Apicontent

“Simon and his companions searched for him. When they found him, they said, ‘Everyone is looking for you.’ He replied, ‘Let us go elsewhere, into the surrounding villages, so that I can preach there too. For that is what I came out here to do.’ So he went into all of Galilee preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.” —Mark 1:36–39

Just as wealth can often be harder to handle than poverty, succumbing to popularity and notoriety over anonymity can be difficult. Extremes are never easy to live out properly in any life—whatever those extremes may be. Balance is key in the life of a believer! We would do well when we are successful to remind ourselves of Paul’s words to the Corinthians:

“For who concedes you any superiority? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as though you did not?” —1 Corinthians 4:7

The Old Testament tells us: “Two things I have asked from you; do not refuse me before I die: Remove falsehood and lies far from me; do not give me poverty or riches, feed me with my allotted portion of bread, lest I become satisfied and act deceptively and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or lest I become poor and steal and demean the name of my God.” —Proverbs 30:7–9

Jesus was riding the wave of popularity—people were seeking Him from every direction and instead of riding upon men’s shoulders, He spends the night in prayer. What an example! I don’t know about you, but when things are sweet in my life, my prayer life often starts to falter. But Jesus knows the risk of popular acclaim. Prayer is for all times—necessary to equip us when life is easy as well as difficult. It is not hard to remember to pray when times are hard! Our Lord was well aware it was not yet time for His earthly kingdom to be established. He eventually had a cross to bear. The temptation to shirk the pain would have certainly been appealing.

Look at the disciples in our verses for today. Crowds are gathering, people are seeking Jesus, and the disciples are enjoying every minute of it. All the while the Lord Jesus is praying for strength and protection and the ability to stand firm in the will of God. Remember, Jesus said He came to do His Father’s will. Yet Satan bites at the heels of all and particularly at the Lord Jesus.

I am reminded of his foiled temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. Satan offers Jesus the kingdoms of the world with all their splendor and notoriety and glitz if Jesus would simply bow down and worship him. A seemingly easy path to power and glory—and Jesus nipped it right in the bud:

“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their grandeur. And he said to him, ‘I will give you all these things if you throw yourself to the ground and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go away, Satan! For it is written: “You are to worship the Lord your God and serve only him.”’” —Matthew 4:8–10

It was and is God’s design for Jesus Christ to rule the world, but that design involved the cross. Jesus knew this, yet the temptation to take the easy rather than the hard way remained. The writer of Hebrews tells us Jesus was tempted in every way as we are, yet He was without sin. As fully God, He never gave in to sin, yet as a man He could feel the hard reality of temptation and is therefore able to sympathize with us:

“For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin.” —Hebrews 4:15

Jesus had a lot of work left to do. He came to preach Good News to all people, and present popularity was not going to prevent it. His mission was His Father’s mission and He remained focused on that mission. He was committed to carrying out the plan which would include going to the cross.

“Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to complete his work.” —John 4:34

“We must perform the deeds of the one who sent me as long as it is daytime. Night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” —John 9:4–5

Become More

While I haven’t had much firsthand experience with notoriety, fame, or acclaim, I know it is true that how one handles popularity is just as important as how one handles anonymity. Whatever God allows in the life of a believer, He gives each one of us the power to bring Him glory. It works wondrously when done in His way!

Further Reflection

“Let God do with me whatever He will.” —William Mountford

“Now as soon as they left the synagogue, they entered Simon and Andrew’s house, with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law was lying down, sick with a fever, so they spoke to Jesus at once about her. He came and raised her up by gently taking her hand. Then the fever left her and she began to serve them. When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered by the door. So he healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. But he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.” —Mark 1:29–34

Jesus’ had just taught and healed with great power and authority. Now He was looking forward to the warmth of Peter’s hospitality. However, upon arriving on the premises of Peter’s home, He and His disciples discover that Peter’s mother-in-law is sick in bed with a fever. Enter the gracious Healer who demonstrates that His concern and care cover not only spiritual healing (as had been seen earlier when He was at the synagogue), but physical healing as well. Jesus’ authority and power extends to every realm of life.

Made aware of the sickness under Peter’s roof, Jesus goes to her, touches her, and heals her. She was not only healed, but strengthened to serve as well! What a lesson for us: Service will always overflow out of a life that is touched by the Master. His cure equips us for action.

Later in his life, Peter wrote that our gifts have been given to us in order that we in turn may give.

“Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God.” —1 Peter 4:10

The end of sunset on this particular Sabbath finds a deluge of the hurting seeking a healing touch from the Master. Not inclined to break the Law, the people of Capernaum waited to bring their sick until after the sun set—Sabbath occurring from sunset to sunset. Rabbinic regulations prohibited bearing burdens on the Sabbath—no matter if it meant helping someone in dire need. The town had gathered at Peter’s doorstep, bringing with them the hurting, and the weak, and the failing.

Are we not all in that predicament—hurting, or weak, or failing? Do we not all need a healing touch from the Master’s hand? God’s healing covers all of our spiritual, emotional and physical needs!

Isaiah’s words come to mind:

“But he lifted up our illnesses, he carried our pain; even though we thought he was being punished, attacked by God, and afflicted for something he had done.” —Isaiah 53:4

Become More

While Jesus healed many physical ailments during His earthly ministry, His greater work on the cross healed the sickness of the soul. He took away all of our sins–carrying them as our great Burden Bearer. He bore the just judgment for our sins on the cross, leaving His peace and joy for us in the wake of His intense suffering.

“And even though you were dead in your transgressions and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he nevertheless made you alive with him, having forgiven all your transgressions. He has destroyed what was against us, a certificate of indebtedness expressed in decrees opposed to us. He has taken it away by nailing it to the cross. Disarming the rulers and authorities, he has made a public disgrace of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” —Colossians 2:13–15

“Peace is not found when you get into perfect circumstances. Peace is found because Jesus Christ, the Price of Peace, has gotten into you. Joy is the perfect partner to peace and is found in the same way as peace. Joy is never found in what you have or what you do, but in who you have living in you.” —Roy Lessin

Further Reflections

“Whenever His hand is laid upon you, it gives inexpressible peace and comfort, and the sense that ‘underneath are the everlasting arms’, full of support, provision, comfort, and strength … His tenderness is inexpressibly sweet.” —Oswald Chambers

“My chains fell off, my heart was free. I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.” —Charles Wesley, “And Can It Be?”

“Then they went to Capernaum. When the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people there were amazed by his teaching, because he taught them like one who had authority, not like the experts in the law. Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, ‘Leave us alone, Jesus the Nazarene! Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!’ But Jesus rebuked him: ‘Silence! Come out of him!’ After throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him. They were all amazed so that they asked each other, ‘What is this? A new teaching with authority! He even commands the unclean spirits and they obey him.’ So the news about him spread quickly throughout all the region around Galilee.” —Mark 1:21–28

Jesus spoke and taught with authority—and His living Word continues to teach believers with the same authority through the illumination of the Holy Spirit. Jesus came to earth as a Spokesman from and for God. This truth should not take us by surprise. Those who heard Jesus stood astounded—overwhelmed at the manner and content of His teaching–particularly in contrast to the teachers of the Law of Moses. The contrast between Jesus and the religious leaders of His day was noticeable. The religious leaders were simply a reflection of the authority of the Law, but Jesus was authority personified! At the closing of the Sermon on the Mount in the book of Matthew we see the crowds responding to Jesus in much the same manner as the people in Capernaum:

“The crowds were amazed by his teaching, because he taught them like one who had authority, not like their experts in the law.” — Matthew 7:28–29

In our verses for today we also see that the demonic forces also understood exactly who Jesus was. Indeed, the evil spirit proclaims that Jesus is the Holy One of God. This happened at other times in Jesus’ ministry as well. We read in Matthew:

“When he came to the other side, to the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were extremely violent, so that no one was able to pass by that way. They cried out, ‘Son of God, leave us alone! Have you come here to torment us before the time?’” —Matthew 8:28–29

Jesus’ authority was not limited to the demonic world, but extended to nature as well. His wide-eyed disciples stood in awe when He rebuked the wind and the waves in their presence. We see their reaction in the Gospel of Matthew:

“And the men were amazed and said, ‘What sort of person is this? Even the winds and the sea obey him!’” —Matthew 8:27

Finally, I am reminded of Jesus’ words right before He ascended into heaven:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” —Matthew 28:18–20

Become More

As disciples of Jesus we are to have a limitless confidence in His authority. We are not to lean upon our own limited resources, abilities, and knowledge. Jesus confronts us with this question in every circumstance we encounter: “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” And just as the father with the demoniac child exclaimed to Jesus, we too should exclaim: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

“Jesus asked his father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ And he said, ‘From childhood. It has often thrown him into fire or water to destroy him. But if you are able to do anything, have compassion on us and help us.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘If you are able?’ All things are possible for the one who believes.’ Immediately the father of the boy cried out and said, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’” —Mark 9:21–24

Further Reflection

“Only two things have ever changed the human soul: the fall and grace, the power of Satan and the power of God. And God is infinitely more powerful. Nothing is stronger than grace. Satan doesn’t have any. God is defined by it.” —Larry Crabb

“As he went along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishermen). Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will turn you into fishers of people!’ They left their nets immediately and followed him. Going on a little farther, he saw James, the son of Zebedee, and John his brother in their boat mending nets. Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.” —Mark 1:16–20

Two things stand out to me in these verses—Jesus called and those He called followed. Leaving work and family and friends behind, these four fishermen began to follow Jesus at His invitation—they believed in Him at once. Our Lord begins His selection process of His twelve disciples, His core group of comrades, His intimate circle of friends and followers, with the call of four fishermen. How perfect—they had a transferable skill set—switching from being fishers of fish to fishers of men. Jesus’ words must have resonated with them. How interesting that Jesus did not go to the “religious” Pharisees and Sanhedrin of His day to gather His inner circle, rather He picked common men from among the nets by the Galilean seashore. Jesus so often chooses to demonstrate His power through the weak and foolish things of this world so that there will be no question about where the power comes from.

Paul tells us:

“Think about the circumstances of your call, brothers and sisters. Not many were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were born to a privileged position. But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong. God chose what is low and despised in the world, what is regarded as nothing, to set aside what is regarded as something, so that no one can boast in his presence.” —1 Corinthians 1:26–29

At the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry, the pupils were the ones to choose the Rabbis they would follow rather than vice versa. But Jesus came with a different authority—one where He does the calling. Jesus was constantly shaking up the tradition of man! There was and is no relationship with Christ apart from His call, and it was and is no ordinary call. What He invited those twelve men to was a relationship with Him that was totally radical in its nature. And He invites each one of us into that same relationship. He wants priority—priority over our friends and families, priority over our careers, priority over our stuff, priority over our very selves. He wants first place—all else is to be second. He will share His throne with no other. Our Lord wants us loosely attached to this world and the things of it—forsaking what is inconsistent to our duty of following after Him. We find Jesus’ words in Luke’s Gospel emphasizing this priority:

“Now large crowds were accompanying Jesus, and turning to them he said, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, and wife and children, and brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” —Luke 14:25–27

Jesus is to be our passion, our goal, our priority. He is to be our sufficiency and strength. The Gospel is all about following the King!

Become More

“The nature of Christ’s salvation is woefully misrepresented by the present-day evangelist. He announces a Saviour from Hell rather than a Saviour from sin. And that is why so many are fatally deceived … there are multitudes who wish to escape the Lake of fire who have no desire to be delivered from their carnality and worldliness.” —A.W. Pink

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will find it. For what does it benefit a person if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or what can a person give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angel in the glory of his Father, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.’” —Matthew 16:24–27

Further Reflection

The word followed is translated from the Greek word akoloutheo meaning attendant, accompany. “The individual calling to follow Jesus involved abiding fellowship with Him, not only for the sake of learning as a student from his teacher, but also for the sake of the salvation known or looked for, which presented itself in this fellowship. The first thing involved in following Jesus is a cleaving to Him in believing trust and obedience, those cleaving to Him also following His leading and acting according to His example. Hence the constant stress laid by the Lord Jesus upon the need of self-denial and fellowship with Himself in the cross. Thus following Jesus denotes a fellowship of faith as well as a fellowship of life, sharing in His sufferings not only inwardly but outwardly if necessary.” —Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible New Testament Lexical Aids

“Now in those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan River. And just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my one dear Son; in you I take great delight.” —Mark 1:9–11

Coming out of the obscure village of Nazareth, the unknown Jesus now makes His first public appearance by humbly acknowledging God through baptism though sinless. We are told in the gospel of Luke that our Lord was about thirty years old when He began to make His way known (see Luke 3:23).

All four Gospels record this significant occasion of Jesus’ entry into the public limelight. How fitting for Him to initiate His ministry with baptism, signifying His acceptance into His mission. The Gospel of Matthew records Jesus’ words regarding His purpose in baptism:

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John to be baptized by him in the Jordan River. But John tried to prevent him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?’ So Jesus replied to him, ‘Let it happen now, for it is right for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then John yielded to him.” —Matthew 3:13–15

The sinless, pure, unspotted Savior completely fulfilled all righteousness in order to be the perfect sacrifice for you and for me. He was made sin for us on the cross so that those who would put their faith in Him would then be made righteous. We are made whole when we trust in Him. Jesus’ death satisfied the wrath of God against sin. He paid for it in full by His substitutionary death for us on the cross.

Paul tells us:

“God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God.” —2 Corinthians 5:21

Isaiah had prophesized:

“He was wounded because of our rebellious deeds, crushed because of our sins; he endured punishment that made us well; because of his wounds we have been healed.” —Isaiah 53:5

In our verse for today we see all three members of the Trinity present—the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. It is the inauguration of the work of redemption. The same three were active in the world’s creation and now all three are active in its redemption. In his wonderful book King’s Cross, Timothy Keller says:

“Mark is deliberately pointing us back to the creation, to the very beginning of history. Just as the original creation of the world was a project of the triune God, Mark says, so the redemption of the world, the rescue and renewal of all things that is beginning now with the arrival of the King, is also a project of the Triune God.”

The Trinity—one God in three persons—is mysterious and difficult for us to understand. The Godhead, who throughout all eternity, past and future, knows and loves and communes with one another. They glorify and love one another and are of one will, one heart, and one mind. They are characterized by a self-giving love, each voluntarily orbiting around the other. Their love encompasses who they are, and it flows out and through us as well. Paul tells us in Romans:

“And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” —Romans 5:5

Become More

God’s love as shown through each person in the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—is not a patronizing love nor is it a love that we will be able to exhibit overnight. Biblical love is cultivated and nurtured—developed and refined as we grow up in Christ. It does not often happen miraculously and it is maintained through discipline that only is empowered by the Holy Spirit. It is the joy of life. It is experiencing life in the full.

“God’s love is always supernatural, always a miracle, always the last thing we deserve.” —Robert Horn

Further Reflection

“God loved me not because I was lovable, but because it was His nature to do so. Now He commands me to show the same love to others by saying, ‘love one another as I have loved you.’” —Oswald Chambers

“John wore a garment made of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘One more powerful than I am is coming after me; I am not worthy to bend down and untie the strap of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’” —Mark 1:6–8

It would be an understatement to say that John the Baptist didn’t blend in with the world. The way he dressed and what he ate surely drew attention—not to mention his message! Interestingly, the prophet Elijah—one of John’s forerunners—appeared in Scripture dressed in the same way. When one wants to follow in the footsteps of another, they imitate as many behaviors as possible. John the Baptist imitated the lifestyle of Elijah—and he walked in the same spirit and power:

Sometimes, as with diamonds, things come wrapped up in rough packages, their value not readily exposed. There was not a glimmer in John’s outward appearance that would have given a hint to the precious Holy Spirit he contained. He carried around treasure in his jar of clay, a very precious message:

“But the angel said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son; you will name him John. Joy and gladness will come to you, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go as forerunner before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him.’” —Luke 1:13–17

John came into the world for a special purpose and he was focused throughout his life on that purpose. John arrived on the scene living out the gospel. Many of us follow after the world and its futile pursuit of happiness simply because it’s the easier path and we want to blend in. Unfortunately, as the Bible points out over and over, we are like sheep and we tend to go astray. However, the more we choose to live above the world, the better prepared we are for the Lord Jesus. When someone lives a life that is truly for Christ—particularly when it is not glamorous, or easy, or widely acclaimed or accepted by the world, they stand out—just like John did.

In The Message version of the Bible, Romans 12:2 challenges us with these words:

“Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God—what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.”

John the Baptist demonstrated perfect humility in his relationship to the Lord Jesus. Even a slave was not required to do the menial task of stooping down and untying the sandal of his master, yet John in our verses for today that he is not even worthy to accomplish this work for Jesus.

Throughout the Bible we see that humility always precedes exaltation:

Become More

Jesus commends John with His words, making the criticism that was poured on John throughout his life pale in comparison to the delight of the Lord’s approval. John may have been a nonconformist, but he accomplished God’s work for him to perfection.

“And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under his mighty hand.” —1 Peter 5:6

Further Reflection

“I tell you the truth, among those born of women, no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is!” —Matthew 11:11

“The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way, the voice of one shouting in the wilderness, “Prepare the way for the Lord, make his paths straight.”’ In the wilderness John the baptizer began preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People from the whole Judean countryside and all of Jerusalem were going out to him, and he was baptizing them in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins.” —Mark 1:1–5

Mark jumps into his Gospel by unabashedly heralding the Good News—Jesus is the Christ—the Son of God! “Jesus” —His divinely personal name—the Greek equivalent to the Hebrew word translated Joshua, meaning Yahweh is salvation. “Christ”—the Greek equivalent to the Hebrew title translated Messiah or Anointed One. “The Son of God”—a bold claim of his divinity—a truth that is the foundation upon which the gospel is built.

Paul says:

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” —1 Timothy 1:15–17

Right after Mark makes his bold statement about Jesus being the Son of God, he switches gears and refers back to Isaiah’s prophetic words regarding the forerunner of Christ—one who would come to prepare the way for the glory of God to be revealed.

Mark follows this prophecy by telling us that John the Baptist came as this forerunner to Jesus—as the fulfillment to the prophecy of Isaiah! John the Baptist was the one who came declaring to every person,

“In the wilderness clear a way for the LORD; build a level road through the rift valley for our God.” —Isaiah 40:3

The corruption of the world was so great it needed a cleansing and preparation for Jesus—just like our hearts. We are called to cleanse ourselves of all unrighteousness—turning from sin (repentance)—and turning to Jesus. When God sent Jesus into the world, He took care to prepare the way the way for Him, just as He does for each heart to receive His Son as Savior and Lord. The heart where Jesus reigns has been cleansed and the will transformed. Grace is abundantly bestowed not only to save, but also to sanctify—to make us like Jesus. Jesus is grace personified. We are not to remain as we were—we are to be transformed! The rough ground of our emotions is made ready to receive the gentleness of His comfort. In our dry deserts we prepare ourselves for the lushness of His love, the sweetness of His Spirit, the fullness of His springs of Living Water, the all-achieving power of His grace. This requires an emptying of self in order to be filled with Him.

“Some people are full of talk against legal doctrines, legal preaching and the legal spirit. Yet they may understand very little of what they are talking against. A legal spirit is far more subtle than they imagine. It can lurk, operate, and prevail in their hearts even while they are inveighing against it. For as long as a man is not emptied of himself and of his own righteousness and goodness, he will have a legal spirit. A spirit of pride in one’s own righteousness, morality, holiness, affection, experience, faith, humiliation or any other goodness, is a legal spirit … It is even possible to have a self-righteous spirit about one’s own humility and to be self-confident about one’s own abasement … But he whose heart is subject to Christian humility has a very different attitude … Christians who are real saints and the greatest in the Kingdom … humble themselves as a little child … They look upon themselves as children in grace.” —Jonathan Edwards, Religious Affections

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus clearly identified this messenger as John the Baptist:

“While they were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Look, those who wear soft clothing are in the palaces of kings! What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet! This is the one about whom it is written: “Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.”’” —Matthew 11:7–10

Become More

Each one of us must empty ourselves of all our self- righteousness and self-perceived goodness in order to be filled with the righteousness and goodness of God.

“But, like the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all of your conduct, for it is written, “You shall be holy, because I am holy.” —1 Peter 1:15–16

Further Reflections

“’I am about to send my messenger, who will clear the way before me. Indeed, the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his temple, and the messenger of the covenant, whom you long for, is certainly coming,’ says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” —Malachi 3:1

“Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that could defile the body and the spirit, and thus accomplish holiness out of reverence for God.” —2 Corinthians 7:1