Devotional

The Lord Jesus was:

Ready to Serve, though having ALL authority. John 13:3-4 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

Ready to Surrender, though knowing ALL that He would have to endure. John 18:4  Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?

Ready to Sacrifice Himself fully until He knew that ALL was accomplished, though He was the Author of life. John 19:28  After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

Ready to Send a failing servant though He knew ALL his shortcomings. John 21:17  He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

The greatest Sovereign took the place of a servant. He is worthy to be served.

The greatest Seeker took the place of the lost. He is worthy to be sought.

The greatest Savior took the place of the sinner to become the greatest Sacrifice. He is worthy to be praised.

The greatest Shepherd took the place of the sheep. He is worthy to be loved and imitated.

Song: City Foursquare
(played by Emily Forster)

I have enjoyed meditating upon a few occasions where we find the idea of “weep not” in the Scriptures.

The life of Christ

In Luke 7:13, the Lord says “weep not” to a mother whose only son had died. In Luke 8:52, the Lord says “weep not” in the face of the death of a father’s only daughter. On both occasions, the power of the word of the greatest Comforter brought the dead to life again. He had a reason to say those words: the dead would rise again. The grief of separation would soon be lifted- weep not!

The death of Christ

In Luke 23:28, the Lord Jesus says to the weeping company of people who followed him toward Calvary, “weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.” His grief would soon be over, but judgment would soon be upon them. His care for them caused him to entreat them to consider the danger they were in rather than occupy themselves in grieving over the suffering He was soon to endure.

The resurrection of Christ

In John 20:15, the Lord Jesus asked Mary “why weepest thou?” There was no reason to weep! The heavenly Joseph was yet alive! The Lord of Glory had risen! This was the answer to Mary’s sorrow. But it is the answer to our sorrow as well. The resurrection of Christ brings joy and hope into our lives. Because He lives, we shall live also.

The coming of Christ

In 1 Thes. 4:13, Paul writes that they “sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” The Christ who rose again is the same Christ who will return to take His own to be with Himself. The Christ who spoke and raised the dead while here on earth is the Christ who will shout and raise the dead in a soon-coming day. What comfort there is in those words!

Day of judgment

In Rev. 5:5, John is told to “weep not” when none was found worthy to open the book and to loose the seals of judgment. The sacrificial Lamb who had been slain is now the kingly Lion; He who endured the sufferings of Calvary at the hands of wicked men is now worthy to bring judgment upon all who rejected the King of Israel, the Son of God. Weep not! Worthy is the Lamb who was slain! Thus the whole of chapter 5 is taken up with the worth and praise of the Lamb.

Eternal joy

In Rev. 21:4, we are told that “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” The God that collects our tears in His bottle and writes them in His book will wipe all those tears away (Psalm 56:8). His tear collection will be obsolete, and joy will be ours eternally. The God of all comfort will then bring full and lasting comfort to His own, blood-bought people, and bride and Bridegroom will meet and rejoice together.

What a wonderful prospect!

Christ is the Alpha, the first, the One before Abraham, the beginning. Christ is the Omega, the last, the One whom Abraham rejoiced to see, the ending.

At the beginning of His ministry, doubting Nathanael could exclaim, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” (John 1:49). At the end of His life, the centurion could exclaim, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matt. 27:54) and once-faithless Thomas could proclaim, “My Lord, and my God!” (John 20:28).

At the beginning of His ministry, He was hungry. At the end of His ministry and life, hanging upon a cross, He was thirsty. Throughout His ministry, He was tired. He slept in a ship that was tossed with the waves. He sat upon a well of Samaria, being weary. Even in His sleep, He taught a lesson in the storm. Even as He sat to rest, He was witnessing and redeeming the time. When He was hungry, He didn’t blame the Father, nor doubt His providing care. In His death, He did not speak the prophetic words that brought liquid to his lips until the work was fully done. Early in His life, He could speak of the necessity of doing the Father’s will. Finally in death, He could speak of completing that will to perfection.

At the beginning of His life, He was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. After His death, He was wrapped in clean linen clothes and laid in a tomb. At His birth, men brought costly spices in adoration and appreciation of His person, King of the Jews. At His death, Nicodemus and faithful women did the same.  At the beginning of His life, faithful Anna could speak of Him in anticipation of redemption. At the end of His life, faithful Mary could pour her precious ointment over her Redeemer in anticipation of His death.

At the beginning of His life, His mother cared for Him, holding the Father of Eternity in her arms. Perhaps it was the cross that brought John, Mary (the Lord’s mother) and the Lord together (after a time), and as Jesus looked down upon them, He commended His dear earthly mother to His loved disciple’s care.

At the beginning of His earthly life, the Father sent the Son. After His resurrection, He could say “even so send I you” (John 20:21). His death didn’t change Peter’s calling, and 153 fish soon became 3,000 men.

At the beginning of His ministry, He attended a wedding. There He shewed forth His glory and gave reason for joy. There was no wedding at His death, but there He purchased His bride. He anticipates that day when Bride and Bridegroom will be united in glory together.

Let us love, and sing, and wonder.

Today I am reminded of the words of Psalm 139, and particularly the final two verses:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

O God, search me. You are God of eternity. You created all things. You formed me and knew me before I was born (v16). Before the earth was, You were there. “From everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.” “Thou knowest all things” (John 21:17; Ps 139:2-4).  You are the Architect and Designer, You are the Fashioner and Maker. There is nothing hid from Your eyes, that burn as a flame. There is nothing hid from Your knowledge, You are all-wise. 

Lord God, lead me. Your presence is everywhere (Ps 139:7); I cannot escape it, and this is a comfort to me. No place is too high, no valley too low, no situation too dark, no ocean too deep, for Your presence. “The darkness and the light are both alike to Thee” (v12). The Son of God loved me, went beneath the waves to the lowest depths of the sea for me. You have been through the darkest hours ever known, on Calvary. Your love has triumphed, and You have the highest place in heaven. Nothing is too hard for You, Lord, and You, the Captain of my salvation, have gone on before.

“I will praise Thee” for Thy works, I wonder at Your thoughts unto me! You, an intimate, personal God, are near unto even me; You lay Your hand upon me, You comfort and support me (v5, 10).  The hand that made the worlds, the God who sustains the universe, upholds me with His right hand. “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me.” “How precious are Thy thoughts unto me, O God!”

Lord, Teach me Thy way (Ps 86:11). Teach me Thy Word (Ps. 119:26). Teach me Thy wisdom (Ps. 119:66). Teach me Thy will (Ps. 143:10).

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts… and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

When we consider the heavens, we are confounded by the greatness and glory of God.  What power!

When we consider the cross, we are confounded by the grace and goodness of God. What love!

When the heavens and earth were finished, God declared, “very good.” God rested.

When the cross work was finished, the earth quaked, the rocks rent, and God declared “satisfied.” Christ rose and sat down on the right hand of God (Acts 2:34).

The following is from Present Truth, March/April 2012 by Jeff Brown (apart from a few references):

We now propose to examine the physical and (more importantly) the spiritual significance of the days of creation. The physical days of creation all show progression and purpose. Each day’s work underpinned the next. We can also see progression and purpose as we mirror each of the days of creation in the life of a believer (a new creation in Christ). We may summarize as follows:

Day 1 (Gen. 1:3-5)

physical – initial darkness, activity of Spirit of God, creation of light
spiritual – initial conversion / illumination (John 16:8; 2 Cor. 4:6; Eph. 5:8)

Day 2 (Gen. 1:6-8)

physical – division
spiritual –  separation (2 Cor. 6:17; Eph. 5:11)

Day 3 (Gen. 1:9-13)

physical – fruit (especially vv. 11-13)
spiritual –  fruitfulness to God (Eph. 2:10; Rom. 6:22; Gal. 5:22)

Day 4 (Gen. 1:14-19)

physical – creation of sun, moon, stars
spiritual –  witness (Philippians 2:15)

Day 5 (Gen. 1:20-23)

physical – movement, variety of growth
spiritual –  growth / development (2 Pet. 3:18; Eph. 4:15; Mark 16:15)

Day 6 (Gen. 1:24-31)

physical – image, likeness and replenishment
spiritual –  likeness (Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18; 1 John 3:2)

Day 7 (Gen. 2:1-3)

physical – completion, rest, blessing and sanctification
spiritual –  rest; past, present and future (Matt. 11:28; Heb. 4:9)