Exodus 17: 1-7. God is the Smitten Rock

                

 The contrast was extensive.  The nation of Israel was being formed from descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They had been slaves in Egypt for 430 years but had been redeemed by Yahweh’s victory over Pharaoh and Egyptian idolatry. The new Nation was off to the Promised Land.

            As they journeyed under Moses leadership further challenges, failures, and deliverance would fashion them. Into their National consciousness would be ‘burnt’ concepts of Yahweh. Perhaps the most powerful imagery centres upon God being ‘the Smitten Rock’. With hopes high the people marched out 0f Egypt as a triumphant army. It wasn’t too long before Pharaoh sought to reclaim them. He failed. Then this huge number of people became desperate for water. Doubt surged. Could Yahweh supply water out here in the Wilderness?

            The Lord instructed Moses to do what seemed a futile act. Go and strike the Rock. Why? The immediate reason was to satisfy the people’s thirst. The hidden purpose was to become a parable fulfilled in the promised Messiah. Later, the prophet Isaiah would add to the Nation’s understanding surrounding why the rock had to be smitten. In his teachings on the ‘suffering Servant, Isaiah said this person would be smitten by God and afflicted, (Isaiah 53:4). Why? Because He, the suffering Servant took the place of a people under their Creator’s judgement. His life was freely given. It was His choice to be their Substitute. What flowed upon the people at that later event would be the grace of forgiveness. It was vital that the rock be smitten. It remains so today. Christ crucified is our glory!

It was necessary for the rock to be struck. It was required for Jesus to be speared and crucified. Only then could all that is meant by the living waters which would flow could be realised. This was the assurance given by Jesus to the woman of Samaria Jesus in John 4:14. Jesus had also invited anyone to come to Him and receive the Holy Spirit (after the resurrection John 7:37). He who identified as ‘the Rock’ would be smitten’ at the cross of Calvary. What flowed from His side was blood and water. The blood spoke of redemption. The water, the promised gift of the Holy Spirit (John 7:38-39).

            The rock was to be struck only once. This is so important in the light of what took place nearly forty years later. The second generation of the Nation were confronted by a similar water problem as the first generation. An almost similar solution was decreed. There was one major difference as recorded in Numbers 20:1-13. Moses was to speak to the rock and the water would be released. Unfortunately for Moses, his anger towards the people was so hot it got the better of him. In disobedience to the Lord’s command, Moses struck the rock twice. The mercy of God brought forth the water for the people. The wrath of Yahweh came upon Moses for not only his anger and striking the rock but for damaging the parable, the symbolism surrounding the rock. 

In the former incident the striking of the rock pointed to Christ being crucified. The cross of Christ is a once for all time event, Hebrews 9:24-26. Now, by faith in our risen Lord we approach Him to supply our needs in the light of His sacrifice. When Moses struck the rock on this second occasion, he was actually crucifying Jesus all over again. It was for this offense Moses was debarred from leading the Nation into the Promised Land.  

The World’s view of the Cross and the crucified Christ is one of folly. The reaction of the Devil and his demons is terror and opposition. For the testimony of Heaven comes the account in in Revelation 5:1-10. There His praises are sung as the one who was slain, who lives, who redeems and who makes us a Kingdom of Priests who shall reign on earth. For us today, the crucified Christ is our Lord, our Saviour, our hope and our boast!

The Promise. God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Galatians 6:14.

The Warning. Neither is there is salvation in any other, for there is none other Name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12.

 

 

 

 

  

I wasn't at Calvary.

I wasn’t there at Calvary.

I wasn’t there at Calvary
When the redemption prophecies,
Psalm 22, Isaiah 53 became a reality.
There the Lord, the great I AM
Became the Passover Lamb.
The crucifixion scene was merciless
But one thing astounds me, I confess
The silence of Jesus to Roman brutality

Inflicted by scourging, flaying and mockery.

 

                                                                                                                           

 

I wasn’t there so couldn’t hear

The whip, the fists nor the spears

Biting deep into Christ’s sinless flesh,

No curse, no cry, no sound of bitterness

Rose from His lips, or seen in His eyes

Aimed at those with orders to crucify.

Instead, from the cross was heard

“Forgive them Father” was His cry!

Then, in love’s victory, He died!

I wasn’t there at the crucifixion,

Nor felt the disciples deep desolation,

As hopes evaporated into desperation.

But, I am able to join their celebration

When, as foretold in word and allegory,

Jesus rose from the tomb in victory

Over Satan, Death’s curse and Sin’s shame.

Now forgiveness and newness can be claimed

By all who hear, believe and yield to His Name!

©Ray Hawkins

February 2019.

 Next week...I wasn't there at the resurrection

 

 

 

 

Who is the Christ of Christmas

It is a valid point which a questioner raised. Who is the Christ you want to put back into Christmas? How do you know Him or even where to learn about Him? Certainly not from postcards or even lovely Sunday school stories (though they are often tell things about Him). Some pulpits are even dangerous in their explanation of Jesus as the Messiah. The best, safest and most interesting meeting point is the Bible’s account.

From Genesis to the Gospel there is an unveiling of the One promised and how to recognise Him when He arrives. This then leads into the challenge of making Him known to an unsympathetic world. The book of Acts and the following letters present the case for Jesus as the Son of god, the promised Saviour and the only One before whom we bow and say “my Lord and my God.”

A person either meets Jesus or misses Him through the dimension of faith in the Bible’s testimony. I like to say positive faith draws a person into Christ’s realm. Negative faith (a.k.a unbelief) locks Him out. There can be no Christmas without the reality of a person known as Jesus the Christ. There could never have been a Christmas without the event known as the cross of Calvary. There would not be this debate about His person and achievements without His personal resurrection from the tomb.  The following poem seeks to wrestle with the opening question and the choice positive or negative faith has on the outcome.

Jesus, who are you,

Friend or foe,

Beelzebub or Emmanuel,

Blasphemer or prophet,

How can we know?

The cross,

The cross will show

Who you are!

Jesus, what said the cross.

Victor or villain

Hanging in agony,

Fulfilling prophesy.

How can we know?

The tomb,

The tomb will show

Who you are!

Jesus, what said the tomb?

Conquered or conqueror,

Body decayed or glorified?

Guards, disciples know,

He's Risen!

Yes risen, and it shows

Who you are.

Jesus, what can I say

You're Emmanuel

Before whom I bow.

Now all can know

Jesus,

Jesus Christ, Saviour

Is who you are!

Now I understand who is the Christ of Christmas! He is Jesus!

Copyright Ray Hawkins Nov 26 2017.
Bethlehem's Warrior Baby is available at Christian bookshops and as an ebook.

The Devil's Love

Sound's strange doesn't it. The Devil loves? We imagine that is an impossibility, but is it? Consider the very basic elements of 'love.'  It includes delighting in something, committed to someone or thing, the pursuit of a purpose and something which arouses the emotions. All of that is what the Devil is capable of.

The difference between his love and Christ's love stems from their very nature. The Devil's is Darkness, Jesus Christ's is Light. The devil love is ego centred and depraved. Christ's love is outgoing and holy. The Devil's titles unmask his character. He hates Christ Jesus and His people. Devil means 'spoiler, destroyer.' The name Satan means adversary. He is also referred to as Apollyon, meaning destroyer and Beelzebub stands for 'Lord of the flies.' (One who breeds on vermin and decay). He is also called the Serpent and the Dragon.

As we live  in a *World under His control we should not be surprised that what he loves predominates society. In this short article only the briefest insights from Scripture can be given. The Devil loves twisting, defiling and thereby confusing **Scripture to a person's mind. Half truths and out of context quotes are his stock in trade. He has formed religious movements on this premise and the occult is his signature expression. Into Christian Denominations Satan infiltrates with his pernicious doctrines strongly stated by Jude's letter. The Devil's hatred for Israel is evident throughout history. Therefore, he will love and use those who deny Israel's right to exist, who deny God has a future for them and who deny the nation of its right to their Land.

Apollyon loves what his servants do even though he knows they are self-destructing. He enjoys seeing ruined lives and gloats over their pitiable state. At this moment as the ***'Serpent'  he is seducing many with terms such as marriage equality, transgender, evolution, power, prestige and the like, He gloats as those who call themselves Christian stand on his side to undermine God's unchanging Scriptures. Then he puts on his 'lawyer's hat' and +accuses them to the Lord God. Being a murderer from the beginning the Dragon loves to maul Christ's people and shred the Lord's written word. The Devil will love people for his purposes with a love which will demean, deprave, deny God's word, disfigure Christ and the cross and ultimately, eternally, destroy the person.

++Jesus Christ came to destroy the works of the Devil. Jesus did that at the Cross. By His resurrection power He is still doing it. The best antidote to those whom Satan loves to use to degrade, destroy and kill is the Love of Christ. We have been promised Christ's grace to trample upon and+++ bruise Satan's head. In Christ we are equipped to shatter the Devil's dark and deathly love. By the ministry of the Holy Spirit Heaven's radiance chases the Devil's darkness away. Standing confident in the Truth of God's word we unmask his lies and deceit. 


Christ's love bears the hallmark of the Cross.
Christ's love reverberates with the power of His resurrection.
Christ 's love redeems, transforms, liberates.
Christ's love brings truth, grace, cleansing and fashions you for eternal glory.
Christ's love. Now, that is real LOVE!^

Copy right Ray Hawkins 24th Sept. 2017
*1 John 5:19.   **Matthew4:6.   ***Revelation 12:9. 20:2   + Revelation 12:10.  ++ 1 John 3:8.
+++ Romans 16:20.    ^ Romans 5:8.

Dead People follow Christ.

It begins with a wrestle between wills in the spiritual equivalent of Gethsemane. Do I allow my will to die so that Christ’s will for me will prevail? The trouble is, I know when Christ prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane it lead to the cross. This is where Jesus wants to take me. Here is the implication of His invitation “Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me!” Remember Jesus’ closing words at Calvary, “Into your hands I commend my spirit!” That is what I do when I take up my cross.

In essence, this taking up of Christ’s offer of discipleship is inseparable from Salvation. Such a spiritual commitment is expressed in the drama of baptism by immersion. Unfortunately, for some, being saved and becoming a disciple are two distinct experiences. Saved but stagnant, attending services not obeying commandments; lookers not followers; absconders not learners. Such folk are alive and active in their own will but indifferent to Christ’s call.

Disciples exhibit two phrases Paul expressed. One is: “I’ve been crucified; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me with Christ, and the life which I now live, in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for mw’ (Galatians 2:20).

Second one is: ‘I die daily’ (1 Corinthians 15:31b). Can you make a list of that to which your ‘Gethsemane’ calls you, if not daily, at least sometimes?

Those verses point to this reality: To be a disciple is to take up one’s cross and follow Christ. That then implies that only those who have been crucified, therefore dead to their own sovereignty, can be disciples. It is only such ‘dead servants’ who can be fruitful to the Father (John 15:4-8).

Christian discipleship begins with a cross and ends with a crown. Death to self-will, self-importance, to self-centredness allows Christ’s love, life and liberty to take root. The path Jesus walked in His humanity He blazed for us to follow. Fortunately, He keeps us company all the way.

Take up your cross.

The Lord’s insistent command,

“The cross is waiting your hand

Should you want to come, follow me,

You need to know the touch of Calvary.”

How can I the cross define?

Unseen, yet it rules my mind.

Jesus in Gethsemane ¹ 

Portrayed the cost vividly.

There He prayed fervently

“Father, Your will be done!”  

 To carry my cross is my choice,

Faith’s obedience to His voice.

Ignore the cross, you walk alone. ²

 the Lord only chooses to own

Those who are identified

With Him, the Christ crucified.

 The cross is the Lord’s glory,

The centre of the Gospel story. ³

Christ’s life changing victory

O’er Satan, sin and death’s misery

Becomes our personal testimony

When we share His Calvary.⁴

^{1. Matthew 26:39. 2. Luke 14:27.  3. 1 Corinthians 1:18, 23-24.  4. Galatians 2:20.}

©Ray Hawkins 13 August 2017.

The explosive power of the Cross.

The name for the explosive ‘dynamite’ comes from the Greek word ‘dunamis.’ That’s some indication of how the writers of the New Testament viewed God’s power. The word is used to describe the works of Christ in healing people, neutralising Satan’s control of people and in rising from the dead.

Is that relevant to people in this century far removed from Christ’s day? As He is the unchanging Lord and His word is alive and active too, it has exciting implications. In writing to the Corinthian church the Apostle Paul explained how Christ’s power is inherent in the Cross. In what way? In the impact the message of the death, entombment and resurrection of Jesus has on people. Some stumble over it! Many think it stupid! However, for others it has a life transforming, destiny changing, relationship enriching explosive effect.

That and much, much more is wrapped up in the word salvation. When the Gospel is shared and believed it become the power of God within the believer’s life. Those things which pollute our memory, offend our conscience, cripple our self-esteem, make us fearful of death and facing God and a myriad of other things are exploded. God has dealt with them at the cross of Christ. When a person accepts that fact, personally, then the Lord’s power does an eternal make-over. The past is done away in His sight. He opens up a new era for you (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Does it last? Without a doubt. Countless the testimonies to that fact. From the New Testament the one I stand amazed at is found in 1 Timothy 1:11-17. He was a murderer, blasphemer, outwardly religious, violently arrogant. He called himself the chief of sinners. However, the grace of the Lord Jesus and the power of the cross changed him. He became the greatest of all missionaries. His testimony is that if the explosive power of the cross of Christ did that for him, it will change anyone. The condition which lights the ‘fuse.’ Hearing the message of Christ and the cross then believing it!

In his final letter before being martyred under Nero’s decree Paul wrote, he had finished the race, kept the faith and looked forward to meeting the Lord. One of his final instructions to Timothy was ‘Preach the Word!’ What word? The word of the cross is foolish to those who perish, but to those who believe it is the dynamite of God for salvation.

1.The power of the cross                                         3.The power of the cross,

Is the Word of Calvary!                                          The message from Calvary.

Promised through prophesy,                                Forgiveness now offered.

Fulfilled in history.                                                 Heaven now opened.

Unveiled, the mystery                                            Sin’s penalty now paid

Of His majesty                                                         Wrath now pacified,

            As                                                                                   By

Emmanuel,                                                               Taking our condemnation,

Son of God,                                                               Suffering our judgement,

Redeemer,                                                                 Purging our defilement,

Who was called, Jesus!                                           When they crucified Jesus!

2.The power of the cross                                       4.The power of the cross

The purpose of Calvary                                           Cancelled the shame of Calvary

Planned before creation                                         Transformed into glory

To secure our salvation,                                         That resurrection morning

Birthed in Bethlehem                                            When the angel declared,

Fulfilled in Jerusalem                                            “He is not here. He has risen”

                 As                                                                                    Now

The promised One,                                                  He is Saviour and Lord,

Suffering Servant,                                                   With a Name above all names,

Passover ‘Lamb,’                                                      Before whom all creation bows.

To be Messiah Jesus!                                              The Word of Calvary’s cross –

                                                                                                       Jesus!                 

copyright Ray Hawkins April 2017.

Jesus the Weakling.

The Amplified Bible translated 1 Corinthians 1:18, 23 and 25 concerning the crucifixion of Christ with mind hammering words. The cross is viewed and described from a sceptic’s response to what happened. ‘Sheer absurdity’ – folly – a scandal, stumbling block- absurd- utterly unphilosophical nonsense - foolish and weak.’ The believer’s response, ‘the foolish thing that has its source in God is wiser than men, and the weak thing that springs from God is stronger than men.

Last week we considered ‘was Jesus a moron?’ Today’s blog asks the question ‘How weak was Jesus to allow Himself to be crucified?’ I have tried to express it in the following poem.

                                                 My God is weak, so very, very weak!
                                                  He didn’t break away from the soldiers

Who placed the cross upon His shoulders.

My God wore their spittle and their taunts.

He must be weak to let them do such things!

My God is weak, so very, very weak!

He never fought when He was whipped.

Never threatened when He was stripped!

He stumbled, fell and the crowd laughed.

He must be weak to let them do such things!

My God is weak, so very, very weak!

No miracle to stop hammer, nail and spear,

No anger to those who screamed and sneered.

Thirsty, thorn crowned, in pain He died.

He must be weak to let them do such things!

My God is weak, so very, very weak!

I’m overwhelmed by His total weakness

When He put aside His awesome greatness

To bear my shame, judgement and death!

Can He be weak to undertake such things?

My God is weak, so very, very weak!

Lifeless, entombed, salvation’s hope dim,

Could He in weakness overcome sin?

The empty tomb declares He ‘did’ win!

Can He be weak to conquer such things?

My God is weak, so very, very weak!

Yet in His weakness I find forgiveness

In His weakness I can enjoy newness.

 My God’s weakness is true love’s greatness.

Can He be weak to achieve us such things?

My God is weak, so very, very weak!

His weakness is my celebration.

His suffering is my Salvation'

His victory is my jubilation!

Can He be weak to be all those things!

My God was ‘weak,’

For me and you

And I love Him for it!

Do you?

From my devotional ‘Captured by Calvary’ ©Ray Hawkins. Available from Christian bookshops  and as an Ebook.