Matthew 27:50-52
I have been startled and moved throughout our study of Matthew by how crystal clear Jesus' identity as THE MESSIAH becomes as Matthew writes his account of Jesus' life, ministry, death, and resurrection. He demonstrates over and over again that Jesus is the fulfillment and the embodiment of the One the Jews and the rest of the world have been waiting, longing, hoping, and looking for all these many years. Matthew, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, authored this gospel to clearly reveal that Jesus is prophet, priest, and king, just as the scriptures promise the Jewish Messiah will be.
What was particularly poignant to me as I read Matthew's account of Jesus' betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion was the way Matthew illustrates Jesus' fulfillment of the office of High Priest. I have read this story many times, but had missed part of its significance before.
Matthew tells us what happens when Jesus allows death to overtake him on the cross in 27:50-52, "And Jesus cried out with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and the earth shook; and the rocks were split, and the tombs were opened; and many of the bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised..."
And in that very moment, Jesus closed the gap our sin had created between God and man. He entered the Holy of holies, bearing the full penalty of the wrath of God, and made atonement for our sin. Jesus experienced what every Jewish priest both longed and dreaded to be chosen to do. A priest longed to be the one chosen to enter the Holy of holies sometime during his lifetime, to be the one to go beyond the veil into the place where God's glorious presence dwelled. But in the same way he longed to have that role, he also dreaded it because one wrong move, motive, or misspeak while in that place, and God's wrath would be kindled and result in the priest's immediate death.
But Jesus, unlike any priest before him, lavished his love on us by humbling himself, becoming our very sin for us, and submitting to death on a cross (Philippians 2:6-8; 2 Corinthians 5:21). He was the perfect, spotless lamb who was slaughtered on behalf of the sins of the entire world--past, present, and future. When he was on the cross, Jesus experienced the agony of the full weight of all sin from Adam to me to my children's children's children, drank the entire cup of God's wrath on our behalf, and for the first and last time knew intimately what it was to experience unyielding separation from the Father.
Separated. Cut off. Alone. Dead in my sins. The King of kings died in my place so that I am no longer separated by my sin from my Maker, Creator, Abba Father. He tore the veil, closed the gap, bridged the gulf, reopened the way, giving me unfettered access to the Holy of holies, the ability to sit and revel in God's very presence without fear of the death penalty. Jesus' death on the cross and sin-bearing entrance into the Holy of holies set me free from the bondage of slavery to sin and eternal separation from God. No longer bound by the Law which required yearly atonement, cleansing of sin, I am free to be in God's presence, to share restored relationship with him (Ephesians 2:11-16).
Jesus, prophet, king, and great High Priest was also the Lamb of God slain for me and for you. And now, according to 1 Peter 2:9-11, those who believe are considered part of the royal priesthood of believers. Believers are also able to stand before the throne of grace with confidence to receive mercy and grace(Hebrews 4:14-16.) As a follower of Christ, I am an heir of righteousness rather than a child of wrath (Ephesians 2:3-6). How incredible it is to know that we have a great High priest who lavished His love on us by taking our punishment on our behalf. The gospel really can be communicated in four powerful words...Jesus in my place! Do you know Jesus as your great High Priest? Do you know what it is to have restored fellowship with the Father because Jesus died in your place? My prayer is that you will accept and believe that Jesus' death on the cross for you is enough to bridge the gap between your sin and the Father, and join me in singing this song of praise to our great Hight Priest!
You tore the veil; you made a way
when you said that "It is done"!
You tore the veil; you made a way
when you said that "It is done"!
At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me;
There's no greater love than this!
You have overcome the grave;
Your glory fills the highest place.
What can separate me now?! (Hillsong: At the Cross)
Showing posts with label Matthew. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matthew. Show all posts
05 July 2011
06 June 2011
The Fragrance of Life
The other day while little Z and I are were taking a walk, this horrible stench assailed my nose. It was so awful that I gagged and Z wrinkled up his nose and put his hands on his nose to cover it. I'm still not sure what was causing the offensive odor, but it was definitely dead. Death stinks. Literally.
As I was thinking about that, the Lord brought to mind what I had been reading in Matthew 21 about Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and then the Holy Spirit brought to mind a connection between that passage and 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 that I had never noticed before.
Matthew 21:6-11 says,
The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, "Who is this?" And the crowds said, "This is the prophet Jesus,from Nazareth of Galilee."
2 Corinthians 2:14-16 says,
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.
As Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey, the multitudes which had been following Him for some time began to spread coats and branches across the road for Him to ride across. They treat him like a victorious, conquering king who has returned from battle. Their shouts of acclamation and praise identify Him as a Son of David, which signifies that they believe He is of royal heritage and has come to take his rightful place on David's throne.
Of course, they were right. Jesus is the victorious, conquering king and from the royal line of David, but what they didn't' know was that this victory parade preempted Jesus' most valiant victory. Jesus was not yet marching to the throne in this scene. He was marching to the cross where He would vanquish sin and death once and for all. His triumphal entry was, indeed, victorious--just not in the way anyone expected. It was a triumphal procession that marched Jesus to a gruesome death on the cross, though it would ultimately lead to victorious eternal life and Jesus' everlasting reign on the throne of the kingdom of God.
I wonder if Jesus could smell the stench of my sin, the odor of death and decay as he rode through the city that day?
Before the sweet aroma of victory could waft into the hearts and lives of those He came to rescue, the stench of sin and death had to be defeated. It was to vanquish those foes that Jesus set his face like flint to march to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51. The sickening scent of our rotten sin compelled Him to drink the cup of God's wrath mean for you and for me in order to bring us back to life. When Jesus breathed, "It is finished", (John 19:30)the sweet smell of victory danced on the wind and the fragrance of new life overpowered the stench of death when Jesus burst forth from the grave.
It is this victory, Jesus' victory that enabled Paul to claim Jesus' triumphal entry as his own and to remind the Corinthian believers that it was theirs as well. It is Christ's redemptive work on the cross that gives us, as believers, the ability to walk in triumph, spreading the sweet aroma of life in Christ to those who are still drenched in the stench of sin and death.
Because of Jesus, we are the fragrance of new life to the world around us. We should spend our days shouting, "Hosanna", to the King of kings so that those in the city would long to smell like our Sweet Savior, too!
As I was thinking about that, the Lord brought to mind what I had been reading in Matthew 21 about Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and then the Holy Spirit brought to mind a connection between that passage and 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 that I had never noticed before.
Matthew 21:6-11 says,
The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, "Who is this?" And the crowds said, "This is the prophet Jesus,from Nazareth of Galilee."
2 Corinthians 2:14-16 says,
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.
As Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey, the multitudes which had been following Him for some time began to spread coats and branches across the road for Him to ride across. They treat him like a victorious, conquering king who has returned from battle. Their shouts of acclamation and praise identify Him as a Son of David, which signifies that they believe He is of royal heritage and has come to take his rightful place on David's throne.
Of course, they were right. Jesus is the victorious, conquering king and from the royal line of David, but what they didn't' know was that this victory parade preempted Jesus' most valiant victory. Jesus was not yet marching to the throne in this scene. He was marching to the cross where He would vanquish sin and death once and for all. His triumphal entry was, indeed, victorious--just not in the way anyone expected. It was a triumphal procession that marched Jesus to a gruesome death on the cross, though it would ultimately lead to victorious eternal life and Jesus' everlasting reign on the throne of the kingdom of God.
I wonder if Jesus could smell the stench of my sin, the odor of death and decay as he rode through the city that day?
Before the sweet aroma of victory could waft into the hearts and lives of those He came to rescue, the stench of sin and death had to be defeated. It was to vanquish those foes that Jesus set his face like flint to march to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51. The sickening scent of our rotten sin compelled Him to drink the cup of God's wrath mean for you and for me in order to bring us back to life. When Jesus breathed, "It is finished", (John 19:30)the sweet smell of victory danced on the wind and the fragrance of new life overpowered the stench of death when Jesus burst forth from the grave.
It is this victory, Jesus' victory that enabled Paul to claim Jesus' triumphal entry as his own and to remind the Corinthian believers that it was theirs as well. It is Christ's redemptive work on the cross that gives us, as believers, the ability to walk in triumph, spreading the sweet aroma of life in Christ to those who are still drenched in the stench of sin and death.
Because of Jesus, we are the fragrance of new life to the world around us. We should spend our days shouting, "Hosanna", to the King of kings so that those in the city would long to smell like our Sweet Savior, too!
27 May 2011
Begrudging God's Generosity
I was challenged this week by a passage I came to in my study of Matthew. The story is the parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard in Matthew 20.1-16. The words of Jesus in verse 15 really stopped me in my tracks…
“Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?”
I was recently confronted again with my current status as a single. Yet another acquaintance was saved from the ranks of single women and I was left wondering, questioning, judging, and even crying a little. My temptation is to tell you all the details surrounding this situation and reasons why I think it may not be God’s timing or His best and so on. But I know that in reality that would just be my attempt at justifying my own sin. First and foremost my sin is idolatry, desiring something, ANYTHING above God. Second, and what this verse spoke to, is begrudging God’s generosity.
In this passage the laborers could not even be thankful for their own wage because they were so angry others, who did less work than they, received the same wage. How often do I, do we, become ungrateful laborers for our Lord because we are so concerned over what others receive? How many times do I begrudge God’s generosity in other’s lives? Do I become bitter when single friends get into a relationship? What about those of you who want children and see others not considering the blessing of their own children? What about when others are blessed financially and I am struggling? Do I begrudge God’s blessings on others ministry when I am not seeing fruit? When I begin to really reflect on this particular sin, I am pierced by how often I begrudge God’s generosity in others lives.
The ESV Study Bible says it so well…”A disciple of Jesus should not measure his or her worth by comparing it with the accomplishments and sacrifices of others, but should focus on serving from a heart of gratitude in response to God’s grace…God’s generosity is more abundant than anyone would expect: all the laborers except the very first go more than they deserved.”
I cannot, we must not, compare our blessings with that of others. Instead look at how abundantly God has poured out his generosity.
Thank you Father for your ABUNDANT generosity. You have given me far more than I deserve. Forgive me for begrudging your generosity in the lives of others. Forgive me for not finding my joy in you and recognizing ALL my desire is fulfilled only in you.
18 May 2011
The Tenderness of Jesus
Matthew 14:9-21
I love how Matthew allows us to see so many different facets of Jesus' character throughout his book. Matthew depicts Him as the Sovereign authority, all-powerful, and mighty to save, but we also get to know Him as sweet Savior, tender and compassionate toward those He longs to rescue.
In Matthew 14, we see a very gruesome, violent murder (John the Baptist, the herald and forerunner for Jesus' kingdom was martyred by Herod), the feeding of the 5,000, and Jesus walking on the water. I had never noticed that the feeding of the 5,000 occurs in the wake of Jesus receiving the news about John's death...
Now when Jesus heard it, He withdrew from there in a boat, to a lonely place by Himself...
Jesus was grieved by this news and He wanted to be alone to mourn the death of John, who was not only His cousin, but also the one preparing the way for His own ministry. And yet, Jesus had garnered such a tremendous following that He couldn't even be left alone to grieve...
and when the multitude heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities...
The crowds wanted to be near Jesus, to hear from Him, to be healed by Him even in the midst of His grief and desire for solitude. And most spiritual leaders, pastors, most anyone would have become angry at the crowd for intruding on this private moment. But not Jesus. I love what Matthew says happened next...
And when He went ashore, He saw a great multitude, and felt compassion for them, and healed their sick...
My heart is full to bursting with love for this Savior who is so tender and compassionate for the needs of the multitude even in the wake of such loss! It is such a clear picture of Jesus' love for us and a poignant reminder of the way we should treat the "multitudes" of our own ministries.
Certainly there is a time and a place for mourning privately and for seeking solitude, and we see Jesus model both for us in other passages of Scripture. In this scene, though, He set aside His own emotional needs and exhaustion to meet the immediate needs of others. Likewise, our compassion for the multitude, the lostness around us, should supersede any weariness or emotional pain we are experiencing personally. It is in these moments we must choose to...
have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death on a cross. (Phil. 2:5-8)
We need to empty ourselves into the multitude during times of great heartache and personal tragedy just like Jesus did. God, in His Sovereignty, might also choose to use our own hurt and sadness to enable us to better relate and communicate with the multitude. It might be in our personal tragedy or emotional vulnerability that the multitude is best able to see and hear the gospel.
By meeting the needs of the lost people around Him, Jesus was the gospel to them. We need to ask God to give us a heart of tender compassion for those around us who need a healing touch, and who, more importantly, need to see the gospel in action.
Lord Jesus, please make me more like You, who humbled Yourself for the sake of bringing the gospel to the multitude, emptied Yourself out for us, and for the joy set before You endured the cross, despising its shame. Thank You for the beautiful picture of tender lovingkindness we see displayed in your attitude toward the multitude, as You sweetly and kindly met their needs and healed their sick. Oh, how I adore You, Sweet Jesus!
Amen
I love how Matthew allows us to see so many different facets of Jesus' character throughout his book. Matthew depicts Him as the Sovereign authority, all-powerful, and mighty to save, but we also get to know Him as sweet Savior, tender and compassionate toward those He longs to rescue.
In Matthew 14, we see a very gruesome, violent murder (John the Baptist, the herald and forerunner for Jesus' kingdom was martyred by Herod), the feeding of the 5,000, and Jesus walking on the water. I had never noticed that the feeding of the 5,000 occurs in the wake of Jesus receiving the news about John's death...
Now when Jesus heard it, He withdrew from there in a boat, to a lonely place by Himself...
Jesus was grieved by this news and He wanted to be alone to mourn the death of John, who was not only His cousin, but also the one preparing the way for His own ministry. And yet, Jesus had garnered such a tremendous following that He couldn't even be left alone to grieve...
and when the multitude heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities...
The crowds wanted to be near Jesus, to hear from Him, to be healed by Him even in the midst of His grief and desire for solitude. And most spiritual leaders, pastors, most anyone would have become angry at the crowd for intruding on this private moment. But not Jesus. I love what Matthew says happened next...
And when He went ashore, He saw a great multitude, and felt compassion for them, and healed their sick...
My heart is full to bursting with love for this Savior who is so tender and compassionate for the needs of the multitude even in the wake of such loss! It is such a clear picture of Jesus' love for us and a poignant reminder of the way we should treat the "multitudes" of our own ministries.
Certainly there is a time and a place for mourning privately and for seeking solitude, and we see Jesus model both for us in other passages of Scripture. In this scene, though, He set aside His own emotional needs and exhaustion to meet the immediate needs of others. Likewise, our compassion for the multitude, the lostness around us, should supersede any weariness or emotional pain we are experiencing personally. It is in these moments we must choose to...
have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death on a cross. (Phil. 2:5-8)
We need to empty ourselves into the multitude during times of great heartache and personal tragedy just like Jesus did. God, in His Sovereignty, might also choose to use our own hurt and sadness to enable us to better relate and communicate with the multitude. It might be in our personal tragedy or emotional vulnerability that the multitude is best able to see and hear the gospel.
By meeting the needs of the lost people around Him, Jesus was the gospel to them. We need to ask God to give us a heart of tender compassion for those around us who need a healing touch, and who, more importantly, need to see the gospel in action.
Lord Jesus, please make me more like You, who humbled Yourself for the sake of bringing the gospel to the multitude, emptied Yourself out for us, and for the joy set before You endured the cross, despising its shame. Thank You for the beautiful picture of tender lovingkindness we see displayed in your attitude toward the multitude, as You sweetly and kindly met their needs and healed their sick. Oh, how I adore You, Sweet Jesus!
Amen
10 May 2011
A Steadfast Gaze
We all know the story of Jesus walking on the water, Peter getting out of the boat and sinking fast. I read the story again this morning and was reminded of a truth I already knew but needed to hear again.
And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." ~ Matt. 14.28-33
First, and foremost, this passage shows that Jesus is, in fact, God. He has authority and control over creation. He is more than just a healer, prophet, miracle worker, etc. Jesus is God Incarnate. The Lord had some other things he wanted to remind of through this passage as well...
I was first reminded how easily I forget God has complete control and authority over EVERYTHING. He not only has control of all creation, but he is also in control of EVERY circumstance in my life. Like Peter, I often start out putting full trust in the Lord with a certain situation and step out confidently, eyes fixed on him. I pray with confidence, trusting the Lord's plan and care for my life. Then I notice all that is going on around me. I begin to worry and my prayers become anxious ramblings before the Lord. I may even avoid time in the Word altogether, because I have to 'fix' whatever problem I am facing. I let my fear and uncertainty overwhelm my trust. I begin to sink....
Jesus immediately reached out his hand...
The Lord then reminded me that he is faithful when I am not. Though I may remove my gaze from him momentarily, when I call to him he WILL answer.
When the tempest of life rages all around me, I MUST set my eyes on Lord, the Sovereign God of the universe. If it seems as though the winds will overtake me, that is when my gaze MUST remain steadfast on him.
And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." ~ Matt. 14.28-33
First, and foremost, this passage shows that Jesus is, in fact, God. He has authority and control over creation. He is more than just a healer, prophet, miracle worker, etc. Jesus is God Incarnate. The Lord had some other things he wanted to remind of through this passage as well...
I was first reminded how easily I forget God has complete control and authority over EVERYTHING. He not only has control of all creation, but he is also in control of EVERY circumstance in my life. Like Peter, I often start out putting full trust in the Lord with a certain situation and step out confidently, eyes fixed on him. I pray with confidence, trusting the Lord's plan and care for my life. Then I notice all that is going on around me. I begin to worry and my prayers become anxious ramblings before the Lord. I may even avoid time in the Word altogether, because I have to 'fix' whatever problem I am facing. I let my fear and uncertainty overwhelm my trust. I begin to sink....
Jesus immediately reached out his hand...
The Lord then reminded me that he is faithful when I am not. Though I may remove my gaze from him momentarily, when I call to him he WILL answer.
When the tempest of life rages all around me, I MUST set my eyes on Lord, the Sovereign God of the universe. If it seems as though the winds will overtake me, that is when my gaze MUST remain steadfast on him.
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