Christ in Noah (2)

In our previous post we mentioned that Noah means "rest", and we considered the rest that can be found in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In this post we contemplate Noah and his Righteousness, and we see in this a faint preview of the perfect moral righteousness of Christ.

Noah and Righteousness

That Noah's life was in stark contrast with the world in which he lived is evident in a cursory reading of Genesis 6. Having stated that "the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (6.5), the description given of Noah is a welcome relief: "Noah was a just man" (6.9). 

The word "just" means righteous, honest, and upright. Of course, when applied to Noah, it is either used in a relative sense (that is in contrast to others upon earth), or it is used in a reckoning sense (that is, God has accounted him so on the basis of faith, see Gen 15.6), for the sad condition of the human race is that, in an absolute moral sense, "There is none righteous, no, not one" (Rom 3.10). 

However, there can be found one exception to this rule. The Lord Jesus was not merely righteous in a relative sense, as compared with other men; nor was He merely righteous as being reckoned so by God - He was absolutely, inherently, perfectly, and personally righteous. 

Of the Lord it is said, by the very Centurion responsible to oversee His crucifixion, "Certainly this was a righteous man" (Luke 23.47). Now the Lord had been crucified. He was hanging between thieves enduring the death-sentence of a criminal - yet the Centurion could not fail to see that He was "righteous". 

It is a marvellous truth to mull over. Upon earth there was a Man who was perfectly upright, honest, and sincere. His life was transparent. No matter how far back into His past a person may look, and no matter how deep down into His heart a person might probe - there was nothing shady to be discovered! He was trustworthy. No mis-step ever needed retraced, and no half-truth ever needed to be repented of. He always spoke the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. As a boy growing up He did not cheat, and He did not lie to defend Himself. As a young man He was never dishonest - there was no dodgy dealing in that carpenter's shop! No pressure would cause Him to relax His principles, for He "loved righteousness and hated iniquity" (Heb 1.9) and every choice He ever made was for good. At every stage of His life, in every circumstance of life, He walked in perfect obedience to every moral duty enshrined in the Scriptures. In doing so, He pleased the Father.

It is well that this was so! Peter emphasised just how important when he declared, "Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3.18). It was essential that He who would stand as a substitute for the sinner be perfectly sinless Himself.  Christ suffered as the righteous for the unrighteous, the holy for the unholy, the perfect for the imperfect, the sinless Son of God for sinful men. Thank God, He suffered for my sins.

"Wounded for me, wounded for me, 
There on the Cross He was wounded for me.
Gone my transgressions, and now I am free,
All because Jesus was wounded for me"

Christ in Noah (1)

It was Thomas Carlyle who said that "The history of the world is but the biography of great men". Certainly, in the Biblical record, the early history of man is told out in the biography of a few individuals. We have considered Adam, Abel, and Enoch, now we want to take a look at Noah and see how he may illustrate for us the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I want to suggest four titles for this consideration as follows:

1. Noah and Rest
2. Noah and Righteousness
3. Noah and Reputation
4. Noah and Responsibility

Noah and Rest 

The name "Noah" means rest, and, in the closing verses of Genesis 5, we have some explanation given as to why Noah received that name. Lamech called the name of his son Noah "saying 'This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed'." (5.29).

So the name Noah was given with the hope that he would give rest from "work and toil" and provide comfort in the midst of a cursed world. This subject of rest is enlarged upon in Genesis Ch 8.

In the New Testament, rest is to be found in the Lord Jesus Christ. Consider:

1. The Rest of the Saviour

The life of the Lord Jesus was certainly not a life of rest and ease. He had no rest as an infant for His life was sought after by Herod! Joseph, under instruction from the angel of the Lord, took his responsibility seriously and fled into Egypt, "and was there until the death of Herod" (Matt 2.15). He had no rest as a servant, for when a would-be disciple said "Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest", the answer of the Lord to him was "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head" (Luke 9.57-58)! It is little wonder we read of His weariness (John 4.6) and of His snatching sleep on the boat (Mark 4.38). 

When did He truly rest? The answer is found in the crucifixion record: "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost" (John 19.30). The words rendered "bowed His head" refer to a purposeful action of the Saviour, "Not the helpless dropping of the head after death, but the deliberate putting of His head into a position of rest" (W E Vine). 

So the Lord Jesus rested when His work was accomplished, and nothing more needed to be done. Just as God rested when His work of Creation was completed (Genesis 2.2), so the Lord rested when His work of Salvation was fully done (John 19.30).

2. The Rest of the Sinner

It is upon the basis of this work that the Lord offers rest to man. While the Lord did not take rest in His life, He did delight to offer rest. In Matt 11 He made an appeal to individuals: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (v28).

This rest is the gift of the Lord Jesus and is enjoyed by the sinner who comes trustingly to Christ for salvation.

Perhaps one is labouring, seeking to merit salvation by their own efforts, and they discover that it is Christ who has done all the work necessary for their salvation, He has cried "It is finished" (john 19.30), and they rest there! Perhaps another is heavy laden with a burden of sin and guilt, and they discover that Christ Himself was burdened  at Calvary, when the "LORD ... laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53.6). Realising that He is able to remove the load, they rest there! For those who know this rest, there is nothing comparable in the world.

If some labouring and burdened sinner should read these lines, my appeal is that you would "Come" to the Saviour. Leave your self-efforts behind, allow Him to lift your burden. He has promised that He will "give you rest".

3. The Rest of the Servant 

The Lord continued in Matt 11, "Take my yoke upon you and learn of me: for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (v29-30).

This rest is found in the acceptance, by the believer, of service. When an ox was placed in a yoke, it was in order that his energy be harnessed for the service of another. Thus, to willingly take a "yoke" upon us, is to voluntarily submit to the will of another. The Lord here instructs that we submit to His will, and follow in His way, to "learn of" Him. Thankfully, the Lord not only gives instruction, He is the embodiment of His teaching. The way He wants us to serve is according to His own example: "I am meek and lowly in heart" (v29).

Meekness and lowliness describe the character of the Perfect Servant, and these qualities should be characteristic of every person who seeks to serve God. Such "will find rest unto their souls". This is the "rest that one experiences in the service of Christ when he stops trying to be great" (MacDonald). 

As believers in the Lord Jesus, these verses encourage us to submit our will to His, to follow the example that He has left, to emulate the Perfect Servant, our Lord Jesus Christ.

The rest of salvation is found in appreciating the Work of Christ, and responding to His invitation to come to Him. The rest of service is found in the Will of Christ, when we realise His way is best and follow Him, no matter the cost. For those who do, we will find that His "yoke is easy", it fits well; and His "burden is light", for it is a burden shared by Him.

So, in this cursed earth, there is rest and comfort in Christ. Lamech, the father of Noah, desired rest and comfort in the midst of a world that was grievous to God, and about to be judged (Gen 6.5-7). Thank God, for us, in similar circumstances, there is perfect rest in Christ.

"On Thy pierced and bleeding breast
Thou dost bid the weary rest;
Rest there from the world’s false ways,
Rest there from its vanities.

Rest in pardon and relief,
From the load of guilt and grief,
Rest in Thy redeeming blood,
Rest in perfect peace with God.

Sin-atoning Sacrifice,
Thou art precious in mine eyes;
Thou alone my rest shall be,
Now and through eternity"

(Crowned with thorns upon the Tree; H Grattan Guinness).

Christ in Abel (2)

In our last post we considered Abel's shepherding and reminded ourselves of the "good shepherd", our Lord Jesus Christ.

Today I would like to consider Abel's sacrifice, and see how it is a preview of the sacrifice of Christ.

The Sacrifice

Abel "brought of the firstlings of his flock, and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering" (Gen 4.4)

Abel brought an offering to God which was acceptable to Him, and accepted by Him. On the other hand, "unto Cain and to his offering, [God] had not respect" (Gen 4.5). What made the difference? Why was Abel's offering acceptable, and Cain's unacceptable? Consider two facts:

1. Abel offered what God Demanded

The writer to the Hebrews confirms that it was "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain ..." (Heb 11.4).

Faith in scripture is a believing response to a God's self-revelation. It is trust in God's word. Thus Abel, in his offering, acted in response to a prior revelation of God.

It seems evident that Adam and Eve would have rehearsed in the ears of their family the events of Eden. They would have instructed Cain and Abel that disobedience is punishable by death (Gen 2.17) and that the sinner requires a substitutionary sacrifice (Gen 3.21). Abel responded to these truths trustingly - he believed God, and his offering manifested the faith that he had.

Abel sacrificed his little lamb, acknowledging God's demand that his sin be punished, and appreciating that an innocent substitute could, and would (in symbol) bear that punishment for him!

Is this not the faith that brings acceptance with God still? A person who acknowledges that they are sinful and worthy only of divine judgment, and accepts the sacrifice of Christ as sufficient payment for their sins, is accepted with God. Upon trusting Christ as their Saviour, they take Christ as their Substitute, and are thereby safe from judgment.

On the other hand, Cain ignored God's word. He did not accept that his sin was punishable by death, and he therefore did not see the need for a substitutionary sacrifice! He reasoned that what he produced would be sufficient for God to accept him. Sadly there are many who think the same today, and they will suffer the same dreadful disappointment as Cain.

It would be healthy for all of us to ask ourselves the question "Why should God allow me into heaven?". If my answer to that question is "Because of what I have done", then I am like Cain, and God will not accept me. If, however my answer is "Because of what Christ has done for me", then I am like Abel and God will accept me because my faith rests in Christ and His sacrifice alone.

2. Abel offered what God Deserved

It is also worthy of note that Abel offered "the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof". This describes the best of the animals at Abel's disposal. Abel came as a worshipper, and he offered the best to God.

In bringing the best, Abel was bringing (in symbol) what God deserves from His creatures, but never gets. Here was recognition on Abel's part, not only of God's righteous requirements in respect of sin, but also of God's glorious person.

Praise God, in the death of His Son at Calvary, God received what He demanded for man - a sufficient substitutionary sacrifice, full payment in respect of sin. However, he also received what He desired from man - complete whole-hearted devotion to Himself.

Ultimately there was only One sacrifice acceptable to God. Every Old Testament sacrifice looked forward to the "offering of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all" (Hebrews 10.10). And every Christian looks back with joy to the fact that "this man ... offered one sacrifice for sins forever" (Heb 10.12). This once-for-all sacrifice has been offered and accepted!

May we rejoice that the one who is the "good Shepherd" (John 10.11) is also the "Lamb of God" (John 1.29)! And for all those who trust Him alone, there is security: both in His shepherd care, and in His substitutionary sacrifice.

Christ in Abel (1)

Genesis Ch 4 tells the story of the first family. It is a sad story of disobedience, deception, death, and discipline. Cain and Abel were the first brothers, but their relationship is certainly not the template to follow! Cain was "of that wicked one, and slew his brother" (1 John 3.12). 

However, alongside the hatred and murder, the rebellion and judgment of Cain, the character of Abel shines brightly, and we cannot help but see that he illustrates some of the features of the Lord Jesus Christ. We will consider three subjects as follows:

1. Abel's Shepherding

2. Abel's Sacrifice

3. Abel's Slaughter 

In this post, the first of these will be considered. 

Abel's Shepherding 

Abel was a shepherd, a "keeper of sheep" (Gen 4.2). This occupation was shared by many of the great Old Testament worthies: Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and David to name but a few. 

The shepherd must guide his sheep, guard his sheep and graze his sheep. Abel directed his sheep according what was best for them, he protected them in what had become a hostile environment, and he provided the necessary diet for them.

The title "shepherd" is lifted to sublime heights by King David who wrote the well known words of Psalm 23: "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want". In that Psalm he shows how he was guided by the LORD, "He leadeth me beside still waters ... He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake"; guarded by the LORD, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me"; and how he grazed upon the LORD's provision, "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures ...He restoreth my soul ... Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies: thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over". With such care and attention lavished upon him by the LORD, David concludes "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever" (Psalm 23.1-6)

In the New Testament, this Shepherd is revealed to be none other than the Lord Jesus Himself! While, as we noted, many Old Testament saints were shepherds, the One for whom the title "good shepherd" was reserved was the Lord Jesus. In John Ch 10 He states, "I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep" (v11) and, "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine" (v14).  

Being the good shepherd, the Lord demonstrated sacrificial love for His sheep, being willing to give His life for them (v11). He also has intimate knowledge of His sheep, and they know Him (v14).

Truly blessed are those who can say honestly, as David did in Psalm 23.1, "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want". To own Jesus as Lord, and to trust Him as Saviour, is to be assured of His shepherd care through life. Is He your Shepherd? If so, you can trust Him for the plan of your life, you can rest in His protection, and delight in His provision. He has promised that every one of His sheep are eternally secure in His hand (John 10.27-30)

 

"The King of Love my Shepherd is,

Whose goodness faileth never;

I nothing lack if I am His,

And He is mine forever."

(Henry W Baker. 1821-77)

Christ in the Fall (4)

In our previous posts on Genesis 3, we have traced out the Lord Jesus as contrasted with Adam and Eve, as calling to Adam and Eve, and as conquering for Adam and Eve. Today, we see Him typified in the covering provided by the LORD God for Adam and Eve. 

The Covering 

The immediate result of the fall was that "the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked" (v7). 

From the moment when they became conscious of "good and evil" in the broadest moral sense, they knew that nakedness was unsuitable for the presence of God. A covering was required, "and they sowed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons" (v7). 

This covering showed some awareness of need, but did not properly assess God's righteousness. It did not cover them as God intended them to be covered. God intervened and "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them" (v21).

Thinly veiled under historical detail is a symbolic meaning which is expanded upon through Scripture. 

The Covering of Works

Adam and Eve were exposed before God, and they knew it. So "all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do" (Heb 4.13). With the backdrop of their disobedience, they were conscious that they were unfit for His presence. 

Thus they endeavoured to solve the problem by the application of initiative, ingenuity, and industry. They "sowed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons" (v7). However, even with this covering they were aware that they remained unfit for God's presence, for when they "heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day ... Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden". 

All of their efforts did not give peace to the conscience or assurance of acceptance. Is this not, in embryo, the problem of man-centred religion which has been perpetuated down through the centuries?  Adam and his wife must learn that nothing of man, no work or endeavour, will satisfy God's demands, or give peace to the troubled conscience. 

The Covering of Grace

However, on the principle of grace alone, another covering was soon provided. Consider:

The Source: This covering was provided by God Himself! "Unto Adam ... did the LORD God make coats of skin, and clothed them". This is most important because it was God before whom they were exposed, and His covering would meet His own requirements! It was not man's ingenuity, but God's idea. It was God's plan and not mans. 

The Sacrifice: The fact that "coats of skin" were used is the first record of the sacrifice of an animal. God had previously stated that sin would bring death (Gen 2.17), and here the death of an innocent victim, for the purpose of making the man acceptable before God, clearly indicates the inflexible character of God's righteousness. 

The Symbolism: Once again, the spiritual import of these historical details is evident. The covering required for acceptance with God is provided by God, and obtained through sacrifice. At the very dawn of humanity's existence God provided an object lesson on His intended means of salvation. 

The Son of God, sent by the Father, would come to provide salvation for the world (John 3.17). To do so He must die, suffering the punishment for our sins, dying the death we deserve. His life would voluntarily be given. He would offer "one sacrifice for sins" (Heb 10.12). More than that, His personal acceptance before God would become the acceptance of those who trust Him. "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Corinthians 5.21). Upon believing, a person is placed "in Christ", and therefore declared righteous, treated as righteous, and accepted with the same acceptance that is Christ's before God! 

"Behold a spotless Victim dies,

My surety on the tree;

The Lamb of God, the Sacrifice,

He gave Himself for me"

(Anonymous)

"So dear, so very dear to God,

More dear I cannot be;

The love wherewith He loves the Son;

Such is His love for me!"

(Catesby Paget).

Christ and His Bride

In Genesis 1 "God created man" and "male and female created He them" (v27). In Genesis 2, the Man and Woman are mentioned, and distinguished (v23). I would like to consider the relationship between man and woman, or more specifically, husband and wife, and draw some brief lessons about Christ and the Church. 

"And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him...And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.  And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man" (Gen 2.18, 21-22)

Notice: 

The Woman for the Man

It was God who saw that it was "not good that the man should be alone" and thus promised "I will make him an help meet for him". 

The woman was intended to be man's companion and complement. In Ephesians 1.22-23 we read that God has "put all things under [Christ's] feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him that fills all in all". The word "fulness" here can have the idea of completing and filling up. 

Thus, the Church, consisting of every believer of the present age who has trusted alone in Christ for salvation, is the Bride of Christ. We are "for" Him and are intended to be His companions, enjoying His company and fellowship.  "Christ is the head of the Church ..." (Eph 5.23), as such He has authority, and we should acknowledge this by obeying His Word. 

The Woman of the Man

"And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman". 

The woman was the product of man. Adam, having been put to sleep by God, produced by the power of God, his own bride, Eve. 

So Christ has produced His Bride, at the expense of His wounded side! He "hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us ..." (Eph 5.2). He "loved the church, and gave Himself for it ... " (Eph 5.25). 

The Woman unto the Man

He "brought her unto the man". Having been put to sleep, Adam was awakened to see the fruit of that sleep, his bride. So Christ will one day have presented to Himself His bride. He is going to present to Himself "a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing but ... holy and without blemish" (Eph 5.27). What a wonder for those who are saved. One day we will be face to face with the One who loved us and died for us. 

In the past, Christ died to purchase and produce His bride. In the future, He intends to present us to Himself. In the present He requires our fidelity to Him in His absence. He will soon come 'and receive us unto Himself, that where He is, there we shall be also' (see John 14). 

Christ - Perfect Man (Gen 2)

Much has been made of the two records of Creation (Genesis 1 & 2). Suffice to say here that they are complementary, rather than contradictory accounts. 

Note the following distinct aspects of mans constitution and position in these chapters:

Ch 1: His Dominion. Ch 2: His Dependence.

Ch 1: His Honour. Ch 2: His Humility. 

Ch 1: A Sovereign. Ch 2: A Servant.

Ch 1: Made in the image of God. Ch 2: Formed of the dust of the ground.

In Ch 2.7 we read that "the Lord God formed man from the dust of the earth, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul". Here the man is Dust. He is Dependent upon God. He is Distinct from the rest of creation (as signified by the divine breath). 

Is Christ to be found here? Notice:

Man is Dust. This speaks of his physical, material construction. It stresses the humility of man. When we consider the Son of God, we learn that "as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same" (Heb 2.14). This is a marvel to our souls! The creator God "became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1.14). 

Man is Dependent. How true this was of the Saviour! Prophetically, in Psalm 22 we are introduced forcibly to this fact "Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother's breasts. On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother's womb you have been my God" (v9-10 ESV). The eternally independent, self-sufficient One, became dependent man in this world. This can be traced in his prayer-life recorded in the Gospels.

Man is Distinct. When man was created, he was distinguished from the rest of the creatures by the divine breath. He is superior, unique, distinct, with a special glory. How much more is this true of Jesus, the Son of God? 

He is distinct, having entered our world, not by special creation, nor by natural generation, but by incarnation. While a real man, He is not a mere man! 

"Verily God, yet become truly human;

Lower than angels, to die in our stead.

How hast thou, long-promised seed of the woman,

Trod on the serpent and bruised his head". 

He is distinct as the only person intrinsically, perfectly, and impeccably holy. Thus, both in dominion and dependence, both in honour and humility, both as sovereign and servant, He is the Perfect Man!  

Christ - Perfect Man (Gen 1)

The 6th day of the Creation narrative includes God's words "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion ..." (Gen 1.26). 

This section reveals many truths about man as God intended him to be. He was to be God's Representative (image), he was to be God's Revealer (likeness). He was to Rule for God (have dominion). He had Responsibility to be "fruitful, and multiply" (1.28). 

These features of the 'ideal' man are seen perfectly in "the man Christ Jesus". 

As the Representative, He is the "image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation". 

The term "firstborn" refers to His rank, not His origin. He is ranked above Creation as being it's Creator (see Col 1.15-16). He represented God in His creation work. 

As the Revealer of God, the scriptures confirm that "no one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him" (John 1.18 NKJV). To see Him was to see the Father (John 14.9).

As the Ruler for God, we "see not yet all things put under him, but we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour" (Heb 2.9) and the assurance of God's Word is that "He must reign until He has put all enemies under His feet" (1 Corinthians 15.25). 

What about his Responsibility? Has He been fruitful for God? 

As to natural posterity, Isaiah records "who shall declare His generation? for He was cut off out of the land of the living" (Isaiah 53.8), but as to His spiritual progeny "He shall see His seed ... He shall see of the travail of His soul and shall be satisfied" (Isaiah 53.10-11). 

The fruitfulness of the Lord will be seen in a filled heaven. The "travail of His soul" was His suffering for our sins upon the Cross.

The human family has failed in most of these responsibilities, but One Man has been what God intended. He is "Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God" (Acts 2.22). 

Christ as Creator

The opening verse of Gods Word states that "God created the heavens and the earth" (Gen 1.1). 

In the New Testament, this creative act is linked with the Son of God. "All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made" (John 1.3).  We take a telescope and view the immensity of creation - "All things were made by Him". We take a microscope and view the intricacy of creation - "without Him was not even one thing made, that was made". 

The apostle Paul agrees. "For [in] Him were all things created ... all things were created [through] Him and for Him" (Col 1.16). Here the Son of God is viewed as the Architect ("in Him"), as the Agent ("through Him"), and as the Aim ("for Him") of creation. 

So, the Creator is the Christ, the Son of God. May we bow and worship Him. 

Christ in all the Scriptures

This blog is intended for the glory of God and the magnification of His Son Jesus Christ.

The goal is to expound "in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself" (Luke 24.27). Blog posts should be frequent but not daily.

My prayer is that, as Christians, our hearts will "burn within us" as we consider Christ in all the Scriptures.

May the Lord be pleased to use this for His own eternal glory.

David