From Bitter To Sweet

From Bitter To Sweet

Exodus 15:22-25 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,

Marah means “bitter.” (This name has the same meaning as Miriam and Mary, which we will come back to in a few moments.)

Ruth 1:20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.

The waters were bitter until the tree was put into it, then those same waters were made sweet. The interesting thing here is this event occurred only three days after Passover. There is a type or picture here many have not considered before.

In the New Testament, the cross of Calvary is referred to as "a tree" or "the tree" in various passages:

Acts 5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

Acts 10:39-40 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

Acts 13:28-30 And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. But God raised him from the dead:

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 

Before we come to the Lord Jesus Christ and trust Him as our Saviour, the burden of our sins is bitter indeed. The only thing that can turn what is bitter to sweet is the cross of Calvary - the cross that the Saviour died upon. Maybe it would be clearer for me to state it this way: the effects of the cross turn our bitter waters into sweet waters. If Jesus had only died for our sins, there would be no sweet living waters flowing forth.

John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

In the Gospel of John, the Apostle shows us that there were three Marys gathered around the cross, watching Jesus die. Bitter emotions and a bitter reality - their Friend, their Teacher, and their Saviour was now dead. This was prophesied close to 33 years before by Simeon when Mary and Joseph presented Jesus in the temple after the days of purification for Mary were fulfilled.

Luke 2:34-35 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Watching your firstborn Son die upon the cross - THAT would have been bitter indeed.

If the Biblical account had ended there, mankind would have been in bitter straits, would have been left without hope - but it didn't!

John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Jesus paid the full price necessary on the cross - shedding His blood, becoming sin for us and experiencing the full weight of God's wrath upon sin (see 2 Corinthians 5:21), dying as our Substitute - then He was laid in the tomb for three full days...

Mark 15:47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.

Three days of bitterness, uncertainty; three days where they wandered in their own wilderness of grief and sorrow...

...and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter...

...the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet...

Three days later, we find at least two of the three Marys going to the tomb with the spices they had prepared.

Mark 16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

Matthew 28:1-8 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

Watching the crucifixion would have truly been a bitter experience - but seeing the empty tomb and knowing that our salvation is finished, the effects of the cross bring great joy indeed.

It is the cross that makes our life sweet - whether seeing Jesus by faith on Calvary, having the burden of our sins being forgiven - or when we take up our cross daily, die to ourselves and accept God’s will. In both instances, life is no longer bitter, but sweet.

Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Romans 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.

“It is finished!”

November 30th, 2025

Jerry Bouey

For two wonderful poems touching on this theme, please read:

The Rose Of Sharon

The Fulness Of Jesus

The Savour Of Jesus’ Name

The Savour Of Jesus’ Name

Song of Songs 1:3 Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.

When we talk about the Lord Jesus Christ, when we fellowship together in His name, it is like a perfume or ointment going forth wherever we go. It is the smell of the burnt offering, wellpleasing to the Father, and we carry that savour everywhere we go. Those around us can tell we have been with Jesus! See Ephesians 5:2; 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 and Acts 4:12-13.

Song of Songs 1:12 While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.

Notice the spikenard is the woman’s. Mary of Bethany poured HER spikenard on the Saviour, the King, then the smell filled the house. She did this in preparation for Jesus’s death:

John 12:1-3, 7 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment… Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.

Song of Songs 1:13 A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.

Next we see the believer referring to Jesus’ burial. Myrrh is the aromatic spice that the dead were wrapped in. Her thoughts of Christ were like a sachet of potpourri sitting next to her heart - her Saviour is kept close to her heart, like someone she truly treasures.

Song of Songs 1:14 My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi.

Lastly, Jesus is compared to a cluster of camphire, another aromatic spice or flower that pictures the atonement of Jesus. The Hebrew word for camphire used here is literally the same Hebrew word used elsewhere that is translated as atonement, the redemption price and covering for our sin.

As believers fellowship over the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, the savour of His name fills our hearts and lives, and transform every place we go. Truly, it is a sweet smelling savour, acceptable to our Heavenly Father!

Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

May 1st, 2025

Jerry Bouey

The Savour Of The Saviour’s Name

The blessed savour of my Saviour,

Like an ointment or perfume -

Oh, the joy of His dear presence

Floods my heart and fills the room.

Oh, the wonder of Jesus’ name

Captures my soul with pure delight.

And the glory that surrounds us,

Dispels our deepest, darkest night.

When we spend time with our Saviour,

There’s a gladness and a peace.

There’s a hope and expectation -

Abundant life that will never cease.

By His death and resurrection,

He paid redemption’s price for all;

Oh, the blessing of His salvation

When upon His name we call.

The wondrous savour of life unto life -

The blessings that fill our hearts.

Oh, the glory of His presence -

And the wonder His love imparts!

May 4th, 2025

Jerry Bouey

Because of the savour of thy good ointments

thy name is as ointment poured forth,

therefore do the virgins love thee.

Song of Songs 1:3 

Praise God

Praise God

It is Thanksgiving Day here is Canada (where I am from), and I thought it would be beneficial to post some of my favourite verses on giving of thanks or praising God.

I had posted Psalm 100 in my Devotional on Sevens In Scripture (rewritten a couple of years later as Sevenfold Praise Part One and Sevenfold Praise Part Two), and have decided to include those observations here as well:

Psalms 100:1-5 A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.

Seven Ways to Praise God:

1. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

2. Serve the LORD with gladness:

3. come before His presence with singing.

4. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

5. and into His courts with praise:

6. be thankful unto Him,

7. and bless His name.

Seven Reasons to Praise God that will never change if you are saved (so you can always praise Him!):

1. Know ye that the LORD He is God:

2. it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves;

3. we are His people,

4. and the sheep of His pasture.

5. For the LORD is good;

6. His mercy is everlasting;

7. and His truth endureth to all generations.

Seven times the phrase "be glad and rejoice" is used in the Bible:

1) Psalms 9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in Thee: I will sing praise to Thy name, O thou most High.

2) Psalms 31:7 I will be glad and rejoice in Thy mercy: for Thou hast considered my trouble; Thou hast known my soul in adversities;

3) Song of Solomon 1:4 Draw me, we will run after Thee: the king hath brought me into His chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in Thee, we will remember Thy love more than wine: the upright love Thee.

4) Isaiah 25:9 And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.

5) Joel 2:21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.

6) Zephaniah 3:14-15 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, He hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.

7) Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.

Psalms 103:1-5 A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. (Hm, seven things here as well! - if you count being crowned with lovingkindness and crowned with tender mercies as two things.)

It Is Well With My Soul
(Lyrics: H.G. Spafford; Music: Philip P. Bliss)

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Chorus:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
"Even so," it is well with my soul.

Are you thankful for God's blessings today? Can you say, with the hymnwriter, that it is well with your soul?

October 11th, 2004
Jerry Bouey

God’s Greatest Poem

God’s Greatest Poem

Please read this whole post so you don't misunderstand where I am going with this devotional.

God gives each of us (mankind) one or more talents; talents we can squander on ourselves, for the world, or use for God's glory. If we come to the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, the Bible teaches the Holy Spirit also gives us spiritual gifts to be used to build up and strengthen our fellow believers.

One talent I have had since I was a child was the ability to play with words and make a poem out of them. Granted, I do not consider most of the poetry written before I came to the Lord to be worth much in the eyes of eternity, nor when compared to the poems I have written since I have gotten saved. Now I use my spiritual gifts (exhortation and teaching) to make my natural talent better and to make a difference in the lives of those around me, especially to edify my brethren and remind them of the promises of God.

Truly, my talent and gifts in this area would be nowhere near as good (if that is an appropriate word to use) without the input of my Christian friends throughout the years. Friends such as my webpartner, Angela Trenholm, who has helped me make so many poems better - including helping me rewrite It's Only After and Just As I Was. My sister, Lori, whom I can tell when she doesn't like the wording of a line here and there. But it is such a pleasure to see when something I write touches her heart and draws her closer to the Lord. There are also the many friends from my Bible study group and my church who have helped iron out parts of my poems here and there.

All that being said, I'm a poet. I love expressing the truth of the Word of God through poems and songs because they affect people emotionally in a way that dry facts or doctrine itself does not - though I seek God's wisdom in each poem to make sure that every idea and phrase I use is according to the Word of God (specifically the King James Bible), because only people and the Word of God last forever. If I want God to bless my poems, it must not be some nice sounding religious idea, but a poem firmly based on the Bible.

As a poet, I am not finished with a poem completely until I get it exactly the way I want it, until it sounds pleasant to me, until I get the Scriptural ideas and promises across in a way that is clear to those I share each poem with. I want an end result that is the best I can make it - and yes, that includes taking into consideration the input of others. I want a finished poem that I can be satisfied thoroughly with and that glorifies the Lord God.

Did you know God is writing a poem too?

Ephesians 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The word for "workmanship" is the Greek word poiema, where we get our English word poem from. According to this verse, you are God's poem!

And just like an earthly poet keeps working on each poem until he gets it exactly the way he wants it, so does God. The difference is He is the great Creator, He has all wisdom, and He absolutely loves each poem He has started. He will continue working on us until the day He takes us home to glory.

Philippians 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Isaiah 64:8  But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

In His love and wisdom, the Heavenly Potter will work in each of our lives and make the final product that He has long desired - a vessel that is transformed into honour and that brings Him eternal glory. If you have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation, believing He paid the complete penalty upon the cross when He died for your sins, know that the Risen Saviour is also working on you each day. He is the Master, the Potter, the Creator, and He has the power to transform any vessel, no matter how marred and scarred, into one that is a valuable treasure to Him.

Jeremiah 18:2-4  Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

Psalm 68:13  Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.

Once God started the work of salvation in you, He promised that He will continue until He has the finished product before Him in Heaven. as long as we are alive, the Lord is working on each one of us.

Truly, God's greatest poem is you!

November 20th, 2024

Jerry Bouey

Under Construction

Under construction by the Lord,
Pieced together in perfect accord,
Bit by bit, each part joined carefully,
Fitted and arranged with wisdom, tenderly.

As the Holy Spirit smoothes the edges,
And transforms His vessel into honour,
These changes, blessed by God's own touch,
Are wrought by His glorious power.

When God's final product is presented,
It will have been tested and proved.
Fired in the kiln of life's afflictions,
Refined and the impurities removed.

Though I can't imagine the end result as yet,
This work of art will someday be done.
Molded by the Potter with His very hands,
Lovingly crafted into the image of His Son.

August 22nd, 1995
Jerry Bouey

Jesus’ Compassion

Jesus’ Compassion

I was reminded recently of a poem/song I wrote based on Mark 1:40-42 (Be Thou Clean), the chorus of which is:

I wondered if Jesus would have compassion on me. I asked if He was willing, and He said, Be thou clean.

Jesus being moved with compassion was the reason He fed the 5000 and His motive for several other miracles and lessons taught by Him and the other apostles:

1) Forgiveness:

Matthew 18:27, 33 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt… Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

2) The Father's reception of the prodigal son:

Luke 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

3) A high priest's (and the High Priest's) understanding of our infirmities and weaknesses:

Hebrews 5:2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

4) Proof that we have the love of God dwelling in us:

1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

5) Growth and blessings as a Christian influencing other believers:

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

6) Growth as believers making a difference to the lost:

Jude 1:22-23 And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

July 18th, 2016
Jerry Bouey

Sowing The Wind And Reaping The Whirlwind

Sowing The Wind And Reaping The Whirlwind

Hosea 8:7-8  For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up. Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure.

Wind – idea of vanity, nothing of substance

Whirlwind – destruction, judgment from God

Main sense: Wind – sowing a storm, playing with lightning (or a lightning rod), if you will.

Whirlwind – tempest, hurricane

Galatians 6:7-8  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Illustration: Deuteronomy 22:9  Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled.

Ecclesiastes 5:16  And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?

Proverbs 11:29  He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

Proverbs 22:8  He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.

Negative sowing and reaping:

Hosea 10:13  Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.

Job 4:8  Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.

Positive sowing and reaping:

Hosea 10:11-12  And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods. Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

Jeremiah 4:3  For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.

Matthew 13:22  He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

Luke 8:12, 15  Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved… But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

James 3:18  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

2 encouraging promises:

1) Even if/though we have previously sown sin, we can turn back to the Lord and sow righteousness – and that harvest will eventually grow if we persevere in our walks with the Lord.

Psalms 126:5-6  They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

John 4:35-36  Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

Proverbs 11:18  The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

2) Jesus can calm all the storms in our lives – even when caused by our sin. We need to repent (turn back to Him), make that area of our lives right, and keep our eyes on Jesus, not on the wind and the waves.

Mark 4:39  And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

The Tempest Of The Lord
(Psalm 107:23-32)

The tempest rages sudden,
Cruel winds prevail strong,
Though jagged lightning spears the sky,
The night seems dark and long.

The storm crashes down upon them,
Pounding waves overflow,
All thoughts of mercy fade away
To fear, and anguish below.

Mounting high to heaven then
To the depths, plunging down,
Troubled souls melting, at wits end,
No refuge to be found.

But then out from distressed hearts,
Comes a wretched, ragged cry,
The storm calms down, the waves are still,
The Lord of hosts draws nigh.

Chastening, then conviction,
Turning away from sin,
Praying and seeking forgiveness,
Restored to God again.

Peace floods the trembling soul,
The haven is in sight,
A rainbow pierces through the clouds,
And scatters darkest night.

Bless the Lord for His goodness,
Exalt Him for His grace,
Give Him thanks ye children of men,
Oh give Him love and praise.

Poem written August 11th, 2000
Preached February 17, 2011
Jerry Bouey

Behold - Your Saviour!

Behold - Your Saviour!

In the past, I have done devotions on the theme of Behold, A Fivefold Picture (of the Saviour), basically presenting the contrasts between the Gospels, using the five different Behold statements about the Saviour. Ie. Isaiah 42:1 states, "Behold my servant," and corresponds with the Gospel of Mark which presents Jesus as a servant.

Now at the Mission we are working our way through the Gospel of John, and I was covering part of John 19. I know there are five different statements about the Saviour using the word "Behold," that use the term in a different way than it is normally used (ie. Behold, ... Consider something - but these statements are commanding us to behold a Person - eg. Behold your King - no comma - ie. Take a long, deep look at your King).

For a refresher I rechecked to find behold is used 1326 times in 1275 verses - only eight verses are used differently covering these five statements:

Behold My Servant! - Isaiah 42:1 and Matthew 12:18. Corresponding to the Gospel of Mark.
Behold the Man! - John 19:5 and Zechariah 6:12. Luke presents Jesus as the perfect Man.
Behold your King! - John 19:14. Corresponding to the Gospel of Matthew.
Behold the Lamb of God! - John 1:29, 36. The overall theme of the Gospels, and the Bible as a whole.
Behold your God! - Isaiah 40:9. Corresponding to the Gospel of John.

5 statements about the Saviour in eight verses, each representing a different aspect of His character...

Today I presented Jesus going to the cross using these five statements.

1) Behold My Servant!

Isaiah 42:1-4 and Matthew 12:18-21 showing what our Saviour was like.
Matthew 20:28 how Jesus came to serve us by giving His life for us.
Isaiah 53:11 how the knowledge and reception of that Servant leads to salvation.
Here is the Saviour going to fulfill His ministry: Behold my Servant!

2) Behold The Man!

John 19:1-12 Recap Jesus' struggle in the Garden, capture by the guards, beatings, scourgings, crown of thorns beaten onto His head, etc.
Behold the Man! (this word carries the idea of weakness) - the Saviour at His weakest, then being crucified, thirsting - John 19:28 Behold the Man!

3) Behold Your King!

John 19:13-22 His authority is shown by commanding the crowd to let His disciples go - John 18:8
Mocking of Jesus by the purple kingly robe, crown of thorns, presented as the King of the Jews, sign above His head - John 19:19 (shows God's authority and overruling of His enemies' intents to show who Jesus was, even to those who refused the truth), His dying at His choice and command, not man's - John 19:30 (notice the "It is finished" - the price was paid for our sin, victory was won! Recall what God's Servant would do in Matthew 12:20). Behold Your King!

4) Behold The Lamb of God!

The Passover Lamb - perfect, young, beloved, killed and His blood shed for our salvation - see especially Exodus 12:3-7, notice "a lamb... the lamb... your lamb" - the young lamb they had grown to love now killed for them and the blood applied... On the cross, dying for our sins, shedding His blood - John 19:16-18 Has His blood been applied to your soul through faith in His sacrifice for you? Behold the Lamb of God!

More weakness - laid in the tomb for three days and nights, then...

5) Behold your God!

The Saviour has risen. He is alive! Behold the King of Kings; behold your God; behold your Saviour!

The Lord Jesus Christ has triumphed, He has risen forevermore.

Behold your God! Isaiah 40:9-10 John 20:24-28

April 14th, 2011
Jerry Bouey

New Testament Apostles - A Word Study

New Testament Apostles - A Word Study

Interesting that the word "sent" in the New Testament (send out, send forth - String's #649), comes from the word apostello. It means someone or something that was sent out (usually from God in the NT), including the apostles, but it includes basically any kind of messenger or person that is sent in a service or a commission.

However, the word that is translated into English as apostle is apostolos (a different firm of the word - Strong's #652). Everytime it is used in the NT, the context shows that it is always the 12 apostles that are in view (except four times),* and one of the four usages is referring to Jesus Christ in Hebrews 3:1.

*John 13:16 - he that is "sent"
2 Corinthians 8:23 - "messengers" of the churches
Philippians 2:25 - your "messenger"

It is noteworthy to me how the NT uses this word. There are many pentecostals and charismatics who try to teach there are other "apostles" (#652, ie. one of the Apostles) today because there were other ones "sent forth/out" (#649) in the first century.

But the Bible teaches that there were and are only 12 Apostles in light of eternity (the Apostles were the foundation of the NT church: see Ephesians 2:19-22 and Revelation 21:14; and the way the term - #652 - is used in the NT to refer to the 12). There are only twelve foundations for the New Jerusalem in eternity. Yes, Matthias was temporarily chosen by the early disciples to fill Judas' office, but the Scriptures show that Paul permanently took that place once he was saved. He was not even on the scene yet in AD 32 (or thereabouts). When the early church used lots to determine who would replace Judas, Paul was not even saved yet, and I do not believe God's hand was on the results. (Ie. "Which of these particular two do you choose, God?" "Neither - My choice is not even saved yet!" - My imagination on the events that unfolded in Acts 1.) When Paul was used by the Lord to write most of the New Testament epistles, he identified himself as an Apostle (and the Apostle to the Gentiles) at the start of each of them (except Hebrews, for various reasons).

A true believer need never fear that there are modern Apostles today with authoritative revelation from God. The Bible is a closed book, the 12 Apostles did the signs of an apostle to back up their messages (see 2 Corinthians 12:12) while the New Testament was being written, but no one else was given the same authority then or now. Yes, some of the Apostle's associates were referred to as ones being "sent forth", though it is not the same form of the word and they are not referred to in the same sense. The four references stated above that differ in their usage show Titus, Epaphroditus, and perhaps some of their associates as co-workers with the Apostles, but they are not referred to in the same sense, and the context does not give them the same authority. Of course, Jesus is "the Apostle and High Priest of our profession" - He is the person with all authority and power, sending forth the 12 with the commission He has for them.

There were only ever the 12 Apostles, and once the foundation of the church was laid and the New Testament was finished being written, the need for any Apostles was done away with. Now we have the complete Word of God - the final authority for everything in our lives.

February 1st, 2023
Jerry Bouey

Romans 8 - God Is For Us

Romans 8 - God Is For Us

In Romans 8:28, we see that our Heavenly Father God is working out all things in our lives for our good. (This is a promise only God's children can claim - those who have been born again into God's family through faith in Jesus for salvation.) The good that He is working out is to make us more like His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

We can take confidence in the Lord and His will for our lives, and trust Him for all that He allows or brings into our lives - because He has a purpose for everything. One verse that I often think of in relation to the above passage is:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

I can rejoice and thank the Lord for all He allows into my life because it is all according to His will and purpose!

In light of that above fact, I know that God is for us.

1) The Holy Spirit is for us:

He will lead us and give us the assurance of our adoption as sons.

Romans 8:14-17 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.

The Holy Spirit will help us to pray according to the will of God for our lives.

Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

2) Our Heavenly Father is for us:

Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

He has already met our greatest need (salvation), and has promised to meet all our other needs.

Romans 8:32 He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

He justifies His children (declares them not guilty in His sight).

Romans 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

3) The Son of God (The Lord Jesus Christ) is for us:

Jesus is in Heaven as our advocate and Mediator between us and our Heavenly Father; He is standing in the gap for us when we sin against Him - ready to offer forgiveness and cleansing through His shed blood.

Romans 8:34 Who is He that condemneth?* It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

*God is the only one who has the power and authority to condemn us - no one else can, but He is the one who has already justified His children, and He will never go back on His word! We can take full assurance in that!

No one and nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of Christ, nor from our Saviour Himself.

Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Knowing that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all for us, we can trust God fully to carry out His perfect will in our lives. Truly He has made us more than conquerors over all the trials in our lives!

Written October 29th, 2004
Jerry Bouey

See also Romans 8:1 - Now No Condemnation

Romans 8:1 - Now No Condemnation

Romans 8:1 - Now No Condemnation

Romans 7:19-25 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

The great dilemma of the ages: where do I receive victory in my Christian life? In my flesh I cannot please the Lord nor live the way He wants me to live. On my own, I cannot even fulfill the Law's demands. The battle the Apostle Paul describes in Romans 7 seems well-nigh hopeless, futile, vain - but there is hope! The conflict doesn't end there. The same God who inspired Romans 7 also gave us Romans 8, the Victory Chapter. This chapter is what many theologians refer to as the Jewel of the New Testament. And the truths contained within these verses gleam brightly for all with eyes to see, and ears to hear!

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

The key to daily victory is to abide in Christ. When you came to the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation from sin, fully trusting in His death, burial and resurrection, your account was credited with the perfect sinless righteousness of Jesus, the only person who has ever fully fulfilled the Old Testament Law. When our Heavenly Father looks down from Heaven at His children, He sees only the righteousness of the spotless Lamb of God, not our blemishes and sin-stains. Right here and now (not just after we die), all God's children are free from condemnation! From the moment I placed personal faith in Jesus Christ, He delivered me from the wrath of God for my sins (eternity in Hell) - because He has already borne my penalty for them when He died on the cross of Calvary. The lightning of God's wrath will never strike the same person twice - either we accept Jesus' payment for our sins, or we bear the penalty ourselves in Hell. If you are reading this and you don't know Jesus as your personal Saviour, I plead with you to accept His payment for your sin. Come unto Jesus for forgiveness and cleansing, and let Him make you a new creature!

The hymn writer, Philip Bliss, said it best in his song Once For All:

Free from the law - O happy condition!

Jesus hath bled, and there is remission;

Cursed by the law and bruised by the fall,

Grace hath redeemed us once for all.

Now are we free - there's no condemnation!

Jesus provides a perfect salvation;

"Come unto Me" O hear His sweet call!

Come - and He saves us once for all. 

May 2003

Jerry Bouey

See also Romans 8 - God Is For Us