While Peter is sinning, Jesus is obeying. It is the good life it prioritizes the self ahead of others, and the temporal before the eternal. But this is not that spiritual Kingdom of which we read here, but rather that earthly literal Kingdom which comes at the culmination of human history.[ii]. 9, 10, and 11. Consequently, thats why He was so poignant in His remarks about eternity earlier. Jesus is indeed our great Gardener! (Hebrews 4:15-16). [xvii] J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, Luke 21:10-19. Our need is now obvious. This will bring you both peace and joy and give you great strength when all else seems to fail. 27:11-14; Jn. He knew the impact of these verses. ", But Thompson also knew the unrelenting love of Jesus, the hound of heaven. The full text is found here: http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0182.htm. Additionally, there is some evidence that agape was also coming into more common use at the time to mean simply to love (per Carson). He waited to come to them out of love, remember. 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. (Psalm 51:4). We see that not only is this man the Messiah whose long awaited and desired coming had finally arrived, but he is the very Son of God who called creation into existence millennia prior to this moment. All men will one day give account for their behavior during this life. In light of the resurrection, Jesus crosswork and victory over death has secured for believers union with Himself, and all the privileges appertaining unto that reality. In his love for us Jesus acts like a hound-dog, intense and focused as he pursues the hunt. We might hide in the illicit romances of actors and actresses, but . God planned it all from before the world began. So perhaps its only natural for her to sprint out to see the Lord. I sped from those strong feet that followed, followed after [me]. The Greek language also had terms for two other types of love, eros and storge, which do not expressly appear in the Bible. Sproul, Everyones a Theologian, Pg. In his commentary on the book of Acts, Martyn Llyod-Jones gives some great background on these men: Caiaphas, the high priest, was just a Sadducee write large. PART II: The Weakness of Peter and Mankind. 846-847. The glory of God is mediated through the written Word of God and effectively applied to our hearts by the Spirit of God. But how is that achieved? Indeed the book of Revelation, as we mentioned earlier, was written to assure Christians that He is in control over all things He is the Lord of history. That is why we have the fellowship of the church. (d) I think the drawing of the net to shore at last was meant to remind the disciples and all ministers of what will happen when the Lord comes again. [5] It isnt a popular thing to repent of our behavior. There is joy and eternal bliss that has been reserved for those who trust in Him now. What a wonderful feeling and a wonderful knowledge that is. 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). We have a Savior, aye, this is true but more than that, we have a friend. This is why His raising Lazarus from the tomb was a major sign (A major wake up call to Satan also) of the ushering in of His kingdom this was the warning shot across the bow of Satan. What makes it beautiful is multi-dimensional. Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. The final stanza (vv. His character is certainly made known in many ways through suffering just think of all the times that men and women who have endured sickness have testified to the great and glorious character of Jesus Christ. And while we need to take a sample of the common vernacular as well, I would think that the authorial usage takes slight precedent over cultural commonality if there are multiple examples to draw from, and indeed there are in this book. They love their own sin.[v]. The glory of God is of infinite value! Paul understands that the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth is the lynchpin of our faith: And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. The way that John tells the story is really interesting. To do that effectively, he made a point of using examples that related to their life experience.[6], In this case, the woman who lost her coin represents God. [12] For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. In fact, they just left and went back to their homes leaving Mary at the tomb with her sorrow. It has been quoted more times than any other verse, and it is well known to both pagan and Christian alike. 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. Now, there are other (MANY other) interpretations that range from the bizarre to the more plausible. The fundamental task of the church is to bear witness to the kingdom of God. Mary, as stunned and hurt as she was by the loss of her brother ran quickly to find Jesus. This is about Christ setting the record straight. But more than that, there is this beautiful hope of eternity with the Lover of our soul. [26] Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory? (Luke 24:25-26). [12] http://www.spurgeon.org/misc/bio2.htm. But long before I began with Christ, He began with me.". Annas is not currently the high priest, but has been in the past, and is so powerful that he is actively involved in the affairs of temple and his son in laws administration of things. Which leads me to my next point. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Why didnt they understand what was going on with the Lord? Charles H. Spurgeon. The answer is-they are here that they may live unto the Lord, and may bring others to know his love. I hope you see the glorious grace of Jesus Christ and the magnificence of His offer to you this evening. [41] The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. Proper 19C'19. But when one reads the poem this strangeness disappears. Second, the majestic power of Jesus displayed in the saving power of His gospel. If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. Our doing is our beholding. Tax collectors were traitors to their own people, collecting money from fellow Israelites on behalf of the Romans. They will do nothing of the kind. 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. There is here a veiled reference to Matt. I bring this up is because it shows the deeper purposes of God in Christ for you. Not following Jesus obviously did not occur to him as an option. The stench of death was likely setting in, and no one ever though of the man comingbackto life. This means, no doubt, that we must be continually abiding in the Word of God if were to grow closer to God, and live out lives transformed by Gods Spirit. Now, most theologians believe that Christ is reigning now, but what is the nature of that reign? The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. 15 September 2019. 2:13). They suffered from hard hearts that resisted the revelation of God in Jesus (Mark 6:52; 8:17, 21). And it should do the same for us. 15:14-15 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. If you have not come to know Christ personally as your savior, if you have not been made alive from the spiritual death to which you were born into this world, then today is the day of salvation. 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, He had a word for everyone because He was rescuing men and women from every tribe, tongue and nation. He is not simply in tears for His dear friend and the family of Lazarus, but also for a world whose response to death is not fully defined by the realities of God. [42] The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. Below is a sermon I preached this past week on John 18:1-27. Then Frame says, On this definition, the kingdom is dynamic, indeed dramatic. Ryken, Commentary on Luke, Volume II, Pg. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. These people must have been sick, twisted freaks.. Frauds. For this is His insight and instruction as to how to communicate with God, of whom He is One with the other two persons of the Godhead. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. In Eden, God sought Adam; in Gethsemane, the last Adam sought God! Amillennialists believe that the binding of Satan took place during Jesus earthly ministry; Satan was restrained while the gospel was preached to the world, and this restraint continues today.[xii]. It means the great drama of the history of salvation has been inaugurated, and that the new age has been ushered in. For He delights in taking weak dying sinners and bathing them in the nutrition imparting light of His gospel. This is what R.C. These are the kinds of things that make lesser men frustrated to the point of boiling over with anger. [18] No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. But it isnt a strictly New Testament teaching. Ironically, Christ did this very thing in order make those who werent His family part of His family by sovereign adoption. Create in me a pure heart and a steadfast spirit Oh Lord. These verses metaphorically insist that Jesus is safe as long as he performs his Fathers will. Our Lord has risen He has defeated death! Now lets examine once again some of the bigger picture here. The answer is that this: we need a supernatural change of heart. Only the sovereign grace of God will melt these hearts of stone. SIDE NOTE: D.A. In these parallel accounts we see first the power of Christ, and also the weakness and failure of Peter. Now in the lead up to the events weve just read about that transpired the morning that Jesus Christ was captured and taken prisoner have been enumerated in chapters 13-17. Without the eyes of Christ you are driving 80 mph through dense fog all the while hoping for the best and yet still surprised when you hit a pole. Would God keep his children out of paradise a single moment longer than was necessary? Even in the midst of all this seeming chaos, Jesus is getting everything He wants. This is not to say that we dont cherish the foundation, of course. [15] Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? John says earlier in chapter 3: [36] Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. Listen to the reflections of C.H. Christ Jesus is the one who diedmore than that, who was raisedwho is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. That is a very important statement. Therefore I must patiently wait for His plan to unfold even amidst trial. 1110. Boston artist R.H. Ives Gammell (1893-1981) painted his 23-panel series, A Pictorial Sequence by R.H. Ives Gammell Based on "The Hound of Heaven" over the course of 15 years (1941-1956).In them, the artist interpreted British poet Francis Thompson's late-19th-century "The Hound of Heaven" poem.Those verses have been a staple of Catholic literature . But he will be frustrated and defeated by the return of Christ and the judgment that will result in his final destruction. Paul says God gave them up or turned them over to their own desire multiple times in this passage. He deals with their lack of faith and misunderstanding and selfishness. He is the one who is cleansing our hearts and renewing our minds and He will give us the faith to press on, and the discernment to do His will. But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him" 1 Corinthians 2:9 E. When someones heart is touched by the words of Christ they want to immediately go and tell others of the experience and bring them near to Christ. 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. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. (1 John 4:9-10). Into those years was crowded a world of experience which enabled him in his subsequent ministry to probe the secrets of many hearts. This ability, this foundation, is always grounded in the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the power of God the Spirit working within us. (John 14:6, ESV), He said to them, You are from below; I am from above. He has saved us and not to mope about in introspection for our entire lives, but to love others in service to our Lord. Jesus not only promises (and delivers) forgiveness, He promises and gives a healed heart and transformed life to those who call on Him and believe in His name. John probably views the death and resurrection of Christ as inaugurating the long-awaited kingdom of the end times predicted by Daniel, which will now continue throughout the church age. It is possible for a man to be taken to heaven, and to be found meet to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light, though he has but just believed in Jesus. You no doubt have difficulties youre battling today. The meaning is understood. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. (1 Corinthians 2:10). [24] For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to celebrate. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins. (John 8:23-24). We are here to glorify Christ in our daily life. I want us to focus on 3 Key Points we must take away from this passage, which we will see rise up again and again in our reading today: What the author of Hebrews says here, is not an isolated teaching, but reflects what we see throughout the Scriptures from the immutable plans of God for his image bearers, namely that God desires for us to know Him more intimately and to repent of the sin that hinders us from doing so: And when Moses had finished speaking all these words to all Israel, [46] he said to them, Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law. It's a little heaven below, to imagine sweet things. These realities are expressed in Peter and in the lives of millions of lost people around the world. Then I plead with you repent of that sin. so much so that when these Pharisees saw Jesus eating with sinners it was enough to throw them into convulsions. The poem became famous and was the source of much of Thompson's posthumous reputation. And, as we see in verse 37, the reaction of these people to Jesus weeping is one of unbelief not trust and faith. They were completely bewildered. Christians who carry out the fruit of their salvation in love toward others give glory to God. They also provide us with a solid reason for faith in His word and in our future with Him. 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. In this phrase Christ is claiming that, not only does He have the power to raise lost souls from the dead, but He has a plan for them after that we were saved from something, but also for something. She is weeping for her brother, but also because she has been stirred again emotionally by the presence of Christ. [xii]. Such was the nature of His patience and longsuffering. We are fallen men and women. We see in Christs response to Martha that He isnt concerned about the odor of Lazarus, Hes more concerned with the revelation of His glory. Jesus you are so powerful, so profoundly majestic, so good, so gracious and so loving, that if you had but been here in our presence You could have stopped this tragedy from occurring.. 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. For we continually point people to the foundation points of the gospel and we too need to be continually reminded about them and revel in their glories! A few years ago I read The Soul in Paraphrase, a collection of devotional poems containing their analysis and the spiritual truth it brings out. In Eden, Adam hid himself; in Gethsemane Christ boldly showed Himself. It could also be a literary/stylistic devise he is employing to prime the reader for more to come (namely in chapter 12:3). But what Caiaphas didnt realize (in his unconscious prophecy as Morris aptly puts it) is that it was indeed expedient for one man to die for the nation a scapegoat covered not with the political excuses of sinful men, but with the weight of their sins upon Him. To argue a distant futurist reign of Christ is to argue the opposite of how the Bible describes the efficacy of Christs work on the cross. Not simply good for everyone, but for those who A) love Him and B) are called according to His purpose. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:7-8). This is a real party going on here! [ix] Tom Schreiner, New Testament Biblical Theology, Pg. What does this response mean? In fact that is what Jesus meant when He said He would draw all men to Himself. The cross is for Jew and Gentile alike. In short, the sins of pride, covetousness and possibly laziness are to blame. It this doesnt turn you off, then I hope you are able to enjoy the study! Later in 2 Corinthians 4, Paul describes it in this way: For God, who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2:15-16a), [xi] I like what Tony Reinke says on reading through the Bible in a year, Reading the Bible from cover to cover in 2013 is a noble goal. Like cockroaches, we are described as running from the light, not running to the light! Supposing him to be the gardener, and God to come and walk among the trees of the garden, then I expect he will remove the whole of the garden upward with himself to fairer skies; for he rose, and his people must rise with him. The theme itself is a venerable one. 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. [16] I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. These angels had a perspective that was grounded in reality thats why they can rightfully and astoundedly ask, Why are you weeping???. [7]Then after this he said to the disciples, Let us go to Judea again.. All those who boldly proclaimed headship over their lives will suddenly realize the oxygen they suck has been a precious gift from the one who upholds all the planets by the power of His word (Heb. [4] Tony Romano, August 23, 2013 notes on Luke 15 teaching. You see, death here seemed to have the last say, and the attitude of defeat among the mourners smacked of Satan. She needed that money to run her household. In the final verse we find that those who do right are okay coming into the light. To put it another way, He is not going to do the miracle so that He can receive praises from men, but rather to show men that He is praiseworthy. I promise its worth your time and a good reflection on the goodness & mercy of God. His grace is so powerful and so effective, that when He calls you, He will not fail in His mission to bring you all the way from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. (b) I think the lack of success in catching fish, which the disciples had until the Lord appeared, was meant to teach that without Christs presence and blessing ministers can do nothing. He will not leave prodigals, wayward sinners alone. May it never be! While Im not sure if Spurgeon was aware of and influenced by this poem, its hard not to see the parallels! Carson talks about how some of the Jews thought (superstitiously) that the soul of a body hovers above the body for three days prior to finally departing. She gets to the tomb and the stone which covered the tombs entrance has been rolled away. 13:47, 48, and an indication that all kinds of people are going to be saved. Vain were ceremoniesvain as empty wells to the thirsty Arab. [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. If you have found yourself covered in shame, if you have wronged your Lord, take comfort we all have wronged our Lord. That the world lies under condemnation from its own sin, That Gods love and plan for salvation extends far wider than simply to the people of Israel, That Jesus is the chosen instrument through which mankind will be saved from eternal damnation. It is this revealing of Gods character through created things, through His plan, and through His Son that we are to focus on here. [19]For as by the one mans disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one mans obedience the many will be made righteous. Plenty of people understand the ABCs of what Jesus did. Perhaps this is obvious, but Christ never boasted in Himself but allowed His truthful teaching, His actions and the testimony of others to glorify Him. 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. The heart change that only comes by new birth. In fact, if we think carefully about what John has been saying in verses 19-21 we will see that our natural disposition is to love the darkness. The Hound of Heaven and a Young Russian Agnostic Andrea Wolfe, on staff with the CoMission office in Raleigh, North Carolina tells the following story: In the 1930's Stalin ordered a purge of all Bibles and all believers. You arent guaranteed another day or another hour of life. We have pains and ills and death all around us. Had the Lords plans been concealed up until this point in time? [1] Ryken, Commentary on Luke, Volume II, Pg. Justin Taylor | June 27, 2011. Wouldnt it be just as easy for Christ to take me home? He waits patiently for Gods plan. What is remarkable about these people is that they have been turned from sinners who love their sin, to those who love to give glory to God for anything good they do. Why would John remark on that specifically? Lean on His promises and trust that He is who He says He is. What a fantastic claim! 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? None of this can be done alone, can it? This is the moment at his lowest when he comes to himself. Note especially the quotation from Psalm 110. Moody and Lovett point out that Thompson's use of free and varied line lengths and irregular rhythms reflect the panicked retreat of the soul, while the structured, often recurring refrain suggests the inexorable pursuit as it comes ever closer.[3]. Last night I taught on Luke 15, three parables that teach us about the lengths God has gone to save us, and the only proper response to His pursuit: joy and repentance. We need hearts whose desires are to follow hard after Christ, not spend endless years on spiritual life support! ***Chapter 18 ought to remind us how much Christ prized us and how little we prized Him. It is no secret that my life, especially as of late, has been the subject of many an attack of the Devil and his lackeys. I expect a blessed transplantation of all these flowers below to a clearer atmosphere above, away from all this smoke and fog and damp, up where the sun is never clouded, where flowers never wither, where fruits never decay. [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. I know my own and my own know me, [15] just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. Sproul describes this unique part of Post-millennialism: What distinguishes postmillennialists from amillennialists and premillennialists is the belief that Scripture teaches the success of the Great Commission in the age of the church. 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. As Moses says, this Word of God is our very life surely it is worthy of our attention today. [xvi], Grudem says, The primary characteristic of postmillennialism is that it is very optimistic about the power of the gospel to change lives and bring about much good in the world.. He arrived at some knowledge of his own heart and some knowledge of God's heart. The same power that leveled an angry mob upholds us through the darkness and pain of life, and vanquishes our enemies. Here we see that once again Christ is moved again, and its no wonder given the nature of the response from those in the mourning party (he is filled with a righteous indignation as the Greek clearly impliesagain, the English translations are all incorrect). Paul tells us as much in Romans chapter one: Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! They dont want to follow Christ. But as Caiaphas gets their attention, he continues on with an idea that is devious and characteristic of his political acumen (he lasted 18 years as high priest which was quite a feet during that time was deposed at the same time as Pontius Pilate in AD 36). The poem became famous and was the source of much of Thompson's posthumous reputation. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV). 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. To be plants in his garden, Supposing him to be the gardener, is all the heaven we can desire. 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. Now from what John says, its apparent that the disciples didnt fully grasp yet the significance of what they were seeing. But they also shape how we live our lives as Christians especially what kind of mindset we take toward events here on earth and circumstances in our personal lives. There are three things we need to notice about this parable. Jesus gospel is simple and life changing. But as well soon see, this verse must be read in its context if were to truly appreciate and understand our Lords message. Specifically, of course, on the revealing of the glory of the Son, which MacArthur says, blazes in this passage against a dark backdrop of rejection and hatred on the part of the Jewish leaders.. [32] And he said this plainly. [28] You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence. [29] Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. God reveals Himself to us out of love for us and a desire for us to be ushered into a love relationship with the Trinity as adopted sons and daughters of God. The church feeds off of the Word of God. Therefore, how do we rightly respond to these truths? The shepherd of Israel was always seen as the Lord. This is what happens here. Christ was never happy when something horrible happened, but often used difficulties to share the good news of the Kingdom (Luke 13:1-5). What does it mean to feed the flock? In Scripture there are at least three different ways/modes God can be glorified (generally speaking). They dont know how to handle their Bible, and consequently they are not living a life in accordance with Gods will they arent pressing on toward completeness (Phil.

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