 |
Grounded-In-Biblical-Truth | |
Sovereign Grace Doctrines
Concerning 'THE GOSPEL' - JESUS CHRIST
Christ as Jehovah-Jireh
GENESIS 22:14
GOOD NEWS FROM THE REDEEMER
DANIEL E. PARKS, PASTOR
AUGUST 21, 1999 - RADIO MESSAGE #281
God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac. As they approached the place of sacrifice, Isaac was unaware that he himself was the intended sacrifice. He therefore asked his father “where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham replied, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” Abraham then prepared Isaac to be sacrificed. God interrupted him at the very moment he prepared to plunge the sacrificial knife into Isaac. God instructed Abraham to release Isaac, and then provided a ram to be sacrificed in Isaac’s place and stead. Abraham honored the place by naming it Jehovah-Jireh, “The-LORD-Will-Provide” (Genesis 22:1-14).
Jesus Christ is Jehovah -- co-equal and co-eternal with His Father (see preceding messages). (Christ also is the divine “Angel of the LORD” who here instructed Abraham [vv.11f,15ff].)
Jesus Christ is therefore Jehovah-Jireh, “The-LORD- Will-Provide.” Like His Father, Christ is Jehovah who provides for all the needs of His people. Paul the apostle therefore declares to the saints “my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Jesus Christ” (Philippians 4:19). For example:
1. Christ has provided Himself as the offering and sacrifice for God’s people (Ephesians 5:2): “Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice for a sweet-smelling aroma” (cp. Hebrews 10:1-18). God provided the ram to be sacrificed in Isaac’s place and stead. Likewise, Christ has provided Himself to be sacrificed in the believers’ place and stead (see Isaiah 53). Isaac walked down the mountain in sweet communion with his father because the provided ram was sacrificed in his place and stead. Likewise, believers will forever walk with God in sweet communion because Christ has provided Himself to be sacrificed in their place and stead.
2. Christ has provided Himself as the only Mediator between God and His people. Such a mediator is necessitated because the iniquities of sinners have erected a wall between them and God that neither will scale (Isaiah 59:2). God is too holy to approach sinners (Habakkuk 1:13), and sinners are too rebellious to approach God (Romans 3:11). This gulf that neither will span is nevertheless spanned by Jesus Christ, who has provided Himself as the “one Mediator between God and men” (1 Timothy 2:5).
Christ therefore has provided Himself to fill also the mediatorial offices of prophet, priest, and king.
3. Christ has provided Himself as the Prophet of God’s people. In Old Testament days, the prophet of God’s people was His representative to them, declaring to them the word of God (Jeremiah 25:4-6). (Prophets accordingly prefaced their messages from God with “Thus says the LORD.”). In this day, Christ has provided Himself as the only Prophet of God’s people (cp. Deuteronomy 18:15-18ff with Acts 3:22-26).
4. Christ has provided Himself as the Priest of God’s people. In Old Testament days, the priest of God’s people was their representative to Him, offering to Him the atoning sacrifices for their sins (Hebrews 5:1). In this day, Christ has provided Himself as the only Priest of God’s people (Hebrews 5:5-11).
5. Christ has provided Himself as the King of God’s people. In Old Testament days, the king of God’s people was His representative on the throne, ruling over them in the place and stead of God (Deuteronomy 17:14f). In this day, Christ has provided Himself as the only King of God’s people -- “King of the saints” (Revelation 15:3).
Jesus Christ has provided Himself as the supplier of the needs of believers in these and all other respects (see e.g. Psalm 23:1ff; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 2:14; 1 John 2:1f). For all their needs, He is Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord who provides.
Have you by faith in Christ embraced Him as Jehovah-Jireh? If not, you have refused the only divinely ordained sacrifice for your sins, Mediator, Prophet, Priest, and King -- to the eternal damnation of your soul. We exhort you to flee to Christ.
Your servant for Jesus' sake.
Address all questions to pastor
Daniel E. Parks (2 Corinthians 4:5) e-mail RedeemerBC@aol.com
Pastor, Redeemer Baptist Church
2801 Cleveland Boulevard, Louisville, KY 40206 / 502.899-9205
