If Only He Knew

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Pete

Job’s done talking. For 29 chapters he has debated his friends and had a one-way conversation with heaven. And he’s dominated the air time. If I counted correctly, for 20 of those 29 chapters it has been Job who has had the podium. Beyond his tremendous loss and his physical suffering, he is emotionally a mess. He is at a loss. He demands an audience with the Most High so that he might correct Him concerning heaven’s idea of justness. And he is frustrated because all he gets from the Divine is silence.

Now part of the deal is what Job is unaware of concerning his story. I’ve read chapters one and two, of God’s confidence in Job, and the non-contest He has allowed Satan to engage in. “If You let me trash and touch Job, I bet he’ll curse You to Your face,” says the accuser. “Go for it,” says the Almighty, “I know he won’t.” But Job doesn’t know this. He can’t even imagine that what’s going on with him is really not even about him.

And so, as he tries to rationalize the cause and effect of his circumstance, he gets increasingly bold, almost to the point of arrogance, as he demands heaven respond to his complaint. And something I read this morning, as Job wraps up his case, causes me to say to myself, “If only he knew!”

“Oh, that I had one to hear me! (Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!) Oh, that I had the indictment written by my Adversary! Surely I would carry it on my shoulder; I would bind it on me as a crown; I would give Him an account of all my steps; like a prince I would approach Him.”    (Job 31:35-37 ESV)

Job has just finished a detailed defense of his righteousness. Listing possible transgression by possible transgression, Job checks the box and finds himself innocent. Item by item, he says, “No fault.” And he wants to present the list to someone. He signs it and challenges the Almighty to respond with some findings other than his own. He refers to the God who created Him as his adversary and challenges Him, “Whatever You think You have on me, bring it! I’ll carry it as a non-burden. In fact, it will be so good I will wear it as a crown of boasting. Let me give you an account of all my ways, I’ll come off as royalty before You.”

And, rather than condemning Job for his arrogance, I think, “If only he knew.”

No matter how legitimately “good” Job’s works were, they pale in the presence of the God who Himself defines good. Regardless of how righteous Job might actually have been relative to the moral standard about him, against the shining light of the Almighty’s holiness, every spot and stain associated with such righteousness is exposed. If only Job knew.

If only he knew that his righteousness were but stained cloths before a perfect and holy God. If only he knew that, should God require him to carry the burden of his sin, his shoulders could not bear the load and, far from wearing it as crown of pride, he would seek to hide it in shame.

If only he knew that God is not his adversary, but his advocate–loving Job to such a degree that God would Himself address the stain problem . . . that He would Himself bear the burden for Job’s iniquity . . . that He would Himself provide for Job a crown . . . that He would Himself declare Job to be a prince in His kingdom . . . that He would Himself provide His own signature attesting to Job’s righteousness, a signature written in red.

If only he knew.

About God’s grace . . . for God’s glory.

 

Posted in Job, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

A Silence in Heaven

Posted on December 2, 2015 by Pete

I imagine a great silence when the question is asked. A heavenly pregnant pause. I’m thinking the lightning stops flashing and the thunder stops pealing. That the “holy, holy, holy” angel choir stops singing as the question reverberates to the edges of paradise. I wonder if there isn’t a collective holding of the breath as the implications of the ask, and the anticipation of the answer, are waited upon.

Then I saw in the right hand of Him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?”   (Revelation 5:1-2 ESV)

There it is in the hands of the Almighty–the end of the story. Within the scroll, secured by divine seals, is the end of the ages ready to be revealed. The final chapters in God’s redemptive determination. The bringing of justice . . . the recompensing for faithfulness . . . the establishing of the new eternal economy . . . all there within the scroll. All ready to be revealed. But what is needed is someone worthy to open the scroll. What awaits the final revealing is one who has the divine credentials demanded to commandeer the final chapters. And so the ask goes out, “Who is worthy?”

And I’m wondering, if it really isn’t a rhetorical question. Did the angel who cried out the question not know the answer? I’m thinking he did. Certainly one of the elders around the throne was in the know. So, I’m thinking the question was for John’s benefit. And what drama is played out before the revelator.

Who is worthy? Silence. Anyone in heaven? No! Pause again. Anyone on earth? Can’t find anyone. More silence. Anyone under the earth? Don’t think so. Silence so thick you can feel it.

Not man, nor angel, nor elder around the throne dares step forward. No created thing is found worthy to take the scroll from the hand of Him who sits on the earth. The silence is deafening.

And then a lone sound breaks the silence. Loud wailing. John, the visitor from earth, the one in exile for the faith, the one in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, weeps loudly because no one is found worthy to bring about the consummation of hope.

A heaven-wide pause button has been pressed. There’s silence around the throne as everyone and everything holds their breath. And a lone man weeps loudly. Who is worthy?

And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that He can open the scroll and its seven seals.”    (Revelation 5:5 ESV)

Weep no more! That’s what breaks the silence. Three words. Weep no more.

For THERE IS One worthy to direct the final acts of history. THERE IS One, known from eternity past, who can conduct the final movement of God’s grand opus. Weep no more.

He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. He is the conqueror. He is the Lamb of God who was slain and, by His blood, has ransomed people for God. From every tribe, language, people and nation He has rescued souls, having made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth! And He is worthy!

And the silence is broken. Weeping is replaced by rejoicing. If it were a graduation, this is the point where the graduations caps would be tossed in the air. If it were a talent show, the point where the winner is announced and tons of confetti falls from the ceiling. But this is something more. And so the silence is broken as heaven erupts in thunderous worship before the throne.

Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

(Revelation 5:11-13 ESV)

It might feel like there’s a silence in heaven. But the time of His revealing is coming . . .  perhaps very soon.

Weep no more. For the Lamb is worthy. And the Father is to be praised.

Amen and Amen!

 

Posted in Revelation, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

5 Minutes in Heaven

Posted on December 1, 2015 by Pete

I don’t know what it takes to legitimately define a new literary genre, but there’s a type of book that has recently been gaining quite the following. “Heaven tourism” is being used to describe those books that deal with a people who claim to have visited heaven, only to return to earth. I really haven’t been too interested in checking any of them out. Maybe I’m just a skeptic. Or maybe it’s because I’ve been into “heaven tourism” for years. In fact, this morning, I just spent five minutes in heaven. And the after glow is amazing!

After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with One seated on the throne.    (Revelation 4:1-2 ESV)

Five minutes in heaven. Actually, it only takes a little over a minute to read through Revelation 4 (I timed it). But I read it over a few times this morning. And then, trusting I too was “in the Spirit”, I hovered over the passage for a bit afterwards. So maybe a bit more than five minutes. But have I got a story to tell.

I don’t know what the other books say, but my few minutes in heaven this morning says that when someone arrives the first thing they see is a throne. Once they have walked through that open door, then behold! . . . a throne stood in heaven.

It would seem to be the centerpiece of that eternal realm above our realm. It is surrounded by light. But the Light of Him who sits on the throne is not overshadowed by the light that surrounds the throne. So it’s not the throne, but the One who sits on the throne, who is the focal point of heaven. I guess I’d be skeptical of any “tourist” who didn’t declare the prominence of the throne, and the One who sits on it, as the major take away from their trip.

Kind of hard to miss. From Him who sits on the throne come flashes of lightning and peals of thunder. Around the throne are twenty-four elders clothed in white garments and wearing golden crowns. Before the throne are the seven Spirits of God. Above the throne are four six-winged angelic creatures that repeatedly proclaim the rhythm of heaven as “day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” And, though I won’t get there until tomorrow’s reading, in the midst of it all there is a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain (5:6).

That’s what my five minutes in heaven tells me. Oh, and one other thing, there is no going there and not doing some facedown time before Him who alone is worthy of worship.

And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who is seated on the throne, Who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who is seated on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

“Worthy are You, our Lord and God,
   to receive glory and honor and power,
   for You created all things,
  and by Your will they existed and were created.”

(Revelation 4:9-11 ESV)

If you visited heaven, I don’t know how much you could see in 30, or 60, or 90 minutes when, I’m guessing, it’s going to take awhile to just take in the throne and all that surrounds the throne and Him who sits on the throne and the Lamb who stands in the midst of the throne. And then, once you’ve taken that in, you’re on your face in worship.

Five minutes in heaven, and I’m ready for the day.

Because of grace . . . for His glory.

Posted in Revelation, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Friendship of God

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Pete

O’ for the good old days! That’s all Job wanted. Not just any “old days” but the “good” old days. You know, those days when the kids flocked to him, the young people deferred to him, and the older people stood and revered him. Those days when princes and nobles quieted themselves so they could hear what Job had to say. The days when those in need appealed to him, and the unrighteous feared him. Those days when he was the one meeting needs, being eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.Those days when he was the “big kahuna.” Days when he spoke and people listened. Days when he commanded and others obeyed. How he longed for those days when he was friends with God.

And Job again took up his discourse, and said: “Oh, that I were as in the months of old, as in the days when God watched over me, when His lamp shone upon my head, and by His light I walked through darkness, as I was in my prime, when the friendship of God was upon my tent . . . ”   (Job 29:1-4 ESV)

Job 29 is fascinating. Who can’t connect with it? Who can’t relate to wanting better times when current times are kind of stormy. Who hasn’t looked back and thought, “If I could only go there again?” But what really has me thinking is how those memories of the past can be a sort of torture if we equate them with God’s favor.

If good times, as Job seems to be thinking, are the measure of God “watching over us” or the indicator of the strength of the “friendship of God,” then when times are bad it’s easy to feel forgotten and forsaken. Memories of better times, instead of reminding us of God’s goodness, instead end up sparking endless mind games. “What did I do to deserve this? What did I do wrong?” Or, as in Job’s case, “I haven’t done anything to deserve this, therefore God’s sense of justness must be out of whack somehow.”

But what if the storms, the trials, the testings are all part of friendship with God? I read this in Revelation this morning:

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline . . . (Revelation 3:19a ESV)

Jesus, the Head of the Church, the One who walks among the lampstands of the local churches says not only to the lukewarm church, but to all churches, if I love you I’ll call you to account, to prod and correct and guide you so that you’ll live at your best (MSG). So that you’ll live at your best, for the glory of my Name. And in the reproof there is the invitation, “I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3:20). Communion offered. Intimate fellowship available. All through reproof. All in times of testing and training.

Job would be reproved. Job would be trained. Job apparently never would know the why of what happened to him. But he would know the voice of God. And would experience again the tangible favor of God. But Job was NEVER NOT A FRIEND of God.

Sometimes friendships can be painful, but a “friend loves at all times” (Prov. 17:7) and “faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Prov. 27:6).

Not faulting anyone for longing for the better times. But to equate God’s favor with the mountain tops and question His friendship in the valleys is to reduce God to a barometer of our behavior . . . a scale for measuring our righteousness . . . a response to our good works. But what if God, in His divine purposes for His glory alone, loves us so much He allows the tough times so that we might know His friendship to greater depths? If we really believe that then we could really say,

“The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”  ~ Job     (Job 1:21 ESV)

The good old days are today. Regardless of currently going down around us, they are known not by circumstance but as we abide in His great love and in His overflowing grace.

“No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”  ~ Jesus    (John 15:15 ESV)

Friends of the Father . . . through the Son . . . as testified to our souls by the Spirit. Doesn’t get much better than that!

All because of grace . . . All for His glory.

Posted in Job, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled

Posted on November 27, 2015 by Pete

Don’t know that it happens frequently, but certainly it happens regularly. I wake in the night and rather than just going back to sleep, my mind starts to race. And it’s not a good race. It’s usually a chaotic stream of consciousness that starts with one worry who then invites all his friends. Things not done that need to get done. Things I feel I need to get a handle on that are really out of my control. Things in the past that I perhaps regret. Things in the future that I can’t predict. And not only does the mind race, but the chest gets heavy. Panic wouldn’t be the right word to describe it, but “overwhelmed” is probably pretty close. Usually I end up in prayer and usually I eventually fall back to sleep. This morning, as I read John 14, there’s a word that seems to capture these night time adventures pretty well . . . troubled.

Troubled. As in agitated, disquieted, restless, or anxious. An inward commotion which removes calmness of mind. Stirred up. Distressed.

And twice in John 14 Jesus says to His disciples, “Let not your hearts be troubled” (14:1, 27).

Jesus’ hour had come. The cross neared and His departure was at hand. And Jesus anticipates the disquieting of the disciples’ souls and the inward commotion that would be their’s. Not only during the next three days as they lived through His death and then experienced His resurrection. But throughout their entire lives as, in addition to just dealing with the “normal stuff,” they are called to build His church and be ambassadors for His kingdom. There’s a lot to stay awake at night about for His followers, and so He says, “Don’t let this throw you” (MSG).

Don’t be agitated, says Jesus, because I’m coming back (14:1-3). Don’t settle for turbulence, He says again, because I’m not leaving you alone, I’m sending the Holy Spirit (14:16, 26).

Talk about truths to calm the disquieted soul. Whatever is, is temporary. And whatever I need to do, I’m not left to just myself to do it.

What I need to get done, I can through the power of the Spirit within me. What’s out of my control, is in the hand of the Sovereign One over me. The regrets of the past are covered by the blood. The unknown of the future has been charted by Him who has ordained my days. In fact, navigating this life really isn’t up to me. I have been crucified with Christ and it’s no longer I who live. Rather, Christ, through His Spirit, lives in me such that “the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).

He loved me. He gave Himself for me. He’s sealed me with His Spirit. And He’s coming for me.

Be gone troubled hearted. Be calm disquieted soul. Jesus is with you through His Spirit. And you will be with Him because of His promise.

No wonder the Master says to His disciples,

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27 ESV)

All because of grace . . . all for His glory.

Posted in John, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

The Touch of His Hand

Posted on November 26, 2015 by Pete

On the road early this morning. Taking advantage of the U.S. holiday to head up to the homeland and hang out for a couple of days with our granddaughter (and her parents). Able to find a window for a quiet time as we all take advantage of “nap time.”

Hovering over the latter part of Revelation 1. John’s on the isle of Patmos “on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” Not an all-inclusive resort to reward His faithfulness. Instead a reclusive desert where, though others mean for it to be a punishment, John continues to thrive “in the Spirit.”

And being “in the Spirit on the Lord’s day” he is visited in a way he never saw coming. He hears a loud trumpeting voice behind him and turns to find that he’s been given eyes to see things that are out of this world–literally! He turns and finds himself face to face with the glorious King of Heaven revealed in all His might and majesty.

The vision (1:13-16) must have been unfathomable. Talk about sensory overload! The King of Heaven radiates light from top to bottom. His face shines like the sun in full strength, His feet like burnished bronze. His eyes are aflame, so penetrating that those who look into them know that they see far deeper than just the exterior, they peer into the very heart and soul of a man. His voice carries the weight and thunderous roar of mighty seas, wind tossed and crashing upon the shore. And the ocean-like tempest of the words that proceed from His mouth immediately divide John’s soul and spirit, piercing his joints and marrow, discerning the thoughts and intentions of his heart, just like a two-edged sword.

So what to do when your natural senses are overwhelmed by supernatural revelation?

When I saw Him, I fell at his feet as though dead.   (Revelation 1:17a ESV)

Yup. Seems like the right thing to do. Seems like the ONLY thing to do when standing toe to toe with the glorified Christ.

He is Lord and we are but lowly slaves of the kingdom. He is majestic, we are but monuments of His grace. Before His high and holy presence, we can only be humbled. And if there was nothing else but to lay before His feet in awe-filled fear and wonder, nothing but to stay facedown in His holy, holy, holy radiance, that alone would be privilege beyond privilege and blessing beyond imaginable blessing. But it’s what the King of Heaven does next that so grabs my attention and imagination this afternoon.

But He laid His right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the First and the Last, and the Living One. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.    (Revelation 17b-18 ESV)

John falls on His face. Not worthy to even look upon the radiant Son of Man before him. And Jesus reaches down and touches him. The One who created all things by His hand, lays His hand upon His creation. The One who upholds all things by the power of His word, speaks words of comfort and encouragement to an individual man exiled to a remote island. And He says, “Fear not.”

He touches John. He speaks to him and him alone. And I am captivated by the reminder that the Son of Man never ceases being the Great Shepherd. That He is the One who, even in His risen glorious majesty, reaches down to make contact with a faithful servant and says, in effect, “Be still. Don’t be struck with paralyzing fear. Instead, know the intimacy that is available through your reverence. Know the abiding that is yours because your eyes have seen the glory.”

What is there to fear when at the feet of Jesus? He is the First and Last. He is the conqueror of death, the risen Author of Life, the holder of the keys to death and hell. If He is for us, then who can be against us? If He is standing in the midst, then why tremble at what’s around us?

Instead, turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face.

And then, fall on your face in wonder and worship . . . and wait for the touch of His hand . . . and  listen for the sound of His voice.

And fear not.

All because of the grace shown to man. All for the glory due alone to God.

 

Posted in Revelation, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Blessing in the Beholding

Posted on November 25, 2015 by Pete

Promise fulfilled already! I’m only eight verses in. And what the Word says would happen, has!

Began reading Revelation this morning, the book with a promise (1:3). Blessed, it says, is the one who reads aloud the prophecy (I’m claiming the promise for those who read it silently too). Blessed are those who hear it. Blessed are those who keep it. How come? For the time is near. And whatever else might lie in this promised blessing, just to be quiet for a few minutes, and be reminded that the time of Jesus’ return draws near, is a source of calm, anticipation, and extreme joy.

Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him. Even so. Amen.   (Revelation 1:7 ESV)

Amen AND Amen!

Behold! See! Have a look! Close your eyes and imagine His coming with the clouds.

He is the One who said to His disciples, “Let not your heart be troubled . . . In my Father’s house are many rooms . . . I go to prepare a place for you . . . And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also” (read that too this morning in John 14:1-3). See Him. He who is “the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth,” coming to receive His own (1:5a).

Behold Him and know again that He “loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood” so that He might make us a kingdom of priests to His Father (1:5b). He is coming with the clouds. It’s going to happen.

And in just that brief reflection, there is blessing. In just that reminder, heaven’s wind of calm descends to still, if but for a moment, any raging sea we might know within. To just turn our eyes to the sky and consider, “Perhaps today!” has a way of re-energizing the inner man, of rekindling the hope, of renewing the faith.

I remember, somewhere in the distant pass, someone saying that the church is never more alive than when it lives under the shadow of the imminent return of Christ. Even if He doesn’t come in our lifetime, just knowing He really could has a way of putting a bounce back in our step, a light back in our eye, and a hunger back in our belly for the things of the kingdom. Knowing that every eye will see Him increases the desire for our eyes to see Him. It elevates the anticipation of that day when we will see Him face to face. When faith gives ways to sight. When we shall behold Him!

Revelation’s a book with a promise. A promise fulfilled, at least in part, within the first couple of paragraphs because it shifts our focus. From ourselves to His glorious appearing. From our circumstance to His coming kingdom. From our horizontal world to His vertical reality.

There’s blessing in the beholding.

Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.   (Revelation 1:4b-6 ESV)

Behold He is coming! To Him be glory indeed!

 

Posted in Revelation, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Keeping Ourselves in the Love of God

Posted on November 24, 2015 by Pete

Jesus was confident that His sheep were safe. That those who heard His voice, believed in His name, and were brought into His fold would have eternal life and would never perish (John 10:28-29). If the Father had given His Son these sheep, then no one, and nothing, could snatch them from His hand.

Paul had the same confidence. Writing to the Romans, Paul is pretty sure, as in certain beyond any doubt, that nothing is able to separate the child of God from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. “Neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation” (Rom. 8:38-39).

So Jude’s words kind of jump off the page this morning when he writes, “keep yourselves in the love of God.”

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.   (Jude 20-21 ESV)

Nothing can separate us from the love of God, yet we are to keep ourselves in the love of God. So what’s that about?

It’s NOT ABOUT us maintaining our salvation. Not about us having do do something in order to retain God’s favor. For if it was, and if we failed, then Paul would be wrong–something or someone could separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.

No, it’s not about us doing something so that what God has done won’t somehow be undone. Instead, in a world that grows increasingly dark around us, with circumstances that can weigh more and more heavily upon us, and with a “here and now” that can relentlessly try to take our eyes off of our “there and then,” Jude says in effect, “Keep taking practical steps to remind yourself of your positional reality.”

Practical steps like building ourselves up in our faith–something we do with other believers. Practical steps like praying and engaging heaven’s ear–something we do with the Holy Spirit. And practical steps like waiting for the end of the salvation wrought by His mercy and grace–something we do with an eye to the sky, knowing His return is soon.

Building, praying, waiting . . . all ways of keeping.

Keeping ourselves in the love of God. Guarding the truth that we have been loved by the Son, just as the Son has been loved by the Father (John 15:9).

Loved with an everlasting love. Loved with an uninhibited love–so uninhibited the Son humbled Himself to death, even the shameful death of the cross. Loved with an adoptive love, evident by the Spirit who leads us to cry, “Abba Father.” Loved with an exalting love, even lifting us up and seating us in the heavenlies. Loved with a consummating love, realized fully when the Bride stands before her Bridegroom, presented in the glory and splendor not of her own-making, but of His work in her through the eternal power of the cross, the eternal presence of the blood, and the eternal promise of His love.

These things are true always. Ours is to remain in them daily.

His love is forever. Mine is to keep myself in it today.

Possible because of grace. Desirable for His glory.

Posted in Jude, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Showdown

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Pete

“Throwback Friday” . . . rerunning some thoughts from 2011 . . .

I really don’t remember the last time I watched one of those classic westerns where the guy in the white hat takes on the guy in the black hat.  Where, on some dusty, deserted main street the two stand mere paces from each other in a final showdown.  They look each other in the eye . . . the “bad guy” confident he can draw his six shooter faster than the one before him . . . the “good guy” KNOWING he can.

John 13 marks the beginning of the end.  Jesus knows that “His hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father” (13:1).  And what kind of grabbed me this morning is the manner in which the Spirit through John clearly identifies the “behind the scenes” spiritual dynamics . . . the fact that there was about to be a once-for-all-eternity cosmic showdown . . .

At one end of the street is the devil — diablos, the enemy of God, the prince of darkness, the ruler of this world.  And his “behind the scenes” work is that he has already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus (13:2).  The MSG says, “The devil by now had Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, firmly in his grip, all set for the betrayal.”  Lucifer, fallen angel of God, could see his plan coming together.  The Pharisees’ were already determined to put Jesus to death (John 11:53) and with Judas’ indignation at Mary’s costly act of worship and Jesus’ rebuke (John 12:3-8), Satan had the opening to “enter his heart” .  . . to load the final bullet in the chamber.  It was really all that the devil had hoped for, his plan was falling into place, the Son of God would soon be his.  Satan had the power of death at his disposal and soon he would draw his weapon and take out the Holy One.  Or so he thought.

Facing His enemy, eye to eye, Jesus of Nazareth.  God manifest in flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, soon to be taken up in glory (1Tim. 3:16).  Jesus, “the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see.” (1Tim. 6:15-16).  Jesus, the meek and lowly, in the upper room with “His own” . . . loving them to the end (13:1) . . . garment laid aside, his robe girded about Him, towel in His hand, kneeling before mere mortals, washing their feet.

Oh, Satan gleefully anticipated Jesus’ end . . . certain that he had Him right where he wanted Him . . . “Oh,” Satan thinks, “If He only knew what’s coming . . . ”  But John tells us that Jesus did know.  Jesus knew His hour had come (13:1).  He knew that just as He had come from the Father He would soon be returning (13:3).  He knew that, though the cross awaited Him, so did victory . . . that He would triumph in this cosmic showdown.

Jesus knew that just as “the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil” (Heb. 2:14).  He knew that soon He would disarm the powers and authorities, making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross (Col. 2:15) . . . that He would die, be entombed, and three days later rise from the dead as the absolute, undisputed Champion of God — returning to the Father having completed the work He was sent to do.  Game . . . set . . . match!

Jesus knew it then . . . and I know it now.  Oh, the victory I share in today because the One robed in white defeated the one who commanded death.  The devil is defeated . . . death is defeated . . . sin no longer has dominion.

Jesus knew the hour had come . . . that it was “high noon” . . . that this world wasn’t big enough for the two of them . . . and, obedient to the Father’s will, He gave of Himself, as the ultimate sacrifice . . . as the death-defeating “shot” heard throughout eternity.

Praise You, O’ Savior!!  “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Cor 15:57).

All through abounding grace.  All for God’s eternal glory.

Posted in John, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Able to Rescue!

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Pete

It must have been a pretty impressive sight. The burning fiery furnace, big enough to hold multiple full size adults, glowing red hot as it was heated to seven times its normal temperature. And in it, four men walking in the midst of the fire. Astonishing, not just that they were unscathed by the raging fire around them and were moving about, but that there were four of them–for only three had been delivered to the flames and to what should have been certain death. But four there were. And four remained untouched by the furnace. And then the three emerged. The hair of their heads unsinged, their cloaks not harmed, not even a hint of the smell of the fire upon them. The evidence was irrefutable–the fire had not had any power over the bodies of the three men.

Like I said, a pretty impressive sight. An “all glory to God” sight as the king who had sentenced them to the furnace now looked beyond the men delivered from the flames and realized something about the God who had delivered them.

Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants, who trusted in Him, and set aside the kings command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. . . . for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.”   (Daniel 3:28, 29b ESV)

And I’m hovering over that last phrase this morning . . . “there is no god who is able to rescue in this way.”

And I’m thinking, Nebuchadnezzar, you ain’t nothing!

For sure, no god could rescue from the flames as did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s God. But their’s was but a warm up act (pun intended).

These three were already devoted to God. They had already determined to remain faithful to the Almighty and were ready to lay down their lives for the King of Heaven. Makes sense to fight the flames on their behalf.

But what about those who are indifferent to God? Or those who shake their fist at the Almighty? Or those who stand in opposition to, and are counted enemies of the King of Heaven. Can they be delivered from the eternal flames of hell? Can they be freed from their bondage to sin? Can they be rescued from themselves? Is there a god who can rescue in this way?

My God is able to rescue!

And He rescues through the Fourth Man. The One who saves, not from afar, but by entering the arena of the flames. Experiencing the heat as any other man would, yet without blemish or spot. Giving Himself to the flames of judgment on behalf of those He comes to save. Delivering unscathed those who put their faith and trust in Him.

What’s more, not only are those who are rescued delivered from the flames, but they emerge as new creations. Not who they were . . . not what they were. The Fourth Man replacing spiritual deadness with eternal life. Exchanging sin-stained cloaks for His own robe of righteousness. Replacing hearts of stone with hearts of flesh. Making blind eyes see and deaf hears hear. Converting enemies of God into children who cry, “Abba, Father!”

Is there a god who is able to rescue in this way? Only my God!

Able to rescue? Yes He is. So testifies one who has been delivered from the flames . . . one who has been extricated from the furnace . . . one who has been made new . . . one who, by God’s grace, desires to give God glory.

All praise and honor to the God who is able to rescue.

Amen?

Posted in Daniel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment