Forever Un-Pluckable!

"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" (Jn 6:37).

Though men try to impose their own limitations upon this verse of Scripture, God is not shaken. When carnal men seek every one's destruction but their own, God is stronger still - His Word simply cannot fail - it will never return to Him void. Him that comes to Jesus will IN NO WISE be cast out! Him that flees for refuge will find just that - a safe place, a shelter from the storm of wrath: hidden away in the blood-spilt side of Jesus.

Reader, no limit is set to the duration of this promise. It does not merely say, I will not cast out a sinner at his first coming, but, I will in no wise cast out. The original reads, "I will not, not cast out", or "I will never, never cast out". This phrase "in no wise" is a double negative, thus strengthening the denial. The text means, that King Jesus will not at first reject a believer; and that as He will not do it at first, so he will not to the last.

But suppose the believer sins after coming? "If any man sin we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 Jn 1:21). But suppose that believers backslide? "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him" (Hos 14:4). But believers may fall under temptation! "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1 Cor 10:13). But the believer may fall into gross sin as David did! Yes, but he will Purge them with hyssop, and they shall be clean; he will wash them and they shall be whiter than snow; From all their iniquities will I cleanse them (Ps 51:7).

As another has said: "Once in Christ, in Christ for ever... Nothing from his love can sever".

Jesus said, "I give unto my sheep eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand" (Jn 10:28). What can our trembling feeble minds say to this? Is not this a precious mercy, that in coming to Jesus, we don't come to One who will treat us well only for a little while, and then send us about our business. Rather, He will receive us and fashion us into His own, and we will be His for ever! What a contrast! Friends, let's receive no longer the spirit of bondage again to fear, but the spirit of adoption whereby thou shalt cry, Abba, Father!

Oh the grace of these great words! I will in no wise cast out.

That Your Joy May Be FULL!

"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full" (Jn 15:10-11).

Wow, what a promise! One version puts it this way: "These things have I spoken unto you, so that My joy may be yours" (TCNT).

The word "joy" means "cheerfulness; gladness; calm delight". It's from a root word that means "to rejoice exceedingly". I'm sure we could all use that kind of joy! But how?

Jesus tells us how.. "These things have I spoken unto you, [in order] that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full".

"These things" refer to Jesus' preceding words, in the verse before: "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love" (Jn 15:10). Therefore, "these things" refer to the maintaining of intimate communication and fellowship with Jesus, and the state of man's heart in which this communion is to be realized. When such fellowship with Jesus disappears, so does our joy! God has designed it this way - we are utterly dependent upon Him for any real fruitfulness in this life.

King David is a perfect example of this truth. He sinned terribly with Bathsheba, and his joy was terminated. It wasn't until fellowship was restored that his joy too returned: "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit" (Ps 51:12).

Peter too displayed this reality. His sin splintered the spiritual communion he had once possessed, and consequently his joy too was halted: "Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly" (Lk 22:61-62).

How extraordinary that the ONLY thing dictating our joy in life is our attachment to the Lord Jesus! No worldly snare, turmoil, struggle or heartache has to steal the joy we receive from God's precious countenance! We often allow our joy to be taken, but God has designed us to be joyful even in trial and pain.

But how can this be? How can it be that a Christian's true misery is realized only when fellowship is halted? It's because the grounds of Christian joy isn't in the Christian, but in the Christ: "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice" (Phil 4:4; 3:1). He, not us, is the source of "full" joy. He, not us, is the fountain of all pleasure (Isa 61:10). The measure in which we enter into His joy is determined by our perpetual communion with Him - the turning of His countenance toward us: "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full" (1 Jn 1:3-4). This is how our joy can be steady and secure, as opposed to occasional and momentary. This is how Paul and Silas could joyfully rejoice in prison: "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God..." (Acts 16:25).

Can we be joyful at the crescendo of torment? True fellowship with the Holy Spirit will always enable us. Intimate communion with the Lover of your soul will always rejoice over your circumstances, no matter how bleak! Even prison walls couldn't halt Paul's precious relation. Can that be said of us?

Perhaps if believers would seek a conscious fellowship with King Jesus and His bright-shining countenance, then depression and heartache wouldn't be at an all-time high, as it is now.

Friends, may we earnestly seek the grace to heed the things He has "spoken unto us", that our joy may be FULL!

The Creed of Contentment!

As I read the New Testament, it is clear to me that Paul sought to be a special kind of Christian. He was never content! Even with his vast array of knowledge for the things of God, he yet was never satisfied! Who can fathom such a heart? Even when he far out-shined his peers in the faith (Heb 5:11; 2 Pet 3:16), he kept pressing forward, seeking MORE fruit! He wanted it ALL: "That ye might be filled with all the fulness of God" (Eph 3:19).

But, why should a Christian “settle down” as soon as he has come to know the Lord? Why should we ever be content? We should not. Paul's desire shouldn't have been so "special"; it was only "special" because there were so few who possessed it!

As another has well said, "Many Christians stop dead in their tracks, and shrug off any suggestion that there is still spiritual advance and progress beckoning them on. Why is this? It's because of a faulty New Testament understanding!"

To be honest, Jesus gave us the choice. We can be content with salvation, or we can bear Him fruit. He lays it out for us clearly in John 15. Observe..

"Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you" (vs. 3)...

... "I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing" (vs. 5).

Do we see what's happening here? Jesus is giving us a choice: We can either be content with being judicially "clean" and justified, or we can press further and bear Him fruit. We can be content with our personal "fix", or we can become disciples, bear fruit, and glorify God (Jn 15:8). "He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great. The LORD shall increase you more and more..." (Ps 115:13-14).

So many are satisfied with a judicial freedom from eternal judgment, when God's best is continual progression! Why be content with the brazen altar when Jesus has provided a way into the Most Holy Place? "Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec" (Heb 6:20). He is "the firstborn of every creature" (Col 1:15, 18), thus signifying that there are to be followers through the veil! Will you be content? Or will you enter in? "Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief" (Heb 4:6). I believe that such a passive teaching is as deadly as cyanide to the individual Christian life. It kills all hope of spiritual advance and causes many believers to adopt this creed of contentment.

Are we emulating the Apostle Paul’s desire to become a special kind of Christian?

The LIFE..

Part 3 of 3

Finally, Jesus said "I am... the life". He is the Emancipator from death, hell and the grave! He is the tender Branch, the divine Sprout, springing forth and breaking through the clods of wickedness, shattering the generations of iniquity! He is the only Author of real life, life to the fullest, heavenly life on earth. He is the life that animates all those who seek and serve him. In one place He's called "the Prince of life" (Acts 3:15).

The mere natural man has no spiritual reality. In fact, spiritual things are a mockery to him: "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor 2:14). Self is the center and circumference of his existence; he is dead to heavenly things, and void of love for the things of God. Thankfully, Jesus has come to change all that! "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (Jn 10:10).

Without the Lord Jesus, men are utterly dead in trespasses and sins. But with Him, we receive the care of the great Physician! "In him was life; and the life was the light of men" (Jn 1:4). But He isn't just a physician who has come to merely invigorate the old nature, try to refine it's awful processes, or attempt to repair it's many defects.. Rather, He's come to fully envelop us with Himself, that is, the very life of God! He's come to translate us into His superior kingdom! He is the Life, both in grace and glory; the life that not only saves from death, but destroys it too! He said, "because I live, ye shall live also" (Jn 14:19). He's come to literally make alive those who receive Him: "For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will" (Jn 5:21). He's a "quickening Spirit", ready and willing to impart the life of God (1 Cor 15:45)! He wants to become your life (Col 3:4).

As was so with the prodigal son (Lk 15:24), the one who clings to Christ Jesus has passed out of death into life (Jn 5:24). "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life" (Jn 3:36).

Reader, let's turn to Him alone who is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE!

The TRUTH..

Part 2 of 3

Jesus also said, "I am... the truth". He is the full and final revelation of God. Is He written upon your heart? Any and all testimony of the genuine Christian life is to be revolving around this precious Man: "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son..." (Heb 1:1-2). Far too many of us are striving to have "truth" aside from a radical devotion to Him who is TRUTH. The more we know Jesus, the better acquainted we become with truth.. "For IN HIM dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (Col 2:9)

Man has devised millions of systems to lead us to truth (Eccl 7:29), but all have failed miserably. "There is none that understandeth" (Rom 3:11). Pilate voiced this constant corporate perplexity when he asked, "what is truth?" (Jn 18:39). Though real truth may be perpetually void, we can indeed be free from the fruit of Adam's error; we can possess "truth in the inward parts" (Ps 51:6). Though our understanding has once been darkened (Eph 4:18), light can spring forth and overcome our blindness.. all we must do is cling to TRUTH, and Jesus is TRUTH personified! Truth is never to be found in a mere philosophical system, but in a Person - Jesus is TRUTH - He both utterly reveals God and utterly exposes man! In Him alone are hid "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col 2:3). What a disaster to ignore Him!

Friends, what will it help us in eternity to have mastered all the truths of men? The sciences of our world, the innumerable events of history, or the politics of our day will but melt in insignificance when compared to the TRUTH that is eternal. These former things are passing and insignificant truths.. Jesus will be the only Truth that really remains! Shouldn't we spend our energies becoming acquainted with Him? His TRUTH alone will bring us to honor: "...with all thy getting get understanding... she shall bring thee to honour" (Prov 4:7-8). With all our learning, let's bow before Him who is the TRUTH!

To be continued...

The WAY..

Part 1 of 3

I have some post-it notes with this phrase on them: "The Way, the Truth, and the Life". I use them for grocery lists, phone numbers, to-do lists, etc. We see it on billboards, t-shirts, and bumper stickers too. We're literally innondated with the Words of God! But what do they really mean? Too often we get caught up in "Christian catch-phrases" and never stop to ponder the actual meat of God's Word. What does this Scripture mean to us?

Jesus said, "I am the way..." (Jn 14:6). He is the only Being able to span the gross distance between God and the sinner; He is the only One willing and able to take the Cain ("wanderer") out of us: "They are all gone out of the way..." (Rom 3:12). He is not a mere guide whose come to show us the path to God, rather, He is the Way itself: "All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him" (Matt 11:27).

Jesus is our access (Rom 5:2; Eph 2:18), our avenue, our only "WAY into the holiest" (Heb 9:8).. we're to only come unto God "by Him" (Heb 7:25). The rending of His precious flesh is our "new and living WAY" (Heb 10:19-22).

Knowing mankind, we would surely strive to make our own ladder, pray our way to God, or reform our way to real intimacy - but this is utterly impossible aside from King Jesus: "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Prov 14:12). It is only a devil who would keep mankind working his way to God, weary from his self-imposed journey. But Jesus is the blood-stained mercy-seat personified - the only proper avenue by which the Father can come and commune with His creation. What mankind could never do, Jesus has done by his perfect condescension.. He is the Way, the way to the Father, the way to eternal blessedness! It's only by Him we're to "believe in God" (1 Pet 1:21). Aren't you grateful He's your friend?

To be continued...

Peculiar Love? Part 2

We've just seen the unique relationship that John had with the Lord: John was one of the most honored of all human beings, in that he was afforded the privilege of intimately leaning his head upon Jesus. He dared intimacy that no other had. But what effect did this unique relationship have upon John? And how does it relate to us, as we seek to be like-wise intimate with the Lord Jesus? In short, such a special love brings men special privileges:

- He was nearest to the place where Jesus occupied. Don't you want to be close to King Jesus? "For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness" (Ps 84:10). Beloved, the choice is always our own: "But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her" (Lk 10:42). The dearest must be the nearest. No doubt John's friends were jealous of this intimacy, but for whatever reason, John alone was found reclining upon the heart of God: Jesus' heartbeat was John's very resting place! What a magnificent thought! When men are running to and fro trying to escape the turmoil of life, John gives us such a wonderful picture of where real rest can be found! Why shouldn't we run to the Lover of our souls?

- John was Jesus' choicest companion; His dearest earthly friend.. Oh to be called the friend of God! What an honor to be considered a friend by the Author of real friendship! Reader, this is the fruit of John's peculiar, even outrageous love... not only was he perpetually in Jesus' presence, but he was considered His companion, His brother, His affectionate friend, even His bondservant ("doulos" - Rev 1:1)! Another definition for this word, is "one who is devoted to another to the disregard of his own interests". This title is not given flippantly in Scripture; It's only given to those who really fit the bill.. To be a bondservant (as Paul was also called) is the highest form and fashion of adoration and devotion (Phil 3:14)! Such peculiar devotion is characteristic of the bride of Christ.

- He was left with the care of Jesus' mother (typical of the church at large).. "Then Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home" (Jn 19:26-27). Friends, this is a clear picture of the manifestation of the sons of God. A passion and peculiar love for Jesus will be the motivation to minister to a dead and dying body.. these sons will act as that "colt... whereupon never a man sat" - they will usher in the King of glory to a people who once wanted Him dead (Mk 11:1-11)! Out of the earth God is forming a son (Jn 1:12), a manchild (Rev 12:5 w/2:27), and his peculiar adoration of and attachment to King Jesus will act as a "hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land" (Isa 32:2). What an honor!

- And finally, John possessed special knowledge.. He alone received "the Revelation of Jesus Christ" (Rev 1:1). Those who are near to God's throne are the one's who can hear His heart's desire. And what is the fruit of being this close to the Lord? John had a specially opened ear! Those who are willing to be bondservants will always have an opened ear (Exod 21:2-6). Jesus' words are spirit and life, and sadly they mostly fell upon deaf ears and hardened hearts. John, however, was close to the source of Jesus' words! He was atop His very heart! Do we have this same testimony?

John had a peculiar attachment to Jesus (Jn 13:23). This afforded him a special knowledge (Rev 1:1), ministry (Jn 19:26-27), title (Rev 1:1 - "doulos"). and relation (Jn 21:20). But it also cost him greatly: "Patmos" means, "my killing" (Rev 1:9). His intense loving attachment, thoroughly opened ear, glorious ministry, and special relation were directly proportional to his utterly diffused and defeated self-will.. Beloved, are we willing to pay such a price? The real "friends" of God always will.

"For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure" (Ps 135:4).

Peculiar Love?

"Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved"(Jn 13:23).

Many readers will casually ponder this Scripture and miss the dense truth contained therein. What are we to reckon from such peculiar wording? Could it be so that the Lord Jesus, in His earthly ministry, actually played favorites? And if so, how does this translate to the spiritual relationship that you and I are charged to possess?

Well, did Jesus have favorites? Frankly, I believe so. I believe John was one of the most honored of all human beings, in that he was afforded the privilege of intimately leaning his head upon Jesus - a special place where no king or emperor might aspire to rise. Because of this great and loving liberty, a unique relationship was born. I believe the earthly disciples who paid Jesus special attention are simply a picture of His spiritual bride who will minister to Him for the ages! This bride will be a people within a people; a church within the church! Many famous Bible commentators also believed Jesus to love some disciples on a higher plane than others. You may be surprised.. Look what Spurgeon wrote concerning this:

"Some disciples are specially loved of their Lord.. there is an election in the midst of an election, and another within that. The wider circle contains the inner, and a still more select circlet forms the innermost ring of all. The Lord had a people around Him who were His disciples. Within them He had the twelve. Within the twelve He had three. Within the three He had one disciple whom He loved... Jesus loved all His own then, and He loves all His own now. There is infinite love in the heart of Jesus towards all His people; and if there be any degrees in that love, yet the lowest degree is inconceivably great. The very least member of the divine family may say, "He loved me, and gave Himself for me!" ...

Friends, how appropriate too that John counted this position as his highest honor! This was John's most notable title! He took it for his honor, and yet, there wasn't a grain of boasting in it, nor an approach to glorify in the flesh. Why? Because the bride of Christ will be composed of a strikingly humble people - one whose carnality has been utterly defeated: "Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?" (Song 8:5). She surely will be leaning, not upon her own efforts and accomplishments, but upon the peculiar love that has driven her to her sanctification!

Don't you want to love Jesus this way? I want such a radical adoration to overtake me!

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1 Pet 2:9).

To be continued...

After That Ye Believed..

"Christ, in whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise..." (Eph 1:13).

Such a simple verse of Scripture, and yet so full of impacting truth! How sad that many believers will overlook such things! It's only "AFTER that ye believed, ye were SEALED with the Holy Spirit of promise".. This of course references the Holy Ghost baptism as a second experience in the salvation process, completely separate and distinct from our initial justification. Nonetheless, countless Christians deny such a second experience, and consequently are missing out on quite a bit of what God is up to these days! Friends, we cannot go DEEP without the Holy Ghost: "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God" (1 Cor 2:9-10).

Oh the detriments of such a neglect!

Men refuse this truth because they assume you cannot be saved without the Holy Ghost baptism; they mistakenly conclude both events as always simultaneous. But what does the Bible say? Is it possible to be saved and "baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus", yet not to have received the Holy Ghost baptism? Yes! These are NOT necessarily simultaneous acts: "Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost" (Acts 8:14-17).

Scripture lays out a clear and unambiguous pattern, all we must do is allow it to direct our steps.. "And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied" (Acts 19:1-6). What was the baptism of John, we may ask? His baptism was water baptism; it was a baptism of repentance (Matt 3:2, 11; 21:32). At this baptism, the people were said to be "confessing their sins", and were fleeing "from the wrath to come" (Matt 3:6-7). This baptism, therefore, is significant of justification by faith (1 Jn 1:9; Acts 22:16). The Holy Ghost baptism, however, is is a second experience in the Christian life, and does not necessarily occur automatically: "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive..." (Jn 7:38-39).

The person of the Holy Ghost, of course, is required to draw men to Jesus and to apply His blood to our hearts (Jn 6:44), and this is why we casually assume our justification to include this baptism. It's because His power obviously facilitates the salvation process, and even places us in the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13). In fact, we are given a measure of the Holy Spirit when we are saved (Jn 20:22). However, this mustn't be confused with the "baptism" of the Holy Ghost, as men are so prone to do. This is entirely different (Jn 16:7; Acts 2:4; 38; 8:15). The word baptism means "immersion". It is very possible to be genuinely blood-bought, yet never immersed in God's Spirit. This "immersion" is a subsequent experience, occurring once a person has been justified, or "after that ye believed" (Eph 1:13).

We see this further by examining the feasts.. We know that the feasts of Israel are typical for us (spiritual Israel) in our walks with God (Col 2:16-17). Passover is described by the Apostle Paul as a type of our justification experience, that is, our freedom from Egypt (the bondage of sin and Satan). Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us (1 Cor 5:7). Interestingly, Old Testament Pentecost occurred exactly 50 days after Passover (Exod 12:18; Num 28:16; Lev 23:4-5). New Testament Pentecost also occurred exactly 50 days after Passover (Acts 1:3; 2:1); the disciples tarried in Jerusalem for 10 days, 40 days after Jesus' resurrection. When the day of Pentecost was "fully come", the Holy Spirit was out-poured on the believing and waiting Christians. If it was so naturally speaking, why do we expect it to be any different in the spiritual realm? These two events are separate and distinct, and oh what a detriment to neglect such a precious gift!

Still don't believe me? Well, ask God to baptize and immerse you in His great Comforter.. why settle for a drop when you can have a downpour? Why settle for a breath (Jn 20:22), when you can have a holy tempest (Acts 2)! Friend, your life will never be the same!

Come and Dine!

It constantly amazes me how the testimony of Scripture so far surpasses our carnal human deciphering of God and His ways! As men, we naturally want others to pay for their crimes; we tend to lack real mercy.. But as God, Jesus never really displayed this attitude. Are you surprised?

One such instance in which His precious heart is exposed and displayed is found in John 21, regarding Peter in the midst of sin and shortcoming..

Simon Peter had just failed miserably! He denied the Lord three times, watched Him die miserably, and suddenly is now found returning to his former carnal life: "Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing" (Jn 21:3). What a gloomy scenario for one who recently "forsook all, and followed" Jesus (Lk 5:11). He was so backslidden in fact, that he didn't even recognize His Lord when He visibly appeared (Jn 21:4). Peter once boasted about his devotion to Jesus (Matt 26:33), so I can only imagine the guilt now running through his veins! Jesus further reveals the scope of Peter's lack when He asks him, "Children, have ye any meat?" (Jn 21:5). The dismal and depressing answer is "no".. whatever spiritual meat that Peter once possessed has now been overgrown with the thorns of defeat and condemnation! These sad words of Peter's mouth exposed him for his real state! Have we ever been in his shoes?

Suddenly, Jesus made Himself known: "He [Jesus] said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find [fish]. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord" (Jn 21:6-7). What a dreadful condemnation Peter immediately felt as is clear from his abrupt subsequent actions: "Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea" (Jn 21:7). No doubt Peter wanted to hide to avoid utter humiliation, both naturally and spiritually.

But friends, how unnecessary were Peter's premature actions? Peter was expecting a much-deserved reproach, but what were the actual words of our Lord? "Come and dine"! (Jn 21:12). Friends, what a wonder! What any mere natural lord would use as an opportunity for rebuke, the Lord Jesus uses to win the hearts of men! His judgment is always "unto truth" (Isa 42:3): "He cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth" (Ps 96:13). What a wonder He is that He would cherish us toward change! He is pleading our cause (Mic 7:9)! In the midst of agonizing defeat, sin and heartache, the pure counsel of Jesus is to simply "come and dine": Come, eat freely of the bread of life, and the sweet wine of His Spirit (Jn 21:9-10).. Though our natural response is to flee, and jump into the sea, God would have us to come and feast on the bounties of divine mercy! Come and leave your troubles in the wake of shed blood! When sin has utterly captured our affections, King Jesus lays out a banquet, and mere sin pales in comparison. What any mere natural man would use as opportunity for harsh judgment, the counsel and cure of our Lord was "come and dine"! Truly, "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds" (Ps 147:3). Aren't you grateful that we serve a God like that? He will never break a bruised reed, nor quench a smoking wick (Isa 42:3).

Dear reader, our evil affairs can quickly take a happy turn.. just simply come in, and dine with the Chef! "They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house" (Ps 36:8).

With Me? or Against Me?

"He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad" (Matt 12:30).

Friends, in our current apathetic church paradigm, may we never lose sight of this great truth: He that is not wholly with Jesus is actually utterly against Him. In other words, the absence of loving attachment to the Master involves absolute hostility towards Him.. there simply is no middle ground; it just does not exist! To trek the middle ground of this holy road is to, in reality, hate real righteousness and the Lord whose great name is on the street sign. Why? Because there is no such thing as partial attatchment.. "He that is not with Me is against me...".

Those ancient believers in Laodicea thought they too could possess a mere partial attachment to our Lord: "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot..." (Rev 3:15).. but what was their actual spiritual condition? "Thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" (Rev 3:17). These Laodiceans believed they were altogether lovely, but were actually utterly desolate in the eyes of King Jesus!

When Joshua witnessed the Christophany by Jericho, there were only two possible options as to the stance and position of this man: "Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?" (Josh 5:13). Friends, it is utterly impossible to taste a little piece of both.. for in doing so, we display to the earth that we, in reality, hate the light and shut it out!

Listen to what the psalmist has said: "Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak" (Ps 12:1-2). This phrase "double heart" in the Hebrew means "a heart and a heart". It references a heart that is halted between two opinions - the polar opposite of a "fixed" heart (Ps 108:1). A double heart is one that isn't fully decided upon the Lord and His purposes, wanting to be both cold and hot simultaneously, an ice cube ablaze! A double heart is one that will strive to be with God, and yet sometimes against Him too. A double heart is one that finds it's beat in tune with the steps upon mere middle ground! A double heart is one that wants to be victor with the enemy and victor with the Lord too.

As David has said, we have either come to make peace, or to betray the peacemaker (2 Chron 12:17-18).. There simply is no in between. May we have a heart like captain Amasai! He had a single heart! Can we genuinely declare like he did, "Thine are we" to a greater than King David?

Help us, Lord Jesus!

Without Spot..

The Bible labels King Jesus as "a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Pet 1:19). But how could He have done it? How could He live such a tempestuous yet perfect life, void of any stain upon His soul?

I believe the Hebrew epistle gives us an answer.. It says that "Christ...through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God" (Hebrews 9:14; Jn 3:34). Can we discern what this verse is telling us? The beloved Holy Spirit is the means and avenue by which Jesus offered Himself blameless to God.. And, as always, He is the Word made flesh - He is our eternal pattern, forerunner and display.

Scripture tells us that we too will one day be presented blameless, without spot, nor wrinkle, nor any such thing.. We will be a glorious church (Eph 5:25-27)!

But how?

Yes, we are now judicially clean, and spiritually perfect (Heb 12:23; 1 Cor 6:17), but this spiritual perfection will one day culminate in our bodies and soulish man too: "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it" (1 Thess 5:23-24). We will be like Jesus! But again.. how? Friends, Jesus is our perpetual pattern! He offered Himself without spot through the eternal Spirit, and so shall we!

"Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles" (Isa 42:1).

"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me... to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound..." (Isa 61:1).

Friends, are we beaten and trodden down by the burdens and failures of our flesh? Are our souls screaming louder for gratification than ever before? Then let's take heed to Scripture's counsel.. seek the eternal Spirit! Give yourself over to Him! Allow Him to apply the Word of God to your life.. Through Him (not our own selves), we will be purged of all defiling spots (Matt 12:28; Acts 10:38)! Let's seek the Spirit of holiness today (Rom 1:4).

If it was so for King Jesus, then it can be so for His sons too (Jn 1:12)! May all our spots be purged, and our consciences be delivered from dead works to serve the living God (Heb 9:14)..

It's by His precious and eternal Spirit that "the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed" (Isa 50:7)!

Divine Accreditation..

What accredits your ministry? What gives you the certainty that you are called? Is it several ministerial degrees from a governmentally accredited seminary? Or is it something more?

Interestingly, the characters of Scripture, for the most part, had no repute.

Think about John the Baptist.. He was a man who, by earthly standards, was probably considered a lunatic: He wore camel's hair, a leather loin cloth, ate wild honey and locusts, and shouted prophetically in the wilderness (Matt 3:4)! Yet notice what the Bible says about His ministry: "Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness" (Lk 3:1-2). How interesting that the Word of the Lord bypassed all the "civil", "religious", "learned" and "skilled" people of the day, and found it's abode in John the baptist, a man who, by earthly accreditation, had none!

Think about Jesus too.. He sought no earthly references, He sought no earthly accreditation. His only witness was John, who again, was probably thought to be crazy! By our standards, Jesus was therefore a fraud! But of course we know better than that. For Jesus, His accreditation sprang from a heavenly realm! Shouldn't we emulate that? Are we striving to be found with mere earthly credentials, or are our eyes set upon a greater and heavenly certification? For Jesus, He only sought the latter.. His accreditation was the glory of God!

"And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matt 3:16-17). For Jesus, this abiding glory was the only certification that He needed! Are we similar?

People seem to think that big numbers or worldly attractions are a testimony to accredit one's spirituality. But the Biblical pattern simply disagrees. John was in the wilderness, by himself; Jesus was from the often-overlooked town of Nazareth (Jn 1:46). Some think that God would never use men like that, simply because they weren't in with the crowd; they had no repute. But God doesn't think like mere men do. He doesn't need all of our worldly credentials; He simply wants our devotion! The more He can do IN you, the more He can do THROUGH you. The Bible tells us, "then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John..." (Matt 3:13). This was John's testimony.. Jesus found Him worthy! He was divinely accredited, and I can think of no greater credentials! This one small verse speaks more of who John was than the opinions of a thousand noblemen!

Is Jesus and His glory your accreditation too? "But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head" (Ps 3:3).

Do we glory in earthly credentials, or heavenly ones? "Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me..." (Jer 9:23-24).

Does your earthly certification justify you? Or is it the presence of God? "In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory" (Isa 45:25).

For John, Jesus and others, the ONLY accreditation and approval they sought was that from their Father in heaven! Friends, let's do the same.

Prepare Him a Habitation!

Friends, the presence of God is to have a place to DWELL. In the Old Testament, the Shekinah Glory of God dwelt above the Mercy Seat, between the Cherubim. Now, under the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit has chosen to dwell in and with His people; the veil has been rent. Thank God!

Psalm 22:3 says, "But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel."

Psalm 76:1 says, "In Judah is God known..."

Judah means, "praise". In PRAISE is God known. One of the ways for us to get to know God intimately is to live a life of true worship: "Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness..." (Isa 64:5). Well how does God meet him that rejoices? By inhabiting His praise!

God's presence desires a dwelling place, and this place is in the hearts of true worshipers: "For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it" (Ps 132:13-14).

This is Jesus' desire, yet most are unaware! Most people don't even realize that our worship brings the manifest presence of God on the scene (Jn 14:21)! James tells us to "draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you..." (4:8). This is what it means to commune with the Holy Spirit (2 Cor 13:14).

But did you know that you can be genuinely saved, and yet not be communing with the Holy Ghost? How scary! How can that be?

Because we must prepare His habitation:

"The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him" (Exod 15:2).

"In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit" (Eph 2:22).

"And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying, Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?" (2 Sam 7:4-5).

"Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word" (Isa 66:1-2).

"To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ" (1 Pet 2:4-5).

Do we have room for Jesus? Do we have precious time to stop and literally prepare His abode? Sadly, creation is known for this lack! "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn" (Lk 2:7). Are our hearts crowded with the cares of this life, bitterness, strife, sin and discord? Do we have room for Him?

If we want to be a people who offer our hearts as God's sanctuary, then let's realize the preperation required. Jesus wants to dwell in a living temple that is fully built!

Eat, Oh Friends, Drink Deeply!

Part 2 of 2

We saw yesterday how the "wells" of God are far superior to any counterfeit cisterns that men may carnally manufacture.. a "well" is the only means by which we become an avenue for refreshment.. whereas a cistern is an end in itself - it serves a single vain purpose. Such a "well" is to be the fruit of our lives (Ps 84:6).. Jesus wants you and I to become sustenance to the earth - to become a valid source of the life of God (Isa 23:18; 32:2; 55:1-2; 62:8-9; 65:13; Acts 11:29; Matt 25:40; 1 Jn 1:3; Rev 22:17; Rom 8:19). Isaiah tells us that "a man shall be... as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land" (Isa 32:2). The natural context here is regarding Hezekiah.. Hezekiah would be the protector of his people, and would save them from the calamities to which they had been subjected in former reigns. The defeat of Sennacherib would be followed by the peaceful and prosperous state of the kingdom under a righteous prince; under whose reign there would be ample protection. As Bible students, we know that these verses continues to speak to us today, both of Christ Jesus (Ps 31:2-3; 63:1), and of His sons who are to be renewed and regenerated into His same image (2 Cor 3:18; Tit 3:5; Col 3:10; Eph 4:22-24; Gal 6:15; 4:19; 1 Cor 15:49; Rom 8:29; 12:2; 13:14; etc). A "man" shall be a "well"! But these "wells" must be dug! They don't appear overnight, willy-nilly. Isaac had to push through the Philistine's attacks in order to dig and re-dig the wells of Abraham (Gen 26). Even when strife and contention met him at every corner, he was faithful to keep digging! And so it must be with us. This is the avenue by which real fruit will be wrought in the lives of God's people. This is the avenue by which the nations will find substance to drink of in YOU!

Not surprisingly, we see this instance repeat itself in the Song of Solomon. In chapter 1, the Shulamite is found lacking. She has little fruit, and cannot feed herself, nor those around her: "Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions? If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents" (Song 1:7-8). Sovereignly, however, a dramatic transformation takes place.. and for good reason.

Of this bride, Scripture later tells us that she has become "a spring shut up, a fountain sealed" (Song 4:12). "Fountain" in the Hebrew means "fountain, spring, well"; she's become a well! Though she is "sealed" now, she eventually will be sustenance to the earth.. Of her, the Lord soon says, "eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved" (Song 5:1).

But how did this occur in just a few short verses? What happened between Song of Solomon 4:12, where she is a sealed well, to Song of Solomon 5:1, where the well is suddenly opened, and the "friends" of God are invited to come and drink? I believe the answer is found in verse 16 of chapter 4: "Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits". This verse references the dealings and judgment of God! North in Scripture speaks of judgment (Ps 75:6-7; Prov 25:23; Isa 41:25; Jer 1:13-15; 4:6; etc), while south speaks of spiritual blessing and refreshment (Ps 126:4; Job 37:17; Lk 12:55; Acts 27:13; etc). Job has said, "Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north" (37:9). Therefore, here in 4:16, the bride is asking for God to fully mature her, both by His judgment and by His blessing: "In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him" (Eccl 7:14)! She invites the potter's hands, both for judgment (dealing) and embrace (blessing): "His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me" (Song 2:6). The effect of such a thing is monumental: "...blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out..." This phrase, "flow out", can also be translated "increase". The bride is asking for her personal fragrance and fruit to increase! What a precious rendering that God's judgment upon our flesh will create: "Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live" (Ezek 37:9)! For the bride, glorious fruit was clearly accomplished by the judgment of God upon her! She not only endured His judgment upon her carnality, but she willingly and radically asked for it! Can you likewise cry "blow!" Do you welcome and desire God's judgement? The bride surely does. The bride will be a remnant who radically beg for the judgment of God upon EVERY ungodliness in their lives! We don’t need to begrudge the dealings of God – Rather, let's be grateful for them!

Dear reader, we may never be ever to adequately explain, nor comprehend these great benefits! Here, they provided the emerging bride with sustenance that was offered to the earth! What a ministry! This is the fruit of righteousness that's birthed from enduring the dealings of God: "For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby" (Heb 12:10-11)! Do you want to have fruit for the nations to eat of? Then allow God's purging wind to come and blow away the dross (Prov 25:4; Isa 1:25-27)! Jesus wants to fashion in us such a great and glorious substance that His people can come and drink from: "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Cor 4:17)! Though the harsh and purifying winds may be blowing, it's gonna be worth it!

"The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life... the lips of the righteous feed many" (Prov 10:11, 21).

Wells and Cisterns..

Part 1 of 2

"Blessed is the man...Who passing through the valley of Baca makes it a well..." (Ps 84:5-6).

Blessed indeed! And why?

We saw recently that Jesus is likened to a vast well, the well of salvation, the perfect solution to a weary journey. But did you realize that these same qualities are to be worked in His sons too? It's true. Blessed is the man who passes through the valley of Baca ("weeping") and makes it a well!

Essentially, Jesus wants us to become such a well for others : "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you" (Gal 4:19)! As we grow from glory to glory (2 Cor 3:18), from strength to strength (Ps 84:7), from faith to faith (Rom 1:17), higher and higher (Song 2:14; Gen 28:12), being emptied of our own selves from vessel to vessel (Jer 48:11), we too are to demonstrate the same life-giving heart as our precious Lord - God's holy forerunner, King Jesus! Do you realize that? Of course men are not to pray to us, or worship us, that's nonsense. We are not the source, rather we're to lead men to the source, we lead men to the well! Men will be able to drink of the fruit of your life - men will be able to partake of the well that's been dug in you! Of the bride, Scripture tells us that she is "a spring shut up, a fountain sealed" (Song 4:12), but will eventually be sustenance to the earth: "eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved" (Song 5:1). Reader, did you realize that Jesus wants us to become sustenance to the earth - a valid source of the life of God? Scripture repeatedly affirms this truth: "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive..." (Jn 7:37-39). Of this man, Scripture tells us there will be a well formed within him: "whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life" (Jn 4:14). Eventually, we will become what we've been beholding!

But friends, as always, there is a counterfeit! There is an easy route, a pseudo-well that can be formed.. it's called a cistern: "For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water" (Jer 2:13). A cistern is a vessel that only momentarily HOLDS water, it cannot DISPENSE nor DISTRIBUTE water. Contrary to a well, it does not possess a life source within it, but must be filled and re-filled in order to be effective. A cistern is filled for it's own sake. This is why cisterns do not profit (Jer 2:11). A cistern's water soon turns stagnant, or dries up. However, a well has a source of water within it, and can be a perpetual source of life! Which would you rather be? Far too many Christians are cisterns, and not wells! They're in it for themselves, they're spiritually selfish! Which do you want to be? I want to become a well - a source of life-giving water!

But how can this ever be created in us? Simply said, a well must be dug! This is primarily why most Christians would rather be cisterns; maybe they're not willing to dig? Digging can be hard work. It comes at a great cost to your flesh! Notice the grueling process that Isaac went through as he dug and re-dug Abraham's wells: "For all the wells which his father's servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth... And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them. And Isaac's servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water. And the herdmen of Gerar ["combat; dispute"] did strive with Isaac's herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek ["contention"]; because they strove with him. And they digged another well, and strove for that also: and he called the name of it Sitnah ["strife"]. And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth ["wide spaces; roominess"]; and he said, For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land" (Gen 26:15, 18-22).

Just keep digging, forsaking the Philistines (a type of the adversary, a constant threat to the people of God, striving to stop the flow of living water). Forsake combat and dispute, forsake contention, forsake strife! Just keep digging! Soon, we'll overcome (Gen 26:22)! "Rehoboth" means, "wide spaces, roominess".

When the nations are weary (Jn 4:6), can they come and drink of the fruit in your life? Can they partake of the victory and "roominess" you've attained to? Friends, this is what Jesus is after!

To be continued...

The Tabernacle Covering..

The coverings of the tabernacle of Moses were no accident.. as is with everything recorded in God's perfect Book, there are no misprints! A careful study of these coverings is a great blessing, I can promise you. These are "the patterns of the things in the heavens" (Heb 9:23); they are "figures of the true" (Heb 9:24).

Covering the tabernacle were 4 separate coverings, one on top of another; these coverings acted as a curtained ceiling (Exod 25:1-5; 26:1-14). These included coverings of badger's skin, ram's skin dyed red, goat's hair, and fine-twined linen. Each of these coverings is pregnant with New Testament typical truth: the badger's skin is representative of Christ's humanity, even as He possessed no outward comeliness that we should desire Him (Isa 53:2), yet within was ever-so-glorious.. He bore the heat of the day, and the exposure to storm and tempest, all to protect the inhabitants of Moses' tabernacle, typifying you and I as kings and priests, safe in His wounded side. The ram's skins dyed red of course are significant of Christ as the suffering servant. Skins cannot be obtained without a sacrifice, and these skins underwent both death and transformation, in that they were dyed red. Jesus surely is the man of sorrows, with garments dyed red of His precious redemptive blood! The coverings of white goat's hair also speak of our Lord, even as He possessed spotless holiness, the only One able to rest in the holiness of God, yet (by His perfect sacrifice) preparing a trail for us to follow.

The final covering was of fine-twined linen, made up of several embroidered colors. This was the innermost covering. This covering possessed many descriptions, each bringing out a separate perfection of the Lord Jesus, being manifested by Him as He passed through this world of sin. This covering was blue.. Blue, in Scripture, represents the heavenlies, and is ever employed for the setting forth of celestial things (Exod 24:10; Ezek 1:26; 10:1; Numb 15:38; etc). This speaks of the divinity of Jesus. The blue embroidery upon the white background tells us that He who came down to our depths of humiliation was "the Lord from heaven" (1 Cor 15:47; Jn 3:13). Though He was very much a man (completely man, in fact), He yet walked in complete consciousness of His divinity! He never once forgot where He came from, where He was, nor where He was going. As our Forerunner, He had perfect and uninterupted communion with His Father; spiritual Zion was His perpetual abode!

This covering was purple too. Purple is symbolic of kingship and royalty (Jdgs 8:26; Jn 19:1-5; Lk 16:19; Rev 18:12-16; Song 3:10; 7:5; Mk 15:17-20; etc). In fact, in ancient times, purple was a very precious color, extracted from the purpura, or murex, a species of shell-fish; and was supposed to be the same with the costly and much celebrated Tyrian purple. This references the kingship of Jesus. That He was mocked as a king, no one can deny: "And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS" (Matt 27:37; etc).

This covering was also scarlet. Scarlet, in Scripture, is symbolic of suffering and blood atonement (Lev 14:52; Josh 2:18, 21; Isa 1:18; Ps 51:7; Eph 1:6-8; Rev 7:14; 17:3-4; 18:12; Heb 9:19; etc). This speaks of the servanthood and suffering of Jesus. Verily, our Lord, who knew no sin, was made sin for us (2 Cor 5:21), taking the very punishing place which we deserved. He took the place of "a worm" (Ps 22:6), which phrase is the actual Hebrew rendering of the word "scarlet" (tolaath shani). He went down into death, crushed under wrath and judgment, His blood being shed to put away our scarlet sins!

And finally, this covering was in-wrought with cherubim.. Many people believe these creatures to be angelic beings, but I cannot agree. The Scriptures seem to say otherwise.. Cherubim, in my humble opinion, represent God's own redeemed people (see Rev 5:8-9), so closely united to Him that they become part of Himself, "bone of his bone" (Gen 2:23). They actually become a part of the covering of God, sewn into it's very fabric, replacing Lucifer (Ezek 28:13, 16), manifested in God's great image (2 Cor 3:18)! "And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land" (Isa 32:2). What an honor!

Friends, what do these truths teach us? I believe they speak deeply concerning the precious and unfathomable mercies of our God! He is covering you, shading you from worldly storms, intoxicants, evils and frets; He's thoroughly and eternally preserving all those who come into His courts (Heb 5:9)! His great character (of which these 4 coverings clearly typify) will never allow us to flee; we are safe and sound (Jn 10:28)! His covering keeps us safe from the wrath of God, poured out on sinful humanity, even as the "covering" of Noah's ark kept all the inhabitants safe and dry (Gen 8:13). Reader, it's only "destruction" that has "no covering" (Job 24:7); it's only the spiritually poor (Job 31:19; Rev 3:18)! It's only those rebellious children that are found with a covering "not of My Spirit" (Isa 30:1). But to those who adore His great name, He's provided a glorious covering: "He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night" (Ps 105:39). He's provided a defense (Isa 4:5)! His covering is even "paved with love" (Song 3:10)! Have you been ruined by this gloriously curtained salvific "ceiling"? I sure have!

Let's not be hid "under falsehood" (Isa 28:15)! Let's not be found covered in the judgment of sackcloth (Isa 50:3; Exod 10:21; Rev 6:12)! Rather, come into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise (Ps 100:4)! Hide in the secret place, under His wings (Ps 91:1-4); For here, and only here, is our true covering found.

"I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah" (Ps 61:4)!

Respond!

Is it possible to earnestly ask Jesus to come, yet be found idle when He actually does? In Luke chapter 7, verses 36-50, we have the account of Jesus in the Pharisee’s house, but being worshipped by another. It presents to us an interesting scenario:

“And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”

We have here a record of at least two types of responses: (1) the worshipper’s response, and (2) the Pharisee’s response. A contrast is here presented between the believer of much love and the believer of little love; the reactive one, and the one dull of heart; the needy one, and the one who seemingly knew no need. How strangely sad that it was the Pharisee who had “bidden Him” come, yet was found so lacking in the end. Jesus sharply rebukes Him for his lack of response. Are we any different?

God is in the house! Are we found worshipping? His revealed Word resounds, are we found at His feet? Jesus rebukes the Pharisee for what he did not do. The Lord was there with His presence, and the Pharisee was found standing idly by. How grievous that there exists a people who desire this said glory and Word yet casually ignore it when it is present to change them! Our Lord sternly says, “I have something to say to you”. And the Pharisee responds, “Master, say on”.. What a strange dilemma! Can one possibly be so willing and eager to hear the Word of the Lord and yet in the end be caught declaring, “who is this”? Can we so readily invite Jesus into our spiritual houses, only to merely sit by and watch others experience Him? Wanting Jesus isn't enough (Ps 27:4). Let's respond when He arrives in our midst!

Reader, our personal response is so essential! Nobody can respond for you.. “But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented” (Matt 11:16-17). The Word of God is being proclaimed! Are we responding to it? The presence of God is breaking in! What is our reaction? God is looking for a people who are radically responsive to His Word and His wooings. May we never be a people who merely bid Him come, and are found idle when He appears!

We find a similar scenario in Luke chapter 10:38-42. Surely it was Mary’s response to Jesus’ presence and Word that brought her eternal fruit: “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Lk 10:41-42). And do we find it strange that it was Martha who actually offered the invitation to the Lord to come in (Lk 10:38), and yet was found questioning God’s character: “Lord, dost thou not care?” (Lk 10:40). How then was it Martha who was lacking? Friends, it was her response to His presence! It was her response to His Word! It indeed was and is Jerusalem’s lack of response to the true Messiah that left their house to them “desolate” (Lk 13:34-35). May we, by the grace of God, never be a people who have merely “bidden Him” come; but let us also press against the hosts to lay hold of Him! In doing so, we will find ourselves readily growing in grace and in the knowledge of God, until that day of its glorious culmination!

Appearance unto Purpose..

Read with me about the conversion of Paul:

"Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me" (Acts 26:12-18).

How wonderfully are the purposes of God here laid out before us! And what a magnificent type of the believer’s commencement and progression into a true walk with God. We have here Saul, soon to be Paul, who has been overpowered by the glory of God. Like any natural reaction, he was thrown to the ground. He finds himself stirring in the presence of God, overwhelmed that Jesus is indeed “Lord” and Messiah. It was here, in the glory, that he heard the voice of Jesus instructing him. And what was Jesus instructing him to do? His words were “rise, and stand upon thy feet”! Revealing that it’s not the Lord’s will for us to merely experience Him, but to also rise up in that same power and take His atmosphere of glory to a needy and comfortless earth: “For I have appeared unto thee for this purpose…” And thus we have the purpose of God’s glory revealed, “to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee…” And what for? “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”

We see the prophet Isaiah proclaiming the same truth: "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; BECAUSE the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified" (Isa 61:1-3; Lk 4:18).

We see the Psalmist say this too: "God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee" (Ps 67:1-3).

Dear friends, I know that it's popular in our modern Charismatic experience, but the Biblical pattern is not to simply receive God's glory, and lounge around aimlessly (Acts 10:38; Isa 11:1-5; 42:1-4; Jn 10:36-38; 3:34). Rather, we are to receive it, grow up, and carry His glory to a desperate and needy people! Far too many believers are caught up in selfishly receiving the presence of God for themselves, rather than taking heed to the Scriptural admonition: "rise and stand upon thy feet..." Paul could have laid there on the ground, laughing all day, enveloped by the glorious presence around him.. but he did not. Rather, he took heed to the Word of the Lord that spoke to him. And so should we.

Let us ask ourselves, are we content with the blessings of His glory, or are we hungry enough to please Him that we press into the purposes of His glory? Are we content to just roll around in the Pentecostal experience, or are we captivated enough to let Him have His way in us? Let us not ever confuse “times of refreshing… from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19) with His appearance unto purpose (Acts 26:16). For while these “refreshings and refillings” are vital to us all, they are not the purpose of our walk with God. They are an effect of our proper walk with God, meant to propel us deeper and fuel us towards His great culmination. How many have confused this aspect of Christianity? How many are satisfied with Passover, when all the while the Lord has been wooing them towards Pentecost? And yet, how many are content with Pentecost, when God’s best is Tabernacles? What a vast sea of believers who are stuck in the rut of Charismatic experience, with no idea as to the purpose of such experiences! Are we to simply be a recipient of glory? Or rather, a channel of glory? I think we both know the answer; the greater includes the lesser. How badly we need to consult the whole counsel of Scripture, for therein is our real purpose revealed. We need, as Paul did, to hear the voice from heaven declaring the motives and desires of our Lord’s heart!

Are we listening?

The Well of Salvation!

"Jesus therefore being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well" (Jn 4:6).

Friends, this verse of Scripture illustrates an important principle, the application of which is often a great aid to the understanding of a passage, namely, noticing the place where a particular incident occurred. As another has rightly said, "There is a profound significance to everything in Scripture, even the seemingly unimportant details. The character of the place frequently supplies the key to the meaning of what is recorded as occurring there". For instance: the children of Israel were in Egypt when the Lord delivered them. Egypt, then, symbolizes the place where we were when God apprehended us, namely, the world in which we groaned under the merciless taskmasters that dominated us. John the Baptist preached in the wilderness, for it symbolized the spiritual barrenness and desolation of Israel at that time. When the Lord Jesus enunciated the laws of His kingdom, He went up into a mountain — a place of elevation, symbolic of His throne of authority from which He delivered His message, and so on. We conclude therefore, that the place an event transpired is often equally as important as the event itself.

This same interpretive principle receives striking exemplification in the passage before us, from the Gospel of John: "Jesus therefore being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well" (Jn 4:6). The meeting between the Savior and this Samaritan adulteress occurred at Sychar which means "purchased" — and so was the "gift of God" that He offered to her. And, as He revealed to her her soul’s deep need He sat "on the well." As we will see, this "well" was a figure of Himself, and its water was the emblem of the salvation that is to be found in Him alone. Isaiah testifies to this truth: "Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells (Heb. "the well") of salvation" (Isa 12:3). What a remarkable statement this is! It is the key to the typical significance of many Old Testament passages. The "well" of the Old Testament Scriptures foreshadowed Christ Jesus and what is to be found in Him: the refreshment of the waters of life! Let's observe some Old Testament passages where the "well" is mentioned, and discover how remarkably they foreshadowed this One who gave the water of life to the woman of Samaria. Friend, these truths are to be our possession too!

(1) The first time the "well" is mentioned in Scripture, is in Genesis 16:6, 7, 13, 14: "But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face. And the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness... And she called the name of the Lord which spake unto her, Thou God seest me... for she said, Have I also here looked after Him that seeth me? Wherefore the well was called, The well of him that liveth and seeth me." Note, first of all, that the "well" (the "fountain of water" of verse 7 is termed the "well" in verse 14) was the place where the angel of the Lord found this poor outcast. Even so Jesus is the only place where God may meet with lost humanity, for "no man cometh unto the Father" but by Him (Jn 14:6). Secondly, this well was located in the wilderness — a perfect symbol of this world. The "wilderness" well depicts the state of heart we were in when we first met our Lord! Third, the "well" was the place where God was revealed. Hagar, therefore, termed it, "the well of him that liveth and seeth me." So, again, Christ Jesus is the Revealer of God — "He that hath seen me, hath seen the Father" (Jn 14:9). What a wonder!

(2) In Genesis 21:14-19 we read, "And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrugs. And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bow shot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept. And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is . . . and God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water." How dense is this passage in its typical suggestiveness! First, we have before us again an outcast, and one whose water was spent, for she had but "a bottle". Similar to the prodigal son, she "began to be in want." And so much so, that she had cast away her child to die, and there she sat weeping. What a picture of the poor, desolate, despairing man, lost in his awful ways! Next, God "opened her eyes," and what for? In order that she might see the "well" that had been there the whole time! Was it not so with us? It was never our own mental elevation which discovered that glorious One of whom the "well" here speaks. Rather, it was God who opened our eyes to see Him as the One who alone could meet our desperate and deep needs! "The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them" (Prov 20:12). Surely, "we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that (in order that) we may know Him that is true" (1 Jn 5:20).

(3) In this same chapter of Genesis, the "well" is mentioned again in another connection: "And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant. And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves? And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well. Wherefore he called that place the well of the oath; because there they sware both of them" (Gen. 21:27-31). Here we find the "well" was the place of the "covenant" (vs 27), which was ratified by an "oath" (vs 31). And what do we read in Hebrews 7:20-22? — "And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec:) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament [covenant]."

(4) In Genesis 24:10-12 we read, "And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor. And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water. And he said, O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day." Not only is each typical picture close to perfect, but the order in which they are found evidences Divine design too. In the first scriptures we have glanced at, that which is connected with the "well" suggested the meeting between the Savior and the sinner. And in the last passage, the covenant and the oath speak of that which tells of the sure ground upon which our eternal salvation rests. And from that point, every reference to the "well" has that connected with it which is appropriate of believers only. In the last quoted passage, the "well" is the place of prayer: so, the believer asks the Father in the name of Christ Jesus, of whom the "well" eternally speaks.

(5) In Genesis 29:1-3 we read, "Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east. And he looked, and beheld a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks." This is very beautiful; the well is a place of rest. Here, the "well" is found in the field — suggesting the "green pastures" into which the good Shepherd leads His own (Ps 23:2). Notice there were three flocks of sheep that were lying by this "well": their position denoting rest, that rest which Christ Jesus gives His own.

(6) In Exodus 2:15-17 we are told, "Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian; and he sat down by a well. Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock." Again, how great is this type. First, Pharaoh the king of Egypt prefigures Satan as the god of this world, attacking and seeking to destroy the believer. From him Moses "fled". How often the great Enemy frightens us and gets us on the run. But how blessed to note the next statement here: fleeing from Pharaoh to Midian, where he now dwells, the first thing that we read of Moses is, "he sat down by a well." Thank God there is One to whom we can flee for refuge — the Lord Jesus Christ to whom the "well" pointed. To this well the daughters of Jethro also came, for water. But the shepherds came and drove them away. How many of the "under-shepherds" today are, by their teaching, driving many away from Jesus? Nevertheless, God still has a Moses here and there, who will "stand up and help" those who really desire the Water of Life. But be it noted, before we can "help" others we must first be resting on the well for ourselves, as Moses was.

(7) "And from thence they went to Beer: that is the well whereof the Lord spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water. Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it" (Num 21:16, 17). What a word is this! The well is personified. It is made the object of song. It evokes praise! No interpreter is needed here.. Beloved reader, are you singing unto the Well?"

(8) "Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David. Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom: but they went both of them away quickly, and came to a man’s house in Bahurim, which had a well in his court: whither they went down. And the woman took and spread a covering over the well’s mouth, and spread ground corn thereon; and the thing was not known" (2 Sam 17:17-19). Here we find the "well" providing shelter and protection for God’s people. Notice there was a "covering" over its mouth, so that Jonathan and Ahimaaz were hidden in the well. So it is with the believer — "your life is hid with Christ in God" (Col. 3:3). How striking is the last sentence quoted above, "And the thing was not known!" The world is in complete ignorance of the believer’s place and portion in Christ! Sad but true.

(9) "And David longed, and said, O that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!" (2 Sam 23:15). Nothing but water from the well of Bethlehem would satisfy David. This Well is particular and distinct.. Should our desires be any different? Jesus alone will satisfy! No counterfeit will ever suffice (Jer 2:13)!

(10) "Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well" (Prov 5:15). What a blessed climax! The "well" is our own, and from its "running waters" we are invited to drink. And if it is our own possession, we are then free to have our fill.. we can drink all we like! We can even encamp by the waters (Exod 15:27)!

Reader, may we never regard such Divine cohesiveness as merely imaginative! The Bible contains no accidents or coincidences. If we have trouble perceiving such things, perhaps we should ask the Lord Jesus for "eye salve", in order that we may behold "wondrous things" out of His Law. God's Word is so precious! His truth so sublime! And what meaning all these preceding thoughts give to our opening verse of Scripture, "Jesus, therefore, being wearied with His journey sat thus on the well" (Jn 4:6)! This Godly well, as we have just seen, is a clear type of Christ and of His salvation. It's the place where God is revealed, the place where our deep and desperate needs are fully met, it's the place of covenant, the place of prayer, the place of rest, the place of refuge, the place of worship, and the place of shelter. This "well" is particular and distinguished from all others, and it's to be our very own! We're even to become such a life-source ourselves! How wonderful! Therefore, what a splendid place for us (and the nations) to find rest from the journey, as God's glorious forerunner and pattern-Son, King Jesus, so adequately displayed. Dear reader, are you likewise weary? Then let's sit on the well! It's the well of salvation!