John 5:37-47 - The Witness of Moses and the Scriptures

John 5:37-47

37 And the Father who sent Me, He has borne witness of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. 38 And you do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent. 39 You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me. 40 and you are unwilling to come to Me, that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from men. 42 but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. 43 I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another shall come in his own name, you will receive him. 44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another, and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote of Me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?

Message: The Witness of Moses and the Scriptures

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: From the previous lesson - John testified of Jesus prior to His coming and Jesus is sent by the Father and in the miracles He performed this also testified of Him. In these passages, Jesus is replying to the Jews still that are coming to him, questioning his claims of calling God His own Father. In verse 33 Jesus says, "You have sent to John" and the words of Chapter 1:19 can be recalled which said, "And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" - So 'You' that Jesus mentions repeatedly in these passages are the priests and Levites the Jews sent to find out about Jesus and probably more on the accusatory level of "Who do you think You are?" And yet in that confrontation Jesus is telling us who He is, who sent Him and the authority in which He works. And in the process we get this testimony now in the words of Scripture. 

The words of verse 37, "The Father who sent Me, He has borne witness of Me" are such powerful words that I often just read and yet in pondering them. That Jesus is in fact testifying of his equality with God. He isn't referring to God as God, but His own Father (v. 18). And Jesus is rather sharp in his words toward the these scribes and in a way, assaulting them by saying that they have not heard the voice of the Father (v. 37) nor "have His word abiding in you." Because they don't believe in Jesus. To believe in Jesus is to believe in the Father. And you can't have the Father unless you also believe in Jesus. 

See this is the kind of phrase that really kind of makes me stop myself in my tracks. In thinking of the Trinity, even if we don't define it as "Trinity" how can we reconcile these words with the idea that Jesus is simply a man. To say that the Father does not abide in someone unless they believe in Jesus are very strong words. How can a religion even only call Jesus a great prophet. This isn't a momentary, one-time hearing of the voice of the Father by Jesus. And again, this is all in response to Jesus being accused of equality with God and calling God His own Father (v. 18). No wonder Islam totally rejects the book of John as scripture.   

Jesus has witnesses to His claims: the Father, John the Baptist, and Jesus' own miracles. And the testimony of Jesus bears more witnesses. Jesus points out that the scriptures bears witness as well (v. 39). And yet the mere study of scriptures does not merit eternal life. People miss the revelation of God all of the time. Jesus points out that in the Old Testament words of Jesus by Moses writings (Genesis-Deuteronomy) we have a testimony or witness of Christ as well. Jesus remarked that Moses wrote of Him ("For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote of Me.")

This is an interesting passage as it shows us that people refuse to believe. People make the choice to not believe in Jesus. They want the answer to come in another way. They don't want to believe in Jesus. Even when Christ is presented to them, they won't believe. It is a hard realization but a true one. 

Summary: The witness of Jesus continues with the words of Moses and the writings of Scripture, which testify of Jesus Christ and His glory. 

Promise: All of our study of Scripture should lead us to glorify Christ and praise Him for His great salvation. 

Prayer: Lord, it is hard to deal with this issue of people rejecting You despite hearing Your truth and Your Gospel. But in reality it is true, people want to find truth and meaning in other ways. Direct me to those that You want to save and help me to help them and give understanding to them. Thank you for the testimony of You and for the clarity of it and for giving it to us from so many sources: the Father, miracles, scripture, Moses. Thank You for speaking to me with such clarity. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

Romans 9:14-24 - Grace and Reprobation

Romans 9:14-24

14 What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! 15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH." 18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.

19 You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?” 20 On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? 21 Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use? 22 What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? 23 And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, 24 even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.

Message: Grace and Reprobation

Time:  Paul wrote Romans from Corinth as he prepared to leave for Palestine. Phoebe (16:1,2) was given the great responsibility of delivering the letter to the Romans believers. At this time, Rome had a population of 1 million, many of whom were slaves. The Romans church was doctrinally sound, but it still needed rich doctrine and practical application. Rome had massive buildings but also slums.

What the Lord is Saying:

God rescues us
Man is forever fooling himself to think that he can earn his own salvation. This again is the way of the world in which we live. We work hard, continually improving and along the way our hard work pays off. It merits dividends. Even when it comes to eating or taking care of our bodies, we are focused on the idea that what we eat and the exercise we do pays off by living in a healthier manner. Thus, we are trained over and over in life in this kind of living and this living resulting in good outcomes.

Yet, God's salvation does not work like this. Over and over in scripture is the reminder that we are saved by grace. This grace does not have anything to do with our performance. Man does make choices in life but is incapable of choosing righteousness as a sinner. He needs to be rescued by God.

Paul responds to a question
In this passage, Romans 9:14-24, Paul is addressing an objection that is not said but implied or he thinks the objection is coming. The objection is - "Is God acting in a righteous manner when He chooses one over another?" This sounds quite familiar to what we hear all to often from people in this world. They say, "God would not let that happen because God is love and God being love wants all people to have good outcomes." Those are not the exact words that are spoken by people but it is something that is mentioned over and over that a good God would not allow suffering; a good God would not allow a person to hurt or have pain. When we ask these questions, are we not asking the same question that Paul is responding to here? The question is: Is God acting in a righteous manner when He chooses one over another?

In essence, God is being God and we don't like it and because we don't like it, then there must not be a God.

God has mercy
Paul wants to make it very clear that God is always righteous. He starts with a quote from Exodus 33:19 - And He said, "I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion." Paul is speaking to the Jewish people and his responses or His arguments go back to the text of the Old Testament. God will be gracious to whom He will be gracious. As man, our role is to not be judge or jury of God. Yet, most of us have a God given compassion for others, and we hurt for others, for ourselves. We see some people living seemingly good lives while others don't and it saddens us that everyone can't be equal. Yet, we are the ones that have defined what is a good life. But, there is also injustice in this world because people are sinners and they act in a sinful manner. But, God is not the one who is acting in an injustice way. Paul says (verse 16) - it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. It does not depend on man's hard work. Paul is simply making a natural conclusion here. The Lord will have mercy on whom I have mercy....it does not depend on the man. 

If it depended on man, then man would get the glory. It is one or the other. It cannot be a two-way thing where man does a little, God does the rest. This goes back to the earlier discussion that man is incapable in his fallen state to do even a little.

Demonstrates His Power
Paul continues his response and once again goes back to Exodus with the following quote from Exodus 9:16 - But, indeed, for this reason I have allowed you to remain, in order to show you My power and in order to proclaim My name through all the earth. Paul states - FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH. God is to be glorified. God acts the way He acts so His name might be proclaimed. We have a jealous God. Albert Barnes states - "The design is to show that God has a right to pass by those to whom he does not choose to show mercy; and to place them in circumstances where they shall develop their true character." God has this right. Again, it is the character of man to take care of only himself. It is the character of God to try to think man is the one that solves life's problems. This passage in Exodus is Paul taking his audience back to Pharaoh to show that even the most mighty and wicked monarchs are in God's control. The true character of man is selfishness, of seeking out his own self interests and God placed Pharaoh in circumstances where this character is further developed. While others he chooses for salvation.

Once again, this is an idea about God that I don't think we like. The reality is God does choose some for salvation, but most he does not. And the selfish way of man is pleased with this.

Don't Ask Why
Thus, what follows next is man's natural response to all of this - The Question: "Why?" But, the issue I think of the "why" question can be better understood in the idea that man lives in a fallen condition. This is the basis of man. This is the intent of man. This is the predominant way of man. I think in the United States and even throughout the world, for a time, leaders were Christians, and the notion of right and wrong prevailed in human thought. Many today think we need to return to the founding of our country. And it is true religious life was more predominant in leaders early in our history. But as time has gone by, this notion slowly evaporates. It is like a pot boiling. After a while the water leaves and there is no more water. There is just steam. And over time this is what we are seeing is the way of man is becoming more and more the way of man.

Paul speaks here that we are all simply lumps of clay. In my daily reading through the Bible that I began recently, I came across these words in Isaiah 29 that I now see Paul was quoting in this passage. The Lord speaks these words (Isaiah 29:16) - You turn things around! Shall the potter be considered as equal with the clay, that what is made would say to its maker, “He did not make me”;
Or what is formed say to him who formed it, “He has no understanding”? We are lumps of clay and we think we have the right to now speak to the potter. I think this language is used to show the absurdity of the situation. The makeup of man and God is completely different. And here we see it is difference by looking at a piece of clay that the potter has formed. Clay is an object. The potter is a man. Man and God have a similar relationship. Yet, we question God all the time. The clay speaks.

Paul echoes this sentiment in these words recording in Romans 9:20-21 - On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?

Thus, here is the conclusion. Don't ask why? It is foolishness for us to ask why. Clay does not speak. But we do ask and we ask over and over and though we don't hear answers, we make up our own answers to the questions. And suddenly the clay thinks it has arrived at the correct conclusion regarding life and everything in it. It is absurdity and yet we sit back and define it as reasonable. We are pots. We are clay. Let the potter be the potter. Let God be God.

Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
And now Paul will take us back to the chief problem and that is man is fallen. Man had what he wanted in the garden - nothing but good outcomes, but his problem was he wanted to be the potter and so he ignored the plan of God and took matters in his own hands. The result was a roadway to wrath. Paul makes this clear. What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known. Man has this insatiable desire to be in charge and he gets this from God. Think about some of the great dictators - Stalin, Hitler, Mao Zedong. We watch them carry out their wicked ways as they demonstrate their wrath and make their power known. What they exhibit is something we all have - a desire to be in control. Sure it is grotesque to see what they do with that control. And we would be appalled to see God act this way. Yet, our deeds are like filthy rags. These dictators carry out a wrath on people that don't deserve the wrath and yet God would be just in carrying out wrath on disobedient sinners. Would we not have a little understanding with these dictators if there adherents were in fact disobedient toward them?

The point Paul makes is that God, could demonstrate His wrath and could make His power known, but he doesn't, and instead He endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction. God has mercy. He has patience. He does not want any to come to judgement, but all to repent. And could it be that His feeling toward sin is so appalling that most people will end up receiving that wrath, but a few will be saved. The irony of this all is God is actually acting in a manner that is reasonable and justified.

Rich in Mercy and indeed Good Outcomes
And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles. God is rich in Glory. And this Glory has been his plan. And He has set us apart for this glory. He chose Jews and Gentiles. He chose from every group under the Sun. We are all included. If we would just focus on this. If we would just focus on His mercy and being included in His glory. If we would let Him be the potter - wouldn't it all just work out?

Promise: From TableTalk Magazine for this entry - Since we deserve only eternal death apart from God's intervention, we cannot complain if the Lord shows grace and mercy only to some of us. Reprobation is God leaving some in their sins and to the just consequences of those sins. We are in Christ only because God chooses to love undeserving sinners.

Prayer: O God the Father, you are indeed rich in mercy. You have saved me by your grace and your grace alone. There is no fiber in me that is worthy. I am no different from anyone. The only difference is you have lifted me up. Lord, I pray that I would surrender to you and let you be God. Help me to rise above all those voices that continue to question you. Your power is made known simply in saving anyone. And your glory is so great because of all who you have saved. Lord, you have reminded me that I am clay, a lump of clay and You are the potter and I have no place in ever questioning You because clay and a potter are entirely two different compositions. I only can surrender to You God. That is my only choice, my only way. You didn't have to but you did, you showed me Your mercy and then you somehow have promised me to share in Your Glory. How?



Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with the April devotional being about salvation by grace alone and how the Lord never fails to save the one whom He has purposed to save.

Deuteronomy 5:6 - The Law Covenant

Deuteronomy 5:6
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

Message: The Law Covenant

Time: This book chronicles farewell messages by Moses, the 120 year old leader of the Israelite, primarily intended for the lay person. It covers about one month, at the end of the forty-year period in the wilderness - 1405 BC. It is a renewal of the old covenant given at Mount Sinai to the plains of Moab.

What the Lord is Saying:

I am now in a series of lessons on grace and God's overall providence. God sets forth his message to save mankind. This is what we know as salvation. Inside the garden, man had everything he needed and yet man chose to disobey God, opting for something God said was off limits. Without that sin, man would live in perfect obedience, but once Adam and Eve sinned, they were thrown out of the garden and away from the tree of life. Yet, God would continue to provide for them -- all that they would need to live, but also provide them all they need for salvation. There are many covenants  - the Edenic, Adamic, Noahic, Abraham -- and all of these covenants speak of God providing. Man has been given responsibilities by God, but earning God's favor is not one of them. Instead, we are declared righteous by faith. Responsibilities or the work we do is for a wage or a result on this earth, but it is not for God's acceptance. Righteousness from God comes through faith.

In this world we now live the ruler of this world is Satan. God pledges to redeem us from this enemy - the prince of this world - Satan. On one hand, it was our choice to align ourselves with this enemy, when we ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil -- but God will continue to provide the way back to Him, as He provided His creation, our coverings, our responsibilities, all that we have. We must stay clear or the propensity we all have to think that adhering to rules or responsibilities results in acceptance. As I think of my parents' love for me, it is based upon nothing else but their desire for me. It is not based upon my works.

Today's passage - Deuteronomy 5:6 - I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery - precedes the giving of the Law which begins in verse 7 with You shall have no other gods before Me. The message should be clear. First comes the providence of God (brought you out), next comes the command (You shall...). God rescues then God asks for obedience. Thus, obedience follows grace. God does not declare that a rescue will occur upon obedience or after all that we can do, but rather his rescue is complete prior to the giving of the Law. One could say we are complete before the Law is given.

Yet, this passage addresses the Israelites as the ones he brought out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. He addresses here specifically the chosen ones - the Jews - but God makes it clear that his salvation message of rescue is open to all.

Granted, the law comes with it everlasting life, when it is lived to the full. Leviticus 18:5 - you shall keep My statutes and My judgments, by which a man may live if He does them. Yet, the Law will be broken. We cannot do all that it says. Thus, Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes (Romans 10:4). Jesus Christ ends the law. Keeping the law, the entire law yields righteousness. And only one has kept it - Jesus. Thus, He is our Savior. He is our Redeemer. He is our Salvation. He succeeds where we can not.

Promise: We trust the redeemer who has brought us out of slavery to the prince of the world. Jesus is our visible propitiation for the fulfillment of the Law. We are made righteous by faith.

Prayer: O God, you are rich in mercy and love. You have provided to me all that I need in brining me out of slavery to the king of this world. O God, the world is distracted, I am distracted all too often by this worldly king who takes us residence in this world and drives us away from you. I want to turn my eyes upon Jesus and look full in his wonderful face so that the things of this earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. Help me to be watchful as to how I can so easily get sidetracked. Thank you for the Law and the clarity of it in helping me to see what I can do to have a fulfilling life. You show me clearly how I can trust You and do what You have said. Help me to be a light to this world I live in and to my family and everyone in my path. Be glorified.

Mark 12:25-27 - The God of the Living

Mark 12:25-27
25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26 But regarding the fact that the dead rise again, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the burning bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB’? 27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken.”

Message: The God of the Living

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus is in Jerusalem. He has been questioned by the Sadducees on marriage after the resurrection. Though the people do not believe in the resurrection they are eager to see him apply one of the Mosaic laws about a brother's responsibility to marry a deceased brother who was not able to sire an heir. It is probably about the 3rd or 4th day of Jesus being in Jerusalem. Thus far, he has mostly answered questions from those of different belief systems. In the process, he has cursed the chief priests and scribes that uphold the Scriptures and yet did not uphold their intended purpose. Jesus will be the chief cornerstone, but his rejection by them is also necessary at this time. For others it was about our responsibility to God and government when it comes to taxes. These leaders wanted to catch Jesus probably in hypocrisy. But each time he brought them back to the Scripture and God's message. The central message is have faith in God and love your neighbor. Be focused on God and others.

Here is the continued response by Jesus to the Sadducees question. Jesus will answer the question as well as the belief of no resurrection from the Sadducees. For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. The first response is marriage is not an institution in heaven. This can be hard to fathom especially if you are someone like me and marriage on earth has been the greatest of human relationships and even has been greater than I could ever imaging. I love my wife and the closeness I have with her and the love I have for her is something so great and also something that I can't see ending. We have been married 27 years next week and each day seems still like a new experience with her. She gains in beauty and she gains in remaining captivating. I thank God for this picture of Him. For in Christ, he is new every morning. I read and enjoy the scriptures more and more each day and knowing Him is greater and greater each day. So in the way I experience my wife I see the same thing in my relationship with Him. But I also see the promise of being with him forever in paradise and if my relationship with Him is anything like my relationship with my wife then Yes, I can understand there being no marriage in heaven because I will have everything that I need in Him. Today, I need these human relationships.

Jesus says that I will be like angels. Angels simply surround God and bring praise to Him.

One of the reasons that the Sadducees did not believe in a resurrection is the assumption that life now here on earth will be the same in heaven. And if it is the same, then a woman cannot have multiple husbands. One would be true followed by the others being an example of adultery. And since adultery would not be right, then resurrection would not be right.

In addition, God shows that He keeps His promises. And His promises are not just for a specific time. His covenant ways continue. Here he quotes from Exodus 3 where God said to Moses, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. It is not that Jesus was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but he is. He states, "I am." It is a current tense not a past tense. Thus, it implies that they live on to worship Him. For he is their God all at the same time. Thus, they live together with Him in paradise. He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. 

Summary - Jesus answers the Sadducees question. Perhaps it is not what they want to hear, so perhaps because of this they will not believe what he has said and accept it. There is no marriage in heaven and God is the God of the living not the dead. This is the way God has spoken to His people. He says, "I am" and that phrase has most often been talking about his authority but it also speaks of his current and present state. It is not "I was" but "I am." He is the God of the Now.  

Purpose: God is the God of the living. God's relationship with His people does not end at their death, for they live on to worship Him in heaven. Because of this, we know that all His promises to us will be kept either now or in the world to come.

Prayer: O Jesus you are so clear on Your ways. Help our unbelief and our short-sighted thinking. We get too caught up in what we want instead of submitting to You for what you are. Help us to always trust in You even when it does not necessarily agree with what we want or desire on this earth. We get too wrapped up in today and we forget your promises for tomorrow. Keep our eyes focused on You always.

Mark 9:5-8 - Peter's Terror and God's Response

Mark 9:5-8
⁵ Peter *said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” ⁶ For he did not know what to answer; for they became terrified. ⁷ Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!” ⁸ All at once they looked around and saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus alone.

Message: Peter's Terror and God's Response

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - As a reminder, this book is from Peter's information, provided to Mark to record. Lately, much of the encounters have been with Peter at the forefront. Jesus has spoken of his purpose suffering many things, be rejected, killed, and rise again and then Peter rebukes him on this; Jesus then says to his disciples what it means to be a true follower of Him. And now he is transfigured before 3 of the disciples and confirms that his nature is different from Moses and Elijah and his mission is different as he is transfigured into the radiant whiteness that was ascribed to God the Father previously at appearances to men. 

I saw this outline. It shows a turning point in the book at Mark 8:27-30. Prior, it was mostly about Jesus revealing himself by what he does and I think that is a very good summary of what I have reading and studying. Going forward, Jesus presses the claim that he is the Christ. I agree with this, as the messages from Jesus are ramping up. 

As I read verse 3 and Peter's response, after seeing the transfiguration and Moses and Elijah being present with Jesus, he states let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. At my first reading, as a Gentile, I don't understand this. So, here is my attempt to understand this. 

Moses and Elijah are figuratively seen as the Law and the Prophets. Their appearance then denotes this and is showing the bridge Jesus is to the Law and the Prophets. For the Jewish person or the Hebrew, the Law and the Prophets is what was known. And in some ways Jesus' ministry, then, is sort of an unknown or a mystery revealed; I wonder if the disciples are following someone they are still trying to figure out. Jesus remarked that he came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17). Jesus will also say later in this chapter that Elijah does first come to restore all things. This is said to refer to the final day of salvation. God even comes forward later to say basically, "just listen to My son."

Salvation is an interesting term. As a NT believer, salvation takes on a spiritual connotation.  Jesus has just used this word in Mark 8:35 as he states for whoever wishes to save his life will lose it. Salvation occurs when we give up the life that we know and instead choose a life of denial and taking up the cross to follow Jesus. It is believing that Jesus can make us right with God. Thus, following Jesus results in salvation. The term salvation, on one hand, takes on the meaning of Jesus saving us, but the word is also used to describe the end of life. Salvation is not only momentary but life long as Jesus records these words in Mark 13:13 - and you will be hated by all on account of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved. Life is a journey, as I often say, not a sprint. But, salvation is not on our own accord as Peter remarks in Acts 15:11 we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus and yet even Jesus states in Luke 19:10 that the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. Thus, in the New Testament salvation is an event or a moment in time but it is also a lifetime. It begins and it continues. It is through the Lord Jesus. Jesus saves. 

Yet, for Peter, at this moment of the transfiguration this salvation idea was still being defined before him. They had heard the message of repent and believe (Mark 1:15), yet they were still in a discovery mode of understanding who Jesus is. They obviously knew he was someone significant for otherwise they would not have responded to Jesus and his call to Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men (Mark 1:17). They knew he had done some incredible works and said some incredible things, but they were still putting it together. So, at this moment, seeing Jesus and now seeing Moses and Elijah, the law and the prophets, and responding Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah, Peter relies on his past understanding of things. These tabernacles therefore took on some significance in their minds. 

Malachi 4:4-6 are the last words of the Old Testament recorded by the Lord - Remember the law of Moses My servant, statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel. Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. And he will restore the hearts of the father to children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse. Elijah, as Jesus recorded will restore all things. 

Salvation is an Old Testament word as well with a slightly different meaning. In the NT it was clearly a spiritual transformation. For the Jew, it represented a future exodus. With God as the active agent, salvation is victory or rescue from danger, defeat or distress. What is clear here is God is the source of salvation. God brings physical salvation to people, like Exodus 14:30 - Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians. Salvation was mostly a word to note a momentary physical happening. Israel obviously experienced a back and forth condition of being saved and being held captive. And yet they looked forward to a day of always being saved physically. But, again it is a physical salvation of not being captive or forced against one will which can be different from this NT idea of a spiritual change or conversion. Despite God saving Israel multiple times, the Israelite still often sought God on their own terms worshiping and serving idols - thus, going after what they could see and in doing this ignored God's commands. God wanted his people to know him. So, although salvation was often a change in physical condition, God still spoke of restoring Israel. As in Hosea 2:19-20 - And I will betroth You to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice, in loving kindness and in compassion and I will betroth you in Me in faithfulness, then you will know the Lord. 

Thus, the Old Testament yes speaks of physical salvation but also eternally knowing the true God. When Peter spoke of building tabernacles he most have thought that they needed a place to worship God. Tabernacles or tents were constructed and torn down and taken from one place to another. Exodus 25:8 says, And let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them. And in 25:22 I will meet with you...I will speak to you. Thus, Peter, seemed to desire to build this structure, for he knew that God was present, but he didn't understand it well. For he did not know what to answer; for they became terrified. Peter was trying. He had goofed before, rejecting Jesus after he had told him his purpose in going to the cross. Peter was always trying to figure out how he was supposed to respond to these things happening to him and the disciples. 

At this moment, it happens, God speaks directly to Peter. Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!” All at once they looked around and saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus alone. It was clear. God was stating that Jesus was to be heard. Moses and Elijah were gone. Jesus was there. Maclaren writes:

‘Hear Him.’ God’s voice bids you listen to Christ’s voice-God’s voice bids you listen to Christ’s voice as His voice. Listen to Him when He speaks to you about God-do not trust your own fancy, do not trust your own fear, do not trust the dictates of your conscience, do not consult man, do not listen to others, do not speculate about the mysteries of the earth and the heavens, but go to Him, and listen to the only begotten Son in the bosom of the Father. 

Summary - Jesus goes to the mountaintop and brings Peter, James, and John. He was transfigured. They see Moses (Law) and Elijah (Prophets) and Jesus shining as pure white. Something is happening, but they are not sure. Is this the fulfillment now of the final salvation, deliverance, complete exodus from exile? On that note, Peter builds a tabernacle - the place where God speaks. But, still he is unsure and terrified. God steps in and declares to them, what Jesus has already been saying to them, This is My beloved Son, listen to Him. 


Promise: We need to listen. We do not need a lightning bolt or even a voice from the Lord. We are able to simply listen. Jesus has proven to us that we can listen. 

Prayer: Lord, I need to listen to you and never question you. I can take you at your word. You have shown me through the years that your commands are true and that I can trust You. Help me to believe in this. Thank you for this lesson this morning and teaching me through Your Word. Give me insight into Your Word and what I need to understand from it.

Mark 9:2-4 - The Mount of Transfiguration

Mark 9:2-4
² Six days later, Jesus *took with Him Peter and James and John, and *brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; ³ and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. ⁴ Elijah appeared to them along with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus.

Message: The Mount of Transfiguration

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus has been in preaching mode of late. After Peter and the disciples declare Jesus as the Christ, Jesus states his goal of suffering, and Peter rebukes that. Jesus tells the disciples that suffering can be part of following Him and their old way of thinking that life is about them and meeting their needs is not the goal. Our goal is to follow Him, no matter the cost.

Jesus pauses for a moment here and takes Peter, James, and John to the high part of the mountain. And He was transfigured before them. His garments became radiant and exceedingly white. Elijah appeared to them along with Moses. Moses had been set apart for the work of God on Mount Sinah. Jesus now experiences something similar. 

I think once again Jesus is confirming to his disciples his unique nature. That nature has been on display continually but they continue to struggle to trust Him each step of the way. Here he simply wants to confirm his mission to them, perhaps in an exciting way. Yes, they probably still don't understand. But, he is more than a man. And while Moses and Elijah may have experienced God at key moments. Here Jesus is the one, like God had been to Moses, shining in light. So, this isn't just another mountain have an experience. No, there is something different about Jesus. He has the same radiance and brilliance and glory of God here. As it records, he is transfigured. He is not simply a witness to what has occurred. He is the occurrence.

But, overall, to me, it is unclear what is happening. Many things could be extrapolated from this or assumed to have occurred. But, at this moment, after 3 verses, I'm not sure what more can be assumed. Perhaps Jesus is simply wanting to confirm to his disciples that He has a special purpose and so he is continuing to ask them to trust Him through it all. Elijah and Moses are present to confirm the historical and central message of God to his people. 

Summary - After Jesus has spoken of his purpose of suffering many things, be rejected, killed, and rise again and then Peter rebukes him on this; Jesus then says to his disciples what it means to be a true follower of Him. And now he is transfigured before 3 of the disciples and confirms that his nature is different from Moses and Elijah and his mission is different as he is transfigured into the radiant whiteness that was ascribed to God the Father previously at appearances to men. 

Promise: One day we will Love as it is. 

Prayer:Lord, thank you for being different, for being real, for being all powerful. I am looking forward to being with You for all eternity. It is hard to fathom at this moment, but I'm confident in You. I continue to trust You this day and pray that my faith would continue to grow and I would trust You. Be glorified.

Romans 5:20-21 - The Reign of Grace

Romans 5:20-21 20 The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Message: Grace reigns to eternal life. Sin reigns in death.

Time: The Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans from the Greek city of Corinth in AD 57, just three years after the 16 year old Nero had ascended to the throne as Emperor of Rome. Persecution of Christians wouldn't begin until AD 64. The church was experiencing times of relative peace. From where he wrote, Corinth, was a hotbed of sexual immorality and idol worship.

What the Lord is Saying:

Review
As this section ends on original sin, namely the passing of one's man sin to the entire human race, and death to all, I also think about this chapter as a whole.
The focus of this chapter has been on the results of justification. I started out looking at the peace of God.

• Peace is the result of being justified. It isn't a momentary peace, but it is a forever peace. It's true I may not always feel that peace, but the reality is the peace is there.
• I am congratulating myself of the access I now have been given to God and the certainty of my future state in God's glory. 
• I get to experience tribulations (great difficulties). There is joy in tribulations. God uses those tribulations to produce in me patience. It helps me to focus beyond the ordeal, to a future event. It proves my character and authenticates my faith. It marks hope in my life that God is there and firm in my life. They remind me overall that God does love me. 
• God loves me so much because I am helpless. Jesus died for sinners, for those not good. I am that person. 
• I am saved from God's wrath. 
• I am reconciled to God through Christ: past, present, future. 

And then it shifted to a contrast of being condemned to being justified. Sin entered the world through on man and death through sin. Sin and death spread to all men. Even without the law sin still exists. The Law helps sin be called sin, but sin still exists apart from the law (just as death exists apart from the law). Grace is much greater than sin. One man brought death. One man brought life.

Do Laws increase sin? 
I don't think so. The Law is not sin, as Paul states later. The Law exposes sin. Sin is hidden often without a law. Sin can be deemed acceptable behavior without the law stating it is wrong. We need laws in our society otherwise people would run wild. There is definitely a tension in the world today as to what is a law and what is not a law. But, I think what God wants to make clear is the conscience of man knows what is good and evil. The Law declares it sin for society at large.

Sin entered the world through Adam. This is clear. And it is also clear from the previous verses that sin was completely paid for and removed through the death and resurrection of Jesus. But, in between Adam and Christ is Moses. Paul wants to be clear that the Law was never meant to save the sinner, but rather expose the sinner.

Paul uses the word transgression 6 times in Chapter 5 and each time it is used it refers to the sin of Adam. Each time it is used in the singular, referring the sin of Adam. We all share a sin nature. Transgressions show how we have crossed the line. The Law shows us the specific acts of sin that we are rebellious on.

Sin results in huge amounts of grace
Wayne Grudem defines sin as "any failure to conform to the moral law of God in act, attitude, or nature. Sin is here defined in relation to God and his moral law. Sin includes not only individual acts such as stealing or lying or committing murder, but also attitudes that are contrary to the attitudes God requires of us."

Grace is God's generous favor to undeserving people. As I share the gospel with people, I define grace as receiving something you don't deserve. When a homeless man comes up to you and asks you for a meal, if you give it him, he has neither earned it nor can he pay it back. By giving it to him you have been gracious. As I share with people it amazes me how people don't understand grace. But, the important thing is I always wait to introduce grace after I have defined sin or rather, the breaking of God's Law.

Last week in the sermon at church, Matthew 9:37 was quoted about the harvest being plentiful, but the laborers are few. The reality is the harvest is growing more and more plentiful. Why? Because exposing sin as sin is decreasing and the people are becoming more focused on living grace than the need for grace. It is really rather tragic. The world has trained us to not defer to how they define what is right and wrong. And in the process, what God defines as right and wrong is being snuffed out. Yet, the Bible is clear, Satan is at the helm of this world.

Sin reigned in death
As sin lessons more and more in our world, God is put more and more on trial. Why? Because of death. Without sin, death has no comprehension. For the people that believe in God, they are under more and more scrutiny because death is still occurring. Kids are dying from diseases. A car crash takes the life of a father of many children. Painful deaths continue. Diseases of every kind are on the rise. Death continues. And the world does not comprehend that God can be real with all of this going on.

It actually seems like a natural progression of man as man decides that sin is less and less prominent. Paul states it clear here in verse 21, "Sin reigned in death." When Adam sinned and brought sin into the world, the result of sin in Genesis 3 was death.

People are not surprised that death occurs, but they are surprised by how it occurs. With our advancements in medicine, treating diseases, prolonging life, the reality is death still occurs in unexpected ways. And this is incomprehensible to man. It is unfortunate, but it shouldn't be a surprise. I don't think people have a problem that death occurs, but they definitely have a problem with how it occurs and when. As in everything in life, man wants to be in charge and decide the right time for life to end.

I will say that up to this point I have not felt that Romans 5:12-21 are difficult verses, but here in verse 21, when sin and death are now being talked about, this is a difficult subject. But, I think it is difficult is because as people we want so badly to understand death and why it is occurring. Everyday, new reports come out as to what may be causing heart disease or cancer or other types of death and suffering. But, when unexplained death happens and in the background, people of faith continue, the masses in life can't comprehend how faith people can continue when unexplained death occurs. But, I must move on in this text.

Grace reigns through righteousness to eternal life
God has the answer and the answer is His grace. Earlier in Chapter 5, I saw that because of being justified I have peace with God and I can exult in hope. There is a sureness of my future. And even then in tribulation, those difficulties should place my focus on the future. Grace reigns. Eternal life can only be answered by grace. It can only be answered by God and His answer for life because man is a sinner and sin results in death.

It is all because of Jesus. Mr. Repeater (Paul) tells us again that eternal life is because of Jesus. What we need to know is our life would not be as great is Adam had not fallen. We have a greater life in Christ that we could have ever had in Adam.

Promise: From Tabletalk, April 15, 2014: "For justification, the law multiplies transgression, revealing it for what it is and driving us to Christ for the righteousness that alone can justify us."

Romans 5:13-14 - Counting Sin in Adam

Romans 5:13-14 - 13 for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.

Message: Sin existed, apart from the Law; Sin Spread to All Men when Adam sinned.

Time: The Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans from the Greek city of Corinth in AD 57, just three years after the 16 year old Nero had ascended to the throne as Emperor of Rome. Persecution of Christians wouldn't begin until AD 64. The church was experiencing times of relative peace. From where he wrote, Corinth, was a hotbed of sexual immorality and idol worship.

What the Lord is Saying:

I am in the middle of studying Romans 5:12-21. I saw yesterday that sin entered the world through one man, Adam. And from that one sin, death spread to all men. All sinned. Adam began the human race. What Adam does affects everyone else. Overall, I am in the middle of an explanation by Paul of why it is necessary for man to be redeemed and justified. Why can't man just say? "I'm working on living the best kind of life I know how?"

Without the Law, sin still exists
In Chapter 4, in describing that righteousness was by the faith of Abraham. Abraham was present 430 years before the Law. Before the standard was given, therefore, Abraham was still accountable. In Romans 1:19, Paul states "that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them." God makes himself evident to man. And in Romans 2:14-15, Paul addresses that our conscience itself is a law written on our hearts. Paul is letting us know clearly that apart from the Law there is still an awareness of right and wrong.

Here in verse 13, "for until the law sin was in the world." The only thing the Law did was expose sin for what it was, but sin still was in the world. Verse 12 stated, "All have sinned."

The Law helps call sin--sin (but there is still sin without the law)
The word imputed is also the word credited that Paul speaks of Romans 3 when it speaks of man being justified (3:24), or made right with God, through gift of the grace of God, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the justifier (3:26).  Paul shows further in Chapter 4, in which he quotes from Genesis 15:6 in verses 3 and 9 to state that Abraham's faith or believe in God was reckoned (credited, imputed) to him as righteousness. It is through faith that the credit transaction of righteousness is made between Jesus and man. But imputed also represents what happened to all men when Adam sinned. His sin imputed sin to all mankind. By sinning, sin was credited to the account of man.

In Romans 4:15, it states that "the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, neither is there violation." In that verse the Law is a signpost in our life. But, that verse wasn't stating that there is only sin with the Law, but it is saying that Law exposes us to our sin that we have already been committing.

This verse in Romans 5:13 really is stating the same thing in that a violation of the law is not counted against man until the Law is present. Paul is not saying that No Law = No Sin.

I think what is kind of difficult here to understand is that in life we often don't change our behavior until  a Law or standard is known or been communicated to us. But, I think what Paul is saying is the Law is written on our hearts and our conscience, even before the Law is communicating to us what is right and wrong. This is hard for us because Laws and rules are so abundant in our lives. And yet I think we know the difference between right and wrong.

There are people that I have communicated with that don't know of a 10 commandments and what it says, but they still recognize sin in their life.

Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses
In verse 12, Paul mentions sin coming into the world and because of it, death spread to all men. So, here in verse 14, Paul mentions that death was present from the time sin came into the world (through Adam) until the giving of the Law (by Moses). There isn't really anything difficult in this statement, sin ushered in death and we all know death was present from Adam to the giving of the Law (Moses). Thus, we don't doubt that death is present, so we also shouldn't doubt that sin is present during those years.

Death was not present because of the exact sin Adam committed
Paul goes on to say in verse 14, "even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam." What is being established in verse 14 is really a connecting of the dots from verse 12 and 13. Sin was in the world before the Law. Abraham was declared righteous by faith before the Law. So obviously, to be declared righteous, sin must be there. Adam sinned. When Adam sinned death came into the world and we know death was present from Adam to Moses or from sin entering to the Law being erected.

That said, Paul feels it necessary to communicate that death is not simply present because of the exact sin of Adam not believing God. Because of what Adam did in sinning, the human race after him because like Adam, irregardless of whether a person sins or not. God is not waiting to judge man by seeing if that person will sin. This is the point of this phrase within this verse. Death is present. Death isn't waiting for a person to sin, but it is just present. Why? Because Adam sinned.

Adam was a type of Christ
As Wayne Barber reminded me yesterday, before being in Christ, we are all in Adam. So, we are either In Adam or In Christ. So, Adam is a type of Christ. "(Adam) who is a type of Him what was to come." In Christ, through believing in Him, righteousness is credited or imputed to all men. In Adam, my his act of sinning, sin is credited or imputed to all men. Adam sinned, once, for all. Christ died for sin, once, for all.

Promise: From Tabletalk, April 10, 2014: When a person is born, they are already deserving of death.