This Easter morning, I thought I would read from John this morning, His personal account of the Resurrection. Its found in John 20:1-18 NIV:
[1] "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!”
[3] So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. [4] Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. [5] He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. [6] Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, [7] as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. [8] Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. [9] (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) [10] Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.
[11] Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb [12] and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. [13] They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”
[14] At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. [15] He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
[16] Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
[17] Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”
[18] Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her."
...And continuing on, later that day.
John 20:19-23 NIV
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” [20] After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. [21] Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” [22] And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. [23] If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
I was thinking about how confused they must have been initially, for they did not, and had not understood what Jesus had told them about rising again. Death through crucifixion is not one that people mistake, or make mistakes about concerning whether a person died or not. In their minds, Jesus was gone, beaten bloody, and dead in the most horrifying way possible. They weren't expecting this Resurrection. Even when confronted with the reality of the situation, they were unable to grasp the reality.
When reading verse 20, I am thinking that they were afraid of the Jews, because they figured they would get blamed for rolling the stone back and stealing Jesus body, which ultimately did happen (Matt 28:11-15), and were just plain out of their minds. They didn't spend much time at the tomb, just enough to verify Jesus body wasn't there. They were running in damage containment mode, panicked, afraid and unable to do anything that related to ministry. They were letting their emotions override everything.
In the same way that the Jews didn't recognize Jesus as the Messiah, when He honestly answered their question during His trial, they didn't recognize His resurrection when confronted with the reality. They were expecting something different, some other outcome to all that Jesus had told them. They completely missed the point and missed the angelic experiences because they were too quick to panic, or try to contain the situation.
I appreciate Mary's heart, she desperately missed the Lord, and so she went back to the place she last saw Him, even though she knew He was dead, just being close to a dead Jesus was better than the alternative. She wasn't willing to run away in panic, but rather lingered and waited. I think there is great wisdom here, if we desperately need Jesus we should maybe go back to the last place we experienced Him, and linger for the reality is this - Jesus is alive! He does love us! He cares about our situation! He will come! He is faithful! He bled and died for us, and we are precious to Him.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Saturday, March 30, 2013
For Love...
I was thinking of the most appropriate verse for today and although not sure this is it, it seems pretty good to me.
Romans 8:31-39 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? [36] As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” [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.
It is all motivated by LOVE. Thank You Lord!
Romans 8:31-39 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? [36] As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” [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.
It is all motivated by LOVE. Thank You Lord!
Friday, March 29, 2013
His Precious Blood
Good Friday Meditation
I was thinking back over this week, and the many meditations I have had about the Blood of Jesus and realized so often I am just not conscious of the great gift His Blood is to me. I know its a bit gruesome to think of, but it also amazing to see the way the Lord has made a way, and provided forgiveness for my sins, through His own Body and Blood.
Having grown up Catholic, there was a great emphasis on communion, the receiving of Jesus Body and Blood, and I think this is right. Often times our experience of church, especially in a more evangelistic stream is all about making a decision for Christ, or asking Christ into our life, or coming forward at the invitation, to make Him our Lord and Savior. These are all very good, but they all are possible because of what Jesus went through, and because He freely offered up His Body and Blood for us, for our sins. Other times our focus is on teaching and precepts and learning to walk our Christian life out, and these are all really good, and yet they are all posvsible because of what Jesus went through for us.
I was reminded of the movie "The Passion of Christ" and how it did such a good job of portraying the incredible suffering that Jesus went through for us. We must not be quick to pass over these thoughts or images, because they help us understand the depth of Jesus love for us. We were the object of His affection, the joy set before Him for which He endured the beating, flogging, insults, abuse, and crucifixion. His blood was poured out for our sins, as an atonement. His blood was not lightly poured out, but flowed from the whip marks on His back and shoulders, the wounds on His head from the thorns, and the nail holes in His feet and His hands. I am reminded in the movie how Mary, His mother and Mary of Magdalene soaked up his blood after His flogging. I thought that was such an appropriate scene, for they seemed to recognize the value of His Blood. I am so grateful Jesus for what You suffered for me. Thank You!
Ephesians 2:13: "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ." Thank You Lord!
I was thinking back over this week, and the many meditations I have had about the Blood of Jesus and realized so often I am just not conscious of the great gift His Blood is to me. I know its a bit gruesome to think of, but it also amazing to see the way the Lord has made a way, and provided forgiveness for my sins, through His own Body and Blood.
Having grown up Catholic, there was a great emphasis on communion, the receiving of Jesus Body and Blood, and I think this is right. Often times our experience of church, especially in a more evangelistic stream is all about making a decision for Christ, or asking Christ into our life, or coming forward at the invitation, to make Him our Lord and Savior. These are all very good, but they all are possible because of what Jesus went through, and because He freely offered up His Body and Blood for us, for our sins. Other times our focus is on teaching and precepts and learning to walk our Christian life out, and these are all really good, and yet they are all posvsible because of what Jesus went through for us.
I was reminded of the movie "The Passion of Christ" and how it did such a good job of portraying the incredible suffering that Jesus went through for us. We must not be quick to pass over these thoughts or images, because they help us understand the depth of Jesus love for us. We were the object of His affection, the joy set before Him for which He endured the beating, flogging, insults, abuse, and crucifixion. His blood was poured out for our sins, as an atonement. His blood was not lightly poured out, but flowed from the whip marks on His back and shoulders, the wounds on His head from the thorns, and the nail holes in His feet and His hands. I am reminded in the movie how Mary, His mother and Mary of Magdalene soaked up his blood after His flogging. I thought that was such an appropriate scene, for they seemed to recognize the value of His Blood. I am so grateful Jesus for what You suffered for me. Thank You!
Ephesians 2:13: "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ." Thank You Lord!
Thursday, March 28, 2013
The Blood of the New Covenant
Today being Holy Thursday, the day the church commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus, it only makes sense to meditate on the Blood of Jesus, as the blood of the New Covenant. We find several verses that speak of this, the first being in Matthew 26, echoed in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 11. The second verse I want to think about is from John 6.
Matthew 26:26-28 NIV:
[26] "While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” [27] Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. [28] This is my blood of the [new] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
John 6:53-58 NIV:
[53] Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. [54] Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. [55] For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. [56] Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. [57] Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. [58] This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”
In these two verses we again find the themes of forgiveness of sins and life being in the blood, both pointing back to the understanding God had established through the old testament. In the Gospel on Matthew, Jesus speaks of establishing a new covenant with His Blood. The Hebrew word translated covenant, meant to come into agreement, the root of the word, meant to eat together as in cutting. So here they are eating together and Jesus is preparing to be cut and have His blood poured out for the forgiveness of sins. I am not sure if the apostles really grasped the significance of what they were experiencing, but in this moment God was establishing a new covenant that superseded the old covenant. No longer will sacrifice for sins be required every year, no longer will the requirements of the law need to be kept to be righteous, this new covenant would open a new way of relating to God.
In the second set of verses from John, we see Jesus alluding to the fact that His Body and Blood would bring eternal life. Ultimately this is because of the sacrifice His Body and Blood became for our forgiveness, and our restoration of relationship with the Father.
I can imagine the confusion the people experienced when Jesus spoke those words. We understand them now in the context of what we know happened, and the fullness of the Gospel. They, however, had not yet grasped the fact that Jesus would become the Lamb of God, so for them hearing Jesus speak about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, must have been unnerving, to say the least.
Regardless of their confusion, as we look at Jesus words, its clear He is speaking of the coming new covenant, as there is a new level of relationship and intimacy with the Father and Jesus. It is clear also, that through this partaking in this new covenant, this eating together, we enter into eternal life. This is not just a covenant that affects our present experience of life, but has eternal consequences. This is something new!
So, although this meal that is described in Matt 26, is known as the Last Supper, it is in reality the First Supper of the New Covenant. It is in this eating together, that God established a new covenant with us all, where the Blood of Jesus would be poured out as an eternal atonement for all our sins, and the way would be opened for us to enter into an eternal relationship with Him. What an awesome deal!
Thank You Lord for making a way for me to participate in this New Covenant! Thank You for Your Blood which was poured out for me, and through which I have eternal life!
Matthew 26:26-28 NIV:
[26] "While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” [27] Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. [28] This is my blood of the [new] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
John 6:53-58 NIV:
[53] Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. [54] Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. [55] For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. [56] Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. [57] Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. [58] This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”
In these two verses we again find the themes of forgiveness of sins and life being in the blood, both pointing back to the understanding God had established through the old testament. In the Gospel on Matthew, Jesus speaks of establishing a new covenant with His Blood. The Hebrew word translated covenant, meant to come into agreement, the root of the word, meant to eat together as in cutting. So here they are eating together and Jesus is preparing to be cut and have His blood poured out for the forgiveness of sins. I am not sure if the apostles really grasped the significance of what they were experiencing, but in this moment God was establishing a new covenant that superseded the old covenant. No longer will sacrifice for sins be required every year, no longer will the requirements of the law need to be kept to be righteous, this new covenant would open a new way of relating to God.
In the second set of verses from John, we see Jesus alluding to the fact that His Body and Blood would bring eternal life. Ultimately this is because of the sacrifice His Body and Blood became for our forgiveness, and our restoration of relationship with the Father.
I can imagine the confusion the people experienced when Jesus spoke those words. We understand them now in the context of what we know happened, and the fullness of the Gospel. They, however, had not yet grasped the fact that Jesus would become the Lamb of God, so for them hearing Jesus speak about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, must have been unnerving, to say the least.
Regardless of their confusion, as we look at Jesus words, its clear He is speaking of the coming new covenant, as there is a new level of relationship and intimacy with the Father and Jesus. It is clear also, that through this partaking in this new covenant, this eating together, we enter into eternal life. This is not just a covenant that affects our present experience of life, but has eternal consequences. This is something new!
So, although this meal that is described in Matt 26, is known as the Last Supper, it is in reality the First Supper of the New Covenant. It is in this eating together, that God established a new covenant with us all, where the Blood of Jesus would be poured out as an eternal atonement for all our sins, and the way would be opened for us to enter into an eternal relationship with Him. What an awesome deal!
Thank You Lord for making a way for me to participate in this New Covenant! Thank You for Your Blood which was poured out for me, and through which I have eternal life!
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
The Atoning Blood of Jesus
Continuing my Holy Week meditation on the Blood of Jesus, I was just thinking about the two old testament statements about blood:
1. Leviticus 17:11 NIV "For the life of a creature is in the blood..."
2. Exodus 30:10 NIV "Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on its horns. This annual atonement must be made with the blood of the atoning sin offering for the generations to come. It is most holy to the Lord.”
If we combine these two foundational scriptures, we see that what is happening is that the life of the animal, in the temple it was a bull and a goat, was poured out to make atonement for the sins of the people. This is the precedent for forgiveness that God set up in the temple, and a picture of the future reality that was fulfilled by Jesus. He gave His life, represented by His Blood, for the forgiveness, or atonement of all the people's sins, for all generations to come.
Atonement speaks of covering, literally to come between two things and hide one from the other's sight. The Hebrew word is Kaphar and it means 1. to cover, purge, make an atonement, make reconciliation, cover over with pitch. So the blood of Jesus, in being offered as an atonement covers over our sins, purges or cleanses these sins from our lives, reconciles us in our relationship with God, and hides them forever from His view.
I was reminded of two verses concerning our wins and God's forgiveness of them:
Isaiah 1:18 NIV:
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
Psalm 103:11-12 NIV:
"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; [12] as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
This is why we hear the phrases washed in the Blood of Jesus or covered by the Blood of Jesus, for both are accurate statements concerning the atonement by blood.
Finally, the author to the Letter of Hebrews discusses this whole topic in chapters 9 & 10, as the Hebrew people fully understood practices of the old testament worship in the temple. Here is a short excerpt that explains it best:
Hebrews 9:11-15 NIV
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. [12] He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. [13] The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. [14] How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! [15] For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance---now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
It is right to consider what Jesus did for us, and to celebrate and remember this every day. For this is not a gift idly given, or easily paid for, but required Jesus life. I am so thankful Lord for what You did for us all!
1. Leviticus 17:11 NIV "For the life of a creature is in the blood..."
2. Exodus 30:10 NIV "Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on its horns. This annual atonement must be made with the blood of the atoning sin offering for the generations to come. It is most holy to the Lord.”
If we combine these two foundational scriptures, we see that what is happening is that the life of the animal, in the temple it was a bull and a goat, was poured out to make atonement for the sins of the people. This is the precedent for forgiveness that God set up in the temple, and a picture of the future reality that was fulfilled by Jesus. He gave His life, represented by His Blood, for the forgiveness, or atonement of all the people's sins, for all generations to come.
Atonement speaks of covering, literally to come between two things and hide one from the other's sight. The Hebrew word is Kaphar and it means 1. to cover, purge, make an atonement, make reconciliation, cover over with pitch. So the blood of Jesus, in being offered as an atonement covers over our sins, purges or cleanses these sins from our lives, reconciles us in our relationship with God, and hides them forever from His view.
I was reminded of two verses concerning our wins and God's forgiveness of them:
Isaiah 1:18 NIV:
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
Psalm 103:11-12 NIV:
"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; [12] as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
This is why we hear the phrases washed in the Blood of Jesus or covered by the Blood of Jesus, for both are accurate statements concerning the atonement by blood.
Finally, the author to the Letter of Hebrews discusses this whole topic in chapters 9 & 10, as the Hebrew people fully understood practices of the old testament worship in the temple. Here is a short excerpt that explains it best:
Hebrews 9:11-15 NIV
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. [12] He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. [13] The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. [14] How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! [15] For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance---now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
It is right to consider what Jesus did for us, and to celebrate and remember this every day. For this is not a gift idly given, or easily paid for, but required Jesus life. I am so thankful Lord for what You did for us all!
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus
This morning I woke up with the song "Nothing But The Blood of Jesus" running through my mind, not my normal way of waking up. The last few days I have been focusing on the Blood of Jesus, and the price He paid for us all, which is quite appropriate since it is Holy Week. Here are the lyrics to the song:
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain
Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain
This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain
Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain
Glory! Glory! This I sing—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Words & Music: Robert Lowry, in Gospel Music, by William Doane and Robert Lowry (New York: Biglow & Main, 1876)
I've heard a couple of guys say that we would be good if we just sang and preached the old hymns, as they have so much of the Gospel in their lyrics. This song is a great example, speaking of the forgiveness available to us through Jesus blood. Its not our good works, not our own righteousness, but only the Blood of Jesus that opens the way to our eternal home, heaven.
Thank You Lord for paying the price for me!
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain
Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain
This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain
Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain
Glory! Glory! This I sing—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Words & Music: Robert Lowry, in Gospel Music, by William Doane and Robert Lowry (New York: Biglow & Main, 1876)
I've heard a couple of guys say that we would be good if we just sang and preached the old hymns, as they have so much of the Gospel in their lyrics. This song is a great example, speaking of the forgiveness available to us through Jesus blood. Its not our good works, not our own righteousness, but only the Blood of Jesus that opens the way to our eternal home, heaven.
Thank You Lord for paying the price for me!
Monday, March 25, 2013
His Account of Forgiveness
This morning I am reading out of the First Letter of John. This verse out of the second chapter is so significant - 1 John 2:12 NIV:
[12] "I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name."
This simple message expresses concisely one of the core beliefs of our faith. It is through Jesus Name, the sacrificial Lamb of God, that our sins are taken away. The Greek here literally means they are sent away through His Name.
I was thinking about this verse and the word 'account' stood out to me. I was thinking about how its like Jesus has this bank 'account' of forgiveness that all of my sin draws against and always gets paid. It is interesting that the verb tense here is past tense, in other words it already happened. Its almost like before the sin even can register on my account, its already been forgiven by His 'account'.
This is what we call to mind this week, as we approach the remembrance of Jesus passion and death and resurrection, for it was the blood of Jesus that made this forgiveness possible. It was His blood that was shed for me and you. This was not a debt (our sin) that easily cancelled, but rather took great courage, great faith and infinite pain and suffering, for He took ALL our sins upon Himself. He paid the price for ALL our sins, every single one of them. His blood washes the ledgers of sin clean, and not a one is counted against us, for His blood has been applied to them ALL!
This is available to all who believe in Him, who believe in His Name, and accept Him as their savior. I remember the moment I stepped under His Lordship and accepted Jesus as my Savior, how I felt as if a weight was lifted from my shoulders. I felt full of life and light. I believe I was experiencing the cancellation of the debt of my sin.
Yes, our sins have been forgiven on account of His Name. Hallelujah!
[12] "I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name."
This simple message expresses concisely one of the core beliefs of our faith. It is through Jesus Name, the sacrificial Lamb of God, that our sins are taken away. The Greek here literally means they are sent away through His Name.
I was thinking about this verse and the word 'account' stood out to me. I was thinking about how its like Jesus has this bank 'account' of forgiveness that all of my sin draws against and always gets paid. It is interesting that the verb tense here is past tense, in other words it already happened. Its almost like before the sin even can register on my account, its already been forgiven by His 'account'.
This is what we call to mind this week, as we approach the remembrance of Jesus passion and death and resurrection, for it was the blood of Jesus that made this forgiveness possible. It was His blood that was shed for me and you. This was not a debt (our sin) that easily cancelled, but rather took great courage, great faith and infinite pain and suffering, for He took ALL our sins upon Himself. He paid the price for ALL our sins, every single one of them. His blood washes the ledgers of sin clean, and not a one is counted against us, for His blood has been applied to them ALL!
This is available to all who believe in Him, who believe in His Name, and accept Him as their savior. I remember the moment I stepped under His Lordship and accepted Jesus as my Savior, how I felt as if a weight was lifted from my shoulders. I felt full of life and light. I believe I was experiencing the cancellation of the debt of my sin.
Yes, our sins have been forgiven on account of His Name. Hallelujah!
Sunday, March 24, 2013
The Blood of Jesus Opened the Way
This morning I was cruising through a few chapters of Hebrews, and was reminded about these great verses:
Hebrews 10:19-25 NIV:
[19] "Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, [20] by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, [21] and since we have a great priest over the house of God, [22] let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. [23] Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. [24] And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, [25] not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another---and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
What a great scripture to be meditating on during this final week of lent, the week where we remember the pains that Jesus went through that He might establish this new covenant in His blood. He forever opened the way for us into the Holy of Holies, into His presence, where He is now seated on the throne. It was His blood that cleanses us and washes us clean of all sin.
Let us hold fast to our faith! Let us encourage those who have lost interest or passion in their faith. Let us spur one another on in pursuit of the perfect one. Let us not give up meeting together, but continue to press forward together. Let us make our lives examples to the world of love, good deeds and faith in the one who set us free.
The Blood of Jesus made our life in God possible. It is His blood, that was freely poured out for all men, that paid the price for all our sins. It is because of this that Jesus is the only way to the Father. Let us remember and celebrate that which Jesus did for our sake this coming week.
Hebrews 10:19-25 NIV:
[19] "Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, [20] by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, [21] and since we have a great priest over the house of God, [22] let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. [23] Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. [24] And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, [25] not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another---and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
What a great scripture to be meditating on during this final week of lent, the week where we remember the pains that Jesus went through that He might establish this new covenant in His blood. He forever opened the way for us into the Holy of Holies, into His presence, where He is now seated on the throne. It was His blood that cleanses us and washes us clean of all sin.
Let us hold fast to our faith! Let us encourage those who have lost interest or passion in their faith. Let us spur one another on in pursuit of the perfect one. Let us not give up meeting together, but continue to press forward together. Let us make our lives examples to the world of love, good deeds and faith in the one who set us free.
The Blood of Jesus made our life in God possible. It is His blood, that was freely poured out for all men, that paid the price for all our sins. It is because of this that Jesus is the only way to the Father. Let us remember and celebrate that which Jesus did for our sake this coming week.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
The Church, the Bride
This morning I felt led to read from Hosea 2:14-23 NIV:
[14]. “Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her. [15] There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will respond as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt. [16] “In that day,” declares the Lord, “you will call me ‘my husband’; you will no longer call me ‘my master. ’ [17] I will remove the names of the Baals from her lips; no longer will their names be invoked. [18] In that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky and the creatures that move along the ground. Bow and sword and battle I will abolish from the land, so that all may lie down in safety. [19] I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. [20] I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord. [21] “In that day I will respond,” declares the Lord---“I will respond to the skies, and they will respond to the earth; [22] and the earth will respond to the grain, the new wine and the olive oil, and they will respond to Jezreel. [23] I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one. ’ I will say to those called ‘Not my people, ’ ‘You are my people’; and they will say, ‘You are my God. ’ ”
I love the book of Hosea because of the marriage language and imagery that is used to describe the relationship between God and the chosen people Israel. This language and God's heart, as it is expressed here, gives us a glimpse of what He is talking about when He calls the Church the Bride of Christ.
In these verses the Lord talks of protection and provision, commitment, love, compassion, faithfulness and action towards His betrothed. There is new identity and relationship opened up before them and available to them. All this is available to them (Israel) through their choice of obedience and returned relationship.
Its important for us to remember that the Church is the Bride of Christ, and ultimately we exist to be in relationship with Him. We are not called to the Church for some organizational purpose, ministerial purpose or to gain an identity, although those are all good. We are called to the Church to be in relationship with the Lord! We are called into a loving, faithful, protecting, compassionate, active sort of relationship with our God.
This is not meant to be some marriage from afar, where we gave at a distance at the object of our affection. Its not meant to be some sort of legal relationship that has no passion. Rather, the Lord desires our relationship to be founded in intimacy, in constant communication and in active demonstrations of love. It is meant to be a two-way relationship, like all marriages.
Lord, Thank You for Your words that help us to grasp ideas, and more importantly that help us to draw closer to You in relationship.
[14]. “Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her. [15] There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will respond as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt. [16] “In that day,” declares the Lord, “you will call me ‘my husband’; you will no longer call me ‘my master. ’ [17] I will remove the names of the Baals from her lips; no longer will their names be invoked. [18] In that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky and the creatures that move along the ground. Bow and sword and battle I will abolish from the land, so that all may lie down in safety. [19] I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. [20] I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord. [21] “In that day I will respond,” declares the Lord---“I will respond to the skies, and they will respond to the earth; [22] and the earth will respond to the grain, the new wine and the olive oil, and they will respond to Jezreel. [23] I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one. ’ I will say to those called ‘Not my people, ’ ‘You are my people’; and they will say, ‘You are my God. ’ ”
I love the book of Hosea because of the marriage language and imagery that is used to describe the relationship between God and the chosen people Israel. This language and God's heart, as it is expressed here, gives us a glimpse of what He is talking about when He calls the Church the Bride of Christ.
In these verses the Lord talks of protection and provision, commitment, love, compassion, faithfulness and action towards His betrothed. There is new identity and relationship opened up before them and available to them. All this is available to them (Israel) through their choice of obedience and returned relationship.
Its important for us to remember that the Church is the Bride of Christ, and ultimately we exist to be in relationship with Him. We are not called to the Church for some organizational purpose, ministerial purpose or to gain an identity, although those are all good. We are called to the Church to be in relationship with the Lord! We are called into a loving, faithful, protecting, compassionate, active sort of relationship with our God.
This is not meant to be some marriage from afar, where we gave at a distance at the object of our affection. Its not meant to be some sort of legal relationship that has no passion. Rather, the Lord desires our relationship to be founded in intimacy, in constant communication and in active demonstrations of love. It is meant to be a two-way relationship, like all marriages.
Lord, Thank You for Your words that help us to grasp ideas, and more importantly that help us to draw closer to You in relationship.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Our Life's Pursuit
This morning I am reading from Philippians 3:7-16 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.
[15] All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. [16] Only let us live up to what we have already attained."
What an awesome set of verses. Here is Paul, essentially throwing away all he had previously attained because he has discovered the all surpassing greatness of Christ Jesus. His prayer is to be found in Christ, and know him. He is not just choosing the best parts (the resurrection) and leaving the things that seem less lovely (His sufferings) but rather embracing all that is to be found in Christ Jesus. He is not settling for one experience, but pressing on daily, pursuing God with purpose. He understands that there is much more to be discovered, understood and experienced and he is going for it. He is not limiting himself by what he has experienced in the past, or his previous achievements, but rather is each day running this race, fighting this fight, pursuing Christ and working to attain that which Jesus called him to do.
I like his statement in verse 15 - "All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things". Not just some of us, but all of us. This is not the call for some few, specially chosen holy people, but rather the upward call for us all.
Lord, let us recognize the call that there is more, and pursue You , who are more worthy then anything else we have ever seen, experienced or accomplished. You are worthy of being our life's pursuit.
[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.
[15] All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. [16] Only let us live up to what we have already attained."
What an awesome set of verses. Here is Paul, essentially throwing away all he had previously attained because he has discovered the all surpassing greatness of Christ Jesus. His prayer is to be found in Christ, and know him. He is not just choosing the best parts (the resurrection) and leaving the things that seem less lovely (His sufferings) but rather embracing all that is to be found in Christ Jesus. He is not settling for one experience, but pressing on daily, pursuing God with purpose. He understands that there is much more to be discovered, understood and experienced and he is going for it. He is not limiting himself by what he has experienced in the past, or his previous achievements, but rather is each day running this race, fighting this fight, pursuing Christ and working to attain that which Jesus called him to do.
I like his statement in verse 15 - "All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things". Not just some of us, but all of us. This is not the call for some few, specially chosen holy people, but rather the upward call for us all.
Lord, let us recognize the call that there is more, and pursue You , who are more worthy then anything else we have ever seen, experienced or accomplished. You are worthy of being our life's pursuit.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
The Shining Church
This morning I am revisiting one of my favorite verses in Isaiah 60:1-5 NIV:
[1] "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
[2] See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.
[3] Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
[4] “Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip.
[5] Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come.
I love these verses because I think they convey so clearly the Lord's heart and call for the Church, the Body of Christ. We are called to rise up and shine with the Glory of God. We are called to be a light to a darkened world. The only way to be a light, is to be full of light. Jesus called himself the light of the world (John 8:12) and we are called to walk in His Light, to be filled with Him. We aren't just supposed to have better programs, or more beautiful buildings, although those are fine. We are supposed to have Him, shining out so brightly that world sees and is drawn to this light. When those in the world see Jesus shining out of the Church, they will bring their sons and daughters, the real wealth and riches of the nations.
Lord, we pray that the Church will learn to shine, learn to be filled with You, with Your light, with Your life and with Your Love. Lord, we pray that Your Glory would rise over the Church and she would shine brighter and brighter in these dark days.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Praying For Our Enemies
Continuing the theme from yesterday, dealing with attacks and enemies.
Psalm 17:14 NIV
By your hand save me from such people, Lord, from those of this world whose reward is in this life. May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies; may their children gorge themselves on it, and may there be leftovers for their little ones.
I was thinking about this verse and how I would likely understand this as God bringing punishment upon these people, and I think maybe David, in writing this, had some thought along those lines. However, when we look at the perfect example Jesus presented of the Father's heart, we don't see this type of heart. Jesus, when He was beaten, bruised and crucified, prayed for those that did that to Him.
I am reminded of Jonah, who was angry that God relented in His judgement against Ninevah, because the people repented after Jonah warned them. Jonah 4:1-2 NIV: "But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. [2] He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.". We think that God should punish bad people, but God's heart is too bless and forgive.
I was listening to Graham Cooke and he described how the Lord had him give money anonymously to one of the ministers who was personally attacking Graham on a weekly basis. On top of the giving money, the Lord asked Graham to pray blessing over this man that was attacking him. What a radical departure from our normal way of dealing with our enemies.
So in following this line of thinking, as I pray Psalm 17:14, I will be asking God to pour forth what He has stored for those who attack me - blessings, love, forgiveness and mercy!
Saturday, March 16, 2013
When Under Attack
Psalm 54:1-2, 4 NIV
[1] "Save me , O God, by your name; vindicate me by your might. [2] Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth. [4] Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me."
This morning I opened my Bible to Psalm 54, which David wrote while being pursued by Saul, and was experiencing a betrayal by the Ziphites, who he thought would shelter him. Although some of the rest of the Psalm is focused on David's prayers against those who are attacking him, I am focused on his reliance on God. He recognized that his only real help was in God. By depending on God, he would be saved and vindicated.
Interestingly, both times after the Ziphites betrayed David to Saul, David was given the opportunity to slay Saul, the first time in the cave, the second time in Saul's tent while he slept. ( 1 Sam 23:19 - Chapter 24 & 1 Sam 26 ). However, David, understanding that God would vindicate him and fight for him, did not raise his hand against Saul. This is such a hard thing to do, but especially important when the ones who are attacking are friends or brothers or sisters. David recognized that it was not his place to judge and convict, but God's. Jesus calls us to love our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us (Matt 5:44) and David's example here is quite instructional.
Lord help me to look to You and trust You to sustain me and vindicate me when I am following Your will and being judged or misunderstood because of that.
Amen Lord!
[1] "Save me , O God, by your name; vindicate me by your might. [2] Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth. [4] Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me."
This morning I opened my Bible to Psalm 54, which David wrote while being pursued by Saul, and was experiencing a betrayal by the Ziphites, who he thought would shelter him. Although some of the rest of the Psalm is focused on David's prayers against those who are attacking him, I am focused on his reliance on God. He recognized that his only real help was in God. By depending on God, he would be saved and vindicated.
Interestingly, both times after the Ziphites betrayed David to Saul, David was given the opportunity to slay Saul, the first time in the cave, the second time in Saul's tent while he slept. ( 1 Sam 23:19 - Chapter 24 & 1 Sam 26 ). However, David, understanding that God would vindicate him and fight for him, did not raise his hand against Saul. This is such a hard thing to do, but especially important when the ones who are attacking are friends or brothers or sisters. David recognized that it was not his place to judge and convict, but God's. Jesus calls us to love our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us (Matt 5:44) and David's example here is quite instructional.
Lord help me to look to You and trust You to sustain me and vindicate me when I am following Your will and being judged or misunderstood because of that.
Amen Lord!
Friday, March 15, 2013
Open Eyes, Mind, and Spirit
This morning I have been reading a few verses speaking about our eyes being opened:
Luke 24:45 NIV
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
Luke 24:31 NIV
Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
John 4:35 NIV
Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.
This morning I am meditating on the need to have my mind and spiritual eyes opened to the reality that exists in God. So often in my daily life I am completely unaware of the things that are happening around me in the spiritual realm. I want my eyes to be opened that I might recognize the movement of the Holy Spirit, that I might recognize Christ in those around me, and the opportunity to advance the Kingdom of God that is all around me. I want Jesus to open my mind, that I might perceive Him, and His word, and understand.
Lord, You call us to follow You, to be like You, to be Your representatives. To do so effectively we need to operate in the same levels of perception and discernment. I pray that You will touch me and open my eyes, my spirit and my mind.
Luke 24:45 NIV
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
Luke 24:31 NIV
Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
John 4:35 NIV
Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.
This morning I am meditating on the need to have my mind and spiritual eyes opened to the reality that exists in God. So often in my daily life I am completely unaware of the things that are happening around me in the spiritual realm. I want my eyes to be opened that I might recognize the movement of the Holy Spirit, that I might recognize Christ in those around me, and the opportunity to advance the Kingdom of God that is all around me. I want Jesus to open my mind, that I might perceive Him, and His word, and understand.
Lord, You call us to follow You, to be like You, to be Your representatives. To do so effectively we need to operate in the same levels of perception and discernment. I pray that You will touch me and open my eyes, my spirit and my mind.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Joy and Endurance
This morning in opening my Bible, I turned to Luke 18:31-34 NIV:
[31] "Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. [32] He will be delivered over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; [33] they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.” [34] The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about."
As I read those words, I thought about the great courage Jesus had in His obedience. Jesus knew full well what He was walking into, yet chose freely to continue forward. I was reminded of Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV:
[1] "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, [2] fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [3] Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
The author of the letter to the Hebrews ascribes joy as the motivation of Jesus as He went to the cross and experienced His passion and death, the mocking, insults, beating and flogging. I was listening to someone recently describing the joy of the Lord as something very powerful, and something that we in the western church often overlook or view with disdain in our efforts toward piety. It was for the joy set before Him that Jesus endured the cross. Joy was His anchor in the midst of the suffering and beating He endured. Joy was something the enemy could not steal, could not destroy and could not kill. Joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and with it comes courage and endurance.
Finally as I was looking through some of the verses where Jesus speaks of joy, I saw these from John 16:22-24 NIV:
[22] "So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. [23] In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. [24] Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."
Joy is the natural response to understanding and experiencing the redemption and salvation of Jesus, and walking in intimacy with Him. Joy is the natural response to answered prayer, and seeing God working in our lives, and the lives of those around us. Let us ask the Lord for more joy in our lives, for it is found in very good company, namely endurance and courage, and it strengthens our souls.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Wealth and True Riches
I was reading Luke 18 last evening and was thinking about the following verses this morning:
Luke 18:24-30 NIV
[24]. Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! [25] Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
[26] Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” [27] Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
[28] Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!” [29] “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God [30] will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”
I was thinking about and researching Jesus' reply to Peter's statement, as this is often misquoted or misunderstood. It is claimed as a promise by the proponents of the prosperity gospel, as a way to lay claim to greater, or manifold blessings in this age. It is also, at times, focused on by those who believe Jesus wouldn't have said anything about material blessings, and could only mean spiritual blessings now, and maybe material blessings in heaven.
If I look at the verses and their progression carefully, I get a slightly different perspective. First of all, Jesus was speaking about the Kingdom of God, and how hard it is for someone whose sole focus is money to enter the Kingdom of God. They are unwilling to leave or let go all they have to pursue Him. The context was the rich young man who couldn't lay down his riches to follow Christ, and it was clearly being discussed from that context.
Second, most of what Jesus lists, other than the person's house, are all relationships, and even the word used for house means much more than just physical things, but includes relationships. So most of what was left by the apostles was relationships.
Third, He was addressing the apostles, and other followers who had left all to follow Him and be a part of the Kingdom of God, many at His personal invitation. This was a very specific answer to a very specific question , for a specific group, in a specific context.
Fourth, what they receive back is going to be the same sort of things they left behind, treasure in relationships both in this present age or time and in heaven. There is no doubt that the apostles found this to be true, as many people opened their homes to them, they had many rich and deep relationships, and they were blessed to see the Kingdom expanded beyond what they could even imagine.
This was not about ownership of new stuff, that was the rich young man's problem. He couldn't give up control, or ownership of all his stuff. That was what Jesus was addressing. That is what we are called to do in the Kingdom, to put that which we have stewardship over, under the Kings dominion and control. If we are able to walk in that, we will receive the blessings of open homes and hearts, deep relationships and friendships.
In the Kingdom, everything revolves around our relationships, and the great treasure is our relationship with Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit, and each other. We must be willing to lay down our stuff to receive what really matters, namely relationships. This doesn't mean that God won't bless us financially, or materially, but the focus is clearly on relationships.
Amen Lord, help me to focus on that which really matters, that which really makes me rich - relationships! Help me to put everything else under Your dominion.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
A Prisoner of Hope?
This morning I felt I should read Zechariah 9:9-12, 14-17 NIV:
[9] Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. [10] I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. [11] As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit. [12] Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.
[14] Then the Lord will appear over them; his arrow will flash like lightning. The Sovereign Lord will sound the trumpet; he will march in the storms of the south, [15] and the Lord Almighty will shield them. They will destroy and overcome with slingstones. They will drink and roar as with wine; they will be full like a bowl used for sprinkling the corners of the altar. [16] The Lord their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown. [17] How attractive and beautiful they will be! Grain will make the young men thrive, and new wine the young women.
As I was reading these verses, verse 12 caught my attention - "Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you." - specifically the phrase "you prisoners of hope"! What an interesting phrase and thought. Are there people who are prisoners of hope? A strange thought, as normally I would think most prisoners have lost hope, or trying to hold onto hope, at least they are not imprisoned by it.
However, I think there are people who are trapped in situations, who got there because they had hope that things would change. I think of people trapped in bad marriages, bad jobs, bad circumstances, all of which didn't start that way. I think of people who find themselves hoping and praying for a way out, yet believing things might get better. I think of people who find themselves thinking - " I didn't sign up for this!". I think of people who are loyal to a fault, hopeful to a fault and not wanting to give up their hope.
The word for those who find themselves in this situation is to return to your fortress - to Your God. In Psalms the Lord is called 'my fortress' seventeen different times. He intends to be a fortress for each of us. A place we can run to, a place we can take refuge, a place where we are safe and secure in the midst of the battle. Another word for fortress is stronghold. I like that word, because I separate it and think about God having a strong hold on me. God doesn't lose His grip, ever.
Finally, the promise of God is that He will restore twice as much to you! The time frame is immediate in the original language. Rather than even now, it could easily be translated "this very day, this very moment". Although this prophecy was speaking of the day of the Lord, when Jesus came to earth, and established His Kingdom, it is true this day as well. Jesus is King! He has come! He does reign from His throne! He is the giver of good things, the restorer of our relationship to the Father. He won't just give us what we lost, but twice as much. What an encouragement - Thank You Lord.
Monday, March 11, 2013
A New Song
This morning I am reading out of Psalm 98:1-3 NIV:
[1] "Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. [2] The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. [3] He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God."
Such a good verse to start the week with, as I am reminded of the goodness of God and the fact that He has done marvelous things. We were talking yesterday in church about remembering the good things He has done in our life, not the things we wish He would do. Focusing on the good things He has done establishes gratitude in our hearts and cultivates a harvest of joy and peace in our lives. Lord, help me to live a grateful life. Help me to focus on the things I have already received, rather than the things I would like to receive. Lord, put a new song of gratitude in my heart today! Amen Lord!
[1] "Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. [2] The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. [3] He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God."
Such a good verse to start the week with, as I am reminded of the goodness of God and the fact that He has done marvelous things. We were talking yesterday in church about remembering the good things He has done in our life, not the things we wish He would do. Focusing on the good things He has done establishes gratitude in our hearts and cultivates a harvest of joy and peace in our lives. Lord, help me to live a grateful life. Help me to focus on the things I have already received, rather than the things I would like to receive. Lord, put a new song of gratitude in my heart today! Amen Lord!
Friday, March 8, 2013
The Apple of God's Eye!
Psalm 17:6-8 NIV
[6] "I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. [7] Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. [8] Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings..."
I have always loved these versus from Psalm 17, as there is a confidence in David's prayer, an expectation of God's intervention and love. He knew that when he prayed to God, God would hear! He knew that God would save him, if he needed saving. He knew the place of God's favor, understanding God's special love and affection for him.
The thing that I really like is the fact that this is all true for me as well, and true for all of us! I am the apple of God's eye! I am sheltered beneath the shadow of His wings. I am the one that He listens to when I pray! This is true for each of us. God loves each of us as much as He loved David. Lord, help us to know the reality of this in our lives!
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Our Choice
This morning I am reading out of Gen 45, where Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, after they come to him for food when he is the Lord over Egypt.
Genesis 45:4-8 NIV
[4] "Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! [5] And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. [6] For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. [7] But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. [8] “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt."
As I was reading through this, I was thinking about Joseph and his heart. Rather then harbor resentment and bitterness toward his brothers, he saw the bigger picture. He recognized the hand of God, and the way the Lord had provided through Joseph, for his entire family. Clearly it did not look anything like what he had thought when he first had the dreams. The path to the fulfillment of the word, was full of difficulty and struggle, but God's purpose had not been thwarted.
When I think deeper on his life, it was quite the journey. He went from being the cherished son, to being a slave. Although he experienced much favor as a slave he ultimately ended up as a prisoner. He had experienced major set backs along the way, gone from bad to worse and back again, and in the midst of it all, he didn't lose his faith or his perspective. He knew that God had spoken a promise to him, and he held onto it, probably as the only shred of hope during his darkest days.
Rather than pay his brothers back, or exact any revenge, other than playing some mind games on them, his heart was full of love and mercy. I like to think that his life is an example of how we can choose forgiveness over bitterness, mercy over judgement, belief over unbelief, love over hate. He didn't give up, he didn't give in, he held onto that which God had spoken. He was a man who did not let the bad things that happened to him define him, but allowed them to refine his character.
I am encouraged by all this and know that if I hold onto the promises of God, and choose God's path every day, regardless of the struggles or difficulty I encounter, God's promise will be fulfilled and I will be a man who has been refined to look like my Savior.
As Peter says in 1 Peter 4:12 NIV: [12]. "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.". For difficulty and trouble are likely to come our way, its how we choose to live in the midst of them that is important. Amen Lord, help me!
Genesis 45:4-8 NIV
[4] "Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! [5] And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. [6] For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. [7] But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. [8] “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt."
As I was reading through this, I was thinking about Joseph and his heart. Rather then harbor resentment and bitterness toward his brothers, he saw the bigger picture. He recognized the hand of God, and the way the Lord had provided through Joseph, for his entire family. Clearly it did not look anything like what he had thought when he first had the dreams. The path to the fulfillment of the word, was full of difficulty and struggle, but God's purpose had not been thwarted.
When I think deeper on his life, it was quite the journey. He went from being the cherished son, to being a slave. Although he experienced much favor as a slave he ultimately ended up as a prisoner. He had experienced major set backs along the way, gone from bad to worse and back again, and in the midst of it all, he didn't lose his faith or his perspective. He knew that God had spoken a promise to him, and he held onto it, probably as the only shred of hope during his darkest days.
Rather than pay his brothers back, or exact any revenge, other than playing some mind games on them, his heart was full of love and mercy. I like to think that his life is an example of how we can choose forgiveness over bitterness, mercy over judgement, belief over unbelief, love over hate. He didn't give up, he didn't give in, he held onto that which God had spoken. He was a man who did not let the bad things that happened to him define him, but allowed them to refine his character.
I am encouraged by all this and know that if I hold onto the promises of God, and choose God's path every day, regardless of the struggles or difficulty I encounter, God's promise will be fulfilled and I will be a man who has been refined to look like my Savior.
As Peter says in 1 Peter 4:12 NIV: [12]. "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.". For difficulty and trouble are likely to come our way, its how we choose to live in the midst of them that is important. Amen Lord, help me!
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Biblical Understatement
Continuing my meditation on Mark 5, I was just rereading the final few verses of the chapter and thought it was funny how understated the translation sometimes is, compared to the reality of the situation, and even compared to the original Greek. Here are the last three verses:
Mark 5:41-43 NIV
He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). [42] Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. [43] He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.
I was focused specifically on the end of verse 42 - "at this they were completely astonished". Maybe its just me, but I think those words just do not convey what was going on in the room. I think of astonishment as mild to significant surprise, kind of like you got an awesome birthday gift. Its pretty good, even awesome, but still probably not life changing.
The Greek words describing this scene are "Ekstasis megas". It doesn't even take a knowledge of Greek to figure out the meaning, but I will include here a couple of the translations:
Ekstasis:
A throwing of the mind out of its normal state, alienation of mind, whether such as makes a lunatic or that of a man who by some sudden emotion is transported as it were out of himself, so that in this rapt condition, although he is awake, his mind is drawn off from all surrounding objects and wholly fixed on things divine that he sees nothing but the forms and images lying within, and thinks that he perceives with his bodily eyes and ears realities shown him by God.
Megas:
Used of intensity and its degrees: with great effort, of the affections and emotions of the mind, of natural events powerfully affecting the senses: violent, mighty, strong.
So, applying the translation - the people in the room, upon seeing their dead daughter stand up and walk around were filled with great, violent, and strong ecstasy. So great was there amazement that they were like people who had lost their minds, celebrating and weeping and just overwhelmed in amazement.
Now that sounds more like what I would do if my son or daughter, who was dead for hours, stood up and walked around. His daughter had been dead long enough that the professional mourners, and friends and family had already gathered. She had been dead long enough, that the man's servants had left his home to tell him she was died, and the man was still a ways off and walking toward them with Jesus. She was dead, not breathing, not moving, probably even starting to stiffen by the time they arrived. Yet when Jesus took her hand and spoke two words to her, she sat up, got out of bed and started walking around. I think it was complete bedlam in that room, screaming, crying , hugging, weeping, laughing, yelling, more hugging, more screaming, falling on their faces before Jesus, jumping up to hug their daughter again, on and on! It was carrying on so long, finally Jesus had to break in and tell them to get her something to eat! Now that sounds like Ekstasis Megas!
Lord, that's what I want to see! I want to see You do things through Your church that causes all heaven to break loose in the room! I want to see people seem to lose their minds out of complete amazement and joy! Lord, I don't want the calm, understated experiences, that sometimes are our experience of church and the decorum we think we need to maintain. I want to see You release, in our midst, such awesomeness that we can't contain our emotions, and everyone rejoices violently (in a good way)!!!
Monday, March 4, 2013
The Word That Brings Faith
This morning I am reading from Mark 5:22-24, 35-43 NIV:
Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. [23] He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” [24] So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him.
[35] While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” [36] Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
[37] He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. [38] When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. [39] He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” [40] But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. [41] He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). [42] Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. [43] He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.
I love this story for the hope it gives those in great need. This morning as I was reading my eyes were drawn to the words of Jesus in verse 36, "Don't be afraid; just believe."
Five simple words (or in the Greek - four), spoken from the Lord can radically change our life. This wasn't some statement from Peter Pan, to believe in magic, but rather the strong encouragement to believe in Jesus and the reality of the Kingdom He was proclaiming and demonstrating. The man had just seen a woman healed by touching Jesus clothes (verses 25-34 excluded here for brevity), and he had clearly heard about Jesus' abilities to heal, and had sought him out. He was moving in faith, but then he received the pronouncement that his daughter was dead, and that growing faith died quickly and was replaced by fear. Fear of death, fear of loss, fear of pain, sorrow and grief started washing over the man.
Jesus is not afraid of these and so stood and commanded the man, 'deny the fear its hold over you, and believe and put your trust in Me!' (My paraphrase of the Greek)
This command wasn't to convince himself in his mind, it wasn't to change the way he was thinking, it was both a command and an impartation of the Holy Spirit, for faith is a gift of the Holy Spirit, not a mental belief. The word of Jesus, destroyed the fear and doubt and bouyed the man up out of his grief. His heart was filled with an unshakable belief in the Lord.
If we are in need, let us pursue the Lord. Let us trust in Him! Let us pray for faith! Let us look to Him and listen to Him, not those around us with their own opinions of what is happening. The Lord was not swayed by the pronouncements of the people, nor their derision. He knew what would happen, what was destined to happen, so believing what He said was the right thing. In the same way let us seek the Lord and hear what He has to say - for His word brings faith.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Released Into Our Destiny
This morning I am thinking through the story, found in Mark's Gospel, of the crazy man from The Gerasenes.
Mark 5:1-5 NIV
They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. [2] When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. [3] This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. [4] For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. [5] Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
This is how the man was when he encountered Jesus. The following verses describe how he was after meeting Jesus.
Mark 5:18-20 NIV
As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. [19] Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” [20] So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
What I ws thinking through this morning was the radical change, and new destiny that Jesus had released in this man. His life previously was one of insanity, violence, self loathing, self hatred, loneliness, rejection, and demonic torment. Once Jesus cleansed him of all that was affecting him, in this case it was spiritual, he was a completely transformed man. Even more important was the direction the Lord gave him, to go home and tell his own people about what the Lord had done, effectively releasing him as one of the first evangelists. Not content to just share with his family and friends this men went to the decapolis - 10 cities - and shared with them all as well.
So a man goes from certifiable, and beyond institutional care, crazy to being an evangelist ministering in 10 cities because of one significant encounter with Jesus. Wow!
Jesus saw the man beneath the chains and insanity. Jesus, through the help of the Father and Holy Spirit, saw the man as he was created to be and called him into that place.
This is what the Lord wants to do in each of our lives! He wants to free us from the chains of unbelief, wrong thinking, our past hurts and wounds, our rejection our bitterness, our past and release us, not to just live normal lives, but to have impact on all those around us! He sees us as we really are, as we were created to be, and longs to call us into that reality! He loves us enough to walk into the graveyard, where all our hopes and dreams have died or are chained up, and set us free! He won't stop there, for once we are free He will call us into our eternal destiny, that which we were created to be.
Come Lord Jesus and release Your sons and daughters from all that holds us back from our eternal destiny!
Mark 5:1-5 NIV
They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. [2] When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. [3] This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. [4] For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. [5] Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
This is how the man was when he encountered Jesus. The following verses describe how he was after meeting Jesus.
Mark 5:18-20 NIV
As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. [19] Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” [20] So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
What I ws thinking through this morning was the radical change, and new destiny that Jesus had released in this man. His life previously was one of insanity, violence, self loathing, self hatred, loneliness, rejection, and demonic torment. Once Jesus cleansed him of all that was affecting him, in this case it was spiritual, he was a completely transformed man. Even more important was the direction the Lord gave him, to go home and tell his own people about what the Lord had done, effectively releasing him as one of the first evangelists. Not content to just share with his family and friends this men went to the decapolis - 10 cities - and shared with them all as well.
So a man goes from certifiable, and beyond institutional care, crazy to being an evangelist ministering in 10 cities because of one significant encounter with Jesus. Wow!
Jesus saw the man beneath the chains and insanity. Jesus, through the help of the Father and Holy Spirit, saw the man as he was created to be and called him into that place.
This is what the Lord wants to do in each of our lives! He wants to free us from the chains of unbelief, wrong thinking, our past hurts and wounds, our rejection our bitterness, our past and release us, not to just live normal lives, but to have impact on all those around us! He sees us as we really are, as we were created to be, and longs to call us into that reality! He loves us enough to walk into the graveyard, where all our hopes and dreams have died or are chained up, and set us free! He won't stop there, for once we are free He will call us into our eternal destiny, that which we were created to be.
Come Lord Jesus and release Your sons and daughters from all that holds us back from our eternal destiny!
Friday, March 1, 2013
Clothed in Virtue
This morning I am reading out of Colossians 3:12-14 NIV:
[12] "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [13] Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [14] And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
This is such a beautiful set of verses. The Greek word here translated 'clothe' means to to sink into, to be enveloped by, and the root of the word is used to describe the setting sun. So if we were writing the expanded version of this verse, it would read something like this:
Therefore... be enveloped and covered, to the point where your former self is obscured from view, in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Allow yourself to sink into these virtues, so that you are completely covered, and that is what people encounter when they meet you.
Amen Lord, help me to walk this out in my life daily.
[12] "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [13] Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [14] And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
This is such a beautiful set of verses. The Greek word here translated 'clothe' means to to sink into, to be enveloped by, and the root of the word is used to describe the setting sun. So if we were writing the expanded version of this verse, it would read something like this:
Therefore... be enveloped and covered, to the point where your former self is obscured from view, in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Allow yourself to sink into these virtues, so that you are completely covered, and that is what people encounter when they meet you.
Amen Lord, help me to walk this out in my life daily.
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