God Is Beautiful
For many years (a phrase which seems to introduce almost everything I say or write these days), I have thought about and preached on the subject of the beauty of God. I have never heard anyone teach on the subject, but I did through the decades come across two written sermons on the topic, “The Beauty of the Lord” by J. D. Jones and “Are There Shortcuts to the Beauty of Holiness?” (the short answer is “No!”) by A. W. Tozer. More recently, I read a review of a scholarly article about the American preacher Jonathan Edwards (of “sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” fame) that mentioned in passing that the beauty of God was one of the great themes in his preaching. I was thus encouraged that I have not headed off on an unprofitable tangent. In simple terms, beauty is that which attracts, causes a favorable interest, and creates an affinity. Such real, eternal beauty is found in our God. (I will be using this opening paragraph for each of the brief messages in this series. The following material will change daily.)
The fulfillment of prophecy is one important way that John 6:44 is fulfilled: “No man can come to Me, except the Father Which hath sent Me draw him, and I will raise him up at the last day.” Prophecies regarding the death of Jesus Christ, God the Son, are particularly compelling in their specificity. We read that the Savior would be betrayed by a friend (Psalm 55:12-14; Matthew 26:49-50) for thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12; Matthew 26:14-15) that would be cast to the potter (Zechariah 11:13; Matthew 27:5-10). While the Messiah would be abandoned by His disciples (Zechariah 13:7; Matthew 26:56), He would be accused by false witnesses (Psalm 35:11; Matthew 26:59-60) but would remain silent before them (Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 27:12-14), He would be smitten and spit upon (Isaiah 50:6; Matthew 26:67), scourged (Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 27:26), and stripped of His outer garments (Psalm 22:17; Matthew 27:35), which would then be divided amongst the soldiers by the casting of lots (Psalm 22:18; Matthew 27:35). The Savior would be crucified, including the piercing of His hands and feet (Psalm 22:16; Matthew 27:35 and John 20:25-27); this crucifixion would take place alongside thieves (Isaiah 53:12; Mark 15:27-28). As people would shake their heads in derision at Him (Psalm 109:25; Matthew 27:39) and openly mock Him (Psalm 22:7-8; Matthew 27:41-43), He would pray for them – and us (Isaiah 53:12; Luke 23:34). From the Cross, the Messiah would give His Father-forsaken cry (Psalm 22:1; Matthew 27:46), would partake of vinegar (Psalm 69:21; John 19:28-29), and would commit Himself to God the Father (Psalm 31:5; Luke 23:46). Surprisingly, His bones would not be broken (Psalm 34:20; John 19:33, 36), but His side would be pierced (Zechariah 12:10, Psalm 22:14; John 19:34). He would then be buried in a wealthy man’s tomb (Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:57-60). As Jesus Himself said in Matthew 26:56, “All this was done, that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” The purpose of fulfilled prophecy must not be forgotten: John 20-31 reminds us that “these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name. Perhaps you have heard it said that “the devil is in the details.” No, the beauty of God is in the details, including in the details of fulfilled prophecy, all which draw us to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.