“For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.”
Hebrews 2:11-12
The Bible teaches that God is infinitely great (Psalm 48:1; Hebrews 6:13). He is the eternal, uncreated Creator of all else that exists (Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:15-17). He is all-powerful (Psalm 135:5-6, Job 42:2), all-knowing (Psalm 139:1-4), and everywhere present (Psalm 139:5-8). The Scriptures also declare Him to be holy (Leviticus 11:44-45; Psalm 86:2), just (Isaiah 45:21; Zephaniah 3:5), loving (1 John 4:8), merciful (Ephesians 2:4), generous (Acts 14:14-17), kind (Luke 6:35) and truthful (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18). The psalmist’s inspired praise mirrors our own heart position: “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable . . . men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness” (Psalm 145:3,6). Our God is transcendent; His thoughts and His ways are infinitely above our own (Isaiah 55:8-9; Romans 11:33-36). How wonderful a mystery it is that our God in Christ is also our friend that sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). Saul of Tarsus, the once cruel and powerful opponent of Christianity, learned first hand how close the Lord is to His people. On the road to Damascus on a mission to harass and arrest believers there, Saul was suddenly confronted by the resurrected and glorified Christ. The account is recorded in the ninth chapter of the Book of Acts. After Saul had fallen to the ground, he “heard a voice saying unto him, ‘Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?’ And he said, ‘Who art thou, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom thou persecutest’” (Acts 9:4-5). Saul suddenly realized that the infinite God was also the immanent Christ who was so closely identified with His people that persecuting them was tantamount to persecuting Him. Saul never recovered from this staggering revelation. In His letters he referred to the church as Christ’s body (Romans 12:4-5: 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 12:12-27) and bride (2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:25-32). In his epistle to the Romans, Paul reminded the church of her important preaching ministry. Interestingly, as part of his case he cited Isaiah 52:7, which is clearly a reference to Christ’s ministry. “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings,” wrote the great prophet, which Paul adjusts to the plural, “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace” (Romans 10:15). Our Lord has chosen to work in and through His redeemed people in completing His work on the earth. What an amazing privilege it is to be His hands and feet. May our walk be fruitful today, knowing that our Good Shepherd is with us, even until the end of the world (Matthew 28:20).
God bless,
Pastor John
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