Jesus is Exalted

Last night at the Calvary Chapel Sydney prayer meeting we sang the Twila Paris song "He is Exalted."  I have always enjoyed the melody and the lyrics resonate in my heart:

He is exalted

The King is exalted on high

I will praise Him

He is exalted, forever exalted

And I will praise His name

He is the Lord

Forever His truth shall reign

Heaven and earth

Rejoice in His holy name

He is exalted

The King is exalted on high

During the time of prayer it was fitting a thread running through many of the spoken prayers was that Jesus be lifted up.  It is fitting God's people should exalt, magnify, and seek to make famous our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.  Whilst it is good for us to intentionally do this, we do not need to put undue emphasis on our role to the point it becomes an effort of the flesh.  When with our eyes we do not see people doing what we think should be done, the flesh rises up with a protest (perhaps because we too have been negligent):  "I will take it upon myself.  I will be the example.  I'll show all these lazy and sleepy Christians what it really means to live for Jesus."  This perspective is as dangerous as the careless believer whose life says, "Who cares?  If God wants to do something He'll do it with or without me.  I'm going to heaven anyway so why bother?"  The flesh cannot accomplish the works of God,  and before long our resolve will quickly erode away into disillusionment.  Firing up the flesh or coddling it is not the path to exalting our LORD.  Words or songs alone aren't enough:  we need the power of the Holy Spirit overflowing through our lives.

The Bible teaches what the song of Twila Paris joyfully exclaims:  Jesus is exalted.  God has already exalted His Son, having lifted Him up on Calvary as the Saviour of sinners.  John 3:14-16 says, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ¹⁵ that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."  After the death and resurrection of Jesus then ascended to the right hand of the Father where He lives to make intercession for all who believe.  In His humble obedience to the Father Jesus has been exalted over all as it is written in Philippians 2:9-11:  "Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Jesus was and is exalted, so therefore let us exalt Him!  God's future plans to not rely upon us any more than we caused ourselves to be born.  When we were born again by grace through faith in Jesus we needed to cooperate and be in agreement with God through repentance, and this is the humble agreement we must cultivate so Jesus Christ may be exalted in our hearts and lives first.  Revival begins with me, and if you desire revival it begins in you.  Jesus has been lifted up and has drawn all people to Himself, and let us do our part to lift Him up as well.  Praise the LORD our exalted King will help us, and nothing is too hard for Him.

The Dirty Trough Choice

As a person in charge of building maintenance at a church, Proverbs 14:4 is a verse I take to heart.  It reads, "Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; but much increase comes by the strength of an ox."  If you were a farmer, would you rather have a clean trough or the assistance of a strong animal in work?  A dirty trough may be a good trade.  In a church building it is good to strive to keep toilets clean, surfaces wiped, carpet vacuumed, and chairs aligned, but it is frankly impossible when many people are involved.  I would rather have damaged paint and stains on the carpet - because there are people enjoying serving and in fellowship with one another - than to have an clean facility free from the wear and tear of life.

Today a friend told me about a sister-in-law she had who kept her kitchen in an immaculate condition, and she was able to do so easily because she never cooked!  I like the thought of never having to clean a BBQ, oven, and especially a flat electric cook-top, but the reality is with any use these items will need regular cleaning.  Looking through old photos the other day I noticed how clean and shiny my BBQ once was on the inside, and it has been a very long time since then!  When I think of all the wonderful meals which I have enjoyed cooking and eating through its use, however, I do not regret losing the initial stainless steel shine.

The ox and dirty trough trade can be compared to the potential messiness of church life.  When we chose to follow Jesus and seek to serve Him, we can be involved in many potentially uncomfortable and unpleasant situations.  Jesus did not shy away from people some would have termed "undesirable," "unlovable." or "hopeless" - and some were men He chose to call as His disciples to follow Him!  My grandfather worked as a carpet layer for many years and and after a while chose not to have an apprentice or helper.  He said, "What's the point?  I'll have to always fix his mistakes."  We can have this view for developing leaders in church, almost preferring a clean trough because oxen require training, patience, and are expensive to feed.  It seems easier to do things on our own.  This is true in a sense, but an ox is a valuable asset which allows a farmer to be far more productive.

I am grateful God has chosen us as followers of Jesus to serve Him - though oxen might be easier and cleaner to manage!  We are the ones whose stubbornness can put that of an ox to shame.  He really loves us, doesn't He?

The One Who Succours

Much is made of Esther's uninvited approach of King Ahasuerus and for good reason.  Under the law of the Medes and Persians which could not be changed, all who approached the king without an invitation were sentenced to death - unless the king held out the golden sceptre towards the one who approached as a signal of his favour.  Queen Esther had not been called before the king for 30 days, yet after three days of prayer and fasting she drew near to the king to plead for her people.  She found favour in the sight of the king and her life was preserved because the king delighted in her.

Did you know Esther did not only approach the king once but did so a second time?  After Haman's treachery was exposed, Esther again appeared before the king uninvited.  Esther 8:3-6 states, "Now Esther spoke again to the king, fell down at his feet, and implored him with tears to counteract the evil of Haman the Agagite, and the scheme which he had devised against the Jews. ⁴ And the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose and stood before the king, ⁵ and said, "If it pleases the king, and if I have found favour in his sight and the thing seems right to the king and I am pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to revoke the letters devised by Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to annihilate the Jews who are in all the king's provinces. ⁶ For how can I endure to see the evil that will come to my people? Or how can I endure to see the destruction of my countrymen?"  The first time Esther approached the king she did so after three days of prayer and fasting, but the second time there is no mention of a period of prayerful preparation.  Her life was at stake the second time she came, but the situation was approached differently.  Gone was the formal and stately demeanour:  she fell at his the feet of the king weeping.  I do not believe she trusted God any less, but having received the favour of the king previously she was emboldened to do so a second time.

The king extending the golden sceptre to Queen Esther is a beautiful picture of how God extends grace and kindness to all people who draw near to Him in faith.  Our sin under the Law demanded death, but Jesus our LORD and Saviour shed His blood so we could be forgiven through repentance and trust in Him.  He does not offer us grace at the beginning and withdraw it on a whim, for His love remains active for us.  God will never forget to be gracious, but it is we who can neglect to draw near to Him.  It is good for us to have a sense of trepidation as we approach divine royalty, yet at the same time we can be bold like Esther the second time because He has given us access into His throne room of grace.  The truth of Hebrews 4:16 never grows old for me:  "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

God is gracious and will help those who humbly seek Him.  A word we do not often use today but is most appropriate for our need to seek the LORD is "succour" which can be used as a verb or a noun.  As a verb it means "literally, to run to, or run to support; hence, to help or relieve when in difficulty, want or distress; to assist and deliver from suffering."  Utilised as a noun "succour" means, "help; assistance; particularly, assistance that relieves and delivers from difficulty, want or distress."  When we succour God's favour, He is able to succour all who come to Him.  Our God is a Deliverer, One willing and able to help in times of trouble.  Instead of trying to help ourselves, let us seek the LORD for succour.  When we run to God for help, He runs to help us.

The Offering God Accepts

Yesterday our family read the passage which spoke of Cain and Abel and their offerings to God.  Cain was a tiller of the ground, and Abel was a keeper of sheep.  These are both useful and worthy occupations, providing great benefits for man and beast.  Out of the bounty God provided them these men chose to present an offering before the LORD.  Until this point in the Bible there had been no mention of offerings and no clear command from God what would be acceptable.

Genesis 4:3-5 reads, "And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. ⁴ Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, ⁵ but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell."  When I heard this passage discussed in my youth there was great emphasis placed on the different offerings themselves.  I have come to believe the offering itself was not as significant as the heart in the man who brought the offering.  God was not hating on Cain's fruit, nor was he partial to an offering from the flock.  God had respect unto Abel's offering because He had received faithful Abel.  The word "respect" is also translated "look."  The rejection of Cain's offering simply confirmed His rejection of Cain.

Cain was furious his sacrifice had not been looked upon favourably or received, and God graciously spoke to him.  He warned Cain that sin crouched at the door, for God knew well the bitterness and murder which percolated in him.  Cain shrugged off the words of the Almighty God, and the next thing we read is Cain killed his brother Abel in the field.  I am certain that if Cain chose to repent and humble himself after God spoke with Him, I believe his offering of firstfruits would have been received.  But because his heart was stubborn, proud, and selfish, God would receive nothing from Cain's hand.  Trees are known by their fruit, and the murder of Abel was clear outward evidence of a sinful heart only God could see before sin was fully grown.

This connection between our hearts and the offering God accepts in seen in Isaiah 66:1-2:  "Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? ² For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist," says the LORD. "But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word."  God looks for people who have broken, contrite hearts.  He searches hearts and minds to see who regards and looks to His Word.  If we will not regard Him, why should He look upon our offering or sacrifice with thanks?  Our faith is accounted to us as righteousness, and it is he who has clean hands and a pure heart who shall ascend to the LORD and stand in His holy place (Ps. 24:3-5).

This passage shows God does not receive all sacrifices, praises, or prayers offered Him.  He looks upon the heart, and it is the heart which humbly opens to Him where He will dwell.  Jesus said to the church in Laodicea in Revelation 3:20:  "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."  Jesus has offered Himself for us so we can have fellowship with one another.  Those who look to Him in faith demonstrated by obedience Jesus knows and will receive, and according to His grace their offerings are acceptable in His sight.  Until our hearts are His and purified what will He receive from our hand?