Recently, I have been spending time with Jonathan Edwards, digging into his writings. One of them is his list of notes called “Images of Divine Things.” I don’t think Edwards meant for this list to be published and widely known (perhaps he was using this research to write a book on the topic one day), but still, reading his thoughts on this matter soon becomes an act of worship.

Perhaps Edwards stretches the idea of a type / shadow a bit too far, and perhaps there will be endless debate about the interpretations of exactly what the physical shadows are meant to signify spiritually, but nevertheless Edwards does make you think. Did God create the physical world in such a way, that everything in it points to something greater?

Well, you can read Edward’s list at the Jonathan Edwards Center and come to your own conclusions. Enjoy!

In the midst of these crisis moments, I selfishly asked the Lord what I should be learning. (Selfish, because my learning something was not the main thing going on – far from it). And what did I learn? Once again the only life lesson that really matters. The Gospel is true.

While driving to one of the funerals, I listened to Tim Keller’s sermon called Real Friendship and a Pleading Priest. In the sermon, Keller takes us back to the difficult-to-understand event of Genesis 18:16-32, where Abraham approaches God to plead for the lives of the Sodomites. Keller does not hesitate to show this passage for what it is – a priest pleading for the lives of people who would mean him harm. And this passage does not hesitate to point us to Christ who stands as a high priest, pleading for the lives of guilty sinners.

In other words, in the midst of incredible separation, pain, brokenness, and heartache, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our High Priest, came shining through in my own mind and heart as the only hope for sinners.

Furthermore, all four funeral services were focused on the Gospel. It was sung, it was spoken, it was celebrated. It was lifted up as the hope of the redeemed.

I am convinced more than ever, that the truth of Christ’s saving love and power, is the most vital truth any of us could ever know and embrace. Abraham learned that it is possible to be in corporate solidarity with the righteous, so that the wicked are saved because of the righteous (listen to Keller’s sermon). And so we must learn of our need to be in corporate solidarity (to be “In Christ” as Paul constantly teaches us), so that the righteousness of the One will cover the wickedness of the many.

Amazingly, the Gospel shines brightly against the backdrop of four tragic deaths. Lord, I’m thankful.

This is a passage of incredible hope! Jesus Christ is this “child” who is born to us, this “son” who is given. His eternal role is to rule the new heavens and the new earth (“on the throne of David”) for all eternity.

God’s “zeal” will make this happen, to be sure. He does not fail, nor can any person, human or angelic, thwart His eternal plan to be glorified through the reigning of His grand Son Jesus Christ.

May the “Prince of Peace” be the King of His people, and provide for them the benefit and opportunity to worship and obey him “from this time forth and forevermore.”

The ancient book of wisdom speaks loud and clear to the modern culture. The big question: Will we listen? Two symbolic “women” are seeking for our attention. Will we call out to wisdom, “You are my sister,” or will we blindly chase after the forbidden woman like an ox led to the slaughter?

Thankfully, our Lord Jesus Christ chose the way of wisdom, and lived out God’s perfection in His daily life. His righteous is imputed to us who cannot attain it ourselves. But may  it be that His imputed righteousness, which is the only grounds of our salvation and boasting (Eph 2:8-10), give rise to wisdom and holiness in our daily lives as well.

I hope Proverbs 7 is a help for you in this process of becoming like our Master.

7:1 My son, keep my words
and treasure up my commandments with you;
2 keep my commandments and live;
keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;
3 bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
and call insight your intimate friend,
5 to keep you from the forbidden woman,
from the adulteress with her smooth words.

6 For at the window of my house
I have looked out through my lattice,
7 and I have seen among the simple,
I have perceived among the youths,
a young man lacking sense,
8 passing along the street near her corner,
taking the road to her house
9 in the twilight, in the evening,
at the time of night and darkness.

10 And behold, the woman meets him,
dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart.
11 She is loud and wayward;
her feet do not stay at home;
12 now in the street, now in the market,
and at every corner she lies in wait.
13 She seizes him and kisses him,
and with bold face she says to him,
14 “I had to offer sacrifices,
and today I have paid my vows;
15 so now I have come out to meet you,
to seek you eagerly, and I have found you.
16 I have spread my couch with coverings,
colored linens from Egyptian linen;
17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh,
aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let us take our fill of love till morning;
let us delight ourselves with love.
19 For my husband is not at home;
he has gone on a long journey;
20 he took a bag of money with him;
at full moon he will come home.”

21 With much seductive speech she persuades him;
with her smooth talk she compels him.
22 All at once he follows her,
as an ox goes to the slaughter,
or as a stag is caught fast
23 till an arrow pierces its liver;
as a bird rushes into a snare;
he does not know that it will cost him his life.

24 And now, O sons, listen to me,
and be attentive to the words of my mouth.
25 Let not your heart turn aside to her ways;
do not stray into her paths,
26 for many a victim has she laid low,
and all her slain are a mighty throng.
27 Her house is the way to Sheol,
going down to the chambers of death.