These are people who used to hate the light, and run from it. I like to think of myself as a patient man except, of course, when the kids or the co-workers, or someone (anyone) else has really pressed my nerves or my buttons repeatedly. (quoting Ladd)[vi], He goes on to say, The Kingdom of God involves two great moments: fulfillment within history, and consummation at the end of history.[vii]. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. He knows that they might not fully understand His words, but He knows that His words will never pass away (Matt. Prior to this verse, the Lord Jesus has been the one speaking, but many scholars believe that John 3:16 is actually John now commenting, and given the flow and narrative of the passage, I believe that this is correct. In other words, it was the love of Christ that compelled him to stay away for another two days, and it was the love of Christ for His Father that motivated His obedience to wait another two days. If you were in the garden, in the courtyard, at the temple, you would also have betrayed Christ. so much so that when these Pharisees saw Jesus eating with sinners it was enough to throw them into convulsions. And they shall come and shall see my glory, [19] and I will set a sign among them. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. Its applicable to what were looking at here, because I believe it will show us something of the character of God, and if we can catch a glimpse of that, perhaps we can more rightly appropriate what He is working in our lives through suffering and storms. Christians who carry out the fruit of their salvation in love toward others give glory to God. [3] So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. God is treating you as sons. Peter has no inhibitions about going in if something has happened to his friend hes going to know about it and see the whole matter for himself. The meaning is understood. These are sins that block the blood flow and clot the arteries of our faith, causing our thirst for the knowledge of God to dry up. This is the moment in which life and death decisions are being made. Those whom Christ has chosen to set His love upon from eternity past as HIS. Sproul, Everyones a Theologian, Pg. These women knew the heart of Christ so well, that for them there was no doubt that had He been there, His love would surely have spilled out over their brother. Only the Holy Spirit can effect that change in a mans heart. He has saved us and not to mope about in introspection for our entire lives, but to love others in service to our Lord. [11] Romano, August 24, 2013, mens campout, personal notes on his lesson. 15:8-10 Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? The verse simply says that God loves the world, and that Jesus came to die for those who would believe in Him. So the construction crew has to come and rebuild the foundation again. Ironically, Christ did this very thing in order make those who werent His family part of His family by sovereign adoption. And in that love the Father took deepest pleasure. Snow sits upon it in winterand the heat of the sun bakes it in the summer. The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. It was included in the Oxford Book of English Mystical Verse (1917). About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. He leads me beside still waters. Perhaps the most famous example of this is found in Exodus when God is said repeatedly to have hardened Pharaohs heart (Ex. The kingdom must not be understood as merely the salvation of certain individuals or even as the reign of God in the hearts of his people; it means nothing less that the reign of God over his entire created universe. It is this revealing of Gods character through created things, through His plan, and through His Son that we are to focus on here. It is a kingdom which will cover all the lands as the water covers the sea. Im sure you can look back at times in your life when you wanted so badly to fly here or go there or do this or that but you couldnt and perhaps as you look back on it now, it was for the better. The amillennialist would remind us of verses like we find at the end of Marks gospel, So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God (Mark 16:19 also see Ephesians 1:20-23)[i]. [viii] In fact, when God does turn us over to our own desires, they arent good, and the outcome is horrific! Amillennialists believe that the binding of Satan took place during Jesus earthly ministry; Satan was restrained while the gospel was preached to the world, and this restraint continues today.[xii]. Pride, anger, resentment had no place in this mans heart. Thousands of Bibles were confiscated, and multitudes of believers were sent to the gulags-prison camps-where . [15] So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. [32]Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died., Marys faith responded in an identical way to Marthas from the earlier verse. They were so close to the event itself, that what they were witnessing seemed confusing amidst their fears and sorrow. When John saw all these things his mind must have been quickly sifting through all the potential scenarios: grave robbers, Jewish leadership, Romans, revolutionariesor He rose up from death. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. So the word world is here used to refer to those achieving salvation the elect. Abrahams faith was of another variety altogether. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 482 ratings62 reviews. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. [22] But the father said to his servants, Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. In a recent biography of John Stott, Stott refers to Thompson's poem. Well, we certainly make that decision, but not until we are born again otherwise we would never desire to choose to believe. o Read Good Christian Authors: Many of us spend our time reading all fiction, or all one field or another. Christ called us to love our enemies (Matt. However, I think that this emphasis on the future nature of Christs kingdom does injustice to His victory at Calvary, and does not fully comprehend the fullness of Christs current reign. After looking into this a bit more I found that Spurgeon wasnt the first person to come up with this analogy! Realize that God is calling you not to a life of intellectual boredom, but to a renewed mind and transformed heart a mind which sees terrors as joys and trials as blessings. Supposing him to be the gardener, thenlet us bring forth fruit to him. 3)! This is our condition apart from Christ (Romans 5:10). The Author is expounding on some deep Christological truths mostly pertaining to the Priesthood of Jesus that required a foundational understanding already in place. He calls this critical realism, and its a via media between rationalism and fideism. 15:11-13 And he said, There was a man who had two sons. And, they do! Peter thought he had it together, he thought he had the stuff to succeed. The scene is a complex one. [12] As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. Ill say more about that in a moment. Sproul at this point at length: Many professing evangelicals today believe the kingdom of God is strictly in the future, although there is no biblical foundation for that. supposing him to be the gardener. If he is to have the honor of it, then labor to do that which will give him great renown. 1094. Spurgeon sees a rich typology in this passage. Thats consequently why I teach expositionally! (f) I think, besides this, that the respective positions of the disciples and Christ, when they first saw Him, may possibly be intended to represent the respective positions of Christ and His people during this dispensation. 28). Therefore, how do we rightly respond to these truths? The specific meaning, therefore, of, are there not twelve hours in the day is to remind them that the fullness of the days work (His ministry) had not yet faded. Chapter fifteen features three parables which showcase many aspects of the character of Jesus, but only one essential truth: God has gone to great lengths to save those who were lost and not thought worthy of the kingdom of God, and finds great joy in doing so! Just a final note before moving on to the next sectionit seems appropriate to simply mention that Jesus says that He is ascending to His Father and your Father. This is extremely significant. (1 Peter 2:2-3). It has been said by many who are experts in the Jewish law that these trials of Jesus were a sham. When He would have me pray, I would not pray, and when He would have me listen to the sound of the ministry, I would not. But more than that, there is this beautiful hope of eternity with the Lover of our soul. Because the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light., Judgment in this case is the obvious result of exposure. Make no mistake, every man, whether spiritually alive or spiritually dead, will face the judgment of Christ when He comes back in glory. We also see the kind of person he is chasing (sinners) and what the proper reply is to his calling (repentance). He is saying that there are no good people. We have all gone astray (Is. So because of the fall our natural state is one of deadness spiritually, and we naturally hate the light of the Gospel (John 3:19-21). John Frame notes that some older literature reveals that there are a few Post-mills who have said that is a part of this time now, but more will reside in the future. And thats the key word, is it not? It is so bold, so new, so fearless. [4] Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, Whom do you seek? [5] They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said to them, I am he. Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 11:27She said to him, Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.. To put it another way, He is not going to do the miracle so that He can receive praises from men, but rather to show men that He is praiseworthy. Sometimes God gives us the desires of our heart in order to show us that they are foolishness. There is a spiritual element of the Kingdom that has existed since God started redeeming men. How does it get in your mouth? [20] For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 27:11-14; Jn. This is the real central point of all of these parables, namely the great lengths to which Jesus has gone to rescue us from ourselves. These are the meat and potatoes of the Christian life! Father! [16] The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, [17] and if children, then heirsheirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. the Father knew that the measure of his Sons suffering was the depth of his Sons love for the Fathers glory. These are the kinds of things that make lesser men frustrated to the point of boiling over with anger. Nor would thieves likely have left the wrappings, containing expensive spices, behind. They dont want to hear that they are sinners and that their sin is wrong. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. 11:8-10The disciples said to him, Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again? [9]Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? As I was thinking on this passage this week, one of the great passages about love reminded me of Christs character here. Previously I was very skeptical about reading poetry (and admittedly didnt find them all that exciting!) Thats where you need it! The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Richard Burton reads the haunting poem . It has been a few months since you studied these passages, so let me just remind you that Jesus had come into Jerusalem riding on a colt people triumphantly praising His arrival, which John details in chapter 12. Christ permeates Pauls writing to such an extent that it would be impossible to read around it. Jesus had appeared to them prior, but apparently had not spent a lot of time in one-on-one discussion, or extended teaching of them yet (as in Acts 1:3). If this is not implied, there was no point even in sending Christ the message. In Isaiah 6 the response of Isaiah to the holiness of God is similar: [4] And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. In the context of the Fourth Gospel, these verses deal with Peters reinstatement to service, not his elevation to primacy.. We would do well to examine what Paul says about the nature of renewing our minds and the close connection between being renewed and the ability to discern the will of God., o Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2). Remember, He is not speaking to those who do not believe, but rather to those who love Him. Now Peter needed to have that same love for the sheep. (Hebrews 12:7-11). One of the things that fascinates me about the Biblical accounts of angels is their perspective. I hid from him, and under running laughter. Jesus has now achieved a great victory over Satan, sin, and deathThe Amil says that Satan no longer deceives the nations (20:3) as he did before the coming of Christ. The main thing we should take note of in these verses is that what Christ was doing was for the purposes of bringing glory to God (as mentioned earlier), and the phrase above so that you may believe does not modify that purpose or even add to it, but rather it explains more specifically how He will be glorified. [42] The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. [viii] What He is doing now in and through us by His Spirit and His Lordship over all history and creation is a shadow of what will be upon the consummation of His purposes. The weakness of man contrasted so clearly againstthe backdrop of Christs majestic power is hard to miss. They will do nothing of the kind. 23:6-12) and Jesus final appearance before Pilate (Mt. His character is certainly made known in many ways through suffering just think of all the times that men and women who have endured sickness have testified to the great and glorious character of Jesus Christ. And even they, in a negative sense, bring Him glory, since He displays His holiness by judging them. He hears the feet of Jesus beating after him as Jesus calls, "All things betray those who betray me.". I, p..69. There are several key points that we see here. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. [5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, (Philippians 2:4-5 ESV), Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. [32] It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.. O'Conor remarks of the Christian themes of the poem that, "The name is strange. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:17-20), He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. Autobiography, Vol. In any case, the way that John has laid out the text here is to show that Jesus is in control of all of these events. They had no idea how David could have called his descendent his Lord. They had not understood to this point the heavenly nature of the coming messiah. While Peter is denying, Jesus is embracing who He is and why He came. Those who have not been born again by the Spirit of God run as fast as they can from the gospel. In the first parable we see the lengths to which a good shepherd will go in order to find a lost sheep. It startles one at first. The second tricky topic here is the idea of judgment and condemnation and how it seems that verses 17 and 18 might not square with each other. (John 10:11-15), I am praying for them. Note what they say to her, Woman, why are you weeping? It isnt as though they dont know the reason shes weeping. God reveals Himself to us out of love for us and a desire for us to be ushered into a love relationship with the Trinity as adopted sons and daughters of God. What touches my heart so much about this passage in John is the tenderness of Jesus. When I read this passage several years ago I thought (rightly) that I cant teach anyone now, but realized that my inability wasnt God telling me not to teach, but rather it was Him calling me to learn and grow closer to Him in obedience in order to teach when the time presented itself. And we behold by reading, by praying, and by asking for Him to change us into the image of Christ, which He is gradually doing. Now it may seem odd to us, who do not have the full picture of the Jewish culture, that Martha would even know such a thing. 262-263. [11] For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Heart Savor The Lion Roars. Lastly, I think what is instructive about this verse is that the Lord spent His days on earth loving others. He is a God who has created all of these lost men and women fashioned them with His own hands. The Jesuit J.F.X. Because we have the mind of Christ, we must also elevate our thoughts to His, to celebrate the significance of a lost sinner coming to salvation. 1. Indeed the book of Revelation, as we mentioned earlier, was written to assure Christians that He is in control over all things He is the Lord of history. 53:6), no one does anything that is truly good in the eyes of the Holy God we serve (Roman 3:12). Both men were elevated to the highest positions in the land due to their faith. Luke 25.1-10. God be praised He has seen fit to pick me up and place me into both categories by His power. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. That is another sermon altogether! in the hearts of his people). No. I think there are two tricky things here. Start with the modern day Christian classics: Packers Knowing God, Sprouls Holiness of God, Pipers Desiring God, Lewis Mere Christianity, and Schaeffers True Spirituality. Scholars are at odds as to why Jesus would tell Mary not to touch Him, only to subsequently instruct Thomas to do so. I hope you find the notes enjoyable! For even though the millennium the 1,000 year reign of Christ mentioned in the first few verses of chapter 20 takes up a very short space in terms of the book itself, its importance is seen in how we interpret what its saying. It was first printed in 1890 in the periodical Merry England, later to appear in Thompson's first volume of poems in 1893. It is a supernatural strength which loves when hate is the natural (and perhaps deserved) response of our hearts. That is what is going on here Jesus has come to usher in the exodus and as He does this, He establishes His kingdom. DESIRE. But He goes on: [20] I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, [21] that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. John here says that, God so loved the world. In the gospel of John, the apostle uses the word world in at least 10 different ways: The word world (Greek: Kosmos) appears 185 times in the New Testament: 78 times in John, 8 in Matthew, 3 in Mark, and 3 also in Luke. 1:5 indicates His will for our adoption as sons). It vividly describes how God (the Hound of Heaven) chases down a wayward soul, never giving up the pursuit, "down the nights and down the daysdown the labyrinthine ways." G.K. The Grace-Filled Poem That G.K. Chesterton and J.R.R . The man who benefits from the miracle has been dead for fully 4 days. He knew what it was to lose a loved one. He enters into our sorrows with us. He is faithful, He will lift you out of the mire you find yourself in and set your life upon solid footing for eternity. Or are you resting in the name of the Son of God. Let him go up. (2 Chronicles 36:22-23 ESV). Assuredly, dear brethren, we can trace them to no other source than this, the corruption and vitiation of the affections. And to be a sinner, part of Adams fallen race, is to be without hope apart from the saving power of Jesus Christ. Section 3 The Sovereign Power of the Son of God. She gets to the tomb and the stone which covered the tombs entrance has been rolled away. They have dared to come before the burning bush without taking off the sandals, and in their ignorance and impudence theyve come to apprehend the One who fashioned the cells of their existence. 3:5), but trust in the Lord even when you cant see for the night that is closing in around you. (1 John 4:9-10). We might hide in the illicit romances of actors and actresses, but . No eye except that of the angels had as yet rested upon His form. 15:14-15 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. He isnt trying to just get himself out of a spot with the intention of going right back to the life he led before. But there are many reasons beyond our understanding that prevent that right now. Peter learned that fateful evening that though the spirit may be willing, the flesh is weak. [ix] R.C. In his book Chosen by God RC Sproul says this about John 3:16 and the distortions mentioned above, What does this famous verse teach about fallen mans ability to choose Christ? Youve heard of seeker-sensitive churches, but in this chapter we learn that it is God who is the seeker, and we see his character and his chase highlighted herein. He saves us for Himself, by Himself, from Himself. While Im not sure if Spurgeon was aware of and influenced by this poem, its hard not to see the parallels!Heres what 1 commentator John Francix Xavier Oonor wrote about the poem: The name is strange. There is the hope of forgiveness now on earth, of course, and of forgiveness and Christs righteousness imputed to us which we will hear from Gods mouth on that Day of Judgment. It isnt that Marthas faith is wrong, it is simply not matured, it simply hasnt grown into a full-orbed understanding of the character and nature and power of who God in Christ is, and what He is capable of doing. What is remarkable about these people is that they have been turned from sinners who love their sin, to those who love to give glory to God for anything good they do. Every time we hear Christ pray, or instruct us in prayer, we ought to pay close attention. The Hound in the poem is the Lord who continually seeks the writer even though the writer keeps running from Him. The poem became famous and was the source of much of Thompson's posthumous reputation. One might wonder why it was that the disciples werent putting two and two together here. [3] I appreciate the teaching of Tony Romano who brought this question to my attention two years ago during a campout when he spoke on this passage. Listen to what God put in the mouth of Cyrus: Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: [23]Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. But this is not that spiritual Kingdom of which we read here, but rather that earthly literal Kingdom which comes at the culmination of human history.[ii]. Believing on the name of Jesus is believing in what that name represents salvation. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, [26]and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. Pauls entire lens of thinking was seen through the Lordship prism of Jesus. Thats love. God doesnt do anything that is a waste of his time so to speak. His mercy is showcased in the way in which He loves the unlovable whom He amazingly sees as valuable enough to search the earth over for and saves them out of a wretched situation. A.W. A very straightforward proposition, however, just like not everyone would have been saved by the copper snake, not everyone is saved by Christs sacrifice. So John came first with his warning of the radical nearness of the kingdom. As the days of heaven on the earth. [10]For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
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