Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 09 May
2012
Hi all,
Christianity is a paradox. In
order to win you must lose. The way up is the way down. To be the greatest you
must be the least. In order to get you must give. In order to have life you
must first die! These are well known generalities. Today’s meditation touches
on the paradox of fearing Him and being with Him. It’s how it is for me!
Blessings
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
Time with Jesus – Wednesday, 09 May 2012
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INTRODUCTION
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DAILY
LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES
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PARADOX
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Today
we look at one of the great paradoxes of Christianity. So let’s begin by
looking at one of the definitions of the word “paradox”: a statement, proposition, or situation that seems to be
absurd or contradictory, but in fact is or may be true. The paradox in
this instance is how each of us should feel in the manifest presence of the
Lord Jesus Christ.
The
Bible seems to be consistent regarding this. Every Bible character we know who
comes into the presence of God feels overwhelmed. Abram is no exception.
1 When Abram was 99 years old, the LORD appeared to him.
He said, "I am the Mighty God. Walk with me and live without any blame.
2 I will now put into practice my covenant
between me and you. I will greatly increase your numbers." 3
Abram fell with his face to the ground. Genesis 17:1-3 NIrV John Gill’s commentary
states: At the sight of so glorious a
Person that appeared to him, and in reverence of his majesty, and as sensible
of his unworthiness of such a visit, and of having such favours bestowed upon
him.
Falling
flat, face down on the ground seems to be the action of those who’ve had the
privilege of what we call a “Christophany” – An appearance of Jesus Christ
before or after Calvary; all have reacted similarly. Peter the apostle is not
recorded as having fallen face downward. But as it states in Luke; 8
When Simon Peter realized what had happened; he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, "Oh, Lord, please leave me--I'm too much
of a sinner to be around You." Luke
5:8 NLT, so his experience was similar to Abram’s.
Isaiah
was similarly affected. 5 "Woe to
me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a
people of unclean lips, and my eyes have
seen the King, the LORD Almighty." Isaiah
6:5 TNIV
Saul/Paul
had an almost identical experience. He fell to the ground and the brightness
of the Lord blinded him.
John
the Apostle; the one who had leaned back onto the chest of Jesus; the one
called “The disciple whom Jesus Loved” did much the same. We think John was
Jesus’ favourite. Even so, John fell face down when Jesus appeared to Him.
His manifest presence does this to mortal men.
Today’s
meditation explores this. The paradox is wanting to run away while being drawn
to the Lord.
I
suppose it could be called a lose/lose situation. Whatever I do is the wrong
thing. I can’t leave because of my love for Him and His love for me. I can’t
stay because his absolute purity scares me spit-less. So what do I do? I really
don’t know. What would you do?
Jim and Phyllida Strickland
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20 But he said to them, "It
is I; do not be afraid."
John
6:20 ESV
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead.
Then he put his right hand on me and said, "Do not be afraid. I am the
First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One. I
was dead. But look! I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys to
Death and Hell.
Revelation
1:17-18 NIrV
25 "But I, yes I, am the one who takes care of your
sins--that's what I do. I don't keep a list of your sins.
Isaiah
43:25 MSG
5 So I said, "Oh, no! I'm doomed. Every word
that passes through my lips is sinful. I live among people with sinful lips. I have seen the king, the LORD of Armies!"
6 Then one of the angels flew to me. In his
hand was a burning coal that he had taken from the altar with tongs. 7 He touched my mouth with it and said, "This has
touched your lips. Your guilt has been taken away, and your sin has been
forgiven."
Isaiah
6:5-7 GW
22 I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered
your offences like the morning mist. Oh, return to Me, for I have paid the
price to set you free."
Isaiah
44:22 NLT
1 My dear
children, I'm writing this to you so that you will not sin. But suppose someone does sin. Then we have one who
speaks to the Father for us. He stands up for us. He is Jesus Christ, the
Blameless One.
1
John 2:1 NIrV
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If Jesus stood before you, how do you
think you’d feel?
Put your arms around Him and hug Him
with great zeal?
I wish that I could say that. He’s
said He is my friend.
But it is much more likely; my knees
would shake and bend.
I know that Jesus loves me. Of that
there is no doubt.
But when I stand before Him. He’s
everything - I’m nowt.
He’s the One Who’s known me since
before the world was made.
The One Who speaks and His command is
instantly obeyed.
The One who formed the universe when
there was nothing there;
Designed the “Laws of Nature” in
detail and with care;
Made the law of gravity; He fixed the
speed of light;
The sun to rule the daytime, the moon
to rule by night.
He fashioned all the galaxies and put
each one in place;
Planned the” Laws of Motion” and made
both time and space!
His infinite ability, the power of His
lips.
He only has to glance at me and I have
had my chips!
How can I not feel humbled the instant
He appears?
He knows when I was “started”. He’s
numbered all my years.
I think I’d do what John did – fall at
His feet as dead.
He fills me with abundant joy and just
a tinge of dread.
How do we cope with someone who is the
King of Kings?
What do we say to someone who flies on
eagle’s wings?
What is the first reaction when Jesus
Christ draws near?
Peter knew exactly, a sense of
reverent fear,
Came up and overwhelmed Him. “Don’t come too close to me.
For Lord, I am a sinful man and your
bright purity
Is now so overwhelming I think I’ll
surely die.
So don’t come any closer”; would also be my cry!
And yet there is a paradox. I want to
know Him more.
I’d want to stay just where I am and
worship and adore,
The one who means far more to me than
I will ever know.
Master what a privilege to let me love
You so!
Have mercy Lord, I need You. Please
don’t send me away!
Although I know I have no right to
come to you and stay.
O Lord, how do I handle this? I want
to stay and leave.
To stay intimidates me. But I cannot
conceive,
A life that is without You. Please
don’t cast me away.
How do I face this paradox confronting
me each day?
Jim Strickland Written 9th
May 2012
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