Sin makes people into walking contradictions. You know people who are kind to you, but you see them tearing others up. People are capable of feeling both love and hate for the same thing, or the same person. We can be proud by being self-effacing. We can lie by omitting something from the truth. We are sinful, and thus we are inconsistent.
One of the most poignant examples of man's inconsistency was named Peter. He was a follower of Christ, who loved his Savior deeply. He was also completely flawed from the inside out. John 18 provides a moving narrative of Peter's denial of Christ. It showed us how the most vocal defender of Jesus became a timid liar in the face of opposition.
As John MacArthur notes in his message on this passage, "Jesus' Trial, Peter's Denial," the arrangement of John 18 is truly creative. Verses 12-27 involve both the beginning of Jesus' several trials, and Peter's denial of His Savior. But instead of laying the two stories side by side in self contained sections, God's word has permanently interwoven them to give anyone who reads it a pair of contrasting narratives. The contrast is fourfold, according to MacArthur. It serves to: a.) emphasize the glory of Christ and the sinfulness of man; b.) show why Christ's atoning death was necessary by showing sinfulness in the both Jesus' unregenerate persecutors and in a true believer; c.) to contrast faithfulness with faithlessness; and d.) to exalt Jesus Christ by comparison of Him to a shameful sinner.
The irony of the story is that it doesn't just contrast Jesus with Peter; it contrasts Peter with himself. This man had earlier said "Why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you (Jn. 13:37)!" But Jesus knew Peter far better than He knew Himself. "Will you lay down your life for me?" He asked. "Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied Me three times (Jn. 13:38)."
And in John 18, the denial happens. What a curious combination of self-confidence and crippling fear! Peter followed Jesus as far as the outer ring of the courtyard, obviously intending to do something to stand up for His Master. Yet He wasn't even brave enough to tell a servant girl that He knew who Jesus was.
Do you see yourself in this? Do you have great desire to tell others about Jesus--but not the strength to compromise your social standing for His Name? Don't be discouraged. This passage contrasts a man like us with Jesus for the precise reason that we can see the difference. We are faithless; He is faithful. We are inconsistent; He never changes.
The God who died for you knew your weakness before He even came to earth. He knew all of your inconsistencies--better than you or anyone else ever could. And He loves, and forgives, time after time. Whether you have denied Christ by silence or with swearing, whether you've denied Him 3 times or 300 times, He is faithful to forgive. Confess your faithlessness, and take heart. Just like with Peter, Jesus still has a plan for you. He will make you bolder--just wait and see.
2 Timothy 2:13
If we are faithless, He remains faithful--for He cannot deny Himself.
"Jesus' Trial, Peter's Denial" http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/sg1571.htm
Monday, January 31, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
I AM--Jesus
What use are men and lanterns and torches and weapons against the Most High God? He spoke these men into being, yet now they challenge Him with a few scraps of metal and little plumes of flame?
Jesus is mighty, and He showed the men that much. When Judas' band of soldiers first approached, He asked them an obvious question.
"Whom do you seek?"
"Jesus of Nazareth," they replied.
And Jesus said to them, "I am He."
Do you hear the echo of Exodus 3 in Jesus words? "I AM WHO I AM" was the Name for Himself that God revealed to Moses from the burning bush. Here in John 18, the same God speaks His identity from a human mouth. "I am He."
God's holiness in Exodus shone like fire from the bush and compelled Moses to remove His shoes. When Jesus Christ spoke His Name, the band of soldiers "drew back and fell to the ground." John even makes a point of telling us that "Judas, who betrayed Him, was standing with them"--and when God's holiness bowled them over, Judas too fell on his face.
At this point, the soldiers had to be very afraid. Sure, Jesus didn't look as terrifying or mysterious as an unconsumed bush glowing with flames. He was the same Jesus of Nazareth whom they had seen before, walking their streets and eating among their people. But God's power was clearly present with this man. The soldiers and Judas were still lying prone in the shock of Divine power when Jesus asked them again,
"Whom do you seek?"
Again they replied, "Jesus of Nazareth."
Note the difference between the two statements of Christ's identity. "I am He"--bursting with the power and holiness of God. "Jesus of Nazareth"--commonplace and chock-full of basic humanity.
Yet Jesus of Nazareth was the Jesus who remained, and the Jesus who would breathe his last later that night. After revealing His awesome power, Jesus has a different response to their second statement of His Name.
Jesus answered, "I told you that I am He. So, if you seek Me, let these men go."
No fight in these words. The God who threw a band of strong men on their faces with only the words of His mouth now submitted as they bound him and led Him away. Even when His disciples tried a vain attempt at insurrection, Jesus forbade it.
Jesus of Nazareth, the Great I AM had His mind made up from the beginning of time.
"Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given Me?"
It was for you and for me that He drank this cup. It was the cup of God's wrath--the cup of death. And so that we would not die but live, the Great I AM became confined to the lifespan of a finite person.
His death was possible because He was Jesus of Nazareth. Your forgiveness is possible because He died.
His resurrection was possible because this man was the Great I AM. And because the Man Who Is God rose from the dead, we can have eternal life!
We worship Jesus in wonder, for He is the I AM who is a man.
Jesus is mighty, and He showed the men that much. When Judas' band of soldiers first approached, He asked them an obvious question.
"Whom do you seek?"
"Jesus of Nazareth," they replied.
And Jesus said to them, "I am He."
Do you hear the echo of Exodus 3 in Jesus words? "I AM WHO I AM" was the Name for Himself that God revealed to Moses from the burning bush. Here in John 18, the same God speaks His identity from a human mouth. "I am He."
God's holiness in Exodus shone like fire from the bush and compelled Moses to remove His shoes. When Jesus Christ spoke His Name, the band of soldiers "drew back and fell to the ground." John even makes a point of telling us that "Judas, who betrayed Him, was standing with them"--and when God's holiness bowled them over, Judas too fell on his face.
At this point, the soldiers had to be very afraid. Sure, Jesus didn't look as terrifying or mysterious as an unconsumed bush glowing with flames. He was the same Jesus of Nazareth whom they had seen before, walking their streets and eating among their people. But God's power was clearly present with this man. The soldiers and Judas were still lying prone in the shock of Divine power when Jesus asked them again,
"Whom do you seek?"
Again they replied, "Jesus of Nazareth."
Note the difference between the two statements of Christ's identity. "I am He"--bursting with the power and holiness of God. "Jesus of Nazareth"--commonplace and chock-full of basic humanity.
Yet Jesus of Nazareth was the Jesus who remained, and the Jesus who would breathe his last later that night. After revealing His awesome power, Jesus has a different response to their second statement of His Name.
Jesus answered, "I told you that I am He. So, if you seek Me, let these men go."
No fight in these words. The God who threw a band of strong men on their faces with only the words of His mouth now submitted as they bound him and led Him away. Even when His disciples tried a vain attempt at insurrection, Jesus forbade it.
Jesus of Nazareth, the Great I AM had His mind made up from the beginning of time.
"Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given Me?"
It was for you and for me that He drank this cup. It was the cup of God's wrath--the cup of death. And so that we would not die but live, the Great I AM became confined to the lifespan of a finite person.
His death was possible because He was Jesus of Nazareth. Your forgiveness is possible because He died.
His resurrection was possible because this man was the Great I AM. And because the Man Who Is God rose from the dead, we can have eternal life!
We worship Jesus in wonder, for He is the I AM who is a man.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Boast in Who You Know
Through the sermon this Sunday, I was drawn back to some of my favorite verses, Jeremiah 9:23-24: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me."
Wisdom: knowledge of the Bible, ability to give good advice, having the right answers
Might: being known as spiritually strong, being a leader among your friends
Riches: possessing gifts you didn't earn, but have been blessed with--gifts like money, friends, popularity, family, influence, etc
Before I was saved, confidence in these "spiritual" things hindered me from accepting the gospel. And now that I am saved, I continue to struggle with turning God's gifts into an excuse for arrogance.
Join me in going over this truth in your heart--I am not wise. I am not mighty. I am not rich.
God is omniscient. God is omnipotent. God is the giver of all good things. Beyond this, He practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things He delights. And God wants us to know Him, and to be proud of knowing Him. Let that be your boast today...anything else is just stupid.
To know and love the one who is wise, mighty and rich beats out any counterfeit of wisdom might and riches that we could ever dream up.
Wisdom: knowledge of the Bible, ability to give good advice, having the right answers
Might: being known as spiritually strong, being a leader among your friends
Riches: possessing gifts you didn't earn, but have been blessed with--gifts like money, friends, popularity, family, influence, etc
Before I was saved, confidence in these "spiritual" things hindered me from accepting the gospel. And now that I am saved, I continue to struggle with turning God's gifts into an excuse for arrogance.
Join me in going over this truth in your heart--I am not wise. I am not mighty. I am not rich.
God is omniscient. God is omnipotent. God is the giver of all good things. Beyond this, He practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things He delights. And God wants us to know Him, and to be proud of knowing Him. Let that be your boast today...anything else is just stupid.
To know and love the one who is wise, mighty and rich beats out any counterfeit of wisdom might and riches that we could ever dream up.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
"To Die Is Gain"
Philippians 1:23 shows why dying is gain for Paul: "My desire is to depart [that is, to die] and be with Christ, for that is far better." That is what death does: It takes us into more intimacy with Christ. We depart, and we are with Christ, and that, Paul says, is gain. And when you experience death this way, Paul says, you exalt Christ. Experiencing Christ as gain in your dying magnifies Christ. It is "far better" than living here.
Really? Better than all the friends at school? Better than falling in love? Better than hugging your children? Better than professional success? Better than retirement and grandchildren? Yes. A thousand times better.
The single, all-embracing passion of my life [is] to magnify Christ in all things whether by life or death.
--John Piper. Don't Waste Your Life. Pg. 67-68
Really? Better than all the friends at school? Better than falling in love? Better than hugging your children? Better than professional success? Better than retirement and grandchildren? Yes. A thousand times better.
The single, all-embracing passion of my life [is] to magnify Christ in all things whether by life or death.
--John Piper. Don't Waste Your Life. Pg. 67-68
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
The Weakest One
I can't fast for a few hours without my knees shaking and my fingers drooping on the keyboard.
I can't run 4 miles without a side ache or at least sore legs afterwards.
I can't run 6 miles.
I can't go a day without sinning.
I can't go 2 hours without sinning.
I can't go one minute without being a sinner.
I am weak.
God has chosen to glorify Himself through me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
If only I would admit my weakness every day, instead of waiting for it to be proven to me and everyone else in glaring colors by my failures. If only I would stop trying to be powerful! Then I would see that His power is perfected in me. Then I would say with pride,
"I am the weakest person I know,
and my Jesus is Strong."
I can't run 4 miles without a side ache or at least sore legs afterwards.
I can't run 6 miles.
I can't go a day without sinning.
I can't go 2 hours without sinning.
I can't go one minute without being a sinner.
I am weak.
God has chosen to glorify Himself through me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
If only I would admit my weakness every day, instead of waiting for it to be proven to me and everyone else in glaring colors by my failures. If only I would stop trying to be powerful! Then I would see that His power is perfected in me. Then I would say with pride,
"I am the weakest person I know,
and my Jesus is Strong."
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
The Pray-er I Know
A prayer warrior uses prayer as a lethal weapon against sin, taking in hand the victory that is ours in Christ.
A prayer warrior prays faithfully, day after day, even if answers are months or years in the coming.
A prayer warrior fights on others' behalf in prayer--rejoicing in answers that affect others, not her.
A prayer warrior brags about God's answers, not her prayerfulness.
A prayer warrior is more effective than the millions who try to accomplish the same things without prayer.
A prayer warrior is intensely aware of the Spirit's presence where others don't even look for Him.
A prayer warrior has real faith.
A prayer warrior is personally holy.
A prayer warrior is heartrendingly selfless, without admitting it.
A prayer warrior is a friend you want to have.
A prayer warrior knows and believes God's word.
A prayer warrior receives the least attention from man but the most blessing from God.
A prayer warrior moves mountains.
A prayer warrior loves others deeply, pouring out tears and begging earnestly for the souls of those who will never say thank you.
A prayer warrior has a better grasp on the immeasurable power of God than I do.
A prayer warrior has a front row seat to miracles.
A prayer warrior is following in the footsteps of Jesus.
A prayer warrior prays faithfully, day after day, even if answers are months or years in the coming.
A prayer warrior fights on others' behalf in prayer--rejoicing in answers that affect others, not her.
A prayer warrior brags about God's answers, not her prayerfulness.
A prayer warrior is more effective than the millions who try to accomplish the same things without prayer.
A prayer warrior is intensely aware of the Spirit's presence where others don't even look for Him.
A prayer warrior has real faith.
A prayer warrior is personally holy.
A prayer warrior is heartrendingly selfless, without admitting it.
A prayer warrior is a friend you want to have.
A prayer warrior knows and believes God's word.
A prayer warrior receives the least attention from man but the most blessing from God.
A prayer warrior moves mountains.
A prayer warrior loves others deeply, pouring out tears and begging earnestly for the souls of those who will never say thank you.
A prayer warrior has a better grasp on the immeasurable power of God than I do.
A prayer warrior has a front row seat to miracles.
A prayer warrior is following in the footsteps of Jesus.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)