OT Mediation --> Christ <-- NT Mediation

“That's who Jesus Christ is. He became the final Priest and the final Sacrifice. Sinless, he did not offer sacrifices for himself. Immortal, he never has to be replaced. Human, he could bear human sins. Therefore he did not offer sacrifices for himself; he offered himself as the final sacrifice. There will never be the need for another. There is one mediator between us and God. One priest. We need no other. Oh, how happy are those who draw near to God through Christ alone.”                                         -John Piper

OT Mediation --> Christ

As I was reading through Genesis as part of my read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year-plan with my college and career group, I came across this verse that just really stood out to me for several reasons. As I have been reflecting, I wanted to share some of what I have learned with you.

And Isaac went out to mediate in the field toward evening. And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, there were camels coming.
-Genesis 24:63

Even if I tried, I couldn't completely communicate 2 things: 1: How many times I have read this and missed the point. 2: How much this means when the light goes on that the point is Christ. Nonetheless, let me attempt to share and maybe, just maybe, it will make some sense to you as well.

But first, let's define mediation. Simply put, mediation is "The act of focusing one's thoughts."

In OT culture, men knew the importance of mediation for survival. Well after Isaac came David and imagine if David, as a shepherd was not focused while guarding the sheep. More than likely, his sheep would have run away or been killed, or both.

In addition, he too, would have been in great danger. Imagine if he wasn't alert and attentive to the attacks on his sheep by the wolves and bears he fought off. Had he not been focused, chances are that those consequences would have proven fatal to both the sheep and the shepherd.

But back to Isaac and the original context. It would be impossible to analyze this verse without mentioning marriage. Now I am single, so I do not know much about marriage, but I think both male and female can learn some lessons from this verse.

Reflecting Rebekah

As the saying goes, ladies first. But ultimately, the man is responsible, so this will be quick. Rebekah was rewarded for her obedience and willingness to serve (Genesis 24:19-20, 22, 60). Rebekah was also an answer to prayer for Abraham's servant (Genesis 24:15, 45).

Before we get to Isaac's action and reaction, we already see Rebekah willing to work hard and serve Abraham's servant. For both men and women, she is an example to go the extra mile without complaining because it is the right thing to do. For that, the reward comes.

Imitating Isaac

Likewise, the very first mention of Isaac here is that he was both waiting and working. He was looking forward to what was coming, but in the meantime, he was mediating. In the midst of tragedy, he still lifted up his eyes and looked forward. For that, he was rewarded with Rebekah.

Isaac did a couple of things with his eyes in this verse worth mentioning: He looked up and he looked forward. Too many guys look within themselves or at themselves to find the right girl, but Isaac didn't do that. He looked up for help and forward to the return and his reward.

Before even seeing Rebekah, Isaac was looking at what was to come, which included Rebekah, but is ultimately Christ. Here is the satisfaction of those who are single and the meaning for couples who are married--Christ conformity--and I am told it is easier single.

Christ <-- NT Mediation

While the OT portrays people as pictures of mediation pointing forward to Christ, the NT portrays people as pictures of mediation pointing back to Christ. Another way to say that is we are the imperfect reflection of the perfection of the mediation of Christ.

Mediation mandates focus. The greatest focus for both men and women, single and married, is Christ, but if you are a married man, the focus is supposed to be on your wife before yourself. This is why so many men have made a mess in maintaining marriages.

Since Adam, we have failed miserably in leadership, myself included. A good male leader protects and provides for his followers, particularly his wife. Adam didn't protect his wife, Eve, from danger. She provided him with the apple and He provided death.

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.
Romans 5:12

Thankfully though, the first Adam is a broken picture of the beautiful picture of the Second Adam, Christ. Adam failed to provide for his bride and protect from her evil, but Christ provides eternal protection from evil for His bride through His death and resurrection. 

Fact of the matter is, before we can lead, we must follow. The question is, who or what are we following? If we follow culture, we are likely to have more victims of prostitution, rape, and divorce. But if we follow Christ, we learn to lead faithfully, lovingly, and gently.

Culture tells us women are here for our pleasure, but Christ tells us we are here for their protection. Christ and culture clash, but Christ conquers. Our greatest identity is not in being a leader, but a follower and as we follow, we are equipped to lead more effectively.

It goes without saying that the world is full of boys, but there is a shortage of men. The practice for being a husband starts while you are single and sadly, here males are failing miserably, too. Isaac was working while he was waiting, but too many boys would rather do neither.

As a single guy, too many single guys (myself included) are selfish and impatient. To be honest, we'd rather live in our own way and in our own time than work and wait for God. We'd rather take the most convenient girl we can find than the one God has planned.

Roughly 80% of slaves are women. That means that out of the approximately 27 million slaves, 21 million 600,000 thousand are women. Clearly, men have failed miserably when it comes to leadership. We are supposed to protect women not use them for profit.

Again, we are a reflection of the perfection of mediation. To me, this means we need to be focused on Christ, the founder of freedom, as we fight for freedom. We look up for His help and forward to freedom with great anticipation of our reward both on this earth and for eternity.

Bottom line: OT Mediation --> Christ <-- NT Mediation. 

It all points to Christ!

Therefore He is the Mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

Hebrews 9:15

Making pens and making a difference!

Daniel Patrick

Identity --> Activity

For one thing, Mark Driscoll is much smarter than I am and I listen, look up to, and learn from him. Having said that and now that you have hopefully watched the video, the only preface to this post is that cultural thought and Biblical wisdom are not the same nor are they similar. To put it a different way, culture and Christ continually clash.

For instance, one of the more memorable quotes in Batman Begins (an awesome movie, just to be clear) is, “It’s not who you are underneath. It’s what you do that defines you.” For those of us who have seen the movie, we know and remember that quote because it proves a powerful, pivotal role in the rest of the film, but is it accurate?

Essentially, if we are defined by what we do, then we have the power and authority create our own identity. That kind of answer leads us to doubt daily. To be honest, that answer is the exact opposite of the Gospel. No amount of activity on our part can earn us salvation. In short, the Gospel is that we find our identity in Christ which leads us to activity.

What’s especially awesome about this is that God loved us despite us and the Cross is the picture we have of God the Father’s wrath poured out on Christ, His Son, and Christ’s love for the Father and for us. The Cross is when and where Christ bore our sins and God’s wrath, conquering sin. In other words, the Cross conquered sin because of Christ's sacrifice.

3 days later, we see God’s power to raise Christ from the dead, meaning Christ conquered sin on the Cross by bearing our sin and God’s wrath, but His power to conquer doesn’t cease there. In addition, Christ was raised showing God’s power over death, hell, and the grave. The Crucifixion leads to death but the Resurrection leads to life.

Baptism is a prime example of the Triune God (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit) at work and our identity being found in Christ. Growing up in Baptist Church, I’d hear the preachers say the phrase, "Buried with Christ in the likeness of His death and raised to walk in newness of life," but that ultimately goes back to Scripture itself.

We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

-Romans 6:4

Based on that, we find our identity which compels our activity. Despite various views on baptism, this verse illustrates that our identity is in Christ’s death and resurrection; we die so that Christ can live in and through us. Our old identity is lost and our new identity is our Lord Himself. This is what it means to be "Buried with Him in the likeness of His death."

But we cannot leave out the second part of that phrase lest we be left buried. God didn't leave Christ there and He doesn't leave us there, either. We are "Raised to walk in newness of life." This means that we have an appreciation that leads us to action. Before Christ, we naturally lived for ourselves, but because of Christ, we live for Christ and God’s glory.

The bottom line is: based on the death of ourselves and the life we have in Christ, we should act.

Identity --> Activity

For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

-Galatians 2:19-21

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2e5H-LSzkU

Making pens and making a difference!
Daniel Patrick

Awareness --> Action

Awareness leads to action but it all leads to adoring the Almighty, so before I begin, I want God to speak through His Word and His Spirit.

Awareness --> Action

Slavery is a bigger issue than I can wrap my heart or head around, which causes me to grieve but also to pray. Slavery is indeed gruesome, but my God is greater. So when I speak of awareness, I want to forecast that in two words: Slavery and Savior.

Having said that, the first step is worship which leads to work. One of the more than 10,000 reasons we have to worship Christ is our comfort in knowing that the Savior finished the work required for salvation. The challenge, however, is in the works we do as a result of that salvation.

Let me try to explain just a little: Christ was faithful to God in finishing the work necessary to provide salvation for those who trust in the Cross and Resurrection. Nonetheless, people around the world and across the street do not believe Christ conquered sin and death and others have not heard.

So, the work required for salvation was finished by Christ, but the works as a result of salvation are being fulfilled by Christ through us. To put it another way, the action is already completed, but what we are entrusted with is the reaction to that action and the communication of Christ to culture.

The A-21 Campaign communicated via twitter that, Before we can end slavery, every person in our nation must see the reality that slavery still exists. The first step to addressing a problem is to admit that there is a problem. Clearly, 27 million slaves and their stories is a problem.

The A-21 Campaign also tweeted that, Only 1% of victims are ever rescued. That leaves 99% who are depending on us. Take action now! http://a21.cta.gs/003 . Once we are aware of the problem, we are to act according to God's power because freedom is a priority. 

We all need to be aware of the problem, but we possess different passions which means how we act differs, but the demand is the same as we fight for freedom. Sadly, millions of stories are defined by slavery, but God writes the story and wants to use us to change the stories of captives.

Ultimately, the reason we can be used by God to change stories is that we are allowed access to the presence and power of God through Christ. Christ is the One who sets the captives free, but He uses us to point to His power. This is why we are confident in our identity but humble in our activity.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring Good News to the poor;
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
to grant those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord that He may glorified.
(Isaiah 61:1-3)

There are 7 "To's" that Christ alone accomplished in these 3 verses through His Crucifixion and Resurrection. But the response to that work needs to be communicated to cultures and God is accomplishing that through Christ in us by His Spirit according to His power.

I say all that to say this before I leave you with a heart-breaking but hope-filled story: God's people fight for freedom from physical (primarily sexual) and spiritual slavery because of His power to save slaves of sin. I know He saved me slavery of sin and is saving me from sin for sanctification.

This earthly life is a struggle but eternal life is free from slavery, free from sin, and free from struggles. To put into perspective as Tenth Avenue North likes to put it, "Hallelujah! We are free to struggle, but we're not struggling to be free" ("The Struggle").

http://www.stellasvoice.org/watch/#mg_ld_2830

Awareness --> Action but both --> Adoring the Almighty. 

And here's the really cool part: we will adore the Almighty for eternity, worshiping Him because He is Worthy based on Who He is, which is why He does what He does. Reflecting on Revelation 5 creates the reason to rejoice and worship God who is both Worthy and Holy.

Religion --> Resurrection --> Relationship

Before I really begin, I just wanted to give a few words that pretty much summarize this whole post. I have been both resting and wrestling with these simple but powerful concepts. Having said that, here we go:

Sacrifice --> Death --> Life

Religion --> Resurrection --> Relationship

Chances are, that doesn't entirely make sense yet, so please allow me to share what I have come up with thus far.

Sacrifice --> Death --> Life

As a Christian in America, I can honestly say I am blessed but also cursed because I have not endured significant suffering. Please understand that I am not wishing that I would suffer greatly, however. I just hope and pray that whatever I face, I would remember that I am frail, but my God is faithful, that though I am weak, He is strong. What never ceases to blow my mind is the knowledge that though I fail, His love never fails. Nowhere is that more brutally but beautifully demonstrated than through the Cross and Resurrection. As Paul would write:

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.

-I Corinthians 15:3-4

As believers, we are made disciples. By definition, we are learning and following Christ, which means His example is the path we pursue. What does this look like?

In the OT, God's people had to have faith in what was to come, namely Christ as Messiah who would rescue and redeem His people. For us the foundation is faith, but not in what is to come, though we do and should look forward to the rewards that are ours in Christ Jesus. While the people of the OT primarily looked forward in faith for Jesus, we are to primarily look back in faith that the prophecies were fulfilled by Christ.

I say all that to say that in the same way the OT had a sacrificial system, Christ sacrificed Himself to God's glory for His own Name's sake despite our sinful state. Sacrifices are necessary to appease God's Wrath, but Christ's sacrifice absolutely absorbed God's Wrath, ending the OT sacrificial system. Still, there is a word for us as believers about sacrifice.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the Will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:1-2

Remember that Sacrifice --> Death but Death --> Life.

Religion --> Resurrection --> Relationship

As Jesus Himself preached:

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

-Matthew 5:17-18

The OT sacrifices served as a foreshadowing of how they would be fulfilled by Christ because He is perfect. Through His sacrificial death, sins are completely atoned for and access to God is available. Therein lies the comfort but also the call to salvation and sanctification. Our bodies are where God dwells because Christ tore the curtain in two making it possible to enter into the very presence of God the Father Almighty, an honor not granted to men of faith prior to Christ, except for the High Priest, and one that we take for granted and abuse all too often.

Nonetheless, because Christ came, died, and is alive and ascended to God the Father Almighty, we not only have access, but Jesus gave us His Spirit to intercede for us (Romans 8:26-27), and Himself makes intercession on our behalf (Romans 8:33-34, Hebrews 7:25). So because of Christ's sacrifice, death and resurrection, when He calls us to salvation, our old selves are sacrificed, crucified with Christ, and dead. But the good news is when we sacrifice and die to ourselves, we experience a foretaste of the Resurrection, because as surely as Christ was raised, so will we be raised with Him forevermore.

What sets Christianity apart is not Christians themselves but Christ Himself. Religion is a great start, but if there is no relationship, it is entirely useless. Religion is all about details and duty, but the major deal with Christianity is that the details and the duty are already done by Christ. If you follow the Christian religion, it will lead you to the Resurrection and if you follow the Resurrection, it will lead you back to the Cross where the relationship with Father and Son was temporarily broken so that it could be permanently ours. Where religion failed, Christ fulfilled through the Resurrection. He was broken for us so that our broken relationship could be restored. Now, through Christ alone, we have a religion and a relationship that is all possible because of the Resurrection.

This is why I say Religion --> Resurrection and the Resurrection --> Relationship

Since then we have a Great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

-Hebrews 4:14-16

Qualified: Strengthening and Stretching

I know no other way to say things sometimes than just to say it, so here goes: The basic thesis for this is that we have been qualified, which is refreshing but also stretching. If you are not stretching, you are not fully enjoying the refreshment. Having said that, the question becomes, what is the source that refreshes and stretches?

Saul was a man who experienced the light of Christ, the love of the Father, and the boldness of the Spirit. From that encounter, everything about him changed-including his name. Saul saw God (though he was blinded physically) and by the power of God became known as Paul. By the same power, Paul journeyed and preached against Saul and for salvation. To me, his life is convicting for so many reasons.

Perhaps the most powerful though is his example of dedication and devotion. He was devoted to God's Word because God spoke to Him. His life was special, not because of himself, but despite himself. In his own power, he persecuted Christians and the church. In God's power, he proclaimed and preached for the sake of the church.

Paul was always praying and preaching because of the power He encountered and the problems he faced. We have been refreshed by Christ but are we being stretched by Christ?

"May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
-Colossians 1:11-14

When the Spirit speaks through Scripture it is heart-breaking but humility-building. It is self-executing, because it is Christ-exalting. God's Word is the sole source of strength over self but it also stretches self. Still, there is the offer of being refreshed that comes with the call to follow Christ. With that, here is a song that puts into perspective the work that is yet to be done in light of the work that Christ finished.

Called to: Eternal Home, Endure Hardships

Those of you who know me know that I am a little short-handed but love it! That being said, I remember 3 important things:

1 - God is Three in One. (Thankfully though, He is the perfection of truth while I am still tainted by the perversion of truth).
2 - Jesus is the 2nd person of the Trinity
   - My hand is a failed analogy of the Trinity but God uses imperfect things to reveal Himself.
3 - Grace (God's gift of salvation and sanctification through suffering)
   - My weakness (I still struggle with sin and the pain of pride-ask me about trucks)
   - Christ's Strength (Despite my sin, Christ suffered and saves)

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
(II Corinthians 12:8-10)

Freedom to Follow

I am blessed beyond my belief because my faith is small. Here I am claiming to follow Christ who is fully faithful and forgiving, but I am lacking in both areas all the time. I profess faith in a Father who possesses all things and gives generously, but I limit myself to myself. I still struggle with the flesh because of the Fall, failing to react to the fact that I am called to share the same faithfulness to God that He showed me-that I am commanded to forgive others as I have been forgiven.

Growing up in church, I have gained knowledge, but still lack wisdom. Allow me to attempt to explain: Knowledge is what you know while wisdom is what you do with that knowledge. In other words, wisdom is the application of knowledge. I am known by God and commanded to communicate that knowledge to others. Wisdom is the communication of knowledge, you might say. But lest you or I speak too much, here are just a couple of Scriptures that speak to this issue:

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
All those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!
-Psalm 111:10

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight."
-Proverbs 9:10

Thomas Jefferson was a brilliant mind who had a gift for writing and shared this bit of wisdom with Nathaniel Macon, "Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom." Whether or not Jefferson knew Jesus, his saying is supported by Scripture because we have to be honest that we are sinful before we can be saved; we were lost and liked it. But God (those two words are absolutely incredible) loved us while we were lost because He is faithful and forgiving.

Our fortune is not in goods but in grace. God is not faithful to us because we are perfect. Instead, He is making us perfect because He is faithful. We were freed from sin by grace and that same grace continues to free us from sin. God's saving grace rescued us from rebellion and daily delivers us from the slavery of sin. We are saved, being sanctified, but still struggling with slavery. But as Tenth Avenue North likes to say and sing:

Hallelujah! 
We are free to struggle
We're not struggling to be free

The most important thing about us is not about us; it is about Christ and our identity "In Christ."

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
-John 8:36

For freedom's sake!

P.S. GREEN=GROWTH, RED=BLOOD, BLUE=FREEDOM