his will

Old Testament prophets declared the Messiah’s servanthood: Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men who are a sign: behold, I will bring my servant the Branch.
Zechariah 3:8 (ESV)

And:
Behold, my servant shall act wisely;
he shall be high and lifted up,
and shall be exalted.
Isaiah 52:13 (ESV)

Each of the four gospels declare his sonship : Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  Matthew 16:16 (ESV)

But Apostle John gives Jesus, the Messiah, one more title that heretofore had never been explicitly declared: The Word. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 (ESV)

Follow this logic if you will: Jesus is God, Jesus is the (God’s) Word. God’s Word is His Will. Jesus is the will of God.

John records Jesus saying the following of himself: “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me “John 5:39

The scriptures, God’s Word, testified regarding the Christ; Jesus as the Messiah fulfilled the scriptures; first God speaks, then what he speaks comes to pass.  (“Let there be light”, and there was light.) Therefore God’s Word is His Will and Jesus is the Word of God and therefore is the will of God.

I believe it is important to understand this point for several reasons. First, we must understand that though a servant, Jesus is more than a servant. A servant serves out of duty and obedience based on duty isn’t good enough for God’s Messiah.

Second, though Jesus is the son of God he is more than a child. A child may obey out of love, may even delight in obeying, but there is still a duality of will and desire and at times obedience may be sacrificial in nature.

Third, to be the living breathing will of a person means there is no duality; desire and will are one. Jesus proclaims it this way in John 4:34 “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” And in John 10:30 “I and the Father are one.”  His very essence is defined as being the will of God.

And finally, what I believe to be the most important reason for us to understand is that it is Jesus’ desire that His followers also be the will of God  by modeling the unity of the Father and Son in our relationship with one another. Note this excerpt from his high priestly prayer in John’s gospel: “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. John 17:20, 21 (ESV)

Matthew Henry puts it this way:

Our Lord especially prayed that all believers might be as one body under one head, animated by one soul, by their union with Christ and the Father in him, through the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. The more they dispute about lesser things, the more they throw doubts upon Christianity. Let us endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, praying that all believers may be more and more united in one mind and one judgment.  
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible

And notice the reason behind Christ’s desire that we be one – “so that the world may believe that you have sent me”. Our unity, modeled by the unity for the Father and Son, supernaturally enabled, tells the world that Jesus is sent by God to be the Messiah foretold in prophecy.

Thus shall we convince the world of the truth and excellence of our religion, and find more sweet communion with God and his saints.  Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible

need a mentor?

Confession time. I often find myself asking God to send me a mentor. This request is usually accompanied by a list of criteria of what, in my opinion, would make a good mentor. Someone who exemplifies Christ, someone who by their example and consistent living out what God has done in and for them will compel me to a higher walk. Someone I can learn from to live my best, as a husband, father, employee, servant etc.

These prayers usually occur when I am reading from some author I admire, and they share the impact that some individual who, by being a mentor to them and taking them under their wing, changed the course of their life, ministry or career. “Lord, send someone like that into my life!” is typically how the prayer goes.

Nothing wrong with this request in and of itself, except… well, it points to how blind I can be regarding the men and women God has already placed in my life to serve, in some capacity, as teachers and mentors (whether they realize it or not).

That’s right, I am asking for something that God has already given me! My failure in recognizing that is because none of these people are the total package. But, guess what? There is only one “total package” , the be all to end all, otherwise known as the “Alpha and Omega” and that is Jesus Christ. And His chosen method for mentoring [re: disciple] me is through people who are otherwise less than the “total package”.

Yep, Jesus is at it again, using imperfect people to carry out the Father’s perfect will. The original twelve? Not a mistake. That is how He wants to do it! Crazy, right? How’s He going to get anything done like that?!?

So my responsibility in all this is to let the people that God allows into my life to be Christ to me. Not the total package, but some aspect of it. And if I humble myself under His mighty hand He will use people (gasp!) to teach, lead and mentor me, as if Jesus (The Total Package) were doing it himself. And not just fellow believers, but unbelievers as well when by faith I live out what God has done in me by loving and serving them.

So, if we were in a church service right now the preacher would have you turn to your neighbor and say, “You are Christ to me whether you want to be or not!” But since we’re not I’ll just leave you with this scripture:

As iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

follow

We may be quick to think of and even quote Psalm 23 when faced with trials and tribulations, but if we are going to conisder ourselves the sheep under the care of the shepherd in the song then we must remember the duty of the sheep is to follow. And the key characteristic of following is that it is signified by following!

Each verse of the Psalm 23 is a blessing that, to be fully enjoyed, is contingent on our following our shepherd Jesus Christ.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
When we generously give.
God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19

He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
When trust and do not doubt.
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
When we thirst after righteousness.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Matthew 5:16

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
When we choose to lose our life.
For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 16:25

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
When we allow God to defend us and fight our battles.
Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
1 Peter 3:9-12

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
When we welcome His presence.
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:19-25

While here, the Lord can make any situation pleasant, by the anointing of his Spirit and the joys of his salvation. But those that would be satisfied with the blessings of his house, must keep close to the duties of it.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible

better than sacrifice

And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.  
1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV)

The obedience of the one who has come to fully trust the atoning work of Jesus Christ never involves sacrifice. The final and ultimate sacrifice has been paid in full; therefore we who are redeemed by that sacrifice lose or sacrifice nothing in giving our all to Him. Because of Jesus alone we can, along with the apostle Paul, consider all that would be considered loss as mere “rubbish” (Phil 3:8). That is why, in the eyes of God, obedience is better than sacrifice!

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Colosians 3:1 (ESV)

reepicheep

Image via Wikipedia

I have fallen in love with an attitude represented by an unlikely hero, a talking mouse by the name of Reepicheep.

Yes, the talking mouse from the Chronicles of Narnia. Reepicheep, first introduced to readers in the second book of C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia, is a descendant of the mice who gnawed through the ropes that bound Aslan’s body after he was killed by the White Witch and her minions.

In Reepicheep there is a reckless courage that never waivers regardless of circumstances. The strength of his courage is not rooted in his own abilities, but in an undying loyalty to the lion Aslan. His loyalty in turn is rooted in an unshakeable faith in Aslan – all that he has done and all that he will do.

This same courageous quality should be the mark of every believer in that, instead of being distracted or dismayed by circumstance, we should ever set our eyes on our Lord Jesus Christ. The glory of God and King should be the determining factor in how we face each day. “As unto the Lord” should be our family motto and fear of personal loss something to be scoffed at. The thorns (cares) of this existence should whither in the heat of our passion for the Glory of God and for His presence. Therefore, along with Paul, let us say “I press on to make it [to know Jesus and the power of his resurrection] my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” (Philippians 3:12)

Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.
Hebrews 10:35,36 ESV

Why should your majesty think it? My own plans are made. While I may, I sail East in Dawn Treader. When she fails me, I row East in my coracle. When that sinks, shall I paddle East with my four paws. Then, when I can swim no longer, if I have not yet reached Aslan’s Country, there shall I sink with my nose to the sunrise…
Reepicheep Voyage of the Dawntreader

what you really want

For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, Romans 7:22 ESV

THe average believer will freely admit that they ought to pray more, ought to read their Bible more, ought to do this and ought not do that. And just as they freely confess to failing to do what they FEEL they ought, they admit that the root of this failure is they often do not FEEL like doing what they FEEL ought to be done. But the very fact that you feel you should do these things is a true indicator of what the real you, the spirit you, really wants. These thoughts and feelings do not come from an external source, but are produced by the workings of God in the eternal inner being that is truly you. Satisfy those “oughts” and you satisfy the real you, really.

spiritual growth

And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.
Luke 8:4 ESV

Spiritual growth doesn’t just happen, but like a garden, must be tended to with purposeful action. The very things that make up life threaten to choke spiritual growth unless they are deliberately placed under Christ’s rule. You are responsible for your spiritual growth, no one else can make you grow. Not your pastor, church family, friends or spouse. Trusting Jesus, prayer and the study of God’s Word are the spiritual disciplines to apply that place the thorns (cares, riches, pleasures of life) into proper perspective so they can be dealt with effectively.

Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.
1 Corinthians 14:20 ESV