Psalm 111:1-10, Exodus 12:21-28, Colossians 3:1-7, John 20:1-10.
A). A COMMITMENT TO PRAISE THE LORD.
Psalm 111:1-10.
After the initial exhortation to “Praise ye the LORD” (Psalm 111:1), this song forms an acrostic, using all twenty-two Hebrew letters in alphabetical order.
As for the Psalmist, he has determined: “I will praise the LORD with my whole heart” (Psalm 111:1).
The heart is a metaphor for the inner self. It is the wellspring of emotions (Exodus 4:14); the seat of conscience (1 Samuel 25:31; 2 Samuel 24:10); the place of understanding (1 Kings 3:9); and the residence of faith (Romans 10:9-10).
Our praise should thus be deeply personal: but it also gives expression “in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation” (Psalm 111:1).
Let us not forsake our gathering together as part of the congregation of the Lord (Hebrews 10:25). There our praises are mingled with that of our brethren throughout the world, and throughout all ages. There our praises are joined by those of angels and archangels, and all the company of heaven (cf. Hebrews 12:22-24).
‘Where two or three are gathered together’ (Matthew 18:20) in the Name of Jesus there He is, ‘God with us’ (Matthew 1:23), in the midst. It is even as He has promised: ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’ (Hebrews 13:5); ‘behold I am with you, even to the end of the age’ (Matthew 28:20).
As we study “the works of the LORD” (Psalm 111:2), we come to know Him in His Person: but His acts arise out of His nature, not vice versa.
It is the light and glory of the sun that convinces me of the sun’s existence: but the sun existed long before my perception of it. The LORD’s “righteousness”, which is displayed so wonderfully in the Cross of Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21), does not stop with this single act, but “endures for ever” (Psalm 111:3).
A recurring theme throughout this Psalm is “the wonderful works” of the LORD. The beauty of a rainbow, spanning a mountain glen, reminds us that He is “gracious and full of compassion” (Psalm 111:4).
As well as the work of Creation, there is the work of Providence, and the work of Redemption. He gives food to those who hold Him in awe, because He is mindful of His covenant with them (Psalm 111:5).
The power of His works is seen in His giving “the heritage of the nations” to Israel (Psalm 111:6). The meek shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5).
As we contemplate these things, we can be sure also of His Word. He is faithful and just, so we can trust His precepts (Psalm 111:7). ‘Grass withers, and the flower fades away, but His Word endures forever’ (Isaiah 40:8); ‘and this is the Word which by the gospel is preached to you’ (1 Peter 1:25).
His precepts “stand fast forever” (Psalm 111:8). Jesus came not to abolish them, but to fullfil them (Matthew 5:17-18). It is He alone who has done them “in truth and righteousness” (Psalm 111:8).
The law was our schoolmaster, leading us to Christ (Galatians 3:24). Now we are partakers of the Redemption wrought by Him at Calvary. Through that one act - the giving of God’s only begotten Son to die for us, in our room and stead - the LORD has fulfilled His eternal covenant. “Holy and awesome is His Name” (Psalm 111:9).
Having studied the works of the LORD, the Psalmist concludes that reverencing the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. All those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever (Psalm 111:10).
B). THE SACRIFICE OF THE LORD’S PASSOVER.
Exodus 12:21-28.
EXODUS 12:21. Moses gave specific instructions to “the elders of Israel,” the heads of families, to “choose out a lamb” and “kill the Passover.”
EXODUS 12:22. The “blood” of the lamb was to be placed in a “basin,” and “a bunch of hyssop” dipped in the blood and then used to “strike the lintel and the two side posts” of his house with blood.
It seems significant that ‘hyssop’ was present at the crucifixion of Jesus (cf. John 19:28-30).
Those who remained in the house would be protected by the blood when the avenging angel came, so It was imperative that nobody went outdoors “until the morning.”
We are, as we say, covered by the blood of Jesus. ‘Without the shedding of blood there is no remission’ (cf. Hebrews 9:22). The blood of Jesus covers all our sins, for all eternity (cf. 1 John 1:7).
EXODUS 12:23. When the LORD “passed through” to smite the Egyptians, He would “pass over” the blood-smeared doors, and not allow “the Destroyer” to “come into your houses to smite” (cf. Hebrews 11:28).
EXODUS 12:24. The sprinkling of the blood was unique to the first Passover in Egypt, but the rest of the ritual was to be kept as an “ordinance” for all perpetuity (cf. Exodus 12:14).
EXODUS 12:25. Thus, when they would eventually come to the promised land, they should use the feast of the Passover to look back to the great deliverance which the LORD wrought for Israel in Egypt. It also anticipates ‘Christ our Passover, sacrificed for us’ (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:7).
EXODUS 12:26. We should encourage enquiring minds by carefully teaching our children the things of the LORD. ‘One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts’ (cf. Psalm 145:4).
EXODUS 12:27. When Israelite children enquired, the answer ready to hand would be, “It is the sacrifice of the LORD’s Passover.” The history is retold year by year, just as the story of our Communion is retold week by week.
When Moses finished instructing the people, they “bowed their heads and worshipped.”
EXODUS 12:28. Thereafter they went away and “did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron.” As for the Communion, Jesus said, ‘This do in remembrance of Me’ (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:24-25).
C). A LIFE HID WITH CHRIST IN GOD.
Colossians 3:1-7.
1. Since we have been “risen with Christ”, then we must “SEEK THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE, where Christ is…” (COLOSSIANS 3:1). We are to focus our lives on the One at “the right hand of God.” The posture mentioned is important: He is “seated,” His work completed (cf. Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 10:12).
The Lord Jesus Himself teaches us to ‘seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness’ (cf. Matthew 6:33); ‘and all these things shall be added unto you.’ Our earthly benefits are wrapped up in the heavenly realities. And ‘When ye pray, say… Thy kingdom come… as in heaven, so in earth’ (cf. Luke 11:2).
2. Paul next calls for a little mind-renewal (cf. Romans 12:1-2): “SET YOUR AFFECTION ON THINGS ABOVE” (COLOSSIANS 3:2). This is not to walk around with our eyes-to-the-sky bumping into things - but to fix our spiritual gaze upon those things which are spiritual and eternal, rather than on the passing things which are of the earth. Such things are but a shadow of the ultimate reality (cf. Colossians 2:16-17), but we are to live our lives here according to the pattern of the substance (cf. Hebrews 8:4-6; Hebrews 9:23-24; Hebrews 9:28).
This is possible because of our union with Christ (COLOSSIANS 3:3). If the hidden things of Jesus are to be manifested to our generation, it will be through His believing people. Such people are “dead” to the things of the world - Christianity allows no compromise. The world may mock at this, but don’t let it be because we are not living up to our calling!
There will come a day when our lives, which are presently (by faith) bound up in Christ, will be manifested for what they are (COLOSSIANS 3:4). Jesus has already prayed that we might be with Him where He is, and behold His glory (cf. John 17:24). This is a process which has already begun (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:18), and which awaits its ultimate manifestation (cf. 1 John 3:2).
3. “Therefore” (COLOSSIANS 3:5) is an important word. Since you are dead to the world, and yet alive in Christ (COLOSSIANS 3:2-3), “therefore MORTIFY WHAT IS ‘EARTHLY’ IN YOU” (COLOSSIANS 3:5). Put it to death! [The little phrase which is literally translated “upon the earth” (COLOSSIANS 3:2), is sometimes translated as “earthly” (COLOSSIANS 3:5).] There follows a list of sins, all of which might be associated with pagan religion.
Everything in this list might have ‘religious’ overtones. We well know what dens of iniquity pagan temples once were - and, in certain parts of the world, still are. In fact, it would be true to say that covetousness is the root of ALL evil, for it causes some to err from the true faith (cf. 1 Timothy 6:10) - which itself constitutes idolatry (cf. 1 Samuel 15:23).
“For such things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience” (COLOSSIANS 3:6). However, if we are the true recipients of the promise of COLOSSIANS 3:4, then what business do we have with the vices of COLOSSIANS 3:5? To be involved with them would mar our relationship with the One in whom we have life with God (COLOSSIANS 3:3).
4. You ONCE walked in these things, when you lived in sin (COLOSSIANS 3:7), ‘BUT NOW’ (cf. Colossians 3:8) it should no longer be so with you!
D). THE MYSTERY OF THE EMPTY TOMB.
John 20:1-10.
While Jesus’ enemies had been busying themselves setting a watch over His tomb, the disciples had been sitting quietly at home, keeping the Sabbath. At first dawn Mary Magdalene - and some other women - came to the sepulchre, and found the stone had been rolled away (John 20:1)! Jumping to an immediate conclusion, Mary left the other women to make their own discoveries. She ran immediately to tell Simon Peter (who had run away while she kept vigil at the Cross); and John (who had been there to the bitter end, and with whom Mary the mother of Jesus now resided).
“They have taken away the Lord!” she exclaimed. (She does not say who she thinks “they” are.) “And we (plural) don’t know where they have laid Him” (John 20:2)! (Notice she is still talking about “the Lord” and “Him” - not ‘the body’ or ‘it’).
The men set off on a footrace (John 20:3-4), leaving Mary to return to the tomb at her own pace. The Lord’s mother probably remained still in the house.
Arriving first at the sepulchre, John looked into the tomb and saw the linen clothes lying (John 20:4-5) - but he did not enter. Peter arrived and immediately went into the sepulchre, and noted the arrangement of the clothes (John 20:6-7). Then John went in, and “seeing he believed” (John 20:8) - although just what he was believing at this stage he was not so sure (John 20:9).
Thereafter the men went home (John 20:10).
