This morning I was reminded of the story of the Centurion who came to Jesus, asking Him to heal his servant. Here is the version recounted by Matthew 8:5-13 NIV:
[5] "When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. [6] “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”
[7] Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”
[8] The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. [9] For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it.”
[10] When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. [11] I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. [12] But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
[13] Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment."
I have always liked this story, for several reasons. First, the Centurion is clearly not a Jew, and yet Jesus heals his servant. This was one of the first signs of God's plan to include the gentiles in his plan of salvation. Jesus then makes the statement that many will come from the East and the West to feast in the Kingdom of Heaven, just in case we missed the significance of this healing. We are included in this prophetic promise of Jesus!
Second, there is no judgment of the Centurion (In other Gospels we hear that he supports the synagogue) for his affiliation with the Roman army, the Roman government, the Roman people or even their occupation of Israel. In the Old Testament, we often hear of God's judgment against Nations, but here we see clearly that God's salvation is personal. He saves the individual through relationship. He does not hold the sins of the Nation, or even our parents against the individuals (See Ezk 18 for God's revelation of this truth). This is one of the areas of clarifying revelation that Jesus brought that is really significant, and an important one for us to grasp. We are each invited, individually, to relationship with Jesus. It will be within the context of us as individuals that we will be judged as well, for we understand that we have free-will and are each responsible for our own choices (Matt 25:31-46). Jesus did not come to judge nations, or cities or regions, and condemn them, but rather to save them (John 3:16-17). He desires salvation for all (1 Tim 2:3-4), and makes that clear through the revelation that Jesus brought and that was witnessed to by the Holy Spirit.
Third, It is interesting that healing was that which drew the Centurion to Jesus. He had someone he cared for that was sick, heard that Jesus had the ability t o heal, and went to Him. I believe that healing is supposed to be one of the primary calling cards of the Church. If that is the case, then it makes sense that the enemy would try to convince us that healing (and other works of the Holy Spirit) is no longer for us today. However, the exact opposite is true! We are supposed to walk in the same authority as Jesus, as we represent His ministry to the world! It was the authority of Jesus that the Centurion had faith in, and that is supposed to be the way the church represents Jesus, to walk in His authority, to demonstrate His authority, that all might know that it is in the name of Jesus (under His authority) that healing occurs. For a great example of this reality look to Acts, Chapter 3 for the story of the crippled beggar that is healed by Peter and John. Peter makes it very clear that it is in the name of Jesus that this man is healed. Effectively, Peter was operating under the same authority that Jesus demonstrated in this story. Thus, we are invited to step into our authority in Jesus Name to bring healing to the Nations.
Fourth, Jesus demonstrates His authority over distance. We don't know how far away the servant was, but in our minds we often think distance matters to God, but clearly the Kingdom is not bounded by distance. God can heal people we pray for even if we never meet them or touch them, for Jesus demonstrates this clearly here, and we are supposed to walk in the same authority and abilities (John 14:12). So, if you ever wondered if your prayers for someone who is absent or removed from you geographically are effective, we have here proof that our prayers are absolutely effective.
Fifth, the Lord moves and ministers to those in relationship with us. We can bring people to Jesus through our relationship with them. If we care for them, the Lord cares for them. Even though He makes salvation available to all through personal relationship, consider that in this story Jesus heals the servant because the Centurion brought his needs to the attention of Jesus. In network marketing terms, the ministry (and healing) of Jesus can flow through our down-lines. In fact, if you look at the relational context of the Kingdom, I think this is the preferred way!
In summary, let us be encouraged to bring people and their needs to the Lord! If we care for them, He cares for them! If we desire mercy for them, He desires mercy for them. Let us bring their needs for healing, salvation, restoration, deliverance, and miracles to our loving Lord Jesus! Let us trust that His authority extends through our down-lines of relationship and is as effective as if they were in the room with us! Let us step into the authority that Jesus invited us to walk in, His authority! If He demonstrated authority over an area, then we can demonstrate the same authority in His Name!
Amen and Amen!
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Thursday, December 28, 2017
A Different Type of Climate Change!
This last week, I have been focused on love, which is certainly appropriate considering the season we are in. Love was God's motivation in Jesus' coming to earth (John 3:16) and God is love (1 John 4:8) thus we are celebrating the incarnation of Love because of Love as we celebrate Christmas! So much Love, it is certainly worth celebrating and reflecting upon it.
In continuation of this theme, today I am reflecting on the verses from 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."
One thing is clear in reading the verses above, love originated with God, and flows from Him. He is first and foremost a God of love! As we become like Him our lives should be filled with and overflow with love. That seems to be the logical conclusion that John is making here. If we say we follow God, and He is love, than we should love as well!
Clearly this is more than just emotional love, it is love that requires action! Just as love was the motivation for Jesus coming to earth, so it should be our motivating action in what we do! We are called to love, invited to love, and shown how to love! We are encouraged to embody love, and when we do that we are in-dwelled by God! He actually comes and "lives in us, and His love is made complete in us". One could probably add that His is Love is made complete through us!
That is just amazing to me - God's motivation is love in everything He does. He is love. Love exudes from Him. His love is made complete in us, and flows out of us! The Greek word John uses which is translated 'complete' (in verse 12) is the word 'teleioo' and it is defined as follows:
1) to make perfect, complete
a) to carry through completely, to accomplish, finish, bring to an end
2) to complete (perfect)add what is yet wanting in order to render a thing full
a) to be found perfect
3) to bring to the end (goal) proposed
4) to accomplish
a) bring to a close or fulfilment by event
1) of the prophecies of the scriptures
In reviewing the definition, we see the reality of what John wrote, and it seems to make perfect sense to me. In and through us, God's love is fulfilling it final purpose. We are participants in the fulfilling of His promise, and the prophecies that speak to those promises. He means to fill the earth with His Glory (Is 6:3) and our love is part of that glorious filling, for certainly it adds to His love, and increases the level of love on the earth!
Finally, although we have not seen God, John alludes to the fact that we experience Him when we love and encounter love in one another (verse 12 above). What an awesome reality, when we love one another we are presenting God to ourselves and to others!
Oh that we would all exude love to all we meet, to those around us, to our families and friends. Talk about a real climate change! I am encouraged today to love, to pour forth love freely, to be about filling the world around me with love. I want to increase the level of God's love in my life and in the lives of those I encounter. I want my love to be real, action filled love, not mere words (1 John 3:18). I want to change the climate around me to one of love!
In continuation of this theme, today I am reflecting on the verses from 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."
One thing is clear in reading the verses above, love originated with God, and flows from Him. He is first and foremost a God of love! As we become like Him our lives should be filled with and overflow with love. That seems to be the logical conclusion that John is making here. If we say we follow God, and He is love, than we should love as well!
Clearly this is more than just emotional love, it is love that requires action! Just as love was the motivation for Jesus coming to earth, so it should be our motivating action in what we do! We are called to love, invited to love, and shown how to love! We are encouraged to embody love, and when we do that we are in-dwelled by God! He actually comes and "lives in us, and His love is made complete in us". One could probably add that His is Love is made complete through us!
That is just amazing to me - God's motivation is love in everything He does. He is love. Love exudes from Him. His love is made complete in us, and flows out of us! The Greek word John uses which is translated 'complete' (in verse 12) is the word 'teleioo' and it is defined as follows:
1) to make perfect, complete
a) to carry through completely, to accomplish, finish, bring to an end
2) to complete (perfect)add what is yet wanting in order to render a thing full
a) to be found perfect
3) to bring to the end (goal) proposed
4) to accomplish
a) bring to a close or fulfilment by event
1) of the prophecies of the scriptures
In reviewing the definition, we see the reality of what John wrote, and it seems to make perfect sense to me. In and through us, God's love is fulfilling it final purpose. We are participants in the fulfilling of His promise, and the prophecies that speak to those promises. He means to fill the earth with His Glory (Is 6:3) and our love is part of that glorious filling, for certainly it adds to His love, and increases the level of love on the earth!
Finally, although we have not seen God, John alludes to the fact that we experience Him when we love and encounter love in one another (verse 12 above). What an awesome reality, when we love one another we are presenting God to ourselves and to others!
Oh that we would all exude love to all we meet, to those around us, to our families and friends. Talk about a real climate change! I am encouraged today to love, to pour forth love freely, to be about filling the world around me with love. I want to increase the level of God's love in my life and in the lives of those I encounter. I want my love to be real, action filled love, not mere words (1 John 3:18). I want to change the climate around me to one of love!
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Giving the Greatest Gift
This morning I have been reflecting on the materialism that has seemed to overwhelm the real significance of Christmas this year (at least from my limited view). By materialism, I mean the increasing focus on buying and having more and more stuff, the constant barrage of commercials and advertising that tell us that we need new stuff. We are told that the best way to show someone love is to give them really nice gifts. This message is strong throughout the year, but becomes an almost deafening roar during the Christmas season, starting with Black Friday sales, which now are starting on Thanksgiving afternoon, going all the way through the huge day after Christmas sales. It seems the whole focus for this time is buying stuff, and we have lost any sense of the real reason for Christmas and the richness of family, fellowship and community. Maybe its just my limited perspective, but this year seemed especially materially focused.
I, for one, love to give gifts, and it is something I have enjoyed since my childhood. In fact, we are celebrating the greatest gift ever given in celebrating Jesus' birth. I work to make sure that the gifts I give are meaningful and are a reflection of my love. I love to give gifts to those that I love, which includes my family and close friends, those whose relationship I treasure. In the same way, Jesus coming to earth, being born a man, is the greatest example of God's love for us; His desire to connect with us, and desire to have relationship with us. It seems to me that the focus of this season should be loving those with whom we have loving relationships.
This morning the verses that popped into my head, as I was reflecting upon this theme, come from John's first letter, and he speaks about our call to love in action, not just words. Here are the verses -
1 John 3:11,16-18 NIV:
[11] "For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another."
[16] "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. [17] If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? [18] Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
I like the NASB version a little better, here is how it reads:
1 John 3:16-18 NASB:
[16] "We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. [17] But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? [18] Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth."
I guess as I have been reflecting on this Christmas, I have realized that there is more than just giving gifts, there is the call to lay down one's live. We are invited to reflect Jesus ultimate love for us, in laying down His life, in our love for one another. This doesn't mean giving gifts to the point that we spend the next 3 months of our life paying them off, but rather is focused on the sacrificial nature of servanthood within real relationships. It means realigning one's priorities and putting other's needs before our own. Paul writes the following in his letter to the Philippians 2:1-4 NIV:
[1] "Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, [2] then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. [3] Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."
We are called to look to the interests and needs of others. We are called to unity, being of one spirit and one mind. We are called to share with and embrace others as we reflect Christ's love for us. We are invited to meet the needs of one another, to be focused on others. The giving of gifts embraces this somewhat, but I believe that time and attention are even more important. We are supposed to grow in love and unity in mind and spirit, and that is difficult to do if we are not spending time with one another.
Finally, the one other set of verses that pop into my mind are the following - James 1:22,27 NIV:
[22] "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
[27] "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
I can easily rationalize my life, saying that I have done well in giving money to certain charities and ministries that focus on the poor, the widow, the orphan and figure I have met the requirements. The sense I get is that the Lord is inviting me to a deeper involvement, not just sitting back in comfortable home and thinking that I have laid down my life through giving financially, rather He is encouraging me to actually get involved and lay down my life (my time, attention, focus). I like to think that I am big-hearted and generous, but the truth is that more often than not the generosity and big-heartedness rarely gets past my intentions and becomes action. Sometimes it involves writing a check, but rarely does it actually involve me getting seriously involved.
God could have stayed in Heaven, I suppose, and dealt with us from that vantage point. However, He chose to come down and get seriously involved in our lives, in our struggles and in our needs! He became like us so that we could become like Him. He laid it all down, that we might live! He gave us the greatest gift ever, Himself, to reveal in deed His love for us. He could have settled for mere words, but chose instead to make His message real through action. I am reminded once again of John's words, "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
Jesus said it best, “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 NIV:
Lord, help me to fully embrace this command, this invitation to reflect Your love, through love and action! Help me to lay down my life in real ways, to not settle for gift giving, but to give that which really is significant, my life. Thank You Jesus, for You gave Your life that I might know You and be like You.
Amen and Amen!
I, for one, love to give gifts, and it is something I have enjoyed since my childhood. In fact, we are celebrating the greatest gift ever given in celebrating Jesus' birth. I work to make sure that the gifts I give are meaningful and are a reflection of my love. I love to give gifts to those that I love, which includes my family and close friends, those whose relationship I treasure. In the same way, Jesus coming to earth, being born a man, is the greatest example of God's love for us; His desire to connect with us, and desire to have relationship with us. It seems to me that the focus of this season should be loving those with whom we have loving relationships.
This morning the verses that popped into my head, as I was reflecting upon this theme, come from John's first letter, and he speaks about our call to love in action, not just words. Here are the verses -
1 John 3:11,16-18 NIV:
[11] "For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another."
[16] "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. [17] If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? [18] Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
I like the NASB version a little better, here is how it reads:
1 John 3:16-18 NASB:
[16] "We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. [17] But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? [18] Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth."
I guess as I have been reflecting on this Christmas, I have realized that there is more than just giving gifts, there is the call to lay down one's live. We are invited to reflect Jesus ultimate love for us, in laying down His life, in our love for one another. This doesn't mean giving gifts to the point that we spend the next 3 months of our life paying them off, but rather is focused on the sacrificial nature of servanthood within real relationships. It means realigning one's priorities and putting other's needs before our own. Paul writes the following in his letter to the Philippians 2:1-4 NIV:
[1] "Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, [2] then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. [3] Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."
We are called to look to the interests and needs of others. We are called to unity, being of one spirit and one mind. We are called to share with and embrace others as we reflect Christ's love for us. We are invited to meet the needs of one another, to be focused on others. The giving of gifts embraces this somewhat, but I believe that time and attention are even more important. We are supposed to grow in love and unity in mind and spirit, and that is difficult to do if we are not spending time with one another.
Finally, the one other set of verses that pop into my mind are the following - James 1:22,27 NIV:
[22] "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
[27] "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
I can easily rationalize my life, saying that I have done well in giving money to certain charities and ministries that focus on the poor, the widow, the orphan and figure I have met the requirements. The sense I get is that the Lord is inviting me to a deeper involvement, not just sitting back in comfortable home and thinking that I have laid down my life through giving financially, rather He is encouraging me to actually get involved and lay down my life (my time, attention, focus). I like to think that I am big-hearted and generous, but the truth is that more often than not the generosity and big-heartedness rarely gets past my intentions and becomes action. Sometimes it involves writing a check, but rarely does it actually involve me getting seriously involved.
God could have stayed in Heaven, I suppose, and dealt with us from that vantage point. However, He chose to come down and get seriously involved in our lives, in our struggles and in our needs! He became like us so that we could become like Him. He laid it all down, that we might live! He gave us the greatest gift ever, Himself, to reveal in deed His love for us. He could have settled for mere words, but chose instead to make His message real through action. I am reminded once again of John's words, "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
Jesus said it best, “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 NIV:
Lord, help me to fully embrace this command, this invitation to reflect Your love, through love and action! Help me to lay down my life in real ways, to not settle for gift giving, but to give that which really is significant, my life. Thank You Jesus, for You gave Your life that I might know You and be like You.
Amen and Amen!
Monday, December 25, 2017
The Wonder King Comes!
As I reflect upon the wonder of Christmas, I thought it would be right to look at one of the first prophesies about His birth, in Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV:
[6] "For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
[7] Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this."
What an incredible prophetic picture Isaiah received, 750-800 years before Jesus was born! We tend to think that we can understand God, that we can fathom His thoughts and purposes, or understand what He is doing, or planning, and yet His plans span centuries and millenniums! He is so far beyond our comprehension, beyond our thoughts.
To put 800 years in perspective here in America, this would be around 1200CE (AD for those that grew up with BC/AD) and it was during this time period that the Chahokia people and the Mississippian Culture were at there zenith. These were the people that build the mounds just east of St. Louis. In South America, the Incas established established Cuzco in 1200 and the Mayans in the Central American region were in decline. In our present day, very little is known about the people the culture, the specific writing certainly don't influence us in our day to day life, and yet we see God planting prophetic seeds in the history of the Jewish people that would endure and ultimately be fulfilled in Jesus' birth and life.
I was also doing a bit of research on the terms Isaiah used to describe this son that is given. I found a very interesting article ( https://bible.org/seriespage/6-glorious-messiah-and-messianic-age-isaiah-91-7) that speaks of the uniqueness of Isaiah's proclamation of his names. Here is a brief excerpt -
B. THE MESSIAH WILL BE A WONDER KING (6B).
The nature of the Messiah is now portrayed in the listing of His throne names. It must be noted that these are not names in the sense that we have names. These are character descriptions. They are intended to give the nature or the significance of the person named. We use the word “name” at times in this way. We may say, “She made a name for herself,” that is, a reputation. The names in this section describe the nature of the glorious king.
Moreover, in the ancient Near East kings were in the habit of taking throne names when they ascended the throne. They took titles and added epithets to their names. Usually the epithets they chose were too generous for mere mortals. For example, in the Middle Kingdom of Egypt the rulers took five titles when crowned—each name referring to some god, some land, some aspiration they had for their administration. One king who was crowned heard the priest say, “Let the great names of the good god and his titles be made like those of [the god] Re: Mighty Bull, One Capable of Planning, Great in Wonders, Filled with Truth, Son of Re to whom life is given.” So in these epithets the King would be extolled as the repository of might, wisdom, wonders, truth, and all life. These are, to be sure, rather ambitious.
There is evidence of such titling in Israel, especially in cases where God bestowed names on new kings. Psalm 2, the coronation psalm, says, “You are my Son, this day I have begotten you.” So on the day the king ascended the throne he was declared to be the Son, that is, God’s anointed King. So too in 2 Samuel 23:1 do we find a proliferation of names for David: “David, the son of Jesse, the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, Israel’s singer of songs.” And then we have the LORD’s sending prophets to rename kings, such as calling Solomon Jedidiah (2 Sam. 12:25).
But there is nothing to compare with the type of names found in Isaiah 9. The only names comparable are those honorific titles of Egyptian kings. They all had grandiose, ambitious throne names. Each name had a permanent title and then a variable description. So too in Isaiah: Counsellor, God, Father, and Prince are the permanent titles; wonderful, mighty, everlasting, and peace are the variables. But Isaiah is affirming that the one who is coming will not merely have great titles, but will in reality be what those titles claim. What had been a hope, a wild dream, or monarchs for ages will surely become a reality some day. With a king such as this, peace is assured. There is no hope in some pagan Egyptian king who made great claims; the only hope is in the Word of the LORD that promised Immanuel.38
In summary, Christmas is a wonderful day, a day when we celebrate the coming of our King, Immanuel! He was born to mankind, but He is God! His Rule and reign will never end! He is the Prince of Peace!
Merry Christmas! And Peace to All!
[6] "For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
[7] Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this."
What an incredible prophetic picture Isaiah received, 750-800 years before Jesus was born! We tend to think that we can understand God, that we can fathom His thoughts and purposes, or understand what He is doing, or planning, and yet His plans span centuries and millenniums! He is so far beyond our comprehension, beyond our thoughts.
To put 800 years in perspective here in America, this would be around 1200CE (AD for those that grew up with BC/AD) and it was during this time period that the Chahokia people and the Mississippian Culture were at there zenith. These were the people that build the mounds just east of St. Louis. In South America, the Incas established established Cuzco in 1200 and the Mayans in the Central American region were in decline. In our present day, very little is known about the people the culture, the specific writing certainly don't influence us in our day to day life, and yet we see God planting prophetic seeds in the history of the Jewish people that would endure and ultimately be fulfilled in Jesus' birth and life.
I was also doing a bit of research on the terms Isaiah used to describe this son that is given. I found a very interesting article ( https://bible.org/seriespage/6-glorious-messiah-and-messianic-age-isaiah-91-7) that speaks of the uniqueness of Isaiah's proclamation of his names. Here is a brief excerpt -
B. THE MESSIAH WILL BE A WONDER KING (6B).
The nature of the Messiah is now portrayed in the listing of His throne names. It must be noted that these are not names in the sense that we have names. These are character descriptions. They are intended to give the nature or the significance of the person named. We use the word “name” at times in this way. We may say, “She made a name for herself,” that is, a reputation. The names in this section describe the nature of the glorious king.
Moreover, in the ancient Near East kings were in the habit of taking throne names when they ascended the throne. They took titles and added epithets to their names. Usually the epithets they chose were too generous for mere mortals. For example, in the Middle Kingdom of Egypt the rulers took five titles when crowned—each name referring to some god, some land, some aspiration they had for their administration. One king who was crowned heard the priest say, “Let the great names of the good god and his titles be made like those of [the god] Re: Mighty Bull, One Capable of Planning, Great in Wonders, Filled with Truth, Son of Re to whom life is given.” So in these epithets the King would be extolled as the repository of might, wisdom, wonders, truth, and all life. These are, to be sure, rather ambitious.
There is evidence of such titling in Israel, especially in cases where God bestowed names on new kings. Psalm 2, the coronation psalm, says, “You are my Son, this day I have begotten you.” So on the day the king ascended the throne he was declared to be the Son, that is, God’s anointed King. So too in 2 Samuel 23:1 do we find a proliferation of names for David: “David, the son of Jesse, the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, Israel’s singer of songs.” And then we have the LORD’s sending prophets to rename kings, such as calling Solomon Jedidiah (2 Sam. 12:25).
But there is nothing to compare with the type of names found in Isaiah 9. The only names comparable are those honorific titles of Egyptian kings. They all had grandiose, ambitious throne names. Each name had a permanent title and then a variable description. So too in Isaiah: Counsellor, God, Father, and Prince are the permanent titles; wonderful, mighty, everlasting, and peace are the variables. But Isaiah is affirming that the one who is coming will not merely have great titles, but will in reality be what those titles claim. What had been a hope, a wild dream, or monarchs for ages will surely become a reality some day. With a king such as this, peace is assured. There is no hope in some pagan Egyptian king who made great claims; the only hope is in the Word of the LORD that promised Immanuel.38
In summary, Christmas is a wonderful day, a day when we celebrate the coming of our King, Immanuel! He was born to mankind, but He is God! His Rule and reign will never end! He is the Prince of Peace!
Merry Christmas! And Peace to All!
Sunday, December 24, 2017
We (The Church) Are Meant for More!
I woke up at 3:58 (basically 4:00am) this morning, again for the 4th time this week. I figure there must be a reason I am waking up at 4am so much, so was thinking about that right after I woke up and this is what I felt I heard the Lord say:
"The Church is missing many of it's charisms (gifts of the Holy Spirit) because the Church has become convinced that the purpose of our Christianity is to get to Heaven. We have settled for the gifts that get us the invitation (Evangelists) and then keep us comfortable (Pastors). The purpose of Christianity is to transform the earth into the Kingdom of God."
The certainly got my attention! If you think about the primary message of Jesus, which was the Kingdom of God (see Matt 4:17 and Acts 1:3 - it was the first thing He spoke about and the basically the last thing He spoke about), and see how He proclaimed it and demonstrated it, then it should be clear that much of the Church (at least in the West) needs to up its game. We are meant to present the Kingdom of God in all its Glory! We are meant to be a part of the increasing rule and reign of Jesus our Lord. We are meant to bring heaven to earth.
So what is the significance of the number 4? Since that seems to be when I have been waking up for the last week? My basic rule, and a good rule for any word of the Lord, is the level of significance increases with the number of times you hear it. I have come to realize that three times is very significant in the Lord's perspective, and four times means it is REALLY important. Thus, with my waking up four times at 4:00am, I believe He is definitely saying something and intends for me to understand that He is speaking. I initially didn't think much of the 4:00am, as I was in a hotel and the room was hot. Then I figured my sleep cycle was off, however by this morning, I realized there was a significance to this time and I started to inquire of the Lord. The number 4 in dreams and biblical language usually refers to God's rule and reign (His Kingdom), or His creative works. It has been a while since I referenced numbers in symbol interpretation, so I was unaware of the meaning of 4 - when I heard the Lord's previous message (noted above).
I also will often wake up, look at the clock and sometimes understand that the Lord is speaking to me through that combination of numbers. 4:00 could be chapter 4 of a certain book of the Bible, etc. I have also come to realize that sometimes 4:00 could mean page 400 in my Bible. This morning, in addition to hearing the above statement, I thought I would look and see what was on page 400 of my Bible. In my Bible, page 400 contains Ezra, Chapter 3, which is subtitled "Rebuilding the Altar" and "Rebuilding the Temple". I find this very interesting, as Ezra was leading a group of Jews back to Jerusalem and they were about restoring true worship in the Temple, which is what Jeremiah had prophesied (See Jeremiah 29 through 33), Isaiah had Prophesied (Isaiah 45) and Daniel had prayed in (Daniel 9). God was about restoring that which had been lost and mostly destroyed, and He had stirred up the people to participate in this restoration (See Ezra 1:1-11) and their transformation into His nation. This totally fits into what I heard as I was waking up, the Lord is issuing the invitation to restoration and transformation!
I guess in summary I could say that I think the Lord is inviting us to hear Him, and to join with Him. God wants to wake up the Church to the fact that she is missing much that He has given Her! We are missing gifts, ministries, power and authority all because we have lost our understanding and purpose. God wants us to wake up to our purpose, to our Call, to our Destiny! We were redeemed by Jesus' life, death and resurrection for so much more than just going to heaven! We are world conquerors, Kingdom advancers, co-heirs with Christ! We are meant to bring heaven to earth! He wants us to join with Him in restoring the Church to her true significance in every country and nation! We are meant to see the ever increasing Kingdom of God become a reality here on earth and God has chosen us as His representatives to bring this about! Let us be stirred in our hearts and minds, and throw off the shackles of mediocrity, selfishness and fear of man! We are meant for so much more!
As we prepare to celebrate Jesus' birth, His coming to earth, let us be reminded that He came for much more than just our salvation, He came to establish the Kingdom of God here on earth! Let us celebrate the coming of our King, the one who still reigns! Let us take up the invitation to advance His Kingdom!
Amen and Amen!
"The Church is missing many of it's charisms (gifts of the Holy Spirit) because the Church has become convinced that the purpose of our Christianity is to get to Heaven. We have settled for the gifts that get us the invitation (Evangelists) and then keep us comfortable (Pastors). The purpose of Christianity is to transform the earth into the Kingdom of God."
The certainly got my attention! If you think about the primary message of Jesus, which was the Kingdom of God (see Matt 4:17 and Acts 1:3 - it was the first thing He spoke about and the basically the last thing He spoke about), and see how He proclaimed it and demonstrated it, then it should be clear that much of the Church (at least in the West) needs to up its game. We are meant to present the Kingdom of God in all its Glory! We are meant to be a part of the increasing rule and reign of Jesus our Lord. We are meant to bring heaven to earth.
So what is the significance of the number 4? Since that seems to be when I have been waking up for the last week? My basic rule, and a good rule for any word of the Lord, is the level of significance increases with the number of times you hear it. I have come to realize that three times is very significant in the Lord's perspective, and four times means it is REALLY important. Thus, with my waking up four times at 4:00am, I believe He is definitely saying something and intends for me to understand that He is speaking. I initially didn't think much of the 4:00am, as I was in a hotel and the room was hot. Then I figured my sleep cycle was off, however by this morning, I realized there was a significance to this time and I started to inquire of the Lord. The number 4 in dreams and biblical language usually refers to God's rule and reign (His Kingdom), or His creative works. It has been a while since I referenced numbers in symbol interpretation, so I was unaware of the meaning of 4 - when I heard the Lord's previous message (noted above).
I also will often wake up, look at the clock and sometimes understand that the Lord is speaking to me through that combination of numbers. 4:00 could be chapter 4 of a certain book of the Bible, etc. I have also come to realize that sometimes 4:00 could mean page 400 in my Bible. This morning, in addition to hearing the above statement, I thought I would look and see what was on page 400 of my Bible. In my Bible, page 400 contains Ezra, Chapter 3, which is subtitled "Rebuilding the Altar" and "Rebuilding the Temple". I find this very interesting, as Ezra was leading a group of Jews back to Jerusalem and they were about restoring true worship in the Temple, which is what Jeremiah had prophesied (See Jeremiah 29 through 33), Isaiah had Prophesied (Isaiah 45) and Daniel had prayed in (Daniel 9). God was about restoring that which had been lost and mostly destroyed, and He had stirred up the people to participate in this restoration (See Ezra 1:1-11) and their transformation into His nation. This totally fits into what I heard as I was waking up, the Lord is issuing the invitation to restoration and transformation!
I guess in summary I could say that I think the Lord is inviting us to hear Him, and to join with Him. God wants to wake up the Church to the fact that she is missing much that He has given Her! We are missing gifts, ministries, power and authority all because we have lost our understanding and purpose. God wants us to wake up to our purpose, to our Call, to our Destiny! We were redeemed by Jesus' life, death and resurrection for so much more than just going to heaven! We are world conquerors, Kingdom advancers, co-heirs with Christ! We are meant to bring heaven to earth! He wants us to join with Him in restoring the Church to her true significance in every country and nation! We are meant to see the ever increasing Kingdom of God become a reality here on earth and God has chosen us as His representatives to bring this about! Let us be stirred in our hearts and minds, and throw off the shackles of mediocrity, selfishness and fear of man! We are meant for so much more!
As we prepare to celebrate Jesus' birth, His coming to earth, let us be reminded that He came for much more than just our salvation, He came to establish the Kingdom of God here on earth! Let us celebrate the coming of our King, the one who still reigns! Let us take up the invitation to advance His Kingdom!
Amen and Amen!
Friday, December 22, 2017
Staying On The Path - An Invitation to Relationship
Recently I have been reflecting on a few verses from Matthew's Gospel where Jesus speaks about the narrow path - Matthew 7:13-14 NIV: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. [14] But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
I did some additional study and found a few reflections that were quite interesting in providing additional historical context for these verses. Two days ago, I was continuing my reflection on these verses at more of a personal level. I was thinking about our following of the Lord can be seen as following a path (using His imagery from the verses above) in the woods. I was reminded of my youth and times we walked in the woods.
I have spent much time in the woods, and as a kid we went camping every summer, and we would hit the woods shortly after arriving and setting up camp. We loved the woods, the connection with nature, and just running around. When we would first arrive to a campground, we would find the paths that set out from the campground and usually stay on the well worn paths. These are quite easy to follow, and usually lead to some significant point of interest. Without knowing about the terrain, the surrounding areas or seeing much else, the path will generally lead you to the point of interest in the most expedient manner.
Once we had walked a path a few times, we would often start to venture off the path, exploring as we went. These were the times when it could be easy to lose your sense of direction, or even lose site of the path, depending on how far off the path one went. We never got really lost, but many times we walked much farther than needed, and probably caused our parents some concern, as we weren't on the path that everyone used. In retrospect, although we saw it as exploring, it was actually quite dangerous. Being in unfamiliar woods, off the beaten path we could have gotten really lost, gotten hurt or fallen and not been able to readily seek help or be found. The other thing I realize is that we never actually found a better path to the point of interest. We might have seen some interesting additional things, but we usually expended way more energy and time than was necessary to reach a particular point.
As I was reflecting on these experiences, I was reflecting on our call to obedience, in the place of relationship with the Lord. As a follower of Christ, I find that the Lord will lead me and guide me, but it is always my choice to follow or not. I was also reflecting on how easy it is for me to lose site of the path I have chosen to walk on, that of following the Lord. In my day, I am constantly thinking about many things, and each of those things can distract me to some extent. Sometimes I see things or hear things that cause me to choose to step off the path, and go exploring on my own. Sometimes its just a step or two off, other times, I seem to lose complete sight of the path, as I go down into a sharp ravine or over a hill. Sometimes I can spend hours even days wandering away from the path. As I was reflecting on this whole theme I felt like I should read from Proverbs, chapter four. I am quite familiar with some parts of scripture, but I don't spend much time in the Book of Proverbs, so was surprised to see the following verses.
Proverbs 4:14-15,18-19,23,25-27 NIV:
[14] "Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.
[15] Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way."
[18] "The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
[19] But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble."
[23] "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."
[25] "Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.
[26] Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
[27] Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil."
I guess you could say the Holy Spirit was strongly confirming my theme of reflection! I love when the Lord directs me so clearly! When I was first reflecting on this theme I was exited about the imagery, as it was something I could relate to from my own experience. As I look at these verses in Proverbs, they are very directive, and pretty easy to understand.
I was thinking that these verses from Proverbs are like someone giving directions to a person who has never walked a certain way before. If we went to a camp ground and wanted to find the waterfall, sometimes we would ask other campers or the ranger and they point us in the right direction and tell us which path to take. It was then up to us to follow their directions. However, sometimes the ranger or camper was actually going the way we wanted to go, and would offer to show us, those times it was much easier to find the path and stay on it, for we had a guide who knew the way.
The difference between the verses in Proverbs and the ones in Matthew (and the context of Jesus' comments in Matthew) is that Jesus is speaking of following Him out of a place of personal relationship, and heart affections, for immediately preceding the verses above, He was talking at length about the Father, and how He loves us and provides for us. In John's Gospel, Jesus speaks about love and obedience several times (See John 14:23-24 & John 15:9-10 as examples). He makes it clear that our choosing to follow is supposed to be in the context of relationship. The verses from Proverbs, seem more like general rules to follow. Either is ok, but the invitation is always to deeper relationship and intimacy. He desires to guide us and walk with us!
As we come to know the Lord, and His heart for us, we recognize that His leading, and direction for us is to meant to allow us to walk on the best path, the one that gets us to our point of purpose and calling in the most expedient manner. He can still get us to that point, no matter how far off the path we are, it just may take more work and more time. Our choice is to follow Him, trusting in His guidance, or to wander off the path. We can be confronted many times in a day with the choice to wander off the path, and it is up to us to choose as mature followers.
I was just reminded of how kids in preschool go for walks with their class. Often you will see them all holding onto a rope, each walking directly behind the child in front of them. The teacher is leading and another teacher is following. They do this because the children could be easily distracted and would end up running all over. Holding onto the rope is a direction they can follow, and it keeps them safe. Class trips in highschool do not require the students to hold onto a rope, for they have learned to follow directions and stay with the group (at least in theory).
In summary, I am encouraged this morning to be mature in following the path of obedience, the path I know that leads to life! I am encouraged to trust in His guidance, knowing that He loves me and desires and plans the best for me. He is not only willing to give me directions, but desires to guide me everyday. I can either keep my eyes and heart on Him and stay on the path, or wander off due to distractions, it is my choice. He, in His infinite love and mercy, is always willing to help me get back on the right path.
Thank You Lord for Your patience, Your forgiveness and Your invitation to relationship and intimacy. You don't just point out the right way, You actually desire to lead us personally!
I did some additional study and found a few reflections that were quite interesting in providing additional historical context for these verses. Two days ago, I was continuing my reflection on these verses at more of a personal level. I was thinking about our following of the Lord can be seen as following a path (using His imagery from the verses above) in the woods. I was reminded of my youth and times we walked in the woods.
I have spent much time in the woods, and as a kid we went camping every summer, and we would hit the woods shortly after arriving and setting up camp. We loved the woods, the connection with nature, and just running around. When we would first arrive to a campground, we would find the paths that set out from the campground and usually stay on the well worn paths. These are quite easy to follow, and usually lead to some significant point of interest. Without knowing about the terrain, the surrounding areas or seeing much else, the path will generally lead you to the point of interest in the most expedient manner.
Once we had walked a path a few times, we would often start to venture off the path, exploring as we went. These were the times when it could be easy to lose your sense of direction, or even lose site of the path, depending on how far off the path one went. We never got really lost, but many times we walked much farther than needed, and probably caused our parents some concern, as we weren't on the path that everyone used. In retrospect, although we saw it as exploring, it was actually quite dangerous. Being in unfamiliar woods, off the beaten path we could have gotten really lost, gotten hurt or fallen and not been able to readily seek help or be found. The other thing I realize is that we never actually found a better path to the point of interest. We might have seen some interesting additional things, but we usually expended way more energy and time than was necessary to reach a particular point.
As I was reflecting on these experiences, I was reflecting on our call to obedience, in the place of relationship with the Lord. As a follower of Christ, I find that the Lord will lead me and guide me, but it is always my choice to follow or not. I was also reflecting on how easy it is for me to lose site of the path I have chosen to walk on, that of following the Lord. In my day, I am constantly thinking about many things, and each of those things can distract me to some extent. Sometimes I see things or hear things that cause me to choose to step off the path, and go exploring on my own. Sometimes its just a step or two off, other times, I seem to lose complete sight of the path, as I go down into a sharp ravine or over a hill. Sometimes I can spend hours even days wandering away from the path. As I was reflecting on this whole theme I felt like I should read from Proverbs, chapter four. I am quite familiar with some parts of scripture, but I don't spend much time in the Book of Proverbs, so was surprised to see the following verses.
Proverbs 4:14-15,18-19,23,25-27 NIV:
[14] "Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.
[15] Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way."
[18] "The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
[19] But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble."
[23] "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."
[25] "Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.
[26] Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
[27] Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil."
I guess you could say the Holy Spirit was strongly confirming my theme of reflection! I love when the Lord directs me so clearly! When I was first reflecting on this theme I was exited about the imagery, as it was something I could relate to from my own experience. As I look at these verses in Proverbs, they are very directive, and pretty easy to understand.
I was thinking that these verses from Proverbs are like someone giving directions to a person who has never walked a certain way before. If we went to a camp ground and wanted to find the waterfall, sometimes we would ask other campers or the ranger and they point us in the right direction and tell us which path to take. It was then up to us to follow their directions. However, sometimes the ranger or camper was actually going the way we wanted to go, and would offer to show us, those times it was much easier to find the path and stay on it, for we had a guide who knew the way.
The difference between the verses in Proverbs and the ones in Matthew (and the context of Jesus' comments in Matthew) is that Jesus is speaking of following Him out of a place of personal relationship, and heart affections, for immediately preceding the verses above, He was talking at length about the Father, and how He loves us and provides for us. In John's Gospel, Jesus speaks about love and obedience several times (See John 14:23-24 & John 15:9-10 as examples). He makes it clear that our choosing to follow is supposed to be in the context of relationship. The verses from Proverbs, seem more like general rules to follow. Either is ok, but the invitation is always to deeper relationship and intimacy. He desires to guide us and walk with us!
As we come to know the Lord, and His heart for us, we recognize that His leading, and direction for us is to meant to allow us to walk on the best path, the one that gets us to our point of purpose and calling in the most expedient manner. He can still get us to that point, no matter how far off the path we are, it just may take more work and more time. Our choice is to follow Him, trusting in His guidance, or to wander off the path. We can be confronted many times in a day with the choice to wander off the path, and it is up to us to choose as mature followers.
I was just reminded of how kids in preschool go for walks with their class. Often you will see them all holding onto a rope, each walking directly behind the child in front of them. The teacher is leading and another teacher is following. They do this because the children could be easily distracted and would end up running all over. Holding onto the rope is a direction they can follow, and it keeps them safe. Class trips in highschool do not require the students to hold onto a rope, for they have learned to follow directions and stay with the group (at least in theory).
In summary, I am encouraged this morning to be mature in following the path of obedience, the path I know that leads to life! I am encouraged to trust in His guidance, knowing that He loves me and desires and plans the best for me. He is not only willing to give me directions, but desires to guide me everyday. I can either keep my eyes and heart on Him and stay on the path, or wander off due to distractions, it is my choice. He, in His infinite love and mercy, is always willing to help me get back on the right path.
Thank You Lord for Your patience, Your forgiveness and Your invitation to relationship and intimacy. You don't just point out the right way, You actually desire to lead us personally!
Sunday, December 17, 2017
Enduring Hardship - A Better Understanding
This morning I am reflecting on a verse from the Letter to the Hebrews, one that I have read and misread. This morning I want to carefully look at what is being said, and allow the truth to encourage me. Here is the verse - Hebrews 12:7 NIV: "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?"
The context of this sentence is that it follows and precedes additional discussion of the Lord disciplining the ones He loves. Because of the context, we often assume that the hardship mentioned at the beginning of the verse is being caused by the Lord, and that is the discipline He is bringing. As I read this verse this morning, I realized this is an inaccurate assumption. It is the "enduring" of hardship that is the discipline, not the hardship.
As for what we hear when we read the word discipline, it is important to look at the definition of the Greek word used, as it is not at all what I think of when I hear of a father disciplining his son. The word used is 'paideia" and it means the following:
1) the whole training and education of children (which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals, and employs for this purpose now commands and admonitions, now reproof and punishment) It also includes the training and care of the body
2) whatever in adults also cultivates the soul, esp. by correcting mistakes and curbing passions.
a) instruction which aims at increasing virtue
b) chastisement, chastening, (of the evils with which God visits men for their amendment)
I don't know about you, but when I read this verse my mind always goes to the most negative definition, but the truth is that the author is talking about the whole training and education of us. I certainly don't think of my own education as negative, overall it was actually a very positive experience. The author says this is in the context of God treating us as his children, and the familial context is important. I never want to see my children suffer hardship, nor do I believe the Father wants to see us suffer hardship. Also, I didn't want my children to work through these difficult situations on their own, I wanted to be right there by their side. What I want, and what I believe the Father wants, is for our children to be able to make it through any hardship, to overcome difficult things, to learn how to persevere, and to know that we are right there with them. I believe the Lord wants to strengthen us, and help us learn to be strong. Again, putting this in the context of education and training for life helps me to understand God's heart.
Secondly, the word that is translated enduring hardship, is the Greek word 'hupomeno' and it is defined as follows:
1) to remain
a) to tarry behind
2) to remain i.e. abide, not recede or flee
a) to preserve: under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one's faith in Christ
b) to endure, bear bravely and calmly: ill treatments
Again, it is translated "endure hardships", but that seems to be the most negative connotation possible, especially if we are thinking about education and training. Maybe its more like - 'stay in school'? Maybe its like the common saying, 'when the going gets tough, the tough get going'? Perhaps its more like working through a difficult math problem? Again as a dad, my encouragement to my children was that they could make it through, they could learn, they could succeed, they could overcome, they could do anything they believed they could do! I tried to teach them and strengthen their inner mind and spirit, although neither of my children needed much encouragement or training in this area. I wanted them to have the skills and belief to overcome anything they encountered in school, and in life.
As I was thinking about this I was reminded of a couple of times that I was the embodiment of this verse. I remember when my son was in 4th grade, he was constantly having negative thoughts about himself, and his abilities. I pulled out his standardized testing and showed him that he tested to a much higher grade level in both math and reading than 4th grade level. When he realized that he was smart, it totally changed the way he approached school. That is actually a really good example of what this verse means. I, as his father, gave him the ability to overcome, to not run in fear of failure, to hold fast to his faith in his abilities.
Another time I taught him how to write a research paper, when He didn't know how to proceed, and in his mind it was too big of a challenge. Again, as his father, I gave him the skills and understanding (training) to help him succeed in what was quite a difficult task for a 4th grade student. My love for him, and my belief in him were the basis of my encouragement of him. I wanted him to be able to succeed anytime he had to write a research paper from that point on, and teaching him how, would fit under the definition of the Greek word 'paideia'.
When I start to think of the verse above in this context, a loving Father giving me help and teaching me skills and abilities to help me succeed in life, the verse takes on a completely different perspective. The enduring of hardships, or remaining standing in the midst of difficulty, struggle or less than optimal circumstances is something we can all learn from and grow in. When confronted with life, in less than perfect mode, we can look to our Father who will help us learn how to overcome, help us learn the skills we need to succeed, and who will be there telling us we can do it, breathing encouragement into our mind and heart through the Holy Spirit.
Jesus even says this is exactly one of the Holy Spirit's jobs. Here are two verses from John's Gospel where Jesus is talking about the role of the Holy Spirit - John 14:16,26 NIV: "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever"--- [26] "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." Isn't that amazing, the Holy Spirit lives within us, breathing into us, strengthening us, giving us words of encouragement, teaching us, operating as our advocate (once whose job is to help us)!
The Greek word translated Advocate, is the word 'parakletos' and it is defined as follows:
1) summoned, called to one's side, esp. called to one's aid
a) one who pleads another's cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate
b) one who pleads another's cause with one, an intercessor
1) of Christ in his exaltation at God's right hand, pleading with God the Father for the pardon of our sins
c) in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant
1) of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom
It seems to me that the Holy Spirit is in my life to do exactly what the author of the Letter to the Hebrews was describing in this verse. The Holy Spirit is our advocate, the one who is standing by our side (our inside) and cheering us on. He is our teacher, our defender, our intercessor, our helper, and our assistant!
Thus, my encouragement this morning is to see God at work in my life, knowing that He will give me what I need to grow and mature in life. Things that I encounter that are difficult are not from Him, but He will use those events to help me grow and mature and become more like Him. He has sent the Holy Spirit into me, into my life to bring encouragement and to be my helper. He wants to see me succeed, to overcome difficulty, and He isn't going to let me face these things on my own.
What a completely different understanding than what I have heard taught and what I have thought in the past! God loves each of us as His son or daughter, and because He does, He helps us, strengthens us, encourages us, teaches us, and cheers us on!
Back to the original verse, I want to change the way I read it from now on, so that instead of "Endure hardship as discipline, God is treating you as His children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?", I read it as "Stand strong and don't run away, rather, learn and grow in the face of this which challenges you, for Your Father, who loves you as His son or daughter will help you and strengthen you and teach you how to overcome this which you face! In fact, He has sent you His Holy Spirit to live inside You to help, to teach, to train, and defend you! The fact that He has sent you His Holy Spirit is proof that He loves You!
I like the sound of that much better!
Amen and Amen!
The context of this sentence is that it follows and precedes additional discussion of the Lord disciplining the ones He loves. Because of the context, we often assume that the hardship mentioned at the beginning of the verse is being caused by the Lord, and that is the discipline He is bringing. As I read this verse this morning, I realized this is an inaccurate assumption. It is the "enduring" of hardship that is the discipline, not the hardship.
As for what we hear when we read the word discipline, it is important to look at the definition of the Greek word used, as it is not at all what I think of when I hear of a father disciplining his son. The word used is 'paideia" and it means the following:
1) the whole training and education of children (which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals, and employs for this purpose now commands and admonitions, now reproof and punishment) It also includes the training and care of the body
2) whatever in adults also cultivates the soul, esp. by correcting mistakes and curbing passions.
a) instruction which aims at increasing virtue
b) chastisement, chastening, (of the evils with which God visits men for their amendment)
I don't know about you, but when I read this verse my mind always goes to the most negative definition, but the truth is that the author is talking about the whole training and education of us. I certainly don't think of my own education as negative, overall it was actually a very positive experience. The author says this is in the context of God treating us as his children, and the familial context is important. I never want to see my children suffer hardship, nor do I believe the Father wants to see us suffer hardship. Also, I didn't want my children to work through these difficult situations on their own, I wanted to be right there by their side. What I want, and what I believe the Father wants, is for our children to be able to make it through any hardship, to overcome difficult things, to learn how to persevere, and to know that we are right there with them. I believe the Lord wants to strengthen us, and help us learn to be strong. Again, putting this in the context of education and training for life helps me to understand God's heart.
Secondly, the word that is translated enduring hardship, is the Greek word 'hupomeno' and it is defined as follows:
1) to remain
a) to tarry behind
2) to remain i.e. abide, not recede or flee
a) to preserve: under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one's faith in Christ
b) to endure, bear bravely and calmly: ill treatments
Again, it is translated "endure hardships", but that seems to be the most negative connotation possible, especially if we are thinking about education and training. Maybe its more like - 'stay in school'? Maybe its like the common saying, 'when the going gets tough, the tough get going'? Perhaps its more like working through a difficult math problem? Again as a dad, my encouragement to my children was that they could make it through, they could learn, they could succeed, they could overcome, they could do anything they believed they could do! I tried to teach them and strengthen their inner mind and spirit, although neither of my children needed much encouragement or training in this area. I wanted them to have the skills and belief to overcome anything they encountered in school, and in life.
As I was thinking about this I was reminded of a couple of times that I was the embodiment of this verse. I remember when my son was in 4th grade, he was constantly having negative thoughts about himself, and his abilities. I pulled out his standardized testing and showed him that he tested to a much higher grade level in both math and reading than 4th grade level. When he realized that he was smart, it totally changed the way he approached school. That is actually a really good example of what this verse means. I, as his father, gave him the ability to overcome, to not run in fear of failure, to hold fast to his faith in his abilities.
Another time I taught him how to write a research paper, when He didn't know how to proceed, and in his mind it was too big of a challenge. Again, as his father, I gave him the skills and understanding (training) to help him succeed in what was quite a difficult task for a 4th grade student. My love for him, and my belief in him were the basis of my encouragement of him. I wanted him to be able to succeed anytime he had to write a research paper from that point on, and teaching him how, would fit under the definition of the Greek word 'paideia'.
When I start to think of the verse above in this context, a loving Father giving me help and teaching me skills and abilities to help me succeed in life, the verse takes on a completely different perspective. The enduring of hardships, or remaining standing in the midst of difficulty, struggle or less than optimal circumstances is something we can all learn from and grow in. When confronted with life, in less than perfect mode, we can look to our Father who will help us learn how to overcome, help us learn the skills we need to succeed, and who will be there telling us we can do it, breathing encouragement into our mind and heart through the Holy Spirit.
Jesus even says this is exactly one of the Holy Spirit's jobs. Here are two verses from John's Gospel where Jesus is talking about the role of the Holy Spirit - John 14:16,26 NIV: "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever"--- [26] "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." Isn't that amazing, the Holy Spirit lives within us, breathing into us, strengthening us, giving us words of encouragement, teaching us, operating as our advocate (once whose job is to help us)!
The Greek word translated Advocate, is the word 'parakletos' and it is defined as follows:
1) summoned, called to one's side, esp. called to one's aid
a) one who pleads another's cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate
b) one who pleads another's cause with one, an intercessor
1) of Christ in his exaltation at God's right hand, pleading with God the Father for the pardon of our sins
c) in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant
1) of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom
It seems to me that the Holy Spirit is in my life to do exactly what the author of the Letter to the Hebrews was describing in this verse. The Holy Spirit is our advocate, the one who is standing by our side (our inside) and cheering us on. He is our teacher, our defender, our intercessor, our helper, and our assistant!
Thus, my encouragement this morning is to see God at work in my life, knowing that He will give me what I need to grow and mature in life. Things that I encounter that are difficult are not from Him, but He will use those events to help me grow and mature and become more like Him. He has sent the Holy Spirit into me, into my life to bring encouragement and to be my helper. He wants to see me succeed, to overcome difficulty, and He isn't going to let me face these things on my own.
What a completely different understanding than what I have heard taught and what I have thought in the past! God loves each of us as His son or daughter, and because He does, He helps us, strengthens us, encourages us, teaches us, and cheers us on!
Back to the original verse, I want to change the way I read it from now on, so that instead of "Endure hardship as discipline, God is treating you as His children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?", I read it as "Stand strong and don't run away, rather, learn and grow in the face of this which challenges you, for Your Father, who loves you as His son or daughter will help you and strengthen you and teach you how to overcome this which you face! In fact, He has sent you His Holy Spirit to live inside You to help, to teach, to train, and defend you! The fact that He has sent you His Holy Spirit is proof that He loves You!
I like the sound of that much better!
Amen and Amen!
Friday, December 15, 2017
Open Wide the Spigot!
This morning I am reflecting on a single verse from Paul's letter to the Roman's. It really is quite mind-blowing when you consider the reality of what is said by Paul. Here is the verse - Romans 8:11 NIV:
"And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.'
What an amazing thought - the Holy Spirit living within us is the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. The Holy Spirit will give life to our mortal bodies (our physical body) by His mere presence. He brings us gifts such as life, some of which just flow out of Him from His presence when He is here. I was just reminded of the image of the stream flowing from the temple (Ezk 47:1-12). So imagine that Ezekiel is seeing a prophetic picture of the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and Son, and bringing life to all He touches - imagine that picture looked like a river. Here is what he described - Ezekiel 47:8-12 NIV:
[8] "He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh. [9] Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. [10] Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds---like the fish of the Mediterranean Sea. [11] But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. [12] Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing. ”
I believe that this is somewhat what Ezekiel was seeing, a representation of the Holy Spirit flowing upon the earth. Jesus talked about how we have the Spirit within us which is a fount of living water, here is how John recoded it - John 7:37-39 NIV:
[37] "On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. [38] Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” [39] By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified."
So it is clear, we all, who have received Christ, have the Holy Spirit living within us, and this Holy Spirit is a river of living water that is meant to flow out of us. In addition to flowing out of us, it also affects us as well, bringing God's life to us! If the stream brings life to those it touches down stream it certainly brings life to the source point, our very bodies. So as not to be confused, I thought I would look at exactly what Paul was saying by the phrase "give life". It should match what Ezekiel saw (in my opinion), and what Jesus described. The Greek word Paul used is 'zoopoieo" and it is defined as follows:
1) to produce alive, begat or bear living young
2) to cause to live, make alive, give life
a) by spiritual power to arouse and invigorate
b) to restore to life
c) to give increase of life: thus of physical life
d) of the spirit, quickening as respects the spirit, endued with new and greater powers of life
3) metaph., of seeds quickened into life, i.e. germinating, springing up, growing
When we look back at the prophetic imagery Ezekiel recorded, we see the river brining life, making dead waters fresh, bringing life to everything around it, causing the fish and fruit to produce bountiful harvests and release healing to those it touches. This imagery is very much in line with the definition of 'zoopoieo'. So what does that look like in our actual lives, in our mortal bodies?
If we limit our thinking just to our physical bodies, then Paul is saying that the Holy Spirit, by His presence within us brings regeneration, invigoration, restoration, increase of life, spiritual power, the ability to cause others to grow. If we look at the original context of this verse, Paul is speaking about the Holy Spirit raising Jesus from the dead, in victory over sin and death. This same power is in us!
As I was thinking about this, and wondering about why we often don't seem to experience the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit living within us, I saw a picture of an IV and a bag of healing medicine, and fluids necessary to restore one who is sick. At the bottom of these IV bags is a little spigot that is used to increase or decrease the flow of medicine and fluids into one's body. If we wanted to, we could turn that spigot off, and stop the flow of medicine. If someone didn't know that this flow of liquid was to provide healing and life, and were unaware of how to open the spigot, they would not receive any of the medicine. However, if we were to open the spigot, or have the doctor or nurse do so, we would begin to receive the benefit of that which heals and is meant to restore us to life.
So this morning, I am encouraged to ask for an increase of the flow of the Holy Spirit, out of me and through me! I want more of His life, more of His healing to flow out of me! The focus is outside of me, to those around me and those that come in contact with me, but I benefit too. Lord, I do desire to see restoration, regeneration, invigoration, an increase of life and Spiritual power in my own life and in the life of those down-stream from me! This is no ordinary stream but the stream of Life, the Holy Spirit! I want You to open wide the spigot!
Amen and Amen!
"And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.'
What an amazing thought - the Holy Spirit living within us is the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. The Holy Spirit will give life to our mortal bodies (our physical body) by His mere presence. He brings us gifts such as life, some of which just flow out of Him from His presence when He is here. I was just reminded of the image of the stream flowing from the temple (Ezk 47:1-12). So imagine that Ezekiel is seeing a prophetic picture of the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and Son, and bringing life to all He touches - imagine that picture looked like a river. Here is what he described - Ezekiel 47:8-12 NIV:
[8] "He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh. [9] Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. [10] Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds---like the fish of the Mediterranean Sea. [11] But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. [12] Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing. ”
I believe that this is somewhat what Ezekiel was seeing, a representation of the Holy Spirit flowing upon the earth. Jesus talked about how we have the Spirit within us which is a fount of living water, here is how John recoded it - John 7:37-39 NIV:
[37] "On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. [38] Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” [39] By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified."
So it is clear, we all, who have received Christ, have the Holy Spirit living within us, and this Holy Spirit is a river of living water that is meant to flow out of us. In addition to flowing out of us, it also affects us as well, bringing God's life to us! If the stream brings life to those it touches down stream it certainly brings life to the source point, our very bodies. So as not to be confused, I thought I would look at exactly what Paul was saying by the phrase "give life". It should match what Ezekiel saw (in my opinion), and what Jesus described. The Greek word Paul used is 'zoopoieo" and it is defined as follows:
1) to produce alive, begat or bear living young
2) to cause to live, make alive, give life
a) by spiritual power to arouse and invigorate
b) to restore to life
c) to give increase of life: thus of physical life
d) of the spirit, quickening as respects the spirit, endued with new and greater powers of life
3) metaph., of seeds quickened into life, i.e. germinating, springing up, growing
When we look back at the prophetic imagery Ezekiel recorded, we see the river brining life, making dead waters fresh, bringing life to everything around it, causing the fish and fruit to produce bountiful harvests and release healing to those it touches. This imagery is very much in line with the definition of 'zoopoieo'. So what does that look like in our actual lives, in our mortal bodies?
If we limit our thinking just to our physical bodies, then Paul is saying that the Holy Spirit, by His presence within us brings regeneration, invigoration, restoration, increase of life, spiritual power, the ability to cause others to grow. If we look at the original context of this verse, Paul is speaking about the Holy Spirit raising Jesus from the dead, in victory over sin and death. This same power is in us!
As I was thinking about this, and wondering about why we often don't seem to experience the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit living within us, I saw a picture of an IV and a bag of healing medicine, and fluids necessary to restore one who is sick. At the bottom of these IV bags is a little spigot that is used to increase or decrease the flow of medicine and fluids into one's body. If we wanted to, we could turn that spigot off, and stop the flow of medicine. If someone didn't know that this flow of liquid was to provide healing and life, and were unaware of how to open the spigot, they would not receive any of the medicine. However, if we were to open the spigot, or have the doctor or nurse do so, we would begin to receive the benefit of that which heals and is meant to restore us to life.
So this morning, I am encouraged to ask for an increase of the flow of the Holy Spirit, out of me and through me! I want more of His life, more of His healing to flow out of me! The focus is outside of me, to those around me and those that come in contact with me, but I benefit too. Lord, I do desire to see restoration, regeneration, invigoration, an increase of life and Spiritual power in my own life and in the life of those down-stream from me! This is no ordinary stream but the stream of Life, the Holy Spirit! I want You to open wide the spigot!
Amen and Amen!
Thursday, December 14, 2017
The Narrow Path and Wide Way
This morning I was reflecting on a passage from Matthew 7, the description of the narrow path that leads to life. I have reflected on these passages a few times and decided to do some online searches to see what others were saying about these verses. Many times other authors will have insight that is very helpful to me. I ran across two articles that I found interesting and helpful, each with a slightly different approach to the same verses. Here is the first expose on those verses and found it quite helpful:
"Enter through the narrow gate, because the gate is wide and the way is spacious that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. But the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it. –Matthew 7:13-14, NET
"The beauty of Yeshua’s teaching here is easily lost through a number of false assumptions:
(1) Yeshua’s main concern is where people will dwell in the life to come
(2) Yeshua teaches that few will ultimately find a good afterlife
(3) Destruction and life are terms referring primarily to the afterlife
Each of these assumptions can be shown false.
First, in the overall tenor of Yeshua’s teaching, the concern is as much about this life as the life to come. Not shying away from strong teaching about the life to come, nonetheless, Yeshua speaks often of kingdom realities now, discipleship in the present, and abundant life now and not merely in the life to come. Furthermore, the immediate context of Matthew 7:13-14 is discipleship in this life:
…7:1-5, Avoiding an overcritical spirit
…7:6, Avoiding a naive spirit
…7:7-11, Trusting God for good things
…7:12, The Golden Rule
…7:13-14, The narrow and wide roads
…7:15-20, Good and bad fruit
…7:21-23, The claimers and the knowers
…7:24-27, The house on sand and the house on bedrock
Second, Yeshua does not picture God’s redemptive love as being limited to a few or inclusion in God’s kingdom as an elite accomplishment of the few. Far from it, Yeshua proclaims hope for unimportant people, the poor and downtrodden, the masses. His descriptions of God’s redemptive love picture the gentiles coming to faith. He opposes the elitist strain of Israel’s current leaders (priests, Sadducees, aristocrats, scribes, Pharisees). He deliberately describes many being in the kingdom:
…I tell you, many will come from the east and west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven (8:11).
…the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (20:28).
…Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them (5:3).
…For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry (11:30).
…look up and see that the fields are already white for harvest! (John 4:35).
Many other sayings of Yeshua speak of many downtrodden people being called to God’s banquet, God rejoicing at finding and redeeming sinners, of unrighteous people finding God’s forgiveness, of Yeshua as the physician for sin-sick souls, of his seeking and saving the lost, as the shepherd bringing in many sheep into the fold, and so on.
Third, in keeping with wisdom teaching such as the book of Proverbs, and Yeshua’s teaching often relates to the wisdom literature of the BIble, life and destruction are descriptions of conditions in this life. People are destroyed when they lose all peace and choose the seductive path of immediate success and gratification. Their lives wind up empty and filled with pain. But those who choose the harder path of discipline, submission to correction, learning wisdom, and choosing the fear of heaven find abundant life.
In context, Yeshua’s saying about the wide and narrow road is about those few who find and practice wisdom, discipleship, and specifically Yeshua’s teaching in this life. It is not about God limiting redemption to the few who find and follow such a path. If we want to discuss the limits of God’s saving and who will be redeemed and who will not, we simply will have to look to other biblical passages (or, perhaps we will find that ultimately the question is not answered with any specificity in the Bible).
The call to follow Yeshua’s teaching is not about our final destiny, but about knowing life, joy, peace, wisdom, responsibility, discipline, and the hard, but rewarding, work of love in this life. Few will follow this path. But Yeshua defines it as true life and the broad path of self-service, substitute joys, and empty gratification is really destruction."
The original article can be found at: http://yeshuaincontext.com/2010/10/the-narrow-road/
I found the approach of balancing these words of Jesus against the rest of scripture, and His other teachings very helpful. Sometimes we can read a set of verses like this and develop a focus and teaching around these few verses, and forget everything else Jesus said and did. Considering His teachings against the backdrop of His other teachings is one way we can keep ourselves from aberrant teaching. We really need to learn to read scripture within the context of all of scripture, and not just take a few lines and use them to change our course of thought and life. It would be very easy to read these verses and develop a very judgmental perspective, opening ourselves up to spiritual pride as we believe ourselves to be on the narrow path, and one of the few that have found it.
Here is a second article focusing the historical context of Jesus' comments on the narrow path and wide way as described by Jesus in Matthew, Chapter Seven.
"As we walked through Israel, the contrast was striking between the humble Jewish villages and the imposing Roman cities. The Jewish community in the village of Capernaum lived in simple basalt houses that were close together, and often were a maze of rooms that were added as the family grew. A synagogue was centrally located in the town, suggesting that faith and family were what mattered most here.
In contrast, a few miles away, the Roman city of Beth Shean had a large theater and public bath houses, and a wide central street (cardo) that was lined on both sides by ornate columns, showing visitors the glory of the Roman culture that built it. In fact, the Romans made a point of constructing enormous gates with statues to emperors and pagan gods, and widening roads for their chariots and armies. All of their construction was intended to convince the onlooker that their way of life was superior to all other ways.
One scholar suggests that Jesus may have been thinking of the Roman gates and roads when he spoke about the wide roads that lead to destruction, and how alluring they are compared to the narrow old paths. He may even have been speaking of the Temple, whose gates were ornate, but narrow in comparison to the massive entrances into the pagan poleis.
As Jesus watched wealthy Gentiles arrive at the opulent city gates of Beth Shean, he knew they were literally walking into a life of futility - thinking only of wealth and politics and social standing, and worshipping lifeless gods that could not save. Jesus knew that the humble paths into the Jewish towns led to synagogues where the words of the true God could be read. And inside the narrow gates of the Temple were the courts where prayers were offered to the God who actually could answer.
Jesus, of course, was especially talking about what it is like to follow him. It is a narrow, humble path that few choose to follow, in contrast to the wide colonnades of wealth and glory that attract the rest of the world. But, surprisingly, the old, dusty road that this Rabbi trod is ultimately the path the leads to life, now and in the world to come."
The original article can be found here: http://www.egrc.net/articles/Rock/Land_Lessons/NarrowGates.html
I found this reflection very helpful in considering the actual historical context in which Jesus was speaking. The article provided a nice picture of the "Roman Way" the road running through Beth Shean, and it was quite wide and spacious. The architecture of Rome spoke much of their approach to life, the things they pursued, and it was a stark contrast to the historical approach of the Jews.
It is interesting that Jesus was effectively introducing a new way, a new path to the Father, that within the greater context of the Jewish faith would seem like a narrow path as well. In fact, the early Christians called themselves followers of The Way (See Acts 9:2) and that was likely evolved from this teaching of Jesus. They had to turn towards Him, and the original followers were few. They came to understand that Jesus was introducing a relational approach to faith that was anchored in each person's heart and being through the indwelling Holy Spirit, which was quite different from what they traditionally experienced in the Temple.
I like to think that we are each on a path, and we are right to look to the Lord to guide us on this path. My path may be quite different from my other brother's and sister's paths, and that is just fine, as long as I follow the Lord. He desires us each to walk in individual relationship with Him. There are many broad ways with many people following, but for each of us, we need to hear Him speak and follow His leading. It is in relationship with Him that we find life.
Lord, thank You for leading me to You! Thank You for guiding my feet on the narrow path as I follow You in relationship. Help me to do better in following You!
"Enter through the narrow gate, because the gate is wide and the way is spacious that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. But the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it. –Matthew 7:13-14, NET
"The beauty of Yeshua’s teaching here is easily lost through a number of false assumptions:
(1) Yeshua’s main concern is where people will dwell in the life to come
(2) Yeshua teaches that few will ultimately find a good afterlife
(3) Destruction and life are terms referring primarily to the afterlife
Each of these assumptions can be shown false.
First, in the overall tenor of Yeshua’s teaching, the concern is as much about this life as the life to come. Not shying away from strong teaching about the life to come, nonetheless, Yeshua speaks often of kingdom realities now, discipleship in the present, and abundant life now and not merely in the life to come. Furthermore, the immediate context of Matthew 7:13-14 is discipleship in this life:
…7:1-5, Avoiding an overcritical spirit
…7:6, Avoiding a naive spirit
…7:7-11, Trusting God for good things
…7:12, The Golden Rule
…7:13-14, The narrow and wide roads
…7:15-20, Good and bad fruit
…7:21-23, The claimers and the knowers
…7:24-27, The house on sand and the house on bedrock
Second, Yeshua does not picture God’s redemptive love as being limited to a few or inclusion in God’s kingdom as an elite accomplishment of the few. Far from it, Yeshua proclaims hope for unimportant people, the poor and downtrodden, the masses. His descriptions of God’s redemptive love picture the gentiles coming to faith. He opposes the elitist strain of Israel’s current leaders (priests, Sadducees, aristocrats, scribes, Pharisees). He deliberately describes many being in the kingdom:
…I tell you, many will come from the east and west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven (8:11).
…the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (20:28).
…Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them (5:3).
…For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry (11:30).
…look up and see that the fields are already white for harvest! (John 4:35).
Many other sayings of Yeshua speak of many downtrodden people being called to God’s banquet, God rejoicing at finding and redeeming sinners, of unrighteous people finding God’s forgiveness, of Yeshua as the physician for sin-sick souls, of his seeking and saving the lost, as the shepherd bringing in many sheep into the fold, and so on.
Third, in keeping with wisdom teaching such as the book of Proverbs, and Yeshua’s teaching often relates to the wisdom literature of the BIble, life and destruction are descriptions of conditions in this life. People are destroyed when they lose all peace and choose the seductive path of immediate success and gratification. Their lives wind up empty and filled with pain. But those who choose the harder path of discipline, submission to correction, learning wisdom, and choosing the fear of heaven find abundant life.
In context, Yeshua’s saying about the wide and narrow road is about those few who find and practice wisdom, discipleship, and specifically Yeshua’s teaching in this life. It is not about God limiting redemption to the few who find and follow such a path. If we want to discuss the limits of God’s saving and who will be redeemed and who will not, we simply will have to look to other biblical passages (or, perhaps we will find that ultimately the question is not answered with any specificity in the Bible).
The call to follow Yeshua’s teaching is not about our final destiny, but about knowing life, joy, peace, wisdom, responsibility, discipline, and the hard, but rewarding, work of love in this life. Few will follow this path. But Yeshua defines it as true life and the broad path of self-service, substitute joys, and empty gratification is really destruction."
The original article can be found at: http://yeshuaincontext.com/2010/10/the-narrow-road/
I found the approach of balancing these words of Jesus against the rest of scripture, and His other teachings very helpful. Sometimes we can read a set of verses like this and develop a focus and teaching around these few verses, and forget everything else Jesus said and did. Considering His teachings against the backdrop of His other teachings is one way we can keep ourselves from aberrant teaching. We really need to learn to read scripture within the context of all of scripture, and not just take a few lines and use them to change our course of thought and life. It would be very easy to read these verses and develop a very judgmental perspective, opening ourselves up to spiritual pride as we believe ourselves to be on the narrow path, and one of the few that have found it.
Here is a second article focusing the historical context of Jesus' comments on the narrow path and wide way as described by Jesus in Matthew, Chapter Seven.
"As we walked through Israel, the contrast was striking between the humble Jewish villages and the imposing Roman cities. The Jewish community in the village of Capernaum lived in simple basalt houses that were close together, and often were a maze of rooms that were added as the family grew. A synagogue was centrally located in the town, suggesting that faith and family were what mattered most here.
In contrast, a few miles away, the Roman city of Beth Shean had a large theater and public bath houses, and a wide central street (cardo) that was lined on both sides by ornate columns, showing visitors the glory of the Roman culture that built it. In fact, the Romans made a point of constructing enormous gates with statues to emperors and pagan gods, and widening roads for their chariots and armies. All of their construction was intended to convince the onlooker that their way of life was superior to all other ways.
One scholar suggests that Jesus may have been thinking of the Roman gates and roads when he spoke about the wide roads that lead to destruction, and how alluring they are compared to the narrow old paths. He may even have been speaking of the Temple, whose gates were ornate, but narrow in comparison to the massive entrances into the pagan poleis.
As Jesus watched wealthy Gentiles arrive at the opulent city gates of Beth Shean, he knew they were literally walking into a life of futility - thinking only of wealth and politics and social standing, and worshipping lifeless gods that could not save. Jesus knew that the humble paths into the Jewish towns led to synagogues where the words of the true God could be read. And inside the narrow gates of the Temple were the courts where prayers were offered to the God who actually could answer.
Jesus, of course, was especially talking about what it is like to follow him. It is a narrow, humble path that few choose to follow, in contrast to the wide colonnades of wealth and glory that attract the rest of the world. But, surprisingly, the old, dusty road that this Rabbi trod is ultimately the path the leads to life, now and in the world to come."
The original article can be found here: http://www.egrc.net/articles/Rock/Land_Lessons/NarrowGates.html
I found this reflection very helpful in considering the actual historical context in which Jesus was speaking. The article provided a nice picture of the "Roman Way" the road running through Beth Shean, and it was quite wide and spacious. The architecture of Rome spoke much of their approach to life, the things they pursued, and it was a stark contrast to the historical approach of the Jews.
It is interesting that Jesus was effectively introducing a new way, a new path to the Father, that within the greater context of the Jewish faith would seem like a narrow path as well. In fact, the early Christians called themselves followers of The Way (See Acts 9:2) and that was likely evolved from this teaching of Jesus. They had to turn towards Him, and the original followers were few. They came to understand that Jesus was introducing a relational approach to faith that was anchored in each person's heart and being through the indwelling Holy Spirit, which was quite different from what they traditionally experienced in the Temple.
I like to think that we are each on a path, and we are right to look to the Lord to guide us on this path. My path may be quite different from my other brother's and sister's paths, and that is just fine, as long as I follow the Lord. He desires us each to walk in individual relationship with Him. There are many broad ways with many people following, but for each of us, we need to hear Him speak and follow His leading. It is in relationship with Him that we find life.
Lord, thank You for leading me to You! Thank You for guiding my feet on the narrow path as I follow You in relationship. Help me to do better in following You!
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Eat, Practice, Grow, Bear Fruit!
This morning I am reflecting on one of James' most challenging statements, challenging in a good way, for he is talking about the need to put our faith and belief into action. Here are the verses - James 2:14-17 NIV:
[14] "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? [15] Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. [16] If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? [17] In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
The challenging part of this statement is to take the end statement and use it as a filter when looking at my life. If faith that isn't accompanied by action is dead, then I should be able to look at my beliefs and faith and see where my actions backup my beliefs and where they don't. I have many aspirations and good intentions that are related to things I believe, but in many cases they are empty of accompanying actions, which means I don't really believe that strongly, or at all.
For instance, if I believe in healing through prayer, but don't pray for people to be healed, I don't really believe or have faith in healing prayer.
If I believe that God is my provider but am unwilling to give back to Him through tithing and almsgiving then I don't really believe He will provide for me as He has promised, and I don't have faith in His faithfulness.
If I say I believe that He leads me and guides me, but never take any time to listen or seek His guidance, I don't really have faith that He will lead me and guide me, or that He will speak to me.
If I say I want to grow in my faith yet don't seek after spiritual food, good teaching and inspiration through books, videos or podcasts, then I don't really want to grow in my faith.
If I believe God has something better for me, but don't actively pursue new opportunities then I don't believe God will move and guide me.
Sometimes it is subtle, we may believe in something, but not in another aspect that limits our first belief. For instance in my last example, believing God has something better. This can be a very general belief, but requires an understanding of how God can and does work. In my experience, God will speak to me, first and foremost, about His plans. He desires that I listen to Him, and if I don't really believe that I can hear God, or that He will speak to me individually, than I am just stuck with this general belief that God might want to bless me with something better. I would be sitting there with no idea of how that is going to happen, or how I will know when that opportunity comes.
This reminds me of a story I heard about a guy who had great faith and was caught in a flood. He climbed on the roof of his house, but he had great faith that God would save him. He saw people driving through his neighborhood in big 4x4 trucks, and one of them stopped at His house and offered him a ride to safety. He told them, "No thanks, God is going to save me." The water rose some more, and this time a boat stopped at his house and offered him a ride to safety. He told them, "No thanks, God is going to save me!" Finally the water was lapping at his feet and a helicopter flew overhead and offered to save him, and his response was the same, "No thanks, God is going to save me!" Finally the man drowned and when He went to heaven he asked God why he didn't save him? God answered, "I sent a truck a boat and helicopter, and you turned them all down!"
Obviously this is a bit of an off-color joke, but it illustrates a point about our willingness to listen and hear, and be directed and guided by God. I like to say that God's middle name is circumstance, and He often works in ways that seem down-right normal. In my life there have been many times where God's opportunity and direction were as simple as a word spoken by a trusted friend, sometimes by a complete stranger, sometimes by something I read, but most of the time I hear from Him during my daily quiet time, when I have decided to take time to listen. I have developed my ability to hear His voice and recognize His voice so that when I hear things during the day, I can sometimes hear His voice speaking (almost like a heart overtone) when someone says something to me. I believe that God directs me in my daily path, and I am willing to listen and seek out His voice and direction throughout the day, even in circumstance.
Changing gears slgithly, in the natural I would love to develop a stronger physique, but I don't lift weights and I don't eat healthy. I will never gain physical strength, if I don't exercise (practice) and eat right. This is just as true in or faith! If we want to grow strong in our faith, we need to follow with actions (practice) and regular feeding.
In a related point, I heard a Former pastor speaking about a time of healing and revival that broke out in their church. He said that prior to the Holy Spirit breaking out in wonderful ways, they had felt directed to spend over two years teaching on healing and praying for healing. He said, "we built up our theology, and then we built up our practice." It wasn't like they had planned it all out, but more in retrospect he recognized that truth. He saw that by their obedience to teach on healing prayer and actually praying for healing that God had been preparing them for a time of significance. Their faith action was in pursuing the directions of the Lord to do what He told them to do. They grew stronger in their faith because of the regular diet and practice.
In the same way, in many of our lives, we might have promises or things we have heard from God. Often times these promises come in the form of a seed of thought, or word or dream. We grab hold of the promise, plant it in our heart and wait for God to move. As I was thinking about this, I saw the image of a withered young seedling. Our faith action is supposed to be the care and watering of the the seed, and giving it food like "Miracle-gro", but many think that they are just supposed to wait for God to produce the fruit of the promise. We are actually supposed to co-labor with God in our lives! We have responsibility to hear and then act.
Back to the church that felt Like God told them to teach on healing, that weekly teaching was basically them watering that seed of a promise that God would visit them with healing. Their praying over people for healing was them applying "Miracle-gro" to that seed or practicing and exercising. If we don't follow our faith with actions, then our beliefs or seed faith of promises can wither or die.
The good news is that seeds can sit dormant for many years, and when planted and watered can still bear fruit! God, is always true to fulfill His promises. As a popular Christian Song by Faith Fires reminds us, "All His promises are yes and amen!"
So, this morning I am encouraged to look at the things that God has put in my heart as promises, to review those things that have stirred my heart, to look at the people around me in need that God has highlighted, and to look for those things where my actions have not aligned with my faith or belief. I am encouraged to look for ways to water those seed promises, to take action and pursue growth and increase through practice and regular feeding. I am encouraged to grow stronger in my faith through practical actions.
Finally, I am reminded that seeds don't turn into fruit overnight. There is a season of growth, oftentimes with no fruit visible. I must continue to care for that seed and plant regardless of whether I see fruit. I need to be patient and let God, who is the author and finisher of my faith, lead me and guide me and encourage me to continue to pursue regular watering and care for that which He planted in my heart. I need to trust that He knows when it will bear fruit.
Amen, thank You Lord for Your encouragement!
[14] "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? [15] Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. [16] If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? [17] In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
The challenging part of this statement is to take the end statement and use it as a filter when looking at my life. If faith that isn't accompanied by action is dead, then I should be able to look at my beliefs and faith and see where my actions backup my beliefs and where they don't. I have many aspirations and good intentions that are related to things I believe, but in many cases they are empty of accompanying actions, which means I don't really believe that strongly, or at all.
For instance, if I believe in healing through prayer, but don't pray for people to be healed, I don't really believe or have faith in healing prayer.
If I believe that God is my provider but am unwilling to give back to Him through tithing and almsgiving then I don't really believe He will provide for me as He has promised, and I don't have faith in His faithfulness.
If I say I believe that He leads me and guides me, but never take any time to listen or seek His guidance, I don't really have faith that He will lead me and guide me, or that He will speak to me.
If I say I want to grow in my faith yet don't seek after spiritual food, good teaching and inspiration through books, videos or podcasts, then I don't really want to grow in my faith.
If I believe God has something better for me, but don't actively pursue new opportunities then I don't believe God will move and guide me.
Sometimes it is subtle, we may believe in something, but not in another aspect that limits our first belief. For instance in my last example, believing God has something better. This can be a very general belief, but requires an understanding of how God can and does work. In my experience, God will speak to me, first and foremost, about His plans. He desires that I listen to Him, and if I don't really believe that I can hear God, or that He will speak to me individually, than I am just stuck with this general belief that God might want to bless me with something better. I would be sitting there with no idea of how that is going to happen, or how I will know when that opportunity comes.
This reminds me of a story I heard about a guy who had great faith and was caught in a flood. He climbed on the roof of his house, but he had great faith that God would save him. He saw people driving through his neighborhood in big 4x4 trucks, and one of them stopped at His house and offered him a ride to safety. He told them, "No thanks, God is going to save me." The water rose some more, and this time a boat stopped at his house and offered him a ride to safety. He told them, "No thanks, God is going to save me!" Finally the water was lapping at his feet and a helicopter flew overhead and offered to save him, and his response was the same, "No thanks, God is going to save me!" Finally the man drowned and when He went to heaven he asked God why he didn't save him? God answered, "I sent a truck a boat and helicopter, and you turned them all down!"
Obviously this is a bit of an off-color joke, but it illustrates a point about our willingness to listen and hear, and be directed and guided by God. I like to say that God's middle name is circumstance, and He often works in ways that seem down-right normal. In my life there have been many times where God's opportunity and direction were as simple as a word spoken by a trusted friend, sometimes by a complete stranger, sometimes by something I read, but most of the time I hear from Him during my daily quiet time, when I have decided to take time to listen. I have developed my ability to hear His voice and recognize His voice so that when I hear things during the day, I can sometimes hear His voice speaking (almost like a heart overtone) when someone says something to me. I believe that God directs me in my daily path, and I am willing to listen and seek out His voice and direction throughout the day, even in circumstance.
Changing gears slgithly, in the natural I would love to develop a stronger physique, but I don't lift weights and I don't eat healthy. I will never gain physical strength, if I don't exercise (practice) and eat right. This is just as true in or faith! If we want to grow strong in our faith, we need to follow with actions (practice) and regular feeding.
In a related point, I heard a Former pastor speaking about a time of healing and revival that broke out in their church. He said that prior to the Holy Spirit breaking out in wonderful ways, they had felt directed to spend over two years teaching on healing and praying for healing. He said, "we built up our theology, and then we built up our practice." It wasn't like they had planned it all out, but more in retrospect he recognized that truth. He saw that by their obedience to teach on healing prayer and actually praying for healing that God had been preparing them for a time of significance. Their faith action was in pursuing the directions of the Lord to do what He told them to do. They grew stronger in their faith because of the regular diet and practice.
In the same way, in many of our lives, we might have promises or things we have heard from God. Often times these promises come in the form of a seed of thought, or word or dream. We grab hold of the promise, plant it in our heart and wait for God to move. As I was thinking about this, I saw the image of a withered young seedling. Our faith action is supposed to be the care and watering of the the seed, and giving it food like "Miracle-gro", but many think that they are just supposed to wait for God to produce the fruit of the promise. We are actually supposed to co-labor with God in our lives! We have responsibility to hear and then act.
Back to the church that felt Like God told them to teach on healing, that weekly teaching was basically them watering that seed of a promise that God would visit them with healing. Their praying over people for healing was them applying "Miracle-gro" to that seed or practicing and exercising. If we don't follow our faith with actions, then our beliefs or seed faith of promises can wither or die.
The good news is that seeds can sit dormant for many years, and when planted and watered can still bear fruit! God, is always true to fulfill His promises. As a popular Christian Song by Faith Fires reminds us, "All His promises are yes and amen!"
So, this morning I am encouraged to look at the things that God has put in my heart as promises, to review those things that have stirred my heart, to look at the people around me in need that God has highlighted, and to look for those things where my actions have not aligned with my faith or belief. I am encouraged to look for ways to water those seed promises, to take action and pursue growth and increase through practice and regular feeding. I am encouraged to grow stronger in my faith through practical actions.
Finally, I am reminded that seeds don't turn into fruit overnight. There is a season of growth, oftentimes with no fruit visible. I must continue to care for that seed and plant regardless of whether I see fruit. I need to be patient and let God, who is the author and finisher of my faith, lead me and guide me and encourage me to continue to pursue regular watering and care for that which He planted in my heart. I need to trust that He knows when it will bear fruit.
Amen, thank You Lord for Your encouragement!
Monday, December 11, 2017
Good and Perfect Gifts
This morning I am reflecting upon a couple of verses from James' letter. I love the simple truth contained here - James 1:17-18 NIV:
[17] "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. [18] He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created."
What a perfect theme to reflect upon in this season of Christmas - JESUS, the perfect and good gift, did come down from Heaven! We are surrounded by the gifts of God, His love, mercy, compassion, faithfulness, provision and peace surround us!! The Holy Spirit comes to us and lives within us! What blessed people we are!
Yesterday our Pastor was talking about a recent ministry trip to Mexico City and how the Lord had given her eyes to see those she ministered to, as He sees them. When she looked into the faces of these poor people, she was aware of how much God loved them. She was aware of how He had been planning their life since before the creation of the world, and how much He loved them as His sons and daughters! What and awesome revelation!
Oh, that we could all approach one another with the same love and attention the Father gives to us. He loves us! He cares for us! He listens to our needs! He loves to shower us in His love! He chose us, created us, and loves us. He calls us to bear witness to this incredible love to all we meet. What if we started seeing the people we meet as good and perfect gifts from the Father! What if we started seeing ourselves as good and perfect gifts, brought forth to this earth because of God's love!
Lord, help me to celebrate the gifts You have placed all around me! Help me to recognize how valuable each of us is to You! Help me to understand my own worth to You. Help me to be an apt minister of Your love.
Amen!
[17] "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. [18] He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created."
What a perfect theme to reflect upon in this season of Christmas - JESUS, the perfect and good gift, did come down from Heaven! We are surrounded by the gifts of God, His love, mercy, compassion, faithfulness, provision and peace surround us!! The Holy Spirit comes to us and lives within us! What blessed people we are!
Yesterday our Pastor was talking about a recent ministry trip to Mexico City and how the Lord had given her eyes to see those she ministered to, as He sees them. When she looked into the faces of these poor people, she was aware of how much God loved them. She was aware of how He had been planning their life since before the creation of the world, and how much He loved them as His sons and daughters! What and awesome revelation!
Oh, that we could all approach one another with the same love and attention the Father gives to us. He loves us! He cares for us! He listens to our needs! He loves to shower us in His love! He chose us, created us, and loves us. He calls us to bear witness to this incredible love to all we meet. What if we started seeing the people we meet as good and perfect gifts from the Father! What if we started seeing ourselves as good and perfect gifts, brought forth to this earth because of God's love!
Lord, help me to celebrate the gifts You have placed all around me! Help me to recognize how valuable each of us is to You! Help me to understand my own worth to You. Help me to be an apt minister of Your love.
Amen!
Sunday, December 10, 2017
Humility, Compassion and the Harvest
Recently I have been talking with friends about judgmental attitudes we find in the Body of Christ, and how that is such a dangerous path. We have discussed the way we reject those whose life-styles and ideologies do not match our own, and how that seems to fly in the face of the command Jesus gave us to love one another, and to love our neighbor. I think most people would have a hard time feeling loved while being judged.
This morning I was reading from Luke's Gospel and came across a similarly themed story Jesus told, found in Luke 18:9-14 NIV:
[9] "To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: [10] “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people---robbers, evildoers, adulterers---or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
[13] “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'
[14] “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
The story Jesus tells appears to be addressing spiritual pride, and how God feels about that particular sinful attitude. I believe that we can sometimes lose our mind and connection to the Lord's heart as we are confronted with sin all around us, and rather than offering the Gospel of Grace to those who are lost, we can instead judge them. The self-righteous man was going to pray, which is a very good thing, but instead of connecting with God, he was reflecting on how much better he was than all the lesser people, for he had likely cleaned up his life and now was doing religious acts, and thus better than the others. One can be sure that what was in his mind came out in his actions and words. He stood separate from the others, probably because he didn't want to be made unclean by his association with sinners.
The other man, was well aware of his sins, and asked for forgiveness and mercy, knowing that God was capable and willing to extend both. He also had come to pray, but the self-righteous man had judged him rather than rejoice that he had come to pray and to seek God.
We often wonder why more of the world hasn't recognized their need for God and come to church, and I believe this story represents one reason. People who are in need of God, or aware of their sin, often feel judged when they walk into churches. They hear the judgment in our words, and feel the judgment in our eyes. We boycott places where they shop, work, or live. We require them to clean their lives before we are willing to touch them or associate with them. Are we afraid that we might be tainted or smeared by their sinful ways or uncleanliness?
If so, then we have apparently missed the reality of what Jesus demonstrated in His ministry. When He came, anointed (The Hebrew word actually means smeared) with the Holy Spirit, He set people free from their sinfulness just by His presence. When He touched the leper He didn't become unclean, but instead the Leper was cleansed. When He encountered the sinner, He wasn't smeared by their sin and made unclean. Instead He healed, forgave and cleansed! He had mercy and compassion and called us to have the same! I am reminded of a couple of verses from Matthew 9:36-38 NIV: "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. [37] Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. [38] Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
We are supposed to sent out into the harvest fields, not wait for the harvest field to come to us. We are to bear the Gospel into the fields, to bring the Gospel to the nations (Matt 28:18-20). We are sent to the harassed and helpless, the sick, the needy, the sinners, and the lost. We are not sent to judge, but rather to offer salvation (John 3:16-17). How are they to hear if we do not go to where they live, work or shop (Rom 10:14)? How does removing our presence from the lost help them to hear the Gospel of Grace?
I am reminded of Paul's words of encouragement to the church in Philippi. Here are the verses - Philippians 2:1-4,12-16 NIV:
[1] "Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, [2] then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. [3] Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."
[12] "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed---not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence---continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. [14] Do everything without grumbling or arguing, [15] so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky [16] as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain."
And finally Jesus' command found in John 13:34-35 NIV: “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.”
I pray that I might be known for my love, for my mercy and compassion! I pray that rather than judgment, that people would encounter love when they encounter me. I pray that I might represent Jesus in my life and attitudes. I pray that I might be a light shining with the light of Christ! I pray that I might embrace humility and value and extend love to all others regardless of their ideologies or lifestyles. I pray that I might realize the harvest fields are all around me!
This morning I was reading from Luke's Gospel and came across a similarly themed story Jesus told, found in Luke 18:9-14 NIV:
[9] "To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: [10] “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people---robbers, evildoers, adulterers---or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
[13] “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'
[14] “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
The story Jesus tells appears to be addressing spiritual pride, and how God feels about that particular sinful attitude. I believe that we can sometimes lose our mind and connection to the Lord's heart as we are confronted with sin all around us, and rather than offering the Gospel of Grace to those who are lost, we can instead judge them. The self-righteous man was going to pray, which is a very good thing, but instead of connecting with God, he was reflecting on how much better he was than all the lesser people, for he had likely cleaned up his life and now was doing religious acts, and thus better than the others. One can be sure that what was in his mind came out in his actions and words. He stood separate from the others, probably because he didn't want to be made unclean by his association with sinners.
The other man, was well aware of his sins, and asked for forgiveness and mercy, knowing that God was capable and willing to extend both. He also had come to pray, but the self-righteous man had judged him rather than rejoice that he had come to pray and to seek God.
We often wonder why more of the world hasn't recognized their need for God and come to church, and I believe this story represents one reason. People who are in need of God, or aware of their sin, often feel judged when they walk into churches. They hear the judgment in our words, and feel the judgment in our eyes. We boycott places where they shop, work, or live. We require them to clean their lives before we are willing to touch them or associate with them. Are we afraid that we might be tainted or smeared by their sinful ways or uncleanliness?
If so, then we have apparently missed the reality of what Jesus demonstrated in His ministry. When He came, anointed (The Hebrew word actually means smeared) with the Holy Spirit, He set people free from their sinfulness just by His presence. When He touched the leper He didn't become unclean, but instead the Leper was cleansed. When He encountered the sinner, He wasn't smeared by their sin and made unclean. Instead He healed, forgave and cleansed! He had mercy and compassion and called us to have the same! I am reminded of a couple of verses from Matthew 9:36-38 NIV: "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. [37] Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. [38] Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
We are supposed to sent out into the harvest fields, not wait for the harvest field to come to us. We are to bear the Gospel into the fields, to bring the Gospel to the nations (Matt 28:18-20). We are sent to the harassed and helpless, the sick, the needy, the sinners, and the lost. We are not sent to judge, but rather to offer salvation (John 3:16-17). How are they to hear if we do not go to where they live, work or shop (Rom 10:14)? How does removing our presence from the lost help them to hear the Gospel of Grace?
I am reminded of Paul's words of encouragement to the church in Philippi. Here are the verses - Philippians 2:1-4,12-16 NIV:
[1] "Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, [2] then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. [3] Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."
[12] "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed---not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence---continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. [14] Do everything without grumbling or arguing, [15] so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky [16] as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain."
And finally Jesus' command found in John 13:34-35 NIV: “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.”
I pray that I might be known for my love, for my mercy and compassion! I pray that rather than judgment, that people would encounter love when they encounter me. I pray that I might represent Jesus in my life and attitudes. I pray that I might be a light shining with the light of Christ! I pray that I might embrace humility and value and extend love to all others regardless of their ideologies or lifestyles. I pray that I might realize the harvest fields are all around me!
Thursday, December 7, 2017
Dead, Alive and Transformed!
This morning I am briefly reflecting on a couple of passages from Paul's letter to the Romans, the first found at the beginning of chapter seven, the second being found at the beginning of chapter eight. Here are the first set of verses from Romans 7:1-4 NIV:
[1] "Do you not know, brothers and sisters---for I am speaking to those who know the law---that the law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives? [2] For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him. [3] So then, if she has sexual relations with another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man."
[4] "So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God."
The logic of Paul's writing is very straight-forward most of the time. Here he begins by proving that the laws only apply to a person while they are alive, not if they are dead. It is not something that we think about often, but it is actually really good news. For we have died to the Law when were were united with Christ, in His death! We Gentiles were never really subject to the Law, but much of the church still embraces a Law-like legalism, and to that we can apply the same truth. When we unite ourselves to Christ, we become hidden in Him (Col 3:3), and now experience the benefits of being dead to sin and to the Law.
He came to set us free, and did so by His death AND resurrection! It is not just His death, but even more so it is His rising from the dead that sets us free. Paul continues this line of thinking into Chapter eight where he writes the following - Romans 8:1-4,9-11,14-17 NIV:
[1] "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, [2] because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. [3] For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, [4] in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."
[9] "You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. [10] But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. [11] And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you."
[14] "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. [15] The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” [16] The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. [17] Now if we are children, then we are heirs---heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."
It is not enough to die to sin, but His desire is that we now live in Him, through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. The Spirit is given to witness to our true and new identity as we are hidden in Him. We are God's sons and daughters! Let the Holy Spirit in you testify to this reality!
We are set free from the Law and sin!
We are hidden in Christ!
We experience the life of the Holy Spirit living within us!
We are set into God's family!
We are His Sons and Daughters!
We are Co-heirs with Christ!
As Paul writes in his letter to the Galatians 5:1 NIV: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Here he is talking about the Law)
He also writes in his second letter to the 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 NIV: "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. [18] And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
The Lord's desire is that we use this new identity, this relationship as His daughter or son, this inheritance we have received with Christ, this freedom from the Law and sin to become more like Him. His desire is that we are transformed into His image, with ever increasing glory! The enemy, through the spirit of religion, has worked hard to convince us that none of this is true, except maybe that we might squeek our way into heaven, but we certainly can't live free victorious lives here on earth. He has tried to convince us that all this wonderful stuff is only true in heaven.
However, Paul wasn't talking about our lives in eternity! He was talking about our present reality! It is time for us to put those thoughts of judgment and the law behind us, for we have been set free! Our old identity, our old man, was crucified with Christ, and we now live with Him, hidden in Him through the power of the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that raised Him from the dead! We are now living as God's sons and daughters! We are now Christ's co-heirs!
Let us throw off the shackles and learn to live in the freedom the Spirit brings! Let us contemplate Him that we might be transformed into His image! Let us walk in our true identities!
Amen and Amen!
[1] "Do you not know, brothers and sisters---for I am speaking to those who know the law---that the law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives? [2] For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him. [3] So then, if she has sexual relations with another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man."
[4] "So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God."
The logic of Paul's writing is very straight-forward most of the time. Here he begins by proving that the laws only apply to a person while they are alive, not if they are dead. It is not something that we think about often, but it is actually really good news. For we have died to the Law when were were united with Christ, in His death! We Gentiles were never really subject to the Law, but much of the church still embraces a Law-like legalism, and to that we can apply the same truth. When we unite ourselves to Christ, we become hidden in Him (Col 3:3), and now experience the benefits of being dead to sin and to the Law.
He came to set us free, and did so by His death AND resurrection! It is not just His death, but even more so it is His rising from the dead that sets us free. Paul continues this line of thinking into Chapter eight where he writes the following - Romans 8:1-4,9-11,14-17 NIV:
[1] "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, [2] because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. [3] For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, [4] in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."
[9] "You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. [10] But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. [11] And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you."
[14] "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. [15] The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” [16] The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. [17] Now if we are children, then we are heirs---heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."
It is not enough to die to sin, but His desire is that we now live in Him, through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. The Spirit is given to witness to our true and new identity as we are hidden in Him. We are God's sons and daughters! Let the Holy Spirit in you testify to this reality!
We are set free from the Law and sin!
We are hidden in Christ!
We experience the life of the Holy Spirit living within us!
We are set into God's family!
We are His Sons and Daughters!
We are Co-heirs with Christ!
As Paul writes in his letter to the Galatians 5:1 NIV: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Here he is talking about the Law)
He also writes in his second letter to the 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 NIV: "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. [18] And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
The Lord's desire is that we use this new identity, this relationship as His daughter or son, this inheritance we have received with Christ, this freedom from the Law and sin to become more like Him. His desire is that we are transformed into His image, with ever increasing glory! The enemy, through the spirit of religion, has worked hard to convince us that none of this is true, except maybe that we might squeek our way into heaven, but we certainly can't live free victorious lives here on earth. He has tried to convince us that all this wonderful stuff is only true in heaven.
However, Paul wasn't talking about our lives in eternity! He was talking about our present reality! It is time for us to put those thoughts of judgment and the law behind us, for we have been set free! Our old identity, our old man, was crucified with Christ, and we now live with Him, hidden in Him through the power of the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that raised Him from the dead! We are now living as God's sons and daughters! We are now Christ's co-heirs!
Let us throw off the shackles and learn to live in the freedom the Spirit brings! Let us contemplate Him that we might be transformed into His image! Let us walk in our true identities!
Amen and Amen!
Friday, December 1, 2017
Seeing, Hearing and Representing
This morning I have jumped from Mark's Gospel to reflect on a quote that I referenced yesterday out of John 12:44-50 NIV:
[44] "Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. [45] The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. [46] I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness."
[47] “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. [48] There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. [49] For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. [50] I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”
To me these are some of the most significant things Jesus said, and something we often don't allow to impact us as they should (at least that is the case in my life). Jesus is clearly saying that when we look at Him, we are seeing the Father. When we hear Him, we are hearing the Father, for whatever He says is "just what the Father has told" Him to say!
Jesus is much more than just a wise teacher! He is the perfect representation of the Father (Heb 1:2) and if we want to understand what the Father is like we just need to look to Jesus and what has been recorded about Him in the New Testament, and prophesied about Him in the Old Testament. We should use Jesus words and actions as the measuring stick for all thoughts and ideas concerning the Father. We should read the Old Testament using the understanding of Jesus' words and actions as the filter for understanding what is being said by the Prophets and Moses, and other authors.
One of the most helpful things I have ever heard and learned is that the whole of scripture, especially the Old Testament should be considered as a record of progressive understanding and learning about God. The authors of the Old Testament were writing as Holy Spirit inspired individuals, but they were working within the context of their understanding, and until Jesus came and revealed the Father in such perfection, no one had understood Him (God) as clearly, nor been able to represent Him as clearly. God in His mercy and patience revealed Himself slowly throughout the History of Israel, allowing people to come to know His character a bit at a time, and He culminated this revelation of Himself in Christ Jesus. I like what Pastor Bill Johnson says, "Jesus is perfect theology".
When I encourage people who haven't read the bible before to start reading, I always suggest they start in the Gospels, either in John or Matthew, as I think the representation of Jesus' heart, and thus the Father's, is most clear in them. When we come to know Jesus, as the loving, merciful, compassionate individual that He was, we come to understand how the Father is as well.
I am discouraged by some of the teaching and actions of the church that seems to be tainted by Old Testament thinking, focusing on the judgment of God rather than on the salvation of God. This is not uncommon, nor unique in history. Jesus specifically addressed this same attitude among the Jews, over and over again. He specifically said, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn (judge) the world, but to save the world through him." (John 3:16-17 NIV)
Jesus echoes these same words again in John 12:47, as quoted above. He is about bringing salvation, and that is available through relationship with Him. Even the statements by Jesus that are quoted above, are often used to drive home judgment, rather than being seen as an invitation. The people were focused on judgment, and Jesus was showing them the way past judgment. He is clear that there will be a day of judgment, a "Last day", but that is not what He focuses on in His ministry. He is constantly proclaiming the coming Kingdom of God being established on the earth, in our lives. He is here to proclaim freedom for all who would believe in Him! He came to reveal the true heart of the Father towards all of us, and it is anchored in love. He revealed the Father's heart for those that are lost, those that are sinners, those that have never heard of Him, those that misunderstand Him - and it is always mercy, forgiveness, compassion and grace!
Every time we read of Jesus interacting with an individual, one who is a sinner, or one who needs healing or is lost, we should recognize that it is the Father that Jesus is representing, in word and deed. When He extends mercy, it is because the Father is extending mercy. When Jesus has compassion on the lost and confused, those that are harassed and weary, it is because the Father feels and acts that way towards them! If we see and hear Jesus , we are seeing and hearing the Father!
Lord help me to fully embrace and represent this truth in my life. I want to be able to say that most of what I say and most of what I do is because of Your direction and guidance, that I am continuing to represent You to the world.
Amen!
[44] "Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. [45] The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. [46] I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness."
[47] “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. [48] There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. [49] For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. [50] I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”
To me these are some of the most significant things Jesus said, and something we often don't allow to impact us as they should (at least that is the case in my life). Jesus is clearly saying that when we look at Him, we are seeing the Father. When we hear Him, we are hearing the Father, for whatever He says is "just what the Father has told" Him to say!
Jesus is much more than just a wise teacher! He is the perfect representation of the Father (Heb 1:2) and if we want to understand what the Father is like we just need to look to Jesus and what has been recorded about Him in the New Testament, and prophesied about Him in the Old Testament. We should use Jesus words and actions as the measuring stick for all thoughts and ideas concerning the Father. We should read the Old Testament using the understanding of Jesus' words and actions as the filter for understanding what is being said by the Prophets and Moses, and other authors.
One of the most helpful things I have ever heard and learned is that the whole of scripture, especially the Old Testament should be considered as a record of progressive understanding and learning about God. The authors of the Old Testament were writing as Holy Spirit inspired individuals, but they were working within the context of their understanding, and until Jesus came and revealed the Father in such perfection, no one had understood Him (God) as clearly, nor been able to represent Him as clearly. God in His mercy and patience revealed Himself slowly throughout the History of Israel, allowing people to come to know His character a bit at a time, and He culminated this revelation of Himself in Christ Jesus. I like what Pastor Bill Johnson says, "Jesus is perfect theology".
When I encourage people who haven't read the bible before to start reading, I always suggest they start in the Gospels, either in John or Matthew, as I think the representation of Jesus' heart, and thus the Father's, is most clear in them. When we come to know Jesus, as the loving, merciful, compassionate individual that He was, we come to understand how the Father is as well.
I am discouraged by some of the teaching and actions of the church that seems to be tainted by Old Testament thinking, focusing on the judgment of God rather than on the salvation of God. This is not uncommon, nor unique in history. Jesus specifically addressed this same attitude among the Jews, over and over again. He specifically said, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn (judge) the world, but to save the world through him." (John 3:16-17 NIV)
Jesus echoes these same words again in John 12:47, as quoted above. He is about bringing salvation, and that is available through relationship with Him. Even the statements by Jesus that are quoted above, are often used to drive home judgment, rather than being seen as an invitation. The people were focused on judgment, and Jesus was showing them the way past judgment. He is clear that there will be a day of judgment, a "Last day", but that is not what He focuses on in His ministry. He is constantly proclaiming the coming Kingdom of God being established on the earth, in our lives. He is here to proclaim freedom for all who would believe in Him! He came to reveal the true heart of the Father towards all of us, and it is anchored in love. He revealed the Father's heart for those that are lost, those that are sinners, those that have never heard of Him, those that misunderstand Him - and it is always mercy, forgiveness, compassion and grace!
Every time we read of Jesus interacting with an individual, one who is a sinner, or one who needs healing or is lost, we should recognize that it is the Father that Jesus is representing, in word and deed. When He extends mercy, it is because the Father is extending mercy. When Jesus has compassion on the lost and confused, those that are harassed and weary, it is because the Father feels and acts that way towards them! If we see and hear Jesus , we are seeing and hearing the Father!
Lord help me to fully embrace and represent this truth in my life. I want to be able to say that most of what I say and most of what I do is because of Your direction and guidance, that I am continuing to represent You to the world.
Amen!
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Pursuing Love In Everything
This morning I am skipping ahead in Mark's Gospel to a set of verses I quoted yesterday which are always good to reflect upon, as JEsus is speaking about the most important things. Here are the verses - Mark 12:28-34 NIV:
[28] "One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
[29] “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. [30] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' [31] The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.”
[32] “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. [33] To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
[34] "When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions."
According to Mark this conversation happened in Jerusalem shortly before Jesus passion and death and thus we can ascribe a certain significance to them, for Jesus was well aware of what His future held, and as such was likely focused on those things of most importance. The teachers of the Law were growing in their disfavor of Jesus and had been trying to trap Him into saying something they could use to try Him for blasphemy, but had been unable to do so. This particular teacher was apparently not one of that crowd, but had been impressed with Jesus skilful responses. It seems that this question is actually a heart-felt question, and Jesus responds accordingly.
Jesus' answer is somewhat surprising as He doesn't pick two commandments from the list of the 10 Commandments, but rather picks the first of the 10, and then adds a second commandment that is found in the Book of Leviticus, which is a list of 25+ various Laws, and probably not considered one of the great commands. Most of us would not be familiar with this list of laws, but the Jews in Jesus' time would have known the list, at least. Regardless, it is interesting that Jesus specifically calls our attention to that 'command' to "love your neighbor as yourself". This is clearly a precursor to His issuing His new command at the Last Supper in John 13:34-35 NIV: “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.”
We would do well to meditate on both of these commands and compare how we are living our life in light of them. Jesus, in His response ties these two commands to experiencing the Kingdom of God, and that is where we want to be found.
Our primary motivation for our life should be our love of God, first and foremost, and that should lead us to love for our fellow man, our brothers and sisters that we encounter in our daily lives, for that is clearly the context of the second 'command'. Jesus invites us into the lifestyle that He lived! He loved the Father first and foremost, being careful to only do and say what the Father directed Him to do (John 5:19 & John 12:49). Secondly He laid His life down for all of us, loving us with the greatest love possible, and invites us to do the same.
There is no room for selfishness in this invitation, for our primary focus becomes loving God and then each other, as we love ourselves (equally). For many of us, our love of God and each other takes a distant second and third place in our lives, at best. We fill our lives with so many things that we don't have time for God or our neighbors. We run through life with best intentions but end up spending most of our time and energy on self-focused activities. Our love of God is supposed to consume us, and out of that flows a love for our fellow man, each of whom God loves as much as He loves us.
I guess when you think about it, our lives are supposed to overflow with Love, not activities! We are supposed to make love our primary motivation and action. We are supposed to walk in Love, reflect His Love, love one another, love ourselves, love, love, love! That is certainly not a bad pursuit in life.
This morning I am encouraged to purge things in my life that don't fit into these two most critical pursuits. I am encouraged to be more intentional in my daily life, making sure that my activities fall in-line with my pursuit of loving God and loving my neighbors! I am encouraged to be a distributor of love to those around me! I am encouraged to increase my pursuit of God, who desires to be the love of our lives.
Amen!
[28] "One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
[29] “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. [30] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' [31] The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.”
[32] “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. [33] To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
[34] "When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions."
According to Mark this conversation happened in Jerusalem shortly before Jesus passion and death and thus we can ascribe a certain significance to them, for Jesus was well aware of what His future held, and as such was likely focused on those things of most importance. The teachers of the Law were growing in their disfavor of Jesus and had been trying to trap Him into saying something they could use to try Him for blasphemy, but had been unable to do so. This particular teacher was apparently not one of that crowd, but had been impressed with Jesus skilful responses. It seems that this question is actually a heart-felt question, and Jesus responds accordingly.
Jesus' answer is somewhat surprising as He doesn't pick two commandments from the list of the 10 Commandments, but rather picks the first of the 10, and then adds a second commandment that is found in the Book of Leviticus, which is a list of 25+ various Laws, and probably not considered one of the great commands. Most of us would not be familiar with this list of laws, but the Jews in Jesus' time would have known the list, at least. Regardless, it is interesting that Jesus specifically calls our attention to that 'command' to "love your neighbor as yourself". This is clearly a precursor to His issuing His new command at the Last Supper in John 13:34-35 NIV: “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.”
We would do well to meditate on both of these commands and compare how we are living our life in light of them. Jesus, in His response ties these two commands to experiencing the Kingdom of God, and that is where we want to be found.
Our primary motivation for our life should be our love of God, first and foremost, and that should lead us to love for our fellow man, our brothers and sisters that we encounter in our daily lives, for that is clearly the context of the second 'command'. Jesus invites us into the lifestyle that He lived! He loved the Father first and foremost, being careful to only do and say what the Father directed Him to do (John 5:19 & John 12:49). Secondly He laid His life down for all of us, loving us with the greatest love possible, and invites us to do the same.
There is no room for selfishness in this invitation, for our primary focus becomes loving God and then each other, as we love ourselves (equally). For many of us, our love of God and each other takes a distant second and third place in our lives, at best. We fill our lives with so many things that we don't have time for God or our neighbors. We run through life with best intentions but end up spending most of our time and energy on self-focused activities. Our love of God is supposed to consume us, and out of that flows a love for our fellow man, each of whom God loves as much as He loves us.
I guess when you think about it, our lives are supposed to overflow with Love, not activities! We are supposed to make love our primary motivation and action. We are supposed to walk in Love, reflect His Love, love one another, love ourselves, love, love, love! That is certainly not a bad pursuit in life.
This morning I am encouraged to purge things in my life that don't fit into these two most critical pursuits. I am encouraged to be more intentional in my daily life, making sure that my activities fall in-line with my pursuit of loving God and loving my neighbors! I am encouraged to be a distributor of love to those around me! I am encouraged to increase my pursuit of God, who desires to be the love of our lives.
Amen!
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Worship - Its About Encountering God, Not Religous Duty
This morning I am continuing my reading of Mark's Gospel, and today I pick up where I left off yesterday. Jesus, after entering Jerusalem to the acclaim of many people, had left the Temple complex without doing anything. The next day He returned to the Temple and these following verses describe His actions - Mark 11:15-18 NIV:
[15] "On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, [16] and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. [17] And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations' ? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.' ”
[18] "The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching."
The very first thing Jesus does when entering the Temple is to drive out those doing business there. Apparently this business was allowed because it was related to the sacrifices that people needed to offer as a part of their religious duty. The money-changers were those that converted different types of money into that which was used in the courts, and the doves were used as sacrifices, as proscribed in the Law. The question that has always been in my mind is why was this such a big deal to Jesus and the Father?
I believe there are a couple of reasons. First, Jesus addresses them and calls these businesses a "den of robbers". Clearly there was money being made, and likely it was significantly to the advantage of the business owners. People were coming to do what they believed was their religious obligation and the money-changers and sellers of doves were most likely taking extreme advantage of them. If that wasn't bad enough, they were probably doing it in God's name, as they were likely there with some permissions from the Priests. Thus, in the name of God, the businesses were stealing from who the people were coming to be in God's presence. I can't imagine the Father NOT being angry about how He was being represented.
When I think of the money focus that many ministries have these days, I see some strong parallels. In the name of God and for the sake of their continued ministry there are many that unabashedly make strong pushes for tithes (that which we should give back to God). There are stories of Pastors living in extravagant houses, flying on personal jets, and all sorts of luxurious lifestyles, riding on the backs (as it were) of needy people who are coming to experience God's presence.
We can try to rationalize the ministry being done as the reason, but it seems to me to be exactly the same issue Jesus was addressing here. Later in Marks account Jesus specifically addresses some of religious leaders in the following verses - Mark 12:38-40 NIV: "As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, [39] and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. [40] They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”
The second reason, I believe, that Jesus addresses this issue is directly related to the first - they are doing this in God's name! Rather than focusing on prayer and communication with God, they were making it about money and sacrifice, religious obligation. Let's be clear, God doesn't need our money, He doesn't want our tithes, He doesn't require our religious acts of sacrifice. God doesn't cheat us, doesn't treat us harshly, doesn't take advantage of us in our need! All of these things could be seen as part of how God acts, as represented by the businesses being conducted in the Temple. Many times in the Old Testament God said that what He wanted was people to act rightly, to value mercy over sacrifice, to do acts of kindness rather than offer burnt sacrifices. He was after people hearts, desiring relationship and right action because of that relationship.
Although the Law was given by God through Moses, there had been hundreds of years of prophets calling the people back to relationship with God, to not focus on the sacrifices, but to return to Him with their hearts. These businesses basically just ignored this whole theme and discouraged real relationship. I can just imagine the system set up for the processing of people's sacrifices. They would go to the money changers, exchange their money into the temple money, then get in line to purchase the doves, then get in line to offer the dove as a sacrifice, all the while hearing those conducting the business shouting "Next!" There was likely very little in the experience of encountering God. I imagine it wasn't much different than what we experience when we go to the Department of Motor vehicles for a new License, long lines of people, each waiting to get processed.
Jesus cries out that the Temple was supposed to be a "house of prayer for all nations" and in doing so is drawing their attention back to what the Temple was supposed to be , a place to encounter God. God wants to encounter us! Here is the Son of God calling people to prayer, to conversing with God! He isn't after our rote prayers, but after intimate encounters of God's presence. Later in Mark, Jesus and a teacher have an exchange about the most important commandments as follows - Mark 12:28-31 NIV:
[28] "One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
[29] “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. [30] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' [31] The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.”
In these verses Jesus is calling us to LOVE God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. This is not some perfunctory obligation that does not engage the heart, but is rather supposed to engage our whole heart! We can't do anything with our whole heart without significant experience! God desires that we experience relationship with Him! The call to prayer is exactly that, the call to experience God. God desires us all to know Him, to hear from Him, to experience His love! We do that most consistently in the place of prayer.
Thus, this morning I am encouraged that God is after relationship with me, not the business of ministry. It is my prayer that all churches and all ministries being done in His name would recognize this truth and represent God accordingly. Lord, I pray that people would encounter You, not the request for money the next time they walk into church!
Secondly, I am encouraged to make sure that I am never sliding into a perfunctory prayer time, but rather expect to meet God, to encounter Him in the midst of my prayer! Lord, I am so grateful for Your invitation to relationship, for Your presence and guidance, Your love and direction!
Thank You Lord!
[15] "On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, [16] and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. [17] And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations' ? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.' ”
[18] "The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching."
The very first thing Jesus does when entering the Temple is to drive out those doing business there. Apparently this business was allowed because it was related to the sacrifices that people needed to offer as a part of their religious duty. The money-changers were those that converted different types of money into that which was used in the courts, and the doves were used as sacrifices, as proscribed in the Law. The question that has always been in my mind is why was this such a big deal to Jesus and the Father?
I believe there are a couple of reasons. First, Jesus addresses them and calls these businesses a "den of robbers". Clearly there was money being made, and likely it was significantly to the advantage of the business owners. People were coming to do what they believed was their religious obligation and the money-changers and sellers of doves were most likely taking extreme advantage of them. If that wasn't bad enough, they were probably doing it in God's name, as they were likely there with some permissions from the Priests. Thus, in the name of God, the businesses were stealing from who the people were coming to be in God's presence. I can't imagine the Father NOT being angry about how He was being represented.
When I think of the money focus that many ministries have these days, I see some strong parallels. In the name of God and for the sake of their continued ministry there are many that unabashedly make strong pushes for tithes (that which we should give back to God). There are stories of Pastors living in extravagant houses, flying on personal jets, and all sorts of luxurious lifestyles, riding on the backs (as it were) of needy people who are coming to experience God's presence.
We can try to rationalize the ministry being done as the reason, but it seems to me to be exactly the same issue Jesus was addressing here. Later in Marks account Jesus specifically addresses some of religious leaders in the following verses - Mark 12:38-40 NIV: "As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, [39] and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. [40] They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”
The second reason, I believe, that Jesus addresses this issue is directly related to the first - they are doing this in God's name! Rather than focusing on prayer and communication with God, they were making it about money and sacrifice, religious obligation. Let's be clear, God doesn't need our money, He doesn't want our tithes, He doesn't require our religious acts of sacrifice. God doesn't cheat us, doesn't treat us harshly, doesn't take advantage of us in our need! All of these things could be seen as part of how God acts, as represented by the businesses being conducted in the Temple. Many times in the Old Testament God said that what He wanted was people to act rightly, to value mercy over sacrifice, to do acts of kindness rather than offer burnt sacrifices. He was after people hearts, desiring relationship and right action because of that relationship.
Although the Law was given by God through Moses, there had been hundreds of years of prophets calling the people back to relationship with God, to not focus on the sacrifices, but to return to Him with their hearts. These businesses basically just ignored this whole theme and discouraged real relationship. I can just imagine the system set up for the processing of people's sacrifices. They would go to the money changers, exchange their money into the temple money, then get in line to purchase the doves, then get in line to offer the dove as a sacrifice, all the while hearing those conducting the business shouting "Next!" There was likely very little in the experience of encountering God. I imagine it wasn't much different than what we experience when we go to the Department of Motor vehicles for a new License, long lines of people, each waiting to get processed.
Jesus cries out that the Temple was supposed to be a "house of prayer for all nations" and in doing so is drawing their attention back to what the Temple was supposed to be , a place to encounter God. God wants to encounter us! Here is the Son of God calling people to prayer, to conversing with God! He isn't after our rote prayers, but after intimate encounters of God's presence. Later in Mark, Jesus and a teacher have an exchange about the most important commandments as follows - Mark 12:28-31 NIV:
[28] "One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
[29] “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. [30] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' [31] The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.”
In these verses Jesus is calling us to LOVE God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. This is not some perfunctory obligation that does not engage the heart, but is rather supposed to engage our whole heart! We can't do anything with our whole heart without significant experience! God desires that we experience relationship with Him! The call to prayer is exactly that, the call to experience God. God desires us all to know Him, to hear from Him, to experience His love! We do that most consistently in the place of prayer.
Thus, this morning I am encouraged that God is after relationship with me, not the business of ministry. It is my prayer that all churches and all ministries being done in His name would recognize this truth and represent God accordingly. Lord, I pray that people would encounter You, not the request for money the next time they walk into church!
Secondly, I am encouraged to make sure that I am never sliding into a perfunctory prayer time, but rather expect to meet God, to encounter Him in the midst of my prayer! Lord, I am so grateful for Your invitation to relationship, for Your presence and guidance, Your love and direction!
Thank You Lord!
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