Jesus: The Resurrection and the Life

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.  Do you believe this’?  She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.’” –John 11:25-26 (ESV).

It took a funeral of a good friend for Jesus to reassure Lazarus’ sister, Martha, who came to meet Jesus as he approached their house of mourning, that He was, indeed, ‘the resurrection and the life.”  Imagine, if you will, the setting for this statement and the subsequent miracle of resurrection.  Jesus had been summoned, for Lazarus whom He loved was very sick.  Jesus delayed His going to Bethany and arrived after Lazarus died and was already in the tomb for four days.  Why had Jesus delayed?  Even Mary, the one who sat at Jesus feet earlier to hear him teach while her sister Martha was “encumbered with much serving,” reprimanded Jesus and told Him if He had been there, her brother would not have died.  Jesus delayed so that God could be glorified in the situation of death…and subsequent life.

Jesus showed his compassion.  He, too, wept (v. 35).  Jesus joins his friends in their sadness with heartfelt sorrow, even though He knew that resurrection and joy would soon follow.  Did His weeping not show us that heartfelt mourning in the face of death is a natural and normal human emotion?  Someone has also suggested that Jesus wept because He had decided to call forth Lazurus from death and eternity to return to this sad world of sin and its trials.  When we weep under such a sad circumstance as death it does not indicate our lack of faith but shows our honest sorrow for parting and for the reality of suffering death brings to the family members that remain.  But the mourning at Bethany would soon turn to joy.  Jesus simply commanded, “Lazarus, come out!” (v. 43). Someone has written that had Jesus not called Lazarus by name, all the dead in that cemetery in Bethany would have come forth, for He who holds life in His hand and in His Word was speaking.  The Resurrection and the Life was commanding the dead to live!

Jesus, in telling Martha (and any about her who might have heard His words), “Do you believe that I am the resurrection and the life?  She responded yes, she knew He was the Christ.  And therein lies the transfer from death to life—by simple belief.  Unsaved people aren’t just tainted and sick because of their sins.  They are “”dead in trespasses and sins”  (see Ephesians 2:1, 5).  And “by grace through faith” we are saved to walk in newness of life with Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).  Resurrection to newness of life means abundant and meaningful life in our remaining time on earth while we await the consummation of our sanctification, eternal life with the Father.  Unless the Lord returns to earth before our death, we know physical death is sure for every living person:  “it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).  But for us who trust in Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life, we have “eternal life and will not be judged…[but will] cross over from death to life (John 5:24).  For those who have had a near-death experience, as in the recent book entitled Heaven is for Real, tells us, what Jesus taught us about His being the Resurrection and the Life is also for real!  He conquered the last enemy, death, and so can we, through Him!  To God be the glory!

Blessed Are the Peacemakers

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” – Matthew 5:9 (KJV).

“Salom!” is a Hebrew greeting that has several meanings, the most important of which is to wish personal well-being, prosperity, bodily health and peace to the one greeted.  Jesus taught us that peacemakers are blessed and are called the children of God, for God is the Master Peacemaker.  And peacemaking was exemplified in the life and ministry of Jesus.  Where there was hatred and strife, He taught how to pursue a better way.  A peacemaker is not static, hoping that peace will come.  Instead he is actively working to bring reconciliation where there is hatred and enmity.

Those who work for peace are sharing in Christ’s ministry of bringing reconciliation out of trouble.  2 Corinthians 5:18-19 teaches us that being a peacemaker is part of our Christian way of life:  “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.”  Paul’s teaching on Jesus and the Christian as peacemakers is further clarified in Ephesians 2:14:  “For He Himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility.”  And in Colossians 1:19-20 the importance of peace and how it was generated is expressed thusly:  “For in Him (Jesus) all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himslef all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross.”

Saint Francis lived and worked in the 13^th century.  He left behind an often-quoted prayer that has been set to lofty music.  The words of his prayer formulate the idea in the seventh Beatitude:

“Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love:

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console;

To be understood as to understand;

To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”

God’s Work of Grace in Us

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” –Ephesians 2:8-10 (NKJV).

For everyone who is a new creation in Christ Jesus, we are the workmanship of God. God’s grace—His unearned, unmerited favor—is the gift from Him that changed us from a separated, condemned, hopeless state to a new creation in Christ Jesus.  Not from any works which we did or could have done are we saved.  Salvation is the gift of God.  And Jesus is the originator and bearer of that gift of salvation.  God prepared and ordained it beforehand and Jesus died that God’s grace be manifested.

Our works cannot save us, and if we depend on a salvation of our works—which are “as filthy rags,”  we cannot be saved.  “For by grace you have been saved through faith.  Our own personal faith is the commodity we bring to the Lord to accept the gift of grace He extends to us.  How can we describe faith?  It is a firm and unshakeable conviction, belief, trust and confidence.  Faith gives believers the assurance that they can approach Holy God; He is reachable, accessible and already reaching out to us even before we approach Him in faith.  If salvation came through our own works, we would have occasion to boast, to brag about what we have done.  But it is through no merit of our own work or goodness that we are saved.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (v. 10).  The Greek word poiema translated “workmanship” is the same word from which we derive our English word “poem,” and means “that which is made.”  Being a poet of sorts, and having a life-long interest in the pursuit of and love for poetry, I can relate to this idea of God’s workmanship in us being like creating a poem.  The germ of an idea presents itself for a poem.  Sometimes it comes “full blown” and easily; at other times much thought, rearrangement and labor go into a poem before the poet is satisfied that the work is finished.  God’s grace saves us and His “poiema” (poem) workmanship begins in us.  Then through His Word, our prayers, our diligence in study, and even trials and sufferings, God works in each individual to bring us to our fulfillment in Him.  Look how long He worked in Moses:  forty years in the wilderness; and Joseph, sold into slavery before he was made second in power to the Pharaoh in Egypt and ready to help his own brothers who had sold him into slavery; Paul, persecuting the Christians before he was called to be an Apostle.  God’s grace saves us, and that by our faith.  God’s workmanship in us, to form us into the meaningful “poem” our life can be takes our whole lifetime of walking in His way.  Not only is faith required to accept His grace, faithfulness is required in practicing and growing in our faith.  May we be found faithful!

The Just Shall Live by Faith

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’” –Romans 1:16-17 (ESV).

In these verses the Apostle Paul expresses the theme of his epistle to the Roman Christians—the revelation of God’s judging and saving righteousness in the gospel of Jesus Christ. He wants to make very clear, to the Jews first and then to the Gentiles, that through the message of salvation in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross God both judges sin and shows His mercy and salvation.  Paul makes himself clear that he is not “ashamed” of the gospel.  Scholars hold that Paul wrote this letter to the church at Rome while he was at Corinth on his third missionary journey about 57 A. D.  As we’ve already seen in a previous devotional (June 16), Phoebe was the likely bearer of this important letter to the church at Rome.

We will remember from church history that Martin Luther put his “95 Theses” on the door of All Saints Church at Wittenburg, Germany on October 31, 1517.  Luther had not intended to cause the world-wide Reformation by his action, but by 1518 the printing press had made possible the printing and distribution of his statements about faith and practice to be known throughout Europe.  The Christian movement we call The Reformation was well on its way.  “Justification is by grace through faith” was Luther’s main contention and the doctrine he strongly upheld.  He was advocating this strong theological stand expressed in Romans 1:17.  And Paul himself was citing from Habakkuk 2:4 which reads: “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.”

The gospel proclaimed by Paul, many before him, and many since is powerful, personal, positive and persuasive.  It is powerful in that it has the ability to convince those who hear an believe that salvation is by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is personal in that “The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12, KJV).  It is positive in that it accomplishes the purpose for which it was intended:  “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God:  Not of works lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NKJV).  It is persuasive in that it gives us security in our faith promising that “we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the tricker of men, in the cunning craftiness by which they lie in wait to deceive, but speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:14-16).

Yes, indeed, the “just shall live by his faith.”  And the gospel—the word of God—has been the means whereby we have come to faith.  We, as Paul and others, should not be ashamed of the gospel, the power of God unto salvation.”  Thank God just now that you have been redeemed by faith and you will be kept against “that day of the Lord” when all of us who believe and are justified shall  “inherit the kingdom prepared for us from the foundation of the world”  (Matthew 25:34).  Amen!

That Which Is “Far Off and Exceedingly Deep”

“All this I have proved by wisdom. I said, ‘I will be wise’; But it was far from me. As for that which is far off and exceedingly deep, Who can find out? I applied my heart to know, To search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things.” –Ecclesiastes 7:23-25 (NKJV). “For I considered all this in my heart, so that I could declare it all: that the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God. People know neither love nor hatred by anything that is before them. Everything occurs alike to all.” –Ecclesiastes 9:1-2a (NKJV). Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” – John 20:29.

So much escapes our knowledge. As the writer of Ecclesiastes laments: “that which is far off and exceedingly deep, who can find out?” We may study the Bible sincerely, but its rich mine of knowledge and spiritual wisdom may escape our understanding. Are we to despair? In our efforts “to search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things” can we gain enough knowledge to give us assurance along life’s pathway? Sometimes we, like the “assembly man”—for that is the meaning of Ecclesiastes, the one who calls a religious assembly or who is its spokesman or preacher—think: “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). But, fortunately for the wisdom-seeker, Ecclesiastes, the “assembly-man,” there is an optimistic conclusion to his searching: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, Whether it is good or whether it is eveil” (-Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, NKJV).

I concluded the cited verses above with John 20:29 for a specific reason. Jesus had already appeared after His resurrection from the dead to some of the disciples. Thomas had not yet seen the resurrected Christ and had made the statement: “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). Eight days later, Thomas was with the disciples when Jesus appeared to them. He invited Thomas to reach and touch His nail-scarred hands and His pierced side. But seeing Jesus was enough. Thomas did not have to touch His Lord to believe. Then Jesus made an astounding statement that includes you and me and any believers: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29, NKJV). It is possible, through the eyes of faith, to see that which is “far off and exceedingly deep.” “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NKJV). The necessity for faith is clearly stated in Habakkuk 3:4b as the prophet forthtells the vision that would come: “the just shall live by his faith.” This statement became the central thrust of Martin Luther’s “95 Theses” so boldly proclaimed in 1517 in Germany that started the Reformation.

I am amazed and grateful that the findings of archaeologists are unraveling that which is “far off and exceedingly deep.” For those who would criticize and term many of the events and people of the Bible as myths and legends, archaeology is proving them true. Beneath the Gulf of Aquaba (the Red Sea) have been found Egyptian chariot wheels and other artifacts of that event in the history of God’s people and their protection and safety as God led and provided. Much will still remain “far off and exceedingly deep” for us. Part of it is the awesome mystery and wonder of God, the omnipotent, omniscient One. We have enough of His revelation and wisdom to link us in faith to Him. As the father of the sick child may we pray: “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24b).

Clothed in Righteousness

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation; He has covered me with the robe of righteousness.” Isaiah 61:10 (ESV) “I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my judgment was as a robe and diadem.” –Job 29:14 (ESV)

The idea for this devotional came to me when a friend sent me an e-mail with this title: “God knows how to dress a bird.” Attachments to the e-mail showed fourteen photographs of exotic birds, their feathers brilliant in color, their plumage bright and beautiful, a reflection indeed of the Creator’s attention to detail and focus on perfection. And then the thought came to me: “Yes, God knows how to clothe the birds of the air. But He also knows how to clothe you and me!” It took me only a few minutes using a Bible concordance to find verses that declare how, indeed, God clothes His children in righteousness. The Spirit of the Living God was a good teacher in this pursuit, showing how I am “clothed in the garments of righteousness.” He reminded me that my garments (any righteousness that I would try to clothe myself in) are as “filthy rags”: “But we are all as an unclean thing and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6, KJV). Herein we realize our deplorable condition, our “filthy rags” dress. And what are we to do? God provided a way: “But now, O Lord, Thou art our Father; we are the clay, and Thou our Potter; and we all are the work of Thy hand” (Isaiah 64:8, KJV). God wants to clothe each of us in the beautiful, pristine garments of righteousness. It is His gift to each of us, the work of His hand in our life. It is simply accepting what He has prepared for each who will believe and accept the beautiful ‘garments of salvation’ and ‘robe of righteousness’ that He offers freely. Jesus has already paid the price for our being clothed. Paul explained the way this happens: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, KJV).

God’s garment of righteousness—salvation—is available, awaiting our acceptance. Job, in his chagrin and when accused by his friends of being a terribly sinful man, else he would not have lost all his possessions and family, said in a very determined declaration: “I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my judgment was as a robe and diadem” (Job 29:14, ESV). God’s righteousness is available, but each of us must decide on our own to “put on righteousness.” Only then comes beautiful adorning, the judgment of God’s “robe and diadem” for each of us, to clothe us in that unparalleled righteousness of God that will remain permanent and imperishable. But the believer has a further obligation. While living upon earth, we must keep on dressing in robes of righteousness that we ourselves must choose to don. Paul the Apostle instructed us in this spiritual action in several of his letters. From one citation we learn, as did Job of old, that we who have God’s robe of righteousness must ourselves: “Put on, then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you have been called in one body. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:12-15, ESV) Indeed, God knows how to dress the birds! He knows how to clothe His children in righteousness, and we can put on daily those virtues that make righteousness glow and shine in a world in great need of godly beauty. With Edward Mote, author of our beloved hymn, “The Solid Rock,” we sing: “Dressed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before His throne!”