The Holiness of God Part 5: Holiness of Christ
This is Part 5 of a series on the Holiness of God. Each week we will study a different aspect of God’s holiness. When you have completed the series, you may experience a change in how you worship, speak, and pray.
Luke 5: 4-11: "Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him."
During the Lord Jesus Christ's earthly ministry, there were times that His disciples reacted in fear in His Presence. We see this regarding the storm on the Sea of Galilee when they said, "Who then is this, that even the wind and sea obey Him?" Today, we study why Jesus' closet companions could fear Him and yet still desire to follow Him.
First, notice how Peter's response ("Depart from me for I am a sinful man.") is similar to Isaiah's response ("I am undone."). Just as Isaiah said that he was a man of unclean lips, so Peter declares himself to be a sinner., even to the point of asking Jesus to depart from him. Like Isaiah, Peter recognized that he was in the presence of the Holy One.
Second, the response of Jesus' disciples to His calming of the storm reveals something about the human heart. Sigmund Freud believed that the first step in the evolution of religious belief was the personalization of nature to mitigate the fear of natural forces. As He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. Suddenly, a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves. But He was sleeping. So the disciples came and woke Him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to die!” But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, you of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea. And there was a great calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this?—even the winds and the sea obey Him!” (Matthew 8: 23-27) If Freud's theory was correct, the disciples would have been relieved after the storm ceased. Instead, rather than being assuaged, the fear of the disciples was intensified because they were in the Presence of the One who is holy. More than fearing an impersonal force of nature, the human heart fears that which is holy. The disciples would not have had an explanation for how the Lord Jesus Christ calmed the sea. They would not understand the display of power they had witnessed. The disciples felt fear because they realized how very different Jesus was from them. They knew He was holy and they were not.
Third, sometimes unsaved people are uncomfortable around real Christians. This is not because we are holy, but because who we represent One Who is. As Christians, we should be a reminder to unbelievers about the reality of God and His Holiness. On occasion, someone has said a curse word around me only to apologize to me for their speech. I say it is not me to who the apology is due. Every believer knows there is a place where one can be vulnerable before the holiness of God while at the same time without fear in the Presence of Christ. By abiding in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are accepted into God's Holiness despite our natural fear of it as sinners.
Finally, let us remember the experience of John, the beloved disciple, when he met the risen Lord Jesus Christ: " And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last...." (Revelation 1: 12-17) What do you think about the description John provides under inspiration of the Holy Spirit? The Lord Jesus Christ is Holy and to be in His Presence is to be reminded of how unholy we are. I know people today in certain groups that think they are holy because of their dress. I believe these people, while sincere, are in a dangerous error. We are not holy except the holiness provided to us through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ! I am thankful that when the Fathe looks at me, He sees the righteousness of His Son.
Prayer Points
1. Praise the Lord Jesus Christ for His mighty power over all things, both visible and invisible.
2. Confess your pride and any trust you have placed in your works to be holy. Rely solely on the finished work of Christ.
3. Thank God for the grace given to us that we might believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
4. Thank God for the gift of His Son that you might receive His Righteousness.
5. Ask God to use you to reach the lost and show them their need to be covered by the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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