a sure word

Posted on August 27, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

open_bible2 Peter 1:12-21.  Peter had no doubt that the scriptures would be fulfilled – that he would see Christ come in his glory someday.  He had, in fact, seen a supernatural preview of that coming attraction when he personally observed the transfiguration of Christ (Matt. 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36).  If his readers had not yet come to their own spiritual “aha moment,”  Peter encourages them to trust in the more sure prophetic word.  It can serve as a lamp shining in their lives to keep them from stumbling – until the day (of Christ’s return) dawns.  Then their hearts will know no confusion.

Trust the scriptures.  They are the work of the Holy Spirit, not men.  He will see to it that they are fulfilled.

LORD, we have not seen you on the mountain, but we choose to trust your word.  What you say, you will do.

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a sure calling and election

Posted on August 26, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

SDC133332 Peter 1:1-11.  Peter affirms what the whole Bible attests to: that God calls believers to eternal life through the gospel, and chooses (elects) them for all eternity.  From God’s standpoint, all believers have already obtained faith that saves, procured by the righteous sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross (1).

But Peter is writing to churches that are in danger of falling away from their profession (10).  There are false teachers in those churches who seek to entice people away from Christ.  So Peter encourages believers in God’s grace to take advantage of all that grace has to offer.  If they want to make their calling and election sure – they will cooperate with the Holy Spirit, who is supplementing their faith with qualities that reflect the divine nature (4).  Ever-increasing holiness makes the Christian life stable, effective and fruitful (8.).

LORD, we have accepted your grace for our justification.  May we keep accepting it for our sanctification.

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living witnesses

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

aring1 Peter 5.  The ESV translates Peter as if he is drawing attention to the fact that he personally observed the suffering of Jesus – and he did.  But the Greek has no indefinite article, so Peter probably was not drawing attention to one characteristic that only he had. He was saying in 5:1 that he shared three things with the elders to whom he was writing:

  1. He was also called to be an elder,
  2. He was also a witness (testifier) of the sufferings of Christ,
  3. He was also a partaker in the future glory.

Peter was continuing to exhort believers to persevere through suffering in humility and integrity.  The fact that all Christians will suffer at the devil’s hands is made clear in 5:6-11, where Peter encourages Christians to cast their anxieties on God, resist the devil, and God will restore them to eternal glory.  The pattern is the same as Christ’s life: called, suffered, glorified.  We are all witnesses of this.

LORD,  as we suffer,  help us to witness to your sufferings by casting our cares on you, and resisting the devil until we too are glorified at your coming.

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living devotees

Posted on August 24, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

2009-5-15-EV-baptism1 Peter 3:13-4:19.  Peter encourages believers to face the times they are in with complete devotion to Christ.

  1. God may allow them to face challenges to their faith.  As living devotees, them must honor Christ the Lord as holy, and always be prepared to defend their faith with gentleness and respect (3;13-17).
  2. Baptism is a reminder for living devotees that the challenges will be overcome by God’s power, not ours – as it was in the days of Noah – as it was in the resurrection of Christ (3:18-22).
  3. Suffering is a reminder that the end is near.  It should spur us on to love as we should, and to use our spiritual gifts as stewards of God’s grace.  The judgment that begins at the household of God will soon come upon those who do not obey the gospel (4:1-19).

LORD,  help us to respond to suffering as those who are completely devoted to you.  May we entrust our souls to our faithful creator and continue to do good.

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living examples

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

gods_design_for_marriage_umjr1 Peter 2:11-3:12.  Peter encourages believers to demonstrate their faith in Christ by good deeds, through which they show the world around them that Christ can change lives.

  1. They must keep their conduct honorable.
  2. They must submit to every human institution, living righteously.  This is following Jesus’ example, who remained sinless although suffering unjustly.
  3. Their marriages must also reflect this attitude of submission,  not because God has set men over women, but because the world is watching to see how Christians relate to one another.  So, Christian wives should submit to their husbands (even unbelieving husbands).  Husbands should honor their wives because their future inheritance is equal, or else their present relationship with God will suffer.
  4. They must never repay evil, but bless, that they may obtain a blessing.

LORD, make us living examples of what this world — which needs you — is looking for.

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the living stone

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Temple-stone1 Peter 2:4-10.  Peter encouraged the Christians reading his words by comparing them with those who had opportunity to accept Christ, but had rejected him.  They had a temple made with dead stones.  Christ is the living stone, rejected by them, but accepted by God.

  1. Those who are in Christ are living stones as well, being fashioned into a new kind of temple, and a new priesthood – one that can offer sacrifices acceptable to God.
  2. Those who are in Christ can “come to him.”  The honor of an ongoing relationship is theirs.
  3. Those who are in Christ have been called out of darkness into his light.  They have received God’s mercy, and are his people.  It is they who will proclaim hid excellencies.

LORD,  thank you for our connection with Jesus Christ, the foundation stone of the new eternal house of God.  In him we are accepted, now and always. Praise him.

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the living word

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

open_bible1 Peter 1:13-2:3.  Peter encouraged the Christians reading his words to set their hope on something more substantial than human rulers or ancestors.  God’s word alone substantiates the hope of the believer.

  1. God’s word explains how he ransomed us with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
  2. God’s word reveals that he has become our Father, and expects us to be holy, for he is holy.
  3. God’s living and abiding word was the seed that was given birth in us.
  4. We have tasted the pure spiritual milk of God’s word.  We now crave it, and seek to grow up into the salvation we have experienced from him.

LORD, through your living word you have created in us a craving, a strong desire to be who we will be – to experience our destiny.  We set our hope fully on the grace that will be brought to us at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  Until then, we trust in your written revelation.

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a living hope

Posted on August 20, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

IDL TIFF file

1 Peter 1:1-12.  Peter writes to Christians who are going through “various trials” which grieve them and threaten to steal their hope.  He seeks to encourage them by reminding them of God’s sovereign plan.

  1. In the past,  they were unsaved.  God chose to redeem them and sprinkled them with the atoning blood of Christ, and sanctified them by the presence of his Holy Spirit so that they could obey Christ.  They were born again.
  2. In the present,  they are being guarded through faith as they rejoice over their past and anticipate future glory.  The trials they face will test their faith, but cannot destroy their inheritance, defile it, or make it fade.
  3. The prophets who predicted Christ’s suffering and glory attest to the inheritance of his followers as well.  Just as Jesus suffered, and is now glorified, so all believers who suffer now will see glory in the future.

LORD, help us to persevere through the times of testing, so that the glory that is our living hope shines through.

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disciples: appointment with Jesus

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

The-Great-Commission-300x225Mark 16.  One must be cautious of commenting on the content of verses 9-20, since it is unclear whether these verses were part of what Mark originally wrote.  If we regard verse 8 as the true ending of the Gospel, then the last thing it records is the disciples’ appointment to meet Christ in Galilee.  That is where Jesus gives them his great commission, commanding them to make disciples (Matt.28:16-20).

Mark leaves his readers with the evidence of the empty tomb, and the appointment to see Jesus so he can pass on his orders.  He has done what the father sent him to do, now we must do what he is sending us to do.  The world is waiting.

LORD, we are your disciples.  You have taught us well.  Now, send us to make disciples of others in your name.  We are ready for our appointment.

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disciples: absent

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Jesus_Carrying_the_Cross_1580

Mark 15.  The disciples are conspicuously absent from the narrative in this chapter, although they have a prominent place everywhere else.  They are not there in this chapter to speak up for Jesus when he is being accused and mocked and crucified.  Jesus must face this ordeal alone.

  1. They are not there to negotiate his release from Pilate. Barabbas is chosen instead.
  2. About 600 soldiers – an entire battalion – guard him, because he is accused of inciting rebellion against Rome. Resistance is futile.
  3. Passers-by at the cross mock him, asking him to come down from the cross.  But he cannot save himself and us too.
  4. Even God seems to forsake him as he shouts his last breath.  Some women are looking on from a distance.  Joseph procures his body and places it in a tomb.  No disciples.

LORD,  even in those times when we fail you – you are there, doing what needs to be done for our deliverance.  Thank you for doing what only you could do to deliver us from sin and death.  Thank you for going to the cross alone.

NOTE: Today I have added a new element to each day’s devotion post. If you click on the address at the beginning, your browser will open another window in the ESV Bible online with that day’s text. Enjoy.  marmsky.

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