Now, most theologians believe that Christ is reigning now, but what is the nature of that reign? The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. [5]No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. The Rev. Although Thompson was a follower of Christ, he struggled with poverty, poor health, and an addiction to opium (which in those days was sold as an "over-the-counter" medication). My personal notes reflect several pages of introspection from those teaching sessions in August of 2013. It is a kingdom built upon a rock. That being said, D.A. Bruce both lay a very good case out for why its very hard to draw any particular conclusion simply from the use of different nouns especially in this Gospel when John has been using agape and phileo interchangeably up until now. So when Christ says, let us go to Judea again we can perhaps understand the nature of the disciples concernthey knew full well the danger of what Jesus was suggesting. This is a very curious scene to say the least! For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. Christians who carry out the fruit of their salvation in love toward others give glory to God. Another example of this is found in Acts 8 where we read the case of Simon Magus who was amazed by the miracles being wrought by the disciples of Jesus so he believed in Jesus. 15:3-7 So he told them this parable: [4] What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? I want to add some thoughts about the practical purposes of understanding this concept of Christs glory and what it has to do with us. He knew that millions and millions of Christians would read these words and meditate on His character, and bring Him glory. 13:47, 48, and an indication that all kinds of people are going to be saved. I can't escape God's knowledge of me (139:1-6). HE BOY SPURGEON continued in quest of Christ for five yearsfrom the time when he was between ten and eleven years old until he was between fifteen and sixteen. True prayer is the trading of the heart with God, and the heart never comes into spiritual commerce with the ports of heaven until God the Holy Ghost puts wind into the sails and speeds the ship into its haven. But He wants them to have utmost confidence that He is who He says He is, and so that for years to come they would look back on this moment and fall on their faces with thanksgiving in their hearts. the raising of Lazarus provides an opportunity for God, in revealing his glory, to glorify his Son, for it is the Fathers express purpose that all should honor the Son even as they honor the FatherThe Father and the Son are mutually committed to the others glory. The gruesome bloodshed and seemingly worthless outcome was more than conservative theologians could swallow in their assessments of world events and the human situation on earth. It is amazing how God uses the mouths of even the ungodly, or those whom ought to seemingly be uninvolved in the fate of Gods people, to proclaim the great plan He has for His people. If they had stolen the body, why would the disciples dishonor it by tearing off the grave clothes and spices that covered it?, And commenting on the angels Mary sees in the tomb, Carson observes that, Johns point is that this empty tomb cannot be explained by appealing to grave robbers; this is nothing other than the invasion of Gods power.. [19] I am no longer worthy to be called your son. I promise its worth your time and a good reflection on the goodness & mercy of God. In fact, there will be no sun because Jesus will be our only necessary light. And silvern chatter the pale ports o' the moon. [9] When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Would God keep his children out of paradise a single moment longer than was necessary? Therefore the principle problem here is not primarily an intellectual one, nor is it a communication problem on the part of the Apostle, rather it is primarily a problem within the hearts of these Hebrews, and within our own hearts as well. Peter understood that He was being tasked with the spiritual nutrition of the church. And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, each at his tent door. It isnt as though His staying away had any affect on the situation materially. The Bethany mentioned here is not the one across the Jordan. At the heart of the Spirits work within us is His desire for us to know Christ more. We become saturated with the Word of God, like Gideons fleece, which was wet with the dew of heaven; and this can only come to pass by our receiving it into our minds and hearts, accepting it as Gods truth, and so far understanding it as to delight in it. In verse 11 we read that He was going to drink of the cup that the Father had for Him. Remember, He is not speaking to those who do not believe, but rather to those who love Him. It does not describe the intricacies of the new birth. 11:8-10The disciples said to him, Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again? [9]Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? He basically says, Fine, you want these things? These are sins that block the blood flow and clot the arteries of our faith, causing our thirst for the knowledge of God to dry up. Our Lord has risen He has defeated death! Even in the midst of all this seeming chaos, Jesus is getting everything He wants. [14] And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, [15] so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. Remember what side of the cross Peter is on. Justin Taylor | June 27, 2011. We have the benefit of looking back 2,000 years later and closely and slowly examining the sequence of events and the words of the Lord and the OT prophets. Well talk more about that parallel in the coming texts, but for now I want to see how God was going to be glorified in the death and resurrection of Lazarus, and how He was glorified and even took pleasure in the death of His Son (Is. Maryhill Acquires Preliminary Oil Sketches of R.H. Ives Gammell's Jesus tells us explicitly that in order to be born again, one must be born of Water and the Spirit not of any human work (lest any man should boast). We know right from wrong, yet we have spurned the Lord and Creator of all that is right. However, not all theologians and pastors had to wait until the bloody events of the 20th century to object to Postmillennialisms optimistic theology. Through each parable we see the heart of Christ for the lost, the sinful, the wayward He sees them as valuable beyond measure. But He completely healed them. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. o Memorize Scripture:[xiii] Chuck Swindoll says, I know of no other single practice in the Christian life more rewarding, practically speaking, than memorizing Scripture. In that culture, one of the most tangible ways to establish this kind of friendship was to share a meal.[2], You have to ask yourself this: Are you so outwardly religious that no sinner would want to get near you? It is not a courtroom, or a white throne in revelation; it is the exposure of Christs ministry of truth upon the wicked hearts of mankind. Into those years was crowded a world of experience which enabled him in his subsequent ministry to probe the secrets of many hearts. This points to the linear nature of history God is working toward something. Not only that, but they dont want to leave their old way of life! [16] For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. Marthas response to Christs instruction is one of unbelief this is what tempers us from having been led to believe she had the kind of faith that Abraham had (see above). 11:25-26Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. It doesnt say God sent Jesus to die for the entire world. [12] http://www.spurgeon.org/misc/bio2.htm. This is made plain even as far back as Moses interactions with the Israelites when he told them: And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. The second tricky topic here is the idea of judgment and condemnation and how it seems that verses 17 and 18 might not square with each other. Johns editorial note in verse two that it was Mary who anointed the Lord helps us understand that John is assuming his readers would have heard of this story from the synoptic gospels. Is that not fantastic?! Second, Lazarus rising from the dead was a sign of greater resurrection to come, especially that of Christs resurrection which was now only a short time away, and of course of our own resurrections once Christ comes again. greatly increases our love of time with the Lord and grows us in unexpected ways. Christ knew that He was going away soon. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? When all else fails, kill the person who stands in his way. Listen to the reflections of C.H. The main thing to realize coming into this chapter is that Jesus is in complete control over that plan, and over every hour and indeed every moment of His life. However, as I just mentioned and have mentioned before, the Sadducees were the most secular (if thats an appropriate word for it) leaders the Jews ever had. Yet He allowed Himself to be taken as a lamb to the slaughter for us! 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. They had no idea how David could have called his descendent his Lord. They had not understood to this point the heavenly nature of the coming messiah. Now Peter needed to have that same love for the sheep. Jesus Christ is there. It is a world-historical movement, following the fall of Adam, in which God works to defeat Satan and bring human beings to acknowledge Christ as Lord. They were never intended to do it. This is a land where plain speaking is . Everything he does is supremely worthy of his effort. You can listen below to Richard Burton's reading of it, followed by a short excerpt from Ravi Zachiaras on Thompson's being addicted to opium and being the object of God's pursuit. Theres no coloring outside the lines here. It is believing that Jesus is who He says He is, and has done what He says He has done. The response of Jesus comes to us packaged in the shortest sentence in Scripture. That enclosure needs a gardener. I dont want to read more into this than is there, but Martha strikes me as a woman of action. Create in me a pure heart and a steadfast spirit Oh Lord. It is always interesting when Scripture uses such a specific number to describe something. If I had to choose between all the disciplines of the spiritual life, I would choose Bible memorization, because it is a fundamental way of filling our minds with what it needs. It is also at these moments I wonder why Im still here. One of these silver coins, called drachamas, was worth an entire days labor in the time of Jesus. Because the world is mentioned earlier in the verse it must therefore mean that Jesus has in view that everyone in the world will be saved by His death. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. That mission is to feed the sheep, to tend the flock and so forth. Though the scene must have been frightening, a mob of men with torches and weapons in the middle of the night, Jesus isnt caught off guard or surprised by the arrival of this band of men. And, as we see in verse 37, the reaction of these people to Jesus weeping is one of unbelief not trust and faith. [2]It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. He waited to come to them out of love, remember. She didnt yet understand that this man Jesus was not just the Messiah sent from God, He was the Author of life. His character is certainly made known in many ways through suffering just think of all the times that men and women who have endured sickness have testified to the great and glorious character of Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:8-13, ESV), [v] In Gods Greater Glory Bruce Ware explains: Both Jacob Arminius and John Wesley agreed with John Calvin, who in turn agreed with Augustine, on this point (although many in the Arminian tradition have departed from the view of the founders of Wesleyan Arminianism). But Jesus readily identifies Himself as who they are looking for. John Frame quotes Geerhardus Vos for us on this matter: To him (Jesus) the kingdom exists there, where not merely God is supreme, for that is true at all times and under all circumstances, but where God supernaturally carries through his supremacy against all opposing powers and brings men to the willing recognition of the same. Come what may, be it the loss of a loved one, or of a job, or whatever, He is with us, guiding our life with meticulous sovereignty (Ware). The first is that John lets us know this is the first day of the week. This is Sunday. They dont want to hear that their lives are headed for eternal hell. Furthermore, he knows that what he has done has been an offense first and foremost against heaven. supposing him to be the gardener. If he is to have the honor of it, then labor to do that which will give him great renown. I dont know why she turned around. Perhaps she was frightened by the angels and turned to go, or perhaps she sensed someone behind her and quickly wanted to see who was approaching. John Owen rightly explains that this charge against them isnt aimed at their being slow mentally, or having a learning disability. In our recent Bible study there was a passing comment about Spurgeon describing God as the hound of heaven, citing that God relentlessly pursued him until Spurgeon finally surrendered to him. 314. The search for God now became intense. [18]Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. Just the fact that there is a hell and a heaven and a final judgment showcase this obvious truth. Autobiography, Vol. Our very salvation is like this, for we are saved NOW, yet we have not yet fully realized that salvation. Spurgeon: I must confess, he says, that I never would have been saved if I could have helped it. Therefore we must be continually putting ourselves in a position to learn more, to hear the Word more, to pray more. You wish to bring others to Christ, because you yourselves have been brought to life and liberty in him. is possibly represented by the woman in the second parable Pg. One cannot understand or appreciate the need for Christs imputed righteousness, the importance of His being fully man, the significance of Christs non-Levitical (and eternal) priesthood, or the typological significance of this enigmatic character Melchizedek if one is still learning the basic truths upon which these are built. There is great hope and comfort in this passage my friends and it ought to spur us on to great effect. Autobiography, Vol. As Sproul points out though, Caiaphas must have forgotten Proverbs 17:15, which says, He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord.. Remember who Peter is nowthis is the man who became the boldest proclaimer of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the early church. [16] In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; [17] and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, [18] praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. That verse helps us understand why Jesus was so indignant. You were lost. The second point is mind blowing and its also where people get tripped up in Universalism. But the power of Christ, endued to rebels, aliens, and blasphemers transforms by the Spirit of God, and conforms (us) from a product of the first Adam into the image of the Second. 3:17-18 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. There were two trials one from the Jews, and one from the Romans. Life (of the abundant kind) is about believing in Him, in placing full confidence in His words and surrendering to His leadership and direction. Both men are running, but John notes that he beat Peter to the tomb. Remember, He is the Lord of all the earth, He is God and He sees and controls the hearts of all men (Prov. It is but the effect of the fall, that man should love sin better than righteousness, and the ways of this world better than the ways of God. Written by a descendant of both Patrick Henry and Woodrow Wilson, New World Order reveals just who is behind the New World Order, what they want, how they are affecting your life today, and what can you can do about it. It is at this moment that the story begins to turn from confusion and bewilderment to joy and restoration. In order to understand most of the NT especially the words of Jesus and the book of Revelation we need to understand this important principle. [21] The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. Rather they knew the character of this man Jesus. The Hound of Heaven. 11:27She said to him, Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.. He abides their foolishness and lack of understanding. This, consequently, is why we study theology. You will observe, if you read the verse which precedes, which indeed it would be wrong to dissever from the text, that the doctrine of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ was the sheet-anchor of Paul's comfort, as it was the great substance of his . In Eden, God sought Adam; in Gethsemane, the last Adam sought God! Christ was never happy when something horrible happened, but often used difficulties to share the good news of the Kingdom (Luke 13:1-5). We might hide in the dark recesses of a local bar. but thats for future Sunday mornings! It is in these things that solid food is apprehended and consumed. Third, the power of Christ is on full display in this amazing moment. The reaction to the miracles of Christ is always of interest to me. If Adam represented us in the garden, Peter represented us in the courtyard: Liars. Tax collectors were traitors to their own people, collecting money from fellow Israelites on behalf of the Romans. In these ways and many more, Christ is the suffering servant; He is the very heart of love. His power is so exacting, so overwhelming that at the mere mention of His name soldiers, criminals, and traitors eat the dirt their bones were fashioned from. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. What we read here is that we naturally RUN from the light. Carson weighs four major opinions on the matter and comes to the conclusion that the best way to understand this is through the prism of what is going on in each situation with each individual. The words, whoever believes in him should not perish assume that there will be some who do perish, and that had Christ not come into the world all would, indeed, perish. 20:17-18 Jesus said to her, Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God. [18] Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, I have seen the Lordand that he had said these things to her. Which is why it is with great irony that they are the ones who claim this passage (along with Matthew 16:13-20) as one which sets down the primacy of Peter because not only does it do nothing of the sort, but even if it did, they do not follow the instructions to him who was supposedly made primal. When I read this passage several years ago I thought (rightly) that I cant teach anyone now, but realized that my inability wasnt God telling me not to teach, but rather it was Him calling me to learn and grow closer to Him in obedience in order to teach when the time presented itself. [21] Why do you ask me? Clearly there was the implication that they would like Jesus to come to their aid, and there was certainly the suggestion that he might help them by healing Lazarus. Peter has no inhibitions about going in if something has happened to his friend hes going to know about it and see the whole matter for himself. Such is the value God places on the lost sinners of this world. 2. Therefore I must patiently wait for His plan to unfold even amidst trial. This is something that David realized as well: Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Then Jesus came announcing the presence of the kingdom. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. (Acts 4:12-13 ESV). We need to build upon the foundation, not become so complacent in our learning that that were stuck in a perpetual process of groundbreaking!!! This is the moment in which life and death decisions are being made. Spurgeon sees great, if perhaps accidental, wisdom in Marys mistaking Jesus for the gardener: She was mistaken when she fell into supposing him to be the gardener; but if we are under his Spirits teaching we shall not make a mistake if now we indulge ourselves in a quiet meditation upon our ever-blessed Lord, supposing him to be the gardener., It is not an unnatural supposition, surely; for if we may truly sing, We are a garden walled around, Those who have not been born again by the Spirit of God run as fast as they can from the gospel. It was here that I found the poem The Hound of Heaven by English poet Francis Thompson. No man would put themselves in harms way like this (almost certain death) for the lives of people who werent his family. Peter is given the chance to identify with Christ, with His Lord, and instead of doing so He cowers. It is the story of Peters three denials, and the power of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. Sometimes God gives us the desires of our heart in order to show us that they are foolishness. The first thing this verse assumes is that people in the world have the wrath of God abiding on them otherwise there would be no need for a Savior. [i] Old verse 16 notes that I didnt get to include: What has become, however, a sad commentary in our current day is that many have distorted this verse and taken it out of context. Section 1: vs. 1-16 The Plans of God for the Glory of Christ, Section 2: vs. 17-27 Abramatic Faith & Ego Eimi, Section 3: vs. 28-44 The Sovereign Power of the Son of God, Section 4: vs. 45-57 Heart of Darkness: The Power of Unbelief, Section 1 The Plans of God for the Glory of Christ. 1088. For no man will ever call upon the name of the Lord without the gracious help of God who opens our eyes and shows us the glory of the light of Jesus for what it truly is.[vii]. They suffered from hard hearts that resisted the revelation of God in Jesus (Mark 6:52; 8:17, 21). The kingdom must not be understood as merely the salvation of certain individuals or even as the reign of God in the hearts of his people; it means nothing less that the reign of God over his entire created universe. For example: Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. The nations will always go on quarreling, wrangling, and fighting. He is the sum total of bliss; the fountain from which heaven flows, the element of which heaven is composed. And its a goal that positions us well to commune with God. But He never allowed His humanity to prevent Him from making absolutely perfect and righteous decisions. Make no mistake, every man, whether spiritually alive or spiritually dead, will face the judgment of Christ when He comes back in glory. Are we not all the plants of his right hand planting? We love that which we ought to hate, and we hate that which we ought to love. If God is for us, who can be against us? The weakness of man contrasted so clearly againstthe backdrop of Christs majestic power is hard to miss. Their minds are continually thinking how can I please God in my actions? They are obsessed with that! Such is the greatness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Spurgeon adds, there is no man so ignorant that he can claim a lack of intellect as an excuse for rejecting the gospelit is not any lack or deficiency there (in the mind)through the fall, and through our own sin, the nature of man has become so debased, and depraved, and corrupt, that it has become impossible for him to Christ without the assistance of God the Holy Sprit.[vi]. A session of the Sanhedrin (Mt. Not Bound Yet "Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound." 2 Timothy ii. She didnt realize she was talking to Jesus! I want you to be changed into the likeness and image of Christ. 21:15-17 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these? He said to him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. He said to him, Feed my lambs. [16] He said to him a second time, Simon, son of John, do you love me? He said to him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. He said to him, Tend my sheep. [17] He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Do you love me? and he said to him, Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you. Jesus said to him, Feed my sheep. [x] Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, Pg. Apart from Christ in the dark night of his soul, he flees into the darkness of night leaving the Prince of Light to single-handedly parry with the heaviest concentration of evil ever seen on this earth. 482 ratings62 reviews. PDF The Hound of Heaven Comments will be approved before showing up. In 1883, Charles Spurgeon was sitting on a bench in Menton, France, when a pale, emaciated woman sat down beside him. His power is immutable, as are all His other qualities. This next parable was one that women of Jesus day could relate to which actually cuts to the point that Jesus cared more about relating timeless truths to the lower classes of men and women than to the rich and powerful. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. So you are now alive to the things of Christ and you rejoice in the kingdom into which He has brought you., Pastor Warren Wiersbe puts it this way, It is not intellectual problems that keep people from trusting Christ; it is the moral and spiritual blindness that keeps them loving the darkness and hating the light., C.H. Moses tells us that the Lord God placed the man in the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. First, the idea that the world will be saved through Him, despite the fact that we just heard John use the word world to refer to a wide group of people, all humanity in fact, we now hear him use the word world in a more selective way those who will be saved.