dailywalkinthelight

A Daily a Walk in the Light of God's Word

Archives for August 2018

Some Context Please?

I truly love God’s Word.  It is like the air I breathe or the food and water my body needs to survive, and if you know me you know, I like food.  However, just like a meal I am rarely satisfied with a single bite.  It may taste great and even make me smile, but it is rarely enough to sustain me.

The same is true of a single verse in God’s Word.  It may make me feel good for a moment, but without the context, it does not give my spirit the nourishment it needs to grow closer to God; in fact, it can lead to confusion.  It hit me this morning as I was listening to a sermon by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.  As I listened, the importance of context, in growing my faith, became very clear.

Belief

He began with a discussion of John 3:18. It is one of those verses we seldom get too.  Everyone knows John 3:16 but that is normally where we stop.  Some will recite verse 17 with it, but it is rare that you hear 18.

John 3:16-17 (ESV)

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 3:16-17 is the wonderful, reassuring part of the Gospel.  It focuses strictly on the salvation.  Verse 18 adds the consequences of unbelief.  He also reminds us that not everyone will believe.

John 3:18 (ESV)

18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

I listened to this sermon and pondered these verses and was very moved by these passages.  I went back to chapter 3 and read from the beginning of chapter three to get a better understanding of the context, and remembered that these verses were only part of a discussion that Jesus had with the Pharisee Nicodemus.

Born Again

Nicodemus was a Pharisee that was afraid to meet Jesus in the daylight, so he met him in secret at night, and Jesus told him the good news of salvation.  Nicodemus knew Jesus was from God because of the works and wonders He had performed, but he did not fully understand who he was, so Jesus told him.

In John 3:3-21 Jesus explains the path of salvation to Nicodemus.  He also explains who He is, and why He is here.  I am not sure if Nicodemus gets it or not by how this passage ends, but he does show up to defend Jesus in John 7:50 and he is at Jesus’ burial in John 19:19.

Reflections

I look at this passage in John and hear the words that Jesus shares with Nicodemus and His message is so clear.  What struck me as I read these verses in chapter 3 was the confusion expressed by Nicodemus and Jesus’ response.

John 3:4 (ESV)

4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

John 3:9 (ESV)

9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?”

The first question Jesus explains the meaning of being “Born Again.”  But the second question He is a bit harsher because Nicodemus should already know this answer.

John 3:10 (ESV)

10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?

Jesus goes on to give Nicodemus something to think about and references the old testament.

John 3:11-15 (ESV)

11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

I have to imagine that verse 15 had to rock Nicodemus back on his heels.  It is interesting to me how the discussion ends after that.  I have to believe that he was left dumbfounded and when he got home he pulled out his scriptures and started studying about the serpent and healing and then ponder all that Jesus had said.

John 3:11

This morning one of the most powerful verses for me was verse 11.  In that verse, Jesus Christ declared to Nicodemus who he was and at the same time told him that he did not get it.

John 3:11 (ESV)

11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony.

Jesus declares His authority in this verse.  Everything He said before to Nicodemus, and after to him, He declares as true because He is the Son of God.  Jesus declared that the only path to salvation was through Him and he proclaimed that Numbers 21:9 was not only a miracle that occurred during the exodus but a prophecy or our salvation.

Numbers 21:9 (ESV)

9 So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.

Just like the serpent’s  bite that leads to death during the exodus had only one cure so does the death from sin: Christ Jesus, lifted up on a cross, “15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” (John 3:15)

I can see the look on Nicodemus’ face.  It was not enough that Jesus proclaimed who He was, but he pointed to a passage from the scriptures that Nicodemus knew but had not been able to connect, and if this one connected, what other passages might also confirm that Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy; the Son of God?

Closing Thoughts

I reflect on chapter 3 in John and think of how Jesus spoke to Nicodemus.  It was like he was saying; if you doubt my words test them against the scriptures and I will give you a place to start, and He gave him Numbers 21:9.  And I have to believe that Nicodemus did not stop there.  He had the scriptures memorized.  I have to believe he read every prophecy and I doubt that stopped as Jesus continued His ministry.

I never stop being amazed at how Jesus uses the scriptures to add power to what he preaches.  He did with Nicodemus, and when he was tempted in the wilderness by Satan.  He also used the scriptures to proclaim who He was in his hometown of Nazareth.

If he did that to teach the Gospel to those around Him.  Shouldn’t we do the same?

Just One More Thing…

My wife Pat and I watched a Christian movie the other night, and one of the characters told a story to the villain in the movie.  The story was pretty simple.

The first man in the story had been a heathen.  He was unkind and selfish and had no time for anyone.  He ended up being in a bad accident and nearly died.

During his recovery, one of the therapists spoke to him of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He had no time for it initially, but as he struggled along, and this therapist continued to help him and never gave up on him, he cried out to God and believed.

About a year after recovery the man gave his testimony in a small group, and one of the people in attendance came forward and told of a friend that had been through a similar situation and wondered if he would share his testimony with his friend.

Well, he did share it, and the man was moved, but was unwilling to commit that night and asked them to come back the following evening to discuss it further.  He went back the next day, but the guy had died in his sleep and his sin.

The good guy in the movie told the villain that he loved him in spite of his actions, and he needed to tell him about Jesus.  He held no grudge against him but loved him and wanted nothing but the best for him.

The villain said thanks but no thanks.

Nicodemus was confused, but Jesus did not throw his hands up and walked away. He gave him a path to understanding.  He planted a seed in his heart that grew.  He did not do it for him, and he did not make him accept it.  He laid out the path of salvation for him and gave him the proof that had been there all along so that he could, as Paul said to the Philippians;

Philippians 2:12 (ESV)

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

Jesus gave Nicodemus what he needed.  He has done the same for us, and just as Paul declared to the Philippians, we need to use the tools Jesus gave us to do the same.  Those tools include God’s Word, Prayer, Meditation, and the body – the Church.

Prayer

Father, thank you for your Holy Word.  Thank you for your wisdom, grace, and mercy.  Father help us all to be bold and share the Gospel with the world around us, even those that might be hostile to us.  In Jesus name, I pray, Amen!

 

Do Not be Anxious but Trust in the Lord

Matthew 14:22-33 (ESV) Jesus Walks on the Water

When I look at the relationship between Peter and Jesus I see a true friendship and brotherly love.  It is not instant; at least not on Peter’s part, but it is one that grows stronger throughout the Gospels.  Like any strong relationship that requires trust and faith shared between people.

For Jesus that is instant, but for Peter, and for us, that is tougher.  We neither love nor trust naturally.  In fact, in many cases, we are far more apt to do the opposite until someone can prove themselves worthy.  It is more common to think to ourselves, “I hear you talking, but I will believe it when I see it.”  We take a wait and see approach with folks, but Jesus was different at least in the initial meeting.

Jesus Calls Peter

Jesus calls Peter and Andrew as his first two disciples.  He simply calls out to them.

Matthew 4:18-20 (ESV)

18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

When Jesus called Peter he agreed immediately.  He and Andrew did not hesitate.  Jesus looked like any other man, yet these two see something special in Christ enough to leave their boat and join Him.  Peter is the most extreme of the two.

Peter demonstrates throughout the three years that he is never lukewarm.  His passion for Christ is just that, a passion that seems to lack any kind of control.  It is either hot or cold.  He wants to believe, and he wants to trust Jesus, but like the rest of the disciples, he allows the distractions of the world to affect his focus and his faith.

Do Not be Anxious

In Matthew 6 Jesus talks about being anxious.  He reminds the disciples not to allow the world to fill them with fear and distraction but to trust in God.

Matthew 6:25 (ESV)

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Then a bit further in the chapter, he emphasizes where our focus should be.

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

And how might we do that?

John 14:6-7 (ESV)

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

When I read these verses, I think of Peter’s passion and his volatility.

Peter Believed

When Peter Believed he could not be stopped.  His love and passion for Jesus he wore on his sleeve and sometimes it got in his way.  But when he allowed himself to be distracted by the world, his faith and trust faltered.  One example is after a tremendous amount of teaching in Matthew Chapters 7, and 8 and the disciples get in the boat with Jesus and Jesus goes to sleep.

Matthew 8:23-27 (ESV)

Jesus Calms a Storm

23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”

All the disciples were filled with fear, the opposite of faith.  But even, filled with fear, they cried out knowing Jesus was their only hope.  They knew that He alone could same them in their parrel.  But that is not the only time something like this happened.  The best example of this for me is Peter walking on water.  It shows the power of his faith even when fear and doubt set in.

Walking on the Water

Immediately after another sermon where Jesus fed 5000 men he made the disciples get on a boat and head out into the water.  Jesus went off to pray alone.  While he was praying a storm had fired up, and the disciples were far from shore battling the storm.  We all know the story.  Jesus walked on water and scared everyone on the boat because they thought He was a ghost.  But Jesus comforted them, and Peter called out to Him.

Matthew 14:28-32 (ESV)

28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me*.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

Did you see it?  When Peter got out of the boat and kept his eye on Jesus, he walked on water! But as soon as he turned his gaze from Jesus to the storm fear set in and weakened his resolve and he began sinking. But even then, he cried out to Jesus to save him.  He knew his only hope was in Jesus.  He knew that no one else could save him, and in this moment of weakness and fear he cried out to Jesus and was saved.

Reflections

I look back at Peter, and I see a man that struggled with faith as we all do at times, but when he kept his eye on Jesus, his faith was so strong.  He also knew that Jesus was his only hope of salvation.   I like what Paul says about salvation in his letter to the Ephesians.

Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

I think Peter is a good example of this and he had the benefit of being counseled by the Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  He too is “His workmanship“, counseled by Jesus Christ face to face, and among the first blessed with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, but still, a human being like all of us, adopted into the family of God.

Closing Thoughts

The story of Peter walking on water is so special.  It does not just show what can be accomplished with a strong relationship with Christ Jesus, but the fact that this relationship is the only way to eternal life.  Peter did not cry out to anyone else as he sank into the water.

Peter knew it that night on the water as he sank toward his own death and he proclaimed it again to the temple leaders in Acts 4.

Acts 4:11-12 (ESV)

11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved*.”

What a gift we have in Jesus.  How wonderfully Peter shows us that one night on the water and the many that followed.  What a blessing it is to have access to Him through His Word and prayer.

Prayer

Heavenly father,

 I do not consider that I have made, (your gift of salvation), my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  (For it is in His name that I pray), Amen, (Prayer comes from Philippians 3:13-14)

*emphasis added

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