This is a bit mind bending, but I think it correlates well with the idea we find in other parts of Scripture that Gods ways are not our ways, and that He does many things that at the time we may not understand. Prior to that, dialoguing with a Jewish elder, Nicodemus, Jesus explains that all salvation is predicated upon the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit you must become a new creation (born again) in order to be saved. 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. Jesus obeyed the sovereign timing of the Father rather than His emotions. She gets to the tomb and the stone which covered the tombs entrance has been rolled away. These are the meat and potatoes of the Christian life! The Pursuit of God the Hound of Heaven. I sped from those strong feet that followed, followed after [me]. The argument used by non-Reformed people is that the text teaches that everybody in the world has it in their power to accept or reject Christ. This was the same Psalm that Jesus used to shut up the Pharisees who had tried to trap Him in His teaching: Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, [42] saying, What do you think about the Christ? But still, there are some observations that may hearten us and enrich the passage as a whole. Pink notes some of the differences between Adam in the Garden of Eden, and Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. Come what may, be it the loss of a loved one, or of a job, or whatever, He is with us, guiding our life with meticulous sovereignty (Ware). I year or so ago I had the opportunity to teach through John 11 in my sunday school, and recently this past Monday I was able to revisit this chapter and spend two hours going through each verse with a ladys Bible study group at my parents home church. So you can see how these perspectives function to shape our viewpoint of the book itself and the millennium. Assuredly, dear brethren, we can trace them to no other source than this, the corruption and vitiation of the affections. Believing in the Son glorifies God because it gives proper due to who the Son is, and it magnifies Him. More likely still, they would not have removed them at all, since it would have been easier to transport the body it if were still wrapped. And when I heard, and the tear rolled down my cheek, I wiped it away and defied Him to melt my soul. This is why we study the character of God. The response of Jesus comes to us packaged in the shortest sentence in Scripture. May his words bring you the comfort they brought me: If God had willed it, each of us might have entered heaven at the moment of conversion. Here He is speaking of the disciples. They were not appealing to some false idea that Christ would have singled out their brother, or that He played favorites. The Master-Key, Opening the Gate of Heaven. They were on the water of the sea. 118. Morris comments, The result of the miracle, as always, is division. Cant they just let us mourn Him? Let him go up. (2 Chronicles 36:22-23 ESV). Certainly I believe that since Christ the world has been changed in huge part by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He looked around Himself and was constantly surrounded by incompetence, sin, rejections, and idiotic behavior. The New Testament church has become the Israel of God. He has saved us and not to mope about in introspection for our entire lives, but to love others in service to our Lord. We are to be zealous for the Lord's great Name - through His power for His glory. [10] Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! All of this when compared to Peters feeble efforts at saving his master surely puts our own human strength into focus does it not? The presence of the grave clothes also shows that the story the Jewish leaders concocted, that the disciples stole Christs body (Matt. God knows absolutely everything about me! And likewise He can use sickness and death in our lives to both refine us (Ps. In 1883, Charles Spurgeon was sitting on a bench in Menton, France, when a pale, emaciated woman sat down beside him. "It hath not entered the heart of man, the . (Ezekiel 34:11-16). I dont want to read more into this than is there, but Martha strikes me as a woman of action. [12] http://www.spurgeon.org/misc/bio2.htm. Here are my notes for John 21:8-17. How Lazarus Points Forward to the Pleasure of God in Christ. [15] Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? He doesnt say, I am, The Lordship of Jesus Christ not only over the world and all created things, but over her life, That He is the one who can take away sins Hes the savior of the world (Christ), That He is working out His sovereign plan in the world and in her life and she is surrendered to that plan who is coming into the world. It was made into a movie. He is as patient and longsuffering as ever. 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 45, [vii] Anthony Hoekema, The Bible and the Future, Pg. "The Hound of Heaven" is a 182-line poem written by English poet Francis Thompson (18591907). [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. [36] As it is written. Therefore, how do we rightly respond to these truths? Whence arise these things? I must admit that when I study the history of the world since the spread of the gospel, I do not see a uniform trajectory upward toward a world of people who are united in morals and standards. [18]And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For instance, Warren Wiersebe, a Premillennialist, says, The overriding theme of the book of Revelation is the return of Jesus Christ to defeat all evil and to establish His reign. Note how he uses the word establish in lieu of the word consummate which is the term an amillennialist would use because of the emphasis on Christs current reign. [20] For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. When it is most sublime when it is freest from the dust of earth, when it is carried up by he greatest knowledge, and kept steady by the most extreme caution, imagination cannot picture heaven. It doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Since he is the author and finisher or our faith, to what perfection will he conduct us, and to what glory will he bring us! Listen to what Paul says in Romans 15: For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show Gods truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. Therefore your are called to believe and that faith, that belief, is the instrument by which you obtain your salvation. Moses is talking to God and God says, This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name (vs. 17). It is amazing how God uses the mouths of even the ungodly, or those whom ought to seemingly be uninvolved in the fate of Gods people, to proclaim the great plan He has for His people. It is always interesting when Scripture uses such a specific number to describe something. But we who have Christ must view these events in their proper perspective not simply as allowed by God but ordainedby Him for our good and His glory. . It is at this moment that the story begins to turn from confusion and bewilderment to joy and restoration. They like who they are (or so they say). Justin Taylor | June 27, 2011. Ridderbos says, He is certain the to go to Judea means death for them all. In the context of the Fourth Gospel, these verses deal with Peters reinstatement to service, not his elevation to primacy.. And when He tracks one down, all of heaven erupts in jubilant celebration. 3)! [55]Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. Peter was so wrapped up in his own welfare that when it came to dying for Christ he was far from ready. Our King reigns now, so for us to put the kingdom of God entirely in the future is to miss one of the most significant points of the New Testament. He knew what it was to lose a loved one. Finally, the Apostle does not stop with this exhortation, but goes on to deliver a comforting reminder (read verse 3). This is the moment in which life and death decisions are being made. God is the One responsible for our salvation from first to last. (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV), Samuel Rutherford said, My shallow and ebb thoughts are not the compass Christ saileth by. 846-847. Peter is given the chance to identify with Christ, with His Lord, and instead of doing so He cowers. These realities are expressed in Peter and in the lives of millions of lost people around the world. Satans days are numbered, for the Prince of Life is here, and He will allow no more deception about the truth of Gods plan for eternity. Only the sovereign grace of God will melt these hearts of stone. And yet here it seems as though Jesus is saying that He has died for the entire world, and that all we need to do is believe. Second, the majestic power of Jesus displayed in the saving power of His gospel. [xvi] Sproul, Everyones a Theologian, Pg. If you came here a skeptic and have felt your heart strangely warmed but our Lords offer of eternal life, then I encourage you now to repent of your sins. 1:5 indicates His will for our adoption as sons). Have gave Himself for people who have it in them to betray Him, people like you and me. The Author is expounding on some deep Christological truths mostly pertaining to the Priesthood of Jesus that required a foundational understanding already in place. So when the Son willingly took the suffering of that recompense on himself, every footfall on the way to Calvary echoed through the universe with this message: the glory of God is of infinite value! The weakness of man contrasted so clearly againstthe backdrop of Christs majestic power is hard to miss. "There cannot be heaven without Christ. But when one reads the poem this strangeness disappears. But feel free to keep in touch, you can contact us directly at info@sdgclothing.com or on the contact form on the home page. We just need to glean a few things to understand the context, Needless to say these great truths these are deep truths and they arent going to make a whole lot of sense to someone still stuck on the basics. In His speech to the disciples He is patient and kind. 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. The glory of God is of infinite value! He leads me in paths of righteousness for his names sake. That image comes from Francis Thompson, a 19th century British poet who wrote "The Hound of Heaven." Although Thompson was a follower of Christ, he struggled with poverty, poor health, and an addiction to opium . (Colossians 1:17-18). Their minds are continually thinking how can I please God in my actions? They are obsessed with that! The main thing to realize coming into this chapter is that Jesus is in complete control over that plan, and over every hour and indeed every moment of His life. I am not yet in the ascended state, so you do not have to hand on to me as if I were about to disappear permanently. [18] And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. This means a real application of our time, energy, and even finances to learning the deep things of God. 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. This is not to say that we dont cherish the foundation, of course. He deals with their lack of faith and misunderstanding and selfishness. [v] Hughes makes a wonderful point that the fact that they have become dull of hearing means that at one point they were not dull, they have regressed. If these verses dont show you something of the humanity of Christ, then you are not reading the same text I am reading. NOTES: To get a better picture of the cycle, remember that just as Joseph went ahead of the Israelites into the land of Egypt, so also Daniel went first into Babylon into exile before the rest of his countrymen joined him. And why is this? This also has ramifications for how we understand the millennium. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. [vii] This quote from Schreiner is from his New Testament Biblical Theology, Page 512. [18] No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. The inevitable question surfaces (in my mind at least): do I love my Lord enough to serve Him if it means waking my exhausted body up at o-dark-thirty to serve him? How is it said that we obtain this discernment? We are here as the salt of the earth, to be a blessing to the world. I have also been the target of evil men. We all must stand in debt and awe that the Hound of Heaven has chased us down, has set His great and mighty love upon us, and though we deserved it not, has rescued us from certain death. It is the underlying reason for all Gods works, from the creation of the world, to the redemption of fallen sinners, to the judgment of unbelievers, to the manifestation of His greatness for all eternity in heavenEverything God created gives Him glory except fallen angels and fallen men. The picture is coming together just as He has foreordained, and that includes the gracious provision to allow His disciples to make it to safety, and bring us safely home to heaven. [4] Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, Whom do you seek? [5] They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said to them, I am he. Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. Abrahams faith was of another variety altogether. David was not speaking about himself, but rather prophesied about one to come a holy one whose body would not see corruption or be abandoned to Hades. This holy one is the Lord Jesus who defeated death. Take note of 1 Cor. Prior to this verse, the Lord Jesus has been the one speaking, but many scholars believe that John 3:16 is actually John now commenting, and given the flow and narrative of the passage, I believe that this is correct. But the power of Christ, endued to rebels, aliens, and blasphemers transforms by the Spirit of God, and conforms (us) from a product of the first Adam into the image of the Second. The second point is mind blowing and its also where people get tripped up in Universalism. The final stanza (vv. For example: Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. Yet we are exhorted to obey, and held responsible as new creations to work toward holiness. Your confidence and assurance will be enhanced. In the poem Jesus pursues Thompson with "unhurrying chase, and unperturbed pace, deliberate speed, and majestic instancy [or urgency]." This is a grievous error. Wouldnt it be just as easy for Christ to take me home? Where did it go? It shows us His deity, His majesty, His obedience to the Father and His love for us. GotQuestions.org sums up this popular teaching in this way: Since phileo love involves feelings of warmth and affection toward another person, we do not have phileo love toward our enemies. After looking into this a bit more I found that Spurgeon wasn't the first person to come up with this analogy! [47] For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess. (Deuteronomy 32:45-47 ESV)[i], For I know their works and their thoughts, and the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. For we cannot read this and judge ourselves content to move on before we settle some things in our mind. [viii] In fact, when God does turn us over to our own desires, they arent good, and the outcome is horrific! 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). The Hound of Heaven. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. He weaves the denials of Peter in with the first part of the Jewish trial of Jesus. And when I heard, and the tear rolled down my cheek, I wiped it away and defied Him to melt my soul. What does it mean to feed the flock? Listen to what Jesus says later to the masses in John 6: Then they said to him, What must we do, to be doing the works of God? 29 Jesus answered them, This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent. (John 6:28-29, ESV). [39]Jesus said, Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days. [40]Jesus said to her, Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?. So John came first with his warning of the radical nearness of the kingdom. Throughout Scripture, the revelation of the name of God and the glory of God has had a similar affect on men. Sproul says The passage also teaches us, especially in light of Peters later restoration, what kind of people Jesus died to save. 26:57-68; Mk. (Romans 15:8-13, ESV), [v] In Gods Greater Glory Bruce Ware explains: Both Jacob Arminius and John Wesley agreed with John Calvin, who in turn agreed with Augustine, on this point (although many in the Arminian tradition have departed from the view of the founders of Wesleyan Arminianism). Perhaps thats what is so beautiful about this chapter. 314. They were never intended to do it. But after the resurrection, the Christian church received power to reach people of all nations with the message of the gospel. 28). Why are his children still wandering hither and thither through a maze, when a solitary word from his lips would bring them into the centre of their hopes in heaven? We must give great time and energy to studying and spending time in the Word of God. Once the Jews learn of this latest miracle, their main concern seems to be a political one. Sarah Boxer, "Charles M. Schulz, 'Peanuts' Creator, Dies at 77", McNamara, Pat. They suffered from hard hearts that resisted the revelation of God in Jesus (Mark 6:52; 8:17, 21). But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."Matthew 8:11-12. Its like a lightening storm that overwhelms your homes circuits. Verse 16 comes on the heels of an Old Testament account of salvation being reapplied by Jesus as he turned the timetables forward to show how the bronze serpent that Moses lifted up in the wilderness foreshadowed His being lifted up on the cross. Thus to be DULL OF HEARING is to have hearts loaded down with other matters worldly matters, and minds that are clouded with other priorities. The kingdom was in their midst became (sic because) the King was there. (John 17:20-21 ESV). If grave robbers stole the body of Jesus why in the world would they A) take the linen cloths off of His body and B) set the facial shroud neatly folded in a separate pile. The copper snake had the power (efficaciousness) to save all/anyone who looked at it, as does Christ. The first is that John lets us know this is the first day of the week. This is Sunday. 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. This is a real party going on here! We can do this, as Christians, by prayerful meditation on the Word of God. You were dead. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, [18]and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.(Genesis 22:15-18), Therefore God used His Son Jesus Christ to die for the sins of His people His chosen people, a holy nation, a people called after His own name. This ought to give us great hope and joy. Across the margent of the world I fled, And troubled the gold gateways of the stars, Smiting for shelter on their clangd bars; Fretted to dulcet jars. 18:1-5 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. [21] And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. God grant we may be! As the hound follows the hare, never ceasing in its running, ever drawing nearer in the chase, with unhurried and unperturbed pace, so does God follow the fleeing soul by His divine grace. In Eden, Adam hid himself; in Gethsemane Christ boldly showed Himself. Our Lord has risen He has defeated death! But needless to say that the God whose hand was in the suffering and death of His Son is also in your life not just to make you appreciate the good times, but to fashion you after His Son in order that you might have true joy both now and forever in heaven. Peter cannot and will not embrace Christ when the rubber meets the road because he is a fallen man and does not have the restorative power of the Holy Spirit working actively in his life. He is saying that there are no good people. We have all gone astray (Is. If Adam represented us in the garden, Peter represented us in the courtyard: Liars. I believe that most of you do desire to glorify God; for being saved by grace, you feel a holy ambition to show forth his praises who has called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. What is it that fuels the joy of heaven? You use the Sword of the Word in an unwieldy way and lead others astray, therefore causing great pain and spreading sour milk (to use the authors dairy term) around the church. Regarding the first truth, it is worth quoting R.C. That is what is going on here Jesus has come to usher in the exodus and as He does this, He establishes His kingdom. Some of the ideas are (quoting Hendriksen): My friend Uri, an expert in Israeli history and culture, told me that he likes the idea that the number represents the different varieties of fish because it points to the universality of the gospel and the diversity of the church. So when Christ says, let us go to Judea again we can perhaps understand the nature of the disciples concernthey knew full well the danger of what Jesus was suggesting. 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. For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered., [37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. It was included in the Oxford Book of . A sinking feeling takes hold when you realize that youre missing an entire days worth of money in your bank account what in the world happened? The first is that it has been inaugurated by Jesus Christ, and will be consummated upon his return. [18]Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. When Isaiah behold the glory of God he was exposed and saw, perhaps for the first time, not just who God is, but who he was (Sproul). Lastly this verse teaches us how people are saved: by believing in the Son of God. This charge I have received from my Father. (John 10:17-18 ESV). Ryken says, The word sinners was the catch all for people who had a notorious reputation for bad behavior thieves, drunkards, prostitutes, and anyone else who refused to conform to the holy habits of the religious community.[1]. [8]And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God. (Genesis 17:4-8 ESV), And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven [16]and said, By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, [17]I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. [xii] R.C. It is a testament to the grace and power of God that we are protected from the wiles of the Devil and that is why your prayers of intercession for each other are so crucial, for God works through your prayers to thwart the enemy. 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. We are not going against the harmonies of nature when we are supposing him to be the gardener., If we would be supported by a type, our Lord takes the name of the Second Adam, and the first Adam was a gardener. John is simply saying that Jesus first advent was not the time of judgment, but rather of salvation a time to usher in the kingdom of God. John later would say this in his epistles: In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. These comments foreshadow a truth that is so brilliant and so wonderful that we could linger all day upon their glories. The brook Kidron is the Hebrew name for Cedron and means dark waters, and as A.W. Along with the exhortation, the author delivers an indicative statement about the character of God. And while we may not fully understand why God chooses to work this way, I praise God that He is who He is, and that He has intervened in my life. It this doesnt turn you off, then I hope you are able to enjoy the study! Both Annas and Caiaphas were well in with one another. There is a website: thehoundofheaven.com. Some things were occurring right away for Daniel during his time, while others he saw as distant and far away. 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). And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, each at his tent door. it is the discovery of this divine excellency of Christ that makes them constant to Him: for it makes so deep an impression upon their minds that they cannot forget Him; they will follow Him whithersoever He goes, and it is in vain for any endeavor to draw them away from Him. It isnt as though His staying away had any affect on the situation materially. [32] He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Theyre in our neighborhoods, theyre in the grocery stores, theyre not just in India theyre in your Bible study! Like cockroaches, we are described as running from the light, not running to the light! When you are lazy in your learning, you hurt the body of Christ and cause other people (and yourself) pain in at least two ways: 1. I mean, I was JUST there in heaven in the throne room!, Christians ought to behave different because they have a different perspective. " The Hound of Heaven " was first published by English poet Francis Thompson in 1893. In that day men will either voluntarily bow in humble joy, or they will hit the dirt simply out of necessity. Perhaps the most famous example of this is found in Exodus when God is said repeatedly to have hardened Pharaohs heart (Ex. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Although Thompson was a follower of Christ, he struggled with poverty, poor health, and an addiction to opium (which in those days was sold as an "over-the-counter" medication). Ezek. Furthermore, you werent the one who ordained salvation, and neither will you have to maintain it. [2] He makes me lie down in green pastures. 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. I believe its crucial that we understand God as working even now dynamically, personally, powerfully in history and in the lives of men all across the globe to expand his kingdom a real kingdom of real people. (Acts 5:12-15 ESV). His power is immutable, as are all His other qualities.