The Josiah Effect

Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him. - 2Ki 23:25

One neat thing about reading through the entire Bible is that you encounter people and situations that you might not encounter on a random chapter here and there.  And, one neat thing about repeating the process in successive years is that by God's grace some of his upside down nature can be seen in places you would least expect it.

Take Josiah for example. Many probably know that he was listed as one of the good kings of Judah. Some may even remember why (for restoring the Passover, refurbishing the temple, expelling and pagan worship, and the reading & following of the Law). But how many of us care to recall that most of Josiah's exemplary service to God occurred after God informed him that Judah had gone too far and that inevitable judgement was coming (even though Josiah was to be spared--by his death).

It struck me this year in reading 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles that Josiah was not daunted by God's upside down economy. He didn't question God's justice at sending judgement on the land. He didn't isolate himself or say "who cares?" in response to God not relenting even after a Josiah-led national renewal. He didn't plead 2 Chr 7:14 (more in context for him than us). He simply kept serving God by reading and obeying the Word of God.

As I look back over the events of 2013, I have to ask: have I responded like Josiah did? Clearly the circumstances and settings are different, but we live in a culture very much like his; one that remembered some of the basic forms of its religious heritage, but forgot the heart of the matter and lost connection to the true source of religion: a pure and absolution devotion to Yahweh.

So, here we are on the verge of 2014. Unless Jesus returns (come Lord Jesus!) 2014 will begin with a culture more removed from God than last year and more confident that what is being done is being done to honor him. And, even though I firmly believe that God can bring any type of revival at any time, I think the lesson from the life of Josiah is that we should fret less over the decay around us (although we shouldn't ignore it and do what we can to oppose it). Instead we should seek to live the gospel in such a way that we are known, really known, as the upside down community of God.

To God Alone Be The Glory

Consider Jesus

This advent and Christmas season, I've been struck again and again by the enormity of Jesus, the Son of Man. Christmas helps us think of his humble birth and the fact that he was born at all. After all God could just "show up" as a 30 year old, couldn't he? Easter helps us think of the physical suffering he endured to bear our sins, not to mention the even worse spiritual suffering his sacrifice required. However, in between the manger and the cross lived a person very much like us, except without sin. Yet, in his very humanity is the core of his role as our sympathetic high priest. Consider Heb 2:14-18

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

The basic conclusion is that Jesus had to be fully human in order to deliver us from our sins. Did we need his perfect, holy sacrifice? Absolutely. Did Jesus need to be fully God to bear the infinite offense of our sins? Without a doubt. And yet a Savior who was only God would have been insufficient, just like a Savior who was only man would also have been insufficient. We needed both. Fully God to satisfy the just wrath of God and fully man to intercede for us before the throne of grace.

So, as 2014 approaches, let's take serious again (or maybe for the first time) the call of Heb 3:1-6

Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house. 3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.

To God Alone Be The Glory

Why Jesus Came

(What follows is an excerpt from John Piper's 2013 Advent devotional. It is available for free here)

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. —Hebrews 2:14–15

Hebrews 2:14–15 is worth more than two minutes in an Advent devotional. These verses connect the beginning and the end of Jesus’s earthly life. They make clear why he came. They would be great to use with an unbelieving friend or family member to take them step by step through your Christian view of Christmas. It might go something like this…

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood…”

The term “children” is taken from the previous verse and refers to the spiritual offspring of Christ, the Messiah (see Isaiah 8:18; 53:10). These are also the “children of God.” In other words, in sending Christ, God has the salvation of his “children” specially in view. It is true that “God so loved the world, that he sent [Jesus] (John 3:16).” But it is also true that God was especially “gathering the children of God who are scattered abroad” (John 11:52). God’s design was to offer Christ to the world, and to effect the salvation of his “children” (see 1 Timothy 4:10). You may experience adoption by receiving Christ (John 1:12).

“…he himself likewise partook of the same things [flesh and blood]…”

Christ existed before the incarnation. He was spirit. He was the eternal Word. He was with God and was God (John 1:1; Colossians 2:9). But he took on flesh and blood and clothed his deity with humanity. He became fully man and remained fully God. It is a great mystery in many ways. But it is at the heart of our faith and is what the Bible teaches.

“…that through death…”

The reason Jesus became man was to die. As God, he could not die for sinners. But as man he could. His aim was to die. Therefore he had to be born human. He was born to die. Good Friday is the reason for Christmas. This is what needs to be said today about the meaning of Christmas.

“…he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil…”

In dying, Christ de-fanged the devil. How? By covering all our sin. This means that Satan has no legitimate grounds to accuse us before God. “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies” (Romans 8:33). On what grounds does he justify? Through the blood of Jesus (Romans 5:9).

Satan’s ultimate weapon against us is our own sin. If the death of Jesus takes it away, the chief weapon of the devil is taken out of his hand. He cannot make a case for our death penalty, because the Judge has acquitted us by the death of his Son!

“…and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”

So we are free from the fear of death. God has justified us. Satan cannot overturn that decree. And God means for our ultimate safety to have an immediate effect on our lives. He means for the happy ending to take away the slavery and fear of the now.

If we do not need to fear our last and greatest enemy, death, then we do not need to fear anything. We can be free: free for joy, free for others.

What a great Christmas present from God to us! And from us to the world!

Five lessons from Luke 5 - part 3

Luke 5 is sectioned off in most bibles into 5 glimpses into the life and ministry of Jesus. Its a "day in the life of Christ" as it were. But as I read through Luke 5 recently, I realized that each section has a punch all its own and that reality can get lost if we (or at least I) don't slow down and at least reflect for a moment on what the Holy Spirit is trying to communicate.

(To read about the lessons 1-2 go here)

(To read about the lessons 3-4 go here)

Luke 5:33-39 clearly is focused on fasting. That's the question Jesus is asked and that is the main intention of his direct response and the parable he tells to undergird his response. And yet, there is something deeper here than just the appropriateness of fasting. I'd like to share just a few observations. First, notice why Jesus says his disciples are not currently fasting. They are not fasting because Jesus is there. In other words, Jesus is saying what else could they possibly need when I am in their midst. Next, Jesus says that fasting will resume once he departs. Given the reality of the omnipresence of God and that Jesus is always with the believer in the person of the Holy Spirit, Jesus makes a clear distinction between non-fasting when he was with the disciples and fasting after he departed. And, we see this played out in the book of Acts. One implication of this is there will be no more fasting in the new heavens and the new earth because what more could we possibly want or need when we are in the presence of the Triune God?

Another observation that flows out of the parable is that Jesus' first coming has changed fasting (technically, he changed everything, but that is beyond the scope of this post and outside the context of these verses). He didn't erase its need or diminish its purpose. But he did fundamentally change it. What did Old Testament saints fast and pray for? I don't know completely, but I'm guessing that if their fasts and their prayers were in alignment with Scripture, they would be asking for the coming Messiah, for redemption from their sins, for the fulfilment of the promises of God. Jesus' point in Luke 5 is this: we have received everything we were previously fasting for. (See 2 Cor 1:20 "For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.") So what do we fast and pray for now? How has the goal and objective of fasting changed? First, the revelation we've been given is different. We can see the Trinity more clearly. We can see the grace and mercy of God more vibrantly. We can see the global reach of the gospel more fully. Our fasting must flow out of this better vision that God has granted us. Next, we are at a fundamentally different spot in the flow of redemptive history. Jesus' life, death and resurrection changed everything. We no longer need to ask for the coming Messiah, but we can now plead for his return. We no longer need to ask for redemption from our sins, but we can now seek the further in breaking of God's kingdom and that Jesus mercy and love would extend to more and more people. We no longer need to ask for the law and the sacrifices to be fulfilled, but we can desire the consummation of all that God wants to accomplish both in this age and in the one to come.

After walking through this single chapter in the gospel of Luke, I'm amazed (again) at how much God has said, and continues to say, in his Word. I pray we never tire of hearing it.

To God Alone Be The Glory

Five Lessons from Luke 5 - part 2

Luke 5 is sectioned off in most bibles into 5 glimpses into the life and ministry of Jesus. Its a "day in the life of Christ" as it were. But as I read through Luke 5 recently, I realized that each section has a punch all its own and that reality can get lost if we (or at least I) don't slow down and at least reflect for a moment on what the Holy Spirit is trying to communicate.

(To read about the lessons 1-2 go here)

(To read about the lesson 5 go here)

Lk 5:17-26 is probably the most familiar section of this chapter. It is the account of the paralytic whose friends bring him to Jesus and lower him through the roof. Jesus responds to their collective faith (v20), first forgiving the man's sins and second healing his physical issue. Much could (and should) be said about Jesus' priority on the man's spiritual condition over his physical one. And yet what strikes me (and sometimes haunts me) is the question about Jesus' authority. Both the forgiveness and the healing are simply there at Jesus' command. No ritual, no sacrifice, no pleading or promising. No walking an isle, praying a prayer or raising a hand. It is simply Jesus with the power and authority to forgive and to heal. It reminds me of the Centurion who said to Jesus "Just say the word and my servant would be healed" That, my friends, is the Jesus we worship and follow and upon whom we depend.

Lk 5:27-32 contains the calling of Levi (aka Matthew). Like all the other accounts of specific disciples being called, Levi simply accepts his call and starts his new life. When Levi throws a party to honor Jesus (v29) and invites his tax collecting and less than religious friends, the Pharisees get upset with Jesus. Jesus' well known and often quoted response is in vv 31-32 'And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” ' Most of the commentary I have seen on this passage focuses on self righteousness vs Christ's righteousness and rightly so. If we consider ourselves spiritually healthy, we will not pursue the cure that only Jesus can provide. Additionally, I think we need to consider the Pharisee's response on the selfish level. In one sense they were asking "how can you take the gospel to them?" "how could God possibly love and show grace to some one like that?" Two sides to the same coin? Perhaps. But I often think we may more easily identify our own need for Jesus' redeeming love and yet begrudge it to someone we deem "unworthy".

(My time and my words got away from me, again. Lord willing, I will post the final lesson tomorrow. Feel free to read through Luke 5 and allow the Spirit to do his work.)

To God Alone Be The Glory

Five Lessons From Luke 5 - part 1

Luke 5 is sectioned off in most bibles into 5 glimpses into the life and ministry of Jesus. Its a "day in the life of Christ" as it were. But as I read through Luke 5 recently, I realized that each section has a punch all its own and that reality can get lost if we (or at least I) don't slow down and at least reflect for a moment on what the Holy Spirit is trying to communicate.

(To read the second post for lessons 3-4 click here)

(To read about the lesson 5 go here)

Luke 5:1-11. The main thrust of this section is the calling of Peter. On top of that, the statement of Jesus in verse 10 is profound, both for Peter and for us. However what struck me was that in the midst of Peter's call there is this rare moment of insight stated in verse 8: 'But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus 'knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” ' At the moment, on that boat, Peter "saw" Jesus for who he was. Not the baby in the manger, not the carpenter, not the itinerant preacher, not a religious zealot. No, Peter saw with the eyes of his heart that Jesus was God. And, this vision changed the rest of his life. Oh God, for that vision, that moment of clarity when we can see who Jesus really is. It would change our lives.

Lk 5:12-16. These few verses describe a healing, showing Jesus authority and also his desire of keep this aspect of his ministry on the down low. But the punch here comes in verse 16: "But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray." I could spend the remainder of this post discussing prayer, but I think Luke's point here is to show at least two things. One, Jesus' source of strength, contentment and direction were not coming from the crowds, friends or even disciples. No, he overcame all of those distractions and the temptations to short cut or short change the plan of redemption by spending significant time in prayer. Here is a lesson I have yet to learn well: prayer time is not a waste, it is not an optional extra, it is not a tack-on to the beginning of study time, devotional time or class time. It is as crucial (or even more so) to any prep I may do or any words I may speak and its power cannot be underestimated and dare not be neglected. If Jesus needed and depended upon prayer, how much more do I need it and should be depending upon it?

(My time and my words got away from me. Lord willing, I will post the next three lessons tomorrow. Feel free to read through Luke 5 and allow the Spirit to do his work.)

To God Alone Be The Glory

I See The Crowd In Pilate's Hall

by Horatius Bonar

I see the crowd in Pilate's hall;
Their furious cries I hear;
Their shouts of "Crucify!" appall,
Their curses fill my ear.
And of that shouting multitude
I feel that I am one,
And in that din of voices rude
I recognize my own.

I see the scourgers rend the flesh
Of God's belovèd Son;
And as they smite I feel afresh
That I of them am one.
Around the cross the throng I see
That mock the Sufferer's groan,
Yet still my voice it seems to be,
As if I mocked alone.

'Twas my sins shed the sacred blood,
That nailed Him to the tree;
I crucified the Christ of God,
I joined the mockery.
Yet not the less that blood avails
To cleanse me from my sins,
And not the less that cross prevails
To give me peace within

To God Alone Be The Glory