There Is a River

Posted on November 12, 2013 by Pete

You know, I think my annual trip through Ezekiel is bearing some fruit.  Not that I “get it”  . . . but I do think I’m, at least, becoming more familiar with it.  The imagery isn’t as “out there” as it once was . . . the “storyline” (such as it is) of Ezekiel’s various prophecies is becoming clearer.  However, there’s still a fog that hovers over Ezekiel.  I haven’t really connected all the dots of his prophetic visions . . . and probably won’t unless I determine to take some extended time to dive deep.

But this morning as I continued reading the latter portion of the book, Ezekiel’s vision of a future temple, something grabbed me.  Now some say Ezekiel’s vision should be understood literally (probably my leaning) and speaks of a temple during the Millennial reign of Christ.  It is a rebuilt, re-commissioned, re-inhabited by the glory of God, fully-functioning temple of God.  Others, according to my study Bible, interpret it more symbolically . . . indicating something of God’s presence among the church, the living temple of God . . . or, of God’s presence among His people in the new heavens and new earth.  Regardless of the interpretation, what set my mind in motion this morning was the fact that, from that temple, there is a river.

The first part of Ezekiel 47 says that from the temple, the place of God’s dwelling, there emerges a trickle of water (47:1-2 ESV).  And as Ezekiel is led to follow this issue of water from the temple, about every quarter mile (1,000 cubits) he is led through the water to experience its depth.  At the first checkpoint it is ankle deep . . . next time he is led through the water it is knee deep . . . when he next steps into the water it is up to his waist as he wades through it . . . as he hits the 1.2 mile mark he is unable to enter the river . . . “it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through” (47:5).

And wherever the river goes it is teeming with life (47:9) . . . and on the banks there grows “all kinds of trees for food . . . their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail.”  These trees bear fresh fruit every month because they are watered with the flow from the sanctuary . . . their fruit good for food . . . their leaves able to be utilized for healing.

And as I read this, the words of Jesus came to mind . . .

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.  Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”  Now this He said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive . . . (John 7:37-39a  ESV)

There is a river flowing from the temple of God.  As individuals, our bodies are temples (1Cor. 6:19) . . . as a called-out gathering of God’s people, corporately as the church, we comprise “a dwelling place for God by the Spirit” (Eph. 2:22).  And where God’s glory resides, there is a river.

Though it might start as a trickle, its flow increases.  What began as something we felt we could dip our toe into, becomes something that we long to dive into and become enveloped by.  It is the flowing river of living water, the blessed Spirit of God.  He is the source of life . . . from Him all fruit is borne . . . the outpouring of the glory of God through those whom God inhabits.

O’ praise God there is a river.  That I might wade into it more fully . . . that I might drink of it more deeply . . . that I might swim in His grace more completely . . . that through me His glory might be seen more clearly.

Amen?

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Test the Spirits

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Pete

I’m thinking this morning of the marketplace of ideas available to the believer.  Everything from full volume books . . . to concise and targeted blogs . . . to 140 character tweets.  Or, if reading isn’t our thing, then we can wire ourselves to audio feeds and subscribe to any number of podcasts . . . or, if we need the visual link to stay focused, we can “go video” and stream endless teachers onto our screens.  This is brought to mind as I continue reading through John’s letter.  Surely, given the number of voices vying for a place on truth’s stage, believers have never had more cause to heed John’s exhortation to test the spirits.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.  By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. (1John 4:1-3a  ESV)

While, as believers, we shouldn’t necessarily have a critical spirit, we should possess a critical eye . . . a fine tuned sense of discernment . . . a well calibrated radar that picks up error.  And at the core of that calibration is the person of Jesus Christ.  The litmus test for truth is where one stands on the person and work of Jesus, the Messiah.

Jesus Christ has come in the flesh . . . speaking of His deity, God manifest in flesh . . . Immanuel, God with us.  Come in perfect holiness . . . no spot, nor blemish.  Come in perfect submission . . . focused solely on the Father’s will.  Come to be the once for all sacrifice . . . come as the Lamb of God sent to atone for the sins of the world through the shedding of His blood.

Come to be the firstborn from among the dead . . . with power to lay down His life and to take it up again . . . resurrected on the third day.  Come to ascend into heaven . . . our victorious Savior . . . our perfect High Priest . . . to ever make intercession for His own.  Come to come again . . . even now preparing a place for His own . . . patiently waiting the fulfillment of His promise to gather His own to Himself.

“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (Matt.16:13)  That’s the test.

And our “error sensors” grow dull if we are not pursuing the Christ who has come in the flesh . . . if we are not continually abiding with the Son who is one with the Father . . . if we are not feeding on His Word . . . if we are not seeking first His kingdom.

In the midst of all the voices, that God’s people would test the spirits.

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

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Take Away the Stone

Posted on November 8, 2013 by Pete

Technically, I don’t think it was necessary.  After all, if Jesus could trump death, He could easily have opened a door.  But He didn’t.  Instead He relied upon others to take away the stone.

Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it.   Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”  Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.”  Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”  So they took away the stone.  (John 11:38-41a  ESV)

The stage was set.  Each of the sisters had come to Jesus in their sorrow . . . the crowd had witnessed the degree to which Jesus was moved at their sorrow . . . they had seen Jesus weep . . . they still couldn’t figure out why He hadn’t shown up sooner to do something . . . and now, they watched as He approached the tomb where Lazarus lay.  And then, He says what no one expected to Him to say, “Take away the stone.”

What!?!  Really?  He’s been dead for four days.  His spirit has surely departed by now . . . and his flesh has begun to decay.  You want us to do what?  “I want you to believe,” replies Jesus, “that you might see the glory of God.”

Taking away the stone was an act of faith.

Sure, Jesus could have spoken to that lifeless rock, just as He would soon speak to Lazarus’ lifeless body, and it would have levitated and gone wherever He commanded it.  Or Jesus could have said nothing at all and Lazarus could just have magically appeared behind the crowd . . . sans grave clothes . . . fair skinned and without a blemish.  But instead, Jesus required an act of faith that they might encounter the glory of God . . . take away the stone.

And it’s got me thinking.  Sometimes we need to take away some stones, open some doors, in order to know God revealed.  We need to proceed by faith, even when we don’t quite know what the Master’s about to do . . . or, if He’s about to do anything at all.  We need to do what we can, and trust He will take care of the rest.  It’s not that Jesus needs us . . . but that He wants us to trust Him.

Taking away the stone was an act of faith.  They wouldn’t have moved it had Martha not asked them to .  . and Martha asked them to because she believed.  They wouldn’t have risked defiling themselves if they weren’t willing to submit themselves to Jesus’ authority . . . and they submitted to His command because they believed.  And they wouldn’t have heard Him speak, “Lazarus come out” . . . wouldn’t have seen the man who had died exit the grave . . . if they hadn’t exercised their mustard seed of faith and opened the door.

Technically, I don’t think it was necessary.  Practically, it was the path to experiencing the glory of God.  Sometimes, He just wants us to take away the stone.

Amen?

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What To Say When You Don’t Know What To Say

Posted on November 7, 2013 by Pete

In addition to the anguish of losing her brother, it must have been very confusing for poor Martha.  They had sent for the Master but He had not come . . . at least not in time.  When Jesus did arrive He engaged her in a conversation more suited to her sister.  Mary, after all, was more of the theologian . . . the academic . . . the student who sat at Jesus feet listening to His teachings.  Martha was the practical one . . . most likely to gravitate to serving than sitting (Luke 10:38-42).  But Jesus engaged her in conversation.  And, while it may have been a bit heady for her, especially given her grief, Martha knew what to say when you don’t know what to say . . .

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”  Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”  She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
(John 11:23-27  ESV)

I think Martha may have been a bit overwhelmed by the conversation.  Her brother was dead . . . she was mourning . . . Jesus had somehow missed it . . . and now He wanted to capture a teachable moment for her?  She knew the theory of the resurrection . . . what she was dealing with was the reality of death’s devastation.  But Jesus wanted to draw her focus to Himself . . . that He was the substance behind the theory . . . that He is the resurrection and life.

Kind of heady stuff perhaps . . . especially if you’re in the fog of grief and mourning.  Perhaps a bit much to take in . . . dying then living . . . living and never dying.  I can imagine her head spinning a bit.  But then she caught the question, “Do you believe this?”  And though I wonder if she wasn’t quite all that sure exactly what THIS meant, she knew what to say when you don’t know what to say.

Yes, Lord . . . . I believe.

Sometimes, that’s the best we can come up with.  We don’t understand the why’s of the situation . . . we’re reeling as we ride an apparently out-of-control roller coaster of emotion . . . the promises from God’s word have to battle to get to the forefront of our thinking.  In those times, when we don’t know what’s going on . . . when we don’t quite know how to respond . . . when we don’t know what to say . . .  in those times, sometimes all we can say is, “Lord I believe.”

I believe You’ll never leave me or forsake me . . . I believe I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me . . . I believe that nothing can separate me from Your love . . . I believe that all things work together for good for those called according to Your purpose . . . I believe that, through my trials are painful, that through them You are continuing Your work of conforming me into the image of Your blessed Son.  Yes Lord, I believe.

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

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A New Prognosis

Posted on November 6, 2013 by Pete

You get the sense that John understates the gravity of the situation when he writes, “a certain man was ill” (John 11:1).  Whatever had overtaken Lazarus, it was serious enough that his sisters sent word to Jesus.  The gravity of his health situation was such that they knew they needed the Great Physician’s intervention if their brother was to pull through.  It had become clear that their brother’s prognosis was not good . . . that given the possible outcomes, recovery or death, death appeared to have the edge.  But Jesus saw in the situation a third outcome . . . another ending that wasn’t on anyone’s radar . . . a divine consequence arising from this natural tragedy.  Jesus offered a new prognosis . . . the glory of God.

So the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, he who You love is ill.”  But when Jesus heard it He said, “This illness does not lead to death.  It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”  (John 11:3-4  ESV)

No one’s looking for trials . . . we’d just soon avoid “bad stuff” . . . but reality is, we all encounter it.  Even when we have the diagnosis, often we still can’t help but ask why?  There’s no apparent cause and effect . . . not like I did this and that happened.  Sometimes THAT just happens.  And sometimes the outcome of THAT is uncertain, at best.  The prognosis isn’t known . . . or isn’t good.  But, for the child of God, there is a set of outcomes that we can align ourselves and our futures to . . . the glory of God.

When the unexpected happens . . . when control is lost . . . when desperation sets in . . . when the outcome is up in the air . . . there is one scenario that the believer can align to . . . one end result that we can aspire to . . . one prognosis that we, in our crazy, roller-coaster trials can be certain of, if we believe . . .  that He would be glorified through it.

Jesus said to her, “Did not I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”  (John 11:40  ESV)

In Mary and Martha’s case the “natural outcome” was a supernatural event . . . the raising of Lazarus from a tomb in which he had been buried for 4 days . . . a miracle which attested to the Jesus’ claim as Messiah.  And while many believers have also known the divine intervention of the Healer, just as many have not . . . but still there has been a supernatural outcome.  It is the peace which passes understanding . . . it is the assurance of God’s abiding presence through His indwelling Spirit . . . it is the clarity of vision concerning things to come, things not of this world.

There is a new prognosis for those who believe . . . an outcome from the way we live  . . . a result from the way we suffer . . . a life-transcending legacy even in the manner in which we cross death’s dark vale . . . that, by the grace of God, in all things we would bring glory to God.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.  Do you believe this?”  She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”  (John 11:25-27  ESV)

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Abiding In His Grip

Posted on November 5, 2013 by Pete

There is, in a sense, a tension that exists with our salvation. On the one hand, our salvation is wholly a work of God (John 1:12-13) . . . on the other, we are told to work out our salvation (Php. 2:22). God has called His own to Himself . . . but we are invited to come to Jesus. God has declared His people to be a holy nation (1Pet. 2:9) . . . and yet, we are commanded to be holy, as He is holy (1Pet. 1:15). We know that it is by faith alone in Christ alone that we are declared righteous in Him . . . but we are also exhorted to make every effort to supplement our faith so that we will not be “ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2Pet. 1:5-8). This morning, as I read in John’s gospel and in his first letter, I came across another example of this dual aspect of my salvation . . . it’s kind of like abiding in His grip.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.     (John 10:27-20 ESV)

Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He made to us–eternal life. . . . And now, little children, abide in Him, . . .     (1John 2:24-25, 28a ESV)

I am saved by an iron fist. Having, by His grace, heard the Shepherd’s voice, I am now firmly in the grip of the Savior’s hand. Having believed in His finished work on the cross, I am now secure in the grasp of Him who created the heavens and earth . . . who declared me a new creation in Christ . . . who began a work in me which He has promised to complete. Nothing can separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:38-39) . . . no one can snatch me from His hand. I am secure in His grip.

So it’s done, right? Sit back and relax? Ticket’s punched, just waiting for the ride home? Uh, not quite.

While it’s true we are to rest in His finished work, we are not to be complacent. In fact, because of our secure place in Christ, we are to lean into Him . . . to dwell with Him . . . to remain in Him. We are to abide in His grip.

As sheep who have heard the Good Shepherd’s voice, we are to feed on the words spoken to us. As we chew on the wonderful truths of our salvation and drink deep of the Spirit who illuminates the reality of His glorious workings in us, we long to draw near to the Shepherd . . . we hunger and thirst for the things of eternal life which are ours in Him. We snuggle in, as it were, and pursue the sweet fellowship made available to us.

His grip is firm . . . our desire is fixed. He will hold on to us . . . we will cling to Him. Given the choice of anywhere else to be, we would choose only to be found in the palm of His nail pierced hand.

Oh, the blessed rest of knowing that no one is able to snatch us from the Father’s hand. Oh, the blessed pursuit of drawing near and abiding in intimate communion.

By His grace . . . for His glory . . . let us pursue abiding in His grip.

Amen?

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A Man of All Ages

Posted on November 4, 2013 by Pete

In his gospel, John refers to himself, four times, as the disciple “whom Jesus loved.” Not that John didn’t think Jesus loved His other followers, but that John KNEW that Jesus loved him. It was John who reclined near to Jesus at the table when they ate . . . John who was among the circle of confidants that Jesus entrusted the witness of His transfiguration. John knew, firsthand, what it was to be close to the Lord. And in writing his first epistle, he desires that his readers know the same depth of fellowship. What John had seen and heard he proclaimed, “so that you too may have fellowship with us” and, by the way, “our fellowship is with the Father and with the Son” (1John 1:3). And in describing that depth of fellowship John says, in a sense, it comes through being a man of all ages.

I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for His name’s sake.
I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, children, because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.    (1John 2:12-14 ESV)

Depth of fellowship is realized when we know the reality of being children, and of being mature adults, and of being vigorous youth . . . when, in a sense, we’ve known the reality of being a man, or a woman, of all ages.

Depth of fellowship is known when we are as wide-eyed children in awe of our salvation. The forgiveness of sins gripping our hearts afresh as we consider anew what it cost the Son of God that our debt might be paid in full . . . when we remember that we were helpless to remedy our lost condition but apart from a God of abundant grace who rescued us solely for His name’s sake . . . when the Spirit moves us to cry “Abba Father” as we reflect again on our blessed privilege of being adopted into His forever family and declared children of God. Sometimes the deepest fellowship is known as we still ourselves, remember the essence of our salvation, and simply whisper toward heaven, “Wow! Thank You Father. Thank You, Lord Jesus.”

Depth of fellowship is known when we have put a few spiritual miles under the belt and, like fathers, mature people of the faith, have come to know, experimentally know, the One in whom we have believed and have become “convinced that He is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me” (2Tim. 1:12). There’s something about looking back on the pilgrim path tread so far and recounting the faithfulness of God. To look, as it were, at the altars of stones erected along the way where you knew the presence of God . . . where you encountered the power of God . . . where you realized the promises of God. There’s a “grey-haired” wisdom born from having run the race and fought the fight that makes the fellowship deeper . . that makes the communion sweeter.

Depth of fellowship is known when, like young strapping combatants, we’ve done a round or two with the adversary and have known the “thrill of victory” through the living and active two-edged sword of God (Heb. 4:12). I’m getting further and further from “young” and “strapping” . . . more like “old” and “sagging” . . . but there is an inner vitality that remains from having proven God faithful as we’ve known what it is to stand firm in the strength of His might. Putting on the whole armor of God . . . learning to wield the sword of the Spirit, the word of God . . . wrestling not with flesh and blood yet prevailing by His power and grace . . . is the stuff of young men and women in Christ. Young, not necessarily in age, but in vitality . . . a vitality born through the indwelling Spirit of Christ.

It’s when I engage with the things of the kingdom as a child in awe of the Father’s saving adoption . . . and as a man of experience, wisdom, and depth of working knowledge concerning the Founder of my faith . . . and as a youth in the prime of spiritual conditioning ready to go a round or two, in the power of His might, . . . that fellowship with the Divine is known in its fullness and my joy is made complete (1John 1:4).

A man of all ages . . . by His grace . . . for His glory.

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A Proud Heart

Posted on November 1, 2013 by Pete

I don’t often directly associate myself with many of the prophecies in Ezekiel. Oh, where the light of God’s promises peeks through the darkness of God’s judgment, I might find myself associating with the people of God, but, for the most part, I’m not connecting with the nations who God calls out for destruction. But for some reason, this morning something in the prophecy against “the prince of Tyre” stood out. I need to search my heart . . . but, I don’t think the Spirit’s bringing it to my attention in order to convict me of sin, but rather to remind me and warn me of a trap. One of those things Paul speaks of when he says, “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1Cor. 10:11-12). This morning I’m taking heed of the danger of a proud heart.

Tyre must of been some nation. It would seem to be have been an economic powerhouse. My Bible dictionary says that “the commerce of the whole world was gathered into the warehouses of Tyre” (Easton). They were merchants of the sea . . . and everyone who was anyone wanted to do business with them (Ezek. 27:12-25). Successful? I’m guessing. Evidenced in their bank accounts . . . evidenced in their physical presence. But as I read chapter 28, Ezekiel’s prophecy against the Prince of Tyre, their Achilles heel is revealed . . . pride.

Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, Thus says the Lord GOD: “Because your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of the gods, in the heart of the seas,’ yet you are but a man, and no god, though you make your heart like the heart of a god . . . by your great wisdom in your trade you have increased your wealth, and your heart has become proud in your wealth . . . Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor.   (Ezekiel 28:2, 5, 17 ESV)

Had it all . . . but believed in it too much. Had wisely and adeptly navigated their way to the top . . . but decided to usurp the throne. Their storehouses were full of treasures . . . and their hearts became full of pride.

Proud because of their wealth . . . proud because of their beauty . . . so proud that they said, “I am a god.”

And it causes me to pause. How easy is it to get caught up in our “successes?” What’s the danger that our treasures become our testimony rather than just a stewardship? How prone can we be to surrounding ourselves with “nice things” so that we might be elevated in the estimation of others? Though we would never purposefully and overtly assert ourselves as gods . . . is it possible to get a little god-like in our attitudes?

How I need to guard against pride in wealth . . . guard against pride in beauty or appearances . . . guard against pride taking up residence in my heart.

What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?   (1Corinthians 4:7 ESV)

Oh, that there would be no boasting in the blessings of God save in the boast of His abundant grace. That our hearts would not become puffed up with what we think we have accomplished . . . that our hearts would not become fixed on that which we think is ours. But that our “successes” would be seen as His favor . . . our possessions would be seen as but His call to faithful stewardship. But that God would be given the glory for whatever our state and that our boast would be in Him and Him alone.

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.   (Galatians 6:14 ESV)

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Bottom Line Theology

Posted on October 31, 2013 by Pete

I probably shouldn’t find as much pleasure in it as I do . . . but I do! The Pharisees are going nuts! And I love it! There’s a blind guy seeing standing in front of them. He’s the talk of the town. Neighbors of this guy, who had been blind from birth and had grown up next door, can’t get over it. The many who had encountered him as the blind beggar on the street corner can’t believe their eyes as he now walks about unaided exclaiming, “Look at that! Oh, and look at that! Wow, unbelievable . . . look at that!” In fact some of those who used to know him as the blind beggar won’t believe it, saying, “No, it’s not the blind guy . . . just someone who looks like him.” And to those people the former blind beggar keeps looking them in the eye saying, “I am the man!” (John 9:1-9) And . . . it’s driving the Pharisees nuts. Because for all their learnedness . . . for all their high and holy smarts . . . for all their self-serving explaining of the word . . . they can’t refute his bottom line theology.

The blind-from-birth guy’s neighbors know it’s a miracle . . . the blind beggar’s former customers know it’s a miracle . . . and so they bring the seeing blind guy to those who should understand miracles the best, their religious leaders. But what gets in the way of the miracle for them is who did it. Jesus. And so, rather than let the miracle speak to them, they judge the authenticity of the Miracle-Worker.

They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, “He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for He does not keep the Sabbath.”    (John 9:13-16a ESV)

Get their reasoning? Hmmm . . . spit-mud made on the Sabbath . . . saliva-clay rubbed on someone’s eyes . . . told to go and wash the goo off of his eyes . . . sounds like some work went on here . . . done on the Sabbath . . . we’re not supposed to do work on the Sabbath . . . hmmm . . . nope . . . ain’t a miracle.

So, John writes, they didn’t believe that he had been blind and received his sight. Must be some mistake. Let’s verify that this guy who grew up blind his entire life was REALLY blind . . . not just kind of blind . . . bring us his parents. And they ask his folks two questions: 1) Is this your son, who you say was born blind? 2) If so, then you tell us how he can now see. It’s almost comical. But the seeing blind guys parents don’t find it too funny . . . in fact they’re pretty uncomfortable with it all. Any hint that they believe Jesus made their blind boy see could mean excommunication (9:22). So they answer the first question, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind,” and they dodge the second, “Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself” (9:20-21).

And then it get’s kind of ridiculous. The Pharisees look into the crystal clear eyes of the blind man . . . and the blind man’s eyes look directly back into their’s darkened by pride and arrogance . . . and they say, “Give glory to God . . . tell us that the one who healed you is a sinner.” In effect they’re saying, give glory to God by denying the power of God. Give glory to God by aligning the way of God to our self-seeking understanding. And then, this blind guy seeing comes back with some understanding of his own . . .

So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.” He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”   (John 9:24-25 ESV)

BAM!!! Game, set, match! You smart guys who have been studying your way to the top can’t figure out what’s going on here . . . I’ve been staring into darkness for my entire life and hanging out on street corners to make a living and I now what’s going down . . . though I was blind, now I see. And that, my friends, is bottom line theology.

Many things I may not still understand. All the pieces are still being put together. Still leveraging grace pretty heavy to align earth-dictated reality with heavenly-founded promises. But at the end of the day . . . or, in this case, at the beginning of the day . . . I can sit back and say, “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”

And I know who gave me sight . . . Jesus, blessed Jesus. Regardless of how we dot our theological i’s or cross our doctrinal t’s . . . one thing I know . . . now I see.

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

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Complete Joy

Posted on October 30, 2013 by Pete

Who doesn’t want joy? Who doesn’t covet some gladness of heart? I think people like to smile . . . they like cheerfulness . . . they like to know a spirit that is lifted up. In our world we have entire industries devoted to trying to bring people joy . . . charities whose purpose is to bring joy . . . really, no end to the avenues designed to cheer people up. But as I start in on 1John this morning, I’m reminded of the source of true joy . . . authentic joy . . . full joy . . . complete joy.

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life–the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us–that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.    1John 1:1-4 (ESV)

Two words, each repeated twice, jumped out at me as I read this passage this morning. I’m suggesting that they are part of the dynamics which result in complete joy . . . manifestation and fellowship.

The life, says John, was made manifest. John and his contemporaries had the privilege of directly encountering the Word of life . . . of rubbing shoulders with God incarnate . . . of breaking bread with the Light of the World. The Creator came to His own and revealed Himself to those with hears to hear and eyes to see. He who was the Source of eternal life and was with the Father made Himself known . . . allowed Himself to be “handled” . . . openly conveyed the heart of God and mind of God and the way of God to as many as would receive it. And in that manifestation, in that revelation, they experienced joy.

And so, says John, we testify to it and we proclaim it that others might know also the dynamic and the joy.

Jesus still manifests Himself today. He is revealed through the “behind the scenes” work of the Holy Spirit who convicts men of sin and leads them to a righteousness by faith alone in Christ alone. The Word of Life is also made known through the written Word. Whether it be the shadows of one who would do battle with the enemy in Genesis 3 . . . or the prophesied Lamb of God in Isaiah 53 . . . or the record of those who lived when He lived . . . or the teaching of him who encountered the resurrected, ascended Christ on the road to Damascus, . . . from cover to cover the Bible makes known the Son . . . the Holy Spirit illuminating the text and making manifest the Christ. And, Jesus is made manifest in and through His people . . . something about encountering authentic followers of Christ that points to Someone beyond themselves . . . to the One who lives inside of them. Complete joy comes when Christ is manifested.

And too, there is fellowship. John wrote so that others might join them in entering into an intimate communion with the Father and with the Son. By faith and, again, through the enabling agency of the Holy Spirit, there is a very real community to be known with the Divine. Perhaps one of those things that is better felt than tell’t . . . but real nevertheless. A real communion known when we “go into our closets” and seek our Father who sees in secret . . . a vital fellowship when we gather with other believers as the temple of God within which His glory resides. A fellowship known in good times . . . a fellowship so precious in difficult times. And in that fellowship, in that communion, there is joy . . . complete joy.

Manifestation and fellowship . . . complete joy!

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

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