One Hour at the Study Table ...and Jesus will refresh C. Doug Blair, 2015, Waterloo, ON We have convinced ourselves that life is so busy with pressing obligations. The list might include family, work, household, civic responsibility, maintenance of friends, physical exercise, worship, continuing education. Where does one stop? It is too easy to get the impression of sand passing through the hour glass at an alarming rate. The reality is that there is no shortage of sand. We are eternal beings. I will repeat that: we are eternal beings. To what extent have we invested in preparing for eternity? Are there long quiet walks of meditation? Seasons of prayer? Earnest probing considerations of Holy Writ? Conversations with trusted fellow believers? Roiling questions hurled Heavenward when circumstances attack? I have an hour for you here to consider Jesus in my five favourite scripture passages. It is my firm confidence that in a supernatural way scripture has the power to beget new life; to impregnate. Mere words of men, however arresting, cannot match it. Let us explore together, and please forgive my impudence in suggesting that anyone could select five favourites to raise above the rest. Philippians Chapter Two
Kenosis This is the Greek word for self-emptying. It is of particular interest in the second chapter of Paul's Epistle to the Philippians, where the humble mission of Jesus is described: "5-8Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion. 9-11Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father." Can we get our minds around this? The eternally blessed God Son leaves Heaven for a cradle and a
mother's doting caress and diapers. The young family journeys to Egypt to escape the jealous wrath of Herod. The Nazareth carpenter's shop. The young apprentice's trial and error approach to a trade. Impatient, overbearing customers waiting for a table and haggling over the price. The increasing propensity to late night journeys up the hill to commune with the Heavenly Father in prayer. The growing realization of his mission. The reading and re-reading of Deuteronomy 18 in the ancient script. Psalms 89 and 118. The news of the Baptist, and the community's heartfelt desire for a new Golden Age; for an end to Rome's yoke. And then that moment, at the Jordan, when corroboration comes from the clouds, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." Our Saviour became man. Laid aside omniscience, omnipotence, omni-presence. Here was no Greek myth of an Olympian playing masquerade ball in the midst of mortals. Here was an incarnation, and because of it we enjoy a very trustworthy, sympathetic and approachable High Priest. With His ascension and glorification (Acts 1), Jesus enjoyed again all divine attributes and powers without limitation. Consider Hebrews 4 14-16Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let's not let it slip through our fingers. We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help. (The Message)
Second Corinthians Chapter Five
One Chapter in Particular
I love 2 Corinthians 5. It gives us a fresh start, a new creation. It robs death of its fear. It reminds of the fact of Judgment.
It casts light on the great exchange: my sin for Christ’s righteousness. It commissions us to a mighty assignment. Sharing the reconciliation with God. It releases us from fear of men and their opinions. It explains the surprising vise-like hold of Love Eternal.
Swallowed Up of Life 4 For
we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. (2 Corinthians 5: 4) Paul is at a critical point in his ministry. Detractors are saying that he is without credentials. He is saying that love disciples brought into the Gospel fold are all the evidence he needs. He is weary; chapters 6 and 11 will show us just how weary; but he is not without hope. If the persecution or the physical demands are leading unto death, then he is fearless. For to die is to be with Christ, and that is all gain. He reassures that the promotion through death is glorious and into a greater sphere, not into a lesser. He does realize that there is still much work to be done. He commissions his correspondents at Corinth as “ambassadors of reconciliation”, for the message must resonate in widening circles “that God was in Christ Jesus reconciling the world unto Himself”. We are part of that brotherhood and task force. Neither do we have any certificates on the wall, but no matter, the universal priesthood of believers is about to enter into a greater dimension.
Psalm Eighty-Four
Sparrows and Swallows
Psalm 84: 3 Yea,
the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. 4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah. I have always taken delight in the images of this Psalm. The House of God is not a place for greatness and pomp; rather for the simple and contented. Little creatures doing what they were made to do, and happily so. The sparrow communes in playful chatter and hops around in search of the food at hand. The swallow seems a more isolated creature with breathtaking flight patterns plucking the insects a hazardous two inches from the water's surface at tremendous speed. She also plasters a miraculous nest on perpendicular walls and corners with no apparent under-support. The Temple is safe for their kind and safe for their youngsters. There is almost a child-like air to everything; and indeed the messages of the place are intended for the unsophisticated. And these children are content that it should be so: 10 For
a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. They are made the custodians of the greatest of messages, the Testament of God: 11 For
the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. In this statement we see the whole spectrum of scripture. "Sun" the centre and source of the whole universe in creation and procreation. "Shield" a particular defender of a peculiar people in the lineage of the faith of Abraham. "Grace" in the Good News of the mission and success of Jesus the Saviour. "Glory" in the expectation of the redeemed starting now and never ending.
Valley of Tears Beatitude
Again yesterday I received a blessing from Psalm 84: 5Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. 6Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. 7They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God. Apparently there is a community of faithful ones who have encountered the valley of Baca (tears) for whatever reason, and have come through victoriously, and have stored up in their heart empathy for the suffering ones, and resources and encouragement for these fellow pilgrims. They understand the ways of those who traverse that Vale. Their faith, example and counsel provide supernatural refreshment and "wells" long before God sends relief in the natural realm with the "rains". And these wells have gone deep. Are there tears in your present or past? Have you come THROUGH that valley? Are you endued with a resource and audacity not acquired by the untried, by the ones who appear always to breeze through? Thank God for such a blessing, such a resource, which may very soon become a "well" for others. Always be on the lookout, and prepared to be surprised by simple opportunities to minister. This was Jesus' way from day to day. He too was a "man of sorrows" and "acquainted with grief".
Isaiah Chapter Fifty-Three
Gospel Paradox God becomes Man. King becomes Servant. Teacher becomes Lesson. Victor becomes Captive. Priest becomes Sacrifice.
Blessing becomes Curse. Death becomes Life. Galatians 3: 13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Isaiah 53: 7He 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.
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. 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 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.
Are You Bought and Paid For? One of my favourite scriptures is 2 Corinthians 5: 21 For he (God) hath made him (Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
We find ourselves caught in the thralls of sin and pre-occupation with self. The Bible makes it absolutely clear that God is all holy and cannot condone or ignore the sin or draw near to it. How is there to be a reconciliation? How might we approach Him? Become members of His family? The wonderful Good News is that the penalty for the offence of sin has been more than settled by the obedient life, death and resurrection of Jesus. As the old hymn says, "Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain. He washed it white as snow." (Elvina M. Hall) The cure is available . It need only be appropriated as one believes and prays a prayer something like the following: "God, I know that I have sinned and deserve your righteous judgment. I believe that your Son, Jesus volunteered to pay the death penalty for the sins of men, women and children who would trust in Him. He died and was buried in a tomb. But according to the prophecies of scripture, He was raised from the dead, glorified and lives now in Heaven. His blood made redemption for sin. I ask to be saved through this, your only way of salvation. Saved from continuing in wrongful thoughts and behaviour. Saved from the ultimate judgment which you will impose on those who reject this gift. Thank you for eternal life. Thank you for blessing my inner being with the Holy Ghost and His wisdom, comfort and guidance. Thank you for establishing your Son as my priest and shepherd. Take control of my life, God. Use me in your glorious plans, and ultimately bring me into your presence. This I ask in Jesus' name." Now, these words have no magic. Without the right preparation of heart one prays in vain. One must first be drawn by the convicting influence of the Spirit. Given eyes to see the worth of Jesus' blood at Calvary. Made ready to repent. One enters in, prays, confesses and gives thanks. The transaction is accomplished. The Good Shepherd, Jesus, rejoices to see another lamb safely brought into the fold. Perhaps this moment has been your opportunity. Consider again the prayer. Hear what is so ably paraphrased by Eugene Peterson in "The Message" at Isaiah 53:10-12 "10Still, it's what God had in mind all along, to crush him with pain. The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin so that he'd see life come from it—life, life, and more life. And God's plan will deeply prosper through him. 11-12Out of that terrible travail of soul, he'll see that it's worth it and be glad he did it. Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant, will make many "righteous ones," as he himself carries the burden of their sins. Therefore I'll reward him extravagantly— the best of everything, the highest honors— Because he looked death in the face and didn't flinch, because he embraced the company of the lowest. He took on his own shoulders the sin of the many, he took up the cause of all the black sheep."
Revelation Chapter Five
Is It a Stretch? Never been forgotten Vision by the River Hinting God’s own Glory Grasping prophet’s heart. Many wings were beating And loud praises uttered Could one delve the message God would there impart? One the face of lion Two the ox of service Three the face of mankind Four the eagle’s gaze. Could it be Christ’s Gospel Bringing God great pleasure Linked with Him in mercy Through unending days? Matthew showed a King’s reign
Come to people’s turmoil. Mark a willing servant Ever at the plow. Luke a man for all men Stories and deliverance. John a bird of Heaven Dipped our flesh to know. Later one beloved Last of all disciples Saw those very creatures By the Patmos shore.* Scarcely had the language Fitting Heaven’s rapture Led by those great creatures Ezekiel saw before.** •
* Revelation 5
•
** Ezekiel 1
Stately
He was, perhaps the most handsome man I had ever met. Closing in on sixty. Straight, direct brown eyes. Long braid. Aboriginal. He reminded me of a younger version of Chief Dan George of movie fame. The lines in his tanned face spoke of character; the eyes, of years of gentle assessment of his fellow men. I was a young lawyer on duty counsel at Provincial Criminal Court giving people "off-the-hip" advice on their first court appearance. This gentleman was accompanied by his grand-daughter who had had an unfortunate encounter with the Wallaceburg police. He had arranged her bail. A Saturday night of drinking had led to public disturbance and abusive language to the attending constables. I learned that the young woman had been roughly handled in custody, cuffed and made to fall down a flight of stairs en route to the lock-up. Now she just hung her head in embarrassment while grandfather
told the story. He paused and looked directly at me with incredulous, pained eyes as if to say, "Is this the Law? I cannot excuse the child's behaviour.It only goes to add fuel to the sad stereotype. But do decent folk do this in response?" I cannot remember how the short hearing went thereafter. I can only remember the handsome, questioning face. Months later a young enterprising aboriginal farmer from Walpole Island named Bruce came into my office with a problem. His grandmother had died. He could not find a funeral parlour to arrange the final tribute. He and his father presented me with particulars of a lucrative wetlands maize operation in the hope that I could help make the pitch to a mortician. My phone calls and a visit left me with the impression that Wallaceburg business folk were totally disinclined to engage with "those people from the Island". "After all, I must have known what they were like". Well, I didn't...It was probably the following summer that Hilary and little Lauren and I went to a small white clapboard church on the Island (formerly Anglican) where revival was underway. A husband and wife evangelistic team were there from Detroit with a couple of spirited musicians. There in a small gathering of red, white and black we experienced one of the richest times of worship and ministry which we can remember, with the peeper frogs joining in from the marsh out back. New friends were made. The Body was edified. Jesus was honoured. Tribes and tongues were represented in unity. The only place where multi-culturalism will ever work. Around His throne. (Revelation 5) 8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.