Marks of a Spirit-Filled Church

Acts 2:36-47

If someone from the very early Church were to time-travel to today and visit any number of churches, would they feel that they could recognize where they were?  Aside from the language difference, and modern technology, would there be any key marks or similarities that they would recognize, or would it feel like some public social gathering where some music was played and a speaker gave a message?  In our Scripture passage taken from the second chapter of Acts, we read about the very early beginnings of the Church, and what some of the birthmarks of that early New Testament Church were.

The setting for our Scripture is immediately following the first sermon that the Apostle Peter gave on the Day of Pentecost, the people’s reaction, and the establishment of the Church in the weeks that followed.  The immediate results of that first sermon was conviction brought on by the Holy Spirit, repentance, faith in the Lord Jesus, believer’s baptism, and the formation of a Spirit-filled, Scripture-centered Church.  The Holy Spirit had just descended upon the believers who had gathered together, and Peter had just given a message.  In his first sermon he proclaimed that Jesus is the promised Messiah, that the people of Israel had the Messiah crucified, that God had raised Him from the dead, and now Jesus is exalted at God’s right hand.  Now as we come to our opening verses, we see what the crowd’s response was.

In Peter’s closing statement to his sermon, he proclaimed the deity of the Lord Jesus, that He is both Lord and Christ (vs. 36).  “Lord” is a divine title, stating that He has power and authority over us, and “Christ” is the Greek word for Anointed One, which is what the word Messiah means.  He also stated their human responsibility for the crucifixion.  Peter did not soften the truth.  Instead, he preached sin, responsibility, and the exaltation of Christ.  Would our time-traveling 1st century visitor hear that in our churches today?  All too many churches today never mention sin, that we are all sinners who need salvation, or any mention of repentance.  However, a faithful Gospel presentation must include the identity of Jesus Christ, that we are guilty sinners, and the necessity of responding to this truth.

When Peter presented this message to the crowds, the Holy Spirit brought conviction (vs. 37).  When our preachers give this type of message today, He will also come in power as He did then.  True conviction will include an awareness of their sin before God, taking responsibility for that sin, and also recognizing who Jesus truly is.  No one is saved without conviction.

Once they had received and believed the truth, the crowds asked Peter what they needed to do.  Peter responded for them to repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit (vs. 38).  Repentance is a change of mind about sin and who Jesus truly is.  It is a turning from unbelief to faith, and is a necessary part of salvation.  Being baptized does not save us.  It is not a part of salvation.  It is the public identification of ourselves with the Lord Jesus. Salvation is by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).  Baptism is the first act of obedience, not a means of receiving forgiveness.   Then after one is saved, the Holy Spirit comes to indwell the believer.  This is the permanent indwelling promised to all believers (Ephesians 1:13-14).

This message that Peter preached, and the promises therein was for everyone (vs. 39-40).  The Gospel is for everyone - for the Jewish people “you”, for the Gentiles “all who are afar off”, and to each’s descendants “your children”.  Are our churches today welcoming to everyone, regardless of race or national origin, educational level, or income?  This message was urgent.  It was urgent back then, and it is even more so today.  Do our preachers have that same earnestness and sense of urgency to see people in their neighborhood saved?  Do they warn of judgment to come and to turn to Jesus for salvation, or are their messages only feel-good, motivational talks?  The response to Peter’s sermon was the salvation of at least 3,000 people! (vs. 41).

Next we read a brief description of what the early church was like - the teaching was grounded in Scripture, the “apostle’s doctrine”, in fellowship with mutual care for each other, the breaking of bread - both Communion and likely shared meals, and in prayer (vs. 42).  Are our churches like that?  Do we have frequent Holy Communion, frequently praying together, have doctrinally sound preaching, and genuinely caring about each other and their needs.

The early believers had a fear of the Lord, a holy reverence for Him, not a casualness too often seen today (vs. 43).  They voluntarily shared their possessions to meet the needs of everyone (vs. 44-47).  This wasn’t socialism or communal ownership, nor was it forced.  It was voluntary and motivated by love.  Some species of trees, when planted near each other, allow their roots to intertwine and sometimes even fuse together.  They share water, nutrients, and support in storms.  God designed Christians to support one another through all of life’s storms.

So how would our Early Church visitor feel in the churches of today?  Is your church like that of the Church in the immediate years following Pentecost?  Is it marked by unity, generosity, reverent worship, prayer, and Biblical preaching and teaching?  Those were the birthmarks of the New Testament Church.

The Precious Blood of Jesus

I Peter 1:17-23

If you had to make a list for your homeowners or apartment insurance of what you considered valuable or precious, what would you put on that list?  Probably any expensive jewelry you might have.  If you had some special collection of items or antiques, they might go on the list. Perhaps important documents.  The reason we insure these items is because they can be destroyed or stolen.  If a fire, flood, tornado, or hurricane happens, they are likely gone or ruined.  Or if a thief breaks into your house, they will be stolen.  If there is an economic collapse, your possessions might end up losing value, and the insurance is useless.  Their worth is gone or lost.  What about something which is worth far more than anything we insure, something that can never lose its value or be lost or destroyed?  Our Scripture today speaks of something that is the most precious thing in all of the universe for believers, something that will never lose its value, that we can never lose, nor can it be taken from us, and because of that, how we should respond.  Let’s look into God’s Word.

The Apostle Peter wrote his two epistles to believers who had been scattered from their homes and neighborhoods, and were suffering persecution for their faith.  He wanted to strengthen their identity in Christ, and to call them to holy living while they remain in a hostile world.  As our Scripture begins, Peter was reminding these believers to continue to live in reverent fear of the Lord.  He is not only their Father, but He is also the impartial Judge (vs. 17).  When we are saved, we do obtain an intimacy with God that the unsaved do not have, but that should not mean that we treat Him with casualness.  He will judge each believer’s works with fairness.  This isn’t works that one might do to be saved, as works don’t and can’t save us, but speaks of works for the Lord that we do out of love for Him after salvation.  This fear Peter speaks of is not terror of losing our salvation, but is a sober awareness that God sees, knows, and evaluates our conduct.

Peter then reminded his readers, and us as well, of the cost of our redemption (vs. 18-19).  Because of our sins, we were all destined to an eternity in hell, and there was no amount of earthly wealth that could purchase our salvation.  However, the Precious Blood of Jesus did just that.  It was the highest possible price, as Jesus is the perfect, sinless sacrifice.  Our redemption is substitutionary, blood-based, and rooted in Jesus’ sinlessness.  It didn’t cost us anything, but it cost Jesus the shedding of His life-blood.

Again, we consider what we think of as precious.  When it comes to our Christian faith, often people think of grace, forgiveness, and God’s love.  However, with our sanitized Christian culture today, we don’t speak much of the Blood of Jesus.  Yet His Blood is the only basis for our salvation.  What do you have if you remove the blood from a body?  You just have a lifeless corpse.  The same is true of the Bible.  Scripture would be no more than historical literature if we edited all of the "unpleasant" parts regarding the blood sacrifice, Jesus dying on the cross, or the power of His Blood.

As we continue to read, Jesus Christ’s sacrifice was foreordained before creation  (vs. 20).  The cross was not an accident.  It wasn’t that the religious leaders in Jerusalem somehow got the upper hand and crucified Jesus, taking God by surprise, and then He had to resort to Plan B, by raising Him from the dead.  No, this was God’s eternal plan from the start.  Jesus came to earth for the sole purpose of dying for our sins.

Peter continued by explaining that our faith and hope in God comes through the Lord Jesus Christ (vs. 21).  He is the Mediator through whom we come to God.  The resurrection of Jesus validates that His death was adequate and sufficient for our salvation.  We can have confidence in God’s completed work.  Knowing the price that was paid for our salvation, Peter closes this segment of Scripture by admonishing us to obey the Gospel, applying God’s Word to our heart (vs. 22-23).

As we look back over this Scripture passage, let us remember the cost of our redemption, and let it shape our choices in life.  The Blood of the Lord Jesus is too precious for us to live carelessly.  God sees every motive and action, so let us pursue holiness with reverent fear.  And let us stay rooted in the Bible, God’s Word.  Our new life came through the Word, and our growth depends on it.

A Cry of Desperation

Psalm 116

A frequent theme in movies or TV shows is someone in a life or death situation who, even if they aren’t religious, will make a desperate prayer to God.  They pray that if He will rescue them, they will start going to church, or read their Bible, or otherwise amend their life, a sort of frantic bargain.  Even genuine Christians, when in a desperate life or death situation make similar promises to God.  However, if they come out of these situations alright, these promises to God are often forgotten about.  The psalmist of today’s psalm was in a critical situation, enough that he despaired of his life.  However, as we will read, he had all full intention of keeping the vows he made to God.  Let’s take a look and see what God’s Word can teach us.

Psalm 116 is a personal testimony of our psalmist’s deliverance by the Lord from a near-death crisis.  This is a testimony of a believer who has been brought back from the brink.  He praised God for His rescue, and then vowed to commit himself to giving thanksgiving, obedience, and public worship throughout the rest of his life.  This psalm is also one of the Hallel Psalms (Psalms 113-118), which were traditionally sung at Passover.  Thus, it is likely that Jesus and His disciples sang this psalm after the Last Supper, right before His sacrificial death (Matthew 26:30).

Once rescued, the psalmist openly proclaimed his love for Yahweh because He heard his cry for help, and responded (vs. 1-2).  He called upon Him, and the Lord proved to be faithful.  God’s hearing of our prayers is not passive.  He bends down and inclines His ear to hear His children’s cries.  Unlike the pagan’s futile prayers to their false gods, our prayers to Yahweh are effective because He is personal, attentive, and near.  Our love for Him should grow as we remember His past mercies and answers to prayer.

The next several verses describe our psalmist’s brush with death (vs. 3-4).  We don’t know the details of this crisis in his life, perhaps a critical illness, or some bad accident.  He described the “pains of death”, the “pangs of Sheol” or the realm of the dead, along with “trouble and sorrow”.  Death is our enemy (I Corinthians 15:26), and it is a believer’s instinct to call upon the Lord when we are in a deadly crisis.  The psalmist didn’t give a long, deeply theological prayer, as that is not necessary.  He called out in desperation, and God responded to his sincere, humble cry.

In the psalmist’s tribute to the Lord following his rescue, he mentions three of His attributes - gracious, righteous, and merciful (vs. 5-7).  God is gracious in that He gives us what we do not deserve.  He is righteous in that His actions are always just.  And the Lord is merciful in that He withholds from us what we do deserve.  He also praises the Lord because his soul can now rest since Yahweh has brought him peace.

The psalmist returns again to speaking of the crisis that he was in, describing his deliverance (vs. 8-11).  The author speaks of being delivered from death.  Whatever his situation was, there was physical danger and a near-death experience.  He was in emotional anguish with tears.  He also spoke of falling, which could either speak of actually physically falling, or refer to a moral or spiritual collapse.  He spoke out to others about his deliverance because his renewed faith in the Lord produced such a testimony.  Because of the fallenness of humanity, such as mankind being liars, we know that trust must be placed in God alone.

What can he give or do for the Lord in payment for his deliverance?  (vs. 12-14).  He will take the cup of salvation from the Lord.  He does that by receiving God’s salvation with gratitude, and not trying to repay it.  He will also call upon the Name of the Lord, not worshiping or praying to any of the false gods around.  He will fulfill the vows and promises he made, in obedience and with integrity in front of people in public worship.

Verse 15 is a beloved verse of many, as it affirms how God values the death of His children, those who have put their faith in the Lord Jesus.  He is not indifferent to their suffering.  Their passing is not a tragic loss, but a precious transition from their life here on earth into the realm of His presence and kingdom.  We can have confidence in eternal security and God’s tender care at our life’s end.

As the psalm comes to a close, the writer declares that since the Lord “loosened his bonds” bringing him freedom from the crisis, he will give Him service, not just living his life like he might want.  He gives the Lord a sacrifice of thanksgiving in public worship.

If we truly have gratitude for what God has done for us we will express it in obedience to His Word, in public testimony by telling others what He has done, in giving joyful worship, and living a life filled with service to Him.  When we cry out to God in desperate times, He will hear, answer, and act on our behalf.  His deliverance is complete, in both body and soul. 

Fear Not, You Are Mine

Isaiah 43:1-13

Imagine going through a very devastating disaster.  Perhaps your home was completely flooded, with everything you own being washed away.  Or maybe a fire burned everything to the ground, or a tornado flattened everything.  There are other tragedies we could face, such as the sudden, unexpected death of one or more members of our family.  During such times, it can be comforting, and emotionally strengthening to have a dear friend come alongside us, and walk with us through these tragedies.  Some friends, though, disappear when the difficult times come.  Others are there temporarily, but as they have their own needs and families, they leave and you are left alone again.  Is there anyone who will always be there to comfort us, and take our hand and walk with us, or will we always be alone?  We find an answer in our Scripture today from the prophet Isaiah.

Being all alone in a tragedy and having no one to be there with us is discouraging.  However Christians never have to be in that position, as our Scripture tells us.  We don’t need to be afraid of facing a time like that, as the Lord tells us that, not only did He create us and redeem us, but He personally knows us by our name, and we belong to Him (vs. 1).  Jesus redeemed us, bought us back from our sinful inheritance, and saved us from the consequences of sin (I Peter 1:18-19).  God tells us not to be afraid, no matter what comes against us.  If God cares when a sparrow falls, He will care for us (Matthew 10:31).  God is not going to fail us, disappoint us, or allow us to be put to shame.  We belong to Him.

God has promised His children that He will be with us through the deep waters and the fire and flames, whether literal floods and fires or figurative ones (vs. 2).  This echoes His carrying His people through the Red Sea and later the Jordan River on dry ground, along with the fiery furnace in the Book of Daniel.  It is assumed that these trials will happen.  God said “when”, not “if”.  However we do not need to fear, as His presence is guaranteed.  He promises to be with us.  God has also set the limits of our suffering, as “they shall not overflow you.”

No matter how deep the water we wade in, or how raging the river that comes against us in life, we will not be overwhelmed, for God is with us.  His love for us is stronger than anything that would try to come against us and overtake us.  No matter the size of the opposition coming against our lives or those we love, God is bigger.  God does not promise the absence of trials, but He has promised His presence in them.

Reading on, we see that God moved nations and empires to preserve Israel (vs. 3-4).  His love is not sentimental, but covenantal, sacrificial, sovereign, and purposeful.  He sent His only Son to die, not only for Israel, but also for all mankind.  If we have ever doubted our own worth, remember, that God believed us important enough to Him to justify the death of His Son.

Next we read of God’s prophetic promise that He will gather again the people of Israel, which have been scattered around the world since the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 (vs. 5-7).  They have been in worldwide dispersion since then, but God has now begun regathering them, and this will ultimately be fulfilled in the Millennial Kingdom.  He lets us know that their existence is tied to His glory not their merit.  Currently, as a whole, they are spiritually blind, yet chosen to testify of God's works (vs. 8-9).  Nations and idols cannot predict or explain history.  God alone foretells and fulfills prophecy.

As the prophet Isaiah proclaims, God is an exclusive God (vs. 10-11).  Only one true God exists, that being Yahweh.  There has been none before nor will there be any after Him, and only the Lord Jesus Christ can save us.  The Apostle Peter also echoed this truth in Acts 4:12.  He is self-existent, all-powerful and supreme (vs. 12-13).  No one can reverse the intentions and objectives He has for His people.

As we close, we learn that though trials in our life are real, God’s presence is more real.  Despite our failures, God will always remain faithful to the promises He has made to His people, those who have put their faith in the Lord Jesus.  Remember, we are not abandoned, and are not alone in the universe.  The God who made everything has chosen us to be His very own.  He has called us by our own names, so there is no danger that He might have mistaken us for someone else.  We are safe forever, no matter what may happen to us.

The Nailprints in His Hands

John 20:19-31

It had been a very difficult past three days for Thomas.  It started late Thursday night with the arrest of Jesus by the religious authorities.  Then a mockery of a trial overnight, followed by His crucifixion on Friday.  Thomas chose to spend the next couple of days by himself.  His grief was such that he preferred to be by himself, rather than with the other disciples.  Then later in the day on Sunday, the other ten disciples were telling him some unbelievable news, that Jesus was risen from the dead, and that they all had seen Him!  This is the setting for our Scripture from the Gospel of John today.

As mentioned above, ten of the disciples were gathered together.  The betrayer Judas was dead, and Thomas was not among them.  Some people like to be with friends and loved ones when they are grieving and troubled.  Others prefer to be alone, and Thomas was probably one of the latter.  Some of the women who also followed Jesus had told them earlier that day that they had gone to the tomb and that Jesus was not there.  They told of angels and of His resurrection.  Mary Magdalene had even seen and spoken to Jesus.  However, they were still quite afraid of the authorities and continued to keep the doors locked and bolted.  That evening as they were gathered together, puzzled and afraid, Jesus appeared standing among them (vs. 19-20).

Jesus now had a glorified body, and He was able to come into a locked room.  Though His body was glorified, it was still a physical body, as He showed them the wounds in His hands and side.  This was not a spirit or ghost of Jesus.  The wounds were proof of His bodily resurrection and proof that the atonement was complete. Jesus’ first words to them were a blessing of peace.  It is the peace purchased by His death (John 14:27; Romans 5:1).  The disciples were now glad, as fear turns to joy when Jesus is present.

Jesus proceeded to give them a commission (vs. 21).  This was not the same event as the Great Commission of Matthew 28, but is consistent with it.  They have a mission to reveal God and proclaim the truth to the world.  Jesus also breathed on the disciples, bestowing the Holy Spirit (vs. 22).  This was not Pentecost, which would happen in a little over a month, but was a symbolic, anticipatory act.  This was a pledge of the Holy Spirit, a preparation for the coming empowerment.  Then the disciples were authorized to declare God’s terms of forgiveness (vs 23).  When they preach the gospel, they can confidently say that those who believe in Jesus will be forgiven their sins, but those who reject the Gospel will remain in their sins.  We are admonished to be forgiving of others who sin against us.  If we withhold forgiveness, we will be denied forgiveness, as well.  Don’t stand in the way of your own relationship with God by denying forgiveness to someone else.

These ten disciples then told their missing brother Thomas that Jesus had come and appeared to them (vs. 24-25).  However, Thomas did not believe, and even said that he would only believe if he put his fingers into the nail prints, and his hand into the wound on Jesus’ side.  We shouldn’t be too hard on Thomas, as he honestly struggled with believing.  He wanted to know with certainty, and was slow to accept the testimony of the others.  Jesus didn’t condemn him, He met him where he was in faith.

A week later, on the following Sunday evening, Jesus appeared again, repeating the blessing of peace (vs. 26-27).  Then He turned to Thomas and invited him to touch the wounds, telling him to not be faithless, but to believe.  Jesus’ encounter with Thomas shows that the Lord has patience with those who struggle with faith.  He is willing to give evidence, and desires to bring people to faith in Him, not to shame them for their doubts.

Thomas then responded with one of the clearest declarations of Christ’s deity (vs. 28).  By calling Jesus “Lord” he was declaring that Jesus was His Master, and Thomas also proclaimed Jesus’ deity, that He was God.  Jesus accepted this worship, giving proof that He is truly God.  He responded with a blessing to Thomas who saw and believed, and also with a blessing to those who believe without even seeing (vs. 29).  This blessing is for all future believers, to you and me, and everyone who trusts the Gospel.

John concluded with the statement that Jesus did many signs, which were never recorded (vs. 30-31).  John recorded what he did so that we all would believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.  By believing the testimony of John we can have life in Jesus’ Name.

One final look at the wounds which the Risen Savior has in His hands, feet, and side.  When you and I get to heaven, God will take away all of the scars that we have, both physical scars and emotional ones.  However, Jesus will eternally bear the scars of our sins, the scars that purchased our salvation.  We are engraved onto God’s hands (Isaiah 49:15-16).  We are like an open wound on the hand of God, unforgettable, always before His eyes.  We are engraved as scars on Jesus’ hands.  They are a reminder of God’s incredible love for us, more tender than even a mother’s love for her baby.

An Incorruptible Inheritance

I Peter 1:3-9

You’ve accepted Jesus as your Savior.  Maybe that was recently, or maybe that was a while ago.  However, now you are going through some very difficult trials and difficulties.  Perhaps you are even being persecuted for your faith, and maybe you are wondering why all of this is happening.  Weren’t things supposed to get better once you accepted Jesus?  That is a common misconception, that once one becomes a Christian your life will be a picnic, a stroll through a garden.  The Apostle Peter addresses this confusion, along with the eternal security of our salvation and our heavenly inheritance.  Let’s take a look at this Scripture that is brimming with strong Christian hope.

The Epistle of I Peter was written by the Apostle to believers who were scattered from their homes due to persecution.  They were suffering for their faith in a world that was very hostile to those who followed Jesus.  He wanted to remind these suffering Christians that their trials were only temporary, and that they were precious in God’s sight.  He wanted to encourage them, and us today, to look to God during trying times, and to anchor our hope in the certainty of His promises, not in circumstances.

Peter reminded these believers that as Christians we have a living hope (vs. 3).  This hope isn’t wishful thinking, such as hoping it doesn’t rain on my day off work.  This is the confident, anchored expectation of our future salvation, the resurrection, and eternal life with God, based on the resurrection of Jesus.  It is knowing that God’s promises are sure.  Our hope is as alive as the risen Christ Himself, and His gift of eternal life will never come to ruin.

As believers who have placed their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus, we have an inheritance.  Some people have had an inheritance, but then something happens and it was lost, or destroyed, or in some other way ruined.  That would be so disappointing, even devastating to those people.  Our Scripture here describes the inheritance we have through Jesus as incorruptible (vs. 4).  It cannot decay.  It is also undefiled, as it can’t be ruined, and it will not fade away or be diminished.  It is reserved in heaven for us, basically kept under divine guard.  There it is safer in heaven than anything we could ever secure on earth.

But what if somehow I lose my salvation?  That has worried some Christians.  God’s Word tells us here that believers are “kept by the power of God” vs. 5.  This is one text that shows the Biblical truth of eternal security.  Our faith is the means of our salvation, but God’s power is the guarantee.  He guards us like a military garrison, and He promises that nothing can take us out of His hand (John 10:28-29).

Next Peter addresses the trials and persecutions that these believers are going through (vs. 6-7).  Despite what they are experiencing, he encourages them to rejoice in the Lord.  This is not a denial of their pain, but to have joy in spite of it because of what we know is coming in our future.  The purpose of these trials is to refine us and make us more like Jesus.  At times God allows us to face impossible circumstances in order to test and try our faith.  It is the adversity that motivates us to seek Him, and when we do, He faithfully strengthens and refreshes us.

Our trials are not random.  They will test the genuineness of our faith. Peter tells us that our faith is more precious than gold, which is refined by fire.  And just like that gold, our faith is refined by trials.  When purifying gold the refiner’s fire only destroys the impurities that mar the gold’s beauty and detract from its basic characteristics, making it worth much less.  A piece of gold that has not been refined and purified is worth much less.  Though it is still gold, it would only be made into much lesser, inexpensive jewelry.  However, the pure, refined gold is valuable, and made into beautiful pieces.  Which type of Christian do you want to be?  God values your faith more than the world values gold, so allow Him to refine you.

Peter continues by commending those Christians who have a strong faith, yet have never seen Jesus (vs. 8).  Peter and the other apostles saw Jesus and were taught by Him for over three years.  These believers who are going through trials and persecution for His Name have never seen Him in the flesh, yet they love Him, believe in and follow Him.  The same is true of every Christian today, and the end outcome of our faith is the salvation of our soul, which refers to our glorification in heaven (vs. 9).

Jesus made it clear that troubles are inevitable for God’s children.  His own life was no exception.  As His followers, we can expect difficulty.  God allows struggles for our benefit to purify and grow us for greater service, to test our endurance and devotion to Jesus, and to strengthen our trust.  We have an anchored hope in Jesus’ resurrection and our inheritance in heaven.  It is certain and eternally secure!  Remember, we are not home yet, but we’re on our way, and the finish line is guaranteed!

An Alphabet Psalm

Psalm 111

Many of us have heard alphabet songs before. Some are instructional songs for little children to help in learning the alphabet.  There are a few alphabet songs that list alphabetically the ways the singer loves his beloved.  Today’s psalm is an alphabetical, also called an acrostic, psalm. Each line begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.  This was to help believers in praise of God for His works, His righteousness, faithfulness, and reliability.  Also to instruct us in the fear of the Lord, obedience, and in worship.

Our psalm begins with a proclamation of public, open praise to God.  The psalmist’s praise is both personal and wholehearted.  He shares his praise when gathering with other believers.  Praise and worship should be shared among the redeemed.  Church services really should often have a brief time where the congregants can give public testimonies of praise for how the Lord is working in their lives, answers to prayers, and what He has done recently for them.  As is indicated in our psalm, our worship should be sincere, undivided, and expressed among God’s people.  Half-hearted worship is unworthy of our God, who has done such great works for us.

Our God is not some weak, meager, and insignificant deity.  His works are great, and are meant to be studied, not just admired (vs. 2).  We do that by getting into His Word, the Bible, and not just reading a few verses here and there, but actually studying the Scriptures.  This is not optional for a genuine believer who loves Jesus.  True believers will delight in studying God’s Word and works.  Our worship will grow as our understanding grows.

As we study God’s works, both through His Word, and what we see around us, we see that they are honorable, majestic, and glorious (vs. 3).  His works reveal His eternal righteousness.  When our problems and worries start to mount up, and our faith starts to falter, we should look at God’s works - His creation, His protective care of us, and His redemption.  All of these testify that God is righteous and trustworthy.

God wants His children to remember His works (vs. 4).  We do that through Bible reading and meditation, along with certain sacraments, such as Holy Communion, “This do in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:14-20).  Forgetfulness is a spiritual danger.  God calls His people to rehearse His works continually.  This is why testimonies, Scripture memorization, and group worship matter.  One specific work of the Lord is that He provides food for His children (vs. 5), both physical and spiritual.  God never forgets His promises.  We can trust Him for our daily needs because He is faithful to eternal commitments.  The psalmist reminds us that our inheritance in Jesus is secure (vs. 6).  God’s power guarantees our future.

As we read on, we are reminded that God’s Word is both trustworthy and eternal (vs. 7-8).  His works and His Word share the same qualities - that of truth, justice, faithfulness, and permanence.  They are sure, reliable, and unchanging.  In a world of shifting morality, which we see so much of today, God’s Word remains a Christian’s unshakable foundation.

The greatest work that God has done is that of redemption (vs. 9).  That was accomplished when He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to die on the Cross for our sins.  The New Covenant that God made with mankind through the Blood of Jesus is eternal.  Those who have entered into that covenant by accepting Jesus as their Savior, are eternally secure.  Our redemption is the ultimate reason for praise.

God’s Name is holy and should be feared (vs. 9-10), that is, it should not be taken lightly or in vain.  Our life should reflect reverence for His Holy Name.  The “fear of the Lord” is having a godly respect for God’s power and authority.  True wisdom begins with a reverent submission to God.  Wisdom is not intellectual brilliance, but is instead having humble obedience to our Lord and Savior.  Obedience is what will naturally come from having a godly fear of the Lord.  A proper and accurate view of God produces a good life.

As the psalm closes, the author went through the whole Hebrew alphabet, with each of their twenty-two letters successively beginning each line.  Though that wouldn’t translate well, to be able to do that with any other language, it was a way to especially teach Old Testament Hebrew children the importance of praise to God, remembering His works, and having a godly fear and respect for His Holy Name.  That is something that we can learn today, as well, with or without any alphabetical help.

The Covenant of Preservation

Genesis 9:8-16

We all make promises of various sorts to other people.  Sometimes we might need or want a reminder of what we have promised, or we give the other person, the one the promise was made to, a reminder that we have given them our word.  In our Scripture today we read of a solemn promise, or covenant as the Bible calls it, that God made with mankind, along with the sign or reminder that was also given.

In the Bible, there are two types of promises that God makes - conditional and unconditional.  Conditional promises are ones that if we do something, or if we obey what God said, then He will fulfill His part of the promise.  Some examples are: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9).  And “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you shall ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” (John 15:7).  Unconditional promises are ones where God has given His word, and we don’t have to do, or not do, anything to receive it.  The promise God made to Christians, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) is one example.  Today’s Scripture passage gives another unconditional covenantal promise.

Beginning in Genesis chapter 6 on through chapter 8 we read of God’s judgment of mankind’s sin by sending a world-wide flood that destroyed everything living, except for Noah and his family, along with a pair of each animal.  Now that the flood waters have receded, and everyone departed from the ark, God made an everlasting covenant with man, and with all the animals that had been on the ark.  This was a unilateral, unconditional promise grounded in His mercy, not in any human merit.  God did not require Noah or any of his descendants to promise anything in return.  God bound Himself.  There are no conditions, no stipulations, no “if you obey.”  This covenant rests entirely on God’s character.

What was this covenant promise?  We read it in verse 11.  God promised that He would never again destroy the whole earth, nor all living creatures (all flesh) with a flood.  This does not mean that there will be no local floods, as we see that in various places quite frequently.  And unfortunately there is sometimes loss of life then, as well.  However God promised that He would not destroy the whole earth, destroying all life, with another flood.  God ensured the world would remain intact until His redemptive plan is fulfilled.

Next, the Lord God gave man a sign that He would keep this covenant with them, and that is the sign of the rainbow (vs. 12-16).  People today have taken the rainbow and made it mean other things, but God gave the rainbow to be a sign in the sky that He would never flood the whole earth again.  The Hebrew word used is “qeset”, which is a bow used by archers for hunting or for war.  God hangs up His bow in the sky.  His weapon of judgment is set aside, with the bow pointing upwards towards heaven, not earth.  It is a symbol of peace.

The rainbow is not just a reminder for mankind.  God said that He will look upon it and remember His covenant.  That is not because if He doesn’t see it He will forget.  It means that the rainbow in the sky after a rain storm is a public, visible testimony of His faithfulness.  The rainbow is an eternal sign of God’s faithfulness.  It shows Him as a God who keeps His promises. Even after judgment, the Lord God binds Himself to mercy.

The rainbow also shows us that God is sovereign over all of creation.  He is the one who controls the weather, along with the changing seasons, and the stability of the whole earth.  When we see a rainbow, it is a testament to God’s ongoing governance of all of creation.

In closing, we read in the Bible of how God sent the Flood because of mankind’s wickedness.  The Flood was judgment for sin.  This unconditional promise, this covenant that God made with man, shows that we have a merciful and compassionate God, and His rainbow is a symbol of His mercy.  Since God keeps His covenant with the whole earth, He will keep His promises to His children.  Every rainbow is a sermon in the sky, reminding us that God is patient, faithful, and merciful.

Obey God Rather Than Man

Acts 5:17-32

If you have two conflicting orders or commands given to you, which one will you follow?  Generally one would follow the orders from the person higher in command.  If your job supervisor says one thing, but the owner of the company says another, you’d likely obey the owner of the company.  In the military one would obey the more senior officer’s command.  This holds true in our spiritual lives, as well.  If man tells us one thing, but God says something else, we would be wise to follow what God says!  This is a situation that some of the apostles had as we read our Scripture for today.

The events in our Scripture and that of Acts chapter 5, happened within several months to maybe a year or so after the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came down upon the believers.  It was likely not more time than that.  In Acts 4 Peter and John had healed the crippled man in Jesus’ Name, and then both were arrested.  They were released and continued their ministry of preaching salvation and healing.  All of the apostles were performing many signs and wonders, and multitudes of men and women were being saved.  The religious leaders in Jerusalem were not liking this, as they felt that this threatened their authority and power over the population.

As our Scripture passage opens, the apostles had continued with preaching and healing, greatly upsetting the high priest and the Sadducees, so they decided to arrest them again (vs. 17-18).  Their motives were both theological and personal, as they were jealous of the apostles' popularity, proud, and feared of losing influence.  The Sadducees also did not like what the apostles were preaching, because they denied the resurrection, something that was paramount in the apostles’ messages.  This brought about their arrest and being treated like common criminals.  Sometimes Satan uses established religious systems to oppose the Gospel.  However, as we will see, God overrules human schemes.

God did not allow them to stay in jail for long.  That night He sent an angel to open the locked prison doors, and the angel brought them out, telling them to go back to the Temple and continue to preach God’s message, “the words of this life” (vs. 19-20).  The apostles were not freed for their own comfort, to go take a mini-vacation to relax and de-stress.  They were freed in order to go back to the mission the Lord had given them, that of preaching His Word.  They didn’t tell the angel no, as that had gotten them in trouble before, and that they were told by the authorities not to.  Their obedience to God’s Word was immediate, unquestioning, and bold (vs. 21).

This immediately attracted the attention of the religious leaders, who sent officers to apprehend them at the Temple (vs. 22-26).  The captains feared the people, which shows us that the apostles had more moral authority than the Sanhedrin.  The divine demonstration of their release from prison shows that God’s work cannot be contained, and that human authority is limited.  The Gospel will advance despite the opposition man seeks to bring against it.

The apostles were brought before the high priest and Sanhedrin again, where they were sternly questioned about why they were continuing to preach in the Name of Jesus (vs. 27-28).  They were accused of filling Jerusalem with this new doctrine, and bringing the Blood of Jesus upon them.  However, they were guilty of the death of Jesus, along with all of mankind’s sins, and it was true that the Gospel was spreading uncontrollably.  When God’s Church is Spirit-filled and obedient to His Word, the world cannot ignore it.

Then Peter and the other believers spoke up, telling the high priest and Sanhedrin that they were going to obey God rather than men (vs. 29).  They were not trying to be ornery or rebellious.  They were submitting to the highest authority - that of God Himself.  Peter proceeded to preach to them a short, concise Gospel message (vs. 30-32).  He preached that God raised Jesus from the dead, the same Jesus that they had executed, and that He was now exalted as Prince and Savior.  He preached that repentance and forgiveness are offered through Him, with the Holy Spirit bearing witness.

This Scripture passage teaches us that the priority of our obedience must be to God.  When human commands contradict what the Bible says, we as believers must obey God.  This is not optional.  This is a Biblical mandate.  We also see that God is sovereign over persecution.  Though He doesn’t always deliver His children from suffering at the hands of His enemies, God is in control.  Sometimes He will miraculously open prison doors.  No earthly authority can ever silence the Gospel.

We can expect opposition when we stand for God’s truth.  Faithfulness to the Bible will provoke hostility from both religious and secular systems alike.  However, as Christians, we must obey God even when it might cost us something, including our safety.  Believers must prioritize Scripture over cultural pressure, legal threats, or personal comfort.  We are not called to silence, compromise, or selective preaching.  The angel’s command is still our commission - boldly proclaim “all the words of this life.”

Living the Risen Life

Colossians 3:1-4

Most of us have attended the funeral of a friend or loved one.  Often the coffin is present, sometimes opened with a view of the deceased, or other times it is closed.  Either way, the person in that coffin no longer cares about what is going on in the world, or even right there in the room.  They cannot hear what anyone says to them.  They are not worried about their bank account, getting ahead in their job, what their neighbor is doing, or the latest gossip.  They are dead to this world.  Their only concern now is where their eternal destination is.  In our Scripture today the Apostle Paul speaks of believers being dead to one thing, and alive to another.  Let’s see what he is talking about, and what we can learn.

As we jump into our Scripture passage, the first word in the English translation might be confusing (vs 1).  The word “if” here really has the meaning of “since” or “because”.  Paul isn’t wondering or questioning whether those in the Colossian church were spiritually risen and united with Jesus.  Paul is speaking to genuinely saved people, and as such he is referring to the believer's union with Christ in His resurrection (Romans 6:4-5).   His resurrection is not just something that happened in the past.  It affects every Christian today.

Because we share in Jesus’ resurrection life, our desires must be reoriented.  Our pursuits should no longer be earthly or fleshly.  Instead, they should be heavenly, eternal, and Christ-centered.  What are the things that we are seeking after in this life?  Do they align with Jesus’ priorities, or with those of the world?  We need to keep on seeking and pursuing those things that are aligned with God’s purposes.

Paul proceeds to tell us where to put our mind and thoughts (vs. 2).  We are to pursue a godly transformation of our mind, setting our thoughts on things above, where Jesus is seated.  This is not a call to ignore our earthly responsibilities.  We still need to provide for our families, we can still enjoy good and wholesome activities and fun times.  However, our hearts should be anchored in heaven.  Our mental habits, values, and emotional attachments should be shaped by Jesus’ kingdom, by being saturated with Scripture, and an eternal perspective, not by earthly systems, pleasures, or anxieties.

Next we are told that if we are saved, we are not only dead to our old life, but also alive in our new life with Jesus (vs. 3).  We are dead to the old life we had, to our old identity, and old bondage (Romans 6:6-7).  Being “hidden with Christ” refers to our security in Jesus (John 10:28-29), to our identity in Him (Galatians 2:20), and our separation from the world (I John 3:1).  Our life is anchored in Jesus - safe, unshakeable, and eternal.

Paul concludes this passage with God’s promise that the Lord will return, and when He does, we will also appear with Him in glory (vs. 4).  Jesus is our life, and our future glorification with Him will one day be revealed.  Our future is not uncertain.  It is guaranteed, tied to the Lord’s return, and it will be glorious.  In knowledge of that, we should live our life today in light of the coming glory.  We should let the certainty of His return shape our priorities, our purity of life, and our perseverance in serving Him.

God’s Word teaches us that Christians have died with Jesus, that we rose with Him, and we will appear with Him when He returns.  This is the foundation of Christian living.  This world is temporary, and Christ’s kingdom is eternal.  Knowing that should guide our manner of life, and be a motivation for holiness and endurance.

If we’ve committed ourselves to Jesus, then we have died and been raised with Him.  He is our life, not our own desires.  In difficult times we need to change our focus to something other than what we see, and move to a place of praise to Jesus.  We praise Him based, not on what we see, but out of a relationship with God that goes beyond what we see.  When we are living a risen life with Jesus, we can now see things from His perspective.  We can trust God in any and every situation.  He will see us through all difficult times.

When God Comes Near

Psalm 114

Songs are often written about and for holidays and other special days and occasions.  We have hundreds of Christmas carols, both religious and secular ones.  Our churches sing special hymns for Easter.  There are birthday songs and anniversary songs.  Today’s psalm is also a song written to commemorate a special day and event for the Jewish people, that of the Exodus and Passover.  Let’s look at what message God’s Word has for us in this Scripture.

Traditionally, today’s psalm is part of a group of psalms, the Hallel or praise psalms, ones that the Jewish people sing during the Passover.  The psalm celebrates the Exodus, which is the foundational act of redemption in the Old Testament.  It also presents a picture of God’s saving power for His people in every generation.  This psalm is historical, as it is rooted in actual, literal events that happened to the Jewish people when God delivered them out of slavery in Egypt.  It is doctrinal, as it reveals God’s character, along with being prophetic, as it foreshadows Christ’s redemption.  Lastly, it is a practical psalm, as it calls believers to have trust in, along with reverence, for God.

As we look at Psalm 114, we see in the first four verses how God redeems His people.   The exodus from Egypt was a very decisive, identity-forming moment in the history of God’s people (vs. 1).  They were delivered from a literal place of bondage.  In various places in the Bible the word “Egypt” not only refers to the country in northeast Africa, but also is often a picture of the world system and sin’s dominion.  Just as God brought the people of Israel out of their physical bondage and then into the Promised Land, redemption begins with a separation - God brings us out of sin’s dominion and into the kingdom of His Son.

God intended His people to be His dwelling place and His kingdom (vs. 2).  They were to be His sanctuary, where His holy presence would be among them.  They would also be God’s dominion, where His rule would be over them.  This anticipated first the Tabernacle where God’s presence would be, then later the Temple, and ultimately the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers (I Corinthians 6:19).

The unknown author of our psalm continues with a poetic description of the parting of the Red Sea (vs. 3).  The sea “fled” because God was present there.  The events of the Exodus are not explained by natural phenomena, but by the Lord’s supernatural intervention.  Though a body of water does not naturally part in two, God decides what nature will do.  Then we read verse 4, which refers to Mt. Sinai trembling when God descended there in fire when He delivered the Ten Commandments to Moses (Exodus 19).  Creation is reacting to its Creator.  God’s presence, when He appears among His people, is not mild or passive.  It is earth-shaking!

The last four verses of our psalm describe creation trembling before the Lord God.  The psalmist asks a rhetorical question when he speaks to the sea (vs. 5-6).  He mocks these forces of nature, those of the sea and mountains, not to belittle them, but as a way to magnify God.  The only answer that one could give would be that God Himself was moving among His people.

Verse 7 is the theological center of the psalm.  Though the events of the Exodus happened to the people of Israel, it is not just about them.  It is about God revealing Himself to those who put their faith and trust in Him.  The proper response to God’s presence is reverence, awe, and submission.  The psalmist closes in verse 8 with a reminder of how God provided water from a rock for the people on more than one occasion (Exodus 17:6; Numbers 20:11).  He can supply what His people need, bringing life out of barrenness.  The Apostle Paul reminds us that the rock is a type of Christ (I Corinthians 10:4).

In closing we see that the sea, the Jordan River, the mountains all obey God.  This affirms that He is the Creator and that He is sovereign.  We also see that God dwells among His people in Christ, dwelling in believers through the Holy Spirit, and will physically in eternity (Revelation 21:3).  The events of Exodus are a picture of salvation and deliverance from sin.

Too often today modern Christianity loses a sense of awe and reverence of our holy God.  Psalm 114 calls us back to a deeper reverence and worship.  Our psalm reminds us that God is still able to deliver His people.  If He can part seas and shake mountains, He can handle the burdens we carry.  He still turns “rock into water” - He still works miracles in barren hearts and situations.

The Resurrection

John 20:1-18

Today is Easter Sunday, the day of celebrating the resurrection of the Lord Jesus from the dead, the most glorious day in all of human history.  Naturally all four Gospel accounts record this event, each with their own unique perspectives and details.  Today we will look at the Resurrection from the Apostle John’s perspective, and see what the Lord would teach us.

It was now the third day since the crucifixion of Jesus.  Since the body of Jesus was removed from the cross late in the afternoon on Friday, with sunset, and thus the Sabbath, quickly approaching, the women did not have time to appropriately wash and anoint His body for burial.  Nothing could be done on Saturday, the Sabbath, so early Sunday morning was the first chance the women had to perform this needed final loving gesture for the Savior.  There were several women who went to the tomb, but John focused only on one of them, Mary Magdalene (vs. 1).

When she arrived at the tomb Mary saw that the large stone had been removed from the entry.  Typically the stones that would be placed in front of a tomb were 5-6 feet in diameter, and a foot thick.  They would weigh 3,000 - 4,000 pounds.  This would require several strong men to roll away the stone, nothing a woman could do.  Additionally, generally a groove was dug in front of the tomb entrance where the stone was placed, making it all the more difficult to move.  Mary Magdalene was alarmed and ran back to tell the disciples.  She knew it wasn’t one of them who did this, as they were too afraid, and she was likely with them the whole weekend.  The guards wouldn’t have done that, so who?  She likely assumed a grave robber as she told Peter.

Peter and John quickly got up and raced to the tomb, and saw the linen cloths lying there undisturbed (vs. 3-10).  The one headcloth was folded and placed separately.  This was not the work of thieves.  It is the quiet, orderly evidence of a risen Lord who left the wrappings behind because He would never need them again.  Jesus’ resurrection body is real, physical, and glorified, not resuscitated, not stolen, nor symbolic.  John saw this and believed (vs 8).  He believed before he actually saw the risen Savior.  His faith was based on evidence and Scripture (vs. 9).

After Peter and John left, Mary Magdalene remained behind.  She was still crying because she still thought someone had taken the body (vs. 11-13).  Mary looked into the tomb, and there she saw two angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of where Jesus had lain while dead.  This is a picture of the two cherubim whose wings were spread over the Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant.  On the Day of Atonement the High Priest would sprinkle the blood of sacrifice there as atonement for the sins of the people.  The empty tomb became a picture of atonement completed.  The resurrection is God’s declaration that the sacrifice of Jesus was accepted (Romans 4:25).

Mary turned back out of the tomb, and she saw Jesus standing there, though she didn’t recognize Him (vs. 14-17).  She assumed He was a gardener, since Jesus’ tomb was in the garden of the wealthy Joseph of Arimathea.  This is an ironic but beautiful detail, since Jesus Christ is the Restorer of Eden.  He asked her why she was crying, and she responded that if He was the one who moved Jesus’ body, to tell her so she could care for it.  Then Jesus spoke her name, “Mary!”  That one word changed everything.  She immediately recognized that it was Jesus who stood before her.  With His one simple word, death becomes life, and crucifixion becomes resurrection for Mary Magdalene.  The world is transformed with the utterance of her name, and our name today.  God knows each one of our names (Isaiah 43:1).  Jesus knows His own personally, individually, and intimately.

Mary Magdalene wanted to run over to Jesus and cling to Him, but He told her no (vs. 17).  Jesus wasn’t forbidding all touch, as He had invited Thomas to touch the nail prints (John 20:27).  He was redirecting Mary’s understanding.  He didn’t want her to cling to Him as if He was staying on earth.  The ascension was coming and a new relationship was beginning.  Jesus would be present with His people through the Holy Spirit.  The Savior’s resurrection is the first stage of His exaltation.  His ascension will complete His return to the Father.  Believers now relate to Him by faith, not physical proximity.

Mary Magdalene became the first herald of the resurrection as she told the disciples that she had actually seen the risen Savior (vs. 18).  In the first century women were not considered reliable legal witnesses.  Yet God chose a woman to be the first witness of the resurrection.  If the Gospel writers were inventing a story, they would not have chosen Mary as the first witness.

As we celebrate the Resurrection, let us consider what the Bible teaches us.  The bodily resurrection of Jesus is central to the Gospel (I Corinthians 15:3-4).  It is not symbolic or spiritualized.  It is literal and physical.  Only God can conquer death.  The resurrection vindicates every claim Jesus made.  The empty tomb is God’s “Amen” to “It is finished.”

Who Are You Standing With?

John 18:15-18, 25-27

Most of us have heard the phrase “being in the wrong place at the wrong time”, or something similar to that.  Often that happens accidentally, when someone by chance just happened to be in a location when something bad happened.  Occasionally, though, a deliberate, but wrong choice of ours can land us in the wrong place at the wrong time.  That is what happened to the Apostle Peter in our Scripture today.  Let’s look at this time, one of the worst hours in Peter’s life.

It was late at night when the events in our Scripture took place.  Earlier in the evening Jesus had celebrated the Passover meal with His disciples, and then instituted the Eucharist.  Following that, He took His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane, then selected Peter, James, and John to accompany Him while praying.  Then Judas Iscariot led a group of soldiers and others to the garden where Jesus was arrested and led away.  Most of the disciples then ran off into the night.  However, as we read, Peter and John followed behind at a distance, undetected by the authorities of the High Priest.  This is where our Scripture begins.

After Jesus’ arrest, He was brought to the home of the High Priest, both Annas and then Caiaphas.  As we read in verse 15, the Apostle John was known to the household of the High Priest.  Though the Bible doesn’t specifically indicate how, many Bible scholars believe it was through his family’s business connections.  John’s father, Zebedee owned a successful fishing business along the Sea of Galilee, lucrative enough for them to have servants.  It is possible that he supplied fish and other delicacies to the high priest.  Since John was known to the household, he was allowed entry into the courtyard, and a word from John to a servant girl allowed Peter entry, as well (vs. 15-16).

As we look at Peter, we can see that his love for Jesus was real.  He didn’t flee with the others when Jesus was taken.  However, he followed “at a distance” (Matthew 26:58).  Spiritual danger often begins when we are at a distance from Jesus.  A Christian can have sincere affection for Jesus, yet fall into sin when relying on the flesh rather than the Spirit.

Shortly after entering the courtyard a servant girl noticed Peter and asked him whether he was a disciple of Jesus (vs. 17).  That struck fear into Peter, and rather than trusting God and relying on His power and strength, he answered her that he wasn’t, the first denial.  The fear of man is a snare (Proverbs 29:25).

The time was after midnight, in the very early morning hours in early spring, and it had gotten chilly out.  Someone had started a warming fire in the courtyard, and people were gathering around it to keep warm while they waited for news about what was going on inside the high priest’s house.  Many of these folks would have been enemies of Jesus, the others probably at best indifferent to Him.  Yet Peter chose to stand among them just to keep warm (vs. 18).  He had come into the courtyard to find out what happened to Jesus, but he would have been better off to have stayed outside.  Peter is in the wrong place, with the wrong people, doing the wrong thing, at the wrong time.  Now Peter was standing with Jesus’ enemies.  That is never a good place to stand!

While Peter stood around the fire, a second person questioned whether he had been one of Jesus’ disciples (vs. 25).  Again, Peter vehemently denied being with or knowing Jesus.  If we aren’t carefully on guard, sin becomes easier the second time around.  Repetition hardens the conscience, and Peter’s heart was moving from fear to entanglement.

Also standing by the fire was a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off while trying to defend Jesus at His arrest (vs. 26-27).  He thought he recognized Peter and said so.  However, Peter denied it a third time.  Right after the words left his mouth, a rooster crowed.  This fulfilled Jesus’ prophecy exactly (John 13:38).  Peter’s failure did not surprise Jesus.  He had already prayed for him (Luke 22:31-32).  This rooster crowing was not a condemnation of Peter.  It was conviction.  It was the sound of God calling His child back to Him.

Looking back over these short seven verses we can learn some things from Peter.  We know that his intentions were noble (Matthew 26:33), but sincerity is not enough.  The flesh cannot sustain spiritual faithfulness. Peter followed “at a distance”, and that distance became a doorway to denial.  He also made the mistake of warming himself at the enemy’s fire.  Where we place ourselves will shape our spiritual temperature.  Are we more frequently in the company of Jesus’ enemies or His friends?

And though Peter denied Jesus, Jesus did not deny Peter.  He went to the cross for the very sins that Peter was committing.  Though this fall of Peter’s was tragic, it was not purposeless.   Jesus used it to humble, refine, and then prepare Peter for his future ministry.  Jesus prayed for Peter, and He intercedes for us today (Hebrews 7:25).  Our failures do not surprise Him, and they do not exhaust His grace.  Peter’s story does not end here.  Jesus restores, recommissions,, and uses broken people.  Failure is not final for the believer.

Gethsemane

Matthew 26:36-46

Holy Week is progressing on, and today we shall take a look at an event that occurred on the night before Jesus’ arrest, His corrupt “trial”, and His crucifixion. On that evening Jesus retreated to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray to the Father.  This is one of the most sacred moments in Scripture, when the Son of God in Gethsemane prepared to drink the cup of divine wrath for sinners.

As our Scripture passage begins, it is nighttime, and Jesus has taken the eleven disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane.  Earlier that evening they had celebrated the Passover meal together, where Jesus instituted the rite of the Eucharist.  At this time Judas Iscariot departed from them, so there are now only eleven disciples which accompany Him to Gethsemane, a garden which contained olive groves.  Within a short time Jesus would be arrested.  The cross is immediately before Him, not just the physical suffering, but also the spiritual reality of bearing the sins of all mankind and enduring the Father’s wrath.

Jesus left eight of the disciples together and took His three closest companions, Peter, James, and John, further into the Garden to stay with Him while He prayed (vs. 36-38).  Jesus said His soul was “exceedingly sorrowful, even to death.”  This revealed the depth of His anguish.  It was not specifically the fear of physical pain but the horror of becoming sin for us.  Jesus’ sorrow did not diminish His deity.  Instead, it displayed His real humanity and the cost of redemption.

The Lord proceeded further by Himself a short way and then fell down on His face to pray to the Father (vs. 39).  This was a lonely time of prayer for Jesus.  It was humble prayer, as He knelt and then fell on His face.  It was also filial prayer, as a child calling out to His Father.  It was persevering prayer, as He prayed three times.  It was lastly a prayer of resignation.  Jesus prayed for God’s will to be done.  In this prayer the “cup” refers to the cup of divine wrath (Psalm 75:8; Isaiah 51:17).  Jesus expressed a real human desire to avoid the horror of sin-bearing, yet He fully submitted to the Father’s will.

After a first period of prayer to God, Jesus returned to the three disciples and found them asleep (vs. 40-41).  Jesus had asked His disciples to keep watch with Him, for His soul was crushed with grief.  He was in deep agony and pain, yet these faithful few could not stay awake.  He gave the three, and us as well, a timeless warning - to watch and pray that we do not enter into temptation.  Jesus spoke specifically to Peter, as he had earlier boasted of such strong loyalty, yet he couldn’t even stay awake for one hour.  Spiritual failure often comes, not from sudden rebellion, but from neglect, from being prayerless, from complacency, and from overconfidence.

The pattern of prayer and then checking on the three disciples repeated two more times (vs. 42-44).  Jesus’ prayers were consistent, that of submission to the Father’s will.  His agony was so intense that Luke recorded that His sweat was like drops of blood (Luke 22:44).  This repetition of prayer for three times showed the depth of His struggle, but also the earnestness of His obedience, along with the reality of His suffering.  Jesus did not resist the Father’s will, He embraced it, even as He felt the full weight of what it meant to be our sin-bearer.

God’s answer to Jesus was no, that it was not possible to redeem mankind without His taking the cup of suffering, by Him bearing the sins of all mankind.  To provide for our salvation, God had to send His Son Jesus to die on the cross.  Jesus bore the pain and isolation of Gethsemane and the cross for us.  How it must have broken the Father’s heart to see His beloved Son in such agony, yet there was no other way to save mankind!

After the third time of prayer, Jesus was now resolute.  He rose from His prayer strengthened, and willingly went to meet His betrayer (vs. 45-46).  Jesus was steadfast, obedient, and ready.  However the disciples were sleepy, unprepared, and fearful.  The disciples’ failure is a warning to us.  Prayerlessness will lead to temptation.  Are we slumbering when we should be watching and praying?  Are we willing to set aside time to press on in prayer?  The flesh is weak, even if our spirit is willing.

Gethsemane shows the depth of Jesus’ love.  He saw the full cost of redemption, and He still chose the cross.  Jesus’ submission to God’s will has brought us eternal blessings.  When we submit to God’s will, we also bring blessings to His world.  Even when His will is costly, it is always right.  In closing, we have a call to action - Watch and pray!