Tag Archives: gospel

Day 262: Our eternal home

Ezra 5-6; Haggai 1-2; 2 Corinthians 5

The book of Haggai serves as a rich commentary to these chapters in Ezra. Haggai (along with Zechariah – which we’ll read through in December) was the local prophet who encouraged the people to restart building the temple. Evidently, all the earlier opposition pushed the people into complacency. They were content to live in their own houses while the house of the Lord lay in ruins. God had something to say about this!

He had sent drought and hail in the hopes that the people would turn to him for help, but they continued in their self-sufficiency. In spite of this, God was merciful and intervened through the prophet Haggai.

There are so many rich layers woven throughout these passages.

First, we see that the Jews’ responded to Haggai’s message in obedience – so that the temple was completed! The temple represented God’s continued presence with his people and his faithfulness to keep his promises.

But glaringly obvious to everyone was the fact that the temple did not compare to Solomon’s former temple. God addressed this in Haggai:

Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes? Yet now be strong, [and] work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts, according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not (Haggai 2:3-5).

God asserted that the temple’s outward grandeur was of secondary importance to His presence. This second temple served as a stepping stone to the day when the temple would no longer be a physical building – but rather God would manifest His presence within His people.

Paul touches on these themes in today’s reading from 2 Corinthians. He teaches that we are not at “home” in our physical bodies – rather we long for “a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Cor. 5:1). Paul says that while we are on earth, we “groan” for our heavenly tent – for “mortality to be swallowed up by life” (2 Cor. 5:4).

So, in many ways, this second temple’s lack of grandeur is a physical picture of our life on earth. We long for more… We long for our eternal home.

Lastly, we see a hint of the fulfillment of all God’s promises in the last verse of Haggai. The hint isn’t obvious, but it’s there!

On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the Lord, and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the Lord of hosts (Haggai 2:23).

Zerubbabel was the current governor of Judah, but he was also a descendant of the last king of Judah, Jehoiachin (1 Chron. 3:16–19, where Jehoiachin is called Jeconiah). And if Zerubbabel was descended from the last king of Judah, that meant he was also descended from King David. And who was prophesied to come from the line of David to establish his Kingdom on earth? Yes. Jesus.

“On that day” (Haggai 2:23), looks forward to the end of the age, when the temple is replaced by the Lord himself!

…for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb … and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it (Rev. 21:22, 24).

Yes, one day, this man, who knew no sin – but became sin, so that we might become His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21)…this man will take his place as the final temple. And then, and only then, will we be home.

The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts (Haggai 2:9).

Day 249: The transcendent gospel

Isaiah 51:9 – 53:12; 1 Corinthians 10

All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6).

Paul details the Israelites idolatrous history in today’s reading from 1 Corinthians as a warning to the church… “let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (10:12).

We, too, should heed Israel’s history, for hidden in her history is the love of Jesus Christ for the sinner.

Consider the flow of today’s passages from Isaiah.

Isaiah 51 is written to the Babylonian exiles. Why were they exiles? God’s chosen people were being punished for the gross sin of breaking God’s Law, especially for the sin of idolatry.

But.

God gave his afflicted people good news. He exhorted them to no longer fear men – because He would rescue them from their oppressors! And God, in Isaiah 52, promised that His people would return to Jerusalem in peace for the sake of His name!

The exiles experienced the gospel. They experienced salvation based on grace, alone!!

And then we come to the final servant song…the familiar words of Isaiah 53. Here we learn how forgiveness is made possible…how grace is made available to us all…Forgiveness and Grace are available because of The Servant…

He was pierced. He was afflicted. He was silent before his accusers. He was the sacrificial lamb, led to slaughter.

But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.

Here is the gospel – written by Isaiah 700 years before Jesus came in the flesh!

This gospel must be the agent for change in our lives…for we are also called to walk in the way of “the servant.”

This is the message Paul has been preaching to the Corinthian church over the last few chapters of 1 Corinthians…

He teaches that as members of Christ’s body, every decision and action we make should be influenced by affecting good to others (10:24) and bringing glory to God (10:31). We are called to lay aside our self-interests. We are called to become like The Servant.

Day 248: Victory through submission

Isaiah 49:1 – 51:8; 1 Corinthians 9

For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them (1 Corinthians 9:19).

Paul speaks of relating to people as their servant… from a position of humility. He was intentional about this. He made an effort to relate to people on their own terms – not from a position of superiority or piety (9:19-22).

I believe this was the Spirit’s work in Paul’s life – shaping him to be more like Christ. For Christ came into the world so that He could identify with the world. He came to save, not to judge. He came in humility, and associated with “sinners.” He came as a servant.

Which brings me to Isaiah. Isaiah’s “servant” was a mysterious figure. Jewish scholars of Jesus’ day (for the most part) had not connected the “servant” with the Messiah. It seems so obvious to us that the Servant in Isaiah has to be the Messiah. But the concept of a great conquering Messiah also being the “servant” was a new paradigm and a concept that even Jesus’ disciples didn’t fully grasp until after Jesus’ ascension.

But fortunately, we have the hindsight to see. We read two of the four Servant Songs (42:1-9; 49:1-13; 50:4-9 & 52:13-53:12) in today’s reading. The voice in these “songs” is the Messiah himself. He was the one to rescue the remnant from the hands of captivity and restore his people in the land! And he is the one who rescues our souls from the clutches of death – and restores us to new life!

It is too light a thing that you should be my servant
to raise up the tribes of Jacob
and to bring back the preserved of Israel;
I will make you as a light for the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth (Isaiah 49:6).

But consider the way in which the Servant saves… It is not through power and strength – but through righteous suffering. This was a new paradigm…

The Lord God has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious;
I turned not backward.
I gave my back to those who strike,
and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard;
I hid not my face
from disgrace and spitting (Isaiah 50:5-6).

Who would have thought that victory could be won through submitting to the strong? This is the way of the Kingdom. This is the way of our God!!

Behold, the Lord God helps me;
who will declare me guilty?
Behold, all of [my adversaries] will wear out like a garment;
the moth will eat them up. -The Servant, Isaiah 50:9

Day 247: Our story is a Gospel Story

Isaiah 46-48

These chapters in Isaiah are just the gospel wrapped in exemplary language. Isaiah esteems the exclusive power of God and mocks the idols of Babylon. Listen to the opening verses…

Bel bows down; Nebo stoops;
their idols are on beasts and livestock;
these things you carry are borne
as burdens on weary beasts.
They stoop; they bow down together;
they cannot save the burden,
but themselves go into captivity.

“Listen to me, O house of Jacob,
all the remnant of the house of Israel,
who have been borne by me from before your birth,
carried from the womb;
even to your old age I am he,
and to gray hairs I will carry you.
I have made, and I will bear;
I will carry and will save (Isaiah 46:1-4).

God doesn’t need the faith of his people to carry out his purposes. He will keep his Covenant promises for his name sake, in spite of the people’s stubborn hearts…

Listen to me, you stubborn of heart,
you who are far from righteousness:
I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off,
and my salvation will not delay;
I will put salvation in Zion,
for Israel my glory (Isaiah 46:12-13).

For Babylon and all those who trust in the salvation of idols will be handed over to destruction…

You felt secure in your wickedness,
you said, “No one sees me”;
your wisdom and your knowledge led you astray,
and you said in your heart,
“I am, and there is no one besides me.”
But evil shall come upon you,
which you will not know how to charm away;
disaster shall fall upon you,
for which you will not be able to atone;
and ruin shall come upon you suddenly,
of which you know nothing (Isaiah 47:10-11).

But hear the good news which rings out to all who have sinned and fallen short of faithfulness and righteousness…

For I knew that you would surely deal treacherously,
and that from before birth you were called a rebel.
For my name’s sake I defer my anger,
for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you,
that I may not cut you off.
Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;
I have tried you in the furnace of affliction (Isaiah 48:8-10).

But he has sent someone to rescue us! One greater than the powerful Cyrus. He has sent someone to deliver us both from the hands of this world and from the stubbornness of our own hearts! He has sent his servant!

And now the Lord God has sent me, and his Spirit (Isaiah 48:16).

He comes in the power of the Spirit to rescue us from the darkness in our souls. This is the will of our Lord. He leads us in the way we should go!

Go out from Babylon, flee from Chaldea,
declare this with a shout of joy, proclaim it,
send it out to the end of the earth;
say, “The Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob!” (Isaiah 48:20).

Do you see the beauty of the gospel wrapped in the history of Israel? It is our story, our salvation story. He is our God, the Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel!

Day 242: The Lofty and Mundane

Isaiah 33-35; 1 Corinthians 6

I would not have chosen to pair the soaring beauty of Isaiah with the practical how-to’s of 1 Corinthians. But, as I think further, I’m thankful for the reminder that the beautiful, sweeping truths of Isaiah can be applied to our nitty-gritty daily grind.

In typical ‘Isaiah’ fashion, he skips around in time – first declaring that God would save Jerusalem from the impending Assyrian threat (chapter 33) and then fast-forwarding in time to the end of the age – when the nations would be judged (chapter 34) and his people would be saved (chapter 35).

Meanwhile, Paul is talking about court cases and sexual purity. Great. But at the heart of the sins of the Corinthian church was a shallow understanding of the gospel. Both Isaiah and Paul commended their readers to delve into the depths of God’s character found in the beauty of the gospel.

Say to those who have an anxious heart,
“Be strong; fear not!
Behold, your God
will come with vengeance,
with the recompense of God.
He will come and save you (Isaiah 35:4).

Isaiah points forward to the sure promise of God’s salvation. Hope in God is the key to persevering faith.

Paul encourages the Corinthians to look past the physical world and acknowledge the forever spiritual realm. In doing so, he challenges them to apply the truths of the gospel to their everyday lives.

He argues that our present-day actions will have an eternal impact. The deeds done in the body affect us forever spiritually because even our bodies are “members of Christ.”

How are we united with Christ? How is it that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit? Because of our faith in the gospel… that Jesus’ sacrifice has reconciled us to God. Our faith seals us with the promised Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14). We are his.

You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Isaiah reminds us of the beauty of the salvation of God. It comes as “waters break forth in the wilderness” (35:6) and causes “sorrow and sighing [to] flee away” (35:10). But Paul makes the gospel practical – and challenges us to make these beautiful truths affect our moment-by-moment choices.

Remember. You were bought with a price. The love of Christ should compel us to obey.

Day 236: Blessings of the gospel

Isaiah 19-21; Romans 16

Judgment comes before blessing. This was true for Israel. And this was true for the nations. We see this trend exemplified in Isaiah 19… First Egypt is judged (19:1-15) – and then they are blessed (19:16-25). The end of Isaiah 19 describes a day when both Egypt and Assyria would worship the Lord. These two nations represented Israel’s greatest enemies – both past and present. God would not only save Israel from their enemies – but gather them together to be allies in worship of the Lord! What a beautiful picture of grace and restoration…

The idea of judgment coming before blessing is not unique to the Old Testament, but spills over into the good news of the New Testament.  Jesus received our judgment so that we could receive His blessing! Paul has just spent 16 chapters in his letter to the Romans detailing every good gift we receive because of the death and resurrection of Christ! After reading through Romans, we should be deeply grateful for the gospel and all of its implications in our lives!

The well-known author and pastor, John Piper, spent over 8 years preaching through Romans! In his last sermon on Romans, he prayed the entire sermon. Imagine that! He looked at the congregation – with eyes wide open – praying to Jesus the whole time. He was so thankful for the whole of the gospel that He took an entire sermon to thank Jesus for the work he had accomplished on the cross.

In this final sermon, he listed the benefits of the gospel that are taught in the book of Romans. This list is astounding! But remember, He is praying…

  • We embrace the truth that we have died to sin and to the law and now belong to you alone, alive from the dead forever (Romans 6:2-5; 7:4-6).
  • We embrace afresh the forgiveness of our sins (Romans 4:6-7).
  • We embrace the reality that our condemnation is past (Romans 8:1).
  • We exult in the truth that our justifying righteousness is unshakable, because it is performed by you, not by us (Romans 5:17-19; 4:4-9).
  • We affirm with joy that you indwell us by your Spirit and are with us forever (Romans 8:10).
  • We embrace the truth that you unite us to each other in loving harmony (Romans 15:5; 12:16).
  • We hold fast the promise that we are being conformed to your image, and that your death and resurrection guarantees that this will be completed (Romans 8:28-30).
  • We receive the gift that you enable us to do significant work for the advance of your kingdom (Romans 15:18).
  • We glory in the truth that we are fellow heirs with you of all that God owns and all that God is (Romans 8:17; 4:13).
  • And we take heart that nothing can separate us from your invincible love or from the love of God the Father because of your work on our behalf (Romans 8:32-39).
  • And rooted in all of this, we receive afresh the promise of your everlasting joy. In Paul’s words, spoken to us on your behalf, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13).

By John Piper. ©2013 Desiring God Foundation. Website: desiringGod.org

John Piper prayed his sermon because he was overwhelmed by the love demonstrated for us in the gospel. We must take these gifts and treasure them. We must meditate upon them and let them sink into our soul so that they define our very selves. They must shape our decisions and the way we interpret world events. These are the truths of the gospel. These are our life.

Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith – to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. (Romans 16:25-27)

Day 230: God’s Redemptive History

Isaiah 1-3; Romans 11:25-36

We begin Isaiah today, and what a glorious book it is!! The whole gospel is beautifully woven throughout the book…

It is important when reading Isaiah to remember that future events can be compared to a mountains in a horizon. It’s impossible to tell the distance between the mountains in the horizon. So as Isaiah describes future events, sometimes he is referring to the close mountains – or relatively short future events – such as the Babylonian exile. And other times he is referring to mountains farther in the distance – such as the coming of the Messiah – and oftentimes, he groups mountain ranges together! So his prophesies can have multiple layers and meanings.

His style is very poetic, and the language is beautiful, but ultimately, Isaiah leads us to Christ.

It is fitting that we are beginning Isaiah right alongside the last half of Romans 11, because these verses in Romans can only be understood in the context of all of history. Remember, Paul is trying to prove that God has not rejected his people. Yesterday, Paul argued that God had saved a remnant, but in the last half of the chapter, Paul looks forward to the day when the fullness of Israel will be saved!

Paul summarizes both past and future “history” in verses 11:30-32…

  1. vs. 30a: “For just as you were at one time disobedient to God…” Paul is speaking to the Gentiles, and for most of ancient history, God allowed the nations to walk in their own way while He focused on Israel.
  2. vs. 30b-31a: “but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient…” Most of the Jews stumbled over Christ and rejected the gospel – whereas the gospel multiplied among the Gentiles. We are still living in this part of history – where a large number of Gentiles have received and are continuing to receive God’s mercy, alongside a small remnant of Jews.
  3. vs. 31b: “in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may receive mercy.” Paul is teaching that at some point in history, the Jews will receive mercy – just as the Gentiles have – and great numbers of Jews will be saved!

Paul’s last two points coincide with Isaiah’s message of hope for Israel’s future…

It shall come to pass in the latter days
that the mountain of the house of the Lord
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and shall be lifted up above the hills;
and all the nations shall flow to it,
and many peoples shall come, and say:
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go the law,
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2-3).

Do you see how Isaiah describes blessing for the nations because the word of the Lord has gone out from Jerusalem? This is both a description of our current age and the age to come…Isn’t it amazing how we are seeing the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophesies made thousands of years ago??!!!

But we must return to Paul’s teaching in Romans… He concludes 11 chapters of systematic gospel theology by summarizing the WHOLE of history in this one statement… “For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all” (11:32).

Do you see the depth of grace in this statement? He has planned – from before the creation of the world – for all to receive mercy – both Jew and Gentile!

As we consider God’s great plan of salvation, which originated before the world was created and continues until the end of the age, we echo Paul’s doxology!

“For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?”
“Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?” (Romans 11:34-35)

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen (11:36).

Day 229: Has God rejected His people?

Psalm 106, 123, 137; Romans 11:1-24

Today’s Psalms must be read in the context of history. They were spoken by a people in exile… A people who probably wondered the same question with which Paul opened Romans 11… “Has God rejected His people?”

We know from Psalm 106 that the exiles looked backward in time to gain the answer to this question. As they contrasted Israel’s consistent rebellion with God’s steadfast love and faithfulness, they trusted that God had not rejected them, but rather, planned to restore them!

Paul also looked back through history to prove that God had NOT rejected his people, but, had preserved a remnant of faithful Jews who trusted in Jesus as their Messiah (11:5). But God has now opened the door of the Kingdom to the nations, so that we, Gentiles, have been given a great mercy from God!  We have been grafted into the family of Abraham and enjoy the same covenant promises given to the Patriarchs of the faith!

But Paul warns us that we must not become arrogant (11:18). There is no room for antisemitism among Christians. For if the “natural” branches (Jews) could be cut-off from the root – how much more could the “unnatural” branches (Gentiles) be cut-off (11:21)! Paul exhorts us to persevere in the faith by looking at both the kindness and judgment of God (11:22).

Paul is not teaching that we can lose our salvation. But he is encouraging us to continue in the faith – by running toward God’s kindness and away from his severity.

So consider the context of history if you are ever tempted to believe that God has rejected you. We, as objects of God’s mercy, must look backward to the saving work of Christ – and forward to the fulfillment of all of God’s Redemptive History – where the full number of Israel and the Nations will stand together in the enduring fellowship of the glory of our King!

Day 227: Predestination

Psalm 79, 80, 85; Romans 9

Warning… If you have difficulty with the doctrine of predestination, you might want to skip Romans 9!

Paul makes a pretty convincing case for predestination. Paul argues that human will has no influence over salvation, only God’s mercy. Paul even goes so far to give examples of God hardening hearts so that they can’t be saved. This is a difficult teaching, but Paul is clear.

After Paul presents his position, he even acknowledges the problem that many struggle with… ““Why does [God] still find fault? For who can resist his will?” (9:19).

Interestingly, Paul offers no explanation for this “problem.” This is his answer:

But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? (Romans 9:20).

To paraphrase Paul, “God can do what he wants, so get over it.” Here is a summary of Paul’s teaching:

  • We are responsible for our sin, and if we die apart from Christ, it is our own fault for disbelieving, and we will suffer eternal torment (Rom 1:20).
  • God has chosen “before the creation of the world” (Eph 1:4) whom He will save. He chose his children before anyone was even born, so it is illogical to think we can do anything to earn salvation (9:11). It is based on God’s mercy alone, and His children will reap an eternity of bliss which they do not deserve (9:16).

This teaching is a stumbling block to many, but personally, I love it! Not being able to explain predestination in human terms makes me wonder at the transcendence of God. And knowing that I have done absolutely nothing to earn my salvation assures me that I can do absolutely nothing to lose it. If I know that God saved me by His mercy, then I can trust that He will keep me by His mercy. I’m free from the burden of performance. I can rest.

Salvation has always come through faith that is revealed in a humble seeking of God… not through the prideful assumption that one could earn righteousness by observing the law perfectly (9:32). The Psalms in today’s readings are examples of turning back to God from a place of brokenness. They show the humble faith of a sinful people…This is what God desires!

Rest in the mercy of God. Trust in his goodness that is revealed in the saving work of Christ!

The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love (Psalm 145:8).

Day 226: A purpose for suffering

Psalm 44, 74 ; Romans 8:18-39

Even though the Chronicler quickly summarized the fall of Judah, we know from our readings in 2 Kings and Jeremiah the horror of the Babylonian invasion. The people endured great suffering during the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile.

For the next 4 days, we will devote our Old Testament readings to the Psalms of lament. Some alluded to the destruction of Jerusalem and some did not – but all of them looked to God for rescue in the midst of great suffering.

But you have rejected us and disgraced us
and have not gone out with our armies.
You have made us turn back from the foe,
and those who hate us have gotten spoil.
You have made us like sheep for slaughter
and have scattered us among the nations (Psalm 44:9-11).

Many times during suffering we feel as if God has rejected us – as if he has abandoned us. But Romans 8 paints a different picture. Paul reminds us that our present-day suffering is nothing compared to the glory that will one day be ours in Christ. And that our sufferings help us to identify more intimately with Jesus.

It is in this context that Paul gives a most comforting promise…

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

The “good” that Paul is speaking of is not prosperity in the world’s eyes, but rather, “to be conformed into the image of his Son” (8:29).

So when we are in the midst of suffering, we must not think that God has abandoned us. But we can choose to find hope in the fact that there is purpose for our pain – to mold us more into the likeness of Jesus! And the glory of heaven that awaits us will make our sufferings seem trite in the end!

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:37-39).