The letter of 1 John is one that many people are familiar with. There is a focus on multiple themes; from the truth of Jesus as the Son of God and as our advocate, to obedience as evidence of our love and of our faith that is manifested in love for others. But what I want to meditate on this morning is 5 verses found in chapter 4.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Here we hear the call to love one another. This is not an unfamiliar call (cf. John 13:34,35; 15:12, Romans 12:10; 1 Thess. 4:9, 1 Peter 1:22; 4:8). This is something we all believe and hopefully we strive to do. And how vitally important this is in the time in which we find ourselves. Not only to help care for others in the midst of our ‘shelter in place’ order, but also to be loving and gracious toward others who hold different persuasions in regard to what should be done next as we move out of this season of sheltering. Love is an amazing attribute that we all hope and pray grows more fully in us.

Yet as great as the display of love between humans can be truly beautiful, there is a much greater love - that is the love of God. And John makes clear that his love is most plainly and undeniably seen in Jesus Christ. God sent Christ so that we could live. Ponder that for a moment! And he didn’t just send Jesus to give us some steps to follow in order to know how to live. He sent Jesus to be the propitiation for our sins. Now there is a million dollar word: propitiation. What does that mean?

To propitiate is to turn away wrath. It is the satisfaction of God’s demand for justice. God is holy and righteous - and that cannot be ignored. Our sins cannot merely be swept aside (cf. Romans 3:21-26). They must be dealt with. They must be atoned for. That is what Jesus did for his children. He took the penalty that our sins deserved. He died in our place. This is unquestionably the greatest love ever witnessed.

In the Heidelberg Catechism Question 37 asks (this in reference to a line in the Apostles’ Creed): “What do you understand by the word ‘suffered’?”

Answer: “That during his whole life on earth, but especially at the end, Christ sustained in body and soul the wrath of God against the sin of the whole human race*. This he did in order that, by his suffering as the only atoning sacrifice he might deliver us, body and soul, from eternal condemnation, and gain for us God’s grace, righteousness, and eternal life.”

Jesus took the blame and bore the wrath - and because of him - through our faith in him - we stand forgiven at the cross. Take time to meditate on this glorious truth…this wonderful manifestation of the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

"The Power of the Cross" Official Lyric Video As performed by Keith & Kristyn Getty Stream this song and others on our official Spotify channel: https://open...

* For those who read this and wonder if it goes against the “L” in the TULIP - it does not. This, according to Ursinus (the primary author of the catechism), refers to the sufficiency of Christ’s death. It is absolutely sufficient for all, but it is efficient only for those who are God’s sheep (cf. John 10:11, also John 6:37, Matthew 1:21, Acts 20:28, Ephesians 5:25).

Psalm 65 is a hymn of praise to God, and it is very clear that God has worked awesome deeds (65:5). It is amazing to see how God blesses his people and cares for them, but what I want us to see this morning is the first words of verse 2:

O you who hear prayer,

That’s it. A stunningly simple statement, but yet farther reaching than we can imagine. God hears our prayers. Is that not a massive encouragement? Is that not a shot in the arm? God, the one who created all things, hears the prayers of his people!

Not only that but the Lord Jesus taught us to pray. Look at Luke 11 and what we call the Lord’s Prayer. We see prayers throughout Scripture: from Moses to Paul and everywhere in between. The reason they all prayed is because God hears our prayer. They prayed and confessed sin. They sought strength in the midst of daunting circumstances. They prayed thanksgiving and praise. They prayed laments. In essence, they poured out their hearts to God because they knew that apart from God they could do nothing (cf. John 15:4,5).

So then - here is the simple encouragement today. Let us pray. Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence because we have a great high priest who has gone before us and it is in him that we draw near (Hebrews 4:14-16). So pour out your heart before him…he delights to hear from his children.

Here is a song for this morning. It is called “A Christian’s Daily Prayer.”

As morning dawns and day awakes,
To You I bring my need
O gracious God, my source of strength,
In You I live and breathe
Each hour is Yours by wisdom planned,
Each deed empowered by sovereign hands
Renew my spirit, help me stand;
Be glorified today

As day unfolds, I seek Your will
In all of life's demands
And though the tempter tries me still,
I cling to Your commands
Let every effort of my life
Display the matchless worth of Christ
Make me a living sacrifice;
Be glorified today

As sun gives way to darkest night
Your Spirit still is here
And though my strength fades like the light
New mercies will appear
I rest in You; abide with me
Until our trials and suffering
Give way to final victory
Be glorified, today

Get the song: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/a-christians-daily-prayer-live/1300512803?i=1300513221 Free sheet music: http://sovereigngracemusic.org/music...

And since I love the sound of thousands of men singing - here is another version of it live.

Provided to YouTube by Absolute Marketing International Ltd A Christian's Daily Prayer [Live] · Sovereign Grace Music · Bob Kauflin Together for the Gospel I...

Lately I have been thinking more about the nature of Jesus…not his divinity per se, but his character and his heart. It has been challenging, comforting, and convicting. When I tend to think of the Lord I gravitate towards the high and lofty. Passages like Hebrews 1:1-4:

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

That is well and good to consider and to ponder and to be used to generate praise and adoration in our hearts. But it is not the full story. As I prepared the sermon for today, one of the phrases in Ephesians 4:13 is that believers are to attain to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. The place I went to was Colossians 1:15-19 (another lofty passage on the grandeur of Christ). However, that felt incomplete - and perhaps so lofty that we could easily forget about it.

As believers we are being conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). How is Jesus portrayed in the incarnation? In his ministry on earth? He was compassionate (Matthew 9:36). He is gentle and lowly in heart (Matthew 11:29). He is full of grace and truth (John 1:14). He is fully resolute in and submissive to the will of the Father (Luke 22:39-44). Even now, risen and ascended he is our high priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:14-16).

There is certainly more. We cannot exhaust the grandeur and the beauty of Christ. Take some time today and think through this beautiful reality: we who are united to Christ are being conformed to this image (and I have not scratched the surface of who Jesus is and who he is for us!). [I may likely have more posts related to this topic as the book “Gentle and Lowly” has been the catalyst for this thinking - I do highly recommend it.]

Whatever I need in Jesus dwells and there it dwells for me as I’m being confirmed to his image!

Provided to YouTube by TuneCore Jesus the Lord My Savior Is [Sandra McCracken] · Indelible Grace Music Beams of Heaven: Indelible Grace IV ℗ 2008 Indelible G...

Jesus, the Lord, my Savior is, 
My Shepherd, and my God; 
My light, my strength, my joy, my bliss; 
And I His grace record.

Whate’er I need in Jesus dwells, 
And there it dwells for me; 
’Tis Christ my earthen vessel fills 
With treasures rich and free.

Mercy and truth and righteousness, 
And peace, most richly meet 
In Jesus Christ, the King of grace, 
In Whom I stand complete.

As through the wilderness I roam, 
His mercies I’ll proclaim; 
And when I safely reach my home, 
I’ll still adore His name.

“Worthy the Lamb,” shall be my song, 
“For He for me was slain;” 
And me with all the heavenly throng 
Shall join, and say, “Amen.

Many of us have sung the words: “As the deer pants for the water so my song longs after You. You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship You.” It sounds really sweet, but the situation of the psalmist in Psalms 42 & 43 (almost certainly one psalm) is anything but sweet. This picture of the deer panting for water - it is desperation. There is no water in sight. The psalmist uses that to describe his longing; and it is a longing that can only be satisfied with the presence of God.

And it is this image that the psalmist uses to express his longing for God. He is away from the presence of God. He has been mocked by foes (42:3, 10). HIs heart breaks at the thought of what he no longer enjoys. And it leads to the refrain we come to three times in these verses:

5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, 

and why are you in turmoil within me? 

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, 

my salvation 6 and my God. (cf. 42:11; 43:5) 

But that refrain is not one of total despair; it is the psalmist talking to himself and encouraging his own soul to hope in God. These words show us that the psalmist is not actually far from God - or more truly - God is not far from him. God is his salvation and his God. God will not leave his children (John 10:28,29; Hebrews 13:5).

Yet in verse 6 we see those feelings turn from this hope again. His soul is cast down. But he remembers God is his rock (42:9), his only refuge. Even in that language we see hope. Then we come to verse 8:

8 By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, 

and at night his song is with me, 

a prayer to the God of my life.

The Lord directs, sends out his steadfast love and his song is with the psalmist. That may well be that because the psalmist remembers God’s steadfast love he sings, or it could well be that the song of the Lord (God’s singing) is with him. What a thought! God singing over his children and showing forth his steadfast love! Oh to hear that song!

Then in the next stanza (Psalm 43) the psalmist prays. He is not just remembering his circumstances and God, but he prays to his rock.

3 Send out your light and your truth; 

let them lead me; 

let them bring me to your holy hill 

and to your dwelling! 

4 Then I will go to the altar of God, 

to God my exceeding joy, 

and I will praise you with the lyre, 

O God, my God. 

The psalmist needed the light and truth of God to lead him to the dwelling of God - to the Temple. But the Temple was just a shadow of the true presence of God. Now, in Christ Jesus, who is the only way to the Father, we have been brought into the presence of God (John 14:6; Hebrews 10:19; 1 Peter 3:18). God has sent out his light and his truth in Christ.

No matter our circumstance…God is always with us. We need reminded of that, because it doesn’t always seem to be the case. Thankfully we have his truth before us in his holy Word. Let that Word, the Word of Christ, lead us daily into the presence of the God who sings and rejoices over his children! Be not cast down O my soul.

Provided to YouTube by TuneCore Send out Your Light (Psalm 43) · Sandra McCracken Psalms ℗ 2015 Towhee Records Released on: 2015-04-14 Auto-generated by YouT...

There appears to be light at the end of this stay-at-home tunnel. The Governor has put out a plan to restart Ohio; though there is a still a long way to go. And though it is still a long road ahead of us, once this is passed, it could be something that we simply forget about and don’t learn from (surely not right away, but we have a tendency to forget). That would be tragic in its own right.

I think about Psalm 90:12: So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Having a heart of wisdom would enable us to live our lives in light of what is good and true and beautiful. A heart of wisdom would direct us in our priorities. A heart of wisdom would help us not only know what is most important, but also see our lives reflect that knowledge.

Ephesians 5:15-21: 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. 

Be very careful…pay close attention to how you walk…that is, to how you live. Be wise, not foolish. We are to seek to understand what the will of the Lord is (his general precepts for our lives that are for our good)…and Paul shows us in part. It is being filled with his Spirit, speaking the Word of the Lord, singing, giving thanks, and loving/submitting to one another because of Christ. And in an even more general way - the wisdom that we are called to is knowing who the Lord is…it is the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7; 15:33).

If we go back to Psalm 90 the first two verses are foundational:

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place 

in all generations. 

2 Before the mountains were brought forth, 

or ever you had formed the earth and the world, 

from everlasting to everlasting you are God. 

Our God is eternal and unchanging…whereas this psalm tells us how our days are numbered. And so we are to live those days in wisdom. Part of that wisdom is learning where we find our satisfaction…where we find our contentment. Look at verse 14:

14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, 

that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. 

Our satisfaction is in the Lord. Our satisfaction is in the steadfast love of the Lord. And we see that most clearly in our Savior. …but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8; cf. John 3:16). And when we know the nature and character of God, we can rest in him more fully and live a life of wisdom and not folly.

So Lord, teach us to number our days rightly. Here is a great song/prayer from this psalm. Lyrics can be found here - or just follow along with Psalm 90.

Provided to YouTube by TuneCore Wisdom and Grace · BiFrost Arts Lamentations: Simple Songs of Lament and Hope, Vol. 1 ℗ 2016 Gospel Song Records Released on:...

For me, a place of rest and tranquility and peace would be waking up in tent looking out at the scene of the picture above. The mountains have always been a place to which I have been drawn. I love the serene beauty and the sounds of nothing but nature. If I could think of a place that would bring me contentment - this would be on the top of the list.

In our men’s groups we are studying the book The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs (and it is a book I would highly recommend). In our study last night and this morning we looked at a point the author made that a truly contented Christian is content with any condition/circumstance they find themselves in, but they are not satisfied. What he means is that a believer is content with what they are providentially given in this world (with affliction, with blessing…whatever), yet the only thing that truly satisfies a believer is God and his presence.

Psalm 73:25: Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

It also reminded me of Psalm 16 (which we have looked at a few times in this blog). Burroughs made this point: “A little in the world will content a Christian for his passage, but all the world, and ten thousand times more, will not content a Christian for his portion.” The only portion that will satisfy is God himself (Psalms 16:5; 73:28).

From there Burroughs went to Philippians 4:7,9: 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus…9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. 

Do you see the difference between verse 7 & 9? It moves from the “peace of God” being with you to the “God of peace” being with you. And Burroughs writes: “Here is what I would observe from this text, That the peace of God is not enough to a gracious heart except it may have the God of that peace.”

The blessings of God are wonderful, but without God himself they mean very little. A Christian will only truly be content with God himself. We don’t just want the grace of God…we long for the God of grace. We don’t merely rejoice in the mercy of God…we rejoice in the God of mercy.

It is the presence of God that brings the Christian to contentment. The covenant of God with his people could be summarized with this promise: “I will be your God, and you will be my people.” God will be our God…we will be in his presence. And through Christ God has dwelt with us (John 1:14). And he will be with us to the very end of the age…and we will be with him forever. That is our greatest joy and our greatest longing.

Here is a song that goes back to my youth group days, but it still speaks just as strongly. It’s “My One Thing” by Rich Mullins. (see THIS for a live version - and it reminded me of seeing Rich live in high school and singing this song in the audience)

Sometimes while reading Scripture it seems as though it leaps off the page at you. That’s what happened for me this morning as I was reading Psalm 81. This is a familiar psalm for me, but this morning the heart and character of God shone through this psalm with the brightness of the sun.

1 Sing aloud to God our strength; 

shout for joy to the God of Jacob! 

2 Raise a song; sound the tambourine, 

the sweet lyre with the harp. 

3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon, 

at the full moon, on our feast day. 

4 For it is a statute for Israel, 

a rule of the God of Jacob. 

5 He made it a decree in Joseph 

when he went out over the land of Egypt. 

I hear a language I had not known: 

6 “I relieved your shoulder of the burden; 

your hands were freed from the basket. 

7 In distress you called, and I delivered you; 

I answered you in the secret place of thunder; 

I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah 

8 Hear, O my people, while I admonish you! 

O Israel, if you would but listen to me! 

9 There shall be no strange god among you; 

you shall not bow down to a foreign god. 

10 I am the Lord your God, 

who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. 

Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. 

11 “But my people did not listen to my voice; 

Israel would not submit to me. 

12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, 

to follow their own counsels. 

13 Oh, that my people would listen to me, 

that Israel would walk in my ways! 

14 I would soon subdue their enemies 

and turn my hand against their foes. 

15 Those who hate the Lord would cringe toward him, 

and their fate would last forever. 

16 But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat, 

and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.” 

As you read through that psalm - what leapt off the page for you? We see that it begins with a call to give God great praise. God has delivered his people from slavery, from bondage. The allusion is to the exodus, and for believers today there is a greater picture - our redemption from slavery to sin. But what it shows is God responds to our pleas, to our cries. And then when we see verses 8 & 9, God’s heart admonishes and warns his people of danger - specifically of the danger of foreign gods, of idols that we bow down to and to whom we give our allegiance.

And then the folly of that turning to false gods is shown so clearly in verse 10. The image is of baby birds opening their mouths wide as can be for their mother to feed them with everything they need. God is saying to his people - “Simply open up…come to me…and I will fill you with all you need.” Can you hear the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30? What about Psalm 23:5 or John 15:11 or Ephesians 3:14-19?

Yet the Lord will let us suffer in our poor choices to help us to see our own folly. Yet he longs for us to choose the path of blessing, the path of abundance. He is the God who longs to bless us (see v. 16).

Oh may we hear the heart of our God! May we hear the delight he has in his children and how he delights (yes…delights) to care for us and to provide us with abundant blessings. His grace is magnificent. And those blessings are most clearly and gloriously shown to us in Christ Jesus our Lord. Let us open our mouths wide and be filled with the goodness of our God!!

Two songs this morning. The first is Good and Gracious King by CityAlight. Beautiful words. The second is from The Gray Havens - Storehouse. (Here’s a little information about the song)

"Good and Gracious Kingl" from our new album "Only a Holy God" recorded live at our church St Paul's Castle Hill available to purchase at http://apple.co/2h3...

As I have written previously, I continue to dig deep into my collection of music, and not surprisingly, old hymns (mostly re-tuned) have been some of the most beneficial in this time. There is something that the old hymn writers knew of God in the midst of sorrow, pain, doubt, fear, worry, and more.

Today I turn to a hymn originally written by John Newton. Newton’s mother died when he was seven, but she had taught him the Bible at a very young age, and that proved beneficial later in life. At age 11 he started a life at sea. He was not a man of faith, but rather quite godless. He later wrote of his life of moral abandon: “I sinned with a high hand, and made it my study to tempt and seduce others.” His life at sea was not easy. At one point he was flogged as a deserter from the navy and spent 15 months living as a half-starved and poorly treated slave in Africa.

It wasn’t until later in his life at sea that Newton was converted. And it was surprisingly as he commanded a slave ship that his faith matured (which may seem a bit contradictory). Once he left the life at sea he was influenced by the Wesleys and George Whitefield and became increasingly disgusted with the slave trade and how he had taken part in it. He also became acquainted with William Cowper, a very skilled poet, but also one who knew depression all too well. I don’t know this, but I would not be surprised if the words of this hymn were influenced by his friendship with Cowper (and certainly by his own life experiences).

Take time and read through these words, listen to the music, and let the truth of God’s covenant love and grace soothe your heart. As believers we are graven on the heart of our God and he will never let us go (John 10:28). There is no safer (or more blessed) place than in the arms of our Savior and in the presence of our God.

Pensive, doubting, fearful heart,
Hear what Christ the Savior says.
Every word should joy impart,
Change thy mourning into praise.
Yes, he speaks, and speaks to thee,
May he help thee to believe!
Then thou presently wilt see,
Thou hast little cause to grieve.

"Fear thou not, nor be ashamed,
All thy sorrows soon shall end.
I who heaven and earth have framed,
Am thy husband and thy friend.
I the High and Holy One,
Israel's GOD by all adored,
As thy Savior will be known,
Thy Redeemer and thy Lord."

"For a moment I withdrew,
And thy heart was filled with pain,
But my mercies I'll renew,
Thou shalt soon rejoice again.
Though I scorn to hide my face,
Very soon my wrath shall cease.
'Tis but for a moment's space,
Ending in eternal peace."

"When my peaceful bow appears,
Painted on the watery cloud,
Its to dissipate thy fears,
Lest the earth should be o’erflowed.
'Tis an emblem too of grace,
Of my covenant love a sign.
Though the mountains leave their place,
Thou shalt be forever mine.

Thou afflicted, tempest-tossed,
Comfortless awhile thou art,
Do not think thou can be lost,
Thou art graven on my heart.
All thy walls I will repair,
Thou shalt be rebuilt anew,
And in thee it shall appear,
What a God of love can do.

Music is a gift. Music can quite often soothe a troubled spirit (cf. 1 Samuel 16:14-23). There is something about music that eases the heart and mind. I have certain “go to” music when I need a bit of a lift in my own spirit, and perhaps you have the same thing. It can be instrumental masterpieces that pull together an entire orchestra in perfect harmony. Or it can be a simple acoustic song that has lyrics that perfectly fit the moment.

Yesterday I listened again to Sandra McCracken’s The Builder and the Architect album…and it’s wonderful. The second song on that album is called “Grace Upon Grace.”

In every station, new trials and new troubles
Call for more grace than I can afford
Where can I go but to my dear Savior
For mercy that pours from boundless stores.

Grace upon grace, every sin repaired
Every void restored, you will find Him there
In every turning He will prepare you
With grace upon grace.

He made a way for the fallen to rise
Perfect in glory and sacrifice
In sweet communion my need He supplies
He saves and keeps and guards my life

To Thee I run now with great expectation
To honor You with trust like a child
My hopes and desires seek a new destination
and all that You ask Your grace will provide.

The verses that this immediately brings to mind are John 1:14 & 16: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth…For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. We receive from the Lord grace upon grace. He has taken the sin of his people upon himself, but he has done more than that. His grace is abundant beyond any abundance we know - more than the abundance of wheat at the harvest. We have been given so much that it is impossible to comprehend, but absolutely worth giving God praise and it is more than enough to calm our anxious spirits.

[For a little extra this morning - go through the song and find all the Scriptural allusions]

Provided to YouTube by CDBaby Grace Upon Grace · Sandra McCracken The Builder And The Architect ℗ 2005 Same Old Dress Music Released on: 2005-01-01 Auto-gene...

One final guest post by Tristan this week.

What should we make of this day––a day between the anguish of Christ’s death and the triumph of his resurrection? Do we go on mourning, or do we rejoice because we know what comes next? I think that both responses are appropriate, but neither seems completely satisfying given the limbo in which Holy Saturday leaves us. So let’s look at what Scripture tell us about this day.

Very little is recorded. In fact, it’s only Matthew who offers us any account of the day’s events. In chapter 27, beginning in verse 62, we read:

The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that imposter said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.

Interestingly enough, Matthew doesn’t focus his attention on the response of Jesus’ disciples and friends. Rather, he is concerned with how those opposed to Jesus respond to his death and impending resurrection. And their response tells us two things.

First, it’s fascinating that, for Jesus’s entire earthly ministry, the Jewish leaders wanted him dead, but, now that they’ve accomplished their goal, they still feel like they’ve left the job undone. In their effort to drown out Jesus’ words, they can’t help but sense that he may have been telling the truth all along. They’d heard Jesus predict his resurrection over and over, but what if he really would rise from the dead on the third day? The chief priests and Pharisees haven’t chosen to submit to Jesus, but their inability to completely disregard his words tells us that they know that he speaks with authority. And this authority transcends even Jesus’ earthly life.

Second, notice how Jesus’ enemies label him. They call him an “imposter” and tell Pilate that, if the disciples steal Jesus’ body, then “the last fraud will be worse than the first.” This is what the chief priests and Pharisees think of Jesus––he’s a deceiver, and his movement is a hoax. But they also seek to prevent what they fear will be more deception. Why? Perhaps it is because they understand the significance of the resurrection. If Jesus actually rises from the dead (or, in their thinking, if Jesus’ disciples can convince the crowds that he’s risen from the dead), then he has been telling the truth. And if what Jesus said about his resurrection is true, it assures us that all that he ever said is true.

Holy Saturday prompts us to reflect on the authority and truth of our Savior’s words. Jesus’ lifelessness on this day may have caused his followers to question if he would rise again as he had said. And, in a world where decay, disease, and death seem to have the final word, we may live in the uncertainty that is Holy Saturday. But, yet again, Jesus assures us with his words: In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

And the song for today: Ah, Holy Jesus, How Have You Offended?

Holy Week, Day 7: Saturday Saturday, April 4, AD 33. To continue through the week, follow the link below for Resurrection Sunday: https://vimeo.com/89509380 The link for Palm Sunday: vimeo.com/89013208 The link for Monday: vimeo.com/89117797 The link for Tuesday: vimeo.com/89651201 The link for Wednesday: vimeo.com/89420035 The link for Thursday: https://vimeo.com/89420081 The link for Friday: vimeo.com/89429101

Today I am providing another guest post by Tristan. I so wish we could be together this evening for a service. I pray that today you meditate on this most important of days in the ministry of Jesus. Without this suffering, we would have no hope.

On Good Friday, the Church remembers Jesus’ death on the cross. And while it can be a bit off-putting to call something so terrible as death “good”, in this case, that label seems to be the most appropriate term at our disposal if we understand it properly. 

There are a number of places where the word “good” is used in Scripture, but it is perhaps most familiar to us in the creation account found in Genesis 1. As God knits together heaven and earth, fills the sky and the sea, allows the dry land to flourish, and, at last, creates man in his own image, there is this refrain: And God saw that it was good. The creation account finds its culmination in verse 31 where the text tells us, And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. In the beginning, God creates, and his creation is good. But this “good” isn’t the same “good” that I might use to describe freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies or an evening spent with friends. It is not the bottom tier of the “good, better, best” spectrum. No, this “good” is as good as it gets. In fact, the Hebrew word tov, which we translate “good,” actually has connotations of perfection or wholeness. It is as though God has said about his creation: “My work is complete; it simply cannot be improved upon.” 

And this is the same understanding of good warranted by its usage to describe the Friday on which our Savior was crucified. When God declared his creation good, it was in perfect relationship with him. But our sin destroyed this relationship. By violating God’s commandments, we made ourselves unfit to stand in his presence. That is why we need Jesus. Our only hope of returning to the goodness of Eden was through the death of a sinless Savior. 

In the account of the crucifixion we learn that, as Jesus breathed his last, the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom (Mt. 27:51). In the Old Testament, the veil existed to keep the people of Israel from the direct presence of God. It’s not as though God didn’t want to have a relationship with his people. In fact, he created us for loving relationship with him. But, because God is also just, he must respond to sin by punishing it. He knew that, as a sinful people, Israel could not avoid his wrath with their sin unatoned for. The veil was a reminder that there was no way for them to be in right relationship with God on their own. But with Jesus’ death, all of that changed. Jesus is the way to the Father. 

In many ways, Jesus’s final words echo those of his Father at creation. As Jesus cries It is finished, he declares once and for all that his work is complete. It is perfect. It cannot be improved upon. Jesus’s death for our sins means that, by believing in him, we are on our way back to Eden, to the new heavens and the new earth, to perfect union with God. And that is good news indeed!

And then let me add another song choice - this one by Andrew Peterson. It is a meditative song that goes through the last words of Christ from the cross, appropriately called “Last Words (Tenebrae).” And because of the large repertoire of songs for this season, here is a great hymn: “There is a Fountain Filled with Blood.”

Holy Week, Day 6: Friday Friday, April 3, AD 33. To continue through the week, follow the link below for Saturday: https://vimeo.com/89436644 The link for Palm Sunday: vimeo.com/89013208 The link for Monday: vimeo.com/89117797 The link for Tuesday: vimeo.com/89651201 The link for Wednesday: vimeo.com/89420035 The link for Thursday: https://vimeo.com/89420081

Today I am turning over the blog to a guest post - Tristan has written an excellent devotional in regard to what happened on this day.

“Maundy” is derived from the Latin word mandatum, translated “commandment.” It refers to Jesus’ words in John 13:34: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” Jesus said this on the day he instituted the Lord’s Supper, prayed in Gethsemane, and was given over to be crucified. But with so much action, why do we define the Thursday of Holy Week simply by Jesus’ words to his followers in the hours before his death? I think it is because these words serve two functions. 

First, they summarize what has come before. When Jesus spoke to his disciples in John 13, it’s not as though he was springing something entirely foreign on them. The Old Testament had clearly commanded love of neighbor (Lev. 19:18). So why did Jesus call his commandment “new”? Well, in all of Israel’s history, no one had seen obedience to this commandment modeled perfectly. The Israelites had a sense of what it required, based on all of the other commandments that God gave them, but they’d never seen this neighbor-love on full display. Now, Jesus tells his disciples that they are to love one another “just as I have loved you.” In other words, Jesus’ life and ministry are intended to give us a picture of what obedience to the law looks like. On Maundy Thursday, we remember that Jesus didn’t just fulfill the law; he perfected our understanding of it.

Second, Jesus’ words also foretell what would come to pass in the next 24 hours. In John 15, Jesus says, This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you (v. 12). Notice that Jesus repeats what he said just a few chapters earlier. But then he offers an even more radical notion of love. He continues, Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends (v. 13). Self-sacrifice, Jesus says, is love on display. In the past, Jesus had instructed crowds of followers to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Mt. 5:44). He had told a parable about a Samaritan who was a neighbor to a Jew (Lk. 10:25–37). And just that night, he had knelt down in the presence of his disciples and washed their feet, setting an example of humility and servitude (Jn. 13:1–20). All along, Jesus had shown in his life and ministry what love for one another looked like in the day-to-day, but it is in his death that he offers the greatest example of love. On Maundy Thursday, we anticipate the lengths to which our Savior went to show his love for us.

Maundy Thursday invites us to reflect on the life of Christ, to learn to imitate him, to obey him. But it also invites us to marvel. No one had ever seen love like this. No one had ever known love like this. See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God (I Jn. 3:1a).

And for your listening pleasure: O the Deep Deep Love of Jesus

Holy Week, Day 5: Thursday Thursday, April 2, AD 33. To continue through the week, follow the link below for Friday: https://vimeo.com/89429101 The link for Palm Sunday: vimeo.com/89013208 The link for Monday: https://vimeo.com/89117797 The link for Tuesday: https://vimeo.com/89651201 The link for Wednesday: https://vimeo.com/89420035

The Wednesday of Holy Week does not have a great deal recorded. Jesus continued to teach in the temple and the people continued to come to hear him. This of course continued something else - in that it further added to the distaste that the religious leaders had for Jesus. They were now in full swing plotting how to eliminate this interloper. However, they were afraid to do it in the open because they feared the people (Luke 22:2).

This is such a telling statement. It reveals so much. And it reveals the nature of the human heart. There is such a tendency in our hearts to prefer the accolades of people over the glory that comes from God and is given to God (cf. John 12:42,43). Our family has been reading through Proverbs together and the thrust of that book is to learn the fear of the Lord (Prov. 1:7). That is the wisdom that we are called to gain, to seek after, to call out for (Prov. 2:1-14).

Proverbs 29:25: The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.

Thankfully our Savior did not fall to the fear of man, but gave his life for sinners so that we who have too often feared man rather than God can find hope and redemption.

For the song for mediation today, one of my favorites in this season, “Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted.” This version by Fernando Ortega carries just the right emotion and tenor.

Holy Week, Day 4: Wednesday Wednesday, April 1, AD 33. To continue through the week, follow the link below for Thursday: https://vimeo.com/89420081 The link for Palm Sunday: vimeo.com/89013208 The link for Monday: https://vimeo.com/89117797 The link for Tuesday: https://vimeo.com/89651201

This is the start of Holy Week. It doesn’t have the same feel that we would expect, but it doesn’t take away the reality of what we celebrate and remember. This is a week set aside to remember the final week of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Though we celebrate the birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus daily as believers, there is something that feels a bit more special about this week. Not only is it more on the mind of believers, but the whole world seems to know that this is Holy Week, no matter what they actually know about it.

For this week I’m mainly going to post a little bit about each day (I may say something else related to what we are all going through right now - so I have to say ‘mainly’). A number of years ago Crossway put together some great graphics and short videos about each day of Holy Week. We generally understand what happened on Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter morning - but what about the rest of the week? These videos and graphics will help guide you through those days. Take the time and read the Scriptures and mediate on this final week of Jesus’ life.

Remember, in the midst of a global pandemic, there is nothing more solid, nothing that needs to be remembered more clearly, nothing that needs to be celebrated more than the solid and life-giving truth of Jesus and all he went through on behalf of his children. Let the pain of this time point to the beauty and sure hope of our resurrection with our Lord. Let the despair and anxiety lead us to the hope and surety of Christ. Let the disrupted nature of our lives point to what Jesus gives us with his life - peace with God (Luke 24:36; cf. Isaiah 9:6; Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:14; Colossians 1:20).

Let’s take time this week and focus on who Christ is and what he has done for us (let us do it as together as we possibly can though we are ‘socially distanced’ from each other). Let this truth be the true anchor of our soul - and let us pray for and find ways to share that truth with others.

Holy Week, Day 1: Palm Sunday Sunday, March 29, AD 33. To continue through the week, please follow the link below for Monday: https://vimeo.com/89117797

Last night Erin brought my guitar up to my isolation room (formerly known as our bedroom). I simply needed to be able to play a little bit. I often find myself able to express how I’m feeling or what I’m thinking through music or through the language of the Psalms. There is something about both of those avenues that brings out the metaphors that give words to what we sometimes can’t.

Last night I didn’t need the metaphor as much, what I needed was music, and truth. Through the simple playing of a simple song (as I had to be quiet as kids were already in bed) I heard truth.

This was the song: (And here is a link to various charts if you want to play it)

Through the love of God our Savior, All will be well 
Free and changeless is His favor, All is well 
Precious is the blood that healed us 
Perfect is the grace that sealed us 
Strong the hand stretched forth to shield us 
All must be well

Though we pass through tribulation, All will be well 
Ours is such a full salvation, All is well 
Happy still in God confiding 
Fruitful if in Christ abiding 
Steadfast through the Spirit's guiding 
All must be well

We expect a bright tomorrow; All will be well 
Faith can sing through days of sorrow, All is well 
On our Father's love relying 
Jesus every need supplying 
Yes in living or in dying 
All must be well

Scripture passages this song reminds me of are numerous: Romans 8; 1 Peter 1:18-21; Ephesians 1:13,14; John 15; Philippians 4:19 and so many others. Take some time and meditate on these passages, and try to find others that the song references.

As some of you might be asking - “How are you feeling?” I’m doing better. Been fever free since yesterday morning, and hope that continues. I sure seem to be on the road to recovery. Pray for my amazing wife. She is handling everything in the house while keeping me in quarantine (and not being able to sleep in her own bed), and I know that she’s a bit tired. She’s an amazing woman and we are blessed greatly by her!!

There are certain days where the longing to be with God is stronger. These are those days. I resonate with the struggle of Paul in Philippians 1…and I’ll quote it at length for the context:

Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

You can hear his longing…to be with his Savior. Even though he knows that he is called to something now, his desire is to be with Christ. He is hard pressed. He has seen the glory of the Lord and he longs for that. He longs to be with the One who so deeply loves him…the One who gave Himself for him.

Paul certainly saw the brokenness of the world. He was beaten and persecuted. He saw pain and sickness and death. He felt the darkness all around him. But he also knew the Light of the world (John 8:12). We have all seen the pain and brokenness. It’s all we hear and see on the news. My brother has a friend who is in bad shape from this virus. It’s all hard. And it increases my longing to be with Christ…for the return of our Savior to make all things new (Revelation 21:1-7).

I echo the words of Revelation 22:20,21:

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 

21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. 

Amen - come Lord Jesus!

In light of that, I could think of no better song than “Is He Worthy?” by Andrew Peterson. Enjoy the beauty, goodness, and truth of this song. And I dare say, you may have this on repeat fairly soon.

The official music video for Andrew Peterson's new song Is He Worthy! This video was shot in one continuous take. Directors: Max Hsu, Brian Skinner, and Nath...

Is He Worthy? (Andrew Peterson)

Do you feel the world is broken? (We do)
Do you feel the shadows deepen? (We do)
But do you know that all the dark won't stop the light from getting through? (We do)
Do you wish that you could see it all made new? (We do)

Is all creation groaning? (It is)
Is a new creation coming? (It is)
Is the glory of the Lord to be the light within our midst? (It is)
Is it good that we remind ourselves of this? (It is)

Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave

Is He worthy? Is He worthy
Of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy of this?
He is

Does the Father truly love us? (He does)
Does the Spirit move among us? (He does)
And does Jesus, our Messiah, hold forever those He loves? (He does)
Does our God intend to dwell again with us? (He does)

Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?
Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?
The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave
He is David's root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave

From every people and tribe (People and tribe)
Every nation and tongue (Every nation and tongue)
He has made us a kingdom and priests to God
To reign with the Son

Is He worthy? Is He worthy
Of all blessing and honor and glory?
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
Is He worthy of this?

He is, He is
Is He worthy? Is He worthy?
He is, He is
He is worthy, He is worthy
He is

Yesterday was a good day in my neck of the woods. The sun was shining. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. The neighborhood was buzzing with socially distant activity - and that is where the ominous nature of all this still pressed through. There was joy mixed with sorrow. It was again a surreal experience. If you let it, that dichotomy of existence….it could weigh you down.

Even in the midst of a beautiful day, there is still distress. There is trouble. What is going to happen with all of this? What decisions will our leaders make next that deeply affect each and every one of us? So much feels completely out of our control - because it is.

As I was reading in John 16 this morning I was reminded how out of control the disciples felt - and how confused and sorrowful, and certainly weighed down by the prospects of what would come next.

6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

Jesus had told them that he is going away. But then he said something shocking. That it was to their advantage for him to leave. How could that be? How could it be that they would be better off if Jesus, their teacher and Lord, left them? What does he say next? That the Holy Spirit would come. That he would convict the world in various realms. That He, as the Spirit of truth, would guide the disciples into al truth - the truth about Christ and salvation. And the truth that Christ has gone and prepared a place for his children (John 14:1-4).

Now the context of this text is that Jesus is preparing his disciples for his death - for his gruesome crucifixion. It will be a time when the world rejoices in its apparent victory. Jesus says to them: 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.

By all accounts, on that Friday it seemed as though Jesus was a bit of a fraud. But soon that day would be seen for the good that it is, because Christ’s death and resurrection secured salvation for all believers. It no longer is a time of mourning (though there is that because of our sin that demanded it), but of great rejoicing. And that joy no one can take way (John 16:22).

Not the rejoicing of the world. Not the uncertainty of life right now. Not the oddities of a virus that no one truly understands. Nothing…no one can take the joy of salvation from Christ’s people.

And then the last words of this chapter: 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” 

Jesus knows what we need. He knew what the disciples needed to hear. They needed to hear of the work of the Spirit (and all believers have that same Spirit - indwelling us, always with us). They needed to hear that though they would have sorrow (facing reality is good) - they truly can have peace. They needed to hear that though they would experience tribulation in the world, yet Christ has overcome the world. And that is the source and ground and solid foundation of peace.

And as I think about myself, I experience the weighing down of all this. What change will all of this bring about? How is life going to be different. And then I need to return to the place of rest and peace. I am so thankful for the Spirit of God - may He rest upon us all.

Here’s a song for today - “Rest Upon Us” by Caedmon’s Call.

My soul is weary, and my cup is dry,
I am so in need of you,
Though my rightesousness is rags,
Your mercies are new

So Lord, come down to me,
So my heart can see,
How encompassing your grace can be

Holy Spirit, rest upon us,
Breath of God, touch my soul,
Come unfailing love of Jesus,
Rest upon us, rest upon us,

My mind is heavy and my days are long,
I lift my eyes up in the night,
My heart it weighs me down,
But your burden is light,

So Lord, come walk with me
Until my heart believes
All the bounties that your grace can bring

Holy Spirit, rest upon us,
Breath of God, touch my soul,
Come unfailing love of Jesus,
Rest upon us, rest upon us,

I will wait for you
I will wait for you
You rest upon us
Come rest upon us

It’s day 1 of the true “stay at home” order; however, for most of us life hasn’t really changed much. We’ve been acting this way. We’ve been staying “socially distant” from others and only going out for essential items. But now it’s a bit more official, and it feels a little more…I don’t know how to put it…ominous is some way. Not in the sense of doomsday, but just a little bit more unsettling.

In and of itself, this time is not peaceful. Though we may be at home and less hectic, the nature of what we are going through does not engender peace in us. It brings up worry, fear, anxiety, fretting, uncertainty, and much more. It’s not merely concern about health, but about the economy and the future. It goes to show where our peace is actually found. So much of what the world (and we) have likely relied on for peace and security has been blatantly removed from us. We need true peace.

John 14 - the beginning of Jesus’ “Farewell Discourse.” There is so much in this chapter that we could look at, but I will only draw our attention to one verse:

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

There is something decidedly different about the peace of Christ. Take some time and meditate on how different and greater the peace of Christ is than any other source of peace we could rely upon. His peace is peace within the storm. It is peace in the good, in the bad, in the ugly (sorry, that just kind of rolled right off the keyboard). But this is a time for you to consider his peace. Take some time and pray and thank God for the peace that is everlasting, that is surpassingly great, that is beyond understanding, that touches every area of life. Christ’s peace is solid and secure. It is everlasting.

Two songs for you today. The first is from the Gettys. I’ll post these lyrics:

May the peace of God, our heav'nly Father,
And the grace of Christ, the risen Son,
And the fellowship of God the Spirit
Keep our hearts and minds within His love.

And to Him be praise for His glorious reign;
From the depths of earth to the heights of heaven
We declare the name of the Lamb once slain
Christ eternal, the King of Kings.

May this peace which passes understanding,
And this grace which makes us what we are,
And this fellowship of His communion,
Make us one in spirit and in heart.

And to Him be praise for His glorious reign;
From the depths of earth to the heights of heaven
We declare the name of the Lamb once slain
Christ eternal, the King of Kings.

And to Him be praise for His glorious reign;
From the depths of earth to the heights of heaven
We declare the name of the Lamb once slain
Christ eternal, the King of Kings.

Christ eternal, the King of Kings.

Here is the second, by Fernando Ortega. It’s a beautiful song. Enjoy.

In John 12:27, 28 we read these words:

27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”

The soul of Jesus was troubled. He had just mentioned in 12:24 that a grain of wheat must fall and die in order to bear much fruit - a picture of his death that would bear much fruit. It is certainly understandable that Jesus’ soul would be troubled. What he was to do was take the wrath of God against the sins of His people upon Himself. It is impossible for us to fathom that weight. Yet Jesus was resolute. He knew his purpose. And he also knew that it all was for the glory of the Father. His commitment was the to will of God and the glory of God.

Where is our commitment? It is likely that many of us are troubled right now. We don't know what is going to happen today, next week, next month. It is a time of uncertainty. But what are we committed to? The Westminster Shorter Catechism’s first question and answer is this:

Question: What is man’s chief end?

Answer: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

Father - glorify Your name! May that be our chief concern in all that we face these days (and every day after this coronavirus has passed). The glory of God. And know this, pursuing the will of God will bring enjoyment. It will bring satisfaction no matter what it takes us through.

This reminds me of two passages. First, Isaiah 53:11, as it gives a picture of the work and sacrifice of the Suffering Servant - of Christ himself.

11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; 

by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, 

make many to be accounted righteous, 

and he shall bear their iniquities. 

From the anguish of His own soul He was satisfied. He accomplished the salvation of His people by His death and resurrection. He bore our sin upon Himself. Let us look to Him in everything.

And next, Hebrews 12:1,2:

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 

I’ll leave that text to speak for itself. And I’ll leave you with another Michael Card song - “A Violent Grace.”

Well, yesterday (or the day before) this video began to circulate across social media. It was started by actress Gal Gadot and it’s a mashup of different celebrities singing “Imagine” by John Lennon. Apparently it was meant to be a comfort in this time of isolation and anxiety and fear, but honestly, I can’t imagine (pardon the pun) anything worse. To sing “Imagine there’s no heaven…” is diametrically opposed to the truth that we all need to hear.

This morning one of my readings was Psalm 103.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,

who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s….

As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field;

for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.

But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting

on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, (Psalm 103:1-5, 15-17)

[Here is another song to listen to that beautifully captures this part of the Psalm]

That is the truth we need to hear. There is forgiveness. There is hope in God. Our biggest problem is not COVID-19 (as big of a problem as that is), but it’s sin and rebellion against a holy God.

Another reading was John 10 - 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” 

So, not only is there a heaven, but there is a God in heaven who sent his only Son to lay down his life for the sheep (his children) so that they could be with him in heaven for all eternity. That is the news we all need to hear.

On many mornings I pull out my guitar while I read and pray, and this morning I sang “All Must Be Well.” The words here are what someone should put out on the web and have go viral (pardon that reference too - but it’s what we say). They are a decided contrast to the whole misguided idea of “Imagine.” This is actually a song of comfort. Listen. Sing along. Rest in the truth of God’s good and gracious hand being upon his children.

Through the love of God our Savior, all will be well 
Free and changeless is His favor, all is well 
Precious is the blood that healed us 
Perfect is the grace that sealed us 
Strong the hand stretched forth to shield us 
All must be well 

Though we pass through tribulation, all will be well 
Ours is such a full salvation, all is well 
Happy still in God confiding 
Fruitful if in Christ abiding 
Steadfast through the Spirit's guiding 
All must be well 

We expect a bright tomorrow; all will be well 
Faith can sing through days of sorrow, all is well 
On our Father's love relying 
Jesus every need supplying 
Yes in living or in dying 
All must be well