Here is a quick review of the Condensed Reformation Study Bible. Hope you enjoy.
Comfort with the Gospel
Here is a short video on comforting our brothers and sisters in Christ with the Gospel.
Blind Bartimaeus
In the Gospel of Mark, we are introduced to a particular healing of a particular man. This man must have been of some importance in the first century church because Mark chooses to include his name and conversion in his Gospel. As Jesus and his disciples are making their way into Jericho, a blind man by the name of Bartimaeus is begging along the road. This spot apparently was a good place for such a man to inquire alms from travelers. The blind were seen as cursed by God and enduring punishment for some sin or the sin of their parents (Reference John 9:1-2). With this understanding, we can see that the only way that the blind would have a hope for survival would be at the hands of a merciful passerby. Thus, we see blind Bartimaeus begging for help as people enter into Jericho.
What is so significant in this account is what Bartimaeus calls Jesus. As Bartimaeus asked who was passing by, he found out it was the very man who he had heard (seemingly) heals people. It is then we see him calling out to Jesus for help. What he calls Jesus is a direct affirmation of the deity of Christ.
“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Mark 10:47
This call is no doubt a Messianic call. Bartimaeus recognized Jesus as the promised son of David, the one who would redeem the people and usher in the everlasting kingdom (Reference 2 Samuel 7). Bartimaeus knew this was his chance to call upon the very Son of God.
As he was calling on Jesus, many demanded that he shut his mouth and stop calling, but Bartimaeus called out all the more. Jesus heard his cry and commanded Bartimaeus be brought to him. It seems here Bartimaeus was the only one who “saw” Jesus for who he truly is and called on him for mercy.
What a clear picture of a person who “sees” who he truly is and “sees” Jesus as his only hope. Jesus asks Bartimaeus what he can do for him, which is the same question he asks James and John just a few verses prior. Their request however, was not as humble as this poor Bartimaeus. Bartimaeus simply wanted to see; James and John wanted to be exalted in the Kingdom. Jesus granted this humble request from the blind beggar. Bartimaeus then leaves his life he was accustomed, and followed Jesus.
Dear reader, do you see who you truly are while seeing who Jesus truly is? He is our only hope. We are sinners and Jesus is the Savior of sinners. No other can sustain us, keep us, or save us. Christ alone is needed for our salvation. Is your voice numbered with that of Bartimaeus?
“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
SDG!
Tears on Our Bible
I am writing this to you my dear beloved brothers and sisters in an effort to encourage you to press forward towards the mark set before us. It is because of our common salvation that I feel I can speak so freely and open concerning our walk towards holiness. But I must ask this as to bring a reality to our walk in faith. Christ would have it be so.
In Hebrews we read that God disciplines those whom are his children. By the person of the Holy Spirit, we are led in holiness as we see in Romans. Yet, in Hebrews, the author goes further, “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” (Reference Hebrews 12:14 ESV).
Brothers and Sisters do we long to see the Lord? In our lives, can one see, though we stumble, we are striving toward a life of holiness? Dear one, hear the throngs of testimony as many have walked this path before us. This cloud of witnesses, with veiled face, had to pursue a life contrary to their culture and likely wept on the scrolls of scripture. Do we with open arms embrace such a life that is set apart for holiness? I ask as one who sees who he is and who he is not.
There is a road that is long narrow and straight. We must walk therein, for it is the old path that leads to life. We may walk it in tears and stumble even at some roots, but we go forward all the same. We must look to our God and Savior Jesus Christ while digging in His blessed word. Prayer should be our battle cry, the Gospel our mission. There are souls who watch and see our lives. There are many who will despise us and ask that we too veil our faces. Yet, there will be many who will see and ask if they too can have such a glow.
My dear brothers and sisters, are there tears on your Bible? Do pages stick and are crinkled? Do you see the world still in your body, and wish it dead? Do we wish to see our Lord? Walk in the path therein. Strive for peace with everyone and the holiness by which we shall see our Lord! Soli Deo Gloria!
Photo Credit: Andrew Case
No Comparison
Romans 8:18 ESV
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
As the Apostle Paul is writing to the first century believers in Rome, it is here that we see how loving Paul is. His encouragement in this verse has been just passed over with my eyes without stopping and giving full consideration many times. It is tucked so nicely in between such colossal verses as 16, 17 and 19 (obviously) that it almost falls in the shadows of their potency. Yet, once we take the time to dwell on this verse as it is given within the context of chapter 8, we see that the Holy Spirit not only bears witness with us, but encourages us. He encourages us with the hope in the face of what we face today cannot even compare with what glory will bring. It is not even on the same scale, and it seems Paul could have almost divided these truths up, but by God’s divine hand, kept them together all the same. As if to show how inconceivable it is to dwell on the trials of this life when we should be looking forward to glory with our Redeemer. This life’s trials simply do not compare. Imagine what many of our brothers and sisters face each day in their walks with Christ. They indeed face persecutions, trials, famines, tribulations, nakedness, dangers and sword; all the while remaining faithful to Christ because of his great love.[1]The love that drives them is made manifest in their lives and ours by the indwelling and leading of the Holy Spirit. We too can look at our lives and see just what we endure because of our affection for Christ. Yet, we cannot even compare these trials with the glory we will see once gathered together before the very throne of God. Therefore, my dear sibling in Christ, do not be discouraged in this life. We will see the great and grand glories of our Lord in due time. Paul recons with his readers that these sufferings in which he himself was accustomed, do not even compare to the glory of Christ. When we see him in his full majesty, even the prison from which we encourage one another will be but a blessing as it ushers our thoughts on our God and Savior. Soli Deo Gloria!
[1]Romans 8:35, ESV.
Great Gain
A short thought on what is truly great gain for the Christian. It is not the monies of this age, but the treasures of the age to come.