AS THE WILL IS READ‌ Glorious Gospel Inheritance
Joint Heirs with Jesus
Jointly with Him The peace, the power. The Heavenly access This very hour. The standing 'fore God Relieved of shame. The trespass forgot. The key, His Name. The demons now tremble. The hungry find bread. A kind word in season. Brings cure for each dread. A place in the family By mercy reserved. A seat at the Banquet; By Him we'll be served!
1
C. Doug Blair, 2011
And nothing of merit No, nothing of self From us is expected To warrant such wealth. The toil is all finished. The costly task done. The Grace account opened By God's righteous Son!
Inheritance
It’s the joy of our sins all forgiven. It’s the peace of the Lord’s resumed smile. It’s the hope of new tasks in the Kingdom. It’s the hush of His presence a while. It’s the promise of kin never parting. It’s the safety of homes filled with grace. It’s the dignity love gives the lowly. It’s the Body where each has his place. It’s the troop of a marvelous Captain. It’s the news of a battle well won. It’s the end of all fretful endeavour. It’s a right-standing now in God’s Son. It’s the certainty His Word is faithful. It’s the relish in simplest of prayer. It’s the blazing of light at life’s passing. It’s the knowing our Christ will be there.
2
Testament
This is the Last Will and Testament of me Jesus Ben Joseph of no fixed address, formerly of the Town of Capernaum in the District of Galilee, Palestine. I have no other will or testamentary instrument. I hereby appoint the Holy Spirit to be Executor of this my Will. As He is eternal, and entirely in agreement with this plan, there is no substitutionary or alternative appointment hereby made. He is my Companion from the eternal past, enjoying my love and complete confidence. I give, devise and bequeath all of my estate, both real and personal, and wheresover situate unto my said Executor/Trustee upon the following trusts: There are no personal debts to be discharged. My just testamentary, funeral and burial expenses will be discharged as prophesied by Isaiah through the gift of a wealthy individual in the City of Jerusalem. To give all my personal effects, my clothing, as prophesied by the Psalmist to the soldiers attending upon my execution.
3
To entrust the care and responsibility of my beloved Mother, Mary to my good friend and disciple John. To distribute in His absolute and unfettered discretion all of my words, teachings, warnings and encouragements to whomsover will accept the same with ready, child-like and hungry heart. To transport my blood, shed by voluntary martyrdom, to the Holy of Holies in my Father's House, and to present the same there reverently as a propitiation. To stir up in the hearts of my disciples, and in those who will hear their report, an eagerness and constant watching for my bodily return to Earth in conquering splendour; also to illuminate by His presence and urging their reception of my message. To administer any and all commemorative collections placed in His care for the establishment and maintenance of houses of shelter, safety, teaching, healing and worship consistent with my Name and Nature, to the glory of God my Father, and to the edification and expansion of our family of faith. Also to cause to be published and distributed simple and sincere reflections on the messages which I have given to the people: the sower and the seed, the prodigal son, the Good Samaritan, the True Vine, the wheat and the tares, the widow and the judge, Lazarus and the rich man, the Good Shepherd, the wedding banquet. To appoint in His unfettered discretion such agents, ambassadors, delegates, ministers and witnesses as may be required to give full effect to this my Testament, and to impart such powers, resources, gifts and equipment as may be considered necessary. In Witness Whereof, without signature of competent witnesses, and in anticipation of monumental spiritual warfare, I have hereunto affixed to this my holograph Last Will and Testament my personal hand and seal of blood and tears. Dated at Gethsemane in the City of Jerusalem in the District of Judea this 4th day of April in the 33rd year of My Life. Jesus of Nazareth _______________________________ (seal) 4
Galatians 4: 1Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. 3Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
As the Firstborn
A wonderful foreshadowing of Gospel delight appears in Genesis 48. Joseph has brought his two sons by an Egyptian wife to his father Jacob for the traditional blessing. These boys, Ephraim and Manasseh, are half-breeds, not fully of the lineage of Abraham, God's friend. Their grandfather says the following: 5 And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine. 5
He has chosen to give them the same standing and favour as his first born. They have simply submitted themselves to his gracious blessing. We are told in Romans 8 that we have been adopted and given the position of joint heirs with God's "firstborn", Jesus. He looks upon us with the same eyes of satisfaction and love which He casts upon His victorious obedient Son. This realization should free us from condemnation and any sense of feebleness. We understand more clearly now Paul's triumphant declaration in 1 Corinthians 1: 27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. One more thing to be added about Genesis 48. The grandfather places his hands upon the heads of the two boys while making the pronouncement, the right hand upon the younger and the left upon the older. Joseph attempts to correct this, according to a law of primogeniture, but Jacob remains firm in his decision. The child of mercy and not of law shall have the greater blessing. It is in the grandfather's sovereign discretion. He has crossed over his two arms in making the blessing as he has, foreshadowing the work of the Cross at Calvary.
6
Feel Like Joseph? God meant it for good - Genesis 50:20 God's deeper meanings. We are apt to see a malicious meaning; are we equally apt to detect the Divine and benevolent one? Our enemies are many, and they hate us with perfect hatred; they are ever laying their plots, and working their unholy purposes. But there is a greater and wiser than they, who, through all these plottings, is prosecuting His Divine purpose. There is another and deeper meaning than appears to the short sight of sense. Let us believe that there is a Divine and deeper meaning in the adversities of our lives. - Joseph might be forgiven for not doing so; but with his history and that of many others before us, we have no excuse for despair in the face of crushing sorrow. Whether it comes from man or devil, all creatures are under the Divine control, holding to our lips cups which the Father's hand has mixed. He has no complicity with their evil, but they unconsciously perform His will. Even if you cannot see the Divine meaning, dare to believe that it is there. Await the disclosures of time. - Even here we sometimes reach an eminence from which we detect the meaning of the path by which we have been conducted. It may have been rough and circuitous, but there was reason in it all. Often God rewards patient trust by allowing us to see and know. And for the full revelation of eternity. - One day God will call us to His side in the clear light of eternity, and will explain His meanings in life's most sorrowful experiences; and we shall learn that we suffered, not for ourselves only, but for others, and, as part of His great remedial scheme, "to save much people alive." (A memorable entry from Our Daily Homily by F. B. Meyer)
7
A Courtroom Someday
The judge is so stern. He frightens me. The case is my lifeWhat end shall be? The gallery is filled, An angel crowd. The docket is calledMy name read loud. Accuser declares, His brief is packed 8
With evil I did, With grace I lacked. All constables stand Alert today. Strong chains are in place To lead away. I turn from my box To seek a face. Friends out of my past? But not a trace. The clerk of the court Asks me to rise: “Which lawyer serves you At this assize?� I tell him of One, Jesus, by name, Who came to my cell, My case to claim. I called for His help Upon arrest. My case was severe; He was the best. He asked for no fee, Just trust in Him. The judge was quite fair; Our case would win. I told Him with tears, With grief and shame, The charges were true. I was to blame. But somehow, this man, With eyes so clear, 9
Commanded my trust, Relieved my fear. “Jesus the Christ Argues today. See, His arrival; Hear Him, I pray.” The great Advocate takes his place. (Accuser looks nervous and frowns.) This Jesus- light shines from His face, Makes challenge on primary grounds. “My Lord, there is precedent here. A case can be tried but one time. The charges at bar were all cleared. Remember the trial, it was mine… On Calvary’s hill I was nailed; And judged in your eyes as all sin. In Hell’s dungeon halls, Light prevailed, And you ruled: ‘Enough for all men’. This dear contrite soul has my plea, By taking my name for his case. And justly, you must set him free, For, Father, I died in his place!” His Lordship then smiles to the court And looks upon me with changed eyes: “Your faith has brought this good report, A friend of my Son never dies.” JOB 9: 1, 2, 32, 33 Then Job answered and said, I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand…For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.
10
Answers From Job’s Quandary
There is a book that I have seen, title escaping me. I believe that the author was the respected British Bible expositor G. Campbell Morgan. It suggested that all of Job’s questions were to be answered in Jesus Christ. Questions like the following: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Why do good people suffer? Why do problems seem to pile on? Who can really know the pain that I am experiencing? Why is it that our friends’ censure hurts the most? Is there an antidote for all of my guilt? Why are people disgusted at the sight of pain? Can I hold on to reverent love of God whatever the extent of my pain? Is God to blame for suffering? Will there ever be a recompense for injustice? Will I rise from the grave? Am I to anticipate a blessed after-life? Are all mortals bound to disappoint a Holy God? Could I ever argue my case before Him? Is there an Advocate for me in this struggle anywhere?
As I was drawn toward the Gospel invitation in 1982 (and after extensive church involvement, I might add, but involvement in form only), I was touched by many of the things which I read in the account of Job. The Book is perhaps the oldest book in the entire Bible. It is thought that if the MosesExodus event had occurred there would have been some reference. As a young lawyer at the time I paid particular attention to the comments of Elihu, youngest of Job’s critics, and the one of Job’s suggesting the possibility of an advocate (daysman) someday before God, offering the chance of pardon for sin and unbelief, and recompense for injustice. See his comments in the 9th chapter:
11
29If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain? 30If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean; 31Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me. 32For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. 33Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both. 34Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me: 35Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me. Hear Elihu’s foreshadowing in the 33rd: 14For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. 15In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; 16Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, 17That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. 18He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. 19He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain: 20So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat. 21His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.
12
22Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. 23If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: 24Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. 25His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth: 26He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness. All of this really got my attention; but it wasn’t just logic; it wasn’t just need. It was the Holy Ghost, “the Hound-dog of Heaven”. I was being drawn to God through Christ for reasons known only to Omniscience. I shall praise and thank Him forever, knowing full well of this “beggar’s lot”.
This Blogger Loves Grisham
Did it! Finished the recent Grisham novel just before I finished a week's holidays. Back to his excellent multi-layered law office art in "The Associate". This time taking on a top level Yale Law graduate and editor of the Law Journal hired by the biggest firm in the Big Apple. But Kyle the protagonist did not show up there by choice. A mysterious cloak and dagger meeting with an extorter named "Bennie" brought up a cell-phone video from a drunken fraternity bash five years or so back, confirming the double-rape of a co-ed by two of Kyle's buddies, in the presence of a drunken Kyle and others. The incident led to formal complaint, police investigation, but no fixed charges because of the questionable track record of Elaine, the girl with the snap-button pants.
13
Kyle is about to complete his final year at Yale and one of his prospects is the targeted New York mega-firm. This, Kyle's father, a small-town Pennsylvania general practitioner cannot understand. But Kyle is in the squeeze where even the early stages of charges and pre-trial could ruin him. Accessory to the fact? Coaxing the others on? Questions of the girl's consciousness and therefore consent? O.K. Bennie. What do you want? Quite straight-forward, Kyle. Finish the year. Say yes to the big billers. Pass the state bar exams. Slip into the litigation department. Look for ways to become attached to an upcoming astronomic law-suit between aircraft manufacturers vying for military contracts to build super-sonic, super-altitude bombers. We already have extensive intelligence. We want you to help us suck dry the virtual library of technical documents and strategies in the top-secret "productions warehouse" of the firm. A lawyers' computer bank, tailor-made like none other, and bringing instant re-call and arrangement to hundreds of thousands of documents and reports. Enough said. Read the book. Observe the artful slow development of players and issues and problems. Kyle becomes his own sort of counter-spy, trying to outfox Bennie's thugs who tail his movements. Eventually he hires his own counsel, informs his small-town deer hunting Dad, and special FBI departments to bust wide the conspiracy and save Kyle from an extended stay at crowbar hotel and the disbarment pages of the law periodicals. Along the way Grisham has some real fun with the clock-watching megalawyers. Bill, bill, bill. Include lunches. Useless research sessions down blind alleys. End of day limousines. Endless strategy boardroom meetings where associates hope to show off, and where partners crush hopes with vain stories and the unattainable. One wonders if any real work gets down in the firm touting the biggest gross of billable hours in the continent. Do they have a life? Family? Friends? Re creative interests? How I could delight in the irony. Former small-time lawyer. Never much money. Quickly compromised hope for real justice. Quickly crushed respect for courtesy and decorum in judge's chambers. Little clients with little issues on a first-name basis. Never once a hired para-legal or book-keeper or investigator. On a side note, Grisham develops one of Kyle's frat buddies, Baxter, a drug 14
and alcohol addict. Rich in trust funds from an ivy-league family. Trying for entertainment fame in Hollywood. Forced by uncle's cheque book into a second spa-rehab venture, but this time released to the supervision of one Brother Manny, a former addict and jail-bird. Now on fire for Jesus and running a hostel, church and perhaps school for burn-outs outside Reno. What will a new-found desire to come clean do to Baxter's outstanding debt of shame to Elaine? Will he attend upon her and her rabid feminist lawyer friend nick-named Mike? Read Chapter 18 and tell me whether Grisham has a firm hold on rescue for the addict through A.A. and rescue for the sinner through Christ and the Holy Spirit. I think that he does, and I think that here he has released a Gospel burden. (and not just a promising evangelical demographic for sales) This was also the case in The Street Lawyer, The Last Juror, The Testament and The Appeal. I love Grisham. (P.S. to young lawyers or wannabees. Read all these books. Read the Merchant of Venice. Read Paul's letter to the Galatians in scripture. Read Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson. View the movie The Verdict starring Paul Newman. View the movie Twelve Angry Men with Henry Fonda and Lee J. Cobb. Spend real time in the law courts. Watch counsel in the lobbies with their clients. Read the news on cases of interest. Watch house deals close in the Land Registry Office. Enter law because YOU want to weather through the abuse and assaults upon your idealism. Not because of money. Not trusting in somebody else's encouragement that "you would be good at it.")
Baby’s Colic (1987)
He’s up again, And crying for some cause Best known to him. His mother needs more rest. 15
So, it’s my turn. And with him now Some midnight oil will burn. It’s such a mess: My business gone to pot. And awkward friends Would rather stare. “A lawyer in a stew.” Some of them care. A sharp young lawyer? Not. The baby came. And even in this squeeze There is some joy. A bright-eyed little boy His sister takes in hand. Yet times are rough. It’s hard to understand. We cuddle now. And in the tattered sofa Find some peace. No longer squirming for release. His eyes fast shut. Like some pink toy. I’d never harm the boy. Alone, I lounge To cadence of a clock. But not alone. Inside I hear Him talk. The Holy One, Assuring me 'I’d never harm you, Son.'
16
Show Us the Father
Have I been so long time with you, Yet you still misunderstand? In the simple walks When I listened And you went on so. In the gazing reverently Together at sunset. In the common meal Which went down so well 'Midst laughter and poking. In the common cup. The washings of hand And conscience. Have you not seen me Bless the wayfaring man, The ailing child, The fretful mother With her last farthing? Chastise the hypocrite? Warn the self-assured? Heard me glean wisdom 17
From the fields, the flocks, The fishnets, the pearl merchant? In all, I have heard from my Father; Seen my Father's pointing hand; Represented my Father. It is just that simple, That fresh, daily. I can be, I can say None other. Come unto me. Come unto Him. Brothers.
Judas Departs
I can’t believe, I won’t believe, That this is how it goes. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords, A victim of his foes! The man who won the crowds with food, With talks of realms of peace, A fool, who should have used such power To gain the Jews’ release! For Rome could not have proved a match For quickened Hebrew zeal, The kind that often sparked their eyes, While he would teach or heal. But he is fixed upon a path Of suffering and shame; And says that such may be the lot Of those who bear his name.
18
Pathetic! Just a mendicant! No current house or trade! Depending on the charity Of friends, recently made. And now he bids us share his feast In Passover retreat… Behold, the Master strips himself To wash and soothe our feet! A common slave would do the task In any other case, But Jesus still perversely seeks The lowly servant’s place. It is enough! I can’t go on; Hence, I have seized a plan To set the stage for his arrest, And merchandise the man. Jesus, you proved a dreamer That the times can ill afford. I can’t believe; I won’t believe; And so I leave, M’Lord.
Down from the Cross
Take him down, And please be gentle: He has suffered much today. Spare those hands From further tearing, As we pull the spikes away.
19
Lift the crown From his cold forehead; Never was a King so slain. Oh, to think Our laws, our people, Could have caused him so much pain! Curse the thought Of twilight justice In that court of hate declared. Oh, that one Had better argued, Better fought, to have him spared. Not a rule Of our procedure, But was broken in the sham. Jesus held By ruthless slayers, Silent, sacrificial lamb! Brother, grief Is now our portion; Counsellors to crime are we. Rue the day Of our proud calling To Sanhedrin’s vanity. Carry him As best we’re able, Not a jostle, nor a jar. He has borne Our griefs and sorrows; Friend, his tomb is not too far. Thanks to God For Pilate’s ruling, For the right to take him there. Hasty work 20
In cloths and spices, Winding death ‘round one so fair. All is done, And none too early, As the sabbath rest draws nigh. Gentle Lord, So long awaited, Was it planned that you should die? ISAIAH 53: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
21
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (Song Lyrics by Helen H. Lemmel ) 1. O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There’s light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free! • (Refrain:) Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace. 2. Through death into life everlasting He passed, and we follow Him there; O’er us sin no more hath dominion— For more than conqu’rors we are! 3. His Word shall not fail you—He promised; Believe Him, and all will be well: Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell! Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.
22
Move of God I remember seeing a painting of George Whitefield (1714 - 1770) preaching to a crowd in an English village. The faces of those in attendance registered every possible reaction – mild interest, polite boredom, awkward smirks, heckling, distraction toward the activity of others and some in heavy conviction and mourning for sin. The face of the preacher showed only severe focus on the Word being preached. He was not scanning the crowd for their reaction or trying to tailor his presentation for sake of persuasiveness. He modeled the dedicated, humble messenger of the simple seed of the Word. I saw nothing of debater, salesman or distinguished celebrity. How often do we hear of the ministries of “great men or women of God” wielding some “mighty anointing”. It is as if the sweet ministry of the Holy Spirit and His fruit have been reduced to a commodity like baking powder available for better effect. I am convinced that we are seeing the eclipse of “great personalities” in ministry. God is jealous for His glory. One of a messenger’s greatest fears in service or testimony should be the fear of the praise of men and its debilitating effect. The sower simply, obediently and faithfully scatters the seed. God gives the increase. I am expecting a groundswell of grass-roots love and sharing to be in the next outbreak of revival. We must all be prepared to give the glad report and to offer hands of help.
Lord, Send Revival
Godlessness, recoiling, Strikes again the blow.
23
Jesus’ name is slandered. Lord, that they might know. (He is all the glory. He is all the praise. He is all the answer, For these restless days.) Fear of God is lacking. Love of Christ is rare. Churches hide their candle. Do they really care? “Men are all-sufficient;” So the journals sing. (Why need we a “saviour”? Strange, out-dated thing.) Still the candle flickers, Touching one by one, Hearts that seek for better, Hearts that hear the Son. Stop the superficial! Stop the sad parade! There is not a blessing, But that God has made! He will soon take action, Laying bare men’s games. Burning through the districts With revival’s flames! Then Christ gets the glory. Then the ransomed sing. Then awakened men see God in everything. Lord, please send revival! Send once more the rain! Holy, happy wonders 24
In our midst again. Psalm 85:4 - Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.
He Comes Near
The church board of management meeting was just about concluded and I had promised to drive a friend home. He had some questions to ask the rector, and I suggested that I would wait quietly in the semi-lit sanctuary. The day had been busy with the demands of a rookie law practice and I welcomed this small opportunity to coast and let my thoughts go free. In front of me were the stained glass windows, the choir stalls, the pews, Prayer Book, Prayer Book, Bible, Prayer Book... My eye fixed on one old black "Holy Bible". Hadn't spent much time in that. But I knew the Church seasons, celebrations, polity, creeds and daily considerations as the People's Warden. Friend was taking his time. I reached for the scriptures and by chance opened to the beginning of the epistle of James, purportedly the brother of Jesus, and one who hadn't taken Him very seriously at the beginning. The letter seemed surprisingly practical - trials and victory, good deeds backing up confession, impartiality to one's fellow man, cautious use of the tongue, avoiding strife and envy, honesty in business, the Second Coming of Jesus, power in humility, prayer for healing, loving counsel... Wow! This stuff was good. I finished the epistle, and still no friend. A Voice inside seemed to say, "Doug, it's all good. Keep on chewing." The process was taking tangible form. Now, I am not telling you to get alone in some chilly sanctuary. Your experience in ways will be unique. I am suggesting however, that you ready 25
yourself for a revelation of how gentle, wise, practical and available the Heavenly Father truly is. Consider Psalm 81:10 I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.
Revelation
The quivering age rings of doubt; The fuzzy aura of social norm; Of grandmother’s fables On how good comes; Of past hurts and yearnings Wrenching head and heart Periodically upward. Now collect and condense into A single point of certainty And gladsome focus. Christ has come. Christ has served, And brought the good report. Blood and death have served their purpose. His Father‌Our Father. Is love. Entirely to be trusted. And oh, how the good comes! Hallelujah!
26