THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2013
1 Kings 22:1–53
Acts 13:16–41
Psalm 138:1–8
Proverbs 17:17,18
“Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet, in condemning him, they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from a tree and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and, for many days, he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.” (Acts 13:26–31)
Paul’s preaching invites ready scrutiny into these near-historical events. Given the likely dating of the Jerusalem council of Acts 15 to AD 50, this sermon must have occurred in AD 48 or 49, approximately 15 years after the events so described had transpired. Logically, the apostles could not have duped their hearers with tall tales, considering that many eyewitnesses could easily have corroborated or refuted their testimony.
Though having experienced an earthly birth and the pulls of temptation, the Lord Jesus Christ lived a perfect, sinless life. As the God-man, He served as an all-sufficient sacrifice for man’s sin and thus faced the full-blown wrath that we rightly deserved. As we have discussed several times through this blog, the greatest signal of His authenticity lies in the empty tomb. This historical fact prompted “his witnesses to our people,” both then and into the present. We may confidently stand in the promise of resurrection and eternal life as a result of the empty tomb.
“Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that, through Jesus, the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him, everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13:38,39)
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9)
In these two passages, Paul proclaims the Gospel message: that, by grace (unmerited favor), God lavishes His forgiveness on those who have received Christ into their hearts through faith (trusting God at His promises). This forgiveness brings justification (being declared righteous) and salvation – that is, freedom from punishment and condemnation. In the Acts 13 passage, Paul relates the concept of works to the Mosaic law, explaining that his listeners could never have received justification through adherence. Instead, the Gospel message provided for redemption (being bought back from sin) through Jesus Christ alone. The Ephesians 2 verses, written to Gentile believers, divorces salvation from works. If one could earn salvation through actions, then we would rightly have reason to boast. The only righteous boasting, however, comes through pointing to His glory (Jeremiah 9:23,24)
“Though the Lord is on high, he looks upon the lowly,
but the proud he knows from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;
with your right hand, you save me.” (Psalm 138:6,7)
“A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:7)
In these two passages, we see that the heart of friendship arises from the heart of God: compassionate, loving, protective. How we interact with others during their times of adversity points to the strength and depth of the relationship. How blessed we are to have friends with whom we may share our struggles and know that, by prayer and wise counsel, we will find support and encouragement!
As you reflect on godly friendship, I recommend thinking about becoming a friend who “loves at all times” and loving like a brother “born for adversity.” Please seek the empowerment through the fruit of the Spirit (“love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control”; Galatians 5:22,23a) and prepare to respond and refresh during those challenging moments.
Lord Jesus, thank You that Paul’s testimony does ring true. Thank You for taking the place that we rightly deserved on the cross and providing a means of freedom from the bondage of sin. We desire to live wholly for You during these challenging days and to refresh Your people through loving at all times, even through adversity. Please equip us by Your Holy Spirit to respond as You would in tough moments. In Your precious Name, Amen.
QUESTIONS
1. How have you witnessed the effects of redemption in your own life?
2. How may you “hunger and thirst for righteousness” today?
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