November 12, 2017
Scripture:
Ministry
Hymn 189 - Our sins were borne by Jesus
Prayer
Last time we read the story of the penitent thief beside Jesus on the cross. Let’s see what happened after that. The most critical part of Luke’s whole gospel is told in about twenty words. Man had done everything they could to hurt Jesus, and then sat down to watch what would happen.
Luke 23:44. The sun became dark from the sixth hour (noon) until the ninth hour (3 o’clock). After it grew light again, John tells us that Jesus said, “It is finished.” What had happened? Jesus took the punishment of our sins upon Himself. This is expressed more in type in the Old Testament than stated in the New Testament. If we don’t take the Lord as our Saviour, we would end up in Hell, where the “worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” It’s constant torture! The Lord took that terrible consequence on Himself during those three hours.
There’s a story in the Old Testament that helps us understand this better. Israel was worshiping Baal, and Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to a test. They each got an altar and a bullock, and would pray to their god/God to send down fire on their sacrifice. The prophets of Baal cried to him for a good part of the day, but nothing happened.
I Kings 18:30-35. After the prophets of Baal were done, Elijah rebuilt the alter of God, but he dug a ditch all around it. He cut up his bullock, and put it on top. Then he did something strange: he poured water on the altar! Didn’t he want it to burn? We usually put water on a fire to put it out; but Elijah poured water on the altar 3 times! And then he poured extra to make sure the ditch was full.
V36-38. God had told Elijah to do this. It would be impossible for that sacrifice to have burned naturally. There were no tricks that Elijah could have done to get it to burn. He gave all the honour to God, and wanted Israel to know that He was the living and true God. After he prayed, the fire of God fell from Heaven. Natural fire wouldn’t have burned up everything, but God’s fire consumed everything: the sacrifice, the stones, the dust, and the water. That was an intense fire! God was dealing with Israel’s sin, but it is also a picture of God dealing with our sin. The fire of God’s judgement fell on Jesus during those three hours of darkness., just as His fire fell on this sacrifice.
God covered what happened to His Son in darkness. On Mount Carmel, Elijah’s sacrifice was dead. On Mount Calvary, however, God’s sacrifice—Jesus—was alive. He gave up the ghost after suffering for sin. No one killed Him, He gave His life. However, during those three hours, God’s wrath fell on Him for you and I. Then it was enough. All the suffering that was needed for our redemption was paid. Jesus died for us so that we can have the prospect of joy and peace in Heaven; if we repent and accept His work.
James 1:9-20
In verses nine and ten we have a contrast between the brother of low degree and the rich. We might have thought verse ten would say, “The brother of high degree”, but the “rich” here are possibly not saved. The brother of low degree, no matter what, can rejoice in his salvation that lifts him up. It’s not a small thing to be a child of God. We have so many sweet relationships through that. It doesn’t take money or possessions, but faith. In Revelation we are the Bride of Christ. God made this all possible; it’s through Him and He is exulted by it. We are children of God, and part of a heavenly family. We can say, “Abba, Father”.There maybe a person who is rich and has it all, but the same Gospel tells them that it all withers up and come to nothing.
This is all very typical of James, who is talking to his scattered brothers. He shows the difference of the place of exultation and a place were everything withers and dies.
The place of low degree could also be a humble position.
1 Peter 5:5& 6
It doesn’t always go hand in hand, but the rich can be proud.
Verse eleven continues about the portion of the rich. When you’re a farmer and are making hay what is described in this verse is exactly what you do. But when talking about life and possessions it’s a different story.
1 Peter 1:24
When it comes to salvation it’s wonderful to be able to tie it to scripture to know that what we have isn’t the word of man or philosophy, but “thus saith the Lord”. “The word of the Lord endureth forever”.
Just because you were exulted, though, it doesn’t mean no tribulation. “Blessed” in the French is sometimes translated “very happy”.
In Matthew we read about the sower who’s crops yielded some 60, 70 or 100 fold. The Lord is the sower, and the seed is His word. It all depends of the ground, which is our hearts. The Lord looks for us to be fruitful. Here in James we’re told if we endure there’s a crown; a crown of life. We are here to please the Lord, but one of the joys we have to look froward to is the rewards He offers. These verses remind us of the permanence of future blessings. Everything earthly parishes.
Hymn 370 - Yield not to temptation
Prayer