Reflections on Mark 1:5
In the Old Testament, there are three great prayers of national confession and repentance (Daniel 9, Ezra 9, and Nehemiah 9). All of them sought the Lord's favor as Israel returned from Babylonian captivity and the reestablished their nation. Daniel, Ezra, and Nehemiah turned their hearts toward God. Their nation was restored, but not their king. The nation still looked forward to the time God would send his Messiah, his anointed one, to rule over them.
John was sent to prepare the way for the Messiah. His preaching turned the hearts of the people toward God. The people responded, not just a few leaders. All Judea and all Jerusalem went out to hear John and were baptized confessing their sins. The people were prepared to receive their Messiah. Sadly, this time most of the leaders did not prepare their own hearts with repentance and confession of sin. Most of them would reject the Messiah.
Showing posts with label Repentance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Repentance. Show all posts
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
A Baptism of Repentance
Reflections on Mark 1:4
John's baptism was a baptism of repentance which made it different from Jewish washings in a second way.
Jewish washings were prompted by a desire to purify oneself from uncleanness caused by contact with unclean animals, unclean objects, unclean people, or dead bodies. Even cups and pots and copper vessels, which make no moral choices, could become "unclean" and need to be washed according to Jewish traditions (Mark 7:4). Jewish washings were intended to purify them from any uncleanness in the environment which may have defiled them.
John's baptism had nothing to do with things which defiled a person from without, but with sin which defiled a person from within. It was prompted by a recognition of one's sinfulness and a desire for cleansing from that sin. Hence, John's baptism was a baptism based on repentance or prompted by repentance. Those who came to John sought God's mercy by confessing their sin and moral bankruptcy. Again, this made John's baptism unique, different from Jewish washings which preceded it.
John's baptism was a baptism of repentance which made it different from Jewish washings in a second way.
Jewish washings were prompted by a desire to purify oneself from uncleanness caused by contact with unclean animals, unclean objects, unclean people, or dead bodies. Even cups and pots and copper vessels, which make no moral choices, could become "unclean" and need to be washed according to Jewish traditions (Mark 7:4). Jewish washings were intended to purify them from any uncleanness in the environment which may have defiled them.
John's baptism had nothing to do with things which defiled a person from without, but with sin which defiled a person from within. It was prompted by a recognition of one's sinfulness and a desire for cleansing from that sin. Hence, John's baptism was a baptism based on repentance or prompted by repentance. Those who came to John sought God's mercy by confessing their sin and moral bankruptcy. Again, this made John's baptism unique, different from Jewish washings which preceded it.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
The Purpose of a Prophecy
Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
-- Rev 1:3 NIV
Earlier, John called his book a revelation (apocalypse), but now he also calls it a prophecy. John, like the prophets Samuel, Elijah, and Jeremiah, warns God's people of God's impending judgment on their unfaithfulness and calls them to repentance so that they might find God's mercy and forgiveness. Therefore, we who study John's message should look more at ourselves than "signs of the times." How are we being seduced or intimidated by the ungodly culture around us? Why do we who call ourselves Christians practice divorce at the same rate as non-Christians? Why do we enjoy the same lust-laced entertainment and music as non-Christians? Why do we use the Lord's name as frivolously in conversation as non-Christians? Why are we caught up in the same materialism as the culture around us? Unless we repent, knowing the signs of the times will profit us nothing. Blessed are they who hear and take heed.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Giving Up Our Sin for His Righteousness
In A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Darnay did not believe Sydney Carton could help him escape from prison; nevertheless, he reluctantly removed his own clothes so he could dress in the clothes Sydney Carton was wearing. Indeed, both acts were necessary. He had to remove his own clothes so Carton could become a prisoner. He also had to dress in Carton's clothes so he could leave prison and become a free man.
Likewise Jesus has offered to accept the guilt and penalty of our sin, but we must be willing to let go of our sins. We cannot cling to our sins if he is to accept them. Jesus said we must repent of our sin: "I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish" (Luke 13:3). He said this not because he wishes to spoil our fun, but he wants to save us from sin's penalty which he is willing to take upon himself.
Then, when our sin is removed, we can be dressed in his righteousness. Paul tells us how this happens: "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ" (Galatians 3:26-27). We allow Jesus to clothe us in his righteousness at baptism because we believe that only through his righteousness can we escape our penalty and become free persons.
Likewise Jesus has offered to accept the guilt and penalty of our sin, but we must be willing to let go of our sins. We cannot cling to our sins if he is to accept them. Jesus said we must repent of our sin: "I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish" (Luke 13:3). He said this not because he wishes to spoil our fun, but he wants to save us from sin's penalty which he is willing to take upon himself.
Then, when our sin is removed, we can be dressed in his righteousness. Paul tells us how this happens: "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ" (Galatians 3:26-27). We allow Jesus to clothe us in his righteousness at baptism because we believe that only through his righteousness can we escape our penalty and become free persons.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Eating Humble Pie
Reflections on 2 Samuel 19:16-23
Use the frame on the left to read these Scriptures.
When David fled Jerusalem, Shimei had cursed him and pelted him with stones. Shimei assumed that David had lost the throne and would never return. Now David was returning again as king. Shimei had two choices. One was to hide from the king, but that would have been nearly impossible because he lived so near Jerusalem. The second was to try to make amends.
SERVICE. When the men of Judah went to bring King David back across the Jordan, Shimei and a thousand other Benjamites went with them. When they got to the Jordan, Shimei and his men did not hesitate. They rushed across the Jordan to bring the king's household back across the river and do whatever else the king wished. Shimei tried to make amends by providing useful services to the king.
SUPPLICATION. While the men with Shimei were helping the king's household across the Jordan River, Shimei found the king, he fell prostrate before him, acknowledged his guilt, and begged forgiveness. He made no excuses. He ate humble pie.
SUPPORT. Finally, Shimei noted that that very day he had been the first of the "whole house of Joseph" (i.e. the northern tribes) to meet the king, to welcome him back, and to give him their support. Certainly, he hoped that his zeal in gathering support for David would help make amends.
Shimei had a good recipe for humble pie. Even though Abishai tried to dissuade the king, David promised on oath that Shimei would not die.
Use the frame on the left to read these Scriptures.
When David fled Jerusalem, Shimei had cursed him and pelted him with stones. Shimei assumed that David had lost the throne and would never return. Now David was returning again as king. Shimei had two choices. One was to hide from the king, but that would have been nearly impossible because he lived so near Jerusalem. The second was to try to make amends.
SERVICE. When the men of Judah went to bring King David back across the Jordan, Shimei and a thousand other Benjamites went with them. When they got to the Jordan, Shimei and his men did not hesitate. They rushed across the Jordan to bring the king's household back across the river and do whatever else the king wished. Shimei tried to make amends by providing useful services to the king.
SUPPLICATION. While the men with Shimei were helping the king's household across the Jordan River, Shimei found the king, he fell prostrate before him, acknowledged his guilt, and begged forgiveness. He made no excuses. He ate humble pie.
SUPPORT. Finally, Shimei noted that that very day he had been the first of the "whole house of Joseph" (i.e. the northern tribes) to meet the king, to welcome him back, and to give him their support. Certainly, he hoped that his zeal in gathering support for David would help make amends.
Shimei had a good recipe for humble pie. Even though Abishai tried to dissuade the king, David promised on oath that Shimei would not die.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Genuine Repentance
Reflections on 2 Samuel 12:13-23
Use the frame on the left to read these Scriptures.
Nathan's rebuke occurred at least nine months after David's sin. Although David was occupied with the final assault on the Ammonites during those nine months, he had not been able to hide from his own guilt. Undoubtedly, his guilt weighed heavily on his heart as when he wrote Psalm 32:3-5a:
NO EXCUSES. David was quick to acknowledge his sin and accept full responsibility for it when confronted by Nathan. He said quite simply, "I have sinned against the Lord." He was not like Saul who at first denied his sin (cf. 1 Samuel 15:13, 20) and blamed others (cf. 1 Samuel 15:21). Neither was he like Saul who, even after he reluctantly acknowledging his sin, still excused it (1 Samuel 15:24) and asked to be honored as if there were no shame in his sin (1 Samuel 15:30). David knew he could not hide his shame from God. In Psalm 51:4, he confessed, "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight."
FORGIVENESS. In his repentance, David did not desire honor before men but God's mercy, compassion, and forgiveness.
FELLOWSHIP. Forgiveness was the means to an even greater desire, that his fellowship with God might be renewed.
FREELY GIVEN. God freely forgave and restored fellowship to the penitent king. Though God did not change the consequences of the sin, David saw the death of the son not as God's refusal to forgive but as evidence of God's faithfulness. If God said he was forgiven and his son would die, and if God kept his word with regard to his son, then he was assured God kept his word with regard to his own forgiveness. He washed and went to worship the Lord. His fellowship with the Lord was restored, and the Lord would sustain him in the troubles he would face.
Use the frame on the left to read these Scriptures.
Nathan's rebuke occurred at least nine months after David's sin. Although David was occupied with the final assault on the Ammonites during those nine months, he had not been able to hide from his own guilt. Undoubtedly, his guilt weighed heavily on his heart as when he wrote Psalm 32:3-5a:
When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
For day and night
your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.
Selah
Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, "I will confess
my transgressions to the LORD"
NO EXCUSES. David was quick to acknowledge his sin and accept full responsibility for it when confronted by Nathan. He said quite simply, "I have sinned against the Lord." He was not like Saul who at first denied his sin (cf. 1 Samuel 15:13, 20) and blamed others (cf. 1 Samuel 15:21). Neither was he like Saul who, even after he reluctantly acknowledging his sin, still excused it (1 Samuel 15:24) and asked to be honored as if there were no shame in his sin (1 Samuel 15:30). David knew he could not hide his shame from God. In Psalm 51:4, he confessed, "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight."
FORGIVENESS. In his repentance, David did not desire honor before men but God's mercy, compassion, and forgiveness.
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin. - Psalms 51:1-2
FELLOWSHIP. Forgiveness was the means to an even greater desire, that his fellowship with God might be renewed.
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. - Psalms 51:10-11
FREELY GIVEN. God freely forgave and restored fellowship to the penitent king. Though God did not change the consequences of the sin, David saw the death of the son not as God's refusal to forgive but as evidence of God's faithfulness. If God said he was forgiven and his son would die, and if God kept his word with regard to his son, then he was assured God kept his word with regard to his own forgiveness. He washed and went to worship the Lord. His fellowship with the Lord was restored, and the Lord would sustain him in the troubles he would face.
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