September 11, 2017
In the climax of Paul’s “boastings,” he spoke of himself in the third person as a man who was “caught up to the third heaven.” Perhaps he felt it too immodest to speak of himself in the first person as one who had been entrusted with such a heavenly experience. Yet, he shared it with the Corinthians as a part of his apostolic resume to refute those who had challenged his authority.
Some have read too much into Paul’s reference to the “third heaven,” imagining three levels or more in spiritual elevation. A simpler explanation would be to understand it as the Jews of that day did. In their view, the first heaven was the blue sky at day, the second, the night sky with its starry host, and the third, the unseen heaven, where God and His heavenly host dwelt. Paul used the phrase “caught up” to describe his experience, which in the Latin Vulgate was translated “raptured” (Greek: “harpazó,” Latin: “raptum”). His experience was so beyond comprehension that he didn’t know whether it was “in the body” or “out of the body.”
Paul did not go into detail about what he had experienced, only saying that he heard “inexpressible words.” He apparently experienced first hand what Isaiah had prophesied and what he had written about in his first letter to the Corinthians, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (Isa. 64:4; 1 Cor. 2:9).
September 10, 2017
Isaiah was given a difficult preaching assignment. He was to preach knowing that the people of Israel would not “understand,” nor “perceive” his message. The Israelites had been given the greatest access to the Word and works of God of any people in history, yet they had not listened to His Word, nor remembered His works. Therefore, God’s judgment would be according to their sin. He would continue to declare His Word and perform His works before them, yet they would not hear, nor see. The fulfillment of this prophecy was during the time of Christ, who was the supreme revelation of God to His people, yet they did not receive Him. Jesus quoted this passage from Isaiah many times during His earthly ministry knowing that only a remnant would believe (Matt. 13:14-15, Mark 4:12, John 12:40).
I’m glad that we have a new preaching mission today, the same one given to the apostle Paul by Jesus “to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me” (Acts 26:18).
September 9, 2017
There is a theology of work. God works. God made man in His own image and gave him work to do too. The modern view that there is a division between secular and sacred work is in error. All work is sacred when done “as to the Lord” (Col. 3:23). When good work is done with excellence, even kings take notice. Such a worker will “stand before” well known and important people. Their work will become a platform from which to communicate. Will they accept glory for themselves or will they give glory to God? Jesus worked. He said, “My Father is working until now, and I am working” (John 5:17). A right theology of work teaches us that there is no work that is to be considered beneath us, for Jesus Himself washed the disciples feet. And a right theology of work also teaches us to rest, for Jesus Himself knew when to rest. All work is sacred when done in Jesus’ name.
September 8, 2017
The prophet Isaiah wrote of a Day when the “haughtiness” of humanity would be “brought low” and the glory of the Lord rightly acknowledged. This is the “Day of the Lord” (“Yom Yahweh”), a time when God’s purposes are fully revealed and fulfilled. It is at that time, as the apostle Paul wrote, that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil.2:10-11).
September 7, 2017
David wrote this psalm in repentance after committing adultery with Bathsheba. Although he surely recognized he had sinned against her and her husband, and against his own conscience, he felt more grieved that he had sinned against God, saying, “Against You, You only, have I sinned.” This is the mark of true repentance. Not that we admit that we have broken the law, but that we recognize the magnitude of having sinned against the Lawgiver. David was grieved that he had sinned against God. He further recognized that God was just and blameless when it came to David’s sin. He did not blame God, nor anyone else. As the apostle Paul wrote concerning this, “Let God be true, and every man a liar” (Rom. 3:4). David took full responsibility. He recognized that God would be blameless in whatever justice He dispensed upon him. He recognized God’s righteousness, but he also knew God’s mercy. So, he cried out that God would “have mercy” upon him, not according to his sin, but according to God’s own “lovingkindness.” It was this same “love” (John 3:16) that moved God to answer David’s prayer, not only for him, but for all who would call out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Luke 18:38).
September 6, 2017
Zion, a synonym for Jerusalem, was the location of Solomon’s beautiful Temple. Yet, the “perfection of beauty” must surely point to the coming Messiah whom God would send to “shine forth” out of Zion! He is Jesus the Christ, who now shines forth from the heavenly Zion (Heb. 12:22-24), having accomplished all that was necessary for our salvation.
September 5, 2017
A saying of Solomon that has had many interpretations. Yet, the principle of sowing and reaping seems to be at the heart of it with an emphasis on generosity and faith. Consider the word “bread.” It may be seen as “seed.” So, it might mean, instead of eating your seed, sow it liberally upon the waters of Spring that when the waters recede, you will find a crop growing there. It may be about sharing with the poor, only to find that we have been rewarded by God later. It may be about taking a risk with our time/talent/treasure, letting it leave our hands (our control), and casting it out to see where God might cause it to prosper. It is certainly about living a life of the open hand. Open to God to receive and open to others to give.
September 4, 2017
There is a sorrow that comes from getting caught doing wrong and having to suffer the consequence. There is a sorrow that comes in the shape of grief when losing a loved one or experiencing some loss. There is a sorrow that comes as shame and guilt after sobriety returns. Yet, all of these are worldly sorrows that do not produce repentance. Worldly sorrow only produces regret, which ultimately leads to death. For worldly sorrow is about self and circumstance, not God. But “godly sorrow” is different. It is sorrow according to God’s will that brings our sin into contact with the cross of Christ. Instead of being sorry for the suffering that comes from sin, we are sorry for the sin itself because it is what nailed Jesus there. This “godly sorrow” that “worketh repentance” is a gift from God, just as faith is. Repentance and faith are inseparable. In repentance, we turn from our sin. And in faith, we turn to God by trusting in Jesus, God’s provision for our sin.
September 3, 2017
Five times the psalmist calls for praises to be sung to God. Four times, perhaps to move us to passionate intensity. But with the fifth, to “understanding.” The Hebrew word translated “understanding,” is the word “maskil,” which could also be translated “with skill,” or “with a didactic psalm.” The psalmist encouraged praise that engaged both heart and head. Worship, like love, is to be offered to God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.
September 2, 2017
The apostle Paul quoted Isaiah’s prophecy (Isa. 49:8) concerning the time of salvation that the coming Messiah would bring to both Jew and Gentile alike. Paul declared to the Corinthians that the long awaited for time had come. Paul began both phrases of his application of Isaiah’s prophecy with “behold, now.” The word “behold” demanded that one “look” and “see” with an understanding mind. The word “now” called for a sense of urgency from the one who having understood the gospel, would quickly decide to believe it.
As the Ecclesiates reading for today states, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” (Eccl. 3:1). So today, we live in the “accepted time” of the gospel, yet let us not “receive the grace of God in vain.” Having heard the gospel, now is the time to accept it. Having accepted the gospel, now is the day to live it out and proclaim it.