Christ

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 162

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Day 162

Of Christ the Mediator.

Chapter 8, Paragraph 8.

“To all those for whom Christ hath obtained eternal redemption, he doth certainly and effectually apply, and communicate the same; making intercession for them,…”

Scripture Lookup

John 6:37; 10:15,16; 17:9

Romans. 5:10

Reflection

Christ has accomplished redemption from sin. Such a statement deserves a hearty “Hurrah!” But does this redemption apply to me? And how is it applied?

While some teach that Jesus died for every single person in the world, such teaching is not Biblical. A people were given to Christ by the Father, and it was for His people that Christ died. There are people from all over the world that are elect, and it was for those that Christ died. It is for those that Christ intercedes.

The redemption of Christ is certain. “It is finished!” was the cry of Jesus, and His resurrection and ascension are proof of the truth of His claim. The work of Jesus was complete. There is nothing left undone. No loophole exists to nullify His work on behalf of sinners. Thus the reliability of His role as mediator is rock-solid.

This redemption is effectual. It is not a “maybe” redemption, where Jesus bore the punishment for sin but you may be still liable to endure it. It is not a dependent redemption, dependent upon whether you choose to receive it. The elect are redeemed, never to return to the slavery of sin. Never, ever can any of the elect lose their redemption!

This redemption is communicated. The elect receive redemption, not some idea of redemption. Christian, the numerous benefits of having Christ as your mediator are yours: “who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3). Redemption is a reality for those in Christ!

If you are His, He redeemed you. Actually. Efficiently. Truly. Forever and ever, Amen!

Questions to Consider

  • Knowing the truth of your redemption, do you live accordingly?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 161

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Capitol Hill Question Mark (Washington, DC)

Day 161

Of Christ the Mediator.

Chapter 8, Paragraph 7.

” Christ in the work of Mediation acteth according to both natures, by each nature doing that which is proper to itself; yet by reason of the Unity of the Person, that which is proper to one nature, is sometimes in Scripture attributed to the Person denominated by the other nature.”

Scripture Lookup

John 3:13

Acts 20:28

Reflection

Understanding how Christ is the fully God and yet also fully human can be confusing. It is such confusion that groups like Jehovah Witnesses pounce on to deny Jesus’ divinity. “How can Jesus be God?” they say. “Didn’t Jesus die? God cannot die! Therefore Jesus is not God.”

We might be firmly committed to the doctrine of the hypostatic union, yet when presented with such Scriptures as the ones referenced in the “Scripture Lookup” we are thrown for a loop. How can the Son of Man descend from heaven? How can God obtain the church with His own blood?

It is important to remember that both the human nature and the divine nature of Jesus remain distinct in His work of Mediator. Red and blue do not mix to make purple here. However, these two natures are so inseparably united, that to not have one nature would be to not have Jesus. Thus Jesus can say “I thirst”, and it is true, although His divine nature does not thirst. Properties of one nature are sometimes attributed to the person named by the other nature.

Scripture uses many forms of language to convey truth. Sometimes idioms are used, as we see in the selected passages. Without such an understanding, it is easy to fall into error, and even heresy. Thankfully, those that are Christ’s will be guided into all truth because of the mediatorial work of the divine and human natures. Because of the mediatorial work of Jesus.

 

Questions to Consider

  • Do you find yourself shrinking away from difficult passages?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 160

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Day 160

Of Christ the Mediator.

Chapter 8, Paragraph 6.

“…Being the Same yesterday, and today, and for ever.”

Scripture Lookup

Hebrews 13:8

Reflection

Jesus is steadfast in His role as mediator.

All the elect throughout time benefit from Jesus’ life and sacrificial death. The means of obtaining eternal life is the same for all His people; it is only through faith in Him that anyone receives it. From the Old Testament, to today, to the great-great-grandchildren of Millennials, the way of salvation has never changed: trust in the saving work of the Messiah.

Jesus does not waver in preserving His people. He intercedes on their behalf night and day, without fail. No one can snatch them out of His hand. The good work begun in them will be brought to completion. His Church will never fail.

Undefeated, Jesus remains a victorious king over all creation. He will never be overthrown from His reign. His power and might never waned, and there is no fear of Him ever weakening.

He who saved His people in the past, who preserved them, who spoke on their behalf to His Father, is the same One who saves, preserves, and intercedes now. He is constant; He is unchanging; He is the same. You can trust Him.

Yesterday.

Today.

And forever.

 

Questions to Consider

  • Do you tend to take Jesus’ constancy for granted, or do you tend to doubt that He is steadfast?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 159

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Day 159

Of Christ the Mediator.

Chapter 8, Paragraph 6.

“… and the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world,…”

Scripture Lookup

Revelation 13:8

Reflection

Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

While Jesus died in a particular point in time, He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Before time began, the Son freely agreed to be the redeemer of the elect. It was ordained that He would take on human flesh, live a sinless life, endure the wrath of God on the cross, and purchase an inheritance for His people. Because this was purposed in eternity past, the virtue, efficacy, and benefit of Jesus’ life and death were bestowed on His elect in every age.

The Israelite slaves in Egypt were told to slaughter a lamb and to spread its blood over the doorposts of their homes. In this way, when the tenth plague came, a plague that brought death, the Lord passed over the houses that showed the blood. Like the Passover lamb, Jesus saved His people from death through the shedding of His blood.

Once again we remember that salvation was God’s plan from the beginning. He has full control and knowledge of this universe. No event in history has ever been outside of His providence, and that includes the redemption of sinners. Jesus satisfied divine justice by fulfilling the law that we could not, and receiving the punishment we deserve. Because of Him, we are counted as righteous. The Lamb that was slain is our Savior.

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!

 

Questions to Consider

  • Does knowing that Jesus is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world bring comfort?

 

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 158

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Day 158

Of Christ the Mediator.

Chapter 8, Paragraph 6.

“Although the price of redemption was not actually paid by Christ until after His incarnation, yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefit thereof were communicated to the elect in all ages, successively from the beginning of the world, in and by those promises, types, and sacrifices wherein He was revealed, and signified to be the seed which should bruise the serpent’s head;…”

Scripture Lookup

1 Corinthians 10:4

Hebrews 4:2

1 Peter 1:10, 11

Reflection

Jesus has purchased the redemption of the elect. All who repent and trust in Him receive eternal life. There is no other way of salvation. But what about those who lived before Christ? Were any of them saved? How were they saved if they didn’t know about Jesus, His perfect life and His death on the cross?

God’s elect have lived throughout time, including the time before Christ. Since the Fall of Adam and Eve, a Savior was promised that would crush the serpent’s head. While those of the Old Testament period did not know the name of the Messiah, they knew He would be coming and looked forward to that day. Through the sacrificial systems they knew they needed atonement, and that a greater sacrifice than bulls and goats was needed for full atonement. The promises given to them by God ensured that He would supply a Savior, and prophecy foretold of the life of the Messiah. The types they witnessed symbolized aspects of Christ’s work. Thus by believing God and trusting in the Messiah that was to come were the Old testament saints saved.

The redemption of Christ reaches back in time to those who eagerly awaited His coming. Its virtue, effectiveness, and benefits are the same for those believers who lived before Christ as they are for believers who have lived since. One group looks forward; the other group looks back. Both receive grace, mercy, and eternal life because of the one mediator, Jesus Christ.

Questions to Consider

  • Isn’t it comforting to know that all the elect receive salvation in the same way – through Christ?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 157

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Day 157

Of Christ the Mediator.

Chapter 8, Paragraph 5.

“...procured reconciliation, and purchased an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father has given unto Him.“

Scripture Lookup

John 17:2

Hebrews 9:15

Reflection

Have you ever heard “I forgive you,” from someone, and wondered if they really meant it?

Too often those words mean that your relationship with that person is over. They move on, and there is no chance to rebuild or reconcile. Such actions make you question if the forgiveness given was merely the offended taking the moral high ground.

Such behavior from humans can make you wonder, “What about God?”

While He says He forgives sinners, will He continue to be there each time we confess our sin? Will He become distant, no matter how penitent we are? What kind of a relationship will we continue to have when He realizes that we are vile?

For the answers, look at Jesus.

Jesus’ perfect offering of Himself has procured reconciliation. It is not a matter of God saying “I forgive you” and then having nothing more to do with you. When He pardons you, He will never leave you or forsake you. He loves you, cares for you, and conforms you to the image of His Son, the One who never sinned and always did the will of His Father.

If you are His, then God does not give up and move on from you. In fact, He adopts you as His son! We enjoy the privileges and liberties of being children of God! The Confession tells of it this way: “[the elect]…are pitied, protected, provided for, and chastened by him, as by a Father; yet never cast off” (LBCF Ch.12, italics added.) In fact, far from casting us off, Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us; He awaits our arrival! This inheritance He has purchased is eternal. It will not change. He is with you ’til the end.

“Hallelujah! What a Savior! Hallelujah! What a Friend!”

Questions to Consider

  • Is it hard for you to accept that if you are in Christ, you are reconciled to God?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 156

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Day 156

Of Christ the Mediator.

Chapter 8, Paragraph 5.

“The Lord Jesus by his perfect obedience and sacrifice of himself, which he through the Eternal Spirit once offered up to God, hath fully satisfied the Justice of God,...“

Scripture Lookup

Hebrews 9:14, 10:14

Romans 3:25,26

Reflection

How many times must a truly righteous Jesus offer Himself as a sacrifice for His people? Only one. Think about it: a perfect savior makes a perfect sacrifice. If another sacrifice is necessary, then the first sacrifice was not perfect. Thankfully, Jesus does not need to be sacrificed over and over. He was without any spot or blemish of sin, and could endure the infinite wrath due to sin. He offered Himself up once, and that is enough.

The sacrifice of Christ is over. It is done. It is finished. We have no need to “re-present” it, as Roman Catholics do in the mass day after day. The work of redemption has ceased! Jesus is now in heaven, reigning and sitting at the right hand of the Father!

Since Jesus’s offering up of Himself only needed to happen once, we have assurance that those who trust in Christ are forgiven. God’s justice is FULLY satisfied.

My sin—O the bliss of this glorious thought!—
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

-Horatio Spafford, It Is Well With My Soul

Not a little satisfied, not somewhat satisfied, but fully. When we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) Why is He just? Because Christ’s offering has fully satisfied the justice of God.

Do not trick yourself into thinking that Christ is not enough to save you. There is no need for “salvation insurance” in the form of saints, Mary, adding your works to Christ, or adopting any other practice that claims to get you into heaven. Only Christ is sufficient. He is all you need.

Questions to Consider

  • Is Christ enough for you?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 155

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Day 155

Of Christ the Mediator.

Chapter 8, Paragraph 4.

“…and shall return to judge men and angels at the end of the world.“

Scripture Lookup

Acts 10:42

Romans 14:9,10

Acts 1:11

2 Peter 2:4

 

Reflection

Jesus will judge you.

It is fitting that Jesus is the judge of the world, because all things were made for Him and through Him. He reigns from on high, seated at the right hand of the Father. Have you ever heard of a king that was unable to judge His people as well? All authority has been given to Jesus, and that includes determining who will receive blessing and who will receive punishment.

When this world ends, Jesus will judge not only you and the elect, but all of mankind, and even the angels. All will give an account for their deeds, and Jesus will judge accordingly. Angels that rebelled against God will receive everlasting torment. Those men who have not believed and trusted in Christ will also receive everlasting torment. The elect will receive eternal life.

The world attempts to persuade you that justice does not exist. Time after time acts of violence and rebellion occur with no consequence.  Life is not fair, the world cries, and thus we must look out for ourselves. But justice does exist. We know this, because Jesus came. He suffered, died, rose, and ascended just as He said. And He said that there will be a time of judgement. He will keep His word; we do not need to doubt Him. He is just, and He will judge.

Questions to Consider

  • Will Jesus judge impartially? What will be your plea when you stand before Him?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 154

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Day 154

Of Christ the Mediator.

Chapter 8, Paragraph 4.

“… and there sits at the right hand of His Father making intercession,…“

Scripture Lookup

Romans 8:34

Hebrews 9:24

Reflection

After Jesus ascended into heaven, He sat down at the right hand of the Father. What does that mean? Rather than declaring that there is furniture in heaven, “sitting at the right hand” means that He is in the place of highest favor with the Father. Christ is exalted by His Father, attaining again the glory He shared with Him before the world began. He is reigning over all, holding the universe together.

With Christ’s work of redemption complete, and with Him now ruling in the heavens, is He finished with humanity? Not at all! Despite His power, despite His prestige, Christ is still the mediator on our behalf. He intercedes for us. Think of it: we have connections to the infinite, most Holy God! Jesus has not left us to ignore us; He continues to pray for us. If the prayers of a righteous man avails much, as it says in James 5:16, how powerful are the prayers of Jesus, who knew no sin!

In the midst of the hard, trying days when we fail and feel friendless, you are not forgotten: Jesus is interceding for you. Right now, as you read this, He is interceding for you. He will continue to intercede for you while you live on this earth. Thank you, Lord, for Your mercy and goodness to us!

Questions to Consider

  • How does the intercession of Christ affect your life right now?

A Little Time With The 1689: Day 153

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Day 153

Of Christ the Mediator.

Chapter 8, Paragraph 4.

“… with which He also ascended into heaven,…“

Scripture Lookup

Mark 16:19

Acts 1:9-11

Reflection

Staring at the sky, the disciples watched Jesus ascend into heaven. Before planes and rockets, before any notion that man could travel by air, Jesus did miraculously go up to His Father. The ascension of Jesus has always been somewhat of an overlooked event. There are no big holidays surrounding it. So what about the ascension is important? As the angels say to the disciples, “Why do you stare at the sky?”

Jesus, victor over death, had to go back to the Father. He was looking forward to it, sharing with His disciples that it was to happen. (See John 6:62; 16:5; 20:17, for example.) It was fitting that He be exalted in the heavens, since He no longer needed to be subject to the weaknesses of life on earth. Jesus now enjoys the place at the Father’s right hand, and is reigning there.

If Jesus had not ascended, we would not receive the Holy Spirit. “Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. ” (John 16:7) We have the Comforter as a result of Jesus sending Him to us!

With the ascension of Jesus, we are taught how He left, and how He will come back. He will return in the same body that He ascended with, and it will be an event that cannot be missed. Jesus will be seen. His power will be demonstrated, and His authority as Lord will not be denied.

Thus the ascension of Jesus is not a passing afterthought in His life. It was foreordained from eternity past, proclaimed in advance by Jesus, and fulfilled forty days after His resurrection. It is an event of great importance, and one for which we can praise Him.

Questions to Consider

  • How does the ascension of Christ affect your life right now?