“And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.”
Luke 9:29-31
The Scriptures constantly remind us that without God’s help, error-prone man simply cannot interpret his world aright. The psalmist declared, “The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity” (Psalm 94:11). In Ephesians chapter four, Paul marks the distinction between the thinking of fallen, unregenerate man and those of God’s redeemed.“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord,” wrote the great apostle, “that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart” (Ephesians 4:17-18). In order to do as Paul instructed, we simply must consult God’s word daily. “No prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation” wrote Peter (1 Peter 1:20). That is to say, the Scriptures provide us with God’s—not man’s—interpretation of the world. The Bible is replete with examples of how fallen man’s unaided human reason leads to errors in judgment and understanding. The unbeliever’s interpretation of Calvary is the greatest and most profound example of all. For 2,000 years the unbelieving world has viewed the cross as an unplanned tragedy, a staggering defeat. Those who choose to believe God’s word on the matter, however, see the cross very differently. As today’s verse passage explains, Christ’s death was something He accomplished. His life was not taken from Him, rather, the Good Shepherd laid His life down willingly, purposefully (John 10:1-18). So far from the cross marking His defeat, it was the place of His utter victory over Satan and the forces of darkness (Colossians 2:14-15; Hebrews 2:14). On outward inspection, the cross is nothing more than a ghastly means of execution. For those of us seeing through the eyes of faith, it is God’s love, justice, mercy and wisdom come to maximal expression. To us, the cross is our one and only thin vestibule to a right relationship with a holy God (Colossians 1;20) and we are unspeakably grateful for it. As we contemplate these things today, may we be encouraged to study the Scriptures and consult their infinitely wise and good Author for wisdom and instruction. Not only will this help us interpret our world aright, it will provide us with supernatural patience, comfort, and hope (Romans 15:4)—precious commodities in the last of days!
God bless,
Pastor John
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