Life In The Blood

This morning I felt led to read from Lev. 17, which is where the Lord revealed the restriction about eating blood.  In an interesting coincidence (I think this might be more than that), I donated blood yesterday.   Here are the verses I am reflecting on - Leviticus 17:10-11 NIV:

[10] “ ‘I will set my face against any Israelite or any foreigner residing among them who eats blood, and I will cut them off from the people. [11] For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”

My mind is particularly drawn to the beginning of verse 11, “the life of a creature is in the blood”.  The word that is translated life is the Hebrew word ‘nepes’ which is defined as follows:

1: soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion, that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man

a. living being

b. living being (with life in the blood)

c. the man himself, self, person or individual

The root of this word means “breath”, and one could almost say that this is the oxygen, for that is what is carried in our blood.  However, clearly there is more than just O2, the Hebrews word encompasses more and includes what we would call the soul/mind/self.  

If we apply this understanding to the words of Jesus, found in John 6, and again those spoken at the Last Supper, we being to appreciate the significance of what Jesus was saying. 

John 6:53-56 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.”

Jesus is absolutely speaking about His blood in the Hebrew understanding.  If we receive His blood, His life fills us, and give us 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 covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

Again, we see the understanding from Leviticus, the forgiveness / atonement of the blood sacrifice. Jesus is using terms and conveying concepts that  they understood.  The Lord in His perfect ways had laid out a type and pattern in the Old Testament that would be perfectly fulfilled by Jesus.  He was making a way for His blood to bring forgiveness to all!  In sharing in this, we receive His life, in His words we have eternal (His) life. 

Taking this a bit further, there is an interesting scientific fact that people who receive blood transfusions do receive some of the donators DNA, which stays present for a period of time afterwards.  We literally receive someone else’s DNA or building blocks of their “life”. Here is an interesting article that discusses this reality - 

“Studies have shown that donor DNA in blood transfusion recipients persists for a number of days, sometimes longer, but its presence is unlikely to alter genetic tests significantly. Red blood cells, the primary component in transfusions, have no nucleus and no DNA. Transfused blood does, however, host a significant amount of DNA-containing white blood cells, or leukocytes—around a billion cells per unit (roughly one pint) of blood. Even blood components that have been filtered to remove donor white cells can have millions of leukocytes per unit.

Investigators have detected donor DNA after transfusion with a process called polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that amplifies minuscule amounts of genetic material for detection and identification of specific genes. Studies using PCR to amplify male genes in female recipients of transfusions from male donors have demonstrated that donor DNA endures in recipients for up to seven days. And a study of female trauma patients receiving large transfusions showed the presence of donor leukocytes for up to a year and a half.

All these results, however, were found using very sensitive techniques whereby donor DNA was selectively amplified over the more plentiful recipient DNA. In studies where genes common to both donors and recipients were amplified, the results reflected the dominance of the transfusion recipient’s own DNA, showing the donor’s DNA to be a relatively inconsequential interloper.” (Michelle N. Gong, an assistant professor at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine)

Sorry, I am a bit of a science geek.  I just find it very interesting that the perspective that there is “life in the blood” is an accurate description.  

Coming full circle, as we look at the invitation Jesus issues to “drink His blood” which is the “Blood of the new covenant”, we understand that we do receive His life!  We received His breath! We receive part of Him!  Additionally, this is the blood that cleanses us or makes atonement for our sins. 

I am reminded of a couple of hymns. 

"Nothing But The Blood of Jesus"

1. 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:

O precious is the flow

that makes me white as snow;

no other fount I know;

nothing but the blood of Jesus.

2 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]

3 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]

4 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]

"Power in the Blood"

1 Would you be free from the burden of sin?

There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood;

Would you o'er evil a victory win?

There's wonderful pow'r in the blood.

Refrain:

There is pow'r, pow'r, wonder-working pow'r

In the blood of the Lamb;

There is pow'r, pow'r, wonder-working pow'r

In the precious blood of the Lamb.

2 Would you be free from your passion and pride?

There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood;

Come for a cleansing to Calvary's tide–

There's wonderful pow'r in the blood. [Refrain]

3 Would you be whiter, yes brighter than snow?

There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood;

Sin-stains are lost in its life-giving flow–

There's wonderful pow'r in the blood. [Refrain]

4 Would you do service for Jesus, your King?

There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood;

Would you live daily His praises to sing?

There's wonderful pow'r in the blood. [Refrain]

Oh Lord, thank You for Your Blood!  Thank You for Your sacrifice!  Thank You for Your Life!  We pray that we are changed, that our very inner self would become like You!  Thank You for giving us Eternal Life!

Amen and Amen!

Ancient of Days and Ancient Ruins

Last night I had some dreams about ancient treasure, and this morning I was thinking that might be an interesting bit of research to see when God refers to something as ancient.  There are several verses where this word is used, but today I want to focus on the ones where the Lord is referring to Himself.  Here are some of the verses - 

Psalm 24:7-8 NIV

“Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. [8] Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.”

Psalm 68:32-35 NIV

“Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord, [33] to him who rides across the highest heavens, the ancient heavens, who thunders with mighty voice. [34] Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the heavens. [35] You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!”

Isaiah 43:13 NIV

“Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”

Isaiah 44:7-8 NIV

“Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come—yes, let them foretell what will come. [8] Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”

Isaiah 46:9-10 NIV

“Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. [10] I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’”

Isaiah 58:9-12 NIV

“Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, [10] and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. [11] The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. [12] Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.”

Isaiah 61:1-4 NIV

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, [2] to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, [3] and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. [4] They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.”

There is an interesting progression of flow when I consider these verses side by side.  There is a recognition of God, of His ancient creation!  We are ancient, but He is before all. He is the one who established man, and whose plans are in place, and who is the only God, the only Rock!  It is interesting to me that He then invites His people into restoring and rebuilding the ancient ruins. 

I am reminded of C.S.Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia.  There is seen in these stories the ability to see ancient things restored, and the idea that there is something even deeper, some ancient truths.  In the same way, I think we tend to be so forward thinking, believing that we are progressing always, but there is something to the ancient ways, some treasures if you will, that require rebuilding.

I am also reminded that we must always look at such things through the revelation of Jesus, for He is the perfect representation for the Father, He is “perfect theology”.   We must not decide for ourselves what these ancient ruins are, for our perspective is not the same as the Lords!  We would tend towards restoring the Law, building lists, enacting judgment, etc.  We think anything that gives us some level of control and tracking is wonderful, and I just don’t think that truly resonates with the ways of the Lord.

I think we would be far better served to ask Him, “what ancient ways do You want rebuilt?”

When I think back to these verses they were generally written more than 700 years before Christ appeared, and yet the pattern and shadow of the revelation of Christ was in all.  As John writes - 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.”

I am also reminded of a bit more of John’s writings - Revelation 1:8,17-18 NIV:

[8] “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” 

[17] “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. [18] I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” 

Yes, Lord, You are the first and the last, the Alpha and the Omega, the ever-living one!  You are before all of us, and will remain after all of us, if that were to ever occur.  Your ways established the earth, established Your people, and provided redemption and salvation for us all!  You made a way where there was no way!

You restored the ancient ways, the ways of the garden, making a way for man to once again have relationship with You!  This is our created purpose, our greatest treasure is You and  relationship with You!  The ancient ways, may very well be the culture of the Garden, through Jesus. One wonders if also there is a stewardship of creation that is included in these ancient ways? Oh Lord, clearly this is beyond our ability to understand and bring about, but we can do what You tell us to do!  Help us to listen and obey!  We want to encounter You, the Ancient of Days!

Amen!

Welcomed In Our Weakness

Yesterday during worship I had this sense that people struggle to enter into worship because of their feelings of weakness, sinfulness or inadequacy.  I was thinking how interesting it is that the Lord doesn’t require our polished up and all-put-together selves, but rather invites us to turn towards Him in our weakness and imperfections.  

While reflecting on this, I was reminded of Paul’s writing about his weakness and thorn found in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV:

[9] “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. [10] That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

This is such an unprideful statement, it's actually painful to me to even contemplate having this mindset.  I don’t want to be weak!  And yet, look at what Paul has discovered, when He is weak, God is strong, and His power rests on Paul.  I would greatly prefer to be strong and have God’s power rest on me! 

I think its safe to say that most of us would struggle with these statements for ourselves.  It is ok, if someone else is walking through such a season, but certainly isn’t something we would want, and certainly not something we would delight in!  

In Jesus' sermon on the Mount He speaks about those that are poor in spirit, and I think this is exactly that.  In fact I want to quote these beatitudes, for they are beautiful and challenging - Matthew 5:3-12 NIV:

[3] “Blessed are the poor in spirit, 

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

[4] Blessed are those who mourn, 

for they will be comforted. 

[5] Blessed are the meek, 

for they will inherit the earth. 

[6] Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 

for they will be filled.

[7] Blessed are the merciful, 

for they will be shown mercy. 

[8] Blessed are the pure in heart, 

for they will see God. 

[9] Blessed are the peacemakers, 

for they will be called children of God. 

[10] Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, 

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

[11] “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. [12] Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

To quote a song written by Misty Edwards, it seems like “it's an inside-out, upside-down kingdom”.  Jesus’ teaching must have really caused a stir, for this isn’t the way we think it should be!  We want strength and power to be given to the strong and healthy.  We want the rich and powerful to inherit the earth, etc. 

Paul’s statement, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” seems to fit well into this inside-out, upside down Kingdom.  Paul was expressing his spiritual poverty, his weakness.  The reality is that God doesn’t reject us in our weakness, He embraces us and strengthens us, for that is what Paul is really saying! 

Going back to my reflection during worship, I feel there is a real invitation from the Lord to come as we are in worship!  No need to polish up, or look good, no need to put on airs, to look and act our best, to make sure everything has been confessed, or whatever else we might be thinking!  

He understands all our weaknesses!

He sees our sins!

He knows our thoughts!

And He still welcomes us and desires for us to come to Him!  He loves us in all our weakness, dirt and shame!  He will not turn us away because of our filth and sorrow, sickness or pain.  He wants to meet us, touch us and heal us!  

As I was writing this, I was reminded of when my granddaughter was hurt by my dog (which thought it was playtime and is 100lbs).  She was upset and crying and just wanted to be held and comforted. I didn’t require her to put on a brave face, or get her act together, in fact her woundedness caused my compassion to well up!

I am reminded of God’s proclamation of who He is to Moses, found in Exodus 34:6 NIV:

“And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,” 

I like to think that the order He spoke is the order in which we encounter Him, and first is His compassion!  He knows us, knows everything about us, and is moved by this compassion. It seems that anytime it's noted that Jesus was compassionate, He was moved to act!  

So, this morning I am encouraged to come to the Lord in my weakness, in my sinfulness, in my struggles, fears and inadequacy!  I am encouraged because He loves me, knows me, and had compassion on me!  He wants me to recognize that in my weakness He IS Strong!  He does not reject me, instead He can fill me and use me!   

I am not to the place of delighting in my weakness, but I am certainly rejoicing in the fact that the Lord can and does work through me!

Oh Lord, help us to accept this invitation to come to You in our weakness, in our present state, in poor spirits, knowing that You will meet us exactly where we are!

Amen!

Cleanse Your Church!

This morning I felt led to read from Matt 21, which is the beginning on end of Jesus’ ministry, for it starts with the procession into Jerusalem, in what we refer to as Palm Sunday.  I was reading through these familiar verses and saw something this morning I hadn’t noticed before.  Here are the verses - Matthew 21:6-15 NIV:

[6] “The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. [7] They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. [8] A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 

[9] The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 

[10] When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” 

[11] The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” 

[12] Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. [13] “It is written,” he said to them, “ ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” 

[14] The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. [15] But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.”

What caught my attention this morning was verse 14, and specifically how that happened immediately after He cleansed the temple!  He cleared out the businesses, the money-making, and immediately it became a house of healing and joy!  The other accounts in Mark and Luke don’t bring out this specific fact, but allude to it.

I do see in this a bit of a prophetic picture of a call to the Church to stop acting like a business and focus on the Gospel and ministry.  The Church has become, for many, a giant business and money-making is part of the focus for sure.  With huge buildings, and staff, sound and video teams, spectacular programs, concert-like services, it is clear that we have lost much of the focus and ministry of Jesus!  Oh Lord, help us!

It is very likely that our focus on flashy and glittery things, on the size of the congregations, and their giving is because we have no power to heal and deliver, to change lives, and we don’t really believe Jesus words in John 14:11-12 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.”

I am sure of one thing, Jesus was not talking about light and smoke shows, fancy videos and programs designed to entertain when He spoke verse 12.  

Oh Lord, forgive us for making Your church a place of business and entertainment, rather than a house of prayer and healing!  Oh Lord, forgive us and help us to return to Your ministry, to Your compassion for the people, to Your Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven present!  Oh Lord, cleanse Your Church!  

Amen and Amen!

Some Bedrock

This morning I am back in the letter to the Hebrews and have been reading the first two chapters. I am not sure why, but I haven’t spent as much time in this letter as I should.  It is so rich in explaining symbolism, and how the temple model was a foreshadowing of what was to be fulfilled through Jesus.  Anyway, today I am looking at two chunks of verses, the first four from chapter one and the first four verses from chapter two.   

Hebrews 1:1-4 NIV:

[1] “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, [2] but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. [3] The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. [4] So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.”

And - 

Hebrews 2:1-4 NIV:

[1] “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. [2] For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, [3] how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. [4] God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.”

These two sets of verses are bedrocks of our faith!  They are so important for us to grasp, and lock into our minds and thoughts.  Jesus’ ministry, His words and actions, were a perfect representation of the Father.  Bill Johnson likes to say, “Jesus is perfect theology.” If we want to know what the Father is like, we must look to Jesus!  Anything in the Old Testament must be filtered through the lense of Jesus’ ministry, for He is the high-point of revelation of the Father, the Father’s words, will and action.

Secondly, we understand how superior Jesus is to everyone else, and everything else. He is superior to all created things, and as such would have been unapproachable, except that He became fully man.  By doing so, He opened a way for us to once again be in relationship with God, our Father.

The second set of verses is equally foundational, for Jesus came and proclaimed a Gospel of the present Kingdom of Heaven and then demonstrated that Gospel through signs, wonders and various miracles.  The signs point to the Father, who He is representing (See John 14:11).  

His Gospel is so much better than the Law.  His salvation is perfect, and so much greater than any righteousness attainable through the Law.  This Gospel of Grace was not just some new slightly different take on what everyone else believed and was doing, but was a radical departure.  There were no acts, or works or sacrifices to make, God had done everything required, and then offered inclusion in this mystery freely to all!   

How marvelous and wonderful this is!  The One who created the Universe, came to earth, became man and then paid for us all to be set free. He now sends His Holy Spirit to dwell with us, to empower us and give us gifts that demonstrate the truthfulness of this Gospel.

Oh Lord, we ask You to forgive us for settling for any other Gospel, any other expression of faith that limits who You are!  We ask that You would send a fresh anointing that the world might see Your glory, once again!  We pray that we might be able rightly represent You to those in need of You!

Amen and Amen!

Faith and Fear of the Lord

This morning I felt led to read from the Letter to the Hebrews.  This is such a rich letter and one we should mine regularly.  This morning my verse for reflection come from the 11th chapter, know by some as the faith hall of fame.  I pulled out a few verses that stood out to me - Hebrews 11:1-3,6,13,24,26,39-40 NIV:

[1] “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. [2] This is what the ancients were commended for. [3] By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 

[6] And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. 

[13] All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 

[24] By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 

[26] He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 

[39] These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, [40] since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”

As I was reflecting on these verses, it occurred to me that there is a connection to the Fear of the Lord in extreme faith, or stepping into faith.  Why else would someone step into the seemingly impossible (Abraham) or ridiculous (Noah) or dangerous (Moses)?  They had this understanding that God was real, and capable of doing the impossible.  He was greater than them, greater than anyone or anything they had ever encountered.  They understood that the invitation into the impossible was through faith, believing what He had said!

They uncovered or saw the character of God revealed to them!  They encountered Him in ways others had never experienced.  They were the tip of the spear, if you will, in revealing God’s greatness, His power and His faithfulness.

None of them were responding to the fear of punishment, in fact, many listed in the verses not quoted above, were facing punishment for their faith.  No, they were responding to the invitation to know God, to be loved by God, to love God above all else, to trust in His Word.  

They believed He is greater than anything, anyone, or any circumstance.  They devoted their lives to bear witness to God!  They saw God as capable of doing exactly what He said He would, and faithful to do it.  This was not a faith in Him founded on past experience, but rather faith for a new experience, yet to be revealed, yet to be fulfilled.  They had faith in the promise and the promiser!

Lord, I pray that You would help us all to step into the invitation to encounter You in new ways, in new revelation, in new expressions of Your faithfulness.  Help us to encounter You as You are, Holy, Glorious, Loving, Merciful, Compassionate, Faithful and Beautiful!

The Fear of The Lord Is Not Fear of Punishment

Sunday morning as I was walking my pooch in our local park, I was thinking about the Fear of the Lord, my regular theme of late, and I heard the Lord drop another idea into my mind that I want to reflect upon. What I heard was “the fear of the Lord is not fear of punishment.”

I think that statement is an excellent defining principle worth some reflection. The Lord in His love for us, wants us to understand how His mercy and compassion are essential to the Gospel, and must be understood in the midst of our pursuing Him, and encountering Him in His Holiness and Majesty.

I think that too often we are led to believe that our relationship with God is defined by the Law, and His reaction to our sins is to punish us.  We don’t often hear this message proclaimed with such clearness, but that is the underlying message that is often communicated when we hear a “rules based” Gospel.  For many of us this message is woven into our thinking and theology, and yet it does not represent the true Gospel.

This is a rather complicated theme, so I don’t expect to be able to cover it clearly in a single morning reflection.  Lord, please help me to break it up into digestible pieces!

I know there are whole books on this theme, and probably several whole books proclaiming the other perspective, so I will just try to keep to the basics of the Gospel, in definable statements.  Here goes: 

1. Jesus came to save us, not to condemn us (John 3:16-17)

2. Jesus perfectly fulfilled all of the Law (Rom 10:4 & Matt 5:17)

3. Jesus paid the price for all our sins (Heb 9:12 NIrV)

4. Jesus was punished for our sins (Is 53:5)

5. Jesus opened the way for us to have relationship with God. (2 Cor 3:14-18)

6. Jesus offers us salvation freely, for He paid the price. (Rom 3:24)

7. We cannot earn forgiveness for our sins through works (Gal 2:16).

8.  If we could earn our salvation through works, then Jesus’s death, resurrection and ascension were not necessary. (Gal 2:21)

9. Jesus offers this to us freely because He loves us.(2 Thess 2:13-14)

Going back to the top, the motivation of the Gospel is God’s love for us.  Jesus came as a perfect representation of the Father to us, and was a perfect representation of man to the Father. He took our place, and did for us what we could never do.  

Continuing on, if Jesus paid the price for all our sins and took the punishment of those sins upon Himself, why would God punish us?  If He does, then it seems to me that God is saying that Jesus didn’t actually pay the whole price for our sins, nor take the punishment for them all, and His sacrifice was incomplete! 

Yikes, we don’t want to be agreeing to that thought, for that is certainly not the Gospel!

His death and resurrection opened the way for us to be restored to relationship with God!  He did what only He could do, and now offers salvation (out of His love for us) freely, through faith.  It is not because of anything we did, it is all based on what Jesus did, so He extends it freely to us! 

None of this is a promise of punishment for wrong behavior! 

In fact, while we were sinners Jesus did all this for us! (Rom 5:8)

If He did all this for us while we were sinners, why would we think that He would completely change everything once we receive salvation?  

If He did all of this for us, would He act like He didn’t, and punish us anyway for our sins?

This type of thinking (That God will punish us for our sins) is no gospel, and certainly not good news at all!

The Gospel is almost unbelievable, too good to be true, yet it is!  In spite of our sins, God chose to love us and save us from our sinfulness, from the punishment due us, instead freely offering to us forgiveness for our sins, salvation, relationship, and blessing.  He did everything we can’t and couldn’t do, and offers it all to us freely!  All we need to do is believe!

This Good News should cause us to wonder at the unbelievable goodness of God!  We should be overwhelmed with thankfulness, with gratitude, and with assurance that we are not worthy of any of it!  Our hearts should recognize the unbelievable good news of our pardon and release!  We are not only set free, but God desires relationship with us, and that is HIs reason for this all!  

His love is His motivation!

His Love is eternal, and exists in spite of our sins, and imperfection! 

He is so much better than we can imagine!

He loves us and has a plan for us, for our own good!

He is Holy, all powerful, all knowing, and He loves us and wants us to spend eternity in relationship with Him!

This is the beginning of the Fear of the Lord!  We don’t want to miss any of what He has purposed!  We don’t want to disappoint the One who loves us so perfectly!  We don’t want to miss the opportunity to know Him and be known by Him!   

When we see Him, we will recognize how beautiful, magnificent and glorious He is, and we will probably fall on our faces! (Rev. 1:17)

This is Fear of the Lord!

Amen!

First Encounter - "The Fear of the Lord"

This morning when I woke up I was thinking about the Fear of the Lord, and I was reminded of why I journal and spend time in prayer every morning, which was an encounter where I first experienced the Fear of the Lord!  

Back when I was in college, I had my real conversion encounter, and immediately plugged into some on-campus ministries and meetings that encouraged me in my pursuit of the Lord.  I started reading through the Bible and journaling during my prayer time.  I was taking time in the morning and evening, and it was a wonderful time of revelation and learning from the Lord, and others.  I started praying up to an hour a day… and was growing quickly in my understanding and love of the Lord.   

Over the next couple of years, I think my amount of journalling was slowing down, as was my “hearing from the Lord” which for me was often related to the different things I would read that seemed to be related to exactly what I was going through at the time.  I was still learning to hear his voice for myself, but I had some experience.  

There was one day that I came to realize it had been a bit since I had heard anything new, and I was asking/complaining to the Lord, wondering why I wasn’t hearing from Him any more?  At that moment I definitely heard His voice (not audibly, but in my heart and mind) say something like, “Well you don’t take what I say seriously, you have stopped writing it down so you will remember it, so why should I tell you anything new?”

My whole being was instantly hit by “The Fear of the Lord” and I was overcome with a desperation!  I cried out in a silent wail, “No Lord, don’t stop speaking to me!!! I will journal! I will take what You say seriously! I will never stop!”

Now, I am not saying this is the case for anyone else, but it was a clear message to me from the Lord, and I have tried to embrace that promise and pursue the Lord every day of my life since!  I journal most everyday, and its rarely more than 2 days in a row where I don’t sit down for time with the Lord. My time with Him and His word to me is the greatest treasure in my life (Or at least I try to keep it that way).

Yesterday at a prayer meeting with others, we were talking about learning to value the Lord, learning to be in His presence, and pursuing a time of encounter with Him.  I was reminded of a verse that one is my MO (modus operandus) - Matthew 13:45-46 NIV:  “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. [46] When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”

My day almost always starts with time alone with the Lord.  In the eyes of the world, it might look like I am wasting time, but I know the treasure this time is!  If I wake up earlier than planned I am excited that I can spend more time with the Lord before starting my day!  I don’t begrudgingly sit down out of duty, instead my quiet time with Him is full of life, encounter, wisdom from Heaven, new ideas, and intimate moments where I know that He is speaking to me!  I look forward every morning to this time, and actually hunger for more time than I normally take.

I remember early on in my life with the Lord, I heard a priest talking about how he spends the first 2 hours of everyday in prayer, and I was so surprised that someone could or would take that amount of time to be in prayer, and really couldn’t understand how anyone could pray that long!  I now know the answer, for often my prayer time just flys by!  Each day is an adventure in His Word, and a new encounter with Him.

I am reminded of a few more short verses - 

Isaiah 55:6 NIV; “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.”

Matthew 7:7-8 NIV: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Jeremiah 29:12-14a NIV: “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. [13] You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. [14] I will be found by you,” declares the LORD….”

The Lord is waiting to meet those who are willing to seek Him!  He is the great treasure!  My prayer is that we all might encounter Him in the place of prayer, and learn to value time with Him alone!  Let us learn to love and be loved by Him!  

Amen and Amen!

Fear of the Lord = Love One Another

Apparently the theme of “The Fear of the Lord” is something a few close friends are also hearing and reflecting on, and I find that encouraging.  I was messaging someone who was pressing into this same theme, and experiencing very similar “invitations” to go deeper.  Thank You Lord for speaking to us, and for inviting us to press into deeper relationship with You!  I know I have just started this reflection but I feel a rapid deepening of my relationship, and I feel like  I am seeing things much clearer.

This morning my verses for reflection are from David in Psalm 19:7-11 NIV:

[7]”The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. 

The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 

[8] The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. 

The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 

[9] The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. 

The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous. 

[10] They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; 

they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. 

[11] By them your servant is warned; 

in keeping them there is great reward.”

I really like these verses from David, for they put some context around the idea of “The fear of the Lord”.  Again, this terminology is unusual for our modern minds, and these additional thoughts bring clarity.  The Law, the statutes, the precepts, the commands of the Lord are all related to the Fear of the Lord.  We could almost say they are predecessors, for they help us understand that “The Fear of the Lord” is related to His purposes and revealed Word.  

In reading this list there is almost a feeling of reading a constitution of governing law, where the underlying benefits are revealed. The benefits are refreshing the soul, making wise the simple, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, enduring forever, and in keeping them is found great reward.  

If anything, these verses should help us to categorize the “Fear of the Lord”as something very positive and precious to pursue!

Often in the past when I thought of the “Fear of the Lord” the image I had was of me cowering in front of some powerful authority figure, and me shaking and quaking in fear.  In light of these verses, one could almost associate it with the study of our legal systems, understanding the benefits to the laws and how my life is better because of them.  It is a completely different image in my mind.

I am reminded of something Jesus said in John 14:15-16 NIV:

[15] “If you love me, keep my commands. [16] And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—”

This whole theme is really about establishing and embracing a loving relationship with the Lord!  The motivation for all of this, while beneficial to us, is actually love for Him!  A loving relationship is the foundation upon which the invitation to keep the commands is given.  He isn’t some towering authority figure demanding obedience and compliance, but is rather the one who loves us more than anyone else, and has willingly laid down His life for us!  He is inviting us into a depth of relationship that will change everything, in a good way.  

Continuing on in His discourse found in John’s Gospel, Jesus says the following - John 15:9-17 NIV:

[9] “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. [10] If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. [11] I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. [12] My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. [13] Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. [14] You are my friends if you do what I command. [15] I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. [16] You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. [17] This is my command: Love each other.”

If I understand these verses correctly, we are being invited into the Trinitarian expression of love and intimacy!  We are not servants, we are beloved friends and His intent is that His joy will be found complete in us!  There is purpose in this invitation, and that is that we love each other!  We have been called, and invited with a purpose, that we might “go and bear fruit” which is produced through loving each other!

It is pretty interesting that the end-result of all this is that others experience His love, through us.  We are encouraged to love one another AS He loved us!  Yikes!  That is no small invitation!  

I guess I could say it through a sort of science equation:

Love of God -> Love for God -> Fear of the Lord -> deeper love for God -> desire to do what He commands -> love one another -> experience the Love of God! 

Oh Lord, help us to press into relationship with You that we might bear fruit, and love one another as You loved us!

Amen! 

Consider Carefully!

Continuing my study of the “fear of the Lord”, I am turning to the first mention I can find of that phrase.  It is found in 2 Chronicles 19:5-7 NIV:

[5] He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. [6] He told them, “Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for mere mortals but for the LORD, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. [7] Now let the fear of the LORD be on you. Judge carefully, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”

I really like these verses as they introduce the concept of representing the Lord.  In this case the judges are representing Him in the judgments they give.  The charge is to “consider carefully” and that seems to be where I struggle, I am so likely to just respond, and not think!  I certainly don’t think very often about how I am representing the Lord.

One could apply this charge “consider carefully” to every area of our life; how we think, how we act, what we pursue, how we spend our money, how we talk about others, etc.  I think I would likely change quite a few things if I were to embrace this charge completely.

At the base level this charge is about representing the Lord. In my mind I can understand this in terms of employment.  I am asked to represent the company that I work for, doing the work they ask and expect, with the quality and same character, moral and ethics, to be a faithful representation of the company and the executives when I am interacting with customers.  My actions can really affect my customers perspective and attitude about my company.

I am reminded of a quote by one of my favorite authors, A. W. Tozer from his book “The Knowledge of the Holy”.  He wrote, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us”!  I could take this the next step and say that how we then represent God to others is the second most important thing.  For many people, the only thoughts they have about God are the result of their interactions with Christians, me included.

Yikes!! That definitely causes me to “consider carefully” my ways, my words, my thoughts, my actions, etc.  How am I representing the Lord?  If someone were to only watch me and interact with me what would their idea of God be like? Am I faithfully representing Him in the way I interact with others in public, when I am frustrated, when I am driving (OUCH), when I am in stores, or airports, when I am tired, when I am at home and talking to my spouse?

Oh Lord, I see in my reflection today many areas where I need to “consider carefully” my ways, that I might better represent You!  Help me Lord!

Amen!

A Foundation for Wisdom

Yesterday I started reflecting on the “Fear of the Lord” as a theme of significance.  Lord, help me to grow in my understanding, and in my embracing the invitation before me.  The verses I want to consider this morning all come from Psalm 111:1-10 NIV:

[1] “Praise the LORD. 

I will extol the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly. 

[2] Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them. 

[3] Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever. 

[4] He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate. [5] He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. 

[6] He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations. 

[7] The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. 

[8] They are established for ever and ever, enacted in faithfulness and uprightness. 

[9] He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever—

holy and awesome is his name. 

[10] The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; 

all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.”

The idea that the Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom is such an interesting thought.  As I was thinking about this, I figured a good way to say it might be that it is a foundation for all other understanding.  

The idea that there is order to nature and creation comes from the Genesis accounts where we see God intentionally creating “order” from nothingness.  This idea led to the whole field of science, as a study and observation of this order, looking to find the “equations” or building blocks of this “order” that were foundational to all things and to our experience.  

I have had the opportunity to study microbiology, and the structure and function of cells, and also Astronomy, and the structures of the universe, and there is clear and definable order and laws at work at both of these levels.  There is almost much we don’t know about each level, and everything in between.  I know I was filled with awe as I considered the immensity, the beauty and the order found at every level.

In the naturally observable realm, there is order and beauty, complexity and dependence, amazing interworking and macro forces that surround us and are part of our everyday existence. We depend on the “order” of things to continue for most everything we experience.

What I find so interesting is that there is apparently an equally present spiritual reality that surrounds us, and impacts our lives and experiences.  In our Western mindset, we tend to dismiss this realm, as unseen and unexplainable, and thus not real. However, I believe the rest of the World would disagree.  There are those that would argue such viewpoints are primitive, and that we have evolved and no longer need to think in such way, and yet the Scriptures point very clearly to such a realm.

I am reminded of a few scriptures and first to mind is the whole chapter of Daniel 2.  In it God reveals to Daniel both the dream the king had, and its interpretation, something that is outside our abilities, as argued by all the wisemen of the time.  Here is their interaction - Daniel 2:26-28 NIV:

[26] “The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?” 

[27] Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, [28] but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you were lying in bed are these:”

At the end of the chapter, after Daniel revealed both his dream and the interpretation, the King responded as follows - Daniel 2:46-47 NIV:

[46] “Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him. [47] The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.”

One could say that Nebuchadnezzar had an adjustment to his world-view that day!  He came to realize that God is real and God is the one orchestrating all things. His previous world-view foundation was replaced with a new foundation, the Fear of the Lord!

Lord, help me to recognize that pursuing You, Your ways and Your thoughts is critical to my better understanding of this world, and all that is going on around us!  Help me to adjust my thinking to align with the reality that You have revealed in Scripture.  Help me to grow in my awareness of Your work and “order” all around me, bit the seen and the unseen.

Amen!

The Key to This Treasure

Recently the Lord issued an invite to pursue the “Fear of the Lord” which while this is a topic I am familiar with, has never been something I pursued with diligence.  I am thinking this might be the theme for the next few weeks, or longer.  Here the verses I am focused on today - Isaiah 33:5-6 NIV:

[5] “The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness. 

[6] He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; 

the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.”

I had a dream recently where I was helping to recover loads of gold, definitely enough to be considered a treasure.  The next day I came across this verse and the two dots were connected.

The phrase “Fear of the Lord” could be misunderstood due to our most common use of the word fear, being related to something bad.  While this is inline with some of the definitions of the original Hebrew word “yira” we find the following definition - Strong's Definitions: יִרְאָה yirʼâh, yir-aw'; feminine of H337; fear (also used as infinitive); morally, reverence:—× dreadful, × exceedingly, fear(-fulness). 

One of the earliest mentions, chronologically is found in the oldest book of the Bible – Job 28:28 NIV: “And he said to the human race, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”

Clearly the author in both of these verses was not referring to something dreadful or terrible, but rather to reverence!  We do find in Scripture where people are overcome with awe of the Lord, and fall down, trembling.  For example: 

Daniel 8:17 NIrV:

Gabriel came close to where I was standing. I was terrified and fell down flat with my face toward the ground. Here is what he said to me. "Son of man, I want you to understand the vision. It's about the time of the end."

And - 

Revelation 1:17 NIV: 

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.

There is definitely a similarity to the emotions and expressions, but the idea is that people are overcome with “Awe” not stark, raving fear. God is so powerful, so Holy, so beyond our comprehension that our reaction should be, and would be similar!  I don’t think its an understatement that when Jesus is revealed in the Last days, as He truly is, that every knee will bow.  As Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians 2:9-11 NIV”

[9] “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Yes, Lord!  Help us to experience You in such a way that our only response is to bow before You!  We want to bring You Glory! We want to experience Your majesty, splendor and power!

You are Holy!

Amen!  

Oneness and Glory

This morning I felt led to read from John 17.  There is so much to reflect on in this chapter, Jesus’ final prayer, that it is difficult to narrow down my focus.  This morning a few verses stood out, so  I wanted to spend some time looking at them.  Here are some verses from the beginning and end of the chapter - John 17:1-5,20-23,25-26 NIV:

[1] “After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. [2] For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. [3] Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. [4] I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. [5] And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. 

[20] “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, [21] that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. [22] I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— [23] I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 

[25] “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. [26] I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” 

Obviously I underlined a few sentences for focus.  I feel that the focus for me today revolves around verse 22 - and that invitation to oneness, to relationship is part of God’s Glory.  When I read verse 22 my next thought was, “and look at what we have done with God’s Glory! Rather than unity we are some of the most divided people!”  

While I could focus on that thought, I don’t believe that is what the Lord would say to me today. There is an invitation to relationship (hidden in verse 3) that is absolutely essential to any of this:  to following the Lord,  to revealing the Father, to eternal life, to experiencing the indwelling of God! 

The Greek word translated “know” is the word ginosko and it is defined as follows:

I. to learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of perceive, feel

        A. to become known

II. to know, understand, perceive, have knowledge of

        A. to understand

        B. to know

III. sexual intercourse between a man and a woman1

IV.  to become acquainted with, to know

The word know is such a minimalistic expression of the true meaning that Jesus is speaking of.  We are invited to and gifted with this “knowing” of God.  This “knowing” is experiential, not purely head knowledge, there is an intimacy (see definition item III.), there is a understanding that goes beyond facts, but deals with character, with tendencies, with likes and dislikes.  This Is an invitation that is a two-way street, to “know” and to be “known”.  

The invitation is really a small glimpse into the mystery of the Trinity, for they are three and one, perfectly one, perfect unity, yet separate.  We are invited into this experience here on earth!  Jesus wasn’t praying for our post terrestrial selves, but rather for us while we live on this world.  This experience, this “knowing” is our opportunity and invitation here and now.

This knowing = eternal life, a sharing in GOd’s life here and now.

This unity is part of God’s Glory!  

This oneness, an expression of God’s love, is meant to be a sign to the world!

Oh Lord, that we might embrace fully this eternal life, that we might know You!  Help us to know You more, that we might be able to understand Your thoughts, Your heart and perceive Your plans. Help us to bring You Glory!

Help us to walk in oneness with You, and with each other, that the world would know that You have loved us and are in us!

Amen and Amen!

Washing Feet and Spiritual Pride

Yesterday afternoon my honey was reflecting on Jesus’ washing His disciples feet (John 13). Almost immediately after a brief conversation about that theme, I had to wash my dog's feet off before letting her in the house, as our snow is melting and her feet were full of mud. I had recently mopped the floors and didn’t want my dog leaving muddy footprints all over the house.  

As I washed her feet and wiped them dry with a towel, I had a thought that maybe there was more to Jesus washing the Disciples feet than I had previously considered.  I have read many different commentary’s on this topic and most focus on the very clear examples of humility, servant leadership, and unconditional love. The new thought I had yesterday was that Jesus was actually cleaning their proclamation for the Gospel.  

Going to Scripture, there are several references to our feet being related to the spreading of hate Good News or Gospel.  The two that I immediately thought of are found in Isaiah and Ephesians. 

Isaiah 52:7 NIV: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” 

Ephesians 6:15 NIrV: “Wear on your feet what will prepare you to tell the good news of peace.”

Adding a third reference where Paul actually quotes the Isaiah verse found in Romans 10:14-15 NIV:

[14] “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? [15] And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Clearly the bringing the Gospel and feet are related in Scripture, and Jesus was obviously aware of the Isaiah verse. When I think about what He was demonstrating to them, in washing their feet, I recognize that He was dealing with spiritual pride.  If we compare notes of the Last Supper Accounts, Luke’s gospel recounts how the disciples were having a discussion about who was the greatest (see Luke 22:24-30).  John’s account of last supper doesn’t mention this conversation as having occurred at the Last Supper, but Jesus clearly addressed the mindset by washing their feet. 

The following verses are Jesus speaking immediately after washing their feet. John 13:12-17 NIV: 

[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.”

As I was reflecting on these verses I realized they are quite similar to Jesus’ words after the disciples found out James and John had their mom trying to negotiate positions of authority for them.  Here are the verses following that incident - Matthew 20:24-28 NIV:

[24] “When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. [25] Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. [26] Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, [27] and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— [28] just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The themes of spiritual pride and servant leadership were linked by Jesus, and I believe this is what He was addressing in the washing of their feet during the Last Supper.  I believe that His actions might have been more than just symbolic, but likely had a spiritual component where He was casting out the Spirit of spiritual pride while washing their feet. Often times symbolic gestures had spiritual import, and I think this might have been one of those times. 

What has always amazed me is that we see so little spiritual pride evident in the early church, as described in Acts.  There were incursions of the circumcision party and that does have its roots in spiritual pride, but overall we see very few personality conflicts, at least if they did happen they weren’t recorded in Scripture. I believe this might be because the Lord washed them and cleaned them of their spiritual pride!  

In a related bit, recently I was reflecting on Acts 8, where Simon the sorcerer wanted to pay for the ability to baptize in the Holy Spirit (See Acts 8:9-24). He was one who self-promoted his greatness, and clearly he wanted to become greater, and in doing so to make money from his greatness.  I was reflecting on these verses and how many in our modern Church seem to be doing exactly the same thing that SImon wanted to do. It seems to me that they are using the Gifts of God to become wealthy, to become great in the eyes of other believers.  Oh Lord, help us!

I am praying that the Lord might wash His Church clean of any filth, any spiritual pride that is leaving muddy footprints all over,  that are affecting the Gospel!  Lord, I pray that You might wash clean the proclamation of the Gospel, that we might present to the world the unsullied and pure Gospel of Grace!

Help us Lord to learn to serve one another, to embrace humility and to represent Your ministry to those around us!

Amen and Amen!

Life Without Holy Spirit?

Yesterday I had the opportunity to take some reflection time twice, once in the morning and once on my flight from NJ to Chicago.  I was reading one of my blog entries from my Ebooks, and saw something in a verse that I hadn't seen before. Here are the verses - John 16:5-7,12-15 NIV:

[5]...”but now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ [6] Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. [7] But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 

[12] “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. [13] But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. [14] He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. [15] All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

I know I have definitely read the underlined verses before, but I guess today the significance of what Jesus said registered in a different way in my mind!  He is saying very clearly that if He didn’t leave, the Holy Spirit would never have come!  I am sure it didn’t seem like a great gift in that moment to the Apostles, but this is amazing news!  If Jesus would have stayed here, our experience of the Holy Spirit would have been limited! 

I am sure at the time He said it the Apostles really didn’t fully understand how Jesus leaving could in anyway be a better plan!  However, John is writing this decades later and in retrospect he must have understood!  The Holy Spirit was working through them all, everywhere all at  the same time.  He was empowering them, working miracles, signs and wonders and giving very direct guidance to the church.  John was one who walked closely with Jesus and He saw what a great gift the Holy Spirit was to the Church and, in my opinion, wanted to make sure the Church understood this point as well.

Jesus laid out briefly the benefits, and by looking at them we can see what life would have been like without the Holy Spirit. We would have not had Him as our guide, as our advocate.  We wouldn’t have the fruit or gifts of the Spirit.  We wouldn’t have had him telling us what is to come, what Jesus and the Father were saying, none of it! Wow!  

I guess I had never really thought about the possibility that there might have been a scenario where we wouldn't have hte Holy Spirit.  Father, I am so grateful for the fact that You don’t think like us, and our ways are not Your ways (Is 55:8).  You knew that the only way for the Church to really expand to cover the earth was through the visitation for the Holy Spirit!  We thank You for the gift that He is to the Church!  Thank You Holy Spirit for all You do for us!

Amen!

Living Stones Built Up

This morning I turned back to some verses I was reflecting on yesterday, found in Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth.  I came across a verse somewhere else, and I was looking it up and I felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit to spend a bit more time on these verses - 1 Corinthians 14:1-4,26-33 NIV:

[1] “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. [2] For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. [3] But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. [4] Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.” 

[26] “What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. [27] If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. [28] If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.” 

[29] “Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. [30] And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. [31] For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. [32] The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. [33] For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.”

I underlined the sections that stood out to me, and they all have to do with encouraging and  building up or edifying the church.  In fact, one could argue that this is the real purpose of the prophetic in the New Testament Church.  

Looking at the underlined verses above I can build a list of what the prophetic ministry should look like, or what fruit it should produce:

1) Strengthen fellow believers

2) Encouraging fellow believers

3) Comfort fellow believers

4) Edify or build up the church

5) Instruct and encourage everyone

The belief that God chooses to speak through people is well founded in the early church, for they had the writings of prophets, and knew that God helped guide and direct His people through them.  While the Old Testament Prophets were issuing words from the Lord, they were often words of warning, correction, judgment, and direction for nations and peoples.  It seems to me that the New Testament expression shifts to more of a personal focus. There is an edification of the church, but the church is the collection of people rightly related to the Father, through His Son, by the power of the Holy Spirit.  

Peter speaks of us being built up in the following passages - 1 Peter 2:4-5 NIV:

[4] “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— [5] you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

I like this imagery, of being living stones.  In our life, stones are not living, they are not growing, they don’t get bigger or stronger.  However, if we put these two sections of Scripture together that is what we get.  Prophecy is supposed to strengthen and build up the individual believers as well as the church.  I also like the image of being stones versus bricks, for each stone is unique, size, dimensions, shape, color, etc. and so are we the members of the Body of Christ.

Additionally, I love the fact that the Lord desires for us to be encouraged, strengthened, comforted and instructed.  That is true for all of us, whatever level of maturity, position or length of relationship, we all need and benefit from these! As living stones, we each can grow, change and have greater impact. 

This morning I am just generally encouraged, knowing that the Lord does speak, and His intentions in doing so are for our betterment, and edification.  I am encouraged that the Lord desires for me to grow and be joined to others in the Church, in ways that builds it up.

Sounds good to me!

The Great Pursuit

This morning my verses for reflection are some that I go back to over and over again. I am so encouraged by Paul’s heart and pursuit, and he describes them well in the these following verses - 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.”

Starting at the bottom, verse 15 ought to encourage us to reread the previous verses, almost every time we read them, or at least that is what I end up doing! I have many reflections on these verses, and every time I read them, I am further encouraged, and invited deeper into my relationship with the Lord.  It is like Paul is running the race, is way ahead of me, and calling back, “There is more, there is more, keep running!”

Secondly, I need the encouragement to forget what lies behind and straining forward toward what is ahead, namely Jesus.  I can often get mired in the present, or even allow the past to affect me, and here I feel Paul’s encouragement to shake free of those and press forward.  I am reminded of something runners call “catching their second wind”, and I remember the feeling well, there is a surge of life that seems to course through your body as the exhaustion or weakness wains.  I feel like these verses have that same effect on me!  No matter what I am struggling through, there is more ahead, and I can raise my eyes, and encourage my heart to press forward in this great pursuit.

Finally, Paul starts these paragraphs focused on the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus. Worth is an interesting word, in that it denotes significance, and is often established by what someone else is willing to pay.  We love to watch the Antiques Roadshow, and the interesting thing is the value or worth of certain items. The line they use when discussing the value is, “at auction” and that denotes what other people are willing to pay, especially when something is unique. There may be several collectors that would pay significant amounts of money to add the item to their collections, and that drives up its value or worth.  

Paul considers everything else he has encountered in life, all of his accomplishments, all of his knowledge, all of his gains to be garbage compared to knowing Christ Jesus.  This serves as a very effective plumb-line for me.  I compare his statements and ask myself if I could say the same things? My answer, most of the time is unfortunately “no, I can’t say that is true for me”.  I want it to be true for me, my heart wants that to be true for me, and I do consider knowing Christ Jesus of significantly greater worth than previously, but there is still so much that drags on me.  I place too much value on the opinions of others, I allow my past to affect me, and sometimes seem to forget the Lord completely in the midst of whatever struggle I encounter!  

I know I have much further to go, but I do know that of the things I am pursuing, Christ Jesus is at the top of my list!  He is my goal, and as long as that is true I am heading in the right direction.  I might get distracted at times, seem to wander off the path at times, but the one heart cry I have consistently had for the last 45 years, is that I want to know Christ Jesus, more and more.

My prayer is that I continue to place proper worth on knowing Christ Jesus!  My prayer is that when compared to all else, I might be willing to pay the most for Him, that I might be found in Him.  My prayer is that all my brothers and sisters in the faith might succeed in this great pursuit.

Amen and Amen!