What Did Jesus Do?
He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
John 20.22
Defeated, dejected, and demoralized, it was a group of despairing disciples that gathered on the evening of the first day of the week (John 20.19). Not even the announcement of Mary Magdalene, “I have seen the Lord” (John 20.18) had lifted their spirits. With the image of a beaten and scourged Jesus dying on the cross in their minds, a deathly fear of what the Jews might do to them compelled the disciples to lock the doors. With their dreams dashed, their faith frustrated, and the kingdom vision of Jesus seemingly a vanished vanity, the disciples were all but lifeless. But they would not remain so for long. For, against all evidence and logic, Jesus came and stood in the midst of them, bringing them the fullness of God’s shalom (peace) to calm their anxious hearts.
Now, just in case any of the disciples were of the same frame of mind as the skeptics in Jerusalem who had refused to believe that a man born blind could see (see John 9.9), Jesus confirmed his identity by displaying the marks of the nails and the spear which had pierced his hands, feet, and side (John 20.20). Instantly, gloomy hearts were gladdened. New “marching orders” were received, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” (John 20.21)
Of course, defeated, dejected, and demoralized disciples would be a pretty impotent army with which to conquer the world. They were, remember, all but lifeless at this point. So, Jesus breathed new life into despairing disciples, and imparted to them the power of the Holy Spirit (John 20.22). And, along with this power of the Spirit, the Lord also conferred his very own authority to grant or withhold forgiveness (John 20.23). THAT’s a lot of power and authority! One might even say it was irresistible. In fact, it was and is irresistible for all who are being saved, while staunchly yet rejected and resisted by those who are being condemned.
Given the authority and power which Jesus bestowed on his disciples, there has never been any reason for any disciple ever since to despair. Oh, things can look very bleak. The world, the flesh, and the devil appear to be even more ascendant in this third millennium since the time of Christ than ever before. Yet appearances can be deceiving. You see, to the despairing disciples who had gathered in that locked room on the evening of the first day of the week, it appeared that Jesus was dead and gone, and with him all their hopes. Yet, against all odds, Jesus had come and stood among them, and breathed new life into them, and they became world-changers.
Here’s the thing, there is not a single disciple of Jesus in the world today who the Lord has not called in order that they may be sent out to change the world. And nothing changes a person’s life and world more than hearing and believing the good news that, in Jesus Christ, they are forgiven. This is why it is so important that corporate confession, and declaring words of assurance and forgiveness, are such an important part of worship for the Lord’s Day. Nothing dispels despair like forgiveness! Nothing breathes life into a disciple, a congregation, the whole Body of Christ, like the Lord’s own gift of the Holy Spirit! Do you know someone who is despairing today? Then go, and breathe new life into them. That’s what Jesus did.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
Monday, August 29, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Jesus Use Name Recognition
What Did Jesus Do?
Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic,
“Rabboni!”(which means Teacher).
John 20.16
A frantic, and no doubt winded, Mary Magdalene stood weeping outside the empty tomb (John 20.11), having run to summon Peter and John, and then hastened back to the garden where the body of Jesus had been placed in the grave borrowed from Joseph of Arimathea. Through her tear-blurred eyes she looked into the sepulcher and saw two angels sitting by the place where Christ’s body had lain (John 20.12). Asked by the divine messengers what was the reason for her crying, Mary confessed that her anxiety was for the body of her Lord, which she feared had been stolen from the grave (John 20.13).
Despairing, Mary turned to go, certainly to continue her search, whereupon she encountered a man she did not recognize, but presumed to be the caretaker of the garden, who asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” In fact he was the very man she was seeking, but, of course, she was looking for a dead body, not a Risen Savior (John 20.14-15). Mary repeated to the man that her quest was to locate the remains of the Lord, the One who had set her free from the torment of seven demons (see Mark 16.9). Then, with just one word, the man radically changed Magdalene’s life a second time.
You see, the Good Shepherd knows his sheep, and he calls them by name (see John 10.3), and the sheep know him (John 10.14). Though she didn’t know the man by his voice or visage, she knew her Teacher when he called her, “Mary.” The risen Jesus used name recognition to reveal himself to Mary, and he still makes himself known to all those he saves by calling them by name.
Salvation is no indiscriminate thing, it is absolutely personal and most intimate. No one is saved by a stranger, but by the One who knows us better than we know ourselves. We may well not know him when we see him, though his startlingly white raiment, and most beautiful and glorious countenance, should give him away. But, we will surely recognize him when we hear his voice call to us personally by name. Mary Magdalene did.
Evangelism may be conducted through crusades, and electronic media may be used to reach out to the masses, but salvation comes to a lost sinner when he or she hears the Lord’s voice calling him or her personally. Jesus still uses name recognition to make himself known to those who are being saved.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic,
“Rabboni!”(which means Teacher).
John 20.16
A frantic, and no doubt winded, Mary Magdalene stood weeping outside the empty tomb (John 20.11), having run to summon Peter and John, and then hastened back to the garden where the body of Jesus had been placed in the grave borrowed from Joseph of Arimathea. Through her tear-blurred eyes she looked into the sepulcher and saw two angels sitting by the place where Christ’s body had lain (John 20.12). Asked by the divine messengers what was the reason for her crying, Mary confessed that her anxiety was for the body of her Lord, which she feared had been stolen from the grave (John 20.13).
Despairing, Mary turned to go, certainly to continue her search, whereupon she encountered a man she did not recognize, but presumed to be the caretaker of the garden, who asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” In fact he was the very man she was seeking, but, of course, she was looking for a dead body, not a Risen Savior (John 20.14-15). Mary repeated to the man that her quest was to locate the remains of the Lord, the One who had set her free from the torment of seven demons (see Mark 16.9). Then, with just one word, the man radically changed Magdalene’s life a second time.
You see, the Good Shepherd knows his sheep, and he calls them by name (see John 10.3), and the sheep know him (John 10.14). Though she didn’t know the man by his voice or visage, she knew her Teacher when he called her, “Mary.” The risen Jesus used name recognition to reveal himself to Mary, and he still makes himself known to all those he saves by calling them by name.
Salvation is no indiscriminate thing, it is absolutely personal and most intimate. No one is saved by a stranger, but by the One who knows us better than we know ourselves. We may well not know him when we see him, though his startlingly white raiment, and most beautiful and glorious countenance, should give him away. But, we will surely recognize him when we hear his voice call to us personally by name. Mary Magdalene did.
Evangelism may be conducted through crusades, and electronic media may be used to reach out to the masses, but salvation comes to a lost sinner when he or she hears the Lord’s voice calling him or her personally. Jesus still uses name recognition to make himself known to those who are being saved.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Jesus Said "Yes"
What Did Jesus Do?
“My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.”
John 4.34
Most people don’t think very highly of a yes-man. Typically they’re despised for being a flunky, a pushover, a stooge. Let’s face it, there’s something sick about being sycophantic (fawning, servile). But we all have very good reason to be thankful that Jesus was a yes-man. From the beginning, when God said, “Let there be light,” it was the Son’s unwavering practice to say “Yes” to whatever the Father said.
When the Father said, “Let there be sun, moon, and stars” Jesus said “Yes.” When the Father said, “Let there be the sky above and the seas below” Jesus said “Yes.” When the Father said, “Let there be dry land” Jesus said “Yes.” When the Father said, “Let the sky, the sea, and the land be filled with living creatures” Jesus said “Yes.” When the Father said, “Let us make man in our own image, male and female” Jesus said “Yes.”
Saying “Yes” to the Father was so important to the Son that it literally nourished him as food nourishes our bodies. Which leads me to observe that there are more than a few malnourished Christians in the world today who could stand to improve their diet by saying “Yes” to the will of God on a far more regular and consistent basis. I know I would benefit from more of this heavenly “health food” in my daily diet.
And yet, there were some things that Jesus said “Yes” to that were, well, kind of hard to swallow, so to speak. Think about it. “Son, I need you to give up your place at my side for a time. I want you to humble yourself and go down to the earth and become one of them.” And Jesus said, “Yes.” “You will not be born in a palace, but in a stable. Your mother will not be a powerful queen or rich woman, but a modest girl; your father will be but a carpenter.” And Jesus said, “Yes.” “You will grow up to undertake a ministry that will offend many, confuse others, but will save all who belong to me.” And Jesus said, “Yes.” “You will face opposition, rejection, desertion, and denial.” And Jesus said, “Yes.” “You will allow yourself to be seized by violent men who will abuse you and beat you.” And Jesus said, “Yes.” “You will bear a cross, have your hands and feet cruelly pierced by nails, and die a gruesome death in order that sinners should be saved.” And Jesus said, “Yes.” Finally, the Father said, “And, after three days in the tomb, I will call you to rise and come forth, that the redeemed may follow you into new and eternal life.” And Jesus said, “Yes!”
The thing is, contrary to much popular opinion, God is not silent today. His Word speaks today, He speaks today, if the world would but listen, if we would but listen. And, listening, we would be amazed at how nourishing and satisfying, how helpful and hopeful, how blessed it is to say, “Yes.” That’s what Jesus did.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
“My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.”
John 4.34
Most people don’t think very highly of a yes-man. Typically they’re despised for being a flunky, a pushover, a stooge. Let’s face it, there’s something sick about being sycophantic (fawning, servile). But we all have very good reason to be thankful that Jesus was a yes-man. From the beginning, when God said, “Let there be light,” it was the Son’s unwavering practice to say “Yes” to whatever the Father said.
When the Father said, “Let there be sun, moon, and stars” Jesus said “Yes.” When the Father said, “Let there be the sky above and the seas below” Jesus said “Yes.” When the Father said, “Let there be dry land” Jesus said “Yes.” When the Father said, “Let the sky, the sea, and the land be filled with living creatures” Jesus said “Yes.” When the Father said, “Let us make man in our own image, male and female” Jesus said “Yes.”
Saying “Yes” to the Father was so important to the Son that it literally nourished him as food nourishes our bodies. Which leads me to observe that there are more than a few malnourished Christians in the world today who could stand to improve their diet by saying “Yes” to the will of God on a far more regular and consistent basis. I know I would benefit from more of this heavenly “health food” in my daily diet.
And yet, there were some things that Jesus said “Yes” to that were, well, kind of hard to swallow, so to speak. Think about it. “Son, I need you to give up your place at my side for a time. I want you to humble yourself and go down to the earth and become one of them.” And Jesus said, “Yes.” “You will not be born in a palace, but in a stable. Your mother will not be a powerful queen or rich woman, but a modest girl; your father will be but a carpenter.” And Jesus said, “Yes.” “You will grow up to undertake a ministry that will offend many, confuse others, but will save all who belong to me.” And Jesus said, “Yes.” “You will face opposition, rejection, desertion, and denial.” And Jesus said, “Yes.” “You will allow yourself to be seized by violent men who will abuse you and beat you.” And Jesus said, “Yes.” “You will bear a cross, have your hands and feet cruelly pierced by nails, and die a gruesome death in order that sinners should be saved.” And Jesus said, “Yes.” Finally, the Father said, “And, after three days in the tomb, I will call you to rise and come forth, that the redeemed may follow you into new and eternal life.” And Jesus said, “Yes!”
The thing is, contrary to much popular opinion, God is not silent today. His Word speaks today, He speaks today, if the world would but listen, if we would but listen. And, listening, we would be amazed at how nourishing and satisfying, how helpful and hopeful, how blessed it is to say, “Yes.” That’s what Jesus did.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
Monday, August 22, 2011
Jesus Rose on the First Day, and Went to Work
What Did Jesus Do?
Jesus Rose on the First Day, and Went to Work
Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early…
John 20.1
John begins his Gospel by tell us that Jesus, the Word, was present and active in the beginning (see John 1.1-5). The prologue to John is rooted in the first chapter of Genesis, where we read the details of what the Logos (“Word”) did in the beginning, which was to spend a week creating materially all that the Father spoke. Then the Word, along with the Father, rested. Now, as John starts to wind down his narrative of the life and ministry of Jesus, we are told that on the first day, after three days in the tomb, the Word was back to work, so to speak.
The creation, which had stood in need of redemption ever since the Fall (see Genesis 3), was about to get an “extreme makeover.” The One who had made all things in the beginning was about to begin to “make all things new” (see Revelation 21.5). Of course the work of re-creating, like the work of creating, had to begin on the first day.
The work of redemption had been completed on the cross, Jesus himself pronouncing the benediction, “it is finished” (John 19.30). Now, the Son would take up the work only a resurrected Savior and Lord could accomplish. It was not something that could be accomplished lying down. So, when Mary Magdalene arrived at the garden, she discovered that the stone that had sealed the tomb had been rolled back (John 20.1). Jesus was not there, for, having completed the work of redemption of a fallen humanity that had borne the image of the first Adam, he had risen to undertook the work of re-creating, of re-generating, the race of Man in the image of the last Adam, a very life-giving spirit (see 1Corinthians 15.45).
Not understanding, fearing the work of grave robbers, Magdalene raced to summon the disciples, Peter and John, to be precise, who in turn raced back to the tomb. When they found the tomb empty, just as Mary had lamented, they were confused, though John asserts that he saw and believed (John 20.8), and, uncomprehending, Peter and John turned and went back to their homes (John 20.9). Before we chide the apostles, let us again say that this day was not simply the first day of the week, but the first day of a whole new order of creation. No one had any knowledge or experience with radically redeemed and renewed life—with resurrection life. No one had yet encountered the Risen One.
But Jesus was risen, and on the third day since the crucifixion, as he himself had foretold. The work of the Resurrected Christ, and of his Church, was beginning on this, the glorious first day of not just a week, but of an Age.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
Jesus Rose on the First Day, and Went to Work
Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early…
John 20.1
John begins his Gospel by tell us that Jesus, the Word, was present and active in the beginning (see John 1.1-5). The prologue to John is rooted in the first chapter of Genesis, where we read the details of what the Logos (“Word”) did in the beginning, which was to spend a week creating materially all that the Father spoke. Then the Word, along with the Father, rested. Now, as John starts to wind down his narrative of the life and ministry of Jesus, we are told that on the first day, after three days in the tomb, the Word was back to work, so to speak.
The creation, which had stood in need of redemption ever since the Fall (see Genesis 3), was about to get an “extreme makeover.” The One who had made all things in the beginning was about to begin to “make all things new” (see Revelation 21.5). Of course the work of re-creating, like the work of creating, had to begin on the first day.
The work of redemption had been completed on the cross, Jesus himself pronouncing the benediction, “it is finished” (John 19.30). Now, the Son would take up the work only a resurrected Savior and Lord could accomplish. It was not something that could be accomplished lying down. So, when Mary Magdalene arrived at the garden, she discovered that the stone that had sealed the tomb had been rolled back (John 20.1). Jesus was not there, for, having completed the work of redemption of a fallen humanity that had borne the image of the first Adam, he had risen to undertook the work of re-creating, of re-generating, the race of Man in the image of the last Adam, a very life-giving spirit (see 1Corinthians 15.45).
Not understanding, fearing the work of grave robbers, Magdalene raced to summon the disciples, Peter and John, to be precise, who in turn raced back to the tomb. When they found the tomb empty, just as Mary had lamented, they were confused, though John asserts that he saw and believed (John 20.8), and, uncomprehending, Peter and John turned and went back to their homes (John 20.9). Before we chide the apostles, let us again say that this day was not simply the first day of the week, but the first day of a whole new order of creation. No one had any knowledge or experience with radically redeemed and renewed life—with resurrection life. No one had yet encountered the Risen One.
But Jesus was risen, and on the third day since the crucifixion, as he himself had foretold. The work of the Resurrected Christ, and of his Church, was beginning on this, the glorious first day of not just a week, but of an Age.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
Friday, August 12, 2011
Jesus Borrowed a Place to Lay Down
What Did Jesus Do?
Now in the place there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb…
since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
John 19.41-42
In life the Son of Man had had no place to lay his head (See Luke 9.58); having laid down his life, Jesus still had no place of his own to lay down and rest. His life’s work finished (See WDJD for 8/10/2011), we might well expect that, finally, the Lord would have a tomb of his own, a place to lay, but such was not the case. So, Jesus borrowed a place to lay down.
Sounds kind of strange, doesn’t it, to borrow a tomb? It’s really no big deal to go and knock on your neighbor’s door and ask if you could borrow a cup of sugar, is it, but a tomb? Whoa! I mean, whoever heard of only needing a tomb for a few days? The truth is, while in life Jesus was a pilgrim, just passing through this world, if you will, and really didn’t need a permanent place to lay his head. Now, having been crucified, he was still a pilgrim of sorts—death was not his final destination, he was just passing through the grave while on his way to new and glorious and everlasting life. So, not needing a tomb for long, Jesus borrowed a place to lay down. How awesome is that!
Kind of makes me wish I could go back and do over many of the funeral services I have conducted, so that I could erase any and all suggestions that we were laying a saint down to his or her “final resting place.” I don’t know about you, but when they lay me down in the grave I don’t plan to have my mail forwarded there, ‘cause it sure isn’t going to be my permanent address! Because of what Jesus did, I’ll just be needing to borrow a little spot of earth for a time. Hallelujah, I’m excited just writing this! Not about dying, of course, but about what is to come after, when I leave my own “borrowed” patch of ground behind and go and spend eternity with Jesus.
Makes me think, rather than buying a burial plot, I wonder if I might be able to arrange for a short-term lease? I don’t mean at all to be disrespectful to the dear departed, but there’s no dearer departed than the Lord, and he borrowed a place to lay down. Seems to me, as I seek to follow him in life, so also in death. Jesus borrowed a place to lay down, and that just what I intend to do. After all, the Lord has gone to the trouble of preparing a permanent home for us in his Father’s mansion, doesn’t that sound better than a tomb?
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
Now in the place there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb…
since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
John 19.41-42
In life the Son of Man had had no place to lay his head (See Luke 9.58); having laid down his life, Jesus still had no place of his own to lay down and rest. His life’s work finished (See WDJD for 8/10/2011), we might well expect that, finally, the Lord would have a tomb of his own, a place to lay, but such was not the case. So, Jesus borrowed a place to lay down.
Sounds kind of strange, doesn’t it, to borrow a tomb? It’s really no big deal to go and knock on your neighbor’s door and ask if you could borrow a cup of sugar, is it, but a tomb? Whoa! I mean, whoever heard of only needing a tomb for a few days? The truth is, while in life Jesus was a pilgrim, just passing through this world, if you will, and really didn’t need a permanent place to lay his head. Now, having been crucified, he was still a pilgrim of sorts—death was not his final destination, he was just passing through the grave while on his way to new and glorious and everlasting life. So, not needing a tomb for long, Jesus borrowed a place to lay down. How awesome is that!
Kind of makes me wish I could go back and do over many of the funeral services I have conducted, so that I could erase any and all suggestions that we were laying a saint down to his or her “final resting place.” I don’t know about you, but when they lay me down in the grave I don’t plan to have my mail forwarded there, ‘cause it sure isn’t going to be my permanent address! Because of what Jesus did, I’ll just be needing to borrow a little spot of earth for a time. Hallelujah, I’m excited just writing this! Not about dying, of course, but about what is to come after, when I leave my own “borrowed” patch of ground behind and go and spend eternity with Jesus.
Makes me think, rather than buying a burial plot, I wonder if I might be able to arrange for a short-term lease? I don’t mean at all to be disrespectful to the dear departed, but there’s no dearer departed than the Lord, and he borrowed a place to lay down. Seems to me, as I seek to follow him in life, so also in death. Jesus borrowed a place to lay down, and that just what I intend to do. After all, the Lord has gone to the trouble of preparing a permanent home for us in his Father’s mansion, doesn’t that sound better than a tomb?
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Jesus Poured Out New LIfe As He Poured Out His Life
What Did Jesus Do?
Jesus Poured Out New Life As He Poured Out His Life
But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear,
and at once there came out blood and water.
John 19.34
Jesus surrendered his mortal life on the cross; the shedding of his blood was the ebbing of his life (For the connection between the life of the flesh, and the blood see Genesis 9.4). Literally, the giving up of Christ’s precious blood was the offering of his life for ours. Jesus poured out new life as he poured out his life.
Think about it. Water and blood flowed from his pierced side, they showered down from the cross. And, from that moment forward, all who have been washed in the water of baptism, and cleansed by the atoning blood of forgiveness, have received new and everlasting life. Jesus Poured out new life as he poured out his life.
Scripture does not record anything further about the soldier who wielded the spear, so I warn you that some of what I am about to say is conjecture. In the Letter for the Philippians, Paul uses several terms to describe a man who had been sent by the church in Philippi to visit him in Rome. This man was to Paul a brother, a fellow worker, a fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need (See Philippians 2.25). The man’s name was Epaphroditus, a pagan name associated with the goddess Aphrodite. Epaphroditus was a Gentile convert to the faith.
What if Epaphroditus had really been a soldier, a Roman soldier? What if Epaphroditus had served in Palestine? What if Epaphroditus had been the legionnaire who wielded the spear that pierced the Lord’s side? Could the conversion of Epaphroditus have occurred right then and there at the foot of the cross, as the water and the blood that flowed from the side of Jesus gave new life to a soldier who would go on to serve faithfully in the ranks of the Lord’s army? Jesus poured out new life as he poured out his life.
This, as I said, is all conjecture on my part. But we do know beyond any doubt that the life the Lord surrendered he gave for the salvation of many. There is, as the song goes, power in the blood! For two thousand years countless millions have been bathed in the precious blood of Jesus, dying to sin so that they might live for him. Jesus poured out life, new and everlasting life, as he poured out his life.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
Jesus Poured Out New Life As He Poured Out His Life
But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear,
and at once there came out blood and water.
John 19.34
Jesus surrendered his mortal life on the cross; the shedding of his blood was the ebbing of his life (For the connection between the life of the flesh, and the blood see Genesis 9.4). Literally, the giving up of Christ’s precious blood was the offering of his life for ours. Jesus poured out new life as he poured out his life.
Think about it. Water and blood flowed from his pierced side, they showered down from the cross. And, from that moment forward, all who have been washed in the water of baptism, and cleansed by the atoning blood of forgiveness, have received new and everlasting life. Jesus Poured out new life as he poured out his life.
Scripture does not record anything further about the soldier who wielded the spear, so I warn you that some of what I am about to say is conjecture. In the Letter for the Philippians, Paul uses several terms to describe a man who had been sent by the church in Philippi to visit him in Rome. This man was to Paul a brother, a fellow worker, a fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need (See Philippians 2.25). The man’s name was Epaphroditus, a pagan name associated with the goddess Aphrodite. Epaphroditus was a Gentile convert to the faith.
What if Epaphroditus had really been a soldier, a Roman soldier? What if Epaphroditus had served in Palestine? What if Epaphroditus had been the legionnaire who wielded the spear that pierced the Lord’s side? Could the conversion of Epaphroditus have occurred right then and there at the foot of the cross, as the water and the blood that flowed from the side of Jesus gave new life to a soldier who would go on to serve faithfully in the ranks of the Lord’s army? Jesus poured out new life as he poured out his life.
This, as I said, is all conjecture on my part. But we do know beyond any doubt that the life the Lord surrendered he gave for the salvation of many. There is, as the song goes, power in the blood! For two thousand years countless millions have been bathed in the precious blood of Jesus, dying to sin so that they might live for him. Jesus poured out life, new and everlasting life, as he poured out his life.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Jesus Completed The Mission
What Did Jesus Do?
Jesus said, “It is finished.”
John 19.30
Jesus had stated quite clearly to Pontius Pilate that he had come for a very definite and specific purpose, “to bear witness to the truth.” (John 18.37) In point of fact, Christ’s entire life was that very thing—a witness, or testimony, to the truth about the Father, the Father’s Word, and the Father’s Kingdom. Every thought, word, and deed of the Son was a part of his life-long mission to bear witness. Now, on the cross, Jesus, having completed the mission the Father had given him, relinquished his life and surrendered his spirit into the Father’s hands (See Luke 23.46).
I, on the other hand, my life span already nearly doubling the Lord’s, expect I’ll be around for quite some time yet. Have you seen the bumper sticker, bumper stickers seem to be where the most profound wisdom is found these days, that says, “God put me on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things, and right now I’m so far behind I believe I shall never die!” Pushing sixty as hard as I am, I believe I am not close to completing my mission, which begs the question, hadn’t I better get busy?
Certainly, being a follower of Jesus involves more than, well, just following. Following Jesus of course means pursuing a life of discipleship, of seeking to live after the example of the Lord. Whatever this may entail along the way, it seems to me that, at the end, one should be in a position to say, as Jesus did with respect to his life’s mission, it is finished. When drawing our last breath we don’t want to have to try and make some excuse for not accomplishing the tasks the Father has given to us as followers of his Son. I know, having lived this long already, that I won’t have the nerve to tell the Father that I needed more time. “Well, Jim, I’ve already given you about six decades, just how much time did you think you’d have?”
It seems to me that, as Christ’s disciples, we need first of all to be clear about his/our mission, and then we need to get on with it. With ample allowances for just how we go about our individual callings, I believe all who follow Jesus are, like him, put here on earth to bear witness to the truth. Christ himself said as much of us, “and you will be my witnesses.” (Acts 1.8) I think that’s pretty clear, don’t you? And, certainly, if we are in the least unsure about our mission, we have only to consult God’s Word, along with conversing with him in prayer, to clear up any doubts.
Understanding our mission, then, we should commence to begin, as it were, to offer our testimony to the world. There is no such thing as a secret witness. Lights are not intended to be hidden under a basket, but to be lifted up so that they may shine before others (See Matthew 5.15-16). Jesus, the Light of the World, let his light shine right to the very end, when he completed his mission. Our little lights need to shine on too.
The mission of a life is accomplished one day at a time. The mission of a day is accomplished one hour at a time. The mission of an hour is accomplished one minute at a time. And the mission of a minute is accomplished in the moment. Moment by moment, minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, year by year bear witness to the truth, and we will have completed our mission. That’s what Jesus did.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
Ps 37.4
Jesus said, “It is finished.”
John 19.30
Jesus had stated quite clearly to Pontius Pilate that he had come for a very definite and specific purpose, “to bear witness to the truth.” (John 18.37) In point of fact, Christ’s entire life was that very thing—a witness, or testimony, to the truth about the Father, the Father’s Word, and the Father’s Kingdom. Every thought, word, and deed of the Son was a part of his life-long mission to bear witness. Now, on the cross, Jesus, having completed the mission the Father had given him, relinquished his life and surrendered his spirit into the Father’s hands (See Luke 23.46).
I, on the other hand, my life span already nearly doubling the Lord’s, expect I’ll be around for quite some time yet. Have you seen the bumper sticker, bumper stickers seem to be where the most profound wisdom is found these days, that says, “God put me on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things, and right now I’m so far behind I believe I shall never die!” Pushing sixty as hard as I am, I believe I am not close to completing my mission, which begs the question, hadn’t I better get busy?
Certainly, being a follower of Jesus involves more than, well, just following. Following Jesus of course means pursuing a life of discipleship, of seeking to live after the example of the Lord. Whatever this may entail along the way, it seems to me that, at the end, one should be in a position to say, as Jesus did with respect to his life’s mission, it is finished. When drawing our last breath we don’t want to have to try and make some excuse for not accomplishing the tasks the Father has given to us as followers of his Son. I know, having lived this long already, that I won’t have the nerve to tell the Father that I needed more time. “Well, Jim, I’ve already given you about six decades, just how much time did you think you’d have?”
It seems to me that, as Christ’s disciples, we need first of all to be clear about his/our mission, and then we need to get on with it. With ample allowances for just how we go about our individual callings, I believe all who follow Jesus are, like him, put here on earth to bear witness to the truth. Christ himself said as much of us, “and you will be my witnesses.” (Acts 1.8) I think that’s pretty clear, don’t you? And, certainly, if we are in the least unsure about our mission, we have only to consult God’s Word, along with conversing with him in prayer, to clear up any doubts.
Understanding our mission, then, we should commence to begin, as it were, to offer our testimony to the world. There is no such thing as a secret witness. Lights are not intended to be hidden under a basket, but to be lifted up so that they may shine before others (See Matthew 5.15-16). Jesus, the Light of the World, let his light shine right to the very end, when he completed his mission. Our little lights need to shine on too.
The mission of a life is accomplished one day at a time. The mission of a day is accomplished one hour at a time. The mission of an hour is accomplished one minute at a time. And the mission of a minute is accomplished in the moment. Moment by moment, minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, year by year bear witness to the truth, and we will have completed our mission. That’s what Jesus did.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
Ps 37.4
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Jesus Took Care of His Family
What Did Jesus Do?
He said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”
Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!”
John 19.26-27
The Son of Man may have had no place to lay his head (See Matthew 8.20), but in the final moments of his life he made sure that his mother would not be left homeless, and that the youngest of his apostles should assume the same filial love and responsibility for Mary which Jesus himself had borne throughout his own life. It is a remarkable scene, and one Christ’s followers do well to note carefully, for as Jesus took care of his family as he was dying, we may be assured that he cares for all who are part of his family now as he lives and reigns in glory.
Let’s think about the moment. Jesus had endured brutal scourging, being nailed to the cross, and the agonies of crucifixion. Yet his love and sense of responsibility for his family was foremost in his mind. This should not surprise us in the least, for the Good Shepherd, who was laying his life down for his sheep, always and forever has their welfare and safety as his chief concern. Mary and John, though they had unique and intimate relationships with the Lord, were at the same time no different from any who are loved by Jesus. Had we been present at the Crucifixion Jesus would have done as much for us. In fact, he has done as much for us.
Consider the Church. The Body of Christ may be characterized as many things, but if it is not family, if it is not His family, well, then the Church is nothing. The Church is our “home away from home,” if you will. Our real and eternal home is with the Lord in heaven. But here on earth, where we are pilgrims, the Church is our home. Or at least it is supposed to be. And Jesus showed us just how “homey,” how familial, the Church should be, as he bound his own mother and his beloved disciple together as parent and child. You can’t get much closer than that!
Church is where all men are supposed to be brothers. Church is where every child should feel as safe and loved with every woman as with their own mother. Church is where no one need ever fear being homeless, for the Church is where every family needs to say to every other family, “our home is your home.” Jesus initiated all this by showing the world that the Church is the place where no widow should ever be alone, but rather taken in and cared for and loved, just as John took Mary in to care for and love, as Jesus had all his life.
Of course, the Body of Christ here on earth is also sometimes referred to as the Church Militant. While this appellation is intended to reflect the vigorous and determined confrontation and disputation between the Church and Satan’s minions, it all too often describes the situation within the household of God. Perhaps you have even witnessed the Church Militant at its worst. Here’s an example I’m familiar with. I visited a community some years back where one can find the Second Presbyterian Church, but no trace of any First Presbyterian Church. Curious, I inquired how this could be. The story went something like this: Many years ago there was a bitter rift within the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church, which led to the exodus of a goodly percentage of its members, who duly moved a mile or so away and formed—you guessed it—the Second Presbyterian Church. After many years the membership of the First Presbyterian Church dwindled away to nothing, and that church closed its doors, and disappeared without a trace, leaving only the Second Presbyterian Church. With such internal warring going on, it’s no wonder that, after two thousand years, the Church remains militant.
Now, it did not remain for Presbyterians to come on the scene in the 16th Century for the Church to be riven by internal strife. Even among the first generation of believers divisions and quarrels within the Church belied its commission as the beloved, and loving, family of God. But, make no mistake, Christ established his Church to be his Body, to care for, to love, to nurture, to protect one another just as he cares for, loves, nurtures, and protects each one of us.
Congregations can have choirs that sing with the voices of angels, steeples that part the clouds, programming that crowds the calendar seven days a week, and even pastors who do a pretty fair job of preaching the Gospel. But, as the apostle Paul said, if they have not love, they are nothing. And that’s the bottom line for the Church, and for every church, as portrayed by the act of Christ upon the cross: love, love as Jesus loved. The Church, the Body of Christ, and every single one of us who are part of it, are charged with caring for His family.
Want to worship and serve and love the Father? Start by caring for the Son’s family. That’s what Jesus did.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
He said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”
Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!”
John 19.26-27
The Son of Man may have had no place to lay his head (See Matthew 8.20), but in the final moments of his life he made sure that his mother would not be left homeless, and that the youngest of his apostles should assume the same filial love and responsibility for Mary which Jesus himself had borne throughout his own life. It is a remarkable scene, and one Christ’s followers do well to note carefully, for as Jesus took care of his family as he was dying, we may be assured that he cares for all who are part of his family now as he lives and reigns in glory.
Let’s think about the moment. Jesus had endured brutal scourging, being nailed to the cross, and the agonies of crucifixion. Yet his love and sense of responsibility for his family was foremost in his mind. This should not surprise us in the least, for the Good Shepherd, who was laying his life down for his sheep, always and forever has their welfare and safety as his chief concern. Mary and John, though they had unique and intimate relationships with the Lord, were at the same time no different from any who are loved by Jesus. Had we been present at the Crucifixion Jesus would have done as much for us. In fact, he has done as much for us.
Consider the Church. The Body of Christ may be characterized as many things, but if it is not family, if it is not His family, well, then the Church is nothing. The Church is our “home away from home,” if you will. Our real and eternal home is with the Lord in heaven. But here on earth, where we are pilgrims, the Church is our home. Or at least it is supposed to be. And Jesus showed us just how “homey,” how familial, the Church should be, as he bound his own mother and his beloved disciple together as parent and child. You can’t get much closer than that!
Church is where all men are supposed to be brothers. Church is where every child should feel as safe and loved with every woman as with their own mother. Church is where no one need ever fear being homeless, for the Church is where every family needs to say to every other family, “our home is your home.” Jesus initiated all this by showing the world that the Church is the place where no widow should ever be alone, but rather taken in and cared for and loved, just as John took Mary in to care for and love, as Jesus had all his life.
Of course, the Body of Christ here on earth is also sometimes referred to as the Church Militant. While this appellation is intended to reflect the vigorous and determined confrontation and disputation between the Church and Satan’s minions, it all too often describes the situation within the household of God. Perhaps you have even witnessed the Church Militant at its worst. Here’s an example I’m familiar with. I visited a community some years back where one can find the Second Presbyterian Church, but no trace of any First Presbyterian Church. Curious, I inquired how this could be. The story went something like this: Many years ago there was a bitter rift within the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church, which led to the exodus of a goodly percentage of its members, who duly moved a mile or so away and formed—you guessed it—the Second Presbyterian Church. After many years the membership of the First Presbyterian Church dwindled away to nothing, and that church closed its doors, and disappeared without a trace, leaving only the Second Presbyterian Church. With such internal warring going on, it’s no wonder that, after two thousand years, the Church remains militant.
Now, it did not remain for Presbyterians to come on the scene in the 16th Century for the Church to be riven by internal strife. Even among the first generation of believers divisions and quarrels within the Church belied its commission as the beloved, and loving, family of God. But, make no mistake, Christ established his Church to be his Body, to care for, to love, to nurture, to protect one another just as he cares for, loves, nurtures, and protects each one of us.
Congregations can have choirs that sing with the voices of angels, steeples that part the clouds, programming that crowds the calendar seven days a week, and even pastors who do a pretty fair job of preaching the Gospel. But, as the apostle Paul said, if they have not love, they are nothing. And that’s the bottom line for the Church, and for every church, as portrayed by the act of Christ upon the cross: love, love as Jesus loved. The Church, the Body of Christ, and every single one of us who are part of it, are charged with caring for His family.
Want to worship and serve and love the Father? Start by caring for the Son’s family. That’s what Jesus did.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
Monday, August 8, 2011
Jesus Surrendered--Sinners Snatched Up
What Did Jesus Do?
When the soldiers had crucified Jesus,
they took his garments and divided them into four parts.
John 19.23
The 23rd Psalm is one of the most familiar and beloved chapters in Scripture. But it was the 22nd Psalm that the Lord recalled as he hung on the cross. Even as he cried out in anguish the words his ancestor David had written so many years before (See Psalm 22.1; Matthew 27.46; Mark 15.34), Jesus surrendered what amounted to his earthly estate, the clothes on his back. And the Roman soldiers who had been given the job of crucifying Jesus eagerly seized and divided the garments among themselves.
Though they truly didn’t know what they were doing (Luke 23.34), the soldiers were actually a type, an example, for all sinners to follow. The difference being that, while the soldiers received and divided what material benefits they could from the Lord’s death, Jesus graciously offered his body and blood on the cross so that sinners should receive the spiritual benefits of his heavenly estate. What Christ surrendered on the cross we snatch up every time we partake in the meal Jesus instituted the night before he was crucified.
The soldiers grabbed what they could, and enjoyed for a time whatever benefit they could, probably by selling for a few shekels the items that made up the lord’s wardrobe. While the Lord had little choice in surrendering his garments to a few in a Roman execution squad, what Jesus surrendered on the cross he freely offered to the whole world. Thus Jesus surrendered what sinners could never obtain on their own, and these benefits are both immeasurable and eternal. No wonder sinners have eagerly, joyfully, come to the table to freely receive the bread of forgiveness from sin, and the wine of release from punishment.
While the first twenty-one verses of Psalm 22 are a plaintive cry, verses twenty-two through thirty-one comprise a powerful proclamation of faith and trust. Vindication is promised for the despised, abhorred, and afflicted (verses 22-24). Verses 25-31 cast a vision of the entire world, “the families of the nations,” coming together to praise and worship the LORD for his deliverance. All that the servant of the LORD surrenders in the first half of the Psalm is snatched up and returned to the LORD in exultant worship by those who know him and receive all his benefits.
It may be that Christ’s prayer to the Father for forgiveness for those who acted in ignorance resulted in the deliverance and salvation of the four legionnaires. We will never know for sure this side of eternity. But it is absolutely certain that what Jesus surrendered on the cross achieved the salvation of all who repent of their sins and freely receive the gifts of his body and blood. It follows that we who have snatched up these inestimable benefits should offer up our praise and worship to the Father, for the deliverance he has granted in the Son, and imparted to us through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
When the soldiers had crucified Jesus,
they took his garments and divided them into four parts.
John 19.23
The 23rd Psalm is one of the most familiar and beloved chapters in Scripture. But it was the 22nd Psalm that the Lord recalled as he hung on the cross. Even as he cried out in anguish the words his ancestor David had written so many years before (See Psalm 22.1; Matthew 27.46; Mark 15.34), Jesus surrendered what amounted to his earthly estate, the clothes on his back. And the Roman soldiers who had been given the job of crucifying Jesus eagerly seized and divided the garments among themselves.
Though they truly didn’t know what they were doing (Luke 23.34), the soldiers were actually a type, an example, for all sinners to follow. The difference being that, while the soldiers received and divided what material benefits they could from the Lord’s death, Jesus graciously offered his body and blood on the cross so that sinners should receive the spiritual benefits of his heavenly estate. What Christ surrendered on the cross we snatch up every time we partake in the meal Jesus instituted the night before he was crucified.
The soldiers grabbed what they could, and enjoyed for a time whatever benefit they could, probably by selling for a few shekels the items that made up the lord’s wardrobe. While the Lord had little choice in surrendering his garments to a few in a Roman execution squad, what Jesus surrendered on the cross he freely offered to the whole world. Thus Jesus surrendered what sinners could never obtain on their own, and these benefits are both immeasurable and eternal. No wonder sinners have eagerly, joyfully, come to the table to freely receive the bread of forgiveness from sin, and the wine of release from punishment.
While the first twenty-one verses of Psalm 22 are a plaintive cry, verses twenty-two through thirty-one comprise a powerful proclamation of faith and trust. Vindication is promised for the despised, abhorred, and afflicted (verses 22-24). Verses 25-31 cast a vision of the entire world, “the families of the nations,” coming together to praise and worship the LORD for his deliverance. All that the servant of the LORD surrenders in the first half of the Psalm is snatched up and returned to the LORD in exultant worship by those who know him and receive all his benefits.
It may be that Christ’s prayer to the Father for forgiveness for those who acted in ignorance resulted in the deliverance and salvation of the four legionnaires. We will never know for sure this side of eternity. But it is absolutely certain that what Jesus surrendered on the cross achieved the salvation of all who repent of their sins and freely receive the gifts of his body and blood. It follows that we who have snatched up these inestimable benefits should offer up our praise and worship to the Father, for the deliverance he has granted in the Son, and imparted to us through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
Friday, August 5, 2011
Jesus Bore the Weight
What Did Jesus Do?
So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross…
John 19.16b-17
One of the signs of a great leader is that he or she never asks a follower to do anything the leader is not prepared to do, which is to say he or she is willing to lead by personal example. Alternatively, we might say that exceptional leaders are those who instruct their disciples to “do as I do,” and not merely “do as I say.” Jesus had advised those who would follow him that it would be necessary for them to bear their own cross (See Matthew 16.24). Now, on the path to Golgotha, Jesus bore the weight of his own cross.
But I believe it would be wrong to characterize Jesus as the “Cross-bearer.” For the Lord also said to his disciples that, prior to shouldering the weight of their cross, they first needed to deny themselves (Again, see Matthew 16). Yes, Jesus bore the weight of his cross, but there was some real self-denial required. Think about it, about who Jesus really is. He is the Son of God, the Messiah, the Alpha and Omega, the living Word (Logos) who not only was with God in the beginning, but was, is, and forever shall be God. To bear the cross to the place called The Place of a Skull, there to be crucified and die, well that took more self-denial than any of us could ever imagine. And so I believe that, rather than Cross-bearer, we should call Jesus the Self-denier.
Let’s talk about self-denial for a moment. Think about how much self-denial Jesus had to call upon when he was taunted, “IF you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” (Matthew 27.40) I know there’s not that much self-denial in me; I would have come right down from the cross and shown those so-and-sos just what the Son of God could do! But Jesus denied himself there on his cross which he had borne, and showed the world what, even to relieve himself from the agony of crucifixion and the pain of death, the Son of God would never do. You see, the Son would never do anything that was not the will of the Father. One simply cannot affirm one’s self and be perfectly obedient to the will of God. Bearing the weight of God’s will is impossible while we are the least bit wrapped up in our self. It took all the Lord’s strength to deny himself and surrender all so that he could take up his cross.
I Surrender All is a very popular hymn. But it makes me uncomfortable. The words turn to gall in my mouth as I think about my bulging closets, two cars in the garage, and overflowing refrigerator and pantry. And that’s just my stuff. I don’t even want to begin to think about my passions and opinions, my likes and dislikes, which I cling to dearly. I suppose I’ve surrendered some, but all? Not even close; which means I’m not ready to bear my own cross. I’m not nearly strong enough to surrender all. I’d only be kidding you, and myself, if I were to pretend that I’m a cross-bearing Christian. But some day…
In truth, I’m not sure anyone can honestly sing to the Father about surrendering all, other than the Son himself. Not to make light, if you’ll excuse the expression, of the cross, but I believe the far greater burden, the heavier weight, Jesus bore, was that of self-denial. That’s why Jesus said that it is first necessary to deny ones’ self before shouldering the cross. Once we’ve borne the weight of denying ourselves, and only then, does our cross become bearable. What did Jesus do? Jesus denied himself, bore the weight, and took up his cross.
“If anyone would come after me…”
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross…
John 19.16b-17
One of the signs of a great leader is that he or she never asks a follower to do anything the leader is not prepared to do, which is to say he or she is willing to lead by personal example. Alternatively, we might say that exceptional leaders are those who instruct their disciples to “do as I do,” and not merely “do as I say.” Jesus had advised those who would follow him that it would be necessary for them to bear their own cross (See Matthew 16.24). Now, on the path to Golgotha, Jesus bore the weight of his own cross.
But I believe it would be wrong to characterize Jesus as the “Cross-bearer.” For the Lord also said to his disciples that, prior to shouldering the weight of their cross, they first needed to deny themselves (Again, see Matthew 16). Yes, Jesus bore the weight of his cross, but there was some real self-denial required. Think about it, about who Jesus really is. He is the Son of God, the Messiah, the Alpha and Omega, the living Word (Logos) who not only was with God in the beginning, but was, is, and forever shall be God. To bear the cross to the place called The Place of a Skull, there to be crucified and die, well that took more self-denial than any of us could ever imagine. And so I believe that, rather than Cross-bearer, we should call Jesus the Self-denier.
Let’s talk about self-denial for a moment. Think about how much self-denial Jesus had to call upon when he was taunted, “IF you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” (Matthew 27.40) I know there’s not that much self-denial in me; I would have come right down from the cross and shown those so-and-sos just what the Son of God could do! But Jesus denied himself there on his cross which he had borne, and showed the world what, even to relieve himself from the agony of crucifixion and the pain of death, the Son of God would never do. You see, the Son would never do anything that was not the will of the Father. One simply cannot affirm one’s self and be perfectly obedient to the will of God. Bearing the weight of God’s will is impossible while we are the least bit wrapped up in our self. It took all the Lord’s strength to deny himself and surrender all so that he could take up his cross.
I Surrender All is a very popular hymn. But it makes me uncomfortable. The words turn to gall in my mouth as I think about my bulging closets, two cars in the garage, and overflowing refrigerator and pantry. And that’s just my stuff. I don’t even want to begin to think about my passions and opinions, my likes and dislikes, which I cling to dearly. I suppose I’ve surrendered some, but all? Not even close; which means I’m not ready to bear my own cross. I’m not nearly strong enough to surrender all. I’d only be kidding you, and myself, if I were to pretend that I’m a cross-bearing Christian. But some day…
In truth, I’m not sure anyone can honestly sing to the Father about surrendering all, other than the Son himself. Not to make light, if you’ll excuse the expression, of the cross, but I believe the far greater burden, the heavier weight, Jesus bore, was that of self-denial. That’s why Jesus said that it is first necessary to deny ones’ self before shouldering the cross. Once we’ve borne the weight of denying ourselves, and only then, does our cross become bearable. What did Jesus do? Jesus denied himself, bore the weight, and took up his cross.
“If anyone would come after me…”
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Jesus Suffered the Debate of the Wicked and the Weak
What Did Jesus Do?
…they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!”
Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him,
for I find no guilt in him.”
John 19.6
It wasn’t the first time that Jesus had been the center of a debate. In the midst of his ministry, a debate of sorts had raged over just who Jesus was. Peter had settled that question for all time with his confession, “Thou art the Christ!” (See Matthew 16.13-16) While the Lord was well pleased with Peter’s answer, he suffered the masses to continue their speculation about him, going so far as to charge his disciples with keeping the Messianic secret (Matthew 16.17-20). But now, Jesus was the subject of a different debate, one with far more serious immediate consequences, yet again he permitted the debate to go on. But this time, with his life hanging in the balance, Jesus suffered the debate of the wicked and the weak.
Before I am accused of pointing fingers, let me confess that I am not immune either to weakness or wickedness. Had I been present in Jerusalem two thousand years ago I rather expect I would not have comported myself any better than the actual actors in the divine drama of Christ’s Passion. Jesus had already suffered his disciples, his best friends, to betray, to desert, and to deny. Now it was the turn of the chief priests and Pharisees, and the Roman Empire’s most infamous governor, to play their parts.
The irony was thick, though I’m not sure anyone besides Jesus would have noticed, and he kept strictly silent on the matter, when the chief priests and officers presented the Lord to Pilate claiming that Jesus had been “doing evil.” (John 18.30) There was great evil astir on that night, but it was all directed against the Lord, not initiated by him. An illegal court proceeding, complete with false witnesses, had convened at the high priest’s residence for the purpose of imposing a pre-determined verdict and sentence. What better adjective to describe such a vicious, even blood-thirsty, throng, than wicked? Feigning respect for the law, the mob all but demanded Pilate execute the Nazarene, his patent innocence notwithstanding.
The wicked had sought out the weak to carry out their murderous wrath. Now, governors invested with the power of imperial Rome might more appropriately have been characterized as local strongmen, backed as they were with the force of veteran legions. Yet what else, but weak, can we call Governor Pilate, who, though he was convinced of Christ’s innocence, yielded to the demands of the wicked, and surrendered Jesus into the hands of those who would be satisfied with nothing short of his death?
Still, it is evident, even as Jesus suffered the debate to go on, he was not impressed nor intimidated by Pilate’s claims of authority; neither did the great sin of those who had delivered him over to Pilate escape Jesus (John 19.11) . But, seemingly in the hands of the wicked and the weak, Jesus was precisely where he needed to be. In truth, an unseen hand controlled all that transpired. Though Pilate sought to release the man whom the Jews had accused of making himself the Son of God (John 19.7; 12), he was too weak to stand up to the wickedness that confronted him. When the Jews rejected all other kings but Caesar (John 19.15), an implicit rejection of Yahweh, all argument came to a close, and Jesus, having suffered the debate of the wicked and the weak, was led forth to suffer the cross.
We know, of course, that the Lord’s suffering was not at all in vain, but in fact redemptive, even to the point of gaining forgiveness and mercy for those who confess their wickedness and weakness, and surrender to Jesus. On this let there be no debate!
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
…they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!”
Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him,
for I find no guilt in him.”
John 19.6
It wasn’t the first time that Jesus had been the center of a debate. In the midst of his ministry, a debate of sorts had raged over just who Jesus was. Peter had settled that question for all time with his confession, “Thou art the Christ!” (See Matthew 16.13-16) While the Lord was well pleased with Peter’s answer, he suffered the masses to continue their speculation about him, going so far as to charge his disciples with keeping the Messianic secret (Matthew 16.17-20). But now, Jesus was the subject of a different debate, one with far more serious immediate consequences, yet again he permitted the debate to go on. But this time, with his life hanging in the balance, Jesus suffered the debate of the wicked and the weak.
Before I am accused of pointing fingers, let me confess that I am not immune either to weakness or wickedness. Had I been present in Jerusalem two thousand years ago I rather expect I would not have comported myself any better than the actual actors in the divine drama of Christ’s Passion. Jesus had already suffered his disciples, his best friends, to betray, to desert, and to deny. Now it was the turn of the chief priests and Pharisees, and the Roman Empire’s most infamous governor, to play their parts.
The irony was thick, though I’m not sure anyone besides Jesus would have noticed, and he kept strictly silent on the matter, when the chief priests and officers presented the Lord to Pilate claiming that Jesus had been “doing evil.” (John 18.30) There was great evil astir on that night, but it was all directed against the Lord, not initiated by him. An illegal court proceeding, complete with false witnesses, had convened at the high priest’s residence for the purpose of imposing a pre-determined verdict and sentence. What better adjective to describe such a vicious, even blood-thirsty, throng, than wicked? Feigning respect for the law, the mob all but demanded Pilate execute the Nazarene, his patent innocence notwithstanding.
The wicked had sought out the weak to carry out their murderous wrath. Now, governors invested with the power of imperial Rome might more appropriately have been characterized as local strongmen, backed as they were with the force of veteran legions. Yet what else, but weak, can we call Governor Pilate, who, though he was convinced of Christ’s innocence, yielded to the demands of the wicked, and surrendered Jesus into the hands of those who would be satisfied with nothing short of his death?
Still, it is evident, even as Jesus suffered the debate to go on, he was not impressed nor intimidated by Pilate’s claims of authority; neither did the great sin of those who had delivered him over to Pilate escape Jesus (John 19.11) . But, seemingly in the hands of the wicked and the weak, Jesus was precisely where he needed to be. In truth, an unseen hand controlled all that transpired. Though Pilate sought to release the man whom the Jews had accused of making himself the Son of God (John 19.7; 12), he was too weak to stand up to the wickedness that confronted him. When the Jews rejected all other kings but Caesar (John 19.15), an implicit rejection of Yahweh, all argument came to a close, and Jesus, having suffered the debate of the wicked and the weak, was led forth to suffer the cross.
We know, of course, that the Lord’s suffering was not at all in vain, but in fact redemptive, even to the point of gaining forgiveness and mercy for those who confess their wickedness and weakness, and surrender to Jesus. On this let there be no debate!
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Jesus Wore A Crown He Didn't Deserve
What Did Jesus Do?
And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns
and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe.
John 19.2
If Jesus was guilty of no more than being “the King of the Jews,” then his Roman jailors would have him arrayed as no less than a monarch. Yet, not in one of the many I am declarations of Jesus did he ever proclaim himself king. However, it was not hard to conclude that one who was the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, the Good Shepherd, the Resurrection, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and the True Vine was indeed the King of kings. In their scornful accusations the Jews for their part, and in their brutal mockery the Romans for theirs, in fact were affirming a truth their hard hearts and dull minds never accepted or comprehended—Jesus was all he said he was, and more. So, Jesus wore a crown of thorns he didn’t deserve.
The Lord wore a crown of thorns he didn’t deserve. Yet, as painful as it had to have been for him, I believe Jesus rejoiced to wear what amounted to the crown of grace. You see, Jesus wore the crown of pain and scorn that all of us deserve because of our transgressions, while we get to receive the crown of righteousness that is truly the Lord’s alone. That’s grace! And, to me, it’s certain that the Son rejoiced and gave thanks to the Father for the grace he showed to sinners.
Here are some things about grace that I’ve learned through this lesson about the crown of thorns worn by Christ: 1) The world, not recognizing grace, will ridicule and scorn it; 2) as glorious and wonderful as grace is, it is also difficult and painful to deliver grace to the ones who need it most; 3) most importantly, grace is never purchased on the cheap, it costs dearly.
Now, I’ve sometimes heard people talk about misapplied grace. The thought seems to be that grace that goes unappreciated would have been better off not having been granted. Well, I believe that grace that is unappreciated, that rolls off the one it is intended for like water off a duck, is never wasted. Such grace may turn out to be like a heap of burning coals upon the head (see Proverbs 25.21-22; Romans 12.20), but that is a far thing from saying that it is wasted. Certainly, on the night the Lord wore the crown of thorns, and on the day Christ shed his blood on the cross, there were few, if any, who appreciated or understood that it was the outpouring of the Father’s grace in and through the Son, yet think on how many have now received this precious grace!
Finally, as one who would follow Jesus, I have to ask myself if I am willing to wear the world’s ridicule and scorn in order to be a vessel of God’s grace. How much travail and pain am I willing to endure so that the grace of Jesus Christ may be delivered unto a sinner who desperately needs it? What price would I pay for another to receive grace? If the Father asked me to wear a crown of thorns, as it were, for the sake of someone who might not appreciate it, would I be willing to wear it? That’s what Jesus did.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns
and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe.
John 19.2
If Jesus was guilty of no more than being “the King of the Jews,” then his Roman jailors would have him arrayed as no less than a monarch. Yet, not in one of the many I am declarations of Jesus did he ever proclaim himself king. However, it was not hard to conclude that one who was the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, the Good Shepherd, the Resurrection, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and the True Vine was indeed the King of kings. In their scornful accusations the Jews for their part, and in their brutal mockery the Romans for theirs, in fact were affirming a truth their hard hearts and dull minds never accepted or comprehended—Jesus was all he said he was, and more. So, Jesus wore a crown of thorns he didn’t deserve.
The Lord wore a crown of thorns he didn’t deserve. Yet, as painful as it had to have been for him, I believe Jesus rejoiced to wear what amounted to the crown of grace. You see, Jesus wore the crown of pain and scorn that all of us deserve because of our transgressions, while we get to receive the crown of righteousness that is truly the Lord’s alone. That’s grace! And, to me, it’s certain that the Son rejoiced and gave thanks to the Father for the grace he showed to sinners.
Here are some things about grace that I’ve learned through this lesson about the crown of thorns worn by Christ: 1) The world, not recognizing grace, will ridicule and scorn it; 2) as glorious and wonderful as grace is, it is also difficult and painful to deliver grace to the ones who need it most; 3) most importantly, grace is never purchased on the cheap, it costs dearly.
Now, I’ve sometimes heard people talk about misapplied grace. The thought seems to be that grace that goes unappreciated would have been better off not having been granted. Well, I believe that grace that is unappreciated, that rolls off the one it is intended for like water off a duck, is never wasted. Such grace may turn out to be like a heap of burning coals upon the head (see Proverbs 25.21-22; Romans 12.20), but that is a far thing from saying that it is wasted. Certainly, on the night the Lord wore the crown of thorns, and on the day Christ shed his blood on the cross, there were few, if any, who appreciated or understood that it was the outpouring of the Father’s grace in and through the Son, yet think on how many have now received this precious grace!
Finally, as one who would follow Jesus, I have to ask myself if I am willing to wear the world’s ridicule and scorn in order to be a vessel of God’s grace. How much travail and pain am I willing to endure so that the grace of Jesus Christ may be delivered unto a sinner who desperately needs it? What price would I pay for another to receive grace? If the Father asked me to wear a crown of thorns, as it were, for the sake of someone who might not appreciate it, would I be willing to wear it? That’s what Jesus did.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
Jesus Stood Condemned, Though He Was Innocent
What Did Jesus Do?
“I find no guilt in him…
So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!”
John 18.38b-40
Pontius Pilate may have had a hard time recognizing the truth, even when it (actually, He) was staring him in the face (see John 18.38a), but he knew an innocent man when he saw one (John 18.38b). The trouble was, the Jews had already in their hearts condemned Jesus, they simply wanted the Roman authority to affirm their verdict, and carry out the capital sentence they were not permitted to impose (John 18.30-31). So, innocent though he was, Christ stood before Pilate a condemned man. Still, Pilate sought to set Jesus free (John 18.39)
But the Jews would have none of it, they wanted Jesus out of the way and dead, even if it meant letting a known and convicted criminal, the notorious Barabbas, go free (John 18.40). With hearts set on the death of Jesus, what need of evidence? With minds determined to see that Jesus was executed, what did it matter that he was innocent?
Actually, Christ’s innocence mattered a great deal. You see, there is nothing atoning about the death of one who is guilty. The blood of one who has sinned has no power to redeem. The execution of a thousand, a million, Barabbases (Barabbi?) could not purchase salvation for anyone. Only one who had done no violence, who had never had so much as a single deceitful word in his mouth, could be the satisfactory offering for the guilt of the world (see Isaiah 53. 9-10). Only the One who stood condemned by men, but righteous before the Father, could make many be accounted righteous by bearing their iniquities in his body on the cross (see Isaiah 53.11).
From the collusion of the hard and hate-filled hearts of the Jews with a corrupt, jaded, and weak Roman governor, the ultimate injustice was used by God to ultimately accomplish his perfect justice. Of course, it also took the Son’s willingness to stand condemned, though he was innocent.
I wonder, how many of us, who claim to follow Christ, would be willing to be condemned, to accept blame, for something, anything, we were not guilty of, for the sake of another? How many of us would do so for the sake of Christ? I wonder? If unmerited suffering is redemptive, how many of us would be willing to stand condemned, though we were innocent? That’s what Jesus did.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
“I find no guilt in him…
So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!”
John 18.38b-40
Pontius Pilate may have had a hard time recognizing the truth, even when it (actually, He) was staring him in the face (see John 18.38a), but he knew an innocent man when he saw one (John 18.38b). The trouble was, the Jews had already in their hearts condemned Jesus, they simply wanted the Roman authority to affirm their verdict, and carry out the capital sentence they were not permitted to impose (John 18.30-31). So, innocent though he was, Christ stood before Pilate a condemned man. Still, Pilate sought to set Jesus free (John 18.39)
But the Jews would have none of it, they wanted Jesus out of the way and dead, even if it meant letting a known and convicted criminal, the notorious Barabbas, go free (John 18.40). With hearts set on the death of Jesus, what need of evidence? With minds determined to see that Jesus was executed, what did it matter that he was innocent?
Actually, Christ’s innocence mattered a great deal. You see, there is nothing atoning about the death of one who is guilty. The blood of one who has sinned has no power to redeem. The execution of a thousand, a million, Barabbases (Barabbi?) could not purchase salvation for anyone. Only one who had done no violence, who had never had so much as a single deceitful word in his mouth, could be the satisfactory offering for the guilt of the world (see Isaiah 53. 9-10). Only the One who stood condemned by men, but righteous before the Father, could make many be accounted righteous by bearing their iniquities in his body on the cross (see Isaiah 53.11).
From the collusion of the hard and hate-filled hearts of the Jews with a corrupt, jaded, and weak Roman governor, the ultimate injustice was used by God to ultimately accomplish his perfect justice. Of course, it also took the Son’s willingness to stand condemned, though he was innocent.
I wonder, how many of us, who claim to follow Christ, would be willing to be condemned, to accept blame, for something, anything, we were not guilty of, for the sake of another? How many of us would do so for the sake of Christ? I wonder? If unmerited suffering is redemptive, how many of us would be willing to stand condemned, though we were innocent? That’s what Jesus did.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Jesus Talked, But Few Listened
What Did Jesus Do?
“Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
John 18.37
There was an investment company that used to boast that when it spoke “People listened.” Given how badly the economy and the Market have tanked in recent years, I’m thinking a lot of people would have been better off if they hadn’t listened. During his earthly ministry Jesus addressed multitudes, debated with high priests and Pharisees, and witnessed to a Roman governor. Jesus talked, but few listened.
Personally, I believe it was a problem of frequency. Not that Jesus talked too much, but rather that few people had their ears tuned to the proper frequency. You see, the world has always been a pretty noisy place. There has never been a shortage of alluring and seductive, but ultimately deceitful, voices, and many people, even entire civilizations and cultures, have gone to their destruction because they listened to what amounted to nothing more than a siren song. Unless our ears are tuned to the truth, all we’ll ever hear, and believe, is lies.
Think about it, Adam and Eve had the opportunity to hear the voice of God every day when the LORD walked in the Garden of Eden. But they turned a deaf ear to God’s words, and tuned in to the sweet and tempting words of the devil. We all know how that turned out. And in every generation since Adam the truth of God has had to contend in the world with the many other voices that have variously made truth claims, or dismissed the very idea of truth itself. Is it any wonder that Pontius Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” (John 18.38)
Pilate, aware that the Jews had it in for Jesus largely because he had effectively declared himself the long-awaited Messiah and King, put the question directly to the Lord, “Are you the King of the Jews?” (John 18.33) But Jesus was about something greater than ruling over Israel, and his authority was not tied to any worldly state (John 18.36). Christ had not come into the world to wear a crown, but rather to bear witness, to testify; and what better time and place to testify, than at your own trial? So the Lord stated it plainly: he had been born to bear witness to the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth (John 18.37). Of course, it would have been impossible for Jesus to be about anything other than the truth—after all, he was, is, and forever will be the truth (see John 14.6). Sadly, truth was something that the ears of Pilate were not tuned into. Neither were the ears of the chief priests and the Pharisees.
But there were those who could hear the voice of Jesus. In fact there are some in the world who hear him still, though there remain many who neither listen nor hear. Who is it that can hear Jesus? Everyone who is of the truth, which is to say everyone whom the Father draws unto himself through the Son by the power of the Holy Spirit, listens and hears the voice of the Lord. The thing is, it is all but impossible to know who can hear, who will listen to the voice of Jesus. So, it remains for those who already know the Lord to faithfully proclaim his Word to all throughout the world, that some would hear, and so be saved. For salvation comes by grace, through faith (Ephesians 2.8), and faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ (Romans 10.17).
Jesus “walked the walk,” as they say, all the way to the cross. But he also “talked the talk,” that we might listen, and come to the cross as well, there to receive salvation.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
“Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
John 18.37
There was an investment company that used to boast that when it spoke “People listened.” Given how badly the economy and the Market have tanked in recent years, I’m thinking a lot of people would have been better off if they hadn’t listened. During his earthly ministry Jesus addressed multitudes, debated with high priests and Pharisees, and witnessed to a Roman governor. Jesus talked, but few listened.
Personally, I believe it was a problem of frequency. Not that Jesus talked too much, but rather that few people had their ears tuned to the proper frequency. You see, the world has always been a pretty noisy place. There has never been a shortage of alluring and seductive, but ultimately deceitful, voices, and many people, even entire civilizations and cultures, have gone to their destruction because they listened to what amounted to nothing more than a siren song. Unless our ears are tuned to the truth, all we’ll ever hear, and believe, is lies.
Think about it, Adam and Eve had the opportunity to hear the voice of God every day when the LORD walked in the Garden of Eden. But they turned a deaf ear to God’s words, and tuned in to the sweet and tempting words of the devil. We all know how that turned out. And in every generation since Adam the truth of God has had to contend in the world with the many other voices that have variously made truth claims, or dismissed the very idea of truth itself. Is it any wonder that Pontius Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” (John 18.38)
Pilate, aware that the Jews had it in for Jesus largely because he had effectively declared himself the long-awaited Messiah and King, put the question directly to the Lord, “Are you the King of the Jews?” (John 18.33) But Jesus was about something greater than ruling over Israel, and his authority was not tied to any worldly state (John 18.36). Christ had not come into the world to wear a crown, but rather to bear witness, to testify; and what better time and place to testify, than at your own trial? So the Lord stated it plainly: he had been born to bear witness to the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth (John 18.37). Of course, it would have been impossible for Jesus to be about anything other than the truth—after all, he was, is, and forever will be the truth (see John 14.6). Sadly, truth was something that the ears of Pilate were not tuned into. Neither were the ears of the chief priests and the Pharisees.
But there were those who could hear the voice of Jesus. In fact there are some in the world who hear him still, though there remain many who neither listen nor hear. Who is it that can hear Jesus? Everyone who is of the truth, which is to say everyone whom the Father draws unto himself through the Son by the power of the Holy Spirit, listens and hears the voice of the Lord. The thing is, it is all but impossible to know who can hear, who will listen to the voice of Jesus. So, it remains for those who already know the Lord to faithfully proclaim his Word to all throughout the world, that some would hear, and so be saved. For salvation comes by grace, through faith (Ephesians 2.8), and faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ (Romans 10.17).
Jesus “walked the walk,” as they say, all the way to the cross. But he also “talked the talk,” that we might listen, and come to the cross as well, there to receive salvation.
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
Monday, August 1, 2011
Jesus Permitted Sinful Men to Do Their Worst
What Did Jesus Do?
“If this man were not doing evil,
we would not have delivered him over to you.”
John 18.30
It is well said of Christ that,
“…like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that
before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.” (Isaiah 53.7)
For, even as Israel had for a thousand years and more shed the blood of innocent and unresisting sheep as an atonement for its sins, so the innocent and unresisting Lamb of God permitted sinful men to do their worst to him. How ironic that those who had seized Jesus were worried about being defiled by setting foot in the Roman governor’s headquarters, but had no fear of their hands being stained with the blood of the Lamb!
Pilate, for his part, appeared rather dismissive of the Jews when he inquired as to why he was being disturbed so early in the morning by the crowd outside—what accusation was so important as to trouble Pilate so early in the day? (John 18.29) Interestingly, a vague charge of “doing evil” was not worthy of the governor’s time, apparently merely doing evil within the confines of the Israelite community was not punishable under Roman law, and so Pilate preferred to let the Jews themselves deal with what seemed nothing more than a matter of their own peculiar religion (John 18.31a).
But there was a catch, for the Romans did not allow an occupied people to exercise the power of life and death—those accused of capital crimes had to be judged and punished according to Imperial statutes and practice (John 18.31b). The high priests and Pharisees may well have believed they were thus using the system to keep their hands clean, so to speak, in the matter of putting the troublesome rabbi from Galilee to death. In fact, what Jesus appeared to be permitting evil men to do to him was in reality his submission to the will of the Father, and fulfillment of Christ’s own prophecy concerning the manner in which he would die (John 18.32).
The Lord, you see, had not come to die for some of the world’s transgressions, but for them all. Jesus would not go to the cross to atone for anything less than Man’s worst, and what could possibly be worse than condemning an innocent, the Son of God himself, to death? Amazingly, this is the very crux of the Gospel, that Christ shed his blood to cover the very worst of sins. No one, no matter how heinous their crimes, no matter how vile their actions, no matter how evil their life, need despair of salvation, for Jesus permitted sinful men to do their worst in order that his death would pay the debt for all who bring their sins to the cross. I only wonder why there is not unrestrained celebration and exultation each Lord’s day when congregations hear the Words of Assurance,
The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance,
that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross,
that we might be dead to sin, and alive to righteousness.
I declare to you, in the name of Jesus Christ,
you are forgiven!
By the Son’s obedience, the Father did his best when Jesus permitted evil men to do their worst. Thanks be to God!
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
“If this man were not doing evil,
we would not have delivered him over to you.”
John 18.30
It is well said of Christ that,
“…like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that
before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.” (Isaiah 53.7)
For, even as Israel had for a thousand years and more shed the blood of innocent and unresisting sheep as an atonement for its sins, so the innocent and unresisting Lamb of God permitted sinful men to do their worst to him. How ironic that those who had seized Jesus were worried about being defiled by setting foot in the Roman governor’s headquarters, but had no fear of their hands being stained with the blood of the Lamb!
Pilate, for his part, appeared rather dismissive of the Jews when he inquired as to why he was being disturbed so early in the morning by the crowd outside—what accusation was so important as to trouble Pilate so early in the day? (John 18.29) Interestingly, a vague charge of “doing evil” was not worthy of the governor’s time, apparently merely doing evil within the confines of the Israelite community was not punishable under Roman law, and so Pilate preferred to let the Jews themselves deal with what seemed nothing more than a matter of their own peculiar religion (John 18.31a).
But there was a catch, for the Romans did not allow an occupied people to exercise the power of life and death—those accused of capital crimes had to be judged and punished according to Imperial statutes and practice (John 18.31b). The high priests and Pharisees may well have believed they were thus using the system to keep their hands clean, so to speak, in the matter of putting the troublesome rabbi from Galilee to death. In fact, what Jesus appeared to be permitting evil men to do to him was in reality his submission to the will of the Father, and fulfillment of Christ’s own prophecy concerning the manner in which he would die (John 18.32).
The Lord, you see, had not come to die for some of the world’s transgressions, but for them all. Jesus would not go to the cross to atone for anything less than Man’s worst, and what could possibly be worse than condemning an innocent, the Son of God himself, to death? Amazingly, this is the very crux of the Gospel, that Christ shed his blood to cover the very worst of sins. No one, no matter how heinous their crimes, no matter how vile their actions, no matter how evil their life, need despair of salvation, for Jesus permitted sinful men to do their worst in order that his death would pay the debt for all who bring their sins to the cross. I only wonder why there is not unrestrained celebration and exultation each Lord’s day when congregations hear the Words of Assurance,
The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance,
that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross,
that we might be dead to sin, and alive to righteousness.
I declare to you, in the name of Jesus Christ,
you are forgiven!
By the Son’s obedience, the Father did his best when Jesus permitted evil men to do their worst. Thanks be to God!
S.D.G.
Jim
www.jimwilkenministries.org
Marion, NC
PS 37.4
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