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!"