Truth For Life Program
Alistair Begg Devotional
C. H. Spurgeon Devotional
One-Year Bible Reading Plan
Audio PlayerWearing a jersey doesn’t make you a football player. To be on the team, you need to play the game! Similarly, effective Christian living is about more than outward appearances. Learn how to do the “basics” well on Truth For Life with Alistair Begg.
From the Sermon
Stability, Maturity, and Charity
1 Corinthians 16:13–14 Sermon • Includes Transcript • 41:07 • ID: 1807
Unparalleled Humility
There Christ stood—His head pierced with a crown of thorns, dressed up in another’s clothes, forced to hold a reed as a scepter, all in mockery of His kingship—as the Roman governor Pilate declared to the jeering crowd, “Behold the man!” While he spoke those words with scorn in mind, they were ironically appropriate; there stood the Savior of the world, arrayed in unparalleled humility, adorned with a lavish love for the world.
We have much to learn from Christ’s example. As the humble King endured royal ridicule and the “pre-death death” of brutal flogging, He did not utter a word of self-defense. And for what did they condemn Him? For healing a woman who was crippled for 18 years (Luke 13:10-13)? For bringing back to life the widow of Nain’s dead son (Luke 7:11-17)? For bringing Lazarus forth from the grave (John 11:1-44)? For taking children on His knee and encouraging His disciples to understand that “to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14)? On what basis did Christ’s accusers find it in themselves to abuse Him in this way? There could be none. But they did it anyway.
When our humble Lord remained silent during His numerous trials, Pilate took offense and felt disrespected. There is great irony here, as this Roman governor attempted to pull rank on the King of the universe! And all the while, that King did nothing to assert His authority or save His own life. He humbly suffered an unjust trial, spoke truth when asked questions, and walked forward even unto death, all on our behalf.
I ask myself: Do I truly see this Man who stands before Pilate, who stands before the crowd—who stands before me? This is not some helpless individual who can do nothing for Himself. This is God incarnate.
Do I understand why He went down this road of humiliation? “Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan”[1]—love and salvation for you and me! Two millennia ago, there stood a sorry spectacle outside the governor’s palace, in part because Jesus had our names before His gaze—names He had graven on the palms of those hands that would be pierced by the cruel nails (see Isaiah 49:16).
May we never be like the riotous crowd, mocking Christ’s humility, nor like Pilate, looking for Christ to be impressed with us. Instead, behold this Man in all His humility—holding this reed, bearing this crown, wearing this costume, hanging on that cross—and see Him beckoning. Behold the Man, and know beyond all doubt that His love for you knows no end.
How is God calling me to think differently?
How is God reordering my heart’s affections — what I love?
What is God calling me to do as I go about my day today?
Isaiah 52:13–15
He Was Pierced for Our Transgressions
13Behold, bmy servant shall act wisely;2
he shall be high and lifted up,
and shall be exalted.
14As many were astonished at you—
chis appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance,
and his form beyond that of the children of mankind—
15so dshall he sprinkle3 many nations.
eKings shall shut their mouths because of him,
ffor that which has not been told them they see,
and that which they have not heard they understand.
Isaiah 53:1–12
1gWho has believed what he has heard from us?1
And to whom has hthe arm of the Lord been revealed?
2For he grew up before him like a young plant,
iand like a root out of dry ground;
jhe had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.
3kHe was despised and rejected2 by men,
a man of sorrows3 and acquainted with4 grief;5
and as one from whom men hide their faces6
he was despised, and lwe esteemed him not.
4mSurely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
nsmitten by God, and afflicted.
5oBut he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
pand with his wounds we are healed.
6qAll we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
rand the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
syet he opened not his mouth;
tlike a ulamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
8By oppression and judgment he was taken away;
and as for his generation, vwho considered
that he was cut off out of the land of the living,
stricken for the transgression of my people?
9And they made his grave with the wicked
wand with a rich man in his death,
although xhe had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.
10Yet yit was the will of the Lord to crush him;
he has put him to grief;7
zwhen his soul makes8 an offering for guilt,
he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;
athe will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
11Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see9 and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall bthe righteous one, my servant,
cmake many to be accounted righteous,
dand he shall bear their iniquities.
12eTherefore I will divide him a portion with the many,10
fand he shall divide the spoil with the strong,11
because he poured out his soul to death
and was numbered with the transgressors;
gyet he bore the sin of many,
and makes intercession for the transgressors.
Devotional material is taken from the Truth For Life daily devotionals by Alistair Begg, published by The Good Book Company, thegoodbook.com. Used by Truth For Life with permission. Copyright © 2021, 2022, The Good Book Company.
He Was Made Sin
He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.
Our Lord's being "made . . . sin"1 for us is pictured here by the very significant transfer of sin to the bullock, which was done by the elders of the people. The laying of the hand was not a mere touch of contact, for in some other places of Scripture the original word has the meaning of leaning heavily, as in the expression, "Your wrath lies heavy upon me" (Psalm 88:7).
Surely this is the very essence and nature of faith, which not only brings us into contact with the great Substitute, but also teaches us to lean upon Him with all the burden of our guilt. Jehovah made all the offenses of His covenant people rest upon the Substitute, and each one of the chosen is brought personally to confirm this solemn covenant act, when by grace he is enabled by faith to lay his hand upon the head of the Lamb that was slain before the foundation of the world.
Believer, do you remember that wonderful day when you first realized pardon through Jesus the sin-bearer? Can you make a glad confession and join with the writer in saying, "My soul recalls the day of deliverance with delight. Burdened with guilt and full of fears, I saw my Savior as my Substitute, and I laid my hand upon Him—timidly at first, but courage grew and confidence was confirmed until I leaned my soul entirely upon Him. And now it is my unceasing joy to know that my sins are no longer imputed to me but are laid on Him. Like the debts of the wounded traveler, Jesus, like the good Samaritan, has said of all my future sinfulness, 'Set that to My account.'"
Blessed discovery! Eternal solace of a grateful heart!
My numerous sins transferr'd to Him,
Shall never more be found,
Lost in His blood's atoning stream,
Where every crime is drown'd!
1) 2 Corinthians 5:21
Devotional material is taken from Morning and Evening, written by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg. Copyright © 2003, Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.org. Used by Truth For Life with written permission.
Daily Bible Reading for April 13
The Place of Sacrifice
1And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2“Speak to Aaron and his sons and to all the people of Israel and say to them, This is the thing that the Lord has commanded. 3If any one of the house of Israel ukills an ox or a lamb or a goat in the camp, or kills it outside the camp, 4and vdoes not bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting to offer it as a gift to the Lord in front of the tabernacle of the Lord, bloodguilt shall be imputed to that man. He has shed blood, and that man wshall be cut off from among his people. 5This is to the end that the people of Israel may bring their sacrifices that they sacrifice xin the open field, that they may bring them to the Lord, to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and sacrifice them yas sacrifices of peace offerings to the Lord. 6And the priest shall ythrow the blood on the altar of the Lord at the entrance of the tent of meeting and burn the fat zfor a pleasing aroma to the Lord. 7So they shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices to goat demons, after whom they awhore. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their generations.
8“And you shall say to them, Any one of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn among them, who boffers a burnt offering or sacrifice 9and cdoes not bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting to offer it to the Lord, wthat man shall be cut off from his people.
Laws Against Eating Blood
10“If any one of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn among them deats any blood, I will eset my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people. 11fFor the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar gto make atonement for your souls, hfor it is the blood that makes atonement by the life. 12Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, No person among you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who sojourns among you eat blood.
13“Any one also of the people of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn among them, who takes in hunting any beast or bird that may be eaten shall ipour out its blood and jcover it with earth. 14For the life of every creature1 is its kblood: its blood is its life.2 Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, You shall not eat the blood of any creature, for the life of every creature is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off. 15lAnd every person who eats what dies of itself or what is torn by beasts, mwhether he is a native or a sojourner, nshall wash his clothes and obathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening; then he shall be clean. 16But if he does not wash them or bathe his flesh, phe shall bear his iniquity.”
Psalm 20
Trust in the Name of the Lord Our God
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
1May the Lord lanswer you in the day of trouble!
May mthe name of the God of Jacob nprotect you!
2May he send you help from othe sanctuary
and give you support from pZion!
3May he qremember all your offerings
and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah
4May he rgrant you your heart's desire
and fulfill all your plans!
5May we shout for joy over syour salvation,
and in the name of our God set up our tbanners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!
6Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed;
he will answer him from his holy heaven
with uthe saving might of his right hand.
7Some trust in vchariots and some in whorses,
xbut we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
8They collapse and fall,
but we rise and stand upright.
9O Lord, save ythe king!
May he answer us when we call.
Psalm 21
The King Rejoices in the Lord's Strength
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
1O Lord, in your zstrength the king rejoices,
and in your asalvation how greatly he exults!
2You have bgiven him his heart's desire
and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah
3For you cmeet him with rich blessings;
you set da crown of efine gold upon his head.
4He asked life of you; you fgave it to him,
glength of days forever and ever.
5His hglory is great through your salvation;
isplendor and majesty you bestow on him.
6For you make him most blessed forever;1
you make him glad with the jjoy of your presence.
7For the king trusts in the Lord,
and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be kmoved.
8Your hand will lfind out all your enemies;
your right hand will find out those who hate you.
9You will make them as ma blazing oven
when you appear.
The Lord will swallow them up in his nwrath,
and ofire will consume them.
10You pwill destroy their qdescendants from the earth,
and their offspring from among the children of man.
11Though they plan evil against you,
though they rdevise mischief, they will not succeed.
12For you will put them sto flight;
you will taim at their faces with your bows.
13Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength!
We will sing and praise your power.
The Words of King Lemuel
1The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
2What are you doing, my son?1 What are you doing, fson of my womb?
What are you doing, gson of my vows?
3Do hnot give your strength to women,
your ways to those iwho destroy kings.
4jIt is not for kings, O Lemuel,
it is not for kings kto drink wine,
or for rulers to take lstrong drink,
5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed
and mpervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6Give strong drink to the one who nis perishing,
and wine to othose in bitter distress;2
7plet them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
8qOpen your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.3
9Open your mouth, rjudge righteously,
sdefend the rights of tthe poor and needy.
The Woman Who Fears the Lord
104 uAn excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than vjewels.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13She wseeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15She xrises while it is yet night
and yprovides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17She zdresses herself5 with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20She aopens her hand to bthe poor
and reaches out her hands to bthe needy.
21She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in cscarlet.6
22She makes dbed coverings for herself;
her clothing is efine linen and fpurple.
23Her husband is known in gthe gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24She makes hlinen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25iStrength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29“Many jwomen have done kexcellently,
but you surpass them all.”
30lCharm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.
Pray for All People
1First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2vfor kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and wdignified in every way. 3This is good, and xit is pleasing in the sight of yGod our Savior, 4who desires zall people to be saved and ato come to bthe knowledge of the truth. 5For cthere is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man1 Christ Jesus, 6dwho gave himself as a ransom for all, which is ethe testimony given fat the proper time. 7gFor this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (hI am telling the truth, I am not lying), ia teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8I desire then that jin every place the men should pray, klifting lholy hands without anger or quarreling; 9likewise also mthat women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10nbut with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11Let a woman learn quietly owith all submissiveness. 12pI do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13qFor Adam was formed first, rthen Eve; 14and Adam was not deceived, but sthe woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15Yet she will be saved through tchildbearing—if they continue in ufaith and love and holiness, with self-control.
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