My dear friends, as we conclude our study of the Beloved I hope and pray that we all can go away changed by and grown in our knowledge of Him. Thank you the time you have given to this study. This last day, especially is humbling and touching as we look again at His love for us....
This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend.
“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends.” (Jn 15:15) Jesus, amazingly, lovingly, unreservedly calls you and I His friends. Pause and think about the honor of this. Consider what this means! He is that Friend mentioned in Proverbs that sticks closer than a brother. He promises never to leave us or forsake us. He says that He will be with us always, even to the end of the age. What a friend! All that He is, and all that He has done, is doing and will do expresses His devotion to us. Oh that we would return such dedication! And His friendship is not like so many others we have in the world that are prone to misunderstanding, dependant upon reciprocation, forgetful, unthoughtful, powerless to truly help, ignorant of what we really need. No, for He says, “I do not give as the world gives.” He is perfect in knowledge and compassion and is mighty to save.
How do we know this? How do we develop and enjoy this Heavenly Friendship? By doing what we have just done. By looking deeper into God’s amazing Word with eyes ready to see Him and hearts prepared to love Him. These verses we have studied are but seven out of thousands that describe and define our Beloved. Search for Him, for He is near! Call out to Him, and ask other to help your search just as the Shulamite did, and you will find your heart amazed and overjoyed by the Presence and Person you will see.
Jesus said that knowing Him is eternal life. (Jn 17:3) That we should know Him was the desire of His loving, leading, heart. It was the plan in His holy, blameless, compassionate mind; the work of His powerful, sacrificial body. All of His work and will was to give Himself for us, that we might then be given back to Him for eternity. There is no limit to the depths in the storehouse of great and amazing truths in the God’s Word regarding our Beloved Savior and King. To seek and find them is our greatest privilege; to ask for eyes to know Him is our greatest need. Upon hearing the loving, powerful description of this amazing Man, the daughters of Jerusalem rose up and responded excitedly, “We will seek Him with you!” (SoS 6:1) Will you too, my dear brothers and sisters, rise up and run after Him with me? Let us make this experience of studying our Lord in these seven beautiful verses just the beginning of a passionate, life-long quest.
“We will run after You. We will be glad and rejoice in You. We will remember Your love more than wine.” (SoS 2:4)
“My Beloved spoke, and said to me,
‘Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.
For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth;
the time of singing has come…
Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away!”
(SoS2:10-13)
Application: Please email or comment if any of you have completed this study. What stood out to you the most? What did you appreciate or learn from it? What would you suggest for changes? I greatly value your feedback and your willingness to give so much precious time to study with me. Again, thank you. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Word of Life - Day 9
Hey Gals! Only two days left in this adventure, and today's is especially important (and shorter), as we discover the wonders of His Words...
His mouth is most sweet
Yes, He is altogether lovely
There is nothing sweeter to my soul than the words of the Lord laid gently upon my heart through His Word or His Spirit. Jesus spoke like no other. His tongue was the only one in all of creation that did not gossip, did not cruelly injure, did not lie or exaggerate. When he opened His mouth, it was intentional and personal and powerful. He never spoke an idle word. He never sinned with His lips! Can you imagine that? And not only were His words faultless, they were also life-giving.
When Christ spoke, the world was created! He breathed life into the universe and into the hearts of man. He spoke truth as no one had ever nor will ever hear apart from Him, and He did it with bewildering grace. “Those who heard Him marveled at His gracious words.” (ref) His words are purposeful and powerful, for all time and eternity. The Word, spoken by the Lord over 2000 years ago addresses every problem and circumstance of our life today. Are you lost, or confused? His words are the lamp for your feet and the light for your path. Are you in pain or need? They are health to your spirit and food for your souls. His Words are a storehouse of applicable, profound truth – the definition of all that is true and pure – and they are available to all people at all times. His mouth truly is most sweet!
The Word we read and memorize, the things He has said that we believe in faith, will be our blessings forever. It is profitable above all things to give our time and the soberest of attention to what He says, for it will be life to us, body and soul. Don’t miss even one precious opportunity to hear from God and to be transformed by His life-giving Word. His followers, His friends, who abide in His Word will have a constant source of sweet refreshment, transforming our hearts and minds, as well as the world around us. “Taste and see that the Lord is good!” (Ps 34:8)
We are cautioned in the Bible to be careful how we listen to Him. The Shulamite, one night, hears the voice of her beloved beckoning her to come away with Him. But she is tired, having had a long day, and is already comfortably retired for the night. So often we too, will sense the Lord’s gentle prompting to come and spend some time in prayer, and we apathetically say, “Maybe later, Lord.” Sometimes we hear a sermon or read a verse in the Bible and sense the Lord’s direct correction or guidance, and say, “Hum, interesting,” but then go about our way without obeying.
The Shulamite did not respond to his call, and she soon realized how much she missed his presence. In her delay, she missed the opportunity for intimacy with him, as we do also when we hesitate or ignore Jesus’ loving invitation. Open the door immediately when He knocks. Come away the second He calls, while that still small voice is still near and audible. And you will find these moments to be the sweetest.
The mouth of our Beloved also speaks of His acceptance and accessibility. No one who comes to Him will be turned away, and no one who knocks will He close the door to. Our grace and patience towards others runs out so quickly, but His never does. No one is ever beyond His acceptance this side of eternity. They need only ask and He will open His heart to us and our hearts toward Him. The loving, life and truth giving words which He speaks, the mouth and heart for which they come, truly defy all comprehension. Even His exhortation and correction is sweetness to our souls as we realize the heart of love from which they originate and the spirit of yearning for our good from which they come. No sweeter voice could I ever hear than my Lord’s whispered in my heart. Whether of approval or correction, both are equally as pleasant to my soul. Just to hear Him, be near Him, to know Him more is the true longing of my heart.
In her final description, there seems to me a sound of frustration at the complete inadequacy of words to capture her Beloved’s worth. After attempting to do so in seven beautifully poetic verses, she finally and simple states that he is “altogether lovely.” All the words in the world would fail to express His unmatchable attributes. How can our words capture the essence of Perfection? What can we say that can encompass the splendor and majesty of the One who is so far above all others? He is just altogether wonderful! There is no comparison to Christ. It is impossible to fully describe His grace and beauty, His gentleness and justice, His humility and power. Yet to endeavor to do so is a glorious, life long adventure!
“I sat down in His shade with great delight, and His fruit was sweet to my taste.” (SoS 2:3)
Application:
1) What hinders you from hearing from God and spending time with Him?
2) What changes can you make to make this a greater priority and possibility in your life?
His mouth is most sweet
Yes, He is altogether lovely
There is nothing sweeter to my soul than the words of the Lord laid gently upon my heart through His Word or His Spirit. Jesus spoke like no other. His tongue was the only one in all of creation that did not gossip, did not cruelly injure, did not lie or exaggerate. When he opened His mouth, it was intentional and personal and powerful. He never spoke an idle word. He never sinned with His lips! Can you imagine that? And not only were His words faultless, they were also life-giving.
When Christ spoke, the world was created! He breathed life into the universe and into the hearts of man. He spoke truth as no one had ever nor will ever hear apart from Him, and He did it with bewildering grace. “Those who heard Him marveled at His gracious words.” (ref) His words are purposeful and powerful, for all time and eternity. The Word, spoken by the Lord over 2000 years ago addresses every problem and circumstance of our life today. Are you lost, or confused? His words are the lamp for your feet and the light for your path. Are you in pain or need? They are health to your spirit and food for your souls. His Words are a storehouse of applicable, profound truth – the definition of all that is true and pure – and they are available to all people at all times. His mouth truly is most sweet!
The Word we read and memorize, the things He has said that we believe in faith, will be our blessings forever. It is profitable above all things to give our time and the soberest of attention to what He says, for it will be life to us, body and soul. Don’t miss even one precious opportunity to hear from God and to be transformed by His life-giving Word. His followers, His friends, who abide in His Word will have a constant source of sweet refreshment, transforming our hearts and minds, as well as the world around us. “Taste and see that the Lord is good!” (Ps 34:8)
We are cautioned in the Bible to be careful how we listen to Him. The Shulamite, one night, hears the voice of her beloved beckoning her to come away with Him. But she is tired, having had a long day, and is already comfortably retired for the night. So often we too, will sense the Lord’s gentle prompting to come and spend some time in prayer, and we apathetically say, “Maybe later, Lord.” Sometimes we hear a sermon or read a verse in the Bible and sense the Lord’s direct correction or guidance, and say, “Hum, interesting,” but then go about our way without obeying.
The Shulamite did not respond to his call, and she soon realized how much she missed his presence. In her delay, she missed the opportunity for intimacy with him, as we do also when we hesitate or ignore Jesus’ loving invitation. Open the door immediately when He knocks. Come away the second He calls, while that still small voice is still near and audible. And you will find these moments to be the sweetest.
The mouth of our Beloved also speaks of His acceptance and accessibility. No one who comes to Him will be turned away, and no one who knocks will He close the door to. Our grace and patience towards others runs out so quickly, but His never does. No one is ever beyond His acceptance this side of eternity. They need only ask and He will open His heart to us and our hearts toward Him. The loving, life and truth giving words which He speaks, the mouth and heart for which they come, truly defy all comprehension. Even His exhortation and correction is sweetness to our souls as we realize the heart of love from which they originate and the spirit of yearning for our good from which they come. No sweeter voice could I ever hear than my Lord’s whispered in my heart. Whether of approval or correction, both are equally as pleasant to my soul. Just to hear Him, be near Him, to know Him more is the true longing of my heart.
In her final description, there seems to me a sound of frustration at the complete inadequacy of words to capture her Beloved’s worth. After attempting to do so in seven beautifully poetic verses, she finally and simple states that he is “altogether lovely.” All the words in the world would fail to express His unmatchable attributes. How can our words capture the essence of Perfection? What can we say that can encompass the splendor and majesty of the One who is so far above all others? He is just altogether wonderful! There is no comparison to Christ. It is impossible to fully describe His grace and beauty, His gentleness and justice, His humility and power. Yet to endeavor to do so is a glorious, life long adventure!
“I sat down in His shade with great delight, and His fruit was sweet to my taste.” (SoS 2:3)
Application:
1) What hinders you from hearing from God and spending time with Him?
2) What changes can you make to make this a greater priority and possibility in your life?
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
The Wonderful Way - Day 80
Today we have an open invitation to the throne room of the Almighty God, and a promised eternal home in the heavenlies all because of one loving action of one lovely Man. Lets remember again the amazing treasures that have been credited to our account because One chose to give all He had...
His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of fine gold.
His countenance is like Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.
His legs are pillars of marble. This speaks of Christ’s stability and certainty. One of the uses of pillars in the Old Testament was for structural support. They bore the weight of buildings and were responsible for the integrity of a structure. The book of Colossians tells us that because of Christ, all things consist and are held together, or are upheld. He is the One spoken of in Isaiah: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation.” And again in Psalm 118, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” Jesus created all life and supports its existence every second. He is the foundation and He is the unfailing pillar that upholds and strengthens all those who put their faith in Him.
There is another Old Testament picture of Christ as a pillar of sorts in the Book of Genesis. Jacob, resting as he journeyed from his father’s home, had a dreamed. In his dream he saw a form like a ladder set up upon the earth. Its top reached to the heaven, and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And the Lord stood above it, proclaiming who He was. After the vision, Jacob took the stone that he had laid his head on while sleeping and set it up as a pillar to the Lord, signifying the ladder in his dream. This is the first mention of a pillar in the Scriptures. Jesus was later recorded in the Gospel of John as saying that this ladder was none other than Himself! “Hereafter you shall see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” (Jn 1:51)
Our mighty pillar, Jesus Christ, made His base in this world while His head is forever crowned in the heavenlies. He has bridged the insurmountable gulf between heaven and earth with His own body. By God coming down to earth as a man, we now have a way, The Way, to go up to God in heaven.
This picture of Christ being our way to heaven is seen also in the Book of Exodus. Here in chapter 24 Moses was instructed and invited to come up to God up on His mountain. Interestingly, after receiving the invitation, Moses built 12 pillars to the Lord signifying the 12 tribes of Israel which he represented. It is apparent that these men understood that to get up to where God was, there had to be a bridge, and they built as a memorial, a physical object to signify the spiritual reality. Do you feel that the gap between you and the Lord is impassable, insurmountable? Then what a joy it will be for you to realized that Christ bridged that impossible distance with His own body so that you and I could freely have access to heaven, to God Himself. It is never too late, while there remains breath in our lungs, to ask that our spiritual eyes might be opened to behold the glory of the Savior’s life and death for us. Ask Him today to forgive the sins that have separated you from your heavenly Father, and to be the Ladder that unites you again.
Another thing that is remarkable about this description of our Beloved is that His legs were as perfect, carved marble. Marble is always used to describe not only strength, but also impressive beauty. These legs were perfectly intact, as were our Lord’s in fulfillment of prophecy, as seen through His crucifixion. Crucifixion was designed to be a slow and extremely agonizing method of execution. To prolong the death process, the soldiers would nail or tie the victim to the cross with his legs not fully extended. Often, crucified persons would actually die of asphyxiation. Under the intense strain, the arms would dislocate and the chest and shoulder muscles would start to spasm, suffocating the lungs. A bend in the victim’s knees would make him able to stretch up on his legs to relieve the pressure around his lungs, allowing him to take gulps of air.
Under certain conditions or to expedite death, it was common for the executioners to break the legs of the crucified with a club. This would prevent assisted ventilation, and the person would die within minutes. The Bible tells us when Jesus was crucified on the cross for your sins and mine, He hung in the middle of two thieves. The Gospel of John records that when the Roman soldiers came to the three men on the crosses, they broke the legs of the men on each side of Christ. But when they came to Jesus, they saw that He was already dead and did not strike His legs.
Without the shedding of blood, God says, there is no remission of sin. But there were very specific requirements for how the Lamb of God was to be sacrificed. One specification was that none of His bone could be broken. Exodus chapter 12 and Numbers chapter nine both stress the imperativeness of having the sacrificial lamb’s bones intact. Why were the bones of Christ so important? Because it is inside the bones that the blood is produced. Christ’s bones were preserved intact to illustrate to us that His grace and ability to forgive sin will never run out. There will be no break in His provision for the price required for our forgiveness. It is a perfect, flowing system of unending grace, impermeable to damage or disconnect. His legs were not broken, but like the renowned cedar trees of that region, they are strong and useful for lifting us up out of our suffocating sin and into the fresh, forgiving air of God’s grace.
What heartbreak was felt at the foot of that cross as His Mother and followers watched with horror as their Lord laid down His life. He had strength no one had ever known before, and power that was incomparable. Yet here He hung, weak, still, despised. Not at all delivered as He delivered others. Not healed and whole as He had done to the multitudes. What faith it must have taken for those poor souls who looked upon their Lord and yet still believe that all He said was true and would come to pass.
But how their tear stained eyes were rewarded on the third day as they saw their risen Savior standing in their midst! His feet once again planted on the ground where they stood, and His body, not just restored, but refined as the purest gold, and His countenance outshining the rich, white city of Lebanon. And someday soon, all eyes will see the power and majesty of the Pillar of our Salvation standing again upon this earth. Oh to behold such a marvelous sight where, “His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, making a very large valley.” (Zech 14:4) Who shall be able to stand when our glorified Lord rises from His throne and sets His feet upon the earth. Let us bow now in worship, or be forced to bow then in fear.
Thou it can truly be a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, it need not be for us. How we need to grasp that all His greatness and suffering is to demonstrate not just His dominion, but also His love. Not only is atonement through His blood provided by Christ because we need it, but also because He longs for us to have it! “It was for the joy set before Him that He endured the cross.” (Heb12:2) The joy He felt came from the knowledge that His act of sacrifice would, for all eternity, unite together with Him all who would. Having His legs not broken showed that Jesus did not have His life taken from Him, but, as He said, He laid it down by His own will. He gave His life for love for us! He was the perfect sacrifice, and now He is the magnificent pillar, or ladder, that joins heaven and earth for our passage.
Have you ever wondered what brightens the countenance of the Lord? Did you ever think of yourself as being the one who brings a joyful smile to the Savior’s face? As amazing as it may be, you and I are the joy of our God’s heart. We are the pentacle of all His creation, and the desire of His soul. Unbelievable? Yes! But we must believe it if we say that we believe His Word. Jesus, while praying to His Father on the night of His passion, implores Him to unite us with Them; that we might be one with Them as They are one with each other. He says, “The glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one; I in them and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” (Jn 17:22-23) Can you believe that! The Father loving you and me just as He loved Jesus? And Jesus loving us so much that He would bear all of our sins on His sinless soul, thereby suffering a torturous separation from the Father, and then die the most agonizing death of all time? This is hard to fathom, yet essential to a life of faith.
God’s love for us is spelled out on every page of His Word. In fact, the Bible is His very love letter to us; proof of His affection and deep longing for us written on every page. He has chosen to create us, to provide for our every need, to help us against sin, to provide justification when we do sin, to see us through every moment of our journey through the valley of the shadow of death that is life here on earth, and bring us to Himself, to the heavenly paradise which He has made for us! What a God we serve! What a miracle that our response to Him of love and obedience makes His countenance shine!
Thank You, God, that even in our frailty and failure You are pleased to call us Your own.
Lord, bless us and keep us;
Lord make Your face to shine upon us,
And be gracious to us;
Lord, lift up your countenance upon us,
And give us peace! (Num 8:2426)
Application:
1) What is the only requirement that grants us full, unrestricted access to the Father? Have you added any extra obligations or personal responsibilities to that which have shaken your confidence in being able to come boldly before His throne of grace?
2) The apostle Paul says that he makes it his aim to always be well pleasing to the Lord. How can we do this?
His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of fine gold.
His countenance is like Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.
His legs are pillars of marble. This speaks of Christ’s stability and certainty. One of the uses of pillars in the Old Testament was for structural support. They bore the weight of buildings and were responsible for the integrity of a structure. The book of Colossians tells us that because of Christ, all things consist and are held together, or are upheld. He is the One spoken of in Isaiah: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation.” And again in Psalm 118, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.” Jesus created all life and supports its existence every second. He is the foundation and He is the unfailing pillar that upholds and strengthens all those who put their faith in Him.
There is another Old Testament picture of Christ as a pillar of sorts in the Book of Genesis. Jacob, resting as he journeyed from his father’s home, had a dreamed. In his dream he saw a form like a ladder set up upon the earth. Its top reached to the heaven, and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And the Lord stood above it, proclaiming who He was. After the vision, Jacob took the stone that he had laid his head on while sleeping and set it up as a pillar to the Lord, signifying the ladder in his dream. This is the first mention of a pillar in the Scriptures. Jesus was later recorded in the Gospel of John as saying that this ladder was none other than Himself! “Hereafter you shall see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” (Jn 1:51)
Our mighty pillar, Jesus Christ, made His base in this world while His head is forever crowned in the heavenlies. He has bridged the insurmountable gulf between heaven and earth with His own body. By God coming down to earth as a man, we now have a way, The Way, to go up to God in heaven.
This picture of Christ being our way to heaven is seen also in the Book of Exodus. Here in chapter 24 Moses was instructed and invited to come up to God up on His mountain. Interestingly, after receiving the invitation, Moses built 12 pillars to the Lord signifying the 12 tribes of Israel which he represented. It is apparent that these men understood that to get up to where God was, there had to be a bridge, and they built as a memorial, a physical object to signify the spiritual reality. Do you feel that the gap between you and the Lord is impassable, insurmountable? Then what a joy it will be for you to realized that Christ bridged that impossible distance with His own body so that you and I could freely have access to heaven, to God Himself. It is never too late, while there remains breath in our lungs, to ask that our spiritual eyes might be opened to behold the glory of the Savior’s life and death for us. Ask Him today to forgive the sins that have separated you from your heavenly Father, and to be the Ladder that unites you again.
Another thing that is remarkable about this description of our Beloved is that His legs were as perfect, carved marble. Marble is always used to describe not only strength, but also impressive beauty. These legs were perfectly intact, as were our Lord’s in fulfillment of prophecy, as seen through His crucifixion. Crucifixion was designed to be a slow and extremely agonizing method of execution. To prolong the death process, the soldiers would nail or tie the victim to the cross with his legs not fully extended. Often, crucified persons would actually die of asphyxiation. Under the intense strain, the arms would dislocate and the chest and shoulder muscles would start to spasm, suffocating the lungs. A bend in the victim’s knees would make him able to stretch up on his legs to relieve the pressure around his lungs, allowing him to take gulps of air.
Under certain conditions or to expedite death, it was common for the executioners to break the legs of the crucified with a club. This would prevent assisted ventilation, and the person would die within minutes. The Bible tells us when Jesus was crucified on the cross for your sins and mine, He hung in the middle of two thieves. The Gospel of John records that when the Roman soldiers came to the three men on the crosses, they broke the legs of the men on each side of Christ. But when they came to Jesus, they saw that He was already dead and did not strike His legs.
Without the shedding of blood, God says, there is no remission of sin. But there were very specific requirements for how the Lamb of God was to be sacrificed. One specification was that none of His bone could be broken. Exodus chapter 12 and Numbers chapter nine both stress the imperativeness of having the sacrificial lamb’s bones intact. Why were the bones of Christ so important? Because it is inside the bones that the blood is produced. Christ’s bones were preserved intact to illustrate to us that His grace and ability to forgive sin will never run out. There will be no break in His provision for the price required for our forgiveness. It is a perfect, flowing system of unending grace, impermeable to damage or disconnect. His legs were not broken, but like the renowned cedar trees of that region, they are strong and useful for lifting us up out of our suffocating sin and into the fresh, forgiving air of God’s grace.
What heartbreak was felt at the foot of that cross as His Mother and followers watched with horror as their Lord laid down His life. He had strength no one had ever known before, and power that was incomparable. Yet here He hung, weak, still, despised. Not at all delivered as He delivered others. Not healed and whole as He had done to the multitudes. What faith it must have taken for those poor souls who looked upon their Lord and yet still believe that all He said was true and would come to pass.
But how their tear stained eyes were rewarded on the third day as they saw their risen Savior standing in their midst! His feet once again planted on the ground where they stood, and His body, not just restored, but refined as the purest gold, and His countenance outshining the rich, white city of Lebanon. And someday soon, all eyes will see the power and majesty of the Pillar of our Salvation standing again upon this earth. Oh to behold such a marvelous sight where, “His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, making a very large valley.” (Zech 14:4) Who shall be able to stand when our glorified Lord rises from His throne and sets His feet upon the earth. Let us bow now in worship, or be forced to bow then in fear.
Thou it can truly be a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, it need not be for us. How we need to grasp that all His greatness and suffering is to demonstrate not just His dominion, but also His love. Not only is atonement through His blood provided by Christ because we need it, but also because He longs for us to have it! “It was for the joy set before Him that He endured the cross.” (Heb12:2) The joy He felt came from the knowledge that His act of sacrifice would, for all eternity, unite together with Him all who would. Having His legs not broken showed that Jesus did not have His life taken from Him, but, as He said, He laid it down by His own will. He gave His life for love for us! He was the perfect sacrifice, and now He is the magnificent pillar, or ladder, that joins heaven and earth for our passage.
Have you ever wondered what brightens the countenance of the Lord? Did you ever think of yourself as being the one who brings a joyful smile to the Savior’s face? As amazing as it may be, you and I are the joy of our God’s heart. We are the pentacle of all His creation, and the desire of His soul. Unbelievable? Yes! But we must believe it if we say that we believe His Word. Jesus, while praying to His Father on the night of His passion, implores Him to unite us with Them; that we might be one with Them as They are one with each other. He says, “The glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one; I in them and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” (Jn 17:22-23) Can you believe that! The Father loving you and me just as He loved Jesus? And Jesus loving us so much that He would bear all of our sins on His sinless soul, thereby suffering a torturous separation from the Father, and then die the most agonizing death of all time? This is hard to fathom, yet essential to a life of faith.
God’s love for us is spelled out on every page of His Word. In fact, the Bible is His very love letter to us; proof of His affection and deep longing for us written on every page. He has chosen to create us, to provide for our every need, to help us against sin, to provide justification when we do sin, to see us through every moment of our journey through the valley of the shadow of death that is life here on earth, and bring us to Himself, to the heavenly paradise which He has made for us! What a God we serve! What a miracle that our response to Him of love and obedience makes His countenance shine!
Thank You, God, that even in our frailty and failure You are pleased to call us Your own.
Lord, bless us and keep us;
Lord make Your face to shine upon us,
And be gracious to us;
Lord, lift up your countenance upon us,
And give us peace! (Num 8:2426)
Application:
1) What is the only requirement that grants us full, unrestricted access to the Father? Have you added any extra obligations or personal responsibilities to that which have shaken your confidence in being able to come boldly before His throne of grace?
2) The apostle Paul says that he makes it his aim to always be well pleasing to the Lord. How can we do this?
Monday, June 14, 2010
Sweet Substitution - Day 7
Congratulations! You have hung in there a whole week. I know that the reading can be long, but I hope that it is enriching your love for and knowledge of Jesus. The things we could say about Him are inexhaustible! But for today, lets take a closer look at the amazing hands and body of our Lord, and see what He shares with you personally...
His hands are rods of gold set with beryl.
His body is carved ivory inlaid with sapphires.
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” (Ps 19:1) The hand is indicative of power, means, dominion, and strength. Rightly should we notice and praise His hands. The Bible says that Jesus’ hands made the world and spans the universe. “I have made the earth, and created man on it. I-My hands-stretched out he heavens.” (Is 45:12) And also, “Indeed, My hand has laid the foundation of the earth, and My right hand has stretched out the heavens.” (Is 48:13) There is none mightier or more powerful. So we can pray with great assurance with the Psalmist, “My times are in Your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies.” (Ps 31:15)
In such a prayer, we know that He is able. For not only are these mighty hands able to hold all things in the heavens and earth in their right place, but they are also able to eternally keep and protect what are in them. There is nothing that can be taken out of them, including us. Isn’t this a great comfort? In John chapter 10, Jesus, speaking of the security of the flock of believers under His care, says that “no one shall snatch them out of My hand.” Jesus testified of this to His Father, giving account of His faithfulness towards those who are His, and said, “Of all that You have given Me, I have lost none.” (Jn 17)
Through persecution, peril, tribulation and all the trouble of this age, we need never fear that we will be plucked away from the Lord’s loving, protecting hands. No matter what the circumstance, Christ will keep us from falling out of His grip and present us blameless before the Father in love. We need only place ourselves in His grasp and trust in His ability to keep us there. Our Good Shepherd says, “In this world you will have trouble, be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16:33) Hold on to Him, as He holds onto you. He is the ultimate Victor, and will hold our right hand continually until He brings us into glory to be with Him.
“I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand; You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Ps 73:23-26)
They are fittingly described as rods of gold, picturing the golden scepter which identifies Him as the King of kings and Lord of lords. “Behold, the Lord God shall come with a strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him; behold, His reward is with Him and His work before Him. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm and carry them in His bosom.” (Is 40:10-11)
This word for hand is also used to describe labor, order and service. We are commanded in Scripture to offer up our hands to God as members of righteousness for His service. Jesus is our perfect example of this. He was always about His Father’s work, and was continually seen using His hands to touch, heal, deliver, and comfort His people. One such incident involved a leper. Leprosy was common in Jesus’ day, and meant a life sentence of bitter isolation and disgrace until the victim’s very life was consumed bit by bit by this disease.
It was illegal in those days for a leper to enter society at any time for any reason. So they were banished to the outskirts of town where they would occupy caves and other shelter, reduced to a life of squalor. The Bible tells us of one such leper, unnamed and dwelling in the region of Galilee when Jesus passed through. As recorded in Matthew chapter eight, word that the Messiah was teaching on a near by mountain came to the man and he went to worship Him. This man was in terrible misery, without the comfort of another human touch for many years. When he heard that Jesus was coming, he risked shame and peril to break the law, enter the crowd, and attempt to reach the only One he knew could heal him; his only hope. When the people saw him they were no doubt disgusted and amazed, filled with contempt and fear. But God in the flesh did not resist the sick man nor shield Himself from his grotesque figure, but instead, did the unthinkable. He reached out His hand and touched the disease ridden man, something that no other would dare to. And immediately, the man’s hope was realized, his leprosy was cleansed, and his body was restored.
That day, the leper received more than just a physical cure. For a few glorious seconds, he knew what pure love and power felt like as Jesus’ hand lay purposefully upon him. How he must have dreamed and longed for the sensation of another human being’s touch. What He received that day no doubt fulfilled and healed a lifetime of loneliness.
The hands of the One who was in the beginning with God, and was God, the One through whom and for whom all things exist and have their being, are indeed powerful. They are merciful. And they are also pierced. “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands,” He told Thomas. Jesus’ loving, ministering, wonderful, life-giving hands were pierced for our transgressions with Roman nails upon a cross. The last description of the use of the Hebrew word for hand is yield. To surrender to someone greater is no mystery. But He who is omnipotent, and even confessed to having more than ten legions of angels at His disposal, yielded all His power for a great purpose. He did not use His mighty hands in retribution or defense, but stretched them out upon a beam so that our sins could be fixed to them. Just as He reached them out to the leper, He reached them out for us, and is still doing so today. Will you run to them and find comfort unimagined and incomparable? Stay within the loving touch of the Savior. And His hands will hold you there.
His hands, of course, were not the only parts of His body that were wounded for our redemption. Jesus’ whole body was bruised, beaten, whipped, torn, and marred beyond all recognition. The Beloved’s body is described in our verse as carved ivory inlaid with sapphires. Truly Christ was carved by the cruel lashes of the flagellum, by the thorns pierced into His perfect brow, and by the spear thrust and twisted into His side. It was a gruesome sight that day at Calvary as our Lord suffered so greatly. Yet we still, like the Shulamite bride, can describe this horrendous sight as a thing of such great beauty because of the precious, priceless prize it earned; our blessed redemption.
On this side of the cross we can and do call the body and blood of Christ truly precious. The sight of our marred and marked Savior, though it brings tears to our eyes, it should be the most beautiful and pleasant sight to our souls. For without His suffering, we would be alienated from God forever and eternally condemned to dwell in the misery of our sin. “He who knew no sin became sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Cor 5:21) He took our punishment, and asks us in return to simply abide in Him. “Praise be to our God for we who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ!” (Eph 2:12-13) What a wonderful mystery, that He, who endured so much for us, wants only our fellowship! True, we owe Him our lives, our obedience, and our worship forever. But even in these He asks them because He seeks for only our good. He gave up all to obtain what He wanted most dear – an eternity with us!
It is essential to accept His offer to abide if we desire to have any fruitfulness in this life. Jesus says of Himself that He is the vine we are to abide in; and that He is the Rock on which we are to stand. We first get a picture of this gracious invitation in the Book of Exodus. Moses, desperately longing to see the glory of God, was told to stand upon a rock and hide in a cleft of the mountain so when the Lord passed by he wouldn’t die from seeing His holiness.
“And the Lord said, ‘Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by.’” (Ex 33:21)
Could it be that this very cliff and cleft which sheltered and protected Moses, enabling him closeness with the Lord Almighty without suffering death, is none other than Jesus Christ? The Hebrew word used for Ivory means sharp and cliff. He is the One who makes access to the Father possible for us. He is the foundation stone upon which our salvation stands, and He is the cleft that shelters us from the storms of the world and from the wrath of God.
And His strong, pure, ivory body is inlaid with sapphires. Sapphires are precious stones that were used for scraping other substances, scoring to mark, inscribing and recording. Look again at the cross, and you will see that a sapphire marked each hand and foot; that many have scratched His head and shredded His back; that one is deeply inlaid within His precious side.
The scoring sapphires indeed served their purpose in His body to severely mark and scrape and scar. “He was wounded for our transgression, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” (Is 53:5) He bought us peace with His pain, therefore blotting out the offenses written against us with His blood. They did their worst in marring the perfect ivory pillar of Christ’s body. But now they serve to no longer scrape or scour but to inscribe. Today those scraping stones serve to inscribe righteousness upon our accounts, and record our names in the Lamb’s Book of Life! Praise be to God for these precious stones indeed, which scarred the Savior to save the sinner!
His body, as an ivory tower made of the purest white, stands between the Father and us. It bears the sapphire scars and wounds that won our freedom, that purchased our peace, and that brings us back to God. Gaze with me upon the beautifully scarred Savior whose hands, majestic and merciful are outstretched still. Lord Jesus, may we ever know the perfect bliss of Your touch, and be eternally hidden in the cleft of Your presence.
Application:
1) Read Duet 33:12. Is there something in life that makes you feel unsafe or afraid? What does this verse promise us?
2) Take a few moments to enjoy communion with the Lord, thanking and worshiping Him for His scars.
His hands are rods of gold set with beryl.
His body is carved ivory inlaid with sapphires.
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” (Ps 19:1) The hand is indicative of power, means, dominion, and strength. Rightly should we notice and praise His hands. The Bible says that Jesus’ hands made the world and spans the universe. “I have made the earth, and created man on it. I-My hands-stretched out he heavens.” (Is 45:12) And also, “Indeed, My hand has laid the foundation of the earth, and My right hand has stretched out the heavens.” (Is 48:13) There is none mightier or more powerful. So we can pray with great assurance with the Psalmist, “My times are in Your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies.” (Ps 31:15)
In such a prayer, we know that He is able. For not only are these mighty hands able to hold all things in the heavens and earth in their right place, but they are also able to eternally keep and protect what are in them. There is nothing that can be taken out of them, including us. Isn’t this a great comfort? In John chapter 10, Jesus, speaking of the security of the flock of believers under His care, says that “no one shall snatch them out of My hand.” Jesus testified of this to His Father, giving account of His faithfulness towards those who are His, and said, “Of all that You have given Me, I have lost none.” (Jn 17)
Through persecution, peril, tribulation and all the trouble of this age, we need never fear that we will be plucked away from the Lord’s loving, protecting hands. No matter what the circumstance, Christ will keep us from falling out of His grip and present us blameless before the Father in love. We need only place ourselves in His grasp and trust in His ability to keep us there. Our Good Shepherd says, “In this world you will have trouble, be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16:33) Hold on to Him, as He holds onto you. He is the ultimate Victor, and will hold our right hand continually until He brings us into glory to be with Him.
“I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand; You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Ps 73:23-26)
They are fittingly described as rods of gold, picturing the golden scepter which identifies Him as the King of kings and Lord of lords. “Behold, the Lord God shall come with a strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him; behold, His reward is with Him and His work before Him. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm and carry them in His bosom.” (Is 40:10-11)
This word for hand is also used to describe labor, order and service. We are commanded in Scripture to offer up our hands to God as members of righteousness for His service. Jesus is our perfect example of this. He was always about His Father’s work, and was continually seen using His hands to touch, heal, deliver, and comfort His people. One such incident involved a leper. Leprosy was common in Jesus’ day, and meant a life sentence of bitter isolation and disgrace until the victim’s very life was consumed bit by bit by this disease.
It was illegal in those days for a leper to enter society at any time for any reason. So they were banished to the outskirts of town where they would occupy caves and other shelter, reduced to a life of squalor. The Bible tells us of one such leper, unnamed and dwelling in the region of Galilee when Jesus passed through. As recorded in Matthew chapter eight, word that the Messiah was teaching on a near by mountain came to the man and he went to worship Him. This man was in terrible misery, without the comfort of another human touch for many years. When he heard that Jesus was coming, he risked shame and peril to break the law, enter the crowd, and attempt to reach the only One he knew could heal him; his only hope. When the people saw him they were no doubt disgusted and amazed, filled with contempt and fear. But God in the flesh did not resist the sick man nor shield Himself from his grotesque figure, but instead, did the unthinkable. He reached out His hand and touched the disease ridden man, something that no other would dare to. And immediately, the man’s hope was realized, his leprosy was cleansed, and his body was restored.
That day, the leper received more than just a physical cure. For a few glorious seconds, he knew what pure love and power felt like as Jesus’ hand lay purposefully upon him. How he must have dreamed and longed for the sensation of another human being’s touch. What He received that day no doubt fulfilled and healed a lifetime of loneliness.
The hands of the One who was in the beginning with God, and was God, the One through whom and for whom all things exist and have their being, are indeed powerful. They are merciful. And they are also pierced. “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands,” He told Thomas. Jesus’ loving, ministering, wonderful, life-giving hands were pierced for our transgressions with Roman nails upon a cross. The last description of the use of the Hebrew word for hand is yield. To surrender to someone greater is no mystery. But He who is omnipotent, and even confessed to having more than ten legions of angels at His disposal, yielded all His power for a great purpose. He did not use His mighty hands in retribution or defense, but stretched them out upon a beam so that our sins could be fixed to them. Just as He reached them out to the leper, He reached them out for us, and is still doing so today. Will you run to them and find comfort unimagined and incomparable? Stay within the loving touch of the Savior. And His hands will hold you there.
His hands, of course, were not the only parts of His body that were wounded for our redemption. Jesus’ whole body was bruised, beaten, whipped, torn, and marred beyond all recognition. The Beloved’s body is described in our verse as carved ivory inlaid with sapphires. Truly Christ was carved by the cruel lashes of the flagellum, by the thorns pierced into His perfect brow, and by the spear thrust and twisted into His side. It was a gruesome sight that day at Calvary as our Lord suffered so greatly. Yet we still, like the Shulamite bride, can describe this horrendous sight as a thing of such great beauty because of the precious, priceless prize it earned; our blessed redemption.
On this side of the cross we can and do call the body and blood of Christ truly precious. The sight of our marred and marked Savior, though it brings tears to our eyes, it should be the most beautiful and pleasant sight to our souls. For without His suffering, we would be alienated from God forever and eternally condemned to dwell in the misery of our sin. “He who knew no sin became sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Cor 5:21) He took our punishment, and asks us in return to simply abide in Him. “Praise be to our God for we who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ!” (Eph 2:12-13) What a wonderful mystery, that He, who endured so much for us, wants only our fellowship! True, we owe Him our lives, our obedience, and our worship forever. But even in these He asks them because He seeks for only our good. He gave up all to obtain what He wanted most dear – an eternity with us!
It is essential to accept His offer to abide if we desire to have any fruitfulness in this life. Jesus says of Himself that He is the vine we are to abide in; and that He is the Rock on which we are to stand. We first get a picture of this gracious invitation in the Book of Exodus. Moses, desperately longing to see the glory of God, was told to stand upon a rock and hide in a cleft of the mountain so when the Lord passed by he wouldn’t die from seeing His holiness.
“And the Lord said, ‘Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by.’” (Ex 33:21)
Could it be that this very cliff and cleft which sheltered and protected Moses, enabling him closeness with the Lord Almighty without suffering death, is none other than Jesus Christ? The Hebrew word used for Ivory means sharp and cliff. He is the One who makes access to the Father possible for us. He is the foundation stone upon which our salvation stands, and He is the cleft that shelters us from the storms of the world and from the wrath of God.
And His strong, pure, ivory body is inlaid with sapphires. Sapphires are precious stones that were used for scraping other substances, scoring to mark, inscribing and recording. Look again at the cross, and you will see that a sapphire marked each hand and foot; that many have scratched His head and shredded His back; that one is deeply inlaid within His precious side.
The scoring sapphires indeed served their purpose in His body to severely mark and scrape and scar. “He was wounded for our transgression, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” (Is 53:5) He bought us peace with His pain, therefore blotting out the offenses written against us with His blood. They did their worst in marring the perfect ivory pillar of Christ’s body. But now they serve to no longer scrape or scour but to inscribe. Today those scraping stones serve to inscribe righteousness upon our accounts, and record our names in the Lamb’s Book of Life! Praise be to God for these precious stones indeed, which scarred the Savior to save the sinner!
His body, as an ivory tower made of the purest white, stands between the Father and us. It bears the sapphire scars and wounds that won our freedom, that purchased our peace, and that brings us back to God. Gaze with me upon the beautifully scarred Savior whose hands, majestic and merciful are outstretched still. Lord Jesus, may we ever know the perfect bliss of Your touch, and be eternally hidden in the cleft of Your presence.
Application:
1) Read Duet 33:12. Is there something in life that makes you feel unsafe or afraid? What does this verse promise us?
2) Take a few moments to enjoy communion with the Lord, thanking and worshiping Him for His scars.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Unguarded Love - Day 6
Sundays are such a great day to take time to meditate on the wonder and love of Christ. What an awesome God we serve!
His cheeks are like a bed of spices, banks of scented herb.
His lips are lilies, dripping with liquid myrrh.
The Old Testament repeatedly states that to see God face to face would mean sure and sudden death. Yet we see here an amazing pre-New Testament intimacy with the face of God. This Hebrew word for cheeks is lekhee which means to be soft, referring to the soft part of the face. This is a remarkable insight into the heart of God; for the face can rarely hide the state of one’s heart. The muscles in the face usually correlate with one’s emotions. Seldom is there true peace in one’s being while he maintains a tightness or hardness of face.
In order to decipher the softness and scent of our Beloved’s face, we must draw near to Him. Though we often do not believe or perceive it, He is as near to us as the air we breathe. He longs to dwell in our hearts and share our intimate embrace. He repeatedly pleads with us to abide and remain in Him. “Abide in Me, and I in you.” And, “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.” (Jn 15:4, 9) The way to this wonderful intimacy is barred when we hide and guard ourselves from Him in independence and insecurity. What are we hiding from? And why do we resist? For we know that Scripture says, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? …I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:35, 38-39)
Yet still we often run and hide from His unconditional, completely dependable love. No, there are none worthy. But He will accomplish all that pleases Him, Isaiah chapter 46 says. And what pleases Him is to be with us in perfect friendship and fellowship. Let us repent, and remain with our Lord who is able to make us stand before Him without spot or wrinkle, blameless before His excellent glory. Let us accept with hearts overflowing with joy, the gift of His desire for us!
The Lord’s face does not harbor a look of critical displeasure or skepticism. Nor does is portray even a hint of anger or resentment when He looks upon His believers, but only kindness, genuineness, undivided attention and affection. And His look of love yields the scent of the most delicate, delicious perfume. What could ignite the soul more than the sight of acceptance in their Lord’s face? What can refresh the spirit more than to look upon such a gaze softened by love; guarding nothing, holding back nothing, expecting nothing.
And who do you suppose can receive this look of such gracious countenance? Only those who are pure and perfect? Only those who continually please Him in thought and deed? No, dear one, but to the worst, among us and in us, He shines His face of love, not because of our worthiness but because of His grace. His gentleness of face extended even to His enemies. He modeled for us how we can turn the other cheek when someone injures us. “I gave My back to those who struck Me, and my cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.” (Is 50:6-7) How can such a man, perfect and pure, holy and whole, endure such hatred and return it with gentleness? How can He look upon me, who has denied and displeased Him over and over, with such evidence of softness of heart? And how, on God’s green earth, will I be able to do likewise to those who are hateful toward me? While I still am amazed and confounded by such grace and mystery, I rest in His omnipotence and in His promise that if I abide in Him, He will do even this work through me.
Great expectation should arise from seeing His tender countenance towards us. What hope we now can have for whatever words will come forth from a look of such pure acceptance. Whatever proceeds from His loving gaze will be to us like a bed of spices and banks of scented herbs. The look of true love brings with it no unpleasantness at all, but a sense that only good can come to us from such a One as this.
And yes, pleasantness comes from His beautifully sweet lips, further proving the softness of His heart toward us. What parts His lips and escapes is as fragrant and inviting to us as the sweetest of lilies. Again, it was often said of those who heard Jesus that they marveled because of His gracious words. When I expect to hear the words of rebuke or condemnation I deserve, instead there is the loving whisper of truth carried on the wings of grace. Even in correction, the sound of love is in His voice. Gracious words are not often enough heard today. How we need to have our spiritual ears tuned in to perceive their gentle, life-giving, fragrant presence. Train us, Lord to discern your gentle voice from all the other noises in this world, and follow only Yours.
“The sheep hear (the shepherd’s) voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of stranger…I am the Good Shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.” (Jn 10:3-5, 14)
Jesus’ lips are likened to lilies. Lilies are beautiful flowers that give off a pleasant aroma. We know that when we see or smell one, that it is indeed a lily; not a thistle or a skunk cabbage. So too, we can have complete confidence that Jesus’ spoken words were real and true and not harmful to His own. These lips which spoke with such marvelous grace were instruments of His Father. Over and over in the Gospels Jesus is quoted as saying, “Only those things that I have heard from my Father, have I spoken to you.” And “Whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.” (Jn 12:50) He is the Good Shepherd who gives His life for His sheep. The words by which He leads and speaks to us will always reflect His heart toward us, and the Father’s good will for us. That is how, even if they are painful at times, they are still a sweet aroma to our souls.
As we continue to behold His glorious face, however, we see that these precious lips are dripping with myrrh, therefore making his lips also instruments of prophesy. Myrrh is a bitter substance, produced by a plant, and could be poisonous. Myrrh is also used as a perfume. It is listed among the precious, sanctified ingredients for the anointing oil for the Old Testament priests who ministered in the Tabernacle. When Aaron and his sons were consecrated for ministry before the Lord, a very special blend of oils and perfumes, containing myrrh, were poured out on their heads. The oil covered their faces and ran down their beards. The connection of myrrh to Christ, among other things, identifies Him as not only King, but also High Priest. (Heb 2:17)
Myrrh was one of the three gift presented by the Magi upon His birth, and was poured out upon Jesus by Mary in preparation for His death. His lips were also an instrument of prophecy, as they are pictures here dripping with myrrh. An Old Testament prophecy regarding the suffering which Christ would endure states, “They gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” (Ps 69:21)
In Matthew’s account of the crucifixion, it says that they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. In Hebrew, the word for myrrh means bitter. This may have been one in the same substance. In Christ’s day it was commonly used as an antiseptic as well as a stimulant. Though some may have wanted to alleviate Christ’s suffering, others wanted to prolong it, thus they offered Him this to drink. Jesus’ lips dripped with the bitter wine offered by His enemies, and they also dripped with the bitter cup His Father gave Him to drink.
The cup of His suffering for the salvation of all of humanity was indeed bitter. The depravity of all mankind was laid upon his sinless shoulders, heart and mind. It cost Him everything; His comfort and safety, His reputation, His freedom, His life, and even fellowship with His Father which had never before been broken. But in all of this He refused to drink the cup of man’s bitterness. He loved to the very end, and even prayed, “Father, forgive them.” And He would not accept a drug to deaden the pain or alleviate the suffering of the punishment we deserved, but drank fully of the cup of God’s wrath till it was finished. He drank it to the dredges, until it began to pour down His lips, so that God’s longing to restore man to Himself could be accomplished.
This is the face with beard plucked out;
This is the side from which blood and water did spout,
This is the head pierced with thorns,
This is the back whipped and torn.
This is hand with a nail driven through,
This is the face beaten and blue,
These are the lips that when the last breath passed through,
Cried, “Father forgive them, they know not what they do.”
That stilled the eye and hushed the soul;
That bent the knees of the soldiers below.
That brought whisper and wonder in that dark day,
That caused one to the gentle, suffering Lord say,
“If Love can take upon it a form,
Surely it was in this one He had borne.”
To look upon His face softened with love, and to listen to His lips with anticipation for the words that may proceed, brings, to us who love Him in return, the sweetest fragrance of expectation and delight. For the Word tells us that, “The good man out of the good treasures of one’s heart, brings forth good things.” (Mt 12:35) Though His truthful Words may slay and sting at times, the love from which they are born will bind, soothe, and heal as well. Look upon His peaceable, gentle face. Breathe deep of the fragrance of His good will toward you. And watch for the lips like lilies to open, bringing the most pleasant perfume to our world weary souls.
Application:
1) When was the last time you heard the Lord’s voice speaking to you? What did He say?
2) Are you living in the obedience and comfort of His Word today?
His cheeks are like a bed of spices, banks of scented herb.
His lips are lilies, dripping with liquid myrrh.
The Old Testament repeatedly states that to see God face to face would mean sure and sudden death. Yet we see here an amazing pre-New Testament intimacy with the face of God. This Hebrew word for cheeks is lekhee which means to be soft, referring to the soft part of the face. This is a remarkable insight into the heart of God; for the face can rarely hide the state of one’s heart. The muscles in the face usually correlate with one’s emotions. Seldom is there true peace in one’s being while he maintains a tightness or hardness of face.
In order to decipher the softness and scent of our Beloved’s face, we must draw near to Him. Though we often do not believe or perceive it, He is as near to us as the air we breathe. He longs to dwell in our hearts and share our intimate embrace. He repeatedly pleads with us to abide and remain in Him. “Abide in Me, and I in you.” And, “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.” (Jn 15:4, 9) The way to this wonderful intimacy is barred when we hide and guard ourselves from Him in independence and insecurity. What are we hiding from? And why do we resist? For we know that Scripture says, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? …I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:35, 38-39)
Yet still we often run and hide from His unconditional, completely dependable love. No, there are none worthy. But He will accomplish all that pleases Him, Isaiah chapter 46 says. And what pleases Him is to be with us in perfect friendship and fellowship. Let us repent, and remain with our Lord who is able to make us stand before Him without spot or wrinkle, blameless before His excellent glory. Let us accept with hearts overflowing with joy, the gift of His desire for us!
The Lord’s face does not harbor a look of critical displeasure or skepticism. Nor does is portray even a hint of anger or resentment when He looks upon His believers, but only kindness, genuineness, undivided attention and affection. And His look of love yields the scent of the most delicate, delicious perfume. What could ignite the soul more than the sight of acceptance in their Lord’s face? What can refresh the spirit more than to look upon such a gaze softened by love; guarding nothing, holding back nothing, expecting nothing.
And who do you suppose can receive this look of such gracious countenance? Only those who are pure and perfect? Only those who continually please Him in thought and deed? No, dear one, but to the worst, among us and in us, He shines His face of love, not because of our worthiness but because of His grace. His gentleness of face extended even to His enemies. He modeled for us how we can turn the other cheek when someone injures us. “I gave My back to those who struck Me, and my cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.” (Is 50:6-7) How can such a man, perfect and pure, holy and whole, endure such hatred and return it with gentleness? How can He look upon me, who has denied and displeased Him over and over, with such evidence of softness of heart? And how, on God’s green earth, will I be able to do likewise to those who are hateful toward me? While I still am amazed and confounded by such grace and mystery, I rest in His omnipotence and in His promise that if I abide in Him, He will do even this work through me.
Great expectation should arise from seeing His tender countenance towards us. What hope we now can have for whatever words will come forth from a look of such pure acceptance. Whatever proceeds from His loving gaze will be to us like a bed of spices and banks of scented herbs. The look of true love brings with it no unpleasantness at all, but a sense that only good can come to us from such a One as this.
And yes, pleasantness comes from His beautifully sweet lips, further proving the softness of His heart toward us. What parts His lips and escapes is as fragrant and inviting to us as the sweetest of lilies. Again, it was often said of those who heard Jesus that they marveled because of His gracious words. When I expect to hear the words of rebuke or condemnation I deserve, instead there is the loving whisper of truth carried on the wings of grace. Even in correction, the sound of love is in His voice. Gracious words are not often enough heard today. How we need to have our spiritual ears tuned in to perceive their gentle, life-giving, fragrant presence. Train us, Lord to discern your gentle voice from all the other noises in this world, and follow only Yours.
“The sheep hear (the shepherd’s) voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of stranger…I am the Good Shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.” (Jn 10:3-5, 14)
Jesus’ lips are likened to lilies. Lilies are beautiful flowers that give off a pleasant aroma. We know that when we see or smell one, that it is indeed a lily; not a thistle or a skunk cabbage. So too, we can have complete confidence that Jesus’ spoken words were real and true and not harmful to His own. These lips which spoke with such marvelous grace were instruments of His Father. Over and over in the Gospels Jesus is quoted as saying, “Only those things that I have heard from my Father, have I spoken to you.” And “Whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.” (Jn 12:50) He is the Good Shepherd who gives His life for His sheep. The words by which He leads and speaks to us will always reflect His heart toward us, and the Father’s good will for us. That is how, even if they are painful at times, they are still a sweet aroma to our souls.
As we continue to behold His glorious face, however, we see that these precious lips are dripping with myrrh, therefore making his lips also instruments of prophesy. Myrrh is a bitter substance, produced by a plant, and could be poisonous. Myrrh is also used as a perfume. It is listed among the precious, sanctified ingredients for the anointing oil for the Old Testament priests who ministered in the Tabernacle. When Aaron and his sons were consecrated for ministry before the Lord, a very special blend of oils and perfumes, containing myrrh, were poured out on their heads. The oil covered their faces and ran down their beards. The connection of myrrh to Christ, among other things, identifies Him as not only King, but also High Priest. (Heb 2:17)
Myrrh was one of the three gift presented by the Magi upon His birth, and was poured out upon Jesus by Mary in preparation for His death. His lips were also an instrument of prophecy, as they are pictures here dripping with myrrh. An Old Testament prophecy regarding the suffering which Christ would endure states, “They gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” (Ps 69:21)
In Matthew’s account of the crucifixion, it says that they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. In Hebrew, the word for myrrh means bitter. This may have been one in the same substance. In Christ’s day it was commonly used as an antiseptic as well as a stimulant. Though some may have wanted to alleviate Christ’s suffering, others wanted to prolong it, thus they offered Him this to drink. Jesus’ lips dripped with the bitter wine offered by His enemies, and they also dripped with the bitter cup His Father gave Him to drink.
The cup of His suffering for the salvation of all of humanity was indeed bitter. The depravity of all mankind was laid upon his sinless shoulders, heart and mind. It cost Him everything; His comfort and safety, His reputation, His freedom, His life, and even fellowship with His Father which had never before been broken. But in all of this He refused to drink the cup of man’s bitterness. He loved to the very end, and even prayed, “Father, forgive them.” And He would not accept a drug to deaden the pain or alleviate the suffering of the punishment we deserved, but drank fully of the cup of God’s wrath till it was finished. He drank it to the dredges, until it began to pour down His lips, so that God’s longing to restore man to Himself could be accomplished.
This is the face with beard plucked out;
This is the side from which blood and water did spout,
This is the head pierced with thorns,
This is the back whipped and torn.
This is hand with a nail driven through,
This is the face beaten and blue,
These are the lips that when the last breath passed through,
Cried, “Father forgive them, they know not what they do.”
That stilled the eye and hushed the soul;
That bent the knees of the soldiers below.
That brought whisper and wonder in that dark day,
That caused one to the gentle, suffering Lord say,
“If Love can take upon it a form,
Surely it was in this one He had borne.”
To look upon His face softened with love, and to listen to His lips with anticipation for the words that may proceed, brings, to us who love Him in return, the sweetest fragrance of expectation and delight. For the Word tells us that, “The good man out of the good treasures of one’s heart, brings forth good things.” (Mt 12:35) Though His truthful Words may slay and sting at times, the love from which they are born will bind, soothe, and heal as well. Look upon His peaceable, gentle face. Breathe deep of the fragrance of His good will toward you. And watch for the lips like lilies to open, bringing the most pleasant perfume to our world weary souls.
Application:
1) When was the last time you heard the Lord’s voice speaking to you? What did He say?
2) Are you living in the obedience and comfort of His Word today?
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Gracious Acceptance - Day 5
Are you as excited and encouraged as I am to see Christ in all these fun and amazing ways? Let's not forget as we start today's study to ask the Lord to open the eyes of our heart so that we can see Him more clearly. May God's face of love shine upon you today!
His eyes are like doves by the rivers of water, washed with milk, and fitly set.
Have you ever gazed into the eyes of pure love; eyes which hold no criticism, no contempt, no expectation? The eyes of true love are gentle but passionate, kind and accepting, proof of a heart that would freely give all that one is. These are the eyes of our Lord Jesus’ toward His brothers and sisters; to those He calls His friends. These eyes are ever upon us for good. They see all things, from the smallest of needs to the greatest of sufferings. Nothing in all the earth or in our hearts, whether good or evil, magnanimous or minuscule, escapes them. Prov 15:3 says, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” And yet, in spite of the evil and irregardless of the good that may accompany our lives, these are the eyes that chose to fix upon us in pure love.
The eye, used in the scriptures, is often symbolic of one’s deep desire or longing, as well as proof of faithfulness. Wherever we are, whatever we endure, we can be assured that God’s eye will find us and remain on us in watchful care; not because of our goodness, but because of His great desire and faithfulness towards us. Hagar, while fleeing from the harsh treatment of her mistress Sarai, sat down and wept in the desert. She despaired for her life and that of her unborn son, Ishmael. The Word says that The Angel of the Lord, none other than Jesus Christ, found her there. He saw her suffering, and refreshed her thirsty body and soul. And even though Ishmael was not the son of the covenant promised to Abraham, God vowed in His mercy to watch over the life of her son and establish his greatness. And well did Hagar then say of the Lord in her hour of desperation, “You are the God who sees!” (Gen 16:13)
Hagar learned that day that although she felt abandoned and forgotten, she was never out of God’s sight. He will always know our need. No matter how alone and unnoticed we feel, we too can be confident that the eyes of the Lord are closely watching to rescue us in our hour of need and to provide for us a sure future.
There is but one way in which a person can behold the eyes of another, and that is to simply turn and look into them. We may not know yet the Lord’s presence in our lives; we may be consumed with business that distracts our vision; cares and doubts may drown our longing to look up. But He never fails. We are His greatest treasure, the pinnacle of His creation, and He watches over us constantly for good. He longs and waits expectantly, hopefully, for the moment when we will turn and behold His eyes of love shining upon us. Then we too will sing with hearts full of relief and wonder, “You are the God who sees me!”
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him. (2 Chr 16:9)
Jesus said, “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, or single, your whole body will be full of light.” (Mt 6:22) Jesus’ eyes were indeed good, full of light, and sound; without any speck or impurity. The eye is the means of one’s sight, the faculty of knowing, and the director of his motives. Having a single eye in this context means that one’s vision, devotion and motive is exclusively fixed upon the service and purpose of God. One who lives this way will have his whole life flooded with light. No one could have modeled this better than the Lord Himself who said, “Whatever the Son see the Father do, the Son also does in like manner.” (Jn 5:19) And, “I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.” (Jn 5:30) And, “Not as I will, but as You will.” (Mt 26:39) Over and over Christ stated emphatically that His one purpose and aim in life was to please the Father. He had singleness of purpose and as He lived 33 sinless he years continually headed, with His face like flint, to the cross of Calvary, so that all of humanity could then be made free.
Motives and actions can only be purified by Truth, which is the Word of God. (Jn 17:17) This Word is repeatedly described as cleansing water. Even Jesus says that the Word is what cleanses us. “You are already clean because of the Word I have spoken to you.” (Jn 15:3) Jesus’ eyes, His purpose and actions and direction, were always bathed in the rivers of the Word. He Himself is that Word, as it says in John 1. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Jesus proved that He was always immersed in the Word of Truth because of Who Jesus was and because of what He lived by and for. Truly His eyes were clean because behind them was held the very source and flood of truth.
Jesus’ eyes are constantly on us, they are pure and single in purpose for us, and they are also harmless in intention towards us. “He has the eyes of a dove,” the Shulamite says. Doves in the Bible represent the manifestation of the gentle, harmless, peaceable nature of God’s Spirit. Dove’s need accommodating surroundings, a calming presence about them, and ease from threat of harm. They are delicate and graceful. They perch above the ground as if to observe the occurrences beneath, touching down only to forage for seeds. Their flight is fast and strait with powerful wings. They are gentle and harmless toward other birds. And in contrast to the cheerful sound of song birds, doves’ soft calls often have a lamenting sound.
Many beautiful parallels are evident between these graceful birds and the Holy Spirit of God who chooses to identify with them. And the Spirit perfectly reflects Jesus in that He will always point to and portray the character of Christ. As the Lion of the tribe of Judah, Jesus will enact fast and right judgment over sin, but also will prove harmlessness concerning His redeemed. His eyes are those of a dove, gentle, full of grace, and full of the leading and power of the Spirit of God. They are proven pure by the very rivers of water which He proclaims to be. And they are right, fitly set, by pure, true motives to seek the glory and will of the Father alone.
“Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I have put My Spirit upon Him, and He will declare justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel nor raise His voice, nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth. He will not fail nor be discouraged, till He has established justice in the earth.” (Is 42:1-4)
Questions:
1) When was a time when you felt the loving eyes of Jesus watching over you?
2) Do we look at others in our life with the same grace and compassion and good will?
3) How can we increase the “singleness” of our vision as mentioned in Mt 6?
His eyes are like doves by the rivers of water, washed with milk, and fitly set.
Have you ever gazed into the eyes of pure love; eyes which hold no criticism, no contempt, no expectation? The eyes of true love are gentle but passionate, kind and accepting, proof of a heart that would freely give all that one is. These are the eyes of our Lord Jesus’ toward His brothers and sisters; to those He calls His friends. These eyes are ever upon us for good. They see all things, from the smallest of needs to the greatest of sufferings. Nothing in all the earth or in our hearts, whether good or evil, magnanimous or minuscule, escapes them. Prov 15:3 says, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” And yet, in spite of the evil and irregardless of the good that may accompany our lives, these are the eyes that chose to fix upon us in pure love.
The eye, used in the scriptures, is often symbolic of one’s deep desire or longing, as well as proof of faithfulness. Wherever we are, whatever we endure, we can be assured that God’s eye will find us and remain on us in watchful care; not because of our goodness, but because of His great desire and faithfulness towards us. Hagar, while fleeing from the harsh treatment of her mistress Sarai, sat down and wept in the desert. She despaired for her life and that of her unborn son, Ishmael. The Word says that The Angel of the Lord, none other than Jesus Christ, found her there. He saw her suffering, and refreshed her thirsty body and soul. And even though Ishmael was not the son of the covenant promised to Abraham, God vowed in His mercy to watch over the life of her son and establish his greatness. And well did Hagar then say of the Lord in her hour of desperation, “You are the God who sees!” (Gen 16:13)
Hagar learned that day that although she felt abandoned and forgotten, she was never out of God’s sight. He will always know our need. No matter how alone and unnoticed we feel, we too can be confident that the eyes of the Lord are closely watching to rescue us in our hour of need and to provide for us a sure future.
There is but one way in which a person can behold the eyes of another, and that is to simply turn and look into them. We may not know yet the Lord’s presence in our lives; we may be consumed with business that distracts our vision; cares and doubts may drown our longing to look up. But He never fails. We are His greatest treasure, the pinnacle of His creation, and He watches over us constantly for good. He longs and waits expectantly, hopefully, for the moment when we will turn and behold His eyes of love shining upon us. Then we too will sing with hearts full of relief and wonder, “You are the God who sees me!”
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him. (2 Chr 16:9)
Jesus said, “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, or single, your whole body will be full of light.” (Mt 6:22) Jesus’ eyes were indeed good, full of light, and sound; without any speck or impurity. The eye is the means of one’s sight, the faculty of knowing, and the director of his motives. Having a single eye in this context means that one’s vision, devotion and motive is exclusively fixed upon the service and purpose of God. One who lives this way will have his whole life flooded with light. No one could have modeled this better than the Lord Himself who said, “Whatever the Son see the Father do, the Son also does in like manner.” (Jn 5:19) And, “I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.” (Jn 5:30) And, “Not as I will, but as You will.” (Mt 26:39) Over and over Christ stated emphatically that His one purpose and aim in life was to please the Father. He had singleness of purpose and as He lived 33 sinless he years continually headed, with His face like flint, to the cross of Calvary, so that all of humanity could then be made free.
Motives and actions can only be purified by Truth, which is the Word of God. (Jn 17:17) This Word is repeatedly described as cleansing water. Even Jesus says that the Word is what cleanses us. “You are already clean because of the Word I have spoken to you.” (Jn 15:3) Jesus’ eyes, His purpose and actions and direction, were always bathed in the rivers of the Word. He Himself is that Word, as it says in John 1. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Jesus proved that He was always immersed in the Word of Truth because of Who Jesus was and because of what He lived by and for. Truly His eyes were clean because behind them was held the very source and flood of truth.
Jesus’ eyes are constantly on us, they are pure and single in purpose for us, and they are also harmless in intention towards us. “He has the eyes of a dove,” the Shulamite says. Doves in the Bible represent the manifestation of the gentle, harmless, peaceable nature of God’s Spirit. Dove’s need accommodating surroundings, a calming presence about them, and ease from threat of harm. They are delicate and graceful. They perch above the ground as if to observe the occurrences beneath, touching down only to forage for seeds. Their flight is fast and strait with powerful wings. They are gentle and harmless toward other birds. And in contrast to the cheerful sound of song birds, doves’ soft calls often have a lamenting sound.
Many beautiful parallels are evident between these graceful birds and the Holy Spirit of God who chooses to identify with them. And the Spirit perfectly reflects Jesus in that He will always point to and portray the character of Christ. As the Lion of the tribe of Judah, Jesus will enact fast and right judgment over sin, but also will prove harmlessness concerning His redeemed. His eyes are those of a dove, gentle, full of grace, and full of the leading and power of the Spirit of God. They are proven pure by the very rivers of water which He proclaims to be. And they are right, fitly set, by pure, true motives to seek the glory and will of the Father alone.
“Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I have put My Spirit upon Him, and He will declare justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel nor raise His voice, nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth. He will not fail nor be discouraged, till He has established justice in the earth.” (Is 42:1-4)
Questions:
1) When was a time when you felt the loving eyes of Jesus watching over you?
2) Do we look at others in our life with the same grace and compassion and good will?
3) How can we increase the “singleness” of our vision as mentioned in Mt 6?
Incomparable Authority - Day 4
Great job hanging in there gals! Is anyone feeling some heavy burdens today? Anybody feeling like the world is resting on their shoulders? Well journey on then, and pick up some rest!...
His head of the finest Gold; His locks are wavy and black.
The head in Scripture often symbolizes the beginning, the lead, or the highest place of rank. Jesus says of Himself that He is the Alpha and the Omega; the first and the last. (Rev 1:11) There is no preeminence next to Christ. He is the head of all creation, first in rank and position to the Father. He is the light and life of all things; the general over the mighty heavenly host, and the High Priest over His people.
The Book of Hebrews tells us that this same Jesus – the King of kings, and Lord of lords, was made, for the duration of His humanity on earth, a little lower than the angels, but is now crowned with glory and honor, and is set over all of creation. Jesus, a partner of the three-fold God head and the giver of all life, bowed His royal head to live and to die for mankind. “Jesus Christ, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a slave, and coming in the likeness of man.” (Ph 2:6-7)
Not only did He humble Himself immeasurably to become a man, but He lowered Himself even further to become the Servant of man. Jesus said, “I have not come to be served, but to serve, and to give My life.” And, “I am among you as the One who serves.” (Lk 22:27) The Book of John tells us that, Jesus, “knowing from where He came, and where He was going, disrobed, stooped down and washed His disciple’s feet.” He was able to do the lowliest of tasks, yet also boldly speak to the most powerful of authorities, all because He knew who He was, whose He was, and where He was going. He was never ashamed and never shrunk back, but embodied confidence and conviction, as one who heads into battle with assurance of victory. And God the Father has exalted Him above all others. All things have now been put in subjection under his feet, and He reigns as Judge and Master of all.
His head of finest gold, portrays His complete innocence. Can you imagine what it must be like to never feel ashamed or remorseful because of something you have done? Jesus never felt any shame or guilt because He never had any reason to. He was incorruptible, triumphing faultlessly over all the temptations Satan could lay across His path. While He walked among us on earth, the Beloved held His majestic head high, not in pride, but in righteousness, wisdom, and blamelessness. Though He was saddened by the sin and suffering of man, He knew that He was the Answer and the Redeemer for the whole world, and that He would lead us into victory. “Thanks be to God, who always gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” (1 Cor 15:57)
At His resurrection, the Father put all things under Jesus’ feet and made Him the head over all things, Ephesians one tells us. Hebrews also says that truly Christ is the head over all, though we do not see Him as such now. How creation longs to see His gold laden brow enthroned upon this earth. It, with all the saints, yet still groans in their labor and pain waiting for the promise of His return. Even though the Bible says Jesus now reigns, our eyes see another still cruelly ruling this realm.
Yes, sadly Satan is still the prince of our world today. Our eyes see all the carnage of his hateful plan at work all around us, in our lives and those of our loved ones. Dissensions, hatred, rage and selfishness seem to permeate and define our world today. But we are not without hope. Soon that glorious day will dawn when we will see Him enthroned, wearing a crown of purest gold, ruling and reigning over all that is in heaven and earth! Take comfort, weary Christian. For, in that day, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that He is God! (Rom 14:11)
But while we wait, we can be about our Kings business. Upon His resurrection, He became the “Head of the church which is His body.” (Eph 1:22) Today, He leads the church, a global body of believers, by the power of the Holy Spirit and by the truth of His Word. We were not left as orphans when He ascended to the Father. But as a good leader, He provided the great comfort and might of His Spirit. (Jn 16)
How do we know that He is at work still today? And how do we know that His power is not diminished? Because that golden crown sits upon a head of hair which the Shulamite describes as black and wavy! “Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever,” Hebrews 13:8 says. He never grows old and grey haired. His vitality never decreases. His consistency, strength and youthful vigor never change. All of these qualities are embodied in the Person and Power of the Holy Spirit which dwells in and upon His believers. Jesus is the head of the church, and we are the arms, legs, mouth, and eyes. We, by His awesome, unlimited, unchanging power, can join in the work, as John the Baptist and the great prophet Isaiah did, of preparing a straight path for the King. “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” (Is 40:3)
Is anyone living in a spiritual wilderness or desert today besides me? Aren’t there dry, thirsty souls all around you? Aren’t there people in your life who are confused and lost, who need the straight, simple path revealed? In eternity, the Word says that we will be ruling and reigning with Christ. Why not start practicing now? This is His kingdom, even though another may hold a permit for temporary occupancy. We are not hopeless, and certainly not helpless. Ask for the filling of the Holy Spirit to enable you to help prepare this world for the return of our King! Remained joined to the Head, and allow Him to live through you in His physical absence. And when you see that glorious, golden crowned Head appear, you will see that you have some crowns of your own to cast at His feet. “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” (1 Pet 5:4)
Questions:
1) Is there something or someone in your life whose hold over you seems so overpowering?
2) Are you feeling overwhelmed because of the need to control all things in your life?
3) If yes, then bring these cares and heavy burdens into subjection to the ultimate authority of Jesus Christ, and enjoy some rest and freedom.
His head of the finest Gold; His locks are wavy and black.
The head in Scripture often symbolizes the beginning, the lead, or the highest place of rank. Jesus says of Himself that He is the Alpha and the Omega; the first and the last. (Rev 1:11) There is no preeminence next to Christ. He is the head of all creation, first in rank and position to the Father. He is the light and life of all things; the general over the mighty heavenly host, and the High Priest over His people.
The Book of Hebrews tells us that this same Jesus – the King of kings, and Lord of lords, was made, for the duration of His humanity on earth, a little lower than the angels, but is now crowned with glory and honor, and is set over all of creation. Jesus, a partner of the three-fold God head and the giver of all life, bowed His royal head to live and to die for mankind. “Jesus Christ, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a slave, and coming in the likeness of man.” (Ph 2:6-7)
Not only did He humble Himself immeasurably to become a man, but He lowered Himself even further to become the Servant of man. Jesus said, “I have not come to be served, but to serve, and to give My life.” And, “I am among you as the One who serves.” (Lk 22:27) The Book of John tells us that, Jesus, “knowing from where He came, and where He was going, disrobed, stooped down and washed His disciple’s feet.” He was able to do the lowliest of tasks, yet also boldly speak to the most powerful of authorities, all because He knew who He was, whose He was, and where He was going. He was never ashamed and never shrunk back, but embodied confidence and conviction, as one who heads into battle with assurance of victory. And God the Father has exalted Him above all others. All things have now been put in subjection under his feet, and He reigns as Judge and Master of all.
His head of finest gold, portrays His complete innocence. Can you imagine what it must be like to never feel ashamed or remorseful because of something you have done? Jesus never felt any shame or guilt because He never had any reason to. He was incorruptible, triumphing faultlessly over all the temptations Satan could lay across His path. While He walked among us on earth, the Beloved held His majestic head high, not in pride, but in righteousness, wisdom, and blamelessness. Though He was saddened by the sin and suffering of man, He knew that He was the Answer and the Redeemer for the whole world, and that He would lead us into victory. “Thanks be to God, who always gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” (1 Cor 15:57)
At His resurrection, the Father put all things under Jesus’ feet and made Him the head over all things, Ephesians one tells us. Hebrews also says that truly Christ is the head over all, though we do not see Him as such now. How creation longs to see His gold laden brow enthroned upon this earth. It, with all the saints, yet still groans in their labor and pain waiting for the promise of His return. Even though the Bible says Jesus now reigns, our eyes see another still cruelly ruling this realm.
Yes, sadly Satan is still the prince of our world today. Our eyes see all the carnage of his hateful plan at work all around us, in our lives and those of our loved ones. Dissensions, hatred, rage and selfishness seem to permeate and define our world today. But we are not without hope. Soon that glorious day will dawn when we will see Him enthroned, wearing a crown of purest gold, ruling and reigning over all that is in heaven and earth! Take comfort, weary Christian. For, in that day, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that He is God! (Rom 14:11)
But while we wait, we can be about our Kings business. Upon His resurrection, He became the “Head of the church which is His body.” (Eph 1:22) Today, He leads the church, a global body of believers, by the power of the Holy Spirit and by the truth of His Word. We were not left as orphans when He ascended to the Father. But as a good leader, He provided the great comfort and might of His Spirit. (Jn 16)
How do we know that He is at work still today? And how do we know that His power is not diminished? Because that golden crown sits upon a head of hair which the Shulamite describes as black and wavy! “Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever,” Hebrews 13:8 says. He never grows old and grey haired. His vitality never decreases. His consistency, strength and youthful vigor never change. All of these qualities are embodied in the Person and Power of the Holy Spirit which dwells in and upon His believers. Jesus is the head of the church, and we are the arms, legs, mouth, and eyes. We, by His awesome, unlimited, unchanging power, can join in the work, as John the Baptist and the great prophet Isaiah did, of preparing a straight path for the King. “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” (Is 40:3)
Is anyone living in a spiritual wilderness or desert today besides me? Aren’t there dry, thirsty souls all around you? Aren’t there people in your life who are confused and lost, who need the straight, simple path revealed? In eternity, the Word says that we will be ruling and reigning with Christ. Why not start practicing now? This is His kingdom, even though another may hold a permit for temporary occupancy. We are not hopeless, and certainly not helpless. Ask for the filling of the Holy Spirit to enable you to help prepare this world for the return of our King! Remained joined to the Head, and allow Him to live through you in His physical absence. And when you see that glorious, golden crowned Head appear, you will see that you have some crowns of your own to cast at His feet. “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” (1 Pet 5:4)
Questions:
1) Is there something or someone in your life whose hold over you seems so overpowering?
2) Are you feeling overwhelmed because of the need to control all things in your life?
3) If yes, then bring these cares and heavy burdens into subjection to the ultimate authority of Jesus Christ, and enjoy some rest and freedom.
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