Lifestyle and Balance

The Cross and Passover (John 19:17-36)  At the beginning of John's Gospel, John the Baptist introduced Jesus by calling him the "Lamb of God" (1 :29, 36). This odd phrase might refer to the sacrificial lamb that was killed daily in the Temple (Exod 29:38-46) or to the sacrificial lamb of Isaiah 53:7 (cp. Acts 8:32-35; Rev 5:5-14).  Both rituals of sacrifice spoke of rescue and forgiveness from sin. However, this was not all that John had in mind. John presented Jesus as the Passover   lamb whose death marks the central event of the Passover season (see Exod 12:46; Luke 22:7; I 1 Cor 5:7). In the first century, Jews made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem each spring to celebrate the Passover and to reread the story of the Exodus (see Exod 12-15). When Israel was being rescued from Egypt, the blood of a lamb was sprinkled on the doorposts of each Jewish home in Egypt and saved those inside from death (Exod 12). Jews who came to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover need...

God's Commitment to His People (Zechariah 4:10) Zechariah told Zerubbabel not to "despise ... small beginnings" (4:10). God had acted in the past for the ultimate good "of his people, even in the Babylonian exile (7:12-14; see 14:3). God would accomplish his purposes for Israel's well-being in his own way and time. The people of Israel could take courage in the present and have hope for the future because God keeps his word and fulfils his promises (4:9). All humanity should be silent before the Lord, "for he is springing into action from his holy dwelling" (2:13). God wants patience and faith from his people, not a strident voice. God kept his word and fulfilled the promises he made through Zechariah by sending Jesus the Messiah into the world to bring salvation for all people. Jesus' word, that he will one day return and fully establish His kingdom, may also be trusted   (Matt 24.27,30, see Acts 1.6-11) .   Prayer Points ›We ...

God's Presence (Psalm 24:3-6) Scripture writers often express the desire to experience God's close presence. In the experi­ence of intimacy, God's rich goodness and love (21:6; 44:3) are all that people need (4:6). The absence of God's presence is distressing and damaging. The poets of Israel often spoke of God's face as a way of expressing his presence or ab­sence. They sought his face (24:6; 27:8; 105:4; 119:58). When his face shone or was turned toward his people, they experienced his presence in blessing, provision, and protection (67:1). God's hiding his face from his people was a picture of divine abandonment (13:1; 27:9; 44:24; 69:17; 88:14; 89:46; 102:2; 104:29; 143:7), as if God were not seeing or hearing them " (10:11; 11:1; 42:3). The absence of God creates dismay, shame, and chaos, and may cause death (30:7; 44:24; 104:29). The psalmists prayed for God's presence as they requested a change in their circumstances (31 :16; 67:1...

The Dangers of Sin (2 Kings13:1-7)    Sinful acts of God's people are prominent in 2 Kings. Words such as sin, evil, and wicked appear frequently to assert that the kings of both Israel (3:2; 13:2;, 11; 14:24; 1.5::, 18, 24, 28; 17:2)" and Judah (8:18,27; 21 :2, 16,20; 23:32, 37; 24:9, 19) did what was evil In the LORD’S sight. The northern kingdom seemed particularly culpable. Its kings were uniformly condemned for their godless ways, and the people willingly followed them (17:16-17, 22). The basic sin of following the apostate worship introduced by Jeroboam I continued in Israel until the end (10:29; 17:21-22; 23:15). God repeatedly warned the people through his prophets (17:13) and brought the chastisement of foreign invaders (13:3,7). Nothing moved the Israelites' hearts, for they were set in their sinful ways (13:6; 17:14-17) Eventually, God's righteous anger was aroused to the point that he allowed foreign invaders to defeat them and occupy their land...

PROPHECY, WHY GIVEN Part 2   What testimony did the apostle Peter bear concerning his experience on the mount of transfiguration? "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of His majesty." 2 Peter 1: 16.   When did he say he saw the majesty of Christ, and heard the voice from heaven? "And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with Him in the holy mount." Verse 18. How does he emphasize the reliability of prophecy? ' And we have the word of prophecy made more sure." Verse 19, " Now more confirmed." Boothroyd's translation. Num.— Every fulfilment of prophecy is a confirmation of the truthfulness and reliability of prophecy. PROPHECY, WHY GIVEN   What admonition is therefore given? " Whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and t...

PROPHECY, WHY GIVEN PART 1 WHY were the Sacred Writings given? "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures  might have hope." Rom. 15: 4. By what means is all scripture given? "All scripture is given by inspiration of God." 2 Tim: 3:16. For what is it profitable? "And is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,  for instruction in righteousness." 2 Tim: 3:16. How was the prophecy given? "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:  but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."2 Peter 1:21. What is the Lord able to do regarding the future? "Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things  do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them." Isaiah. 42:9. How far-reaching is God's ability to reveal the future?  "Remember the former things of old: fo...