Semper Reformanda

“When they saw the star” | The Advent of Christ | 15/25

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. Matthew 2:10 (KJV)

The Magi rejoiced as the star confirmed their search the Messiah. (Sproul)[1] And they presented upon Him gifts. (v11) Piper reflects what is the meaning of giving gifts to God who lacks nothing? Its probably not out of want that the Magi may have extended this gesture; nor to seek favour. They were learned enough to know this. In fact, the entire gesture does not seem one motivated out of human agency. Piper writes (and I love this), “the gifts are intensifiers of desire for Christ himself in the same such way that fasting is.”[2] Beautiful. The gifts were expressions of their extreme desire; it is almost an involuntary act. And they may be so. Calvin writes, “if God had not fortified the minds of the Magi by his Spirit, they might have been discouraged by this state of things. But the ardor of their zeal is unabated; they set out without a guide. And yet the means of confirming their faith are not wanting; for they hear that the King, who had been pointed out to them by a star, was long ago described, in glowing language, by divine predictions.”[3] Godly desires are born out of the Spirit; not of flesh.[4] This advent, if there is a desire for the divine, it is most likely born of the Spirit. And that is something worthy of joy and celebration.

[1] https://learn.ligonier.org/devotionals/wise-men-rejoice

[2] Piper, J. (2014). The Dawning of Indestructible Joy

[3] https://www.truthaccordingtoscripture.com/commentaries/cal/matthew-2.php

[4] That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:6 (KJV)

“… minister of the circumcision” | The Advent of Christ | 14/25

Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. Romans 15:8-9 (KJV)

The phrase ‘minister to the circumcision’ employs metonym[1] to refer to the Jews.[2] The advent of Christ does not discriminate between Jew and Gentile. It is rather tailored into it. Christ embraced us all. (Calvin)[3] Christ fulfilled the prophecies and promises that were made to the Jews: all the while, this demonstration of His truthfulness was means of God’s mercy to the Gentiles. (Henry)[4] Christ’s service is directly in reference to God’s glory. He was not a slave to the Jews by ministering them. But He served God to glorify Him. His ministry illustrates the ideal end of all God’s mercy; it is to glorify Him. Christ truthfulness is not a duty-oriented accomplishment alone. His truthfulness to the Father grants us mercy. The advent refers Jesus’ commitment not only to the Father, but also, His indiscriminate love of His elect.

[1] A metonym is a word, name, or expression used as a substitute for something else with which it is closely associated. For example, Washington is a metonym for the US government.

[2] For a thorough study of the Apostle Paul’s usage of metonym, refer: Fredriksen, P. (2022). “Circumcision is nothing”: A non-Reformation reading of the letters of Paul. In H. Najman, R. Bloch, Y. Fisch, & P. Fredriksen (Eds.), Protestant Bible scholarship: Antisemitism, philosemitism, and anti-Judaism (Chapter 5, pp. 79–125). Brill. Kindly note that this paper is referred here solely from the perspective of intellectual transparency. I do not subscribe to the author’s larger argument, nor does it have any (spiritual or religious) implication on this blogpost as well. Referred here only to discuss metonym.

[3] https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/cal/romans-15.html

[4] https://biblehub.com/commentaries/mhc/romans/15.htm

“… foretold of these days” | The Advent of Christ | 13/25

Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. Acts 3:24 (KJV)

Piper presents an interesting perspective on prophecy. We tend to think of it as a future event. But he writes, “was is past for us, was future for the prophets.”[1] Citing the Apostle Paul that the events that have occurred during the Old Testaments were written down for our instruction.[2] The anticipation of Christ’s coming has already occurred. We live amidst the fulfilment of the promise. Piper writes, “What we anticipate in the future at Christ’s second coming is not something completely new but rather the consummation of the blessings we already enjoy, because the promises have begun to be fulﬁlled in our lives. Christmas cut history into two ages: the age of promise and the age of fulﬁlment.” In other words, we live in the vision that the prophets once longed to see. This advent, let us not get fooled by the ordinariness of life. Recognise the weight of His grace. And the extraordinariness of His love. Our time and this life is special and precious.

[1] Piper, J. (2014). The Dawning of Indestructible Joy

[2] 1 Cor 10:11