Christ in the Crucible . . . OR . . . Born to Die

Sabbath School Class—A Life of Discovery
December 29, 2007
Larry R Evans

Quiz for Reflection

1. Sin first arose because of the restrictions God imposed. [Isa 14:12-14] True or False?

2. The closer we come to the sinless One the more we are drawn to the sinful ones. [2 Cor 4:13-15] True or False?

3. Having one’s motives misunderstood can lead to sufferings and temptations. [Matt 26:59-68] True or False?

4. The greatest anguish anyone can experience is the separation from God. [Mk 13:33-34; Rev 6:16] True or False?

5. Bearing our griefs and sorrows was the hardest part for Jesus when hanging upon the cross. [Isa 53:14; 2 Cor 5:21] True or False?

6. Our entrance into everlasting life is made possible by the submission of someone else. [Mk 14:36; Gal. 2:20] True or False?

Introduction

During the past few weeks we have studied six different Christian virtues which are tested and tried and, if given a chance, will eventually mature during some of life’s most painful moments. These virtues are: Hope, Faith, Praise, Meekness, Patience and Submission. Developing these virtues is not easy and almost always the development comes under circumstances we would not choose. It has been said that, “Faith means believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse.” (Yancey, Disappointment With God, p.224) It was Viktor Frankl, a Jew who survived four different Nazi concentration camps, who could later say, “If there is meaning in life at all, then there must be a meaning in suffering. Suffering is an ineradicable part of life, even as fate and death. Without suffering and death human life cannot be complete. The way in which a man accepts his fate and all the suffering it entails, the way in which he takes up his cross, gives him ample opportunity—even under the most difficult circumstances—to add a deeper meaning to life. . . . And this decides whether he is worthy of his sufferings or not.” (Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning, p.67). But the story of the human drama does not end with our suffering for its true meaning does not begin nor does it end with ours. Today’s lesson reveals to us the ultimate meaning behind all suffering. It introduces us to the One who was born to die but not for Himself but for us and for the glory of God!

Our Reflective Study for Today

1. Sin first arose because of the restrictions God imposed. [Isa 14:12-14] False

Fairy tales begin with “Once upon a time. . .” but Scripture beings with “In the beginning God . . .” There is a world of difference between these two statements for God is indeed the one who sets the “times.” (Dan. 7:25) These few words set the stage upon which our lives find their meaning and fulfillment. It is this phrase that put’s the age-long controversy between right and wrong in its proper context. “In the beginning God” created a perfect home for us. In the beginning he framed a universal covenant before sin ever entered this world. It simply said there will be universal harmony and peace when there is universal trust and obedience. There was no reason to be otherwise except . . . except another element came into play and that was selfishness in the life of its originator--Satan:

Isa 14:12-14

12 How you have fallen from heaven,
O morning star, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth,
you who once laid low the nations!
13 You said in your heart,
"I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne
above the stars of God;
I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.
14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High." (NIV)

“In the beginning” there was freedom and the restrictions that were given to Adam and Eve were given to ensure their freedom not to take it away. (Gn 3:1-8) When the 10 commandments were given to God’s people they were given in the context of freedom and for the sake of preserving their new found freedom. (Ex. 15: 13; 20:1,2 and Deut 5:6). Eventually it was our abuse of freedom that led to our Creator yielding His life on the cross. (Rom 6:23; Jn 3:16).

2. The closer we come to the sinless One the more we are drawn to the sinful ones. [2 Cor 4:13-15] True

Read the following thoughtfully:

2 Cor 4:13-15

13 It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. (NIV)

Paul says it well. How can we possibly believe and not speak. Faith cannot be confined to the intellect. It permeates our soul. Knowing that Jesus is raised to life is the essence of who we are! But even more importantly in the grand scheme of things is that our very gratitude, expressed in multiple ways of thanksgiving, brings “glory to God!” Our redemption speaks in “honor” of Him. (See Gavin Anthony, The Refiner’s Fire, p.134). Can you imagine God allowing “us” to be His agents to proclaim his honor/glory. The whole plan of redemption is built around God’s trust in His creation to set the record straight knowing that once they fully experienced His sacrifice they would be filled with thanksgiving. Just imagine!

3. Having one’s motives misunderstood can lead to sufferings and temptations. [Matt 26:59-68] True

I suppose most of us have made stands at one time or another that were not popular. Disagreement is one thing but when others intentionally or otherwise misrepresent your motives it is painful. Imagine the unimaginable visions God had for this earth only to have them spoiled by sin. To make matters worse He comes to deomonstrate how much He really cares but during His final hours even that is turned against him. Imagine the pain – much more than the physical pain!

Matt 26:59-68
59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.
Finally two came forward 61 and declared, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.'"
62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" 63 But Jesus remained silent.
The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God."
64 "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?"
"He is worthy of death," they answered.
67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said, "Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?" (NIV)

Which hurt the most – being spat upon and being hit with fists or making fun of Him with the words, “Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?”

4. The greatest anguish anyone can experience is the separation from God. [Mk 13:33-34; Rev 6:16] True

I have three passages of Scripture that no doubt describe suffering. Can to tell me the difference . . . or is there any difference? Which of these actually describes what the Bible calls “the second death?”

1. Mark 14:32-38
32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."

35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."

37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." (NIV)

2. Mark 15:33-34
33 At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"-which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"(NIV)

3. Rev 6:15-17
15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?" (from New International Version)

5. Bearing our griefs and sorrows was the hardest part for Jesus when hanging upon the cross. [Isa 53:4; 2 Cor 5:21] False (Qualified False)

If Jesus died the “second death” for each repentant sinner then what do we see when we see when we see Jesus hanging upon the cross and crying out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mk 5:34)

And for what reason!

Isa 53:4-6
4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.(NIV)

And . . . 2 Cor 5:20-21
20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (NIV)

6. Our entrance into everlasting life is made possible by the submission of someone else. [Mk 14:36; Gal. 2:20] True and False

The ultimate submission, of course, was Christ’s.

Mark 14:35-36
36 "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." (NIV)

But such submission sets an example for us.

Gal 2:19-21
19 For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" (NIV)

The law serves its purpose well when it point out the will of God and contrasts that will with our own selfish character. At that point we fall on our face and acknowledge that we cannot save ourselves. We open our hearts in submission to the infilling grace of Christ. There is no other way by which we can receive eternal life! But there is a submission on our part just as there was for Jesus as He hung upon the cross -- Paul said it well, The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

The hymn writer captured the message this way:

1 NOT I, but Christ, be honoured, loved, exalted;
Not I, but Christ, be seen, be known, be heard;
Not I, but Christ, in every look and action;
Not I, but Christ, in every thought and word.

2 Not I, but Christ, to gently soothe in sorrow;
Not I, but Christ, to wipe the falling tear;
Not I, but Christ, to lift the weary burden;
Not I, but Christ, to hush away all fear.

3 Not I, but Christ, in lowly, silent labour;
Not I, but Christ, in humble, earnest toil;
Christ, only Christ! no show, no ostentation;
Christ, none but Christ, the gatherer of the spoil.

4 Christ, only Christ, ere long will fill my vision;
Glory excelling, soon, full soon, I'll see ---
Christ, only Christ, my every wish fulfilling ---
Christ, only Christ, my All in all to be.

Reflective Conclusion

We conclude this quarter’s study on a high note – “Not I but Christ, be honoured, loved, exalted.” I remind you class, that our very identity as a Seventh-day Adventist Church is founded on this principle. The first message of three angels of Revelation 14, the credentials for our last day mission, puts it this way:

Rev 14:6-7
6 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth-to every nation, tribe, language and people. 7 He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."(NIV)

Life’s crucible may bring many difficult days (Acts 14:22) but in reality, “Faith means believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse.”