John 1:43-51
43The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” 44Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46″Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. 47When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.” 48″How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” 50Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that.” 51He then added, “I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
We are again confronted with this man, this Jesus, who simply says, “Follow me.” He doesn’t say where he is going, or what he will be doing, or why he is going there (yet), or how he will get there. In fact, most of it he keeps a mystery. He said later, “You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come” (7:34). Yet Philip not only follows Jesus, but he goes and grabs up one of his buddies who happens to be enjoying an afternoon siesta under a fig tree saying, “We have found (discovered, eureka-ed!) the Messiah, the One Moses wrote about in the Law, the One the Prophets spoke of. Andrew had said to Simon, “We have found (discovered, eureka-ed!) the Messiah!” I sometimes wish evangelism were so easy! Then again, perhaps we try to make it far more difficult than it has to be. Perhaps it is as simple as saying, “Guess who I have discovered?”
Whatever else may be learned here, one thing I do know is this: Philip does not go to Nathanael unarmed. He went steeped in Scripture: Law and Prophets were on his mind and he knew who he was looking for because he knew who was written of (Philip recognized Jesus because he recognized Scripture). When he met the one who conformed to Scripture he knew he was on to Someone. Here’s another key point. People often say things like, “I can’t witness because I don’t know enough.” I say that is, well, junk. The only way, theologically speaking, to get to know Jesus is by spending considerable time in His Word. Philip made these deductions based on his reading of the Old Testament. How much more then should we be able to make the same deductions after reading the New Testament? Our problem is that too much fluff is spewed out of pulpits in the Church today. There is simply not enough (any?) thorough, biblical, theological exposition of Scripture taking place in American church pulpits. Is it because preachers cannot do so or will not do so? I suspect it is probably both. After all, we’d rather have a crowd listen to fluff than no one listen to Scripture. Right? Our problem is that we figure we can avoid testimony for Christ by avoiding the Scripture; so it collects dust on a shelf. But in truth, Scripture will not be avoided and if the church, the people who are the Body of Christ, does not return to Scripture I fear the church will be lost or destroyed. I hope it is not too late.
Nathanael is no dummy though: “I’ve heard about those ruffians from Nazareth. Brutes they are. Can anything good come out of there I wonder?” And all Philip says is the same thing John the baptizer said, “Come and behold!” So Nathanael goes and a dialogue takes place between Jesus and Nathanael after which Nathanael proclaims, “You are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel!” All of this because Jesus knew where Nathanael took a nap each day! But then, who’s to say that Philip, steeped in Scripture as he was, did not take time to open Scripture to Nathanael on their way to follow Jesus? Nathanael makes a profound confession of Jesus to go along with John’s “Behold the Lamb of God, Andrew’s, “We have found the Messiah,” and Philip’s, “We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law…” Now we also have, “You are the Son of God; the King of Israel!” These four appellations paint for us a comprehensive picture of this person who keeps on saying, “Follow Me.” When Jesus finally speaks he refers to himself as “Son of Man.” Yet another dimension of Jesus’ person; and all terms that are rich with Biblical imagery and meaning. I dare say that if one is not sufficiently immersed and submerged in the Scripture of the Old Testament these titles, names, and identifying markers might lose a bit of their meaning; most of it.
Again I think you have to know your Old Testament to make sense of Jesus’ words about angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man. In short, they will not ascend and descend on a ladder or stairway as they did in Genesis 28, where we read of Jacob’s dream, but on Jesus. In other words, Jesus would be the bridge, or stairway, or ladder that bridges the gap between here and there. Or, better, Jesus himself is the Way between here and there. Jesus has replaced the ladder; Jesus is the ladder. There is no other way for angels, or men. Jesus has replaced the ladder. Jesus describes this, seeing angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man, as one of the ‘greater things’ that Nathanael will see. This is a bold statement; a radical pronouncement. This is simply off the hook. All of this, keep in mind, after Jesus said, “Follow me.” Who could resist? Who would be foolish enough?
Eugene Peterson’s book The Jesus Wayspeaks near the end about ‘other ways’ of following in this world or ‘other ways’ of achieving something in this world; other ways of achieving the goal or prize–ways out of sync with the Jesus Way. He speaks of the way of Herod, and Josephus and Caiaphas, men who embodied ways that would not cause a person or an angel to ascend to heaven. They were, by the world’s standards, massive success stories. By Jesus’ standards they were complete failures who led people exactly nowhere and Peterson assures us that we are fools if we do not dismiss these ways, these alternatives, as paths to hell. Peterson writes, “What stands out as we consider all these dismissed options is that following Jesus is a unique way of life. It is like nothing else. There is nothing and no one comparable. Follow Jesus gets us little or nothing of what we commonly think we need or want or hope for. Following Jesus accomplishes nothing on the world’s agenda. Following Jesus takes us right out of this world’s assumptions and goals to a place where a lever can be inserted that turns the world upside down and inside out. Following Jesus has everything to do with this world, but almost nothing in common with this world” (E Peterson, The Jesus Way, 270). This is what we are getting into when we follow Jesus. We will see great things, no doubt. But we must also be quite prepared to leave this world behind. No wonder one of the first teachings of Jesus in this book is a story about leaving this place and going to that place—and, better, the Only Way to do it: Through Himself.
So, who can resist? Who would be foolish enough?
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
God's Love for Us in Christ
"Whenever we gaze at the cross, we ought to be constrained to say, 'Does He love me more than He loves Him? That he would give Him for me?"--C. H. Spurgeon, as quoted in J Ligon Duncan III, Only One Way?, footnote, p 125
Tis something for you to think about today.
jerry
Tis something for you to think about today.
jerry
Monday, June 04, 2007
Fed Up with Your Church?
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55990
Think you got it bad here in America? Think your church stinks? Think you're not getting anything out of the worship on Sundays? Read this article.
"Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering"--Hebrews 13:3 NIV
jerry
Think you got it bad here in America? Think your church stinks? Think you're not getting anything out of the worship on Sundays? Read this article.
"Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering"--Hebrews 13:3 NIV
jerry
90 Days with Jesus, Day 5: John 1:35-42…Following Jesus
John 1:35-42
“The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” 37When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39″Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour. 40Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).”
I picture John shouting these words: “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!” I sort of imagine that he was on the lookout, waiting, watching, keeping one eye on the crowd and one eye searching the crowd—and then it happened; He appeared. John ‘saw Jesus passing by.’ “Behold! I’m trying to get your attention! There is someone you just have to see! You cannot not take a look, a long gaze, a mesmerizing stare! Behold! Examine! Contemplate!” John’s disciples would later repeat these words. Philip went to Nathanael and said, “Come and See.” He uses the same Greek that John did: “Behold!” “Come and behold!” The author to the Hebrews would say something very similar: “Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of your faith who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” The message is always the same: Stay fixed on Jesus.
John has twice pointed out Jesus to the gathered crowd. Both times he has said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” I did a quick Internet search for the moniker ‘Lamb of God.’ I did not turn up one hit for the One named Jesus. I did, however, turn up an entire page of links to a group of musicians known by the same. They, unfortunately, have nothing to do with Jesus except to mock him. They are nothing worth paying any attention to. They are not worth beholding. They are not worth spending the day with. They are not worth concerning yourself where they are staying. Jesus was and that is what I noticed about these verses here.
John pointed to Jesus and said, “Look!” Then some of John’s disciples followed Jesus. Then they wanted to know where he was staying and when they found out they stayed with him an entire day. Next one of these men, Andrew, went and found his brother and bade him to come and meet Jesus also. Andrew makes what is one of the first open confessions, aside from the baptizer, about the identity of Jesus. “We have found!” “We have discovered!” Notice also that this newly discovered information was information that had to be shared with someone else. This was not something to keep to oneself.
There is another thought concerning this dawning, this awakening, this eye-opening revelation that overwhelmed Andrew. I notice that he came to this conclusion quite apart from any sort of displays of power, or miracles, or even teaching. Maybe I’m being too simplistic about this, but what actually caused Andrew to come to such a conclusion and make such a pronouncement? What took place during that day he spent with Jesus that caused him to conclude that Jesus was in fact the Messiah, the Christ? Was it something John said? But all John said was, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” (The only other things John had said were, “I am not the Messiah.”) Or was it something in Jesus’ words, “What do you want? Come, and you will see.” It would be fun to know what Jesus and these two disciples did that day. I’d like to know what compelled Andrew to conclude that this Jesus, with whom he had spent one day or so, about whom he had heard a couple really short sermons, was in fact the hoped for Messiah. It would not always be like that in John’s Gospel. Sadly, it is not nearly at all like that in our day.
Maybe it’s not tough at all. Maybe it was just a matter of spending a day with Jesus. And this is to say nothing of Peter who, evidently, had never even heard John say “Behold the Lamb of God!” Peter, evidently, took Andrew at his word and went to Jesus where from that day forward his life was altered. (Was he so persuaded because of Andrew’s conviction?) What shall we say then? That when we spend time with Jesus we will undoubtedly come to such a conclusion? That when we ourselves are convinced of who Jesus is we will make a beeline to someone we know and love and tell them the news? That we, having more information should be as convinced and convincing as Andrew was to Peter? Or, maybe we should ask, how Andrew could be so confident with so little information and we so unconvinced with so much information?
There is one last thing: It was Jesus who, from the get go, was the leader. “When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. And, they spent the day with him. And, ‘Andrew…was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus.’ And Andrew brought his brother to Jesus. And they wanted to know where Jesus was staying. In other words, from the start, these men followed Jesus, spent the day with him, went to him, share him with others, told others about him. From the start, it was about where Jesus was. Eugene Peterson writes, “North American Christians are conspicuous for going along with whatever the culture decides is charismatic, successful, influential—whatever gets things done, whatever can gather a crowd of followers—hardly noticing that these ways and means are at odds with the clearly marked way that Jesus walked and called us to follow. Doesn’t anybody notice that the ways and means taken up, often enthusiastically, are blasphemously at odds with the way Jesus leads his followers? Why doesn’t anybody notice?” (The Jesus Way, 8 ) From that day forward they followed Jesus. Would that this were true of all of us: Stay fixed on Jesus.
“The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” 37When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” 39″Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour. 40Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).”
I picture John shouting these words: “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!” I sort of imagine that he was on the lookout, waiting, watching, keeping one eye on the crowd and one eye searching the crowd—and then it happened; He appeared. John ‘saw Jesus passing by.’ “Behold! I’m trying to get your attention! There is someone you just have to see! You cannot not take a look, a long gaze, a mesmerizing stare! Behold! Examine! Contemplate!” John’s disciples would later repeat these words. Philip went to Nathanael and said, “Come and See.” He uses the same Greek that John did: “Behold!” “Come and behold!” The author to the Hebrews would say something very similar: “Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of your faith who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” The message is always the same: Stay fixed on Jesus.
John has twice pointed out Jesus to the gathered crowd. Both times he has said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” I did a quick Internet search for the moniker ‘Lamb of God.’ I did not turn up one hit for the One named Jesus. I did, however, turn up an entire page of links to a group of musicians known by the same. They, unfortunately, have nothing to do with Jesus except to mock him. They are nothing worth paying any attention to. They are not worth beholding. They are not worth spending the day with. They are not worth concerning yourself where they are staying. Jesus was and that is what I noticed about these verses here.
John pointed to Jesus and said, “Look!” Then some of John’s disciples followed Jesus. Then they wanted to know where he was staying and when they found out they stayed with him an entire day. Next one of these men, Andrew, went and found his brother and bade him to come and meet Jesus also. Andrew makes what is one of the first open confessions, aside from the baptizer, about the identity of Jesus. “We have found!” “We have discovered!” Notice also that this newly discovered information was information that had to be shared with someone else. This was not something to keep to oneself.
There is another thought concerning this dawning, this awakening, this eye-opening revelation that overwhelmed Andrew. I notice that he came to this conclusion quite apart from any sort of displays of power, or miracles, or even teaching. Maybe I’m being too simplistic about this, but what actually caused Andrew to come to such a conclusion and make such a pronouncement? What took place during that day he spent with Jesus that caused him to conclude that Jesus was in fact the Messiah, the Christ? Was it something John said? But all John said was, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” (The only other things John had said were, “I am not the Messiah.”) Or was it something in Jesus’ words, “What do you want? Come, and you will see.” It would be fun to know what Jesus and these two disciples did that day. I’d like to know what compelled Andrew to conclude that this Jesus, with whom he had spent one day or so, about whom he had heard a couple really short sermons, was in fact the hoped for Messiah. It would not always be like that in John’s Gospel. Sadly, it is not nearly at all like that in our day.
Maybe it’s not tough at all. Maybe it was just a matter of spending a day with Jesus. And this is to say nothing of Peter who, evidently, had never even heard John say “Behold the Lamb of God!” Peter, evidently, took Andrew at his word and went to Jesus where from that day forward his life was altered. (Was he so persuaded because of Andrew’s conviction?) What shall we say then? That when we spend time with Jesus we will undoubtedly come to such a conclusion? That when we ourselves are convinced of who Jesus is we will make a beeline to someone we know and love and tell them the news? That we, having more information should be as convinced and convincing as Andrew was to Peter? Or, maybe we should ask, how Andrew could be so confident with so little information and we so unconvinced with so much information?
There is one last thing: It was Jesus who, from the get go, was the leader. “When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. And, they spent the day with him. And, ‘Andrew…was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus.’ And Andrew brought his brother to Jesus. And they wanted to know where Jesus was staying. In other words, from the start, these men followed Jesus, spent the day with him, went to him, share him with others, told others about him. From the start, it was about where Jesus was. Eugene Peterson writes, “North American Christians are conspicuous for going along with whatever the culture decides is charismatic, successful, influential—whatever gets things done, whatever can gather a crowd of followers—hardly noticing that these ways and means are at odds with the clearly marked way that Jesus walked and called us to follow. Doesn’t anybody notice that the ways and means taken up, often enthusiastically, are blasphemously at odds with the way Jesus leads his followers? Why doesn’t anybody notice?” (The Jesus Way, 8 ) From that day forward they followed Jesus. Would that this were true of all of us: Stay fixed on Jesus.
90 Days with Jesus, Day 4: John 1:29-34: Behold the Lamb
John 1:29-34
29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' 31I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel." 32Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' 34I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."
The word ‘behold’ is of singular importance in these verses. It is a word of urgency, importance, and direction. John saw Jesus coming towards him and he said, “Behold!” It is hard to mistake what was going on: He pointed to Jesus. But he did not leave his preaching (‘Look’) without interpretation. If he told the people around to ‘look’ he always told them what they were looking at: ‘The Lamb of God.’ However, that is still not enough. He did not leave ‘Lamb of God’ without interpretation either: ‘Who takes away the sin of the world!’ Now, if we misunderstood why we were looking at Jesus, and if we misunderstood what John meant when he referred to Jesus as the Lamb of God, there is no misunderstanding what John meant by ‘takes away the sin of the world.’ The only question we might be left with is: How will he do that? But even the word ‘lamb’ gives those baptized in scripture insight into his meaning.
This is also the first time Jesus has been publicly identified in John’s Gospel. We have heard other words about Him. He is the Word. He was with God and so on. But one day Jesus went for a walk and when John saw him he did not hold back his guns but fired the opening salvo to anyone listening: ‘Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.’ Ironically, or perhaps not, Jesus does nothing to dissuade John from this idea. People came to John and plied him with many questions about his own identity; and he denied every title or identity people tried to label him with. John says this about Jesus and we hear not a word from Jesus in denial. So the first time anyone says anything publicly about Jesus in this Gospel we hear about who he is (Jesus), what he is (Lamb of God), and what He will do (take away the sins of the world). This is His primary objective, above and beyond anything else, before anything else, instead of anything else: He is the Lamb of God.
Well this certainly defines the problem of the world: Sin. He did not come down to solve the world’s economic crises, or to elect politicians, or to solve poverty, or sickness, or marital problems, or anything of the sort. Jesus, the Lamb of God, came to deal with sin. PT Forsyth brilliantly wrote, “He so spared not His Son as with Him to give us all things. The true theology of the Cross and its atonement is the solution of the world” (The Justification of God, 122). He came once as the Lamb to deal with sin. Will he be so meek and gentle the second time coming? Or will He come as the Lion? Jesus, the Lamb of God, came to deal with sin. John points that out when he makes his first public announcement about Jesus. The world should have known, but they were blind. They welcome John who baptized in water, but not Jesus who baptized in fire. Jesus, in my estimation, is used for too many things in this world and in His Church. I think when his prophets properly point out that Jesus came to deal with sin we will make great strides in this world and among the lost.
The reason we don’t point to this Jesus, the Lamb of God Jesus who deals with sin, is because in the church we have not sufficiently defined the terms. We have believed that sin can be dealt with therapeutically and not at the cross. David Wells has many important thoughts on this very issue. I’ll share but a couple. He criticizes those who hold the opinion that sin can be ‘domesticated’ and that this domesticated sin can be cleared up by showing more concern for ‘technique [as in marketing strategies] than with repentance, and that neighborhood surveys are more crucial than the Word of God for securing the church’s spiritual growth’ (God in the Wasteland, 81-82). He writes: “Christ’s gospel calls sinners to surrender their self-centeredness, to stop granting sovereignty to their own needs and recognize his claim of sovereignty over their lives. This is the reversal, the transposition of loyalties that is entailed in all genuine Christian believing” (God in the Wasteland, 82). Many times, nowadays, the church has surrendered moral authority because it will not peach the cross. The gospel preaching that takes place in many churches now is described by one as a gospel ‘consisting of a God without wrath bringing a people without sin into a kingdom without judgment through a Christ without a cross.’ (H. Richard Niebuhr as quoted by Wells, God in the Wasteland, 82). This has to change or the church will die. Sin is not something we can fix by watching Dr. Phil, listening to stories about our purpose in life, or listening to motivational speakers who are disguised as Christian evangelists. Sin can only be dealt with in the cross. It is this cross we must preach.
Jesus came to earth willing, ready, able and only to deal with sin. It is the church that has changed this mission and this message. The church needs to get back into the business of preaching the Jesus who came to deal with sin. The church needs to get back to the business of preaching a cross centered Gospel. The church needs to properly expound on the doctrine of atonement—a doctrine seen fully alive in the Old Testament books and literally fleshed out in the New Testament books; in Christ. Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He is our message. He is the direction we point because there is no other direction we can point. Sin is taken away in no other place, in no other person. Jesus only is the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Jesus only is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' 31I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel." 32Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' 34I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."
The word ‘behold’ is of singular importance in these verses. It is a word of urgency, importance, and direction. John saw Jesus coming towards him and he said, “Behold!” It is hard to mistake what was going on: He pointed to Jesus. But he did not leave his preaching (‘Look’) without interpretation. If he told the people around to ‘look’ he always told them what they were looking at: ‘The Lamb of God.’ However, that is still not enough. He did not leave ‘Lamb of God’ without interpretation either: ‘Who takes away the sin of the world!’ Now, if we misunderstood why we were looking at Jesus, and if we misunderstood what John meant when he referred to Jesus as the Lamb of God, there is no misunderstanding what John meant by ‘takes away the sin of the world.’ The only question we might be left with is: How will he do that? But even the word ‘lamb’ gives those baptized in scripture insight into his meaning.
This is also the first time Jesus has been publicly identified in John’s Gospel. We have heard other words about Him. He is the Word. He was with God and so on. But one day Jesus went for a walk and when John saw him he did not hold back his guns but fired the opening salvo to anyone listening: ‘Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.’ Ironically, or perhaps not, Jesus does nothing to dissuade John from this idea. People came to John and plied him with many questions about his own identity; and he denied every title or identity people tried to label him with. John says this about Jesus and we hear not a word from Jesus in denial. So the first time anyone says anything publicly about Jesus in this Gospel we hear about who he is (Jesus), what he is (Lamb of God), and what He will do (take away the sins of the world). This is His primary objective, above and beyond anything else, before anything else, instead of anything else: He is the Lamb of God.
Well this certainly defines the problem of the world: Sin. He did not come down to solve the world’s economic crises, or to elect politicians, or to solve poverty, or sickness, or marital problems, or anything of the sort. Jesus, the Lamb of God, came to deal with sin. PT Forsyth brilliantly wrote, “He so spared not His Son as with Him to give us all things. The true theology of the Cross and its atonement is the solution of the world” (The Justification of God, 122). He came once as the Lamb to deal with sin. Will he be so meek and gentle the second time coming? Or will He come as the Lion? Jesus, the Lamb of God, came to deal with sin. John points that out when he makes his first public announcement about Jesus. The world should have known, but they were blind. They welcome John who baptized in water, but not Jesus who baptized in fire. Jesus, in my estimation, is used for too many things in this world and in His Church. I think when his prophets properly point out that Jesus came to deal with sin we will make great strides in this world and among the lost.
The reason we don’t point to this Jesus, the Lamb of God Jesus who deals with sin, is because in the church we have not sufficiently defined the terms. We have believed that sin can be dealt with therapeutically and not at the cross. David Wells has many important thoughts on this very issue. I’ll share but a couple. He criticizes those who hold the opinion that sin can be ‘domesticated’ and that this domesticated sin can be cleared up by showing more concern for ‘technique [as in marketing strategies] than with repentance, and that neighborhood surveys are more crucial than the Word of God for securing the church’s spiritual growth’ (God in the Wasteland, 81-82). He writes: “Christ’s gospel calls sinners to surrender their self-centeredness, to stop granting sovereignty to their own needs and recognize his claim of sovereignty over their lives. This is the reversal, the transposition of loyalties that is entailed in all genuine Christian believing” (God in the Wasteland, 82). Many times, nowadays, the church has surrendered moral authority because it will not peach the cross. The gospel preaching that takes place in many churches now is described by one as a gospel ‘consisting of a God without wrath bringing a people without sin into a kingdom without judgment through a Christ without a cross.’ (H. Richard Niebuhr as quoted by Wells, God in the Wasteland, 82). This has to change or the church will die. Sin is not something we can fix by watching Dr. Phil, listening to stories about our purpose in life, or listening to motivational speakers who are disguised as Christian evangelists. Sin can only be dealt with in the cross. It is this cross we must preach.
Jesus came to earth willing, ready, able and only to deal with sin. It is the church that has changed this mission and this message. The church needs to get back into the business of preaching the Jesus who came to deal with sin. The church needs to get back to the business of preaching a cross centered Gospel. The church needs to properly expound on the doctrine of atonement—a doctrine seen fully alive in the Old Testament books and literally fleshed out in the New Testament books; in Christ. Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He is our message. He is the direction we point because there is no other direction we can point. Sin is taken away in no other place, in no other person. Jesus only is the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Jesus only is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
In the Beginning: A Bonus Meditation on John 1
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world." (John 1:1-9 NIV)"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1 NIV)I'm warming up. The spring is upon us. The sky has been clearing and the precipitation getting warmer. I'm anxious for more though. I cannot seem to get enough of that warmth that melts the flesh and thaws the bones. The winter has been long and I have grown tired, tired, tired of the cold, the snow, the ice and the chill that is set deep in my bones. Throw me like a piece of meat on the counter and let my flesh begin to melt. I'm ready to sizzle and sweat. I'm ready for the taste of summer sweat to linger on my lips. I'm ready for summer, garden dirt to to dry underneath my fingernails. I'm ready for shoeless days and bare-feet ambling in the grass.
Lately I've heard the beginning rumblings of crickets in my backyard. It's a welcome sound that I will cherish all summer long. I wish I could store a small cache of them somewhere in my house during the winter. I know, sadly, they don't sing for me. Yet somehow I am permitted to evesdrop every evening. Their song is so majestic, so grand, so peaceful. We have been having warmer evenings so I have been stealing a listen as often as I can. I don't think they mind. I don't think they even notice.
I like beginnings. In the beginning--sometimes I wish I had been there too, at that beginning--now that had to be an amazing thing. Everything was fresh and new. Everything was clean and abundant. Nothing was broken or corrupted--nothing was on it's way down. It was, in God's own words, Good. I don't suspect that those first people had to endure what we call seasons. I like those Narnian times when the winter begins to thaw, but I have to admit that I am looking forward to the time when the Narnian thaw is permanent. In the beginning was the Word. I'm looking forward to the time when the crickets have no reason to stop singing. The beginning of something new is what I'm looking for and the changing of the season--the days when summer takes over and conquers winter again--is merely a marker of the something better that is coming. It's a foretaste, a glimpse, foreshadowing. It is the perfect literature.
When Jesus came down he marked the beginning of the Narnian thaw. He marked the beginning of what God set in motion the day Adam and Eve sinned--nay, before the foundation of the world! Jesus' arrival marks the beginning and the end at the same time. His arrival announces to one an all: it is time to sing, it is time to thaw, it is time for the crickets to make merry. Someone powerful was breaking in and breaking out.
90 Days with Jesus, Day 3: He was Nobody
John 1:19-28
Now this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Christ. ” They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’ “Now some Pharisees who had been sent questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
It takes a great deal of courage and restraint to confess to being nobody. John did not say he was a nobody, but that he was nobody. His was a relative comparison. Jesus certainly thought John was somebody. He said, according to Matthew: “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” That’s high praise, but John took no note of it. He claims no mantle for himself. He claims no identity for himself. He simply says, “I am the voice of one calling in the desert.” How many of us can say with such certainty that we are willing to stand unadorned (voice), alone (one), and without audience (desert) in order to accomplish something for someone else—especially Jesus! John says he was one; how many ‘ones’ of us should there be?
John pointed away from himself. He ‘freely confessed…’ that he was not the Messiah, the Prophet, or Elijah. But clearly he was someone because the people were going to him, questioning him, plying him for answers about his activities. John could have made a show. John could have claimed something for himself. John could have attracted large hordes of disciples to himself. He could have went to Jerusalem or some big city nearby and stood on the temple steps and preached his Gospel. Instead he freely confessed to being nobody in comparison to Someone. Instead, John stood out in the desert and if people came, they came; if they didn’t, they didn’t. It takes a lot of restraint to remain anonymous. It takes a lot of restraint to do bunch of work for someone else to get all the glory. And so John stayed out in the desert, in the wastelands, in the barren, void where he was only a voice blowing on the wind.
John had a testimony but it was not about himself. I think this must be our role also. We point away from ourselves to Jesus just like John did. We can claim no disciples. We can claim no title. Our work is very much like that John: We are preparing the way of the Lord, we are preparing this place for his arrival, we are making straight paths in these deserts where we live. We are make preparations for the day when Messiah will be here, but we certainly make no effort to claim to be Messiah ourselves. Our ambition must always be to point away from ourselves to Him. And when we are brave enough to make ourselves nothing, to be mere voices in desert places, then I think we are doing all we can to exalt Christ. This is clearly John’s point. He will do nothing for himself that might detract from the glory of Jesus. Neither must we.
I hope the 3rd of your 90 Days with Jesus is Blessed!
jerry
Now this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Christ. ” They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’ “Now some Pharisees who had been sent questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
It takes a great deal of courage and restraint to confess to being nobody. John did not say he was a nobody, but that he was nobody. His was a relative comparison. Jesus certainly thought John was somebody. He said, according to Matthew: “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” That’s high praise, but John took no note of it. He claims no mantle for himself. He claims no identity for himself. He simply says, “I am the voice of one calling in the desert.” How many of us can say with such certainty that we are willing to stand unadorned (voice), alone (one), and without audience (desert) in order to accomplish something for someone else—especially Jesus! John says he was one; how many ‘ones’ of us should there be?
John pointed away from himself. He ‘freely confessed…’ that he was not the Messiah, the Prophet, or Elijah. But clearly he was someone because the people were going to him, questioning him, plying him for answers about his activities. John could have made a show. John could have claimed something for himself. John could have attracted large hordes of disciples to himself. He could have went to Jerusalem or some big city nearby and stood on the temple steps and preached his Gospel. Instead he freely confessed to being nobody in comparison to Someone. Instead, John stood out in the desert and if people came, they came; if they didn’t, they didn’t. It takes a lot of restraint to remain anonymous. It takes a lot of restraint to do bunch of work for someone else to get all the glory. And so John stayed out in the desert, in the wastelands, in the barren, void where he was only a voice blowing on the wind.
John had a testimony but it was not about himself. I think this must be our role also. We point away from ourselves to Jesus just like John did. We can claim no disciples. We can claim no title. Our work is very much like that John: We are preparing the way of the Lord, we are preparing this place for his arrival, we are making straight paths in these deserts where we live. We are make preparations for the day when Messiah will be here, but we certainly make no effort to claim to be Messiah ourselves. Our ambition must always be to point away from ourselves to Him. And when we are brave enough to make ourselves nothing, to be mere voices in desert places, then I think we are doing all we can to exalt Christ. This is clearly John’s point. He will do nothing for himself that might detract from the glory of Jesus. Neither must we.
I hope the 3rd of your 90 Days with Jesus is Blessed!
jerry
Sermon Remnants, Sunday, June 3, 2007: John 7:1-52
Friends, I promised that parts of the sermon I didn’t get to Sunday morning I would post here. Below is the 2 pages of preliminary notes & observations that I did not include, and also the longer conclusion of the sermon that I did not preach. I’m actually happy that I ended the sermon where I did, although, to be sure, this sixth objection to Jesus should probably be mentioned. So, I do so here.–Jerry
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Now, before I get involved in the objectives I’d like to accomplish today, I’d like to briefly make a couple of observations about John’s Gospel as we have been led to this point in his narrative and as we see continuing to work out in this particular chapter. The first observation I’d like to make concerns his brothers sort of pushing him to make a public appearance. I think this goes back to the point Jesus made to his mother in the second chapter when she wanted him to solve the problem of running out wine at a wedding. He said to her, "Woman, why do you involve me, my time has not yet come." Here he makes very similar statements to his brothers: "For you any time is right; the right time has not yet come for me." In other words, people are not controlled or governed by some greater person or objective are free to do what they want, when they want. Jesus is telling his brothers: My schedule is not controlled by you or anyone here on this earth. My work and my schedule is governed solely by my Father whose work and will I am about.
I talked of this a bit last week when it came to the miracle of the bread. We cannot control Jesus. He has his own time schedule that will not be altered by our cajoling or ambition. We tend to look at things from a particular point of view. We see immediate objectives. We see short term accomplishment. I think that’s what his brothers wanted. "Hey, it’s a festival time, everyone is in Jerusalem, go do some miracles and win them over. That will make you a public figure." I hear in this terrible echoes of the devil standing on top of the temple with Jesus saying, ‘Hurl yourself down so He can command his angels to miraculously save you.’ In other words, ‘Go up to Jerusalem and do something spectacular, avoid the cross, do all you can to win people over without blood.’ But, God, I read, does not have a point of view as much as he has a complete view. God had the entire view in mind. And we have already discussed that Jesus is not coming to earth to be a bread Messiah.
* * * * *
The second observation that I must make is that there is an increasing level of violence that is being exercised against Jesus. He said at the beginning of chapter 7 that he purposely avoided going to a certain area because the Jews there were waiting to kill him—murder him. If you read slowly through John, and carefully, you will notice that the violence continues to increase all throughout the Gospel itself. The people were violently opposed to Jesus, to Jesus’ teaching, to Jesus’ disciples—at one point they even plot to murder someone that Jesus had raised from the dead.
Here in chapter 7 it is not different. He even asks them, ‘Why are you trying to kill me?’ He knows their intentions. He knows what they are about. Of course they deny it. But later someone says, "Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill?" In verse 30, it says they wanted to seize him. In verse 32, they send guards to arrest him. In verse 43, they are divided over him. In verse 44, they want to seize him again. And in verses 46-52, there seems to be a sort of trial of Jesus where he is found guilty of something and he has not even been on trial yet. And this sort of stuff is all throughout John. There’s always someone trying to kill him, or stone him, or seize him, but Jesus is always in control. Still, it matters very little what Jesus says, or what Jesus does, there is always one very clear response from the people who object: Kill him. They go out of their way to kill him, seize him, or whatever, and yet for all the times they try, they only succeed when Jesus determines they will succeed.
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Now, for the extended conclusion:
Well, the guards who were sent to arrest Jesus were thoroughly confounded, profoundly perplexed. What to do? No one ever spoke like this man does. We cannot arrest him. So more objections: He’s just a deceiver, none of the rulers or Pharisees have believed in him—we’re obviously smarter than all of you!—there’s a curse on the mob following him, he’s already guilty without a trial, and then one last thing, "Behold! Look! Nicodemus, you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee!" "Nazareth?! Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" "Come and Behold!" But I think about this one they might actually have been saying something right.You see, the things Jesus was saying and doing could not be attributed to mere human cunning and ability and Jesus never claimed that they did. He said his teaching was not his own. He said he was not doing his own will but the will of the One who sent him. He did miracles. He knew the One they didn’t know. He claimed to be the unique, sufficient way of salvation, the fulfillment of the Scripture, and the one who is hated by the world because he testifies against the world. They are right: No human being is foolish enough to do such things. No mere human is going to say these things, do these things, and divide people in these ways, claim to be God, and the only way to God, unless he were, in fact, the One He claimed to be. Humans would go for the miracle in the temple courts; Jesus goes for secrecy and teaching. Humans want the attention; Jesus claims he’s in it only for the Father’s glory. No, Jesus indeed was nota prophet from Galilee. He was definitely from some place else altogether and the only way to find out where is to believe in Jesus.
Maybe Jesus just was not fancy enough for them. Certainly, if a prophet were worth his salt, he’d be from someplace important, like Jerusalem. "Hey, if you want to be a public figure, go up and reveal yourself in Jerusalem. Show yourself to your disciples. Do your miracles there." No thanks, Jesus said. He came from simple origins, from simply family background, from humble beginnings. Surely this man cannot be the Messiah or even a prophet! He’s from Galilee. We know enough of that place to know that no one sent from God comes from such a place.
* * * * *
Jesus has been on trial. People objected to everything he said and did, but we find that actually it is we who have been on trial. All the objections people have are thrown back to us as if to say: Here’s your answer, now what will you do with Jesus? Do you object because he tells you that you are evil and in need of outside intervention to fix you? Do you object because his teaching is from God and about God things and not about hair things or therapy things? Do you object because he points out your hypocrisy while remaining sinless himself? Do you object, still, because he says that everything you ever knew or believed about God must be rethought through him? Do you object because he says He is the only way to salvation, to God? Do you object to Jesus because he’s from a small, backwater, town and not from the big city of Jerusalem, that he does things in secret and not for show and public consumption? Do you object that he won’t be your miracle worker when you want your miracle? Do you object because you know where he’s from and the element of mystery has been removed?
Just what objections do you have about Jesus? Your objections are on trial too. And the gospel is proclaimed so that your objections may be overcome or that they may overcome you. But either way, Jesus will be exalted and glorified. Surely this prophet did not come merely from earth; surely this is the Prophet sent from God. Surely we must listen to what he is saying and be overcome by his grace.
What choice will you make? There are only two choices given here in these Scriptures. One choice is to intensify your hatred, your violence, and your anger against Jesus. The other choice is to put your faith in Him, the only one who can satisfy your thirst. You will either kill him or be killed. You will either die without him or with him. Either way, you have a choice to make—and making no choice is close enough to choosing against him that no choice is not acceptable either. What is your verdict? What you say about Christ will be the most important statement you ever make in this world.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
John 1:10-18: He Came Into the World and Showed us God
John 1:10-18
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 14The 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. 15John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’" 16From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.
"I cannot understand how anyone with any sense of judgment can discard the atonement and live without terror" (PT Forsyth, The Justification of God, 221).
I think most people feel strange about Jesus or get uneasy when His Name is mentioned. John says as much, he came to that which was his own and his own did not receive him. Also, he was in the world, but the world did not recognize him. Isaiah said as much, "Just there were many who were appalled at him—his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness…" Folks near and far continue to reject him for no other reason than they think he is different. We have a great deal of difficulty understanding those who are in no way like us. It is easy to reject them and turn them away.
Maybe one of the reasons people reject Jesus is because he came with his own agenda and not to serve ours. And since he did not come on our terms or to entrust himself to us or rise up to meet our constant demands, we reject him. Jesus is supposed to do what we want him to do and when he doesn’t we have very little use for him. ‘Usefulness’ is such a dirty word and so much is rejected out of hand because it is simply not useful. Jesus, for many, falls into that category. And for some pathetically unreasonable reason, Jesus is not, was not, deterred from his mission: He still makes it possible for people to become children of God.
To make this possible he came down and lived among us. He ‘pitched his tent among us.’ The Message has it this way, "The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood." I’m surprised at how lightly people consider this anymore. It was no small thing for God to become flesh. To become flesh implies at least that he was not flesh to begin with. He put it on like a garment. Later in the Gospel we will learn that it was not enough for Jesus to clothe himself with us, but that we must clothe ourselves with him, "Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh." And, "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ" (Romans 13:14 & Galatians 3:36-27 NIV). He became flesh; we must become spirit.
Jesus did one other thing too, or, I should say, there was one other thing on His agenda that probably did not sit well with those he came to. John testified, "He has surpassed me because He was before me." Well who wants that? Who wants to admit that this ruffian, this vagabond, this one with His own agenda and not ours, must become greater? What human being wants to confess that anyone must become greater than us? John testified, "I am not even worthy to untie his sandal," and "he must become greater and I must become lesser." Well who likes that idea? It is the glory of Christ that must fill the earth, not the glory of man. (In John 6 we shall see that Jesus came to do the will of the Father and no one else. "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me", 6:38 (see also 39-40).)
Finally, there’s one last thing. He made God known to us. The problem was that, as John’s Gospel bears out, the people Jesus came to did not like the ‘version’ of God he showed them. He showed us a God who eats with sinners, who forgives adulterers, who washes feet, who heals the blind, and talks with women. He showed us a God who is long on mercy and short on judgment—but woe to those upon whom that judgment falls and remains! Jesus showed us a God who is more afraid of not helping someone in need than of breaking the Sabbath. He showed us a God who so loves the world that there is nothing he won’t give up to see that world have the opportunity for salvation. Jesus showed us a God who if he ‘spared not his own Son, will spare no historic convulsion needful for His Kingdom’ (Forsyth, The Justification of God, 194).
I think this is what bugs people the most: there is nothing God will not do in order to save the Lost. Jesus showed that side of God. Where people thought God was all about law and justice (and He is!), He is not at all devoid of mercy and grace—in fact, He overflows it. Most people think that this side of God is far too lenient with the guilty and far too restrictive with the not-guilty. The difference is which side you view it from: the one who receives mercy or the one who does not. It makes a world of difference.
I hope your 2nd Day of 90 with Jesus is Blessed!
jerry
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 14The 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. 15John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’" 16From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.
"I cannot understand how anyone with any sense of judgment can discard the atonement and live without terror" (PT Forsyth, The Justification of God, 221).
I think most people feel strange about Jesus or get uneasy when His Name is mentioned. John says as much, he came to that which was his own and his own did not receive him. Also, he was in the world, but the world did not recognize him. Isaiah said as much, "Just there were many who were appalled at him—his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness…" Folks near and far continue to reject him for no other reason than they think he is different. We have a great deal of difficulty understanding those who are in no way like us. It is easy to reject them and turn them away.
Maybe one of the reasons people reject Jesus is because he came with his own agenda and not to serve ours. And since he did not come on our terms or to entrust himself to us or rise up to meet our constant demands, we reject him. Jesus is supposed to do what we want him to do and when he doesn’t we have very little use for him. ‘Usefulness’ is such a dirty word and so much is rejected out of hand because it is simply not useful. Jesus, for many, falls into that category. And for some pathetically unreasonable reason, Jesus is not, was not, deterred from his mission: He still makes it possible for people to become children of God.
To make this possible he came down and lived among us. He ‘pitched his tent among us.’ The Message has it this way, "The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood." I’m surprised at how lightly people consider this anymore. It was no small thing for God to become flesh. To become flesh implies at least that he was not flesh to begin with. He put it on like a garment. Later in the Gospel we will learn that it was not enough for Jesus to clothe himself with us, but that we must clothe ourselves with him, "Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh." And, "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ" (Romans 13:14 & Galatians 3:36-27 NIV). He became flesh; we must become spirit.
Jesus did one other thing too, or, I should say, there was one other thing on His agenda that probably did not sit well with those he came to. John testified, "He has surpassed me because He was before me." Well who wants that? Who wants to admit that this ruffian, this vagabond, this one with His own agenda and not ours, must become greater? What human being wants to confess that anyone must become greater than us? John testified, "I am not even worthy to untie his sandal," and "he must become greater and I must become lesser." Well who likes that idea? It is the glory of Christ that must fill the earth, not the glory of man. (In John 6 we shall see that Jesus came to do the will of the Father and no one else. "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me", 6:38 (see also 39-40).)
Finally, there’s one last thing. He made God known to us. The problem was that, as John’s Gospel bears out, the people Jesus came to did not like the ‘version’ of God he showed them. He showed us a God who eats with sinners, who forgives adulterers, who washes feet, who heals the blind, and talks with women. He showed us a God who is long on mercy and short on judgment—but woe to those upon whom that judgment falls and remains! Jesus showed us a God who is more afraid of not helping someone in need than of breaking the Sabbath. He showed us a God who so loves the world that there is nothing he won’t give up to see that world have the opportunity for salvation. Jesus showed us a God who if he ‘spared not his own Son, will spare no historic convulsion needful for His Kingdom’ (Forsyth, The Justification of God, 194).
I think this is what bugs people the most: there is nothing God will not do in order to save the Lost. Jesus showed that side of God. Where people thought God was all about law and justice (and He is!), He is not at all devoid of mercy and grace—in fact, He overflows it. Most people think that this side of God is far too lenient with the guilty and far too restrictive with the not-guilty. The difference is which side you view it from: the one who receives mercy or the one who does not. It makes a world of difference.
I hope your 2nd Day of 90 with Jesus is Blessed!
jerry
John 1:1-9: God Has a Name
Friends,
Welcome to the 90 Days With Jesus daily devotional and meditation. Today's Scripture is John 1:1-9. Stop back each day for new meditations and devotions from John's Gospel.
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. 6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. (NIV)
Jesus was no mere afterthought. He is no mere afterthought. The church he established is no mere afterthought or parenthesis. In the beginning was the Word. Immediately, we begin to think of Genesis. In the beginning God. John begins at the same place where the Bible begins: In the beginning with God. And God said, "Let there be light." And John says, "In him was life, and that life was the light of men." In Genesis learn that God was in the beginning; In John the same phrase, 'In the beginning God,' is given a slight twist: 'In the beginning was the Word..." Peter Jones writes, "But John adds more clarity to the plural name Elohim: 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...Through [the Word] all things were made.'" (Peter Jones, Only One Way?, 56)
Jesus is about life and light. The way before us is dark. The way around us is dark. The way of the world we inhabit is dark. It is full of darkness, and who can see? Who can find their way through all this murkiness? How long do we continue to grope and grab in this world with eyes wide shut? "The light shines in darkness." This is a statement of fact. The light spread out in the place of darkness because it was the place of darkness that needed the light. (And not only spread out, but began taking back ground; conquering!) God saw what was needed here: Illumination. Not in some mystical, search deep within yourself illumination. But the sort of illumination where someone comes in from the outside and does the obvious: He 'flips the switch' and turns on the light thus exposing what was concealed, hidden, and unrevealed. We see, because of Christ, what we are really up against; what we are really fighting; and how badly we are losing. People will never find their way so long as they continue to stumble in darkness. We needed light. We needed our eyes opened. We needed outside help. Later Jesus will say, "I am the Light of the World."
John also says that this darkness cannot overcome the light (vs 5). The darkness may not understand light, but even more it fails to conquer it. That is what he says in the Greek. Here’s my question: Why does the church, then, live as though it is a defeated being? PT Forsyth is most insightful here: "And so we are not hopeful that the world will be overcome; we know it has been. We are born into an overcome, redeemed world. To be sure of that changes the whole complexion of life, religion, and action in a way to which to-day we are strange" (The Justification of God, p 219). He went on, "Christianity is not the sacrifice we make, but the sacrifice we trust; not the victory we win, but the victory we inherit. That is the evangelical principle. We do not see the answer; we trust the Answerer and measure by Him. We do not gain the victory; we are united with the Victor" (The Justification of God, 220-221).
And there is only one Light. There is no other. There is only One True Light. All others, he will declare later, are liars and thieves who only mean to cheat and steal what is not theirs. There is only One, the One and Only, who gives men the light they need for life. There is only One in whom the light is found. There is only One in whom we can have life. There is only One who will overcome the darkness and not allow the darkness to overcome the Light. There is only One and His Name is Jesus.
God bless you on this 1st of 90 Days with Jesus!
Jerry
Welcome to the 90 Days With Jesus daily devotional and meditation. Today's Scripture is John 1:1-9. Stop back each day for new meditations and devotions from John's Gospel.
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. 6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. (NIV)
Jesus was no mere afterthought. He is no mere afterthought. The church he established is no mere afterthought or parenthesis. In the beginning was the Word. Immediately, we begin to think of Genesis. In the beginning God. John begins at the same place where the Bible begins: In the beginning with God. And God said, "Let there be light." And John says, "In him was life, and that life was the light of men." In Genesis learn that God was in the beginning; In John the same phrase, 'In the beginning God,' is given a slight twist: 'In the beginning was the Word..." Peter Jones writes, "But John adds more clarity to the plural name Elohim: 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...Through [the Word] all things were made.'" (Peter Jones, Only One Way?, 56)
Jesus is about life and light. The way before us is dark. The way around us is dark. The way of the world we inhabit is dark. It is full of darkness, and who can see? Who can find their way through all this murkiness? How long do we continue to grope and grab in this world with eyes wide shut? "The light shines in darkness." This is a statement of fact. The light spread out in the place of darkness because it was the place of darkness that needed the light. (And not only spread out, but began taking back ground; conquering!) God saw what was needed here: Illumination. Not in some mystical, search deep within yourself illumination. But the sort of illumination where someone comes in from the outside and does the obvious: He 'flips the switch' and turns on the light thus exposing what was concealed, hidden, and unrevealed. We see, because of Christ, what we are really up against; what we are really fighting; and how badly we are losing. People will never find their way so long as they continue to stumble in darkness. We needed light. We needed our eyes opened. We needed outside help. Later Jesus will say, "I am the Light of the World."
John also says that this darkness cannot overcome the light (vs 5). The darkness may not understand light, but even more it fails to conquer it. That is what he says in the Greek. Here’s my question: Why does the church, then, live as though it is a defeated being? PT Forsyth is most insightful here: "And so we are not hopeful that the world will be overcome; we know it has been. We are born into an overcome, redeemed world. To be sure of that changes the whole complexion of life, religion, and action in a way to which to-day we are strange" (The Justification of God, p 219). He went on, "Christianity is not the sacrifice we make, but the sacrifice we trust; not the victory we win, but the victory we inherit. That is the evangelical principle. We do not see the answer; we trust the Answerer and measure by Him. We do not gain the victory; we are united with the Victor" (The Justification of God, 220-221).
And there is only one Light. There is no other. There is only One True Light. All others, he will declare later, are liars and thieves who only mean to cheat and steal what is not theirs. There is only One, the One and Only, who gives men the light they need for life. There is only One in whom the light is found. There is only One in whom we can have life. There is only One who will overcome the darkness and not allow the darkness to overcome the Light. There is only One and His Name is Jesus.
God bless you on this 1st of 90 Days with Jesus!
Jerry
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Living Next to Cemeteries
When I was in my growing up phase of life (read: still living with my parents) I lived in a nice two-story house in a rather nice neighborhood in a rather nice small town. The problem is that this town I lived in had cemeteries. In fact......I lived next door to a cemetery. The cemetery was old and me and my brothers used to play in it from time to time. Who wouldn't? It was a war dead cemetery in part and so I would also spend time there reading the names on the headstones and marvelling at the dates, ages of the people when they died, and the names of the people who were buried under the earth in that place. The following is from the hometown webpage:
Pioneer Boatman Memorial Cemetery was begun in the late 1700's and was dedicated in 1976 to Barnerd Boatman, a Revolutionary War soldier, who served with General George Washington. It was formerly known as "The Old Cemetery, Quaker Cemetery, Old East Palestine Cemetery or The Presbyterian Cemetery". It had been abandoned for many years when Barnerd Boatman's grave was found. Boatman Cemetery was once the grave yard of the first church of East Palestine, "The Calvanistic Meeting House." In 1838-1839 that was probably the only beauty spot in the hamlet with it's new frame church. There were many graves in the area, unfortunately many unmarked.
There are about 194 known burials in the cemetery which are listed on one side of a permanent memorial marker. On the other side are names of 21 veterans of 4 wars, Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican and Civil Wars. Burial records have not been found…The earliest marked grave is that of Robert Scott Hamilton, 1836. By 1881 the cemetery was completely filled.
When I was a kid, I had no idea the place was so special. To me it was a place to be afraid of after I saw ‘Night of the Living Dead,’ or a place to play ‘ghost in the graveyard’ with neighborhood kids, or a shortcut on the way to the park. When I was a kid, no one cared about it at all. It sat behind a small manufacturing company building and was ignored by all but me and my brothers and some of the neighborhood kids. We were never vandals and in fact many times took it upon ourselves to stand up fallen headstones.
* * * *
I don’t live in that small town any longer. I’m no longer a child either. I have my own family and my own town and we are in the process of creating our own memories. We do not live next door to a cemetery. There’s no ‘ghost in the graveyard’ or fear of zombies coming after us and devouring our flesh. It’s relatively calm. That does not mean that I have escaped cemeteries though.
If I look out my front window I can see a cemetery. It’s too far away for ‘ghost in the graveyard’ but if zombies ever did become real it would only be a matter of minutes before they discovered our house and came a knocking. Still, we might have enough time to get into the van and drive off before they actually realized there was fresh meat in our direction. Hopefully, the wind would blow the opposite direction if that happens.
So, I’ve moved a little further away from the cemetery, the ‘necropolis’, but I can still see it. It’s in my line of sight every time I pull out of my driveway or look out my front window. It’s a constant reminder, a sort of living prophecy, a harbinger, constantly reminding me of something I'd rather forget: my childhood or my end. I cannot tell which one. I don’t necessarily fear the cemetery. Still, I’ve only ever noticed that no one there complains—at least in my hearing they don’t. Plus, someone else always takes care of the grass and there is a stone with everyone’s name etched into it. A cemetery is not all that bad of a place to be. I hope someday for a place with a view.
* * * *
I can say this much is true: The older I have gotten, the further away from the cemetery I have moved. I’m happy that I now live next door to a church building instead of a cemetery. I’m glad that I don’t have to live in fear of cemeteries and zombies or of other children hiding behind a headstone waiting to shout ‘boo’ when I walk by. I think I can fairly say that cemeteries are now, sort of, merely plots of land with nicely decorated stones pocking the land. Cemeteries have a pleasing, calming, serene feeling about them. As I said, no one there complains.
One of my goals as I age is to move further and further away from cemeteries. I’d like to live in a town where there are no cemeteries at all. I’d like to live in a town with no funeral homes either. I suppose there is not really all that much I can do about that though. There are no towns where people do not die. Honestly, I am not interested in living in a cemetery any more than I am interested in living next to one. I do not want to be chased by zombies, but worse, I do not want to be a zombie. It is rather ironic that my work sometimes requires me to commit people to the very place where I do not want to be at myself.
For now I will have to be content to live in such a place where, at least, the cemetery is off in the distance just within the limits of my distance vision. If I take off my glasses I cannot see it at all, but, you know, I cannot go through life blind either. So until I am willing to let go of my vision I will live in a land where cemeteries are very real, very seen, and very close.
For now I will have to be content to live in such a place where, at least, the cemetery is off in the distance just within the limits of my distance vision. If I take off my glasses I cannot see it at all, but, you know, I cannot go through life blind either. So until I am willing to let go of my vision I will live in a land where cemeteries are very real, very seen, and very close.
* * * *
"When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, ‘Take off the grave clothes and let him go.’" (John 11:43-44) 
I suspect that, when it is all said and done, the grave will wear out before I will. That's the hope I'm clinging to.
(Photos & excerpt are from the hometown webpage: http://www.eastpalestineohio.org/)
DG
Friday, April 06, 2007
Throwing Away Gifts
I went to the Half-Price bookstore today. It is one of my most favorite places to go. I cannot always buy a new book, or a used book, but sometimes going there and perusing the shelves just looking for a new or used book is enough. For me walking through the bookstore is like walking through the woods. Taking a book off the shelf and turning its new or old pages is like turning over a rock—finding a sentence worth remembering is like finding a salamander or a snake. I love going up and down the rows and rows of books neatly shelved, alphabetically, and lined like a platoon of soldiers at the edge of the shelf as opposed to being pushed back against the back of the case. I prefer the nice neat, smooth line of book covers rising and falling vertically as opposed to a jagged line of books rising and falling horizontally.
One book stood out on the shelves today and I scooped it up with all the enthusiasm of a 10 year old scooping up a salamander from under a rock beside a stream. It’s a book, surprisingly, that I did not even know existed. It’s the sequel to a book titled Fearfully and Wonderfully Made by Paul Brand and Philip Yancey. The book is titled In His Image. Currently, the prequel I own is on loan to a friend. It will be nice to have the set and I’m rather anxious to read this new volume I purchased for a mere $7.98. But there was something bittersweet about the purchase. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad to have the book, in fairly good condition, and at a fraction of the price of a pristine copy. I’m not at all above or below adopting a book that has been ‘put up’ (as in, ‘put up on a shelf’) for adoption. I’m glad I can provide it with a home where it will be well cared for, where it will enjoy adequate ventilation in a temperature controlled environment, and where, every now and again, it will be taken out for a walk and have its ‘dog-ears’ scratched. Still there was something that made me sad about purchasing the book.
Inside the front cover were written these words: With Love from Mrs. O****, June 11, 1995. What this means is that someone was given this book as a gift, with love!, and that they, less than 12 years after receiving the gift, gave it away—even at a small price—to the Half-Price Bookstore—where it would sit neatly on a shelf (a bottom shelf) until someone happened to notice it. I’m thrilled to be the proud new owner, but I can’t help but wonder what precipitated the desire to give the book up for adoption. Were they short on cash? Were they no longer interested in the subject matter? Did it take up unnecessary space on a shelf? Did they get a new copy of the book? Did they have a falling out with the person who gave them the gift in the first place? Did the person who owned it die and leave it as a part of an estate that was sold by someone who didn’t like to read? Just why did this book end up on an anonymous shelf, with other anonymous books that this book has never met or shared space with before, where someone can come along, buy it, and take it home? How could someone receive a gift and so callously throw it away? How can a gift be so meaningless, so cheap, so easily let go of? There are a lot of reasons to get rid of gifts. I’m not sure I understand any of them.
I’m rather the opposite when I receive gifts. I have gifts that I have received more than 12 years ago. I cling to them—and, when appropriate, I use them with enthusiasm, and I cherish them with delight. That someone would think so highly of me as to give me a gift and what’s more, the gift of a book! I have never received a gift-book that I have not used (or at least read) or that I have decided to give away later. I even have a book from some folks that did not like me, nor I particularly they, that I will not part with (and they signed it too!). Furthermore, when it comes to gift-books, I’m more than willing to look them straight in the mouth! That’s just me though.
I suppose everyone is different. Everyone has reasons for holding on to gifts and reasons for discarding them. If you happen to read this and realize that I am writing about your copy of In His Image, the one that was a gift from Mrs. O**** on June 11, 1995, would you please leave a note and let me know why you parted with it? I will be more than happy to return it to you if you want it, if you had to sell it for money reasons, or if it was accidentally sold by someone you did not authorize to sell it. Just let me know. If you don’t want it back please know that I will give this book a great home with a view. I will walk it, talk it to it, listen to it, and scratch it dog-ears. We will be best friends.
One book stood out on the shelves today and I scooped it up with all the enthusiasm of a 10 year old scooping up a salamander from under a rock beside a stream. It’s a book, surprisingly, that I did not even know existed. It’s the sequel to a book titled Fearfully and Wonderfully Made by Paul Brand and Philip Yancey. The book is titled In His Image. Currently, the prequel I own is on loan to a friend. It will be nice to have the set and I’m rather anxious to read this new volume I purchased for a mere $7.98. But there was something bittersweet about the purchase. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad to have the book, in fairly good condition, and at a fraction of the price of a pristine copy. I’m not at all above or below adopting a book that has been ‘put up’ (as in, ‘put up on a shelf’) for adoption. I’m glad I can provide it with a home where it will be well cared for, where it will enjoy adequate ventilation in a temperature controlled environment, and where, every now and again, it will be taken out for a walk and have its ‘dog-ears’ scratched. Still there was something that made me sad about purchasing the book.
Inside the front cover were written these words: With Love from Mrs. O****, June 11, 1995. What this means is that someone was given this book as a gift, with love!, and that they, less than 12 years after receiving the gift, gave it away—even at a small price—to the Half-Price Bookstore—where it would sit neatly on a shelf (a bottom shelf) until someone happened to notice it. I’m thrilled to be the proud new owner, but I can’t help but wonder what precipitated the desire to give the book up for adoption. Were they short on cash? Were they no longer interested in the subject matter? Did it take up unnecessary space on a shelf? Did they get a new copy of the book? Did they have a falling out with the person who gave them the gift in the first place? Did the person who owned it die and leave it as a part of an estate that was sold by someone who didn’t like to read? Just why did this book end up on an anonymous shelf, with other anonymous books that this book has never met or shared space with before, where someone can come along, buy it, and take it home? How could someone receive a gift and so callously throw it away? How can a gift be so meaningless, so cheap, so easily let go of? There are a lot of reasons to get rid of gifts. I’m not sure I understand any of them.
I’m rather the opposite when I receive gifts. I have gifts that I have received more than 12 years ago. I cling to them—and, when appropriate, I use them with enthusiasm, and I cherish them with delight. That someone would think so highly of me as to give me a gift and what’s more, the gift of a book! I have never received a gift-book that I have not used (or at least read) or that I have decided to give away later. I even have a book from some folks that did not like me, nor I particularly they, that I will not part with (and they signed it too!). Furthermore, when it comes to gift-books, I’m more than willing to look them straight in the mouth! That’s just me though.
I suppose everyone is different. Everyone has reasons for holding on to gifts and reasons for discarding them. If you happen to read this and realize that I am writing about your copy of In His Image, the one that was a gift from Mrs. O**** on June 11, 1995, would you please leave a note and let me know why you parted with it? I will be more than happy to return it to you if you want it, if you had to sell it for money reasons, or if it was accidentally sold by someone you did not authorize to sell it. Just let me know. If you don’t want it back please know that I will give this book a great home with a view. I will walk it, talk it to it, listen to it, and scratch it dog-ears. We will be best friends.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Goldfish in a Bowl
It's now about 9:13 PM. I've been working since 9 AM. I'm ready to write my sermon for tomorrow. I'll let you know if I have survived.DG
As I edit this post, I'm two pages into the sermon writing.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
The End of a Day
The day is nearly over now. It's not late, but there is a fire in the fireplace and that can only happen when the family is home and in the living room for the evening. The children are being treated to story time with mom. The dogs are annoying me as is the cat. I'm doing laundry. I'm ready to sit on the couch and read. I'm ready to fight the temptation to watch television (I sort of like Top Design, although it is not nearly as good as Top Chef and not even close to Project Runway). I'm ready to indulge my senses in a book. I'm reading four different books right now and choosing which one to read is always a challenge. Maybe tonight I'll read about the Spartans or about Theology or Discipleship or Scripture. Or maybe I'll read my Bible for a while--I could read a little about all of them. I'm ready to relax and a book seems the way to go. Goodnight.
DG
www.dangoldfinch.wordpress.com
DG
www.dangoldfinch.wordpress.com
Monday, March 26, 2007
Monday, March 26, 2007
I hope you spent some time outside today. I did. I played catch with my son. Worked at the local barn theater for a while with my family. Took a short trip to the Dairy Queen and slurped down a chocolate shake. The day was so warm and breezy. It was unbelievable butter sunny. What a fantastic day today was. I hope you were able to enjoy a bit of it for a while.
DG
DG
Friday, March 23, 2007
Coming Soon
Coming soon: Daily Devotional Thoughts from the Gospel according to John. A Special 90 Days with Jesus Scripture series coming June, July & August 2007. Stay tuned for more...
DG
DG
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Felt like Spring
Today what a day! Band practice tonight--yes, I got to jam with my band. Picked up a used piano--for free. Spent some time out of doors inhaling deeply the fresh, warm, spring air. Finished watching Cool Hand Luke with my wife--Luke was always smiling.
The boys are sleeping. My feet are cold. I wish my head would feel right for day, just a day. I subscribed to a journal the other day. The people who run the subscription department sent me a reply email that began with the word 'evidently.' Condescending, sniveling rat. Simmer down. Let off some steam. I responded in kind.
My brain is moving but my fingers not quite. I hope it is warm tomorrow. I need another nice day--but I need one without rain. Till then.
DG
The boys are sleeping. My feet are cold. I wish my head would feel right for day, just a day. I subscribed to a journal the other day. The people who run the subscription department sent me a reply email that began with the word 'evidently.' Condescending, sniveling rat. Simmer down. Let off some steam. I responded in kind.
My brain is moving but my fingers not quite. I hope it is warm tomorrow. I need another nice day--but I need one without rain. Till then.
DG
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Post Your Thoughts
I copied and pasted this from a blog I came across today. Simply post a comment and let me know what you are interested in reading.--DG
1. One book that changed your life: Eugene Peterson, Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places
2. One book that you've read more than once: Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo
3. One book that you'd want on a desert island: The Holy Bible (Or, following Chesterton, A Practical Guide to Ship-making)
4. One book that made you laugh: Lemony Snicket, A Series of Unfortunate Events (pick any of the 13 published volumes, they're all funny!)
5. One book that made you cry: JK Rowling, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
6. One book that you wish you had written: Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek
7. One book that you wish had never been written: Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life
8. One book you are currently reading: David Wells, Losing Our Virtue
9. One book that you've been meaning to read: Catechism of the Catholic Church
1. One book that changed your life: Eugene Peterson, Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places
2. One book that you've read more than once: Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo
3. One book that you'd want on a desert island: The Holy Bible (Or, following Chesterton, A Practical Guide to Ship-making)
4. One book that made you laugh: Lemony Snicket, A Series of Unfortunate Events (pick any of the 13 published volumes, they're all funny!)
5. One book that made you cry: JK Rowling, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
6. One book that you wish you had written: Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek
7. One book that you wish had never been written: Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life
8. One book you are currently reading: David Wells, Losing Our Virtue
9. One book that you've been meaning to read: Catechism of the Catholic Church
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