His Wish List

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Pete

Christmas shopping . . . what to get . . . trying to figure out “the perfect gift” . . . it can be very difficult sometimes. That’s why many people, including our family, leverage the “wish list” approach. While some may think it lacks creativity, it’s a great way of knowing what someone would like as a gift . . . in fact, sometimes the reaction to opening the surprise present is, “Right off the list!” That’s a good thing. Does Jesus have a wish list? Well . . . kind of . . .

There is something very engaging about John 17 . . . something that really draws you in as you “eavesdrop” on this tender prayer of the Son to the Father . . . maybe because it’s kind of about you. Things are about to start to unravel very quickly for the Son of Man . . . the beginning of the march to the cross is but a few steps away . . . and so, Jesus prays for His disciples and, not “for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word” (v.20) . . . uh, that would be us. And Jesus prays for unity . . . unity among believers . . . unity of believers with the Father and the Son . . . that “the world may believe that You have sent Me” (v.21) . . . that the “world may know that You sent Me” (v.22) . . . unity that produces a testimony of the saving grace of the Father through the Son. But what really grabbed me this morning is what Jesus desired . . . what He, in a sense, wished for . . .

“Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, may be with Me where I am, to see My glory that You have given Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.”   – Jesus’ Wish List   (John 17:24 ESV)

Jesus prayed for unity . . . Jesus desired proximity. Jesus asked for oneness, that the world my might see His redeeming love . . . Jesus delighted in the thought of closeness, that His children might behold His heavenly glory. What’s on Jesus’ wish list? If I’m reading this right, He wants us to be with Him as much as we want to be with Him. Does anyone else find that a bit mind stretching?

Jesus . . . He who was before the foundation of the world . . . He who made all things, “and without Him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3) . . . He who “upholds the universe by the word of His power” (Heb. 1:3) . . . this same Jesus, in the hour before His greatest trial, looks towards heaven and says, “Father, I wish for them to be where I will be.” I get that we want to be with Him . . . I am amazed that He wants it as well.

What manner of King is this? That He would divest Himself of His inherent glory so that He might walk among His subjects. That He might submit Himself to His enemies so that He might die for His people. That He might, on the night before His death, express His desire less to rule over His own but that His own might enter into His glory. O’ what a Savior!

Is it too ego-centric to chew on the thought that I am on Jesus’ wish list? And, in so doing, consider afresh that it’s not because of who I am . . . or what I done? Nope, nothing in me that merits such favored desire of Him who is the Light of the World. But I meditate on this desire of Jesus as another indicator of the depths of the love of God . . . I sit back in wonder at the grace of God and the extent of the unmerited favor He wants to pour out on all who believe.

Maybe I’ll never look at a wish list the same way again . . .

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh . . . Come, peasant, king, to own Him . . . The King of kings salvation brings . . . Let loving hearts enthrone Him!

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In the Midst

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Pete

A couple of mornings ago, as I read the Revelation to John, I was grabbed by how often the Risen Christ is recognized and regarded as the Lamb. It seems, that for eternity, we will not have very many “degrees of separation” between the wonders of heaven and eternity and the realities of the cross and Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice made on earth. What grabbed me this morning, as I read in chapter 7, is also how often the throne is mentioned in John’s amazing vision. A quick count on my e-concordance shows 29 references to “the throne” in these 22 chapters. . . and 7 of those occurrences are in this chapter . . . check out who’s where in relation to the throne . . .

First, there is God ON the throne. We know that from Revelation 5 . . . in chapter 7 “God who sits ON the throne” is being worshiped. The eternal Sovereign is seated in majesty and authority . . . a throbbing chorus of angelic voices declaring, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty!” The One who is ON the throne is the focal point of heaven. He sets the tone of heaven . . . He defines the essence of heaven . . . He is heaven.

And then, John sees “a great multitude . . . from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” standing BEFORE the throne (v.9). These are those who have come out of the horrors of the great tribulation with a saving faith, having “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (v. 14). These are believers and they are positioned BEFORE the throne . . . they are opposite the One seated on the throne . . . they are in front of Him who dwells in unapproachable light (1Tim. 6:16) . . . and I imagine they are gazing, experiencing, interacting with the glory of God Almighty. They worship with loud voices BEFORE the throne extolling the praises of the God of their salvation.

Surrounding this worshipping throng are “all the angels” and they are standing AROUND the throne. They shroud the seat of God’s glory with their magnificent presence . . . for angels long to look upon the evidences of the dynamics of God’s wondrous salvation (1Peter 1:12). Though the throne is the center of attention, I imagine these angels AROUND the throne beholding the multitude BEFORE the throne. One set of God’s creation beholding another set that, having free will, have been brought to believe in the redeeming grace of God . . . by the Spirit of God . . . through the Son of God . . . for the glory of God. These angelic beings AROUND the throne marvel at the amazing grace of God who sits ON the throne as evidenced by the people of God BEFORE the throne.

And finally there is One is IN THE MIDST of the throne . . .

For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.    (Revelation 7:7 ESV)

Ok . . . so I get that heaven isn’t a spatial place . . . but this stretches the mind a bit. God is ON the throne . . . the redeemed are BEFORE the throne . . . the angels are AROUND the throne . . and the LAMB is IN THE MIDST of the throne. He is in the middle . . . He is at the center of it all . . . you don’t see the throne and not see the Lamb. And I know the throne isn’t a “double seater” so I’m left to understand that He is inseparable from God ON the throne. He is the focus of the Father’s affection . . . He is the source of the angel’s wonder . . . He is the catalyst of the redeemed’s worship. The Lamb is IN THE MIDST . . . the Lamb and God are one.

You don’t see God without seeing the Lamb . . . you don’t behold the glory of God without beholding the Lamb . . . you don’t worship God without worshiping the Lamb. Am I getting the implications of what it means that the Lamb is IN THE MIDST?

O’ what will be to be BEFORE the throne . . . to be aware of the angels AROUND the throne . . . but to be solely focused on Him who is ON the throne . . . and to say “Thank you” forever and ever to the Lamb IN THE MIDST of the throne?

Gloria in excelsis Deo! . . . Glory to God in the highest! . . . Amen?

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No Other Plea

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Pete

You got to feel sorry for Job. To have known the loss of everything owned and loved as he had known . . . to have suffered through the pain of his bodily afflictions as he suffered . . . to have agonized through the endless debates of “You’ve sinned and thus suffer” vs. “No I haven’t, just let me talk to God and I’ll prove it” with his so-called “comforters”. The “why?” question permeates the book. We know the “why dynamics” because we have the insight given to us in Job 1 and 2 . . . but while Job went through all this he didn’t have a clue.

This morning I read Job 31, Job’s final volley in his on-going debate with his friends. And what’s insightful about this passage, I think, is what is presented as Job’s final attempt to justify himself, to prove that he doesn’t deserve God’s discipline and judgment. And as I read this, it presented itself as a pretty good list of what my life would need to look like if I too were to try and be like Job . . . to try and be blameless, upright, fearing God, and shunning evil. (Job 1:1, 8, 2:3) . . . (by the way . . . I ain’t no Job!)

If I lived like Job . . . I’d make a promise with my eyes to not look lustfully at a young woman (31:1) . . . I wouldn’t walk in falsehood or deceit (31:5-6) . . . I’d fight any temptation to be drawn to another man’s wife (31:9) . . . I would treat those who work for me well (31:13-14) . . . I’d be mindful of the poor and the fatherless and those who need help because they can’t help themselves (31:16-21) . . . I wouldn’t place my worth, hope, or confidence in my wealth, nor regard myself as so great that I “kiss my hand”, for this would be “false to God above” (31:24-28) . . . I wouldn’t even rejoice at the destruction of my enemies but would treat all with dignity and respect (31:30) . . . and I would show hospitality to the stranger (31:31-32) . . . and I would not be a hypocrite and try and hide my sin as I bow to peer pressure (31:33-34).

Pretty impressive list, I’d say. Job 31 sets a pretty good standard for righteous living. And I believe that Job did all this, and maybe more . . . for he was a blameless man, an upright man, a man who feared God and shunned evil . . . God declared it Himself . . . three times.

But as I read this list this morning, I am so thankful that my justification before a Holy, Holy, Holy God is not dependent on how well nor how perfectly I match up to the “Job standard” . . . that my works are not the basis for my justification and my righteous standing before God. But “my work” was to have believed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God . . . to believe that He came to earth to die on a cross as the Lamb of God for the atonement for my sin . . . to believe that on the third day He arose from the dead in victory over sin and death . . . and to believe that all those who believe in Him should not perish in their sin but be declared justified and righteous and have everlasting life. My “accomplishment” was to have responded with the faith given me to the grace shown me concerning my need and His eternal provision for that need.

My standing this morning is not based on who I am . . . or what I’ve done . . . but in Whom I have believed . . .

“. . . for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from God.”   – Jesus     (John 16:27 ESV)

Praise God that my right standing before heaven this morning is not dependent on me living like Job . . . but on me having believed like the disciples. That it’s not dependent upon my works, but upon Jesus’ finished work on the cross. That it’s not about me entering into debate as to what I’ve done to prove I’m righteous, but upon a humble declaration that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost” (1Tim 1:15).

I have no other plea . . . than Jesus died for me. Amen?

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Behold the Lamb!

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Pete

Often we Christians will talk of what it will be like to behold Christ in heaven. We try to imagine what it will be like when we no longer “see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face” (1Cor.13:12). Sometimes we’ll close our eyes and ask the Spirit to place but a drop of heaven upon our tongues so that we might taste, here and now, something of the reality that awaits us there and then. What will it be like to look upon Jesus? What will we see? How will we process it? How will we respond? Will we see the King? Will we bow before the Light? Will we hear in “real time” the Shepherds voice? I’m thinkin’. But, if the Revelation to John makes any thing clear, it’s that we will behold the Lamb.

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.” And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain . . .   
                                                                              (Revelation 5:5-6a ESV)

The One introduced as the Lion of tribe of Judah . . . the One who is identified as the Root of David . . . the foundation and substance of the royal line . . . He who is King of Kings . . . when this One was beheld by John’s eyes, John saw a Lamb . . . a Lamb as though it had been slain.

Isn’t that kind of remarkable? In the vision John had of Christ when he was on the island, he saw the Ancient of Days . . . he beheld the glory of the Sovereign Judge . . . his senses tried to process the majestic sight of Him who walks among the churches. But when John is transported beyond earthly realms and escorted through the portal of heaven and encounters the risen Christ again, he sees a Lamb.

Don’t quote me on this . . . but doing some quick math with my handy-dandy Bible concordance it looks like Jesus is referred to as “the Lamb” or “a Lamb” some 32 times in the ESV New Testament. Only 5 of those references are outside the book of the Revelation to John. So that leaves 27 references to the risen Christ as the Lamb as John encounters heaven and is given a vision of concerning what is to come. It seems like, for eternity, we will never be far removed from the cross and One who paid the price for our redemption.

Oh the wonder of the Triune God. That they, in their Sovereign determination, would determine, before time began, that the Son would be the Lamb. That Jesus would play a role for just 33 years . . . 33 years is not even drop in the ocean of eternity . . . a role with which He will be identified forevermore. That the greatest event to ever occur on the earth will be immortalized for eternity in heaven. The Lamb, a continual memorial of the sacrifice . . . the Lamb, a forever tribute to the love of God . . . the Lamb, a never ending catalyst for awe and worship.

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!”    (Revelation 5:11-12 ESV)

O’ that we might renew, or for some, that they might start, this heavenly activity of beholding the Lamb of God. That we would behold the Lamb even as we look upon the manger . . . that we would behold the Lamb even as we give and receive gifts . . . that we would behold the Lamb as we experience the joy . . . that we would behold the Lamb, the One who was slain . . . that men and women believing, might be possessors of eternal life.

Behold the Lamb . . . by His grace . . . for His glory!

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The Rhythm of Heaven

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Pete

Trying to follow along with John the Revelator as he is caught up to heaven by the Spirit (Rev. 4). Through the Word, and with the help of my resident Teacher, I’m trying to see what he saw . . . to take in what he took in . . . to behold what he beheld . . . perhaps, in some small measure, respond as he must have responded. And one thing that captured my attention is that I don’t think heaven will ever go silent . . . that there will always be a continual rumble creating a type of ambient sound that will just be there . . . that there will be a 24/7 (though in heaven there is no 24 nor any 7) background chorus that our ears will become attuned to. but never tired of . . . that there will be, pulsating for all eternity, the rhythm of heaven.

And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”   (Revelation 4:6b-8 ESV)

The first thing that catches John’s eye as he enters the door of heaven by the Spirit of God is a throne and the One seated on the throne. The appearance of the One who inhabits the throne is more light and color than it is features and form. And, it seems, there is constant activity about the throne . . . flashes of lightning . . . rumblings and peals of thunder . . . torches burning . . . and twenty-four elders moving back and forth between sitting on thrones they inhabit and going facedown in worship before the One in their midst. And around the throne, on each of its four sides, there are four magnificent creatures. Six-winged angelic beings . . . and theirs is to sustain this rhythm of heaven.

Day and night . . . without ceasing . . . without intermission . . . not needing to catch their breath from time to time . . . with no thought of “changing it up” so that it doesn’t become stale . . . they set the backdrop for life around the throne . . . their focus is singular . . . their message is simple . . . their declaration never growing common place . . . their voices never becoming hoarse . . . as they cry, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”

Can you hear the rhythm of heaven? It’s not “white noise” intended to go unnoticed in the background . . . but I imagine it is the heartbeat of life in the presence of God. Underlying all the activity amidst the throne . . . creating the perfect backdrop for worship before the throne . . . in perfect harmony with all the songs being directed towards the throne . . . the rhythm of heaven sustains an ever-present, majestic rumbling worthy of Him who sits on the throne.

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty” . . . it is the character of God . . . it is the context of heaven . . . it is the call to worship.

O that I might hear the rhythm of heaven. That I might be even more attuned to it this busy, busy season. That I might hear it in the stable as I gaze in wonder, with the shepherds, upon the Christ child. That it might reverberate as I remember that the babe in the manger became the Carpenter on the Cross such that the Holy, Holy, Holy God of heaven might atone for the sin that separates the defiled from His presence. That the rhythm would peak to crescendo as I consider that He who came once in humble flesh will one day come again in magnificent glory to reign forever.

Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty . . . Who was . . . Who is . . . and Who is to come!

Can you hear the rhythm of heaven?

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The Living Dead

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Pete

Zombies . . . the living dead . . . I understand that, in some circles, it’s all the rage. I haven’t really paid much attention to “the genre” . . . but even without knowing anything about the movies and games, to talk of “the living dead” has a way of conjuring up kind of disgusting images and unpleasant implications. Not a term we would necessarily connect with the church. But that’s exactly what I read this morning in Revelation 3:1-5.

Jesus tells John to write to “the angel of the church in Sardis”. And this letter doesn’t start off with “Hi, how are you?” It doesn’t even start the way some of the other letters to the churches do with some form of commendation for the good stuff that’s happening in their midst. Instead, Jesus gets right to the point . . .

“I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.”    (Revelation 3:1b-2 ESV)

It seems that people who encountered the church at Sardis came away with an impression that this was a “happening church” . . . that things were alive in their meetings . . . that this must be what Christianity is about. But Jesus . . . “He who has the seven Spirits of God” . . . He who knows all things . . . the Head of the church says, I know your works . . . I know what’s keeping you busy . . . you are dead.”

What a tragedy!!! For a fellowship of Christians to be so busy, yet so dying from the inside-out. Maintaining the good show . . . feeding their reputation as an alive Church . . . but under the covers there’s decay and death . . . their reputation is a sham before the living Word, the Discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb. 4:12). It’s not about how others assess how “good” our church is . . . it’s all about how our Lord assesses our gathering.

Sometimes we can get “so fancy” with what we think our meeting together needs to encompass that we forget what really defines us and what the “One who walks among the churches” is really interested in. It’s not just about what we’re doing but how we’re doing it. It’s about the heart behind the programs . . . the reality behind the messages . . . the motives behind the motions. Openness . . . honesty . . . that’s what God’s people need before His Son, the Great Shepherd of the flock . . . a candid assessment against the Word of God . . . and, if and as necessary, repentance.

In contrast to Sardis, I then read about the church at Philadelphia in 3:7-13. No rebuke here . . . only encouragement to keep on keeping on even though they are being hammered by those who say they are Jews but are really of “the synagogue of Satan” (v.9). This is a group with “little strength” but who have kept Jesus’ word and have not denied His name (v.8). Faithful . . . that’s what marks Philadelphia . . . Faking It . . . that’s what marks Sardis.

How do I want my Christian life to be assessed . . . as putting on a good show . . . or as putting on a real faith?

And so, the risen Lord says to the living dead, “Wake up!” He can say that . . . and for those who have ears to hear, stuff happens. Dead come alive . . . truly alive . . . fully alive . . . more alive than when they were alive. He is the Resurrection and the Life . . . He is the Raiser of the Dead . . . even of those who maybe have been going through the motions . . . playing church . . . putting on a good show but with little substance. He will give life . . . ours is to return to the Life Giver.

O’ to be an alive church . . . by His grace . . . and for His glory. Amen?

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Let It Rain!

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Pete

There’s a principle that runs throughout Scripture which Paul states clearly in Galatians 6:7, “whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” It’s the law of the harvest . . . it’s the way of action and reaction . . . of cause and effect. The principle jumped off the page in my reading in Hosea this morning. Israel was reaping the result of their spiritual adultery as their cheating on God resulted in increased depravity and hardness of heart. Though God was willing to take back his “unfaithful wife”, even prepared to buy her back from the market of sin’s slavery, she persistently rejected the call and continued to sell herself to others. And so she invites the wrath of God . . . the bad fruit she has already born not to be compared with the coming “reaction” of heaven as a result of her actions on earth. But even in this, God’s desire is to discipline such that there is a coming to the senses and a return to their first love.

As I’m reading in chapter 10, Hosea, the one who has known first-hand the heart-wrenching disappointment and grief of an unfaithful wife, is moved by the Spirit to call out that Ephraim (Israel) is reaping injustice because they have plowed fields of iniquity . . . they have bought into the “fruit of lies” . . . trusted in their own ways . . . and are about to know terrible destruction because of their evil (10:13-15). But God says that even with this yoke of judgment upon them, He would have them return . . . that they would respond to the yoke and plow new ground . . . ground that will invite the Father’s blessing . . . ground that would once again bear much fruit.

Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the LORD, that He may come and rain righteousness upon you.   (Hosea 10:12 ESV)

Break up the hard ground . . . dig in and overturn the fruitless ground . . . and sow seeds of righteousness. Seek the LORD . . . and there will be a harvest . . . there will be reaping of the steadfast love of God . . . of the loyal mercies of the One who longs for His children to pursue the abiding fellowship of God in their midst. God calls to repentance and offers renewal. God desires their face to be turned again toward His, that His face might again shine upon them. And when they do . . . He will come . . . and rain righteousness upon them . . . O’ let it rain!

O the pursuit of God for His people . . . O the desire of God that His people would pursue Him. And though our efforts are feeble . . . our righteousness is a filthy rags . . . the response of heaven to the seeking of the LORD is to rain down righteousness. The outpouring is the the righteousness of Another . . . the righteousness of the perfect and spotless Lamb of God . . . He who came to take away the sin of the world . . . He whose perfection is rained down upon all who believe, upon those who pursue, through the Holy Spirit . . . yeah, let it rain!

It is time to seek the LORD . . .

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion . . . “   (Hebrews 3:7-8a ESV)

Plow up the hard heart . . . dig deep . . . break up the fallow ground . . . that is might be ready to receive the seeds of renewal and revival . . . that it might receive the rain of righteousness . . . the outpouring of Christ’s very nature.

Let it rain . . . by His grace . . . for His glory. Amen?

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A White Stone

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Pete

When reading the letters to the seven churches written by John in the Revelation he received, I’m always drawn to that which is promised to “the one who conquers.” As part of each of the letters, found in Revelation 2 & 3, there is an encouragement by the Lord, who walks among the seven churches, to some form of action . . . and for those who are obedient, to the one who conquers, there is a pledged outcome. This morning I’m hovering over the promise given to those who are conquerors in the church of Pergamum (Rev. 2:12-17) . . . I’m thinking about a white stone.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.    (Revelation 2:17 ESV)

Apparently there is a variety of opinions among commentators as to what exactly the white stone symbolizes. One explanation I’ve come across is that “in the ancient courts of justice the accused were condemned by black pebbles and acquitted by white” . . . another is that in some athletic games, a white stone was given to the victor . . . another is that it had come to symbolize a token of favor. All fit . . .

But I’m less concerned about what the stone symbolizes than I am intrigued by the unique and individual nature of the gift from the Head of the Church. The stone is one of a kind in that it has a “new name” written on it that is known only by the One who writes the name and the one who receives the stone. In the giving of the stone and the receiving of it there is a “secret bond” formed . . . a very personal interaction between Savior and saint.

Not only is the name a secret . . . but it is a new name . . . a new kind of name . . . a never before used name . . . an unprecedented name. I imagine that receiving the stone and beholding this new name will evoke awe . . . wonder . . . and worship. I imagine that it forms a unique intimate bond which will be remembered throughout eternity.

And while I’m not sure whether the bounds of interpretation and application permit me to “claim the promise” for myself and anticipate such a stone, it is a reminder of the nature of the White Stone Giver.

It’s a reminder of the personal and unique relationship Jesus has sought with this sinner saved by grace. He knows my name . . . and my new name if He has one for me. He knows my struggles . . . He knows the areas that I need to, by His power and grace, be a conqueror over.

Though there will be a sea of the redeemed before the throne, I’m thinking there will be a very individualized interaction between the Redeemer and and each of His redeemed . . . some meaningful one-on-one between the Shepherd and His sheep . . . an intimate conversation known only between the glorious King and each subject who has conquered by His blood and by His grace.

A white stone for me? I don’t know.

A one of a kind encounter with my Lord? I’m thinkin’ . . .

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Treasure Up . . . and Ponder Anew!

Posted on November 27, 2012 by Pete

Kind of an interesting juxtaposition this morning . . . I’m reading the first chapter of the Revelation to John . . . and, in the background, are Christmas hymns being wonderfully played on a piano. I’m reading John’s record of the vision he had of the Son of Man as I’m reminded of the picture portrayed at the birth of the Son of God.

In John’s vision, “one like the Son of Man” stood in the midst of seven golden lampstands, an indication of His authority over the church . . . in the hymn I’m listening to, the son of Mary is lying in a manger in the midst, we imagine, of various animals. John saw the risen Christ clothed with a regal long flowing robe and with a golden sash around his chest declaring His kingly majesty . . . Mary tried to keep the baby Jesus warm with swaddling clothes, a stark reminder of the humility he was born into.

John beheld King Jesus as glorious Judge . . . the hairs of His head white like wool . . . His eyes like a flame of fire . . . His feet like bronze glowing in a furnace. But the shepherds gathered around on that first Christmas night to behold a Savior . . . One who had come to rescue people from judgment . . . One who would give Himself to pay the price due for sin, that all who might would be fully and completely redeemed from slavery to sin . . . that the born again sons and daughters of Adam might experience worshiping the Judge without fear of the judgment.

And when John heard His voice, it was like the roar of many waters . . . His authority beyond question . . . His power beyond imagination . . . but all that was masked on that night in Bethlehem . . . deity was shrouded in humanity . . . power was contained in meekness . . . the voice of heaven was heard as a baby’s cry in a stable.

What a contrast! What love shown by Almighty God to sin corrupted people! Immanuel . . . God with us!

When John saw the risen Christ he fell at His feet as though he were dead . . . the heaven-sent vision overpowering His earth-bound senses . . . his knees instinctively knowing that buckling was the right thing to do in the presence of such Majesty . . . his eyes slamming shut for fear the light of glory might overpower the retinas ability to transport the sight to his brain . . . the heart exploding in worship before the risen, glorious King.

And Mary? Well Mary sought to take in the all happenings of that holy night . . . the birth . . . the meager surroundings . . . the visitation by the shepherds . . . their story of close encounters with the angelic kind . . . the expressions of awe and wonder upon their face. Mary treasured up all these things . . . “pondering them in her heart.” She brought it all together and tried to process it all . . . and, I wonder, if she too didn’t worship a bit.

That’s kind of what I’m doing this morning . . . processing . . . worshiping . . . as I read Revelation 1 and am reminded of Luke 2 by the music playing in the background.

What Child is this? This is Christ the King!

O’, that the incarnation might fill my imagination this Christmas season. That John’s vision might be brought to mind often as I consider the shepherd’s visitation. That I might, with Mary, treasure up these things in my heart and ponder anew the depths of their implications . .. so that I might, with John, worship afresh at the feet of the risen glorious Christ.

O, Come Let Us Adore Him! Amen?

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What a House! . . . What a Savior!

Posted on November 26, 2012 by Pete

Sometimes it’s those verses we are the most familiar with that we are quickest to skim over . . . “Yeah, yeah,” we say in effect, “Been there . . . read that . . . let’s move on.” But really, isn’t the fact that we know these verses so well . . . that we’ve heard them so many times . . . an indicator right there that they are the diamonds. They are the elite of Scripture . . . of all the verses we could remember or have memorized . . . these are the few . . . and so, just as a master jeweler appreciates fine diamonds and will pull them out just to gaze at them and appreciate afresh their beauty, we too, when we come across these jewels of Scripture in our leather bound jewelry boxes, should pull them out . . . pause . . . gaze at them . . . and be moved again with their magnificence. No skimming over John 14:2-3 this morning . . .

In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that 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.   – Jesus
(John 14:2-3 ESV)

What a house! The Father’s house. The abode of the Almighty Himself. It is the place where He who dwells in unapproachable light (1Tim. 6:16) lives. A magnificent structure . . . constructed with materials and techniques unknown on earth. Huge . . . it defines heaven . . . heaven defines it. And in this house are many rooms . . . literally many dwellings . . . many places to abide. The Master Builder has constructed His house such that it might receive many guests . . . no, not guests . . . He has built His house such that all His children can come home. If it were not so, Jesus wouldn’t be telling us it was so.

Yes, in this house are no guest rooms . . . there are only rooms custom prepared for each child of God. Personally designed by the Creator . . . handcrafted by the Carpenter of Nazareth. An abiding place really beyond speculation . . . beyond earthly senses to imagine . . . something that is, quite literally, out of this world. Keith Green captured it well, I think, when he said that if God created the earth, and all its beauty and grandeur, in 7 days . . . and now Jesus has been preparing a place for us for 2,000 years . . . then “we’re livin’ in a garbage can compared to what’s going on up there!” Can’t wait to see my room!

But really when I get there, as amazing as the room will be . . . as awestruck as I will be by the beauty of the surroundings . . . what I’ll really be looking for is the One who went to prepare that place for me . . . the One who purchased for the place. And see Him I will! . . . He promised . . . “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.” My room will be ready when it’s time for me to go home . . . and, as amazing as that abiding place will be, it will be secondary to the wonder of the reality of just being where Jesus is. The Lord of lords and King of kings says that He, Himself, will receive Me . . . will welcome me . . . will settle me in . . . and, will let me be with Him.

To be with Jesus . . . face to face . . . or, I guessing, probably face to feet. What will that be? Welcomed into the courts of my King . . . ushered into His presence . . . looking up and seeing the scars in His hands and His feet . . . remembering that the preparation for my dwelling place began on the cross . . . knowing that the entrance to my room was formed through the shed blood of the spotless Lamb of God . . . recalling that I didn’t seek Him, but that He sought me — as a Shepherd seeks lost sheep . . . . as my chest, feeling like it will burst, swells up with a heart overflowing in love and adoration, reminded that I love Him because He first loved me. What will that be?

What a house awaits me . . . a dwelling place being custom prepared for me. What a Savior who, having rescued me, is now preparing a place for me, and one day will come and get me and receive me to Himself . . . that I might abide with Him forever.

To Him be all glory . . .

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