Tucked away in the archives of the National Museum of American History is the Jefferson Bible. Have you heard of it? (The Jefferson Bible, that is.) Do you know what it is?
Around [the year] 1820, Thomas Jefferson set out to gather what he felt were the authentic teachings of Jesus. You see, Thomas Jefferson believed that Christians for centuries misunderstood the core content of Jesus’ message and gradually inserted made-up fairy tales about the person of Jesus. So, in order to unearth the ‘real,’ he had to remove whatever he thought ‘unreal.’ With razor blade in hand, he carefully sliced away every supernatural event. Any reference to angels, including the birth announcement of Jesus, gone. Miracles like changing water into wine, curing the diseased, feeding thousands, walking on water, removed. (And if the miracle occurred in the middle of a sermon, it was crudely carved out.) He even cut out Jesus’ Easter-day resurrection. The Jefferson Bible actually ends with these words: "Now, in the place where He was crucified, there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre [the tomb], wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus. And rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed." Whatever tidbits did remain Jefferson pasted together. Again, he believed the four gospel-writers got their stories mixed up. So, he took verses from the four gospels and zippered them into a single narrative. (https://www.monticelloshop.org/the-jefferson-bible-smithsonian-edition/) The finished product was book Jefferson considered accurate, authentic, and reliable. If you flip through this “bible,” you realize that it has the right name: The Jefferson Bible. Thomas Jefferson so heavily revised Scripture that he completely changed God’s message. He had reduced Christianity down to three core teachings: (1) love God, (2) love each other, and (3) live sincere. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_Bible) He removed any mention of Jesus, the Savior the world needs. What Jefferson actually created was his own set of beliefs. You see, Thomas Jefferson felt stupid for treating the extraordinary supernatural as real events. So, he foisted science and reason over God Almighty. There remains this ever-present attitude to make God conform to our desires, to handle God’s teachings in any way without consequence. Yet, if you change God’s Word, then whose word are you actually following? Really, On What Does Your Eternity Rest? Carefully examine your foundation of faith and then joyfully live the calling you received. In our lesson from 1 Peter [2:4-10] one word keeps appearing: ‘cornerstone.’ See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who believes in him will certainly not be put to shame. Now, in modern construction practice, a cornerstone functions as more of a decorative marker. You find cornerstones set in special buildings, usually on the outside wall either near the main entrance or at the base of a unique feature on the building. The name of the organization and completion date of construction are stamped into that stone. The cornerstone also may serve as a hollowed out time capsule holding important documents or mementos. In ancient construction, the cornerstone served a vital purpose. Miners cut out this large rock. Stonemasons would then make it square, smoothing out bumps and cavities, setting each angle at 90-degrees, so that what you finished with was a perfectly square block. Builders laid the stone at the corner of the building footprint. They took stones for the wall and measured each one against the cornerstone, smoothing out every bump and leveling off every cavity. You did this for each stone so that by the end of your row you had a straight wall, and as you built higher the wall stood firm. Without that cornerstone the entire structure would fail. God calls Jesus a cornerstone, a square block used for accurate building. Still, Jesus is no ordinary cornerstone. God uses two words to describe him: ‘chosen’ and ‘precious.’ God set Jesus aside for a special purpose: to fill our lives with God’s pardon (Isaiah 42:1) At his baptism God makes clear Jesus is the Chosen One. People watch as the Holy Spirit rests on Jesus. God the Father stamps a seal of approval: ‘This is my Son (Matthew 3:13:17). This is the One God wants! That makes Jesus precious. Gold is worth thousands-of-dollars an ounce. As valuable as that is, Jesus is worth more because he is morally pure. Out of the billions who have lived, will live, or now live no one has ever lived the perfect life Jesus has, the perfect life God requires. That makes Jesus one-of-kind. Now, if Jesus is the stone (1) pleasing to God and (2) valuable for eternity and (3) no one else in the history of the world has ever received such accolades, then what does that mean for you? Jesus is the stone God laid to align our beliefs, our hearts with him. That sounds acceptable, that is, until God’s Word dose strike home. Jesus says: ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’ (John 14:6). Now, just like builders, crowds hold Jesus in their hands. They study his teachings, consider what changes must be made in life, what vices to give up. After careful examination, they throw him away like a flawed, unwanted stone. After all, the Jewish nation just wanted a powerful politician, not a humble teacher. Non-Jews wanted a wise sage who presents methods for a better life, not a preacher who exposes the need for a Savior. Jesus makes clear: those who reject him as Savior will not be in heaven. Does that offend you? Jesus also teaches, Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned (Mark 16:16). The spouse thinks he will go to heaven because he tries hard to be a good person. The friend does not need church because she is content with her own views of religion. The child (confirmed a long time ago) makes it clear that he does not believe the ‘church-stuff’ anymore. The generous neighbor has no idea who Jesus is. Still, Jesus makes clear: Those who reject his saving work will not be in heaven. Does that offend you? Honestly, a little part of me does not think God will carry out his Word. That’s based on what? Me telling God! Me assuming my word, my opinions, my sense ‘fair’ and ‘equal’ stands and God’s Word crumbles away! You see, the human heart thinks God desires your input (and mine). That God begs for your opinion and comments, and then automatically conforms to you! In the end, where does that set you? It puts you in the position of cornerstone and demands Jesus align with you! What foolish thinking! Rejecting Jesus does not actually remove him from his position of power. I mean, what happens when you toss aside a big, lumpy stone at the worksite? You trip over it! It doesn’t go away, it stays in the way! [For] those who do not believe: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,’ and, ‘a stone over which they stumble and a rock over which they fall.’ Because they continue to disobey the word, they stumble over it. And that is the consequence appointed for them. Dear friends, carefully examine your foundation of faith. Telling God what you expect of him does not bring you closer to him. It does not make you right. Like Thomas Jefferson, you begin creating your own beliefs— beliefs that God rejects. God laid Jesus as the cornerstone to align our beliefs, our hearts with him. As the Word of God strikes your ears and heart, you may feel cutting and sanding and chiseling. That’s good! That Word is removing the pride that threatens to pull us off from Christ, the Cornerstone! That Word shows how crooked our opinions, but how perfect Jesus conforms to the Father’s will. That Word exposes how our demands fall short of God’s expectations, but how completely Jesus matches God’s desires. That Word reveals that if we stubbornly follow our wants, we will step off from Christ, but that Word shows how Jesus willingly followed the path to the cross in order to chisel off our every flaw and make us God-pleasing stones. God raised Jesus to be the only foundation of faith. [T]he one who believes in him will certainly not be put to shame. That makes Jesus the choicest, most precious object in the universe. Which means, his Words are the choicest, most valuable words for life. Words that really shape your life. Recently I heard a Pastor describe this ‘Stay-Home’ order as a once-in-a-lifetime do-over. His point is that so much seems so important that it takes our attentions off from God and his Word. A little while ago I heard a journalist paint a silver lining for this virus. He explained that he would be home more. His college-aged son would be home more. His young-adult daughter would work from home. His wife would be home. His point is that the family would be home without much activity— something that had not happened for years! This journalist reached an [almost] earth-shattering revelation: he could use this time to get closer to his family! He had completely brushed aside the privilege God handed him of being a parent! For the state of Michigan, it appears that much will be shut down until after Memorial Day. You know the sights. Campers, motor-homes, boats, side-by-sides, ATVs— all these toys. What truly pulls the heart is watching them drive home Sunday morning. How many put personal relaxation ahead of worship? How many used vacations as a poor excuse as to why there was never time for church? How many (of us) found more satisfaction in activity than worship? If anything, perhaps three months ago you felt pretty invincible. The strong economy promised wealth and security. Humming health systems gave a sense of control. The year ahead held all the plans you expected to put into action. If you were like me, you felt untouchable. That God had a place in your life, but maybe not first place. You love his Word, but maybe reflected on it only when you had time. You cherish his promises, but perhaps never relied on them. When life goes well, we rely a little more on our word— and expect God to accept us on our terms. Needless to say, this coronavirus shut-down has really challenged what we assumed was true. That we are in charge and God just tags along with us. The Bible teaches that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). This virus will be used for good. Christ the cornerstone keeps cutting away bumps of arrogance and sanding down pride and chiseling away self-reliance. He keeps teaching you (and me) to focus a little more on God’s Word, to take a little more to heart, to bend and find more satisfaction under the pleasing life God arranged for us. What then remains is a clearer picture of God’s role in your life. Or, a more accurate way of saying: your activity as a living stone. [Y]ou are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, the people who are God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. At one time you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. At one time you were not shown mercy, but now you have been shown mercy. Make no question about it, God clearly reveals our place in his family. Not a place where we challenge God. Rather, God has aligned us to himself. Carefully examine the foundation of faith. See how God keeps using that Word to shape us so that we remain in his house forever. There’s nothing offensive about that. This is the Word that brings life, the Word that equips you (and I) to joyfully live the calling you received. That message needs no revision. Instead, that message revised our lives, so that now you live shaped by the God who saved us. The God who makes Your Eternity Rest on Christ.
(from the Wednesday night Lent 2020 series: The Truth Opposed)
February 20, 2017. President’s Day. A national holiday. A day honoring George Washington and Abraham Lincoln (or, if you so desire, apparently every United States President [see: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Presidents-Day]). You can reflect on all the advantages gained from leadership. A steady hand guiding a nation through the dark days of war. Inspiring speeches encouraging countless Americans pressed down by conflict. Policies bringing economic growth and a secure retirement. President’s Day presents the opportunity to consider how past and present leadership intersected with your expectations. Yet, February 20, 2017 stood out as a uniquely special President’s Day. Many (millions?) flocked to the streets, bundled in hats, scarves, and gloves, poster-board signs in hand, and started chanting: ‘Not my President! Not my President!’ Counter-protesters shouted back: ‘That is my President! ‘That is my President!’ Now, regardless of your political stance, both messages strike a common chord. The elected president is expected to represent an individual’s values (or beliefs). This protesting is really nothing new. In fact, the chant is thousands of years old. Each Wednesday in Lent we meet opponents of truth. Each adversary confronts undeniable truth, but rebels against its reality. Every nation rejects the King sent to them. He simply did not meet individual expectations. Now, smug taunts dare him to act. ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ Of course, no one really considers that a true statement. Pontius Pilate had seen kings before. In fact, a king had appointed him governor of Judea. Roman Emperor Tiberius Caesar, the most powerful man in the ancient world. Now Caesar, that man fits the mold of a king. He wears elaborate robes adorned with dazzling gems set in glistening gold, the essence of lavender wafts off his manicured body. The snap of his fingers command fine delicacies, a hand-tap demands service. One word and the army marches. This man holds prestige, dominance, control, influence. People expect that type of grandeur from kings. Jesus, well, he just does not have that aura. Here stands the carpenter’s son from Nazareth. Nazareth, that’s as exciting as saying that you’re from Temple. That township is not known for leaders or industry or military figures. It has no claim to fame. Carpentry, a good skill, but not a multi-million dollar profession. Jesus has no Shangri-La [house]. In fact, he has no set place to lay his head; he constantly finds a new room (Matthew 8:20). His fanciest clothing is an undergarment, a piece of linen seamlessly woven together from top to bottom (John 19:23). Look him over and it’s pretty clear: Jesus is no king. Pilate knows that. Pilate intends driving the point home. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they struck him in the face. The Romans have complete control over the situation. Jesus will not escape. No rabblerousing supporters will bother the soldiers. At this moment, Jesus’ health lies in the hands of a more dominant force. Not just that, but this image of a thorny crown and grimy soldier’s cloak reveals Jesus to be no more a king than a kid dressed up as a king on Halloween. The Romans make clear: If Jesus calls himself a king, then he’s pretending. Any claim to authority can be snuffed out. Perhaps the Jews will understand the point, drop the charges, let him go, and then return home. Really, this why the Jews hate Jesus in the first place: He is not a king. A few occasions did offer a glimmer of hope. One time, Jesus took five loaves of bread and two small fish. He thanked God for the meal, tore it into pieces, and gave everyone a free lunch. Not only did everyone eat, but they were stuffed; they had to tell Jesus ‘Enough! We’re full!’ Over five thousand mouths feasted on one grade-schooler’s lunch. That catches people’s attention. They witness divine control over natural forces. They watch God bless the food in Jesus’ hands. That leads many to conclude: “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Crowds grab at him, trying to make Jesus king by force, but he escapes (John 6:14-15). Then, just a few days earlier, the hope rekindled. Jesus rides a donkey into Jerusalem. The prophet Zechariah predicted this! He said, ‘Keep watch for that event! When you see it, then you know your king has come!’ (9:9-10). They saw it! The long-promised king to give new birth for a new nation. Instead of storming the palace, Jesus storms the temple… and he calls himself God… and starts acting like God. The Jews did not want that. They do not want a spiritual king. Abraham is their ancestor; the family tree will make God happy. Worst case, they have the temple. Just bring some animals, say the right words, and God will be pleased. They feel the spiritual department is met. What the Jews want is an earthly king. Someone who drives out the dreaded Romans, fills the belly with food, and leads the nation towards independence, economic strength, and replaces all fear with peace. That’s what they want. Actually, that’s what they determined needful. As for Jesus, well, he does not look like the King we want. Study that statement long enough and you find a contradiction. He does not look like the King we want. Kings lead people. Here, people try leading king. It leaves you asking: Who, then, is truly the king? You see, the trouble is not with Jesus’ teachings, the trouble is with self-perception. Our flawed hearts think we stand equal with God, that we hold the right to negotiate with God in our pursuit for pleasure! Jesus urges: ‘Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear’ (Matthew 6:25). Yet, this pandemic is spreading and it does not appear to be slowing. So, we feel a right to worry because we feel the situation extreme. He teaches: Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s (Mark 12:17). Yet, we exchange Jesus’ words for Facebook gripes, and criticize first instead of taking words and actions in the kindest possible way. Jesus sets hearts on God’s unbreakable Word: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’ (Matthew 4:4). Yet, that’s difficult because we doubt God will keep his promise. (Or worse, maybe he will keep his promises, but it will cost me money, popularity, or that sinful passion.) Jesus does not look like the King we want. Remember, kings lead people. Yet, people try leading the King. It leaves you asking: Who, then, is truly the king of your life? The Jews want a king who caters to their demands. The Romans claim control over the world. That leaves no room for Jesus. He simply does not look like the King wanted. Because that’s not the King Jesus comes to be. He does not arrive after winning an election or getting the popular vote. He comes to reign as the king we need. Pontius Pilate, the Romans, the Jews have seen kings before. They marvel at immense wealth, prestige, dominance, and influence. They stand outside grandiose palaces set in lofty locations. They follow orders given at the snap of a finger. That kingship does not always address your every fear or physical need. Really, that kingship lasts only a lifetime— unless it ends sooner. Jesus reigns as the king we need. He steps off from his throne, lays aside his royal robes, leaves the halls of choirs upon choirs singing his praises. He leaves the confines of safety and security and steps into a royal mess. He wraps himself in human flesh, but is not born to royalty. He becomes a child to a low-income carpenter and a virgin mother from an insignificant village. His royal band does not consist of dignitaries and ambassadors, but rather simple fishermen and tax collectors. He speaks not to national forums, but to gatherings of the curious, the bruised, and the hurting. He marches off to war the devil in the wilderness for forty days and nights. A foe that snatched at Jesus’ throne. A foe that promises us pleasure if we just follow him. A foe that had lied to us, captured us, and held us captive. A foe that had bound to the pits of hell and eternal death. A foe we constantly faced, but a foe that constantly overwhelmed and defeated us. Yet, that foe could not overwhelm our King. The King of the Jews comes for you. Jesus literally comes through a Jewish family tree. Miracles testify that he is God’s chosen one, that he is God-appointed, that we can follow him. He marches to the cross as the King to fight for the hellish consequences his subjects brought upon themselves. Some chant his name: ‘Hail, King David’s royal son!’ Others shout: ‘Crucify! King of the Jews!’ This is the reason for which our King is sent: to make us citizens of his heavenly kingdom. Our cries for independence—all those little pleasures that feel so good to indulge do not make us free. Instead, they bind us. They clasp us to a very real hellish consequence. Jesus steps into our trouble. Our consequences bind his hands, head, and feet to the cross. God makes him the target of his wrath. There at Calvary, the greatest battle is fought—and won! Our perfect King meets God’s expectations. Easter Sunday trumpets the tickertape parade for the Triumphant King! He ascends into his heavenly coronation, where all things are set under his feet. Even today, that perfect King comes to you. He has clothed you with his royal life. He has washed away grimy selfishness. He has slipped a ring on your finger—a ring that identifies you as belonging to him. Baptism made you a citizen of heaven (Galatians 3:26-27). Kneeling at the Lord’s Supper is really feasting with God at his table. That King still speaks today. Jesus records his Words in the Bible. Those teachings on obedience to government are not meant to restrict you. Rather, they showcase the joy gained by working with and praying for your leaders. Repeated reminders not to worry mean to drain away fear and to cast all anxieties on the One able to handle them. Your King reigns so that you may experience your blessed position under his reign and delight in him controlling all things for your eternal good. Jesus reigns as the King we need. Each Wednesday in Lent we meet opponents of truth. Each adversary confronts undeniable truth, but rebels against its reality. Every nation rejects the King sent to them. He simply did not meet individual expectations. Jesus does not look like the King we want. Kings appear in so many different forms, but this King is different. He comes not for self-interest, but for your interest. His cross brings real peace. His resurrection showcases real control. ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ Jesus reigns as the King we need. A rat’s nest of mangled, gnarled paper lied on the tabletop. Apparently, it was a book—and not just any book, but a Bible. Layers of tan cardboard streaked through the crumbling black leather cover. Gritty gray dust had turned once bright white pages golden-brown. Its outline formed a perfect ‘U’. Honestly, this Bible reached its end.
Still, the archivist hovered over this particular Bible. It had a special story. A congregation established in the 1860s had recently decided to replace their current church building with a newer, updated structure. So, construction began by tearing down the old building. The crane removed the steeple and peeled away the roof. A dozer knocked over brick walls and ripped away stairs. The equipment dug down to the cornerstone. That’s when workers found this Bible. But that’s where the story gets special. That rat’s nest of mangled, gnarled paper was not in the cornerstone, it was under the cornerstone. The congregation had literally made God’s Word their foundation. God’s Word might not literally support the entire weight of a building, but it supports the people within the building. Hearts rely on every single promise inscribed in God’s book. Step off from that Word and you step off of our your foundation. Step off from your foundation, you abandon certain confidence. That’s why Peter writes for us today: Pay Attention to the Word! In that Word (1) The Father reveals his pleasure with Jesus. With that Word (2) The Holy Spirit carries our reliance on Jesus. Familiar truths, yes, but truths under attack. You see, area preachers had mingled among these first-century Christians. They seize the opportunity to spew out delusions. One teacher denies the existence of angels, another openly mocks the work of God’s angels (2:10-11). Still another preacher preys on women in the congregation, seducing some, sexually assaulting others (2:14-16). Every preacher denies accountability; they fear no wrath (2:18-19). In fact, those arrogant brutes even taunt God: “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation” (2 Peter 3:4). Jesus promises a return. Yet, look around. Nothing happened. Since nothing happened, that promise must be false If that promise is false, then the Bible is not reliable. You cannot trust it. So, Peter writes— and he writes about the Friend with whom he spent three years. He writes about the Friend he saw with his eyes, touched with his hands, and heard with ears. He writes about the Friend those so-called preachers never even met. [W]e did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ… Yes, you (and I) openly declare that Jesus will return— and he will judge the living and the dead.. This is not some fairy tale I concocted. This is not some legend my ancestors handed down. Jesus will return in mighty power because he holds mighty power. How do you know? [W]e were eyewitnesses of his majesty. Now, when it comes to credible sources, the eyewitness is the very best, right? Archaeology relishes eyewitness accounts. History details what the eyewitness saw. Even the nightly news craves eyewitnesses! Has anyone ever shoved a news camera in your face for an accident you did not witness? Of course not! We always want to hear what people experience. If we were not present, then we rely on what the eyewitness says! Peter says, ‘I saw his power!’ He stands with James and John… suddenly Jesus shines. No, the sun does not reflect off of him, Jesus literally radiates light. Ancient prophets Moses and Elijah appear. They huddle and discuss Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection. Peter witnesses the awesome perfect glory Jesus possesses as God! (Matthew 17:1-9) That’s not all he witnesses. [W]hen [Jesus] received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. Peter is also an earwitness! He hears The Father reveal his pleasure with Jesus. Familiar truth, but so often attacked. Yes, attacked by so-called intellectuals who mock the truthfulness of the Bible. Yes, mocked by friends who consider the Bible ‘outdated’ and ‘corrupted.’ Yes, despised by the child, the spouse, the brother who claims to be too smart for church. Yet, what about you? Do you challenge the reliability of what Peter writes? Stop for a moment. Dig into your heart. Study its fears, its reliance, its trust. Maybe you do feel like a madman claiming: ‘Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead.’ After all, he’s been gone for millennia! Every century waited for his return, but it seems like life will just continue on as it has always done. Maybe Jesus just will not return. Then, there’s those nights when you ache from guilt. ‘Will God really forgive me for not speaking up? … for not taking action?’ ‘Will God pull out the secret I have fought to hide my whole life and use it against me? …Is that really pardoned?’ On nights like those where do you find peaceful quiet? The temptation always remains to place confidence in opinions and feelings and emotions. We create our own version of truth and begin believing the truth we made up. We question if God can really erase the past or we carry guilt thinking it’s too big for God to handle. We wonder if God truly controls this chaotic world. We place more trust in our Word than His Word. Really, that calls the Bible ‘A book of lies’ and God a ‘liar!’ It leaves us wallowing in fear! That’s why Peter writes! In fact, he includes one tiny word. A word so little that you almost skip right over it. Verse 16 reads: For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ… Catch it? Our Lord Jesus Christ. The One Peter sees on the mountain, the testimony heard about Jesus reveals what he comes to do. ‘Our’ Lord will walk down this Mount of Transfiguration. ‘Our’ Lord will ride into Jerusalem one last time. ‘Our’ Lord will stand trial accused of lying— lying that he is God’s Son. ‘Our’ Lord will die for those who doubt his mighty power as God— even for our doubts. Pay Attention to the Word! If you wonder if Jesus was truly without sin, then listen to The Father reveals his pleasure with Jesus. Watch the Father raise Jesus to life. Watch the Father receive Jesus into heaven’s kingdom and hand him the throne at his powerful right hand. Your Jesus is enough! The Father reveals his pleasure with Jesus. For those times we fear, those times we struggle, The Holy Spirit carries our reliance on Jesus. He uses something special to accomplish that goal. [W]e have something more sure, the prophetic word… The entire Old Testament, from Genesis to Malachi point to Jesus, the Savior. [Y]ou will do well to pay attention [to the Word] as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts… You need to enter the crawl space. You fling open the door. You feel wispy spider-webs and hear mice squeaking somewhere in the misty gloom. What will you carry along? A flashlight. Why? You do not want a face-full of spider web. You do not want to place your hand on a mouse. That light will guide you through the unknown to your goal. So, how tightly would you hold that light? God’s Word shines through the unknown so that you (and I) might have confidence. [Know] this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. God gave his writers the thoughts and words to write down. Those words have been carefully copied from generation to generation so that your Bible today contains the same words that Jesus read and spoke 2,000 years ago. God takes great care so that you know his wants. Over these past seven weeks, God has made clear who Jesus is. Today marks the end of Epiphany. (Remember what that word means? Epiphany means ‘to reveal.’) Jesus is baptized, clearly identifying him to be God’s Son. His Sermon on the Mount lists Beatitudes— statements of blessings. At first, we might think God challenges us to be better people. That’s not the point. God reveals Jesus, the best-est One who ever walked on earth. Even today, God reveals Jesus to be God. Perfect. Without sin. Pleasing. Wednesday begins the season of Lent. For the next six weeks we will walk through the trials, the suffering, the shame Jesus endures. This brilliant glory might seem dim. Gloom will hang over our hearts. Yet, God’s Word, his Light, leads us through that solemn season. Jesus suffers— but keep in mind the ‘why.’ Why does he suffer? To remove eternal suffering from you (and me). He marches into the jaws of death and destroys the stranglehold it once held on you (and me). Then, he rises! Brilliant. Shining. Radiant. Handed the full glory once hidden for a time. Handed the full honor as Victor over our greatest enemies. With God’s flawlessly recorded Word, the Holy Spirit carries our reliance on Jesus. Just as he did for that established congregation. For over 150-years hearts relied on the unchanging Word. Culture changed in both community and society. With it came fears over control, fear over personal choices, fear over the future. Yet, that Word pointed every heart to the Savior reigning with powerful might. Step off from that Word and you step off of our your foundation. Step off from your foundation, you leave behind certain confidence. That’s why Peter writes for us today: Pay Attention to the Word! In that Word (1) The Father reveals his pleasure with Jesus. With that Word (2) The Holy Spirit carries our reliance on Jesus. |
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