I like to think of myself as a patient man except, of course, when the kids or the co-workers, or someone (anyone) else has really pressed my nerves or my buttons repeatedly. Ryken says that this word receives (prosdechomai) was to welcome them into fellowship, to accept them and associate with them. For they know in their hearts that any good they do is completely and totally owed to the sovereign work of God. But He goes on: [20] I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, [21] 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. Praise God for his love and grace and the gospel which reminds us everyday that He has saved us for Himself, by Himself, and from Himself. He learned more of the things that matter in those years than most men learn in a lifetime. And in so doing He was not simply dying for a Jewish people, but for a people He had chosen from the foundation of the world. For if many died through one mans trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. by Francis Thompson. In this culture hospitality was a very important part of the social order, and who you ate with was just as important. Listen to what Jesus says later to the masses in John 6: Then they said to him, What must we do, to be doing the works of God? 29 Jesus answered them, This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent. (John 6:28-29, ESV). [21] For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Comments will be approved before showing up. Because Jesus is who and he is he inevitably divides people., Specifically, it is interesting that some people ran to the PhariseesCarson says, One might charitably hope that the motive of at least some of them was to win the Pharisees to the truth, but the contrast set up between those who believe and those who go to the Pharisees suggest that their intent was more malicious., Ryle says that these people who ran to the Pharisees had been hardened in heart, Instead of being softened and convinced, they were hardened and enraged. This revelation of His glory is the key and as I mentioned before, Martha is not going to see the glory of Christ in the way that the disciples did on the Mount of Transfiguration, but rather she will see His revealed character, power, and person pouring out through His majestic work of resurrection. But this argument unravels in several ways, not the least of which is that the word love here is phileo whereas the word the gospel writer uses to describe the Lords affection for him is agape. The basics of the gospel are the foundation for understanding greater mysteries appertaining to the gospel, and to what the author is getting at here, namely the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in this context, His priesthood. In our recent Bible study there was a passing comment about Spurgeon describing God as the "hound of heaven", citing that God relentlessly pursued him until Spurgeon finally surrendered to him. Only then do I feel like I have an excuse to lose my temper. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:17-20), He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. For the longest time I didnt understand exactly how this worked. Secondly, it shows the importance of spiritual warfare and of sharing the gospel. 11:49-53But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, You know nothing at all. Still, even His great acts were not enough for some to trust that He was who He claimed to be. A few things. Boston artist R.H. Ives Gammell (1893-1981) painted his 23-panel series, A Pictorial Sequence by R.H. Ives Gammell Based on "The Hound of Heaven" over the course of 15 years (1941-1956).In them, the artist interpreted British poet Francis Thompson's late-19th-century "The Hound of Heaven" poem.Those verses have been a staple of Catholic literature . Do you welcome and surround yourself with sinners who need saving? It is easy to fall into a legalistic mindset, so much so that you are unwilling to have a beer with a colleague after work. (quoting Ladd)[vi], He goes on to say, The Kingdom of God involves two great moments: fulfillment within history, and consummation at the end of history.[vii]. Surely He knows more than anyone how to speak with His Father. First, the hopeless, helpless condition of Peter and all humanity who might try and save themselves and indeed there is a need of saving. [xii]. He has been given all power by the Father to execute His life-saving mission here on earth (see chapter 5). Meanwhile we long to be with him, and daily sing-, My heart is with him on his throne, An important part of the gospel is the hope for eternity with God. It this doesnt turn you off, then I hope you are able to enjoy the study! For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. Christ knew that He was going away soon. Therefore, if you have in your heart today any affection for Christ at all, it is because God the Holy Spirit in His sweetness, in His power, in His mercy, and in His grace has been to the cemetery of your soul and has raised you from the dead. It was about a one-day journey from where Jesus was ministering across the Jordan River to Bethany near Jerusalem. You were dead. But she didnt yet comprehend the power of the man she knew as Jesus. [16]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. John Frame notes that some older literature reveals that there are a few Post-mills who have said that is a part of this time now, but more will reside in the future. I find this extremely important when figuring out questions of interpretation. No. And he has set his affection on a chosen number to save from eternal punishment. Christ came to change all of that. The main thrust of John 11 seems to be two-fold: to show forth the glory and honor of Jesus Christ as the true Son of God, and to show how Lazarus was a type of Christ remembering that Jesus would soon triumph over the grave to the glory of God in Christ. Listen to Spurgeon and let your hearts agree with his: One more duty I would mention, though others suggest themselves. That being said, D.A. Chapter fifteen features three parables which showcase many aspects of the character of Jesus, but only one essential truth: God has gone to great lengths to save those who were lost and not thought worthy of the kingdom of God, and finds great joy in doing so! Its been awhile since I read another poem so I was eager to read The Hound of Heaven. We are to be people marked by inward heart transformation and a mind renewed in the knowledge of God, which we can readily share with others. So should it be with us but this means we must have hearts that are desirous of this and not simply our own obsessions and hobbies. However, as I just mentioned and have mentioned before, the Sadducees were the most secular (if thats an appropriate word for it) leaders the Jews ever had. For no man will ever call upon the name of the Lord without the gracious help of God who opens our eyes and shows us the glory of the light of Jesus for what it truly is.[vii]. [16] I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. When push comes to shove, he cannot and will not embrace or associate himself with Jesus at this point. [13] They said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? She said to them, They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.. He waits patiently for Gods plan. The Roman trial began with a first examination before Pilate (Mt. Jesus obeyed the sovereign timing of the Father rather than His emotions. If the Romans, they calculated, thought that there was an uprising among the people, they would move to squash it immediately perhaps even scatter the Jews and drive them from the land in order to save them the headache of dealing with them as a nation. The Lord who remarked that a good father gives his children a fish and not a snake, gives fish in abundance. Johns narrative isnt as concerned with the trials as it is with Christ who is He, and what is His mission. It is a kingdom which will never be shaken. They remind us that when Jesus changes someones head and heart, those changes lead to changes in our actions which affect the society in which we live. 11:28-29When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, The Teacher is here and is calling for you. [29]And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. We are told that this is what saving faith looks like. It is a testament to the grace and power of God that we are protected from the wiles of the Devil and that is why your prayers of intercession for each other are so crucial, for God works through your prayers to thwart the enemy. In fact, He later called Himself the bread from heaven, which is simply another way of saying that He is the Word of God incarnate. What we read here is that we naturally RUN from the light. Which is why it is with great irony that they are the ones who claim this passage (along with Matthew 16:13-20) as one which sets down the primacy of Peter because not only does it do nothing of the sort, but even if it did, they do not follow the instructions to him who was supposedly made primal. [9] When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. All nations will call Him blessed. "The Hound of Heaven" is a 182-line poem written by English poet Francis Thompson (1859-1907). Along with the exhortation, the author delivers an indicative statement about the character of God. The reaction to the miracles of Christ is always of interest to me. The amillennialist would remind us of verses like we find at the end of Marks gospel, So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God (Mark 16:19 also see Ephesians 1:20-23)[i]. The full text is found here: http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0182.htm. He brings us out of darkness into His marvelous light by His sovereign initiating love. This is our condition apart from Christ (Romans 5:10). [xvi], Grudem says, The primary characteristic of postmillennialism is that it is very optimistic about the power of the gospel to change lives and bring about much good in the world.. 28). John sees clear fulfillment of OT scripture and its just as clear that the apostle Peter did as well. In light of the resurrection, Jesus crosswork and victory over death has secured for believers union with Himself, and all the privileges appertaining unto that reality. And if you are not a Christian then you have no lens to properly view these events. The Hound of Heaven and a Young Russian Agnostic Andrea Wolfe, on staff with the CoMission office in Raleigh, North Carolina tells the following story: In the 1930's Stalin ordered a purge of all Bibles and all believers. First, the divine imperative, as Augustine termed the creation of the world, is seen here in Christs powerful control over the life and death of His creatures. 1:5 indicates His will for our adoption as sons). o Children have a taste for simple foods, simple drinks, and simple deserts. Paul says God gave them up or turned them over to their own desire multiple times in this passage. So much is made of whether the millennium is a literal 1,000 years when up until that 20th chapter in Revelation no other number (save perhaps the 7 churches?) 9. Cant they just let this go? Psalm 139: No Escape From God | Bible.org (Mark 8:31-32). In the poem Jesus pursues Thompson with "unhurrying chase, and unperturbed pace, deliberate speed, and majestic instancy [or urgency]." The first thing this verse assumes is that people in the world have the wrath of God abiding on them otherwise there would be no need for a Savior. Behold 153. He does not rush off to see the family of Lazarus, does not run to comfort them, does not run to perform the miracle. The vast majority of its occurrences are therefore in Johns writings, as it is also found 24 times in Johns three epistles, and just three times in Peter. [1] Ryken, Commentary on Luke, Volume II, Pg. A Contemporary Translation of a Timeless Masterpiece. Carson summarizes, Whatever potential for future service he (Peter) had therefore depended not only on forgiveness from Jesus, but also on reinstatement amongst the disciples., I Agape your Phileo and Raise you an Agape. I FLED Him, down the nights and down the days; I fled Him, down the arches of the years; I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways. [32] This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Often it is very easy to get caught up in viewpoints about the millennium, and I do not want to detract from the importance of the millennium. [41] The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. [15] So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. [6] In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. I would just add a disclaimer that they are my raw preaching notes. They have lavished grace and peace and in the life to come riches beyond measure. It has been quoted more times than any other verse, and it is well known to both pagan and Christian alike. They dont want to follow Christ. It was the Fathers righteous allegiance to his own name that made recompense for the sin necessary. Then Frame says, On this definition, the kingdom is dynamic, indeed dramatic. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? Take note of 1 Cor. I, chaps. Its applicable to what were looking at here, because I believe it will show us something of the character of God, and if we can catch a glimpse of that, perhaps we can more rightly appropriate what He is working in our lives through suffering and storms. All those who boldly proclaimed headship over their lives will suddenly realize the oxygen they suck has been a precious gift from the one who upholds all the planets by the power of His word (Heb. Now Peter needed to have that same love for the sheep. (Hebrews 12:7-11). Why are even his professed followers so cold in their affections to him? (John 16:13-15), ***The work of learning from God the Spirit ultimately brings Him glory, and is His plan for us, And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, [10] so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, [11] filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. 846-847. [10] For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. The primary reason for the miracle (to bring glory to God and Christ Jesus) leads to the secondary reason, the bolstering of our faith. 21:1, Ps. 26:57-68; Mk. [12] For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. Footnotes. We see here that Gods purpose was to use the suffering and death of Lazarus to reveal the glory of His Son. Yet He allowed Himself to be taken as a lamb to the slaughter for us! It is a kingdom which will cover all the lands as the water covers the sea. (Romans 1:24-25, ESV). This section doesnt currently include any content. In addition to his sermons, he wrote many books, including a four-part autobiography, a massive seven-volume series on the Psalms called The Treasury of David, books on prayer and other . I pray that you will submit to His love and His lordship today. It was first printed in 1890 in the periodical Merry England,[1] later to appear in Thompson's first volume of poems in 1893. When He would have me pray, I would not pray, and when He would have me listen to the sound of the ministry, I would not. Verse 16 comes on the heels of an Old Testament account of salvation being reapplied by Jesus as he turned the timetables forward to show how the bronze serpent that Moses lifted up in the wilderness foreshadowed His being lifted up on the cross. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. He deserves all the credit. These are great ideas to reflect upon in the coming days, and a marvelous reminder of the richness of Scripture. They didnt believe in the afterlife or in the spiritual realm. Third, the power of Christ is on full display in this amazing moment. You immediately start combing your purse, your wallet, your statements, you stop and think you must be missing something somewhere. Whose son is he? They said to him, The son of David. [43] He said to them, How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, [44] The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet? [15] We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 1. Remember, He is the Lord of all the earth, He is God and He sees and controls the hearts of all men (Prov. Bruce both lay a very good case out for why its very hard to draw any particular conclusion simply from the use of different nouns especially in this Gospel when John has been using agape and phileo interchangeably up until now. Perhaps this is obvious, but Christ never boasted in Himself but allowed His truthful teaching, His actions and the testimony of others to glorify Him.