In Love with the Bible

Learning to love God's Word

Past Posts

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Jesus and Suffering–Hebrews

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In Hebrews 2:10 we read that Jesus was perfected through suffering. This can raise an eyebrow. How can one who is perfect be perfected? My lexicon defines the Greek word translated “perfect” in this passage as, “bringing to an end by completing or perfecting.” This, then, explains how Jesus was perfected through suffering. His task, his purpose, what completed him, was the redemption of people, and suffering was clearly involved. The cross was painful; the separation from the Father was painful; and taking on sin (which he had never personally experienced carrying before) was painful. From other places in Hebrews where this word is used we learn a few more things. Hebrews 5:9 says that having perfected/completed his task, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him . Both Hebrews 7:19 and 10:1 tell us that the law is not able to do this, and Hebrews 9:9 affirms that gifts and sacrifices cannot do it either. But by the single offering Jesus has made, those who are being sanctified are perfected—they reach the end God desires for them (Hebrews 10:14). When we arrive in heaven we will come to the city of God where we will be with God (the judge), Jesus (the mediator of the new covenant), and the spirits of the righteous who have also been perfected/completed (Hebrews 12:22-24).

Jesus was able to bring us salvation because he was willing to suffer. He is the only way God brings sinners to himself; the only way that task can be completed. I am deeply grateful he was willing to pay such a high price for my salvation. He was motivated by love, not by my worth. I pray that his love in me would allow me to make him known to others—even if it means suffering.

Lessons from Shenandoah Hiking (with a little help from Psalm 16:11)

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My husband and I recently did a little hiking in the Shenandoah National Forest. Our hiking followed a combination of fire roads and hiking trails that were labeled “moderately strenuous.” Here’s what I noticed in comparing the roads and trails. Fire roads have been “tamed” so they can accommodate vehicles. No one would call them “good” roads, but they have been graded, there’s some width to them, and there wasn’t much along them that could trip a hiker. The fire roads moved through forest, and thus were not at all unattractive, but there was a certain monotony to them as there was little variety. The trails, however, were twisty, with many ups and downs, and strewn with rocks and tree roots that could easily cause an incautious person to trip. Sometimes you had to look around to see where the trail continued, or to figure out how to get across a muddy spot. Most of the time, we had to walk single file on the trails and we were close enough to creeks, for most of the distance, that the cheerful sound they made as they bounced down the mountain was a constant companion. When the creeks were visible, they offered a variety of scenes; waterfalls of various heights, rapids, and occasionally places with few rocks that allowed the creek to move without much visible movement or audible sound. Without a doubt, the fire roads were easier to walk, but the trails were much more fun.

The fire roads required nothing but that we continually put one foot in front of the other, while the “moderately strenuous” trails challenged us without overwhelming us. It was those very challenges that made the trails so much more interesting and fun to walk. As I was thinking about how this pertains to life, Psalm 16:11 came to mind, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” I do not believe the “path of life” will be the “path of least resistance.” A life that is too easy does not help us grow and mature, nor does it make life interesting or rewarding. I recognize that real life does not always give me a choice for how strenuous the path is, but I want to avoid making choices on the basis of how easy the path is and instead consider the path’s destination—trusting God’s grace if the path ends up being “extremely strenuous.”

Thoughts on Habakkuk

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This book reminds me of the state of the western church today. Habakkuk sees that God’s people are not really living as if they were God’s people, and he wants God to do something about it. So, God tells him the plan for dealing with the situation. Habakkuk is horrified! Maybe he thought a mild rebuke would suffice. Maybe he wanted people to change their ways without any discipline from God. He certainly did not want what God was planning! Although it is not explicitly stated, God’s defense of his plan can be summed up in three words: I am holy. God will execute justice, first for Israel and then for the nation that God uses to punish Israel. I love Habakkuk’s response when God is finished speaking: “Though the fig trees should not blossom, and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail, and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold, and there be no cattle in the stalls, yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.”

In thinking on these verses, I realized how much I want that to be my attitude to life, “I will exult in God regardless of what life brings.” But I also found myself wondering: when it actually happened, did Habakkuk follow through? I thought about how sure Peter was that he would not deny Jesus and realized there can be a big difference between what we think we will do and what we actually do. Habakkuk, unlike Peter, was confident God’s prediction was true. Consequently, he was not blindsided when God’s word was fulfilled. I’m sure that was a help, but I wonder if knowing what was coming was enough to equip Habakkuk. Would it be enough for me? Or are there things I can do today that will help me face a tough tomorrow? Am I learning to use God’s grace to exalt God in the irritations of life? To see God’s holiness when I experience injustice? Am I relying on God’s wisdom and strength for daily decisions and burdens? If not, how likely am I to be able to live this way when faced with true hardship?

Humility

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During the past year I have experienced God speaking to me about humility many times. This has happened in a variety of ways, such as: Someone appreciating “wisdom” I had spoken into their lives—that I later saw may have been wrong. Extending “help” to someone before they needed it. Reading a book that made me realize that there is a poverty of spirit that often comes from having enough material goods. There are three scriptures that God has especially used to address this issue in me.

The first passage is 1 Chronicles 29:14. The Israelites have contributed toward the future building of the temple and David says to God, “Who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from you, and from your hand we have given you.” This passage reminds me of two things:

  1. Who am I? God’s blessings on my life are far beyond what I deserve.
  2. All good things come from God. The only way I can bless anyone is by sharing God’s blessings to me.

The second one is from 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 where Paul tells the Corinthians to consider that not many of them were wise, powerful, or of noble birth. God has chosen, Paul says, what is foolish, weak, low, and despised in the world. His purpose is that no one might boast in his presence. My take away? God wants people to be impressed by him when they see what he has been able to do with me. (Oh, look, the caterpillar has become a butterfly!)

The third one is from Philippians 2:3-8. In this passage, we are called to humility and to take on Jesus’ attitude. Instead of acting out of selfishness or conceit, we are, in humility, to regard others as more important than ourselves and look out for their interests. We are then told to take on the attitude that Jesus had, who emptied himself and took on the form of a slave (by being made in the likeness of man). He was able to do this because he did not consider his equality with God as something to be grasped and was willing to be obedient, even when it meant death on the cross. This is the lesson I have taken from this passage: Jesus knew who he was. Taking on the form of a slave did not detract from who he was; it was just the form required to accomplish his mission. Knowing who I am in Christ should mean walking in freedom to love and serve others—unconcerned about how it may make me look in the eyes of others, ready to be whatever God needs me to be—that I might participate in the building of God’s kingdom.