Everywhere

Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. (Ecclesiastes 3:16 ESV)

Everywhere

I generally do not like basketball.  I just do not enjoy it.  But at certain times of the year, basketball is unavoidable.  Basketball is everywhere.

I generally do not like Kale.  But sometimes it seems like it is everywhere, at every restaurant, in every recipe, and in every grocery store.  At times, Kale is everywhere.

I generally do not like St. Patrick’s Day.  But in March, everywhere I look is green, leprechauns, and four-leaf clovers.  The celebration is everywhere.

But despite what it seems to me, not many things are actually everywhere.

But Sin is everywhere.

We expect to see Sin in greedy banks, raunchy rock concerts, Rated-R movies, and Washington DC.  But the author of Ecclesiastes found Sin in unexpected places.  He found Sin in places usually considered righteous.

I imagine he meant the courts of Israel, the King’s palace, and the temple.

It should not have surprised him.

Because Sin is everywhere.  If we kind find a location, a people-group, an occupation, or even a hobby, that was not twisted, ruined, or tainted by Sin… that would be one part of creation, community, or locale that did not need Jesus’ atonement.

But everyone, and everything needs Jesus.

And He came to defeat Sin and Sin’s effects, everywhere.

It is prideful, inaccurate, and dangerous to ignore Sin.

But thankfully, as ‘everywhere’ as Sin is… Jesus’ atoning, redeeming, fixing work is more EverywherER!

Results

Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. (Proverbs 3:16 ESV)

Results

The first few chapters of the book of Proverbs presents Wisdom as a person.  It is a metaphor.

Unlike what the world says, Wisdom is not necessarily found in old age, experience, or common sense.  Wisdom is choosing God’s way, even when it is hard, costly, or we do not understand it.  Wisdom is submitting to God, particularly through Christ Jesus.

Of course, Christians choose God’s Way because He is amazing, loving, gracious, righteous, and good.   We choose HIS wisdom because of HIM.  Success is not the goal.  Being blessed is not the goal.  Happiness is not the goal.

But those things often come as the the result of wisdom.

Because we creatures, doing things the creator’s way, are bound to have success.  Not for success’s sake.  But because God knows what He is doing when He teaches us how to live.

Long life on the one hand… riches and honor on the other.

Of course, these hopes might merely be referring to the billions of years Christians will have in heaven.  Eternal life… heavenly riches… the honor of standing with Jesus…

But it also can happen here.   Not because of our good choices, acquired skills, or worldly wisdom.  But because of the One in whom we trust.

That is wisdom.

Complaining

Or why was I not as a hidden stillborn child, as infants who never see the light? (Job 3:16 ESV)

Complaining

Job had a lot to complain about.  Because of Satan’s accusation against Job, God allowed a series of tragedies to beset His faithful servant.  And things had become pretty bad.

Job’s complaints take an odd turn.  We usually compare ourselves to others, and find that other folk have things better than we do.

But Job actually comparing himself with other people who have suffered terribly… He particularly mentions here those poor children who were never born, never reached the outside world, never actually used their senses, never were revealed to the world.

And Job says they would have it better than him.

He did not compare himself to others’ lives of blessing, and complain they were blessed more than him.  He compared himself to the absolute worst situations he could imagine, and wishes he were like THEM, because then he would be better off.

But he comes short of wishing he were in hell.  He does not admire those people who are fully absent from the balm of God’s presence, however miniscule it might seem at present.

Because Job remains an example of faith, even with his complaints.

He is bitter.  He is confused.  He is suffering.  He has lost most hope.

But he knows that the presence of God is enough.

Elsewhere, Job writes, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him (Job 13:15 JKV).

Job’s book encourages us to honestly complain… but to realize that our hope remains in God.  Jesus did this in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Paul did this in prison.  Joseph did this in Jail.  Jeremiah did this in the cistern.

But not just because of some vague sense that God is good.  Rather, we have hope because our suffering is nothing compared to what Jesus Himself endured.  He suffered complete separation from God, so that His people will never be separated from Him. 

In a way, it would have been better for Jesus if He had never been born.

But His love for Christians ensured that He was born.  So that He could live, die, and be resurrected on our behalf.

We can pity Job.  But we can also admire and emulate his faith.  And most of all, we can cling to the same Savior he did.

Lesser Fame

After him Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, ruler of half the district of Beth-zur, repaired to a point opposite the tombs of David, as far as the artificial pool, and as far as the house of the mighty men. (Nehemiah 3:16 ESV)

Lesser Fame

I know of a man who shares my name.  He lives in the city in which I was born, and is an engineer/entrepreneur.  I have never met him, but sometimes the internet reports the business successes that “I” have accomplished!

This Nehemiah is not the Nehemiah that led the returning exiles back to Israel, and wrote the book of Nehemiah!

This lesser-known Nehemiah was a leader among the Hebrews who were not taken into captivity.  He was not exiled.  He was a governor of some kind, from near Jerusalem.  And when the well-known Nehemiah organized the rebuilding of the Temple walls, the lesser-known came to Jerusalem and worked on a section of the wall.

While I could easily get lost imagining humorous situations where one Nehemiah was near the other, and both heard their name called out… that is not the main thing of wonder in this verse.

Rather, perhaps it can remind us that we share a name with someone of greater fame.

We Christians have been given HIS name.

He is Christ, and we are lesser-known folk of the same name.  “Christians,” in fact means, “Little Christs.”

I am not sure that Nehemiah, son of Azbuk, was glad to be confused with Nehemiah, cup-bearer to the King.  No one would confuse me with Christ Jesus, though.

But Christians are becoming more like Him!  This is what sanctification is.  As we learn to love our namesake more, and as we strive to walk like Him (Not to earn His favor, but because we love Him!) we are made more Holy in God’s eyes, simply because He is holy.

And when our bodies fail, and we enter the Kingdom of God fully, we will be like Him! 

Icing

 He made chains like a necklace and put them on the tops of the pillars, and he made a hundred pomegranates and put them on the chains. (II Chronicles 3:16 ESV)

Icing

My best friend and I once rebuilt a 1965 Chevrolet Panel Truck (a sort of early suburban).  We fixed the engine.  We reran the wiring.  We fancified the interior.  We painted it (by trial and error) a deep dark blue, with waves (instead of the usual flames) of light blue.

I must say, it was pretty nice.

Then my mother crafted tiny wooden and stained glass coach lights for the interior. 

Those lights were not necessary.  The truck was beautiful without them.

But the fine detail was the icing on the cake.

The Temple in Jerusalem was beautiful.  Entire Biblical chapters are used to describe the long awaited building that represented God’s presence among His people.  The plans were amazing.  The construction was amazing.  The wood and stone were amazing.

But on this world-renown beautiful building, craftsmen made icing for the cake.

It is clear that God likes beautiful things.

And most beautiful to Him are His children.

Not because of our appearance, skills, or personality.

But because we are made in HIS image.

Through (and only through) our relationship with His beautiful Son, Christ Jesus.

The chains and pomegranates He crafts around us are often forged with tears and troubles.  They are often molded with our experiences of joy and happiness.  They are often made in a way that we do not notice them at first.

But because of your creation, God’s people are beautiful.  And since He loves beauty, He puts icing on our cake.

Author! Author!

The descendants of Jehoiakim: Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son; (I Chronicles 3:16 ESV)

Author! Author!        

To earn some much needed extra credit in high school, I attended a privately produced drama at a small theater.  I was supposed to write a review, describing what happened in the play, and what it meant.

After watching the actors perform, I had no idea what the play was about.  I did not really even know what was supposed to have happened.  It was one of those kind of plays.

The audience, at the end, applauded.  And someone, perhaps the play-write’s mom, started to call out, “Author! Author!”

And the author stood up to receive his applause… and… explained what had happened in the play!  And what it meant!

And I went home relieved.

This verse is actually debated among some scholars.  Is this a direct line of ancestry? Is this two brothers, both sons of Jehoiakim?  Are these men known by other names elsewhere in Scripture?

And in preparation to write these paragraphs, I followed a lot of rabbit trails.  Academically, historically, linguistically, so many questions arose.  It could have been confusing, discouraging, and mind-numbing.

But then I remembered the Author.

Even if I cannot at present unravel the strings and knots of this verse, I know Someone who easily does.  Even if I cannot at present understand exactly what happened in this verse, and what it means, I know Someone who easily does.  Even if I cannot at present unravel the confusion found in this brief list of names, I know Someone who easily does.

Knowing the Author makes all the difference.

In the same way, we might not understand what happened yesterday.  We might not understand what some event means.  We might not be able to see the big picture of our lives, and how we connect to all of God’s Kingdom.

Do not despair because a particular Biblical verse is confusing.  Do not despair because we do not understand, even while those around us are applauding.  Do not despair because we do not know.

We know Someone who does.   And the meaning always has something to do with Jesus!  That can let us go home in peace.

Surprising Blessings

And he said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘I will make this dry streambed full of pools.’” (II Kings 3:16 ESV)

Surprising Blessings

The King of Northern Israel sought help against the King of Moab, who had started a war against him.  That northern King sought help from the Kings of Judah and Edom.  But Moab still had the larger army, the better tactical position, and more resources.

And despite Israel’s and Judah’s unfaithfulness at that time, the Lord helped them miraculously.  Without any wind, clouds, or storm, the allied armies woke to see the ditches that Elisha had ordered them to dig, in preparation for His surprising blessing, filled with water.

And when the Moabites so the water in the morning, they mistakenly thought the water was blood from a fight amongst the allies, and jumped into battle!  And the Lord, again miraculously, gave a surprising victory over Moab.

The nations of Israel and Judah did not deserve God’s help.  The kings barely did ANY of the things we normally think are required before God sends help.  We see no humility.  We see no apology.  We see no promise to improve.

But God gives them help, blessings, and military salvation.

This should not surprise us.  Because He saves His people today the same way.  He gives us the cross long before we were even aware we needed it.  He gives us blessings before we display humility.  He changes our hearts so that we can repent, before we even know we have sinned.

God’s usual M.O. is grace.

And He showed it to the Judeans and Israelites with undeserved water and victory.

I expect there was a lot of rejoicing.  I hope there was a lot of turning again to the Lord.

But even if there was not… let US turn again to Him.  Not to receive His blessings, but because He already has given, is giving, and will give them to His people.

A True Judge

Then two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. (I Kings 3:16 ESV)

A True Judge

The law of the land, ANY land, is not separated from God and His gospel.  In this oft-quoted story of King Solomon we do not see common sense displayed, nor human fairness, nor expediency.

Instead, Solomon displayed in his judgment an awareness of the presence of sin, the consequences of sin, and the hope that all sinners have in God’s grace and mercy.  That grace and mercy are what Jesus Christ is all about.

It takes an awareness of Sin to understand grace.  It takes acknowledgement of guilt to accept forgiveness.  It takes hopelessness to appreciate hope.

A true judge judges from that perspective.

Lately, it seems our nation seeks legal expertise, the ‘correct’ political viewpoint, and soft words when evaluating a judge. 

But Solomon shows us that there is no such thing as a secular judge.

A judge is either judging on the basis of God’s law and God’s amazing gospel… or that judge is not really judging at all.

A Good King

But her husband went with her, weeping after her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go, return.” And he returned. (II Samuel 3:16 ESV)

A Good King

We need Godly national leadership.  (As well as state, county, and city…) 

This episode in II Samuel reads like an afternoon soap opera, but more terrible because it is history.

This verse describes a sorrowful effect of unGodly leadership.  God had replaced wicked King Saul with King David.  Saul did not like this, and eventually kicked David out of Israel.  Further, Saul unlawfully took back Saul’s daughter, Michal, from his rival, David.

It probably broke David’s heart.  David responded, trying to find solace and political allies by unrighteously marrying a bunch of other women, related to neighboring kings and leaders.  One unrighteousness led wrongly to more unrighteousness.

Then, when David won the civil war, he demanded to have his previous wife, Michal restored.  And General Abner, previously working for Saul and his family, agreed.  So Michal, after marriage to Phaltiel for nine years, was again ripped from a family, and returned to David.  And her husband grieved.

Unrighteousness, in kings as well as in us, leads to grief.

And Michal is now pushed into remarriage to David.  Whom she does not know anymore.  In competition with a group of women.

More sorrow.

All caused by a series of unrighteous acts by Israel’s leadership.

And this points us to our need for a true leader.  Not a king like other nations have.  Not a king who is mighty.  Not a king who we like. 

But a righteous, reliable, Godly leader.

And that is Jesus Christ… and Him alone.

Everything else will lead to a husband weeping.  Everything else will lead to a lot of grief.  Everything else will lead to disaster.

Proclaim our true King, Jesus!

Totally Present

But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” (I Samuel 3:16 ESV)

Totally Present

Sometimes we answer a call or question with an obscure, “What?”

Sometimes we answer a call or question with a vague, “Uh-huh.”

Sometimes we answer a call or question with a glance.

But Samuel says one Hebrew word.  And that word means, “I am here, attentive, focused, willing, and not distracted.”

It might be a nod towards God’s answer to Moses, “I am.”

It might be a word that honors the one who calls.

It might be a word that focusses the responder on the honor of the one (or One) calling.

But Samuel had a servant’s heart.  He said, “Here I am” to both God and Eli.  He lived his live of humble service with an attitude of, “Here I am.”

Because he was usually nowhere else.

Jesus, too, and more completely said, “Here I am.”  He said it in Gethsemane.  He showed it at His baptism.  He said it as he wept for Lazarus.

He was truly Emmanuel.  God with us. 

When you are alone, remember that Jesus says, “Here I am.”

When you see hurt, copy Samuel and Jesus by saying, “Here I am.”

Conversations

And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did you fare, my daughter?” Then she told her all that the man had done for her… (Ruth 3:16 ESV)

Conversations

I like to talk about college football.  I like to talk about Star Trek.  I like to talk about books.  I like to talk about travelling.  I like to talk about my family.

And those are ‘fine’ conversations.

Of course we do not know about every conversation that Naomi had with her daughter-in-law.  They had known each other a long time, and had travelled a long road without radio, spotify, or the internet.  So they had probably talked a lot.

But here we see a conversation that is worth copying.

They talked about salvation. 

Boaz was the Kinsman-Redeemer.  The things ‘he had done for her’ were not casual, mundane, regular things.  He was in the process of being a type of Christ, whether he knew it or not.

So Naomi was not just asking about what Ruth had for lunch, or how the gleaning went, or who she had made friends with.  Naomi was asking about salvation.

In fact, every conversation in the Bible is a conversation about salvation.  Every statement, directly or indirectly, points towards the Messiah, the Redeemer, the suffering Servant, the Savior.

And every conversation WE have gets to do that, too.

It happens a lot more readily when three things are true.  First, that we are aware of how amazing Jesus is.  Second, that we are aware of Jesus’ part in our lives.  And third, that we are not ashamed to talk about Him.

Be like Naomi and Ruth.   We can talk about the weather, traffic conditions, favorite sportsball teams, our kids, our jobs, and politics.  But when we do, we also get to talk about salvation.

Ehud's Sword

And Ehud made for himself a sword with two edges, a cubit in length, and he bound it on his right thigh under his clothes. (Judges 3:16 ESV)

Ehud’s Sword

The Bible is described in the book of Hebrews (4:12) as a two-edged sword.  As that book seems to be written with many of the Old Testament stories in mind, perhaps this is the sword that is being referenced.   If so, we can note a few things about our use of the Bible in our cultural warfare.

First, Ehud’s sword was Personal.  He did not get it from a blacksmith or sword-store.  Your Bible is personal, too.  Not because it was written by God for you particularly, but the Spirit will apply it to you, your life, your challenges, your successes.  Read it for yourself, more than you read about it.

In Ehud’s case, the sword was Hidden.  Not because he was ashamed.  But to deceive the enemy.  He did not walk around casually wielding it.  But it was there.  He was aware of that sword with every step he took.  The Word of God can be hidden for us that way, too.  Hidden in our heart (Psalm 119:10), rather than on our thigh. 

But that sword was Obvious, too.  The enemy foolishly did not examine Ehud’s intentions, robes, or gait.  The Word of God is obvious in Christians’ lives, too.  It is foundational.  It is the main source of God-knowledge.  It is right there behind every word we speak, every thought we think, every deed we do. 

But our best connection to Ehud’s Sword is our savior, Christ Jesus.  He IS the Word.  He wields the Word.  He knows the Word.  The Bible ends with a number of descriptions of our sword-wielding Savior: Revelation 2:12, 2:16, 19:15, 19:21.

Ehud’s sword is our Bible.

Repeat

…the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. (Joshua 3:16 ESV)

Repeat

Repetition can be a sign of love.  Husbands do not stop saying, “I love you,” just because they already said it once.  Parents do not stop saying, “I am here for you,” just because they already said it once.  Babies do not stop casting sweet gazes at momma just because they already did it once.

And God repeats such things, too.  Every rainbow is a promise.  Every sunset is a declaration.  Every Lord’s Supper is a rekindling.  Every worship service is a refilling.

And when the Israelites finally actually entered the Promise Land, God repeated the circumstances of the crossing of the Red Sea.  Since that dramatic moment fleeing Egypt, the Israelites had wandered.  They had been blessed. They had forgotten and had remembered.  They had been excited, and had doubted God’s power and promises. 

And just before they entered Canaan forty years earlier. Their doubt was so severe that God sent them to wander 40 more years on the outskirts of the land they had sought.

And now, as they enter, history repeated itself.  Or more accurately, God repeated Himself!

Again, they crossed waters.  Again, God separated waters.  Again, the Israelites crossed on dry ground.  Again, God used a miracle to repeat His shouted message:

“I am your God, and you are My people!”

That message repeats often, actually.  And it centers on the cross and the empty tomb.

And He repeats it because it is important.  He repeats it because it is true.

Through Christ Jesus, He repeats it to His people today.  Although without the water…

Extra

…and to the Reubenites and the Gadites I gave the territory from Gilead as far as the Valley of the Arnon, with the middle of the valley as a border, as far over as the river Jabbok, the border of the Ammonites; (Deuteronomy 3:16 ESV)

Extra

I thought the total solar eclipse would be good.  But the moments around the actual event were transcendent.  While it was not as dark as I thought, the sudden twilight was exhilarating.  The halo around the moon was bright and beautiful, and blew my mind.

More than a mild scientific understanding of what I was observing, I was astounded at the mechanical and astronomical alignment taking place above me.  I somehow felt connected to other observers nearby, observers all along the swath of darkness throughout the day, and even those in the distant past who saw and wondered at this strange event.

I thought it would be fun, interesting, and pretty.  But it was so much more.

For the Israelites entering the Promised Land, they expected territorial occupation.  God had outlined clearly which land was going to be dwelt in by Israel, via His fiat.

But they received so much more.  When they arrived near the boundary of Cannan, some of them found land, on the East of the Jordan River, that amazed them.  And God, in response, blessed them with extra land.  Not part of the original Promised Land, they were gifted by God with more territory, more land, more homes, more rest.

Our God is like that.  He promises us showers of blessings.  But He gives us more rain.  He promises us peace.  But He gives us peace that passes understanding. He promises us life.  But He gives us eternal life. 

All because of Jesus.  All because of grace.  All because of His love.

Look around and be more amazed than you thought you were.

Habit

 So Moses listed them according to the word of the Lord, as he was commanded. (Numbers 3:16 ESV)

Habit

It is unfortunate that we often perform our duties differently in different situations.  Particularly, we might work more carefully if the boss is observing.  Or we might clean our car’s interior more thoroughly before a date.  Or perhaps we are more polite to ‘important’ strangers than we are to our own family.

But not Moses.  This verse shows us what motivated Moses.  He appears to have done most things ‘as onto the Lord.’  Here we see Moses listing male Levites.  A long and tedious task, before computer programs and typewriters. 

Moses did it, though, according to the word of the Lord.  Moses did it as he was commanded.

Moses certainly messed up during his life.  He certainly sinned.  He certainly disobeyed.  Scripture describes some of those incidents, lest we think Moses was sinless.

But Moses had a habit of obedience.  Big things or little.  Significant things or insignificant.  When someone was watching, or when Moses worked alone, making lists.

That’s a good habit to cultivate.  The good news is that when we fail, Christ already paid for that failure.  The good news is that when we fail God’s love does not diminish.  The good news is that habits do not save us.

But such habits as obedience help us know God more.  I think that is why Moses had that habit.

Well Pleased

And the priest shall burn them on the altar as a food offering with a pleasing aroma. All fat is the Lord’s. (Leviticus 3:16 ESV)

Well Pleased

First, note that ‘all fat’ is referring to all the fat from the offerings.  While we moderns disdain fat as unhealthy, throughout history it has been regarded as the sweetest part of the meat.  The best part.  The part that gives the most satisfaction.

Here, the Lord is teaching the Israelites that these offerings were not intended for mankind’s joy and pleasure (although they WERE allowed to enjoy the smell of it…).  But rather, for those bringing the offerings, the pleasure was intended to be found in the knowledge of the forgiveness of sins.

The purpose of the offerings, in other words, was great, and should bring peace, joy, and enjoyment.

But the joy of the offering itself is the Lord’s.

Not only in the best portions of the sacrificed meat… but in the Sacrifice that these tiny symbolic sacrifices signified.

Christ Himself. 

The Lord is pleased with the Sacrifice of the Christ.  He knows what it purchases.  He knows what it displays. He knows what it does.

He is well pleased, you see, with our salvation through Christ’s sacrifice.

And the Lord is, as He states elsewhere, “well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17, Matthew 17:5, Matthew 17:5!)

Observing

Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt…” (Exodus 3:16 ESV)

Observing

God sees everything.  Of course He does.

We usually react to that with a bit of fear, a portion of guilt, and a lot of shame.

He saw me do THAT?  He watched me THEN? 

And God’s omniscience does indeed enable and empower our conscience.

But God also watches with eyes of justice, eyes of compassion, and eyes of understanding.

He saw the cruelty of the Egyptians.  He saw the greed of the Egyptians.  He saw the mistreatment the Egyptians gave His people.

And He did something about it.

While God watches, He also acts.

He saw Israel’s sins, and saved them.  He saw Israel’s suffering, and saved them.  He saw Israel’s needs, and saved them.

He watches us like that, too.  He sees our sins, and gave us sinless Jesus.  He sees our suffering, and gave us the suffering servant, Jesus.  He sees our needs, and gave us His Son, Jesus.

He watches… and saves.

Sin and Conflict

To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.” (Genesis 3:16 ESV)

Sin and Conflict

Conflict is so common, that it seems that it is natural.  But conflict is not natural, it is the direct result of sin. 

No, the conflict in your life does not occur because you are righteous, and your opponent is sinful.  Rather, our conflicts exist and arise because Adam, Eve, and we sin.

Sin ruined everything.

Every aspect of our existence is twisted and tainted by sin.  In this verse, God shows us that even the procreation of humanity is now painful, scary, and dangerous.   In this verse, God also shows us that even our relationships are now plagued by selfishness, chaos, and fear.

What a mess we would be in…

If it weren’t for God’s goodness.  God’s love.  God’s grace.

Adam’s sin broke everything.  Our sin keeps breaking it.  But God fixes everything.

Christ Jesus is the solution to sin, and the solution to conflict.

And He was, in a sense, the direct result of that broken childbirth system… and was born into the conflicts of human relationship.

And thereby fixed it all.  The conflicts that led to His death therefore led to our salvation.

3 16

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. (II Timothy 3:16 ESV)

3:16

And elder in the church I served repeatedly asked me to preach a sermon series on what he termed, “The 3:16’s” of the Bible.  He believed that God had placed some of His most important concepts in the sixteenth verse of the third chapter in most of the books of the Bible.

I was skeptical.

The Bible did not have chapters nor verses until very late in the story of God’s written word.  Chapters were first added in a published Bible in Wycliffe’s Bible, 1382.  Verse numbers were inserted in the Old Testament around 1448, and in the New Testament in 1551.  The Geneva Bible, later that century, was the first Bible to use both chapters and verses for both the Old and New Testaments.  It is generally believed that such were added to aid in referencing, study, and ‘following along.’

So a set of sermons based on those later divisions seemed… unnecessary.

But lately, perhaps because I am more appreciative these days of the subtlety of God’s providence, or perhaps because I am starting to see that there are no coincidences in God’s economy, or perhaps because I am simply more curious… I have been thinking that maybe Elder Ives might have been on to something.

So for the next while, let us look at the 3:16’s of the Bible.

The Holy Spirit

This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. (Acts 2:32,33 ESV)

The Holy Spirit

What an amazing time to be alive, for the disciples.  Gradually increasing their knowledge and understanding of the Messiah, personally.  They were comforted by Jesus, counseled by Jesus, taught by Jesus, and guided by Jesus.

And then He told them He would be gone.

I once lost an irreplaceable book. Not only was the book pretty good, but it had notes written in it, and signed by the author himself.  Somehow, it the kafuffle of various moves, it became lost.  And at times I have missed it, as much as one can miss an inanimate object.

But those disciples… what a loss Jesus’ death was for them.

They probably had come to understand the salvific necessity of the Messiah’s death.  They might have known from the beginning that the physical blessing of being in HIS presence would cease someday.    But now He was gone.

Jesus promised His disciples a comforter, counselor, teacher, and guide (John 14:26). Someone who would take His place in their lives.

Yes, they would be with Him in paradise.  But the second person of the Trinity, in conjunction with the first person of the Trinity, introduced them to the third person of the Trinity.

Also God, Himself.  Also comforter.  Also a counselor.  Also a teacher.  Also a guide.

And it happened because Jesus arose, and ascended to heaven.

Then the Holy Spirit came.

Our last special blessing of the Resurrection is the gift of the Spirit.