Tag: uplook

By Timothy P. Hadley

A Disciple Is A Learner 
In the Bible we usually find a disciple with his teacher – living with him, following his every move and serving him however he could. The Lord Jesus had many disciples. Some were with Him only until things got tough, while others were true converts (Jn. 6:60-69). From His large group of followers, the Lord Jesus chose twelve who were also called “apostles” (Mk. 3:13-19; Mt. 10:1-2). An apostle is one who is sent with a commission or charge.

Qualifications for a man to be an apostle of Jesus Christ included having seen the risen Christ (Acts 1:22; 1 Cor. 9:1) and being specifically chosen by the Lord Jesus (Eph. 4:11). The apostles fellowshiped with the Lord until He was taken up into glory (Acts 1:21-22) – Paul was the only exception. In the strictest sense of the word, we do not have apostles today because no one can meet these qualifications.

Paul saw the risen Christ and became an eyewitness “as by one born out of due time” (1 Cor. 15:5-8 NKJV). Christ taught him for 3¹/₂ years in Arabia (Gal. 1:15-17). This apostle was personally chosen – a calling “not from men, nor through man” (vv.1,12).

Matthew 28:19-20, known as “the great commission,” records what the Lord Jesus told His disciples before He ascended to heaven: “Make disciples of all nations.” By that time He had already taught His apostles (10:1-15). He also gave instruction for future disciples (vv.16-23) and present-day disciples (vv.24-42). This includes specific direction for all who desire to follow Christ today. The Lord set forth the essence of Christian dedication – the features and cost of being a real disciple of Christ.

A Disciple Of Christ Imitates Christ 
Read Matthew 10:24-25: “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!” A true disciple becomes like his teacher in just about every way. First John 2:6 reminds us that “he who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” There are several passages in the gospel of John where the Lord gave insight into this:

• “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed” (8:31).
• “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (13:34-35).
• “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples … No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain” (15:8,15-16).

John 15 goes on to say that as we bear fruit as His disciples the world will hate us because it hated Him. This ties with what He said in Matthew 10:25, that if we are like the Lord Jesus we will begin to suffer as He did in this world. However, we should not fear while we suffer (v.26).

A Disciple Of Christ Does Not Fear The World 
The Lord Jesus reminds us three times in Matthew 10:26-31 not to fear. This is a vital key to true discipleship, challenging us with the question, “Do we fear man or reverence God?” Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.” As followers of Christ we have been given the love of God which was poured out in our hearts (Rom. 5:5), and Paul told Timothy “that we have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7). This perfect love, we are told, casts out fear (1 Jn. 4:18). So when we are enjoying His love and all that He has brought us into because of it, we receive moral courage to speak for Him in a world where He was rejected (Mt. 10:26-27). He instructs us to proclaim publicly whatever He tells us in private.

The secret to this courage is to be built up and fortified on the inside by what He whispers in our ear. As His servants our ears need to be open! In Isaiah 50 we read of the perfect servant, the Lord Jesus. He also was the perfect disciple in the sense of having “the tongue of the learned” (v.4), to speak a word in season. Notice it was not only His tongue that was affected, but His ear was open to be instructed (v.5). Moral courage comes from being in the Word of God and from the Word of God being in us!

Having moral courage leads us to physical courage. The Lord said, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Mt. 10:28). This is what gives many the strength to endure persecution and suffering. There is a cost to discipleship – a price to be paid! But the person who fears, or reverences, God alone never needs to fear man. The fear of God is the fear that cancels all other fear.

Spiritual courage (vv.29-33), a third type of courage, is taking God at His word and laying everything on the line for Him. This courage is developed by being in the Word of God – listening with open ears and having our eyes looking for the greatness of the glory of Christ on its every page.

This courage is what Stephen had in Acts 7. He was so occupied with the person of Christ that he began speaking of the God of Glory, and he ended up seeing the glory of God shining in the face of Jesus Christ. Stephen was occupied with Christ to such an extent that he had the physical courage to give His life for Him. He also had the spiritual courage to be like Christ, saying, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin” (v.60). Stephen imitated his Master and entered His presence.

A Disciple Is Valued, Cared For And Protected By God 
We saw this in the life of Stephen and see it was taught by the Lord in Matthew 10:29-31. The Lord emphasized the value of His disciples: “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.” In Luke 12:6 we read: “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God.” The point is very clear: The Lord takes notice of each one. How much more valuable are the followers of Christ! He loves us and will provide and care for us (see Mt. 6:25-26). We do not need to worry or fear.

A Disciple Confesses The Lord And Is Evaluated By Him 
There has been much confusion over Matthew 10:32-33. It is important to remember that this section is about service rather than salvation. Some people profess to be followers of Christ, but when trials come, they run. Others are false prophets and actually deny the Lord, bringing destruction on themselves (2 Pet. 2:1-2).

To confess Christ is much more than lip service; it is life service. He takes note if we live in a way that acknowledges Him. One day the Lord will evaluate each act of our service as by fire. What was truly done for the glory of Christ will be revealed (1 Cor. 3:12-15), and rewards for service will be distributed (2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:10). But if we have denied Him we will suffer loss.

A Disciple Gives Christ The Pre-eminent Place 
As we continue in Matthew 10 we hear the Lord say something that might sound very strange to us, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me” (vv.34-37). People in Christ’s day were looking for the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6; Ps. 72). They did not realize that before the glory, the Lord must be rejected and suffer on the cross (1 Pet. 1:11). The Lord began to prepare His followers early for the conflict that He would endure and which they would not be able to escape.

We must remind ourselves that the context here is about service and that the Lord is expressing the need for His disciples to give Him first place in their lives. It is also helpful for us to realize that there is a new relationship that has been established through His finished work on the cross. The Lord emphasized this in Mark 3:35: “Whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.”

The Lord Jesus was teaching that if we are going to be His disciples He must be the priority in our lives. It has often been said, “In many believers’ lives He is present. In some believers’ lives He is prominent. But the real question is this: ‘Is He pre-eminent in my life?’” All other relationships are to take second place. This really is the idea of sanctification.

“Sanctify” means to set apart or separate for a purpose. The Lord said that He “did not come to bring peace but a sword.” The sword is something that separates (Heb. 4:12). Also, one family member would be against another: “a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” The word translated “against,” which is only used here, means “to cut in two.” It has the thought of complete and often permanent separation. No one can half-heartedly serve the Lord. The Lord cannot have disciples who have a divided commitment. He said, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Lk. 9:57-62). 

A Disciple Offers His Own Life 
The disciple of Christ must put his love (Mt. 10:32-36) and his life (vv.38-39) on the altar. The love for Christ in verse 37 is the motivation for verse 38. For one to take up the cross, speaking of death, is to abandon oneself without reservation to the lordship of Christ. The Lord expanded on this thought in Matthew 16:24-25, tying it with His own cross (v.21).

For the follower of Christ, the cross is the willing sacrifice of everything one has, including life, for the sake of Christ. There is no middle ground – either we spare our lives or sacrifice them. If we protect our own interests we will be the losers; if we live for His interests we will be the winners. This might be what Paul had in mind when he wrote, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:1-2).

A Disciple Is A Blessing To Others 
A true follower of Jesus Christ is a blessing to others. This comes out in the remaining verses of Matthew 10: “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward” (vv.40-42). A person who receives the Lord’s servants also receives the Lord Jesus and the Father who sent Him (Jn. 13:20).

We learn here that anyone who receives one of the Lord’s spokesmen receives a reward. This is the unlimited grace of God. He not only rewards the prophet for his faithfulness, but He rewards anyone who receives a prophet – even giving him a prophet’s reward. He goes on to say that anyone who accepts a believer for Christ’s sake receives a reward. The Lord goes even further by saying there is a reward for “whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple” (Mt. 10:42). This term “little ones” has the thought of those who are seemingly insignificant and unimportant (consider Mt. 18:1-3, 25:31-46). 

As followers of Christ we are His ambassadors to bring others to the Lord Jesus: “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:18-21).

God loves to give. He gave the greatest gift of all: His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus! He continues to give by blessing those who have received His Son, blessing them with every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3). In fact, “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (Jas. 1:17). In a coming day the Lord Jesus will reward the faithfulness of all those who served Him and had His interests at heart. 

It is good to remind ourselves once again that this portion in Matthew 10 is speaking of discipleship, not sonship – service rather than salvation. We become children of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are His disciples as we faithfully follow and obey Him. Sonship never changes, but how we serve as disciples may. There is a great need for true and faithful disciples. Will you be among those who learn from Christ and live for Him? 

How Are Disciples Made Today? 
I have been struck by the fact that the word “disciple” is never used beyond the book of Acts. In the Epistles we see the followers of Christ referred to as Christians, brothers, saints, believers and the Church, but never as disciples. The “great commission” is never repeated in the Epistles either, although there is the command to preach the gospel (2 Tim. 4:2).

We see Paul making disciples in Acts 14:21: “And after they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch.” But Paul never instructed, commanded or exhorted anyone else to do so. Why not? Consider how these disciples were made. It was a direct result of Paul and Barnabas preaching the gospel, teaching God’s Word. In Acts this was done through a variety of ways, including discussions, debates and conversations with unbelievers. It is good to keep in mind that not all preaching and teaching is done from a pulpit. 

Teaching is emphasized repeatedly in the Epistles. Followers of Christ must be taught the Word of God – they must be learners. When Paul returned to the cities where he had preached and made disciples he appointed elders who would continue to teach the believers.

The task of an elder is crucial in the local assembly, and being able to teach is one qualification (1 Tim. 3:2). He must “hold fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may able by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict” (Ti. 1:9). As Paul was leaving Ephesus he exhorted the elders, saying, “Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves … So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:28-32). This warning describes the Church today. 

May the Lord raise up those with the features of true disciples as well as individuals in the local assembly to teach and strengthen the flock of God.

By Timothy P. Hadley

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 3:12-14 NKJV

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A post on social media that I saw recently said, “Even though there are days I wish I could change some things that happened in the past, there is a reason the rear view mirror is so small and the windshield is so big. Where you are heading is much more important than what you have left behind!”

The thought came to me, “As we travel down the road of life, where do we spend time looking the most?” As Christians, we need to keep our eyes on the Lord, “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith …” (Heb. 12:2). He is the object we should be pressing toward, realizing He has used our past experiences to bring us to this point. We are to press on – intensely endeavoring to go forward, with our eyes on Him who is the prize!

The windshield is big so we can see where we are going and not miss anything that is ahead of us. The Lord has so much in front of you to enjoy, keep reaching forward. Keep pressing ahead! The rear view mirror should only be used to remind us that the way forward is clear! Even our side mirrors are used for passing and moving forward.

Which direction are you looking? Which direction are you moving? As you fix your eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ, ask Him to help you make forward progress today!

By Leslie Grant

The eight biblical expressions we intend to consider have reference to the marvelous and immediate giving of eternal life to every soul who is born of God. Yet, each statement has its own special emphasis and significance. Without these and many more in the New Testament, we could not have a proper view of the wonder and preciousness of eternal life. May we greatly value these truths that serve to deepen in our souls a pure appreciation of the Lord Jesus and of the glory of the Father revealed in Him.

“The dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.” —John 5:25 NKJV

This Scripture and the next two deal with the soul’s reception of the great blessing of eternal life, not simply from the viewpoint of divine sovereignty, but from that of the soul’s response to the gospel. First, the spiritually dead hear the voice of the Son of God. They are not said to have life before they hear; but “those who hear will live.” The individual’s responsibility of hearing and the sovereign work of the Son of God in giving life are put together here. Wonderful it is that God has decreed that by the Word of God souls are born again (1 Pet. 1:23) and possess everlasting life (Jn. 5:24). This last verse also emphasizes hearing the voice of the Son of God and then living the life that is eternal.

“Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.” —1 John 5:1

New birth, or birth from God, certainly gives new life – the life which is of God, eternal life. New birth, in contrast to our natural birth as children of Adam, stresses the precious fact of a vital, real relationship with the eternal God as Father: “As many as received Him [the Lord Jesus], to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God (Jn. 1:12-13). Thus by new birth, the relationship of children to the Father through the Son is eternally established. How precious beyond thought! Of course this could only be possible by possessing eternal life. Notice too that personal faith is seen as a requisite, or requirement, in new birth.

“Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life.” —John 6:54

Eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of Man in a spiritual sense is an absolute necessity to the reception of eternal life. In John 5, hearing the voice of the Son of God was indispensible, now eating and drinking is insisted on in John 6. One cannot be without the other, for faith in the deity of Christ means faith also in His true Manhood, suffering and death. This eating and drinking implies taking home to the soul the truth of the gospel: the necessary death of Christ for our sins. Our verse therefore shows that the death of the Lord Jesus was an absolute necessity in order that men and women may possess eternal life. It is life vitally connected with the sufferings and death of the Son of Man, which is the very food of eternal life. In anticipation of Calvary, God could and did give eternal life before that time.

“God … made us alive together with Christ.” —Ephesians 2:5

Making alive, or quickening, is said to be by the Son (Jn. 5:21) and “with Christ” (Eph. 2:5). If new birth emphasizes relationship with the Father, quickening emphasizes the power of God in bringing life out of death. New birth does not in itself suggest that man was dead. But in his Adam-nature, corrupted by sin, man could not inherit the kingdom of God; he required a new nature from God. Quickening supposes a state of death in which divine power must work to bring life. Here, too, the resurrection of Christ is introduced, and the believer is linked with Him in such a life. It is of course the same eternal life of which we have been speaking, but it is now seen in resurrection power.

“Jesus answered them, ‘ … I give them eternal life.’” —John 10:28

In this passage it is the Son who gives life, while Romans 6:23 tells us, “The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” If new birth stresses relationship and making alive stresses power of God in bringing life out of death, these verses stress the grace of God in communicating eternal life. It is a wonderful act of divine favor apart from any merit on the part of the recipient – a gift freely given of God. It is totally God’s sovereign work: precious grace indeed!

“Partakers of the divine nature.” —2 Peter 1:4

In the same verse Peter tells us we have become partakers by His “great and precious promises.” New birth is accomplished by the Word of God, and this divine nature is identified with eternal life. It is “the life of God” (Eph. 4:18). But 2 Peter 1:4 emphasizes the blessed fact of God’s sharing with us the divine nature, that it might show itself in every godly virtue as a representation of Himself in an evil world.

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” —2 Corinthians 5:17

Each individual believer is “created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Eph. 2:10). This highlights the fact of “all things” becoming new. Because of the new creation, or by possessing eternal life, every believer is “in Christ.” Just as “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord,” so also “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” But the expression “new creation” points to an entirely new order of things that God brings into being by His creatorial power.

“ … The washing of regeneration.” —Titus 3:5

The Lord Jesus told Peter, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet” (Jn. 13:10). Hebrews 10:22 adds, “Our bodies washed with pure water.” Regeneration certainly involves new life, and, of course, that eternal life of which we are speaking. But the insistence here is upon the moral cleansing that takes place in saints of God, though sin is not eradicated. The washing of mere moral reform would not suffice. It must be the washing of regeneration: a new life must be present, or the cleansing is not cleansing at all. Thus, receiving eternal life is the “bath” that breaks the power of sin in the soul.

In Relation To Old Testament Saints 
None of these things could have been known or so expressed by saints in the Old Testament in spite of the fact that they certainly possessed eternal life, for this was not a subject of revelation at that time. The Son of God had not yet come to tell clearly of eternal life. In His coming to Israel (the sheepfold) He said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” – not a different life or different kind of life “more abundantly,” but “it more abundantly” (Jn. 10:10). Their having life actually depended on His coming, though in some true sense His saints in that day already had life, which was to be made more abundant. In grace, that life was given to them in anticipation of His coming, for they could not possibly know the vital, precious character of eternal life in all its fullness until He who is Himself the “eternal life which was with the Father … was manifested to us” (1 Jn. 1:2).

In Relation To Our Day 
We may add to this the great fact that is peculiar to our own dispensation: the blessed gift of the Holy Spirit given at Pentecost. Israel did not have the abiding character of His presence as does the Church, the body of Christ. It is His presence that is “a fountain of water spring up into everlasting life” (Jn. 4:14) and becomes “rivers of living water” flowing forth (7:37-39).

What a lesson is this for our souls! Though we are blessed infinitely and marvelously with eternal life, “the life of God,” yet this is not enough. We need God Himself dwelling in the soul by the Spirit, who makes known to us the Father and the Son in blessed reality. It is this great fact that distinguishes Christianity from every previous dispensation, enables us to understand eternal things and places us in a position apart from the world and from time.

Its Full Expression 
Eternal life itself is above and beyond all dispensations, for it is the very nature of our God and Father. It is perfectly seen in the Lord Jesus Christ in every detail of His life on earth – its purity untainted by anything through which He passed. This is the marvelous life that is communicated to every believer. At this time it exists in us side by side with the corrupted life we have received from Adam, so we cannot look within to see what that life is like. We must look simply at the Lord Jesus; there we see it in perfection!

We enter into eternal life now by faith; but in the presence of the Lord Jesus, in the eternal state, we shall enter into it in its fullest expression: every surrounding circumstance will be vibrant with that life, in contrast to today’s death and decay. In this sense, eternal life is a “promise” (1 Jn. 2:25); but it is the same life we have known in new birth. And just as natural life develops gradually, so in us the realization of eternal life gradually develops, by proper food, exercise, atmosphere and occupation. May we have grace to allow it its fullest and purest expressions through abiding in the love of Christ.

By Roger Penney

We see several father-son relationships in Scripture. It is my desire for us to consider parallels in these as we consider several points. Among the relationships I found are:

• God the Father and God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ,
• God and the first man, Adam,
• The Father and believers today, and
• Fathers and their sons and daughters.

God Is Our Heavenly Father 
We tend to think of our Father in heaven according to our experience or observations of human fathers. But no matter what our perception, the fact is God our Father, whose very nature is loving and just, only wants the best for us; and He delights in seeing us grow to be like the His Son, Jesus Christ. 

Reading the genealogy in Luke 3 we follow the ancestry of the Lord Jesus through Mary, whose husband was Joseph. The Lord is said there to be “the son of Joseph” (v.23). Concluding the list of names we read that Adam was “the son of God” (v.38). In contrast to the Lord who was the Perfect Man as presented by Luke, Adam eventually sinned – and we followed in his steps.

Learning The Fatherhood Of God 
When we become Christians we start an exciting, sometimes difficult, journey like that of children who need to learn, grow and obey. It is the best of journeys, affecting us spiritually, emotionally and intellectually. This journey begins when we first come to the Lord Jesus: God gives us a new spirit and a new heart; and the Holy Spirit begins to dwell within us (Eze. 36:24-28). But we still behave badly at times while we live on earth.

From our earthly experience we see that a truly loving father will discipline his children. Without this, boys and girls will grow up to be lawless and without self control. The writer to the Hebrews advises us, “My son despise not thou the chastening [discipline] of the Lord” (Heb. 12:5-8 KJV, consider Proverbs 3:11-12). Of course if the Fall (Gen. 3) had not occurred, then there would be no need to discipline children. Let’s consider some things from before the time that sin entered the world to see God’s desires related to His sons and daughters.

God The Designer 
The first two chapters of the Bible tell us how God designed man and intended him to be. The first thought expressed by God is “Let us make man in our image.” The “us” and “our” tells us immediately of the Trinity – the Godhead acting in unity (Gen. 1:26). Man was created by the combined and united action of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. already in that loving and eternal relationship which is the Godhead we see the plan for all healthy and wise human relationships.

God The Craftsman, Man As God’s Regent 
The word “make” in Genesis 1:26 is not the same as “create” in Genesis 1:1. Create is to bring into being through the creative will, infinite energy and word of the Creator. It is a creation, ex nihilo as the academics say – “out of nothing.” Only God can do that. The word used here and translated “make” means to make out of already existing materials.

The passage is very interesting for it goes on to say that “God created man” (v.27) – He was both created and made. This is also applied to sea creatures and flying things (vv.20-21). However, the use of the word “make” implies God’s special care and purpose. This special standing of man in the creation by God is further emphasized in Genesis 2 where we see this creative activity in finer detail.

In verses 7-8 another word, “formed,” is used. This means to mold or to sculpt; as a sculptor his model and a potter his clay. Later we see that the LORD God “formed every beast of the field and every fowl of the air and brought them to adam to see what he would call them (v.19).

What a beautiful scene: God being with and introducing Adam to the animals over whom his work is to rule with benevolence, such as God exerted over a perfect creation. He gives His son the privilege and responsibility of naming the animals. God had set man already as His regent [governor] on the earth. Adam was the “son of God” and acted on behalf of the Father as a “firstborn.” Sons and fathers should have the same relationship, with the son acting for the father in accordance to the Word of God.

The title “firstborn” and the regency was lost by Adam because of sin. But another came who was to fulfill the title and position and to “restore that which He took not away” (Ps. 69:4). The Lord Jesus is the Firstborn over all creation, the origin of life and the object of worship of angels and the Church (Col. 1:15-18; Heb. 1:6, 12:23).

In Conversation With God 
God wants us to be like His Son, the Lord Jesus, and He exhorts us through the apostle Paul: “Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate, says the Lord … and I will receive you and will be a Father to you” (2 Cor. 6:18).

The early chapters of Genesis show us the privileges we have as God’s new Creation. Immediately after the Fall, Adam and Eve “heard the voice of the LorD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day” (Gen. 3:8). God called to them. It was obviously His custom to walk and to talk with the first couple. During these visits there must have been a happy and refreshing dialogue between God and the human couple He had created – that is until sin was found in them. In loving judgment God removed them from the garden, and the closeness of this relationship was no longer enjoyed.

But in the Lord Jesus our sonship is restored and we may walk with Him. He promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). Sadly, we often fail to recognize His presence beside us. Yet if we are enjoying His companionship, the dialogue which we have with Him and He with us is a joyful pleasure!

A High Calling And Status 
In believing, we are God’s “sons and daughters” (2 Cor. 6:18) – achieved through the work of our Lord Jesus Christ and not by any efforts of our own. Now, having been born of God’s Spirit, we are exhorted to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18), taking on His likeness which is pleasing to God the Father (Jn. 3:3,5; 1 Jn. 3:2-3). As the Lord Jesus has “overcome the world,” we also may overcome the world.

God’s Husbandry 
Just as God “planted a garden, eastward in Eden” (Gen. 2:8), so we too are God’s planting, His husbandry. But, in the new Testament we see that we also become “labourers together with God” (1 Cor. 3:9). Paul wrote, “I have planted and apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (1 Cor. 3:6). We may then join in this labor of love, planting good things in God’s garden and going forth for His harvest (Jn. 4:35-38). In doing so we earn wages for life eternal. What a great privilege is ours to enter into the labor of God and share in the tasks in which He is busy. It was the Creator who planted the garden, but it was Adam who was to tend and guard it, and to “replenish the earth” (Gen. 1:28). We also, through evangelism and shepherding, help prepare a rich harvest and a beautiful garden for eternity.

A Father To Be Honored 
We must not forget Malachi’s injunction to the people of his own time, which also applies to us: “a son honours his father and a servant his master. If then I be a Father where is My honour?” (Mal. 1:6). There is much loose and frivolous talk among Christians today concerning the nature of God and of His character. also, there is often a lack of respect for one another. John reminds us, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another” (Jn. 13:13-17; 1 Jn. 4:11).

We are all part of a vast family of brothers and sisters; and there is also a Head of that family. We need to work harder in loving and in honoring all members of that family while being sure that we are honoring our Father, following in the footsteps of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer is talking to God. Does that sound hard or mysterious? Prayer should be as easy and natural for the Christian as talking to any friend. You don’t need a special language, certain words, or even to speak out loud, because God easily reads your mind (Heb. 4:12-13). We are told to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16 NKJV). Of course, we should not be careless or disrespectful in our language just as we wouldn’t be with our parents, our boss, our teachers and others whom we should respect.

The Bible speaks of some special aspects of prayer, all of which may and probably should be included whenever we “let our requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6). These are:

Prayers: (Eph. 6:18; Phil. 4:6; 1 Tim. 2:1). This is the general term used for talking to God.

Supplications: (Eph. 6:18; Phil. 4:6; 1 Tim. 2:1). Supplication has the thought of asking for mercy – imploring or respectfully begging God for a particular need that you have.

Intercessions: (1 Tim. 2:1). With intercession you pray for someone else – for a particular need of that person.

Thanksgiving: (Phil. 4:6; Col. 4:2; 1 Tim. 2:1). In thanksgiving we thank God for His kindness to us in the hundreds of things daily that we have for which to be thankful. In fact we are told, “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Th. 5:18).

Worship: (Ps. 95:6). In worship we thank God for Himself. We tell God how worthy He is. In the pattern-prayer of the Gospels (Mt. 6:9-13; Lk. 11:2-4) worship comes first: “our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name” (Mt. 6:9). All effective prayer must include worship!

It is our duty to pray. Samuel told the Israelites, “Far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you” (1 Sam. 12:23). The Lord Jesus plainly said that “men always ought to pray” (Lk. 18:1). We can’t all be great evangelists or great teachers – but we can all pray. No special gift is required!

The New Testament records several miracles that the Lord Jesus performed especially for His disciple Peter. Those miracles and their stories teach us many things because the same lessons Peter had to learn were written for our instruction today. They help us to serve our Master.

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The First Miracle – The Master’s Power And Attraction
“He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat … They caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.” —Luke 5:3,6 NKJV

By Alfred Bouter

Peter and his co-workers had the tremendous privilege of receiving a visit from the Lord Jesus, whom they had met some time before. Now He revealed Himself to them as the Master, yet kindly asking Peter to make himself and all he owned available to Him. Similarly, the Lord desires believers to become instruments for Him, “useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” (2 Tim. 2:21). Our Lord no longer walks on earth as in those days, but through His Spirit He is at work in many different ways, using His willing servants. Do we listen to Him by reading His Word and through prayer? Let’s make ourselves available to Him just as Peter did – despite his protests.

Through a great miracle the Lord sent many fish into the net and we read that “their net was breaking,” which refers to some form of failure on man’s side. How many more shortcomings there are today! Nevertheless, the Master is the Same, “yesterday, today and forever” (Heb. 13:8).

This Miracle Is The Beginning Of Happy Service 
“They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” —Luke 5:7-8 ESV

The Lord explained the parallel between catching fish and catching people (v.10). Today our Lord wants to have and use believers as His servants despite their shortcomings. The fact that the Lord used failing people made this miracle so much more noticeable; and it made Peter realize that he needed others to help him. In the Lord’s “gospel enterprise” we are at His disposal and are to help each other as co-workers, partners and co-disciples.

This great miracle made Peter aware of his lack of faith – even of sinfulness: stubbornness, selfishness and hardness of heart. All these things must be judged in the Lord’s presence and removed from our hearts and lives so He can use us. The miraculous catch caused Peter to fall down at the knees of the Lord Jesus as he was drawn to Him in an irresistible way, ready for service and worship. Peter had become willing to submit and commit himself entirely to Christ. Are we? Furthermore, the Lord knew what was in His disciple’s heart, so He did not do what Peter asked – to depart from him (v.8). Instead, the Lord said, “Fear not” or “Do not be afraid” (v.10).¹

The earlier amazement caused by the Lord’s words in the synagogue (Lk. 4:36) had not brought anyone to his knees before the Lord, but here Peter fell down at Christ’s knees, giving Him homage and worship. Peter had been made ready for the Lord to use him and his boat, and now the Lord could prepare him for yet another service – catching people. In Acts 2, on the day of Pentecost, Peter brought 3,000 souls into the net of the gospel. At that time the net did not break, neither did the ship sink! Today, still, the Lord desires us to be His devoted servants.

The Second Miracle – Peter’s Mother-In-Law Healed 
“Immediately He left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told Him about her. And He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.” —Mark 1:29-31

The healing of Peter’s mother-in-law was the second miracle the Lord performed for the benefit of His disciple – of great significance to Peter and a lesson for us as well. In the privacy of the home the disciples brought this need to the Lord’s attention even though He already knew it. This shows how important it is to bring our needs to the Lord immediately or “straightway” – a keyword in Mark. We are to go right away to Him, not trying to find remedies according to our own thinking first.

The feverish condition of Simon’s mother-in-law reminds us of the overly active Simon himself: a lot of “heat” or “energy” but without any results for God – she was just lying there. How much activity, purpose-driven or not, is taking place in our days in the Christian profession? But are there any results for God? Without relying on our own efforts, may we turn to the Lord, what He thinks and teaches, counting on what He can do. 

Taking Simon’s mother-in-law by the hand, in His grace and compassion the Lord identified with the great need. The One in whom there is no sin – who knew no sin, who did no sin, being apart from sin – went and took her by the hand. Then, in His power He raised her up “and immediately the fever left her” (v.31 NKJV). How wonderful! As a result of this intervention by the perfect Servant, Peter’s mother-in-law became a useful servant, for we read that “she served them” (Mk. 1:31). Matthew, which presents Christ as the King, records that “she served Him” (8:15). The energetic Peter needed the object lesson provided through this miracle – and so do we. Before leaving His disciples the Lord Jesus told them that all power had been given to Him and that He would be with them all the days to the end of the age (Mt. 28:20). Also today, in His compassion and grace the Lord is with us, working from heaven to help, heal and guide.

The Third Miracle – Peter Walks On The Water 
“Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” —Matthew 14:28-31 ESV

This account describes the third miracle performed especially for Peter, as he learned to appreciate who the Lord really was. After having taken care of the multitudes and their needs through the miracle of multiplying the five loaves and two fish, Jesus withdrew that evening to the mountain to pray. The disciples, however, were by themselves throughout the night on the raging sea – but the Lord did not forget them. He had seen their toil and came to them walking on the stormy water! 

Peter responded to the Lord’s majesty that He displayed when approaching His disciples, “If it is You …” Recognizing Christ’s power and greatness as King, which is Matthew’s distinct theme, Peter responded in faith by asking the Lord to have him walk on the water. Peter relied on Him against all worldly odds. It took great faith to leave the security of the boat behind and start walking on the water, but it was toward the Master. It is like going forth “to Him, outside the camp” (Heb. 13:13).

So far, so good – but as soon as Peter’s focus shifted from the Lord to the waves and the wind, he began to sink. Then, again in faith, he called on the Lord just as we are encouraged to do: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble” (Ps. 50:15). Peter’s soul was already saved, but now he needed the Lord’s salvation in a different way – and the Lord answered him without delay. He identified with Peter’s need and rescued him. All believers must go through this kind of experience, learning to trust Him alone without any doubt. The Lord Jesus Himself was marked by a complete trust in God (Ps. 16:1). Today it is up to us to follow Him through calm or storm, confiding in Him. In a soon coming day the Jewish remnant will have similar experiences, learning to put their trust in the rejected Messiah. 

The Fourth Miracle – “For Me And For You” 
“When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?” And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for Me and for yourself.” —Matthew 17:24-27

Peter needed to learn how great the Lord is – that He cannot be put inside the box of human thinking. He understood that the Lord Jesus did not have to pay the temple tax because He was the King, the Son of God (Ps. 2). Yet there was another lesson for Peter. As a faithful Jew the Lord Jesus always kept the requirements of the Mosaic Law – not the man-made traditions. Even though Christ had the privilege not to pay the temple tax because He is the Son, He used great liberty and did pay for He did not want to cause any offense or reason for stumbling. In His grace the Lord first put Himself on Peter’s level and in his needs; but then He lifted Peter up to His own level when He said, “Give to them for Me and you” (Mt. 17:27). The Lord displayed His greatness, showing His omniscience and omnipresence when speaking to Peter and His omnipotence when providing the needed money.

Because of sin, the first Adam lost his power over the animal kingdom. But the last Adam, our Lord Jesus Christ, demonstrated His power in a miraculous way, as described by Matthew. Peter had something to do as well, taking a hook and not a net as this fisherman was used to, and he obeyed. The Lord rewarded Peter’s faith and obedience, for the very first fish he caught had a stater [a piece of money] in its mouth – a four-drachma coin, which was the exact amount for two persons’ temple tax: “for Me and you”! This miracle is only described in Matthew – presenting the King who is not ashamed to call us His brethren, placing us on His level (Heb. 2:10-11). 

The Fifth Miracle – Malchus’ Ear Restored 
“Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear.” —John 18:10 
“But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And He touched his ear and healed him.” —Luke 22:50 
“So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given Me?” —John 18:11

During the night after His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, the Lord Jesus was arrested. While this was taking place Peter, obviously with the best intentions, wanted to defend his Master. Many believe that as long as you are sincere in whatever you are doing, it should be “OK.” Peter’s action, although sincere, was not correct at all! Before this happened Peter had forcefully protested when the Lord had predicted His coming sufferings and Jesus had had to rebuke him. Now in the Garden it seems that Peter still had not learned his lesson. We are no better. These things have been written for our instruction and we learn a lot from the fifth miracle that the Lord performed to help Peter.

Only Luke, the physician, records how Jesus healed Malchus, restoring his ear that Peter had cut off – and this while Christ was being taken into custody. Otherwise, Peter surely would have been arrested as well. After Christ’s declaration of the accomplished work on the cross, followed by His death, resurrection and exaltation in heaven, Peter came to understand what the Lord had taught. Now he was ready to explain to the crowd in Jerusalem that God’s program, predicted in many Old Testament writings, had to be fulfilled (Acts 2:22-23) just as the Lord had told him (Mt. 26:54).

Taking up the sword, Peter in his zeal had been a stumbling block to the Lord and he would have caused himself great trouble as well if the Lord had not healed the servant. “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword’” (Mt. 26:52). In Church history this command has not been obeyed, resulting in dreadful consequences. “Do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once send Me more than twelve legions of angels?” (v.53). Peter still had to learn to submit fully to God’s thoughts, which are higher than man’s thoughts (Isa. 55:8-9). The enemy wants us to take things into our own hands instead of leaving them in God’s. The miracle of the healing of Malchus’ ear, which the Lord performed for Peter’s benefit, teaches this lesson to us.

The Sixth Miracle – For Peter’s Sake After Christ’s Resurrection 
“So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish.” —John 21:11-13

This sixth miracle performed for Peter’s sake took place the third time Christ manifested Himself to His disciples during the 40 days between His resurrection and ascension. It provided the context for Peter’s restoration after he denied his Master.² When his co-disciple John understood and said, “It is the Lord” (v.7), Peter jumped into the water to go to Him as fast as he could; and then they all saw that Christ had already prepared everything for a meal. This proved that the Lord did not need their help, but He wanted them to be involved. Likewise, the Lord does not need us but He likes to involve us, working with Him. Peter understood and hauled the net, full of large fish, to the shore (v.11). The net did not break, in contrast to what had happened after the first miracle.

On the basis of Christ’s death and resurrection, a new foundation has been laid and in this setting the Lord wants His own to get involved and work with Him. There is no room for distrust, lack of confidence, criticism, hindrance or failure. Peter therefore needed to be publicly restored before He could strengthen his brethren (Lk. 22:32) and have a public ministry for the Lord. It is striking that the Lord used a meal – “come and dine” (Jn. 21:12) – as the context for Peter’s restoration. It reminds us of Paul’s instructions that each one must judge or examine himself “and so eat” (1 Cor. 11:28).

Peter’s Public Restoration 
“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” and he said to Him, “Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.” —John 21:15-17

The miracle described in John’s gospel that took place after the Lord’s resurrection (vv.6-13) provided the background for the final part of Peter’s restoration. The Lord had restored the personal relationship with His disciple and now He brought him back into full fellowship with the other disciples. Putting his trust in himself Peter once claimed that he would never deny the Lord (Mt. 26:33-35) – but with such self-confidence he had to fail. The Lord did not set His disciple aside, rather He brought him back and helped him to really put his trust in Him. John 21 puts special emphasis on what the Lord prepared; He had done everything that was needed. There was room still for Peter to do some work, to draw the net for example. These details show a remarkable balance between God’s work on the one hand and man’s responsibility and involvement on the other. 

In a simple yet profound way, by the three questions He asked Peter, the Lord completely restored His disciple. Before denying the Lord, Peter seemed to think that he was better than the other disciples. Now in the presence of the Lord and his co-disciples he learned to judge himself completely and put his trust entirely in Him. On this basis the Lord entrusted to Peter special shepherd care – not lording it over the sheep (1 Pet. 5:3), but feeding and leading them according to their needs and for God’s glory. No doubt the restored Peter would agree with David’s prayer, “Search me, O God” (Ps. 139:23). We all need this attitude and prayer to stay close to the Lord. 

The Seventh Miracle – The Glorified Lord Sent His Angel 
“Peter was … kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, ‘Arise quickly!’ And his chains fell off his hands.” —Acts 12:5-7 NKJV

The seventh miracle that the Lord performed in relation to Peter’s needs was through His direct intervention from heaven – as He still does during the age of grace. The Lord sent “an angel of the Lord” because during the age of grace God sends angels³ to serve the believers (Heb. 1:14). Though in prison, the always active Peter was resting, fully trusting the Lord who had told him that his service would continue until his old age (Jn. 21:18-19). Peter knew, therefore, that the time for him to die had not yet come, so he was able to sleep even though he knew King Herod had ordered his execution for the following day.

The Jewish Passover had caused a lapse of time between Peter’s arrest and his execution as planned by Herod and this delay provided time for the believers to pray earnestly for Peter’s release. Without a doubt, God heard those prayers. Acts 12:8-17 provides more details about Peter’s miraculous deliverance, the praying assembly at John Mark’s mother’s home, Peter’s visit and the believers’ surprise in seeing him again. 

Concluding Remarks 
The seven miracles the Lord performed for His disciple Peter equipped him to be used as an instrument, sanctified (set apart), fit for the Master’s use and prepared for all good work (2 Tim. 2:21). The Lord also worked miracles through Peter, using him as His instrument. Several incidents in Acts substantiate this point in much more detail. 

Can the Lord use you and me to be His instruments today? May we echo the words of the hymn writer: “Make me a blessing to someone today!” (Ira B. Wilson, 1880-1950).

END NOTES: 
1. The specific verb form used in the Greek text – me phobou – occurs seven times in Luke’s writings (Lk. 1:13,30, 5:10, 8:50, 12:32; Acts 19:9, 27:24). 
2. In His grace the Lord performed seven actions for Peter’s restoration. Before Peter’s denial they were Christ’s prayer (Lk. 22:32), warning (v.31) and counsel (v.46); then, right after Peter’s denial we see His look (v. 61). After Christ’s resurrection (Mk. 16:7) He had a message for Peter that was followed by His private interview with him (Lk. 24:34; 1 Cor. 15:5). The seventh part of the full restoration took place in the presence of the other disciples, as described in John 21:15-17. Also, the sixth miracle that the Lord performed for Peter (vv.11-13) is the third one that was linked with fish (see the first and fourth miracles). 
3. It is not clear whether this refers to “the Angel of the Lord” as known in the Old Testament. If so, it would be quite striking that the Lord in heaven, as the glorified Man, sent an angel who is the Angel of the Lord (the LORD Himself).

“Except the grain of wheat falling into the ground die, it abides alone; but if it die, it bears much fruit.” —John 12:24 KJV

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By Grant Steidl

At first glance these words of our Lord seem to be a strange answer to give to people who simply wanted to see Him. What did He mean by them? As He continued speaking an amazing message began to emerge – one that has rung down the ages with an unchanging tone. It is this: All that is for God results from death.

The Lord Himself was that grain of wheat who fell into the ground and died so He might not abide alone. His finished work at Calvary’s cross has already produced an abundant eternal harvest. Even now He is bringing many sons to glory who will be eternally conformed to His image – just as the grains of wheat on a stalk resemble the seed that died to produce them.

But more, these grains of wheat which result from the death of Christ must likewise fall into the ground and die if they are to bear fruit for God. Having learned that Christ died for them, they must further learn that they have died with Him – and are risen with Him to walk in newness of life. Then they will begin to experience what it means to keep their lives by hating them (v.25). Perhaps a little story will help.

Many years ago a party of British sailors landed on a frozen northerly island and accidentally set it on fire. Its stunted scrub brush quickly went up in flames. It seemed a shame that the island should lose what little vegetation it had. But that isn’t the end of the story. Years later the island was found to be covered with beautiful silver birches. Their seeds had sprouted through the warmth of the fire. The death of the old made possible the growth and display of the new.

So when we allow our scrubby natural life to go up in smoke, fruit springing out of death shall be seen in our lives. What a worthwhile exchange!