Man in God’s Garden
Revelation 22 Genesis 2 verse 4
Chapter 2 amplifies the first chapter, it focuses on man’s place in God’s creation.
Here is the name given to the Creator – ‘Jehovah’
Verse 4 has the name Jehovah used for the first time in the Bible. It means the Creator, the one who interacts with the world.
Here is the world with no shrub or trees yet
Shrubs are dependent on cultivation. There was no rain. There was no rice, wheat etc. Man just picked fruit from trees – it was wonderful.
Here is a world with no rain yet
It was watered by streams – verse 6, it came from subterranean sources. It had to be that way, there was no system to make rain. The water came from a constant source. Rain in unreliable, it comes when we don’t want it and does not come when we need it very often. Rain was held back as we saw as part of God’s judgement on the Earth in Amos. We can see God holding back rain when he was displeased with men.
Here is a world with a man
The profundity of this verse is that it describes man as a combination of what is low and what is high. It is man’s unique role to combine both dust and glory.
a) He is in a body formed of common stuff
We are formed like a pot on a potter’s wheel. We are made of dust – this shows the lowness of man, not evil. We are in a lowly condition.
b) He is a spirit and a living being.
This shows that man is great and glorious – a spiritual being. We are made of basic elements which is why we decay to dust. Adam means ‘ground’ or ‘from the ground’. It is significant in that we came from humble origins. It shows our smallness – see Genesis 18 verse 27, Abraham realises that he is insignificant and unworthy, as did Hannah, she saw God raised us from dust. Job uses dust 22 times – see Job 42 verse 6, he talks of ‘dust and ashes. It also indicates how frustrating life is – see Genesis 3 verse 19. In Psalm 90 verse 3 the writer see men as dust.
It is very abysmal when people die, there spirit leaves and their returns to the ground from which they came – this could be pessimistic. God has a solution, it is a message of good news, although we are made of dust and our spirit returns to God, God cares for us. Psalm 103 tells us God has compassion on those who fear him, he knows our frailty, he knows how bad we feel. He is compassionate on those who wish to be his children. When we feel so vulnerable, remember we have a compassionate God.
Man is a living being – God breathed his life into us. We are more than dust, we can know God. The body of dust is not the true us, we have a spirit, God breathed out and breathed into man so we can communicate with God and know him. Our value is not our body but our spirit, the life he gave us. It is a life that has to be yielded up to God – James 4 verse 14 tells us God can take it whenever he wishes. Isaiah 2 verse 22 tells us we can only take one breath at a time. God gives us eternal life. 1 Corinthians 15 verse 45 contrasts Adam – who became a living being, with the last Adam – Jesus – who became a life giving being, he breathed and gives life, a new hope of eternal life.
This means we are not to over pamper our bodies but we should be concerned more about what our hearts are like – our spiritual state –see Ecclesiastes 2 verse 6 and 7, we should seek to make our peace with God before our mortal life ends. We need to make sure we know God. Adam was born of God, without the recreation that Jesus brings we cannot see Heaven.
Here is a world with a graden.
a) It was a place prepared for him – verse 8
It was just right for Adam. People in the East love gardens – they are difficult to prepare because of the heat. Eden means pleasant.
b) It was a real place with rivers – verse 10
The whole place teemed with richness and prosperity. It was a specific place with a specific name rooted in history and geography. Our faith is based on reality.
c) It was an exceptional place with mineral wealth – Ezekiel 28 verse 13
It head great wealth. It was a poetic picture of wealth and prosperity. There were fragrant resins put there by God as there were minerals to be crafted, they had lasting value and beauty. It demonstrated the value of faith in God – our faith is more precious than these.
d) It was a delightful place with wonderful trees – verse 9
What would we plant? Cedars? Evergreens? Flowering? Fruit – mangos? Peaches? Cherries? They were lovely to look at and share. It was a paradise on Earth. Today we can still see beauty in the world, it reflects the beauty and wisdom of God. It compares with the way man has destroyed God’s beauty and ruined God’s creation. Man was in a perfect place and he was able to walk with God.
e) It was a place with two special trees
The tree of life was bang in the middle. It was very distinctive – unlike any in the world today. Trees in the Bible signify life – they show there is water and life in the landscape. This tree signified life in all its fullness – it came from God. In God’s garden was God’s tree, Adam and we could eat from it, it symbolised God’s blessing. We live not by our own power but from God’s blessing, he is the source of life. The Tree’s centrality shows how important it was, Adam needed a visible reminder of God and we need one too.
When Adam rebelled and took from the forbidden tree, the punishment was to be forbidden from the tree of life. Adam ate from it when he was in harmony with God, when he rebelled his harmony with God was gone, his life was out of kilter with God, there was so much unhappiness and heart ache, depression and social problems – how sad it is. Is there any hope? In Revelations 22 the tree reappears, Paradise is regained, the nations are healed, everything is healthy and beautiful, the world is transformed through the Lord Jesus.
This was God’s garden and God’s tree and to eat of it’s fruit spoke of fellowship with God. Like eating bread and wine at the Lord’s table it symbolised receiving God’s blessing of life and salvation. Man was created by God to live without dying, but when he sinned he was barred from access to the tree, a sign of the perfection and happiness he had lost.
But this wonderful Tree of Life re-appears at the end of the Bible. There is an image of happiness and fellowship regained. It symbolised the Lord Jesus Christ from whom we have eternal life - Revelation 22 verse 14. Who has the right to enjoy it? Those who are made clean by being cleansed from sin. Are we looking forward to enjoying the satisfying fruit of the Tree of Life in Heaven some day?
Sunday 29 April 2007
Sunday 22 April 2007
People Jesus met - Mary
People Jesus met – Mary
Luke 10 verses 38 to 42
There are three Marys mentioned in the Bible:
a) Mary of Nazareth – the mother of Jesus
b) Mary the wife of Jairus
c) Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus.
When Jesus was in Jerusalem he often came to Bethany which was on Mount Olivet. It was ¾ of an hour from Jerusalem. It was his favourite place while he was in Judea.
He only spent 3 nights in Jerusalem- one in the Garden and two in the tomb. He preferred to go to Bethany, he was familiar with this house. John calls it the Village of Mary. Luke says that Martha invited Jesus in – was she the eldest? The head of the house? She may have been a widow, Mary and Lazarus were younger siblings. None are mentioned as being married. People were married by twenty, so they could have been orphans. They are very natural and open with Jesus, Jesus is informal with them. They may have been rich – it seems to have been a big house.
Mary was a friend of our Lord
There was a friendly welcome to the home. Jesus had relatives in Galilee (as did the disciples) so he had someone to stay with there. In Judea he needed kindness and hospitality for respite from the crowds who drained his emotional and physical energy. He was very dependent on the kindness of people to take him in. He was poor, he needed hospitality. By grace he gave up riches in glory and for our sake became poor. This is an insight into his needs and dependency on others.
We know little of them except they invited him in, they were pleased to have him whenever he came to Jerusalem. They loved him, this was a practical expression and they served him. We may not be able show love by hospitality but we can show love to the lonely, homeless and aliens who come to our shores – we can befriend them and show them the gospel of our Lord.
Jesus came to the house after a busy – public teaching, answering questions and dealing with difficult people. Mary may have washed the feet of the disciples and the Lord Jesus..
Mary chose to listen to our Lord – verse 39
The disciples were probably glad to get off their feet, they gathered round our Lord, Mary joined the circle, with the disciples, she thirsted to know more.
a) She decided that this was not an opportunity to be missed
This was fellowship she rarely had, she listened to the disciples’ questions and Jesus’ answers. They had all sorts of problems and long conversations, how to be good ministers. Ministers need to gather together and help and encourage each other and learn from each other
b) She was fully attentive to his words.
She was so absorbed that she failed to think of the sister who was preparing a meal. She was so taken up she ignored food. She wanted to know answers to her questions more than anything else – it was her greatest need.
c) She sat quietly listening in a composed way
d) She sat at the Lord’s feet as a humble learner.
Do we want to be near to the Lord – how close do we want to be to him? She was very focussed.
e) She sat at the Lord’s feet as a humble learner.
Listening is the way to learn. We need to concentrate and pay attention or our minds wander. She was a good listener. It is a joy to preachers when people want to listen and learn. Mary was there, it was a simple thing to listen it showed that she loved the Lord and had a hunger for God’s word and to know the Lord. We can all sit at Jesus’ feet and learn and grow.
Mary’s choice upset her sister – verses 40 to 42
Mary is sitting with men listening, Martha is busy with food, she had a lot to do, probably grinding flour, preparing the lamb etc. She was probably honoured to have Jesus there but she needed help. She was getting hot and bothered. She probably coughed to get attention. She probably pretty well blew her top.
Hospitality comes at a price. Men can be very inconsiderate of what goes on in the kitchen as can children. From Philippians 4 verse 3 we know we need to help women who labour. Men and women are partners in the Gospel. Women often need a rest.
Mary’s choice was commended by the Lord.
a) Our Lord gently rebukes Martha by repeating her name.
Her desire to do what was right distracted her from what the Lord was saying.
(i) Martha’s mind was pulled in a thousand directions. There are too many things we worry about – Matthew 6 verse 31 tells us to seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, we must get our priorities right. Jesus did not like to see her so upset.
(ii) Martha let a hint of self righteousness creep in. She felt only she was doing something worthwhile. Christians can feel resentment in the same way.
(iii) Martha perhaps felt a touch of envy. She felt hot in the kitchen and wanted to swap places to do what Mary was doing. She felt hard done by. It was absurd to accuse Jesus of not caring.
(iv) Martha also pretty near blew her top.
b) Our Lord accepts the sisters were true believers but different.
Martha was a type A personality, she was driven and active. Mary was quiet and contemplative. It is so in many families. Both loved the Lord Jesus and wanted to serve the Lord, it was shown in different ways. We all agree on primary things, but in other things we are very different. Mary had qualities that Martha did not really appreciate. In the church there will be Mathas and Marys. Jesus accepted both.
c) Our Lord then commends what Mary was doing as being better.
Martha wanted Mary to be like her. Jesus did not want Martha to be like Mary. It is not active versus contemplative. Mary did the one thing needful. It was an opportunity not to be missed. Mary made that a priority, she left some things undone so she could be with the Lord Jesus. We need to discipline and prioritise our lives. The real answer to a peaceful heart is to seek God and be quiet before the Lord.
Summarising:
a) The Lord is saying that the Knowledge of God and worship is the most profitable thing we can do.
b) The Lord Jesus is saying it is something that we can never lose. Many things in life pass, we grow older, our friendships move on, and we change – see John 17 verse 3. The things we gain from Christ however, will never be lost. The love we experience now will be full and last forever, the peace we have now will be richer and deeper. The knowledge we have will blossom into complete knowledge.
Luke 10 verses 38 to 42
There are three Marys mentioned in the Bible:
a) Mary of Nazareth – the mother of Jesus
b) Mary the wife of Jairus
c) Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus.
When Jesus was in Jerusalem he often came to Bethany which was on Mount Olivet. It was ¾ of an hour from Jerusalem. It was his favourite place while he was in Judea.
He only spent 3 nights in Jerusalem- one in the Garden and two in the tomb. He preferred to go to Bethany, he was familiar with this house. John calls it the Village of Mary. Luke says that Martha invited Jesus in – was she the eldest? The head of the house? She may have been a widow, Mary and Lazarus were younger siblings. None are mentioned as being married. People were married by twenty, so they could have been orphans. They are very natural and open with Jesus, Jesus is informal with them. They may have been rich – it seems to have been a big house.
Mary was a friend of our Lord
There was a friendly welcome to the home. Jesus had relatives in Galilee (as did the disciples) so he had someone to stay with there. In Judea he needed kindness and hospitality for respite from the crowds who drained his emotional and physical energy. He was very dependent on the kindness of people to take him in. He was poor, he needed hospitality. By grace he gave up riches in glory and for our sake became poor. This is an insight into his needs and dependency on others.
We know little of them except they invited him in, they were pleased to have him whenever he came to Jerusalem. They loved him, this was a practical expression and they served him. We may not be able show love by hospitality but we can show love to the lonely, homeless and aliens who come to our shores – we can befriend them and show them the gospel of our Lord.
Jesus came to the house after a busy – public teaching, answering questions and dealing with difficult people. Mary may have washed the feet of the disciples and the Lord Jesus..
Mary chose to listen to our Lord – verse 39
The disciples were probably glad to get off their feet, they gathered round our Lord, Mary joined the circle, with the disciples, she thirsted to know more.
a) She decided that this was not an opportunity to be missed
This was fellowship she rarely had, she listened to the disciples’ questions and Jesus’ answers. They had all sorts of problems and long conversations, how to be good ministers. Ministers need to gather together and help and encourage each other and learn from each other
b) She was fully attentive to his words.
She was so absorbed that she failed to think of the sister who was preparing a meal. She was so taken up she ignored food. She wanted to know answers to her questions more than anything else – it was her greatest need.
c) She sat quietly listening in a composed way
d) She sat at the Lord’s feet as a humble learner.
Do we want to be near to the Lord – how close do we want to be to him? She was very focussed.
e) She sat at the Lord’s feet as a humble learner.
Listening is the way to learn. We need to concentrate and pay attention or our minds wander. She was a good listener. It is a joy to preachers when people want to listen and learn. Mary was there, it was a simple thing to listen it showed that she loved the Lord and had a hunger for God’s word and to know the Lord. We can all sit at Jesus’ feet and learn and grow.
Mary’s choice upset her sister – verses 40 to 42
Mary is sitting with men listening, Martha is busy with food, she had a lot to do, probably grinding flour, preparing the lamb etc. She was probably honoured to have Jesus there but she needed help. She was getting hot and bothered. She probably coughed to get attention. She probably pretty well blew her top.
Hospitality comes at a price. Men can be very inconsiderate of what goes on in the kitchen as can children. From Philippians 4 verse 3 we know we need to help women who labour. Men and women are partners in the Gospel. Women often need a rest.
Mary’s choice was commended by the Lord.
a) Our Lord gently rebukes Martha by repeating her name.
Her desire to do what was right distracted her from what the Lord was saying.
(i) Martha’s mind was pulled in a thousand directions. There are too many things we worry about – Matthew 6 verse 31 tells us to seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, we must get our priorities right. Jesus did not like to see her so upset.
(ii) Martha let a hint of self righteousness creep in. She felt only she was doing something worthwhile. Christians can feel resentment in the same way.
(iii) Martha perhaps felt a touch of envy. She felt hot in the kitchen and wanted to swap places to do what Mary was doing. She felt hard done by. It was absurd to accuse Jesus of not caring.
(iv) Martha also pretty near blew her top.
b) Our Lord accepts the sisters were true believers but different.
Martha was a type A personality, she was driven and active. Mary was quiet and contemplative. It is so in many families. Both loved the Lord Jesus and wanted to serve the Lord, it was shown in different ways. We all agree on primary things, but in other things we are very different. Mary had qualities that Martha did not really appreciate. In the church there will be Mathas and Marys. Jesus accepted both.
c) Our Lord then commends what Mary was doing as being better.
Martha wanted Mary to be like her. Jesus did not want Martha to be like Mary. It is not active versus contemplative. Mary did the one thing needful. It was an opportunity not to be missed. Mary made that a priority, she left some things undone so she could be with the Lord Jesus. We need to discipline and prioritise our lives. The real answer to a peaceful heart is to seek God and be quiet before the Lord.
Summarising:
a) The Lord is saying that the Knowledge of God and worship is the most profitable thing we can do.
b) The Lord Jesus is saying it is something that we can never lose. Many things in life pass, we grow older, our friendships move on, and we change – see John 17 verse 3. The things we gain from Christ however, will never be lost. The love we experience now will be full and last forever, the peace we have now will be richer and deeper. The knowledge we have will blossom into complete knowledge.
God made man in his own image
God made us in his image
Genesis 2 verse 4 to 20
Man is the crown of God’s creation. If God is the giver of life and we are the reflectors of then this has consequences:
a) No slavery
b) No racism
c) No murder
d) No euthanasia
e) No abortion
God made man in his own image, therefore life is to be protected and preserved
a) Therefore assisted suicide is wrong
This is a social ethic focused on our own rights and what we think is good not what God says.
b) Therefore infanticide is wrong
60 million females are missing in China, 5 million baby girls are murdered in India every year. The social consequences are that there are 60 million surplus men in China. There will be a gender imbalance in China and India, they will become male dominated societies because man has tried to play God.
In Greek and Roman culture they had many unwanted little girls and they were often put to death when older.
This is the effect of sin in the hearts of men, when people forget all human beings are made in the image of God and are reflectors of him. In Western society men try to deny responsibility by claiming they are a product of genes or a combination of the environment and experiences, they ‘can’t help what they do’ – individuals are not responsible for what they do, they are victims of their environment. This is in conflict with God’s word – we are morally responsible towards God.
Consequences and responsibilities
Chapter 2 fills in Chapter 1, it gives details.
a) God made us in his image to fill the earth.
We have the ability to reproduce ourselves with others made in God’s image. We have offspring. To us alone God told us to fill the Earth. What about today? Then, it was empty, man had to spread out and fill the Earth. Today there is a danger of overcrowding, we have to spread out.
It does not mean we all have to marry and have children. Many single people live useful and good lives, some are unable to have children. But we must beware of declining to have children so you can live a selfish and materialistic life. Children are a great blessing and joy to us. Our role in the World is to multiply more images of God. We are to fill the World with representatives of him, we are to lead them to becoming redeemed images of God – restored to a relationship with God. We must seek to have a World where people walk with Him.
b) God has made us to be stewards of creation
(i) Adam was to rule the World
Man alone rules over the World. Conservation should not overrule development. We should harness and develop to the glory of God. New technology such as radio, the Internet, Satellite TV etc should be used to spread the Gospel.
Animals are given for us but not to misuse them. Human life is of greater value than animal life. Animal rights is wrong, man is on a higher plane. We are permitted to, within limits, experiment on animals and genetically modify plants.
God blesses work, we are to use what is in the World. It is good for us to be busy. One who is lazy but claims to be religious is sinning. We must us precious time well and honour God.
(ii) Adam was to cultivate the Garden
He had to honour God in the Garden. We should, today, tend the gardens and land God has given us. We should make it show all of God’s glory and beauty. Work has always been dignified – God made it so. Adam was busy under God’s guidance, in Paradise we will have an occupation and be busy in Heaven – it will be paradise, we will have an occupation.
(iii) Adam was to name the animals
Chapter 2 verse 19 – Adam named the animals, this was very practical. As master of God’s world he had to classify the animals. He had to name them wisely, he was the first biologist and botanist, it was God’s work for Adam. Before the fall God gave man physical and mental work. Since the fall work has been exhausting. While Adam’s hands were about the trees, his heart was with God.
c) God made us to enjoy the food he gave us.
God has made us to enjoy the food he gave us in verse 29. Everything that grew – it was just fruit and vegetables, nothing died in the World. We had a sense of taste and smell to enjoy it.
d) Conclusion
It was a perfect World. Now it is an untamed world. It was a wonderful, perfect world. It is now not the perfect world that God made – it has dangerous animals and plants, diseases etc. there are many problems.
Hebrews 2 verse 7 – Jesus is the solution of men’s problems. He came in the flesh as the second Adam and took on the dominion mandate. He came into a world full of heartache, stress and disaster. There is hope, it is in God’s son. He died and rose again. He has the power to put things right, but not yet, he will come a second time. Paradise will be restored, Eden regained – we can see this in Revelations 21 verse 4, the old order will pass away. The World will be restored – see Isaiah 11 verse 6, this is a picture of Paradise, there will be no harm or destruction, the Earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the water covers the sea. It will be a world of harmony and order where man walks with God. We will be at one with our maker.
Is this your destiny, your expectation? By Christ’s grace will you be there? It can be if you put your faith in Christ as your saviour.
Genesis 2 verse 4 to 20
Man is the crown of God’s creation. If God is the giver of life and we are the reflectors of then this has consequences:
a) No slavery
b) No racism
c) No murder
d) No euthanasia
e) No abortion
God made man in his own image, therefore life is to be protected and preserved
a) Therefore assisted suicide is wrong
This is a social ethic focused on our own rights and what we think is good not what God says.
b) Therefore infanticide is wrong
60 million females are missing in China, 5 million baby girls are murdered in India every year. The social consequences are that there are 60 million surplus men in China. There will be a gender imbalance in China and India, they will become male dominated societies because man has tried to play God.
In Greek and Roman culture they had many unwanted little girls and they were often put to death when older.
This is the effect of sin in the hearts of men, when people forget all human beings are made in the image of God and are reflectors of him. In Western society men try to deny responsibility by claiming they are a product of genes or a combination of the environment and experiences, they ‘can’t help what they do’ – individuals are not responsible for what they do, they are victims of their environment. This is in conflict with God’s word – we are morally responsible towards God.
Consequences and responsibilities
Chapter 2 fills in Chapter 1, it gives details.
a) God made us in his image to fill the earth.
We have the ability to reproduce ourselves with others made in God’s image. We have offspring. To us alone God told us to fill the Earth. What about today? Then, it was empty, man had to spread out and fill the Earth. Today there is a danger of overcrowding, we have to spread out.
It does not mean we all have to marry and have children. Many single people live useful and good lives, some are unable to have children. But we must beware of declining to have children so you can live a selfish and materialistic life. Children are a great blessing and joy to us. Our role in the World is to multiply more images of God. We are to fill the World with representatives of him, we are to lead them to becoming redeemed images of God – restored to a relationship with God. We must seek to have a World where people walk with Him.
b) God has made us to be stewards of creation
(i) Adam was to rule the World
Man alone rules over the World. Conservation should not overrule development. We should harness and develop to the glory of God. New technology such as radio, the Internet, Satellite TV etc should be used to spread the Gospel.
Animals are given for us but not to misuse them. Human life is of greater value than animal life. Animal rights is wrong, man is on a higher plane. We are permitted to, within limits, experiment on animals and genetically modify plants.
God blesses work, we are to use what is in the World. It is good for us to be busy. One who is lazy but claims to be religious is sinning. We must us precious time well and honour God.
(ii) Adam was to cultivate the Garden
He had to honour God in the Garden. We should, today, tend the gardens and land God has given us. We should make it show all of God’s glory and beauty. Work has always been dignified – God made it so. Adam was busy under God’s guidance, in Paradise we will have an occupation and be busy in Heaven – it will be paradise, we will have an occupation.
(iii) Adam was to name the animals
Chapter 2 verse 19 – Adam named the animals, this was very practical. As master of God’s world he had to classify the animals. He had to name them wisely, he was the first biologist and botanist, it was God’s work for Adam. Before the fall God gave man physical and mental work. Since the fall work has been exhausting. While Adam’s hands were about the trees, his heart was with God.
c) God made us to enjoy the food he gave us.
God has made us to enjoy the food he gave us in verse 29. Everything that grew – it was just fruit and vegetables, nothing died in the World. We had a sense of taste and smell to enjoy it.
d) Conclusion
It was a perfect World. Now it is an untamed world. It was a wonderful, perfect world. It is now not the perfect world that God made – it has dangerous animals and plants, diseases etc. there are many problems.
Hebrews 2 verse 7 – Jesus is the solution of men’s problems. He came in the flesh as the second Adam and took on the dominion mandate. He came into a world full of heartache, stress and disaster. There is hope, it is in God’s son. He died and rose again. He has the power to put things right, but not yet, he will come a second time. Paradise will be restored, Eden regained – we can see this in Revelations 21 verse 4, the old order will pass away. The World will be restored – see Isaiah 11 verse 6, this is a picture of Paradise, there will be no harm or destruction, the Earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the water covers the sea. It will be a world of harmony and order where man walks with God. We will be at one with our maker.
Is this your destiny, your expectation? By Christ’s grace will you be there? It can be if you put your faith in Christ as your saviour.
Wednesday 18 April 2007
People Jesus met - John
People Jesus met - John
The greatest love we can know is God’s love. You may seek human love and never find it to your satisfaction, but divine love will never be denied you if you sincerely seek it.
[1] WHO WAS JOHN THE DISCIPLE JESUS LOVED.
John the apostle was first cousin to Jesus.
A] Our Lord gave him and his brother a nickname Mark 3:17
. Our Lord gave him and his brother a nickname Mark 3:17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder)
It is not known why this name was given to James and John. They are nowhere else called by it. Some think it was because they wished to call down fire from heaven, and consume a certain village of the Samaritans, who rejected Jesus. Luke 9:54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" It is quite likely that Jesus knew the brothers before he called them to follow, so it may have been their loud voice; or quick temper but possibly their spiritual power and courage in opposing the enemies of Christ.
B] John’s mother had ambitions for him and his brother probably because of the family connection. Matthew 20:
"What is it you want?" he asked. She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom."
C] John was with Jesus at important junctures. Mark 9:2 Mark 14:33
Peter, James and John were the only witnesses of the raising of Jairus' daughter; the transfiguration and present in the garden of Gethsemane. Mark 9:2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them.
D] John was an eyewitness of so much that occurred in Jesus life.
He knew the capacity of the stone pots, distances rowed, the type of bread eaten, and even the number of fish caught post resurrection.
E] John was prominent in the early church.
After the ascension of our Lord, John continued to live at Jerusalem, where he together with Peter, took a prominent part in the founding of the church. He was with Peter at the healing of the lame man in the Temple and with Peter was thrown into prison and with Peter visiting Samaria.
About A. D. 65, it is thought, he moved to Ephesus, and worked to spread the gospel in Asia Minor. Thirty years after, he was banished to the isle of Patmos, where he wrote the Apocalypse. He afterwards returned to Ephesus, and lived to a very great age, so that he could scarcely go to the assembly of the church without being carried by his disciples. His custom was to say in all assemblies, "Little children, love one another;" and when they wondered at his frequent repetition of this concise exhortation, his answer was, "This is what the Lord commands you; and this, if you do it, is sufficient." When John was old he trained Polycarp, later Bishop of Smyrna.
Chrysostom, Clement, and Eusebius relate that on his return from Patmos he found that a young man of promise under his charge had joined a band of robbers; so the aged apostle sought him out in his mountain haunts, and by the blessing of God on his fearless and faithful love, reclaimed his soul from death.
He died at Ephesus, A. D. 100, being then, according to Epiphanius, ninety-four years of age. Several fathers mention his grave as being there.
[2] WHY IS JOHN KNOWN AS THE DISCIPLE JESUS LOVED.
Throughout his gospel and more particularly near the end of it, when he comes to record something he was witness to he has a characteristic way of referring to himself.
He speaks of “another disciple,” and, “that other disciple,” and then, of “that disciple whom Jesus loved.” These are the names by which he describes himself through his own Gospel, “incognito.” He intends to conceal himself behind his Saviour.
He is not that disciple who loved Jesus, but “whom Jesus loved , he is not that disciple who did anything, but who received love from Jesus.”
John named himself and all the early writers recognize him under that title. It may be that the others suggest it. At first sight it seems rather egotistical, but it seems John has a sweet naiveté which makes him quite forget himself.
So far from there being any pride in it, it just shows the simplicity of his spirit, the transparency of his character and his complete self-forgetfulness.
Love was a recurring theme in much of John's writings, this from a man who had experienced love from the master teacher of love. In John's letters, he makes more than twenty-five references to love.
That love was a powerful motivation to him as long as he lived.
How could he be disloyal to Him who had loved him so? How could he refuse to bear witness to the Gospel of the Saviour who had loved him so?
What journeys could be too long for the disciple whom Jesus loved? What mobs of unkind men could dismay him whom Jesus loved? No, in the power of that name John becomes bold and faithful and he serves his loving Friend with all his heart.
[3] WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM JOHN THE DISCIPLE JESUS LOVED.
Scripture and experience recognizes that our love to the Lord will be found to vary from Christian to Christian.
The love of Mary of Bethany, who anointed the Lord with "the very precious ointment," was surely greater than that of the indignant disciples who said, "why this waste?"
The love of Mary of Magdala, who "stood outside the tomb crying," exceeded, on that occasion, the love of the disciples who "went away again to their own home."
Moreover, our own love may wax and wane. Under the pressure of life’s problems and the attractions of the world, this love may become faint, as in the case of Demas of whom the Apostle Paul said, he "has forsaken me, having loved this present world."
Thus while love to the Lord is very precious in His sight and to be cherished and preserved by the believer, yet, it is clear, we cannot trust in a love that is so liable to change. The love that we alone can rest in must be the love that knows no change — the love that abides - the love of Christ for His own.
"Our souls thro' many changes go: His love no change can ever know."
It is the realization and enjoyment of the love of Christ that arouses our love to Him. "We love Him," says the apostle, "because He first loved us."
Hence our love to Christ will be according to the measure in which we realize His love to us. If we would love the Lord more, then we must let our souls bask in His love to us.
This is so beautifully seen in the Apostle John, in the closing scenes of the Lord's life.
We find John often in the company of Peter and both disciples loved the Lord with a true and deep love beyond that of most, for it led them to leave all and follow Him.
Peter however, trusted in his love to the Lord, while John rested in the Lord's love to him. This is the difference between these two men, and explains the different reactions.
Peter in genuine love to the Lord, he can say, "I am ready to go with you, both into prison and to death": and again, Mt 26:33 Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." Peter, in love for the Lord, drew his sword in defence of his Master. So, both by words and deeds, he says, "I am the man that loves the Lord."
In contrast to Peter, the Apostle John five times, in these last scenes, describes himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." In this wonderful love John delighted, and on this boundless love he rested. It’s so wonderful that His love should so affect us that we love Him, but it’s far more wonderful that He should love us.
[4] WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM JOHN
A] JOHN KNEW HOW INTIMATE JESUS LOVE WAS.
John 13:23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.
John and Peter were sent into the city to make the preparation for the final Passover meal.
It is in this Upper Room we have the first occasion on which John is called "the disciple whom Jesus loved", as described in John 13. What a scene is that! Jesus is there with a love that can never end, for John 13:1 Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. John is there delighting himself in the fullness of the love of Christ, and so close he was actually touching Jesus.
We know the depth of someone's love for us by the freedom with which they love us. If a person does good things for us because someone is making them, when they don't really want to, then we don't think the love is very deep. Love is deep in proportion to its liberty. It needs to be free and willing. So we see the depth of Christ's love for us in his freedom: "No one takes my life from me; I lay it down of my own accord" John 10:18.
In Jesus we see how very near His love has brought Him to men like ourselves, John rested his head on the One who lived in the embrace of the Father.
In John we see what the heart of the Saviour can do for a sinner, bringing him to perfect rest in perfect love.
To be near the Lord is the best place to ask questions and the best place to get answers.
B] JOHN KNEW HOW DEEP JESUS LOVE WAS.
John 19:26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing near by, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son,"
He was present and an eyewitness at the scene of the Saviour’s crucifixion. There he saw as never before the depth of the love of the Saviour for people like Himself, there he saw the Lamb of God being sacrificed for such as he was. He had first believed when Christ was pointed out to Him as the Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world. Now he saw the Lamb die and it must have hit him so very hard.
We know the depth of someone's love for us by what it costs them: if they sacrifice their life for us, it assures us of deeper love than if they only sacrifice a few bruises. So John and we see the depth of Christ's love by the greatness of what it cost him.
He also saw his loving master whilst in such agony having the presence of mind and the deep love to think of his own mother Mary and commit her to her nephews care.
C] JOHN KNEW HOW TRUE JESUS LOVE WAS.
John 20:2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!"
John is presented as the disciple whom Jesus loved on the resurrection morning, and again is found in association with Peter. The two disciples, learning from the women that the tomb is empty, run there. John being younger outran Peter but let Peter enter the tomb first. All Christ had said about being crucified, buried and rising again were faithful and true. All his loving counsel and preparation of them for the hour of trial had fallen on deaf ears and they had forsaken or denied association with Him. They failed but His love did not.
We know the depth of someone's love for us by how little we deserve it. If we have failed and offended him, as we have, His love is all the more wonderful in bearing with us. The more undeserving we are, the more amazing and deep is his love for us. So we see the depth of Christ’s love in relation to how undeserving are the objects of his love.
D] JOHN KNEW HOW TENDER JESUS LOVE WAS.
John 21:7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!"
I think this is the only remark recorded in the Gospel which was altogether John’s. Peter had led the others back to their old occupation. They followed and toiled all night, and for their pains caught nothing. When the morning came, "Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus."
John stood in the boat and called out when he saw Jesus on the shore -. “It is the Lord,” this was the glad cry of love, overjoyed at the sight of the Lord! His Lord and Redeemer was alive, forgiveness and eternal life was theirs.
We know the depth of someone's love for us by the greatness of the benefits we receive in being loved. If we are helped to escape from an oppressive captivity and given freedom for the rest of our life, we will feel loved. And if we are rescued from eternal torment and given a place in the presence of God with fullness of joy and pleasures for evermore, we will know a depth of love that surpasses all others.
So we will see the depth of Christ's love by the greatness of the benefits we receive in being loved by him.
E] JOHN KNEW HOW WISE JESUS LOVE WAS
John 21:20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" 22 Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.
John realised how kind was the love of Jesus to come to restore and re-commission him and his friend Peter. Peter seemed to want the companionship of John permanently.
John is witness to this dialogue that saw Peter restored. This is fitting for John was that "other disciple" who with Peter followed Jesus into the palace of the high-priest 18:15.
The threefold questioning of the Lord is to get to the root of Peter’s heart. It is as if the Lord said, "After all that has happened, do you still maintain, Peter, that you love Me more than these?"
With the 2nd question, the Lord says simply, "do you love Me?"
With the 3rd question, the Lord, asks, "Are you attached to Me?"
By his 3rd answer Peter says, Lord, you know all things; you know I am attached to you.
It is as if Peter at last said, "I cannot trust my love, or talk of my love, or what I will do, but Lord, You know all things, and You know my heart, I will leave You to estimate my love, and tell me what to do."
The Lord says, "Don’t trust in your love to do great things for Me, go out and "Feed My sheep", "Glorify God", and "Follow Me".
John’s life and testimony says to us all, we must receive true love before we can really know how to love. John reminds us emphatically that, "We love because he first loved us" 1 John 4:19.
When we have experienced God’s love, we are impelled to love. We can finally find a way to reverse the pattern of self-centeredness that dominates our lives.
Jesus is the supreme illustration of the effect of God’s love in a person’s life. The eternal love relationship between God the Father and God the Son was the storehouse that supplied Jesus’ earthly life and ministry with an inexhaustible source of love
Spurgeon- God loves me-not merely bears with me, thinks of me, feeds me, but loves me.
Who is it that loves me? God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the Almighty.
And who is it that He loves? Me. He loves me, an insignificant nobody, full of sin--who deserved to be in hell, who loves Him so little in return--God loves me.
And how did He love me? He loved me so that He gave up His only Son for me, to be nailed to the tree, and made to bleed and die.
And because He loved me and forgave me, I am on the way to heaven, and I shall see His face and sing His praises. He loved me before I was born; before a star began to shine, He loved me, and He has never ceased to do so all these years. When I have sinned, He has loved me; when I have forgotten Him, He has loved me; and He will love me when my knees tremble and my hair is gray. He will bear and carry His servant; and He will love me forever and ever."
If we can say little of our love to Him, we can safely sing of His love to us.
It is the privilege of the youngest believer to say, "I am a disciple that Jesus loves," and the oldest and most advanced disciple can say nothing greater, for all blessing is found in His all-embracing love, that led Him to die for us that we too might go in our small way, and glorify God, and follow Him into the glory where He has gone.
The greatest love we can know is God’s love. You may seek human love and never find it to your satisfaction, but divine love will never be denied you if you sincerely seek it.
[1] WHO WAS JOHN THE DISCIPLE JESUS LOVED.
John the apostle was first cousin to Jesus.
A] Our Lord gave him and his brother a nickname Mark 3:17
. Our Lord gave him and his brother a nickname Mark 3:17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder)
It is not known why this name was given to James and John. They are nowhere else called by it. Some think it was because they wished to call down fire from heaven, and consume a certain village of the Samaritans, who rejected Jesus. Luke 9:54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" It is quite likely that Jesus knew the brothers before he called them to follow, so it may have been their loud voice; or quick temper but possibly their spiritual power and courage in opposing the enemies of Christ.
B] John’s mother had ambitions for him and his brother probably because of the family connection. Matthew 20:
"What is it you want?" he asked. She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom."
C] John was with Jesus at important junctures. Mark 9:2 Mark 14:33
Peter, James and John were the only witnesses of the raising of Jairus' daughter; the transfiguration and present in the garden of Gethsemane. Mark 9:2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them.
D] John was an eyewitness of so much that occurred in Jesus life.
He knew the capacity of the stone pots, distances rowed, the type of bread eaten, and even the number of fish caught post resurrection.
E] John was prominent in the early church.
After the ascension of our Lord, John continued to live at Jerusalem, where he together with Peter, took a prominent part in the founding of the church. He was with Peter at the healing of the lame man in the Temple and with Peter was thrown into prison and with Peter visiting Samaria.
About A. D. 65, it is thought, he moved to Ephesus, and worked to spread the gospel in Asia Minor. Thirty years after, he was banished to the isle of Patmos, where he wrote the Apocalypse. He afterwards returned to Ephesus, and lived to a very great age, so that he could scarcely go to the assembly of the church without being carried by his disciples. His custom was to say in all assemblies, "Little children, love one another;" and when they wondered at his frequent repetition of this concise exhortation, his answer was, "This is what the Lord commands you; and this, if you do it, is sufficient." When John was old he trained Polycarp, later Bishop of Smyrna.
Chrysostom, Clement, and Eusebius relate that on his return from Patmos he found that a young man of promise under his charge had joined a band of robbers; so the aged apostle sought him out in his mountain haunts, and by the blessing of God on his fearless and faithful love, reclaimed his soul from death.
He died at Ephesus, A. D. 100, being then, according to Epiphanius, ninety-four years of age. Several fathers mention his grave as being there.
[2] WHY IS JOHN KNOWN AS THE DISCIPLE JESUS LOVED.
Throughout his gospel and more particularly near the end of it, when he comes to record something he was witness to he has a characteristic way of referring to himself.
He speaks of “another disciple,” and, “that other disciple,” and then, of “that disciple whom Jesus loved.” These are the names by which he describes himself through his own Gospel, “incognito.” He intends to conceal himself behind his Saviour.
He is not that disciple who loved Jesus, but “whom Jesus loved , he is not that disciple who did anything, but who received love from Jesus.”
John named himself and all the early writers recognize him under that title. It may be that the others suggest it. At first sight it seems rather egotistical, but it seems John has a sweet naiveté which makes him quite forget himself.
So far from there being any pride in it, it just shows the simplicity of his spirit, the transparency of his character and his complete self-forgetfulness.
Love was a recurring theme in much of John's writings, this from a man who had experienced love from the master teacher of love. In John's letters, he makes more than twenty-five references to love.
That love was a powerful motivation to him as long as he lived.
How could he be disloyal to Him who had loved him so? How could he refuse to bear witness to the Gospel of the Saviour who had loved him so?
What journeys could be too long for the disciple whom Jesus loved? What mobs of unkind men could dismay him whom Jesus loved? No, in the power of that name John becomes bold and faithful and he serves his loving Friend with all his heart.
[3] WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM JOHN THE DISCIPLE JESUS LOVED.
Scripture and experience recognizes that our love to the Lord will be found to vary from Christian to Christian.
The love of Mary of Bethany, who anointed the Lord with "the very precious ointment," was surely greater than that of the indignant disciples who said, "why this waste?"
The love of Mary of Magdala, who "stood outside the tomb crying," exceeded, on that occasion, the love of the disciples who "went away again to their own home."
Moreover, our own love may wax and wane. Under the pressure of life’s problems and the attractions of the world, this love may become faint, as in the case of Demas of whom the Apostle Paul said, he "has forsaken me, having loved this present world."
Thus while love to the Lord is very precious in His sight and to be cherished and preserved by the believer, yet, it is clear, we cannot trust in a love that is so liable to change. The love that we alone can rest in must be the love that knows no change — the love that abides - the love of Christ for His own.
"Our souls thro' many changes go: His love no change can ever know."
It is the realization and enjoyment of the love of Christ that arouses our love to Him. "We love Him," says the apostle, "because He first loved us."
Hence our love to Christ will be according to the measure in which we realize His love to us. If we would love the Lord more, then we must let our souls bask in His love to us.
This is so beautifully seen in the Apostle John, in the closing scenes of the Lord's life.
We find John often in the company of Peter and both disciples loved the Lord with a true and deep love beyond that of most, for it led them to leave all and follow Him.
Peter however, trusted in his love to the Lord, while John rested in the Lord's love to him. This is the difference between these two men, and explains the different reactions.
Peter in genuine love to the Lord, he can say, "I am ready to go with you, both into prison and to death": and again, Mt 26:33 Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." Peter, in love for the Lord, drew his sword in defence of his Master. So, both by words and deeds, he says, "I am the man that loves the Lord."
In contrast to Peter, the Apostle John five times, in these last scenes, describes himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." In this wonderful love John delighted, and on this boundless love he rested. It’s so wonderful that His love should so affect us that we love Him, but it’s far more wonderful that He should love us.
[4] WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM JOHN
A] JOHN KNEW HOW INTIMATE JESUS LOVE WAS.
John 13:23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.
John and Peter were sent into the city to make the preparation for the final Passover meal.
It is in this Upper Room we have the first occasion on which John is called "the disciple whom Jesus loved", as described in John 13. What a scene is that! Jesus is there with a love that can never end, for John 13:1 Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. John is there delighting himself in the fullness of the love of Christ, and so close he was actually touching Jesus.
We know the depth of someone's love for us by the freedom with which they love us. If a person does good things for us because someone is making them, when they don't really want to, then we don't think the love is very deep. Love is deep in proportion to its liberty. It needs to be free and willing. So we see the depth of Christ's love for us in his freedom: "No one takes my life from me; I lay it down of my own accord" John 10:18.
In Jesus we see how very near His love has brought Him to men like ourselves, John rested his head on the One who lived in the embrace of the Father.
In John we see what the heart of the Saviour can do for a sinner, bringing him to perfect rest in perfect love.
To be near the Lord is the best place to ask questions and the best place to get answers.
B] JOHN KNEW HOW DEEP JESUS LOVE WAS.
John 19:26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing near by, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son,"
He was present and an eyewitness at the scene of the Saviour’s crucifixion. There he saw as never before the depth of the love of the Saviour for people like Himself, there he saw the Lamb of God being sacrificed for such as he was. He had first believed when Christ was pointed out to Him as the Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world. Now he saw the Lamb die and it must have hit him so very hard.
We know the depth of someone's love for us by what it costs them: if they sacrifice their life for us, it assures us of deeper love than if they only sacrifice a few bruises. So John and we see the depth of Christ's love by the greatness of what it cost him.
He also saw his loving master whilst in such agony having the presence of mind and the deep love to think of his own mother Mary and commit her to her nephews care.
C] JOHN KNEW HOW TRUE JESUS LOVE WAS.
John 20:2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!"
John is presented as the disciple whom Jesus loved on the resurrection morning, and again is found in association with Peter. The two disciples, learning from the women that the tomb is empty, run there. John being younger outran Peter but let Peter enter the tomb first. All Christ had said about being crucified, buried and rising again were faithful and true. All his loving counsel and preparation of them for the hour of trial had fallen on deaf ears and they had forsaken or denied association with Him. They failed but His love did not.
We know the depth of someone's love for us by how little we deserve it. If we have failed and offended him, as we have, His love is all the more wonderful in bearing with us. The more undeserving we are, the more amazing and deep is his love for us. So we see the depth of Christ’s love in relation to how undeserving are the objects of his love.
D] JOHN KNEW HOW TENDER JESUS LOVE WAS.
John 21:7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!"
I think this is the only remark recorded in the Gospel which was altogether John’s. Peter had led the others back to their old occupation. They followed and toiled all night, and for their pains caught nothing. When the morning came, "Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus."
John stood in the boat and called out when he saw Jesus on the shore -. “It is the Lord,” this was the glad cry of love, overjoyed at the sight of the Lord! His Lord and Redeemer was alive, forgiveness and eternal life was theirs.
We know the depth of someone's love for us by the greatness of the benefits we receive in being loved. If we are helped to escape from an oppressive captivity and given freedom for the rest of our life, we will feel loved. And if we are rescued from eternal torment and given a place in the presence of God with fullness of joy and pleasures for evermore, we will know a depth of love that surpasses all others.
So we will see the depth of Christ's love by the greatness of the benefits we receive in being loved by him.
E] JOHN KNEW HOW WISE JESUS LOVE WAS
John 21:20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" 22 Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.
John realised how kind was the love of Jesus to come to restore and re-commission him and his friend Peter. Peter seemed to want the companionship of John permanently.
John is witness to this dialogue that saw Peter restored. This is fitting for John was that "other disciple" who with Peter followed Jesus into the palace of the high-priest 18:15.
The threefold questioning of the Lord is to get to the root of Peter’s heart. It is as if the Lord said, "After all that has happened, do you still maintain, Peter, that you love Me more than these?"
With the 2nd question, the Lord says simply, "do you love Me?"
With the 3rd question, the Lord, asks, "Are you attached to Me?"
By his 3rd answer Peter says, Lord, you know all things; you know I am attached to you.
It is as if Peter at last said, "I cannot trust my love, or talk of my love, or what I will do, but Lord, You know all things, and You know my heart, I will leave You to estimate my love, and tell me what to do."
The Lord says, "Don’t trust in your love to do great things for Me, go out and "Feed My sheep", "Glorify God", and "Follow Me".
John’s life and testimony says to us all, we must receive true love before we can really know how to love. John reminds us emphatically that, "We love because he first loved us" 1 John 4:19.
When we have experienced God’s love, we are impelled to love. We can finally find a way to reverse the pattern of self-centeredness that dominates our lives.
Jesus is the supreme illustration of the effect of God’s love in a person’s life. The eternal love relationship between God the Father and God the Son was the storehouse that supplied Jesus’ earthly life and ministry with an inexhaustible source of love
Spurgeon- God loves me-not merely bears with me, thinks of me, feeds me, but loves me.
Who is it that loves me? God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the Almighty.
And who is it that He loves? Me. He loves me, an insignificant nobody, full of sin--who deserved to be in hell, who loves Him so little in return--God loves me.
And how did He love me? He loved me so that He gave up His only Son for me, to be nailed to the tree, and made to bleed and die.
And because He loved me and forgave me, I am on the way to heaven, and I shall see His face and sing His praises. He loved me before I was born; before a star began to shine, He loved me, and He has never ceased to do so all these years. When I have sinned, He has loved me; when I have forgotten Him, He has loved me; and He will love me when my knees tremble and my hair is gray. He will bear and carry His servant; and He will love me forever and ever."
If we can say little of our love to Him, we can safely sing of His love to us.
It is the privilege of the youngest believer to say, "I am a disciple that Jesus loves," and the oldest and most advanced disciple can say nothing greater, for all blessing is found in His all-embracing love, that led Him to die for us that we too might go in our small way, and glorify God, and follow Him into the glory where He has gone.
God made man in his own image
GOD MADE MAN IN HIS OWN IMAGE
Human life is set apart from the rest of creation by God for His purposes and not ours. Thus any abuse of humanity is an affront to God Himself.
[1] THEREFORE SLAVERY IS WRONG
We are all brothers and must ‘Love our neighbour' and remember God’s judgement is coming. The OT made slave trading a capital crime.
The World needs the Christian Conscience and the Church must show compassion.
The World needs the Gospel of Jesus Christ to free mankind from sinful selfishness so we will love God and those made in His image.
[2] THEREFORE RACISM IS WRONG Romans 10:12
One of the prevalent evidences of man’s inhumanity to man is racism. Racism is prejudice against people of other ‘races’ for that reason alone. Stereotypical rules are applied to demean individuals based on their cultural background, skin colour, appearance, or accent.
Evolutionists like Hitler treated the Jews, Gypsies and other groups as inferior, and therefore argued that they needed to be eliminated. Ethnic cleansing’ is the result of the hatred of one particular people group toward another. Marriages between different people groups often results in persecution.
Racism can be blatant, such as in the Ku Klux Klan or apartheid; but it can also be as simple as telling degrading anecdotes or having a cold attitude of indifference.
God’s Word, tells us we all need to treat every human being as our relative, and recognize that all of us are equal in value before our Creator God. What a difference it would make in this world if all adopted this biblical principle!
Romans 10:12 For there is no difference both of Jew and of Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call on Him.
Evolutionists say ‘races’ have become more ‘sophisticated’ than others, leading to the conclusion that certain ‘races’ are superior to others.
Christians say Adam and Eve, were created perfect, and had the genetic information enabling their offspring to have the many combinations of skin, hair, and eye colour existent in the world today.
We are told that all men are born equal: Romans 3:23 ‘For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God’, but the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ has brought the possibility of redemption and salvation for all: John 3:16. ‘God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever [regardless of which tribe or ‘race’ they belong to] believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life’
In the light of God’s Word, there can be no justification for promoting or condoning racism.
[3] THEREFORE MURDER IS WRONG Genesis 9:6 James 3:9
Genesis 9:6-7 "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.
God declares that murderers should be put to death because they murdered someone made in God’s image.
Man’s life is such a priceless thing, that is his blood is so valuable because he is made in God’s image. Anyone that kills a person destroys God’s image and lays profane hands on that which is divine. Capital punishment is divinely ordained
The crime is so great that such a one actually forfeits his own right to life. There is a just retaliation about having life pay for life. For the proper safeguarding of the human race this basic ordinance is laid down.
These verses are not in the Bible as relics of a more barbarous age. Human life is too valuable to be wantonly destroyed. Thus, the harshest penalties are reserved for such destruction.
This power of life and of death is to be in the hands of formally constituted government and by law. In many societies blood revenge, has displaced fair justice, and frequently degenerated into the cruellest of feuds.
This verse is not in conflict with the 6th commandment, you shall not kill. That lays down principles of personal morality; this word, however, lays down principles of official conduct. This fact should affect the way we drive etc.
James 3:9 warns us against cursing men “made in God’s likeness.” When we curse and show disrespect for others, we are really showing disrespect for the God who made them and still highly values them.
[4] THEREFORE ABORTION IS WRONG
Another issue of our day is abortion. We recognize that every child is created in the image of God. This means that God is the creator and giver of life despite our advances in medical knowledge and despite parents who usurp God’s authority and “play God.” To be made by God and in His image means that every unborn child has dignity as a bearer of God’s image regardless of any genetic deformities. Today abortion is considered by many to be a ‘pregnancy choice’ rather than the destruction of another human being.
If it is true that we are all made in God’s image, how then can anyone dare to enter the womb and kill an unborn child? Abortion is wrong because it is an attack on God the Creator. Every unborn child deserves respect and protection. Historically, there is evidence that Christians since the late first or early second centuries already recognized the significant worth of the unborn, as can be found in early documents such as the Didache, a first-century manuscript that teaches: “you shall not slay the child by procuring abortion, nor, again, shall you destroy it after it is born.” At the time of the Reformation, this view of the unborn was again affirmed Calvin - ...the unborn, though enclosed in the womb of his mother, is already a human being, and it is an almost monstrous crime to rob it of life which it has not yet begun to enjoy. If it seems more horrible to kill a man in his own house than in a field, because a man's house is his most secure place of refuge, it ought surely to be deemed more atrocious to destroy the unborn in the womb before it has come to light. [Comm Pent]
Like transported slaves, unborn children are out of sight, out of mind, and quite defenceless, so their destruction happens silently, this ought not to be.
Love for the Creator of our world, love for our neighbours, and the demands of stewardship require that we oppose it. It is easy to feel powerless. Yet God can use conscientious Christians, just as the demise of slavery happened by the spread of moral convictions'.
[5] THEREFORE SOME MEDICAL PRACTICES ARE WRONG
Bringing healing to our world is consistent with being stewards of creation.
However genetic engineering, fertility research and the use of embryonic stem cells for medical research raises difficult ethical questions for many Christians.
Human beings are to be respected and protected at all stages in their development from conception to natural death for the reason that we are created in God’s image. Research that requires the destruction of human embryos, however noble the purpose may be, is to treat the human person as merely a means to serve ends.
We condemn what the Nazis did with medical experiments, because science always has to be guided by ethics and by morality. They may have brought benefit to mankind but it did not make it right.
A living human embryo is a human life. It is a genetically distinct organism, separate but dependent upon the mother. John Leith wrote that, “No human life is ever the simple result of the forces of biology or history. Every human has its first source in God’s intention.”
The question to address is whether and when a human life is also a human person who is endowed with the full privileges and rights of personhood?
Is there a distinction between those entities that are “potential persons” and those that are “persons with potential”. Is there a partial-person who can be legitimately destroyed for use in research? Surely every living human embryo is a full member of the species Homo sapiens by virtue of its heritage and genetic constitution. Professor McCormick Professor of Princeton, “The being that is now you or I is the same being that was once an adolescent, and before that a toddler, and before that an infant, and before that a foetus, and before that an embryo. To have destroyed the being that is you or me at any of these stages would have been to destroy you or me.
[6] THEREFORE EUTHANASIA IS WRONG
Hippocrates, is often considered to be the father of medicine. Medical students in many Western countries are still required to take the ‘Hippocratic oath’. It is this - ‘I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody if asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect. Similarly, I will not give a woman an abortive remedy.’
These words, penned approximately four centuries before Christ, still hold immense relevance today. Modern medicine has all but abandoned the principle of the sanctity of human life that Hippocrates enunciated, and which is also found in the Genesis account of man being made in God’s image.
Medical treatments are withdrawn from patients on the basis that they lack ‘quality of life’, rather than considering whether the treatment will help the person get better or preserve their life until the natural end.
The increasing acceptance of euthanasia is part of this shift in mentality towards the ‘culture of death.’ Life, instead of being a precious gift, becomes evaluated according to its ‘quality.’ A person whilst young, active and productive has a high ‘quality of life’, yet once this person becomes old, disabled or dependent, the quality is reduced, and his or her life may no longer be considered to be worth living or protecting. Without the possibility of recovery, disability or dependence on others become grounds for the termination of that person’s life.
The story of Job in the Bible tells how he refused to ‘curse God and die’ despite this counsel being given to him many times. This was because Job feared God and understood that only He has the authority to give and to take life.
Even if all joy is taken out of life, as was the case with Job, that still would not justify the taking of life. Even in the depths of suffering, God’s image remains, and life remains an intrinsic good, worthy of protection and support.
Christians should never accept the lie that euthanasia represents ‘a good death.’ Man, being made in the image of God, has intrinsic value and dignity from conception to natural death.
The decline of respect for life today is a symptom of the tragic shift away from a biblical worldview to one based on evolutionary humanism.
[7] THEREFORE COMMUNISM IS WRONG.
In a recent lecture on what the Christian faith says on globalization- Lord Griffiths stated - The key difference between Marxism and Christianity is in their two approaches to life and their views of the human person. A Marxist sees the human person as just an atom in a society, totally materialistic, culturally determined, the product of evolution. Whereas a Christian sees the individual as created in the image of God, needing freedom to express himself and develop himself, which therefore requires private property rights, the freedom of a market and so on, but obviously within the context of justice.
"What people lack is a Christian vision of the human person, created in the image of God, but nevertheless very wilful and fallen - whereas the Marxist thinks of the human person as somebody who can be perfected”.
This is the ultimate fallacy of such theories, when such people get power, what they do is abuse it, misuse it. Marxism is a religion for them. They will not accept the evidence because they deny the reality of sin; they still feel human beings can be made perfect.
When Israel going into the land of Canaan, you would expect that here above all places there would be an experiment in communal living. No. There are property rights which are jealously maintained and the basic command, you shall not steal.
The American Declaration of Independence contains these words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
He could have also noted - how many millions died at the hands of Stalin, Mao, Polpot, Hoxha and Mugabe to name a few.
[8] IF GOD HAS MADE ALL MEN IN HIS IMAGE THEN WHY IS MANKIND NOT RESPECTING THE IMAGE OF GOD IN ONE ANOTHER?
a) An image is a representation or reflection of something or someone. One of the reasons man creates mirrors is to reflect his own image. A mirror that reflects a distorted image is of little value. To be of value, a mirror must display an accurate representation.
b) Similarly, we were made to accurately reflect God — His holiness, righteousness, love, and truth. Being created in God's image is a great privilege but carries great responsibility. God created us to enjoy His fellowship and fulfil His will on earth.
c) But the image has been marred we reflect a distorted image. When sin entered into the human race this image remained in all people but was severely defaced. Morally, man was created in righteousness and perfect innocence, a reflection of God’s holiness. Our conscience or “moral compass” is a trace of that first state.
d) The evidence of the human race’s fall is confirmed by simply turning on the news. People are unloving, unholy, unfaithful and unrighteous.
e) The world has devised heartless political theories assuming mankind can be perfected, it has enslaved and exploited other vulnerable humans, we have despised and treated other humans as inferior simply because of their differences, in anger or recklessness we have taken the life of others, we have cut short life in the womb because it would be an inconvenience, we wanted to get rid of the elderly who have become a burden, we are trying to play God in the lab with human life. Oh what a mess, O what heartache and suffering we have brought on ourselves, what a wretched and wicked world this is!
f) We have left our true purpose and been turned over to our own sin. God has decreed that the wages of sin is death Romans 6:23. Faced with eternal separation from God following a “life” of futility and struggle, our prospects are bleak.
g) Is there a solution, praise God there is? He re-creates humanity through Christ. We know what the image of God is by looking at Jesus Christ. What was central in the life of Christ: was love for God and love for man.
h) How can we get back to our original state? The object of the work of redemption is to restore to mankind the lost image of God. God's image is renewed through salvation in Christ. Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. Romans 8:29. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son.
(i) It will begin with a renovation of the heart by the new birth Ephesians 4:24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
(ii) It will continue with the progressive restoration of this distorted image by the work of sanctification. Colossians 3:9 you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
(iii) It will be perfected in our state of glorification at the final resurrection 1 Corinthians 15: 49 just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.
What image are you reflecting?
Are you reborn, are you being made like Christ, and are you bound for a place where all will have perfect likeness to Christ? It will be paradise restored. What a prospect!
Human life is set apart from the rest of creation by God for His purposes and not ours. Thus any abuse of humanity is an affront to God Himself.
[1] THEREFORE SLAVERY IS WRONG
We are all brothers and must ‘Love our neighbour' and remember God’s judgement is coming. The OT made slave trading a capital crime.
The World needs the Christian Conscience and the Church must show compassion.
The World needs the Gospel of Jesus Christ to free mankind from sinful selfishness so we will love God and those made in His image.
[2] THEREFORE RACISM IS WRONG Romans 10:12
One of the prevalent evidences of man’s inhumanity to man is racism. Racism is prejudice against people of other ‘races’ for that reason alone. Stereotypical rules are applied to demean individuals based on their cultural background, skin colour, appearance, or accent.
Evolutionists like Hitler treated the Jews, Gypsies and other groups as inferior, and therefore argued that they needed to be eliminated. Ethnic cleansing’ is the result of the hatred of one particular people group toward another. Marriages between different people groups often results in persecution.
Racism can be blatant, such as in the Ku Klux Klan or apartheid; but it can also be as simple as telling degrading anecdotes or having a cold attitude of indifference.
God’s Word, tells us we all need to treat every human being as our relative, and recognize that all of us are equal in value before our Creator God. What a difference it would make in this world if all adopted this biblical principle!
Romans 10:12 For there is no difference both of Jew and of Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call on Him.
Evolutionists say ‘races’ have become more ‘sophisticated’ than others, leading to the conclusion that certain ‘races’ are superior to others.
Christians say Adam and Eve, were created perfect, and had the genetic information enabling their offspring to have the many combinations of skin, hair, and eye colour existent in the world today.
We are told that all men are born equal: Romans 3:23 ‘For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God’, but the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ has brought the possibility of redemption and salvation for all: John 3:16. ‘God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever [regardless of which tribe or ‘race’ they belong to] believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life’
In the light of God’s Word, there can be no justification for promoting or condoning racism.
[3] THEREFORE MURDER IS WRONG Genesis 9:6 James 3:9
Genesis 9:6-7 "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.
God declares that murderers should be put to death because they murdered someone made in God’s image.
Man’s life is such a priceless thing, that is his blood is so valuable because he is made in God’s image. Anyone that kills a person destroys God’s image and lays profane hands on that which is divine. Capital punishment is divinely ordained
The crime is so great that such a one actually forfeits his own right to life. There is a just retaliation about having life pay for life. For the proper safeguarding of the human race this basic ordinance is laid down.
These verses are not in the Bible as relics of a more barbarous age. Human life is too valuable to be wantonly destroyed. Thus, the harshest penalties are reserved for such destruction.
This power of life and of death is to be in the hands of formally constituted government and by law. In many societies blood revenge, has displaced fair justice, and frequently degenerated into the cruellest of feuds.
This verse is not in conflict with the 6th commandment, you shall not kill. That lays down principles of personal morality; this word, however, lays down principles of official conduct. This fact should affect the way we drive etc.
James 3:9 warns us against cursing men “made in God’s likeness.” When we curse and show disrespect for others, we are really showing disrespect for the God who made them and still highly values them.
[4] THEREFORE ABORTION IS WRONG
Another issue of our day is abortion. We recognize that every child is created in the image of God. This means that God is the creator and giver of life despite our advances in medical knowledge and despite parents who usurp God’s authority and “play God.” To be made by God and in His image means that every unborn child has dignity as a bearer of God’s image regardless of any genetic deformities. Today abortion is considered by many to be a ‘pregnancy choice’ rather than the destruction of another human being.
If it is true that we are all made in God’s image, how then can anyone dare to enter the womb and kill an unborn child? Abortion is wrong because it is an attack on God the Creator. Every unborn child deserves respect and protection. Historically, there is evidence that Christians since the late first or early second centuries already recognized the significant worth of the unborn, as can be found in early documents such as the Didache, a first-century manuscript that teaches: “you shall not slay the child by procuring abortion, nor, again, shall you destroy it after it is born.” At the time of the Reformation, this view of the unborn was again affirmed Calvin - ...the unborn, though enclosed in the womb of his mother, is already a human being, and it is an almost monstrous crime to rob it of life which it has not yet begun to enjoy. If it seems more horrible to kill a man in his own house than in a field, because a man's house is his most secure place of refuge, it ought surely to be deemed more atrocious to destroy the unborn in the womb before it has come to light. [Comm Pent]
Like transported slaves, unborn children are out of sight, out of mind, and quite defenceless, so their destruction happens silently, this ought not to be.
Love for the Creator of our world, love for our neighbours, and the demands of stewardship require that we oppose it. It is easy to feel powerless. Yet God can use conscientious Christians, just as the demise of slavery happened by the spread of moral convictions'.
[5] THEREFORE SOME MEDICAL PRACTICES ARE WRONG
Bringing healing to our world is consistent with being stewards of creation.
However genetic engineering, fertility research and the use of embryonic stem cells for medical research raises difficult ethical questions for many Christians.
Human beings are to be respected and protected at all stages in their development from conception to natural death for the reason that we are created in God’s image. Research that requires the destruction of human embryos, however noble the purpose may be, is to treat the human person as merely a means to serve ends.
We condemn what the Nazis did with medical experiments, because science always has to be guided by ethics and by morality. They may have brought benefit to mankind but it did not make it right.
A living human embryo is a human life. It is a genetically distinct organism, separate but dependent upon the mother. John Leith wrote that, “No human life is ever the simple result of the forces of biology or history. Every human has its first source in God’s intention.”
The question to address is whether and when a human life is also a human person who is endowed with the full privileges and rights of personhood?
Is there a distinction between those entities that are “potential persons” and those that are “persons with potential”. Is there a partial-person who can be legitimately destroyed for use in research? Surely every living human embryo is a full member of the species Homo sapiens by virtue of its heritage and genetic constitution. Professor McCormick Professor of Princeton, “The being that is now you or I is the same being that was once an adolescent, and before that a toddler, and before that an infant, and before that a foetus, and before that an embryo. To have destroyed the being that is you or me at any of these stages would have been to destroy you or me.
[6] THEREFORE EUTHANASIA IS WRONG
Hippocrates, is often considered to be the father of medicine. Medical students in many Western countries are still required to take the ‘Hippocratic oath’. It is this - ‘I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody if asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect. Similarly, I will not give a woman an abortive remedy.’
These words, penned approximately four centuries before Christ, still hold immense relevance today. Modern medicine has all but abandoned the principle of the sanctity of human life that Hippocrates enunciated, and which is also found in the Genesis account of man being made in God’s image.
Medical treatments are withdrawn from patients on the basis that they lack ‘quality of life’, rather than considering whether the treatment will help the person get better or preserve their life until the natural end.
The increasing acceptance of euthanasia is part of this shift in mentality towards the ‘culture of death.’ Life, instead of being a precious gift, becomes evaluated according to its ‘quality.’ A person whilst young, active and productive has a high ‘quality of life’, yet once this person becomes old, disabled or dependent, the quality is reduced, and his or her life may no longer be considered to be worth living or protecting. Without the possibility of recovery, disability or dependence on others become grounds for the termination of that person’s life.
The story of Job in the Bible tells how he refused to ‘curse God and die’ despite this counsel being given to him many times. This was because Job feared God and understood that only He has the authority to give and to take life.
Even if all joy is taken out of life, as was the case with Job, that still would not justify the taking of life. Even in the depths of suffering, God’s image remains, and life remains an intrinsic good, worthy of protection and support.
Christians should never accept the lie that euthanasia represents ‘a good death.’ Man, being made in the image of God, has intrinsic value and dignity from conception to natural death.
The decline of respect for life today is a symptom of the tragic shift away from a biblical worldview to one based on evolutionary humanism.
[7] THEREFORE COMMUNISM IS WRONG.
In a recent lecture on what the Christian faith says on globalization- Lord Griffiths stated - The key difference between Marxism and Christianity is in their two approaches to life and their views of the human person. A Marxist sees the human person as just an atom in a society, totally materialistic, culturally determined, the product of evolution. Whereas a Christian sees the individual as created in the image of God, needing freedom to express himself and develop himself, which therefore requires private property rights, the freedom of a market and so on, but obviously within the context of justice.
"What people lack is a Christian vision of the human person, created in the image of God, but nevertheless very wilful and fallen - whereas the Marxist thinks of the human person as somebody who can be perfected”.
This is the ultimate fallacy of such theories, when such people get power, what they do is abuse it, misuse it. Marxism is a religion for them. They will not accept the evidence because they deny the reality of sin; they still feel human beings can be made perfect.
When Israel going into the land of Canaan, you would expect that here above all places there would be an experiment in communal living. No. There are property rights which are jealously maintained and the basic command, you shall not steal.
The American Declaration of Independence contains these words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
He could have also noted - how many millions died at the hands of Stalin, Mao, Polpot, Hoxha and Mugabe to name a few.
[8] IF GOD HAS MADE ALL MEN IN HIS IMAGE THEN WHY IS MANKIND NOT RESPECTING THE IMAGE OF GOD IN ONE ANOTHER?
a) An image is a representation or reflection of something or someone. One of the reasons man creates mirrors is to reflect his own image. A mirror that reflects a distorted image is of little value. To be of value, a mirror must display an accurate representation.
b) Similarly, we were made to accurately reflect God — His holiness, righteousness, love, and truth. Being created in God's image is a great privilege but carries great responsibility. God created us to enjoy His fellowship and fulfil His will on earth.
c) But the image has been marred we reflect a distorted image. When sin entered into the human race this image remained in all people but was severely defaced. Morally, man was created in righteousness and perfect innocence, a reflection of God’s holiness. Our conscience or “moral compass” is a trace of that first state.
d) The evidence of the human race’s fall is confirmed by simply turning on the news. People are unloving, unholy, unfaithful and unrighteous.
e) The world has devised heartless political theories assuming mankind can be perfected, it has enslaved and exploited other vulnerable humans, we have despised and treated other humans as inferior simply because of their differences, in anger or recklessness we have taken the life of others, we have cut short life in the womb because it would be an inconvenience, we wanted to get rid of the elderly who have become a burden, we are trying to play God in the lab with human life. Oh what a mess, O what heartache and suffering we have brought on ourselves, what a wretched and wicked world this is!
f) We have left our true purpose and been turned over to our own sin. God has decreed that the wages of sin is death Romans 6:23. Faced with eternal separation from God following a “life” of futility and struggle, our prospects are bleak.
g) Is there a solution, praise God there is? He re-creates humanity through Christ. We know what the image of God is by looking at Jesus Christ. What was central in the life of Christ: was love for God and love for man.
h) How can we get back to our original state? The object of the work of redemption is to restore to mankind the lost image of God. God's image is renewed through salvation in Christ. Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. Romans 8:29. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son.
(i) It will begin with a renovation of the heart by the new birth Ephesians 4:24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
(ii) It will continue with the progressive restoration of this distorted image by the work of sanctification. Colossians 3:9 you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
(iii) It will be perfected in our state of glorification at the final resurrection 1 Corinthians 15: 49 just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.
What image are you reflecting?
Are you reborn, are you being made like Christ, and are you bound for a place where all will have perfect likeness to Christ? It will be paradise restored. What a prospect!
Thursday 12 April 2007
The Fact of the Resurrection
The Fact of the Resurrection
Matthew 28 verses 1 to 15 and 1 Corinthians 15 verses 1 to 8
Acts 1 verse 3 tells us that Jesus was presented as alive by many infallible proofs.
There are lots of books, novels and films about investigations by detectives like Morse and Maigret who aim to find the truth about a murder.
We have the basic facts to ponder. Did Jesus really rise from the truth? The truth really matters – faith is based upon verifiable facts as 2 Peter 1 verse 16 tells us. None of us wants to believe in a lie. Doctor Greenly, a Harvard lawyer, believed the Resurrection was a lie, he investigated it thoroughly and came to the conclusion it was true. What proof did he discover that proved it was true because we gain nothing from believing a lie?
We have reliable documentary evidence. Luke, in Acts, continues the narration he began in his gospel. In Luke 1 verse 1he tells us he wrote an orderly account from reliable eye witnesses. Luke was a very good doctor, he showed a meticulous care. Archaeology has shown Luke as a good historian as well. William Ramsay, an experienced archaeologist, confirms Luke is a reliable writer.
We have the factual evidence from the scene itself.
a) There is the question of the broken seal. The seal was put there under Roman authority. To break the seal incurred severe wrath – crucifixion upside down. No one would have done this. It is ridiculous to suppose the downtrodden disciples would do this.
b) There is the matter of the rolled stone. It was put in place using levers. No one could move it without the awareness of the guards.
c) There is the question of the guards. To fail in your duty incurred death. Where a unit failed, lots were drawn and the chosen ones executed. The whole unit would not have fallen asleep. The threat of punishment produced flawless duty. The soldiers shook with fear like dead men.
d) There is the question of the empty tomb. Falsity would have been evident to all. There is no shred of evidence – literary or archaeological, that has been produced ever, the tomb was empty.
e) There is the question of the grave clothes. They had 120 pounds of aromatic spices added. When found, the grave clothes were like an empty chrysalis. If the body had been taken the grave clothes would not have been so left.
f) What other explanation can there be?
(i) Did they go to the wrong tomb? It was not a public cemetery but a private garden tomb. The authorities could have taken people the right tomb.
(ii) Did they have hallucinations? All of them? If they did, why was the body not produced?
(iii) Did Jesus swoon? That is pass out? His body had been examined by experienced soldiers, they knew if someone was half dead. When he was embalmed it would have been seen. If he had swooned he needed medical care and could not have got up and walked around and changed the disciples sorrow into joy.
(iv) Did the body get stolen? Would the disciples have been brave enough to face a detachment of soldiers? If the authorities had done it they would have produced the body to destroy the new faith.
We have the evidence of Jesus himself. What did he say before the crucifixion? He said he could be in the tomb for 3 days - see Matthew 20 and John 2. He foretold what would happen.
We have the evidence of witnesses. We want to talk to eyewitnesses so we can establish reliability. There were many witnesses – see 1 Corinthians 15 verses 1 to 8, this was written 30 years after the events, most of the witnesses were still alive, Paul drew attention to them. Jesus appeared over 40 days in town and country. They all said the same thing. They all recounted different events but say the same thing.
We have the evidence of changed behaviour. At first the disciples were sceptical of what the woman said. When they saw Jesus they were convinced and their behaviour changed, they were ready to die for their Lord. Doubt and uncertainty went. How do we account for their loyalty and commitment to the Gospel? The transformation of the disciples was remarkable.
We have the evidence of what happened afterwards. 3000 people were converted. They changed the day of worship to the first day of the week in memory of the resurrection. It was confirmed by miracles and signs performed by the disciples.
We must accept the resurrection is a fact. Do we need any more evidence? Do we still have any doubts? Do we still need to be persuaded? People with better minds than us have accepted it? Thomas Arnold, the head teacher of Rugby school accepted it. We can only reject it by denying the historical facts.
What does it mean to me today?
a) He was who he said he was – the Son of God. He showed this by his ministry and his resurrection. He is the only one to follow and trust.
b) It means he finished the work he came to do – die for the sins of his people. We can trust him and have eternal life.
c) It means Jesus is alive in Heaven to give new and eternal life. Every day we live is a day nearer to eternity. We will have to leave this world and face God’s judgement. We can be glorified.
d) It means that death is not the end for all who come to him.
e) It means if we ignore him how shall we escape just condemnation? At the end of time every life shall have to give an account to God. We know this because Jesus rose from the dead.
We must believe this; we can’t be a Christian and not believe this. Faith in the Lord Jesus is absolutely essential so we can have peace with God and eternal life. In the Resurrection there is new life, it looks forward to Heaven. We can look forward to a brighter tomorrow. The Resurrection is the focal point of World History.
Matthew 28 verses 1 to 15 and 1 Corinthians 15 verses 1 to 8
Acts 1 verse 3 tells us that Jesus was presented as alive by many infallible proofs.
There are lots of books, novels and films about investigations by detectives like Morse and Maigret who aim to find the truth about a murder.
We have the basic facts to ponder. Did Jesus really rise from the truth? The truth really matters – faith is based upon verifiable facts as 2 Peter 1 verse 16 tells us. None of us wants to believe in a lie. Doctor Greenly, a Harvard lawyer, believed the Resurrection was a lie, he investigated it thoroughly and came to the conclusion it was true. What proof did he discover that proved it was true because we gain nothing from believing a lie?
We have reliable documentary evidence. Luke, in Acts, continues the narration he began in his gospel. In Luke 1 verse 1he tells us he wrote an orderly account from reliable eye witnesses. Luke was a very good doctor, he showed a meticulous care. Archaeology has shown Luke as a good historian as well. William Ramsay, an experienced archaeologist, confirms Luke is a reliable writer.
We have the factual evidence from the scene itself.
a) There is the question of the broken seal. The seal was put there under Roman authority. To break the seal incurred severe wrath – crucifixion upside down. No one would have done this. It is ridiculous to suppose the downtrodden disciples would do this.
b) There is the matter of the rolled stone. It was put in place using levers. No one could move it without the awareness of the guards.
c) There is the question of the guards. To fail in your duty incurred death. Where a unit failed, lots were drawn and the chosen ones executed. The whole unit would not have fallen asleep. The threat of punishment produced flawless duty. The soldiers shook with fear like dead men.
d) There is the question of the empty tomb. Falsity would have been evident to all. There is no shred of evidence – literary or archaeological, that has been produced ever, the tomb was empty.
e) There is the question of the grave clothes. They had 120 pounds of aromatic spices added. When found, the grave clothes were like an empty chrysalis. If the body had been taken the grave clothes would not have been so left.
f) What other explanation can there be?
(i) Did they go to the wrong tomb? It was not a public cemetery but a private garden tomb. The authorities could have taken people the right tomb.
(ii) Did they have hallucinations? All of them? If they did, why was the body not produced?
(iii) Did Jesus swoon? That is pass out? His body had been examined by experienced soldiers, they knew if someone was half dead. When he was embalmed it would have been seen. If he had swooned he needed medical care and could not have got up and walked around and changed the disciples sorrow into joy.
(iv) Did the body get stolen? Would the disciples have been brave enough to face a detachment of soldiers? If the authorities had done it they would have produced the body to destroy the new faith.
We have the evidence of Jesus himself. What did he say before the crucifixion? He said he could be in the tomb for 3 days - see Matthew 20 and John 2. He foretold what would happen.
We have the evidence of witnesses. We want to talk to eyewitnesses so we can establish reliability. There were many witnesses – see 1 Corinthians 15 verses 1 to 8, this was written 30 years after the events, most of the witnesses were still alive, Paul drew attention to them. Jesus appeared over 40 days in town and country. They all said the same thing. They all recounted different events but say the same thing.
We have the evidence of changed behaviour. At first the disciples were sceptical of what the woman said. When they saw Jesus they were convinced and their behaviour changed, they were ready to die for their Lord. Doubt and uncertainty went. How do we account for their loyalty and commitment to the Gospel? The transformation of the disciples was remarkable.
We have the evidence of what happened afterwards. 3000 people were converted. They changed the day of worship to the first day of the week in memory of the resurrection. It was confirmed by miracles and signs performed by the disciples.
We must accept the resurrection is a fact. Do we need any more evidence? Do we still have any doubts? Do we still need to be persuaded? People with better minds than us have accepted it? Thomas Arnold, the head teacher of Rugby school accepted it. We can only reject it by denying the historical facts.
What does it mean to me today?
a) He was who he said he was – the Son of God. He showed this by his ministry and his resurrection. He is the only one to follow and trust.
b) It means he finished the work he came to do – die for the sins of his people. We can trust him and have eternal life.
c) It means Jesus is alive in Heaven to give new and eternal life. Every day we live is a day nearer to eternity. We will have to leave this world and face God’s judgement. We can be glorified.
d) It means that death is not the end for all who come to him.
e) It means if we ignore him how shall we escape just condemnation? At the end of time every life shall have to give an account to God. We know this because Jesus rose from the dead.
We must believe this; we can’t be a Christian and not believe this. Faith in the Lord Jesus is absolutely essential so we can have peace with God and eternal life. In the Resurrection there is new life, it looks forward to Heaven. We can look forward to a brighter tomorrow. The Resurrection is the focal point of World History.
The Torn Curtain
The torn curtain
Mark 15 verses 33 to 47 and Hebrews 10 verses 19 to 25
At the very moment our Lord breathed his last, God began to speak in the unmistakable language of supernatural wonders. All of the Gospel writers mention this. There were other miraculous signs – earthquakes, tombs opening, rocks splitting and raising of the dead. This was a marvellous commentary on what he just done. The Jews speak of catostrophs when famous rabbis died as Greeks did of famous people. The miracles spoke of Jesus’ uniqueness. The torn curtain is the first miracle Matthew and Mark speak of.
What was the curtain like? We can read of it in Exodus 26 verse 31. There were two curtains or veils. The outer one covered the entrance to the outer court of the Temple. The second one covered inner temple – see the reference in Hebrews to the inner sanctuary. The curtain means it divides, separates and hides. The curtain hid he Holy God from the sinful world. To enter the curtain means entering the Holy of Holies, this is described in Exodus 36 verse 31. It was made from twisted linen – blue (Heaven), purple (royalty), red (blood) and gold (majesty) thread. It was 60 feet long, 30 feet wide, as thick as a hand. It was 72 squares joined together. It needed 70 priests to move it. The cherubim embroidered onto it reminded people of angelic guardianship of a jealous and holy God. It was beautiful, awesome, thick and heavy.
What was designed to say? Important people are kept separate to show honour and uniqueness. We can see parts of Buckingham Palace but not the Queen herself unless she chooses to see us. In the Forbidden City in Beijing and the ancient Persian Court, you were not allowed to approach the monarch on pain of death. All this was designed to exalt and separate royalty from ordinary people. The Old Testament temple had boundaries set, people could not come close on pain of death. The temple had a Gentile court, Outer court and inner sanctum, only the High Priest entered. Hebrews 9 verse 7 tells us this was once a year and then only with blood for the sins of the people. There was special preparation outlined in Leviticus 16 verse 2. It was designed to tell people that if they came to God it had to be on his terms. The High Priest would die if he disobeyed this. God was not to be trifled with. The curtain said ‘go away, come to God as he said you must come.’ The cherubim was a reminder of the expulsion from Eden. Adam and Eve had disobeyed the one command God gave them. We have inherited our sinful nature from them. The cherubim prevented them returning – it blocked the way to the tree of life and God’s presence. The curtain reminded people of the need to restore their relationship with God.
What happened to the curtain? At the exact moment his soul was severed from his body, God tore the curtain, we could gain access to the presence of God. It could not be torn by an earthquake or by human hands, it could not be ripped by man. It was an unseen hand. It made a tremendous noise as it happened, it would have shook the priests. It exposed the Holy of Holies. There would have been thousands of people there for the Passover. Word would have spread all over Jerusalem, it was a mysterious sign from God. It was Passover, the priests would have been knee deep in blood. There was no more need of sacrificial lambs.
What God said by destroying the curtain.
a) The primary meaning is that Christ has opened forever the approach to God. Jesus opened this way.
(i) God accepted the perfect sacrifice of his son. Ever since Adam and Eve’s sin had been a barrier between men and God. God made Jesus a sin offering. Sin does not just vanish, it cannot be removed. When Christ died, sin was dealt with – see Hebrews 9 verses 24 to 26. He entered God’s presence with his own blood. Sin is a crime which God cannot just leave, it needed a perfect sacrifice. That debt to God is too great for us to pay ourselves. Jesus paid this debt for his people, we receive forgiveness if we believe in him. The moment we acknowledge we need forgiveness we are forgiven.
(ii) God says Jesus’ death means all God’s people have full rights of access into the divine presence – see Hebrews 9 verse 8. It is a wonderful thing to have access to God, we can talk to him in the name of Jesus. We can bring our concerns and needs to him. We do not need a priestly hierarchy or mediator. We no longer no longer need to approach God with dread, reverence yes, but we can come to him.
(iii) God says that we can come to him with boldness by the blood of Jesus – see Hebrews 10 verse 19, we can find grace in our time of need. We can know our prayers will be heard. Do we do this? We are too ready to pour our troubles out to others but we can come to God with confidence. We often feel miserable failures and we are silent out of guilt but God tells us we can come to him boldly. He is a forgiving God and he knows we are frail and weak.
b) The destroyed curtain said that the special dwelling place of God is no longer restricted to a small nation in Palestine – see Malachi 1 verse 11. The death of Jesus has worldwide significance. Under the Old Covenant God’s grace was restricted to Israel. Now after Pentecost it spread to all nations. The Jews’ rejection and murder of Christ had serious repercussions. In AD 70 the temple was sacked and destroyed. Matthew 27 verse 40 shows the Jews mocking Jesus, but subsequent events showed that God had swept away the need for the temple. There will be no rebuilding of the temple by God, it is done forever.
c) The destroyed curtain said the Jewish system of ritual and ceremony had been superseded and ended by Christ. These things were shadows of what Jesus came to do. The mass is blasphemy. We do not need priests, God has dispensed this forever.
d) The destroyed curtain says to everyone, without exception, ‘Come and be reconciled to God’. This alone will make you peaceful, happy and holy. We can live for God joyfully and lovingly, as an old chorus says: There’s a way back to God, From the dark paths of sin, There’s a door that is opened. And you may go in.
This is the message of the torn curtain, we have an accessible God, he wants to be our father and friend. He does not want us to be orphans and strangers. He wants us to come to him and have eternal life so we can walk with him as Adam and Eve did.
Do we know this? Are we experiencing this?
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