Tag: John 15

I Laughed Today

On By TimIn Jesus, John 15, LoveLeave a comment

This week, someone said, “Jesus would’ve hated Charlie.” It made me giggle a bit. As I’m writing this, it still makes me giggle, but the laughter comes with the sad reality. Some don’t know Jesus.

I know Jesus. I know the Truth. Jesus loved Charlie Kirk. Charlie is with Jesus now.

A statement like this reveals that some don’t know much about the Bible, Who Jesus is, or what Jesus said. They know what others tell them, but have not verified anything.

As for hatred, it’s the world that hates Jesus and His followers. Consider this about hatred, and what it reveals about those who mocked Jesus, who mock Charlie and other Christians.

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, the world therefore hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My words, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not performed among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin. But now have they seen and hated both My Father and Me. But that the word which is written in their law might be fulfilled, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’

John 15:18–25

Because the culture hated Charlie, one thing is certain: Charlie loved Jesus. It is the public reaction that brings out the truth Jesus spoke. They identify themselves.

From the personal testimonies of many close to Charlie Kirk. He was doing exactly what he was called to do by Jesus. He was a living witness to all of us that he was the man we all should be. Bold, loving, courageous, and with complete trust in our Savior. It is clearly demonstrated that Charlie was a servant. And he was not above his Master. Charlie even died a younger man than Jesus did.

It’s no coincidence that he was hated by the world. It is because Jesus is. Charlie is proof of that. As was John the Baptist, who was also taken out at a young age. These all spoke the truth; they unveiled the underlying sins of people to the light. Just like the text above says, if they hadn’t been spoken to, they would not have known sin.

The issue is clear. Evil does not like exposure. Exposure takes the stranglehold of its power away.

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned. But he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the verdict, that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that it may be revealed that his deeds have been done in God.”

John 3:17–21

When people came to Charlie, he didn’t set out to expose their evil deeds. He simply wanted to have conversations. In those interactions, he spoke truth to people. Truth, to a student culture that is purposefully implanted with delusion, then sounds offensive. Like Jesus said, had they not been spoken to, they would not have known of their sin. In that way, truth is an equal opportunity offender. It happens to everyone. There are things God says to me that I don’t like. Yet in not being offended and confessing those faults, I’ve learned to trust that He has my best interests at heart. Sometimes, they are ones that I have no conscious clue about.

Watching the plethora of videos of his encounters, it’s clear that truth worked in the consciences of those to whom he spoke. Sometimes, a mind was open and willing. Most often, minds were closed, and the people left clinging to their delusions.

That’s sad.

They think they know Jesus. All they have is that He’s a cool dude who was nice to everyone. That’s very shallow. I wonder if the folks whose tables were turned, or the Pharisees He called white-washed tombs thought He was nice?

Yes, Jesus loves all humans. He also speaks truthfully to them. Love and truth are inseparable.

The soul who sins shall die. I think we all know that inherently. When truth is spoken to any of us, we inevitably know our faults in missing the mark of perfection that God requires. It’s like Paul said about the truth of the law… It made sin alive in him, and he died.

Because many walked away from Turning Point USA events rejecting Jesus, Who is the embodiment of Truth. It brings profound sadness. People don’t want to know the truth. Like the person saying Jesus would’ve hated Charlie. That’s mockery revealing no personal knowledge of Jesus. They don’t know Charlie, and they really hate the Truth he represented.

The real problem is sin. The danger is dying in one’s sins. So, how do we humans deal with this inescapable doom of death?

I will tell you now, if you’ve stumbled upon this post and the words of Jesus have somehow pierced through, showing you were caught up in delusion, that’s a first step. The next is believing in Jesus.

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.” This is the word of faith that we preach: that if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved, for with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:8–10

It is that easy. You can know Jesus today. He’s not dead, but very much alive! This is Who Charlie knew. This is Who I know. Jesus is not relegated to the past… He lives and loves today. He forgives sin, any sin, all sin. He also takes them away forever. Just confess it to Him.

Are you afraid to pray or even approach Him?

Don’t be.

I know the Truth, so how can Jesus hate anyone?

He doesn’t.

I mean this: He died for the sins of the whole world. Think about that. The creation cries out for justice because you and I have sinned. The death of Jesus satisfies that justice once and for all.

Almost 2,000 years ago, He died. His death provided a pardon for sins. You and I have been pardoned effectually and unconditionally. If you’re human, He did that for you.

How is that hate toward Charlie?

Charlie let anyone speak to him. He loved them enough to be truthful, which is exceedingly refreshing in our culture.

Get this, the Bible plainly states… There is no greater love than a man lay down his life for his friends.

Jesus laid down His life for Charlie.

He did that for you.

He did that for me.

I don’t care where you’re at, what you’ve done, or even who you are. I KNOW that for the sheer fact that you’re a human person… Jesus calls you a friend. One that He died to save.

Charlie was His friend. I am His friend. If He died for you, you are His friend; the question I leave to you…

Is He your friend?

If not, fix that right now.

Clothed in Rainbows of Living Color

On By TimIn Love, Revelation 04Leave a comment

I quoted the lyrics of the Revelation Song. This is for you, the reader, to have a proper frame of mind. The song points directly to the Apostle John’s experience on Patmos. He was called up to heaven and had the privilege of seeing the throne of God. He described it like this:

Immediately I was in the Spirit. And there was a throne set in heaven with One sitting on the throne! And He who sat there appeared like a jasper and a sardius stone. There was a rainbow around the throne, appearing like an emerald.

Revelation 4:2–3

John was not the first to see this. Ezekiel had a vision of the throne of God. He wrote down a similar observation.

There was a voice from the expanse that was over their heads whenever they stood still and let down their wings. Above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone. And on the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man on it high up. Then I saw as glowing metal, as the appearance of fire all around within it, from the appearance of His loins and upward; and from the appearance of His loins and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was a brightness around Him. As the appearance of the rainbow that is in the cloud on a day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around.

Ezekiel 1:25–28

Yes, I am going to talk about the rainbow again. You can follow the tag cloud to find other things I have written on that. But of late, the Revelation Song has been rattling through my mind. It is a great and beautiful thing, too. There is reason to ponder what the song embraces from the truth of God’s Word.

The first thing I want to share is a photo I took a few years back flying home from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I wanted to capture the shadow of our jet moving on the clouds. When looking at the image later, I was shocked to discover something. I don’t recall if I saw the rainbow or not, but the significance is that rainbows are circles. We usually experience just the curved bow ending at the horizon. Look closely at the image, it is clear that the brightest colors are closest to the center and fade as the concentric bands show. There are at least two more faint rainbow circles. I think this adds some clarity to the splendor of what John and Ezekiel both conveyed to us.

There is always more than we can imagine.

Anisotrophic Splendor

I want to introduce something very relevant to this discussion. It is a principle known as Anisotropy. As defined by Wikipedia, it is the structural property of non-uniformity in different directions, as opposed to isotropy. Yeah, that is big talk. But think of it as a uniform direction as opposed to being omnidirectional (all directions.) Wood is anisotropic, as the grain goes in one direction.

Light, as we encounter it in this physical world every day, is isotropic. Its waves propagate in all directions. When on me applies a polarizing filter, the light that passes through the filter has waves in one direction. The filter strains out all the diverse propagation and allows only light oriented in one direction. Sometimes it is easier to see things through polarized light because it tends to remove scattering reflections. Wearing polarized sunglasses allows me to look into a body of water without the myriad reflections that would make things less clear.

The peculiarities of light have fascinated humans for centuries, as science shows. Experiments are performed where light is purified. That is, it is filtered to remove the propagating diffractions. There is one that most people are taught in school. It is Double-Slit Experiment and the controversial things it upended and exposed. I will leave that rabbit-hole for your edification. But in my opinion, the findings of that one experiment demonstrate that there may be an intelligence that controls the minutiae of our universe.

Using this methodology in this experiment led to others and the use of cross-polarization. Pure cross-polarized light is created by using two polarizing filters oriented perpendicularly to each other. These filters block the mirror-like reflections from surfaces. This leaves only the diffuse component of the light, which reveals the true surface color and texture of the subject. Some call this pure light.

I cannot help but think, why cross-polarization? Is there something about the cross-filtered light that reveals truth? Is it just a coincidental play on words? Tell me what you think in the comments.

Back to the good stuff.

Applying this kind of light to gemstones has revealed something far more splendid than just the symmetry of grain. It gives rise to a new classification of gemstones. They can be classified as either isotropic or anisotropic. Consider those gems God chose to use in New Jerusalem.

The foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all kinds of precious jewels. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; and the twelfth, amethyst.

Revelation 21:19-20

When we look at these gems with ordinary physical light, they appear rather plain. Our first reaction might be why these?

Our physical light has waves going in different directions that seem chaotic. Most of those gemstones do not exhibit any real radiance or even clarity. Diamonds and rubies sparkle translucently in this kind of light. They are highly prized for this beauty.

The pure light reveals the true surface color and properties of the gems. Diamonds and rubies become black and opaque in cross-polarized light. However, when cross-polarized light is used on those gems mentioned in Revelation for New Jerusalem, their true beauty and splendor are revealed. The image below shows how each of these gems appears in this cross-filtered pure light.

Look back up to how John described the light emanating from the throne of God. He used the words jasper and sardius as descriptions for the appearance of God. I would say he was seeing these with pure light just by the descriptions he uses. John is seeing what is True, without the noise we see with our eyes in the physical light we experience.

I do wear two jasper bracelets on my wrist. The jasper beads are red. There is real beauty in that. I see just the red stone with little shine. But it is a daily reminder of the blood of Jesus that bought my freedom. I also wear a lapis lazuli one, which brings to mind the tekhelet blue adorning priestly garments. There are also two strands of amethyst. Purple is the color of royalty and my King.

Sardius is also red. It, too, is not overtly stunning in natural light. Yet, like other anisotropic gems in pure light, they fluoresce with brilliant rainbow colors!

There are resources to help understand. This one, Revelation Handout Pages, from River of Life Fellowship, can help with understanding. (Last two pages of the handout.) There are additional links in that material to help with the science.

New Jerusalem is going to glow with spectacular brilliance and color. It will be very much like the throne of God, with the pure light emanating from the Light of the World.

Glory of God

In his first epistle, Peter exhorts us Christian’s on how to comport ourselves in this world. We are not to live like the Gentiles, but live a life of love, grace, mercy, and hospitality to all. In so doing, we become living epistles to a watching world.

Therefore, since Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh serving human desires, but the will of God. For in earlier times of our lives it may have sufficed us to do what the Gentiles like to do, when we walked in immorality: lusts, drunkenness, carousing, debauchery, and abominable idolatries. They are surprised that you do not join them in the same excess of wild living, and so they speak evil of you. They will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, so that even though they might be judged according to men in the flesh, they might live according to God in the spirit.
The end of all things is near. Therefore be solemn and sober so you can pray. Above all things, have unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without complaining. As everyone has received a gift, even so serve one another with it, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone serves, let him serve with the strength that God supplies, so that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:1–11

There is a lot in the instructions that lends itself to the discussion at hand. Peter is reiterating the two great commands Jesus gave to believers. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Imagine the directions of this love, vertically for God, and horizontally for others. These two things are crossed perpendicularly to each other. Perhaps that is just a coincidence, but in this discussion of pure light has the same principle. Why does this appear to direct us to the cross of Jesus?

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though some strange thing happened to you. But rejoice insofar as you share in Christ’s sufferings, so that you may rejoice and be glad also in the revelation of His glory. If you are reproached because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. Let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evildoer, or even as a busybody. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God because of it.

1 Peter 4:12–16

Wait…

If we behave like Jesus and Peter have instructed us to do it is going to bring suffering. Yet in that suffering, His glory is revealed! This is just like the principle of pure light revealing the true glory of gems, pure love (the cross-filtered kind) reveals the true glory of God.

There is more there. Peter says that this Spirit of God is the Spirit of Glory that rests on us. He blesses us. Though the world blasphemes Him, He is glorified in you and me. That is the work of the Spirit of Glory. He reveals the glory of God.

The Crown of Glory

There is also a promised reward to those who live well and shepherd the flock. This should be the goal of every believer to shepherd the flock they have been given. Not because we have to do it, but to be faithful in our charge as examples to them. These reveal the glory of God to their flock.

I exhort the elders who are among you, as one who is also an elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, take care of them, not by constraint, but willingly, not for dishonest gain, but eagerly. Do not lord over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of glory that will not fade away.

1 Peter 5:1–4

These are partakers in His glory; They are taking His glory! Their ultimate reward is a crown of glory. One that will not fade away. It necessitates that the glory being discussed here is God’s glory.

The Spirit of Glory

This Spirit of Glory did the same with Jesus. This is going to rely on the last few days of Jesus’ life in a physical body as recounted by John. I challenge you to take the time to read it all, now. You may encounter things there you have not seen before.

To start, Jesus was outlining this vertical and horizontal relationship we are to have with God and others. He is speaking of the suffering He is to endure. He is also sharing that they would indeed suffer in like manner. As the world hated Him and it will hate believers. He also introduced the coming Helper we now know is the Spirit of Glory.

“But when the Counselor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness of Me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

John 15:26–27

Things for His friends are going to get bad, really bad. Jesus says He is going away. He will return again in a little while. This is one of those things the disciples did not quite grasp. His death, and more to the point, His resurrection. Jesus’ leaving would make way for the Spirit of Truth. He will by a Helper to them.

“I have yet many things to tell you, but you cannot bear them now. But when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own authority. But He will speak whatever He hears, and He will tell you things that are to come. He will glorify Me, for He will receive from Me and will declare it to you. All that the Father has is Mine. Therefore I said that He will take what is Mine and will declare it to you.

John 16:12–15

They didn’t understand. The sudden coming death of Jesus was not the point of contention. The resurrection was. It was not expected at all by them. Yet by the Spirit of Truth, it will be revealed to all that Jesus Christ has overcome the world.

He said the Spirit glorifies Him. In this text, it is obvious that the role of the Holy Spirit is intimately connected with revealing the glory of God.

In all of this discussion with His friends, Jesus then prays.

When Jesus spoke these words, He lifted His eyes toward heaven and said:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may also glorify You. As You have given Him authority over all flesh, He will give eternal life to all whom You have given Him. This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me in Your own presence with the glory which I had with You before the world existed.

John 17:1–5

What Jesus says mirrors everything we have learned about glory. It is revealed in suffering. Jesus again promises the gift of eternal life. It is that discussion of glory that draws attention. I will speak to that in a bit. Jesus speaks in the shared suffering His friends experience because of their belief. As Jesus suffers, it glorifies God. As His chosen ones suffer, it glorifies Jesus. He is praying for His friends. He goes further…

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You. May they also be one in Us, that the world may believe that You have sent Me.

John 17:20–21

I do not take these words lightly. That is us, our Savior is praying for us, modern-day believers. The truth is, it is through the words of His chosen ones that we have come to believe. The blessings on them are also for all believers. Even those who come to believe some 2,000 years later.

Don’t skip over the part where Jesus asks that we are one. It’s not just a unity of purpose, but a unity in all things. It is worth it to take some time to contemplate the entire prayer of Jesus. But… How does that unity happen?

Jesus began explaining that back in John 15. He promised the Comforter, in Greek, that is the Paraclete. The word literally means a counselor, like a lawyer. One that comes alongside to help. The coming Spirit of Glory will be the One Who unifies believers. That is, God will live in each of those who believe.

The disciples will be scattered. Suffering will come. That sorrow will turn into joy because of this Helper. And He came to those believers for the first time in a unique way. I can imagine that the gathering of disciples was rather somber until this happened.

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. There appeared to them tongues as of fire, being distributed and resting on each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

Acts 2:1–4

As Peter taught, this is the glory of God resting on them. Not only is the glory of God resting on them, but He is in them.

I Will not Share My Glory

This idea may come to the forefront of the minds of some. The Bible tells us that God will not share His glory with another.

You have heard; see all this.
And will you not declare it?
I have shown you new things from this time,
even hidden things, and you did not know them.
They are created now and not from the beginning;
even before the day when you did not hear them,
lest you should say,
“Yes, I knew them.”
You have not heard, you have not known,
indeed, from long ago your ear has not been open.
For I knew that you would deal very treacherously,
and that from birth you have been called a rebel.
For My name’s sake I will defer My anger,
and for My praise I will restrain it for you
so that you are not cut off.
See, I have refined you, but not with silver;
I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction.
For My own sake, even for My own sake, I will do it;
for how can My name be polluted?
And I will not give My glory to another.

Isaiah 48:6–11

In the context of what Isaiah is saying, it is God speaking of the stubbornness of Jacob. How He has told them the beginning from the end, so they could not ascribe the things that belong to God to the carved images with which they stumbled. From the beginning, God told them what He was doing. There were things hidden from them, purposefully. It makes me want to delve more into the Tanakh. There are plenty of hidden treasures. Treasures that are for Israel. Yet they rebelled… A lot… And for a long time.

His patience with them is to protect His name. It’s for His praise that Israel was not cut off. Instead, through the furnace of affliction, they are purified. It’s the same for us Christians, just as Peter says. It seems that the glory of God is also revealed in praise to Him. Something He will not share with others.

When God says He will not give His glory to another, it is clearly in the context of sharing with idols and carved images. But many teach that He doesn’t share His glory at all. Because of that, it becomes one of those apologetic things to prove Jesus is Jehovah. Which brings us right back to those last days before the cross above, and the thing I promised to point out later. In the last sentence I quote, it is self-evident that Jesus is indeed Jehovah. “And now, O Father, glorify Me in Your own presence with the glory which I had with You before the world existed.”

From Glory to Glory

The radiant glory rainbow around the throne of God is representative of the Spirit of God. There is no coincidence that there are seven colors in the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. These colors come from white light. The brilliance of a rainbow is staggering when encountered. We get this hint of glory as a promise from God. It marked His promise not to wipe out the race with a global flood. (Yeah, I said global.)

There will also be an angel that comes in the future.

Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud and a rainbow on his head. His face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire.

Revelation 10:1

It seems that this angel is clothed in those things associated with the Spirit of God. His head glows with a rainbow, and his feet are like pillars of fire. Fire, just like when the Holy Spirit came upon those believers after the ascension of Jesus. He is likened to tongues of fire that rested upon those there. We commemorate this day as Pentecost.

Could it be that we get just these small glimpses of glory?

That angel seems to be clothed in the same splendor that comes from the throne of God.

Can I tell you something?

There is enough evidence here for something spectacularly mind-boggling. God does share His glory with others. He gives it to us. It comes with the Holy Spirit that is part of us forever.

He is the One who reveals the visible glory of God shown in the patient suffering of His saints. I am telling you that if you have the Holy Spirit in you, then you are already clothed from the inside out with the splendor of God. He has placed His Mark on you forever.

Don’t believe me.

Seeing then that we have such hope, we speak with great boldness, not as Moses, who put a veil over his face, so that the children of Israel could not look intently at the end of what was fading away. Instead, their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the old covenant, the veil which was done away with in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, the veil is in their hearts. Nevertheless when anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, seeing the glory of the Lord with unveiled faces, as in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 3:12–18

We have to take this all by faith in His Word. These are what He says He does. We are not stealing God’s glory. He lavishes it on us with His Spirit. Such things are never wasted. No, they are not wasted with God.

That’s why we fast. We learn to suffer with joy and contentment in Jesus Christ. We don’t share this with others, not letting anyone know. It is supposed to be an intimacy between us as individuals and God. We learn to endure suffering with patience and joy, relying on the Lord just as Jesus wanted to share with us in His prayer in John 17.

When This is That

I cannot help but think about how the glory of God is revealed in believers of today. It is one of those things that makes Israelites who know their Tanakh jealous. Knowing that these promises are theirs but are given to another people, not called His people, but who are now called His people. It is not a bad thing. Anyone can believe and have this.

All that rainbow splendor cannot really be ours, can it?

Well, John told us that God is Love. Paul wrote a treatise on true love. The kind God not only has, but is. It is in 1 Corinthians 13, and should be familiar to many.

Love suffers long and is kind; love envies not; love flaunts not itself and is not puffed up, does not behave itself improperly, seeks not its own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:4

That is my God. He is yours, too. From the citation above from Isaiah 48, it is clear that almost all of these things Paul says love is are quite apparent in God’s relationship with Israel. He says, “For My name’s sake I will defer My anger.” Love is patient, kind, loyal, gentle, and meek.

He endures all things. Even when His people prostitute themselves to other gods and give those gods the glory due to Him. That is what it means when God does not share His glory. It is not some attribute He distributes, but is the very essence of Who He is, and is demonstrated in a reciprocal relationship. Just like that of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have.

I think we mistake all those pretty colors and emanations from the throne of God as glory. Upon closer examination, it appears that the glory lies in the relationships God has. Even the relationships He has with His people. It is not just for the Israelites, either. It is in the praise and worship we give to Him in the purity of love, because He first loved us—even when we refused Him. Because He suffers and bears all things just for us.

Love never fails. But if there are prophecies, they shall fail; if there are tongues, they shall cease; and if there is knowledge, it shall vanish. (, MEV)

1 Corinthians 13:8

God never fails. Not Even once.

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect comes, then that which is imperfect shall pass away.

1 Corinthians 13:9–10

The imperfections in this world will eventually disappear for good.

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, and I thought as a child. But when I became a man, I put away childish things.

1 Corinthians 13:11

It’s time to grow up. Which means we are going to have to acknowledge God’s steadfast and loyal love for us and react appropriately. Because there is a day approaching that will reveal all.

For now we see as through a glass, dimly, but then, face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know, even as I also am known.

1 Corinthinas 13:12

From glory to glory. We are going to see one day that those who love God will radiate the same brilliance as that which comes from God’s throne. That is the promise to every believer. The truth will be revealed.

My hope is that you share in my joy and praise to God. I have typed through some tears. My hope extends to everyone, don’t be of those who do not radiate that splendor in true light. Fix that, now!

Psalm 69

On By TimIn Persecution, Prophecy, Psalm 0692 Comments

Save me, O God!
For the waters have come up to my throat. I sink in deep mire; there is no standing place; I have come into the watery depths, and a stream overflows me. I am weary of my crying; my throat is parched; my eyes fail while I wait for my God. Those who hate me without cause are more than the hairs of my head; they are mighty who would destroy me, being my wrongful enemies, so that I must pay back what I did not steal.

Psalm 69:1–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Immediately we understand that David is weary. He is in the midst of trials and is crying out to God for salvation. As is often the case, the Psalms contain prophetic statements of Jesus and His earthly ministry. This one psalm is no different.

David laments the waters come up to my throat. Waters signify chaos, uncontrollable situations. The deep mire prevents good footing. He is sinking into uncontrollable chaos. He is tired and his throat is dry. Death is coming quickly while he waits for God. His wrongful enemies would destroy him, but they are not his enemies as he has their interests at heart. He must atone for things he did not do.

Now, apply this to Jesus as He is on the cross, the sky is darkened and His Father has forsaken Him. This is exactly what this psalm is pointing at. Jesus even said it plainly.

But that the word which is written in their law might be fulfilled, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’

John 15:25 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The pressure on breathing that crucifixion brings seems to be much like drowning (not that I’ve experienced either.) The waters come up to my throat. The psalmist also foresees a lack of a firm footing. How hard to get a good stance with feet nailed to a cross.

Jesus would also have wrongful enemies, as these doing the things to Jesus didn’t quite know He was doing it for them. He paid back what He didn’t owe.

O God, You know my folly, and my sins are not hidden from You.

Psalm 69:5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

David knows God. He knows nothing is hidden from Him. It’s a simple truth. We try to run and hide from God. But there’s no escape from Him.

It is the enemies’ accusations that are false. Just as they were with Jesus. David, like Jesus, appears to God Who knows all.

May those who wait on You, O Lord God of Hosts, not be ashamed because of me; may those who seek You not be humiliated because of me, O God of Israel.

Psalm 69:6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Lord of Hosts is a military title for God. It could even be a specific reference to Jesus Himself. The heart of David doesn’t want God to be tarnished in any way by his actions. There is also another aspect given the words David used, that he didn’t want the judgment he suffered to be on them.I

In that way, it is just another foreshadowing of what Jesus will say, “Father forgive them.”

Because for Your sake I have endured insult; humiliation has covered my face. I have become estranged to my relatives, and a foreigner to my mother’s children; for the zeal of Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insulted You fell on me.

Psalm 69:7–9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus was mocked with a crown of thorns. He was mocked by the Roman soldiers. They even plucked out His beard.

For even His brothers did not believe in Him.

John 7:5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple He found those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers sitting there. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. He poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house will consume Me.”

John 2:13–17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This psalm seems to be written to lead us to Jesus. Jesus cited the law being fulfilled (Jn 15:25.) The Psalms are not technically The Books of the Law. But remember, the Law is a schoolmaster designed to bring one to Jesus. This psalm serves that purpose well.

When I wept with fasting for my soul, it became an insult to me. I also made sackcloth my garment, and I became a byword to them. Those who sit in the gate speak against me,
and I am the song of the drunkards.

Psalm 69:10–12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Think of the night before Calvary in the garden of Gethsemane. Even His best friends could not stay awake to pray with Him. People spat at Him. The political leaders railed at Him. Job speaks the same prophetic words and more (Job 30:9ff.)

But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord; in an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of Your mercy, answer me in the truth of Your salvation. Deliver me out of the mire
that I may not sink; may I be delivered from those who hate me, and out of the watery depths. May the stream not overflow me; neither may the deep swallow me up, nor the pit close its mouth on me.

Psalm 69:13–15 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

David now sends his petition to God. In it, he echoes some of the laments that opened the song. He wants to be delivered from the mire and chaos. He wants to be delivered from those who hate him. He wants to be rescued from the depths.

It was Jesus Who offered Himself to God for safekeeping. He said to the Father that He placed His Spirit into His hands.

Answer me, O Lord, for Your lovingkindness is good; turn Your face to me according to the abundance of Your tender mercies. Do not hide Your face from Your servant, for I am in trouble; answer me quickly. Draw near to my soul, and redeem it; deliver me because of my enemies. You have known how I am insulted, and my shame and my dishonor; my adversaries are all before You. Insults have broken my heart, and I am sick; and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. They also gave me poison for my food, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

Psalm 69:16–21 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There are more types and shadows in David’s continued prayer. He asks for an answer. He pleads for a quick answer in his trouble.

Like Jesus, nobody but God came to David’s rescue. There were none at the cross to help.

May their table become a snare before them, and may security become a trap. May their eyes be darkened so they do not see, and make their sides shake continually. Pour out Your indignation on them, and may Your wrathful anger overtake them. May their habitation be desolate, and may no one dwell in their tents. For they persecute him whom You have struck down, and they recount the pain of those You have wounded. Add punishment to their iniquity, and do not let them come into Your righteousness. Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written along with the righteous.

Psalm 69:22–28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

David starts the imprecatory part of his petition. He is asking for judgment to come.

And there are some important lessons, security in providing for ourselves can become a snare. We know from Romans 1 that sin suppresses the knowledge of God. It darkens our vision and He becomes more difficult to perceive. It’s not a good place to be on the judgment side of God.

It doesn’t have to be that way. But rest assured, those who perish without Jesus will have punishment added to the sins they die in. And their names will be removed from the book of life and not written in the Lamb’s Book of the righteous. (There is a Book of Life thy records all who live… Those dying in their sins have their names blotted out. There is the Lamb’s Book of Life where the names of the righteous are recorded.)

But I am poor and in pain; may Your salvation, O God, set me secure on high.

Psalm 69:29 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

David acknowledges his station in life, but his Hope is elsewhere and that is where he will choose to focus.

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also will please the Lord more than an ox or bull with horns and hoofs. The humble will see this and be glad; and you who seek God, may your heart live. For the Lord hears the poor, and does not despise His prisoners. Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and everything that moves in them. For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah; that they may dwell there, and take possession of it. The descendants of His servants will inherit it; and those who love His name will dwell in it.

Psalm 69:30–36 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Finally, we get the application. It is that in whatever situation we are in, we can focus on our circumstances and mire in sorrow. We are free to do that.

But it is always better to focus on the Hope we have in Jesus. It is always better to identify with that now. The promises He made to Israel and David are ours by the relationship the body of Christ has with Israel. These were given by the blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection. That is, to share in the rich promises of God made to them and fulfilled in Jesus.

You get to choose where your mind focuses.

I Will Not Leave You Fatherless

On By TimIn Fruitfulness, John 15Leave a comment

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that bears no fruit, He takes away. And every branch that bears fruit, He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean through the word which I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, neither can you, unless you remain in Me.

John 15:1–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I am. The statement Jesus makes has a deep significance. He is proclaiming His bona fides, that is authentication to His identity.

In this, we also get another analogy that is agrarian in nature. It would be something easy for those hearing to understand. In it Jesus references Himself as the true vine. The one vine that bears fruit. That idea sets the tone here. It establishes context.

That context isn’t about salvation at all. As Jesus clearly stated that His disciples (His immediate audience) were already clean. (Even before this, that statement was made.) They were already saved by the Word He spoke to them.

Jesus encourages His followers to remain in Him. This isn’t about salvation, remember. The remaining in Him is to bear fruit. The Father wants you to bear fruit. There is only one way to do it, and that is by remaining in Jesus. That’s the work on our part. It’s not to keep being saved or to live right. Bearing fruit is to reproduce in kind… To make disciples. It is to be of use to the Father.

But what happens if you don’t bear fruit?

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who remains in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit. For without Me you can do nothing. If a man does not remain in Me, he is thrown out as a branch and withers. And they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

John 15:5–6 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s a simple thing. Without Jesus, we can do nothing useful for the Kingdom. If we remain obstinate, not wanting to do the will of the Father, there are grave consequences. Just as unproductive branches are removed from the vine and destroyed, a saved Christian can be removed from the vine and destroyed.

That destruction isn’t about Hell or perdition. Even with the mention of being burned, this isn’t saying folks go to Hell.

If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it shall be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

John 15:7–8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s going to be a tough night for these men. Jesus is preparing them with an encouraging message to stay the course. It’s not to discourage them at all.

Remember that greater context that comes before those where Jesus speaks of the promised Holy Spirit.

“If you love Me, keep My commandments. I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Counselor, that He may be with you forever: the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, for it does not see Him, neither does it know Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you fatherless. I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see Me no more. But you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.

John 14:15–19 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s all part of the same message. It’s gonna get tough for these guys tonight. Jesus speaks to them at length.

Jesus is saying the Holy Spirit is promised. When the Counselor comes, He will be with them forever. Jesus says He won’t leave them fatherless. Those things are sure.

If you’re saved, get to bearing fruit. You can only do that in Jesus. And if you are in Jesus, you have the Holy Spirit in you. He won’t leave. Jesus promises to not leave you fatherless.

Considering that, why do you think Jesus the Son promises them a Father forever?