My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
Psalm 22:1
Enter the very heart-cry of our Savior upon the cross. The words of king David became the words of King Jesus as he hung bloody, beaten, and bruised.
Do you realize what it meant for the Son of Man to utter these words? The Scriptures say darkness covered the land in those last hours (Mk 15:33). What the onlookers saw around them was only a shadow compared to the internal darkness Jesus experienced on the cross. The wrath of our sin. Placed on him. Who knew no sin. He should have never uttered these words.
But see his great love! Jesus bore the punishment we deserved. There must be punishment for sin. We should have been the ones hanging there, experiencing the hell of being utterly forsaken by God. Yet Jesus chose to be our substitute. The only One free from corruption, blameless in his thoughts and deeds—the only One who should have never paid the due price for sin!—this Jesus stood in the sinner’s place.
Do we realize the ugliness of sin? Do we recognize what it costs us? Look no further than Jesus on the cross. Here is a marred, disfigured, grueling picture of sin’s price. Every thorn that pierced his brow reminds us of the shame of every sin. Every lash relinquished on his back reveals the uncountable record of debt we owe. The nails in his hands, the suffocating breaths, the crushing weight of gravity suspending him by a crucifix — here is the pounding guilt we feel in our deepest sins. Yet all of this was placed on him.
Do you see the beauty of grace? Jesus forsaken became our salvation. Justice demanded the cross, but so did mercy. If Jesus did not take your place, you would still owe the punishment for your sin: you would eventually say, “God, why have you forsaken me?” But Jesus owned these words for you. Out of mercy, the Father provided a perfect substitute. Jesus was spotless, pure, innocent. Yet on the day of his crucifixion he was also silent, led like a lamb to the slaughter. He did not defend himself. This was a willing surrender. When he could have called down angels with a loud voice, he instead allowed sinners to verbally abuse him. When he could have waved a hand in power to dismantle his enemies, he willingly stretched them out to be pierced for our transgressions. When he did speak, it was because he bore the weight of our sin: “God, why have you forsaken me?”
Let his words be the assurance of your salvation. When you are guilty, flee to this moment. Your sin was laid there upon him. You have been crucified with him. If he has done this “once for all,” O sinner, then he cannot undo his sacrifice. Believe this by faith: Jesus will never go back on these words. He was forsaken in your place. Therefore you will never have to be.
There is ample evidence that the “angels of the seven churches” mentioned here by John do not refer to angelic beings, but to the pastors and elders of the seven churches to whom John writes. If I can demonstrate this briefly, then verse 16 takes on a glorious depth, which I will explain below. Two reasons for this interpretation will suffice:
First, the Greek word traditionally translated as “angel” [angelos] also has the semantic range of “messenger”—for that is what angels are: “ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation” (Heb 1:14, CSB). This is equally true for the Hebrew term for angel, [malak]. In the Old Testament, angels were always sent to bear a message, bring comfort, protection, or divine aid. The term can mean a heavenly being or a human messenger.
The second reason why the angels of the seven churches refer to human leaders and not angelic beings is that John writes letters to the churches, but he specifically addresses them “totheangel of the church at _______” (e.g., Rev 2:1). In these letters, Jesus (through John) commends the churches, but he also rebukes them sharply. These rebukes and commendations make the most sense if the “angels” referred to here are the human pastors and elders of the respective churches who have the authority to shepherd and lead their flocks—but have failed to do so on many accounts. He calls them to repentance, to return to their first love, and to examine their works. These letters are written to the seven churches along with their leaders.
Since this has been established, do you notice what Jesus says about these “angels,” these pastors and elders? In verse 16, following the glorious vision of the risen Son of Man who holds all authority (vv.12–16), John saw that Jesus, in his right hand, held the “seven stars…” who “are the angels of the seven churches.”
Now this is a wondrous truth: Jesus holds his ministers in his right hand. His right hand signifies power and kingly rule. What a sweet consolation for ministers of the gospel: King Jesus will never let you out of his grasp. Let me encourage you with a few radiant beams from this truth:
Pastor, do you feel discouraged by the slowness of your ministry? Jesus holds you in his right hand. The work is his to begin with. He gave you this ministry, and he holds it all to begin with. Let him work, in his time and in his way.
Pastor, do you feel the threats of your enemy inside and out? Jesus holds you in his right hand. You live to please God, not man (Gal 1:10). Set your face like a flint upon your mission, your call: to glorify God by preaching the gospel. When you face the heat of offended sinners, or the relentless assault of satanic forces, hold your peace, for Jesus the King rules his church.
Pastor, do you feel overwhelmed with sorrow and pain? Jesus holds you in his right hand. His is a gentle yet tight grasp. He himself has said: “my soul is very sorrowful, even to death” (Mt 26:38). He knows your pain. The Son of Suffering is the only one who fully understands you, yet promises to comfort and uphold you by his mighty right hand.
Pastor, do you feel crippled by your own sin or weakness? Jesus holds you in his right hand. The promise of forgiveness which you so often preach to others is just as true for you. If he holds you this close, will he not now forgive you, cleanse you, and set you back on paths of righteousness? Do not forget that the wonderful truths of the gospel are for you too.
Pastor, do you feel your faith is thin? Jesus holds you in his right hand. He has promised his sheep that “no one will snatch them out of my hand” (Jn 10:28). Your Shepherd-King has a firm hold on your salvation, for it is he who bought you with his blood. He will keep those whom he died for. He will keep you until the end. Pastor, if Jesus holds you in his right hand like this, you have every reason to press on. Keep going. Fight the good fight of the faith. King Jesus has all authority over your life and ministry, and he won’t let one bit of it slip out of his hand.
Just as we saw in Psalm 20, Psalm 21 is written on behalf of the king. We should see this psalm fulfilled in Jesus Christ, messianically applying to him—the only King of kings.
Applied to Jesus, this verse brings great comfort to the Christian. I will show you two comforts: King Jesus trusts in the Father for us, and King Jesus stands forever fixed over us.
First, King Jesus trusts in the Father for us. Have you ever thought about the faithfulness of God to God? God exists as Three in One—Father, Son & Holy Spirit, from all eternity. They have always been in perfect unity: what the Father appoints, the Son accomplishes and the Spirit applies to our hearts. This verse reminds us how Jesus, very God of God, trusts completely in the Father’s will. You may not have thought about it this way, but our salvation rests completely on God being faithful to Himself. And because that is his nature, we can be confident in who God is for us.
Do you know why this is good news? If Jesus is always faithful to the Father, then the promises we find in Scripture are 100% guaranteed—even if our faith is frail. Listen to 2 Timothy 2:13: “if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.” Did you catch that, believer? Jesus cannot deny himself. If he has chosen to save you, he will never turn his back on you (Heb 13:5). If he started his work in you, he will bring it to completion (Phil 1:6). He will never break the bruised reed or snuff out the whimpering flame of your faith (Isa 42:3). Take heart today: every promise of Scripture is secure because King Jesus trusts in the Father for you. May your heart be lifted in humble adoration at the faithfulness of Jesus.
Second, King Jesus stands forever fixed over us. The psalm declares how the king “shall not be moved.” How is this true? Only through the steadfast love of the Most High. The word for “steadfast love” is God’s covenant, faithful, binding love [ḥeseḏ in Hebrew]. This word is canvassed all over the Old Testament. It describes God’s covenant promise for his people: what he has promised, he will secure. This is based on his grace, mercy, longsuffering, and zeal to redeem his people. Be assured of this: if God’s covenant love is at work, “neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us” from it (Rm 8:37–39). Likewise, we have the utmost confidence that Jesus is firmly fixed as our Savior forever: by God’s covenant love he shall not be moved.
Again, why is this good news? If Jesus will never be moved, then it means—right now—he sits at the right hand of the Most High, interceding on our behalf. It means the work is finished, for “after making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb 1:3). In the Old Testament, the high priest never sat down because there was always another sacrifice he had to make. In other words, he was always moving. Jesus never moves. He sits down because the work is complete. There is no more need for a sacrifice for sins. Jesus is the once-for-all, all-encompassing, every-sin-paid-for Savior. He shall never be moved.
This means that on your worst day—your most sin-ridden day—you can look up to heaven and see the Son of God still firmly fixed at God’s right hand, assuring you, reminding you, and calling your heart to remember the power of his sacrifice. You’re forgiven. You’re clean. You’re justified. Why? Because through the steadfast love of the Most High, Jesus will never be moved.
Nothing can tear you away from his victory over sin. He’s triumphant. He’s firm. Do you believe it?
Neither death nor hell can undo the work of the cross. Your sin is covered. The tomb is empty. Do you believe it? He’s never turning back from what he has said. Believe it today, Christian—he can’t turn back on you now. King Jesus stands forever fixed over you.
Before we assume these verses apply to us, we must look at the broader context of this psalm. Psalm 20 is a Royal Psalm, written to the king, and this is evidenced clearly by verse 9, which says: “O Lord, save the king!” So when we read verses 4 and 5, we cannot insert ourselves into the “yous” and “yours.” No, the psalmist is speaking about the king, asking God to grant all of the king’s desires, petitions, and plans. Of course, this does not prohibit us from asking God for our heart’s desires (see Ps 37:4): only that this psalm specifically is written for the king.
My heart is so anxious to show you how these verses point not to ourselves—but to Jesus. All Scripture finds fulfillment in Him (Lk 24:27). What the psalmist addressed to an earthly king, the Holy Spirit spoke of our eternal King—Jesus, the Son of David, come into the flesh, as one of us. When we see Jesus as the true Messianic ruler promised to the line of David, these verses become wonderfully full. Through the Holy Spirit, the author of this psalm asks God the Father to grant these requests to God the Son. Let us see how Christ fulfills each of these:
Jesus, may God your Father grant you your heart’s desire!
What was the heart of Jesus? Compassion for sinners: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt 9:36).
What was the desire of this beating heart? For us to come to Him: “Come to me…and I will give you rest…for I am gentle and lowly in heart…” (Mt 11:28–29).
What does He do when we come to Him? He heals us: “and with his wounds we are healed” (Isa 53:5).
Jesus, may God your Father fulfill all your plans!
What were the plans of Jesus? To do the Father’s will: “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me” (Jn 6:38).
What was the Father’s will? To save us: “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mk 10:45)
How did He save us? By giving His life freely: “No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord” (Jn 10:18).
Jesus, may God your Father fulfill all your petitions!
How did Jesus pray while He was on the earth? With fervent tears: “In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears” (Heb 5:7).
Who did our High Priest pray for with loud cries and tears? You and me: “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word” (Jn 17:20)
What did He pray for in His most trying hour? Our eternal salvation: “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world” (Jn 17:24).
How does Jesus intercede for us now? As our Mediator in heaven: “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
… How wonderful the truths our Savior has fulfilled! Do you see how this psalm is made complete in Him? Lord Jesus, may we see your glory as you now reign as the King of kings and Lord of lords. May your name be glorified in us. May the desires of your heart to seek and save the lost be accomplished among us with great glory and power. We praise you for being our Great High Priest who always lives to intercede for us. Long live the King! Amen.
This psalm begins with a question of presence: who is able to dwell with God? David harkens back to the time when the Israelites were in the desert: when God dwelt among them in the tent of the tabernacle, guiding them by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. He also refers here to the city of Jerusalem: the “holy hill,” the Mount Zion which is the place of God’s presence.
Now the rest of the psalm seeks to answer this question, and this is something we should think about carefully. Most of us assume entering God’s presence is something like meeting a friend for coffee: it’s casual, carefree, and conversational. But in the Bible we never see a mere human approaching God in this manner. Now listen, I’m not saying God isn’t our friend, or that we cannot come to Him with everything…hear me clearly. Instead, all I’m saying is that we do not take the presence of the Almighty God as seriously as we should.
Listen to just a few of the requirements David goes on to make for the person who is able to dwell with God:
Walks blamelessly (v.2)
Does what is right (v.2)
Speaks truth in his heart (v.2)
Does not slander with his tongue (v.3)
Does no evil to his neighbor (v.3)
Nor takes up reproach against his friend (v.3)
If I’m honest, I fall short at the very first one! And you do too. For who can truly walk blamelessly all their days before a perfect God? Who among us is without sin? How can we really say we have measured up to loving the Lord with all our heart, soul, strength and mind—all the time?
So we find the entrance into God’s presence more impossible than we think. In other words, the answer to David’s question “who shall dwell on your holy hill?” seems to be a rhetorical “no one!”
You see, if you read this psalm and try to put yourself in it, it leads only to despair. But let me now take you to the gospel. Yes, while you are incapable of walking blamelessly—and thereby incapable of entering the presence of a holy God—there is One who is indeed quite capable, One who has always dwelt in the presence of the Father, and One who became a human like you and me to walk blamelessly for us. This blameless One is the Son of God, Jesus the Messiah.
We need to stop and take this in, for it really is good news. According to Psalm 15, you and I are effectively banished from God’s presence, for sin and perfection cannot mix. Not only does our sin make us incapable of dwelling securely with God, but it also makes us rebel and reject the goodness of it. In other words, you and I naturally avoid dwelling with God. We know that if we were placed before God as we were, we would be done. Finished.
But if we read Psalm 15 in light of Jesus, then the chasm of us entering God’s presence is bridged. The door has been unlocked. Indeed, the good news is not only that Jesus lived a perfect life (for if that were all He did, all we could do is admire and fear Him), but He also gave up His very life as a sacrifice (for only a perfect man can make a true sacrifice for sin). This truth cannot be any clearer than in 2 Corinthians 5:21: “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” In simple terms, Jesus allows us to enter God’s presence. And He changes us from the inside out to now desire God’s presence.
Now, if after all this you’re really thinking, well now I don’t even know if I want to enter God’s presence. It sounds too terrifying. Won’t I be walking on thin ice? I believe you have half-understood me. There’s some truth to thinking this way. After all, when Moses saw God in the burning bush, he “hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God” (Ex 3:6). And when Isaiah saw that vision of God on His mighty throne, he said “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips…” (Isa 6:5). So yes, if you enter God’s presence, your sin will be exposed. And yes, if you enter God’s presence, you cannot remain the same. And these are absolutely terrifying things to experience. But they are necessary, for once you have truly met the Almighty God, you know that His presence is where you must be. He is too good, too beautiful, too lovely, to ignore.
So it all rests on Jesus. Because of Him, you can be sure of this: because of His perfect life, you can approach the throne of grace with boldness, knowing God is for you (Heb 4:16; Rm 8:31). And because of the transformation that takes place when you believe in Him, you don’t have to remain the same: you have been crucified with Christ; the old way of life is gone; and behold, the new is here.
So don’t hide. Don’t run. Go up to that holy hill today in prayer today, for Jesus has opened up the way to the Father.
Recently I feel in my heart I have succumbed to the sin of unbelief, forgetting God’s personal mercies and grace in my life. Yet in God’s providence I have been reading Hebrews along with the book Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund. Why do I stray so far from a pure and sincere devotion to Christ like I had in my youth when He first saved me? It’s because I don’t dwell on who He is for me. This poem is a reflection on Hebrews 2:17 – “Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” By His grace alone I feel the fire stir within me once again. Draw near to the heart of Christ today.
Like me in every way
Still without sin or stain
Jesus my High Priest
You understand my frame
So many times I doubt
And other times I’m proud
Jesus my High Priest
You cover all my shame
When I so poor and frail
My wounds of sin prevail
Jesus my High Priest
You took upon the nails
Oh to see you there!
Bloody, spotless lamb
Jesus my High Priest
By your stripes I’m healed
I come by faith alone
To trade these dirty robes
Jesus my High Priest
Your Righteousness I own
So help my unbelief!
When I don’t have the faith
Jesus my High Priest
Do guard my soul today
Don’t let me fall away
Help me rest in perfect grace
And keep me all my days
Anyone who desires to live a godly life will be persecuted (2 Tm 3:12). Therefore in this verse, it is no surprise why there are those who taunt David, someone who takes refuge in the LORD.
Your enemies today may not be of the flesh like David’s were. Rather, Paul testifies that we “do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12). In other words—Christian—your enemies are more likely the spiritual forces which wage war against your faith in Christ. The goal of these attacks and taunts is to make you doubt, waver, and eventually fold on your faith—to forsake your first love.
The world we live in today is full of such defections from a “sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (2 Cor 11:3). The plot is insidious. Satan thinks: if I can simply keep them distracted from what really matters—yes, if I can make them “gain the world yet lose their soul”—then I have won. Is it any wonder then how the pursuit of the American Dream promises us what only God can give: comfort, peace, purpose, and satisfaction? Or consider this plot from the enemy: if I can convince them that God’s Word is not really the truth, but instead that their human opinions or the current cultural current dictate what is right and wrong—then I have won. Is it any wonder then why tolerance, acceptance, and allowing everyone to have “their own truth” are the reigning dogmas of the day?
Like David, the Christian today faces the same taunt: “Flee like a bird to your mountain!” In other words, “Cower back, you fool! You and your God have no place here; run away!” If we listen to these taunts, the temptation will be to hunker down, build our own walled-up fortresses, and separate ourselves completely from those who oppose yet need the gospel.
But this is not how we should capitulate to an ever-changing culture.
Consider these truths today: “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Rm 8:37). Therefore “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rm 8:31). And “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect…Who is to condemn?” (Rm 8:33-34). If nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord,” then we should fear no man, no idea, no word, no persecution, no abuse, nor taunt which tells us to doubt who Jesus is and who we are in Christ.
Instead, there are two actions which every Christian must take in today’s climate. First, take refuge in the LORD. Love His Word. Devote yourself to the One who gave Himself for you. Do not forsake your first love. He promises to never leave you or forsake you, so no one can snatch you out of His hand (Jn 10:28). When you are tempted—whether from without or within—to abandon your first love, ask, like Peter did, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jn 6:68).
Second, O Soldier for Christ, stand in the face of the taunts. If you truly seek the Lord, these will inevitably come. The goal of the Christian life is not to avoid all persecution, suffering, or discomfort for bearing the name of Jesus, but instead to never “be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord” (2 Tm 1:8). If the One who stretched out His arms to be pierced for you has claimed you as His own, don’t be ashamed of Him. There will always be those who mock. There will always be those who stumble over the gospel. But there is One who remains true, and He is the precious Savior, the light of the world.
You have every reason to stand in confidence today in the face of those mocking doubts. Say to those who taunt and jeer: Because I take refuge in the LORD and stand in the confidence of His promises for me, how can you say to me: “flee like a bird to your mountain?”
Over time, discovering someone’s true character will either create trust or distrust in a relationship. For instance, a healthy marriage is built on years of trust demonstrated by loyalty, fidelity, and kindness to one another. As soon as one of these is broken by an act of selfishness or lust, trust is decimated.
This principle holds true in our relationship with God—except we are the only ones whose character needs improvement. Have you ever thought of this? God’s character is perfect. He is perfectly good, trustworthy, loving, kind, just, patient, and faithful. David phrases it this way: those who know your name put their trust in you. In other words, the more you know who God is for you in Jesus Christ, the more you should trust Him.
There is an old song that says “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, and to take him at his word” Now how could the hymnist write this line? Because she knows the character of her God. How can you ever take someone at his word if you do not first trust where he will lead you? Oh! The good news is that our God will always lead us into His goodness and mercy; in fact, they follow after us! (Ps 23:6) There is nothing sweeter than to trust in the One who pursued us “while we were enemies” (Rm 5:10). ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus today!
I love the other reason David gives for why he has put his trust in God: for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you. Note how the LORD is in all-caps: this stands for Yahweh, God’s covenant name with Israel. Anytime God’s name is mentioned in this way, it should remind us of His never-ceasing, faithful, irrevocable, covenant love for His people. David understands this when he declares Yahweh has not forsaken His people.
Hear this today beloved: if you are in Jesus Christ, if you have trusted in His sweet, precious name, then your God will never forsake you. Like a good Shepherd keeps the sheep within his pen at all times, there will never be a moment your God lets you slip out of His sight. Though at times you may feel lost at sea, the Anchor of God’s grace keeps you steady-bound. And though often your own mind tempts you to despair and doubt these very promises, the Holy Spirit is your everlasting Comforter, always drawing you back toward the true light of Jesus Christ.
Finally, note our responsibility in this verse: Yahweh does not forsake those who seek him. Not that your salvation and assurance is kept by how well you seek God; rather, seeking Yahweh is the posture of someone who truly has experienced God’s grace. Do you have a desire to be with the Lord? Does the thought of simply seeing His face conjure emotions of awe and longing? Oh beloved, how I pray for you to love seeking Jesus. Like searching for a priceless treasure, our souls will not be content until we find Him. We could travel the whole world and see all its beauties but never be satisfied until we have beheld the Son of God. But here is the good news: He is not hidden. Indeed, the light of the world has come; we only need to look into the Word and “behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn 1:29).
To end, make these lines of hymnody your prayer to God today, for you know His sweet name, and you have put your trust forever in Him:
Yesterday (5/16/23) I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the Vatican. A place filled with immense history and colossal influence, it is the center of Catholicism and home to the Pope. Millions come here every year to pray, make pilgrimage, or simply admire the architecture and history. In this post, I would like to share my experience in the Vatican as well as offer some interpretive thoughts as a Protestant visiting this historic place.
To be clear upfront, I am unashamedly a Protestant, Evangelical Christian. By that classification, I align with the Reformers of the 1500’s and 1600’s such as Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Martin Bucer. These men spent their lives defending and promoting central evangelical doctrines such as “justification by faith alone” and “sola scriptura.” Not only would the Reformers argue that these doctrines are biblical—and central to understanding the true gospel—but they would also say that central Catholic doctrines (e.g., transubstantiation, prayers to the saints, salvation infused by sacraments) are unbiblical and, in reality, detrimental to the essential elements of the gospel. I will get into these issues as I walk through my experience, but suffice it to say, as a Protestant, I did not come into the Vatican as a neutral observer (in fact, no one does).
The Walkthrough
The Vatican itself is its own country within Italy. So when you come upon the domain, you can quickly tell you are near the Vatican when you see the massive brick walls surrounding the entire estate. As we passed by in the car, a line of people wrapped around the walls waiting to enter. Our trip guide had bought us express tickets, so we were fortunate enough to enter right away.
Upon entering the walls, we followed the line of people through security and into the main lobby. On a TV screen videos of the Pope were displayed, showing his most recent visitations. After ascending a huge escalator, we walked out on a massive terrace on which you could see St. Peter’s Basilica in the far distance. The Basilica was clearly the focal point of the first stop, and, as our tour guide explained: “no building in Rome can be built above it.” It was clear from this point that the entire tour would revolve around getting to this building.
On the way there, we traversed through countless rooms full of artifacts, statues, paintings and tapestries—multiple displays to flaunt the history and decadence of the Roman Church. The ceilings were ornate, filled with paintings and depictions of various events throughout the Bible or saints in the Church (see photo below). The whole time the line of people never died down (and this was supposedly a slow day).
Finally we arrived at the famous counterpart to St. Peter’s Basilica: the Sistine Chapel. We were not allowed to take pictures while in the Chapel as it is a “holy place,” nor were we supposed to talk. However, at one point the crowd got so loud that an official had to speak over the intercom: “Silencio…Silence…No pictures…”
On the ceiling and walls of the Chapel Michaelangelo’s famous paintings served as the central attraction drawing everyone’s eyes. “The Last Judgment” and “The Creation of Adam” are the two most famous pieces. Apparently, the Pope forced Michaelangelo to paint against his wishes, for Michaelangelo neither favored nor appreciated the power and prestige of the Roman Pontiff.
St. Peter’s Basilica
Upon exiting the Sistine Chapel, we were led through several flights of stairs downward to an outside exit. As soon as we turned right, the grand Basilica appeared. Ornate and decorated with statues of saints on top, this Basilica is the central focus point of the entire Catholic Church.
Once we entered we immediately noticed the beauty of the architecture, mosaic tiles, and expressive statues. I will let the pictures do the speaking and make small comments along the way.
The golden ceilings captivated our attention and demanded that our gaze be lifted upwards, symbolic of the beauty of heaven.
These Baroquean pillars are supposedly built directly on top of the Apostle Peter’s tomb after he was crucified upside-down by Emperor Nero in the AD 60’s. (Whether or not this is the real burial place of Peter is speculative). From here, the Pope also administers the Mass—and he is the only one who is allowed to do so from this spot.
Another view of Peter’s “tomb”
This is the main altar where they still hold Mass every afternoon at 5pm. Any priest can administer the Mass from here (and anyone can observe from behind the seats). One thing to notice about this area is the golden window in the middle (where the dove is, representing the Holy Spirit). Also take note of the statues of the saints on the left and right walls.
Saints like “Saint Veronica” line the walls of the Basilica. Apparently this is the woman who put the “shroud of Turin” around Jesus’ face when he was buried. (Again, whether this is true or not is speculative). For this action she is exonerated as a saint.
Though it looks plain, this was perhaps the most fascinating part of the Basilica. This wall is only used once every 50 years on the “Jubilee.” On this year, the Pope takes a hammer and breaks the wall down. Millions of pilgrims come to have all of their sins forgiven by taking the Mass and doing confession. This is called a plenary indulgence, as opposed to a regular indulgence, which only washes away the sins confessed in the moment. Therefore, this is one way in which Catholics believe they can have all of their sins forgiven—by the Pope on the Jubilee year. Last Jubilee, ~57 million people came to the Basilica.
This is a confession booth where one can speak with a priest and have their sins forgiven.
A Protestant Interpretation
There is no doubt that the Vatican is one of the most beautiful, historic, and renowned places in all the earth. However, as I walked through, I couldn’t help but be sad at how hidden the true gospel of Jesus Christ is from everyone who enters and leaves. And while the Basilica is a beautiful building on the inside, the gospel is obscured much like a thick layer of clouds darkens the sun. In fact, I am afraid that anyone who comes in wishing to meet God is actually met with an outward appearance of true religion masquerading under the guise of works and idol worship. Why do I say this? Well, somewhat ironically, I will use Paul’s letter to the Roman church to show why.
When Paul wrote to the Roman church, he declared that the “gospel is the power of salvation for everyone who believes…for in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, ‘the righteous shall live by faith’” (Rm 1:16-17). And when Martin Luther, 1500 years after Paul, “rediscovered” the doctrine of “justification by faith alone” after it had been obscured under the dark cloud of sacramental theology, he found the essence of the gospel depended on one phrase: “the righteousness of God.”
The Problem with the Mass
For centuries, the Roman Catholic Church taught that the sacraments (of which there are 7) literally “infused” grace into one’s soul much like a medicinal vaccine infuses protection into one’s body. In this view, the Mass is central. The priest (ordained by God) is the only able to administer this “grace” to the masses. If one does not take Mass, he or she will not take injections of “grace,” and therefore will be damned. Thus, to be “righteous,” one must participate in the sacraments according to the Roman Catholic understanding.
More than this, the Roman Catholic Church (both in Luther’s time and still today) believes that the elements of the Mass (the bread and wine), literally become the body and blood, respectively, of Jesus Christ. In this sense, it makes it all the more important to partake of the Mass, for if you do not, you do not have “any part” with Jesus, who becomes the bread and wine.
So why is this problematic? When the Pope stands upon Peter’s tomb and administers the Mass, what is the big deal? Is he not just doing what Jesus said to do, to “remember” him? Well no, because it all comes back to Luther’s understanding of the “righteousness of God.”
Before Luther had his breakthrough with Romans 1:17, he struggled for years to believe he was “good enough” (righteous) before a holy God. For him, the “righteousness of God” meant God’s right justice and wrath against sinners like him. Thought he participated in the sacraments and had this temporary, “infused” grace, he never felt secure in his salvation. For him (and for millions today), the Catholic Church taught that to be “saved,” or “justified,” you must keep up your good standing as a Catholic.
Yet this is directly contradictory to what the Bible teaches. In fact, as I walked through the Vatican, I noticed how little Bible there actually was. Instead, the Basilica relied on images, statues, and the Mass to tell me what the “gospel” was—if there even was one. In the Roman building, sadly, there was a clear lack of the book of Romans, which contains the clearest presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ for sinners in need of salvation. The place where Paul longed to go those 2,000 years ago to preach the gospel now promotes a false one, one of which Paul would be appalled. Read the following verses from Romans to understand how one is “justified,” or saved, according to God’s Word:
“There is no one righteous, not even one” -Rm 3:10
“For no one will be justified in [God’s] sight by the works of the law” -Rm 3:20
“The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe…For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ” -Rm 3:22-24
“God presented [Jesus] to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so that he would be righteous and declare righteous (justify) the one who has faith in Jesus.” -Rm 3:26
So how is one “made righteous,” or “justified,” according to Paul? The answer lies in one phrase: faithin Jesus Christ. This was Luther’s breakthrough. After spending years in turmoil in the Roman Catholic Church trying to prove his own righteousness before God, he realized that he was never meant to berighteous himself. No, the answer has always been “faith in Jesus Christ,” who was put forward as an “atoning sacrifice” to wash away all our sin. In this way, God is righteous because Jesus paid for our sin, but He is also able to declare us as righteous because Jesus gave us his perfect account. So when one places his faith in Jesus’ work alone, God declares that sinner justified, or made right, before Him. This is the evangelical gospel, as opposed to the “infusion” of grace in the Mass which the Roman Church promotes today.
The Problem with the Pope, Saints & Mary
As if the central question of justiciation was not enough, the Catholic Church further obscures the gospel by their elevation (can I say worship?) of the Pope, Saints, and Mary.
The Catholic Church believes that the papacy is in direct succession to the Apostle Peter, who was apparently the first “bishop” of Rome in the early church. Because Peter was the “apostle of apostles” and the church’s foundation, the bishop of Rome is therefore the most important position in the church. Once the Roman Empire fell, the Church filled the vacancy of power by elevating the bishop of Rome to the title of “pope,” or “father.” Since then, this one man has received prestige, power, and position far superior to any other person on earth. And this has not come without consequence.
For instance, scroll back up to the picture of that door. Once every 50 years, the Pope breaks down this door to allow pilgrims to come into the Basilica and receive a plenary indulgence whereby ALL of their sins can be forgiven at his word. Does this sound strange? If one reads their Bible it should, for Paul tells Timothy there is only “one mediator between God and man, the man Jesus Christ, who gave himself as a ransom for all” (1 Tm 2:5-6). In other words, a sinner does not need to have a priest, pope, Mary or any other saint to forgive his sins; he only needs Jesus, who “is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn 1:9). We don’t need a pope to break down a door every 50 years to open up salvation; the door is Jesus Christ himself, who became sin for us, that we might become righteous before God. If one simply and humbly comes to God (who is the only one who can forgive sins), and looks to Jesus, who became the sacrifice for our sins on the cross, he or she can have assurance of forgiveness.
So here is the central problem with the pope, Mary, and all the other saints: they take the place of Jesus. If Romans 3:10 is true when it says “there is no one righteous,” then no man or woman (whether they are called a pope or saint) can be a mediator between God and sinners. Only Jesus, who is truly God and truly man, can save sinners. Let us go back to Paul’s words to the Romans: “Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God” (Rm 5:1-2)
How does one obtain access to God in this verse? Not through the pope or a priest, or the intercession of the saints, but only by faith in Jesus. If you have been declared righteous by God through faith in Jesus, you have full access to God the Father. And this is good news.
If You Visit the Vatican…
To conclude, I said at the beginning of the post that visiting the Vatican was a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” This is certainly true for the travel experience. The buildings are beautiful and the architecture is awe-inspiring. But for anyone seeking God, you don’t need to have this experience. You only need to visit Jesus, who is Himself more beautiful than a Basilica and more powerful than a pope. He says “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest for your souls” (Mt 11:28). He also says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn 14:6). And for final assurance, He declares “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mk 10:45).
I certainly am grateful for my visit to the Vatican, but walking through, I couldn’t help but think about all the people who walked through—people in need of grace and salvation just like me—who will never see the true gospel of Jesus Christ…and for that I am grieved.
