It is not a story about animals and a boat! (1)

Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  6  And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.  7  So the LORD said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them."  8  But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.  9  This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.
Genesis 6:5-9 

We are considering Jesus in all the Bible.

Genesis 6-9 is about The Flood.  The true account of the flood is not a story about animals and a boat.  It is a story about God’s judgment and wrath due to man’s sin—and it is a story about God’s grace to save select people.

Note the following:

• All mankind was wicked.  

• God justly destroyed man.

• Noah found grace… Noah was no less wicked than the rest of mankind…  All people were not equally wicked when compared with each other—but the standard is not each other.  The standard is God.

• Noah did not find grace because he walked with God—he walked with God because he (also wicked) found grace.  If Noah deserved God’s favor in any way, it would not have been grace.

The sequence is important: (v.5) Mankind is wicked.  (v.8) Noah found grace.   (v.9) Noah walked with God.

• When did Noah find grace? When he too was wicked. 
  When did Noah walk with God? After he found grace.

• When did you find grace?  When you were wicked. 
  When did you walk with God? After you found grace.

This is an essential picture of how grace works:

1. When Noah, or anyone else who “finds grace,” grace is found not because lost sinners are seeking God or His grace, since “there is none who seeks after God” (Romans 3:10-11). Rather, that one “finds grace” as the result of God first seeking and finding that sinner.

2. God not only saves sinners from wrath proactively, but He changes them!

Genesis 6-9 is the true account of God destroying all mankind because of sin (except for Noah and his family, who found grace, and two of every species of animals). 

But why did God also destroy the animals and presumably the plants?  Because everything on the planet was under man’s control (dominion).  This is an important principle: My sin not only affects me, it also affects the people and things I am responsible for.

Next time: The Flood as a picture of Jesus…

Giving generously and sacrificially requires faith

And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.
Genesis 4:3-5

This is the second of two stand-alone topical blog posts on Genesis 4. The first was about worship. This one is about giving. Cain and Abel each offered a sacrifice as an integral component of worship. While we do not offer animal or grain sacrifices in our worship, we give (money) as an act of worship.

One of the big questions often asked of this passage is what was the difference between the sacrifices the brothers offered? More importantly, why did God respect Abel’s sacrifice and not Cain’s? The usual answer given is that Abel offered an animal (blood) sacrifice while Cain offered a grain sacrifice. Though that fact is true, I do not think this is the correct answer. Why?

There was nothing revealed at that point in the biblical narrative requiring blood sacrifices. Much later in the Bible when the Mosaic law was given, there was provision for grain sacrifices. So what made Abel’s offering acceptable and Cain’s unacceptable? This is where we need to apply the principle of asking Scripture to interpret Scripture. Hebrews 11 serves as a New Testament commentary on numerous Old Testament passages. Consider Hebrews 11:4:

By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. (Emphasis added.)

The difference was that Abel offered his sacrifice “by faith.” Abel was trusting God. Cain apparently was not. How are we to give “by faith,” trusting God? 2 Corinthians 8:1-3 provides a principle of what it means to give “by faith.”

Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality [generosity]. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing…

Paul pointed the Corinthians to the Macedonians as an example of how to give “by faith.” The Macedonians did not give out of their abundance. They were poor, yet they gave. How? “According to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing.” They generously gave sacrificially, and sacrificial giving requires faith—faith that God would supply their needs even though they generously gave sacrificially. Additionally, the Macedonians “freely willing” to give, eagerly, not grudgingly.

An application for us regarding giving: Let us generously give sacrificially—in a way that costs us, forcing us to trust God to provide for us. And let us give eagerly, never grudgingly. It is a matter of faith, and “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6).

Worship and Murder!

4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell… 8 Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. Genesis 4:4-5, 8

I mentioned in a previous blog on Genesis 4 about Cain and Abel that there were other lessons that I would address in a stand along blog post. This is a first of two such stand alone posts. The first item worthy of note is that the first conflict between human beings recorded in the Bible—and it escalated into a murder—was about worship. How sad.

It is obvious that human beings differ regarding worship. The solution is to understand that it matters not one bit whether we, or any other human beings, “like” how we worship God. It only matters whether or not God “respects” our worship. When will we get it into our self-centered hearts that worship is neither for, or about, US!? Worship is for, and about, GOD!

What ever shall we do to ensure that our worship is pleasing to God?

• We must worship only as directed in God’s Word, the Bible.

• We are not free to worship God according to our desires or based on any creative innovations we might concoct.

• To do this we must know and follow what the Bible says about worship.

• Conversely, we must reject every form of worship that is not according to what God’s Word teaches. (One way to discern whether a form of worship is pleasing to God is to see if it is worldly in nature, like the rock-concert, entertainment oriented types of worship common in so many churches.)

During the Reformation (1500s) and later (1600s) when the Reformed Confessions were being hammered out, the “Regulative Principle” of worship was established. It says regarding what is a permitted in worship: “Unless it is commanded, it is prohibited.” Conversely the “Normative Principle” says, “Unless it is prohibited, it is permitted. You may need to read that again to get the difference, and the importance of the difference.

If we want to be sure that how we worship God is pleasing to God, we are wise to follow the “Regulative Principle” and do only what God’s Word teaches. To follow the “Normative Principle” opens the door to doing whatever we want unless it is expressly forbidden in the Bible. This could include “juggling for Jesus,” which is not forbidden, but neither is it commanded!

Let me conclude with a short list of what Christian worship must be:

• God honoring and Christ exalting. (This is the purpose of biblical worship.)

• Balanced between reverent and celebrative. (Both are biblical and important.)

• Singing biblical and theologically faithful songs with or without instruments.

• Reading and expositing scripture.

• Prayer following biblical guidelines.

Let us worship God according to His Word!

Sex and Death

When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. The days of Adam after he fathered Seth were 800 years; and he had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died. Genesis 5:3-5

 Adam and Eve had children, who had children, who had more, and more, and more children.

In Genesis 5 we see that if there was one command of God that human beings have tended to obey, it is the command to be fruitful and multiply.  God not only ordained that human beings procreate more human beings, He programmed into human beings a desire to do what leads to propagation of the human race. 

First, God ordained marriage of one man and one woman, for life, as the one and only place that the procreative act is to take place (Genesis 2).

Second, God ordained that the act leading to procreation be exceedingly pleasurable.

Sadly, since the fall, one of the most universally perverted aspects of human existence is sex.  Sexual intimacy is not perverted.  It is supremely holy as long as it is within the confines of God ordained marriage (Hebrews 13:4a).  What is perverted is what sin does with sexual intimacy outside of marriage that is a perversion of marriage.  God will judge all perversions of sex (Hebrews 13:4b).  All.

What has this to do with Jesus?  As wonderful as marriage is intended to be, and in fact can be, marriage is about more than the union of a man and a woman in matrimony.  Marriage is a living parable about the love relationship between Jesus (the Bridegroom), and His Church (the bride) described in Ephesians 5:22-33.

That passage in Ephesians 5 contains the most concentrated instruction about marriage in the Bible, but note that the passage on marriage concludes these words in (v.32): “This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”

Understood correctly, sexual perversion is a desecration not only of the image of God, but of the parabolic image of Christ and His Church.  That goes a long way in explaining why God’s law requires the death penalty for certain sexual sins.

Genesis 5 not only informs us of mankind’s proclivity to reproduce (there is a whole lot of “begetting” (KJV) going on in the chapter), but it also reminds us that God was serious about death being the consequence of sin.  Don’t miss that as many times as we read of “so-and-so fathering so-and-so,” we also read that every so-and-so “died.”

Because sin and death are universal, so is our need for a Savior who conquers death.  His name is Jesus!

Cain and Abel both needed a Savior

Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Genesis 4:8

One of the reasons people misunderstand the Bible is that we fail to understand it is one book. The Bible is ONE STORY—with a beginning, a middle, and an end. The story is all about GOD. God is the HERO of every story in the Bible. We make a big error when we read the Bible, thinking it is about us—our happiness, our fulfillment, or even our salvation and eventual our eternity in heaven.

Nope. It is about God.  More specifically, it is all about Jesus who is the Redeemer of lost mankind (John 5:39-40).

By way of review, Genesis 1-2 is about Jesus in creation.  Genesis 3 is about the Fall and God’s initial promises regarding the Redeemer (Jesus) who would one day come.

Genesis 4-5 instruct us that the effects of Adam and Eve’s sin are broader than merely in their lives.  In Genesis 4, Adam and Eve had children who, because of Adam and Eve’s sin, were sinners as well.  Both Cain and Abel were sinners, evidenced by the fact that they offered sacrifices to God.  Otherwise, why would they offer sacrifices if they had no sin requiring atonement?

That Cain’s sacrifice was unacceptable to God further reveals that even in their religious sacrifices, Cain sinned.  Taken to the next level, Cain slew his brother Abel because he was jealous that God respected Abel and his sacrifice, but not his.

There are other lessons to be learned from this sad sequence of events.  I plan to address one of them in a subsequent post, but for now, let us not miss three important lessons:

1. Sin is inherent in all human beings.  Adam and Eve were created sinless, though they obviously had the potential to sin.  But all their offspring were and are natural born sinners.

2. While all human beings are born sinners, not all sin equally.  Abel offered a sacrifice for sins, but he was not a murderer.  Cain was a murderer.

3. While all sin is not equally damaging, all sin is equally damning.

That is why we all need a Redeemer!  Both the Abel’s and the Cain’s of humanity need a Savior. Jesus is that one and only perfect Savior.  Let none of us think we are better than others. And let none of us think that we need Christ the Savior any less than murderers need Him.

Jesus' defeat of Satan revealed in Genesis 3

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made.
Genesis 3:1

One more important detail in Genesis 3. A little about the devil. The devil (Satan) was an angel—the highest angel. But he became prideful and he rebelled against God, demanding that he would be like God. This is, of course, impossible, since angels are created beings—whereas God is the uncreated Creator of all things.

God cast Satan out as an angel, along with one-third of the angels that joined Satan in his rebellion against God. Since that time, Satan has had one agenda: to foil God’s plans—especially His plans about the special people God had in mind.

The serpent was indeed cunning. He said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?’” (Genesis 3:1)

It was Satan (called the serpent) who tempted Eve to disobey God by eating the forbidden fruit. Eve, in turn, tempted Adam, and both sinned. God had a few choice words for Satan in the aftermath of man’s sin. God said: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” (Genesis 3:15)

God’s words to Satan were also the first words about the Messiah to come (Jesus), referred to as the Seed of the woman. Satan would bruise the heel of the Seed of the woman, but the Seed of the woman would bruise the head of Satan. This is the first prophecy of how Christ would defeat the devil to save His people.

1. The Seed of the woman is CHRIST.

2. That Satan would bruise Christ’s HEEL = Christ’s suffering and death in the cross—from which He would arise!

3. That Christ would bruise Satan’s HEAD = Jesus would utterly defeat the devil.

This is the first direct reference to Jesus and the revelation of God’s plan to save a special people for Himself that would be instrumental in the demonstration of the love between God the Father and God the Son—and of God’s love for the people Jesus would save.

REMINDER: The goal of these studies is to reveal Christ in all the Scriptures. The goal of this study in particular is to show you that the Bible is ONE STORY about God’s ONE GRAND PLAN. That grand plan is Christ and the gospel—even in the opening chapters of Genesis. The Bible is one book, one story, and it is all about Christ!

Sin, Sacrifice, and Jesus

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. Genesis 3:7

Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them. Genesis 3:21

God wrapped His law concerning not eating the forbidden fruit in a threat (Genesis 2:17) “In the day you EAT (disobey Me) you shall surely DIE.”

Genesis 3 is the record of Adam and Eve (and all mankind in them) breaking God’s command that prohibited eating the forbidden fruit. As a result of their trespass, some basic things changed:

1. From that point forward, women would experience pain in child bearing.

2. The man’s work (tending the garden) would now be difficult (thorns and sweat).

3. Mankind’s relationship with God was tainted by man’s rebellion against God’s rule.

4. Even though God graciously did not kill the man physically (though he did begin to die), all mankind entered into a state of spiritual death.

In Genesis 3:7 Adam and Eve knew they were naked, and they were ashamed. They tried to cover their own nakedness and shame (guilt). The problem is, their sin, guilt, and shame was not, and could not be hidden from the eyes of God by man’s efforts. This is a picture of man’s religion trying to cover his sin and make himself acceptable before the eyes of God. It didn’t work then. It never has, and it never will!

This did however lead to what God graciously did in 3:21 that points to Jesus. The LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them. Do not miss this! God made a covering for man’s sin.

Further, the covering was made of animal skin. That was a reminder that sin calls for death. The covering of animal skins provided by God symbolizes three facts:

1. BLOOD must be shed to cover one’s sins…

2. An innocent SUBSTITUTE can die in place of the guilty—and…

3. GOD must do it!

These are beautiful prophetic pictures of Jesus and His blood sacrifice that would cover the sins of those He came to save. Hallelujah!

Jesus will solve mankind’s biggest problem

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27

God created mankind (both male and female). Human beings are the only created things made in the “image of God.” Male and female are created equal, yet they are designed to fulfill different roles. Only those who are spiritually, and to a degree mentally, delusional refuse to acknowledge the differences between male and female. (And by the way, the difference between male and female are true in the animal kingdom as well.)

In Genesis 1:28 we read that God blessed Adam and Eve (the first parents of all human beings), commanding them to “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

This God-given “dominion mandate” charged human beings to exercise stewardship over God’s creation. The creation belongs to God, not man, but man is to manage God’s creation.

Genesis 2 is not another creation story, it is the same story retold with the emphasis on the relationship between man and woman. In this chapter (v.18-25), God ordained marriage. This is supremely important because marriage is a parable of the love relationship between Jesus Christ and the people to whom God shows special favor—a people whose ultimate purpose is to be about the love relationship between the Father and the Son. See, I told you it is about God, not us!

Genesis 2:16-17 also contains these words: “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.’”

The one prohibition God gave to these first two humans: “Enjoy My creation, but do not eat of the fruit of a particular tree.” There was nothing poisonous about the tree. This law was enacted for the to remind the human image bearers of the “Creator-creature distinction” based on God’s authority and man’s responsibility to obey God.

Note that God wrapped that one law in a threat (v. 17). “In the day that you eat of it [disobeying God] you shall surely die.”

What has this to do with Jesus? As we will see, this grand problem of mankind’s disobedience to God, and the consequence of death, is what Jesus came to solve for we who cannot solve it by ourselves.

The Member of the Trinity who has a special relationship with human beings

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. Colossians 1:15-17

While no member of the Trinity is greater or more important than any other (they are co-equal, co-eternal, distinct but never separated), as we will see, Jesus is the member of the Trinity who has a unique relationship with human beings. How?

(a) He was to, and has, become a human being (while not ceasing to be God in any way).

(b) He was to do, and has done, for human beings something we need more than anything else—but that we cannot do for ourselves. More on that later…

It is in part because of this that Jesus said in John 5:39, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.” This is the first of two New Testament reminders that the entire message of the Bible is about Jesus.

The second reminder is found in Luke 24:27 “And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.”

God is a Trinity: One God, three Persons, who are one God. Don’t worry too much if you can’t fully comprehend that—neither can anyone else! Those who believe they can fully comprehend God only reveal that they do not!

God is Love. Before anything else existed for God to love, the three members of the Trinity loved each other perfectly, needing nothing or no one. However, in the infinite wisdom of God, He determined to create human beings who would be, and now are, the special object of His love—but not merely for the benefit of those beloved creatures. Rather, God’s love for human beings is an expression of the love of the Father for the Son, and for the love of the Son for the Father, orchestrated by the Holy Spirit.

I hope you can see that Jesus is in creation, and especially in the creation of human beings. We are created in God’s image and are the special objects of His love. This is shown by the fact that Jesus was to become a human being in order to save those God loves (John 3:16). More next time…

Jesus in Creation

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
Genesis 1:1-2

One of the reasons many people misunderstand the Bible is that they fail to understand that it is one book. There are sixty-six “books” that make up the one book. But that Bible is ONE STORY—with a beginning, a middle, and an end.

The story is all about GOD. God is the HERO of the whole Bible, as well as every part of the Bible. We make a big error when we read the Bible if we think it is about us—our happiness, fulfillment, or even our salvation and eventual eternity in heaven.

Nope. It is about God.

As Jesus said in John 5:39, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.” This is not surprising since Jesus IS God!

From the very beginning in Genesis, the Bible is about Jesus who is God. Genesis 1-2 is about God creating everything but Himself. God is uncreated and has no beginning. Everything else that exists owes its existence to God. “In the beginning” (means when time began), “God” already always was. God is eternally self-existent. No one or nothing created Him. He did not create Himself because that would mean He was creating before He existed, which is impossible, even for God! He simply always was, is, and ever will be.

The main character of the creation account is God the Creator, not the creation.

The Bible teaches the doctrine of the Trinity, that God is one in essence, while being three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All three persons were involved in creating everything out of nothing.

The first member of the Trinity specifically named is the Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:2). Elsewhere, Jesus the Son is said to have been an active participant in creation. Consider John 1:1-3

1“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”

Likewise consider Colossians 1:15-17:

15 He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

The main Character of the Bible, beginning with creation, is God, including Jesus our Savior and Lord.

Worldview: Biblical or Christian?

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2

There was a time when the words biblical and Christian were synonymous. Not anymore! Why? Because many (and I do mean many!) who identify as Christian are no more biblical than a self proclaimed secularist.

On a recent Sunday television talk show Face the Nation (March 31, 2024) the guests were, Catholic Archbishop of Washington, Wilton Cardinal Gregory, and Episcopal Bishop of Washington, the Right Reverend Marianna Budde. They were asked and spoke about (among other things) President Biden’s views on the LBGTQ+ adherents and supporters, as well as being an outspoken supporter of abortion.

For those who do not know, Mr. Biden continues to claim to be Roman Catholic, despite the fact that he is one of the loudest supporters of the patently unbiblical LBGTQ+ agenda and abortion for any reason. How can Mr. Biden make this claim? Many, including Catholic Archbishop Gregory, describe the President as one who claims to be Catholic, but rejects many of the teachings of the Catholic church. Some call this “cafeteria Catholicism” because it allows people to choose the parts of Catholicism they like, and skip what they do not like. This kind of duplicity is rather like a man claiming to be a plumber who refuses to have anything to do with water or pipes! That man may be a lot of things, but a plumber isn’t one of them! Likewise, Mr. Biden may be a lot of things, but Catholic isn’t one of them! (1)

Ironically, the “Protestant” Episcopal Bishop Budde defended the President, as though there is no inconsistency between Mr. Biden’s claim to be Catholic and his unequivocal un-Catholic beliefs!

This kind of religious incongruity was first publicly championed in a big way by the then Presidential candidate John F. Kennedy. As a Catholic, running for President in what was at the time a predominantly Protestant United States, candidate Kennedy assured Americans that though he was a Catholic, he would not allow his religious beliefs influence how he would govern if elected president. Translation: his religious beliefs meant nothing at all.

Since then, many politicians (Mr. Biden being among them) claim some sort of religious affiliation but do not believe the teachings of the religion with which they identify. In other words, they are either altogether ignorant, or they are liars.

This is not an exercise intended to bash either Catholics or politicians. Rather, it is first a reminder that though Christian used to mean at least somewhat biblical, popularly it doesn’t anymore! Secondly, this is as a call to self-identified Christians (including you and me) to be biblical or stop calling ourselves Christians.

Remember, having a truly biblical worldview means thinking biblically. Let us not settle to be either ignorant or to be liars.

(1) Even more shocking is the fact that the current Roman Catholic Pope does the same thing by denying certain Roman Catholic dogmas.

Holy Week: Resurrection Sunday

RESURRECTION  SATURDAY:  Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-18

But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
Matthew 28:5-6

What happened: I try to imagine how distraught Jesus’ followers must have been in light of His crucifixion.  I’m not sure I can fully comprehend it. They wagered their lives Jesus being the Messiah.  And now He was dead and buried.  The men were hiding out.  The women, were serving, going to the tomb to anoint His mangled and lifeless corpse.

When the women arrived at the tomb, the stone door was rolled away.  His body was not there.  Angels appeared speaking words of comfort that Jesus was not there because He had risen from the dead.  When the women went to tell the disciples (Mark 16:9-10), “they did not believe.”

Key thoughts: Jesus did not rise from the dead because we believe He did.  Neither is He the way, the truth, and the life because we believe His is.  No.  Our belief does not make what is untrue, true.  Neither does our unbelief make what is true, untrue.  Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and He did rise from the dead whether you or I, or anybody else, believes it or not.

Application: All who are saved believe in the risen Savior,  While people’s belief or unbelief do not change the facts about who He is or that He rose—each person’s belief results in forgiveness of sin and everlasting life in Heaven with Him. Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!

If you have believed, REJOICE! If you haven’t believed, I pray that you will!

Holy Week: Saturday

BLACK SATURDAY:  Matthew 27:62-66

On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, saying, "Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise.' Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, 'He has risen from the dead.' So the last deception will be worse than the first." Pilate said to them, "You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how." So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard. Matthew 27:62-66

What happened: There is only one even recorded in the gospels that happened on Saturday—and it may have happened on Friday.  It is the account of the Jewish religious leaders insisting that the tomb, in which Jesus was buried, be secured so that the disciples could not steal the body and claim that Jesus rose from the dead.  They petitioned Pilate to do something about it.  Pilate, who was seemingly “done” with the entire matter, either secured the tomb with Roman soldiers (more likely), or permitted the Jewish temple police to secure it (less likely).   

Key thoughts: First, the Jewish religious leaders seemed to be aware that Jesus foretold His resurrection—when the disciples seemed to be in the dark about the resurrection until after it happened.  Second, isn’t it sinisterly ironic that the chief priests and Pharisees—who had presided over a trial at which they supplied “false witnesses”—called Jesus, who is the personification of truth, “that deceiver”!

Application: Securing Jesus’ tomb, which was intended to prevent the tomb from being robbed, was a complete farce, if Jesus really was God who was to be raised from the dead!  After all, who or what could keep God dead and buried!  

Holy Week: Friday

GOOD FRIDAY: Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19

Then [Pilate] delivered Him to them to be crucified. Then they took Jesus and led Him away. And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha… John 19:16-17

What happened: Later on Thursday night Jesus was put on trial.  He was tried twice before the Jewish religious leaders, once by Pilate, once by Herod, and a second time by Pilate.  Though His prosecutors arrived at their verdicts differently, the sentence was the same.  Though innocent of any wrongdoing whatsoever, Jesus was condemned to death by crucifixion.

On Friday Jesus was crucified.  Though the Jewish religionists insisted Jesus be crucified, and though the Roman civil authorities carried out the crucifixion, neither the Jews nor the Romans killed Jesus. Rather, Jesus laid down His life so He could take it up again (John 10:17-18), when He rose from the dead on Sunday.

Key thoughts: Jesus was not a victim.  As King of kings and Lord of lords, He was in absolute control of everything that transpired.  He came to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).  The means by which He accomplished this fete included every detail of His passion, death and resurrection.

Application: Two things:

(1) Jesus secured salvation for His people.  His people receive salvation by trusting that what Jesus did is the only way to God and Heaven.  Have you trusted Christ and repented of your sins?  If so, your sins are forgiven!  If not, won’t you trust Him today?

(2) Just as Jesus was in control of every horrific detail of His crucifixion, He is likewise in control of every detail of our lives.  Whether life is going smoothly or life is in seeming disarray, Jesus is in control and we can trust Him that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Holy Week: Thursday

THURSDAY OF HOLY WEEK: Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-26, Luke 22:7-39, John 13:1-17:26

And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."
Luke 22:31-32

What happened: The evening began in the Upper Room.  Jesus was with the disciples as He gave the incredible teaching known as the Upper Room Discourse (John 13-16). Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper.  Upon leaving the Upper Room, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane where He was arrested.  Later that night Peter denied knowing the Lord.

Key thoughts: So many things that took place that night that were of great importance that it is hard to pick one event on which to focus our attention.  Let’s consider one set of events that likely impacted Peter the most.

In the Upper Room, Peter insisted on his fidelity to Jesus, stating, “Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be."  Jesus, seeking to turn down the volume of Peter’s pride, replied, "Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.  But [Peter] spoke more vehemently, ““if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!"" (Mark 14:29-31).

As most of us know, Peter denied Jesus exactly as Jesus foretold that he would.  And as most of us know, after Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus restored Peter (John 21:15-17).

Judas betrayed Jesus and Peter denied Jesus.  Why was Peter restored and Judas was not?  I believe the chief answer is found in Jesus’ words to Peter in Luke 22:31-32:

And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."

Because Peter was truly one of Jesus’ sheep (and Judas appears not to have been), Jesus prayed for Peter in conjunction with Peter’s denial. 

Application: Why do we not all end up like Judas?  Why are we who often fail, as Peter failed, forgiven and restored?  Because Jesus prays ceaselessly for His people (Hebrews 7:25). 

When we do not fail, and even when we do, and when we are forgiven and restored, let us remember it is not because we are so faithful. It is because Jesus prays for us!

Holy Week: Wednesday

WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK: Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11, Luke 22:1-6

Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?" And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him. Matthew 26:14-16

What happened: Judas plotted to betray Jesus.

Key thoughts: The Bible does not tell us precisely why Judas betrayed Jesus, so we have nothing but speculation regarding Judas’s motivation for committing this highest act of treason. Might it have been that Judas felt like Jesus wasn’t moving fast enough, or deliberately enough, to overthrow the Romans and establish His earthy kingdom? Might Judas have reasoned that he could speed things up a bit? We really do not know. What seems unlikely is that Judas wanted Jesus to be crucified, otherwise, why would he have been sorrowful that Jesus was indeed being crucified (Matthew 27:3-5)? All we can do is speculate, and be careful not to allow our theories to become dogma.

Application: All of us, at times, and to varying degrees, are given to speculate about other people’s motives. That is dangerous business because we cannot see what is in other people’s hearts. And, by the way, we ought be thankful that other people cannot see our hearts either! We can take two applications from this:

First, let us be wary about thinking we can accurately judge other people’s motives because we can’t. And when we do, we usurp what is only God’s domain.

Second, let us not rationalize our misdeeds because we insist that “we meant well.” Doing what is wrong, with even the best of intentions, cannot excuse sin. Let us not forget Jesus word’s concerning Judas: “Woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born,” regardless of Judas’s intentions.

Holy Week: Monday & Tuesday

MONDAY & TUESDAY of HOLY WEEK: Matthew 21-26, Mark 11, Luke 19-21

Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. Mark 11:15

Then He taught, saying to them, "Is it not written, 'MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL NATIONS’? But you have made it a 'DEN OF THIEVES.'" And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching. Mark 11:17-18

What happened: Two things: Jesus cleansed the temple of religious corruption and taught many things, including several key parables and the Olivet Discourse (about the destruction of Jerusalem).

Key thoughts: As the Great High Priest, Jesus demonstrated His disdain for religious corruption that enriches the elites on the backs of the common people. By teaching, Jesus exemplified the most important activity in worship and the role of those who lead: teaching the Scriptures.

Application: Let us never forget or downplay the danger of monetizing the Christian faith and/or our worship. While giving is a key component of Christian worship, when money is the focus—especially when it enriches some at the expense of others—it is sinfully wrong.

Likewise, let us learn from Jesus that preaching is the center-point of Christian worship. Let us remember that even the layout of the Church changed at the time of the Reformation, as biblical worship was rediscovered and reclaimed. The pulpit was prominently moved to the center. When an altar, or a so-called “praise band,” is the focus, the Church is again losing its way.

Holy Week: Sunday

This week we will consider the events of what is often referred to as Holy Week—what happened from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday. Two explanatory notes: (1) There are differences of opinion in exactly what took place on each specific day. (2) Much more could be said about each day than this blog is able to cover. Therefore these blogs will be general and inconclusive, but I trust thoughtful and helpful.

PALM SUNDAY: Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19

“The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: "Hosanna! 'BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!' The King of Israel!" Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: "FEAR NOT, DAUGHTER OF ZION; BEHOLD, YOUR KING IS COMING, SITTING ON A DONKEY'S COLT." John 12:12-15

What happened: Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt commemorates His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Key thoughts: Jesus entered as King, not only of the Jews, but as King of kings. What happened was sadly misunderstood, as the joyful people believed that Jesus was coming merely as an earthly Messiah who would drive out the Roman oppressors and reestablish a new and improved kingdom, like that of David’s.

Application: People still misidentify Jesus every day! Common errors about Jesus include supposing that He was merely a teacher who came to show us a better way to live. Others erroneously insist that He came to make us healthy and wealthy.

Who is Jesus, and what did He come for? What happened that week tells the true tale. He came in humility to lay down His life by dying on the cross to pay the penalty for His people’s sins. He rose from the dead to defeat sin, death, and Hell for His people. The correct response: Believe in and love Him as Savior. Obediently follow Him as King of all kings and Lord of all lords!

Biblical Worldview: 101A (6)

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2

What are some of the moral implications of being created in the image of God? I say some, because there are many more than a blog post can tackle. First, understand that bearing God’s image is not a material likeness because God is not a material being. Bearing the image of God is about mirroring God’s values and priorities as revealed in His Word the Bible.

Second, being created in the image of God means that we are not our own, and we are accountable to God, whose image we bear. Accountable in what way? Accountable to represent Him accurately. What good is a mirror that distorts your image? It is good only for the trash. Likewise, we are in trouble with God when we misrepresent Him (His values and priorities).

Third, our representation of God begins when we begin (conception), and ends when we die. It means representing His values and priorities every minute of every day we are alive. I’m only skimming the surface here, but here are some key issues in life in which this matters:

• Human life is sacred from the moment of conception. What does that say about abortion?

• Human life includes children. What does that say about how we raise, educate, and treat image bearers when they are children?

• Because all human beings are image bearers of God, every human being is to be treated with appropriate dignity. What does that say about civility and human rights?

• God says murderers are to be subjected to capital punishment (Genesis 9:6). Why? Because desecrating a human life is desecrating the image of God (same verse), and therefore a sin against God Himself. What does that say about capital punishment?

• Because human life is sacred, homicide (terminating a human life), even when it is not premeditated murder, is also a desecration of the image of God, and therefore a sin. What does that say about infanticide, suicide, and euthanasia?

Wrapping up this series on biblical worldview, the moral implications of the sanctity of human life are vast. And the sanctity of human life is but one area in which our worldview matters. We dare not think we have a biblical worldview if we do not think as God thinks (as revealed in the Bible).

I pray that you will join me in seeking to know what God thinks about everything (as revealed in scripture). Let us be transformed by the renewing of our minds to think as God thinks about everything. Let us identify where we do not, and cast off all thoughts that do not align with God’s (2 Corinthians 10:5). Then and only then can we say we have (and are continually developing) a biblical worldview.

Biblical Worldview: 101A (5)

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2

We left off yesterday saying that worldviews are not something we always think about, but they are what we always think with. In other words, some people do not know what their worldview is, but it is revealed by what they think about everything. Others claim their worldview is one thing, but what they think about everything reveals that their worldview is not what they say it is. For example, a biblical worldview is not saying that one has a biblical worldview if one does not think biblically—no matter what they claim.

A biblical worldview is nothing more or less that thinking biblically about everything.

Every worldview has moral implications. Why? Because morality is something we all think about, whether we are aware of it or not. A biblical worldview is morally in step with what the Bible says about every moral issue.

A most fundamental issue is not simply that we believe that human beings are created in the image of God, but what it means that we are the image bearers of God. More pointedly, what are the moral implications of the fact that human beings are created in God’s own image?

Next time: Some moral implications of being image bearers of God.