The prophet Obadiah is prophesying in a time when Israel is cast off by God and placed in exile by the evil conquering Babylonians. Edom assisted Babylon in the destruction of Jerusalem. God pronounces throughout the book that this was a bad idea on the part of the Edomites. They will be punished by God for their part in destroying God's people and their land (Obadiah 1-15).
Israel, at this time in their history, must have been wondering if God had cast them off forever. Could God forget His promise to Abraham that "in you all the nations of the earth shall be blessed" (Genesis 12:3)? Obadiah answers this question with his closing statement, "Saviors shall go up to Mount Zion to rule Mount Esau, and the kingdom shall be the Lord's" (Obadiah 21). God's Kingdom rules and will continue to rule through Abraham's seed, Israel, the family line of Judah, and the Davidic dynasty. God will reign from Jerusalem (Obadiah 21). This redemptive reign of God will be inaugurated through the sacrifice of the Messiah which will also fulfill the promise to Abraham, Israel, Judah, and David. The Kingdom shall be the Lord's.
It is easy to get discouraged through life. Israel was put into slavery, but God promised them hope through a coming Messiah that would finally deliver them. Everything about life is difficult. Marriage is difficult. Jobs are difficult. Friendships are difficult. However, when our marriages get difficult we look to Jesus. When our jobs get difficult we look to Jesus. When our friendships get difficult we look to Jesus. Why? Because our hope is not in a pastor, a friend, a spouse, or in anything or anyone else. Our hope is found in Christ alone! God I pray that when I am disappointed by something or someone that I would remember that my hope is in Jesus alone. Amen.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Justice Prevails II
The Lord was patient with Israel (Amos 8:2). However, His patience will not continue any longer. He has warned them through the prophets. He will now bring destruction on Israel (Amos 8:2-3). There is nowhere that they can go that the Lord will not find them (Amos 9:1-4).
Who is this God of justice that will no longer allow Israel, or anyone else for that matter, to turn their backs on Him? The sinners of Israel He will confront, but He will preserve a faithful remnant. Why? Because it is not about Israel, it is for the sake of God's name among all nations (Ezekiel 36). How is God going to use Israel to spread the glory of His name? He is going to raise up the tabernacle of David (Amos 9:11). This was always Israel's purpose. Acts 15:16-17 says "After this I will return and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up; so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord. Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does all these things". James is quoting and applying Amos 9:11-12. This means that David's fallen tent being raised points to the resurrection of Christ and that "all the nations" will be included in the reign of the Messiah.
Hebrews 1:1-2 says, "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds". Listen to Jesus. Justice will prevail. Sinners will not go unpunished. God has warned us through Jesus coming in the flesh. He will punish those who do not follow Him. However, Jesus has died to forgive sinners and He has been raised as proof that He is the Messiah, the tent of David. God will always raise up a faithful remnant to follow Him and spread His glory to all nations.
God please help me to remember that You have spoken to us through Your Word. You have put my punishment on Jesus. Let this be a daily reminder to me that my ministry is never for my glory, but for Your glory and praise alone. You will bring out a faithful remnant through the spreading of the glory of Jesus to all nations. Amen.
Who is this God of justice that will no longer allow Israel, or anyone else for that matter, to turn their backs on Him? The sinners of Israel He will confront, but He will preserve a faithful remnant. Why? Because it is not about Israel, it is for the sake of God's name among all nations (Ezekiel 36). How is God going to use Israel to spread the glory of His name? He is going to raise up the tabernacle of David (Amos 9:11). This was always Israel's purpose. Acts 15:16-17 says "After this I will return and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up; so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord. Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does all these things". James is quoting and applying Amos 9:11-12. This means that David's fallen tent being raised points to the resurrection of Christ and that "all the nations" will be included in the reign of the Messiah.
Hebrews 1:1-2 says, "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds". Listen to Jesus. Justice will prevail. Sinners will not go unpunished. God has warned us through Jesus coming in the flesh. He will punish those who do not follow Him. However, Jesus has died to forgive sinners and He has been raised as proof that He is the Messiah, the tent of David. God will always raise up a faithful remnant to follow Him and spread His glory to all nations.
God please help me to remember that You have spoken to us through Your Word. You have put my punishment on Jesus. Let this be a daily reminder to me that my ministry is never for my glory, but for Your glory and praise alone. You will bring out a faithful remnant through the spreading of the glory of Jesus to all nations. Amen.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Justice Prevails
The prophet Amos writes to his contemporaries in Israel. They are in a time of great wealth and prosperity. However, Amos observes how Israel is using their wealth to oppress the poor and put many into slavery. Israel was also known for their sexual immorality at this time.
God was tired of the sins of the nations. His patience was running out on the sins of the pagan nations around Israel. Gaza, Edom, Damascus, and Moab will not be spared any longer. They are evil and God will punish evil. I can see it. Israel and Judah applauding Amos now for these prophesies. Israel would have been ecstatic to know that God was finally going to punish the sins of the surrounding nations.
Then Amos proclaims "for three transgressions of Israel and for four I will not revoke its punishment" (Amos 2:6). How could God punish Israel? It is simple. God hates sin. They turned their backs on God and He would bring punishment on them. Israel oppressed the poor, committed sexual immorality, and put many into slavery (Amos 2:7-16). God loved them and they turned their backs on Him.
God warned Israel and He is warning us today. God has decided to demonstrate His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Many who call themselves followers of Jesus and openly and unrepentantly deny the poor, the widow, the orphan, commit sexual immorality, and take advantage of others will be told by Jesus, "I never knew you" (Matthew 7:23). God must and will punish those who do not turn from their sins and follow Jesus in a real eternal place called Hell. God loves us and so I plead with you not to turn your back on Him and His offer of salvation. Turn from your sin and follow Jesus. Please do not misunderstand. Abstaining from sexual immorality and doing good things will not save you. Only Jesus does that. So again please follow Jesus.
The first three chapters of Amos have helped me more fully realize how much God hates sin, but also how much our sin "weighs down" God (Amos 2:13). Our sins are a burden to God. Paul says in the New Testament that our sins grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). If we have made the decision to turn from our sins and follow Jesus then we must begin to understand that God hates sin so much that He became human flesh and died on the cross so that He could forgive our sins. The Bible likens our willingness to turn back to sinful habits to a dog returning to his vomit (2 Peter 2:22). God help me to realize more fully today how much You hate my sin and help me today to turn from sin and fully follow after You so that Your name would be glorified through my body becoming a living sacrifice for Your purposes and for Your glory. Amen.
God was tired of the sins of the nations. His patience was running out on the sins of the pagan nations around Israel. Gaza, Edom, Damascus, and Moab will not be spared any longer. They are evil and God will punish evil. I can see it. Israel and Judah applauding Amos now for these prophesies. Israel would have been ecstatic to know that God was finally going to punish the sins of the surrounding nations.
Then Amos proclaims "for three transgressions of Israel and for four I will not revoke its punishment" (Amos 2:6). How could God punish Israel? It is simple. God hates sin. They turned their backs on God and He would bring punishment on them. Israel oppressed the poor, committed sexual immorality, and put many into slavery (Amos 2:7-16). God loved them and they turned their backs on Him.
God warned Israel and He is warning us today. God has decided to demonstrate His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Many who call themselves followers of Jesus and openly and unrepentantly deny the poor, the widow, the orphan, commit sexual immorality, and take advantage of others will be told by Jesus, "I never knew you" (Matthew 7:23). God must and will punish those who do not turn from their sins and follow Jesus in a real eternal place called Hell. God loves us and so I plead with you not to turn your back on Him and His offer of salvation. Turn from your sin and follow Jesus. Please do not misunderstand. Abstaining from sexual immorality and doing good things will not save you. Only Jesus does that. So again please follow Jesus.
The first three chapters of Amos have helped me more fully realize how much God hates sin, but also how much our sin "weighs down" God (Amos 2:13). Our sins are a burden to God. Paul says in the New Testament that our sins grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). If we have made the decision to turn from our sins and follow Jesus then we must begin to understand that God hates sin so much that He became human flesh and died on the cross so that He could forgive our sins. The Bible likens our willingness to turn back to sinful habits to a dog returning to his vomit (2 Peter 2:22). God help me to realize more fully today how much You hate my sin and help me today to turn from sin and fully follow after You so that Your name would be glorified through my body becoming a living sacrifice for Your purposes and for Your glory. Amen.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Christ is Our Eternal High Priest
Hebrews 7 claims Jesus to be a priest according to the order of Melchizedek (7:17). The Aaronic priesthood from the Old Testament was imperfect and thus needed to be perfected in order for the sins of the people to be truly and eternally forgiven (7:11). The High Priest of the Old Testament was commanded once a year to enter into the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifice for the sins of the people. They were entering into the presence of God on behalf of the people (Leviticus 16). This day was called the Day of Atonement.
Instead of Christ being a High Priest according to the order of Aaron established in the Old Covenant, He is according to the order of Melchizedek. This means that:
1. Jesus is a King and Priest. This was not allowed under the Old Covenant. Jesus is the ruler and propitiator for His people.
2. Jesus is a King of righteousness and peace. He brings righteousness through His blood sacrificed on the cross and peace which surpasses all understanding (Romans 3:25-26; Philippians 4:7).
3. Jesus remains a priest continually (7:3). His priesthood never ends. The High Priests of the Old Covenant did not officiate as the mediator between God and man eternally. Christ sits at the right side of the throne of God and mediates on our behalf forever (7:23-24). This is why a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ can enter into the Holy of Holies (the very presence of God) anytime and in any place (7:25). We can boldly approach the throne of grace.
4. Jesus was not from the family line of Aaron. The eternal High Priest came through the family line of Judah and more specifically, David, because He is the Messiah promised from the Old Testament (Genesis 49; 2 Samuel 7).
5. Jesus does not need to daily or yearly offer sacrifices for sins. Instead, He died once for all so that those who give their life to Him will be eternally forgiven of all sins (7:27).
Thank God that He has sent Jesus to be our High Priest forever. His sacrifice on our behalf will never end if we choose to follow after Him in faith. We can be made right before God ONLY through the blood of Jesus. Jesus offers peace that is unparalleled in this life and will be fully manifested in the life to come. I thank God that I can daily enter into the presence of God because of the sacrifice that Jesus made for me. We do not need an earthly priest, church member, or pastor to usher us to the throne of God. We have our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ to do that for us. Thank you Jesus.
Instead of Christ being a High Priest according to the order of Aaron established in the Old Covenant, He is according to the order of Melchizedek. This means that:
1. Jesus is a King and Priest. This was not allowed under the Old Covenant. Jesus is the ruler and propitiator for His people.
2. Jesus is a King of righteousness and peace. He brings righteousness through His blood sacrificed on the cross and peace which surpasses all understanding (Romans 3:25-26; Philippians 4:7).
3. Jesus remains a priest continually (7:3). His priesthood never ends. The High Priests of the Old Covenant did not officiate as the mediator between God and man eternally. Christ sits at the right side of the throne of God and mediates on our behalf forever (7:23-24). This is why a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ can enter into the Holy of Holies (the very presence of God) anytime and in any place (7:25). We can boldly approach the throne of grace.
4. Jesus was not from the family line of Aaron. The eternal High Priest came through the family line of Judah and more specifically, David, because He is the Messiah promised from the Old Testament (Genesis 49; 2 Samuel 7).
5. Jesus does not need to daily or yearly offer sacrifices for sins. Instead, He died once for all so that those who give their life to Him will be eternally forgiven of all sins (7:27).
Thank God that He has sent Jesus to be our High Priest forever. His sacrifice on our behalf will never end if we choose to follow after Him in faith. We can be made right before God ONLY through the blood of Jesus. Jesus offers peace that is unparalleled in this life and will be fully manifested in the life to come. I thank God that I can daily enter into the presence of God because of the sacrifice that Jesus made for me. We do not need an earthly priest, church member, or pastor to usher us to the throne of God. We have our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ to do that for us. Thank you Jesus.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Author of Salvation
We, as Christians, must align our lives with the belief that Jesus is our Lord and Savior. Otherwise, the Bible indicates that we are decieving ourselves into thinking that we are followers of Christ and putting Him to an open shame. Does your life match your belief? Does mine?
The author of Hebrews in chapter 5 jumps into a discussion of Jesus as a High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek, but pauses for a parenthetical section on those "unskilled in the word of righteousness". He says that some are babes and still need milk. He seems to be speaking to the Jews who remain under the Old Covenant. They are still grasping after the Old Covenant ceremonial washings, sacrifices, and other rituals. Those who remain in need of "milk" are the Jews who remain under the Old Covenant. Those who are in need of "solid food" are the Jews who have turned to the great High Priest of the New Covenant (Heb. 5:12-14). The author says to "lay aside the elementary principles of Christ" (Heb. 6:1). Lay aside the Old Covenant and come under the New Covenant through the blood of Jesus Christ. The Jews settled for the shadows and copies that pointed to their Savior Jesus Christ. He says "let us go on to perfection". The only way to go on to perfection is through the New Covenant because Jesus has been "perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him" (Heb. 5:9). The law cannot make perfect (Heb. 7:19), only the blood of Jesus can bring true righteousness to the children of God.
Many of the Jews continued to turn to the Old Covenant because it was more comfortable for them. They believed that Jesus was the Messiah promised in the Old Testament, but they were not willing to give up their old ways and thus they fell away and stood with the Jews who yelled "Crucify Him, crucify Him". Are we willing to believe and follow Jesus Christ? If not, then we continue to scream "crucify Him, crucify Him" and put Jesus to an open shame. Are we unwilling to give up money, our families, education, addictions or the American dream in order to follow Jesus? If we are not then we are no better than the Jews who continued to turn to the Old Covenant. Does the way we spend money, the way we talk, relate to our families, our friends, and our co-workers reflect our belief that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior? There is no greater joy than to consider everything as worthless compared to knowing Christ Jesus our Lord (Philippians 3:8). Let's turn completely to Jesus the "author of eternal salvation".
The author of Hebrews in chapter 5 jumps into a discussion of Jesus as a High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek, but pauses for a parenthetical section on those "unskilled in the word of righteousness". He says that some are babes and still need milk. He seems to be speaking to the Jews who remain under the Old Covenant. They are still grasping after the Old Covenant ceremonial washings, sacrifices, and other rituals. Those who remain in need of "milk" are the Jews who remain under the Old Covenant. Those who are in need of "solid food" are the Jews who have turned to the great High Priest of the New Covenant (Heb. 5:12-14). The author says to "lay aside the elementary principles of Christ" (Heb. 6:1). Lay aside the Old Covenant and come under the New Covenant through the blood of Jesus Christ. The Jews settled for the shadows and copies that pointed to their Savior Jesus Christ. He says "let us go on to perfection". The only way to go on to perfection is through the New Covenant because Jesus has been "perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him" (Heb. 5:9). The law cannot make perfect (Heb. 7:19), only the blood of Jesus can bring true righteousness to the children of God.
Many of the Jews continued to turn to the Old Covenant because it was more comfortable for them. They believed that Jesus was the Messiah promised in the Old Testament, but they were not willing to give up their old ways and thus they fell away and stood with the Jews who yelled "Crucify Him, crucify Him". Are we willing to believe and follow Jesus Christ? If not, then we continue to scream "crucify Him, crucify Him" and put Jesus to an open shame. Are we unwilling to give up money, our families, education, addictions or the American dream in order to follow Jesus? If we are not then we are no better than the Jews who continued to turn to the Old Covenant. Does the way we spend money, the way we talk, relate to our families, our friends, and our co-workers reflect our belief that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior? There is no greater joy than to consider everything as worthless compared to knowing Christ Jesus our Lord (Philippians 3:8). Let's turn completely to Jesus the "author of eternal salvation".
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Come and Find Rest
The book of Hebrews continues with the theme of the surpassing greatness of Jesus. He is now said to be greater than Moses (Heb. 3:3). Moses and the tabernacle built during his time were simply shadows of better things to come, namely Jesus and the true tabernacle in Heaven. Hebrews 3:4 clearly states that true believers will "hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end". This is what launches the author into a sermon on the rest and wrath of God.
Jesus said "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Here in Hebrews, the author says that those who harden their hearts will not enter into the rest that God offers through Jesus Christ. The Israelites chose to turn their confidence and trust away from the living God. God led them out of slavery in Egypt and then they come to the Red Sea and doubt the faithfulness of God (Exodus 14). God led them through the Red Sea and into the wilderness. Then they grumbled and said that they would rather have died in Egypt than in the wilderness (Exodus 16:3). God continually promised them that they would enter into "rest" in the land of Canaan. As a result of the unfaithfulness, God left them to wander in the wilderness to die. They chose not to enter into rest and consequently experienced the wrath of God. The Holy Spirit gives the same message in Psalm 95 in the time of David. They must enter into God's rest. The author of Hebrews quotes the psalmist to encourage his readers to enter into the rest lest they undergo the wrath of God. Many of the Israelites in the wilderness, the Jews in the time of David, those in the time of the New Testament, and many today will not enter into the rest that God offers because of unbelief in the living God (Heb. 3:19).
What is the "rest" that many since the beginning of creation have failed to enter into because of unbelief? Hebrews 3:1-13 answers this for us. To those who are alive today God makes a promise of rest. This rest remains available to those who turn to God in faith (Heb. 4:1). For those who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, then they have in part and will in full enter into the rest God has promised (Heb.4:3). God offered rest in the Garden of Eden. God's rest is the rest that He took on the seventh day after creation (Heb. 4:4-5). God is offering His people a perfect and complete rest. God offered Israel rest in Canaan, but this was only a shadow of the complete and perfect rest that God had in mind for those who follow Him in faith. Hebrews says that there is a better rest yet to come (Heb. 4:8-9). "For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His" (Heb. 4:10). We get to enter into the complete rest that God took after His creation of a perfect world. Wow! If we place our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior then we will enter into God's perfect rest. Jesus offers us rest in part in this world. We are offered rest through the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), the hope of Christ's return, the joy of living a life that honors God, the hope in the future resurrection of the dead, and through the Holy Spirit who comforts us.
Ultimately, the rest that God promises to those who follow Him through Jesus Christ is an eternal and perfect rest in Heaven. This will take place at death or after the return of Jesus. Either way we will enter into the rest that we were created to enjoy. We will have intimate fellowship with our Savior and He will take away every tear, pain, and heartache. God, please help me every day to live in the reality of the rest that You have promised to us in part today and in full at the moment of death or after the return of Christ. Amen.
Jesus said "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Here in Hebrews, the author says that those who harden their hearts will not enter into the rest that God offers through Jesus Christ. The Israelites chose to turn their confidence and trust away from the living God. God led them out of slavery in Egypt and then they come to the Red Sea and doubt the faithfulness of God (Exodus 14). God led them through the Red Sea and into the wilderness. Then they grumbled and said that they would rather have died in Egypt than in the wilderness (Exodus 16:3). God continually promised them that they would enter into "rest" in the land of Canaan. As a result of the unfaithfulness, God left them to wander in the wilderness to die. They chose not to enter into rest and consequently experienced the wrath of God. The Holy Spirit gives the same message in Psalm 95 in the time of David. They must enter into God's rest. The author of Hebrews quotes the psalmist to encourage his readers to enter into the rest lest they undergo the wrath of God. Many of the Israelites in the wilderness, the Jews in the time of David, those in the time of the New Testament, and many today will not enter into the rest that God offers because of unbelief in the living God (Heb. 3:19).
What is the "rest" that many since the beginning of creation have failed to enter into because of unbelief? Hebrews 3:1-13 answers this for us. To those who are alive today God makes a promise of rest. This rest remains available to those who turn to God in faith (Heb. 4:1). For those who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, then they have in part and will in full enter into the rest God has promised (Heb.4:3). God offered rest in the Garden of Eden. God's rest is the rest that He took on the seventh day after creation (Heb. 4:4-5). God is offering His people a perfect and complete rest. God offered Israel rest in Canaan, but this was only a shadow of the complete and perfect rest that God had in mind for those who follow Him in faith. Hebrews says that there is a better rest yet to come (Heb. 4:8-9). "For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His" (Heb. 4:10). We get to enter into the complete rest that God took after His creation of a perfect world. Wow! If we place our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior then we will enter into God's perfect rest. Jesus offers us rest in part in this world. We are offered rest through the peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), the hope of Christ's return, the joy of living a life that honors God, the hope in the future resurrection of the dead, and through the Holy Spirit who comforts us.
Ultimately, the rest that God promises to those who follow Him through Jesus Christ is an eternal and perfect rest in Heaven. This will take place at death or after the return of Jesus. Either way we will enter into the rest that we were created to enjoy. We will have intimate fellowship with our Savior and He will take away every tear, pain, and heartache. God, please help me every day to live in the reality of the rest that You have promised to us in part today and in full at the moment of death or after the return of Christ. Amen.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Approaching the Throne of God
The author of Hebrews begins by exalting the Lord Jesus Christ. Do we every stop and think about the surpassing greatness of our Lord? According to the author, Jesus far exceeds the prophets and angels in excellency.
God speaks to us by and through the Son. He is the Word (John 1:1). The author is pleading with the readers: Listen to the supreme Son of God! Jesus is in control of all (Hebrews 1:2). The world was created through Jesus (Hebrews 1:2). This statement by itself claims Jesus is God by pointing to Him as the Creator in Genesis 1. Jesus is the glory and exact image of God (Hebrews 1:3)!
Jesus also purged our sins (Hebrews 1:3). By Himself our sins are purged, taken away, and forgiven by God the Father. The author of Hebrews is setting the reader up to walk into the presence of God. Through the cross we have direct access to the throne of grace. Jesus is at the right hand of the Majesty (God the Father). He is our Mediator, pleading on our behalf.
Thanks be to God that He sent Jesus to purge our sins. We must remember that God speaks to us today through Jesus (the Word). Jesus was fully human, but He is also fully God, the exact essence. We worship the only One who can mediate between sinful humans and an infinitely holy God. Without Jesus as mediator there is no access to the throne of God the Father. God desires that His creation comes to worship Him by entering into His presence. Only Jesus can usher a sinner into the very presence of Almighty God. This is the same God who says that those who look upon His full glory will die immediately (Exodus 33:20), whose glory will be the light in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:23). Followers of the Lord Jesus Christ have the humbling honor of entering into the presence of the Majesty on high through the perfect Son of God who purges our sins.
God speaks to us by and through the Son. He is the Word (John 1:1). The author is pleading with the readers: Listen to the supreme Son of God! Jesus is in control of all (Hebrews 1:2). The world was created through Jesus (Hebrews 1:2). This statement by itself claims Jesus is God by pointing to Him as the Creator in Genesis 1. Jesus is the glory and exact image of God (Hebrews 1:3)!
Jesus also purged our sins (Hebrews 1:3). By Himself our sins are purged, taken away, and forgiven by God the Father. The author of Hebrews is setting the reader up to walk into the presence of God. Through the cross we have direct access to the throne of grace. Jesus is at the right hand of the Majesty (God the Father). He is our Mediator, pleading on our behalf.
Thanks be to God that He sent Jesus to purge our sins. We must remember that God speaks to us today through Jesus (the Word). Jesus was fully human, but He is also fully God, the exact essence. We worship the only One who can mediate between sinful humans and an infinitely holy God. Without Jesus as mediator there is no access to the throne of God the Father. God desires that His creation comes to worship Him by entering into His presence. Only Jesus can usher a sinner into the very presence of Almighty God. This is the same God who says that those who look upon His full glory will die immediately (Exodus 33:20), whose glory will be the light in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:23). Followers of the Lord Jesus Christ have the humbling honor of entering into the presence of the Majesty on high through the perfect Son of God who purges our sins.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Our Hope and Future: Jeremiah 31
The hope that Jeremiah was speaking about is more explicitly mentioned in chapter 31. The days are coming when God will make a new covenant with His people (Jer. 31:31). God says in Jeremiah 31:33, "But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on thier hearts; and I will be their God and they shall be My people." So few Jews at this time are following the Lord with their hearts. "They honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me" (Isaiah 29:13). God called Israel from the begining to be circumcised in heart, not just in the flesh (Dt. 30:6).
The author of Hebrews will help us get the full beauty of this passage. Jesus Christ is now seated in Heaven and is the High Priest of a better covenant, namely the New Covenant. The Old Covenant forced animal sacrifices. Now Jesus is the true sacrifice once for all in the heavenly realm, the true tabernacle (Heb. 8:2-3). Why is the New Covenant better? Because it promises transformation and forgiveness. The Old Covenant pointed out our sin and our need for a Savior (Gal. 3:24). Why is there hope for Jeremiah and his contemporaries? Because a day is coming when God will blot out their sins if they give their heart to Him. This is fulfilled in the incarnation, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of the God-Man Jesus Christ.
I pray that I daily live in the transformation and forgiveness of Christ. God allow me to treasure You. May I be willing to consider "all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ" (Philippians 3:8) and willing to give up all for the Kingdom of God (Matthew 13:44). Thank you Jesus for the New Covenant of your blood that brought redemption to those who truly follow You. Our sins are forgiven by Your blood alone. Through Your blood we have a Mediator between us and God the Father. Christ is our hope and our future. It is not some better life now in the sense of worldly and fleeting pleasures. The hope Jeremiah speaks of in 29:11 is not some sort of promise to meet all of our worldly wants and desires. Instead, it is looking forward to the hope, future, and joy that comes through the covenant relationship with Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Submitting to God's Will: Jeremiah 29
Are we ready and willing to submit to the will of God no matter the situation? Let's take a look to see how Jeremiah was willing to submit in Jeremiah 29. The will of God punished the Jews in Jerusalem
for their turning away from the one true God to serve false gods. Now they have
been taken captive by Babylon. Jeremiah is given a message by God to deliver to
the Jews enslaved in Babylonia. At this time everything Jeremiah knew had been
destroyed. God gives him the following message in Jeremiah 29:4-7: "Thus
says the Lord
of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have
caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat
their fruit. Take
wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your
daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be
increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be
carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for
it; for in its peace you will have peace." God says "to seek the
peace of the city." Seek the peace of the city that came and destroyed you,
your people, and your land. Would you and I be willing to submit to the will of
God in this situation? Would we preach the message Jeremiah delivered to his
people? Jeremiah submitted to the will of God and we must be willing to do the
same.
Men like Adoniram
Judson, who endured much pain and persecution from the very people he was
trying to reach with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, were willing to submit to
God's will. Does this not sound eerily familiar? Jesus was also persecuted by
the very people He was seeking to save. His own did not receive Him (John
1:11). Jesus perfectly submitted to God's will to the point of death (Mark
14:36). Jesus said that if they persecuted Him, then His followers would be
persecuted as well (John 15:20). Jesus always sought the peace of the city. It
was from the exaltation of the cross that Jesus cried out "Father forgive
them, for they do not know what they do" (Luke 23:34). Are we ready and
willing to submit in this manner to the point of death? Women like Charlotte
"Lottie" Moon, who was willing to give her food away so that others
could hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ, were willing to submit to the will of
God. They understood that this life is not about comfort, but instead it is
about exalting the name of Christ among all nations. Are we willing to
radically submit in this way? Do we treasure Christ above any comfort of this
world in a way that we are ready to radically submit like our Savior?
Then we reach the famous verse in Jeremiah 29:11
where God says, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the
Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."
God says that He has a plan and a hope to offer to those who feel as though
they have no hope. This verse is delivered in the midst of captivity. What is
the future and hope that God has planned for His people?
Friday, June 1, 2012
Applying Jeremiah 25
Some believe God to be one who is not in control when it comes to government, war, and leadership. However, Jeremiah 25:9 is explicitly clear that God willed even the evil Nebuchadnezzar to destroy Jerusalem. All of creation is at the mercy of God. No creature will put a stop to the will of God. There is not some sort of Star Wars mentality of good vs. evil where we are left hoping God wins in the end. Instead, our God wills and it comes about. Nothing can thwart the will of God (Job 42:2). How amazing our God is. There is nothing that lies outside of His control. No evil king, nation, individual, or Satan himself can push God into a quandry. He is in control which is easy to accept at first glance.
God's complete soveriegnty is an amazing concept, but what about when this doctrine collides with our personal life? Here in Jeremiah, God is bringing about His will, which is to destroy Jerusalem by using an evil servant. What about the will of God on a personal level. Let's get into the situation in which Jeremiah was involved. Jeremiah's people, land, and family were destroyed and forced into a foriegn land. How should/would we respond to God and His will? The purpose of God's will is always to exalt His great name (Ezekiel 36:22-23). So what about when the will of God takes the life, not just of Jeremiah's family, or your neighbor's family, but my family and your family? Then what/should our response to God be?
Jeremiah can help us discover the complete submission to the will of God when His will hits us on a personal level. When it is clear that nothing happens outside of the will of God we must then decide to either submit or resist.
God's complete soveriegnty is an amazing concept, but what about when this doctrine collides with our personal life? Here in Jeremiah, God is bringing about His will, which is to destroy Jerusalem by using an evil servant. What about the will of God on a personal level. Let's get into the situation in which Jeremiah was involved. Jeremiah's people, land, and family were destroyed and forced into a foriegn land. How should/would we respond to God and His will? The purpose of God's will is always to exalt His great name (Ezekiel 36:22-23). So what about when the will of God takes the life, not just of Jeremiah's family, or your neighbor's family, but my family and your family? Then what/should our response to God be?
Jeremiah can help us discover the complete submission to the will of God when His will hits us on a personal level. When it is clear that nothing happens outside of the will of God we must then decide to either submit or resist.
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