Prayer
“Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy
word” (Psalm 119:114) Amen!
Today’s Hymn
Words: Augustus M. Toplady, 1776. An unsubstantiated story says the lyrics were inspired when Toplady took shelter from a storm under a rocky overhang near England’s Cheddar Gorge; he reportedly wrote the words on a playing card. Music: Toplady, Thomas Hastings, 1830.
ROCK OF AGES
Click here for tune.
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.
While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
[originally When my eye-strings break in death]
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.
Thought Provoker
We read in John 1:11-13, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” Discuss as a family what it would be like if a king came to his subjects and they did not receive or acknowledge him. What might that king do?
Dad’s Study
King Jesus has arrived and His people, the Jews, seem not to notice. Strangers from a far land arrive telling of following a star; their purpose is to worship Him, verse 2. These magi inquire in Jerusalem, the capital city, as to where they might find this king, yet no one seems to know. Herod has the chief priests and scribes inquire of the Scriptures and they learn that the King of the Jews is to be born in Bethlehem of Judah, and Herod sends the strangers on their journey. These magi go on rejoicing greatly as the star brings them to the presence of the child. It is indeed strange and strong evidence of the truth of the words of John that His own did not receive Him, for none of the court of Herod, none of the priests, scribes or people accompanied these magi. They have been told that their King has been born and yet none attend upon Him. Only Herod takes an interest in receiving a report and that only for the purpose of murder.
Some commentators think that the homage paid to Jesus by the magi was only that recognition given to any human king. There are strong evidences to indicate otherwise. The first is their perseverance in traveling such great distance to worship the one who had been revealed to them. It was God who had directed them thus by the star and they followed and persevered with great joy. Even after coming to Jerusalem and seeing that the King’s own people were not stirred to seek Him, they were undaunted in their task and their joy, continuing on to joyfully seek Him regardless of the deadness of others to Him. Second is their response when they do find Him in a humble estate. Verse 11 tells us they saw Him in the house with His mother and fell down and worshipped Him. There was no royal court, no splendor, no majesty, no richness or grandeur about Him. These are all the trappings of a king they had come to expect, yet none were present. What was their response? They fell down and worshipped Him; what their eyes did not see their faith did. They saw in the simple babe the glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth. Thus they presented themselves first and then their gifts in adoration and worship. Much is made of the symbolism of the gifts but most is pure speculation. The gifts offered represent the best the land of the magi had to offer and was God’s provision to Joseph, Mary and the child for the flight ahead. In the magi we see wise men, called by God who persevere in a difficult journey without discouragement to worship a truly divine King. They are not swayed or discouraged that no one else worshipped with them. They came to the King, bowed before Him presenting themselves in worship and brought to Him the best of their gifts.
Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.
Truth in Practice
Charles Spurgeon said, “Those who look for Jesus will see him: those who truly see him will worship him: those who worship him will consecrate their substance to him.” And so it should be for every Christian. Seek Jesus while He still may be found. Once found offer up to Him not only the best of what we have and who we are, but all of what we have and who we are in the service of the King of kings. (Rom. 12:1) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
Catechism
Question 36
Q. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at their death?
A. The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness (Hebrews 12:23), and do immediately pass into glory (Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Luke 23:43), and their bodies, being still united to Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:14), do rest in their graves (Isaiah 57:2) till the resurrection (Job 19:26).
