Wednesday Study - The Severity of Jesus

This Wednesday night, we continued studying in Piper's book, "Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ". This chapter focused upon Christ's judgment of sin. As Piper points out, we must always remember the wealth of mercy that is in Jesus, but we must never separate that from the judgment that rightfully is pronounced upon sin.

This chapter is filled with great theology and some good Piper-isms. One of my favorites lines included the fact that we must understand "the severity" of the mercy of Christ. This made me consider my own testimony and conclude with many others at our study that we did not understand the depth of our own sin until we understood the greatness of the mercy of Jesus.

As I stated last evening, a criticism of the chapter is that in order to make universal points that are applicable to all people, Piper's usage of Scripture paints with broad brush-strokes a general theme over many passages that should be seen in specific contexts. In other words, Piper references and quotes many passages in which Jesus speaks with scathing words of judgment. However, in the context, these words of judgment are not merely because of sin in general, but specifically His words are in reference to the judgment of the Old Covenant people of God.

If we allow this sort of thing continue to cloud our interpretation of the Scriptures, we will miss the most important themes that are integral to understanding the Scriptures, the Church, and sound theology.

But with that criticism noted, as I mentioned early I think that the application of theology from this chapter is very good. The Lord Jesus is graceful and compassionate, but this does not mean that he does not bring judgment. As He brought judgment upon the Old Covenant people, so too He will one day bring the entire world to His judgment seat. He will bring everlasting punishment upon those who have not been cleansed by His merciful blood.

Let us fly to His mercy and forsake sin.