Reflections over a McGriddle

At McDonald’s this a.m., I was without a pen, so I opened my Bible to Romans 8, and I felt the leadership of His Spirit speak softly, instructing me to being again in Romans. To dive in, chew deeply.

I also read some more of “The Purity Principle” – compare Jesus’ radical measures for ensuring purity: gouge out an eye, cut off a hand – to our whiny, self-serving, non-sacrificial way of living in a polluted world: “But I have to have ___________ (cable, internet, TV, Sports Illustrated, etc.). We are unwilling to give up anything that threatens our purity, or for that matter, give up anything period. How can we comprehend Jesus’ words and life without the discipline to turn our heads, avert our eyes, turn off, put down, refuse to buy, attend, unsubscribe, etc.?

In Romans 1.1-6, I noticed right away Paul’s descriptions -

• a servant of Christ Jesus
• called to be an apostle
• set apart for the Gospel

A servant, called and set apart. That gospel was promised. beforehand, it says. Nothing can be promised after the fact. Then it is not a promise, but simply an observation.

Our Father knew and saw and planned redemption. And He informed His servants the prophets “in the holy scriptures.” They are the location of the promise of God for all of us who did not have the grace to hear the prophets ourselves. Did the prophets know what they were preaching? (the full extent of it) Did they realize the full implications of their Messiah for the Jews and for the Gentiles? For all the nations?

“Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.” 1 Peter 1.10-12

How awesome to think that I know what Jeremiah and Isaiah and others longed to fathom. What is history to me was mystery to them. But the history of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection for me is no less grand, majestic and mysterious that it was to the prophets as they looked forward through the prophecies and promises.

Posted: Wed – May 12, 2004 at 09:51 AM

On this day...

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