A Lump for His Glory

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Pete

That they had problems in Corinth is evident. That they had such problems as described in chapter five, is a bit disturbing. Sexual immorality, and of a kind, says Paul, “that is not tolerated even among pagans.” Rather than dealing with the sin in their midst, they boasted of it. I don’t think they boasted in a way that condoned the sin or promoted it . . . but boasted, I’m thinking, of the degree of grace that they thought they were showing to this wayward brother. But what they failed to recognize was that he was sin-infested and that they needed to “Purge the evil person from among you” (5:13).

It was not intended to be an act of retribution, but an act intended for his restoration and redemption . . . that the one who had embraced such sin, might, through being put out of fellowship, come to his senses and return to the cross and seek the cleansing power of the blood. But beyond the intention of such action towards the “sick sheep,” it was also intended for the welfare of the flock, the entire congregation. For, says Paul again, “Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?”

Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?  Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.    (1Corinthians 5:6-8 ESV)

A lump . . . that’s what the church is likened to here . . . a new lump . . . an unleavened lump.

Next Sunday, Lord willing, our church family will gather around the Lord’s table. We will quiet ourselves and reflect again on the love of God shown to a lost world through the cross. We’ll take the bread and the cup in remembrance of the One who came to offer Himself as the atoning sacrifice for all sin. We’ll recall that the Son of God entered into His creation in order to be slain as the spotless, undefiled, Lamb of God . . . shedding His blood for the remission of sin. We may call to mind again the power of the blood as first foreshadowed on that night of deliverance from Egypt . . . that where the blood was applied, the angel of death would pass over. Maybe we’ll reconnect the dots between the Lord’s supper and the Passover feast . . . both celebrations of deliverance.

And just as the ancient Israelites were to observe the Passover with unleavened bread, the church is to seek to celebrate the Lord’s Supper with the “unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

Unleavened . . . free from sin’s replicating agency. Dealing with intentional and habitual sin. Desiring sincerity and truth.

Not perfection . . . for our perfection is found only in Christ. Not without stumbling . . . for we are called to restore brothers and sisters who are “tripped up” in a fault (Gal. 6:1). But, where there is a premeditated predetermination toward sin, “the lump” needs to deal with it . . . otherwise the leaven expands, permeating more and more of “the lump.”

There is connection between Christ’s finished work and how Christ’s “in progress” people are to conduct themselves. He gave Himself for our us . . . we, by His grace, seek to preserve ourselves for Him.

A lump . . . a new lump . . . an unleavened lump . . . a lump for His glory.

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A Careful Builder

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Pete

Anyone who knows me knows that I am the furthest thing from being a handyman. The tools I possess fit into two small drawers . . . and that’s twice the space needed to contain my skills as a builder and fixer of things. My idea of a construction project is putting together IKEA furniture. Most of the “power” stuff we own is because my wife has bought it and uses it. Nope . . . nobody’s gonna mistake me for a master craftsman . . . at least not when it comes to physical stuff. But I’m reminded again this morning that, in the spiritual realm, I possess a “workshop” . . . and have been provided with some “tools” . . . and been graced with some skills . . . so that I might build upon the foundation of my salvation, Jesus Christ. And that mine is to be a careful builder.

According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw–each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. (1Corinthians 3:10-15 ESV)

Paul says the foundation has been laid and now, “each man must be careful how he builds on it” (NASB). It’s not about “if” I build I on it . . . it is only about “how” I build on it. It’s not like I can say, “Good enough. I’m saved now . . . I’ve got my ‘fire insurance.’ I don’t want anymore Christianity than what I have. I’ll hold right here.” No, Paul says that, as believers, we are building on the foundation and we need to be careful how we’re doing it.

Our handiwork will become clear . . . there will be “the Day” when we stand before Jesus and He’ll examine and test the quality of what we’ve built upon the foundation of our salvation. What kind of materials did we use? . . . . gold, silver, precious stones? . . . or wood, hay, and straw? The fire will test our work. For some, our work will stand up and endure . . . for others, it will be burned up. For some, we will receive reward . . . and for others, they “will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames” (NLT). That is the reality of the Christian life . . . saved by the grace of God . . . placed firmly on the foundation of Jesus Christ . . . asked to build upon that foundation for His glory.

That’s the deal . . .

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10 ESV)

It’s not about earning salvation . . . it is about living out our salvation . . . growing up in Christ . . . showing the reality of the difference God’s grace makes . . . embracing being the temple of God, inhabited by the Spirit (3:16) . . . wanting to build up that temple that He might be exalted.

So . . . while you will never see “the house Pete built” on some piece of land on this earth, I do hope to present to the Lord, on that Day, that which I’ve built upon the foundation of Christ.

I desire to be faithful with the tools He has given me . . . to be a careful builder.

By His grace alone . . . for His glory alone . . .

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Good to Be Near God

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Pete

You kind of sense that the songwriter of the seventy-third psalm has hit the wall. Whatever’s been going on around him . . whatever’s been happening to him . . . it has him at the point where he sets his feet, crosses his arms over his chest, looks heavenward, and cries, “Enough already! What’s the point?” He’s at the breaking point . . . “my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped” (v.2). As he looked around at a world gone crazy, he caught himself wavering . . . “I was envious of the arrogant” (v.3). In a boisterous self promoting fashion, those who mocked God grew in riches . . . they “set their mouths against heaven” . . .and yet they seemed to “always be at ease.”

The divinely inspired lyricist didn’t get it. When he compared his faithfulness to their folly . . . when he saw their increase while all he was getting was more and more indigestion . . . he wondered if in vain he had kept his heart clean and his hands innocent, “for all day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning” (v.14).

He was unable to focus . . . he was losing his grip . . . until he “went into the sanctuary of God” (v.17) . . . and realized anew that it was good to be near God.

Nevertheless, I am continually with You; You hold my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. . . . But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.  (Psalm 73:23-26, 28 ESV)

That’s where perspective is regained . . . in the holy place . . . at the foot of the ark . . . where the glory of God rests. When our eyes are diverted from what’s going on around us to the One who reigns above us . . . when, instead of trying to live by this world’s playbook, we look to His counsel as our guide . . . when we stop going to the “junk food” of this world for sustenance and again feed on the presence and power of God as our portion . . . when we realize afresh, by His grace, that it is good to be near God . . . then, is our equilibrium reestablished.

James says that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us (James 4:8). That’s what I need to do when my world starts spinning a bit . . . draw near to God. Enter again into His sanctuary. Be still again and know that He is God. To feel again His touch as I’m reminded that He holds my right hand. To know again the thoughts He has for me. To see again His majesty . . . and to recount again His great works. To know afresh the goodness of being near the God who has invited me into His holy presence . . . through the blood of Christ, the Lamb of God . . . and by the continuing intercessory work of Christ, our great and faithful High Priest.

No place I would rather be, than in the cleft of the Rock. No path I would rather be on, than the one that leads to Him receiving me in glory. No passion I would rather know, than that of desiring Him and Him alone.

But for me it is good to be near God . . .

Yes, it is!

By His grace . . . for His glory . . .

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The Power of God

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Pete

You just know that the situation in the church at Corinth was complex. It was complex because of the pagan culture and norms they had grown up with prior to being “called into fellowship with His Son.” Complex because they were “not lacking in any gift” and yet, weren’t sure how to steward the abundant grace that God had poured out on them. Complex because of different allegiances to different preachers and teachers that allowed schisms to simmer in their midst. Complex because of a lack of maturity in how to apply the grace found in the new life to the problem of sin still evident in the old man. The list goes on and on. These people had issues! So where does Paul begin as he seeks to address the many issues in the church of Corinth? He begins with the power of God.

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. . . . we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
(1Corinthians 1:17-18, 23-24 ESV)

Paul begins with the folly of the cross . . . the power of God for those who are “being saved.” Their issues were complex . . . but the key to unraveling them and working through them was to begin with the cross . . . and Christ crucified . . . the power of God.

How often we see the cross only as something associated with our past . . the means by which we WERE SAVED. When, as Paul reminds these issue ridden believers, we need to return to the cross, again and again, believing it is also the power of God as we are BEING SAVED.

We can get caught up in our spiritual disciplines . . . can surround ourselves with our favorite internet preachers . . . consume ourselves with making use of our spiritual gifts . . . but if we lose sight of the power of God for salvation, we run the risk, just as the church of Corinth did, of having all the right stuff but going in the wrong direction.

There’s something humbling about the cross. A reminder that, apart from God’s loving determination to redeem us, we would have been helpless to rescue ourselves. That, apart from God’s grace, our sin was more than great enough to eternally bar us from knowing His presence. That, apart from the spotless Lamb of God giving His life for us and imparting His righteous nature to us, we would be powerless to walk in the way of the kingdom we’ve been called into. “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (1:31).

The good news of the cross. It’s not about eloquent words or even things that make sense to a lost world. But, for those to whom God has given ears to hear, it is the power of God for salvation . . . the power to enter into new life . . . the power to navigate new life.

We’ve all got issues. So where do we start? O’, may God continually draw us to the cross . . . and it’s finished work. May He lift our heads to the risen Christ . . . and His glorious person.

For His glory . . .

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No One Like Him

Posted on March 25, 2014 by Pete

He was the right man, at the right time, for the right job. Sentenced to death at birth, he was rescued by godly parents and a well-connected foster mother. Growing up as a son of worldly privilege, he chose “rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin” (Heb. 11:25). While he was prepared to stand with God’s people, he wasn’t too crazy about standing BEFORE God’s people . . . happy to part of the team, but wasn’t naturally inclined to be at the front of the parade. But being on a “face to face” basis with the God of creation has a way of emboldening a man . . . and engaging a man . . . and enlisting a man. And so, Moses led the people out of Egypt . . . and through the wilderness . . . and to the edge of the land of promise. And, while he would not be permitted to enter the land . . . though he would die an untimely death on the “one yard line” . . . God moves someone to pick up the pen . . . and to write the epilogue to Deuteronomy . . . and to record for all the ages . . . no one like him.

And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.   (Deuteronomy 34:10-12 ESV)

No one like him. No other prophet had the same level of connection with the God of revelation. For many, their inspired words were as much a mystery to them as they were to their listeners. But Moses had “four bars” on his phone. No, Moses didn’t need a phone . . . he met with God face to face . . . the tabernacle their meeting place . . . God’s man interacting with God’s glory. And the glory shone . . . on Moses . . . and through Moses. Had ever such a deliverer been known? Had ever such a deliverance been witnessed. Nope. No one like him.

Not until Jesus!

Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses–as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a Son. And we are His house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.   (Hebrews 3:1-6 ESV)

Moses was but part of the house . . . Jesus, the Builder. Moses was a favored servant of God . . . Jesus, the blessed Son of God. Jesus is the greater Moses.

Sentenced also to death at birth, His Father protecting Him through the obedience of a godly carpenter and a virgin mother. Growing up in the world of stale religious rite, He instead introduces “new wine” which would burst the old wineskins. Though a King, yet He came, meek and lowly, to serve others and offer His life as a ransom for many. And in so doing, He conquered sin and death . . . leading His own exodus, for as many who believed, out of the bondage of sin. And though He too experienced death, He rose again . . . ascending into heaven . . . that all who would follow Him, might be now seated together with Him in heavenly places . . . and might one day cross over to be with Him in His heavenly kingdom.

No one like Him! Amen?

To God be the glory . . .

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Gospel Offerings

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Pete

So often . . . perhaps most often . . . we think of salvation in terms of how it benefits the recipient. Believe that Jesus died for your sins and you will be forgiven. Confess that Jesus is the Son of God, come to redeem men and women, and you will be born again. Receive the good news and you will be sealed with the Spirit of adoption, becoming heirs of the promise . . . and joint heirs with Christ. All true. The benefits of salvation are these and many, many more. But, as I was reading in Romans this morning, a phrase caught my attention that reminded me of another benefactor of the the gospel. Our God. He who delights in gospel offerings.

I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.  
(Romans 15:14-16 ESV)

“The priestly service of the gospel of God” . . . “that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable” . . . that’s what’s got me thinking.

Apparently Paul’s choice of words here is pretty unique . . . like only here. While he often refers to himself as a minister or a servant, here’s the only time he uses a word which alludes specifically to the work, or ministry, of the priesthood. The service of presenting offerings before the Lord . . . the work of bringing sacrifices to God that would ascend as a sweet smelling aroma. That, he says, is a dimension of his call to preach the gospel to the Gentiles . . . that they might be an acceptable offering to God.

Now, it may not make for the best gospel preaching to invite people to come “Just as I am” . . . so that they might be offered on the altar to God “just as they are” . . . maybe not a word picture best suited for those new to the faith. But to think that God is also a benefactor of salvation kind of triggers the awe-o-meter . . . to noodle on the idea that He delights in gospel offerings.

Our salvation, founded in the offering of Christ as the once for all atoning sacrifice of sin, results in the offering of the redeemed as the fruit of the gospel that they would be “presented” to God as His people . . . “a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1Peter 2:9). Bought with a price, we are no longer our own . . . therefore we are to glorify God in our bodies (1Cor. 6:19-20). We were wooed to Christ through the Spirit of grace that we might be betrothed to the coming Bridegroom as His beautiful bride . . . given wholly to Him and to Him alone.

That those rescued from sin and death might be a gospel offering . . . acceptable to God.

Paul delighted to be part of presenting such offerings.  Might we too present such offerings . . our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, as our spiritual act of worship (Rom. 12:1). And, according to His calling and grace, might we also engage in the priestly service of the gospel . . . knowing that our God delights in gospel offerings.

O’ the wonder of the multifaceted dimensions of the gospel of our salvation.

To Him be all glory . . .

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Rip!

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Pete

Was he a bit bummed that he was on duty that day? Did he know what was happening outside and really wanted to be there, watching what the Sanhedrin was doing to Jesus, rather than being here, offering up the evening incense in the holy place . . . standing just this side of the curtain which veiled the ark and the Most Holy Place? As he tended to the duties of the temple, was he distracted by thoughts of the “offering” that was taking place outside the city? I don’t know.

But what I do know is that this lowly priest heard something and saw something that made his jaw drop.

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. (Matthew 27:50-51a ESV)

The Son of God hung upon a cross. The Lamb of God offering Himself as the once for all sacrifice for all sin, for all men, for all time . . . the Author of Salvation declaring the work finished (John 19:30) . . . the Author of Life yielding up His spirit, committing it to His blessed Father (Luke 23:46) . . . and then, He breathed His last. And as He did, a lowly priest . . . in an empty temple . . . going through his religious routine . . . beheld the way into the Holy of Holies opened up.

Was his back turned at that moment? Did he hear the “Rip!” before he swung around only to see the thick curtain hanging to each side? Did it cause him to recoil in horror as that which was to only be encountered by the High Priest was suddenly laid bare in open view? Once he realized he was still alive and standing before the Most Holy Place, did he go facedown as the place where the glory resides was opened before him?

Once he realized that he had been exposed to the ark . . . once he processed that he was looking upon the mercy seat . . . after the initial shock of encountering that of which he had only heard of . . . did he think to myself, “Did I do that? Did I do something wrong? Is God angry?” Or, as he looked upon the reality of that which had only been a shadow before, did he sense that something new was coming down?

Again, I don’t know But I wonder. What would it have been like to have been that guy . . . on that day . . . at that precise moment when access into the presence of God had been made available to all men?

It’s something I can take for granted being this side of the cross. But for that dude, he heard the “rip!” . . . he was there for the unveiling . . . he was the first to stand before the throne of grace.

While the crowd gazed upon the lifeless body of the Christ, this guy looked upon the glory of God. While those before the cross thought, “This is done” . . . he who stood before the cherubim might have wondered, “What’s this leading to?” As that Roman centurion, filled with awe, whispered, “Truly this was the Son of God!” . . . this Jewish priest, filled with equal awe, might have uttered, “Truly this was an act of God!”

The curtain of the temple was torn, from top to bottom. Hear the “rip!” . . . behold the glory! Hallelujah!

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that He opened for us through the curtain, that is, through His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near . . .   (Hebrews 10:19-22a ESV)

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Heaven’s Rider in the Desert

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Pete

Some people just believe that they are too good to be doing certain things. Things they won’t do . . . places they won’t go . . . people they won’t associate with . . . just because of how important, or powerful, or elevated they see themselves as being. Such is not the nature of my Jesus. Though He is Creator . . . He humbled Himself and entered His creation. Though He is LORD . . . He came not to be served, but to serve others. Though He is King of Kings . . . He subjected himself to earthly authorities that He might bring the good news of a kingdom to come. Such is my Jesus. He is Heaven’s Rider in the Desert . . . just like His Father.

Sing to God, sing praises to His name;
    lift up a song to Him who rides
        through the deserts;
His name is the LORD;
    exult before Him!
O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God;
    sing praises to the Lord, Selah
to Him who rides in the heavens,
    the ancient heavens;
       behold, He sends out His voice, His mighty voice.    (Psalm 68:4, 32-33 ESV)

The contrast caught my eye. My God, the One who “rides in the heavens” (v.33) is also the God who will ride “through the deserts.” The heavens referring to His rightful abode . . . His high and holy habitation. The desert, a reference to His willingness to descend into the wilderness in order to lead His people out of bondage and into a promised land. He sent not an angel, but He, Himself, was the cloud by day and that pillar of fire by night. The High and Holy God of eternity, touched down on earth in order to rescue a people He claimed for His own. That is the nature of our loving and gracious God.

And, like the Father, so is the Son.

My reading plan also has me in the latter portion of Matthew . . . the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus. There too, I see Heaven’s Rider in the desert.

And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head and put a reed in His right hand. And kneeling before Him, they mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they spit on Him and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they stripped Him of the robe and put His own clothes on Him and led Him away to crucify Him.
(Matthew 27:28-31 ESV)

One day heaven will be opened and He who rides a white horse will be seen in all His glorious majesty (Rev. 19:11-16). But first, He resolved, in complete obedience to the Father, to ride through the desert. He who was rich, became poor . . . He, before whom angels bow, allowed Himself to be the object of mocking derision and sarcastic honor by mere men . . . He who is the Author of Life, humbled Himself unto death, even death on a cross. He rode through the desert that He might make way for our rescue and redemption. Like Father, like Son.

All praise and glory be to Heaven’s Rider . . .

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On Being Hot

Posted on March 19, 2014 by Pete

Romans 12 marks the shifting point for Paul from the doctrinal to the intensely practical. Paul begs the Romans, in light of all he has taught them — in light of all they know to be true of sin and faith and redemption and the gospel and God’s grace — to present their bodies as living sacrifices (12:1). And then Paul goes on to teach on “Practical Christianity 101.”

In my Bible the heading before verse 9 says, “Marks of the True Christian.” And within verses 9 through 21 there are a series of “short snapper” commandments concerning Christian conduct such as, “Let love be genuine” . . . “Love one another with brotherly affection” . . . “Be constant in prayer” . . . “Bless those who persecute you” . . . “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” . . . “Repay no one evil for evil” . . . “Live peaceably with all” . . . “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” And in the midst of these “short snappers” is the exhortation to be “fervent in spirit” (12:11).

Now “fervent” isn’t the most common of words . . . not in my everyday conversation, nor in my Bible. It’s found only twice in my ESV New Testament. The original word apparently has the the idea of “boiling with heat” or “to be hot.” So, the encouragement is to “be hot, be boiling hot, in spirit.” It’s contrasted against “being slothful in zeal” and so, it’s about possessing zealousness. The idea then, I think, is about being passionate for the things of God and for service to the Lord. Kind of an interesting inclusion in this list of commands aimed at getting us to live the “true” Christian life.

I wonder if sometimes we think that passion is kind of an optional “bonus” for a Christian. That it is more of a “DNA thing” . . . part of the way some people are wired . . . a natural characteristic . . . rather than something that should be nurtured and cultivated in obedience to our call in Christ? So, what do we think of a command that says, “Be passionate! Be on fire! Be hot — boiling hot — in spirit!” How do you do that?

I’m thinking it’s a combination of the will . . . the Word . . . and the way the Spirit works within us.

The will . . . do I WANT to be passionate about my Lord, about my faith? As my brother said to me many years ago shortly after we were both saved, “Pete, I don’t want to be a spark . . . I want to be a flame!” I think it’s got to start with a desire to be hot . . . a longing to be boiling hot for Christ . . . even if I’m not a passionate person by nature. Not that we can manufacture passion or fervor . . . but that we desire that it be manifest within us.

And I don’t know how we get there without it involving the Word. I can’t think of anything that jazzes me more then when God illuminates my understanding through my reading of His word or through listening to the preaching of His word. Even the most chilled person can be transformed by the renewing of their mind through the inspired word of God. The Bible is the fuel for the fire . . . the more we take in . . . the more He allows us to know the depths of His wisdom . . . the more intense the flame is bound to become.

And that’s because of the way the Holy Spirit works in us.  He is the active agent who takes truth and produces heat. He is the Energizer of my spirit. When God’s Spirit connects with my spirit then my temperature . . . my passion . . . can’t help but go up.

Be fervent in spirit. Be hot. Be boiling hot. It might seem to be kind of a strange command at first . . . but then I think of Jesus words in Revelation, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.” (Rev. 3:15) There it is again . . . the word “hot” taken from the same root word as “fervent” . . . “I wish that you were hot,” Jesus says.

Me too, Lord!! I desire a fervency for the things of Your kingdom. I trust You to fuel the fire by Your Word. I seek to yield to Your Spirit that He might ignite within me a passion for serving You.

By Your grace . . . for Your glory!

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Innocent Blood

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Pete

Two words. Two words that are pretty easy to race past as you try to get through your morning’s reading plan. But two words that arrested me this morning . . . and reminded me this morning . . . of the glorious nature of the One who came to fulfill the Father’s will and thus, make way for salvation for as many as would believe.

I don’t really spend much time at all meditating on Judas. But as I think about him this morning, he wasn’t the only disciple who had a personal agenda . . . he wasn’t the only one who had a hard time trying to figure out this “passive Messiah.” He wasn’t even the only one who denied Christ. But he was the only one who betrayed Jesus. He was the only one that Satan found an open door to . . . that the enemy was able to exploit in order to demonstrate his derision for the Son of God. And he was the only who took his own life . . . because he had betrayed innocent blood.

. . . when Judas, His betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself.   (Matthew 27:3-5 ESV)

I can’t imagine the horror experienced by Judas after he had come to his senses and realized what he had been part of. Or the depth of conviction that crushed his whole being as he came to a full realization of what the chief priests and elders intended to be done to the One Judas had followed for three years. But in his desperate act to somehow clean his hands of his part in it all, the Holy Spirit uses his pitiful plea to the religious elite as an eternal testimony of the nature of the Lamb God.

Innocent blood. Not guilty of any crime . . . no basis for guilt before men . . . none before God. A man deserving of “no penalty.” Holy . . . spotless . . . without blemish. Jesus was a man of innocent blood.

Judas’ testimony is a credible testimony. Having been with the Teacher from Nazareth for three years . . . having witnessed him in public . . . having been with him in private . . . he knew the Man . . . he had every opportunity to see Him in all situations . . . Judas knew Jesus intimately. And when the enveloping dark clouds of his greed and self-serving nature cleared a bit, he would look upon the One who had been berated, spit upon, and beaten and know, at the depths of his heart, that this was innocent blood.

And yet, He who knew no sin would be made sin for us (2Cor. 5:21).

The righteous and holy Son of God would willingly shed His innocent blood that those deserving Judas’ outcome might be rescued. That the price would be paid for their sin . . . that restitution might be made for their crimes against God . . . that reconciliation might be possible for those who had also turned their back on the God who made them . . . that redemption might be possible for those sold into the slavery of sin and death.

We were bought with the innocent blood of the Christ . . . that we might be born again to participate in the righteous nature of the Christ.

What unfathomable love of the Father . . . what amazing grace shown to those He desires as His children.

Praise God for innocent blood . . . and our glorious Savior!

Amen?

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