Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 26, 2018

Christ “was raised because of our justification.” – God “raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace”

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew 28:1-15.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+28&version=NASB

I quote only verses 1-10.

“Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave.  And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it.  And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.  The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men.  The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid;  for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.  He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said.  Come, see the place where He was lying.  Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead;  and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him;  behold, I have told you.”

And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples.  And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them.  And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.  Then Jesus *said to them, “Do not be afraid;  go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.”  Matthew 28:1-10.

——————–

Consider the following from the Heidelberg Catechism.

Q. 45.  What doth the resurrection of Christ profit us?

A.  First, by His resurrection He has overcome death, that He might make us partakers of that righteousness which He had purchased for us by His death;  secondly, we are also by His power raised up to a new life;  and lastly, the resurrection of Christ is a sure pledge of our blessed resurrection.

“He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.”  Romans 4:25.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”  1 Peter 1:3-5.

“Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”  Romans 6:4.

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”  Romans 8:11.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”  Ephesians 2:4-7.

In the final verse of today’s Scripture, we discover with great joy, that consistent with these verses stating what the resurrection means to us, Jesus calls us His brethren and seeks to be with us, knowing that we “are raised up with Him”.

“Then Jesus *said to them, “Do not be afraid;  go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.”  Verse 10.  “For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father;  for which reason He (Jesus) is not ashamed to call them brethren,”  Hebrews 2:11.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 25, 2018

“Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew 27:57-66.

“When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him.  And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock;  and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away.  And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the grave.

Now on the next day, the day after the preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate, and said, “Sir, we remember that when He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I am to rise again.’  Therefore, give orders for the grave to be made secure until the third day, otherwise His disciples may come and steal Him away and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.”  Pilate said to them, “You have a guard;  go, make it as secure as you know how.”  And they went and made the grave secure, and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone.”  Matthew 27:57-66.

———————-

Consider the following from the Heidelberg Catechism.

Q. 41.  Why was He also “buried”?
A.  Thereby to prove that He was really dead.

Q. 43.  What further benefit do we receive from the sacrifice and death of Christ on the cross?

A.  That by virtue thereof our old man is crucified, dead, and buried with Him;  that so the corrupt inclinations of the flesh may no more reign in us;  but that we may offer ourselves unto Him a sacrifice of thanksgiving.

“Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.  For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;  for he who has died is freed from sin.”  Romans 6:4-7.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 24, 2018

“All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD” – “He has performed it.”

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew 27:27-56.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+27&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him.  They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.  And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand;  and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”  They spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head.  After they had mocked Him, they took the scarlet robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.

As they were coming out, they found a man of Cyrene named Simon, whom they pressed into service to bear His cross.

And when they came to a place called Golgotha, which means Place of a Skull, they gave Him wine to drink mixed with gall;  and after tasting it, He was unwilling to drink.

And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves by casting lots.  And sitting down, they began to keep watch over Him there.  And above His head they put up the charge against Him which read, “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

At that time two robbers *were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left.  And those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself!  If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”  In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying, “He saved others;  He cannot save Himself.  He is the King of Israel;  let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him.  HE TRUSTS IN GOD;  LET GOD RESCUE HIM NOW, IF HE DELIGHTS IN HIM;  for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” The robbers who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him with the same words.

Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour.  About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?” that is, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?”  And some of those who were standing there, when they heard it, began saying, “This man is calling for Elijah.”  Immediately one of them ran, and taking a sponge, he filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink.  But the rest of them said, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him.”  And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.”  Matthew 27:27-50.

—————

Today’s Scripture, especially verse 46 which includes Jesus’ cry of anguish:  “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?”, reminds us of the Messianic Psalm chapter 22.

It certainly appeared to the witnesses of these events that God had forsaken Jesus.

“But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets.”  …”  Matthew 26:56.

But, God certainly did not forsake Jesus.  God resurrected and exalted Jesus.

In his cry of anguish, Jesus quoted the first verse of Psalm chapter 22 and also knew the following conclusion of Psalm chapter 22 which was available to help give Him strength to endure by knowing the purpose of God for His suffering, namely, the salvation of many.

“27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD,
And all the families of the nations will worship before You.
28 For the kingdom is the LORD’S
And He rules over the nations.
29 All the prosperous of the earth will eat and worship,
All those who go down to the dust will bow before Him,
Even he who cannot keep his soul alive.
30 Posterity will serve Him;
It will be told of the Lord to the coming generation.
31 They will come and will declare His righteousness
To a people who will be born, that He has performed it.”  Psalm 22:27-31.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 23, 2018

“His blood shall be on us and on our children!”

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew 27:11-26.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+27&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you?  Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”  For he knew that because of envy they had handed Him over.

While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous Man;  for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.”  But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death.  But the governor said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?”  And they said, “Barabbas.”  Pilate *said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”  They all *said, “Crucify Him!”  And he said, “Why, what evil has He done?”  But they kept shouting all the more, saying, “Crucify Him!”

When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood;  see to that yourselves.”  And all the people said, “His blood shall be on us and on our children!”  Then he released Barabbas for them;  but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.”  Matthew 27:17-26.

—————

The innocence of Jesus is sharply contrasted with the guilt of the chief priests and the elders who were envious of Jesus and who handed Jesus over to Pilate and who persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death despite knowing Jesus’ innocence and despite being given a chance to repent and release Jesus and despite knowing the consequences of their action.

“And all the people said, “His blood shall be on us and on our children!”  Verse 25.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 22, 2018

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness”

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew 27:1-10.

“Now when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus to put Him to death;  and they bound Him, and led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate the governor.

Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.”  But they said, “What is that to us?  See to that yourself!”  And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed;  and he went away and hanged himself.  The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since it is the price of blood.”  And they conferred together and with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers.  For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.  Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:  “AND THEY TOOK THE THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER, THE PRICE OF THE ONE WHOSE PRICE HAD BEEN SET by the sons of Israel;  AND THEY GAVE THEM FOR THE POTTER’S FIELD, AS THE LORD DIRECTED ME.”  Matthew 27:1-10.

————–

The chief priests and elders cared more about how they handled the thirty pieces of silver than how they handled Jesus.

Jesus was greater than the temple, but they cared more about not depositing the silver into the temple’s treasury than they cared about the life of Jesus.

“But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here.  But if you had known what this means, ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT A SACRIFICE,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.”  Matthew 12:6-7.

And yet, we read in today’s Scripture, “all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus to put Him to death;”  See verse 1.  But, when Judas felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver, the chief priests did not likewise feel remorse and turn away from their plot against Jesus but merely said:  “It is not lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since it is the price of blood.”  See verse 6.

We are reminded of Matthew 23:23-28.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law:  justice and mercy and faithfulness;  but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.  You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence.  You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.  So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”  Matthew 23:23-28.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 20, 2018

“Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind” – “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD”

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew 26:69-75.

“Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.”  But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.”  When he had gone out to the gateway, another servant-girl saw him and *said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”  And again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.”  A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; for even the way you talk gives you away.”  Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the man!”  And immediately a rooster crowed.  And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”  And he went out and wept bitterly.”  Matthew 26:69-75.

——————

Jesus prophesied Peter’s denials and the disciples’ flight.

“Then Jesus *said to them, “You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.’  But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”  But Peter said to Him, “Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away.”  Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”  Matthew 26:31-34.

Like the betrayal and arrest of Jesus, Peter’s denials and the disciples’ flight took place to fulfill the Scriptures.

“But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets.” Then all the disciples left Him and fled.”  Matthew 26:56.

Other doctrine trust man.  “But Peter said to Him, “Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away.”  Matthew 26:33.

But, Reformed Doctrine trusts God.  “… He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,”  Hebrews 13:5.

Reformed Doctrine trusts God’s will and work in salvation as summarized by “TULIP” from the beginning of God’s “Unconditional Election” through God’s “Limited Atonement” through God’s “Irresistible Grace” to the end of God’s “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”.

“5 Thus says the Lord,
“Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind
And makes flesh his strength,
And whose heart turns away from the LORD.
6 “For he will be like a bush in the desert
And will not see when prosperity comes,
But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness,
A land of salt without inhabitant.
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD
And whose trust is the LORD.
8 “For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
That extends its roots by a stream
And will not fear when the heat comes;
But its leaves will be green,
And it will not be anxious in a year of drought
Nor cease to yield fruit.”  Jeremiah 17:5-8.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 19, 2018

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew 26:57-67.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+26&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death.  They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward.  But later on two came forward, and said, “This man stated, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.’”  The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You not answer?  What is it that these men are testifying against You?”  But Jesus kept silent.  And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.”  Jesus *said to him, “You have said it yourself;  nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.”  Matthew 26:59-64.

——————-

Article 37:  Of the Last Judgment.

Finally we believe, according to the Word of God, when the time appointed by the Lord (which is unknown to all creatures) is come, and the number of the elect complete, that our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, corporally and visibly, as he ascended, with great glory and majesty to declare himself judge of the quick and the dead;  burning this old world with fire and flame, to cleanse it.  And then all men will personally appear before this great judge, both men and women and children, that have been from the beginning of the world to the end thereof, being summoned by the voice of the archangel, and by the sound of the trumpet of God.  For all the dead shall be raised out of the earth, and their souls joined and united with their proper bodies, in which they formerly lived.  As for those who shall then be living, they shall not die as the others, but be changed in the twinkling of an eye, and from corruptible, become incorruptible. Then the books (that is to say the consciences) shall be opened, and the dead judged according to what they shall have done in this world, whether it be good or evil.  Nay, all men shall give an account of every idle word they have spoken, which the world only counts amusement and jest:  and then the secrets and hypocrisy of men shall be disclosed and laid open before all.  And therefore the consideration of this judgment, is justly terrible and dreadful to the wicked and ungodly, but most desirable and comfortable to the righteous and elect:  because then their full deliverance shall be perfected, and there they shall receive the fruits of their labor and trouble which they have borne.  Their innocence shall be known to all, and they shall see the terrible vengeance which God shall execute on the wicked, who most cruelly persecuted, oppressed and tormented them in this world;  and who shall be convicted by the testimony of their own consciences, and being immortal, shall be tormented in that everlasting fire, which is prepared for the devil and his angels.  But on the contrary, the faithful and elect shall be crowned with glory and honor;  and the Son of God will confess their names before God his Father, and his elect angels;  all tears shall be wiped from their eyes;  and their cause which is now condemned by many judges and magistrates, as heretical and impious, will then be known to be the cause of the Son of God.  And for a gracious reward, the Lord will cause them to possess such a glory, as never entered into the heart of man to conceive.  Therefore we expect that great day with a most ardent desire to the end that we may fully enjoy the promises of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  AMEN.

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” – Revelation. 22:20.  Belgic Confession.

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”  2 Corinthians 5:10.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 18, 2018

“But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets.”

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew 26:47-56.

“While He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came up accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people.  Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one;  seize Him.”  Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.  And Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you have come for.”  Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him.

And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached and drew out his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear.  Then Jesus *said to him, “Put your sword back into its place;  for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.  Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?  How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?”

At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a robber?  Every day I used to sit in the temple teaching and you did not seize Me.  But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets.”  Then all the disciples left Him and fled.”  Matthew 26:47-56.

——————–

When apparently bad things happen to us, we tend to panic and think things are out of control.  Even Jesus’ disciples fled.

Other doctrine panics at the alleged free-will of man.

But, Reformed Doctrine is calm and composed knowing that God still is sovereign and totally in control and that all of Scriptures will be fulfilled.  

Jesus summarized:  “But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets.”  See verse 56.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 17, 2018

“Your will be done.”

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew 26:36-46.

“Then Jesus *came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and *said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”  And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed.  Then He *said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death;  remain here and keep watch with Me.”

And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me;  yet not as I will, but as You will.”  And He *came to the disciples and *found them sleeping, and *said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour?  Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation;  the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.”  Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.  And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more.   Then He *came to the disciples and *said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting?  Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.  Get up, let us be going;  behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!”  Matthew 26:36-46.

—————

During His time of great grief and distress, Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethesame three times “Your will be done.” or words to that effect.

And, in His “Lord’s Prayer”, Jesus taught:

“9 “Pray, then, in this way:

‘Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 ‘Your kingdom come.
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:9-10.

Other doctrine seeks man’s alleged free-will to be done.

But, Reformed Doctrine seeks God’s will to be done.

Other doctrine believes that man’s alleged free-will will be done.

But, Reformed Doctrine knows that God’s Sovereign Will will be done.

“3 “Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His fury, saying,
6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD:
He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,
And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.
9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,
You shall shatter them like earthenware.’”

10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the LORD with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”  Psalm 2:3-12.

“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.” Psalm 103:19.

“9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken;  truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.”  Isaiah 46:9-11.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | July 16, 2018

“Limited Atonement”: “this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.”

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew 26:14-35.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+26&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat;  this is My body.”  And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you;  for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.”  Matthew 26:26-28.

——————

Other doctrine teaches Christ shed His blood for all.

But, Reformed Doctrine teaches that Christ shed His blood only for God’s elect.

We note that today’s Scripture does not say that His blood was poured out for all, but rather, Christ’s blood was poured out “for many”.

This point of Reformed Doctrine is called “Limited Atonement”.  Although Christ’s atonement was limited to God’s elect, Christ’s atonement was unlimited in its ability to totally atone for all of the sins of all of the people within that class of God’s elect.  “Limited Atonement” is the “L” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation, as summarized in the Canons of Dordt.

When we consider the comparisons of the Lord’s Supper with Passover, Reformed Doctrine’s teaching of “Limited Atonement” should not seen like some strange teaching.  

The Passover memorialized the physical deliverance of how the LORD passed over the homes of the Israelites (His chosen people) who placed blood on the lintel and two doorposts of their homes but smote the Egyptians who did not do so.

“For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians;  and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to smite you.  And you shall observe this event as an ordinance for you and your children forever.  When you enter the land which the LORD will give you, as He has promised, you shall observe this rite.  And when your children say to you, ‘What does this rite mean to you?’ you shall say, ‘It is a Passover sacrifice to the LORD who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians, but spared our homes.’” And the people bowed low and worshiped.”  Exodus 12:23-27.

The Lord’s Supper memorializes the spiritual deliverance of how the Lord passed over the sins (forgiveness) of “the many” (His elect) for whom He poured out His blood.

We know that not all are forgiven.

And, we also know that not all were spared from the Passover as stated in the Exodus Scripture above.

We know that not all celebrate the Lord’s Supper.

And, we also know that not all celebrate the Passover.

We know that if Christ poured out His blood for all, then all would have been forgiven.

And, we also know that if blood was applied to the lintel and doorposts of all the homes, then all would have been spared.

Just like a good shepherd does not lay down his life for all sheep, but only for his own sheep, our Lord laid down His life only for His people (the elect). 

“I am the good shepherd;  the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”  John 10:11.

“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,”  John 10:14.

“But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep.  My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;  and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish;  and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”  John 10:26-28.

Just like a husband does not love all women and does not give Himself up to all women, but loves only his wife and gives himself up only for his wife, our Lord only loved the church (the elect) and gave Himself up only for her. 

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing;  but that she would be holy and blameless.”  Ephesians 5:25-27.

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