Matthew 12:43-45
"When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it find the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of the man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation" (Matthew 12:43,44).
Here's a brief history of Israel:
In the desert: whiners
During the time of the judges: frequently unfaithful.
During the time of the kings: abandoned to unfaithfulness (with occasional reprieves of genuine revival)
The Pharisees and teachers of the law could feel rightfully satisfied. They were not
like their fathers--they did not worship false gods. They had learned--they had cleaned up their house. They had cleaned up the house, but not filled it. They had straightened out their religion, but not sweetened it.
And Christ declared their state worse then any generation. From them we learn, that it's not enough to clean up our act. We can make breathtaking changes. We can move from alcoholism to sobriety and lust to purity, but if we don't move from selfishness to love we are worse than before.
I understand this movement of leaving behind obvious sins for worse sins. I may have matured out of an obvious sin like anger (I used to have a wicked temper), but then moved on to a worse sin like pride. Pride shows up in the most unusual and (at times) awkward places, like in my religious life. Many times God has woken me in the morning with a gentle, "You weren't really trying to serve me yesterday--you were serving yourself."
This can be frustrating. It's like playing whac-a-mole at Chucky Cheese. I keep trying to whack self down in one area of my life, but she comes up in other areas.
"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57). There's my hope. I don't just clean up my house--I fill it with Christ.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
A Sign
Matthew 12:38-42
"Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him,'Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you.' He answered, 'A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign!" (Matthew 12:38,39).
I've been puzzling over this text since I read it earlier today. What's wrong with a sign? Why did Jesus call the Pharisees wicked and adulterous for asking for a sign?
Didn't the angels tell the shepherds, "This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manager" (Luke 2:12)?
As I thought about asking for a sign, I was struck by a contrast. The Pharisees asked for a sign out of unbelief. They were undermining Jesus ministry and even plotting his death. Why would they ask for a sign? They wanted to draw a line, "We will not believe you unless you give us a sign."
Others who were given miracles didn't even ask for a sign:they asked for help. They wanted a child to be healed or a servant to recover; they wanted to be free from leprosy or the chance to see. They came to Jesus because they believed he could do something to help them.
This is not to say that signs can't be used to build up faith. When John was discouraged in prison he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" (Matthew 11:2,3). Jesus responded, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the good news is preached to the poor" (Matthew 11:4,5).
The Pharisees were echoing the devil's temptation. "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread" (Matthew 4:3). Jesus wouldn't give them the sign they wanted, but he told them to look for a sign, he would be in the ground three days. They would provide this sign.
"Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him,'Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you.' He answered, 'A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign!" (Matthew 12:38,39).
I've been puzzling over this text since I read it earlier today. What's wrong with a sign? Why did Jesus call the Pharisees wicked and adulterous for asking for a sign?
Didn't the angels tell the shepherds, "This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manager" (Luke 2:12)?
As I thought about asking for a sign, I was struck by a contrast. The Pharisees asked for a sign out of unbelief. They were undermining Jesus ministry and even plotting his death. Why would they ask for a sign? They wanted to draw a line, "We will not believe you unless you give us a sign."
Others who were given miracles didn't even ask for a sign:they asked for help. They wanted a child to be healed or a servant to recover; they wanted to be free from leprosy or the chance to see. They came to Jesus because they believed he could do something to help them.
This is not to say that signs can't be used to build up faith. When John was discouraged in prison he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" (Matthew 11:2,3). Jesus responded, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the good news is preached to the poor" (Matthew 11:4,5).
The Pharisees were echoing the devil's temptation. "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread" (Matthew 4:3). Jesus wouldn't give them the sign they wanted, but he told them to look for a sign, he would be in the ground three days. They would provide this sign.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
The Overflow of the Heart
Matthew 12:33-36
"But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgement for every careless word they have spoken" (Matthew 12:36).
You might figure that this is a nice text for extreme introverts since they speak so little, they don't stand a chance of saying a careless word. But what about the talkers, the stay-up-all-night-gabbing-until-their-audience-falls-asleep-ers? The can't shut-upers? Do they even have a chance? Will heaven be full of just really quiet people who attained saintliness through silence? I don't think so.
Just a verse before in Matthew 12:35, we learn that "the good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him" (Matthew 12:35). If we are judged by what we are saying, it is because God is measuring our hearts. "For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34).
In some ways God's measurement of our hearts is startling. Our culture's cure for a former love affair with a "vindictive God" has been to domesticate him--to paint him as only concerned with our happiness and not particularly worried about our holiness. But God's judgement is the same as a doctor's diagnosis or a teacher's honest appraisal of a student's work. It is given to cure. He must tell us who we are. He says, "You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked" (Revelation 3:17).
Thankfully he never leaves us where we are. He said, "I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see" (Revelation 3:18). "And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart" (Ezekiel 36:26).
*I know some people who would find a place full of quiet people paradise.
"But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgement for every careless word they have spoken" (Matthew 12:36).
You might figure that this is a nice text for extreme introverts since they speak so little, they don't stand a chance of saying a careless word. But what about the talkers, the stay-up-all-night-gabbing-until-their-audience-falls-asleep-ers? The can't shut-upers? Do they even have a chance? Will heaven be full of just really quiet people who attained saintliness through silence? I don't think so.
Just a verse before in Matthew 12:35, we learn that "the good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him" (Matthew 12:35). If we are judged by what we are saying, it is because God is measuring our hearts. "For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34).
In some ways God's measurement of our hearts is startling. Our culture's cure for a former love affair with a "vindictive God" has been to domesticate him--to paint him as only concerned with our happiness and not particularly worried about our holiness. But God's judgement is the same as a doctor's diagnosis or a teacher's honest appraisal of a student's work. It is given to cure. He must tell us who we are. He says, "You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked" (Revelation 3:17).
Thankfully he never leaves us where we are. He said, "I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see" (Revelation 3:18). "And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart" (Ezekiel 36:26).
*I know some people who would find a place full of quiet people paradise.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
The Most Dangerous Sin
Matthew 12:22-32
There once were two islands so far away from civilization that ships only passed by them once a year. These islands were connected by a seven mile bridge. One island was lush and full of trees; the other island was barren, but it had a beautiful mansion on it built by a brilliant architect who happened to live in his own mansion. The lush island was owned by a retired lawyer who was mostly a reasonable man, but he had one quirk: he loved lighting fires. Unfortunately, in his passion for setting things ablaze he accidentally burnt down his own house. The architect was gracious and helped the man rebuild his home.
Well, it wasn't long before the lawyer burned down his house down again. He told the architect, "I was just trying to see if I could burn my waste instead of throwing it into the sea." Several months passed by after the second house was built, and then it happened again--in some mad fire experiment the house burned down once more. The architect was a patient man, but concerned. He was especially concerned because it seemed like the lawyer was losing it. All of the house burnings had been accidents but there were pieces of the land that were scorched. It seemed that the lawyer was not just enjoying fire at a small experimental level but that that he was beginning to take delight in destroying the forest. The lawyer even confessed, "You don't understand how exciting it is to watch my forest go up in flames."
The architect told him. "I can keep helping you rebuild your house but the best way I can help you is to stop you from lighting fires completely. My willingness to help you is unlimited, but I need you to know that there is one structure that if you burn down, I will not help you again."
The lawyer listened a little and tried to stop lighting fires, but the temptation got too strong and he gave into it and before he realized it he was compulsively lighting fires. So much so that he burned most of his forest down. With so little wood left on the island he started setting small fires to the bridge then putting them out. One day it happened. A little fire on the bridge toward the architects side of the bridge started to grow into a medium fire, and while the lawyer wanted to put it out he decided to linger just a little and by then the fire grew into a large fire and the bridge was a blaze. The architect tried to help him put it out from his side, but he couldn't do it. Finally, when he realized that the bridge would burn he yelled, "I can no longer help you. I have no wood and no way to reach you. I wish you luck!"
This is the unpardonable sin. It is not unpardonable because God cannot pardon; it is unpardonable because the heart of sinner no longer knows, needs, or wants pardon.
The Pharisees critiqued Jesus for healing a man. They said, "You do it by the devil." Jesus response was a warning he said, "Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or the age to come" (Matthew 12:32). They could criticize Jesus, but once they started to criticize the source of his power (the Holy Spirit) they were endanger in cutting themselves off from God. The Holy Spirit is the way that conviction reaches our hearts. Cut off the Holy Spirit and you've just nipped the oxygen supply to your soul.
There once were two islands so far away from civilization that ships only passed by them once a year. These islands were connected by a seven mile bridge. One island was lush and full of trees; the other island was barren, but it had a beautiful mansion on it built by a brilliant architect who happened to live in his own mansion. The lush island was owned by a retired lawyer who was mostly a reasonable man, but he had one quirk: he loved lighting fires. Unfortunately, in his passion for setting things ablaze he accidentally burnt down his own house. The architect was gracious and helped the man rebuild his home.
Well, it wasn't long before the lawyer burned down his house down again. He told the architect, "I was just trying to see if I could burn my waste instead of throwing it into the sea." Several months passed by after the second house was built, and then it happened again--in some mad fire experiment the house burned down once more. The architect was a patient man, but concerned. He was especially concerned because it seemed like the lawyer was losing it. All of the house burnings had been accidents but there were pieces of the land that were scorched. It seemed that the lawyer was not just enjoying fire at a small experimental level but that that he was beginning to take delight in destroying the forest. The lawyer even confessed, "You don't understand how exciting it is to watch my forest go up in flames."
The architect told him. "I can keep helping you rebuild your house but the best way I can help you is to stop you from lighting fires completely. My willingness to help you is unlimited, but I need you to know that there is one structure that if you burn down, I will not help you again."
The lawyer listened a little and tried to stop lighting fires, but the temptation got too strong and he gave into it and before he realized it he was compulsively lighting fires. So much so that he burned most of his forest down. With so little wood left on the island he started setting small fires to the bridge then putting them out. One day it happened. A little fire on the bridge toward the architects side of the bridge started to grow into a medium fire, and while the lawyer wanted to put it out he decided to linger just a little and by then the fire grew into a large fire and the bridge was a blaze. The architect tried to help him put it out from his side, but he couldn't do it. Finally, when he realized that the bridge would burn he yelled, "I can no longer help you. I have no wood and no way to reach you. I wish you luck!"
This is the unpardonable sin. It is not unpardonable because God cannot pardon; it is unpardonable because the heart of sinner no longer knows, needs, or wants pardon.
The Pharisees critiqued Jesus for healing a man. They said, "You do it by the devil." Jesus response was a warning he said, "Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or the age to come" (Matthew 12:32). They could criticize Jesus, but once they started to criticize the source of his power (the Holy Spirit) they were endanger in cutting themselves off from God. The Holy Spirit is the way that conviction reaches our hearts. Cut off the Holy Spirit and you've just nipped the oxygen supply to your soul.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
God's Delight
Matthew 12:15-21
I'm almost half-way through the book of Matthew, and the plot of Jesus life just got tense. This might not seem to be a tense moment in the book, but it is. It is the first wisp of a cloud that will become the storm of the crucifixion.
The verse that gives me this hint could be easily overlooked. It comes right after the story of Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath. The verse is this, "...The Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus" (Matthew 12:14).
I have many pictures of Jesus in my head: I see him working in the carpenter's shop, sitting with little children on his lap, or touching the eyes of a blind man. But here's the picture I often overlook.
It's the picture of the Pharisees turning their back on him. It's the picture of the rulers and the teachers meeting secretly. "How can we kill him? What can we do to rid ourselves of him?" They had made up their minds; he would not be their savior.
So Jesus withdrew. He knew the the Pharisees plots; he knew their plans. But he couldn't stop working. The people kept following him, and if he was in hiding he was having a hard time doing so because "many followed him" (Matthew 12:15). It's pretty difficult to be inconspicuous when you have a crowd following you!
Matthew breaks in here with some commentary about Jesus healing the sick that followed him as he tried to remove himself from the Pharisees. Matthew said, "Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight" (Matthew 12:18).
Here is the moment. Jesus's life is threatened. Jesus knows that he's starting down a road that leads to Calvary. And in this tense moment we are told that God delights in Jesus. I somehow like to think that this is what Jesus knew when his life was threatened, when he was worn out from ministry, when he was saddened by the lack of acceptance of the religious leaders. I hope he could hear Isaiah's words ringing in his head:
Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him
and he will bring justice to the nations.
He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his law the islands will put their hope.”
This is what God the Lord says—
he who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it,
who gives breath to its people,
and life to those who walk on it:
“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
Isaiah 42:1-7
I'm almost half-way through the book of Matthew, and the plot of Jesus life just got tense. This might not seem to be a tense moment in the book, but it is. It is the first wisp of a cloud that will become the storm of the crucifixion.
The verse that gives me this hint could be easily overlooked. It comes right after the story of Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath. The verse is this, "...The Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus" (Matthew 12:14).
I have many pictures of Jesus in my head: I see him working in the carpenter's shop, sitting with little children on his lap, or touching the eyes of a blind man. But here's the picture I often overlook.
It's the picture of the Pharisees turning their back on him. It's the picture of the rulers and the teachers meeting secretly. "How can we kill him? What can we do to rid ourselves of him?" They had made up their minds; he would not be their savior.
So Jesus withdrew. He knew the the Pharisees plots; he knew their plans. But he couldn't stop working. The people kept following him, and if he was in hiding he was having a hard time doing so because "many followed him" (Matthew 12:15). It's pretty difficult to be inconspicuous when you have a crowd following you!
Matthew breaks in here with some commentary about Jesus healing the sick that followed him as he tried to remove himself from the Pharisees. Matthew said, "Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight" (Matthew 12:18).
Here is the moment. Jesus's life is threatened. Jesus knows that he's starting down a road that leads to Calvary. And in this tense moment we are told that God delights in Jesus. I somehow like to think that this is what Jesus knew when his life was threatened, when he was worn out from ministry, when he was saddened by the lack of acceptance of the religious leaders. I hope he could hear Isaiah's words ringing in his head:
Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him
and he will bring justice to the nations.
He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his law the islands will put their hope.”
This is what God the Lord says—
he who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it,
who gives breath to its people,
and life to those who walk on it:
“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
Isaiah 42:1-7
Monday, March 26, 2012
Lord of the Sabbath
Matthew 12:1-13
Jesus is Lord over disease. He is Lord over demons. He is Lord over the storm. No one can question his power, yet Pharisees did.
Oh how they questioned and accused and undermined him. How often they watched for him to make a mistake, and if they couldn't catch him--they looked out for his disciples. (Their spies must have made good money.) The disciples were gleaning grain one day and the Pharisees or their spies caught them. They approached Jesus on this topic.
And Jesus responded in two ways. First he showed them the principle, he desired mercy not sacrifice. He was genuinely concerned with the well being of the disciples. Second, he noted that he was Lord of the Sabbath. He had authority over the Sabbath.
If you have authority over something, not only do you write the rules--but you also value what you have authority over. As Lord of the Sabbath, he is the protector of the Sabbath. He is the husband of the Sabbath.
Jesus is Lord over disease. He is Lord over demons. He is Lord over the storm. No one can question his power, yet Pharisees did.
Oh how they questioned and accused and undermined him. How often they watched for him to make a mistake, and if they couldn't catch him--they looked out for his disciples. (Their spies must have made good money.) The disciples were gleaning grain one day and the Pharisees or their spies caught them. They approached Jesus on this topic.
And Jesus responded in two ways. First he showed them the principle, he desired mercy not sacrifice. He was genuinely concerned with the well being of the disciples. Second, he noted that he was Lord of the Sabbath. He had authority over the Sabbath.
If you have authority over something, not only do you write the rules--but you also value what you have authority over. As Lord of the Sabbath, he is the protector of the Sabbath. He is the husband of the Sabbath.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Rest for the Weary Redux
Matthew 11:28-30
Matthew 11:28--Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest--is too good to be quickly left behind. So I'm going to linger here. I'm going to linger here because I kept coming across a version of this verse in Handel's Messiah ("Come unto him all ye that labor") today as I drove around town. I'm going to linger here because after a walk and good conversation with a friend on her front porch, she prayed with me and said, "As Julie takes your yoke, you lift it from her shoulders". (The image was beautiful--if the yoke is light it is because he carries the other side.)
I'm going to linger here because I know that I need rest. It is the rest that comes from trusting God--the rest that comes from turning to him and finding his gentle and humble heart.
Matthew 11:28--Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest--is too good to be quickly left behind. So I'm going to linger here. I'm going to linger here because I kept coming across a version of this verse in Handel's Messiah ("Come unto him all ye that labor") today as I drove around town. I'm going to linger here because after a walk and good conversation with a friend on her front porch, she prayed with me and said, "As Julie takes your yoke, you lift it from her shoulders". (The image was beautiful--if the yoke is light it is because he carries the other side.)
I'm going to linger here because I know that I need rest. It is the rest that comes from trusting God--the rest that comes from turning to him and finding his gentle and humble heart.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Rest
Matthew 11:25-30
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).
This is one of my favorite texts in the Bible. It's Jesus's invitation to his followers. "Come to me and rest." Rest from your labor, rest from your struggles, rest from your burdens.
Jesus elaborated, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you'll find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).
I love how he explains himself, "I am gentle and humble in heart". It's as if he is saying, "This is who I am! Gentle, humble, longing to take your burdens, longing to give you the rest you need."
Jesus, help me to come to you tonight. Help me to find that delight that comes from knowing that my soul will find rest in you when I take your yoke upon me.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).
This is one of my favorite texts in the Bible. It's Jesus's invitation to his followers. "Come to me and rest." Rest from your labor, rest from your struggles, rest from your burdens.
Jesus elaborated, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you'll find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).
I love how he explains himself, "I am gentle and humble in heart". It's as if he is saying, "This is who I am! Gentle, humble, longing to take your burdens, longing to give you the rest you need."
Jesus, help me to come to you tonight. Help me to find that delight that comes from knowing that my soul will find rest in you when I take your yoke upon me.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Woe to You
Matthew 11:20-24
To visit Pattaya, Thailand at times feels like you've landed in Sodom and Gomorrah. During the day lecherous old white men walk down the beach with their "girlfriends" walking behind them. In the evening, hookers loiter on the streets smoking cigarettes waiting for their customers. Nothing is hidden.
If cities are to be judged, I can easily imagine Pattaya at the front of the line, but Pattaya might not even top the list of cities to be condemned. My guess is that there are hundreds of more respectable cities ahead of Pattaya on the list.
The reason I say this is because of how Jesus denounced the cities of his day. He said, “Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you" (Matthew 11:21-23).
Blatant vice is soul-sickening, but missing an opportunity to repent is worse. What if God says woe to you Orlando, Dallas, Wichita? God did miracles--God changed lives in your city and you refused to repent.
To visit Pattaya, Thailand at times feels like you've landed in Sodom and Gomorrah. During the day lecherous old white men walk down the beach with their "girlfriends" walking behind them. In the evening, hookers loiter on the streets smoking cigarettes waiting for their customers. Nothing is hidden.
If cities are to be judged, I can easily imagine Pattaya at the front of the line, but Pattaya might not even top the list of cities to be condemned. My guess is that there are hundreds of more respectable cities ahead of Pattaya on the list.
The reason I say this is because of how Jesus denounced the cities of his day. He said, “Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you" (Matthew 11:21-23).
Blatant vice is soul-sickening, but missing an opportunity to repent is worse. What if God says woe to you Orlando, Dallas, Wichita? God did miracles--God changed lives in your city and you refused to repent.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
No One Greater
Enoch
Samuel
David
Solomon
Elijah
Daniel
Jeremiah
Great men. Honored men of God. But there has been no one greater than John. "I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom is greater than he" (Matthew 11:11).
What made John great?
First,he was more concerned with Christ's glory than his own success. He said of Christ, "He must become greater; I must become less" (John 30:3).
Second, he was fearless in addressing sin. I wouldn't have advised him to address Herod's adultery, but he did.
Third, he was the forerunner of Christ. He prepared the hearts of Israel for the Savior.
I can only hope to be like John. He is heaven's hero, no one greater born of women. And yet Jesus says, "He who is least in the kingdom is greater than he" (Matthew 11:11).
John is a hero in heaven, but the "least in the kingdom" are greater than him. Heaven is so different from earth--that heaven's math is difficult to grasp. But I suspect it goes like this. There are no less than signs in heaven. Each person will find others "greater than" himself and glory in that "greater than-ness". We will like John say, "He must increase, and I must decrease" (John 30:3)
"Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3).
Samuel
David
Solomon
Elijah
Daniel
Jeremiah
Great men. Honored men of God. But there has been no one greater than John. "I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom is greater than he" (Matthew 11:11).
What made John great?
First,he was more concerned with Christ's glory than his own success. He said of Christ, "He must become greater; I must become less" (John 30:3).
Second, he was fearless in addressing sin. I wouldn't have advised him to address Herod's adultery, but he did.
Third, he was the forerunner of Christ. He prepared the hearts of Israel for the Savior.
I can only hope to be like John. He is heaven's hero, no one greater born of women. And yet Jesus says, "He who is least in the kingdom is greater than he" (Matthew 11:11).
John is a hero in heaven, but the "least in the kingdom" are greater than him. Heaven is so different from earth--that heaven's math is difficult to grasp. But I suspect it goes like this. There are no less than signs in heaven. Each person will find others "greater than" himself and glory in that "greater than-ness". We will like John say, "He must increase, and I must decrease" (John 30:3)
"Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3).
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Showing and Telling
Matthew 10:40-42
Tomorrow I'll be teaching my students the difference between telling and showing. Telling is abstract; showing is concrete. It's the difference between saying, "He is angry" and "He knocked over his desk and spit at the secretary". Both are needed in writing. Jesus does some telling and showing in Matthew 10:40-42.
First he told his disciples, "He who welcomes you welcomes me, and he who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Anyone who welcomes a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who welcomes a righteous man because he is righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward" (Matthew 10:40&41).
So if this is what Christ is telling us. What does it look like? How does he show what it means to "welcome" a prophet or a righteous man?
It looks like this: "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward" (Matthew 10:42).
How can we welcome Christ's followers? We can give them a cup of cold water. Actually it says "even a cup", so I'm guessing a cup of water is the minimum. How about spaghetti? Or stroganoff? Or pumpkin pie? Or a place to sit in our house? Or an hour of our time? Or a ride to the airport?
"Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!" (Hebrews 13:2).
Tomorrow I'll be teaching my students the difference between telling and showing. Telling is abstract; showing is concrete. It's the difference between saying, "He is angry" and "He knocked over his desk and spit at the secretary". Both are needed in writing. Jesus does some telling and showing in Matthew 10:40-42.
First he told his disciples, "He who welcomes you welcomes me, and he who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Anyone who welcomes a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who welcomes a righteous man because he is righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward" (Matthew 10:40&41).
So if this is what Christ is telling us. What does it look like? How does he show what it means to "welcome" a prophet or a righteous man?
It looks like this: "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward" (Matthew 10:42).
How can we welcome Christ's followers? We can give them a cup of cold water. Actually it says "even a cup", so I'm guessing a cup of water is the minimum. How about spaghetti? Or stroganoff? Or pumpkin pie? Or a place to sit in our house? Or an hour of our time? Or a ride to the airport?
"Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!" (Hebrews 13:2).
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Loving God More
Matthew 10:37-38
It's the morning that Abraham has been called to sacrifice his son Isaac. What is going through his head? Does he remember all the years he waited for a son? Does he remember God's promises written in the stars? Does he remember how soft Isaac's skin was when he first held him?
God has probably asked no greater test than the test he gave Abraham. Do you love me more than you love your son? Do you love me enough to obey me when it means sacrificing him?
Up to this point, Abraham didn't have a very good track record of passing God's tests. He had put his safety above his obedience to God and possibly his wife's safety as well (Genesis 12:14). Imagine him saying, "Sarah, just tell them you're my sister, and they will let me live". He had put his desire to have a son over God's timing for the promised son (Genesis 16). "Yes Sarah, I'll sleep with your maid Hagar if that's what it will take to have a son."
So Abraham is given one more test, an incomprehensible test. "Then God said, 'Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about" (Genesis 22:2). Would he pass the test?
As he and Issac climbed Mount Moriah, Isaac asked, "The fire and wood are here. . .but where is the lamb for the burnt offering? Abraham answered, 'God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son'" (Gen. 22:8).
God would provide the lamb. That was the first sign that Abraham would pass this test. He would move forward in obedience to God because he knew that God would provide for him despite how unfavorable the circumstance looked. If God could make an old woman and an old man have a child, surely God would find away to open both the door to obedience, and a door to Abraham's deepest desires. But like Daniel's three friends, he was willing to obey even if the consequences didn't align with his desires. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo had once said, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up" (Daniel 3:16-18).
This is the rawest obedience. It is an obedience that on one hand trusts that "God will provide"; it recognizes on the other hand that obedience may come at a very high cost.
The most difficult cost of obedience is the loss of a relationship. Following Christ might mean becoming estranged from one's parents or children. This painful cost makes shrink back from obedience. Often the attitude is "I will do anything God as long is it does hurt my relationship with _________________."
But Jesus was very clear:"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me" (Matthew 10:37).
Christ asks us to be our first priority. The interesting thing is that he would later show where his priority was. What was his priority? Us. He valued us more than his own life. "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends" (John 15:13). And the Father valued us more than he valued his son's life. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son" (John 3:16).
While putting Christ above any relationship might come at a terrible cost, often what looks like a loss will be a gain. It comes from a principle also found in Matthew 10. "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 10:38). Put Christ over the relationship and discover that relationship that looked shaky has become solid. Christ first means that we start to look and act like him. Add more patience, self-giving, gratitude, generosity, kindness, and prayer to any relationship and often the effect is for the relationship to mature, deepen, and sweeten.
It's the morning that Abraham has been called to sacrifice his son Isaac. What is going through his head? Does he remember all the years he waited for a son? Does he remember God's promises written in the stars? Does he remember how soft Isaac's skin was when he first held him?
God has probably asked no greater test than the test he gave Abraham. Do you love me more than you love your son? Do you love me enough to obey me when it means sacrificing him?
Up to this point, Abraham didn't have a very good track record of passing God's tests. He had put his safety above his obedience to God and possibly his wife's safety as well (Genesis 12:14). Imagine him saying, "Sarah, just tell them you're my sister, and they will let me live". He had put his desire to have a son over God's timing for the promised son (Genesis 16). "Yes Sarah, I'll sleep with your maid Hagar if that's what it will take to have a son."
So Abraham is given one more test, an incomprehensible test. "Then God said, 'Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about" (Genesis 22:2). Would he pass the test?
As he and Issac climbed Mount Moriah, Isaac asked, "The fire and wood are here. . .but where is the lamb for the burnt offering? Abraham answered, 'God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son'" (Gen. 22:8).
God would provide the lamb. That was the first sign that Abraham would pass this test. He would move forward in obedience to God because he knew that God would provide for him despite how unfavorable the circumstance looked. If God could make an old woman and an old man have a child, surely God would find away to open both the door to obedience, and a door to Abraham's deepest desires. But like Daniel's three friends, he was willing to obey even if the consequences didn't align with his desires. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo had once said, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up" (Daniel 3:16-18).
This is the rawest obedience. It is an obedience that on one hand trusts that "God will provide"; it recognizes on the other hand that obedience may come at a very high cost.
The most difficult cost of obedience is the loss of a relationship. Following Christ might mean becoming estranged from one's parents or children. This painful cost makes shrink back from obedience. Often the attitude is "I will do anything God as long is it does hurt my relationship with _________________."
But Jesus was very clear:"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me" (Matthew 10:37).
Christ asks us to be our first priority. The interesting thing is that he would later show where his priority was. What was his priority? Us. He valued us more than his own life. "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends" (John 15:13). And the Father valued us more than he valued his son's life. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son" (John 3:16).
While putting Christ above any relationship might come at a terrible cost, often what looks like a loss will be a gain. It comes from a principle also found in Matthew 10. "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 10:38). Put Christ over the relationship and discover that relationship that looked shaky has become solid. Christ first means that we start to look and act like him. Add more patience, self-giving, gratitude, generosity, kindness, and prayer to any relationship and often the effect is for the relationship to mature, deepen, and sweeten.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Sparrows and Persecution
Matthew 10:17-34
Right after Jesus commissions his disciples as evangelists, he gives them a reality check. Here's what life will be like as his follower: there will be floggings, trials, betrayals (even betrayals from one's closest family members). Life will be tough.
What I love as I read through the reality check that Jesus is giving his disciples are the pieces of hope that he gives them as well. Yes, you'll be arrested and have to go before judges, but I will give you what to say (Matthew 10:19,20). Yes, you'll be persecuted but you'll not be forced to stay where there is persecution (Matthew 10:23).
Then there is the greatest of all encouragements. The text that the song "His Eye is On the Sparrow" is based on: "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of the Father. And even the very hairs of your head are numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows" (Matthew 10:29,30).
I've always derived great comfort from Matthew 10:29, 30, but I never realized that it was spoken in the context of the white heat of persecution. Sparrows will fall and hairs will be lost, but the father knows and cares and values you and see your troubles. You are incredibly valuable to him.
Right after Jesus commissions his disciples as evangelists, he gives them a reality check. Here's what life will be like as his follower: there will be floggings, trials, betrayals (even betrayals from one's closest family members). Life will be tough.
What I love as I read through the reality check that Jesus is giving his disciples are the pieces of hope that he gives them as well. Yes, you'll be arrested and have to go before judges, but I will give you what to say (Matthew 10:19,20). Yes, you'll be persecuted but you'll not be forced to stay where there is persecution (Matthew 10:23).
Then there is the greatest of all encouragements. The text that the song "His Eye is On the Sparrow" is based on: "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of the Father. And even the very hairs of your head are numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows" (Matthew 10:29,30).
I've always derived great comfort from Matthew 10:29, 30, but I never realized that it was spoken in the context of the white heat of persecution. Sparrows will fall and hairs will be lost, but the father knows and cares and values you and see your troubles. You are incredibly valuable to him.
Called and Commissioned
Matthew 10:1-16
I wonder how long it was after Jesus called Matthew to follow him that he commissioned him. "Follow me," Jesus had told him. But now he called Matthew along with the other disciples to a different task. "He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness" (Matthew 10:1).
Matthew went from tax collector to evangelist--and not just any evangelist, but an evangelist who had power to drive out evil spirits and heal diseases.
In essence, Jesus gave a practical exam to his students. He had taught them and now he needed them to apply his knowledge. This exam could also be considered the beta run of the great commission. Christ would eventually call them to the world, but first he called them to Judea. "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel" (Matthew 10:6).
What a great opportunity this was for the disciples. They would take their practicum and get immediate feedback from the greatest teacher ever. Considering that this was their internship, they were given incredible tools to accomplish it (healing power, power over demons, and even power to raise the dead).
Their full time job would later come, but they would have to see the cross first before the great commission. They would experience bitterness before the joy that would drive them to the ends of the earth to preach the gospel (Matthew 28:19-20).
I wonder how long it was after Jesus called Matthew to follow him that he commissioned him. "Follow me," Jesus had told him. But now he called Matthew along with the other disciples to a different task. "He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness" (Matthew 10:1).
Matthew went from tax collector to evangelist--and not just any evangelist, but an evangelist who had power to drive out evil spirits and heal diseases.
In essence, Jesus gave a practical exam to his students. He had taught them and now he needed them to apply his knowledge. This exam could also be considered the beta run of the great commission. Christ would eventually call them to the world, but first he called them to Judea. "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel" (Matthew 10:6).
What a great opportunity this was for the disciples. They would take their practicum and get immediate feedback from the greatest teacher ever. Considering that this was their internship, they were given incredible tools to accomplish it (healing power, power over demons, and even power to raise the dead).
Their full time job would later come, but they would have to see the cross first before the great commission. They would experience bitterness before the joy that would drive them to the ends of the earth to preach the gospel (Matthew 28:19-20).
Saturday, March 17, 2012
The Harvest
Matthew 9:35-38
Sometimes it's interesting for me to see the context of a familiar text. I've frequently heard, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few" text (Matthew 9:37),but I didn't notice the verses that came right before it.
What comes before "The harvest is plentiful" is a description first of what Jesus does:"Jesus went through all the towns an villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness" (Matthew 9:35). Then a description of how Jesus views people: "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36).
How do we enter the harvest? We teach, we preach, and we heal. Ultimately, we meet people's needs. And in doing this we gain the perspective of Christ--we understand how often people are harassed and helpless, and we look on them with compassion. We know that the harvest is plentiful then. We see how much work can be done if we simply choose to do it,but in choosing to work we also come up quickly against how little we can do. And like Christ we pray for more workers.
"Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field" (Matthew 9:18).
Sometimes it's interesting for me to see the context of a familiar text. I've frequently heard, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few" text (Matthew 9:37),but I didn't notice the verses that came right before it.
What comes before "The harvest is plentiful" is a description first of what Jesus does:"Jesus went through all the towns an villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness" (Matthew 9:35). Then a description of how Jesus views people: "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36).
How do we enter the harvest? We teach, we preach, and we heal. Ultimately, we meet people's needs. And in doing this we gain the perspective of Christ--we understand how often people are harassed and helpless, and we look on them with compassion. We know that the harvest is plentiful then. We see how much work can be done if we simply choose to do it,but in choosing to work we also come up quickly against how little we can do. And like Christ we pray for more workers.
"Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field" (Matthew 9:18).
Friday, March 16, 2012
You Talk Too Much
Matthew 9:31-32
When I was in 5th grade, I learned a song that went like this:
You talk too much you worry me to death
You talk too much you even worry my pet
You taaaaa-ah-ah-ah lk; You talk too much.
This song fits well the end of the story of the blind men receiving their sight. Jesus forbid them strongly not to tell anyone about the miracle. But they did just the opposite; they talked and they talked a lot.
Everyone learned about the miracle. Granted, they probably thought Jesus was just being modest, and they were excited. Good news is hard to keep quiet.
But why did Jesus tell them not to speak? I think there are several reasons. One Jesus was trying to avoid creating a show. If you think about it, his first miracle of turning water to wine was hardly crowd wowing. People barely even knew what he had done. Later in his ministry when his popularity was at its height, he purposely walked away when the people tried to crown him king. He knew his priorities and becoming an earthly ruler who could amaze people was not very high on his list.
I think he also told them not to speak because he knew how people chasing miracles might slow down his ministry. Yes, he wanted to draw all people to him but getting overwhelmed by crowds of people too early in his ministry might limit his capacity to reach out to others.
Jesus often referred to "his time". He knew, like Solomon, that there was a time for everything. By talking too much, the formerly blind men may have rushed the timing that Jesus had for his ministry.
I'm still learning the lessons that Jesus had for the blind men. "Do not discuss this" is very difficult to do in a culture that loves the confessional. I pray that what I say will never hinder Jesus ministry the way that the formerly blind men's talking too much did.
When I was in 5th grade, I learned a song that went like this:
You talk too much you worry me to death
You talk too much you even worry my pet
You taaaaa-ah-ah-ah lk; You talk too much.
This song fits well the end of the story of the blind men receiving their sight. Jesus forbid them strongly not to tell anyone about the miracle. But they did just the opposite; they talked and they talked a lot.
Everyone learned about the miracle. Granted, they probably thought Jesus was just being modest, and they were excited. Good news is hard to keep quiet.
But why did Jesus tell them not to speak? I think there are several reasons. One Jesus was trying to avoid creating a show. If you think about it, his first miracle of turning water to wine was hardly crowd wowing. People barely even knew what he had done. Later in his ministry when his popularity was at its height, he purposely walked away when the people tried to crown him king. He knew his priorities and becoming an earthly ruler who could amaze people was not very high on his list.
I think he also told them not to speak because he knew how people chasing miracles might slow down his ministry. Yes, he wanted to draw all people to him but getting overwhelmed by crowds of people too early in his ministry might limit his capacity to reach out to others.
Jesus often referred to "his time". He knew, like Solomon, that there was a time for everything. By talking too much, the formerly blind men may have rushed the timing that Jesus had for his ministry.
I'm still learning the lessons that Jesus had for the blind men. "Do not discuss this" is very difficult to do in a culture that loves the confessional. I pray that what I say will never hinder Jesus ministry the way that the formerly blind men's talking too much did.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Have Mercy
Matthew 9:27-31
"As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, 'Have mercy on us, Son of David'" (Matthew 9:27).
There's something profoundly touching in this text. It makes me think of the lyrics to the song "Pass me not O gentle Savior".
Pass me not O gentle Savior
Hear my humble cry!
While on others Thou art calling (calling!)
Do not pass me by!
I wonder how they followed him. Did they use sticks? Did they lean on an arm of a friend? Did they simply stumble along crying, "Have mercy on us!"
Have mercy. Are you in need of mercy? Are you in need of a Savior who sees you when you can't see him?
The blind men finally did find Jesus and when they did, he asks, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" (Matthew 9:28)
They replied, "Yes, Lord" (Matthew 9:28).
"Then he touched their eyes and said, 'According to your faith will it be done to you'; and their sight was restored" (Matthew 9:29).
Your cry for mercy is heard by God. He will not pass you by until he has responded with a touch; he may touch your eyes--or more importantly he may touch your heart.
He says, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26).
Have mercy on me, Jesus. I have followed you at a distance. Now touch my eyes and touch my heart so that I might see you and serve you.
"As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, 'Have mercy on us, Son of David'" (Matthew 9:27).
There's something profoundly touching in this text. It makes me think of the lyrics to the song "Pass me not O gentle Savior".
Pass me not O gentle Savior
Hear my humble cry!
While on others Thou art calling (calling!)
Do not pass me by!
I wonder how they followed him. Did they use sticks? Did they lean on an arm of a friend? Did they simply stumble along crying, "Have mercy on us!"
Have mercy. Are you in need of mercy? Are you in need of a Savior who sees you when you can't see him?
The blind men finally did find Jesus and when they did, he asks, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" (Matthew 9:28)
They replied, "Yes, Lord" (Matthew 9:28).
"Then he touched their eyes and said, 'According to your faith will it be done to you'; and their sight was restored" (Matthew 9:29).
Your cry for mercy is heard by God. He will not pass you by until he has responded with a touch; he may touch your eyes--or more importantly he may touch your heart.
He says, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26).
Have mercy on me, Jesus. I have followed you at a distance. Now touch my eyes and touch my heart so that I might see you and serve you.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Two for One
Matthew 9:18-26
I suspect that God loves to give 2 for the price of 1 miracles. He doesn't just want to bless individual X. No, he want to bless X plus X's friends, relatives, coworkers, and maybe even X's dog. He looks for how much mileage He can get out of just one miracle.
The story in Matthew 9:18-23 illustrates just one of those 2 for the price of 1 miracles. It starts with a ruler's request that Jesus heal his dead daughter. "Come and put your hand on her", the ruler says, "and she will live" (Matthew 9:18). The ruler knows the value of Christ's touch.
There's another person in the crowd who knows the value of touch. She's someone who hasn't been touched for years. Her constant bleeding leaves her unclean and untouchable. She wants healing, but she doesn't want to expose herself. She reckons if she can just touch Jesus's garment, she will be healed.
The crowds slow Christ's way to the ruler's house, but maybe his slow progress is providential. It will provide an opportunity for the woman to find Him. She pushes through the crowd. She squirms between two people and gently grabs Christ's garment. Christ stops, "Take heart, daughter...your faith has healed you" (Matthew 9:22).
Christ is on his way to heal one man's daughter, but he takes the time to acknowledge a woman who may not have been acknowledged in years. Not only does he acknowledge her, but he calls her daughter. It is not only her body he seeks to heal but her spirit. "Take heart" he commands her: have courage God has recognized you.
When Christ reaches the ruler's house, he asks the mourners to leave, and he asks the onlookers to go. This is a miracle that will not happen for gawkers. No, this will be a quiet miracle; he takes the daughter's hand and she gets up.
In the course of one day, he has healed two women. He has encouraged one with words, and the other with touch. It would seem that as the Messiah he might have more important business, but his Father's business (the business he told his parents early on that he must be on) was the business of healing.
I hope that the woman who bled for too long and the ruler's daughter met. I hope that their lives were forever intertwined by sharing a day of Christ's miracles.
I suspect that God loves to give 2 for the price of 1 miracles. He doesn't just want to bless individual X. No, he want to bless X plus X's friends, relatives, coworkers, and maybe even X's dog. He looks for how much mileage He can get out of just one miracle.
The story in Matthew 9:18-23 illustrates just one of those 2 for the price of 1 miracles. It starts with a ruler's request that Jesus heal his dead daughter. "Come and put your hand on her", the ruler says, "and she will live" (Matthew 9:18). The ruler knows the value of Christ's touch.
There's another person in the crowd who knows the value of touch. She's someone who hasn't been touched for years. Her constant bleeding leaves her unclean and untouchable. She wants healing, but she doesn't want to expose herself. She reckons if she can just touch Jesus's garment, she will be healed.
The crowds slow Christ's way to the ruler's house, but maybe his slow progress is providential. It will provide an opportunity for the woman to find Him. She pushes through the crowd. She squirms between two people and gently grabs Christ's garment. Christ stops, "Take heart, daughter...your faith has healed you" (Matthew 9:22).
Christ is on his way to heal one man's daughter, but he takes the time to acknowledge a woman who may not have been acknowledged in years. Not only does he acknowledge her, but he calls her daughter. It is not only her body he seeks to heal but her spirit. "Take heart" he commands her: have courage God has recognized you.
When Christ reaches the ruler's house, he asks the mourners to leave, and he asks the onlookers to go. This is a miracle that will not happen for gawkers. No, this will be a quiet miracle; he takes the daughter's hand and she gets up.
In the course of one day, he has healed two women. He has encouraged one with words, and the other with touch. It would seem that as the Messiah he might have more important business, but his Father's business (the business he told his parents early on that he must be on) was the business of healing.
I hope that the woman who bled for too long and the ruler's daughter met. I hope that their lives were forever intertwined by sharing a day of Christ's miracles.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Spiritual Comparison
Matthew 8:14-15
Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”
Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. (Matthew 8:14,15)
I suspect that it was the Pharisees who first pointed out to John's disciples that Jesus's weren't fasting like them. Why else would John's disciples point out that they were fasting like the Pharisees? I can imagine John's disciple's discussing this with each other, "Yes, why do we fast and they don't?" On one hand there might have been a little spiritual smugness in their discussion. "We're doing the harder work." There might have also been a little frustration, "But we're doing the harder work!" (Funny, how those often go hand in hand.)
John's disciples without even realizing it unwittingly played into the hand of the devil. The devil wanted to discourage Jesus and create dissension between Jesus and John's disciples. If John's disciples could have seen what they were really doing, they might have been horrified. Luckily, Jesus didn't take the bait and simply redirected them to his mission, creating new lives prepared to have his spirit poured into them (new wine for new wineskins, Matthew 9:16-17).
The heart of John's disciples question comes from a source that is still alive today: spiritual comparison. We might see someone's incredibly successful ministry, and we compare their ministry to our just-getting-the-car-payments-in-each month. Our lives seem incredibly ordinary compared to those spiritual superstars. Or maybe we have the opposite problem. We see our neighbors who seem to be making bank, and we comfort ourselves with, "I might not have a BMW, but at least I'm not materialistic."
There's a story later in the gospels that offers a solution for our spiritual comparison. Jesus was reinstating Peter when Peter leaned back and asked, “'Lord, what about [John]?' Jesus answered, 'If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me'" (John 21:20-22).
Part of spiritual maturity is leaving behind comparisons to other Christians. If you're trying to be a spiritual superhero, this might get a little disappointing. God's not looking to see how great you are. He's not noticing how much harder you work at being a Christian. He's just looking to make your heart new so that he can pour his new wine into your life.
Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”
Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. (Matthew 8:14,15)
I suspect that it was the Pharisees who first pointed out to John's disciples that Jesus's weren't fasting like them. Why else would John's disciples point out that they were fasting like the Pharisees? I can imagine John's disciple's discussing this with each other, "Yes, why do we fast and they don't?" On one hand there might have been a little spiritual smugness in their discussion. "We're doing the harder work." There might have also been a little frustration, "But we're doing the harder work!" (Funny, how those often go hand in hand.)
John's disciples without even realizing it unwittingly played into the hand of the devil. The devil wanted to discourage Jesus and create dissension between Jesus and John's disciples. If John's disciples could have seen what they were really doing, they might have been horrified. Luckily, Jesus didn't take the bait and simply redirected them to his mission, creating new lives prepared to have his spirit poured into them (new wine for new wineskins, Matthew 9:16-17).
The heart of John's disciples question comes from a source that is still alive today: spiritual comparison. We might see someone's incredibly successful ministry, and we compare their ministry to our just-getting-the-car-payments-in-each month. Our lives seem incredibly ordinary compared to those spiritual superstars. Or maybe we have the opposite problem. We see our neighbors who seem to be making bank, and we comfort ourselves with, "I might not have a BMW, but at least I'm not materialistic."
There's a story later in the gospels that offers a solution for our spiritual comparison. Jesus was reinstating Peter when Peter leaned back and asked, “'Lord, what about [John]?' Jesus answered, 'If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me'" (John 21:20-22).
Part of spiritual maturity is leaving behind comparisons to other Christians. If you're trying to be a spiritual superhero, this might get a little disappointing. God's not looking to see how great you are. He's not noticing how much harder you work at being a Christian. He's just looking to make your heart new so that he can pour his new wine into your life.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Matthew
Matthew 9:9-13
I'm not sure I would have liked Matthew. I'm not sure you would have liked him either. He was a tax collector, but not of the IRS* play-by-the-rules ilk. No, he was most likely of the how-much-money-can-I-skim-from-you variety. Think of your local extortioner. You probably can't even think of one, so better yet think of someone who has ripped you off. That's Matthew. Scam artist. Matthew.
Jesus came to call the sinners and sometimes those sinners aren't fun. Sometimes sinners rip you off or cut you off. They say stupid things; they say hurtful things. They gossip behind your back or lie to your face.
Jesus told the Pharisees, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners" (Matthew 9:12-13).
Right now, what sinners are in your life? Whose unhealthiness is bringing you down? Just remember, Matthew. Jesus called Matthew and he's calling them. Who knows? They might just leave all and follow Christ. Who knows? They might just be the right people for God to use to show His mighty transforming merciful power.
*Not that I love IRS (internal revenue service) agents
I'm not sure I would have liked Matthew. I'm not sure you would have liked him either. He was a tax collector, but not of the IRS* play-by-the-rules ilk. No, he was most likely of the how-much-money-can-I-skim-from-you variety. Think of your local extortioner. You probably can't even think of one, so better yet think of someone who has ripped you off. That's Matthew. Scam artist. Matthew.
Jesus came to call the sinners and sometimes those sinners aren't fun. Sometimes sinners rip you off or cut you off. They say stupid things; they say hurtful things. They gossip behind your back or lie to your face.
Jesus told the Pharisees, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners" (Matthew 9:12-13).
Right now, what sinners are in your life? Whose unhealthiness is bringing you down? Just remember, Matthew. Jesus called Matthew and he's calling them. Who knows? They might just leave all and follow Christ. Who knows? They might just be the right people for God to use to show His mighty transforming merciful power.
*Not that I love IRS (internal revenue service) agents
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Forgiveness
Matthew 9:1-8
This scene rarely has dramatic music in movies, but it does send my heart rate up.
It's a moment one character asks another, "Will you forgive me?" Somehow I'm terrified that the person asking forgiveness will be told, "No." When I ask for forgiveness, I make myself so vulnerable that to watch even a fictional character denied forgiveness makes me shutter.
Remaining unforgiven by another human being is terrible, but just as bad is to remain unforgiven by God. Many of us (myself included) have what I can only call long term guilt. It could come from never getting a chance to apologize to someone, a sin that seems to fit into the too-big-to-be forgiven category, or a circumstance that despite our lack of real guilt we still feel guilty for (such as an accident that we might have caused where someone else got hurt).
Long-term guilt is spiritually debilitating. It distances us from God. It nags, festers, and wounds us. We long for escape from it, but somehow feel unworthy to be released from it.
When Jesus encounters the paralytic, he shows that he knows something about that man's heart (and our hearts as well). He doesn't heal the paralyzed man right away. No, he looks at that man and knows more than anything--this man must be forgiven.
He tells him, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven" (Matthew 9:2).
Yes, it's terrible to be paralyzed, but it's even worse to be unforgiven.
Jesus knows our need. He knows the things that we think can never be forgiven. He looks at us and tells us, "Take heart! Your sin is forgiven." This is heaven's stance. This is heaven's home: forgiveness.
This scene rarely has dramatic music in movies, but it does send my heart rate up.
It's a moment one character asks another, "Will you forgive me?" Somehow I'm terrified that the person asking forgiveness will be told, "No." When I ask for forgiveness, I make myself so vulnerable that to watch even a fictional character denied forgiveness makes me shutter.
Remaining unforgiven by another human being is terrible, but just as bad is to remain unforgiven by God. Many of us (myself included) have what I can only call long term guilt. It could come from never getting a chance to apologize to someone, a sin that seems to fit into the too-big-to-be forgiven category, or a circumstance that despite our lack of real guilt we still feel guilty for (such as an accident that we might have caused where someone else got hurt).
Long-term guilt is spiritually debilitating. It distances us from God. It nags, festers, and wounds us. We long for escape from it, but somehow feel unworthy to be released from it.
When Jesus encounters the paralytic, he shows that he knows something about that man's heart (and our hearts as well). He doesn't heal the paralyzed man right away. No, he looks at that man and knows more than anything--this man must be forgiven.
He tells him, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven" (Matthew 9:2).
Yes, it's terrible to be paralyzed, but it's even worse to be unforgiven.
Jesus knows our need. He knows the things that we think can never be forgiven. He looks at us and tells us, "Take heart! Your sin is forgiven." This is heaven's stance. This is heaven's home: forgiveness.
Pigs and Miracles
I wrote this on the beach during my camping trip.
Matthew 8:28-34
I wonder when the pig herders first knew that something was wrong? Did the pigs let out a squeal in unison or did they just start to run? I imagine the herders screaming as they tried to block the pigs from running for the cliff. "No! No! No! Turn back!" But there was no hope for the herders. The pigs were mad crazy, running for the cliff.
Then there must have been the aftermath, the sinking reality that they would need to report the loss to their boss. "All your pigs have gone into the sea," they would have told him. Maybe the owner afterward would have walked down to the ocean and watched as one bloated pig carcass after another washed up on shore. Did the owner think about the money, time, and hope he'd put into those pigs? They were his security.
What did the owner think of the rumors he heard coming from the town? The two town crazies had become sane, and they were crediting a man who had sent their demons into his pigs. Why his pigs? He was scared--the townspeople too. "Please," he might have asked Jesus. Please go."
I wonder if the pig owner ever learned that more than one miracle happened on the day his pigs died. Two men were set free and a pig owner engrossed in tie was given a chance to see eternity. Miracles can be costly. May they never be too expensive for us.
Matthew 8:28-34
I wonder when the pig herders first knew that something was wrong? Did the pigs let out a squeal in unison or did they just start to run? I imagine the herders screaming as they tried to block the pigs from running for the cliff. "No! No! No! Turn back!" But there was no hope for the herders. The pigs were mad crazy, running for the cliff.
Then there must have been the aftermath, the sinking reality that they would need to report the loss to their boss. "All your pigs have gone into the sea," they would have told him. Maybe the owner afterward would have walked down to the ocean and watched as one bloated pig carcass after another washed up on shore. Did the owner think about the money, time, and hope he'd put into those pigs? They were his security.
What did the owner think of the rumors he heard coming from the town? The two town crazies had become sane, and they were crediting a man who had sent their demons into his pigs. Why his pigs? He was scared--the townspeople too. "Please," he might have asked Jesus. Please go."
I wonder if the pig owner ever learned that more than one miracle happened on the day his pigs died. Two men were set free and a pig owner engrossed in tie was given a chance to see eternity. Miracles can be costly. May they never be too expensive for us.
The Storm
I went camping this weekend and had no access to the Internet. I wrote the gist of the following post in the campground bathroom. The place we stayed was super windy so the storm that Jesus calmed took on new meaning there.
Matthew 8:23-27
Fog. Rain. Hail. Typhoons. Tornadoes. Hurricanes. There's something helpless in us when exposed to weather. I've seen the outer layer of a tin roof blown off by strong winds from a typhoon. I've seen tree after tree knocked down--flattened by the force of a tornado. There's something helpless in us when exposed to the elements.
We can be so painfully powerless that the story of Christ calming the storm takes on a certain sweetness after being exposed to potentially lethal weather.
The first scene of the story finds Jesus asleep in the boat while his disciples are trying to row across the lake. I imagine flashes of lightening expose his peaceful slumbering face while those same flashes reveal the anxiety ridden faces of his disciples.
The storm rages and worsens and the disciples anxiety turns to pure fear--the boat will be swamped. They will die. They wake Jesus, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown" (Matthew 8:25). Jesus replies, "You of little faith why are you so afraid?" (Matthew 8:26). Then he gets up and rebukes the wind and "it was completely calm" (Matthew 8:26).
I like that Jesus rebukes the wind. He can tell storms to quiet down and those storms will listen!
Jesus is stronger than the waves, stronger than the wind, stronger than storms. He finds us in our most powerless moment. He finds us where we are most helpless and matches our helplessness to his might storm calming power.
Matthew 8:23-27
Fog. Rain. Hail. Typhoons. Tornadoes. Hurricanes. There's something helpless in us when exposed to weather. I've seen the outer layer of a tin roof blown off by strong winds from a typhoon. I've seen tree after tree knocked down--flattened by the force of a tornado. There's something helpless in us when exposed to the elements.
We can be so painfully powerless that the story of Christ calming the storm takes on a certain sweetness after being exposed to potentially lethal weather.
The first scene of the story finds Jesus asleep in the boat while his disciples are trying to row across the lake. I imagine flashes of lightening expose his peaceful slumbering face while those same flashes reveal the anxiety ridden faces of his disciples.
The storm rages and worsens and the disciples anxiety turns to pure fear--the boat will be swamped. They will die. They wake Jesus, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown" (Matthew 8:25). Jesus replies, "You of little faith why are you so afraid?" (Matthew 8:26). Then he gets up and rebukes the wind and "it was completely calm" (Matthew 8:26).
I like that Jesus rebukes the wind. He can tell storms to quiet down and those storms will listen!
Jesus is stronger than the waves, stronger than the wind, stronger than storms. He finds us in our most powerless moment. He finds us where we are most helpless and matches our helplessness to his might storm calming power.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
The Cost
Matthew 8:18-22
"Beware of the security trap", said Mr. George. I met Mr. George in Palawan, an island in southwestern Philippines. If anyone could talk about avoiding the security trap, he could. He had already spent nine years living off money he had raised through Adventist Frontier Missions and working in a village that was so remote you had to hike two hours just to reach it.
I long for security. Why else would I have health insurance, a retirement plan, car insurance, and a service contract for my car? I want to buy myself out of risk. But sometimes following Jesus means eschewing security. It means leaving behind what is safe and known and walking one step at a time behind my Savior.
A man came and promised that he would follow Jesus wherever Jesus went. Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head" (Matthew 8:20).
It is as if Jesus was saying, "Do you really want to follow me? You must understand where that will take you?"
I love singing, "Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go, anywhere He leads me in this world below." In one sense this song is completely true. The safest place to be (spiritually, emotionally, and physically) is where Jesus is. But if I take this song to mean anywhere with Jesus, there is no financial risk; anywhere with Jesus, there is no relational risk; anywhere with Jesus, there's no risk to my reputation; anywhere with Jesus, there's a good car and home; then I am in trouble. In fact, anywhere with Jesus might be very very dangerous.
Just look at where "anywhere with Jesus" landed Paul. He described his sufferings, "Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm" (2 Corinthians 11:24-27).
This is not the picture of the American dream. This is not the house with the three car garage, and the pool in the back yard.
But praise God it is not. I once talked with a friend's husband who was in training to be cardiac surgeon. We discussed how incredibly busy he was. But we also discussed how exciting and fulfilling his work was. It seems, we came to the conclusion, that the good things in life are often the hard things.
We may follow Jesus and not have a home. We may follow Jesus and not get all the things that we expect (especially as Americans), but what an incredible reward it is to follow him. We can say like Peter when Jesus asked the disciples if they were going to leave too. "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God" (John 6:67-68).
"Beware of the security trap", said Mr. George. I met Mr. George in Palawan, an island in southwestern Philippines. If anyone could talk about avoiding the security trap, he could. He had already spent nine years living off money he had raised through Adventist Frontier Missions and working in a village that was so remote you had to hike two hours just to reach it.
I long for security. Why else would I have health insurance, a retirement plan, car insurance, and a service contract for my car? I want to buy myself out of risk. But sometimes following Jesus means eschewing security. It means leaving behind what is safe and known and walking one step at a time behind my Savior.
A man came and promised that he would follow Jesus wherever Jesus went. Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head" (Matthew 8:20).
It is as if Jesus was saying, "Do you really want to follow me? You must understand where that will take you?"
I love singing, "Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go, anywhere He leads me in this world below." In one sense this song is completely true. The safest place to be (spiritually, emotionally, and physically) is where Jesus is. But if I take this song to mean anywhere with Jesus, there is no financial risk; anywhere with Jesus, there is no relational risk; anywhere with Jesus, there's no risk to my reputation; anywhere with Jesus, there's a good car and home; then I am in trouble. In fact, anywhere with Jesus might be very very dangerous.
Just look at where "anywhere with Jesus" landed Paul. He described his sufferings, "Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm" (2 Corinthians 11:24-27).
This is not the picture of the American dream. This is not the house with the three car garage, and the pool in the back yard.
But praise God it is not. I once talked with a friend's husband who was in training to be cardiac surgeon. We discussed how incredibly busy he was. But we also discussed how exciting and fulfilling his work was. It seems, we came to the conclusion, that the good things in life are often the hard things.
We may follow Jesus and not have a home. We may follow Jesus and not get all the things that we expect (especially as Americans), but what an incredible reward it is to follow him. We can say like Peter when Jesus asked the disciples if they were going to leave too. "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God" (John 6:67-68).
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Healed with a Touch
Matthew 7:14-15
"He touched her hand" (Matthew 7:15).
The last time I saw my great-grandmother I held her hand and stroked the blue lines of her veins with my finger. I am sure she did not know who I was, but she patted my hand as if to say, "Yes, I know you are here." She had lost so much of her memory, but she did not forget the simple connection of held hand.
It is hands that make the story of Jesus healing Peter's mother-in-law powerful. When Jesus finds Peter's mother-in-law sick with a fever, he bends over and takes her hand. The same person who spoke a universe into being heals a fever with a touch.
I wonder how long he held her hand? Maybe it was just a simple squeeze. Maybe he let her hand rest in his for awhile. I wonder what he said to her. I almost imagine that he did not say much--that his hand in hers was enough.
The next thing we know of her is that she gets up to serve him. She does did jump around. She does not sing loud hosanas. She simply gets up and serves the one who healed her. This was her act of love.
"He touched her hand" (Matthew 7:15).
The last time I saw my great-grandmother I held her hand and stroked the blue lines of her veins with my finger. I am sure she did not know who I was, but she patted my hand as if to say, "Yes, I know you are here." She had lost so much of her memory, but she did not forget the simple connection of held hand.
It is hands that make the story of Jesus healing Peter's mother-in-law powerful. When Jesus finds Peter's mother-in-law sick with a fever, he bends over and takes her hand. The same person who spoke a universe into being heals a fever with a touch.
I wonder how long he held her hand? Maybe it was just a simple squeeze. Maybe he let her hand rest in his for awhile. I wonder what he said to her. I almost imagine that he did not say much--that his hand in hers was enough.
The next thing we know of her is that she gets up to serve him. She does did jump around. She does not sing loud hosanas. She simply gets up and serves the one who healed her. This was her act of love.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Just Say the Word
Matthew 8:5-11
The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.
I think it is interesting that the story of the centurion is placed right after the story of the man with leprosy. They both approach Jesus; they both ask Jesus a favor, but it is the centurion whose faith is commended.
The centurion tells Jesus essentially, "I know what it means to have power. I know what it means to have my word fulfilled outside of my presence. You don't have to be present to heal my servant. Just say the word."
The centurion rests on Christ's word. This is one of the essentials of faith, to rest on God's word.
This is the faith I pray for.
The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.
I think it is interesting that the story of the centurion is placed right after the story of the man with leprosy. They both approach Jesus; they both ask Jesus a favor, but it is the centurion whose faith is commended.
The centurion tells Jesus essentially, "I know what it means to have power. I know what it means to have my word fulfilled outside of my presence. You don't have to be present to heal my servant. Just say the word."
The centurion rests on Christ's word. This is one of the essentials of faith, to rest on God's word.
This is the faith I pray for.
Monday, March 5, 2012
If You are Willing
Matthew 7:28 & 29
When Jesus had finished teaching, a leper came to him and asked him a favor. He said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean" (Matthew 8:2).
I love Jesus response to the leper because it comes with an exclamation mark, "I am willing...Be clean!" (Matthew 8:3).
Jesus reply to the leper makes me think of our natural response to friends. When a friend asks us a favor, we usually respond with "Yes, of course I can do that." So when someone asks us a favor but prefaces it with too many, "Would you mind if...I know it's a bother...this will be really hard for you..." we can feel hurt that our friend does not trust us.
The leper may have asked Jesus if he was willing out of politeness and not distrust, but Jesus' response should give us all courage. When we ask him something, he is willing!
Our prayers are not (or at least should not be) hesitant half-hearted sorry-to inconvenience-you prayers. No, they are prayers spoken by children who know their Father is listening.
"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).
When Jesus had finished teaching, a leper came to him and asked him a favor. He said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean" (Matthew 8:2).
I love Jesus response to the leper because it comes with an exclamation mark, "I am willing...Be clean!" (Matthew 8:3).
Jesus reply to the leper makes me think of our natural response to friends. When a friend asks us a favor, we usually respond with "Yes, of course I can do that." So when someone asks us a favor but prefaces it with too many, "Would you mind if...I know it's a bother...this will be really hard for you..." we can feel hurt that our friend does not trust us.
The leper may have asked Jesus if he was willing out of politeness and not distrust, but Jesus' response should give us all courage. When we ask him something, he is willing!
Our prayers are not (or at least should not be) hesitant half-hearted sorry-to inconvenience-you prayers. No, they are prayers spoken by children who know their Father is listening.
"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Authority
"When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law" (Matthew 7:28,29).
I spent some time in an academic environment where people didn't speak of the Truth but truths. It was unheard of for truth to be singular--and anathema for it to have a capital. In retrospect, I see it as a form of denying Christ. Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). There is the Truth and the Truth is Christ.
This is why Jesus could speak with such authority. He knew who He was. He was the Power of the universe, he was the Love of God, he was Truth.
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7).
I spent some time in an academic environment where people didn't speak of the Truth but truths. It was unheard of for truth to be singular--and anathema for it to have a capital. In retrospect, I see it as a form of denying Christ. Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). There is the Truth and the Truth is Christ.
This is why Jesus could speak with such authority. He knew who He was. He was the Power of the universe, he was the Love of God, he was Truth.
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7).
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Build Your House on a Rock
Matthew 7:24-27
I grew up singing: The Wise Man Built His House. Here's an abridged version of it.
The wise man built his house upon the rock
And the rain came tumbling down
Oh, the rain came down
And the floods came up
The rain came down
And the floods came up
And the wise man's house stood firm.
The foolish man built his house upon the sand
The foolish man built his house upon the sand
And the rain came tumbling down
Oh, the rain came down
And the floods came up
The rain came down
And the floods came up
And the foolish man's house went "splat!"
I love this song and I love the parable that it is based on. The wisdom is so simple: build your house on something solid, recognize that floods do come and be ready for them.
I've mentioned in my other blog that I'm in a very ordinary season of my life. Now is the time for me to be building my life on a strong foundation. How do I do that? Jesus introduction to the parable sums it up well, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock" (Matthew 7:24).
I need to look for ways to put God's word into practice. I look for ways to store God's word in my memory. I think Fernando Ortega's song Lord of Eternity sums it up well:
Blessed is the man
Who walks in Your favor
Who loves all Your words
And hides them like treasure
In the darkest place
Of his desperate heart
They are a light
A strong sure light.
If I spend this time putting God's word in my life and learning to practice it well, those words become a strong foundation and a sure light when life's storms roll in.
I grew up singing: The Wise Man Built His House. Here's an abridged version of it.
The wise man built his house upon the rock
And the rain came tumbling down
Oh, the rain came down
And the floods came up
The rain came down
And the floods came up
And the wise man's house stood firm.
The foolish man built his house upon the sand
The foolish man built his house upon the sand
And the rain came tumbling down
Oh, the rain came down
And the floods came up
The rain came down
And the floods came up
And the foolish man's house went "splat!"
I love this song and I love the parable that it is based on. The wisdom is so simple: build your house on something solid, recognize that floods do come and be ready for them.
I've mentioned in my other blog that I'm in a very ordinary season of my life. Now is the time for me to be building my life on a strong foundation. How do I do that? Jesus introduction to the parable sums it up well, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock" (Matthew 7:24).
I need to look for ways to put God's word into practice. I look for ways to store God's word in my memory. I think Fernando Ortega's song Lord of Eternity sums it up well:
Blessed is the man
Who walks in Your favor
Who loves all Your words
And hides them like treasure
In the darkest place
Of his desperate heart
They are a light
A strong sure light.
If I spend this time putting God's word in my life and learning to practice it well, those words become a strong foundation and a sure light when life's storms roll in.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Litmus Test
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' (Matthew 7:21-22).
I like how this text follows immediately against the warning to watch for false prophets. Not only should we watch for false prophets, but we should be aware that our own spiritual life can be false.
We might be prophecy in God's name, drive out demons, and even perform miracles but the litmus test for whether our relationship with God is genuine is if we are doing the will of God. What is the will of God?
I think God's most basic test is to treat others well. The litmus test that is given later in the book of Matthew is how we treated the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and those in prison (Matthew 25).
Is my walk with God true or false? How am I treating those who have nothing to give me?
I like how this text follows immediately against the warning to watch for false prophets. Not only should we watch for false prophets, but we should be aware that our own spiritual life can be false.
We might be prophecy in God's name, drive out demons, and even perform miracles but the litmus test for whether our relationship with God is genuine is if we are doing the will of God. What is the will of God?
I think God's most basic test is to treat others well. The litmus test that is given later in the book of Matthew is how we treated the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and those in prison (Matthew 25).
Is my walk with God true or false? How am I treating those who have nothing to give me?
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Spiritual Frauds
Matthew 7:15-18
Every once and awhile you hear in the news about a con artist who befriended a congregation then got them to buy (gold, stocks, mutual funds, property) from him then skips out of town with their money. People usually trust the guy (or gal) because he belongs to their church. He speaks their language. He understands their needs.
This story line is tragic, but there are some ways to prevent it. Here's one of those steps from an article How to Avoid Money Scams:
"Do your own due diligence. That means you must delve into the background, qualifications, and track record of the person/entity presenting the “opportunity.” Always assume that the venture is not legit; then allow your research to prove otherwise" (para. 5).
While it's tragic to have your life savings lost to a fraudster. There's actually a greater danger. It's the danger of spiritual fraud. Jesus said, "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves" (Matthew 7:15).
In some ways, the same test for a financial fraudster can be applied to a spiritual fraud. We delve into their background. "By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them" (Matthew 7: 16-18).
Is the speaker's life producing good fruit: "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness"? (Galatians 5:22).
Is the leader's message in line with the word of God? This one is harder because it requires time to become familiar with the Bible. We need a basic biblical knowledge to even recognize when someone is departing from the Bible, and we need to take the time to go back over what a speaker has said and analyze it according to scripture.
This process of comparing what someone has said with scripture is broader than just pastors. Sometimes we are being spiritually trained by the media. Am I fact checking every area of my life against God's word?
I want to be like the Bereans that Paul commended: "Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day" (Acts 17:11).
Every once and awhile you hear in the news about a con artist who befriended a congregation then got them to buy (gold, stocks, mutual funds, property) from him then skips out of town with their money. People usually trust the guy (or gal) because he belongs to their church. He speaks their language. He understands their needs.
This story line is tragic, but there are some ways to prevent it. Here's one of those steps from an article How to Avoid Money Scams:
"Do your own due diligence. That means you must delve into the background, qualifications, and track record of the person/entity presenting the “opportunity.” Always assume that the venture is not legit; then allow your research to prove otherwise" (para. 5).
While it's tragic to have your life savings lost to a fraudster. There's actually a greater danger. It's the danger of spiritual fraud. Jesus said, "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves" (Matthew 7:15).
In some ways, the same test for a financial fraudster can be applied to a spiritual fraud. We delve into their background. "By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them" (Matthew 7: 16-18).
Is the speaker's life producing good fruit: "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness"? (Galatians 5:22).
Is the leader's message in line with the word of God? This one is harder because it requires time to become familiar with the Bible. We need a basic biblical knowledge to even recognize when someone is departing from the Bible, and we need to take the time to go back over what a speaker has said and analyze it according to scripture.
This process of comparing what someone has said with scripture is broader than just pastors. Sometimes we are being spiritually trained by the media. Am I fact checking every area of my life against God's word?
I want to be like the Bereans that Paul commended: "Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day" (Acts 17:11).
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