Christ and the Scriptures (2)

This post follows on from my last blog entry in which I stated that I had gathered together seven ways in which the Lord valued Scripture. I noted that the Word of God was His Meditation, the subject of His Conversation, and the source of His Instruction. 

Today consider the four remaining uses made by the Lord of the Scriptures:

1. His Temptation. In Matthew Ch 4 the Lord is subjected to the onslaught of Satan in the wilderness. We know that, being God, there was no danger of a failure in Him, but we must ask - How did He defend Himself? Three times over, in response to the three separate suggestions of the Devil, the Lord says "It is written"! In trial, in temptation, He rested fully on a proper understanding of the Scriptures of Truth. 
2. His Proclamation. There were many who gathered at the house in Capernaum to hear the Lord. It had been reported that He was there. So many assembled that "there was no room to receive them". The house was packed full. What was the Lord's response to such a gathering? He "preached the Word unto them"! Nothing but the Word was sufficient to meet the need.  
3. His Exposition. One of the most beautiful stories recorded for us in the NT is in Luke 24 when two troubled and disappointed disciples were travelling to Emmaus. "Jesus Himself drew near, and went with them" (v15). What did He have as comfort for their troubled spirits? He "expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself" (v27). What an occasion! We are not surprised that the disciples later said "Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?" (v32).
4. His Conviction. It was the Lord's firm statement in John 10v35 that "the scripture cannot be broken". Of His own words He said "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away". What confidence and assurance He had in the Word of God, what a high view of Inspiration! 

In conclusion, I ask myself again: In temptation, when MY mind is under attack, do I have sufficient knowledge of the Word of God to say "It is written..."? In MY preaching, is my subject the Word of God or my own ideas? Likewise, when I am teaching, do I give a proper exposition of the text of Scripture? And, finally, do I share the conviction of the Lord concerning the infallibility and inerrancy of the Word of Truth? 

This is a big subject, much bigger than this blog allows, but it is great to note that He has left "us an example, that ye should follow His steps" (1 Peter 2v21)!  

"There was of course but One who never failed

In every circumstance He faced, prevailed -

Our blessed, glorious Lord.

How was it then He won the day in trial?

How did He so defeat a raging devil?

By resting in the Word".

Christ and the Scriptures (1)

We consider the life and death of the Lord Jesus from many different angles. One of the most searching is to consider Him as an example for life. We are instructed by Peter to “follow His steps” (1 Peter 2v21).

In light of this fact, it is most instructive to consider the Lord’s attitude to the Scriptures. This surely should be reflected in our own appreciation of them!

I’ve brought together seven ways in which the Lord used the Word of God. In this post I will list three. The Scriptures were: 

1. His Meditation. In Psalm 1 we learn about the Godly man. This reminds us primarily of the Lord Jesus Himself. We discover that the Godly man is SEPARATED (v1), SATISFIED (v2) and SUCCESSFUL (v3). What is it that has satisfied Him? V2 tells us “his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night”.
2. His Conversation. The only view we have of the Lord Jesus as a young boy is given to us in Luke 2. He was found “in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing  them and asking them questions” (v46). As a young boy He delighted to converse about the Scriptures! And “all that heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers” (v47).
3. His Instruction. In Isaiah 50, the Perfect Servant of Jehovah speaks: “Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward” (v4-5 ESV). F C Jennings explains beautifully “See then that perfect Servant reading, pondering, meditating upon the Word of God...and as a disciple, as all who are really taught of God, He listens to the living Voice that may be heard in those inspired pages"!  

Let me ask – Are the Scriptures MY meditation? Are they the subject of MY conversation? Are they the source of MY instruction? If they are, then I am following the example of the Lord Jesus! 

Sin and the Christian

This is a little poem I put together some years ago now. I came across it today and thought I would share it. The rhyme may be a little hard to catch in places but I hope it's a benefit! 

When Adam sinned he ruined the human race,

And forfeited the blessing of a place,

In close proximity to God.

He also caused that death should enter in,    

As the result of just a single sin,

Corruption spread abroad.

One sin, a hasty word, sufficient was,

To close the promised land to great Moses,

The leader of the Jews.

His privilege and knowledge of His God,

Should have made him more careful with the rod,

And guarded his mouth too.

It was one sin that marred King David’s life,

When he took for himself Uriah’s wife,

Against Divine decree!

And with him too the problem greatly spread,

Until he planned to have Uriah dead,

And ruined his family!

Sin therefore is revealed to have a cost,

To every saint, as well as to the lost,

Though different we know!

The penal consequence for us has gone,

But God can act in government upon,

Our path while here below.

There was of course but One who never failed

In every circumstance He faced, prevailed -

Our blessed, glorious Lord.

How was it then He won the day in trial?

How did He so defeat a raging devil?

By resting in the Word.

And so, to win is open to us all,

As Peter writes that “ye shall never fall”,

By “adding to your faith”.

And John says that it’s only “If we sin”

The ministry of Advocate is seen.     

Let’s view what Scripture saith:

The Christian died to sin, as teaches Paul,

For when Christ died he represented all,

Who trust Him wholly now.

We rose with Him as well – He’s now alive

And thus we need no longer be a slave,

Or to that master bow.

The master, sin, no longer can be bold,

To order us to do what he has told –

Requested we perform.

For we have died to him, and never yet,

Was there a master who could get,

The dead to obey him!

But we’re alive, not now enslaved to sin,

We live to God who reckons us for Him,

Identified with Christ

In the freshness of a life that is made new

We owe alone to God, all that’s His due

And we are His by right.  

We know it’s true, we must account it so,

If we would have a victory here below,

Over that awful power.

Then God requires we yield ourselves to Him

And live to righteousness, instead of sin,

Through each and every hour.

David Williamson 15/12/09

Christ: Crowned in Humiliation!

Just recently I enjoyed a little meditation on the Crowning of the Lord. He was crowned in humiliation. Consider: 

The Making of His crown – “they platted...”
The soldiers made it “Then the soldiers...platted a crown of thorns”. Pilate had scourged him and then delivered Him over to the Roman soldiers for sport. His own nation had delivered Him (their King) into the hands of lawless men. He had come “unto His own and His own received Him not”.


The Material of His crown – “a crown of thorns”

The thorn is a result of the curse – Gen 3v18 “Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee”. Thus, placed on the head of Christ was the symbol of condemnation as a result of the fall. We can view this symbolically and see the outworking of Divine purpose at Calvary. However, the material was chosen for the torture it would produce.

The Mockery of His crown – “Hail, King of the Jews”

The soldiers, in bowing before Him in mockery were also mocking the Jewish nation of which He was King. They were saying – this is the King of the Jews! Look at His crown, His sceptre (the reed), His robe! 

The Man and His crown – “Behold the Man”

Who was He? A man of ROYAL PEDIGREE (Matthew); a man of HONEST INDUSTRY (Mark); a man of PERFECT PURITY (Luke); a man of FULL DEITY (John)! Yet here despised and rejected of men. 

The Manifestation of His crown  - “then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns”

Pilate brought Him forth. What had been done inside among the soldiers was manifest to all the people. The response? Crucify Him!! There was no pitying eye to be found. There were none who had been healed and blessed who now sided with this rejected One. To side with Him then would be to share rejection with Him! He was to be taken and crucified!     

Crowned with thorns upon the tree

Silent in Thine agony!

Dying crushed beneath the load,

Of the wrath and curse of God”

How solemn that the last view this world had of the Son of God was, in all likelihood, uplifted on the Cross, crowned with the Crown of thorns! 

Thank God as believers we look forward to another day of crowning! 

"Our Lord is now rejected and by the world disowned

By many still neglected and by the few enthroned

But soon He'll come in glory, the hour is drawing nigh, 

The Crowning Day is coming by and by!"

Promising or Practising!

There was something special about Peter. He was a born leader of men. He was the natural spokesman for the Twelve, but sometimes he said more than he did.

In John 13:36-38 we get a little insight into Peter: "Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered him, "Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward." Peter said to him, "Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times"." (ESV)

Notice Peter's Concern: He had heard the Lord say that He was leaving and he asks "Lord, where are you going?" He was close to the Lord, he loved the Lord, he did not want to be left alone. The Lord explains "Where I am going you cannot follow me now..." 

Next, we have Peter's Confidence: "Lord...I will lay down my life for you"! 

Finally, and very sadly, we have Peter's Crash: The Lord said "the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times". 

This morning, as I considered this sad little story of Peter, it caused me to think of a few very practical lessons:

1. Peter knew the Lord, but he did not know himself. He had too great a trust in his own ability. This experience would teach him otherwise. To be self-confident is foolish! 
2. Peter FELT that he could do something but the Lord KNEW that he couldn't. I must learn to accept the words of the Lord even though my feelings tell me otherwise. 
3. In the upper room Peter could speak confidently of his dedication and devotion. It was quite another thing when circumstances where adverse! At the very least this should keep me from being over-critical of others failures in circumstances I have never been in! 
4. True Discipleship involves more than Promises - it requires Practices. How often have I promised the Lord my life, how much of it is practically devoted to Him?    

May the Lord help us all not only to promise but to practice, not only to say but to do!    

Satisfied with Christ...

Some of my favourite lines from a hymn are:

"Now none but Christ can satisfy,

None other name for me.

There's love, and life, and lasting joy

Lord Jesus, found in Thee."

Many of us sing the lines often but, am I, are you, satisfied with Christ?

I was speaking last night on John 4 - the woman at the well. If ever there was someone who found "love, and life, and lasting joy" in Christ, it was her! After she had grasped who it was to whom she was speaking, she "left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, 'Come, see a Man, which told me all things that ever I did: Is not this the Christ?'" (John 4:27)   

Notice, she "left her waterpot"! F F Bruce states "She forgot the water of Jacob's well in her excitement at receiving the living water of which Jesus had spoken. The wellspring of perennial refreshment was now bubbling up within her". Christ had so satisfied her that she forgot what she had previously been occupied with! 

Is this not at the very core of the Gospel? To know Christ, to have Christ, to enjoy Christ as we should, will transform our lives and our interests forever. Conversely, if we feel it necessary to fill our lives with the pleasures and pursuits of the world, it only manifests that our appreciation of Christ is not all that it should be!  

Having been Satisfied with Christ, she went on to Speak of Christ: "Come see a Man..." 

Perhaps, and I speak to myself, if we were more occupied with Christ and thus satisfied with Him, our impact upon others would be greater! William Blane summarizes the story:

"She left her waterpot and ran

The wonderful tale to tell

Of the Living Water, and the Man

Whom she met at Jacob's well!"

Belief & Behaviour

Our concept of God will determine our character of life - that can be seen clearly from Romans 1:18-32. 

It is those who "glorified Him not as God" and "changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like unto corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things" and "changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator" that descended into the most gross forms of immorality. They "did not like to retain God in their knowledge" and so "God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things that are not convenient..." 

Is there a lesson in this for the Christian? I believe there is. Our concept of God will determine our character of life! To put it another way: If we want to behave right, then we have to believe right! It is important therefore to have a Scriptural understanding of God - to glorify Him as God. 

There is a simple yet very sound book with brief meditations on God's Attributes that I have found most helpful. It is called Alone in Majesty (William MacDonald). Every young Christian could do worse than add it to their library and read a chapter a day.