BITS and PIECES
276th Edition – January 4, 2026
A random collection of news and views compiled by Frank McClelland for the Toronto Free Presbyterian Church.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
We wish all our readers a happy New Year. Although the world is not in great shape at present with serious political, military and economic problems it is a great comfort to know that the powerful men of the world are subservient to our God.
At present we do not know what 2026 will hold for us but it is comforting to know that our heavenly Father is in control of all things. He knows the end from the beginning and has pledged to be with His redeemed people to the end.
Jesus promised His disciples, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end off the world” [Matthew 29:20].
THE WONDERS OF GENESIS ONE
Most Christians have restarted their daily Bible reading now that another year dawns. Genesis chapter one is fairly easy to read, and because of that we tend to gloss over it. But it is filled with deep mystery and is well worth our extra study.
Last week we mentioned that the word ‘Trinity’ does not appear in the Scripture, but did you know that the Trinity appears in the very first verses of Genesis? “In the beginning God (the Father) the heaven and the earth . . .And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God (Jesus the Son and Word of God) said, let there be light” [Genesis 1:1-3].
The agnostic English philosopher and biologist, Herbert Spencer, (1820-l903) spoke of ‘Five Manifestations of the Unknowable.” It is interesting to note that all five of these are found in the first two verses of Genesis.
Time (In the beginning). Space (Heaven). Matter (Earth). Force (Spirit of God). Motion (Moved). Spencer, though not a Christian, saw the unknowable things of this world but couldn’t see that before and above all was the great Creator, the triune God.
By the way, the correct ending of Genesis one should be chapter 2:3. The chapter divisions are not inspired but were added later for convenience.
IT IS FINISHED!
“But this man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God” [Hebrews 10:12].
The greatest shout of triumph ever sounded in the ears of a startled universe was that made by the bleeding Saviour on the Cross: “it is finished” [John 19:30].
It was the shout of a Conqueror who had won the battle. Just one word in the Greek language, “Tetelestai” it is without doubt the greatest word ever uttered by the greatest man that ever lived.
A servant would use tetelestai when reporting to his master that he had completed his work. Christ on Calvary completed the work for which He has entered the world.
When a priest examined an animal for sacrifice and found it faultless, it was described as teteletai. Jesus Christ offered Himself at Calvary as the perfect Lamb of God, without spot or blemish [I Peter 1:18,19].
When a battle was over the warrior would say, “Tetelestai, the victory had been won. When Christ had won the battle and Satan at the cross, He cried, “Tetelestai!”
When a Roman citizen was convicted of a crime and imprisoned, a certificate of debt listing all the crimes of which he was convicted was nailed to his cell door. When he had served his sentence and had paid in full the penalty for his crimes, they would write “finished” on the certificate.
None of the Old Testament sacrifices could pay the debt of a person’s sins and satisfy the law’s demands. But when the Lamb of God shed His own precious blood, He fully satisfied the righteous demands of God’s holy law.
He paid our debt in full, “blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us” [Colossians 2:14]. In the Tabernacle there was no seat for the priest because he was standing, constantly sacrificing more and more animals. Thank God, our High Priest sat down because He had completed the work of redemption once and for all. [Rev. Ron Johnstone].
“Reflect upon your present blessings – of which every man has many – not on your past misfortunes – of which all men have some] ” [Charles Dickens]
