Lord, as I was wading back into Your word this morning, and feeling directed back to John 11 again, and questioning Your direction, I realised that I am so focused on my own stuff, that I can't hear You speaking about other things. My need is great for direction and guidance, and provision, and it is so loud, I can't seem to get my mind on other things, please help me to lift up my eyes and see You! Help me to clear my ears of my on need, so that I an hear Your Word clearly. I want to be used by You, and right now I am tripping over myself. I know You are good, and that You will guide us and direct us. I know that You are about teaching me who I am in You. As I look at scripture and read about You, I try to follow You, but I rarely if ever imagine myself in Your shoes, doing what You are doing. If I imagine myself in these stories, its usually as an outside observer, or at best one of Your disciples, However, You said the following - John 14:11-14 NIV:
[11] "Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. [12] Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. [13] And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."
I find my heart conflicted this morning, because I realize that rather than asking, I have been expecting, knowing that You are good and that You have directed me down this path. Rather than being grateful and continuing to ask, I have been expecting, thinking I knew how things were supposed to go, and when they don't go that way, becoming upset, and accusatory towards You. Oh Lord, forgive me!
When I read about Martha and Mary's response when they first meet You, after their brother's death, I see varying degrees of understanding and relationship. Martha was quite straight-forward in her statement - John 11:21-23 NIV:
[21] “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. [22] But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
[23] Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
Mary, when she approached Jesus, did so as one with a more intimate identity in Him, John 11:32-33 NIV:
[32] "When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
[33] When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled."
It is interesting that both of them said basically the same thing, but Jesus was moved deeply by Mary. I am not saying He wasn't moved by Martha, but John specifically calls out Jesus' response to Mary. I would imagine that Martha's conversation with Jesus occurred with them both standing, while we are told Mary came and fell at Jesus feet. We are also told by John, that Mary was known for this, (See John 11:2) and had wiped Jesus feet with her hair (See John 12:3 and Luke 7:38). There is something about worship in the face of great need that moves His heart.
I would even say the Lord's desire for us is to embrace gratitude even in the face of great need. A grateful heart recognizes that all we have, even the ability to approach Him is due to His Grace, His gift, His movement towards us! He Loved us first. He has us in His heart, called us forth as part of His creation, knit us together in our Mother's womb (Ps 139:13) and has been with us everyday of our lives. He is the source of all life, truth and love! All good things come from Him (James 1:17)! He paid for our sins, and took our punishment upon himself (Is 53:4-6). In light of these truths, our heart should be moved in gratitude, even if we never receive another gift or blessing from Him!
Going back to John 11, where I started this reflection, Jesus knew the Father's heart from the very start, and knew that Lazarus would not end up dead, but alive. John, looking back on this event, calls to mind that which Jesus said upon hearing Lazarus was sick and dying - John 11:4 NIV: "When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it.”
In looking back, knowing that Jesus was going to raise Lazarus from the dead by His prayers to the Father, we can read those lines with an assurance, and faith. I know for sure that Martha and Mary didn't have that opportunity, and they went through the valley of death, suffering the loss of their beloved brother. Yet, into that situation, God moved, He showed Himself great and powerful, commanding even death and nature, in the resurrection and restoration of Lazarus to life. We can be assured that the Lord is just as much in love with us, as He was with Lazarus, Martha and Mary, and that He is intimately aware of our needs.
So this morning, in the midst of my own struggles, questions, and need, I am desirous to worship the Lord for His goodness! I am reminded of all the good things with which He has filled my life! I am reminded of His nearness, His love, His compassion and His mercy! I am happy to come and worship at His feet!
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Developing Hunger and Cravings
This morning I am reflecting on a few verses from 1 Peter 2:1-3,9-12 NIV:
[1] "Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. [2] Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, [3] now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."
[9] "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. [10] Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
[11] "Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. [12] Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."
The two phrases that first caught my attention were verse 2 and verse 11. The thought that caught my mind was that these two verses are related in that they speak of appetites, or at least can speak of appetites. I love the encouragement to "crave pure spiritual milk" as in this should be something we can't get enough of every day. I actually like the NASB translation better as it is closer to the original Greek - it says - 1 Peter 2:2 NASB: "like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation". It isn't just spiritual milk, it is a hunger for the Word of God!
Our pastor Kellie spoke recently about our hunger for God, and Peter here is exhorting them to develop a craving, a longing, and ardent desire, to pursue with love the Word of God! It is interesting that Peter starts by saying they should rid themselves of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander. I see this a encouragement for them to clean out their refrigerators and cupboards of everything that was bad, but for which they had developed a taste. He says rid yourselves, as in throw it away! It is only when we stop eating these other things that we can start developing a craving for that which is real food. As I look at that list, I would imagine that many of the popular TV shows might be so described. What would happen if we turned off the media for a while and instead just started feasting on the Word?
The second verse that seemed similar was verse 11, and here Peter again is speaking of abstaining from sinful desires. The Greek word means to "hold one's self off" as in exercising self control over something, and not partaking. Again, if you stop eating something, in time you start to lose a taste for it. I have a terrible sweet tooth, but find that if I stop eating sweets in time, I am no longer craving the sweets. It is interesting, the same could be said for the good things as well, like the Word, the longer we go with out being in the Word, the more likely we are to lose our taste for it! Ouch!
Looking back at the verse from Peter, he is encouraging them to abstain from sinful desires. The NASB translates this phrase "fleshly lusts" as in having to do with our purely human or animal instincts. Peter says these war against our soul. Again, its like trying to walk by the candy bars at the checkout line, when you are no longer eating sweets! For me, there is a definite war between my body and mind and spirit. Abstaining completely helps me gain self-control. The more I say no to that desire, the easier it is to say no. Abstaining, like ridding one self, is a choice we need to make. It is in our heart and mind that we make a choice and decide to put that choice into action.
The whole point of Peter's encouragement is not to just get rid, or abstain from these things that we have developed an appetite for, but to learn to crave and desire that which is better! The more we taste that the Lord is good, the more we want to feast on that goodness. The mercy of the Lord is sweet, the Word of the Lord is sweet, the faithfulness of the Lord is sweet, and all are meant to feed our soul, to nourish our spirit, to strengthen our inner man! The really good news is that there is no shortage in God's ability to provide good food! He is constantly speaking, constantly desiring our relationship and interaction, and the more we allow His Word to fill us, the more like Him we will become. The old saying is that "you are what you eat."
This morning I am encouraged to look at my life, and see what old, nasty stuff still exists, and to rid myself of all of it. I am encouraged to steer clear of all things that wage war against my soul, against the will of the Lord, and His Word. I am encouraged to learn to feast on the Word, to allow the Word to fill me and become that which I desire more than anything and everything else. To be clear, in light of my recent reflection - John 1:1-5,14 NIV:
[1] "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was with God in the beginning. [3] Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. [4] In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
[14] "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
What I hunger for is the Lord, and His written word! I want to get to teh point where I crave Him and His Word!
Amen!
[1] "Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. [2] Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, [3] now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."
[9] "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. [10] Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
[11] "Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. [12] Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."
The two phrases that first caught my attention were verse 2 and verse 11. The thought that caught my mind was that these two verses are related in that they speak of appetites, or at least can speak of appetites. I love the encouragement to "crave pure spiritual milk" as in this should be something we can't get enough of every day. I actually like the NASB translation better as it is closer to the original Greek - it says - 1 Peter 2:2 NASB: "like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation". It isn't just spiritual milk, it is a hunger for the Word of God!
Our pastor Kellie spoke recently about our hunger for God, and Peter here is exhorting them to develop a craving, a longing, and ardent desire, to pursue with love the Word of God! It is interesting that Peter starts by saying they should rid themselves of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander. I see this a encouragement for them to clean out their refrigerators and cupboards of everything that was bad, but for which they had developed a taste. He says rid yourselves, as in throw it away! It is only when we stop eating these other things that we can start developing a craving for that which is real food. As I look at that list, I would imagine that many of the popular TV shows might be so described. What would happen if we turned off the media for a while and instead just started feasting on the Word?
The second verse that seemed similar was verse 11, and here Peter again is speaking of abstaining from sinful desires. The Greek word means to "hold one's self off" as in exercising self control over something, and not partaking. Again, if you stop eating something, in time you start to lose a taste for it. I have a terrible sweet tooth, but find that if I stop eating sweets in time, I am no longer craving the sweets. It is interesting, the same could be said for the good things as well, like the Word, the longer we go with out being in the Word, the more likely we are to lose our taste for it! Ouch!
Looking back at the verse from Peter, he is encouraging them to abstain from sinful desires. The NASB translates this phrase "fleshly lusts" as in having to do with our purely human or animal instincts. Peter says these war against our soul. Again, its like trying to walk by the candy bars at the checkout line, when you are no longer eating sweets! For me, there is a definite war between my body and mind and spirit. Abstaining completely helps me gain self-control. The more I say no to that desire, the easier it is to say no. Abstaining, like ridding one self, is a choice we need to make. It is in our heart and mind that we make a choice and decide to put that choice into action.
The whole point of Peter's encouragement is not to just get rid, or abstain from these things that we have developed an appetite for, but to learn to crave and desire that which is better! The more we taste that the Lord is good, the more we want to feast on that goodness. The mercy of the Lord is sweet, the Word of the Lord is sweet, the faithfulness of the Lord is sweet, and all are meant to feed our soul, to nourish our spirit, to strengthen our inner man! The really good news is that there is no shortage in God's ability to provide good food! He is constantly speaking, constantly desiring our relationship and interaction, and the more we allow His Word to fill us, the more like Him we will become. The old saying is that "you are what you eat."
This morning I am encouraged to look at my life, and see what old, nasty stuff still exists, and to rid myself of all of it. I am encouraged to steer clear of all things that wage war against my soul, against the will of the Lord, and His Word. I am encouraged to learn to feast on the Word, to allow the Word to fill me and become that which I desire more than anything and everything else. To be clear, in light of my recent reflection - John 1:1-5,14 NIV:
[1] "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was with God in the beginning. [3] Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. [4] In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
[14] "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
What I hunger for is the Lord, and His written word! I want to get to teh point where I crave Him and His Word!
Amen!
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
I Don't Need to Understand Fully
This morning I have been reading from Numbers, chapter 19, which describes the use of the ashes of the red heifer to create the water of purification. It is a strange ordinance, and I was reading a couple of commentaries and both spoke of this being a type and shadow of what would be revealed in and through Jesus. I have no issue with that at all, but it got me thinking about how we understand our present times.
As we read through scripture, it is clear that people often didn't understand what they were going through, and specifically why they were experiencing things. Jesus told the disciples many things that they only understood later. In fact, all of the Gospels were written quite a bit later, so they are being written with retrospective wisdom. When we read the stories and the accounts, we are almost always reading with an understanding of what happened and how these things fit into a framework of our faith.
What I was thinking about this morning, was how the people who had to follow these ordinances thought about them. If these were types and shadows of Christ, they were given 1500 years before Jesus was born. The Lord, in his vast wisdom and plan, had many such things that were required, which set up a pattern of life that one day would be completely fulfilled in the Life of Jesus. For us, that isn't so hard to grasp, for those who were walking through life at the time these ordinances were set into place, they probably had no idea at all what God was doing, nor why He was requiring this of them.
This gives me some hope regarding my present lack of understanding about my own situation and circumstances. I think one of the greatest struggles we have is understanding our present situation, season or even our purpose! As we see in looking back at history, looking back at the scriptures, we often find that seemingly insignificant events were catalysts for major changes, sometimes even major moves of God!
As I was thinking about this, I was reminded of a story I had read about the chain of events that lead to Billy Graham's salvation, and its started with an obscure man who taught Sunday school. Here is a basic list of how it happened -
Sunday School teacher Edward Kimball helped lead Dwight L. Moody to Christ; J. Wilbur Chapman was converted at a Dwight L. Moody evangelistic meeting;
Billy Sunday was converted at a Chapman meeting; Mordecai Ham was converted at Billy Sunday meeting; and Billy Graham was converted at a Ham meeting.
I guess that there are a few technical discrepancies in this list, but the point should be understood, that very few people would have ascribed any significance to the life of Edward Kimball, or to the effects of his ministry. Many people in Christian circles have heard of Dwight Moody, the rest of the guys on the list, less so, yet each had some important role to play. According to the the statistics gathered on Billy, there were estimated to be 2.2 billion people who heard him preach; 215 million – estimated number of people he preached the gospel to at live events; 2.2 million – estimated number of people at his crusades who responded to the invitations to become a Christian.
Going back to my original thoughts this morning, it is only in retrospect that we understand and honor the work of Edward Kimball. It is often only in retrospect that we fully grasp the significance of our present situation. Rather than struggling to understand, or being stuck in analysis paralysis, we should be trusting that God has a plan, that He has a purpose and one day it will be clear. We don't need, nor should we expect to fully grasp the breadth of God's plan and purpose for our lives. We can however hold tight to several truths that will keep us on track with God (this is just a very short list off the top of my head):
1) He loves us (John 3:16-17)
2) He has made a way for us to be in relationship with Him (Heb 10:19-24)
3) He has promised to lead us and guide us through the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 14:26)
4) He has promised eternal life to those who believe and entrust their lives to His Lordship and relationship. (John 3:15)
5) He has all authority and power (Col 2:10)
6) He has promised to complete the good work He began in our lives (Philippians 1:6)
7) He is good (Ps. 106:1)
8) He is our provider (Ps. 111:5)
While we wait on the Lord, we can be assured that He is at work in and around our lives. We will never fully understand everything that He has accomplished through us here on earth, but one day it will be revealed to us in eternity. We can take great assurance that we are highly valued and treasured by God, and not a hair on our head has gone without His notice. Our lives matter to Him!
He does work to help us understand what we need to do next, what season we are in and what His purpose is for us, and all this is revealed through conversation and relationship with Him (John 16:13-14). He does desire to guide us and teach us and lead us, and He does want informed friends (John 15:15), but that doesn't mean we will fully understand everything. Like the Israelites from Numbers, there will be things that God does in our lives and through us that we will only understand slightly, if at all. Paul talks about us seeing dimly (1 Cor 13:12), and I think that is likely the best we will get this side of Glory.
So today, I am encouraged in my lack of understanding of my present situation. I am encouraged, because I know God. As my friend said this past Sunday, "There is no waste in God." In other words, God uses all things in our lives for His purposes! He can redeem the difficult times, He can bless the good times, He is always at work, and uses everything to draw us nearer to Him, and to glorify His name. I can entrust my life to Him, knowing that He is good, that He is loving, that He will complete the work He began in me, and that He will guide me unfailingly, whether I understand or not.
Amen!
As we read through scripture, it is clear that people often didn't understand what they were going through, and specifically why they were experiencing things. Jesus told the disciples many things that they only understood later. In fact, all of the Gospels were written quite a bit later, so they are being written with retrospective wisdom. When we read the stories and the accounts, we are almost always reading with an understanding of what happened and how these things fit into a framework of our faith.
What I was thinking about this morning, was how the people who had to follow these ordinances thought about them. If these were types and shadows of Christ, they were given 1500 years before Jesus was born. The Lord, in his vast wisdom and plan, had many such things that were required, which set up a pattern of life that one day would be completely fulfilled in the Life of Jesus. For us, that isn't so hard to grasp, for those who were walking through life at the time these ordinances were set into place, they probably had no idea at all what God was doing, nor why He was requiring this of them.
This gives me some hope regarding my present lack of understanding about my own situation and circumstances. I think one of the greatest struggles we have is understanding our present situation, season or even our purpose! As we see in looking back at history, looking back at the scriptures, we often find that seemingly insignificant events were catalysts for major changes, sometimes even major moves of God!
As I was thinking about this, I was reminded of a story I had read about the chain of events that lead to Billy Graham's salvation, and its started with an obscure man who taught Sunday school. Here is a basic list of how it happened -
Sunday School teacher Edward Kimball helped lead Dwight L. Moody to Christ; J. Wilbur Chapman was converted at a Dwight L. Moody evangelistic meeting;
Billy Sunday was converted at a Chapman meeting; Mordecai Ham was converted at Billy Sunday meeting; and Billy Graham was converted at a Ham meeting.
I guess that there are a few technical discrepancies in this list, but the point should be understood, that very few people would have ascribed any significance to the life of Edward Kimball, or to the effects of his ministry. Many people in Christian circles have heard of Dwight Moody, the rest of the guys on the list, less so, yet each had some important role to play. According to the the statistics gathered on Billy, there were estimated to be 2.2 billion people who heard him preach; 215 million – estimated number of people he preached the gospel to at live events; 2.2 million – estimated number of people at his crusades who responded to the invitations to become a Christian.
Going back to my original thoughts this morning, it is only in retrospect that we understand and honor the work of Edward Kimball. It is often only in retrospect that we fully grasp the significance of our present situation. Rather than struggling to understand, or being stuck in analysis paralysis, we should be trusting that God has a plan, that He has a purpose and one day it will be clear. We don't need, nor should we expect to fully grasp the breadth of God's plan and purpose for our lives. We can however hold tight to several truths that will keep us on track with God (this is just a very short list off the top of my head):
1) He loves us (John 3:16-17)
2) He has made a way for us to be in relationship with Him (Heb 10:19-24)
3) He has promised to lead us and guide us through the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 14:26)
4) He has promised eternal life to those who believe and entrust their lives to His Lordship and relationship. (John 3:15)
5) He has all authority and power (Col 2:10)
6) He has promised to complete the good work He began in our lives (Philippians 1:6)
7) He is good (Ps. 106:1)
8) He is our provider (Ps. 111:5)
While we wait on the Lord, we can be assured that He is at work in and around our lives. We will never fully understand everything that He has accomplished through us here on earth, but one day it will be revealed to us in eternity. We can take great assurance that we are highly valued and treasured by God, and not a hair on our head has gone without His notice. Our lives matter to Him!
He does work to help us understand what we need to do next, what season we are in and what His purpose is for us, and all this is revealed through conversation and relationship with Him (John 16:13-14). He does desire to guide us and teach us and lead us, and He does want informed friends (John 15:15), but that doesn't mean we will fully understand everything. Like the Israelites from Numbers, there will be things that God does in our lives and through us that we will only understand slightly, if at all. Paul talks about us seeing dimly (1 Cor 13:12), and I think that is likely the best we will get this side of Glory.
So today, I am encouraged in my lack of understanding of my present situation. I am encouraged, because I know God. As my friend said this past Sunday, "There is no waste in God." In other words, God uses all things in our lives for His purposes! He can redeem the difficult times, He can bless the good times, He is always at work, and uses everything to draw us nearer to Him, and to glorify His name. I can entrust my life to Him, knowing that He is good, that He is loving, that He will complete the work He began in me, and that He will guide me unfailingly, whether I understand or not.
Amen!
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Dealing With Spiritual Blindness by Healing Physical Blindness
This morning I am reflecting on the story of the healing of a man who was born blind, found in John's Gospel, chapter 9. I have reflected on this story many times, and this morning I saw something I hadn't really seen before, concerning the Pharisees. Here are some of the verses from the story, starting with the healing, and following - John 9:6-15,18-21,24-27 NIV:
[6] "After saying this, he [Jesus] spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. [7] “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
[8] His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg?”
[9] Some claimed that he was.
Others said, “No, he only looks like him.”
But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”
[10] “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked.
[11] He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”
[12] “Where is this man?” they asked him. “I don't know,” he said.
[Section heading - the Pharisees investigate the healing]
[13] They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. [14] Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man's eyes was a Sabbath. [15] Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight.
“He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.”
[18] They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man's parents.
[19] “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?”
[20] “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. [21] But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don't know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.”
[24] A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”
[25] He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”
[26] Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”
[27] He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?”
As I mentioned before, my focus this morning is on the Pharisees. They became engaged in this story, because people (apparently the man's neighbors and those who had seen him begging) brought the man to them. Apparently they were the experts, and these people were trying to understand how something like this would have happened.
I believe verse 18 is the critical juncture for, prior to speaking to the man's parents, the Pharisees didn't believe the whole story. Once they were confronted by the truth that man had indeed been born blind, then they had to figure out the how and why. So apparently, after talking to his parents the Pharisees now believed that he had been blind and now could see, so they had to backtrack and figure out how he was healed. The how was an answer that clearly confounded them, Jesus spit in the dirt and made mud and put it on the man's eyes. It was so confounding that they brought the man back a second time and asked him to tell his account once more. The whole focus on how he was healed related to the religious observance of the Sabbath, and making mud would be considered work, and was thus forbidden.
However, everyone knew that a miracle of this magnitude, could only be done by someone with God's power. The man himself said, "Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. [33] If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” (John 9:32-33 NIV).
They were trying to figure out why the man was healed by looking at how he was healed. They just couldn't wrap their heads around the fact that God, or one of God's servants, would ever break one of His rules or laws. They pretty much completely ignored his actual healing, and focused on the fact that Jesus did this simple loving act on the Sabbath. Talk about being blind! Looking directly at one who was healed of blindness, they couldn't see the miracle in front of their faces!
The spirit of religion has an amazing ability to blind us to the actual moves and works of God! We get so caught up in our own ideas, our own constructs of how God works, how the world works, or what is allowed in church or even outside of church, or whatever, that when we see God moving, we say it can't be Him, like we are some self-appointed experts on every way that God could possibly work. We have people of faith arguing these same basic things even today, for there are those that believe that God stopped doing miracles after the Apostles passed and anything that seems miraculous now, must be from the devil or must be fake, because God doesn't do miracles any more (according to them). We have those that claim any religious group who is experiencing miracles in their midst is clearly heretical, dangerous, and even cults. We have those that believe only in the rules of science (our own observations about how this complex world works) and say that anything outside those rules is fake or not possibly true, as if we have actually figured out everything. We see the Pharisees in this story ending up this investigation by throwing the man out - John 9:34 NIV: "To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out."
Paul, in his letters, spoke about this very issue on more than a few occasions. He was one who was schooled in all the wisdom of that age, a Pharisee by training, having studied under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), and yet he saw the truth and recognized the inadequacy of what he had once believed. He wrote, "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness” ( 1 Corinthians 3:19 NIV). Later, in his letter to the church in Philippi, he talked about forgetting all that he attained and had learned. Here is his expansion of that thought - Philippians 3:4-9 NIV:
[4].."though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: [5] circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; [6] as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless."
[7] "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. [8] What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ---the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith."
My encouragement this day is to check my heart and mind, my way of thinking, to make sure that I make room for God to move in ways I have never seen Him move before! I am encouraged to look at my limited perspective on all things and humbly admit that I don't know or understand everything! I am encouraged to recognize that God can do the impossible, the improbable, even the uncomfortable, and that I need to be ok with that. God sometimes offends our minds to get to our hearts.
In this story, Jesus wasn't willing to let His concern about religion get in the way of expressing His love and care for the blind man! He knew full well it was the sabbath and that people would get bent out of shape by His making mud on the sabbath. He knew the "mud-slinging" that would result from that simple act of love and provision. He revealed His heart for the man, and later caught up with him, that he might have real relationship - John 9:35-38 NIV:
[35] "Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
[36] “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”
[37] Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”
[38] Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him."
Lord, thank You for loving each of us individually and personally! Thank You for offending our minds to get to our hearts! Thank You for breaking through the man-made rules and boundaries and expressing Your absolute divinity, authority and power! Thank You for exposing spiritual blindness by healing this man of his physical blindness.
Amen!
[6] "After saying this, he [Jesus] spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. [7] “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
[8] His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg?”
[9] Some claimed that he was.
Others said, “No, he only looks like him.”
But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”
[10] “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked.
[11] He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”
[12] “Where is this man?” they asked him. “I don't know,” he said.
[Section heading - the Pharisees investigate the healing]
[13] They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. [14] Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man's eyes was a Sabbath. [15] Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight.
“He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.”
[18] They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man's parents.
[19] “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?”
[20] “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. [21] But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don't know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.”
[24] A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”
[25] He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”
[26] Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”
[27] He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?”
As I mentioned before, my focus this morning is on the Pharisees. They became engaged in this story, because people (apparently the man's neighbors and those who had seen him begging) brought the man to them. Apparently they were the experts, and these people were trying to understand how something like this would have happened.
I believe verse 18 is the critical juncture for, prior to speaking to the man's parents, the Pharisees didn't believe the whole story. Once they were confronted by the truth that man had indeed been born blind, then they had to figure out the how and why. So apparently, after talking to his parents the Pharisees now believed that he had been blind and now could see, so they had to backtrack and figure out how he was healed. The how was an answer that clearly confounded them, Jesus spit in the dirt and made mud and put it on the man's eyes. It was so confounding that they brought the man back a second time and asked him to tell his account once more. The whole focus on how he was healed related to the religious observance of the Sabbath, and making mud would be considered work, and was thus forbidden.
However, everyone knew that a miracle of this magnitude, could only be done by someone with God's power. The man himself said, "Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. [33] If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” (John 9:32-33 NIV).
They were trying to figure out why the man was healed by looking at how he was healed. They just couldn't wrap their heads around the fact that God, or one of God's servants, would ever break one of His rules or laws. They pretty much completely ignored his actual healing, and focused on the fact that Jesus did this simple loving act on the Sabbath. Talk about being blind! Looking directly at one who was healed of blindness, they couldn't see the miracle in front of their faces!
The spirit of religion has an amazing ability to blind us to the actual moves and works of God! We get so caught up in our own ideas, our own constructs of how God works, how the world works, or what is allowed in church or even outside of church, or whatever, that when we see God moving, we say it can't be Him, like we are some self-appointed experts on every way that God could possibly work. We have people of faith arguing these same basic things even today, for there are those that believe that God stopped doing miracles after the Apostles passed and anything that seems miraculous now, must be from the devil or must be fake, because God doesn't do miracles any more (according to them). We have those that claim any religious group who is experiencing miracles in their midst is clearly heretical, dangerous, and even cults. We have those that believe only in the rules of science (our own observations about how this complex world works) and say that anything outside those rules is fake or not possibly true, as if we have actually figured out everything. We see the Pharisees in this story ending up this investigation by throwing the man out - John 9:34 NIV: "To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out."
Paul, in his letters, spoke about this very issue on more than a few occasions. He was one who was schooled in all the wisdom of that age, a Pharisee by training, having studied under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), and yet he saw the truth and recognized the inadequacy of what he had once believed. He wrote, "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness” ( 1 Corinthians 3:19 NIV). Later, in his letter to the church in Philippi, he talked about forgetting all that he attained and had learned. Here is his expansion of that thought - Philippians 3:4-9 NIV:
[4].."though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: [5] circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; [6] as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless."
[7] "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. [8] What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ---the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith."
My encouragement this day is to check my heart and mind, my way of thinking, to make sure that I make room for God to move in ways I have never seen Him move before! I am encouraged to look at my limited perspective on all things and humbly admit that I don't know or understand everything! I am encouraged to recognize that God can do the impossible, the improbable, even the uncomfortable, and that I need to be ok with that. God sometimes offends our minds to get to our hearts.
In this story, Jesus wasn't willing to let His concern about religion get in the way of expressing His love and care for the blind man! He knew full well it was the sabbath and that people would get bent out of shape by His making mud on the sabbath. He knew the "mud-slinging" that would result from that simple act of love and provision. He revealed His heart for the man, and later caught up with him, that he might have real relationship - John 9:35-38 NIV:
[35] "Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
[36] “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”
[37] Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”
[38] Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him."
Lord, thank You for loving each of us individually and personally! Thank You for offending our minds to get to our hearts! Thank You for breaking through the man-made rules and boundaries and expressing Your absolute divinity, authority and power! Thank You for exposing spiritual blindness by healing this man of his physical blindness.
Amen!
Monday, May 13, 2019
God's Claim of Love On Us!
These verses from Paul's letter to the Romans sums up move of what I have been reflecting on lately, God's amazing Love for us! Here are the verses - Romans 8:31-35,37-39 NIV:
[31] "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all---how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died---more than that, who was raised to life---is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?"
[37] "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
As I was reflecting on these verses, I was thinking about how the Lord has chosen us, and predestined us, since before the world was created (Eph 1:4-5). He has a claim on us!
His claim is Love!
He Loves us, even when we were sinners, even before we were created, He Loves us!
He claims us, and He has redeemed us!
We are His possessions, in Love!
I could almost see that claim as a rope of love, as the anchor of our lives, even when we are lost and disobedient, even denying His existence, He never lets go of His claim on us. He is always holding onto the other end of that rope, He will never let go, and nothing and nobody can make Him let go.
Paul writes of this great mystery and gift in his letter to the Ephesians 1:3-14 NIV:
[3] "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. [4] For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love [5] he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--- [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace [8] that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, [9] he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, [10] to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment---to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ."
[11] "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, [12] in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. [13] And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, [14] who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession---to the praise of his glory."
Amen and Amen!
[31] "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all---how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died---more than that, who was raised to life---is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?"
[37] "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
As I was reflecting on these verses, I was thinking about how the Lord has chosen us, and predestined us, since before the world was created (Eph 1:4-5). He has a claim on us!
His claim is Love!
He Loves us, even when we were sinners, even before we were created, He Loves us!
He claims us, and He has redeemed us!
We are His possessions, in Love!
I could almost see that claim as a rope of love, as the anchor of our lives, even when we are lost and disobedient, even denying His existence, He never lets go of His claim on us. He is always holding onto the other end of that rope, He will never let go, and nothing and nobody can make Him let go.
Paul writes of this great mystery and gift in his letter to the Ephesians 1:3-14 NIV:
[3] "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. [4] For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love [5] he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--- [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace [8] that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, [9] he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, [10] to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment---to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ."
[11] "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, [12] in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. [13] And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, [14] who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession---to the praise of his glory."
Amen and Amen!
Sunday, May 12, 2019
The Spirit Without Limit!
This morning I was struck by the reality of these verses!
John 3:34-36 NIV:
[34] "For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. [35] The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. [36] Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them."
I like that statement of Jesus, that God gives the Spirit without limit! What an unbelievable, but necessary truth! God limited Himself in Jesus taking on the Human form, but we hear of nothing of God limiting Himself, or taking on a nature as Holy Spirit. Thus the Holy Spirit in us, is the Holy Spirit! We are not walking around with an anemic, watered down Holy Spirit, reduced to man-size. No, we are walking around with the Holy Spirit,, member of the Trinity, living within us!
I am reminded of a scene from Thor Ragnarok, where Thor is being defeated and he has this encounter with his father, and his father says, "You are The God of Thunder, not Thor, bearer of the Hammer of thunder," or something like that. The point was prior to that Thor always depended on His hammer, but it was his true nature, that which was in Him, that was full of a God's power.
In the same way, but much greater, we have in us the Holy Spirit, yet we walk around like the weak humans we are, and barely see or experience this Holy Spirit without limit evident in our lives. Where are the miracles, signs and wonders, confirming signs of the Holy Spirit?? We must learn to walk in who we are, and in what we have been given!
Who are we?
Answer - sons and daughters of God!
What have we been given??
Answer - The Holy Spirit Without Limit!
Oh Lord, help me to fully understand this great gift that we have been given, Holy Spirit! Help me to walk in the fullness of who I am and what I have been given!
John 3:34-36 NIV:
[34] "For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. [35] The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. [36] Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them."
I like that statement of Jesus, that God gives the Spirit without limit! What an unbelievable, but necessary truth! God limited Himself in Jesus taking on the Human form, but we hear of nothing of God limiting Himself, or taking on a nature as Holy Spirit. Thus the Holy Spirit in us, is the Holy Spirit! We are not walking around with an anemic, watered down Holy Spirit, reduced to man-size. No, we are walking around with the Holy Spirit,, member of the Trinity, living within us!
I am reminded of a scene from Thor Ragnarok, where Thor is being defeated and he has this encounter with his father, and his father says, "You are The God of Thunder, not Thor, bearer of the Hammer of thunder," or something like that. The point was prior to that Thor always depended on His hammer, but it was his true nature, that which was in Him, that was full of a God's power.
In the same way, but much greater, we have in us the Holy Spirit, yet we walk around like the weak humans we are, and barely see or experience this Holy Spirit without limit evident in our lives. Where are the miracles, signs and wonders, confirming signs of the Holy Spirit?? We must learn to walk in who we are, and in what we have been given!
Who are we?
Answer - sons and daughters of God!
What have we been given??
Answer - The Holy Spirit Without Limit!
Oh Lord, help me to fully understand this great gift that we have been given, Holy Spirit! Help me to walk in the fullness of who I am and what I have been given!
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Thoughts on New Wineskins
Recently I have been thinking about the new wineskins that Jesus spoke about in Matthew 9:14-17 NIV:
[14] "Then John's disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”
[15] Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.
[16] “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. [17] Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
Now, Jesus was specifically speaking about some of the traditions of the religious. As I have understood this is also a good way to understand some of the changes that are required in the Body of Christ to engage the new generations, especially those like my kids age, where Church as we practiced and experienced it does not meet their needs. The new wineskin clearly has a flexibility required to allow for the expansion of the new wine. Jesus was speaking of a new age being birthed on the earth, and His message of the Gospel was the new wine.
Where I see new ages in the church begin is in Acts 10-15 when the Gentiles get added to the Body of Christ, and they don't have any of the structure or experience of the Covenant of the Law, and the Church leadership is asked to figure out what of the Law is kept, and it is a minimal list (See Acts 15). The Gospel of Jesus, while being spoken to the Jews, had a message that did not require the Law as a foundation.
Jesus spoke primarily about the Kingdom of God, and demonstrated this Kingdom reality, and His primary commands were to Love God (Luke 10:27) and Love one another (John 13:34). Although complimentary to the Law, these messages transcended the Law. God's Kingdom demonstrated His dominion over all, and His command to Love extended beyond just the Jew, to all mankind and the whole world (Acts 1:8).
This was new wine (This Gospel of the Kingdom of God, available through grace by faith), and the new wineskin was an Apostolic church focused on teaching, prayer, fellowship, the Lord's supper (Acts 2:42), and signs and wonders that demonstrated the reality of the Kingdom (Acts 2:43). The Apostles spoke and Holy Spirit confirmed their words (Mark 16:20 & Acts 14:3).
Somewhere along the way, this new wineskin of the Apostolic church got bottled into wine bottle, different shapes and sizes, but in general unmoving and inflexible. This was in part due to the need to clarify the Gospel, to set down the truth, to refute heresy, to bring correction, to record the Gospel as we now have it. In the same way that when first making wine at home, you don't use the same equipment that is used in the large vineyards and volume wine-making for consistency and purity, the new wine (Gospel) was easier to bottle and transport once it was codified and given its shape and boundaries. Once this occurred the church become more structured and hierarchical.
What we need these days are new wineskins, not new wine. The old wineskins of the hierarchical church are no longer meeting the needs of this new generation. In many ways, it seems we have lost much of the richness and personal uniqueness and application of the Gospel, replacing it with a recipe of tradition and ideas that can be ascribed to without real relationship.
The Gospel is, first of all, personal and relational, meant to birth new sons and daughters of God, new creations, co-heirs with Christ, representatives of God to the world, walking in the realities of the King's dominion, and the power of the Holy Spirit. We are meant to experience the progressive revelation of the Father's love and interaction in our lives, even as Abraham first experienced, for we are all children of the promise. We are called and chosen, and destined for great things, "world-changers" as Bill Johnson calls us. We are meant to walk in the authority of the Lord, as His representatives to a lost world. Our mission is a continuation of that which Jesus spoke in John 3:16-17 NIV: "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 the world, but to save the world through him."
Oh, that we would learn to live our lives in the fullness of the Gospel, and our relationship as God's sons and daughters. Lord, lead us to the new wineskins that are needed for these new generations.
Amen!
[14] "Then John's disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”
[15] Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.
[16] “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. [17] Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
Now, Jesus was specifically speaking about some of the traditions of the religious. As I have understood this is also a good way to understand some of the changes that are required in the Body of Christ to engage the new generations, especially those like my kids age, where Church as we practiced and experienced it does not meet their needs. The new wineskin clearly has a flexibility required to allow for the expansion of the new wine. Jesus was speaking of a new age being birthed on the earth, and His message of the Gospel was the new wine.
Where I see new ages in the church begin is in Acts 10-15 when the Gentiles get added to the Body of Christ, and they don't have any of the structure or experience of the Covenant of the Law, and the Church leadership is asked to figure out what of the Law is kept, and it is a minimal list (See Acts 15). The Gospel of Jesus, while being spoken to the Jews, had a message that did not require the Law as a foundation.
Jesus spoke primarily about the Kingdom of God, and demonstrated this Kingdom reality, and His primary commands were to Love God (Luke 10:27) and Love one another (John 13:34). Although complimentary to the Law, these messages transcended the Law. God's Kingdom demonstrated His dominion over all, and His command to Love extended beyond just the Jew, to all mankind and the whole world (Acts 1:8).
This was new wine (This Gospel of the Kingdom of God, available through grace by faith), and the new wineskin was an Apostolic church focused on teaching, prayer, fellowship, the Lord's supper (Acts 2:42), and signs and wonders that demonstrated the reality of the Kingdom (Acts 2:43). The Apostles spoke and Holy Spirit confirmed their words (Mark 16:20 & Acts 14:3).
Somewhere along the way, this new wineskin of the Apostolic church got bottled into wine bottle, different shapes and sizes, but in general unmoving and inflexible. This was in part due to the need to clarify the Gospel, to set down the truth, to refute heresy, to bring correction, to record the Gospel as we now have it. In the same way that when first making wine at home, you don't use the same equipment that is used in the large vineyards and volume wine-making for consistency and purity, the new wine (Gospel) was easier to bottle and transport once it was codified and given its shape and boundaries. Once this occurred the church become more structured and hierarchical.
What we need these days are new wineskins, not new wine. The old wineskins of the hierarchical church are no longer meeting the needs of this new generation. In many ways, it seems we have lost much of the richness and personal uniqueness and application of the Gospel, replacing it with a recipe of tradition and ideas that can be ascribed to without real relationship.
The Gospel is, first of all, personal and relational, meant to birth new sons and daughters of God, new creations, co-heirs with Christ, representatives of God to the world, walking in the realities of the King's dominion, and the power of the Holy Spirit. We are meant to experience the progressive revelation of the Father's love and interaction in our lives, even as Abraham first experienced, for we are all children of the promise. We are called and chosen, and destined for great things, "world-changers" as Bill Johnson calls us. We are meant to walk in the authority of the Lord, as His representatives to a lost world. Our mission is a continuation of that which Jesus spoke in John 3:16-17 NIV: "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 the world, but to save the world through him."
Oh, that we would learn to live our lives in the fullness of the Gospel, and our relationship as God's sons and daughters. Lord, lead us to the new wineskins that are needed for these new generations.
Amen!
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
The Centrality of the Kingdom Message in the Gospel
This morning I woke up around 4am and was trying to go back to sleep and ended up thinking about sermon topics (No idea why) and the topic of the Kingdom of God immediately popped into my mind. This is a topic that has been near to my heart for many years, ever since I read through the entirety of Matthew's Gospel in one sitting, and realized that Jesus constantly spoke about the Kingdom, in fact it is mentioned 53 times in Matthew alone. That day I started researching and reading and paying attention to the mention of the Kingdom of God in scripture and realized it was essentially the foundational message of Jesus, and somehow I had never noticed this.
Jesus starts His ministry with the following proclamation - (Mark 1:15 NIV) “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Matthew indicates that this was his primary message saying, (Matthew 4:23 NIV) "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people."
We are told that Jesus ended His earthly ministry teaching about the Kingdom as described in Acts 1:3 NIV: "After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God."
Many of Jesus' parables begin with this phrase, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like..." (Matt 13: 24, 31, 33, 44, 45, 47). He was clearly working to convey an understanding of the Kingdom of Heaven to His followers, and it was evidently very important. Matthew uses the phrase Kingdom of Heaven, Mark and Luke use the phrase Kingdom of God and they are exactly the same thing.
When Jesus originally sent out the twelve He gave them this charge - Matthew 10:7-8 NIV: "As you go, proclaim this message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' [8] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give."
The twelve did exactly what they were told to do, as described by Luke 9:6 NIV: "So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere."
Jesus described prophetically how the Gospel of the Kingdom would be preached to all the world - Matthew 24:14 NIV: "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
In a continuation of that exact same ministry, Mark ends his Gospel with the following two statements, Mark 16:15,20 NIV:
[15] "He (Jesus) said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."
[20] "Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it."
Paul preached about the Kingdom, and we are told that was his primary message during his final years of ministry as related to us in the final two verses of The Acts of the Apostles - Acts 28:30-31 NIV: "For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. [31] He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ---with all boldness and without hindrance!"
Thus, we see the absolute centrality of the message of the Kingdom of God and Heaven in the Gospel. This was the foundation of the Gospel. There was a new Kingdom being proclaimed and demonstrated by Jesus, the Apostles and disciples, and it was good news. The Kingdom of God was not associated with some territory, some geography, but rather exists in His subjects, or as Jesus said, its inside you (Luke 17:21 paraphrase).
A Kingdom, is quite literally the dominion of the King, and in this case God is the King. His dominion is over all creation, and His subjects are where His Kingdom exists. The miracles, signs and wonders worked through His power are demonstrations of this dominion, and confirm the proclamation of the Kingdom (Mark 16:20). The King's dominion changes the laws under which we live, for His rule is the law of Kingdom, and His decrees have authority and power! His kingdom (government) is ever advancing (Isa 9:7), which means it is never retreating.
We are called to continue the ministry of Jesus, as members of His Body here on earth, thus, we are representatives of His Kingdom, ambassadors in our own sphere of influence. We are called to proclaim and demonstrate this Kingdom reality! Obviously without His power or His authority we can do nothing except speak empty words. Paul, understood this, and that is why he came in fear and trembling, as he writes in his letter 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NIV: "And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. [2] For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. [3] I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. [4] My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, [5] so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power."
Thus, I am encouraged once again to embrace this Gospel, to proclaim this Gospel and to pray for God to demonstrate the reality of this Good News through me. The Good News is that He is our King, and His rule does extend over the lives of those who have accepted Him as their Lord and Savior. I am encouraged to change my perspective about my life, for His dominion is over me!
Amen! Come Lord Jesus, demonstrate Your Kingdom reality in my life!
Jesus starts His ministry with the following proclamation - (Mark 1:15 NIV) “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Matthew indicates that this was his primary message saying, (Matthew 4:23 NIV) "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people."
We are told that Jesus ended His earthly ministry teaching about the Kingdom as described in Acts 1:3 NIV: "After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God."
Many of Jesus' parables begin with this phrase, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like..." (Matt 13: 24, 31, 33, 44, 45, 47). He was clearly working to convey an understanding of the Kingdom of Heaven to His followers, and it was evidently very important. Matthew uses the phrase Kingdom of Heaven, Mark and Luke use the phrase Kingdom of God and they are exactly the same thing.
When Jesus originally sent out the twelve He gave them this charge - Matthew 10:7-8 NIV: "As you go, proclaim this message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' [8] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give."
The twelve did exactly what they were told to do, as described by Luke 9:6 NIV: "So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere."
Jesus described prophetically how the Gospel of the Kingdom would be preached to all the world - Matthew 24:14 NIV: "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
In a continuation of that exact same ministry, Mark ends his Gospel with the following two statements, Mark 16:15,20 NIV:
[15] "He (Jesus) said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."
[20] "Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it."
Paul preached about the Kingdom, and we are told that was his primary message during his final years of ministry as related to us in the final two verses of The Acts of the Apostles - Acts 28:30-31 NIV: "For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. [31] He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ---with all boldness and without hindrance!"
Thus, we see the absolute centrality of the message of the Kingdom of God and Heaven in the Gospel. This was the foundation of the Gospel. There was a new Kingdom being proclaimed and demonstrated by Jesus, the Apostles and disciples, and it was good news. The Kingdom of God was not associated with some territory, some geography, but rather exists in His subjects, or as Jesus said, its inside you (Luke 17:21 paraphrase).
A Kingdom, is quite literally the dominion of the King, and in this case God is the King. His dominion is over all creation, and His subjects are where His Kingdom exists. The miracles, signs and wonders worked through His power are demonstrations of this dominion, and confirm the proclamation of the Kingdom (Mark 16:20). The King's dominion changes the laws under which we live, for His rule is the law of Kingdom, and His decrees have authority and power! His kingdom (government) is ever advancing (Isa 9:7), which means it is never retreating.
We are called to continue the ministry of Jesus, as members of His Body here on earth, thus, we are representatives of His Kingdom, ambassadors in our own sphere of influence. We are called to proclaim and demonstrate this Kingdom reality! Obviously without His power or His authority we can do nothing except speak empty words. Paul, understood this, and that is why he came in fear and trembling, as he writes in his letter 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NIV: "And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. [2] For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. [3] I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. [4] My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, [5] so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power."
Thus, I am encouraged once again to embrace this Gospel, to proclaim this Gospel and to pray for God to demonstrate the reality of this Good News through me. The Good News is that He is our King, and His rule does extend over the lives of those who have accepted Him as their Lord and Savior. I am encouraged to change my perspective about my life, for His dominion is over me!
Amen! Come Lord Jesus, demonstrate Your Kingdom reality in my life!
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Post Resurrection Reflection
This morning I am reflecting on some verses that occurred shortly after Jesus' Resurrection, found in Luke's Gospel. I like the humanness of the encounters. Here are the verses - Luke 24:36-49 NIV:
[36] "While they were still talking about this (Jesus appearing to the two on the road to Emmaus), Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
[37] "They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. [38] He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? [39] Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
[40] "When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. [41] And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” [42] They gave him a piece of broiled fish, [43] and he took it and ate it in their presence."
[44] "He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
[45] "Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. [46] He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, [47] and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. [48] You are witnesses of these things. [49] I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
As I read this, I imagine the total panic that probably occurred when Jesus appeared in their midst! Other Gospel writers note that the room was locked, and His disciples were essentially hiding. It would definitely be unsettling to have someone suddenly appear in your midst! Fear, shock and then joy and amazement were probably all mixed together in a very chaotic scene! It is no wonder Jesus began with "Peace be with you!"
He then proved His identity by showing them His hands and feet, and while they were still afraid, He finally took some fish and ate it to prove that He was really there, alive and real, flesh and bones. I find it interesting and quite believable that the disciples had a hard time believing that He was really there. Their whole world had collapsed at His death, and some had witnessed His passion, His beating, His hanging on the cross, and even His death. That is not something that one easily lets go of, or disbelieves. They had witnessed the raising of Lazarus from the dead, but Jesus had done that and Jesus had died. It was Him and His authority that had always been their source of authority and power, and without Him they likely thought they had none!
Jesus has great mercy on them, and begins to open their minds to the things He had already told them, but which they didn't understand at the time He said it. I can imagine it was very encouraging and at the same time very humbling to have the Lord walk back over all the things they should have learned the first time. I am so encouraged that the Lord doesn't only give us one time to learn what He is teaching us. Jesus apparently reviewed with them the scriptural basis for all that had occurred, and then summarized the Gospel they were to preach, repentance and/for the forgiveness of sins in His name. The purpose of this all as described earlier by Jesus, was that we might be restored to right relationship with the Father (e.g John 17).
Finally, Jesus tells them that He is going to send the Holy Spirit, and that He would empower them with power from on high. I like that description, "power from on high". The Greek is hupsos dunamis or heavenly power. Clearly this is not power that originates here on earth, or is found in man, of his own effort. This is power that originates in Heaven, and is poured upon and into His believers. We see a great description of what Jesus was describing when Peter was preaching to gentiles - found in Acts 10:44-45 NIV: "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. [45] The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles." This power from on high was evident and powerful to bring change!
Oh Lord, we pray for a greater outpouring in our own lives, in our churches to enable us to fulfill this mission to bring Your Gospel to all nations! Let us not be afraid! Open our minds to Your scriptures, instruct us in Your ways, give us power from on high to enable us to accomplish all that You have purposed us to do!
Amen!
[36] "While they were still talking about this (Jesus appearing to the two on the road to Emmaus), Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
[37] "They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. [38] He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? [39] Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
[40] "When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. [41] And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” [42] They gave him a piece of broiled fish, [43] and he took it and ate it in their presence."
[44] "He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
[45] "Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. [46] He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, [47] and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. [48] You are witnesses of these things. [49] I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
As I read this, I imagine the total panic that probably occurred when Jesus appeared in their midst! Other Gospel writers note that the room was locked, and His disciples were essentially hiding. It would definitely be unsettling to have someone suddenly appear in your midst! Fear, shock and then joy and amazement were probably all mixed together in a very chaotic scene! It is no wonder Jesus began with "Peace be with you!"
He then proved His identity by showing them His hands and feet, and while they were still afraid, He finally took some fish and ate it to prove that He was really there, alive and real, flesh and bones. I find it interesting and quite believable that the disciples had a hard time believing that He was really there. Their whole world had collapsed at His death, and some had witnessed His passion, His beating, His hanging on the cross, and even His death. That is not something that one easily lets go of, or disbelieves. They had witnessed the raising of Lazarus from the dead, but Jesus had done that and Jesus had died. It was Him and His authority that had always been their source of authority and power, and without Him they likely thought they had none!
Jesus has great mercy on them, and begins to open their minds to the things He had already told them, but which they didn't understand at the time He said it. I can imagine it was very encouraging and at the same time very humbling to have the Lord walk back over all the things they should have learned the first time. I am so encouraged that the Lord doesn't only give us one time to learn what He is teaching us. Jesus apparently reviewed with them the scriptural basis for all that had occurred, and then summarized the Gospel they were to preach, repentance and/for the forgiveness of sins in His name. The purpose of this all as described earlier by Jesus, was that we might be restored to right relationship with the Father (e.g John 17).
Finally, Jesus tells them that He is going to send the Holy Spirit, and that He would empower them with power from on high. I like that description, "power from on high". The Greek is hupsos dunamis or heavenly power. Clearly this is not power that originates here on earth, or is found in man, of his own effort. This is power that originates in Heaven, and is poured upon and into His believers. We see a great description of what Jesus was describing when Peter was preaching to gentiles - found in Acts 10:44-45 NIV: "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. [45] The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles." This power from on high was evident and powerful to bring change!
Oh Lord, we pray for a greater outpouring in our own lives, in our churches to enable us to fulfill this mission to bring Your Gospel to all nations! Let us not be afraid! Open our minds to Your scriptures, instruct us in Your ways, give us power from on high to enable us to accomplish all that You have purposed us to do!
Amen!
Sunday, April 21, 2019
The Power of the Resurrection
This morning, instead of a typical Easter reflection, my heart was stirred by these words from Paul's letter to the Philippians 3:7-14 NIV:
[7] "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. [8] What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ---the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. [10] I want to know Christ---yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, [11] and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead."
[12] "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. [13] Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
I love these verses from Paul, and they are often used by the Lord to encourage me forward in my pursuit of Him. Paul encapsulates so much of the Gospel in these few verses and captures the hunger that relationship with the Lord should inspire. There is always more to learn and more to experience in the Lord, for there is no end to the increase of His Kingdom (Isa 9:7).
However, the real focus this morning is on Paul's statement concerning his desire to know the power of the resurrection. We usually quote that part without adding the "participation in His sufferings", since we tend to want to revel in the power without any personal suffering or cost. I know that is true for me, as well. However, there is clearly an intimate connection between the knowledge of the power and the participation in the suffering.
Several years ago the movie, "The Passion of the Christ" was released and it presented the suffering of Christ in a most graphic representation. I wouldn't say that would be what Paul is wiring about, but it certainly provided a much deeper insight into the passion of Jesus, what He suffered for our salvation. I know having walked through the suffering of my sweetheart as she dealt with cancer, there is definitely a level of participation in her suffering that I can claim. I also have a much greater empathy towards those that are suffering through cancer and its long term effects. Short of actual scourging and crucifixion, we will never know the physical suffering of Christ, but we certainly can know the betrayal of trust, the condemnation and persecution that He experienced. We can understand the suffering He went through for the love of someone else, and all of this is part of the "participation in his sufferings".
The power of the resurrection is something I struggle to grasp, for it is so much beyond my understanding of the way the world works. In scripture, we are commissioned by Jesus to heal the sick and raise the dead, (Matt 10:8) yet most of us, in the American church, have never experienced the latter of the two. However, that is not the case with the rest of the world, where raising from the dead is not uncommon. In the scholarly book, "Miracles; the Credibility of the New Testament Accounts", Author Craig Keener, lists 20+ accounts of multiple people being raised from the dead in the twelfth chapter alone (He provides hundreds of footnotes, per chapter, so this is just a small sample of what he recorded). Many of those listed are provided by first-hand witnesses. We might off-handedly dismiss such accounts, but if one of them is true, then we must consider the possibility that this power to raise people from the dead is available, and is similar in some small way to the power of the resurrection.
We seem to have no problem believing that a villain in a movie will always come back to life for one last attack (or maybe they just aren't killed all the way), but we struggle to think that a loving God would answer the heart-felt prayers of His followers and restore life to someone. I guess those are two completely different things, but they somewhat show the disjointed thinking that we allow to exist. If God is real, and He what He says about Himself is true, then He does have power over death, and is the source of life. If He hears prayers and is the source of life and the creator of all, then He should be able to restore life to one of His creations. If the resurrection of Jesus is true, then He is an example of God's power to raise people from the dead. If He commissioned us to pray for the sick and heal them, and raise the dead, then we should see people being raised from the dead, and the church world-wide (even in America) does!
In summary, my encouragement today is to press further into the Lord, knowing that there is more to experience, more to understand, more to participate in His Kingdom, and in relationship with Him. I do believe in the resurrection and in His power and authority to do what He says He can do. I believe that healing, deliverance and seeing people raised f`rom the dead are part of our inheritance as His body present on the earth. I believe in the Resurrected Lord, who will come again.
Happy Easter!
[7] "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. [8] What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ---the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. [10] I want to know Christ---yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, [11] and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead."
[12] "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. [13] Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
I love these verses from Paul, and they are often used by the Lord to encourage me forward in my pursuit of Him. Paul encapsulates so much of the Gospel in these few verses and captures the hunger that relationship with the Lord should inspire. There is always more to learn and more to experience in the Lord, for there is no end to the increase of His Kingdom (Isa 9:7).
However, the real focus this morning is on Paul's statement concerning his desire to know the power of the resurrection. We usually quote that part without adding the "participation in His sufferings", since we tend to want to revel in the power without any personal suffering or cost. I know that is true for me, as well. However, there is clearly an intimate connection between the knowledge of the power and the participation in the suffering.
Several years ago the movie, "The Passion of the Christ" was released and it presented the suffering of Christ in a most graphic representation. I wouldn't say that would be what Paul is wiring about, but it certainly provided a much deeper insight into the passion of Jesus, what He suffered for our salvation. I know having walked through the suffering of my sweetheart as she dealt with cancer, there is definitely a level of participation in her suffering that I can claim. I also have a much greater empathy towards those that are suffering through cancer and its long term effects. Short of actual scourging and crucifixion, we will never know the physical suffering of Christ, but we certainly can know the betrayal of trust, the condemnation and persecution that He experienced. We can understand the suffering He went through for the love of someone else, and all of this is part of the "participation in his sufferings".
The power of the resurrection is something I struggle to grasp, for it is so much beyond my understanding of the way the world works. In scripture, we are commissioned by Jesus to heal the sick and raise the dead, (Matt 10:8) yet most of us, in the American church, have never experienced the latter of the two. However, that is not the case with the rest of the world, where raising from the dead is not uncommon. In the scholarly book, "Miracles; the Credibility of the New Testament Accounts", Author Craig Keener, lists 20+ accounts of multiple people being raised from the dead in the twelfth chapter alone (He provides hundreds of footnotes, per chapter, so this is just a small sample of what he recorded). Many of those listed are provided by first-hand witnesses. We might off-handedly dismiss such accounts, but if one of them is true, then we must consider the possibility that this power to raise people from the dead is available, and is similar in some small way to the power of the resurrection.
We seem to have no problem believing that a villain in a movie will always come back to life for one last attack (or maybe they just aren't killed all the way), but we struggle to think that a loving God would answer the heart-felt prayers of His followers and restore life to someone. I guess those are two completely different things, but they somewhat show the disjointed thinking that we allow to exist. If God is real, and He what He says about Himself is true, then He does have power over death, and is the source of life. If He hears prayers and is the source of life and the creator of all, then He should be able to restore life to one of His creations. If the resurrection of Jesus is true, then He is an example of God's power to raise people from the dead. If He commissioned us to pray for the sick and heal them, and raise the dead, then we should see people being raised from the dead, and the church world-wide (even in America) does!
In summary, my encouragement today is to press further into the Lord, knowing that there is more to experience, more to understand, more to participate in His Kingdom, and in relationship with Him. I do believe in the resurrection and in His power and authority to do what He says He can do. I believe that healing, deliverance and seeing people raised f`rom the dead are part of our inheritance as His body present on the earth. I believe in the Resurrected Lord, who will come again.
Happy Easter!
Saturday, April 20, 2019
A Holy Saturday Reflection
Today is Holy Saturday, and it has become a bit of a tradition for me to reflect on the state of the Apostles and disciples, following Jesus death, but prior to the Resurrection. There is very little said about this in the Bible, but we can infer a few things from the little that is mentioned. I am going to look at several verses.
Luke 23:55-56 NIV
The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. [56] Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.
Luke 24:1 NIV
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.
Mark 16:1 NIV
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body.
Matthew 28:1 NIV
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
John 20:1-2 NIV
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. [2] So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!”
Now the sabbath of this week, was a High Sabbath (see John 19:31), which means it was a part of the seven days Feast of Unleavened Bread. This feast was one of the major Jewish celebrations. It is interesting that Matthew, Mark and Luke indicate clearly that the followers of Jesus observed this Sabbath. The women waited to carry the spices to Jesus' body until after the Sabbath was over, for carrying any burden, which was considered work was forbidden.
We are told that the Last Supper was actually the Passover celebration, which is just one of the days in the seven day Feast of Unleavened Bread. Here are the verses from Luke 22:7-8 NIV: "Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. [8] Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”
Thus, we can make some assumptions about this High Sabbath. It was a day that people gathered together to celebrate, it was a day of no-work, which specifically limited how far you could walk. We know that Jesus had arranged a place for them all to meet for this important Feast, and they were in Jerusalem. It is likely then that they were all gathered together in that place, trying to make sense of what had just happened. I am not sure if they went through any of the usual customs associated with the celebration, and if they did I am sure they were of mixed emotion. I would imagine it would be like trying to celebrate Christmas, a few days after losing a member of your family.
I would imagine that at this point, they were starting to recall all the times that Jesus had told them He was going to die. We have multiple instances recorded in the Gospels, and the Gospel writers also tell us that the disciples didn't understand what Jesus meant, but now they were staring at the harsh reality of His death, and were surely wracking their minds to remember exactly what He had said, and what He said would happen after He died.
I would imagine there was plenty of self-accusation and shame over their abandoning of Jesus. Their actions had been a far-cry from their oath to Jesus to die rather than abandon Him (Mark 14: 29-31). Shame is a terrible thing to sit under, and here they were all under a similar weight, except for the loyal women who had stayed by Jesus until He died, and maybe John who was present at the foot of the Cross. I have experienced the regrets that arise immediately after the death of a loved one, and I am sure that was going on as well, remembering all the things they had done, and thinking of the things they would want to say if they had Jesus back alive with them. Suffice it to say that is was a very somber, and soul-searching day for the followers of Jesus.
For us, we know that Easter, the Resurrection follows, but for Jesus followers, they had no such understanding. Even if they remembered Jesus saying He would rise again, that He was the Resurrection, they probably had very little hope. We know this by the surprised responses of Peter and John, when they are told of Jesus' resurrection (See Luke 24:11 and John 20:3-9). In fact, John goes so far as saying so - John 20:9 NIV: "(They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)"
In summary, it seems this would have been one really dark and hopeless celebration for the followers of Jesus. They were likely together, but had no real hope in the Resurrection. It seems to me that they were like the many of our fellow brothers and sisters who have not experienced the salvation available in Christ Jesus. They might be getting ready to celebrate Easter, but they have no hope in the resurrection, no understanding of the sacrifice that Jesus made, and to them it is likely an empty celebration, where they gather to eat and do little else. There might be celebrations of easter-egg hunts, and candy, but there is little real meaning or life changing understanding.
We, however are called to embrace the days of celebration, to anticipate the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ, knowing that He is the first-born from the dead, giving us hope of real life after death, of eternal salvation and the true forgiveness of sins! Easter is much more than a religious celebration of remembrance, it is the celebration of our daily ability to walk in relationship with God, and a celebration of our coming reunion with Him in Heaven. It is eh defining celebration of our faith, for as Paul says - 1 Corinthians 15:13-14,17 NIV:
[13] "If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. [14] And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.
[17] "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins."
Thank God, we know that Jesus did indeed rise from the dead!
Amen!
Luke 23:55-56 NIV
The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. [56] Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.
Luke 24:1 NIV
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.
Mark 16:1 NIV
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body.
Matthew 28:1 NIV
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
John 20:1-2 NIV
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. [2] So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!”
Now the sabbath of this week, was a High Sabbath (see John 19:31), which means it was a part of the seven days Feast of Unleavened Bread. This feast was one of the major Jewish celebrations. It is interesting that Matthew, Mark and Luke indicate clearly that the followers of Jesus observed this Sabbath. The women waited to carry the spices to Jesus' body until after the Sabbath was over, for carrying any burden, which was considered work was forbidden.
We are told that the Last Supper was actually the Passover celebration, which is just one of the days in the seven day Feast of Unleavened Bread. Here are the verses from Luke 22:7-8 NIV: "Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. [8] Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”
Thus, we can make some assumptions about this High Sabbath. It was a day that people gathered together to celebrate, it was a day of no-work, which specifically limited how far you could walk. We know that Jesus had arranged a place for them all to meet for this important Feast, and they were in Jerusalem. It is likely then that they were all gathered together in that place, trying to make sense of what had just happened. I am not sure if they went through any of the usual customs associated with the celebration, and if they did I am sure they were of mixed emotion. I would imagine it would be like trying to celebrate Christmas, a few days after losing a member of your family.
I would imagine that at this point, they were starting to recall all the times that Jesus had told them He was going to die. We have multiple instances recorded in the Gospels, and the Gospel writers also tell us that the disciples didn't understand what Jesus meant, but now they were staring at the harsh reality of His death, and were surely wracking their minds to remember exactly what He had said, and what He said would happen after He died.
I would imagine there was plenty of self-accusation and shame over their abandoning of Jesus. Their actions had been a far-cry from their oath to Jesus to die rather than abandon Him (Mark 14: 29-31). Shame is a terrible thing to sit under, and here they were all under a similar weight, except for the loyal women who had stayed by Jesus until He died, and maybe John who was present at the foot of the Cross. I have experienced the regrets that arise immediately after the death of a loved one, and I am sure that was going on as well, remembering all the things they had done, and thinking of the things they would want to say if they had Jesus back alive with them. Suffice it to say that is was a very somber, and soul-searching day for the followers of Jesus.
For us, we know that Easter, the Resurrection follows, but for Jesus followers, they had no such understanding. Even if they remembered Jesus saying He would rise again, that He was the Resurrection, they probably had very little hope. We know this by the surprised responses of Peter and John, when they are told of Jesus' resurrection (See Luke 24:11 and John 20:3-9). In fact, John goes so far as saying so - John 20:9 NIV: "(They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)"
In summary, it seems this would have been one really dark and hopeless celebration for the followers of Jesus. They were likely together, but had no real hope in the Resurrection. It seems to me that they were like the many of our fellow brothers and sisters who have not experienced the salvation available in Christ Jesus. They might be getting ready to celebrate Easter, but they have no hope in the resurrection, no understanding of the sacrifice that Jesus made, and to them it is likely an empty celebration, where they gather to eat and do little else. There might be celebrations of easter-egg hunts, and candy, but there is little real meaning or life changing understanding.
We, however are called to embrace the days of celebration, to anticipate the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ, knowing that He is the first-born from the dead, giving us hope of real life after death, of eternal salvation and the true forgiveness of sins! Easter is much more than a religious celebration of remembrance, it is the celebration of our daily ability to walk in relationship with God, and a celebration of our coming reunion with Him in Heaven. It is eh defining celebration of our faith, for as Paul says - 1 Corinthians 15:13-14,17 NIV:
[13] "If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. [14] And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.
[17] "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins."
Thank God, we know that Jesus did indeed rise from the dead!
Amen!
Thursday, April 18, 2019
Jesus' Enduring Faith
This morning I am continuing my reflections on the happenings right before Jesus' passion, death and resurrection. Today is Holy Thursday, and often the main focus is the Last Supper, and rightly so, for that event and the conversations and prayers that occurred then are key elements to our faith. This morning through, I am going to spend some time reflecting on the beginning of Jesus' passion, which starts in the Garden prior to His betrayal. All four of the Gospels have accounts of this, but I am going to use the one found in Matthew 26:36-46 NIV:
[36] "Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” [37] He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. [38] Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
[39] Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
[40] Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn't you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. [41] “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
[42] He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” [43] When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. [44] So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
[45] Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. [46] Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
The first thing that ran through my mind this morning, as I was reading through the different accounts of Jesus' time in the garden, was that Jesus was clearly sorrowful about what was to come, but also was sorrowful about leaving His disciples and the 12. This group of men were His closest companions, and HE knew the impact that His coming passion and death would have on them.
Lately, I have been really seeing and reflecting on His love for and compassion towards His followers. Jesus had come to reveal the Father, and these were the men that He had chosen and entrusted with all He had shared and taught. He came to restore the ability to have relationship with the Father, and His Gospel was founded on relationships - ours with God and ours with each other. Thus, His relationships with these men were the bonds that united them, gave them purpose, and set their destinies in place. As a representative of the Father, and as man, Jesus knew the great grief that would soon overwhelm them.
The second thing that struck me was the weakness of the Peter, James and John. These were his closest companions amongst the 12, and He had just spoken of their coming abandonment of Him, and now mere hours later they fail to do what He asks, for them to keep watch with Him. I am sure as the next events unfolded they beat themselves up over and over again about their inability to stay awake during their last hours with Jesus. I am just so aware of our human frailty, our weakness and inability, and yet Jesus was entrusting the Church into their hands, so clearly He had a better perspective.
This gives me encouragement that in the midst of my own weakness and frailty, that the Lord has a different perspective about me, and it is not affected by my failures or sin. He knows who I am, and knows who I become, and all that I will ever accomplish. He still chooses me as a companion, and even thought I fail in what He asks me to do, He does not lose faith in me. I am reminded of something Paul wrote that basically says that exact thing. Here is Paul's take on that topic found in 2 Timothy 2:13 NIV: "if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself."
Lord, thank You for Your enduring faith in me, Your enduring faith in the Church. Even though we are weak and frail, You are strong!
Amen!
[36] "Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” [37] He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. [38] Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
[39] Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
[40] Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn't you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. [41] “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
[42] He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” [43] When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. [44] So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
[45] Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. [46] Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
The first thing that ran through my mind this morning, as I was reading through the different accounts of Jesus' time in the garden, was that Jesus was clearly sorrowful about what was to come, but also was sorrowful about leaving His disciples and the 12. This group of men were His closest companions, and HE knew the impact that His coming passion and death would have on them.
Lately, I have been really seeing and reflecting on His love for and compassion towards His followers. Jesus had come to reveal the Father, and these were the men that He had chosen and entrusted with all He had shared and taught. He came to restore the ability to have relationship with the Father, and His Gospel was founded on relationships - ours with God and ours with each other. Thus, His relationships with these men were the bonds that united them, gave them purpose, and set their destinies in place. As a representative of the Father, and as man, Jesus knew the great grief that would soon overwhelm them.
The second thing that struck me was the weakness of the Peter, James and John. These were his closest companions amongst the 12, and He had just spoken of their coming abandonment of Him, and now mere hours later they fail to do what He asks, for them to keep watch with Him. I am sure as the next events unfolded they beat themselves up over and over again about their inability to stay awake during their last hours with Jesus. I am just so aware of our human frailty, our weakness and inability, and yet Jesus was entrusting the Church into their hands, so clearly He had a better perspective.
This gives me encouragement that in the midst of my own weakness and frailty, that the Lord has a different perspective about me, and it is not affected by my failures or sin. He knows who I am, and knows who I become, and all that I will ever accomplish. He still chooses me as a companion, and even thought I fail in what He asks me to do, He does not lose faith in me. I am reminded of something Paul wrote that basically says that exact thing. Here is Paul's take on that topic found in 2 Timothy 2:13 NIV: "if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself."
Lord, thank You for Your enduring faith in me, Your enduring faith in the Church. Even though we are weak and frail, You are strong!
Amen!
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Hope In Our Failures and Failed Commitments
This morning I am continuing my Holy Week reflections, looking at things that occurred that week before Jesus' death and Resurrection. This morning I am reflecting on a few verses from Matthew 26:31-35 NIV:
[31] "Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “ 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' [32] But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
[33] Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
[34] “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
[35] But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same."
I was reading through Matthew's Gospel, and these verses just grabbed my attention, not for the awesome spiritual value, but rather because of the realness and humanity of the interaction. Jesus is prophetically describing to them what will happen, even speaking about His rising from the dead, but the Apostles, all seem to miss that and focus instead on His calling out their weakness.
I know if anyone criticizes me, I have a hard time listening to anything else they are saying as I am instantly in defensive mode, trying to show that they are wrong in their critique. Its not one of my better attributes. We see that is exactly how Peter and the rest respond. They totally miss Jesus' comment about going ahead of them to Galilee after He is risen, and are instead still focused on His statement about them falling away. Peter even has the audacity to step in front of His brother and the other Apostles and claim that even if they fail, he will never! Yikes! Talk about pride rising up!
This reminds me of all the times I have committed to the Lord something, doing better in some area, or doing something great for Him, and then through my own weakness or lack of follow-through, failing in my commitment. Obviously this situation that the Apostles will soon find themselves in is much more intense than pretty much anything I will ever see, but the failed commitments and sense of shame that follows is no less.
I love how the Lord, after speaking to their failure, immediately speaks of their continuing in ministry with Him (meeting in Galilee). I am so glad that even though the Lord knows my weaknesses, my failures and and my proclivity to sin, He still always has plans and purpose for me, calling me forward into the next opportunity. Where we would disqualify ourselves, He will never disqualify us!
My two final thoughts on this situation are first, that the Apostles didn't have the Holy Spirit yet, and from the church records, once filled with Him, they never abandoned Jesus again. Secondly, the Lord in His mercy and compassion completely restored the Apostles and Peter, as recorded in John 21. Jesus didn't just act like nothing happened, but instead took time specifically to restore Peter, who in his pride had boasted that he would die before he ever abandoned Jesus. He will never leave us hanging onto our fears and doubts, concerning our qualification to represent Him. If we let Him, He will put all of that to rest in our hearts, even as He did for Peter.
What a wonderful Lord He is!
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
The Beauty of Obedience
This morning I felt like reflecting on some of the events that happened just prior to Jesus' passion, death and resurrection. I opened my bible to Mark and started reading and was captivated by the story of the woman with perfume. This happened right before the events in Jerusalem. The story is recounted in Mark 14:3-9 NIV:
[3] "While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head."
[4] "Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? [5] It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly."
[6] “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. [7] The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. [8] She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. [9] Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
My reflection starts with the woman. I was wondering what it was that drove her to come and pour perfume on Jesus? I would think this is not a normal thing to do to someone. If we look back in scripture we see that Aaron and his sons were anointed as priests in Exodus 29, by having anointing oil poured over their head. We also see in 1 Samuel 10 and 16, Samuel anointing Saul and then David as Kings over Israel. Thus, the anointing with oil was well known, but seemed to be reserved for events of great significance, and specifically as a prophetic sign.
I believe this is exactly what the woman was doing, she was proclaiming prophetically that Jesus was both Priest and King, and we see Jesus later referred to with both of these titles, e.g. Heb 4:14 and John 19:9. I believe that she was moved to this act by the Holy Spirit, raising up in her the faith and desire to obey this idea that she suddenly had received. I mean imagine yourself sitting there, maybe as a follower of Jesus, and suddenly you have this idea that you should go and pour a whole bottle of very expensive perfume on Jesus' head! Mark specifically recounts that this bottle was very expensive, worth a years wages! Imagine blowing a whole years wages on one prophetic act! Wow! That in my mind, requires some very specific direction from the Lord!
So back to the woman, she finally decides that she must do this thing, and finally finds Jesus in the home of Simon the Leper (I am sure there is quite the story about Simon as well), and she just goes in, interrupting the meal, and pours the whole bottle on His head. I am sure she was totally focused on Jesus, and just knew she had to do this to Him. As soon as she does this the people rebuke her harshly! I can just imagine her being shocked into awareness, and feeling utterly condemned before Jesus for her extravagant waste. Talk about awkward moments...
What I love about this story is that Jesus immediately defends her, telling them to leave her alone! I imagine the whole room went silent at that point, for the command of Jesus certainly carries weight. Then He describes what she has done as beautiful! I would love to hear Jesus say that about anything I have ever done! He doesn't just thank her politely, and move on, instead He focuses specifically on what she has done and points forward to His impending suffering and death, a third prophetic meaning of her act of obedience. He calls her act beautiful and recognizes that this was one of the key moments in His life and a part of the Gospel, even if everyone else missed it.
Finally, this pouring forth of perfume is often seen as extravagant worship, and that too makes perfect sense. She came to Jesus, embraced him and poured forth an extravagant offering. We know from John's Gospel (Chap. 12) that the woman, unnamed here and in Matthew's Gospel, is actually Mary the sister of Lazarus, who has recently been raised form the dead. As we look back on the prophetic unction upon Mary and her worship of Jesus, it now makes more sense, for clearly Jesus had demonstrated that He was the Messiah. Interestingly, the Greek word for Messiah is Christos, and it means the anointed. Thus, Mary in her beautiful and extravagant worship and obedience, has prophetically anointed the Anointed one! Wow!
My final reflection is on the judgment that she came under by those in attendance, most likely other followers of Jesus. It saddens my heart to know that there have been times that I have had the same response to someone worshipping extravagantly, or stepping out in obedience to do something radical for God. I wonder how often we miss what God is doing or saying because of our judgment. I wonder how often I haven't stepped out in faith and obedience because of my fear of judgment!
I am reminded once again of Jesus words - calling this act of obedience, selflessness, abandonment and extravagance, beautiful! Oh, that I would have the courage and faith to render unto Jesus something beautiful!
Amen!
Monday, April 15, 2019
A Reflection on the Washing of Feet
A couple of days ago I was thinking about the time that Jesus washed His disciple's feet, and I was struck by a thought, that this was a precursor to His crucifixion. I have never had that thought before, that I can remember, so I figured I should spend some time fleshing it out, especially since this is Holy Week.
Here is the story, from the Gospel of John 13:2-17 NIV:
[2] "The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. [3] Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; [4] so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. [5] After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
[6] He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
[7] Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
[8] “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
[9] “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
[10] Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” [11] For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
[12] "When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. [13] “You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. [14] Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. [15] I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. [16] Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. [17] Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."
The particular thought that ran through my mind, was how Jesus had basically bared His upper body, taking off His outer garments. I am not sure if we can make that assumption and the Greek is unclear, but I know if I took off my outer garments, I would be bare chested.
Anyway, I was thinking that in the baring of Himself, taking a towel around his waist and becoming as a servant, He was embracing the complete humiliation that He would endure on the cross in a very short while.
I was thinking of the complete vulnerability He had in front of His friends. He didn't hide himself in shame, or out of pride, but uncovered Himself and served them as a lowly servant would do.
I was thinking that the cleansing of the feet, the dirt and dung from the world, is very symbolic of His cleansing us of all our sins, and all the affects of the world.
I was thinking that each time Jesus bent down to wash another of the disciple's feet, He had to unwrap the towel, again embracing humility for each and every one He touched. His love for us is so personal and intimate.
I was thinking that here, He voluntarily stripped off His outer garments, and wrapped a towel around His waist, in humility, and the next day Jesus had his clothes stripped off him forcefully, and this precursor was an example of His choosing willingly to go to the cross.
Finally, I was thinking of the striking image of complete contrasts this would provide to those who witnessed the coming events, seeing His body one day, whole and healthy compared to the next day when He was beaten and bloody! It is clear that this was all embraced and accepted by the Lord, for love of us all.
I guess in my mind, I could see this image of Jesus kneeling in front of them, bare chested with a towel wrapped around His waist playing as a flash-back in the minds of the disciples, as they saw Him stripped and beaten.
Oh, that we would grasp even a small bit of all that Jesus has done for us, in setting us free, in paying the price for our sins, in taking on the punishment for us all! That we might understand His intimate love! His humility and service! That we might do as He has done (verse 15 above).
Lord, help us to learn to love each other as You loved us! Help us to serve and love and embrace humility. Let us be thankful for Your amazing love and sacrifice.
Here is the story, from the Gospel of John 13:2-17 NIV:
[2] "The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. [3] Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; [4] so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. [5] After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
[6] He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
[7] Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
[8] “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
[9] “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
[10] Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” [11] For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
[12] "When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. [13] “You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. [14] Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. [15] I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. [16] Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. [17] Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."
The particular thought that ran through my mind, was how Jesus had basically bared His upper body, taking off His outer garments. I am not sure if we can make that assumption and the Greek is unclear, but I know if I took off my outer garments, I would be bare chested.
Anyway, I was thinking that in the baring of Himself, taking a towel around his waist and becoming as a servant, He was embracing the complete humiliation that He would endure on the cross in a very short while.
I was thinking of the complete vulnerability He had in front of His friends. He didn't hide himself in shame, or out of pride, but uncovered Himself and served them as a lowly servant would do.
I was thinking that the cleansing of the feet, the dirt and dung from the world, is very symbolic of His cleansing us of all our sins, and all the affects of the world.
I was thinking that each time Jesus bent down to wash another of the disciple's feet, He had to unwrap the towel, again embracing humility for each and every one He touched. His love for us is so personal and intimate.
I was thinking that here, He voluntarily stripped off His outer garments, and wrapped a towel around His waist, in humility, and the next day Jesus had his clothes stripped off him forcefully, and this precursor was an example of His choosing willingly to go to the cross.
Finally, I was thinking of the striking image of complete contrasts this would provide to those who witnessed the coming events, seeing His body one day, whole and healthy compared to the next day when He was beaten and bloody! It is clear that this was all embraced and accepted by the Lord, for love of us all.
I guess in my mind, I could see this image of Jesus kneeling in front of them, bare chested with a towel wrapped around His waist playing as a flash-back in the minds of the disciples, as they saw Him stripped and beaten.
Oh, that we would grasp even a small bit of all that Jesus has done for us, in setting us free, in paying the price for our sins, in taking on the punishment for us all! That we might understand His intimate love! His humility and service! That we might do as He has done (verse 15 above).
Lord, help us to learn to love each other as You loved us! Help us to serve and love and embrace humility. Let us be thankful for Your amazing love and sacrifice.
Friday, April 12, 2019
Confirming the Gospel
This morning my heart is stirred around a theme that has been on my heart for years, that of seeing miracles and healing as a regular expression and experience of God's Kingdom, present here on earth, embodied in the church. I have been looking at the following verses form John's Gospel for many years - and felt my heart drawn back here again this morning. Here are the verses - John 14:9-14 NIV:
[9] "Jesus answered: “Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? [10] Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. [11] Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. [12] Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. [13] And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."
This is such a rubber-meets-the-road kind of verse. This is effectively the core of Jesus' teaching and ministry described in a few sentences. Jesus came to reveal the Father. He did this by saying what the Father told Him to say and doing what the Father told Him to do. He was representing the Father to us, as His Son, and it was the authority and power, presented in the completed miracles that testified to His identity and confirmed His message. He was proclaiming and demonstrated His Father's reign and rule, the Kingdom of God. He released this same ministry unto His followers, and here Jesus reiterates that ministry invitation and promise.
Mark captured the importance of these verses in his final few verses of His Gospel, as follows - Mark 16:15-20 NIV:
[15] "He (Jesus) said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. [16] Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. [17] And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; [18] they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” [19] After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. [20] Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it."
Luke wrote the a very thing in His book recording the Acts of the Apostles as follows - Acts 14:1-3 NIV:
[1]At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. [2] But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. [3] So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.
Paul in His letter to church in Corinth, described a quite similar minsitry - 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NIV:
[1] "And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. [2] For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. [3] I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. [4] My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, [5] so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power."
Thus, this morning, I am once again stirred to ask the Lord, to release in our midsts, into our churches, an awareness, authority and power to proclaim the Gospel, proclaim the Kingdom and see it confirmed through the signs and wonders that worked through the power of the Holy Spirit! Yes, Lord! Come!
Amen!
[9] "Jesus answered: “Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? [10] Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. [11] Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. [12] Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. [13] And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."
This is such a rubber-meets-the-road kind of verse. This is effectively the core of Jesus' teaching and ministry described in a few sentences. Jesus came to reveal the Father. He did this by saying what the Father told Him to say and doing what the Father told Him to do. He was representing the Father to us, as His Son, and it was the authority and power, presented in the completed miracles that testified to His identity and confirmed His message. He was proclaiming and demonstrated His Father's reign and rule, the Kingdom of God. He released this same ministry unto His followers, and here Jesus reiterates that ministry invitation and promise.
Mark captured the importance of these verses in his final few verses of His Gospel, as follows - Mark 16:15-20 NIV:
[15] "He (Jesus) said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. [16] Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. [17] And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; [18] they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” [19] After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. [20] Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it."
Luke wrote the a very thing in His book recording the Acts of the Apostles as follows - Acts 14:1-3 NIV:
[1]At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. [2] But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. [3] So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.
Paul in His letter to church in Corinth, described a quite similar minsitry - 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NIV:
[1] "And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. [2] For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. [3] I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. [4] My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, [5] so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power."
Thus, this morning, I am once again stirred to ask the Lord, to release in our midsts, into our churches, an awareness, authority and power to proclaim the Gospel, proclaim the Kingdom and see it confirmed through the signs and wonders that worked through the power of the Holy Spirit! Yes, Lord! Come!
Amen!
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Grace and Truth: The Revelation of the Father
This morning I am reflecting on the first chapter of John's Gospel. I love his gospel, the imagery and phasing he uses, but mostly I love the way he describes Jesus, as one who clearly knew him. He was clearly writing with a purpose, and was writing later than the others, and addressing many of the false ideas that were already popping up in the church.
Here is the introduction to the Gospel of John from John Gill's exposition of the Bible.
"The author of this Gospel is John, the son of Zebedee and Salome, the brother of James the greater; he outlived the rest of the disciples, and wrote this Gospel after the other evangelists; and in it many things are recorded, which are not in the other Gospels; as various discourses of Christ, and miracles done by him; several incidents in his life, and circumstances that attended his sufferings and death: the occasion of it is generally thought to be the errors of Ebion and Cerinthus, who denied the divinity of Christ, asserted he was a mere man, and that he did not exist before his incarnation; and the design of it is to confute them: and it is easy to observe, that he begins his Gospel with the divinity of Christ; asserts him to be God, and proves him to be truly and properly so, by the works of creation, which were wrought by him, as well as shows that he was really man. Clemens calls this Gospel of John, pneumatikon euaggelion "a spiritual Gospel", as indeed it is; consisting of the spiritual discourses of our Lord, on various occasions, both at the beginning, and in the course of his ministry, and especially a little before his sufferings and death: and the same writer observes, that John, the last of the evangelists, considering that in the other Gospels were declared the things relating to the body of Christ, that is, to him, as he was after the flesh; to his genealogy and birth as man; to what was done to him, or by him, in his infancy; to his baptism, temptations, journeys, &c. at the request of his familiar friends, and moved by the Spirit of God, composed this Gospel. Moreover, it is observed by some, that the other three evangelists only record what was done by Christ, in one year after John the Baptist was cast into prison, as appears from Matthew 4:12 wherefore John, at the entreaty of his friends, put these things into his Gospel, which were done or said by Christ, before John was cast into prison. He was called very early by Christ, though young; and was with him throughout the whole of his ministry, and was an eye and ear witness of what he here relates, and his testimony is to be received; he was the beloved disciple, he leaned on the bosom of Jesus, and had great intimacy with him; and might be privy to some things, which others were not acquainted with; and though he was a Galilean, and an unlearned man, Acts 4:13 yet being endowed with the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit, he was abundantly qualified to write this book: for what some ancient writers say of him, that he was a priest, and wore a plate, that is, of gold upon his forehead, cannot be true, since he was not of the tribe of Levi; and besides, only the high priest wore that upon his mitre; unless they mean, as seems most likely, that he was a Christian bishop: perhaps the mistake may arise from John the Baptist, who was of the priestly order, and is called by some Jewish writers, John the high priest. When and where this Gospel was written, is not certain; some say in Asia, after he had wrote his Revelation in Patmos; and others say particularly, that it was wrote at Ephesus; the title of it in the Syriac version, signifies much, which runs thus;"the holy Gospel, the preaching of John, which he spoke and published in Greek at Ephesus.'And to the same purpose is the title of it in the Persic version;"the Gospel of John, one of the twelve apostles, which was spoken in the city of Ephesus, in the Greek Roman tongue.'"
That is such a helpful introduction, and helps set the stage for my reflection this morning. I am going to start just past his opening, looking at John's statements found early in the chapter, describing the gifts of God given to us in Christ Jesus. Here are the verses - John 1:14,16-18 NIV:
[14] "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
[16] "Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. [17] For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. [18] No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known."
First, I should say other translations will quote verse 16 as "grace upon grace" rather than the phrasing found here, but the original Greek seems to be more akin to the way the NIV translates it here, grace in place of grace. The Greek word is "charis" and it is defined as follows:
1) grace
a) that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech
2) good will, loving-kindness, favour
a) of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues
3) what is due to grace
a) the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace
b) the token or proof of grace, benefit
1) a gift of grace
2) benefit, bounty
4) thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward
We could in our modern English possibly replace grace with gift, and while that is often done, we see here the depth of the meaning is beyond simple gifts. There is something tangible, something that is soul-touching about grace. It is not just a nice gift that we can admire, but rather has to do with our well being at our deepest level.
John writes that this grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. He very simply identifies this grace and truth in verse 18, the revelation of the Father by the only one who can truly reveal Him, His Son Jesus. What an interesting thought - this grace, this great gift is an understanding of who the Father is, and how He thinks and how He speaks.
John records several times where Jesus made astounding statements about His intimacy and obedience to the Father. Here are some of his statements found in John's Gospel:
John 5:19-20 NIV:
[19] "Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. [20] For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed."
John 7:16 NIV:
[16] "Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me."
John 8:19,28-29 NIV:
[19] "Then they asked him, “Where is your father?” “You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”
[28] "So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. [29] The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.”
John 10:34-38 NIV:
[34] "Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are “gods” ' ? [35] If he called them 'gods,' to whom the word of God came---and Scripture cannot be set aside--- [36] what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, 'I am God's Son'? [37] Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. [38] But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”
John 12:44-45,49-50 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."
[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.”
John 14:9-11 NIV
[9] "Jesus answered: “Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? [10] Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. [11] Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves."
Thus, this morning I am encouraged to dive deeper into this grace and truth, this revelation of the Father, seen through Jesus' life and words, His actions and love for us all! I am encouraged to read deeper, to think deeper, to look deeper into Jesus, to see in him the exact representation of the Father (Heb 1:3) and to believe that the Father is exactly as Jesus represents Him.
Amen!
Here is the introduction to the Gospel of John from John Gill's exposition of the Bible.
"The author of this Gospel is John, the son of Zebedee and Salome, the brother of James the greater; he outlived the rest of the disciples, and wrote this Gospel after the other evangelists; and in it many things are recorded, which are not in the other Gospels; as various discourses of Christ, and miracles done by him; several incidents in his life, and circumstances that attended his sufferings and death: the occasion of it is generally thought to be the errors of Ebion and Cerinthus, who denied the divinity of Christ, asserted he was a mere man, and that he did not exist before his incarnation; and the design of it is to confute them: and it is easy to observe, that he begins his Gospel with the divinity of Christ; asserts him to be God, and proves him to be truly and properly so, by the works of creation, which were wrought by him, as well as shows that he was really man. Clemens calls this Gospel of John, pneumatikon euaggelion "a spiritual Gospel", as indeed it is; consisting of the spiritual discourses of our Lord, on various occasions, both at the beginning, and in the course of his ministry, and especially a little before his sufferings and death: and the same writer observes, that John, the last of the evangelists, considering that in the other Gospels were declared the things relating to the body of Christ, that is, to him, as he was after the flesh; to his genealogy and birth as man; to what was done to him, or by him, in his infancy; to his baptism, temptations, journeys, &c. at the request of his familiar friends, and moved by the Spirit of God, composed this Gospel. Moreover, it is observed by some, that the other three evangelists only record what was done by Christ, in one year after John the Baptist was cast into prison, as appears from Matthew 4:12 wherefore John, at the entreaty of his friends, put these things into his Gospel, which were done or said by Christ, before John was cast into prison. He was called very early by Christ, though young; and was with him throughout the whole of his ministry, and was an eye and ear witness of what he here relates, and his testimony is to be received; he was the beloved disciple, he leaned on the bosom of Jesus, and had great intimacy with him; and might be privy to some things, which others were not acquainted with; and though he was a Galilean, and an unlearned man, Acts 4:13 yet being endowed with the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit, he was abundantly qualified to write this book: for what some ancient writers say of him, that he was a priest, and wore a plate, that is, of gold upon his forehead, cannot be true, since he was not of the tribe of Levi; and besides, only the high priest wore that upon his mitre; unless they mean, as seems most likely, that he was a Christian bishop: perhaps the mistake may arise from John the Baptist, who was of the priestly order, and is called by some Jewish writers, John the high priest. When and where this Gospel was written, is not certain; some say in Asia, after he had wrote his Revelation in Patmos; and others say particularly, that it was wrote at Ephesus; the title of it in the Syriac version, signifies much, which runs thus;"the holy Gospel, the preaching of John, which he spoke and published in Greek at Ephesus.'And to the same purpose is the title of it in the Persic version;"the Gospel of John, one of the twelve apostles, which was spoken in the city of Ephesus, in the Greek Roman tongue.'"
That is such a helpful introduction, and helps set the stage for my reflection this morning. I am going to start just past his opening, looking at John's statements found early in the chapter, describing the gifts of God given to us in Christ Jesus. Here are the verses - John 1:14,16-18 NIV:
[14] "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
[16] "Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. [17] For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. [18] No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known."
First, I should say other translations will quote verse 16 as "grace upon grace" rather than the phrasing found here, but the original Greek seems to be more akin to the way the NIV translates it here, grace in place of grace. The Greek word is "charis" and it is defined as follows:
1) grace
a) that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech
2) good will, loving-kindness, favour
a) of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues
3) what is due to grace
a) the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace
b) the token or proof of grace, benefit
1) a gift of grace
2) benefit, bounty
4) thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward
We could in our modern English possibly replace grace with gift, and while that is often done, we see here the depth of the meaning is beyond simple gifts. There is something tangible, something that is soul-touching about grace. It is not just a nice gift that we can admire, but rather has to do with our well being at our deepest level.
John writes that this grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. He very simply identifies this grace and truth in verse 18, the revelation of the Father by the only one who can truly reveal Him, His Son Jesus. What an interesting thought - this grace, this great gift is an understanding of who the Father is, and how He thinks and how He speaks.
John records several times where Jesus made astounding statements about His intimacy and obedience to the Father. Here are some of his statements found in John's Gospel:
John 5:19-20 NIV:
[19] "Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. [20] For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed."
John 7:16 NIV:
[16] "Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me."
John 8:19,28-29 NIV:
[19] "Then they asked him, “Where is your father?” “You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”
[28] "So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. [29] The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.”
John 10:34-38 NIV:
[34] "Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are “gods” ' ? [35] If he called them 'gods,' to whom the word of God came---and Scripture cannot be set aside--- [36] what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, 'I am God's Son'? [37] Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. [38] But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”
John 12:44-45,49-50 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."
[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.”
John 14:9-11 NIV
[9] "Jesus answered: “Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? [10] Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. [11] Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves."
Thus, this morning I am encouraged to dive deeper into this grace and truth, this revelation of the Father, seen through Jesus' life and words, His actions and love for us all! I am encouraged to read deeper, to think deeper, to look deeper into Jesus, to see in him the exact representation of the Father (Heb 1:3) and to believe that the Father is exactly as Jesus represents Him.
Amen!
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Miracles & Healings: Normal Indicators?
Yesterday I was reflecting on some verses from Paul's letter to the Galatians, and when I went to copy it over to my blog, somehow deleted the whole thing...:-(
Oh well, technology is a wonderful blessing, and sometimes frustrating. I am going to revisit that reflection this morning. Here are the verses - Galatians 3:1-5 NIV:
[1] "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. [2] I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? [3] Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? [4] Have you experienced so much in vain---if it really was in vain? [5] So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?"
Paul was clearly perturbed with the Galatians as they were believing some visitors that they must also embrace the works of the Law in addition to believing in Christ Jesus. This was in direct contrast to the Gospel of Grace, and Paul confronts them front and center. While I could spend some time looking at that works mentality, I am going to spend my time looking at the verse that caught my attention, namely verse five.
What caught my eye was Paul's use of the fact that God was working miracles in their midst as a reminder of the Gospel of Grace. I was thinking how many churches in our day would not be able to relate to that statement, because we don't see many miracles, or maybe even don't believe in miracles. Many churches do not use the fact that they are seeing miracles, as their calling card, at least that is true here in America.
The interesting thing is that Miracles are as prevalent today as they ever were, and yet somehow, we in the Western church are largely unaware. I read an awesome book recently, "Miracles: The Credibility of the New Testament Accounts" by Craig S. Keener. It is an amazing look at both the New Testament and today, and the prevalence of miracles through out the history of the church. He takes a very scholarly approach (He is a professor) and has thousands of footnotes and descriptions of countless miracles and healings.
In one of the chapters, he summarizes a 2006 study of 10 Countries (US, and 3 countries from each of the following regions: Asia, Africa and South America) as follows:
"For these countries alone, and for Pentecostals and charismatics in these countries alone, the estimated total of people claiming to have “witnessed divine healings” comes out to somewhere around 202,141,082, that is, about two hundred million. Among Pentecostals, an average of 73.6 percent claim to have witnessed or experienced divine healing, and among charismatics the proportion is 52 percent; given estimates of possibly half a billion Pentecostals and charismatics worldwide, we might be looking at claims of closer to three hundred million among them alone.[ 154]"
Think about that, in 10 countries alone, there could be as many as 200 Million healings and miracles! That is an incredible number, and that is just from two stream in the church, the Pentecostal and Charismatics!
Why am I thinking about this issue today? I believe that healings and miracles are foundational to the Gospel. They demonstrate God's presence active on the earth. They represent God touching people's lives in real ways! Jesus, when He was sending out the Apostles for the first "Apostolic tour" gave them the following charge, found in Matthew 10:7-8 NIV: "As you go, proclaim this message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' [8] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give."
The Gospel of Grace, is all about relationship, all about individual lives being changed, lives and families affected positively by God. Jesus came proclaiming the Kingdom of God, which represents a paradigm shift of individual relationship with God and God's dominion being reestablished over our lives. The proof of this Kingdom reality is seen in the demonstrations of healing, deliverance, cleansing of diseases and raising individuals from the dead. That is exactly what Jesus told the Apostles to preach and demonstrate.
As I am once again confronted by the words of Paul, pointing to the healing and miracles they were seeing in Galatia, my heart is stirred to press into our inheritance as a part of the Body of Christ, for we are responsible to represent the ministry of Jesus to the world around us. I am encouraged to press into the Lord, looking for and believing in the active demonstration of the Kingdom of God in our midst! I am encouraged that being Christian is much more than being nice to my neighbors and those I meet, it involves representing the Kingdom of God active and alive. I am encouraged to believe that we can see an increase in healings and miracles even in our midst! I am encouraged that one day soon, the Church worldwide will once more be known as a place of healings and miracles!
Amen!
Oh well, technology is a wonderful blessing, and sometimes frustrating. I am going to revisit that reflection this morning. Here are the verses - Galatians 3:1-5 NIV:
[1] "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. [2] I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? [3] Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? [4] Have you experienced so much in vain---if it really was in vain? [5] So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?"
Paul was clearly perturbed with the Galatians as they were believing some visitors that they must also embrace the works of the Law in addition to believing in Christ Jesus. This was in direct contrast to the Gospel of Grace, and Paul confronts them front and center. While I could spend some time looking at that works mentality, I am going to spend my time looking at the verse that caught my attention, namely verse five.
What caught my eye was Paul's use of the fact that God was working miracles in their midst as a reminder of the Gospel of Grace. I was thinking how many churches in our day would not be able to relate to that statement, because we don't see many miracles, or maybe even don't believe in miracles. Many churches do not use the fact that they are seeing miracles, as their calling card, at least that is true here in America.
The interesting thing is that Miracles are as prevalent today as they ever were, and yet somehow, we in the Western church are largely unaware. I read an awesome book recently, "Miracles: The Credibility of the New Testament Accounts" by Craig S. Keener. It is an amazing look at both the New Testament and today, and the prevalence of miracles through out the history of the church. He takes a very scholarly approach (He is a professor) and has thousands of footnotes and descriptions of countless miracles and healings.
In one of the chapters, he summarizes a 2006 study of 10 Countries (US, and 3 countries from each of the following regions: Asia, Africa and South America) as follows:
"For these countries alone, and for Pentecostals and charismatics in these countries alone, the estimated total of people claiming to have “witnessed divine healings” comes out to somewhere around 202,141,082, that is, about two hundred million. Among Pentecostals, an average of 73.6 percent claim to have witnessed or experienced divine healing, and among charismatics the proportion is 52 percent; given estimates of possibly half a billion Pentecostals and charismatics worldwide, we might be looking at claims of closer to three hundred million among them alone.[ 154]"
Think about that, in 10 countries alone, there could be as many as 200 Million healings and miracles! That is an incredible number, and that is just from two stream in the church, the Pentecostal and Charismatics!
Why am I thinking about this issue today? I believe that healings and miracles are foundational to the Gospel. They demonstrate God's presence active on the earth. They represent God touching people's lives in real ways! Jesus, when He was sending out the Apostles for the first "Apostolic tour" gave them the following charge, found in Matthew 10:7-8 NIV: "As you go, proclaim this message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' [8] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give."
The Gospel of Grace, is all about relationship, all about individual lives being changed, lives and families affected positively by God. Jesus came proclaiming the Kingdom of God, which represents a paradigm shift of individual relationship with God and God's dominion being reestablished over our lives. The proof of this Kingdom reality is seen in the demonstrations of healing, deliverance, cleansing of diseases and raising individuals from the dead. That is exactly what Jesus told the Apostles to preach and demonstrate.
As I am once again confronted by the words of Paul, pointing to the healing and miracles they were seeing in Galatia, my heart is stirred to press into our inheritance as a part of the Body of Christ, for we are responsible to represent the ministry of Jesus to the world around us. I am encouraged to press into the Lord, looking for and believing in the active demonstration of the Kingdom of God in our midst! I am encouraged that being Christian is much more than being nice to my neighbors and those I meet, it involves representing the Kingdom of God active and alive. I am encouraged to believe that we can see an increase in healings and miracles even in our midst! I am encouraged that one day soon, the Church worldwide will once more be known as a place of healings and miracles!
Amen!
Monday, April 1, 2019
Releasing the Torrent
This morning I am reflecting on some of Paul's writings from his letter to the Church in Ephesus. Paul does such a great job of expanding our thinking around the Church and God's plans and desires for us. The following verses are some of my favorites, in the call to think bigger - Ephesians 3:14-21 NIV:
[14] "For this reason I kneel before the Father, [15] from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. [16] I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, [17] so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, [18] may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, [19] and to know this love that surpasses knowledge---that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
[20] "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, [21] to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
The first line is Paul talking about how he prays these next verses for the church, and so should we! What a great prayer for our local congregations, and for the church at large!
As I read these verses through in total, the sense I get is that there is SO MUCH MORE than what we are presently experiencing! Notice the foundation, the root of all is love! It is Love that should be our founding principle, Love for God and Love for each other! If we aren't rooted and established in love, then we are going to be producing the wrong fruit. Please note that God's love for us is what motivates all of this in the first place (See John 3:16-17).
Secondly, this Love is far greater than we can grasp. Paul's specific prayer is that we might have the power to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is Christ's love, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge. That is such an interesting statement, we don't usually think we need power to know something, we need intelligence and the ability to understand.
As I was thinking about this, I had the image of trying to control a fire-hose pop into my mind. I don't know if you have ever tried to hold a proper fire-hose, attached to a fire hydrant, but there is real power in that flow of water. It takes power to control and direct this flow of water. I used to work on my college's grounds crew and we used to flood our hockey rink (I lived in MN) with a fire hose. The first time I tried to control the fire-hose, it flung me all over the place. I have attached a picture showing two firemen working to control one hose, and that is highly recommended.
As I imagine God's love being unleashed in its full capacity, I imagine that would be like a mighty river, not just a hose. We would need power to be able to stand or swim within it. We would need power to be able to direct it, for that is one of the roles of the Church. We are now the Body of Christ on earth, continuing His ministry of Love, directing it and letting it pour forth out of us. We are supposed to have rivers of living water pouring forth from us (John 7:38). Imagine a river of God's love rushing out of your heart! That is what I am seeing this morning! We are meant to release a torrent of God's love that washes over all those we meet, cleansing and bringing healing and eternal life.
Oh Lord, we pray that You would do more than all we ask or even imagine, according to Your power which is at work in us! Yes Lord! Release the torrents of Your LOVE!
Amen!
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