Living water flows from the risen Christ
Just a quick thought for meditation that came to me this morning in prayer.
If what God has done (and does) for us means nothing to Him, the glory He receives and the worship we could give would be of little value to Him.
But if the sacrifice God made in giving His beloved Son to die on Calvary’s cross was infinitely great, then the glory and worship He receives is His due, and is precious to His heart.
Colossians 2:16-17 tells us that truths in the Old Testament are shadows of things to come.
The feasts (or festivals) of the Old Testament are God letting us in on His purposes and plans– sharing with us what He has enjoyed from eternity past (2). So what can we learn at God’s table?
Leviticus 23 and Deuteronomy 16 tell us about these festive days for God’s earthly people, Israel. Leviticus 23 begins by telling us about the Sabbath, a day of rest. Figuratively, this rest was broken when sin entered the world, and it will not be fully enjoyed again until the eternal rest after the Millenium. (2)
A note on Jewish time: The Jewish “day” begins in the evening instead of in the morning. Thus, the Jewish Sabbath begins on Friday night and ends with the appearance of the stars on Saturday night. (1)
One-day feasts indicate single, great acts of Jehovah. Those that lasted over a period of time point to the results and blessings because of those acts. (2)
Practical note: God promised the Israelites’ lands would be safe when they went to the feasts. We won’t lose out by obeying God’s command to assemble with His people, but we will surely be worse off if we refuse to do this. (2)
1) The Passover
Looks forward to: Redemption; Christ our Redeemer
Related passages: Exodus 12; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 5:7
Old Testament significance:
New Testament significance:
In Luke 22:14-20 the Lord Jesus shows that the Passover supper was only a shadow that looked forward to the Lord’s supper. He is the true Passover Lamb.
Suggestion for personal study: The Lamb and Redemption
2) Feast of Unleavened bread
Looks forward to: Righteousness, Communion; Christ our Sanctification
Related passages: 1Corinthians 5:6-8
Old Testament significance:
New Testament significance:
Suggestion for personal study: Leaven symbolized in the New Testament
3) Feast of Firstfruits
Looks forward to: Resurrection; Christ our Victor, Leader
Related passages: 1 Corinthians 15:23; John 12:24
Old Testament significance:
New Testament significance:
Suggestion for personal study: Trace the idea of seed / sowing / reaping with Christ and the gospel message going forth and people being saved
4) Feast of Pentecost (or Weeks)
Looks forward to: Residence of the Holy Spirit in believers; Christ Ascended & Glorified at the right hand of God (Acts 2:33)
Related passages: Acts 2
Old Testament significance:
New Testament significance:
Suggestion for personal study: Temples in Scripture
Time: There was a long period of about 4 months when there were no feasts celebrated. This reminds us of the present time, the Day of Grace (the Church age, when Israel is scattered, Romans 11:25).
Suggestion for personal study: The “Day of Grace”
5) Feast of Trumpets
Looks forward to: Rapture of the church & Regathering of Israel; Christ Returning
Related passages: 1 Thes. 4; Isaiah 27:12-13
Old Testament significance:
New Testament significance:
6) Day of Atonement
Looks forward to: Repentence and Restoration of Israel; Christ Delivering
Related passages: Zech 12:10, 13:1
Old Testament significance:
New Testament significance:
7) Feast of Tabernacles
Looks forward to: Reign of Christ : Christ Reigning
Related passages:
Old Testament significance:
New Testament significance:
I thought I would share a little study on the life of Moses and how he was like Christ. I began the study after reading Acts 3:22:
“A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; Him shall ye hear…”
This would be much too long if I were to write it out, so I have just given it to you in outline form, for your meditation and amplification. For those reading via email, you may visit the website to easily read the cited verses.
Acts 7:17-44
Acts 7:19 Both born with the expectation of death
Acts 7:20 NASB “lovely in the sight of God” — Beautiful, beloved
Acts 7:21 Brought up in a foreign environment
Acts 7:22
Acts 7:23-28
Acts 7:29
Acts 7:34 Sent by God to relieve the afflicted
Acts 7:35 Ruler, judge, deliverer (or redeemer, ESV)
Acts 7:36 Worker of Miracles
Acts 7:36 “brought them out” = “led them forth”
Acts 7:37 a Prophet
Acts 7:38 a Teacher, Instructor
Acts 7:40
Acts 7:44 a Priest
Both died on a mountain, and their body was not found
Both seen on the mountain of transfiguration
So… How Christ-like am I?
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There was none like
Moses & his connection with God; his meekness (Deut. 34:10, Num. 12:3)
Solomon & his wisdom (1Kings 3:12)
Hezekiah & his faith (2Kings 18:5)
Job & his righteousness (Job 1:8, 2:3)
(contrast) Ahab & his wickedness (1Kings 21:25)
Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah (Daniel 1:19)
But truly above all others, there is none like
the LORD (Ex. 8:10, 9:14; Ps. 86:8…)
the Lord Jesus (John 7:46, John 9:32, John 15:24, Acts 4:12)
from Mark 15:29-32 NASB
Those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads, and saying, “Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!
What these cruel men didn’t realize was that they were destroying the temple and He would indeed raise it up in three days!
In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself.”
Oh how the Lord Jesus would have loved to save them. And He was dying in order to be able to save others. Myriads of angels were at His command, but nothing could deter Him from His purpose to provide means of salvation for a world (yes, you and me) at enmity with God.
“Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe!”
If He would have come down from the cross, that would have been reason to not believe in Him. It would have been contrary to the Scriptures that most accurately and graphically foretold His sufferings and death. “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29).
Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting Him.
He was numbered with the transgressors. His friends forsook Him. His enemies insulted Him. Even those who were enduring physical sufferings like His would not sympathize with Him. Finally, even His God forsook Him (but in no way insulted Him).
Behold, what manner of Love, that He would stoop down so low to bring His enemies into the fold of God’s family — and so near to His heart. Respond to His love today.
I was impressed by these two verses this morning. In Mark chapter 4, the disciples are afraid. They feel the storm is about to send them to the bottom of the sea, but with a word the Master calms their fears as He calms the storm. They marvel at His greatness while He gently rebukes their lack of faith.
Psalm 46 begins with
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.”
Take time today to pause and ponder the greatness of your personal God. He is the Creator of the heavens and earth, the author of eternal salvation; the One who brings light to darkened hearts and life to distressed souls. He is in total control of your situation, and He is attentive to the cry of His people.
“The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah” (Psalm 46:11).
God’s love is as timeless as His character.
The Son spoke to His Father and said, “Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world.” John 17:24
Believers in the Lord Jesus have been brought into that love relationship with the Father. “…for the Father Himself loves you” John 16:27 ESV.
“He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love…” Eph. 1:4 .
“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” 1 John 4:10.
“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jer. 31:3
“Love never ends.” 1 Cor. 13:8 ESV
“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word” 2 Thes. 2:16-17.
God so loved (John 3:16). “If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another” (1 John 4:11).
“Oh, that I were made judge in the land…” (2 Samuel 15:4).
So said the proud Absalom, he who stole the hearts of the people of Israel by his deception and feigned love. So said Satan in the Lord’s day, as the people cried out “Away with Him” (John 19:15). So says Satan today as he tries to incite rebellion and destroy God’s order, while making himself king instead of the Lord Jesus Christ.
It was a sad day in the life of David. Ahithophel his trusted counselor left him to side with Absalom, his son that had turned against him. Realizing that the hearts of the people were no longer with him, he chose to hastily leave Jerusalem. Yet in his rejection, David still had those who were loyal to him, and they proved their loyalty in these difficult circumstances. One of these men was Ittai. His speech to David when he was invited to leave is precious (2 Samuel 15:21) :
“As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.”
Ittai was ready to die with David. He was totally committed to his king, and nothing could change that.
Another of David’s faithful remnant was Hushai, “David’s friend” (2 Samuel 15:37). Hushai was willing to live in the place of David’s rejection, in Absalom’s domain, and in so doing be a help to David.
Thirdly, there was Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was the lame man David showed kindness to for Jonathon’s sake, when he rightfully could have been killed. Misrepresented and misunderstood, he remembered his unworthiness, and faithfully longed for the king’s return until he saw him again (2 Samuel 19:24-28).
What a parallel there is in this to the life of the Lord Jesus! Judas, one of the 12 disciples, betrayed him and sided with the adversary, Satan, who wanted him to be crucified. Yet even in His rejection, the Lord had a faithful remnant who willingly stood for Him in his rejection. I like to compare Ittai with Peter, who proclaimed his allegiance to the Lord saying,
“If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise” (Mark 14:31).
Though he did not know his own weakness and denied the Lord, his heart was right, and he eventually did die for his Lord (John 21:19).
Then there was John, “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” who went in to the judgment hall and sided with Jesus, like Hushai David’s friend.
As for Mephibosheth, I am reminded of the Lord’s people down through the centuries, unworthy recipients of His grace, who are anxiously waiting for His return.
So David crossed the Kidron brook and sent the ark of God back to Jerusalem. In like manner, the Lord Jesus crossed the brook (John 18:1) and sent the Spirit to be in the world in His absence (John 16:7).
David continued to the Mount of Olives, where he wept, and worshiped (2 Samuel 15:30,32). The Lord wept there as well (Luke 19:41, Hebrews 5:7), and worshiped (Luke 22:42).
Ahithophel hanged himself when his counsel was not followed, and so did Judas when his pleas were not granted.
David was victorious over the enemy who was hung in a tree by his pride, and the Lord Jesus was victorious at the cross, having destroyed the one who had the power of death with the adversary’s own weapon, death (Hebrews 2:14).
With the enemy defeated, the people finally bring their king back again (2 Samuel 19:10) and David returns to Jerusalem. There is coming a day when our Lord from heaven will respond to the distress of His people and will return to the Mount of Olives from which He left, bringing peace and righteousness to earth again (Zechariah 14:4).
David rewarded Ittai with a place as captain in his army (2 Samuel 18:2). The Lord said to His own when He was here, “Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom…” (Luke 22:28-29). Those who are faithful to Him now will be rewarded in His future kingdom. (Compare also 2 Tim. 4:8, Rev. 2:10).
The Lord’s desire while He was here was that His own might “be with me where I am.” That will be realized in a coming day, for Paul says, “so shall we ever be with the Lord” (2 Thes. 4:17). What a blessed future there is for the child of God!
You can meditate on this stirring story yourself in 2 Samuel 15-19.
Are you interested in furthering this meditation? Compare the words of Ittai with the words of Rebekah and Ruth (Gen. 24:58, Ruth 1:15-17).
“Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad” (Psalm 14:7). He has come, and He will come again.
Let us have courage to follow our rejected Lord until He returns to take us to be with Himself in glory.