job must have gone through as he was addressed directly by the Almighty and was given a lesson in creation and divine power like none other ever given. And how did he end up at the end of such a stern lecture? Again, I think he just lost focus on who God is.

Now, I’m not blaming him. You’d think that a man as devout as Job kind of deserved better. By God’s own words he is singled out as a remarkable example of faithful and “set apart” living. And then to have experienced the disaster and tragedy that befell him so suddenly . . . who wouldn’t have been a bit confused . . . a bit bitter . . . a bit arrogant in demanding a one-on-one with God so that he could get things set straight? You can’t blame him . . . but you can sure learn from him . . .

In his unbelievable tragic circumstances . . . in his pain . . . in his frustration . . . Job loses sight of who he’s addressing in the heavens . . . focusing on himself, he chooses to neglect what he knows to be true about His God. And so, God, in a not so gentle manner, reminds him. In a whirlwind (Job 38:1) He presents Himself in all His power and glory as He recounts the wondrous evidence of that power in creation . . . and says, “Job . . . answer Me . . . where’s Your hand in all of this? Where do I see your power in creation . . . show me where your wisdom is displayed in the intricate workings of the natural world.” And then, in my reading this morning, Job 40, God gets to the point,

“Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!”

(Job 40:2 NKJV)

There’s the line, Job . . . and you crossed it. No one can minimize the pain and suffering you’ve gone through . . . but remember who you’re talking to . . . do you really want to contend with the Almighty . . . do you really want to find fault with the Maker of all things . . . do you really think you’re in a position to rebuke and reprove God? What are you thinking?

The answer — he wasn’t. Caught up in trying to justify himself before his accusatory comforters, he goes too far . . . in his anguish and pain, his tongue gets too loose . . . overwhelmed by life’s unfairness, his brain goes on auto-pilot . . . and he loses sight of who His God is. Be warned, Pete.

Now I haven’t been through anything like what Job experienced . . . and I’m not looking to . . . however, I confess times where I have addressed God . . . or spoken of Him . . . in ways that reflect a loss of focus. Far too casual with the Almighty . . . way to chummy with the Maker . . . bordering on irreverent concerning Holy, Holy, Holy God. I fear it is easier than I suspect to become so “comfortable” with God that I can lose focus on who He is . . . and who I am . . . and speak to Him, or of Him, in ways that are inappropriate . . . in ways that serve to make me seem “bigger” than I am . . . and serve to make Him “smaller” than He really is.

O God, keep me from such mindlessness. Through Your Word and through Your indwelling Holy Spirit help me to maintain a healthy, ever-present “awe and fear” factor. Forgive me for irreverence . . . keep me from speaking of things I know very little about. Instead Lord, in all circumstances help me to be still and know that You are God . . . and nothing less . . . and that I am a man . . . and nothing more . . . for Your glory alone . . . amen!

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Consider Your Ways

Posted on December 18, 2019 by Pete

We can do so much of what we do thoughtlessly. So easy for us to go on autopilot — doing what we do because we’ve always done it. And often it’s because we allow ourselves to be driven by what is pragmatic more than what should be priority. Or by what brings immediate pleasure rather than a future prize. While we might be working that which is good, we might also be neglecting that which is best.

That’s why it’s so helpful to have Haggai in your annual reading plan. At least once a year you’re going to be encouraged to take some time and consider your ways.

“Thus says the LORD of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.” Then the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways.”

(Haggai 1:2-5 ESV)

They were a people once marked by exile but now returned to the land of their fathers. A people once in subjection to an enemy, but now liberated to pursue their God. And their God had called them to return to the land and rebuild His house. But they got distracted.

They had their own homes to re-establish. After 70 years of inattention, their fields were a mess. And besides, not only was rebuilding the temple hard work, it wasn’t popular work with those outsiders who still had influence over the land.

So, it’s not too hard to understand how their focus might shift. How working on that which is easier might take time away from working on that which was harder. How attending to that which would benefit themselves in the short term might supplant spending time on that which would honor their God over the long haul. How spending their discretionary time on getting their own homes remodeled might seem more important than making the time to ensure God’s house was being rebuilt.

But God says through His prophet, repeatedly, “Consider your ways” (Hagai 1:5, 1:7, 2:15, 2:18).

“Think carefully” (CSB) about what you’re doing. “Take a good, hard look at your life” (MSG). “Give careful thought to your ways” (NIV).

Recognize how you’ve let pragmatics dictate your priorities. After all, a roof over your head and food on the table is pretty important. See how you’ve allowed pleasures to consume your free time. Because what’s the point of living again in the land of the free if you’re not free to live how you want? Think carefully about how you’ve allowed your own good to supplant God’s glory.

Consider your ways.

End of year is a great time to pause and ponder. To sit back, look around, and take inventory.

To review our calendars. To reflect on our goals. To recalibrate our measures of success.

To look beyond all that we do which is good and consider if, perhaps, there isn’t something our God calls us to which is better.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” ~ Jesus

(Matthew 6:33 ESV)

“Consider your ways,” says the LORD of hosts.

Because of grace. For His glory.

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Anticipating a Duet

Posted on December 17, 2019 by Pete

Hovering over the latter part of Zephaniah 3 this morning where Zephaniah speaks of the promise of a future day. A day when all peoples from all nations shall call upon the name of the LORD and serve Him with one accord (3:9).

And, in the midst of this world-wide community of worshipers, there will be a people of particular note (3:11-15).

A people whose shame for their deeds of rebellion has been removed. A people marked by humility and lowliness. A people who seek refuge in the name of the LORD. A people whose hearts and mouths have been cleaned up and made pure so that there is no injustice, no lies, no deceit. A people who are at rest, who eat and feed in safety, “and none shall make them afraid.”

And they are a singing people. People who voice their song with shouting. Who rejoice and exult with all their heart because their judgments have been taken away and their enemies have been defeated. A people who never again fear evil because their King, the LORD, is in their midst.

And while I think that this prophecy is yet to be fulfilled in it’s fullness at a future (but perhaps not too future) day, I can’t help but chew on this vision of divinely purposed transformation, and earthly experienced restoration, and see us, the church.

I think we’re the trailer for this epic spectacle yet to be fully played out on the world’s stage. That we’re the prototype, in all our imperfections, for this jaw-dropping reality. Or said perhaps a bit more biblically, that we’re the firstfruits for this promised harvest.

And if that’s true . . . and I’m thinking it is . . . then let our imaginations run wild as we consider the next words of the prophet’s promise?

On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. The LORD your God is in your midst, a Mighty One who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.”

(Zephaniah 3:16-17 ESV)

If we’re the firstfruits of a yet to be known future reality, then are these words not for us?

We are not to fear. We are to strengthen our hands. Because we know the truth that the LORD our God is in our midst.

At this time of year, in particular, we’re reminded that Jesus walked among us as Immanuel, God with Us. That the Christ embodied the image of the invisible God, in whom all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. And that, though presented as meek and lowly, He came as the Mighty One to save.

And He has never left us. Promising that though He would depart bodily for a time, He would send the Spirit, also fully God, to indwell us so that we might abide in Him and He might abide with us.

O saint rejoice! Sing aloud. Rejoice and exult in Him with all your heart. The LORD our God is in our midst!

If that’s true, know too that He rejoices, as well. That, as amazing as it is to try and conceive, the God of creation also exults over us, even as we exult in Him. What’s more . . . get ready for this . . . know too that the God of our salvation is–perhaps at this very moment–even singing over us.

Do you get that? Not only do we sing to Him, but He sings over us. It’s a duet! An unfathomable, how-can-this-be-happening-to-me, duet.

Our God’s a rejoicing God. Our God’s an exulting God. Our God is a singing God.

How great is our God?

What will it be, in that day when faith gives way to sight and we are in the midst of the One who has redeemed us, to pause for a moment from our worship and in that moment of silence hear a melody sourced in divine pleasure coming from the throne? Quieted by His love, we will bask in the song He sings over us.

What will that be like? I don’t know. I can only imagine.

But it will be, in some sense, a wondrous duet.

I’m going to keep practicing my part now.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Stop! (Elihu, Part 2)

Posted on December 13, 2019 by Pete

Okay, I am liking this kid more and more as he gets wound up and gets more comfortable with giving Job & Co. a piece of his mind . . . and a vision of God.

Yesterday, I pondered Elihu’s exhortation to Job to “remember to extol” the works of God. And this morning, I’m hovering over what I think has got to be a precursor to remembering. Stopping.

“Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God.”

(Job 37:14)

I wonder if at least part of the reason we fail to break the strongholds our sufferings and trials can so often have on us; the reason we lose sight of God in the storm; the reason we’re tempted to question God, or blame God, for the hard stuff — I wonder if the reason we fail to remember to extol God is because we forget to stop and consider God.

We’re so busy trying to keep things afloat, we’re so distracted with being distracted, we’re so caught up with the frantic pace of a technology enabled life, that we never cease and desist. We don’t make time to be still and know that He is God (Ps. 46:10). We don’t stop moving and just meditate. We don’t stop producing in order to just ponder. We don’t stop checking off the items on our to-do lists and make the time to check in with the Lord. We just don’t stop.

O, maybe we stop moving physically once in awhile. But then, what do we fill our minds with? Which electronic device of choice occupies the quiet time? Though our body may be still our mind is still racing. Either with this game, or getting caught up on that social media platform. Or maybe we’re listening to our favorite podcast, or watching our favorite show. In our age, even when we’re still, how often do we really stop?

But the kid says to Job, “Job, take a breath!” Stop, really stop, and consider.

Stand still for a moment and think. Really think. Think hard. Think diligently. Pause for the purpose of being discerning. Rest and reflect on the God you know, and the God who knows you. Consider how great is your God. Think deeply on the wonders of your God. Remind yourself of the ways of your God.

Meditate on the wonders of His hand in the life around you, the ever visible creation. And take time to replay the grace-sourced evidences of the hand of the Almighty in your own life, an ever loved new creation (2Cor. 5:17) in His Son.

Know afresh that He is forever faithful. That He really is all powerful. That He is exceedingly merciful. That He is, by His nature, unchangeable — the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8). And that, with the Spirit in us, especially when the Word is before us, He is always available (Ps. 139:7).

We just need to stop. Stop and consider.

May not answer all the why’s of our journey when the going gets tough. But it will certainly help us to remember that there is One who goes with us in the journey, who is in us and with us.

If God is for us, who can be against us? . . . in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

(Romans 8:31b, 37 ESV)

We just need to stop every so often. Probably more often than we do.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Remember to Extol His Work!

Posted on December 12, 2019 by Pete

I’ve done enough reading to be okay with the fact that I don’t know quite how to peg Elihu, commentators varying among themselves as to how to understand his intervention in the book of Job.

Elihu, the young, upstart peanut-gallery, who somehow has been able to listen in on Job’s debate with his friends. Elihu, the only guy in the book who bears a Hebrew name. The guy who eventually hits the wall and has to interject his two-cents-worth when Job and the three amigos are done jawing back and forth. Elihu, the guy who, for me, seems to get what’s going on more than the other three comforters, but . . . doesn’t totally get what’s going on.

And I guess that’s in line with the overall purpose of the book of Job. Not about providing answers as to the why of Job’s suffering, but providing focus on the Who of Job’s situation and His nature.

Furthermore, when God eventually tells Job to pray for his detractors, Elihu isn’t mentioned. In fact, God doesn’t acknowledge Elihu at all in the epilogue of the book. How come? I don’t know. Maybe it’s because while the kid didn’t know everything, he was closer on some things. Maybe because, if nothing else, Elihu did pretty well as the “opener” for God’s revelation of Himself to Job.

For, as I continue to read Elihu’s six chapters of uninterrupted discourse this morning, I do think I see him shifting the conversation in the right direction–away from Job’s plight and towards God’s person. Away from what’s happening on earth and towards Who reigns in heaven. And something in Elihu’s words resonates as a solid piece of advice to heed, if not as a command to obey, for how to endure in situations that are hard, have no end in sight, and make no sense.

“Behold, God is exalted in His power; who is a teacher like Him? Who has prescribed for Him His way, or who can say, ‘You have done wrong’?
“Remember to extol His work, of which men have sung. All mankind has looked on it; man beholds it from afar. Behold, God is great, and we know Him not; the number of His years is unsearchable.”

(Job 36:22-26 ESV)

Remember to extol His work.

When you don’t know what God’s doing, don’t forget to magnify what you do know God has done. Or said a little differently: let not your circumstance inform your opinion of God, but let your knowledge of God provide the context and foundation for working through your situation.

Behold, says Elihu, God is exalted in power. Behold, God is great.

Behold what God has made known of Himself, what all mankind can look upon and know of God and, for many, have sung about through the ages.

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.

(Romans 1:19-20 ESV)

And in these last days God has spoken to us by His Son (Heb. 1:1-3). Revealing even more of His wondrous works through the finished work of the cross, the redemption of sinners saved by grace, and the grace of taking those who once were far off and adopting them as family.

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!

(1John 3:1 NKJV)

Remember to extol His work. When you’re getting hammered by life’s circumstance. When you’re feeling like you’re going down for the third time. When nothing is making sense. Remember to magnify what you do know He has done.

Look around and be reminded of His power in creation. Look back and know again His love through the cross. Look in and don’t forget His provision through the indwelling Spirit. And then, look up, . . . . look waaaay up! . . . and behold your God exalted in power . . . behold your God arrayed in greatness . . . behold Your God who makes Himself known by His Son through the Spirit.

And then sing. Even in the makes no sense, I don’t have answers, situations of life, sing of all you do know.

O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed

And when I think of God, His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art

Haven’t got Elihu totally figured out, but I think the kid’s on to something.

Because of grace. For God’s glory.

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Who Is A God Like Our God?

Posted on December 11, 2019 by Pete

You don’t see it every time, but there’s a pattern in the prophets that’s unmistakable. Amidst the prophets’ warning of judgment there is the promise of reconciliation. Though God, in a sense, was “done” with His people after there persistent, stiff-necked determination towards idolatry and rebellion, and would demand the wages of their sin, yet God was not “done” with His people. Though there would be consequences for their self-determination, there too would be assurances of their national restoration.

And that, because of grace.

Chewing on Micah’s closing words and awash in the grace of God. Whispering to myself this morning the prophets words, “Who is a God like You?”

Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of His inheritance? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as You have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.

(Micah 7:18-20 ESV)

What does our God delight in? He delights in steadfast love. He is pumped by showing mercy. Faithful love, unchanging love — that brings pleasure to our God.

And so, He looks upon a people who, for the most part, had rejected Him, and He still sees within them a remnant of His inheritance. A remnant to be contended for. A remnant to be rescued. A remnant, to be sure, who needed their iniquity pardoned and the transgressions passed over, but a remnant nevertheless. Because that’s what steadfast love is all about. And God delights in steadfast love! Who is a God like our God?

No doubt, a holy God, and a just God, is a God who must divinely bristle at sin and be angered by iniquity. But our steadfast love God does not retain His anger forever. He will again show compassion. He will always be faithful to His promise. That’s the nature of our God. Who is a God like our God?

But take your righteous judgment and your remnant inheritance; take your ebbing anger and your overriding compassion; take your pardoning iniquity and your passing over transgressions; and, in a sense, it pales somewhat when held up against the implications of “treading our iniquities underfoot” and “casting all our sins into the depths of the sea.” Because our God is not an arbitrary God.

By His very nature, a holy and just God, can’t just ignore sin. Though God writes all the rules, His rules cannot violate who He is. Thus, sin cannot just be ignored. It cannot just be given a pass, even for steadfast love’s sake. It must be dealt with. The wages must be rendered. The penalty must be borne.

So for God to be able to tread iniquities underfoot, for Him to justly cast sins into the depths of the sea and still be holy, holy, holy, iniquity and sin had to be dealt with. Sin and iniquity had to be atoned for if it is going to be disposed of.

Cue the cross. Hear again the Victor’s cry, “It is finished!” Behold the Man. Enter the Child born to save His people from their sins. Who is a God like our God?

He delights in steadfast love. So how pleased was our God on that first Christmas Eve when His love was manifest in a manger? Pretty pleased, I’m thinking!

Who is a God like our God? No god!

Praise God!

For His steadfast love and His wondrous grace.

For He is worthy and glory is due forever.

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Caught Up, Come Down

Posted on December 10, 2019 by Pete

Reading in Revelation 12 this morning. A lot going on. Great signs in heaven. An impressive looking woman juxtaposed against a hideous looking dragon. War in heaven. The archangel, Michael, and his angels versus the deceiver of the world, that ancient serpent, and his angels. And at the center of it all, a baby.

But not just any baby. It’s the baby. The “unto us a Child is born” baby.

The baby we see, at this time of year, in the manger. The “silent night “baby. The “all is calm, all is bright” baby. But, to read Revelation 12, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of sleeping going on, much less in “heavenly peace.” Rather, John sees a “waiting to be devoured by the great dragon” baby.

O the many, hidden dynamics of the Savior’s birth. We look on a child “asleep on the hay” and long for peace on earth. But, if I’m picking up what John’s laying down, Bethlehem’s birth unleashed an upheaval in heaven.

And what’s captured my meditation this morning is the “catching up” and the “coming down.”

And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. She gave birth to a male Child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her Child was caught up to God and to His throne, and the woman fled into the wilderness . . . And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come . . . “

(Revelation 12:4b-6a, 10 ESV)

The Child was caught up to God and His throne. And His kingdom came down. The One who will one day rule all the nations with a rod of iron has gone away, but His salvation has come. He is in heaven. But His power and authority are made manifest on earth.

Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns
Let men their songs employ

We live in that in between time. Between His first coming and His second. Having ascended, we wait for His glorious appearing. Because He was caught up, however, His kingdom has come down.

Though He went to heaven, His rule has been established on earth — in the hearts of a redeemed people. Though He stands now at the throne of God, yet His power is made manifest on earth — through His sending of another Helper, the Third Person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit.

And while the dragon, the accuser of the brothers and sisters, was also thrown down to the earth, the devil’s time is short! His forever defeat certain.

Victory is ours because “the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come.”

The Child was caught up. His kingdom has come down.

O come let us adore Him!

Because of grace. For His glory.

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All In

Posted on December 6, 2019 by Pete

He was leaving the world, but they weren’t. He was going back to heaven, they would have to gut it out on earth. He was returning to His Father, they would now be clearly in the crosshairs of the enemy. He would again be adored by a heavenly host, they would be hated by the world. And so, on the night He was betrayed, after washing their feet, promising them He’d return for them, and pledging to them the indwelling of the Holy Spirit after His departure, Jesus prayed for His own.

And even as His work on earth was about to come to an end, the Son of God pledged to be all in.

“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate Myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.” ~ Jesus

(John 17:17-19 ESV)

The work was soon to be finished, but Jesus wasn’t about to retire. The earth assignment, and all its humiliation and hardship would soon be over, but Jesus wasn’t returning to heaven to kick back and put up His feet for some well deserved R&R. Nope, not the way it was going to work. “For their sake,” Jesus said as He anticipated His departure, “I consecrate Myself.”

To be sure, in the immediate sense Jesus was setting Himself apart as the once for all sacrifice for sin. Dedicating Himself for the great work of redemption and reconciliation that would be accomplished through the cross. The Son of God separating Himself to fill the role of Lamb of God come to take away the sin of the world (Jn. 1:29). He would consecrate Himself that they might be saved.

But Jesus would also consecrate Himself that they might be sanctified. He would sanctify Himself that they might be consecrated. He who was already holy, holy, holy would dedicate Himself to their holiness–a work, He knew, which would be a work in progress. Yet, kick-started through the righteousness that would be credited to their account because of faith (Rom. 3:21-22).

Jesus was all in. Pledging Himself for their purification. Making Himself eternally available, through the Holy Spirit, for their mission. Teaching them all they would need to know, and that through the truth. Having given them God’s word (17:14), He would sanctify them through God’s word. And that too, through the Holy Spirit, the One who would lead them into all truth (16:13).

And for their sake I consecrate Myself.

All in.

Having left this world, but promising never to leave or forsake them (Heb. 13:5b). No longer walking this planet, but living in His people through the Spirit. No longer praying for us from an upper room, but, even now, still interceding for us at the right hand of the Father in heaven (Rom. 8:34).

All in. The same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8).

O what a Savior! O come lest us adore Him!

By His grace. For His glory.

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