Looking at Christ

For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. (1 Cor 15:22-23) Kirsty Birkett wrote in the first week of lockdown, "The Bible speaks frequently of joy and rejoicing... More recently, however, the assumption seems to be it is not an appropriate topic right now. My answer is, it’s never more appropriate than in a time of suffering." Question: But where precisely is joy to be found? Answer: Looking at Christ! Question: Give me some more detail. What about Christ is going to help me find joy today? Answer: Many things but here's one: Christ the firstfruit. In Deuteronomy 26 a liturgy is described for the presenting of the firstfruits of the land. It's a gospel liturgy, full of the story of sovereign grace. It speaks (repeatedly) of what God has given, of the God who hears and delivers with great power, of his bringing his people into his place under his lavishl...

"I think God is humbling us. He's humbling the whole nation because he's taking away the idols everyone naturally depends on - health and financial security. And he's humbling us Christian leaders because all our clever ministry plans and events and strategies have had to be torn up or radically changed and we're forced to depend on him to work!" (London pastor) "Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord." (Deuteronomy 8:2-3) God's humbling brings us to see and feel our creatureliness, our createdness, to teach us that man does not live on bread alone. We do not simply...