Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion is Luke 22:24-27.  

“²⁴  And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest.

 25  And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them;  and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors.’

 26  “But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.

 27  “For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves?  Is it not the one who reclines at the table?  But I am among you as the one who serves.”  Luke 22:24-27. 

Jesus is “The Greatest” and provides the example of leadership for us to follow.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.  “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30.

As many who “lord it over others”, the Pharisees laid law upon law on the people:  “And they tie up heavy loads, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger.”  Matthew 23:4.

In sharp contrast, Christ tied up the heavy loads of the law and laid them on His own shoulders and gave us His Spirit as a yoke: “in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit”.  Romans 8:4.

How do we help others?

Do we just show others how great we are?

Or, do we help others be great?

Do we lay burdens on others’ shoulders?

Or, do we take others’ burdens and lay them on our own shoulders?

Do we give unrest to others?

Or, do we give rest to others?

 ¹⁹  And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

 ²⁰  And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.”

Notice how Jesus “earnestly desired” to eat this Lord’s Supper with His disciples.  I think that this is a good topic for this devotion.  The following Scriptures show the importance of being earnest in our Christian walk.

Let us get a better understanding of the meaning of the word “earnest“.  Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “earnest” as “a serious and intent mental state“.  Click here: Earnest – Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

 ²  The chief priests and the scribes were seeking how they might put Him to death;  for they were afraid of the people.

 ³  And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve.

 ⁴  And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them.

 ⁵  They were glad and agreed to give him money.

 ⁶  So he consented, and began seeking a good opportunity to betray Him to them apart from the crowd.

 ⁷  Then came the first day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.

 ¹⁰  And He said to them, “When you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house that he enters.

 ¹¹  “And you shall say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”‘

 ¹²  “And he will show you a large, furnished upper room;  prepare it there.”

 ¹³  And they left and found everything just as He had told them;  and they prepared the Passover.”  Luke 22:1-13. 

It is interesting to compare the preparations.  In verses 1 through 7, we read about the preparation for seizing the Passover Lamb of God (Jesus) through Judas. In verses 8 through 13, we read about the preparation for the place and other details of the Passover dinner through Peter and John.

Both activities were preparations.  Yet, a first time reader, not acquainted with other Scripture, might conclude that Judas was ultimately in control of the preparation for seizing the Passover Lamb of God (Jesus);  whereas Jesus was ultimately in control of the preparation for the place and other details of the Passover dinner.

But, we are not first time readers.  We are acquainted with other Scriptures, and we think of Scriptures such as Matthew 26:24 .  “The Son of Man is to go, just as it is written of Him;  but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed!  It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”

We may like and teach God’s sovereignty over His creation.

Isaiah 45:12
“It is I who made the earth, and created man upon it I stretched out the heavens with My hands And I ordained all their host.”

We may even like and teach God’s sovereignty in preparing nice things for the righteous (like God’s sovereignty over the preparation of the Passover dinner).

Jeremiah 29:11
‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”

But, do we like and teach God’s sovereignty over all, including the “bad” actions of the wicked (like God’s sovereignty over Judas’ betrayal of Jesus)?

The Scripture for today reminds us of God’s sovereignty over all, the bad and the good.  “The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil.”  Proverbs 16:4

“Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?  What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?”  Romans 9:21-22. 

We read about Pharoah whom God hardened.  “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH.”  So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.”  Romans 9:17-18. 

Isaiah 46: 9-11 provides a good summary and conclusion of God’s sovereignty over everything.

“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.”

Here is a final warning for those who resist such sovereignty. 

“²  The kings of the earth take their stand
         And the rulers take counsel together
         Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,
    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,”  Psalm 2:2-5.

The use of the phrase “to come” interests me.  Why not use the phrase “to go”?

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “come” in part as “a : to move toward something : approach <come here> b : to move or journey to a vicinity with a specified purpose <come see us> <come and see what’s going on>”.  Click here: Come – Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Jesus is that “something”.  We move toward Him.  Jesus is our destination.  We are attracted to Jesus.  Here, in this Scripture, the people came to Jesus “with a specified purpose” which was “to listen to Him”. 

We “come” to Jesus, because God draws us to Jesus.  “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him;  and I will raise him up on the last day.”  John 6:44. 

^“And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.”  John 6:65.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28

Consider Jeremiah 31:3. 

“The LORD appeared to him from afar, saying,
         “I have loved you with an everlasting love;
         Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.” 

Jeremiah Chapter 31 continues.  And what is the conclusion of God’s irresistible grace? 

“¹²  “They will come and shout for joy on the height of Zion,
         And they will be radiant over the bounty of the LORD–
         Over the grain and the new wine and the oil,
         And over the young of the flock and the herd;
         And their life will be like a watered garden,
         And they will never languish again.
    ¹³  “Then the virgin will rejoice in the dance,
         And the young men and the old, together,
         For I will turn their mourning into joy
         And will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow.
    ¹⁴  “I will fill the soul of the priests with abundance,
         And My people will be satisfied with My goodness,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 31:12-14.

 ³  And He said, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them;

 ⁴  for they all out of their surplus put into the offering;  but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on.”  Luke 21:1-4.

What can we, rich married men, learn from this poor single woman?  Here are four things.

First, “…  LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND;  AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”  Luke 10:27

Second, “…  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.  So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself;  for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body.  FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.”  Ephesians 5:25-31.

Third, don’t despise the small and the few.  “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things;  enter into the joy of your master.’  Matthew 25:21

Fourth, take care of the widows and orphans.  “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”  James 1:27

 ⁴⁷  who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”  Luke 20:45-47. 

Today’s Scripture is very similar to Matthew 23:5-7.  Jesus concludes a few verses later:  “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”  Matthew 23:12.  But, it does not even take this cross-reference.  We already know the importance of humility.

^“You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”  1 Peter 5:5. 

Does God give us grace because we are humble?  Or, does God give us grace to be able to be humble?

We know what is contained in our unregenerated natural condition (“total depravity”).  “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.  “All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.”  Mark 7:21-23.  “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,”  Ephesians 2:1.

But, there is hope! 

^“When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,”  Colossians 2:13.

Colossians Chapter 3 continues by urging us to put on the new self.  “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”  Colossians 3:1.  “… put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him–”  Colossians 3:10.      

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;  bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone;  just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.  Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”  Colossians 3:12-14.

 ⁴⁴  “Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord,’ and how is He his son?”  Luke 20:41-44.

The above-stated Luke 20:42-43 confirms Jesus Christ is very God. 

Matthew 1:1-17 provides the answer to Jesus’ question in verse 44 (“Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord,’ and how is He his son?”).  It provides the detailed genealogy of Jesus Christ, not only from David to Jesus, but from even earler, Abraham to Christ.  Click here: Matthew 1 – Passage Lookup – New American Standard Bible – BibleGateway.com  There are also many other verses that confirm that Christ is David’s son (descendant). 

Why is it important that “Christ is David’s son”?  In this devotion, we will focus on the importance of Jesus Christ, in addition to being very God, to also be very man.   

But, it is also important to understand the kingship of Jesus Christ and that Jesus Christ, as David’s son, justly inherited the throne of David in fulfillment of prophecy in Scripture.  As just one example, consider the words of the angel Gabriel to Mary. “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.  “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;  and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”  Luke 1:31-33. 

Isaiah 9:6-8 sends chills down our spine about the blessedness of this kingship.    

^“6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
         And the government will rest on His shoulders;
         And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
         Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
    ⁷ There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
         On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
         To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
         From then on and forevermore 
         The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.” 

We will now turn our attention to the primary focus of this devotion which is the importance of Jesus Christ being both very God and very man.

In a nutshell, we need a Savior who is both very God and very man.

Here is what The Heidelberg Catechism states: 

Question 15.  What sort of a mediator and deliverer then must we seek for?

Answer.  For one who is very man, and perfectly righteous; and yet more powerful than all creatures; that is, one who is also very God.

Question 16.  Why must he be very man, and also perfectly righteous? 

Answer. Because the justice of God requires that the same human nature which hath sinned, should  likewise make satisfaction for sin; and one, who is himself a sinner, cannot satisfy for others.

Question 17.  Why must he in one person be also very God?

Answer.  That he might, by the power of his Godhead sustain in his human nature, the burden of God’s wrath; and might obtain for, and restore to us, righteousness and life.

Question 18.  Who then is that Mediator, who is in one person both very God, and a real righteous man?

Answer.  Our Lord Jesus Christ:  “who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.”

Question 19.  Whence knowest thou this?

Answer. From the holy gospel, which God himself first revealed in Paradise;  and afterwards published by the patriarchs and prophets, and represented by the sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law; and lastly, has fulfilled it by his only begotten Son.”

We will focus on verses 37 and 38. 

In yesterday’s Scripture, we considered on how we could render “to God the things that are God’s.”  We acknowledged that God owns everything, and we owe God everything.  We searched through a few Scriptures and a few Reformed confessions to find out our duties to God.  Without God’s grace, such task is overwhelming. 

But, then today, we get the encouragement of this Scripture which puts the focus back on God.  God is our God, the God of the living, and we all live to Him!

Romans 14:7-8 helps us to understand this point.  “For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;  for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord;  therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.”

In other words, we can gain comfort that we are not our own.  We are the Lord’s!  We are not dependent on ourselves to fulfill our duties to God in front of God as if God has His arms folded and waiting to judge us.  “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.  

The Heidelberg Catechism states it so well.

Question 1.  What is thy only comfort in life and death?

Answer.  That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ;  who, with his precious blood, hath fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil;  and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head;  yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.

This is why Reformed Doctrine a/k/a Calvinism is so sweet and irresistable! 

Arminianism and other man-made doctrine focuses on man and what man should do.  Such doctrine stays there with its points:  man’s goodness, man’s free-will, conditional election dependent on man performing the condition triggering election, and fall from grace based on man’s actions. 

Reformed Doctrine a/k/a Calvinism focuses on God and what He has done for us with its points:  God’s unconditional election, Christ’s atonement which supplies all that we need for salvation including saving faith, God’s irresistible grace, and God’s preservation of the saints.  Truly,  “we are the Lord’s.”

 ²¹  They questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth.

 ²²  “Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

 ²³  But He detected their trickery and said to them,

 ²⁴  “Show Me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?”  They said, “Caesar’s.”

 ²⁵  And He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

 ²⁶  And they were unable to catch Him in a saying in the presence of the people;  and being amazed at His answer, they became silent.”  Luke 20:19-26. 

Like the Scripture a few days ago on August 20, 2010, this Scripture carries more meaning than just the wisdom of Jesus in avoiding another hostile question.  The chief priests and the scribes were not searching for the truth, but they were only trying to trap Jesus.  They did not deserve an answer, and yet here, unlike in the previous encounter where Jesus does not answer their question, Jesus does here answer their question and does so with more than what they deserved and even wanted.

“Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”  In giving this answer, Jesus was teaching more than just it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar.  Jesus was teaching that people should render “to God the things that are God’s.”  

What does that mean, to render to God the things that are God’s?  What does “render” mean?  According to my Oxford American Dictionary, published in 1980 by Oxford University Press, “render” is defined as “to give, especially in return or exchange or as something due”.

God owns everything.  We owe God everything. 

In this short devotion, we can only begin to consider a few verses:

Luke 10:27
“And he answered, ” YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”

Micah 6:8
“He has told you, O man, what is good;  And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?”