The Importance of Gospel Indicatives and Gospel Imperatives In Romans 6

Romans 6:9-13 "Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God."

Introduction: Defining "Gospel Indicatives" and "Gospel Imperatives"

Today's post is going to explore the realities and responsibilities of Christian identity in Christ or what Bible teachers call "Gospel indicatives" and "Gospel imperatives". 

Anytime we speak of a verb or statement being in the "indicative", we are referring to how that verb or statement is describing someone's status or identifying the reality of that person or state of affairs. Gospel indicatives are those statements that tell me "who I am" and "whose I am". In Paul's letters to the various churches, we find his letters or epistles characterized by two general formats. First, Paul reminds his readers of who they are and whose they are by way of Gospel indicatives. 

After reminding his readers of their identity, Paul will then employ what are called "Gospel imperatives" or exhortations for his readers to apply to their lives. Identification leads to application. The more I understand "who I am" and "whose I am" by way of Gospel indicatives, the better I will be able to adjust my thinking, behavior and speech by way of the "Gospel imperatives". 

Seeing how Gospel indicatives and Gospel imperatives work in Romans 6

Romans 6 is concerned with unfolding Paul's opening discussion on the believer's post-conversion growth in Christ or sanctification. Central to the thought of Romans 6 is the notion of "union with Christ" or "identification with Christ". We could say Romans 6 explains what follows from one's union with Christ in justification at salvation (covered chiefly in Romans 5). It is in Romans 6 that we discover how the above categories of "Gospel Indicatives" and "Gospel Imperatives" work together to help Christians understanding the reality of their identity and the attendant responsibilities.

With regards to Gospel indicatives or the realities of Christian identity, we find the following statements in Romans 6...

1. Romans 6:3b "all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?"

2. Romans 6:4 "Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life."

3. Romans 6:5 "For if we have become united with Him..."

4. Romans 6:6a "knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him"

5. Romans 6:8 "Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him"

6. Romans 6:11 "Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus."


7. Romans 6:23b ..."but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

We can tell whenever we are dealing with the realities of Christian identity or Gospel indicatives. Note the underlined prepositional phrases: "in Christ" and "with Christ" and "in Christ Jesus" and "into His death" and so forth. Such "in" and "with" and "into" language speaks of our relationship and position "in" and "with" and "into" Christ and He with us. This is the reality of the believer's position with respect to Jesus Christ. No one person nor circumstance can annul this truth. So with the precious Gospel indicatives or realities stated, Paul then lays out the Gospel imperatives or responsibilities in Romans 6...

1. Romans 6:12 "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts"

2. Romans 6:13a "and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin..".

3. Romans 6:13b ...."but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead".... .

4. Romans 6:14a "For sin shall not be master over you".... .

5. Romans 6:19b ...."so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification."

Again, the underlined phrases point to commands or "imperatives", i.e - "don't do this" and "do do that". Such imperatives are Gospel imperatives, referring to the responsibilities of the Christian in their progress in sanctification. 

The trap Christians fall into when the Gospel indicatives are unknown or avoided

Sadly, so many Christians (including myself) develop temporary amnesia and allow circumstances, other people, the world and internal hangups of the past to define who we are. Worst still, rather than focusing upon these Gospel indicatives, we will attempt to carry out the Gospel imperatives apart from them - thus reversing the God-ordained order. In other words, we try to carry out Christian responsibilities without laying hold of the precious realities.  If one tries to carry out the Gospel imperatives without the Gospel indicatives of Romans 6, they will quickly find themselves frustrated and defeated. Why? The imperatives require the indicatives to not only be lived out, but enjoyed.

Illustration: When a car loses the ability to transfer the power of the engine to the wheels

Not to long ago I was driving our family car on a moderately long trip. My wife and I were the only ones in the vehicle. The traffic on the particular highway we were driving was moving at a brisk pace. As we drove, we suddenly found our car's engine racing and our vehicle traveling at a progressively slower velocity. Soon, we had to pull off at an exit and get the car to a garage. The mechanic told us that the transmission had burned up its internal mechanisms, thus resulting in a decreased ability for the car to continue driving. 

The Gospel indicatives are like the motor of the Christian life. As we grasp "who we are" and "whose we are", we come to terms with the power source of the Christian life - our union with Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit. The Gospel imperatives are like the demands of road travel on a vehicle. As long as the power of the engine is transferred to the wheels, everything is fine. However, what happens when I fail to connect the demands of the Christian life to the power source (the transmission in this case)? I find myself getting bogged down and laboring to keep up. I need to be constantly reminded in the Word of God as to what the Gospel indicatives are - since they describe the reality of my identity. Only then will I be able to carry out responsibilities that otherwise are impossible to do on human strength alone. 

Closing thoughts

Today we explored what are called: "Gospel indicatives" and "Gospel imperatives". Gospel indicatives are those statements in the New Testament that describe the reality of my identity in Jesus Christ. To put it another way - the indicatives describe "who I am and Whose I am". Such Gospel indicatives are necessary if I am to carry out the responsibilities of the Christian life or what are also called "Gospel imperatives". 

A Character Study On Mary Of Bethany: A Pattern For Following Jesus Christ

John 11:1-4 "Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 

Seeing a detail I had never noticed before

Today's post begins with an admission regarding the parenthetical remark made by the Apostle John in John 11:2 - "It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick." So what is my admission? I had never noticed this little comment until reading through John 11 this past week. I marvel at how often one can read and re-read a familiar passage of the Biblical text, teach on it or preach on it - and still find something new upon a later time of study. John's comment here is designed to help the reader think back to the specific identity of Mary of Bethany. All exceptional writing ought to help the reader connect with lead characters. The inspired text of scripture accomplishes this better than any other piece of literature. 

Mary's biography of how she was first met by the Lord Jesus Christ frames for the reader why this family was so special to Him. Over a period of time, He got to know not only Mary, but her sister Martha and presumably her brother Lazarus whom he would resuscitate from the dead (that is, bring back to life what was previously dead). Today's post wants to explore who Mary of Bethany was and what lessons we can learn from her story as a follower of Jesus Christ. We can note the following pattern for discipleship in the life of Mary of Bethany...

Mary of Bethany: The One Who Wanted To Pattern Her Life In The Footsteps Of Jesus

Concerning this remark made by John about Mary in John 11:2, the Bible Knowledge Commentary has the following remark:

"Luke added some information on the two sisters Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38–42). This Mary … was the same one who later (see John 12:1–10) poured perfume on the Lord and wiped His feet with her hair. However, John may be assuming that the original readers of his Gospel already had some knowledge of Mary (cf. Mark 14:3–9)."

If we consider the cross references mentioned in the above quotation, we can develop a profile of Mary's journey of devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. Luke 10:38-42 records one of the first episodes involving Mary, Martha and Jesus - 

"Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Mary, we could say, was the disciple that wanted to follow the Lord Jesus in such a way as to be in earshot of his teachings. She literally wanted to follow in the footsteps of her Lord - as seen in her efforts to "sit at His feet", an expression of humility and eagerness to learn. But what else can we learn about Mary and her journey of discipleship with the Lord Jesus...

Mary of Bethany: The Disciple That Was Willing To Pay The Cost Of Following Jesus

We've seen how Mary of Bethany wanted to have her life patterned after the Master. In discipleship, we discover that there not only needs to be a willingness to follow Jesus, but also to die to self and pay the price of whatever it takes to follow Him (Luke 9:23-24). John makes reference to Mary's sacrificial act of pouring oil upon Jesus and wiping His feet with her hair (see John 11:2). In John's Gospel, this act is recorded in John 12:1-8, following Jesus' raising of Lazarus. John 12:3 specifically states - "Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume."  John's specific reference to Mary's act is of such significance that he attaches this act as the chief identity marker of Mary. We find this particular act of Mary of Bethany recorded in the other Gospels.

Mark 14:1-8 records the same scene of Mary's devoted act. We pick up the text in Mark 14:3 "While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head." The particular vial which Mary had was made of a costly material called "alabaster", filled with an even costlier perfume from the orient (likely India) called "nard", as pictured what it might had been like below:


To release the precious perfume inside the vial, one would simply "snap" the slender neck of the alabaster vessel and pour out its contents. What Mary did cost the equivalency of a year's wages. She was dramatizing her life's desire to pour out her love, at whatever cost. Extravagant? yes! Costly? definitely! Worth it? only one person was worth such devotion: Jesus.  

Interestingly enough, not only do the Pharisees respond harshly to Jesus, but also the disciples (see Matthew 26:8)! We can tell by the reaction of the people witnessing this act that its cost was steep - too steep for sentiment and convention. Following Jesus will cost everything - if need be: convention, convenience or even one's life. Mary of Bethany wanted to pattern her life in Jesus footsteps and she was willing to pay the price. But what else can we learn about discipleship from Mary of Bethany's devotion to the Lord Jesus?

Mary of Bethany: Powerful testimony to other people

When it comes to following Jesus Christ, discipleship is not just about "me and Jesus". Whenever anyone counts the cost and by faith follows the Lord Jesus Christ, their life ought to be such that others will be influenced to do the same. In Matthew 26:1-13 we see this same turn of events. In both Mark's versions and Matthew's, we see Jesus make reference to Mary's act being included in the proclamation of the Gospel for ages to come. We read in Matthew 26:13 "Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.” 

Whenever we read Jesus' statement concerning Mary, how do we know that what He said came true? The fact that we read of her act in three of the four Gospel accounts (Matthew 26:1-13; Mark 14:1-8; John 12:1-8) tells us that this act was meant to be read, preached about and embedded in the memories of God's people. The Evangelical Commentary on the Bible, edited by Walter Elwell, notes the following:

"Jesus’ word of commendation that her act will be remembered “wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world” (v. 9) evidences his consciousness of an interval of evangelization between his death and return at the end of the age."

Closing thoughts:

Today's post was about a character study on the life of Mary of Bethany. We began by considering a remark made by the Apostle John in John 11:2 concerning her anointing of Jesus. We then explored the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and John to discover lessons for discipleship and how Mary grew in her her devotion to Jesus. We discovered the following life lessons to apply to the following of Jesus Christ today:

1. Pattern one's life in the footsteps of Jesus.

2. Pay whatever price necessary to follow Jesus.

3. Present a testimony that will encourage others to follow Jesus.

Death's Obituary - Reflections On That First Easter Morning

1 Corinthians 15:54-57 "But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Jesus Christ won the cosmic battle, resulting in Death's obituary

When one reads the above closing text of 1 Corinthians 15, it has the ring of an "obituary about death". Paul's whole point in 1 Corinthians 15 is to detail how we can know not only the historicity of Jesus' resurrection from the dead, but also its life-practical and eternal implications. When it is all said and done, what Christ achieved on that first Easter morning not only had historical significance and life-changing significance, but cosmic significance. When I say cosmic, I mean the supernatural war that the kingdom of darkness has waged against God since Lucifer's cosmic rebellion in heaven at the near beginning of creation (see Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 28). Satan's introduction of sin to Adam and Eve, and their compliance to his temptation, resulted in curse, sin and death on the whole physical creation (see Romans 5:12-21; 8:20-25). Would death have the final word?

In thinking on what Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:54-57, the thought came to mind concerning "death's obituary". We certainly find evidence of Christ's victory over death issuing forth on that first Easter morning, as found in Luke 24:1-8 - 

"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; 5 and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? 6 He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” 8 And they remembered His words."

Such words ought to always be remembered by Christ-followers everywhere when faced with doubt, fear or worry. As I prayed about what it must had been like on that first Easter morning, as well as what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:54-57, this theme of "Death's Obituary" kept coming up in my heart. So, I shared this thought with my wife, and what she wrote below goes wonderfully with what Paul seems to be communicating in 1 Corinthians 15:54-57. I close today's post with her wonderful piece entitled: "Death's Obituary".

Death's Obituary - By Debi Smith

Death, formerly from the region of Hades. died on Easter morning surrounded by legions of stunned and terrified demons. Death lived a long life. Some of His biggest claims to fame included scaring and immobilizing people from living; killing people that thought they had tomorrow; and separating people from loved ones until Death decided it was there time as well. Death leaves behind no one to mourn him. There will be no services, but there will be a celebration held at a later date when Jesus Christ comes back to claim His followers. At that time, there will be a burial as Death will be cast into the lake of fire never to be seen again. In lieu of flowers or donations, we ask that everyone seek the Lord while He may be found and embrace eternal life."

What Is Holy Saturday? Reflections On What May Had Happened To Jesus Between His Death And Resurrection

Hebrews 9:11 "But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation".

Introduction: Briefly Defining Holy Saturday

Today is not just any ordinary Saturday for many Christians throughout the world. In many places, today is celebrated by what is called "Holy Saturday". Robert E. Weber, Myers Professor of Ministry at Northern Seminary, writes about Holy Saturday in his book - "Ancient-Future Time - Forming Spirituality Through The Christian Year":

"In most churches, there is no Holy Saturday service. When there is, it is generally in the morning and consists of Scripture readings and prayers."

Weber then later writes:

"Saturday is a day of rest and preparation for the great service of resurrection. It is a day to keep silence, to fast, to pray, to identify with Jesus in the tomb, and to prepare for the great resurrection feast."

Weber's recounting of the basic elements of Holy Saturday connects us to traditions that attempt to set our hearts and minds on Jesus and His accomplished work. Just as the time between crucifixion and resurrection was a time of waiting, Christ-followers are keenly aware of the necessity of waiting on God. We look for Him to perhaps answer a long-standing prayer request or more broadly speaking, we wait and pray for the hastening of Jesus' second coming. Holy Saturday is a day that points us to the fact that in Jesus, there is more to look forward to and that we, having confidence in His finished work, look to Him. This day also considers what all Jesus may had done between His death and resurrection.


Thinking on what Jesus may have done between His crucifixion and resurrection
Bible-believing churches are right to emphasize the work Jesus accomplished on the cross. Moreover, when it comes to what will be tomorrow's emphasis - Christ's resurrection, the remainder of the New Testament in some 300 passages connects all the various aspects of justification in salvation, growth in sanctification and the promises of heaven in glorification to Christ's resurrection. Much work was done!

But what about between Christ's death and resurrection? What did Jesus do that makes His overall accomplishments even more glorious (if that's possible)? Today's post will attempt to answer this question as we reflect on what Jesus did between death and resurrection on this Holy Saturday.
What happened to Jesus between His Death and Resurrection? A Possible Sequence Of Events

As you read the various accounts in the New Testament regarding Christ's death, burial and resurrection - burial of Jesus' body is included in the preaching of the Gospel. Ancient and modern-day Christians in many churches throughout the world recite what is called "The Apostle's Creed". Among the lines repeated in the creed, we find the following words:


"He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried. He descended into Hell. On the Third Day He rose from the dead."

The reference to Jesus "descent into Hell" speaks to the topic of our focus with which we can re-phrase as a two-fold question: when Jesus died, where did He go and what did He do between that time? furthermore, if He did anything, what bearing did it have in the relationship between His crucifixion, resurrection and the lives of Christians today? Below is a sketching out of what possibly may had occurred when Jesus died.
1. When Jesus died, His human soul went into the presence of God the Father whilst His physical body was lain in Joseph's of Arimathea's Tomb

Hebrews 9:11 indicates that Jesus' first stop following His death consisted of appearing before the Father in Heaven. The Person of the Son, touching His Divine nature, was ever in union with the Father, whereas in terms of His human nature, the Person of the Son would appear by way of His departed human soul.  This last statement seems certified by what we read in the remainder of the text in terms of how He appeared before the Father "with His own blood".  At the end of Hebrews 12 we read that this blood bears witness before the Father's throne of the innocence of all those whom He calls and convicts to believe.  

To once again repeat Hebrews 9:14 - 

"how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" Thus Jesus, in His human soul, through the Holy Spirit, offered Himself. When He cried out "into thy hands I commit my spirit", the answer to that prayer was given when he breathed his last.

Jesus activity of presenting His once and for all sacrifice to the Father paved the way for every Christian who dies to have the promise of immediate entrance into the presence of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:1-6; 2 Peter 1:11-2) The Lord accomplished much not only on the cross, and not only in His resurrection but also in the time in between. However there is more....
2. Jesus went from heaven into the paradise part of Sheol (Hades or the realm of the dead) to release the Old Testament righteous to the third heaven

In Luke 16:19-31 we read the most detailed account of what post-mortem (after-death) existence was like prior to Christ's resurrection. The righteous saints of God who trusted in God by grace through faith alone went to what was called "Paradise". The term "Paradise" is a Greek loanword from the Persian language meaning: "delightful garden".

In the Old Testament, the realm of the dead was situated into two-compartments: Paradise, and then Sheol (New Testament calls it "Hades" or the realm of darkness, Abbadon and other names). Hades or Sheol proper was a place of torments, where the Rich Man (called in the KJV "Dives") went and became tormented in flames. Hades (also called "Hell" in the KJV) represents a holding place (like a county-jail of sorts) for all unbelievers who rejected the Gospel and await the final judgment (see Revelation 20:11-20).

When Jesus died, He had promised the thief on the cross that "Today you will be with me in Paradise", meaning that the thief would accompany Jesus in Paradise (see Luke 23:43). Evidently Jesus' post-mortem journeying between death and resurrection included His first stop in Heaven to present His once and for all sacrifice, followed-up by His release of the Old Testament saints to be taken into the third-Heaven where God abides (see Ephesians 4:7-10). Consequently, right after Jesus' death, there appeared what were likely many of these released Old Testament saints in Matthew 27:52 - "The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised."
3. Jesus in between His death went to proclaim His victorious death to the regions of Hell

So far, we have proposed what may had happened to Jesus once His human soul departed from His body between His death and resurrection. First, He went into Heaven to present His once and for sacrifice. Second, He descended down into the Paradise part of hell or Sheol (also called Hades) to release the Old Testament Saints to go into the third heaven with God where followers of Jesus go now following death (see 2 Corinthians 5:1-6; Hebrews 12:22-24).

So what did Jesus do next? 1 Peter 3:18-19 states - 18 "For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 19 in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison." When Jesus presented His once for all sacrifice to the Father in Heaven and set free the righteous from Paradise, He journeyed to the regions of the Kingdom of Darkness, to Hades itself, (sometimes translated Hell) to proclaim His victory.

It is suggested that in proclaiming His victory to those darkest regions, He may had grabbed the keys of death and Hell. Jesus in no way suffered in Hell, as claimed by some false teachers today. The wrath of God and experience of Hell was a finished work in the courss of His crucifixion. Instead, Jesus' post-mortem journey into the darkest regions was a victory march of sorts. Revelation 1:18 clues us in on this journey of Jesus between His death and resurrection - "and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades." When Christ was on the cross, He suffered the wrath of God in the place sinners. His journey into the regions of Hell was to proclaim victory. As He said-so on the cross: "It is finished!" (see John 19:30).

Jesus' earlier statements of the "gates of Hell" not prevailing against the church in Matthew 16 could be held as true and firm. The King went behind those gates to announce to Hell and its powers of the Death that He had conquered them- and that His soon resurrection was going to seal the deal.

4. Jesus' affected things in the Heavenly realms to secure the church's mission here on earth

No doubt about it, Jesus was still working, even though His body lain in the grave for three days. He journeyed into the presence of His Father to present His blood, set free the Old Testament saints and then he journeyed into Hell to proclaim victory. His work on the cross was not just an event here in history, it was a cosmic victory. So what were the results?

Ephesians 4:7-9 connects His work done in His death, burial and resurrection to the ongoing work of the church: "But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8Therefore it says,“WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.”(Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)"

Christ's work prepared for what would be done here on earth by the church. All that remained was for Jesus to rise from the dead and then, 40 days after His resurrection, ascend into Heaven. In Christ's ascension, He would send His Holy Spirit and He would transition everything from the Old Testament way of things to the New Testament way of things.

Closing thoughts:
The work of redemption was secured at the cross. The groundwork for the mission of the church was prepared between His death and resurrection. The power of redemption for such a mission was supplied from His resurrection. The guarantee that His church will accomplish her mission comes from His ascension as Lord over His church. Today, on this Holy Saturday, praise the Lord Jesus Christ for all He has done in His death, burial and resurrection!

A Good Friday Mediation - S.L.O.W down and take time at the cross

Mark 14:12 "And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?”  (ESV)

Introduction:

Mark's Gospel uses the word "immediately" in over 40 places to hasten the pace of his book.  When Jesus came to this world, He had a mission to accomplish and much ministry to do.  With the idea of "activity", Mark also omits his commonly used word "immediately" from the two sections that demand a slower pace: namely Jesus' last public sermon (The Olivet Discourse) and His preparations for the day and night before His crucifixion. 1

The need to s.l.o.w down and take a long hard look at what Jesus accomplished in His first coming and what He will accomplish in His second coming

It is in the first half of Mark 14 (and more particularly Mark 14:12-28) that we find Jesus celebrating His final meal with His disciples.  It is on this particular occassion that Jesus transforms the Passover celebration commemorating the Old Testament Exodus into focusing on what would be His once for all provision for salvation.  Scripture encourages the believer to use the event of the Lord's Supper to s.l.o.w. down and take a slow and long look at the cross. (1 Corinthians 11:23-34; Hebrews 12:1-3)  Consider the following thoughts from Mark 14:22-28 by way of the acrostic s.l.o.w....

Spend time with Jesus.  Mark 14:12-17

Three times in this section do we find reference to the disciples needing to "prepare" for the meal they would have with the Master. (Mark 14:12,15,16)  The emphasis here is the need to spend time with Jesus.  In fact we read in Mark 14:17 - "When it was evening He came with the twelve."  So if we are going to take a slow look at the cross, we must aim to spend time with Jesus.  But notice the second purpose for the Lord's supper here in Mark....

Look at the Scriptures.  Mark 14:18-21

Jesus communicates to His disciples that He is going to be betrayed, and that "the Son of Man is to go just as it is written of Him." (Mark 14:21)  The thing I love about the Lord's supper is how it slows us down enough to hear God's Word and read God's Word about Jesus.2  And so in seeing the celebration the Lord's supper here in Mark, we learn to slowly look at the cross by spending time with Jesus and looking closer at the scriptures.  Now notice a third truth...

Ongoing Nourshment from Jesus.  Mark 14:22-25

Why is it that Jesus chose to use the Passover meal to communicate what He was going to accomplish on the cross?  Simply put - Christ is the source of nourishment in the Christian's spiritual walk. (John 6:53-58)  The symbols of bread and fruit of the vine are signs that point us to the presence of Jesus among His people as they come together. (Hebrews 2:11-14)  The Baptist Faith & Message 2000 reminds us that the Lord's Supper is "a symbolic act of obedience." 3 The food and drink of the Lord's table are physical means of nourishment, staples for physical existence.  They point and signify the fact that the Master is ever with His church, to the end of the age, feeding and nourishing the saints of God through the word. (Matthew 28:18; John 21)   

Slowing down to spend time with Jesus, looking at His word and enjoying ongoing nourishment from Him is what we need reminded of, however there is one last truth we learn from this text...

Worship in celebration of Jesus.  Mark 14:25-28

Mark 14:26 states - "And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives." When we celebrate the Lord's Supper, as prescribed for us here in Mark, we should not end on a low note.4  In the Passover Meal that night, Jesus and His disciples would had closed singing what the Jews came to call the "Great Hallel", the section of Psalms 113-118 and 136.  Read those Psalms, and you understand that the tone is not of sadness and defeat, but of victory and expectation.  The word "Hallel" in the Hebrew means "praise" and is in our word "Hallelujah" which means "praise the Lord." 

Closing thoughts:

Remember, take time to take a s.l.o.w look at the cross. 

Spend time with Jesus
Look at the scriptures
Ongoing nourishment from Jesus
Worship in celebration of Jesus

End Notes______________
1. The Olivet Discourse in Mark 13 is the final sermon Jesus delivered on the slopes of the Mount of Olives which lies East of the city of Jerusalem. The subject of that message was the events and times leading up to Jesus' second coming. Without a doubt God's people need to slow down and base their prayers and hopes in this life on the soon return of the Great God and Savior Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:13; 1 John 3:1-3)

2. We slow down enough to not merely read the word, but to reflect on it. (Joshua 1:8) My question is: "what scripture is Jesus referring to here that speaks about His betrayal?" Comparing passages such as Psalm 55 and 109 yields to the reader a set of pictures and predictions about the betrayal of our Lord at the hands of Judas. 

3. Jesus was in the midst of His disciples. Contrary to what some may teach, the bread and fruit of the vine do not turn into the body and blood of Jesus, nor do they contain His spiritual presence. Rather Jesus is in His people as mediated by the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. (John 16:14; 1 Corinthians 2:10-13) As these disciples came together to eat this first meal, Jesus was with them in a personal way. 

4. To merely treat the Lord's Supper like a solemn memorial service only is to stop short of its ultimate aim. Yes, time was needed for these disciples to digest what their Master was to undergo in a few short hours. Undoubtedly, we need time to take a slow look at the cross. However, Good Friday points beyond itself to Resurrection Sunday. 

What is Maundy Thursday? Exploring Why Today Is Significant For Many Followers Of Jesus

John 13:1 "Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end."

Introduction:

For those Christian fellowships that follow closely the Christian calendar, today marks what many call "Maundy Thursday". For many in non-liturgical church fellowships, such holy-days may not hold a lot of significance. The church that I serve at will be celebrating Good Friday tomorrow and of course Easter on Sunday. But what about this day called "Maundy Thursday"? Robert Webber has written a helpful book that explains the meaning of the Christian calendar and its associated days and observances entitled: "Ancient-Future Time". Webber notes the following about "Maundy Thursday":

"The term 'Maundy' derives its meaning from the Latin 'Maundatum Novum', which means "New Commandment". Thus, Maundy Thursday is the day Christ instituted the new commandment of love both by word and symbolic action."

Now before I go on, an important disclaimer needs to be made. In all fairness, it is good to avoid emphasizing form over the substance or truth of the scripture. With that important thought of avoiding the route of becoming legalistic and ritualistic, the other ditch to avoid is having ignorance about what previous generations of Christians have done in their attempts to apply the scriptures and live them out. Scripture is the pattern, the standard and the authority by which any traditions are judged. If we find, on the same token, certain expressions that can immerse one in the Word of God and focus more on Jesus, then we have in effect demonstrated the pattern of sifting our expression of worship through the Words of God in the Bible. This post is an attempt to better understand what can be a beneficial Christian observance whilst not removing Scripture from its rightful spot as the final authority on what we say, think and do.

The Main Points Of Maundy Thursday

So we have at least a definition of what this day commemorates. In searching through various books that feature the various cycles and holy days of the Christian calendar, one finds that Maundy Thursday centers around what Jesus did on the Eve of His crucifixion in the upper room in John 13-17.

In the standard Maundy Thursday celebration, the Pastor or Bishop (or whichever Christian leadership position is part of the given tradition) begins the service through a foot-washing ceremony. For non-liturgical fellowships (the term "liturgy" refers to a certain, prescribed way of expressing the worship of God by the church) that may not follow a formal route or structure, details such a foot-washing, reading of certain scriptures and other activities might seem unusual. 

With that said, what can we say about foot-washing? Though foot-washing is not an official ordinance of the church, nonetheless, can be a powerful symbolic action of communicating the need to serve one another. We read Jesus' closing remarks following the washing of the disciple's feet in John 13:12 "So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?" In think about what Maundy Thursday is all about, Jesus' question certainly is cause for pause: do we really know what He did for us? He came not to be served, but to serve and give His life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). 

In stooping down to wash the disciple's feet, the Lord Jesus Christ was re-enacting His own "stooping-down" as God in human flesh in the act of His incarnation. Amazingly, as truly God, He already possessed humility as a Divine attribute. The fact God would even choose to create the world was an act of condescension on His part. Christ's incarnation, followed by His earthly life, ministry and death on the cross would carry out the most intense act of humility and condescension of God to us who are in need of Him (see Philippians 2:5-11).

Maundy Thursday not only includes focus upon Christ's service to us in the act of foot washing, but also in the commemoration of the Lord's Supper. In typical fashion, reference will be made to God's institution of the Passover in Exodus 12. When Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper in John 13-17 and in the other Gospel accounts, He was fulfilling the imagery associated with the Lord's table. He prescribed this covenant meal for His church (see 1 Corinthians 11:23-27). Jesus, after all, is the ultimate "Passover Lamb" (see 1 Corinthians 5:7). 

Why Maundy Thursday Can Be Useful For The Christian

As one considers the events of Jesus' final hours with His disciples before His crucifixion, we as His church are, as it were, in the "final hours" before the close of this age. The Lord's supper not only points back to what He achieved on the cross, but also looks forward to His soon return. Maundy Thursday is just as much about reminding Christians of their identification in Christ's second coming as what He did in His first coming. 

Maundy Thursday also takes us into those final moments when Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane. I can recall years ago attending what was the only Maundy Thursday service I was ever at and a participant. A pastor friend of mine invited other pastors and the community to take part. Admittedly, he did some of the details differently. Nevertheless, he centered the time around Jesus' moments in the Garden of Gethsemane. At the service, each participant read some scripture, offered prayers and then we took up a collection to be given to a local mission in that town. When the service was done, I came to appreciate all that this particular day meant. 

Jesus wrestled in the Garden with the temptation of by-passing the cross. He of course did not yield to such temptation, but instead aligned His sinless human will with what He and the Father had agreed upon in eternity with respect to the One, unified Divine will. In effect, Gethsemane was a thresh-hold Jesus chose to step over in order to express His unyielding allegiance and desire to do the Father's will. 

Closing Thoughts:

As Maundy Thursday slips into the night hours, may we thank the Lord for what was a willing choice made in His humanity to yield to what had already been a decision made in eternity: to be the Savior of the World.  

What Is Arguably The New Testament's Most Potent Chapter - 1 Corinthians 15

1 Corinthians 15:1  "Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand."

Introduction:

Since we are in Easter-week, I thought it apropos to consider the contents of what could arguably be the New Testament's most-potent chapter: 1 Corinthians 15. Below we will do a fly-over of this chapter to see its significance in understanding Christ's resurrection and why this truth is central to understanding Christianity and the power needed for living for God today.

The Living Gospel shines hope into a troubled church

The letter of 1 Corinthians represents a letter written by the Apostle Paul to a troubled church. After reading through the first 14 chapters of 1 Corinthians, judgment and God's discipline seem imminent.  The thunderclouds of God's Fatherly-discipline hung over this church.  Yet, the rays of mercy and hope shoot through the cloud-tops to break up the gloom in 1 Corinthians 15.  The sunshine of God's Living Gospel pours into the otherwise bleak future for this church.  No chapter in God's word spells out the implications of Christ's resurrection any clearer than 1 Corinthians 15.

The main point of 1 Corinthians 15 - Unfolding the Living Gospel

Every major Bible doctrine, every conceivable means of persuasion is used by the Holy Spirit to convince the reader of the power of the living Gospel in 1 Corinthians 15.  Below is a thumbnail sketch of this remarkable chapter:

1. The Gospel's Living Message. 
1 Corinthians 15:1-11

2. The Gospel's Living Christ.       
1 Corinthians 15:12-20

3. The Gospel's Living Doctrine    
1 Corinthians 15:21-28

4. The Gospel's Living Power       
1 Corinthians 15:29-49

5. The Gospel's Living Encouragements 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

As was noted already, 1 Corinthians 15 is arguably the New Testament's most potent chapter.  Those five major divisions are like the five smooth stones that David had ready His sling to defeat the Goliath of unbelief. It only requires one stone from this mighty brook to topple any giant you might be facing.  The Living Gospel is not only revealed in its power - but in it's robust splendor. 

The Living Gospel is the remedy for every spiritual ailment

The Apostle Paul is like a pharmacist issuing a bottle that, when taken in full measure, heals the heart and revives the Christian. The resurrection power of Jesus Christ is brought to the sinner by the Holy Spirit to bring about a transformed heart in saving faith (see 1 Peter 1:3-5). 

A quick overview of the New Testament will reveal the priority of Christ's resurrection to Christianity:

1. All Four Gospels record the resurrection of Jesus Christ and His post-mortem appearances to His disciples.

2. The Book of Acts, the record of the early church, features roughly 20 sermons preached in the early church. The Apostles Peter and Paul preached all of the sermons in the Book of Acts except one. Among those roughly 20 sermons, we find reference to the resurrection of Jesus Christ to be the central emphasis of their preaching.  Most if not all of Paul's letters, Peter Letters and most of the other New testament books make reference to Christ's resurrection. Dr. Gary Habermas, a premier expert on the historical case for Christ's resurrection, estimates there are roughly 300 verses referencing the resurrection in the New Testament.

3. The Book of Revelation presents the Post-resurrected Christ as ruling and reigning, worthy of all worship. Christ's vindication of His identity as God-incarnate is due to the fact that He has overcome death. Truly, without the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Christian faith itself would be lifeless.  

Closing thoughts:

As we direct our thoughts towards this coming Easter weekend, may we read through 1 Corinthians 15. May this post aid the reader in considering more closely why this chapter in the New Testament is so potent for understanding Christ's resurrection and how there is power available for Godly-living today.