As we grow older, we know the truth of this proverb. The pure and simple laughter of our youth has become mixed with the sober realities and growing complexities of this life. Rare is the day of unfettered joy that is not muddied with some grief. Yet, we long for an unclouded day, where joy rises like the sun and we leap like a calf released from the stall (Mal. 4:2).
After Jesus was resurrected he “opened the minds” of the disciples, so that they could understand the Scriptures concerning him. There are over 300 Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament and Jesus fulfilled every one. Yet, many doubted or misunderstood. Now, the risen Jesus did more than explain, he “opened their minds.” This is more than instruction. This is a miraculous spiritual sight given to those previously blind. They were now able to see Jesus in the Scriptures. He became not only the object to which the Word pointed, but the lens through which they could rightly interpret it. Jesus is the criterion for right understanding of God’s Word. Without him, there is no true understanding for we would be left as the “natural man” who finds God’s Word as foolishness. Only the spiritual, whose minds have been “opened” can understand (1 Cor. 2:14-16).
The curtain that separated the holy of holies in the Jewish temple was torn open when Jesus died. Only the high priest was allowed to go behind the curtain on the Day of Atonement. But now, Jesus has become our Great High Priest, opening up the way for all who are in Him to have access to the Father. And so, we can approach God with confidence, praying in the Name of Jesus, for the curtain that separated sinful man from a holy God has been removed.
When Pilate proposed to release Jesus in view of the Paschal pardon tradition, the crowds, incited by the Jewish leadership, called for the release of Barabbas instead. Ironic that the name “Barabbas” should mean “son of the father” in Aramaic. For the One they demanded to be crucified was indeed the Son of the Father. And so, the Righteous One was crucified and the rebellious murderer was set free. What injustice on the part of man! But what mercy on the part of God, that He would give His Son to die in our place!
Peter was overcome with grief when he denied Christ three times just as Christ had predicted. Peter, the “Rock,” had crumbled. And to make matters worse, he had made eye contact with Jesus in the moment the rooster crowed. This was the last time Peter saw Jesus until His resurrection. He did not witness His trial before Pilate, nor His crucifixion. Peter was a castaway, drowning in his own misery, beyond comfort. Yet, Jesus had prayed for Peter. He knew that Peter was about to enter a dark night of the soul. “When you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Jesus had said (32). And Peter did return. “Do you love Me?” Jesus asked three times, restoring him to Himself. “Yes Lord, You know all things. You know that I love You.” Peter responded (John 21:17).
Have you strayed from the Lord? Return to Him. For Jesus has already prayed for you.
While Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, the disciples fell asleep. He had told them to watch and pray while He pulled away to pray alone. But they were exhausted with “sorrow” (v.45). Jesus was trying to prepare them for a difficult trial, but their human frailty was too much. I wonder how many times the Spirit of Christ urges us to pray, yet our flesh is too weak? Instead, we sleep. Christ followers still hear the Spirit say, “Rise and pray.” Rise up from your sleep and lift your heartfelt prayers to the Father. There is a rest that comes from prayer that is better than that from sleep.
The book of Judges is marked by a repetitive cycle that is hard to read. It is not hard in the sense that it’s difficult to observe the pattern. No, the pattern is evident. It’s hard because it is painful to see generation after generation forget the lessons of their forebears and repeat the same mistakes. The pattern is:
1) Sin (Rebellion) – “And the children of Israel again did evil (3:12).
2) Servitude (Retribution) – “So the children of Israel served Eglon king of Moab” (3:14).
3) Supplication (Repentance) – “But when the children of Israel cried out” (3:15).
4) Salvation (Rest) – “And the land had rest” (3:30).
Someone once said, “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Certainly, that was true for Israel in the days following Joshua’s death. This is a picture of the fallenness of humanity. This pattern repeats itself until someone prays and repents. Only God can rescue us from this cycle of death. Thank God, we have the victory in Christ Jesus!
Understanding that our days are numbered can motivate us to live life with a sense of urgent importance. “Urgent,” because putting off till tomorrow means eventually running out of tomorrows. If the Lord has put it on your heart, then do it now! And “important,” because we often fill our days with unimportant things. Prayerfully consider what is most important, then focus on those things every day. This is not a morbid state of mind, being aware of your limited days. This is wisdom, not wasting the time God has given you on planet earth. Don’t waste your life!
Jesus concluded His description of the signs of the age of the end times with the above verse. Jesus didn’t tell His disciples to be anxious or discouraged when the world seemed to be declining into chaos and becoming more wicked. Instead, He told them to “look up,” essentially to set their minds on heavenly things all the more, as earthly things must pass away. He told them to “lift up your heads,” in other words, don’t be afraid or discouraged, chin up! Because the “redemption” of your bodies “draws near.” The redemption of our souls has already come when we believed that Christ died for our sins, was buried and raised again on the third day. Yet, we await the redemption of our bodies (Rom. 8:23) on that Day when Christ returns.
The Sadducees, who denied the resurrection and only accepted the five books of Moses, came to Jesus presenting a case that they thought would make the idea of the resurrection seem ridiculous. However, Christ’s response made their doubt seem ridiculous instead. After dismissing their multiple wives premise in only a few words, He used the burning bush story from the book of Exodus (one of the few books they accepted) to show them proof of the resurrection; namely, that God identified Himself as the “God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” Jesus demolished their anti-resurrection argument and left them silent. Yet, Jesus wasn’t finished. He backed up His words with action, becoming the firstborn from among the dead and guaranteeing the resurrection of all those who believe.