Day 3 - Friday, February 16
Title: INTIMACY WITH THE RISEN CHRIST
Scripture: Philippians 3:7-14 (NKJV)
But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain  to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Poetry & Poet: 
From “The Flowering of the Rod (III)
by H.D.

In resurrection, there is confusion
if we start to argue; if we stand and stare,

we do not know where to go;
in resurrection, there is simple affirmation,

but do not delay to round up the others,
up and down the street; your going

in a moment like this, is the best proof
that you know the way;

does the first wild-goose stop to explain
to the others? no—he is off;

they follow or not
that is their affair;

does the first wild-goose care
whether the others follow or not?

I don’t think so—he is so happy to be off—
he knows where he is going;

so we must be drawn or we must fly,
like the snow-geese of the Arctic circle,

to the Carolinas or to Florida,
or like those migratory flocks

who still (they say) hover
over the lost island, Atlantis;

seeking what we once knew,
we know ultimately we will find

happiness; to-day shalt thou be
with me in Paradise

SANCTIFIED BY MY BELOVED SAVIOR

Suffering is universal and a key component of our sanctification process. It is a constant we can and will experience living in a fallen, broken world. But how we respond in the face of suffering is the great question we must all ponder. My brother Richard was murdered at the age of twenty-nine. He was shot in the head twice, thrown out of a car on a country road, and discarded like a piece of trash. When I came face-to-face with my brother’s assailant, I had a choice to make. Would I allow the silversmith of my life to continue to refine me in the fire of suffering and come to know Him because I chose to sit at His feet? I’m glad I answered, “Yes.”

For the past few years, I have chosen a phrase to meditate upon. This year it is no coincidence that the phrase I have chosen is “to know.” As I reflect on the words of Paul in Philippians 3, I see the central theme is knowing God. Saul, who became Paul after his conversion, was a legalist who persecuted and condemned Christians and was present for the stoning of one of the early disciples, Stephen. After spewing murderous threats regarding the followers of Jesus, Saul is struck blind on the road to Damascus. God tells the disciple Ananias in a dream to lay hands on Saul to restore his sight because He had chosen Saul as an instrument to bring the gospel to both Jews and Gentiles. God goes on to tell Ananias that He will show Saul how much he will suffer for His name (Acts 9:1-19). Although Paul dedicated the remainder of his life to Christ, Paul experienced firsthand the refining fire of suffering. During Paul’s life, he was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, flogged, hungry, cold, naked, received thirty-nine lashes five different times, and was imprisoned for nearly five years for sharing the gospel (2 Cor. 11:16-27). Yet he counts ALL things loss or rubbish compared to the supreme excellency of knowing Christ. In Hebrew rubbish means dung, excrement, or table scraps only worthy for dogs. Paul is essentially saying the worth of everything I have done on my own is nothing, and in fact, it is disgusting and vile in comparison to knowing my Savior.

The song Knowing You, performed by Matthew Ward, reiterates the sentiments of Paul: There is no greater thing than knowing Jesus. Knowing Him face-to-face like a bride on her wedding day as she is unveiled and her husband takes her face in his hands and gazes on her beauty and says with a kiss and a vow, “Today you are my beloved.”

The famous line in Les Misérables is “To love another is to see the face of God.” This beautiful imagery of really seeing God, by loving others, is displayed by Hugh Jackman playing the role of Jean Valjean, who like Paul, also knows what it is to suffer unjustly. Jean Valjean was imprisoned for nineteen years of hard labor after stealing a loaf of bread for his starving nephew. After his release, Valjean is unable to find work or a place of refuge for the night until he comes face-to-face with Bishop Myriel. The high priest is a representation of Christ, as he gives the paroled convict bread, wine, and rest. After a night of unrest and condemned by his own insecurities, failures, and doubt, Valjean steals the bishop’s silverware only to be found by the police and returned the next day to the godly man’s home. Bishop Myriel not only justifies Valjean’s crime by saying the silverware was a gift but gives the thief silver candlesticks in addition to his plunder. The priest tells him to remember his promise to reform because he has ransomed his soul for God.

The ransomed soul and candlesticks are an incredible allegory of the light, grace, and mercy of Christ, and His blood atoning sacrifice. This new life through salvation by faith alone, transformed both Paul’s life on the road to Damascus and Jean Valjean, as they both lived out their life in sincere repentance that led to moral renewal, as evidence by their one desire––to love God and others no matter the cost until they come to glory.

Once we realize our “true north,” discovering the one thing that is fixed, permanent, and sure, we become like the migratory geese in The Flowering of the Rod who take off with their internal compass drawing them to their resting place. God has given us a spiritual compass and has set eternity in the hearts of men (Ecc. 3:11). Both the Apostle Paul and Jean Valjean aspired for this glorified state and found it on the path of suffering. To know God is to know Christ, and to know Christ is to participate in his suffering, the suffering of the cross. We do not have to fear suffering, because we know that not only is God with us through it, but through suffering we will know Him better.

Prayer
Father God let my heart proclaim the words of King David. For as the deer pants for streams of water, may my soul pant for you. May my soul thirst for you, the living God. Help me to hunger and thirst for righteousness. For you are the only one who can truly satisfy the longing of my heart. I want to know you and see your glory. I want to be transformed into the image of your son Jesus. Be gracious to me as you lead me through the fire of adversity and suffering. Ignite the fire of my faith to stand firm and run this race with endurance until I come home to be with you. I long to hear you say “Well done my good and faithful servant. Enter your rest.” Quickly come my Lord!
In the precious blood of Jesus.
Amen.

Tammy Henderson, MSN, RN
Former Assistant Professor of Nursing and Alumna
Biola University

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