They Laid Jesus There

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Pete

Interesting how your mind works . . . or, as the case may be, how the Spirit guides. Two readings came together this morning to produce a sense of awe, wonder, and gratefulness. One in the gospel of John . . . the other in the Revelation given to John. One concerning the Savior . . . the other related to unrepentant sinners. One a reminder of a death which gives life . . . the other of death which leads only to more death.

First, I read the closing of verses of John 19. “It is finished” . . . Jesus has declared victory from the cross . . . bowed His head and given up His spirit . . . the soldiers have taken a pass on breaking His legs but have, instead, pierced His side with a spear . . . the body has been taken down and claimed by one Joseph of Arimathea who, along with Nicodemus (the seeker by night), have wrapped the body of Jesus in linen clothes along with 75 pounds of spices (19:30-40). Then John records,

Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.   
                                                                                 (John 19:40-41 ESV)

“They laid Jesus there” . . . that’s the phrase that grabbed me. In recent days images of Jesus laying have come frequently . . . but those have been of the baby Jesus, wrapped in swaddling clothes, laying in a manger . . . the Son of God, become flesh, asleep on the hay . . . Emmanuel, God with us, on His back in humble subjection to His creation. I imagine the meekly, lowly, and holy infant on His back and I am reminded of heavenly love . . . the Light of the World . . . and the Hope of the nations.

“They laid Jesus there” . . . in a cold, hewn out stone tomb . . . lifeless . . . His body abused . . . His face marred beyond recognition. Jesus, the Savior, wrapped in spice filled linen garments . . . Emmanuel, the Holy One of Israel, His blood poured out for our transgressions . . . the Christ, the Lamb of God, offered as the once for all sacrifice for the sins of mankind. The humility of becoming flesh in a manager giving way to the humility of the King being subject to death . . . even death on a cross. And so, they laid Jesus there . . . for my iniquity . . . on my account . . . O’ Come Let us Adore Him!

And because He humbled Himself in a such a manner, I need not fear the phrase I encountered in my next reading in John’s Revelation. Context . . . the wrath of God being poured out on a rebellious world at the end of the great tribulation . . . seven bowls of vengeance delivered upon an unbelieving, unrepentant world . . . and, after the third bowl is poured out, after the rivers and springs of water become blood, John hears the angel in charge say,

“Just are You, O Holy One, Who is and Who was, for You brought these judgments. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. It is what they deserve!”    (Revelation 16:5-6 ESV)

“It is what they deserve!” . . . that sends a chill down my spine. God who is Just . . . Who must demand that the wages of sin be paid . . . gave His Son that the debt might be paid in full . . . that He might also be the Justifier of all who would believe and accept the gift of His Son’s death on their behalf. But for those who refuse . . . for those whose sin debt remains outstanding . . . they will get what’s fair . . . they will get what they deserve. O’ how I praise God that I have received . . . through faith . . . and by His grace alone . . . what I don’t deserve.

Because “they laid Jesus there” . . . His parents, in that lowly manger . . . His friends, in that stone cold tomb . . . I sit here this morning with “Paid in Full” written over my sin account . . . redeemed fully by the blood of the Lamb . . . adopted completely into the family of God . . . secured eternally by the indwelling Spirit . . . all because “they laid Jesus there.”

To Him be praise . . . to Him be all glory . . .

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris’n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”

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Songs of Deliverance

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Pete

Continuing to work my way through the book of Revelation. Chapter 15 is kind of the prologue to the final outpouring of God’s wrath on a world that has steadfastly rejected Him . . . a world where those who do believe are martyred . . . a world left only with those who have embraced sin as their right and the enemy as their king. In this vision John sees in heaven those who have “conquered the beast and its image and number of its name” (15:2) . . . aka those who died for Jesus, refusing to bow to the world system. He sees them beside a sea of glass . . . I’m guessing it’s the sea of glass described in chapter 4 . . . so they are before the throne . . . the place of worship of Him who sits on the throne . . . and John says they sing . . . seems to be a pretty common activity before the throne . . .

And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are Your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.”   (Revelation 15:3-4 ESV)

After they had crossed the Red Sea and witnessed the destruction of Egypt’s powerful army under the mighty hand of God, the ancient Israelites sang, “I will sing to the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously . . . the LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation” (Ex. 15:1-2). And now, these saints delivered through faith and by grace from the slavery of a rebellious world, and delivered by death from the physical presence of a dying world, sing as well . . . they sing the song of Moses . . . and they sing a new song . . . the song of the Lamb. It’s what the redeemed do . . . they sing songs of deliverance.

If there’s reason for anyone to sing, it’s those who have been delivered from bondage. If there’s cause for anyone to lift their voice toward God’s throne in heaven, it’s those who once were captive to sin, living in darkness, but are now freed through the blood of the Lamb and the grace of God and have been brought into marvelous light.

The song of the Israelites on the other side of the Red Sea was in the aftermath of God’s victory over the army of Egypt. The song of these saints in John’s vision, is in anticipation of God’s impending final victory over the armies of the nations assembled to oppose Him. And I have song too . . . a song in response to a victory won on a cross . . . a victory over sin and death . . . a victory won through the death of God’s beloved Son . . . a victory to be sung of for all ages.

Great and amazing are Your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! That You would send heaven’s best for earth’s worst . . . that You would sacrifice Your Son in order to redeem a family of born-again adoptees. That You would raise Him from the dead . . . in order to receive Him again to Yourself . . . in order to send in His place the Comforter . . . a seal guaranteeing our inheritance . . . a Teacher leading us into all truth . . . a Sanctifier conforming us into the image of Your Blessed Son.

Just and true are Your ways! Sin atoned for that You might be just and the justifier of all who believe and receive the gift (Rom. 3:6). The splendor of Your glorious Name made known . . . “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin . . . ” (Ex. 33:6-7). Your holiness upheld as You judge those who refuse Your cover for their guilt . . . for You alone are holy.

Songs of deliverance. Are they any better songs? I don’t think so.

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The Eternal Gospel

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Pete

Honestly . . . I didn’t expect to find it here. I am well down the path toward the final days of earth as I continue to read through Revelation. That things are wrapping up is evident . . . that the Lamb is about to close the book on this chapter of history is evident. But as they say, it ain’t over until the fat lady sings . . . or, in this case, until the last angel proclaims . . .

Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come, and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”   (Revelation 14:6 ESV)

How amazing is that? The sickle is about to swing . . . the final harvest, which will be thrown into “the great winepress of the wrath of God”, is about to take place (14:19) . . . but even in these final days of earth’s rebellion against her Creator, another angel is sent out proclaiming the eternal gospel.

First, it reminds me that God “is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (1Peter 3:9) . . . that He who made us and, by His Son’s death, has paid the price to redeem us, is the One who will call to those who have ears to hear, right up to the very end. Though His very character demands that He avenge every transgression against His holy nature . . . my God is also in essence love . . . and, in that love, He has offered the once for all atoning sacrifice for transgressions . . . and desires that people would avail themselves of the blood of the Lamb . . . and not refuse, thus inviting the wrath of the Lamb.

But what I didn’t expect to find here . . . at this stage in the book of Revelation . . . was the gospel . . . the good news. I’ve been aware of the “law of first mention” for awhile now . . . not sure there’s a “law of last mention” . . . but here it is . . . the last mention of the gospel. And an angel is sent to proclaim to earth-dwellers . . . to every nation, tribe, and language . . . the eternal gospel.

The gospel . . . that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day . . . that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life, That gospel is the power of God for salvation . . . salvation past . . . salvation present . . . salvation future. It is the eternal gospel.

It is eternal in agency . . . the shed blood of Jesus being the basis by which all who have believed, and have had righteousness credited to their account, are declared justified. Those prior to Christ in time, covered by the eternal purposes of God to Himself provide atonement for sin . . . those on the A.D. side of the calendar, applying the blood through faith . . . those in the days immediately before the end of the age, also washed by the blood of the Lamb by responding, even at the last minute, to the good news message.

And the gospel is eternal in it’s efficacy . . . in it’s effectiveness. It saves completely . . . because the work is His finished and the price paid in full. It saves assuredly . . . because it is founded on the promise of Him who cannot lie (Titus 1:2). It saves wondrously . . . because it rescues the believer not only from the wrath of God but, by His glorious grace, converts the sinner into a child of God . . . infusing a new nature . . . making all things new. It saves eternally . . . that we might inhabit the place prepared for us forever . . . that we might worship the Author of Life without end . . . that we might join with a heavenly host, and those redeemed through the ages, and praise God for the eternal gospel . . .

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains He shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
(O Holy Night, 3rd verse)

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Where Are You From?

Posted on December 13, 2012 by Pete

He was full of questions. As the “problem” of Jesus escalated, you sense that Pilate didn’t know what to do . . . that he was growing increasingly frantic . . . the mob was getting ugly . . . and the Prisoner shouldn’t have been here. So the governor goes back and forth between accusers and Accused . . . “What’s the accusation?” . . . “Are You king of the Jews?” . . . “What have You done?” . . . “What is truth?” . . . “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” (John 18:28-40). Back and forth . . . forth and back . . . what is he going to do with this situation? Beat the Man . . . rough Him up a bit . . . give the crowd some blood maybe that will settle them down. But it doesn’t . . . they want Him executed . . . they want Him hung on a cross. “Fine!” says Pilate (sort of), “if that’s what you want, then go do it yourself! I find no guilt in Him.” (John 19:6) And then, through their response they strike fear into the heart of wishy-washy Pilate . . . leading Him to ask another question which, as I read it this morning, seems to be the defining question concerning Christ . . .

The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law He ought to die because He has made Himself the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer.    (John 19:7-9 ESV)

“Where are You from?” Talk about your question for the ages.

Pilates “masterful” examination of the situation finally revealed “root cause” . . . the religious leaders were bent out of shape, and had incited a riotous mob, because Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. And if Pilate was getting frantic before with what to do with an innocent man, he was now “more afraid.” There was something about this Jesus that was different . . . something about Him that intrigued Pilate . . . something so different about Jesus that Pilate sensed he was talking to a man unlike any man he had ever met . . . something about this Rabbi which had caused Pilate’s wife to warn her husband to “have nothing to do with that righteous Man” (Matt. 27:19). And Pilate knew that what his wife said was true . . . this was a righteous Man.

And now he hears this . . . that He claims to be the Son of God. What?!? . . . Game-changer!!! . . . Possible?!? . . . “Where are You from?”

Not a bad question to ask . . . a better question to honestly seek to answer. That’s where Pilate bailed . . . too much pressure from the crowd . . . too many career limiting, if not life limiting, implications if he released the prisoner . . . so he tries to wash his hands of the situation (Matt. 27:24) . . . turns his back on the flogged, beaten, ridiculed Man of Galilee . . . let’s the question fall on the ground . . . and responds to the crowd, “Whatever.”

But for those who ponder the question and pursue an answer . . . for those who sincerely ask . . . and seek . . . and knock . . . they will be given insight . . . they will find the truth . . . and the door to eternal life will be opened.

And really, is there a better time of year than when our focus is directed toward a manger . . . and a baby, against whose birth we mark time . . . and a story of immaculate conception . . . and of angels reportedly visiting . . . and of shepherd apparently praising . . . and of wise men persistently inquiring . . . Is there a better time to ask the question, “Where are You from?”

Even for those of us who, by God’s grace, know the answer . . . who have believed and received . . . it is a question worth asking anew . . . pondering in awe-filled wonder afresh . . . responding to in passion fueled worship . . .

Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
when Thou camest to earth for me;
but in Bethlehem’s home there was found no room
for Thy holy nativity.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
there is room in my heart for Thee.

Thou camest, O Lord, with the living Word
that should set Thy people free;
but with mocking scorn, and with crown of thorn,
they bore Thee to Calvary.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
there is room in my heart for Thee.

(Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne, Timothy R. Matthews, Emily E.S. Elliot)

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What Child Is This?

Posted on December 12, 2012 by Pete

You don’t necessarily expect to find “the Christmas story” when you read the book of Revelation. But that’s kind of the wonder of prophetic vision . . . because it is sourced from a place not bound by time, a single prophetic revelation can encapsulate events which, on earth, occur not only in the future, but also events which occurred in the past . . . and often the two are side by side. That’s kind of the case with my reading this morning in the Revelation given to John.

In Revelation 12 the focus is on a woman and a dragon. The woman is identified as she who is “clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars” (12:1). Recall Joseph’s dream in Genesis 37:9? . . . it seems this woman is Israel. There’s no question as to who the dragon is, ” . . . the great dragon . . . that ancient serpent, called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world . . . the accuser of our brothers, who accused them day and night before our God . . .” (12:9-10). And the deal is that this ancient dragon doesn’t care too much for this woman. He has opposed her in the past . . . he will oppose her in the future . . . and, you can pretty much guess, that he’s arrayed against her even now. How come? What’s at the center of this hatred and violent opposition? The Child.

This woman, Israel, birthed a Child . . . the same Child we focus on at this time of year . . . the angelic, innocent, beautiful, restful, peaceful, Child in a manger. You kind of realize, as you read this “behind the scenes” dynamic of “the Christmas story”, that our nativity scenes focus on but one “camera angle” of that history defining event. From one vantage point it may have been a silent night . . . all is calm, all is bright . . . but, in another realm, the forces of hell were going nuts.

And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her Child he might devour it.   (Revelation 12:4b ESV}

Any doubt that old King Herod was demon-possessed? That he was part of the dragon’s plan to consume the Child as soon as He was born? What other forces had Satan garnered around Bethlehem that night or in those days following the Child’s birth? You have to think that Satan had had his eye on Bethlehem ever since Micah penned his prophetic words, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for Me One who is to be ruler in Israel, Whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.” (Micah 5:2).

But this serpent of old did not prevail.

She gave birth to a male Child, One who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her Child was caught up to God and to His throne.   (Revelation 12:5 ESV)

There it is . . . the Christmas story . . . and the life of Christ . . . in the blink of a prophetic eye.

He was born a king and established His kingdom, though His kingdom was not of this world . . . the King had come incognito . . . born and come into the world that He might bear witness to the truth (John 18:36-37). He would bear witness to the truth concerning man’s sin and God’s holiness . . . to the truth concerning man’s inability to deal with the “wages of sin” and God’s amazing grace in making way for redemption . . . to the truth concerning man’s hopeless situation and God’s love for the world . . . “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) . . . to the truth concerning a lost world and a Child come to save that world.

The Child, though He was Creator, “became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). And the Child would live to die on a cross for the sin of man . . . He would lie in a tomb for three days as the payment for our transgressions . . . and then, . . . O’ glorious then, . . . He would rise again the third day in victory, crushing the head of that dragon . . . defeating sin and death. Finally “her Child was caught up to God” . . .

. . . He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.”   (Acts 1:9b-11 ESV)

Get that? The Child is coming again . . . soon . . .

What Child is this? . . . This, this is the Christ the King . . . Haste, haste to bring Him praise . . . the Babe, the Son of Mary . . .

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Loud Voices!

Posted on December 11, 2012 by Pete

I don’t think anyone’s saying, “Keep it down!” in heaven. I don’t think that there’s much concern about using your “inside voice” when you’re before the throne of God. And I don’t imagine that it’s because hosts of angels and multitudes from earth are trying to shout over one another in order to be heard . . . but rather, I sense it’s because of an energy . . . a passion . . . that it’s because everything is so alive. And, as I continue to read in Revelation this morning, I’m reminded that alive-ness is fueled by anticipation . . .

Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God . . .  
                                                                             (Revelation 11:15-16 ESV)

Loud voices in heaven . . . anticipating the reign of Christ. Loud voices in heaven . . . awaiting the rule of heaven, which is currently established in the hearts of believer, to be established on the earth. Loud voices in heaven . . . speaking today to those with ears to hear.

It doesn’t say so explicitly, but imagine that those shepherds out in the fields some 2,000 years ago heard loud voices. There they are . . . maybe half asleep as everything has settled down for the night . . . I’m guessing it was dark . . . and then all of sudden . . . BAM!!!! . . . someone throws on a light switch . . . the glory of the Lord, the brightness of the unapproachable light which envelopes God, shines around them. Shield the eyes . . . squint up into the sky . . . feel your knees buckle. And then hear the voice . . . the angel’s voice . . . what I imagine to be a heavenly loud voice . . .

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11 ESV)

Good news? Pretty much. He who would be King comes first as Savior. He who would reign comes first to rescue. He who in absolute essence is holy and spotless comes first to be made sin for those in bondage to sin. He, though being rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we through His poverty might become rich (2Cor. 8:9). Loud voice stuff? Yeah . . . the sort of news worthy of some energy and passion . . . the kind of truth needing to be shouted from the skies.

Lots of things “competing” for the air waves at this time of year . . . easy for the loud voice to be lost in the cacophony of busyness and tradition . . . for the good news worthy of the loud voice to be like seed that falls along the path but is devoured by birds sent by an enemy before it can take root. I can’t help but feel that mine is to contend for the loud voice . . . to hear it afresh . . . to proclaim it anew . . . to join with “a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest” (Luke 2:13-14) . . . to become part of the choir of loud voices gathered around the throne . . . falling on their faces . . . worshiping their God . . . passionately proclaiming,

“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and and who was, for You have taken Your great power and begun to reign”   (Revelation 11:17a ESV)

O come let us adore Him . . . with loud voices even . . . Christ, the Lord!

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Right Place at the Right Time

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Pete

“Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip . . . That started from this tropic port, aboard this tiny ship. . . . The mate was a mighty sailin’ man . . . the Skipper brave and sure. . . . Five passengers set sail that day for a three hour tour . . . a three hour tour.” Ok, so some of you are going to recognize that . . . others, perhaps not at all . . . but it came to mind as I was chewing on the implications of some ancient mariners being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Part of my reading this morning is the book of Jonah. You know, the rogue prophet. God tells him to “go east, young man” and he books it west. Enter the unsuspecting mariners. For these crusty sea urchins it was just another trip with another paid passenger . . . for their “guest” it was about trying to flee from the presence of God. And so they set out that day for a three hour tour . . . well, maybe not a three hour tour . . . but the captain and crew must have expected it to be just another trip to Tarshish . . . yeah, but they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

You know, when I read Jonah, I tend to focus on Jonah. What’s Jonah doing? . . . what’s God doing in response? What’s Jonah saying? . . . what’s God saying in response? But as I slow down a bit on this first chapter you realize that there is some collateral impact from this “No, I won’t . . . Yes, you will” tug-of-war between the prophet and His God. These poor sailors just wanted to earn a living . . . but God wanted to give them life. They just wanted to deliver their cargo . . . but “the God of heaven, who made the sea and dry land” (Jonah 1:9) wanted to deliver their soul. They just wanted to see their destination port . . . but He who formed them in their mothers’ wombs had determined to reset their course to a city “whose designer and builder is God” (Heb. 11:10). They just wanted to make an honest day’s wage for an honest day’s work . . . but He who dwells in glorious light wanted to cut them in on “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven” (1Peter 1:4). Who knew what being in the wrong place at the wrong time could lead to?

Kind of an interesting progression these men of the sea go through. The storm starts . . . and they get religious . . . each crying to his god . . . recalling as many childhood prayers as they could . . . crying out to every deity they could think of . . . and probably a few deities they made up on the fly. They notice their passenger’s not with them . . . find him sleeping . . . and conscript to him to join the prayer meeting and call upon whoever his god is, as well. Their awareness of Jonah’s God increases as they find out that He is the God of heaven, the Maker of the sea. And they become “exceedingly afraid” as they put the pieces together . . . this guy’s God is the God of gods . . . this guy’s trying to flee from the presence of His God . . . kind of seems His God is having none of it . . . oh boy, are we in the wrong place at the wrong time!

You know the rest of the story . . . Jonah tells them that the only cargo they can throw over that will ensure their survival is him. Really? . . . toss the God of Creation’s prophet overboard . . . that’s the way to salvation? Not their first choice . . . but eventually their desperation leaves them no other choice . . . the life of another for theirs (sound familiar). And then get this, they pray . . . they call out to the LORD (1:14) . . . no more random god’s being looked to but, instead, looking only to the LORD God. They toss the prophet . . . the sea goes calm . . . and then check this out . . .

Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows.   (Jonah 1:16 ESV)

A day that started out like any other day . . . a trip that seemed to be going so wrong . . . leads to a knowledge of the God who calls men to Himself. Seems like they were actually in the right place at the right time, to me.

I’m amazed at God’s “collateral damage” as He pursues a stubborn, rebellious, prophet . . . while trying to get Jonah’s attention, He turns the eyes of some unsuspecting sailors heavenward. In the course of seeking to lead a city of 120,000 people to repentance (4:11) . . . the God of grace and mercy, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love (4:2) also seeks to point a few random scrubby mariners to a port-of-call beyond their imagination.

How great is our God? Pretty!

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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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