May 23, 2008 at 7:03 am · Filed under Reading Classics
Today I move on to Chapter 3 of A. W. Pink’s book, The Sayings of the Savior on the Cross. You can view all the posts in this series by clicking HERE.
— SUMMARY —
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother. … When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved he saith unto his mother, “Woman, behold they son!” Then saith he to the disciple, “Behold thy mother!” (John 19:25-27)
Pink does a wonderful job in this chapter of helping us to understand this brief exchange within the larger narrative as well as within the scope of the whole of scripture.
He begins the chapter by first noting that Mary was a woman “not unacquainted with grief.” Even from the beginning of the announcement by the angel that she would bear the Son of God scripture notes that “she was troubled at his saying.” And here, in this scene, we have this crucified man’s mother standing beneath the cross.
Pink makes seven observations about Jesus’ pronouncement.
Here we see …
1) … the fulfillment of Simeon’s prophecy: Simeon had prophesied to Mary that “a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also”. Pink puts the fulfillment perfectly. “Never such bliss at a human birth, never such sorrow at an inhuman death.”
2) … the perfect man setting an example for children to honor their parents: Pink observes that to the very end Jesus “fully discharged the obligations of every relationship that He sustained, either to God or to man.” Pink explains at length that the fifth commandment applies to children of all ages, even adults. Jesus demonstrates this reality in this saying from the cross.
3) … that John had returned to the Saviour’s side: Not long before Jesus had asked his disciples to keep watch with Him for only a brief time. They failed Him then and subsequently scattered. But here we see that John returns to Jesus’ side. It is only right that it is the disciple whom Jesus loved who would first return to Him.
4) … an illustration of Christ’s prudence: It is only right that Jesus would choose the first disciple to return to Him as well as the one who had shared the greatest affection with Him to become the caregiver of the one who had borne Him and loved Him all the years of His life.
5) … that spiritual relationships must not ignore the responsibilities of nature: In the midst of the eternally significant work of atonement Jesus sees to the obligation He had as a natural son. Pink also discusses here the responsibilities of those in various ministries to also care for their “obligations of nature”.
6) … a universal need exemplified: Pink rightly notes Mary’s position at the foot of the cross. Mary, while blessed among women stands with the rest of creation having to decide her position beneath the cross.
7) … the marvelous blending of Christ’s perfections: In the midst of the divine work of atonement Jesus displays the most perfect of human affections. Pink observes that the great wonders of Jesus were performed “on the highway, in the cottage, or among a little group of sufferers.”
— REFLECTION —
The setting for this saying is Mary standing by the cross. Notice that Mary is the center of attention, not John. It makes me ask, would John have even returned as early as the crucifixion if he did not first see Mary’s intention of going there. It seems that John is attending to Mary. John is there less on behalf of Jesus and more on behalf of Mary. What lesson might John have learned from the love and faithfulness of Mary on this day?
Pink rightly points out the wisdom of the Savior to knit John and Mary together in this way. They would forever share together this experience of standing at the foot of the cross on the day the Savior died. And on the day of the resurrection the gospel narrative points out that upon seeing the empty tomb John believes and quickly returns home. Pink notes that this is certainly to share the good news with Mary. Now they would share not only the anguish of the crucifixion, but the joy of the resurrection.
I have never seen Jesus. I don’t know what He looks like. I don’t know what His voice sounds like. I don’t know what it is like to look at Jesus and love Him. John loved Jesus. John saw Jesus in His ministry, in His resurrection, and in His throne room. And John loved Jesus. John teaches me to love Jesus: to have a genuine affection for the crucified, resurrected, reigning Lord. I will one day see His face. John prepares me for that day such that I have already begun to see that He is wonderful in both His person and His work.
Pink notes that the disciples were not accustomed to forsaking the Lord and they never would after the resurrection. Much attention has been given to Peter’s denial and restoration. Peter gives me courage for ministry. But I, as one who is accustomed to forsaking the Lord, find encouragement from John. John loved the Lord so much that even when he forsook Jesus he returned to Jesus and found Him offering affection and atonement.
— INVITING YOUR THOUGHTS —
I hope that as you read that you will also respond below and interact with me as well as visit challies.com and interact there. As we interact let us keep in the spirit of A. W. Pink in his worshipful study and encouraging meditations.
May 21, 2008 at 10:41 am · Filed under Reading Classics
Today I move on to Chapter 2 of A. W. Pink’s book, The Sayings of the Savior on the Cross. You can view all the posts in this series by clicking HERE.
— SUMMARY —
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:42-43)
This second saying of Jesus on the cross is part of a conversation between Jesus and one of the thieves between which he was crucified. Pink makes four general observations before he moves into his seven points regarding the interaction between Jesus and the thief.
First, “God was presiding over that scene. … All that God had decreed came to pass exactly as He had ordained, and nothing happened save as He had eternally purposed.”
Second, part of God’s purpose was that Jesus would be “numbered with the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:12) Pink points out that this illustrates the depth to which Christ descended in humiliation on the cross. He was both “despised” and “rejected”.
Third, the sovereignty of God is on display in the salvation of the thief. Here we have two thieves with very similar circumstances and experiences. While both had been belligerent toward Jesus only one repents.
Fourth, this is the most clear instance of “victorious grace”. The thief most clearly had absolutely no claim to his own salvation. “Grace begins, grace continues, and grace consummates our salvation.”
Pink now moves on to make seven observations about the thief himself and his salvation.
Here we see …
1) … a representative sinner: Everyone who repents must first see himself as no different than this vile thief on the cross, who even mocked Jesus, with nothing to offer in order to obtain salvation.
2) … that man has to come to the end of himself before he can be saved: The thief represents for us the person who has come to the end of his ability to work for his salvation. The thief could not offer any practical righteousness. The only activity yet available to the thief was to die.
3) … the meaning of repentance and faith: Pink notes that repentance is more than a turning from sin, but is also a “judging of ourselves” as completely undone.
4) … a marvelous case of spiritual illumination: Pink observes that the thief is taught seven things by the Spirit in these brief moments.
(a) “His belief in a future life where retribution would be meted out by a righteous and sin-avenging God.”
(b) “He had a sight of his own sinfulness.”
(c) “He bore testimony to Christ’s sinlessness.”
(d) “He … confessed [Christ’s] Godhead.”
(e) “He believed in the Saviourhood of the Lord Jesus.”
(f) “He evidenced his faith in Christ’s Kingship.”
(g) “He looked forward to the second coming of Christ.”
5) … the Saviourhood of Christ: Repeatedly Jesus gives “no response” to those who accuse Him, but the repentant thief receives His full attention.
6) … the destination of the saved: The form of Jesus’ response to the thief matches the form of the thief’s question. From this matching it is clear that Jesus intimates to the thief and that that “today” is the day that He enters into His kingdom and “today” is the day that the thief will be with Him in that kingdom; that is, paradise.
7) … the longing of the Saviour for fellowship: Pink notes that while it is true that we are “saved to serve” Christ’s intent in salvation is to bring a lost people into fellowship with Himself. Thus we are not in the main saved for service, but for fellowship.
— REFLECTION —
Again, Pink packs much of the power of the chapter into the paragraphs before he even launches into his main points.
When Pink discusses the Savior’s being “numbered with transgressors” it struck me that the lawmaker was numbered among the lawbreakers. The one who authored and embodies the command not to covet now both stands with and, by virtue of becoming sin for the sake of the redeemed, embodies every covetous deed of the redeemed. He stands between two sinners but would bear the sin of only one. He is identified with the lawbreakers of both the damned and the redeemed, but he comes into His kingdom granting victory only to the repentant.
In Pink’s discussion of victorious grace it struck me that while many of the redeemed throughout history have desired to die on account of obedience to the Lord, here we have one who dies on account of disobedience and yet with the Lord! It is true that the Lord was crucified alongside transgressors, but it is equally true that He was crucified alongside one of the elect. Jesus was crucified between two thieves. And Jesus was crucified between one of the damned and one of the redeemed. How clearly the point is made that there are none on the crosses next to Jesus, at the foot of the cross, or reading the record of the crucifixion today that are not counted a thief, a lawbreaker, a transgressor. That is a matter of sobering reality. But among these transgressors there are members of the redeemed; that is, those who will enter into the kingdom of paradise.
I often reflect on the meaning and location of the kingdom. This has become a great matter of importance in our present day with the justification of many actions based upon kingdom work or doing work to extend the kingdom. I find Pink’s paralleling the thief’s question with the Lord’s answer very helpful. Jesus and John both taught that the kingdom was at hand. And it is true that the kingdom is the reach of the power of the King, and Jesus was displaying that power “at hand” or nearby or at present. But in Jesus’ response He seems to be saying that on that day, the day of His crucifixion, He was entering into His kingdom and the location of that kingdom is paradise. I readily admit that my study and reflection upon the doctrines of the kingdom are immature, but it seems to me that a likely explanation is that the geographical location of the kingdom, or the center of the kingship, is the already present locale of paradise. The power of this center of the kingdom reaches into even the evil and tainted locale of the world in order to bring to Himself all the number of the redeemed. The consumation of the kingdom is a future event in which he will bring the center of His kingship, heaven, to a new earth in order to establish His eternal reign with His bride, the redeemed, throughout all of creation. (I greatly encourage readers to interact patiently with me and others regarding the kingdom. It seems to me that the kingdom is a matter of great importance in our present day and thus a matter worth understanding and clarifying that we would place ourselves rightly within God’s view of His own kingdom. I appreciate any comments.)
Finally, Pink offers a wonderfully concise and revealing definition of repentance. I believe that I will have to commit this definition to memory.
Repentance is not so much an intellectual process as it is the conscience active in the presence of God.
God manifests His presence to the sinner and the sinner’s conscience is pricked with the reality of his own “lost estate”. This is just as true for the one first realizing His need for a Savior and conversion as it is for the converted whom God convicts of a present and persistent sin. How many believers can confess that they have experienced this reality. We know that our actions and thoughts are sin. Our mind and even our emotions may be engaged in our hated of our sin even to the degree that we attempt to set our wills upon repentance. But is it not true that it is only when God encounters us with His holiness (whether it be in prayer or in worship or in reading) that genuine repentance truly begins. Effective turning has begun.
This chapter has been overwhelmingly helpful to me. It has been especially helpful as I have gone back to reflect upon the practical implications of the things to which Pink has drawn my attention.
— INVITING YOUR THOUGHTS —
I hope that as you read that you will also respond below and interact with me as well as visit challies.com and interact there. As we interact let us keep in the spirit of A. W. Pink in his worshipful study and encouraging meditations.
May 15, 2008 at 5:02 pm · Filed under Reading Classics
Today I move on to Chapter 1 of A. W. Pink’s book, The Sayings of the Savior on the Cross. You can view all the posts in this series by clicking HERE.
— SUMMARY —
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:24)
From the first sentence, “Man had done his worst,” each sentence in Pink’s first paragraph indicts me and my fellow man. Every sentence down to the quote, “Crucify Him,” convicts of our arrogant mutiny.
And then Pink, on a dime, turns to the power of the glory of Our God the second paragraph.
The fell deed had been done. No ordinary death would suffice His implacable foes. A death of intense suffering and shame was decided upon. A cross had been secured; the Saviour had been nailed to it. And there He hangs–silent. But presently His pallid lips are seen to move–Is He crying for pity? No. What then? Is He pronouncing malediction upon His crucifiers? No. He is praying, praying for His enemies–”Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
Prayer. The first saying of Our Lord on the cross is a word of prayer. Pink then reflects upon what the believer sees in the Lord and in himself as he sees the Lord praying on His cross.
Here we see …
1) … the fulfillment of the prophetic word: “And he was numbered with transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12).” We see Christ on the cross in the role of intercessor that He continues to this day in the ear of the Father from the throne room of Heaven.
2) … Christ identified with His people: Pink notes that forgiveness is “a Divine prerogative.” Jesus is identifying Himself with the people for whom He dies by requesting of the Father forgiveness on their behalf.
3) … the divine estimate of sin and its consequent guilt: The ignorance of the crowds and crucifiers did not negate the need of divine forgiveness. In the next point Pink explains the nature of the ignorance.
4) … the blindness of the human heart: The people were not ignorant that a crucifixion was taking place. The people were blindly ignorant of the “enormity of their crime.” Then Pink nails reality on the head. “And yet they ought to have known.”
5) … a lovely exemplification of His own teaching: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which dispitefully use you, and persecute you (Matthew 5:44).” Here we have Jesus in prayer for His persecutors. I will comment below in the reflection section about how Pink here in this section masterfully explains the nature of human forgiveness and the extent of a person’s responsibility to forgive.
6) … man’s great and primary need: “As a general rule, human forgiveness is a matter of leniency, often of laxity. We mean forgiveness is shown at the expense of justice and righteousness.” Here on the cross we see the cost of divine forgiveness in the perfect righteousness of the Son’s obedience, even to death on a cross. “A righteous ground has been provided on which God can be just and yet the justifier of all who believe.”
7) … the triumph of redeeming love: Pink masterfully compares Samson’s final request to bring about the destruction of his foes with Jesus’ final prayer that the Father not place the sin of deicide upon the account of the people. “In all things He has the preeminence.”
— REFLECTION —
Isn’t it good to chew on the meat of a God honoring book. And from the first word of this first chapter this book is like jerky and I have delighted to savor the chewing as the seasoning continues to amaze. (Isn’t it amazing how much flavor is packed into those few ounces of meat from the gas station beef jerky aisle?)
Recently I was reflecting upon how an abandoned wife ought to speak of her ex-husband before her children. Should she tell them, “I forgive your Father and so should you?” Or should she tell them, “Your father has sinned against you and I and against his God. What he has done is wrong and without repentance he stands condemned. I cannot simply go to him and say, ‘Don’t worry about it, I forgive you,’ because it ought to be his main concern to worry greatly over unrepented sin. Therefore, children, I choose to love your Father, not to harbor bitterness against him, to pray that he will see his need for repentance, and obey my Lord by praying that most importantly He would forgive.” Pink settles this struggle for me in this section by clearly explaining Christ’s example on the cross and His instruction in Matthew 5:44.
Notice that Christ did not personally forgive His enemies. So in Matthew 5:44, He did not exhort His disciples to forgive their enemies, but He does exhort them to “pray” for them. But are we not to forgive those who wrong us? … Does Scripture teach that under all circumstances we must always forgive? I answer emphatically, it does not. The Word of God says, “If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him” (Luke 17:3-4) … Even though the one who has wronged me does not repent, nevertheless, I must not harbor ill feelings against him. There must be no hatred or malice cherished in the heart. Yet, on the other hand, I must not treat the offender as if he had done no wrong. That would be to condone the offense, and therefore I should fail to uphold the requirements of righteousness, and this the believer is ever to do.
We as fellow sinners have no right to bear any wrath or malice toward even an unrepentant sinner. But we in bearing witness to the righteousness of God must not ignore an offense and thus bear false witness to the wrath of God upon every sin. Therefore, we are left with the righteous recourse of prayer. “Lord, I cannot condemn and neither can I forgive. Lord, grant me, first, love. And, Lord, grant this sinner faith that leads to repentance. Lord, have mercy, Lord, forgive.”
There is so much in this chapter that simply lifts up my crucified Savior as far above all others. Our Savior is good and right. When I had done my worst, my Savior was lifted up and with a prayer for forgiveness drew all people to Himself.
— INVITING YOUR THOUGHTS —
I hope that as you read that you will also respond below and interact with me as well as visit challies.com and interact there. As we interact let us keep in the spirit of A. W. Pink in his worshipful study and encouraging meditations.
May 7, 2008 at 4:06 pm · Filed under Reading Classics
I have begun reading my third classic along with and the readers at Challies.com. Tim began his “Reading the Classics Together” Series with J. C. Ryle’s Holiness and followed that up with the excellent new edition of John Owen’s Sin and Temptation. Tim posts his thoughts regarding the current chapter every Thursday and invites comments to be made on the current reading.
We began reading Arthur W. Pink’s The Seven Sayings of the Saviour two weeks ago. In terms of schedule we are to have read through chapter two by Thursday, May 8. I have actually read most of the book but am running a bit behind in posting my reflections and so I will begin today with a post on the Introduction and hopefully catch up over the next few weeks. I will be following Tim’s example of posting a summary of the chapter and follow that with some reflections (and thus will be duplicating some of the same work, though without plagarism).
— SUMMARY —
Pink opens with four observations regarding the nature of the death of Jesus. It seems right that we remember as Christ says these seven sayings that he says them from the vantage point of a peculiar tree.
The Death of Christ was …
1) Natural: “By this we mean that it was real death.” That is, this was a real body suffering real execution that ends in the real cessation of the function of real human organs.
2) Unnatural: “By this we mean that it was abnormal.” Pink makes that point that though Jesus possessed a natural body by virtue of the incarnation, he was not subject to death as those who suffer the “wages of sin”. That is to say, that death did not have a claim upon Him.
3) Preter-natural: “By this we mean that it was marked out and determined for Him beforehand. Jesus was “reckoned” by God as the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world. It is upon the basis of this doctrine that the saints of the Old Testament have the hope of salvation.
4) Super-natural: “By this we mean that it was different from every other death. I appreciate Pink’s emphasis here that, “In all things He has preeminence.” Pink goes on to remind the reader of John 10:17-18, that Jesus lays down His own life and that it is not taken from Him by anyone.
Pink goes on to illustrate this point with seven scriptures.
1) John 18 – The record of the arrest shows that Jesus was prepared for and in control of the situation.
2) Matthew 27:46 – When Jesus cries out scripture notes that He does so with a “loud voice”. Pink takes this to mean that He was not exhausted and that His strength had not left Him.
3) John 19:28 – In his request for a drink scripture specifically notes that Jesus was intentionally fulfilling scripture. Pink notes that this illustrates Jesus’ clarity of thought.
4) John 19:30 – The fact that when Jesus died scripture says that He bowed His head, Pink takes to mean that prior to his death Jesus head was erect.
5) Luke 23:46 – Scripture is clear that Jesus “commended His Spirit” and “gave up His ghost”.
6) John 19:31-33 – Jesus death took less than six hours. Pink draws that connection that Jesus was in control of the timing of His death such that His bones would not be broken in fulfillment of scripture.
7) Matthew 27:51-52 – The temple veil was torn, the earthquake, and the graves were opened.
— REFLECTION —
Probably what has struck me most as I am reading Pink is the incredibly close attention that he pays to the words of scripture. He draws connection that only an obsession with the details of scripture could produce. He clearly has a wonderful appreciation that it was not a man who wrote this book, but the Holy Spirit.
I have also been struck by the reverence that Pink gives to the cross, the death, and to Jesus. It is clear that this is no abstract study, but a study marked by worship. Truly, is there any other legitimate way to study such precious reality.
And yet, it is the combination of these two passions of Pink that I believe cause him to overstate his point. It is abundantly clear that Jesus death was super-natural. And yet I believe that he is stretching his case with three of His seven proofs (proofs 2, 3, and 4).
Proof #2 – That Jesus cried “with a loud voice” does not automatically indicate that He was in full possession of His strength. It seems more likely to me that it was the pain of the cross (the natural and super-natural – the wrath of God) suffering there that causes Jesus to cry out with a loud voice.
Would it denigrate the cross in any way to admit that Jesus was exhausted? It seems that Jesus waning strength is more congruent with the reality that Jesus actually did suffer. Even His muscles, His joints, and His voice suffered on the cross. As He grasps for air on the cross of curse He takes one deep breath with which to cry out to His God. It does not take anything away from the super-natural nature of the cross that Christ was exhausted in His suffering.
Proof #3 – Much like proof #2 I think that Pink is simply pushing this a little too hard. Though it is clear that the Father’s will and the fulfillment of scripture was at the forefront of our Savior’s mind even in this torturous hour.
Proof #4 – In this case it seems that Pink is doing more than just pressing the point a little too hard, he goes further to read something into the text that is not there in the plain reading. Scripture does not indicate the Lord’s posture during His crucifixion. It would seem most natural that in enduring the pain He would both wax and wane in his strength. Pink seems to assume that by scripture saying that he “bowed his head” that it is easily assumed that He was erect at every moment before. It seems to me equally possible that this was simply the final and most complete time among many possible times that the Lord, in His human body, bowed under the pain of the cross.
As I mentioned above, I have read a number of chapters of this book and find that Pink applies his probing mind wonderfully throughout. It is only in the introduction that I observe that he makes unnecessary assumptions. I am excited to continue to ready and exult with Pink in the ever intentional glories of our Savior’s seven sayings on the cross.
— INVITING YOUR THOUGHTS —
I hope that as you read that you will also respond below and interact with me as well as visit challies.com and interact there. As we interact let us keep in the spirit of A. W. Pink in his worshipful study and encouraging meditations.