What Did Jesus Do?
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14.27b
Many boys are troubled by feelings of homesickness their first summer at Scout camp. In truth, second and third-year campers, and even veterans of many summers, have to deal with varying degrees of homesickness. One of the saddest things a Scout leader ever witnesses is the sight of a boy, whose feelings have gotten the better of him, leaving for home thoroughly disheartened after only a day or two at camp. As a camp chaplain leaders will sometimes bring a boy to see me, hoping I might have something to say that will work some magic.
Actually, there are no magic words. The first thing I tell a Scout is that there is nothing wrong with what he is feeling; it is quite natural for us to miss home and family, especially the first time we are separated from them for more than a few hours. And I can honestly share with the Scouts that I had the very same feelings, and not just at camp, but going off to college, and many other times as an adult when I have had to leave my home and family for a time because of work or school (Or, as a camp staff member!). Dealing with the queasiness in the stomach, and the anxiousness of the heart, and the self-defeating talk going on in our mind is not easy. Being disheartened, losing hope, despairing that things will not turn out alright, fearing that we won’t see those we love again, is not at all restricted to boys going off to camp for the first time; it has troubled boys and girls, and men and women, for centuries, and our Father knows this, for his heart is also pained by our being separated from him. That’s one reason the Father sent the Son into the world, to hearten us.
When Jesus spoke to a multitude gathered on a Galilean hillside He instructed them to not be anxious about their lives, assuring them of their Heavenly Father’s care and love. (Matthew 6.25-34) Jesus heartened.
A desperate Jairus, fearful that his precious daughter was dying, sought the Lord’s help. Though word came as they were heading towards the home of Jairus that his daughter had died, Jesus rallied the father’s hope, “Be not afraid, only believe.” (Mark 5.36) Jesus heartened.
Knowing that He would soon be separated from His disciples, Jesus sought to calm their hearts with the promise that He was going to prepare a place for them to be with the Father for eternity, and that He would surely come back for them. (John 14.1-1-3) Jesus heartened.
With foreknowledge of the tribulation His followers would face in the world, Jesus declared His victory over all worldly powers, that they might take heart and be of good courage. (John 16.33) Jesus heartened.
To the dying thief on the cross beside Him, Jesus pledged that they would be together in paradise that very day. (Luke 23.39-43) Jesus heartened.
One of the biggest sources of anxiety for a homesick Scout is the fear that the separation from those he loves and needs the most will not be just for a few days, but forever, “What if Mom and Dad don’t come to pick me up on Saturday, and I never see them again?” I don’t care who you are, that is a scary thought; and we all have similarly scary thoughts at one time or another. Such thoughts elicit powerful feelings, feelings difficult to master. It is easy to lose heart, for courage to falter, at the prospect of being cut off from those who love you most.
In truth, there is no one who loves any of us more than the Father; he proved his love when he sent his Son to die for our sakes, that we might be forgiven our sins and receive eternal life. (John 3.16) I can’t think of anything more heartening than this assurance of the Father’s steadfast and unceasing love. Knowing and believing the Son, who is the very expression of the Father’s love, supplies courage, good cheer, and hope, not to deny our anxious fears and feelings, but to best them. That’s what Jesus did.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Jesus Faced
What Did Jesus Do?
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person...
Hebrews 1.3
Although I rather doubt that the average high school graduate could identify them, I suspect that most people over fifty could easily identify the iconic images of Lincoln, Jefferson, and Washington on the penny, nickel, and quarter, respectively. Talented sculptors at the U. S. mint, working from paintings and photographs (At least in the case of Lincoln), have rendered the profiles of these presidents so well that we can easily recognize who is represented on the coins. But even the best of the likenesses on these coins is hardly perfect.
Before the advent of cloning, which has yet to work out all the kinks in the process, the closest thing to perfect “likeness” in creation have been so-called identical twins. Yet, even the most “identical” of twins have differences that can be measured between them. But not so with the Father and the Son. The Son is not a likeness, not a twin, certainly not a clone of the Father. Rather, for all eternity, the exact and complete re of the Father, in every aspect of its fullness, is in the Son; the Father and Son are, as Jesus told His disciples, one. (See John 17.11, 20-26)
So it was that Jesus could answer Philip, when he asked the Lord to show the Father to the disciples, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14.9) Truly, the Aaronic blessing of Numbers 6.24-26 was fulfilled in the Incarnation. All who beheld Jesus encountered the shining face of God. No icon, image, or likeness, the Son, bearing the very re of the Father, was lifted up on the cross, the countenance of the LORD giving peace to all who receive Him.
Theologians distinguish between General Revelation and Special Revelation. God is revealed, generally, throughout all of creation; the works of the Maker bear evidence of the existence and re of God. But it is in the Son alone, the very Word of God made flesh, that the Father has specially revealed all the fullness of his grace and truth, and his glory, to the end that all who see and believe on Jesus Christ know the only true God, and receive eternal life. (John 17.3)
The face of God was not revealed in any of the carved, painted, or sculpted images of the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, or Romans. God’s countenance is not to be found in statues of Buddha or any of the many gods of the Hindus. Certainly, all who look anywhere but to Jesus search vainly for God.
Since our expulsion from Eden we have sought to again behold the glory of the face of God, our Maker. It was the Father’s plan for the Son, in the fullness of time, to make his face shine upon Man, that our relationship with our Creator should be restored. That’s what Jesus did.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person...
Hebrews 1.3
Although I rather doubt that the average high school graduate could identify them, I suspect that most people over fifty could easily identify the iconic images of Lincoln, Jefferson, and Washington on the penny, nickel, and quarter, respectively. Talented sculptors at the U. S. mint, working from paintings and photographs (At least in the case of Lincoln), have rendered the profiles of these presidents so well that we can easily recognize who is represented on the coins. But even the best of the likenesses on these coins is hardly perfect.
Before the advent of cloning, which has yet to work out all the kinks in the process, the closest thing to perfect “likeness” in creation have been so-called identical twins. Yet, even the most “identical” of twins have differences that can be measured between them. But not so with the Father and the Son. The Son is not a likeness, not a twin, certainly not a clone of the Father. Rather, for all eternity, the exact and complete re of the Father, in every aspect of its fullness, is in the Son; the Father and Son are, as Jesus told His disciples, one. (See John 17.11, 20-26)
So it was that Jesus could answer Philip, when he asked the Lord to show the Father to the disciples, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14.9) Truly, the Aaronic blessing of Numbers 6.24-26 was fulfilled in the Incarnation. All who beheld Jesus encountered the shining face of God. No icon, image, or likeness, the Son, bearing the very re of the Father, was lifted up on the cross, the countenance of the LORD giving peace to all who receive Him.
Theologians distinguish between General Revelation and Special Revelation. God is revealed, generally, throughout all of creation; the works of the Maker bear evidence of the existence and re of God. But it is in the Son alone, the very Word of God made flesh, that the Father has specially revealed all the fullness of his grace and truth, and his glory, to the end that all who see and believe on Jesus Christ know the only true God, and receive eternal life. (John 17.3)
The face of God was not revealed in any of the carved, painted, or sculpted images of the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, or Romans. God’s countenance is not to be found in statues of Buddha or any of the many gods of the Hindus. Certainly, all who look anywhere but to Jesus search vainly for God.
Since our expulsion from Eden we have sought to again behold the glory of the face of God, our Maker. It was the Father’s plan for the Son, in the fullness of time, to make his face shine upon Man, that our relationship with our Creator should be restored. That’s what Jesus did.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Jesus Joined
What Did Jesus Do?
…that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me,
and I in you, that they also may be in us,
so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
John 17.21
President Theodore Roosevelt is famed for, among many other things, joining the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific by pushing through the completion of the Panama Canal. Wilbur and Orville Wright are remembered for their successful joining of a motor to a glider, thereby creating powered flight. Jonas Salk is celebrated for joining the right ingredients together to make a life-saving polio vaccine. Those who join are worthy of honor; just think of Mr. Reese who joined chocolate with peanut butter (Just kidding.).
The Father sent the Son on a “joining” mission. Jesus testified before Pilate that the reason He came into the world was to bear witness to the truth (See John 18.37), and the truth is, without Jesus we are all tragically, mortally, eternally, separated. So it was that when Jesus prayed to His Father as His mission neared its end His prayer was for successful joining. Modern songwriters may lament that “One is the loneliest number,” but in fact it is the exact opposite—the perfect unity of our being one with the Father and with each other in Christ is the very longing of God’s heart.
A bunch of wild, untamed, even rebellious, branches incapable of producing any good fruit of our own, Jesus, the true vine, comes and joins us to himself. (See John 15.1-5) Apart from abiding in Christ, and by the Holy Spirit having Christ in us, we are hapless, helpless, and headed for the flames (John 15.6). But in Christ, as He joins us to himself, we glorify the Father through bearing much good fruit for the kingdom. (John 15.7-8) Jesus joins us to himself.
When we were lost, alone, unloved and unlovable, Jesus came and told us that He is the one and only way to the Father. (See John 14.6) As Jesus is the very image of the Father (See Hebrews 1.3), all who know the Son in fact see the Father. (John 14.9) And the Lord has promised that He will come to take each of us to himself, that where He is (With the Father), we may be also. ( John 14.3) Jesus joins us to the Father.
There was a time when a gulf separated God’s covenant people (The Jews) from all other peoples (Gentiles), but in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek. Through the millennia people have been separated by economic status, but in Christ there is neither slave nor free. And, ever since the unfortunate affair of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, men and women have had no little contention between them, but in Christ there is neither male nor female, for in Christ Jesus all are one. (See Galatians 3.28) Jesus joins us to one another.
If joining was at the very heart of Christ’s mission then we had better be about the business of being one, for it is in fact the calling to which we have all been called. (See Ephesians 4.1). Therefore, following the Lord’s example, we look to join and be joined, walking in all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4.2) That’s what Jesus did.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
…that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me,
and I in you, that they also may be in us,
so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
John 17.21
President Theodore Roosevelt is famed for, among many other things, joining the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific by pushing through the completion of the Panama Canal. Wilbur and Orville Wright are remembered for their successful joining of a motor to a glider, thereby creating powered flight. Jonas Salk is celebrated for joining the right ingredients together to make a life-saving polio vaccine. Those who join are worthy of honor; just think of Mr. Reese who joined chocolate with peanut butter (Just kidding.).
The Father sent the Son on a “joining” mission. Jesus testified before Pilate that the reason He came into the world was to bear witness to the truth (See John 18.37), and the truth is, without Jesus we are all tragically, mortally, eternally, separated. So it was that when Jesus prayed to His Father as His mission neared its end His prayer was for successful joining. Modern songwriters may lament that “One is the loneliest number,” but in fact it is the exact opposite—the perfect unity of our being one with the Father and with each other in Christ is the very longing of God’s heart.
A bunch of wild, untamed, even rebellious, branches incapable of producing any good fruit of our own, Jesus, the true vine, comes and joins us to himself. (See John 15.1-5) Apart from abiding in Christ, and by the Holy Spirit having Christ in us, we are hapless, helpless, and headed for the flames (John 15.6). But in Christ, as He joins us to himself, we glorify the Father through bearing much good fruit for the kingdom. (John 15.7-8) Jesus joins us to himself.
When we were lost, alone, unloved and unlovable, Jesus came and told us that He is the one and only way to the Father. (See John 14.6) As Jesus is the very image of the Father (See Hebrews 1.3), all who know the Son in fact see the Father. (John 14.9) And the Lord has promised that He will come to take each of us to himself, that where He is (With the Father), we may be also. ( John 14.3) Jesus joins us to the Father.
There was a time when a gulf separated God’s covenant people (The Jews) from all other peoples (Gentiles), but in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek. Through the millennia people have been separated by economic status, but in Christ there is neither slave nor free. And, ever since the unfortunate affair of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, men and women have had no little contention between them, but in Christ there is neither male nor female, for in Christ Jesus all are one. (See Galatians 3.28) Jesus joins us to one another.
If joining was at the very heart of Christ’s mission then we had better be about the business of being one, for it is in fact the calling to which we have all been called. (See Ephesians 4.1). Therefore, following the Lord’s example, we look to join and be joined, walking in all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4.2) That’s what Jesus did.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Jesus Mattered
What Did Jesus Do?
All things were created by him…
Colossians 1.16
Archeology provides us with some incredible evidence of long-lost civilizations. From little bits of stuff, like potshards, to huge monuments, like pyramids, the things big and small that ancient peoples made offer us tremendous insights into who they were, how they lived, what they did. Were it not for this hard evidence, the accumulation of the matter, if you will, that these ancient people produced, we would probably not know much about them.
If anyone had been around to come up to Jesus and ask Him, “Jesus, whatcha’ doin’?” during the six days of creation, I believe His answer might have been, “Mattering.” You see, during that long ago first week Jesus turned the Word of His Father into matter. Other than God, the Three in One, nothing at all had ever existed from all eternity past up to the moment the Father spoke , “Let there be…” and the Son started, well, mattering. “All things were created by him”; if you will, all things were mattered by Him. And, though the work of creating all the stuff of the cosmos concluded with the close of the sixth day, the Son has never stopped mattering. Want to know about Jesus, you don’t need Archeology. Just check out what the Son mattered.
Look up in the night sky at the stars; Jesus created all the matter that fires those countless celestial beacons. Look through a microscope at a drop of water; Jesus created all the matter of the tiny teeming organisms swimming about. Take a deep breath; the matter that composes our atmosphere was created by Jesus. Those graying hairs on your head; Jesus created the matter that made you a blonde, brunette, or redhead, and He counted each one! Everywhere we turn, everywhere we look, from the infinite to the infinitesimal, Jesus mattered it all, just as the Father spoke it.
Now spirit is not matter. Spirit has no mass, no density, no physical properties at all, it is measureless. But there came a time when it was absolutely necessary for God, who is spirit (John 4.24), to become flesh, to matter himself, if you will. And so the Father sent the Son into the world to matter as never before. What the Son made material in His Incarnation was the glory of His Father, and He did it by revealing the grace and truth of God. The grace and truth of the Father was what mattered most to the Son. In the end, knowing this, the grace and truth of the glory of God in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ the only Lord and Savior, will be all that, well, matters. In the beginning, Jesus mattered. When the world needed to be redeemed, Jesus mattered. When the cosmos passes away, Jesus will be the One who alone will matter for the elect who will enter the Father’s kingdom. Mattering. That’s what Jesus did.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
All things were created by him…
Colossians 1.16
Archeology provides us with some incredible evidence of long-lost civilizations. From little bits of stuff, like potshards, to huge monuments, like pyramids, the things big and small that ancient peoples made offer us tremendous insights into who they were, how they lived, what they did. Were it not for this hard evidence, the accumulation of the matter, if you will, that these ancient people produced, we would probably not know much about them.
If anyone had been around to come up to Jesus and ask Him, “Jesus, whatcha’ doin’?” during the six days of creation, I believe His answer might have been, “Mattering.” You see, during that long ago first week Jesus turned the Word of His Father into matter. Other than God, the Three in One, nothing at all had ever existed from all eternity past up to the moment the Father spoke , “Let there be…” and the Son started, well, mattering. “All things were created by him”; if you will, all things were mattered by Him. And, though the work of creating all the stuff of the cosmos concluded with the close of the sixth day, the Son has never stopped mattering. Want to know about Jesus, you don’t need Archeology. Just check out what the Son mattered.
Look up in the night sky at the stars; Jesus created all the matter that fires those countless celestial beacons. Look through a microscope at a drop of water; Jesus created all the matter of the tiny teeming organisms swimming about. Take a deep breath; the matter that composes our atmosphere was created by Jesus. Those graying hairs on your head; Jesus created the matter that made you a blonde, brunette, or redhead, and He counted each one! Everywhere we turn, everywhere we look, from the infinite to the infinitesimal, Jesus mattered it all, just as the Father spoke it.
Now spirit is not matter. Spirit has no mass, no density, no physical properties at all, it is measureless. But there came a time when it was absolutely necessary for God, who is spirit (John 4.24), to become flesh, to matter himself, if you will. And so the Father sent the Son into the world to matter as never before. What the Son made material in His Incarnation was the glory of His Father, and He did it by revealing the grace and truth of God. The grace and truth of the Father was what mattered most to the Son. In the end, knowing this, the grace and truth of the glory of God in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ the only Lord and Savior, will be all that, well, matters. In the beginning, Jesus mattered. When the world needed to be redeemed, Jesus mattered. When the cosmos passes away, Jesus will be the One who alone will matter for the elect who will enter the Father’s kingdom. Mattering. That’s what Jesus did.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
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