Filled with the Fragrance

Posted on November 16, 2010 by Pete

It never ceases to amaze me . . . never fails to cause me to pause and reflect . . . never loses its “awe-factor” as I try and picture in my mind’s eye (and nose) what it must have been like to have been there . . . and seen it happen . . . and smell it happen. I’m referring to those encounters with Jesus, recorded in the gospels, where He was anointed with costly aromatic oils by women who longed to touch Him and to shower upon Him extravagant worship. And, as I hover over the account in John 12 this morning, there is a desire to be filled with the fragrance.

Jesus is once again in the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus . . . Lazarus the alive guy. And Jesus is around the supper table with His disciples and Lazarus . . . enjoying, no doubt, some sweet fellowship . . . when in walks Mary. And Mary finds her way to the feet of Jesus . . . that seems to be the setting on her “Jesus GPS” . . . “home”, for Mary, is at the feet of Jesus (Luke 10:39, John 11:32).

“Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.” (John 12:3)

The house was filled with the fragrance. Ya’ think? Who hasn’t experienced coming across some lady who’s overdone it a bit with the perfume? Just a little dab too much and you can kind of smell her coming a mile way . . . and for mile after she’s left. So what’s the aroma like in the house after Mary has dumped a pound of perfume over Jesus. It’s everywhere! This simple, yet “no-holds-barred”, act of worship impacts everyone . . . not just those around the table . . . or in the room . . . but throughout the house. Everyone is made a participant in the adoration shown to Jesus . . . everyone is connected to this costly act of reverence and exaltation. To be in the house that day, was to have the smell of the anointed feet of Jesus burned almost permanently into your nostrils. Did Mary love Jesus? So much so you could smell the love.

And what about Jesus? If this is the same encounter as in Matthew 26, then not only did the pound of perfume find it’s way to His feet, but also over His head and entire body. Talk about your close encounters of the pungent kind. I have often thought that Jesus carried this anointing, done in preparation for His death, through the entire passion week . . . that all those who encountered Him that week . . . from those who arrested Him in the garden, to those who tried Him in the High Priests house, to those who beat Him, to those who nailed Him to the cross . . . that they all picked up on the aroma of costly perfume poured out on Him. His life literally a living sacrifice . . . His acceptable act of worship before the Father . . . as, in obedience, He completed the work He was sent to do. On Jesus too, you could smell the love.

But thanks to William MacDonald and his “Believer’s Bible Commentary” a new consideration was brought to my attention. What about Mary? She took that very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. Now 1Corinthians 11 says that a woman’s long hair is her glory (1Cor. 11:15) . . . and Mary took her glory and used it to wipe aromatic oils upon Jesus feet. So what did her hair smell like afterwards? And for how long? Her hair was filled with the fragrance of her worship. Her act of sacrificial love shown to the Savior would linger with her for days . . . maybe weeks. Her long tresses hanging over her should would constantly emit wisps of her desire for Jesus. At night when she tied back her hair before going to sleep she would again be reminded of the precious privilege that was hers to touch His feet and declare her allegiance to His holy name. As she got back into the swing of life and the daily routine, would she still, every now and then, catch a whiff of the aroma of the extravagant worship she had directed to the One who alone is worthy of worship? How long, after worshiping Jesus, would she smell the love.

Oh, to know intimate communion at the table with Jesus . . . to take up my place at the feet of Jesus . . . to hold nothing back in declaring my love to Him . . . to reach out with hands of faith and touch Him in worshipful adoration . . . to pour out upon Him the oils of praise . . . do you think it could result in a bit of an “after aroma”. I’m thinking so! Oh, to be filled with the fragrance . . . for His glory . . . and my abiding joy . . . amen.

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Our True North

Posted on November 15, 2010 by Pete

Not everything is black and white . . . but some things are. Not everything is either this side or that side . . . but in some matters you need to pick a side — and to not pick a side, is really still picking a side. With some things there might be some “wiggle room” . . . but when it comes to Jesus . . . ah, not really any wiggle room at all . . . so says John in my reading this morning.

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because 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 of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God . . . By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” (1John 4:1-3, 6)

There are a lot of voices in our world today . . . tons of data . . . unlimited forums through which “truth” can be advertised and declared. Look no further than the internet and you have found a public platform by which every manner of “thought leadership”, opinion, and views on the deeper things of life can be voiced. Everything from the “weird and whacky” to the “sounds solid to me”. But I’m reminded this morning to careful . . . for many false prophets have gone out into the world . . . many of them, via their word processors, blogs, and web cams. I’m reminded that there is a spirit of truth and there is a spirit of error. And, I’m exhorted to to test the spirits . . . to examine . . . scrutinize . . . and apply an acid test to determine if it’s genuine or not, just as you would a precious metal. And that acid test? Jesus.

Jesus is kind of a dividing line. He’s “true north.” To get it right on who Jesus is, is to set a foundation from which greater truth can be spoken. But, get it wrong about Jesus and everything that follows is kind of suspect. And the bottom line validation of the source of purported truth is the question Jesus asked His disciple, “Who do men say that I am?” (Mark 8:27)

Who was Jesus? It all starts there. Was He Jesus the Christ . . . the prophesied Messiah . . . the forever Heir to the Throne of David . . . Jehovah’s Anointed . . . God’s Holy Servant . . . the One spoken of by the prophets as He who would redeem His people? And was He Messiah come in the flesh . . . Emmanuel . . . God with Us . . . the I AM in guise as a carpenter from Nazareth . . . One with the Father fully able to experience the reality of being human . . . God’s faithful High Priest tested just as we are, yet without sin, that He might be able to aid those who are tempted?

Every person who honestly acknowledges that the Promised One, the Son of God, has come to this earth in the flesh and that, being in the Person of Jesus . . . that person has the Spirit of God . . . and is grounded in the Spirit of truth . . . and is so much better set up to be a discerner of greater truth. But that person who denies Jesus as Christ . . . who, if acknowledging Him at all, declares Him to be nothing more than another man who occupied time and space . . . that person is in error . . . and subject to accepting greater error concerning man and God and the things of life and eternity. That person’s anti-Christ anti-Messiah belief system only opens him up to more lies from THE Antichrist.

If we “get it” about Jesus, it’s because by God’s grace, He opened our eyes and unplugged our ears and gifted us with a bit of faith which we could choose to exercise and declare, just as Peter did, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!” (Matt. 16:16). No boasting . . . just believing.

And with that simple confession of faith, the doors of heaven are open and the things of truth are freely available. And ours is to have ears to hear along with a discerning spirit . . . exercising the mind of Christ which we possess through the Spirit of God . . . examining the voices of “truth” about us . . . recognizing the counterfeit . . . embracing the authentic . . . aligning to our great “True North” . . . that we might be the “real stuff” to those seeking truth . . . for their salvation and blessing . . . and for the glory of God . . .

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Take Away the Stone

Posted on November 12, 2010 by Pete

Of all the things they thought He might say, this wasn’t one of them. Of all the things they thought He might do, this hadn’t entered their mind. That He had come, was a testament of His love for the family . . . that He had come too late to prevent the brother’s death, was somewhat of a disappointment. They believed in Him . . . to a certain degree. They believed He truly loved Lazarus . . . His tears were evidence of that. They really believed that if He had been there, Lazarus would not be dead . . . that this man who had opened the eyes of the blind could also have kept him from dying. But now . . . now it was too late. The grave had won . . . the sting of death had attained the victory . . . the anguish of separation continued to throb from deep within. As such, they were so not expecting Him to say what He said as He stood there by Lazarus’ burial place.

“Take away the stone.” (John 4:39)

As a man of means, Lazarus had been interred in a cave and a large stone had been rolled in front of the entry way in order to seal the tomb (sound familiar? . . . but that’s a story still to come). Four days earlier, he had died and they had prepared his body for burial with anointing oils and spices, wrapped him in burial cloths, and the placed him inside the cave. And for four days his body had been decaying . . . ashes to ashes dust to dust . . . “all are from the dust, and all return to dust” (Eccl. 3:20). And now, as she heard Jesus’ words, the sister of the dead man couldn’t believe her ears . . . did she hear right? . . . was the Master so overcome with grief that He wasn’t thinking clearly? . . . she said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”

She didn’t know exactly what He was going to do, but she wasn’t’ sure she wanted to find out. The request didn’t make a lot of sense to her. It wasn’t intuitive as to the purpose for opening up this pit of stinking corruption. She couldn’t imagine what He would do next. Perfect! He had her . . . and the others . . . exactly where He wanted them. Situation: impossible. Next steps: inconceivable. Only option: believe.

“Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?’ ” (John 4:40)

Though you don’t understand, take away the stone and you’ll see the glory of God. Though the future is unclear, take away the stone and see the glory of God. How this is playing out may not make much sense right now, but believe . . . step out in faith . . . take away the stone . . . that’s the only next step you know I’ve asked you to do . . . take away the stone and behold the glory of God.

And sometimes that’s just what I need to do . . . that one and only one thing that I know is next. Yeah, I might want to see the whole game plan . . . sure, if it was up to me, I’d want to understand how this little thing . . . or that “out of my comfort zone” thing . . . how doing this, which doesn’t make sense, is going to change anything in the future. Or, how doing this, which seems to be counter the “reality” of the situation, can make any difference.

Not logical . . . but I like logical . . . “Believe,” He says. Don’t see how it makes a difference . . . I want to know what the plan is . . . “You don’t, I do, trust Me,” says the Spirit. But I want to know how it’s all going to come together . . . I want to know more than just the next step . . . “I know . . . but you don’t . . . I’ve ordered your paths . . . will you rest in Me and just take away the stone?” says the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

So whaddya’ do? You believe. You obey. And you take away the stone. And then . . . you behold the glory of God . . .

” ‘Lazarus, come forth!’ And he who died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Loose him, and let him go.’ ” (John 11:44)

And then, you move onto the next step . . . Get him out of those rags! . . . and you encounter again the glory of God . . . all because you believed and took away the stone. Amen?

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I Will Believe

Posted on November 11, 2010 by Pete

As I’m reading this morning, I’m a bit overwhelmed by stuff that’s going on around me that’s kind of hard to figure out. Stuff that evokes the “Why?” question . . . stuff that is confusing . . . stuff that involves wanting the will of God . . . but not quite sure how He will make His will known. And sometimes life’s just kinda’ like that. Even though you’d like to hit the “pause button” and put things on hold for a few minutes while you catch up and try and figure out what’s going on . . . it doesn’t work like that. And while I’m sure this mindset colors my readings this morning, I do think the events at the beginning of John 11 could also be considered somewhat confusing.

If you’re Mary and Martha in Bethany you’re confused as to why your brother Lazarus has taken so ill so quickly. It’s obvious he is not gong to recover . . . the “why?” question is all over this . . . why would a young, vibrant, devout man be so sick? . . . what’s God doing here? . . . there’s a sense of desperation . . . and so they turn to Messiah . . . they send a runner with a simple message, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” And they wait in bewilderment . . .

If you’re the disciples things are confusing as well. They’re present when the messenger arrives. They know how much Jesus loves Martha, Mary, and their brother (11:5) and yet when He hears how sick Lazarus is, they stay another two days where they are. “Isn’t He going to do something?” they wonder. Then, 48 hours later, He says, “Let’s go to Judea.” But back the bus up . . . that doesn’t make any sense either . . . they all know that the Jews are bent on executing Him . . . they just tried to stone Him . . . they tried to seize them and they just barely escaped out of their hands (John 10:31,39). Does He really wanna go back there? “Lord, are You going there again?” they ask. What’s going on?

Jesus answers them in a way that is far from crystal clear. Something about 12 hours of daylight . . . and as long as one walks in daylight He doesn’t stumble. What’s that about? And then Jesus says that they need to go back because “Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up” (11:11). Ok . . . isn’t that a good thing . . . if he sleeps then he’ll get well . . . so why are we going back there again? Oh . . . so confusing . . .

And then Jesus says to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him” (11:14-15).

And it’s that phrase “that you may believe” that jumped off the page at me. Why the confusion? That you may believe. Why do “next steps” seem so foggy? That you may believe. Why no “pause button?” So that all that is left is to trust Him . . . to follow Him to the best of our understanding . . . and believe. Even cynical Thomas knew there was one only one thing that made any sense in this non-sensical situation, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him” (11:16) Thomas didn’t see how this could turn out well, but He also knew that they had placed their hope in Jesus and, as such, they would follow Him.

So . . . I’m thinking that the confusing times are allowed to present themselves to us so that we may believe. That we would trust in the Lord with all our hearts . . . and lean not to our own understanding. That in all our ways we would acknowledge Him and believe that He will direct our paths. (Prov. 3:5-6)

Confusing situations are not easy to work through . . . but, if we’ll let them, they will drive us to seek to follow Jesus . . . to trust Him . . . to believe. They can strengthen our faith . . . they can teach us lessons. They can drive us to putting His word into practice and being “anxious for nothing” and in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, bringing the situation before our God believing that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds through our precious Savior (Php. 4:6-7). They compel us to believe the promise of God when He says that all things work together for good to those who love Him (Rom. 8:28). Maybe no less confusing . . . but a whole lot more comforting.

Father, You know what’s going on even when I don’t. So I will look to You . . . I will call out to You . . . I will rest in You . . . and I will believe . . . help my unbelief . . . Amen!

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What Kind of Love Is That?

Posted on November 10, 2010 by Pete

It’s foundational to the Christian message . . . it’s at the heart of salvation 101 . . . basic stuff of the faith . . . a key building block of the redemption message. Our kids learn to sing about it at the youngest of ages, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” It’s the first verse many of us memorized, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). It’s even the first of the four spiritual laws that so many use, “God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life.” It’s so fundamental that I think sometimes it loses its awe factor . . . but John, this morning, resets the awe-o-meter on the love of God . . .

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1John 3:1)

Behold! See . . . perceive . . . look at it . . . look intently at it . . . take it in . . . mull it over in your mind . . . turn it over in your heart . . . consider it . . . seek to grasp it. Oh, how easy it is to take the love of God for granted. How like me to make common that which has become familiar. But there is nothing common about the love of God.

Behold what manner of love! This isn’t just any love we’re talking about. Grasp the character and quality of this love . . . the source . . . the impact . . . the myriad of implications and nuances associated with such love. It is unique . . . it is unlike any other love we might witness or experience. It is love for those unable to love . . . love extended to those without strength (Rom. 5:6). It is love for the unlovely . . . love shown while we were yet sinners (Rom. 5:7). It is love for the angry . . . love extended to us while we were enemies (Rom. 5:10). It is love without measure . . . loved poured out to overflowing into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Rom. 5:5). Love that justifies . . . love that sanctifies . . . love that will one day glorify. Oh, behold what manner of love.

And this “out of this world” love has been bestowed on us by the Father. Freely given by the God of Creation. Offered to “whosoever will” by the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jehovah Himself being our Provider. The Father having made way for such magnificent love through the giving of His Son.

And as John considers this one of a kind sort of love . . . as he tries to pick out one of many awe-inspiring attributes of this love . . the Spirit moves him to highlight this one . . . “that we should be called the children of God!” Love that rescues us from hell . . . is love indeed. Love that declares us righteous because of faith placed in the work of Another sent to redeem us is love without precedent. Love that writes our name in a book of life and secures our passage to places He’s been preparing for us for 2,000 years is love beyond comprehension. But love that declares us to be children of God . . . that manifests itself in the Spirit of adoption being inserted into our lives . . . and our lives inserted into His forever family . . . given all the privileges associated with being born (or born again) into a family . . . joint heirs with Christ . . . now how do you get your arms around that sort of love? What kind of love is that?

Behold what manner of love!

Nothing commonplace about this sort of love. It might be basic stuff . . . it might be salvation 101 . . . but oh, it is not to be taken for granted . . . not the stuff of “been there . . . done that . . . got the t-shirt!” No, it is to be beheld and looked intently upon. It is to be a reality that moves us to awe-inspired thanksgiving . . . that drops us to our face in humble worship . . . that raises our hearts in joyful praise.

What kind of love is that? Ah, God’s love . . . the best love . . . I love that love . . to Him be the glory! Amen?

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A Great Name

Posted on November 9, 2010 by Pete

A couple of weeks ago I was exposed to the difference between “Cat Theology” and “Dog Theology”. In a nutshell, the difference is this . . . A dog says, “You feed me, you care for me, you love me . . . you must be God” . . . while a cat says, “You feed me, you care for me, you love me . . . I must be God.” The point being that it is way too easy to think that salvation is about us . . . to believe that grace is about us . . . to conclude that the blessings are about us . . . when, in fact, it’s really about Him. My reading in Ezekiel this morning brought that home again . . . some good “dog theology” here.

You read Ezekiel and it doesn’t take long to pick up on a phrase that’s repeated pretty regularly. So far, after reading 36 chapters of Ezekiel’s prophesy, I’ve come across the phrase, “Then they (or you) shall know that I am the Lord” fifty times . . . that number increasing to closer to sixty times if you count slight derivations from that exact wording. Whether God has Ezekiel prophesy of judgment or of renewal . . . whether it’s so Israel will know, or the nations around them will know . . . you kind of pick up on the fact that God does what He does so that people will know that He is the Lord.

And I’m reading Ezekiel 36 this morning . . . and nature of the prophesy shifts from judgment and destruction to God’s promise to restore and renew Israel. He speaks of taking them from among the nations where they’ve been scattered . . . and gathering them from all the countries to which they’ve been dispersed . . . and bringing them back to their own land (36:24). God says that He will sprinkle clean water on them so that they will be clean . . . that He will cleanse them from all your filthiness and from all their idols . . . that He will give them a new heart, replacing their hearts of stone with heart of flesh . . . and will be put a new spirit within them . . . His Spirit . . . the Spirit of truth . . . leading them into obedience (36:25-27). “Then,” says God, “you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God” (36:28). Good stuff, huh? What a blessed people, huh? Yeah . . . but it is so not about the people . . . check out what God says just before this promise of renewal and blessing . . .

“But I had concern for My holy name . . . I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake . . . I will sanctify My great name . . . and the nations shall know that I am the LORD when I am hallowed in you before their eyes.” (36:21-23)

Israel had sinned and sinned big time. God had hit the wall because of their disobedience and desecration . . . He had had enough of their spiritual harlotry as they took up with very Tom, Dick, and Baal that came along as a new “deity” to craft out of wood or stone, bow down to, and worship. And so, God judged them severely . . . that they might know that He is the LORD. And God, who is faithful to His promise and purposes, would also reserve and restore and renew a remnant . . . that they, and the nations around them, might know that He is the LORD. He would sanctify His great name . . . He would show the holiness of that Name which is above all names . . . He would set on display that most high and lofty of names . . . the only Name to which every knee will bow. Sure, Israel would be blessed by the faithfulness of a gracious God . . . but, make no mistake, the main event was not to be their blessing, but His glory.

And I think about the Name . . . that great Name . .. that High and Holy Name . . . that Name for which God has such great concern . . . and a sense of awe grows. I consider too that His desire is that His Name be hallowed . . . be set apart . . . be deemed holy . . . in and through His people before the nations . . . and a sense of responsibility emerges.

Oh, how I praise Him for saving me and all the associated blessings I’ve known as a new creation in Christ. But that I might remember that it’s not about this “cat” . . . but about His precious Name . . . that He might be exalted . . . the His Name might be lifted up . . . that my blessing might be for His glory . . . and His glory alone.

What a great Name! Amen?

(Want to know about “Cat & Dog Theology” . . . click here )

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Known

Posted on November 8, 2010 by Pete

That Jesus wanted to be known is clear. That mortal man has trouble conceiving the purposes and implications of God come in the flesh is also clear. And so, in John’s gospel, Jesus uses a number of “I ams” to try to convey His person and His work to those who needed to know. I came across a couple more of those as I read John 10.

I’ve already read Jesus declare, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever” (John 6:51). I’ve heard Him say, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:120). Later in John, I’ll read Jesus proclaim, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25), as well as, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). And, in John 15, Jesus will claim He is the source of all spiritual life and spiritual productivity, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

In John 10, where I’m reading now, Jesus uses two more “I ams” to identify Himself . . . “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9) . . . and . . . “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep . . . I am the good shepherd; and I know my sheep, and am known by My own” (John 10:11-14). And I . . . this guy sitting in this chair on this morning . . . I am one of those sheep . . . Praise God!

By the grace of God I have heard the voice of the Shepherd and responded by faith. By the grace of God, the Light of the World guided me to the door of His forever sheepfold and led me through it to eternal pasture . . . having opened that doorway through the laying down His life for the sheep (10:15). The Good Shepherd has made known His voice through the wooing of His Spirit and has moved me to respond to His call to “Come to Me . . . and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). He has given His sheep “eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them from My hand” (10:28). He is the above all Good Shepherd . . . and I am His forever sheep . . . how cool is that?

That He wants to be known is clear . . . that He makes Himself known is amazing . . . that we might know Him is eternal life . . . that He knows me, well, what do I think about that?

Says the Good Shepherd, “I know My sheep” (10:14). He knows me . . . my inside and out . . . my upside and down . . . my good side and not so good. Despite that which I would just as soon not exist to be known, there is a comfort in knowing that Jesus is intimately familiar with me. While I was yet a sinner, He died for me (Rom. 5:8) . . . and while I’m still a work in progress, He loves me and is determined to finish the work He has begun in me (Php. 1:6) . . . even knowing what He knows about me . . . or, more likely, because of what He knows about me.

To know Him . . . to be known by Him . . . what wondrous privilege . . . what glorious reality.

“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21).

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Forever

Posted on November 5, 2010 by Pete

Forever is a long time. Amen? Actually, forever transcends time as I tend to think about it. How do you describe forever? How do you get your head around forever? Call it eternity . . . . or call it perpetuity of time . . . or call it an unbroken age . . . call it whatever you want, but I’m guessing it would take forever to understand forever. And, I’m pretty sure I’m going to have the time . . .

I’m thinking about forever because of something I read in 1John this morning . . .

“And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1John 2:17)

John exhorts his readers not to love the world or the things of the world (2:15). All that drives our worldly way of thinking and behaving . . . satisfying the wants of our bodies . . . pursuing that which is attractive to our eyes . . . feeding the insatiable appetite of our egos . . . all that stuff which makes our world go around . . . it’s not of the Father. But I am. I am His child . . . purchased with the precious blood of His Son. I have been adopted as His own . . . given a new nature . . . sealed with His Spirit . . . my name secure in His book of life . . . a place being prepared for me, even now, in His presence. The world isn’t of the Father, but I am.

And, says John, the world is passing away (2:17). The world is not forever . . . it will fade . . . it will one day be gone . . . temporary. Pursue it all you want . . . feed the desires of the flesh until you’re full . . . have the most toys . . . work 24/7 for accolades and recognition and a big name . . . but in the end, it ends. When all is said and done, it’s done. Gone. But I’m not wired that way . . . I’ve been reborn for eternity . . . I’m going to be around for awhile . . . a really long while . . . a while without end . . . and this world will not. Life in this place is just a warm up for the life in “that place” that awaits me. I’m going to be around forever.

Oh, what a mind-bending thought . . . to live forever. Oh, what a glorious thought! Way too easy for me to get so wrapped up in the “here and now” that I lose sight of the “there and then” . . . “then” being forever.

How John must have been stirred as He heard Jesus teach about forever . . . “but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:14) . . . This is the bread which came down from heaven — not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever (John 6:58) . . . And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone 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 My Father’s hand (John 10:28-29) . . . ”

How John must have loved hearing about forever . . . and how those who do the will of God abide forever. Abide . . . the same word John use to describe life in the vine (John 15). A remaining in the source of life . . . a continuing in the presence of Him who is our all in all . . . to be continually at rest within the bosom of the One who loved us unto death. That rest . . . that remaining . . . that abiding being forever . . . time without end.

What will it be to abide forever? I don’t know exactly . . . but I sure do like taking a bit of time to think about it . . . though I’m guessing it will take forever to understand forever . . . yeah, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to have the time . . . Praise God!

“Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.” — C.T. Studd

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The Back of the Book

Posted on November 4, 2010 by Pete

Remember those math text books that had the answers at the back? You know, you could work through the problems and then flip to the back of the book to see if you had gotten them right. Or, as some of us did . . . (not me of course) . . . just go straight to the back of the book and copy down the answers . . . and be done with the homework . . . and go get on with life . . . but didn’t you hate having to “show your work?” Poor Job . . . he didn’t have the back of the book . . . just the problems to wrestle with. Today’s readings in Job and 1John collided in a wonderful way. The problem posed in Job, my first reading of the morning, is answered late in the Book, 1John, my last reading. Here’s how it came together . . .

” . . .how can a man be righteous before God? (Job 9:2) . . . God is wise in heart and mighty in strength (9:4) . . . He does great things past finding out, yes, wonders without number (9:10) . . . For He is not a man, as I am, that I may answer Him, and that we should go to court together. Nor is there any mediator between us, who may lay his hand on us both (9:32-33).”

Job couldn’t know what was going on with his life situation. Why God had allowed such devastation to come into his life was a complete mystery. Though Job recognized that no man could boast of righteousness before a holy God, he also knew that he had faithfully served God and was blameless concerning flagrant disobedience. So, there was this gap between how Job thought God should treat a guy who was “doing his best” and how Job’s life had played out.
Thus, Job is feeling like he could really use a meeting with God. But Job’s not so arrogant (yet) to think that He and God could meet face to face in a court of justice to work it out. What Job needed, he thought, was a mediator . . . someone to work things out between he and God . . . someone who could lay his hand both on God and on Job . . . who could, as it were, have one foot in heaven and one foot on earth and bring the two together. Job needed a go between . . . someone to arbitrate his case . . . an umpire to make a call . . . someone to work through whatever needed to be worked through in order to bring a reconciliation. That was Job’s problem . . . no mediator . . . no answer . . . but then . . . flip to the back of the book.

” . . . if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1John 2:1) Yes! Praise God!

How can a man be righteous before God? Jesus! Who can lay a hand both on man and on God and re-establish communion between the Creator and the creation? Jesus! Who is the mediator? Again, Jesus!

And He’s not just a referee . . . while He’s an arbiter, He’s also so much more . . . He is our Advocate. He is our parakletos . . . the same word found only 4 other times in Scripture (John 14:16, 26; John 15:26; John 16:7) where Jesus announces the soon to be sent Holy Spirit as “the Helper” (ESV) . . . “the Counselor” (NIV) . . . “the Comforter” (NKJV) . . . literally someone called alongside to help . . . to plead one’s case . . . to intercede . . . to lead towards . . . ultimately, to establish relationship with the Father. Oh, had Job only known. But I know . . . I’m reading the back of the book. Jesus is the mediator Job sought. He is man’s advocate with the God of heaven. Jesus is the answer! Amen?

Through the blood He shed upon the cross, He is able to bring me into God’s presence by dealing with the penalty for my sin. Through His risen life residing in me through the One he introduced as “Another Helper” (John 14:16), He draws alongside and provides me what I need to put down the power of sin. And One day, true to His promises, He will again come alongside and deliver me from the presence of sin.

“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus . . .” (1Tim. 2:5) He’s the answer! Oh, how I love flipping to the back of the book. To Him be all glory . . .

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I Can Hardly Wait!

Posted on November 2, 2010 by Pete

So . . . think back to a time when you were a kid . . . ’cause I think kids do this the best . . . think back to a time when you found yourself thinking or saying something like, “I can hardly wait!!!” Might have been a Christmas or birthday when you were pretty sure you knew what you were getting (or maybe not) . . . or a family vacation that you knew was coming . . . or maybe being reunited with “best bud” cousins you hadn’t seen for along while . . . I could go on . . . but I think you get the idea . . . so go ahead, think back to such a “I can hardly wait” time. That’s anticipation . . . and so is this . . .

“Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless . . . ” (2Peter 3:14)

Peter has spent two letters encouraging a group of beaten up, on-the-run saints to “keep on keeping on” . . . to remain faithful. Four times in this letter (2Peter 1:12,13,15; 3:1) he says that his purpose in writing is to stir up these believers by reminding them of what they know to be true concerning their salvation, their Savior, and, as he wraps up this letter, His soon return. The day of the Lord’s return will come as a thief in the night (3:10) . . . and with that day, the fulfillment of God’s promise of a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells (3:13). God is not slack concerning His promise . . . He does not promise and then fail to deliver . . . but in His perfect time what He says He will do. And so, Peter says, look for it . . . expect it . . . wait on it, because it’s coming. Ah, sweet anticipation!

The same Greek word is used in both verses 13 and 14 . . . translated in the NKJV as “look for” and “looking forward to” . . . the word carries the idea of watchful expectation . . . it’s waiting, but it’s waiting on the edge of your seat . . . it’s the “I can hardly wait” sort of waiting . . . it’s anticipation.

And Peter says to these beloved believers . . . these who are paying the price for faithfulness . . . these who, perhaps, start the day wondering how they are going to get through the day . . . he says, look forward to these things. “These things” of Jesus’ return . . . of the putting down of sin and suffering . . . of the establishing of a new earth enveloped by new heavens wired to be a place where righteousness dwells . . . of the prize being realized.

Anticipation has a way of leading to purification. As I look forward to these things . . . as I expectantly await that day when I will see Him face to face . . . it has a way of shaping how I determine to live here and now. It fuels a diligence and a holy determination towards pursuing the things of God and submitting to the Spirit of God in order to be found at peace with God. The more the thought of standing . . . strike that . . . kneeling . . . strike that . . . being facedown before Jesus grips my soul, the more I want to have allowed the grace at work within me to have it’s perfect work in presenting me without spot and blameless. The more I want to be counted as a good and faithful servant. I know I can’t do it on my own . . . but it’s also true that He can’t do the work in me without my cooperation . . . a cooperation fueled by anticipation.

I remember reading or hearing somewhere in my past that church revival is often fueled by a fresh appreciation of the imminent return of Christ. That the church is never more alive than when it eagerly awaits being presented as the Bride to the One who loved her and gave Himself for her. That believers are never more on fire than when they really think that Jesus could come today.

Therefore, beloved, look forward to these things. As I head for work this morning, I’ll look up at the clouds (lots of those in the Seattle area) and wonder if they’ll part today to welcome me to the One who has promised to come in the clouds to receive His own (1Thess. 4:17). As I work through the day’s trials, I’ll cast a thought heavenward and realize it’s gonna be worth it all. As I lay me down to sleep, I’ll think that since He didn’t come today, He might be coming tomorrow . . . and say to myself, “I can hardly wait!” Ah, sweet anticipation!

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