Peter Misselbrook's Blog

Oct 29 2019 - Isaiah 60 – Arise, shine

In the previous chapter we read of God's determination to come to the aid of his people. He does what no one else is capable of doing: he rescues them from their captivity to sin, restores them as his people and gives them his Spirit so that they might be kept faithful to him. So the Lord calls on his people to rise up from the darkness of their despair and degradation. The light of God's salvation has penetrated their darkness and the glory of the Lord has returned to shine upon, and from, his people (v. 1). The glory of the Lord's salvation will draw other nations to leave their darkness behind and to seek the Lord for themselves (v. 3).

The following verses describe how the riches, resources and skills of the nations will be devoted to building the kingdom of God. The restored Jerusalem is spoken of in extravagant terms. It's gates will always stand open so that the wealth of the nations may be brought in (v. 11; cf. Revelation 21:25-26). Even more striking are verses 19-20:

The sun will no more be your light by day,
    nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,
for the LORD will be your everlasting light,
    and your God will be your glory.
Your sun will never set again,
    and your moon will wane no more;
the LORD will be your everlasting light,
    and your days of sorrow will end.

These verses are again echoed in the description of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21:23-24.

The restored city of Jerusalem will experience no more warfare and violence (Isaiah 59:18; cf. Isaiah 2:2-4).

This picture of God's restoration of Jerusalem was never realised in the history of Israel's return from captivity in Babylon. The reality constantly fell short of the prophetic promise – indeed, fell very far short. So the prophetic word points beyond the physical return from Babylon to the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the one who has made an end of the captivity of his people. He is the one in whom the light and glory of God's salvation has shone upon us in all its fulness. He is the one who calls a people from every nation out of their darkness into his marvellous light.

And he is the one who, at his return, will complete that work of salvation when the New Jerusalem descends from heaven clothed with glory. In that day God will live with his people and they will see his face. There shall be no more violence and God, "will wipe every tear from [the] eyes [of his people]. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (Revelation 21:4; cf. Isaiah 60:18).

Then all your people will be righteous
    and they will possess the land for ever. (Isaiah 60:21)

In that day, all God's salvation promises which are sealed to us in the Lord Jesus shall at last be fulfilled. In that day the reality will far exceed the promises and even our imagination.

The riches and glory of the nations, along with their peoples, shall find a place in the glorious kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing that we rightly value or enjoy now will be lost at Christ's return, only transformed, renewed and clothed in unimaginable glory. I look forward to the music!

Father God, our hearts long for that day when we will be made perfectly like your Son and all of creation will be sanctified and renewed. Help us to live now as citizens of the coming kingdom, that some of its glory may be seen already in our lives, relationships, work and activity. May others be drawn into the life of your kingdom through something they see in us.

Oct 29 2020 - John 1:29-51 – The Lamb of God

John the Baptiser was clear in his testimony that he had come to prepare the way for one far greater than he. So, when he saw Jesus, he pointed him out to his disciples with the words, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29, 36). John was baptising those who repented of their sin, but he could not take away their sin. Rather, he pointed people to Jesus who could do that for them.

Why did John describe Jesus as "The Lamb of God", and what would his hearers have understood by this term? No doubt their thoughts would have turned to the many sacrifices of the Old Testament. In symbol, the animals would stand in place of the sinner and suffer death in the sinner's place. But they could not take away sin, for as the writer of the Hebrews reminds us, they had to be sacrificed again and again. Maybe they might even have thought of the ram caught in a thicket that was sacrificed by Abraham in place of his son, Isaac. Abraham had confidently responded to Isaac’s question saying, “God will provide for himself the lamb … my son” (Genesis 22:8). Here, says John, is the Lamb of God’s provision.

Or perhaps John and his hearers would have thought of the Passover lamb. They would have remembered how, on that first Passover night, each Israelite family took a lamb and, having killed it, painted the blood around the doorway of their house. That night when God came down in judgment on Egypt there was a death in every household: in the Egyptian households the death of the firstborn; in the Israelite households the death of a lamb. That lamb had saved Israel from the wrath of God. This Lamb of God would do the same for the world.

Whatever pictures may have sprung to mind, the description John gives of Jesus suggests that he will give his life to save those who are worthy of judgment.

But that is not all; John also testified, “The one who sent me to baptise with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptise with the Holy Spirit’.” (1:33). John is aware that he can only baptise with water, the symbol of cleansing. But Jesus has power not only to forgive sins but also to give new life. The Spirit descended upon him that he might be able to pour out the Spirit on all those who come to him. He is able to transform the human heart and to give all who come to him the power to live a new life.

John’s words speak prophetically both of Jesus’ death and of his resurrection.

There is a redeemer, Jesus, God's own Son
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Holy One
Jesus my redeemer name above all names
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah oh, for sinners slain

Thank you oh my Father for giving us your Son
And leaving Your Spirit 'til the work on earth is done

When I stand in glory I will see his face
And there I'll serve my King forever in that holy place

Thank you oh my Father for giving us your Son
And leaving Your Spirit 'til the work on earth is done

Father God, we thank you for the Lord Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Thank you that through his death our sins are forgiven. Thank you that he who died for us is risen from the dead, ascended into heaven and has poured out his Spirit on people from every nation, background and language. Thank you that through the Spirit we share in the resurrection life of Christ. Fill us with your Spirit so that his life may flow from us to give life to those around us.

Peter Misselbrook