This morning I am reading from Acts 20:28-31 NIV:
[28]. "Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. [29] I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. [30] Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. [31] So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears."
This is an excerpt from David Guzik's commentary:
a. Paul's counsel to the elders is plain: Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock. The godly leader knows that effective leadership flows from a life, not just knowledge.
i. Also important to leaders is the principle that the church belongs to God, because He purchased [it] with His own blood. The people don't belong to the pastor; they belong to the Lord. As long as they choose to remain under the care and leadership of that pastor, he has a responsibility before God to feed and lead them; but they never belong to him.
b. Take heed . . . to all the flock . . . to shepherd the church of God . . . therefore watch: Taking care of God's people basically amounts to two things. First, being a shepherd to the flock; secondly, watching over them, protecting them from danger.
i. The first idea behind being a shepherd is feeding God's people. "They are to be shepherds of God's church, poimanino meaning in general to tend a flock and in particular to lead a flock to pasture and so to feed it. This is the first duty of shepherds." (Stott)
ii. But it isn't enough to feed; the shepherd must also protect the sheep. Watch applies both to savage wolves that come in from the outside and to those who rise up from among yourselves.
iii. It is often easier for pastors to deal with the wolves that come from the outside - obviously false teachings and goofy winds of doctrine. But it is very difficult to deal with those who rise up from among yourselves, because you don't want to believe that they are in fact speaking perverse things and trying to draw away the disciples after themselves. But Paul insisted that such people were real, and that pastors would have to deal with them!
That is such a good perspective and great advice. Paul, in speaking a last message to the Ephesian leaders is once again calling to mind the basics and examining the foundation of the Church. Leadership of a church is instituted by the Holy Spirit, and should be a great sense of responsibility, for the Lord has entrusted the care and feeding and protecting of a certain group to those He calls as shepherds. The people are His, the church is His, we are purely stewards of His flocks. Historically, most shepherds, didn't own the sheep they shepherded, rather they cared for sheep that were owned by someone else. The quality of the job they did was evident in the condition of the flock that was in their care. If they all present and were healthy strong and reproducing, then the owner knew the shepherd was doing a good job.
Lord, help those who are in shepherding positions to listen to Paul's encouragement and charge and look at their ministry and make adjustments as they need. We want to raise up a healthy and strong church for Your Glory.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Thursday, August 29, 2013
A New Day, New Compassion
I asked the Lord for the word for the day and I remembered these verses from Lamentations 3:21-24 NIV:
[21] "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
[22] Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
[23] They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
[24] I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
What a great word for the day. We can hope in the Lord, because He loves us, has unfailing compassion for us, which are renewed every morning. In other words, yesterday is gone, and we have a fresh start with the Lord this day, full of His compassion and mercy. He will not hold our yesterday against us, but renews His compassion for us each day. He is faithful to all who trust in Him. He wants to be our portion, that which we choose, for He has chosen us.
I just saw a simple picture of what this final verse is like. God reaches down from heaven, extending His hand to us, selecting us. We need to turn toward Him and extend our hand to Him, and then wait for Him to make contact. That is what "The Lord is my portion, therefore I will wait for Him" looks like in my life.
Let us wait for the Lord, with our hand, heart and mind, knowing that He has chosen us and will make contact. He will guide us, will direct us and will bless us! Its a new day, forget about yesterday and press into the Lord's love and compassion for you today.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
How to Respond to Celebrations of Indecency
This morning I felt like I should read from Paul's letter to the Ephesians. As I was reflecting on some of the sad displays of sexuality we have seen in the last few days, I was asking the Lord for perspective, and this is where I felt led.
Ephesians 4:17-24 NIV:
[17] "So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. [18] They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. [19] Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
[20] That, however, is not the way of life you learned [21] when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. [22] You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; [23] to be made new in the attitude of your minds; [24] and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
Really its quite simple and clear. As one drifts away, or chooses to follow a different path than following Christ, especially when one previously followed Him, their understanding is darkened, and their hearts become hardened. In other words, what was once seen as inappropriate and improper, sinful or just plain wrong, now starts to make sense, or become even desirable. Thinking changes, and rationalization begins to break down previously held beliefs.
What once would have caused sadness or revulsion or pain in ones heart, is now accepted, soon welcomed and finally embraced as the hardening of one's heart increases. In his letter, James writes about this downward path. James 1:14-15 NIV: ..."but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. [15] Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."
Make no mistake, this path does not lead to freedom, as it advertised, but rather to pain, shame and death. Death of self esteem, death of innocence, death of relationships. The GOOD NEWS is that regardless of how far down the path of heart hardening and thought darkening one has traveled, there is always hope and a simple path back to the light and life. Repentance and forgiveness of sins is available to us all, and the Lord will welcome us back with open arms (Luke 15:20).
As the Body of Christ, the Church, we must guard our own steps, lovingly encourage others to begin to follow Jesus, and welcome back with open arms those that have pursued the wrong path, but have turned back to the Lord. We should not judge, or attack, or condemn individuals, "for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12. Let us be recognized as representatives of God's mercy and compassion, and above all, His love. We are called to be ambassadors of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:18-21 NIV:
"All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: [19] that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. [20] We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. [21] God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
Amen! Let us pray for those whose thinking is darkened, whose hearts are hardened, and let us extend arms of love and reconciliation.
Ephesians 4:17-24 NIV:
[17] "So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. [18] They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. [19] Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
[20] That, however, is not the way of life you learned [21] when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. [22] You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; [23] to be made new in the attitude of your minds; [24] and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
Really its quite simple and clear. As one drifts away, or chooses to follow a different path than following Christ, especially when one previously followed Him, their understanding is darkened, and their hearts become hardened. In other words, what was once seen as inappropriate and improper, sinful or just plain wrong, now starts to make sense, or become even desirable. Thinking changes, and rationalization begins to break down previously held beliefs.
What once would have caused sadness or revulsion or pain in ones heart, is now accepted, soon welcomed and finally embraced as the hardening of one's heart increases. In his letter, James writes about this downward path. James 1:14-15 NIV: ..."but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. [15] Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."
Make no mistake, this path does not lead to freedom, as it advertised, but rather to pain, shame and death. Death of self esteem, death of innocence, death of relationships. The GOOD NEWS is that regardless of how far down the path of heart hardening and thought darkening one has traveled, there is always hope and a simple path back to the light and life. Repentance and forgiveness of sins is available to us all, and the Lord will welcome us back with open arms (Luke 15:20).
As the Body of Christ, the Church, we must guard our own steps, lovingly encourage others to begin to follow Jesus, and welcome back with open arms those that have pursued the wrong path, but have turned back to the Lord. We should not judge, or attack, or condemn individuals, "for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12. Let us be recognized as representatives of God's mercy and compassion, and above all, His love. We are called to be ambassadors of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:18-21 NIV:
"All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: [19] that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. [20] We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. [21] God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
Amen! Let us pray for those whose thinking is darkened, whose hearts are hardened, and let us extend arms of love and reconciliation.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Covenants 4 - The New Covenant
Continuing my study of Covenant - I think its time to look at the new covenant that Jesus established. The prophetic message concerning a new covenant is first found in Jeremiah 31:31-33 NIV:
[31] “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. [32] It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, ” declares the Lord. [33] “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people."
Clearly God has a different plan for the new Covenant, and it is supposed to be better and will involve internalization in the people He covenants Himself to.
The second time we see the term New Covenant is when Jesus speaks the words at the Last Supper, as recorded in Luke's account - Luke 22:19-20 NIV
[19] "And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” [20] In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."
If we go back to the significance of blood, there is life in the blood (Lev 17:11), and there is no forgiveness of sins without blood (Heb 9:22). We see both of these facts echoed in Jesus word. The first is seen in John 6:53-54 NIV: "Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. [54] Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day."
The second - forgiveness of sins is seen in Matthew 26:27-28 NIV: "Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. [28] This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
So part of the agreement, the covenant, that God offers us is that we can receive forgiveness of all our sins and eternal life. This is significantly better than the old Covenants we have already looked at from the Old Testament. The author of the letter to the Hebrews covers this extensively in chapters 8-10, and is writing to the people who were under the old covenant. Two verses from Chapter 8, are significant - verse 7 & 13.
Hebrews 8:7 NIV: "For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another."
Hebrews 8:13 NIV: "By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear."
When the author says the old covenant was made obsolete, the Greek word he used is defined as the following: 1. to make ancient or old a. to become old, to be worn out b. of things worn out by time and use 2. to declare a thing to be old and so about to be abrogated ( to abolish by authoritative action : annul). He is basically arguing to the Hebrew people that this new covenant has replaced the old, which will soon be abolished, so if they want to continue to be people covenanted with God, they need to step into this new covenant, established by Jesus. The new covenant was better and was based on better promises (Heb 8:6) and was already fulfilled in the death and resurrection of Jesus. He gave His blood for all, the only thing now required is faith and belief in Jesus.
Hebrews 10:19-25 NIV: "Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, [20] by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, [21] and since we have a great priest over the house of God, [22] let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. [23] Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. [24] And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, [25] not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another---and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Finally , the most surprising thing about the new covenant is that all were invited, gentiles and Jews alike. This was a significant departure from the earlier covenants. They did cover people that were not Jewish, but lived among the Jews, but they did not apply, nor were they offered to the rest of the nations. The New Covenant is available to all who believe. As Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans - Romans 3:21-26 NIV:
[21] "But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. [22] This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. [25] God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood---to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished--- [26] he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."
So, "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and the full a assurance that faith brings" (Heb 10:22) Let us enter fully into this New Covenant, receiving the blessings of God, available in Jesus - the forgiveness of all our sins and eternal life. Let us embrace this Covenant with love and obedience to the One who set us free.
[31] “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. [32] It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, ” declares the Lord. [33] “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people."
Clearly God has a different plan for the new Covenant, and it is supposed to be better and will involve internalization in the people He covenants Himself to.
The second time we see the term New Covenant is when Jesus speaks the words at the Last Supper, as recorded in Luke's account - Luke 22:19-20 NIV
[19] "And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” [20] In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."
If we go back to the significance of blood, there is life in the blood (Lev 17:11), and there is no forgiveness of sins without blood (Heb 9:22). We see both of these facts echoed in Jesus word. The first is seen in John 6:53-54 NIV: "Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. [54] Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day."
The second - forgiveness of sins is seen in Matthew 26:27-28 NIV: "Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. [28] This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
So part of the agreement, the covenant, that God offers us is that we can receive forgiveness of all our sins and eternal life. This is significantly better than the old Covenants we have already looked at from the Old Testament. The author of the letter to the Hebrews covers this extensively in chapters 8-10, and is writing to the people who were under the old covenant. Two verses from Chapter 8, are significant - verse 7 & 13.
Hebrews 8:7 NIV: "For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another."
Hebrews 8:13 NIV: "By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear."
When the author says the old covenant was made obsolete, the Greek word he used is defined as the following: 1. to make ancient or old a. to become old, to be worn out b. of things worn out by time and use 2. to declare a thing to be old and so about to be abrogated ( to abolish by authoritative action : annul). He is basically arguing to the Hebrew people that this new covenant has replaced the old, which will soon be abolished, so if they want to continue to be people covenanted with God, they need to step into this new covenant, established by Jesus. The new covenant was better and was based on better promises (Heb 8:6) and was already fulfilled in the death and resurrection of Jesus. He gave His blood for all, the only thing now required is faith and belief in Jesus.
Hebrews 10:19-25 NIV: "Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, [20] by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, [21] and since we have a great priest over the house of God, [22] let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. [23] Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. [24] And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, [25] not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another---and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Finally , the most surprising thing about the new covenant is that all were invited, gentiles and Jews alike. This was a significant departure from the earlier covenants. They did cover people that were not Jewish, but lived among the Jews, but they did not apply, nor were they offered to the rest of the nations. The New Covenant is available to all who believe. As Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans - Romans 3:21-26 NIV:
[21] "But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. [22] This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. [25] God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood---to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished--- [26] he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."
So, "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and the full a assurance that faith brings" (Heb 10:22) Let us enter fully into this New Covenant, receiving the blessings of God, available in Jesus - the forgiveness of all our sins and eternal life. Let us embrace this Covenant with love and obedience to the One who set us free.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Covenants - Part 3
Continuing my investigation into the Covenants the Lord made with us, and with Israel - I am continuing in Deuteronomy 29:1-4, 9-15 NIV: Renewal of the Covenant
'These are the terms of the covenant the Lord commanded Moses to make with the Israelites in Moab, in addition to the covenant he had made with them at Horeb. [2] Moses summoned all the Israelites and said to them: Your eyes have seen all that the Lord did in Egypt to Pharaoh, to all his officials and to all his land. [3] With your own eyes you saw those great trials, those signs and great wonders. [4] But to this day the Lord has not given you a mind that understands or eyes that see or ears that hear."
[9] "Carefully follow the terms of this covenant, so that you may prosper in everything you do. [10] All of you are standing today in the presence of the Lord your God---your leaders and chief men, your elders and officials, and all the other men of Israel, [11] together with your children and your wives, and the foreigners living in your camps who chop your wood and carry your water. [12] You are standing here in order to enter into a covenant with the Lord your God, a covenant the Lord is making with you this day and sealing with an oath, [13] to confirm you this day as his people, that he may be your God as he promised you and as he swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. [14] I am making this covenant, with its oath, not only with you [15] who are standing here with us today in the presence of the Lord our God but also with those who are not here today."
This whole chapter is titled Renewal of the Covenant. It is interesting that Moses refers to the two covenants, one made in Moab, the other at Horeb. They were essentially the same Covenant, made years apart, with refined terms, and now they were being asked to renew the Covenant, because they had broken the covenant. The Covenant was not, in God's eyes, a one chance agreement, but rather an agreement He entered into with the nation and the people of Israel, and one He was willing to see renewed. Most of the commentary authors think this renewal of the Covenant was due to the fact that most all the people who had made the first covenant with God had died in the desert, and this new generation was being given the opportunity to say yes as well. This is important in that God sees the covenant both as a generational agreement and an individual agreement. One can clearly se that defined as both in verse 14 and 15, where He addresses not only those standing present, but those "who are not here today" an inference of the generations to come.
Another important point is the ability to renew a covenant. It had been broken, but by renewing the people were able to step back into the conditions of the covenant. We see an example of this in our own lives, where married couple renew their vows. This is the renewal of the covenant of marriage. It can be done purely for symbolism of continued commitment, or in a very real sense renewing the covenant that had previously been established, but which had been broken by one or both people. Renewing a covenant makes the terms fresh and new, and as is seen in the old testament, some times the terms of the covenant are modified slightly.
It is a significant deal that God welcomes renewal of His covenant- for this indicates His willingness to forgive, and have mercy. This is the core understanding behind God's desire to send Jesus to establish a new covenant. God was essentially renewing His promise to have a people who were His own, and was willing to forgive all the past transgressions and enter into relationship with generations and people and individuals again.
Continuing on, we see God and the people reaffirming the covenant through Joshua at the end of the Book of Joshua - Joshua 24:24-26 NIV:
[24] "And the people said to Joshua, “We will serve the Lord our God and obey him.” [25] On that day Joshua made a covenant for the people, and there at Shechem he reaffirmed for them decrees and laws. [26] And Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak near the holy place of the Lord."
We see the convent renewed again in 2 Kings 11:17 NIV: "Jehoiada then made a covenant between the Lord and the king and people that they would be the Lord’s people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people."
And again renewed by Josiah in 2 Kings 23:1-3 NIV: "Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. [2] He went up to the temple of the Lord with the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests and the prophets---all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord. [3] The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord---to follow the Lord and keep his commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant."
God also made other covenants with individuals - here we see the covenant the God made with David referenced in 2 Chronicles 21:7 NIV: "Nevertheless, because of the covenant the Lord had made with David, the Lord was not willing to destroy the house of David. He had promised to maintain a lamp for him and his descendants forever."
The covenant God made with David is interesting because other than David and an occasional King down through his lineage, most of the other Kings did not abide by the terms of the covenant God established with David, yet God was true to his side of the agreement. The reality is God never breaks covenant, nor the agreement. He is always willing to maintain His side of the agreement. God is faithful, always. He is true to His word, and will never break His promise or oath.
So clearly covenants, although they can be broken, can be renewed. God was willing to continually extend to the people the same terms of the original covenant, willing to bless them, prosper them and protect them. He didn't reduce the terms of the agreement, giving the people less, or punishing them for their unfaithfulness. God, in the same way, continues to offer to us the same promise of relationship, no matter how many times we fail. This is such Great News! He has infinite patience, and an unchanging heart towards us, and is willing to renew the covenant over and over.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Covenant Study - Part 2
Continuing on with my study of covenant - I left off with stating that the Law was another covenant - Exodus 24:3, 6-8 NIV
[3] "When Moses went and told the people all the Lord’s words and laws, they responded with one voice, “Everything the Lord has said we will do.” [6] Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he splashed against the altar.
[7] Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey.” [8] Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”
The people were called to fulfill the law, to follow the law in their actions and for different lapses their were different sacrifices. For example - Leviticus 5:5-7, 11 NIV: ..."when anyone becomes aware that they are guilty in any of these matters, they must confess in what way they have sinned. [6] As a penalty for the sin they have committed, they must bring to the Lord a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering ; and the priest shall make atonement for them for their sin. [7] “ ‘Anyone who cannot afford a lamb is to bring two doves or two young pigeons to the Lord as a penalty for their sin---one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering.
[11] “ ‘If, however, they cannot afford two doves or two young pigeons, they are to bring as an offering for their sin a tenth of an ephah of the finest flour for a sin offering. They must not put olive oil or incense on it, because it is a sin offering."
Breaking this covenant through disobedience was a sin, and required sacrifice to bring forgiveness, but it did not require death of the person. It did require blood, unless the person couldn't afford to purchase an lamb, goat or dove, in which case they could bring flour. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews sums up the importance of blood as it pertains to forgiveness - Hebrews 9:22 NIV: "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
Part of any covenant is a promise on both sides - in this case God's promise to the people of the Covenant, was to help them. Exodus 34:10 NIV: "Then the Lord said: “I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the Lord, will do for you."
Then following verses from Leviticus sum up the responsibilities and results of breaking the covenant -
Leviticus 26:14-17, 40-46 NIV:
[14]“ ‘But if you will not listen to me and carry out all these commands, [15] and if you reject my decrees and abhor my laws and fail to carry out all my commands and so violate my covenant, [16] then I will do this to you: I will bring on you sudden terror, wasting diseases and fever that will destroy your sight and sap your strength. You will plant seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it. [17] I will set my face against you so that you will be defeated by your enemies; those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee even when no one is pursuing you.
[40] “ ‘But if they will confess their sins and the sins of their ancestors---their unfaithfulness and their hostility toward me, [41] which made me hostile toward them so that I sent them into the land of their enemies---then when their uncircumcised hearts are humbled and they pay for their sin, [42] I will remember my covenant with Jacob and my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land. [43] For the land will be deserted by them and will enjoy its sabbaths while it lies desolate without them. They will pay for their sins because they rejected my laws and abhorred my decrees. [44] Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them or abhor them so as to destroy them completely, breaking my covenant with them. I am the Lord their God. [45] But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors whom I brought out of Egypt in the sight of the nations to be their God. I am the Lord.’ ” [46] These are the decrees, the laws and the regulations that the Lord established at Mount Sinai between himself and the Israelites through Moses."
There was clearly punishment for breaking the laws, disobedience and failing to carry out the law. However, this did not require death of the offending party, nor did the breaking of the covenant cancel the covenant. The covenant, described above, continued to be in effect, waiting for the people to repent and turn back to God that He could bless them.
Continuing on with my study of the different covenants, the Sabbath was established as a covenant - Exodus 31:16-17 NIV:"The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. [17] It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed. ’ ”
This is one covenant that God originally said the penalty for breaking was death - Exodus 31:14-15 NIV: “ ‘Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death; those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people. [15] For six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day is to be put to death." That seems quite harsh to me, but its God's covenant. It appeared to have softened over time, as when Jesus was here there were concerns about breaking the Sabbath, but I don't remember anyone talking about putting the offenders to death.
Moving on, there is something called a salt covenant, and although obscure scripturally, it was another covenant of the people and God - Leviticus 2:13 NIV: "Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings.". I made a thorough study of the salt covenant a few years ago which can be found in my Blog archive.
[3] "When Moses went and told the people all the Lord’s words and laws, they responded with one voice, “Everything the Lord has said we will do.” [6] Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he splashed against the altar.
[7] Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey.” [8] Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”
The people were called to fulfill the law, to follow the law in their actions and for different lapses their were different sacrifices. For example - Leviticus 5:5-7, 11 NIV: ..."when anyone becomes aware that they are guilty in any of these matters, they must confess in what way they have sinned. [6] As a penalty for the sin they have committed, they must bring to the Lord a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering ; and the priest shall make atonement for them for their sin. [7] “ ‘Anyone who cannot afford a lamb is to bring two doves or two young pigeons to the Lord as a penalty for their sin---one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering.
[11] “ ‘If, however, they cannot afford two doves or two young pigeons, they are to bring as an offering for their sin a tenth of an ephah of the finest flour for a sin offering. They must not put olive oil or incense on it, because it is a sin offering."
Breaking this covenant through disobedience was a sin, and required sacrifice to bring forgiveness, but it did not require death of the person. It did require blood, unless the person couldn't afford to purchase an lamb, goat or dove, in which case they could bring flour. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews sums up the importance of blood as it pertains to forgiveness - Hebrews 9:22 NIV: "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
Part of any covenant is a promise on both sides - in this case God's promise to the people of the Covenant, was to help them. Exodus 34:10 NIV: "Then the Lord said: “I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the Lord, will do for you."
Then following verses from Leviticus sum up the responsibilities and results of breaking the covenant -
Leviticus 26:14-17, 40-46 NIV:
[14]“ ‘But if you will not listen to me and carry out all these commands, [15] and if you reject my decrees and abhor my laws and fail to carry out all my commands and so violate my covenant, [16] then I will do this to you: I will bring on you sudden terror, wasting diseases and fever that will destroy your sight and sap your strength. You will plant seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it. [17] I will set my face against you so that you will be defeated by your enemies; those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee even when no one is pursuing you.
[40] “ ‘But if they will confess their sins and the sins of their ancestors---their unfaithfulness and their hostility toward me, [41] which made me hostile toward them so that I sent them into the land of their enemies---then when their uncircumcised hearts are humbled and they pay for their sin, [42] I will remember my covenant with Jacob and my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land. [43] For the land will be deserted by them and will enjoy its sabbaths while it lies desolate without them. They will pay for their sins because they rejected my laws and abhorred my decrees. [44] Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them or abhor them so as to destroy them completely, breaking my covenant with them. I am the Lord their God. [45] But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors whom I brought out of Egypt in the sight of the nations to be their God. I am the Lord.’ ” [46] These are the decrees, the laws and the regulations that the Lord established at Mount Sinai between himself and the Israelites through Moses."
There was clearly punishment for breaking the laws, disobedience and failing to carry out the law. However, this did not require death of the offending party, nor did the breaking of the covenant cancel the covenant. The covenant, described above, continued to be in effect, waiting for the people to repent and turn back to God that He could bless them.
Continuing on with my study of the different covenants, the Sabbath was established as a covenant - Exodus 31:16-17 NIV:"The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. [17] It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed. ’ ”
This is one covenant that God originally said the penalty for breaking was death - Exodus 31:14-15 NIV: “ ‘Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death; those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people. [15] For six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day is to be put to death." That seems quite harsh to me, but its God's covenant. It appeared to have softened over time, as when Jesus was here there were concerns about breaking the Sabbath, but I don't remember anyone talking about putting the offenders to death.
Moving on, there is something called a salt covenant, and although obscure scripturally, it was another covenant of the people and God - Leviticus 2:13 NIV: "Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings.". I made a thorough study of the salt covenant a few years ago which can be found in my Blog archive.
A Beginning Study on Covenant
Wednesday, we had a good conversation about the Law, the old covenant and such, and recently I felt like I should read from Galatians Chapter 3, where Paul is speaking about the Law, and the original covenant with Abraham.
Galatians 3:17-19, 23-25 NIV
[17] "What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. [18] For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise. [19] Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator."
[23] "Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. [24] So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. [25] Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian."
Paul's message is clear, there was a covenant of blessing that pre-existed prior to the law being put into place. The Covenant was between God and Abraham, and was a promise of God sending help. As I was reading these verses and thinking through some of the things we have been reading concerning Covenant, I think this particular author was very minimalistic in his perspective of covenant. The word translated covenant in the old testament, is defined as follows:
covenant, alliance, pledge
a. between men
1. treaty, alliance, league (man to man)
2. constitution, ordinance (monarch to subjects)
3. agreement, pledge (man to man)
4. alliance (of friendship)
5. alliance (of marriage)
b. between God and man
1. alliance (of friendship)
2. covenant (divine ordinance with signs or pledges)
The author was saying how an covenant was an agreement that if broken resulted in the death of the person who broke it, but that is clearly not the definition of the word, or how it was often used.
I think the issue is more that Jesus established a new covenant and met the requirements of the Law, and His blood was shed for forgiveness of all our sins. If we look at Genesis there were several covenants that God made wth people. The first was with Noah and his descendants to never destroy the world again by flood. The second was with Abram and his descendants to give him the promised land. The third was with Abram to bless him and multiply him, and was the first to really require any action on man's part, namely that all the males would be circumcised. Again, this covenant was to bless, and the requirement was cutting (the root of the word covenant) but not death if broken.
The Law was clearly another covenant, or agreement between God and man. The beginning of establishing the Law, was a covenant between God and the nation of Israel- Exodus 19:5-6 NIV: [5] "Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, [6] you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."
The Law was part of the covenant - see Exodus 25:16 NIV: "Then put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law, which I will give you."
More to come -
Galatians 3:17-19, 23-25 NIV
[17] "What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. [18] For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise. [19] Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator."
[23] "Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. [24] So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. [25] Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian."
Paul's message is clear, there was a covenant of blessing that pre-existed prior to the law being put into place. The Covenant was between God and Abraham, and was a promise of God sending help. As I was reading these verses and thinking through some of the things we have been reading concerning Covenant, I think this particular author was very minimalistic in his perspective of covenant. The word translated covenant in the old testament, is defined as follows:
covenant, alliance, pledge
a. between men
1. treaty, alliance, league (man to man)
2. constitution, ordinance (monarch to subjects)
3. agreement, pledge (man to man)
4. alliance (of friendship)
5. alliance (of marriage)
b. between God and man
1. alliance (of friendship)
2. covenant (divine ordinance with signs or pledges)
The author was saying how an covenant was an agreement that if broken resulted in the death of the person who broke it, but that is clearly not the definition of the word, or how it was often used.
I think the issue is more that Jesus established a new covenant and met the requirements of the Law, and His blood was shed for forgiveness of all our sins. If we look at Genesis there were several covenants that God made wth people. The first was with Noah and his descendants to never destroy the world again by flood. The second was with Abram and his descendants to give him the promised land. The third was with Abram to bless him and multiply him, and was the first to really require any action on man's part, namely that all the males would be circumcised. Again, this covenant was to bless, and the requirement was cutting (the root of the word covenant) but not death if broken.
The Law was clearly another covenant, or agreement between God and man. The beginning of establishing the Law, was a covenant between God and the nation of Israel- Exodus 19:5-6 NIV: [5] "Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, [6] you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."
The Law was part of the covenant - see Exodus 25:16 NIV: "Then put in the ark the tablets of the covenant law, which I will give you."
More to come -
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Unswayed by Opinions
This morning I felt like I should read John, chapter 7. There are several things of interest, but I was really intrigued by John 7:3-5 NIV:
[3] "Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. [4] No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” [5] For even his own brothers did not believe in him."
I found myself imagining the interaction between Jesus and His brothers. What would it be like to have grown up with Jesus and seen him live a relatively unremarkable 30 years, and then one day start performing miracles and preaching great messages? I was thinking also of Jesus, and the courage and strength it took to step into the spotlight of the whole nation and countryside, especially when His family was unconvinced.
On one hand, I can almost hear them saying verse 4, and it probably wasn't meant as real encouragement, but rather said with a certain spiteful tone, similar to the way Joseph's brother's responded to him when he told them his dreams. It sounds like they thought he was a bit of a glory grabber, and was trying to self promote. Clearly that wasn't Jesus' heart nor motivation. He was going because the Father was sending Him. I would imagine even that would have made His brothers a bit crazy, because its likely that Joseph was dead by this point, since we do not hear anything about him during Jesus active ministry years. So here is Jesus talking about being sent by His Father (John 5:17-35), and His brothers know that Joseph is dead and buried. No wonder there were those that Jesus was crazy or demon possessed (John 7:20).
On the other hand, His brother's might have been unconvinced about Jesus being the messiah, but might have been trying to help Him out of their human wisdom. If they thought that Jesus was trying to make a name for Himself, similar to a politician running for office, their comments about going to the Feast would make perfect sense, because the number of people who were gathered was significant. What better way to become a public figure, than to go where everyone is and start doing miracles in their midst. They were thinking like normal people, encouraging Jesus to do what made sense to them. Jesus, however, was listening to the Father, and doing what He told Him to do (John 5:19).
Regardless of all the swirl surrounding Him, or however you interpret these verses, Jesus was faithful to fulfill the Father's will. He was locked onto the Father's will and timing and would not allow himself to misstep. He was unswayed by people's opinions or thoughts. He held to the Father's timing and direction and ultimately set into motion the plan to kill Him, but He was faithful. Let us learn from His example and set our hearts and minds on the Lord, doing what He says. Let us step beyond our fear, or familiar territory and pursue the Lord with passion and focus. The Lord might be calling to us, calling us into something that is beyond us, or outside of who we see ourselves, but He knows what it takes and how to step into the fulfillment of the Father's will. Let us look to Him rather than leaning on our own understanding (Prov 3:5)! Let us listen to the Lord, first and foremost, and be unconcerned about what others or even ourselves think.
As a side note, there are some who believe Jesus was an an only child, and that belief could be possible, as the Greek word used is adelphos, which has several meanings: 1. a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother 2. having the same national ancestor, belonging to the same people, or countryman 3. any fellow or man 4. a fellow believer, united to another by the bond of affection 5. an associate in employment or office 6. brethren in Christ. This same word is used to describe Peter and Andrew in Matt 4:18, so its use can indeed mean blood brothers, or any range of the definition, and is generally inconclusive.
[3] "Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. [4] No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” [5] For even his own brothers did not believe in him."
I found myself imagining the interaction between Jesus and His brothers. What would it be like to have grown up with Jesus and seen him live a relatively unremarkable 30 years, and then one day start performing miracles and preaching great messages? I was thinking also of Jesus, and the courage and strength it took to step into the spotlight of the whole nation and countryside, especially when His family was unconvinced.
On one hand, I can almost hear them saying verse 4, and it probably wasn't meant as real encouragement, but rather said with a certain spiteful tone, similar to the way Joseph's brother's responded to him when he told them his dreams. It sounds like they thought he was a bit of a glory grabber, and was trying to self promote. Clearly that wasn't Jesus' heart nor motivation. He was going because the Father was sending Him. I would imagine even that would have made His brothers a bit crazy, because its likely that Joseph was dead by this point, since we do not hear anything about him during Jesus active ministry years. So here is Jesus talking about being sent by His Father (John 5:17-35), and His brothers know that Joseph is dead and buried. No wonder there were those that Jesus was crazy or demon possessed (John 7:20).
On the other hand, His brother's might have been unconvinced about Jesus being the messiah, but might have been trying to help Him out of their human wisdom. If they thought that Jesus was trying to make a name for Himself, similar to a politician running for office, their comments about going to the Feast would make perfect sense, because the number of people who were gathered was significant. What better way to become a public figure, than to go where everyone is and start doing miracles in their midst. They were thinking like normal people, encouraging Jesus to do what made sense to them. Jesus, however, was listening to the Father, and doing what He told Him to do (John 5:19).
Regardless of all the swirl surrounding Him, or however you interpret these verses, Jesus was faithful to fulfill the Father's will. He was locked onto the Father's will and timing and would not allow himself to misstep. He was unswayed by people's opinions or thoughts. He held to the Father's timing and direction and ultimately set into motion the plan to kill Him, but He was faithful. Let us learn from His example and set our hearts and minds on the Lord, doing what He says. Let us step beyond our fear, or familiar territory and pursue the Lord with passion and focus. The Lord might be calling to us, calling us into something that is beyond us, or outside of who we see ourselves, but He knows what it takes and how to step into the fulfillment of the Father's will. Let us look to Him rather than leaning on our own understanding (Prov 3:5)! Let us listen to the Lord, first and foremost, and be unconcerned about what others or even ourselves think.
As a side note, there are some who believe Jesus was an an only child, and that belief could be possible, as the Greek word used is adelphos, which has several meanings: 1. a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother 2. having the same national ancestor, belonging to the same people, or countryman 3. any fellow or man 4. a fellow believer, united to another by the bond of affection 5. an associate in employment or office 6. brethren in Christ. This same word is used to describe Peter and Andrew in Matt 4:18, so its use can indeed mean blood brothers, or any range of the definition, and is generally inconclusive.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Overcoming Labels, Discovering Our Significance
I realize I have posted two entries in the same day, but this was too significant to me to delay posting it.
I had an interesting dream last night. In my dream, which was about something completely different (helping save a newly discovered primitive society, but that is another story) I was walking through the back streets of this town. It was late at night and we were tying to get to an important meeting. As we were walking along this young, slender woman came out of a doorway and approached us. Our first inclination was to just ignore her and keep pressing onward. Something she said stopped me though, and cause me turn around. I don't remember her exact words, but she couldn't look us in the eyes, and was clearly ashamed of her need for money, and thought of herself as almost completely worthless, but she cried out to at least be considered, or just noticed, as if that was her greatest need. I stopped and went back to her and asked her what her price was for an evening, which took her by surprise, that anyone would even consider her for more than a few minutes. I told her I would pay her three times that amount to come with us and join in our conversations and give us her advice and thoughts. I told her that her significance was in who she was, not in being used or sold, and that she was significant. At that point I woke up.
I am reminded of Jesus' interaction with a woman, and how significantly He impacted her. We are told the story of a sinful woman who, in the first three Gospel stories about her, is unnamed. She is the sinful women who washed Jesus feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. This story is recounted in all four Gospels - Luke 7, Matt 26, Mark 14 and John 12, but it is only in John's Gospel that she is named. Many believe this is because by the time John's Gospel was written that she was no longer alive and it would not embarrass her. Some authors believe the stories in the synoptic Gospels and John are about different women. Regardless, in these stories found in the first three Gospels, she was someone who most of the town knew and discounted as a sinful women. Here is the description from Luke 7:37-39 NIV:
[37] "A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. [38] As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
[39] When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is---that she is a sinner.”
I imagine this event, and the public display this was. Jesus was the guest of honor, therefore there were many people clamouring for His attention, and into this all walks this women, whom everyone knows about. I can just imagine her downcast eyes, the disdain with which others treat her, the wide bearth people give her, so as not to be seen as having associated wth with her previously. The scriptures don't say what her sinful past is, but its assumed that she was a prostitute (David Guzman commentary). The Greek word used is defined as someone devoted to sin, guilt of specific vices. In other words, she was more than an accidentally sinful person, but someone who's identity was wrapped up in her sin.
She was identified by her status as a sinner - see verse 37 and 39 above. What a terrible thing, to be labeled by one's sin. It is as if her significance as a person was so diminished that she was now only known by her sin. She was someone's daughter, likely someone's sister, and had significance and a place of belonging in those contexts, but apparently they all were forgotten, or overlooked, probably whispered behind her back. She was desperate for forgiveness, and healing, and something inside her gave her the courage to push past everything and everyone that would hold her back.
Its interesting that in Matthew's and Mark's Gospels the biggest thing that people were focused on was the waste of the expensive perfume. Even in her extravagance of love and devotion, people were sniping about her. This poor woman couldn't catch a break. I think this is so true of the way we judge one another. We label people and see everything they do through the label we place on them, the labels color our perceptions. She was considered worthless, and when she does something of great worth, people call it wasteful.
We have many sources of labels for people, - what they do, or don't do, how they act, their sins, their sickness, their possessions, or lack of possessions, the way the dress, the way they smell, the way they interact with others, the way they laugh, the list is almost endless. We are quick to categorize based on these labels and then treat them according to the label we have affixed.
Additionally, in our interaction with others, we sometimes allow their labels for us to become our identity. We identify ourselves as losers, unattractive, geeks, nerds, ugly, worthless, unwanted, unworthy, or lame and those terms never start inside of us. We lay claim to identities that are thrust upon us by others. I remember times where I felt labeled, and limited by those labels. Inside I was screaming, "That is not who I am!" It was with great difficulty that I was able to break off those labels. Some people never do break free, and instead take the labels on as their identity, and limit themselves in how they think of themselves.
Jesus refused to label her, or let her embrace their label for her! He even called everyone's attention to the woman, which must have been incredibly uncomfortable for her, and lifted her up in everyone's eyes. He gave her value and significance, He recognized who she was, and what she had done, and praised her in front of everyone!
Here is what He said, as quoted in Matthew 26:10-13 NIV: [10] "Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. [11] The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. [12] When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. [13] Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
Here is the exchange from Luke's recounting: Luke 7:44-46 NIV: [44] "Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. [45] You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. [46] You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet."
My reflection on this all is that I need to change the way I treat others and look at others. I know that I am quick to label and categorize, and I must learn to look at others through the eyes of the Lord, seeing them for who they are and their significance in His eyes. I need to stop and look past the labels I have for them or those they might have embraced, and see the person. As Heidi Baker says, "stop for the one!" I need to learn to stop walking past people, and instead learn to engage them, see their value and significance and speak that which I see and hear to them and those around me, just as Jesus did for this woman.
Finally, I want to see myself as Jesus sees me, and believe it all. I know that I still have a hard time grasping my own worth and significance. I would rather believe in my own limitations and hiddenness, than take a chance in living out some of the things I think the Lord sees in me. I tend to listen to others more than I listen to the Lord, and as such my perspective of my life and my value is colored by the wrong voice(s). I should be listening to the Lord's voice as the sole source of authority about who I am and what value I have in His view. Lord, I want Your perspective of me to be the only one that defines me. I want to explore all the depths and width and fullness of who You say I am. I want to overcome the labels I have for myself and that others have affixed on me, and see myself as beloved and worthy of the Lord's affections.
I had an interesting dream last night. In my dream, which was about something completely different (helping save a newly discovered primitive society, but that is another story) I was walking through the back streets of this town. It was late at night and we were tying to get to an important meeting. As we were walking along this young, slender woman came out of a doorway and approached us. Our first inclination was to just ignore her and keep pressing onward. Something she said stopped me though, and cause me turn around. I don't remember her exact words, but she couldn't look us in the eyes, and was clearly ashamed of her need for money, and thought of herself as almost completely worthless, but she cried out to at least be considered, or just noticed, as if that was her greatest need. I stopped and went back to her and asked her what her price was for an evening, which took her by surprise, that anyone would even consider her for more than a few minutes. I told her I would pay her three times that amount to come with us and join in our conversations and give us her advice and thoughts. I told her that her significance was in who she was, not in being used or sold, and that she was significant. At that point I woke up.
I am reminded of Jesus' interaction with a woman, and how significantly He impacted her. We are told the story of a sinful woman who, in the first three Gospel stories about her, is unnamed. She is the sinful women who washed Jesus feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. This story is recounted in all four Gospels - Luke 7, Matt 26, Mark 14 and John 12, but it is only in John's Gospel that she is named. Many believe this is because by the time John's Gospel was written that she was no longer alive and it would not embarrass her. Some authors believe the stories in the synoptic Gospels and John are about different women. Regardless, in these stories found in the first three Gospels, she was someone who most of the town knew and discounted as a sinful women. Here is the description from Luke 7:37-39 NIV:
[37] "A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. [38] As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
[39] When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is---that she is a sinner.”
I imagine this event, and the public display this was. Jesus was the guest of honor, therefore there were many people clamouring for His attention, and into this all walks this women, whom everyone knows about. I can just imagine her downcast eyes, the disdain with which others treat her, the wide bearth people give her, so as not to be seen as having associated wth with her previously. The scriptures don't say what her sinful past is, but its assumed that she was a prostitute (David Guzman commentary). The Greek word used is defined as someone devoted to sin, guilt of specific vices. In other words, she was more than an accidentally sinful person, but someone who's identity was wrapped up in her sin.
She was identified by her status as a sinner - see verse 37 and 39 above. What a terrible thing, to be labeled by one's sin. It is as if her significance as a person was so diminished that she was now only known by her sin. She was someone's daughter, likely someone's sister, and had significance and a place of belonging in those contexts, but apparently they all were forgotten, or overlooked, probably whispered behind her back. She was desperate for forgiveness, and healing, and something inside her gave her the courage to push past everything and everyone that would hold her back.
Its interesting that in Matthew's and Mark's Gospels the biggest thing that people were focused on was the waste of the expensive perfume. Even in her extravagance of love and devotion, people were sniping about her. This poor woman couldn't catch a break. I think this is so true of the way we judge one another. We label people and see everything they do through the label we place on them, the labels color our perceptions. She was considered worthless, and when she does something of great worth, people call it wasteful.
We have many sources of labels for people, - what they do, or don't do, how they act, their sins, their sickness, their possessions, or lack of possessions, the way the dress, the way they smell, the way they interact with others, the way they laugh, the list is almost endless. We are quick to categorize based on these labels and then treat them according to the label we have affixed.
Additionally, in our interaction with others, we sometimes allow their labels for us to become our identity. We identify ourselves as losers, unattractive, geeks, nerds, ugly, worthless, unwanted, unworthy, or lame and those terms never start inside of us. We lay claim to identities that are thrust upon us by others. I remember times where I felt labeled, and limited by those labels. Inside I was screaming, "That is not who I am!" It was with great difficulty that I was able to break off those labels. Some people never do break free, and instead take the labels on as their identity, and limit themselves in how they think of themselves.
Jesus refused to label her, or let her embrace their label for her! He even called everyone's attention to the woman, which must have been incredibly uncomfortable for her, and lifted her up in everyone's eyes. He gave her value and significance, He recognized who she was, and what she had done, and praised her in front of everyone!
Here is what He said, as quoted in Matthew 26:10-13 NIV: [10] "Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. [11] The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. [12] When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. [13] Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
Here is the exchange from Luke's recounting: Luke 7:44-46 NIV: [44] "Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. [45] You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. [46] You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet."
My reflection on this all is that I need to change the way I treat others and look at others. I know that I am quick to label and categorize, and I must learn to look at others through the eyes of the Lord, seeing them for who they are and their significance in His eyes. I need to stop and look past the labels I have for them or those they might have embraced, and see the person. As Heidi Baker says, "stop for the one!" I need to learn to stop walking past people, and instead learn to engage them, see their value and significance and speak that which I see and hear to them and those around me, just as Jesus did for this woman.
Finally, I want to see myself as Jesus sees me, and believe it all. I know that I still have a hard time grasping my own worth and significance. I would rather believe in my own limitations and hiddenness, than take a chance in living out some of the things I think the Lord sees in me. I tend to listen to others more than I listen to the Lord, and as such my perspective of my life and my value is colored by the wrong voice(s). I should be listening to the Lord's voice as the sole source of authority about who I am and what value I have in His view. Lord, I want Your perspective of me to be the only one that defines me. I want to explore all the depths and width and fullness of who You say I am. I want to overcome the labels I have for myself and that others have affixed on me, and see myself as beloved and worthy of the Lord's affections.
Four Character Traits to Pursue
This morning I am reading from Colossians 3:12-14 NIV:
[12] "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [13] Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [14] And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
This is another set of famous verses from Paul's letter to the church in Colossae. What an excellent list of characteristics we are called to clothe ourselves in. As I was reading this list I was reminded of the list of the fruits of the Spirit that Paul gives us in Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Paul expands the Galatians list by adding compassion, patience, humility and forgiveness. When I think of these four characteristics, I can't help but think of the example of Jesus. He constantly demonstrated great compassion for the people. He was moved by their pain, their circumstances, and their need. His heart and whole being were affected. He broke cultural norms, because He felt for the people so deeply. Whether it was touching a man with leprosy, allowing a sinful woman to touch him, even washing his feet with her tears, or feeding thousands of hungry people, Jesus was constantly operating in compassion. The Lord still operates in compassion today, so when He looks at me, His heart is stirred and He desires to touch me, heal me, or provide for me, whatever I need most.
In the area of patience, I think of the 30 years of quiet, prior to His public ministry. I can't imagine Jesus, knowing who He was, not asking the Father every day if He would allow Him to begin His active ministry. He was the Son of God, under cover so effectively that no one suspected who He was. What a great example to me, knowing that sometimes hiddenness is the perfect will of the Father. Jesus also developed an incredible patience for His disciples. They were constantly not understanding him, screwing things up, yet He continue to trust them, and entrust His ministry to them.
As for humility, I can't imagine a more pure example than the Son of God, becoming a man. He purposefully laid down His divinity, was born a helpless little baby, and submitted himself to His own creation, even unto death. When you really sit down and think about Jesus, and what He did, it is almost incomprehensible. The Word made flesh, the Creator becoming part of His creation, the Eternal one submitting to time, the Omniscient, Omnipresent one, choosing to be limited in time, place, and knowledge, so that He might redeem us. It is impossible to fully understand, but it is an incredible example of His passionate love for us all.
Finally, giving definition to forgiveness, Jesus demonstrated this both in life and death. One of His very last acts was to ask the Father to forgive those that were killing Him. He demonstrated a willingness to speak forgiveness to many people He met and whose lives He touched, the paralyzed young man, the adulterous woman, the woman who washed His feet with her tears, etc. He spoke regularly of our need to forgive others, and how our heart in this area needs to reflect God's heart towards us. He told several parables to give life examples, and call people into the place of extending forgiveness to one another. It is forgiveness that cleanses and washes away the pain of betrayal, the agony of hurts and ugly words, that ultimately sets us free from so many chains that bind us.
What great characteristics to meditate on and sow into our lives and the lives of those we encounter. Lord, help me to grow in each of these areas, that I might faithfully represent You to those around me.
[12] "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [13] Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [14] And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
This is another set of famous verses from Paul's letter to the church in Colossae. What an excellent list of characteristics we are called to clothe ourselves in. As I was reading this list I was reminded of the list of the fruits of the Spirit that Paul gives us in Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Paul expands the Galatians list by adding compassion, patience, humility and forgiveness. When I think of these four characteristics, I can't help but think of the example of Jesus. He constantly demonstrated great compassion for the people. He was moved by their pain, their circumstances, and their need. His heart and whole being were affected. He broke cultural norms, because He felt for the people so deeply. Whether it was touching a man with leprosy, allowing a sinful woman to touch him, even washing his feet with her tears, or feeding thousands of hungry people, Jesus was constantly operating in compassion. The Lord still operates in compassion today, so when He looks at me, His heart is stirred and He desires to touch me, heal me, or provide for me, whatever I need most.
In the area of patience, I think of the 30 years of quiet, prior to His public ministry. I can't imagine Jesus, knowing who He was, not asking the Father every day if He would allow Him to begin His active ministry. He was the Son of God, under cover so effectively that no one suspected who He was. What a great example to me, knowing that sometimes hiddenness is the perfect will of the Father. Jesus also developed an incredible patience for His disciples. They were constantly not understanding him, screwing things up, yet He continue to trust them, and entrust His ministry to them.
As for humility, I can't imagine a more pure example than the Son of God, becoming a man. He purposefully laid down His divinity, was born a helpless little baby, and submitted himself to His own creation, even unto death. When you really sit down and think about Jesus, and what He did, it is almost incomprehensible. The Word made flesh, the Creator becoming part of His creation, the Eternal one submitting to time, the Omniscient, Omnipresent one, choosing to be limited in time, place, and knowledge, so that He might redeem us. It is impossible to fully understand, but it is an incredible example of His passionate love for us all.
Finally, giving definition to forgiveness, Jesus demonstrated this both in life and death. One of His very last acts was to ask the Father to forgive those that were killing Him. He demonstrated a willingness to speak forgiveness to many people He met and whose lives He touched, the paralyzed young man, the adulterous woman, the woman who washed His feet with her tears, etc. He spoke regularly of our need to forgive others, and how our heart in this area needs to reflect God's heart towards us. He told several parables to give life examples, and call people into the place of extending forgiveness to one another. It is forgiveness that cleanses and washes away the pain of betrayal, the agony of hurts and ugly words, that ultimately sets us free from so many chains that bind us.
What great characteristics to meditate on and sow into our lives and the lives of those we encounter. Lord, help me to grow in each of these areas, that I might faithfully represent You to those around me.
Friday, August 16, 2013
Memories of Harmony Youth Camp
I was just reading from Isaiah 44:3-5 NIV
[3] "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. [4] They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams. [5] Some will say, ‘I belong to the Lord’; others will call themselves by the name of Jacob; still others will write on their hand, ‘The Lord’s,’ and will take the name Israel."
I am reminded of the time we had camp at Harmony, and this was the verse of focus for the week. I am reminded of all the young people who wrote on their hands 'The Lord's' and the heart they had for You in that place. Lord, I remind You of Your promise to pour out Your Spirit, and blessings on these, many of whom are no longer kids, but now young adults. Lord, I ask You to refresh them all with fresh rain, a fresh outpouring of Your Holy Spirit.
Lord, we pray that You would refresh us all, and breath life into us today!
[3] "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. [4] They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams. [5] Some will say, ‘I belong to the Lord’; others will call themselves by the name of Jacob; still others will write on their hand, ‘The Lord’s,’ and will take the name Israel."
I am reminded of the time we had camp at Harmony, and this was the verse of focus for the week. I am reminded of all the young people who wrote on their hands 'The Lord's' and the heart they had for You in that place. Lord, I remind You of Your promise to pour out Your Spirit, and blessings on these, many of whom are no longer kids, but now young adults. Lord, I ask You to refresh them all with fresh rain, a fresh outpouring of Your Holy Spirit.
Lord, we pray that You would refresh us all, and breath life into us today!
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Accepting God's Help
Yesterday I started reading from Titus, and I think I will continue that reflection this morning, as I wasn't able to finish my time of meditation. Titus 2:7-8, 11-14 NIV:
[7] "In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness [8] and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us."
[11] "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. [12] It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, [13] while we wait for the blessed hope---the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, [14] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."
Paul, in his letter to Titus uses an interesting phrase in verse 11, speaking of the grace of God having appeared and offering salvation to all. He goes on in verse 12 to say this same grace of God teaches us as well. I am filled with hope when reading verses 11 & 12 as they speak of the very real help that the Lord gives us in our effort to live godly lives in this present age. God knows we need help, and He sends it. God sends us 'grace'.
Webster's dictionary defines grace as: 1 a : unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification b : a virtue coming from God c : a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace.
So God gives us assistance that is unmerited, and unearned, to help us. This grace comes from God and is real help as we pursue godly lives (sanctification). Not only is this help real, it is the person of the Holy Spirit.
As I was thinking about this I just had the following analogy pop into my mind: It is like me buying a new house, my first house, and having no knowledge of the things I can do to make it my own, to my liking. A friend stops by and in conversation mentions that I could paint the rooms to colors that I prefer, and colors that match my belongings. I have never thought of painting before and am intrigued. The next day, this same friend shows up with paint and all the equipment and proceeds to show me how to paint, and even helps me to paint. I am amazed after a single day of work and education how we transformed my new house.
This grace God sends is real help, just like the friend in this analogy. He leads us when we don't even know we need to be led. He shows us the path to life and salvation and then helps us to walk the path He has shown us. We can turn down the help, tune out the help, or even do the opposite of what He is showing us - its our choice.
Our decision, or choice, is often dependent on our view of God, and our perspective of what He wants from us. Many of us live with a fear of God's call, like He will lead us into something we don't want to do. Many of us have a belief that if we follow God, we will have to give up all the fun things in our lives, or certain things that are dear to us. What we don't realize is that the Lord loves us for no reason other than He loves us! That is what unmerited favor and help is alluding to. He doesn't love us because of how we act, of what we might do, or because of who our parents are, He just loves us. He wants the best for us, and anything He leads us into is filled with life and joy and goodness. We often can't see that because we are limited in our view of all things by our humanness, but God sees all things, including the future.
Ultimately, if the Lord is teaching us to "say 'no' to ungodliness and worldly passions" (Titus 2:12), it is because He knows such things will not bear good fruit in our lives. Our actions do bring results, and He knows that certain actions will result in unfavorable results and is willing to help us to see those things and choose to do otherwise. The question that is pertinent to us all, is whether we will accept His help? Will we trust in Him, who died for us? Will we accept the help He sends us, to say no to the things that are not of Him? Will we become a part of His people, redeemed out of all the wickedness that surrounds us?
God does want to raise up a people, redeemed out of this world, who set the world on fire with love for Him. He wants a people who are passionately in love with Him, as He is passionately in love with us! We are called to be a light in this present dark age.
I am reminded of the following verses from 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 NIV: [4] "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. [5] For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. [6] For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ."
Amen Lord, I know I need all the help I can get! I want the light of the gospel to shine out of my life!
[7] "In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness [8] and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us."
[11] "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. [12] It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, [13] while we wait for the blessed hope---the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, [14] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."
Paul, in his letter to Titus uses an interesting phrase in verse 11, speaking of the grace of God having appeared and offering salvation to all. He goes on in verse 12 to say this same grace of God teaches us as well. I am filled with hope when reading verses 11 & 12 as they speak of the very real help that the Lord gives us in our effort to live godly lives in this present age. God knows we need help, and He sends it. God sends us 'grace'.
Webster's dictionary defines grace as: 1 a : unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification b : a virtue coming from God c : a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace.
So God gives us assistance that is unmerited, and unearned, to help us. This grace comes from God and is real help as we pursue godly lives (sanctification). Not only is this help real, it is the person of the Holy Spirit.
As I was thinking about this I just had the following analogy pop into my mind: It is like me buying a new house, my first house, and having no knowledge of the things I can do to make it my own, to my liking. A friend stops by and in conversation mentions that I could paint the rooms to colors that I prefer, and colors that match my belongings. I have never thought of painting before and am intrigued. The next day, this same friend shows up with paint and all the equipment and proceeds to show me how to paint, and even helps me to paint. I am amazed after a single day of work and education how we transformed my new house.
This grace God sends is real help, just like the friend in this analogy. He leads us when we don't even know we need to be led. He shows us the path to life and salvation and then helps us to walk the path He has shown us. We can turn down the help, tune out the help, or even do the opposite of what He is showing us - its our choice.
Our decision, or choice, is often dependent on our view of God, and our perspective of what He wants from us. Many of us live with a fear of God's call, like He will lead us into something we don't want to do. Many of us have a belief that if we follow God, we will have to give up all the fun things in our lives, or certain things that are dear to us. What we don't realize is that the Lord loves us for no reason other than He loves us! That is what unmerited favor and help is alluding to. He doesn't love us because of how we act, of what we might do, or because of who our parents are, He just loves us. He wants the best for us, and anything He leads us into is filled with life and joy and goodness. We often can't see that because we are limited in our view of all things by our humanness, but God sees all things, including the future.
Ultimately, if the Lord is teaching us to "say 'no' to ungodliness and worldly passions" (Titus 2:12), it is because He knows such things will not bear good fruit in our lives. Our actions do bring results, and He knows that certain actions will result in unfavorable results and is willing to help us to see those things and choose to do otherwise. The question that is pertinent to us all, is whether we will accept His help? Will we trust in Him, who died for us? Will we accept the help He sends us, to say no to the things that are not of Him? Will we become a part of His people, redeemed out of all the wickedness that surrounds us?
God does want to raise up a people, redeemed out of this world, who set the world on fire with love for Him. He wants a people who are passionately in love with Him, as He is passionately in love with us! We are called to be a light in this present dark age.
I am reminded of the following verses from 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 NIV: [4] "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. [5] For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. [6] For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ."
Amen Lord, I know I need all the help I can get! I want the light of the gospel to shine out of my life!
Monday, August 12, 2013
Heaven and Eternal Life Pt. 3
I am heading back into my study on eternal life this morning. As I was thinking through the Biblical history of eternal life, I thinks its important to distinguish between two things - heaven and eternal life. Heaven was a very old concept, and from Genesis 1:1, it was understood to refer to both the expanse of the heavens (stars and universe) and to the place God dwelled. Heaven is a place where God rules and reigns. Scripture speaks of God calling down from heaven, looking down from heaven, and dwelling there. There was communication from heaven, often angels, and the occasional prophet saw heaven in a vision. Heaven was the place where God stored all His provisions and blessings, where He lived in abundance. This verse from Malachi describes the common thought:
Malachi 3:10 NIV
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
Heaven, however was not the place where most people were able to go. If you were extremely holy, and called of God, you might be brought to heaven like Elijah, but Moses and Abraham, and all the other fathers died and were buried. Other than a strange set of verses where Saul seeks the wisdom of Samuel who was dead, by contracting a medium in 1 Samuel 28, I am not aware of any other verses indicating life after death. Even in this case, Samuel's ghost came up from the earth, not down from heaven.
The first real sense that there might be an opportunity to experience the reality of heaven is announced by John the Baptist in Matt 3:2 - when he says, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” He is announcing what appears to me be a monumental change in theology, described by Jesus in Matt 5, during His sermon on the mount, namely that we could experience the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth, and not just in the form of blessing being rained down from heaven - Matthew 5:3 - “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Not only that, but they even could experience rewards in Heaven - Matthew 5:12 "Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven..." Jesus continued teaching, that they should work to store up treasures in heaven - Matt 6;19-21.
I am no expert on rabbinical teaching or what the prevalent thought was of that day, but the way Jesus is talking about experiencing the Kingdom of Heaven and the way its described in the old testament seems to me to be significantly different. I try to imagine the people of the time, hearing what Jesus is saying and having no real grasp, because it's so different. I believe that is one of the primary reasons Jesus started His ministry with signs and wonders, healing, miracles, etc. He was demonstrating the reality that the Kingdom of Heaven was real, and was invading the earth. In fact ,Jesus said we should pray for exactly that - Matthew 6:9-10 “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, [10] your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." In other words, we want to see the same things here on earth, as happen in heaven.
Now, eternal life is not referring to a place, but rather an experience or character of life. When it is first introduced in Matt 19:16, in the question of the rich young man, the Greek literally translated means never ending life. This concept is also introduced at the very beginning of the Bible in Gen 1:1, for it speaks of God existing before the heavens and earth are created. He lives in heaven, but existed before He created it, and from this the were able to understand that God was outside of time, and eternal, having no beginning or end. When Jesus comes announcing that whoever believes in Him would have eternal life - John 3:15, this is a radical new thought, that everyone could have eternal life. This is the type of life that God lives! Wow - that should blow our minds.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Be Silent and Listen
This morning I opened my Bible to Psalm 62:5-8 NIV:
[5] "Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. [6] Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. [7] My salvation and my honor depend on God ; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. [8] Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."
It interesting reading this verse 5, and then looking at the original Hebrew, they read quite differently. Here is a better translation - Young's literal translation.
Psalm 62:5 "Only -- for God, be silent, O my soul, For from Him [is] my hope.
6 Only -- He [is] my rock and my salvation, My tower, I am not moved.
7 On God [is] my salvation, and my honour, The rock of my strength, my refuge [is] in God.
8 Trust in Him at all times, O people, Pour forth before Him your heart, God [is] a refuge for us."
As I read these, the first translation seems to be talking about rest and peace, and comfort. But when you look tot he original language, Young's translation is more in line with the meaning. The author was basically telling His soul, his inner place of being to be silent before God.
I think this is so important. So often when I come to prayer, my mind and soul are in a swirl of thoughts, concerns, requests, etc. What I really need is to just stop the noise and get to a place where I can silence my own voice, thoughts and worries, so I can hear the Lord's voice.
Later in verse 8, the author says we should pour forth our heart before God, but that should be after we have quieted our heart, so we can hear Him. I usually seem to get the order mixed up. I think one of the reasons that David suggests this is that its important for us to get our perspective right before looking at our issues and problems. So often we are overwhelmed by things, but when we gain a different perspective, we see the reality of the situation and see that the Lord is there helping us and guiding us out of the situation. In Matt 19:26 Jesus said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
David, after stilling his heat and soul, and telling them to be quiet, recounts who God has revealed Himself to be: his hope, his rock, his salvation, his refuge, his honour. Once remembered, these facts of God's character, and nature, help to put things into perspective. If David was feeling threatened, he knew that God was a refuge, and rock. God would provide a safe place to rest until the storm clouds passed. If the world around David was shaking, God was perfectly still, unmoved by the pressures and disappointments, etc. If David felt under attack and behind enemy lines, God had revealed himself as his salvation - as one who would rescue and redeem him. If David was under attack and his character was being questioned, he knew that his honour ultimately came from God, not from man.
In light of God's revealed character and nature, all the concerns and cares of David's heart were quenched and relieved. As I was just thinking about this I saw the image of a person on fire diving into cool lake. I think that image is perfect - for that is sometimes how I feel - on fire with anxiety and worry. I am reminded of Psalm 23:1-3 NIV:
[1] "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. [2] He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, [3] he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake."
Yes Lord, quench my fires and anxiety in the quiet waters, let me lay down and be refreshed in Your presence. In Your eyes, all these things are simple and small. You are not surprised, or overwhelmed by our situations. You are firmly in control, as You always have been. In You is peace, hope, joy, salvation and freedom. Amen Lord! If I will just learn to be silent and listen to God, I will gain the proper perspective and peace.
[5] "Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. [6] Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. [7] My salvation and my honor depend on God ; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. [8] Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."
It interesting reading this verse 5, and then looking at the original Hebrew, they read quite differently. Here is a better translation - Young's literal translation.
Psalm 62:5 "Only -- for God, be silent, O my soul, For from Him [is] my hope.
6 Only -- He [is] my rock and my salvation, My tower, I am not moved.
7 On God [is] my salvation, and my honour, The rock of my strength, my refuge [is] in God.
8 Trust in Him at all times, O people, Pour forth before Him your heart, God [is] a refuge for us."
As I read these, the first translation seems to be talking about rest and peace, and comfort. But when you look tot he original language, Young's translation is more in line with the meaning. The author was basically telling His soul, his inner place of being to be silent before God.
I think this is so important. So often when I come to prayer, my mind and soul are in a swirl of thoughts, concerns, requests, etc. What I really need is to just stop the noise and get to a place where I can silence my own voice, thoughts and worries, so I can hear the Lord's voice.
Later in verse 8, the author says we should pour forth our heart before God, but that should be after we have quieted our heart, so we can hear Him. I usually seem to get the order mixed up. I think one of the reasons that David suggests this is that its important for us to get our perspective right before looking at our issues and problems. So often we are overwhelmed by things, but when we gain a different perspective, we see the reality of the situation and see that the Lord is there helping us and guiding us out of the situation. In Matt 19:26 Jesus said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
David, after stilling his heat and soul, and telling them to be quiet, recounts who God has revealed Himself to be: his hope, his rock, his salvation, his refuge, his honour. Once remembered, these facts of God's character, and nature, help to put things into perspective. If David was feeling threatened, he knew that God was a refuge, and rock. God would provide a safe place to rest until the storm clouds passed. If the world around David was shaking, God was perfectly still, unmoved by the pressures and disappointments, etc. If David felt under attack and behind enemy lines, God had revealed himself as his salvation - as one who would rescue and redeem him. If David was under attack and his character was being questioned, he knew that his honour ultimately came from God, not from man.
In light of God's revealed character and nature, all the concerns and cares of David's heart were quenched and relieved. As I was just thinking about this I saw the image of a person on fire diving into cool lake. I think that image is perfect - for that is sometimes how I feel - on fire with anxiety and worry. I am reminded of Psalm 23:1-3 NIV:
[1] "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. [2] He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, [3] he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake."
Yes Lord, quench my fires and anxiety in the quiet waters, let me lay down and be refreshed in Your presence. In Your eyes, all these things are simple and small. You are not surprised, or overwhelmed by our situations. You are firmly in control, as You always have been. In You is peace, hope, joy, salvation and freedom. Amen Lord! If I will just learn to be silent and listen to God, I will gain the proper perspective and peace.
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Relationships: The Proper Foundation
Recently, I have been locked in on theme of relationships as the foundation of the Kingdom. The more I spend time in this topic, the more I look at the ministry of Jesus, and His invitation and call, the more I am convinced that this is really the most important thing we can pursue and foster. First and foremost our personal relationship with the Lord, then our relationships with each other.
Jesus came as a representative of the Father, and His primary message was love. Love is the language of relationships, not activity or duty or religion. Love requires an object of affection, and the Love that Jesus speaks of is the love between people, brotherly love, or the Greek word Agape. Thus, in all of the verses copied below, the object of affection for each of the instances is a person, whether each other or God.
John probably spends more time on the subject of love than any of the other writers. I think these verses from his first letter are very apropos:
1 John 4:7-12 NIV:
[7] "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. [8] Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. [9] This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. [10] This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. [11] Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. [12] No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
The new and final commandment issued by Jesus is simply, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. [35] By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35.
And finally Paul in his famous verses from his first letter to the Corinthians:
1 Corinthians 13:1-7, 13 NIV
[1] "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. [3] If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
[4] Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. [5] It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. [6] Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. [7] It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
[13] And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
So, let us build the foundations correctly. It's not upon deeds or activities, accomplishments or service programs, but upon relationships of love that the Kingdom of God rests. Its our relationships with each other, the way we treat one another that is supposed to be the sign of our following Jesus. Not a T-shirt, not a sticker on our car, not a pin on our lapel, but how we care for each other, how we love one another, how we treat those we meet, and those we already know, that our representation of Jesus is supposed to be seen and experienced. This is the foundation that will last, loving relationships.
Jesus came as a representative of the Father, and His primary message was love. Love is the language of relationships, not activity or duty or religion. Love requires an object of affection, and the Love that Jesus speaks of is the love between people, brotherly love, or the Greek word Agape. Thus, in all of the verses copied below, the object of affection for each of the instances is a person, whether each other or God.
John probably spends more time on the subject of love than any of the other writers. I think these verses from his first letter are very apropos:
1 John 4:7-12 NIV:
[7] "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. [8] Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. [9] This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. [10] This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. [11] Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. [12] No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
The new and final commandment issued by Jesus is simply, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. [35] By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35.
And finally Paul in his famous verses from his first letter to the Corinthians:
1 Corinthians 13:1-7, 13 NIV
[1] "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. [3] If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
[4] Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. [5] It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. [6] Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. [7] It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
[13] And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
So, let us build the foundations correctly. It's not upon deeds or activities, accomplishments or service programs, but upon relationships of love that the Kingdom of God rests. Its our relationships with each other, the way we treat one another that is supposed to be the sign of our following Jesus. Not a T-shirt, not a sticker on our car, not a pin on our lapel, but how we care for each other, how we love one another, how we treat those we meet, and those we already know, that our representation of Jesus is supposed to be seen and experienced. This is the foundation that will last, loving relationships.
Friday, August 9, 2013
Asking the Right Question
Yesterday morning after my morning prayer I was thinking some more about the story of the rich young man, and his questioning Jesus on what he needed to do to receive eternal life. I realized that he was asking the wrong question, and so do many people today. Here is Mark's version:
Mark 10:17-22 NIV
[17] "As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
[18] “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good---except God alone. [19] You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’ ”
[20] “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
[21] Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
[22] At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth."
The question the man asks, found in verse 17, is simply, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" As I mentioned before, the question was pertinent and timely, and unanswered by the rabbinical teachers of the day. They had figured out there was this opportunity to experience eternal life, but the old testament was mostly quiet on this subject, so people were talking, but didn't have good answers. There were even opposing sides of perspective on this topic, the Pharisees and Sadducees held different views on whether there was life after death (Acts 23:6-8).
Looking closely at Jesus' response, it almost appears that He doesn't answer at first, but focuses on the fact that he call him a good teacher. Then he gets around to several of the commandments. In His next statement its interesting to note that Jesus doesn't ask about the first four commandments which are focused on relationship with God, and putting Him first before all things. I think Jesus already knew what was in the man's heart.
One critical point, that is often overlooked is Jesus response to the condition of the young man. This can be found in verse 21. "Jesus looked at him and loved him." This is such an important fact - Jesus loved Him, and it was clear to those around Him. Jesus, knowing the condition of the man's heart, knowing that his heart was enamored with wealth, and had come to put his trust in his wealth, rather than in God, still loved him. In fact, Jesus invites the man into relationship, because He loved him. There is no judgement or condemnation, just love in Jesus heart.
Finally, Jesus gives him the answer to his question. Jesus says the young man needs to enter into relationship with Himself and become one of His followers. That is what the young man needs to do to inherit eternal life. In reality, the right question is not - what must I do, but rather, who must I know?
So often in the church today, we have built up the same mindset of doing something rather than knowing someone. We have programs and projects, meetings and teachings, and a whole list of things we can do. We feel that by doing these things, getting involved in the church activities, we can ultimately find our way to heaven. If you ask a random person how you can get to heaven, more often than not their answer will be, 'by being good'. This is such a common perspective, yet it is just as flawed as the question the young man asked. And although much of the church might answer that its through belief in Jesus, and through His death and resurrection that we get to heaven, they have also missed the point that its about relationship. We can believe in Jesus, that He died and was raised to life, and did all this for forgiveness of our sins, and never get to know Jesus. We need to learn to ask ourselves the right question, so that we are directed to the right answer.
The right question is "who do I need to know that I might receive eternal life", and the right answer is "by knowing and following Jesus".
So that is my meditation today - am I asking myself the right question? Do I have a relational mindset rather than a task mindset. Am I actually growing in relationship with Jesus?
Mark 10:17-22 NIV
[17] "As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
[18] “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good---except God alone. [19] You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’ ”
[20] “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
[21] Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
[22] At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth."
The question the man asks, found in verse 17, is simply, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" As I mentioned before, the question was pertinent and timely, and unanswered by the rabbinical teachers of the day. They had figured out there was this opportunity to experience eternal life, but the old testament was mostly quiet on this subject, so people were talking, but didn't have good answers. There were even opposing sides of perspective on this topic, the Pharisees and Sadducees held different views on whether there was life after death (Acts 23:6-8).
Looking closely at Jesus' response, it almost appears that He doesn't answer at first, but focuses on the fact that he call him a good teacher. Then he gets around to several of the commandments. In His next statement its interesting to note that Jesus doesn't ask about the first four commandments which are focused on relationship with God, and putting Him first before all things. I think Jesus already knew what was in the man's heart.
One critical point, that is often overlooked is Jesus response to the condition of the young man. This can be found in verse 21. "Jesus looked at him and loved him." This is such an important fact - Jesus loved Him, and it was clear to those around Him. Jesus, knowing the condition of the man's heart, knowing that his heart was enamored with wealth, and had come to put his trust in his wealth, rather than in God, still loved him. In fact, Jesus invites the man into relationship, because He loved him. There is no judgement or condemnation, just love in Jesus heart.
Finally, Jesus gives him the answer to his question. Jesus says the young man needs to enter into relationship with Himself and become one of His followers. That is what the young man needs to do to inherit eternal life. In reality, the right question is not - what must I do, but rather, who must I know?
So often in the church today, we have built up the same mindset of doing something rather than knowing someone. We have programs and projects, meetings and teachings, and a whole list of things we can do. We feel that by doing these things, getting involved in the church activities, we can ultimately find our way to heaven. If you ask a random person how you can get to heaven, more often than not their answer will be, 'by being good'. This is such a common perspective, yet it is just as flawed as the question the young man asked. And although much of the church might answer that its through belief in Jesus, and through His death and resurrection that we get to heaven, they have also missed the point that its about relationship. We can believe in Jesus, that He died and was raised to life, and did all this for forgiveness of our sins, and never get to know Jesus. We need to learn to ask ourselves the right question, so that we are directed to the right answer.
The right question is "who do I need to know that I might receive eternal life", and the right answer is "by knowing and following Jesus".
So that is my meditation today - am I asking myself the right question? Do I have a relational mindset rather than a task mindset. Am I actually growing in relationship with Jesus?
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Delighting in the Lord
This morning I opened my Bible to Psalm 37:1-13, 16-19, 23-24 NIV:
[1] "Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; [2] for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
[3] Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. [4] Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
[5] Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: [6] He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
[7] Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
[8] Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret---it leads only to evil. [9] For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
[10] A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. [11] But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.
[12] The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; [13] but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.
[16] Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; [17] for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.
[18] The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever. [19] In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
[23] The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; [24] though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand."
I am always encouraged when I read these verses for they talk about the constant care the Lord gives to those who put their trust in Him. I broke out the verses, as they do in my Bible, because they are so rich, one could just sit and meditate on any one of them for hours.
For instance, I love verse 4 - "Take delight in the Lord, and He will give You the desires of your heart." The whole concept of delighting in the Lord is foreign to many of us. Many of us were raised with God and church in some peripheral role, a once a week interaction, or maybe 2-3 times a week if your family was active in the church. The Hebrew word translated delight is 'anag and it has a couple of meanings that are interesting. It can be translated to be dainty, or soft, and for me this speaks of vulnerability. The second translation, used here, means to take great pleasure, to be happy about, or take exquisite delight in something. Either definition speaks of a very different interaction or experience than what many of us grew up with, or maybe still experience.
The more time I spend in prayer, or reading my Bible, the more I am convinced of God's awesome love for me and care for me at a personal level. Christian author and Pastor John Piper wrote several books and one of His primary tenets is that God wants us to be happy. One quote from him says - “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him”. He draws a deep correlation between our experience of God, and our attitude and pleasure in Him. When he wrote this book he received plenty of criticism from people who just couldn't think of God as a happy God, who wanted us to be happy. They had been raised with an authoritarian model of God, and only saw Him as someone who was waiting to punish them. We see the flow of this thought still today when someone has a bad experience or gets sick, we can find ourselves thinking that God is punishing them for something. This is bad theology, and at best a very early old-testament mindset, and not a full revelation of the nature of God. Jesus provides for us the perfect revelation of the Father and in which Gospel do were ever see Jesus punishing someone for sinning, or inflicting sickness on someone? If Jesus never did it, its because He never saw the Father do that, because He only did what He saw the Father doing (John 5:19). This is not the heart of the Father, nor the way He acts, yet much of the church remains mired in this type of thinking.
God's invitation is for us to get to know Him, to learn who He is, and to ultimately take delight in Him. This is all about relationship. When I first met my wife, I didn't know what a wonderful person she was, I didn't know her character, her heart, the way she thought. It was only through times of interactions and conversation that I came to know her, and the more I discovered about her the more I took delight in knowing her, and wanted to know her more. The more I got to know her, the more I wanted to make her happy, which in itself made me happy. Relationships are two-way, and what flows in one direction also is supposed to flow in the other. The more I knew about her the more I was able to do the things that were the desire of her heart.
One could argue that since God knows each of us perfectly, He could just give us the desire of our hearts without all this relationship stuff. But that is not how God is - He wants relationship with us! That is the invitation and the way to life for each of us. Because He knows us so well, He is most able to provide the deep desires of our hearts, because He knows us perfectly. As I read other authors and saints, and see their interactions with God, its clear that God consistently takes delight in blessing them in little as well as big ways. I think the little blessings are ways that God reminds us throughout the day that He loves us and cares about our happiness! Its interesting to note that its only when we know someone knows us that we can correctly ascribe their affection and gifts and desire to make us happy, as a desire to fulfill our desires. When I bring my wife home a gift, she knows its not because I want something, but because I really know her and know that this will make her happy. She knows my heart and affection for her, and so she knows my motivation. That is the exact same type of relationship God wants with each of us, and what David was talking about in verse 4.
So let us learn to take delight in the Lord, opening our lives to Him, and experiencing Him, and let us discover how He will give us the desires of our heart.
[1] "Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; [2] for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
[3] Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. [4] Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
[5] Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: [6] He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
[7] Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
[8] Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret---it leads only to evil. [9] For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
[10] A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. [11] But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.
[12] The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; [13] but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.
[16] Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; [17] for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.
[18] The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever. [19] In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
[23] The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; [24] though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand."
I am always encouraged when I read these verses for they talk about the constant care the Lord gives to those who put their trust in Him. I broke out the verses, as they do in my Bible, because they are so rich, one could just sit and meditate on any one of them for hours.
For instance, I love verse 4 - "Take delight in the Lord, and He will give You the desires of your heart." The whole concept of delighting in the Lord is foreign to many of us. Many of us were raised with God and church in some peripheral role, a once a week interaction, or maybe 2-3 times a week if your family was active in the church. The Hebrew word translated delight is 'anag and it has a couple of meanings that are interesting. It can be translated to be dainty, or soft, and for me this speaks of vulnerability. The second translation, used here, means to take great pleasure, to be happy about, or take exquisite delight in something. Either definition speaks of a very different interaction or experience than what many of us grew up with, or maybe still experience.
The more time I spend in prayer, or reading my Bible, the more I am convinced of God's awesome love for me and care for me at a personal level. Christian author and Pastor John Piper wrote several books and one of His primary tenets is that God wants us to be happy. One quote from him says - “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him”. He draws a deep correlation between our experience of God, and our attitude and pleasure in Him. When he wrote this book he received plenty of criticism from people who just couldn't think of God as a happy God, who wanted us to be happy. They had been raised with an authoritarian model of God, and only saw Him as someone who was waiting to punish them. We see the flow of this thought still today when someone has a bad experience or gets sick, we can find ourselves thinking that God is punishing them for something. This is bad theology, and at best a very early old-testament mindset, and not a full revelation of the nature of God. Jesus provides for us the perfect revelation of the Father and in which Gospel do were ever see Jesus punishing someone for sinning, or inflicting sickness on someone? If Jesus never did it, its because He never saw the Father do that, because He only did what He saw the Father doing (John 5:19). This is not the heart of the Father, nor the way He acts, yet much of the church remains mired in this type of thinking.
God's invitation is for us to get to know Him, to learn who He is, and to ultimately take delight in Him. This is all about relationship. When I first met my wife, I didn't know what a wonderful person she was, I didn't know her character, her heart, the way she thought. It was only through times of interactions and conversation that I came to know her, and the more I discovered about her the more I took delight in knowing her, and wanted to know her more. The more I got to know her, the more I wanted to make her happy, which in itself made me happy. Relationships are two-way, and what flows in one direction also is supposed to flow in the other. The more I knew about her the more I was able to do the things that were the desire of her heart.
One could argue that since God knows each of us perfectly, He could just give us the desire of our hearts without all this relationship stuff. But that is not how God is - He wants relationship with us! That is the invitation and the way to life for each of us. Because He knows us so well, He is most able to provide the deep desires of our hearts, because He knows us perfectly. As I read other authors and saints, and see their interactions with God, its clear that God consistently takes delight in blessing them in little as well as big ways. I think the little blessings are ways that God reminds us throughout the day that He loves us and cares about our happiness! Its interesting to note that its only when we know someone knows us that we can correctly ascribe their affection and gifts and desire to make us happy, as a desire to fulfill our desires. When I bring my wife home a gift, she knows its not because I want something, but because I really know her and know that this will make her happy. She knows my heart and affection for her, and so she knows my motivation. That is the exact same type of relationship God wants with each of us, and what David was talking about in verse 4.
So let us learn to take delight in the Lord, opening our lives to Him, and experiencing Him, and let us discover how He will give us the desires of our heart.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Eternal Life - Part 2
The other day I was thinking about eternal life and I think I will focus on that again, because it was so integral to the message Jesus brought. The synoptic Gospels only cover this topic briefly, in the story about the rich young man, or ruler, asking what he needed to do to inherit eternal life, or in the discussion about the judgement that will happen at the end of the ages, a total of 8 times in all three Gospels combined. In the Gospel of John, however, Jesus is quoted as speaking about Eternal life 16 times.
Starting with the basics in the synoptic Gospels, we already briefly discussed the concept of eternal life. In the following verse, Jesus adds some more insight.
Matthew 19:28-30 NIV:
[28] "Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [29] And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. [30] But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first."
The very clear expectation from this verse is that eternal life follows the renewal of all things and happens after Jesus is enthroned in Heaven. Secondly, our experience of eternal life is in some way impacted by our life here. The impact will be caused by our motivation, those things that we did for His sake, will impact our life. As one of my favorite authors says, “You get one pass at life. That’s all. Only one. And the lasting measure of that life is Jesus Christ.” ― John Piper, Don't Waste Your Life. He quoted his father in one book as saying the only thing that will last into eternal life are those things we do for Jesus sake, which is rooted in this scripture.
So my encouragement today is to make my life and this day count, making it eternally impactful. I can do this by aligning my life with His purpose, and doing all for Him. Lord, help me, help all of us to have an eternally significant day.
Starting with the basics in the synoptic Gospels, we already briefly discussed the concept of eternal life. In the following verse, Jesus adds some more insight.
Matthew 19:28-30 NIV:
[28] "Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [29] And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. [30] But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first."
The very clear expectation from this verse is that eternal life follows the renewal of all things and happens after Jesus is enthroned in Heaven. Secondly, our experience of eternal life is in some way impacted by our life here. The impact will be caused by our motivation, those things that we did for His sake, will impact our life. As one of my favorite authors says, “You get one pass at life. That’s all. Only one. And the lasting measure of that life is Jesus Christ.” ― John Piper, Don't Waste Your Life. He quoted his father in one book as saying the only thing that will last into eternal life are those things we do for Jesus sake, which is rooted in this scripture.
So my encouragement today is to make my life and this day count, making it eternally impactful. I can do this by aligning my life with His purpose, and doing all for Him. Lord, help me, help all of us to have an eternally significant day.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Set Faith To Flight
Last night I was reading from Mark 5:24-34 NIV:
[24] So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him. [25] And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. [26] She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. [27] When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, [28] because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” [29] Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
[30] At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
[31] “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”
[32] But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. [33] Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth.
[34] He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
I was reading this and reflecting on the woman's faith, which Jesus referred to in verse 34. Faith is a gift from God, and she surely had received this gift fully. The question is where did this gift of faith come from. If we read earlier in Mark's Gospel we see that Jesus is working many miracles and healing many people, as well as specific individuals (Mark 1:29-34, Mark 1:40-42, Mark 2:1-5, Mark 3:1-12, Mark 5:1-11). There was clearly enough evidence of His healing power, and word was spreading around the region. There were so many sick people trying to touch Him at one point that he had to get into a boat to avoid the crush of the crowd.
Mark 3:8-10 NIV:
[8] "When they heard about all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. [9] Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. [10] For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him."
These people were trying to touch Jesus for one of two reasons. Either they were trying to direct Jesus attention to them, or they had seen others get healed simply by touching Him, or both. Either way, they were being healed, and I think they were spreading this testimony about Jesus - that all you have to do is touch His clothes and you will be healed.
I think this is likely where this gift of faith was imparted to her - when she heard the testimony. God is awesome that way, in that when people share their testimony of their experiences with God, faith is spread. One could say the the gift of faith is borne on the wings of the testimony. I can just imagine how her heart must have caught fire when she heard that people were being healed by this man Jesus, some just by touching His clothes.
Also of note, a woman who was bleeding, or suffering from a flowing issue, was considered socially and ceremonially unclean. She wasn't supposed to be in a tightly packed crowd, let alone touching anyone, for whoever she touched became ceremonially unclean - Lev 15:19. She was risking much in pursuing Jesus, but it was all possible because that gift of faith was overriding her normal religious reluctance, her shame, and her fear of discovery. I think this is also why she didn't want to expose her problem publicly, or come to Jesus directly.
Finally, I find it very interesting that Jesus, although wanting to identify who was healed, never revealed the source of her issue, or the fact that she was ceremonially clean. Jesus would not reveal the particular issue, for He knew that the Father does not embarrass his children.
So my encouragement today, from all this, is to share my testimonies, to help set to flight the gift of faith. It is in that place of faith rising, that we want to listen to what the Lord is saying so that we become blessed by God. He will not embarrass us, or cause us to be rejected, but will rather enable us to see awesome things!
Friday, August 2, 2013
Intro to Eternal Life
Last night we were talking about eternal life, and the fact that this was one of the revelations that Jesus came to bring. I was just doing some research this morning and there are only two verses in the old testament that talk about eternal or everlasting life:
Psalm 16:11 NIV
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Daniel 12:2 NIV
Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.
Yet, this was clearly a thought that was already in discussion at the time Jesus appeared, for the rich young man asks Jesus about eternal life as described in these verses from Matthew's Gospel:
Matthew 19:16-21 NIV
[16] "Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life ?”
[17] “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
[18] “Which ones?” he inquired.
Jesus replied, “ ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, [19] honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
[20] “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
[21] Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
According to some research I did, it was in the first century Rabbinical thought that the whole concept of eternal life was first seen. I find it interesting that this topic would start being discussed , and developed right before the coming of Jesus. It's almost like The Father was setting the stage for Jesus to come and bring deeper revelation. The two verses in the Old Testament are bolstered by 40+ verses in the New Testament where Jesus reveals this, and Paul and others expound the topic further.
I think this is similar to the topic and thought that gentiles were included in salvation. Something that was alluded to in the Old Testament, but then brought to full revelation in the New Testament, and specifically by Peter and Paul. Paul writes about it in Ephesians 3:6 NIV: "This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.". Peter's revelation is recorded in Acts 10:9-48.
Anyway, back to Eternal Life, using the exegetical tool of first mention, we can learn some very important points about this eternal life that Jesus reveals. If we go back to the verse in Psalms, David has a prophetic vision of what was to be made available through Jesus, this eternal relationship that is filled with joy and exists in God's presence. Daniel receives a revelation that this concerns life after death. So we have an idea that there is life after death, that can be filled with joy in God's presence, but there is no mention of how to enter into this eternal or everlasting life.
The rich young man in asking Jesus about this eternal life reveals two things that were evident in the teaching of the day. First, they did not know how to achieve eternal life. Secondly, they figured it must be something related to the commandments God gave them, but it was works based. The young asks what thing must I do?
Jesus, in His response, sets the stage for His further revelations. In verse 21, at the very end, Jesus gives us the first key of understanding, that this life is entered into through relationship with Him. I think that many people miss this key point, and have mentioned it before. It wasn't so much the selling of his possessions that was required, but rather the following Jesus - being in relationship with Him. The possessions were just in the young rich mans way, and Jesus was encouraging him to clear the way so that he might be able to enter into relationship. Jesus also did not discount the commandments, but rather used them as the jumping off point. They are important, as is a moral, obedient life for us all, but they can not replace a relationship with the Lord. It is only through coming into relationship with Jesus that we enter into life eternal.
This topic is much too broad to cover in a single day, but I leave with these verses from 1 John 5:11-12 NIV:
[11] "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. [12] Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."
Amen
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Jesus Protects His Own
This morning I felt like I should read from Acts 9:1-6, 17-20, 28-31 NIV:
[1] "Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest [2] and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. [3] As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. [4] He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” [5] “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. [6] “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
[17] Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord---Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here---has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” [18] Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, [19] and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. [20] At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.
[28] So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. [29] He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. [30] When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. [31] Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
The verses above describe the quick succession of events that radically changed the church early in its life. Jesus converted one of His biggest threats and attackers of the church. There was a significant persecution that had resulted in the death or imprisonment of many people, and Saul was one of the leaders of that persecution. I am so encouraged by this example of the Lord's authority and power and ability to change hearts in an instant.
If there was ever a time when the church was feeling especially vulnerable and at risk, I am sure this ranks up there. The church was still in its infancy and was especially vulnerable to a concerted attack, as it hadn't spread widely yet. The persecution had resulted in a dispersion of the church from Jerusalem, but it was still tenuous, at best.
Jesus was actively engaged in the direction and protection of His church then, and is today. He was able to turn one of His main attackers into one of His strongest proponents with one interaction. He is still just as capable today to change people's hearts and minds in one encounter. He can and does convert strong opponents into strong proponents, all around the world. If you read much about what is happening in supposedly closed nations (closed to Christianity), you will hear how Jesus is personally converting millions of former Muslims, and others who also have previously actively attacked the church.
We in the western church, because of the decline of Christianity in our cultures, can sometimes assume that the church is failing, or falling in its influence worldwide, because we think we are the most Christian nations. This may no longer be true, as there are great waves of revival spreading across many other nations, and some of them have very active Christian churches, and a great percentage of Christians. Jesus is continuing to direct and protect His church even in our day. For some great examples go to http://globalawakening.com and check out affiliated ministries like Iris Ministries or go to http://us.cfan.org/ the ministry of Reinhart Bonnke, or finally the web page for Voice of the Martyrs, a ministry that focuses on the church in restricted nations at http://www.persecution.com/
So my encouragement today is to pray for our church, to pray for those that are attacking the church, to pray that Jesus would intervene and quickly change hearts and minds so that they become His followers. I am also encouraged that any issue of resistance or attack in my own life can be quickly resolved by Jesus, for He has all authority and power.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)