Author Archive

Posted on January 20, 2009 - by ericholter

Firefox 3 and Search Bars

A great tip for adding ESV site searches to Firefox search toolbar.

HT Justin Taylor

Posted on January 16, 2009 - by ericholter

Acts 29 Church Planting Network

Mark Driscoll’s church planting organization.

Posted on January 16, 2009 - by ericholter

LifestreamBackup: Reviewed By Read/Write Web

Read/Write Web has an excellent write up on using LifestreamBackup. The more I grow to depend on online tools and social media sites the more at risk I am for loss access or data. Life LifestreamBackup provides a bit of insurance in case of a melt down in the digital clouds.

Posted on January 12, 2009 - by ericholter

CSS-Tricks: After a Fresh WordPress Install

Chris Coyier has a helpful post on doing a bit of clean up and tweaking the default settings after doing a fresh WordPress installation.

Posted on May 30, 2007 - by ericholter

Painting Glory in Muted Tones

“Then Jesus therefore said to them plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead’ and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him.’” John 11:4

There are, on God’s palette, many colors and shades from which He chooses when painting the canvas upon which His glory is revealed. They are not all bright rainbow colors. Among His supplies are earthy browns, dark umber hues, grays, and blacks that, when painted by the master, fall perfectly into His bright design.

The story of the death of Lazarus was painted in these darker tones. Yet the entire canvas was sovereignly drawn for the glory of the Son of God. Jesus said that He was glad for this opportunity and acted in His love when He filled His brush full of deep blues and cold black for shadows, mourning and grief.

Lazarus was sick. I’m sick right now with the cold and it’s not pleasant. But to be sick enough that your life is threatened is far more excruciating than having a common cold. Yet, Jesus’ delay allowed this sickness to get really bad, so bad that Lazarus did die from it.

Lazarus’s sister, Martha, who was already prone to worry, must have been an emotional wreck as she watched her brother die. She must have been frantic, hoping that the one they sent to find Jesus would find Him in time, hoping that Jesus would arrive to heal before it was too late.

Between verse three and verse four, there is a span of time from when the sisters sent for Jesus, and when the one they sent found Him to deliver the message. It must have been at least a day since it was at twenty or thirty miles from Bethany to where Jesus was. The messenger must have also been under great stress–traveling as quickly as possible with life and death on the line.

And I wonder what the disciples thought when they heard that Lazarus was sick and that Mary and Martha wanted Jesus to come? I glean from Thomas’s remarks that the disciples thought that a return to Jerusalem would result in the stoning of Jesus–and that they would be targeted too. Jesus’ knew exactly what He was doing in delay. He knew what was in store for the glory of God in the Son. But I wonder if the disciples, who didn’t know Jesus’ plan, felt an uncomfortable mix of sorrow for Lazarus’s suffering but also relief because it seemed like Jesus wasn’t going to go back to Jerusalem?

But He did go back. The long walk to Bethany probably felt like a death march to the disciples.

This is a dreary episode for everyone involved. It was full of pain, anxiety, sorrow, mourning, stress, fear and disappointment. What odd shades to choose when painting a glorious revelation of Jesus–the Resurrection and the Life.

But as any good painter knows, to dramatically display the brightest and most beautiful colors often requires the use of contrasting dark and muted tones. Some of the most glorious uses of color are found on the darkest canvases. And Jesus is the Master of masters when it comes to applying paint to canvas. Every shade is perfect and every stroke in place.

Speaking of paintings, there is an elusive and subjective element to art appreciation. Some people look at a painting and delight in it, while others pass by unaffected. There are many internal impulses that come into play when beholding a work of art. What these impulses are is hard to define.

Similarly, people respond differently to the displays of God’s glory. Some rejoice, fall down and worship. Some pick up stones. The inner condition that produces one response as opposed to the other is not hard to define at all. The element necessary to appreciate the glorious canvases of the Master is faith.

The eyes of faith look upon the story of Lazarus–a man dying from severe sickness, desperate sisters disappointed in their Lord, futile rescue plans thwarted by apparent indifference, and friends that are too fearful to help, and can see God’s skillful hand at work. Ultimately, Jesus does bring light and joy into the frame, but before He fills His brush with pure white and bright yellow, before He pulls it all together in a glorious work, He exhorts His disciples and He exhorts Martha—to have faith. “Did I not say to you, if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

On the finished canvas the glory of it all is plain. Sorrow gives way to rejoicing, mourning gives way to gladness–and we believe. It is fitting that we should rejoice when the final stroke of a masterpiece is applied and a glorious painting is revealed. But it seems to me that Jesus is most glorified when, by faith, trusting in His skill, we accept, in anticipation of the final revelation, that every dark spot is placed in perfect proportion to the glory of God–even before the painting is done. Is this not how Jesus was exhorting His disciples, two days before they saw the power of God? “…I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe…”

Lord, grant me faith that rests in your perfect skill. Grant me faith to overcome pain, stress, sorrow, and fear when they come upon me. When the inexplicable happens, when disappointment arrives, when my plans are frustrated or my intentions foiled–then, O Lord, let me trust in your hand and watch the Master at work, knowing that when all is complete there will be resurrection and life. Amen.

Eric Holter
Chapel Hill, NC

Posted on April 5, 2007 - by ericholter

Pursuit of Progress

“Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith…” Philippians 1:25

In Ecclesiastes, Solomon bemoans the futility of man’s attempts to “make progress”” during his days under the sun. Whatever “progress” I may attain in my life, for my generation, will eventually be undone. A new discovery or significant contribution will be forgotten over time or replaced by a newer one. That’s not to say that God does not intend for mankind to make progress. Quite the opposite, He has commanded us to progress–to subdue the earth and multiply in it.

Therefore the pursuit of progress is wired into the species. But God has ordained, by virtue of short life, physical boundaries, limited opportunities, and general decay, that my contribution to His overall plan be almost completely obscured.

God governs progress in the world. Individuals cannot see God’s work under the sun. I find comfort in the hidden joys God works into my futile days. He encourages me to seek joy, goodness and contentment in all His benevolent gifts. Enjoying simple pleasures keeps me from striving and being vexed in futile pursuits of progress and striving for meaning. This truth has a counterintuitive effect on my soul because rather than inclining me toward hopelessness in my pursuits, instead it preserves a good and healthy work ethic. I can focus on simply doing good work without trying to figure out how the unique edges that give shape to the tiny puzzle piece of my life fit in with the whole. God knows what He is doing under the sun, but I do not, and will not see it while I toil here.

But Ecclesiastes is limited in scope to my days and my toil under the sun. It starts with the cradle and ends with the grave. There is just enough mention of eternity to keep me sober and conscious that God will bring His righteous judgment to bear on all that I do.

Ecclesiastes is indeed an excellent tonic against my worldly ambitions, arrogance, and presumptuous independence. But the perspective of Ecclesiastes is incomplete with regard to God’s ultimate purposes. There may be nothing new under the sun, but God has brought about something new under heaven. The new covenant in Christ’s blood makes all things new. The mystery of Christ crucified was and is hidden from eyes that merely consider earthly things. The redeemed life has a new shape–it’s no longer a short segment defined by beginning and end points. The redeemed soul has a starting point in the first birth, but due to rebirth in Christ, it has no end point at the grave. No, the shape of new life is a ray, a line with a starting point, inclined upward toward Christ with no end point. It continues toward eternity.

So what of the pursuit of progress, ambition, and striving in the new life? To strive, press, strain and push for progress and attainment under the sun leads primarily to futility and vexation. To strive, press, strain and push forward for progress in faith for growth in heavenly riches, for deeper communion with God is not futile at all–rather I am exhorted to it and enticed by the promise of eternal rewards. Here is where God intends for the ambitious impulse within me to find free expression. Run as to win, fight not without aim, strive Christward and progress in faith! To press hard on the earth from cradle to grave is mostly futile and often vexing. To press hard on the upward trajectory along the unending ray which moves forward toward eternity with no endpoint is right and good and glorifying to God.

Run my soul–but not as though the world depended on it. Run because the soul it intended to run to Christ for the progress of faith, the joy of the soul, and the glory of God. Amen.

Posted on February 5, 2007 - by ericholter

Mortification Illustrated

Exodus Chapters 32 and 33

I try to maintain twin objectives in my day-to-day spiritual life. They run parallel to each other, like train tracks. If one or the other is lacking, bent, or damaged, my spiritual life tends to derail. One track is the daily mortification of sin, and the other is actively pursuing the glory of God in Christ. Seeing and knowing God is the positive and ultimate goal, but killing sin is the necessary and often more tangible exercise I engage in. Killing sin does not equal seeing God, nor does success in battle automatically result in a view of the glory of God. But, failure to mortify sin is certainly an effective preventor of seeing and delighting in God’s glory.

Killing sin sometimes means embracing self denial or ceasing to engage in some sinful activity or bad habit. But the deeper and more constant effort of sin killing engages my thoughts, motives and emotions. This kind of mortification is invisible. It happens in my head and heart.

Similarly, beholding the glory of God is also an invisible transaction–pillars of fire and parting of waters are not a part of the glory I behold. Rather, spiritual light, the radiance of God, is apprehended in my heart.

It’s tricky to maintain these two important tracks upon which my life rolls toward its ultimate heavenly calling–especially since their condition is invisible and my ability to evaluate their state of repair is often veiled. Yet daily mortification and unceasing orientation Godward is necessary if I’m to stand firm in Christ.

The Old Testament is full of episodes where many of the things which happen inwardly and invisibly now were practiced outwardly and physically then. Circumcision, for example, was a visible physical sign then, whereas true spiritual circumcision is now a circumcision of the heart. Under the new covenant a true Israelite is not one by ethnicity, but only if he is God’s inwardly. Idolatry, back then, often involved physical Ashera idols that could be chopped down with an axe, whereas the typical forms of idolatry I contend with now include inward orientations toward greed, pride, and covetousness.

As a help in my inward battle with sin and the pursuit of the glory of God in Christ I have the many Old Testament examples for my consideration and instruction. As I face inner battles it is very helpful to have physical illustrations that help my mind with concrete, imaginable stories. Such is Exodus, chapters thirty-two and thirty-three. They illustrate the mortification of sin and the glory of Christ.

First Corinthians, chapter ten, recounts a few occurrences of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness and equates these events with spiritual realities in Christ. Passing under the cloud is likened to our baptism in Christ. Drinking from the rock is like our drinking living water from Christ. Verses six and eleven explicitly say that these occurrences that happened in the desert are for examples and for our instruction. This is a massive statement. Especially considering that the primary example in view in chapter eleven is Israel’s rebellion and subsequent judgment, in which thousands died. Calculating by human lives, this was a very high price to pay to create an example, an illustration, a lesson, for me. But so it is. The great cost of this lesson should cause me to weigh very heavily the reading of Paul’s conclusion in versus twelve and fourteen,

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”

What happened in the desert was harsh–not undeserved, but a very costly and painful lesson. The weight of these real, physical, painful occurrences are given to focus my mind on the reality, urgency and weightiness of their point–resist temptation.

Back to Exodus thirty-two and thirty-three, these two adjacent chapters are equally instructional. In chapter thirty-two I see a real-life, physical demonstration of killing sin. In chapter thirty-three I see a real-life, physical demonstration of eyes laying hold of the glory of God. The one prepares the stage for the other.

The reason these stories are so helpful is that they help to make metaphors more real. For example, Jesus uses metaphors like cutting out eyes or chopping off hands. He uses such language to emphasize the urgency of fighting sin–and I must hear and heed these extreme words. But they are metaphors. Jesus doesn’t intend that I literally employ such ineffective strategies–but rather to accept the urgency of not tolerating sin or else I may end up in hell. The real battleground and the most effective techniques in battling my sin are spiritual and employed in my mind, my thoughts and my heart. But it is very useful for me to consider the scene described in Exodus thirty-two to give examples to these metaphors.

The Israelites had, in short order (Moses being absent for forty days), turned to idolatry and had begun worshiping a golden calf. Moses did not merely rebuke the people that sinned. He killed them. He ordered that all who were loyal to the Lord strap on swords and kill each one his brother, his neighbor, his friends. Wow. I cannot imagine how they could do that. I imagine it’s very hard for a soldier to kill, even when he’s killing an enemy, but killing a friend–unimaginable. Yet the Lord is over all and no friendship or family relationship trumps obedience to our maker and so they did it. The passage does not go into gory details but it is not hard to imagine the terrible scene of these faithful men, swords in hand, striking down those they had known all their lives. They struck at the ones with whom they had been enslaved in Egypt, the ones who celebrated with them at the sea, and with those who stood in awe with them at Mt. Sinai. They killed the ones they walked with, the ones they talked to every day. They attacked their fellow desert sojourners, cutting them to pieces with the sword.

This chapter is instructive for me because such is the killing of my own sins–my dear friends, my comforters, the ones I have been familiar with all my days. These close sins have entertained me and pretended to care for me. My familiar friends need the sword. Any so called friend that would encourage me to turn to idols rather than seek the living God is no true friend. Though I am familiar with my sins and though they are tightly integrated into my life–I must be as ruthless toward them as those Israelites who obeyed Moses, picking up their swords and swinging without mercy at their close, intimate and idolatrous friends. It is hard to put sin to death. But fixing the story of Exodus thirty-two in my mind–being instructed by it–I know I must take up the sword and kill my sin with no less vigor and alacrity.

But what of chapter thirty-three? Moses did a hard thing by taking up the sword against idolatry–he purged the sin from the midst of the camp. It is not surprising that having gone to war against sin, the very next chapter describes his seeing God’s glory. Chapter thirty-three is as instructive is chapter thirty-two. Whereas chapter thirty-two instructs as to the mortification of sin, chapter thirty-three instructs as to the ultimate objective of sin killing–seeing and beholding the light of the glory of the only God.

What did Moses want most?

“Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight.”

and

“I pray You, show me Your glory!”

And God said yes. He showed Moses His glory. He passed by before his very eyes.

There is no greater thing than beholding the goodness and glory of God. This is the final result and purpose for my calling as a Christian–Jesus saved me in order to bring me to God (”For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God…” - 1 Peter 3:18), to see Him and His Father’s glory in His eternal kingdom. This is to be my longing and my heart’s desire all my days.

Old Testament physical realities often have corresponding New Testament spiritual realities. What was visible in the old covenant is often invisible in the new. Thus a physical blade is replaced by divine weapons against thoughts and pretensions. Thus Moses’ actual visible experience of God’s glory is replaced with a spiritual apprehension of the glory of God in the face of Christ. And while I do not expect to see His glory with my eyes, while I remain alive, I do expect and desire to apprehend Christ’s glory in my heart by the Spirit. Moses’ words are instructive for killing sin and instructive for seeing God’s glory. And while I do not use metal in my mortifying, yet I do mortify. Neither do I see with my eyes, yet I seek out and long to apprehend spiritually the glory of Christ.

Dear Lord. I pray, show me Your glory. Jesus, keep me longing, waiting, and seeking. Let me not become satisfied with small things when awesome things are promised. Set the eyes of my heart on things above where you are, in your glory. You are my heart’’ desire–intensify this desire for you. I need you more and more. Amen.

Posted on January 5, 2007 - by ericholter

Consecration of the Common

“For seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it; then the altar shall be most holy, and whatever touches the altar shall be holy.”
Exodus 29:37

“For we are the temple of the living God…”
2 Corinthians 6:16

Such incredible care was taken in the preparation, ordination and consecration of Aaron, his sons, and the altar for their use in the sacrificial ministry. These processes included washing procedures, proper clothes, the acceptable characteristics of the animals used, and how each of the animal’s inner parts were to be offered. These procedures and processes had to be followed perfectly when ministering in the tent of meeting. Once consecrated, the altar was most holy. Anything used in connection with the altar, whatever touched the altar, was holy and consecrated for use only on the altar. Consecrated holy things must not be used in common ways. They must be handled with reverence and care. The knife used to cut apart the ram must not be used to prepare a meal. The knife of the altar may only be used at the altar. Treating holy things as common or despising the procedures given for the altar were met with swift judgment without mercy–as Aaron’s sons discovered.

That was then. But what now–what of myself under the new and better covenant which has now been established through the superior sacrifice of Christ Himself, made once for all by His own blood? By Christ’s blood I have been made holy. Just as the implements of the altar were, I have been set apart for Christ alone–no longer given for common use. So by what process, by which procedures am I to keep myself for use only at the altar of Christ, and not defile myself by common use?

For Aaron it was clear what he was to do, and not to do. Implements used in the sacrifices were left with the altar. He did not tuck the sacrificial knife into his belt and pull it out later to cut into a roast. I, however, have no physical altar to respect. Rather, by the Holy Spirit my whole heart, even my entire body has been made the altar, and the offering includes every facet of my life–not just my religious activities. Yet maintaining holiness, separateness, and devotion to the Lord is no less necessary now than it was then. Respecting the holiness of God and upholding the sanctification of His possessions (in this case myself) is no less sobering then it was for Aaron. However, a new way of being holy, being separate, and being devoted is required.

For example, if I attempt to be holy by trying to define which things may be handled and which things may not, or which things may be eaten and which things may not, or which activities may be participated in and which may not I will surely miss the way of holiness in Christ. No doubt pursuing holiness does often include such decisions and restrictions but it does not consist in them. A massive change takes place in the new covenant. The Holy Spirit changed me from sinner to set apart one (saint). But this does not mean that I have suddenly become segregated from a list of common things. Rather, by this inward change, all outward things changed too. Not only have I been made new, but all things, to me, have been made new as well. What I once may have considered common–eating and drinking, working, hanging out with friends, reading, entertainment–all these things have been made new to me in Christ. In all things I am engaged in spiritual, holy work as unto the Lord. When I am with friends, I am an emissary, an ambassador of Christ. When I eat, I am delighting in God’s good care. When I sleep, I rest in Christ. There is nothing common for the Christian. All is made holy and I am called to glorify Christ in all. I must rid myself of illusionary distinctions and false dichotomies. There is no activity under the sun that has not been appointed for me as a holy activity, a ministry at the altar, an offering made out from the overflowing grace of God.

Lord, forgive me when I consider my days mundane. There is no day, no activity, no toil, and no task exempt from the spiritual service of worship you’ve called me to in Christ. All are ordained by your hand and I am bound to honor you in and delight myself in all things for your sake. Help me to be holy, to treat all things with reverence and awe because all things are made by your hand and exist for your great glory. Amen.

Posted on December 5, 2006 - by ericholter

Glory and Food

“Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. Yet He did not stretch out His hand against the nobles of the sons of Israel; and they saw God, and they ate and drank.”
Exodus 24:9-11

What an amazing sight enjoyed not only by Moses and Aaron but also Nadab, Abihu and the seventy elders. These men saw God. They saw a glimpse into the glory of heaven. They saw God standing upon a clear sapphire foundation. They saw Him with their own eyes–and did not die! What a privilege, what a sight. To see God Himself, to see Him in His glory is the ultimate desire of the human soul and the best result of our entire existence–to see Him (and not be struck down dead) is the successful end of our purpose for living. These men saw it–and then they ate and drank.

The mention of eating and drinking is curious. Such a wonder as seeing God in His glory and the next thing mentioned is that they ate and drank. It seems such a contrast. The height of spiritual attainment followed directly by something as common as eating and drinking. It makes me wonder how common eating and drinking really are. After all, the Bible speaks of eating and drinking frequently as metaphor for spiritual hunger and spiritual satisfaction. Ecclesiastes speaks frequently about enjoying eating and drinking as a fundamental purpose of our days under the sun. The prophets speak often of eating and drinking as both warnings, when they are pursued excessively and sought as pleasures in and of themselves, and as rewards for truly seeking God. Jesus exhorts us to pursue that which is true food–that is–Himself. He is the everlasting and true food. God promises feasting in His kingdom as a part of His heavenly rewards. One of the primary ordinances of the new covenant involves the eating and drinking of the bread and wine as expressions of Christ’s sacrifice. And the apostle Paul addresses many spiritual matters using examples and applications that deal with issues of food and drink. In all these ways the Bible frequently connects God, Jesus, heaven, faith, and glory with food and drink.

This probably means that food and drink have a much greater meaning and purpose than I know when I receive them each day. So, will I think of Christ above when I eat some chips? Will I ask for living water for my soul when I enjoy a diet Stewart’s orange ‘n cream soda? Will I hear the echo of Isaiah 55:12 when I sit down to dinner?

“Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance.” Isaiah 55:1-2

When I eat honey – or more often chocolate, will I remember the reason why some things taste sweet?

“My son, eat honey, for it is good, yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste; Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; if you find it, then there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.” Proverbs 24:13-14

When I look forward to a special meal–or enjoy a carefully prepared dish–will I recall the feast that Jesus longed for?

“And He said to them, ‘I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’” Luke 22:15-16

No, I think eating and drinking are not so common after all. While eating and drinking and hunger and thirst are basic components of daily life, they are not insignificant. In fact they may be among the most significant daily events of our lives. God speaks every single day about hunger, thirst, appetite, desire, dependence, provision, satisfaction, and pleasure by making us need and want food and drink. Anybody, anywhere, anytime can produce in themselves a great and fervent hunger by simply abstaining from food and drink for a short time. And this easily created gut twisting hunger is just as easily satisfied by taking some food. And we do this every single day.

God speaks daily through our hunger and our thirst. God designed these basic and frequent occasions for us to be reminded of our need for the true food and true drink. The cyclical nature of hunger and thirst, eating and drinking should turn our attention to the source from which all things to derive their existence–the God of glory standing upon a clear sapphire foundation burning brightly in eternal glory. He is standing in heaven every moment of every day–during every meal, while I chew every bite of food and sip every cup of drink.

Lord, increase my awareness of your presence and your purposes for eating and drinking. Draw my mind and my heart upward whenever I eat, whenever I drink, and whenever I enjoy your good gifts. And Lord, from time to time remind me to take up fasting to remind myself how powerful a means of grace eating and drinking, hunger and thirst really are. And most of all open my eyes to the glory of Christ seated at your right hand on a clear platform of sapphire – and thank you and I may see you and not die because of the blood and the cross. Amen.

Posted on November 5, 2006 - by ericholter

Hearing the Gospel as Nonsense

“But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them.”
Luke 24:11

On the first Easter morning the apostles were cognitively non-Christians. When Mary, Joanna and Mary the mother of James reported that angles had told them that Jesus had risen, they considered the words as nonsense. It’s remarkable to me that the apostles would be so dull. After all, these men had been with Jesus, they heard everything He said, they saw every miracle He performed, and they had even been told in advance about His betrayal, crucifixion, and resurrection. In addition to their direct experiences with Jesus, having heard all His words and seen all His works, they also had three reliable, trustworthy eye witnesses testifying to the gospel they heard from the mouths of angels. All this was still not enough. The first time they heard the gospel message they thought it was nonsense.

How is it that their hearts could be so hard and that their eyes could be so blind? Of all the men throughout history, these men should have been ready to receive and believe the gospel–but they didn’t.

Now my own past denials of the gospel I can understand. I had far better excuses not to believe. When I first heard the gospel I was entirely unfamiliar with the words and deeds of Jesus. I had no first hand, personally verifiable eyewitness testimony. I live 2000 years after it all took place. And I heard the gospel with a modern, rationalistic, anti-supernatural worldview in which such an account sounds like a fairy tale. But Peter and the others? They should have been ready to believe.

It just goes to show that no amount of cultural background, knowledge of facts, or super natural experiences is adequate enough to produce faith. Genuine faith, the ability to respond to the gospel, the ability to believe in a resurrected Jesus is the gift of God. Establishing the apostle’s faith required the appearance of Jesus Himself. It even required Jesus’ extra efforts to prove He had actually risen. And it ultimately required the gift of the Holy Spirit. It was nothing less than super natural power that produced the apostle’s faith in the gospel.

Now if the apostles required a super natural work of God to believe, I certainly would not have believed without the same miraculous work in my soul. Therefore, I should be very thankful for the patient working of God in my case, and I should be patient in my personal evangelism. If the apostles thought the gospel was nonsense it is understandable that those like me who hear the message today might think so too. But the same supernatural power that reveals Christ to the eyes of the heart and imparts saving faith is just as available today as it was then. It still has the same eye opening, heart softening effects that turn the foolishness of the message into the awesome, majestic glory of God in the cross of Christ.

Thank you, Jesus, for being patient with my stubborn unbelieving heart. Thank you for not taking ultimate offense at my estimation of the gospel as nonsense, but rather drew near and opened my eyes. Let me testify to your gospel like Mary and Joanna and Mary did, even when it is received as foolishness and nonsense. Amen.