This seems to be a common search result that leads to my blog but I'm not sure how well I did stringing the series together the first time. So, I'll post all the links to the series below.
I am 3 days away from being done with finals and then I might have time to do some more Christmas reflecting this year. Hopefully.
Many blessings to you all this Christmas season.
Actually, I just realized I never finished the series. I'll work on that over break. :)
Showing posts with label word study. Show all posts
Showing posts with label word study. Show all posts
10 December 2007
21 January 2007
To Tears
I’ve rarely experienced moments of intense emotion when reading commentaries but I was brought to tears by this, and I wanted to share it.
I’m prepping a study of Psalm 40, and not owning a commentary of my own; I borrowed Spurgeon’s from my pastor’s library. (Thanks, David. You should comment here sometime :)
Versus 6-10 cross-reference with Hebrews 10:5-9; a connection I would not have made on my own, but Hebrews makes it very clear that Ps. 40:6-10 is speaking directly about Christ:
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but my ears you have pierced;
burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
Then I said, "Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll.
I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."
I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD.
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.
Spurgeon exposits verse 7: Then I said, “Here I am, I have come – it is written about me in the scroll,” with the following:
Immanuel did not send but come; he came in his own personality, in all that constituted his essential self he came forth from the ivory palaces to the abodes of misery; he came promptly at the destined hour; he came with sacred alacrity as one freely offering himself. In the eternal decree it is thus recorded. The mystic roll of predestination which providence gradually unfolds, contained within it, to the Saviour’s knowledge, a written covenant, that in the fullness of time the divine I should descend to earth to accomplish a purpose which hecatombs of bullocks and rams could not achieve. What a privilege to find our names written in the book of life, and what an honour, since the name of Jesus heads the page! Our Lord has respect to his ancient covenant engagements, and herein he teaches us to be scrupulously just in keep our word; have we so promised, it is so written in the book of remembrance? {Emphasis Spurgeon's.}
I like that He did not send but come. That He held the promise of the covenant, and that He spoke His promise in the Psalms. That we find Christ in the Psalms makes clear this was His holy plan, this was no afterthought. His redemptive work on the cross is not Plan B. This causes me to pause, reflecting on His wisdom, His purposes, His provision. If He planned this much for himself, how much does He plan for His Bride, His Beloved? This is humbling, to say the least. In fact, my thoughts were such that I could not put into words, and had to fall in tears of joy, thankfulness and praise. He is a good, good G-d.
I’m prepping a study of Psalm 40, and not owning a commentary of my own; I borrowed Spurgeon’s from my pastor’s library. (Thanks, David. You should comment here sometime :)
Versus 6-10 cross-reference with Hebrews 10:5-9; a connection I would not have made on my own, but Hebrews makes it very clear that Ps. 40:6-10 is speaking directly about Christ:
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but my ears you have pierced;
burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
Then I said, "Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll.
I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."
I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD.
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly.
Spurgeon exposits verse 7: Then I said, “Here I am, I have come – it is written about me in the scroll,” with the following:
Immanuel did not send but come; he came in his own personality, in all that constituted his essential self he came forth from the ivory palaces to the abodes of misery; he came promptly at the destined hour; he came with sacred alacrity as one freely offering himself. In the eternal decree it is thus recorded. The mystic roll of predestination which providence gradually unfolds, contained within it, to the Saviour’s knowledge, a written covenant, that in the fullness of time the divine I should descend to earth to accomplish a purpose which hecatombs of bullocks and rams could not achieve. What a privilege to find our names written in the book of life, and what an honour, since the name of Jesus heads the page! Our Lord has respect to his ancient covenant engagements, and herein he teaches us to be scrupulously just in keep our word; have we so promised, it is so written in the book of remembrance? {Emphasis Spurgeon's.}
I like that He did not send but come. That He held the promise of the covenant, and that He spoke His promise in the Psalms. That we find Christ in the Psalms makes clear this was His holy plan, this was no afterthought. His redemptive work on the cross is not Plan B. This causes me to pause, reflecting on His wisdom, His purposes, His provision. If He planned this much for himself, how much does He plan for His Bride, His Beloved? This is humbling, to say the least. In fact, my thoughts were such that I could not put into words, and had to fall in tears of joy, thankfulness and praise. He is a good, good G-d.
08 January 2007
Grace in the Gospels
We make the freely given promise of G-d the foundation of faith because upon it faith properly rests... Faith properly begins with the promise, rests in it, and ends in it. (Calvin, Inst. 3.2.29)
Back in September I began a word study of grace in the NT. And, well, it's been 4 months; I should probably start sharing my thoughts.
We think of grace as commonplace in the Bible, but the word grace appears only four times in the gospels, three of those instances coming in the opening chapter of John. Here are my original thoughts on each, as I recorded them months ago.
Luke 2:40: And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom and the grace of G-d was upon him.
Context: Joseph and Mary have returned with a young Jesus to Nazareth. It is strange, a bit foreign, to think of Jesus as a boy; an infant in a manger - yes, but a child - no. I cannot wrap my brain around that simple an image of my savior. And it is stranger still to think of grace upon him, for isn't He Grace? It is love that bid Him to the cross, to bring glory to the Father. But surely it is because He is Grace that He came at all.
John 1:14: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Thoughts: This is John's description of the deity of Christ, but I am still caught and breathless by the thought that Jesus is grace.
John 1:16&17: From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Thoughts: Once again, this shows grace as Christs' essence, acted by and through His love on the cross, to bring us hope, salvation, redemption; complete and absolute glory to the Father.
---
Afterthoughts:
Jesus himself never addresses grace; he need not. It is His very core, not just an attribute of his being, but His essence and purpose, too.
Tangent: John is by far my favorite gospel, and possibly my favorite NT book.
25 December 2006
Advent and Resurrection
On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons." (Luke 2:21-24)
Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. (John 19:40)
"Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him
and he will bring justice to the nations." (Isaiah 42:1)
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." (Luke 2:25-32)
So she [Mary] came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"
Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) (John 20:2, 8-9)
The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." (Luke 2:33-35)
"Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" (John 20:15)
"I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles,
to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness." (Isaiah 42:6-7)
There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36-38)
Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" (John 20:17)
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. (Luke 2:39-40)
Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20:19-22)
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. (John 19:40)
"Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him
and he will bring justice to the nations." (Isaiah 42:1)
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." (Luke 2:25-32)
So she [Mary] came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"
Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) (John 20:2, 8-9)
The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." (Luke 2:33-35)
"Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" (John 20:15)
"I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles,
to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness." (Isaiah 42:6-7)
There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36-38)
Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" (John 20:17)
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. (Luke 2:39-40)
Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20:19-22)
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53:12)
24 December 2006
Christmas Reflections II
Here are two historical moments, pregnant with anticipation, hope, uncertainty, sorrow, and longing. The birth of a carpenter’s son, with the usual laws of nature disrupted by G-d himself, occurring on a quiet night in an ordinary town. And sacrificial death of that same child, complete with mock coronation, fulfillment of prophecy, and perfectly balanced paradox of a Servant King.
I imagine the universe inhaling, holding its breath in expectation, for each of these events. All of heavens hosts waiting to burst forth to the shepherds as soon as G-d let it be so, and the chill of that dark hour on the cross. When he breathed his last, It is finished, did creation slowly sigh, or silently weep for her King?
John answers a question from my last reflections: How much did Jesus know and when did He know it? Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
And, Jesus also gives us the reason for Christmas: For this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. I am here for this very purpose, to take on the Father’s will, to be a guilt offering, to heal you through my very wounds.
Mary bookends the stories, not that she be exalted, but that by this essential human relationship, we remember our Savior’s full humanity, from his birth in a manger, to his death on a cross.
I imagine the universe inhaling, holding its breath in expectation, for each of these events. All of heavens hosts waiting to burst forth to the shepherds as soon as G-d let it be so, and the chill of that dark hour on the cross. When he breathed his last, It is finished, did creation slowly sigh, or silently weep for her King?
John answers a question from my last reflections: How much did Jesus know and when did He know it? Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
And, Jesus also gives us the reason for Christmas: For this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. I am here for this very purpose, to take on the Father’s will, to be a guilt offering, to heal you through my very wounds.
Mary bookends the stories, not that she be exalted, but that by this essential human relationship, we remember our Savior’s full humanity, from his birth in a manger, to his death on a cross.
23 December 2006
Preparation
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register. (Luke 2:1, 3)
Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?"
"Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. “I am he," Jesus said. (John 18:4-5)
Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. (John 18:12-13)
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised,
and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:3)
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. (Luke 2:4-5)
Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"
Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."
"You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." (John 18:33, 36-37)
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6-7)
He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. (Isaiah 53:2)
Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck him in the face. (John 19:1-3)
He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." (Luke 2:8-12)
Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle. Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. (John 19:17-19)
Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. (Isaiah 53:10)
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." (Luke 2:13-15)
When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. (John 19:26-28)
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (Luke 2:16-20)
Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. (John 19:30, 33-34)
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)
Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?"
"Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. “I am he," Jesus said. (John 18:4-5)
Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. (John 18:12-13)
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised,
and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:3)
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. (Luke 2:4-5)
Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"
Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."
"You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." (John 18:33, 36-37)
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6-7)
He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. (Isaiah 53:2)
Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck him in the face. (John 19:1-3)
He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." (Luke 2:8-12)
Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle. Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. (John 19:17-19)
Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. (Isaiah 53:10)
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." (Luke 2:13-15)
When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. (John 19:26-28)
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (Luke 2:16-20)
Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. (John 19:30, 33-34)
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)
22 December 2006
Christmas Reflections I
I promised I'd record my reflections on the exercise of juxtaposing the Holy Birth narrative with the Passion.
My first reaction was the extraordinary amount of preparation necessary for Christ's coming. I firmly believe that this was G-d's plan from the beginning - this was not plan B. The momentum of all nature was moving towards this moment from before the dawn of time. The Birth of the Savior of the world took thousands of years of preparation; this is His Great Plan, yet how often do I expect immediate results in my own life? He is always perfect in His timing.
But the intention of the plan never ended in Bethlehem, and as I’ve read and reread John’s account of the Passion Week, I’m always curious as to how much Jesus knew and when he knew it. Calvin suggests that when Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father (Jn. 13:1), “This should be noted carefully, for it refers to Christ’s knowledge that his death was a passing on to the heavenly kingdom of G-d.” Did he know this passing would come with a painful, albeit brief, separation?
I wonder what Mary thought, hearing the words of the angel in her memory, as she birthed her son in less than desirable conditions. This dichotomy permeates Christ’s life – the high, kingly priest contrast with the lowly, humble birth, life and death. The Servant King, meek and loving in his last days, serving his closest friends.
Regardless of how much or when He knew it, His purpose is clear. Zechariah’s testimony claims the history of G-d’s provision of salvation, and that Christ will enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. This verse does not allow me to be content with just “being saved.” This is engaging, participatory, and continues to carry the momentum of all creation towards the fulfillment of G-d’s purposes on this terrestrial sphere, and beyond.
My first reaction was the extraordinary amount of preparation necessary for Christ's coming. I firmly believe that this was G-d's plan from the beginning - this was not plan B. The momentum of all nature was moving towards this moment from before the dawn of time. The Birth of the Savior of the world took thousands of years of preparation; this is His Great Plan, yet how often do I expect immediate results in my own life? He is always perfect in His timing.
But the intention of the plan never ended in Bethlehem, and as I’ve read and reread John’s account of the Passion Week, I’m always curious as to how much Jesus knew and when he knew it. Calvin suggests that when Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father (Jn. 13:1), “This should be noted carefully, for it refers to Christ’s knowledge that his death was a passing on to the heavenly kingdom of G-d.” Did he know this passing would come with a painful, albeit brief, separation?
I wonder what Mary thought, hearing the words of the angel in her memory, as she birthed her son in less than desirable conditions. This dichotomy permeates Christ’s life – the high, kingly priest contrast with the lowly, humble birth, life and death. The Servant King, meek and loving in his last days, serving his closest friends.
Regardless of how much or when He knew it, His purpose is clear. Zechariah’s testimony claims the history of G-d’s provision of salvation, and that Christ will enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. This verse does not allow me to be content with just “being saved.” This is engaging, participatory, and continues to carry the momentum of all creation towards the fulfillment of G-d’s purposes on this terrestrial sphere, and beyond.
15 December 2006
Anticipation
This will be a series of Christmas posts, based on an exercise I did setting the story of the Holy Birth with the Passion of Christ, as well as some prophecies from Isaiah. I'll post the Scripture (NIV) now and my thoughts later. I've stuck with Luke for the Christmas account, and John for the trial, death and resurrection, and tried to stay in chronological order for both.
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But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (Luke 1:13, 16-17)
It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. (John 13:1)
God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." (Luke 1:26-33)
Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (John 13:3-5)
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35)
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." (John 14:1-4)
And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers." (Luke 1:46-48, 54-55)
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. (John 17:1-5)
His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us— to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace." (Luke 1:67-79)
"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. (John 17:24)
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But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." (Luke 1:13, 16-17)
It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. (John 13:1)
God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." (Luke 1:26-33)
Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (John 13:3-5)
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35)
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." (John 14:1-4)
And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers." (Luke 1:46-48, 54-55)
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. (John 17:1-5)
His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us— to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace." (Luke 1:67-79)
"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. (John 17:24)
30 October 2006
Offering, and answers to prayer
Nope, I'm not going to talk about money or tithing, though both are very important subjects. The offering I'm referring to in the title is ourselves.
The lyrics of a popular Christian song imply that the only sacrifice we can make to G-d is to give Him our lives, and that this is in our power to do so. The thought struck me that this is not entirely true. No, I don't have anything else to give G-d, for there is nothing that isn't already His. Including me. I obediently "give my life to Him" not because it's all I have to give, but because it's His already, purchased for eternity by His Son's precious blood.
What struck me in a Wow Moment was not that He accepts the offering of ourselves, but that He accepts this even though it's fully His, and He does it for our benefit and His pleasure.
"Offer yourselves to G-d; as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness." Romans 6:13b
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of G-d's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to G-d - this is your spiritual act of worship." Romans 12:1
I'm amazed that He considers this offering-that's-rightfully-His an act of worship. My only conclusion is that this act of obedience, this continual laying down of our selves and offering of our bodies to Him, is the very "working out" of our salvation. That as we bring this humble offering, this lump of clay to the potter, He is molding and making, transforming and sanctifying us into righteousness, drawing us closer to holiness and pleasing our Father.
My second Wow Moment came this morning during my word-study on Grace. I promise to revisit Romans and 1 Corinthians, but today I came across Paul's famous grace quote in 2 Cor 12:9.
I was reminded that this was the answer to Paul's prayer that the thorn in his side be removed. This was the answer. Not an answer, or half the answer, for we really don't know if the thorn ever was removed. For all Paul knew at the time of writing, and all we know now, this was it. This was not a yes, no, maybe, not yet, be patient, or any of the other short human answers we often look for from G-d.
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
Enough already. You don't need a human answer, you need ME. Find rest in My strength and power in My grace, for I am the only answer sufficient for all life's thorns.
Think about it: even when He answers in human terms, He still answers ME. He only answers yes when it brings Him glory, and no when it won't. Maybes, not yets, and be patients all serve to draw us closer to His will. Seek first the kingdom of G-d.
You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:14
The answer, and perhaps even the prayer should be as well, is always Me.
The lyrics of a popular Christian song imply that the only sacrifice we can make to G-d is to give Him our lives, and that this is in our power to do so. The thought struck me that this is not entirely true. No, I don't have anything else to give G-d, for there is nothing that isn't already His. Including me. I obediently "give my life to Him" not because it's all I have to give, but because it's His already, purchased for eternity by His Son's precious blood.
What struck me in a Wow Moment was not that He accepts the offering of ourselves, but that He accepts this even though it's fully His, and He does it for our benefit and His pleasure.
"Offer yourselves to G-d; as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness." Romans 6:13b
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of G-d's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to G-d - this is your spiritual act of worship." Romans 12:1
I'm amazed that He considers this offering-that's-rightfully-His an act of worship. My only conclusion is that this act of obedience, this continual laying down of our selves and offering of our bodies to Him, is the very "working out" of our salvation. That as we bring this humble offering, this lump of clay to the potter, He is molding and making, transforming and sanctifying us into righteousness, drawing us closer to holiness and pleasing our Father.
My second Wow Moment came this morning during my word-study on Grace. I promise to revisit Romans and 1 Corinthians, but today I came across Paul's famous grace quote in 2 Cor 12:9.
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. " Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
I was reminded that this was the answer to Paul's prayer that the thorn in his side be removed. This was the answer. Not an answer, or half the answer, for we really don't know if the thorn ever was removed. For all Paul knew at the time of writing, and all we know now, this was it. This was not a yes, no, maybe, not yet, be patient, or any of the other short human answers we often look for from G-d.
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
Enough already. You don't need a human answer, you need ME. Find rest in My strength and power in My grace, for I am the only answer sufficient for all life's thorns.
Think about it: even when He answers in human terms, He still answers ME. He only answers yes when it brings Him glory, and no when it won't. Maybes, not yets, and be patients all serve to draw us closer to His will. Seek first the kingdom of G-d.
You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:14
The answer, and perhaps even the prayer should be as well, is always Me.
20 August 2006
Christ and His Bride
I love it when things just come together, like G-d is sharing His puzzle-pieces with you. I'm doing a word-study of grace. (130 times! Sweet!) I'll try to share my thoughts* as often as possible, but the new job does start tomorrow...
The first appearance of grace in the Hebrew Bible is in Psalm 45, a Messianic Psalm:
The psalm is a wedding psalm, about the King and his Bride (Christ and His Church). In it, the King has been anointed with the oil of joy, a righteous ruler, whose kingdom is marked by justice. It's a beautiful depiction of Christ's love for the Church, and it's made me think about what I can do, as a member of Christ's body, in the community of fellow believers, to live a life worthy of His holy kingdom.
I have to admit that I get frustrated with my church and with the Church at times, but that it is in this working-out, this struggling to be a community (and not just a group of individuals), that Christ is glorified. His Grace is not just for you and me, but for US. Think about it: if we truly lived in fellowship-community - sharing the ups and downs of everyday life, we'd kill each other. We would. We would drive each other crazy. But for the Grace of G-d. His Grace compels us to love one another, just as Christ loved the Church. This love, rooted in Grace, tells me that you are my brother, and you are my sister, and we are all broken and need Him to walk with us daily.
Psalm 45 is fulfilled in Luke, chapter 4. At the synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus stands and reads from Isaiah, and then proclaims 'Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.'
The first appearance of grace in the Hebrew Bible is in Psalm 45, a Messianic Psalm:
"You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since G-d has blessed you forever." (vs. 2)
The psalm is a wedding psalm, about the King and his Bride (Christ and His Church). In it, the King has been anointed with the oil of joy, a righteous ruler, whose kingdom is marked by justice. It's a beautiful depiction of Christ's love for the Church, and it's made me think about what I can do, as a member of Christ's body, in the community of fellow believers, to live a life worthy of His holy kingdom.
I have to admit that I get frustrated with my church and with the Church at times, but that it is in this working-out, this struggling to be a community (and not just a group of individuals), that Christ is glorified. His Grace is not just for you and me, but for US. Think about it: if we truly lived in fellowship-community - sharing the ups and downs of everyday life, we'd kill each other. We would. We would drive each other crazy. But for the Grace of G-d. His Grace compels us to love one another, just as Christ loved the Church. This love, rooted in Grace, tells me that you are my brother, and you are my sister, and we are all broken and need Him to walk with us daily.
Psalm 45 is fulfilled in Luke, chapter 4. At the synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus stands and reads from Isaiah, and then proclaims 'Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.'
"All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips."
(Luke 4:22)
I find the emphasis (by the Western Church) on individualism to be somewhat artificial. He came to claim His Whole Church (both made whole by Him, and in whole for Him). It is this covenant of Grace, the marriage of the King and His Bride, that binds us together.
"All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away." (Jn. 6:37)
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*Disclaimer: These are just my thoughts. I am in no position, and have no authority to teach (or preach, for that matter); I just like to provide the context of the passages I'm sharing.
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