Christ, The Light

The unfathomable words penned by John depict the unfathomable God/Man: “In him was life; and the life was the Light of men. . .the Light shineth in darkness - the darkness comprehended it not. . .That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”

Consider the source of natural light as God created it; esp. from the sun and stars. This light is omni-directional; may we further say that it is omni-dimensional. Light can travel millions of light years, yet is not wearied in its journey or diminished by the darkness. At what occasion it does stop is when it engages an object, which it illuminates: the object responds by reflecting the light. Alas! The darkness does not comprehend; thus does not reflect the Light. . .

In the book of Exodus we are given details of the Tabernacle, which was the pattern of the living Tabernacle which was to come. The Holy Place (not the Most Holy) was furnished with furniture: the candlestick, the table, and the shewbread: which is called the sanctuary, the altar of incense. . .

Concerning typology, we know that Christ is the candlestick. Christ is the Light of the candlestick; within the candlestick, the oil of the Spirit. The Light of the candlestick lit up the room. It revealed the table of shewbread; it revealed the altar of incense; the Light of the candlestick revealed the candlestick itself (Himself)! The Light revealed the priest (Christ) It was a Light unto the hands of the priest as he worked; it was a Light unto his feet as he walked. The Light revealed the Veil which separated the room from the Holiest of Holies.

Within the Holiest of Holies.

“And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercy seat” Heb. 9:5.

I perceive two lines of thought here. The first: God did not, could not cast a shadow over the Mercy Seat. Light does not cast shadows. The cherubim would have cast the shadow. Perhaps the Glory of God shown from between the shadow cast by the cherubim. Did the image of God shine forth then upon the Mercy Seat? (For God to cast a shadow, He would have to be an image, seen, and a greater light shining from behind Him.)

Secondly, the one I prefer, is that the ‘shadowing’ was a covering, in the sense of protection; a heavenly honor guard. To further grasp the sense of the word ‘shadowing,’ how precious the words of the hymn: ‘How desolate my life would be. . .If Jesus’ face I did not see. . .I’m overshadowed by His mighty love, Love eternal, changeless, pure. . .Rest is mine, serene, secure.’

The tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, the Mercy Seat - men seek it. It (He) is to be found! Christ is the Living Ark of the Covenant! In Him is to be found the Manna (He is the Living Bread,) Aaron’s rod that budded (He is the Life,) the tables of the Covenant (the Word fulfilled in Himself; satisfied in His righteousness and atoning blood.) Before the Throne of Grace, the Mercy Seat. Christ is our Intercessor before the Father. When the Father looks unto the Intercessor (His Son), He is looking at the Ark of the Covenant Himself, upon which was sprinkled His own precious blood! “Come boldly to the Throne of Grace. . .obtain mercy, find grace”?

Glorious mystery! “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ. . To wit, that GOD WAS IN CHRIST, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them. . .” II Cor. 5:18,19.

Christ, Our Passover

Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us

The Passover Lamb.

“For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I AM the Lord” Exodus 12:12. (“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” Matt. 10:28.)

“The Lord spake unto Moses. . .they shall take to them every man a lamb” Ex.12:1a,3. It is, in verse 3, “the lamb,” in verse 4, your lamb. But in Genesis 22:8 it is, “God will provide Himself a Lamb.” God will provide for Himself; will present to Himself; will indeed be Himself, (in the Person of His dear Son) the Lamb for a burnt offering.” Is Redemption the product of man’s ingenuity? No. “It is the Lord’s Passover” Ex. 12:11. For a subtitle we used “Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us” (I Cor. 5:7.) He is now our Passover [we being identified with Him;] because He was first the Lord’s Passover.

“And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. . .the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you” Ex. 12:13,23. God’s eye was not upon the house, nor upon those within the house, but upon the blood. Never mind if the house be a shanty or a palace; if those within be descendants of Abraham; not of their ceremonial observances, nor ‘walking blamelessly’ so far as the law was concerned. It was of their personal application of the blood, and that alone. “The Lord. . .will not suffer [allow] the destroyer to come in to your houses.” He, as it were, stood at the entrance; a sentry, on guard - the entire house was hedged about with His presence! It reminds me of Noah’s [God’s] ark, pro[pitch]iated inside and out!.

Pictured here, as such, are the wings of a great eagle that are stretched out over and upon the house; an overshadowing, a stretching of the Lord upon the firstborn. As Elijah stretched himself upon the widow of Zarephath’s dead son in identification; the dead son was likewise identified with the living Elijah. but now also quickened by the power of the Holy Ghost passing over him, stretching Himself over him, and that quickening life being secured through the blood of the Passover Lamb. In striking comparison consider the words of Jesus in Luke 13:34: “O Jerusalem! Jerusalem! . . .how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen does gather her brood under her wings and ye would not” Jesus was her pesach, her sheltering wings, the Lord’s Passover.

Why the Blood? Because we (both Jew and Gentile) are

Dead in trespasses and sins.

“Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is of the law, blameless” Phil. 3:4-6. (These words penned concerning himself by the apostle Paul.)

“. . .both Jews and Gentiles, they are all under sin” Rom. 3:9b. Shall the apostle not also include himself? Can you hear him now? I, Paul, a Jew and Pharisee, am under sin. I am not righteous; I am without understanding; I seek not after God; I am gone out of the way; I am altogether unprofitable; I do no good; by the deeds of the law my flesh is not justified in the sight of God. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” I Tim. 1:15. (We would do well to put our own names in the place of Paul’s and read it again.)

Why would God require the lives of the first born of Egypt and not of the first born of the Israelite? Because the children of Israel were God’s chosen people? Because Egypt was wicked and Israel righteous? Because Egypt was deserving of the judgment of God while Israel merited His favor? What good works had Israel done whereby Jehovah would extend His mercies; pour out His grace upon them?

What did we just read? “both Jews and Gentiles [Egyptians], they are all under sin.” The Exodus Israelite was not righteous: he was without understanding, did not seek after God, was gone out of the way, was altogether unprofitable, did no good, by the deeds of the law was not justified in the sight of God. But man’s extremity is God’s opportunity! “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound“ Rom. 5:20. “And Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”

If the first born of the people of Israel dwelling in the blood-sprinkled houses did not die, then who did? Had they not sinned and come short of the glory of God? The Lord ‘passed over,’ not ‘overlooked,’ or chose to ignore the transgressions of the people: neither the Egyptians, nor the Israelites! “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission” Heb. 9:22. “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats [nor lambs] should take away sins” Hebrews 10:4. If not the animals, then Who? “By the which we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all” Heb. 10:10. Must they not have, by faith, been identified with the slain sacrifice and its blood upon the doorpost - even as we by faith must be identified with the slain sacrifice of the Lamb of God, hung upon the ‘doorpost’ of the cross?

The Lamb and the Blood.

Crucify Him! Crucify Him! The sacrificial Lamb was being slain; His blood poured forth into the bason (or upon the threshold, as many see it). It was struck upon the lintel and the two side posts. “Behold the Lamb that taketh away the sin of the world!” Yet there was no redemption for the howling mob. Their hearts reeked with malice and unbelief. They literally stood at the threshold of salvation, looking on, but never appropriating the blood of the sacrifice for themselves.

Two thieves were dying on either side of the Lord Jesus, both being identified with the Lord, and He being identified with them. “He hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” Isa. 53:12. [Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.] They were at the Throne of Grace; before the Son of God. Here they might find mercy, grace, forgiveness of sin, reconciliation - and one of them did! “To day, thou shalt be with me in Paradise!” But the other one dropped as it were, from before the Throne into hell.

Perhaps there were Egyptians who stood at a distance, watching the Israelites slaying their sacrificial lambs; then taking the hyssop and striking the blood upon the lintel and sideposts of the door. But it was to no avail. Watching the slaying of many lambs could afford them no remedy from the certain death that was to enter their houses that night. Many are the Hollywood movies that have portrayed the crucifixion, but there is no redemption to be gained from such! Reenactments can not save; only beholding, in faith, the Savior and His shed blood; crying from the heart - He died in my place; Jesus took my sin upon Himself! He arose from the grave! He lives! and I shall live with Him!

“When the executioner of God’s judgment saw the blood upon the houses of the Israelites, he entered not, and why? Because death had already done its work there! The innocent had died in the place of the guilty. And thus justice was satisfied. To punish twice for the same crime would be unjust. To exact payment twice for the same debt is unlawful. . .Blessed, blessed truth is this. It is not merely God’s mercy but His righteousness which is now on the side of His people. Justice itself demands the aquittal of every believer in Christ.”

Arthur W. Pink, Gleanings in Exodus, page 84.

The first born of Israel who dwelt in the house which had the blood of the Passover Lamb sprinkled on the doorpost may join in a Hallelujah chorus with Paul in saying, “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” Gal. 2:20. The blood of the lamb on the doorpost was representative of the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God; and in the eyes of God was imputed for righteousness to the believer in the stead of Him who would come. The testimony of God and the scriptures: Christ is the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” Rev. 13:8b. “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” “And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able to perform. And it was imputed to him for righteousness” Rom. 4:3,21,22. And what of Moses? “Through faith, he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them” Heb. 11:28. The cause and effect were the results of a God-given faith, and for His honor and glory.

Christ, His People.

“And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Sanctify unto me all the first-born, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine ” Exodus 13:1. “For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant” I Cor. 7:22.

Christ, our Passover:

He by Himself purged our sins, Hebrews 1:3., Through death destroyed him that had power of death, 2:14., Delivered those in bondage, 2:15., Made reconciliation for the sins of his people, 2:17., Works finished from the foundation of the world, 4:3., Once, offered up Himself, 7:27., Made a Covenant with His own blood, 10:29.

“Without shedding of blood is no remission” (Heb. 9:22), and without sprinkling of blood is no salvation. The former is for propitiation. It is not until the converted sinner applies the blood that it avails for him. An Israelite might have selected a proper lamb, he might have slain it, but unless he had applied its blood to the outside of the door, the Angel of Death would have entered his house and slain his first born. In like manner today, it is not enough for me to know that the precious blood of the Lamb of God was shed for the remission of sins. A Saviour provided is not sufficient: He must be received. There must be “faith in His blood” (Rom. 3:25.) and faith is a personal thing. I must exercise faith. I must by faith take the blood and shelter beneath it. I must place it between my sins and the thrice Holy God. I must rely upon it as the sole ground of my acceptance with Him. A. W. Pink, Gleanings in Exodus, page 84.

Christ, our Passover, our Provision.

“And they shall eat the flesh in the night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs shall they eat it” (vs.8) Not only was the lamb to be killed, but it’s flesh was to be eaten. This was God’s provision for those inside the house, as the blood secured protection from the judgment outside “Eating” signifies two things in scripture: appropriation and fellowship. The “lamb” spoke of the person of Christ, and He is God’s food for His people - “The Bread of Life.” Christ is to be the object before our hearts. As we feed upon Him our souls are sustained and He is honored.” Pink, Gleanings, page 90.

Christ, our Passover, our Refuge.

The Israelite who dwelt within the house, having the blood applied on the doorpost found it to be a place of Refuge. (Remember the Lord’s call to Noah? Come [not go] into the ark. The Lord was there already!) Let the Destroyer come! He can not lay hands on the residents abiding within! The Lamb Himself is abiding in the house! He’s their [our] Refuge!

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The following is an excerpt borrowed from the article, ’Christ, Our Refuge.” For a fuller study go to our website, www.scripturetruths.net.

In Numbers chapter 35, verses 9-25, we are shown a portion of scripture dealing with the “cities of Refuge.”

The provision of a city of refuge was only for the man who was innocent of murder, whose act was unintentional. However, were he to be found “guilty as charged,” he could not look to the law for refuge: he is set without the boundaries of the city to his peril; for the Avenger of Blood [the Destroyer?] waited to shed his blood, bringing about his destruction. May we gain understanding: the Law is no refuge for the guilty!

In Acts chapter 2, Peter charges the Jews: “Jesus of Nazareth. . .Him being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:” Acts 2:22a,23. They are guilty of the blood of Christ. There is no city of refuge to which they can flee. They are worthy of death, and that by the hands of the avenger of blood.

“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, WHAT SHALL WE DO?” What shall we do? FLEE TO THE REFUGE! But there is no refuge! We are guilty! The avenger of blood awaits us! And what of the “avenger of blood?” Avenger, ga’al, Heb. The business of the avenger of blood was to apprehend the manslayer; to shed his blood that he die. But the little word ga’al has yet another meaning in its definition and operation. It is Redeemer. And what is the business of the Redeemer? To die in the stead of the guilty sinner; for him that is worthy of death; who has no city of refuge to which he can flee. To buy back, to ransom, to deliver the guilty from the avenger of blood: to set him free indeed! [John 8:36] Look at the definition: avenger [or revenger, used interchangeably]. It is also the same word used for Boaz, the kinsman/redeemer in the book of Ruth! Ga’al, to redeem (according to the oriental law of kinship), i.e. to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative’s property, marry his widow, etc., deliver, purchase, ransom, redeemer, revenger.

Christ is ga’al. He is both the Avenger of blood and Redeemer of blood. Those who refuse Him, who despise His invitation will find Him to be the Avenger of blood, while those who fall before Him in repentance and faith, will find Him the Redeemer of Blood.

“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” Pro. 14:12. It is the nature of man to desire to make his experience, his feelings, something within himself to be the basis of his assurance. That which provides a stay to the heart is the promise of Him who cannot lie. (Titus 1:2)

The Egyptians, to their peril, found Christ to be the Avenger of blood: there was no refuge to which they could flee from the Destroyer. But the Hebrew having the blood of the Passover lamb upon his door, found the Lord to be the Redeemer of blood: that place where the Blood was applied became a Refuge for the soul.

I cannot resist inserting one other passage of Arthur Pink. It is so simple, so straight forward, so down to earth and down to heart. . .!

The first thing for me, as a poor sinner, to make sure of is, Am I relying upon what Christ did for sinners? Am I personally trusting in His shed blood? If I am not, if instead, under the eloquence and moving appeals of some evangelist, I have decided to turn over a new leaf, and endeavor to live a better life, and I have “gone forward” and taken the preacher’s hand, and if he has told me that I am now saved and ready to “join the church,” and doing so I feel happy and contented - my peace is a false one . . .On the other hand, if the Holy Spirit has shown me my lost condition, my deep need of the Saviour, and have cast myself upon Christ as a drowning man clutches at a floating spar. . .if I have really believed on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31), and yet I am still lacking in assurance of my acceptance by God, and have no settled peace of heart; it is because I am failing to rest in simple faith on the written word. GOD SAYS, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. That is enough. That is the Word of Him who cannot lie. Do not stop to examine your repentance to see if it be deep enough. It is Christ that saves; not your tears, or prayers, or resolutions. Receive Christ for salvation. Rest on God’s Word for assurance and peace. It is not the act of faith which (instrumentally) saves, but the TRUTH itself [Himself], which faith lays hold of.

The cross, with the blood of the Lamb applied: HE is the door[Way] of salvation for all who will believe, and in believing, Come. . .

But My God. . .

Philippians 4:19

The Eternal God is faithful to His Word. And His Word is True. If we cannot believe that, then the remainder of this short study is futile because of our unbelief. Do we doubt? Then doubt is unbelief. ‘Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.’

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” I see a fellowship of faith: Paul is inferring that ‘my God is your God.’ “But I have all, and abound.” My God has and is right now, supplying all my need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus; and I believe and do enter into a covenant with you, that He will of a certainty, supply all your need, and that by Christ Jesus and the offering and sacrifice of Himself; by His resurrection and ascension into heaven; now seated at the right hand of the Father. ‘Believest thou this?’ (It is good that brethren covenant together to believe God!)

We are to be “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” Heb. 12:2. Does it seem strange that God Himself should likewise be ‘looking unto Jesus’; He through whom the riches of glory shall be supplied (full, complete, abounding) from the Father? Do we err in saying that all eyes are fixed on Jesus Christ: the Father the Seraphim, the Cherubim, the angels, and let it be so, every Blood-bought believer?

But my God shall supply all your need if only you will approach Him and ask? Asking is good, but it is not included in this particular verse. Who is it that has ever inquired after God? Who is it that has approached God before and until God first approached him? “There is none righteous, no, not one. . .there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one” Romans 3:11b,12. What! Shall the Righteous indeed seek the unrighteous? And what shall He invest in such rebellious and unprofitable sinners? Great kings go on a quest for greater riches: to conquer the enemy and take the spoils of battle. Shall God seek to take unto Himself that which is already His?

What shall the Conqueror do with the captives? Shall he kill them? Shall he cast them into the dungeons? No? He has conquered and captured that He might give them life; that He might set them free! How can these things be? Where is understanding?

“For when we were yet without strength. . .God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” Rom. 5:6a,8.

But my God may; it is a distinct possibility, though questionable: He could supply your need. . .is this not what a faithless generation says? If we can’t mean what we say, then let us be honest and say what we mean!

But my God shall supply your need - all of it - according to your need? He shall look at your need and determine the supply needed according to your need? My dear friend, God does not supply our need according to our need: it is according to His riches in glory.

But my God shall supply. . .a percentage; a portion of your need? And how does God measure our need; and what is the means of measure? Is it according to a spoonful? A cup? A gallon? Perhaps by the pound; or by the peck or bushel? No! ‘His coffers are full; He has riches untold!’

But your God shall supply. . .why will you ask of Him if He is not your God? Would you have Him be Lord of your life? Or would you be Lord and have Him be your servant?

My God shall supply all your need - according to the earthly riches that lay before you? “Lord, draw forth from the abundance of your earthly creation that you may give unto me?”

My God shall supply all your need according to his poverty? Is He poor; an impoverished God? Or is He willing but unable to do that which He promises? Or is He able, but we are not sure that He is willing? If we do not believe the promise then neither do we believe Him who promised.

My God shall supply your need according to His riches in glory? Why then do we concern ourselves with temporal things when the riches of God lie in the Eternal? When will we ever learn, that God would do no less than supply Himself: that the Riches in glory came to earth; gave Himself, His Life; ascended a Mount; hung between heaven and earth in the greatest display of the riches of glory that man or angels shall ever see! But my God shall supply - Himself - our single great need; according to His riches in glory - by Christ Jesus.

He is El Shaddai. He is Supplier and supply; He is Provider and provision; He is Blesser and blessing; He is the Giver, He is the Gift. He is the source of all Love, of all Righteousness, of all Mercy, of all Grace. We are compassed about with His compassion. His hand reaches out to us, His arm draws us near to Himself. To lose ourselves in Him is to find ourselves in His abiding Presence.

Another Comforter

A certain well known preacher/teacher/writer in presenting a series on the Holy Spirit had this to say: “He [Christ] went back to heaven and sat down. . .He finished what He came to do. Ten days later He sent the Holy Spirit to take up where He left off. We sing, “Just when I need Him most, Jesus is near to comfort and cheer.” NO, the Holy Spirit is our comforter today. We also sing, “Jesus led me all the way.” NO, today, we are to be “led by the Spirit of God.” This is the Holy Spirit’s day. We must stop asking the Lord Jesus to do what He sent the Holy Spirit to do and let Him do it!” ( ) Note paragraph to follow.

The train’s locomotive appears to have veered off the track! Somehow we get the impression that Christ has lost the pre-eminence when we follow this line of thinking.

Another Comforter, (allos, Gr., “else” different, one more, some other) called along side us with the “Other Comforter.” It certainly does not speak of an elimination of the first; a replacement thereof! The Holy Spirit is an ambassador, a representative, a witness in behalf of the Lord Jesus. While He is the third Person of the Triune Godhead, His testimony nonetheless must compare to that of Christ with the Father: “I can of mine own self do nothing. [He is not independently self-willed.] I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father [in this case, the will of the Father and of the Son] which hath sent me]. John 5:30.

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” John 14:26. Immediately following this verse identifying the Holy Ghost as the Comforter sent from the Father, Jesus proclaims: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” John 14:27. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me?” Psalm 23:4.

“He shall teach you, bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever things I have said unto you.” One dare not read the comparison of the Gospels and suppose that they are the product of human reasoning or interpretation. Might the four writers, upon attempting to pen their thoughts have convened to compare. . .? No, it happened as Jesus said: they, as it were, took (individual) dictation from the Spirit of God!

( )

Stop asking the Lord Jesus to do what He sent the Holy Spirit to do and let Him do it? “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by the Holy Spirit?” Why does the scripture say, by Christ Jesus? All we have or will ever receive is ‘through the blood of the everlasting covenant’, through our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep’ Heb. 13:20. “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.Let us therefore come [by Divine invitation!] boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” Heb. 4:14-16. What we receive is without any merit of our own, but it is through the merits of Christ and His atoning blood of the everlasting covenant: in that, it is ‘merited favor’.

And immediately following the promise of the Spirit and of Christ’s indwelling Peace, our Lord challenges the disciples: “Abide in me, and I in you!” John 15:4. “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” John 15:7. “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it” John 14:13,14. “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” John 14:11.

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him” I John 5:14,15. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” Phil. 4:13. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” Phil. 4:18.

“All proceeds from the Father, through the Son, by the Holy Spirit.” THE HOLY SPIRIT, The Spirit Witnessing, A. W. Pink.

The Son glorifies the Father, the Father glorifies the Son, the Spirit glorifies both Father and Son. “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, [Christ] and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one” I John 5:7,8. Notice, the Holy Spirit bears witness in heaven and earth. He is representative of God to man; He is representative of man [regenerated] to God.

The Holy Spirit is administrator of the things of Christ, He is ambassador in behalf of Christ. He is the eternal witness from before the foundation of the world. “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me” John 15:26.

Our Lord had just healed an impotent man beside the pool of Bethesda: “And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day“. . .said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for whatsoever things he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. . .I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me” John 5:16,18b,19,30. I know I’m being repetitious, but these thoughts bear repeating: Just as Christ was sent from the Father, even so, the Spirit, “another Comforter,” was sent of Christ from the Father; proceedeth from the Father” John 15:26. Is the Spirit of God and of Christ self-willed? Does He operate independently of the Father and the Son? God forbid! His testimony must parallel that of the Son: “I can of myself do nothing: as I hear, I judge. . .because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” “It is the Spirit that quickeneth” John 6:62a. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” Rom. 8:14. Pray tell, where does the Spirit lead us? Is it not to Christ? If we quote the 23rd Psalm: do we say, “The Holy Spirit is my shepherd. . .He leadeth me in paths of righteousness. . .Thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me?” Is it not the will of the Father and the work of the Spirit to glorify the Son?

“for as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body. . .” I Cor. 12:12,13a. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” Gal. 2:20.

If our Lord sits now in heaven; His arms crossed, then a great number of songwriters have been misled! Writers like Fanny Crosby, Charles Gabriel, Charles Wesley, Charles Weigle, and others: for this is what has come forth from pen and heart!

“All the Way My Savior Leads Me”; “Safe in the Arms of Jesus” “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us; He Leadeth Me O Blessed Tho’t. “Jesus Blessed Jesus” - There’s One who can comfort when all else fails. His arm is around us with keeping power.” “No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus” - “Jesus placed His strong and loving arms about me, And He led me in the way I ought to go. Ev-’ry day He comes to me with new assurance, More and more I understand His words of love.”

“If Jesus Goes With Me, I’ll go anywhere.” “When we walk with the Lord. . .He abides with us still. . .Trust and Obey.” “Yield Not to Temptation: Ask the Saviour to help you.” “Follow! Follow! I would follow Jesus! Everywhere He leads me I would follow on!” “Close to Thee. . .All along my pilgrim journey, Savior, let me walk with Thee.” “Brightly doth His Spirit shine Into this poor heart of mine; while He leads I cannot fall; Trusting Jesus, that is all.”

How does the Spirit comfort [com - fort, with strength] the believer?

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you” John 16:13-15.

“That he [the Father] would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in love. . .And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God” Ephesians 3:17,19.

Another Comforter? It is He, The Holy Spirit. Do we pray for the presence of His power? Better: Pray for the power of His Presence!

When Forgiveness Is Not Enough

When one has wronged a friend, a precious friend, a cherished friend;

When he, himself, through his sightlessness and selfishness has wrought grief and sorrow;

When amidst a time that the one held dear was in need of care and consolation;

When the purest of love had ought be displayed, and the kindness of heart be made known;

Yet wisdom was lacking, discernment made void; fruitless and barren, hollow and empty.

Appears then the hour that he comes to himself; when in brokenness of spirit he mourns; With heart in hand, an attempt is employed to say, ‘I’m Sorry,’ yet words seem never enough.

‘I forgive you; it’s all right,’ is the reply. But it’s not all right, is it? Though one be forgiven, there awaits for him an even greater obstacle;

It is that of Self-Forgiveness.

When one is Truly sorry; though forgiven by another, yet the aching of heart remains. One busies himself with the cares of this life, yet suddenly the sorrow is there; it is as a fresh, open wound; “O God, will it never heal?” There is a time, then, when Forgiveness Is Not Enough! Is there no suture that can bond that open wound; Is there no balm that may heal?

Wisdom may be found in those words of the Holy Spirit, who employed the penmanship of David: Cried the Psalmist, “Have mercy. . . blot out my transgressions. . .wash me. . .cleanse me. . . purge me. . . create in me a new heart; renew a right spirit within me. . . . deliver me. Yet, though he “acknowledged his transgression,” these sobering tones echoed from his voice: “My Sin Is Ever Before Me!”

Oh, David! Have you found a Balm of Healing? If it be so then tell me, quickly!

“Cast me not away from thy presence; take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the Joy. . .”

Let us then understand; if Joy would be restored; though perchance there remain a scar; let there be the knitting together of hearts: Allow not the separation of Presence to continue; rather allow Love to apply itself as a Healing Balm.

Forgiveness Is Not Enough! Time Does Not Heal! There must needs follow the desire of heart for a careful and loving, mending of that which was broken. Peace is to be found on the doorstep of Reconciliation.

Without Sword

If you are brought face to face with a Brother that would engage you in battle;

If he will not let you rest ere you encounter him on the field of blood;

If you ascertain that he means you no little hurt;

If you would defeat him, yet without harm;

If you would subdue him, yet without sword:

Love is a weapon against which there is no defense;

Faith is a mighty battlement, a certain stronghold;

Prayer will bring forth the reserves of Heaven!

The Window

Why do you labor so, said she,

To keep the window clean?

Why do you take such pain and care,

Why must it spotless be?

Do you admire the window pane,

Its shine so crystal clear?

You clean it - oh, so carefully,

Why do you find it dear?

It’s not the window that I prize,

And count so very dear:

It’s what is seen beyond the glass,

That brings me joy and cheer!

Lord Jesus, would you labor so,

To keep the window clean:

The window of my heart and life,

So you, Lord, can be seen?

It’s not the window that I prize,

And count so very dear;

It’s what is seen beyond the glass,

That brings me joy and cheer!

So cleanse me, Lord, so carefully,

And make me crystal clear,

That folk may see not me but thee,

And also find you dear.

Transparent personality,

A glass through which to see,

To that which lies beyond myself,

None other, Lord, but thee!

The Lily of the Valley - The Rose of Sharon

Behold the kingdom of flowers and you will find the Royal Family to be the Rose; tall, stately, and of exquisite beauty.

Consider the number twelve. It is the number of Eternal Perfection. More than a little strange in this world of changing traditions is this: that the ultimate way to “say it with flowers” is still to present one with a dozen (12) long-stemmed roses! And this many continue to do, not knowing why; having no idea that their twelve long-stemmed roses show forth Royalty and Eternal Perfection.

Ancient history (cf. Unger’s Bible Dictionary) declares that of all the roses growing in the Middle East, none was so beautiful as those found in Sharon.

A brief study into the world of Horticulture (cf. World Book Encyclopedia) reveals something else that should be of notable interest: all flowers are not the same. (of course we all know that they look different,) But there is a very basic difference. Many flowers consist of three parts: the Sepal, the Petal, and either the Stamen OR the Pistil, but not both. These flowers the horticulturists call Imperfect. Another variation may lack Petals, such as the Marigold, which has yellow Sepals which look like Petals, but are not. Though such appear as if they are complete, they carry the title of Incomplete.

That group of flowers, however, that consist of all four parts; Sepal, Petal, Stamen, and Pistil are rightly called Perfect and Complete!

Two classes of flowers are singled out by the World Book as being those Perfect and Complete: Lilies and Roses!

More than coincidental is the fact that Christ is called the Lily of the Valleys and the Rose of Sharon!

“. . .by Him all things consist.” “For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell. . .” Complete! “For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are Complete in Him. . .” Col. 2:9,10.

The Harbor of My Heart

What am I harboring in my heart? Is it a haven of rest where ships may find shelter from the tempest? Or is it a haven for rotting relics; vessels anchored for decades with aged barnacles cleaving to their hulls? Can it be that some putrefying odor is emerging from the hold of the ships; evidence of something that has long since deteriorated and decomposed: the remains of those things once treasured?

Is the harbor of my heart so utterly crowded with worthless decaying ancients that no goodly vessel may find anchor there? Perchance do they wait just outside the harbor, loaded with precious cargo? Does indeed, the Ship of Grace await its docking, but I will not acknowledge or receive it

What am I harboring in my heart? Is it an open channel, free from obstruction; Does there rest upon the shoreline a Lighthouse; is there a bright flame shining forth; is it fueled by Precious Oil? May journeying Mariners approach with assurance of their safety?

Is there likewise Precious Treasure to be found within my being: Precious Cargo to be hoisted aboard ship: to be transported to distant ports, that an anchoring may be secured in the harbor of another heart?

What am I harboring in my heart? Oh God! May it be nothing less than the Lord Jesus! May the rotted relics of Self-life lose anchor; may they be carried far out to sea and sink to the bottom. May the stench of Pride succumb to the sweet fragrance of Humility. Oh Ship of Zion, anchor yourself in my heart; And from thence, sail forth to others with Your Love!

Shadow of His Wings

“O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee; my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;” Psalm 63:1

How often, O child of God, have you basked in the Son Light, and partook of the benefits supplied by your Sovereign: yet amidst the blessings, your heart is made to yearn for something more. You are aware of a thirst that “things” are not able to satisfy. “Lord, I thirst!”

In response to your cry, an Omniscient Heavenly Father dispatches a cloud; it is a grievously dark cloud. It comes to where you are, looming overhead, hiding as it were, the face of the Son.

“O God! I thirst for your Presence! Why do you now forsake me in the midst of my need?” It is then, from that same cloud that (seemingly) brought forth darkness and separation, that Mercy begins to rain upon you. Your Heavenly Father showers you with His Sufficiency!

What reasoning is it that would cry, “Lord, send the rains to quench my thirst, but please withhold the clouds!” The Psalmist cried out, “Thou hast been my help!” In the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice!”

Look up! Behold the cloud! It is rather the Shadow of His Wings that hovers above you!

On Suffering

I beheld a single rose, yet in its infancy;

Its clothing was as a robe of green.

I watched as it began to awaken;

To slowly stretch forth as from a fitful sleep.

I witnessed the emerging of life:

There was beauty within, would soon be revealed.

I saw tender petals begin to unfold.

From its heart came forth tiny showers of color,

And from the showers came splashes of light.

And finally it was open in a display of radiance and splendor!

My eyes were as opened gates to permit its beauty to enter.

Leaning closely, I breathed in the lingering fragrance.

I dared to touch the soft, velvety petals.

To my heart it spoke of warmth and of joy.

I reached forth my hand, taking hold of the stem.

I drew back in pain; sharp thorns having pricked my fingers.

Drops of blood appeared from those places pierced.

How, O how, I cried, can anything of such beauty

Likewise be the bearer of such pain?

And what shall be my response to such things:

Shall I now look upon the rose in a fit of anger;

Shall I renounce its beauty and splendor?

Are my eyes to look upon it in contempt;

Am I to regard it as horrid and ugly?

Is its fragrance now to become a stench in my nostrils;

Shall I withdraw from it forever?

O God, from Thy Presence would I seek wisdom:

When from within the roses that you have planted in

The garden of my heart, I am pricked by the thorns:

Help me, O Lord, amidst the pain and the suffering,

To remember the rose in its infancy; the opening of its petals;

To yet rejoice in its beauty, to lean near to smell its fragrance;

For Thou O God, hast made both rose and thorn,

That they, through my life, may glorify you.

Of Prince and King

The Prince ascended to His throne,

A crown adorned His brow:

But His subjects would not honor Him;

At His feet they would not bow.

 

His crown was fashioned not of gold,

No glittering jewels rare;

But piercing thorns released the Blood,

Great wealth beyond compare.

 

A septre in each hand He held,

Two rods of iron were they;

And from His hands was power revealed,

As blood flowed forth that day.

 

Though far removed from Calvary’s brow,

His hands are stretched out still:

Men yet may come, the call remains,

To whosoever will.

 

As King of Kings He’ll come again,

Ascending to His throne:

With rod of iron He’ll rule and reign,

And every knee shall bow.

In Your Afflictions

You are brought forth into the Heavenly Clinic.

Fret not about the cost - you are covered by His

“Eternal Life Assurance” policy.

You are the patient of the Great Physician.

He, in eternal wisdom has diagnosed your condition.

You have been placed in His “Intensive Care.”

Your heart He is constantly monitoring.

His finger is always on your pulse.

He carefully records every change, no matter how slight.

He need not ask, “Where is the hurt?” for He bares with you every pain.

If ‘surgery’ is required, know that His hand alone will hold the scalpel.

Understand that only that which does not bring glory to Him will be removed.

Take comfort; hands that once bore nails, now bear the Healing Balm.

He who neither slumbers nor sleeps is ever beside you, watching over you.

Therefore, trust Him, and rest in the power of His Presence.

In the Beginning God Created

Behold the workmanship of the Creator!

He holds no brush in hand,

He has no canvas on which to paint,

Yet who has displayed with such grandeur?

To whom can one compare His handiwork?

Those whose masterpieces we hold in highest esteem

Are but copies of the Creator’s

glorious displays of beauty!

Behold the workmanship of the Creator!

He holds no quill in hand,

He has no parchment on which to write,

Yet He is Author of all!

The poet in all his eloquence

Can but paint a picture in words;

But the Creator speaks and worlds are brought into existence!

In Christ All Things New

The Christian is one who has seen a New Light;

Who has experienced a New Birth; Who possesses;

nay, who is possessed by the Everlasting Life.

He is united in a New Relationship,

Rendered Present by a New Covenant.

He is a New Man, to whom there is imparted a New Heart.

He has a New Spirit by Resurrection.

There is implanted a New Nature, from which

there is yielded New Fruit.

He drinks from a New Fountain.

He has a New Outlook; he walks a New Way.

He has a New Name; has been given a New

Tongue, by which he proclaims a New Doctrine.

He is clothed with a New Garment;

He breaks forth with New Song.

He follows a New Commandment;

His allegiance, to a New King:

He’s the recipient of New Mercies;

Abounds in New Grace.

He looks for a New Day, when he

shall be robed in a New Body;

Shall enter the Gates of a New City;

And then shall witness All Things New,

The New Heaven and New Earth!

His Hand

When your life becomes a burden,

Many troubles ‘round you gather;

When you pray to God for guidance,

Midst a storm you cannot weather:

Now it seems His voice is silent,

Words of comfort lose their splendor;

And attempts to read your Bible,

Meet with thoughts and things that hinder.

Do you see the hand of testing,

Knowing not the course to follow;

Knowing not that God has placed you

In His hand, into its hollow?

Without knowing of His purpose,

Can you trust His hand to guide you?

Will you cast yourself upon Him,

Let His secret Presence hide you?

Look not at what His hand has wrought,

But rather seek His face;

For there you’ll find the heart of God,

And know His love and grace.

For there His mercies are made new,

For you He knows what’s best.

His heart and hand together work:

In Him you shall find rest.

Expression of Love

The pain and suffering of Christ: to this he fully gave Himself; it is the ultimate expression of His Love. When your loved one dies, attempt not to suppress your pain; it is likewise the ultimate expression of your love. Understand, if you attempt to suppress the pain, you are likewise suppressing and bottling up the flow of love. Their physical absence does not cause that love in your heart to cease its flow; only that it is changed in its expression.

Comfort may be found if you realize and recognize pain as love expressed. Emptiness of heart is supposed, as the object of its love is taken away. But how can a heart be empty if it yet remains a fountain of love? Withhold not your tears: if weeping over the death of a loved one is a sin, then Jesus was the chiefest of sinners. Allow yourself no guilt or intimidation because of your pain: rather might these be due if your heart was hardened and cold.

Express not only sadness to a friend in pain, but enter into the suffering with him. Understand this pain you bear to be a channel through which love is allowed to continue its flow. When they were present this channel was not needed. Now may it span the distance even into the presence of and providing a linkage between the temporal and the eternal.

Again, understand that the sufferings of Christ were for Him a channel through which He might express His love for you.

Easter Sonrise

“Mary came very early to the tomb while it was yet dark. . . .”

But the Son had already risen!

The sun came up, but it was yet dark,
The sun rose twice the same day.
The sunrise came forth, while it was yet night,
But the earth received not its ray.

The sun rose up, but men did not see,
The light as in darkness revealed.
The eye could not see, but only the heart,
That light in a body concealed.

The sun rose on high, to the heavens above,
But soon will appear once again.
The sun will descend, and the day will begin,
And darkness will vanish away.

“But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings.” Mal. 4:2

Dealing with Pain

The Gift of Suffering

“For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake” Phil. 1:29.

Do not fight your pain: it is not the enemy. Rather embrace it in faith. See it not as a problem, but as a provision. God does not give you pain in order to hurt you; It is a transforming grace, tailored for your life. It is not its purpose to engulf you, to swallow you, to pull you into yourself: such would incite a spirit of self-will. Deny self. Do not allow it to be the center, the object of your affections. Realize that the problem lies not with pain; it lies with Self. Mere kindness and benevolence seek to shield one from any pain; to desire only that which pleases.

But be assured: real love, true love, abiding love is no stranger to trials, to pain, to suffering. The Apostle prayed thrice, “Lord, remove my pain, my thorn in the flesh.” But it was not possible. For God had purposed to be his sufficiency through Grace: and the pain, the thorn that he bore, was itself an intricate part of God’s love, Of His Sufficiency, of His Grace.

It is in error if one thinks to limit the grace of God, “unmerited favor,” to that which is only pleasant, desirable, and comforting. If Christ is Savior, if He is Lord of your life, if He is Lord of all your circumstances, will you dare to trust Him as Lord, even of your sufferings? “Who can do that?” Well, Jesus did. It seems then of Holy Design that pain is interwoven with love and likewise with grace.

To those who love God. . .who are the called according to His purpose. . .all things work together. . . for our good... for His glory. Love, grace, and yes, even pain.

Apples

A few years ago a group of salesmen attended a regional sales convention in Chicago. They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for their Friday night dinner. In their rush, with tickets and briefcases in hand, one of the salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table that supported a display of baskets full of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they continued to the gateway managing to reach the plane in time for the call for boarding. That is, all but one. This fellow stopped, being overcome with a deep sense of compassion for the girl whose fruit stand that had just been overturned. He told his buddies to go on without him; that he was going back to help, calling to one of them to phone his wife when they arrived at their destination and explain the situation, that he would take a later flight. Then he backtracked inside the terminal to the scene of the capsized fruit stand. And he was certainly glad he did: for upon his return he discovered that the proprietor of the apple stand was a 16 year old girl -- and she was completely blind! Tears ran down her cheeks: she was frustrated at her dilemma, helplessly groping to retrieve the spilled produce that lay scattered on the floor of the terminal. The crowd swirled about her, no one stopping to help; no one caring for her plight. The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathering the apples, putting them back into the baskets. He restored the display along with the apples to their former state. As he did so, he noticed that many of the apples had been bruised; these he separated and placed in a basket to themselves. When he had finished the task, he brought forth his wallet and said to the girl, “Here, please take this $20.00 for the damage we did. Are you okay?” She nodded, yes. He continued: “I hope we didn’t spoil your day too badly.” As the salesman was walking away, the bewildered girl called out to him, “Mister. . .” He stopped and turned, looking back into her sightless eyes. “Mister. . .are you Jesus?” Speechless, he made his way to the ticket counter to arrange for the late flight home. . with that question burning inside him: “Are you Jesus?”

        Has anyone ever mistook you for Jesus? A foolish question you say? Really? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, His mercy and grace? If we claim to know Him, then we should live, walk, and conduct ourselves in a manner consistent with His. A tall order. But you and I may be the only glimpse of Jesus that someone may ever have. And knowing Him is more than simply quoting scripture and attending church. It’s actually living the Word as life is unfolded day by day.

        You are the “apple of His eye.” Once, as fruit put on display, man toppled to his ruin; he was bruised unto death. But Jesus came to where we were, drew us to Himself, picked us up - even as we were damaged fruit that should by all that is reasonable, be cast out. And he paid full price for that which was spoiled, bruised and broken at a place called Calvary. Let’s start living like we are worth the price he paid.

An Emmaus Disciple

Taken from Luke 24

Do you spend your day with Jesus,

Do you walk along with Him?

Do you share with Him your burdens,

Do you have His Peace within?

Does your heart not burn within you,

As you walk along the way?

Have you heard the voice of Jesus,

Have you talked with Him today?

Do you fellowship with Jesus,

Do you tarry long with Him?

Do you linger in His presence,

As the day draws to an end?

Though the day is almost over,

And the hour is growing late,

We must rise and tell another,

We cannot afford to wait.

Many others need the Savior,

And the Word of Truth must hear,

He was dead but now is risen,

Even now He’s drawing near.

Let us make Him known to others,

Trusting Him to do the rest;

Blinded eyes the Lord will open,

And the hearts of men He’ll bless.