Reverence and Awe

» Today's reading at Blue Letter Bible


In this Morning's devotional Spurgeon reminds us of Jesus' humble arrival here on earth; yet, even with that, He drew the attention of the entire world. There were those who professed to be waiting for Him yet denied Him upon arrival. Spurgeon refers to Jesus as a "winnowing fan." This is a process where grain is poured in front of the fan and the unwanted chaff is blown away leaving only the desirable, denser remnants to fall into a bin below where it is collected by the farmer. The religious leaders of the time were exposed to this process during Jesus' physical time here on earth; as a result, many of them were exposed for their hypocrisy as they were “winnowed” by their rejection of the very Messiah who’s coming they had claimed they had been teaching of.

Spurgeon then asks the question, "But what will his second advent be?" In His second coming there will be no mistaking who He is. Revelation 19:15-16 : "Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations.’He will rule them with an iron scepter.' He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh.” In spite of what the world thinks of Him they will see him for who He is and every knee shall bow and every tongue confess who He is.

We are reminded that during His first advent He presented Himself as a lamb, a living sacrifice who stands in our place for our sin. In His second Advent He will appear as the lion of the tribe of Judah, “rending the prey in pieces; and though He breaks not the bruised reed, yet will He break His enemies with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. None of His foes shall bear up before the tempest of His wrath, or hide themselves from the sweeping hail of His indignation”

A terrifying time for some but, as Spurgeon points out, “ His beloved blood washed people look for His appearing with joy, and hope to abide it without fear: to them He sits as a refiner even now, and when He has tried them they shall come forth as gold.”

I am humbled and grateful that these things have been revealed to me through His sovereign will. Let this morning’s devotion serve as much needed exhortation for us to live every day as if it were the day of His second advent.