sword

 This week we begin worship with:

Revelation 19:14-16

And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following

him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike

down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the

winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his

thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Why does a sword come out of the mouth of the victorious Christ?  It can be understood this way, that out of the mouth of God comes the Word of God and we are told that the Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit.

Ephesians 6:16-17

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,  

We are also told this sword is sharp!  It divides what is indivisible.  Soul from spirit.  Joint from marrow.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 

But note the change in words.  The "thoughts" and "intentions" are not divided, they are discerned (kritikos).  They are not divided from each other but rather divided between truth and error, for each word spoken by the victorious Christ will be true.

 

protection

This week we begin worship with:

Psalm 5:11

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;

    let them ever sing for joy,

and spread your protection over them,

    that those who love your name may exult in you.

When attempting to win the "who-will-be-first-in-the-kingdom" argument that immediately followed the institution of the Lord's Supper (Luke 22:24–27), Peter escalated it to the point that he declared to Jesus his preeminent devotion:

Luke 22:31–34

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

Notice the self-assured "I am ready", but as you know, Peter with that protection removed was found completely unprepared even for the words of a servant girl.

Fast-forward to the elder Peter and listen to him "exult" at being guarded:

1 Peter 1:3-5

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

saved

This week we begin worship with:

Deuteronomy 33:29a

Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, the

shield of your help, and the sword of your triumph!

This verse comes at the end of the blessing that Moses spoke to the tribes of Israel, just before his death in Moab.  Moses had led his people out of slavery and stood at the very edge of the promised land. From this vantage point he was permitted to see the Promised Land but not enter it (Deuteronomy 34:1-8).

Yes, Israel was at that moment free from the tyranny of Pharaoh, but they were also homeless and vulnerable!

Yet, Moses blessed them as "saved" (yāšaʿ), shielded, and triumphant.  

Unlike English, Hebrew does not have past, present, and future tense.  The verb describes the ongoing but sure salvation, whose certainly rests on God alone and it was being used as their identity -- "Saved by the LORD".

Now look back at the Hebrew for that word, try to pronounce it.  Then read the angel's announcement to Joseph:

Matthew 1:21

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

The name Jesus comes from yâ, which is a shortened name for God that you hear at the end of "Hallelujah", and today's word yāšaʿ.  Literally, the name Jesus means "God Saves".

Now reread the angel's announcement and hear in the name "Jesus" that this baby would be divine!  God himself will save us.  So, we too are "Saved by the LORD".  

steadfast love

This week we begin our worship with:

Lamentations 3:22-23

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

We use the adage, "You can't tell a book by its cover.".  Well in this case, the cover of this book has the title "Lamentations".  This is not a happy time.  

Because of Judah's continued idolatry, God permitted the Babylonians to invade, destroy Jerusalem, and destroy the temple.  The book even speaks of cannibalism during the siege (Lamentations 4:10) and in disgrace the Jews were exiled to Babylon.

With that in mind, reread our verse.

In the midst of this pain, the author (possibly Jeremiah) cried out to God and experienced His "steadfast love" (ḥeseḏ):

Lamentations 3:55-57

“I called on your name, O Lord,

    from the depths of the pit;

you heard my plea, ‘Do not close

    your ear to my cry for help!’

You came near when I called on you;

    you said, ‘Do not fear!’

So, from whatever pit we are in today, let us cry our to our Heavenly Father, and hear the words:

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

obtaining

 This week we begin worship with:

1 Peter 1:8–9

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him,

you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,

obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

This is the second of two "though"s that Peter acknowledges.  The first is that we are being tested by various trials (1 Peter 1:6).  The second is our passage today that the Ascension has already occurred, and we no longer see our Lord.  Neither, however, should prevent joy.

Think of the best gift ever.  When we had only a few nickels to rub together my wife bought me an iPod for Christmas.  I was stunned.  Being stunned, being unable to speak (aneklalētos), is the level of joy described here.

Joy is over the destination; happiness is over arrival.  Compare getting in the car because you are going on vacation with settling down into the chair on the beach once you arrive.

Our destination here is the salvation (sōtēria) of our soul.  This has been said to be a mixture of "rescue, restoration, and purpose".  In Greek, it is the result of having a savior (sōtēr).

The only way to have this joy is the "ing" of "obtaining" (v. 9).  We have two "though"s to endure but we are on our way.  

You-all packed?   Let's go.